Practical discourses concerning obedience and the love of God. Vol. II by John Scott ...
         Scott, John, 1639-1695.
      
       
         
           1698
        
      
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             Practical discourses concerning obedience and the love of God. Vol. II by John Scott ...
             Scott, John, 1639-1695.
             Zouch, Humphrey.
          
           [7], 472 p.
           
             Printed for W. Kettilby ... and S. Manship ...,
             London :
             MDCXCVIII [1698]
          
           
             Frontispiece portrait of Scott.
             Dedication signed: Humphrey Zouch.
             Reproduction of original in the Union Theological Seminary Library,New York.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           God -- Worship and love.
        
      
    
     
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               Johannes
               Scott
               S.
               T.
               P.
               
            
          
        
      
       
         
         
           PRACTICAL
           DISCOURSES
           Concerning
           OBEDIENCE
           ,
           AND
           THE
           Love
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Vol.
           II.
           
        
         
           By
           
             IOHN
             SCOTT
          
           ,
           D.
           D.
           late
           Rector
           of
           St.
           
           Giles's
           in
           the
           Fields
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           for
           
             W.
             Kettilby
          
           at
           the
           
             Bishop's
             Head
          
           in
           St.
           
           Paul's
           Church-yard
           ;
           and
           
             S.
             Manship
          
           at
           the
           Ship
           near
           the
           Royal-Exchange
           in
           Cornhill
           ,
           MDCXCVIII
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           To
           the
           Right
           Honorable
           DANIEL
           ,
           Earl
           of
           Nottingham
           .
        
         
           
             MY
             LORD
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Am
           very
           sensible
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           the
           known
           Favourer
           of
           Men
           of
           eminent
           Worth
           and
           Learning
           ;
           I
           only
           take
           this
           Opportunity
           of
           acquainting
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           You
           were
           so
           ,
           of
           the
           Author
           of
           these
           following
           Discourses
           ,
           that
           so
           you
           may
           receive
           in
           larger
           Measures
           those
           Tributes
           which
           are
           due
           to
           Publick
           
           Benefactors
           ,
           the
           Prayers
           and
           Praises
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           For
           they
           who
           have
           ,
           or
           shall
           be
           bettered
           by
           This
           great
           Author's
           Works
           ,
           are
           oblig'd
           in
           a
           peculiar
           Manner
           to
           remember
           that
           Right
           Honourable
           Person
           ,
           who
           by
           his
           Countenance
           did
           not
           only
           encourage
           him
           to
           be
           serviceable
           ,
           but
           did
           really
           endeavour
           to
           render
           him
           more
           useful
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           procuring
           for
           him
           a
           little
           Recess
           from
           the
           Toil
           and
           Labours
           of
           his
           weighty
           Employment
           :
           Had
           this
           succeeded
           ,
           in
           all
           Humane
           Probability
           he
           had
           lived
           longer
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           should
           have
           seen
           that
           truly
           Pious
           and
           most
           sublime
           Design
           he
           intended
           to
           pursue
           ;
           
           and
           should
           have
           been
           well
           acquainted
           with
           that
           uncultivated
           part
           of
           Religion
           ,
           
             The
             Duties
             of
             Piety
             towards
             God
             :
          
           And
           perhaps
           by
           Them
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           given
           a
           guess
           at
           the
           Praises
           and
           Hallelujahs
           of
           those
           blest
           Beings
           above
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           been
           managed
           with
           that
           Strength
           of
           Eloquence
           ,
           that
           Fervour
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           pois'd
           and
           temper'd
           with
           such
           a
           Judgment
           as
           his
           .
           But
           he
           is
           gone
           to
           bear
           a
           part
           in
           the
           Heavenly
           Choir
           ,
           where
           (
           if
           he
           knows
           what
           is
           done
           here
           below
           )
           it
           will
           be
           a
           pleasing
           Prospect
           to
           my
           dear
           departed
           Friend
           ,
           to
           see
           Your
           Lordship
           and
           your
           Noble
           Family
           ,
           the
           Possessors
           and
           design'd
           Heirs
           
           of
           the
           Honours
           of
           both
           Worlds
           .
           I
           am
           ,
        
         
           
             My
             Lord
             ,
          
           
             Your
             Lordships
             most
             Humble
             and
             most
             devoted
             Servant
             ,
             
               HUMPHREY
               ZOUCH
            
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           
             1
             JOHN
             V.
             3
             .
          
           
             For
             this
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             ;
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           first
           Verse
           the
           Apostle
           asserts
           ,
           that
           
             whosoever
             believeth
             that
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Christ
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           so
           believes
           as
           to
           act
           suitable
           to
           his
           Belief
           ,
           
             is
             born
             of
             God
          
           ;
           he
           is
           become
           a
           Child
           of
           God
           by
           partaking
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           stamped
           with
           his
           Likeness
           ;
           and
           
             every
             one
             that
             loveth
             him
             that
             begat
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           God
           his
           Heavenly
           Father
           ,
           
             loveth
             him
             also
             that
             is
             begotten
             of
             him
             ,
          
           hath
           a
           true
           hearty
           Kindness
           for
           all
           that
           are
           God's
           Children
           .
           And
           then
           in
           the
           second
           Verse
           ,
           
             by
             this
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             we
             know
             that
             we
             love
             the
             Children
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           consequently
           that
           we
           are
           
             born
             of
             God
             ,
             if
             we
             love
             God
             and
             keep
             his
             Commandments
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           so
           love
           him
           as
           to
           keep
           his
           Commandments
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           not
           so
           love
           him
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           love
           him
           at
           all
           ,
           and
           consequently
           we
           do
           not
           love
           his
           Children
           ,
           nor
           are
           we
           his
           Children
           our selves
           ;
           of
           which
           he
           gives
           a
           full
           Proof
           in
           the
           Text
           ;
           
             for
             this
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             ;
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
          
        
         
           In
           which
           Words
           ,
           you
           have
           First
           an
           Account
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           ;
           
             This
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             :
          
           and
           Secondly
           ,
           a
           Motive
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           it
           ,
           
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
          
        
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           of
           these
           ,
           the
           Account
           of
           this
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           what
           it
           is
           ;
           
             This
             is
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             .
          
           By
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           here
           we
           are
           not
           to
           understand
           God's
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           is
           plain
           by
           this
           ,
           because
           't
           is
           placed
           in
           our
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           .
           This
           is
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           natural
           Effect
           and
           proper
           Exercise
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           certain
           that
           keeping
           God's
           Commandments
           is
           not
           the
           Affection
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           the
           Effect
           of
           it
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Meaning
           of
           the
           Words
           is
           this
           ,
           this
           is
           the
           most
           genuine
           Expression
           and
           inseparable
           Effect
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           we
           obey
           his
           Laws
           .
           And
           hence
           our
           Saviour
           makes
           this
           the
           proper
           Tryal
           and
           Proof
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           
             If
             ye
             love
             me
             ,
             keep
             my
             Commandments
             ,
          
           John
           xiv
           .
           15
           .
           for
           this
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           ver
           .
           23.
           is
           the
           necessary
           Consequence
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           
             If
             any
             man
             love
             me
             ,
             he
             will
             keep
             my
             words
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           this
           will
           
           most
           certainly
           be
           the
           Effect
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           be
           obedient
           to
           my
           Will.
           And
           by
           this
           he
           plainly
           tells
           us
           he
           will
           judge
           of
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           our
           Friendship
           to
           him
           ,
           John
           xv
           .
           14
           .
           
             Ye
             are
             my
             friends
             ,
             if
             ye
             do
             whatsoever
             I
             command
             you
             .
          
           From
           all
           which
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           proper
           and
           characteristical
           Expression
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           is
           our
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           .
           And
           indeed
           considering
           that
           God
           is
           our
           Soveraign
           Lawgiver
           ,
           there
           are
           no
           Actions
           by
           which
           we
           can
           so
           naturally
           express
           our
           Affection
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           by
           those
           of
           Obedience
           and
           Submission
           to
           his
           Laws
           ;
           and
           therefore
           we
           find
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           to
           
             love
             God
          
           ,
           and
           obey
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           to
           
             hate
             God
          
           and
           disobey
           them
           ,
           are
           generally
           used
           promiscuously
           for
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           very
           good
           reason
           ;
           for
           here
           our
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           of
           God
           are
           not
           considered
           as
           conversant
           about
           God
           as
           God
           (
           in
           which
           sense
           perhaps
           there
           is
           no
           Creature
           in
           the
           World
           can
           be
           said
           to
           hate
           him
           )
           but
           as
           conversant
           about
           him
           as
           Lord
           and
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           as
           he
           gives
           Laws
           to
           Mankind
           ,
           whereby
           he
           commands
           them
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           forbids
           them
           what
           to
           avoid
           .
           And
           in
           this
           Sense
           ,
           to
           love
           God
           is
           to
           love
           him
           as
           Governing
           and
           Commanding
           ,
           and
           as
           such
           ,
           we
           can
           no
           otherwise
           express
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           by
           
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           .
           But
           for
           the
           farther
           clearing
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           shall
           in
           Prosecution
           of
           the
           Argument
           do
           these
           two
           Things
           :
           
             
               I.
               Shew
               you
               that
               wheresoever
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               is
               ,
               it
               will
               most
               certainly
               prove
               a
               Principle
               of
               Obedience
               to
               him
               .
            
             
               II.
               That
               the
               Love
               of
               God
               is
               in
               it self
               the
               most
               perfect
               and
               effectual
               Principle
               of
               Obedience
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           wheresoever
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           ,
           it
           will
           most
           certainly
           prove
           a
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           to
           him
           .
           And
           this
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           will
           evidently
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           all
           the
           natural
           Expressions
           of
           our
           Love
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           terminated
           upon
           God
           ,
           do
           of
           their
           own
           accord
           finally
           resolve
           themselves
           into
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Will.
           For
           Love
           ,
           wheresoever
           it
           is
           hearty
           and
           sincere
           ,
           always
           expresses
           it self
           in
           such
           Symptoms
           as
           these
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           In
           industriously
           endeavouring
           to
           resemble
           the
           Beloved
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           In
           conforming
           the
           
             Will
             ,
             Designs
          
           ,
           and
           Intentions
           ,
           to
           the
           Will
           ,
           and
           Designs
           ,
           and
           Intentions
           of
           the
           Beloved
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           In
           a
           solicitous
           Care
           of
           avoiding
           those
           Things
           which
           may
           any
           ways
           displease
           or
           distaste
           the
           Beloved
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           In
           a
           chearful
           Readiness
           to
           undergo
           any
           thing
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           hard
           or
           difficult
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           the
           Beloved
           .
           All
           which
           
           Expressions
           of
           our
           Love
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           terminated
           upon
           God
           ,
           do
           most
           naturally
           run
           into
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Will.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           our
           Love
           will
           express
           it self
           in
           endeavouring
           to
           resemble
           him
           .
           For
           every
           Man
           esteems
           what
           he
           loves
           to
           be
           lovely
           ,
           and
           we
           naturally
           wish
           that
           that
           were
           in
           our selves
           which
           we
           esteem
           to
           be
           lovely
           in
           another
           ;
           that
           so
           being
           like
           him
           ,
           we
           may
           appear
           as
           lovely
           in
           his
           Eyes
           as
           he
           doth
           in
           ours
           .
           And
           so
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           necessarily
           esteem
           him
           exceeding
           lovely
           and
           amiable
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           we
           esteem
           and
           love
           as
           lovely
           in
           him
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           wish
           for
           and
           desire
           in
           our selves
           out
           of
           a
           natural
           Affectation
           of
           Loveliness
           :
           And
           that
           he
           may
           have
           the
           same
           Reason
           to
           love
           us
           as
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           we
           must
           needs
           desire
           to
           resemble
           him
           in
           all
           those
           amiable
           Things
           that
           do
           endear
           him
           to
           us
           .
           But
           now
           those
           Beauties
           in
           God
           being
           all
           of
           them
           only
           moral
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           immediate
           Objects
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           transcribed
           by
           Imitation
           ,
           and
           made
           ours
           by
           copying
           and
           writing
           after
           them
           in
           our
           Actions
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           we
           heartily
           desire
           to
           partake
           of
           them
           ,
           our
           Desire
           will
           necessarily
           engage
           us
           to
           imitate
           them
           ;
           for
           how
           can
           we
           be
           said
           heartily
           to
           desire
           that
           Good
           which
           we
           may
           have
           ,
           but
           will
           
           take
           no
           Care
           to
           acquire
           ?
           I
           confess
           ,
           did
           we
           love
           him
           for
           his
           Eternity
           ,
           or
           his
           Power
           ,
           or
           his
           Immensity
           ,
           we
           might
           wish
           to
           be
           like
           him
           ,
           but
           all
           in
           vain
           ;
           because
           in
           these
           Perfections
           we
           are
           not
           capable
           of
           imitating
           him
           :
           But
           the
           Beauties
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ,
           are
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           all
           which
           being
           imitable
           by
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           ,
           if
           we
           please
           ,
           derive
           into
           our selves
           ,
           and
           transcribe
           into
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           .
           So
           that
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           necessarily
           desire
           to
           resemble
           him
           in
           those
           Things
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           those
           things
           being
           all
           of
           an
           imitable
           nature
           ,
           our
           Desire
           of
           resembling
           him
           will
           oblige
           and
           excite
           us
           to
           a
           careful
           and
           constant
           Imitation
           of
           him
           .
           But
           now
           to
           obey
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           imitate
           him
           in
           those
           
             Moral
             Perfections
          
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ,
           are
           one
           and
           the
           same
           thing
           .
           Thus
           when
           I
           obey
           God
           in
           being
           universally
           just
           and
           righteous
           towards
           himself
           and
           all
           his
           Creation
           ,
           I
           imitate
           him
           in
           that
           essential
           Justice
           and
           Equity
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           eternal
           Rule
           of
           all
           his
           Actions
           .
           When
           I
           obey
           him
           in
           
             doing
             good
          
           to
           all
           that
           are
           within
           the
           Reach
           of
           my
           Charity
           ,
           I
           imitate
           him
           in
           the
           overflowing
           Bounty
           and
           unlimited
           Goodness
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           when
           I
           obey
           him
           in
           forgiving
           those
           that
           injure
           
           me
           ,
           I
           imitate
           him
           in
           his
           boundless
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           Readiness
           to
           forgive
           Offenders
           .
           And
           in
           fine
           ,
           all
           our
           Obedience
           is
           comprehended
           in
           being
           pure
           as
           he
           is
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           as
           he
           is
           holy
           ;
           in
           being
           good
           as
           he
           is
           
             good
             ,
             just
          
           as
           he
           is
           
             just
             ,
             merciful
          
           as
           he
           is
           merciful
           :
           For
           though
           the
           Acts
           and
           Expressions
           of
           these
           
             Moral
             Perfections
          
           in
           us
           are
           in
           many
           Instances
           different
           from
           what
           they
           are
           in
           God
           ,
           by
           reason
           of
           that
           Difference
           of
           
             Natures
             ,
             Relations
          
           ,
           and
           Circumstances
           that
           there
           is
           between
           him
           and
           us
           ;
           yet
           the
           Perfections
           in
           general
           are
           of
           the
           same
           kind
           in
           him
           and
           us
           ,
           though
           the
           particular
           Expressions
           of
           them
           are
           various
           by
           reason
           of
           those
           accidental
           Differences
           .
           For
           though
           he
           doth
           not
           do
           all
           those
           particular
           Actions
           which
           he
           requires
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           consequently
           we
           in
           doing
           those
           Actions
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           imitate
           the
           same
           Actions
           in
           God
           ;
           yet
           we
           imitate
           God
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           in
           doing
           those
           Actions
           which
           he
           himself
           would
           have
           done
           ,
           had
           he
           had
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           been
           in
           our
           Relations
           and
           Circumstances
           .
           Thus
           God
           doth
           not
           pray
           ,
           because
           he
           hath
           none
           superior
           to
           him
           ;
           nor
           humble
           himself
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           infinitely
           great
           and
           perfect
           ;
           nor
           practise
           Chastity
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           a
           
             pure
             Spirit
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           no
           Commerce
           with
           bodily
           Affections
           ;
           and
           consequently
           we
           in
           
           doing
           of
           these
           Actions
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           imitate
           the
           same
           Actions
           in
           God
           ,
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           the
           same
           .
           But
           he
           constantly
           doth
           whatsoever
           is
           reasonable
           for
           him
           to
           do
           as
           God
           ,
           and
           as
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           never
           varies
           in
           the
           
             least
             Punctilio
          
           from
           the
           eternal
           Rules
           of
           Equity
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           by
           which
           he
           gives
           a
           glorious
           Example
           unto
           all
           his
           Reasonable
           Creatures
           ,
           to
           excite
           both
           Angels
           and
           Men
           to
           do
           what
           is
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           for
           them
           in
           their
           several
           States
           and
           Relations
           :
           And
           what
           is
           reasonable
           for
           us
           Men
           to
           do
           ,
           he
           hath
           declared
           to
           us
           in
           his
           Laws
           ;
           so
           that
           by
           obeying
           his
           Laws
           we
           imitate
           God
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           by
           doing
           what
           is
           reasonable
           for
           us
           ;
           though
           what
           is
           reasonable
           for
           God
           and
           us
           ,
           whose
           Natures
           and
           Relations
           are
           so
           different
           ,
           be
           not
           the
           same
           in
           all
           particular
           Instances
           .
           So
           that
           in
           general
           you
           see
           ,
           to
           obey
           and
           imitate
           God
           is
           but
           the
           same
           Thing
           in
           other
           Words
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           doth
           necessarily
           include
           a
           Desire
           of
           resembling
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           Desire
           necessarily
           produces
           a
           constant
           and
           vigorous
           Imitation
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           Imitation
           is
           all
           one
           with
           obeying
           him
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           if
           our
           Love
           of
           him
           be
           sincere
           ,
           it
           must
           finally
           resolve
           into
           Obedience
           .
           For
           how
           can
           I
           love
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           think
           him
           lovely
           ?
           How
           can
           I
           
           think
           him
           lovely
           ,
           and
           not
           desire
           to
           be
           like
           him
           ?
           How
           can
           I
           desire
           to
           be
           like
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           take
           Care
           to
           imitate
           him
           ?
           And
           how
           else
           can
           I
           imitate
           him
           ,
           but
           by
           obeying
           him
           ?
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           our
           Love
           will
           conform
           our
           
             Wills
             ,
             Designs
          
           ,
           and
           Intentions
           to
           the
           Will
           ,
           Designs
           ,
           and
           Intentions
           of
           God.
           For
           Love
           always
           unites
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Lover
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Beloved
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           mutual
           ,
           it
           twists
           them
           together
           into
           one
           Will
           ,
           and
           confounds
           all
           their
           Discords
           into
           a
           perfect
           Harmony
           ;
           because
           Love
           doth
           necessarily
           conclude
           in
           it
           Benevolence
           ,
           which
           consists
           in
           an
           unfeigned
           Will
           that
           all
           may
           go
           well
           with
           him
           whom
           we
           love
           ;
           that
           he
           may
           enjoy
           every
           Good
           that
           he
           wills
           ,
           and
           accomplish
           every
           
             Desire
             ,
             Design
          
           ,
           and
           Intention
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           good
           and
           reasonable
           for
           him
           .
           So
           that
           supposing
           that
           the
           Beloved
           be
           but
           his
           own
           Friend
           ,
           that
           he
           wills
           and
           designs
           and
           pursues
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           really
           good
           and
           grateful
           to
           him
           ;
           the
           Lover
           ,
           as
           such
           ,
           ought
           necessarily
           to
           conspire
           with
           him
           in
           the
           same
           Will
           ,
           and
           Designs
           ,
           and
           Pursuits
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           heartily
           love
           God
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           will
           what
           he
           wills
           ,
           and
           design
           and
           intend
           what
           he
           intends
           and
           designs
           ;
           every
           Motion
           of
           that
           
             first
             great
          
           Mover
           will
           be
           an
           effectual
           Law
           to
           govern
           all
           
           our
           Motions
           ,
           and
           our
           Wills
           ,
           and
           Desires
           ,
           and
           Designs
           ,
           and
           Intentions
           ,
           like
           the
           lesser
           Wheels
           of
           an
           Automaton
           ,
           will
           presently
           run
           at
           the
           first
           Impulse
           of
           that
           great
           Master-Wheel
           without
           the
           least
           Rub
           or
           Hesitation
           ,
           and
           in
           despite
           of
           all
           the
           Contentions
           of
           a
           rebellious
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Counter-strivings
           of
           a
           
             perverse
             ungovernable
          
           Heart
           ,
           our
           Love
           will
           so
           captivate
           our
           Wills
           to
           God's
           ,
           that
           between
           him
           and
           us
           there
           will
           be
           but
           one
           Will
           ,
           and
           End
           ,
           and
           Interest
           .
           And
           our
           Wills
           being
           thus
           subjected
           to
           him
           by
           the
           invincible
           Necessity
           of
           Love
           ,
           all
           our
           inferior
           Powers
           ,
           like
           smaller
           Garrisons
           when
           the
           Master-Fort
           is
           taken
           ,
           will
           presently
           surrender
           of
           their
           own
           accord
           .
           For
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           a
           Rebel
           to
           God
           whether
           he
           will
           or
           no
           ;
           because
           the
           Will
           is
           the
           commanding
           Principle
           ,
           and
           hath
           such
           an
           absolute
           Empire
           over
           all
           our
           Actions
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           do
           what
           we
           will
           not
           .
           So
           that
           if
           we
           will
           and
           design
           what
           God
           wills
           and
           designs
           ,
           our
           Practice
           must
           necessarily
           be
           conformable
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           know
           and
           understand
           it
           ;
           for
           as
           God's
           Will
           gives
           Law
           to
           ours
           ,
           so
           our
           Will
           gives
           Law
           to
           our
           Actions
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           consequence
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           must
           be
           the
           Soveraign
           Law
           whereby
           both
           are
           regulated
           and
           determined
           .
           From
           hence
           therefore
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           
           that
           if
           we
           sincerely
           love
           God
           ,
           we
           shall
           will
           as
           he
           wills
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           we
           will
           as
           he
           wills
           ,
           we
           shall
           act
           as
           he
           would
           have
           us
           ;
           and
           therefore
           for
           any
           Man
           to
           say
           that
           he
           loves
           God
           while
           he
           wills
           contrary
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           or
           that
           his
           Will
           is
           reconciled
           to
           God's
           while
           he
           acts
           contrary
           to
           his
           Commands
           ,
           is
           gross
           Hypocrisy
           and
           deep
           Dissimulation
           :
           For
           as
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           resolves
           necessarily
           into
           an
           Union
           of
           Wills
           with
           him
           ,
           so
           that
           Union
           of
           Wills
           resolves
           necessarily
           into
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Laws
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           that
           Love
           will
           express
           it self
           in
           a
           solicitous
           Care
           of
           avoiding
           every
           Thing
           that
           may
           displease
           or
           distaste
           him
           .
           For
           the
           greatest
           Ambition
           of
           Love
           is
           to
           appear
           lovely
           and
           amiable
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           its
           Beloved
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           may
           do
           so
           ,
           it
           doth
           most
           studiously
           avoid
           whatsoever
           may
           be
           displeasing
           or
           distastful
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           most
           industriously
           endeavours
           to
           adorn
           it self
           with
           all
           those
           obliging
           Graces
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           endear
           and
           recommend
           it
           .
           And
           so
           if
           we
           love
           God
           we
           cannot
           but
           desire
           to
           be
           lovely
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ;
           and
           that
           Desire
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           sincere
           and
           hearty
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           engage
           us
           to
           an
           endeavour
           of
           acquiring
           whatsoever
           is
           amiable
           and
           pleasing
           ,
           and
           of
           avoiding
           whatsoever
           is
           hateful
           and
           grievous
           to
           him
           .
           But
           now
           Vertue
           and
           
             true
             Goodness
          
           
           are
           the
           only
           Beauties
           that
           do
           endear
           us
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           render
           us
           lovely
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           Sin
           and
           Wickedness
           the
           only
           Deformities
           for
           which
           he
           hates
           and
           abhors
           us
           :
           For
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           are
           not
           regulated
           like
           ours
           ,
           by
           the
           unaccountable
           Impulses
           of
           a
           mutable
           Fancy
           ,
           but
           by
           steady
           and
           eternal
           Rules
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           can
           never
           love
           what
           he
           once
           hated
           ,
           nor
           hate
           what
           he
           once
           loved
           .
           For
           the
           Immutability
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           consists
           not
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           always
           loves
           and
           hates
           the
           same
           Persons
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           always
           loves
           and
           hates
           Persons
           for
           the
           same
           Reason
           and
           Motive
           .
           And
           indeed
           that
           Love
           is
           but
           a
           foolish
           Fondness
           ,
           that
           Hatred
           but
           an
           unreasonable
           Antipathy
           ,
           that
           ,
           without
           any
           reasonable
           Motive
           ,
           always
           determines
           on
           the
           same
           Person
           :
           And
           if
           God
           loves
           and
           hates
           our
           Persons
           upon
           reasonable
           Motives
           ,
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           would
           be
           fickle
           and
           mutable
           ,
           if
           when
           those
           Motives
           cease
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           should
           continue
           .
           If
           he
           should
           continue
           to
           love
           us
           when
           the
           Reason
           is
           wholly
           ceased
           that
           first
           moved
           him
           thereunto
           ,
           he
           must
           either
           love
           us
           for
           no
           Reason
           ,
           which
           would
           be
           a
           foolish
           Fondness
           ,
           or
           he
           must
           love
           us
           for
           contrary
           Reasons
           ,
           which
           would
           be
           Fickleness
           and
           Inconstancy
           :
           And
           therefore
           when
           God
           ceases
           to
           love
           and
           hate
           the
           same
           Persons
           
           when
           the
           Reason
           of
           his
           loving
           and
           hating
           them
           ceases
           ,
           it
           proceeds
           not
           from
           the
           Inconstancy
           ,
           but
           the
           Immutability
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           ;
           for
           though
           they
           may
           change
           their
           Objects
           ,
           yet
           they
           can
           never
           change
           their
           Reasons
           .
           For
           the
           Reasons
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           are
           in
           the
           Objects
           whom
           he
           loves
           and
           hates
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           he
           changes
           the
           Objects
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           themselves
           are
           changed
           ,
           if
           he
           love
           a
           Person
           whom
           he
           hated
           when
           that
           Person
           is
           changed
           from
           hateful
           to
           lovely
           ;
           or
           hate
           a
           Person
           whom
           he
           loved
           when
           that
           Person
           is
           changed
           from
           lovely
           to
           hateful
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           he
           that
           changes
           ,
           but
           the
           Persons
           who
           are
           the
           Objects
           of
           his
           Love
           or
           his
           Hatred
           :
           For
           amidst
           all
           Changes
           of
           Objects
           ,
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           are
           eternally
           the
           same
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           eternally
           fixed
           and
           determined
           to
           the
           same
           Reasons
           .
           But
           now
           his
           Love
           being
           naturally
           founded
           in
           Likeness
           ,
           what
           can
           we
           suppose
           should
           be
           the
           Reason
           of
           God's
           Love
           or
           Hatred
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           only
           our
           Likeness
           or
           Vnlikeness
           to
           himself
           ?
           For
           if
           we
           resemble
           him
           in
           that
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           Purity
           ,
           and
           Justice
           ,
           which
           are
           essential
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           love
           us
           for
           his
           own
           sake
           ,
           because
           we
           partake
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           are
           allied
           to
           him
           by
           a
           Similitude
           of
           Temper
           and
           Perfections
           .
           But
           then
           
           when
           we
           are
           not
           only
           unlike
           ,
           but
           contrary
           to
           him
           ;
           when
           we
           are
           
             impure
             ,
             spightful
          
           ,
           and
           malicious
           ;
           when
           we
           are
           
             false
             ,
             unrighteous
          
           ,
           and
           unreasonable
           ;
           he
           hath
           an
           Antipathy
           against
           us
           founded
           in
           his
           very
           Nature
           ,
           and
           he
           can
           no
           more
           love
           us
           whilst
           we
           are
           so
           contrarily
           disposed
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           he
           can
           hate
           himself
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           there
           is
           nothing
           can
           render
           us
           lovely
           in
           God's
           Eyes
           but
           only
           our
           resembling
           him
           in
           Purity
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           nothing
           can
           render
           us
           
             hateful
             ,
             offensive
          
           ,
           and
           distastful
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           our
           being
           impure
           ,
           and
           wicked
           ,
           and
           unlike
           him
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           we
           can
           no
           otherwise
           render
           our selves
           amiable
           to
           him
           ,
           no
           otherwise
           avoid
           offending
           and
           grieving
           him
           ,
           but
           only
           by
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           for
           therein
           all
           those
           Graces
           are
           enjoined
           wherein
           our
           Resemblance
           of
           him
           consists
           ;
           and
           all
           those
           Vices
           are
           forbid
           that
           are
           contrary
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           do
           deform
           us
           in
           his
           Eyes
           .
           So
           that
           by
           doing
           his
           Will
           ,
           we
           imitate
           his
           Nature
           ;
           and
           shall
           acquire
           such
           a
           god-like
           Temper
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           will
           render
           us
           more
           glorious
           and
           lovely
           in
           his
           Esteem
           ,
           than
           if
           we
           were
           decked
           with
           Stars
           ,
           or
           cloathed
           in
           a
           Robe
           of
           Sun-beams
           ;
           whereas
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           by
           disobeying
           his
           Will
           we
           contract
           such
           an
           Vnlikeness
           and
           Contrariety
           to
           him
           ,
           as
           renders
           us
           more
           offensive
           to
           him
           
           than
           the
           most
           loathsome
           Deformities
           in
           Nature
           .
           For
           in
           God's
           eyes
           there
           is
           nothing
           ugly
           but
           Sin
           ,
           nothing
           amiable
           but
           Virtue
           and
           true
           Goodness
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           necessarily
           includes
           an
           earnest
           Desire
           of
           rendring
           our selves
           lovely
           and
           amiable
           in
           his
           Esteem
           ,
           and
           since
           we
           have
           no
           other
           way
           to
           accomplish
           this
           Desire
           but
           only
           by
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           sincerely
           love
           him
           whilst
           we
           disobey
           him
           .
           For
           with
           what
           Confidence
           can
           we
           pretend
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           indifferent
           to
           us
           whether
           we
           render
           our selves
           lovely
           or
           loathsome
           to
           him
           ;
           when
           by
           disobeying
           his
           Will
           we
           wilfully
           contract
           those
           Deformities
           which
           we
           know
           he
           abhors
           ,
           and
           which
           are
           more
           odious
           in
           his
           Eyes
           than
           any
           of
           the
           most
           loathsome
           Spectacles
           in
           Nature
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           that
           true
           Love
           should
           consist
           with
           taking
           Pleasure
           in
           the
           only
           Things
           that
           can
           grieve
           and
           offend
           its
           Object
           ?
           Or
           were
           there
           ever
           such
           Lovers
           heard
           of
           ,
           that
           affected
           the
           Deformities
           that
           were
           most
           hateful
           to
           the
           Beloved
           ?
           No
           ,
           no
           ;
           he
           that
           heartily
           loves
           ,
           must
           desire
           to
           be
           beloved
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           desires
           to
           be
           beloved
           ,
           must
           desire
           to
           be
           lovely
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           nothing
           is
           lovely
           in
           God's
           Eyes
           but
           what
           is
           like
           God
           ,
           and
           we
           cannot
           be
           like
           him
           ,
           unless
           we
           keep
           his
           
           Commandments
           ;
           what
           an
           Immodesty
           is
           it
           in
           us
           to
           pretend
           to
           love
           him
           while
           we
           chuse
           to
           disobey
           him
           ?
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           lastly
           ,
           If
           we
           love
           God
           sincerely
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           ready
           chearfully
           to
           undergo
           any
           Thing
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           hard
           and
           difficult
           :
           For
           Love
           is
           a
           bold
           and
           vigorous
           Passion
           ,
           it
           makes
           weak
           Things
           strong
           ,
           and
           turns
           Cowards
           into
           Heroes
           ,
           and
           warms
           and
           animates
           the
           Heart
           with
           such
           a
           generous
           Fire
           ,
           as
           disdains
           all
           Opposition
           ,
           and
           courageously
           out-braves
           the
           greatest
           Dangers
           and
           Difficulties
           .
           For
           he
           that
           loves
           heartily
           would
           do
           any
           Thing
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           his
           Beloved
           ;
           and
           then
           measuring
           his
           Strength
           by
           the
           Greatness
           of
           his
           Desires
           ,
           he
           thinks
           himself
           able
           to
           do
           whatsoever
           he
           will.
           So
           strongly
           doth
           this
           Passion
           transport
           Nature
           beyond
           the
           Bounds
           of
           its
           Abilities
           ,
           inspiring
           it
           with
           such
           Force
           and
           Vigour
           as
           that
           scarce
           any
           thing
           is
           able
           to
           withstand
           it
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           love
           God
           sincerely
           and
           heartily
           ,
           our
           Love
           must
           necessarily
           resolve
           into
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           hard
           and
           difficult
           :
           For
           our
           Love
           will
           so
           enliven
           and
           animate
           our
           Endeavours
           of
           serving
           him
           ,
           and
           carry
           us
           with
           such
           Spirit
           and
           Alacrity
           through
           all
           the
           weary
           Stages
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           be
           our
           Meat
           and
           Drink
           to
           do
           his
           Will
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           Instance
           of
           
           Obedience
           ,
           be
           it
           never
           so
           hard
           and
           difficult
           ,
           but
           our
           Love
           will
           smother
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           not
           only
           easy
           ,
           but
           delightful
           .
           For
           what
           I
           do
           for
           him
           whom
           I
           love
           ,
           I
           do
           for
           my self
           ,
           his
           Pleasures
           being
           mine
           ,
           and
           our
           Wills
           ,
           and
           Ends
           ,
           and
           Interests
           being
           involved
           in
           one
           another
           .
           So
           that
           if
           my
           Love
           be
           in
           any
           Measure
           intense
           and
           cordial
           ,
           I
           shall
           do
           his
           Pleasure
           and
           perform
           his
           Will
           with
           the
           same
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           as
           if
           I
           were
           doing
           my
           own
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           Difficulties
           I
           meet
           with
           in
           serving
           him
           ,
           I
           shall
           encounter
           them
           with
           Joy
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           furnished
           with
           Opportunities
           of
           expressing
           the
           Zeal
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           my
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           So
           that
           to
           pretend
           to
           love
           God
           ,
           and
           yet
           to
           boggle
           at
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           obeying
           him
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           shameful
           Hypocrisy
           in
           nature
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           did
           as
           highly
           love
           him
           as
           we
           pretend
           ,
           our
           Wills
           would
           be
           so
           swallowed
           up
           in
           his
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           be
           our
           Joy
           and
           Recreation
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           Thought
           that
           we
           are
           doing
           what
           is
           pleasing
           and
           grateful
           to
           him
           ,
           would
           level
           all
           the
           Mountains
           of
           Difficulties
           in
           our
           way
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           not
           only
           accessible
           ,
           but
           easy
           .
           He
           therefore
           that
           stumbles
           at
           every
           Straw
           ,
           and
           startles
           at
           every
           Difficulty
           in
           Religion
           ,
           must
           be
           a
           notorious
           Hypocrite
           if
           he
           pretend
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           :
           for
           where
           true
           Love
           is
           ,
           
           Difficulty
           is
           so
           far
           from
           daunting
           it
           ,
           that
           that
           animates
           and
           encourages
           it
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           blunting
           its
           Activity
           ,
           whets
           and
           renders
           it
           more
           keen
           and
           vigorous
           ;
           because
           the
           greater
           the
           Difficulty
           is
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           its
           Opportunity
           of
           manifesting
           its
           own
           Sincerity
           ,
           and
           thereby
           of
           recommending
           it self
           to
           it
           s
           Beloved
           ;
           the
           Joy
           of
           which
           not
           only
           ballances
           ,
           but
           endears
           all
           its
           Pains
           and
           Trouble
           .
           Hence
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             there
             is
             no
             fear
             in
             love
             ,
             and
             that
             perfect
             love
             casteth
             out
             fear
             ,
          
           1
           John
           iv
           .
           18
           .
           It
           inspires
           us
           with
           such
           Bravery
           and
           Courage
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           Difficulty
           in
           our
           Obedience
           to
           him
           whom
           we
           love
           ,
           that
           can
           daunt
           or
           terrify
           us
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           this
           is
           a
           necessary
           Property
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           make
           us
           ready
           to
           undergo
           any
           Thing
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           this
           also
           must
           necessarily
           resolve
           into
           the
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           are
           willing
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           for
           God
           ,
           we
           shall
           surely
           be
           willing
           to
           obey
           him
           ;
           and
           though
           our
           Obedience
           in
           some
           Instances
           may
           be
           difficult
           ,
           yet
           our
           Love
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           real
           ,
           will
           conquer
           its
           way
           through
           them
           all
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           how
           all
           the
           essential
           Properties
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           do
           finally
           resolve
           into
           Obedience
           ;
           from
           whence
           it
           is
           evident
           ,
           that
           wheresoever
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           ,
           it
           will
           most
           certainly
           prove
           a
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           .
        
         
         
           II.
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           the
           second
           Head
           of
           Discourse
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             is
             it self
             the
             most
             perfect
             Principle
             of
             Obedience
             .
          
           Not
           that
           I
           think
           all
           other
           Principles
           in
           their
           own
           nature
           bad
           ;
           for
           God
           himself
           hath
           proposed
           other
           Principles
           of
           Action
           to
           us
           besides
           this
           of
           Love
           ;
           he
           hath
           denounced
           his
           fearful
           Threatnings
           against
           us
           to
           alarm
           our
           Fear
           ;
           that
           by
           that
           we
           may
           be
           moved
           to
           obey
           him
           ,
           and
           propounded
           his
           glorious
           Promises
           to
           us
           to
           excite
           our
           Hope
           ,
           that
           that
           may
           be
           a
           Spring
           and
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           in
           us
           .
           And
           certainly
           that
           can
           be
           no
           bad
           Principle
           which
           is
           excited
           in
           us
           by
           divine
           Motives
           :
           but
           yet
           it
           is
           most
           certain
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           no
           Principle
           whatsoever
           can
           be
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           quite
           separated
           from
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           for
           that
           which
           makes
           it
           acceptable
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           Principle
           of
           Vniversal
           Obedience
           .
           But
           now
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           being
           the
           greatest
           Instance
           of
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           no
           Principle
           of
           universal
           Obedience
           that
           is
           wholly
           separated
           from
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Religion
           of
           most
           Men
           begins
           upon
           a
           Principle
           either
           of
           Hope
           or
           Fear
           ,
           and
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           but
           they
           are
           very
           good
           Beginners
           ;
           but
           yet
           till
           by
           these
           we
           are
           induced
           to
           love
           God
           as
           well
           as
           to
           practise
           all
           other
           Duties
           ,
           we
           are
           by
           no
           means
           pleasing
           and
           
           acceptable
           to
           him
           :
           So
           that
           though
           the
           Fear
           of
           Punishment
           and
           the
           Hope
           of
           Reward
           are
           good
           Ingredients
           in
           the
           Principle
           of
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           yet
           till
           they
           have
           some
           Intermixtures
           of
           Love
           with
           them
           ,
           they
           can
           make
           no
           Claim
           to
           the
           divine
           Acceptation
           .
           There
           may
           be
           indeed
           ,
           and
           at
           first
           there
           generally
           is
           ,
           much
           less
           of
           Love
           in
           this
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           than
           of
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           ,
           whilst
           yet
           the
           whole
           Composition
           is
           very
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ;
           for
           the
           lowest
           Degree
           of
           cordial
           Love
           ,
           intermixed
           with
           our
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           ,
           will
           leaven
           and
           consecrate
           them
           into
           an
           acceptable
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           ;
           but
           still
           the
           less
           Love
           there
           is
           in
           it
           ,
           the
           
             more
             weak
          
           ,
           and
           languid
           ,
           and
           imperfect
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           its
           Progresses
           towards
           Perfection
           its
           Maturity
           is
           to
           be
           measured
           by
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Love
           that
           are
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           till
           our
           Love
           is
           arrived
           unto
           that
           Degree
           of
           Ardency
           as
           to
           become
           the
           predominant
           Motive
           and
           Master-Ingredient
           in
           it
           ,
           our
           State
           in
           Goodness
           is
           very
           slow
           and
           imperfect
           .
           So
           that
           in
           short
           ,
           the
           Principle
           of
           our
           Obedience
           is
           more
           and
           more
           perfect
           the
           more
           of
           Love
           there
           is
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           less
           of
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           ;
           and
           when
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           are
           all
           swallowed
           up
           in
           Love
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           the
           sole
           Spring
           of
           Action
           within
           us
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           that
           acts
           
           and
           animates
           the
           
             Religion
             of
             the
             Spirits
             of
             just
             men
             made
             perfect
             .
          
           But
           to
           convince
           you
           how
           much
           our
           Obedience
           is
           perfected
           by
           Love
           ,
           I
           shall
           briefly
           give
           you
           these
           following
           Instances
           of
           it
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               It
               rendereth
               our
               Obedience
               universal
               and
               unconfined
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Spritely
               and
               chearful
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Natural
               and
               easy
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Constant
               and
               steady
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Love
           renders
           our
           Obedience
           universal
           and
           unconfined
           .
           When
           Men
           are
           acted
           only
           by
           a
           Principle
           of
           Fear
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           very
           narrow
           and
           stingy
           in
           their
           Religion
           ;
           for
           they
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           do
           no
           more
           than
           just
           what
           is
           necessary
           to
           quiet
           their
           Fears
           and
           calm
           their
           Consciences
           ;
           and
           because
           they
           do
           not
           like
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           but
           are
           meerly
           forced
           upon
           it
           by
           the
           Terror
           and
           Anguish
           of
           
             their
             own
          
           Minds
           ,
           therefore
           ,
           if
           they
           can
           ,
           they
           will
           find
           some
           Way
           to
           pacify
           their
           Consciences
           without
           doing
           it
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           with
           doing
           as
           little
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           or
           with
           doing
           that
           only
           which
           they
           like
           best
           ,
           and
           is
           most
           agreeable
           to
           their
           vitiated
           Tempers
           .
           Thus
           Persons
           of
           sour
           and
           morose
           Natures
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           acted
           meerly
           by
           the
           Terrors
           of
           their
           Consciences
           ,
           commonly
           betake
           themselves
           to
           some
           
             little
             affected
          
           Singularities
           and
           Severities
           in
           Religion
           ;
           they
           will
           
           put
           on
           some
           distinguishing
           Garb
           ,
           and
           tip
           their
           Tongues
           with
           some
           peculiar
           Phrases
           ,
           and
           screw
           their
           Faces
           into
           a
           most
           devout
           and
           mortified
           Figure
           ;
           they
           will
           condemn
           themselves
           to
           a
           State
           of
           Silence
           ,
           and
           retire
           from
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           most
           innocent
           Festivities
           of
           Conversation
           ;
           they
           will
           frown
           all
           good
           Humour
           out
           of
           their
           Houses
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           endure
           so
           much
           as
           a
           Smile
           in
           their
           Families
           ,
           especially
           on
           the
           Lord's-Day
           ;
           and
           take
           a
           world
           of
           Care
           and
           Pains
           to
           moap
           their
           Children
           into
           unsociable
           Statues
           ,
           and
           to
           train
           them
           up
           in
           the
           Religion
           of
           pensive
           Looks
           ,
           and
           solemn
           Faces
           ,
           and
           ejaculated
           Eyes
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           such
           a
           Reformation
           as
           is
           suitable
           to
           their
           sour
           and
           surly
           Natures
           ;
           and
           therefore
           with
           this
           they
           will
           seek
           to
           bribe
           their
           Consciences
           to
           connive
           at
           all
           their
           black
           and
           devilish
           Inclinations
           .
           Thus
           also
           it
           is
           usual
           for
           Slanderers
           and
           
             Backbiters
             ,
             contentious
          
           and
           censorious
           Persons
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           under
           an
           Agony
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           to
           list
           themselves
           into
           some
           Sect
           or
           Party
           ,
           where
           ,
           under
           a
           Pretence
           of
           being
           the
           only
           People
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           may
           consecrate
           their
           most
           unhallowed
           Passions
           ,
           and
           rail
           and
           backbite
           with
           Zeal
           and
           Devotion
           ;
           where
           they
           may
           spit
           all
           their
           Venom
           in
           spiritual
           Gossiping
           ,
           and
           freely
           employ
           the
           Talent
           of
           their
           Ill-nature
           in
           damning
           and
           censuring
           those
           they
           
           dissent
           from
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           such
           a
           Conversion
           as
           best
           agrees
           with
           their
           cankerous
           Inclinations
           ,
           so
           that
           if
           they
           can
           but
           cheat
           their
           Conscience
           with
           it
           ,
           that
           and
           their
           beloved
           Lust
           will
           be
           very
           well
           reconciled
           .
           Thus
           also
           the
           covetous
           and
           griping
           Oppressor
           ,
           when
           he
           cannot
           otherwise
           still
           the
           Cries
           of
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           will
           betake
           himself
           to
           some
           of
           the
           cheaper
           Exercises
           of
           Religion
           ;
           he
           will
           fast
           and
           pray
           ,
           hear
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           receive
           Sacraments
           ,
           because
           all
           these
           Things
           he
           can
           do
           without
           intrenching
           upon
           his
           Vice
           ;
           he
           can
           say
           his
           Prayers
           for
           nothing
           ,
           and
           save
           Money
           by
           keeping
           a
           Fast
           ,
           and
           eat
           and
           drink
           at
           the
           Sacrament
           gratis
           ;
           all
           this
           is
           so
           cheap
           a
           Religion
           ,
           that
           it
           costs
           him
           nothing
           to
           maintain
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           his
           covetous
           Mind
           hath
           no
           Reason
           to
           grudge
           at
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           his
           Conscience
           will
           be
           but
           satisfied
           with
           this
           ,
           his
           Lust
           and
           that
           may
           shake
           hands
           and
           be
           Friends
           .
           And
           to
           name
           no
           more
           ,
           thus
           when
           the
           intemperate
           and
           lascivious
           Person
           is
           dogg'd
           by
           the
           Fears
           of
           his
           guilty
           Mind
           ,
           it
           is
           usual
           for
           him
           to
           sigh
           and
           mourn
           ,
           and
           make
           woful
           Confessions
           of
           his
           Sins
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           hath
           done
           so
           ,
           to
           endeavour
           to
           persuade
           himself
           that
           this
           is
           true
           Repentance
           ;
           which
           if
           he
           can
           do
           ,
           he
           may
           sin
           on
           securely
           ,
           provided
           he
           doth
           but
           perpetually
           keep
           himself
           in
           this
           Circle
           of
           repenting
           and
           
           sinning
           ,
           and
           sinning
           and
           repenting
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           cannot
           so
           cheat
           himself
           ,
           he
           will
           next
           fly
           to
           the
           Sanctuary
           of
           a
           partial
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           disband
           the
           Vices
           he
           can
           best
           spare
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           may
           keep
           his
           more
           beloved
           ones
           in
           Pay
           ;
           hoping
           that
           by
           a
           Sacrifice
           of
           some
           few
           of
           his
           Sins
           ,
           he
           may
           make
           an
           Atonement
           for
           all
           the
           rest
           .
           Thus
           when
           Men
           are
           only
           acted
           by
           their
           Fears
           ,
           they
           will
           find
           some
           way
           or
           other
           to
           contract
           their
           Religion
           into
           so
           narrow
           a
           Compass
           ,
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           sure
           not
           to
           intrench
           too
           far
           upon
           the
           Liberties
           of
           their
           Lusts.
           For
           he
           that
           doth
           a
           Thing
           out
           of
           Fear
           is
           averse
           to
           the
           doing
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           Aversation
           will
           so
           stint
           and
           limit
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           contrive
           all
           Ways
           to
           do
           as
           little
           as
           he
           can
           ,
           and
           still
           the
           less
           he
           is
           forced
           to
           do
           ,
           the
           better
           he
           will
           be
           pleas'd
           .
        
         
           But
           Love
           is
           that
           great
           Soul
           that
           acts
           and
           animates
           the
           whole
           Body
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           equally
           diffuses
           its
           Influence
           through
           every
           Part
           and
           Member
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Beloved
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Lover
           ,
           and
           every
           Thing
           pleases
           him
           ,
           that
           is
           pleasing
           to
           him
           whom
           he
           loves
           .
           So
           that
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           we
           shall
           do
           what
           he
           commands
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           and
           that
           Reason
           extends
           equally
           to
           all
           as
           well
           as
           to
           any
           Instances
           of
           Obedience
           ;
           and
           
           therefore
           if
           the
           Motive
           of
           our
           Obedience
           be
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           God's
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           we
           must
           necessarily
           obey
           him
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           we
           understand
           ,
           in
           every
           Thing
           that
           is
           so
           .
           For
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           such
           a
           Consent
           and
           Harmony
           between
           his
           Will
           and
           ours
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           best
           pleased
           with
           what
           pleases
           him
           ;
           and
           being
           so
           ,
           our
           Obedience
           will
           be
           no
           longer
           limited
           by
           any
           
             particular
             Likes
          
           or
           Dislikes
           of
           our
           own
           ,
           which
           will
           then
           all
           vail
           and
           prostrate
           themselves
           to
           God's
           sovereign
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           so
           there
           will
           be
           nothing
           but
           that
           to
           set
           Limits
           and
           Bounds
           to
           our
           Obedience
           .
           So
           that
           then
           we
           shall
           be
           so
           far
           from
           contriving
           how
           to
           escape
           doing
           his
           Will
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           ready
           to
           court
           all
           Opportunities
           of
           pleasing
           him
           ,
           and
           be
           so
           passionately
           desirous
           of
           doing
           what
           we
           think
           is
           grateful
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           not
           only
           perform
           what
           he
           requires
           by
           explicite
           Command
           ,
           but
           be
           ready
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           most
           secret
           Notices
           and
           Intimations
           of
           his
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           whatsoever
           we
           think
           will
           please
           him
           when
           it
           is
           performed
           ,
           whether
           it
           be
           commanded
           or
           no.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Love
           renders
           our
           Obedience
           spritely
           and
           vigorous
           :
           For
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Passion
           in
           humane
           Nature
           so
           active
           and
           vigorous
           as
           that
           of
           Love
           ▪
           for
           in
           this
           all
           the
           
           other
           Passions
           are
           seated
           as
           in
           their
           common
           Root
           and
           Principle
           ,
           and
           like
           so
           many
           Streams
           ,
           though
           they
           run
           several
           Ways
           and
           in
           different
           Chanels
           ,
           yet
           do
           they
           all
           issue
           out
           of
           one
           common
           Spring
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           Love.
           For
           the
           Love
           of
           our selves
           is
           the
           Parent
           of
           all
           our
           Passions
           ;
           't
           is
           that
           which
           makes
           us
           hate
           what
           is
           contrary
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           desire
           and
           hope
           for
           whatsoever
           is
           pleasant
           and
           agreeable
           .
           And
           when
           we
           love
           any
           particular
           Object
           ,
           and
           our
           Wills
           are
           pleasingly
           affected
           with
           the
           Beauty
           of
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           a
           Thing
           that
           is
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           enjoy
           ,
           that
           excites
           in
           us
           a
           Desire
           of
           Enjoyment
           ,
           if
           together
           with
           the
           Possibility
           there
           be
           a
           Probability
           of
           enjoying
           it
           ,
           that
           excites
           Hope
           and
           Expectation
           ;
           but
           if
           there
           be
           not
           ,
           that
           excites
           Fear
           ,
           and
           this
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           being
           exalted
           to
           their
           highest
           Degree
           ,
           turn
           into
           Confidence
           and
           Desperation
           .
           If
           any
           Difficulty
           oppose
           it self
           to
           our
           Enjoyment
           ,
           that
           excites
           Choler
           ,
           and
           Courage
           ,
           and
           Boldness
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           surmount
           those
           Difficulties
           that
           hindred
           our
           Enjoyment
           ,
           that
           excites
           Joy
           and
           Exultation
           of
           Mind
           .
           Thus
           Love
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           with
           the
           Beauty
           of
           an
           Object
           ,
           immediately
           kindles
           its
           Desires
           ,
           excites
           its
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           ,
           and
           carries
           the
           Fire
           into
           all
           the
           Passions
           which
           hold
           of
           its
           Empire
           ;
           so
           that
           having
           the
           united
           Force
           
           of
           all
           the
           other
           Passions
           at
           its
           Beck
           and
           Command
           ,
           its
           self
           must
           needs
           be
           extremely
           potent
           and
           vigorous
           ;
           and
           consequently
           when
           it
           is
           terminated
           upon
           God
           ,
           and
           become
           the
           reigning
           Principle
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           him
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Passion
           in
           our
           Natures
           can
           have
           that
           Influence
           upon
           us
           to
           make
           us
           active
           and
           vigorous
           in
           the
           doing
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           as
           this
           may
           reasonably
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           ;
           because
           when
           we
           are
           under
           the
           Command
           of
           Love
           ,
           that
           having
           in
           it
           the
           Force
           of
           all
           our
           other
           Passions
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           move
           and
           act
           us
           with
           all
           their
           united
           Influence
           .
           And
           when
           the
           separate
           Force
           of
           all
           our
           Passions
           ,
           like
           so
           many
           single
           Threads
           ,
           are
           twisted
           into
           one
           Cord
           ,
           with
           what
           a
           potent
           ,
           I
           had
           almost
           said
           omnipotent
           Vigour
           must
           they
           draw
           and
           attract
           us
           ?
           When
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           shall
           all
           at
           once
           awaken
           in
           us
           the
           Desire
           and
           Hope
           of
           enjoying
           him
           ,
           the
           Fear
           and
           Displeasure
           of
           losing
           him
           ,
           the
           Resolution
           and
           Courage
           to
           charge
           through
           every
           Difficulty
           that
           opposes
           our
           Fruition
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           our
           Obedience
           shall
           be
           all
           at
           once
           informed
           and
           animated
           with
           the
           united
           Force
           of
           all
           those
           mighty
           Passions
           ;
           how
           active
           and
           vigorous
           must
           it
           needs
           be
           ?
           For
           the
           Wise
           Man
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             Love
             is
             as
             strong
             as
             Death
             ,
          
           Cant.
           viii
           .
           6
           .
           that
           't
           is
           an
           equal
           Match
           for
           the
           all-conquering
           King
           of
           
           Terrors
           ,
           to
           whose
           Power
           the
           mightiest
           Things
           do
           stoop
           :
           And
           indeed
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           strong
           when
           it
           hath
           all
           the
           Force
           of
           Humane
           Nature
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           is
           winged
           with
           the
           united
           Vigour
           of
           so
           many
           strong
           and
           active
           Affections
           .
           Hence
           the
           Apostle
           attributes
           a
           constraining
           Vertue
           to
           it
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           v.
           14
           .
           
             For
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             constraineth
             us
          
           ;
           it
           sweetly
           tyrannizes
           over
           all
           our
           Faculties
           ;
           and
           by
           a
           willing
           Violence
           forces
           and
           captivates
           us
           into
           Obedience
           .
           But
           when
           a
           Man
           is
           acted
           only
           by
           a
           Principle
           of
           Fear
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           drive
           on
           heavily
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           his
           Obedience
           ;
           because
           what
           a
           Man
           doth
           out
           of
           Fear
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           do
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           acts
           with
           Aversation
           ,
           and
           moves
           all
           along
           counter
           to
           his
           own
           Inclinations
           ,
           and
           hath
           not
           the
           joint
           Concurrence
           of
           his
           other
           Affections
           as
           he
           hath
           when
           he
           acts
           out
           of
           Love
           ;
           and
           consequently
           his
           Passions
           thwarting
           and
           crossing
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           do
           retard
           and
           hinder
           each
           others
           Motions
           .
           So
           that
           though
           the
           Motion
           of
           Fear
           doth
           finally
           prevail
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           so
           broken
           and
           weakned
           by
           the
           counter-motions
           of
           Inclination
           ,
           that
           it
           cannot
           act
           us
           with
           that
           Spriteliness
           and
           Vigour
           as
           otherwise
           it
           would
           do
           :
           for
           whilst
           our
           Fear
           gives
           Wings
           to
           us
           ,
           our
           Inclination
           hangs
           a
           Clog
           at
           our
           Heels
           ,
           which
           wearies
           those
           Wings
           ,
           and
           slackens
           and
           retards
           their
           
           Flight
           .
           Whereas
           ,
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           acted
           by
           Love
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Counter-motion
           within
           to
           let
           and
           hinder
           us
           ,
           but
           all
           our
           Passions
           unite
           and
           conspire
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           
             inferior
             Orbs
          
           of
           Heaven
           move
           harmoniously
           with
           Love
           the
           first
           Great-mover
           ,
           because
           there
           is
           nothing
           within
           to
           check
           or
           allay
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           we
           move
           on
           freely
           
             secundo
             flumine
          
           ,
           with
           the
           full
           and
           uninterrupted
           Current
           of
           our
           Natures
           .
           So
           that
           Love
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           active
           and
           vigorous
           Soul
           ;
           it
           makes
           us
           all
           Life
           ,
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Wing
           ,
           and
           animates
           our
           Religion
           with
           such
           a
           spritely
           Flame
           ,
           as
           nothing
           is
           able
           to
           controul
           or
           suppress
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           were
           but
           once
           throughly
           informed
           with
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           this
           would
           so
           enliven
           us
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           Religion
           would
           be
           too
           hard
           for
           us
           ;
           this
           would
           turn
           Toils
           into
           Recreations
           ,
           and
           Difficulties
           into
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           so
           nimble
           and
           agile
           in
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           
             run
             the
             ways
             of
             Gods
             Commandments
             ,
          
           as
           David
           said
           he
           would
           do
           ,
           
             when
             God
             should
             enlarge
             his
             heart
             with
             the
             love
             of
             him
             ,
          
           Psal.
           cxix
           .
           32
           .
           And
           whereas
           languid
           Souls
           ,
           enfeebled
           with
           the
           want
           of
           this
           generous
           Passion
           ,
           find
           Impossibilities
           ,
           and
           complain
           of
           Impotencies
           ,
           and
           make
           a
           stop
           ;
           we
           should
           go
           on
           and
           conquer
           with
           an
           invincible
           Power
           .
           Thus
           Love
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           is
           
           the
           most
           spritely
           and
           vigorous
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Love
           renders
           our
           Obedience
           free
           and
           chearful
           and
           voluntary
           .
           He
           who
           obeys
           God
           only
           from
           a
           Principle
           of
           Fear
           ,
           obeys
           him
           against
           his
           Will
           ;
           he
           takes
           down
           his
           Duty
           as
           sick
           Men
           do
           Physick
           ,
           with
           Loathing
           and
           Reluctancy
           ,
           and
           only
           submits
           to
           it
           as
           a
           more
           tolerable
           Penance
           than
           the
           present
           Horror
           that
           he
           feels
           ,
           and
           the
           after-Damnation
           that
           he
           fears
           ;
           he
           only
           chuses
           it
           as
           the
           least
           of
           two
           Evils
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           a
           Thing
           that
           he
           hates
           ,
           though
           not
           in
           so
           great
           a
           Degree
           as
           he
           doth
           those
           greater
           Evils
           which
           he
           knows
           are
           inseparable
           to
           his
           not
           chusing
           it
           :
           And
           while
           it
           is
           thus
           with
           him
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           he
           should
           obey
           with
           any
           Freedom
           or
           Alacrity
           .
           For
           how
           can
           a
           Man
           chearfully
           comply
           with
           what
           he
           hates
           ,
           or
           become
           a
           Volunteer
           to
           that
           which
           is
           his
           Torment
           ?
           He
           may
           labour
           indeed
           at
           his
           Duty
           ,
           and
           tug
           hard
           ,
           like
           a
           Gally-slave
           ,
           at
           the
           Oar
           ,
           but
           alas
           !
           't
           is
           sore
           against
           his
           Will
           ;
           he
           would
           fain
           be
           at
           his
           Lust
           again
           ,
           but
           that
           he
           is
           chained
           to
           his
           Duty
           ,
           and
           kept
           in
           Awe
           by
           that
           flaming
           Scourge
           that
           is
           held
           over
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           is
           perfectly
           pressed
           to
           serve
           God
           ,
           and
           like
           an
           unwilling
           Victim
           is
           dragged
           to
           his
           Altars
           .
           Now
           though
           this
           may
           be
           a
           good
           Beginning
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           through
           the
           
           Passion
           of
           Fear
           doth
           usually
           make
           its
           first
           Entrance
           into
           the
           Soul
           ,
           yet
           if
           it
           stop
           here
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           pass
           forwards
           into
           Love
           ,
           it
           is
           but
           half
           way
           ,
           and
           will
           never
           be
           able
           to
           obtain
           an
           entire
           Possession
           .
           For
           whilst
           we
           obey
           God
           meerly
           out
           of
           Fear
           ,
           we
           want
           one
           half
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           Love
           ,
           which
           is
           that
           Half
           too
           wherein
           the
           Subjection
           of
           our
           Souls
           to
           God
           consisteth
           ;
           for
           while
           we
           only
           fear
           him
           ,
           that
           may
           constrain
           us
           to
           an
           eternal
           Homage
           and
           Obedience
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           Love
           alone
           that
           can
           inthrone
           him
           in
           our
           Wills
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           Volunteers
           in
           his
           Service
           .
           But
           when
           once
           this
           divine
           Fire
           is
           inkindled
           within
           our
           Breasts
           ,
           it
           will
           by
           Degrees
           melt
           away
           all
           our
           secret
           Repugnancies
           and
           Aversations
           to
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           so
           mould
           and
           temper
           our
           Wills
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           at
           last
           our
           Obedience
           will
           be
           no
           longer
           a
           Burthen
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           we
           shall
           run
           to
           our
           Duty
           with
           the
           same
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           now
           to
           our
           Pleasures
           and
           Recreations
           ,
           and
           do
           the
           Will
           of
           our
           Father
           upon
           Earth
           as
           it
           is
           done
           by
           our
           Brethren
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           who
           being
           all
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           do
           find
           a
           Heaven
           of
           Joys
           in
           serving
           and
           adoring
           him
           .
           For
           if
           we
           did
           heartily
           love
           God
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           but
           we
           should
           feel
           a
           Pleasure
           in
           pleasing
           him
           ;
           our
           Wills
           would
           so
           sympathize
           
           with
           his
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           feel
           his
           Joys
           and
           taste
           his
           Pleasures
           ;
           and
           those
           Things
           only
           would
           be
           irksom
           and
           ungrateful
           to
           us
           ,
           which
           we
           know
           do
           grieve
           and
           distaste
           him
           .
           For
           Love
           turns
           Service
           into
           Wages
           ,
           and
           pays
           her self
           with
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           pleasing
           ;
           she
           counts
           all
           Commands
           Favours
           ,
           and
           is
           highly
           satisfied
           with
           the
           Honour
           of
           obeying
           ;
           and
           if
           she
           can
           but
           accomplish
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           her
           Beloved
           ,
           she
           thinks
           her self
           wholly
           recompensed
           for
           all
           her
           tedious
           Toils
           and
           Labours
           .
           And
           certainly
           if
           our
           Souls
           were
           but
           inspired
           with
           any
           considerable
           Degrees
           of
           this
           Heavenly
           Passion
           ,
           we
           should
           find
           such
           Pleasure
           in
           pleasing
           God
           ,
           as
           would
           for
           ever
           engage
           us
           to
           serve
           him
           ;
           for
           then
           every
           Service
           that
           we
           rendred
           him
           would
           be
           a
           free
           Sally
           of
           an
           enamoured
           Will
           ,
           and
           so
           our
           Hearts
           would
           be
           wrapp'd
           up
           in
           every
           Duty
           ,
           and
           our
           Souls
           would
           still
           be
           ascending
           Heavenwards
           ,
           like
           the
           Angel
           that
           appeared
           to
           Manoah
           ,
           in
           the
           Flames
           of
           all
           our
           Sacrifices
           .
           So
           that
           this
           Excellency
           also
           Love
           hath
           above
           all
           other
           Principles
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           it
           renders
           our
           Obedience
           most
           free
           ,
           most
           chearful
           ,
           and
           voluntary
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Love
           renders
           our
           Obedience
           constant
           and
           steady
           .
           When
           a
           Man's
           Religion
           is
           only
           animated
           with
           Fear
           ,
           as
           it
           
           is
           weak
           and
           languid
           while
           it
           lives
           ,
           so
           it
           generally
           hastens
           to
           an
           untimely
           Period
           .
           For
           Fear
           is
           a
           Passion
           so
           burthensom
           to
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           but
           desire
           to
           quit
           and
           discharge
           our selves
           of
           it
           as
           soon
           as
           possible
           may
           be
           ;
           and
           accordingly
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             there
             is
             torment
             in
             Fear
          
           ,
           1
           Joh.
           4.18
           .
           for
           it
           separates
           the
           Soul
           from
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           her self
           ,
           and
           gives
           such
           an
           ungrateful
           Tang
           to
           all
           her
           Pleasures
           ,
           that
           she
           can
           find
           no
           Rest
           or
           Satisfaction
           in
           any
           Thing
           so
           long
           as
           she
           is
           haunted
           with
           it
           .
           Now
           when
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           our
           Religion
           is
           a
           Burthen
           to
           us
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           endeavour
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           to
           ease
           our selves
           of
           it
           ;
           which
           we
           cannot
           otherwise
           do
           ,
           but
           either
           by
           going
           forwards
           to
           Love
           ,
           or
           by
           returning
           
             back
             again
          
           to
           sinful
           Presumption
           .
           For
           as
           for
           Fear
           ,
           it
           is
           like
           the
           Wilderness
           through
           which
           Israel
           passed
           ,
           a
           Place
           where
           there
           is
           no
           abiding
           with
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           must
           go
           
             back
             again
          
           into
           Egypt
           ,
           or
           forwards
           to
           Canaan
           ,
           or
           be
           content
           to
           sit
           down
           in
           Misery
           and
           Disquiet
           .
           For
           we
           can
           never
           be
           at
           Rest
           ,
           till
           our
           Fear
           is
           either
           sweetned
           with
           an
           Intermixture
           of
           Love
           ,
           or
           stifled
           with
           vain
           Hopes
           and
           ungrounded
           Presumptions
           :
           And
           there
           being
           so
           many
           Arts
           of
           Self-deceiving
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           skinning
           over
           the
           Wounds
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           if
           Men
           do
           not
           speedily
           cure
           
           their
           Fear
           by
           Love
           ,
           they
           will
           soon
           find
           some
           other
           Way
           to
           extinguish
           it
           ;
           either
           they
           will
           promise
           their
           Consciences
           a
           future
           Amendment
           ,
           or
           else
           they
           will
           presently
           amend
           by
           Halves
           ,
           or
           else
           they
           will
           take
           Sanctuary
           in
           some
           false
           Notions
           in
           Religion
           ,
           that
           tend
           to
           secure
           them
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           quietly
           wicked
           :
           These
           or
           some
           other
           Ways
           they
           will
           find
           to
           quit
           themselves
           of
           this
           troublesome
           Passion
           ;
           and
           then
           when
           the
           Weights
           of
           their
           Fear
           are
           down
           ,
           the
           Wheels
           of
           their
           Religion
           will
           stand
           still
           immediately
           .
           So
           that
           you
           plainly
           see
           ,
           that
           bare
           Fear
           can
           never
           be
           a
           lasting
           and
           steady
           Principle
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           that
           because
           it
           is
           so
           troublesome
           ,
           that
           Men
           will
           not
           long
           have
           the
           Patience
           to
           endure
           it
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           for
           Love
           ,
           that
           is
           naturally
           a
           most
           sweet
           and
           grateful
           Passion
           ;
           it
           sooths
           and
           ravishes
           the
           Heart
           ,
           and
           puts
           the
           Spirits
           into
           a
           brisk
           and
           generous
           Motion
           ;
           and
           so
           long
           as
           it
           continues
           pure
           Love
           ,
           is
           always
           attended
           with
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           :
           And
           being
           so
           in
           it self
           ,
           it
           is
           much
           more
           so
           when
           it
           is
           terminated
           upon
           God.
           For
           all
           the
           Disquietudes
           of
           Love
           arise
           from
           the
           Imperfections
           of
           its
           Object
           ;
           either
           the
           Person
           beloved
           is
           coy
           and
           cruel
           ,
           which
           imbitters
           the
           Love
           with
           Sorrow
           and
           Regret
           ;
           or
           else
           he
           is
           fickle
           and
           inconstant
           ,
           which
           inflames
           it
           with
           Rage
           and
           Jealousy
           .
           But
           when
           
           our
           Love
           fixes
           upon
           God
           ,
           it
           hath
           neither
           of
           these
           Causes
           of
           Disturbance
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           infinitely
           loving
           unto
           all
           that
           love
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           never
           changes
           the
           Objects
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           unless
           they
           change
           ,
           and
           prove
           fickle
           and
           unconstant
           in
           their
           Affection
           to
           him
           .
           For
           whilst
           he
           hath
           the
           same
           Reason
           to
           love
           ,
           his
           Love
           is
           always
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           is
           as
           constant
           and
           immutable
           as
           his
           Being
           .
           So
           that
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           there
           is
           no
           Reason
           for
           any
           of
           those
           Griefs
           and
           Jealousies
           that
           are
           so
           commonly
           intermingled
           with
           carnal
           Loves
           and
           Affections
           ;
           for
           it
           being
           fixed
           upon
           an
           Object
           that
           doth
           so
           well
           deserve
           ,
           and
           will
           so
           amply
           requite
           it
           ,
           it
           can
           find
           nothing
           there
           but
           infinite
           Causes
           of
           Pleasure
           and
           Complacency
           :
           For
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           Love
           being
           infinitely
           lovely
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           loving
           ,
           the
           Affection
           must
           needs
           be
           unspeakably
           pleasing
           and
           grateful
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           sweet
           and
           serene
           ,
           and
           productive
           of
           the
           most
           delightful
           and
           ravishing
           Emotions
           ,
           there
           being
           nothing
           in
           him
           but
           what
           tends
           to
           its
           greatest
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           ;
           and
           being
           so
           ,
           it
           must
           necessarily
           prove
           a
           most
           lasting
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           to
           him
           ;
           because
           wheresoever
           it
           is
           ,
           it
           is
           always
           attended
           with
           such
           substantial
           Pleasures
           and
           Delights
           ,
           that
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Temptation
           to
           extinguish
           it
           ;
           for
           so
           long
           as
           we
           feel
           nothing
           
           in
           it
           but
           what
           is
           highly
           grateful
           to
           our
           Natures
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           so
           far
           from
           using
           Arts
           to
           quit
           our selves
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           think
           it
           our
           greatest
           Interest
           to
           promote
           and
           increase
           it
           .
           For
           still
           the
           more
           we
           love
           him
           ,
           the
           better
           we
           shall
           be
           pleased
           ;
           and
           the
           better
           we
           are
           pleased
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           love
           him
           :
           And
           so
           our
           Pleasure
           and
           our
           Love
           will
           mutually
           provoke
           and
           augment
           one
           another
           ,
           till
           both
           are
           arrived
           to
           the
           utmost
           Height
           of
           their
           Perfection
           .
           Thus
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           is
           a
           lasting
           Principle
           ;
           't
           is
           a
           Fire
           that
           can
           live
           upon
           the
           Fuel
           which
           it self
           creates
           ;
           and
           maintain
           it self
           for
           ever
           in
           Strength
           and
           Vigour
           ,
           by
           feeding
           upon
           the
           Joys
           and
           Pleasures
           which
           it
           produces
           :
           So
           that
           if
           this
           be
           the
           Principle
           upon
           which
           we
           do
           obey
           ,
           our
           Religion
           must
           needs
           be
           lasting
           and
           steady
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           acted
           and
           animated
           by
           a
           Principle
           that
           is
           so
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           demonstrated
           the
           Proposition
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             That
             wheresoever
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             is
             ,
             it
             will
             express
             it self
             in
             Obedience
             to
             his
             Will
          
           ;
           I
           shall
           now
           conclude
           the
           whole
           with
           some
           practical
           Inferences
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           ,
           how
           necessary
           it
           is
           to
           the
           very
           Being
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           keep
           up
           good
           Thoughts
           of
           God
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           because
           without
           such
           ,
           Men
           will
           never
           be
           able
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           without
           Love
           ,
           they
           will
           never
           be
           
           reduced
           to
           a
           through
           Submission
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will.
           For
           it
           is
           by
           Love
           alone
           that
           God
           reigns
           in
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           doth
           both
           acquire
           and
           preserve
           the
           Empire
           of
           our
           Souls
           .
           We
           may
           be
           awed
           into
           a
           forced
           and
           fawning
           Submission
           ,
           meerly
           by
           the
           Dread
           and
           Terror
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           and
           be
           obliged
           to
           serve
           him
           ,
           as
           the
           Indians
           do
           the
           Devil
           ,
           for
           fear
           he
           should
           do
           us
           a
           Mischief
           ,
           and
           tear
           us
           in
           pieces
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           meerly
           the
           Religion
           of
           Slaves
           ,
           who
           are
           forced
           to
           undergo
           one
           Evil
           for
           fear
           of
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           what
           they
           hate
           for
           fear
           of
           suffering
           what
           they
           cannot
           endure
           .
           And
           as
           Slaves
           do
           generally
           hate
           those
           whom
           they
           fear
           ,
           and
           even
           whilst
           they
           are
           fawning
           and
           cringing
           to
           their
           imperious
           Masters
           ,
           had
           much
           rather
           cut
           their
           Throats
           if
           they
           could
           do
           it
           with
           safety
           ;
           so
           when
           Men
           are
           acted
           in
           their
           Obedience
           to
           God
           meerly
           by
           a
           slavish
           Dread
           of
           his
           Vengeance
           ,
           they
           generally
           hate
           him
           whilst
           they
           obey
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           were
           in
           their
           power
           ,
           would
           rather
           ungod
           him
           ,
           and
           pull
           him
           down
           from
           his
           Throne
           ,
           than
           render
           him
           those
           Homages
           which
           they
           dare
           not
           with-hold
           .
           Now
           is
           it
           possible
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           knows
           the
           Hearts
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           sees
           the
           inmost
           Workings
           of
           their
           Minds
           ,
           should
           ever
           be
           pleased
           with
           such
           a
           base
           and
           
             sordid
             Religion
          
           ;
           a
           Religion
           that
           is
           conjoyned
           with
           such
           an
           inveterate
           Hatred
           to
           his
           Person
           and
           Government
           ,
           
           and
           restrains
           Men
           only
           by
           the
           Fear
           of
           Punishment
           from
           flying
           in
           his
           Face
           ;
           a
           Religion
           that
           is
           wholly
           founded
           in
           Passion
           ,
           that
           causes
           us
           to
           hate
           him
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           fawn
           upon
           him
           ;
           that
           carries
           in
           it
           a
           secret
           Antipathy
           to
           his
           Nature
           and
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           would
           much
           rather
           vent
           it self
           in
           an
           open
           Rebellion
           ,
           than
           in
           a
           forced
           Submission
           ,
           had
           it
           but
           Power
           enough
           to
           defend
           it self
           from
           his
           Fury
           ?
           And
           yet
           this
           is
           the
           
             best
             Religion
          
           that
           Mankind
           is
           capable
           of
           without
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           So
           that
           if
           ever
           we
           intend
           to
           keep
           up
           a
           
             generous
             Religion
          
           in
           our
           Souls
           ,
           such
           as
           becomes
           free-born
           Minds
           to
           offer
           to
           the
           great
           Sovereign
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           we
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           purge
           out
           all
           those
           sower
           and
           rigid
           Notions
           of
           God
           that
           represent
           him
           any
           ways
           unlovely
           to
           us
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           Hence
           I
           infer
           ,
           how
           miserably
           those
           Men
           are
           mistaken
           ,
           that
           make
           any
           Thing
           a
           Sign
           of
           their
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           what
           tends
           to
           their
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           .
           There
           are
           too
           many
           Persons
           that
           are
           apt
           to
           measure
           their
           Affection
           to
           God
           and
           Christ
           by
           the
           meer
           Impressions
           of
           sensitive
           Passion
           ,
           because
           upon
           some
           moving
           and
           affecting
           Representations
           of
           those
           amiable
           Objects
           ,
           they
           feel
           in
           themselves
           the
           same
           sensitive
           Emotions
           as
           they
           are
           wont
           to
           do
           when
           they
           fall
           in
           Love
           with
           other
           Things
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           they
           feel
           their
           
           Spirits
           soothing
           and
           ravishing
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           their
           Hearts
           diffusing
           and
           opening
           themselves
           to
           let
           in
           those
           soft
           and
           amorous
           Spirits
           ,
           they
           conclude
           themselves
           presently
           infinitely
           in
           love
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           with
           their
           Saviour
           :
           Whereas
           many
           times
           all
           this
           is
           meerly
           the
           Effect
           of
           an
           amorous
           Complection
           ,
           tinctured
           and
           inflamed
           with
           
             Religious
             Ideas
          
           ,
           and
           is
           commonly
           as
           remote
           from
           the
           Virtue
           of
           Love
           ,
           as
           Light
           is
           from
           Darkness
           ,
           or
           Heaven
           from
           Hell.
           For
           as
           there
           are
           many
           Men
           who
           are
           sincerely
           good
           ,
           that
           yet
           cannot
           raise
           their
           sensitive
           Passions
           in
           their
           
             Religious
             Exercises
          
           ;
           that
           are
           heartily
           sorry
           for
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           yet
           cannot
           weep
           for
           them
           ;
           and
           do
           entirely
           love
           God
           ,
           and
           delight
           in
           his
           Service
           ,
           and
           yet
           cannot
           move
           their
           Blood
           and
           Spirits
           into
           the
           ravishing
           Passions
           of
           sensitive
           Love
           and
           Joy
           :
           So
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           there
           are
           many
           gross
           Hypocrites
           that
           have
           not
           one
           Dram
           of
           true
           Piety
           in
           them
           ,
           who
           yet
           in
           their
           
             Religious
             Exercises
          
           can
           put
           themselves
           into
           wonderous
           Transports
           of
           bodily
           Passion
           ;
           who
           can
           pour
           out
           their
           Confessions
           in
           Floods
           of
           Tears
           ,
           and
           cause
           their
           Hearts
           to
           dilate
           into
           Raptures
           of
           sensitive
           Love
           ,
           and
           their
           Spirits
           to
           tickle
           them
           into
           Extasies
           of
           Joy.
           Which
           is
           purely
           to
           be
           resolved
           into
           the
           different
           Tempers
           of
           Mens
           Bodies
           ;
           some
           Tempers
           being
           naturally
           so
           calm
           and
           sedate
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           are
           
           scarce
           capable
           of
           being
           disturbed
           into
           a
           Passion
           ;
           others
           again
           so
           soft
           and
           tender
           ,
           and
           impressible
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           frivolous
           Fancy
           is
           able
           to
           raise
           a
           Commotion
           in
           them
           .
           And
           hence
           we
           see
           that
           some
           People
           can
           weep
           most
           heartily
           at
           the
           Misfortunes
           of
           Lovers
           in
           Plays
           and
           Romances
           ,
           and
           as
           heartily
           rejoyce
           at
           their
           good
           Successes
           ,
           though
           they
           know
           that
           both
           are
           but
           Fictions
           and
           mere
           Ideas
           of
           Fancy
           ;
           whereas
           others
           can
           scarce
           shed
           a
           Tear
           ,
           or
           raise
           a
           sensitive
           Joy
           at
           the
           real
           Calamities
           or
           Prosperities
           of
           a
           Friend
           ,
           whom
           yet
           they
           love
           a
           great
           deal
           better
           than
           others
           can
           be
           supposed
           to
           do
           their
           feigned
           and
           Romantick
           Hero's
           .
           And
           yet
           because
           of
           these
           sensitive
           Transports
           which
           Men
           do
           sometimes
           feel
           in
           themselves
           ,
           when
           their
           Fancies
           have
           been
           chafed
           a
           while
           with
           a
           pathetical
           Description
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           presently
           vote
           themselves
           his
           Friends
           and
           Lovers
           ;
           whereas
           in
           Truth
           ,
           that
           which
           commonly
           moves
           their
           Affection
           ,
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           real
           either
           in
           God
           or
           in
           Christ
           ;
           but
           some
           sensual
           Beauty
           attributed
           to
           them
           in
           fanciful
           Descriptions
           ,
           that
           smites
           their
           carnalized
           Fancies
           .
           For
           generally
           we
           find
           that
           it
           is
           a
           
             Metaphorical
             God
             and
             Christ
          
           that
           such
           Men
           fall
           in
           love
           with
           ;
           they
           set
           up
           an
           Idol
           of
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           their
           Fancies
           ,
           and
           dress
           it
           in
           such
           
             carnal
             Metaphors
          
           and
           Allusions
           ,
           as
           their
           sensual
           Minds
           are
           most
           apt
           to
           be
           taken
           
           with
           ;
           and
           then
           imagin
           that
           it
           smiles
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           kisses
           and
           caresses
           them
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           pretty
           endearments
           of
           a
           doating
           Lover
           ;
           whereupon
           they
           grow
           so
           extreamly
           fond
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           not
           able
           to
           forbear
           hugging
           and
           dandling
           it
           :
           But
           alas
           poor
           Men
           !
           they
           hug
           the
           Cloud
           instead
           of
           the
           Godess
           ;
           and
           while
           they
           think
           they
           have
           God
           and
           Christ
           in
           their
           Arms
           ,
           embrace
           nothing
           but
           a
           Specter
           of
           their
           own
           Fancies
           :
           For
           let
           but
           any
           other
           Person
           ,
           though
           it
           were
           only
           the
           Hero
           of
           a
           Romance
           ,
           or
           the
           Lover
           of
           a
           Play
           ,
           be
           but
           described
           to
           them
           in
           the
           same
           Language
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           glistering
           Allusions
           ,
           and
           they
           shall
           experience
           in
           themselves
           the
           same
           Passion
           for
           them
           as
           they
           have
           for
           their
           God
           and
           their
           Saviour
           .
           Thus
           in
           the
           
             Roman
             Nunneries
          
           and
           Monasteries
           we
           generally
           find
           the
           Monks
           fall
           in
           Love
           with
           the
           
             Virgin
             Mary
          
           ,
           whilst
           the
           Nuns
           are
           all
           enamoured
           with
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           chuse
           the
           Objects
           of
           their
           Love
           according
           to
           the
           different
           Inclinations
           of
           their
           Sexes
           ;
           and
           the
           Reason
           why
           they
           chuse
           so
           differently
           ,
           is
           no
           other
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           both
           frame
           to
           themselves
           such
           
             different
             carnal
          
           Ideas
           of
           the
           different
           Objects
           of
           their
           Love
           ,
           as
           are
           most
           suitable
           and
           agreeable
           to
           their
           carnal
           Inclinations
           ;
           but
           very
           commonly
           neither
           the
           Monk
           loves
           the
           
             Virgin
             Mary
          
           ,
           nor
           the
           
             Nun
             ,
             Jesus
             
             Christ
          
           ;
           but
           they
           both
           meerly
           doat
           upon
           the
           different
           Images
           of
           their
           own
           Fancies
           ;
           which
           do
           not
           at
           all
           represent
           those
           divine
           Beauties
           for
           which
           those
           sacred
           Persons
           do
           so
           well
           deserve
           to
           be
           beloved
           .
           And
           thus
           it
           is
           too
           commonly
           among
           our selves
           ,
           when
           yet
           we
           pretend
           to
           be
           zealous
           Lovers
           of
           God.
           Wherefore
           unless
           we
           have
           a
           mind
           to
           deceive
           our selves
           ,
           let
           us
           no
           longer
           depend
           on
           such
           fallacious
           Evidences
           as
           these
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           try
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           by
           his
           own
           Touch-stone
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           our
           Obedience
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will.
           
             If
             any
             man
             love
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             he
             will
             keep
             my
             Words
             ,
          
           Jo.
           xiv
           .
           23
           .
           and
           ye
           
             are
             my
             friends
             ,
             if
             ye
             do
             whatsoever
             I
             command
             you
          
           ;
           for
           this
           ,
           saith
           St.
           
             John
             ,
             is
             Love
             ,
             that
             ye
             walk
             after
             his
             Commandments
             ,
          
           Eph.
           ii
           .
           6
           .
           For
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           and
           of
           Christ
           being
           a
           rational
           Love
           ,
           is
           only
           to
           be
           valued
           by
           those
           rational
           Effects
           it
           produces
           in
           us
           ;
           if
           it
           transform
           us
           into
           the
           Image
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           makes
           us
           love
           what
           he
           loves
           ,
           and
           hate
           what
           he
           hates
           ;
           these
           are
           much
           more
           certain
           Indications
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           the
           most
           ravishing
           Effects
           of
           sensitive
           Passion
           .
           For
           though
           our
           Hearts
           were
           melted
           into
           a
           Transport
           and
           Fondness
           to
           him
           ,
           yet
           so
           long
           as
           our
           Hearts
           and
           our
           Practices
           are
           incomplyant
           to
           his
           Will
           and
           Laws
           ,
           he
           will
           look
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           deal
           with
           us
           as
           Hypocrites
           and
           
           Enemies
           ;
           and
           esteem
           all
           our
           sensitive
           Fondnesses
           towards
           him
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           base
           Flatteries
           of
           Judas
           ;
           who
           kissed
           him
           ,
           and
           then
           betrayed
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           Hence
           I
           infer
           ,
           what
           the
           great
           Reason
           is
           why
           God
           doth
           so
           strictly
           enjoyn
           us
           to
           love
           him
           .
           For
           there
           is
           no
           Command
           whatsoever
           so
           often
           repeated
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           this
           of
           loving
           
             God
             ;
             Thou
             shalt
             love
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             with
             all
             thy
             heart
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             thy
             soul
             :
             What
             doth
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             require
             of
             thee
             ,
             but
             to
             love
             him
             ?
             O
             love
             the
             Lord
             all
             ye
             his
             Saints
             !
             Take
             heed
             therefore
             to
             your selves
             that
             ye
             love
             the
             Lord
             your
             God.
          
           These
           ,
           and
           a
           world
           of
           other
           reiterated
           Injunctions
           of
           Love
           ,
           do
           we
           meet
           with
           in
           the
           
             Sacred
             Pages
          
           .
           But
           how
           comes
           this
           to
           pass
           ?
           Doth
           God
           need
           our
           Love
           ,
           that
           he
           so
           importunately
           calls
           for
           it
           ?
           Or
           doth
           it
           contribute
           any
           thing
           to
           his
           Happiness
           ,
           to
           see
           himself
           beloved
           by
           all
           this
           great
           World
           of
           Beings
           ;
           which
           he
           hath
           made
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           hath
           endued
           with
           the
           Capacity
           of
           loving
           him
           ?
           No
           ,
           no
           ;
           though
           doubtless
           the
           best
           Thing
           we
           can
           give
           him
           is
           our
           Love
           ,
           yet
           he
           is
           
             too
             happy
          
           in
           himself
           to
           need
           any
           thing
           of
           ours
           :
           For
           he
           is
           a
           bottomless
           Fountain
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           circumscribing
           all
           those
           Blisses
           that
           he
           can
           need
           or
           desire
           within
           the
           boundless
           Circle
           of
           his
           own
           Being
           .
           Or
           doth
           he
           court
           our
           Love
           meerly
           that
           he
           
           may
           glory
           in
           the
           Number
           of
           his
           Lovers
           ,
           and
           pride
           himself
           in
           those
           infinite
           Flames
           that
           concenter
           in
           him
           ?
           No
           ,
           nor
           this
           neither
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           so
           infinitely
           glorious
           in
           himself
           ,
           that
           no
           Act
           of
           ours
           can
           either
           add
           to
           ,
           or
           substract
           from
           his
           Glory
           ;
           which
           amidst
           all
           the
           Hallelujahs
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Blasphemies
           of
           Men
           and
           Devils
           ,
           shines
           with
           the
           same
           unvaried
           Splendour
           and
           Brightness
           ;
           and
           is
           neither
           diminished
           by
           our
           Hatred
           ,
           nor
           improved
           by
           our
           Love.
           Well
           then
           ,
           if
           neither
           of
           these
           be
           the
           Reason
           ,
           what
           is
           it
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Thing
           is
           infinitely
           reasonable
           in
           it self
           ,
           That
           he
           who
           is
           so
           lovely
           in
           himself
           ,
           should
           be
           beloved
           ;
           and
           that
           all
           our
           Affections
           should
           be
           united
           in
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           our
           Beings
           and
           Well-Beings
           :
           And
           God
           who
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           reasonable
           Faculties
           ,
           cannot
           but
           desire
           that
           we
           should
           act
           reasonably
           ;
           and
           love
           that
           best
           ,
           which
           best
           deserves
           to
           be
           beloved
           .
           But
           is
           there
           not
           some
           particular
           End
           for
           which
           God
           doth
           so
           earnestly
           crave
           and
           exact
           our
           Love
           ?
           Yes
           ,
           doubtless
           there
           is
           ;
           and
           such
           as
           is
           every
           way
           worthy
           of
           him
           that
           hath
           proposed
           it
           .
           For
           it
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           that
           a
           Being
           infinitely
           wise
           ,
           should
           ever
           act
           without
           End
           or
           Aim
           ;
           but
           God
           being
           infinitely
           happy
           ,
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           propose
           any
           End
           for
           
             his
             own
          
           Advantage
           ;
           because
           that
           would
           imply
           ,
           that
           
           he
           wants
           or
           desires
           some
           Good
           that
           he
           hath
           not
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           not
           happy
           .
           But
           then
           he
           being
           infinitely
           good
           as
           well
           as
           happy
           ,
           we
           cannot
           imagin
           what
           other
           End
           he
           should
           have
           of
           his
           Actions
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           do
           good
           to
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           and
           promote
           their
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           the
           End
           and
           Reason
           for
           which
           he
           doth
           so
           importunately
           demand
           our
           Love
           ,
           is
           not
           to
           add
           any
           Thing
           to
           himself
           ,
           but
           to
           do
           good
           to
           us
           ;
           
             for
             our
             goodness
             extendeth
             not
             to
             God
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           tells
           us
           ,
           xvi
           .
           2
           .
           And
           though
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           be
           a
           very
           great
           Perfection
           to
           our
           Natures
           ,
           yet
           Job
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             it
             is
             no
             gain
             at
             all
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             make
             our
             ways
             perfect
             ,
          
           Job
           xxii
           .
           3
           .
           But
           though
           it
           is
           none
           to
           God
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           an
           infinite
           Gain
           to
           our selves
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           the
           End
           and
           Reason
           for
           which
           he
           requires
           it
           :
           For
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shew'd
           you
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           Principles
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           God
           ,
           Love
           is
           the
           most
           pregnant
           and
           fruitful
           .
           Now
           God
           requires
           us
           to
           obey
           him
           for
           
             our
             own
          
           Good
           ,
           he
           having
           enjoyned
           us
           nothing
           but
           what
           tends
           to
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           of
           our
           Natures
           ;
           and
           he
           requires
           us
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           the
           more
           intirely
           and
           perfectly
           obey
           him
           ;
           and
           thereby
           more
           speedily
           arrive
           to
           that
           Happiness
           for
           which
           his
           infinite
           Goodness
           hath
           designed
           us
           .
           So
           that
           all
           the
           profit
           both
           of
           our
           
           Love
           and
           Obedience
           ,
           accrues
           to
           our selves
           ;
           't
           is
           we
           only
           that
           reap
           the
           Fruit
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Virtues
           ;
           we
           only
           that
           are
           exalted
           by
           those
           Homages
           that
           we
           render
           to
           our
           Maker
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           as
           happy
           without
           our
           Love
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           with
           it
           ;
           and
           all
           those
           united
           Flames
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           that
           meet
           and
           concenter
           in
           him
           ,
           add
           not
           one
           spark
           to
           the
           infinite
           Element
           of
           his
           Happiness
           ;
           which
           were
           not
           infinite
           ,
           could
           it
           admit
           of
           Increase
           :
           But
           the
           Lovers
           themselves
           are
           glorified
           by
           their
           Love
           ;
           and
           because
           they
           are
           so
           ,
           God
           requires
           and
           exacts
           it
           .
           For
           our
           Love
           being
           the
           great
           Soul
           of
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           our
           Obedience
           the
           necessary
           Means
           of
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           the
           Profit
           of
           both
           must
           necessarily
           redound
           to
           our selves
           :
           and
           't
           is
           we
           only
           that
           must
           be
           inriched
           and
           glorified
           by
           them
           .
           For
           this
           Reason
           therefore
           God
           requires
           our
           Love
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           a
           living
           Principle
           to
           Obedience
           ;
           and
           that
           being
           so
           ,
           it
           might
           accelerate
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           for
           he
           whose
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           but
           arrived
           to
           the
           Degree
           of
           a
           reigning
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           so
           as
           that
           his
           Obedience
           proceeds
           more
           from
           his
           Love
           than
           from
           any
           other
           Passion
           ,
           doth
           already
           border
           on
           the
           heavenly
           State
           ,
           and
           is
           within
           the
           Confines
           of
           Perfection
           .
           For
           as
           for
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           acted
           by
           pure
           Love
           ;
           which
           makes
           their
           Obedience
           pure
           and
           perfect
           :
           
           They
           see
           God
           face
           to
           face
           ;
           and
           by
           their
           Sight
           are
           all
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           by
           their
           Love
           are
           winged
           with
           everlasting
           Vigour
           and
           Readiness
           to
           serve
           him
           ;
           and
           all
           their
           Aversations
           to
           his
           Heavenly
           Will
           being
           swallowed
           up
           in
           perfect
           Love
           ,
           they
           not
           only
           obey
           without
           Murmuring
           ,
           but
           with
           infinite
           Ravishment
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           and
           never
           feel
           themselves
           more
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           than
           while
           they
           are
           serving
           ,
           praising
           ,
           and
           adoring
           him
           .
           This
           is
           the
           happy
           State
           of
           those
           heavenly
           Lovers
           ;
           and
           to
           this
           we
           are
           approaching
           with
           full
           Speed
           ,
           while
           we
           obey
           from
           a
           Principle
           of
           Love
           :
           For
           Love
           will
           carry
           us
           on
           with
           Wind
           and
           Tide
           ,
           from
           one
           Degree
           of
           Perfection
           to
           another
           ;
           and
           whilst
           
             poor
             slavish
          
           Souls
           that
           are
           acted
           mainly
           by
           their
           Fears
           ,
           are
           faign
           to
           tug
           at
           the
           Oar
           ,
           and
           yet
           creep
           on
           but
           slowly
           ,
           and
           by
           insensible
           Degrees
           ;
           we
           shall
           run
           forwards
           with
           Ease
           and
           Speed
           ;
           and
           get
           more
           ground
           at
           one
           stroak
           ,
           than
           they
           can
           in
           twenty
           .
           For
           in
           
             one
             good
          
           Action
           performed
           out
           of
           Love
           ,
           there
           is
           more
           Virtue
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           than
           in
           a
           hundred
           of
           those
           whereunto
           we
           are
           dragged
           by
           our
           own
           Fears
           and
           Terrors
           ;
           because
           as
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Evil
           ,
           so
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Good
           in
           all
           Actions
           ,
           are
           to
           be
           measured
           by
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Will
           that
           are
           in
           them
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           in
           those
           good
           Actions
           ,
           
           that
           have
           Love
           for
           their
           Principle
           ,
           there
           is
           much
           more
           of
           Will
           than
           in
           those
           that
           proceed
           from
           Fear
           and
           Terror
           ;
           and
           consequently
           ,
           our
           Nature
           being
           perfected
           by
           good
           Actions
           ,
           and
           more
           or
           less
           perfected
           by
           them
           ,
           the
           more
           or
           less
           of
           Goodness
           they
           have
           in
           them
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           much
           more
           perfected
           by
           the
           good
           Actions
           of
           Love
           ,
           than
           by
           those
           of
           Fear
           .
           Whilst
           therefore
           we
           are
           acted
           in
           Religion
           by
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           our
           Souls
           are
           upon
           the
           Wing
           to
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           swift
           Tendency
           to
           the
           heavenly
           State
           ;
           we
           are
           already
           in
           the
           Neighbourhood
           of
           glorified
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           continue
           our
           Course
           ,
           shall
           soon
           be
           fit
           for
           their
           Society
           and
           Converse
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           the
           great
           End
           and
           Reason
           why
           God
           doth
           so
           importunately
           claim
           our
           Love
           ,
           because
           this
           of
           all
           others
           is
           the
           most
           perfective
           Principle
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           consequently
           the
           most
           conducive
           to
           our
           Happiness
           .
        
         
           4
           ly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           from
           hence
           I
           infer
           ,
           of
           what
           vast
           Importance
           it
           is
           to
           us
           in
           Religion
           ,
           to
           love
           God.
           For
           you
           plainly
           see
           ,
           that
           Love
           is
           not
           only
           a
           Principle
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           but
           that
           of
           all
           others
           it
           is
           the
           most
           efficacious
           and
           operative
           ;
           that
           it
           doth
           not
           only
           engage
           us
           to
           keep
           God's
           Commandments
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           enables
           us
           to
           keep
           them
           most
           universally
           ,
           and
           vigorously
           ,
           and
           chearfully
           ,
           and
           constantly
           .
           
           So
           that
           what
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           of
           
             brotherly
             Love
          
           ,
           is
           more
           universally
           true
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           
             that
             it
             is
             the
             keeping
             of
             the
             whole
             Law
             ,
          
           Rom.
           xiii
           .
           10
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           causally
           and
           virtually
           it
           is
           .
           For
           so
           Love
           is
           that
           universal
           Cause
           which
           within
           its
           fruitful
           Womb
           contains
           all
           the
           Particulars
           of
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           and
           is
           naturally
           productive
           of
           them
           all
           ;
           So
           that
           virtually
           it
           is
           
             all
             Religion
          
           ;
           it
           is
           Godliness
           ,
           and
           Temperance
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           and
           Humility
           ,
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           Patience
           ;
           being
           the
           common
           Cause
           and
           Parent
           of
           them
           all
           .
           For
           Love
           hath
           an
           universal
           Respect
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Beloved
           ;
           it
           doth
           not
           chuse
           what
           is
           easie
           and
           refuse
           what
           is
           hard
           ,
           but
           likes
           what
           God
           likes
           ,
           and
           disapproves
           of
           what
           he
           hates
           ;
           his
           Will
           being
           the
           great
           Reason
           of
           all
           its
           Choices
           and
           Refusals
           :
           And
           whatsoever
           things
           in
           particular
           are
           distastful
           and
           difficult
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           its
           powerful
           Oratory
           it
           renders
           pleasant
           and
           easie
           .
           For
           he
           that
           serves
           God
           out
           of
           Love
           ,
           serves
           him
           with
           Delight
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           serves
           him
           with
           Delight
           ,
           hath
           no
           Clog
           to
           incumber
           him
           ;
           none
           of
           those
           Aversations
           and
           Antipathies
           to
           his
           Service
           ;
           that
           do
           so
           load
           and
           depress
           unwilling
           Minds
           ;
           he
           doth
           not
           row
           against
           the
           Current
           of
           Nature
           ,
           but
           acts
           with
           the
           full
           Inclination
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           and
           so
           feels
           little
           or
           nothing
           of
           Drudgery
           in
           his
           Religion
           ;
           and
           being
           
           carried
           on
           with
           a
           full
           Tide
           of
           Delight
           ,
           he
           goes
           easily
           and
           chearfully
           down
           with
           the
           Stream
           .
           Of
           such
           vast
           Importance
           is
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           our
           Religion
           ,
           that
           it
           not
           only
           produces
           it
           ,
           but
           renders
           it
           easie
           and
           pleasant
           ;
           so
           that
           without
           some
           Degree
           of
           this
           ,
           our
           Religion
           can
           have
           neither
           Being
           nor
           Well-being
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           as
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           live
           without
           a
           Soul
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           nourished
           without
           Food
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           for
           our
           Religion
           to
           be
           ,
           and
           to
           thrive
           without
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Wherefore
           if
           ever
           we
           would
           be
           Religious
           indeed
           ,
           if
           ever
           we
           would
           connaturalize
           Religion
           to
           our
           Souls
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           render
           it
           easie
           and
           delightsome
           to
           us
           ;
           let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           kindle
           this
           heavenly
           Fire
           within
           us
           ;
           and
           certainly
           if
           we
           heartily
           endeavour
           it
           ,
           we
           cannot
           fa●●
           of
           success
           .
           For
           there
           are
           so
           many
           mighty
           Reasons
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           so
           many
           invincible
           Attractions
           in
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Love
           towards
           us
           ,
           as
           cannot
           but
           affect
           us
           if
           we
           seriously
           ponder
           and
           consider
           them
           .
           For
           how
           can
           I
           reflect
           upon
           that
           amiable
           Nature
           of
           his
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           is
           an
           harmonious
           Concurrence
           of
           all
           Beauties
           and
           Perfections
           ;
           where
           Wisdom
           and
           
             Goodness
             ,
             Justice
          
           and
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           every
           lovely
           Thing
           that
           can
           claim
           or
           deserve
           a
           rational
           Affection
           ,
           are
           contempered
           together
           in
           their
           utmost
           Degrees
           of
           Perfection
           ?
           How
           I
           say
           ,
           
           can
           I
           steadily
           reflect
           upon
           such
           a
           Nature
           as
           this
           ,
           without
           being
           charmed
           and
           captivated
           with
           the
           Love
           of
           it
           ?
           How
           can
           I
           think
           of
           that
           stupendous
           Love
           which
           he
           hath
           expressed
           towards
           me
           ,
           in
           giving
           me
           my
           Being
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Blessings
           I
           enjoy
           ;
           in
           preparing
           a
           Heaven
           of
           immortal
           Joys
           for
           me
           ,
           and
           sending
           his
           Son
           from
           thence
           to
           conduct
           me
           thither
           ,
           without
           being
           all
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           to
           him
           ?
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           seriously
           set
           our selves
           to
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           the
           Loveliness
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           infinite
           Kindness
           to
           us
           and
           all
           his
           Creation
           .
           Let
           us
           repeat
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           these
           Things
           upon
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           never
           give
           over
           pressing
           our selves
           with
           those
           infinite
           Reasons
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           till
           we
           feel
           the
           heavenly
           Fire
           begin
           to
           kindle
           within
           our
           Breasts
           ;
           and
           then
           let
           us
           never
           give
           over
           feeding
           and
           blowing
           it
           with
           these
           divine
           Considerations
           ,
           till
           it
           rise
           up
           into
           a
           triumphant
           Flame
           .
           And
           then
           we
           shall
           feel
           our selves
           animated
           with
           a
           new
           Soul
           ,
           and
           inspired
           with
           so
           much
           Life
           and
           Activity
           in
           Religion
           ,
           as
           that
           from
           our
           Experience
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           subscribe
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             This
             is
             the
             Love
             of
             God
             ,
          
           this
           the
           most
           natural
           Expression
           and
           inseparable
           Effect
           of
           it
           ,
           
             That
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             1
             JOHN
             V.
             3
             .
          
           
             —
             And
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
          
        
         
           I
           Proceed
           now
           to
           the
           next
           Part
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Motive
           by
           which
           this
           obedient
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           enforced
           ;
           
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             :
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           heavy
           ,
           or
           burthensome
           ;
           they
           have
           no
           such
           Weight
           or
           Difficulty
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           ought
           in
           reason
           to
           discourage
           us
           from
           keeping
           them
           .
           For
           in
           these
           Words
           the
           Apostle
           seems
           to
           anticipate
           an
           Objection
           ;
           alas
           if
           this
           be
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           keep
           his
           Commandments
           ,
           what
           Man
           is
           able
           to
           love
           him
           ?
           for
           if
           his
           Commandments
           are
           not
           absolutely
           impossible
           ,
           yet
           are
           they
           at
           least
           so
           extremely
           difficult
           ,
           that
           scarce
           any
           Man
           can
           have
           the
           Courage
           to
           undertake
           the
           Performance
           of
           them
           .
           This
           ,
           saith
           our
           Apostle
           ,
           is
           a
           mighty
           Mistake
           ,
           or
           a
           wretched
           Pretence
           for
           Mens
           Sloth
           and
           Idleness
           ;
           for
           verily
           and
           truly
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           have
           no
           such
           Difficulty
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           are
           in
           themselves
           very
           gentle
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           born
           .
           And
           with
           this
           Assertion
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           doth
           
           most
           perfectly
           accord
           ,
           Mat.
           xi
           .
           30
           .
           
             My
             yoke
             is
             easie
             ,
             and
             my
             burthen
             is
             light
             .
          
           And
           the
           Prophet
           David
           makes
           it
           not
           only
           easie
           ,
           but
           delightful
           ,
           Psal.
           xix
           .
           8
           .
           
             The
             Statutes
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             right
             ,
             rejoycing
             the
             heart
             ;
             the
             Commandments
             of
             the
             Lord
             are
             pure
             ,
             enlightning
             the
             eyes
             .
          
           And
           then
           in
           the
           10
           th
           Verse
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             they
             are
             more
             to
             be
             desired
             than
             gold
             ,
             yea
             than
             much
             fine
             gold
             ;
             and
             sweeter
             than
             honey
             ,
             or
             the
             honey-comb
             .
          
           So
           far
           they
           are
           from
           being
           Toils
           and
           Burthens
           ,
           that
           in
           Reality
           they
           are
           Pleasures
           and
           Recreations
           .
           But
           farther
           to
           demonstrate
           this
           Truth
           to
           you
           ,
           
             That
             God's
             Commands
             are
             not
             burthensome
             and
             difficult
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           
             I.
             Shew
             you
             that
             they
             are
             facile
             and
             easie
             in
             themselves
             .
          
           
             II.
             That
             Christ
             by
             what
             he
             hath
             done
             ,
             hath
             rendred
             them
             much
             more
             facile
             than
             they
             are
             in
             themselves
             .
          
        
         
           I.
           That
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           are
           facile
           and
           easie
           in
           themselves
           :
           And
           this
           will
           evidently
           appear
           if
           we
           consider
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               whatsoever
               they
               enjoyn
               hath
               some
               
                 natural
                 Good
              
               appendent
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               every
               Thing
               which
               they
               enjoyn
               is
               highly
               agreeable
               to
               our
               reasonable
               Natures
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               They
               are
               all
               perfective
               of
               our
               Natures
               ,
               and
               conducive
               to
               our
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               
               4.
               
               That
               in
               themselves
               they
               are
               plain
               and
               simple
               ,
               and
               direct
               ,
               and
               have
               no
               Intricacies
               or
               Labyrinths
               in
               them
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               That
               they
               are
               all
               so
               inseparably
               connected
               to
               
                 one
                 another
              
               ,
               that
               they
               mutually
               promote
               and
               help
               forwards
               
                 each
                 other
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           whatsoever
           they
           enjoyn
           hath
           some
           
             natural
             Good
          
           inseparably
           appendent
           to
           it
           ,
           to
           sweeten
           and
           endear
           it
           .
           The
           great
           and
           wise
           First-Mover
           hath
           so
           ordered
           Things
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Motion
           which
           he
           hath
           established
           ,
           that
           such
           and
           such
           Actions
           should
           be
           ordinarily
           attended
           with
           such
           and
           such
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           one
           great
           Way
           by
           which
           he
           hath
           signified
           to
           the
           World
           his
           Dislike
           or
           Approbation
           of
           humane
           Actions
           by
           the
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           which
           he
           hath
           chained
           and
           annexed
           to
           them
           .
           If
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Things
           which
           he
           hath
           established
           ,
           such
           an
           Action
           be
           ordinarily
           attended
           with
           a
           good
           Effect
           ,
           he
           thereby
           signifies
           his
           Approbation
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           declares
           that
           it
           is
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           that
           we
           should
           do
           and
           persevere
           in
           doing
           it
           :
           But
           if
           the
           Consequents
           which
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Nature
           are
           ordinarily
           linked
           to
           such
           an
           Action
           are
           evil
           and
           hurtful
           ,
           he
           thereby
           declares
           his
           Dislike
           and
           Abhorrence
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           is
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           that
           we
           should
           carefully
           and
           
           constantly
           avoid
           it
           .
           For
           the
           great
           Author
           of
           our
           Beings
           hath
           so
           framed
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           placed
           us
           in
           such
           Circumstances
           and
           Relations
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           vicious
           but
           is
           also
           injurious
           to
           us
           ;
           nothing
           virtuous
           but
           is
           advantagious
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           the
           Good
           and
           Evil
           of
           all
           
             humane
             Virtues
          
           and
           Vices
           do
           consist
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           purely
           for
           this
           Reason
           ,
           why
           he
           forbids
           the
           one
           and
           commands
           the
           other
           ;
           because
           he
           is
           our
           Friend
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           have
           us
           neglect
           any
           Thing
           that
           tends
           to
           our
           Good
           ,
           nor
           do
           any
           Thing
           that
           is
           hurtful
           and
           injurious
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           because
           he
           knows
           that
           while
           we
           are
           thus
           framed
           ,
           and
           do
           continue
           in
           these
           Circumstances
           and
           Relations
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           but
           Virtue
           should
           be
           an
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           Vice
           a
           Mischief
           to
           our
           Natures
           .
           And
           indeed
           the
           great
           Sanction
           of
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
          
           ,
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           that
           
             natural
             Good
          
           and
           Evil
           which
           is
           ordinarily
           consequent
           to
           the
           Actions
           which
           it
           commands
           and
           forbids
           .
           For
           when
           God
           had
           no
           otherwise
           revealed
           himself
           to
           the
           World
           than
           only
           by
           the
           established
           Course
           and
           Nature
           of
           Things
           ,
           that
           was
           the
           only
           Bible
           whereby
           Mankind
           could
           be
           instructed
           in
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           and
           there
           being
           no
           Threats
           or
           Promises
           antecedently
           annexed
           unto
           bad
           and
           good
           Actions
           ,
           his
           Will
           and
           Pleasure
           concerning
           our
           doing
           or
           avoiding
           them
           ,
           was
           
           only
           visible
           in
           those
           good
           or
           bad
           Effects
           and
           Consequences
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Nature
           he
           had
           made
           necessary
           to
           them
           .
           And
           indeed
           the
           
             Moral
             Good
          
           and
           Evil
           of
           all
           Actions
           ,
           is
           finally
           to
           be
           resolved
           into
           the
           
             natural
             Good
          
           and
           Evil
           that
           is
           appendent
           to
           them
           ;
           for
           therefore
           our
           Actions
           are
           
             morally
             good
          
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           
             naturally
             beneficial
          
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           therefore
           are
           they
           
             morally
             evil
          
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           
             naturally
             prejudicial
          
           and
           hurtful
           ;
           and
           those
           that
           are
           neither
           of
           these
           ,
           are
           indifferent
           Actions
           ;
           and
           stand
           in
           the
           middle
           between
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           And
           indeed
           this
           Distinction
           of
           Actions
           by
           their
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           ,
           is
           in
           most
           Particulars
           so
           plain
           and
           sensible
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           World
           hath
           taken
           Notice
           of
           it
           :
           For
           whereas
           all
           good
           Actions
           have
           an
           apparent
           Tendency
           either
           to
           the
           
             Publick
             Good
          
           ,
           wherein
           our
           own
           Private
           is
           involved
           ,
           or
           to
           our
           own
           animal
           and
           
             sensitive
             Good
          
           ,
           our
           Quiet
           ,
           and
           Health
           ,
           and
           Reputation
           ,
           and
           Prosperity
           ;
           or
           to
           the
           Perfection
           of
           our
           rational
           Natures
           ,
           and
           the
           sovereign
           Pleasure
           and
           Happiness
           of
           our
           Minds
           ;
           all
           bad
           Actions
           tend
           directly
           contrary
           ,
           either
           to
           the
           Damage
           and
           Ruine
           of
           the
           Publick-Weal
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Hurt
           and
           Prejudice
           of
           our
           animal
           and
           sensitive
           Felicity
           ;
           to
           the
           diseasing
           of
           our
           Bodies
           ,
           the
           staining
           our
           Names
           ,
           or
           the
           impoverishing
           our
           Estates
           ;
           or
           to
           the
           defacing
           
           and
           blemishing
           the
           Beauty
           of
           our
           rational
           Natures
           ,
           and
           the
           Interruption
           and
           Disturbance
           of
           all
           the
           Pleasures
           and
           Felicities
           of
           our
           Minds
           .
           And
           this
           Distinction
           of
           good
           and
           evil
           Actions
           is
           so
           immutably
           fixed
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           Things
           ,
           that
           it
           can
           never
           be
           obliterated
           ,
           until
           God
           wholly
           alters
           the
           Course
           of
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           impresses
           quite
           contrary
           Laws
           of
           Motion
           on
           it
           .
           For
           so
           long
           as
           we
           continue
           what
           we
           are
           in
           the
           same
           Nature
           and
           Circumstances
           ,
           and
           Relations
           to
           God
           and
           
             one
             another
             ,
             Righteousness
          
           and
           
             Godliness
             ,
             Humility
          
           and
           universal
           Love
           must
           necessarily
           be
           good
           for
           us
           ;
           and
           their
           Contraries
           bad
           and
           destructive
           to
           our
           Happiness
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           wise
           and
           excellent
           Constitution
           of
           Things
           doth
           very
           much
           tend
           to
           the
           facilitating
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Goodness
           to
           us
           .
           For
           when
           Things
           are
           so
           constituted
           that
           it
           is
           become
           our
           Interest
           as
           well
           as
           our
           Duty
           to
           pursue
           Virtue
           and
           eschew
           Vice
           ;
           when
           that
           which
           distinguishes
           our
           Duty
           from
           our
           Sin
           ,
           is
           the
           good
           that
           it
           doth
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           apparent
           Tendency
           it
           hath
           to
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           this
           ,
           if
           we
           love
           our selves
           ,
           must
           needs
           very
           much
           endear
           and
           recommend
           it
           to
           us
           :
           For
           now
           we
           serve
           our selves
           in
           serving
           our
           Maker
           ,
           the
           substance
           of
           all
           whose
           Injunctions
           is
           no
           more
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           pursue
           
             our
             own
          
           Happiness
           by
           doing
           all
           those
           Things
           
           which
           are
           necessary
           thereunto
           .
           I
           confess
           had
           he
           made
           those
           Actions
           which
           are
           our
           Sins
           to
           be
           our
           Duty
           ,
           we
           had
           then
           some
           Reason
           to
           complain
           ;
           for
           then
           we
           should
           have
           been
           bound
           in
           pure
           Obedience
           to
           God
           to
           damnify
           our selves
           ;
           and
           like
           the
           
             wretched
             Priests
             of
             Baal
          
           ,
           to
           cut
           and
           slash
           
             our
             own
          
           Bodies
           and
           Souls
           meerly
           to
           humour
           and
           gratify
           the
           Divinity
           whom
           we
           adore
           ;
           then
           in
           obeying
           him
           we
           must
           have
           acted
           
             our
             own
          
           Tragedy
           ,
           and
           made
           our selves
           miserable
           in
           pure
           Loyalty
           to
           our
           Maker
           .
           For
           there
           is
           such
           an
           inseparable
           Bane
           clings
           to
           all
           vicious
           Actions
           as
           necessarily
           renders
           them
           destructive
           and
           venomous
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           as
           soon
           clip
           off
           the
           Sun-beams
           with
           a
           Pair
           of
           Scissers
           ,
           as
           separate
           Vice
           from
           its
           mischievous
           Consequences
           .
           But
           now
           when
           the
           Sum
           of
           all
           that
           God
           requires
           of
           us
           is
           to
           be
           good
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           Friends
           to
           
             our
             own
          
           Happiness
           ;
           to
           do
           what
           is
           beneficial
           ,
           and
           avoid
           what
           is
           hurtful
           to
           us
           ;
           when
           every
           Command
           of
           his
           is
           an
           Instance
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           exacts
           nothing
           of
           us
           but
           what
           we
           would
           have
           done
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Accord
           ,
           had
           we
           but
           known
           what
           is
           good
           for
           us
           as
           well
           as
           he
           ;
           and
           loved
           our selves
           as
           well
           as
           he
           loves
           us
           :
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           End
           of
           every
           good
           Action
           there
           stands
           some
           
             natural
             Good
          
           beckning
           and
           inviting
           us
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           at
           the
           End
           
           of
           every
           bad
           One
           some
           
             natural
             Evil
          
           to
           warn
           and
           affright
           us
           from
           coming
           at
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           cannot
           run
           from
           any
           Duty
           into
           any
           Sin
           ,
           without
           leaving
           a
           Benefit
           for
           a
           Mischief
           ,
           and
           leaping
           out
           of
           some
           Degree
           of
           Happiness
           into
           some
           Degree
           of
           Misery
           :
           When
           things
           I
           say
           are
           thus
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           apparent
           they
           are
           ,
           with
           what
           Conscience
           can
           we
           complain
           that
           our
           Duty
           is
           burthensome
           and
           uneasie
           ?
           This
           therefore
           is
           one
           great
           Reason
           why
           God's
           Commands
           cannot
           be
           grievous
           ,
           because
           they
           require
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           beneficial
           ,
           and
           forbid
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           hurtful
           and
           injurious
           to
           us
           .
           And
           sure
           no
           Man
           can
           have
           Reason
           to
           complain
           ,
           that
           is
           forbid
           Poyson
           ,
           and
           commanded
           to
           eat
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           wholsome
           and
           nourishing
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           Another
           Thing
           that
           facilitates
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           highly
           agreeable
           to
           our
           reasonable
           Natures
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           Apostle
           calls
           the
           whole
           of
           our
           Religion
           a
           
             reasonable
             Service
          
           ,
           Rom.
           xii
           .
           1
           .
           And
           for
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           I
           dare
           appeal
           to
           any
           considering
           Man
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           whether
           those
           Virtues
           which
           God
           hath
           enjoyned
           be
           not
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           far
           more
           reasonable
           than
           any
           of
           the
           Contrary
           Vices
           ;
           whether
           (
           supposing
           there
           be
           a
           God
           that
           made
           and
           governs
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           from
           whom
           we
           derive
           our
           Beings
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Blessings
           
           we
           enjoy
           or
           expect
           )
           it
           be
           not
           much
           more
           reasonable
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Thing
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           worship
           and
           revere
           ,
           and
           love
           and
           honour
           ,
           and
           obey
           him
           ,
           than
           that
           we
           should
           neglect
           and
           
             despise
             ,
             blaspheme
          
           and
           rebel
           against
           him
           ;
           or
           whether
           we
           can
           behave
           our selves
           so
           unworthily
           to
           One
           that
           hath
           deserved
           so
           well
           at
           our
           hands
           ,
           without
           doing
           the
           greatest
           Violence
           to
           our
           own
           Reason
           ;
           whether
           since
           we
           are
           all
           of
           us
           reasonable
           Beings
           ,
           and
           our
           Reason
           is
           the
           noblest
           Ingredient
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           it
           doth
           not
           much
           better
           become
           us
           to
           subject
           our
           blind
           Passions
           and
           Appetites
           ,
           to
           those
           eternal
           Rules
           of
           Temperance
           which
           Right
           Reason
           prescribes
           ,
           than
           to
           let
           loose
           the
           Reins
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           suffer
           them
           to
           run
           headlong
           into
           all
           Excesses
           and
           Riots
           ;
           whether
           since
           we
           are
           incorporated
           into
           the
           great
           Society
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           it
           be
           not
           much
           more
           conducive
           to
           the
           Good
           of
           the
           Whole
           to
           behave
           our selves
           justly
           and
           
             honestly
             ,
             charitably
          
           and
           obliging
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           than
           to
           defraud
           and
           
             oppress
             ,
             malign
          
           and
           
             persecute
             one
             another
          
           .
           I
           dare
           appeal
           to
           any
           Man
           that
           hath
           ever
           thought
           twice
           of
           these
           Matters
           ,
           whether
           in
           point
           of
           Reasonableness
           ,
           the
           Advantage
           is
           not
           wholly
           on
           the
           side
           of
           Virtue
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           whether
           the
           opposite
           Vices
           compared
           with
           these
           Virtues
           ,
           seem
           not
           as
           extravagant
           as
           the
           wildest
           Freaks
           of
           a
           Mad-man
           ,
           
           compared
           with
           the
           wise
           Managements
           of
           a
           
             Minister
             of
             State.
          
           But
           I
           need
           not
           appeal
           to
           particular
           Men
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           since
           all
           the
           reasonable
           World
           is
           agreed
           in
           the
           point
           ,
           and
           the
           Men
           of
           all
           Ages
           and
           Nations
           ,
           and
           Religions
           ,
           how
           much
           soever
           in
           other
           points
           they
           have
           dissented
           from
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           yet
           in
           this
           have
           still
           been
           unanimous
           ,
           That
           Virtue
           is
           the
           wisest
           and
           most
           reasonable
           Thing
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           Vice
           the
           most
           absurd
           and
           irrational
           ;
           and
           this
           not
           only
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           those
           particular
           Instances
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Vice
           which
           Christianity
           commands
           and
           forbids
           .
           For
           excepting
           the
           two
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           believing
           in
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           the
           Observation
           of
           the
           
             Lord's
             Day
          
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           instituted
           Means
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           there
           is
           nothing
           made
           Matter
           of
           Duty
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           what
           all
           the
           wise
           World
           had
           long
           before
           pronounced
           most
           highly
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           .
        
         
           This
           therefore
           must
           needs
           render
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           very
           easie
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           they
           do
           so
           perfectly
           agree
           with
           our
           reasonable
           Natures
           ,
           and
           require
           nothing
           of
           us
           either
           to
           be
           done
           or
           avoided
           ,
           but
           what
           the
           Reason
           of
           every
           wise
           Man
           would
           have
           obliged
           him
           to
           ,
           whether
           God
           had
           commanded
           it
           or
           no.
           So
           that
           now
           to
           facilitate
           our
           Duty
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           full
           Concurrence
           of
           our
           Reason
           ,
           which
           upon
           due
           and
           impartial
           Consideration
           cannot
           
           but
           approve
           and
           recommend
           it
           to
           us
           as
           the
           most
           reasonable
           Thing
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           how
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           it
           should
           be
           in
           its
           own
           Nature
           grievous
           ?
           Is
           it
           so
           hard
           a
           Matter
           for
           Men
           to
           act
           like
           Men
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           live
           their
           own
           Reverse
           and
           Antipodes
           ?
           Is
           it
           such
           a
           mighty
           Burthen
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           most
           genuine
           Inclinations
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           swim
           with
           the
           full
           Tide
           and
           Current
           of
           our
           Reason
           ,
           in
           obeying
           those
           Commands
           which
           are
           so
           far
           from
           offering
           any
           Violence
           to
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           their
           full
           Consent
           and
           Approbation
           ?
           Let
           Men
           say
           and
           teach
           what
           they
           please
           ,
           't
           is
           as
           apparent
           as
           the
           Sun
           ,
           that
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           Religion
           commence
           not
           so
           much
           upon
           the
           Stock
           of
           Nature
           ,
           as
           of
           Education
           and
           evil
           Habits
           and
           Customs
           ;
           for
           in
           all
           other
           Instances
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           natural
           is
           always
           facile
           and
           easie
           ;
           and
           if
           Reason
           be
           the
           Nature
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           Religion
           must
           be
           either
           natural
           or
           unreasonable
           .
           So
           that
           Religion
           disagrees
           with
           us
           upon
           no
           other
           Account
           ,
           but
           only
           because
           we
           disagree
           with
           our selves
           ;
           and
           it
           just
           so
           far
           crosses
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           do
           the
           Current
           of
           
             our
             own
             rational
          
           Natures
           .
           We
           have
           sophisticated
           our
           Natures
           with
           the
           Intermixtures
           of
           sensual
           and
           devilish
           Habits
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           these
           that
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           do
           agrieve
           ;
           and
           so
           't
           is
           not
           the
           Man
           that
           is
           so
           burthened
           with
           
           Religion
           ,
           but
           't
           is
           either
           the
           Beast
           ,
           or
           the
           Devil
           that
           is
           in
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           Another
           Thing
           that
           facilitates
           God's
           Commands
           is
           this
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           mightily
           furthered
           and
           promoted
           by
           all
           the
           natural
           Instincts
           and
           Passions
           of
           human
           Nature
           .
           There
           are
           certain
           Propensions
           in
           human
           Nature
           antecedent
           to
           all
           Reason
           and
           Discourse
           ,
           that
           seem
           to
           be
           implanted
           in
           us
           by
           the
           wise
           Author
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           for
           no
           other
           End
           but
           only
           to
           minister
           to
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           ;
           such
           in
           particular
           are
           Self-Love
           ,
           the
           
             Love
             of
             Truth
          
           ,
           and
           of
           
             Pleasure
             ,
             Commiseration
          
           and
           Gratitude
           ,
           and
           
             Affectation
             of
             Praise
          
           ;
           all
           which
           do
           discover
           themselves
           in
           us
           in
           our
           early
           Infancy
           ,
           before
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           discoursing
           our selves
           into
           them
           .
           For
           even
           in
           young
           Infants
           you
           may
           observe
           a
           great
           Inclination
           to
           defend
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           repel
           Injuries
           ,
           which
           proceeds
           from
           the
           Principle
           of
           Self-love
           that
           is
           in
           them
           ;
           a
           vehement
           Desire
           of
           what
           seems
           good
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           Displeasure
           when
           they
           perceive
           themselves
           deceived
           ;
           the
           later
           of
           which
           must
           proceed
           from
           their
           Love
           of
           Truth
           ,
           as
           the
           former
           from
           their
           Love
           of
           Goodness
           .
           Again
           ,
           when
           they
           see
           a
           miserable
           Object
           ,
           or
           one
           whom
           they
           think
           so
           ,
           they
           presently
           bemoan
           it
           ,
           and
           express
           by
           their
           Actions
           a
           very
           earnest
           Desire
           to
           defend
           and
           relieve
           it
           ;
           which
           proceeds
           from
           
           that
           natural
           Commiseration
           that
           is
           in
           them
           .
           Again
           ,
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           are
           able
           to
           distinguish
           Faces
           and
           Persons
           ,
           we
           see
           they
           express
           the
           greatest
           Love
           and
           Fondness
           to
           those
           that
           tend
           and
           feed
           them
           ,
           and
           do
           them
           most
           good
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Expression
           of
           their
           natural
           Gratitude
           .
           And
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           understand
           the
           Meaning
           of
           Words
           or
           Actions
           ,
           they
           shew
           themselves
           highly
           pleased
           when
           they
           are
           commended
           and
           applauded
           ,
           and
           much
           grieved
           and
           ashamed
           when
           they
           are
           derided
           and
           exposed
           ;
           which
           plainly
           discovers
           their
           natural
           Affectation
           of
           Praise
           .
           These
           and
           such
           like
           Instincts
           and
           Propensions
           there
           are
           found
           in
           human
           Nature
           ,
           which
           being
           well
           managed
           and
           improved
           by
           our
           Reason
           ,
           prove
           excellent
           Instruments
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Religion
           ;
           and
           do
           very
           much
           facilitate
           and
           further
           our
           Practice
           of
           them
           .
           For
           this
           our
           natural
           Self-love
           being
           guided
           by
           our
           Reason
           ,
           doth
           strongly
           incline
           us
           to
           serve
           and
           obey
           God
           ,
           who
           being
           the
           most
           powerful
           Agent
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           can
           do
           us
           the
           greatest
           Good
           if
           we
           please
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           greatest
           Hurt
           if
           we
           affront
           and
           provoke
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           as
           we
           love
           our
           selves
           ,
           it
           concerns
           us
           to
           use
           all
           reasonable
           Ways
           to
           endear
           and
           reconcile
           our selves
           to
           him
           .
           Thus
           our
           natural
           Desire
           of
           Good
           ,
           if
           conducted
           by
           our
           Reason
           ,
           will
           incline
           us
           to
           do
           the
           best
           Actions
           ,
           since
           
           from
           these
           the
           greatest
           Good
           will
           necessarily
           redound
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           our
           Love
           of
           Truth
           by
           good
           Management
           may
           be
           easily
           improved
           into
           Honesty
           and
           Sincerity
           ,
           and
           an
           universal
           Abhorrence
           of
           Vice
           upon
           the
           Account
           of
           those
           notorious
           Cheats
           and
           Impostures
           that
           are
           in
           it
           .
           Thus
           also
           by
           the
           Bias
           of
           our
           natural
           Commiseration
           ,
           we
           are
           strongly
           inclined
           to
           Charity
           and
           Beneficence
           ,
           and
           
             universal
             Love
          
           ;
           and
           by
           its
           own
           innate
           Gratitude
           our
           Nature
           is
           propense
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           our
           Sovereign
           Benefactor
           ;
           to
           honour
           and
           obey
           our
           Parents
           ,
           and
           do
           all
           the
           Acts
           and
           Offices
           of
           a
           noble
           and
           generous
           Friendship
           .
           And
           to
           name
           no
           more
           ,
           thus
           by
           our
           natural
           Affectation
           of
           Praise
           we
           are
           strongly
           inclined
           to
           do
           praise-worthy
           Things
           ,
           and
           consequently
           to
           exercise
           our selves
           in
           all
           those
           amiable
           Virtues
           ,
           which
           by
           common
           Consent
           are
           lookt
           upon
           as
           the
           Graces
           and
           Ornaments
           of
           human
           Nature
           .
           Thus
           by
           all
           those
           Instincts
           that
           God
           hath
           implanted
           in
           our
           Natures
           ,
           we
           are
           inclined
           to
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Will
           :
           And
           for
           this
           Reason
           chiefly
           hath
           he
           implanted
           them
           in
           us
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           excellent
           Instruments
           of
           Religion
           ,
           having
           in
           them
           such
           a
           natural
           Aptitude
           and
           Proneness
           to
           facilitate
           our
           Duty
           by
           inclining
           us
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           farther
           us
           in
           Holiness
           and
           Virtue
           .
           I
           confess
           ,
           there
           are
           none
           of
           these
           Instincts
           
           but
           may
           be
           improved
           into
           Vices
           ;
           nor
           is
           there
           any
           Thing
           so
           good
           ,
           but
           what
           may
           be
           perverted
           to
           very
           bad
           Purposes
           :
           And
           if
           Men
           will
           abuse
           themselves
           ,
           and
           willfully
           deboach
           the
           Instincts
           of
           their
           Nature
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Remedy
           for
           their
           Folly
           ;
           and
           they
           must
           thank
           themselves
           when
           they
           feel
           the
           dismal
           Effects
           of
           it
           .
           But
           this
           I
           think
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           no
           Propensions
           in
           human
           Nature
           ,
           but
           what
           are
           much
           more
           improvable
           into
           Virtue
           than
           into
           Vice
           ;
           and
           if
           Men
           would
           but
           use
           themselves
           well
           ,
           and
           as
           it
           becomes
           reasonable
           Creatures
           to
           do
           ,
           they
           would
           doubtless
           find
           themselves
           very
           much
           farthered
           in
           their
           Duty
           by
           the
           natural
           Instincts
           which
           God
           hath
           implanted
           within
           them
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           mighty
           Advantage
           on
           Virtues
           side
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           thus
           aided
           and
           assisted
           with
           all
           the
           Instincts
           of
           our
           Natures
           ;
           which
           like
           obedient
           Handmaids
           ,
           are
           most
           readily
           inclined
           to
           execute
           its
           Commands
           ,
           and
           minister
           to
           its
           Pleasure
           and
           Interest
           .
           How
           then
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           Religion
           in
           it self
           should
           be
           burthensome
           and
           grievous
           to
           us
           ,
           when
           the
           Propensions
           of
           our
           Nature
           do
           so
           fairly
           comply
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           helped
           forwards
           and
           promoted
           by
           all
           their
           united
           Force
           and
           Influence
           ?
           'T
           is
           difficult
           indeed
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           go
           against
           the
           Grain
           ;
           but
           to
           act
           according
           to
           Nature
           ,
           to
           follow
           
             our
             own
          
           
           Propensions
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           what
           we
           are
           inclined
           to
           by
           natural
           Instinct
           ,
           is
           doubtless
           the
           easiest
           Thing
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           4
           ly
           .
           Another
           Thing
           that
           makes
           those
           Virtues
           which
           God
           Commands
           to
           be
           easie
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           all
           so
           inseparably
           connected
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           they
           mutually
           promote
           and
           help
           forward
           each
           other
           ;
           For
           all
           the
           Virtues
           are
           so
           mutually
           concatenated
           ,
           that
           the
           stirring
           of
           any
           one
           Link
           moves
           the
           whole
           Chain
           .
           Thus
           for
           Instance
           ,
           the
           true
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           naturally
           inflames
           the
           Soul
           with
           the
           Love
           of
           him
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           Love
           of
           him
           insensibly
           transforms
           her
           into
           the
           Image
           of
           his
           beloved
           Goodness
           ;
           for
           he
           that
           loves
           God
           must
           needs
           be
           inamoured
           with
           that
           divine
           Goodness
           which
           is
           the
           Root
           of
           his
           Love
           :
           And
           while
           he
           is
           ravished
           with
           the
           Sweetness
           of
           his
           Good
           Will
           ,
           the
           Undeservedness
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           Clemency
           of
           his
           Pardon
           ,
           an
           heavenly
           Spirit
           steals
           into
           his
           Soul
           ,
           and
           he
           loves
           ,
           and
           becomes
           like
           God
           so
           both
           at
           once
           ,
           that
           like
           a
           Wedg
           of
           Steel
           ,
           he
           is
           transformed
           into
           the
           Likeness
           of
           the
           Fire
           that
           heats
           him
           ;
           and
           is
           all
           inflamed
           and
           inlightened
           at
           the
           same
           Moment
           .
           And
           as
           he
           burns
           with
           Love
           ,
           so
           he
           resembles
           the
           Goodness
           that
           set
           him
           on
           Fire
           ,
           and
           becomes
           pure
           as
           that
           is
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           as
           that
           is
           holy
           ,
           and
           just
           and
           merciful
           as
           that
           heavenly
           Original
           
           is
           which
           he
           copies
           and
           transcribes
           .
           Thus
           wheresoever
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           ,
           it
           hath
           all
           the
           god-like
           Virtues
           attending
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           being
           the
           first
           Link
           in
           the
           heavenly
           Chain
           ,
           whensoever
           it
           moves
           ,
           it
           communicates
           Motion
           to
           all
           the
           rest
           .
           For
           he
           that
           heartily
           loves
           God
           ,
           will
           love
           those
           whom
           God
           loves
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           will
           draw
           Brotherly-Charity
           after
           it
           ;
           and
           he
           who
           loves
           those
           whom
           God
           loves
           ,
           will
           be
           just
           and
           righteous
           in
           his
           Dealings
           and
           Deportment
           towards
           them
           ;
           and
           so
           Brotherly-charity
           will
           draw
           Righteousness
           after
           it
           :
           And
           he
           that
           demeans
           himself
           justly
           and
           righteously
           towards
           others
           ,
           will
           neither
           undervalue
           them
           ,
           nor
           overvalue
           himself
           ;
           and
           so
           Righteousness
           will
           draw
           Humility
           after
           it
           :
           And
           he
           that
           doth
           not
           over-value
           himself
           ,
           is
           fairly
           disposed
           to
           be
           sober
           in
           all
           his
           Passions
           ;
           and
           so
           Humility
           draws
           Temperance
           and
           Sobriety
           ,
           and
           Meekness
           after
           it
           .
           Thus
           one
           Virtue
           smoothens
           the
           Way
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           makes
           it
           not
           only
           possible
           but
           easie
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           such
           a
           near
           Neighbourhood
           between
           these
           heavenly
           Sisters
           ,
           that
           when
           we
           are
           arrived
           at
           one
           ,
           we
           pass
           insensibly
           to
           the
           next
           ;
           and
           so
           on
           by
           Degrees
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           gone
           round
           with
           them
           all
           .
           For
           though
           there
           be
           not
           an
           immediate
           Dependence
           of
           every
           Virtue
           upon
           every
           one
           Virtue
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           make
           it
           necessary
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           
           have
           all
           Virtues
           in
           every
           Moment
           that
           he
           hath
           one
           ;
           for
           a
           Man
           may
           be
           charitable
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           presently
           humble
           ;
           as
           he
           may
           be
           just
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           immediately
           temperate
           :
           Yet
           there
           is
           so
           near
           a
           Dependence
           between
           them
           ,
           that
           one
           always
           disposes
           the
           Mind
           for
           another
           ;
           this
           Virtue
           always
           makes
           way
           for
           its
           next
           Neighbour
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           its
           next
           ,
           and
           so
           on
           all
           around
           the
           whole
           Circle
           of
           Virtues
           .
           Thus
           Humility
           naturally
           disposes
           the
           Mind
           to
           
             Meekness
             ,
             Meekness
          
           to
           
             Charity
             ,
             Charity
          
           to
           
             Justice
             ,
             Justice
          
           to
           Devotion
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           giving
           God
           his
           Due
           )
           and
           Devotion
           to
           Heavenly-mindedness
           and
           Contempt
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           so
           all
           along
           there
           is
           a
           gentle
           and
           easie
           Transition
           from
           one
           to
           t'
           other
           .
           Now
           this
           must
           needs
           mightily
           facilitate
           the
           Virtues
           of
           Religion
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           so
           nearly
           confederated
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           so
           do
           naturally
           contribute
           to
           each
           others
           Assistance
           .
           For
           whereas
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           this
           there
           would
           still
           be
           the
           same
           Difficulty
           in
           practising
           the
           second
           Virtue
           as
           there
           is
           in
           practising
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           in
           practising
           the
           third
           as
           there
           is
           in
           practising
           the
           second
           ,
           and
           so
           every
           single
           Virtue
           would
           be
           equally
           difficult
           ;
           now
           the
           main
           Difficulty
           lies
           in
           the
           first
           we
           begin
           with
           ,
           for
           by
           practising
           of
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           so
           well
           disposed
           for
           the
           next
           ,
           that
           afterwards
           we
           shall
           go
           on
           with
           much
           more
           Ease
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           for
           
           the
           first
           Virtue
           being
           set
           a
           going
           ,
           like
           the
           
             First-moving
             Heaven
          
           ,
           will
           communicate
           its
           Motion
           from
           Orb
           to
           Orb
           ,
           from
           one
           Virtue
           to
           another
           ,
           till
           the
           whole
           Sphere
           whirls
           round
           in
           an
           harmonious
           Order
           .
           Thus
           all
           the
           Virtues
           you
           see
           do
           naturally
           lighten
           and
           ease
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           every
           one
           contributes
           something
           to
           make
           every
           one
           more
           easie
           ;
           so
           that
           had
           we
           but
           the
           Courage
           to
           begin
           to
           practise
           them
           ,
           we
           should
           find
           they
           would
           every
           day
           grow
           more
           easie
           and
           easie
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           only
           because
           we
           should
           be
           more
           and
           more
           Habituated
           to
           them
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           being
           mutually
           allyed
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           the
           stronger
           they
           grow
           the
           more
           vigorously
           they
           must
           farther
           and
           promote
           
             each
             other
          
           .
        
         
           5
           ly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Another
           Thing
           that
           makes
           the
           Virtues
           that
           God
           hath
           commanded
           us
           easie
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           in
           themselves
           they
           are
           plain
           and
           simple
           and
           direct
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           Intricacies
           or
           Labyrinths
           in
           them
           .
           As
           for
           Sin
           and
           Wickedness
           it
           is
           an
           inextricable
           Labyrinth
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           further
           a
           Man
           goes
           the
           more
           he
           will
           perplex
           and
           lose
           himself
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           boundless
           Wilderness
           whose
           Paths
           do
           all
           thwart
           and
           cross
           
             one
             another
          
           .
           For
           all
           Vices
           consist
           in
           Extremes
           ,
           and
           are
           either
           the
           Excesses
           or
           Defects
           of
           Virtue
           ;
           so
           that
           there
           are
           two
           Vices
           to
           one
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           both
           are
           Extremes
           
           thwarting
           and
           running
           counter
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           .
           Now
           amidst
           this
           great
           Diversity
           and
           Contrariety
           of
           Vices
           the
           Sinner
           must
           needs
           be
           extremely
           amazed
           and
           distracted
           ;
           for
           his
           Lusts
           are
           so
           infinite
           that
           he
           can
           see
           no
           End
           of
           them
           ,
           they
           do
           so
           cross
           and
           interfere
           with
           
             each
             other
          
           that
           while
           he
           humours
           one
           he
           displeases
           another
           .
           For
           in
           gratifying
           his
           Sordidness
           he
           affronts
           his
           Pride
           ,
           and
           in
           feeding
           his
           Covetousness
           starves
           his
           Sensuality
           ;
           so
           that
           his
           wretched
           Soul
           wanders
           among
           infinite
           Cross-ways
           ,
           and
           is
           miserably
           distracted
           by
           its
           own
           contrary
           Desires
           ,
           which
           ,
           like
           
             Acteons
             Hounds
          
           ,
           are
           continually
           worrying
           and
           tearing
           her
           in
           pieces
           .
           But
           all
           the
           Paths
           of
           Virtue
           lie
           strait
           forwards
           between
           the
           vicious
           Extremes
           ,
           and
           like
           
             Parallel
             Lines
          
           do
           never
           interfere
           with
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           they
           never
           raise
           any
           contrary
           Desires
           ,
           nor
           distract
           our
           Minds
           with
           inconsistent
           Passions
           ;
           but
           all
           their
           Motions
           are
           regular
           and
           uniform
           ,
           conspiring
           with
           and
           promoting
           
             one
             another
          
           .
           For
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           is
           ,
           Virtue
           is
           all
           but
           one
           intire
           Thing
           ,
           much
           like
           the
           Center
           of
           a
           Circle
           ,
           which
           though
           many
           Lines
           are
           drawn
           from
           it
           round
           about
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           look'd
           upon
           sometimes
           as
           the
           Term
           of
           this
           Line
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           of
           that
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           one
           Term
           to
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           is
           in
           it self
           undivided
           :
           So
           is
           Virtue
           but
           one
           intire
           Perfection
           ,
           though
           
           it
           seem
           to
           be
           diversified
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           many
           Affections
           that
           it
           moderates
           ,
           and
           the
           several
           Actions
           which
           it
           doth
           produce
           ;
           And
           though
           its
           Precepts
           and
           Actions
           are
           many
           ,
           yet
           they
           are
           all
           ordinated
           to
           one
           End
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           they
           are
           united
           as
           well
           as
           in
           the
           Principle
           from
           whence
           they
           proceed
           .
           And
           upon
           this
           Account
           there
           can
           be
           none
           of
           those
           perplexing
           Intricacies
           in
           the
           Paths
           of
           Virtue
           as
           are
           ordinarily
           found
           in
           the
           Ways
           of
           Sin
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           all
           of
           them
           direct
           and
           strait
           ,
           leading
           from
           one
           Principle
           to
           one
           and
           the
           same
           End
           ;
           And
           the
           Principle
           and
           End
           of
           our
           Motion
           being
           one
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           but
           our
           Designs
           ,
           Desires
           and
           Pursuits
           should
           be
           simple
           and
           uniform
           ;
           and
           consequently
           the
           whole
           Force
           of
           our
           Souls
           being
           bent
           one
           Way
           ,
           we
           must
           needs
           proceed
           with
           more
           Alacrity
           and
           Ease
           than
           we
           can
           possibly
           do
           when
           't
           is
           divided
           and
           dispersed
           among
           so
           great
           a
           Multiplicity
           of
           Ends
           and
           Objects
           as
           Vice
           proposes
           to
           us
           .
           So
           that
           here
           is
           one
           great
           Advantage
           that
           Virtue
           hath
           above
           Vice
           in
           respect
           of
           Easiness
           ,
           that
           whereas
           almost
           in
           every
           bad
           Action
           a
           Man
           hath
           a
           different
           End
           ,
           now
           to
           satisfy
           this
           Lust
           ,
           and
           anon
           the
           contrary
           ;
           in
           every
           
             virtuous
             one
          
           his
           End
           is
           always
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           whereas
           the
           former
           acts
           variously
           and
           inconsistently
           ,
           and
           his
           Desires
           frequently
           clash
           and
           run
           a
           tilt
           at
           
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           the
           later
           always
           moves
           directly
           and
           uniformly
           ,
           by
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Rule
           towards
           one
           and
           the
           same
           End.
           And
           whereas
           many
           Vices
           are
           in
           themselves
           full
           of
           Intanglements
           ,
           Virtue
           is
           always
           plain
           and
           open
           ,
           and
           free
           .
           As
           for
           Instance
           ,
           how
           do
           we
           perplex
           and
           intangle
           our selves
           by
           Lying
           and
           Knavery
           ,
           consuming
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           our
           Lives
           within
           a
           winding
           Maze
           of
           little
           Tricks
           and
           intricate
           Contrivances
           ?
           And
           what
           shameful
           Retreats
           and
           false
           Colours
           ,
           what
           Fucus's
           and
           Daubings
           are
           we
           feign
           to
           use
           to
           avoid
           Contradiction
           and
           Discovery
           ?
           Whereas
           were
           we
           but
           honest
           and
           sincere
           in
           our
           Professions
           and
           Actions
           ,
           our
           Way
           would
           be
           open
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           uniform
           ;
           wherein
           we
           might
           pursue
           all
           our
           Ends
           by
           the
           directest
           Means
           ,
           and
           need
           never
           wander
           about
           in
           the
           Labyrinths
           of
           a
           mysterious
           Subtilty
           ;
           where
           we
           may
           walk
           without
           blushing
           in
           the
           Sight
           of
           the
           Sun
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           View
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           have
           no
           Occasion
           to
           skulk
           into
           Coverts
           and
           Retirements
           .
           And
           the
           same
           may
           be
           said
           of
           Ambition
           ,
           and
           Covetousness
           ,
           and
           Pride
           ,
           and
           
             wandering
             Lust
          
           ,
           Vices
           that
           are
           usually
           full
           of
           great
           Intreagues
           and
           Mysteries
           ;
           whereas
           the
           Contrary
           Virtues
           are
           all
           plain
           and
           simple
           ,
           and
           have
           nothing
           of
           Difficulty
           or
           Intricacy
           in
           them
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           a
           great
           Advantage
           that
           Virtue
           hath
           in
           
           Respect
           of
           Ease
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           plain
           and
           uniform
           ,
           and
           simple
           and
           direct
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           first
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           that
           God's
           Commands
           in
           themselves
           are
           facile
           and
           easie
           .
           I
           now
           proceed
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           the
           second
           Thing
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           prove
           that
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           by
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           hath
           render'd
           them
           much
           more
           easie
           than
           they
           are
           in
           themselves
           .
           Now
           there
           are
           these
           Four
           Things
           which
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           contributed
           to
           the
           facilitating
           the
           Commands
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           
             1.
             
             The
             Assistance
             of
             his
             
               Holy
               Spirit
            
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             Influence
             of
             
               his
               own
            
             Example
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             The
             merciful
             Indulgence
             and
             Condescension
             of
             his
             Gospel
             to
             the
             Weakness
             and
             Infirmity
             of
             our
             Natures
             .
          
           
             4
             ly
             .
             The
             glorious
             Rewards
             he
             hath
             promised
             us
             upon
             our
             sincere
             Obedience
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           To
           the
           rendring
           of
           God's
           Commands
           easie
           ,
           he
           hath
           contributed
           the
           Assistance
           of
           his
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           .
           For
           he
           hath
           promised
           to
           give
           his
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           unto
           every
           one
           that
           asks
           ;
           and
           therefore
           though
           our
           Nature
           of
           it self
           be
           extremely
           weak
           ,
           and
           not
           able
           of
           it self
           to
           stand
           under
           the
           easie
           Burthen
           of
           its
           Duty
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           but
           struggle
           and
           do
           what
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           he
           is
           engaged
           by
           promise
           not
           to
           suffer
           us
           to
           sink
           ▪
           For
           if
           by
           doing
           what
           we
           can
           ,
           
           it
           is
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           engage
           him
           to
           enable
           us
           to
           do
           what
           we
           cannot
           ,
           it
           is
           certainly
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           do
           all
           ;
           for
           though
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Strength
           we
           cannot
           do
           all
           ,
           yet
           if
           we
           please
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           do
           more
           than
           all
           through
           him
           that
           will
           strengthen
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           will
           but
           do
           what
           we
           can
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           To
           the
           rendring
           of
           God's
           Commands
           easie
           ,
           he
           hath
           also
           contributed
           the
           Influence
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           most
           holy
           Example
           .
           For
           by
           
             his
             own
          
           most
           perfect
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Commands
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           set
           us
           a
           Copy
           to
           write
           after
           ,
           but
           he
           hath
           also
           given
           us
           most
           convincing
           Evidence
           that
           our
           Obedience
           is
           both
           possible
           and
           honourable
           .
           That
           it
           is
           possible
           we
           see
           by
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           certain
           that
           what
           hath
           been
           done
           may
           be
           done
           ;
           that
           it
           is
           honourable
           we
           see
           by
           his
           doing
           of
           it
           ;
           for
           certainly
           so
           great
           a
           Person
           as
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           would
           never
           have
           stooped
           to
           an
           inglorious
           Obedience
           .
           So
           that
           the
           Example
           of
           our
           Saviour
           not
           only
           encourages
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           but
           crowns
           and
           dignifies
           it
           ;
           and
           renders
           it
           a
           fit
           Object
           both
           of
           our
           Endeavour
           and
           Ambition
           :
           For
           by
           doing
           himself
           what
           he
           requires
           of
           us
           ,
           he
           hath
           plainly
           demonstrated
           not
           only
           that
           it
           may
           be
           done
           ,
           but
           also
           that
           it
           highly
           becomes
           us
           to
           do
           it
           .
           Thus
           the
           glorious
           Example
           of
           our
           Saviour
           whilst
           it
           directs
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           doth
           
           at
           the
           same
           Time
           excite
           and
           encourage
           it
           .
           For
           he
           conversed
           among
           Men
           with
           a
           modest
           Virtue
           ,
           such
           as
           was
           suitable
           to
           an
           ordinary
           Course
           of
           life
           .
           His
           Piety
           was
           
             even
             ,
             constant
          
           ,
           and
           unblamable
           ;
           complying
           with
           civil
           Society
           ,
           and
           a
           secular
           Conversation
           .
           It
           broke
           not
           forth
           into
           high
           Transports
           and
           Seraphic
           Expressions
           ;
           but
           was
           such
           as
           was
           both
           fit
           and
           easie
           for
           Mortals
           to
           imitate
           .
           His
           Virtue
           consisted
           not
           in
           prodigious
           Fastings
           ,
           or
           high
           Abstractions
           from
           Sense
           ,
           but
           in
           a
           life
           of
           Justice
           and
           
             Temperance
             ,
             Humility
          
           and
           Charity
           ,
           and
           Patience
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           Life
           as
           was
           not
           only
           proper
           ,
           but
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           lead
           .
           And
           by
           this
           Means
           he
           hath
           transmitted
           to
           us
           the
           more
           of
           an
           imitable
           Virtue
           ;
           for
           he
           did
           not
           out-run
           the
           Capacities
           of
           Men
           in
           prodigious
           Expressions
           of
           Sanctity
           and
           Virtue
           ;
           but
           complied
           with
           our
           Weakness
           ,
           and
           kept
           pace
           with
           our
           Strength
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           might
           entertain
           us
           all
           along
           with
           the
           Comforts
           of
           his
           Company
           ,
           and
           the
           Influences
           of
           a
           perpetual
           Guide
           .
           And
           as
           that
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           which
           he
           hath
           propounded
           to
           us
           is
           fitted
           to
           our
           Understandings
           ,
           being
           very
           
             short
             ,
             easie
          
           and
           intelligible
           ;
           so
           the
           Copy
           of
           Manners
           which
           he
           hath
           set
           before
           us
           is
           not
           only
           fitted
           with
           Excellencies
           worthy
           ,
           but
           also
           with
           Complyances
           possible
           to
           be
           imitated
           .
           And
           therefore
           how
           efficaciously
           
           must
           such
           a
           glorious
           Example
           contribute
           to
           the
           facilitating
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           since
           it
           doth
           not
           only
           point
           us
           to
           our
           Duty
           ,
           but
           also
           excite
           us
           to
           perform
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           both
           by
           its
           Condescension
           to
           our
           Strength
           and
           Capacity
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           plain
           Demonstration
           it
           gives
           ,
           that
           our
           Duty
           is
           both
           possible
           and
           honourable
           ?
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           To
           the
           rendring
           of
           God's
           Commands
           easie
           to
           us
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           also
           contributed
           the
           merciful
           Indulgence
           and
           Condescention
           of
           his
           Gospel
           to
           the
           Weakness
           and
           Imperfection
           of
           our
           Natures
           :
           For
           in
           his
           Gospel
           he
           hath
           mercifully
           considered
           our
           State
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           but
           
             frail
             imperfect
          
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           are
           very
           prone
           to
           act
           inconsiderately
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           ever
           and
           anon
           surprised
           in
           this
           great
           Hurry
           of
           Temptations
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           his
           
             holy
             Gospel
          
           he
           hath
           made
           Provision
           for
           us
           accordingly
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           hath
           proportioned
           our
           Burthen
           to
           our
           Strength
           ,
           and
           taken
           the
           Measure
           of
           our
           Duty
           by
           our
           Capacities
           .
           For
           all
           that
           he
           hath
           required
           of
           us
           as
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           eternal
           Salvation
           is
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           honestly
           endeavour
           to
           understand
           what
           he
           commands
           and
           forbids
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           should
           not
           live
           in
           the
           wilful
           Neglect
           of
           any
           known
           Duty
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           wilful
           Commission
           of
           any
           known
           Sin
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           do
           this
           he
           hath
           engaged
           himself
           to
           make
           
           such
           a
           merciful
           Abatement
           for
           our
           Infirmities
           and
           Inadvertencies
           ,
           and
           Follies
           and
           Surprises
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           never
           rise
           in
           Judgment
           against
           us
           so
           as
           to
           exclude
           us
           from
           eternal
           Happiness
           .
           So
           that
           now
           there
           can
           be
           nothing
           our
           Duty
           that
           is
           naturally
           impossible
           ,
           nothing
           necessary
           to
           our
           eternal
           Happiness
           that
           is
           morally
           impossible
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           cannot
           reasonably
           be
           expected
           from
           us
           ,
           considering
           our
           State
           and
           Circumstances
           ;
           and
           what
           is
           neither
           of
           these
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           very
           grievous
           and
           burthensome
           .
           For
           unless
           we
           account
           it
           hard
           that
           we
           are
           not
           left
           at
           Liberty
           to
           be
           obstinate
           Rebels
           to
           our
           God
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           with
           an
           audacious
           Forehead
           to
           reject
           what
           they
           command
           ,
           and
           pursue
           what
           they
           forbid
           ,
           it
           is
           certain
           there
           can
           be
           no
           such
           Thing
           as
           a
           Burthen
           or
           Grievance
           in
           all
           our
           Religion
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           To
           the
           rendring
           of
           God's
           Commands
           easie
           to
           us
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           contributed
           the
           Promise
           of
           a
           glorious
           Reward
           upon
           Condition
           of
           our
           sincere
           Obedience
           :
           And
           this
           is
           such
           a
           vast
           Contribution
           to
           the
           Ease
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           as
           is
           sufficient
           to
           turn
           it
           all
           into
           Jubilee
           and
           Recreation
           .
           For
           when
           I
           seriously
           consider
           that
           after
           I
           have
           spent
           a
           few
           Moments
           here
           in
           the
           noble
           Exercises
           of
           a
           sincere
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           translated
           into
           a
           Region
           of
           immortal
           
           Pleasures
           ,
           where
           ,
           in
           the
           Society
           of
           my
           God
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           of
           Angels
           and
           of
           
             blessed
             Spirits
          
           ,
           I
           shall
           spend
           an
           Eternity
           in
           one
           
             continued
             uninterrupted
          
           Act
           of
           rapturous
           Love
           and
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           where
           ,
           in
           a
           perfect
           Freedom
           from
           all
           the
           Arrogancies
           of
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           and
           from
           all
           the
           Vexations
           of
           an
           ill-natured
           World
           ,
           I
           shall
           live
           as
           happily
           
             for
             ever
          
           as
           all
           the
           Joys
           of
           an
           
             everlasting
             Heaven
          
           can
           make
           me
           ;
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           where
           I
           shall
           have
           nothing
           else
           to
           do
           ,
           but
           to
           converse
           with
           the
           most
           happy
           Lovers
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           a
           part
           in
           that
           ravishing
           Consort
           of
           Praises
           and
           Halelujahs
           ,
           wherewith
           they
           laud
           and
           celebrate
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           their
           Happiness
           :
           I
           say
           when
           I
           consider
           these
           Things
           ,
           methinks
           I
           am
           enabled
           by
           those
           glorious
           Hopes
           and
           Expectations
           to
           scorn
           and
           despise
           all
           Difficulties
           ,
           and
           ,
           if
           need
           require
           ,
           even
           to
           embrace
           the
           Flames
           of
           Martyrdom
           :
           But
           as
           for
           those
           gentle
           Toils
           of
           watching
           and
           praying
           ,
           of
           keeping
           a
           constant
           Guard
           upon
           my self
           and
           contending
           against
           the
           Stream
           of
           my
           own
           depraved
           Inclinations
           ;
           Lord
           !
           how
           inconsiderable
           they
           appear
           to
           me
           ;
           And
           how
           heartily
           do
           I
           pity
           those
           
             miserable
             crest-fallen
          
           Souls
           that
           tamely
           suffer
           themselves
           to
           be
           frighted
           out
           of
           Heaven
           by
           such
           harmless
           Scare-crows
           .
           Thus
           while
           I
           stand
           on
           the
           Tiptoes
           of
           my
           Hope
           ,
           and
           see
           Heaven
           at
           my
           
           Journeys
           End
           ,
           I
           over-look
           all
           Rubs
           and
           Hardships
           in
           my
           Way
           ,
           and
           pass
           on
           triumphantly
           without
           minding
           them
           .
           And
           indeed
           when
           the
           Reward
           of
           our
           Obedience
           is
           so
           great
           ,
           so
           infinitely
           transcending
           the
           Desert
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           am
           astonished
           to
           think
           that
           ever
           any
           reasonable
           Being
           should
           be
           so
           shameless
           and
           immodest
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           any
           Notice
           of
           those
           trifling
           Difficulties
           that
           are
           in
           it
           :
           For
           with
           what
           Conscience
           can
           we
           account
           any
           Thing
           hard
           ,
           the
           Reward
           whereof
           is
           a
           Crown
           of
           immortal
           Glory
           ?
           How
           can
           our
           Voyage
           be
           troublesome
           ,
           when
           our
           Port
           is
           the
           Indies
           of
           Pleasure
           ?
           No
           ,
           no
           ;
           the
           Work
           can
           never
           be
           hard
           that
           hath
           Heaven
           for
           its
           Wages
           ,
           the
           very
           Prospect
           whereof
           is
           enough
           to
           reconcile
           us
           to
           all
           the
           Difficulties
           in
           the
           Way
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           carry
           us
           through
           them
           not
           only
           with
           Ease
           but
           with
           Triumph
           .
           For
           he
           that
           hath
           Heaven
           for
           his
           Haven
           must
           be
           infinitely
           peevish
           if
           he
           quarrels
           at
           a
           
             rough
             Sea
          
           ,
           and
           doth
           nor
           bless
           the
           Storms
           and
           Winds
           that
           are
           driving
           him
           thither
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           proved
           to
           you
           at
           large
           that
           the
           Commands
           of
           God
           are
           not
           grievous
           ,
           and
           that
           both
           because
           they
           are
           easie
           in
           their
           own
           Nature
           ,
           and
           are
           made
           much
           more
           easie
           by
           our
           
             Blessed
             Lord
          
           and
           Saviour
           .
        
         
           But
           after
           all
           that
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           I
           do
           foresee
           a
           material
           Objection
           that
           will
           be
           
           made
           against
           this
           Discourse
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           this
           ;
           That
           it
           contradicts
           the
           universal
           Experience
           of
           Mankind
           .
           For
           do
           not
           the
           Generality
           of
           those
           Men
           that
           have
           attempted
           a
           religious
           Life
           find
           by
           Experience
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           difficulty
           ?
           Are
           they
           not
           forced
           to
           strive
           and
           wrastle
           with
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           the
           greatest
           Violence
           to
           their
           own
           Inclinations
           ?
           Are
           they
           not
           forced
           to
           keep
           themselves
           under
           a
           severe
           Discipline
           ,
           to
           pray
           earnestly
           ,
           and
           watch
           diligently
           to
           prevent
           the
           Surprises
           and
           Incursions
           of
           those
           Temptations
           that
           continually
           way-lay
           them
           wheresoever
           they
           are
           ,
           and
           whatsoever
           they
           are
           about
           ?
           And
           do
           they
           not
           many
           times
           find
           the
           difficulties
           so
           great
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           are
           quite
           beaten
           off
           and
           utterly
           disheartned
           by
           them
           ?
        
         
           All
           this
           I
           confess
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           and
           may
           very
           well
           be
           so
           without
           any
           Prejudice
           to
           the
           Argument
           in
           hand
           ;
           for
           we
           have
           not
           been
           discoursing
           of
           what
           Religion
           may
           accidentally
           be
           ,
           but
           of
           what
           it
           really
           is
           in
           it self
           .
           The
           Light
           in
           it self
           is
           pleasant
           to
           the
           Eye
           ,
           but
           yet
           it
           may
           accidentally
           be
           grievous
           if
           the
           Eye
           be
           sore
           or
           weak
           ,
           and
           not
           able
           to
           endure
           its
           Splendor
           .
           And
           so
           Religion
           ,
           though
           in
           its
           self
           extremely
           easie
           ,
           yet
           it
           may
           and
           often
           doth
           become
           accidentally
           difficult
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           Reason
           of
           those
           sinful
           Prejudices
           against
           it
           which
           we
           do
           too
           often
           contract
           in
           the
           
           Course
           of
           a
           sinful
           Life
           But
           't
           is
           an
           unreasonable
           Thing
           for
           Men
           to
           measure
           the
           Easiness
           of
           God's
           Laws
           not
           by
           their
           own
           intrinsick
           Nature
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Reluctancy
           and
           Opposition
           which
           they
           find
           in
           their
           own
           Hearts
           against
           them
           .
           For
           to
           a
           Man
           in
           a
           Fever
           every
           Thing
           is
           bitter
           ,
           but
           yet
           the
           Bitterness
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Honey
           he
           tasts
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Gall
           that
           overflows
           his
           own
           Palate
           .
           And
           so
           to
           a
           vicious
           Man
           every
           Virtue
           is
           a
           Burthen
           ,
           but
           the
           Burthensomness
           is
           not
           so
           much
           in
           the
           Virtue
           as
           in
           his
           own
           Repugnancy
           to
           bear
           it
           .
           For
           I
           have
           already
           proved
           at
           large
           that
           Religion
           is
           every
           way
           agreeable
           to
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           and
           therefore
           there
           can
           be
           no
           other
           Reason
           why
           it
           should
           not
           agree
           with
           us
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           that
           we
           disagree
           with
           our selves
           .
           We
           spoil
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           and
           do
           degenerate
           from
           the
           humane
           Nature
           into
           the
           brutal
           or
           diabolical
           ;
           and
           what
           wonder
           is
           it
           that
           the
           Religion
           of
           a
           Man
           should
           be
           a
           Burthen
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           a
           Beast
           or
           a
           Devil
           ?
           But
           if
           we
           would
           take
           but
           a
           little
           Pains
           to
           retrieve
           our selves
           and
           weed
           out
           those
           unnatural
           Habits
           with
           which
           our
           Nature
           is
           over-grown
           ,
           we
           should
           find
           that
           our
           Religion
           and
           That
           would
           very
           well
           accord
           ,
           and
           then
           that
           which
           is
           our
           Burthen
           would
           become
           our
           Recreation
           .
           I
           confess
           before
           this
           can
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           we
           must
           take
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           
           Pains
           with
           our selves
           ;
           we
           must
           watch
           and
           pray
           ,
           and
           strive
           and
           contend
           ,
           and
           undergo
           the
           severe
           Discipline
           of
           a
           sorrowful
           Repentance
           ,
           if
           ever
           we
           mean
           to
           recover
           our
           Natures
           again
           .
           But
           for
           God's
           sake
           consider
           Sirs
           ,
           there
           is
           now
           no
           Remedy
           for
           this
           ,
           and
           you
           may
           thank
           your selves
           for
           it
           ;
           for
           you
           must
           undergo
           great
           Difficulties
           ,
           take
           which
           side
           you
           please
           .
           If
           you
           resolve
           to
           continue
           as
           you
           are
           ,
           you
           must
           be
           most
           wretched
           Slaves
           to
           your
           own
           Lusts
           ;
           you
           must
           tamely
           submit
           to
           all
           their
           tyrannical
           Commands
           ,
           and
           run
           and
           go
           on
           every
           Errand
           they
           send
           you
           ;
           and
           though
           they
           countermand
           
             each
             other
          
           ,
           and
           one
           sends
           you
           this
           Way
           ,
           and
           another
           the
           quite
           contrary
           ;
           though
           Sloth
           pulls
           you
           back
           ,
           and
           Ambition
           thrusts
           you
           forwards
           ,
           and
           Covetousness
           bids
           you
           save
           ,
           and
           Sensuality
           bids
           you
           spend
           ;
           though
           Pride
           bids
           you
           strut
           ,
           and
           Flattery
           bids
           you
           cringe
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           as
           great
           a
           Confusion
           in
           their
           Wills
           and
           Commands
           as
           there
           was
           in
           the
           Language
           of
           the
           
             Brick-layers
             of
             Babel
          
           ;
           and
           though
           in
           such
           a
           Huddle
           of
           Inconsistencies
           you
           are
           frequently
           at
           your
           Wits
           end
           ,
           and
           know
           not
           what
           to
           do
           ,
           yet
           you
           must
           be
           contented
           to
           endure
           the
           Hurry
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           cannot
           do
           all
           at
           once
           ,
           you
           must
           do
           what
           you
           can
           ;
           and
           when
           you
           have
           done
           so
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           thousand
           to
           one
           but
           there
           will
           be
           as
           many
           of
           your
           Lusts
           
           dissatisfied
           as
           satisfied
           :
           And
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           while
           you
           are
           thus
           hurried
           about
           in
           the
           Crowd
           of
           your
           
             own
             sinful
          
           Desires
           ,
           your
           wretched
           Conscience
           will
           ever
           and
           anon
           be
           alarming
           you
           with
           its
           ill-boding
           Horrors
           ,
           and
           griping
           and
           twinging
           you
           with
           many
           an
           uneasie
           Reflection
           .
           Thus
           like
           miserable
           Gally-Slaves
           you
           must
           tug
           at
           the
           Oar
           ,
           work
           against
           Wind
           and
           Tyde
           ,
           and
           row
           through
           the
           Storms
           and
           Tempests
           of
           your
           own
           Conscience
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           to
           run
           your selves
           upon
           a
           Rock
           ,
           and
           invade
           your
           own
           Damnation
           .
           So
           that
           considering
           all
           ,
           I
           dare
           say
           the
           Toil
           of
           being
           wicked
           is
           much
           more
           insupportable
           than
           that
           of
           a
           holy
           Life
           ;
           and
           which
           is
           sad
           to
           consider
           ,
           it
           hath
           no
           other
           Issue
           but
           eternal
           Ruin
           ;
           
             for
             the
             wages
             of
             Sin
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             is
             death
          
           ,
           Rom.
           vi
           .
           23
           .
           And
           methinks
           it
           should
           be
           very
           uncomfortable
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           work
           so
           hard
           for
           nothing
           but
           Misery
           ,
           and
           even
           to
           earn
           his
           Damnation
           with
           the
           sweat
           of
           his
           Brows
           ;
           especially
           considering
           ,
           that
           the
           Toil
           and
           Drudgery
           of
           a
           sinful
           Life
           hath
           no
           End.
           For
           though
           Custom
           and
           Habit
           renders
           all
           other
           Things
           easie
           ,
           yet
           by
           accustoming
           our selves
           to
           do
           Evil
           ,
           we
           add
           to
           our
           Toil
           and
           render
           those
           cruel
           Taskmasters
           ,
           our
           Lusts
           ,
           more
           tyrannical
           and
           imposing
           ;
           for
           still
           the
           more
           we
           gratify
           them
           ,
           the
           more
           craving
           they
           will
           be
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           impatient
           
           of
           denyal
           ,
           and
           so
           by
           working
           for
           them
           we
           shall
           but
           increase
           
             our
             own
          
           Toil
           ,
           and
           still
           acquire
           new
           Degrees
           of
           Labour
           and
           Drudgery
           .
           But
           as
           for
           the
           main
           Difficulty
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           chiefly
           lies
           in
           the
           Entry
           to
           it
           ;
           for
           there
           we
           must
           shake
           hands
           with
           all
           our
           darling
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           bid
           them
           adieu
           for
           ever
           ;
           and
           to
           persuade
           our selves
           throughly
           to
           this
           is
           the
           main
           Difficulty
           of
           all
           ;
           for
           then
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           ,
           they
           will
           cling
           fastest
           about
           us
           ,
           and
           use
           their
           utmost
           Oratory
           to
           stagger
           our
           Resolution
           ,
           and
           the
           old
           Love
           we
           have
           born
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           dear
           Remembrance
           of
           the
           Pleasures
           which
           they
           have
           administred
           to
           us
           will
           make
           our
           Hearts
           relent
           and
           our
           Bowels
           yearn
           towards
           them
           .
           But
           if
           with
           all
           those
           mighty
           Arguments
           wherewith
           our
           Religion
           and
           our
           Reason
           furnishes
           us
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           divine
           Assistances
           which
           we
           are
           encouraged
           to
           ask
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           do
           ,
           are
           assured
           to
           obtain
           ,
           we
           can
           but
           conquer
           our
           Reluctancies
           ,
           and
           heartily
           persuade
           our selves
           to
           part
           with
           them
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           sharpest
           Brunt
           in
           all
           our
           spiritual
           Warfare
           ;
           for
           now
           if
           we
           do
           but
           keep
           the
           ground
           that
           we
           have
           gotten
           ,
           and
           maintain
           our
           Resolution
           against
           the
           Temptations
           that
           assault
           it
           ,
           our
           Lusts
           will
           every
           day
           grow
           weaker
           and
           weaker
           ,
           and
           that
           Pleasure
           and
           Ease
           ,
           that
           Tranquility
           of
           Mind
           and
           Peace
           of
           Conscience
           which
           we
           shall
           feel
           
           accruing
           to
           us
           out
           of
           the
           Discharge
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           will
           by
           Degrees
           so
           indear
           and
           connaturalize
           it
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           at
           last
           it
           will
           be
           much
           harder
           for
           us
           to
           sin
           than
           to
           obey
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           stand
           no
           longer
           ,
           like
           
             naked
             Boys
          
           ,
           shivering
           upon
           the
           Brinks
           of
           Religion
           ,
           wishing
           that
           we
           were
           in
           ,
           but
           afraid
           to
           venture
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           consider
           seriously
           ,
           resolve
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           then
           leap
           in
           boldly
           ;
           and
           though
           at
           first
           we
           may
           find
           it
           difficult
           to
           swim
           against
           the
           Stream
           ,
           and
           stem
           the
           Tyde
           of
           
             our
             own
             bad
          
           Inclinations
           ;
           yet
           if
           we
           can
           but
           hold
           out
           couragiously
           a
           while
           ,
           we
           shall
           feel
           the
           Current
           slacken
           by
           Degrees
           till
           the
           Tyde
           of
           Nature
           turn
           ,
           and
           run
           the
           contrary
           Way
           ;
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           be
           carried
           on
           with
           Ease
           and
           Delight
           ,
           and
           swim
           chearfully
           and
           pleasantly
           down
           with
           the
           Stream
           .
           For
           when
           once
           we
           have
           conquered
           the
           bad
           Inclinations
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           Religion
           will
           be
           a
           mighty
           Ease
           and
           Refreshment
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           feel
           a
           thousand
           times
           more
           Pleasure
           and
           Satisfaction
           in
           it
           than
           ever
           we
           did
           in
           all
           our
           sinful
           Enjoyments
           ;
           so
           that
           then
           we
           shall
           find
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           and
           be
           able
           to
           pronounce
           from
           
             our
             own
          
           Experience
           ,
           that
           
             God's
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
          
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             
               PSALM
               CXIX
               .
               68
               .
            
             
               Thou
               art
               good
               ,
               and
               thou
               dost
               good
               .
            
          
           
             I
             Have
             been
             discoursing
             concerning
             the
             Necessity
             of
             our
             loving
             of
             God
             in
             order
             to
             our
             being
             truly
             Religious
             ,
             and
             shewed
             you
             at
             large
             that
             this
             is
             not
             only
             the
             great
             Principle
             of
             all
             Religion
             ,
             but
             that
             of
             all
             others
             it
             is
             the
             most
             fruitful
             and
             operative
             .
             And
             now
             that
             I
             may
             lay
             this
             Foundation
             of
             true
             Religion
             in
             you
             ,
             I
             shall
             explain
             to
             you
             the
             infinite
             Cause
             and
             Reason
             that
             we
             have
             to
             love
             him
             ;
             and
             because
             Goodness
             is
             the
             Beauty
             of
             a
             reasonable
             Nature
             ,
             and
             Beauty
             is
             the
             Object
             of
             Love
             ,
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             demonstrate
             to
             you
             the
             infinite
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             thereby
             affect
             you
             with
             his
             Beauty
             ;
             and
             if
             possible
             ,
             inflame
             all
             your
             Souls
             with
             the
             Love
             of
             him
             .
             And
             that
             I
             may
             the
             more
             fully
             convince
             you
             of
             the
             divine
             Goodness
             ,
             I
             shall
             endeavour
             to
             prove
             it
             from
             four
             distinct
             Topicks
             :
             1.
             
             From
             the
             Nature
             of
             God
             ;
             2
             ly
             .
             From
             the
             Creation
             of
             God.
             3
             ly
             .
             From
             the
             Providence
             of
             God
             :
             And
             4
             ly
             .
             From
             the
             Revelations
             he
             hath
             made
             to
             the
             World.
             And
             these
             I
             intend
             shall
             be
             
             the
             Arguments
             of
             four
             distinct
             Discourses
             ;
             the
             three
             first
             of
             which
             lie
             plainly
             in
             the
             Text
             ,
             
               Thou
               art
               good
               ,
               and
               thou
               dost
               good
               .
            
          
           
             
               Thou
               art
               good
            
             :
             That
             plainly
             denotes
             what
             God
             is
             in
             himself
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             naturally
             and
             
               essentially
               good
            
             ;
             that
             he
             is
             of
             a
             most
             
               loving
               ,
               kind
            
             ,
             and
             benevolent
             Nature
             ,
             and
             hath
             a
             most
             vehement
             Propension
             to
             do
             good
             to
             others
             founded
             in
             his
             immutable
             Being
             .
             
               Thou
               dost
               good
            
             :
             that
             denotes
             the
             Exercise
             and
             Out-going
             of
             this
             his
             essential
             Benevolence
             in
             the
             Works
             of
             his
             Creation
             and
             Providence
             ;
             and
             that
             this
             his
             natural
             Propension
             to
             do
             good
             is
             not
             at
             all
             sleepy
             or
             unactive
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             not
             a
             lazy
             and
             
               restive
               Woulding
            
             or
             Volition
             ;
             but
             that
             it
             always
             sallies
             forth
             into
             Action
             ,
             and
             doth
             most
             vigorously
             exercise
             it self
             either
             in
             making
             of
             Objects
             to
             imploy
             it self
             about
             ,
             or
             in
             upholding
             and
             governing
             them
             when
             they
             are
             made
             .
             So
             that
             the
             Words
             contain
             these
             two
             things
             :
             
               
                 1.
                 
                 What
                 God
                 is
                 in
                 himself
                 ;
                 
                   Thou
                   art
                   good
                
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 ly
                 .
                 What
                 he
                 is
                 in
                 those
                 Actions
                 that
                 are
                 determined
                 without
                 himself
                 ;
                 
                   Thou
                   dost
                   good
                
                 .
              
            
          
           
             1.
             
             I
             begin
             with
             the
             first
             of
             these
             ,
             What
             God
             is
             in
             himself
             .
             
               Thou
               art
               good
            
             ,
             i.
             e.
             Thou
             art
             so
             essentially
             ,
             and
             according
             to
             the
             unalterable
             Propension
             of
             thy
             Nature
             .
             And
             this
             ,
             
             as
             I
             told
             you
             ,
             I
             shall
             in
             the
             first
             Place
             endeavour
             to
             demonstrate
             from
             the
             Nature
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             from
             that
             intire
             Complexion
             of
             all
             possible
             Perfections
             whereof
             his
             Nature
             is
             composed
             .
             For
             in
             Order
             to
             our
             handling
             of
             this
             Argument
             ,
             this
             must
             be
             premised
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             a
             Being
             endowed
             with
             all
             possible
             Perfections
             ,
             and
             consequently
             thereunto
             that
             he
             is
             infinitely
             powerful
             and
             infinitely
             wise
             ;
             and
             consequently
             to
             that
             that
             he
             is
             infinitely
             Happy
             ;
             and
             consequently
             to
             this
             ,
             that
             he
             loves
             himself
             infinitely
             ;
             and
             that
             all
             this
             is
             so
             ,
             is
             very
             evident
             from
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Thing
             .
             For
             first
             we
             must
             necessarily
             suppose
             one
             
               Original
               Cause
            
             of
             all
             Things
             ;
             for
             else
             we
             can
             give
             no
             possible
             Account
             how
             those
             Things
             ,
             that
             once
             were
             not
             ,
             could
             ever
             come
             into
             Being
             ;
             and
             we
             must
             also
             as
             necessarily
             suppose
             that
             this
             
               Original
               Cause
            
             was
             Self-originated
             ,
             i.
             e.
             that
             it
             received
             its
             Being
             and
             Existence
             from
             none
             but
             it self
             ;
             for
             else
             it
             cannot
             be
             the
             
               Original
               Cause
            
             ,
             but
             must
             it self
             be
             the
             Effect
             of
             some
             other
             Cause
             that
             was
             in
             Being
             before
             it
             :
             That
             existing
             of
             it self
             without
             any
             Cause
             ,
             it
             is
             infinitely
             removed
             from
             Not-being
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             is
             without
             any
             Cause
             can
             ever
             be
             without
             any
             Cause
             ,
             meerly
             from
             that
             exuberant
             Fulness
             of
             Essence
             that
             is
             in
             it self
             .
             And
             that
             which
             can
             be
             for
             ever
             without
             any
             
             Cause
             must
             necessarily
             be
             so
             ,
             because
             this
             is
             a
             most
             necessary
             Act
             ,
             and
             as
             such
             must
             be
             exerted
             
               ad
               extremum
               virium
               Agentis
            
             ;
             consequently
             to
             which
             we
             must
             also
             suppose
             ,
             that
             that
             which
             is
             infinitely
             removed
             from
             Not-being
             hath
             the
             utmost
             Perfection
             of
             Essence
             in
             it
             .
             For
             the
             Notion
             of
             Essence
             ,
             nakedly
             considered
             ,
             is
             
               to
               be
            
             ;
             and
             therefore
             by
             how
             much
             the
             more
             remote
             any
             Essence
             is
             from
             Not-Being
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             the
             more
             perfect
             it
             must
             necessarily
             be
             .
             Again
             ,
             in
             Consequence
             to
             this
             we
             must
             also
             suppose
             ,
             that
             that
             which
             hath
             in
             it self
             ,
             without
             any
             Cause
             ,
             the
             utmost
             Perfection
             of
             Essence
             ,
             must
             have
             in
             it self
             also
             the
             utmost
             of
             all
             other
             Perfections
             that
             by
             way
             of
             Adjunct
             or
             Attribute
             ,
             such
             an
             inexhaustible
             Essence
             is
             capable
             of
             ;
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             it
             must
             be
             Powerful
             and
             Wise
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             else
             is
             a
             possible
             Perfection
             of
             Essence
             .
             For
             Plenitude
             of
             Essence
             consists
             in
             being
             as
             much
             as
             it
             can
             be
             ;
             and
             so
             long
             as
             any
             Being
             is
             capable
             of
             being
             any
             more
             than
             it
             is
             ,
             it
             hath
             not
             all
             the
             possible
             Degrees
             of
             Essence
             in
             it
             ;
             for
             every
             Perfection
             ,
             that
             Essence
             by
             way
             of
             Attribute
             is
             capable
             of
             ,
             is
             a
             Degree
             of
             positive
             Entity
             .
             Thus
             Wisdom
             and
             Power
             are
             not
             meer
             Privations
             of
             Weakness
             and
             Folly
             ,
             but
             Things
             that
             have
             some
             Degree
             of
             
               real
               positive
            
             Essence
             in
             them
             ,
             and
             consequently
             what
             Being
             soever
             hath
             
             not
             these
             ,
             must
             necessarily
             have
             it
             in
             some
             Degrees
             of
             Not-Being
             ;
             and
             't
             is
             impossible
             that
             any
             Essence
             should
             be
             infinitely
             removed
             from
             Not-Being
             ,
             which
             hath
             any
             Degree
             of
             Not-Being
             in
             it
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             consequently
             to
             this
             we
             must
             also
             suppose
             ,
             that
             a
             Being
             endowed
             with
             all
             possible
             Perfections
             ,
             being
             infinitely
             Powerful
             and
             infinitely
             Wise
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             infinitely
             Happy
             ;
             for
             wheresoever
             those
             great
             Perfections
             are
             ,
             they
             must
             necessarily
             supply
             whatsoever
             is
             necessary
             to
             an
             infinite
             Happiness
             :
             And
             then
             from
             hence
             it
             nessarily
             follows
             ,
             that
             a
             Being
             that
             is
             thus
             infinitely
             Happy
             must
             needs
             infinitely
             love
             and
             delight
             in
             it self
             ;
             because
             within
             the
             vast
             Circumference
             of
             its
             own
             Being
             ,
             it
             hath
             every
             Thing
             that
             it
             needs
             ,
             desires
             ,
             or
             affects
             .
             These
             are
             all
             plain
             and
             easie
             Deductions
             ,
             and
             seem
             as
             naturally
             to
             follow
             from
             
               one
               another
            
             ,
             as
             the
             most
             immediate
             Consequences
             do
             from
             
               First
               Principles
            
             .
             This
             therefore
             being
             supposed
             ,
             which
             you
             see
             is
             very
             reasonable
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             infinitely
             Powerful
             ,
             and
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Happy
             ;
             and
             that
             because
             he
             is
             so
             ,
             he
             loves
             himself
             infinitely
             ;
             I
             doubt
             not
             but
             from
             each
             of
             these
             it
             will
             naturally
             follow
             ,
             that
             he
             is
             also
             infinitely
             good
             and
             benevolent
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             He
             is
             infinitely
             powerful
             ;
             and
             therefore
             he
             is
             good
             .
             For
             Power
             is
             nothing
             but
             an
             Ability
             to
             act
             ;
             and
             Action
             is
             the
             End
             of
             
             all
             Ability
             for
             Action
             :
             So
             that
             the
             greater
             any
             Power
             is
             ,
             the
             farther
             it
             must
             necessarily
             be
             removed
             from
             Inactivity
             ;
             and
             consequently
             infinite
             Power
             must
             be
             so
             infinitely
             removed
             from
             it
             ,
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             to
             exist
             without
             Exercise
             ;
             or
             if
             it
             could
             ,
             yet
             it
             cannot
             be
             imagined
             that
             any
             Being
             ,
             in
             whom
             infinite
             Power
             exists
             ,
             should
             determine
             with
             it self
             ,
             that
             the
             best
             Use
             it
             could
             make
             of
             that
             Power
             ,
             were
             to
             make
             no
             Use
             of
             it
             at
             all
             ;
             because
             such
             a
             Being
             can
             with
             as
             much
             Ease
             to
             it self
             ,
             act
             as
             not
             act
             .
             And
             therefore
             since
             every
             Being
             doth
             necessarily
             delight
             in
             the
             Exercise
             of
             its
             own
             Perfections
             ,
             it
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             but
             a
             Being
             infinitely
             powerful
             should
             necessarily
             delight
             in
             the
             Exercise
             of
             its
             Power
             ,
             when
             it
             can
             as
             easily
             exercise
             it
             as
             suffer
             it
             to
             sleep
             on
             in
             eternal
             Inactivity
             ;
             and
             consequently
             when
             it
             can
             exercise
             its
             Power
             more
             vigorously
             as
             easily
             as
             less
             ,
             and
             can
             do
             more
             Things
             as
             easily
             as
             fewer
             ,
             it
             must
             necessarily
             chuse
             to
             do
             it
             ;
             because
             ,
             as
             the
             having
             of
             Power
             inclines
             the
             Agent
             to
             act
             ,
             so
             the
             having
             of
             more
             Power
             inclines
             it
             to
             act
             more
             vigorously
             .
             Wherefore
             if
             the
             doing
             of
             Good
             to
             others
             be
             a
             much
             greater
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             than
             the
             doing
             of
             Evil
             ,
             it
             will
             hence
             necessarily
             follow
             ,
             that
             God
             being
             infinitely
             powerful
             must
             be
             infinitely
             prone
             to
             do
             Good
             ;
             because
             he
             cannot
             but
             
             be
             delighted
             in
             that
             whereby
             this
             great
             Perfection
             of
             his
             Nature
             is
             most
             vigorously
             Exercised
             .
             But
             now
             for
             God
             to
             chuse
             to
             imploy
             his
             Power
             in
             doing
             Mischief
             to
             others
             rather
             than
             Good
             ,
             would
             be
             to
             chuse
             to
             do
             less
             rather
             than
             to
             do
             more
             ,
             when
             both
             are
             equally
             easy
             to
             him
             ;
             and
             consequently
             to
             lay
             a
             needless
             Restriction
             upon
             the
             Exercise
             of
             his
             Power
             ;
             and
             so
             far
             to
             render
             it
             useless
             and
             in
             vain
             .
             For
             in
             doing
             Mischief
             to
             others
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             supposed
             either
             wholly
             to
             annihilate
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             make
             them
             miserable
             ,
             and
             continue
             them
             so
             ;
             but
             by
             doing
             Good
             to
             others
             ,
             he
             must
             be
             supposed
             either
             to
             uphold
             them
             in
             those
             Beings
             he
             gave
             them
             ,
             or
             to
             perfect
             those
             Beings
             ;
             and
             thereby
             to
             render
             them
             as
             happy
             as
             their
             Capacities
             will
             bear
             :
             And
             certainly
             to
             do
             either
             of
             the
             later
             is
             a
             much
             more
             vigorous
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             ,
             than
             to
             do
             either
             of
             the
             former
             .
             For
             ,
             for
             God
             to
             annihilate
             Beings
             ,
             or
             reduce
             them
             to
             Nothing
             ,
             is
             rather
             to
             withdraw
             his
             Power
             from
             them
             than
             to
             exercise
             it
             upon
             them
             ;
             because
             that
             which
             is
             not
             of
             it self
             ,
             cannot
             continue
             to
             be
             of
             it self
             ,
             it
             being
             in
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Thing
             as
             possible
             for
             a
             Thing
             to
             be
             of
             it self
             in
             the
             first
             Moment
             of
             its
             Existence
             ,
             as
             to
             be
             of
             it self
             in
             any
             Moment
             of
             its
             Duration
             .
             So
             that
             the
             Continuance
             of
             our
             Being
             ,
             and
             the
             Original
             
             of
             it
             must
             necessarily
             be
             owing
             to
             the
             same
             Power
             ;
             and
             consequently
             ,
             as
             our
             Continuance
             in
             Not-Being
             must
             necessarily
             have
             followed
             upon
             the
             Non-exercise
             of
             this
             Power
             ,
             so
             our
             Relapse
             into
             Not-being
             must
             as
             necessarily
             follow
             from
             the
             Discontinuance
             of
             the
             Exercise
             of
             this
             Power
             .
             So
             that
             to
             our
             Annihilation
             there
             needs
             no
             more
             than
             the
             bare
             Suspension
             of
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Almighty
             Power
             upon
             us
             ,
             or
             a
             ceasing
             to
             uphold
             us
             in
             Being
             ;
             for
             to
             the
             upholding
             us
             in
             Being
             ,
             there
             is
             required
             a
             continued
             Exertion
             of
             that
             creative
             Power
             that
             first
             brought
             us
             into
             Being
             ;
             for
             if
             we
             can
             exist
             of
             our selves
             
               this
               one
            
             Moment
             ,
             we
             might
             as
             well
             have
             done
             so
             the
             Moment
             before
             ,
             and
             may
             as
             well
             do
             so
             the
             Moment
             after
             ;
             and
             so
             backward
             and
             forward
             to
             all
             Eternity
             .
             So
             that
             unless
             we
             had
             such
             an
             exuberant
             Fulness
             of
             Essence
             in
             us
             as
             to
             exist
             of
             our selves
             from
             all
             
               Eternity
               past
            
             to
             all
             
               Eternity
               to
               come
            
             ,
             we
             cannot
             exist
             so
             much
             as
             one
             Moment
             without
             new
             Supplies
             of
             Being
             from
             that
             infinite
             Fountain
             whence
             we
             were
             originally
             derived
             ;
             and
             that
             we
             are
             this
             Moment
             ,
             is
             as
             much
             the
             Effect
             of
             God's
             Power
             ,
             as
             that
             we
             were
             that
             Moment
             when
             we
             first
             came
             into
             Being
             .
             So
             that
             whereas
             by
             annihilating
             us
             God
             would
             chuse
             to
             exercise
             no
             Power
             at
             all
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             to
             render
             
               his
               own
            
             Omnipotence
             useless
             by
             giving
             
             it
             a
             Quietus
             from
             Action
             ;
             by
             upholding
             us
             in
             Being
             his
             Power
             is
             still
             as
             vigorously
             exercised
             about
             us
             as
             it
             was
             in
             the
             first
             Moment
             of
             our
             Creation
             ;
             and
             therefore
             by
             
               how
               much
            
             more
             suitable
             it
             is
             to
             infinite
             Power
             to
             act
             than
             to
             be
             idle
             ,
             by
             so
             much
             more
             suitable
             to
             it
             it
             must
             necessarily
             be
             to
             uphold
             us
             in
             our
             Beings
             ,
             than
             to
             annihilate
             and
             destroy
             us
             .
          
           
             And
             then
             for
             making
             us
             miserable
             and
             continuing
             us
             so
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             much
             
               less
               vigorous
            
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             than
             to
             perfect
             our
             Beings
             ,
             and
             thereby
             to
             render
             us
             happy
             .
             And
             verily
             should
             God
             turn
             the
             whole
             World
             into
             one
             intire
             Globe
             of
             
               unquenchable
               Fire
            
             ,
             and
             continue
             its
             wretched
             Inhabitants
             
               for
               ever
            
             weltring
             in
             its
             Flames
             ,
             I
             should
             not
             look
             upon
             this
             as
             so
             great
             an
             Act
             of
             Omnipotence
             as
             it
             is
             to
             perfect
             our
             rational
             Nature
             so
             as
             to
             render
             it
             immutably
             and
             eternally
             happy
             .
             For
             to
             the
             making
             of
             any
             Being
             perfect
             and
             happy
             ,
             there
             is
             required
             many
             more
             Causes
             and
             many
             more
             Acts
             than
             there
             is
             to
             the
             making
             them
             miserable
             .
             For
             the
             greatest
             Part
             of
             Misery
             consists
             in
             the
             Privation
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             for
             God
             to
             deprive
             his
             Creatures
             of
             Happiness
             is
             not
             so
             much
             the
             Exercise
             as
             Non-exercise
             of
             his
             Power
             ;
             for
             then
             he
             deprives
             us
             of
             it
             when
             he
             ceases
             to
             do
             any
             Thing
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             refuses
             to
             produce
             or
             
             to
             contribute
             to
             the
             producing
             of
             what
             tends
             to
             our
             Happiness
             :
             So
             that
             this
             Part
             of
             Misery
             consisting
             in
             a
             mere
             Privation
             is
             not
             so
             properly
             the
             Effect
             of
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             Suspension
             of
             the
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             .
             So
             that
             unless
             we
             can
             suppose
             that
             the
             Omnipotent
             Creator
             of
             the
             World
             chuses
             rather
             not
             to
             act
             than
             to
             act
             ,
             we
             must
             necessarily
             suppose
             that
             he
             chuses
             rather
             to
             bestow
             Happiness
             on
             his
             Creatures
             ,
             than
             to
             deprive
             them
             of
             it
             .
             And
             as
             for
             the
             positive
             Part
             of
             Misery
             which
             consists
             in
             Pain
             and
             Torment
             ,
             I
             dare
             appeal
             to
             any
             Man
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             much
             more
             easie
             to
             vex
             and
             torment
             any
             Being
             than
             it
             is
             to
             render
             it
             happy
             .
             For
             even
             a
             Child
             can
             put
             a
             Man
             ,
             yea
             an
             Elephant
             to
             Pain
             ;
             but
             to
             make
             a
             sick
             Man
             well
             ,
             a
             poor
             Man
             prosperous
             ,
             a
             mad
             Man
             sober
             ,
             or
             a
             
               Fool
               wise
            
             ,
             are
             such
             mighty
             Things
             as
             do
             most
             commonly
             transcend
             all
             humane
             Power
             whatsoever
             .
             But
             then
             to
             retrieve
             such
             imperfect
             Beings
             as
             we
             from
             the
             Bondage
             of
             Sense
             and
             Sensuality
             ,
             and
             from
             being
             almost
             Beasts
             to
             raise
             us
             up
             by
             Degrees
             to
             an
             equal
             Height
             with
             Angels
             ,
             to
             fill
             and
             thereby
             inlarge
             the
             narrow
             Capacities
             of
             our
             Natures
             till
             by
             filling
             they
             are
             widened
             almost
             to
             Infinity
             ,
             and
             yet
             still
             to
             supply
             them
             with
             new
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             proportionable
             to
             their
             vast
             enlargements
             ,
             is
             a
             Work
             
             that
             highly
             deserves
             to
             be
             the
             eternal
             Exercise
             of
             Omnipotence
             it self
             .
          
           
             Since
             therefore
             the
             End
             of
             Power
             to
             act
             is
             Action
             ,
             and
             every
             Thing
             naturally
             inclines
             to
             its
             End
             ,
             and
             consequently
             the
             greater
             the
             Power
             of
             any
             Being
             is
             ,
             the
             greater
             is
             its
             Inclination
             to
             Activity
             ;
             and
             since
             the
             doing
             of
             Good
             to
             others
             is
             a
             much
             greater
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             than
             the
             doing
             of
             Mischief
             ;
             it
             hence
             necessarily
             follows
             ,
             that
             God
             being
             Omnipotent
             must
             thereby
             be
             infinitely
             inclined
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             and
             that
             because
             doing
             Good
             is
             infinitely
             the
             largest
             Sphere
             of
             Activity
             .
             So
             that
             if
             when
             't
             is
             equally
             possible
             and
             easie
             for
             him
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             as
             not
             ,
             he
             should
             chuse
             not
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             he
             would
             chuse
             directly
             contrary
             to
             the
             necessary
             Inclination
             of
             an
             Omnipotent
             Being
             ,
             which
             is
             to
             do
             that
             which
             is
             the
             greatest
             Exercise
             of
             Power
             .
          
           
             2
             
               ly
               .
               God
            
             is
             infinitely
             Wise
             ,
             and
             therefore
             he
             is
             Good.
             For
             the
             greatest
             Wisdom
             consists
             in
             proposing
             the
             worthiest
             Ends
             ,
             and
             chusing
             the
             properest
             Means
             to
             obtain
             them
             .
             Wherefore
             if
             doing
             Good
             to
             others
             be
             the
             worthiest
             End
             that
             God
             can
             propose
             to
             himself
             ,
             it
             will
             necessarily
             follow
             that
             by
             the
             Infinity
             of
             his
             Wisdom
             he
             is
             inclined
             to
             do
             Good.
             For
             as
             his
             Power
             inclines
             him
             to
             act
             ,
             so
             his
             Wisdom
             inclines
             him
             to
             act
             for
             the
             worthiest
             End
             ;
             but
             doing
             Good
             to
             others
             
             is
             evidently
             the
             worthiest
             End
             that
             God
             can
             be
             supposed
             to
             aim
             at
             ;
             for
             it
             cannot
             be
             imagined
             that
             he
             can
             design
             any
             further
             Good
             to
             himself
             ,
             any
             new
             Addition
             to
             the
             vast
             Treasure
             of
             his
             Happiness
             ;
             which
             is
             so
             infinitely
             full
             that
             it
             can
             admit
             of
             no
             Increase
             :
             So
             that
             whatsoever
             he
             doth
             besides
             the
             enjoying
             of
             himself
             ,
             he
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             to
             do
             for
             any
             Self-end
             ;
             because
             he
             hath
             all
             that
             Good
             already
             within
             himself
             that
             he
             can
             possibly
             either
             desire
             or
             aim
             at
             .
             So
             that
             all
             those
             Actions
             of
             God
             which
             are
             terminated
             without
             himself
             ,
             must
             have
             either
             no
             End
             at
             all
             ,
             which
             cannot
             be
             supposed
             of
             the
             Actions
             of
             an
             All-wise
             Agent
             ,
             or
             else
             they
             must
             have
             for
             their
             End
             either
             the
             Happiness
             or
             the
             Misery
             of
             others
             ;
             but
             to
             make
             the
             Misery
             of
             others
             their
             End
             is
             by
             no
             Means
             consistent
             with
             his
             infinite
             Wisdom
             .
             For
             to
             make
             
               pure
               abstracted
            
             Evil
             the
             End
             of
             Action
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             infinitely
             wise
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             impossible
             ;
             because
             the
             very
             Notion
             of
             an
             End
             necessarily
             includes
             Good
             in
             it
             ,
             either
             real
             or
             apparent
             ;
             but
             God
             can
             reap
             no
             Good
             from
             the
             Misery
             of
             others
             ,
             because
             he
             is
             infinitely
             happy
             already
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             sure
             others
             can
             reap
             no
             Good
             from
             that
             which
             God
             intends
             to
             be
             their
             Misery
             ;
             that
             that
             therefore
             should
             be
             God's
             End
             which
             is
             no
             End
             ,
             which
             hath
             nothing
             of
             the
             Nature
             of
             an
             
             End
             in
             it
             ,
             implies
             a
             plain
             Contradiction
             .
             So
             that
             to
             say
             that
             the
             End
             of
             God's
             Actions
             is
             the
             Misery
             of
             others
             ,
             is
             all
             one
             as
             to
             say
             he
             acts
             for
             no
             End
             at
             all
             ;
             and
             how
             an
             infinitely
             wise
             Agent
             can
             be
             said
             to
             act
             at
             Rovers
             ,
             to
             do
             Things
             without
             any
             Level
             or
             Aim
             ,
             I
             cannot
             apprehend
             .
             But
             supposing
             it
             were
             possible
             that
             
               pure
               Evil
            
             might
             be
             an
             End
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             as
             evident
             as
             the
             Sun
             that
             it
             cannot
             be
             the
             End
             of
             infinite
             Wisdom
             ;
             for
             infinite
             Wisdom
             necessarily
             inclines
             to
             do
             that
             which
             is
             wisest
             ;
             but
             if
             it
             were
             in
             it self
             indifferent
             to
             the
             Almighty
             whether
             he
             did
             Good
             or
             Evil
             to
             others
             ,
             yet
             his
             infinite
             Wisdom
             would
             incline
             him
             to
             do
             Good
             ;
             because
             in
             the
             doing
             of
             Good
             there
             is
             much
             more
             Wisdom
             exercised
             ,
             than
             in
             the
             doing
             of
             Evil.
             For
             what
             great
             Skill
             doth
             it
             require
             in
             an
             Almighty
             Agent
             to
             make
             others
             miserable
             ?
             If
             it
             hath
             a
             mind
             to
             turn
             them
             out
             of
             Being
             ,
             't
             is
             but
             withdrawing
             that
             Almighty
             Arm
             that
             upholds
             them
             ,
             and
             they
             will
             presently
             sink
             into
             Nothing
             of
             their
             own
             Accord
             ;
             but
             what
             great
             Wisdom
             is
             there
             in
             it
             ,
             thus
             to
             unravel
             his
             own
             Workmanship
             ,
             to
             weave
             a
             
               Penelope's
               Web
            
             ,
             and
             to
             do
             and
             undo
             eternally
             ?
             And
             if
             he
             hath
             a
             Mind
             to
             make
             them
             miserable
             and
             continue
             them
             so
             ,
             it
             is
             but
             suspending
             his
             own
             Almighty
             Influence
             ,
             and
             refusing
             to
             concur
             to
             their
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             they
             
             will
             soon
             be
             as
             miserable
             as
             Misery
             can
             make
             them
             .
             I
             confess
             to
             invent
             an
             acute
             Torture
             requires
             some
             Skill
             ;
             but
             yet
             we
             plainly
             see
             that
             a
             very
             little
             Wit
             joyned
             with
             a
             great
             deal
             of
             Malice
             and
             Cruelty
             is
             sufficient
             to
             make
             an
             exquisite
             Tormentor
             ;
             since
             even
             Men
             of
             very
             ordinary
             Understanding
             have
             invented
             as
             sharp
             Torments
             as
             Men
             are
             able
             to
             bear
             .
             So
             that
             for
             God
             to
             do
             Evil
             requires
             very
             little
             Contrivance
             ,
             and
             consequently
             is
             so
             far
             from
             being
             an
             Exercise
             worthy
             of
             his
             infinite
             Wisdom
             ,
             that
             not
             only
             a
             finite
             but
             a
             very
             shallow
             Understanding
             ,
             armed
             with
             sufficient
             Power
             and
             Malice
             ,
             can
             invent
             and
             inflict
             as
             exquisite
             Tortures
             as
             is
             possible
             for
             any
             Being
             to
             bear
             .
             But
             to
             the
             perfecting
             of
             Beings
             and
             rendring
             them
             happy
             ,
             especially
             of
             free
             and
             rational
             Beings
             ,
             there
             is
             required
             a
             long
             series
             of
             rare
             and
             admirable
             Contrivance
             ;
             for
             to
             the
             effecting
             of
             this
             noble
             End
             ,
             there
             are
             so
             many
             Impediments
             to
             be
             removed
             ,
             so
             many
             concurrent
             Means
             to
             be
             employed
             ,
             such
             an
             incomparable
             Skill
             required
             in
             the
             Choice
             of
             such
             as
             are
             most
             fit
             and
             effectual
             ,
             and
             methodizing
             them
             into
             such
             a
             regular
             Connexion
             with
             ,
             and
             Dependence
             upon
             
               one
               another
            
             ,
             as
             that
             they
             may
             all
             successively
             second
             and
             promote
             
               each
               other
            
             ,
             that
             even
             the
             Wisdom
             of
             God
             ,
             how
             infinite
             so
             ever
             it
             be
             ,
             may
             here
             find
             
             Scope
             and
             Matter
             enough
             to
             employ
             and
             exercise
             it self
             for
             ever
             .
             And
             I
             dare
             appeal
             to
             any
             reasonable
             Man
             whether
             in
             that
             Method
             of
             saving
             Souls
             which
             God
             hath
             revealed
             to
             us
             in
             his
             Gospel
             ,
             (
             though
             yet
             we
             cannot
             see
             all
             ,
             because
             we
             are
             not
             able
             to
             discern
             the
             admirable
             Connexion
             it
             hath
             with
             the
             whole
             series
             of
             divine
             Providence
             )
             there
             be
             not
             infinitely
             more
             Wisdom
             and
             rare
             Contrivance
             ,
             than
             an
             Omnipotent
             Being
             need
             to
             imploy
             in
             effecting
             the
             greatest
             Mischief
             imaginable
             ;
             whether
             in
             the
             contriving
             of
             Laws
             so
             suitable
             to
             ,
             and
             perfective
             of
             our
             Nature
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             composing
             such
             unanswerable
             Reasons
             and
             Motives
             to
             press
             and
             engage
             us
             to
             the
             Observance
             of
             them
             ;
             and
             in
             all
             that
             admirable
             Series
             of
             Providences
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             seconds
             and
             forces
             those
             Reasons
             ,
             he
             hath
             not
             exercised
             incomparably
             more
             Wisdom
             than
             he
             could
             have
             done
             in
             effecting
             the
             
               greatest
               Evil
            
             in
             Nature
             .
             As
             for
             Example
             ,
             suppose
             he
             should
             have
             designed
             to
             kindle
             some
             mighty
             unquenchable
             Flame
             in
             some
             dark
             and
             dismal
             Recess
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             with
             a
             Resolution
             to
             hurl
             all
             reasonable
             Beings
             into
             it
             ,
             without
             any
             Respect
             or
             Consideration
             ;
             this
             doubtless
             would
             have
             been
             as
             great
             a
             Mischief
             as
             can
             well
             be
             imagined
             ;
             but
             what
             Contrivance
             doth
             it
             ask
             for
             an
             Almighty
             Being
             to
             accomplish
             such
             a
             direful
             End
             ?
             
             Could
             not
             he
             have
             roasted
             a
             little
             World
             of
             Worms
             ,
             and
             tortured
             a
             Company
             of
             Beings
             that
             are
             not
             able
             to
             resist
             him
             ,
             without
             imploying
             infinite
             Wisdom
             in
             the
             Management
             and
             Contrivance
             of
             it
             ?
             Or
             ,
             Which
             will
             as
             well
             serve
             my
             Argument
             ,
             could
             there
             have
             needed
             as
             much
             Wisdom
             to
             design
             and
             effect
             this
             ,
             as
             there
             did
             to
             contrive
             and
             manage
             the
             great
             Methods
             of
             our
             Salvation
             ?
             Sure
             no
             man
             can
             be
             so
             senseless
             as
             to
             imagine
             it
             .
             Well
             then
             ,
             if
             God
             be
             infinitely
             Wise
             ,
             and
             Doing
             the
             
               greatest
               Good
            
             to
             others
             be
             a
             much
             higher
             Exercise
             of
             Wisdom
             than
             doing
             the
             
               greatest
               Evil
            
             ,
             it
             will
             hence
             necessarily
             follow
             ,
             that
             even
             his
             infinite
             Wisdom
             must
             needs
             incline
             him
             to
             do
             Good.
             For
             as
             the
             End
             of
             Power
             is
             to
             act
             ,
             so
             the
             End
             of
             Wisdom
             is
             to
             act
             wisely
             ;
             and
             every
             Thing
             ,
             as
             I
             told
             you
             ,
             inclines
             to
             its
             End
             ,
             and
             consequently
             the
             more
             Wisdom
             it
             hath
             ,
             the
             more
             wisely
             it
             is
             inclined
             to
             act
             :
             Wherefore
             since
             doing
             Good
             is
             the
             greatest
             Act
             of
             Wisdom
             ,
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             infinitely
             wise
             ,
             must
             needs
             be
             infinitely
             inclined
             there
             unto
             .
          
           
             3
             
               ly
               .
               God
            
             is
             infinitely
             happy
             ,
             and
             therefore
             he
             is
             good
             :
             for
             God's
             infinite
             Happiness
             doth
             necessarily
             exclude
             all
             Want
             ,
             all
             Desire
             ,
             and
             all
             Prospect
             of
             any
             Degree
             of
             Happiness
             beyond
             what
             he
             enjoys
             ;
             and
             where
             all
             these
             are
             excluded
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Self-end
             :
             For
             
             a
             Self-end
             is
             some
             Good
             desired
             and
             aimed
             at
             ,
             which
             yet
             we
             are
             not
             possessed
             of
             ;
             and
             if
             God
             hath
             no
             Self-end
             ,
             he
             can
             have
             no
             End
             at
             all
             ,
             but
             only
             to
             do
             Good
             to
             others
             .
             But
             perhaps
             you
             will
             object
             ,
             how
             can
             you
             say
             that
             God
             hath
             no
             Self-end
             ,
             when
             the
             Scripture
             so
             plainly
             tells
             us
             that
             
               his
               own
            
             Glory
             is
             his
             End
             ,
             and
             this
             End
             he
             doth
             as
             well
             obtain
             by
             doing
             Hurt
             as
             by
             doing
             Good
             to
             others
             ;
             by
             damning
             of
             some
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             by
             saving
             of
             others
             ?
             To
             which
             I
             answer
             ,
             that
             if
             by
             the
             Glory
             of
             God
             you
             mean
             any
             Thing
             else
             but
             the
             free
             Communication
             of
             his
             Goodness
             to
             others
             ,
             it
             is
             false
             to
             say
             that
             his
             Glory
             is
             his
             End
             ;
             and
             if
             this
             be
             his
             Glory
             ,
             then
             what
             I
             said
             is
             infallibly
             true
             ,
             that
             the
             only
             End
             of
             God
             is
             to
             do
             Good.
             But
             if
             you
             think
             that
             his
             Glory
             consists
             in
             being
             praised
             and
             
               commended
               ,
               admired
            
             and
             applauded
             by
             his
             
               poor
               impotent
            
             Creatures
             ,
             you
             have
             very
             mean
             Conceptions
             of
             him
             ,
             if
             you
             think
             that
             this
             is
             his
             last
             End.
             For
             what
             Advantage
             is
             it
             to
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             applaud
             and
             commend
             him
             ?
             Can
             the
             Praises
             and
             Panegyricks
             of
             a
             small
             Handful
             of
             Breath
             either
             make
             him
             more
             glorious
             than
             he
             is
             ,
             or
             more
             glorious
             in
             
               his
               own
            
             Esteem
             ?
             Alas
             !
             No
             ;
             He
             is
             an
             infinite
             Stage
             and
             Theater
             to
             himself
             ,
             his
             Prospect
             being
             every
             way
             adequate
             to
             his
             Glory
             ,
             and
             his
             Glory
             as
             unbounded
             as
             Eternity
             it self
             :
             So
             that
             
             if
             all
             his
             Creation
             should
             joyn
             Hearts
             and
             Voices
             to
             extol
             and
             laud
             him
             ,
             yet
             they
             could
             not
             add
             either
             one
             Spark
             to
             his
             Glory
             ,
             or
             one
             Degree
             to
             that
             infinite
             Satisfaction
             he
             takes
             in
             it
             .
             So
             that
             when
             we
             have
             praised
             him
             as
             much
             as
             we
             are
             able
             ,
             he
             is
             still
             but
             as
             glorious
             as
             he
             was
             before
             ,
             and
             he
             still
             knows
             that
             he
             deserves
             infinitely
             more
             Praises
             than
             we
             are
             able
             to
             render
             him
             .
             And
             how
             can
             it
             be
             imagined
             that
             he
             who
             is
             so
             infinitely
             satisfied
             with
             himself
             ,
             and
             hath
             such
             infinite
             Reason
             for
             it
             ,
             should
             find
             any
             need
             of
             our
             poor
             Praises
             and
             Commendations
             ?
             And
             if
             he
             finds
             no
             Need
             of
             it
             ,
             how
             can
             he
             propose
             it
             to
             himself
             as
             the
             End
             of
             his
             Actions
             ,
             since
             the
             End
             of
             Action
             is
             always
             some
             Good
             ,
             which
             yet
             we
             have
             not
             ,
             but
             do
             desire
             to
             enjoy
             ?
             'T
             is
             true
             he
             doth
             command
             us
             to
             praise
             and
             laud
             and
             acknowledge
             him
             ,
             but
             he
             commands
             us
             this
             as
             he
             doth
             all
             other
             Things
             ,
             not
             for
             
               his
               own
            
             Good
             ,
             but
             for
             ours
             .
             He
             bids
             us
             extol
             and
             admire
             his
             Perfections
             ,
             that
             by
             that
             he
             might
             engage
             us
             to
             transcribe
             and
             imitate
             them
             ,
             and
             so
             by
             glorifying
             him
             to
             glorify
             our
             selves
             ;
             So
             that
             still
             the
             Glory
             that
             he
             designs
             and
             aims
             at
             consists
             not
             in
             receiving
             any
             Good
             from
             us
             ,
             but
             in
             doing
             and
             communicating
             of
             Good
             to
             us
             .
             And
             therefore
             though
             it
             is
             true
             that
             God
             doth
             obtain
             this
             great
             End
             of
             his
             Glory
             as
             well
             in
             
             damning
             of
             some
             as
             in
             saving
             of
             others
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             because
             he
             reaps
             any
             Good
             from
             it
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             doth
             Good
             by
             it
             .
             For
             if
             he
             should
             damn
             and
             punish
             any
             Being
             without
             any
             good
             Reason
             ,
             he
             could
             not
             expect
             so
             much
             as
             to
             be
             praised
             and
             commended
             for
             it
             ;
             but
             if
             he
             doth
             it
             for
             good
             Reason
             ,
             it
             is
             because
             it
             is
             good
             either
             for
             himself
             or
             others
             :
             For
             himself
             it
             cannot
             be
             ,
             for
             how
             can
             an
             infitely
             happy
             Being
             reap
             any
             Degree
             of
             Good
             from
             anothers
             Misery
             and
             Punishment
             ?
             And
             therefore
             it
             must
             be
             for
             the
             Good
             of
             others
             ,
             that
             they
             by
             the
             Example
             of
             those
             whom
             he
             punishes
             may
             be
             warned
             from
             incurring
             those
             Sins
             for
             which
             he
             punishes
             them
             ,
             and
             from
             running
             away
             from
             
               their
               own
            
             Duty
             and
             Happiness
             .
             So
             that
             even
             the
             End
             of
             Punishment
             is
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             the
             great
             Glory
             that
             God
             aims
             at
             in
             doing
             it
             .
             And
             indeed
             considering
             that
             God
             is
             infinitely
             happy
             ,
             there
             is
             no
             other
             Glory
             but
             this
             that
             he
             can
             propose
             as
             the
             great
             and
             ultimate
             End
             of
             his
             Actions
             .
             For
             all
             the
             Inclination
             that
             is
             in
             any
             Being
             either
             not
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             or
             to
             do
             Hurt
             to
             others
             ,
             arises
             from
             Indigence
             and
             Insufficiency
             ;
             either
             we
             envy
             or
             we
             covet
             the
             Good
             which
             another
             enjoys
             ,
             the
             former
             of
             which
             restrains
             us
             from
             adding
             any
             more
             Good
             to
             him
             ,
             as
             the
             latter
             excites
             us
             to
             deprive
             him
             of
             that
             which
             he
             is
             
             already
             possessed
             of
             ;
             both
             which
             do
             apparently
             arise
             from
             the
             Want
             and
             Indigence
             of
             Good
             in
             our selves
             .
             But
             now
             in
             God
             there
             being
             no
             Want
             of
             Good
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             there
             should
             be
             either
             Envy
             or
             Avarice
             in
             him
             ;
             and
             both
             these
             being
             excluded
             ,
             there
             can
             be
             no
             Temptation
             at
             all
             in
             his
             Nature
             either
             not
             to
             do
             Good
             ,
             or
             to
             do
             Hurt
             to
             others
             .
             For
             we
             see
             among
             Men
             ,
             the
             more
             perfect
             and
             happy
             they
             are
             ,
             the
             
               less
               good
            
             still
             they
             desire
             for
             themselves
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             for
             others
             .
             Since
             therefore
             the
             
               great
               God
            
             is
             infinitely
             perfect
             and
             infinitely
             happy
             ,
             it
             is
             impossible
             he
             should
             desire
             any
             Good
             for
             himself
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             he
             act
             for
             any
             Good
             at
             all
             ,
             as
             he
             cannot
             but
             do
             ,
             it
             must
             be
             for
             ours
             .
             For
          
           
             4
             thly
             .
             And
             lastly
             ,
             God
             loves
             himself
             infinitely
             ,
             and
             therefore
             cannot
             but
             be
             good
             .
             For
             whatsoever
             Being
             loves
             it self
             ,
             must
             necessarily
             love
             its
             own
             Resemblance
             and
             Likeness
             ;
             for
             that
             which
             is
             lovely
             in
             us
             is
             lovely
             in
             another
             ,
             and
             if
             there
             be
             any
             Reason
             why
             we
             should
             love
             our selves
             ,
             there
             is
             the
             same
             Reason
             why
             we
             should
             love
             another
             that
             resembles
             us
             in
             those
             Things
             for
             which
             we
             love
             our selves
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             we
             
               poor
               imperfect
            
             Creatures
             do
             many
             times
             love
             our selves
             without
             Reason
             ,
             out
             of
             a
             meer
             blind
             Impetus
             and
             necessary
             Instinct
             of
             Nature
             .
             But
             God
             ,
             being
             infinitely
             wise
             governs
             all
             his
             
             Motions
             by
             the
             wisest
             Rules
             ,
             and
             doth
             every
             Thing
             for
             the
             best
             and
             most
             excellent
             Reasons
             ;
             and
             consequently
             doth
             not
             love
             himself
             he
             cannot
             tell
             why
             ,
             out
             of
             any
             
               blind
               unaccountable
            
             Instinct
             in
             his
             Nature
             ;
             but
             he
             loves
             himself
             so
             far
             only
             as
             he
             hath
             Reason
             to
             do
             it
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             because
             he
             hath
             infinite
             Reason
             for
             it
             that
             he
             loves
             himself
             infinitely
             :
             And
             the
             Reason
             why
             he
             loves
             himself
             to
             that
             infinite
             Degree
             that
             he
             doth
             ,
             is
             because
             he
             is
             infinitely
             perfect
             ,
             and
             so
             hath
             infinite
             Reason
             to
             be
             delighted
             and
             satisfied
             with
             himself
             ;
             and
             this
             being
             the
             Reason
             ,
             he
             cannot
             but
             love
             others
             that
             resemble
             him
             in
             that
             for
             which
             he
             loves
             himself
             .
             For
             though
             others
             cannot
             be
             infinitely
             happy
             as
             he
             is
             ,
             yet
             they
             are
             happy
             in
             such
             a
             Degree
             as
             there
             Capacities
             will
             bear
             ;
             and
             when
             they
             are
             so
             ,
             he
             hath
             the
             same
             Reason
             ,
             though
             not
             so
             much
             ,
             to
             love
             them
             as
             he
             hath
             to
             love
             himself
             .
             And
             he
             that
             loves
             Happiness
             in
             another
             as
             well
             as
             in
             himself
             ,
             will
             not
             only
             love
             it
             where
             it
             is
             already
             ,
             but
             be
             very
             much
             inclined
             to
             propagate
             it
             where
             it
             is
             not
             .
             So
             that
             this
             ,
             I
             think
             ,
             is
             a
             most
             plain
             Case
             ,
             that
             if
             Perfection
             and
             Happiness
             be
             the
             Reason
             of
             God's
             love
             ,
             he
             cannot
             but
             love
             it
             in
             another
             as
             well
             as
             in
             himself
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             love
             it
             in
             another
             ,
             he
             cannot
             but
             be
             inclined
             to
             contribute
             to
             the
             producing
             it
             .
             And
             
             therefore
             unless
             we
             suppose
             God
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             Genius
             of
             all
             other
             Beings
             ,
             not
             to
             love
             
               his
               own
            
             Resemblance
             ,
             nor
             to
             be
             at
             all
             concerned
             to
             propagate
             it
             ;
             we
             must
             necessarily
             suppose
             him
             to
             be
             Good
             ,
             or
             which
             is
             all
             one
             ,
             inclined
             to
             make
             others
             happy
             .
             And
             to
             say
             that
             God
             loves
             Happiness
             in
             himself
             ,
             but
             yet
             that
             he
             affects
             to
             make
             others
             miserable
             without
             any
             Prospect
             of
             Advantage
             to
             himself
             ,
             is
             to
             say
             that
             he
             loves
             Contraries
             in
             different
             Objects
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             Happiness
             in
             himself
             ,
             and
             Misery
             in
             others
             ;
             which
             is
             to
             make
             his
             Love
             to
             be
             guided
             by
             the
             extravagant
             Impulses
             of
             a
             mutable
             Fancy
             ,
             and
             not
             by
             the
             steady
             Rules
             of
             Wisdom
             .
             But
             since
             it
             is
             impossible
             for
             any
             Being
             to
             love
             that
             which
             is
             contrary
             to
             himself
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             that
             God
             cannot
             love
             Misery
             ,
             whose
             Nature
             is
             so
             infinitely
             happy
             ;
             and
             since
             I
             am
             sure
             that
             every
             Being
             must
             love
             its
             own
             Resemblance
             ,
             if
             it
             love
             it self
             ;
             I
             am
             as
             sure
             that
             God
             loves
             that
             others
             should
             be
             happy
             ,
             as
             I
             can
             be
             that
             he
             is
             so
             himself
             .
          
           
             And
             thus
             I
             have
             endeavoured
             from
             the
             very
             Nature
             of
             God
             to
             demonstrate
             this
             great
             Truth
             to
             you
             ,
             
               That
               he
               is
               good
            
             ;
             and
             plainly
             proved
             to
             you
             that
             by
             all
             those
             infinite
             Perfections
             which
             are
             the
             necessary
             Results
             of
             his
             Self-existence
             he
             is
             most
             strongly
             and
             vehemently
             inclined
             to
             do
             good
             to
             others
             .
             
             And
             now
             to
             conclude
             all
             ,
             we
             will
             briefly
             consider
             what
             Use
             may
             be
             made
             of
             this
             Discourse
             for
             the
             Guidance
             and
             Conduct
             of
             our
             Lives
             and
             Actions
             .
          
           
             1.
             
             Then
             ,
             if
             God
             be
             good
             ,
             this
             may
             serve
             to
             support
             us
             under
             all
             the
             sad
             Events
             that
             befall
             us
             in
             this
             World.
             For
             what
             greater
             Satisfaction
             than
             this
             can
             any
             reasonable
             Man
             desire
             ,
             to
             be
             under
             the
             Government
             of
             ,
             and
             to
             have
             all
             his
             Affairs
             disposed
             by
             a
             God
             that
             cannot
             but
             be
             good
             ?
             For
             now
             all
             Events
             and
             Accidents
             that
             befall
             us
             must
             be
             what
             God
             intends
             and
             designs
             them
             ,
             because
             he
             hath
             the
             Management
             and
             Disposal
             of
             them
             all
             ;
             and
             to
             be
             sure
             a
             
               good
               God
            
             can
             never
             have
             an
             ill
             Design
             upon
             his
             Creatures
             .
             'T
             is
             true
             ,
             when
             his
             Creatures
             prove
             Malefactors
             ,
             he
             may
             and
             doth
             chastise
             and
             punish
             them
             ;
             but
             even
             in
             doing
             thus
             he
             hath
             a
             most
             gracious
             and
             merciful
             Design
             ,
             namely
             ,
             to
             reform
             the
             Offender
             himself
             ;
             or
             to
             make
             him
             a
             publick
             Example
             to
             all
             the
             rational
             World
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             take
             warning
             by
             his
             Ruin
             ,
             and
             not
             run
             upon
             the
             Rock
             that
             dashed
             him
             in
             pieces
             .
             And
             to
             punish
             Offenders
             is
             as
             great
             an
             act
             of
             Mercy
             to
             the
             Publick
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             to
             reward
             the
             Loyal
             and
             Obedient
             ;
             for
             if
             out
             of
             a
             fond
             Indulgence
             to
             insolent
             Rebels
             he
             should
             let
             them
             go
             on
             in
             a
             State
             of
             Impunity
             ,
             the
             Publick
             would
             suffer
             a
             great
             deal
             
             more
             by
             it
             than
             those
             Rebels
             can
             do
             by
             a
             just
             and
             deserved
             Punishment
             ;
             for
             their
             Impunity
             would
             embolden
             others
             to
             take
             the
             same
             Courses
             ,
             and
             so
             the
             Contagion
             would
             run
             on
             without
             any
             stop
             from
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             till
             the
             Whole
             were
             infected
             ,
             and
             the
             Plague
             of
             Wickedness
             became
             Epidemical
             to
             all
             the
             reasonable
             Creation
             ;
             and
             so
             by
             sparing
             a
             few
             he
             would
             destroy
             a
             great
             many
             ,
             and
             his
             Mercy
             to
             Particulars
             would
             be
             Cruelty
             to
             the
             Whole
             .
             But
             so
             long
             as
             we
             are
             honest
             and
             sincere
             in
             our
             Obedience
             to
             God
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             that
             whatsoever
             befalls
             us
             in
             particular
             is
             intended
             for
             our
             good
             ;
             for
             he
             cannot
             intend
             Hurt
             to
             an
             honest
             Soul
             without
             doing
             open
             Violence
             to
             his
             own
             Goodness
             ;
             because
             the
             Hurt
             of
             such
             an
             one
             is
             a
             pure
             Mischief
             ;
             it
             can
             serve
             no
             good
             End
             ,
             but
             is
             likely
             to
             prove
             a
             greater
             Prejudice
             to
             the
             Publick
             ,
             than
             it
             can
             be
             to
             the
             Person
             that
             endures
             it
             :
             For
             as
             the
             Impunity
             of
             great
             Offenders
             will
             imbolden
             others
             to
             offend
             ,
             so
             the
             ruining
             of
             obedient
             Subjects
             will
             discourage
             others
             from
             obeying
             .
             So
             that
             to
             design
             Hurt
             or
             Damage
             to
             a
             sincerely
             good
             Man
             is
             to
             do
             Mischief
             for
             its
             own
             sake
             ,
             and
             this
             can
             proceed
             from
             nothing
             but
             
               pure
               abstracted
            
             Malice
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             very
             Quintessence
             of
             a
             Devil
             ;
             but
             I
             am
             sure
             can
             have
             no
             Room
             in
             the
             Breast
             of
             our
             
               good
               God
            
             and
             
               merciful
               Father
            
             .
             I
             confess
             in
             this
             Life
             
             all
             Things
             do
             fall
             out
             so
             alike
             to
             all
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             judge
             of
             God's
             particular
             Design
             and
             Intention
             towards
             us
             by
             the
             Nature
             of
             the
             Things
             that
             we
             suffer
             ;
             and
             therefore
             in
             this
             Case
             the
             only
             infallible
             Course
             we
             can
             take
             is
             throughly
             and
             impartially
             to
             examine
             our selves
             ,
             and
             if
             upon
             a
             serious
             Review
             of
             our
             own
             Hearts
             and
             Ways
             we
             can
             truly
             say
             that
             we
             have
             been
             honest
             and
             sincere
             to
             God
             and
             our
             Duty
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             as
             sure
             that
             he
             designs
             good
             to
             us
             in
             all
             those
             Afflictions
             that
             he
             lays
             upon
             us
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             be
             that
             there
             is
             such
             a
             Being
             as
             God
             in
             the
             World.
             And
             if
             for
             the
             Time
             past
             we
             should
             find
             that
             we
             have
             been
             bad
             and
             false
             and
             hypocritical
             ;
             yet
             since
             God
             still
             continues
             us
             in
             this
             Life
             of
             Tryal
             ,
             and
             permits
             us
             the
             Priviledge
             of
             being
             Candidates
             and
             Probationers
             for
             the
             Heavenly
             Preferments
             ,
             we
             may
             safely
             conclude
             from
             the
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Nature
             that
             whatsoever
             he
             doth
             to
             us
             he
             designs
             as
             no
             Harm
             ;
             for
             how
             can
             it
             be
             imagined
             that
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             should
             design
             our
             Misery
             at
             that
             very
             time
             ,
             while
             he
             continues
             us
             in
             a
             Probation
             for
             Happiness
             ?
             Wherefore
             let
             us
             chearfully
             undergo
             whatsoever
             he
             lays
             upon
             us
             ,
             concluding
             that
             there
             is
             nothing
             but
             Good
             can
             come
             from
             a
             
               good
               God
            
             ;
             that
             even
             his
             Punishments
             are
             cordial
             ,
             and
             all
             his
             Rods
             dip'd
             in
             Love
             ;
             and
             
             though
             they
             may
             smart
             severely
             ,
             and
             fetch
             Blood
             from
             our
             very
             Hearts
             ;
             yet
             let
             us
             determine
             with
             our selves
             that
             they
             must
             be
             good
             or
             bad
             according
             as
             God
             intends
             them
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             must
             needs
             intend
             them
             for
             good
             .
          
           
             2
             ly
             .
             Is
             God
             thus
             naturally
             and
             essentially
             good
             ?
             Then
             this
             may
             serve
             for
             an
             excellent
             Standard
             whereby
             to
             judge
             of
             our
             Opinions
             in
             Religion
             .
             For
             most
             Opinions
             in
             Religion
             have
             either
             a
             near
             or
             remote
             Tendency
             to
             the
             Honour
             and
             Dishonour
             of
             God's
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             though
             I
             will
             not
             say
             that
             every
             Opinion
             is
             true
             that
             seems
             to
             extol
             and
             advance
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             yet
             I
             am
             sure
             that
             every
             Opinion
             must
             be
             false
             that
             doth
             either
             directly
             or
             by
             true
             Consequence
             deny
             or
             disgrace
             it
             .
             For
             let
             our
             Opinions
             be
             true
             or
             false
             ,
             yet
             this
             I
             am
             sure
             is
             eternally
             true
             ,
             that
             God
             is
             good
             ;
             and
             while
             I
             am
             sure
             of
             this
             ,
             I
             can
             never
             believe
             any
             Doctrin
             true
             that
             thwarts
             and
             contradicts
             it
             ;
             because
             I
             am
             sure
             that
             from
             Truth
             there
             is
             nothing
             but
             Truth
             can
             be
             inferred
             throughout
             the
             longest
             Train
             of
             Deductions
             .
             This
             therefore
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             infinitely
             cautious
             of
             ,
             how
             we
             entertain
             any
             Opinion
             whatsoever
             ,
             that
             seems
             but
             to
             clash
             with
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             if
             it
             but
             seem
             to
             do
             so
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             by
             all
             the
             Zeal
             we
             owe
             to
             the
             divine
             
             Goodness
             to
             suspect
             it
             of
             Fashood
             ,
             or
             at
             least
             not
             to
             be
             over-confident
             of
             its
             Truth
             till
             we
             see
             it
             fairly
             acquitted
             of
             that
             foul
             Imputation
             .
             For
             to
             preserve
             in
             our
             Minds
             consistent
             Opinions
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             is
             a
             thing
             that
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             as
             careful
             of
             ,
             as
             of
             the
             Apple
             of
             our
             own
             Eyes
             ;
             because
             an
             ill
             Opinon
             of
             God
             is
             a
             Flaw
             in
             the
             very
             Foundation
             of
             our
             Religion
             and
             our
             Comfort
             ;
             and
             it
             will
             be
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             serve
             him
             long
             ,
             either
             with
             Sincerity
             or
             with
             Pleasure
             ,
             if
             we
             do
             not
             firmly
             believe
             him
             to
             be
             a
             good
             Master
             .
          
           
             3
             dly
             .
             Is
             God
             thus
             naturally
             and
             essentially
             good
             ?
             Then
             this
             may
             serve
             to
             hearten
             and
             encourage
             us
             in
             his
             Service
             .
             For
             to
             be
             sure
             so
             good
             a
             Master
             will
             never
             prove
             unkind
             to
             any
             faithful
             Servant
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             not
             burthen
             us
             above
             our
             strength
             ,
             but
             most
             freely
             contribute
             to
             us
             all
             the
             Assistance
             that
             is
             necessary
             to
             inable
             us
             to
             our
             Duty
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             not
             be
             angry
             with
             us
             for
             Trifles
             and
             Punctilio's
             ,
             but
             consider
             our
             Weakness
             ,
             and
             pity
             our
             Follies
             ,
             and
             make
             the
             most
             candid
             Interpretation
             of
             our
             Actions
             ,
             and
             finally
             judge
             us
             by
             the
             Measures
             of
             a
             Friend
             ;
             that
             when
             we
             wilfully
             miscarry
             ,
             he
             will
             not
             presently
             cast
             us
             off
             
               for
               ever
            
             ,
             but
             will
             be
             intreated
             by
             our
             Repentance
             ,
             and
             appeased
             by
             our
             Amendment
             ,
             
             and
             graciously
             receive
             us
             again
             into
             his
             Mercy
             and
             Favour
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             not
             be
             narrow
             and
             stingy
             in
             the
             Recompence
             of
             our
             Duty
             to
             him
             ,
             but
             reward
             us
             a
             Thousand-fold
             with
             such
             immense
             Glories
             and
             Beatitudes
             ,
             as
             shall
             make
             us
             
               for
               ever
            
             bless
             the
             Moment
             we
             entred
             into
             his
             Service
             :
             All
             these
             things
             we
             may
             confidently
             conclude
             and
             build
             upon
             from
             the
             transcending
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Nature
             .
             And
             what
             greater
             Encouragement
             can
             we
             expect
             ,
             or
             desire
             ?
             Why
             then
             are
             we
             afraid
             ,
             O
             foolish
             Souls
             ,
             that
             we
             are
             !
             Why
             are
             we
             afraid
             to
             engage
             in
             his
             Service
             ?
             Where
             can
             we
             hope
             to
             find
             a
             more
             
               gracious
               ,
               compassionate
            
             ,
             and
             bountiful
             Master
             ;
             one
             that
             will
             be
             more
             ready
             to
             help
             and
             to
             pity
             ,
             to
             pardon
             and
             reward
             us
             ?
             If
             there
             be
             any
             equal
             Rival
             to
             God
             in
             all
             the
             World
             ,
             any
             in
             whose
             Service
             you
             can
             ingage
             your selves
             with
             equal
             Hopes
             and
             Incouragements
             ;
             go
             on
             and
             prosper
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             that
             great
             Rival
             .
             But
             if
             God
             be
             infinitely
             the
             best
             Master
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             doubtless
             he
             is
             ,
             Why
             do
             we
             stand
             Debating
             the
             Case
             any
             longer
             ?
             Why
             do
             we
             not
             run
             at
             least
             as
             chearfully
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             as
             we
             would
             to
             the
             greatest
             Advancement
             that
             any
             Mortal
             Prince
             can
             tender
             us
             ?
             In
             the
             name
             of
             God
             ,
             Sirs
             ,
             be
             once
             so
             Wise
             as
             to
             consult
             
               your
               own
            
             Interest
             ,
             and
             
             do
             not
             stand
             any
             longer
             in
             
               your
               own
            
             Light.
             Behold
             the
             great
             and
             good
             God
             stands
             ready
             to
             entertain
             you
             ,
             and
             condescends
             to
             invite
             you
             to
             the
             most
             glorious
             Service
             that
             ever
             was
             ;
             a
             Service
             that
             is
             most
             easie
             and
             reasonable
             ,
             that
             is
             intermixt
             with
             infinite
             Pleasure
             and
             Sweetness
             ,
             and
             crowned
             with
             the
             Reward
             of
             all
             that
             an
             everlasting
             Heaven
             means
             .
             Wherefore
             as
             you
             love
             your selves
             ,
             and
             value
             
               your
               own
            
             Welfare
             ,
             resolve
             once
             for
             all
             with
             those
             in
             the
             
               Prophet
               ;
               Other
               Lords
               besides
               thee
               have
               had
               dominion
               over
               us
               ,
               but
               thee
               only
               ,
               Our
               good
               God
               ,
               will
               we
               now
               serve
               .
            
          
           
             4
             thly
             .
             And
             lastly
             ,
             From
             hence
             I
             infer
             ,
             that
             it
             is
             an
             unreasonable
             Thing
             for
             Men
             to
             suspect
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             because
             of
             some
             uncertain
             Appearances
             in
             the
             World
             to
             the
             contrary
             .
             For
             from
             the
             very
             Principles
             of
             God's
             Nature
             we
             are
             certainly
             assured
             that
             he
             must
             be
             good
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             highest
             Demonstration
             that
             Things
             are
             capable
             of
             ;
             and
             therefore
             to
             suspect
             his
             Goodness
             upon
             the
             Account
             of
             some
             little
             Appearances
             to
             the
             contrary
             ,
             is
             to
             confront
             Demonstrations
             with
             slender
             Probabilities
             ,
             and
             over-rule
             a
             Certainty
             with
             a
             doubtful
             Guess
             .
             And
             yet
             how
             common
             is
             it
             for
             Men
             to
             arraign
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             meerly
             upon
             the
             Account
             of
             some
             visible
             Effects
             of
             his
             Power
             ,
             which
             to
             their
             narrow
             Apprehensions
             
             seem
             hurtful
             and
             mischievous
             ;
             as
             if
             we
             had
             such
             an
             intire
             Prospect
             of
             all
             the
             Relations
             and
             Tendencies
             of
             God's
             Actions
             ,
             as
             that
             none
             could
             possibly
             appear
             either
             good
             or
             evil
             to
             us
             ,
             but
             what
             is
             really
             so
             .
             Whereas
             ,
             God
             knows
             ,
             we
             are
             a
             company
             of
             
               miserable
               short-sighted
            
             Creatures
             ,
             and
             are
             not
             able
             to
             see
             from
             the
             Beginning
             to
             the
             End
             of
             any
             one
             Action
             in
             all
             the
             Train
             of
             God's
             Providence
             ;
             so
             that
             though
             this
             or
             that
             Action
             may
             appear
             evil
             to
             us
             ,
             considered
             singly
             and
             in
             the
             present
             Effects
             of
             it
             ,
             yet
             in
             it self
             it
             may
             be
             highly
             good
             ,
             considering
             what
             a
             Dependence
             it
             hath
             upon
             what
             went
             before
             ,
             and
             what
             a
             Tendency
             it
             hath
             to
             what
             is
             to
             follow
             after
             .
             For
             God
             by
             his
             infinite
             Comprehension
             having
             all
             Things
             present
             and
             before
             him
             ,
             hath
             so
             ranked
             and
             disposed
             them
             ,
             that
             from
             first
             to
             last
             they
             are
             all
             but
             one
             complicated
             and
             orderly
             united
             Means
             to
             bring
             about
             those
             great
             Ends
             which
             he
             first
             designed
             and
             intended
             ;
             and
             consequently
             all
             the
             Passages
             in
             the
             World
             in
             his
             providential
             Dominion
             over
             them
             have
             a
             strict
             and
             mutual
             Dependence
             on
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             so
             cannot
             be
             judged
             of
             singly
             and
             apart
             from
             
               one
               another
            
             ,
             there
             being
             no
             one
             Action
             but
             relates
             to
             Millions
             of
             others
             ,
             yea
             to
             all
             others
             from
             the
             first
             to
             the
             last
             Link
             of
             Action
             in
             the
             whole
             Chain
             of
             Providence
             .
             And
             therefore
             
             for
             us
             to
             measure
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God's
             Providence
             in
             general
             by
             those
             particular
             Parts
             of
             it
             that
             lie
             before
             us
             ,
             is
             just
             as
             if
             a
             Man
             should
             judge
             of
             a
             whole
             Consort
             of
             Musick
             only
             by
             hearing
             three
             or
             four
             Notes
             of
             a
             well-composed
             Lesson
             ,
             whereas
             the
             whole
             Harmony
             consists
             in
             a
             well-composed
             Mixture
             of
             a
             thousand
             Notes
             and
             Discords
             ,
             wherein
             all
             the
             particulars
             are
             so
             interwoven
             as
             that
             the
             several
             Notes
             united
             in
             one
             Lesson
             have
             a
             most
             
               excellent
               Symetry
            
             and
             Proportion
             to
             
               one
               another
            
             .
             For
             in
             the
             whole
             Consort
             of
             the
             divine
             Providence
             there
             are
             a
             thousand
             Discords
             ,
             which
             ,
             to
             us
             who
             hear
             them
             singly
             and
             apart
             from
             the
             rest
             ,
             do
             many
             times
             yield
             a
             very
             ungrateful
             Sound
             ;
             whereas
             could
             we
             discern
             but
             the
             whole
             Composure
             ,
             and
             hear
             how
             elegantly
             all
             thole
             Discords
             are
             mingled
             into
             one
             entire
             Harmony
             ,
             we
             should
             never
             be
             able
             to
             forbear
             admiring
             the
             Skill
             ,
             and
             adoring
             the
             Wisdom
             and
             Goodness
             of
             the
             great
             Harmostes
             .
             But
             since
             't
             is
             so
             impossible
             for
             us
             to
             discern
             all
             the
             Connections
             and
             Tendencies
             of
             God's
             Actions
             ,
             how
             unreasonable
             is
             it
             for
             us
             to
             censure
             the
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             because
             there
             are
             some
             Actions
             of
             his
             ,
             and
             some
             Effects
             of
             those
             Actions
             ,
             whose
             Goodness
             at
             present
             we
             are
             not
             able
             to
             discover
             .
             Wherefore
             ,
             if
             we
             have
             either
             Reason
             or
             Modesty
             in
             us
             ,
             
             we
             ought
             to
             be
             satisfied
             with
             those
             Arguments
             of
             his
             Goodness
             that
             are
             drawn
             from
             the
             Principles
             of
             his
             Nature
             ,
             and
             though
             we
             cannot
             account
             for
             the
             Goodness
             of
             all
             his
             Actions
             in
             particular
             ,
             yet
             firmly
             to
             resolve
             that
             nothing
             but
             Good
             can
             come
             from
             a
             
               good
               God.
            
             
          
        
         
           
           
             
               PSALM
               CXIX
               .
               68
               .
            
             
               Thou
               art
               good
               ,
               and
               thou
               dost
               good
               .
            
          
           
             I
             Proceed
             to
             the
             second
             Part
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             viz.
             the
             Operations
             of
             God
             that
             flow
             from
             the
             immutable
             Goodness
             of
             his
             Nature
             ;
             
               Thou
               dost
               good
            
             :
             And
             these
             as
             they
             flow
             from
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God's
             Nature
             ,
             so
             they
             are
             plain
             Proofs
             and
             Indications
             of
             it
             .
             For
             as
             the
             Nature
             of
             Things
             is
             demonstrable
             by
             their
             Effects
             as
             well
             as
             their
             Causes
             ,
             so
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             may
             be
             as
             well
             demonstrated
             by
             the
             Operations
             it
             exerts
             ,
             and
             the
             Effects
             it
             produces
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             as
             by
             those
             Principles
             and
             Perfections
             of
             his
             Nature
             from
             whence
             it
             necessarily
             arises
             .
             And
             it
             is
             as
             certain
             that
             that
             Being
             must
             be
             good
             that
             hath
             all
             the
             necessary
             Causes
             and
             Principles
             of
             Goodness
             in
             it
             ;
             for
             if
             it
             were
             indifferent
             to
             the
             Almighty
             whether
             he
             did
             Good
             or
             Evil
             ,
             he
             would
             doubtless
             either
             retire
             from
             Action
             and
             do
             neither
             ,
             or
             else
             he
             would
             do
             as
             much
             Mischief
             as
             Good
             ;
             or
             if
             he
             were
             inclined
             to
             do
             ill
             he
             would
             do
             it
             ,
             and
             not
             force
             himself
             to
             act
             contrary
             to
             his
             own
             Inclinations
             .
             Wherefore
             since
             he
             doth
             
             Good
             so
             constantly
             and
             so
             universally
             ,
             he
             can
             neither
             be
             supposed
             to
             be
             averse
             nor
             indifferent
             to
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             he
             be
             neither
             of
             these
             ,
             his
             doing
             Good
             must
             necessarily
             proceed
             from
             the
             immutable
             Inclination
             of
             his
             Nature
             thereunto
             .
             If
             therefore
             we
             can
             prove
             from
             the
             whole
             Course
             and
             Series
             of
             God's
             Operations
             that
             he
             doth
             Good
             ,
             it
             will
             be
             an
             infallible
             Argument
             that
             he
             is
             so
             .
             Now
             all
             those
             Operations
             of
             God
             that
             pass
             out
             of
             himself
             ,
             and
             terminate
             upon
             others
             are
             reducible
             to
             Creation
             and
             Providence
             ;
             both
             which
             will
             afford
             us
             abundant
             Instances
             of
             the
             Truth
             of
             the
             Text
             ,
             that
             
               God
               doth
               Good.
            
             
          
           
             I.
             I
             begin
             with
             the
             first
             ,
             
               viz.
               Creation
            
             ;
             in
             which
             it
             is
             apparent
             that
             God
             hath
             done
             an
             infinite
             deal
             of
             Good.
             And
             hence
             the
             Psalmist
             tells
             us
             that
             
               the
               whole
               earth
               is
               full
               of
               the
               goodness
               of
               the
               Lord
               ,
            
             Psalm
             xxxiii
             .
             5
             .
             so
             also
             Psalm
             civ
             .
             24
             .
             
               O
               Lord
               how
               manifold
               are
               thy
               works
               !
               in
               wisdom
               hast
               thou
               made
               them
               all
               ;
               the
               earth
               is
               full
               of
               thy
               Riches
               ,
            
             [
             i.
             e.
             the
             Riches
             of
             his
             Goodness
             ]
             
               and
               so
               is
               the
               great
               and
               wide
               Sea.
            
             And
             God
             himself
             after
             his
             great
             Work
             of
             Creation
             ,
             upon
             a
             general
             Survey
             of
             the
             whole
             Fabrick
             of
             Beings
             ,
             pronounces
             all
             to
             
               be
               very
               good
            
             ,
             Gen.
             i.
             31
             .
             But
             to
             demonstrate
             more
             particularly
             the
             great
             Goodness
             that
             God
             hath
             expressed
             in
             his
             Creation
             ,
             I
             shall
             briefly
             give
             you
             these
             four
             Instances
             of
             it
             .
          
           
             
             
               1.
               
               That
               whatsoever
               Beings
               are
               incapable
               of
               Happiness
               in
               themselves
               ,
               he
               hath
               made
               them
               so
               far
               as
               they
               can
               be
               ,
               subservient
               to
               the
               Happiness
               of
               others
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               he
               hath
               given
               actual
               Existence
               to
               all
               kinds
               of
               Beings
               that
               are
               capable
               of
               any
               Degree
               of
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               he
               hath
               furnished
               them
               with
               all
               the
               sufficient
               Means
               and
               Abilities
               to
               obtain
               the
               utmost
               Happiness
               that
               they
               are
               capable
               of
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               That
               in
               all
               those
               Beings
               that
               are
               capable
               of
               Happiness
               ,
               he
               hath
               implanted
               a
               natural
               Disposition
               of
               Doing
               Good
               to
               others
               .
            
          
           
             1.
             
             That
             whatsoever
             Beings
             are
             incapable
             of
             Happiness
             in
             themselves
             ,
             he
             hath
             made
             them
             so
             far
             as
             they
             can
             be
             ,
             subservient
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             others
             .
             For
             it
             is
             impossible
             that
             all
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             could
             ever
             have
             been
             actually
             happy
             ,
             had
             not
             God
             created
             some
             Beings
             that
             are
             utterly
             incapable
             of
             it
             .
             For
             thus
             all
             the
             Heavenly
             Bodies
             ,
             the
             Air
             ,
             and
             Earth
             ,
             and
             Fire
             and
             Water
             are
             Beings
             utterly
             incapable
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             they
             being
             all
             inanimate
             ,
             and
             consequently
             void
             of
             all
             Sense
             and
             Perception
             either
             of
             Happiness
             or
             Misery
             ;
             but
             yet
             it
             cannot
             be
             denied
             but
             they
             are
             indispensably
             necessary
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             a
             World
             of
             animated
             
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             some
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             .
             Thus
             ,
             for
             instance
             ,
             the
             Happiness
             of
             all
             sublunary
             Things
             ,
             of
             Men
             and
             Beasts
             ,
             of
             the
             Fowls
             of
             the
             Air
             and
             the
             Fishes
             of
             the
             Sea
             ,
             depends
             in
             a
             great
             Measure
             on
             those
             
               dead
               inanimated
            
             Elements
             ;
             and
             therefore
             if
             God
             had
             not
             created
             some
             Beings
             incapable
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             there
             are
             many
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             it
             must
             either
             have
             not
             been
             ,
             or
             have
             been
             miserable
             .
             And
             therefore
             God
             hath
             not
             only
             created
             these
             ,
             but
             out
             of
             his
             great
             Goodness
             to
             his
             living
             Creatures
             he
             hath
             created
             them
             in
             such
             an
             Order
             as
             renders
             them
             as
             subservient
             as
             they
             can
             be
             to
             their
             Welfare
             and
             Happiness
             .
             Thus
             the
             Sun
             ,
             whom
             God
             hath
             ordained
             the
             universal
             Foster-father
             of
             all
             sublunary
             Beings
             ,
             though
             he
             feels
             no
             Happiness
             himself
             ,
             is
             created
             by
             our
             great
             Benefactor
             in
             such
             a
             Form
             and
             put
             in
             such
             a
             Course
             of
             Motion
             ,
             as
             renders
             him
             most
             serviceable
             to
             all
             those
             animated
             Beings
             ,
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             .
             For
             first
             he
             is
             created
             of
             a
             fiery
             Substance
             ,
             by
             which
             he
             not
             only
             enlightens
             this
             lower
             World
             ,
             but
             warms
             and
             cherishes
             it
             with
             a
             fruitful
             and
             vigorous
             Heat
             .
             And
             then
             God
             hath
             cast
             all
             its
             mighty
             Substance
             into
             the
             Figure
             of
             a
             perfect
             Globe
             ,
             that
             so
             if
             the
             Earth
             moves
             round
             it
             ,
             it
             might
             be
             able
             to
             communicate
             the
             comfort
             of
             its
             Light
             and
             Heat
             
             to
             it
             throughout
             all
             the
             Circle
             of
             its
             Motion
             ;
             or
             that
             if
             it
             moves
             round
             the
             Earth
             ,
             it
             may
             by
             its
             Figure
             ,
             which
             is
             most
             apt
             for
             Motion
             ,
             be
             the
             better
             enabled
             to
             walk
             his
             Rounds
             about
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             so
             visit
             all
             his
             Foster-Children
             ,
             and
             refresh
             them
             with
             his
             Light
             and
             Warmth
             as
             oft
             as
             their
             Necessities
             require
             .
             And
             then
             for
             his
             Situation
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             what
             an
             exact
             Care
             hath
             the
             good
             Father
             of
             Beings
             taken
             to
             place
             him
             in
             such
             a
             convenient
             Distance
             as
             that
             he
             might
             neither
             be
             too
             near
             us
             ,
             nor
             too
             far
             from
             us
             ;
             both
             which
             would
             have
             been
             equally
             mischievous
             .
             For
             had
             he
             been
             advanced
             higher
             in
             the
             Heavens
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             left
             us
             continually
             frozen
             and
             benighted
             ;
             had
             he
             been
             thrust
             lower
             ,
             he
             would
             have
             perpetually
             scorched
             us
             with
             the
             too
             near
             Neighbourhood
             of
             his
             Flames
             .
             But
             from
             that
             Orb
             wherein
             he
             is
             placed
             all
             his
             Aspects
             on
             us
             are
             benigne
             ;
             and
             Thanks
             be
             to
             a
             
               good
               God
            
             we
             neither
             want
             his
             Heat
             or
             Light
             ,
             nor
             are
             we
             scorched
             and
             dazled
             by
             it
             .
             For
             if
             God
             had
             not
             been
             very
             careful
             of
             the
             
               Publick
               Good
            
             he
             might
             as
             well
             have
             fixed
             the
             Sun
             in
             the
             Orb
             of
             the
             Moon
             as
             where
             it
             now
             is
             ,
             and
             then
             as
             its
             Nearness
             to
             us
             would
             have
             turned
             the
             World
             into
             a
             
               Torrid
               Zone
            
             ,
             so
             it
             would
             have
             run
             through
             the
             whole
             Zodiack
             in
             the
             space
             of
             a
             Month
             ,
             and
             consequently
             the
             four
             Seasons
             ,
             
             
               viz.
               Winter
            
             and
             Summer
             ,
             and
             Spring
             and
             Autumn
             which
             do
             now
             fill
             up
             the
             Circle
             of
             the
             Year
             ,
             would
             have
             been
             all
             thrust
             together
             in
             four
             Weeks
             ;
             by
             means
             whereof
             as
             all
             living
             Creatures
             would
             have
             been
             very
             much
             prejudiced
             by
             the
             frequent
             Changes
             of
             the
             Air
             ,
             so
             all
             Vegetation
             must
             have
             necessarily
             ceased
             .
             For
             the
             Winter
             Frost
             must
             have
             Killed
             the
             Fruits
             of
             the
             Earth
             before
             ever
             the
             Summers
             Heat
             could
             have
             ripened
             them
             ;
             and
             the
             Fruits
             of
             the
             Earth
             being
             destroyed
             all
             living
             Creatures
             must
             have
             perished
             with
             Famine
             .
             Since
             then
             there
             are
             an
             infinite
             Number
             of
             other
             Places
             in
             the
             Heavens
             wherein
             God
             could
             have
             fixed
             the
             Sun
             if
             he
             had
             pleased
             ,
             but
             none
             so
             commodious
             for
             the
             World
             as
             that
             where
             it
             is
             ,
             what
             could
             move
             him
             to
             choose
             this
             above
             all
             others
             but
             only
             his
             great
             Care
             of
             the
             Welfare
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ?
             Once
             more
             ,
             If
             we
             consider
             the
             Course
             of
             its
             Motion
             ,
             how
             could
             it
             have
             been
             more
             exactly
             ordered
             than
             it
             is
             for
             the
             publick
             Benefit
             of
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             World
             ?
             For
             whereas
             in
             it self
             't
             was
             as
             apt
             to
             move
             in
             a
             direct
             Line
             as
             in
             a
             Circle
             ,
             which
             if
             it
             had
             done
             ,
             only
             one
             half
             of
             the
             Earth
             could
             have
             been
             warmed
             and
             enlightened
             by
             it
             ,
             whilst
             the
             other
             had
             been
             covered
             with
             eternal
             Frost
             and
             Darkness
             ;
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             hath
             appointed
             him
             
             to
             run
             about
             the
             Globe
             ,
             and
             that
             with
             so
             much
             Swiftness
             ,
             notwithstanding
             he
             is
             so
             vast
             a
             Body
             ,
             that
             once
             in
             
               Twenty
               four
            
             Hours
             he
             brings
             Day
             into
             both
             the
             Hemispheres
             ;
             and
             whereas
             had
             he
             always
             moved
             round
             in
             the
             same
             middle
             Circle
             without
             ever
             swerving
             either
             Southward
             or
             Northward
             ,
             all
             those
             vast
             Tracts
             of
             Earth
             that
             lie
             beyond
             the
             
               Polar
               Circles
            
             would
             have
             been
             well
             nigh
             lost
             in
             an
             everlasting
             Winter
             ,
             and
             consequently
             their
             wretched
             Inhabitants
             condemned
             to
             Famine
             and
             Cold
             ;
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             hath
             chalked
             him
             out
             those
             oblique
             Paths
             of
             the
             Zodiack
             ,
             in
             which
             in
             the
             Summer
             he
             travels
             towards
             the
             Northern
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             Winter
             towards
             the
             
               Southern
               Hemisphere
            
             ,
             and
             so
             once
             a
             Year
             brings
             a
             
               warm
               Summer
            
             to
             them
             both
             .
             Thus
             God
             hath
             placed
             the
             Sun
             in
             the
             Heaven
             as
             his
             Almoner
             ,
             and
             furnished
             him
             with
             all
             the
             Advantages
             he
             is
             capable
             of
             to
             relieve
             the
             Necessities
             of
             his
             Creatures
             ;
             and
             every
             Morning
             he
             visits
             us
             from
             his
             bountiful
             Master
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             kindly
             Influence
             ripens
             the
             Fruits
             of
             the
             Earth
             for
             us
             ,
             and
             comforts
             us
             with
             the
             Warmth
             and
             Brightness
             of
             his
             Rays
             .
             And
             though
             he
             receives
             no
             Happiness
             himself
             ,
             yet
             is
             so
             framed
             ,
             and
             placed
             ,
             and
             moved
             by
             the
             
               Father
               of
               Lights
            
             ,
             that
             he
             abundantly
             administers
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             others
             .
          
           
           
             And
             the
             same
             may
             be
             said
             of
             the
             Moon
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             kind
             of
             Deputy-Sun
             to
             supply
             his
             Place
             in
             the
             Night
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             moist
             Warmth
             it
             diffuses
             to
             promote
             the
             Generation
             and
             Growth
             of
             all
             vegetable
             Beings
             .
             And
             that
             it
             may
             do
             this
             the
             more
             effectually
             its
             Motions
             are
             not
             confined
             ,
             like
             the
             Sun
             's
             ,
             within
             the
             Tropicks
             ;
             but
             in
             pity
             to
             those
             poor
             Animals
             that
             dwell
             nearer
             towards
             the
             Poles
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             hath
             sent
             her
             some
             degrees
             farther
             to
             visit
             them
             in
             their
             
               long
               uncomfortable
            
             Nights
             and
             supply
             the
             Suns
             absence
             from
             them
             ,
             and
             temperate
             the
             Cold
             and
             Darkness
             that
             covers
             them
             ,
             with
             the
             Warmth
             and
             Brightness
             of
             her
             Beams
             .
             And
             accordingly
             when
             the
             Sun
             goes
             
               Southward
               she
            
             draws
             nearer
             towards
             the
             Northern
             ,
             when
             Northward
             ,
             towards
             the
             
               Southern
               Pole
            
             ,
             as
             if
             she
             pitied
             those
             
               poor
               Regions
            
             that
             are
             thus
             forsaken
             of
             the
             Sun
             ,
             and
             so
             went
             in
             pure
             Charity
             to
             those
             fatherless
             and
             bewidowed
             Animals
             that
             inhabit
             them
             ,
             to
             supply
             his
             Absence
             with
             her
             own
             vicarious
             Light.
             But
             't
             would
             be
             endless
             to
             recite
             the
             vast
             Commodities
             we
             receive
             from
             the
             other
             
               heavenly
               Bodies
            
             ,
             and
             what
             infinite
             Care
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             hath
             taken
             so
             to
             order
             and
             direct
             the
             Course
             of
             their
             Motion
             ,
             as
             that
             those
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             might
             be
             most
             benefited
             by
             them
             .
          
           
           
             But
             then
             if
             from
             hence
             we
             descend
             into
             the
             Air
             ,
             how
             proper
             a
             Medium
             is
             this
             fluid
             and
             transparent
             Element
             to
             convey
             to
             us
             the
             Light
             and
             Influences
             of
             the
             
               heavenly
               Bodies
            
             ?
             What
             a
             
               convenient
               Volary
            
             is
             it
             for
             feathered
             Animals
             ?
             For
             being
             the
             most
             fluid
             of
             all
             Bodies
             it
             easily
             gives
             Way
             to
             the
             Vibration
             of
             their
             Wings
             ,
             and
             so
             ,
             that
             as
             that
             Air
             that
             is
             under
             them
             bears
             them
             up
             ;
             so
             that
             which
             is
             before
             them
             is
             no
             Hindrance
             to
             their
             Motion
             .
             In
             a
             word
             ,
             how
             necessary
             is
             it
             to
             supply
             and
             refresh
             the
             Spirits
             of
             all
             Animals
             in
             general
             ,
             which
             if
             they
             did
             not
             suck
             in
             new
             Air
             almost
             every
             Moment
             would
             immediately
             be
             suffocated
             .
          
           
             Again
             ,
             if
             from
             the
             Air
             we
             descend
             to
             the
             Earth
             ,
             how
             liberally
             hath
             the
             
               good
               God
            
             impregnated
             its
             vast
             Womb
             with
             the
             Seeds
             and
             Principles
             of
             all
             those
             Herbs
             ,
             and
             Flowers
             ,
             and
             Plants
             ,
             and
             Minerals
             that
             can
             be
             any
             ways
             Subservient
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             those
             numerous
             Animals
             wherewithall
             it
             is
             peopled
             ;
             insomuch
             that
             it
             is
             become
             a
             general
             Magazine
             of
             Provisions
             not
             only
             for
             the
             Necessities
             ,
             but
             for
             the
             Delights
             of
             its
             Inhabitants
             .
          
           
             Thus
             also
             the
             Sea
             ,
             that
             vast
             Continent
             of
             Water
             ,
             is
             so
             contrived
             by
             the
             Almighty
             Creator
             ,
             that
             it
             not
             only
             administers
             to
             the
             Sustenance
             and
             Delight
             of
             its
             own
             Inhabitants
             ,
             
             but
             also
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             all
             other
             Animals
             .
             For
             from
             its
             vast
             Treasury
             of
             Waters
             it
             sends
             forth
             fruitful
             Streams
             into
             all
             Parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             through
             divers
             Holes
             that
             are
             bored
             at
             convenient
             Distances
             ,
             and
             forces
             them
             to
             climb
             up
             to
             the
             Tops
             of
             Mountains
             ,
             not
             only
             that
             they
             may
             be
             able
             to
             run
             down
             again
             with
             Ease
             ,
             but
             also
             to
             carry
             themselves
             to
             such
             Heights
             afterwards
             as
             the
             Necessities
             of
             Men
             and
             Beasts
             do
             require
             ;
             so
             that
             even
             the
             most
             In-land
             Parts
             of
             the
             Earth
             are
             made
             fruitful
             by
             their
             Moistures
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             thirsty
             Inhabitants
             are
             watered
             and
             refreshed
             by
             them
             .
             Besides
             which
             it
             is
             also
             most
             highly
             useful
             for
             Navigation
             ,
             whereby
             the
             remotest
             Parts
             of
             the
             World
             maintain
             an
             easie
             Correspondence
             ,
             and
             do
             mutually
             change
             the
             Commodities
             of
             Life
             with
             
               one
               onother
            
             .
             Lastly
             ,
             if
             we
             consider
             the
             Fire
             ,
             what
             a
             most
             useful
             Servant
             hath
             the
             great
             Creator
             rendred
             it
             to
             Mankind
             ?
             For
             by
             this
             we
             do
             not
             only
             supply
             the
             Absence
             of
             Summer
             ,
             but
             do
             also
             prepare
             all
             our
             Food
             ,
             and
             render
             it
             wholsome
             and
             pleasant
             ,
             and
             most
             successfully
             serve
             our selves
             in
             all
             Arts
             and
             Manufactures
             .
          
           
             Thus
             I
             have
             briefly
             touched
             upon
             all
             the
             visible
             Creation
             of
             inanimate
             Beings
             ,
             and
             shewn
             you
             how
             careful
             the
             great
             and
             good
             Creator
             hath
             been
             to
             improve
             them
             all
             to
             
             the
             utmost
             to
             the
             Happiness
             of
             his
             animated
             Creatures
             ,
             that
             so
             there
             might
             no
             necessary
             Supply
             be
             wanting
             to
             compleat
             those
             several
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             for
             all
             Beings
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             none
             might
             be
             miserable
             but
             such
             as
             choose
             to
             be
             so
             .
             What
             a
             noble
             Instance
             is
             this
             therefore
             of
             the
             immense
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             this
             Work
             of
             Creation
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             made
             all
             Beings
             that
             are
             incapable
             of
             Happiness
             to
             minister
             as
             much
             as
             they
             are
             able
             to
             those
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             thereby
             spread
             his
             Table
             with
             an
             infinite
             variety
             not
             only
             of
             Necessaries
             ,
             but
             of
             Delicacies
             to
             treat
             and
             entertain
             all
             his
             sensitive
             Creation
             ?
             Who
             can
             suspect
             his
             Goodness
             ,
             when
             the
             Heavens
             and
             all
             the
             Elements
             do
             so
             loudly
             proclaim
             it
             ,
             by
             their
             being
             so
             contrived
             and
             ordered
             by
             his
             Wisdom
             ,
             as
             to
             do
             the
             utmost
             Good
             they
             are
             able
             to
             those
             Things
             that
             have
             any
             Capacity
             of
             Happiness
             ?
          
           
             2
             ly
             ,
             Another
             Instance
             of
             his
             doing
             good
             in
             this
             great
             Work
             of
             his
             Creation
             is
             his
             giving
             actual
             Existence
             to
             such
             innumerable
             Kinds
             of
             Being
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             .
             Were
             we
             but
             able
             to
             survey
             the
             whole
             Scale
             of
             Beings
             from
             the
             lowest
             of
             sensitive
             to
             the
             highest
             of
             rational
             ,
             we
             should
             doubtless
             find
             in
             it
             such
             an
             innumerable
             Company
             of
             Rounds
             as
             all
             our
             Arithmetick
             could
             never
             be
             able
             to
             compute
             ,
             For
             we
             see
             that
             
             even
             this
             Earth
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             a
             very
             little
             Spot
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             contains
             in
             it
             such
             a
             prodigious
             Army
             of
             distinct
             Kinds
             of
             sensitive
             Beings
             as
             all
             the
             
               Histories
               of
               Animals
            
             were
             never
             able
             to
             muster
             ;
             and
             could
             we
             but
             reckon
             down
             from
             Man
             ,
             to
             the
             
               lowest
               Mite
            
             of
             animated
             Matter
             that
             the
             Earth
             and
             Sea
             contains
             ,
             we
             should
             find
             that
             even
             here
             there
             are
             so
             many
             Kinds
             of
             Beings
             as
             are
             capable
             at
             least
             of
             some
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             as
             would
             give
             us
             Cause
             enough
             to
             admire
             and
             adore
             the
             infinite
             Fecundity
             of
             the
             divine
             Goodness
             .
             And
             is
             it
             likely
             that
             this
             Earth
             ,
             which
             is
             but
             the
             Sink
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             should
             be
             the
             only
             inhabitable
             Part
             of
             it
             ?
             That
             since
             the
             Almighty
             hath
             so
             well
             stocked
             this
             little
             Inclosure
             ,
             he
             should
             
               for
               ever
            
             leave
             desolate
             of
             Inhabitants
             all
             those
             immense
             Tracts
             of
             
               pure
               Aether
            
             in
             which
             the
             Planets
             and
             
               Fixed
               Stars
            
             do
             swim
             ?
             That
             when
             he
             hath
             so
             thronged
             this
             dark
             Cellar
             with
             living
             Creatures
             ,
             he
             should
             make
             no
             Use
             at
             all
             of
             those
             vast
             and
             glorious
             Rooms
             ,
             but
             let
             them
             stand
             empty
             
               for
               ever
            
             ,
             as
             if
             he
             had
             erected
             them
             only
             for
             Pomp
             and
             Shew
             ,
             without
             any
             Design
             to
             people
             them
             with
             such
             noble
             Inhabitants
             as
             they
             are
             capable
             to
             receive
             ?
             Well
             then
             ,
             let
             us
             but
             suppose
             ,
             as
             we
             may
             very
             fairly
             do
             ,
             that
             the
             other
             Parts
             of
             the
             World
             are
             stock'd
             with
             living
             Creatures
             
             but
             in
             the
             same
             proportion
             with
             this
             ,
             and
             then
             what
             an
             innumerable
             Drove
             of
             distinct
             kinds
             of
             Bings
             will
             the
             Whole
             consist
             of
             ?
             And
             indeed
             considering
             what
             infinite
             Degrees
             of
             Being
             are
             within
             the
             Sphere
             of
             God's
             Omnipotence
             ,
             and
             how
             suitable
             it
             is
             to
             his
             Goodness
             in
             his
             Productions
             to
             reach
             the
             utmost
             Limits
             of
             Possibility
             ,
             it
             seems
             no
             way
             unreasonable
             to
             believe
             that
             he
             hath
             given
             actual
             Existence
             to
             all
             possible
             Kinds
             of
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Life
             and
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             can
             without
             any
             Prejudice
             either
             to
             themselves
             or
             Neighbours
             be
             contained
             within
             the
             Compass
             and
             immensity
             of
             the
             World
             ;
             and
             consequently
             that
             he
             hath
             not
             only
             filled
             with
             living
             Creatures
             the
             Earth
             and
             Air
             and
             Sea
             ,
             but
             ,
             if
             it
             be
             possible
             ,
             all
             the
             Capacities
             of
             an
             immense
             and
             infinite
             Space
             .
             But
             whether
             this
             be
             so
             or
             no
             ,
             it
             is
             an
             abundant
             Evidence
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             created
             such
             innumerable
             Kinds
             of
             living
             Creatures
             ,
             the
             meanest
             of
             which
             are
             capable
             of
             some
             Degree
             of
             Happiness
             .
             For
             unless
             we
             will
             assert
             one
             of
             the
             greatest
             Absurdities
             in
             our
             
               modern
               Philosophy
            
             ,
             That
             all
             sensitive
             Animals
             are
             nothing
             but
             meer
             Machins
             ,
             and
             consequently
             have
             no
             Sense
             or
             Perception
             in
             them
             ;
             we
             must
             allow
             them
             all
             ,
             even
             to
             the
             smallest
             Insect
             ,
             a
             Capacity
             of
             some
             Degree
             of
             Happiness
             .
             For
             whatsoever
             
             hath
             Sense
             is
             sensible
             of
             Pleasure
             ,
             and
             whatsoever
             is
             sensible
             of
             Pleasure
             is
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             he
             that
             made
             so
             many
             Beings
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             to
             be
             sure
             never
             intended
             that
             their
             Capacities
             should
             be
             in
             vain
             .
             Behold
             then
             the
             vast
             Design
             and
             Project
             of
             the
             divine
             Goodness
             that
             would
             let
             nothing
             lie
             buried
             in
             the
             Abyss
             of
             Non-entity
             ,
             whose
             Idea
             included
             but
             a
             Possibility
             of
             being
             happy
             ,
             and
             hath
             given
             actual
             Existence
             unto
             all
             kinds
             of
             Beings
             ,
             even
             the
             most
             inconsiderable
             Animals
             ,
             for
             which
             it
             was
             better
             to
             be
             than
             not
             to
             be
             ;
             that
             at
             least
             hath
             raised
             up
             an
             innumerable
             Company
             of
             Beings
             into
             a
             Capacity
             of
             being
             happy
             ,
             and
             made
             such
             ample
             Provision
             to
             supply
             their
             Natures
             with
             all
             the
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             that
             they
             are
             capable
             of
             !
             For
          
           
             3
             dly
             ,
             Another
             Instance
             of
             his
             doing
             good
             in
             this
             great
             Work
             of
             Creation
             is
             his
             furnishing
             all
             these
             Beings
             with
             sufficient
             Means
             and
             Abilities
             to
             obtain
             the
             utmost
             Happiness
             that
             they
             are
             capable
             of
             .
             For
             I
             have
             already
             shewn
             you
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             so
             made
             and
             ordered
             the
             inanimate
             World
             that
             it
             administers
             sufficient
             Matter
             of
             Happiness
             unto
             all
             sensitive
             Beings
             ;
             that
             the
             Heavens
             and
             the
             Elements
             by
             the
             Ordination
             of
             God
             do
             all
             conspire
             together
             to
             contribute
             to
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             to
             warm
             and
             refresh
             us
             ,
             to
             feed
             and
             cloath
             us
             ,
             and
             to
             render
             
             our
             Lives
             ,
             not
             only
             supportable
             ,
             but
             pleasant
             and
             delightful
             .
             And
             of
             this
             vast
             Contribution
             every
             Animal
             ,
             even
             the
             most
             minute
             ,
             hath
             its
             Share
             ;
             so
             that
             now
             they
             can
             want
             nothing
             that
             is
             necessary
             to
             their
             Happiness
             ,
             but
             only
             an
             Ability
             to
             use
             and
             apply
             the
             liberal
             Provisions
             that
             God
             hath
             made
             for
             them
             ;
             and
             this
             he
             hath
             also
             most
             graciously
             furnished
             them
             with
             ,
             For
             in
             all
             Brute
             Creatures
             God
             hath
             implanted
             a
             natural
             Instinct
             by
             which
             they
             are
             strongly
             inclined
             to
             that
             which
             is
             good
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             as
             strongly
             averse
             to
             what
             is
             hurtful
             and
             injurious
             ;
             so
             that
             by
             their
             very
             Natures
             he
             hath
             impelled
             them
             to
             make
             Use
             of
             those
             Provisions
             which
             he
             hath
             made
             for
             their
             Happiness
             ;
             and
             he
             hath
             also
             furnished
             them
             with
             a
             natural
             Sagacity
             to
             provide
             against
             Want
             ,
             and
             with
             fitting
             Instruments
             of
             Sense
             to
             relish
             and
             enjoy
             the
             several
             Pleasures
             which
             he
             hath
             prepared
             to
             entertain
             them
             :
             All
             which
             he
             hath
             done
             to
             that
             vast
             Advantage
             ,
             that
             't
             is
             impossible
             for
             humane
             Wisdom
             to
             say
             how
             any
             one
             Kind
             of
             Animals
             could
             have
             been
             more
             exactly
             framed
             for
             the
             enjoyment
             of
             such
             a
             Happiness
             ,
             as
             is
             proper
             to
             its
             Nature
             .
             But
             then
             for
             us
             Men
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             much
             more
             than
             a
             meer
             sensitive
             Happiness
             ,
             he
             hath
             not
             only
             prepared
             such
             a
             Happiness
             as
             is
             proportionable
             to
             our
             Capacities
             ,
             
             but
             hath
             also
             implanted
             in
             our
             Natures
             a
             full
             Ability
             to
             obtain
             it
             .
             For
             as
             for
             our
             sensitive
             Happiness
             ,
             there
             is
             sufficient
             Provision
             made
             for
             it
             in
             the
             common
             Store-house
             of
             Nature
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Industry
             and
             the
             good
             Use
             of
             our
             Reason
             we
             may
             ordinarily
             secure
             our selves
             ,
             if
             we
             please
             ,
             from
             the
             Want
             of
             whatsoever
             is
             necessary
             thereunto
             ;
             for
             a
             very
             little
             of
             these
             sensitive
             Enjoyments
             is
             enough
             to
             make
             a
             wise
             Man
             happy
             ,
             and
             we
             want
             no
             
               bodily
               Organs
            
             or
             Sensories
             to
             relish
             any
             of
             those
             Pleasures
             of
             which
             our
             sensitive
             Happiness
             is
             composed
             .
             And
             then
             for
             our
             supreme
             Happiness
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             reasonable
             Beings
             ,
             God
             by
             giving
             us
             Reason
             ,
             and
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             and
             Freedom
             of
             Choice
             ,
             hath
             furnished
             us
             with
             sufficient
             Ability
             to
             obtain
             it
             .
             For
             our
             Happiness
             ,
             as
             we
             are
             reasonable
             Creatures
             ,
             consists
             in
             the
             most
             perfect
             Exercise
             of
             our
             noblest
             Faculties
             ,
             viz.
             our
             Vnderstanding
             and
             our
             Will
             ;
             and
             there
             is
             no
             Object
             in
             Nature
             about
             which
             these
             Faculties
             can
             be
             perfectly
             exercised
             but
             only
             God
             ,
             who
             is
             the
             Fountain
             of
             all
             Truth
             and
             Goodness
             ;
             and
             consequently
             our
             Happiness
             as
             Men
             must
             consist
             in
             the
             Enjoyment
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             is
             ,
             in
             knowing
             ,
             and
             loving
             ,
             and
             resembling
             him
             
               for
               ever
            
             .
             And
             in
             order
             to
             our
             obtaining
             of
             this
             ,
             God
             hath
             furnished
             us
             with
             Vnderstanding
             ,
             by
             the
             good
             Improvement
             
             of
             which
             we
             may
             easily
             arrive
             to
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             him
             ;
             for
             he
             hath
             placed
             us
             so
             advantagiously
             in
             Being
             ,
             that
             ,
             as
             from
             a
             convenient
             Station
             in
             a
             noble
             Theater
             ,
             we
             are
             able
             to
             contemplate
             the
             admirable
             Schemes
             of
             those
             magnificent
             Works
             which
             God
             hath
             set
             round
             about
             us
             ;
             and
             from
             the
             Vastness
             of
             the
             whole
             Structure
             ,
             the
             Variety
             of
             its
             Parts
             ,
             and
             the
             beautiful
             Order
             which
             appears
             in
             their
             admirable
             Connection
             ,
             we
             can
             easily
             infer
             ,
             that
             such
             a
             noble
             Production
             must
             needs
             be
             owing
             to
             an
             Almighty
             Skill
             and
             Goodness
             .
             And
             then
             such
             is
             the
             Frame
             of
             our
             Natures
             ,
             that
             we
             easily
             love
             that
             which
             we
             know
             to
             be
             lovely
             ,
             and
             consequently
             if
             we
             are
             not
             prejudiced
             by
             preternatural
             Lusts
             ,
             that
             which
             we
             behold
             of
             God
             in
             his
             Works
             will
             imprint
             such
             an
             amiable
             Notion
             of
             him
             in
             our
             Minds
             ,
             as
             will
             almost
             necessarily
             engage
             us
             to
             love
             him
             ;
             and
             then
             our
             Love
             will
             provoke
             us
             to
             imitate
             those
             Beauties
             for
             which
             we
             love
             him
             ,
             we
             being
             naturally
             ambitious
             of
             transcribing
             those
             Perfections
             into
             our selves
             which
             we
             love
             and
             admire
             in
             another
             ;
             and
             then
             by
             imitating
             him
             ,
             we
             shall
             by
             Degrees
             be
             moulded
             into
             his
             Likeness
             and
             Resemblance
             ;
             for
             Acts
             will
             beget
             
               Inclinations
               ,
               Inclinations
            
             will
             grow
             into
             Habits
             ,
             and
             Habits
             will
             become
             our
             Nature
             .
             So
             that
             you
             see
             God
             
             hath
             implanted
             an
             Ability
             of
             knowing
             and
             loving
             and
             resembling
             himself
             in
             the
             very
             Frame
             and
             Structure
             of
             our
             Natures
             ;
             these
             Things
             we
             are
             as
             capable
             of
             as
             of
             any
             Thing
             whatsoever
             that
             is
             rational
             and
             manly
             ;
             we
             are
             as
             capable
             of
             knowing
             God
             ,
             as
             of
             knowing
             any
             Thing
             that
             is
             knowable
             ;
             as
             capable
             of
             loving
             him
             ,
             as
             of
             loving
             any
             Thing
             that
             is
             amiable
             ;
             as
             capable
             of
             resembling
             him
             ,
             as
             of
             imitating
             any
             Thing
             that
             is
             imitable
             ;
             and
             these
             are
             the
             noblest
             and
             most
             essential
             Parts
             of
             the
             Happiness
             of
             a
             rational
             Nature
             .
             Now
             what
             an
             undeniable
             Instance
             is
             this
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             not
             only
             made
             so
             many
             Kinds
             of
             Beings
             capable
             of
             so
             many
             different
             Degrees
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             but
             that
             he
             hath
             furnished
             them
             all
             with
             such
             abundant
             Means
             and
             Abilities
             to
             obtain
             it
             ?
             
               O
               blessed
               God
            
             ,
             what
             Heart
             can
             be
             so
             stupid
             and
             insensible
             as
             not
             to
             admire
             and
             adore
             thy
             exuberant
             Goodness
             ,
             which
             hath
             thus
             extended
             it self
             to
             the
             utmost
             Borders
             of
             Entity
             ,
             and
             blessed
             with
             its
             overflowing
             Streams
             such
             an
             infinite
             Number
             of
             Beings
             !
             What
             Tongue
             is
             able
             sufficiently
             to
             praise
             and
             extol
             thy
             Benignity
             ,
             that
             out
             of
             thine
             own
             immense
             Fulness
             hast
             supplied
             such
             a
             vast
             Creation
             with
             such
             Capacities
             ,
             and
             such
             Means
             ,
             and
             such
             Abilities
             of
             being
             happy
             !
          
           
           
             4
             thly
             .
             And
             Lastly
             ,
             Another
             Instance
             of
             his
             doing
             good
             in
             this
             great
             Work
             of
             Creation
             ,
             is
             his
             implanting
             a
             natural
             Inclination
             of
             doing
             good
             to
             others
             in
             all
             those
             Beings
             that
             are
             capable
             of
             Happiness
             .
             For
             it
             being
             his
             Design
             to
             propagate
             this
             Sort
             of
             Beings
             by
             way
             of
             Generation
             to
             the
             End
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             he
             hath
             implanted
             in
             all
             Parents
             ,
             as
             well
             sensitive
             as
             rational
             ,
             a
             natural
             Love
             and
             Good-will
             to
             their
             Off-spring
             ,
             and
             that
             to
             such
             a
             Degree
             as
             we
             see
             the
             most
             timorous
             and
             helpless
             Creatures
             are
             not
             only
             very
             industrious
             to
             nurse
             and
             cherish
             them
             ,
             but
             very
             couragious
             in
             their
             Defence
             and
             Preservation
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             great
             Instance
             of
             the
             indulgent
             Care
             which
             the
             great
             Father
             of
             Beings
             hath
             of
             all
             his
             Children
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             commited
             them
             in
             their
             Infancy
             to
             such
             tender
             Nurses
             that
             will
             be
             sure
             to
             take
             Care
             to
             make
             Provision
             for
             them
             when
             they
             are
             not
             able
             to
             provide
             for
             themselves
             ;
             that
             he
             hath
             not
             trusted
             them
             to
             the
             Compassion
             and
             good
             Nature
             of
             other
             Beings
             to
             be
             maintained
             by
             the
             Alms
             ,
             and
             free
             Benevolence
             of
             their
             fellow
             Creatures
             ,
             but
             hath
             taken
             Security
             for
             their
             liberal
             Nurture
             and
             Education
             from
             the
             very
             Nature
             and
             inmost
             Bowels
             of
             their
             Parents
             ;
             who
             were
             so
             framed
             that
             they
             cannot
             choose
             but
             make
             Provision
             for
             them
             if
             they
             are
             able
             ,
             without
             
             doing
             the
             greatest
             Outrage
             to
             themselves
             ,
             and
             stifling
             one
             of
             the
             strongest
             Inclinations
             of
             their
             Natures
             ;
             which
             inclination
             of
             natural
             Parents
             doth
             therefore
             loudly
             proclaim
             the
             infinite
             Goodness
             of
             the
             great
             Parent
             of
             all
             Things
             to
             his
             Children
             ;
             because
             there
             can
             be
             no
             other
             Reason
             assigned
             why
             he
             should
             implant
             this
             Inclination
             in
             our
             Natures
             ,
             but
             because
             he
             loved
             us
             ,
             and
             was
             therefore
             resolved
             to
             take
             the
             most
             effectual
             Course
             that
             Care
             might
             be
             taken
             of
             us
             ,
             when
             we
             were
             not
             capable
             to
             take
             Care
             for
             our selves
             .
             And
             can
             we
             think
             that
             the
             supreme
             Father
             ,
             who
             hath
             implanted
             in
             all
             natural
             Parents
             such
             a
             necessary
             Inclination
             to
             do
             good
             to
             their
             Children
             ,
             should
             be
             forgetful
             and
             regardless
             of
             
               his
               own
            
             Off-spring
             ?
             He
             that
             planted
             the
             Eye
             ,
             shall
             not
             he
             see
             ?
             And
             he
             that
             gave
             the
             Ear
             ,
             shall
             not
             he
             hear
             ?
             And
             by
             the
             same
             Reason
             ,
             he
             that
             hath
             so
             strongly
             inclined
             our
             Natures
             to
             the
             Love
             of
             our
             Off-spring
             ,
             shall
             not
             he
             love
             
               his
               own
            
             ?
             Shall
             not
             his
             Nature
             be
             as
             strongly
             inclined
             to
             do
             good
             to
             them
             ?
             For
             the
             whole
             Creation
             being
             nothing
             else
             but
             the
             Expansion
             or
             Spreading
             forth
             of
             the
             divine
             Simplicity
             and
             Perfection
             ,
             all
             Creatures
             do
             more
             properly
             belong
             to
             God
             than
             Families
             or
             Actions
             do
             to
             the
             Principles
             from
             whence
             they
             flow
             ;
             so
             that
             we
             are
             as
             it
             were
             
               Flesh
               of
               his
               Flesh
               ,
               and
               
               Bone
               of
               his
               Bone
            
             ;
             and
             
               no
               Man
            
             ,
             saith
             the
             Apostle
             ,
             
               hateth
               his
               own
               Flesh
               ,
               but
            
             rather
             nourishes
             and
             
               cherishes
               it
            
             :
             And
             if
             Man
             doth
             not
             ,
             can
             we
             imagin
             that
             God
             doth
             ?
             For
             as
             for
             Man
             ,
             we
             see
             the
             more
             perfect
             he
             is
             ,
             and
             the
             more
             suitable
             to
             his
             Nature
             he
             acts
             ,
             the
             more
             he
             is
             inclined
             to
             do
             good
             ,
             and
             that
             not
             only
             to
             
               his
               own
            
             but
             to
             all
             others
             that
             are
             within
             the
             Sphere
             of
             his
             Beneficence
             .
             He
             finds
             in
             himself
             such
             a
             diffusive
             and
             all-spreading
             Principle
             of
             Love
             as
             renders
             him
             an
             universal
             Friend
             and
             Benefactor
             to
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             makes
             him
             sympathize
             in
             the
             Happiness
             and
             Misery
             of
             all
             Beings
             ;
             and
             this
             brave
             Temper
             of
             Mind
             is
             doubtless
             one
             of
             the
             highest
             Perfections
             that
             the
             Soul
             of
             Man
             is
             capable
             of
             .
             Since
             therefore
             originally
             we
             came
             no
             otherwise
             to
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             God's
             Perfections
             than
             as
             we
             found
             them
             copyed
             out
             and
             transcribed
             into
             
               our
               own
            
             Natures
             ,
             how
             can
             we
             imagin
             that
             God
             should
             not
             be
             inclined
             to
             universal
             Love
             and
             Beneficence
             ,
             when
             we
             acknowledge
             it
             a
             Perfection
             in
             our selves
             to
             be
             so
             ?
             Can
             there
             be
             any
             Perfection
             in
             us
             that
             is
             not
             in
             God
             in
             the
             utmost
             Degree
             of
             Possibility
             ?
             And
             therefore
             if
             the
             Inclination
             to
             do
             good
             be
             a
             Perfection
             in
             us
             ,
             it
             must
             needs
             be
             in
             God
             in
             all
             the
             possible
             Degrees
             that
             an
             infinite
             Nature
             is
             capable
             of
             ;
             and
             since
             he
             hath
             so
             framed
             all
             reasonable
             Natures
             ,
             
             that
             universal
             Love
             and
             Proneness
             to
             do
             good
             is
             one
             of
             their
             greatest
             Perfections
             and
             Accomplishments
             ,
             we
             may
             be
             sure
             that
             
               his
               own
            
             ,
             which
             is
             the
             great
             Standard
             and
             Pattern
             of
             all
             reasonable
             Natures
             ,
             is
             infinitely
             loving
             and
             prone
             to
             do
             good
             .
             And
             thus
             you
             see
             what
             mighty
             unanswerable
             Instances
             there
             are
             of
             the
             Goodness
             of
             God
             in
             the
             Works
             of
             his
             Creation
             .
          
           
             Wherefore
             to
             conclude
             this
             Argument
             ;
             From
             hence
             we
             see
             what
             mighty
             Obligations
             we
             are
             under
             to
             serve
             and
             obey
             ,
             so
             far
             as
             we
             are
             able
             ,
             the
             great
             and
             good
             Author
             of
             our
             Beings
             ,
             who
             hath
             not
             only
             created
             us
             ,
             but
             created
             us
             in
             a
             vast
             Capacity
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             and
             furnished
             us
             with
             sufficient
             Means
             and
             Abilities
             to
             attain
             it
             .
             Wherefore
             since
             ,
             all
             our
             Powers
             and
             Abilities
             are
             from
             him
             ,
             we
             are
             bound
             in
             Justice
             to
             imploy
             them
             in
             his
             Service
             ;
             and
             since
             by
             giving
             us
             those
             Abilities
             he
             hath
             done
             us
             so
             much
             good
             ,
             and
             rendred
             us
             capable
             of
             such
             immense
             degrees
             of
             Happiness
             ,
             we
             are
             obliged
             in
             Gratitude
             not
             to
             imploy
             them
             in
             doing
             any
             Thing
             that
             is
             any
             ways
             displeasing
             or
             dishonourable
             to
             him
             .
             For
             what
             can
             be
             more
             just
             or
             reasonable
             than
             that
             God
             should
             have
             the
             Use
             of
             those
             Powers
             which
             he
             gave
             us
             ,
             and
             in
             which
             he
             still
             retains
             an
             unalienable
             Right
             and
             Property
             ?
             That
             the
             Temples
             which
             he
             
             hath
             built
             should
             be
             forever
             dedicated
             to
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             not
             turned
             into
             Dens
             of
             Thievs
             ,
             or
             made
             Stables
             of
             Filth
             and
             Vncleanness
             .
             So
             that
             for
             us
             to
             withdraw
             our selves
             from
             his
             Service
             ,
             or
             to
             imploy
             our
             Powers
             to
             any
             wicked
             Purposes
             ,
             is
             to
             commit
             a
             Robbery
             upon
             the
             Author
             of
             our
             Beings
             ,
             and
             most
             unjustly
             to
             desseise
             him
             of
             
               his
               own
            
             Goods
             ,
             wherein
             he
             hath
             a
             far
             more
             absolute
             Propriety
             than
             we
             pretend
             to
             have
             in
             the
             Cloths
             on
             our
             Backs
             :
             And
             in
             every
             bad
             Action
             we
             do
             ,
             steal
             Gods
             own
             Powers
             and
             Faculties
             from
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             extreme
             Injustice
             imploy
             them
             against
             himself
             .
             Now
             what
             a
             monstrous
             Thing
             is
             it
             that
             we
             ,
             who
             think
             our selves
             so
             highly
             affronted
             ,
             when
             any
             one
             charges
             us
             with
             Robbery
             and
             Injustice
             ,
             should
             make
             no
             more
             Conscience
             of
             robbing
             God
             ,
             and
             alienating
             from
             him
             those
             Faculties
             and
             Powers
             of
             Action
             ,
             in
             which
             he
             hath
             a
             far
             more
             undoubted
             Propriety
             than
             any
             Creature
             can
             have
             in
             any
             Good
             it
             enjoys
             ;
             but
             when
             he
             hath
             been
             so
             good
             a
             Creator
             to
             us
             as
             to
             create
             in
             us
             such
             an
             ample
             Capacity
             of
             being
             happy
             ,
             and
             furnished
             us
             with
             such
             abundant
             Means
             and
             Abilities
             of
             attaining
             thereunto
             ,
             then
             to
             eloigne
             our selves
             from
             his
             Service
             ,
             and
             to
             pervert
             those
             Powers
             of
             Action
             to
             sinful
             Purposes
             by
             which
             he
             hath
             enabled
             us
             to
             be
             happy
             ;
             is
             
             not
             only
             unjust
             ,
             but
             barbarously
             ungrateful
             .
             For
             now
             in
             sinning
             against
             God
             we
             fight
             against
             him
             with
             
               his
               own
            
             Mercies
             ,
             and
             arm
             the
             Effects
             of
             his
             Bounty
             against
             his
             Sovereignty
             ;
             and
             as
             if
             we
             were
             resolved
             to
             revenge
             our selves
             upon
             him
             for
             making
             us
             so
             good
             ,
             and
             raising
             us
             up
             into
             such
             an
             excellent
             State
             of
             Nature
             ,
             we
             shamefully
             dishonour
             him
             with
             
               his
               own
            
             Blessings
             ,
             and
             take
             all
             Advantages
             we
             can
             to
             grieve
             and
             offend
             him
             from
             the
             very
             Means
             and
             Abilities
             which
             he
             hath
             given
             us
             to
             be
             happy
             .
             He
             gave
             us
             Reason
             and
             Vnderstanding
             to
             discern
             what
             is
             good
             for
             our selves
             ,
             and
             Liberty
             of
             Will
             to
             choose
             and
             imbrace
             it
             ;
             and
             we
             like
             ungrateful
             Wretches
             imploy
             that
             Reason
             and
             Liberty
             in
             contriving
             and
             choosing
             the
             highest
             Treason
             against
             him
             .
             He
             gave
             us
             Powers
             and
             Abilities
             of
             Action
             ,
             that
             so
             we
             might
             not
             only
             discern
             and
             choose
             what
             is
             best
             for
             us
             ,
             but
             might
             also
             pursue
             and
             obtain
             it
             ;
             but
             we
             like
             base
             Caitiffs
             exert
             those
             Abilities
             in
             grieving
             and
             offending
             our
             most
             gracious
             Benefactor
             .
             Wherefore
             be
             astonished
             
               O
               ye
               Heavens
            
             ,
             and
             be
             horribly
             affraid
             
               O
               all
               ye
               Works
               of
               God!
            
             For
             whilst
             you
             are
             all
             obedient
             to
             the
             Laws
             of
             your
             Maker
             ,
             and
             never
             swerve
             from
             those
             Lines
             of
             Motion
             he
             hath
             prescribed
             you
             ;
             we
             ,
             whom
             he
             hath
             advanced
             into
             the
             highest
             Class
             of
             Beings
             ,
             
             and
             endowed
             with
             the
             largest
             Capacities
             and
             Abilities
             of
             being
             happy
             ,
             are
             become
             so
             base
             and
             so
             shameless
             as
             to
             injure
             him
             with
             
               his
               own
            
             Gifts
             ,
             and
             to
             convert
             his
             very
             Blessings
             into
             Weapons
             of
             Rebellion
             against
             him
             .
             Wherefore
             unless
             we
             are
             ambitious
             of
             rendring
             our selves
             the
             most
             absolute
             Monsters
             both
             of
             Injustice
             and
             Ingratitude
             ,
             unless
             we
             have
             a
             Fancy
             to
             aspire
             to
             a
             Perfection
             in
             Baseness
             ,
             and
             to
             rival
             the
             Devils
             themselves
             in
             the
             most
             infamous
             and
             ignominious
             Degrees
             of
             Wickedness
             ;
             let
             us
             imploy
             all
             our
             Faculties
             and
             Abilities
             for
             Action
             in
             the
             Service
             of
             him
             from
             whom
             we
             received
             them
             ,
             and
             exercise
             his
             Gifts
             in
             a
             perpetual
             Acknowledgment
             of
             his
             Goodness
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             PSALM
             CXIX
             .
             68
             .
          
           
             Thou
             art
             good
             ,
             and
             thou
             dost
             good
             .
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           already
           handled
           two
           of
           those
           four
           Topicks
           from
           whence
           I
           intended
           to
           demonstrate
           the
           Goodness
           of
           
             God
             ,
             viz.
          
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Works
           of
           his
           Creation
           ;
           of
           the
           First
           of
           which
           I
           discoursed
           ,
           upon
           the
           former
           Part
           of
           the
           Words
           :
           
             Thou
             art
             good
          
           .
           Of
           the
           Second
           upon
           the
           
             later
             ;
             Thou
             dost
             good
          
           .
           But
           now
           because
           the
           Doings
           ,
           or
           Operations
           of
           God
           include
           his
           Providence
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           God
           doth
           good
           in
           that
           as
           well
           as
           in
           this
           ;
           no
           doubt
           but
           the
           Psalmist
           in
           these
           Words
           had
           a
           respect
           to
           the
           one
           as
           well
           as
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           I
           proceed
           therefore
           to
           the
           Third
           Topick
           ,
           from
           whence
           it
           doth
           most
           evidently
           appear
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           his
           
             Providence
             .
             Thou
             dost
             good
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           thou
           dost
           good
           in
           the
           great
           Works
           of
           thy
           Providence
           ,
           and
           thereby
           thou
           dost
           manifest
           the
           Goodness
           of
           thy
           Nature
           ,
           in
           that
           as
           thou
           didst
           create
           a
           World
           to
           great
           and
           good
           Purposes
           ,
           so
           thou
           dost
           still
           continue
           to
           do
           good
           to
           it
           in
           upholding
           and
           governing
           it
           by
           a
           most
           gracious
           Providence
           .
           Now
           in
           the
           
           Managment
           of
           this
           Argument
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           things
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Give
             you
             some
             general
             and
             comprehensive
             Instances
             of
             Gods
             doing
             good
             in
             the
             Works
             of
             his
             Providence
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             though
             there
             may
             be
             some
             Things
             in
             the
             World
             that
             to
             us
             seem
             to
             be
             very
             ill
             and
             hurtful
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             infinitely
             unreasonable
             for
             us
             to
             suspect
             the
             Goodness
             and
             Beneficence
             of
             the
             divine
             Providence
             .
          
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           shall
           give
           you
           some
           general
           and
           comprehensive
           Instances
           of
           Gods
           doing
           good
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           his
           Providence
           ;
           and
           they
           are
           these
           Four.
           
        
         
           
             1.
             
             His
             upholding
             Things
             in
             that
             good
             Course
             and
             Order
             wherein
             he
             first
             created
             them
             ,
             excepting
             only
             when
             the
             
               publick
               Good
            
             of
             his
             Creatures
             requires
             him
             to
             interpose
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             His
             continuing
             Mankind
             under
             an
             awful
             sense
             of
             Religion
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             great
             Degeneracies
             of
             human
             Nature
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             His
             supporting
             of
             Government
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             notwithstanding
             the
             violent
             Tendency
             of
             our
             corrupt
             Nature
             to
             Anarchy
             and
             Confusion
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             His
             contributing
             to
             the
             Invention
             and
             Improvement
             of
             all
             those
             useful
             Arts
             and
             Sciences
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World.
             
          
        
         
         
           1.
           
           His
           upholding
           Things
           in
           that
           good
           Course
           and
           Order
           wherein
           he
           first
           created
           them
           ,
           excepting
           only
           when
           the
           
             publick
             Good
          
           of
           his
           Creatures
           requires
           him
           to
           interpose
           .
           That
           that
           Order
           and
           Course
           of
           Things
           which
           God
           first
           established
           in
           his
           Creation
           was
           exceeding
           good
           and
           beneficial
           to
           it
           ,
           I
           have
           proved
           at
           large
           in
           my
           former
           Discourse
           ;
           and
           that
           God
           still
           continues
           the
           same
           good
           Will
           to
           us
           is
           apparent
           ,
           since
           he
           still
           continues
           things
           in
           the
           same
           beneficial
           Course
           and
           Order
           wherein
           he
           first
           created
           them
           .
           For
           we
           see
           the
           Heaven
           and
           the
           Elements
           still
           as
           kind
           to
           us
           as
           ever
           ;
           the
           
             Sun
             ,
             Moon
          
           and
           Stars
           do
           still
           run
           the
           same
           Courses
           ,
           and
           still
           they
           cherish
           and
           refresh
           us
           with
           the
           same
           benign
           Influences
           ;
           and
           though
           for
           
             six
             Thousand
          
           years
           together
           they
           have
           been
           perpetually
           visiting
           us
           ,
           and
           spending
           the
           liberal
           Alms
           of
           their
           great
           Creator
           upon
           us
           ,
           yet
           to
           this
           Day
           they
           are
           neither
           wearied
           ,
           nor
           exhausted
           ;
           but
           still
           continue
           to
           do
           us
           good
           with
           the
           same
           Freedom
           and
           Vigour
           as
           when
           they
           first
           danced
           round
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           sang
           together
           for
           Joy.
           The
           Fire
           ,
           and
           Air
           ,
           and
           Earth
           and
           Water
           are
           still
           as
           liberal
           to
           us
           as
           ever
           ,
           and
           do
           supply
           us
           with
           the
           same
           Necessaries
           of
           Life
           as
           they
           did
           from
           the
           first
           Moment
           of
           their
           Being
           ;
           and
           though
           for
           so
           many
           Ages
           we
           and
           
             innumerable
             other
          
           Animals
           
           have
           been
           liberally
           maintained
           out
           of
           these
           vast
           Store-houses
           of
           Nature
           ,
           yet
           still
           we
           find
           them
           replenished
           with
           an
           inexhaustible
           Fulness
           .
           So
           that
           still
           not
           only
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           
             other
             Elements
          
           are
           full
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           though
           in
           their
           Qualities
           they
           are
           quite
           contrary
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           yet
           are
           their
           Animosities
           so
           tempered
           by
           the
           gracious
           Providence
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           that
           they
           all
           live
           together
           like
           Brethren
           in
           unity
           ,
           and
           the
           Dryness
           of
           this
           drinks
           not
           up
           the
           Moisture
           of
           that
           ,
           nor
           doth
           the
           Cold
           of
           the
           one
           quench
           the
           Heat
           of
           the
           other
           .
           The
           Fire
           invades
           not
           the
           Air
           ,
           nor
           the
           Water
           the
           Earth
           ,
           but
           every
           one
           keeps
           within
           its
           proper
           Bounds
           ;
           and
           though
           in
           sundry
           Places
           the
           Water
           be
           above
           the
           Earth
           ,
           yet
           contrary
           to
           its
           own
           Nature
           which
           is
           to
           flow
           and
           expatiate
           it self
           ,
           it
           doth
           only
           overlook
           its
           Banks
           ,
           but
           doth
           not
           overflow
           them
           ,
           being
           bounded
           by
           that
           merciful
           Providence
           ,
           which
           in
           mere
           Pity
           to
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           says
           to
           its
           proud
           Waves
           ,
           
             hitherto
             shall
             ye
             go
             ,
             and
             no
             further
             .
          
           So
           that
           in
           short
           the
           Continuation
           of
           the
           regular
           Motions
           of
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           of
           the
           Vicissitudes
           of
           Seasons
           ,
           and
           alternate
           Mutation
           of
           Bodies
           ,
           of
           the
           safety
           of
           the
           whole
           Vniverse
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           rude
           Clashings
           of
           turbulent
           Matter
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           exact
           Symmetry
           of
           all
           the
           Parts
           
           of
           it
           in
           Despite
           of
           the
           frequent
           Rencounters
           of
           so
           many
           contrary
           Principles
           ,
           shews
           not
           only
           the
           Power
           and
           Presence
           of
           some
           great
           Mind
           ,
           but
           is
           also
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           of
           the
           Continuation
           of
           his
           Care
           and
           good
           Will
           to
           the
           World.
           And
           as
           he
           hath
           continued
           the
           inanimate
           World
           in
           that
           most
           excellent
           Course
           and
           Order
           wherein
           he
           first
           created
           it
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           still
           preserved
           all
           those
           innumerable
           Species
           of
           Animals
           which
           he
           first
           gave
           Being
           to
           ;
           so
           that
           in
           so
           many
           Ages
           and
           among
           so
           many
           Chances
           there
           is
           not
           one
           Kind
           of
           them
           hath
           either
           failed
           ,
           or
           perished
           ,
           or
           become
           
             less
             capable
          
           of
           Happiness
           ,
           or
           less
           furnished
           with
           Means
           and
           Abilities
           of
           obtaining
           it
           .
           So
           that
           his
           Providence
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           constant
           Repetition
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           his
           Creation
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           Difference
           between
           them
           is
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           one
           he
           made
           all
           Things
           Good
           ,
           in
           the
           other
           he
           continues
           them
           so
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           God
           hath
           left
           himself
           at
           Liberty
           when
           Occasion
           requires
           immediately
           to
           interpose
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           vary
           from
           the
           Order
           of
           his
           Creation
           .
           And
           indeed
           unless
           he
           had
           done
           so
           ,
           he
           would
           in
           a
           great
           Measure
           have
           tyed
           up
           his
           own
           Hands
           ,
           and
           incapacitated
           himself
           from
           Governing
           the
           World
           ;
           but
           yet
           he
           never
           makes
           Use
           of
           this
           Liberty
           but
           for
           very
           good
           Reason
           ,
           to
           
           serve
           some
           very
           great
           and
           excellent
           End
           of
           his
           Government
           ;
           either
           to
           punish
           some
           notorious
           Sinner
           ,
           or
           some
           very
           sinful
           People
           ,
           that
           so
           by
           their
           Example
           others
           may
           be
           warned
           from
           treading
           in
           their
           Footsteps
           ;
           or
           to
           deliver
           or
           preserve
           some
           eminently
           virtuous
           Person
           ,
           or
           Nation
           ,
           that
           thereby
           others
           may
           be
           incouraged
           to
           imitate
           and
           transcribe
           their
           Virtues
           ;
           or
           lastly
           ,
           to
           confirm
           and
           ratify
           by
           some
           miraculous
           Effects
           some
           necessary
           Revelations
           of
           his
           Will
           to
           the
           World
           :
           Unless
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           it
           be
           to
           serve
           some
           such
           excellent
           Ends
           as
           these
           ,
           he
           never
           interposes
           by
           his
           absolute
           Power
           to
           make
           the
           least
           Interruption
           in
           the
           established
           Course
           and
           Order
           of
           the
           Vniverse
           .
           And
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           he
           hath
           obtained
           the
           good
           Ends
           that
           he
           aims
           at
           ,
           he
           withdraws
           his
           Hand
           ,
           and
           immediately
           remits
           Things
           to
           their
           primitive
           Course
           and
           Order
           .
           So
           that
           if
           Gods
           Creation
           be
           good
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           largely
           proved
           it
           is
           ,
           his
           Providence
           must
           needs
           be
           so
           too
           ;
           because
           it
           continues
           the
           Course
           and
           Order
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           never
           interrupts
           ,
           or
           varies
           it
           ,
           unless
           it
           be
           to
           do
           some
           
             great
             Good
          
           to
           the
           World.
           Thus
           God
           in
           his
           Providence
           doth
           continually
           spread
           forth
           the
           mighty
           Wings
           of
           his
           Goodness
           over
           all
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           thereby
           reaches
           out
           Perseverance
           to
           the
           Being
           and
           the
           Happiness
           of
           every
           Creature
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Another
           Instance
           of
           his
           doing
           good
           in
           this
           great
           Work
           of
           his
           Providence
           is
           his
           continuing
           Mankind
           under
           an
           awful
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           notwithstanding
           the
           great
           Degeneracies
           of
           human
           Nature
           .
           It
           is
           very
           strange
           to
           consider
           how
           this
           heavenly
           Spark
           hath
           been
           kept
           alive
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           such
           a
           vast
           Ocean
           of
           Impiety
           as
           hath
           over-spread
           the
           World
           ;
           for
           considering
           into
           what
           monstrous
           Barbarism
           Mankind
           have
           immersed
           themselves
           ,
           how
           miserably
           they
           have
           defaced
           
             their
             own
          
           Nature
           ,
           and
           blotted
           out
           their
           Reason
           ;
           insomuch
           that
           in
           several
           Ages
           and
           several
           Parts
           of
           the
           World
           they
           have
           had
           scarce
           any
           other
           Remains
           of
           Humanity
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           only
           their
           Language
           and
           their
           Shape
           :
           I
           say
           ,
           considering
           these
           Things
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           but
           all
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           must
           long
           e're
           now
           have
           been
           extinguished
           in
           us
           ,
           had
           not
           the
           divine
           Providence
           from
           Time
           to
           Time
           been
           exceeding
           careful
           to
           cherish
           and
           revive
           it
           :
           And
           this
           it
           hath
           done
           by
           very
           strange
           and
           extraordinary
           Methods
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           inflicting
           strange
           and
           amazing
           Judgments
           upon
           great
           and
           notorious
           Offenders
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           showering
           down
           miraculous
           Blessings
           and
           Deliverances
           upon
           virtuous
           and
           good
           Men
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           raising
           up
           eminent
           Examples
           and
           Preachers
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           such
           as
           
           the
           Patriarchs
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           the
           Philosophers
           among
           the
           Gentiles
           ;
           sometimes
           by
           making
           immediate
           Revelations
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           confirming
           the
           Truth
           of
           them
           by
           miraculous
           Effects
           ;
           and
           sometimes
           by
           permitting
           evil
           Spirits
           to
           appear
           to
           possess
           the
           Bodies
           of
           their
           Enthusiasts
           ,
           and
           to
           deliver
           Oracles
           by
           them
           ;
           which
           though
           it
           sometimes
           tended
           to
           promote
           false
           Religions
           among
           Mankind
           ,
           yet
           did
           always
           prove
           instrumental
           to
           cherish
           and
           enliven
           the
           Sense
           and
           Belief
           of
           a
           Divinity
           .
           By
           these
           and
           such
           like
           powerful
           Methods
           hath
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           Heaven
           from
           time
           to
           time
           revived
           in
           us
           the
           dying
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           in
           Despite
           of
           our selves
           continually
           kept
           us
           under
           its
           Aw
           and
           Restraints
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           had
           not
           done
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           immediately
           run
           headlong
           into
           the
           most
           deplorable
           Confusions
           and
           Disorders
           .
           For
           not
           only
           our
           eternal
           ,
           but
           our
           temporal
           Interest
           too
           is
           bound
           up
           in
           Religion
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           the
           Foundation
           of
           all
           human
           Society
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           the
           Blessings
           that
           redound
           from
           it
           ;
           't
           is
           this
           that
           gives
           Life
           and
           Security
           to
           all
           those
           Pacts
           and
           Covenants
           by
           which
           Men
           are
           linked
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           and
           incorporated
           into
           regular
           Societies
           .
           For
           if
           once
           Men
           were
           abandoned
           of
           all
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           they
           would
           own
           no
           other
           Law
           but
           that
           of
           
             their
             own
          
           Interest
           ,
           and
           esteem
           themselves
           no
           longer
           obliged
           by
           their
           Oaths
           and
           Covenants
           
           than
           't
           is
           their
           Interest
           to
           keep
           them
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           thinks
           himself
           bound
           to
           be
           honest
           no
           longer
           than
           he
           needs
           must
           ,
           will
           by
           the
           same
           Principle
           be
           obliged
           to
           be
           a
           Knave
           as
           soon
           as
           he
           can
           .
           So
           that
           if
           once
           Men
           could
           disingage
           themselves
           from
           the
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           and
           the
           Tyes
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           all
           those
           Pacts
           and
           Covenants
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Cement
           of
           Society
           ,
           would
           presently
           be
           dissolved
           and
           rendred
           insignificant
           ;
           for
           what
           will
           it
           signify
           for
           Men
           to
           take
           Oaths
           and
           Covenants
           of
           Fidelity
           to
           any
           Society
           ,
           since
           whether
           they
           take
           them
           or
           no
           ,
           they
           will
           be
           faithful
           so
           long
           and
           no
           longer
           than
           't
           is
           their
           Interest
           to
           be
           so
           .
           And
           this
           vital
           Cement
           that
           unites
           us
           being
           dissolved
           ,
           our
           Society
           will
           soon
           disband
           of
           its
           own
           Accord
           ,
           and
           we
           ,
           like
           the
           Parts
           of
           a
           dead
           Body
           having
           lost
           the
           Soul
           that
           united
           and
           hold
           us
           together
           ,
           shall
           immediately
           disperse
           our selves
           and
           fly
           abroad
           into
           Atoms
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           an
           eternal
           Distrust
           and
           Diffidence
           of
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           having
           no
           Religion
           or
           Conscience
           to
           secure
           
             each
             others
          
           Honesty
           ,
           shall
           be
           forced
           to
           withdraw
           like
           other
           Beasts
           of
           Prey
           into
           Dens
           and
           secret
           Retirements
           ,
           and
           there
           live
           poor
           and
           solitary
           ,
           as
           Bats
           and
           Owls
           ,
           and
           subsist
           like
           Vermin
           by
           robbing
           and
           filching
           from
           one
           another
           .
           And
           in
           this
           deplorable
           Condition
           we
           should
           be
           forced
           to
           wander
           about
           the
           World
           naked
           
           and
           destitute
           both
           of
           all
           the
           mutual
           Aids
           and
           Assistances
           of
           
             each
             other
          
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           the
           blessed
           Hopes
           and
           supports
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           only
           Comforts
           and
           Refreshments
           that
           in
           such
           a
           calamitous
           State
           our
           wretched
           Natures
           would
           be
           capable
           of
           .
           So
           that
           without
           the
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           we
           should
           be
           of
           all
           Creatures
           the
           most
           wretched
           and
           miserable
           .
           And
           this
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           foresaw
           very
           well
           ,
           which
           made
           him
           so
           careful
           to
           inspire
           us
           with
           an
           awful
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           ;
           and
           when
           through
           the
           Degeneracy
           of
           our
           Nature
           it
           was
           in
           so
           much
           Danger
           of
           being
           utterly
           extinguished
           ,
           to
           awaken
           and
           revive
           it
           again
           from
           Time
           to
           Time
           by
           the
           wise
           and
           gracious
           Methods
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           might
           live
           happily
           here
           as
           well
           as
           hereafter
           ,
           by
           enjoying
           the
           Blessings
           of
           
             each
             others
          
           Society
           ,
           and
           the
           continual
           Supports
           and
           Comforts
           of
           Religion
           :
           For
           it
           is
           to
           him
           that
           we
           owe
           our
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           to
           our
           Sense
           of
           Religion
           that
           we
           owe
           all
           the
           Conveniencies
           and
           Comforts
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           How
           much
           Reason
           therefore
           have
           we
           to
           admire
           and
           adore
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           hath
           taken
           so
           much
           Care
           of
           us
           ;
           that
           would
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           make
           our selves
           the
           most
           wretched
           and
           miserable
           of
           all
           Beings
           ;
           that
           hath
           been
           so
           vigilant
           to
           rouze
           and
           awake
           us
           when
           we
           were
           nodding
           into
           a
           lethargick
           
           Stupidity
           ,
           and
           sleeping
           away
           all
           the
           Happiness
           and
           Comfort
           of
           our
           Lives
           ;
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           that
           hath
           kept
           Religion
           alive
           in
           us
           in
           Despight
           of
           all
           our
           Attempts
           to
           extinguish
           it
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           suffer
           us
           to
           destroy
           the
           Foundation
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Happiness
           !
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           Another
           Instance
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God's
           Providence
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           his
           supporting
           of
           Government
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           violent
           Tendency
           of
           our
           corrupt
           Natures
           to
           Anarchy
           and
           Confusion
           .
           If
           we
           reflect
           but
           a
           little
           upon
           the
           depraved
           Natures
           of
           Men
           ,
           what
           ungovernable
           Passions
           they
           carry
           about
           with
           them
           ,
           how
           sick
           they
           are
           of
           every
           Yoak
           ,
           and
           how
           impatient
           of
           every
           Restraint
           ;
           how
           greedily
           they
           covet
           an
           unbounded
           Liberty
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           the
           greatest
           Part
           of
           Men
           are
           of
           this
           violent
           Temper
           ;
           it
           will
           afford
           us
           matter
           of
           sufficient
           Astonishment
           to
           think
           how
           Government
           and
           good
           Order
           could
           be
           so
           long
           preserved
           as
           it
           hath
           been
           among
           such
           a
           sort
           of
           wild
           and
           extravagant
           Creatures
           ;
           especially
           considering
           how
           much
           more
           numerous
           the
           governed
           Party
           is
           than
           the
           Governing
           ,
           and
           how
           apt
           the
           Government
           it self
           is
           to
           be
           rendred
           odious
           by
           ill
           Management
           ,
           by
           the
           Tyranny
           and
           Oppression
           of
           those
           that
           sit
           at
           the
           Stern
           ,
           and
           the
           perpetual
           Factions
           and
           cross
           Humours
           and
           Interests
           of
           the
           inferior
           Ministers
           of
           State
           :
           
           I
           say
           ,
           considering
           all
           these
           Things
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           Wonder
           how
           the
           Ship
           of
           Government
           should
           live
           so
           long
           as
           it
           hath
           sayled
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           such
           Tempests
           and
           Hurricanes
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           long
           ere
           now
           it
           must
           have
           been
           swallowed
           up
           in
           Anarchy
           and
           Confusion
           had
           it
           not
           been
           guarded
           by
           the
           Providence
           of
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           ,
           as
           the
           Psalmist
           tells
           us
           ;
           
             stills
             the
             noise
             of
             the
             Seas
             ,
             and
             the
             noise
             of
             their
             Waves
             ,
             and
             the
             tumult
             of
             the
             People
             ,
          
           Psalm
           lxv
           .
           5
           .
           And
           how
           much
           his
           Providence
           hath
           been
           concerned
           in
           securing
           of
           Government
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           the
           Care
           it
           hath
           taken
           to
           keep
           Men
           under
           an
           awful
           sense
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           main
           Foundation
           upon
           which
           Government
           leans
           ,
           and
           without
           which
           it
           must
           necessarily
           sink
           into
           Ruin
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           for
           ,
           together
           with
           Religion
           away
           go
           all
           Principles
           of
           Loyalty
           ;
           and
           when
           these
           are
           all
           gone
           ,
           their
           Obedience
           to
           Government
           will
           wholly
           depend
           upon
           their
           Interest
           ,
           and
           consequently
           whensoever
           it
           is
           their
           Interest
           to
           rebel
           ,
           they
           have
           no
           Obligation
           at
           all
           to
           restrain
           them
           .
           And
           as
           Providence
           hath
           been
           very
           careful
           to
           secure
           the
           main
           Foundations
           of
           Government
           ,
           so
           it
           hath
           been
           no
           less
           careful
           to
           infatuate
           the
           Councels
           ,
           and
           bring
           to
           light
           the
           dark
           Contrivances
           ,
           and
           baffle
           the
           open
           Attempts
           of
           those
           that
           have
           sought
           to
           undermine
           it
           ;
           and
           this
           in
           
           such
           a
           remarkable
           manner
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           World
           hath
           taken
           peculiar
           Notice
           ,
           and
           all
           Histories
           abound
           with
           innumerous
           Instances
           of
           it
           .
           And
           in
           all
           the
           Rises
           and
           Falls
           of
           the
           Empires
           of
           the
           World
           there
           hath
           ever
           been
           observed
           a
           most
           astonishing
           Concurrence
           either
           of
           such
           happy
           or
           unhappy
           Accidents
           ,
           as
           have
           very
           much
           furthered
           their
           approaching
           Fates
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           notorious
           Evidence
           how
           much
           God
           is
           concerned
           in
           the
           securing
           of
           the
           Governments
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           in
           that
           he
           doth
           so
           immediatly
           interpose
           in
           their
           Rises
           and
           Falls
           ;
           and
           whensoever
           in
           his
           just
           Displeasure
           he
           pulls
           down
           one
           ,
           he
           always
           takes
           Care
           to
           establish
           another
           in
           the
           Room
           of
           it
           ,
           lest
           through
           too
           long
           Interregnums
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           Earth
           should
           insensibly
           crumble
           into
           Anarchy
           and
           Confusion
           ,
           and
           finally
           involve
           themselves
           in
           all
           the
           consequent
           Mischiefs
           of
           it
           .
           For
           the
           Subversion
           of
           Government
           ,
           like
           the
           opening
           of
           
           Pandora's
           Box
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           let
           loose
           a
           swarm
           of
           Miseries
           into
           the
           World
           ;
           for
           without
           Government
           wronged
           Innocence
           can
           never
           be
           
             righted
             ,
             invaded
          
           Property
           can
           never
           be
           retrieved
           ;
           but
           every
           Man
           will
           be
           exposed
           to
           every
           Man's
           Lust
           ,
           which
           must
           immediately
           involve
           us
           into
           a
           State
           of
           War
           ,
           in
           which
           like
           so
           many
           Dogs
           we
           should
           try
           all
           our
           Right
           by
           our
           Teeth
           .
           Into
           such
           a
           miserable
           State
           would
           Mankind
           
           be
           reduced
           ,
           if
           God
           did
           not
           uphold
           the
           Governments
           of
           the
           World.
           So
           that
           whatsoever
           Benefits
           we
           receive
           from
           the
           Governments
           under
           which
           we
           live
           ,
           we
           owe
           it
           all
           to
           the
           divine
           Providence
           ;
           by
           whose
           Procurement
           it
           is
           that
           
             Kings
             reign
             ,
             and
             Princes
             decree
             justice
             ,
          
           Prov.
           viii
           .
           15
           .
           'T
           is
           to
           this
           blessed
           Cause
           that
           we
           are
           to
           attribute
           our
           sitting
           safely
           under
           
             our
             own
          
           Vines
           ,
           and
           peaceably
           enjoying
           the
           Fruit
           of
           our
           Labours
           ;
           that
           we
           are
           not
           banished
           from
           Society
           ,
           and
           exposed
           to
           the
           Spoils
           and
           Ravages
           of
           those
           that
           are
           mightier
           than
           our selves
           ;
           that
           we
           are
           not
           become
           more
           savage
           than
           Wolves
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           whole
           World
           is
           not
           converted
           into
           a
           Commonwealth
           of
           Cannibals
           :
           For
           this
           would
           be
           the
           consequence
           of
           the
           Dissolution
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           that
           would
           be
           the
           Consequence
           in
           all
           probability
           of
           God's
           withdrawing
           his
           Providence
           from
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Another
           Instance
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God's
           Providence
           to
           us
           is
           its
           contributing
           to
           the
           Invention
           and
           Improvement
           of
           all
           those
           useful
           Arts
           and
           Sciences
           that
           are
           in
           the
           World
           :
           For
           if
           we
           seriously
           consider
           the
           prodigious
           Numbers
           of
           these
           wherewith
           the
           World
           doth
           abound
           ,
           and
           wherein
           the
           Generality
           of
           Mankind
           are
           imployed
           ;
           we
           are
           never
           able
           to
           imagin
           
           how
           they
           could
           have
           all
           been
           invented
           and
           improved
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           without
           the
           Direction
           of
           an
           Almighty
           Providence
           .
           For
           had
           not
           the
           divine
           Providence
           prolonged
           the
           Lives
           of
           the
           first
           Inventers
           of
           them
           to
           such
           a
           prodigious
           Age
           as
           it
           did
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           have
           had
           Time
           to
           collect
           Experiments
           enough
           whereon
           to
           found
           any
           certain
           Theorems
           of
           natural
           Science
           .
           How
           could
           they
           have
           measured
           the
           Motions
           of
           the
           
             heavenly
             Bodies
          
           ,
           or
           given
           any
           tolerable
           Account
           of
           their
           slow
           Revolutions
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           lived
           so
           many
           Hundreds
           of
           Years
           as
           they
           did
           ?
           And
           though
           the
           Rudiments
           of
           proportion
           are
           lodged
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           imaginable
           how
           Men
           could
           ever
           have
           improved
           them
           into
           so
           many
           various
           Practices
           ,
           of
           
             Arithmetick
             ,
             Musick
             ,
             Geometry
          
           ,
           and
           Mechanicks
           ,
           had
           they
           not
           been
           at
           first
           either
           inspired
           by
           God
           ,
           or
           had
           a
           long
           Space
           of
           Time
           allowed
           to
           reduce
           them
           into
           Rules
           of
           Practice
           .
           And
           he
           that
           shall
           but
           seriously
           consider
           how
           far
           out
           of
           the
           Road
           of
           ordinary
           Experience
           many
           of
           the
           most
           useful
           Arts
           of
           the
           World
           lie
           ,
           such
           as
           Writing
           and
           Printing
           ,
           by
           which
           a
           Man
           may
           talk
           with
           his
           Friend
           a
           thousand
           Miles
           Distance
           ,
           and
           converse
           with
           the
           World
           when
           he
           is
           dead
           and
           gone
           ,
           will
           find
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           attribute
           the
           Invention
           of
           them
           to
           the
           Sovereign
           Direction
           of
           the
           divine
           Providence
           ;
           
           without
           which
           neither
           am
           I
           able
           to
           imagin
           how
           the
           medicinal
           Virtues
           of
           
             sundry
             Herbs
          
           and
           Vegetables
           and
           Minerals
           could
           have
           been
           discovered
           ,
           which
           now
           are
           of
           great
           Use
           to
           us
           ,
           since
           even
           these
           also
           do
           lie
           exceedingly
           remote
           from
           common
           Observation
           .
           And
           when
           I
           also
           consider
           how
           many
           Things
           are
           requisite
           to
           the
           compleating
           of
           the
           most
           
             useful
             humane
          
           Arts
           ,
           and
           what
           Intricacy
           and
           Mystery
           there
           is
           in
           them
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           in
           many
           Cases
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           give
           any
           Reason
           why
           this
           or
           that
           Cause
           in
           our
           Art
           should
           produce
           this
           or
           that
           Effect
           ;
           I
           must
           needs
           conclude
           ,
           that
           the
           Invention
           and
           Improvement
           of
           them
           hath
           been
           exceedingly
           promoted
           by
           the
           wise
           Providence
           of
           God.
           And
           what
           Reason
           have
           we
           to
           adore
           and
           admire
           its
           unspeakabl
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           by
           instructing
           us
           in
           so
           many
           excellent
           Arts
           hath
           not
           only
           found
           sufficient
           Imployment
           for
           the
           greatest
           Part
           of
           Mankind
           to
           subsist
           by
           ,
           but
           hath
           also
           taught
           us
           mutually
           to
           assist
           
             one
             another
          
           with
           all
           Kinds
           of
           Commodities
           and
           Conveniencies
           of
           Life
           !
           So
           that
           now
           we
           want
           nothing
           that
           either
           Nature
           or
           Art
           can
           supply
           us
           withall
           ,
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           having
           furnished
           us
           ,
           not
           only
           with
           Materials
           to
           work
           upon
           ,
           but
           also
           with
           Art
           and
           Skill
           to
           manage
           and
           contrive
           them
           to
           the
           best
           Advantage
           .
           One
           would
           have
           
           thought
           it
           had
           been
           sufficient
           for
           him
           to
           have
           created
           a
           World
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           therein
           to
           have
           furnished
           us
           with
           all
           that
           is
           necessary
           for
           our
           Being
           and
           Subsistence
           ,
           and
           so
           left
           it
           to
           our selves
           to
           use
           and
           apply
           his
           Blessings
           as
           we
           pleased
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           should
           condescend
           to
           instruct
           us
           in
           so
           many
           Arts
           of
           improving
           his
           Blessings
           ,
           how
           to
           dress
           and
           cook
           them
           to
           the
           best
           Advantage
           ,
           and
           one
           way
           or
           other
           to
           render
           the
           meanest
           of
           them
           all
           useful
           and
           beneficial
           to
           our selves
           and
           others
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           gracious
           Condescention
           of
           Goodness
           as
           for
           ever
           deserves
           our
           Praise
           and
           Admiration
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           first
           thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           what
           apparent
           Instances
           there
           are
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Providence
           towards
           us
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           next
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           that
           though
           there
           be
           some
           Things
           in
           the
           World
           that
           to
           us
           seem
           to
           be
           
             very
             ill
          
           and
           hurtful
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           infinitely
           unreasonable
           for
           us
           therefore
           to
           suspect
           the
           Goodness
           and
           Beneficence
           of
           God's
           Providence
           ;
           that
           because
           we
           see
           such
           an
           unequal
           Distribution
           of
           good
           Things
           to
           bad
           Men
           ,
           and
           bad
           Things
           to
           good
           Men
           ,
           and
           do
           find
           so
           much
           Sin
           and
           Wickedness
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           so
           great
           a
           part
           of
           Mankind
           over-run
           with
           so
           much
           
             Barbarism
             ,
             Superstition
          
           
           and
           Idolatry
           ;
           because
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           see
           and
           find
           such
           Things
           as
           these
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           Reason
           at
           all
           to
           charge
           the
           Providence
           of
           God.
           For
           let
           us
           consider
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               the
               Irregularities
               and
               Evils
               which
               God
               permits
               in
               the
               World
               are
               not
               the
               Effects
               of
               his
               Providence
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               Choices
               and
               Actions
               of
               
                 free
                 Agents
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               many
               Things
               seem
               evil
               to
               us
               in
               the
               World
               ,
               because
               we
               take
               false
               Measures
               of
               Good
               and
               Evil.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               many
               other
               Things
               seem
               evil
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Course
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               meerly
               because
               we
               often
               mistake
               bad
               Men
               for
               good
               ,
               and
               good
               Men
               for
               bad
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               That
               many
               Things
               seem
               Evil
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Course
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               because
               we
               are
               acquainted
               but
               with
               a
               small
               Part
               of
               the
               World
               ,
               and
               do
               judge
               of
               what
               is
               good
               and
               evil
               for
               the
               Whole
               by
               what
               we
               find
               is
               good
               or
               evil
               for
               this
               small
               Part.
               
            
             
               5.
               
               That
               many
               other
               Things
               seem
               evil
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Course
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               because
               we
               judge
               of
               them
               by
               their
               
                 present
                 sensible
              
               Effects
               ,
               and
               are
               not
               able
               to
               comprehend
               the
               universal
               Drift
               and
               Connexion
               and
               Dependence
               of
               them
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               That
               many
               other
               Things
               seem
               evil
               to
               us
               in
               the
               Course
               of
               God's
               Providence
               ,
               
               meerly
               because
               we
               understand
               very
               little
               of
               the
               other
               World.
               
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           the
           Irregularities
           and
           Evils
           which
           God
           permits
           in
           the
           World
           are
           not
           the
           Effects
           of
           his
           Providence
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Choices
           and
           Actions
           of
           
             free
             Agents
          
           .
           That
           there
           is
           such
           a
           Thing
           as
           Sin
           in
           the
           World
           is
           by
           no
           Means
           to
           be
           charged
           upon
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           that
           neither
           commits
           any
           Sin
           it self
           ,
           nor
           impels
           or
           necessitates
           any
           others
           to
           commit
           it
           .
           
             Let
             no
             Man
             say
             when
             he
             is
             tempted
             ,
             he
             is
             tempted
             of
             God
             ;
             for
             God
             cannot
             be
             tempted
             with
             evil
             ,
             neither
             tempteth
             he
             any
             Man
             ,
          
           Jam.
           i.
           13
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           he
           permits
           us
           Men
           ,
           whom
           he
           hath
           made
           
             free
             Agents
          
           ,
           to
           act
           freely
           ;
           and
           if
           there
           were
           no
           Fault
           at
           all
           in
           making
           of
           
             free
             Agents
          
           (
           as
           certainly
           there
           was
           not
           )
           what
           Fault
           can
           there
           be
           in
           permitting
           them
           to
           act
           congruous
           to
           their
           own
           Natures
           ?
           And
           is
           it
           just
           that
           God's
           Providence
           should
           be
           blamed
           ,
           because
           it
           doth
           not
           
             metamorphose
             free
             Agents
          
           into
           necessary
           ones
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           unmake
           what
           he
           hath
           made
           ,
           and
           subvert
           the
           Laws
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Creation
           ?
           or
           is
           it
           reasonable
           that
           we
           who
           are
           the
           only
           Authors
           of
           Sin
           ,
           should
           blame
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           for
           suffering
           us
           to
           be
           so
           ?
           For
           if
           Sin
           be
           an
           Evil
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           Evil
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           consequently
           we
           are
           much
           more
           concerned
           to
           prevent
           
           it
           ,
           than
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           if
           when
           we
           may
           ,
           we
           will
           not
           do
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           unreasonable
           that
           we
           should
           blame
           God
           for
           not
           forcing
           us
           to
           prevent
           it
           whether
           we
           will
           or
           no.
           So
           that
           all
           the
           Quarrel
           we
           can
           have
           against
           God's
           Providence
           is
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           doth
           not
           tie
           our
           Hands
           ,
           and
           fetter
           our
           Liberty
           in
           the
           Chains
           of
           an
           
             Adamantine
             Necessity
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           he
           doth
           not
           undo
           
             his
             own
          
           Workmanship
           ,
           and
           thereby
           confess
           himself
           overseen
           in
           his
           Creation
           of
           us
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           no
           kind
           of
           Reason
           for
           it
           .
           For
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           what
           hurt
           is
           it
           for
           Men
           to
           be
           made
           
             free
             Agents
          
           ,
           and
           left
           to
           their
           own
           Choice
           whether
           they
           will
           be
           happy
           or
           miserable
           ?
           And
           if
           it
           was
           no
           Fault
           at
           all
           for
           God
           to
           make
           us
           so
           ,
           what
           Reason
           have
           we
           to
           blame
           him
           for
           continuing
           us
           what
           he
           made
           us
           ?
           If
           therefore
           while
           he
           continues
           us
           
             free
             Agents
          
           we
           will
           needs
           chuse
           what
           is
           evil
           ,
           and
           misimploy
           the
           Talent
           of
           our
           natural
           Liberty
           ,
           the
           Fault
           is
           ours
           and
           not
           God's
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           thank
           our selves
           for
           all
           the
           bad
           Consequents
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           since
           not
           only
           Sin
           but
           most
           of
           the
           other
           Evils
           that
           are
           in
           the
           World
           proceed
           from
           our
           ill
           Use
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Liberty
           ,
           we
           ought
           in
           all
           Reason
           to
           charge
           them
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           and
           not
           upon
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           That
           many
           Things
           seem
           evil
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           God's
           Providence
           that
           are
           
           not
           so
           in
           themselves
           ,
           by
           Reason
           that
           we
           commonly
           take
           false
           Measures
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil.
           We
           think
           it
           a
           very
           
             great
             Evil
          
           ,
           for
           Instance
           ,
           that
           good
           Men
           are
           not
           blessed
           with
           great
           Plenty
           and
           Abundance
           ,
           and
           that
           bad
           Men
           are
           ;
           because
           we
           imagin
           Plenty
           and
           Abundance
           to
           be
           a
           very
           
             great
             Good
          
           ,
           and
           the
           contrary
           a
           very
           
             formidable
             Evil
          
           :
           And
           this
           makes
           us
           blame
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           because
           we
           see
           the
           good
           Things
           of
           this
           World
           so
           promiscuously
           distributed
           without
           any
           Discrimination
           of
           Persons
           ;
           whereas
           in
           reality
           Plenty
           and
           Abundance
           approaches
           nearer
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           an
           indifferent
           Thing
           than
           of
           a
           very
           great
           and
           
             desirable
             Good.
          
           For
           if
           we
           consult
           
             our
             own
          
           Experience
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           that
           all
           worldly
           Goods
           are
           just
           what
           we
           make
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           do
           as
           commonly
           prove
           Plagues
           as
           Blessings
           to
           the
           Owners
           of
           them
           ;
           that
           they
           intangle
           their
           Affections
           ,
           insnare
           their
           Innocence
           ,
           disturb
           their
           Peace
           ,
           provoke
           and
           pamper
           their
           extravagant
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           betray
           them
           first
           into
           Luxuries
           ,
           then
           into
           Gouts
           or
           
             Dropsies
             ,
             Catarrhs
          
           or
           Consumptions
           ;
           and
           these
           most
           commonly
           prove
           the
           Effects
           of
           outward
           Abundance
           .
           So
           that
           in
           it self
           't
           is
           almost
           of
           an
           indifferent
           Nature
           ,
           and
           doth
           good
           or
           Hurt
           to
           us
           according
           as
           we
           use
           and
           improve
           it
           ;
           and
           threfore
           though
           God
           sometimes
           suffers
           good
           
           Men
           to
           want
           ,
           and
           bad
           Men
           to
           enjoy
           it
           ,
           we
           have
           no
           Cause
           to
           quarrel
           at
           it
           ;
           for
           he
           understands
           the
           just
           Value
           of
           things
           ,
           though
           we
           do
           not
           ;
           he
           knows
           that
           the
           best
           of
           worldly
           Things
           are
           bad
           enough
           to
           be
           thrown
           away
           upon
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ,
           and
           so
           expresses
           his
           scorn
           of
           the
           admired
           Vanities
           of
           this
           World
           by
           scattering
           them
           with
           such
           a
           careless
           Hand
           ,
           and
           indulging
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           them
           to
           the
           most
           despicable
           Persons
           .
           So
           that
           we
           ought
           to
           conclude
           ,
           that
           he
           sets
           no
           great
           Value
           upon
           them
           ,
           since
           he
           concerns
           himself
           no
           more
           in
           their
           Distribution
           ;
           for
           why
           should
           he
           partake
           in
           the
           Errors
           of
           vulgar
           Opinion
           by
           expressing
           himself
           so
           regardful
           of
           these
           Trifles
           as
           to
           put
           them
           in
           golden
           Scales
           ,
           and
           weigh
           them
           out
           to
           Mankind
           by
           Grains
           and
           Scruples
           ?
        
         
           3
           ly
           ,
           That
           many
           other
           Things
           seem
           evil
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           God's
           Providence
           that
           are
           not
           so
           ,
           merely
           because
           we
           often
           mistake
           bad
           Men
           for
           good
           ,
           and
           good
           Men
           for
           bad
           .
           For
           I
           dare
           say
           that
           that
           Observation
           upon
           which
           we
           ground
           our
           Quarrel
           against
           the
           Providence
           of
           
             God
             ,
             viz
          
           ,
           that
           it
           fares
           worst
           with
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           best
           with
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ,
           is
           not
           half
           so
           general
           as
           we
           make
           it
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           that
           generally
           we
           pity
           the
           miserable
           and
           envy
           the
           prosperous
           ,
           and
           these
           Passions
           of
           ours
           do
           commonly
           bribe
           
           our
           Judgments
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           think
           worse
           of
           the
           one
           and
           better
           of
           the
           other
           than
           either
           of
           them
           do
           deserve
           .
           For
           ,
           those
           whom
           we
           pity
           we
           are
           inclined
           to
           love
           ,
           and
           those
           whom
           we
           love
           we
           are
           inclined
           to
           
             think
             well
          
           of
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           
             think
             well
          
           of
           them
           whether
           we
           have
           Reason
           for
           it
           or
           no
           ,
           we
           conclude
           that
           God
           ought
           to
           be
           as
           fond
           of
           them
           as
           we
           :
           As
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           those
           whom
           we
           envy
           we
           always
           hate
           ,
           and
           those
           whom
           we
           hate
           we
           are
           inclined
           to
           
             think
             ill
          
           of
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           think
           ill
           of
           them
           we
           think
           that
           God
           is
           obliged
           to
           think
           so
           too
           .
           And
           because
           we
           are
           so
           unreasonably
           inclined
           by
           our
           Passions
           to
           pass
           such
           false
           Judgments
           upon
           Men
           ,
           is
           it
           fit
           that
           we
           should
           quarrel
           at
           God
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           judge
           as
           unreasonably
           as
           our selves
           ;
           or
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           reward
           and
           punish
           Men
           according
           to
           the
           sentence
           that
           our
           blind
           Pity
           or
           Envy
           passes
           upon
           them
           ?
           If
           we
           could
           but
           strip
           our selves
           of
           all
           Passion
           ,
           and
           were
           but
           able
           to
           judge
           of
           Men
           ,
           not
           by
           what
           they
           appear
           ,
           but
           by
           what
           they
           really
           are
           ;
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           we
           should
           find
           that
           even
           in
           this
           Life
           it
           fares
           best
           with
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           worst
           with
           the
           worst
           of
           Men
           ;
           but
           since
           we
           are
           not
           competent
           Judges
           of
           this
           Matter
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           a
           Care
           of
           reproaching
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           with
           a
           Maxim
           that
           hath
           no
           other
           Foundation
           in
           the
           Nature
           
           of
           things
           ,
           but
           our
           own
           fallacious
           Observation
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           That
           many
           Things
           seem
           evil
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Gods
           Providence
           that
           are
           not
           so
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           acquainted
           but
           with
           a
           small
           Part
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           do
           judge
           of
           what
           is
           good
           or
           evil
           for
           the
           Whole
           ,
           by
           what
           we
           find
           is
           good
           and
           evil
           for
           this
           small
           Part.
           We
           are
           never
           able
           to
           comprehend
           how
           far
           the
           Dominions
           of
           the
           divine
           Providence
           extend
           ,
           nor
           how
           many
           Orders
           of
           Beings
           as
           well
           above
           as
           below
           us
           are
           concerned
           in
           its
           Empire
           and
           Government
           ;
           but
           unless
           we
           could
           do
           this
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           capable
           Judges
           of
           what
           is
           good
           or
           bad
           in
           the
           general
           Course
           of
           its
           Actions
           .
           For
           that
           is
           good
           or
           bad
           in
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           good
           or
           bad
           for
           its
           whole
           Empire
           and
           Dominion
           ;
           and
           though
           this
           or
           that
           may
           be
           an
           Inconvenience
           to
           this
           or
           that
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           these
           particular
           Inconveniencies
           may
           be
           a
           great
           Convenience
           to
           the
           Whole
           .
           As
           for
           Instance
           ;
           suppose
           a
           Man
           should
           come
           into
           the
           Country
           of
           Syberia
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           great
           Part
           of
           the
           Empire
           of
           Russia
           ,
           whither
           
             that
             Emperor
          
           is
           wont
           to
           banish
           all
           great
           Malefactors
           ;
           he
           would
           there
           find
           the
           Inhabitants
           in
           a
           most
           miserable
           Condition
           ,
           they
           being
           there
           exposed
           to
           Hunger
           and
           Cold
           ,
           and
           perpetual
           Slavery
           .
           So
           that
           if
           a
           Man
           should
           
           judge
           of
           the
           whole
           Empire
           by
           this
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           would
           conclude
           
             that
             Emperor
          
           to
           be
           a
           most
           savage
           Tyrant
           ,
           and
           his
           Country
           to
           be
           the
           most
           miserable
           Place
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           whereas
           in
           Reality
           all
           the
           other
           Parts
           of
           
             that
             Empire
          
           are
           rendred
           more
           happy
           by
           the
           Miseries
           of
           this
           Place
           ,
           which
           serve
           to
           strike
           an
           Aw
           into
           all
           the
           other
           Subjects
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           restrain
           them
           within
           the
           Bounds
           of
           their
           Loyalty
           and
           Duty
           .
           And
           so
           unless
           we
           had
           as
           full
           a
           Prospect
           of
           the
           whole
           Dominion
           of
           Gods
           Providence
           as
           we
           have
           of
           this
           little
           Spot
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           censure
           his
           Government
           of
           the
           Whole
           by
           the
           little
           Inconveniencies
           that
           occur
           in
           his
           Government
           of
           a
           Part
           ;
           for
           in
           such
           a
           vast
           Dominion
           ,
           as
           God's
           is
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           a
           thousand
           good
           Reasons
           ,
           that
           we
           know
           not
           of
           ,
           why
           some
           Parts
           of
           it
           should
           be
           more
           unhappy
           than
           others
           ;
           and
           if
           in
           some
           particulars
           he
           incommodes
           this
           Part
           for
           the
           publick
           Commodity
           of
           the
           Whole
           ,
           we
           are
           so
           far
           from
           having
           any
           Reason
           to
           complain
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           in
           all
           Justice
           to
           praise
           and
           adore
           his
           Goodness
           for
           it
           .
           It
           is
           enough
           for
           us
           that
           we
           understand
           so
           much
           of
           Gods
           Nature
           as
           we
           do
           ,
           and
           have
           such
           apparent
           Instances
           of
           his
           Goodness
           in
           the
           Works
           of
           his
           Creation
           and
           Providence
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           we
           in
           this
           little
           Part
           of
           Gods
           Empire
           suffer
           some
           small
           
           Inconveniencies
           ,
           we
           ought
           to
           bless
           and
           adore
           his
           Goodness
           for
           those
           greater
           Goods
           we
           enjoy
           ,
           and
           to
           rest
           satisfied
           with
           this
           ,
           that
           our
           particular
           Inconveniencies
           may
           for
           all
           we
           know
           be
           great
           Conveniencies
           to
           the
           Publick
           .
        
         
           5
           thly
           ,
           That
           many
           other
           Things
           seem
           evil
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           Gods
           Providence
           ,
           because
           we
           judge
           of
           them
           by
           their
           
             present
             sensible
          
           Effects
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           able
           to
           comprehend
           the
           universal
           Drift
           and
           Connexion
           and
           Dependence
           of
           them
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           already
           shewn
           you
           in
           the
           former
           Discourse
           on
           this
           Argument
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           continued
           Juncture
           and
           Dependence
           from
           first
           to
           last
           between
           all
           the
           Actions
           and
           Contrivances
           of
           divine
           Providence
           ,
           and
           
             every
             one
          
           hath
           a
           Relation
           to
           
             every
             one
          
           from
           the
           Beginning
           to
           the
           End
           of
           all
           that
           mighty
           Chain
           of
           Causes
           whereof
           it
           consists
           .
           So
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           to
           judge
           rightly
           of
           one
           Part
           of
           Providence
           separately
           from
           the
           rest
           ,
           because
           we
           see
           not
           the
           Relation
           it
           hath
           either
           to
           what
           went
           before
           ,
           or
           to
           what
           is
           to
           follow
           after
           ;
           and
           though
           singly
           considered
           it
           may
           be
           hurtful
           ,
           yet
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           all
           the
           rest
           it
           may
           be
           exceedingly
           advantagious
           .
           He
           that
           looks
           only
           on
           the
           first
           Links
           of
           that
           curious
           Chain
           of
           Providence
           in
           the
           History
           of
           Joseph
           ,
           will
           be
           apt
           to
           entertain
           a
           
           very
           bad
           Opinion
           of
           the
           Whole
           ;
           first
           he
           is
           thrown
           into
           a
           desolate
           Pit
           ,
           then
           sold
           a
           Slave
           ,
           then
           falsely
           accused
           ,
           then
           cast
           into
           Prison
           :
           Lord
           ,
           what
           a
           
             tragical
             Prologue
          
           is
           here
           !
           But
           then
           take
           all
           those
           Things
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           what
           follows
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           presently
           see
           that
           Scene
           clear
           up
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           sad
           Preparations
           ending
           in
           a
           joyful
           Conclusion
           .
           And
           if
           we
           consider
           that
           most
           glorious
           Part
           that
           ever
           Gods
           Providence
           acted
           on
           the
           Stage
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           viz.
           the
           History
           of
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           ;
           how
           dark
           and
           gloomy
           doth
           the
           former
           Part
           of
           it
           look
           ,
           if
           we
           view
           it
           separately
           from
           the
           Antecedents
           and
           Consequents
           of
           it
           ?
           Surely
           ,
           if
           any
           Thing
           would
           justify
           our
           hard
           Censures
           of
           God's
           Providence
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           the
           beholding
           of
           such
           a
           rare
           and
           excellent
           Person
           exposed
           to
           so
           many
           Miseries
           and
           Calamities
           ;
           to
           see
           him
           cast
           forth
           to
           the
           wide
           World
           as
           a
           helpless
           Prey
           to
           the
           Rage
           of
           his
           Enemies
           ,
           to
           behold
           him
           hanging
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           deserted
           of
           his
           Friends
           ,
           mock'd
           and
           tormented
           by
           his
           barbarous
           Murderers
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           most
           bitter
           Agonies
           breathing
           out
           his
           white
           and
           innocent
           Soul
           :
           O
           
             good
             Lord
          
           !
           What
           a
           dismal
           Prospect
           of
           thy
           Providence
           is
           here
           ?
           But
           stay
           a
           little
           ,
           let
           us
           but
           see
           the
           glorious
           Light
           that
           in
           Conclusion
           broke
           out
           of
           this
           dismal
           Darkness
           ;
           first
           he
           is
           raised
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           then
           he
           ascends
           
           up
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           where
           at
           the
           right
           Hand
           of
           his
           Father
           he
           reigns
           an
           eternal
           King
           in
           full
           Power
           and
           Authority
           to
           give
           Gifts
           unto
           Men
           ,
           and
           bestow
           those
           immortal
           Rewards
           on
           them
           which
           he
           purchased
           for
           them
           with
           his
           Blood.
           So
           that
           though
           singly
           and
           apart
           the
           first
           Scenes
           of
           this
           great
           Providence
           were
           very
           dismal
           and
           affrighting
           ,
           yet
           considered
           altogether
           ,
           how
           beautiful
           and
           harmonious
           doth
           it
           appear
           ?
           So
           true
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Preacher
           ,
           Eccles.
           3.11
           .
           
             He
             hath
             made
             every
             thing
             beautiful
             in
             his
             time
             :
             Also
             he
             hath
             set
             the
             world
             in
             their
             heart
             ,
             so
             that
             no
             man
             can
             find
             out
             the
             work
             that
             God
             maketh
             from
             the
             beginning
             to
             the
             end
             .
          
           And
           therefore
           because
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           see
           from
           the
           Beginning
           to
           the
           End
           of
           God's
           Providence
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           unreasonable
           Thing
           for
           us
           to
           censure
           the
           Whole
           ,
           because
           of
           some
           seeming
           Inconveniencies
           that
           we
           see
           in
           those
           Parts
           of
           it
           that
           lie
           before
           us
           .
           Let
           us
           stay
           but
           till
           the
           winding
           up
           of
           the
           Bottom
           ,
           till
           all
           is
           finished
           ,
           and
           Present
           it
           one
           intire
           Piece
           to
           our
           View
           ,
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           have
           leave
           to
           censure
           ,
           if
           we
           can
           find
           any
           Reason
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           6
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           many
           other
           Things
           seem
           evil
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Course
           of
           God's
           Providence
           which
           are
           not
           so
           ,
           merely
           because
           we
           understand
           very
           little
           of
           the
           other
           World.
           It
           seems
           to
           us
           a
           
             mighty
             Evil
          
           in
           Providence
           
           that
           so
           great
           a
           Part
           of
           the
           World
           is
           left
           in
           Darkness
           and
           Ignorance
           ,
           and
           in
           so
           great
           a
           Measure
           deprived
           of
           the
           vast
           Advantages
           of
           
             true
             Religion
          
           ;
           but
           how
           do
           we
           know
           how
           God
           will
           dispose
           of
           them
           in
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           what
           Abatements
           he
           will
           make
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           what
           Measures
           he
           will
           judge
           them
           ;
           whether
           he
           will
           not
           allow
           them
           some
           farther
           Time
           of
           Tryal
           ,
           and
           so
           make
           good
           to
           them
           there
           whatsoever
           hath
           been
           wanting
           to
           them
           here
           ?
           But
           whatsoever
           he
           doth
           or
           will
           do
           ,
           this
           we
           may
           be
           sure
           of
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           damn
           none
           but
           those
           that
           are
           first
           self-condemned
           ,
           but
           those
           that
           knowingly
           and
           willingly
           miscarry
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           he
           will
           exact
           of
           them
           but
           in
           Proportion
           to
           their
           Abilities
           ,
           and
           will
           not
           require
           Brick
           where
           he
           hath
           given
           no
           Straw
           .
           But
           which
           way
           soever
           he
           deals
           with
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           first
           or
           last
           he
           will
           not
           be
           wanting
           in
           any
           Degrees
           of
           Kindness
           to
           them
           that
           are
           fit
           either
           for
           a
           wise
           Sovereign
           to
           grant
           ,
           or
           a
           reasonable
           Subject
           to
           demand
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           will
           do
           so
           (
           as
           undoubtedly
           he
           will
           )
           how
           unreasonably
           do
           we
           complain
           of
           his
           Providence
           towards
           us
           ?
           And
           though
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           we
           see
           many
           good
           Men
           reduced
           to
           a
           very
           calamitous
           Condition
           ,
           yet
           how
           do
           we
           know
           how
           necessary
           this
           may
           be
           to
           the
           securing
           of
           their
           Happiness
           in
           the
           World
           to
           come
           ?
           For
           since
           our
           
           main
           State
           and
           Interest
           is
           in
           that
           other
           World
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           but
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           over
           us
           doth
           chiefly
           Respect
           that
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           how
           unreasonably
           do
           we
           censure
           it
           upon
           the
           Score
           of
           the
           present
           Evils
           it
           exposes
           us
           to
           ,
           when
           we
           know
           so
           little
           of
           the
           future
           State
           ,
           to
           which
           all
           its
           Transactions
           do
           chiefly
           relate
           ?
           Wherefore
           ,
           let
           us
           forbear
           a
           while
           till
           we
           come
           into
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           and
           understand
           the
           whole
           Design
           and
           Contrivance
           ;
           and
           then
           we
           shall
           see
           that
           all
           will
           be
           right
           and
           well
           ,
           yea
           and
           infinitely
           better
           than
           ever
           we
           could
           imagin
           .
           But
           for
           us
           to
           censure
           now
           ,
           when
           we
           know
           so
           little
           of
           our
           future
           State
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           main
           and
           ultimate
           Scope
           of
           Providence
           ,
           is
           just
           as
           if
           a
           Man
           should
           pass
           his
           Judgment
           on
           a
           Picture
           when
           he
           sees
           nothing
           of
           it
           but
           some
           
             few
             rude
          
           Lines
           and
           very
           imperfect
           Strokes
           .
           Let
           us
           have
           but
           the
           Patience
           to
           suspend
           our
           Judgment
           a
           while
           till
           God
           hath
           finished
           the
           whole
           Draught
           ,
           and
           given
           it
           all
           its
           natural
           Colours
           and
           Proportions
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           am
           sure
           we
           shall
           see
           Cause
           enough
           forever
           to
           admire
           his
           Skill
           ,
           and
           adore
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodness
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           by
           apparent
           Instances
           how
           good
           God
           is
           in
           his
           Providence
           towards
           us
           ,
           and
           how
           unreasonable
           it
           is
           for
           us
           to
           censure
           his
           Goodness
           notwithstanding
           all
           those
           
             seeming
             Evils
          
           that
           happen
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
         
           And
           now
           what
           remains
           but
           that
           with
           all
           Humility
           and
           Chearfulness
           we
           resign
           up
           our selves
           into
           the
           Hands
           of
           our
           most
           merciful
           Father
           ,
           concluding
           ,
           as
           most
           certainly
           we
           may
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           he
           doth
           with
           us
           ,
           or
           howsoever
           he
           disposes
           of
           us
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           all
           for
           our
           good
           in
           the
           later
           End
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           not
           through
           our
           own
           Default
           .
           For
           where
           can
           we
           be
           safer
           than
           in
           the
           Hands
           of
           an
           Omnipotent
           and
           Omniscient
           Goodness
           ,
           a
           Goodness
           that
           knows
           what
           is
           best
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           wills
           what
           it
           knows
           to
           be
           so
           ,
           and
           doth
           whatsoever
           it
           wills
           .
           Surely
           in
           such
           Hands
           our
           Condition
           is
           a
           thousand
           times
           better
           and
           safer
           than
           if
           we
           had
           full
           Power
           to
           effect
           
             our
             own
          
           Wishes
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Events
           that
           concern
           us
           were
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Disposal
           .
           And
           if
           God
           should
           shake
           us
           off
           from
           all
           Dependence
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           resign
           up
           the
           whole
           Conduct
           of
           our
           Affairs
           into
           
             our
             own
          
           Hands
           ;
           if
           he
           should
           say
           to
           us
           ,
           
             since
             you
             mislike
             of
             my
             Conduct
             I
             will
             no
             more
             intermedle
             with
             you
             ,
             or
             any
             thing
             that
             concerns
             you
             ;
             take
             your selves
             into
             your
             own
             Disposal
             and
             manage
             all
             your
             Concernments
             as
             you
             please
             :
          
           If
           I
           say
           ,
           he
           should
           do
           thus
           with
           us
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           left
           in
           a
           most
           forlorn
           and
           deplorable
           Condition
           ,
           and
           unless
           we
           were
           wholly
           abandoned
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Reason
           as
           well
           as
           Gods
           Providence
           ,
           we
           should
           on
           our
           bended
           Knees
           resign
           up
           all
           into
           his
           
           Hands
           again
           ,
           and
           beseech
           him
           for
           his
           Pity
           and
           his
           Mercy
           sake
           to
           do
           any
           Thing
           with
           us
           that
           will
           consist
           with
           his
           Goodness
           ;
           to
           scourge
           and
           chasten
           us
           for
           our
           Frowardness
           as
           much
           and
           as
           long
           as
           his
           own
           fatherly
           Bowels
           will
           endure
           it
           ;
           rather
           then
           give
           us
           up
           to
           
             our
             own
          
           Conduct
           ,
           or
           leave
           our
           Affairs
           in
           the
           Disposal
           of
           our
           own
           blind
           and
           precipitant
           Wills.
           For
           so
           long
           as
           God
           is
           so
           powerfully
           and
           so
           wisely
           good
           as
           he
           is
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Interest
           of
           every
           Creature
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           to
           be
           at
           his
           Disposal
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           up
           that
           self-resigning
           Prayer
           of
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             Father
             ,
             not
             our
             Wills
             ,
             but
             thy
             Will
             be
             done
             .
          
           For
           since
           God
           wills
           our
           good
           as
           much
           or
           more
           than
           our selves
           ,
           it
           must
           doubtless
           be
           our
           Interest
           that
           his
           Will
           should
           take
           place
           whensoever
           it
           stands
           in
           Competition
           with
           ours
           ;
           because
           he
           doth
           not
           only
           wish
           well
           to
           us
           as
           much
           as
           we
           do
           to
           our selves
           ,
           but
           he
           knows
           what
           is
           best
           for
           us
           a
           great
           deal
           better
           than
           we
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           learn
           in
           all
           Conditions
           to
           repose
           our
           Minds
           in
           the
           good
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           satisfy
           our selves
           in
           its
           Managment
           and
           Disposal
           of
           us
           ;
           for
           whatsoever
           Condition
           it
           may
           bring
           us
           into
           whilst
           we
           are
           wandring
           through
           this
           
             Vale
             of
             Tears
          
           ,
           this
           is
           most
           certainly
           and
           eternally
           true
           ,
           that
           
             God
             is
             good
             ,
             and
             doth
             good
             ,
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             JOHN
             III.
             16
             .
          
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             world
             ,
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           THE
           
             Three
             first
          
           Topicks
           from
           whence
           I
           undertook
           to
           prove
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           have
           already
           handled
           on
           another
           Text
           ,
           and
           shewed
           1
           st
           ,
           from
           his
           Nature
           ,
           2
           ly
           ,
           from
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           3
           dly
           ,
           from
           his
           Providence
           ,
           That
           he
           is
           infinitely
           good
           .
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           the
           4
           th
           ,
           and
           last
           ,
           viz.
           from
           Principles
           of
           Revelation
           ,
           the
           main
           of
           which
           is
           comprehended
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
          
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           It
           is
           indeed
           a
           most
           glorious
           Instance
           of
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           had
           imprinted
           his
           Laws
           upon
           our
           Nature
           in
           such
           legible
           Characters
           ,
           and
           given
           them
           such
           apparent
           Sanctions
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           Things
           ;
           having
           made
           such
           a
           sensible
           Distinction
           between
           
             Moral
             Good
          
           and
           Evil
           ,
           by
           those
           
             natural
             good
          
           and
           evil
           Consequents
           which
           he
           hath
           inseparably
           intailed
           on
           them
           :
           And
           when
           Mankind
           by
           their
           wilful
           Wickedness
           and
           
           Inadvertency
           had
           almost
           obliterated
           the
           Law
           of
           their
           Nature
           ,
           and
           extinguished
           their
           natural
           Sense
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           immersed
           themselves
           in
           the
           most
           barbarous
           Impieties
           and
           Immoralities
           :
           Notwithstanding
           all
           this
           that
           he
           had
           done
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           against
           our selves
           ,
           he
           should
           still
           be
           so
           kind
           and
           compassionate
           as
           to
           put
           forth
           a
           new
           Edition
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           reveal
           his
           Will
           anew
           to
           us
           in
           such
           an
           extraordinary
           manner
           ;
           that
           when
           he
           had
           implanted
           a
           Light
           in
           our
           Natures
           that
           was
           sufficient
           to
           have
           directed
           us
           into
           the
           several
           Paths
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           we
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           Neglect
           and
           Abuse
           of
           it
           had
           almost
           extinguished
           this
           
             Candle
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           in
           us
           ,
           and
           consequently
           involved
           our selves
           in
           Midnight
           Darkness
           and
           Ignorance
           ;
           he
           should
           then
           be
           so
           compassionate
           as
           to
           hang
           out
           a
           Light
           from
           Heaven
           to
           us
           to
           rectify
           our
           Wanderings
           ,
           and
           guid
           our
           Feet
           in
           the
           Paths
           we
           should
           walk
           in
           ,
           was
           such
           a
           glorious
           Expression
           of
           his
           Goodness
           as
           for
           ever
           deserves
           our
           most
           thankful
           Acknowledgments
           .
           But
           then
           that
           he
           should
           not
           only
           reveal
           to
           us
           what
           he
           had
           before
           imprinted
           on
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           we
           had
           most
           unworthily
           rased
           out
           and
           obliterated
           ;
           but
           also
           discover
           so
           much
           more
           to
           us
           than
           ever
           we
           did
           or
           could
           have
           known
           by
           the
           Light
           of
           our
           Nature
           ;
           that
           he
           should
           not
           only
           repeat
           his
           
           former
           Kindness
           to
           us
           ,
           which
           we
           had
           so
           shamefully
           abused
           ,
           but
           make
           such
           stupendous
           Additions
           to
           it
           as
           he
           hath
           done
           in
           the
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ;
           that
           manger
           all
           those
           Impieties
           and
           Provocations
           by
           which
           for
           so
           many
           Ages
           we
           had
           excited
           his
           Patience
           ,
           he
           should
           not
           only
           so
           love
           us
           as
           to
           restore
           to
           us
           the
           Light
           which
           we
           had
           almost
           extinguished
           ,
           but
           to
           give
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
          
           &c.
           is
           such
           an
           amazing
           Instance
           of
           Goodness
           as
           can
           hardly
           be
           reflected
           on
           without
           an
           Extasy
           of
           Admiration
           .
        
         
           In
           which
           Words
           you
           have
           God's
           revealed
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           the
           World
           measured
           by
           a
           two-fold
           Standard
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             By
             the
             Greatness
             of
             the
             Gift
             which
             he
             hath
             bestowed
             upon
             the
             World
             ;
             
               God
               so
               loved
               the
               World
               ,
               that
               he
               gave
               his
               only
               begotten
               Son
               :
            
          
           
             2.
             
             The
             blessed
             End
             for
             which
             he
             did
             bestow
             him
             ;
             
               that
               whosoever
               believeth
               in
               him
               should
               not
               perish
               ,
               but
               have
               everlasting
               life
               .
            
          
        
         
           I.
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           of
           these
           viz.
           the
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Gift
           ,
           by
           which
           the
           Greatness
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           is
           measured
           ;
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             :
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           he
           gave
           him
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           delivered
           him
           up
           from
           out
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Bosom
           and
           everlasting
           
           Embraces
           ;
           for
           so
           Eph.
           v.
           2
           .
           it
           is
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             he
             gave
             himself
             for
             us
          
           ,
           or
           delivered
           up
           himself
           for
           us
           ,
           for
           so
           we
           render
           the
           Word
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             who
             was
             delivered
             for
             our
             offences
             ,
          
           Rom.
           iv
           .
           25
           .
           Now
           what
           a
           stupendous
           Expression
           of
           God's
           Love
           this
           was
           ,
           will
           appear
           by
           considering
           these
           six
           Things
           ,
           which
           are
           all
           of
           them
           expressed
           or
           implied
           in
           the
           Text
           ;
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               up
               who
               was
               not
               only
               the
               greatest
               ,
               but
               the
               dearest
               Person
               to
               him
               in
               the
               whole
               World.
               
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               up
               for
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               up
               for
               a
               whole
               World
               of
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               up
               to
               become
               a
               Man
               for
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               up
               to
               be
               a
               miserable
               Man
               for
               Sinners
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               That
               he
               gave
               him
               to
               be
               a
               Sacrifice
               for
               the
               Sins
               of
               Sinners
               ,
               that
               so
               he
               might
               not
               only
               with
               more
               Effect
               but
               with
               more
               Security
               to
               us
               ,
               interceed
               for
               our
               Pardon
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           up
           for
           our
           sakes
           not
           only
           the
           greatest
           but
           the
           dearest
           Person
           to
           him
           in
           the
           whole
           World
           ;
           for
           as
           the
           Text
           tells
           you
           ,
           
             it
             was
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son.
          
           Which
           Phrase
           doubtless
           
           imports
           a
           much
           higher
           signification
           than
           his
           being
           begotten
           in
           the
           
             Virgins
             Womb
          
           by
           the
           Overshadowing
           of
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           .
           For
           though
           it
           cannot
           be
           denied
           but
           in
           Scripture
           he
           is
           called
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           sometimes
           upon
           the
           Account
           of
           this
           his
           divine
           Generation
           in
           the
           
             Virgins
             Womb
          
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           upon
           the
           Score
           of
           his
           being
           ordained
           by
           God
           to
           the
           Messiaship
           ;
           sometimes
           because
           he
           was
           raised
           by
           God
           from
           the
           Dead
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           because
           he
           was
           installed
           by
           him
           into
           his
           
             Mediatorial
             Kingdom
          
           :
           Yet
           upon
           neither
           of
           these
           Accounts
           can
           he
           be
           properly
           called
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ;
           for
           upon
           the
           
             three
             last
          
           Accounts
           sundry
           others
           have
           been
           as
           properly
           begotten
           by
           God
           as
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           some
           having
           been
           installed
           by
           him
           into
           great
           and
           eminent
           Offices
           ;
           others
           raised
           from
           the
           
             Dead
             ;
             others
          
           truly
           ordained
           by
           him
           his
           Messiah's
           ,
           or
           anointed
           Ones
           ;
           so
           that
           upon
           neither
           of
           these
           Accounts
           can
           he
           be
           stiled
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ,
           others
           having
           been
           thus
           begotten
           as
           well
           as
           himself
           .
           And
           as
           for
           the
           first
           ,
           his
           being
           conceived
           by
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             in
             the
             Virgins
             Womb
             ,
          
           this
           was
           not
           sufficient
           neither
           to
           intitle
           him
           the
           
             only
             begotten
          
           ;
           because
           though
           it
           was
           indeed
           a
           miraculous
           Production
           ,
           yet
           was
           it
           not
           so
           much
           above
           the
           Production
           of
           the
           first
           Man
           as
           to
           place
           him
           in
           that
           singular
           Eminence
           .
           For
           the
           forming
           of
           Adam
           out
           of
           the
           
           Substance
           of
           the
           Earth
           was
           altogether
           as
           miraculous
           a
           Production
           as
           the
           forming
           of
           Christ
           out
           of
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           Woman
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           Adam
           is
           called
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ,
           Luk.
           3.38
           .
           because
           God
           immediately
           formed
           him
           of
           the
           substance
           of
           the
           Earth
           ;
           he
           had
           thereby
           as
           good
           a
           Right
           to
           the
           Title
           of
           God's
           only
           begotten
           Son
           as
           Christ
           himself
           had
           ;
           because
           God
           immediately
           formed
           him
           of
           the
           substance
           of
           a
           Woman
           .
           Wherefore
           his
           peculiar
           Right
           above
           all
           others
           to
           this
           glorious
           Title
           of
           God's
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           must
           necessarily
           be
           founded
           upon
           some
           higher
           Reason
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           upon
           some
           such
           Reason
           as
           is
           wholly
           peculiar
           to
           himself
           .
           For
           if
           he
           be
           really
           and
           truly
           God's
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ,
           all
           other
           Persons
           whatsoever
           must
           necessarily
           be
           excluded
           from
           that
           Claim
           ;
           and
           consequently
           he
           must
           be
           so
           begotten
           of
           God
           as
           no
           other
           Person
           is
           ,
           or
           ever
           was
           :
           And
           to
           be
           -
           so
           begotten
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           begotten
           by
           him
           by
           a
           proper
           and
           natural
           Generation
           ,
           which
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           vital
           Production
           of
           another
           in
           the
           same
           Nature
           with
           him
           ,
           from
           whom
           it
           is
           produced
           ;
           even
           as
           a
           Man
           begets
           a
           Man
           ,
           and
           every
           Animal
           begets
           another
           of
           the
           same
           Kind
           and
           Nature
           with
           it self
           :
           And
           thus
           to
           be
           begotten
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           begotten
           into
           the
           same
           divine
           Nature
           with
           himself
           ;
           to
           derive
           or
           communicate
           
           from
           him
           the
           infinitely
           perfect
           Nature
           and
           Essence
           of
           a
           God.
           And
           in
           this
           Sense
           only
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           is
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           as
           being
           generated
           by
           him
           from
           all
           Eternity
           into
           the
           same
           Nature
           ,
           and
           communicating
           from
           him
           his
           own
           infinite
           Essence
           and
           Perfections
           ;
           in
           which
           sense
           he
           is
           truly
           the
           
             only
             begotten
          
           Son
           ,
           because
           in
           this
           Sense
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           only
           ,
           none
           is
           or
           was
           ,
           or
           ever
           shall
           be
           begotten
           of
           the
           Father
           but
           himself
           .
        
         
           When
           therefore
           it
           is
           said
           that
           
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
          
           the
           Meaning
           is
           this
           ;
           he
           gave
           up
           that
           infinitely
           great
           and
           dear
           Son
           of
           his
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           his
           natural
           Image
           and
           Resemblance
           ;
           that
           
             only
             Son
          
           to
           whom
           from
           all
           Eternity
           he
           hath
           communicated
           his
           own
           most
           perfect
           Essence
           and
           Nature
           .
           If
           then
           it
           was
           so
           great
           an
           Instance
           of
           
           Abraham's
           Faith
           and
           ardent
           Love
           of
           God
           at
           his
           Command
           to
           offer
           up
           his
           only
           Son
           Isaac
           ,
           a
           Son
           ,
           who
           though
           how
           hopeful
           soever
           ,
           yet
           who
           fell
           infinitely
           shorter
           of
           the
           Perfection
           of
           our
           Saviour
           than
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Glow-worm
           doth
           of
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Sun
           ;
           what
           an
           astonishing
           Miracle
           of
           Love
           was
           it
           in
           the
           great
           Father
           of
           the
           World
           to
           give
           up
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ;
           a
           Son
           whom
           he
           had
           begotten
           in
           his
           own
           divine
           Nature
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           had
           communicated
           all
           the
           infinite
           Perfections
           of
           his
           
           own
           Being
           ;
           a
           Son
           who
           was
           the
           most
           perfect
           Image
           of
           himself
           ,
           who
           was
           infinitely
           powerful
           and
           wise
           and
           good
           ,
           and
           differed
           from
           him
           in
           nothing
           but
           only
           in
           being
           
             his
             Son
          
           ;
           who
           had
           the
           Fulness
           of
           the
           Godhead
           dwelling
           in
           him
           ,
           and
           whom
           ,
           being
           infinitely
           perfect
           as
           himself
           ,
           he
           loved
           as
           infinitely
           as
           
             his
             own
          
           Person
           ,
           and
           consequently
           could
           as
           easily
           have
           given
           up
           himself
           for
           us
           ,
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           that
           
             dearly
             Beloved
          
           in
           whom
           his
           Soul
           was
           so
           well
           pleased
           ?
           Who
           but
           a
           God
           of
           infinite
           Love
           and
           immeasurable
           Inclination
           to
           do
           good
           to
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           would
           have
           given
           them
           such
           an
           inestimable
           Jewel
           out
           of
           his
           Bosom
           ;
           a
           Jewel
           wherein
           all
           the
           Brightness
           of
           the
           Divinity
           did
           sparkle
           ,
           and
           which
           upon
           that
           Account
           was
           as
           dear
           and
           precious
           to
           him
           as
           his
           own
           Life
           ?
           And
           hence
           we
           find
           the
           Apostle
           valuing
           the
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           by
           the
           Greatness
           and
           Dearness
           of
           the
           Person
           whom
           he
           gave
           up
           for
           our
           sakes
           ;
           
             in
             this
             was
             manifested
             the
             love
             of
             God
             towards
             us
             ,
             because
             that
             God
             sent
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             into
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             we
             might
             live
             through
             him
             ,
          
           1
           Joh.
           iv
           .
           9
           .
           And
           indeed
           without
           this
           Consideration
           of
           his
           being
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
             God
          
           by
           eternal
           Generation
           and
           Communion
           of
           Nature
           with
           him
           ,
           God's
           Love
           in
           giving
           him
           up
           for
           us
           would
           not
           be
           comparably
           so
           considerable
           as
           it
           is
           .
           For
           if
           ,
           according
           
           to
           the
           Doctrin
           of
           the
           Socinians
           ,
           he
           should
           only
           have
           caused
           a
           Man
           to
           be
           born
           for
           us
           after
           another
           manner
           than
           other
           Men
           are
           ,
           and
           then
           have
           delivered
           him
           for
           our
           sake
           ;
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           such
           great
           Expression
           of
           his
           Love
           in
           this
           Way
           of
           redeeming
           us
           ,
           more
           than
           what
           must
           have
           appeared
           should
           he
           have
           chosen
           to
           redeem
           us
           any
           other
           Way
           .
           To
           have
           redeemed
           us
           indeed
           ,
           by
           what
           Means
           soever
           ,
           would
           have
           been
           a
           most
           glorious
           Expression
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           good
           Will
           to
           us
           ;
           but
           since
           the
           Scripture
           hath
           raised
           the
           Consideration
           of
           God's
           Love
           higher
           from
           the
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Person
           whom
           he
           sent
           to
           redeem
           us
           ,
           by
           how
           much
           higher
           the
           Dignity
           of
           this
           Person
           is
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           greater
           is
           the
           Estimation
           of
           his
           Love.
           But
           if
           the
           Dignity
           of
           
           Christ's
           Person
           ,
           as
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
             of
          
           God
           ,
           consisted
           meerly
           in
           being
           a
           Man
           born
           into
           the
           World
           in
           such
           an
           extraordinary
           Manner
           ,
           this
           would
           have
           made
           such
           an
           inconsiderable
           Addition
           to
           his
           Love
           in
           redeeming
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           have
           much
           more
           agrandized
           his
           Kindness
           to
           us
           to
           have
           offered
           up
           an
           
             Angel
             of
             Heaven
          
           for
           us
           ,
           though
           of
           the
           most
           inferior
           Order
           ,
           than
           to
           have
           thus
           delivered
           up
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son.
           But
           to
           offer
           up
           his
           natural
           Son
           to
           whom
           he
           had
           communicated
           his
           Nature
           ,
           his
           Son
           who
           was
           
             God
             co-eternal
          
           and
           co-essential
           with
           himself
           ,
           
           was
           a
           more
           transcendent
           Expression
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           than
           if
           he
           had
           unpeopled
           Heaven
           for
           our
           sakes
           ,
           and
           delivered
           up
           to
           us
           the
           whole
           Quire
           of
           
             Angels
             ,
             Archangels
          
           and
           Seraphims
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           in
           this
           also
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           up
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           for
           us
           when
           we
           were
           Sinners
           :
           And
           this
           is
           implied
           in
           that
           Expression
           ,
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           World
           as
           it
           then
           was
           ,
           a
           
             base
             ,
             depraved
          
           ,
           and
           degenerate
           World
           ;
           for
           of
           this
           very
           World
           whom
           God
           thus
           loved
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           gives
           this
           
             extream
             bad
          
           Character
           ,
           
             the
             whole
             World
             lieth
             in
             Wickedness
             ,
          
           1
           Joh.
           v.
           19
           .
           And
           St.
           Paul
           distributing
           the
           whole
           World
           into
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ,
           pronounces
           universally
           concerning
           them
           ,
           
             that
             they
             were
             all
             under
             Sin
             ,
          
           Rom.
           iii.
           9
           .
           So
           that
           in
           giving
           up
           his
           Son
           for
           such
           a
           World
           as
           this
           ,
           he
           must
           necessarily
           give
           him
           for
           Sinners
           .
           And
           certainly
           should
           we
           measure
           God's
           Goodness
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           ,
           this
           Consideration
           is
           enough
           to
           render
           his
           giving
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           for
           us
           a
           most
           incredible
           Expression
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           when
           by
           our
           Sins
           we
           had
           provoked
           him
           beyond
           the
           Sufferance
           of
           any
           Patience
           but
           
             his
             own
          
           ;
           when
           in
           Despight
           of
           all
           those
           innumerable
           Mercies
           wherewith
           from
           Time
           to
           Time
           he
           had
           sought
           to
           oblige
           us
           ,
           and
           mauger
           
           all
           those
           Stupendous
           Judgments
           with
           which
           from
           one
           Generation
           to
           another
           he
           had
           endeavoured
           to
           curb
           and
           restrain
           us
           ;
           when
           he
           had
           used
           so
           many
           effectual
           Arts
           to
           reclaim
           and
           amend
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           Obstinacy
           had
           bafled
           and
           defeated
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           in
           stead
           of
           mending
           grew
           worse
           and
           worse
           under
           all
           his
           powerful
           Applications
           ;
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           now
           at
           last
           ,
           in
           stead
           of
           trying
           any
           further
           Experiments
           on
           us
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           been
           sufficiently
           provoked
           to
           give
           us
           up
           ,
           as
           Physitians
           do
           their
           Patients
           when
           they
           are
           past
           all
           Hope
           of
           Recovery
           ,
           and
           so
           let
           us
           alone
           to
           perish
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Obstinacy
           .
           And
           doubtless
           if
           after
           all
           these
           Provocations
           we
           had
           known
           that
           he
           had
           intended
           to
           send
           his
           Son
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           
             our
             own
          
           Guilt
           and
           Consciousness
           would
           have
           made
           us
           conclude
           that
           the
           Design
           of
           his
           sending
           him
           was
           only
           to
           ruin
           and
           destroy
           us
           ,
           to
           extirpate
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           us
           from
           the
           Face
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           that
           so
           his
           Creation
           might
           be
           no
           longer
           scandalized
           with
           the
           Remembrance
           of
           such
           a
           Generation
           of
           Monsters
           .
           But
           now
           that
           after
           so
           many
           repeated
           Affronts
           and
           Rebellions
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           so
           many
           loud-crying
           Guilts
           that
           perpetually
           rang
           in
           his
           Ears
           ,
           he
           should
           still
           persevere
           to
           love
           us
           in
           such
           a
           transcendent
           Degree
           ,
           as
           to
           part
           with
           what
           is
           nearest
           and
           dearest
           to
           
           him
           for
           our
           sakes
           ,
           even
           his
           only
           begotten
           Son
           out
           of
           his
           Bosom
           ,
           is
           such
           an
           astonishing
           Expression
           of
           his
           Goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           can
           never
           sufficiently
           magnify
           and
           admire
           .
           Had
           Mankind
           been
           as
           innocent
           as
           they
           are
           guilty
           before
           God
           ,
           had
           their
           Virtues
           been
           as
           great
           and
           as
           numerous
           as
           their
           Crimes
           were
           ;
           yet
           to
           send
           his
           great
           Son
           down
           from
           Heaven
           to
           visit
           them
           ,
           had
           been
           such
           an
           Instance
           of
           condescending
           Goodness
           in
           him
           as
           would
           have
           justly
           merited
           our
           everlasting
           Praise
           and
           Remembrance
           ;
           but
           to
           send
           him
           down
           to
           Sinners
           ,
           to
           such
           a
           Race
           of
           obstinate
           and
           incorrigible
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           that
           not
           to
           destroy
           but
           to
           save
           them
           ;
           to
           obtain
           for
           ,
           and
           tender
           to
           them
           a
           Kingdom
           of
           immortal
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           use
           all
           possible
           Means
           safely
           to
           conduct
           them
           thither
           ;
           Lord
           ,
           what
           a
           Miracle
           of
           Love
           is
           this
           !
           And
           hence
           the
           Apostle
           estimates
           this
           prodigious
           Instance
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           by
           the
           Vndeservingness
           of
           those
           upon
           whom
           it
           was
           exercised
           ;
           
             but
             God
          
           ,
           says
           he
           ,
           
             commendeth
             his
             love
             towards
             us
             ,
             in
             that
             while
             we
             were
             yet
             Sinners
             Christ
             died
             for
             us
             ,
          
           Rom.
           v.
           8
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           in
           this
           also
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           up
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           for
           the
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           ;
           he
           did
           not
           confine
           and
           limit
           this
           great
           Design
           of
           his
           Goodness
           
           by
           granting
           a
           monopoly
           of
           it
           to
           a
           
             few
             particular
          
           Favourites
           ,
           but
           settled
           it
           as
           a
           publick
           Charter
           upon
           the
           whole
           Corporation
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           for
           he
           
             so
             loved
             the
             World
          
           ,
           says
           the
           Text
           ,
           
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           the
           World.
           For
           how
           could
           his
           giving
           of
           his
           Son
           have
           been
           an
           Expression
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           given
           him
           for
           the
           publick
           Benefit
           of
           the
           World
           ?
           Had
           his
           Design
           been
           to
           restrain
           his
           Gift
           to
           a
           
             few
             particular
          
           Persons
           ,
           whom
           he
           had
           designed
           to
           rescue
           from
           the
           general
           Shipwrack
           ,
           the
           Text
           must
           have
           run
           thus
           ,
           
             God
             so
             loved
             some
             particular
             Persons
             in
             the
             World
             ,
             that
             he
             gave
             up
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son.
          
           For
           to
           make
           that
           an
           Instance
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           all
           which
           he
           designed
           only
           for
           the
           Benefit
           of
           a
           few
           ,
           is
           to
           pretend
           a
           Love
           to
           the
           greatest
           Part
           of
           Men
           which
           he
           never
           intended
           them
           ;
           for
           that
           by
           the
           World
           here
           he
           means
           the
           whole
           World
           ,
           he
           himself
           assures
           us
           ,
           1
           Joh.
           ii
           .
           2
           .
           
             And
             he
             is
             the
             Propitiation
             for
             our
             Sins
             :
             And
             not
             for
             ours
             only
             ,
             but
             also
             for
             the
             Sins
             of
             the
             whole
             World.
          
           And
           what
           he
           means
           by
           the
           
             whole
             World
          
           ,
           he
           tells
           us
           in
           the
           same
           Epistle
           ,
           1
           Joh.
           v.
           
             The
             whole
             World
             lieth
             in
             Wickedness
             .
          
           So
           that
           this
           whole
           World
           that
           lies
           in
           Wickedness
           ,
           is
           that
           whole
           World
           for
           whose
           Sins
           Christ
           is
           a
           Propitiation
           ;
           and
           that
           whole
           World
           for
           whose
           Sins
           Christ
           is
           a
           Propitiation
           ,
           
           is
           the
           World
           whom
           God
           so
           loved
           ,
           as
           to
           give
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           for
           .
           But
           the
           Apostle
           yet
           more
           expresly
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           
             head
             of
             every
             Man
             is
             Christ
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           xi
           .
           3
           .
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           every
           Man
           is
           a
           Part
           of
           
             Christ's
             Body
          
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           every
           Man
           hath
           a
           Communion
           in
           the
           Benefits
           of
           his
           Blood
           ;
           for
           Ephes.
           v.
           23
           .
           he
           is
           said
           to
           be
           the
           
             Saviour
             of
             the
             Body
          
           ;
           and
           more
           expresly
           yet
           ,
           Heb.
           ii
           .
           9
           .
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             he
             tasted
             death
             for
             every
             Man.
          
           So
           that
           the
           Scripture
           hath
           as
           emphatically
           declared
           the
           universal
           Extent
           of
           this
           great
           Gift
           of
           God's
           Love
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           possible
           for
           it
           to
           do
           in
           any
           human
           Words
           ;
           and
           methinks
           't
           is
           strange
           that
           any
           Men
           should
           presume
           to
           restrain
           it
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           no
           other
           Defence
           for
           so
           doing
           but
           only
           an
           odd
           Distinction
           that
           makes
           the
           whole
           World
           to
           signify
           the
           smallest
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           to
           import
           a
           
             few
             particular
          
           Atoms
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           every
           Man
           to
           denote
           one
           Man
           of
           Ten
           Thousand
           .
        
         
           Behold
           then
           the
           immense
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           hath
           not
           only
           given
           up
           his
           Son
           ,
           for
           Sinners
           ,
           but
           for
           a
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           and
           excluded
           none
           but
           those
           who
           exclude
           themselves
           from
           the
           Benefits
           of
           this
           mighty
           Donation
           !
           That
           hath
           planted
           this
           
             heavenly
             Tree
             of
             Life
          
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           sick
           and
           sinful
           World
           ,
           and
           hath
           not
           confined
           or
           
           inclosed
           it
           for
           the
           Use
           of
           a
           
             few
             selected
          
           Patients
           ;
           but
           laid
           it
           open
           for
           all
           Comers
           ,
           that
           whosoever
           would
           ,
           might
           take
           of
           its
           Fruit
           ,
           and
           eat
           and
           
             live
             for
             ever
          
           .
           O
           
             good
             God!
          
           How
           vast
           is
           thy
           Love
           ,
           that
           hath
           thus
           impartially
           diffused
           it self
           over
           such
           a
           wide
           World
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           stupendous
           Gift
           of
           thy
           Son
           had
           so
           kind
           a
           Respect
           to
           every
           Individual
           ,
           and
           made
           no
           Exception
           of
           any
           how
           sinful
           and
           unworthy
           soever
           ,
           that
           will
           but
           comply
           with
           the
           merciful
           Terms
           and
           Conditions
           of
           it
           ?
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           also
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           given
           up
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           to
           become
           a
           Man
           for
           Sinners
           .
           For
           whatsoever
           he
           was
           upon
           God's
           giving
           him
           up
           ,
           he
           was
           what
           God
           gave
           him
           up
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           upon
           God's
           giving
           him
           up
           he
           became
           a
           Man
           ,
           it
           necessarily
           follows
           that
           he
           gave
           him
           up
           to
           become
           so
           .
           And
           indeed
           since
           God
           had
           such
           a
           merciful
           Design
           as
           to
           send
           his
           Son
           into
           the
           World
           to
           reform
           and
           save
           it
           ,
           it
           was
           highly
           convenient
           for
           us
           ,
           though
           not
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           come
           to
           us
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           ,
           not
           only
           that
           he
           might
           consecrate
           human
           Nature
           that
           had
           been
           so
           miserably
           desecrated
           and
           prophaned
           ;
           but
           also
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           endear
           himself
           to
           us
           by
           the
           great
           Honour
           he
           did
           us
           in
           assuming
           our
           
           Natures
           ;
           and
           that
           having
           our
           Passions
           ,
           and
           being
           in
           our
           Circumstances
           he
           might
           by
           
             his
             own
          
           Practice
           give
           us
           an
           Example
           how
           to
           govern
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           behave
           our selves
           in
           the
           other
           .
           Had
           he
           come
           down
           from
           the
           Heavens
           inrobed
           with
           Splendor
           and
           Light
           ,
           and
           preached
           his
           Gospel
           to
           us
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           
             Choir
             of
             Angels
          
           from
           some
           bright
           Throne
           in
           the
           Clouds
           ,
           this
           indeed
           would
           have
           been
           more
           convenient
           for
           him
           ,
           as
           being
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           natural
           Dignity
           and
           Majesty
           of
           his
           Person
           .
           But
           the
           All-merciful
           Father
           in
           the
           Disposal
           of
           his
           Son
           consulted
           not
           so
           much
           his
           Convenience
           as
           ours
           ;
           he
           knew
           well
           enough
           that
           should
           he
           have
           sent
           his
           Son
           to
           us
           in
           such
           an
           illustrious
           Equipage
           ,
           his
           Appearance
           amongst
           us
           would
           have
           been
           more
           apt
           to
           astonish
           than
           to
           instruct
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           have
           fixed
           our
           Thoughts
           in
           a
           profound
           Admiration
           of
           his
           Glory
           than
           to
           have
           directed
           our
           Steps
           in
           the
           Paths
           of
           Virtue
           and
           true
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           would
           be
           much
           more
           for
           our
           Interest
           that
           he
           should
           conduct
           us
           by
           his
           Example
           than
           amaze
           us
           by
           his
           Appearance
           ;
           and
           therefore
           that
           he
           might
           do
           so
           ,
           he
           sent
           him
           to
           us
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           ,
           that
           so
           going
           before
           us
           as
           a
           Man
           he
           might
           shew
           us
           by
           his
           Example
           what
           became
           Men
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           direct
           us
           by
           the
           Print
           of
           his
           own
           Footsteps
           .
           Since
           
           therefore
           he
           assumed
           our
           Nature
           purely
           for
           our
           sakes
           ,
           what
           a
           stupendous
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Goodness
           was
           this
           ;
           that
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           a
           World
           of
           miserable
           Sinners
           he
           should
           be
           content
           that
           his
           own
           most
           dear
           and
           most
           glorious
           Son
           should
           condescend
           to
           become
           a
           Man
           ,
           and
           to
           empty
           himself
           into
           our
           Nature
           ;
           that
           he
           who
           by
           the
           Divinity
           of
           his
           Nature
           was
           exalted
           more
           above
           that
           of
           the
           highest
           Angel
           than
           that
           is
           above
           the
           lowest
           Animal
           ,
           should
           personally
           unite
           himself
           to
           a
           Handful
           of
           Dust
           ,
           and
           marry
           his
           Divinity
           to
           the
           Infirmities
           of
           our
           Nature
           ;
           that
           he
           whose
           Throne
           was
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           and
           before
           whose
           sacred
           Feet
           the
           whole
           Choir
           of
           
             heavenly
             Angels
          
           lie
           prostrate
           ,
           should
           abase
           himself
           so
           low
           ,
           as
           to
           come
           down
           among
           Mortals
           ,
           and
           associate
           himself
           with
           Companions
           so
           unworthy
           of
           him
           ?
           O
           
             good
             God!
          
           When
           thou
           hast
           condescended
           so
           low
           ,
           what
           is
           there
           thou
           wilt
           not
           condescend
           to
           ,
           to
           do
           good
           to
           thy
           Creatures
           ?
           But
           this
           is
           not
           all
           ,
           you
           shall
           see
           him
           stoop
           lower
           yet
           ;
           For
        
         
           5
           thly
           ,
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           also
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           up
           
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           to
           become
           a
           miserable
           Man
           for
           Sinners
           .
           It
           would
           have
           been
           some
           Abatement
           to
           his
           mighty
           Condescention
           ,
           if
           when
           he
           sent
           him
           down
           among
           us
           in
           our
           Nature
           he
           had
           made
           him
           
           
             supream
             visible
          
           Monarch
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           crowned
           him
           with
           all
           the
           Splendors
           of
           an
           earthly
           Condition
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           ushered
           him
           into
           the
           World
           in
           a
           triumphal
           Chariot
           with
           all
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           Earth
           either
           prostrate
           before
           him
           or
           chained
           at
           his
           Chariot-Wheels
           :
           This
           though
           a
           vast
           Condescention
           in
           the
           eternal
           Son
           ,
           yet
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           low
           as
           it
           was
           to
           be
           born
           of
           a
           poor
           Mother
           ,
           to
           be
           educated
           as
           a
           
             Carpenters
             Son
          
           ,
           to
           be
           exposed
           to
           Want
           and
           Penury
           ,
           to
           the
           Contempt
           of
           every
           sordid
           Wretch
           ,
           and
           the
           perpetual
           Persecutions
           of
           a
           borish
           and
           ill-natured
           Rable
           ;
           and
           yet
           this
           was
           the
           wretched
           State
           to
           which
           God
           humbled
           his
           
             own
             dear
          
           Son
           for
           our
           sakes
           .
           For
           the
           Design
           of
           his
           Humiliation
           being
           to
           raise
           us
           ,
           the
           most
           merciful
           Father
           consulted
           not
           so
           much
           what
           was
           for
           his
           Ease
           ,
           as
           what
           was
           for
           our
           Benefit
           ;
           for
           he
           knew
           well
           enough
           that
           should
           he
           have
           introduced
           him
           into
           the
           World
           in
           earthly
           Pomp
           and
           Magnificence
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           have
           been
           so
           well
           for
           us
           ;
           that
           we
           were
           too
           Ambitious
           already
           of
           the
           Vanities
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           that
           had
           been
           the
           great
           Snare
           that
           had
           intangled
           and
           ruined
           us
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           it
           was
           necessary
           when
           his
           Son
           came
           among
           us
           ,
           he
           should
           take
           us
           off
           from
           our
           over-eager
           Pursuit
           of
           them
           ,
           disgrace
           and
           expose
           them
           to
           us
           by
           his
           own
           voluntary
           Refusal
           of
           them
           ;
           
           that
           by
           seeing
           him
           trample
           on
           them
           when
           they
           lay
           all
           at
           his
           Feet
           we
           might
           learn
           to
           despise
           them
           ,
           and
           be
           at
           length
           convinced
           what
           foolish
           Bargains
           we
           make
           when
           we
           sell
           our
           Innocence
           and
           our
           Happiness
           for
           such
           insignificant
           Trifles
           .
           He
           thought
           it
           much
           more
           necessary
           for
           us
           ,
           that
           his
           Son
           should
           exercise
           his
           Virtue
           than
           display
           his
           Greatness
           among
           us
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           placed
           him
           in
           such
           Circumstances
           of
           human
           Life
           ,
           wherein
           by
           his
           own
           Example
           he
           might
           copy
           out
           to
           us
           the
           noblest
           Pattern
           of
           holy
           living
           .
           For
           of
           all
           States
           ,
           that
           of
           Affliction
           affords
           the
           largest
           Sphere
           to
           exercise
           human
           Virtue
           in
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           this
           State
           out
           of
           his
           good
           Will
           to
           us
           he
           placed
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           that
           herein
           he
           might
           set
           us
           a
           Patten
           of
           Obedience
           to
           Superiors
           ,
           and
           Contempt
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           of
           Patience
           and
           Courage
           and
           Meekness
           and
           Resignation
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ;
           that
           so
           by
           his
           Example
           we
           might
           be
           excited
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           all
           those
           passive
           Virtues
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           only
           most
           glorious
           ,
           but
           most
           difficult
           to
           human
           Nature
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           beholding
           how
           mean
           and
           yet
           how
           good
           he
           was
           ,
           we
           might
           all
           become
           more
           ambitious
           of
           being
           good
           than
           great
           in
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Now
           what
           an
           amazing
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Goodness
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           meerly
           for
           our
           sakes
           ,
           and
           to
           promote
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           he
           should
           
           depress
           his
           own
           Son
           into
           such
           a
           miserable
           Condition
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           was
           in
           the
           
             Form
             of
             God
             ,
             who
             thought
             it
             no
             Robbery
             to
             be
             equal
             with
             God
             ,
          
           should
           ,
           by
           the
           Appointment
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Father
           to
           whom
           he
           was
           so
           infinitely
           dear
           ,
           make
           himself
           of
           
             no
             Reputation
          
           ,
           take
           on
           him
           the
           Form
           of
           a
           Servant
           ,
           become
           a
           Man
           of
           sorrows
           ▪
           and
           acquaint
           himself
           with
           Griefs
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           to
           put
           himself
           into
           a
           better
           Capacity
           of
           doing
           good
           to
           the
           World
           ?
           
             Good
             God!
          
           When
           I
           consider
           with
           my self
           that
           once
           there
           was
           a
           Time
           when
           thou
           didst
           send
           thy
           blessed
           Son
           from
           Heaven
           to
           assume
           my
           Nature
           ;
           that
           therein
           he
           dwelt
           upon
           this
           Earth
           and
           conversed
           with
           such
           poor
           Mortals
           as
           my self
           ;
           that
           he
           suffered
           himself
           to
           be
           despised
           and
           persecuted
           ,
           and
           by
           thy
           own
           Appointment
           wandred
           about
           like
           a
           poor
           Wretch
           naked
           and
           destitute
           of
           all
           those
           Comforts
           which
           I
           abundantly
           enjoy
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           that
           he
           might
           the
           more
           effectually
           do
           good
           to
           a
           World
           of
           ill-natured
           Sinners
           ,
           methinks
           this
           wonderous
           Prodigy
           of
           Love
           not
           only
           puzles
           my
           Conceit
           ,
           but
           outreaches
           my
           Wonder
           and
           Admiration
           :
           And
           though
           it
           be
           a
           Love
           that
           exceeds
           my
           largest
           Thoughts
           ,
           such
           as
           I
           have
           infinite
           Cause
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           ,
           but
           could
           never
           have
           had
           the
           Impudence
           to
           expect
           ;
           yet
           while
           I
           stand
           gazing
           on
           it
           ,
           methinks
           I
           am
           like
           one
           that
           is
           
           looking
           down
           from
           a
           stupendous
           Precipice
           ,
           whose
           Height
           fills
           me
           with
           a
           trembling
           Horror
           and
           even
           oversets
           my
           Reason
           .
        
         
           6
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           The
           Greatness
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           appears
           also
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           gave
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           miserable
           Sinners
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           plainly
           implied
           in
           that
           Expression
           ,
           
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           :
           For
           in
           the
           two
           Verses
           foregoing
           the
           Text
           ,
           our
           Saviour
           foretells
           his
           own
           Death
           ;
           
             for
             as
             Moses
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             lifted
             up
             the
             Serpent
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             even
             so
             must
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             be
             lifted
             up
             :
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             eternal
             Life
          
           ;
           and
           then
           it
           immediately
           follows
           ,
           
             for
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           gave
           him
           to
           be
           lifted
           up
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           even
           as
           the
           Serpent
           was
           lifted
           up
           by
           Moses
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ;
           that
           so
           by
           his
           precious
           Death
           and
           Sacrifice
           he
           might
           make
           an
           Atonement
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World
           :
           And
           accordingly
           he
           is
           said
           to
           be
           
             delivered
             up
             for
             our
             offences
          
           ,
           Rom.
           iv
           .
           25
           .
           even
           as
           the
           Sacrifice
           was
           delivered
           up
           at
           the
           Door
           of
           the
           Tabernacle
           to
           propitiate
           God
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           Offerer
           .
           For
           to
           compleat
           the
           propitiatory
           Sacrifices
           under
           the
           Law
           three
           Things
           were
           requisite
           ;
           first
           ,
           the
           offering
           of
           it
           at
           the
           Door
           of
           the
           Tabernacle
           ;
           the
           
           slaying
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           presenting
           of
           its
           Blood
           either
           within
           the
           
             Holy
             of
             Holies
          
           ,
           or
           elsewhere
           ,
           all
           which
           were
           found
           in
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           our
           
             blessed
             Saviour
          
           .
           First
           ,
           he
           offered
           himself
           to
           God
           as
           a
           willing
           Victim
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World.
           Hence
           Joh.
           xvii
           .
           19
           .
           
             for
             this
             cause
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             do
             I
             sanctify
             my self
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           offer
           up
           my self
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           thee
           ;
           for
           so
           in
           Levit.
           xxii
           .
           2
           ,
           3.
           and
           sundry
           other
           places
           ,
           to
           hallow
           or
           sanctify
           any
           Thing
           to
           the
           Lord
           denotes
           the
           offering
           it
           to
           him
           in
           Sacrifice
           .
           And
           accordingly
           we
           find
           that
           
             that
             Prayer
          
           by
           
             which
             Christ
          
           consecrated
           himself
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           Joh.
           xvii
           .
           was
           much
           like
           that
           by
           which
           the
           
             High
             Priest
          
           did
           consecrate
           his
           Victims
           before
           the
           Altar
           on
           the
           great
           day
           of
           Expiation
           ;
           for
           as
           he
           ,
           before
           he
           slew
           the
           Sacrifice
           ,
           did
           first
           commend
           himself
           and
           
             his
             own
          
           Family
           ;
           then
           the
           Family
           of
           Aaron
           and
           the
           whole
           Congregation
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           so
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           in
           this
           excellent
           Prayer
           whereby
           he
           sanctified
           himself
           to
           his
           Father
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           first
           commended
           himself
           to
           him
           ,
           then
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           then
           all
           those
           who
           should
           afterwards
           believe
           in
           his
           Name
           ;
           which
           having
           done
           ,
           he
           went
           forth
           presently
           to
           the
           Place
           where
           he
           was
           apprehended
           ,
           and
           carried
           to
           Judgment
           and
           condemned
           to
           Death
           .
           Then
           as
           a
           propitiatory
           Sacrifice
           he
           was
           slain
           for
           our
           sins
           ,
           for
           
           so
           St.
           Peter
           tells
           us
           ,
           Ephes.
           ii
           .
           24
           .
           
             he
             bore
             our
             Sins
             in
             his
             own
             Body
             on
             the
             Tree
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           natural
           Evil
           of
           a
           most
           shameful
           and
           painful
           Death
           was
           inflicted
           on
           him
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           might
           make
           an
           Expiation
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           free
           us
           from
           the
           Guilt
           and
           Punishment
           that
           was
           due
           to
           them
           .
           Hence
           in
           that
           Prophecy
           of
           him
           ,
           Isa.
           liii
           .
           we
           often
           meet
           with
           such
           Expressions
           as
           these
           ,
           
             surely
             he
             hath
             born
             our
             Griefs
             ,
             and
             carried
             our
             Sorrows
             ;
             he
             was
             Wounded
             for
             our
             Transgressions
             ,
             he
             was
             Bruised
             for
             our
             Iniquities
             :
             The
             chastisement
             of
             our
             Peace
             was
             upon
             him
             ,
             and
             with
             his
             Stripes
             we
             are
             Healed
             .
             The
             Lord
             hath
             laid
             on
             him
             the
             iniquity
             of
             us
             all
             :
             For
             the
             transgression
             of
             my
             people
             was
             he
             stricken
             :
             Thou
             shalt
             make
             his
             Soul
             an
             offering
             for
             Sin
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             bear
             their
             Iniquities
             :
             He
             was
             numbered
             with
             the
             Transgressors
             ,
             and
             he
             bare
             the
             sin
             of
             Many
             ,
             and
             made
             intercession
             for
             the
             Transgressors
             :
          
           All
           which
           Expressions
           do
           plainly
           imply
           that
           what
           he
           suffered
           he
           suffered
           for
           our
           Sins
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           substituted
           in
           the
           Room
           of
           us
           who
           were
           the
           Offenders
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           might
           make
           Expiation
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           obtain
           our
           Pardon
           from
           his
           Father
           .
           And
           accordingly
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           he
           is
           said
           
             to
             be
             made
             a
             Curse
             for
             us
             ,
          
           to
           be
           our
           Ransom
           and
           Propitiation
           ,
           to
           redeem
           and
           reconcile
           us
           ,
           and
           obtain
           the
           Remission
           of
           our
           Sins
           by
           his
           Blood
           ;
           to
           die
           
           for
           us
           and
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           our
           Propitiation
           ;
           all
           which
           Expressions
           being
           applyed
           to
           the
           
             Sacrifices
             of
             Atonement
          
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           from
           them
           derived
           upon
           our
           Saviour
           do
           plainly
           denote
           him
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           of
           Atonement
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           then
           lastly
           ,
           there
           is
           the
           presenting
           of
           his
           Blood
           for
           us
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Virtue
           thereof
           his
           interceeding
           for
           us
           with
           his
           Father
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           Blood
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           now
           presented
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           called
           the
           
             blood
             of
             Sprinkling
             ,
             which
             speaketh
             better
             things
             than
             that
             of
             Abel
             ,
          
           Heb.
           xii
           .
           24
           .
           In
           which
           he
           plainly
           alludes
           to
           the
           High
           Priest's
           sprinkling
           of
           the
           Blood
           of
           the
           Sacrifice
           in
           the
           
             Holy
             of
             Holies
          
           ,
           which
           was
           a
           Type
           of
           Christs
           presenting
           his
           Blood
           for
           us
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           see
           ,
           Heb.
           ix
           .
           7
           .
           compared
           with
           the
           11th
           and
           12th
           Verses
           .
           Verse
           7th
           he
           tells
           us
           that
           
             the
             High
             Priest
             entered
             not
             into
             the
             Holy
             of
             Holies
             without
             blood
          
           :
           But
           then
           Verse
           12th
           it
           is
           said
           that
           Christ
           
             with
             his
             own
             blood
             entred
             in
             once
             into
             the
             holy
             place
             ,
             having
             obtained
             eternal
             Redemption
             for
             us
             .
          
           And
           in
           Virtue
           of
           this
           Blood
           ,
           which
           he
           poured
           out
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           of
           our
           Sins
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           he
           now
           pleads
           our
           Cause
           at
           the
           
             right
             Hand
          
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           ever
           lives
           to
           make
           Intercession
           for
           us
           .
           So
           that
           you
           see
           the
           Death
           of
           Christ
           had
           in
           it
           all
           the
           necessary
           
           Ingredients
           of
           a
           propitiatory
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           having
           so
           ,
           what
           a
           prodigious
           Instance
           is
           it
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           rather
           than
           destroy
           us
           ,
           he
           would
           give
           up
           his
           own
           Son
           to
           be
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           us
           ?
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           if
           he
           had
           pleased
           he
           might
           have
           pardoned
           and
           saved
           us
           without
           any
           Sacrifice
           at
           all
           ;
           but
           he
           knew
           very
           well
           that
           if
           he
           should
           do
           so
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           much
           worse
           for
           us
           .
           He
           knew
           that
           if
           he
           should
           pardon
           our
           Sins
           without
           giving
           us
           some
           great
           Instance
           of
           his
           implacable
           Hatred
           of
           them
           ,
           we
           should
           be
           too
           prone
           to
           presume
           upon
           his
           Lenity
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           to
           return
           again
           to
           our
           old
           Vomit
           and
           Uncleanness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           though
           it
           would
           have
           been
           more
           for
           the
           Ease
           and
           Interest
           of
           his
           blessed
           Son
           to
           have
           pardoned
           us
           without
           any
           Sacrifice
           at
           all
           ,
           yet
           such
           was
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           because
           he
           foresaw
           that
           this
           Way
           of
           pardoning
           would
           prove
           fatal
           and
           dangerous
           to
           us
           ,
           he
           was
           resolved
           that
           he
           would
           not
           do
           it
           without
           being
           moved
           thereunto
           by
           the
           greatest
           Sacrifice
           the
           World
           could
           afford
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           no
           less
           a
           Propitiation
           should
           appease
           his
           Wrath
           against
           Offenders
           than
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ;
           that
           so
           by
           beholding
           his
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           in
           this
           unvaluable
           Sacrifice
           of
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           Son
           ,
           we
           might
           be
           sufficiently
           terrified
           
           from
           returning
           again
           to
           them
           ,
           by
           the
           very
           same
           Reason
           that
           moved
           him
           to
           pardon
           them
           ;
           that
           we
           might
           not
           think
           light
           of
           that
           which
           God
           would
           not
           forgive
           without
           such
           a
           vast
           Consideration
           ,
           but
           might
           tremble
           to
           think
           of
           repeating
           those
           Sins
           ,
           the
           Price
           of
           whose
           Pardon
           was
           the
           dearest
           Blood
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God.
           Hence
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           Rom.
           iii.
           25
           ,
           26.
           
             whom
             God
             hath
             set
             forth
             to
             be
             a
             propitiation
             ,
             through
             faith
             in
             his
             Blood
             ,
             to
             declare
             his
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           his
           righteous
           Severity
           against
           Sin
           ,
           
             for
             the
             remission
             of
             Sins
             that
             are
             past
             ,
             through
             the
             forbearance
             of
             God
             ;
             to
             declare
             ,
             I
             say
             ,
             at
             this
             time
             his
             Righteousness
             ;
             that
             he
             might
             be
             just
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           sufficiently
           severe
           against
           the
           Sins
           of
           Men
           so
           as
           to
           warn
           them
           from
           returning
           ,
           
             and
             the
             justifier
             of
             him
             that
             believeth
             in
             Jesus
             .
          
           So
           that
           now
           he
           hath
           reduced
           Things
           to
           an
           excellent
           Temper
           ,
           having
           so
           provided
           ,
           that
           neither
           himself
           nor
           we
           might
           be
           damnified
           ;
           that
           we
           might
           not
           suffer
           by
           our
           doing
           again
           what
           we
           have
           done
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           might
           not
           suffer
           by
           our
           doing
           still
           the
           same
           ;
           that
           he
           might
           be
           what
           he
           is
           ,
           a
           pure
           and
           a
           holy
           Saviour
           ;
           and
           that
           we
           might
           be
           what
           we
           ought
           ,
           dutiful
           and
           obedient
           Subjects
           .
           Now
           what
           an
           amazing
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Love
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           so
           far
           consult
           the
           good
           of
           his
           Creatures
           as
           to
           Sacrifice
           his
           own
           Son
           
           to
           their
           Benefit
           and
           Safety
           ?
           How
           inexpressibly
           must
           he
           needs
           love
           us
           ,
           that
           for
           our
           sakes
           could
           behold
           his
           most
           
             dearly
             beloved
             Son
          
           hanging
           on
           the
           Cross
           ,
           covered
           with
           Wounds
           and
           Blood
           ,
           forsaken
           by
           his
           Friends
           ,
           despised
           and
           spit
           on
           by
           his
           Barbarous
           Enemies
           ;
           that
           could
           hear
           him
           complain
           in
           the
           Bitterness
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           
             My
             God
             ,
             my
             God
             ,
             why
             hast
             thou
             forsaken
             me
             ?
          
           And
           yet
           suffer
           him
           to
           continue
           under
           that
           unsufferable
           Agony
           till
           he
           had
           given
           up
           his
           white
           and
           innocent
           Soul
           an
           unspotted
           Sacrifice
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World
           :
           Yea
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           the
           infinite
           Love
           that
           he
           bore
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           piteous
           Moans
           that
           his
           Torments
           forced
           from
           him
           ,
           was
           so
           far
           from
           relieving
           him
           ,
           that
           for
           our
           sakes
           he
           inflicted
           upon
           him
           the
           utmost
           Misery
           that
           human
           Nature
           could
           bear
           ;
           that
           so
           having
           an
           experimental
           Sense
           of
           the
           most
           grievous
           Suffering
           that
           Mankind
           is
           liable
           to
           ,
           and
           being
           touched
           with
           the
           utmost
           Feeling
           of
           our
           Infirmities
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           Points
           tempted
           like
           unto
           us
           ,
           he
           might
           carry
           a
           more
           tender
           Commiseration
           for
           us
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           know
           the
           better
           how
           to
           pity
           us
           in
           all
           our
           Griefs
           and
           Extremities
           .
           For
           
             in
             all
             things
             it
             behoved
             him
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             to
             be
             made
             like
             unto
             his
             Brethren
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             be
             a
             merciful
             and
             faithful
             high
             priest
             ,
          
           Heb.
           ii
           .
           17
           .
           Hear
           
             O
             Heavens
          
           ,
           and
           
           give
           Ear
           O
           Earth
           ,
           and
           let
           all
           the
           Creation
           attend
           with
           Astonishment
           to
           this
           stupendous
           Story
           of
           Love
           ,
           which
           so
           far
           exceeds
           all
           the
           heroick
           Kindnesses
           that
           ever
           any
           Romance
           of
           Friendship
           thought
           of
           ,
           that
           no
           less
           Evidence
           than
           that
           of
           Miracles
           could
           have
           ever
           rendred
           it
           credible
           .
           Well
           then
           might
           the
           Apostle
           say
           ,
           
             herein
             is
             love
             ,
             not
             that
             we
             loved
             God
             ,
          
           for
           after
           such
           vast
           Obligations
           this
           is
           no
           great
           Wonder
           ,
           
             but
             that
             he
             loved
             us
             ,
             and
             sent
             his
             Son
             to
             be
             the
             propitiation
             for
             our
             Sins
             ,
          
           1
           Joh.
           iv
           .
           10
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           what
           an
           unspeakable
           Instance
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           giving
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           is
           .
           I
           shall
           now
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           with
           a
           few
           practical
           Inferences
           from
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           what
           monstrous
           Ingratitude
           it
           would
           be
           in
           us
           to
           deny
           any
           Thing
           to
           God
           that
           he
           demands
           at
           our
           Hands
           ,
           who
           hath
           been
           so
           liberal
           to
           us
           as
           to
           give
           up
           his
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           for
           our
           sakes
           .
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           If
           it
           were
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           do
           or
           suffer
           for
           thee
           a
           thousand
           Times
           more
           than
           at
           present
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           what
           a
           poor
           Return
           were
           this
           for
           the
           Gift
           of
           thy
           Son
           ,
           that
           unspeakable
           Expression
           of
           thy
           Goodness
           ?
           And
           can
           we
           deny
           thee
           any
           Thing
           after
           such
           an
           Instance
           of
           Love
           ,
           especially
           when
           thy
           Demands
           are
           so
           gentle
           and
           reasonable
           ?
           When
           he
           requires
           nothing
           of
           us
           but
           what
           is
           for
           
           our
           good
           ,
           and
           the
           Requital
           he
           demands
           for
           all
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           only
           that
           we
           should
           love
           our selves
           ,
           and
           express
           this
           Love
           in
           doing
           those
           Duties
           which
           he
           therefore
           enjoyns
           ,
           because
           they
           tend
           to
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           avoiding
           those
           Sins
           which
           he
           therefore
           forbids
           ,
           because
           he
           knows
           they
           will
           be
           our
           Bane
           and
           Poyson
           ?
           Can
           any
           of
           my
           Lusts
           be
           as
           dear
           to
           me
           as
           the
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           was
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           all
           things
           ?
           And
           yet
           he
           parted
           with
           him
           out
           of
           Love
           to
           me
           ;
           and
           shall
           not
           I
           part
           with
           these
           for
           the
           Love
           of
           him
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           pretend
           to
           any
           Thing
           that
           is
           modest
           or
           
             ingenuous
             ,
             tender
          
           or
           apprehensive
           in
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           when
           nothing
           will
           oblige
           us
           ,
           no
           not
           this
           astonishing
           Love
           of
           God
           in
           sending
           his
           Son
           from
           Heaven
           to
           live
           and
           die
           Miserably
           for
           our
           sakes
           ?
           Lord
           !
           What
           do
           thy
           holy
           Angels
           think
           of
           us
           ?
           How
           do
           thy
           blessed
           Saints
           resent
           our
           Unkindness
           towards
           thee
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           how
           justly
           do
           the
           Devils
           themselves
           reproach
           and
           upbraid
           our
           Baseness
           ;
           who
           ,
           bad
           as
           they
           are
           ,
           were
           never
           so
           much
           Devils
           yet
           as
           to
           make
           an
           ungrateful
           Return
           of
           such
           a
           vast
           Obligation
           ?
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           how
           desperate
           our
           Condition
           will
           be
           if
           we
           defeat
           the
           End
           of
           this
           Gift
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           ineffectual
           to
           us
           .
           For
           God
           hath
           no
           more
           Sons
           to
           bestow
           upon
           us
           ,
           he
           being
           the
           
             only
             
             begotten
          
           of
           his
           Father
           ;
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           are
           not
           able
           to
           furnish
           him
           with
           such
           another
           Gift
           to
           bestow
           upon
           us
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           should
           lay
           a
           Tax
           upon
           all
           his
           Creation
           to
           raise
           one
           great
           Contribution
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           Mankind
           ,
           and
           exact
           the
           utmost
           of
           every
           Creature
           that
           it
           is
           able
           to
           Contribute
           ,
           it
           would
           all
           fall
           infinitely
           short
           of
           what
           he
           hath
           done
           for
           us
           in
           this
           inestimable
           Gift
           of
           his
           own
           Son.
           So
           that
           if
           this
           prove
           ineffectual
           ,
           it
           is
           beyond
           the
           Power
           of
           an
           omnipotent
           Bounty
           to
           relieve
           us
           .
           For
           though
           God
           can
           do
           all
           Things
           that
           can
           be
           well
           and
           wisely
           done
           ,
           and
           do
           not
           imply
           a
           Contradiction
           ;
           yet
           this
           can
           be
           no
           Relief
           at
           all
           to
           us
           ,
           who
           reject
           his
           Son
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           be
           made
           happy
           in
           the
           gracious
           Method
           which
           he
           hath
           prescribed
           to
           us
           .
           For
           after
           this
           mighty
           Gift
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           to
           save
           us
           according
           to
           the
           Method
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           there
           remains
           nothing
           more
           to
           be
           done
           for
           us
           ,
           but
           either
           to
           save
           us
           whether
           we
           will
           ,
           or
           no
           ;
           or
           else
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           in
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           save
           us
           notwithstanding
           our
           Continuance
           in
           them
           ;
           the
           former
           of
           which
           can
           neither
           be
           well
           nor
           wisely
           done
           ,
           because
           by
           saving
           us
           against
           our
           Wills
           he
           must
           deal
           with
           us
           in
           such
           a
           Way
           as
           is
           repugnant
           to
           that
           Law
           of
           Liberty
           that
           is
           implanted
           in
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           use
           us
           not
           as
           Free
           ,
           but
           as
           Necessary
           Agents
           .
           And
           if
           considering
           all
           
           things
           ,
           it
           was
           best
           and
           wisest
           that
           he
           should
           make
           us
           free
           Agents
           ,
           then
           it
           can
           neither
           be
           well
           nor
           wise
           to
           govern
           us
           as
           necessary
           ones
           ;
           since
           by
           so
           doing
           he
           must
           alter
           the
           Course
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           and
           consequently
           swerve
           and
           decline
           from
           what
           is
           best
           and
           wisest
           ,
           which
           would
           be
           to
           do
           Violence
           to
           the
           Perfection
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           And
           then
           as
           for
           the
           latter
           ,
           he
           cannot
           do
           it
           ;
           because
           it
           implies
           a
           Contradiction
           .
           For
           to
           make
           Men
           happy
           in
           their
           Sins
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           them
           happy
           in
           their
           Miseries
           ;
           Misery
           being
           as
           inseparable
           from
           Sin
           as
           Heat
           is
           from
           Fire
           ,
           and
           as
           intimately
           related
           to
           it
           as
           the
           Son
           is
           to
           the
           Father
           ;
           and
           consequently
           he
           may
           as
           possibly
           make
           a
           Father
           without
           a
           Son
           ,
           as
           a
           Sinner
           without
           Misery
           .
           When
           therefore
           God
           hath
           done
           all
           for
           us
           that
           can
           possibly
           be
           done
           ,
           and
           we
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           Obstinacy
           have
           rendred
           all
           ineffectual
           ,
           we
           are
           beyond
           the
           Power
           of
           Remedy
           ,
           and
           must
           necessarily
           perish
           in
           our
           Sins
           .
           And
           when
           we
           have
           no
           other
           Hope
           to
           depend
           on
           but
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           All-wise
           God
           will
           undo
           his
           own
           Workmanship
           ,
           and
           unravel
           our
           Nature
           by
           governing
           us
           contrary
           to
           the
           most
           wise
           Constitution
           of
           it
           ;
           or
           that
           the
           All-powerful
           God
           will
           effect
           Impossibilities
           ,
           and
           do
           that
           for
           us
           which
           is
           not
           an
           Object
           of
           Power
           ,
           how
           deplorable
           and
           desperate
           must
           our
           Condition
           be
           ?
           Wherefore
           ,
           as
           you
           would
           
           not
           run
           your selves
           beyond
           the
           Reach
           of
           all
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           excommunicate
           your
           own
           Souls
           from
           all
           Hope
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           be
           now
           at
           last
           persuaded
           to
           comply
           with
           Christ's
           Coming
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           reduce
           you
           from
           the
           Error
           of
           your
           Ways
           ,
           and
           to
           bring
           you
           to
           a
           serious
           Repentance
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             JOHN
             III.
             16
             .
          
           
             —
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           these
           Words
           you
           have
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           measured
           by
           a
           twofold
           Standard
           ;
           first
           by
           the
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Gift
           which
           he
           hath
           bestowed
           upon
           the
           World
           ,
           
             God
             so
             loved
             the
             World
             that
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
          
           by
           the
           blessed
           End
           for
           which
           he
           did
           bestow
           him
           ,
           
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           The
           first
           of
           these
           I
           have
           already
           gone
           through
           ,
           and
           now
           I
           shall
           proceed
           to
           the
           Second
           ,
           viz.
           The
           blessed
           End
           for
           which
           
             he
             gave
             his
             only
             begotten
             Son
             ,
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             everlasting
             life
             .
          
        
         
           In
           which
           Words
           you
           have
           also
           two
           very
           great
           Instances
           of
           God's
           infinite
           Love
           and
           good
           Will
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           the
           First
           is
           his
           imposing
           upon
           us
           such
           a
           gentle
           ,
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           merciful
           Condition
           ,
           
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             .
             Secondly
             ,
          
           His
           proposing
           such
           a
           vast
           Reward
           to
           us
           upon
           our
           performing
           of
           this
           Condition
           .
        
         
         
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           ,
           viz.
           His
           imposing
           upon
           us
           such
           a
           gentle
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           merciful
           Condition
           ,
           
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             .
          
           In
           the
           Management
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           Things
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               Shew
               you
               what
               it
               is
               that
               is
               included
               in
               this
               Condition
               ,
               
                 whosoever
                 believeth
                 in
                 him
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               good
               God
               hath
               been
               to
               us
               in
               making
               the
               Condition
               which
               he
               hath
               imposed
               upon
               us
               so
               gentle
               and
               merciful
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           is
           it
           that
           is
           included
           in
           this
           Condition
           ?
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           
             believing
             in
             Christ
          
           doth
           not
           only
           denote
           a
           naked
           Assent
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           Proposition
           ,
           
             That
             he
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             Cod
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Messenger
           of
           Gods
           Mind
           and
           Will
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           the
           Saviour
           of
           Mankind
           ;
           but
           that
           it
           also
           includes
           whatsoever
           is
           naturally
           consequent
           thereunto
           .
           For
           thus
           it
           is
           very
           ordinary
           with
           the
           Scripture
           to
           express
           the
           natural
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           of
           things
           by
           their
           Causes
           and
           Principles
           .
           
             This
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
          
           ,
           1
           Jo.
           v.
           3
           .
           whereas
           in
           strictness
           of
           Speaking
           ,
           our
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           is
           only
           the
           Effect
           or
           Consequence
           of
           our
           loving
           him
           .
           So
           Prov.
           viii
           .
           13
           .
           
             The
             fear
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             to
             hate
             evil
          
           ;
           whereas
           indeed
           this
           is
           only
           
           the
           Effect
           ,
           or
           Consequence
           of
           the
           Fear
           of
           the
           Lord.
           Thus
           by
           knowing
           ,
           and
           hearing
           ,
           and
           remembring
           of
           God
           the
           Scripture
           usually
           expresses
           the
           consequent
           Effects
           of
           them
           ,
           Thus
           Act.
           xxii
           .
           14
           .
           
             The
             God
             of
             our
             Fathers
             hath
             chosen
             thee
             ,
             that
             thou
             shouldst
             know
             his
             Will
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           thou
           mayst
           not
           only
           know
           it
           ,
           but
           by
           thy
           Knowledge
           mayst
           be
           suitably
           affected
           with
           it
           ;
           (
           for
           it
           was
           not
           to
           a
           
             bare
             contemplative
          
           Knowledge
           of
           it
           that
           St.
           Paul
           was
           chosen
           :
           )
           and
           then
           it
           follows
           ,
           
             and
             see
             that
             Just
             one
             ,
             and
             shouldst
             hear
             the
             voice
             of
             his
             Mouth
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           hearing
           the
           Voice
           of
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           thou
           shouldst
           thereby
           be
           induced
           to
           obey
           it
           ;
           for
           he
           was
           not
           meerly
           to
           hear
           Christ
           speaking
           to
           him
           out
           of
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           but
           that
           hearing
           him
           he
           might
           submit
           to
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           become
           his
           Apostle
           to
           the
           World.
           Many
           other
           Places
           I
           might
           easily
           give
           you
           ,
           where
           the
           natural
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           are
           in
           Scripture
           expressed
           by
           their
           Causes
           and
           Principles
           .
           And
           thus
           also
           Faith
           or
           Believing
           whensoever
           it
           is
           used
           in
           Scripture
           to
           signify
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Gospel-Covenant
           always
           imploies
           its
           natural
           Effects
           and
           Consequents
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           sincere
           and
           universal
           Obedience
           to
           those
           Rules
           of
           
             Holy
             Living
          
           which
           the
           Gospel
           prescribes
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           the
           most
           natural
           Effect
           of
           our
           believing
           in
           
             Jesus
             Christ.
          
           And
           
           hence
           it
           is
           called
           
             the
             obedience
             of
             Faith
          
           ,
           Rom.
           xvi
           .
           26
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Obedience
           which
           springs
           from
           Faith
           ,
           as
           from
           its
           Cause
           and
           Principle
           ;
           And
           accordingly
           ,
           Rom.
           x.
           16
           .
           you
           find
           that
           to
           believe
           and
           to
           obey
           the
           Gospel
           signifies
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Thing
           ;
           
             But
             they
             have
             not
             all
             obeyed
             the
             Gospel
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ;
           for
           Esaias
           saith
           ,
           
             Lord
             ,
             who
             hath
             believed
             our
             report
             ?
          
           that
           is
           ,
           who
           hath
           believed
           it
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           obey
           it
           ?
           So
           that
           wheresoever
           Faith
           is
           mentioned
           singly
           as
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           Gospel-Covenant
           ,
           it
           is
           apparent
           it
           must
           be
           understood
           in
           the
           largest
           Sense
           ,
           as
           comprehending
           that
           Obedience
           which
           is
           the
           Effect
           and
           Consequence
           of
           it
           .
           So
           1
           Joh.
           v.
           1
           .
           
             Whosoever
             believeth
             that
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Christ
             ,
             is
             born
             of
             God
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           whosevever
           so
           believes
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           Proposition
           as
           to
           practise
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           govern
           his
           Life
           and
           Actions
           according
           to
           the
           Tenour
           and
           Direction
           of
           it
           ,
           is
           truly
           a
           Child
           of
           God.
           For
           he
           who
           believes
           Christ
           to
           be
           the
           Messias
           ,
           but
           continues
           obstinately
           disobedient
           to
           his
           Laws
           ,
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           truly
           and
           really
           a
           Child
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           thereby
           becomes
           ten
           Times
           more
           a
           Child
           of
           the
           Devil
           ;
           for
           ,
           saith
           the
           
             Apostle
             ,
             If
             I
             have
             all
             Faith
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             Charity
             ,
             I
             am
             nothing
          
           ;
           and
           Gal.
           v.
           6
           .
           
             For
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
             neither
             Circumcision
             availeth
             any
             thing
             ,
             nor
             Vncircumcision
             ,
             but
             Faith
             which
             worketh
             by
             
             Love
          
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           Faith
           it self
           is
           nothing
           abstracted
           from
           this
           blessed
           Effect
           of
           it
           ,
           i.
           e.
           
             working
             by
             love
          
           :
           For
           in
           Gal.
           vi
           .
           15
           .
           he
           tells
           us
           that
           
             Circumcision
             is
             nothing
             ,
             but
             the
             new
             Creature
          
           ;
           by
           which
           
             new
             Creature
          
           he
           means
           an
           obedient
           Temper
           and
           Disposition
           of
           Mind
           ,
           as
           he
           plainly
           tells
           us
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           vii
           .
           19
           .
           
             Circumcision
             is
             nothing
             ,
             and
             Vncircumcision
             is
             nothing
             ,
             but
             the
             keeping
             of
             the
             Commandments
             of
             God.
          
           So
           that
           by
           these
           different
           Variations
           of
           expression
           it
           is
           apparent
           ,
           that
           by
           Faith
           as
           significant
           in
           the
           Account
           of
           Christ
           ,
           he
           always
           means
           a
           
             working
             Faith
          
           ,
           the
           Effect
           of
           which
           is
           the
           
             new
             Creature
          
           ,
           or
           
             keeping
             the
             Commandments
             of
             God.
          
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           first
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           what
           is
           included
           in
           this
           Condition
           ,
           
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
          
           ,
           which
           you
           see
           is
           not
           to
           be
           confined
           to
           a
           bare
           and
           naked
           Belief
           of
           him
           ,
           but
           must
           be
           extended
           further
           ,
           even
           to
           that
           whole
           Course
           of
           Obedience
           which
           is
           the
           natural
           Effect
           of
           such
           a
           Belief
           .
           So
           that
           whosoever
           believes
           in
           him
           ,
           is
           as
           much
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           ,
           
             Whosoever
             so
             believes
             in
             him
             ,
             as
             sincerely
             and
             universally
             to
             obey
             him
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           the
           next
           Thing
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           how
           good
           God
           hath
           been
           to
           us
           in
           making
           the
           Condition
           which
           he
           hath
           imposed
           upon
           us
           ,
           so
           gentle
           and
           merciful
           ;
           
           and
           this
           will
           appear
           if
           we
           consider
           these
           five
           Things
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             That
             he
             hath
             put
             nothing
             into
             this
             Condition
             but
             what
             is
             in
             its
             own
             Nature
             exceeding
             good
             for
             us
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             That
             he
             hath
             most
             mercifully
             proportioned
             the
             Whole
             to
             the
             present
             State
             and
             Circumstances
             of
             our
             Nature
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             That
             he
             hath
             rendred
             the
             Whole
             almost
             necessarily
             consequent
             to
             our
             believing
             in
             
               Jesus
               Christ.
            
             
          
           
             4.
             
             That
             to
             beget
             that
             Belief
             in
             us
             ,
             he
             hath
             given
             us
             the
             most
             plain
             and
             convincing
             Evidence
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             That
             to
             render
             this
             Belief
             operative
             ,
             he
             hath
             engaged
             himself
             to
             
               assist
               ,
               actuate
            
             ,
             and
             inliven
             it
             by
             his
             ow
             immediate
             Concurrence
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           God
           hath
           put
           nothing
           into
           this
           Condition
           but
           what
           is
           in
           its
           own
           Nature
           exceeding
           good
           for
           us
           .
           For
           there
           is
           no
           Precept
           in
           all
           the
           Gospel
           but
           what
           contains
           either
           some
           effectual
           Means
           or
           apparent
           Instance
           of
           what
           is
           morally
           and
           
             eternally
             Good
          
           ;
           and
           whatsoever
           is
           
             morally
             good
          
           is
           
             naturally
             so
          
           .
           For
           the
           moral
           Goodness
           of
           Things
           consists
           in
           the
           Fitness
           and
           Reasonableness
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           is
           the
           
             moral
             Good
          
           ,
           or
           Duty
           of
           Men
           consists
           in
           doing
           that
           which
           is
           eternally
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           for
           them
           ,
           considering
           
           the
           Frame
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           their
           Natures
           ,
           and
           the
           different
           Relations
           wherein
           they
           are
           placed
           in
           the
           World.
           But
           now
           for
           Men
           to
           do
           what
           is
           eternally
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           is
           naturally
           good
           for
           and
           beneficial
           to
           themselves
           ;
           because
           by
           so
           doing
           they
           perfect
           and
           advance
           their
           Natures
           ,
           and
           accomplish
           their
           own
           Satisfaction
           and
           Happiness
           .
           For
           our
           Reason
           being
           that
           proper
           Character
           of
           our
           Natures
           that
           distinguishes
           us
           from
           all
           sublunary
           Beings
           ,
           and
           sets
           us
           in
           a
           Form
           of
           Being
           above
           them
           ;
           the
           Perfection
           of
           our
           Nature
           must
           necessarily
           consist
           in
           being
           perfectly
           reasonable
           ;
           in
           having
           our
           Vnderstandings
           informed
           with
           the
           Principles
           of
           right
           Reason
           ,
           and
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           regulated
           by
           them
           ;
           and
           when
           once
           we
           are
           released
           from
           the
           Slaveries
           of
           Sense
           and
           Passion
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Powers
           are
           so
           perfectly
           subdued
           to
           this
           superior
           Principle
           of
           Reason
           ,
           as
           to
           do
           every
           Thing
           that
           it
           commands
           ,
           and
           nothing
           that
           it
           forbids
           ,
           and
           we
           chuse
           and
           refuse
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           hate
           ,
           and
           hope
           ,
           and
           fear
           ,
           and
           delight
           ,
           according
           as
           
             right
             Reason
          
           directs
           and
           dictates
           ;
           then
           ,
           and
           not
           till
           then
           we
           are
           come
           to
           the
           full
           Stature
           of
           perfect
           Men
           in
           
             Christ
             Jesus
          
           .
           Now
           all
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           Gospel
           being
           a
           
             reasonable
             Service
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Apostle
           calls
           it
           ,
           Rom.
           xii
           .
           1
           .
           the
           End
           and
           Tendency
           of
           it
           must
           be
           to
           habituate
           
           us
           to
           live
           according
           to
           the
           Laws
           of
           right
           Reason
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           as
           to
           advance
           us
           to
           the
           Perfection
           of
           reasonable
           Beings
           ;
           and
           being
           once
           arrived
           at
           this
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           unspeakable
           Satisfaction
           from
           within
           our selves
           ,
           and
           feel
           a
           Heaven
           of
           Joys
           springing
           up
           within
           
             our
             own
          
           Bosoms
           .
           For
           when
           once
           our
           disjointed
           Powers
           are
           set
           in
           Order
           ,
           and
           all
           our
           Faculties
           reduced
           to
           their
           natural
           Subordination
           ,
           our
           Nature
           will
           be
           in
           perfect
           Rest
           and
           Ease
           ,
           being
           freed
           from
           that
           unnatural
           Violence
           and
           Oppression
           under
           which
           it
           now
           groans
           ,
           and
           cured
           of
           all
           those
           Spasms
           and
           Convulsions
           of
           Mind
           which
           are
           the
           inseparable
           Effects
           of
           its
           Lapse
           and
           Degeneracy
           .
           And
           all
           the
           Motions
           of
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           being
           regulated
           by
           the
           eternal
           Reason
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           with
           what
           delightful
           Relishes
           and
           sweet
           Gusts
           of
           Pleasure
           shall
           we
           taste
           and
           review
           
             our
             own
          
           Actions
           ,
           they
           being
           always
           such
           as
           our
           best
           and
           purest
           Reason
           doth
           approve
           of
           with
           a
           full
           and
           ungainsaying
           Judgment
           ?
           So
           that
           God's
           Commands
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           being
           all
           of
           them
           most
           reasonable
           must
           necessarily
           tend
           to
           the
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           of
           our
           Nature
           ;
           besides
           ,
           that
           they
           generally
           promote
           even
           our
           sensitive
           Happiness
           ,
           our
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           Profit
           ,
           and
           Reputation
           in
           this
           World.
           Now
           what
           a
           most
           endearing
           Instance
           is
           this
           of
           
           God's
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           make
           our
           Benefit
           the
           Measure
           of
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           oblige
           us
           to
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           for
           our
           good
           ;
           that
           he
           should
           so
           far
           concern
           himself
           in
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           as
           to
           impose
           it
           upon
           us
           under
           the
           Penalty
           of
           his
           severest
           displeasure
           ,
           and
           to
           inforce
           his
           Laws
           with
           such
           inviting
           and
           such
           dreadful
           Sanctions
           ,
           only
           to
           secure
           us
           from
           running
           away
           from
           
             our
             own
          
           Mercies
           ?
           So
           that
           to
           be
           a
           Christian
           ,
           is
           in
           Effect
           nothing
           else
           but
           only
           to
           be
           obliged
           to
           be
           kind
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           bound
           in
           Conscience
           to
           be
           
             happy
             :
             Good
             God
          
           ,
           that
           thou
           shouldst
           be
           so
           infinitely
           Zealous
           of
           our
           Welfare
           as
           to
           make
           the
           Means
           of
           it
           the
           only
           Matter
           of
           thy
           Laws
           ,
           and
           to
           promise
           such
           vast
           Rewards
           ,
           and
           denounce
           such
           dreadful
           Punishments
           against
           us
           for
           no
           other
           Reason
           but
           only
           to
           affright
           and
           allure
           us
           out
           of
           Misery
           into
           Happiness
           !
           That
           thou
           shouldst
           hate
           our
           Sins
           so
           implacably
           ,
           only
           because
           they
           are
           our
           irreconcilable
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           be
           so
           infinitely
           pleased
           with
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           only
           because
           it
           leads
           to
           our
           endless
           Bliss
           and
           Perfection
           !
           And
           that
           it
           is
           thus
           ,
           is
           so
           plain
           and
           apparent
           ,
           that
           we
           cannot
           but
           acknowledge
           it
           a
           most
           convincing
           Instance
           of
           God's
           infinite
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           That
           God
           hath
           most
           mercifully
           proportioned
           this
           Condition
           to
           the
           present
           State
           
           and
           Circumstances
           of
           our
           Naure
           .
           He
           saw
           very
           well
           into
           what
           a
           deplorable
           Condition
           humane
           Nature
           was
           reduced
           ,
           how
           its
           Strength
           was
           broken
           ,
           and
           its
           Health
           and
           Vigor
           impair'd
           and
           decayed
           ;
           how
           its
           Reason
           was
           clouded
           ,
           and
           all
           its
           Faculties
           depraved
           ;
           how
           apt
           it
           was
           to
           be
           surprized
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           unadvisedly
           ;
           sometimes
           for
           Want
           of
           Time
           ,
           sometimes
           for
           Want
           of
           Order
           and
           Distinction
           in
           its
           Thoughts
           ;
           how
           much
           it
           was
           hindred
           from
           acting
           regularly
           by
           intervening
           Accidents
           ,
           and
           how
           it
           was
           weakend
           and
           determined
           by
           the
           bad
           Habits
           and
           Necessities
           it
           had
           generally
           contracted
           :
           and
           seeing
           it
           reduced
           to
           this
           sad
           State
           ,
           he
           hath
           most
           graciously
           accommodated
           its
           Burthen
           to
           its
           Strength
           ,
           and
           taken
           Measure
           of
           its
           Duty
           by
           its
           Ability
           to
           discharge
           it
           .
           For
           though
           in
           his
           Gospel
           he
           requires
           that
           we
           should
           
             perfect
             holiness
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             be
             perfect
             ,
             as
             our
             Father
             in
             Heaven
             is
             perfect
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           advance
           to
           the
           utmost
           Degrees
           and
           Improvements
           in
           Virtue
           that
           our
           Natures
           are
           capable
           of
           ;
           yet
           he
           requires
           this
           of
           us
           under
           such
           moderate
           Penalties
           as
           are
           no
           ways
           destructive
           to
           our
           eternal
           Happiness
           ,
           such
           as
           the
           hiding
           his
           Face
           from
           us
           ,
           and
           other
           such
           like
           paternal
           Severities
           and
           Castigations
           ;
           his
           correcting
           us
           with
           the
           Rod
           of
           temporal
           Judgments
           ,
           and
           abating
           us
           in
           the
           
           Degrees
           of
           our
           future
           Happiness
           proportionably
           to
           our
           moral
           Defects
           and
           Non-improvements
           ,
           which
           Penalties
           though
           they
           are
           sufficient
           to
           quicken
           our
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           excite
           us
           still
           to
           a
           farther
           Progress
           from
           one
           Degree
           of
           Virtue
           to
           another
           ;
           yet
           are
           they
           not
           such
           as
           do
           excommunicate
           us
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           disseize
           us
           of
           the
           Reward
           of
           our
           honest
           and
           sincere
           Obedience
           .
           And
           indeed
           should
           God
           have
           been
           severe
           in
           marking
           what
           we
           do
           amiss
           ,
           and
           exacted
           of
           us
           under
           the
           Penalty
           of
           Damnation
           the
           utmost
           Degrees
           and
           Improvements
           that
           are
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           attain
           ,
           no
           Flesh
           would
           be
           saved
           ;
           it
           being
           
             morally
             impossible
          
           for
           us
           in
           this
           degenerate
           State
           to
           do
           always
           the
           
             utmost
             Good
          
           ,
           or
           avoid
           the
           
             utmost
             Evil
          
           that
           we
           are
           able
           ;
           and
           therefore
           out
           of
           a
           tender
           Regard
           to
           the
           Weakness
           and
           Infirmity
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           he
           hath
           only
           forbid
           those
           Neglects
           and
           Miscarriages
           under
           this
           Declaration
           that
           they
           are
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           our
           Submission
           and
           Obedience
           to
           him
           .
           But
           as
           for
           our
           moral
           Defects
           and
           Infirmities
           and
           Surprises
           ,
           though
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           avoid
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           truly
           Sins
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           as
           such
           we
           ought
           to
           lament
           ,
           and
           beg
           Pardon
           for
           them
           ;
           yet
           ,
           Thanks
           be
           to
           a
           merciful
           God
           ,
           
             we
             shall
             only
             be
             chastned
             for
             them
             here
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             not
             be
             condemned
             with
             the
             
             World
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Apostle
           expresses
           it
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           xi
           .
           32
           .
           and
           reap
           less
           Happiness
           in
           the
           other
           World
           for
           having
           sowed
           less
           Degrees
           of
           good
           than
           we
           might
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           have
           done
           in
           this
           ;
           as
           the
           same
           Apostle
           in
           2
           Cor.
           ix
           .
           6
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           as
           for
           wilful
           Sinners
           ,
           he
           hath
           concluded
           them
           (
           as
           it
           is
           very
           reasonable
           he
           should
           )
           under
           the
           Sentence
           of
           eternal
           Death
           ;
           for
           should
           he
           let
           such
           go
           unpunished
           ,
           he
           must
           e'en
           resign
           up
           his
           Government
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           wretched
           World
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Anarchy
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           but
           yet
           to
           these
           he
           hath
           extended
           as
           much
           Kindness
           ,
           as
           was
           possible
           for
           a
           wise
           and
           gracious
           Governour
           to
           do
           ;
           for
           he
           hath
           not
           so
           irrecoverably
           concluded
           them
           under
           this
           direful
           Sentence
           ,
           but
           that
           still
           he
           doth
           indulge
           to
           them
           the
           saving
           Remedy
           of
           Repentance
           ,
           having
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           his
           all-sufficient
           Propitiation
           bound
           himself
           by
           Promise
           to
           pardon
           and
           receive
           into
           his
           Favour
           every
           wilful
           Sinner
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           he
           will
           but
           repent
           of
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           and
           amend
           for
           the
           future
           .
           Thus
           to
           save
           the
           miserable
           World
           he
           hath
           gone
           to
           the
           utmost
           Borders
           of
           what
           is
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           and
           done
           as
           much
           for
           us
           as
           it
           was
           possible
           for
           the
           Justice
           and
           Rectitude
           of
           his
           Nature
           to
           admit
           of
           ;
           for
           should
           he
           have
           proceeded
           any
           further
           he
           must
           have
           pardoned
           impenitent
           ,
           Sinners
           which
           he
           could
           not
           have
           done
           
           without
           allowing
           and
           incouraging
           their
           Rebellion
           :
           And
           to
           pardon
           an
           Offendor
           that
           persists
           in
           his
           Fault
           ,
           that
           is
           neither
           sorry
           for
           it
           ,
           nor
           willing
           to
           amend
           it
           ,
           is
           utterly
           incongruous
           to
           
             all
             wise
          
           Rules
           of
           Government
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           practised
           by
           any
           Government
           either
           divine
           or
           humane
           without
           endangering
           its
           own
           Foundations
           .
           What
           then
           is
           there
           beyond
           this
           that
           we
           can
           modestly
           ask
           ,
           or
           God
           wisely
           grant
           ?
           If
           God
           had
           summoned
           us
           to
           his
           
             Privy
             Council
          
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           there
           promised
           to
           grant
           us
           any
           Terms
           of
           Salvation
           that
           we
           our selves
           could
           think
           fit
           to
           propose
           to
           him
           ,
           surely
           the
           utmost
           that
           any
           modest
           Man
           could
           have
           asked
           would
           have
           been
           only
           this
           ;
           
             Lord
             !
             Be
             but
             so
             merciful
             as
             to
             consider
             the
             Weakness
             and
             Infirmity
             of
             our
             Natures
             so
             as
             not
             to
             cast
             us
             off
             for
             every
             Neglect
             or
             Miscarriage
             that
             was
             only
             possible
             for
             us
             to
             avoid
             :
             And
             if
             at
             any
             time
             we
             should
             be
             such
             Wretches
             as
             knowingly
             and
             wilfully
             to
             Offend
             thee
             ,
             be
             but
             so
             gracious
             as
             to
             receive
             us
             again
             into
             thy
             Favour
             whensoever
             we
             heartily
             repent
             and
             amend
             :
             This
             is
             the
             utmost
             that
             we
             can
             request
             at
             thy
             Hands
             ,
             and
             for
             this
             we
             will
             praise
             thee
             on
             the
             bended
             Knees
             of
             our
             Souls
             ,
             and
             adore
             thy
             Goodness
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             :
          
           Why
           now
           all
           this
           he
           hath
           freely
           granted
           us
           of
           his
           own
           Accord
           ;
           and
           is
           not
           this
           a
           most
           amazing
           Instance
           of
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           
           that
           of
           his
           own
           free
           Motion
           he
           should
           thus
           indulge
           to
           us
           the
           utmost
           Mitigations
           that
           we
           could
           have
           modestly
           desired
           ,
           and
           condescended
           so
           far
           to
           our
           Weakness
           ,
           that
           without
           an
           unpardonable
           Impudence
           we
           cannot
           desire
           him
           to
           condescend
           yet
           further
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           That
           he
           hath
           rendred
           the
           Performance
           of
           the
           whole
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           almost
           necessarily
           consequent
           to
           our
           believing
           in
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           :
           For
           in
           that
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Will
           which
           he
           hath
           made
           by
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           he
           hath
           pressed
           the
           Performance
           of
           this
           Condition
           upon
           us
           with
           such
           irresistible
           Arguments
           ,
           as
           must
           needs
           prevail
           wheresoever
           they
           are
           heartily
           believed
           and
           duly
           considered
           .
           What
           Man
           can
           be
           so
           stupid
           as
           to
           trample
           upon
           Christ's
           Law
           ,
           that
           firmly
           believes
           and
           considers
           those
           glorious
           Rewards
           it
           proposes
           to
           all
           that
           sincerely
           obey
           it
           ?
           What
           pleasures
           of
           Sin
           can
           seduce
           that
           Man
           from
           his
           Duty
           who
           is
           firmly
           persuaded
           that
           after
           a
           few
           Moments
           Obedience
           he
           shall
           swim
           in
           Rivers
           of
           Pleasures
           that
           flow
           from
           God's
           right
           Hand
           
             for
             evermore
          
           ?
           How
           can
           any
           Man
           have
           the
           Courage
           to
           violate
           the
           Laws
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           who
           heartily
           believes
           and
           considers
           those
           direful
           Punishments
           which
           he
           hath
           denounced
           against
           the
           Transgressors
           of
           them
           ?
           And
           what
           Evils
           
           or
           Miseries
           can
           scare
           that
           Man
           from
           his
           Duty
           ,
           that
           is
           chained
           so
           fast
           to
           it
           by
           the
           Consideration
           of
           that
           Wrath
           of
           God
           which
           is
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           against
           all
           Unrighteousness
           and
           Ungodliness
           of
           Men
           ?
           How
           can
           any
           Man
           love
           his
           Sins
           any
           longer
           ,
           that
           believes
           and
           reads
           that
           bloody
           Story
           of
           them
           that
           is
           written
           in
           the
           Agony
           and
           Passion
           of
           the
           
             Son
             of
             God
          
           ?
           When
           we
           consider
           that
           he
           was
           delivered
           for
           our
           Offences
           ,
           and
           that
           our
           Sins
           were
           the
           principal
           Actors
           of
           all
           that
           woful
           Tragedy
           ;
           that
           they
           were
           these
           that
           
             betrayed
             ,
             arraigned
          
           ,
           and
           condemned
           him
           ;
           that
           borrowed
           the
           Throats
           of
           a
           barbarous
           Rabble
           to
           cry
           out
           
             Crucify
             him
             ,
             Crucify
             him
          
           ;
           that
           buffeted
           and
           scourged
           him
           with
           the
           Hands
           of
           the
           rude
           Soldiers
           ;
           that
           gored
           his
           Sides
           with
           the
           Spear
           ,
           pierced
           his
           Temples
           with
           the
           Thorns
           ,
           rent
           his
           sacred
           Hands
           and
           Feet
           with
           the
           Nails
           that
           fastned
           him
           to
           the
           Cross
           ;
           how
           can
           we
           believe
           and
           consider
           that
           our
           Sins
           did
           thus
           barbarously
           treat
           the
           best
           Friend
           we
           have
           in
           the
           World
           without
           being
           all
           inflamed
           with
           Indignation
           against
           them
           ?
           Again
           ,
           how
           can
           we
           reflect
           upon
           that
           dreadful
           Displeasure
           God
           expressed
           against
           our
           Sins
           in
           this
           dismal
           Example
           of
           Sacrificing
           his
           own
           Son
           for
           them
           ,
           without
           being
           filled
           with
           Horror
           ,
           and
           struck
           into
           a
           trembling
           Agony
           at
           the
           Thought
           of
           them
           ?
           
           Once
           more
           ,
           How
           can
           we
           be
           so
           desperatly
           fool-hardy
           as
           to
           go
           on
           in
           our
           Sins
           ,
           if
           we
           believe
           and
           consider
           the
           Article
           of
           the
           
             Day
             of
             Judgment
          
           ,
           wherein
           we
           must
           give
           an
           Account
           of
           whatsoever
           we
           have
           done
           in
           the
           Flesh
           whether
           it
           be
           good
           ,
           or
           evil
           ,
           and
           stand
           or
           fall
           to
           all
           Eternity
           according
           as
           we
           have
           discharged
           or
           neglected
           this
           great
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ?
           These
           are
           such
           mighty
           Arguments
           ,
           as
           one
           would
           think
           ,
           it
           were
           impossible
           for
           Men
           firmly
           to
           believe
           ,
           and
           yet
           not
           be
           persuaded
           by
           them
           .
           Thus
           God
           in
           his
           Mercy
           and
           Goodness
           to
           us
           hath
           furnished
           the
           Revelation
           of
           his
           Son
           with
           such
           prevalent
           Motives
           ,
           that
           our
           believing
           in
           him
           almost
           necessarily
           draws
           after
           it
           the
           Performance
           of
           the
           whole
           condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ;
           for
           upon
           our
           believing
           in
           Jesus
           ,
           and
           considering
           his
           Proposals
           ,
           we
           are
           compassed
           round
           about
           with
           so
           many
           puissant
           Reasons
           to
           submit
           our selves
           to
           his
           Laws
           ,
           as
           (
           one
           would
           think
           )
           all
           the
           Temptations
           of
           the
           Devil
           and
           the
           World
           are
           not
           able
           to
           resist
           .
           So
           careful
           hath
           God
           been
           to
           secure
           us
           from
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           ,
           that
           knowing
           the
           Force
           of
           our
           natural
           Reason
           to
           be
           so
           weak
           to
           secure
           us
           ,
           he
           hath
           sent
           us
           down
           these
           fresh
           Auxiliaries
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           by
           whose
           Assistance
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           but
           trust
           to
           and
           imploy
           them
           ,
           we
           may
           easily
           repulse
           all
           the
           Temptations
           
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           fight
           our
           Way
           through
           all
           the
           Difficulties
           of
           our
           Duty
           .
           
             For
             this
             is
             the
             Victory
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             by
             which
             we
             overcome
             the
             World
             ,
             even
             our
             Faith
             ,
          
           1
           John
           v.
           4
           .
           which
           Words
           are
           urged
           by
           him
           as
           an
           Instance
           of
           the
           Easiness
           and
           Gentleness
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ;
           for
           v.
           3
           .
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             this
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             ,
             and
             his
             Commandments
             are
             not
             grievous
             .
          
           Well
           ,
           but
           how
           doth
           this
           appear
           ?
           Why
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             for
             every
             one
             that
             is
             born
             of
             God
             overcometh
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             this
             is
             the
             Victory
             that
             overcometh
             the
             World
             ,
             even
             our
             Faith.
          
           For
           
             who
             is
             he
             that
             overcometh
             the
             World
             ,
             but
             he
             that
             believeth
             that
             Jesus
             is
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
          
           v.
           5
           .
           So
           that
           he
           proves
           the
           easiness
           of
           the
           
             Gospel
             Commands
          
           by
           this
           Argument
           ,
           that
           the
           keeping
           them
           depends
           upon
           that
           Faith
           by
           which
           we
           
             believe
             Jesus
             to
             be
             the
             Son
             of
             God.
          
           By
           this
           means
           therefore
           God
           hath
           mercifully
           rendred
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           easie
           to
           us
           by
           rendring
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           so
           necessarily
           consequent
           to
           
             our
             believing
             in
             Jesus
          
           ;
           in
           which
           how
           good
           he
           hath
           been
           to
           us
           will
           evidently
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           That
           to
           beget
           this
           Belief
           in
           us
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           the
           most
           plain
           and
           convincing
           Evidence
           ;
           viz.
           the
           Evidence
           of
           those
           miraculous
           
           Works
           wherewith
           he
           accompanied
           the
           Ministry
           of
           our
           Saviour
           and
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           sealed
           and
           confirmed
           it
           to
           the
           World
           ;
           which
           of
           all
           Kinds
           of
           Evidence
           is
           the
           most
           apt
           to
           convince
           ,
           and
           persuade
           the
           World
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           any
           divine
           Revelation
           ;
           for
           this
           Kind
           of
           Evidence
           appeals
           to
           Mens
           Senses
           ,
           and
           is
           such
           an
           Argument
           as
           they
           may
           see
           and
           touch
           and
           handle
           ;
           and
           Men
           are
           generally
           apt
           to
           give
           more
           Credit
           to
           their
           own
           Senses
           than
           to
           the
           clearest
           Inferences
           and
           Deductions
           of
           Reason
           .
           And
           indeed
           the
           Generality
           of
           Men
           are
           hardly
           capable
           of
           any
           other
           Notices
           of
           Things
           but
           what
           are
           immediatly
           impressed
           upon
           them
           by
           the
           Objects
           of
           their
           Sense
           ;
           for
           they
           have
           not
           Skill
           enough
           to
           compare
           simple
           Terms
           so
           exactly
           with
           
             one
             another
          
           as
           to
           compound
           them
           into
           true
           Propositions
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           infer
           from
           every
           such
           Proposition
           its
           natural
           Consequents
           and
           Deductions
           .
           These
           are
           Things
           that
           require
           a
           
             great
             deal
          
           more
           Art
           and
           Leisure
           ,
           than
           Mens
           Educations
           and
           Affairs
           will
           ordinarily
           afford
           them
           .
           But
           Miracles
           are
           Things
           that
           are
           obvious
           to
           Mens
           Senses
           ,
           and
           from
           them
           to
           infer
           a
           divine
           Commission
           in
           the
           Person
           that
           works
           them
           ,
           is
           not
           only
           possible
           but
           very
           easie
           to
           the
           most
           vulgar
           Understanding
           .
           For
           Miracles
           being
           the
           visible
           Effects
           of
           a
           divine
           Power
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           
           to
           be
           wrought
           by
           any
           but
           Persons
           that
           are
           divinely
           commissionated
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           shews
           me
           an
           immediate
           Effect
           of
           God's
           Power
           gives
           me
           that
           in
           Token
           that
           he
           came
           from
           God.
           So
           that
           the
           Argument
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           is
           the
           most
           plain
           and
           intelligible
           of
           all
           others
           ;
           and
           as
           it
           is
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           most
           powerful
           to
           convince
           and
           persuade
           Men.
           For
           whereas
           had
           our
           Saviour
           proved
           his
           Doctrins
           in
           a
           Way
           of
           rational
           Discourse
           and
           Inference
           ,
           he
           must
           have
           proved
           them
           all
           singly
           and
           apart
           by
           distinct
           and
           different
           Arguments
           ,
           which
           would
           have
           been
           so
           tedious
           that
           the
           Vulgar
           would
           never
           have
           Leisure
           enough
           to
           attend
           them
           ,
           nor
           yet
           Capacity
           enough
           to
           retain
           them
           ;
           but
           by
           this
           Argument
           of
           Miracles
           he
           proved
           them
           all
           at
           once
           ,
           because
           his
           Miracles
           were
           a
           Token
           that
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           did
           approve
           his
           Doctrin
           ;
           and
           it
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           that
           the
           God
           of
           Truth
           would
           have
           so
           visibly
           approved
           of
           his
           Doctrin
           in
           the
           Gross
           ,
           had
           any
           Part
           or
           Proposition
           of
           it
           been
           false
           and
           erroneous
           .
           Thus
           God
           out
           of
           his
           infinite
           Goodness
           hath
           not
           only
           revealed
           his
           
             everlasting
             Gospel
          
           to
           us
           ,
           but
           hath
           also
           taken
           the
           most
           effectual
           Course
           to
           convince
           and
           persuade
           us
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           .
           He
           hath
           set
           his
           own
           Almighty
           Power
           at
           Work
           to
           still
           the
           Seas
           ,
           and
           raise
           the
           Dead
           ,
           to
           cure
           the
           Blind
           and
           
           Lame
           and
           Diseased
           ,
           to
           change
           and
           vary
           the
           Course
           and
           Order
           of
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           all
           this
           for
           no
           other
           Purpose
           but
           to
           persuade
           Mankind
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           those
           glad
           Tidings
           which
           he
           revealed
           from
           Heaven
           to
           them
           by
           his
           own
           Son.
           And
           as
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           the
           best
           Evidences
           to
           convince
           us
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           so
           he
           hath
           taken
           the
           most
           effectual
           Course
           ,
           to
           continue
           and
           perpetuate
           it
           to
           the
           World.
           For
           first
           ,
           he
           raised
           up
           
             sundry
             Eye-witnesses
          
           who
           conversed
           with
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           beheld
           his
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           after
           they
           had
           seen
           him
           
             risen
             from
             the
             Dead
          
           ,
           and
           
             ascended
             up
             into
             Heaven
          
           ,
           did
           openly
           publish
           and
           testify
           them
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           finally
           confirmed
           and
           ratified
           their
           Testimony
           by
           laying
           down
           their
           Lives
           for
           it
           ;
           which
           was
           as
           high
           a
           Confirmation
           as
           could
           possibly
           have
           been
           given
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           it
           .
           But
           lest
           after
           all
           ,
           the
           World
           should
           suspect
           them
           ,
           God
           also
           furnished
           them
           with
           the
           Gift
           of
           Miracles
           ,
           and
           continued
           that
           Gift
           as
           an
           Heirlome
           to
           their
           Successors
           for
           
             Three
             Hundred
          
           Years
           together
           ;
           that
           so
           as
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           
             first
             Eye-witnesses
          
           was
           confirmed
           not
           only
           by
           their
           Martyrdoms
           ,
           but
           by
           their
           Miracles
           also
           ;
           so
           it
           might
           still
           be
           handed
           down
           from
           them
           through
           the
           successive
           Generations
           in
           the
           same
           infallible
           manner
           till
           it
           was
           spread
           over
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           needed
           no
           
           farther
           Martyrdoms
           ,
           or
           Miracles
           to
           confirm
           it
           .
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           What
           care
           hast
           thou
           taken
           ,
           first
           to
           provide
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           secure
           the
           Evidences
           of
           our
           
             holy
             Religion
          
           ,
           that
           all
           Generations
           might
           have
           sufficient
           Motives
           of
           Credibility
           ;
           and
           that
           Mankind
           might
           still
           have
           abundant
           Reason
           to
           believe
           in
           thy
           Son
           to
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           when
           they
           shall
           see
           him
           come
           down
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Judgment
           ?
           How
           easie
           therefore
           hath
           God
           rendred
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           to
           us
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           rendred
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           so
           necessarily
           consequent
           to
           our
           
             believing
             in
             Jesus
          
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           beget
           this
           Belief
           ,
           in
           us
           hath
           given
           us
           such
           abundant
           Evidence
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           sufficiently
           admire
           and
           adore
           his
           Goodness
           that
           hath
           been
           so
           infinitely
           solicitous
           to
           secure
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           hath
           so
           contrived
           Things
           that
           we
           cannot
           heartily
           believe
           his
           Gospel
           and
           not
           be
           persuaded
           by
           it
           to
           comply
           with
           the
           Terms
           of
           our
           Salvation
           ;
           nor
           yet
           impartially
           consider
           the
           Evidence
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           not
           heartily
           believe
           it
           ?
           And
           yet
           as
           if
           all
           this
           were
           not
           enough
           ,
        
         
           5
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           to
           render
           this
           Belief
           operative
           and
           effectual
           ,
           he
           hath
           engaged
           himself
           to
           
             assist
             ,
             actuate
          
           ,
           and
           enliven
           it
           by
           his
           own
           immediate
           Concurrence
           .
           Provided
           we
           use
           our
           own
           honest
           Endeavour
           he
           hath
           
           assured
           us
           again
           and
           again
           that
           
             he
             will
             give
             his
             Holy
             Spirit
             to
             every
             one
             that
             asks
             ;
             that
             he
             will
             work
             in
             us
             to
             will
             and
             to
             do
             ,
          
           if
           we
           will
           but
           take
           care
           to
           
             work
             out
             our
             own
             Salvation
             with
             fear
             and
             trembling
          
           ;
           and
           that
           
             to
             him
             that
             hath
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           makes
           an
           honest
           Improvement
           of
           that
           Strength
           that
           he
           hath
           ,
           
             it
             shall
             be
             given
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             have
             more
             abundantly
             .
          
           So
           that
           though
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           he
           had
           done
           sufficiently
           for
           us
           before
           in
           giving
           us
           such
           abundant
           Evidence
           to
           beget
           in
           us
           an
           hearty
           Belief
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           such
           prevalent
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           us
           to
           submit
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           comply
           with
           his
           gracious
           Proposals
           ;
           yet
           such
           was
           his
           Goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           such
           his
           importunate
           Care
           of
           our
           Welfare
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           stop
           here
           ,
           nor
           think
           that
           yet
           he
           had
           done
           enough
           for
           us
           till
           by
           an
           irrepealable
           Promise
           he
           had
           obliged
           himself
           to
           us
           to
           co-operate
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           immediate
           Influences
           of
           his
           Grace
           to
           bless
           and
           succeed
           our
           honest
           Endeavours
           .
           So
           that
           we
           can
           no
           sooner
           attempt
           
             our
             own
          
           Restauration
           ,
           no
           sooner
           set
           our selves
           in
           the
           way
           to
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           but
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           is
           immediately
           present
           with
           us
           ,
           exciting
           our
           
             Fath
             ,
             fixing
          
           our
           
             Consideration
             ,
             animating
          
           and
           encouraging
           our
           
             poor
             Endeavours
          
           ,
           and
           supplying
           us
           with
           all
           manner
           of
           Grace
           and
           Assistance
           that
           our
           State
           and
           Necessities
           require
           .
           Nay
           ,
           and
           many
           and
           many
           a
           Time
           ,
           while
           
           we
           are
           Sleeping
           on
           in
           our
           
             wretched
             sinful
          
           Security
           ,
           he
           comes
           in
           Pity
           to
           visit
           us
           ,
           and
           ever
           and
           anon
           suggests
           good
           Thoughts
           to
           our
           Minds
           to
           rouse
           and
           awake
           us
           out
           of
           those
           fatal
           Slumbers
           ,
           to
           enliven
           our
           Faith
           ,
           and
           call
           up
           our
           Consideration
           ;
           nay
           ,
           and
           oftentimes
           he
           doth
           so
           urge
           ,
           and
           second
           ,
           and
           repeat
           those
           Thoughts
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           by
           being
           so
           haunted
           with
           their
           Importunities
           ,
           we
           are
           forced
           to
           fix
           our
           Minds
           on
           them
           whether
           we
           will
           or
           no.
           And
           though
           we
           like
           ungrateful
           Wretches
           do
           many
           times
           stifle
           his
           good
           Motions
           ,
           and
           turn
           a
           deaf
           Ear
           to
           his
           Calls
           and
           gracious
           Invitations
           to
           Happiness
           ;
           yet
           doth
           he
           not
           presently
           give
           over
           ,
           but
           whilst
           we
           are
           running
           away
           from
           him
           ,
           we
           hear
           a
           Voice
           behind
           us
           calling
           after
           us
           to
           return
           ;
           and
           though
           we
           still
           run
           on
           ,
           yet
           still
           he
           follows
           us
           with
           his
           Importunities
           through
           the
           whole
           Course
           of
           our
           sinful
           Life
           ,
           till
           either
           he
           hath
           brought
           us
           back
           ,
           or
           we
           have
           run
           our selves
           past
           all
           Hope
           of
           Recovery
           .
           These
           are
           Things
           ,
           I
           dare
           say
           ,
           that
           every
           Man
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           one
           Time
           or
           other
           ,
           hath
           had
           sensible
           Experience
           of
           .
           And
           is
           not
           this
           a
           strange
           Condescention
           of
           Goodness
           to
           see
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           thus
           courting
           and
           wooing
           a
           Company
           of
           impotent
           Rebels
           to
           lay
           down
           their
           Arms
           ,
           and
           accept
           his
           Grace
           and
           his
           everlasting
           Preferments
           ?
           And
           
           though
           they
           reject
           his
           Motions
           ,
           and
           stop
           their
           Ears
           to
           those
           still
           Whispers
           of
           his
           that
           secretly
           invade
           their
           Souls
           ;
           yet
           to
           consider
           how
           he
           still
           solicits
           and
           importunes
           them
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           would
           take
           no
           Denyal
           ,
           and
           were
           resolved
           not
           to
           let
           them
           alone
           till
           he
           had
           persuaded
           them
           to
           be
           happy
           ;
           O
           
             good
             God!
          
           what
           prodigious
           Stories
           of
           Love
           are
           these
           ?
           What
           
             strange
             amazing
          
           Condescentions
           to
           thy
           
             wretched
             undeserving
          
           Creatures
           ?
           And
           now
           after
           all
           this
           what
           can
           the
           
             Lord
             our
             God
          
           do
           more
           for
           us
           that
           is
           consistent
           either
           with
           his
           own
           Wisdom
           ,
           or
           with
           the
           Freedom
           of
           our
           Natures
           ?
           He
           hath
           done
           all
           that
           can
           be
           done
           to
           draw
           us
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           if
           that
           will
           not
           do
           ,
           it
           is
           by
           no
           Means
           fit
           that
           he
           should
           drag
           us
           thither
           ;
           since
           it
           would
           be
           a
           most
           
             mean
             unreasonable
          
           Condescention
           in
           him
           to
           force
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           when
           we
           are
           unwilling
           to
           accept
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           prostitute
           the
           Reward
           of
           Piety
           and
           Virtue
           to
           those
           that
           scorn
           ,
           and
           reject
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           to
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           ;
           from
           hence
           I
           infer
           how
           monstrously
           ungrateful
           those
           Persons
           are
           who
           complain
           of
           the
           Difficulty
           and
           Burthensomeness
           of
           this
           gentle
           and
           merciful
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           :
           When
           in
           so
           many
           Instances
           it
           is
           apparent
           how
           merciful
           God
           hath
           been
           in
           imposing
           such
           a
           Condition
           upon
           us
           .
           In
           the
           Name
           
           of
           God
           what
           would
           you
           have
           Sirs
           ,
           would
           you
           have
           Heaven
           drop
           into
           your
           Mouths
           ,
           while
           you
           lie
           still
           and
           do
           nothing
           ?
           Or
           can
           you
           think
           it
           is
           fit
           that
           so
           vast
           a
           Reward
           should
           be
           prostituted
           to
           the
           lazy
           Wishes
           of
           such
           Drones
           and
           Sluggards
           ,
           as
           do
           not
           think
           it
           worth
           the
           labouring
           for
           ?
           That
           those
           golden
           Fruits
           should
           hang
           down
           from
           Heaven
           to
           us
           on
           an
           overladen
           Bow
           ,
           to
           be
           cropt
           by
           every
           
             idle
             Wanton
          
           Hand
           ,
           that
           will
           stretch
           forth
           it self
           to
           take
           and
           eat
           it
           ?
           Surely
           no
           reasonable
           Creature
           can
           be
           so
           senseless
           ,
           as
           to
           entertain
           such
           a
           wild
           and
           fond
           Conceit
           .
           Well
           then
           ,
           would
           you
           have
           God
           admit
           of
           such
           a
           Condition
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           as
           includes
           in
           it
           a
           Licence
           to
           enjoy
           your
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           gives
           you
           Liberty
           to
           be
           as
           wicked
           as
           you
           please
           ?
           But
           alas
           !
           if
           God
           should
           be
           so
           fond
           of
           your
           Salvation
           as
           to
           offer
           Violence
           to
           his
           own
           Nature
           and
           Government
           ,
           by
           yielding
           to
           your
           Sins
           ,
           and
           granting
           you
           a
           free
           Dispensation
           to
           enjoy
           them
           ;
           yet
           it
           is
           impossible
           in
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Thing
           ;
           because
           your
           Salvation
           will
           not
           consist
           with
           it
           .
           For
           to
           be
           saved
           from
           Misery
           whilst
           we
           are
           let
           alone
           to
           enjoy
           our
           Sins
           is
           a
           Contradiction
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           the
           Object
           of
           any
           Power
           ,
           no
           not
           of
           Omnipotence
           it self
           .
           For
           Sin
           it self
           is
           the
           greatest
           Misery
           that
           human
           Nature
           is
           liable
           to
           ;
           't
           is
           this
           that
           convulses
           all
           its
           Faculties
           ,
           that
           
           racks
           and
           stretches
           them
           out
           of
           Joint
           ,
           and
           distorts
           them
           into
           an
           unnatural
           Figure
           and
           Position
           ;
           't
           is
           this
           that
           makes
           us
           
             our
             own
          
           Reverse
           ,
           transposes
           our
           Head
           with
           our
           Feet
           ,
           and
           makes
           our
           Reason
           truckle
           to
           our
           Sense
           ;
           our
           intellectual
           Faculties
           that
           were
           made
           to
           govern
           ,
           to
           serve
           those
           brutish
           Passions
           and
           Appetites
           which
           Nature
           designed
           to
           be
           their
           Vassals
           ;
           which
           is
           such
           a
           barbarous
           Violence
           to
           the
           very
           Frame
           and
           Constitution
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           as
           will
           ,
           whensoever
           we
           recover
           out
           of
           our
           lethargick
           Stupidity
           ,
           be
           as
           sensibly
           dolorous
           to
           our
           Souls
           ,
           as
           Racks
           ,
           or
           Wheels
           ,
           or
           
           Catasta's
           to
           our
           Bodies
           .
           So
           that
           for
           God
           to
           save
           us
           from
           Misery
           whilst
           he
           suffers
           us
           to
           continue
           in
           our
           Sins
           ,
           is
           altogether
           as
           impossible
           as
           it
           is
           to
           save
           us
           from
           burning
           ,
           whilst
           he
           suffers
           us
           to
           continue
           weltring
           in
           the
           Flames
           of
           Fire
           ;
           and
           to
           make
           us
           well
           in
           Sickness
           ,
           or
           easie
           in
           Diseases
           are
           not
           more
           repugnant
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           Things
           ,
           than
           't
           is
           to
           make
           us
           happy
           in
           our
           Sins
           ;
           and
           yet
           this
           is
           the
           only
           Matter
           we
           complain
           of
           ,
           that
           God
           will
           not
           allow
           us
           a
           free
           Dispensation
           to
           be
           wicked
           in
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           .
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           How
           is
           it
           possible
           thou
           shouldst
           ever
           please
           such
           
             froward
             ,
             peevish
          
           ,
           and
           ungrateful
           Creatures
           ,
           who
           will
           never
           be
           satisfied
           unless
           thou
           performest
           Impossibilities
           ,
           and
           makest
           Contradictions
           
           to
           be
           true
           for
           their
           sakes
           ?
           For
           shame
           therefore
           let
           us
           no
           longer
           complain
           ,
           that
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           is
           
             too
             hard
          
           and
           rigorous
           ;
           but
           since
           God
           hath
           been
           pleased
           to
           condescend
           so
           low
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           indulge
           us
           whatsoever
           is
           consistent
           with
           our
           Salvation
           ,
           let
           us
           admire
           and
           adore
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           with
           our
           Souls
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           and
           Gratitude
           to
           him
           ,
           chearfully
           undertake
           what
           he
           hath
           so
           mercifully
           enjoyned
           us
           .
        
      
       
         
         
           
             JOHN
             III.
             16
             .
          
           
             —
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           I
           Am
           now
           upon
           the
           latter
           Part
           of
           this
           Text
           ,
           
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           which
           there
           are
           
             two
             great
          
           Instances
           of
           God's
           Goodness
           to
           us
           :
           First
           ,
           his
           imposing
           upon
           us
           such
           a
           gentle
           and
           merciful
           Condition
           ,
           
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             :
             Secondly
             ,
          
           his
           proposing
           to
           us
           so
           vast
           a
           Reward
           upon
           the
           Performance
           of
           it
           ;
           
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
             but
             have
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
           The
           first
           of
           these
           I
           have
           handled
           already
           ,
           and
           now
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           
             second
             ,
             viz.
          
           the
           vast
           Reward
           he
           hath
           proposed
           to
           us
           upon
           the
           Performance
           of
           this
           merciful
           Condition
           .
           And
           in
           this
           you
           have
           
             
               
                 First
                 ,
                 the
              
               negative
               
                 Part
                 of
                 it
              
               ,
               that
               whosoever
               believeth
               in
               him
               ,
               might
               not
               perish
               .
            
             
               
                 Secondly
                 ,
                 the
              
               positive
               One
               ,
               but
               have
               everlasting
               Life
               ,
            
          
        
         
           I.
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           first
           of
           these
           ,
           
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             might
             not
             perish
             .
          
        
         
           In
           prosecution
           of
           which
           Argument
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           three
           Things
           ;
           
             
             
               1.
               
               Shew
               you
               what
               is
               meant
               by
               perishing
               here
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               By
               what
               Right
               we
               were
               concerned
               in
               ,
               and
               obliged
               to
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               What
               unspeakable
               Goodness
               God
               hath
               discovered
               to
               us
               in
               freeing
               and
               absolving
               us
               from
               this
               Obligation
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           What
           is
           meant
           by
           perishing
           here
           ,
           or
           not
           perishing
           ?
           
             That
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           whosoever
           believes
           in
           him
           might
           be
           pardoned
           ,
           or
           absolved
           from
           the
           obligation
           of
           
             perishing
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           to
           which
           his
           Sins
           have
           rendred
           him
           justly
           liable
           .
           For
           that
           by
           this
           
             Phrase
             
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
               〈◊〉
            
             ,
             he
             should
             not
             perish
             ,
          
           or
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           is
           not
           meant
           the
           Annihilation
           or
           Destruction
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           as
           the
           Socinians
           and
           some
           others
           imagin
           ,
           is
           evident
           by
           its
           being
           opposed
           to
           
             everlasting
             Life
          
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           hereafter
           ,
           doth
           not
           denote
           our
           mere
           Continuance
           in
           Life
           and
           Being
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           but
           our
           Continuance
           in
           a
           most
           blissful
           and
           happy
           Life
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           and
           consequently
           the
           Destruction
           that
           is
           here
           opposed
           to
           it
           must
           not
           denote
           our
           eternal
           Discontinuance
           to
           be
           and
           live
           ,
           but
           our
           living
           most
           wretchedly
           and
           
             miserably
             for
             ever
          
           .
           And
           indeed
           wheresoever
           Death
           ,
           or
           Destruction
           is
           spoken
           of
           in
           Opposition
           to
           eternal
           Life
           ,
           this
           is
           apparently
           the
           Sense
           of
           it
           .
           So
           Rom.
           vi
           .
           23
           .
           
             The
             wages
             of
             Sin
             is
             death
             ,
             
             but
             the
             Gift
             of
             God
             is
             eternal
             Life
             through
             Jesus
             Christ
             our
             Lord.
          
           Now
           that
           by
           Death
           here
           is
           understood
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           Misery
           and
           Suffering
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           that
           State
           of
           endless
           Happiness
           which
           eternal
           Life
           implies
           ,
           is
           evident
           ;
           because
           he
           cannot
           mean
           the
           
             first
             Death
          
           ,
           which
           consists
           in
           the
           Separation
           of
           the
           Soul
           from
           the
           Body
           ;
           for
           though
           this
           were
           originally
           the
           Wages
           of
           Sin
           ,
           yet
           in
           it self
           it
           is
           not
           so
           now
           ,
           but
           the
           necessary
           Condition
           of
           our
           Nature
           ;
           for
           whether
           we
           Sin
           or
           no
           ,
           we
           must
           undergo
           it
           ,
           being
           obliged
           to
           it
           by
           the
           irreversible
           Decree
           of
           our
           Maker
           .
           But
           the
           Death
           here
           spoken
           of
           is
           the
           Effect
           of
           our
           own
           personal
           Sin
           ,
           without
           which
           we
           are
           not
           liable
           to
           it
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           plainly
           see
           v.
           21.
           
           
             What
             fruit
             had
             ye
             then
             in
             those
             things
             ,
          
           (
           i.
           e.
           those
           Sins
           )
           
             whereof
             ye
             are
             now
             ashamed
             ?
             For
             the
             end
             of
             those
             things
             ,
          
           or
           Sins
           ,
           
             is
             Death
          
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           it
           cannot
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           first
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           second
           Death
           ,
           which
           St.
           John
           makes
           mention
           of
           Rev.
           2.11
           .
           
             He
             that
             overcometh
             ,
             shall
             not
             be
             hurt
             of
             the
             second
             Death
             .
          
           And
           what
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           same
           Author
           tells
           you
           Rev.
           20.14
           .
           
             And
             death
             and
             hell
             were
             cast
             into
             the
             lake
             of
             fire
             :
             This
             is
             the
             second
             Death
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           this
           Lake
           of
           Fire
           ,
           or
           the
           Torments
           and
           Miseries
           which
           condemned
           Sinners
           endure
           in
           it
           ,
           is
           the
           second
           
           Death
           ;
           for
           so
           he
           explains
           himself
           v.
           10.
           
           
             And
             the
             Devil
             that
             deceived
             them
             ,
             was
             cast
             into
             the
             Lake
             of
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             ,
             where
             the
             Beast
             and
             the
             false
             Prophet
             are
             ,
             and
             shall
             be
             tormented
             Day
             and
             Night
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
           And
           this
           is
           that
           Death
           which
           is
           opposed
           to
           the
           immortal
           Rewards
           of
           the
           Blessed
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           see
           Rev.
           21.7
           ,
           8.
           
           
             He
             that
             overcometh
             shall
             inherit
             all
             things
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           all
           those
           immortal
           Recompences
           which
           God
           has
           prepared
           for
           virtuous
           Souls
           .
           
             But
             the
             fearful
             and
             unbelieving
          
           ,
           &c.
           
             shall
             have
             their
             part
             in
             the
             Lake
             which
             burneth
             with
             Fire
             and
             Brimstrone
             :
             Which
             is
             the
             second
             Death
             .
          
        
         
           And
           as
           Death
           ,
           when
           opposed
           to
           eternal
           Life
           ,
           denotes
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           and
           continued
           Misery
           ,
           so
           doth
           Destruction
           also
           .
           So
           Mat.
           7.13
           ,
           14.
           
           
             Broad
             is
             the
             way
             that
             leadeth
             to
             Destruction
             .
             Narrow
             is
             the
             way
             which
             leadeth
             unto
             Life
             :
          
           By
           the
           later
           of
           which
           it
           is
           granted
           on
           all
           hands
           he
           means
           Life
           eternal
           ;
           and
           that
           by
           Destruction
           he
           means
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           Misery
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           Matth.
           10.28
           .
           
             but
             fear
             him
             which
             is
             able
             to
             destroy
             both
             Soul
             and
             Body
             in
             Hell
          
           ;
           which
           according
           to
           St.
           
           John's
           Exposition
           ,
           Rev.
           20.10
           .
           is
           to
           torment
           them
           
             Day
             and
             Night
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
          
           And
           this
           destroying
           in
           Hell
           our
           Saviour
           elsewhere
           expresses
           
             by
             casting
             into
             Hell
             ,
             into
             the
             fire
             that
             never
             shall
             be
             quenched
             ;
             where
             
             their
             worm
             dieth
             not
             ,
             and
             the
             fire
             is
             not
             quenched
          
           ;
           which
           is
           as
           plain
           a
           Description
           of
           an
           endless
           State
           of
           Misery
           as
           Words
           can
           express
           ;
           for
           how
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           Annihilation
           should
           signify
           either
           a
           Fire
           that
           never
           goes
           out
           ,
           or
           a
           Worm
           that
           never
           dies
           :
           So
           also
           ,
           2
           Thess.
           1.9
           .
           
             who
             shall
             be
             punished
             with
             everlasting
             destruction
             from
             the
             presence
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           meaning
           the
           wicked
           Persecuters
           at
           
           Christ's
           coming
           to
           Judgment
           .
           Now
           that
           by
           that
           
             everlasting
             Destruction
          
           he
           means
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           Suffering
           and
           Torment
           is
           evident
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           Description
           which
           our
           Saviour
           gives
           of
           that
           Punishment
           to
           which
           the
           Wicked
           shall
           be
           sentenced
           at
           the
           
             last
             Day
             ;
             Go
             ye
             cursed
             ,
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             into
             everlasting
             Fire
          
           ,
           Matth.
           25.41
           .
           And
           lest
           we
           should
           fancy
           that
           't
           is
           the
           Fire
           only
           that
           is
           eternal
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           Punishment
           ,
           v.
           46.
           of
           that
           Chap.
           
             And
             these
          
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           shall
           
             go
             away
             into
             everlasting
             Punishment
             :
             but
             the
             Righteous
             into
             Life
             eternal
             .
          
           And
           that
           they
           do
           actually
           exist
           in
           this
           Fire
           ,
           and
           continue
           in
           the
           Torment
           of
           it
           is
           evident
           by
           those
           Actions
           that
           are
           therein
           attributed
           to
           them
           ,
           such
           as
           
             weeping
             and
             wailing
             and
             gnashing
             of
             Teeth
             ,
          
           Matth.
           13.42
           ,
           50
           ;
           which
           Actions
           are
           plain
           Indications
           not
           only
           of
           their
           subsisting
           in
           this
           everlasting
           Fire
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           extream
           Horror
           and
           Anguish
           they
           shall
           
           therein
           endure
           .
           And
           as
           this
           Fire
           is
           said
           to
           be
           everlasting
           ,
           so
           the
           Everlastingness
           of
           it
           is
           described
           so
           as
           to
           exclude
           all
           Limits
           ,
           and
           prescind
           from
           all
           Determinations
           .
           For
           Fire
           must
           be
           extinguished
           e're
           it
           can
           cease
           to
           burn
           ,
           and
           therefore
           that
           which
           cannot
           be
           extinguished
           can
           never
           end
           ;
           but
           such
           is
           that
           Fire
           whereunto
           the
           Wicked
           are
           condemned
           at
           the
           
             Day
             of
             Judgment
          
           ;
           so
           Matth.
           3.12
           .
           
             whose
             fan
             is
             in
             his
             hand
             ;
             —
             but
             he
             will
             burn
             up
             the
             chaff
             with
             unquenchable
             Fire
             .
          
           And
           that
           the
           Sufferers
           shall
           be
           no
           more
           extinguished
           than
           the
           Fire
           that
           burns
           them
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           Rev.
           14.11
           .
           
             And
             the
             smoke
             of
             their
             torment
             ascendeth
             up
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             .
             And
             they
             have
             no
             rest
             day
             nor
             night
             .
          
           And
           how
           can
           the
           smoke
           of
           this
           Fire
           be
           said
           to
           be
           
             the
             smoke
             of
             their
             torment
             ascending
             up
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
             ,
          
           unless
           they
           exist
           in
           it
           
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
          
           ;
           especially
           considering
           what
           follows
           immediately
           after
           ,
           
             they
             have
             no
             rest
             day
             nor
             night
             ?
          
           Which
           Expression
           is
           the
           same
           with
           that
           by
           which
           the
           same
           Author
           signifies
           the
           eternal
           Happiness
           of
           good
           Men
           ;
           so
           Rev.
           4.8
           .
           
             They
             rest
             not
             day
             and
             night
             ,
             saying
             ,
             holy
             ,
             holy
             ▪
             holy
          
           ;
           and
           Rev.
           7.15
           .
           
             The
             are
             before
             the
             Throne
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             serve
             him
             day
             and
             night
             in
             his
             Temple
             .
          
           And
           if
           
             Day
             and
             Night
          
           here
           ,
           when
           applied
           to
           the
           State
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           denotes
           the
           
             continued
             blisful
          
           Employment
           of
           
           happy
           Souls
           there
           forever
           ;
           then
           for
           the
           same
           Reason
           ,
           when
           't
           is
           applied
           to
           the
           State
           of
           Hell
           ,
           it
           must
           denote
           the
           continued
           Miseries
           of
           the
           Damned
           there
           forever
           .
           Well
           then
           ,
           if
           the
           Fire
           of
           Hell
           be
           everlasting
           ,
           yea
           if
           it
           be
           so
           absolutely
           everlasting
           as
           that
           it
           is
           unquenchable
           ;
           and
           if
           those
           that
           are
           cast
           into
           it
           shall
           be
           tormented
           
             for
             ever
             and
             ever
          
           ,
           all
           which
           the
           Scripture
           doth
           directly
           teach
           ;
           then
           it
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           the
           Wicked
           must
           subsist
           in
           their
           Miseries
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           and
           be
           co-eternal
           with
           the
           Flames
           that
           torment
           them
           .
           The
           Reason
           therefore
           why
           that
           future
           Punishment
           to
           which
           our
           Sins
           do
           consign
           and
           oblige
           us
           ,
           is
           called
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           
             Destruction
             ,
             Perdition
          
           ,
           and
           Death
           ,
           is
           not
           because
           it
           puts
           a
           final
           Period
           either
           to
           our
           Being
           or
           Subsistence
           ,
           as
           some
           fondly
           Dream
           ;
           but
           because
           it
           forever
           separates
           and
           disjoyns
           us
           from
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           better
           and
           the
           nobler
           Life
           of
           Man
           ,
           and
           from
           all
           those
           sweet
           Perceptions
           of
           Comfort
           and
           Pleasure
           ,
           of
           which
           Life
           is
           the
           Principle
           .
           And
           there
           is
           no
           
             Language
             ,
             Phrases
          
           ,
           or
           Expressions
           can
           be
           supposed
           to
           patronize
           a
           contrary
           Opinion
           ,
           since
           the
           same
           Scriptures
           which
           say
           that
           the
           Wicked
           shall
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           perish
           ,
           and
           die
           ,
           say
           also
           that
           they
           shall
           be
           tormented
           with
           never-dying
           Pains
           ,
           as
           they
           plainly
           and
           frequently
           do
           .
           This
           I
           have
           the
           longer
           insisted
           
           upon
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           a
           very
           dangerous
           Thing
           for
           Men
           to
           be
           deceived
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           not
           to
           know
           the
           worst
           of
           the
           Consequents
           of
           their
           own
           Follies
           ,
           but
           to
           expect
           an
           easier
           and
           a
           shorter
           Hell
           than
           ever
           they
           are
           like
           to
           find
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           first
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           viz.
           what
           is
           here
           meant
           by
           perishing
           ,
           and
           proved
           to
           you
           at
           large
           that
           hereby
           is
           meant
           living
           miserably
           forever
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           the
           next
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           viz.
           how
           we
           came
           to
           be
           concerned
           in
           ,
           and
           obliged
           to
           this
           dreadful
           Penalty
           ?
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           originally
           we
           were
           hereunto
           obliged
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           our
           Nature
           ;
           for
           Man
           being
           naturally
           an
           immortal
           Creature
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           be
           forever
           liable
           to
           the
           natural
           Effects
           of
           his
           own
           Actions
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           Misery
           is
           the
           natural
           Effect
           of
           sinful
           Actions
           ,
           if
           we
           continue
           Sinners
           forever
           ,
           we
           must
           necessarily
           continue
           
             miserable
             forever
          
           ;
           And
           if
           God
           should
           have
           inflicted
           no
           other
           Miseries
           upon
           wicked
           Souls
           when
           they
           are
           separated
           from
           their
           Bodies
           than
           what
           are
           necessarily
           consequent
           to
           their
           own
           Wickedness
           ,
           these
           would
           be
           an
           Hell
           of
           insufferable
           Torment
           to
           them
           .
           So
           that
           from
           the
           very
           Immortality
           of
           our
           Natures
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           everlasting
           Perseverance
           in
           Sin
           ,
           and
           from
           our
           everlasting
           
           Perseverance
           in
           Sin
           we
           are
           fatally
           damned
           to
           evelasting
           Misery
           .
           And
           as
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           our
           Natures
           we
           are
           thus
           bound
           over
           to
           eternal
           Punishment
           ,
           so
           are
           we
           also
           by
           the
           positive
           Sentence
           and
           Determination
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           hath
           not
           only
           obliged
           us
           to
           obey
           him
           under
           the
           Penalty
           of
           enduring
           forever
           the
           Miseries
           that
           are
           naturally
           appendent
           to
           our
           Sins
           ,
           but
           hath
           added
           thereunto
           all
           those
           positive
           Torments
           which
           the
           Lake
           of
           Fire
           and
           Brimstone
           ,
           and
           the
           Horrors
           of
           outer
           Darkness
           do
           imply
           :
           For
           so
           in
           his
           Word
           he
           hath
           plainly
           declared
           to
           us
           that
           if
           after
           he
           hath
           tryed
           us
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           we
           will
           not
           be
           reclaimed
           ,
           but
           are
           so
           desperate
           as
           to
           proceed
           in
           our
           Wickedness
           maugre
           all
           the
           Arts
           and
           Methods
           he
           can
           use
           to
           reduce
           us
           ,
           he
           will
           at
           last
           shut
           us
           up
           in
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           and
           irreversible
           Torment
           .
           And
           this
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           he
           might
           very
           justly
           and
           rightfully
           do
           ;
           for
           he
           being
           the
           Supream
           Law-giver
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           hath
           an
           immutable
           Right
           to
           enforce
           his
           Laws
           with
           such
           Penalties
           as
           are
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           them
           from
           being
           violated
           by
           his
           Subjects
           ;
           for
           otherwise
           he
           would
           be
           defective
           in
           his
           Power
           of
           Legislation
           ;
           for
           how
           could
           he
           have
           sufficient
           Power
           to
           make
           Laws
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           Right
           to
           enforce
           them
           with
           sufficient
           Penalties
           ?
           But
           we
           that
           are
           his
           Subjects
           being
           so
           apt
           to
           offend
           ,
           
           and
           so
           extreamly
           liable
           to
           Temptations
           thereunto
           ,
           no
           less
           Penalty
           could
           be
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           our
           Obedience
           than
           that
           which
           is
           eternal
           ;
           for
           which
           Reason
           he
           hath
           enforced
           his
           Laws
           with
           the
           Threatning
           of
           it
           .
           And
           if
           God
           thought
           no
           less
           than
           the
           Threatning
           of
           eternal
           Punishment
           necessary
           to
           deter
           Men
           from
           their
           Sins
           ,
           what
           less
           than
           the
           Execution
           of
           that
           Threat
           can
           be
           sufficient
           to
           render
           them
           Examples
           of
           his
           Severity
           against
           it
           ?
           For
           Threats
           without
           Execution
           are
           but
           mere
           Scare-crows
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           highly
           unreasonable
           for
           us
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           any
           Threat
           ,
           which
           we
           have
           Reason
           to
           conclude
           shall
           never
           be
           executed
           upon
           us
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           since
           the
           Sovereign
           Lord
           and
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           hath
           in
           himself
           an
           unalienable
           Right
           to
           enforce
           his
           own
           Laws
           by
           what
           Penalties
           he
           pleases
           ,
           and
           since
           to
           enforce
           them
           in
           the
           highest
           Degree
           he
           hath
           established
           them
           under
           the
           Penalty
           of
           eternal
           Torment
           ;
           it
           is
           no
           less
           reasonable
           for
           him
           to
           execute
           this
           Penalty
           than
           it
           was
           to
           threaten
           and
           denounce
           it
           ;
           otherwise
           his
           Threats
           will
           be
           altogether
           insignificant
           .
           For
           the
           End
           of
           legal
           Threats
           is
           to
           terrify
           the
           Subject
           from
           Disobedience
           ;
           but
           since
           we
           are
           assured
           that
           God
           will
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           just
           and
           reasonable
           ,
           why
           should
           we
           be
           terrified
           at
           any
           Threats
           of
           his
           ,
           which
           he
           cannot
           as
           reasonably
           
           inflict
           as
           denounce
           against
           us
           ?
           Nor
           is
           it
           any
           Blemish
           to
           the
           divine
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           threatned
           such
           an
           heavy
           Punishment
           against
           those
           that
           transgress
           his
           Laws
           ;
           for
           since
           he
           hath
           injoyned
           us
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           for
           our
           good
           ,
           and
           tends
           to
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           since
           the
           End
           of
           his
           Threats
           is
           to
           oblige
           us
           to
           observe
           his
           Injunctions
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           the
           more
           terrible
           his
           Threatnings
           are
           ,
           the
           more
           he
           obliges
           us
           by
           them
           to
           pursue
           
             our
             own
          
           Happiness
           .
           And
           certainly
           for
           God
           to
           lay
           his
           Creatures
           under
           the
           strongest
           Obligations
           to
           be
           happy
           ,
           is
           so
           far
           from
           being
           a
           Blemish
           to
           his
           Goodness
           that
           it
           is
           a
           most
           glorious
           Expression
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           will
           be
           so
           obstinate
           as
           to
           incur
           that
           direful
           Penalty
           under
           which
           he
           hath
           obliged
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           ,
           it
           is
           but
           just
           and
           reasonable
           that
           he
           should
           inflict
           it
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           feel
           forever
           the
           rueful
           Effects
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Folly
           and
           Madness
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           we
           had
           all
           broken
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           wilfully
           rendered
           our selves
           guilty
           before
           him
           ,
           we
           thereby
           became
           most
           justly
           obnoxious
           to
           this
           most
           dreadful
           Penalty
           of
           
             perishing
             forever
          
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           by
           what
           Right
           we
           were
           concerned
           in
           ,
           and
           obliged
           to
           this
           Penalty
           .
        
         
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           I
           now
           proceed
           to
           the
           third
           ,
           and
           Last
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           shew
           you
           the
           unspeakble
           Goodness
           that
           God
           hath
           expressed
           to
           us
           in
           that
           Way
           and
           Method
           which
           he
           hath
           prescribed
           to
           release
           us
           from
           this
           Obligation
           of
           
             perishing
             forever
          
           .
           For
           the
           Way
           and
           Method
           prescribed
           by
           him
           is
           this
           ,
           to
           send
           his
           own
           most
           
             blessed
             Son
          
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           repenting
           of
           our
           Sins
           and
           forsaking
           them
           ,
           might
           upon
           the
           Account
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           be
           released
           from
           this
           Obligation
           to
           eternal
           Punishment
           .
           And
           hence
           Christ
           is
           said
           to
           
             put
             away
             Sin
             by
             the
             Sacrifice
             of
             himself
             ,
          
           Heb.
           ix
           .
           26
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           make
           Expiation
           for
           it
           ,
           even
           as
           the
           
             Jewish
             High
             Priest
          
           did
           by
           those
           Sacrifices
           which
           he
           offered
           .
           And
           accordingly
           ,
           Col.
           i.
           14
           .
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             in
             him
             we
             have
             Redemption
             through
             his
             Blood
             ,
             even
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             Sins
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           upon
           Condition
           we
           heartily
           and
           sincerely
           repent
           of
           them
           .
           For
           ,
           
             if
             we
             walk
             in
             the
             light
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             as
             he
             is
             in
             the
             light
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           forsake
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           become
           pure
           as
           he
           is
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           as
           he
           is
           
             holy
             ;
             we
             have
             fellowship
             one
             with
             another
             ,
             and
             the
             blood
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             cleanseth
             us
             from
             all
             Sin.
          
           This
           therefore
           being
           the
           Way
           and
           Method
           which
           God
           hath
           prescribed
           to
           release
           us
           from
           the
           Obligation
           to
           eternal
           Punishment
           ,
           what
           an
           unspeakable
           
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           he
           hath
           herein
           expressed
           to
           us
           will
           evidently
           appear
           by
           the
           Consideration
           of
           these
           four
           Things
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             His
             admitting
             of
             another
             to
             suffer
             in
             our
             Stead
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             His
             exacting
             such
             a
             Suffering
             for
             the
             Price
             of
             our
             Pardon
             ,
             as
             was
             most
             effectual
             to
             secure
             us
             from
             sinning
             again
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             His
             consenting
             that
             his
             own
             Son
             should
             submit
             to
             this
             Suffering
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             His
             chusing
             to
             grant
             Pardon
             to
             us
             upon
             his
             Suffering
             as
             a
             Sacrifice
             for
             our
             Sins
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           One
           very
           great
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           us
           in
           this
           Method
           of
           Pardon
           is
           his
           admitting
           of
           another
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           .
           Had
           he
           been
           pleased
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           exacted
           the
           Punishment
           of
           the
           Criminals
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Offenders
           smart
           forever
           in
           their
           own
           Persons
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           this
           he
           might
           have
           justly
           done
           notwithstanding
           the
           best
           Reason
           they
           could
           render
           him
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           For
           the
           best
           Reason
           a
           Sinner
           can
           render
           why
           he
           should
           not
           be
           punished
           ,
           is
           his
           hearty
           Repentance
           ;
           for
           next
           to
           being
           perfectly
           innocent
           ,
           the
           best
           Thing
           we
           can
           do
           ,
           is
           to
           reform
           when
           we
           have
           done
           amiss
           ;
           but
           yet
           this
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           diminish
           the
           Guilt
           and
           Demerit
           of
           our
           past
           Transgressions
           .
           For
           Repentance
           doth
           not
           at
           all
           alter
           the
           
           Nature
           of
           the
           Act
           ,
           nor
           make
           it
           less
           evil
           ,
           nor
           less
           deserving
           of
           Punishment
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           the
           Act
           it self
           obliges
           us
           to
           Punishment
           ,
           our
           Repentance
           of
           it
           doth
           no
           way
           cancel
           the
           Obligation
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           God
           might
           if
           he
           had
           pleased
           ,
           have
           pardoned
           us
           upon
           our
           Repentance
           without
           any
           other
           Reason
           or
           Motive
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           Repentance
           is
           not
           a
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           move
           him
           to
           declare
           a
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           to
           a
           sinful
           World
           ,
           it
           being
           no
           way
           consistent
           with
           the
           Safety
           either
           of
           divine
           or
           humane
           Governments
           ,
           so
           far
           to
           encourage
           Offenders
           as
           to
           indemnify
           them
           universally
           by
           a
           publick
           and
           standing
           Declaration
           merely
           upon
           their
           future
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           ;
           because
           by
           such
           a
           Declaration
           they
           must
           let
           loose
           the
           Reigns
           to
           all
           manner
           of
           Licentiousness
           .
           For
           if
           Subjects
           are
           now
           so
           prone
           to
           transgress
           when
           they
           have
           so
           much
           Reason
           to
           expect
           a
           severe
           Punishment
           for
           it
           ,
           how
           much
           more
           prone
           would
           they
           be
           ,
           were
           their
           Governours
           so
           easie
           as
           to
           assure
           them
           beforehand
           that
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           their
           Crimes
           should
           be
           immediately
           remitted
           upon
           their
           unfeigned
           Repentance
           ?
           Wherefore
           ,
           since
           our
           Repentance
           is
           no
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           oblige
           God
           to
           pardon
           us
           ,
           and
           much
           less
           to
           move
           him
           to
           make
           a
           Promise
           of
           Pardon
           to
           us
           ;
           and
           since
           this
           is
           the
           best
           
           Reason
           that
           we
           can
           offer
           in
           our
           Behalf
           ,
           to
           move
           him
           thereunto
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           had
           pleased
           ,
           when
           once
           we
           had
           broken
           his
           Laws
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           justly
           executed
           upon
           us
           that
           eternal
           Punishment
           which
           he
           had
           threatned
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           we
           could
           have
           done
           to
           move
           him
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           But
           such
           is
           his
           inexpressible
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           to
           put
           himself
           into
           a
           Capacity
           of
           pardoning
           penitent
           Sinners
           with
           Safety
           to
           his
           Government
           ,
           and
           of
           making
           a
           publick
           Grant
           of
           Pardon
           and
           Indemnity
           to
           them
           ,
           thereby
           to
           encourage
           them
           to
           repent
           ,
           he
           hath
           graciously
           admited
           another
           Person
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ;
           that
           so
           neither
           their
           Persons
           might
           be
           ruined
           ,
           nor
           yet
           their
           Sins
           be
           unpunished
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           might
           sufficiently
           express
           to
           them
           his
           Severity
           against
           their
           Sins
           without
           exposing
           them
           to
           the
           eternal
           Smart
           of
           it
           .
           For
           though
           the
           Suffering
           of
           this
           Person
           ,
           as
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           by
           and
           by
           ,
           was
           a
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           move
           God
           to
           forgive
           us
           upon
           our
           unfeigned
           Repentance
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           no
           such
           Reason
           as
           did
           necessarily
           oblige
           him
           thereunto
           ;
           for
           if
           he
           had
           pleased
           he
           might
           have
           righteously
           exacted
           our
           Punishment
           at
           
             our
             own
          
           Hands
           ,
           and
           made
           us
           forever
           rue
           for
           
             our
             own
          
           Folly
           and
           Madness
           ;
           but
           such
           was
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           that
           for
           the
           
           Sufferings
           of
           the
           Innocent
           he
           hath
           mercifully
           acquitted
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           Offenders
           ,
           and
           so
           scourged
           our
           Sins
           upon
           the
           Back
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ;
           for
           though
           he
           suffered
           for
           us
           ,
           yet
           we
           suffered
           not
           in
           him
           ,
           our
           Persons
           were
           not
           at
           all
           damnified
           by
           those
           bitter
           Agonies
           which
           he
           endured
           for
           our
           Sins
           ;
           so
           that
           to
           a
           wonder
           of
           Mercy
           they
           have
           been
           so
           severely
           punished
           as
           't
           is
           fit
           they
           should
           ,
           and
           yet
           we
           who
           were
           the
           Authors
           of
           them
           never
           felt
           the
           Smart
           .
           
             Blessed
             God!
          
           How
           merciful
           hast
           thou
           been
           to
           thy
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           hast
           thus
           found
           out
           a
           Way
           to
           distinguish
           the
           Sin
           from
           the
           Sinner
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           punish
           the
           one
           ,
           as
           to
           let
           the
           other
           escape
           ?
           For
           by
           his
           gracious
           Admission
           ,
           
             Christ
             hath
             once
             suffered
             for
             Sins
             ,
             the
             just
             for
             the
             unjust
             ,
             that
             he
             might
             bring
             us
             to
             God
             ,
          
           1
           Pet.
           iii
           18.
           
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           Another
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           us
           in
           this
           Method
           of
           Pardon
           ,
           is
           his
           exacting
           such
           a
           Suffering
           for
           the
           Price
           of
           our
           Pardon
           as
           is
           most
           effectual
           to
           secure
           us
           from
           sinning
           again
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Instance
           of
           the
           mighty
           Care
           he
           hath
           taken
           to
           pardon
           us
           in
           such
           a
           way
           as
           might
           be
           most
           for
           our
           future
           Security
           .
           For
           it
           would
           have
           been
           no
           way
           proper
           for
           the
           wise
           Governour
           of
           the
           World
           to
           grant
           a
           general
           Pardon
           to
           Offenders
           without
           some
           sufficient
           Reason
           moving
           him
           thereunto
           .
           Now
           that
           Repentance
           
           which
           is
           the
           best
           Reason
           we
           can
           offer
           him
           is
           not
           sufficient
           ,
           I
           have
           already
           shewed
           you
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           his
           Government
           ,
           in
           the
           good
           Management
           whereof
           the
           Welfare
           of
           all
           his
           Subjects
           is
           involved
           .
           For
           his
           Laws
           requiring
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           for
           our
           good
           ,
           't
           is
           truly
           our
           Interest
           to
           be
           kept
           under
           a
           strict
           Obedience
           to
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           should
           he
           pardon
           us
           upon
           any
           Reason
           that
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           secure
           his
           Government
           and
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           a
           publick
           Nuisance
           and
           Damage
           to
           Mankind
           ;
           and
           consequently
           the
           greater
           the
           Reason
           is
           that
           moves
           him
           to
           pardon
           us
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           it
           enforces
           our
           Obedience
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           the
           greater
           is
           the
           Goodness
           which
           he
           expresses
           in
           pardoning
           us
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           it
           conduces
           to
           our
           Welfare
           and
           Happiness
           .
           But
           now
           upon
           what
           higher
           Motive
           could
           he
           have
           made
           a
           Grant
           of
           Pardon
           to
           us
           than
           upon
           the
           most
           meritorious
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           for
           us
           ?
           For
           since
           nothing
           that
           we
           could
           do
           was
           a
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           move
           him
           to
           promise
           to
           us
           the
           Forgiveness
           of
           our
           Sins
           ,
           it
           was
           requisite
           that
           something
           more
           should
           be
           done
           for
           us
           by
           some
           other
           Person
           ,
           and
           the
           greatest
           Thing
           that
           any
           other
           Person
           could
           do
           for
           us
           to
           move
           God
           to
           forgive
           us
           ,
           was
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ;
           because
           hereby
           not
           only
           a
           publick
           
           Acknowledgement
           is
           made
           of
           what
           we
           have
           deserved
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           but
           something
           of
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           them
           is
           paid
           as
           a
           publick
           Satisfaction
           to
           the
           Law.
           So
           that
           if
           God
           pardons
           us
           upon
           such
           a
           Reason
           ,
           he
           doth
           by
           the
           same
           Act
           express
           his
           most
           tender
           Mercy
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           his
           implacable
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           ;
           for
           by
           pardoning
           us
           upon
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           another
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           he
           expresses
           his
           hearty
           Good-Will
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           openly
           signifies
           how
           unwilling
           he
           is
           to
           ruin
           us
           .
           But
           then
           by
           exacting
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           another
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           before
           he
           will
           be
           induced
           to
           grant
           a
           Pardon
           to
           us
           ,
           he
           manifests
           to
           us
           how
           implacably
           he
           hates
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           how
           inexorably
           severe
           he
           is
           against
           them
           .
           But
           then
           if
           he
           pardon
           us
           upon
           this
           Reason
           of
           anothers
           suffering
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           then
           the
           greater
           and
           more
           excellent
           the
           Person
           is
           that
           suffers
           for
           us
           ,
           the
           greater
           Reason
           he
           hath
           to
           forgive
           us
           upon
           it
           .
           For
           such
           as
           the
           Person
           is
           that
           suffers
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           Moment
           and
           Value
           of
           his
           Suffering
           ;
           because
           the
           End
           of
           all
           such
           vicarious
           Punishments
           being
           only
           this
           ,
           to
           give
           such
           an
           Example
           of
           the
           Severity
           of
           Governours
           against
           Offenders
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           sufficient
           to
           vindicate
           the
           Honour
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           secure
           the
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Subject
           ;
           the
           Value
           of
           his
           Suffering
           ,
           who
           thus
           suffers
           for
           us
           must
           consist
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           a
           more
           
           or
           less
           exemplary
           Signification
           of
           the
           Severity
           of
           the
           Lawgiver
           against
           our
           Sins
           for
           which
           he
           suffers
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           it
           would
           be
           a
           higher
           Signification
           of
           God's
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           not
           to
           pardon
           us
           but
           upon
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           an
           innocent
           Angel
           ,
           than
           not
           to
           pardon
           us
           but
           upon
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           an
           innocent
           Man.
           What
           a
           most
           exemplary
           Signification
           then
           is
           this
           of
           his
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           not
           pardon
           us
           but
           upon
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           own
           most
           innocent
           Son
           ;
           who
           being
           the
           greatest
           Person
           in
           all
           the
           Creation
           ,
           did
           by
           his
           suffering
           in
           our
           Stead
           exhibit
           the
           greatest
           Instance
           of
           God's
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           that
           could
           possibly
           have
           been
           given
           by
           any
           Person
           whatsoever
           that
           was
           capable
           of
           suffering
           for
           us
           ?
           So
           that
           his
           suffering
           in
           our
           Stead
           was
           apparently
           the
           best
           and
           highest
           Reason
           that
           could
           possibly
           have
           been
           given
           to
           move
           God
           to
           pardon
           us
           ,
           and
           consequently
           his
           pardoning
           us
           in
           such
           a
           Way
           and
           upon
           such
           a
           Reason
           is
           a
           most
           glorious
           Instance
           of
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           tender
           Regard
           he
           hath
           of
           our
           Welfare
           .
           For
           now
           in
           the
           very
           Method
           of
           his
           pardoning
           us
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           he
           hath
           taken
           a
           most
           effectual
           Course
           to
           secure
           our
           Obedience
           for
           the
           future
           ,
           that
           very
           Reason
           that
           moved
           him
           to
           pardon
           us
           being
           the
           greatest
           Reason
           that
           can
           be
           urged
           to
           terrify
           us
           from
           
           sinning
           again
           .
           For
           what
           Consideration
           is
           there
           that
           can
           fill
           us
           with
           greater
           Horror
           against
           our
           Sins
           than
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Guilt
           of
           them
           is
           so
           great
           and
           heinous
           that
           the
           most
           merciful
           Father
           would
           never
           have
           forgiven
           them
           ,
           had
           not
           his
           own
           most
           glorious
           Son
           suffered
           for
           them
           in
           our
           Stead
           ?
           And
           indeed
           had
           not
           God
           thus
           provided
           for
           the
           securing
           of
           our
           Obedience
           in
           the
           very
           Method
           of
           his
           Pardon
           ,
           his
           Grace
           in
           pardoning
           us
           would
           have
           been
           very
           insignificant
           ;
           for
           our
           Welfare
           and
           Happiness
           being
           all
           bound
           up
           in
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           our
           Pardon
           without
           this
           could
           not
           have
           secured
           us
           from
           being
           miserable
           .
           So
           that
           if
           in
           the
           Method
           of
           his
           Pardon
           he
           had
           not
           so
           manifested
           his
           Severity
           against
           our
           Sins
           as
           to
           discourage
           us
           sufficiently
           from
           sinning
           again
           ,
           his
           very
           Mercy
           and
           Compassion
           would
           have
           proved
           destructive
           to
           us
           ;
           because
           it
           would
           have
           encouraged
           us
           to
           Sin
           on
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           make
           our selves
           miserable
           .
           For
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           are
           so
           inseparably
           interwoven
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Pardon
           God
           can
           give
           us
           while
           we
           continue
           in
           our
           Sins
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           prevent
           our
           being
           miserable
           ;
           but
           such
           hath
           been
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           ,
           such
           his
           Care
           to
           prevent
           our
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           ,
           as
           that
           in
           the
           very
           Reason
           that
           moves
           him
           to
           pardon
           us
           ,
           for
           what
           is
           past
           ,
           he
           gives
           us
           a
           most
           terrible
           
           warning
           not
           to
           Sin
           again
           .
           For
           he
           that
           can
           behold
           such
           a
           dreadful
           Spectacle
           as
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           dying
           for
           Sin
           ,
           and
           yet
           Sin
           on
           ,
           is
           a
           valiant
           Sinner
           indeed
           ,
           and
           may
           with
           the
           same
           Courage
           follow
           his
           Lusts
           into
           the
           Flames
           of
           Hell.
           So
           careful
           hath
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           been
           to
           plot
           and
           contrive
           for
           the
           Welfare
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           not
           so
           much
           as
           pardon
           them
           when
           they
           had
           offended
           him
           ,
           but
           in
           such
           a
           Way
           as
           was
           most
           for
           their
           Security
           and
           Good.
           
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           His
           consenting
           that
           his
           own
           Son
           should
           submit
           himself
           to
           this
           Suffering
           ,
           is
           another
           great
           Instance
           of
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           in
           this
           method
           of
           pardoning
           us
           .
           That
           he
           should
           not
           only
           admit
           of
           a
           Sacrifice
           to
           bear
           our
           Transgressions
           and
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           but
           that
           himself
           should
           provide
           one
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           one
           too
           as
           his
           own
           most
           dear
           and
           precious
           Son
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           Miracle
           of
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           as
           the
           whole
           Creation
           cannot
           parallel
           .
           For
           though
           Mankind
           had
           provoked
           him
           to
           that
           Height
           that
           none
           but
           a
           God
           of
           infinite
           Patience
           could
           have
           born
           it
           ,
           yet
           such
           was
           his
           Unwillingness
           to
           inflict
           that
           direful
           Punishment
           upon
           them
           which
           he
           had
           justly
           threatned
           ,
           and
           they
           had
           justly
           deserved
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           all
           their
           Demerits
           he
           was
           still
           vehemently
           inclined
           to
           be
           propitious
           to
           them
           .
           
           But
           then
           how
           to
           save
           them
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           same
           Time
           so
           to
           manifest
           his
           Severity
           against
           their
           Sins
           as
           was
           needful
           to
           preserve
           the
           Authority
           and
           Honour
           of
           his
           Laws
           that
           had
           threatned
           Destruction
           to
           them
           ,
           was
           the
           great
           Difficulty
           ;
           for
           should
           he
           have
           wholly
           omitted
           the
           Punishment
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           very
           much
           undervalued
           the
           Authority
           of
           his
           Laws
           in
           the
           Esteem
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           the
           main
           security
           of
           their
           Authority
           being
           the
           Punishment
           annexed
           to
           them
           ;
           but
           on
           the
           contrary
           should
           he
           have
           exacted
           the
           utmost
           of
           the
           Punishment
           ,
           he
           must
           have
           destroyed
           the
           whole
           Race
           of
           Men
           ,
           we
           being
           all
           Offenders
           in
           his
           Sight
           .
           In
           this
           Extremity
           therefore
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           pardon
           such
           a
           World
           of
           Sinners
           with
           safety
           to
           his
           Government
           ,
           it
           was
           highly
           necessary
           for
           him
           to
           exhibit
           to
           the
           World
           some
           dreadful
           Example
           of
           his
           Severity
           against
           them
           ,
           such
           as
           might
           be
           sufficient
           to
           prevent
           Offenders
           from
           taking
           any
           Encouragement
           from
           his
           pardoning
           them
           to
           offend
           again
           .
           But
           to
           make
           a
           Sinner
           such
           a
           great
           Example
           of
           his
           Severity
           against
           the
           Sins
           of
           others
           was
           impossible
           ,
           because
           his
           own
           Sins
           may
           deserve
           the
           utmost
           Severity
           that
           God
           can
           inflict
           upon
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           among
           our selves
           who
           were
           all
           Sinners
           there
           was
           no
           Person
           could
           be
           found
           fit
           to
           be
           made
           such
           an
           Example
           of
           
           his
           Severity
           against
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           whole
           World.
           And
           if
           an
           innocent
           Angel
           should
           have
           freely
           offered
           up
           himself
           to
           bear
           our
           Punishment
           ,
           and
           Suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           his
           Suffering
           in
           our
           Room
           would
           not
           have
           so
           sufficiently
           expressed
           Gods
           Severity
           against
           the
           Sins
           of
           a
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           ,
           as
           was
           convenient
           ;
           for
           what
           great
           Severity
           would
           it
           have
           been
           to
           have
           exacted
           the
           suffering
           of
           one
           innocent
           Angel
           ,
           in
           lieu
           of
           that
           eternal
           Punishment
           that
           was
           due
           to
           a
           whole
           World
           of
           Men
           ?
           Wherefore
           it
           being
           highly
           convenient
           ,
           that
           the
           Dignity
           of
           the
           Person
           who
           suffered
           for
           us
           should
           be
           such
           as
           might
           render
           his
           Suffering
           in
           some
           Degree
           proportionable
           to
           the
           Punishment
           due
           to
           our
           Sins
           ,
           that
           so
           his
           Suffering
           in
           our
           stead
           might
           be
           as
           exemplary
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           our selves
           had
           suffered
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           Desert
           ,
           and
           there
           being
           no
           Creature
           of
           that
           Dignity
           either
           in
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           ;
           in
           this
           Extremity
           ,
           the
           
             eternal
             Son
          
           of
           God
           himself
           interposes
           ,
           and
           freely
           offers
           to
           unite
           himself
           to
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           therein
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           upon
           Condition
           that
           on
           our
           unfeigned
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           a
           free
           Charter
           of
           Pardon
           might
           be
           granted
           for
           all
           our
           past
           Provocations
           .
           So
           that
           now
           an
           Expedient
           being
           proposed
           by
           which
           God
           might
           both
           pardon
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           sufficiently
           manifest
           
           his
           Severity
           against
           them
           ,
           to
           secure
           the
           Authority
           of
           his
           Laws
           ,
           and
           deter
           us
           from
           sinning
           again
           ;
           though
           he
           saw
           how
           dear
           an
           Expedient
           it
           would
           prove
           ,
           that
           it
           would
           cost
           him
           the
           most
           precious
           Blood
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ;
           yet
           such
           was
           his
           tender
           Pity
           towards
           us
           ,
           so
           great
           his
           Unwillingness
           to
           ruin
           us
           forever
           ,
           that
           he
           freely
           complyed
           with
           the
           Motion
           ,
           and
           consented
           that
           his
           Son
           should
           be
           sacrificed
           for
           the
           Sins
           of
           the
           World.
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             he
             spared
             not
             his
             own
             Son
             ,
             but
             delivered
             him
             up
             for
             us
             all
             ,
          
           Rom.
           viii
           .
           32
           .
           And
           the
           Reason
           why
           he
           deliverd
           him
           up
           ,
           as
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           v.
           3
           .
           of
           the
           same
           Chapter
           ,
           was
           to
           
             condemn
             Sin
             in
             the
             Flesh
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           pronounce
           in
           the
           Suffering
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           for
           it
           ,
           what
           a
           dreadful
           Punishment
           it
           deserved
           ,
           and
           how
           much
           his
           Soul
           was
           incensed
           against
           it
           ,
           that
           would
           not
           pardon
           it
           without
           such
           a
           mighty
           Propitiation
           .
           How
           inexpressibly
           gracious
           therefore
           hath
           God
           been
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           when
           for
           the
           securing
           the
           Authority
           of
           his
           Laws
           it
           was
           so
           necessary
           to
           condemn
           our
           Sins
           ,
           rather
           than
           condemn
           them
           in
           our
           own
           personal
           Punishment
           ,
           he
           should
           chuse
           to
           condemn
           them
           in
           the
           sufferings
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ?
           It
           was
           a
           great
           Instance
           of
           his
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           to
           admit
           of
           another
           to
           suffer
           for
           us
           ,
           in
           our
           stead
           ;
           but
           to
           admit
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           Darling
           of
           Heaven
           and
           the
           
           Delight
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           freely
           to
           give
           and
           deliver
           him
           up
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           amidst
           all
           the
           yearnings
           of
           his
           fatherly
           Bowels
           towards
           him
           ,
           not
           to
           spare
           his
           precious
           Life
           when
           it
           was
           to
           be
           made
           the
           Price
           of
           our
           Redemption
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           Miracle
           of
           Love
           as
           transcends
           all
           Hyperboles
           .
        
         
           4
           ly
           and
           lastly
           ,
           his
           choosing
           to
           grant
           Pardon
           to
           us
           upon
           the
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           Son
           as
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           is
           also
           another
           great
           Instance
           of
           his
           Goodness
           to
           us
           in
           this
           Way
           of
           pardoning
           us
           .
           For
           the
           End
           of
           granting
           Pardon
           to
           Sinners
           upon
           their
           Repentance
           being
           to
           encourage
           them
           to
           repent
           ,
           it
           was
           highly
           convenient
           to
           grant
           it
           to
           them
           in
           such
           a
           Way
           and
           upon
           such
           Reason
           ,
           as
           might
           most
           effectually
           assure
           them
           thereof
           .
           And
           considering
           what
           was
           the
           general
           Persuasion
           of
           Mankind
           in
           this
           Matter
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           such
           effectual
           Way
           to
           secure
           them
           of
           Pardon
           upon
           their
           Repentance
           ,
           as
           this
           of
           granting
           Pardon
           to
           them
           upon
           the
           Motive
           of
           a
           Sacrifice
           for
           their
           Sins
           .
           For
           however
           it
           came
           to
           pass
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           a
           Principle
           generally
           received
           by
           Men
           of
           all
           Nations
           and
           Religions
           ,
           that
           to
           appease
           the
           incensed
           Divinity
           it
           was
           necessary
           ;
           First
           ,
           that
           some
           Sacrifice
           should
           be
           made
           to
           him
           for
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           then
           that
           some
           high
           Favourite
           of
           his
           should
           intercede
           with
           him
           in
           their
           Be
           -
           ;
           
           half
           ;
           upon
           which
           were
           founded
           those
           two
           great
           Rights
           of
           
             Propitiatory
             Sacrifices
          
           ,
           and
           
             worshiping
             of
             Demons
          
           ,
           which
           made
           up
           a
           great
           Part
           of
           all
           the
           
             Heathenish
             Religions
          
           in
           the
           World.
           For
           as
           for
           
             Propitiatory
             Sacrifices
          
           ,
           they
           were
           generally
           used
           not
           only
           by
           the
           barbarous
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           most
           
             civiliz'd
             Heathens
          
           ;
           which
           Sacrifices
           they
           devoted
           unto
           God
           to
           be
           their
           Proxies
           in
           Punishment
           ,
           to
           undergo
           the
           Punishment
           that
           was
           due
           to
           them
           for
           their
           own
           Sins
           .
           And
           hence
           is
           that
           of
           the
           
             antient
             Poet
             ,
             Cum
             sis
             ipse
             nocens
             ,
             moritur
             cur
             Victima
             pro
             te
             ?
          
           —
           When
           thou
           thy self
           art
           the
           Offender
           ,
           for
           what
           Reason
           should
           the
           Victim
           die
           for
           thee
           ?
           And
           Porphery
           tells
           us
           that
           the
           first
           Rise
           of
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           Animals
           was
           ,
           
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             certain
             Occasions
             requiring
             that
             a
             Soul
             ,
             should
             be
             offered
             up
             for
             a
             Soul
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Life
           of
           a
           Beast
           for
           the
           Life
           of
           a
           Man
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           the
           constant
           Opinion
           that
           the
           more
           worthy
           the
           Sacrifice
           which
           they
           offered
           ,
           the
           more
           effectual
           it
           was
           to
           appease
           their
           offended
           Divinities
           .
           And
           hence
           in
           many
           Places
           ,
           the
           ordinary
           Sacrifice
           of
           Attonement
           which
           they
           offered
           ,
           was
           the
           Lives
           of
           Men
           ;
           and
           though
           this
           indeed
           was
           most
           used
           in
           the
           most
           barbarous
           Countries
           ,
           yet
           in
           Cases
           of
           great
           Danger
           and
           Extremity
           the
           Greeks
           and
           Romans
           ,
           themselves
           did
           frequently
           Sacrifice
           
           humane
           Lives
           to
           their
           Gods
           ;
           for
           so
           it
           is
           recorded
           of
           the
           Romans
           ,
           that
           when
           their
           City
           was
           in
           great
           Danger
           of
           being
           taken
           by
           Hanibal
           ,
           they
           sacrificed
           a
           Man
           to
           their
           
             Tutelar
             God
          
           :
           And
           Servius
           tells
           us
           of
           the
           Massilians
           ,
           that
           in
           Time
           of
           Pestilence
           one
           of
           the
           poorer
           sort
           was
           wont
           to
           offer
           himself
           to
           be
           sacrificed
           for
           the
           whole
           City
           ;
           who
           being
           for
           a
           whole
           Year
           nourished
           with
           the
           purest
           Meat
           ,
           was
           then
           led
           about
           the
           City
           adorned
           with
           
             sacred
             Vestments
          
           and
           
             Cathartick
             Herbs
          
           ,
           the
           People
           following
           him
           making
           solemn
           Execrations
           that
           the
           Plague
           might
           be
           removed
           from
           the
           City
           and
           fall
           upon
           his
           Head
           ;
           which
           done
           ,
           they
           offered
           him
           up
           in
           a
           Sacrifice
           .
           And
           in
           other
           Places
           they
           offered
           up
           pure
           Virgins
           of
           the
           noblest
           Families
           ,
           to
           propitiate
           their
           angry
           Gods
           ;
           and
           elsewhere
           ,
           as
           Servius
           tells
           us
           ,
           they
           were
           wont
           to
           cast
           a
           Man
           into
           the
           Sea
           with
           this
           Imprecation
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           be
           thou
           our
           Purgament
           ,
           or
           Redemption
           .
           So
           also
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Athenians
           ,
           that
           they
           maintained
           some
           of
           the
           most
           unprofitable
           and
           ignoble
           of
           their
           People
           ,
           that
           so
           when
           any
           great
           Calamity
           befell
           the
           City
           ,
           they
           might
           offer
           them
           up
           in
           Sacrifice
           to
           appease
           their
           Gods.
           And
           that
           Passage
           of
           Caesar
           concerning
           the
           
             Gallic
             Nation
          
           is
           very
           observable
           ,
           that
           in
           Cases
           of
           great
           Danger
           and
           Calamity
           
           they
           either
           devoted
           themselves
           to
           the
           Altar
           ,
           or
           else
           offered
           up
           some
           Man
           in
           their
           Stead
           ;
           quod
           pro
           vita
           hominis
           nisi
           hominis
           vita
           reddatur
           ,
           non
           posse
           Deorum
           immortalium
           Numen
           placari
           arbitrantur
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             thinking
             that
             the
             immortal
             God's
             would
             never
             be
             appeased
             unless
             they
             offered
             up
             to
             them
             the
             Life
             of
             a
             Man
             for
             the
             Life
             of
             a
             Man
             :
          
           All
           which
           is
           an
           Evidence
           that
           they
           not
           only
           thought
           Sacrifices
           necessary
           to
           appease
           God
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           also
           believed
           the
           better
           the
           Sacrifice
           was
           ,
           the
           more
           effectually
           it
           did
           appease
           him
           .
           Nor
           did
           they
           think
           it
           less
           necessary
           that
           there
           should
           be
           some
           Intercessor
           between
           them
           and
           the
           Supream
           Divinity
           to
           Solicite
           their
           Cause
           ,
           and
           render
           Sin
           propitious
           to
           their
           Desires
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           was
           the
           general
           Doctrin
           of
           their
           Divines
           ,
           that
           't
           was
           great
           Prophaneness
           for
           any
           thing
           that
           was
           earthly
           and
           sinful
           immediately
           to
           approach
           that
           Pure
           and
           Divine
           Being
           ;
           but
           that
           the
           Demons
           were
           to
           be
           the
           Mediators
           and
           Agents
           between
           him
           ,
           and
           mortal
           Men
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           as
           
             Plato
             in
             his
             Sympos
          
           .
           expresses
           it
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           
             God
             is
             not
             approached
             by
             Men
             ,
             but
             all
             the
             Commerse
             ,
             and
             Intercourse
             between
             him
             and
             us
             is
             performed
             by
             the
             Mediation
             of
             Demons
             .
          
           So
           that
           howsoever
           they
           came
           by
           this
           Principle
           
           it
           is
           apparent
           that
           they
           generally
           believed
           both
           Sacrifices
           and
           a
           Mediator
           to
           be
           necessary
           Means
           to
           reconcile
           them
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           without
           these
           they
           could
           not
           satisfy
           themselves
           that
           God
           would
           be
           propitious
           to
           them
           ,
           no
           not
           upon
           their
           Repentance
           and
           Reformation
           .
           Some
           good
           Hopes
           they
           might
           have
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           apparent
           they
           had
           ,
           from
           the
           Goodness
           and
           Benignity
           of
           the
           Divine
           Nature
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           forsook
           their
           Sins
           God
           would
           not
           be
           inexorable
           to
           them
           ,
           at
           least
           they
           could
           not
           tell
           but
           they
           might
           find
           Mercy
           ;
           but
           yet
           they
           durst
           not
           absolutely
           trust
           to
           this
           without
           devoting
           some
           other
           to
           suffer
           in
           their
           Stead
           ,
           and
           engaging
           some
           other
           to
           intercede
           in
           their
           Behalf
           .
           And
           therefore
           we
           see
           that
           when
           the
           King
           of
           Nineveh
           upon
           Jonah's
           Preaching
           obliged
           his
           People
           to
           Fasting
           and
           Repentance
           ,
           the
           utmost
           Encouragement
           he
           could
           give
           them
           was
           only
           this
           ;
           
             Who
             can
             tell
             if
             God
             will
             turn
             and
             repent
             ,
             and
             turn
             away
             from
             his
             fierce
             anger
             ,
             that
             we
             perish
             not
             ,
          
           Jonah
           iii.
           9
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           give
           us
           the
           highest
           Assurance
           of
           Pardon
           if
           we
           repent
           ,
           God
           hath
           been
           so
           infinitely
           good
           to
           us
           as
           to
           choose
           that
           very
           Method
           of
           reconciling
           us
           to
           himself
           ,
           which
           we
           had
           chalked
           out
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           meet
           with
           us
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Way
           ,
           thereby
           to
           give
           us
           a
           fuller
           Assurance
           of
           his
           most
           gracious
           and
           merciful
           
           Intentions
           to
           us
           ;
           for
           how
           could
           he
           have
           better
           satisfied
           the
           Anxiousness
           and
           Jealousy
           of
           our
           guilty
           Minds
           ,
           than
           in
           granting
           us
           our
           Pardon
           in
           that
           very
           Way
           ,
           wherein
           we
           did
           so
           universally
           hope
           for
           and
           expect
           it
           ?
           
             Good
             God!
          
           How
           indulgent
           hast
           thou
           been
           to
           thy
           poor
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           wast
           not
           only
           so
           ready
           to
           pardon
           them
           upon
           their
           Repentance
           ,
           but
           so
           careful
           to
           give
           them
           the
           most
           effectual
           Assurance
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           so
           thou
           might'st
           remove
           all
           discouragements
           out
           of
           the
           Way
           to
           our
           Amendment
           and
           Happiness
           ?
           For
           doubtless
           the
           Reason
           why
           he
           took
           this
           Way
           of
           Pardoning
           us
           more
           than
           another
           ,
           was
           not
           only
           because
           it
           was
           best
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           most
           for
           the
           Interest
           of
           his
           own
           Government
           ;
           but
           also
           because
           of
           all
           others
           it
           was
           the
           most
           effectual
           to
           satisfy
           our
           guilty
           Fears
           ,
           and
           assure
           us
           of
           his
           merciful
           Intentions
           to
           receive
           us
           into
           Favour
           again
           upon
           our
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           .
           For
           when
           Mankind
           were
           so
           unanimously
           agreed
           in
           this
           Belief
           ,
           that
           without
           a
           Sacrifice
           and
           a
           Mediator
           he
           would
           not
           be
           appeased
           ,
           how
           could
           he
           more
           effectually
           have
           convinced
           our
           Mistrust
           of
           his
           Mercy
           ,
           than
           by
           sending
           his
           own
           Son
           to
           be
           our
           Sacrifice
           and
           Mediator
           ;
           to
           die
           for
           our
           Sins
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           and
           intercede
           for
           our
           Pardon
           in
           Heaven
           ?
           So
           that
           if
           now
           we
           will
           heartily
           repent
           of
           our
           
           Sins
           and
           forsake
           them
           ,
           we
           have
           all
           the
           security
           of
           Mercy
           that
           we
           can
           desire
           ;
           our
           God
           being
           attoned
           by
           the
           noblest
           Sacrifice
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           and
           interceded
           with
           ,
           on
           our
           Behalf
           by
           the
           most
           powerful
           and
           prevailing
           Mediator
           .
           Having
           therefore
           such
           
             an
             High
             Priest
             over
             the
             House
             of
             God
             ,
          
           we
           may
           
             safely
             draw
             near
             with
             a
             true
             Heart
             ,
             in
             full
             assurance
             of
             Faith
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Apostle
           expresses
           it
           Heb.
           x.
           21
           ,
           22.
           
           Thus
           you
           see
           how
           good
           and
           gracious
           God
           hath
           been
           to
           us
           in
           the
           Way
           and
           Method
           which
           he
           hath
           prescribed
           of
           pardoning
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           releasing
           us
           from
           the
           obligation
           of
           Punishment
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           which
           is
           so
           wise
           and
           good
           ,
           and
           every
           way
           God-like
           ,
           that
           I
           think
           ,
           had
           I
           no
           other
           Reason
           to
           believe
           the
           
             Christian
             Religion
          
           ,
           but
           only
           this
           wondrous
           Contrivance
           of
           pardoning
           Sinners
           revealed
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           this
           would
           have
           been
           enough
           to
           persuade
           me
           that
           none
           but
           a
           God
           could
           be
           the
           Author
           and
           Contriver
           of
           it
           .
           And
           now
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           with
           a
           few
           Inferences
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           what
           a
           very
           
             great
             Evil
          
           Sin
           is
           ,
           seeing
           it
           is
           such
           an
           Evil
           as
           binds
           us
           over
           to
           
             perish
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           nothing
           can
           make
           Expiation
           for
           ,
           but
           only
           the
           precious
           Blood
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ;
           such
           ,
           as
           our
           Saviour
           must
           die
           for
           ,
           or
           our
           Souls
           must
           
           have
           suffered
           for
           ,
           to
           all
           Eternity
           .
           How
           different
           therefore
           are
           our
           Thoughts
           from
           God's
           !
           We
           think
           it
           a
           Matter
           of
           Sport
           and
           Laughter
           ,
           a
           Thing
           to
           Play
           ,
           and
           make
           Merry
           with
           ;
           but
           God
           ,
           who
           knows
           the
           inmost
           Nature
           of
           things
           ,
           looks
           upon
           it
           as
           a
           Thing
           of
           such
           a
           black
           and
           horrid
           Nature
           ,
           as
           that
           nothing
           but
           the
           Blood
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           or
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           Son
           can
           make
           Expiation
           for
           .
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           Had
           we
           but
           such
           Thoughts
           of
           our
           Sins
           as
           thou
           hast
           ,
           how
           should
           we
           start
           and
           tremble
           at
           the
           Sight
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           Horror
           and
           Amazement
           should
           we
           reflect
           upon
           them
           ?
           Surely
           if
           all
           the
           Devils
           in
           Hell
           should
           stand
           round
           about
           us
           in
           the
           most
           gastly
           Shapes
           and
           Apparitions
           ,
           it
           would
           not
           put
           us
           into
           half
           that
           Agony
           of
           Fear
           ,
           as
           would
           the
           Sense
           and
           Remembrance
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Guilts
           and
           Follies
           .
           For
           had
           we
           but
           a
           Window
           into
           Hell
           to
           look
           through
           and
           see
           what
           unsufferable
           Torments
           the
           
             damned
             Ghosts
          
           undergo
           there
           for
           those
           Sins
           we
           make
           so
           light
           of
           ;
           how
           they
           burn
           and
           roar
           in
           those
           Flames
           of
           Lust
           ,
           about
           which
           we
           like
           silly
           Flies
           do
           sport
           and
           dally
           ;
           or
           had
           we
           but
           the
           Cross
           always
           standing
           before
           our
           Eyes
           with
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           hanging
           on
           it
           for
           those
           Sins
           that
           are
           our
           Recreation
           ,
           sighing
           and
           groaning
           out
           his
           innocent
           Soul
           in
           Torment
           and
           Agonies
           to
           expiate
           
           those
           Faults
           which
           we
           commit
           with
           so
           much
           Greediness
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           surely
           either
           of
           these
           sad
           Spectacles
           would
           be
           sufficient
           to
           cool
           our
           Courage
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           us
           affraid
           of
           ever
           sinning
           more
           .
           Why
           then
           should
           not
           our
           Belief
           of
           these
           Things
           have
           the
           same
           Effect
           upon
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           Sight
           and
           Sense
           of
           them
           must
           needs
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           ?
           O
           
             my
             Soul
          
           ,
           why
           should
           I
           be
           so
           mad
           as
           to
           hug
           and
           embrace
           my
           Lusts
           any
           longer
           ,
           when
           I
           believe
           the
           Evil
           of
           them
           to
           be
           so
           great
           as
           that
           the
           merciful
           Father
           would
           never
           have
           forgiven
           them
           ,
           had
           not
           his
           own
           most
           
             blessed
             Son
          
           born
           their
           Punishment
           ,
           and
           freely
           submitted
           himself
           to
           suffer
           for
           them
           in
           my
           Stead
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           which
           I
           verily
           believe
           he
           will
           never
           Pardon
           yet
           ,
           unless
           I
           heartily
           repent
           of
           ,
           and
           forsake
           them
           ;
           but
           notwithstanding
           all
           that
           his
           Son
           hath
           suffered
           to
           make
           Expiation
           for
           them
           ,
           will
           yet
           pursue
           and
           prosecute
           them
           with
           the
           most
           direful
           effects
           of
           an
           endless
           and
           omnipotent
           Vengance
           ?
        
         
           2
           ly
           ,
           Hence
           I
           infer
           the
           Certainty
           of
           our
           
             perishing
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           if
           we
           do
           not
           repent
           of
           our
           Sins
           and
           forsake
           them
           .
           For
           if
           God
           would
           not
           have
           forgiven
           them
           upon
           our
           Repentance
           ,
           unless
           an
           Expiation
           had
           been
           made
           for
           them
           by
           the
           Blood
           of
           his
           Son
           ;
           how
           can
           we
           imagin
           that
           he
           will
           now
           forgive
           
           them
           whether
           we
           repent
           of
           them
           or
           no
           ?
           When
           all
           that
           could
           be
           obtained
           for
           us
           from
           our
           offended
           God
           by
           the
           vocal
           Blood
           and
           Wounds
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           (
           whose
           Language
           was
           a
           thousand
           Times
           more
           effectual
           for
           us
           ,
           than
           all
           the
           Retorick
           of
           Angels
           could
           have
           been
           )
           was
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           if
           yet
           we
           would
           heartily
           repent
           and
           amend
           ,
           we
           should
           certainly
           find
           Mercy
           and
           Favour
           at
           his
           Hands
           ;
           can
           we
           be
           so
           assured
           as
           to
           hope
           for
           any
           more
           ?
           Is
           it
           likely
           ,
           that
           our
           obstinate
           Continuance
           in
           wilful
           Rebellion
           against
           him
           should
           be
           a
           more
           prevalent
           Advocate
           for
           us
           ,
           than
           the
           most
           eloquent
           Blood
           of
           that
           innocent
           Lamb
           ,
           which
           spoke
           better
           Things
           for
           us
           than
           the
           Blood
           of
           Abel
           ?
           Will
           he
           be
           more
           indulgent
           to
           our
           Sins
           than
           he
           was
           to
           the
           obedient
           Sufferings
           of
           his
           own
           Son
           ,
           whose
           Blood
           cryed
           
             Mercy
             ,
             Mercy
          
           ,
           with
           a
           Voice
           more
           moving
           and
           persuasive
           than
           the
           united
           Prayers
           of
           a
           World
           of
           sinful
           Creatures
           could
           have
           done
           ,
           though
           they
           had
           been
           washed
           in
           Floods
           of
           penitent
           Tears
           ?
           Let
           us
           not
           therefore
           be
           so
           fond
           as
           to
           presume
           ,
           that
           when
           the
           utmost
           that
           God
           would
           grant
           us
           for
           his
           own
           dear
           Son's
           sake
           ,
           was
           to
           receive
           us
           to
           Mercy
           upon
           our
           unfeigned
           Repentance
           ;
           he
           will
           now
           for
           
             our
             own
          
           sakes
           pardon
           us
           whether
           we
           repent
           or
           no.
           And
           since
           at
           the
           powerful
           Intreaties
           of
           the
           Blood
           
           of
           Jesus
           he
           hath
           indulged
           to
           us
           as
           much
           Mercy
           as
           was
           fit
           for
           him
           to
           grant
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           than
           we
           could
           ever
           have
           hoped
           for
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           be
           so
           immodest
           as
           to
           expect
           any
           farther
           ,
           but
           fix
           this
           as
           an
           eternal
           Verity
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Minds
           ,
           that
           either
           our
           Sins
           ,
           or
           our
           Souls
           must
           perish
           ;
           and
           then
           if
           after
           all
           that
           he
           hath
           done
           for
           us
           we
           will
           continue
           wicked
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Remedy
           but
           we
           must
           be
           
             miserable
             for
             ever
          
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Hence
           also
           I
           infer
           how
           inexcusable
           we
           are
           if
           we
           now
           perish
           in
           our
           Sins
           ,
           now
           God
           hath
           done
           such
           great
           Things
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           contrived
           such
           an
           excellent
           Way
           to
           pardon
           us
           .
           So
           that
           now
           there
           can
           be
           nothing
           wanting
           to
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           our
           Pardon
           ,
           but
           only
           
             our
             own
          
           Repentance
           and
           Reformation
           ;
           for
           God
           and
           our
           Saviour
           have
           done
           all
           that
           is
           to
           be
           done
           on
           their
           Part
           ;
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           suffered
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           God
           hath
           accepted
           it
           as
           an
           Expiation
           for
           our
           Sins
           .
           And
           now
           the
           whole
           Matter
           sticks
           at
           us
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           nothing
           wanting
           ,
           but
           only
           our
           Repentance
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           will
           not
           Repent
           ,
           and
           thereby
           intitle
           our selves
           to
           that
           merciful
           Pardon
           which
           God
           and
           our
           Saviour
           have
           prepared
           for
           us
           ,
           there
           is
           none
           can
           be
           blamed
           for
           our
           Ruin
           but
           our selves
           :
           For
           when
           Inquisition
           shall
           
           be
           made
           for
           the
           Blood
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           the
           only
           Cause
           of
           our
           Ruin
           will
           be
           found
           to
           be
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           were
           wilfully
           and
           obstinately
           impenitent
           .
           What
           then
           shall
           we
           be
           able
           to
           say
           for
           our
           selves
           ,
           when
           we
           come
           to
           plead
           for
           our
           Lives
           at
           the
           Tribunal
           of
           God
           ?
           Shall
           we
           plead
           that
           our
           Condition
           was
           hopeless
           and
           desperate
           ,
           we
           being
           bound
           over
           for
           our
           past
           Sins
           to
           an
           irrevocable
           Damnation
           ?
           Alas
           !
           With
           what
           Confidence
           can
           we
           plead
           this
           ,
           when
           God
           had
           been
           so
           merciful
           as
           not
           to
           exact
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Persons
           the
           Penalty
           which
           his
           Law
           had
           denounced
           against
           us
           ;
           but
           graciously
           admitted
           another
           to
           suffer
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           upon
           his
           suffering
           promised
           to
           forgive
           us
           if
           we
           would
           heartily
           repent
           ?
           Or
           can
           we
           pretend
           that
           by
           this
           gracious
           Indulgence
           of
           his
           he
           encouraged
           us
           to
           Sin
           on
           ,
           and
           gave
           us
           Reason
           to
           hope
           that
           he
           ,
           who
           without
           our
           Repentance
           had
           remitted
           so
           much
           of
           the
           Severity
           of
           his
           Laws
           as
           to
           admit
           another
           to
           suffer
           in
           our
           Stead
           ,
           might
           as
           easily
           be
           induced
           to
           remit
           all
           whether
           ever
           we
           repented
           or
           no
           ?
           Why
           how
           could
           he
           have
           more
           effectualy
           discouraged
           us
           from
           sining
           on
           ,
           when
           he
           would
           admit
           of
           no
           less
           Suffering
           ,
           but
           what
           ,
           considering
           the
           Greatness
           of
           the
           Person
           who
           underwent
           it
           ,
           was
           as
           dreadful
           an
           Example
           of
           his
           Severity
           against
           
           Sin
           as
           if
           he
           had
           damned
           
             for
             ever
          
           a
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           ?
           Or
           will
           you
           urge
           that
           you
           thought
           it
           in
           vain
           to
           return
           ,
           since
           by
           your
           former
           Sins
           you
           had
           
             for
             ever
          
           forfeited
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ?
           For
           though
           there
           was
           some
           Hopes
           that
           he
           might
           be
           intreated
           to
           pardon
           ,
           or
           remit
           your
           Punishment
           ;
           yet
           't
           was
           in
           vain
           to
           hope
           that
           after
           so
           many
           Provocations
           he
           would
           ever
           be
           throughly
           reconciled
           again
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           receive
           you
           into
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           .
           But
           when
           by
           sending
           his
           own
           Son
           to
           die
           for
           us
           ,
           he
           had
           given
           us
           so
           plain
           a
           Proof
           of
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           his
           Affection
           towards
           us
           ,
           with
           what
           face
           can
           we
           suspect
           his
           Kindness
           ?
           For
           is
           it
           likely
           that
           he
           who
           was
           so
           good
           as
           to
           give
           his
           Son
           for
           us
           whilst
           we
           were
           in
           Impenitence
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           implacable
           as
           to
           deny
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           upon
           our
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           ?
           Was
           it
           not
           a
           much
           higher
           Act
           of
           Love
           to
           give
           his
           Son
           for
           Sinners
           ,
           than
           to
           receive
           
             poor
             prostrate
          
           Penitents
           into
           Favour
           ?
           He
           then
           who
           was
           so
           free
           to
           do
           the
           former
           ,
           we
           might
           well
           imagin
           would
           be
           much
           more
           free
           to
           do
           the
           latter
           .
           Or
           lastly
           ,
           Dare
           we
           plead
           for
           our selves
           ,
           that
           considering
           the
           Anxiousness
           and
           Jealousy
           of
           guilty
           Minds
           ,
           God
           had
           not
           given
           us
           such
           Security
           of
           his
           Readiness
           to
           pardon
           and
           be
           reconciled
           
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           was
           requisite
           to
           dispel
           all
           those
           Fears
           and
           Doubts
           by
           which
           we
           were
           discouraged
           from
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           ?
           But
           how
           weak
           and
           groundless
           this
           Plea
           is
           ,
           will
           soon
           appear
           to
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           when
           it
           shall
           be
           considered
           what
           an
           effectual
           Course
           God
           took
           to
           obviate
           all
           our
           Doubts
           and
           Fears
           by
           pardoning
           us
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Method
           ,
           namely
           ,
           upon
           the
           Motive
           of
           a
           Sacrifice
           ,
           and
           Intercession
           of
           a
           Mediator
           ;
           especially
           of
           such
           a
           Sacrifice
           and
           Mediator
           as
           his
           own
           Son
           :
           For
           let
           him
           be
           never
           so
           severe
           and
           stern
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           impossible
           he
           should
           be
           inexorable
           to
           the
           vocal
           Blood
           and
           importunate
           Intercessions
           of
           that
           dear
           Person
           ,
           whom
           he
           loves
           above
           all
           the
           World.
           And
           now
           when
           God
           had
           so
           contrived
           the
           Method
           of
           his
           pardoning
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           from
           us
           all
           Occasion
           either
           of
           presuming
           upon
           his
           Mercy
           whilst
           we
           continue
           impenitent
           ;
           when
           he
           hath
           taken
           such
           an
           effectual
           Course
           to
           raise
           both
           our
           Hopes
           and
           Fears
           ,
           which
           are
           the
           Springs
           of
           our
           Action
           ,
           to
           their
           highest
           Pitch
           and
           Capacity
           ,
           and
           given
           us
           the
           greatest
           Certainty
           that
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Thing
           will
           bear
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           punish
           us
           
             for
             ever
          
           if
           we
           Sin
           on
           ,
           and
           pardon
           ,
           and
           receive
           us
           into
           Favour
           if
           now
           at
           last
           we
           will
           repent
           and
           return
           ;
           what
           can
           we
           
           say
           for
           our selves
           ,
           if
           in
           Despite
           of
           all
           this
           we
           will
           run
           from
           Mercy
           whilst
           its
           Arms
           are
           open
           to
           embrace
           us
           ,
           and
           leap
           into
           Hell
           with
           our
           Eyes
           open
           ,
           and
           we
           see
           it
           gaping
           ready
           to
           devour
           us
           ?
        
      
       
         
         
           
             JOHN
             III.
             16
             .
          
           
             —
             But
             have
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
        
         
           I
           Am
           now
           upon
           the
           last
           Branch
           of
           the
           Text
           ;
           which
           is
           to
           shew
           you
           the
           great
           Goodness
           of
           God
           to
           us
           in
           promising
           to
           us
           such
           a
           vast
           Reward
           upon
           our
           performing
           such
           an
           easie
           Condition
           as
           our
           
             believing
             in
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ;
           in
           which
           Reward
           there
           is
           first
           ,
           the
           privative
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           the
           Misery
           it
           rescues
           us
           from
           ,
           
             that
             whosoever
             believeth
             in
             him
             should
             not
             perish
             ;
             Secondly
             ,
          
           the
           positive
           ,
           or
           the
           Happiness
           it
           instates
           us
           in
           ,
           
             but
             have
             everlasting
             Life
          
           .
           In
           the
           management
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           Things
           ;
           
             
               1.
               
               Shew
               you
               why
               this
               Reward
               is
               termed
               
                 Everlasting
                 Life
              
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               How
               unspeakably
               good
               God
               hath
               been
               to
               us
               in
               proposing
               to
               us
               such
               a
               vast
               Reward
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Why
           this
           Reward
           is
           stiled
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           ;
           For
           it
           is
           very
           usual
           with
           Scripture
           to
           express
           all
           the
           Blessings
           it
           promises
           to
           Men
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           Life
           ;
           for
           thus
           by
           Life
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           
           very
           frequently
           expresses
           those
           temporal
           Blessings
           ,
           which
           are
           therein
           promised
           and
           proposed
           :
           So
           Deut.
           xxx
           .
           15
           .
           
             See
             ,
             I
             have
             set
             before
             thee
             this
             day
             ,
             Life
             and
             Good
             ,
             and
             Death
             and
             Evil
          
           ;
           in
           which
           he
           plainly
           refers
           to
           those
           temporal
           Blessings
           and
           Curses
           ,
           which
           he
           had
           proposed
           to
           ,
           and
           denounced
           against
           them
           ,
           Chap.
           xxviii
           .
           for
           so
           v.
           19
           .
           of
           this
           Chapter
           he
           explains
           himself
           ,
           
             I
             call
             Heaven
             and
             Earth
             to
             record
             this
             day
             against
             you
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             set
             before
             you
             Life
             and
             Death
             ,
             Blessing
             and
             Cursing
             :
             Therefore
             chuse
             Life
             ,
             that
             both
             Thou
             and
             thy
             Seed
             may
             live
             .
          
           So
           Levit.
           xviii
           .
           5
           .
           
             Ye
             shall
             keep
             my
             Statutes
             and
             my
             Judgments
             :
             Which
             if
             a
             Man
             do
             ,
             he
             shall
             live
             in
             them
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           shall
           enjoy
           all
           those
           temporal
           Blessings
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           therein
           promised
           :
           For
           so
           Ezek.
           xx
           .
           21
           .
           
             their
             living
             in
             them
          
           is
           opposed
           to
           his
           pouring
           out
           temporal
           Judgments
           upon
           them
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           Statutes
           of
           the
           
             Mosaic
             Law
          
           are
           called
           the
           
             statutes
             of
             Life
             ,
             in
             which
             whosoever
             walks
             ,
             shall
             surely
             Live
             ,
             and
             not
             Die
             ,
          
           Ezek.
           xxxiii
           .
           15
           .
           And
           as
           these
           temporal
           Blessings
           promised
           in
           the
           
             Old
             Testament
          
           are
           commonly
           expressed
           by
           Life
           ,
           so
           those
           eternal
           Blessings
           promised
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           are
           very
           frequently
           expressed
           by
           Life
           also
           .
           So
           Mat.
           xviii
           .
           8
           .
           
             It
             is
             better
             for
             thee
             to
             enter
             into
             Life
             halt
             or
             maimed
             ,
             rather
             than
             having
             
             two
             Hands
             or
             two
             Feet
             ,
             to
             be
             cast
             into
             everlasting
             Fire
             .
          
           So
           also
           Mat.
           xix
           .
           17
           .
           
             If
             thou
             wilt
             enter
             into
             Life
             ,
             keep
             the
             Commandments
             .
          
           And
           Joh.
           iii.
           36
           .
           
             He
             that
             believeth
             on
             the
             Son
             ,
             hath
             everlasting
             Life
             :
             And
             he
             that
             believeth
             not
             the
             Son
             ,
             shall
             not
             see
             Life
             ;
             but
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             abideth
             on
             him
             .
          
           And
           because
           the
           Blessings
           which
           the
           Gospel
           proposes
           are
           not
           temporal
           but
           eternal
           ;
           therefore
           that
           Life
           by
           which
           they
           are
           expressed
           is
           stiled
           
             eternal
             ,
             everlasting
          
           ,
           and
           immortal
           :
           For
           so
           2
           Tim.
           i.
           10
           .
           We
           find
           
             Life
             and
             Immortality
          
           joyned
           together
           ;
           and
           Rom.
           vi
           .
           22
           .
           
             Ye
             have
             your
             fruit
             unto
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             the
             end
             everlasting
             Life
          
           ;
           and
           Vers.
           23.
           
           
             The
             gift
             of
             God
             is
             eternal
             Life
             .
          
           Now
           that
           it
           is
           not
           called
           eternal
           Life
           merely
           as
           it
           is
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           Being
           and
           Existence
           ,
           is
           evident
           ;
           because
           Being
           and
           Existence
           are
           indifferent
           Things
           abstracted
           from
           all
           sense
           of
           Happiness
           and
           Misery
           ;
           but
           eternal
           Life
           is
           proposed
           to
           us
           as
           a
           Thing
           that
           is
           infinitely
           desirable
           in
           self
           ,
           as
           being
           the
           Crown
           and
           Reward
           of
           all
           our
           Obedience
           ;
           for
           which
           Reason
           it
           is
           called
           the
           
             crown
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           Jam.
           i.
           12
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Reason
           why
           the
           everlasting
           Blessings
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           expressed
           by
           Life
           are
           ,
           
             
               First
               ,
               Because
               of
               the
               inestimable
               Worth
               and
               Value
               of
               Life
               .
            
             
             
               Secondly
               ,
               Because
               Life
               is
               the
               Root
               of
               all
               our
               Sense
               of
               Pleasure
               and
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               Thirdly
               ,
               Because
               it
               is
               the
               Principle
               of
               all
               our
               Activity
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           everlasting
           Blessings
           of
           the
           Gospel
           are
           called
           Life
           ,
           because
           Life
           is
           the
           most
           inestimably
           precious
           of
           all
           the
           Blessings
           we
           enjoy
           .
           For
           without
           Life
           there
           is
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           real
           Blessing
           to
           us
           ,
           nothing
           that
           we
           can
           
             tast
             ,
             relish
          
           ,
           or
           enjoy
           :
           And
           this
           the
           Devil
           knew
           well
           enough
           when
           he
           pronounced
           so
           confidently
           ,
           
             Skin
             for
             Skin
             ,
             yea
             all
             that
             a
             Man
             hath
             will
             he
             give
             for
             his
             Life
             ,
          
           Job
           ii
           .
           4
           .
           Now
           it
           is
           usual
           with
           Scripture
           to
           describe
           the
           Blessings
           of
           the
           future
           State
           by
           Things
           that
           are
           of
           the
           greatest
           Value
           among
           Men
           ,
           by
           Riches
           and
           Treasure
           ,
           by
           a
           Crown
           and
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           by
           a
           Paradise
           ,
           or
           a
           
             Garden
             of
             Pleasure
          
           ;
           but
           as
           if
           all
           these
           were
           
             too
             faint
          
           and
           dim
           to
           represent
           the
           true
           Value
           of
           that
           blessed
           State
           ,
           it
           is
           stiled
           Life
           also
           ,
           which
           is
           much
           more
           valuable
           than
           either
           ,
           yea
           than
           all
           those
           Things
           together
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           Apostle
           calls
           it
           a
           
             more
             exceeding
             and
             eternal
             weight
             of
             Glory
             ,
          
           2
           Cor.
           iv
           .
           17
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           is
           called
           Life
           ,
           because
           Life
           is
           the
           Root
           of
           all
           our
           Sense
           of
           Pleasure
           and
           Happiness
           .
           For
           without
           Life
           we
           are
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           Lump
           of
           stupid
           and
           insensible
           Flesh
           ,
           incapable
           of
           perceiving
           either
           Pleasure
           
           or
           Pain
           .
           So
           that
           all
           Sensation
           being
           founded
           in
           Life
           ,
           and
           all
           Pleasure
           a
           sweet
           and
           grateful
           Sensation
           ;
           by
           a
           very
           easie
           Figure
           the
           natural
           Effect
           and
           Operation
           of
           Life
           is
           expressed
           by
           Life
           .
           And
           indeed
           all
           the
           Advantage
           of
           living
           consists
           in
           living
           in
           a
           Sense
           of
           Pleasure
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           hath
           been
           very
           much
           disputed
           among
           Philosophers
           ,
           whether
           this
           temporary
           State
           of
           ours
           ,
           in
           which
           there
           is
           so
           great
           an
           Intermixture
           of
           Pain
           with
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           Misery
           with
           Happiness
           ,
           doth
           not
           better
           deserve
           the
           Name
           of
           Death
           than
           Life
           ;
           and
           those
           of
           them
           who
           thought
           it
           more
           liable
           to
           Misery
           than
           Happiness
           ,
           affirmed
           it
           to
           be
           a
           State
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           strictly
           maintained
           this
           Paradox
           ,
           that
           at
           our
           Birth
           we
           die
           into
           a
           worse
           State
           than
           Non-existence
           ,
           and
           at
           our
           Death
           are
           born
           into
           a
           true
           and
           proper
           State
           of
           Life
           .
           But
           they
           who
           counted
           our
           present
           Life
           to
           be
           intermixt
           with
           more
           Pleasure
           than
           Misery
           ,
           esteemed
           our
           present
           Existence
           a
           Priviledge
           deserving
           the
           Name
           of
           Life
           ;
           which
           is
           an
           Argument
           that
           both
           placed
           all
           the
           Priviledge
           of
           living
           in
           those
           pleasant
           Perceptions
           that
           are
           founded
           in
           it
           .
           And
           thus
           also
           according
           to
           the
           
             Scripture
             Philosophy
          
           to
           live
           ,
           as
           it
           imports
           Advantage
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           to
           live
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           so
           Psal.
           xxii
           .
           26
           .
           
             The
             meek
             shall
             eat
             and
             be
             satisfied
             :
             They
             shall
             
             praise
             the
             Lord
             that
             seek
             him
             ;
             your
             Heart
             shall
             live
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           you
           shall
           so
           abound
           with
           Matter
           of
           Joy
           and
           Praise
           that
           your
           Hearts
           shall
           be
           satisfied
           and
           contented
           
             for
             ever
          
           .
           So
           Joh.
           xiv
           .
           19
           .
           
             Because
             I
             live
             ,
             ye
             shall
             live
             also
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           because
           I
           rise
           from
           the
           Dead
           and
           live
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           ye
           shall
           rejoyce
           and
           be
           glad
           .
           So
           also
           1
           Thes.
           iii.
           8
           .
           
             For
             now
             we
             live
             ,
             if
             ye
             stand
             fast
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           that
           is
           we
           rejoyce
           in
           your
           Constancy
           and
           Perseverance
           ,
           for
           so
           it
           follows
           immediately
           after
           ,
           
             For
             what
             thanks
             can
             we
             render
             to
             God
             again
             for
             you
             ,
             for
             all
             the
             joy
             wherewith
             we
             joy
             for
             your
             sakes
             before
             God
             ?
          
           How
           properly
           therefore
           may
           the
           future
           State
           be
           expressed
           by
           Life
           ,
           since
           't
           is
           the
           proper
           Scene
           of
           Happiness
           where
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           doth
           
             for
             ever
          
           abound
           ;
           where
           there
           is
           an
           inexhaustible
           Spring
           of
           
             pure
             unmingled
          
           Delights
           issuing
           forth
           in
           Rivers
           of
           Pleasure
           from
           God's
           right
           Hand
           
             for
             ever
          
           ?
           So
           that
           if
           there
           be
           any
           Thing
           worthy
           of
           the
           Name
           of
           Life
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           blisful
           State
           of
           those
           happy
           Souls
           above
           ,
           who
           live
           in
           the
           continued
           Sense
           of
           all
           those
           unspeakable
           Joys
           and
           Comforts
           that
           an
           
             everlasting
             Heaven
          
           imports
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           it
           is
           called
           Life
           ,
           because
           Life
           is
           the
           Principle
           of
           all
           Activity
           .
           'T
           is
           this
           that
           inlivens
           all
           our
           Instruments
           of
           Action
           ,
           and
           communicates
           Motion
           to
           all
           our
           Faculties
           
           and
           Powers
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           State
           of
           Heaven
           may
           well
           be
           called
           the
           State
           of
           Life
           ,
           because
           't
           is
           a
           State
           of
           the
           highest
           Activity
           ,
           wherein
           all
           our
           Faculties
           act
           with
           unspeakable
           Vigour
           ,
           are
           freed
           from
           all
           that
           Weight
           of
           Sin
           and
           Matter
           that
           here
           do
           continually
           clog
           and
           incumber
           them
           ,
           and
           entertained
           with
           such
           agreeable
           Objects
           as
           do
           perpetually
           imploy
           and
           exercise
           them
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           Strength
           and
           Activity
           :
           Where
           infinite
           Truth
           and
           infinite
           Goodness
           being
           always
           in
           our
           View
           and
           Prospect
           ,
           will
           continually
           draw
           forth
           the
           utmost
           Force
           of
           our
           
             Vnderstandings
             ,
             Wills
          
           ,
           and
           Affections
           in
           the
           most
           rapturous
           Contemplation
           ,
           Fruition
           ,
           and
           Embracements
           of
           that
           all-glorious
           Object
           in
           which
           we
           behold
           them
           ;
           So
           that
           we
           shall
           not
           only
           Act
           suitably
           to
           the
           Genius
           of
           our
           rational
           Natures
           ,
           but
           in
           every
           Act
           shall
           exert
           our
           utmost
           Activity
           ,
           and
           know
           ,
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           rejoyce
           ,
           and
           delight
           as
           much
           as
           ever
           we
           are
           able
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           in
           that
           blessed
           State
           we
           shall
           be
           all
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           and
           Wing
           ,
           since
           all
           our
           rational
           Faculties
           shall
           be
           most
           incessantly
           and
           vigorously
           imployed
           about
           the
           most
           agreeable
           and
           consentaneous
           Objects
           ,
           we
           being
           converted
           as
           it
           were
           into
           pure
           Acts
           of
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           Love
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           and
           Satisfaction
           ;
           our
           State
           and
           Condition
           may
           be
           very
           well
           
           expressed
           by
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           most
           vigorous
           Principle
           of
           Activity
           .
           So
           that
           as
           Life
           is
           the
           most
           inestimable
           Jewel
           we
           have
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           Root
           of
           all
           our
           Sense
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           the
           Principle
           of
           all
           our
           Activity
           ,
           it
           doth
           most
           properly
           express
           the
           infinite
           Value
           ,
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           Activity
           of
           that
           blisful
           State
           which
           God
           hath
           prepared
           to
           reward
           our
           Obedience
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           First
           Thing
           proposed
           ,
           which
           was
           to
           shew
           you
           for
           what
           Reason
           the
           eternal
           Rewards
           of
           the
           Blessed
           are
           so
           frequently
           expressed
           by
           
             everlasting
             Life
          
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           shew
           you
           in
           the
           second
           Place
           ,
           how
           unspeakably
           good
           God
           hath
           been
           to
           us
           in
           proposing
           such
           a
           vast
           Reward
           upon
           the
           Performance
           of
           such
           an
           easie
           Condition
           .
           In
           the
           Management
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           first
           discourse
           of
           this
           Reward
           absolutely
           ,
           and
           shew
           you
           how
           great
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           comparatively
           ,
           and
           shew
           you
           how
           great
           it
           is
           in
           Respect
           of
           the
           Condition
           upon
           which
           it
           is
           promised
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           will
           consider
           it
           absolutely
           how
           great
           it
           is
           in
           its
           self
           .
           And
           here
           I
           do
           not
           pretend
           to
           give
           you
           a
           perfect
           Map
           of
           all
           the
           Beatitudes
           of
           that
           heavenly
           State
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           a
           Talk
           fit
           only
           for
           an
           Angel
           ,
           or
           a
           glorified
           Spirit
           ;
           all
           I
           aim
           at
           is
           to
           give
           you
           such
           an
           imperfect
           Account
           of
           it
           as
           God
           hath
           thought
           fit
           to
           impart
           
           to
           Mortals
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           though
           it
           fall
           infinitely
           short
           of
           the
           Thing
           it self
           ,
           yet
           is
           doubtless
           the
           best
           and
           utmost
           that
           our
           narrow
           Capacities
           can
           bear
           .
           In
           short
           therefore
           concerning
           this
           blessed
           State
           ,
           God
           hath
           revealed
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           it
           includes
           these
           six
           Things
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               A
               perfect
               Freedom
               from
               Evil
               and
               Misery
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               A
               most
               intimate
               Enjoyment
               of
               himself
               .
            
             
               3
               A
               most
               endearing
               Fruition
               of
               our
               
                 glorified
                 Saviour
              
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               A
               most
               delightful
               Conversation
               with
               Angels
               and
               
                 glorified
                 Spirits
              
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               The
               infinite
               Glory
               and
               Delightfulness
               of
               the
               Place
               ,
               wherein
               all
               these
               Felicities
               are
               to
               be
               enjoyed
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               The
               endless
               Duration
               of
               this
               most
               blessed
               and
               happy
               State.
               
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           a
           most
           perfect
           Freedom
           from
           Evil
           and
           Misery
           .
           For
           so
           we
           find
           the
           State
           of
           the
           Blessed
           in
           Heaven
           described
           ,
           that
           
             they
             hunger
             no
             more
             ,
             neither
             thirst
             any
             more
          
           ;
           that
           
             the
             Sun
             lights
             not
             on
             them
             ,
             nor
             any
             heat
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           no
           longer
           liable
           to
           the
           scorching
           Heats
           of
           Persecution
           ;
           but
           that
           
             God
             hath
             wiped
             away
             all
             tears
             from
             their
             Eyes
             ,
          
           Rev.
           vii
           .
           16.17
           .
           And
           hence
           also
           Heaven
           is
           called
           a
           State
           of
           Rest
           ,
           
           Heb.
           iv
           .
           9
           ,
           11.
           
           
             There
             remaineth
             therefore
             a
             rest
             to
             the
             people
             of
             God.
             Let
             us
             labour
             therefore
             to
             enter
             into
             that
             rest
          
           :
           Which
           denotes
           this
           State
           to
           be
           a
           
             perfect
             Sabbath
          
           ,
           and
           Jubile
           of
           Redemption
           from
           all
           Evil
           and
           Misery
           .
           For
           as
           soon
           as
           the
           Souls
           of
           good
           Men
           depart
           out
           of
           this
           corporeal
           State
           in
           which
           they
           now
           live
           ,
           they
           are
           immediatly
           released
           from
           all
           those
           bodily
           Passions
           of
           Hunger
           ,
           and
           Thirst
           ,
           and
           Pain
           ,
           and
           Diseases
           whereunto
           they
           are
           now
           liable
           by
           Reason
           of
           their
           Vnion
           with
           the
           Body
           ;
           and
           having
           in
           a
           great
           Measure
           conquered
           their
           Wills
           while
           they
           were
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           subdued
           them
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           they
           shall
           immediately
           commense
           into
           an
           high
           Degree
           of
           Perfection
           .
           For
           being
           freed
           from
           the
           Incumbrances
           of
           Flesh
           and
           Blood
           ,
           from
           the
           Importunities
           of
           their
           bodily
           Passions
           and
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           the
           Temptations
           of
           Sensuality
           that
           do
           now
           continually
           sollicit
           them
           ,
           they
           shall
           no
           longer
           be
           liable
           to
           those
           Irregularities
           of
           Affection
           that
           do
           here
           disturb
           the
           Tranquility
           of
           their
           Minds
           ;
           and
           their
           Actions
           and
           Affections
           being
           always
           regulated
           by
           their
           Reason
           ,
           their
           Consciences
           shall
           be
           no
           longer
           bestormed
           with
           those
           Terrors
           and
           Affrightments
           ,
           which
           nothing
           but
           the
           Sense
           of
           Guilt
           can
           suggest
           to
           them
           ;
           but
           enjoy
           a
           perpetual
           Calm
           and
           Serenity
           .
           And
           being
           thus
           freed
           from
           all
           Evils
           and
           
           Disquietudes
           both
           from
           within
           and
           without
           ,
           they
           shall
           be
           at
           perfect
           Ease
           ,
           and
           
             for
             ever
          
           enjoy
           a
           most
           undisturbed
           Repose
           .
           O
           blessed
           Day
           ,
           when
           I
           shall
           take
           my
           Leave
           of
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           and
           go
           to
           those
           calm
           and
           blisful
           Regions
           ,
           whence
           Sighs
           and
           Tears
           and
           Sorrows
           and
           Pains
           are
           banished
           
             for
             ever
             more
          
           !
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           a
           most
           intimate
           Enjoyment
           of
           God
           ▪
           For
           God
           being
           a
           rational
           Good
           ,
           is
           capable
           of
           being
           enjoyed
           by
           rational
           Beings
           no
           otherwise
           than
           by
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           by
           Love
           ,
           and
           by
           Resemblance
           ;
           all
           which
           Ways
           he
           hath
           promised
           that
           we
           shall
           enjoy
           him
           ,
           when
           once
           we
           are
           arrived
           into
           that
           blisful
           State.
           For
           as
           for
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           him
           St.
           Paul
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           whereas
           
             now
             we
             see
             through
             a
             Glass
             darkly
             ;
             we
             shall
             then
             see
          
           him
           
             Face
             to
             Face
          
           :
           And
           whereas
           now
           
             we
             know
             in
             part
          
           ,
           then
           
             we
             shall
             know
             even
             as
             also
             we
             are
             known
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           xiii
           .
           12
           .
           and
           St.
           John
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           
             we
             shall
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
             ,
          
           1
           John
           iii.
           2
           .
           Which
           expressions
           must
           needs
           import
           such
           a
           Knowledge
           of
           him
           as
           is
           unspeakably
           more
           distinct
           and
           clear
           than
           any
           we
           enjoy
           in
           this
           present
           State.
           For
           then
           the
           Eyes
           of
           our
           Minds
           shall
           be
           so
           invigorated
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           able
           to
           gaze
           on
           the
           Sun
           without
           dazling
           ,
           to
           contemplate
           the
           pure
           and
           immaculate
           Glory
           of
           the
           Divinity
           without
           being
           confounded
           with
           its
           Brightness
           ;
           
           and
           our
           Understandings
           shall
           be
           so
           exalted
           that
           shall
           we
           see
           more
           at
           every
           single
           View
           than
           we
           do
           now
           in
           Volumes
           of
           Discourse
           ;
           and
           the
           most
           tedious
           Trains
           of
           Inference
           and
           Deduction
           .
           And
           enjoying
           a
           most
           perfect
           Repose
           both
           from
           within
           and
           without
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           nothing
           to
           disturb
           or
           divert
           our
           greedy
           Contemplations
           ,
           which
           having
           such
           an
           immense
           Horizon
           of
           Truth
           and
           Glory
           round
           about
           them
           ,
           shall
           still
           discover
           farther
           and
           farther
           ,
           and
           so
           entertain
           themselves
           with
           everlasting
           Wonder
           and
           Delight
           .
           For
           what
           an
           infinite
           Pleasure
           will
           that
           all-glorious
           Object
           afford
           to
           our
           raised
           Minds
           ,
           which
           then
           shall
           no
           longer
           labour
           under
           the
           tedious
           Difficulties
           of
           Discourse
           ,
           but
           like
           transparent
           Windows
           shall
           have
           nothing
           to
           do
           but
           only
           to
           receive
           the
           Light
           ,
           which
           freely
           offers
           it self
           unto
           them
           ,
           and
           shines
           
             for
             ever
          
           round
           about
           them
           ;
           when
           every
           new
           Discovery
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           bottomless
           Secrets
           and
           Mysteries
           of
           his
           Nature
           shall
           enlarge
           our
           Capacities
           to
           discover
           more
           ,
           and
           still
           new
           Discoveries
           shall
           freely
           offer
           themselves
           as
           fast
           as
           our
           Minds
           are
           enlarged
           to
           receive
           them
           !
           This
           doubtless
           will
           be
           a
           Recreation
           to
           our
           Minds
           infinitely
           transcending
           all
           that
           we
           can
           conceive
           or
           imagin
           of
           it
           ,
           especially
           considering
           that
           all
           our
           Knowledge
           shall
           terminate
           in
           Love
           ,
           that
           sweet
           and
           grateful
           Passion
           that
           sooths
           
           and
           ravishes
           the
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           dissolves
           it
           into
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           :
           For
           God
           being
           infinitely
           good
           and
           amicable
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           know
           him
           the
           more
           Cause
           and
           Reason
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           are
           arrived
           to
           that
           Degree
           of
           Knowledge
           which
           the
           
             beatifical
             Vision
          
           implies
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           our
           Hearts
           inflamed
           with
           such
           a
           vehement
           Love
           to
           him
           as
           will
           issue
           into
           an
           unspeakable
           Delight
           and
           Satisfaction
           ,
           and
           even
           overwhelm
           us
           with
           Extasies
           of
           Joy
           and
           Complacency
           ,
           for
           if
           those
           divine
           Illapses
           ,
           those
           more
           immediate
           Touches
           and
           Sensations
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           
             Good
             Men
          
           do
           sometimes
           experience
           in
           this
           Life
           ,
           do
           so
           affect
           and
           ravish
           them
           that
           they
           are
           even
           forced
           into
           Triumphs
           and
           Exultations
           ;
           how
           will
           they
           be
           wrapt
           and
           transported
           in
           that
           State
           of
           Vision
           ,
           when
           they
           shall
           see
           him
           so
           immediately
           ,
           and
           love
           him
           so
           vehemently
           ,
           and
           their
           Souls
           shall
           be
           nothing
           else
           but
           entire
           Globes
           of
           Light
           and
           Love
           ,
           all
           irradiated
           and
           inflamed
           with
           the
           
             immediate
             Effluvia's
          
           of
           the
           Fountain
           of
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           ?
           But
           alas
           !
           As
           these
           Joys
           are
           
             too
             big
          
           for
           mortal
           Language
           to
           express
           ,
           so
           are
           they
           
             too
             strong
          
           for
           frail
           Mortality
           to
           bear
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           but
           for
           one
           Day
           or
           Hour
           should
           see
           God
           ,
           and
           love
           him
           as
           those
           glorified
           Spirits
           do
           ,
           we
           should
           questionless
           die
           with
           an
           Extasy
           of
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           our
           glad
           Hearts
           being
           
           tickled
           with
           such
           insupportable
           Joys
           ,
           by
           endeavouring
           to
           enlarge
           themselves
           to
           make
           Room
           for
           them
           ,
           all
           would
           quickly
           stretch
           into
           a
           Rupture
           .
           But
           then
           as
           our
           Knowledge
           of
           God
           shall
           terminate
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           him
           ,
           so
           both
           together
           shall
           terminate
           in
           our
           Resemblance
           of
           his
           Perfections
           ;
           for
           having
           so
           immediate
           a
           Prospect
           of
           his
           Beauties
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           infinitely
           enamoured
           with
           them
           ,
           with
           what
           inexpressible
           Vigour
           must
           we
           imitate
           and
           transcribe
           them
           ?
           And
           our
           Imitation
           being
           invigorated
           with
           such
           a
           clear
           Knowledge
           and
           such
           a
           vehement
           Love
           ,
           cannot
           fail
           of
           producing
           the
           described
           Resemblance
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           more
           we
           
             know
             God
          
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           we
           know
           and
           love
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           imitate
           and
           resemble
           him
           .
           So
           that
           then
           both
           our
           inward
           Motions
           and
           outward
           Actions
           will
           be
           all
           most
           pure
           and
           perfect
           Imitations
           of
           God
           which
           will
           produce
           such
           an
           exact
           Agreement
           between
           his
           Original
           and
           our
           Copy
           ,
           that
           whilst
           we
           interchangably
           turn
           our
           Eyes
           to
           God
           and
           our selves
           ,
           and
           compare
           Beauty
           with
           Beauty
           ,
           it
           will
           fill
           our
           Minds
           with
           unspeakable
           Content
           to
           see
           how
           the
           Image
           answers
           to
           the
           Prototype
           ,
           what
           a
           sweet
           Harmony
           and
           Agreement
           there
           is
           between
           his
           Nature
           and
           
             our
             own
          
           .
           For
           if
           from
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           there
           must
           necessarily
           result
           
           to
           us
           such
           ineffable
           Joy
           and
           Complacency
           ,
           what
           a
           ravishing
           Delight
           will
           it
           afford
           us
           to
           see
           the
           Signatures
           of
           those
           adorable
           Beauties
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ,
           stampt
           and
           impressed
           upon
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           ;
           when
           the
           Glory
           that
           shines
           about
           ,
           and
           inflames
           us
           ,
           shall
           shine
           into
           us
           and
           become
           
             our
             own
          
           ;
           and
           those
           
             amiable
             Ideas
          
           of
           him
           which
           are
           impressed
           upon
           our
           Understanding
           ,
           shall
           stamp
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           with
           their
           own
           Resemblance
           !
           For
           so
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           it
           shall
           be
           ,
           1
           John
           iii.
           2
           .
           
             For
             when
             he
             shall
             appear
             ,
             we
             shall
             be
             like
             him
             ;
             for
             we
             shall
             see
             him
             as
             he
             is
             .
             Lord
             ,
          
           how
           must
           our
           Souls
           be
           enlarged
           and
           widened
           to
           be
           able
           to
           contain
           all
           those
           mighty
           Joys
           that
           must
           necessarily
           spring
           from
           our
           Fruition
           of
           thee
           !
           And
           to
           what
           a
           Degree
           of
           Happiness
           shall
           we
           be
           advanced
           ,
           when
           we
           shall
           be
           entertained
           with
           all
           the
           delights
           that
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           an
           
             infinite
             Good
          
           can
           afford
           us
           ,
           and
           have
           Hearts
           great
           enough
           to
           contain
           them
           all
           without
           being
           overcharged
           with
           their
           Weight
           and
           Number
           !
        
         
           3
           
             dly
             ,
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           a
           most
           endearing
           Fruition
           of
           our
           
             glorified
             Saviour
          
           .
           And
           certainly
           this
           is
           none
           of
           the
           smallest
           Ingredients
           of
           that
           blisful
           State
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           
             ever
             be
             with
             our
             blessed
             Lord
          
           ;
           as
           the
           Apostle
           expresses
           it
           ,
           1
           Thes.
           iv
           .
           17
           .
           For
           herein
           it
           is
           
           evident
           the
           same
           Apostle
           placed
           one
           great
           Advantage
           of
           his
           future
           State
           ;
           for
           so
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           he
           had
           
             a
             desire
             to
             depart
             and
             to
             be
             with
             Christ
             ,
             which
             is
             far
             better
             ,
          
           Phil.
           i.
           23
           .
           And
           indeed
           't
           is
           impossible
           but
           it
           must
           be
           a
           vast
           Addition
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           all
           vertuous
           and
           grateful
           Souls
           to
           see
           this
           blessed
           Friend
           and
           Benefactor
           ,
           who
           came
           down
           from
           the
           Bosom
           of
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           Sake
           exposed
           himself
           to
           a
           miserable
           Life
           ,
           and
           shameful
           Death
           ;
           to
           see
           him
           sitting
           at
           his
           Father's
           right
           Hand
           crowned
           with
           Majesty
           and
           Honour
           ,
           surrounded
           with
           the
           whole
           Choir
           of
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           like
           a
           Sun
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           a
           Circle
           of
           Stars
           .
           How
           must
           it
           needs
           rejoyce
           the
           Hearts
           of
           all
           the
           Lovers
           and
           Followers
           of
           this
           
             blessed
             Lamb
          
           ,
           to
           see
           such
           a
           happy
           Change
           of
           his
           Circumstances
           !
           To
           see
           him
           that
           was
           formerly
           despised
           and
           
             spit
             on
          
           ,
           and
           so
           unworthily
           treated
           by
           an
           ill-natured
           World
           ,
           adored
           and
           
             worshiped
             ,
             praised
          
           and
           admired
           by
           all
           the
           Court
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           celebrated
           with
           the
           Songs
           of
           Cherubins
           and
           Seraphims
           ,
           of
           Arch-angels
           and
           Angels
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Spirits
             of
             just
             Men
             made
             perfect
          
           ;
           to
           behold
           him
           ,
           that
           hung
           upon
           the
           Cross
           ,
           and
           poured
           out
           his
           Blood
           there
           in
           Groans
           ,
           and
           Agonies
           meerly
           to
           make
           miserable
           Sinners
           happy
           ,
           advanced
           to
           the
           highest
           Pitch
           of
           Splendor
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           and
           made
           Head
           and
           Prince
           of
           all
           
           the
           Hierarchy
           of
           Heaven
           .
           Verily
           methinks
           though
           I
           were
           excluded
           from
           that
           happy
           Place
           ,
           and
           had
           only
           the
           Priviledge
           to
           look
           in
           and
           see
           my
           
             blessed
             Lord
          
           and
           Saviour
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           a
           most
           heavenly
           Consolation
           to
           me
           to
           behold
           the
           Glory
           and
           Honour
           and
           Happiness
           with
           which
           he
           is
           surrounded
           ,
           though
           I
           were
           sure
           never
           to
           partake
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           the
           Communion
           I
           should
           have
           in
           the
           Joys
           of
           my
           Master
           ,
           the
           sweet
           Sympathy
           in
           all
           his
           Pleasures
           would
           be
           a
           Heaven
           at
           second
           Hand
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           should
           feel
           my self
           unspeakably
           happy
           in
           being
           a
           Spectator
           of
           his
           Felicity
           and
           Advancement
           .
           But
           Oh!
           When
           that
           dear
           and
           blessed
           Person
           shall
           not
           only
           permit
           me
           to
           see
           his
           Glory
           ,
           but
           introduce
           me
           into
           it
           ;
           when
           his
           blessed
           Mouth
           shall
           bid
           me
           Welcome
           ,
           and
           pronounce
           my
           Euge
           bone
           Serve
           !
           
             well
             done
             Good
             and
             Profitable
             Servant
             ,
             enter
             into
             thy
             Masters
             Joy
          
           ;
           when
           I
           shall
           not
           only
           see
           his
           beloved
           Face
           ,
           but
           be
           admitted
           into
           his
           sweet
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           dwell
           in
           his
           Arms
           and
           Embraces
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           when
           I
           shall
           hear
           him
           record
           the
           wondrous
           Adventures
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           through
           how
           many
           woful
           Stages
           he
           past
           to
           rescue
           me
           from
           endless
           Misery
           ;
           how
           will
           my
           Heart
           spring
           with
           Joy
           and
           burn
           with
           Love
           ,
           and
           my
           Mouth
           overflow
           with
           Praises
           and
           Thanksgivings
           ?
           O
           
             blessed
             Jesu
          
           !
           How
           happy
           will
           the
           Day
           be
           when
           I
           who
           am
           
           loaded
           with
           so
           many
           vast
           Obligations
           to
           love
           thee
           ,
           shall
           be
           introduced
           into
           thy
           Presence
           ,
           to
           see
           thy
           Glories
           ,
           and
           Sympathize
           in
           thy
           Joys
           ,
           as
           thou
           didst
           in
           my
           Miseries
           ;
           to
           thank
           and
           praise
           thee
           Face
           to
           Face
           for
           all
           those
           Wonders
           of
           Love
           with
           which
           thou
           hast
           obliged
           me
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           a
           Part
           in
           that
           heavenly
           Song
           ,
           
             Worthy
             is
             the
             Lamb
             that
             was
             slain
             ,
             to
             receive
             power
             ,
             and
             riches
             ,
             and
             wisdom
             ,
             and
             strength
             ,
             and
             honour
             ,
             and
             glory
             ,
             and
             blessing
             ;
             who
             hast
             redeemed
             us
             to
             God
             by
             thy
             blood
             ,
             our
             of
             every
             Kindred
             ,
             and
             Tongue
             ,
             and
             People
             and
             Nation
             ,
          
           Rev.
           v.
           9
           ,
           12.
           
        
         
           4
           
             thly
             ,
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           a
           most
           delightful
           Conversation
           and
           Society
           with
           Angels
           and
           
             glorified
             Spirits
          
           .
           For
           when
           we
           come
           to
           the
           
             City
             of
             the
             Living
             God
             ,
             the
             heavenly
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           what
           our
           Society
           will
           be
           ,
           
             viz.
             an
             innumerable
             company
             of
             Angels
             ,
             the
             general
             Assembly
             and
             Church
             of
             the
             first-born
             ,
             God
             the
             judge
             of
             all
             ,
             the
             Spirits
             of
             just
             Men
             made
             perfect
             ,
             and
             Jesus
             the
             Mediatour
             of
             the
             new
             Covenant
             ,
          
           Heb.
           xii
           .
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           24.
           
           Lord
           ,
           what
           glorious
           Society
           is
           here
           !
           Society
           in
           which
           there
           is
           nothing
           intermingled
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           Heavenly
           and
           Divine
           ;
           it
           being
           altogether
           composed
           of
           the
           best
           and
           wisest
           and
           noblest
           Beings
           in
           the
           World.
           For
           as
           for
           the
           blessed
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ,
           they
           are
           all
           most
           perfectly
           refined
           
           from
           all
           that
           Folly
           and
           
             Peevishness
             ,
             Disguize
          
           and
           Dissimulation
           which
           is
           the
           Bane
           of
           humane
           Conversation
           ;
           their
           Understandings
           are
           exceeding
           large
           and
           comprehensive
           ,
           and
           their
           Charity
           and
           Goodness
           is
           full
           as
           extensive
           as
           their
           Knowledge
           :
           And
           in
           such
           a
           Conjunction
           of
           Wisdom
           with
           Goodness
           ,
           what
           an
           excellent
           Society
           must
           there
           needs
           be
           produced
           ?
           For
           as
           their
           great
           Goodness
           must
           needs
           render
           their
           Conversation
           most
           free
           and
           amiable
           ,
           so
           must
           their
           great
           Knowledge
           and
           Wisdom
           render
           it
           no
           less
           profitable
           and
           delightful
           ;
           and
           as
           the
           latter
           must
           needs
           instruct
           them
           in
           all
           the
           wise
           Arts
           of
           Endearment
           ,
           so
           the
           former
           must
           needs
           oblige
           them
           to
           use
           and
           improve
           them
           to
           the
           utmost
           .
           O
           how
           heavenly
           therefore
           must
           their
           Conversation
           needs
           be
           ,
           whilst
           't
           is
           thus
           managed
           by
           pure
           Wisdom
           and
           most
           perfect
           Love
           ;
           whilst
           the
           most
           glorious
           Knowledge
           is
           the
           Scope
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           ardent
           Friendship
           the
           Law
           of
           all
           their
           Converse
           !
           Who
           would
           not
           be
           willing
           to
           leave
           a
           
             foolish
             ,
             froward
          
           ,
           and
           ill-natured
           World
           ,
           for
           the
           blessed
           Society
           of
           those
           wise
           Friends
           ,
           and
           perfect
           Lovers
           ?
           And
           what
           greater
           Happiness
           can
           we
           desire
           ,
           than
           to
           spend
           an
           Eternity
           in
           such
           sweet
           Conversation
           !
           Where
           we
           shall
           hear
           the
           
             deep
             Philosophy
          
           of
           Heaven
           freely
           communicated
           in
           the
           
           wise
           and
           amicable
           Discourses
           of
           Angels
           and
           glorified
           Spirits
           ,
           who
           mutually
           impart
           the
           Treasures
           of
           each
           others
           Knowledge
           without
           any
           Reserve
           or
           Affectation
           of
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           freely
           philosophize
           without
           wrangling
           Disputes
           ,
           or
           peevish
           Contentions
           for
           Victory
           ;
           where
           Wisdom
           is
           the
           Entertainment
           ,
           and
           Love
           and
           mutual
           Endearments
           the
           Welcome
           ;
           where
           there
           is
           Harmony
           without
           
             Discord
             ,
             Communication
          
           without
           Disputes
           ,
           and
           
             everlasting
             Discourse
          
           without
           Wrangling
           .
           O
           happy
           Day
           !
           When
           I
           shall
           depart
           from
           this
           impertinent
           and
           unsociable
           World
           ,
           and
           all
           my
           
             good
             old
          
           Friends
           that
           are
           gone
           to
           Heaven
           before
           me
           ,
           shall
           meet
           me
           on
           the
           Shores
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           congratulate
           my
           Arrival
           to
           that
           blessed
           Society
           !
           Where
           I
           shall
           freely
           converse
           with
           the
           Patriarchs
           and
           Prophets
           ,
           the
           Apostles
           and
           Martyrs
           ,
           and
           be
           most
           intimately
           acquainted
           with
           all
           those
           brave
           and
           generous
           Souls
           ,
           who
           have
           recommended
           themselves
           to
           the
           World
           by
           their
           glorious
           Examples
           ;
           where
           Angels
           and
           Arch-angels
           shall
           be
           my
           familiar
           Friends
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           illustrious
           Courtiers
           of
           the
           great
           King
           of
           Heaven
           shall
           own
           me
           for
           their
           Brother
           ,
           and
           bid
           me
           welcome
           to
           their
           Masters
           Joy
           ,
           and
           none
           will
           disdain
           my
           Company
           though
           never
           so
           much
           above
           me
           in
           Glory
           and
           Perfection
           ;
           but
           from
           the
           highest
           to
           the
           lowest
           
           will
           all
           receive
           and
           entertain
           me
           with
           the
           tenderest
           Indearments
           of
           heavenly
           Lovers
           .
        
         
           5
           
             thly
             ,
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           also
           the
           infinite
           Glory
           and
           Delightfulness
           of
           the
           Place
           wherein
           all
           these
           Felicities
           are
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           .
           For
           though
           the
           very
           State
           of
           the
           Blessed
           be
           sufficiently
           glorious
           to
           transform
           the
           most
           dismal
           Place
           into
           a
           Paradise
           ,
           and
           to
           create
           a
           Heaven
           in
           the
           darkest
           Dungeon
           of
           Hell
           ;
           yet
           such
           hath
           been
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           prepared
           a
           Place
           proportionably
           glorious
           to
           that
           blessed
           State
           ;
           which
           according
           to
           the
           Sciripture
           Account
           is
           the
           
             highest
             Heaven
          
           ,
           or
           the
           upper
           and
           purer
           Tracts
           of
           the
           Aether
           .
           For
           so
           our
           Saviour
           tells
           the
           penitent
           Thief
           ,
           
             to
             day
             shalt
             thou
             be
             with
             me
             in
             Paradise
             ,
          
           Luk.
           xxiii
           .
           43
           .
           and
           where
           this
           Paradise
           is
           St.
           Paul
           informs
           us
           ,
           2
           Cor.
           xii
           .
           for
           Vers.
           2.
           he
           tells
           us
           of
           his
           being
           
             caught
             up
             to
             the
             third
             Heaven
             ,
          
           which
           in
           the
           4th
           Vers.
           he
           calls
           
             Paradise
             ,
             where
             he
             heard
             unspeakable
             Words
             .
          
           Now
           that
           by
           the
           
             Third
             Heaven
          
           he
           means
           the
           
             uppermost
             ,
             viz.
          
           that
           Heaven
           of
           Heavens
           which
           is
           the
           Throne
           of
           God's
           most
           glorious
           Residence
           ,
           where
           Jesus
           sits
           at
           his
           right
           Hand
           among
           the
           
             holy
             Miriads
          
           of
           Angels
           and
           glorious
           Spirits
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           this
           ;
           because
           according
           to
           the
           
             Jewish
             Philosophy
          
           ,
           to
           which
           he
           here
           alludes
           ,
           Heaven
           was
           divided
           into
           three
           Regions
           ,
           viz.
           
           the
           
             Cloud-bearing
             ,
             Star-bearing
          
           ,
           and
           Angel-bearing
           Region
           ,
           the
           last
           of
           which
           they
           called
           the
           
             Third
             Heaven
          
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           placed
           the
           Throne
           of
           the
           Divine
           Majesty
           .
           And
           that
           by
           Paradise
           he
           means
           the
           same
           Place
           is
           as
           evident
           ,
           because
           by
           this
           Name
           the
           Jews
           ,
           in
           whose
           Language
           he
           speaks
           ,
           were
           wont
           to
           call
           it
           the
           
             Third
             Heaven
          
           ,
           or
           Angel-bearing
           Region
           .
           And
           hence
           
             Rab.
             Menachem
          
           on
           Leviticus
           ,
           tells
           us
           it
           is
           apparent
           that
           the
           Reward
           of
           our
           Obedience
           is
           not
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           in
           this
           Life
           ;
           Verum
           post
           dissolutionem
           Justus
           adipiscitur
           Regnum
           quod
           dicitur
           Paradisus
           ,
           fruiturque
           conspectu
           divino
           ;
           
             i.
             e.
             but
             after
             Death
             the
             Just
             shall
             obtain
             that
             Kingdom
             which
             is
             called
             Paradise
             ,
             and
             there
             enjoy
             the
             beatifical
             Vision
             .
          
           And
           't
           is
           very
           usual
           for
           them
           to
           express
           the
           Blessings
           of
           the
           future
           Life
           by
           enjoying
           the
           Delights
           of
           Paradise
           ;
           and
           therefore
           is
           this
           heavenly
           Region
           of
           Angels
           called
           by
           the
           Name
           of
           Paradise
           in
           Allusion
           to
           the
           earthly
           Paradise
           of
           Eden
           ,
           denoting
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           as
           that
           was
           the
           Garden
           of
           this
           lower
           World
           ,
           which
           of
           all
           other
           Places
           did
           most
           abound
           with
           Pleasures
           and
           Delights
           ;
           so
           this
           is
           the
           Paradise
           of
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ,
           the
           most
           fruitful
           and
           delightful
           Region
           within
           all
           this
           boundless
           Space
           of
           the
           World.
           Nor
           indeed
           can
           it
           be
           imagined
           to
           be
           otherwise
           ,
           it
           being
           
           the
           
             Imperial
             Court
          
           which
           the
           great
           Monarch
           of
           the
           World
           hath
           chosen
           for
           his
           special
           Residence
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           hath
           prepared
           to
           receive
           and
           lodge
           the
           
             glorified
             humane
             Nature
          
           of
           his
           own
           
             eternal
             Son
          
           ,
           and
           to
           entertain
           his
           Friends
           and
           Favourites
           
             for
             ever
          
           .
           For
           if
           these
           Out-Rooms
           of
           the
           World
           are
           so
           royal
           and
           magnificent
           ,
           how
           infinitely
           splendid
           must
           we
           needs
           imagin
           the
           Presence-Chamber
           of
           the
           great
           King
           to
           be
           ,
           the
           Glory
           of
           whose
           Presence
           will
           render
           it
           more
           lightsome
           and
           illustrious
           than
           the
           united
           Beams
           of
           
             ten
             thousand
          
           Suns
           .
           And
           therefore
           though
           the
           Scripture
           hath
           nowhere
           given
           us
           an
           exact
           Description
           of
           this
           glorious
           Place
           ,
           because
           indeed
           no
           humane
           Language
           can
           describe
           it
           ;
           yet
           since
           God
           hath
           chosen
           it
           for
           the
           everlasting
           Theater
           of
           Bliss
           and
           Happiness
           ,
           we
           may
           reasonably
           conclude
           that
           he
           hath
           most
           exquisitely
           furnished
           it
           with
           all
           Accomodations
           requisite
           for
           a
           most
           happy
           and
           blisful
           Life
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           House
           is
           every
           way
           suitable
           to
           the
           Entertainment
           .
           Whensoever
           therefore
           a
           pure
           and
           vertuous
           Soul
           gets
           free
           from
           this
           Cage
           of
           Flesh
           ,
           away
           it
           flies
           under
           the
           Conduct
           and
           Protection
           of
           Angels
           through
           the
           Air
           and
           Aether
           beyond
           the
           Firmament
           of
           Stars
           ,
           and
           never
           stops
           till
           it
           is
           arrived
           to
           those
           blessed
           Abodes
           ,
           where
           God
           and
           
             Jesus
             ,
             Saints
          
           and
           Angels
           dwell
           ;
           where
           
           being
           come
           ,
           with
           what
           unspeakable
           Delight
           will
           it
           contemplate
           that
           Scene
           of
           Things
           ?
           When
           all
           of
           a
           suddain
           it
           shall
           see
           it self
           surrounded
           with
           an
           infinite
           Splendor
           and
           Brightness
           ,
           so
           that
           which
           way
           soever
           it
           casts
           its
           Eyes
           ,
           it
           is
           entertained
           with
           new
           Objects
           of
           Wonder
           and
           Delight
           ;
           then
           shall
           it
           say
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Queen
             of
             Sheba
          
           did
           of
           
           Solomon's
           Court
           ,
           alas
           !
           How
           faint
           and
           dim
           ,
           how
           short
           and
           imperfect
           were
           all
           humane
           Conceits
           and
           Descriptions
           of
           this
           blessed
           Place
           !
           For
           though
           I
           have
           heard
           great
           and
           mighty
           Things
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           now
           I
           find
           that
           not
           one
           Half
           of
           its
           real
           Glory
           and
           Magnificence
           hath
           ever
           been
           reported
           to
           me
           .
        
         
           6
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           includes
           the
           endless
           Duration
           of
           this
           most
           blessed
           and
           happy
           State.
           Thus
           Joh.
           vi
           .
           27
           .
           he
           calls
           his
           Doctrine
           the
           
             meat
             which
             endureth
             unto
             everlasting
             Life
             ,
             which
             the
             Son
             of
             Man
             shall
             give
             unto
             you
          
           ;
           and
           Vers.
           40.
           he
           tells
           them
           that
           
             this
             was
             the
             will
             of
             his
             Father
             ,
             that
             every
             one
             that
             believeth
             on
             him
             ,
             might
             have
             everlasting
             Life
          
           ;
           and
           Vers.
           47.
           
           
             Verily
             verily
             I
             say
             unto
             you
             ,
             he
             that
             believeth
             on
             me
             ,
             hath
             everlasting
             Life
          
           ;
           and
           Vers.
           51
           ,
           54
           ,
           58.
           he
           promises
           them
           that
           upon
           their
           
             believing
             in
             him
             ,
             they
             should
             live
             for
             ever
             .
          
           But
           because
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           ,
           and
           
             For
             ever
          
           ,
           doth
           in
           Scripture
           sometimes
           signify
           a
           long
           ,
           but
           not
           an
           endless
           Duration
           ;
           
           therefore
           he
           hath
           taken
           Care
           to
           express
           this
           Article
           in
           such
           Words
           as
           must
           necessarily
           denote
           an
           endless
           Duration
           of
           Bliss
           ;
           for
           he
           not
           only
           tells
           them
           ,
           Chap.
           vi
           .
           50
           .
           that
           they
           who
           believed
           his
           Doctrine
           ,
           should
           
             not
             die
          
           ,
           but
           that
           
             whosoever
             liveth
             ,
             and
             believeth
             in
             him
             ,
             shall
             never
             die
             ,
          
           Joh.
           xi
           .
           26
           .
           yea
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           should
           
             never
             see
             death
          
           ,
           Joh.
           viii
           .
           51
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           should
           never
           come
           within
           Ken
           or
           Prospect
           of
           it
           :
           Nay
           ,
           and
           Luk.
           xx
           .
           36
           .
           he
           tells
           them
           ,
           
             neither
             can
             they
             die
             any
             more
             ;
             for
             they
             are
             equal
             to
             the
             Angels
             .
          
           If
           then
           our
           future
           Life
           be
           so
           everlasting
           as
           that
           it
           neither
           can
           nor
           shall
           be
           terminated
           by
           Death
           ,
           it
           must
           necessarily
           be
           a
           Life
           without
           End
           ;
           whose
           Duration
           is
           parallel
           to
           Eternity
           .
           Now
           what
           a
           mighty
           Addition
           must
           this
           needs
           make
           to
           the
           Joys
           of
           the
           Blessed
           ,
           to
           consider
           that
           they
           are
           such
           as
           shall
           never
           expire
           ;
           when
           the
           Soul
           shall
           reflect
           upon
           her
           happy
           State
           ,
           and
           think
           thus
           with
           her self
           ,
           
             O
             blessed
             ,
             for
             ever
             be
             a
             good
             God!
             I
             am
             as
             happy
             now
             as
             ever
             my
             Heart
             can
             hold
             ;
             every
             Part
             of
             me
             is
             so
             thronged
             with
             Joy
             ,
             that
             I
             have
             no
             room
             for
             any
             more
             ;
             and
             that
             which
             compleats
             and
             crowns
             them
             all
             ,
             is
             that
             they
             shall
             be
             renewed
             to
             all
             Eternity
             ,
             and
             Millions
             of
             Millions
             of
             Ages
             hence
             be
             as
             far
             from
             a
             period
             as
             they
             were
             the
             first
             moment
             wherein
             I
             enjoyed
             them
             .
          
           For
           our
           Lives
           and
           our
           Happiness
           shall
           be
           
           co-eternal
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           our
           God
           shall
           live
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           live
           
             for
             ever
          
           to
           enjoy
           him
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           such
           an
           
             infinite
             Good
          
           we
           need
           not
           doubt
           to
           find
           Variety
           enough
           still
           to
           renew
           our
           Joys
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           them
           fresh
           and
           
             flourishing
             for
             ever
          
           .
           For
           as
           we
           shall
           always
           know
           God
           ,
           so
           we
           shall
           always
           know
           him
           more
           and
           more
           ,
           and
           every
           new
           Beauty
           that
           infinite
           Object
           discovers
           to
           us
           will
           kindle
           a
           new
           Flame
           of
           Love
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           new
           Rapture
           of
           Joy
           ,
           and
           that
           a
           new
           Desire
           of
           knowing
           and
           discovering
           more
           ,
           and
           so
           
             for
             ever
          
           round
           again
           there
           will
           be
           knowing
           and
           loving
           and
           rejoycing
           more
           and
           more
           to
           all
           Eternity
           .
           For
           so
           immense
           will
           our
           Happiness
           be
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           need
           as
           well
           as
           desire
           an
           Eternity
           to
           enjoy
           it
           fully
           ,
           and
           after
           millions
           of
           Ages
           are
           spent
           in
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           still
           renew
           our
           Fruition
           with
           the
           same
           
             fresh
             enravishing
          
           Pleasures
           as
           when
           we
           first
           possessed
           and
           enjoyed
           it
           ;
           for
           as
           new
           Pleasures
           will
           still
           present
           themselves
           unto
           us
           ,
           so
           when
           we
           have
           enjoyed
           them
           never
           so
           long
           we
           shall
           still
           be
           at
           an
           infinite
           Distance
           from
           any
           End
           of
           our
           Enjoyment
           .
           So
           that
           our
           Happiness
           consisting
           of
           an
           infinite
           Variety
           of
           Pleasures
           extended
           to
           an
           infinite
           Duration
           ,
           we
           shall
           neither
           be
           cloyed
           with
           the
           Repetition
           of
           it
           ,
           nor
           tormented
           with
           the
           Fear
           of
           losing
           it
           .
        
         
         
           And
           now
           you
           see
           how
           vast
           and
           immense
           the
           Reward
           of
           our
           obediential
           Belief
           of
           our
           Saviour
           is
           ;
           I
           need
           not
           tell
           you
           that
           't
           is
           a
           plain
           and
           apparent
           Instance
           of
           God's
           great
           Love
           and
           good
           Will
           to
           the
           World
           ;
           For
           't
           is
           indeed
           such
           a
           transcendent
           Instance
           ,
           as
           may
           justly
           astonish
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ,
           and
           put
           both
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           into
           an
           Extasy
           to
           see
           the
           benevolent
           Father
           of
           the
           World
           project
           such
           mighty
           Entertainments
           for
           such
           undeserving
           Children
           ,
           and
           prepare
           such
           a
           Heaven
           of
           boundless
           and
           endless
           Pleasure
           to
           treat
           such
           a
           Company
           of
           
             wretched
             sinful
          
           Worms
           .
           O
           thou
           infinite
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           !
           How
           can
           we
           sufficiently
           admire
           and
           praise
           thee
           ,
           that
           from
           such
           a
           Depth
           of
           Sin
           and
           Misery
           hast
           projected
           to
           raise
           us
           to
           such
           an
           Height
           of
           Glory
           and
           Felicity
           ?
           But
           this
           will
           yet
           more
           evidently
           appear
           ,
           if
           from
           the
           absolute
           Consideration
           of
           this
           Reward
           we
           descend
           to
           the
           comparative
           ;
           which
           was
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           second
           thing
           we
           proposed
           to
           discourse
           of
           ,
           viz.
           to
           shew
           how
           vast
           this
           Reward
           is
           in
           Respect
           of
           the
           Condition
           or
           Consideration
           upon
           which
           it
           is
           promised
           and
           proposed
           .
           And
           this
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           make
           appear
           to
           you
           in
           these
           seven
           Particulars
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               The
               Condition
               is
               due
               ,
               but
               the
               Reward
               is
               free
               and
               arbitrary
               .
            
             
               
               2.
               
               The
               Condition
               is
               no
               ways
               advantageous
               to
               God
               ,
               but
               the
               Reward
               is
               infinitely
               advantageous
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               The
               Condition
               is
               small
               ,
               and
               easie
               to
               be
               performed
               ;
               but
               the
               Reward
               is
               immense
               and
               boundless
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               In
               performing
               the
               Condition
               God
               operates
               more
               than
               we
               ;
               but
               in
               receiving
               the
               Reward
               we
               only
               are
               concerned
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               The
               Condition
               is
               momentary
               and
               temporal
               ,
               but
               the
               Reward
               is
               eternal
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               In
               the
               performance
               of
               the
               Condition
               ,
               there
               are
               great
               Intermixtures
               of
               Pleasure
               with
               our
               Labour
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Reward
               there
               is
               not
               the
               least
               Intermixture
               of
               Misery
               with
               Happiness
               .
            
             
               7.
               
               The
               Condition
               admits
               of
               Intermissions
               of
               Labour
               ,
               but
               in
               the
               Reward
               there
               are
               no
               Intermissions
               of
               Happiness
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Condition
           is
           due
           ,
           but
           the
           Reward
           is
           free
           and
           arbitrary
           .
           For
           God
           being
           our
           Creator
           we
           ow
           all
           our
           Powers
           of
           Action
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           from
           this
           absolute
           Propriety
           that
           he
           hath
           in
           our
           Powers
           ,
           he
           derives
           an
           immutable
           Right
           to
           all
           the
           possible
           Service
           we
           can
           render
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           whilst
           he
           enjoyns
           us
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           possible
           ,
           he
           only
           requires
           what
           is
           his
           Due
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           cannot
           withold
           without
           a
           most
           injust
           Invasion
           of
           his
           Right
           and
           Property
           .
           For
           he
           
           being
           the
           Supreme
           Proprietor
           of
           all
           our
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           ,
           must
           needs
           have
           an
           eternal
           Right
           to
           imploy
           and
           exercise
           them
           as
           he
           pleases
           ;
           because
           by
           so
           doing
           he
           only
           uses
           
             his
             own
          
           Goods
           to
           
             his
             own
          
           Ends
           and
           Purposes
           ,
           which
           every
           Proprietor
           hath
           an
           unquestionable
           Right
           to
           do
           ;
           so
           that
           to
           substract
           our
           Powers
           from
           his
           Use
           and
           Service
           ,
           is
           to
           embezzle
           our
           Masters
           Goods
           ,
           and
           commit
           
             dow
             right
          
           Theft
           and
           Robbery
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           since
           in
           the
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           he
           hath
           required
           nothing
           of
           us
           but
           what
           is
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           do
           ,
           this
           he
           might
           have
           demanded
           as
           a
           just
           Debt
           ,
           without
           offering
           us
           any
           Reward
           for
           the
           Payment
           of
           it
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           should
           give
           us
           a
           Heaven
           only
           for
           giving
           him
           his
           Due
           ,
           and
           bestow
           upon
           us
           for
           paying
           what
           we
           owed
           him
           ,
           infinitely
           more
           than
           the
           whole
           Debt
           amounts
           to
           ,
           is
           an
           Expression
           of
           Love
           beyond
           all
           Comparison
           .
           When
           he
           might
           have
           justly
           sent
           us
           into
           this
           Theater
           to
           act
           what
           Part
           soever
           he
           pleased
           ,
           have
           endeared
           our
           Duty
           to
           us
           by
           nothing
           but
           its
           appendent
           Delights
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           had
           done
           ,
           remanded
           us
           back
           into
           our
           
             Primitive
             Non-entity
          
           ;
           yet
           that
           he
           should
           recompense
           the
           bare
           Discharge
           of
           that
           Duty
           we
           own
           him
           with
           the
           Reward
           of
           such
           an
           immortal
           Bliss
           ,
           is
           such
           a
           stupendous
           Height
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           as
           not
           only
           puzzles
           our
           Conceit
           ,
           
           but
           out-reaches
           our
           Wonder
           and
           Admiration
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           ,
           The
           Condition
           is
           no
           ways
           advantageous
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           the
           Reward
           is
           infinitely
           advantageous
           to
           us
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           so
           infinitely
           happy
           in
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           himself
           and
           
             his
             own
          
           Perfections
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Services
           of
           Men
           and
           Angels
           can
           make
           no
           Addition
           to
           his
           Felicity
           ;
           which
           depends
           wholly
           upon
           the
           infinite
           Goodness
           and
           Perfection
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Nature
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           derived
           either
           in
           whole
           or
           in
           Part
           from
           the
           Tributes
           or
           Free-will
           Offerings
           of
           his
           Creatures
           .
           For
           
             can
             a
             Man
             be
             profitable
             unto
             God
             ,
             as
             he
             that
             is
             wise
             may
             be
             profitable
             unto
             himself
             ?
             Is
             it
             any
             pleasure
             to
             the
             Almighty
             that
             we
             are
             righteous
             ?
             Or
             is
             it
             gain
             to
             him
             that
             we
             make
             our
             ways
             perfect
             ,
          
           Job
           .
           xxii
           .
           2
           ,
           3
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ;
           when
           he
           had
           nothing
           but
           himself
           to
           contemplate
           and
           love
           ,
           his
           Happiness
           was
           the
           same
           as
           it
           is
           now
           among
           all
           the
           Praises
           and
           Services
           which
           he
           receives
           from
           the
           World
           of
           Angels
           and
           of
           Men
           ;
           and
           if
           they
           should
           revolt
           from
           him
           ,
           or
           relapse
           into
           Non-Entity
           again
           ,
           he
           would
           still
           remain
           the
           same
           most
           happy
           Being
           that
           now
           he
           is
           ,
           and
           ever
           was
           .
           For
           all
           true
           Happiness
           being
           founded
           in
           Perfection
           ,
           it
           it
           is
           impossible
           that
           any
           Being
           that
           is
           infinitely
           perfect
           in
           himself
           should
           become
           either
           more
           or
           
             less
             happy
          
           by
           any
           Thing
           that
           
           happens
           from
           without
           him
           .
           So
           that
           as
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           same
           Thing
           whether
           we
           obey
           ,
           or
           disobey
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           whatsoever
           Condition
           he
           imposes
           on
           us
           ,
           our
           Performance
           of
           it
           is
           but
           just
           like
           bringing
           Wax
           to
           a
           dying
           Father
           ,
           which
           he
           requires
           not
           to
           inrich
           himself
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           seal
           away
           Fortunes
           to
           his
           Children
           .
           And
           that
           he
           imposes
           this
           Condition
           on
           us
           rather
           than
           another
           ,
           is
           not
           because
           it
           is
           most
           advantageous
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           because
           it
           is
           most
           conducive
           to
           our
           Welfare
           and
           Happiness
           :
           So
           free
           and
           uninterested
           is
           his
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           upon
           Considerations
           no
           ways
           advantageous
           to
           himself
           ,
           he
           promises
           infinite
           Advantages
           to
           us
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           we
           reap
           all
           the
           Profit
           as
           well
           of
           the
           Condition
           as
           of
           the
           Reward
           appendent
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           he
           promises
           us
           Heaven
           upon
           Terms
           ,
           that
           carry
           Heaven
           in
           the
           Performance
           of
           them
           .
           For
           first
           the
           Condition
           perfects
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Reward
           beatifies
           them
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           the
           Condition
           of
           the
           
             Christian
             Covenant
          
           but
           what
           
             our
             own
          
           Self-love
           rightly
           directed
           would
           oblige
           us
           to
           ;
           nothing
           but
           what
           tends
           to
           our
           good
           ,
           and
           is
           highly
           conducive
           to
           our
           Perfection
           and
           Happiness
           .
           So
           that
           whatsoever
           Advantages
           accrue
           either
           from
           the
           Condition
           ,
           or
           the
           Reward
           annexed
           to
           it
           ,
           they
           all
           redound
           to
           
           our selves
           ▪
           So
           infinitely
           bountiful
           is
           our
           blessed
           Master
           ,
           that
           with
           vast
           Wages
           he
           hires
           his
           Servants
           to
           a
           Work
           that
           is
           a
           noble
           Reward
           to
           it self
           ;
           and
           courts
           them
           with
           the
           Promise
           of
           Heaven
           to
           be
           kind
           and
           merciful
           to
           themselves
           .
           O
           thou
           boundless
           and
           bottomless
           Love
           !
           What
           Tongue
           is
           able
           to
           express
           thy
           Beneficence
           ,
           that
           hast
           prepared
           and
           promised
           a
           Heaven
           of
           endless
           and
           ravishing
           Joys
           and
           Pleasures
           only
           to
           tempt
           and
           bribe
           thy
           Creatures
           to
           do
           what
           is
           good
           for
           themselves
           ;
           and
           without
           any
           Prospect
           of
           Self-advantage
           hast
           obliged
           us
           to
           be
           
             our
             own
          
           Benefactors
           by
           promising
           to
           reward
           us
           for
           being
           so
           ,
           with
           a
           most
           glorious
           and
           blisful
           Immortality
           ?
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           The
           Condition
           is
           small
           ,
           and
           easie
           to
           be
           performed
           ;
           but
           the
           Reward
           is
           immense
           and
           boundless
           .
           For
           what
           doth
           the
           
             Lord
             our
             God
          
           require
           of
           us
           ,
           bot
           only
           to
           act
           like
           Men
           ,
           and
           follow
           the
           Prescriptions
           of
           
             Right
             Reason
          
           ?
           Which
           ,
           if
           there
           had
           never
           been
           any
           Law
           given
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           nor
           any
           Reward
           annexed
           to
           the
           keeping
           it
           ,
           would
           have
           prescribed
           to
           us
           to
           live
           
             soberly
             ,
             righteously
          
           ,
           and
           godly
           in
           this
           present
           World
           ;
           for
           prescinding
           from
           all
           Obligations
           of
           Law
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           to
           do
           thus
           becomes
           all
           reasonable
           Natures
           ,
           and
           is
           much
           more
           for
           their
           Interest
           and
           Happiness
           than
           the
           contrary
           .
           
           And
           is
           this
           so
           hard
           a
           Restraint
           to
           be
           confined
           to
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           becomes
           us
           ,
           and
           with-hold
           from
           nothing
           but
           counter-mining
           our
           own
           Happiness
           ?
           But
           then
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           how
           our
           Duty
           is
           sweetned
           over
           with
           Pleasure
           ,
           encouraged
           with
           the
           Smiles
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           backt
           with
           the
           Approbations
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Consciences
           ;
           with
           what
           gentle
           Mitigations
           it
           is
           required
           ,
           with
           what
           puissant
           Motives
           it
           is
           inforced
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           powerful
           Grace
           it
           is
           assisted
           and
           promoted
           ;
           we
           must
           needs
           acknowledge
           it
           to
           be
           a
           most
           
             gracious
             ,
             easie
          
           ,
           and
           gentle
           Yoke
           .
           But
           if
           we
           measure
           it
           by
           the
           Vastness
           of
           the
           Reward
           ,
           I
           confess
           it
           looks
           like
           some
           great
           and
           mighty
           Thing
           .
           For
           if
           we
           value
           God's
           Bounty
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           conclude
           that
           sure
           he
           would
           never
           have
           made
           such
           vast
           Preparations
           for
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           nor
           planted
           such
           a
           Paradise
           of
           Pleasures
           to
           entertain
           us
           ,
           but
           upon
           some
           mighty
           Condition
           to
           be
           performed
           on
           our
           Part.
           And
           indeed
           had
           he
           imposed
           the
           hardest
           Condition
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           sent
           us
           to
           row
           in
           the
           Gallies
           ,
           or
           dig
           in
           the
           Mines
           for
           a
           thousand
           Years
           together
           ;
           such
           a
           vast
           Reward
           would
           have
           been
           sufficient
           to
           have
           rendred
           it
           not
           only
           tollerable
           ,
           but
           easie
           and
           delightful
           .
           But
           that
           he
           should
           promise
           us
           such
           a
           mighty
           Recompence
           as
           the
           Joys
           of
           an
           everlasting
           Heaven
           
           includes
           ,
           a
           Recompence
           as
           large
           as
           our
           utmost
           Capacities
           ,
           and
           as
           lasting
           as
           our
           longest
           Duration
           ;
           and
           this
           upon
           no
           other
           Condition
           but
           our
           sincere
           Belief
           of
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           to
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           whose
           Precepts
           are
           all
           natural
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           pregnant
           with
           unspeakable
           Pleasure
           and
           Delight
           ;
           is
           such
           a
           Prodigy
           of
           Goodness
           as
           we
           can
           never
           sufficiently
           admire
           and
           adore
           :
           That
           meerly
           for
           believing
           a
           Revelation
           ,
           of
           whose
           Truth
           we
           have
           such
           convincing
           Evidence
           ,
           and
           practising
           suitably
           to
           our
           Belief
           ,
           we
           should
           from
           
             wretched
             mortal
          
           Worms
           ,
           be
           advanced
           to
           an
           equal
           Pitch
           of
           Bliss
           and
           Glory
           with
           immortal
           Angels
           ,
           and
           live
           as
           happily
           
             for
             ever
          
           as
           all
           the
           Joys
           of
           Heaven
           can
           make
           us
           ,
           is
           doubtless
           such
           an
           Instance
           of
           Love
           and
           Bounty
           as
           could
           only
           proceed
           from
           infinite
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           In
           performing
           the
           Condition
           ,
           God
           operates
           more
           than
           we
           ;
           but
           in
           receiving
           the
           Reward
           we
           only
           are
           concerned
           .
           For
           to
           our
           sincere
           Belief
           and
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           God
           contributes
           much
           more
           than
           we
           ;
           for
           besides
           that
           he
           is
           the
           Author
           of
           all
           those
           Faculties
           by
           which
           we
           do
           believe
           and
           obey
           him
           ,
           of
           all
           those
           Evidences
           by
           which
           we
           are
           convinced
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           those
           Motives
           by
           which
           we
           are
           animated
           in
           our
           Obedience
           
           to
           it
           ;
           besides
           all
           which
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           he
           is
           also
           the
           Author
           of
           all
           that
           inward
           Grace
           and
           Assistance
           by
           which
           our
           pious
           Endeavours
           are
           excited
           and
           crowned
           with
           a
           blessed
           Success
           .
           And
           considering
           how
           much
           all
           these
           Things
           do
           operate
           upon
           our
           Performance
           of
           the
           Gospel-Condition
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           only
           true
           that
           without
           God's
           Grace
           we
           should
           never
           have
           performed
           it
           ,
           but
           also
           that
           in
           our
           Performance
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           main
           and
           principle
           Agent
           ;
           and
           no
           Man
           ever
           yet
           became
           a
           hearty
           Believer
           and
           Disciple
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           but
           was
           much
           more
           beholding
           to
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           than
           to
           his
           own
           Activity
           and
           Endeavour
           .
           And
           hence
           we
           are
           said
           
             to
             be
             created
             in
             Christ
             Jesus
             unto
             good
             works
             ,
          
           Eph.
           ii
           .
           10
           .
           not
           but
           that
           God
           exacts
           the
           Concurrence
           of
           our
           Endeavours
           with
           his
           Grace
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           Performance
           of
           the
           Gospel-condition
           as
           well
           as
           in
           any
           other
           Affair
           of
           our
           Lives
           .
           For
           it
           is
           the
           Blessing
           of
           the
           Lord
           that
           makes
           Men
           rich
           as
           well
           as
           Good
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           as
           well
           expect
           that
           he
           should
           make
           us
           rich
           without
           Industry
           ,
           as
           good
           without
           Diligence
           and
           Endeavour
           ;
           But
           when
           we
           have
           done
           our
           utmost
           ,
           't
           is
           to
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           as
           to
           the
           principal
           Cause
           that
           all
           our
           good
           is
           to
           be
           attributed
           .
           But
           yet
           though
           't
           is
           he
           that
           works
           this
           Condition
           in
           us
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           Author
           and
           Finisher
           of
           our
           Faith
           ;
           yet
           the
           
           Reward
           doth
           wholly
           redound
           to
           ourselves
           ,
           as
           if
           we
           had
           been
           the
           Authors
           and
           Finishers
           of
           all
           ;
           and
           though
           he
           hath
           the
           greatest
           Share
           in
           the
           Work
           ,
           yet
           he
           substracts
           nothing
           at
           all
           from
           the
           Wages
           ,
           but
           pays
           us
           infinitely
           more
           than
           the
           utmost
           Merit
           of
           the
           Work
           amounts
           to
           .
           He
           gives
           us
           Faith
           ,
           and
           then
           he
           crowns
           
             his
             own
          
           Gift
           with
           Glory
           ,
           and
           Honour
           ,
           and
           Immortality
           .
           He
           sows
           and
           cultivates
           our
           Nature
           ,
           that
           we
           may
           reap
           the
           Crop
           and
           Harvest
           .
           So
           infinitely
           liberal
           is
           our
           blessed
           Master
           as
           to
           reward
           his
           Servants
           for
           his
           own
           Work
           ,
           to
           undergo
           the
           greatest
           Part
           of
           their
           Labour
           ,
           and
           when
           't
           is
           done
           ,
           to
           pay
           them
           
             Ten
             Thousand
          
           Fold
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           5
           thly
           ,
           The
           Condition
           is
           momentary
           and
           temporal
           ,
           but
           the
           Reward
           is
           eternal
           .
           It
           is
           but
           a
           
             little
             little
          
           while
           that
           the
           Labour
           of
           our
           Duty
           lasts
           ;
           for
           Constancy
           and
           Perseverance
           ,
           will
           soon
           render
           it
           natural
           and
           easie
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           did
           not
           ,
           yet
           Death
           will
           quickly
           put
           an
           end
           to
           all
           ;
           and
           within
           these
           very
           few
           Days
           or
           Years
           we
           shall
           see
           an
           everlasting
           Period
           of
           all
           the
           Pains
           of
           our
           Watchfulness
           ,
           of
           all
           the
           Severities
           of
           Mortification
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           the
           Sorrows
           of
           Repentance
           ;
           but
           then
           the
           Reward
           abides
           to
           all
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           lasts
           out
           to
           a
           never-ending
           Duration
           .
           So
           that
           though
           we
           shall
           soon
           see
           an
           End
           of
           our
           Work
           ,
           yet
           the
           Wages
           is
           so
           vast
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           
           spending
           on
           it
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           and
           Myriads
           of
           Myriads
           of
           Ages
           hence
           shall
           be
           rejoycing
           in
           the
           Fruits
           of
           our
           present
           Labour
           and
           reaping
           the
           blisful
           Effects
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           to
           the
           latest
           Moment
           of
           Eternity
           .
           O
           thou
           liberal
           Rewarder
           of
           Men
           !
           Who
           can
           sufficiently
           admire
           thy
           Goodness
           ,
           that
           remuneratest
           our
           short
           Pains
           with
           endless
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           exchangest
           with
           us
           an
           Eternity
           of
           Happiness
           for
           the
           Labour
           and
           Service
           of
           a
           Moment
           ?
           For
           when
           we
           are
           arrived
           into
           that
           vast
           Eternity
           of
           Bliss
           ,
           all
           the
           Pains
           we
           have
           taken
           in
           our
           Voyage
           thither
           will
           hardly
           bear
           the
           Proportion
           of
           a
           
             single
             Vnite
          
           to
           an
           
             infinite
             Sum
          
           ;
           for
           what
           are
           twenty
           or
           thirty
           Years
           ,
           but
           a
           moment
           to
           
             Ten
             Thousand
             Thousand
          
           ?
           and
           what
           are
           
             Ten
             Thousand
          
           Years
           ,
           but
           a
           moment
           to
           an
           
             endless
             Eternity
          
           ?
           So
           that
           methinks
           ,
           when
           I
           consider
           that
           after
           Ten
           ,
           or
           Twenty
           ,
           or
           Thirty
           Years
           Service
           ,
           I
           shall
           be
           allowed
           an
           Eternity
           to
           spend
           in
           the
           most
           ravishing
           Joys
           and
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           live
           as
           happily
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           as
           God
           and
           an
           
             everlasting
             Heaven
          
           can
           make
           me
           ;
           the
           Bounties
           of
           my
           blessed
           Master
           appear
           in
           such
           a
           prodigious
           Bulk
           to
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           am
           even
           confounded
           at
           the
           Prospect
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           all
           this
           Time
           I
           have
           to
           spend
           in
           Religion
           ,
           in
           Prayer
           and
           Watchfulness
           ,
           in
           subduing
           my
           Passions
           and
           Appetites
           ,
           and
           contending
           with
           my
           own
           
           Inclinations
           seems
           nothing
           to
           me
           ;
           but
           like
           a
           
             little
             Rivulet
          
           ,
           is
           swallowed
           up
           in
           that
           boundless
           and
           bottomless
           Duration
           ,
           where
           it
           loses
           it self
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           more
           remembred
           by
           me
           .
        
         
           6
           thly
           ,
           In
           the
           Performance
           of
           the
           Condition
           there
           are
           great
           Intermixtures
           of
           Pleasure
           with
           our
           Labour
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Reward
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           the
           least
           Intermixture
           of
           Misery
           with
           Happiness
           .
           That
           Man
           must
           be
           very
           much
           unexperienced
           in
           a
           
             Christian
             Life
          
           ,
           who
           thinks
           it
           a
           
             melancholy
             ,
             sower
          
           ,
           and
           rigorous
           Thing
           ;
           for
           besides
           that
           ,
           it
           freely
           indulges
           to
           us
           all
           the
           innocent
           Gratifications
           of
           our
           Senses
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           Refreshments
           of
           honest
           Mirth
           and
           moderate
           Recreation
           ;
           it
           hath
           so
           many
           choice
           and
           peculiar
           Pleasures
           of
           its
           own
           ,
           as
           are
           sufficient
           to
           endear
           it
           unto
           all
           wise
           Men
           ,
           though
           it
           had
           no
           other
           Reward
           to
           recommend
           it
           :
           For
           all
           the
           Acts
           and
           Functions
           of
           it
           being
           most
           agreeable
           to
           
             humane
             Nature
          
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           highly
           grateful
           to
           it
           .
           For
           what
           can
           be
           more
           agreeable
           to
           a
           reasonable
           Nature
           ,
           than
           to
           adore
           and
           love
           ,
           to
           praise
           and
           confide
           in
           the
           Fountain
           of
           its
           Being
           and
           Happiness
           ?
           And
           being
           so
           agreeable
           ,
           how
           can
           they
           but
           abound
           with
           Pleasure
           and
           Delight
           ?
           What
           can
           be
           more
           suitable
           to
           a
           sociable
           Nature
           than
           to
           be
           kind
           and
           
             obliging
             ,
             courteous
          
           and
           beneficent
           to
           all
           
           we
           converse
           with
           ?
           and
           being
           so
           suitable
           ,
           how
           is
           it
           possible
           but
           it
           should
           be
           sweet
           and
           delightsome
           ?
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           what
           can
           be
           more
           convenient
           to
           a
           Nature
           that
           is
           compounded
           of
           an
           immortal
           Spirit
           and
           a
           mortal
           Body
           ,
           than
           to
           keep
           the
           Body
           in
           Subjection
           to
           the
           Mind
           ,
           and
           Govern
           its
           Appetites
           and
           Passions
           by
           the
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           and
           Sobriety
           ?
           and
           being
           so
           convenient
           ,
           what
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           must
           there
           needs
           accrue
           from
           it
           ?
           For
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           every
           Being
           consists
           in
           acting
           agreeably
           to
           its
           own
           Nature
           ;
           and
           therefore
           since
           to
           act
           religiously
           is
           so
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           Man
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           but
           it
           must
           be
           pleasant
           ,
           especially
           considering
           how
           much
           it
           conduces
           to
           the
           Tranquility
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           our
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           the
           Advancement
           of
           our
           Interests
           in
           both
           Worlds
           :
           All
           which
           being
           considered
           ,
           I
           dare
           boldly
           affirm
           ,
           that
           if
           there
           were
           no
           other
           Reward
           of
           a
           religious
           Life
           ,
           but
           only
           its
           own
           appendent
           Delights
           ,
           yet
           this
           were
           enough
           to
           recommend
           it
           unto
           any
           wise
           Man
           ;
           and
           that
           there
           never
           was
           any
           Man
           whatsoever
           that
           made
           a
           through
           Experiment
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           found
           it
           far
           more
           pleasant
           and
           agreeable
           to
           him
           ,
           than
           the
           most
           jovial
           Course
           of
           Wickedness
           and
           Impiety
           .
           And
           yet
           to
           this
           pleasant
           Life
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           doth
           tempt
           and
           invite
           us
           by
           the
           
           Promise
           of
           a
           Heaven
           of
           Pleasures
           ;
           and
           though
           the
           Life
           he
           wooes
           us
           to
           hath
           Joy
           and
           Bliss
           enough
           in
           it
           to
           compensate
           all
           the
           Toil
           and
           Labour
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           to
           oblige
           us
           hereunto
           ,
           he
           hath
           made
           it
           a
           most
           certain
           Passage
           to
           a
           Life
           of
           pure
           and
           unmingled
           Bliss
           ,
           that
           hath
           not
           the
           least
           Alloy
           of
           Misery
           in
           it
           :
           For
           from
           that
           most
           blissful
           Region
           all
           Pain
           and
           
             Sorrow
             ,
             Trouble
          
           and
           Vexation
           ,
           are
           banished
           
             for
             evermore
          
           .
           There
           are
           no
           Winter-Frosts
           of
           Grief
           to
           nip
           or
           blast
           its
           
             everlasting
             Spring
          
           of
           Joy
           ;
           no
           Clouds
           to
           darken
           or
           overcast
           its
           Light
           ;
           but
           we
           shall
           know
           without
           
             Mistake
             ,
             love
          
           without
           
             Jealousie
             ,
             obey
          
           without
           Reluctancy
           ,
           praise
           without
           Complaint
           or
           Murmuring
           ,
           and
           
             rejoice
             for
             ever
          
           without
           Sighing
           or
           Disturbance
           .
           Lord
           !
           what
           amazing
           Bounty
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           thou
           shouldst
           crown
           the
           most
           pleasant
           Life
           upon
           Earth
           with
           a
           most
           pure
           and
           unmingled
           Life
           of
           Pleasures
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           make
           one
           Paradise
           the
           Reward
           of
           another
           ?
           How
           deeply
           art
           thou
           concerned
           in
           our
           Welfare
           ,
           that
           to
           oblige
           us
           to
           live
           happily
           here
           ,
           hast
           prepared
           a
           Heaven
           of
           pure
           and
           endless
           Happiness
           to
           entertain
           us
           hereafter
           ?
        
         
           7
           thly
           and
           lastly
           ,
           The
           Condition
           admits
           of
           Intermissions
           of
           Labour
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Reward
           there
           are
           no
           Intermissions
           of
           Happiness
           .
           The
           Performance
           of
           the
           Condition
           
           doth
           not
           so
           wholly
           take
           up
           our
           Lives
           ,
           as
           to
           admit
           of
           no
           Interruptions
           ;
           for
           besides
           that
           it
           not
           only
           permits
           ,
           but
           requires
           us
           to
           mind
           our
           secular
           Business
           and
           Affairs
           ;
           and
           is
           so
           far
           from
           interfering
           with
           the
           Work
           of
           our
           Callings
           ,
           that
           it
           promotes
           and
           furthers
           it
           ;
           it
           doth
           not
           so
           wholly
           ingross
           our
           Time
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           allow
           us
           a
           sufficient
           Season
           for
           our
           Rest
           and
           Recreation
           ;
           so
           that
           we
           may
           perform
           all
           that
           it
           includes
           or
           requires
           ,
           without
           breaking
           of
           a
           Nights
           Rest
           ,
           or
           abridging
           our selves
           a
           
             Meals
             Meat
          
           ,
           or
           retrenching
           from
           our
           Mirth
           and
           Diversions
           ,
           any
           further
           than
           Reason
           and
           Sobriety
           requires
           ;
           and
           consequently
           abstracted
           from
           the
           Work
           of
           our
           Callings
           ;
           which
           though
           it
           be
           included
           in
           this
           Condition
           ,
           yet
           even
           our
           temporal
           Interest
           obliges
           us
           to
           follow
           ,
           't
           is
           by
           so
           much
           the
           smallest
           Portion
           of
           our
           Lives
           which
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           spend
           in
           the
           Exercise
           of
           our
           Religion
           .
           And
           if
           we
           would
           make
           but
           moderate
           Retrenchments
           from
           that
           Time
           we
           spend
           either
           in
           doing
           nothing
           ,
           or
           nothing
           to
           the
           Purpose
           ;
           and
           together
           with
           that
           reprieve
           those
           precious
           Moments
           we
           squander
           away
           in
           serving
           and
           pampering
           of
           our
           Lusts
           ;
           we
           might
           serve
           God
           faithfully
           every
           Day
           ,
           and
           yet
           have
           as
           much
           Time
           remaining
           to
           do
           our
           Business
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           our
           Pleasures
           as
           now
           :
           We
           might
           every
           Morning
           say
           our
           
           Prayers
           ,
           renew
           our
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           arm
           our selves
           with
           Considerations
           against
           the
           Temptations
           of
           the
           Day
           ;
           and
           every
           Night
           review
           the
           Actions
           of
           the
           
             Day
             ,
             confess
          
           and
           lament
           the
           Defects
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           recommend
           our selves
           to
           God's
           Grace
           and
           Protection
           for
           the
           future
           ;
           and
           when
           all
           this
           is
           done
           ,
           have
           as
           much
           Time
           as
           ever
           we
           had
           before
           to
           mind
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           divert
           our selves
           .
           Nay
           ,
           so
           far
           would
           this
           be
           from
           any
           ways
           hindring
           our
           Business
           or
           Diversion
           ,
           that
           the
           sweet
           Sense
           of
           having
           done
           our
           Duty
           ,
           would
           make
           us
           much
           more
           chearful
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           give
           us
           a
           far
           sweeter
           Relish
           of
           the
           other
           .
           So
           far
           is
           Religion
           from
           inslaving
           us
           to
           an
           uninterrupted
           Toil
           and
           Labour
           ,
           that
           it
           doth
           not
           only
           allow
           us
           all
           the
           Intermissions
           that
           our
           secular
           Business
           ,
           Reflection
           ,
           and
           Pleasure
           requires
           ;
           but
           also
           sweetens
           them
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           renders
           them
           much
           more
           grateful
           .
           But
           as
           for
           the
           Reward
           which
           Religion
           draws
           after
           it
           ,
           that
           excludes
           all
           Intermissions
           of
           Happiness
           .
           For
           in
           that
           most
           blissful
           State
           our
           Life
           will
           be
           all
           but
           one
           continued
           Act
           of
           Joy
           ,
           and
           to
           eternal
           Ages
           there
           shall
           not
           be
           one
           Moment
           wherein
           we
           shall
           either
           be
           sensible
           of
           Pain
           ,
           or
           insensible
           of
           Pleasure
           and
           Happiness
           .
           For
           as
           our
           Happiness
           will
           always
           abound
           with
           fresh
           Pleasures
           ,
           so
           our
           Faculties
           will
           never
           
           be
           cloyed
           with
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           them
           ;
           for
           those
           Pleasures
           being
           
             pure
             ,
             rational
          
           ,
           and
           spiritual
           ,
           will
           be
           so
           far
           from
           spending
           and
           weakning
           our
           Powers
           ,
           that
           they
           will
           every
           Moment
           strengthen
           and
           improve
           them
           .
           So
           that
           whereas
           our
           Pleasures
           here
           consisting
           in
           a
           vehement
           Motion
           ,
           are
           very
           transient
           ,
           and
           quickly
           slip
           away
           ,
           and
           we
           must
           rest
           a
           while
           before
           we
           can
           renew
           them
           ,
           and
           begin
           the
           Motion
           again
           ;
           those
           heavenly
           Pleasures
           are
           such
           as
           will
           indeed
           most
           vehemently
           affect
           and
           move
           ,
           but
           never
           weary
           the
           Faculties
           of
           the
           Enjoyer
           .
           For
           still
           the
           more
           we
           know
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           love
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           we
           love
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           rejoice
           ;
           and
           the
           more
           we
           rejoice
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           know
           and
           love
           :
           And
           so
           in
           this
           sweet
           but
           endless
           Circle
           ,
           we
           shall
           move
           round
           
             for
             ever
          
           without
           Weariness
           ,
           and
           be
           so
           far
           from
           spending
           our
           Vigour
           ,
           that
           every
           Moment
           of
           Eternity
           we
           shall
           improve
           it
           by
           Exercise
           and
           Motion
           .
           So
           that
           as
           our
           Happiness
           will
           always
           abound
           with
           new
           Pleasures
           without
           any
           Discontinuance
           or
           Intermission
           ,
           so
           our
           Faculties
           will
           always
           renew
           their
           Strength
           and
           Vigour
           by
           Enjoyment
           .
           And
           as
           there
           will
           be
           no
           Pause
           between
           one
           Joy
           and
           another
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           come
           so
           thick
           upon
           us
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           that
           the
           Follower
           will
           always
           tread
           on
           the
           Foregoers
           Heels
           ;
           so
           one
           will
           still
           
           make
           Room
           for
           another
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           are
           present
           will
           inlarge
           our
           Capacity
           to
           receive
           all
           those
           that
           are
           immediately
           to
           follow
           .
           And
           thus
           shall
           we
           spend
           an
           Eternity
           without
           the
           least
           Intermission
           of
           Joy
           and
           Pleasure
           ;
           for
           we
           shall
           always
           know
           ,
           and
           always
           love
           ,
           and
           always
           praise
           the
           Author
           of
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           always
           have
           a
           fresh
           Sense
           of
           his
           Goodness
           soothing
           and
           ravishing
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           filling
           them
           with
           ineffable
           Joys
           ,
           without
           any
           Ceasing
           or
           Interruption
           .
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           what
           an
           amazing
           Demonstration
           is
           this
           of
           thy
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           to
           thy
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           for
           a
           Work
           in
           which
           there
           are
           so
           many
           Pauses
           and
           daily
           Intermissions
           of
           Labour
           ,
           thou
           shouldst
           crown
           us
           with
           a
           Reward
           ,
           that
           to
           all
           Eternity
           is
           one
           continued
           Scene
           of
           Happiness
           without
           the
           least
           Gap
           or
           Interruption
           ?
           So
           that
           whether
           you
           consider
           this
           Reward
           absolutely
           ,
           and
           in
           its
           self
           ,
           or
           comparatively
           with
           the
           Condition
           whereunto
           it
           is
           annexed
           ,
           you
           see
           it
           is
           a
           most
           glorious
           Instance
           of
           God's
           unspeakable
           Goodness
           towards
           us
           :
           And
           now
           I
           shall
           conclude
           this
           Argument
           with
           a
           few
           practical
           Inferences
           from
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           I.
           I
           infer
           how
           much
           Reason
           we
           have
           to
           be
           contented
           and
           satisfied
           under
           all
           the
           present
           Afflictions
           of
           this
           Life
           .
           For
           shall
           we
           receive
           so
           much
           good
           at
           the
           Hands
           of
           God
           as
           
           
             Everlasting
             Life
          
           implies
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           contented
           to
           receive
           some
           Evil
           ,
           when
           our
           good
           Father
           hath
           provided
           for
           us
           a
           Crown
           of
           endless
           Bliss
           and
           Glory
           hereafter
           ?
           With
           what
           Conscience
           or
           Modesty
           can
           we
           complain
           of
           those
           
             little
             paternal
          
           Castigations
           he
           inflicts
           on
           us
           here
           ?
           especially
           considering
           that
           the
           great
           Design
           of
           all
           his
           present
           Severities
           is
           to
           prepare
           and
           discipline
           us
           for
           that
           heavenly
           State
           ;
           that
           by
           all
           these
           dismal
           Providences
           he
           is
           only
           training
           us
           up
           for
           a
           Crown
           ;
           fitting
           ,
           instructing
           and
           disposing
           us
           to
           reign
           with
           him
           in
           Glory
           
             for
             ever
          
           ?
           Can
           any
           Thing
           be
           unwelcom
           to
           us
           that
           is
           in
           Order
           to
           so
           blessed
           an
           End
           ?
           Can
           any
           Physick
           be
           nauseous
           or
           distastful
           that
           is
           prescribed
           to
           recover
           us
           into
           such
           an
           happy
           Immortality
           ?
           No
           doubtless
           ;
           every
           Thing
           that
           leads
           Heaven-wards
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           grievous
           ,
           is
           a
           Blessing
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           kind
           Severities
           that
           tend
           to
           our
           eternal
           Welfare
           ,
           are
           Favours
           for
           which
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           praise
           and
           adore
           the
           Goodness
           of
           
             Heaven
             for
             ever
          
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           find
           our selves
           inclined
           to
           complain
           under
           our
           present
           Pressures
           and
           Afflictions
           ,
           let
           us
           lift
           up
           our
           Eyes
           to
           
             yonder
             blessed
             Regions
          
           ,
           and
           consider
           the
           Joys
           and
           Pleasures
           ,
           the
           Crowns
           and
           Triumphs
           that
           do
           there
           await
           us
           ;
           and
           how
           necessary
           these
           bitter
           Trials
           are
           to
           prepare
           us
           for
           ,
           and
           wast
           
           us
           to
           them
           :
           And
           if
           this
           doth
           not
           stop
           our
           Mouths
           ,
           and
           silence
           our
           Complaints
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           nay
           ,
           if
           it
           doth
           not
           cause
           us
           to
           rejoice
           in
           our
           Tribulations
           ,
           and
           to
           thank
           God
           for
           them
           on
           our
           bendid
           Knees
           ;
           if
           it
           doth
           not
           make
           us
           chearfully
           submit
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Vre
             ,
             Seca
             ,
             Vulnera
             ,
             Lord
             !
             cut
             ,
             or
             wound
             ,
             or
             burn
             me
             ;
             if
             thou
             seest
             fit
             ,
             strip
             me
             of
             all
             my
             dearest
             Comforts
             ;
             handle
             me
             as
             severely
             as
             thou
             pleasest
             ,
             so
             I
             have
             my
             Fruit
             unto
             Holiness
             ,
             and
             my
             end
             everlasting
             Life
          
           ;
           we
           are
           infinitely
           foolish
           and
           ungrateful
           .
           For
           't
           is
           but
           a
           little
           while
           e're
           all
           these
           Storms
           will
           clear
           up
           into
           an
           everlasting
           Calm
           ;
           e're
           all
           these
           dismal
           Clouds
           will
           vanish
           ,
           and
           an
           everlasting
           Day
           break
           forth
           upon
           us
           ,
           whose
           Brightness
           shall
           never
           be
           obscured
           with
           the
           least
           Spot
           or
           Relique
           of
           Darkness
           .
           And
           when
           that
           blessed
           Time
           comes
           ,
           Lord
           !
           how
           trifling
           and
           inconsiderable
           will
           all
           our
           present
           Griefs
           appear
           ?
           With
           what
           Contempt
           shall
           we
           reflect
           upon
           our
           present
           Cowardise
           and
           meanness
           of
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           would
           not
           bear
           without
           Murmuring
           with
           a
           few
           Inconveniences
           on
           the
           Road
           to
           such
           an
           
             immortal
             Heaven
          
           of
           Pleasure
           ?
           Wherefore
           if
           our
           Voyage
           be
           not
           so
           pleasant
           as
           we
           would
           have
           it
           ,
           yet
           let
           us
           remember
           't
           is
           not
           long
           ;
           we
           have
           but
           a
           short
           Days
           Sail
           to
           an
           Eternity
           of
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           when
           once
           we
           are
           landed
           on
           that
           blessed
           Shore
           ,
           
           with
           what
           ravishing
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           shall
           we
           look
           back
           on
           the
           rough
           and
           boisterous
           Seas
           we
           have
           past
           ,
           and
           for
           ever
           bless
           the
           Storms
           and
           Winds
           that
           drave
           us
           to
           that
           happy
           Port
           !
           Then
           will
           the
           Remembrance
           of
           these
           light
           Afflictions
           serve
           only
           as
           a
           Toil
           and
           Anti-mask
           to
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           to
           set
           off
           its
           Joys
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           more
           sweet
           and
           ravishing
           .
           Let
           us
           therefore
           comfort
           our selves
           with
           these
           Things
           ;
           and
           when
           at
           any
           Time
           our
           Spirits
           are
           sinking
           under
           any
           worldly
           Trouble
           or
           Affliction
           ,
           consider
           that
           while
           we
           have
           a
           Heaven
           to
           hope
           for
           ,
           we
           can
           never
           be
           miserable
           ;
           for
           so
           long
           as
           we
           are
           guarded
           with
           this
           mighty
           Hope
           ,
           our
           Mind
           will
           be
           impregnable
           against
           all
           foreign
           Events
           ,
           and
           maugre
           all
           Afflictions
           from
           without
           ,
           its
           Serenity
           will
           shine
           as
           undisturbedly
           as
           the
           Lights
           of
           Pharos
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           Storms
           and
           Tempests
           .
        
         
           II.
           Hence
           I
           infer
           ,
           what
           a
           
             vast
             deal
          
           of
           Reason
           we
           have
           to
           slight
           and
           contemn
           this
           World.
           For
           it
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           born
           to
           infinitely
           greater
           Hopes
           than
           any
           this
           World
           can
           propose
           to
           us
           ,
           even
           to
           the
           Hopes
           of
           everlasting
           Life
           :
           And
           being
           so
           ,
           methinks
           our
           Ambition
           should
           soar
           as
           high
           as
           our
           Hopes
           ,
           and
           disdain
           such
           low
           and
           
             ignoble
             Quarries
          
           ,
           as
           the
           Pleasures
           ,
           and
           Profits
           ,
           and
           Honours
           of
           this
           Life
           .
           Certainly
           Sirs
           ,
           we
           
           mistake
           the
           Scene
           of
           our
           Eternity
           ,
           or
           imagine
           that
           it
           is
           removed
           from
           Heaven
           to
           Earth
           ;
           and
           so
           we
           are
           to
           enjoy
           our
           everlasting
           Life
           below
           ;
           or
           else
           we
           are
           most
           strangely
           besotted
           ,
           who
           when
           we
           are
           born
           to
           live
           
             for
             ever
             above
          
           in
           the
           most
           ravishing
           Glory
           and
           Happiness
           ,
           can
           suffer
           our selves
           to
           doat
           upon
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           so
           strangely
           bewitched
           as
           we
           are
           by
           its
           deluding
           Vanities
           .
           O!
           could
           we
           but
           stand
           a
           while
           in
           the
           Mid-way
           between
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           and
           at
           one
           Prospect
           see
           the
           Glories
           of
           both
           ,
           how
           faint
           and
           dim
           would
           all
           the
           Splendors
           of
           this
           World
           appear
           to
           us
           in
           Comparison
           with
           those
           above
           ?
           How
           would
           they
           sneak
           and
           disappear
           in
           the
           Presence
           of
           that
           eternal
           Brightness
           ,
           and
           be
           forced
           to
           shroud
           their
           vanquished
           Glories
           ,
           as
           Stars
           do
           when
           the
           Sun
           appears
           ?
           And
           whilst
           we
           interchangably
           turned
           our
           Eyes
           from
           one
           to
           t'other
           ,
           with
           what
           Shame
           and
           Confusion
           should
           we
           reflect
           upon
           the
           wretched
           groveling
           Temper
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Minds
           ?
           what
           
             poor
             mean-spirited
          
           Creatures
           we
           are
           to
           satisfy
           our selves
           with
           the
           impertinent
           Trifles
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           all
           the
           Joys
           of
           an
           
             everlasting
             Heaven
          
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           may
           ,
           if
           we
           please
           ,
           after
           a
           few
           Moments
           Obedience
           be
           admitted
           into
           them
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           them
           
             for
             evermore
          
           ?
           Ah!
           
             foolish
             Creatures
             that
             we
             are
          
           ,
           thus
           to
           
           prefer
           a
           far
           Countrey
           ,
           where
           we
           live
           on
           nothing
           but
           Husks
           ,
           before
           an
           
             everlasting
             Festivity
          
           ,
           that
           is
           celebrated
           in
           our
           Father's
           House
           !
           where
           the
           meanest
           Creature
           hath
           Bread
           enough
           ,
           and
           to
           spare
           :
           To
           chuse
           
           Nebuchadnezzar's
           Fate
           ,
           and
           leave
           Crowns
           and
           Scepters
           ,
           and
           live
           among
           the
           salvage
           Herds
           of
           the
           Wilderness
           !
           Could
           the
           
             blessed
             Saints
          
           above
           divert
           so
           much
           from
           their
           more
           happy
           Employments
           ,
           as
           to
           look
           down
           a
           little
           from
           their
           Thrones
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           busy
           poor
           Mortals
           are
           in
           scrambling
           for
           this
           wretched
           Pelf
           ,
           which
           within
           a
           few
           Moments
           they
           must
           leave
           
             for
             ever
          
           ;
           how
           they
           jostle
           ,
           and
           
             rencounter
             ,
             defeat
             ,
             defraud
          
           ,
           and
           
             undermine
             one
             another
          
           ;
           what
           a
           most
           ridiculous
           Spectacle
           would
           it
           appear
           to
           them
           ?
           with
           what
           Scorn
           would
           they
           look
           on
           it
           ;
           or
           rather
           ,
           with
           what
           Pity
           ,
           to
           see
           a
           Company
           of
           heaven-born
           Souls
           ,
           capable
           of
           ,
           and
           designed
           for
           the
           same
           Glory
           and
           Happiness
           with
           themselves
           ,
           groveling
           like
           Swine
           in
           Dirt
           and
           Mire
           ;
           one
           priding
           it self
           in
           a
           gay
           Suit
           ,
           
             a
             nother
          
           hugging
           a
           Bag
           of
           glistering
           Earth
           ,
           a
           third
           stewing
           and
           dissolving
           it self
           in
           Luxury
           and
           Voluptuousness
           ,
           and
           all
           imployed
           at
           that
           poor
           ,
           and
           mean
           ,
           and
           miserable
           Rate
           ,
           as
           might
           justly
           make
           these
           blessed
           Spirits
           ashamed
           to
           own
           their
           Kindred
           and
           Alliance
           ?
           To
           tell
           you
           truly
           and
           seriously
           my
           Thoughts
           ,
           
           I
           cannot
           imagine
           ,
           but
           if
           when
           we
           are
           thus
           extravagantly
           concerned
           about
           the
           pitiful
           Trifles
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           the
           blessed
           Spirits
           do
           see
           and
           converse
           with
           us
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           much
           more
           ludicrous
           and
           ridiculous
           Sight
           in
           their
           Eyes
           ,
           to
           see
           us
           thus
           sillily
           concerned
           and
           imployed
           ,
           than
           it
           would
           be
           in
           us
           to
           see
           a
           Company
           of
           Boys
           with
           mighty
           Zeal
           and
           Concern
           wrangling
           and
           
             crying
             ,
             striving
          
           and
           scrambling
           for
           a
           Bag
           of
           Cherry-stones
           .
           Wherefore
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           Sirs
           ,
           let
           us
           not
           expose
           our selves
           any
           longer
           to
           the
           just
           Derision
           of
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           by
           our
           excessive
           Dotage
           upon
           the
           trifling
           Vanities
           of
           this
           Life
           ;
           but
           let
           us
           seriously
           consider
           that
           we
           are
           all
           concerned
           in
           Matters
           of
           much
           higher
           Importance
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           unspeakable
           Felicity
           of
           an
           everlasting
           Life
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           Hence
           I
           infer
           how
           unreasonable
           it
           is
           for
           good
           Men
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           Dying
           ,
           since
           just
           on
           t'other
           side
           the
           Grave
           you
           see
           there
           is
           a
           State
           of
           endless
           Bliss
           and
           Happiness
           prepared
           to
           receive
           and
           entertain
           them
           ;
           so
           that
           to
           them
           Death
           is
           but
           a
           dark
           Entry
           out
           of
           a
           Wilderness
           of
           Sorrow
           into
           a
           Paradise
           of
           eternal
           Pleasure
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           it
           be
           an
           unreasonable
           Thing
           for
           
             sick
             Men
          
           to
           dread
           their
           Recovery
           ,
           for
           Slaves
           to
           tremble
           at
           their
           Jubilee
           ,
           or
           for
           Prisoners
           to
           quake
           at
           the
           News
           of
           a
           Goal-delivery
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           unreasonable
           
           is
           it
           for
           good
           Men
           to
           be
           afraid
           of
           Death
           ,
           which
           is
           but
           a
           momentary
           Passage
           from
           
             Sickness
             ,
             Labour
          
           ,
           and
           Confinement
           to
           
             eternal
             Health
          
           ,
           and
           Rest
           ,
           and
           Liberty
           ?
           For
           God's
           sake
           consider
           ,
           Sirs
           ,
           what
           is
           there
           in
           this
           World
           that
           you
           have
           Reason
           to
           be
           fond
           of
           ,
           what
           in
           the
           other
           that
           you
           need
           be
           afraid
           of
           ?
           Suppose
           that
           now
           your
           Souls
           were
           on
           the
           Wing
           mounting
           upwards
           to
           the
           
             celestial
             Abodes
          
           ,
           and
           that
           at
           some
           convenient
           Stand
           between
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           from
           whence
           you
           might
           take
           a
           Prospect
           of
           both
           ,
           you
           were
           now
           making
           a
           Pause
           to
           survey
           and
           compare
           them
           with
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           that
           having
           viewed
           over
           all
           the
           Glories
           above
           ,
           and
           tasted
           the
           beatifical
           Joys
           ,
           and
           heard
           the
           ravishing
           Melodies
           of
           Angels
           ,
           you
           were
           now
           looking
           down
           again
           with
           your
           Minds
           filled
           with
           these
           glorious
           Ideas
           ,
           upon
           this
           miserable
           World
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           in
           a
           View
           you
           beheld
           the
           vast
           Numbers
           of
           Men
           and
           Women
           that
           at
           this
           Time
           are
           fainting
           for
           Want
           of
           Bread
           ,
           of
           
             young
             Men
          
           that
           are
           hewn
           down
           by
           the
           Sword
           of
           War
           ,
           of
           Orphans
           that
           are
           weeping
           over
           their
           Fathers
           Graves
           ,
           of
           Mariners
           that
           are
           shrieking
           in
           a
           Storm
           ,
           because
           their
           Keel
           dashes
           against
           a
           Rock
           ,
           or
           bulges
           under
           them
           ;
           of
           People
           that
           are
           groaning
           upon
           Sick-Beds
           ,
           or
           racked
           with
           Agonies
           of
           Conscience
           ;
           that
           are
           weeping
           
           with
           Want
           ,
           mad
           with
           Oppression
           ,
           or
           desperate
           by
           
             too
             quick
          
           a
           Sense
           of
           a
           constant
           Infelicity
           :
           Would
           you
           not
           ,
           do
           you
           think
           ,
           upon
           such
           a
           Review
           of
           both
           States
           be
           infinitely
           glad
           that
           you
           are
           gone
           from
           hence
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           out
           of
           the
           Noise
           and
           Participation
           of
           so
           many
           Evils
           and
           Calamities
           ?
           Would
           not
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Glories
           above
           and
           the
           Miseries
           beneath
           you
           make
           you
           a
           Thousand
           Times
           more
           fearful
           of
           returning
           hither
           than
           ever
           you
           were
           of
           going
           hence
           ?
           Yes
           doubtless
           it
           would
           .
           Why
           then
           should
           not
           our
           Sense
           of
           the
           Misery
           here
           ,
           and
           our
           Belief
           of
           the
           Happiness
           there
           ,
           produce
           the
           same
           Effect
           in
           us
           ,
           make
           us
           willing
           to
           remove
           our
           Quarters
           ,
           and
           exchange
           
             this
             Wilderness
          
           for
           
             that
             Canaan
          
           ?
           'T
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Passage
           from
           one
           to
           t'other
           is
           commonly
           very
           painful
           and
           grievous
           ;
           but
           what
           of
           that
           ?
           In
           other
           Cases
           we
           are
           willing
           enough
           to
           endure
           a
           present
           Pain
           in
           order
           to
           a
           future
           Ease
           ;
           and
           if
           a
           
             few
             mortal
          
           Pangs
           will
           work
           a
           perfect
           Cure
           on
           me
           ,
           and
           recover
           me
           into
           everlasting
           Bliss
           and
           Life
           ,
           methinks
           the
           Hope
           of
           this
           blessed
           Effect
           should
           be
           sufficient
           to
           sweeten
           and
           indear
           that
           Agony
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           easy
           and
           desirable
           .
           But
           alass
           !
           To
           die
           is
           to
           leave
           all
           our
           Acquaintance
           ,
           to
           bid
           adieu
           to
           our
           dearest
           Friends
           and
           Relations
           ,
           to
           pass
           into
           an
           unknown
           State
           ,
           to
           converse
           with
           
           Strangers
           whose
           Laws
           and
           Customs
           we
           are
           not
           acquainted
           with
           ;
           why
           now
           all
           that
           looks
           sad
           in
           this
           is
           a
           very
           great
           mistake
           ;
           for
           I
           verily
           hope
           that
           I
           have
           more
           Friends
           and
           Acquaintance
           and
           Relatives
           in
           Heaven
           than
           I
           shall
           leave
           behind
           me
           here
           on
           Earth
           ,
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           I
           do
           but
           go
           from
           worse
           Friends
           to
           better
           ;
           for
           one
           Friend
           there
           is
           worth
           a
           
             Thousand
             here
          
           in
           Respect
           of
           all
           those
           endearing
           Accomplishments
           that
           render
           a
           Friend
           a
           Jewel
           .
           But
           if
           I
           die
           a
           
             good
             Man
          
           I
           shall
           carry
           into
           Eternity
           with
           me
           the
           Genius
           and
           Temper
           of
           a
           glorified
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           that
           will
           recommend
           me
           to
           the
           Society
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           render
           the
           Spirits
           of
           those
           
             just
             Men
          
           ,
           whose
           Names
           I
           never
           heard
           of
           ,
           as
           dear
           Friends
           to
           me
           in
           an
           Instant
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           my
           
             ancient
             Cronies
          
           and
           Acquaintance
           .
           But
           why
           should
           I
           grieve
           at
           parting
           with
           my
           Friends
           below
           ,
           when
           I
           shall
           go
           to
           the
           best
           Friend
           I
           have
           in
           all
           the
           World
           ;
           to
           
             God
             my
             Father
          
           ,
           to
           
             Jesus
             my
             Redeemer
          
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
             my
             constant
             Comforter
             and
             Assistant
             .
          
           And
           what
           though
           the
           State
           and
           the
           Laws
           and
           Customs
           of
           it
           be
           in
           a
           great
           Measure
           unknown
           to
           me
           ?
           Yet
           what
           I
           know
           is
           infinitely
           desirable
           ,
           from
           whence
           I
           may
           reasonably
           infer
           that
           what
           I
           know
           not
           is
           so
           too
           ;
           and
           if
           I
           have
           but
           the
           Temper
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           I
           shall
           easily
           comply
           with
           
           the
           heavenly
           Laws
           and
           Customs
           of
           it
           .
           So
           that
           in
           the
           whole
           ,
           I
           cannont
           imagine
           why
           any
           
             good
             Man
          
           that
           seriously
           believes
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           a
           
             blessed
             Immortality
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           a
           
             just
             well-grounded
          
           Hope
           of
           being
           made
           Partaker
           of
           it
           at
           the
           Expiration
           of
           this
           mortal
           Life
           ,
           should
           be
           so
           loath
           to
           leave
           
             this
             wretched
             World
          
           ,
           and
           expire
           into
           
             that
             blessed
             Eternity
          
           .
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           the
           Circumstances
           of
           our
           Affairs
           in
           this
           Life
           are
           many
           times
           such
           as
           may
           justly
           excuse
           even
           a
           good
           Mans
           Willingness
           to
           die
           ;
           some
           great
           Opportunities
           of
           doing
           Good
           may
           present
           themselves
           ,
           and
           invite
           him
           to
           stay
           a
           
             little
             longer
          
           ;
           or
           his
           having
           begun
           his
           Repentance
           late
           ,
           or
           not
           having
           made
           a
           competent
           Provision
           for
           his
           Family
           may
           for
           a
           Time
           justify
           his
           Unwillingness
           to
           depart
           ;
           and
           render
           it
           both
           excusable
           and
           reasonable
           .
           But
           unless
           it
           be
           in
           these
           excepted
           Cases
           ,
           methinks
           I
           can
           hardly
           reconcile
           our
           Hopes
           of
           Happiness
           with
           our
           Fear
           of
           Death
           .
           For
           when
           I
           am
           verily
           persuaded
           that
           Death
           is
           only
           a
           narrow
           Stream
           running
           between
           Time
           and
           Eternity
           ,
           and
           I
           see
           my
           God
           and
           my
           Saviour
           with
           Crowns
           of
           Glory
           in
           their
           Hands
           beckoning
           to
           me
           from
           the
           farther
           Shoar
           ,
           and
           calling
           to
           me
           to
           come
           over
           and
           receive
           those
           happy
           Recompences
           of
           my
           Industry
           and
           Labour
           ,
           that
           I
           like
           a
           
             naked
             timorous
          
           Boy
           should
           stand
           shivering
           on
           
           this
           Bank
           of
           Time
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           were
           afraid
           to
           dip
           my
           Foot
           in
           that
           cold
           Stream
           of
           Fate
           ,
           which
           as
           soon
           as
           I
           am
           in
           I
           am
           past
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Twinkling
           of
           an
           Eye
           will
           land
           me
           on
           eternal
           Bliss
           ,
           is
           such
           an
           extravagant
           Inconsistency
           ,
           as
           (
           if
           I
           did
           not
           feel
           it
           in
           me
           )
           I
           should
           never
           believe
           I
           could
           be
           guilty
           of
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           Hence
           I
           infer
           what
           a
           
             vast
             deal
          
           of
           Reason
           we
           have
           to
           be
           diligent
           and
           industrious
           in
           Religion
           ,
           since
           God
           hath
           proposed
           such
           a
           vast
           Reward
           to
           us
           to
           encourage
           and
           animate
           our
           Industry
           .
           How
           can
           we
           account
           any
           Work
           hard
           ,
           of
           which
           Heaven
           is
           the
           Wages
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           faint
           in
           our
           Christian
           Race
           when
           we
           see
           the
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           hanging
           over
           the
           Goal
           ?
           Methinks
           this
           should
           be
           enough
           to
           infuse
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           into
           the
           most
           crest-fallen
           Souls
           ,
           to
           make
           Cripples
           run
           ,
           and
           to
           convert
           the
           most
           sneaking
           Coward
           into
           a
           bold
           and
           magnanimous
           Hero.
           For
           how
           much
           Pains
           do
           we
           ordinarily
           take
           upon
           far
           less
           Hopes
           ?
           in
           Hope
           of
           a
           
             little
             transitory
          
           Wealth
           which
           we
           know
           we
           shall
           enjoy
           but
           a
           few
           years
           ,
           and
           then
           part
           with
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           we
           thrust
           our selves
           into
           a
           perpetual
           Croud
           and
           Tumult
           of
           Business
           ,
           where
           with
           vast
           Concern
           and
           Thoughtfulness
           ,
           with
           eager
           and
           passionate
           Prosecutions
           ,
           with
           endless
           Brauls
           and
           Contentions
           ,
           with
           jostling
           and
           
             rencountring
             one
             
             another
          
           ,
           we
           toil
           and
           weary
           our selves
           ,
           and
           make
           our
           Lives
           a
           constant
           Drudgery
           :
           And
           shall
           we
           flag
           when
           Heaven
           is
           the
           Object
           of
           our
           Prosecutions
           ,
           who
           are
           so
           active
           in
           the
           Pursuit
           of
           Trifles
           ?
           Whensoever
           therefore
           we
           find
           our
           Endeavours
           in
           Religion
           begin
           to
           jade
           and
           droop
           ,
           let
           us
           lift
           up
           our
           Eyes
           to
           the
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           moved
           by
           Objects
           of
           the
           greatest
           Value
           ,
           that
           must
           infuse
           new
           Vigour
           into
           us
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           all
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           Wing
           .
           For
           what
           though
           my
           Way
           lies
           up
           the
           Hill
           ,
           and
           leads
           me
           along
           through
           Thorns
           and
           Precipices
           ;
           so
           that
           I
           am
           fain
           to
           sweat
           at
           every
           Step
           ;
           and
           every
           Ascent
           is
           a
           Toil
           to
           me
           :
           Yet
           when
           I
           am
           up
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           to
           be
           entertained
           with
           such
           
             pleasant
             Gales
          
           and
           glorious
           Prospects
           ,
           as
           will
           fully
           recompence
           all
           my
           Toil
           in
           climbing
           thither
           .
           There
           with
           an
           over-joyed
           Heart
           I
           shall
           sit
           down
           and
           bless
           my
           Labours
           :
           Blessed
           be
           you
           my
           bitter
           Agonies
           and
           sharp
           Conflicts
           ,
           my
           importunate
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           well-spent
           Tears
           ;
           for
           now
           I
           am
           fully
           repaid
           for
           you
           all
           ,
           and
           do
           reap
           
             ten
             thousand
          
           Times
           more
           Joys
           from
           you
           than
           ever
           I
           endured
           Pains
           .
           For
           what
           are
           the
           Pains
           of
           a
           Moment
           to
           the
           Pleasures
           of
           an
           Eternity
           ?
           Wherefore
           hold
           out
           my
           Faith
           and
           Patience
           yet
           a
           little
           longer
           ,
           and
           your
           Work
           will
           soon
           be
           at
           an
           end
           ;
           and
           after
           a
           
           
             few
             laborious
             Week-days
          
           ,
           you
           shall
           keep
           an
           
             everlasting
             Sabbath
          
           .
           What
           though
           my
           Voyage
           lie
           through
           a
           stormy
           Sea
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           to
           the
           Indies
           of
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           a
           few
           Leagues
           farther
           lies
           the
           blessed
           Port
           ,
           where
           I
           shall
           be
           crowned
           as
           soon
           as
           I
           am
           landed
           .
           Go
           on
           therefore
           ,
           
             O
             my
             Soul
          
           ,
           with
           thy
           utmost
           Courage
           and
           Alacrity
           ;
           for
           let
           the
           Winds
           bluster
           ,
           and
           the
           Waves
           swell
           never
           so
           much
           ,
           yet
           thou
           canst
           not
           miscarry
           ,
           unless
           thou
           wilt
           .
           Thou
           art
           not
           like
           other
           Passengers
           left
           to
           the
           Mercy
           of
           Wind
           and
           Weather
           ,
           but
           thy
           Fate
           is
           in
           thy
           own
           Hands
           ;
           and
           if
           thou
           wilt
           but
           have
           
             thy
             Fruit
             unto
             Holiness
             ,
             thy
             End
             shall
             be
             everlasting
             Life
             .
          
        
      
       
         
         
           
             1
             Epist.
             JOHN
             IV.
             19
             .
          
           
             We
             love
             him
             ,
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
             .
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           shewed
           you
           in
           the
           former
           Discourses
           how
           indispensably
           necessary
           it
           is
           that
           we
           should
           love
           God
           in
           Order
           to
           our
           being
           truly
           religious
           ;
           and
           proved
           to
           you
           at
           large
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           Principles
           of
           Religion
           whatsoever
           this
           is
           the
           most
           operative
           and
           effectual
           .
           And
           then
           to
           excite
           this
           heavenly
           Affection
           in
           you
           ,
           I
           have
           shewn
           you
           that
           the
           Goodness
           of
           God
           is
           the
           principal
           Motive
           that
           engages
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           And
           now
           that
           I
           may
           more
           largely
           explain
           the
           Nature
           and
           Measures
           of
           this
           Love
           as
           it
           is
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           engage
           you
           to
           it
           by
           this
           grand
           Motive
           of
           the
           divine
           Goodness
           ,
           I
           have
           made
           choice
           of
           this
           Text
           ,
           
             We
             love
             him
             ,
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Greek
           Word
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           here
           may
           as
           well
           be
           rendered
           subjunctively
           ,
           to
           signify
           what
           we
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           as
           indicatively
           for
           what
           we
           already
           do
           ;
           and
           indeed
           it
           seems
           more
           suitable
           to
           the
           Context
           to
           render
           it
           we
           should
           ,
           or
           ought
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           than
           we
           love
           him
           .
           For
           in
           the
           former
           Verses
           the
           Apostle
           earnestly
           
           presses
           Christians
           to
           love
           
             one
             another
          
           upon
           the
           Consideration
           of
           God's
           great
           love
           to
           them
           ;
           and
           then
           considering
           how
           naturally
           their
           Love
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           would
           follow
           upon
           their
           mutual
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           he
           concludes
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           
             effectual
             Course
          
           to
           oblige
           them
           to
           love
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           was
           to
           excite
           them
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           Consideration
           of
           his
           great
           Love
           to
           them
           .
           For
           saith
           he
           ,
           Vers.
           20.
           
           
             If
             a
             Man
             say
             ,
             I
             love
             God
             ,
             and
             hateth
             his
             Brother
             ,
             he
             is
             a
             liar
          
           ;
           because
           Light
           it self
           is
           not
           more
           inseparable
           to
           the
           Sun
           than
           Brotherly-Love
           is
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           :
           So
           that
           unless
           we
           render
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             we
             should
             love
             him
          
           ,
           as
           we
           shall
           evacuate
           the
           Necessity
           of
           the
           Apostles
           Counsel
           ,
           so
           we
           shall
           disturb
           the
           Order
           and
           Method
           of
           his
           Argument
           .
           For
           if
           we
           render
           it
           
             Indicatively
             ,
             We
             love
             him
          
           ,
           it
           will
           thence
           necessarily
           follow
           that
           we
           shall
           also
           love
           
             one
             another
          
           ,
           and
           so
           there
           would
           be
           no
           Need
           of
           the
           Apostles
           Counsel
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           Words
           will
           be
           wholly
           impertinent
           to
           the
           Argument
           ;
           which
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           ,
           is
           to
           excite
           us
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           thereby
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           love
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           but
           what
           need
           he
           excite
           us
           to
           do
           that
           which
           he
           himself
           confesses
           we
           did
           already
           ?
           If
           therefore
           we
           render
           the
           
             Word
             subjunctively
          
           ,
           as
           it
           seems
           most
           reasonable
           we
           should
           ,
           this
           will
           be
           the
           Sense
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           
           
             We
             are
             bound
             in
             duty
             to
             love
             God
             ,
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
          
           ;
           according
           to
           which
           Sense
           here
           is
           ,
           
             
               First
               ,
               a
               Duty
               ,
               We
               ought
               to
               love
               God.
               
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               a
               Reason
               of
               it
               ,
               
                 because
                 he
                 first
                 loved
                 us
              
               .
            
          
        
         
           I.
           I
           begin
           with
           the
           Duty
           ,
           We
           ought
           to
           love
           him
           .
           In
           handling
           of
           which
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           Things
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Shew
           you
           what
           it
           is
           to
           love
           God.
           2.
           
           In
           what
           Degrees
           and
           Measures
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           love
           him
           .
           And
           in
           explaining
           what
           this
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           ,
           
             
               First
               ,
               Wherein
               the
               Being
               and
               Essence
               of
               it
               consists
               .
            
             
               Secondly
               ,
               What
               are
               its
               essential
               Chararacters
               and
               Properties
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Wherein
           the
           Being
           and
           Essence
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           consists
           ?
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           this
           Love
           of
           God
           consists
           in
           a
           
             rational
             ,
             fixed
             ,
             affecting
          
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           the
           divine
           Goodness
           and
           Perfections
           .
           But
           that
           we
           may
           the
           better
           understand
           the
           Nature
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           ,
           and
           more
           exactly
           distinguish
           it
           from
           those
           wretched
           Counterfeits
           that
           commonly
           usurp
           its
           Name
           ,
           and
           are
           too
           to
           often
           mistaken
           for
           it
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           to
           explain
           the
           several
           Terms
           whereof
           its
           Definition
           is
           composed
           .
        
         
           
           
             1.
             
             Therefore
             I
             say
             't
             is
             a
             Delight
             and
             Complacency
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             is
             a
             rational
             one
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             fixed
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             An
             affecting
             one
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             'T
             is
             terminated
             on
             the
             
               divine
               Goodness
            
             and
             Perfections
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Love
           of
           God
           consists
           in
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           .
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           the
           proper
           Act
           of
           Love
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           distinguished
           from
           all
           other
           Passions
           .
           For
           we
           find
           by
           experience
           ,
           that
           the
           first
           Act
           of
           our
           Minds
           upon
           the
           Apprehension
           of
           a
           lovely
           Object
           ,
           is
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           the
           View
           or
           Contemplation
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           when
           any
           amiable
           Object
           presents
           it self
           to
           our
           Sense
           ,
           or
           to
           our
           Minds
           ,
           or
           Fancies
           ,
           it
           causes
           our
           Thoughts
           to
           pause
           and
           stay
           themselves
           a
           while
           upon
           it
           till
           we
           have
           viewed
           it
           round
           about
           ,
           and
           drawn
           its
           Picture
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           have
           done
           ,
           the
           very
           first
           Expression
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           
             well
             pleased
          
           with
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           while
           we
           review
           it
           over
           and
           over
           ,
           to
           be
           sweetly
           ravished
           and
           delighted
           with
           the
           charming
           Prospect
           of
           its
           Beauty
           .
           And
           from
           this
           prime
           and
           essential
           Act
           of
           Love
           arises
           all
           those
           consequent
           Affections
           of
           
             Hope
             ,
             Benevolence
          
           ,
           and
           Desire
           of
           Fruition
           :
           For
           the
           reason
           why
           we
           wish
           well
           to
           ,
           hope
           for
           ,
           or
           desire
           to
           enjoy
           any
           
           Object
           ,
           is
           because
           we
           are
           well-pleased
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           do
           find
           a
           sweet
           Content
           and
           Satisfaction
           in
           that
           Picture
           or
           Idea
           of
           it
           which
           we
           have
           drawn
           upon
           
             our
             own
          
           Minds
           .
           So
           that
           the
           very
           Essence
           of
           Love
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           consists
           in
           a
           Well-pleasedness
           arising
           from
           the
           apprehended
           Goodness
           and
           Congruity
           of
           the
           Thing
           beloved
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           meerly
           by
           Accident
           that
           there
           is
           
             any
             other
          
           Emotion
           intermingled
           with
           this
           grateful
           Affection
           .
           For
           if
           it
           were
           not
           for
           the
           Want
           of
           what
           we
           love
           ,
           if
           there
           were
           no
           Distance
           between
           us
           and
           the
           Objects
           of
           our
           Affection
           ,
           our
           Love
           would
           be
           all
           but
           one
           
             pure
             continued
          
           Act
           of
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           ;
           for
           if
           all
           our
           Needs
           were
           fully
           satisfied
           ,
           we
           should
           love
           without
           either
           Desire
           or
           Hope
           ,
           both
           which
           imply
           Want
           and
           Absence
           from
           the
           Objects
           of
           our
           Love
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           ,
           that
           Complacency
           is
           the
           very
           Essence
           of
           Love
           ,
           since
           there
           may
           be
           Love
           without
           Hope
           ,
           or
           Desire
           ,
           or
           
             any
             other
          
           Passion
           mingled
           with
           it
           ;
           but
           without
           Complacency
           there
           can
           be
           none
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Love's
           Complacencies
           are
           much
           greater
           in
           the
           Fruition
           of
           its
           Objects
           ,
           than
           they
           are
           in
           the
           Pursuit
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           still
           't
           is
           of
           the
           same
           Kind
           ;
           for
           't
           is
           the
           Delight
           we
           take
           in
           an
           Object
           that
           makes
           us
           desire
           to
           enjoy
           it
           ;
           but
           in
           the
           Enjoyment
           our
           Desire
           expires
           into
           an
           higher
           
           Degree
           of
           Delight
           and
           Satisfaction
           .
           For
           Desire
           and
           Delight
           are
           only
           the
           Wings
           and
           Arms
           of
           Love
           ,
           those
           for
           Pursuits
           ,
           and
           these
           for
           Embraces
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           the
           Arms
           that
           give
           the
           Wings
           both
           Motion
           and
           Rest
           ,
           the
           Delight
           we
           take
           in
           the
           Objects
           of
           our
           Love
           ,
           that
           both
           inflames
           and
           quenches
           our
           Desire
           .
           So
           that
           though
           in
           this
           indigent
           State
           Hope
           and
           Desire
           are
           inseparable
           to
           our
           Love
           ,
           yet
           that
           is
           by
           Accident
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           its
           Essence
           and
           Definition
           it
           wholly
           consists
           of
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           .
           And
           therefore
           if
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           hath
           the
           common
           Notion
           of
           Love
           in
           it
           ,
           as
           questionless
           it
           hath
           ,
           it
           must
           necessarily
           consist
           in
           our
           being
           well-pleased
           and
           delighted
           in
           the
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           And
           accordingly
           we
           find
           in
           Scripture
           that
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           and
           God's
           Love
           to
           us
           is
           expressed
           by
           delighting
           in
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           so
           Prov.
           iii.
           12
           .
           
             For
             whom
             the
             Lord
             loveth
             ,
             he
             correcteth
             ,
             even
             as
             a
             Father
             the
             Son
             in
             whom
             he
             delighteth
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           whom
           he
           loves
           .
           So
           also
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           expressed
           by
           delighting
           in
           him
           ,
           Psal.
           xxxvii
           .
           4
           .
           
             Delight
             thy self
             also
             in
             the
             Lord
             ;
             and
             he
             shall
             give
             thee
             the
             desires
             of
             thine
             Heart
             .
          
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           The
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           a
           rational
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           him
           ;
           by
           which
           it
           is
           distinguished
           from
           those
           sensible
           Emotions
           
           of
           bodily
           Passion
           which
           many
           times
           are
           nothing
           else
           put
           the
           natural
           Effects
           of
           an
           over-heated
           Fancy
           .
           For
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           a
           Man
           may
           be
           wrapt
           even
           into
           an
           Extasy
           of
           sensible
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           God
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           upon
           an
           amiable
           Representation
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           Spirits
           may
           be
           made
           to
           flow
           in
           a
           sweet
           and
           placid
           Torrent
           to
           his
           Heart
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           nimble
           Motions
           about
           it
           to
           sooth
           and
           tickle
           it
           into
           a
           most
           sensible
           Pleasure
           ,
           till
           it
           opens
           and
           dilates
           its
           Orifices
           ,
           and
           the
           grateful
           Flood
           breaks
           in
           and
           drowns
           it
           in
           Delight
           and
           Ravishment
           .
           And
           yet
           in
           all
           this
           mighty
           Storm
           and
           Commotion
           of
           Passion
           there
           may
           not
           be
           the
           least
           Spark
           of
           sincere
           Love
           to
           God
           ;
           For
           all
           this
           not
           only
           may
           be
           ,
           but
           many
           times
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           mere
           Mechanism
           and
           Natural
           Effect
           of
           a
           warm
           and
           vigorous
           Fancy
           ,
           which
           being
           flushed
           with
           such
           brisk
           and
           active
           Spirits
           as
           are
           most
           apt
           to
           be
           figured
           into
           
             amorous
             Phantasms
          
           and
           Ideas
           ,
           can
           with
           these
           without
           any
           Assistance
           from
           Reason
           raise
           great
           Commotions
           of
           Joy
           in
           the
           Heart
           ;
           especially
           where
           the
           Temper
           is
           soft
           ,
           and
           the
           Passions
           easie
           to
           be
           wrought
           upon
           .
           And
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           this
           the
           Histories
           of
           the
           Devotos
           of
           all
           Religions
           will
           furnish
           us
           with
           sufficient
           Experiments
           .
           For
           even
           among
           the
           Turkish
           and
           
             Heathen
             Saints
          
           there
           are
           as
           
           notorious
           Instances
           of
           these
           sweet
           Incomes
           and
           Manifestations
           ,
           as
           among
           
             our
             own
          
           ;
           and
           the
           same
           sensitive
           Complacencies
           which
           ours
           too
           often
           mistake
           for
           the
           Sealings
           and
           Witness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           they
           frequently
           experience
           in
           their
           Communion
           with
           
             Mahomet
             ,
             Bacchus
          
           ,
           and
           Apollo
           .
           So
           that
           to
           conclude
           that
           we
           love
           God
           from
           those
           corporeal
           Passions
           ,
           is
           very
           unsafe
           and
           dangerous
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           almost
           as
           certainly
           judge
           of
           the
           Hunger
           of
           our
           Souls
           after
           Righteousness
           by
           the
           Hunger
           of
           our
           Bodies
           after
           Bread
           ,
           as
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           our
           Souls
           to
           God
           by
           our
           bodily
           Ravishments
           and
           Passions
           .
           For
           bodily
           Passion
           differs
           according
           to
           the
           Temper
           of
           the
           Body
           ;
           some
           Tempers
           are
           so
           soft
           and
           impressive
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           frivolous
           Fancy
           will
           affect
           them
           ;
           others
           so
           hard
           and
           sturdy
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           Reason
           will
           hardly
           move
           them
           ;
           and
           consequently
           Persons
           of
           this
           Temper
           ,
           though
           they
           should
           love
           God
           much
           more
           than
           the
           other
           ,
           and
           have
           a
           much
           higher
           Esteem
           of
           ,
           and
           more
           rational
           Complacency
           in
           his
           divine
           Perfections
           ;
           yet
           will
           have
           much
           less
           of
           corporeal
           Passion
           intermingled
           with
           it
           .
           I
           do
           not
           deny
           ,
           but
           even
           this
           sensitive
           Passion
           ,
           when
           prudently
           managed
           ,
           may
           be
           of
           great
           Advantage
           to
           a
           rational
           Love
           ;
           for
           the
           Passions
           being
           soft
           and
           easie
           ,
           and
           apt
           to
           follow
           the
           Motions
           of
           the
           
           Soul
           ,
           do
           naturally
           intend
           and
           quicken
           them
           ,
           and
           render
           them
           more
           vigorous
           and
           active
           ;
           and
           we
           have
           very
           much
           Cause
           to
           
             bless
             God
          
           even
           for
           that
           sensitive
           Joy
           and
           Complacency
           which
           accompanies
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           since
           this
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           is
           many
           times
           excited
           by
           his
           own
           
             blessed
             Spirit
          
           ,
           to
           quicken
           and
           invigorate
           our
           rational
           Affection
           ,
           and
           render
           it
           more
           active
           and
           vivacious
           .
           But
           that
           which
           I
           aim
           at
           is
           only
           this
           ,
           if
           possible
           to
           beat
           Men
           off
           from
           measuring
           the
           Strength
           or
           Weakness
           ,
           the
           Truth
           or
           Falshood
           of
           their
           Love
           to
           God
           by
           any
           corporeal
           Passion
           whatsoever
           ;
           since
           Men
           may
           ,
           we
           see
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           have
           a
           vehement
           Passion
           without
           any
           Reason
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           Ticklings
           and
           Ravishments
           of
           Heart
           which
           too
           many
           Men
           mistake
           for
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           very
           often
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           necessary
           Effects
           of
           a
           chafed
           and
           overheated
           Fancy
           .
           But
           that
           which
           is
           really
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           always
           founded
           in
           a
           rational
           Conviction
           of
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Goodness
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           proceeds
           from
           an
           high
           Esteem
           and
           profound
           Veneration
           of
           his
           Perfections
           .
           For
           no
           Man
           loves
           God
           ,
           but
           can
           give
           very
           good
           Reason
           why
           he
           loves
           him
           ;
           he
           is
           not
           moved
           to
           it
           by
           a
           
             Musical
             Tone
          
           ,
           or
           a
           
             gaudy
             Metaphor
          
           ,
           or
           an
           
             unaccountable
             Impulse
          
           of
           Fancy
           ;
           but
           by
           the
           real
           Charms
           and
           Attractions
           of
           the
           divine
           Goodness
           
           and
           Perfections
           ,
           which
           darting
           through
           his
           Mind
           ,
           like
           the
           Sun-beams
           through
           a
           Burning-glass
           ,
           have
           kindled
           his
           Affections
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           love
           with
           infinite
           Reason
           ;
           so
           that
           't
           is
           his
           Vnderstanding
           that
           inamours
           his
           Will
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           makes
           him
           a
           Lover
           of
           God
           is
           the
           deep
           Sense
           of
           his
           Reason
           ,
           how
           much
           he
           deserves
           to
           be
           beloved
           .
           He
           hath
           seriously
           considered
           how
           lovely
           God
           is
           in
           himself
           ,
           how
           kind
           and
           loving
           unto
           all
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           what
           particular
           Obligation
           God
           hath
           laid
           upon
           him
           to
           return
           him
           Love
           for
           Love
           ;
           and
           this
           gives
           Fire
           to
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           affects
           his
           Will
           with
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           ;
           and
           though
           perhaps
           he
           may
           not
           feel
           those
           passionate
           Soothings
           and
           Expansions
           of
           Heart
           which
           sensitive
           Joy
           is
           wont
           to
           produce
           ,
           yet
           he
           finds
           himself
           highly
           pleased
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           his
           Will
           acquiesces
           in
           the
           Thought
           of
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Perfections
           with
           a
           Calm
           and
           even
           Complacency
           :
           And
           thus
           his
           Will
           is
           inflamed
           with
           the
           purest
           Light
           of
           his
           Understanding
           ,
           and
           his
           Love
           is
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           warm
           Reflection
           of
           his
           Reason
           .
           Thus
           Psal.
           cxvi
           .
           1
           .
           
             I
             love
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           saith
           David
           ,
           and
           then
           he
           goes
           on
           to
           enumerate
           the
           vast
           and
           important
           Reasons
           why
           he
           loved
           him
           ;
           
             because
             he
             hath
             inclined
             his
             Ear
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           in
           the
           1
           Cor.
           viii
           .
           3
           .
           
             If
             any
             Man
             love
             God
             ,
             the
             same
             ,
          
           i.
           e.
           God
           ,
           
             is
             
             known
             of
             him
          
           ;
           intimating
           that
           all
           true
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           founded
           in
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           ,
           The
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           a
           fixed
           as
           well
           as
           rational
           Complacency
           in
           him
           ,
           by
           which
           I
           distinguish
           this
           heavenly
           Affection
           from
           those
           short
           and
           transitory
           Fits
           of
           Love
           ,
           that
           like
           Flashes
           of
           Lightning
           come
           and
           
             go
             ,
             appear
          
           and
           vanish
           in
           a
           Moment
           .
           For
           thus
           upon
           some
           affecting
           Providence
           ,
           or
           passionate
           Representation
           of
           the
           Divine
           Goodness
           ,
           it
           is
           very
           ordinary
           for
           Men
           to
           be
           chafed
           into
           an
           amorous
           Fit
           ,
           and
           touched
           with
           very
           tender
           Resentments
           of
           the
           Loveliness
           and
           Love
           of
           God
           ;
           so
           that
           at
           present
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           in
           Raptures
           of
           Affection
           ,
           and
           ,
           with
           the
           
             Spouse
             in
             the
             Canticles
             ,
             to
             be
             wondrous
             sick
             of
             Love
          
           ;
           but
           alas
           !
           It
           commonly
           proves
           but
           a
           sudden
           Qualm
           ,
           that
           after
           a
           Pang
           or
           two
           goes
           over
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           are
           well
           again
           immediately
           ;
           for
           upon
           their
           next
           Encounter
           with
           Temptation
           ,
           or
           Intermixture
           with
           secular
           Affairs
           ,
           their
           hot
           Love
           begins
           to
           languish
           ,
           and
           quickly
           dies
           into
           a
           cold
           Indifferency
           ;
           and
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           Reasons
           and
           Obligations
           that
           they
           have
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           their
           fickle
           Hearts
           unwind
           again
           ,
           and
           by
           Degrees
           decline
           and
           sink
           into
           their
           
             old
             habitual
          
           Aversation
           to
           God
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           that
           that
           which
           at
           first
           lookt
           like
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           
           in
           them
           ,
           was
           only
           a
           sudden
           Blush
           of
           Passion
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           true
           Complexion
           of
           their
           Souls
           .
           For
           when
           once
           a
           Man
           is
           brought
           to
           love
           God
           upon
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           and
           Consideration
           ,
           't
           is
           much
           more
           difficult
           to
           extinguish
           this
           ,
           than
           any
           Virtue
           whatsoever
           ;
           because
           of
           all
           the
           Virtues
           of
           Religion
           this
           is
           founded
           in
           the
           greatest
           Reason
           ,
           and
           accompanied
           with
           the
           strongest
           Pleasure
           .
           For
           Love
           it self
           consisting
           in
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           ,
           where
           the
           Object
           of
           it
           is
           an
           
             infinite
             Good
          
           ,
           there
           is
           not
           only
           infinite
           Reason
           to
           Love
           ,
           but
           infinite
           Occasion
           of
           Pleasure
           and
           Complacency
           .
           When
           therefore
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           is
           back'd
           with
           so
           much
           Reason
           ,
           and
           sweetned
           with
           so
           much
           Pleasure
           ,
           how
           is
           it
           possible
           we
           should
           extinguish
           it
           without
           doing
           the
           greatest
           Violence
           to
           our selves
           ?
           For
           I
           am
           verily
           persuaded
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           the
           hardest
           moral
           Changes
           that
           can
           be
           made
           upon
           a
           rational
           Creature
           ,
           is
           from
           a
           Lover
           to
           become
           an
           Enemy
           to
           God
           ;
           for
           wheresoever
           this
           heavenly
           Affection
           is
           ,
           it
           sweetens
           and
           endears
           it self
           by
           its
           own
           appendent
           Pleasures
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           themselves
           a
           sufficient
           Counter-charm
           against
           all
           Temptations
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           So
           that
           when
           once
           it
           is
           kindled
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           like
           a
           subtil
           Flame
           't
           will
           by
           Degrees
           insinuate
           farther
           and
           farther
           ,
           till
           it
           hath
           eaten
           into
           the
           Center
           of
           the
           Soul
           ,
           
           and
           turned
           it
           all
           into
           its
           own
           Substance
           .
           Wherefore
           this
           we
           may
           certainly
           conclude
           upon
           ,
           that
           he
           who
           can
           suddenly
           or
           easily
           entertain
           an
           Aversation
           to
           God
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           did
           never
           truly
           Love
           ;
           
             for
             Love
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           
             Wise
             Man
          
           ,
           is
           
             strong
             as
             Death
             ,
             and
             many
             Waters
             cannot
             quench
             it
             ,
          
           Cant.
           viii
           .
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           Wheresoever
           it
           lights
           it
           clings
           ,
           and
           can
           never
           be
           torn
           away
           again
           without
           violent
           Spasms
           and
           Convulsions
           .
           So
           that
           whatsoever
           Passion
           we
           may
           have
           for
           God
           ,
           we
           can
           never
           conclude
           it
           to
           be
           hearty
           Love
           till
           it
           fixes
           and
           settles
           in
           our
           Souls
           ;
           till
           our
           Wills
           are
           habitually
           pleased
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           do
           entertain
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Loveliness
           ,
           with
           a
           constant
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           ;
           and
           then
           we
           may
           venture
           to
           call
           it
           Love
           ,
           and
           to
           rejoyce
           in
           the
           Nativity
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Flame
           within
           us
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           'T
           is
           an
           affecting
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           God
           ;
           by
           which
           I
           distinguish
           it
           from
           a
           mere
           Liking
           and
           naked
           Approbation
           .
           For
           God
           is
           a
           Being
           so
           infinitely
           amiable
           and
           benevolent
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           almost
           for
           any
           reasonable
           Creature
           to
           know
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           like
           ,
           and
           approve
           of
           him
           .
           But
           though
           in
           all
           Approbation
           there
           is
           some
           Degree
           of
           Complacency
           ,
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           Doubt
           but
           a
           Man
           may
           approve
           of
           what
           he
           doth
           not
           Love
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           no
           Doubt
           but
           there
           are
           
           many
           Men
           that
           do
           approve
           of
           God
           as
           the
           most
           glorious
           and
           excellent
           of
           Beings
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           worthy
           of
           Love
           and
           Veneration
           ,
           who
           yet
           have
           not
           one
           Spark
           of
           real
           Love
           towards
           him
           .
           For
           thus
           St.
           Paul
           ,
           we
           find
           ,
           when
           he
           was
           a
           Jew
           in
           Religion
           ,
           approved
           of
           the
           Law
           
             as
             holy
             ,
             and
             just
             ,
             and
             good
             ,
          
           Rom.
           vii
           .
           12
           .
           and
           that
           in
           this
           Approbation
           of
           his
           there
           was
           some
           Degree
           of
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           ,
           for
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             I
             delight
             in
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             according
             to
             the
             inward
             Man
             ,
          
           Vers.
           22.
           but
           all
           this
           while
           he
           was
           very
           far
           from
           having
           any
           real
           Love
           and
           Affection
           for
           it
           ;
           for
           in
           the
           next
           Verse
           he
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           
             a
             Law
             in
             his
             Members
             warring
             against
             the
             Law
             of
             his
             Mind
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           had
           an
           inward
           Repugnancy
           and
           Aversation
           against
           this
           excellent
           Law
           ,
           which
           his
           Reason
           did
           approve
           of
           as
           holy
           and
           just
           and
           good
           ;
           and
           no
           Degree
           of
           true
           Love
           could
           consist
           with
           such
           an
           Aversation
           .
           And
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           but
           most
           Men
           who
           have
           right
           Conceptions
           of
           God
           ,
           do
           in
           their
           Mind
           and
           Reason
           as
           much
           approve
           of
           ,
           and
           delight
           in
           the
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           as
           St.
           Paul
           did
           in
           the
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Law
           ;
           and
           yet
           their
           Wills
           are
           as
           repugnant
           and
           averse
           to
           the
           Holiness
           and
           Purity
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           as
           St.
           Pauls
           then
           was
           to
           the
           Justice
           and
           Goodness
           of
           the
           other
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           constitute
           us
           true
           Lovers
           of
           
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           our
           Approbation
           of
           ,
           and
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           him
           should
           be
           such
           as
           doth
           powerfully
           affect
           our
           Wills
           and
           reconcile
           them
           to
           the
           Nature
           of
           God.
           For
           whilst
           our
           Wills
           are
           averse
           to
           that
           immaculate
           Purity
           and
           Goodness
           which
           is
           so
           inseparable
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           we
           should
           heartily
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           though
           in
           our
           Minds
           we
           may
           approve
           of
           him
           as
           a
           most
           glorious
           and
           excellent
           Being
           ,
           yet
           in
           our
           Hearts
           we
           shall
           still
           retain
           a
           secret
           Antipathy
           against
           him
           .
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           the
           Devils
           themselves
           do
           so
           far
           approve
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           acknowledge
           him
           altogether
           amiable
           and
           lovely
           ;
           for
           if
           they
           do
           not
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           they
           are
           very
           shallow
           Spectators
           ;
           but
           yet
           we
           see
           this
           Approbation
           of
           theirs
           accompanied
           with
           an
           inveterate
           Rancour
           and
           Enmity
           against
           him
           .
           And
           till
           our
           Wills
           are
           so
           affected
           by
           our
           Reason
           as
           to
           consent
           and
           eccho
           to
           its
           Approbations
           ,
           to
           take
           Complacency
           in
           that
           divine
           Purity
           which
           our
           Reason
           acknowledges
           to
           be
           the
           Crown
           and
           Ornament
           of
           God
           ;
           whilst
           we
           reverence
           him
           in
           our
           Minds
           ,
           we
           hate
           and
           despise
           him
           in
           our
           Affections
           .
           So
           that
           he
           only
           is
           a
           Lover
           of
           God
           ,
           whose
           Will
           is
           reconciled
           to
           true
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           5
           thly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           This
           Love
           must
           be
           terminated
           on
           the
           proper
           Goodness
           and
           Perfections
           
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           hereby
           I
           distinguish
           it
           from
           that
           Love
           which
           we
           too
           commonly
           terminate
           upon
           a
           God
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           making
           .
           For
           it
           is
           very
           ordinary
           with
           Men
           to
           set
           up
           Idols
           and
           false
           Representations
           of
           God
           in
           their
           Minds
           ,
           and
           then
           fall
           down
           and
           worship
           them
           :
           And
           it
           is
           no
           great
           Wonder
           if
           they
           are
           extreamly
           fond
           of
           these
           Idol-Divinities
           of
           their
           own
           making
           ,
           since
           commonly
           they
           are
           nothing
           else
           but
           the
           Pictures
           and
           Images
           of
           themselves
           .
           
             Thou
             thoughtst
          
           ,
           saith
           God
           to
           those
           profligate
           Persons
           ,
           
             that
             I
             was
             such
             a
             one
             as
             thy self
             ,
          
           Psal.
           l.
           21
           .
           Men
           have
           always
           been
           prone
           to
           cast
           all
           their
           Ideas
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Mould
           of
           their
           own
           Tempers
           ,
           and
           to
           fashion
           the
           Divinity
           whom
           they
           Worship
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Model
           of
           their
           own
           Inclinations
           .
           Thus
           Men
           of
           ungovernable
           and
           imperious
           Tempers
           are
           apt
           to
           represent
           God
           in
           their
           own
           Likeness
           ,
           a
           Being
           that
           governs
           himself
           and
           others
           by
           a
           meer
           
             blind
             omnipotent
          
           Self-will
           ,
           that
           wills
           Things
           merely
           because
           he
           wills
           them
           ,
           and
           is
           no
           way
           concerned
           to
           regulate
           his
           own
           Motions
           by
           any
           antecedent
           Rules
           of
           Justice
           ,
           Wisdom
           ,
           or
           Goodness
           .
           So
           also
           Men
           of
           wrathful
           and
           revengeful
           Tempers
           are
           apt
           to
           look
           upon
           God
           as
           a
           
             froward
             ,
             furious
          
           ,
           and
           implacable
           Being
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           be
           pleased
           or
           displeased
           with
           Trifles
           ,
           that
           frowns
           or
           smiles
           as
           the
           
           Humour
           takes
           him
           ;
           that
           when
           the
           froward
           Fit
           is
           upon
           him
           Breaths
           nothing
           but
           Revenge
           and
           Fury
           ,
           and
           whose
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           is
           fickle
           and
           mutable
           ,
           and
           never
           constant
           to
           the
           same
           Reasons
           .
           And
           to
           name
           no
           more
           ,
           thus
           Men
           of
           fond
           and
           indulgent
           Natures
           are
           apt
           to
           represent
           God
           to
           themselves
           as
           one
           that
           dotes
           invincibly
           on
           those
           who
           have
           once
           the
           Luck
           to
           be
           his
           Favourites
           ,
           and
           in
           Christ
           ,
           at
           least
           will
           hug
           their
           very
           Deformities
           ,
           and
           connive
           at
           their
           greatest
           Treasons
           and
           Rebellions
           .
           And
           since
           these
           false
           Representations
           that
           Men
           make
           of
           God
           are
           nothing
           but
           the
           Reflections
           of
           their
           own
           Images
           ,
           in
           loving
           him
           they
           only
           love
           themselves
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           no
           wonder
           that
           they
           are
           more
           devoutly
           affected
           towards
           such
           an
           
             imaginary
             Divinity
          
           than
           towards
           the
           
             true
             God
          
           himself
           clothed
           with
           his
           own
           Attributes
           ,
           and
           circled
           about
           with
           his
           own
           Rays
           of
           unstained
           and
           immaculate
           Glory
           ;
           since
           the
           former
           is
           nothing
           but
           their
           own
           Shadow
           ,
           which
           Narcissus-like
           they
           gaze
           upon
           and
           fall
           in
           love
           with
           .
           But
           whatsoever
           Love
           we
           may
           bestow
           upon
           these
           false
           Representations
           it
           is
           not
           terminated
           upon
           God
           ,
           but
           on
           the
           Spectres
           and
           Images
           of
           our
           Fancies
           ,
           which
           have
           nothing
           of
           God
           about
           them
           but
           the
           Name
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           constitute
           our
           Love
           truly
           divine
           ,
           it
           is
           necessary
           that
           it
           
           should
           respect
           God
           as
           he
           is
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           he
           seems
           to
           be
           in
           these
           disfigured
           Idols
           of
           our
           own
           Fancies
           .
           We
           must
           blot
           out
           of
           our
           Minds
           all
           these
           false
           Conceptions
           ,
           which
           like
           the
           
             Aethiopian
             Idols
          
           ,
           are
           nothing
           but
           
             our
             own
          
           Resemblance
           ,
           and
           portrait
           him
           in
           all
           those
           fair
           Ideas
           wherein
           he
           hath
           represented
           himself
           unto
           us
           ;
           and
           when
           we
           have
           righted
           him
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Opinions
           ,
           and
           formed
           such
           Notions
           of
           him
           as
           are
           agreeable
           to
           his
           native
           Perfections
           ,
           then
           we
           must
           love
           him
           for
           what
           we
           see
           in
           him
           ,
           even
           for
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           the
           Righteousness
           and
           Purity
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           For
           unless
           we
           love
           these
           his
           moral
           Perfections
           ,
           which
           are
           indeed
           the
           only
           Objects
           of
           Love
           in
           him
           ,
           all
           our
           kind
           Pretences
           are
           base
           Flatteries
           ,
           and
           in
           stead
           of
           him
           we
           only
           Love
           a
           Mock-God
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           making
           .
           And
           thus
           I
           have
           shewed
           you
           at
           large
           wherein
           the
           Essence
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           ,
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           consists
           .
           But
           because
           Things
           are
           better
           understood
           by
           their
           essential
           Characters
           and
           Properties
           than
           by
           their
           naked
           Essences
           ,
           and
           we
           may
           much
           more
           easily
           discern
           whether
           we
           truly
           love
           God
           or
           no
           by
           the
           former
           than
           by
           the
           latter
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           proceed
           in
           the
           next
           Place
           to
           shew
           you
           what
           are
           the
           essential
           Properties
           and
           Characters
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           :
           And
           these
           
           are
           to
           be
           fetched
           from
           the
           Nature
           of
           Love
           in
           general
           ,
           the
           Properties
           whereof
           when
           it
           is
           determined
           on
           a
           Person
           ,
           are
           chiefly
           these
           four
           :
           
             
               1.
               
               Benevolence
               to
               the
               Person
               beloved
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Desire
               of
               enjoying
               him
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               Imitation
               of
               his
               Perfections
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               Conformity
               to
               his
               Will.
               
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Benevolence
           is
           an
           essential
           Property
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           ;
           by
           which
           I
           do
           not
           mean
           wishing
           of
           any
           additional
           Good
           or
           Happiness
           to
           God
           which
           yet
           he
           wants
           ;
           for
           that
           is
           Extravagance
           ,
           to
           wish
           that
           a
           Being
           who
           is
           infinitely
           happy
           should
           be
           more
           happy
           than
           he
           is
           ;
           since
           his
           Happiness
           would
           not
           be
           infinite
           if
           it
           could
           admit
           of
           Addition
           or
           Increase
           .
           By
           our
           Benevolence
           to
           God
           therefore
           I
           only
           mean
           our
           hearty
           Desire
           that
           he
           may
           be
           pleased
           by
           our selves
           and
           others
           ;
           that
           all
           his
           Creation
           may
           conspire
           to
           serve
           and
           glorify
           him
           in
           that
           Method
           which
           he
           hath
           prescribed
           ;
           and
           that
           his
           Will
           may
           be
           done
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           Heaven
           .
           And
           this
           must
           necessarily
           be
           the
           hearty
           Wish
           of
           every
           sincere
           Lover
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           when
           he
           sees
           himself
           defeated
           of
           his
           Wish
           by
           the
           wicked
           Lives
           and
           Manners
           of
           Men
           ;
           when
           he
           considers
           how
           God
           is
           offended
           every
           Day
           ,
           how
           his
           Authority
           is
           affronted
           ,
           his
           Laws
           trampled
           on
           ,
           his
           Name
           vilified
           and
           blasphemed
           by
           bold
           
           and
           insolent
           Sinners
           ,
           he
           cannot
           forbear
           grieving
           at
           it
           ,
           to
           see
           him
           his
           Soul
           loves
           ,
           loaded
           with
           so
           many
           Indignities
           and
           Dishonours
           .
           For
           thus
           did
           David
           ,
           that
           great
           Lover
           of
           
             God
             ;
             Rivers
             of
             tears
             run
             down
             mine
             Eyes
             ,
             because
             Men
             keep
             not
             thy
             Law
             ,
          
           Psal.
           cxix
           .
           136
           .
           So
           that
           what
           the
           
             brave
             Portia
          
           said
           to
           her
           
             dear
             Brutus
          
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           that
           can
           every
           Lover
           of
           God
           say
           ;
           
             Lord
             !
             Thou
             knowest
             that
             I
             sympathize
             in
             all
             thy
             Pleasures
             and
             Displeasures
             ;
             when
             thou
             art
             pleased
             ,
             I
             rejoyce
             ;
             and
             when
             thou
             art
             offended
             ,
             I
             am
             grieved
             .
          
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           Another
           Property
           of
           divine
           Love
           is
           an
           earnest
           Desire
           of
           enjoying
           God.
           For
           so
           when
           we
           love
           a
           Friend
           ,
           we
           desire
           to
           enjoy
           as
           much
           of
           him
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           we
           would
           fain
           be
           more
           intimately
           acquainted
           with
           him
           ,
           we
           would
           love
           him
           more
           ,
           and
           be
           more
           beloved
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           resemble
           him
           in
           all
           those
           amiable
           Qualities
           for
           which
           we
           love
           and
           admire
           him
           .
           And
           thus
           if
           we
           have
           chosen
           God
           for
           our
           Friend
           ,
           we
           shall
           still
           be
           breathing
           after
           a
           more
           intimate
           Fruition
           of
           him
           ;
           our
           Thoughts
           will
           be
           often
           imployed
           in
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           his
           Beauty
           and
           Glory
           ;
           and
           our
           Minds
           will
           be
           perpetually
           longing
           after
           a
           clearer
           Knowledge
           of
           ,
           and
           more
           intimate
           Acquaintance
           with
           him
           .
           We
           shall
           never
           think
           we
           love
           him
           sufficiently
           ;
           and
           never
           think
           we
           can
           
           do
           enough
           to
           endear
           our selves
           to
           his
           Favour
           ;
           but
           shall
           always
           feel
           in
           our selves
           both
           Want
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           Want
           of
           Desert
           to
           be
           beloved
           by
           him
           .
           We
           shall
           incessantly
           covet
           more
           and
           more
           to
           resemble
           him
           in
           those
           adorable
           Perfections
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ;
           that
           so
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           the
           same
           Reason
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           .
           We
           shall
           earnestly
           hunger
           and
           thirst
           after
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           vehemently
           wish
           that
           all
           those
           amiable
           Characters
           of
           Purity
           and
           
             Justice
             ,
             Mercy
          
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           for
           which
           we
           do
           admire
           and
           love
           him
           ,
           were
           more
           fairly
           imprinted
           on
           
             our
             own
          
           Natures
           ;
           that
           so
           by
           partaking
           of
           these
           Perfections
           ,
           we
           may
           grow
           more
           and
           more
           god-like
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           arrived
           to
           a
           most
           perfect
           Resemblance
           and
           Conformity
           of
           Natures
           with
           him
           .
           Thus
           to
           enjoy
           God
           must
           needs
           be
           the
           Desire
           of
           every
           true
           and
           hearty
           Lover
           of
           him
           .
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           the
           only
           Enjoyment
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           ;
           for
           we
           cannot
           enjoy
           God's
           Essence
           ,
           because
           we
           cannot
           possess
           it
           ,
           it
           being
           neither
           communicated
           nor
           communicable
           ;
           and
           therefore
           all
           that
           our
           Enjoyment
           of
           him
           can
           include
           ,
           is
           to
           know
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           be
           beloved
           by
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           resemble
           him
           in
           those
           charming
           Beauties
           of
           Purity
           and
           Goodness
           which
           render
           him
           so
           infinitely
           lovely
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           essential
           to
           every
           
           faithful
           Lover
           of
           him
           thus
           to
           desire
           to
           enjoy
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           Imitation
           of
           his
           Perfections
           is
           another
           essential
           Property
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           :
           and
           this
           is
           necessarily
           consequent
           to
           the
           former
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           either
           for
           the
           good
           he
           doth
           us
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Loveliness
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           If
           we
           love
           him
           for
           the
           good
           he
           doth
           us
           ,
           we
           must
           needs
           be
           sensible
           that
           it
           is
           a
           lovely
           Thing
           to
           do
           good
           ,
           and
           this
           must
           strangely
           incline
           us
           to
           imitate
           him
           in
           doing
           all
           the
           good
           we
           are
           able
           .
           If
           we
           love
           him
           for
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           we
           cannot
           but
           desire
           to
           be
           like
           him
           ;
           because
           whatsoever
           we
           esteem
           lovely
           in
           another
           ,
           we
           desire
           to
           partake
           of
           out
           of
           love
           to
           our selves
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           desire
           to
           partake
           of
           what
           is
           lovely
           in
           another
           ,
           that
           must
           needs
           engage
           us
           to
           imitate
           him
           ,
           since
           we
           have
           no
           other
           Way
           to
           partake
           of
           anothers
           Excellencies
           but
           only
           by
           a
           constant
           Imitation
           of
           them
           .
           So
           that
           't
           is
           impossible
           we
           should
           love
           God
           for
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Perfection
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           not
           hearily
           desire
           to
           partake
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           impossible
           we
           should
           heartily
           desire
           to
           partake
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           endeavour
           to
           transcribe
           it
           by
           a
           constant
           and
           vigorous
           Imitation
           .
           So
           that
           whatsoever
           good
           Reason
           we
           love
           God
           for
           ,
           it
           must
           necessarily
           terminate
           in
           our
           Imitation
           of
           those
           amiable
           Actions
           or
           Perfections
           
           for
           which
           we
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           therefor
           any
           Man
           to
           pretend
           to
           love
           God
           while
           he
           acts
           contrary
           to
           the
           Reasons
           for
           which
           he
           loves
           him
           ,
           is
           plainly
           to
           contradict
           himself
           ,
           and
           baffle
           his
           own
           Pretensions
           .
           For
           to
           say
           that
           I
           love
           God
           for
           doing
           good
           ,
           or
           for
           being
           
             just
             ,
             holy
          
           ,
           and
           benevolent
           ,
           while
           I
           take
           no
           Care
           to
           do
           good
           my self
           ,
           but
           take
           Pleasure
           in
           
             Impurity
             ,
             Injustice
          
           ,
           or
           Vncharitableness
           ,
           is
           to
           say
           that
           I
           love
           him
           for
           those
           Things
           which
           I
           plainly
           declare
           I
           do
           not
           love
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           heartily
           love
           God
           as
           we
           pretend
           to
           do
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           visible
           in
           our
           Imitation
           of
           him
           ;
           for
           unless
           we
           endeavour
           to
           be
           pure
           as
           he
           is
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           as
           he
           is
           holy
           ,
           and
           just
           and
           merciful
           as
           he
           is
           just
           and
           merciful
           ;
           all
           our
           Pretensions
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           are
           Cheats
           and
           fulsom
           Hypocrisy
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           and
           lastly
           .
           Complyance
           with
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           is
           another
           essential
           Character
           and
           Property
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           For
           if
           we
           sincerely
           love
           a
           Person
           ,
           we
           must
           needs
           desire
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           that
           so
           thereby
           we
           may
           endear
           our selves
           to
           him
           ;
           and
           if
           we
           really
           desire
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           to
           be
           sure
           we
           shall
           readily
           comply
           with
           his
           Will
           in
           whatsoever
           is
           just
           and
           reasonable
           .
           And
           hence
           the
           Scripture
           makes
           our
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           
             God
             essential
          
           to
           our
           Love
           of
           him
           ;
           
             For
             this
          
           ,
           saith
           St.
           
             John
             ,
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             ,
             that
             
             we
             keep
             his
             Commandments
             ,
          
           1
           Joh.
           v.
           3
           .
           
             and
             this
             is
             love
             ,
             that
             we
             walk
             after
             his
             Commandments
             ,
          
           2
           Epist.
           vi
           .
           
             If
             ye
             love
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             keep
             my
             Commandments
          
           ,
           Joh.
           xiv
           .
           15
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           give
           me
           this
           Token
           that
           ye
           love
           me
           ;
           for
           without
           this
           I
           can
           never
           believe
           that
           you
           have
           any
           real
           Kindness
           for
           me
           whatsoever
           Pretensions
           you
           may
           make
           ;
           for
           so
           Vers.
           23.
           he
           adds
           
             If
             any
             Man
             love
             me
             ,
             he
             will
             keep
             my
             Commandments
             ,
          
           intimating
           that
           between
           our
           Love
           of
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           to
           him
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           necessary
           and
           inseparable
           Connection
           .
           So
           that
           we
           may
           as
           soon
           be
           Men
           without
           Risibility
           ,
           as
           Lovers
           of
           God
           without
           sincere
           Submission
           to
           his
           Will.
           For
           Lovers
           have
           one
           Will
           and
           one
           Soul
           ;
           they
           conspire
           in
           the
           same
           Designs
           ,
           and
           drive
           at
           the
           same
           Interests
           ;
           their
           Affections
           are
           
             perfect
             Vnizons
          
           ,
           and
           do
           in
           the
           same
           Likes
           and
           Dislikes
           resound
           and
           eccho
           to
           
             one
             another
          
           ;
           and
           so
           far
           as
           they
           love
           ,
           there
           is
           such
           a
           perfect
           Agreement
           between
           them
           that
           they
           seem
           mutually
           to
           lend
           and
           borrow
           Wills
           and
           Souls
           with
           
             one
             another
          
           .
           And
           so
           if
           we
           love
           God
           ,
           there
           will
           be
           a
           sweet
           Harmony
           between
           our
           Wills
           and
           his
           ,
           at
           least
           so
           far
           as
           we
           love
           him
           ;
           for
           if
           we
           love
           him
           ,
           we
           shall
           love
           to
           please
           him
           ,
           by
           complying
           in
           all
           Things
           with
           his
           heavenly
           Will
           ,
           and
           rejoyce
           that
           we
           are
           able
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           that
           we
           are
           sure
           will
           be
           acceptable
           
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           and
           certainly
           endear
           us
           to
           his
           most
           tender
           Affection
           .
           Whilst
           therefore
           we
           live
           in
           wilful
           Disobedience
           and
           Opposition
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will
           ,
           all
           our
           Pretences
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           are
           rank
           Dissimulations
           ,
           and
           like
           the
           Kisses
           of
           Judas
           are
           only
           Prefaces
           to
           our
           succeeding
           Treasons
           and
           Rebellions
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           wherein
           the
           Essence
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           consists
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           its
           essential
           Properties
           ;
           by
           a
           serious
           Review
           of
           which
           you
           may
           easily
           conclude
           whether
           in
           reality
           you
           are
           Lovers
           of
           God
           or
           no.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           now
           proceed
           to
           the
           next
           Enquiry
           ,
           namely
           what
           Measures
           and
           Degrees
           of
           this
           Love
           are
           Matter
           of
           indispensable
           Duty
           to
           us
           .
           For
           answer
           to
           which
           we
           must
           consider
           ,
           that
           this
           as
           well
           as
           all
           the
           other
           Virtues
           of
           Christianity
           are
           required
           of
           us
           by
           a
           
             twofold
             Law
          
           ;
           the
           first
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           the
           second
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ;
           both
           of
           which
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           for
           us
           to
           explain
           before
           we
           can
           exactly
           determine
           what
           Degrees
           and
           Measures
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           are
           Matter
           of
           indispensable
           Duty
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           therefore
           there
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           which
           requires
           the
           utmost
           Degrees
           of
           every
           Christian
           Virtue
           that
           in
           the
           several
           States
           and
           Periods
           of
           our
           Lives
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           attaining
           .
           For
           thus
           we
           are
           enjoyned
           ,
           
           not
           only
           
             to
             do
          
           ,
           but
           
             to
             abound
             in
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ;
           not
           only
           to
           
             have
             Grace
          
           ,
           but
           to
           
             grow
             in
             it
             ;
             to
             perfect
             holiness
             in
             the
             fear
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             be
             perfect
             as
             our
             Father
             in
             Heaven
             is
             perfect
             .
          
           And
           indeed
           the
           Nature
           of
           God
           is
           the
           only
           Standard
           of
           that
           Perfection
           whereunto
           we
           must
           aspire
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           still
           bound
           to
           be
           growing
           on
           till
           we
           are
           infinitely
           holy
           ;
           which
           ,
           because
           our
           finite
           Natures
           can
           never
           arrive
           to
           in
           any
           Period
           of
           Duration
           ,
           therefore
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           it
           will
           be
           our
           Duty
           to
           be
           growing
           on
           eternally
           .
           So
           that
           this
           Law
           having
           prescribed
           no
           Limits
           to
           the
           Degrees
           of
           our
           Growth
           in
           Virtue
           ,
           hath
           thereby
           cut
           out
           work
           enough
           to
           imploy
           our
           Faculties
           
             for
             ever
          
           .
           Not
           that
           we
           are
           Sinners
           against
           this
           Law
           so
           long
           as
           we
           are
           short
           or
           defective
           of
           the
           utmost
           Degree
           of
           Perfection
           ;
           for
           it
           requires
           of
           us
           no
           more
           than
           what
           is
           within
           our
           present
           Possibility
           ,
           and
           our
           Possibility
           encreases
           together
           with
           our
           Improvements
           .
           When
           we
           have
           but
           one
           Degree
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           Sin
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           that
           we
           do
           not
           immediately
           leap
           to
           six
           or
           seven
           ;
           because
           it
           is
           not
           in
           our
           Power
           ,
           and
           no
           Law
           can
           oblige
           a
           Man
           to
           that
           which
           is
           impossible
           ;
           but
           when
           we
           have
           acquired
           one
           Degree
           we
           have
           Power
           to
           acquire
           a
           second
           ,
           and
           when
           we
           have
           acquired
           that
           ,
           we
           have
           Power
           to
           acquire
           
           a
           third
           ;
           and
           so
           on
           
             ad
             infinitum
          
           ;
           and
           consequently
           our
           Obligation
           to
           be
           more
           and
           more
           perfect
           ,
           increases
           according
           to
           the
           Improvement
           of
           our
           Power
           .
           A
           
             Babe
             in
             Christ
          
           ,
           or
           
             Beginner
             in
             Religion
          
           hath
           not
           the
           Strength
           and
           Power
           of
           a
           Man
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           of
           one
           that
           hath
           made
           a
           considerable
           Progress
           ;
           and
           consequently
           he
           is
           not
           immediately
           obliged
           by
           this
           Law
           to
           the
           same
           Degree
           of
           Growth
           and
           Perfection
           ;
           but
           whatsoever
           Degree
           is
           within
           his
           Power
           in
           the
           different
           Periods
           of
           his
           Growth
           and
           Progress
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           actually
           and
           immediately
           obliged
           to
           ,
           and
           while
           he
           continues
           defective
           in
           it
           he
           sins
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           .
           So
           that
           in
           short
           ,
           this
           Law
           requires
           us
           to
           be
           in
           all
           Respects
           as
           good
           in
           the
           several
           Stages
           of
           our
           Christian
           Progress
           as
           at
           present
           't
           is
           possible
           for
           us
           to
           be
           ;
           and
           so
           far
           as
           we
           fall
           short
           of
           any
           Attainment
           that
           is
           within
           our
           Power
           ,
           we
           are
           guilty
           of
           violating
           its
           righteous
           Obligation
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           this
           Law
           doth
           not
           oblige
           us
           under
           the
           Pain
           of
           eternal
           Damnation
           ;
           and
           indeed
           if
           it
           did
           ,
           no
           Flesh
           could
           be
           saved
           ,
           since
           there
           never
           was
           any
           mere
           Man
           but
           might
           have
           possibly
           been
           better
           than
           he
           was
           ,
           had
           he
           been
           so
           diligent
           as
           to
           improve
           himself
           to
           the
           utmost
           Degree
           of
           his
           Power
           .
           The
           proper
           Sanction
           therefore
           of
           this
           Law
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           actually
           do
           
           all
           the
           good
           ,
           and
           acquire
           all
           the
           Degrees
           of
           Virtue
           that
           are
           at
           present
           within
           our
           Power
           ,
           under
           the
           Pain
           of
           losing
           some
           Degree
           of
           Happiness
           in
           the
           other
           World
           ,
           which
           otherwise
           we
           should
           have
           attained
           ;
           which
           is
           no
           more
           than
           what
           naturally
           follows
           upon
           all
           sinful
           Defects
           .
           For
           every
           sinful
           Defect
           is
           a
           Privation
           of
           some
           Degree
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           is
           so
           essential
           to
           Happiness
           ,
           that
           there
           cannot
           be
           a
           Privation
           of
           the
           one
           without
           a
           Diminution
           of
           the
           other
           .
           But
           besides
           those
           Defects
           of
           Happiness
           that
           are
           naturally
           consequent
           to
           our
           Defects
           of
           Virtue
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           plainly
           assures
           us
           that
           God
           himself
           will
           substract
           from
           our
           Reward
           hereafter
           in
           Proportion
           to
           our
           moral
           Defects
           and
           Nonimprovements
           in
           this
           Life
           ;
           for
           
             he
             which
             soweth
             sparingly
          
           ,
           saith
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           
             shall
             reap
             sparingly
             :
             And
             he
             which
             soweth
             bountifully
             ,
             shall
             reap
             also
             bountifully
             ,
          
           2
           Cor.
           ix
           .
           6
           .
           And
           Luke
           xix
           .
           our
           Saviour
           by
           way
           of
           a
           Parable
           doth
           expressly
           teach
           us
           ,
           that
           our
           Reward
           shall
           be
           apportioned
           to
           the
           Degrees
           of
           our
           Improvement
           ;
           for
           there
           he
           represents
           himself
           as
           a
           Master
           coming
           to
           take
           Account
           of
           his
           Servants
           ,
           among
           whom
           he
           had
           intrusted
           a
           Stock
           of
           
             Ten
             Pounds
          
           ,
           giving
           every
           one
           of
           them
           an
           equal
           Share
           ;
           the
           first
           by
           an
           extraordinary
           Diligence
           had
           improved
           his
           Pound
           into
           Ten
           ,
           and
           he
           is
           rewarded
           accordingly
           
           with
           the
           Government
           of
           
             ten
             Cities
          
           ,
           Vers.
           16
           ,
           17.
           
           The
           other
           had
           been
           faithful
           ,
           though
           not
           altogether
           so
           diligent
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           
             one
             Pound
          
           had
           gained
           five
           ,
           and
           proportionably
           is
           made
           Lord
           of
           five
           Cities
           ,
           Vers.
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           By
           which
           he
           plainly
           declares
           that
           so
           much
           as
           we
           come
           short
           of
           the
           utmost
           Improvement
           in
           Virtue
           ,
           so
           much
           will
           he
           substract
           from
           the
           utmost
           Degree
           of
           our
           Reward
           .
           So
           that
           in
           short
           the
           Sense
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           is
           this
           ,
           as
           thou
           wouldst
           not
           incur
           the
           Forfeiture
           of
           some
           Degrees
           of
           thy
           Happiness
           in
           the
           other
           Life
           ,
           be
           sure
           to
           imploy
           thy
           utmost
           Diligence
           in
           improvlng
           thy self
           in
           every
           Grace
           and
           Virtue
           of
           Religion
           .
           But
           then
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           There
           is
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ,
           which
           only
           requires
           the
           Being
           and
           Reality
           of
           all
           Christian
           Graces
           and
           Virtues
           in
           us
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           proper
           Acts
           and
           Exercises
           of
           them
           according
           as
           we
           have
           Opportunity
           ,
           and
           doth
           no
           farther
           forbid
           the
           Deficiency
           and
           Non-improvement
           of
           them
           than
           as
           it
           is
           gross
           and
           continued
           and
           inconsistent
           with
           Sincerity
           .
           Now
           the
           Reality
           of
           these
           Christian
           Virtues
           in
           us
           consists
           in
           the
           universal
           and
           prevalent
           Consent
           of
           our
           Wills
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           practise
           them
           as
           often
           as
           Occasion
           requires
           ,
           and
           not
           wilfully
           to
           commit
           any
           contrary
           Sin
           upon
           any
           Occasion
           whatsoever
           ;
           
           and
           so
           long
           as
           this
           Consent
           continues
           and
           prevails
           in
           our
           Practice
           ,
           we
           are
           just
           in
           the
           Eye
           and
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           whatsoever
           Weakness
           and
           
             Defects
             ,
             Surprizes
          
           and
           Inadvertencies
           we
           may
           otherwise
           be
           guilty
           of
           .
           For
           he
           who
           hath
           so
           submitted
           his
           Will
           to
           God
           as
           to
           consent
           effectually
           without
           any
           Reserve
           to
           obey
           him
           ,
           is
           evidently
           cordial
           and
           sincere
           ,
           though
           perhaps
           he
           may
           be
           weak
           and
           imperfect
           .
           For
           as
           he
           is
           sincerely
           chast
           ,
           whose
           Will
           doth
           prevalently
           Consent
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Chastity
           ;
           so
           he
           is
           universally
           a
           vertuous
           Man
           ,
           whose
           Will
           doth
           prevalently
           Consent
           to
           the
           universal
           Law
           of
           Virtue
           ;
           because
           that
           very
           Consent
           of
           his
           includes
           the
           Being
           and
           Reality
           of
           all
           Virtues
           ,
           though
           not
           the
           utmost
           Degrees
           and
           Improvements
           of
           them
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           the
           utmost
           that
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           requires
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           universally
           and
           prevalently
           Consent
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           so
           as
           not
           wilfully
           to
           neglect
           any
           Duty
           which
           he
           hath
           enjoyned
           ,
           and
           practise
           any
           Sin
           which
           he
           hath
           forbid
           ;
           but
           though
           this
           be
           all
           it
           requires
           ,
           yet
           this
           it
           exacts
           under
           the
           severest
           Penalty
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           even
           that
           of
           eternal
           Death
           and
           Condemnation
           ;
           only
           this
           Proviso
           it
           admits
           of
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           do
           repent
           and
           amend
           ,
           this
           dreadful
           Obligation
           shall
           be
           null
           and
           void
           .
           So
           that
           the
           great
           Difference
           
           between
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           and
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           is
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           Penalty
           of
           the
           later
           is
           much
           more
           Severe
           than
           that
           of
           the
           former
           ;
           but
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           former
           is
           much
           more
           large
           and
           comprehensive
           than
           that
           of
           the
           later
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           briefly
           explained
           to
           you
           these
           
             two
             Different
          
           Laws
           by
           which
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           as
           well
           as
           all
           other
           Virtues
           are
           made
           our
           Duty
           ,
           this
           I
           conceive
           will
           be
           of
           very
           great
           Use
           in
           stating
           the
           due
           Bounds
           and
           Measures
           either
           of
           Love
           or
           any
           other
           Virtue
           God
           requires
           of
           us
           :
           We
           must
           understand
           by
           what
           Laws
           it
           is
           that
           he
           requires
           it
           ,
           and
           what
           Measures
           of
           it
           those
           Laws
           do
           require
           .
           First
           therefore
           ,
           we
           will
           consider
           what
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           
             Perfection
             .
             Secondly
          
           ,
           what
           Degree
           of
           it
           is
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           .
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           What
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ?
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           it
           requires
           all
           that
           Love
           which
           in
           the
           several
           Periods
           of
           our
           Growth
           and
           Progress
           in
           Religion
           we
           are
           able
           to
           render
           him
           .
           For
           it
           is
           to
           be
           considered
           that
           in
           this
           corrupt
           Estate
           ,
           both
           our
           Vnderstandings
           and
           Wills
           are
           so
           darkened
           and
           depraved
           ,
           that
           we
           do
           not
           apprehend
           the
           thousandth
           Part
           of
           those
           Degrees
           of
           Loveliness
           that
           are
           in
           him
           ,
           
           and
           if
           we
           did
           ,
           yet
           our
           Affections
           are
           so
           inveigled
           by
           these
           sensual
           Goods
           among
           which
           we
           are
           placed
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           render
           him
           the
           thousandth
           Part
           of
           that
           Love
           ,
           which
           those
           Degrees
           of
           Loveliness
           we
           do
           apprehend
           in
           him
           do
           deserve
           .
           But
           there
           is
           no
           just
           Law
           can
           exact
           of
           us
           beyond
           what
           we
           are
           able
           to
           perform
           ;
           and
           therefore
           this
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           being
           just
           and
           righteous
           ,
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           exact
           more
           Love
           to
           God
           from
           us
           than
           we
           have
           Strength
           and
           Power
           (
           all
           our
           Circumstances
           considered
           )
           to
           render
           unto
           him
           .
           So
           that
           he
           who
           doth
           his
           utmost
           to
           understand
           ,
           and
           affect
           himself
           with
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Loveliness
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           substract
           his
           Love
           from
           sensual
           Good
           ,
           and
           terminate
           it
           on
           God
           ,
           is
           a
           just
           and
           innocent
           Man
           in
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           is
           evident
           first
           ,
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           bound
           by
           any
           Law
           to
           Love
           God
           as
           much
           as
           he
           deserves
           to
           be
           beloved
           ;
           because
           he
           being
           infinitely
           lovely
           in
           himself
           is
           the
           adequate
           Object
           of
           an
           infinite
           Love
           ,
           which
           no
           finite
           Being
           is
           capable
           of
           .
           2
           ly
           .
           That
           no
           Man
           is
           bound
           to
           understand
           how
           much
           he
           deserves
           to
           be
           beloved
           ,
           because
           this
           is
           beyond
           the
           Comprehension
           of
           any
           finite
           Understanding
           ,
           especially
           of
           ours
           which
           are
           so
           dim-sighted
           in
           their
           Apprehensions
           of
           spiritual
           
           and
           invisible
           Beings
           .
           3
           ly
           .
           That
           in
           this
           State
           no
           Man
           is
           bound
           actually
           to
           love
           God
           so
           far
           as
           he
           apprehends
           Reason
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           this
           indeed
           we
           ought
           to
           endeavour
           after
           ,
           but
           while
           we
           continue
           in
           these
           Bodies
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           us
           so
           absolutely
           to
           abstract
           our
           Love
           from
           sense
           and
           sensual
           Things
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           in
           the
           least
           diverted
           by
           it
           from
           loving
           him
           to
           that
           Degree
           in
           which
           we
           know
           he
           deserves
           to
           be
           beloved
           .
           It
           is
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           our
           Imperfection
           that
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           is
           not
           proportionate
           to
           our
           Apprehensions
           of
           his
           Loveliness
           :
           but
           besides
           this
           we
           have
           many
           other
           Imperfections
           that
           are
           our
           Misery
           indeed
           ,
           but
           not
           our
           Sin.
           For
           no
           Imperfection
           is
           any
           farther
           our
           Sin
           than
           't
           is
           in
           our
           Power
           to
           correct
           it
           ;
           and
           there
           is
           no
           true
           Lover
           of
           God
           did
           ever
           attain
           to
           that
           Degree
           of
           Love
           as
           not
           to
           see
           great
           Reason
           to
           wish
           that
           it
           were
           in
           his
           Power
           still
           to
           love
           him
           more
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           in
           every
           Period
           of
           this
           imperfect
           State
           that
           our
           Affections
           are
           so
           intangled
           by
           these
           sensible
           Goods
           about
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           raise
           them
           to
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           as
           is
           proportionate
           to
           our
           Apprehensions
           of
           his
           Loveliness
           .
           4
           ly
           and
           lastly
           ,
           That
           no
           Man
           is
           bound
           to
           love
           God
           in
           the
           several
           Periods
           of
           his
           Growth
           and
           Progress
           in
           Religion
           with
           the
           same
           Degree
           
           of
           Affection
           ;
           for
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           a
           Man
           is
           always
           bound
           to
           love
           him
           as
           much
           as
           he
           can
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Progress
           of
           our
           Religion
           we
           can
           love
           him
           much
           more
           than
           in
           the
           Beginning
           .
           For
           the
           more
           we
           know
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           our
           Affections
           are
           disingaged
           from
           these
           sensual
           Goods
           ,
           the
           more
           Power
           and
           Ability
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           we
           are
           equally
           bound
           to
           love
           him
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           when
           we
           have
           ten
           Degrees
           of
           Power
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           when
           we
           have
           but
           one
           ;
           and
           consequently
           't
           is
           as
           great
           an
           Offence
           against
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           not
           to
           love
           him
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           when
           we
           have
           more
           Power
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           when
           we
           had
           less
           .
           So
           that
           by
           this
           Law
           we
           are
           always
           bound
           to
           love
           him
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           always
           augmenting
           our
           Ability
           of
           loving
           him
           ,
           and
           always
           to
           love
           him
           more
           and
           more
           as
           our
           Power
           and
           Ability
           increases
           ;
           and
           under
           this
           sweet
           Obligation
           perhaps
           we
           shall
           lie
           to
           all
           Eternity
           .
           For
           there
           being
           infinite
           Degrees
           of
           Loveliness
           and
           Amability
           in
           God
           ,
           our
           finite
           Understandings
           will
           need
           an
           Infinity
           of
           Duration
           to
           discover
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           it
           would
           be
           unreasonable
           for
           us
           not
           to
           love
           him
           more
           ,
           according
           as
           we
           discover
           more
           of
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Loveliness
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           in
           this
           Life
           the
           
           Difficulty
           lies
           not
           so
           much
           in
           discovering
           his
           Loveliness
           ,
           as
           in
           affecting
           our
           Hearts
           with
           the
           Sense
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           in
           raising
           our
           gross
           and
           carnal
           Affections
           to
           a
           Love
           proportionate
           to
           those
           Discoveries
           ;
           and
           't
           is
           this
           that
           creates
           us
           so
           much
           Toil
           and
           Labour
           in
           the
           Progress
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ;
           but
           when
           once
           we
           are
           arrived
           into
           the
           blessed
           Regions
           of
           Immortality
           our
           Affection
           being
           perfectly
           subdued
           to
           the
           Reason
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           dreined
           and
           clarified
           from
           all
           its
           gross
           and
           carnal
           Love
           will
           as
           naturally
           flame
           out
           more
           and
           more
           towards
           God
           upon
           every
           new
           Discovery
           of
           his
           Beauty
           ,
           as
           Fire
           doth
           when
           more
           combustible
           Fuel
           is
           layd
           upon
           it
           ;
           and
           so
           without
           any
           Toil
           or
           Difficulty
           ,
           the
           more
           we
           know
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           Love
           ,
           and
           so
           more
           and
           more
           
             for
             ever
          
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           would
           know
           what
           Measures
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           we
           are
           obliged
           to
           by
           this
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           the
           Answer
           is
           easy
           ,
           viz.
           that
           to
           all
           Eternity
           we
           are
           bound
           to
           love
           him
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           and
           always
           to
           love
           him
           more
           and
           more
           as
           our
           Ability
           increases
           .
           And
           this
           I
           take
           to
           be
           the
           Sense
           of
           that
           comprehensive
           Law
           of
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             Thou
             shalt
             love
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             with
             all
             thy
             heart
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             thy
             soul
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             thy
             mind
             ,
             and
             with
             all
             thy
             strength
             ,
          
           Mar.
           12.30
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           thou
           shalt
           imploy
           thy
           
           Faculties
           ,
           thy
           Mind
           ,
           thy
           Will
           ,
           and
           thy
           Affections
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           thy
           Strength
           and
           Power
           in
           
             loving
             ,
             delighting
          
           ,
           and
           taking
           Complacency
           in
           the
           Goodness
           ,
           Beauty
           ,
           and
           Perfections
           of
           God.
           But
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           What
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           required
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Law
           by
           which
           we
           must
           stand
           or
           fall
           
             for
             ever
          
           ?
           So
           that
           the
           Sense
           of
           the
           Enquiry
           is
           this
           ,
           what
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           necessary
           to
           put
           us
           into
           a
           State
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           the
           indispensable
           Condition
           of
           our
           Salvation
           being
           nothing
           else
           but
           our
           Obedience
           to
           this
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           .
           Now
           as
           to
           this
           particular
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           there
           are
           two
           Things
           which
           this
           Law
           exacts
           of
           us
           ;
           First
           ,
           it
           requires
           the
           Being
           and
           Existence
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           in
           us
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           it
           requires
           not
           only
           that
           we
           should
           not
           hate
           God
           ,
           or
           be
           indifferent
           between
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           in
           our
           Affection
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           that
           we
           should
           
             really
             ,
             cordially
          
           ,
           and
           sincerely
           love
           him
           .
           And
           hence
           those
           eternal
           Glories
           and
           Beatitudes
           in
           which
           our
           Salvation
           doth
           consist
           ,
           are
           said
           to
           be
           
             prepared
             by
             God
             for
             them
             that
             love
             him
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           2.9
           .
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           that
           it
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Conditions
           or
           Qualifications
           upon
           which
           our
           Salvation
           doth
           depend
           ,
           and
           consequently
           an
           indispensable
           Duty
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ;
           and
           St.
           James
           expresly
           
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Lord
             hath
             promised
             the
             Crown
             of
             Life
             to
             them
             that
             love
             him
             ,
          
           Ja.
           1.12
           .
           And
           therefore
           since
           that
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           contains
           the
           Condition
           of
           that
           Promise
           ,
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           is
           a
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           since
           that
           Promise
           is
           made
           to
           those
           that
           love
           him
           .
           Nay
           ,
           so
           necessary
           a
           Part
           of
           that
           Law
           is
           this
           excellent
           Virtue
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           without
           this
           the
           most
           vertuous
           Actions
           whatsoever
           are
           insignificant
           Cyphers
           in
           the
           Account
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           though
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             I
             bestow
             all
             my
             Goods
             to
             feed
             the
             Poor
             ,
             and
             though
             I
             give
             my
             Body
             to
             be
             Burned
             ,
             and
             have
             not
             Charity
             ,
             it
             profiteth
             me
             nothing
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           13.3
           .
           where
           it
           is
           plain
           he
           takes
           Charity
           in
           the
           largest
           Sense
           for
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           and
           
             one
             another
          
           .
           He
           therefore
           that
           doth
           not
           really
           love
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           heartily
           touched
           and
           affected
           with
           the
           Sense
           of
           his
           Goodness
           and
           Perfections
           stands
           condemned
           by
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ;
           and
           without
           Repentance
           and
           Amendment
           shall
           have
           no
           Part
           or
           Portion
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           God.
           But
           then
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           requires
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           doth
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           effectually
           render
           us
           obedient
           to
           his
           Will.
           For
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           you
           ,
           the
           Scripture
           every
           where
           makes
           our
           keeping
           his
           Commandments
           
           the
           most
           essential
           Property
           of
           our
           Love
           of
           him
           ;
           for
           
             if
             a
             man
             love
             me
          
           ,
           saith
           our
           
             Saviour
             ,
             he
             will
             keep
             my
             Words
             ,
          
           Joh.
           14.23
           .
           And
           
             whoso
             keepeth
             his
             Word
          
           ,
           saith
           St.
           John
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           his
           Commandments
           ,
           
             in
             him
             is
             the
             love
             of
             God
             perfected
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           in
           him
           it
           is
           real
           ,
           and
           cordial
           ,
           and
           sincere
           ,
           1
           Joh.
           2.5
           .
           When
           therefore
           our
           Love
           to
           God
           hath
           that
           Power
           over
           us
           ,
           as
           together
           with
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           to
           restrain
           us
           from
           the
           wilful
           Omission
           of
           any
           known
           Duty
           ,
           or
           Commission
           of
           any
           known
           Sin
           ,
           it
           is
           then
           perfected
           to
           that
           Degree
           which
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           .
           But
           before
           we
           dismiss
           this
           Argument
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           to
           give
           a
           more
           particular
           Account
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Therefore
           ,
           this
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           requires
           that
           some
           Degree
           of
           true
           Love
           to
           God
           should
           be
           intermingled
           with
           the
           other
           Parts
           of
           our
           Obedience
           to
           him
           ;
           because
           this
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewn
           you
           ,
           is
           one
           great
           and
           essential
           Part
           of
           that
           Obedience
           which
           it
           requires
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           out
           of
           mere
           Fear
           of
           God
           we
           should
           obey
           him
           in
           all
           other
           Instances
           ,
           yet
           so
           long
           as
           we
           are
           defective
           in
           this
           ,
           our
           Obedience
           will
           be
           lame
           and
           partial
           ,
           and
           want
           a
           great
           Part
           of
           that
           Intireness
           which
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           .
           For
           since
           it
           requires
           us
           to
           love
           God
           under
           the
           same
           Penalty
           of
           eternal
           Death
           that
           it
           requires
           all
           its
           other
           
           Duties
           ,
           we
           can
           no
           more
           be
           saved
           by
           it
           without
           this
           Virtue
           than
           without
           
             Justice
             ,
             Temperance
          
           and
           Chastity
           ;
           yea
           ,
           considering
           how
           necessary
           this
           is
           both
           to
           quicken
           our
           Obedience
           here
           ,
           and
           qualify
           us
           for
           Happiness
           hereafter
           ,
           we
           may
           much
           better
           spare
           any
           Virtue
           of
           Religion
           than
           this
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God.
           This
           therefore
           is
           
             indispensably
             necessary
          
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Tenor
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           some
           Degree
           of
           true
           Love
           to
           God
           intermingled
           with
           the
           other
           Parts
           of
           our
           Obedience
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           This
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           of
           us
           only
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           as
           ,
           in
           Conjunction
           with
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           is
           actually
           sufficient
           to
           enforce
           our
           Obedience
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           require
           us
           to
           love
           God
           in
           that
           heroic
           Degree
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           need
           any
           other
           Motive
           to
           engage
           us
           to
           obey
           his
           Will
           ;
           for
           if
           it
           did
           ,
           no
           Man
           could
           be
           in
           a
           good
           State
           till
           he
           were
           able
           to
           obey
           God
           purely
           for
           his
           own
           Sake
           ,
           without
           any
           Respect
           either
           to
           those
           glorious
           Advantages
           he
           promises
           ,
           or
           those
           endless
           Torments
           he
           denounces
           ;
           which
           requires
           such
           an
           ardent
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           as
           I
           doubt
           few
           good
           Men
           arrive
           to
           in
           this
           Life
           .
           I
           know
           't
           is
           usually
           said
           by
           those
           that
           handle
           this
           Argument
           ,
           that
           to
           love
           God
           above
           all
           Things
           is
           the
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           which
           the
           Law
           of
           
           Sincerity
           obliges
           us
           ;
           but
           either
           this
           must
           be
           a
           Mistake
           ,
           or
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           good
           till
           he
           is
           so
           perfect
           a
           Lover
           of
           God
           as
           not
           to
           need
           any
           other
           Motive
           but
           that
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Love
           to
           oblige
           him
           to
           Obedience
           .
           For
           Men
           need
           no
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           them
           to
           chuse
           what
           they
           love
           best
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           Men
           loved
           God
           above
           all
           ,
           they
           would
           need
           no
           farther
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           them
           to
           chuse
           what
           he
           Wills
           and
           Commands
           against
           all
           Persuasions
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           If
           I
           love
           God
           above
           my self
           ,
           I
           shall
           certainly
           chuse
           his
           Will
           before
           my
           own
           :
           If
           I
           love
           him
           above
           all
           my
           Pleasures
           ,
           I
           shall
           chuse
           his
           Pleasures
           before
           my
           own
           ;
           and
           it
           will
           be
           a
           needless
           Thing
           to
           propose
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           me
           to
           do
           that
           which
           I
           like
           best
           ,
           and
           chuse
           that
           which
           I
           love
           above
           all
           the
           World.
           So
           that
           whilst
           a
           Man
           hath
           Need
           of
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           him
           to
           chuse
           God
           ,
           and
           prefer
           his
           Will
           above
           all
           Temptations
           ,
           it
           is
           apparent
           he
           loves
           him
           not
           above
           all
           ;
           and
           consequently
           according
           to
           this
           Doctrine
           cannot
           be
           a
           good
           Man
           in
           the
           Judgment
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           were
           true
           ,
           I
           doubt
           ,
           the
           List
           of
           good
           Men
           would
           be
           reduced
           to
           a
           very
           small
           Number
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           loving
           God
           above
           all
           is
           a
           high
           strain
           of
           Piety
           much
           above
           the
           low
           Estate
           of
           sincere
           and
           true
           Goodness
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           necessary
           to
           a
           
           good
           State
           must
           needs
           be
           very
           dangerous
           ,
           since
           it
           cannot
           but
           dishearten
           
             beginners
             in
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           perplex
           their
           Consciences
           with
           needless
           and
           inextricable
           Scruples
           .
           I
           confess
           ,
           not
           to
           love
           God
           above
           all
           ,
           who
           doth
           so
           infinitely
           exceed
           all
           in
           Degrees
           of
           Loveliness
           and
           Amability
           ,
           is
           an
           Argument
           of
           great
           Imperfection
           ,
           though
           not
           of
           Insincerity
           ;
           but
           if
           my
           Love
           to
           him
           be
           such
           ,
           as
           that
           together
           with
           my
           Hope
           and
           Fear
           excited
           by
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Religion
           ,
           it
           effectually
           operates
           on
           my
           Will
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           win
           it
           to
           an
           
             universal
             prevalent
          
           Consent
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           Reason
           I
           have
           to
           judge
           severely
           of
           my
           main
           State
           ,
           though
           I
           should
           be
           conscious
           to
           my self
           that
           my
           Love
           singly
           and
           apart
           from
           those
           other
           Motives
           had
           not
           Force
           enough
           in
           it
           to
           produce
           this
           happy
           Effect
           .
           This
           therefore
           I
           conceive
           is
           the
           utmost
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           that
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           ,
           that
           we
           should
           so
           love
           him
           as
           by
           our
           Love
           ,
           in
           Concurrence
           with
           the
           other
           Arguments
           of
           Religion
           ,
           to
           be
           effectually
           prevailed
           on
           to
           obey
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           The
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           such
           
             a
             Degree
          
           of
           Love
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           together
           with
           those
           other
           Motives
           of
           Christianity
           is
           prevalent
           to
           sincere
           Obedience
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           it
           differs
           from
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           which
           requires
           
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           of
           us
           ,
           as
           together
           with
           those
           other
           Motives
           is
           productive
           of
           
             perfect
             unsinning
          
           Obedience
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           you
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           requires
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           Possibility
           ,
           and
           consequently
           that
           we
           should
           love
           God
           as
           much
           as
           we
           can
           ,
           and
           consider
           and
           apply
           to
           our selves
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Religion
           as
           well
           and
           as
           closely
           as
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           and
           then
           proceed
           upon
           the
           whole
           to
           serve
           and
           obey
           God
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           our
           Power
           and
           Ability
           ;
           which
           if
           we
           do
           ,
           we
           are
           perfectly
           innocent
           and
           inculpable
           ;
           unless
           you
           suppose
           ,
           that
           a
           Man
           may
           be
           blame-worthy
           for
           not
           doing
           more
           than
           he
           can
           .
           But
           should
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exact
           thus
           much
           of
           us
           ,
           I
           doubt
           it
           would
           exclude
           the
           best
           of
           Men
           out
           of
           the
           State
           of
           Goodness
           and
           Salvation
           ;
           for
           what
           Man
           is
           there
           that
           doth
           always
           love
           and
           obey
           God
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           his
           present
           Possibility
           ?
           Wherefore
           all
           that
           this
           Law
           can
           be
           supposed
           to
           require
           of
           us
           ,
           is
           only
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           as
           is
           requisite
           to
           render
           it
           a
           concurrent
           Cause
           of
           
             true
             sincere
          
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           such
           a
           Love
           as
           in
           Concurrence
           with
           those
           great
           Motives
           of
           Reward
           and
           Punishment
           produces
           such
           an
           hearty
           Consent
           in
           us
           to
           the
           Will
           of
           God
           as
           will
           not
           suffer
           us
           any
           longer
           to
           persist
           either
           in
           carelss
           or
           affected
           Ignorance
           of
           it
           ,
           or
           in
           known
           
           and
           wilful
           Disobedience
           to
           it
           ;
           and
           there
           are
           no
           Infirmities
           or
           Miscarriages
           whatsoever
           inconsistent
           with
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           ,
           but
           what
           are
           also
           inconsistent
           with
           such
           a
           Consent
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will.
           If
           therefore
           we
           thus
           love
           God
           to
           the
           Purposes
           of
           a
           sincere
           Obedience
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           acquits
           us
           ;
           and
           as
           for
           our
           Sins
           of
           
             Infirmity
             ,
             Surprize
          
           ,
           or
           Inadvertency
           ,
           we
           are
           accountable
           for
           them
           only
           to
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           ,
           The
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           requires
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           as
           together
           with
           those
           other
           Motives
           makes
           us
           not
           only
           sincere
           in
           our
           Obedience
           ,
           but
           also
           careful
           to
           improve
           it
           to
           further
           Degrees
           of
           Perfection
           .
           And
           indeed
           this
           is
           necessarily
           included
           in
           the
           former
           ;
           for
           if
           our
           Love
           of
           God
           joyned
           with
           the
           other
           Arguments
           of
           Religion
           hath
           so
           far
           prevailed
           upon
           us
           as
           to
           win
           us
           to
           a
           sincere
           Consent
           to
           his
           heavenly
           Will
           ,
           we
           shall
           not
           only
           industriously
           avoid
           the
           known
           and
           wilful
           Violations
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           be
           very
           careful
           to
           correct
           those
           Flaws
           and
           Imperfections
           that
           are
           intermixed
           with
           our
           Obedience
           to
           it
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           nothing
           but
           slavish
           Fear
           at
           the
           Bottom
           of
           a
           Mans
           Obedience
           ,
           that
           must
           necessarily
           contract
           and
           shrink
           up
           the
           Sinews
           of
           his
           Care
           and
           Endeavours
           ,
           and
           render
           him
           exceeding
           narrow
           and
           stingy
           in
           the
           Discharge
           of
           
           his
           Duty
           ;
           for
           having
           no
           farther
           Aim
           than
           
             his
             own
          
           Security
           ,
           he
           will
           do
           no
           more
           than
           what
           is
           necessary
           to
           avoid
           the
           Danger
           that
           he
           stands
           in
           Fear
           of
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           can
           but
           escape
           those
           known
           and
           wilful
           Sins
           that
           layd
           waste
           his
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           expos'd
           him
           to
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           utmost
           he
           desires
           or
           aims
           at
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           those
           Miscarriages
           and
           sinful
           Imperfections
           which
           do
           only
           fall
           under
           the
           Cognizance
           of
           the
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           about
           them
           .
           But
           when
           our
           Fear
           is
           intermingled
           with
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           God
           as
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           exacts
           ,
           that
           will
           make
           us
           careful
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           avoid
           those
           known
           and
           willful
           Sins
           that
           divorse
           us
           from
           the
           Favour
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           indear
           our selves
           more
           and
           more
           to
           him
           by
           correcting
           even
           those
           smaller
           Defects
           and
           Imperfections
           that
           do
           still
           adhere
           to
           our
           Duties
           and
           Natures
           :
           For
           this
           is
           plain
           ,
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           heartily
           love
           God
           that
           doth
           not
           more
           and
           more
           desire
           to
           be
           beloved
           by
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           no
           Man
           can
           sincerely
           desire
           to
           be
           more
           and
           more
           beloved
           by
           God
           ,
           that
           doth
           not
           honestly
           endeavour
           to
           render
           himself
           more
           and
           more
           lovely
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           reform
           all
           those
           sinful
           Defects
           and
           Imperfections
           which
           stain
           and
           blemish
           the
           Beauty
           of
           his
           Soul.
           Whosoever
           therefore
           contents
           himself
           with
           this
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           
           hated
           by
           God
           ,
           did
           never
           sincerely
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           whosoever
           desires
           more
           than
           this
           ,
           will
           as
           well
           be
           careful
           to
           correct
           those
           smaller
           Imperfections
           which
           render
           him
           less
           beloved
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           avoid
           those
           known
           and
           wilful
           Sins
           which
           do
           expose
           him
           to
           God's
           Hatred
           .
           If
           therefore
           our
           Religion
           doth
           not
           in
           some
           Measure
           improve
           our
           Natures
           ,
           if
           it
           doth
           not
           render
           us
           more
           patient
           and
           humble
           ,
           more
           charitable
           and
           
             heavenly
             minded
          
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           certain
           Sign
           that
           it
           is
           not
           acted
           by
           Love.
           For
           if
           after
           having
           a
           long
           while
           continued
           in
           a
           Round
           of
           religious
           Duties
           we
           still
           return
           to
           the
           same
           Point
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           no
           Degree
           better
           than
           we
           were
           when
           we
           first
           began
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           plain
           Token
           that
           we
           do
           not
           heartily
           desire
           to
           be
           more
           beloved
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           consequently
           that
           we
           do
           not
           love
           him
           .
           So
           that
           in
           fine
           the
           Sum
           of
           all
           is
           this
           ,
           The
           Law
           of
           Perfection
           requires
           us
           to
           love
           God
           with
           all
           our
           Might
           and
           with
           all
           our
           Strength
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           we
           are
           able
           in
           every
           Period
           of
           our
           Growth
           and
           Progress
           in
           Religion
           ;
           and
           by
           how
           much
           we
           love
           him
           less
           than
           we
           are
           able
           ,
           by
           so
           much
           less
           shall
           be
           the
           future
           Reward
           of
           our
           Love.
           But
           then
           for
           the
           Law
           of
           Sincerity
           ,
           that
           only
           requires
           of
           us
           such
           a
           Degree
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           as
           doth
           together
           with
           the
           other
           Motives
           of
           Religion
           effectually
           incline
           us
           to
           obey
           him
           sincerely
           ,
           and
           
           to
           endeavour
           to
           improve
           our
           Obedience
           into
           farther
           Degrees
           of
           Perfection
           ;
           and
           so
           long
           as
           we
           fall
           short
           of
           this
           we
           are
           bad
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Wrath
           of
           God
           abides
           upon
           us
           .
           And
           so
           I
           have
           done
           with
           the
           First
           Part
           of
           the
           Text
           ,
           We
           should
           or
           ought
           to
           love
           God.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           proceed
           now
           to
           the
           second
           Part
           ,
           viz.
           the
           Reason
           why
           we
           ought
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           ,
           because
           
             he
             first
             loved
             us
          
           ;
           which
           though
           it
           be
           but
           short
           in
           Words
           ,
           yet
           is
           extreamly
           comprehensive
           in
           Sense
           ,
           containing
           in
           it
           such
           puissant
           Motives
           and
           endearing
           Obligations
           as
           cannot
           but
           affect
           us
           if
           we
           have
           any
           Spark
           of
           Tenderness
           or
           Ingenuity
           remaining
           in
           us
           .
           For
           in
           this
           Argument
           or
           Reason
           these
           six
           Things
           are
           implyed
           ;
           
             
               1.
               
               That
               he
               began
               in
               Love
               to
               us
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               That
               he
               began
               before
               we
               could
               any
               Way
               deserve
               it
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               That
               he
               
                 began
                 to
                 love
                 us
              
               when
               we
               deserved
               his
               Hatred
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               That
               he
               began
               when
               he
               foresaw
               he
               could
               never
               make
               any
               Advantage
               by
               it
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               He
               
                 began
                 to
                 love
                 us
              
               to
               such
               a
               Degree
               as
               to
               think
               nothing
               
                 too
                 dear
              
               or
               
                 too
                 good
              
               for
               us
               .
            
             
               6.
               
               That
               he
               so
               began
               to
               love
               us
               as
               to
               condescend
               by
               all
               the
               Arts
               of
               Importunity
               to
               court
               us
               to
               accept
               his
               Love
               :
               All
               which
               are
               very
               powerful
               Considerations
               to
               engage
               us
               to
               return
               him
               Love
               for
               Love.
               
            
          
        
         
         
           1.
           
           He
           began
           in
           Love
           to
           us
           .
           Had
           he
           only
           engaged
           himself
           to
           re-love
           us
           whensoever
           we
           began
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           mean
           Time
           remained
           indifferent
           in
           his
           Affection
           towards
           us
           ,
           this
           would
           have
           been
           a
           
             mighty
             endearing
          
           Obligation
           .
           For
           the
           
             great
             Majesty
          
           of
           Heaven
           to
           take
           Notice
           of
           the
           Loves
           of
           such
           poor
           Worms
           as
           we
           ,
           and
           much
           more
           to
           engage
           himself
           to
           repay
           them
           with
           a
           correspondent
           Affection
           ,
           is
           in
           it self
           a
           noble
           Expression
           of
           his
           great
           and
           generous
           Goodness
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           should
           not
           only
           take
           Notice
           of
           ,
           and
           return
           our
           Love
           ,
           but
           forestal
           and
           anticipate
           it
           ;
           that
           he
           should
           condescend
           to
           make
           the
           first
           Address
           and
           Tender
           of
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           such
           an
           Expression
           of
           Goodness
           as
           is
           sufficient
           to
           inflame
           the
           most
           stupid
           and
           insensible
           Soul.
           For
           he
           that
           loves
           another
           lays
           an
           Obligation
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           renders
           him
           extreamly
           beholding
           ;
           he
           lends
           him
           his
           Heart
           and
           Soul
           which
           are
           much
           more
           valuable
           than
           Money
           ,
           and
           he
           becomes
           his
           Creditor
           and
           acquires
           a
           just
           Claim
           to
           be
           repaid
           with
           mutual
           Affection
           :
           For
           not
           to
           repay
           Love
           for
           Love
           ,
           is
           equally
           unjust
           and
           ungrateful
           .
           He
           therefore
           that
           begins
           to
           love
           ,
           doth
           thereby
           render
           the
           Person
           beloved
           his
           Debtor
           ,
           and
           acquires
           a
           just
           Right
           to
           be
           Beloved
           by
           him
           again
           ,
           though
           he
           should
           have
           no
           other
           Pretence
           to
           ,
           or
           Interest
           in
           his
           
           Affections
           ,
           especially
           if
           he
           be
           one
           who
           is
           much
           our
           Superiour
           in
           all
           endearing
           Perfections
           and
           Accomplishments
           ;
           because
           this
           must
           needs
           render
           his
           Love
           more
           valuable
           ,
           and
           consequently
           augment
           our
           Obligation
           to
           re-love
           him
           .
           When
           therefore
           the
           
             great
             God
          
           himself
           shall
           begin
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           who
           doth
           so
           infinitely
           excel
           us
           in
           all
           Manner
           of
           amiable
           Perfections
           ,
           how
           deeply
           are
           we
           obliged
           and
           beholding
           to
           him
           ?
           What
           infinite
           Sums
           of
           Love
           must
           we
           owe
           him
           ?
           If
           he
           had
           laid
           no
           other
           Obligation
           upon
           us
           ,
           had
           neither
           made
           ,
           nor
           fed
           ,
           nor
           clothed
           ,
           nor
           provided
           for
           us
           ;
           if
           he
           had
           no
           other
           Claim
           to
           our
           Love
           but
           only
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           first
           loved
           us
           ;
           yet
           this
           is
           such
           as
           we
           cannot
           frustrate
           without
           being
           extreamly
           unjust
           and
           ungrateful
           .
           For
           he
           is
           so
           much
           afore-hand
           in
           Kindness
           with
           us
           ,
           hath
           so
           much
           gotten
           the
           start
           of
           us
           in
           Love
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           never
           be
           able
           to
           overtake
           him
           .
           He
           loved
           us
           long
           before
           we
           had
           a
           Being
           ,
           when
           we
           existed
           only
           in
           
             his
             own
          
           Decree
           to
           make
           us
           Men
           ,
           and
           to
           provide
           for
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           so
           that
           now
           we
           are
           so
           far
           behind-hand
           in
           Arrears
           of
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           need
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           have
           an
           Eternity
           to
           discharge
           them
           ;
           and
           should
           we
           from
           henceforth
           every
           Moment
           love
           him
           more
           and
           more
           to
           the
           
             longest
             imaginary
          
           Period
           of
           Duration
           ,
           yet
           we
           shall
           still
           owe
           him
           all
           that
           Eternity
           of
           
           Love
           that
           was
           due
           before
           we
           began
           to
           love
           him
           .
           And
           shall
           we
           grudg
           to
           pay
           him
           a
           Mite
           to
           whom
           we
           are
           indebted
           Millions
           ?
           And
           is
           it
           not
           high
           Time
           for
           us
           to
           begin
           to
           love
           him
           now
           ,
           who
           hath
           loved
           us
           so
           long
           already
           for
           nothing
           without
           the
           least
           Shadow
           of
           Requital
           ?
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           He
           began
           to
           love
           us
           before
           we
           could
           any
           ways
           deserve
           it
           .
           For
           it
           is
           impossible
           for
           a
           Creature
           that
           ows
           all
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           Fountain
           of
           its
           Being
           ,
           to
           deserve
           any
           Thing
           at
           his
           Hands
           ;
           because
           he
           hath
           every
           Thing
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           can
           render
           him
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           
             his
             own
          
           already
           by
           an
           unalienable
           Propriety
           .
           But
           the
           noblest
           and
           most
           acceptable
           Sacrifice
           that
           we
           are
           able
           to
           render
           unto
           God
           is
           our
           hearty
           and
           unfeigned
           Love
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           for
           us
           any
           way
           to
           deserve
           his
           Love
           ,
           who
           is
           so
           much
           above
           us
           ,
           and
           hath
           such
           an
           absolute
           Dominion
           over
           us
           ,
           it
           would
           doubtless
           be
           Offering
           up
           our
           Souls
           to
           him
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           and
           Affection
           ;
           for
           t
           is
           this
           alone
           that
           consecrates
           all
           our
           Services
           ,
           and
           renders
           them
           valuable
           in
           the
           Eyes
           of
           God.
           If
           Love
           ,
           like
           an
           universal
           Soul
           ,
           be
           not
           diffused
           throughout
           all
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           doth
           not
           act
           and
           animate
           every
           Part
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           God's
           Account
           all
           our
           demure
           Pretences
           are
           nothing
           but
           the
           lifeless
           Puppits
           and
           Images
           of
           
             true
             Religion
          
           ;
           
           which
           though
           they
           may
           speak
           and
           move
           and
           act
           like
           that
           which
           they
           represent
           and
           imitate
           ,
           yet
           want
           that
           inward
           Form
           and
           Principle
           that
           gives
           it
           Life
           and
           Motion
           ;
           and
           to
           have
           nothing
           of
           Religion
           but
           merely
           the
           Shape
           and
           Outside
           ,
           is
           as
           bad
           ,
           at
           least
           in
           God's
           Account
           ,
           as
           to
           have
           none
           at
           all
           .
           Since
           therefore
           't
           is
           Love
           that
           gives
           Worth
           and
           Value
           to
           all
           our
           other
           Services
           ,
           and
           renders
           them
           acceptable
           to
           God
           ;
           it
           hence
           necessarily
           follows
           ,
           that
           it self
           is
           the
           most
           grateful
           Thing
           we
           can
           render
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           this
           is
           wanting
           ,
           we
           are
           so
           far
           from
           being
           capable
           of
           deserving
           his
           Love
           ,
           that
           nothing
           we
           do
           can
           be
           pleasing
           or
           acceptable
           in
           his
           Eyes
           .
           Wherefore
           since
           he
           loved
           us
           before
           we
           loved
           him
           ,
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           it
           was
           not
           our
           Desert
           ,
           but
           
             his
             own
          
           Goodness
           that
           first
           endeared
           him
           to
           us
           ;
           for
           when
           we
           did
           not
           love
           him
           ,
           we
           could
           have
           neither
           Form
           nor
           Comliness
           to
           attract
           his
           Love
           ;
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           being
           the
           only
           Beauty
           that
           can
           render
           us
           amiable
           in
           his
           Eyes
           :
           So
           that
           he
           could
           have
           no
           other
           Motive
           to
           incline
           him
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           but
           only
           the
           immense
           Benevolence
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           Since
           therefore
           he
           hath
           loved
           me
           without
           any
           Desert
           of
           mine
           ,
           can
           I
           forbear
           to
           love
           him
           who
           hath
           deserved
           so
           well
           of
           me
           ?
           If
           he
           had
           never
           expressed
           any
           Kindness
           towards
           me
           ,
           yet
           I
           have
           infinite
           Reason
           to
           love
           
           him
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           infinite
           Loveliness
           of
           his
           Nature
           ;
           but
           when
           I
           add
           to
           this
           the
           unspeakable
           Love
           he
           bore
           me
           when
           I
           had
           neither
           Beauty
           to
           endear
           ,
           nor
           Desert
           to
           oblige
           him
           ;
           what
           a
           tender
           Care
           he
           took
           of
           my
           Welfare
           ,
           and
           how
           big
           his
           Thoughts
           were
           with
           Designs
           of
           Kindness
           to
           me
           ;
           I
           am
           not
           able
           to
           reflect
           upon
           my
           Coldness
           and
           Indifference
           towards
           him
           without
           the
           greatest
           Shame
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           especially
           considering
           ,
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           That
           he
           began
           to
           love
           us
           when
           we
           deserved
           his
           Hatred
           .
           And
           indeed
           if
           we
           consider
           the
           wretched
           Condition
           in
           which
           his
           Love
           found
           us
           when
           it
           first
           addressed
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           cast
           its
           gracious
           Eyes
           upon
           us
           ;
           we
           shall
           find
           sufficient
           Reason
           to
           wonder
           that
           it
           did
           not
           immediately
           convert
           into
           implacable
           Fury
           .
           For
           when
           it
           first
           looked
           down
           on
           us
           from
           the
           Battlements
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           it
           beheld
           us
           wallowing
           in
           our
           Blood
           ,
           all
           polluted
           and
           distained
           with
           the
           foulest
           Treasons
           and
           Rebellions
           .
           It
           saw
           us
           unanimously
           engaged
           in
           an
           unnatural
           Conspiracy
           against
           the
           blessed
           Author
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           converting
           those
           very
           Faculties
           he
           bestowed
           upon
           us
           into
           Weapons
           of
           Rebellion
           against
           him
           ,
           and
           arming
           the
           Effects
           of
           his
           Bounty
           against
           his
           Sovereign
           Authority
           .
           It
           beheld
           our
           Natures
           all
           depraved
           and
           vitiated
           ,
           our
           Faculties
           all
           
           disordered
           and
           confused
           ,
           our
           Minds
           surrounded
           with
           
             Egyptian
             Darkness
          
           ,
           our
           Wills
           byassed
           with
           wild
           and
           irregular
           Inclinations
           ,
           our
           Affections
           overgrown
           with
           monstrous
           and
           preternatural
           Lusts
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           beautiful
           Structure
           of
           our
           Natures
           most
           miserably
           disfigured
           and
           deformed
           ;
           and
           certainly
           one
           would
           have
           thought
           that
           such
           a
           loathsome
           Spectacle
           as
           this
           might
           have
           been
           sufficient
           to
           extinguish
           his
           Love
           
             for
             ever
          
           ,
           and
           stifle
           all
           his
           tender
           Resentments
           towards
           us
           .
           But
           so
           invincible
           was
           his
           Kindness
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           Deformities
           we
           had
           superinduced
           upon
           our
           Natures
           ,
           all
           our
           Unworthiness
           to
           be
           beloved
           by
           him
           ,
           all
           the
           rude
           Affronts
           and
           Indignities
           we
           had
           offered
           ,
           were
           not
           able
           so
           much
           as
           for
           one
           Moment
           to
           stop
           or
           divert
           the
           impetuous
           Current
           of
           his
           Goodness
           .
           But
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           so
           many
           Reasons
           that
           he
           had
           to
           hate
           us
           ,
           he
           fixed
           his
           Love
           upon
           us
           ;
           and
           notwithstanding
           the
           Continuance
           of
           those
           Reasons
           doth
           still
           persist
           to
           love
           us
           ;
           and
           while
           we
           are
           abusing
           of
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           dishonouring
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           trampling
           on
           his
           Laws
           and
           Authority
           ,
           he
           is
           continually
           mindful
           and
           active
           to
           do
           us
           good
           ,
           and
           doth
           incessantly
           imploy
           his
           restless
           Thoughts
           ,
           extend
           his
           watchful
           Eye
           ,
           and
           exert
           his
           powerful
           Arm
           to
           contrive
           ,
           promote
           and
           procure
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           were
           resolved
           to
           be
           
           as
           obstinate
           in
           Love
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           in
           Unkindness
           ,
           to
           contend
           with
           us
           for
           Victory
           ,
           and
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           to
           vanquish
           us
           with
           the
           Charms
           of
           an
           invincible
           Kindness
           .
           And
           now
           methinks
           it
           should
           be
           impossible
           for
           any
           one
           that
           hath
           but
           the
           Reason
           of
           a
           Man
           to
           be
           so
           base
           and
           disingenuous
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           endeared
           by
           such
           a
           victorious
           Love.
           O
           
             blessed
             God!
          
           dost
           thou
           love
           me
           who
           have
           so
           many
           ways
           deserved
           thy
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           can
           I
           hate
           thee
           who
           hast
           so
           infinitely
           merited
           my
           Love
           ?
           Have
           I
           not
           been
           long
           enough
           thine
           Enemy
           already
           ,
           and
           hast
           thou
           not
           been
           long
           enough
           my
           Friend
           at
           last
           to
           thaw
           my
           obdurate
           Enmity
           ,
           and
           melt
           me
           into
           a
           reciprocal
           Kindness
           ?
           
             Barbarous
             Heart
          
           !
           Canst
           thou
           still
           withstand
           these
           puissant
           Endearments
           of
           Almighty
           Love
           ,
           that
           hath
           so
           long
           repay'd
           thee
           Smiles
           for
           Affronts
           ,
           and
           returned
           thee
           Favours
           for
           Provocations
           ?
           For
           shame
           ,
           if
           thou
           hast
           any
           Sense
           of
           Gratitude
           or
           Modesty
           in
           thee
           ,
           be
           at
           last
           persuaded
           to
           hearken
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           thy
           Maker
           ,
           and
           to
           return
           him
           Love
           for
           Love.
           
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           He
           
             began
             to
             love
             us
          
           when
           he
           could
           never
           reap
           the
           least
           Advantage
           to
           himself
           by
           it
           .
           Had
           we
           been
           capable
           either
           of
           benefiting
           or
           injuring
           him
           ,
           of
           adding
           to
           ,
           or
           substracting
           from
           his
           Happiness
           ,
           his
           own
           Interest
           might
           have
           obliged
           him
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           or
           
           at
           least
           to
           have
           pretended
           Kindness
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           so
           he
           might
           the
           better
           obtain
           his
           Ends
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           engage
           us
           to
           contribute
           more
           freely
           to
           his
           Happiness
           .
           But
           such
           a
           poor
           Design
           ,
           as
           this
           ,
           is
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Notion
           of
           a
           Divinity
           ,
           which
           implies
           infinite
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           consequently
           infinite
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           for
           him
           who
           is
           infinitely
           happy
           ,
           to
           design
           a
           Contribution
           of
           Happiness
           from
           his
           Creatures
           ,
           implies
           a
           Contradiction
           ;
           because
           the
           very
           designing
           of
           a
           farther
           Happiness
           implies
           a
           present
           Want
           and
           Insufficiency
           ,
           which
           can
           have
           no
           Place
           in
           a
           Being
           that
           is
           infinitely
           happy
           already
           .
           The
           Happiness
           of
           God
           therefore
           being
           so
           immense
           and
           secure
           that
           nothing
           can
           be
           added
           to
           ,
           or
           substracted
           from
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           he
           should
           love
           us
           ,
           for
           any
           Self-interest
           or
           Advantage
           ,
           it
           being
           out
           of
           the
           Reach
           of
           any
           Power
           whatsoever
           ,
           either
           to
           benefit
           or
           injure
           him
           ;
           and
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           can
           have
           no
           other
           Design
           but
           only
           our
           Happiness
           and
           Welfare
           .
           He
           his
           infinitely
           perfect
           and
           happy
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           consequently
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           love
           us
           for
           
             his
             own
          
           Advantage
           ,
           it
           being
           impossible
           that
           he
           who
           is
           infinitely
           happy
           in
           himself
           should
           be
           capable
           of
           receiving
           any
           Advantage
           from
           any
           Thing
           without
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           there
           can
           be
           no
           other
           End
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           render
           us
           
             like
             himself
          
           
           compleatly
           perfect
           and
           happy
           .
           For
           when
           he
           first
           set
           his
           Heart
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           chose
           us
           for
           his
           Favourites
           ,
           he
           knew
           his
           own
           Happiness
           to
           be
           so
           immense
           and
           stable
           ,
           as
           that
           he
           could
           never
           need
           our
           Love
           or
           Services
           ,
           either
           to
           add
           more
           to
           it
           ,
           or
           to
           continue
           and
           perpetuate
           it
           ,
           which
           from
           Eternity
           to
           Eternity
           was
           ,
           and
           is
           ,
           and
           always
           will
           be
           commensurate
           to
           the
           boundless
           Capacity
           of
           his
           Nature
           .
           But
           such
           was
           his
           innate
           Goodness
           and
           Beneficence
           as
           would
           not
           permit
           him
           to
           be
           happy
           alone
           ,
           to
           content
           himself
           in
           a
           solitary
           Fruition
           of
           his
           own
           essential
           Beatitudes
           ;
           but
           to
           gratify
           the
           benign
           Inclinations
           of
           his
           Nature
           he
           must
           have
           Companions
           in
           Happiness
           ,
           upon
           whom
           he
           may
           diffuse
           his
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           imprint
           his
           own
           Bliss
           and
           Perfection
           :
           And
           't
           was
           only
           this
           frank
           and
           generous
           Motive
           that
           first
           obliged
           him
           to
           cast
           an
           Eye
           of
           Love
           towards
           us
           .
           When
           we
           had
           neither
           Worth
           to
           deserve
           ,
           nor
           Power
           to
           requite
           his
           Kindness
           ,
           then
           did
           his
           own
           Benignity
           incline
           his
           Heart
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           invite
           and
           receive
           us
           into
           a
           Participation
           of
           his
           Happiness
           .
           He
           knew
           well
           enough
           that
           the
           most
           we
           were
           capable
           to
           do
           for
           him
           was
           only
           to
           love
           and
           obey
           ,
           to
           praise
           and
           honour
           and
           adore
           him
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           we
           had
           done
           all
           this
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           impossible
           for
           him
           to
           reap
           the
           least
           Advantage
           by
           it
           ;
           
           that
           if
           we
           did
           love
           and
           obey
           him
           ,
           the
           Profit
           would
           all
           redound
           to
           our selves
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           we
           did
           not
           ,
           our selves
           only
           would
           fare
           the
           worse
           for
           it
           ;
           so
           that
           whether
           we
           did
           or
           no
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           all
           one
           to
           him
           ;
           his
           Happiness
           would
           be
           still
           the
           same
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           Addition
           or
           Substraction
           .
           And
           yet
           when
           Things
           were
           in
           this
           Posture
           ,
           when
           he
           had
           no
           Self-interest
           to
           serve
           upon
           us
           ,
           no
           Motive
           but
           his
           own
           Benignity
           to
           endear
           him
           to
           us
           ,
           then
           did
           he
           begin
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           express
           the
           Earnings
           of
           his
           Heart
           and
           Bowels
           towards
           us
           .
           And
           now
           how
           can
           we
           think
           of
           this
           ,
           and
           not
           be
           affected
           with
           it
           ?
           How
           can
           we
           any
           longer
           avoid
           being
           captivated
           with
           the
           Thoughts
           of
           such
           a
           generous
           Kindness
           ?
           Consider
           ,
           O
           
             my
             Soul
          
           ,
           thy
           God
           gains
           nothing
           by
           all
           his
           Love
           to
           thee
           ,
           but
           thou
           gainest
           infinitely
           by
           thy
           Love
           to
           him
           ;
           by
           loving
           him
           thou
           glorifiest
           thy self
           ,
           and
           crownest
           thy
           own
           Desires
           with
           Happiness
           .
           But
           he
           is
           not
           one
           jot
           the
           better
           for
           loving
           ,
           nor
           would
           he
           have
           been
           one
           jot
           the
           worse
           if
           he
           had
           never
           loved
           thee
           at
           all
           ;
           and
           yet
           out
           of
           
             pure
             generous
          
           Goodness
           he
           loves
           thee
           a
           thousand
           times
           more
           than
           thou
           lovest
           thy self
           ,
           or
           art
           ever
           able
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           and
           canst
           thou
           be
           such
           a
           wretched
           Thing
           ,
           so
           lost
           to
           all
           that
           is
           ingenuous
           and
           modest
           as
           not
           to
           return
           him
           Love
           for
           Love
           ?
        
         
         
           5
           thly
           .
           He
           began
           to
           love
           us
           to
           such
           a
           Degree
           ,
           as
           to
           think
           nothing
           
             too
             dear
          
           ,
           or
           
             too
             good
          
           for
           us
           .
           Considering
           how
           little
           we
           deserve
           his
           Love
           ,
           how
           much
           we
           have
           deserved
           his
           Hatred
           ,
           and
           how
           uncapable
           we
           are
           to
           make
           him
           any
           valuable
           Requital
           ;
           it
           is
           sufficient
           Matter
           of
           Wonder
           that
           ever
           he
           could
           prevail
           with
           himself
           to
           love
           us
           in
           the
           least
           Degree
           ;
           but
           that
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           so
           many
           Reasons
           to
           the
           contrary
           he
           should
           not
           only
           begin
           to
           love
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           so
           liberal
           of
           his
           Kindness
           to
           us
           ,
           is
           Matter
           of
           just
           Astonishment
           .
           It
           was
           a
           mighty
           Kindness
           in
           him
           to
           create
           us
           what
           we
           are
           ,
           and
           make
           such
           a
           plentiful
           Provision
           for
           our
           comfortable
           Subsistence
           here
           ;
           for
           wheresoever
           we
           direct
           our
           Eyes
           ,
           whether
           we
           reflect
           them
           inwards
           upon
           our selves
           ,
           we
           behold
           his
           Goodness
           to
           occupy
           and
           penetrate
           the
           Root
           and
           Center
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           and
           discern
           the
           lively
           Characters
           of
           his
           Love
           in
           the
           incomparable
           Frame
           and
           Structure
           of
           our
           Natures
           ;
           or
           whether
           we
           extend
           them
           abroad
           towards
           the
           things
           about
           us
           ,
           we
           may
           perceive
           our selves
           like
           
             Fortunate
             Islands
          
           surrounded
           with
           an
           Ocean
           of
           Blessings
           ,
           containing
           whatsoever
           is
           necessary
           for
           our
           Sustenance
           ,
           convenient
           for
           our
           Use
           ,
           and
           pleasant
           for
           our
           Enjoyment
           .
           And
           is
           it
           not
           wondrous
           Love
           in
           him
           to
           make
           such
           liberal
           Provisions
           for
           such
           undeserving
           
           Guests
           ?
           But
           this
           is
           the
           smallest
           Part
           of
           his
           Kindness
           ;
           for
           he
           hath
           inspired
           us
           with
           immortal
           Minds
           ,
           and
           Stamp'd
           them
           with
           the
           most
           fair
           Impresses
           of
           his
           own
           Divinity
           ,
           viz.
           a
           Knowledge
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           a
           Love
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           a
           
             forward
             Capacity
          
           of
           the
           highest
           Perfection
           ,
           and
           purest
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           to
           fill
           and
           gratify
           these
           our
           noble
           Faculties
           and
           Capacities
           he
           hath
           prepared
           for
           us
           a
           Heaven
           of
           immortal
           Joys
           ,
           and
           furnished
           it
           with
           all
           the
           Delights
           that
           this
           our
           Heaven-born
           Mind
           is
           capable
           of
           ;
           and
           lest
           we
           should
           fall
           short
           of
           it
           ,
           he
           hath
           sent
           his
           
             blessed
             Son
          
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           reveal
           it
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           shew
           us
           the
           Way
           thither
           ;
           to
           die
           for
           our
           Sins
           ,
           and
           obtain
           and
           ratify
           the
           Promise
           of
           our
           Pardon
           ,
           thereby
           to
           encourage
           us
           to
           return
           to
           our
           Duty
           and
           Allegiance
           ,
           without
           which
           we
           are
           incapable
           of
           ever
           enjoying
           that
           beatifical
           State.
           And
           lest
           all
           this
           should
           not
           be
           sufficient
           ,
           he
           is
           always
           present
           with
           us
           to
           promote
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           present
           ,
           by
           his
           Providence
           to
           reclaim
           ,
           by
           his
           Angels
           to
           sollicit
           us
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           to
           excite
           and
           co-operate
           with
           our
           Endeavours
           :
           So
           extreamly
           careful
           is
           he
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           defeated
           of
           his
           kind
           Intentions
           ,
           to
           make
           us
           everlastingly
           happy
           .
           
             O
             Blessed
             God!
          
           To
           what
           a
           Degree
           must
           thou
           love
           us
           ,
           who
           thinkest
           none
           of
           these
           Things
           
             too
             dear
          
           and
           good
           for
           us
           ?
           That
           dost
           
           not
           think
           thy
           
             Son
             too
             good
          
           to
           redeem
           us
           ,
           thy
           Spirit
           to
           Sanctify
           ,
           thy
           
             everlasting
             Heaven
          
           to
           Crown
           and
           Reward
           us
           ?
           And
           now
           can
           our
           Hearts
           hold
           when
           we
           think
           of
           this
           ?
           Can
           we
           be
           cold
           and
           indifferent
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           such
           a
           vigorous
           Flame
           ?
           
             Good
             God!
          
           What
           are
           we
           made
           of
           ?
           What
           
             senseless
             ,
             stony
             ,
             stupid
          
           Souls
           do
           we
           carry
           about
           us
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           Love-proof
           against
           so
           many
           Charms
           and
           Endearments
           ;
           that
           can
           listen
           to
           so
           many
           Wonders
           of
           Love
           with
           such
           unconcerned
           ,
           such
           unaffected
           Minds
           ?
           Methinks
           if
           we
           had
           but
           the
           common
           Sense
           and
           Ingenuity
           of
           Men
           in
           us
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           impossible
           for
           us
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           so
           much
           Love
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           melted
           into
           a
           reciprocal
           Kindness
           .
        
         
           6
           thly
           And
           lastly
           ,
           He
           so
           began
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           as
           to
           condescend
           by
           all
           the
           Arts
           of
           Importunity
           to
           court
           us
           to
           accept
           of
           his
           Love.
           That
           notwithstanding
           all
           our
           Unworthiness
           ,
           he
           should
           begin
           to
           love
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           to
           so
           strange
           a
           Degree
           ,
           is
           a
           most
           amazing
           Instance
           of
           the
           infinite
           Benevolence
           of
           his
           Nature
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           should
           condescend
           to
           address
           himself
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           court
           and
           woo
           us
           as
           he
           doth
           to
           accept
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           as
           happy
           as
           he
           would
           have
           us
           ,
           is
           enough
           to
           astonish
           the
           most
           insensible
           Soul
           ,
           and
           even
           to
           dissolve
           a
           Heart
           of
           Rock
           into
           Love.
           For
           thus
           the
           Scripture
           in
           the
           most
           pathetick
           
           Strains
           describes
           the
           Addresses
           of
           this
           great
           Lover
           of
           Souls
           ,
           borrowing
           Metaphors
           to
           express
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           from
           all
           that
           is
           kind
           and
           loving
           in
           the
           Creation
           ;
           even
           from
           the
           most
           melting
           Passions
           in
           Mankind
           ;
           from
           the
           Relentings
           of
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           Yearnings
           of
           Mothers
           Bowels
           towards
           their
           dearest
           Off-spring
           .
           It
           paints
           him
           in
           all
           the
           charming
           Postures
           of
           an
           
             imploring
             ,
             beseeching
          
           ,
           and
           importunate
           Lover
           ,
           wooing
           and
           intreating
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           ,
           even
           with
           Tears
           of
           Pity
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ,
           with
           Charms
           of
           Love
           in
           his
           Mouth
           ,
           and
           Tenders
           of
           Mercy
           in
           his
           Hands
           .
           And
           when
           with
           all
           the
           Rhetorick
           of
           his
           Love
           he
           can't
           prevail
           with
           us
           to
           live
           ,
           it
           represents
           him
           weeping
           at
           our
           Funerals
           ,
           and
           like
           a
           tender-hearted
           Judge
           pronouncing
           our
           Sentence
           with
           the
           Tears
           in
           his
           Eyes
           .
           By
           which
           Metaphorical
           Descriptions
           he
           represents
           to
           us
           his
           infinite
           Concern
           for
           our
           Happiness
           ;
           how
           much
           his
           Heart
           is
           set
           upon
           it
           ;
           and
           how
           hardly
           he
           can
           bear
           a
           Defeat
           in
           his
           kind
           and
           merciful
           Intentions
           towards
           us
           .
           For
           what
           but
           an
           infinite
           Love
           could
           ever
           have
           made
           the
           King
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           to
           stoop
           so
           low
           to
           his
           rebellious
           Subjects
           ,
           as
           to
           beseech
           them
           to
           lay
           down
           their
           Weapons
           of
           Hostility
           with
           which
           they
           can
           injure
           none
           but
           themselves
           ,
           and
           to
           listen
           to
           his
           Terms
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           accept
           of
           his
           Crowns
           and
           everlasting
           
           Preferments
           ?
           One
           would
           have
           thought
           it
           had
           been
           enough
           for
           him
           barely
           to
           have
           told
           us
           how
           he
           loved
           us
           ,
           how
           willing
           he
           was
           to
           Pardon
           and
           Advance
           us
           ;
           and
           that
           this
           had
           been
           enough
           
             for
             ever
          
           to
           recommend
           him
           to
           the
           dearest
           Affections
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ;
           but
           that
           he
           should
           moreover
           condescend
           to
           supplicate
           our
           Acceptance
           ,
           to
           beseech
           us
           not
           to
           spurn
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           frustrate
           its
           Designs
           of
           Mercy
           to
           us
           ;
           Lord
           ,
           how
           can
           we
           think
           of
           this
           without
           being
           all
           inflamed
           with
           Love
           to
           thee
           !
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           come
           in
           Person
           to
           us
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           not
           able
           to
           bear
           the
           immediate
           Approaches
           of
           his
           Glory
           ;
           but
           many
           a
           Message
           of
           Love
           he
           hath
           sent
           us
           transcribed
           from
           his
           very
           Heart
           .
           He
           sent
           his
           Son
           from
           Heaven
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           clothed
           him
           in
           our
           Natures
           ,
           that
           therein
           we
           might
           be
           capable
           of
           conversing
           freely
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           all
           his
           Errand
           was
           to
           deliver
           a
           Message
           of
           Love
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           to
           court
           and
           importune
           them
           to
           listen
           to
           ,
           and
           comply
           with
           it
           .
           And
           when
           he
           returned
           again
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           he
           instituted
           an
           
             Order
             of
             Men
          
           to
           supply
           his
           Room
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Stead
           ,
           to
           woo
           the
           World
           to
           be
           happy
           .
           For
           
             we
             are
             Ambassadors
             for
             Christ
             ,
             as
             though
             God
             did
             beseech
             you
             by
             us
             :
             We
             pray
             you
             in
          
           Christ's
           
             stead
             ,
             be
             ye
             reconciled
             to
             God
             ,
          
           2
           Cor.
           5.20
           .
           So
           that
           you
           are
           set
           upon
           the
           
           Throne
           ,
           and
           not
           only
           Men
           ,
           but
           God
           himself
           lies
           prostrate
           before
           your
           Foot-stool
           beseeching
           you
           to
           lay
           down
           your
           Arms
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           your
           best
           Friend
           that
           never
           did
           you
           the
           least
           Injury
           ,
           unless
           that
           be
           one
           that
           he
           hath
           loved
           you
           better
           by
           a
           Thousand
           Degrees
           than
           ever
           you
           loved
           your selves
           .
           And
           can
           we
           be
           such
           barbarous
           Wretches
           as
           not
           to
           listen
           to
           him
           when
           he
           thus
           humbles
           himself
           before
           us
           ,
           and
           even
           comes
           upon
           his
           Knees
           to
           us
           for
           Reconciliation
           ?
           How
           justly
           may
           the
           whole
           Creation
           be
           astonished
           to
           see
           the
           great
           Majesty
           of
           Heaven
           condescend
           so
           low
           as
           to
           beseech
           and
           entreat
           a
           Company
           of
           
             rude
             ,
             disdainful
          
           Rebels
           ,
           whom
           he
           could
           every
           Moment
           frown
           into
           Nothing
           ,
           to
           accept
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           at
           last
           comply
           with
           Terms
           of
           Friendship
           ?
           Who
           would
           ever
           imagine
           ,
           (
           but
           that
           sad
           Experience
           evinces
           the
           contrary
           ,
           )
           that
           among
           reasonable
           Beings
           there
           should
           be
           found
           such
           
             Monsters
             of
             Ingratitude
          
           ,
           as
           to
           persist
           in
           Enmity
           to
           God
           after
           he
           hath
           thus
           humbled
           himself
           ,
           and
           made
           so
           many
           lowly
           Addresses
           only
           to
           court
           and
           woo
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           ?
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           how
           many
           puissant
           Motives
           to
           Love
           are
           comprehended
           in
           these
           few
           Words
           ,
           
             because
             he
             first
             loved
             us
          
           ;
           which
           are
           such
           as
           nothing
           can
           ever
           be
           able
           to
           resist
           but
           a
           Heart
           that
           is
           steeled
           with
           
           Impudence
           and
           Ingratitude
           .
           So
           that
           if
           after
           all
           these
           Obligations
           which
           God
           hath
           laid
           upon
           us
           we
           do
           not
           at
           last
           surrender
           up
           our
           Hearts
           unto
           him
           ,
           our
           Baseness
           and
           Ingratitude
           is
           such
           as
           nothing
           but
           our
           eternal
           Ruine
           will
           be
           able
           to
           expiate
           .
           For
           when
           with
           all
           the
           Endearments
           of
           his
           
             Loving
             kindness
          
           he
           finds
           he
           cannnot
           prevail
           on
           us
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           the
           very
           Consideration
           how
           much
           he
           hath
           obliged
           us
           ,
           and
           what
           unworthy
           Requitals
           we
           have
           made
           him
           ,
           will
           but
           incense
           him
           the
           more
           against
           us
           ,
           till
           it
           hath
           converted
           his
           Kindness
           into
           implacable
           Fury
           ;
           and
           when
           once
           the
           Heats
           of
           wronged
           Love
           take
           Fire
           ,
           and
           kindle
           into
           Wrath
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           a
           quenchless
           Flame
           and
           everlasting
           Burning
           .
           Wherefore
           in
           the
           Name
           of
           God
           ,
           Sirs
           ,
           let
           us
           endeavour
           to
           affect
           our
           Souls
           with
           the
           Sense
           of
           this
           dear
           Love
           ,
           to
           warm
           our
           Affections
           at
           this
           heavenly
           Fire
           till
           it
           hath
           insinuated
           it self
           into
           them
           ,
           and
           converted
           them
           into
           its
           own
           Substance
           .
           And
           that
           we
           may
           be
           succesful
           herein
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           with
           us
           these
           following
           Directions
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Let
           us
           season
           our
           Minds
           with
           good
           Opinions
           of
           God
           :
           For
           since
           't
           is
           his
           Goodness
           that
           is
           the
           most
           immediate
           Object
           of
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           ,
           whatsoever
           Opinions
           do
           reflect
           upon
           that
           ,
           or
           any
           way
           tend
           to
           cloud
           and
           disgrace
           it
           ,
           must
           necessarily
           Damp
           our
           Affection
           towards
           him
           .
           Whilst
           therefore
           we
           look
           
           upon
           God
           as
           a
           
             mere
             arbitrary
          
           Being
           ,
           as
           one
           that
           conducts
           all
           his
           Actions
           by
           a
           
             blind
             Omnipotent
          
           Self-will
           ,
           and
           governs
           the
           World
           and
           dispenses
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           to
           his
           Creatures
           according
           to
           a
           
             certain
             fatal
          
           Decree
           ,
           which
           he
           made
           without
           Foresight
           or
           Consideration
           ;
           as
           one
           that
           exacts
           Impossibilities
           of
           his
           Subjects
           ,
           commands
           the
           Lame
           to
           run
           ,
           the
           Blind
           to
           see
           ,
           and
           without
           ever
           enabling
           them
           thereunto
           is
           resolved
           to
           damn
           them
           forever
           for
           Non-performance
           :
           Whilst
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           we
           look
           upon
           God
           through
           such
           false
           Opticks
           as
           these
           ,
           they
           must
           needs
           represent
           him
           exceeding
           unlovely
           in
           our
           Eyes
           .
           For
           though
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           there
           are
           many
           Men
           that
           love
           God
           heartily
           ,
           notwithstanding
           they
           have
           entertained
           these
           sower
           and
           gastly
           Notions
           of
           him
           ;
           yet
           I
           must
           seriously
           profess
           had
           I
           such
           black
           Opinions
           of
           him
           ,
           I
           should
           never
           be
           able
           heartily
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           though
           I
           were
           sure
           to
           be
           damned
           
             for
             ever
          
           for
           neglecting
           it
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           kindle
           in
           our
           Souls
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           let
           us
           take
           Care
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           ,
           to
           purge
           our
           Thoughts
           of
           all
           ill
           Opinions
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           represent
           him
           fairly
           to
           our
           Minds
           what
           he
           truly
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           the
           Scripture
           represents
           him
           to
           be
           ,
           viz.
           a
           most
           bountiful
           Benefactor
           unto
           all
           his
           Creation
           ,
           and
           an
           universal
           Lover
           of
           the
           Souls
           of
           Men
           ;
           one
           that
           heartily
           
           desires
           our
           Welfare
           ,
           and
           is
           always
           ready
           to
           contribute
           to
           us
           whatsoever
           is
           necessary
           thereunto
           .
           Let
           us
           firmly
           persuade
           our selves
           that
           he
           desires
           not
           our
           Ruine
           ,
           but
           would
           
             have
             all
             Men
             to
             be
             saved
             ,
             and
             come
             to
             the
             knowledge
             of
             the
             Truth
          
           ;
           that
           when
           he
           finally
           destroys
           any
           particular
           Offender
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           great
           Mercy
           to
           the
           Publick
           ;
           that
           he
           loves
           not
           Punishment
           for
           its
           own
           Sake
           ,
           and
           never
           inflicts
           it
           but
           for
           some
           gracious
           and
           merciful
           End.
           These
           are
           such
           Thoughts
           of
           God
           as
           are
           truly
           worthy
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           infinitely
           apt
           to
           endear
           him
           to
           all
           considering
           Minds
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           Let
           us
           frequently
           consider
           and
           revolve
           in
           our
           Minds
           the
           numerous
           Reasons
           and
           Engagements
           that
           we
           have
           to
           love
           him
           .
           For
           all
           Virtue
           whatsoever
           begins
           in
           Consideration
           ,
           and
           it
           being
           a
           rational
           Accomplishment
           ,
           cannot
           be
           otherwise
           acquired
           but
           only
           by
           Reason
           and
           Discourse
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           considering
           the
           Reasons
           and
           pressing
           our selves
           with
           the
           Arguments
           upon
           which
           it
           is
           founded
           .
           And
           thus
           we
           must
           do
           in
           the
           Case
           before
           us
           ;
           if
           ever
           we
           would
           attain
           to
           a
           hearty
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           often
           entertaining
           our
           Thoughts
           with
           the
           Consideration
           of
           those
           great
           Obligations
           he
           hath
           laid
           upon
           us
           to
           love
           him
           ;
           how
           deeply
           we
           are
           engaged
           by
           all
           the
           Ties
           of
           Gratitude
           and
           Ingenuity
           to
           repay
           him
           in
           his
           own
           
           Coin
           ,
           and
           to
           return
           him
           Love
           for
           Love.
           Nor
           will
           it
           be
           sufficient
           to
           affect
           our
           Hearts
           with
           the
           Sense
           of
           those
           Obligations
           ,
           now
           and
           then
           to
           reflect
           a
           
             few
             slight
          
           and
           transient
           Thoughts
           on
           them
           ,
           but
           with
           
             holy
             David
          
           we
           must
           muse
           on
           till
           the
           Fire
           Kindles
           ;
           we
           must
           fix
           and
           stay
           our
           Thoughts
           upon
           the
           Consideration
           of
           God's
           endearing
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           urge
           and
           press
           them
           again
           and
           again
           till
           we
           have
           wrought
           and
           chafed
           them
           into
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           a
           heavenly
           Warmth
           diffuses
           from
           them
           and
           enflames
           our
           Hearts
           with
           a
           divine
           Affection
           .
           Wherefore
           let
           us
           frequently
           revolve
           such
           Thoughts
           as
           these
           in
           our
           Minds
           ;
           
             O
             my
             Soul
             !
             How
             infinitely
             art
             thou
             obliged
             to
             love
             thy
             God
             ,
             who
             hath
             been
             such
             a
             tender
             Friend
             and
             liberal
             Benefactor
             to
             thee
             ,
             who
             loved
             thee
             before
             ever
             thou
             wast
             capable
             of
             thinking
             a
             Thought
             of
             Love
             towards
             him
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             when
             thou
             didst
             most
             justly
             deserve
             to
             be
             excommunicated
             from
             his
             Favour
             for
             ever
             ,
             and
             who
             had
             no
             other
             Aim
             in
             loving
             thee
             ,
             but
             to
             do
             thee
             good
             ,
             and
             make
             thee
             happy
             ,
             and
             thought
             nothing
             too
             good
             for
             thee
             that
             could
             either
             promote
             or
             compleat
             thy
             Happiness
             ;
             but
             is
             so
             importunately
             concerned
             for
             thee
             as
             to
             beseech
             and
             intreat
             thee
             not
             to
             reject
             his
             Favours
             ?
             And
             canst
             thou
             be
             cold
             and
             insensible
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             so
             many
             prevailing
             Endearments
             ?
             Suppose
             that
             thy
             Fellow-creature
             had
             done
             for
             
             thee
             but
             a
             thousandth
             Part
             of
             what
             thy
             God
             hath
             done
             ,
             and
             thou
             hadst
             repayed
             his
             Kindness
             with
             nothing
             but
             Affronts
             and
             Indignities
             ;
             wouldst
             thou
             not
             call
             thy self
             a
             thousand
             ungrateful
             Wretches
             ,
             and
             acknowledge
             thy self
             infinitely
             unworthy
             of
             his
             Favours
             ?
             And
             is
             it
             less
             criminal
             to
             be
             ungrateful
             to
             God
             ,
             than
             to
             thy
             Fellow-creature
             ?
             Suppose
             thou
             hadst
             a
             Friend
             that
             began
             to
             love
             thee
             as
             soon
             as
             thou
             wast
             born
             ,
             and
             had
             persisted
             to
             love
             thee
             ,
             notwithstanding
             thou
             hadst
             offered
             him
             a
             thousand
             Provocations
             to
             the
             contrary
             ;
             that
             had
             done
             thee
             all
             the
             good
             he
             was
             able
             ,
             and
             constantly
             repaid
             thy
             Injuries
             with
             Favours
             :
             Would
             not
             thy
             Conscience
             fly
             in
             thy
             Face
             ,
             and
             all
             that
             is
             humane
             in
             thee
             upbraid
             thy
             monstrous
             Baseness
             ?
             And
             hath
             not
             thy
             God
             obliged
             thee
             infinitely
             more
             than
             the
             best
             Friend
             in
             the
             World
             ?
             How
             then
             canst
             thou
             excuse
             thy
             Coldness
             and
             Indifference
             to
             him
             ?
             Consider
             ,
             O
             my
             Soul
             ,
             the
             Eyes
             of
             all
             the
             spiritual
             World
             are
             upon
             thee
             ;
             Angels
             and
             Saints
             are
             looking
             down
             from
             their
             Thrones
             of
             Glory
             to
             see
             how
             thou
             wilt
             acquit
             thy self
             under
             all
             these
             mighty
             Obligations
             ,
             which
             if
             any
             mortal
             Friend
             had
             laid
             them
             upon
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             shouldst
             have
             so
             ill
             requited
             him
             ,
             all
             the
             World
             would
             have
             hissed
             at
             thee
             for
             a
             Monster
             of
             Ingratitude
             .
             And
             is
             it
             less
             infamous
             to
             be
             an
             ungrateful
             Wretch
             towards
             God
             ,
             than
             towards
             a
             mortal
             Friend
             ?
             With
             what
             Confidence
             then
             wilt
             thou
             lift
             up
             
             thy
             head
             among
             those
             blessed
             Spirits
             who
             have
             been
             Spectators
             of
             thy
             Actions
             ,
             who
             have
             seen
             thy
             foul
             Ingratitude
             towards
             thy
             best
             Friend
             ,
             and
             must
             therefore
             brand
             thee
             for
             an
             inglorious
             Wretch
             abandoned
             of
             the
             common
             Sense
             and
             Modesty
             of
             humane
             Nature
             ?
          
           And
           if
           after
           you
           have
           pressed
           you
           Souls
           with
           all
           this
           mighty
           Weight
           of
           Love
           ,
           you
           should
           be
           still
           to
           learn
           to
           re-love
           the
           blessed
           Author
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           know
           no
           other
           Expedient
           but
           to
           send
           you
           to
           the
           Brutes
           to
           be
           their
           Scholars
           ;
           to
           call
           for
           your
           Spaniels
           and
           bid
           them
           teach
           you
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           kind
           Returns
           of
           your
           Favours
           instruct
           your
           
             cold
             ungrateful
          
           Hearts
           ,
           to
           make
           proportionate
           Returns
           of
           Love
           to
           your
           dearest
           Lord
           and
           Master
           .
           Thus
           let
           us
           frequently
           argue
           with
           our selves
           ,
           and
           repeat
           these
           Considerations
           upon
           our
           Minds
           ;
           and
           certainly
           if
           we
           have
           any
           Sense
           of
           Obligations
           ,
           they
           cannot
           fail
           of
           warming
           and
           affecting
           our
           Hearts
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           Let
           us
           endeavour
           so
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           to
           moderate
           our
           Affections
           to
           the
           World.
           
             Love
             not
             the
             World
          
           ,
           saith
           St.
           
             John
             ,
             neither
             the
             things
             that
             are
             in
             the
             World.
             If
             any
             Man
             love
             the
             World
             ,
             the
             love
             of
             the
             Father
             is
             not
             in
             him
             ,
          
           1
           Epist.
           ii
           .
           15
           .
           that
           is
           ,
           if
           we
           inordinately
           love
           and
           dote
           upon
           the
           World
           ,
           if
           we
           suffer
           its
           
             Pleasures
             ,
             Profits
          
           ,
           and
           Honours
           to
           creep
           into
           ,
           to
           hamper
           and
           inveagle
           
           our
           Affections
           into
           an
           excessive
           Delight
           and
           Complacency
           in
           them
           ,
           that
           will
           so
           forestal
           and
           prepossess
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           find
           no
           Room
           for
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           in
           our
           Souls
           :
           Our
           Hearts
           will
           be
           so
           soaked
           and
           moistened
           with
           sensual
           Desires
           and
           Complacencies
           ,
           that
           the
           pure
           Flame
           of
           divine
           Love
           will
           never
           be
           able
           to
           take
           hold
           of
           ,
           or
           kindle
           upon
           them
           .
           For
           whilst
           we
           immoderately
           dote
           upon
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           will
           so
           ingross
           our
           Thoughts
           ,
           so
           perpetually
           importune
           our
           Desires
           ,
           that
           no
           Friend
           from
           Heaven
           will
           ever
           be
           able
           to
           come
           at
           us
           ;
           no
           good
           Thought
           or
           Consideration
           that
           comes
           to
           court
           and
           woo
           our
           Souls
           for
           God
           will
           ever
           find
           Admittance
           to
           them
           ;
           or
           if
           now
           and
           then
           they
           obtrude
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           force
           themselves
           into
           our
           Minds
           ,
           the
           World
           will
           be
           so
           buisy
           about
           us
           that
           we
           shall
           not
           be
           long
           at
           Leasure
           to
           attend
           to
           them
           ;
           but
           whilst
           they
           are
           addressing
           to
           us
           and
           importuning
           our
           Affections
           ,
           we
           shall
           feel
           a
           thousand
           
             Rival
             Thoughts
          
           swarming
           and
           buzzing
           about
           us
           ,
           and
           this
           will
           be
           holding
           ,
           that
           pulling
           ,
           the
           other
           clasping
           it self
           about
           us
           and
           wooing
           us
           not
           to
           leave
           and
           forsake
           them
           .
           And
           though
           between
           these
           Competitors
           for
           our
           Love
           ,
           our
           Hearts
           may
           now
           and
           then
           be
           a
           little
           wavering
           and
           irresolute
           ;
           yet
           our
           fond
           Partiality
           to
           the
           World
           will
           so
           vehemently
           incline
           
           and
           biass
           us
           ,
           that
           we
           shall
           soon
           reject
           those
           divine
           Thoughts
           that
           would
           so
           fain
           court
           us
           to
           a
           contrary
           Affection
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           if
           ever
           we
           would
           acquire
           this
           noble
           and
           heavenly
           Virtue
           of
           divine
           Love
           ,
           we
           must
           endeavour
           as
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           to
           wean
           and
           withdraw
           our selves
           from
           the
           World
           ;
           to
           rescue
           our selves
           from
           under
           it's
           Tyranny
           and
           Dominion
           ,
           into
           
             our
             own
          
           Power
           ,
           that
           so
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           dispose
           of
           our
           Time
           ,
           our
           Thoughts
           and
           Hearts
           ,
           as
           shall
           seem
           to
           us
           most
           fit
           and
           reasonable
           .
           For
           till
           we
           have
           recovered
           our
           Hearts
           from
           the
           World
           into
           
             our
             own
          
           Disposal
           ,
           how
           can
           we
           resign
           them
           to
           God
           ?
           Before
           we
           can
           give
           him
           our selves
           ,
           we
           must
           be
           in
           
             our
             own
          
           Power
           ,
           which
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           he
           is
           inthralled
           to
           the
           World.
           Wherefore
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           become
           hearty
           Lovers
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           labour
           so
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lies
           to
           get
           such
           a
           Sovereignty
           over
           our
           earthly
           Desires
           and
           Affections
           ,
           as
           that
           whensoever
           we
           are
           minded
           to
           retire
           from
           the
           World
           and
           converse
           with
           God
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           able
           to
           keep
           them
           off
           at
           such
           a
           Distance
           as
           that
           they
           may
           not
           be
           able
           to
           intrude
           upon
           us
           ,
           to
           mingle
           themselves
           with
           our
           Contemplations
           ,
           and
           divert
           our
           Eyes
           from
           the
           endearing
           Prospect
           of
           his
           infinite
           Love
           and
           Loveliness
           .
           And
           then
           our
           Thoughts
           will
           stay
           and
           dwell
           upon
           this
           ravishing
           
           Theme
           like
           Bees
           upon
           a
           sweet
           Flower
           ,
           and
           never
           rise
           till
           they
           have
           extracted
           thence
           the
           Honey
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           the
           delicious
           Sweets
           of
           heavenly
           Love
           and
           Complacency
           ;
           then
           we
           shall
           muse
           on
           till
           the
           Fire
           burns
           ,
           and
           never
           take
           off
           our
           Eyes
           from
           God
           till
           we
           have
           gazed
           our selves
           into
           Captivity
           to
           his
           Love
           and
           Beauty
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           If
           we
           would
           attain
           to
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           endeavour
           ,
           by
           the
           constant
           Practice
           of
           what
           is
           agreeable
           to
           his
           Nature
           ,
           to
           reconcile
           our
           Minds
           and
           Tempers
           to
           it
           .
           For
           whilst
           our
           Minds
           are
           averse
           to
           the
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           to
           the
           
             Justice
             ,
             Purity
          
           ,
           and
           Goodness
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           most
           powerful
           Motives
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Benevolence
           will
           never
           be
           able
           to
           beget
           in
           us
           an
           hearty
           Complacencey
           in
           him
           .
           We
           may
           admire
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           be
           sometimes
           moved
           by
           the
           consideration
           of
           it
           into
           mighty
           Transports
           of
           sensitive
           Passion
           ;
           but
           't
           is
           impossible
           we
           should
           ever
           attain
           to
           a
           fix'd
           and
           permanent
           Delight
           in
           him
           till
           we
           are
           reconciled
           to
           his
           Nature
           .
           For
           all
           true
           and
           constant
           Love
           is
           founded
           in
           a
           Likeness
           of
           Natures
           ;
           and
           therefore
           till
           we
           are
           in
           some
           Measure
           god-like
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           pure
           as
           he
           is
           
             pure
             ,
             just
          
           as
           he
           is
           
             just
             ,
             good
          
           and
           merciful
           as
           he
           is
           good
           and
           merciful
           ,
           we
           have
           not
           as
           yet
           so
           much
           as
           laid
           the
           Foundation
           of
           divine
           Love
           ;
           nay
           we
           are
           so
           far
           from
           that
           ,
           that
           we
           
           are
           under
           a
           prevalent
           Repugnancy
           and
           Antipathy
           to
           the
           divine
           Nature
           .
           Wherefore
           if
           ever
           we
           would
           be
           sincere
           and
           hearty
           Lovers
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           must
           resolve
           to
           betake
           our selves
           to
           the
           constant
           Practice
           of
           all
           those
           eternal
           Laws
           of
           Goodness
           that
           are
           founded
           in
           his
           blessed
           Nature
           ;
           which
           if
           we
           do
           ,
           and
           persist
           in
           our
           Resolution
           ,
           we
           shall
           find
           the
           Practice
           of
           them
           will
           by
           Degrees
           render
           them
           first
           tollerable
           ,
           then
           easie
           ,
           then
           delightful
           ,
           then
           natural
           to
           us
           .
           And
           when
           once
           the
           Laws
           of
           God's
           Nature
           are
           thus
           transcribed
           and
           copyed
           into
           ours
           ,
           when
           our
           Hearts
           and
           his
           stand
           bent
           the
           same
           Way
           ,
           and
           are
           for
           the
           main
           alike
           inclined
           and
           disposed
           ;
           then
           we
           are
           prepared
           for
           divine
           Love
           ,
           made
           proper
           and
           convenient
           Fuel
           to
           receive
           that
           heavenly
           Flame
           .
           For
           as
           when
           God
           sees
           himself
           in
           us
           ,
           his
           
             Goodness
             ,
             Purity
          
           and
           Holiness
           stampt
           and
           impressed
           upon
           our
           Natures
           ,
           he
           is
           inclined
           by
           his
           own
           Self-love
           to
           be
           pleased
           with
           ,
           and
           take
           Complacency
           in
           us
           ;
           so
           when
           we
           come
           to
           see
           our
           selves
           in
           God
           ,
           to
           see
           all
           that
           in
           him
           for
           which
           we
           value
           our selves
           ,
           and
           to
           see
           it
           all
           in
           the
           utmost
           Perfection
           in
           him
           which
           is
           yet
           so
           imperfect
           in
           our selves
           ;
           
             our
             own
          
           Self-love
           will
           endear
           him
           to
           us
           and
           wing
           our
           Souls
           with
           an
           
             active
             vigorous
          
           Love
           to
           him
           .
           Wherefore
           ,
           if
           we
           would
           love
           God
           ,
           let
           us
           live
           in
           the
           Practice
           
           of
           all
           god-like
           Virtues
           till
           by
           accustoming
           our selves
           thereunto
           we
           have
           conquered
           
             our
             own
          
           Repugnancies
           and
           Antipathies
           to
           his
           blessed
           Nature
           ;
           and
           then
           our
           Hearts
           will
           stand
           open
           to
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           feel
           it
           enter
           into
           us
           ,
           and
           insinuate
           it self
           into
           our
           Wills
           and
           Affections
           ,
           like
           a
           sprightful
           and
           active
           Flame
           ,
           till
           it
           hath
           all
           inflamed
           them
           with
           Love
           ,
           and
           converted
           them
           into
           its
           own
           Substance
           .
        
         
           5
           thly
           .
           And
           lastly
           ,
           If
           we
           would
           acquire
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           ,
           to
           all
           the
           foregoing
           Directions
           ,
           we
           must
           add
           constant
           and
           earnest
           Prayer
           to
           God
           For
           when
           we
           have
           done
           all
           ,
           it
           is
           most
           certain
           that
           without
           the
           Assistance
           of
           this
           Grace
           we
           cannot
           love
           him
           ;
           but
           if
           we
           do
           all
           ,
           and
           then
           implore
           and
           Supplicate
           his
           Assistance
           ,
           we
           have
           as
           much
           Assurance
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           the
           Promise
           of
           Truth
           it self
           can
           give
           us
           .
           If
           therefore
           we
           have
           a
           hearty
           Mind
           to
           love
           him
           ,
           we
           shall
           both
           do
           
             our
             own
          
           Part
           towards
           it
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           implore
           him
           to
           do
           his
           .
           For
           so
           when
           we
           petition
           for
           our
           daily
           Bread
           ,
           we
           do
           not
           say
           our
           Prayers
           ,
           and
           then
           sit
           down
           with
           our
           Hands
           in
           our
           Bosoms
           ,
           expecting
           that
           Bread
           should
           drop
           from
           Heaven
           into
           our
           Mouths
           ;
           but
           we
           presently
           betake
           our selves
           to
           some
           honest
           Imployment
           ,
           and
           therein
           diligently
           endeavour
           to
           obtain
           what
           we
           
           pray
           for
           .
           And
           the
           same
           Course
           we
           shall
           take
           if
           we
           desire
           to
           love
           God
           with
           the
           same
           Sincerity
           as
           we
           desire
           Food
           :
           We
           shall
           pray
           and
           endeavour
           ,
           and
           endeavour
           and
           pray
           ;
           we
           should
           be
           diligent
           in
           doing
           what
           is
           in
           our
           Power
           ,
           and
           be
           importunate
           with
           God
           to
           do
           what
           is
           only
           in
           his
           .
           And
           certainly
           did
           we
           but
           know
           the
           Worth
           of
           this
           heavenly
           Virtue
           ,
           this
           Soul
           and
           Queen
           of
           all
           other
           Graces
           ,
           we
           should
           count
           no
           Prayers
           ,
           no
           Tears
           ,
           no
           Endeavours
           too
           much
           to
           purchase
           and
           obtain
           it
           .
           Did
           we
           but
           consider
           how
           useful
           and
           delightful
           it
           is
           ,
           how
           at
           once
           it
           entices
           and
           inlivens
           Men
           ,
           what
           a
           powerful
           Byass
           it
           claps
           upon
           their
           Hearts
           to
           incline
           them
           to
           their
           Duty
           ,
           and
           with
           what
           Joy
           and
           Chearfulness
           it
           carries
           them
           through
           the
           greatest
           Difficulties
           ,
           and
           turns
           their
           Toils
           into
           Recreations
           ;
           how
           it
           clears
           and
           smooths
           their
           Countenance
           ,
           revives
           and
           elevates
           their
           Hearts
           :
           Did
           Men
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           but
           consider
           this
           ,
           they
           would
           give
           neither
           themselves
           nor
           Heaven
           Rest
           till
           they
           felt
           their
           cold
           and
           slugish
           Souls
           inspired
           and
           animated
           with
           it
           .
           Wherefore
           to
           all
           our
           Endeavours
           after
           it
           ,
           let
           us
           joyn
           our
           earnest
           Prayers
           to
           God
           that
           he
           would
           kindle
           our
           stupid
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           touch
           our
           cold
           Affections
           with
           an
           outstretched
           Ray
           from
           himself
           ;
           that
           he
           would
           conquer
           our
           Repugnance
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           represent
           
           his
           Love
           and
           Beauty
           to
           our
           Souls
           in
           such
           affecting
           and
           attractive
           Forms
           as
           may
           not
           fail
           to
           captivate
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           subdue
           our
           obstinate
           Wills
           that
           have
           so
           long
           held
           out
           against
           all
           the
           Storms
           and
           Batteries
           of
           his
           endearing
           Goodness
           .
           And
           if
           we
           thus
           pray
           ,
           and
           thus
           endeavour
           ,
           and
           persevere
           in
           both
           ,
           we
           shall
           at
           length
           most
           certainly
           feel
           this
           heavenly
           Grace
           springing
           up
           within
           us
           ,
           and
           growing
           on
           to
           Maturity
           by
           insensible
           Degrees
           ,
           till
           at
           last
           it
           hath
           gotten
           an
           entire
           Possession
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           subdued
           all
           our
           Powers
           and
           Affections
           to
           it's
           sweet
           and
           blessed
           Empire
           ;
           And
           then
           we
           shall
           feel
           our selves
           acted
           in
           Religion
           by
           a
           new
           Soul
           ,
           and
           carried
           on
           through
           all
           its
           weary
           Stages
           with
           an
           unspeakable
           Life
           and
           Vigour
           ;
           then
           all
           our
           Duty
           will
           be
           naturalized
           to
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           shall
           do
           God's
           Will
           upon
           Earth
           with
           almost
           the
           same
           Chearfulness
           and
           Alacrity
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           done
           by
           our
           blessed
           Brethren
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Which
           God
           of
           his
           infinite
           Mercy
           grant
           :
           To
           whom
           be
           Honour
           ,
           &c.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           
             PSALM
             xi
             .
             7
             .
          
           
             For
             the
             Righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             Righteousness
             .
          
        
         
           BY
           Righteousness
           here
           some
           Expositors
           understand
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Punishment
           ;
           because
           in
           the
           foregoing
           Verse
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             upon
             the
             wicked
             he
             shall
             rain
             snares
             ,
             Fire
             and
             Brimstone
             ,
          
           &c.
           and
           then
           it
           follows
           why
           he
           shall
           do
           it
           ;
           
             for
             the
             Righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             Righteousness
             :
          
           But
           considering
           the
           whole
           ;
           I
           rather
           believe
           that
           by
           Righteousness
           here
           is
           meant
           Righteousness
           of
           Life
           and
           Manners
           :
           For
           it
           seems
           more
           probable
           that
           the
           Text
           is
           a
           Reason
           of
           the
           
             two
             former
          
           Verses
           ,
           than
           of
           that
           immediately
           foregoing
           ;
           but
           the
           whole
           that
           is
           asserted
           is
           this
           ,
           
             the
             Lord
             tryeth
             the
             Righteous
             ;
             but
             the
             wicked
             and
             him
             that
             loveth
             Violence
             ,
             his
             Soul
             hateth
             .
             Vpon
             the
             wicked
             he
             shall
             rain
             snares
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           As
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           vast
           Difference
           between
           Gods
           dealing
           with
           the
           Righteous
           and
           the
           Wicked
           ;
           for
           though
           sometimes
           he
           afflicts
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           yet
           't
           is
           only
           to
           prove
           and
           try
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           render
           their
           Virtue
           more
           
           exemplary
           and
           illustrious
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           when
           he
           rains
           down
           Punishments
           on
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           out
           of
           a
           just
           Hatred
           and
           Indignation
           against
           them
           .
           And
           the
           Reason
           why
           he
           is
           thus
           differently
           affected
           towards
           these
           different
           Persons
           is
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           different
           Affection
           he
           bears
           towards
           their
           contrary
           Qualifications
           ;
           he
           loves
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ,
           and
           that
           makes
           him
           chasten
           them
           in
           love
           ,
           and
           for
           kind
           and
           merciful
           Ends
           and
           Purposes
           ;
           but
           he
           hates
           the
           Wickedness
           of
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           and
           that
           makes
           him
           proceed
           against
           them
           with
           so
           much
           Wrath
           and
           Severity
           .
           So
           that
           by
           Righteousness
           here
           he
           means
           that
           Goodness
           and
           Virtue
           which
           is
           inherent
           in
           righteous
           Persons
           ,
           is
           evident
           from
           what
           follows
           ;
           
             the
             righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             righteousness
             ,
             his
             countenance
             doth
             behold
             the
             upright
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           he
           looks
           upon
           them
           with
           a
           most
           gracious
           and
           benevolent
           Aspect
           ;
           which
           latter
           Words
           being
           only
           a
           fuller
           Exemplification
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           plainly
           shew
           that
           by
           the
           Righteousness
           mentioned
           in
           them
           is
           meant
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           righteous
           Persons
           ,
           and
           consequently
           that
           it
           doth
           not
           signify
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Punishment
           ,
           but
           the
           Righteousness
           of
           Manners
           :
           By
           which
           we
           are
           not
           to
           understand
           that
           single
           Virtue
           of
           Honesty
           or
           Justice
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           Virtues
           ,
           or
           Virtue
           in
           
           the
           general
           in
           its
           utmost
           Compass
           and
           Latitude
           .
           For
           so
           in
           the
           
             sacred
             Dialect
          
           it
           is
           very
           usual
           to
           express
           the
           whole
           Duty
           of
           Man
           by
           Righteousness
           .
           So
           Prov.
           14.34
           .
           
             Righteousness
             exalteh
             a
             Nation
             ,
             but
             Sin
             is
             a
             reproach
             to
             any
             People
          
           ;
           where
           the
           Opposition
           plainly
           implies
           that
           by
           Righteousness
           we
           are
           to
           understand
           all
           that
           is
           contrary
           to
           Sin
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           all
           that
           is
           contained
           within
           the
           Compass
           of
           our
           Duty
           .
           So
           also
           Heb.
           1.9
           .
           
             thou
             hast
             loved
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             hated
             Iniquity
          
           ;
           where
           Righteousness
           being
           opposed
           to
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           or
           Transgression
           of
           the
           Law
           in
           general
           ,
           must
           according
           to
           the
           Rule
           of
           Opposition
           be
           understood
           in
           the
           same
           Latitude
           to
           signify
           all
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Law
           in
           general
           .
           And
           indeed
           all
           our
           Duty
           being
           a
           natural
           and
           eternal
           Due
           ,
           either
           to
           God
           ,
           our
           Neighbour
           ,
           or
           our
           selves
           ,
           the
           whole
           may
           very
           well
           be
           expressed
           by
           Righteousness
           ,
           the
           Performance
           of
           every
           one
           of
           them
           being
           an
           Act
           of
           strict
           Justice
           ,
           the
           Payment
           of
           a
           due
           Debt
           ,
           either
           to
           our selves
           or
           others
           .
           The
           Meaning
           therefore
           of
           the
           Words
           is
           this
           ;
           God
           ,
           who
           himself
           is
           infinitely
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           ,
           and
           good
           ,
           is
           a
           
             constant
             hearty
          
           Lover
           of
           Purity
           and
           Goodness
           in
           others
           wheresoever
           he
           sees
           or
           finds
           it
           .
           In
           the
           Management
           of
           which
           Argument
           I
           shall
           do
           these
           two
           Things
           :
           
             
             
               1.
               
               Shew
               you
               upon
               what
               Principles
               and
               Reasons
               God
               is
               a
               Lover
               of
               Virtue
               and
               Goodness
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               What
               Indications
               he
               hath
               given
               to
               the
               World
               that
               he
               is
               so
               .
            
          
        
         
           1.
           
           I
           shall
           shew
           you
           upon
           what
           Principles
           and
           Reasons
           God
           is
           a
           Lover
           of
           Virtue
           and
           Goodness
           ;
           and
           they
           are
           principally
           these
           Four.
           
        
         
           
             1.
             
             He
             loves
             Righteousness
             ,
             or
             Goodness
             as
             it
             is
             an
             essential
             Perfection
             of
             his
             own
             Nature
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             He
             loves
             it
             as
             it
             is
             the
             main
             Principle
             and
             Foundation
             of
             his
             own
             Happiness
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             He
             loves
             it
             as
             it
             is
             that
             which
             exalts
             all
             other
             Creatures
             into
             his
             own
             Likeness
             and
             Resemblance
             .
          
           
             4.
             
             He
             loves
             it
             as
             it
             is
             the
             Spring
             or
             Cause
             from
             whence
             the
             highest
             Happiness
             of
             his
             most
             beloved
             Creatures
             is
             derived
             .
          
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           God
           loves
           Righteousness
           ,
           or
           Goodness
           as
           it
           is
           an
           essential
           Perfection
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           For
           supposing
           God
           to
           be
           a
           reasonable
           Being
           ,
           as
           all
           acknowledge
           him
           to
           be
           who
           acknowledge
           him
           at
           all
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           in
           all
           Respects
           most
           perfectly
           reasonable
           ,
           otherwise
           he
           would
           be
           deficient
           of
           that
           natural
           Perfection
           which
           the
           very
           Notion
           and
           
           Idea
           of
           God
           implies
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           be
           perfectly
           reasonable
           ,
           he
           must
           be
           supposed
           to
           govern
           himself
           ,
           his
           
             Choices
             ,
             Motions
          
           and
           Actions
           by
           the
           
             truest
             ,
             best
          
           ,
           and
           purest
           Reason
           :
           And
           herein
           consists
           the
           perfect
           Holiness
           and
           Righteousness
           which
           the
           Essence
           and
           Notion
           of
           God
           implies
           ,
           in
           a
           perfect
           Conformity
           of
           all
           his
           Choices
           and
           Actions
           to
           the
           eternal
           and
           infallible
           Reason
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           ,
           in
           chusing
           to
           do
           every
           thing
           which
           right
           Reason
           requires
           ,
           and
           refusing
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           which
           it
           forbids
           .
           And
           this
           is
           so
           essential
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           to
           exclude
           it
           out
           of
           the
           Notion
           of
           him
           is
           in
           Effect
           to
           deny
           his
           Being
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           worse
           ,
           to
           fancy
           him
           an
           
             Almighty
             blind
             Polyphemus
          
           ,
           that
           hath
           an
           Arm
           of
           infinite
           Force
           ,
           but
           no
           Eye
           in
           his
           Head
           to
           guid
           or
           direct
           it
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           submit
           all
           our
           Choices
           and
           Actions
           to
           the
           Conduct
           and
           Government
           of
           right
           Reason
           ,
           we
           stear
           our
           Course
           by
           Gods
           Compass
           ,
           and
           live
           and
           move
           by
           the
           self-same
           Rule
           whereby
           he
           governs
           himself
           ,
           and
           all
           his
           Motions
           .
           And
           when
           we
           do
           what
           God
           would
           have
           us
           ,
           we
           are
           sure
           to
           do
           what
           right
           Reason
           requires
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           sure
           he
           would
           have
           us
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           is
           agreeable
           with
           the
           infallible
           Reason
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           .
           When
           therefore
           we
           submit
           our
           Wills
           to
           God's
           ,
           our
           Wills
           and
           his
           are
           governed
           by
           the
           self-same
           
           Reason
           ,
           even
           by
           the
           most
           perfect
           Reason
           of
           his
           All-comprehending
           Mind
           ,
           which
           never
           can
           deceive
           or
           be
           deceived
           .
           And
           when
           our
           
             Wills
             ,
             Affections
          
           and
           Inclinations
           are
           once
           reduced
           under
           the
           Government
           of
           God's
           Reason
           ,
           we
           are
           of
           the
           same
           Temper
           with
           God
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           formed
           and
           tempered
           by
           the
           same
           Reason
           ;
           we
           are
           affected
           and
           inclined
           as
           he
           his
           ,
           and
           are
           made
           Partakers
           of
           his
           divine
           Nature
           ;
           we
           are
           pure
           as
           he
           is
           pure
           ,
           and
           holy
           as
           he
           is
           holy
           ,
           and
           do
           communicate
           with
           him
           in
           all
           that
           Righteousness
           and
           Goodness
           which
           is
           the
           essential
           Glory
           and
           Perfection
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           So
           that
           Holiness
           and
           Righteousness
           in
           us
           being
           only
           a
           Ray
           and
           Representation
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           more
           Wonder
           that
           he
           loves
           it
           than
           that
           he
           loves
           himself
           ,
           it
           being
           nothing
           but
           himself
           derived
           ,
           his
           own
           Perfection
           copyed
           out
           and
           transcribed
           into
           our
           Temper
           and
           Natures
           .
           Were
           the
           Sun
           a
           living
           Being
           ,
           we
           cannot
           imagine
           but
           as
           he
           would
           be
           infinitely
           pleased
           with
           his
           own
           inherent
           Brightness
           ,
           so
           he
           would
           be
           greatly
           delighted
           to
           behold
           that
           vast
           Sphere
           of
           Light
           which
           he
           diffuses
           round
           about
           him
           ;
           to
           see
           his
           own
           out-stretch'd
           Rays
           shining
           through
           this
           Spacious
           World
           ,
           and
           glorifying
           with
           their
           quick
           Reflections
           all
           those
           dark
           and
           opaque
           Bodies
           that
           are
           continually
           moving
           round
           about
           him
           .
           
           How
           then
           can
           we
           imagine
           that
           the
           
             living
             God
          
           ,
           who
           is
           infinitely
           glorious
           in
           Holiness
           himself
           ,
           and
           loves
           himself
           infinitely
           for
           being
           so
           ,
           can
           without
           vast
           Delight
           and
           Satisfaction
           behold
           his
           own
           Beauty
           ,
           Light
           ,
           and
           Purity
           ,
           shining
           on
           the
           Face
           of
           his
           Creatures
           ;
           that
           he
           should
           not
           be
           enamoured
           with
           the
           Reflexions
           of
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Brightness
           of
           his
           own
           Being
           ,
           and
           take
           infinite
           Complacency
           when
           he
           looks
           down
           from
           his
           Throne
           ,
           and
           beholds
           his
           Creatures
           gilded
           with
           his
           Rays
           ,
           and
           glorifyed
           with
           his
           own
           Glory
           ?
           For
           if
           God
           love
           himself
           ,
           he
           must
           love
           what
           is
           suitable
           to
           himself
           ;
           and
           consequently
           since
           himself
           is
           Righteous
           ,
           he
           must
           love
           Righteousness
           ,
           or
           quarrel
           with
           the
           Perfection
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           .
           And
           this
           Reason
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           implied
           in
           the
           very
           Words
           ,
           
             The
             righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             righteousness
          
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           He
           loves
           Righteousness
           and
           true
           Goodness
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           the
           main
           Principle
           and
           Foundation
           of
           his
           own
           Happiness
           .
           For
           if
           he
           were
           not
           just
           ,
           and
           holy
           and
           good
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           a
           miserable
           Being
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           his
           Power
           and
           Knowledge
           ;
           for
           though
           by
           these
           he
           might
           defend
           himself
           from
           all
           foreign
           Hurt
           or
           Injury
           ,
           yet
           could
           he
           not
           secure
           his
           own
           Content
           by
           them
           ,
           or
           enjoy
           himself
           with
           any
           Peace
           or
           Pleasure
           .
           
           For
           perfect
           Holiness
           ,
           as
           I
           have
           shewed
           you
           ,
           consists
           in
           an
           exact
           Conformity
           of
           Actions
           to
           the
           eternal
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           ;
           but
           God
           having
           a
           full
           and
           perfect
           Comprehension
           of
           the
           eternal
           Reasons
           of
           Things
           ,
           could
           never
           be
           satisfied
           with
           himself
           if
           he
           should
           act
           Unreasonably
           ,
           because
           his
           Reason
           would
           condemn
           his
           Practice
           ,
           and
           his
           own
           Knowledge
           would
           libel
           and
           upbraid
           him
           .
           For
           whenever
           he
           reflected
           on
           himself
           ,
           his
           own
           All-seeing
           Eye
           would
           detect
           him
           ,
           and
           by
           unmasking
           the
           Deformity
           of
           his
           Actions
           would
           render
           him
           an
           inglorious
           Spectacle
           to
           himself
           .
           How
           then
           could
           he
           enjoy
           himself
           ,
           whilst
           in
           the
           Glass
           of
           his
           own
           Omniscience
           he
           beheld
           himself
           so
           odiously
           Represented
           ?
           What
           Content
           could
           he
           take
           in
           his
           own
           Choices
           and
           Actions
           ,
           whilst
           his
           own
           infallible
           Reason
           disapproved
           them
           ,
           and
           their
           Unreasonablness
           exposed
           them
           to
           the
           just
           Reproaches
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ,
           should
           he
           any
           ways
           swerve
           in
           his
           own
           Choices
           ,
           Affections
           ,
           or
           Actions
           from
           the
           eternal
           Reason
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           ,
           he
           would
           be
           so
           far
           from
           being
           pleased
           with
           himself
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           be
           his
           own
           eternal
           Torment
           ;
           and
           that
           infinite
           Reason
           which
           he
           himself
           cannot
           deceive
           or
           impose
           on
           ,
           would
           so
           Expose
           and
           Shame
           him
           ,
           that
           whensoever
           he
           reviewed
           himself
           he
           would
           
           be
           sure
           to
           appear
           a
           most
           gastly
           Spectacle
           in
           his
           own
           Eyes
           .
           That
           therefore
           which
           renders
           him
           so
           infinitely
           happy
           in
           himself
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           much
           the
           Power
           he
           hath
           to
           defend
           himself
           from
           foreign
           Hurts
           and
           Injuries
           ,
           as
           the
           exact
           Agreement
           of
           all
           his
           Motions
           and
           Actions
           with
           the
           all-comprehending
           Reason
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           .
           He
           always
           sees
           what
           is
           best
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           so
           sees
           he
           always
           chuses
           and
           affects
           ;
           and
           this
           makes
           him
           perfectly
           satisfied
           with
           himself
           ,
           and
           fills
           him
           with
           infinite
           Joy
           and
           Complacency
           .
           When
           ever
           he
           surveys
           himself
           in
           the
           glorious
           Mirror
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           ,
           he
           discerns
           nothing
           in
           himself
           but
           what
           is
           infinitely
           lovely
           and
           amiable
           ,
           nothing
           but
           what
           exactly
           corresponds
           with
           the
           fairest
           Idea
           of
           his
           own
           infinite
           Reason
           ;
           every
           Thing
           in
           him
           is
           as
           it
           should
           be
           ,
           every
           Motion
           and
           every
           Action
           so
           perfectly
           good
           and
           exactly
           reasonable
           ,
           that
           his
           own
           all-seeing
           Eye
           can
           discern
           no
           possible
           Degree
           of
           Perfection
           wanting
           in
           them
           ;
           and
           this
           makes
           him
           infinitely
           pleased
           with
           himself
           ,
           infinitely
           joyed
           and
           contented
           in
           the
           Prospect
           of
           his
           own
           Beauty
           and
           Glory
           .
           So
           that
           God's
           Holiness
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           or
           which
           is
           the
           same
           Thing
           ,
           the
           exact
           Agreement
           of
           his
           Choices
           and
           Actions
           with
           the
           infallible
           Reason
           of
           his
           own
           Mind
           ,
           being
           the
           Principle
           and
           eternal
           Spring
           of
           his
           Happiness
           ,
           
           it
           is
           no
           Wonder
           if
           he
           loves
           it
           wheresoever
           he
           finds
           it
           ;
           for
           how
           should
           he
           forbear
           being
           pleased
           and
           delighted
           with
           it
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           such
           a
           continued
           Experiment
           of
           the
           blessed
           Effects
           of
           it
           in
           his
           own
           Bosom
           ;
           when
           he
           feels
           himself
           made
           happy
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           hath
           every
           Moment
           a
           fresh
           Relish
           of
           the
           Joys
           and
           Pleasures
           which
           result
           from
           it
           ?
           Can
           he
           be
           so
           insensible
           of
           his
           own
           Happiness
           as
           not
           to
           be
           enamoured
           with
           the
           blessed
           Cause
           of
           it
           ?
           Or
           can
           the
           Tree
           be
           indifferent
           to
           him
           ,
           when
           the
           Fruit
           of
           it
           is
           so
           infinitely
           grateful
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ,
           it
           is
           impossible
           but
           that
           the
           eternal
           Sense
           he
           hath
           in
           himself
           of
           the
           Joy
           ,
           the
           Pleasure
           ,
           the
           Bliss
           of
           being
           holy
           ,
           should
           infinitely
           endear
           Holiness
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           engage
           his
           Soul
           in
           an
           everlasting
           Love
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           God
           loves
           Righteousness
           as
           it
           is
           an
           Improvement
           and
           Exaltation
           of
           his
           Creatures
           into
           his
           own
           Likeness
           and
           Resemblance
           .
           Every
           Being
           that
           loves
           it self
           ,
           naturally
           affects
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           it
           is
           able
           ,
           to
           derive
           it self
           ,
           to
           beget
           its
           own
           Image
           and
           propagate
           its
           own
           Likeness
           and
           Resemblance
           ;
           which
           is
           an
           immediate
           Consequence
           of
           that
           Principle
           of
           Self-love
           that
           is
           in
           us
           ,
           which
           inclines
           us
           to
           encrease
           and
           multiply
           our selves
           ,
           and
           diffuse
           and
           spread
           
             our
             own
          
           Tempers
           and
           Natures
           .
           And
           no
           Wonder
           then
           that
           God
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           best
           of
           Beings
           ,
           and
           whose
           Love
           
           to
           himself
           is
           as
           infinite
           as
           his
           own
           Beauties
           and
           Perfections
           ,
           should
           affect
           to
           derive
           and
           communicate
           himself
           ,
           to
           beget
           and
           propagate
           his
           own
           most
           amiable
           Image
           in
           his
           Creatures
           .
           The
           infinite
           Love
           which
           he
           bears
           to
           himself
           cannot
           but
           engage
           him
           to
           like
           and
           approve
           his
           own
           Likeness
           ;
           and
           what
           he
           likes
           he
           must
           needs
           be
           inclined
           to
           produce
           where
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           to
           love
           where
           it
           is
           .
           But
           now
           Righteousness
           ,
           being
           that
           moral
           Attribute
           which
           comprises
           all
           those
           Perfections
           of
           his
           Nature
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Glory
           of
           it
           consists
           ,
           is
           the
           only
           Accomplishment
           that
           can
           render
           a
           Creature
           like
           him
           in
           that
           which
           renders
           him
           so
           infinitely
           lovely
           in
           his
           own
           Eyes
           .
           As
           for
           
             Omnipotence
             ,
             Omniscence
             ,
             Eternity
          
           ,
           and
           Omnipresence
           ,
           they
           are
           amiable
           only
           as
           they
           are
           crowned
           with
           infinite
           Righteousness
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           and
           abstracted
           from
           these
           they
           have
           nothing
           of
           Form
           or
           Comeliness
           in
           them
           .
           That
           therefore
           which
           moulds
           us
           into
           a
           Resemblance
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           renders
           us
           like
           him
           in
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Beauty
           of
           all
           his
           other
           Attributes
           ,
           is
           Righteousness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           this
           he
           must
           love
           if
           he
           love
           himself
           ,
           because
           t
           is
           his
           own
           Image
           :
           As
           for
           Power
           ,
           and
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           
             length
             of
             Duration
          
           ,
           though
           we
           should
           partake
           of
           them
           with
           him
           to
           the
           highest
           Degree
           that
           is
           possible
           for
           Creatures
           ,
           
           yet
           we
           may
           be
           infinitely
           unlike
           him
           ;
           for
           so
           the
           Devils
           are
           ,
           who
           yet
           are
           liberally
           endowed
           with
           these
           
             natural
             Perfections
          
           of
           the
           Divinity
           ;
           but
           the
           more
           they
           imploy
           their
           Power
           and
           Knowledge
           to
           unrighteous
           Purposes
           ,
           the
           more
           ungodlike
           they
           are
           for
           being
           powerful
           and
           knowing
           ;
           and
           then
           only
           are
           Knowledge
           and
           
             Power
             god-like
          
           Perfections
           ,
           when
           Righteousness
           and
           Goodness
           is
           their
           Scope
           and
           Rule
           ;
           for
           without
           these
           they
           are
           only
           the
           Perfections
           of
           Devils
           ;
           but
           good
           and
           righteous
           Devils
           are
           Contradictions
           in
           Terms
           .
           Since
           therefore
           't
           is
           Righteousness
           only
           that
           can
           stamp
           us
           god-like
           Creatures
           ,
           God
           must
           needs
           love
           it
           out
           of
           that
           natural
           Inclination
           which
           he
           and
           all
           other
           Beings
           have
           to
           propagate
           his
           own
           Likeness
           .
           For
           without
           Righteousness
           no
           Creature
           can
           resemble
           him
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           he
           love
           to
           be
           resembled
           ,
           as
           he
           must
           needs
           do
           ,
           because
           he
           loves
           himself
           ,
           he
           must
           love
           that
           which
           gives
           the
           Resemblance
           ;
           and
           this
           ,
           and
           this
           only
           is
           Righteousness
           and
           true
           Goodness
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           And
           lastly
           .
           God
           loves
           Righteousness
           as
           it
           is
           the
           Spring
           or
           Cause
           from
           whence
           the
           highest
           Happiness
           of
           his
           Creatures
           is
           derived
           .
           For
           he
           loves
           Beings
           
             more
             or
             less
          
           according
           to
           their
           intrinsick
           Worth
           and
           Value
           ;
           and
           doubtless
           of
           all
           Orders
           of
           Beings
           
           there
           are
           none
           so
           valuable
           as
           the
           rational
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           he
           love
           these
           most
           ,
           he
           cannot
           but
           be
           desirous
           of
           their
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           be
           ,
           he
           cannot
           but
           love
           that
           which
           is
           the
           Spring
           and
           Cause
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           universal
           Righteousness
           .
           For
           the
           Foundation
           of
           our
           Happiness
           must
           necessarily
           be
           laid
           in
           the
           Perfection
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           our
           Natures
           being
           rational
           the
           Perfection
           of
           them
           must
           consist
           in
           a
           perfect
           Complyance
           of
           all
           their
           Powers
           and
           Faculties
           with
           the
           eternal
           Rules
           of
           Reason
           ,
           which
           is
           all
           one
           with
           universal
           Righteousness
           .
           For
           doubtless
           the
           highest
           Perfection
           of
           reasonable
           Faculties
           is
           to
           act
           most
           reasonably
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           act
           most
           reasonably
           when
           they
           govern
           themselves
           by
           the
           unchangable
           Laws
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           Righteousness
           therefore
           being
           our
           Perfection
           as
           we
           are
           reasonable
           Beings
           must
           necessarily
           be
           the
           Spring
           and
           Principle
           of
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           't
           is
           as
           impossible
           for
           us
           to
           be
           happy
           without
           it
           as
           't
           is
           to
           be
           well
           in
           Sickness
           ,
           or
           at
           Ease
           under
           Pain
           .
           For
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           every
           Nature
           that
           is
           capable
           of
           being
           happy
           two
           Things
           are
           requisite
           ;
           First
           ,
           that
           there
           be
           no
           disorder
           within
           it self
           ;
           that
           its
           Parts
           and
           Faculties
           be
           not
           distempered
           ,
           nor
           their
           Vigour
           and
           Activity
           lessened
           and
           abated
           :
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           all
           it's
           Faculties
           be
           imployed
           and
           exercised
           
           about
           such
           Objects
           as
           are
           most
           grateful
           and
           suitable
           to
           their
           Natures
           ;
           upon
           both
           which
           Accounts
           Righteousness
           is
           most
           necessary
           to
           the
           Happiness
           of
           every
           reasonable
           .
           Nature
           .
           For
           in
           the
           first
           Place
           ,
           't
           is
           Righteousness
           that
           rectifies
           all
           their
           Disorders
           ,
           and
           reduces
           them
           to
           their
           native
           and
           most
           genuine
           Temper
           .
           No
           reasonable
           Nature
           is
           well
           ,
           and
           in
           Health
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           it
           acts
           unreasonably
           and
           unrighteously
           ;
           it
           's
           Pulse
           beats
           disorderly
           while
           it
           beats
           either
           faster
           or
           slower
           than
           Right
           Reason
           prescribes
           ,
           while
           it
           acts
           either
           on
           this
           side
           or
           beyond
           the
           Medium
           ,
           in
           the
           Defect
           ,
           or
           Excess
           of
           Virtue
           ;
           and
           whilst
           't
           is
           thus
           sick
           and
           distempered
           ,
           't
           is
           impossible
           it
           should
           be
           happy
           .
           But
           now
           by
           acting
           righteously
           it
           revives
           and
           grows
           well
           again
           ;
           it
           throws
           off
           those
           unreasonable
           ,
           and
           consequently
           unnatural
           Inclinations
           that
           clogg'd
           and
           obstructed
           all
           its
           regular
           Motions
           ,
           and
           by
           Degrees
           recovers
           to
           the
           native
           Temper
           and
           Complection
           of
           a
           rational
           Nature
           ;
           and
           when
           once
           it
           hath
           perfectly
           discharged
           it self
           of
           all
           those
           unreasonable
           and
           unrighteous
           Humours
           that
           disordered
           it
           ,
           it
           will
           then
           live
           in
           perfect
           Health
           and
           Ease
           ,
           and
           all
           its
           languishing
           Faculties
           be
           restored
           to
           their
           natural
           Vigour
           and
           Activity
           .
           And
           then
           secondly
           ,
           as
           Righteousness
           recovers
           us
           from
           all
           the
           Distempers
           of
           our
           Nature
           ,
           
           so
           it
           imploys
           and
           exercises
           our
           Faculties
           about
           such
           Objects
           as
           are
           most
           grateful
           and
           suitable
           to
           them
           .
           For
           Truth
           and
           true
           Goodness
           are
           the
           only
           Objects
           that
           can
           gratify
           a
           reasonable
           Nature
           acting
           reasonably
           ;
           and
           about
           these
           doth
           Righteousness
           naturally
           dispose
           our
           Faculties
           to
           imploy
           and
           exercise
           themselves
           ;
           it
           disposes
           our
           Vnderstandings
           to
           contemplate
           upon
           ,
           and
           our
           Wills
           to
           embrace
           and
           chuse
           that
           God
           who
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           :
           For
           every
           Thing
           loves
           its
           
             own
             like
          
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           loves
           ,
           it
           is
           inclined
           to
           think
           on
           .
           So
           that
           when
           we
           are
           righteous
           ,
           as
           God
           is
           ,
           we
           shall
           naturally
           love
           him
           ,
           because
           he
           is
           like
           us
           ;
           and
           then
           our
           Love
           to
           him
           will
           still
           incline
           our
           Thoughts
           to
           the
           Contemplation
           of
           his
           Beauty
           and
           Glories
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           more
           righteous
           we
           grow
           the
           more
           we
           shall
           love
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           we
           love
           him
           the
           more
           our
           Understandings
           will
           be
           enclined
           to
           meditate
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           more
           and
           more
           till
           we
           arrive
           at
           that
           
             City
             of
             Vision
          
           where
           we
           shall
           see
           him
           Face
           to
           Face
           ,
           and
           be
           eternally
           ravished
           with
           the
           Love
           and
           Contemplation
           of
           him
           .
           Thus
           Righteousness
           you
           see
           is
           the
           Spring
           and
           Cause
           of
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           and
           being
           so
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           love
           it
           ,
           who
           above
           all
           things
           desires
           and
           sollicits
           our
           Welfare
           :
           For
           he
           being
           perfectly
           happy
           from
           himself
           ,
           
           cannot
           need
           our
           Misery
           to
           augment
           his
           Happiness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           cannot
           desire
           it
           ;
           but
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           he
           must
           desire
           our
           Happiness
           out
           of
           that
           infinite
           Complacency
           and
           Delight
           which
           he
           takes
           in
           
             his
             own
          
           ,
           it
           being
           impossible
           that
           he
           whose
           Delight
           and
           Love
           is
           always
           founded
           on
           the
           same
           Motives
           should
           delight
           in
           contrary
           Objects
           ,
           in
           different
           Subjects
           ,
           in
           Happiness
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           Misery
           in
           his
           Creatures
           :
           And
           if
           he
           desire
           our
           Happiness
           ,
           as
           most
           certainly
           he
           doth
           ,
           how
           can
           he
           forbear
           to
           love
           and
           take
           Complacency
           in
           that
           which
           contributes
           so
           much
           to
           it
           ?
           Thus
           you
           see
           upon
           what
           Reasons
           and
           Principles
           it
           is
           that
           God
           is
           so
           firm
           a
           Lover
           of
           Righteousness
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           I
           now
           proceed
           in
           the
           Second
           Place
           to
           shew
           you
           what
           Indications
           he
           hath
           given
           the
           World
           of
           his
           steady
           Affection
           and
           Good-will
           to
           Righteousness
           .
           Now
           these
           ,
           though
           they
           are
           many
           and
           almost
           infinite
           ,
           may
           be
           reduced
           to
           Two
           general
           Heads
           .
           1
           st
           .
           The
           natural
           Indications
           ;
           2
           dly
           .
           The
           Supernatural
           ones
           :
           Of
           both
           which
           I
           shall
           endeavour
           to
           give
           you
           some
           brief
           Account
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           God
           hath
           given
           us
           Sundry
           natural
           Indications
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           all
           which
           I
           shall
           reduce
           to
           these
           Four
           Heads
           :
           
             
             
               1.
               
               He
               hath
               imprinted
               a
               Law
               upon
               our
               Natures
               which
               approves
               of
               righteous
               Actions
               ,
               and
               condemns
               their
               contraries
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               He
               hath
               endued
               our
               Minds
               with
               a
               grateful
               Sense
               of
               righteous
               Actions
               ,
               and
               a
               natural
               Horror
               of
               their
               contraries
               .
            
             
               3.
               
               He
               hath
               
                 coupled
                 good
              
               Effects
               to
               all
               righteous
               Actions
               ,
               and
               bad
               ones
               to
               their
               contraries
               .
            
             
               4.
               
               He
               hath
               implanted
               in
               us
               natural
               Abodings
               of
               the
               future
               Reward
               of
               righteous
               Actions
               ,
               and
               the
               future
               Punishment
               of
               their
               contraries
               .
            
          
        
         
           1
           st
           .
           One
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           imprinting
           a
           Law
           upon
           our
           Natures
           which
           approves
           all
           righteous
           Actions
           ,
           and
           disapproves
           their
           contraries
           ;
           and
           this
           Law
           is
           that
           natural
           Reason
           which
           is
           either
           connate
           with
           our
           Understanding
           ,
           or
           doth
           immediately
           result
           from
           the
           righteous
           Use
           and
           Exercise
           of
           it
           .
           For
           such
           is
           the
           Frame
           of
           our
           Understandings
           that
           whensoever
           we
           impartially
           reason
           about
           Things
           ,
           we
           are
           forced
           to
           distinguish
           between
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           without
           offering
           infinite
           Violence
           to
           our
           Faculties
           we
           can
           never
           persuade
           our selves
           ,
           that
           to
           
             blaspheme
             God
          
           ,
           or
           to
           reverence
           him
           ,
           to
           lie
           or
           speak
           Truth
           ,
           to
           honour
           our
           Parents
           ,
           or
           to
           
           scorn
           or
           despitefully
           use
           them
           ,
           are
           indifferent
           Things
           ;
           for
           as
           soon
           as
           we
           open
           the
           Eye
           of
           our
           Reason
           ,
           we
           immediately
           discern
           such
           an
           essential
           Difference
           between
           them
           ,
           as
           forces
           us
           to
           condemn
           the
           One
           ,
           and
           approve
           the
           Other
           :
           And
           hence
           we
           see
           that
           as
           for
           the
           great
           Strokes
           of
           Unrighteousness
           ,
           they
           have
           as
           much
           the
           universal
           Judgment
           of
           our
           Reason
           against
           them
           ,
           as
           any
           false
           Conclusion
           in
           the
           Mathematicks
           ;
           whereas
           the
           Goodness
           of
           their
           contrary
           Virtues
           is
           as
           universally
           Acknowledged
           by
           us
           as
           the
           Truth
           of
           any
           
             first
             Principle
          
           of
           Philosophy
           .
           God
           therefore
           having
           created
           us
           with
           such
           a
           Faculty
           as
           doth
           so
           necessarily
           pass
           such
           a
           contrary
           Judgment
           upon
           righteous
           and
           unrighteous
           Actions
           ,
           we
           must
           either
           say
           that
           he
           hath
           made
           us
           judge
           falsely
           or
           else
           acknowledge
           this
           Judgment
           to
           be
           his
           as
           well
           as
           the
           Faculty
           that
           made
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           be
           ,
           then
           't
           is
           a
           sufficient
           Indication
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           so
           framed
           our
           Faculties
           ,
           that
           without
           apparent
           Violence
           they
           cannot
           but
           approve
           of
           it
           .
           For
           whatsoever
           our
           Faculties
           do
           naturally
           Speak
           ,
           they
           are
           made
           to
           speak
           from
           the
           Author
           of
           Nature
           ;
           they
           only
           speak
           what
           he
           hath
           Dictated
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           what
           they
           say
           he
           says
           ,
           who
           hath
           put
           his
           Word
           into
           their
           Mouths
           ,
           and
           hath
           made
           them
           speak
           
           it
           .
           Our
           Faculties
           therefore
           being
           God's
           Oracles
           ,
           whatsoever
           they
           freely
           and
           naturally
           pronounce
           is
           as
           much
           his
           Words
           as
           any
           outward
           Revelation
           .
           Since
           therefore
           they
           so
           unanimously
           pronounce
           their
           Approbation
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           it
           is
           as
           plain
           a
           Signification
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Approbation
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           himself
           should
           immediately
           pronounce
           it
           by
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           2
           ly
           .
           Another
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           is
           his
           enduing
           our
           Minds
           with
           a
           grateful
           Sense
           of
           righteous
           Actions
           ,
           and
           a
           natural
           Horror
           of
           their
           Contraries
           .
           We
           find
           that
           antecedently
           to
           all
           our
           Reasoning
           and
           Discourse
           ,
           there
           is
           something
           in
           our
           Natures
           to
           which
           Virtue
           is
           a
           grateful
           Thing
           ,
           and
           its
           Contraries
           very
           nauseous
           and
           loathsome
           ;
           for
           thus
           before
           we
           are
           capable
           of
           Reasoning
           our selves
           into
           any
           Pleasure
           or
           Displeasure
           ,
           our
           Nature
           is
           rejoyced
           at
           a
           kind
           or
           a
           just
           Action
           ,
           either
           in
           our selves
           or
           others
           ,
           before
           we
           can
           speak
           ,
           or
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           allured
           by
           Hope
           ,
           or
           awed
           by
           Correction
           .
           We
           are
           sensibly
           pleased
           when
           we
           see
           we
           have
           pleasured
           those
           that
           have
           obliged
           us
           ,
           and
           as
           sensibly
           grieved
           when
           we
           are
           conscious
           of
           having
           Grieved
           and
           Offended
           them
           .
           We
           love
           to
           see
           those
           fare
           well
           whom
           we
           have
           seen
           deserve
           well
           ,
           and
           when
           any
           unjust
           Violence
           is
           offered
           them
           our
           
           Nature
           shrinks
           at
           and
           abhors
           it
           .
           We
           pity
           and
           compassionate
           the
           Miserable
           ,
           when
           we
           know
           not
           why
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           offer
           at
           their
           Relief
           ,
           when
           we
           can
           give
           no
           Reason
           for
           it
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Evidence
           that
           these
           Things
           proceed
           not
           merely
           either
           from
           our
           Education
           ,
           or
           deliberate
           Choices
           ,
           but
           from
           some
           natural
           Instinct
           antecedent
           to
           both
           ,
           and
           that
           in
           the
           very
           Frame
           of
           our
           Nature
           there
           is
           implanted
           by
           the
           Author
           of
           it
           a
           Sympathy
           with
           Virtue
           and
           an
           Antipathy
           to
           Vice.
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           Beginnings
           of
           Sin
           our
           Nature
           is
           so
           shy
           of
           an
           evil
           Action
           ,
           and
           doth
           so
           startle
           and
           boggle
           at
           it
           ;
           that
           it
           approaches
           it
           with
           such
           a
           modest
           Coyness
           ,
           and
           goes
           blushing
           to
           it
           like
           a
           Virgin
           to
           an
           Adulterers
           Bed
           ;
           that
           it
           passes
           into
           Sin
           with
           such
           Regret
           and
           Reluctancy
           ,
           and
           looks
           back
           upon
           it
           with
           such
           Shame
           and
           Confusion
           ;
           which
           in
           our
           tender
           Years
           ,
           when
           we
           are
           not
           as
           yet
           arrived
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           our
           Understandings
           ,
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           proceed
           from
           Reason
           or
           Conscience
           ,
           but
           from
           some
           secret
           Instinct
           of
           Nature
           ,
           which
           by
           these
           and
           such
           like
           Indications
           declares
           it self
           violated
           and
           offended
           .
           And
           this
           plainly
           shews
           the
           mighty
           Respect
           that
           God
           hath
           to
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           woven
           into
           our
           Beings
           such
           a
           grateful
           Sense
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           Horror
           of
           its
           Contraries
           .
           For
           this
           
           natural
           Sense
           was
           doubtless
           intended
           by
           God
           to
           be
           the
           first
           Guide
           of
           humane
           Nature
           ,
           that
           so
           when
           as
           yet
           't
           is
           not
           capable
           of
           following
           Reason
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           it
           might
           be
           led
           on
           to
           Righteousness
           by
           its
           own
           necessary
           Instincts
           ;
           that
           these
           might
           dispose
           us
           to
           our
           Duty
           ,
           and
           keep
           us
           out
           of
           all
           wicked
           Prejudices
           ,
           till
           we
           come
           under
           the
           Conduct
           of
           our
           Reason
           ;
           that
           so
           this
           may
           then
           lead
           us
           forward
           with
           more
           Ease
           and
           Facility
           in
           the
           Paths
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           What
           a
           plain
           Indication
           therefore
           is
           this
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           taken
           so
           much
           Care
           to
           incline
           our
           Natures
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           given
           us
           reasonable
           Faculties
           that
           do
           naturally
           direct
           us
           to
           Righteousness
           ,
           but
           hath
           also
           taken
           so
           much
           Care
           to
           lead
           us
           to
           it
           by
           Instinct
           ,
           till
           we
           are
           grown
           up
           to
           the
           Exercise
           of
           those
           Faculties
           ,
           and
           are
           capable
           of
           being
           guided
           by
           them
           ?
        
         
           3
           ly
           .
           Another
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           coupling
           good
           Effects
           to
           righteous
           Actions
           ,
           and
           bad
           ones
           to
           their
           Contraries
           .
           For
           if
           we
           consult
           the
           Consequents
           of
           humane
           Actions
           ,
           we
           shall
           generally
           find
           that
           all
           
             moral
             Good
          
           resolves
           into
           natural
           ,
           in
           the
           Health
           and
           the
           Pleasure
           ,
           the
           Credit
           and
           Tranquility
           of
           those
           that
           practise
           it
           .
           For
           so
           the
           first
           
             Great
             Mover
          
           in
           
           that
           Course
           and
           Series
           of
           Things
           which
           he
           hath
           established
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           hath
           ordered
           and
           disposed
           it
           ,
           that
           every
           Action
           which
           is
           
             morally
             Good
          
           ,
           should
           ordinarily
           tend
           to
           ,
           and
           determine
           in
           some
           natural
           Benefit
           and
           Advantage
           ;
           that
           the
           good
           Government
           of
           every
           Passion
           should
           tend
           to
           the
           Tranquility
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           the
           due
           Regulation
           of
           every
           Appetite
           center
           in
           the
           Health
           and
           Pleasure
           of
           our
           Bodies
           ;
           that
           Abstinence
           and
           
             Humility
             ,
             Honesty
          
           and
           Charity
           should
           have
           happy
           Effects
           chained
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           contribute
           to
           our
           Good
           both
           private
           and
           publick
           ;
           and
           that
           their
           contrary
           Vices
           should
           be
           always
           pregnant
           with
           some
           mischievous
           Inconvenience
           ;
           that
           they
           should
           either
           untune
           the
           Organs
           of
           our
           Reason
           ,
           or
           impair
           the
           Vigour
           and
           Activity
           of
           our
           Tempers
           ,
           or
           imbroil
           the
           Peace
           and
           Tranquility
           of
           our
           Minds
           ,
           or
           invade
           the
           Common-weal
           of
           Societies
           ,
           which
           includes
           the
           Interest
           of
           each
           particular
           Member
           .
           Such
           contrary
           Effects
           as
           these
           are
           as
           necessary
           to
           vertuous
           and
           vicious
           Actions
           in
           that
           Course
           of
           Things
           which
           God
           hath
           established
           ,
           as
           Light
           is
           to
           the
           Sun
           ,
           or
           Heat
           to
           the
           Fire
           ;
           by
           which
           he
           hath
           plainly
           demonstrated
           how
           contrarily
           he
           is
           affected
           to
           those
           contrary
           Causes
           .
           For
           by
           those
           
             natural
             Goods
          
           and
           Evils
           which
           are
           appendent
           to
           humane
           Actions
           ,
           
           he
           hath
           plainly
           distinguished
           them
           into
           
             moral
             Goods
          
           and
           Evils
           ;
           and
           those
           good
           and
           bad
           Effects
           which
           he
           hath
           annexed
           to
           them
           are
           most
           sensible
           Marks
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           his
           Hatred
           of
           the
           other
           .
           For
           to
           be
           sure
           he
           would
           never
           have
           made
           Righteousness
           the
           Cause
           of
           so
           much
           good
           to
           us
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           loved
           it
           ;
           nor
           Wickedness
           the
           Spring
           of
           so
           many
           Mischiefs
           and
           Inconveniences
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           not
           hated
           and
           abhorred
           it
           .
           The
           Effects
           of
           Righteousness
           are
           ordinarily
           a
           Reward
           ,
           and
           the
           Consequents
           of
           Sin
           a
           Punishment
           to
           it self
           ,
           and
           this
           by
           God's
           own
           Order
           and
           Disposal
           ;
           and
           pray
           by
           what
           Significations
           can
           a
           Law-giver
           more
           effectually
           declare
           his
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           of
           Actions
           than
           by
           rewarding
           and
           punishing
           them
           ?
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           .
           Another
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           is
           the
           natural
           Presages
           and
           Abodings
           which
           he
           hath
           implanted
           in
           our
           Natures
           of
           the
           future
           Reward
           of
           righteous
           Actions
           ,
           and
           the
           future
           Punishment
           of
           their
           Contraries
           .
           That
           there
           are
           such
           Abodings
           as
           these
           in
           humane
           Nature
           is
           apparent
           by
           this
           ,
           that
           antecedently
           to
           all
           divine
           Revelation
           ,
           Men
           of
           all
           
             Ages
             ,
             Nations
          
           and
           Religions
           have
           felt
           and
           experienced
           them
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           experienced
           not
           only
           among
           the
           politer
           and
           
           more
           learned
           Nations
           ,
           who
           may
           be
           supposed
           to
           be
           persuaded
           of
           a
           future
           State
           by
           the
           probable
           Arguments
           of
           Philosophy
           ;
           but
           also
           among
           the
           most
           barbarous
           and
           uncultivated
           ,
           who
           cannot
           be
           supposed
           to
           have
           believed
           it
           upon
           Principles
           of
           Reason
           :
           For
           though
           some
           of
           them
           have
           been
           so
           rude
           as
           to
           disband
           Society
           ,
           and
           live
           like
           Beasts
           without
           Laws
           and
           Government
           ;
           yet
           have
           they
           not
           been
           able
           to
           extinguish
           these
           their
           natural
           Hopes
           and
           Fears
           of
           future
           Rewards
           and
           Puishments
           ;
           which
           is
           an
           unanswerable
           Evidence
           how
           deeply
           the
           Sense
           of
           another
           World
           is
           imprinted
           upon
           humane
           Nature
           .
           And
           as
           we
           have
           such
           a
           natural
           Sense
           of
           a
           future
           State
           as
           we
           cannot
           easily
           stifle
           ,
           so
           our
           Minds
           do
           naturally
           abode
           that
           we
           shall
           fare
           well
           or
           ill
           in
           it
           according
           as
           we
           behave
           our selves
           righteously
           or
           unrighteously
           in
           this
           Life
           .
           When
           we
           do
           well
           and
           reflect
           upon
           it
           ,
           it
           leaves
           a
           delicious
           Farwel
           on
           our
           Minds
           ;
           our
           Conscience
           smiles
           and
           promises
           glorious
           Things
           that
           we
           shall
           reap
           from
           it
           ,
           most
           happy
           and
           blessed
           Fruits
           in
           the
           other
           World.
           And
           as
           the
           Sense
           of
           doing
           well
           doth
           naturally
           suggest
           to
           us
           the
           most
           ravishing
           Hopes
           and
           blisful
           Expectations
           ,
           so
           the
           sense
           of
           doing
           ill
           fills
           our
           Minds
           with
           sad
           and
           dire
           Presages
           ;
           our
           Conscience
           abodes
           us
           a
           black
           and
           
             woful
             Eternity
          
           wherein
           we
           shall
           
           dearly
           pay
           for
           our
           sinful
           Delights
           and
           Gratifications
           .
           And
           though
           for
           the
           present
           we
           can
           divert
           and
           stifle
           this
           troublesome
           sense
           of
           our
           Natures
           ,
           yet
           
             Naturam
             expellas
          
           —
           is
           true
           in
           this
           also
           ;
           
             though
             we
             thrust
             off
             Nature
             with
             a
             Fork
             ,
             yet
             't
             will
             return
             again
             upon
             us
          
           ;
           and
           a
           Fit
           of
           Sickness
           ,
           a
           sudden
           Calamity
           ,
           or
           a
           serious
           Thought
           will
           soon
           awake
           and
           revive
           in
           it
           these
           black
           Prognosticks
           of
           our
           future
           Torment
           .
           And
           hence
           we
           generally
           find
           that
           bad
           Men
           are
           most
           afraid
           of
           Eternity
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           nearest
           to
           it
           ,
           their
           Fear
           like
           all
           other
           natural
           Motions
           being
           swiftest
           when
           't
           is
           nearest
           it's
           Center
           .
           For
           so
           Plato
           hath
           observ'd
           
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
             〈◊〉
          
           ,
           
             When
             Men
             are
             near
             Death
             ,
             or
             suppose
             themselves
             near
             it
             ,
             there
             arises
             in
             them
             great
             Fear
             and
             Thoughtfulness
             of
             a
             future
             State
             ,
             which
             before
             they
             never
             thought
             of
             .
          
           And
           that
           this
           springs
           not
           from
           Superstition
           but
           from
           Nature
           is
           evident
           by
           this
           ,
           that
           Atheists
           themselves
           who
           are
           most
           remote
           from
           Superstition
           ,
           when
           they
           come
           to
           die
           are
           rarely
           able
           to
           suppress
           this
           ominous
           Dread
           and
           Fear
           of
           another
           World
           ,
           but
           in
           despight
           of
           themselves
           are
           forced
           into
           those
           dismal
           Expectations
           which
           before
           they
           laughed
           at
           :
           A
           clear
           Demonstration
           that
           these
           ill
           Abodings
           spring
           from
           something
           within
           them
           that
           they
           cannot
           conquer
           ,
           and
           that
           what
           their
           Minds
           now
           
           speak
           is
           not
           so
           much
           the
           Sense
           of
           their
           Opinion
           as
           their
           Nature
           .
           And
           this
           Language
           of
           Nature
           is
           a
           clear
           Expression
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           for
           the
           Voice
           of
           Nature
           is
           only
           the
           Voice
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Nature
           ecchoed
           and
           rebounded
           ;
           and
           to
           be
           sure
           whatever
           he
           imprints
           upon
           our
           Natures
           is
           the
           Sense
           and
           Meaning
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Heart
           ,
           since
           his
           Veracity
           will
           not
           permit
           him
           to
           print
           any
           Falshood
           there
           .
           And
           since
           by
           these
           our
           natural
           Abodings
           the
           God
           of
           Nature
           proposes
           to
           us
           a
           future
           Reward
           if
           we
           are
           righteous
           ,
           and
           a
           future
           Punishment
           if
           we
           are
           wicked
           ,
           he
           hath
           hereby
           as
           certainly
           declared
           to
           us
           how
           much
           he
           loves
           Righteousness
           and
           hates
           the
           Contrary
           ,
           as
           he
           can
           possibly
           do
           by
           the
           most
           express
           Promise
           which
           he
           hath
           made
           to
           reward
           the
           one
           ,
           or
           Threatning
           to
           punish
           the
           other
           .
           And
           thus
           you
           see
           what
           natural
           Indications
           and
           Discoveries
           God
           hath
           made
           of
           his
           unfeigned
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           which
           are
           such
           as
           without
           any
           additional
           Revelation
           are
           sufficient
           to
           convince
           considering
           Men
           that
           God
           is
           a
           most
           sincere
           and
           affectionate
           Lover
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           righteous
           Men
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           we
           will
           but
           unfeignedly
           submit
           our selves
           to
           the
           eternal
           Laws
           of
           Goodness
           we
           shall
           thereby
           make
           our selves
           the
           best
           Friend
           who
           is
           a
           never-failing
           Fountain
           of
           Goodness
           ,
           
           and
           who
           will
           do
           us
           more
           good
           than
           all
           the
           Beings
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           should
           they
           conspire
           to
           be
           our
           Benefactors
           ;
           and
           that
           on
           the
           Contrary
           ,
           if
           we
           persist
           in
           Sin
           and
           Unrighteousness
           we
           shall
           most
           certainly
           provoke
           him
           to
           be
           our
           mortal
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           render
           our selves
           eternally
           odious
           and
           hateful
           in
           his
           Eyes
           ;
           that
           his
           incensed
           Wrath
           will
           sooner
           or
           later
           break
           forth
           upon
           us
           and
           prosecute
           us
           with
           eternal
           Vengeance
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           can
           expect
           nothing
           but
           black
           and
           dismal
           Issues
           while
           we
           are
           hated
           by
           him
           who
           is
           the
           Fountain
           of
           all
           Love
           and
           Goodness
           .
           All
           this
           we
           may
           be
           sufficiently
           convinced
           of
           by
           seriously
           attending
           to
           those
           natural
           Discoveries
           which
           God
           hath
           made
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           But
           yet
           because
           he
           saw
           Mankind
           so
           unattentive
           to
           the
           Voice
           of
           their
           Natures
           ,
           so
           unobservant
           of
           it's
           Language
           and
           Meaning
           as
           to
           run
           headlong
           on
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           it's
           Countermands
           ,
           into
           the
           greatest
           Impiety
           and
           Wickedness
           ;
           he
           hath
           been
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           add
           to
           these
           natural
           Discoveries
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           sundry
           great
           and
           
             eminent
             supernatural
          
           ones
           ;
           such
           as
           one
           would
           think
           were
           sufficient
           to
           rouze
           and
           awake
           the
           most
           stupid
           and
           insensible
           Creatures
           into
           a
           serious
           Attention
           to
           them
           ;
           all
           which
           are
           reducible
           to
           these
           following
           Heads
           .
        
         
           
           
             1.
             
             His
             conferring
             such
             great
             and
             miraculous
             Favours
             upon
             righteous
             Persons
             ,
             and
             inflicting
             such
             severe
             Judgments
             on
             the
             Wicked
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             His
             making
             so
             many
             Revelations
             to
             the
             World
             for
             the
             promoting
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             discountenancing
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             His
             sending
             
               his
               own
               Son
            
             into
             the
             World
             to
             transact
             such
             mighty
             Things
             ,
             for
             the
             Incouragement
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
             and
             discouragement
             of
             Sin.
             
          
           
             4.
             
             His
             promising
             such
             vast
             Rewards
             to
             us
             ,
             upon
             Condition
             of
             our
             being
             righteous
             ,
             and
             denouncing
             such
             fearful
             Punishments
             against
             us
             in
             Case
             we
             do
             neglect
             it
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             His
             grantaing
             his
             
               blessed
               Spirit
            
             to
             us
             to
             excite
             us
             to
             ,
             and
             assist
             us
             in
             our
             Endeavours
             after
             Righteousness
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           One
           supernatural
           Expression
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           conferring
           great
           and
           miraculous
           Favours
           upon
           righteous
           Persons
           ,
           and
           inflicting
           severe
           Judgments
           upon
           the
           Wicked
           .
           And
           of
           this
           we
           have
           infinite
           Instances
           in
           the
           several
           Ages
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           there
           being
           scarce
           any
           History
           ,
           either
           sacred
           or
           prophane
           ,
           which
           abounds
           not
           with
           them
           ;
           several
           of
           which
           both
           Blessings
           and
           Judgments
           do
           as
           plainly
           evince
           themselves
           to
           be
           intended
           for
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           been
           attended
           with
           a
           Voice
           from
           Heaven
           declaring
           the
           Reasons
           
           for
           which
           they
           were
           bestowed
           and
           inflicted
           .
           For
           how
           many
           famous
           Instances
           have
           we
           of
           the
           miraculous
           Deliverances
           of
           Righteous
           Persons
           ,
           who
           by
           an
           invisible
           Hand
           have
           been
           rescued
           from
           the
           greatest
           Dangers
           ,
           when
           in
           all
           outward
           Appearance
           their
           Condition
           was
           hopeless
           and
           desperate
           ;
           and
           of
           wonderful
           Blessings
           that
           have
           happened
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           only
           without
           ,
           but
           contrary
           to
           all
           secondary
           Causes
           ?
           Of
           some
           that
           have
           been
           so
           eminently
           rewarded
           in
           Kind
           as
           that
           the
           Good
           which
           they
           received
           was
           a
           most
           visible
           token
           of
           the
           Good
           which
           they
           did
           ;
           of
           others
           that
           have
           received
           the
           Blessings
           they
           ask'd
           whilst
           they
           were
           praying
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           obtained
           the
           Grant
           of
           them
           with
           such
           distinguishing
           Circumstances
           as
           did
           plainly
           signify
           them
           to
           be
           the
           Answers
           and
           Returns
           of
           their
           devout
           Desires
           ?
           And
           so
           on
           the
           contrary
           ,
           how
           many
           notable
           Examples
           are
           there
           of
           such
           miraculous
           Judgments
           inflicted
           upon
           unrighteous
           Persons
           as
           have
           either
           exceeded
           the
           Power
           of
           all
           secondary
           Causes
           ,
           or
           else
           have
           been
           caused
           by
           them
           contrary
           to
           their
           natural
           Tendency
           ;
           of
           Men
           that
           have
           been
           punished
           in
           the
           very
           Act
           of
           their
           Sin
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           in
           the
           very
           Part
           by
           which
           they
           have
           offended
           ;
           that
           have
           had
           the
           Evil
           of
           their
           Sin
           retaliated
           upon
           them
           in
           a
           correspondent
           Evil
           of
           Suffering
           ,
           and
           been
           punished
           
           with
           those
           very
           Judgments
           which
           they
           have
           imprecated
           on
           themselves
           in
           Justification
           of
           a
           Falshood
           ?
           Now
           though
           in
           the
           ordinary
           Course
           of
           Things
           ,
           that
           of
           the
           Wise
           Man
           is
           most
           true
           ,
           
             that
             we
             know
             neither
             love
             nor
             hatred
             ,
             by
             any
             thing
             that
             is
             before
             us
             ,
          
           because
           ordinarily
           
             all
             things
             come
             alike
             to
             all
             ,
             and
             there
             is
             one
             Event
             to
             the
             Righteous
             and
             the
             Wicked
             ,
          
           Eccles.
           ix
           .
           1
           ,
           2.
           yet
           when
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           so
           visibly
           steps
           out
           of
           it's
           ordinary
           Course
           ,
           to
           bless
           the
           Righteous
           and
           punish
           the
           Wicked
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           plain
           Indication
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           his
           Hatred
           to
           the
           other
           .
           For
           these
           irregular
           Providences
           have
           plain
           and
           visible
           Tokens
           of
           God's
           Love
           and
           Anger
           imprinted
           on
           their
           Foreheads
           ,
           and
           it
           would
           be
           Stupidity
           to
           attribute
           them
           either
           to
           a
           blind
           Chance
           ,
           or
           the
           necessary
           Revolutions
           of
           secondary
           Causes
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           stamp'd
           with
           such
           legible
           Characters
           of
           their
           being
           designed
           and
           intended
           for
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           .
           For
           if
           these
           were
           either
           casual
           or
           necessary
           ,
           why
           should
           they
           not
           happen
           alike
           to
           all
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           ordinary
           Providences
           ?
           Why
           should
           not
           there
           be
           as
           many
           Examples
           of
           the
           miraculous
           Blessings
           and
           Deliverances
           of
           the
           Vnrighteous
           ,
           as
           there
           are
           of
           the
           Righteous
           ?
           Why
           should
           not
           as
           many
           Men
           have
           suffered
           as
           remarkably
           the
           Evils
           which
           they
           have
           imprinted
           on
           themselves
           in
           attesting
           
           the
           Truth
           ,
           as
           there
           have
           in
           attesting
           Lies
           and
           Falshoods
           ?
           Why
           should
           so
           many
           have
           been
           struck
           dumb
           or
           dead
           in
           the
           Act
           of
           Perjury
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           that
           we
           ever
           heard
           of
           ,
           suffer
           the
           like
           Calamity
           in
           witnessing
           the
           Truth
           ?
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           why
           should
           so
           many
           bad
           Men
           have
           suffered
           such
           Calamities
           as
           were
           plain
           Retaliations
           in
           Kind
           of
           their
           cruel
           and
           unjust
           Actions
           ,
           as
           Adonibezeck
           (
           for
           instance
           )
           did
           ,
           in
           the
           cutting
           off
           his
           Thumbs
           and
           great
           Toes
           ,
           whilst
           so
           few
           ,
           if
           any
           ,
           for
           doing
           Justice
           upon
           others
           have
           by
           any
           such
           casual
           and
           irregular
           Providence
           been
           exposed
           to
           the
           Evils
           they
           inflicted
           ?
           Since
           therefore
           in
           every
           Age
           of
           the
           World
           there
           have
           happened
           such
           Goods
           to
           righteous
           Men
           as
           have
           the
           plainest
           Characters
           of
           divine
           Rewards
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           such
           Evils
           to
           the
           Wicked
           as
           do
           evidently
           bespeak
           themselves
           intended
           for
           divine
           Punishments
           ,
           God
           hath
           hereby
           sufficiently
           declared
           his
           Love
           of
           the
           one
           ,
           and
           his
           Hatred
           of
           the
           other
           .
           For
           by
           their
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           all
           Lawgivers
           do
           declare
           their
           Love
           and
           Hatred
           of
           the
           Facts
           they
           are
           annexed
           to
           ;
           and
           therefore
           to
           be
           sure
           if
           the
           Supreme
           Law
           giver
           had
           not
           loved
           Righteousness
           and
           hated
           the
           contrary
           ,
           he
           would
           never
           have
           so
           eminently
           rewarded
           the
           one
           and
           punished
           the
           other
           ,
           as
           he
           hath
           apparently
           done
           .
        
         
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Another
           Supernatural
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           making
           so
           many
           Revelations
           to
           the
           World
           for
           the
           promoting
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           discountenancing
           of
           Sin.
           That
           God
           hath
           made
           sundry
           Revelations
           to
           the
           World
           is
           evident
           in
           Fact
           ,
           because
           there
           are
           sundry
           Revelations
           which
           have
           been
           sufficiently
           demonstrated
           by
           those
           miraculous
           Effects
           of
           the
           divine
           Power
           which
           have
           accompanied
           the
           Ministration
           of
           them
           ;
           such
           are
           those
           contained
           in
           the
           
             five
             Books
          
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           almost
           amply
           confirmed
           both
           by
           the
           Miracles
           which
           were
           wrought
           by
           the
           inspired
           Authors
           of
           them
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           exact
           Accomplishments
           of
           the
           several
           Predictions
           contained
           in
           them
           ;
           and
           such
           is
           also
           that
           last
           and
           best
           Revelation
           contained
           in
           the
           
             New
             Testament
          
           ,
           which
           both
           by
           the
           Types
           and
           Predictions
           contained
           in
           the
           Law
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           infinite
           Miracles
           wrought
           by
           Jesus
           and
           his
           Followers
           ,
           who
           were
           the
           immediate
           Ministers
           of
           it
           ;
           together
           with
           its
           own
           inherent
           Goodness
           ;
           is
           so
           effectually
           demonstrated
           divine
           ,
           that
           no
           Man
           who
           weighs
           the
           Proof
           of
           it
           can
           suspect
           it
           ,
           unless
           he
           be
           infinitely
           prejudiced
           against
           it
           .
           Now
           if
           you
           consult
           these
           several
           divine
           Revelations
           ,
           you
           will
           plainly
           perceive
           that
           the
           main
           Drift
           and
           Design
           of
           them
           is
           to
           promote
           
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           suppress
           whatsoever
           is
           contrary
           to
           it
           ;
           that
           the
           several
           Revelations
           made
           to
           Abraham
           and
           his
           Children
           were
           all
           but
           one
           
             repeated
             Covenant
             of
          
           Righteousness
           ;
           that
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Moses
          
           consisted
           partly
           of
           ceremonious
           Rights
           ,
           which
           were
           either
           intended
           for
           
             divine
             Hieroglyphicks
          
           to
           instruct
           the
           dull
           and
           stupid
           Jews
           in
           the
           Principles
           of
           inward
           Purity
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           or
           else
           for
           Types
           and
           
             sacred
             Figures
          
           of
           the
           holy
           Mysteries
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           partly
           of
           Precepts
           of
           moral
           Righteousness
           ,
           together
           with
           some
           
             few
             prudential
          
           ones
           that
           were
           suitable
           to
           the
           Genius
           and
           Polity
           of
           that
           People
           ;
           and
           partly
           of
           such
           Promises
           and
           Threats
           as
           were
           most
           apt
           to
           oblige
           them
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           those
           righteous
           Precepts
           .
           As
           for
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           the
           Substance
           of
           their
           Revelations
           ,
           was
           either
           Reprehensions
           of
           Sin
           ,
           together
           with
           severe
           Denunciations
           against
           it
           ;
           or
           Invitations
           to
           Righteousness
           ,
           together
           with
           gracious
           Promises
           of
           Rewards
           to
           follow
           it
           ;
           or
           Predictions
           of
           the
           Messias
           ,
           and
           that
           everlasting
           Righteousness
           which
           should
           be
           introduced
           by
           him
           .
           And
           then
           as
           for
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           all
           the
           Duties
           of
           it
           consist
           either
           in
           Instances
           or
           Means
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           Doctrines
           of
           it
           are
           nothing
           else
           but
           powerful
           Arguments
           and
           Motives
           to
           persuade
           us
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           those
           Duties
           .
           
           Thus
           Righteousness
           you
           see
           is
           the
           main
           Center
           to
           which
           all
           true
           Revelation
           tends
           ,
           the
           Mark
           at
           which
           the
           
             righteous
             Lord
          
           hath
           continually
           levelled
           and
           directed
           it
           .
           What
           a
           plain
           Demonstration
           therefore
           is
           this
           of
           the
           unfeigned
           Love
           and
           Respect
           he
           bears
           it
           ,
           that
           he
           did
           not
           think
           it
           sufficient
           to
           imprint
           a
           
             Law
             of
             Righteousness
          
           upon
           our
           Natures
           ,
           and
           stamp
           upon
           our
           Beings
           so
           
             many
             Indications
          
           of
           his
           Love
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           seeing
           us
           swerve
           and
           deviate
           from
           it
           hath
           from
           time
           to
           time
           by
           so
           many
           loud
           and
           reiterated
           Voices
           from
           Heaven
           invited
           and
           called
           us
           back
           again
           ;
           so
           that
           if
           he
           be
           cordial
           and
           sincere
           in
           what
           he
           says
           ,
           (
           as
           it
           would
           be
           absurd
           and
           impious
           to
           suspect
           the
           contrary
           ,
           )
           we
           cannot
           doubt
           but
           he
           heartily
           loves
           that
           which
           by
           so
           many
           immediate
           Revelations
           he
           hath
           so
           earnestly
           importuned
           us
           to
           embrace
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           Another
           supernatural
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           sending
           
             his
             own
             Son
          
           into
           the
           World
           to
           transact
           such
           mighty
           Things
           for
           the
           Encouragement
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           persuading
           Men
           to
           it
           .
           For
           to
           advance
           Righteousness
           was
           the
           main
           Design
           of
           all
           those
           mighty
           Things
           which
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           did
           and
           suffered
           in
           this
           World
           ;
           the
           Design
           of
           all
           that
           holy
           and
           innocent
           Life
           which
           he
           led
           was
           to
           propose
           to
           our
           Imitation
           a
           perfect
           Example
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           
           so
           treading
           our
           Way
           before
           us
           we
           might
           have
           not
           only
           the
           Line
           of
           his
           Precepts
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           Print
           of
           his
           Foot-steps
           to
           direct
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           by
           beholding
           so
           fair
           a
           Draught
           of
           Righteousness
           drawn
           so
           exquisitely
           to
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           in
           every
           Part
           so
           exactly
           answering
           to
           the
           sweetest
           and
           most
           amiable
           Ideas
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           might
           be
           both
           invited
           and
           instructed
           to
           copy
           and
           imitate
           it
           in
           our
           Actions
           .
           For
           what
           he
           saith
           of
           that
           illustrious
           Act
           of
           Charity
           and
           Humility
           ,
           his
           washing
           his
           Disciples
           Feet
           ,
           is
           truly
           applicable
           to
           the
           whole
           Course
           of
           his
           Actions
           ;
           For
           
             I
             have
             given
             you
             an
             Example
             ,
             that
             you
             should
             do
             as
             I
             have
             done
             unto
             you
             ,
          
           Joh.
           xiii
           .
           15
           .
           And
           as
           his
           Life
           was
           an
           Example
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           so
           his
           Death
           was
           a
           most
           urgent
           Motive
           to
           it
           ;
           for
           hereby
           he
           made
           Expiation
           for
           our
           Sins
           and
           obtained
           an
           Act
           of
           Pardon
           and
           Indemnity
           for
           every
           Rebel
           that
           would
           lay
           down
           his
           Arms
           and
           return
           to
           his
           Duty
           and
           Allegiance
           ;
           and
           by
           obtaining
           this
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           infinite
           Encouragement
           to
           return
           ,
           since
           if
           we
           do
           so
           ,
           we
           have
           most
           ample
           Assurance
           that
           we
           shall
           be
           received
           into
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           .
           And
           though
           I
           cannot
           deny
           but
           if
           God
           had
           pleased
           he
           might
           have
           granted
           such
           an
           Act
           of
           Pardon
           to
           us
           without
           the
           Consideration
           of
           
             Christ's
             Death
             and
             Sacrifice
          
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           if
           he
           had
           ,
           it
           could
           never
           have
           been
           such
           an
           
           effectual
           Motive
           as
           it
           was
           to
           oblige
           us
           to
           Righteousness
           for
           the
           future
           .
           For
           should
           he
           have
           granted
           us
           Pardon
           merely
           upon
           our
           Repentance
           without
           any
           other
           Motive
           or
           Consideration
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           discovered
           so
           much
           seeming
           Easiness
           and
           Indulgence
           in
           such
           a
           Procedure
           ,
           as
           would
           have
           very
           much
           imboldened
           such
           disingenuous
           Creatures
           as
           we
           to
           presume
           upon
           his
           Lenity
           ,
           and
           turn
           his
           Grace
           into
           Wantonness
           .
           And
           if
           to
           prevent
           our
           presuming
           upon
           his
           Lenity
           it
           was
           necessary
           that
           he
           should
           have
           some
           other
           Motive
           to
           pardon
           us
           besides
           that
           of
           our
           Repentance
           ,
           then
           it
           was
           no
           less
           necessary
           that
           this
           other
           Motive
           should
           be
           such
           as
           did
           clearly
           argue
           and
           evince
           his
           righteous
           Severity
           ;
           for
           otherwise
           it
           would
           have
           no
           Force
           in
           it
           to
           prevent
           our
           Presumption
           .
           And
           what
           Motive
           of
           Pardon
           could
           better
           evince
           his
           Severity
           than
           the
           Suffering
           of
           some
           other
           in
           our
           Room
           ,
           especially
           the
           Suffering
           of
           
             his
             own
          
           Son
           ,
           the
           greatest
           and
           dearest
           Person
           in
           the
           whole
           Creation
           ?
           For
           not
           to
           be
           moved
           to
           grant
           a
           publick
           Pardon
           to
           us
           upon
           our
           hearty
           Repentance
           unless
           this
           blessed
           Person
           would
           engage
           to
           die
           for
           us
           ,
           whose
           infinite
           Greatness
           gave
           such
           an
           inestimable
           Value
           to
           his
           Sufferings
           as
           rendred
           them
           adequate
           to
           what
           we
           had
           deserved
           to
           suffer
           ,
           was
           as
           great
           an
           Argument
           of
           his
           inflexible
           Severity
           
           against
           Sin
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           should
           have
           destroyed
           at
           one
           Blow
           the
           whole
           World
           of
           Sinners
           .
           So
           that
           as
           he
           hath
           expressed
           an
           infinite
           Mercy
           to
           us
           in
           admitting
           
             his
             own
          
           Son
           to
           die
           for
           us
           ,
           so
           in
           refusing
           to
           pardon
           us
           upon
           any
           less
           Motive
           than
           his
           precious
           Death
           ,
           he
           hath
           expressed
           an
           infinite
           Hatred
           to
           our
           Sins
           ;
           and
           so
           that
           very
           Death
           which
           moved
           God
           to
           pardon
           us
           ,
           moves
           us
           to
           stand
           in
           Awe
           of
           his
           Severity
           ,
           the
           Death
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           upon
           which
           we
           are
           pardoned
           being
           the
           most
           terrible
           Instance
           that
           ever
           was
           of
           the
           Desert
           of
           our
           Sin
           ,
           and
           God's
           Displeasure
           against
           it
           .
           Thus
           our
           
             blessed
             Lord
          
           hath
           not
           only
           given
           us
           the
           greatest
           Encouragement
           by
           procuring
           our
           Pardon
           to
           return
           from
           our
           Iniquities
           ,
           but
           by
           procuring
           it
           in
           such
           a
           formidable
           way
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           the
           most
           dreadful
           Warning
           of
           God's
           Severity
           against
           them
           .
           So
           that
           now
           we
           cannot
           think
           upon
           the
           Reason
           for
           which
           our
           past
           Offences
           are
           forgiven
           ,
           without
           being
           vehemently
           moved
           to
           future
           Obedience
           .
           And
           thus
           the
           main
           Design
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           both
           of
           Christs
           Life
           and
           Death
           ,
           was
           to
           recal
           us
           from
           Sin
           to
           the
           Practice
           of
           Righteousness
           :
           And
           hence
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           
             given
             himself
             for
             us
             ,
             to
             redeem
             us
             from
             all
             Iniquity
             ,
             and
             to
             purify
             to
             himself
             a
             peculiar
             people
             ,
             zealous
             of
             good
             Works
             ,
          
           Tit.
           ii
           .
           14
           .
           And
           then
           he
           arose
           again
           from
           the
           Dead
           to
           confirm
           
           that
           righteous
           Doctrine
           which
           he
           had
           revealed
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           visibly
           ascended
           into
           Heaven
           to
           give
           us
           an
           ocular
           Demonstration
           of
           the
           heavenly
           Rewards
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           and
           there
           he
           now
           sits
           at
           the
           
             right
             Hand
          
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           assure
           us
           ,
           that
           if
           we
           persevere
           in
           Righteousness
           ,
           we
           shall
           be
           continually
           befriended
           in
           the
           Court
           of
           Heaven
           through
           his
           all-powerful
           Intercession
           ;
           and
           hath
           assured
           us
           that
           at
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           he
           will
           come
           to
           Judgment
           ,
           and
           faithfully
           distribute
           those
           Rewards
           and
           Punishments
           which
           here
           he
           promised
           and
           threatned
           to
           righteous
           and
           unrighteous
           Persons
           .
           Thus
           the
           main
           Drift
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           of
           all
           these
           great
           Transactions
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           was
           to
           advance
           the
           Interest
           of
           Righteousness
           and
           true
           Goodness
           .
           What
           a
           mighty
           Evidence
           therefore
           is
           this
           of
           God's
           great
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           send
           
             his
             own
          
           most
           blessed
           Son
           upon
           its
           Errand
           ,
           to
           transact
           such
           mighty
           Things
           on
           its
           Behalf
           ?
           For
           by
           sending
           Christ
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           exposing
           him
           to
           Misery
           for
           Righteousness
           Sake
           ,
           he
           did
           in
           Effect
           declare
           that
           he
           valued
           the
           Interest
           of
           Righteousness
           more
           than
           the
           present
           Happiness
           and
           Enjoyment
           of
           his
           most
           
             dearly
             beloved
          
           and
           
             only
             begotten
             Son
          
           ;
           and
           we
           may
           most
           certainly
           conclude
           ,
           that
           had
           not
           Righteousness
           been
           infinitely
           dear
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           
           would
           never
           have
           authorized
           his
           dearest
           Son
           to
           take
           such
           infinite
           Pains
           to
           promote
           it
           .
        
         
           4
           thly
           .
           Another
           supernatural
           Indication
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           promising
           such
           vast
           Rewards
           to
           us
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           denouncing
           such
           fearful
           Punishments
           against
           us
           if
           we
           despise
           and
           neglect
           it
           .
           For
           besides
           all
           those
           temporal
           Rewards
           he
           hath
           proposed
           to
           us
           if
           we
           
             seek
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Heaven
             ,
             and
             the
             Righteousness
             thereof
             ,
          
           he
           hath
           erected
           a
           Heaven
           of
           immortal
           Joys
           and
           Felicities
           to
           crown
           and
           entertan
           it
           ;
           a
           Heaven
           that
           contains
           in
           it
           all
           the
           Beatitudes
           that
           humane
           Nature
           is
           capable
           of
           ,
           all
           that
           Truth
           that
           the
           most
           capacious
           Mind
           can
           comprehend
           ,
           and
           all
           that
           Good
           that
           the
           vastest
           Affections
           can
           either
           crave
           or
           contain
           :
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           a
           Heaven
           whose
           Blisses
           are
           all
           as
           large
           as
           our
           immense
           Desires
           ,
           and
           all
           as
           lasting
           as
           our
           immortal
           Beings
           :
           For
           't
           is
           a
           Heaven
           which
           consists
           in
           an
           eternal
           Fruition
           of
           the
           Fountain
           of
           infinite
           Truth
           and
           Goodness
           ,
           whose
           everflowing
           Streams
           are
           abundantly
           sufficient
           to
           quench
           the
           Thirst
           ,
           and
           make
           glad
           the
           Heart
           of
           every
           Being
           that
           understands
           and
           loves
           .
           How
           much
           therefore
           God
           loves
           Righteousness
           you
           may
           easily
           guess
           by
           these
           vast
           Preparations
           he
           hath
           made
           to
           entertain
           it
           .
           For
           he
           built
           Heaven
           on
           purpose
           to
           lodge
           righteous
           Souls
           ,
           and
           that
           
           they
           may
           see
           he
           thinks
           nothing
           
             too
             dear
          
           for
           them
           ,
           he
           is
           himself
           their
           Feast
           there
           as
           well
           as
           their
           Entertainer
           .
           He
           feeds
           them
           with
           
             his
             own
          
           Perfections
           ,
           and
           they
           live
           
             for
             ever
          
           as
           happily
           as
           their
           Hearts
           can
           wish
           upon
           the
           Sight
           and
           Love
           and
           Imitation
           of
           his
           Beauties
           .
           So
           vehemently
           is
           his
           Heart
           set
           upon
           Righteousness
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           have
           every
           righteous
           Soul
           dwell
           with
           him
           and
           live
           upon
           him
           ,
           and
           partake
           of
           all
           those
           heavenly
           Joys
           in
           which
           
             his
             own
          
           Beatitude
           consists
           .
           But
           as
           for
           Vnrighteousness
           ,
           how
           much
           his
           Soul
           abhors
           it
           is
           evident
           by
           those
           dire
           Punishments
           he
           hath
           denounced
           against
           it
           ,
           by
           those
           dark
           and
           dismal
           Abodes
           which
           he
           hath
           condemned
           unrighteous
           Souls
           to
           ,
           to
           languish
           out
           a
           woful
           Eternity
           ,
           to
           burn
           in
           Flames
           there
           that
           never
           consume
           ,
           and
           be
           gnawn
           with
           Worms
           which
           never
           devour
           them
           ;
           to
           be
           scared
           and
           haunted
           with
           
             Devils
             without
          
           and
           
             Furies
             within
          
           ,
           and
           perpetually
           worried
           Day
           and
           Night
           without
           any
           Ease
           or
           Intermission
           with
           all
           the
           
             Horrors
             ,
             Griefs
          
           ,
           and
           Vexations
           that
           an
           everlasting
           Hell
           imports
           .
           O
           thou
           
             merciful
             Father
          
           of
           Beings
           !
           How
           couldst
           thou
           have
           found
           in
           thy
           Heart
           to
           condemn
           thy
           Creatures
           to
           so
           wretched
           a
           State
           ,
           had
           not
           their
           unrighteous
           Practices
           been
           infinitely
           odious
           in
           thine
           Eyes
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ;
           the
           
             good
             God
          
           would
           never
           have
           made
           Hell
           for
           
           a
           Trifle
           ,
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           any
           Thing
           that
           his
           Nature
           could
           have
           endured
           or
           dispensed
           with
           ;
           nor
           would
           he
           ever
           have
           cast
           any
           unrighteous
           Creature
           into
           it
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           the
           implacable
           Abhorrence
           he
           hath
           to
           all
           Unrighteousness
           :
           And
           therefore
           since
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           made
           Hell
           ,
           but
           warns
           us
           of
           ,
           and
           threatens
           us
           with
           it
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           sure
           he
           infinitely
           abominates
           that
           for
           which
           he
           made
           and
           threatens
           it
           ;
           and
           consequently
           that
           he
           is
           infinitely
           concerned
           for
           the
           Cause
           and
           Interest
           of
           Righteousness
           .
        
         
           5
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           .
           Another
           supernatural
           Indicaton
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           his
           granting
           his
           
             blessed
             Spirit
          
           to
           us
           to
           excite
           us
           to
           ,
           and
           assist
           us
           in
           our
           Endeavours
           after
           Righteousness
           .
           First
           he
           sent
           his
           Son
           to
           propagate
           Righteousness
           by
           his
           Ministry
           ,
           his
           Life
           and
           Death
           ;
           and
           upon
           his
           Return
           to
           Heaven
           he
           sent
           his
           Spirit
           to
           supply
           his
           Room
           ,
           and
           carry
           on
           that
           dear
           Design
           ,
           of
           which
           his
           Son
           had
           already
           laid
           the
           Foundation
           .
           For
           in
           Christ's
           personal
           Absence
           his
           Spirit
           acts
           in
           his
           Stead
           ,
           and
           was
           sent
           down
           from
           the
           Father
           by
           Virtue
           of
           his
           Intercession
           to
           be
           his
           Vicegerent
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           promote
           and
           inlarge
           his
           heavenly
           Kingdom
           ,
           to
           conquer
           our
           Hearts
           ,
           and
           subdue
           our
           stubborn
           Wills
           to
           the
           Obedience
           of
           his
           most
           righteous
           Laws
           .
           So
           that
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           
           doth
           now
           preside
           in
           the
           Church
           as
           the
           supreme
           Minister
           and
           vicarous
           Power
           of
           our
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           is
           continually
           imployed
           even
           as
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           was
           whilst
           he
           abode
           upon
           Earth
           in
           driving
           on
           the
           Interest
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           for
           hitherto
           tend
           all
           his
           secret
           Operations
           on
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ;
           this
           is
           the
           Reason
           why
           he
           suggests
           so
           many
           good
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           by
           repeating
           them
           thick
           upon
           us
           ,
           keeps
           our
           Minds
           so
           fix'd
           upon
           them
           ,
           that
           so
           if
           possible
           he
           may
           recollect
           our
           dispersed
           Minds
           that
           are
           continually
           wandring
           to
           and
           fro
           in
           this
           infinite
           Maze
           of
           sensual
           Vanities
           ,
           and
           engage
           them
           to
           attend
           to
           such
           Motives
           of
           Righteousness
           as
           are
           most
           apt
           to
           excite
           them
           to
           wise
           and
           vertuous
           Resolutions
           .
           So
           that
           as
           in
           the
           Beginnings
           of
           Christianity
           before
           Christian
           Motives
           to
           Righteousness
           were
           believed
           ,
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           did
           operate
           more
           visibly
           and
           miraculously
           to
           confirm
           and
           demonstrate
           the
           Truth
           of
           them
           ;
           so
           now
           they
           being
           believed
           ,
           and
           thereupon
           the
           Necessity
           of
           such
           miraculous
           Operations
           superseded
           ,
           his
           great
           Work
           is
           to
           object
           and
           present
           them
           to
           our
           Minds
           ,
           and
           fix
           our
           Thoughts
           upon
           them
           till
           they
           have
           effected
           in
           us
           those
           good
           Resolutions
           for
           which
           they
           were
           designed
           and
           intended
           :
           And
           how
           diligently
           he
           pursues
           this
           Work
           our
           own
           Experience
           certifies
           
           and
           informs
           us
           :
           For
           how
           often
           do
           we
           find
           good
           Thoughts
           and
           Motions
           injected
           to
           us
           we
           know
           not
           how
           nor
           whence
           ;
           and
           how
           many
           times
           do
           these
           unexpected
           Thoughts
           kindle
           holy
           Desires
           in
           us
           before
           we
           are
           aware
           ?
           Which
           Desires
           being
           fed
           by
           a
           fresh
           Supply
           of
           holy
           Motions
           and
           Suggestions
           are
           many
           times
           nourished
           into
           good
           Resolutions
           ,
           and
           these
           being
           still
           back'd
           with
           those
           repeated
           Motions
           which
           do
           frequently
           press
           with
           strong
           Importunity
           upon
           us
           ,
           are
           at
           last
           perfected
           into
           firm
           and
           lasting
           Principles
           of
           Action
           .
           Thus
           does
           the
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           continually
           knock
           at
           the
           Door
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           sollicit
           us
           with
           the
           greatest
           Earnestness
           to
           sober
           and
           righteous
           Resolutions
           ;
           and
           this
           is
           his
           constant
           Imployment
           among
           Men
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           so
           to
           the
           End
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           till
           Jesus
           ,
           whose
           Vicegerent
           he
           is
           ,
           and
           whose
           Absence
           he
           supplies
           ,
           returns
           in
           Person
           from
           Heaven
           to
           keep
           his
           last
           and
           
             general
             Assizes
          
           upon
           Earth
           .
           And
           can
           we
           imagin
           that
           God
           would
           have
           all
           this
           while
           imployed
           his
           
             Holy
             Spirit
          
           in
           the
           Service
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           to
           drive
           on
           its
           Interest
           and
           sollicit
           its
           Cause
           ,
           if
           it
           had
           not
           been
           infinitely
           dearer
           to
           him
           ?
           No
           certainly
           ,
           he
           sets
           a
           greater
           Value
           on
           the
           Pains
           of
           his
           Son
           and
           Spirit
           ,
           than
           to
           busy
           them
           about
           a
           Trifle
           ,
           to
           imploy
           them
           so
           industriously
           as
           he
           has
           
           done
           in
           an
           Affair
           which
           he
           had
           little
           or
           no
           Regard
           for
           .
           If
           his
           Heart
           had
           not
           been
           extremely
           set
           upon
           it
           ,
           he
           would
           have
           found
           out
           some
           other
           Imployment
           for
           those
           divine
           and
           illustrious
           Persons
           ,
           and
           not
           have
           engaged
           them
           so
           everlastingly
           as
           he
           hath
           done
           in
           the
           Service
           and
           Ministry
           of
           Righteousness
           .
        
         
           Having
           thus
           explained
           and
           proved
           the
           Proposition
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Righteous
             Lord
             loveth
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           conclude
           with
           some
           few
           Inferences
           drawn
           from
           the
           whole
           Argument
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           that
           no
           Religion
           ,
           or
           Proposition
           of
           Religion
           can
           be
           true
           ,
           that
           either
           directly
           or
           by
           true
           Consequence
           is
           an
           Enemy
           to
           Righteousness
           .
           For
           all
           
             true
             Religion
          
           is
           from
           God
           ;
           and
           therefore
           to
           be
           sure
           that
           cannot
           be
           true
           which
           either
           directly
           or
           indirectly
           opposes
           that
           which
           God
           so
           dearly
           loves
           .
           This
           therefore
           is
           a
           plain
           Conviction
           of
           the
           notorious
           Falshood
           and
           Imposture
           of
           Popery
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           those
           Doctrins
           it
           hath
           superinduced
           upon
           the
           common
           Principles
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           it
           is
           an
           open
           Enemy
           to
           Righteousness
           .
           As
           for
           Instance
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           common
           Principle
           of
           Christianity
           that
           God
           alone
           is
           to
           be
           worshiped
           as
           the
           supream
           Author
           and
           Fountain
           of
           our
           Beings
           ,
           upon
           which
           the
           
             Church
             of
             Rome
          
           hath
           superstructed
           the
           
             Invocation
             of
             Saints
             and
             Angels
          
           ,
           which
           
           they
           perform
           in
           the
           same
           Words
           and
           with
           the
           same
           Address
           as
           they
           do
           the
           Invocation
           of
           God
           himself
           .
           For
           though
           they
           pretend
           to
           pray
           to
           them
           only
           for
           their
           Prayers
           ,
           yet
           in
           their
           
             Publick
             Offices
          
           they
           do
           not
           only
           beg
           their
           Prayers
           to
           God
           for
           them
           ,
           but
           also
           invocate
           them
           as
           sovereign
           Gods
           and
           independent
           Disposers
           of
           the
           Mercies
           they
           pray
           for
           .
           Thus
           in
           the
           
             Hours
             of
             Sarum
          
           they
           implore
           the
           Angels
           to
           direct
           their
           Thoughts
           and
           Words
           and
           Actions
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           be
           able
           to
           fill
           up
           the
           Number
           of
           the
           
             Angelical
             Orders
          
           ,
           which
           by
           the
           Fall
           of
           Lucifer
           was
           diminished
           ;
           to
           protect
           them
           from
           the
           Devils
           ,
           and
           comfort
           them
           when
           they
           are
           dying
           .
           Particularly
           ,
           St.
           Michael
           they
           beseech
           to
           be
           their
           
             Coat
             of
             Mail
          
           ,
           St.
           Gabriel
           to
           be
           their
           Helmet
           ,
           St.
           Raphael
           to
           be
           their
           Shield
           ,
           St.
           Vriel
           to
           be
           their
           Defender
           ,
           St.
           Cherubim
           to
           be
           their
           Health
           ,
           St.
           Seraphim
           to
           be
           their
           Truth
           ;
           and
           all
           the
           
             holy
             Angels
          
           and
           Arch-angels
           to
           keep
           ,
           protect
           and
           defend
           them
           ,
           and
           bring
           them
           to
           
             eternal
             Life
          
           .
           And
           as
           for
           Raphael
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           seem
           to
           bear
           a
           more
           particular
           Affection
           ,
           they
           stile
           him
           the
           
             best
             Physitian
          
           both
           of
           Body
           and
           Soul
           ,
           and
           pray
           him
           to
           inlighten
           both
           their
           spiritual
           and
           carnal
           Eyes
           .
           And
           then
           as
           for
           the
           Saints
           ,
           they
           do
           as
           immediately
           address
           to
           them
           in
           their
           Forms
           of
           Prayer
           
           for
           
             Sanctification
             ,
             Pardon
             ,
             temporal
          
           and
           eternal
           Blessings
           ,
           as
           they
           can
           possibly
           do
           to
           God
           himself
           ;
           particularly
           the
           
             Blessed
             Virgin
          
           they
           adorn
           with
           the
           most
           glorious
           Titles
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           
             in
             her
             Psalter
          
           address
           to
           her
           in
           the
           same
           Forms
           of
           Invocation
           which
           David
           uses
           
             in
             his
             Psalms
          
           to
           God
           ;
           they
           stile
           Her
           the
           
             Lady
             Almighty
          
           ,
           the
           
             Author
             of
             Mercy
          
           ,
           the
           
             Queen
             of
             infinite
             Majesty
          
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Hope
             of
             all
             the
             World
          
           ;
           praying
           that
           her
           Mercy
           may
           lighten
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           put
           their
           trust
           in
           her
           ;
           and
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           to
           this
           Purpose
           .
           And
           as
           for
           
             Joseph
             her
             Husband
          
           they
           stile
           him
           the
           Support
           of
           their
           Lives
           ,
           and
           the
           Pillar
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           beseeching
           him
           with
           his
           
             Carpenters
             Ax
          
           (
           a
           Tool
           fit
           only
           to
           work
           upon
           such
           wooden
           Souls
           )
           to
           hew
           down
           their
           Sins
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           adopted
           Timber
           for
           the
           Palace
           of
           Heaven
           .
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           in
           their
           present
           Breviary
           they
           implore
           St.
           Peter
           to
           loose
           them
           by
           his
           Word
           from
           the
           Bonds
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           supplicate
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           who
           by
           their
           Word
           (
           if
           the
           Prayer
           lies
           not
           )
           do
           lock
           and
           unlock
           the
           Gates
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           loose
           them
           from
           all
           Sin
           by
           their
           Command
           .
           They
           humbly
           intreat
           St.
           Genovesa
           to
           have
           pity
           on
           those
           that
           hope
           in
           Her
           ,
           to
           blot
           out
           their
           Sins
           ,
           and
           send
           them
           Relief
           and
           Comfort
           ;
           and
           implore
           St.
           Sebastian
           to
           preserve
           their
           Country
           from
           the
           Plague
           ,
           to
           preserve
           their
           
           Bodies
           ,
           and
           heal
           their
           Minds
           ;
           and
           to
           win
           him
           thereunto
           ,
           assure
           him
           that
           all
           their
           Hope
           is
           in
           him
           .
           These
           and
           several
           other
           such
           like
           Instances
           there
           are
           of
           their
           Prayers
           both
           to
           Angels
           and
           Saints
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           do
           as
           immediately
           invoke
           them
           both
           for
           
             temporal
             ,
             spiritual
          
           and
           eternal
           Blessings
           as
           they
           can
           do
           God
           himself
           ,
           who
           is
           the
           sole
           Disposer
           of
           them
           .
           And
           is
           not
           this
           most
           palpable
           Unrighteousness
           towards
           God
           ,
           to
           strip
           him
           thus
           of
           his
           divine
           Prerogatives
           ,
           and
           clothe
           his
           Creatures
           in
           them
           before
           his
           Face
           ?
           But
           against
           this
           black
           Charge
           Bellarmin
           hath
           a
           very
           
             quaint
             Salvo
             :
             When
             we
             say
             ,
          
           says
           he
           ,
           
             St.
             Peter
             have
             mercy
             upon
             me
             ,
             or
             so
             ;
             we
             supply
             the
             Sense
             with
             this
             mental
             Construction
             ,
             procure
             Mercy
             for
             me
             by
             thy
             Prayers
             or
             Merits
          
           ;
           which
           is
           a
           plain
           Confession
           that
           the
           Words
           are
           unwholsome
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           cannot
           be
           safely
           used
           without
           being
           corrected
           by
           a
           more
           honest
           meaning
           ;
           and
           that
           if
           the
           Votaries
           of
           
             that
             Church
          
           do
           not
           take
           Care
           to
           mend
           their
           
             Publick
             Prayesr
          
           with
           their
           private
           Meanings
           ,
           they
           incur
           the
           Guilt
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           the
           Danger
           of
           Idolatry
           .
           For
           we
           cannot
           address
           more
           immediately
           in
           any
           Form
           of
           Words
           to
           God
           for
           any
           Mercy
           ,
           than
           they
           do
           in
           these
           to
           the
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           they
           do
           not
           actually
           address
           to
           them
           as
           Gods
           ,
           't
           is
           because
           
           they
           construe
           those
           Forms
           into
           a
           different
           Sense
           from
           their
           most
           obvious
           meaning
           .
           For
           when
           they
           say
           ,
           
             Lord
             have
             mercy
             upon
             me
          
           ,
           they
           may
           mean
           ,
           with
           as
           little
           Force
           to
           the
           Words
           ,
           
             Procure
             me
             Mercy
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             from
             St.
          
           Peter
           
             by
             thy
             Prayers
             and
             Merits
          
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           when
           they
           say
           ,
           St.
           Peter
           have
           Mercy
           upon
           me
           ,
           
             Procure
             me
             Mercy
             from
             God
             ,
             O
             St.
          
           Peter
           ,
           
             by
             thy
             Prayers
             and
             Merits
          
           .
           And
           what
           a
           dreadful
           Prophanation
           is
           it
           of
           the
           divine
           Majesty
           to
           use
           such
           Forms
           of
           Address
           to
           God
           and
           St.
           Peter
           ,
           as
           do
           leave
           our
           Minds
           indifferent
           either
           to
           pray
           to
           St.
           Peter
           to
           pray
           to
           God
           for
           us
           ,
           or
           to
           pray
           to
           God
           to
           pray
           to
           St.
           Peter
           for
           us
           ?
           Again
           ,
           't
           is
           a
           common
           Doctrin
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           our
           Saviour
           hath
           instituted
           the
           
             holy
             Eucharist
          
           to
           be
           a
           Memorial
           of
           his
           Sufferings
           ,
           and
           a
           Seal
           of
           that
           
             everlasting
             Covenant
          
           which
           he
           purchased
           by
           them
           ;
           upon
           which
           the
           
             Roman
             Church
          
           hath
           superstructed
           that
           monstrous
           Doctrin
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ;
           which
           ,
           besides
           the
           disgrace
           it
           doth
           to
           our
           
             holy
             Religion
          
           by
           Reason
           of
           those
           ridiculous
           Absurdities
           and
           gross
           Contradictions
           it
           fastens
           upon
           it
           ;
           it
           puts
           such
           an
           extravagant
           sense
           upon
           the
           first
           Institution
           of
           this
           
             holy
             mystery
          
           ,
           that
           if
           our
           Saviour
           had
           really
           meant
           it
           ,
           't
           would
           have
           been
           enough
           to
           expose
           him
           to
           the
           general
           Scorn
           and
           Derision
           of
           Mankind
           .
           For
           if
           when
           he
           
           first
           instituted
           it
           ,
           he
           had
           really
           pretended
           to
           convert
           the
           
             Sacramental
             Elements
          
           into
           the
           Substance
           of
           
             his
             own
             Body
          
           and
           Blood
           ,
           this
           must
           have
           been
           the
           Sense
           of
           his
           Words
           and
           Actions
           ;
           these
           outward
           Elements
           which
           but
           just
           now
           were
           made
           Bread
           and
           Wine
           ,
           are
           now
           by
           my
           Almighty
           Benediction
           converted
           into
           the
           Substance
           of
           my
           Body
           and
           Blood
           ;
           this
           very
           Body
           which
           sits
           here
           at
           the
           upper
           End
           of
           the
           Table
           ,
           lies
           there
           under
           those
           Species
           of
           Bread
           and
           Wine
           which
           you
           see
           upon
           it
           .
           My
           Head
           and
           Feet
           ,
           and
           every
           Part
           of
           me
           ,
           are
           all
           intirely
           within
           every
           Crumb
           of
           
             that
             unleavened
             Bread
          
           ;
           and
           yet
           those
           several
           Crumbs
           ,
           which
           do
           each
           contain
           my
           whole
           Body
           ,
           contain
           not
           several
           Bodies
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           divide
           them
           into
           
             ten
             thousand
          
           Crumbs
           ,
           and
           distribute
           them
           into
           
             ten
             thousand
          
           different
           Places
           ,
           yet
           in
           all
           those
           different
           Places
           I
           am
           the
           same
           intire
           and
           undivided
           Body
           .
           And
           though
           as
           I
           sit
           here
           ,
           you
           see
           I
           am
           at
           least
           a
           Foot
           broad
           ,
           and
           five
           or
           six
           Foot
           long
           ,
           yet
           in
           those
           little
           Crumbs
           that
           lie
           before
           you
           I
           am
           no
           bigger
           than
           a
           Pin's
           Head
           ;
           and
           yet
           upon
           my
           honest
           Word
           I
           am
           in
           all
           my
           Parts
           and
           Dimensions
           under
           the
           outward
           Species
           of
           every
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           am
           every
           whit
           as
           broad
           and
           thick
           and
           long
           in
           them
           ,
           as
           I
           do
           now
           appear
           in
           this
           visible
           Body
           .
           And
           as
           for
           
           my
           Blood
           which
           is
           at
           least
           
             two
             Gallons
          
           ,
           though
           it
           is
           all
           contained
           within
           the
           Veins
           and
           Vessels
           of
           
             this
             Body
          
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           all
           at
           the
           same
           Time
           within
           
             that
             Cup
          
           ,
           which
           I
           confess
           is
           hardly
           large
           enough
           to
           contain
           the
           
             eighth
             Part
          
           of
           it
           :
           And
           though
           
             you
             Twelve
          
           shall
           every
           one
           drink
           his
           share
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           every
           one
           shall
           drink
           it
           all
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           out
           of
           this
           
             one
             Cup
          
           of
           
             my
             Blood
          
           ,
           which
           at
           most
           contains
           but
           a
           
             Quart
             ,
             each
          
           Man
           of
           you
           Twelve
           shall
           drink
           the
           
             whole
             two
          
           Gallons
           .
           But
           let
           not
           these
           Things
           astonish
           you
           ,
           for
           now
           I
           am
           doing
           yet
           stranger
           Things
           than
           these
           ,
           and
           first
           I
           take
           my self
           (
           it
           being
           supposed
           both
           by
           Papists
           and
           Protestants
           that
           Christ
           himself
           first
           eat
           and
           drank
           those
           sacred
           Elements
           )
           that
           is
           ,
           I
           take
           my
           Hands
           into
           
             my
             own
          
           Hands
           ,
           and
           put
           my
           Mouth
           into
           
             my
             own
          
           Mouth
           ,
           and
           swallow
           down
           my
           Hands
           ,
           and
           Mouth
           ,
           and
           Throat
           ,
           and
           Stomach
           through
           
             my
             own
          
           Throat
           into
           
             my
             own
          
           Stomach
           ;
           so
           that
           now
           my
           whole
           Body
           is
           intirely
           within
           my
           Stomach
           ,
           though
           the
           whole
           you
           see
           ,
           except
           my
           Stomach
           ,
           is
           still
           intirely
           without
           it
           .
           And
           having
           thus
           eaten
           and
           drank
           up
           my self
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           Place
           I
           give
           my self
           to
           be
           eat
           and
           drank
           by
           
             every
             one
          
           of
           you
           .
           And
           now
           while
           I
           am
           wholly
           buried
           within
           each
           of
           your
           Stomachs
           and
           
             my
             own
          
           ,
           I
           shall
           begin
           a
           
             sacred
             Hymn
          
           ,
           and
           
           conclude
           with
           my
           Farewel
           Sermon
           .
           This
           ,
           supposing
           our
           Saviour
           had
           intended
           a
           
             real
             Transubstantiation
          
           ,
           had
           been
           the
           natural
           Sense
           ,
           or
           rather
           Nonsense
           of
           his
           Words
           and
           Actions
           in
           the
           first
           Institution
           of
           this
           
             sacred
             Mystery
          
           .
           And
           what
           a
           most
           shameful
           Disgrace
           is
           it
           to
           the
           most
           
             righteous
             Religion
          
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           to
           fasten
           such
           wild
           Extravagancies
           upon
           its
           great
           and
           blessed
           Author
           ?
           Certainly
           had
           Men
           set
           their
           Wits
           at
           work
           to
           burlesque
           the
           most
           sacred
           Thing
           ,
           and
           dress
           it
           up
           for
           Laughter
           and
           Derision
           ,
           they
           could
           never
           have
           invented
           a
           more
           ridiculous
           Disguise
           for
           it
           than
           this
           of
           Transubstantiation
           :
           Besides
           all
           which
           ,
           it
           introduces
           
             two
             notorious
          
           Pieces
           of
           Unrighteousness
           ;
           the
           first
           of
           which
           is
           a
           most
           gross
           and
           barbarous
           Piece
           of
           Idolatry
           ,
           viz.
           their
           adoring
           the
           
             consecrated
             Bread
          
           with
           the
           highest
           Species
           of
           divine
           Worship
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           be
           not
           Transubstantiated
           into
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           we
           are
           sure
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           unless
           our
           Senses
           lie
           ,
           and
           Contradictions
           be
           true
           ;
           they
           themselves
           confess
           is
           as
           gross
           Idoatry
           as
           the
           
           Laplander's
           worshiping
           a
           
             red
             Cloth
          
           hung
           upon
           the
           Top
           of
           a
           Spear
           .
           Now
           what
           monstrous
           Unrighteousness
           is
           this
           ,
           for
           Men
           to
           rob
           God
           of
           his
           Honour
           ,
           and
           vest
           a
           senseless
           Piece
           of
           Bread
           with
           it
           ;
           to
           advance
           the
           Workmanship
           of
           a
           Baker
           into
           an
           Equality
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           
           then
           adore
           ,
           and
           then
           devour
           it
           ?
           The
           second
           Piece
           of
           Unrighteousness
           which
           this
           monstrous
           Figment
           introduces
           ,
           is
           the
           Half-Communion
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           
             Christian
             World
          
           is
           most
           unjustly
           robbed
           of
           one
           half
           of
           that
           Legacy
           which
           Christ
           bequeathed
           to
           us
           in
           his
           last
           Will
           and
           Testament
           ;
           which
           as
           Bellarmin
           tells
           us
           was
           done
           out
           of
           Reverence
           to
           the
           
             Transubstantiated
             Wine
          
           ,
           lest
           any
           Drop
           of
           it
           sticking
           upon
           Lay-mens
           Beards
           should
           be
           spilt
           and
           prophaned
           .
           But
           this
           Inconvenience
           ,
           by
           the
           Cardinal's
           Leave
           ,
           might
           have
           otherwise
           been
           easily
           prevented
           by
           prohibiting
           all
           Lay-men
           ,
           as
           they
           do
           their
           Priests
           ,
           to
           receive
           the
           Sacrament
           with
           their
           Beards
           on
           .
           For
           I
           am
           apt
           to
           think
           there
           is
           no
           
             good
             Christian
          
           but
           would
           have
           been
           better
           contented
           to
           lose
           all
           his
           Beard
           than
           half
           the
           Sacrament
           .
           So
           that
           this
           Doctrin
           of
           Transubstantiation
           ,
           you
           see
           ,
           hath
           a
           most
           unrighteous
           Tendency
           both
           as
           it
           disgraces
           the
           most
           
             righteous
             Religion
          
           ,
           and
           introduces
           the
           most
           gross
           Unrighteousness
           .
           Again
           ,
           Thirdly
           ,
           'T
           is
           a
           common
           Principle
           of
           Christianity
           that
           true
           Repentance
           is
           indispensably
           necessary
           to
           the
           Salvation
           of
           Sinners
           ;
           upon
           which
           they
           have
           superstructed
           their
           
             Sacrament
             of
             Pennance
          
           ,
           which
           joyned
           with
           Absolution
           is
           of
           such
           Sovereign
           Virtue
           as
           to
           Transubstantiate
           a
           Sorrow
           proceeding
           from
           
           the
           Fear
           of
           Hell
           ,
           into
           true
           and
           saving
           Repentance
           :
           By
           which
           Doctrin
           they
           have
           most
           directly
           superseded
           all
           the
           Obligations
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           For
           what
           need
           I
           put
           my self
           to
           the
           Trouble
           of
           a
           holy
           and
           righteous
           Life
           ,
           when
           for
           allarming
           my self
           before
           I
           go
           to
           Confession
           into
           some
           frightful
           Apprehensions
           of
           Hell
           ,
           I
           can
           be
           dubbed
           a
           true
           Penitent
           ,
           and
           receive
           the
           Remission
           of
           my
           Sins
           ?
           For
           now
           my
           old
           Score
           being
           all
           wiped
           off
           ,
           I
           may
           Sin
           on
           merrily
           on
           a
           new
           Account
           ,
           and
           when
           I
           make
           my
           next
           Reckoning
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           being
           afraid
           of
           Hell
           again
           ,
           and
           I
           am
           sure
           to
           receive
           a
           new
           Acquittance
           
             in
             full
          
           of
           all
           Demands
           and
           Dues
           .
           And
           when
           I
           have
           spent
           all
           my
           Life
           in
           this
           Round
           and
           Circle
           of
           Unrighteousnss
           ,
           't
           is
           but
           sending
           for
           a
           Priest
           at
           my
           
             last
             Breath
             ,
             confessing
          
           my
           Sins
           ,
           and
           dreading
           the
           Punishment
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           with
           a
           
             few
             magical
          
           Words
           he
           shall
           immediately
           conjure
           me
           to
           Heaven
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           out
           of
           Danger
           of
           Hell.
           Once
           more
           ;
           it
           is
           a
           common
           Principle
           of
           Christianity
           that
           the
           
             Wages
             of
             Sin
          
           is
           
             eternal
             Death
          
           ;
           upon
           which
           they
           have
           introduced
           their
           Doctrins
           of
           Purgatory
           and
           Indulgencies
           ,
           which
           ,
           like
           Simeon
           and
           Levi
           ,
           Brethren
           in
           Iniquity
           ,
           do
           both
           conspire
           to
           render
           Righteousness
           a
           needless
           Thing
           .
           For
           by
           the
           
             Sacrament
             of
             Pennance
          
           the
           eternal
           Punishment
           of
           Hell
           is
           
           changed
           into
           the
           temporary
           one
           of
           Purgatory
           ,
           and
           by
           Indulgencies
           ,
           especially
           
             plenary
             ones
          
           ,
           the
           temporary
           Punishment
           of
           Purgatory
           is
           wholly
           remitted
           ,
           and
           extinguished
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           first
           lessens
           the
           Punishment
           of
           Sin
           ,
           and
           the
           last
           annihilates
           it
           :
           And
           by
           this
           Means
           are
           Sinners
           mightily
           imboldened
           to
           go
           on
           ,
           being
           assured
           that
           upon
           the
           
             Sacrament
             of
             Pennance
          
           they
           shall
           commute
           Hell
           for
           Purgatory
           ,
           and
           that
           upon
           
             plenary
             Indulgence
          
           they
           shall
           exchange
           Purgatory
           for
           Heaven
           .
           Many
           other
           Instances
           of
           this
           Nature
           might
           be
           given
           ,
           but
           it
           would
           be
           endless
           to
           enumerate
           all
           those
           unrighteous
           Principles
           with
           which
           their
           
             Casuistical
             Divinity
          
           abounds
           ;
           the
           Frauds
           and
           Falsifications
           ,
           the
           Treasons
           and
           Murders
           ,
           the
           Slanders
           and
           Perjuries
           ,
           which
           their
           
             Guides
             of
             Conscience
          
           do
           not
           only
           tolerate
           but
           commend
           ;
           For
           I
           will
           maintain
           that
           there
           is
           scarce
           any
           Villany
           in
           Nature
           so
           notorious
           which
           by
           the
           Principles
           of
           some
           or
           other
           of
           their
           
             allowed
             Casuists
          
           may
           not
           be
           wholly
           vindicated
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           extenuated
           into
           venial
           Crimes
           .
           So
           that
           considering
           the
           whole
           Frame
           and
           Structure
           of
           the
           
             Popish
             Religion
          
           ,
           I
           do
           most
           seriously
           believe
           it
           to
           be
           one
           of
           the
           most
           effectual
           Engins
           to
           undermine
           and
           tear
           up
           the
           Foundations
           of
           Righteousness
           that
           ever
           the
           Devil
           forged
           or
           made
           use
           of
           ;
           and
           were
           it
           not
           for
           those
           
           common
           Principles
           of
           Christianity
           that
           are
           intermingled
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           do
           allay
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           I
           hope
           overpower
           the
           Venom
           of
           it
           ,
           I
           am
           verily
           persuaded
           that
           the
           Religion
           of
           Heathens
           would
           sooner
           make
           Men
           righteous
           than
           that
           of
           Papists
           .
           For
           I
           do
           affirm
           that
           there
           is
           not
           one
           Principle
           of
           
             pure
             Popery
          
           that
           is
           either
           a
           Rule
           of
           Righteousness
           or
           a
           Motive
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           contrariwise
           that
           the
           most
           of
           its
           Principles
           seem
           to
           have
           been
           purposely
           calculated
           to
           affront
           Men's
           Reason
           ,
           and
           debauch
           their
           Manners
           ;
           and
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           we
           may
           easily
           guess
           whether
           this
           be
           a
           
             true
             Religion
          
           or
           no
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           its
           Parts
           is
           so
           repugnant
           to
           that
           which
           God
           most
           dearly
           loves
           .
        
         
           2
           dly
           .
           Hence
           I
           infer
           upon
           what
           Terms
           a
           Man
           may
           safely
           conclude
           that
           he
           is
           beloved
           of
           God
           ;
           for
           if
           he
           hath
           that
           
             amiable
             Quality
          
           within
           him
           which
           is
           the
           eternal
           Reason
           of
           God's
           Love
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           sure
           he
           is
           beloved
           of
           him
           .
           If
           our
           Souls
           be
           adorned
           with
           that
           Righteousness
           which
           the
           
             righteous
             Lord
          
           loves
           ,
           we
           may
           safely
           conclude
           that
           we
           are
           his
           Favourites
           ,
           and
           shall
           never
           cease
           to
           be
           so
           whilst
           we
           continue
           so
           adorned
           .
           For
           't
           is
           as
           impossible
           for
           God
           not
           to
           love
           righteous
           Souls
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           righteous
           himself
           ;
           for
           whilst
           he
           continues
           so
           ,
           
             his
             own
          
           Nature
           must
           needs
           incline
           him
           to
           love
           all
           those
           in
           whom
           he
           finds
           
             his
             own
          
           most
           amiable
           Image
           and
           
           Resemblance
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           therefore
           persuade
           our selves
           that
           we
           are
           beloved
           of
           God
           either
           upon
           any
           
             inward
             Whispers
          
           and
           Suggestions
           ,
           or
           upon
           any
           
             particular
             Marks
          
           and
           
             Signs
             of
             Grace
          
           ;
           for
           both
           these
           may
           abuse
           and
           deceive
           us
           ,
           and
           flatter
           our
           Minds
           into
           false
           and
           groundless
           Assurances
           .
           We
           may
           think
           't
           is
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           that
           whispers
           to
           us
           when
           all
           of
           a
           suddain
           we
           feel
           our selves
           surprized
           with
           joyous
           and
           comfortable
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           yet
           this
           may
           be
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           Frisk
           of
           melancholy
           Vapors
           heated
           and
           fermented
           by
           a
           feverish
           Humour
           .
           For
           those
           suddain
           Joys
           and
           Dejections
           ,
           which
           are
           so
           often
           interpreted
           the
           Incomes
           and
           Withdrawings
           of
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             God
          
           ,
           do
           commonly
           proceed
           from
           no
           higher
           Cause
           than
           the
           Shiverings
           and
           Burnings
           of
           an
           Ague
           ;
           and
           I
           am
           very
           sure
           that
           
             Histerical
             Fits
          
           are
           very
           often
           mistaken
           for
           
             spiritual
             Experiences
          
           ;
           and
           that
           when
           Men
           have
           most
           confidently
           believed
           themselves
           overshadowed
           by
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           their
           Fancies
           have
           been
           only
           hagged
           and
           ridden
           with
           the
           Enthusiastick
           Vapours
           of
           their
           own
           Spleen
           .
           And
           sometimes
           I
           make
           no
           doubt
           but
           this
           suddain
           Flush
           of
           joyous
           Thoughts
           proceeds
           from
           a
           worse
           Cause
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           Suggestion
           of
           the
           Devil
           ;
           who
           ,
           though
           he
           hath
           no
           immediate
           Access
           to
           the
           Minds
           of
           Men
           ,
           can
           yet
           doubtless
           
           act
           upon
           our
           Spirits
           and
           Humours
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           Means
           figure
           our
           Fancies
           into
           spritely
           Ideas
           ,
           and
           tickle
           our
           Hearts
           into
           a
           Rapture
           ;
           And
           this
           Power
           of
           his
           we
           may
           reasonably
           suppose
           he
           is
           ready
           enough
           to
           exert
           upon
           any
           mischievous
           Occasion
           ,
           when
           he
           finds
           Men
           willing
           to
           be
           deceived
           ,
           and
           to
           rely
           upon
           ungrounded
           Confidences
           .
           Let
           us
           not
           therefore
           build
           our
           Hopes
           of
           the
           divine
           Favour
           upon
           any
           such
           uncertain
           Foundations
           ,
           but
           impartially
           examin
           our selves
           whether
           we
           are
           really
           righteous
           ;
           for
           unless
           we
           are
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           more
           certain
           that
           God
           is
           righteous
           ,
           than
           that
           these
           our
           
             pretended
             spiritual
             Incomes
          
           and
           Inundations
           of
           Joy
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           are
           either
           the
           Freaks
           of
           
             our
             own
          
           Temper
           ,
           or
           else
           the
           Injections
           of
           the
           Devil
           .
           For
           how
           can
           you
           imagin
           that
           the
           God
           of
           all
           Righteousness
           and
           Truth
           can
           ,
           without
           infinite
           Violence
           to
           
             his
             own
          
           Nature
           ,
           either
           love
           or
           pretend
           Love
           to
           an
           unrighteous
           Soul
           ?
           But
           then
           you
           will
           say
           ,
           by
           what
           Signs
           and
           Tokens
           shall
           we
           know
           whether
           we
           are
           righteous
           or
           no
           ?
           To
           which
           I
           answer
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           can
           be
           a
           true
           Sign
           and
           Token
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           which
           is
           distinct
           from
           Righteousness
           it self
           :
           For
           Righteousness
           is
           its
           own
           Sign
           ;
           and
           if
           any
           Man
           judges
           himself
           righteous
           by
           any
           Mark
           which
           is
           not
           an
           Act
           or
           Instance
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           he
           deceives
           and
           abuses
           
             his
             own
          
           Soul.
           
           But
           then
           we
           must
           have
           a
           Care
           that
           we
           do
           not
           argue
           from
           any
           one
           particular
           Mark
           or
           Instance
           of
           Righteousness
           to
           our
           being
           righteous
           in
           general
           .
           For
           you
           may
           as
           well
           argue
           that
           you
           are
           not
           blind
           because
           you
           
             hear
             well
          
           ,
           or
           that
           you
           are
           not
           deaf
           because
           you
           
             taste
             well
          
           ,
           or
           that
           you
           have
           all
           your
           Senses
           ,
           because
           you
           have
           one
           ;
           as
           that
           you
           are
           righteous
           in
           the
           general
           ,
           because
           you
           are
           so
           in
           this
           or
           
             that
             particular
          
           ;
           and
           you
           may
           as
           reasonably
           conclude
           your self
           in
           a
           
             State
             of
             Health
          
           ,
           because
           you
           have
           a
           fresh
           Colour
           ,
           as
           that
           you
           are
           in
           a
           
             State
             of
             Grace
          
           ,
           because
           you
           have
           this
           or
           
             that
             particular
          
           Sign
           of
           it
           .
           Well
           ,
           but
           then
           how
           shall
           we
           resolve
           our selves
           in
           this
           most
           material
           Enquiry
           ?
           Why
           do
           but
           consider
           what
           it
           is
           to
           be
           righteous
           ,
           and
           then
           reflect
           upon
           
             your
             own
          
           Motions
           ,
           and
           you
           will
           quickly
           feel
           whether
           you
           are
           righteous
           or
           no.
           Now
           to
           be
           righteous
           ,
           is
           in
           the
           general
           to
           intend
           righteously
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           accordingly
           .
           If
           you
           ask
           again
           how
           you
           shall
           know
           whether
           you
           so
           intend
           and
           act
           ?
           I
           shall
           only
           answer
           ,
           that
           't
           is
           an
           unreasonable
           Question
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           might
           as
           well
           ask
           me
           whether
           you
           are
           hungry
           or
           thirsty
           ;
           for
           you
           do
           as
           naturally
           feel
           the
           Motions
           of
           your
           Souls
           as
           you
           do
           the
           Motions
           of
           your
           Bodies
           ;
           and
           for
           you
           to
           ask
           another
           Man
           what
           
             your
             own
          
           Intentions
           are
           ,
           is
           to
           make
           him
           a
           Conjurer
           instead
           of
           a
           Casuist
           .
           Would
           it
           not
           
           look
           extreamly
           ridiculous
           for
           a
           Man
           to
           ask
           his
           Creditor
           ,
           or
           
             Customer
             ,
             good
             Sir
          
           ,
           how
           shall
           I
           know
           whether
           I
           intend
           to
           pay
           my
           Debts
           ,
           or
           am
           sincerely
           resolved
           not
           to
           over-reach
           you
           ?
           Should
           any
           Man
           ask
           me
           such
           a
           Question
           ,
           I
           should
           only
           bid
           him
           consult
           himself
           ;
           and
           if
           then
           he
           suspected
           
             his
             own
          
           Honesty
           ,
           I
           should
           shrewdly
           suspect
           he
           had
           too
           much
           Reason
           for
           it
           .
           If
           you
           intend
           righteously
           ,
           you
           intend
           it
           knowingly
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           
             knowingly
             intend
          
           it
           ,
           you
           cannot
           but
           know
           that
           you
           intend
           it
           .
           If
           you
           cannot
           know
           whether
           you
           intend
           and
           act
           righteously
           ,
           you
           cannot
           know
           how
           to
           do
           it
           ;
           and
           if
           you
           cannot
           know
           how
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           you
           are
           not
           Subjects
           capable
           of
           Morality
           ;
           but
           must
           of
           Necessity
           live
           and
           act
           at
           Random
           ,
           and
           blunder
           on
           like
           
             Travellers
             in
             the
             dark
          
           ,
           without
           being
           able
           to
           determin
           whether
           you
           go
           backward
           or
           forward
           .
           If
           therefore
           you
           would
           know
           whether
           you
           are
           righteous
           Men
           or
           no
           ,
           do
           not
           go
           about
           to
           perplex
           and
           intangle
           your selves
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           of
           Signs
           and
           Tokens
           ;
           for
           if
           you
           had
           a
           thousand
           Signs
           of
           Grace
           ,
           you
           can
           never
           safely
           conclude
           you
           are
           righteous
           ,
           till
           upon
           an
           impartial
           Review
           of
           your selves
           you
           do
           feel
           that
           you
           intend
           and
           act
           righteously
           ;
           and
           then
           ,
           and
           not
           till
           then
           ,
           you
           may
           build
           upon
           it
           that
           God
           loves
           you
           .
           For
           God's
           Love
           is
           a
           constant
           and
           immutable
           Thing
           ;
           and
           in
           this
           the
           Constancy
           of
           it
           consists
           ;
           
           not
           that
           it
           is
           always
           fixt
           upon
           the
           same
           Person
           ,
           but
           that
           't
           is
           unchangeably
           determined
           to
           the
           same
           Motive
           ,
           and
           this
           Motive
           is
           Righteousness
           .
           So
           that
           if
           he
           find
           this
           Motive
           in
           us
           ,
           he
           will
           be
           sure
           to
           love
           us
           so
           long
           as
           it
           continues
           ;
           but
           if
           from
           Righteous
           we
           become
           Vnrighteous
           ,
           he
           must
           either
           change
           in
           his
           Affection
           ,
           or
           else
           cease
           to
           love
           us
           .
           For
           should
           he
           still
           love
           on
           when
           the
           Reason
           is
           ceased
           for
           which
           he
           loved
           us
           ,
           he
           must
           either
           love
           us
           for
           no
           Reason
           ,
           or
           for
           a
           Reason
           that
           is
           directly
           contrary
           to
           that
           for
           which
           he
           loved
           us
           first
           ;
           and
           consequently
           his
           Love
           must
           either
           be
           a
           blind
           Fondness
           ,
           or
           else
           a
           fickle
           and
           inconstant
           Passion
           .
           If
           therefore
           Righteousness
           be
           the
           Reason
           that
           moves
           the
           
             righteous
             Lord
          
           to
           love
           ,
           we
           grossly
           flatter
           and
           abuse
           our selves
           if
           we
           presume
           that
           he
           loves
           us
           while
           we
           are
           unrighteous
           .
           Wherefore
           as
           we
           would
           not
           ruin
           our selves
           with
           relying
           upon
           vain
           Hopes
           ,
           Hopes
           that
           will
           sink
           underneath
           us
           ,
           and
           leave
           us
           eternally
           desperate
           and
           miserable
           ;
           let
           us
           never
           conclude
           that
           we
           are
           
             beloved
             of
             God
          
           till
           upon
           an
           impartial
           Tryal
           of
           our selves
           we
           can
           conclude
           that
           we
           are
           sincerely
           righteous
           .
        
         
           3
           dly
           .
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           what
           grand
           Encouragement
           we
           have
           to
           be
           righteous
           ,
           for
           that
           God
           loves
           Righteousness
           is
           a
           plain
           Demonstration
           that
           't
           is
           the
           most
           amiable
           thing
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           best
           deserves
           the
           Affections
           of
           all
           rational
           Beings
           ,
           since
           it
           hath
           won
           his
           ,
           who
           never
           loves
           but
           upon
           the
           best
           Reason
           .
           And
           what
           a
           most
           glorious
           thing
           is
           it
           to
           be
           adorned
           with
           the
           
           best
           of
           Beauties
           ,
           which
           by
           such
           an
           invincible
           Charm
           endears
           the
           Heart
           of
           the
           most
           glorious
           Being
           in
           the
           World
           ?
           If
           there
           be
           so
           much
           Honour
           paid
           to
           a
           Beauty
           that
           can
           smite
           and
           inslave
           an
           
             earthly
             Potentate
          
           ,
           what
           is
           there
           due
           to
           that
           that
           can
           constrain
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           to
           fall
           in
           love
           with
           us
           ?
           For
           what
           higher
           Mark
           can
           our
           Ambition
           aim
           at
           ,
           than
           that
           of
           being
           beloved
           by
           the
           greatest
           and
           most
           lovely
           Being
           ?
           Doubtless
           to
           be
           God's
           Favourite
           and
           Image
           is
           the
           highest
           Advancement
           that
           any
           Creature
           can
           aspire
           to
           ;
           and
           were
           I
           born
           King
           of
           all
           the
           Kings
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           had
           all
           their
           Crowns
           and
           Scepters
           at
           my
           Feet
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           my
           Reason
           would
           tell
           me
           that
           to
           be
           
             beloved
             of
             God
          
           would
           be
           a
           greater
           Glory
           to
           me
           than
           to
           be
           obeyed
           from
           Pole
           to
           Pole
           ;
           and
           should
           I
           entertain
           a
           Thought
           of
           exchanging
           the
           Honour
           of
           being
           a
           God-like
           Creature
           and
           the
           Favourite
           of
           Heaven
           for
           the
           Crown
           and
           Empire
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           my
           Conscience
           would
           tell
           me
           that
           I
           degraded
           my self
           ,
           and
           prostituted
           
             my
             own
          
           Glory
           ;
           for
           next
           to
           that
           of
           being
           a
           God
           my self
           ,
           the
           highest
           Glory
           I
           can
           think
           of
           is
           to
           be
           a
           Friend
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           this
           I
           am
           sure
           to
           be
           as
           soon
           as
           ever
           I
           commence
           a
           
             righteous
             Man.
          
           And
           shall
           I
           stand
           so
           much
           in
           
             my
             own
          
           Light
           ,
           O
           
             foolish
             Creature
             that
             I
             am
          
           ,
           as
           to
           refuse
           his
           Friendship
           when
           I
           may
           have
           it
           on
           such
           reasonable
           Terms
           ,
           and
           shall
           need
           no
           other
           Endearment
           to
           introduce
           me
           into
           his
           Favour
           but
           only
           that
           of
           Righteousness
           ?
           
             O
             thou
             most
             excellent
             Beauty
             ,
             with
             whose
             Charms
             
             the
             God
             of
             Heaven
             is
             inflamed
             !
             What
             shall
             I
             do
             to
             make
             thee
             mine
             !
             How
             shall
             I
             obtain
             to
             be
             adorned
             with
             thy
             heavenly
             Luster
             !
             I
             will
             go
             to
             the
             blessed
             Fountain
             from
             whence
             thou
             art
             derived
             ,
             and
             with
             a
             Heart
             hungring
             and
             thirsting
             after
             thee
             ,
             beseech
             him
             to
             infuse
             thy
             Streams
             into
             my
             Soul.
             I
             'll
             shun
             whatsoever
             is
             contrary
             to
             thee
             ,
             and
             do
             whatsoever
             thou
             commandest
             me
             ,
             and
             never
             cease
             Writing
             after
             thy
             fair
             Copies
             till
             I
             have
             transcribed
             thee
             into
             my
             Nature
             .
          
           And
           who
           would
           not
           ,
           that
           sets
           any
           Value
           upon
           the
           Glory
           of
           being
           dear
           to
           God
           ?
           For
           besides
           the
           Honour
           of
           being
           his
           Favourites
           ,
           what
           an
           infinite
           Advantage
           may
           we
           expect
           to
           reap
           from
           it
           ?
           For
           what
           may
           we
           not
           promise
           our selves
           from
           the
           Grace
           and
           Favour
           of
           the
           
             great
             Sovereign
          
           of
           Beings
           ,
           who
           doth
           whatsoever
           pleases
           him
           in
           both
           Worlds
           ,
           and
           hath
           the
           absolute
           Disposal
           of
           all
           the
           Blessings
           that
           either
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           affords
           ?
           Doubtless
           we
           may
           safely
           promise
           our selves
           every
           Thing
           both
           from
           below
           and
           above
           that
           can
           either
           do
           us
           good
           here
           ,
           or
           contribute
           to
           our
           Happiness
           hereafter
           .
           For
           so
           the
           Psalmist
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           such
           is
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           that
           he
           
             will
             give
             both
             Grace
             and
             Glory
             ,
             and
             that
             no
             good
             Thing
             will
             he
             with-hold
             from
             them
             that
             walk
             uprightly
             ,
          
           Psal.
           lxxxiv
           .
           11
           .
           Who
           would
           not
           then
           be
           tempted
           to
           Righteousness
           upon
           the
           Prospect
           of
           being
           a
           Favourite
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           infinite
           Glory
           and
           Advantage
           which
           redounds
           from
           thence
           ?
        
         
           4
           thly
           ,
           And
           lastly
           .
           From
           hence
           I
           infer
           how
           inexcusable
           we
           are
           if
           we
           persist
           in
           Sin
           after
           the
           
           many
           Discoveries
           which
           God
           hath
           made
           to
           us
           of
           his
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           .
           Had
           we
           any
           Reason
           to
           suppose
           that
           God
           is
           indifferently
           affected
           towards
           Righteousness
           and
           Sin
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           a
           fair
           Excuse
           for
           unrighteous
           Persons
           ;
           for
           what
           great
           Matter
           would
           it
           be
           which
           of
           the
           two
           Contraries
           we
           chose
           ,
           if
           both
           were
           indifferent
           to
           God
           ,
           who
           best
           understands
           the
           Worth
           and
           Value
           of
           Things
           ?
           But
           now
           when
           God
           hath
           discovered
           such
           a
           zealous
           Concern
           for
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           such
           an
           Abhorrence
           of
           its
           contrary
           ,
           by
           so
           many
           clear
           Indications
           both
           natural
           and
           supernatural
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Ground
           or
           Colour
           for
           any
           such
           Excuse
           .
           For
           now
           no
           Man
           can
           be
           excusably
           ignorant
           which
           way
           God's
           Heart
           is
           inclined
           ,
           and
           we
           must
           wilfully
           shut
           our
           Eyes
           if
           we
           do
           not
           discern
           which
           of
           the
           two
           Contraries
           he
           would
           have
           us
           pursue
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           notwithstanding
           this
           we
           still
           persist
           in
           unrighteousness
           ,
           we
           do
           in
           Effect
           declare
           that
           we
           regard
           not
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           will
           do
           what
           we
           list
           let
           him
           will
           what
           he
           pleases
           ;
           that
           in
           the
           Conduct
           of
           our
           Actions
           we
           will
           have
           the
           sole
           Disposal
           of
           our selves
           ,
           and
           are
           resolved
           that
           God
           shall
           have
           nothing
           to
           do
           with
           us
           ,
           and
           that
           we
           will
           not
           concern
           our selves
           in
           any
           of
           our
           Choices
           or
           Actions
           whether
           he
           be
           pleased
           or
           displeased
           with
           them
           :
           this
           is
           the
           plain
           Sense
           of
           our
           Perseverance
           in
           Unrighteousness
           under
           all
           those
           clear
           Discoveries
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           made
           of
           his
           Aversion
           to
           it
           .
           Now
           how
           incusable
           is
           this
           ,
           for
           a
           Creature
           to
           behave
           it self
           so
           insolently
           towards
           the
           Author
           and
           Owner
           of
           
           its
           Being
           ;
           to
           make
           him
           stand
           for
           a
           Cypher
           in
           
             his
             own
          
           Creation
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           no
           more
           Notice
           of
           him
           than
           if
           he
           were
           the
           most
           impertinent
           and
           insignificant
           Being
           in
           the
           World
           ?
           For
           now
           it
           's
           plain
           that
           our
           
             unrighteous
             Doings
          
           proceed
           from
           our
           rude
           Contempt
           and
           Regardlesness
           of
           his
           heavenly
           Will
           ;
           we
           know
           well
           enough
           what
           he
           would
           have
           us
           do
           ,
           but
           either
           we
           do
           not
           think
           him
           worth
           the
           minding
           ,
           or
           if
           we
           do
           ,
           we
           are
           resolv'd
           to
           behave
           our selves
           as
           if
           we
           did
           not
           .
           'T
           is
           true
           ,
           he
           hath
           not
           made
           as
           full
           a
           Discovery
           of
           his
           Will
           to
           some
           as
           he
           hath
           to
           others
           ;
           but
           yet
           it
           is
           plain
           he
           hath
           so
           sufficiently
           discovered
           it
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           none
           can
           pretend
           to
           the
           Excuse
           of
           Ignorance
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           for
           the
           Heathens
           ,
           though
           they
           have
           no
           revealed
           Discoveries
           of
           it
           without
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           a
           Bible
           within
           them
           ,
           the
           large
           and
           
             legible
             Bible
          
           of
           Nature
           which
           lies
           continually
           open
           before
           them
           ,
           and
           proposes
           to
           their
           View
           in
           fair
           and
           distinct
           Characters
           the
           Notion
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Distinctions
           of
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           the
           eternal
           Laws
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           and
           therefore
           if
           notwithstanding
           this
           they
           will
           be
           so
           regardless
           of
           its
           great
           and
           blessed
           Author
           ,
           as
           either
           not
           to
           attend
           to
           ,
           or
           not
           comply
           with
           these
           natural
           Discoveries
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           what
           Excuse
           can
           they
           make
           why
           they
           should
           not
           perish
           in
           
             their
             own
          
           Obstinacy
           ?
           For
           as
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           though
           
             they
             have
             not
             the
             Law
          
           ,
           i.
           e.
           the
           revealed
           Law
           ,
           
             yet
             they
             did
          
           (
           or
           at
           least
           might
           have
           done
           )
           
             by
             nature
             the
             things
             contained
             in
             the
             Law
          
           ;
           and
           therefore
           
             as
             many
          
           of
           them
           
             as
             have
             sinned
          
           
           without
           this
           revealed
           Law
           ,
           shall
           also
           perish
           without
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           the
           Sentence
           of
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
          
           ,
           Rom.
           2.12
           ,
           14.
           
           And
           then
           as
           for
           the
           Jews
           ,
           besides
           those
           natural
           Indications
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           which
           they
           had
           in
           common
           with
           the
           Heathen
           ,
           they
           had
           sundry
           supernatural
           ones
           ;
           they
           had
           sundry
           great
           and
           notorious
           Examples
           of
           God's
           rewarding
           righteous
           ,
           and
           punishing
           wicked
           Men
           ;
           and
           the
           outward
           Revelation
           of
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Moses
          
           ,
           the
           moral
           Part
           of
           which
           was
           a
           new
           Edition
           of
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
          
           ,
           and
           did
           contain
           within
           the
           Rine
           and
           Letter
           of
           it
           ,
           the
           most
           sublime
           and
           spiritual
           Precepts
           of
           Righteousness
           ;
           and
           the
           Ceremonial
           Part
           of
           which
           was
           ,
           (
           though
           an
           obscure
           )
           yet
           intelligible
           Representation
           of
           all
           those
           spiritual
           Motives
           to
           Righteousness
           which
           Christianity
           contains
           .
           So
           that
           would
           they
           but
           have
           attended
           either
           to
           the
           spiritual
           Sense
           of
           their
           Law
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           Sermons
           of
           their
           Prophets
           which
           very
           much
           cleared
           and
           explained
           it
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           have
           been
           ignorant
           either
           of
           any
           Part
           of
           their
           Duty
           ,
           or
           of
           any
           considerable
           Motive
           that
           was
           needful
           to
           press
           and
           ingage
           them
           to
           it
           .
           If
           therefore
           notwithstanding
           this
           they
           were
           so
           regardless
           of
           God
           as
           to
           take
           no
           Notice
           of
           those
           many
           sensible
           Distinctions
           which
           his
           Providence
           had
           made
           between
           righteous
           and
           unrighteous
           Men
           ,
           in
           blessing
           the
           one
           and
           punishing
           the
           other
           ,
           of
           which
           he
           gave
           them
           so
           many
           signal
           Examples
           ;
           if
           they
           had
           so
           little
           Reverence
           for
           his
           Authority
           ,
           as
           neither
           to
           mind
           his
           Law
           within
           ,
           nor
           his
           Law
           without
           them
           ,
           
           or
           if
           they
           minding
           the
           later
           ,
           were
           so
           extreamly
           heedless
           as
           to
           rest
           in
           a
           mere
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Letter
           of
           it
           ,
           without
           ever
           attending
           to
           its
           spiritual
           Sense
           and
           Meaning
           ;
           upon
           what
           reasonable
           Pretence
           can
           their
           Stupidity
           be
           excused
           ?
           But
           then
           lastly
           ,
           as
           for
           us
           Christians
           ,
           we
           have
           not
           only
           all
           those
           natural
           Indications
           of
           God's
           Love
           of
           Righteousness
           which
           the
           Heathens
           had
           ,
           and
           all
           those
           supernatural
           ones
           which
           the
           Jews
           had
           ;
           but
           we
           have
           all
           these
           later
           with
           much
           greater
           Advantage
           than
           the
           Jews
           ;
           for
           they
           are
           all
           set
           before
           us
           in
           a
           clearer
           Light
           ,
           and
           presented
           much
           more
           naked
           to
           our
           View
           .
           For
           as
           they
           are
           proposed
           to
           us
           ,
           they
           are
           neither
           wrapt
           up
           in
           mystical
           Senses
           ,
           nor
           clouded
           over
           with
           typical
           Representations
           ;
           but
           laid
           before
           us
           in
           the
           most
           plain
           and
           easie
           Propositions
           .
           The
           literal
           Sense
           of
           our
           Precepts
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           of
           all
           our
           Promises
           and
           Threats
           ,
           is
           the
           mystical
           Sense
           of
           theirs
           ;
           and
           all
           those
           
             Christian
             Motives
          
           to
           Righteousness
           which
           were
           delivered
           to
           them
           in
           dark
           Riddles
           and
           obscure
           and
           typical
           Adumbrations
           ,
           are
           brought
           forth
           to
           us
           from
           behind
           the
           Curtain
           ,
           and
           proposed
           in
           plain
           and
           popular
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           :
           So
           that
           if
           we
           still
           continue
           in
           Unrighteousness
           ,
           we
           are
           of
           all
           Men
           in
           the
           World
           the
           most
           inexcusable
           .
           The
           Heathens
           may
           plead
           against
           the
           Jews
           that
           their
           
             Law
             of
             Nature
          
           was
           not
           so
           clear
           in
           its
           Precepts
           ,
           nor
           yet
           so
           cogent
           in
           its
           Motives
           as
           the
           
             Law
             of
             Moses
          
           was
           .
           The
           Jews
           may
           plead
           against
           us
           Christians
           that
           their
           
             Law
             of
             Moses
          
           was
           neither
           so
           express
           in
           its
           Precepts
           ,
           nor
           yet
           
           so
           intelligible
           in
           its
           best
           and
           most
           
             powerful
             Motives
          
           ;
           but
           as
           for
           us
           Christians
           we
           have
           nothing
           at
           all
           to
           plead
           ,
           but
           ,
           by
           
             our
             own
          
           Obstinacy
           against
           the
           clearest
           Discoveries
           both
           of
           our
           Dury
           and
           the
           Motives
           which
           oblige
           us
           to
           it
           ,
           are
           condemned
           to
           everlasting
           Silence
           .
           So
           that
           when
           at
           the
           
             last
             Tribunal
          
           it
           shall
           appear
           that
           we
           have
           persisted
           in
           Unrighteousness
           ,
           we
           must
           expect
           the
           Reproaches
           of
           all
           the
           reasonable
           World
           ;
           to
           be
           exploded
           and
           hissed
           at
           ,
           not
           only
           by
           the
           
             universal
             Choir
          
           of
           Saints
           and
           Angels
           ,
           but
           by
           Jews
           and
           Gentiles
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Devils
           themselves
           ;
           who
           will
           all
           conspire
           with
           
             our
             own
          
           Consciences
           to
           second
           that
           dreadful
           Sentence
           which
           shall
           then
           pass
           upon
           us
           ,
           with
           the
           general
           Acclamation
           of
           
             just
             and
             righteous
             art
             thou
             ,
             O
             Lord
             ,
             in
             all
             thy
             Ways
             .
          
           Wherefore
           as
           we
           would
           not
           perish
           
             for
             ever
          
           without
           Pity
           or
           Excuse
           ,
           let
           us
           be
           persuaded
           to
           abandon
           all
           
             Vnrighteousness
             and
             worldly
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             soberly
             and
             righteously
             ,
             and
             godly
             in
             this
             present
             World
          
           ;
           and
           then
           we
           may
           assure
           our selves
           that
           the
           
             righteous
             Lord
          
           who
           loves
           Righteousness
           will
           love
           us
           also
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           express
           his
           Love
           to
           us
           in
           blessing
           and
           preserving
           us
           here
           ,
           and
           crowning
           us
           with
           Glory
           and
           Happiness
           hereafter
           .
           And
           this
           we
           beseech
           thee
           to
           grant
           ,
           
             O
             thou
             immutable
             Lover
             of
             Righteousness
             ,
          
           even
           for
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           his
           sake
           ;
           To
           whom
           with
           thy self
           and
           thy
           
             eternal
             Spirit
          
           be
           ascribed
           by
           us
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           World
           ;
           all
           Honour
           and
           Glory
           and
           Power
           from
           this
           time
           forth
           ,
           and
           for
           evermore
           ,
           Amen
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A58808-e59180
           
             
               Abstin
               l.
            
             4