sermon_n upon_o a_o part_n of_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o s._n john_n preach_v by_o antony_z wotton_n in_o the_o parish_n church_n of_o all-hallows_n bark_v in_o london_n and_o now_o by_o he_o publish_v 2._o cor._n 5._o 20._o now_o then_o be_v we_o ambassador_n for_o christ_n as_o though_o god_n do_v beseech_v you_o through_o we_o we_o pray_v you_o in_o christ_n stead_n that_o you_o be_v reconcile_v to_o god_n at_o london_n print_v by_o h._n l._n for_o samuel_n macham_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o his_o shop_n in_o paul_n churchyard_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o bullhead_n an._n 1609._o to_o the_o christian_a reader_n increase_v of_o knowledge_n and_o obedience_n i_o have_v at_o the_o last_o yield_v to_o the_o request_n of_o some_o friend_n for_o the_o publish_n of_o those_o sermon_n which_o i_o preach_v some_o year_n since_o of_o what_o use_n they_o will_v prove_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n his_o blessing_n upon_o the_o careful_a read_n thereof_o will_v in_o time_n discover_v for_o my_o part_n i_o have_v labour_v by_o the_o pen_n and_o set_v of_o they_o forth_o to_o bring_v some_o help_n to_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o clear_v such_o matter_n as_o offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o to_o further_a all_o man_n that_o will_v vouchsafe_v the_o read_n of_o they_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o in_o the_o fruit_n of_o true_a sanctification_n if_o any_o man_n that_o hear_v they_o deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n find_v some_o difference_n betwixt_o that_o which_o then_o i_o speak_v and_o this_o which_o now_o i_o write_v it_o may_v please_v he_o to_o understand_v that_o i_o have_v but_o some_o very_a short_a note_n of_o my_o former_a sermon_n and_o happy_o my_o second_o thought_n have_v afford_v i_o by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n some_o better_a knowledge_n of_o the_o evangelist_n purpose_n and_o meaning_n their_o extraordinary_a length_n must_v be_v 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earth_n be_v my_o footstool_n there_o be_v no_o number_n of_o year_n that_o can_v express_v the_o lord_n eternity_n no_o compass_n of_o place_n that_o be_v able_a to_o contain_v his_o immensity_n 8._o immensity_n psal_n 139._o 7_o verse_n 8._o whither_o shall_v i_o flee_v from_o thy_o presence_n say_v the_o king_n of_o israel_n that_o have_v choice_n enough_o of_o room_n wherein_o to_o hide_v himself_o if_o i_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n thou_o be_v there_o if_o i_o he_o down_o in_o hell_n thou_o be_v there_o let_v i_o take_v the_o wing_n of_o 10._o verse_n 9_o verse_n 10._o the_o morning_n and_o dwell_v in_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o sea_n yet_o thither_o shall_v thy_o hand_n lead_v i_o and_o thy_o right_a hand_n shall_v hold_v i_o but_o what_o need_v many_o particular_n he_o that_o be_v present_a in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n can_v be_v shut_v out_o of_o no_o place_n whatsoever_o our_o saviour_n be_v ascend_v into_o heaven_n yet_o be_v he_o still_o present_a with_o his_o 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long_o continue_v negligence_n to_o which_o purpose_n i_o have_v especial_o make_v choice_n of_o this_o piece_n of_o scripture_n if_o any_o man_n pretend_v the_o hardness_n of_o the_o matter_n what_o be_v more_o easy_a or_o more_o pleasant_a than_o a_o story_n if_o any_o man_n despise_v the_o plainness_n of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n not_o worth_a his_o labour_n because_o a_o story_n what_o be_v more_o strange_a or_o mystical_a than_o such_o a_o story_n the_o gospel_n be_v the_o easy_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o the_o gospel_n of_o saint_n john_n be_v the_o hard_a part_n of_o all_o the_o evangelist_n writing_n yea_o i_o dare_v bold_o say_v it_o because_o i_o be_o sure_a i_o shall_v speak_v it_o true_o there_o be_v no_o one_o part_n of_o all_o the_o scripture_n set_v allegory_n and_o prophecy_n not_o fulfil_v apart_o that_o contain_v matter_n more_o needful_a or_o more_o hard_a to_o be_v know_v than_o this_o present_a gospel_n or_o message_n of_o joyful_a tiding_n bring_v to_o we_o by_o the_o holy_a evangelist_n the_o belove_a disciple_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n 2._o of_o who_o that_o i_o may_v speak_v a_o little_a for_o the_o far_o incite_n of_o we_o to_o hearken_v diligent_o to_o that_o he_o write_v first_o i_o will_v entreat_v of_o his_o person_n then_o of_o his_o writing_n that_o which_o 21_o which_o 2._o pet._n 1._o 20._o 21_o the_o apostle_n peter_n say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o no_o prophecy_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o any_o private_a interpretation_n but_o that_o holy_a man_n of_o god_n speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v also_o to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o same_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o the_o like_o inspire_v and_o direct_v as_o it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o both_o protestant_n and_o papist_n that_o make_v any_o profession_n of_o christian_a religion_n for_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n be_v the_o penner_n 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in_o preserve_v these_o book_n in_o such_o glorious_a reputation_n maugre_o the_o power_n &_o malice_n of_o the_o mighty_a one_o of_o this_o world_n &_o their_o great_a master_n satan_n three_o who_o can_v be_v so_o shameless_a as_o to_o deny_v or_o suspect_v the_o credit_n of_o those_o ancient_a christian_n who_o live_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n might_n &_o do_v certain_o know_v either_o by_o 21_o by_o gal._n 6._o 11_o col._n 4._o 18._o 2._o thes_n 3._o 17_o 1._o cor_fw-la 16._o 21_o the_o hand_n or_o by_o some_o mark_n which_o the_o apostle_n use_v as_o it_o be_v sign_v and_o seal_v or_o by_o enquiry_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o that_o those_o book_n be_v indeed_o of_o their_o writing_n from_o they_o this_o knowledge_n come_v to_o their_o next_o successor_n and_o successive_o to_o we_o that_o now_o live_v by_o such_o a_o general_a consent_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o in_o all_o age_n that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o impudency_n to_o make_v question_n of_o the_o matter_n howsoever_o our_o papist_n in_o these_o day_n to_o make_v all_o man_n depend_v on_o they_o that_o they_o may_v show_v themselves_o to_o be_v antichristian_a will_v have_v the_o assurance_n of_o this_o point_n as_o of_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v fetch_v from_o they_o that_o now_o live_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n that_o now_o be_v i_o may_v say_v the_o like_a of_o those_o other_o 3._o book_n the_o gospel_n of_o mark_n and_o luke_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v acknowledge_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n to_o thave_v be_v indict_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o as_o joan._n as_o august_n prolog_n in_o joan._n it_o be_v record_v by_o some_o to_o have_v be_v approve_v for_o such_o by_o the_o apostle_n s_o john_n who_o doubtless_o live_v till_o after_o the_o decease_n of_o all_o they_o that_o be_v say_v and_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o writer_n of_o these_o and_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n will_v have_v disclaim_v the_o authority_n of_o they_o &_o inform_v the_o church_n against_o they_o if_o he_o have_v not_o certain_o know_v that_o they_o be_v all_o the_o holy_a ghost_n own_o endite_v but_o it_o be_v not_o my_o purpose_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a to_o that_o i_o have_v in_o hand_n to_o dispute_v this_o question_n only_o it_o seem_v to_o i_o not_o amiss_o to_o speak_v thus_o much_o in_o this_o entrance_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o way_n to_o prevent_v such_o objection_n as_o may_v perhaps_o disquiet_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o not_o so_o thorough_o settle_v for_o who_o better_a satisfaction_n i_o will_v add_v that_o which_o be_v of_o most_o importance_n namely_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o these_o book_n which_o be_v apparent_o such_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o as_o the_o heart_n and_o head_n of_o man_n be_v never_o able_a to_o devise_v yea_o such_o witness_n 10_o witness_n 1._o cor._n 2._o 9_o 10_o the_o holy_a apostle_n saint_n paul_n as_o neither_o eye_n have_v see_v ear_n have_v hear_v nor_o ever_o come_v into_o any_o man_n heart_n but_o god_n have_v reveil_v it_o to_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n which_o search_v all_o thing_n yea_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n this_o strangeness_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v second_v in_o they_o that_o believe_v to_o salvation_n by_o a_o unspeakeaioy_v and_o comfort_n in_o their_o soul_n conceive_v upon_o a_o feel_n of_o the_o pardon_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o a_o certain_a hope_n of_o everlasting_a happiness_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v in_o the_o last_o place_n come_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o as_o it_o be_v the_o broad_a seal_n make_v up_o the_o assurance_n both_o of_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o book_n in_o which_o it_o be_v comprise_v if_o you_o ask_v i_o how_o i_o can_v discern_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n from_o the_o illusion_n of_o satan_n and_o the_o imagination_n of_o my_o own_o brain_n give_v i_o leave_v also_o to_o demand_v a_o like_a question_n 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and_o difficulty_n wherein_o i_o will_v be_v yet_o more_o bold_a with_o your_o patience_n but_o that_o i_o trust_v and_o purpose_n to_o handle_v this_o point_n more_o at_o large_a upon_o some_o just_a occasion_n hereafter_o the_o conclusion_n be_v that_o no_o reasonable_a man_n much_o more_o that_o no_o christian_a may_v without_o great_a incivility_n or_o weakness_n of_o faith_n make_v any_o question_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n which_o have_v continue_v in_o estimation_n and_o authority_n by_o the_o space_n of_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n in_o despite_n of_o so_o many_o so_o learned_a and_o so_o mighty_a enemy_n whereas_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o by_o which_o through_o the_o power_n of_o god_n it_o have_v and_o do_v
they_o have_v in_o the_o original_n he_o shall_v not_o follow_v therein_o the_o direction_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o his_o own_o conceit_n and_o persuasion_n do_v i_o then_o say_v it_o be_v unlawful_a to_o note_v the_o sound_n of_o such_o name_n that_o their_o interpretation_n may_v be_v know_v nothing_o less_o but_o as_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v some_o thousand_o of_o 8000._o 8000._o word_n which_o they_o use_v for_o expound_v the_o other_o in_o the_o text_n whether_o by_o their_o own_o direction_n or_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n as_o some_o think_v i_o will_v not_o dispute_v which_o yet_o they_o place_v in_o the_o margin_n of_o their_o book_n so_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o unfit_a to_o set_v these_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a name_n in_o the_o side_n follow_v in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o the_o ordinary_a course_n which_o the_o lord_n use_v to_o frame_v the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o tongue_n in_o which_o he_o write_v how_o far_o then_o ought_v we_o all_o to_o be_v from_o condemn_v one_o another_o either_o of_o ignorance_n or_o carelessness_n for_o not_o follow_v the_o sound_n of_o the_o original_a language_n but_o i_o will_v not_o press_v this_o too_o much_o till_o i_o have_v some_o far_a occasion_n give_v i_o in_o the_o expound_v of_o this_o gospel_n yet_o howsoever_o i_o see_v no_o necessity_n nor_o convenience_n for_o any_o such_o strictness_n in_o translate_n proper_a name_n i_o deny_v not_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a and_o needful_a to_o understand_v their_o signification_n especial_o in_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v purposely_o give_v by_o direction_n from_o god_n himself_o for_o they_o have_v always_o some_o instruction_n join_v with_o they_o concern_v somewhat_o that_o be_v past_a as_o isaac_n of_o sarahâ—_n laugh_v 19_o gen._n 18._o 12._o &_o 17._o 19_o or_o touch_v some_o action_n or_o office_n to_o be_v perform_v or_o some_o favour_n that_o he_o particular_o intend_v of_o the_o late_a kind_n be_v this_o name_n john_n whereby_o the_o lord_n will_v have_v his_o people_n the_o jew_n to_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o he_o will_v now_o visit_v and_o redeem_v they_o as_o zacharie_n prophesy_v at_o the_o circumcise_n of_o he_o the_o name_n signify_v as_o it_o be_v grace_n and_o favour_n which_o god_n vouchsafe_v the_o people_n by_o send_v first_o this_o second_o eliah_n to_o prepare_v the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o then_o the_o messiah_n himfelfe_n to_o perform_v the_o work_n of_o redemption_n this_o gracious_a mercy_n of_o god_n john_n be_v appoint_v to_o preach_v and_o publish_v extraordinary_o call_v as_o to_o that_o office_n so_o by_o that_o name_n the_o end_n that_o man_n may_v look_v for_o some_o extraordinary_a matter_n of_o favour_n by_o his_o ministry_n this_o use_n both_o the_o jew_n then_o and_o we_o now_o be_v to_o make_v of_o the_o name_n not_o as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v appoint_v upon_o any_o humour_n but_o as_o intend_v a_o help_n to_o that_o preparation_n which_o be_v to_o follow_v this_o be_v one_o reason_n why_o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o our_o evangelist_n shall_v set_v down_o his_o name_n that_o with_o the_o report_n of_o his_o be_v send_v from_o god_n the_o nature_n of_o his_o message_n may_v in_o a_o general_a sort_n be_v conceive_v especial_o if_o we_o remember_v withal_o as_o we_o can_v almost_o choose_v but_o do_v that_o the_o name_n be_v enjoin_v before_o his_o conception_n by_o order_n from_o god_n himself_o do_v the_o evangelist_n tell_v i_o that_o his_o name_n be_v john_n sure_o though_o he_o write_v not_o the_o history_n at_o large_a yet_o he_o will_v have_v i_o consider_v that_o his_o name_n be_v of_o god_n appoint_v &_o therefore_o of_o some_o extraodinarie_a signification_n &_o use_v that_o we_o may_v enter_v into_o such_o a_o consideration_n of_o he_o as_o they_o do_v that_o dwell_v near_o to_o his_o father_n heard_z how_o matter_n have_v pass_v at_o his_o birth_n concern_v this_o name_n they_o lay_v up_o those_o thing_n in_o their_o heart_n say_v saint_n luke_n say_v what_o 66._o luke_n 1._o 66._o manner_n of_o child_n shall_v this_o be_v if_o the_o like_a shall_v be_v do_v in_o this_o our_o time_n it_o will_v fill_v all_o man_n mouth_n and_o ear_n though_o they_o find_v it_o do_v little_a or_o nothing_o concern_v they_o and_o shall_v we_o pass_v over_o without_o due_a regard_n a_o thing_n that_o do_v so_o much_o import_v we_o will_v neither_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n so_o sweet_a and_o comfortable_a delight_v we_o nor_o the_o manner_n of_o impose_v the_o name_n so_o extraordinary_a and_o wonderful_a stir_v we_o up_o to_o consider_v it_o nor_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o appoint_v it_o cause_v we_o to_o advise_v better_o of_o it_o let_v we_o take_v heed_n that_o this_o carelessness_n be_v not_o a_o shrewd_a sign_n that_o we_o little_o esteem_v the_o grace_n itself_o which_o the_o name_n shadow_v out_o unto_o us._n the_o last_o reason_n why_o the_o name_n be_v mention_v be_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o writing_n which_o be_v a_o history_n require_v that_o the_o name_n at_o the_o least_o of_o all_o principal_a man_n in_o it_o shall_v be_v record_v this_o course_n our_o evangelist_n here_o follow_v the_o rather_o that_o all_o man_n may_v certain_o know_v who_o he_o mean_v this_o description_n what_o remain_v the_o word_n be_v expound_v but_o to_o deliver_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o evangelist_n which_o can_v not_o well_o be_v do_v till_o we_o understand_v what_o his_o purpose_n be_v in_o that_o he_o say_v now_o of_o that_o there_o be_v diverse_a opinion_n all_o reasonable_a and_o of_o some_o likelihood_n we_o may_v draw_v they_o to_o these_o head_n the_o course_n of_o the_o history_n and_o the_o amplify_a of_o the_o matter_n that_o concern_v our_o saviour_n christ_n they_o that_o refer_v it_o to_o the_o course_n of_o the_o history_n say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o but_o that_o the_o evangelist_n have_v speak_v of_o our_o saviour_n divine_a nature_n in_o the_o former_a joa._n chrysost_n in_o joa._n hom_n 4._o august_n in_o joa._n tract_n 2._o theophil_n in_o joa._n verse_n and_o be_v to_o speak_v of_o his_o humane_a afterward_o interlace_v this_o discourse_n of_o john_n who_o be_v appoint_v to_o be_v as_o it_o be_v his_o usher_n and_o do_v preach_v of_o he_o before_o the_o manifestation_n of_o he_o to_o the_o world_n but_o this_o seem_v be_v some_o what_o too_o slight_a a_o occasion_n of_o this_o discourse_n especial_o see_v the_o evangelist_n speak_v so_o much_o of_o john_n after_o the_o report_n of_o our_o saviour_n incarnation_n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 1._o 15._o 15._o etc._n etc._n &_o 3._o 27._o 28._o etc._n etc._n both_o in_o this_o and_o the_o three_o chapter_n and_o that_o the_o other_o three_o have_v deliver_v those_o matter_n at_o large_a that_o concern_v the_o birth_n and_o ministry_n of_o john_n neither_o be_v that_o conjecture_n locum_fw-la masculas_fw-la ad_fw-la 〈◊〉_d locum_fw-la more_o likely_a which_o imagine_v that_o therefore_o mention_n be_v here_o make_v of_o john_n because_o the_o messiah_n begin_v not_o to_o be_v know_v till_o the_o time_n that_o john_n baptize_v what_o word_n have_v the_o evangelist_n of_o johns_n baptise_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o he_o pass_v it_o over_o without_o any_o touch_n till_o he_o come_v almost_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o 23._o joh._n 3._o 23._o chapter_n yet_o if_o he_o speak_v any_o thing_n in_o those_o verse_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v famous_a there_o may_v be_v some_o place_n perhaps_o for_o that_o covecture_n but_o since_o he_o do_v not_o i_o see_v no_o great_a likelihood_n to_o approve_v thereof_o chief_o when_o there_o be_v other_o opinion_n of_o more_o probability_n the_o former_a whereof_o will_v have_v this_o bring_v in_o as_o a_o locum_fw-la aegid_a henniâ—â—â—_n bunc_fw-la locum_fw-la comparison_n of_o the_o less_o where_o by_o the_o excellency_n of_o our_o saviour_n person_n be_v set_v out_o in_o that_o he_o be_v prefer_v before_o john_n baptist_n for_o such_o and_o so_o great_a be_v the_o opinion_n which_o the_o jew_n have_v of_o john_n that_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o man_n of_o extraordinary_a worth_n to_o who_o john_n shall_v 66._o luke_n 1._o 66._o be_v think_v inferior_a we_o hear_v erewhile_o that_o some_o great_a matter_n be_v look_v for_o of_o he_o when_o he_o be_v new_o bear_v what_o manner_n of_o child_n shall_v this_o be_v when_o 6._o mat._n 3._o 5._o 6._o he_o begin_v to_o exercise_v his_o ministry_n there_o go_v out_o to_o he_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o indea_n and_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o jordan_n neither_o go_v they_o out_o only_o but_o submit_v themselves_o to_o be_v teach_v and_o baptize_v by_o he_o 7._o ver._n 7._o and_o that_o not_o