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book_n add_v holy_a scripture_n 1,651 5 5.5616 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A56691 Search the Scriptures a treatise shewing that all Christians ought to read the Holy Books : with directions to them therein : in three parts. Patrick, Simon, 1626-1707. 1685 (1685) Wing P835; ESTC R23033 72,298 205

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and_o easy_a to_o such_o as_o faithful_o practice_v their_o most_o plain_a and_o easy_a precept_n but_o hard_a and_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v aright_o of_o such_o as_o wilful_o transgress_v they_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o perspicuous_o set_v down_o in_o holy_a scripture_n than_o this_o as_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o show_v if_o it_o will_v not_o enlarge_v this_o book_n too_o much_o from_o such_o word_n as_o those_o of_o st._n peter_n god_n resist_v the_o proud_a but_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a and_o therefore_o shall_v we_o admit_v of_o any_o authority_n equivalent_a to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o question_n will_v still_o remain_v whether_o the_o infallibility_n of_o that_o authority_n can_v take_v away_o that_o blindness_n of_o heart_n which_o by_o god_n just_a judgement_n fall_v upon_o all_o those_o who_o detain_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n in_o vnrighteousness_n if_o for_o their_o disobedience_n to_o evident_a and_o plain_a truth_n god_n punish_v they_o with_o such_o spiritual_a darkness_n that_o they_o discern_v not_o his_o will_n reveal_v in_o his_o write_a word_n no_o other_o infallible_a authority_n can_v inlighten_v they_o and_o make_v those_o scale_n fall_v from_o their_o eye_n which_o hinder_v their_o sight_n in_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o salvation_n they_o will_v everlasting_o go_v on_o in_o darkness_n because_o have_v light_o present_v to_o they_o they_o prefer_v darkness_n before_o it_o those_o naughty_a affection_n which_o have_v keep_v the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n from_o shine_v into_o they_o will_v close_v their_o eye_n so_o fast_o that_o no_o other_o light_n will_v open_v they_o but_o they_o must_v either_o receive_v and_o follow_v the_o plain_a direction_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o recover_v their_o sight_n by_o a_o sincere_a practice_n of_o know_a duty_n or_o walk_v on_o still_o in_o darkness_n and_o remain_v in_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o day_n unto_o which_o plain_a direction_n if_o man_n will_v unfeigned_o submit_v if_o thereby_o they_o be_v not_o lead_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o hard_a scripture_n they_o will_v however_o have_v this_o benefit_n that_o they_o will_v be_v secure_v from_o misunderstand_v they_o my_o meaning_n be_v that_o by_o understanding_n believe_a and_o keep_v close_o to_o the_o practice_n as_o well_o as_o knowledge_n of_o the_o easy_a and_o evident_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o shall_v be_v preserve_v from_o put_v any_o dangerous_a interpretation_n upon_o those_o place_n which_o be_v hard_a and_o difficult_a ignorant_a of_o they_o we_o may_v continue_v or_o perhaps_o mistake_v their_o meaning_n but_o still_o innocent_o so_o as_o not_o to_o do_v hurt_v to_o ourselves_o or_o other_o by_o they_o a_o illustrious_a example_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o st._n augustine_n book_n de_n fide_fw-la &_o operibus_fw-la where_o discourse_v chap._n xv._o upon_o that_o place_n of_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n iii_o 12_o 13._o which_o he_o take_v to_o be_v one_o of_o those_o which_o st._n peter_n say_v be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o his_o epistle_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o some_o understand_v the_o build_a gold_n silver_z precious_a stone_n upon_o this_o foundation_n to_o be_v mean_v of_o add_v good_a work_n to_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o build_v wood_n hay_n stubble_n upon_o it_o to_o be_v mean_v of_o those_o that_o hold_v the_o same_o faith_n but_o do_v evil_a from_o whence_o they_o fancy_v that_o by_o certain_a pain_n of_o fire_n such_o evil_a man_n may_v be_v purge_v to_o obtain_v salvation_n by_o virtue_n of_o the_o foundation_n that_o be_v by_o a_o right_a faith_n only_o because_o the_o apostle_n say_v v._o 15._o they_o shall_v be_v save_v yet_o so_o as_o by_o fire_n but_o if_o this_o be_v a_o true_a interpretation_n of_o this_o place_n say_v that_o excellent_a father_n than_o all_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o have_v no_o obscurity_n no_o ambiguity_n in_o they_o must_v be_v take_v to_o be_v false_a as_o for_o example_n that_o of_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o same_o epistle_n though_o i_o have_v all_o faith_n so_o that_o i_o can_v remove_v mountain_n and_o have_v no_o charity_n i_o be_o nothing_o and_o that_o of_o st._n james_n what_o do_v it_o profit_n brethren_n if_o a_o man_n say_v he_o have_v faith_n but_o have_v no_o work_n can_v faith_n save_v he_o and_o that_o place_n also_o will_v be_v false_a be_v not_o deceive_v neither_o fornicator_n nor_o they_o that_o serve_v idol_n nor_o adulterer_n etc._n etc._n shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o that_o also_o the_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v manifest_a which_o be_v adultery_n fornication_n uncleanness_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o i_o tell_v you_o again_o as_o i_o have_v do_v former_o that_o they_o who_o do_v such_o thing_n shall_v not_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n these_o be_v all_o false_a if_o that_o interpretation_n be_v true_a st._n paul_n contradict_v himself_o and_o in_o this_o obscure_a place_n clash_n with_o his_o plain_a word_n for_o according_a to_o this_o exposition_n if_o man_n only_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v they_o shall_v be_v save_v by_o fire_n though_o they_o persevere_v in_o such_o wicked_a course_n as_o those_o now_o mention_v and_o then_o i_o do_v not_o see_v to_o what_o purpose_n our_o lord_n say_v if_o thou_o will_v enter_v into_o life_n keep_v the_o commandment_n tell_v he_o what_o belong_v unto_o good_a manner_n and_o how_o will_v that_o be_v true_a which_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o will_v say_v to_o they_o on_o his_o left_a hand_n go_v you_o curse_v etc._n etc._n who_o he_o send_v to_o hell-fire_n not_o because_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v on_o he_o but_o because_o they_o do_v not_o do_v good_a work_n thus_o that_o father_n go_v on_o heap_v up_o a_o great_a many_o other_o place_n which_o evident_o speak_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o then_o conclude_v if_o therefore_o these_o thing_n and_o innumerable_a other_o which_o may_v be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n without_o any_o ambiguity_n be_v false_a then_o that_o sense_n may_v be_v true_a concern_v the_o wood_n hay_n and_o stubble_n viz._n that_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v by_o sire_n who_o only_o hold_v faith_n in_o christ_n have_v neglect_v good_a work_n si_fw-mi autem_fw-la &_o vera_fw-la &_o clara_fw-la sunt_fw-la etc._n etc._n but_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v both_o true_a and_o also_o clear_a then_o without_o doubt_n another_o sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n word_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v for_o and_o they_o be_v to_o be_v put_v into_o the_o number_n of_o those_o which_o s._n peter_n say_v be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o pervert_v to_o their_o own_o destruction_n by_o endeavour_v from_o they_o against_o the_o most_o evident_a testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o make_v the_o most_o lewd_a people_n secure_a of_o obtain_v salvation_n though_o they_o pertinacious_o continue_v in_o their_o wickedness_n not_o at_o all_o change_v by_o amendment_n or_o repentance_n as_o for_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o that_o scripture_n though_o he_o venture_v at_o it_o yet_o he_o say_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n he_o have_v rather_o be_v inform_v by_o those_o who_o be_v more_o learned_a and_o more_o understanding_n who_o can_v so_o expound_v it_o as_o to_o let_v all_o those_o thing_n above_o mention_v remain_v true_a and_o unshaken_a in_o which_o the_o scripture_n most_o open_o avow_v that_o faith_n profit_v nothing_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o which_o the_o apostle_n define_v that_o be_v faith_n which_o work_v by_o love_n but_o without_o work_n can_v save_v man_n neither_o without_o fire_n nor_o by_o fire_n still_o he_o stick_v to_o this_o rule_n as_o most_o certain_a and_o unmoveable_a that_o whatsoever_o sense_n be_v give_v of_o a_o obscure_a scripture_n it_o contradict_v not_o those_o scripture_n which_o be_v more_o plain_a especial_o those_o which_o teach_v we_o to_o live_v well_o and_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o which_o none_o that_o love_v the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o christ_n will_v ever_o prejudice_v by_o any_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v out_o of_o my_o way_n to_o attempt_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o place_n now_o mention_v have_v no_o other_o business_n in_o hand_n at_o present_a but_o to_o show_v that_o by_o adhere_v as_o this_o holy_a man_n do_v to_o the_o evident_a truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n they_o will_v never_o permit_v we_o to_o put_v any_o bad_a and_o pernicious_a sense_n upon_o those_o that_o be_v less_o evident_a let_v we_o stick_v as_o he_o do_v to_o this_o rule_n and_o we_o shall_v either_o put_v a_o harmless_a sense_n upon_o they_o or_o none_o at_o all_o but_o then_o we_o must_v as_o i_o say_v be_v hearty_o in_o love_n with_o these_o plain_a truth_n and_o frame_v our_o life_n according_a to_o
king_n shall_v be_v furnish_v with_o a_o copy_n of_o the_o law_n and_o keep_v it_o by_o he_o that_o he_o may_v read_v therein_o all_o the_o day_n of_o his_o life_n and_o learn_v to_o fear_v the_o lord_n his_o god_n and_o to_o keep_v all_o the_o word_n of_o this_o law_n and_o these_o statute_n to_o do_v they_o xvii_o deut._n 18_o 19_o nay_o the_o more_o to_o imprint_v the_o word_n of_o this_o book_n upon_o his_o mind_n the_o law_n enjoin_v this_o as_o a_o duty_n belong_v to_o the_o king_n himself_o say_v he_o shall_v write_v he_o a_o copy_n of_o this_o law_n in_o a_o book_n out_o of_o that_o which_o be_v before_o the_o priest_n the_o levite_n which_o though_o some_o be_v please_v to_o think_v a_o privilege_n indulge_v only_o to_o the_o king_n the_o jew_n who_o be_v willing_a enough_o to_o excuse_v themselves_o from_o such_o laborious_a thing_n constant_o affirm_v that_o every_o private_a man_n be_v bind_v to_o do_v the_o same_o and_o that_o though_o the_o king_n have_v do_v it_o before_o as_o other_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v yet_o be_v exalt_v to_o the_o throne_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o do_v it_o over_o again_o out_o of_o the_o most_o authentic_a record_n that_o it_o may_v be_v the_o more_o imprint_v on_o his_o mind_n and_o work_v in_o he_o a_o great_a reverence_n thereof_o this_o maimonides_n ground_n upon_o those_o word_n xxxi_o deut._n 19_o which_o concern_v they_o all_o now_o therefore_o write_v you_o this_o song_n for_o you_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v write_v the_o law_n for_o yourselves_o of_o which_o this_o song_n be_v a_o part_n for_o they_o be_v not_o wont_a to_o write_v the_o law_n by_o parcel_n wherein_o perhaps_o they_o go_v too_o far_o but_o there_o be_v little_a doubt_n to_o be_v make_v that_o pious_a king_n take_v care_v the_o people_n shall_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o law_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o imitate_v that_o pious_a prince_n josiah_n who_o after_o a_o long_a forgetfulness_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v a_o copy_n of_o the_o law_n bring_v to_o he_o which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o temple_n not_o only_o cause_v it_o to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o people_n but_o as_o the_o jew_n with_o great_a reason_n affirm_v command_v the_o priest_n and_o scribe_n to_o write_v copy_n of_o it_o and_o deliver_v they_o to_o the_o people_n for_o how_o shall_v they_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o word_n of_o the_o covenantwritten_a in_o that_o book_n unto_o which_o josiah_n engage_v they_o 2_o kings_z xxiii_o 2_o 3._o unless_o they_o know_v they_o and_o how_o shall_v they_o know_v they_o more_o than_o they_o have_v do_v former_o if_o they_o do_v only_o once_o bare_o hear_v they_o which_o may_v give_v they_o some_o present_a sense_n of_o their_o duty_n but_o can_v not_o be_v remember_v unless_o they_o have_v the_o word_n they_o be_v to_o perform_v constant_o before_o their_o eye_n there_o may_v much_o more_o be_v add_v on_o this_o subject_n but_o this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o introduce_v what_o follow_v ii_o that_o what_o be_v thus_o enjoin_v by_o moses_n and_o practise_v by_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n our_o saviour_n confirm_v by_o his_o command_n or_o at_o least_o by_o his_o approbation_n say_v v._o john_n 39_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n and_o they_o be_v they_o which_o testify_v of_o i_o some_o indeed_o translate_v the_o word_n thus_o you_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o they_o etc._n etc._n and_o so_o they_o be_v a_o plain_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o be_v then_o in_o use_n nay_o a_o approbation_n if_o not_o commendation_n of_o their_o diligence_n in_o turn_v over_o the_o holy_a book_n wherein_o they_o hope_v to_o find_v so_o great_a a_o treasure_n as_o eternal_a life_n but_o if_o they_o be_v render_v as_o we_o and_o as_o many_o of_o the_o romanist_n themselves_o translate_v they_o search_v the_o scripture_n than_o they_o be_v a_o command_n wherein_o our_o bless_a saviour_n require_v what_o moses_n have_v former_o do_v and_o charge_v they_o not_o to_o neglect_v this_o duty_n of_o make_v a_o diligent_a inquiry_n into_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o holy_a write_n for_o there_o they_o will_v find_v plain_a testimony_n concern_v the_o messiah_n and_o be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n who_o they_o expect_v and_o i_o can_v see_v how_o this_o precept_n may_v be_v safe_o disobey_v but_o as_o our_o lord_n in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o rich_a man_n and_o lazarus_n xvi_o luke_n 29._o bring_v in_o abraham_n send_v the_o rich_a man_n brethren_n unto_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i._n e._n to_o their_o write_n for_o they_o themselves_o be_v dead_a and_o go_v for_o their_o instruction_n from_o who_o they_o may_v learn_v enough_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o come_v into_o that_o place_n of_o torment_n so_o we_o in_o like_a manner_n aught_o to_o tell_v man_n if_o they_o will_v know_v how_o to_o be_v save_v they_o must_v repair_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o out_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o apostolical_a instruction_n learn_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o how_o to_o escape_v eternal_a damnation_n for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o good_a reason_n allege_v why_o the_o jew_n shall_v be_v permit_v nay_o command_v to_o read_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o we_o not_o be_v allow_v but_o forbid_v to_o read_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o we_o be_v as_o much_o concern_v or_o rather_o more_o in_o these_o as_o they_o be_v in_o they_o and_o they_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o than_o the_o old_a scripture_n be_v by_o they_o we_o have_v the_o same_o mean_n the_o same_o help_n that_o they_o have_v if_o not_o far_o better_a to_o prosit_fw-la by_o they_o and_o to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o our_o preacher_n now_o but_o a_o honest_a discharge_n of_o their_o duty_n to_o say_v to_o their_o people_n as_o origen_n do_v to_o his_o in_o his_o second_o homily_n upon_o isaiah_n will_v to_o god_n we_o do_v all_o practice_n that_o which_o be_v write_v search_v the_o scripture_n and_o as_o st._n basil_n in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o baptism_n cap._n 4._o let_v we_o obey_v our_o lord_n who_o say_v search_v the_o scripture_n and_o let_v we_o imitate_v the_o apostle_n who_o inquire_v of_o the_o lord_n himself_o the_o interpretation_n of_o his_o own_o word_n learn_v the_o truth_n and_o wholesomeness_n of_o what_o he_o say_v in_o one_o place_n by_o what_o he_o speak_v in_o another_o so_o far_o be_v these_o great_a and_o holy_a man_n from_o discountenance_v the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o they_o most_o earnest_o press_v every_o body_n to_o it_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v more_o full_o before_o i_o have_v do_v iii_o let_v we_o now_o further_o consider_v that_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n be_v concern_v that_o what_o they_o write_v concern_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n shall_v be_v read_v not_o only_o by_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o their_o write_n be_v direct_v but_o be_v communicate_v to_o all_o the_o member_n thereof_o who_o be_v under_o their_o instruction_n this_o appear_v from_o st._n paul_n most_o solemn_a charge_n in_o his_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v read_v to_o all_o the_o holy_a brethren_n 1._o v._o 27._o who_o shall_v read_v it_o to_o they_o but_o the_o bishop_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o no_o doubt_n first_o receive_v it_o but_o be_v not_o to_o keep_v it_o to_o themselves_o but_o impart_v it_o to_o the_o whole_a community_n and_o if_o they_o read_v it_o to_o the_o whole_a society_n we_o can_v think_v they_o refuse_v to_o give_v copy_n of_o it_o to_o they_o if_o any_o desire_v it_o that_o they_o may_v read_v it_o themselves_o or_o rather_o they_o take_v care_n to_o disperse_v this_o letter_n of_o their_o own_o accord_n among_o their_o flock_n as_o they_o do_v also_o send_v it_o to_o other_o church_n whereby_o by_o it_o become_v common_a to_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n and_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o great_a importance_n that_o all_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v acquaint_v with_o his_o sense_n that_o his_o charge_n be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o adjuration_n that_o if_o they_o neglect_v he_o the_o command_n shall_v be_v obey_v for_o the_o adjuration_n sake_n for_o adjuration_n be_v dreadful_a to_o the_o ancient_a christian_n though_o now_o alas_o woe_n be_v to_o we_o they_o be_v little_o regard_v they_o be_v word_n of_o theophylact._n and_o to_o the_o same_o effect_n theodoret_n gloss_n he_o add_v a_o adjuration_n contrive_v that_o all_o may_v have_v the_o
profit_n of_o the_o read_v this_o epistle_n for_o perhaps_o otherways_o they_o that_o first_o receive_v it_o may_v not_o have_v give_v it_o unto_o all_o as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v he_o be_v afraid_a lest_o the_o epistle_n shall_v be_v suppress_v and_o read_v but_o by_o few_o and_o therefore_o he_o require_v they_o for_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o as_o they_o hope_v for_o mercy_n from_o our_o lord_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v read_v unto_o all_o which_o teach_v we_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v conceal_v from_o the_o poor_a member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o as_o much_o as_o the_o great_a and_o that_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v now_o alive_a and_o shall_v write_v to_o the_o church_n we_o may_v be_v confident_a he_o will_v be_v more_o earnest_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a in_o this_o matter_n graviore_fw-la contestatione_fw-la adjurans_fw-la etc._n etc._n as_o musculus_fw-la write_v add_v great_a weight_n o_o his_o adjuration_n and_o beseech_v nay_o charge_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n who_o now_o with_o all_o their_o might_n oppose_v the_o people_n read_v of_o his_o epistle_n that_o as_o they_o expect_v the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n who_o be_v the_o witness_n of_o what_o he_o say_v and_o will_v be_v their_o judge_n they_o will_v take_v care_n that_o all_o his_o word_n shall_v be_v diligent_o communicate_v to_o the_o faithful_a it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n s._n paul_n write_v also_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n iu_o 16._o where_o he_o command_v that_o this_o epistle_n be_v read_v among_o they_o in_o that_o church_n they_o shall_v take_v care_n to_o have_v it_o read_v in_o that_o of_o laodicea_n by_o send_v that_o be_v a_o copy_n of_o it_o to_o they_o and_o the_o colossian_n on_o the_o other_o side_n shall_v read_v the_o epistle_n of_o the_o laodicean_n that_o be_v the_o epistle_n which_o he_o have_v send_v to_o that_o church_n as_o some_o theophylact_v observe_n ancient_o understand_v it_o or_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n which_o be_v write_v by_o he_o as_o other_o he_o say_v observe_z from_o laodicea_n these_o be_v plain_a demonstration_n that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v intend_v to_o be_v the_o common_a portion_n of_o all_o god_n people_n as_o those_o of_o the_o old_a have_v always_o be_v iv_o and_o thus_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o show_v they_o understand_v it_o by_o represent_v that_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o duty_n and_o careful_o practise_v by_o pious_a people_n according_a to_o the_o forename_a injunction_n of_o our_o bless_a lord_n and_o the_o solemn_a obtestation_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o same_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o his_o son_n timothy_n from_o his_o infancy_n have_v know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o will_v not_o now_o be_v allow_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n to_o grow_v christian_n without_o a_o special_a licence_n no_o not_o to_o regulars_n as_o they_o call_v they_o who_o whole_a business_n it_o be_v to_o be_v religious_a but_o may_v not_o have_v any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o their_o own_o language_n without_o a_o faculty_n from_o their_o superior_n read_v 2._o tim._n iii_o 15._o and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o five_o verse_n of_o the_o first_o chapter_n you_o will_v sin_v that_o he_o receive_v this_o early_a knowledge_n he_o have_v of_o the_o scripture_n from_o his_o grandmother_n and_o mother_n for_o his_o father_n be_v not_o a_o jew_n but_o a_o greek_a and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o ignorant_a in_o the_o scripture_n but_o have_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o understand_v they_o so_o well_o that_o they_o be_v able_a according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n which_o they_o begin_v to_o do_v say_v the_o apostle_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o their_o cradle_n as_o we_o speak_v in_o our_o language_n that_o be_v as_o josephus_n admirable_o explain_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d immediate_o upon_o the_o first_o indication_n that_o they_o have_v any_o perception_n of_o other_o thing_n for_o so_o he_o write_v in_o the_o book_n before_o name_v if_o any_o man_n ask_v any_o one_o of_o our_o nation_n concern_v the_o law_n he_o will_v tell_v he_o all_o thing_n more_o ready_o than_o his_o own_o name_n for_o learn_v they_o straightway_o as_o soon_o as_o we_o come_v to_o have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n we_o retain_v they_o deep_o engrave_v upon_o our_o mind_n thus_o the_o talmudist_n also_o discourse_n at_o five_o year_n old_a they_o put_v their_o child_n to_o the_o bible_n whereby_o they_o arrive_v at_o such_o a_o proficiency_n that_o in_o these_o latter_a age_n they_o have_v be_v able_a to_o tell_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v there_o so_o ribera_n a_o famous_a jesuit_n relate_v in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o v._o micah_n 2._o i_o know_v a_o jew_n say_v he_o at_o salamanca_n who_o be_v sufficient_o unlearned_a of_o who_o when_o i_o inquire_v in_o the_o spanish_a language_n because_o he_o understand_v no_o latin_a about_o several_a thing_n both_o in_o the_o historical_a and_o in_o the_o prophetical_a book_n he_o stop_v i_o immediate_o upon_o the_o first_o mention_n of_o they_o from_o proceed_v further_o and_o repeat_v they_o all_o himself_o without_o book_n in_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n which_o i_o relate_v to_o another_o jew_n who_o be_v become_v christian_a he_o tell_v i_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o they_o commit_v all_o these_o thing_n to_o memory_n from_o their_o childhood_n which_o may_v very_o well_o put_v those_o christian_n to_o the_o blush_n who_o be_v as_o careful_a and_o vigilant_a to_o keep_v not_o only_o their_o child_n and_o youth_n but_o elder_a people_n also_o from_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o jew_n be_v to_o bring_v they_o into_o acquaintance_n with_o they_o and_o it_o be_v the_o more_o shameful_a because_o even_o the_o proselyte_n that_o be_v they_o of_o other_o nation_n who_o embrace_v the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v allow_v this_o liberty_n no_o less_o than_o the_o natural_a jew_n themselves_o which_o be_v apparent_a in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o eunuch_n belong_v to_o the_o queen_n of_o ethiopia_n who_o st._n philip_n find_v viii_o act_n 28._o read_v the_o prophet_n isaiah_n as_o he_o be_v in_o his_o journey_n homeward_o from_o jerusalem_n agreeable_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o law_n before_o mention_v that_o the_o divine_a write_n shall_v be_v their_o companion_n when_o they_o walk_v on_o the_o way_n as_o well_o as_o when_o they_o be_v within_o door_n this_o eunuch_n be_v a_o man_n of_o a_o strange_a country_n breed_v up_o in_o the_o court_n of_o ethiopia_n which_o be_v the_o soft_a they_o say_v and_o most_o effeminate_a of_o all_o nation_n yet_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n he_o have_v so_o much_o care_n of_o his_o soul_n as_o to_o read_v the_o prophetical_a book_n the_o hard_a of_o all_o the_o old_a scripture_n the_o sense_n of_o which_o he_o confess_v to_o philip_n he_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o that_o do_v not_o hinder_v his_o read_v they_o and_o because_o he_o read_v they_o with_o a_o pious_a mind_n god_n send_v he_o a_o interpreter_n who_o improve_v his_o knowledge_n and_o advance_v he_o from_o a_o jew_n to_o be_v a_o christian_n clothe_v the_o blackmore_n as_o erasmus_n express_v it_o with_o the_o snowlike_a fleece_n of_o the_o immaculate_a lamb._n which_o that_o great_a man_n just_o allege_v as_o a_o argument_n why_o every_o one_o shall_v read_v the_o scripture_n though_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v every_o thing_n that_o they_o read_v if_o they_o do_v it_o honest_o and_o pious_o how_o do_v we_o know_v say_v he_o but_o that_o they_o may_v fare_v as_o well_o as_o the_o eunuch_n do_v who_o feel_v his_o heart_n touch_v in_o the_o read_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n v._o certain_a it_o be_v you_o may_v further_o observe_v that_o this_o be_v not_o only_o practise_v in_o the_o first_o and_o best_a time_n of_o christianity_n but_o it_o be_v account_v a_o noble_a quality_n in_o those_o who_o be_v serious_o conversant_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o of_o the_o city_n of_o beraea_n may_v teach_v we_o who_o hear_v st._n paul_n preach_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n which_o he_o confirm_v no_o doubt_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o present_o reject_v what_o he_o say_v because_o it_o cross_v their_o opinion_n as_o a_o neighbour_a city_n have_v do_v but_o be_v more_o noble_a say_v the_o text_n xvii_o act_n 11._o or_o better_o breed_v than_o those_o of_o thessalonica_n search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v censure_v as_o a_o piece_n of_o
presumption_n that_o god_n bless_v these_o pious_a endeavour_n and_o give_v they_o a_o right_a understanding_n as_o a_o reward_n of_o their_o search_n into_o the_o scripture_n according_a as_o it_o there_o follow_v therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v and_o thus_o st._n peter_n also_o in_o this_o very_a epistle_n chap._n i._n 19_o commend_v his_o countryman_n who_o attentive_o read_v and_o consider_v the_o prophetical_a write_n we_o have_v also_o a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n whereunto_o you_o do_v well_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n that_o shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n until_o the_o day_n dawn_n and_o the_o daystar_n arise_v in_o your_o heart_n the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o which_o word_n to_o i_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o laudable_a and_o praiseworthy_a thing_n in_o those_o jewish_a convert_v to_o who_o he_o write_v who_o as_o yet_o be_v but_o weak_a in_o the_o faith_n that_o they_o do_v give_v heed_n to_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n which_o they_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sure_a ground_n of_o their_o faith_n for_o in_o they_o they_o will_v sin_v the_o lord_n jesus_n plain_o descrihe_v if_o they_o compare_v what_o the_o apostle_n preach_v with_o that_o which_o they_o foretell_v as_o the_o beraean_o do_v those_o write_n indeed_o of_o the_o prophet_n do_v but_o obscure_o treat_v of_o christ_n in_o comparison_n with_o the_o discovery_n of_o he_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o apostolical_a write_n which_o he_o compare_v to_o the_o daystar_n and_o the_o old_a prophet_n but_o to_o a_o candle_n shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n yet_o the_o one_o will_v lead_v they_o to_o the_o other_o and_o by_o take_v attentive_a heed_n to_o the_o prophetical_a write_n they_o will_v in_o time_n find_v the_o day_n dawn_n and_o the_o daystar_n arise_v in_o their_o heart_n that_o be_v arrive_v by_o degree_n at_o clear_a demonstration_n and_o a_o full_a and_o bright_a knowledge_n of_o christian_a truth_n deliver_v by_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n give_v light_n even_o to_o the_o ancient_a prophecy_n to_o conclude_v this_o particular_a they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o discourage_v any_o christian_n in_o their_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o they_o commend_v those_o who_o read_v even_o the_o hard_a book_n among_o they_o those_o word_n be_v very_o remarkable_a i._o revel_v 3._o bless_a be_v he_o that_o read_v and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o keep_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v therein_o which_o comfortable_a encouragement_n i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o we_o may_v not_o with_o the_o great_a satisfaction_n apply_v to_o ourselves_o now_o as_o they_o do_v then_o to_o quicken_v we_o to_o read_v and_o hear_v the_o thing_n contain_v therein_o for_o though_o we_o do_v not_o certain_o understand_v every_o one_o of_o those_o prophecy_n yet_o there_o be_v abundance_n of_o most_o excellent_a instruction_n and_o admonition_n encouragement_n and_o consolation_n intersperse_v throughout_o that_o book_n which_o make_v it_o sit_v to_o be_v read_v by_o christian_a people_n for_o their_o direction_n and_o support_v and_o we_o may_v likewise_o from_o hence_o take_v the_o confidence_n to_o argue_v in_o this_o manner_n if_o a_o blessedness_n be_v pronounce_v to_o those_o that_o read_v or_o hear_v that_o prophecy_n and_o keep_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v therein_o then_o they_o can_v be_v accurse_v who_o for_o the_o same_o end_n read_v other_o holy_a book_n where_o such_o instruction_n and_o comfort_n be_v more_o plentiful_o and_o plain_o and_o on_o purpose_n deliver_v nor_o can_v they_o expect_v god_n blessing_n who_o prohibit_v the_o read_n even_o of_o those_o easy_a and_o more_o familiar_a scripture_n which_o be_v accommodate_v by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n to_o the_o most_o vulgar_a capacity_n every_o one_o ought_v to_o drink_v of_o these_o fountain_n nor_o will_v i_o forbid_v say_v erasmus_n very_o pious_o those_o that_o thirst_n after_o christian_a knowledge_n to_o read_v even_o those_o book_n which_o be_v not_o so_o open_a but_o like_o a_o fountain_n seal_v up_o because_o they_o will_v reap_v this_o fruit_n at_o least_o that_o they_o will_v come_v more_o sit_v to_o the_o hear_n of_o sermon_n which_o touch_v upon_o or_o allude_v to_o those_o more_o obscure_a passage_n they_o will_v hear_v also_o those_o thing_n more_o willing_o of_o which_o they_o have_v already_o some_o knowledge_n and_o understand_v those_o thing_n more_o easy_o of_o which_o they_o have_v a_o small_a taste_n vi_o and_o there_o be_v the_o great_a reason_n for_o it_o because_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o considerable_a part_n of_o our_o complete_a spiritual_a armour_n without_o which_o we_o shall_v lie_v so_o open_a to_o the_o assault_n of_o our_o enemy_n that_o it_o will_v very_o much_o hazard_v our_o salvation_n and_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v expose_v to_o any_o danger_n when_o we_o may_v defend_v ourselves_o by_o the_o use_n of_o those_o weapon_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v provide_v for_o we_o or_o how_o can_v they_o be_v friend_n to_o our_o soul_n who_o will_v expose_v we_o by_o take_v those_o weapon_n out_o of_o our_o hand_n read_v the_o vi_o ephes_n 11._o etc._n etc._n where_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v they_o to_o put_v on_o the_o whole_a armour_n or_o complete_a armour_n of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o stand_v against_o all_o the_o wile_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o the_o follow_a verse_n enumerate_v the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o armour_n and_o the_o last_o piece_n of_o it_o but_o one_o be_v v._n 17_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n this_o show_v that_o as_o while_o we_o have_v enemy_n to_o fight_v withal_o and_o very_o powerful_a subtle_a enemy_n we_o have_v need_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o weapon_n that_o god_n have_v furnish_v we_o withal_o for_o our_o defence_n so_o we_o be_v not_o complete_o appoint_v for_o our_o defence_n without_o this_o weapon_n the_o word_n of_o god_n no_o more_o than_o a_o soldier_n be_v without_o his_o sword_n and_o therefore_o they_o who_o go_v about_o to_o deprive_v we_o of_o this_o leave_v we_o in_o great_a part_n naked_a to_o our_o spiritual_a enemy_n by_o wrest_v that_o weapon_n out_o of_o our_o hand_n whereby_o we_o shall_v beat_v they_o off_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o devil_n temptation_n you_o may_v observe_v iu._n st._n matth._n but_o our_o saviour_n vanquish_v it_o by_o this_o weapon_n tell_v he_o it_o be_v so_o and_o so_o write_v and_o the_o tempter_n have_v no_o more_o to_o say_v nor_o know_v what_o to_o oppose_v thereunto_o and_o therefore_o our_o safety_n lie_v in_o the_o same_o divine_a armoury_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n unto_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o have_v resort_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o there_o furnish_v ourselves_o with_o such_o holy_a precept_n example_n promise_n and_o threaten_n as_o we_o may_v have_v ready_a at_o hand_n to_o oppose_v to_o every_o temptation_n it_o be_v usual_o say_v as_o i_o note_v in_o the_o beginning_n that_o man_n may_v wound_v themselves_o with_o a_o sword_n as_o soon_o as_o their_o enemy_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o let_v every_o body_n take_v this_o weapon_n into_o his_o hand_n but_o be_v not_o the_o apostle_n as_o much_o aware_a of_o this_o as_o we_o be_v not_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v then_o as_o now_o and_o we_o by_o this_o reason_n shall_v leave_v neither_o sun_n in_o heaven_n nor_o any_o good_a creature_n here_o upon_o earth_n as_o a_o great_a man_n of_o our_o own_o somewhere_o speak_v for_o they_o have_v be_v all_o wretched_o abuse_v to_o very_o ill_a purpose_n by_o evil_a man_n and_o beside_o this_o it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o man_n may_v as_o soon_o hurt_v themselves_o as_o their_o enemy_n with_o this_o sword_n for_o who_o but_o mad_a man_n or_o desperate_a person_n run_v that_o weapon_n into_o their_o own_o body_n wherewith_o they_o shall_v defend_v their_o life_n and_o who_o but_o they_o that_o be_v distract_v themselves_o will_v suppose_v the_o generality_n of_o christian_n to_o be_v such_o a_o frantic_a fort_n of_o people_n that_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o mean_n of_o their_o preservation_n but_o must_v have_v even_o the_o bread_n of_o life_n take_v from_o they_o for_o fear_v they_o surfeit_v of_o it_o but_o this_o will_v be_v more_o full_o answer_v hereafter_o and_o that_o which_o i_o have_v next_o to_o represent_v to_o your_o consideration_n will_v give_v great_a satisfaction_n to_o it_o which_o be_v this_o vii_o that_o the_o great_a doctor_n in_o the_o church_n have_v most_o earnest_o exhort_v the_o people_n with_o all_o the_o rhetoric_n they_o can_v invent_v to_o give_v themselves_o leisure_n
but_o deliver_v other_o also_o that_o be_v deceive_v and_o draw_v they_o out_o of_o the_o danger_n but_o it_o be_v time_n to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o this_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v only_o add_v these_o few_o memorable_a word_n of_o he_o out_o of_o his_o second_o sermon_n upon_o st._n matthew_n that_o you_o may_v see_v how_o faithful_o they_o follow_v the_o father_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v whole_o guide_v by_o they_o if_o there_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n than_o that_o of_o not_o read_v the_o scripture_n it_o be_v this_o to_o be_v persuade_v that_o we_o need_v not_o read_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o these_o be_v word_n of_o a_o satanical_a suggestion_n the_o study_a invention_n of_o the_o devil_n i_o have_v be_v the_o long_o upon_o this_o head_n because_o some_o be_v more_o move_v by_o a_o great_a authority_n than_o by_o bare_a reason_n and_o i_o have_v allege_v this_o father_n authority_n alone_o not_o for_o want_v of_o other_o which_o be_v ready_a at_o hand_n in_o great_a abundance_n but_o because_o it_o be_v deserve_o very_a weighty_a and_o as_o he_o be_v full_a and_o express_v in_o his_o judgement_n about_o this_o matter_n so_o he_o intermix_v his_o discourse_n upon_o it_o with_o many_o excellent_a instruction_n but_o if_o we_o have_v neither_o his_o testimony_n nor_o any_o other_o to_o produce_v there_o be_v one_o piece_n of_o history_n remain_v which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v any_o man_n in_o this_o matter_n which_o be_v that_o it_o be_v the_o very_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o a_o christian_a to_o have_v a_o bible_n and_o of_o a_o apostate_n to_o deliver_v his_o bible_n to_o be_v burn_v when_o the_o inquisitor_n come_v to_o search_v for_o it_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n as_o they_o do_v particular_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o maxentius_n and_o of_o dioclesian_n when_o they_o seek_v to_o destroy_v all_o bibles_n as_o the_o foundation_n of_o christian_a religion_n which_o they_o think_v will_v fall_v when_o these_o book_n be_v go_v and_o that_o layman_n general_o have_v bibles_n as_o well_o as_o priest_n and_o be_v guilty_a of_o this_o foul_a crime_n of_o deliver_v they_o up_o to_o the_o persecutor_n appear_v by_o optatus_n in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o parmenio_n quid_fw-la commemorem_fw-la laicos_fw-la etc._n etc._n what_o need_v i_o stand_v to_o mention_v the_o lay-people_n who_o then_o have_v no_o dignity_n in_o the_o church_n or_o many_o minister_n he_o mean_v inferior_a officer_n or_o deacon_n in_o the_o three_o order_n or_o presbyter_n in_o the_o second_o priesthood_n when_o the_o very_a supreme_a some_o bishop_n in_o those_o time_n impious_o deliver_v up_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n he_o name_v several_a and_o among_o the_o rest_n donatus_n and_o the_o same_o we_o find_v in_o st._n austin_n epist_n xlviii_o and_o clxxi_o and_o other_o place_n where_o he_o relate_v how_o some_o deliver_v up_o the_o holy_a book_n to_o the_o persecutor_n and_o other_o who_o do_v not_o communicate_v with_o they_o that_o do_v mix_v with_o the_o church_n traditorum_n plebem_fw-la congregatam_fw-la a_o whole_a congregation_n of_o people_n that_o be_v traditor_n which_o show_v that_o bibles_n be_v then_o as_o common_a as_o they_o be_v now_o and_o that_o s._n chrysostom_n complaint_n be_v very_o just_a against_o those_o who_o be_v grow_v so_o cold_a and_o negligent_a in_o provide_v themselves_o these_o holy_a book_n as_o if_o they_o still_o have_v be_v under_o persecution_n and_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o have_v they_o now_o that_o they_o live_v under_o christian_a emperor_n viii_o but_o now_o let_v we_o hear_v what_o common_a reason_n say_v as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o they_o such_o great_a light_n as_o he_o now_o name_v and_o that_o teach_v we_o that_o since_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v for_o the_o use_n and_o benefit_n of_o all_o all_o shall_v have_v liberty_n to_o read_v they_o they_o be_v write_v for_o all_o it_o be_v plain_a for_o that_o which_o they_o teach_v be_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o that_o which_o they_o promise_v be_v the_o portion_n of_o all_o and_o if_o any_o one_o say_v it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v they_o shall_v be_v read_v by_o all_o because_o the_o people_n may_v be_v teach_v by_o other_o without_o look_v into_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o they_o render_v themselves_o suspect_v that_o they_o intend_v not_o to_o teach_v the_o people_n sincere_o what_o be_v write_v but_o to_o establish_v their_o own_o authority_n instead_o of_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a write_n for_o otherwise_o why_o shall_v they_o not_o rather_o when_o they_o pretend_v to_o teach_v other_o bid_v they_o look_v into_o their_o bibles_n and_o there_o satisfy_v themselves_o that_o they_o do_v not_o abuse_v they_o assure_v they_o it_o be_v a_o faithful_a translation_n of_o god_n book_n which_o they_o have_v in_o their_o hand_n who_o meaning_n it_o be_v their_o business_n to_o help_v they_o to_o understand_v that_o be_v why_o do_v they_o not_o imitate_v god_n himself_o who_o command_v his_o prophet_n to_o proclaim_v he_o to_o be_v the_o only_a god_n among_o the_o babylonian_n and_o that_o the_o god_n which_o make_v not_o the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n shall_v perish_v from_o the_o earth_n and_o from_o under_o these_o heaven_n order_v he_o to_o do_v it_o in_o their_o own_o language_n that_o they_o may_v read_v and_o understand_v it_o x._o jer._n 11._o where_o when_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n be_v hebrew_n this_o message_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o chaldee_n tongue_n which_o we_o may_v just_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o praeludium_n to_o the_o publish_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n among_o the_o gentile_n in_o their_o own_o language_n in_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n when_o as_o theodoret_n witness_v the_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n be_v turn_v into_o the_o language_n of_o the_o roman_n egyptian_n persian_n indian_n armenian_n scythian_n and_o sauromatans_n and_o all_o the_o language_n that_o any_o other_o nation_n use_v and_o therefore_o why_o shall_v not_o we_o now_o have_v they_o in_o english_a and_o have_v they_o why_o shall_v not_o all_o read_v that_o they_o may_v learn_v the_o way_n to_o be_v happy_a here_o and_o eternal_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v sure_o they_o be_v not_o lead_v into_o a_o wrong_a way_n and_o abuse_v by_o pretend_a authority_n from_o god_n who_o perhaps_o say_v the_o quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o his_o name_n this_o be_v the_o people_n right_n and_o it_o it_o their_o duty_n to_o use_v it_o as_o that_o great_a man_n s._n chrysostom_n who_o word_n let_v i_o set_v down_o once_o more_o teach_v his_o church_n upon_o 2_o corinth_n vii_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o xiii_o sermon_n for_o how_o can_v we_o think_v it_o not_o to_o be_v absurd_a that_o have_v to_o deal_v in_o money-matter_n man_n will_v not_o trust_v to_o other_o but_o the_o counter_n be_v bring_v out_o and_o they_o cast_v up_o the_o sum_n but_o in_o the_o business_n of_o their_o soul_n be_v bare_o lead_v and_o draw_v aside_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o other_o man_n and_o this_o even_o when_o they_o have_v a_o exact_a scale_n wherein_o to_o weigh_v all_o thing_n a_o exact_a rule_n or_o square_a whereby_o to_o measure_v they_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o divine_a law_n therefore_o i_o beseech_v and_o entreat_v you_o all_o that_o not_o mind_v what_o such_o or_o such_o a_o man_n say_v about_o these_o thing_n you_o will_v consult_v the_o holy_a scripture_n concern_v they_o all_o etc._n etc._n and_o if_o you_o consider_v what_o kind_n of_o auditor_n christ_n have_v you_o may_v soon_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o learn_v from_o thence_o what_o his_o intention_n be_v be_v they_o not_o the_o promiscuous_a multitude_n people_n of_o all_o sort_n and_o condition_n and_o will_v he_o take_v it_o ill_o to_o be_v read_v of_o those_o by_o who_o he_o will_v be_v hear_v some_o will_v say_v there_o be_v danger_n in_o read_v the_o word_n may_v be_v mistake_v or_o pervert_v and_o may_v they_o not_o be_v so_o in_o hear_v can_v any_o preacher_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n so_o frame_v his_o discourse_n that_o he_o can_v warrant_v not_o a_o word_n he_o say_v shall_v be_v misunderstand_v or_o misinterpret_v and_o turn_v to_o another_o sense_n than_o he_o mean_v it_o by_o this_o reason_n the_o poor_a people_n shall_v be_v teach_v nothing_o at_o all_o if_o we_o must_v do_v they_o no_o good_a because_o some_o may_v possible_o abuse_v it_o and_o turn_v it_o to_o their_o hurt_n nay_o if_o god_n himself_o may_v not_o be_v hear_v by_o the_o people_n speak_v to_o they_o in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n i_o see_v far_o less_o reason_n why_o man_n shall_v who_o can_v say_v nothing_o but_o what_o
small_a observation_n which_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o inform_v we_o that_o if_o man_n take_v heed_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v as_o laziness_n and_o careless_a read_n and_o interest_n will_v make_v they_o it_o be_v only_o this_o to_o what_o the_o word_n which_o relate_v when_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o which_o be_v some_o thing_n etc._n etc._n whether_o to_o st._n paul_n epistle_n or_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o st._n peter_n be_v treat_v of_o in_o this_o chapter_n as_o st._n paul_n do_v in_o some_o of_o his_o epistle_n and_o it_o be_v manifest_a to_o those_o who_o will_v be_v at_o so_o much_o pain_n as_o to_o ask_v any_o honest_a man_n that_o understand_v the_o original_a language_n that_o it_o refer_v not_o to_o all_o st._n paul_n epistle_n but_o to_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o st._n peter_n have_v be_v discourse_v for_o the_o word_n be_v not_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o which_o epistle_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o which_o thing_n or_o among_o which_o thing_n some_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v now_o that_o which_o st._n peter_n have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v the_o come_v of_o our_o lord_n concern_v which_o he_o say_v st._n paul_n also_o have_v write_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o determine_v that_o s._n peter_n here_o mean_v that_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o st._n paul_n have_v write_v in_o his_o epistle_n about_o christ_n come_v there_o be_v some_o thing_n not_o so_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v as_o the_o rest_n and_o what_o great_a matter_n be_v it_o if_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o some_o thing_n relate_v to_o his_o come_v since_o we_o know_v and_o be_v certain_a by_o undoubted_a word_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o will_v come_v and_o come_v to_o render_v unto_o all_o according_a to_o their_o work_n let_v we_o believe_v this_o and_o then_o we_o shall_v find_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o use_n which_o st._n peter_n make_v of_o it_o in_o the_o eleven_o verse_n what_o manner_n of_o person_n ought_v we_o to_o be_v in_o all_o holy_a conversation_n and_o godliness_n it_o will_v be_v very_o ill_a for_o we_o if_o christ_n shall_v come_v now_o and_o find_v we_o instead_o of_o reform_v our_o life_n by_o practise_v the_o plain_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n dispute_v against_o that_o gospel_n and_o cast_v reflection_n upon_o it_o as_o a_o obscure_a book_n which_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o breed_v heresy_n than_o to_o teach_v man_n the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o whensoever_o he_o do_v come_v it_o will_v not_o be_v easy_a for_o some_o man_n to_o answer_v this_o charge_n which_o will_v be_v bring_v against_o they_o of_o asperse_v his_o will_n and_o testament_n on_o this_o fashion_n as_o if_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v his_o child_n fall_v out_o and_o not_o rather_o agree_v together_o in_o pious_a love_n and_o charity_n but_o let_v those_o who_o be_v concern_v look_v to_o that_o let_v we_o who_o enjoy_v the_o liberty_n of_o read_v his_o holy_a will_n and_o be_v encourage_v so_o to_o do_v only_a endeavour_n as_o st._n paul_n speak_v to_o have_v our_o conversation_n as_o become_v the_o gospel_n and_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v therein_o let_v our_o next_o thought_n be_v that_o there_o be_v enough_o which_o we_o do_v understand_v and_o that_o if_o we_o practise_v it_o and_o will_v take_v pain_n we_o may_v in_o time_n understand_v the_o rest_n as_o far_o as_o concern_v we_o in_o our_o state_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o show_v that_o if_o we_o extend_v the_o meaning_n of_o st._n peter_n further_o as_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o do_v and_o look_v into_o all_o those_o part_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n that_o be_v think_v the_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v we_o may_v with_o some_o diligence_n and_o observation_n comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o well_o enough_o and_o till_o we_o use_v that_o diligence_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o accuse_v the_o scripture_n of_o obscurity_n but_o ourselves_o of_o negligence_n all_o it_o be_v true_a can_v use_v that_o diligence_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o understand_v he_o in_o all_o point_n because_o their_o business_n will_v not_o permit_v it_o but_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o as_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a they_o shall_v understand_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n so_o if_o they_o can_v use_v that_o diligence_n which_o be_v requisite_a they_o may_v for_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v see_v in_o st._n peter_n word_n understand_v he_o throughout_o for_o he_o only_o say_v there_o be_v difficult_a thing_n in_o st._n paul_n but_o difficulty_n be_v short_a of_o impossibility_n and_o we_o see_v very_o great_a difficulty_n in_o other_o matter_n overcome_v by_o man_n industry_n and_o god_n blessing_n and_o therefore_o they_o may_v be_v overcome_v here_o by_o those_o who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n and_o have_v capacity_n to_o comprehend_v his_o meaning_n and_o if_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v every_o particular_a expression_n or_o passage_n yet_o his_o scope_n and_o drift_n in_o the_o whole_a discourse_n may_v with_o careful_a attention_n and_o observation_n be_v clear_o discern_v at_o least_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o st._n peter_n word_n which_o contradict_v this_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v vain_o allege_v to_o prove_v the_o obscurity_n and_o difficulty_n of_o the_o scripture_n when_o they_o can_v extend_v but_o to_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n i._n e._n st._n paul_n epistle_n and_o but_o to_o some_o thing_n in_o they_o nay_o but_o to_o some_o thing_n i_o have_v show_v in_o one_o particular_a discourse_n in_o they_o about_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n which_o have_v no_o further_a obscurity_n in_o they_o neither_o but_o what_o be_v only_o a_o exercise_n of_o our_o diligence_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v understand_v but_o just_o thus_o other_o place_n be_v wrest_v to_o prove_v the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o will_v instance_n in_o one_o or_o two_o the_o abridger_n of_o controversy_n fear_v not_o to_o allege_v the_o viii_o act_n 30_o 31._o to_o this_o purpose_n where_o st._n philip_n ask_v the_o eunuch_n if_o he_o understand_v what_o he_o read_v and_o he_o confess_v he_o do_v not_o but_o ask_v he_o again_o how_o can_v i_o except_o some_o man_n shall_v guide_v i_o from_o whence_o he_o conclude_v they_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v to_o which_o the_o reply_n be_v so_o easy_a that_o he_o must_v have_v a_o film_n before_o his_o eye_n who_o do_v not_o see_v that_o this_o place_n be_v a_o argument_n against_o they_o that_o allege_v it_o for_o it_o prove_v as_o i_o show_v in_o the_o first_o part_n that_o man_n do_v then_o read_v the_o scripture_n though_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v what_o they_o read_v and_o it_o prove_v not_o that_o the_o eunuch_n understand_v nothing_o but_o only_o that_o he_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o particular_a place_n which_o st._n philip_n find_v he_o read_v and_o that_o be_v a_o place_n in_o a_o prophecy_n which_o have_v some_o obscurity_n in_o it_o till_o it_o be_v accomplish_v though_o not_o afterward_o and_o it_o be_v but_o one_o thing_n he_o do_v not_o understand_v in_o that_o prophecy_n for_o he_o know_v what_o the_o prophet_n say_v but_o can_v not_o tell_v of_o who_o i_o pray_v thou_o tell_v i_o say_v he_o to_o the_o evangelist_n of_o who_o speak_v the_o prophet_n of_o himself_o or_o of_o some_o other_o that_o be_v all_o the_o inquiry_n the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o that_o one_o single_a point_n and_o in_o that_o also_o only_o for_o a_o time_n for_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o interpreter_n he_o soon_o understand_v the_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v and_o in_o who_o it_o be_v fulfil_v so_o that_o this_o very_a place_n have_v now_o no_o difficulty_n at_o all_o in_o it_o unto_o we_o when_o we_o read_v it_o though_o it_o be_v at_o that_o time_n difficult_a to_o he_o what_o a_o number_n of_o insufficiency_n be_v there_o in_o this_o allegation_n as_o bishop_n montague_n just_o complain_v to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v all_o that_o can_v be_v make_v of_o it_o be_v that_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a in_o a_o particular_a case_n and_o in_o one_o point_n only_o of_o that_o case_n and_o at_o that_o time_n and_o i_o may_v further_o add_v to_o a_o stranger_n who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n and_o so_o be_v not_o from_o the_o beginning_n acquaint_v with_o their_o book_n who_o notwithstanding_o with_o a_o little_a help_n present_o find_v it_o be_v no_o long_o hard_o to_o be_v understand_v but_o very_o easy_a as_o it_o be_v now_o to_o we_o this_o be_v enough_o both_o to_o show_v how_o insufficient_a the_o proof_n be_v which_o be_v bring_v
time_n and_o one_o let_v we_o ever_o be_v tell_v ourselves_o that_o it_o be_v god_n who_o speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n in_o these_o holy_a book_n that_o this_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o life_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v judge_v that_o we_o must_v stand_v or_o fall_v before_o god_n according_a as_o we_o keep_v these_o say_n that_o nothing_o be_v comparable_a to_o be_v belove_v of_o god_n nothing_o so_o desirable_a as_o to_o have_v our_o faith_n find_v to_o honour_n and_o praise_n and_o glory_n at_o the_o appear_v of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o then_o we_o shall_v deny_v ourselves_o and_o our_o own_o desire_n commodity_n and_o interest_n that_o god_n will_n may_v be_v do_v by_o we_o the_o whole_a world_n will_v seem_v inconsiderable_a in_o our_o eye_n and_o we_o shall_v easy_o forgo_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o will_v not_o allow_v we_o to_o keep_v according_a to_o the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o our_o religion_n he_o that_o forsake_v not_o all_o that_o he_o have_v can_v be_v my_o disciple_n and_o he_o that_o take_v not_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v after_o i_o be_v not_o worthy_a of_o i_o i_o conclude_v this_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n with_o the_o word_n of_o one_o of_o the_o homily_n of_o our_o church_n in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o exhortation_n to_o the_o read_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o concern_v the_o hardness_n of_o scripture_n he_o that_o be_v so_o weak_a that_o he_o be_v not_o able_a to_o brook_v strong_a meat_n yet_o he_o may_v suck_v the_o sweet_a and_o tender_a milk_n and_o defer_v the_o rest_n till_o he_o wax_v strong_a and_o come_v to_o more_o knowledge_n for_o god_n receive_v the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o cast_v away_o none_o but_o be_v indifferent_a unto_o all_o and_o the_o scripture_n be_v full_a as_o well_o of_o low_a valley_n plain_a way_n and_o easy_a for_o every_o man_n to_o use_v and_o to_o walk_v in_o as_o also_o of_o high_a hill_n and_o mountain_n which_o few_o man_n can_v climb_v unto_o and_o whosoever_o give_v his_o mind_n to_o holy_a scripture_n with_o delight_n study_n and_o burn_a desire_n it_o can_v be_v say_v st._n chrysostom_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v leave_v without_o help_n he_o that_o ask_v shall_v have_v and_o he_o that_o seek_v shall_v find_v and_o he_o that_o knock_v shall_v have_v the_o door_n open_a if_o we_o read_v once_o twice_o or_o thrice_o and_o understand_v not_o let_v we_o not_o cease_v so_o but_o still_o continue_v read_v pray_v ask_v of_o other_o and_o so_o by_o still_o knock_v at_o the_o last_o the_o door_n shall_v be_v open_v as_o st._n augustine_n say_v although_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v speak_v in_o obscure_a mysterics_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o speak_v under_o dark_a mystery_n in_o one_o place_n but_o the_o self_n same_o thing_n in_o other_o place_n be_v speak_v more_o familiar_o and_o plain_o to_o the_o capacity_n both_o of_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a and_o those_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v plain_a to_o understand_v and_o necessary_a for_o salvation_n every_o man_n duty_n be_v to_o learn_v they_o to_o print_v they_o in_o memory_n and_o effectual_o to_o exercise_v they_o and_o as_o for_o the_o dark_a mystery_n to_o be_v content_v to_o be_v ignorant_a in_o they_o until_o such_o time_n as_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o open_v they_o unto_o he_o but_o not_o lay_v aside_o the_o read_n of_o the_o whole_a because_o of_o the_o darkness_n of_o such_o place_n and_o brief_o to_o conclude_v as_o st._n augustine_n say_v by_o the_o scripture_n all_o man_n may_v be_v amend_v the_o weak_a be_v strengthen_v and_o the_o strong_a be_v comfort_v so_o that_o sure_o none_o be_v enemte_n to_o the_o read_n of_o god_n word_n but_o such_o as_o either_o be_v so_o ignorant_a that_o they_o know_v not_o how_o wholesome_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v or_o else_o so_o sick_a that_o they_o hate_v the_o most_o comfortable_a medicine_n that_o shall_v heal_v they_o or_o so_o ungodly_a that_o they_o will_v wish_v the_o people_n still_o to_o continue_v in_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o god_n the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o part._n part_n iii_o i_o be_o arrive_v now_o at_o the_o last_o of_o those_o three_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o be_v treat_v of_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o book_n that_o all_o who_o read_v the_o scripture_n be_v not_o in_o danger_n to_o wrest_v they_o to_o their_o own_o hurt_n but_o only_o the_o unlearned_a and_o the_o unstable_a such_o man_n will_v wrest_v they_o from_o their_o true_a meaning_n but_o so_o they_o will_v other_o discourse_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o perspicuous_a thing_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v pervert_v by_o they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o dissicult_a in_o this_o we_o shall_v soon_o be_v satisfy_v if_o we_o consider_v briedy_a who_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n mean_v by_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a which_o will_v also_o clear_o direct_v we_o what_o course_n we_o be_v to_o take_v that_o we_o may_v not_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n as_o such_o man_n do_v now_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difficulty_n to_o know_v who_o these_o be_v if_o we_o mind_v the_o proper_a use_n of_o word_n and_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v use_v i._o unlearned_a and_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o the_o unlearned_a the_o apostle_n can_v be_v think_v to_o have_v respect_n to_o such_o as_o be_v ignorant_a in_o those_o part_n of_o knowledge_n which_o be_v now_o common_o call_v learning_n for_o so_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v general_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a iu_o act_n 13._o but_o to_o those_o who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n treat_v of_o and_o aught_o to_o be_v learn_v by_o all_o christian_n this_o i_o think_v all_o will_v allow_v and_o then_o they_o be_v more_o particular_o mean_v who_o be_v not_o skill_v in_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o religion_n man_n that_o know_v not_o or_o mind_v not_o those_o common_a natural_a truth_n upon_o which_o all_o religion_n be_v build_v nor_o be_v acquaint_v with_o those_o plain_a unquestionable_a principle_n of_o christianity_n before_o mention_v in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n these_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d here_o speak_v of_o who_o have_v not_o learn_v so_o much_o as_o the_o first_o element_n or_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v vi_o heb._n 1._o the_o word_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o christ_n who_o want_v the_o foundation_n of_o true_a knowledge_n will_v be_v apt_a to_o wrest_v every_o thing_n they_o read_v from_o its_o proper_a meaning_n such_o there_o be_v even_o in_o the_o school_n of_o christ_n as_o st._n paul_n himself_o teach_v we_o who_o be_v ever_o learning_n and_o never_o able_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 7._o they_o frequent_v that_o be_v the_o christian_a assembly_n where_o they_o receive_v good_a instruction_n but_o their_o nanghty_a affection_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o know_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n to_o find_v entertainment_n in_o their_o mind_n which_o doctrine_n be_v such_o as_o these_o that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n who_o be_v perfect_o just_a and_o perfect_o good_a and_o know_v the_o very_a thought_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o change_v not_o and_o that_o he_o have_v send_v jesus_n christ_n his_o only_a beget_v son_n the_o eternal_a word_n who_o be_v before_o all_o world_n to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o to_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n to_o rise_v again_o that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o and_o that_o he_o have_v send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n from_o the_o father_n to_o teach_v we_o those_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o holy_a life_n whereby_o we_o shall_v be_v judge_v at_o the_o last_o day_n when_o he_o will_v raise_v up_o our_o dead_a body_n and_o give_v to_o those_o who_o have_v do_v good_a everlasting_a life_n but_o send_v those_o who_o have_v do_v evil_a into_o everlasting_a fire_n these_o and_o such_o like_a which_o depend_v on_o these_o and_o be_v coherent_a with_o they_o be_v the_o christian_a learning_n which_o they_o that_o do_v not_o know_v and_o believe_v and_o according_o practice_v as_o i_o show_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o great_a stranger_n to_o the_o holy_a book_n and_o be_v so_o far_o from_o reap_v any_o profit_n by_o they_o that_o they_o will_v rather_o corrupt_v and_o abuse_v they_o to_o the_o support_n of_o their_o own_o uncertain_a vain_a or_o absurd_a imagination_n nor_o be_v they_o secure_v from_o this_o danger_n when_o they_o have_v learn_v they_o unless_o they_o be_v likewise_o so_o fix_v in_o their_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v constant_o guide_v by_o they_o for_o the_o apostle_n here_o teach_v we_o that_o
allege_v they_o to_o prove_v that_o a_o general_n council_n can_v err_v these_o word_n can_v alike_o serve_v all_o these_o purpose_n as_o our_o divine_n right_o have_v observe_v for_o a_o pope_n may_v err_v where_o a_o council_n do_v not_o and_o a_o general_n council_n may_v err_v where_o the_o true_o catholic_n church_n can_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n which_o lead_v man_n thus_o to_o expound_v the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o their_o own_o private_a affection_n and_o their_o several_a interest_n and_o design_n to_o the_o advancement_n of_o which_o they_o easy_o consent_v to_o apply_v they_o not_o attend_v to_o the_o clear_a scope_n of_o they_o or_o rather_o shut_v their_o eye_n not_o only_o to_o that_o but_o to_o the_o main_a scope_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o god_n and_o to_o all_o other_o notice_n which_o will_v give_v they_o better_o direction_n and_o solve_v also_o even_o many_o seem_a difficulty_n which_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n or_o at_o least_o guide_v we_o so_o even_o that_o we_o shall_v pass_v safe_o by_o they_o which_o be_v the_o three_o general_n truth_n i_o propound_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n iii_o among_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v concern_v to_o learn_v there_o be_v none_o thought_n more_o difficult_a than_o several_a passage_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n some_o part_n of_o which_o st._n peter_n have_v in_o his_o eye_n when_o he_o conclude_v his_o second_o epistle_n but_o i_o may_v be_v confident_a that_o if_o we_o will_v admit_v or_o take_v up_o no_o sense_n of_o they_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o such_o know_v and_o confess_v truth_n as_o be_v on_o all_o side_n embrace_v we_o may_v give_v a_o fair_a account_n of_o they_o at_o least_o preserve_v ourselves_o from_o make_v any_o dangerous_a construction_n of_o they_o that_o which_o above_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v think_v to_o be_v of_o great_a difficulty_n be_v his_o doctrine_n of_o election_n and_o reprobation_n which_o some_o take_v to_o be_v the_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n but_o if_o we_o stick_v close_o to_o the_o know_a fix_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v natural_o write_v on_o our_o heart_n or_o reveal_v by_o our_o saviour_n we_o shall_v be_v lead_v thereby_o unto_o a_o fair_a and_o easy_a interpretation_n of_o his_o meaning_n in_o these_o matter_n for_o there_o be_v a_o election_n of_o whole_a nation_n and_o there_o be_v a_o election_n of_o particular_a person_n and_o they_o be_v elect_v either_o to_o enjoy_v the_o mean_n of_o grace_n or_o to_o partake_v of_o eternal_a salvation_n the_o first_o of_o these_o it_o be_v evident_a be_v absolute_a and_o have_v no_o dependence_n upon_o any_o thing_n we_o do_v but_o the_o latter_a be_v not_o as_o st._n paul_n express_o teach_v we_o 2_o thess_n ii_o 13._o where_o he_o say_v god_n have_v choose_v they_o to_o salvation_n through_o sanctification_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n faith_n be_v suppose_v to_o this_o and_o the_o fruit_n of_o faith_n in_o sanctity_n and_o holiness_n they_o be_v not_o choose_v to_o salvation_n but_o through_o these_o though_o they_o be_v choose_v to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n before_o these_o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v concern_v reprobate_v or_o reject_v man_n which_o sometime_o plain_o concern_v whole_a nation_n and_o sometime_o particular_a person_n and_o sometime_o be_v only_o from_o the_o privilege_n they_o former_o enjoy_v sometime_o from_o eternal_a life_n both_o of_o they_o for_o their_o sin_n and_o the_o former_a the_o national_a rejection_n from_o their_o former_a privilege_n be_v design_v by_o god_n to_o prevent_v the_o latter_a viz._n the_o final_a destruction_n of_o every_o one_o of_o they_o which_o he_o do_v not_o desire_v thus_o god_n reprobate_v or_o reject_v and_o cast_v away_o israel_n as_o st._n paul_n teach_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n but_o it_o be_v not_o with_o a_o intention_n that_o they_o shall_v utter_o perish_v no_o he_o say_v more_o than_o once_o god_n forbid_v i._n e._n he_o abhor_v such_o a_o thought_n he_o disclaim_v any_o such_o meaning_n for_o quite_o contrary_a by_o their_o be_v reject_v from_o enjoy_v the_o privilege_n they_o former_o have_v the_o gentile_n be_v bring_v to_o christianity_n and_o the_o end_n of_o that_o be_v to_o provoke_v the_o jew_n also_o to_o jealousy_n and_o move_v they_o at_o last_o to_o bethink_v themselves_o better_a and_o to_o repent_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o be_v save_v let_v any_o man_n read_v serious_o the_o ten_o and_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o that_o epistle_n and_o he_o will_v be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o reprobation_n speak_v of_o in_o the_o nine_o chapter_n be_v such_o that_o they_o may_v notwithstanding_o be_v restore_v into_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o be_v final_o save_v that_o be_v they_o be_v reject_v from_o be_v his_o peculiar_a people_n as_o they_o have_v be_v but_o not_o from_o all_o hope_n of_o his_o mercy_n if_o they_o do_v not_o continue_v a_o disobedient_a and_o gainsay_v people_n for_o the_o apostle_n still_o pray_v for_o they_o in_o the_o entrance_n of_o the_o ten_o chapter_n and_o begin_v the_o eleven_o in_o this_o manner_n i_o say_v then_o have_v god_n cast_v away_o his_o people_n god_n forbid_v that_o be_v will_v any_o man_n infer_v then_o from_o what_o i_o have_v say_v that_o god_n have_v utter_o reprobate_v they_o never_o to_o receive_v they_o more_o no_o such_o matter_n none_o ought_v to_o interpret_v my_o word_n to_o such_o a_o sense_n which_o i_o disow_v nor_o do_v it_o ever_o come_v into_o my_o mind_n for_o i_o myself_o be_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o contrary_a be_v a_o israelite_n of_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o he_o say_v afterward_o that_o god_n have_v blind_v their_o eye_n and_o give_v they_o a_o spirit_n of_o slumber_n eye_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v and_o ear_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o hear_v according_a to_o that_o of_o david_n let_v their_o table_n be_v make_v a_o snare_n and_o a_o trap_n and_o a_o stumbling-block_n etc._n etc._n v._n 8_o 9_o 10._o but_o what_o then_o have_v they_o stumble_v that_o they_o shall_v fall_v and_o be_v utter_o ruin_v god_n forbid_v but_o rather_o through_o their_o fall_n salvation_n be_v come_v to_o the_o gentile_n to_o provoke_v they_o to_o jealousy_n v._o 11._o for_o if_o they_o do_v not_o abide_v still_o in_o unbelief_n he_o show_v they_o may_v be_v graft_v into_o the_o church_n again_o v._o 23._o and_o explain_v his_o mind_n still_o more_o full_o in_o this_o matter_n v._o 25._o that_o blindness_n be_v happen_v only_o in_o part_n to_o israel_n till_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o gentile_n be_v come_v in_o and_o so_o all_o israel_n shall_v be_v save_v for_o though_o they_o be_v as_o concern_v the_o gospel_n enemy_n for_o our_o sake_n yet_o as_o touch_v the_o election_n they_o be_v belove_v for_o the_o father_n sake_n they_o be_v not_o absolute_o and_o final_o reprobate_v but_o for_o the_o present_a do_v not_o believe_v that_o through_o the_o mercy_n show_v to_o we_o gentile_n they_o may_v also_o obtain_v mercy_n for_o god_n conclude_v they_o all_o in_o unbelief_n that_o he_o may_v have_v mercy_n upon_o all_o v._o 28_o 31_o 32._o all_o these_o expression_n and_o a_o number_n more_o in_o that_o chapter_n evident_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v not_o a_o irrecoverable_a rejection_n which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o much_o less_o a_o rejection_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o their_o sin_n but_o such_o a_o rejection_n for_o their_o reject_v christ_n as_o in_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o repentance_n and_o to_o faith_n in_o christ_n when_o they_o see_v what_o they_o have_v lose_v and_o other_o have_v gain_v by_o their_o infidelity_n he_o now_o that_o will_v interpret_v the_o nine_o chapter_n according_a to_o the_o plain_a declare_v sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o will_v have_v no_o hard_a work_n to_o undertake_v but_o easy_o see_v that_o as_o he_o speak_v of_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n so_o he_o do_v not_o think_v they_o to_o be_v utter_o lose_v but_o design_v even_o their_o reprobation_n for_o their_o recovery_n and_o now_o i_o may_v proceed_v to_o show_v if_o it_o will_v not_o enlarge_v this_o treatise_n too_o much_o how_o the_o difficulty_n which_o be_v raise_v about_o faith_n and_o work_n be_v not_o so_o great_a neither_o as_o they_o seem_v if_o we_o firm_o adhere_v to_o common_a truth_n which_o lead_v every_o man_n to_o conclude_v that_o the_o faith_n which_o enter_v we_o into_o a_o state_n of_o justification_n do_v include_v in_o it_o a_o hearty_a purpose_n of_o well-doing_n and_o
according_a unto_o godliness_n unto_o which_o if_o man_n will_v not_o attend_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n they_o will_v fall_v into_o heresy_n or_o worse_a whether_o they_o read_v the_o scripture_n or_o read_v they_o not_o the_o scripture_n itself_o tell_v we_o as_o much_o that_o there_o must_v be_v heresy_n 1_o cor._n xi_o 19_o that_o be_v god_n will_v not_o hinder_v it_o unless_o man_n will_v be_v guide_v by_o he_o and_o be_v true_o good_a but_o he_o have_v a_o very_a good_a end_n as_o it_o there_o follow_v in_o permit_v it_o which_o be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v manifest_a who_o be_v honest-hearted_a christian_n sincere_o in_o love_n with_o truth_n and_o goodness_n and_o who_o be_v not_o and_o that_o must_v be_v the_o care_n of_o every_o good_a man_n not_o to_o take_v or_o throw_v away_o the_o scripture_n to_o prevent_v heresy_n but_o if_o heresy_n do_v arise_v to_o endeavour_v according_a to_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o approve_v his_o integrity_n unto_o god_n by_o steadfast_a continuance_n in_o faith_n and_o holiness_n and_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n must_v he_o govern_v himself_o if_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o soul_n do_v not_o perform_v their_o duty_n which_o i_o shall_v represent_v in_o the_o word_n of_o erasmus_n out_o of_o his_o preface_n to_o the_o reader_n before_o his_o annotation_n on_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o be_v the_o pastor_n office_n to_o distribute_v the_o bread_n of_o life_n to_o the_o people_n but_o what_o if_o they_o do_v not_o their_o duty_n what_o must_v the_o people_n do_v they_o must_v implore_v the_o help_n of_o the_o supreme_a pastor_n christ_n jesus_n who_o still_o live_v and_o have_v not_o forsake_v the_o care_n of_o his_o flock_n but_o be_v solicit_v by_o the_o public_a prayer_n of_o his_o people_n will_v do_v what_o be_v promise_v in_o ezekiel_n behold_v i_o will_v both_o search_v my_o sheep_n and_o seek_v they_o out_o as_o a_o shepherd_n seek_v out_o his_o flock_n in_o the_o day_n that_o they_o be_v scatter_v so_o will_v i_o seek_v out_o my_o sheep_n and_o will_v deliver_v they_o out_o of_o all_o place_n where_o they_o have_v be_v scatter_v in_o the_o cloudy_a and_o dark_a day_n with_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o there_o follow_v xxx_o ezek._n 12_o 13_o etc._n etc._n the_o vulgar_a people_n be_v sheep_n but_o endue_v with_o reason_n and_o out_o of_o those_o sheep_n be_v pastor_n make_v and_o sometime_o it_o fall_v out_o that_o a_o sheep_n may_v know_v more_o than_o his_o pastor_n as_o a_o layman_n therefore_o ought_v not_o seditious_o to_o rebel_v against_o the_o priest_n lest_o that_o order_n be_v confound_v which_o st._n paul_n will_v have_v in_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n so_o the_o priest_n ought_v not_o to_o exercise_v tyranny_n over_o the_o flock_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o they_o do_v the_o sedition_n will_v lie_v at_o their_o door_n when_o the_o pastor_n do_v their_o duty_n they_o be_v to_o be_v reverent_o hear_v as_o angel_n of_o god_n by_o who_o christ_n speak_v to_o we_o and_o when_o they_o teach_v unsincere_o the_o people_n must_v pick_v out_o all_o that_o be_v good_a if_o there_o be_v any_o mix_v with_o it_o but_o if_o they_o teach_v not_o at_o all_o or_o teach_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_o repugnant_a to_o the_o gospel_n let_v every_o man_n refresh_v his_o soul_n with_o private_a read_n and_o christ_n who_o promise_v to_o be_v present_a when_o two_o or_o three_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o his_o name_n will_v not_o be_v want_v by_o his_o spirit_n to_o one_o soul_n that_o meditate_v pious_o in_o his_o holy_a word_n in_o vain_a be_v six_o thousand_o gather_v together_o if_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o name_n now_o they_o be_v gather_v together_o in_o christ_n name_n who_o have_v respect_n to_o nothing_o but_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o eternal_a salvation_n of_o their_o soul_n conclusion_n i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o with_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o great_a man_n st._n athanasius_n who_o write_v a_o little_a treatise_n on_o purpose_n to_o reprove_v the_o audaciousness_n as_o he_o call_v it_o of_o those_o who_o say_v that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o look_v into_o the_o scripture_n and_o bad_a man_n not_o to_o search_v into_o they_o nor_o to_o speak_v out_o of_o they_o but_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o faith_n they_o have_v receive_v for_o search_v into_o the_o scripture_n say_v they_o do_v but_o make_v thing_n more_o obscure_a to_o which_o he_o reply_v many_o thing_n which_o i_o may_v digest_v into_o head_n but_o i_o shall_v present_v they_o to_o the_o reader_n just_a as_o they_o lie_v in_o the_o second_o tome_n of_o his_o work_n pag._n 295._o of_o the_o paris_n edition_n mdcxxvii_o this_o very_a assertion_n say_v he_o show_v the_o inconsistency_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o that_o it_o have_v nothing_o to_o support_v it_o he_o mean_v they_o will_v not_o be_v afraid_a man_n shall_v search_v into_o the_o scripture_n if_o they_o think_v what_o be_v teach_v by_o they_o will_v be_v there_o justify_v but_o we_o trust_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o mystery_n i._n e._n the_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o help_n of_o he_o who_o can_v lie_v who_o say_v every_o one_o that_o seek_v shall_v find_v therefore_o we_o seek_v as_o we_o ought_v and_o we_o find_v what_o we_o ought_v and_o we_o speak_v with_o demonstration_n and_o we_o hear_v with_o a_o genuine_a intention_n that_o we_o may_v persuade_v our_o domestics_n and_o that_o we_o may_v confute_v our_o adversary_n and_o that_o we_o may_v by_o our_o search_n be_v gainer_n ourselves_o and_o not_o propound_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v inconsistent_a unto_o other_o will_v you_o have_v i_o neglect_v the_o scripture_n whence_o then_o shall_v i_o have_v knowledge_n will_v you_o not_o have_v i_o to_o mind_n knowledge_n but_o whence_o then_o shall_v i_o have_v faith_n paul_n cry_v how_o shall_v they_o believe_v unless_o they_o hear_v and_o again_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v and_o hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n he_o then_o who_o forbid_v the_o word_n obstruct_v 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in_o secret_n he_o that_o have_v christ_n speak_v in_o he_o do_v not_o simple_o use_v his_o own_o private_a authority_n without_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n how_o can_v we_o with_o safety_n now_o neglect_v the_o divine_a legislation_n and_o speak_v what_o we_o think_v good_a out_o of_o our_o own_o heart_n but_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n transcend_v our_o conception_n i_o say_v so_o too_o and_o this_o we_o learn_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o we_o may_v understand_v what_o thing_n be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o seek_v after_o as_o be_v attainable_a for_o it_o be_v neither_o pious_a to_o venture_v upon_o all_o thing_n nor_o be_v it_o consistent_a with_o holiness_n to_o neglect_v all_o thing_n what_o we_o worship_v we_o ought_v all_o to_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o according_a to_o that_o which_o be_v write_v we_o know_v what_o we_o worship_v but_o how_o great_a or_o what_o kind_n or_o after_o what_o manner_n or_o where_o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o madman_n to_o inquire_v they_o that_o will_v have_v none_o to_o judge_v of_o their_o doctrine_n but_o themselves_o deter_v man_n from_o read_v the_o scripture_n pretend_v it_o be_v immodest_a to_o pry_v into_o such_o inaccessible_a thing_n but_o in_o truth_n fear_v to_o be_v convince_v out_o of_o they_o of_o hold_v bad_a opinion_n i_o omit_v the_o rest_n which_o be_v but_o little_o more_o than_o i_o have_v represent_v and_o shall_v end_v all_o with_o his_o word_n to_o macarius_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o his_o work_n against_o the_o gentile_n the_o holy_a and_o divine_o inspire_v scripture_n be_v sufficient_a of_o themselves_o for_o the_o declaration_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o there_o be_v many_o book_n compose_v about_o the_o same_o thing_n by_o our_o teacher_n of_o bless_a memory_n which_o if_o any_o man_n peruse_v he_o will_v know_v in_o some_o measure_n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v able_a to_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n he_o desire_v the_o end_n of_o the_o three_o 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the_o end_n of_o the_o catalogue_n