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believe_v she_o against_o scripture_n itself_o and_o this_o we_o think_v intolerable_a that_o any_o church_n or_o christian_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o unwritten_a word_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o a_o matter_n wherein_o upon_o the_o most_o diligent_a and_o impartial_a search_n they_o be_v very_o persuade_v it_o contradict_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n and_o if_o the_o sentence_n of_o the_o one_o or_o tother_o must_v be_v make_v void_a we_o think_v it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a that_o the_o voice_n of_o her_o pretend_a unwritten_a word_n shall_v be_v silence_v by_o that_o more_o certain_a one_o of_o the_o lively_a oracle_n of_o god_n but_o after_o all_o if_o what_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v be_v prove_v viz._n that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o conduct_v we_o to_o eternal_a life_n this_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o evacuate_v all_o that_o be_v pretend_v for_o this_o unwritten_a word_n of_o god_n for_o god_n and_o nature_n we_o know_v do_v nothing_o in_o vain_a and_o therefore_o if_o one_o word_n of_o god_n be_v sufficient_a viz._n that_o which_o be_v write_v what_o need_n have_v we_o of_o this_o other_o which_o be_v unwritten_a and_o so_o i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o first_o necessary_a property_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n viz._n that_o it_o be_v full_a and_o show_v at_o large_a that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v so_o as_o to_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o ii_o the_o second_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v clear_a and_o intelligible_a to_o those_o who_o faith_n and_o manner_n be_v to_o be_v regulate_v by_o it_o i_o do_v not_o mean_v when_o i_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a and_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a to_o all_o those_o to_o who_o it_o be_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n that_o it_o be_v throughout_o so_o in_o all_o its_o proposal_n for_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n not_o only_o in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n but_o also_o in_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n hard_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o such_o as_o do_v not_o only_o exceed_v the_o apprehension_n of_o common_a capacity_n but_o also_o puzzle_v the_o understanding_n of_o the_o most_o acute_a and_o profound_a enquirer_n but_o that_o which_o i_o assert_v be_v this_o that_o all_o those_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o rule_n of_o manner_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v and_o practice_v in_o order_n to_o their_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a life_n be_v so_o plain_o and_o clear_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v no_o honest_a teachable_a mind_n that_o be_v capable_a of_o understand_v common_a sense_n but_o may_v from_o thence_o receive_v full_a information_n of_o they_o upon_o faithful_a and_o diligent_a enquiry_n and_o though_o in_o some_o text_n these_o necessary_n be_v not_o so_o plain_o propose_v as_o in_o other_o yet_o in_o some_o text_n or_o other_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o so_o plain_o propose_v that_o no_o man_n can_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o still_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o without_o be_v wilful_o blind_a for_o which_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n either_o in_o the_o scripture_n or_o out_o of_o it_o and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v 1._o from_o the_o express_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n 2._o from_o the_o avow_a design_n of_o write_v the_o scripture_n 3._o from_o the_o frequent_a command_v god_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n 4._o from_o the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o believe_v and_o receive_v all_o those_o necessary_n to_o salvation_n contain_v in_o it_o 1._o from_o the_o express_a testimony_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n at_o least_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a and_o plain_a for_o to_o be_v sure_a if_o in_o any_o thing_n the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a it_o be_v in_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o know_v and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v obscure_a in_o these_o thing_n we_o may_v reasonable_a presume_v it_o be_v plain_a in_o nothing_o but_o that_o it_o be_v in_o many_o thing_n plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v evident_a from_o its_o own_o testimony_n for_o thus_o of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n it_o be_v express_o affirm_v by_o moses_n this_o commandment_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n it_o be_v not_o hide_v from_o thou_o neither_o be_v it_o far_o off_o deut._n 30.11_o where_o moses_n speak_v not_o only_o of_o the_o ten_o commandment_n which_o consist_v for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v upon_o that_o account_n more_o easy_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o of_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o moses_n in_o general_a whether_o ceremonial_a judicial_a or_o natural_a for_o so_o v._o 16._o this_o commandment_n we_o find_v contain_v as_o well_o the_o statute_n and_o judgement_n as_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o law_n all_o which_o must_v take_v in_o the_o whole_a mosaic_a institution_n and_o according_o ps_n 119.105_o david_n call_v this_o word_n of_o god_n a_o lamp_n unto_o his_o foot_n and_o a_o light_n unto_o his_o path_n which_o how_o can_v it_o be_v if_o it_o do_v not_o burn_v clear_a enough_o to_o guide_v and_o direct_v he_o and_o if_o it_o do_v then_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o burn_v clear_a enough_o to_o direct_v he_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v most_o necessary_a for_o he_o to_o be_v direct_v again_o in_o the_o 19_o ps_n v._o 7_o 8_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v sure_a make_v wise_a the_o simple_a and_o that_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v pure_a enlighten_v the_o eye_n but_o how_o can_v any_o law_n make_v
evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o read_v it_o to_o be_v sure_a among_o these_o thing_n be_v contain_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o know_v and_o understand_v 2._o from_o the_o avow_a design_n of_o write_v the_o scripture_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a it_o be_v plain_a and_o clear_a for_o thus_o concern_v the_o old_a testament_n st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v write_v afore_o time_n be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n that_o we_o through_o patience_n and_o comfort_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v have_v hope_n rom._n 15.4_o and_o if_o they_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n and_o instruction_n to_o be_v sure_a they_o be_v so_o write_v as_o to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v we_o that_o be_v plain_o and_o clear_o especial_o as_o to_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o have_v most_o need_v to_o be_v instruct_v and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o new_a testament_n st._n luke_n tell_v his_o theophilus_n that_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o writing_n his_o gospel_n be_v that_o he_o may_v know_v the_o certainty_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v sure_o believe_v among_o christian_n and_o wherein_o he_o himself_o have_v be_v instruct_v and_o if_o it_o be_v to_o ascertain_v we_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n that_o he_o write_v his_o gospel_n certain_o he_o will_v take_v care_n to_o write_v it_o after_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o those_o that_o read_v it_o may_v understand_v it_o otherwise_o he_o must_v run_v counter_a to_o his_o own_o design_n thus_o also_o st._n john_n say_v that_o he_o write_v his_o gospel_n that_o man_n may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o how_o can_v his_o gospel_n induce_v man_n to_o believe_v this_o unless_o it_o be_v so_o write_v as_o that_o man_n may_v understand_v it_o and_o so_o also_o for_o his_o epistle_n he_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o write_v they_o that_o they_o that_o believe_v in_o jesus_n may_v know_v that_o they_o have_v 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to_o obtain_v it_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v unless_o they_o be_v plain_a and_o clear_a as_o to_o the_o great_a thing_n of_o religion_n in_o short_a every_o wise_a agent_n pursue_v his_o end_n by_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n and_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v whether_o to_o write_v plain_o or_o obscure_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a mean_n to_o instruct_v man_n by_o write_v if_o to_o write_v plain_o then_o either_o the_o apostle_n write_v so_o or_o they_o be_v not_o wise_a agent_n since_o to_o instruct_v be_v the_o great_a end_n of_o their_o write_n the_o most_o natural_a way_n of_o convey_v to_o man_n mind_n the_o notice_n of_o thing_n be_v by_o word_n either_o speak_v or_o write_v and_o see_v whatsoever_o can_v be_v speak_v in_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a word_n may_v be_v write_v in_o the_o same_o word_n there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n but_o those_o word_n will_v be_v as_o intelligible_a when_o they_o be_v write_v as_o when_o they_o be_v speak_v for_o why_o shall_v the_o same_o word_n be_v more_o obscure_a when_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o our_o eye_n than_o when_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o our_o ear_n see_v then_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n may_v be_v as_o plain_o convey_v by_o word_n write_v as_o by_o word_n speak_v and_o see_v that_o even_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o plainness_n of_o scripture_n do_v yet_o allow_v that_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o may_v be_v plain_o convey_v by_o word_n speak_v or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n oral_a tradition_n if_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o plain_a it_o can_v be_v resolve_v into_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o this_o that_o god_n will_v not_o have_v it_o so_o for_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o he_o can_v have_v speak_v as_o plain_o as_o man_n and_o have_v write_v as_o plain_o as_o he_o speak_v and_o therefore_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v so_o it_o be_v because_o he_o will_v not_o but_o to_o say_v that_o he_o will_v not_o write_v those_o thing_n plain_o which_o he_o think_v necessary_a for_o all_o man_n to_o know_v and_o which_o he_o write_v on_o purpose_n that_o all_o man_n may_v know_v be_v to_o say_v that_o he_o will_v and_o will_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n or_o that_o he_o write_v they_o on_o purpose_n that_o man_n may_v know_v they_o and_o yet_o that_o he_o write_v so_o as_o that_o they_o may_v not_o know_v they_o 3._o from_o the_o frequent_a command_v god_n lay_v upon_o we_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n it_o be_v also_o evident_a that_o in_o all_o necessary_a thing_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o clear_a that_o god_n do_v not_o only_o allow_v but_o will_v and_o rquire_v we_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n i_o shall_v show_v at_o large_a hereafter_o when_o i_o come_v to_o treat_v of_o search_v the_o scripture_n suppose_v therefore_o at_o present_a the_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a i_o will_v fain_o know_v to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v god_n require_v we_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n if_o in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o know_v and_o believe_v it_o be_v not_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a do_v god_n require_v we_o to_o read_v it_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o read_v it_o or_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o understand_v it_o if_o the_o former_a read_v any_o other_o book_n may_v as_o well_o have_v answer_v god_n end_n as_o read_v the_o scripture_n because_o read_v be_v read_v whatsoever_o it_o be_v that_o we_o read_v if_o the_o late_a then_o either_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o intelligible_a as_o to_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o require_v we_o to_o understand_v or_o he_o require_v we_o to_o read_v it_o in_o vain_a for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v we_o read_v that_o we_o may_v understand_v if_o that_o which_o we_o be_v to_o read_v be_v not_o plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o berean_o act_n 17.11_o be_v high_o commend_v for_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o now_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v be_v this_o a_o virtue_n in_o they_o or_o be_v it_o not_o if_o not_o why_o be_v they_o commend_v for_o it_o if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v certain_o their_o duty_n what_o be_v the_o intendment_n of_o it_o be_v it_o only_o that_o they_o may_v be_v expert_a reader_n why_o be_v they_o so_o commend_v for_o read_v the_o scripture_n above_o any_o other_o book_n see_v that_o read_v any_o other_o book_n will_v have_v do_v as_o well_o for_o that_o purpose_n as_o read_v the_o scripture_n but_o the_o text_n itself_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o intendment_n of_o their_o read_v the_o scripture_n be_v that_o they_o may_v know_v whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o or_o not_o which_o st._n paul_n have_v preach_v to_o they_o but_o how_o shall_v they_o know_v this_o by_o read_v the_o scripture_n if_o the_o scripture_n which_o they_o read_v be_v not_o plain_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v by_o they_o again_o st._n paul_n give_v this_o as_o a_o great_a commendation_n of_o his_o son_n timothy_n that_o from_o a_o child_n he_o have_v know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n whence_o by_o the_o way_n we_o may_v learn_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o great_a a_o reproach_n to_o our_o church_n as_o the_o romanist_n intend_v it_o for_o that_o we_o permit_v woman_n and_o child_n tinker_n and_o cobbler_n to_o read_v the_o scripture_n but_o i_o pray_v what_o be_v the_o mean_v of_o timothy_n know_v the_o holy_a scripture_n from_o a_o child_n be_v it_o that_o he_o know_v the_o word_n of_o it_o only_o or_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o also_o if_o the_o former_a a_o parrot_n may_v be_v teach_v as_o much_o as_o timothy_n have_v learn_v and_o consequent_o deserve_v as_o high_a a_o commendation_n as_o he_o if_o the_o late_a than_o
resemblance_n of_o a_o sincere_a conversion_n for_o till_o his_o interest_n strike_v in_o with_o they_o they_o signify_v nothing_o with_o he_o make_v not_o the_o least_o impression_n on_o his_o mind_n but_o be_v back_v with_o that_o all_o on_o a_o sudden_a they_o be_v wondrous_a cogent_n and_o persuasive_a from_o whence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o receive_v their_o strength_n and_o force_n from_o his_o interest_n without_o the_o air_n of_o which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o operate_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o change_n of_o his_o faith_n be_v owe_v to_o the_o overrule_a interest_n of_o his_o covetousness_n and_o ambition_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o the_o prevalence_n of_o reason_n and_o sincere_a conviction_n for_o it_o be_v that_o interest_n that_o strong_o incline_v he_o to_o change_v before_o ever_o he_o know_v any_o reason_n for_o it_o and_o than_o it_o be_v that_o inclination_n that_o make_v his_o reason_n and_o create_v his_o conviction_n and_o let_v he_o talk_v what_o he_o please_v of_o reason_n scripture_n and_o authority_n if_o he_o be_v strong_o incline_v to_o change_v before_o he_o be_v move_v to_o it_o by_o reason_n and_o evidence_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o prevail_a motive_n of_o his_o conversion_n be_v either_o the_o fear_n of_o lose_v some_o good_a warm_a place_n or_o the_o hope_n of_o gain_v some_o important_a station_n or_o preferment_n and_o if_o this_o be_v find_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o case_n when_o he_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o god_n it_o have_v be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_o for_o he_o that_o he_o have_v never_o be_v bear_v for_o than_o he_o will_v be_v find_v a_o base_a deserter_n of_o his_o god_n a_o treacherous_a judas_n to_o his_o saviour_n and_o a_o perfidious_a renegado_n from_o his_o religion_n and_o according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o gild_n receive_v his_o portion_n of_o damnation_n 4._o consider_v whether_o before_o you_o entertain_v any_o intention_n to_o 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this_o be_v the_o foul_a and_o hypocritical_a intention_n of_o too_o many_o among_o we_o be_v notorious_a enough_o by_o their_o practice_n they_o leap_v from_o church_n to_o church_n and_o from_o one_o communion_n to_o another_o without_o any_o pause_v or_o consideration_n they_o be_v with_o we_o to_o day_n and_o go_v from_o we_o to_o morrow_n and_o be_v such_o mushroom_n extemporary_a convert_v that_o before_o ever_o we_o hear_v they_o doubt_v of_o their_o own_o they_o be_v confirm_v in_o a_o contrary_a religion_n in_o short_a they_o steal_v out_o of_o their_o religion_n so_o soft_o and_o with_o so_o little_a noise_n that_o they_o be_v common_o go_v before_o ever_o we_o hear_v they_o be_v go_v as_o if_o they_o be_v afraid_a we_o shall_v stop_v and_o detain_v they_o by_o better_a reason_n and_o full_a conviction_n whereas_o have_v these_o man_n any_o conscience_n or_o honesty_n in_o they_o they_o will_v consider_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o thing_n too_o sacred_a and_o serious_a to_o 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their_o judgement_n hand_n over_o head_n into_o a_o contrary_a persuasion_n till_o they_o have_v first_o apply_v themselves_o for_o resolution_n again_o and_o again_o to_o their_o old_a guide_n and_o pastor_n and_o with_o all_o due_a deference_n to_o their_o authority_n have_v strict_o examine_v all_o their_o reason_n and_o answer_n till_o they_o have_v thorough_o inspect_v their_o argument_n pro_fw-la and_o con_v and_o equal_o hear_v both_o side_n of_o the_o cause_n till_o they_o have_v read_v advise_v and_o consult_v on_o both_o side_n and_o weigh_v the_o whole_a matter_n over_o and_o over_o with_o the_o great_a care_n and_o exactness_n but_o when_o man_n run_v away_o from_o their_o religion_n in_o a_o instant_a without_o ever_o observe_v this_o regular_a process_n of_o sincere_a inquiry_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a case_n that_o their_o will_n be_v resolve_v before_o their_o understanding_n and_o that_o they_o be_v convert_v before_o ever_o they_o be_v convince_v and_o consequent_o that_o it_o be_v not_o reason_n and_o conviction_n that_o turn_v they_o but_o lust_n or_o interest_n for_o though_o when_o they_o be_v turn_v they_o may_v perhaps_o be_v very_o diligent_a to_o seek_v conviction_n yet_o this_o be_v only_o a_o aftergame_n which_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o play_v to_o save_v their_o conscience_n or_o their_o reputation_n 5._o consider_v before_o you_o entertain_v any_o intention_n to_o change_v whether_o it_o be_v your_o unfeigned_a intention_n whatever_o shall_v happen_v to_o you_o to_o adhere_v to_o that_o side_n which_o shall_v appear_v most_o reasonable_a perhaps_o you_o be_v not_o yet_o arrive_v to_o that_o height_n of_o impiety_n as_o to_o resolve_v right_a or_o wrong_n to_o change_v your_o religion_n whether_o you_o find_v it_o true_a or_o false_a upon_o a_o just_a and_o fair_a examination_n for_o this_o be_v such_o a_o horrible_a defiance_n of_o god_n such_o a_o express_a and_o absolute_a renunciation_n of_o all_o that_o be_v