and_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o there_o find_v our_o act_n from_o whence_o their_o order_n and_o origation_n begin_v 8._o it_o be_v true_a bellarmine_n reproach_n this_o discourse_n as_o erroneous_a but_o whatever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o inference_n which_o saint_n cyprian_a draw_v from_o it_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o saint_n austin_n though_o sufficient_o engage_v against_o saint_n cyprian_n conclusion_n allow_v the_o position_n as_o most_o orthodox_n say_v in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o baptism_n c._n 35._o whereas_o he_o admonish_v to_o go_v back_o to_o the_o fountain_n that_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o thence_o bring_v the_o stream_n down_o to_o our_o time_n it_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o without_o doubt_n to_o be_v do_v 9_o thus_o eusebius_n express_v himself_o in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o sabellius_n as_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o sloth_n not_o to_o seek_v into_o those_o thing_n whereof_o one_o may_v inquire_v so_o it_o be_v insolence_n to_o be_v inquisitive_a in_o other_o but_o what_o be_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o inquire_v into_o even_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o there_o to_o be_v find_v let_v we_o not_o seek_v after_o for_o if_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v know_v the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v not_o omit_v they_o in_o the_o scripture_n 10._o athanasius_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o incarnation_n say_v it_o be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o relinquish_v it_o think_v by_o syllogism_n to_o evade_v what_o be_v there_o clear_o deliver_v again_o in_o his_o tract_n to_o serap_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n ask_v not_o say_v he_o concern_v the_o trinity_n but_o learn_v only_o from_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o instruction_n which_o you_o will_v find_v there_o be_v sufficient_a and_o in_o his_o oration_n against_o the_o gentile_n declare_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n 11._o agreeable_a to_o these_o be_v optatus_n in_o his_o 5._o book_n against_o parman_n who_o reason_n thus_o you_o say_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o rebaptize_v we_o say_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a betwixt_o your_o say_n and_o our_o gainsaying_n the_o people_n mind_n be_v amuse_v let_v no_o man_n believe_v either_o you_o or_o we_o all_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v contentious_a therefore_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v call_v in_o christian_n they_o can_v be_v for_o they_o will_v be_v party_n and_o thereby_o partial_a therefore_o a_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v look_v out_o from_o abroad_o if_o a_o pagan_a he_o know_v not_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o a_o jew_n he_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o our_o baptism_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o earthly_a judge_n but_o one_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v from_o heaven_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o resort_n to_o heaven_n when_o we_o have_v in_o the_o gospel_n a_o testament_n and_o in_o this_o case_n celestial_a thing_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o earthly_a so_o it_o be_v as_o with_o a_o father_n who_o have_v many_o child_n while_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v they_o all_o and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o write_a will_n according_o christ_n when_o he_o be_v present_a upon_o earth_n from_o time_n to_o time_n command_v the_o apostle_n whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a but_o as_o the_o earthly_a father_n find_v himself_o to_o be_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n and_o fear_v that_o after_o his_o departure_n his_o child_n shall_v quarrel_v among_o themselves_o he_o call_v witness_n and_o put_v his_o mind_n in_o writing_n and_o if_o any_o difference_n arise_v among_o the_o brethren_n they_o go_v not_o to_o their_o father_n sepulchre_n but_o repair_v to_o his_o will_n and_o testament_n and_o he_o who_o rest_v in_o his_o grave_n speak_v still_o in_o his_o writing_n as_o if_o he_o be_v alive_a our_o lord_n who_o leave_v his_o will_n among_o we_o be_v now_o in_o heaven_n therefore_o let_v we_o seek_v his_o command_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o in_o his_o will._n 12._o thus_o cyril_n of_o jerus_n cat._n 4._o nothing_o no_o not_o the_o least_o concernment_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v deliver_v without_o the_o holy_a scripture_n believe_v not_o i_o unless_o i_o give_v you_o a_o demonstration_n of_o what_o i_o say_v from_o the_o scripture_n 13._o saint_n basil_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n say_v if_o god_n be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o say_n his_o word_n and_o work_n they_o remain_v for_o ever_o and_o be_v do_v in_o truth_n and_o equity_n it_o must_v be_v a_o evident_a sign_n of_o infidelity_n and_o pride_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v reject_v what_o be_v write_v and_o introduce_v what_o be_v not_o write_v in_o which_o book_n he_o general_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o receive_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o that_o he_o abhor_v from_o take_v it_o elsewhere_o in_o his_o 29._o homily_n against_o the_o antitrinit_a believe_v say_v he_o those_o which_o be_v write_v seek_v not_o those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o eth._n reg_fw-la 26._o every_o word_n and_o action_n ought_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o divine_o inspire_v scripture_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o good_a and_o reproof_n of_o the_o wicked_a 14._o saint_n ambrose_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o offic._n say_v how_o can_v we_o make_v use_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n and_o in_o his_o instit._n of_o virgin_n i_o read_v he_o be_v the_o first_o but_o read_v not_o he_o be_v the_o second_o let_v they_o who_o say_v he_o be_v second_o show_v it_o from_o the_o read_n 15._o greg._n nyssen_n in_o his_o dial._n of_o the_o soul_n and_o resurrect_v say_v it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o truth_n be_v there_o only_o to_o be_v place_v where_o there_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o scripture_n testimony_n 16._o saint_n jerom_n against_o helvidius_n declare_v as_o we_o deny_v not_o that_o which_o be_v write_v so_o we_o refuse_v those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o 98._o ps._n every_o thing_n that_o we_o assert_v we_o must_v show_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o word_n of_o he_o that_o speak_v have_v not_o that_o authority_n as_o god_n precept_n and_o on_o the_o 87._o ps._n whatever_o be_v say_v after_o the_o apostle_n let_v it_o be_v cut_v off_o nor_o have_v afterward_o authority_n the_o one_o be_v holy_a after_o the_o apostle_n the_o one_o be_v eloquent_a yet_o have_v he_o not_o authority_n 17._o saint_n austin_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n c._n 12._o acknowledge_v that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v convince_v but_o by_o the_o scripture_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o add_v they_o be_v read_v with_o such_o manifestation_n that_o he_o who_o believe_v they_o must_v confess_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v most_o true_a in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n c._n 9_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n be_v find_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v faith_n and_o manner_n and_o in_o epist._n 42._o all_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v exhibit_v heretofore_o as_o don_v to_o mankind_n and_o what_o we_o now_o see_v and_o deliver_v to_o our_o posterity_n the_o scripture_n have_v not_o pass_v they_o in_o silence_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o concern_v the_o search_n or_o defence_n of_o our_o religion_n in_o his_o â—ract_n of_o the_o good_a of_o widowhood_n he_o say_v to_o â—ulian_n the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o address_v what_o shall_v i_o teach_v you_o more_o than_o that_o we_o read_v in_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n settlos_fw-la the_o rule_n of_o our_o doctrine_n that_o we_o think_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v soâ—erly_o as_o god_n have_v deal_v to_o every_o man_n the_o measure_n of_o faith_n therefore_o my_o teach_n be_v only_o to_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o this_o doctor_n ep._n 157._o where_o â—ny_a subject_n be_v obscure_a and_o pass_v our_o comprehension_n and_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o plain_o afford_v its_o help_n there_o human_a conjecture_n be_v presumâ—â—ous_a in_o define_v 18._o theophilus_n of_o alex._n in_o his_o second_o paschal_n homily_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o suggestion_n of_o a_o diabolical_a spirit_n to_o think_v that_o any_o thing_n beside_o the_o scripture_n have_v divine_a authority_n and_o in_o his_o three_o he_o add_v that_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n lay_v firm_a foundation_n of_o their_o doctrine_n 19_o chrysostom_n in_o his_o three_o homily_n
as_o christianity_n in_o the_o world_n be_v yet_o god_n be_v blessed_v undeniable_a though_o at_o the_o rate_n it_o have_v of_o late_o decline_v god_n know_v how_o long_o it_o will_v be_v so_o we_o say_v it_o come_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o intervening_a age_n the_o suffrage_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n from_o that_o day_n to_o this_o and_o sure_o they_o who_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o most_o competent_a witness_n from_o whence_o they_o receive_v it_o 40._o yet_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v all_o thought_n party_n to_o the_o design_n and_o their_o witness_n except_v against_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o give_v we_o collateral_a assurance_n and_o make_v both_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a writer_n give_v testimony_n to_o the_o antiquity_n of_o christianity_n josephus_n do_v this_o lib._n 20._o chap._n 8._o and_o lib._n 18._o chap._n 4._o where_o after_o he_o have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o christ_n exact_o agree_v with_o the_o evangelist_n he_o conclude_v and_o to_o this_o day_n the_o christian_a people_n who_o of_o he_o borrow_v their_o name_n cease_v not_o to_o increase_v i_o add_v not_o the_o personal_a elogium_fw-la which_o he_o give_v of_o our_o saviour_n because_o some_o be_v so_o hardy_a to_o control_v it_o also_o i_o pass_v what_o philo_n mention_n of_o the_o religious_a in_o egypt_n because_o several_a learned_a man_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o essen_v a_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n or_o some_o other_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n of_o what_o tacitus_n and_o other_o roman_a historian_n speak_v of_o christ_n as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v then_o be_v no_o such_o doctrine_n or_o if_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v know_v as_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o so_o afterward_o pliny_n give_v the_o emperor_n trajan_n a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o manner_n and_o multitude_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o make_v the_o innocence_n of_o the_o one_o &_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o other_o a_o argument_n to_o slacken_v the_o persecution_n against_o they_o nay_o the_o very_a bloody_a edict_n of_o the_o persecute_v emperor_n &_o the_o scoff_v and_o reproach_n of_o celsus_n porphyry_n lucian_n and_o other_o profane_a opposer_n of_o this_o doctrine_n do_v undeniable_o assert_v its_o be_v by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o christianity_n have_v in_o those_o age_n not_o only_o a_o be_v but_o have_v also_o obtain_v mighty_o in_o the_o world_n and_o draw_v in_o vast_a number_n to_o its_o profession_n and_o vast_a indeed_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o furnish_v out_o that_o whole_a army_n of_o martyr_n of_o which_o profane_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastic_a writer_n speak_v and_o if_o all_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o evince_v that_o christianity_n steal_v not_o clancular_o into_o the_o world_n but_o take_v its_o rise_n from_o â—hose_v time_n and_o person_n it_o pretend_v we_o must_v â—enounce_v all_o faith_n of_o testimony_n and_o not_o believe_v a_o inch_n far_o than_o we_o see_v 41._o i_o suppose_v i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o to_o show_v that_o the_o gospel_n and_o all_o those_o portentous_a miracle_n which_o attest_v it_o be_v no_o forgery_n or_o stratagem_n of_o man_n i_o come_v now_o to_o that_o doubt_n which_o more_o immediate_o concern_v the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n whether_o all_o these_o transaction_n be_v so_o faithful_o relate_v there_o that_o we_o may_v believe_v they_o to_o have_v be_v dictate_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n now_o for_o this_o the_o process_n need_v be_v â—ut_v short_a if_o we_o consider_v who_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n even_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o matthew_n and_o john_n who_o write_v two_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v certain_o so_o and_o mark_v as_o all_o the_o ancient_n aver_v be_v but_o the_o amanuensis_fw-la to_o saint_n peter_n who_o dictate_v that_o gospel_n saint_n luke_n indeed_o come_v not_o under_o this_o first_o rank_n of_o apostle_n yet_o be_v by_o some_o affirm_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n however_o a_o apostolical_a person_n it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o such_o to_o be_v inspire_v for_o in_o those_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n man_n act_v more_o by_o immediate_a inflation_n of_o the_o spirit_n then_o since_o and_o according_o we_o find_v stephen_n though_o but_o a_o deacon_n have_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o preach_v as_o divine_o as_o the_o prime_a apostle_n act._n 7._o and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v then_o a_o usual_a concomitant_a of_o conversion_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o story_n of_o cornelius_n act_v 10._o 45_o 46._o beside_o saint_n luke_n be_v a_o constant_a attendant_n on_o saint_n paul_n who_o derive_v the_o faith_n not_o from_o man_n but_o by_o the_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o himself_o profess_v gal._n 1._o 12._o and_o be_v by_o some_o say_v to_o have_v write_v by_o dictat_fw-la from_o he_o as_o mark_n do_v from_o saint_n peter_n then_o as_o to_o the_o epistle_n they_o all_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o apostle_n except_o that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o yet_o be_v upon_o very_o good_a ground_n presume_v to_o be_v saint_n paul_n now_o these_o be_v the_o person_n commissionated_a by_o christ_n to_o preach_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o be_v signal_o assist_v in_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o office_n so_o that_o as_o he_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v not_o they_o who_o speak_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n that_o speak_v in_o they_o mat._n 13._o 11._o and_o if_o they_o speak_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n there_o can_v be_v no_o question_n that_o they_o write_v so_o also_o nay_o indeed_o of_o the_o two_o it_o seem_v more_o necessary_a they_o shall_v do_v the_o late_a for_o have_v they_o err_v in_o any_o thing_n they_o oral_o deliver_v they_o may_v have_v retract_v and_o cure_v the_o mischief_n but_o these_o book_n be_v design_v as_o a_o stand_a immutable_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o all_o succession_n any_o error_n in_o they_o will_v have_v be_v irreparable_a and_o have_v entail_v itself_o upon_o posterity_n which_o agree_v neither_o with_o the_o truth_n nor_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o permit_v 42._o now_o that_o these_o book_n be_v indeed_o write_v by_o they_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v we_o have_v as_o much_o assurance_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v of_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o that_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o for_o however_o some_o of_o they_o may_v have_v be_v controvert_v yet_o the_o great_a part_n have_v admit_v no_o dispute_n who_o doctrine_n agree_v exact_o with_o the_o other_o give_v testimony_n to_o they_o and_o to_o the_o bulk_n of_o those_o write_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o first_o christian_n receive_v they_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o transmit_v they_o to_o the_o ensue_a age_n which_o receive_v they_o with_o the_o like_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n they_o can_v be_v corrupt_v say_v saint_n austin_n in_o the_o thirty_o second_o book_n against_o faustus_n the_o manich._n c._n 16._o because_o they_o be_v and_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o whosoever_o shall_v first_o attemt_fw-mi a_o alteration_n he_o will_v be_v confute_v by_o the_o inspection_n of_o other_o ancient_a copy_n beside_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o in_o some_o one_o language_n but_o translate_v into_o many_o so_o that_o the_o fault_n of_o one_o book_n will_v be_v correct_v by_o other_o more_o ancient_a or_o in_o a_o different_a tongue_n 43._o and_o how_o much_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n be_v in_o earnest_n concern_v to_o take_v care_n in_o this_o matter_n appear_v by_o very_o costly_a evidence_n multitude_n of_o they_o choose_v rather_o to_o part_n with_o their_o life_n then_o their_o bibles_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o their_o reverence_n of_o that_o book_n be_v very_o avow_v and_o manifest_a when_o their_o heathen_a persecuter_n make_v that_o one_o part_n of_o their_o persecution_n so_o that_o as_o wherever_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v receive_v this_o book_n be_v also_o under_o the_o notion_n we_o now_o plead_v for_o viz._n as_o the_o write_n of_o man_n inspire_v by_o god_n so_o it_o be_v also_o contend_v for_o even_o unto_o death_n and_o to_o part_v with_o the_o bible_n be_v to_o renounce_v the_o faith_n and_o now_o after_o such_o a_o cloud_n of_o testimony_n we_o may_v sure_o take_v up_o that_o ill-applied_n say_v of_o the_o high_a priest_n mat._n 26._o 65._o what_o far_a need_n have_v we_o of_o witness_n 44._o yet_o beside_o these_o another_o sort_n of_o witness_n there_o be_v i_o mean_v
dedicate_v several_a of_o his_o commentary_n to_o they_o 22._o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o saint_n austin_n who_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o unlettered_a laic_n encourage_v their_o inquiry_n concern_v the_o scripture_n assure_v volusianus_n ep._n 3._o that_o it_o speak_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a as_o a_o familiar_a friend_n in_o the_o mysterious_a mount_v not_o up_o into_o high_a phrase_n which_o may_v deter_v a_o slow_a and_o unlearned_a mind_n as_o the_o poor_a be_v in_o their_o address_n to_o the_o rich_a but_o invite_v all_o with_o lowly_a speech_n feed_v with_o manifest_a truth_n and_o exercise_v with_o secret_a and_o ep._n 1._o 21._o tell_v the_o devout_a proba_n that_o in_o this_o world_n where_o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o lord_n and_o walk_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o by_o sight_n the_o soul_n be_v to_o think_v itself_o desolate_a and_o never_o cease_v from_o prayer_n and_o the_o word_n of_o divine_a and_o holy_a scripture_n etc._n etc._n 23._o saint_n chrysostom_n in_o his_o three_o homily_n of_o lazarus_n thus_o address_v himself_o to_o marry_a person_n householders_n and_o people_n engage_v in_o trade_n and_o secular_a profession_n tell_v they_o that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o great_a defensative_a against_o siu_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o ignorance_n thereof_o be_v a_o deep_a and_o headlong_a precipice_n that_o not_o to_o know_v the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o utter_a loss_n of_o salvation_n that_o this_o have_v cause_v heresy_n and_o corruption_n of_o life_n and_o have_v confound_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n for_o it_o can_v be_v by_o any_o mean_n that_o his_o labour_n shall_v be_v fruitless_a who_o employ_v himself_o in_o a_o daily_a and_o attentive_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n 24._o i_o be_o not_o say_v the_o same_o st._n chry._n hom._n 9_o on_o colos._n 3._o a_o monk_n i_o have_v wise_a and_o child_n and_o the_o care_n of_o a_o family_n but_o it_o be_v a_o destructive_a opinion_n that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n pertain_v only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v addict_v themselves_o to_o a_o monastic_a life_n when_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n be_v much_o more_o necessary_a for_o secular_a person_n for_o they_o who_o converse_v abroad_o and_o receive_v frequent_a wound_n be_v in_o great_a need_n of_o remedy_n and_o preservative_n so_o hom._n 2._o on_o mat._n harken_v all_o you_o that_o be_v secular_a how_o you_o ought_v to_o order_v your_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o how_o you_o be_v particular_o enjoin_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o that_o not_o perfunctory_o or_o by_o chance_n but_o very_o diligent_o 25._o likewise_o hom._n 3._o on_o laz._n what_o say_v thou_o o_o man_n it_o be_v not_o thy_o business_n to_o turn_v over_o the_o scripture_n be_v distract_v by_o innumerable_a care_n no_o thou_o have_v therefore_o the_o great_a obligation_n other_o do_v not_o so_o much_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o the_o aid_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o they_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o much_o business_n far_o hom._n 8._o on_o heb._n 5._o i_o beseech_v you_o neglect_v not_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o whether_o we_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o what_o be_v speak_v or_o not_o let_v we_o always_o be_v conversant_a in_o they_o for_o daily_a meditation_n strengtheus_fw-la the_o memory_n and_o it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o what_o you_o now_o can_v find_v out_o if_o you_o attemt_fw-mi it_o again_o you_o will_v the_o next_o day_n discover_v for_o god_n of_o his_o goodness_n will_v enlighten_v the_o mind_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o transcribe_v all_o the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n and_o father_n of_o the_o church_n they_o not_o only_o permit_v but_o earnest_o press_v upon_o all_o christian_n whatever_o their_o estate_n or_o condition_n be_v the_o constant_a read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o indeed_o be_v their_o restraint_n ever_o hear_v of_o till_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v espouse_v such_o doctrine_n as_o will_v not_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o scripture_n and_o then_o as_o those_o who_o deal_v in_o false_a ware_n be_v use_v to_o do_v they_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o proportion_v their_o light_n according_o 26._o this_o peter_n suitor_n in_o his_o second_o book_n cap._n 22._o of_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n honest_o confess_v say_v that_o whereas_o many_o thing_n be_v enjoin_v which_o be_v not_o express_o in_o scripture_n the_o unlearned_a observe_v this_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o murmur_v and_o complain_v that_o so_o heavy_a burden_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o their_o christian_a liberty_n infringe_v they_o will_v easy_o be_v with-drawn_a from_o observe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o find_v that_o they_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o frivolous_a suggestion_n the_o desperate_a attemt_fw-mi of_o the_o romanist_n above_o mention_v in_o leave_v out_o the_o second_o commandment_n in_o their_o primer_n and_o catechism_n which_o they_o communicate_v to_o the_o people_n may_v pass_v for_o a_o irrefragable_a evidence_n for_o what_o layman_n will_v not_o be_v shockt_v to_o find_v almighty_a god_n command_v not_o to_o make_v any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o or_o in_o the_o earth_n beneath_o or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n that_o no_o one_o shall_v bow_v down_o to_o they_o nor_o worship_v they_o when_o he_o see_v the_o contrary_a be_v practise_v and_o command_v by_o the_o church_n 27._o but_o will_v god_n none_o but_o the_o romanist_n be_v impeachable_a of_o this_o detention_n of_o scripture_n there_o be_v too_o many_o among_o we_o that_o be_v thus_o false_a and_o envious_a to_o themselves_o and_o what_o the_o former_a do_v upon_o policy_n and_o pretence_n of_o reverence_n those_o do_v upon_o mere_a oscitancy_n and_o avow_v profaneness_n which_o be_v much_o worse_a inducement_n and_o for_o such_o as_o these_o to_o declaim_v against_o detention_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v like_o the_o lawsuit_n of_o those_o who_o contend_v only_o about_o such_o little_a punctilio_n as_o themselves_o design_v no_o advantage_n from_o but_o only_o the_o wor_v their_o adversary_n and_o it_o will_v be_v much_o safe_a for_o they_o to_o lie_v under_o the_o interdict_v of_o other_o than_o thus_o to_o restrain_v themselves_o even_o as_o much_o as_o the_o error_n of_o obedience_n be_v more_o excusable_a than_o those_o of_o contemt_a and_o profaneness_n 28._o and_o here_o i_o will_v have_v it_o serious_o consider_v that_o the_o edict_n of_o diocletian_a for_o the_o demolish_n the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o burn_a their_o bibles_n become_v the_o character_n and_o particular_a aggravation_n of_o his_o most_o bloody_a persecution_n now_o shall_v almighty_a god_n call_v we_o to_o the_o like_a trial_n shall_v antichristian_a violence_n whether_o heathen_a or_o other_o take_v from_o we_o our_o church_n and_o our_o bibles_n what_o comfort_n can_v we_o have_v in_o that_o calamity_n if_o our_o contemt_fw-mi of_o those_o blessing_n drive_v they_o from_o we_o nay_o prevent_v perfecution_n and_o bereave_v we_o of_o they_o even_o whilst_o we_o have_v they_o in_o our_o power_n he_o who_o neglect_v to_o make_v his_o constant_a resort_n unto_o the_o church_n which_o by_o god_n mercy_n now_o stand_v open_a or_o to_o read_v diligent_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o by_o the_o same_o divine_a goodness_n be_v free_a for_o he_o to_o use_v in_o his_o own_o diocletian_a and_o without_o the_o terror_n of_o death_n or_o torment_n have_v renounce_v iâ—_n not_o the_o faith_n the_o great_a instrument_n of_o its_o conveyance_n and_o pledge_v of_o god_n almighty_n presence_n among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n 29._o but_o what_o if_o man_n either_o upon_o the_o one_o motive_n or_o the_o other_o will_v not_o read_v yet_o the_o scripture_n continue_v still_o most_o worthy_a to_o be_v read_v they_o retain_v still_o their_o propriety_n for_o all_o those_o excellent_a end_n to_o which_o god_n design_v they_o and_o as_o the_o prophet_n tell_v the_o jew_n ez._n 2._o 5._o whether_o they_o will_v hear_v or_o whether_o they_o will_v forbear_v they_o shall_v know_v there_o have_v be_v a_o prophet_n among_o they_o so_o whether_o we_o will_v take_v the_o benefit_n or_o no_o we_o shall_v one_o day_n find_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v have_v make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n if_o through_o our_o fault_n alone_o they_o fail_v to_o do_v so_o they_o will_v one_o day_n assume_v a_o less_o grateful_a office_n and_o from_o guide_n and_o assistant_n become_v accuser_n and_o witness_n against_o we_o sect_n v._o the_o scripture_n have_v great_a propriety_n and_o fitness_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o excellent_a end_n we_o be_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o
a_o topic_a of_o raillery_n dress_v their_o profane_a and_o scurrilous_a jest_n in_o its_o language_n and_o study_v it_o for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o abuse_v it_o and_o whilst_o we_o treat_v it_o at_o this_o vile_a rate_n no_o wonder_n we_o be_v never_o the_o better_a for_o it_o for_o alas_o what_o will_v it_o avail_v we_o to_o have_v the_o most_o sovereign_a balsam_n in_o our_o possession_n if_o instead_o of_o apply_v it_o to_o our_o wound_n we_o trample_v it_o under_o our_o foot_n 92_o but_o though_o we_o may_v frustrate_v the_o use_n we_o can_v alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n god_n design_n in_o give_v we_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o make_v we_o as_o happy_a as_o our_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v and_o the_o scripture_n be_v excellent_o adapt_v to_o this_o end_n for_o as_o to_o our_o eternal_a felicity_n all_o that_o believe_v there_o be_v any_o such_o state_n must_v acknowledge_v the_o scripture_n chalk_v we_o out_o the_o ready_a way_n to_o it_o not_o only_o because_o it_o be_v dictate_v by_o god_n who_o infallible_o know_v it_o but_o also_o by_o its_o prescribe_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o best_a and_o which_o a_o sober_a heathen_a will_v adjudge_v fit_a to_o be_v reward_v and_o as_o to_o our_o temporal_a happiness_n i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o any_o unprejudiced_a man_n whether_o any_o thing_n can_v contribute_v more_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o real_a happiness_n of_o mankind_n than_o the_o universal_a practice_n of_o the_o scripture_n rule_n will_v do_v will_v god_n we_o will_v all_o conspire_v to_o make_v the_o experiment_n and_o then_o doubtless_o not_o only_o our_o reason_n but_o our_o sense_n too_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o 93._o and_o as_o the_o design_n be_v thus_o beneficial_a so_o in_o the_o second_o place_n be_v it_o as_o extensive_a also_o time_n be_v when_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o enclosure_n of_o divine_a revelation_n when_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n be_v their_o peculiar_a depositum_fw-la and_o the_o heathen_a have_v not_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o law_n ps._n 147._o ult_n but_o since_o that_o by_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n the_o gentile_n be_v become_v fellow-heir_n eph._n 3._o 6._o he_o have_v also_o deliver_v into_o their_o hand_n the_o deed_n and_o evidence_n of_o their_o future_a state_n give_v they_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o exact_a and_o authentic_a registres_n of_o the_o covenant_n between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o these_o not_o to_o be_v like_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n appropriate_v to_o some_o one_o or_o two_o particular_a place_n so_o that_o they_o can_v be_v consult_v but_o at_o the_o expense_n of_o a_o pilgrimage_n but_o lay_v open_a to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o that_o will_v believe_v themselves_o concern_v 94._o it_o be_v a_o large_a commission_n our_o saviour_n give_v his_o disciple_n go_v preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n mar._n 16._o 15._o which_o in_o the_o narrow_a acception_n must_v be_v the_o gentile_a world_n and_o yet_o their_o oral_a gospel_n do_v not_o reach_v far_o than_o the_o write_v for_o wherever_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v plant_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v leave_v as_o the_o record_n of_o it_o nay_o as_o the_o conserver_n of_o it_o too_o the_o stand_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o corruption_n be_v to_o be_v detect_v it_o be_v true_a the_o entire_a canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o we_o now_o have_v it_o be_v not_o all_o at_o once_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n be_v successive_o write_v as_o the_o need_v of_o christian_n and_o the_o encroachment_n of_o heretic_n give_v occasion_n but_o at_o last_o they_o become_v all_o together_o the_o common_a magazine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o furnish_v arm_n both_o defensive_a and_o offensive_a for_o as_o the_o gospel_n put_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o shield_n of_o faith_n so_o the_o epistle_n help_v we_o to_o hold_v it_o that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v wrest_v out_o of_o our_o hand_n again_o either_o by_o the_o force_n of_o persecution_n or_o the_o sly_a insinuation_n of_o vice_n or_o heresy_n 95._o thus_o the_o apostle_n like_o prudent_a leader_n have_v beat_v up_o the_o ambush_n discover_v the_o snare_n that_o be_v lay_v for_o we_o and_o by_o discomfit_v satan_n forlorn_a hope_n that_o early_a set_a of_o false_a teacher_n and_o corrupt_a practice_n which_o then_o invade_v the_o church_n have_v lay_v a_o foundation_n of_o victory_n to_o the_o succeed_a age_n if_o they_o will_v but_o keep_v close_a to_o their_o conduct_n adhere_v to_o those_o sacred_a write_n they_o have_v leave_v behind_o they_o in_o every_o church_n for_o that_o purpose_n 96._o now_o what_o be_v there_o deposit_v be_v design_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o every_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o church_n the_o bible_n be_v not_o commit_v like_o the_o regalia_z or_o rarity_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o be_v keep_v under_o lock_n and_o key_n and_o consequent_o to_o constitute_v a_o profitable_a office_n for_o the_o keeper_n but_o expose_v like_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n for_o universal_a view_n and_o benefit_n that_o sacred_a book_n like_o the_o common_a air_n be_v every_o man_n propriety_n yet_o no_o man_n enclosure_n yet_o there_o be_v a_o generation_n of_o man_n who_o eye_n have_v be_v evil_a because_o god_n have_v be_v good_a who_o have_v seal_v up_o this_o spring_n monopolise_v the_o word_n of_o life_n and_o will_v allow_v none_o to_o partake_v of_o it_o but_o such_o person_n and_o in_o such_o proportion_n as_o they_o please_v to_o retail_v it_o a_o attemt_a very_o insolent_a in_o respect_n of_o god_n who_o purpose_n they_o contradict_v and_o very_o injurious_a in_o respect_n of_o man_n who_o advantage_n they_o obstruct_v the_o iniquity_n of_o it_o will_v be_v very_o apparent_a if_o we_o consider_v what_o be_v offer_v in_o the_o follow_a section_n sect_n iv._o the_o custody_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o privilege_n and_o right_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o every_o member_n of_o it_o which_o can_v without_o impiety_n to_o god_n and_o injustice_n unto_o it_o and_o they_o be_v take_v away_o or_o impeach_v beside_o the_o keep_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o be_v obsequious_a and_o import_v a_o due_a regard_n to_o all_o its_o precept_n common_o express_v in_o scripture_n by_o keep_v the_o commandment_n harken_v to_o and_o obey_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o lord_n walk_v in_o his_o way_n and_o observe_v and_o do_v his_o statute_n and_o his_o judgement_n there_o be_v a_o possessory_a keep_n it_o in_o reference_n to_o ourselves_o and_o other_o in_o respect_n whereof_o almighty_a god_n deut._n 6._o and_o elsewhere_o frequent_o have_v enjoin_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n to_o love_v the_o lord_n their_o god_n with_o all_o their_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o their_o soul_n and_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o that_o the_o word_n which_o he_o command_v they_o shall_v be_v in_o their_o heart_n he_o add_v that_o they_o shall_v teach_v they_o diligent_o to_o their_o child_n and_o shall_v talk_v of_o they_o when_o they_o sit_v down_o in_o their_o house_n and_o when_o they_o walk_v by_o the_o way_n and_o when_o they_o lie_v down_o and_o when_o they_o rise_v up_o and_o that_o they_o bind_v they_o for_o a_o sign_n upon_o their_o hand_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v as_o froutlet_n between_o their_o eye_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v write_v they_o upon_o the_o post_n of_o their_o house_n and_o on_o their_o gate_n so_o just_o be_v the_o law_n call_v the_o scripture_n be_v write_v by_o they_o and_o wear_v upon_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o body_n inscribe_v upon_o the_o wall_n of_o their_o house_n the_o entrance_n of_o their_o door_n and_o gate_n of_o their_o city_n and_o in_o a_o word_n place_v before_o their_o eye_n wherever_o they_o converse_v 2._o and_o this_o be_v grant_v to_o the_o jew_n as_o matter_n of_o privilege_n and_o favour_n to_o they_o say_v saint_n paul_n rom._n 9_o 4._o pertain_v the_o adoption_n and_o the_o glory_n and_o the_o covenant_n and_o the_o give_v of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o same_o saint_n paul_n at_o the_o 3._o chap._n 2._o v._n of_o that_o epistle_n unto_o the_o question_n what_o advantage_n have_v the_o jew_n or_o what_o prosit_fw-la be_v there_o of_o circumcision_n answer_n that_o it_o be_v much_o every_o way_n chief_o because_o unto_o they_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n this_o depositum_fw-la or_o trust_n be_v grant_v to_o the_o father_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v continue_v down_o unto_o their_o child_n he_o make_v a_o covenant_n say_v david_n ps._n 78._o v._n 5._o with_o jacob_n and_o give_v israel_n a_o law_n which_o he_o command_v our_o forefather_n to_o teach_v their_o child_n that_o their_o posterity_n may_v know_v it_o and_o the_o child_n which_o be_v yet_o unborn_a to_o the_o intent_n that_o when_o
be_v against_o error_n and_o learn_v how_o little_a be_v get_v by_o that_o policy_n which_o control_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n 14_o nor_o can_v they_o take_v shelter_n in_o the_o example_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n for_o they_o in_o the_o constant_a use_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n yield_v not_o unto_o the_o jew_n whereas_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n read_v public_o to_o they_o every_o sabbath_n day_n which_o josephus_n against_o appion_n thus_o express_v moses_n propound_v to_o the_o jew_n the_o most_o excellent_a and_o necessary_a learning_n of_o the_o law_n not_o by_o hear_v it_o once_o or_o twice_o but_o every_o seven_o day_n lay_v aside_o their_o work_n he_o command_v they_o to_o assemble_v for_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o law_n and_o thorough_o and_o exact_o to_o learn_v it_o parallel_v to_o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n perform_v by_o the_o lector_fw-la or_o reader_n of_o which_o justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o 2._o apol._n give_v this_o account_n on_o the_o day_n call_v sunday_n all_o that_o abide_v in_o town_n or_o the_o country_n about_o meet_v in_o one_o place_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n be_v read_v so_o far_o as_o there_o be_v place_n so_o tertullian_n in_o his_o apol_n describe_v the_o office_n in_o the_o public_a assembly_n we_o feed_v our_o faith_n with_o the_o sacred_a word_n we_o raise_v our_o hope_n and_o establish_v our_o reliance_n 15._o and_o as_o the_o jew_n think_v it_o indecent_a for_o person_n profess_v piety_n to_o let_v three_o day_n pass_v without_o the_o office_n thereof_o in_o the_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o meet_v in_o their_o synagogue_n upon_o every_o tuesday_n and_o thursday_n in_o the_o week_n and_o there_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o fast_v prayer_n and_o hear_v the_o holy_a scripture_n concern_v which_o be_v the_o boast_n of_o the_o pharisee_fw-mi luk._n 18._o 12._o in_o conformity_n hereto_o the_o christian_n also_o their_o sabbath_n be_v bring_v forward_o from_o the_o saturday_n to_o the_o day_n follow_v that_o the_o like_a number_n of_o day_n may_v not_o pass_v they_o without_o perform_v the_o aforesaid_a duty_n in_o the_o congregation_n meet_v together_o on_o the_o wednesday_n and_o friday_n which_o be_v the_o day_n of_o station_n so_o frequent_o mention_v in_o tertullian_n and_o other_o the_o first_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n tertullian_n express_o say_v that_o the_o christian_n dedicate_v to_o the_o office_n of_o piety_n the_o four_o and_o six_o day_n of_o the_o week_n and_o clemens_n alex._n say_v of_o the_o christian_n that_o they_o understand_v the_o secret_a reason_n of_o their_o weekly_a fast_n to_o wit_n those_o of_o the_o four_o day_n of_o the_o week_n and_o that_o of_o preparation_n before_o the_o sabbath_n common_o call_v wednesday_n and_o friday_n where_o by_o the_o way_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n what_o ground_n there_o be_v for_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o wednesday_n and_o friday_n in_o our_o church_n and_o the_o litany_n then_o appoint_v so_o much_o neglect_v in_o this_o profligate_v age._n 16._o but_o second_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v diligent_a in_o the_o private_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v teach_v it_o from_o their_o infancy_n which_o custom_n saint_n paul_n refer_v to_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o whereof_o josephus_n against_o appion_n say_v that_o if_o a_o man_n ask_v any_o jew_n concern_v the_o law_n he_o will_v tell_v every_o thing_n ready_a than_o his_o name_n for_o learn_v they_o from_o the_o first_o time_n they_o have_v sense_n of_o any_o thing_n they_o retain_v they_o imprint_v in_o their_o mind_n so_o be_v the_o first_o christian_n equal_o industrious_a in_o improve_n their_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o christian_a say_v clem._n alex._n strom._n l._n 7._o be_v a_o holy_a solemnity_n there_o his_o sacrifice_n be_v prayer_n and_o praise_n before_o every_o meal_n he_o have_v the_o reading_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o psalm_n and_o hymn_n at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o meal_n which_o tertullian_n also_o describe_v in_o his_o apol._n and_o saint_n cyprian_n in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o epist._n to_o donatus_n 17._o and_o this_o be_v far_o evidence_v by_o the_o early_a and_o numerous_a version_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o all_o vulgar_a language_n concern_v which_o theodoret_n speak_v in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o cure_n of_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o greek_n serm._n 5._o we_o christian_n say_v he_o be_v enable_v to_o show_v the_o power_n of_o apostolic_a and_o prophetic_a doctrine_n which_o hâ—ve_v fill_v all_o country_n under_o heaven_n for_o that_o which_o be_v former_o utter_v in_o hebrew_n be_v not_o only_o translate_v into_o the_o language_n of_o the_o grecian_n but_o also_o the_o roman_n egyptian_n persian_n indian_n armenian_n scythian_n samaritan_n and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o all_o the_o language_n that_o be_v use_v by_o any_o nation_n the_o same_o be_v say_v by_o saint_n chrysostom_n in_o his_o first_o homily_n upon_o saint_n john_n 18._o nor_o be_v this_o don_n by_o the_o blind_a zeal_n of_o inconsiderable_a man_n but_o the_o most_o eminent_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n be_v concern_v herein_o such_o as_o origen_n who_o with_o infinite_a labour_n contrive_v the_o hexapla_n saint_n chrysostom_n who_o translate_v the_o new_a testament_n psalm_n and_o some_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n into_o the_o armenian_a tongue_n as_o witness_n geor._n alex._n in_o the_o life_n of_o chrysost._n so_o vlphilas_o the_o first_o bishop_n of_o the_o goth_n translate_v the_o holy_a scripture_n into_o the_o gothic_n as_o socrat._v eccl._n hist_o l._n 4._o cap._n 33._o and_o other_o testify_v saint_n jerom_n who_o translate_v they_o not_o only_o into_o latin_a from_o the_o hebrew_n the_o old_a italic_a version_n have_v be_v from_o the_o greek_a but_o also_o into_o his_o native_a vulgar_a dalmatic_n which_o he_o say_v himself_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o sophronius_n 19_o but_o the_o people_n have_v they_o for_o their_o private_a and_o constant_a use_n appear_v far_a by_o the_o heathen_n make_v the_o extort_n of_o they_o a_o part_n of_o their_o persecution_n and_o when_o diverse_a do_v faint_a in_o that_o trial_n and_o base_o surrender_v they_o we_o find_v the_o church_n level_v her_o severity_n only_o against_o the_o offend_a person_n do_v not_o according_a to_o the_o romish_a equity_n punish_v the_o innocent_a by_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o sacred_a book_n because_o the_o other_o have_v so_o unworthy_o prostitute_v it_o though_o the_o prevention_n of_o such_o a_o profanation_n for_o the_o future_a have_v be_v as_o fair_a a_o plea_n for_o it_o as_o the_o romanist_n do_v now_o make_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_a the_o primitive_a father_n be_v frequent_a nay_o indeed_o importunat_a in_o their_o exhortation_n to_o the_o private_a study_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o they_o recommend_v to_o christian_n of_o all_o rank_n age_n and_o sex_n 20._o as_o a_o instance_n hereof_o let_v we_o hear_v clemens_n of_o alex._n in_o his_o exhort_v the_o word_n say_v he_o be_v not_o hide_v from_o any_o it_o be_v a_o common_a light_n that_o shine_v to_o all_o man_n there_o be_v no_o obscurity_n in_o it_o hear_v it_o you_o that_o be_v far_o off_o and_o hear_v it_o you_o that_o be_v nigh_o 21._o to_o this_o purpose_n st._n jerom_n speak_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o leta_fw-la who_o he_o direct_v in_o the_o education_n of_o her_o young_a daughter_n and_o advise_v thâ—t_v instead_o of_o gem_n and_o silk_n she_o be_v enamour_a with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n wherein_o not_o gold_n or_o skin_n or_o babylonian_a embroidery_n but_o a_o correct_a and_o beautiful_a variety_n produce_v faith_n will_v recommend_v its_o self_n let_v she_o first_o learn_v the_o psalter_n and_o be_v entertain_v with_o those_o song_n then_o be_v instruct_v unto_o life_n by_o the_o proverb_n of_o solomon_n let_v she_o learn_v from_o ecclesiaste_n to_o despise_v worldly_a thing_n transcribe_v from_o job_n the_o practice_n of_o patience_n and_o virtue_n let_v she_o pass_v then_o to_o the_o gospel_n and_o never_o let_v they_o be_v out_o of_o her_o band_n and_o then_o imbibe_n with_o all_o the_o faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o epistle_n when_o she_o have_v enrich_v the_o store-house_n of_o her_o breast_n with_o these_o tresure_n let_v she_o learn_v the_o prophet_n the_o heptateuch_n or_o book_n of_o moses_n joshua_n and_o judge_n the_o book_n of_o king_n and_o chronicle_n the_o volume_n of_o ezra_n and_o esther_n and_o last_o the_o canticle_n and_o indeed_o this_o father_n be_v so_o concern_v to_o have_v the_o unlettered_a semale_a sex_n skilful_a in_o the_o scripture_n that_o though_o he_o sharp_o rebuke_n their_o pride_n and_o overwening_a he_o not_o only_o frequent_o resolve_v their_o doubt_n concern_v difficult_a place_n in_o the_o say_a scripture_n but_o
consider_v how_o exact_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v adapt_v to_o those_o great_a end_n to_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v how_o sufficient_a they_o be_v for_o that_o important_a negotiation_n on_o which_o they_o be_v send_v and_o that_o we_o shall_v certain_o find_v they_o if_o we_o look_v on_o they_o either_o intrinsically_a or_o circumstantial_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o notion_n we_o need_v only_o to_o reflect_v on_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n where_o the_o scripture_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n be_v evince_v to_o be_v a_o system_fw-la of_o the_o most_o excellent_a law_n back_v with_o the_o most_o transcendent_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o confirm_v by_o such_o pregnant_a instance_n of_o god_n mercy_n and_o vengeance_n in_o this_o world_n as_o be_v the_o sure_a gauge_n and_o earnest_n of_o what_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o expect_v in_o another_o 2_o now_o what_o method_n imaginable_a can_v there_o be_v use_v to_o rational_a creature_n of_o more_o source_n and_o energy_n nay_o it_o seem_v to_o descend_v even_o to_o our_o passion_n and_o accommodate_n itself_o to_o our_o several_a inclination_n and_o see_v how_o few_o proselyte_n there_o be_v to_o bare_a and_o naked_a virtue_n and_o how_o many_o to_o interest_n and_o advantage_n god_n close_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n and_o do_v not_o so_o much_o enjoin_v as_o buy_v those_o little_a service_n he_o ask_v from_o we_o 3._o but_o because_o some_o man_n nature_n be_v so_o disingenuous_a as_o to_o hate_v to_o be_v oblige_v no_o less_o then_o to_o be_v reform_v the_o scripture_n have_v goad_n and_o scourge_n to_o drive_v such_o beast_n as_o will_v not_o be_v lead_v terror_n and_o threaten_n and_o those_o of_o most_o formidable_a sort_n to_o affright_v those_o who_o will_v not_o be_v allure_v nay_o lest_o incredulous_a man_n shall_v question_v the_o reality_n of_o future_a reward_n or_o punishment_n the_o scripture_n give_v as_o sensible_a evidence_n of_o they_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o receive_v in_o this_o world_n by_o register_n such_o signal_n protection_n and_o judgement_n proportion_v to_o virtue_n and_o vice_n as_o sufficient_o atte_v the_o psalmist_n axiom_n doubtless_o there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o judge_v the_o earth_n psal._n 58._o 11._o and_o leave_v nothing_o to_o the_o impenitent_a sinner_n but_o a_o fearful_a expectation_n of_o that_o fiery_a indignation_n threaten_v hereafter_o heb._n 10._o 27._o 4._o and_o now_o methinks_v the_o scripture_n seem_v to_o be_v that_o net_n our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o that_o catch_v of_o every_o sort_n mat._n 13._o 47._o it_o be_v of_o so_o vast_a a_o compass_n that_o it_o must_v one_o will_v think_v fetch_v in_o all_o kind_n of_o temper_n and_o sure_o have_v we_o not_o mix_v nature_n with_o fiend_n contract_v some_o of_o their_o malice_n and_o obstinacy_n mere_a human_a pravity_n can_v not_o hold_v out_o 5._o and_o as_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v thus_o fit_o proportion_v to_o its_o end_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n so_o be_v it_o also_o in_o reference_n to_o its_o circumstance_n which_o all_o conspire_v to_o render_v it_o the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n ro._n 1._o 16._o in_o the_o first_o rank_n of_o those_o we_o must_v place_v its_o divine_a original_n which_o stamp_v it_o with_o a_o uncontrollable_a authority_n and_o be_v a_o infallible_a security_n that_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v perfect_o true_a since_o it_o proceed_v from_o that_o essential_a verity_n which_o can_v abuse_v we_o with_o fraudulent_a promise_n or_o threaten_n and_o from_o that_o infinite_a power_n that_o can_v be_v impede_v in_o the_o execution_n of_o what_o he_o purpose_v 6._o yet_o to_o render_v this_o circumstance_n efficacious_a there_o need_v another_o to_o wit_n that_o its_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v sufficient_o testify_v to_o we_o and_o we_o have_v in_o the_o foregoing_a discourse_n evince_v it_o to_o be_v so_o and_o that_o in_o the_o utmost_a degree_n that_o a_o matter_n of_o that_o kind_n be_v capable_a of_o beyond_o which_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v require_v evidence_n in_o any_o thing_n and_o certain_o these_o two_o circumstance_n thus_o unite_v have_v a_o mighty_a force_n to_o impress_v the_o dictate_v of_o scripture_n on_o we_o and_o we_o must_v rebel_v against_o god_n and_o our_o own_o conviction_n too_o to_o hold_v out_o against_o it_o 7._o a_o three_o circumstance_n relate_v to_o the_o frame_n and_o composure_n of_o this_o divine_a book_n both_o as_o to_o method_n and_o stile_n concern_v which_o i_o have_v already_o make_v some_o reflection_n but_o now_o that_o i_o may_v speak_v more_o distinct_o i_o observe_v it_o take_v its_o rise_n from_o the_o first_o point_n of_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o mankind_n to_o be_v concern_v and_o so_o gradual_o proceed_v to_o its_o fall_n and_o renovation_n show_v we_o first_o our_o need_n of_o a_o redeemer_n and_o then_o point_v we_o out_o who_o it_o be_v by_o type_n and_o promise_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o by_o way_n of_o history_n and_o completion_n in_o the_o new_a in_o the_o former_a it_o acquaint_v we_o with_o that_o pedagogy_n of_o the_o law_n which_o god_n design_v as_o our_o schoolmaster_n to_o bring_v we_o to_o christ_n gal._n 3._o 25._o and_o in_o the_o gospel_n show_v we_o yet_o a_o more_o excellent_a way_n present_v we_o with_o those_o more_o sublime_a elevate_a doctrine_n which_o christ_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o revele_v 8._o as_o for_o the_o stile_n that_o be_v full_a of_o grateful_a variety_n sometime_o high_a and_o majestic_a as_o become_v that_o high_a and_o holy_a one_o that_o inhabit_v eternity_n esai_n 57_o 15_o and_o sometime_o so_o humble_a and_o after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n as_o agree_v to_o the_o other_o part_n of_o his_o character_n his_o dwelling_n be_v with_o he_o that_o be_v of_o a_o humble_a spirit_n isaiah_n 57_o 15._o i_o know_v profane_a wit_n be_v apt_a to_o brand_v this_o as_o a_o unevenness_n of_o stile_n but_o they_o may_v as_o well_o accuse_v the_o various_a note_n of_o music_n as_o destructive_a to_o harmony_n or_o blame_v a_o orator_n for_o be_v able_a to_o tune_v his_o tongue_n to_o the_o most_o different_a strain_n 9_o another_o excellency_n of_o the_o stile_n be_v its_o propriety_n to_o the_o several_a subject_n it_o treat_v of_o when_o it_o speak_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o god_n will_v not_o have_v man_n pry_v into_o it_o wrap_v they_o up_o in_o cloud_n and_o thick_a darkness_n by_o that_o mean_n to_o deter_v inquisitive_a man_n as_o he_o do_v at_o sinai_n from_o break_v into_o the_o mount_n ex._n 20._o and_o that_o he_o give_v any_o intimation_n at_o all_o of_o such_o seem_v design_v only_o to_o give_v we_o a_o just_a estimate_n how_o shallow_a our_o comprehension_n be_v and_o excite_v we_o to_o adore_v and_o admire_v that_o abyss_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n which_o we_o can_v never_o sathom_v 10._o thing_n of_o a_o middle_a nature_n which_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o some_o but_o be_v not_o indispensible_o necessary_a to_o all_o the_o scripture_n leave_v more_o accessible_a yet_o not_o so_o obvious_a as_o to_o be_v within_o every_o man_n reach_n but_o make_v they_o only_o the_o prize_n of_o industry_n prayer_n and_o humble_a endeavour_n and_o it_o be_v no_o small_a benefit_n that_o those_o who_o covet_v the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n be_v by_o it_o engage_v to_o take_v these_o virtue_n in_o the_o way_n beside_o there_o be_v so_o much_o time_n require_v to_o that_o study_n as_o render_v it_o inconsistent_a with_o those_o secular_a business_n wherein_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v immerse_v and_o consequent_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o those_o who_o addict_v themselves_o to_o the_o one_o have_v competent_a vacancy_n from_o the_o other_o and_o in_o this_o it_o have_v a_o visible_a use_n by_o be_v very_o contributive_a to_o the_o maintain_v that_o spiritual_a subordination_n of_o the_o people_n to_o the_o pastor_n which_o god_n have_v establish_v miriam_n and_o corahs_n partisan_n be_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o much_o the_o opinion_n of_o equal_a knowledge_n unfit_v for_o subjection_n and_o we_o see_v by_o sad_a experience_n how_o much_o the_o bare_a pretence_n of_o it_o have_v disturb_v the_o church_n and_o make_v those_o turn_n preacher_n who_o never_o be_v understand_v hearer_n 11._o but_o beside_o these_o more_o abstruse_a there_o be_v easy_a truth_n in_o which_o every_o man_n be_v concern_v the_o explicit_a knowledge_n whereof_o be_v necessary_a to_o all_o i_o mean_v the_o divine_a rule_n for_o save_a faith_n and_o manner_n and_o in_o those_o the_o scripture_n stile_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o be_v possible_a condescend_v to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o rude_a capacity_n so_o that_o none_o that_o can_v read_v the_o scripture_n but_o will_v there_o
tradition_n but_o by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n find_v in_o the_o temple_n that_o josiah_n be_v both_o excite_a to_o reform_v religion_n and_o instruct_v how_o to_o do_v it_o 2_o king_n 22._o 10._o and_o have_v not_o that_o or_o some_o other_o copy_n be_v produce_v they_o have_v be_v much_o in_o the_o dark_a as_o to_o the_o particular_n of_o their_o reformation_n which_o that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v convey_v by_o tradition_n appear_v by_o the_o sudden_a startle_v of_o the_o king_n upon_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v have_v he_o be_v before_o possess_v with_o the_o content_n of_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n we_o find_v in_o nehemiah_n that_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n be_v recover_v by_o consult_v the_o law_n the_o tradition_n whereof_o be_v whole_o wear_v out_o or_o else_o it_o have_v sure_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o can_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n have_v be_v intermit_v neh._n 8._o 18._o and_o yet_o man_n memory_n be_v common_o more_o retentive_a of_o a_o external_a visible_a rite_n than_o they_o be_v of_o speculative_a proposition_n or_o moral_a precept_n 30._o these_o instance_n show_v how_o fallible_a a_o expedient_a mere_a oral_a tradition_n be_v for_o transmission_n to_o posterity_n but_o admit_v no_o such_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v argument_n enough_o that_o god_n have_v by_o his_o own_o choice_n of_o writing_n give_v the_o preference_n to_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o bare_o choose_v it_o but_o have_v make_v it_o the_o standard_n by_o which_o to_o measure_n all_o succeed_a pretence_n it_o be_v the_o mean_n he_o prescribe_v for_o distinguish_v divine_a from_o diabolical_a inspiration_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o isai._n 8._o 20._o and_o when_o the_o lawyer_n interrogated_a our_o saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n he_o send_v he_o not_o to_o ransac_fw-mi tradition_n or_o the_o cabalistical_a divinity_n of_o the_o rabbin_n but_o refer_v he_o to_o the_o law_n what_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n how_o read_v thou_o luk._n 10._o 26._o and_o indeed_o throout_v the_o gospel_n we_o still_o find_v he_o in_o his_o discourse_n appeal_n to_o scripture_n and_o assert_v its_o authority_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n inveigh_v against_o those_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n which_o have_v evacuate_v the_o write_a word_n you_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o your_o tradition_n mat._n 15._o 6._o which_o as_o it_o abundant_o show_v christ_n adherence_n to_o the_o write_a word_n so_o it_o be_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o possible_a it_o be_v for_o tradition_n to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o make_v the_o instrument_n of_o impose_v man_n fancy_n even_o in_o contradiction_n to_o god_n command_n 31._o and_o since_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v make_v scripture_n the_o test_n whereby_o to_o try_v tradition_n we_o may_v sure_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o decision_n and_o either_o embrace_v or_o reject_v tradition_n according_a as_o they_o correspond_v to_o the_o supreme_a rule_n the_o write_a word_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o very_a unwarrantable_a attemt_fw-mi to_o set_v up_o tradition_n in_o competition_n with_o much_o more_o in_o contradiction_n to_o that_o to_o which_o christ_n himself_o have_v subject_v it_o 32._o saint_n paul_n reckon_v it_o as_o the_o principal_a privilege_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o it_o have_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v to_o it_o i._n e._n that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v deposit_v and_o put_v in_o its_o custody_n and_o in_o this_o the_o christian_a church_n succeed_v it_o and_o be_v the_o guardian_n and_o conservator_fw-la of_o holy_a writ_n i_o ask_v then_o have_v the_o jewish_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o its_o be_v keeper_n a_o power_n to_o supersede_n any_o part_n of_o those_o oracle_n entrust_v to_o they_o if_o so_o saint_n paul_n be_v much_o out_o in_o his_o estimate_n and_o aught_o to_o have_v reckon_v that_o as_o their_o high_a privilege_n but_o indeed_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o trust_n imply_v the_o contrary_a and_o beside_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o be_v the_o very_a crime_n christ_n charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o place_n above_o cite_v and_o if_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o such_o right_a upon_o what_o account_n can_v the_o christian_a claim_n any_o have_v christ_n enlarge_v its_o charter_n have_v he_o leave_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n with_o she_o not_o to_o preserve_v and_o practice_n but_o to_o regulate_v and_o reform_v to_o fill_v up_o its_o vacancy_n and_o supply_v its_o defect_n by_o her_o own_o tradition_n if_o so_o let_v the_o commission_n be_v produce_v but_o if_o her_o office_n be_v only_o that_o of_o guardianship_n and_o trust_n she_o must_v neither_o subtract_v from_o nor_o by_o any_o superaddition_n of_o her_o own_o evacuate_v its_o meaning_n and_o efficacy_n and_o to_o do_v so_o will_v be_v the_o same_o guilt_n that_o it_o will_v be_v in_o a_o person_n entrust_v with_o the_o fundamental_a record_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o foist_v in_o fuch_n clause_n as_o himself_o please_v 33_o in_o short_a god_n have_v in_o the_o scripture_n lay_v down_o exact_a rule_n for_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n and_o have_v entrust_v the_o church_n to_o convey_v they_o to_o we_o if_o she_o vary_v or_o any_o way_n enervate_v they_o she_o be_v false_a to_o that_o trust_n but_o can_v by_v it_o oblige_v we_o to_o recede_v from_o that_o rule_n she_o shall_v deliver_v to_o comply_v with_o that_o she_o obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o case_n may_v be_v illustrate_v by_o a_o easy_a resemblance_n suppose_v a_o king_n have_v a_o foreign_a principality_n for_o which_o he_o compose_v a_o body_n of_o law_n annex_n to_o they_o reward_n and_o penalty_n and_o require_v a_o exact_a and_o indispensable_a conformity_n to_o they_o these_o be_v put_v in_o writing_n he_o send_v by_o a_o select_a messenger_n now_o suppose_v this_o messenger_n deliver_v they_o yet_o say_v withal_o that_o himself_o have_v authority_n from_o the_o king_n to_o supersede_n these_o law_n at_o his_o pleasure_n so_o that_o their_o last_o resort_n must_v be_v to_o his_o dictate_v yet_o produce_v no_o other_o testimony_n but_o his_o own_o bare_a affirmation_n be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o man_n in_o their_o wit_n shall_v be_v so_o stupid_o credulous_a as_o to_o incur_v the_o penalty_n of_o those_o law_n upon_o so_o improbable_a a_o indemnity_n and_o sure_o it_o will_v be_v no_o whit_n less_o madness_n in_o christian_n to_o violate_v any_o precept_n of_o god_n on_o a_o ungrounded_a supposal_n of_o the_o church_n power_n to_o dispense_v with_o they_o 34._o and_o if_o the_o church_n universal_a have_v not_o this_o power_n nor_o indeed_o ever_o claim_v it_o it_o must_v be_v a_o strange_a insolence_n for_o any_o particular_a church_n to_o pretend_v to_o it_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v owe_v to_o her_o tradition_n all_o our_o scripture_n and_o all_o our_o faith_n insomuch_o that_o without_o the_o supply_n which_o she_o afford_v from_o the_o oracle_n of_o her_o chair_n our_o religion_n be_v imperfect_a and_o our_o salvation_n insecure_a upon_o which_o wild_a dictate_v i_o shall_v take_v liberty_n in_o a_o distinct_a section_n far_o to_o animadvert_v sect_n vi_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n concern_v the_o propriety_n and_o fitness_n which_o the_o scripture_n have_v towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o excellent_a end_n against_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o oppose_v itself_o as_o we_o have_v already_o intimate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o imperfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n say_v in_o the_o four_o session_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n write_v and_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o in_o the_o four_o rule_n of_o the_o index_n put_v forth_o by_o command_n of_o the_o say_a council_n the_o scripture_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o useful_a that_o its_o read_n be_v pernicious_a if_o permit_v promiscuous_o in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v withhold_v insomuch_o that_o the_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n be_v common_o by_o person_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n impute_v to_o protestant_n as_o part_v of_o their_o heresy_n they_o be_v call_v by_o they_o in_o contemt_a the_o evangelical_n man_n and_o scripturarians_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n of_o any_o nation_n be_v common_o reckon_v among_o prohibit_v book_n and_o as_o such_o public_o burn_v when_o meet_v with_o by_o the_o inquisitor_n and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v find_v with_o it_o
or_o to_o read_v therein_o be_v subject_v to_o severe_a penalty_n 2._o for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o to_o put_v to_o shame_v those_o unhappy_a innovator_n who_o amid_o great_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o veneration_n to_o the_o scripture_n prevaricat_a from_o both_o i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o show_v plain_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n herein_o and_o that_o in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o the_o matter_n will_v admit_v 3._o first_o i_o premise_v that_o ireneus_fw-la and_o tertullian_n have_v to_o do_v with_o heretic_n who_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v emendator_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o wise_a than_o they_o despise_v their_o authority_n reject_v several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o obtrude_a other_o write_n in_o their_o steed_n have_v have_v recourse_n unto_o tradition_n with_o a_o seem_a preference_n of_o it_o unto_o scripture_n their_o adversary_n have_v no_o common_a principle_n beside_o the_o own_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o but_o by_o a_o recourse_n to_o such_o a_o medium_n which_o they_o will_v allow_v but_o these_o father_n be_v to_o set_v down_o and_o establish_v their_o faith_n be_v most_o express_a in_o resolve_v it_o into_o scripture_n and_o when_o they_o recommend_v tradition_n ever_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v also_o apostolical_a 4._o ireneus_fw-la in_o the_o second_o book_n 47._o c._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v perfect_a as_o dictate_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o his_o spirit_n and_o the_o same_o father_n begin_v his_o three_o book_n in_o this_o manner_n the_o disposition_n of_o our_o salvation_n be_v no_o otherwise_o know_v by_o we_o then_o by_o those_o by_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v bring_v to_o we_o which_o indeed_o they_o first_o preach_v but_o afterward_o deliver_v it_o to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o pillar_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o may_v we_o imagine_v that_o they_o begin_v to_o preach_v to_o other_o before_o they_o themselves_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n as_o some_o be_v bold_a to_o say_v boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v emendator_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o after_o our_o lord_n resurrection_n they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n from_o on_o high_a and_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n go_v forth_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n preach_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n and_o celestial_a praise_n unto_o man_n each_o and_o all_o of_o who_o have_v the_o gospel_n of_o god_n so_o saint_n matthew_n write_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o their_o tongue_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n preach_v at_o rome_n and_o there_o found_v a_o church_n mark_v the_o disciple_n and_o interpreter_n of_o peter_n deliver_v in_o write_v what_o he_o have_v preach_v and_o luke_n the_o follower_n of_o paul_n set_v down_o in_o his_o book_n the_o gospel_n he_o have_v deliver_v afterwards_o saint_n john_n at_o ephesus_n in_o asia_n publish_v his_o gospel_n etc._n etc._n in_o his_o four_o book_n c._n 66._o he_o direct_v all_o the_o heretic_n with_o who_o he_o deal_v to_o read_v diligent_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o also_o read_v diligent_o the_o prophet_n assure_v they_o shall_v there_o find_v every_o action_n every_o doctrine_n and_o every_o suffering_n of_o our_o lord_n declare_v by_o they_o 5._o thus_o tertullian_n in_o his_o book_n of_o prescription_n c._n 6._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o introduce_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o own_o will_n nor_o make_v any_o choice_n upon_o our_o arbitrement_n we_o have_v the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n for_o our_o author_n who_o themselves_o take_v up_o nothing_o on_o their_o own_o will_n or_o choice_n but_o faithful_o impart_v to_o the_o nation_n the_o discipline_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o christ._n so_o that_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v another_o doctrine_n he_o be_v to_o be_v accurse_v and._n c._n 25._o it_o be_v madness_n say_v he_o of_o the_o heretic_n when_o they_o confess_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v ignorant_a of_o nothing_o nor_o teach_v thing_n different_a to_o think_v that_o they_o do_v not_o revele_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o which_o he_o enforce_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n in_o his_o book_n against_o hermogenes_n c._n 23._o he_o discourse_v thus_o i_o adore_v the_o plenitude_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o discover_v to_o i_o the_o creator_n and_o what_o be_v create_v also_o in_o the_o gospel_n i_o find_v the_o word_n be_v the_o arbiter_n and_o agent_n in_o the_o creation_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v of_o preexistent_a matter_n i_o never_o read_v let_v hermogenes_n and_o his_o journeyman_n show_v that_o it_o be_v write_v if_o it_o be_v not_o write_v let_v he_o fear_v the_o woe_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o thad_z add_v or_o detract_v and_o in_o the_o 39_o ch_z of_o his_o prescript_n we_o feed_v our_o faith_n raise_v our_o hope_n and_o establish_v our_o reliance_n with_o the_o sacred_a word_n 6._o in_o like_a manner_n hippolytus_n in_o the_o homily_n against_o noetus_n declare_v that_o we_o acknowledge_v only_o from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o whereas_o secular_a philosophy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v but_o from_o the_o read_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o philosopher_n so_o whosoever_o of_o we_o will_v preserve_v piety_n towards_o god_n he_o can_v otherwise_o learn_v it_o then_o from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n according_o origen_n in_o the_o five_o homily_n on_o leviticus_n say_v in_o the_o scripture_n every_o word_n appertain_v to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v and_o discuss_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v 7._o what_o saint_n cyprian_n opinion_n be_v in_o this_o point_n we_o learn_v at_o large_a from_o his_o epistle_n to_o pompey_n for_o when_o tradition_n be_v object_v to_o he_o he_o answer_v whence_o be_v this_o tradition_n be_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o gospel_n or_o come_v it_o from_o the_o command_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o epistle_n almighty_a god_n declare_v that_o what_o be_v write_v shall_v be_v obey_v and_o practise_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n say_v he_o in_o joshua_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thy_o mouth_n but_o thou_o shall_v meditate_v in_o it_o day_n and_o night_n that_o you_o may_v observe_v and_o keep_v all_o that_o be_v write_v therein_o so_o our_o lord_n send_v his_o apostle_n command_v they_o to_o baptize_v all_o nation_n and_o teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v command_v again_o what_o obstinacy_n and_o presumption_n be_v it_o to_o prefer_v human_a tradition_n to_o divine_a command_n not_o consider_v that_o god_n wrath_n be_v kindle_v as_o often_o as_o his_o precept_n be_v dissolve_v and_o neglect_v by_o reason_n of_o human_a tradition_n thus_o god_n warn_v and_o speak_v by_o isaiah_n this_o people_n honour_v i_o with_o their_o lip_n but_o their_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o i_o but_o in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v i_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n also_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o gospel_n check_v and_o reprove_v say_v you_o reject_v the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v establish_v your_o tradition_n of_o which_o precept_n the_o apostle_n saint_n paul_n be_v mindful_a admonish_v and_o instruct_v say_v if_o any_o man_n teach_v otherwise_o and_o hearken_v not_o to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v proud_a know_v nothing_o from_o such_o we_o must_v depart_v and_o again_o he_o add_v there_o be_v a_o compendious_a way_n for_o religious_a and_o sincere_a mind_n both_o to_o deposit_v their_o error_n and_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n for_o if_o we_o return_v to_o the_o source_n and_o original_n of_o divine_a tradition_n human_a error_n will_v cease_v and_o the_o ground_n of_o heavenly_a mystery_n be_v see_v what_o soever_o be_v hide_v with_o cloud_n and_o darkness_n will_v be_v manifest_a by_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n if_o a_o pipe_n that_o bring_v plentiful_a supply_n of_o water_n fail_v on_o the_o sudden_a do_v not_o man_n look_v to_o the_o fountain_n and_o thence_o learn_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o defect_n whether_o the_o spring_n itself_o be_v dry_a or_o if_o run_v free_o the_o water_n be_v stop_v in_o its_o passage_n that_o if_o by_o interrupt_a or_o break_a conveyance_n it_o be_v hinder_v to_o pass_v they_o be_v repair_v it_o may_v again_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o city_n with_o the_o same_o plenty_n as_o it_o flow_v from_o the_o spring_n and_o this_o god_n priest_n ought_v to_o do_v at_o this_o time_n obey_v the_o command_n of_o god_n that_o if_o truth_n have_v swerve_v or_o fail_v in_o any_o particular_a we_o go_v backward_o to_o the_o source_n of_o the_o evangelical_n
on_o the_o first_o of_o the_o thessaly_n assert_n that_o from_o the_o alone_a read_n or_o hear_v of_o the_o scripture_n one_o may_v learn_v all_o thing_n necessary_a so_o hom._n 34._o on_o act._n 15._o he_o declare_v a_o heathen_a come_v and_o say_v i_o will_v willing_o be_v a_o christian_n but_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o join_v myself_o to_o for_o there_o be_v many_o contention_n among_o you_o many_o sedition_n and_o tumult_n so_o that_o i_o be_o in_o doubt_n what_o opinion_n i_o shall_v choose_v each_o man_n say_v what_o y_o say_v be_v true_a and_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o believe_v each_o pretend_v to_o scripture_n which_o i_o be_o ignorant_a of_o it_o be_v very_o well_o the_o issue_n be_v put_v here_o for_o if_o the_o appeal_n be_v to_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n there_o will_v be_v just_a occasion_n of_o be_v trouble_v but_o when_o we_o appeal_v to_o scripture_n and_o they_o be_v simple_a and_o certain_a you_o may_v easy_o yourself_o judge_v he_o that_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o christian_n he_o that_o resist_v they_o be_v far_o out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o on_o ps._n 95._o if_o any_o thing_n be_v say_v without_o the_o scripture_n the_o mind_n halt_v between_o different_a opinion_n sometime_o incline_v as_o to_o what_o be_v probable_a anon_o reject_v as_o what_o be_v frivolous_a but_o when_o the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n be_v produce_v the_o mind_n both_o of_o speaker_n and_o hearer_n be_v confirm_v and_o hom._n 4._o on_o lazar_n though_o one_o shall_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a or_o a_o angel_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n we_o must_v believe_v the_o scripture_n they_o be_v frame_v by_o the_o lord_n of_o angel_n and_o the_o quick_a and_o dead_a and_o hom._n 13._o 2_o cor._n 7._o it_o be_v not_o a_o absurd_a thing_n that_o when_o we_o deal_v with_o man_n about_o money_n we_o will_v trust_v no_o body_n but_o cast_v up_o the_o sum_n and_o make_v use_n of_o our_o counter_n but_o in_o religious_a affair_n suffer_v ourselves_o to_o be_v lead_v aside_o by_o other_o man_n opinion_n even_o then_o when_o we_o have_v by_o a_o exact_a scale_n and_o touchstone_n the_o dictat_fw-la of_o the_o divine_a law_n therefore_o i_o pray_v and_o exhort_v you_o that_o give_v no_o heed_n to_o what_o this_o or_o that_o man_n say_v you_o will_v consult_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o thence_o learn_v the_o divine_a riches_n and_o pursue_v what_o you_o have_v learn_v and_o hom._n 58._o on_o jo._n 10._o 1._o it_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o a_o thief_n that_o he_o come_v not_o in_o by_o the_o door_n but_o another_o way_n now_o by_o the_o door_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v signify_v and_o hom._n on_o gal._n 1._o 8._o the_o apostle_n say_v not_o if_o any_o man_n teach_v a_o contrary_a doctrine_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v or_o if_o he_o subvert_v the_o whole_a gospel_n but_o if_o he_o teach_v any_o thing_n beside_o the_o gospel_n which_o you_o have_v receive_v or_o vary_v any_o little_a thing_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v 20._o cyril_n of_o alex._n against_o jul._n l._n 7._o say_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v they_o who_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o endue_v with_o most_o ample_a knowledge_n 21._o thâ—odoret_n dial._n 1_o i_o be_o persuade_v only_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o dial._n 2._o i_o be_o not_o so_o bold_a to_o affirm_v any_o thing_n not_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o again_o qu._n 45._o upon_o genes_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o inquire_v after_o what_o be_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n but_o acquiesce_v in_o what_o be_v write_v 22._o it_o be_v easy_a to_o enlarge_v this_o discourse_n into_o a_o volume_n but_o have_v take_v as_o they_o offer_v themselves_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o four_o first_o century_n i_o shall_v not_o proceed_v to_o those_o that_o follow_v if_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o all_o christian_n heretofore_o we_o may_v reasonable_o assure_v ourselves_o it_o be_v so_o still_o and_o will_v now_o guide_v we_o into_o all_o necessary_a truth_n and_o consequent_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n without_o the_o aid_n of_o oral_a tradition_n or_o the_o new_a mintage_n of_o a_o live_a infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o the_o impartial_a reader_n will_v be_v enable_v to_o judge_n whether_o our_o appeal_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o all_o occasion_n of_o controversy_n and_o recommendation_n of_o it_o to_o the_o study_n of_o every_o christian_a be_v that_o heresy_n and_o innovation_n which_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v 23._o it_o be_v we_o know_v severe_o impute_v to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n by_o our_o saviour_n that_o they_o take_v from_o the_o people_n the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n luk._n 11._o 52._o and_o have_v make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o their_o tradition_n matt._n 15._o 6._o but_o they_o never_o attemt_v what_o have_v be_v since_o practise_v by_o their_o successor_n in_o the_o western_a church_n to_o take_v away_o the_o ark_n of_o the_o testament_n itself_o and_o cut_v of_o not_o only_o the_o efficacy_n but_o very_a possession_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o their_o tradition_n sure_o this_o have_v be_v exceed_v criminal_a from_o any_o hand_n but_o that_o the_o bishop_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o universal_a and_o infallible_a pastor_n of_o it_o who_o claim_v the_o office_n to_o interpret_v the_o scripture_n exhort_v unto_o and_o assist_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o man_n who_o thus_o rob_v the_o people_n of_o they_o carry_v with_o it_o the_o high_a aggravation_n both_o of_o cruelty_n and_o breach_n of_o trust_n if_o any_o man_n shall_v take_v away_o from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n of_o this_o prophecy_n say_v saint_n john_n revel_v 22._o 19_o god_n shall_v take_v away_o his_o part_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a city_n and_o from_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v in_o this_o book_n what_o vengeance_n therefore_o await_v those_o who_o have_v take_v away_o not_o only_o from_o one_o book_n but_o at_o once_o the_o book_n themselves_o even_o all_o the_o scripture_n the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n sect_n vii_o historical_a reflection_n upon_o the_o event_n which_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o church_n since_o the_o withdraw_a of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o will_v in_o this_o place_n be_v no_o useless_a contemplation_n to_o observe_v after_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v ravish_v from_o the_o people_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n what_o pitiful_a pretender_n be_v admit_v to_o succeed_v and_o first_o because_o layman_n be_v presume_v to_o be_v illiterate_a and_o easy_o seducible_a by_o those_o write_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o difficult_a and_o will_v be_v wrest_v by_o the_o unlearned_a to_o their_o own_o destruction_n picture_n be_v recommend_v in_o their_o steed_n and_o complemented_a as_o the_o book_n of_o the_o laity_n which_o soon_o emprove_v into_o a_o necessity_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o that_o gross_a superstition_n which_o render_v christianity_n abominate_v by_o turk_n and_o jew_n and_o heathen_n unto_o this_o day_n 2._o i_o will_v not_o be_v hasty_a in_o charge_v idolatry_n upon_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o all_o in_o her_o communion_n but_o that_o their_o image-worship_n be_v a_o most_o fatal_a snare_n in_o which_o vast_a number_n of_o unhappy_a soul_n be_v take_v no_o man_n can_v doubt_v who_o have_v with_o any_o regard_n travail_v in_o popish_a country_n i_o myself_o and_o thousand_o of_o other_o who_o the_o late_a trouble_n or_o other_o occasion_n send_v abroad_o be_v and_o have_v be_v witness_n thereof_o charity_n it_o be_v true_a believe_v all_o thing_n but_o it_o do_v not_o oblige_v man_n to_o disbelieve_v their_o eye_n it_o be_v the_o outcry_n of_o micah_n against_o the_o danite_n jud._n 18._o 24._o you_o have_v take_v away_o my_o god_n which_o i_o have_v make_v and_o the_o priest_n and_o be_v go_v away_o and_o what_o have_v i_o more_o but_o the_o laity_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n may_v enlarge_v the_o complaint_n and_o say_v you_o have_v take_v away_o the_o oracle_n of_o our_o god_n and_o set_v up_o every_o where_o among_o we_o grave_v and_o melt_a image_n and_o teraphim_n and_o what_o have_v we_o more_o and_o it_o be_v late_o the_o loud_a and_o i_o doubt_v i_o be_v still_o the_o unanswerable_a complaint_n of_o the_o poor_a american_n that_o they_o be_v deny_v to_o worship_v their_o pagod_n once_o in_o the_o year_n when_o they_o who_o forbid_v they_o worship_v they_o every_o day_n 3._o the_o jew_n before_o the_o captivity_n notwithstanding_o the_o recent_a memory_n of_o the_o miracle_n in_o egypt_n and_o the_o wilderness_n and_o the_o first_o
to_o lend_v they_o light_n to_o judge_n of_o they_o but_o aid_n to_o back_n and_o defend_v they_o 7._o of_o this_o there_o be_v no_o book_n of_o controversy_n that_o do_v not_o give_v notorious_a proof_n the_o socinian_n can_v easy_o overlook_a the_o begin_n of_o saint_n john_n that_o say_v the_o word_n be_v god_n jo._n 1._o 1._o and_o all_o those_o other_o place_n which_o plain_o assert_v the_o deity_n of_o our_o saviour_n if_o he_o can_v but_o divert_v to_o that_o other_o more_o agreeable_a text_n that_o the_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o among_o the_o romanist_n peter_n be_v say_v to_o be_v first_o among_o the_o apostle_n mat._n 10._o 2_o and_o that_o on_o that_o rock_n christ_n will_v build_v his_o church_n mat._n 16._o 18._o carry_v away_o all_o attention_n from_o those_o other_o place_n where_o saint_n paul_n say_v he_o be_v not_o behind_o the_o very_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 5._o that_o upon_o he_o lay_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 28._o and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o some_o one_o but_o all_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n revel_v 21._o 14._o so_o it_o fare_v in_o the_o business_n of_o the_o eucharist_n this_o be_v my_o body_n mat._n 26._o 26._o carry_v it_o away_o clear_a for_o transubstantiation_n when_o our_o savior_n call_v that_o which_o he_o drink_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n mat._n 26._o 29._o and_o then_o saint_n paul_n name_v the_o element_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n several_a time_n over_o bread_n and_o wine_n the_o bread_n that_o we_o break_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o cup_n that_o we_o bless_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n &_o 1_o cor._n 10._o 16._o and_o again_o he_o that_o eat_v this_o bread_n and_o drink_v this_o cup_n unworthy_o etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 11._o 29._o can_v make_v no_o appearance_n of_o a_o argument_n 8._o thus_o man_n once_o engage_v ransac_n for_o text_n that_o carry_v some_o correspondency_n to_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v imbibe_v and_o those_o how_o do_v they_o rack_v and_o serve_v to_o bring_v to_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n and_o improve_v every_o little_a probability_n into_o a_o demonstration_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o contrary_a text_n they_o look_v on_o as_o enemy_n and_o consider_v they_o no_o far_o than_o to_o provide_v fence_n and_o guard_n against_o they_o so_o they_o bring_v text_n not_o into_o the_o scale_n to_o weigh_v but_o into_o the_o field_n to_o skirmish_v as_o partisan_n and_o auxiliary_n of_o such_o or_o such_o opinion_n 9_o by_o this_o force_n of_o prepossession_n it_o be_v that_o that_o sacred_a rule_n which_o be_v the_o measure_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o rectitude_n be_v itself_o bow_v and_o distort_v to_o countenance_n and_o abet_v the_o most_o contrary_a tenet_n and_o like_o a_o variable_a picture_n represent_v differ_v shape_n according_a to_o the_o light_n in_o which_o you_o view_v it_o and_o sure_o we_o can_v do_v it_o a_o worse_a office_n then_o to_o represent_v it_o thus_o dissonant_n to_o itself_o yet_o thus_o it_o must_v still_o be_v till_o man_n come_v unbiased_a to_o the_o read_n of_o it_o and_o certain_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v do_v so_o the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v but_o the_o salvation_n of_o our_o soul_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 9_o and_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a the_o scripture_n can_v best_o direct_v we_o what_o faith_n it_o be_v which_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o that_o end_n 10._o why_o shall_v we_o not_o then_o have_v the_o same_o indifference_n which_o a_o traveller_n have_v whether_o his_o way_n lie_v on_o this_o hand_n or_o that_o so_o as_o it_o be_v the_o direct_a road_n to_o his_o journey_n end_n for_o although_o it_o be_v infinite_o material_a that_o i_o embrace_v right_a principle_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v right_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o and_o our_o wish_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o proceed_v only_o from_o our_o prepossession_n and_o fondness_n of_o our_o own_o conception_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o intercept_v the_o clear_a view_n of_o truth_n it_o therefore_o near_o concern_v we_o to_o deposit_v they_o and_o to_o give_v up_o ourselves_o without_o reserve_n to_o the_o guidance_n of_o god_n word_n and_o give_v it_o equal_a credit_n when_o it_o thwart_v as_o when_o it_o comply_v with_o our_o own_o notion_n 11._o without_o this_o though_o we_o may_v call_v scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o judge_v of_o controversy_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a we_o make_v it_o not_o so_o but_o reserve_v still_o the_o last_o appeal_n to_o our_o own_o prejudicate_v fancy_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n though_o we_o fall_v under_o the_o same_o occaecation_n which_o our_o saviour_n upbraid_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o see_v we_o see_v not_o neither_o do_v we_o understand_v mat._n 13._o 14._o for_o he_o that_o will_v not_o be_v save_v god_n way_n will_v hardly_o be_v so_o by_o his_o own_o he_o that_o resolve_v not_o impartial_o to_o embrace_v all_o the_o scripture_n dictate_v come_v to_o they_o as_o unsincere_o as_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v to_o jeremiah_n to_o inquire_v of_o the_o lord_n for_o they_o which_o he_o no_o soon_o have_v do_v but_o they_o protest_v against_o his_o message_n jer._n 42._o 20._o and_o may_v expect_v as_o fatal_a a_o event_n 12._o but_o there_o be_v a_o set_v of_o man_n who_o deal_v yet_o more_o insincere_o with_o the_o word_n that_o read_v it_o insidious_o on_o purpose_n to_o collect_v matter_n of_o objection_n and_o cavil_n that_o with_o a_o malicious_a diligence_n compare_v text_n in_o hope_n to_o find_v contradiction_n and_o read_v attentive_o but_o to_o no_o other_o end_n then_o to_o remark_n incoherence_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o stile_n which_o when_o they_o think_v they_o have_v start_v they_o have_v their_o design_n and_o never_o will_v use_v a_o quarter_n of_o the_o same_o diligence_n in_o consider_v how_o they_o may_v be_v solve_v or_o consult_v with_o those_o who_o may_v assist_v they_o in_o it_o for_o i_o think_v i_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v raise_v the_o loud_a clamour_n against_o the_o scripture_n whether_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o render_v themselves_o competent_a judge_n of_o it_o by_o inquire_v into_o the_o original_n or_o inform_v themselves_o of_o those_o local_a custom_n peculiar_a idiom_n and_o many_o other_o circumstance_n by_o which_o obscure_a text_n be_v to_o be_v clear_v and_o though_o i_o do_v not_o affirm_v it_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o every_o man_n shall_v do_v this_o yet_o i_o may_v affirm_v it_o necessary_a to_o he_o that_o will_v pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o he_o that_o without_o this_o condem_n it_o do_v it_o as_o manifest_a injury_n as_o a_o judge_n that_o shall_v pass_v sentence_n only_o upon_o the_o indictment_n without_o hear_v the_o defence_n 13._o and_o certain_o there_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n more_o unmanly_a and_o disingenuous_a then_o for_o man_n to_o inveigh_v and_o condemn_v before_o they_o inquire_v and_o examine_v yet_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n upon_o which_o so_o many_o value_n themselves_o assume_v to_o be_v man_n of_o reason_n for_o that_o for_o which_o the_o scripture_n pronounce_v they_o brute_n beast_n viz._n the_o speak_v evil_a of_o those_o thing_n they_o understand_v not_o 2_o pet._n 2._o 12._o will_v man_n use_v due_a diligence_n no_o doubt_n many_o of_o those_o seem_a contradiction_n will_v be_v reconcile_v and_o the_o obscurity_n clear_v and_o if_o any_o shall_v after_o all_o remain_n he_o may_v find_v twenty_o thing_n fit_a to_o charge_v it_o on_o then_o want_v of_o verity_n or_o discourse_n in_o the_o inspire_a writer_n 14._o alas_o what_o human_a writing_n be_v there_o of_o near_o that_o antiquity_n wherein_o there_o be_v not_o many_o passage_n unintelligible_a and_o indeed_o unless_o modern_a time_n know_v all_o those_o national_a custom_n obsolete_a law_n particular_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n phrase_n and_o proverbial_a say_n to_o which_o such_o ancient_a book_n refer_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o some_o passage_n must_v remain_v obscure_a yet_o in_o these_o we_o ordinary_o have_v so_o much_o candour_n as_o to_o impute_v their_o unintelligibleness_n to_o our_o own_o ignorance_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o shall_v clear_v they_o the_o impropriety_n of_o stile_n to_o the_o variation_n that_o time_n make_v in_o dialect_n or_o to_o the_o error_n of_o scribe_n and_o do_v not_o present_o exclaim_v against_o the_o author_n as_o false_a or_o impertinent_a or_o discard_v the_o whole_a book_n for_o some_o such_o passage_n 15._o and_o sure_o what_o allowance_n we_o make_v to_o other_o book_n may_v with_o more_o reason_n be_v make_v to_o the_o