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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 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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
extinguish_v christianity_n they_o examine_v not_o only_o the_o bishop_n and_o clergy_n but_o also_o the_o people_n of_o all_o degree_n and_o both_o sex_n many_o of_o who_o as_o well_o woman_n as_o man_n own_a that_o they_o have_v bibles_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o die_v than_o to_o deliver_v they_o up_o and_o many_o other_o who_o to_o avoid_v death_n deliver_v up_o their_o bibles_n and_o be_v therefore_o brand_v with_o the_o ignominious_a name_n of_o traditor_n for_o which_o they_o be_v exclude_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v not_o be_v readmit_v without_o a_o long_a and_o severe_a penance_n but_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o people_n can_v have_v be_v traditor_n if_o they_o have_v have_v no_o bibles_n to_o deliver_v up_o and_o therefore_o be_v so_o be_v a_o undeniable_a argument_n that_o the_o people_n be_v then_o allow_v the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o the_o priest_n and_o by_o the_o way_n it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o any_o community_n of_o christian_n shall_v think_v that_o a_o proper_a way_n to_o extinguish_v heresy_n which_o those_o heathen_a persecutor_n make_v use_v of_o to_o extinguish_v christianity_n but_o that_o in_o those_o first_o age_n these_o people_n be_v allow_v the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v a_o case_n so_o plain_a that_o they_o who_o of_o late_a age_n have_v think_v meet_a to_o repeal_v this_o allowance_n have_v never_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o probable_a colour_n of_o primitive_a authority_n to_o warrant_v their_o practice_n and_o though_o in_o other_o point_n they_o not_o only_o claim_v but_o ravish_v antiquity_n in_o despite_n of_o modesty_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n yet_o here_o they_o be_v so_o abandon_v of_o all_o pretence_n to_o it_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o produce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o passage_n of_o any_o primitive_a father_n that_o seem_v to_o discourage_v the_o people_n from_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o much_o less_o that_o forbid_v they_o 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this_o time_n very_o few_o except_o the_o clergy_n understand_v and_o when_o for_o some_o time_n it_o have_v lie_v hide_v from_o they_o in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n they_o proceed_v at_o last_o whole_o to_o forbid_v the_o use_n of_o it_o to_o the_o laity_n so_o that_o about_o the_o nine_o and_o ten_o age_n which_o all_o argee_n be_v overcast_v with_o gross_a darkness_n and_o ignorance_n the_o scripture_n be_v shut_v up_o like_o the_o sybilline_a oracle_n in_o the_o capitol_n and_o none_o but_o the_o priest_n be_v allow_v to_o read_v and_o consult_v they_o and_o though_o upon_o the_o commencement_n of_o the_o reformation_n the_o bible_n be_v for_o some_o time_n set_v forth_o again_o in_o sundry_a vulgar_a language_n among_o the_o people_n yet_o do_v the_o guide_n of_o that_o church_n soon_o find_v it_o necessary_a for_o defence_n of_o their_o own_o vnscriptural_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n to_o remit_v it_o to_o its_o old_a confinement_n for_o first_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o the_o four_o rule_n of_o their_o index_n expurgatorius_fw-la forbid_v the_o laity_n to_o read_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o have_v the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n though_o translate_v by_o those_o of_o their_o own_o church_n without_o a_o licenee_n in_o write_v from_o the_o bishop_n of_o the_o diocese_n or_o the_o inquisitor_n and_o this_o upon_o pain_n of_o not_o receive_v absolution_n of_o their_o sin_n unless_o they_o deliver_v up_o those_o their_o bibles_n to_o their_o ordinary_n to_o which_o rule_n pope_n clement_n the_o eight_o afterward_o add_v observation_n that_o hitherto_o by_o the_o command_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o holy_a roman_a and_o universal_a inquisition_n the_o faculty_n of_o grant_v such_o licence_n for_o read_v or_o keep_v bibles_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n or_o any_o summary_n or_o historical_a compendium_n of_o the_o say_v bibles_n be_v take_v away_o which_o be_v to_o be_v inviolable_o observe_v and_o in_o the_o index_n of_o prohibit_v book_n publish_v by_o pope_n alexander_n the_o seven_o not_o only_o those_o bibles_n that_o be_v translate_v and_o print_v by_o heretic_n but_o also_o all_o bibles_n in_o any_o vulgar_a tongue_n be_v absolute_o forbid_v and_o though_o where_o the_o reformation_n have_v prevail_v they_o be_v force_v against_o their_o own_o law_n more_o free_o to_o indulge_v the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o their_o people_n yet_o in_o those_o country_n where_o they_o be_v sole_a master_n this_o privilege_n be_v very_o rare_o grant_v and_o now_o be_v thus_o necessitate_v to_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o scripture_n lest_o they_o shall_v thereby_o discover_v their_o error_n and_o corruption_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o invent_v some_o plansible_a pretence_n to_o justify_v a_o practice_n so_o contrary_a both_o to_o scripture_n and_o primitive_a antiquity_n and_o so_o enormous_o derogatory_n to_o the_o common_a right_n of_o christian_n and_o when_o it_o must_v be_v do_v it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a case_n if_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n can_v find_v something_o to_o say_v for_o any_o thing_n now_o the_o two_o main_a pretence_n that_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o case_n be_v first_o that_o a_o general_a permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n second_o that_o it_o will_v prove_v a_o unavoidable_a occasion_n of_o great_a corruption_n in_o manner_n 1._o that_o a_o general_a permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n because_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o which_o the_o unlearned_a who_o be_v unqualify_v to_o understand_v they_o aright_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o wrest_v into_o a_o wrong_a sense_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o this_o reason_n hold_v as_o good_a against_o the_o writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o language_n that_o be_v vulgar_o know_v to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o the_o translate_n they_o now_o into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n for_o the_o hebrew_n in_o which_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o greek_a in_o which_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v then_o the_o most_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v the_o same_o hard_a thing_n then_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o now_o and_o the_o people_n be_v as_o unlearned_a then_o and_o as_o apt_a to_o wrest_v these_o hard_a scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n then_o as_o now_o yet_o god_n notwithstanding_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v and_o publish_v it_o in_o language_n that_o be_v most_o know_v to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o either_o we_o must_v say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o take_v that_o care_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v to_o prevent_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o that_o this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v debar_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o own_o vulgar_a language_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o write_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n as_o much_o open_a a_o door_n to_o heresy_n as_o the_o translate_n they_o afterward_o see_v it_o be_v neither_o their_o be_v write_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n nor_o their_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n but_o their_o be_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n that_o be_v here_o pretend_a to_o set_v open_a this_o dangerous_a door_n to_o heresy_n 2._o this_o objection_n strike_v with_o equal_a force_n against_o god_n writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o their_o read_n and_o consult_v it_o for_o that_o god_n write_v these_o scripture_n
to_o the_o people_n and_o that_o in_o so_o do_v he_o not_o only_o give_v they_o a_o right_n but_o also_o lay_v on_o they_o a_o obligation_n to_o read_v they_o i_o have_v already_o show_v if_o therefore_o the_o read_v the_o scripture_n by_o the_o people_n be_v such_o a_o unavoidable_a in_o let_v of_o error_n and_o heresy_n as_o this_o objection_n pretend_v it_o be_v doubtless_o very_o unadvised_o do_v of_o god_n to_o publish_v such_o a_o dangerous_a book_n to_o the_o world_n which_o those_o for_o who_o he_o publish_v and_o to_o who_o he_o direct_v it_o can_v familiar_o converse_v with_o without_o eminent_a peril_n of_o be_v infect_v with_o heresy_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v such_o a_o quarrelsome_a knife_n as_o these_o man_n say_v it_o be_v that_o the_o people_n can_v hardly_o touch_v it_o without_o cut_v their_o finger_n they_o be_v certain_o more_o behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o take_v it_o from_o they_o than_o they_o be_v to_o god_n for_o bestow_v it_o on_o they_o 3._o this_o objection_n make_v as_o much_o at_o least_o against_o the_o priest_n read_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o people_n for_o most_o of_o those_o heresy_n that_o have_v be_v broach_v to_o the_o people_n be_v first_o brew_v by_o the_o priest_n from_o who_o lip_n the_o people_n do_v common_o derive_v their_o error_n as_o well_o as_o their_o knowledge_n witness_v those_o famous_a heresy_n with_o which_o the_o christian_a world_n have_v be_v so_o distract_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o such_o as_o the_o novatian_a the_o donatist_n the_o arian_n the_o pelagian_a the_o eutichian_a the_o eunomian_a all_o which_o counterfeit_v and_o a_o great_a many_o more_o be_v first_o coin_v by_o the_o clergy_n and_o disperse_v for_o current_n christianity_n among_o the_o laity_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o pretence_n that_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n open_v a_o gap_n to_o heresy_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o the_o laity_n shall_v not_o read_v it_o it_o be_v a_o much_o more_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o the_o clergy_n shall_v not_o read_v it_o for_o it_o require_v skill_n and_o learning_n as_o well_o to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n into_o such_o false_a sense_n as_o be_v likely_a to_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n as_o to_o interpret_v it_o into_o its_o true_a sense_n and_o i_o be_o very_o sure_a that_o it_o ordinary_o require_v more_o wit_n and_o art_n to_o extort_v from_o the_o scripture_n probable_a error_n than_o it_o do_v to_o discover_v by_o it_o necessary_a truth_n and_o if_o so_o then_o if_o the_o danger_n of_o let_v in_o heresy_n be_v a_o true_a reason_n why_o any_o shall_v not_o read_v it_o it_o be_v much_o more_o a_o true_a reason_n why_o the_o learned_a shall_v not_o read_v it_o than_o the_o unlearned_a and_o confequent_o why_o the_o priest_n shall_v not_o read_v it_o than_o the_o people_n see_v the_o former_a be_v more_o qualify_v to_o extract_v heresy_n from_o it_o than_o the_o late_a if_o therefore_o this_o objection_n signify_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a dangerous_a thing_n for_o any_o body_n to_o read_v the_o bible_n that_o this_o same_o divine_a book_n which_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o which_o the_o primitive_a church_n think_v fit_a to_o oblige_v all_o that_o be_v able_a to_o peruse_v and_o study_v be_v now_o become_v such_o a_o dangerous_a inlet_n of_o heresy_n that_o like_o pandora_n box_n you_o can_v no_o soon_o open_v it_o but_o swarm_n of_o error_n and_o false_a doctrine_n will_v present_o fly_v abroad_o into_o the_o world_n so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o well_o for_o the_o world_n if_o it_o be_v either_o utter_o extinguish_v or_o hide_v in_o some_o inaccessible_a repository_n where_o no_o mortal_a eye_n may_v ever_o approach_v it_o 4_o this_o objection_n express_o contradict_v our_o saviour_n and_o the_o primitive_a father_n for_o matt._n 22.29_o our_o saviour_n tell_v the_o sadducee_n who_o be_v cavil_v with_o he_o about_o the_o resurrection_n you_o do_v err_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n have_v therefore_o the_o sadducee_n be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n with_o our_o objector_n they_o will_v doubtless_o have_v tell_v he_o by_o your_o good_a leave_n sir_n in_o this_o point_n you_o yourself_o be_v in_o a_o error_n for_o in_o all_o probability_n have_v we_o know_v the_o scripture_n or_o be_v intimate_o acquaint_v with_o it_o we_o shall_v have_v err_v much_o more_o either_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n be_v mistake_v in_o charge_v the_o error_n of_o the_o sadducee_n upon_o their_o ignorance_n of_o scripture_n or_o our_o objector_n be_v mistake_v in_o make_v it_o so_o necessary_a a_o expedient_a for_o the_o prevention_n of_o error_n to_o forbid_v the_o people_n be_v acquaint_v with_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o and_o they_o be_v of_o quite_o different_a opinion_n in_o the_o case_n but_o whatever_o their_o opinion_n be_v i_o be_o sure_a the_o primitive_a father_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o our_o saviour_n for_o irenaeus_n write_v of_o the_o valentinian_n heretic_n 12._o heretic_n lib._n 3._o c._n 12._o all_o those_o error_n they_o fall_v into_o because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o scripture_n so_o st._n jerom_n 4._o jerom_n in_o ep._n ad_fw-la ephes_n l._n 3._o c._n 4._o we_o must_v search_v the_o scripture_n with_o all_o diligence_n that_o so_o as_o be_v good_a exchanger_n we_o may_v know_v the_o lawful_a coin_n from_o the_o copper_n and_o elsewhere_o that_o infinite_a evil_n arise_v from_o ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o that_o from_o this_o cause_n the_o great_a part_n of_o heresy_n have_v proceed_v st._n chrysostom_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o if_o man_n will_v be_v conversant_a with_o the_o scripture_n and_o attend_v to_o they_o they_o will_v not_o only_o not_o fall_v into_o error_n themselves_o but_o be_v able_a to_o rescue_v those_o that_o be_v deceive_v and_o that_o the_o scripture_n will_v instruct_v man_n both_o in_o right_a opinion_n and_o good_a life_n and_o to_o name_v no_o more_o theophilact_fw-mi tell_v we_o that_o nothing_o can_v deceive_v they_o who_o search_v the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o that_o say_v he_o be_v the_o candle_n whereby_o the_o thief_n be_v discover_v but_o it_o seem_v according_a to_o modern_a experiment_n this_o candle_n of_o scripture_n rather_o serve_v to_o light_v the_o thief_n into_o the_o house_n than_o to_o discover_v he_o when_o he_o be_v there_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v think_v necessary_a for_o honest_a man_n security_n either_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v whole_o extinguish_v or_o at_o least_o hinder_v from_o give_v light_n by_o be_v shut_v up_o in_o a_o dark_a lantern_n of_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n but_o when_o they_o who_o be_v once_o the_o honest_a man_n be_v become_v the_o thief_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o shall_v thus_o change_v their_o note_n and_o complain_v of_o the_o light_n of_o this_o candle_n as_o dangerous_a to_o they_o which_o heretofore_o they_o esteem_v their_o great_a securith_n i_o be_o sure_a the_o reason_n assigine_v by_o st._n peter_n why_o some_o man_n wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n be_v not_o their_o read_v the_o scripture_n but_o contrary_a wise_a their_z not_o read_v it_o enough_o which_o they_o that_o be_v unlearned_a say_v he_o wrest_v to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3.16_o unlearned_a in_o what_o why_o doubtless_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o as_o to_o humane_a learning_n st._n peter_n himself_o be_v as_o unlearned_a as_o they_o and_o if_o it_o be_v their_o be_v unlearned_a in_o scripture_n that_o occasion_v they_o to_o wrest_v it_o into_o a_o heretical_a sense_n than_o it_o be_v not_o man_n read_v the_o scripture_n that_o lead_v they_o into_o heresy_n but_o their_o not_o read_v it_o enough_o to_o say_v therefore_o that_o the_o people_n read_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o inlet_n of_o heresy_n and_o to_o say_v no_o it_o be_v not_o their_o read_n it_o but_o their_o not_o read_v it_o enough_o be_v the_o inlet_n of_o heresy_n be_v a_o express_a contradiction_n the_o former_a our_o objector_n say_v the_o late_a our_o saviour_n his_o apostle_n and_o the_o primitive_a church_n say_v and_o i_o think_v it_o be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o determine_v which_o of_o these_o two_o contradiction_n we_o ought_v to_o believe_v 5._o and_o last_o according_a to_o this_o objection_n the_o best_a way_n to_o keep_v man_n from_o be_v heretic_n be_v to_o deprive_v they_o of_o all_o mean_n of_o arrive_v at_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o this_o i_o confess_v be_v a_o very_a certain_a way_n though_o not_o a_o very_a honest_a one_o let_v man_n know_v nothing_o of_o religion_n and_o to_o be_v sure_a they_o can_v be_v heretic_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o err_v in_o their_o conception_n of_o those_o thing_n whereof_o
they_o have_v no_o notion_n put_v out_o a_o man_n eye_n and_o you_o certain_o prevent_v his_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o false_a medium_n of_o sight_n to_o mistake_v one_o colour_n or_o figure_n for_o another_o and_o yet_o i_o fancy_v most_o man_n will_v think_v this_o a_o cruel_a kind_a of_o courtesy_n but_o if_o man_n must_v not_o be_v allow_v scripture_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o truth_n for_o this_o reason_n because_o it_o may_v occasional_o mislead_v they_o into_o error_n and_o heresy_n than_o they_o must_v be_v allow_v no_o mean_n of_o instruction_n that_o may_v occasion_v they_o to_o err_v and_o consequent_o no_o mean_n at_o all_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a mean_n of_o instruction_n which_o may_v not_o be_v a_o occasion_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n be_v the_o scripture_n itself_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n a_o occasion_n of_o mislead_v man_n into_o heresy_n or_o not_o if_o you_o say_v it_o be_v consider_v before_o you_o say_v it_o how_o it_o can_v consist_v with_o the_o truth_n and_o veracity_n of_o god_n to_o publish_v such_o a_o book_n to_o the_o world_n as_o tend_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o seduce_v and_o mislead_v the_o understanding_n of_o those_o that_o read_v it_o if_o you_o say_v it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o itself_o but_o only_o that_o it_o may_v be_v so_o accidental_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o mean_v of_o instruction_n be_v there_o which_o may_v not_o accidental_o become_v a_o occasion_n of_o mislead_v man_n into_o heresy_n and_o therefore_o if_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o deprive_v man_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o deprive_v they_o of_o all_o other_o mean_v of_o instruction_n and_o see_v the_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n be_v the_o food_n of_o man_n soul_n to_o keep_v they_o in_o ignorance_n for_o fear_n they_o shall_v err_v be_v to_o deny_v they_o food_n for_o fear_v they_o shall_v surfeit_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o man_n who_o mind_n be_v tincture_v with_o heretical_a pravity_n will_v be_v apt_a enough_o to_o extract_v the_o poison_n of_o error_n out_o of_o the_o clear_a conveyance_n and_o discovery_n of_o truth_n but_o what_o then_o do_v not_o bad_a man_n ordinary_o apply_v the_o best_a thing_n to_o the_o worst_a purpose_n if_o man_n fall_v into_o heresy_n by_o read_v the_o scripture_n where_o lie_v the_o fault_n not_o in_o the_o scripture_n sure_a no_o christian_n will_v pretend_v that_o and_o if_o it_o be_v in_o themselves_o in_o their_o pride_n or_o vainglory_n or_o covetousness_n or_o sensuality_n as_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a it_o be_v be_v it_o just_a that_o all_o shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o it_o because_o some_o ill_a man_n have_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o it_o some_o man_n have_v surfeit_v by_o eat_v and_o drink_v be_v it_o just_a that_o all_o mankind_n therefore_o shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o meat_n and_o drink_v suppose_v a_o prince_n pretend_v to_o be_v a_o infallible_a geographer_n shall_v issue_v out_o a_o proclamation_n command_v all_o his_o subject_n to_o travel_v at_o midnight_n and_o shall_v assign_v this_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o that_o he_o have_v be_v certain_o inform_v that_o several_a of_o they_o have_v lose_v their_o way_n at_o noon_n and_o wander_v into_o bog_n and_o precipice_n by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n will_v any_o one_o imagine_v this_o to_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n or_o rather_o will_v not_o every_o one_o believe_v that_o his_o true_a design_n be_v to_o keep_v his_o people_n in_o ignorance_n of_o the_o road_n and_o situation_n of_o his_o country_n that_o so_o they_o may_v never_o be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o error_n of_o his_o map_n which_o will_v perhaps_o discover_v he_o to_o be_v not_o only_o a_o fallible_a geographer_n but_o also_o a_o very_a erroneous_a one_o and_o where_o the_o people_n be_v forbid_v travel_v in_o the_o light_n of_o the_o scripture_n whatever_o may_v be_v pretend_v wise_a man_n will_v believe_v that_o the_o true_a reason_n be_v not_o to_o prevent_v the_o people_n fall_v into_o error_n but_o to_o prevent_v the_o discover_v the_o error_n of_o those_o to_o who_o guidance_n and_o direction_n they_o be_v whole_o and_o sole_o subject_v and_o this_o i_o conceive_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o first_o objection_n viz._n that_o the_o allowance_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n be_v a_o dangerous_a inlet_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n i_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o the_o second_o which_o be_v this_o object_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n record_v in_o scripture_n which_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o suggest_v lewd_a thought_n to_o the_o people_n and_o thereby_o to_o corrupt_v their_o manner_n as_o particular_o the_o many_o bad_a example_n therein_o relate_v which_o be_v of_o a_o very_a contagious_a nature_n and_o consequent_o dangerous_a for_o the_o people_n to_o converse_v with_o in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o desire_v these_o four_o thing_n may_v be_v serious_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o objection_n strike_v as_o much_o against_o the_o scripture_n itself_o as_o against_o the_o people_n read_v it_o for_o what_o worse_a thing_n can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o scripture_n than_o this_o that_o it_o be_v such_o a_o infectious_a book_n so_o apt_a to_o excite_v impure_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n and_o to_o kindle_v lewd_a affection_n in_o their_o heart_n that_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n fit_v the_o people_n shall_v read_v it_o shall_v this_o be_v say_v to_o a_o turk_n or_o a_o heathen_a who_o have_v never_o read_v one_o word_n in_o the_o bible_n he_o will_v certain_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o canto_n of_o ribaldry_n write_v for_o no_o other_o end_v but_o to_o provoke_v and_o entertain_v the_o lascivious_a inclination_n of_o mankind_n and_o certain_o have_v our_o objector_n but_o as_o much_o reverence_n for_o this_o holy_a book_n as_o they_o pretend_v they_o will_v rather_o oblige_v their_o people_n to_o read_v it_o than_o withhold_v it_o from_o they_o upon_o a_o pretence_n that_o do_v so_o scandalous_o reflect_v upon_o its_o reputation_n if_o there_o be_v any_o such_o passage_n in_o scripture_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o start_v lewd_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v fair_o pretend_v be_v that_o those_o passage_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v leave_v out_o of_o the_o people_n bibles_n or_o at_o least_o to_o have_v be_v leave_v untranslate_v but_o to_o urge_v this_o as_o a_o reason_n why_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v deny_v to_o the_o people_n insinuate_v as_o if_o the_o whole_a be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o mere_a kennel_n of_o contagious_a obscenity_n for_o to_o urge_v that_o for_o a_o reason_n why_o the_o scripture_n in_o general_n shall_v not_o be_v read_v by_o or_o to_o the_o people_n which_o at_o most_o be_v only_o a_o reason_n why_o some_o few_o passage_n of_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v read_v by_o they_o be_v to_o suppose_v the_o whole_a scripture_n to_o be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o passage_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o infuse_v vicious_a thought_n into_o the_o people_n than_o which_o what_o can_v there_o be_v suppose_v more_o false_a in_o itself_o or_o more_o derogatory_n to_o the_o scripture_n 2._o this_o objection_n if_o it_o prove_v any_o thing_n do_v as_o well_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v unfit_a for_o god_n to_o publish_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n as_o it_o be_v for_o the_o people_n to_o read_v it_o for_o be_v it_o fit_a that_o he_o who_o be_v a_o god_n of_o pure_a eye_n than_o to_o behold_v iniquity_n shall_v publish_v such_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o engender_v impure_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n and_o yet_o though_o man_n mind_n be_v as_o apt_a to_o imbibe_n impure_a thought_n when_o these_o thing_n be_v first_o publish_v as_o they_o be_v now_o this_o hinder_v not_o god_n from_o publish_v they_o to_o the_o world_n in_o such_o language_n as_o be_v best_a know_v and_o understand_v by_o the_o people_n either_o therefore_o god_n do_v not_o so_o well_o know_v what_o be_v apt_a to_o corrupt_v man_n mind_n as_o our_o wise_a objector_n or_o he_o be_v less_o concern_v than_o they_o to_o preserve_v they_o for_o be_v corrupt_v or_o what_o they_o object_n be_v both_o false_a and_o scandalous_a for_o to_o say_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o holy_a god_n have_v publish_v such_o thing_n to_o the_o world_n as_o his_o minister_n find_v necessary_a to_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n lest_o its_o thought_n shall_v be_v corrupt_v by_o they_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v that_o his_o minister_n be_v grow_v wise_a than_o he_o or_o be_v more_o concern_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o holiness_n than_o he_o if_o the_o vicious_a example_n for_o instance_n that_o be_v record_v in_o scripture_n be_v more_o apt_a to_o deprave_v man_n than_o to_o instruct_v