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he_o the_o plague_n that_o be_v threaten_v in_o it_o and_o if_o any_o shall_v take_v away_o from_o it_o his_o part_n shall_v be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n rev._n 22.18_o 19_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o point_n which_o protestant_n have_v always_o hold_v as_o that_o which_o as_o it_o be_v most_o true_a so_o it_o be_v their_o most_o sure_a defence_n against_o all_o the_o assault_n of_o rome_n and_o other_o and_o this_o be_v what_o the_o ancient_a father_n try_v doctrine_n by_o of_o old_a and_o reprove_v heretic_n by_o what_o be_v write_v although_o according_a to_o the_o education_n or_o disposition_n of_o those_o that_o oppose_v they_o they_o want_v not_o but_o make_v use_v of_o argument_n from_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n and_o the_o natural_a religion_n of_o mankind_n now_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o safe_a because_o it_o be_v a_o true_a rule_n and_o true_a because_o give_v to_o we_o by_o authority_n from_o god_n who_o give_v sufficient_a 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neither_o and_o so_o the_o man_n render_v himself_o unfit_a to_o be_v either_o a_o friend_n or_o a_o christian_a and_o become_v a_o fool_n by_o those_o method_n by_o which_o he_o will_v yet_o be_v account_v wise_a but_o he_o that_o have_v well_o measure_v his_o principle_n by_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n and_o have_v distinguish_v betwixt_o what_o be_v fundamental_a and_o what_o be_v circumstantial_a who_o have_v bind_v his_o life_n to_o a_o stake_n die_v daily_o in_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o resolve_v well_o when_o it_o be_v religious_a to_o suffer_v decent_o how_o far_o he_o be_v able_a upon_o just_a occasion_n to_o comply_v with_o the_o command_n of_o man_n vest_v in_o lawful_a authority_n and_o where_o the_o point_n and_o limit_n be_v beyond_o which_o he_o must_v not_o step_v a_o foot_n but_o if_o he_o perish_v he_o will_v perish_v there_o that_o so_o he_o may_v not_o eternal_o perish_v this_o man_n stand_v unmoved_a at_o tempest_n and_o storm_n do_v his_o duty_n according_a 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in_o the_o air_n and_o to_o be_v always_o like_o the_o sea_n in_o motion_n sometime_o forward_o and_o sometime_o backward_o without_o any_o fix_a rest_n or_o quiet_a or_o by_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n to_o entertain_v none_o kind_o as_o we_o ought_v three_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v every_o spirit_n because_o if_o we_o give_v ourselves_o too_o great_a a_o liberty_n it_o will_v be_v difficult_a indeed_o impossible_a to_o discern_v those_o that_o be_v true_a from_o the_o false_a if_o we_o once_o get_v into_o the_o wilderness_n we_o may_v travel_v forty_o year_n there_o and_o neither_o know_v when_o we_o be_v in_o or_o out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o wander_v about_o god_n know_v whither_o we_o may_v murmur_v and_o repine_v and_o blame_v each_o other_o whilst_o the_o fault_n
their_o sovereign_n sceptre_n that_o christ_n alone_n may_v be_v exalt_v the_o murder_v those_o that_o have_v sacred_a character_n impress_v upon_o they_o be_v take_v he_o that_o hinder_v out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o all_o the_o usurp_a tyranny_n in_o tne_n world_n be_v exercise_v only_o to_o bring_v in_o such_o a_o bless_a confusion_n that_o ambitious_a man_n may_v from_o the_o spoil_n of_o other_o build_v their_o own_o nest_n on_o high_a and_o this_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o seat_v the_o lord_n jesus_n on_o his_o throne_n though_o his_o religion_n be_v make_v their_o own_o footstool_n but_o if_o they_o find_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n open_a or_o their_o stomach_n too_o nice_a to_o digest_v such_o hard_a thing_n as_o these_o and_o that_o they_o refuse_v to_o embrace_v devil_n when_o the_o flame_n appear_v through_o their_o thin_a garment_n and_o they_o be_v not_o cut_v long_o enough_o to_o hide_v their_o cleave_a foot_n they_o will_v effect_v by_o stratagem_n what_o they_o can_v by_o open_v force_n and_o a_o ambush_n shall_v destroy_v what_o a_o field-army_n can_v they_o will_v hide_v their_o leaven_n in_o some_o measure_n of_o meal_n till_o in_o the_o end_n all_o be_v leaven_v blend_v truth_n and_o error_n together_o and_o like_o the_o gnostic_n make_v a_o religious_a mixture_n that_o shall_v have_v something_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o something_o of_o the_o christian_a that_o may_v look_v like_o what_o other_o profess_v but_o still_o add_v something_o of_o their_o own_o that_o poison_n may_v be_v swallow_v in_o a_o sweeten_v potion_n where_o man_n may_v take_v and_o yet_o never_o taste_v it_o the_o saducee_n can_v deny_v the_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o yet_o adhere_v to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o pharisee_n can_v admit_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o void_a they_o by_o their_o own_o tradition_n the_o arrian_n can_v own_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o yet_o grant_v he_o only_o to_o be_v a_o creature_n and_o the_o socinian_o can_v acknowledge_v he_o the_o redeemer_n of_o mankind_n and_o yet_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v a_o god_n by_o nature_n and_o among_o all_o these_o and_o many_o more_o error_n be_v entertain_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o truth_n that_o cover_v it_o and_o not_o distinguish_v betwixt_o the_o precious_a and_o the_o vile_a man_n often_o receive_v they_o both_o together_o the_o papist_n profess_v the_o apostle_n creed_n but_o add_v as_o many_o article_n of_o their_o own_o and_o those_o that_o be_v averse_a to_o these_o will_v yet_o embrace_v many_o error_n and_o be_v the_o more_o easy_o lead_v towards_o they_o when_o they_o be_v disperse_v among_o a_o great_a many_o truth_n but_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o one_o mouthful_n of_o pestilential_a air_n may_v infect_v and_o destroy_v the_o man_n it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a all_o shall_v be_v wary_a in_o choose_v out_o wholesome_a habitation_n and_o since_o a_o little_a poison_n may_v make_v we_o swell_v and_o burst_v asunder_o this_o may_v be_v more_o effectual_a to_o destroy_v than_o all_o the_o food_n we_o swallow_v with_o it_o can_v be_v to_o save_v and_o preserve_v we_o in_o full_a strength_n and_o vigour_n and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o difficult_a it_o be_v to_o discern_v it_o the_o more_o careful_a we_o ought_v to_o be_v three_o false_a prophet_n will_v be_v more_o difficult_a to_o be_v discern_v and_o therefore_o more_o strict_o to_o be_v examine_v by_o we_o because_o they_o will_v make_v their_o erroneous_a doctrine_n to_o receive_v a_o seem_a countenance_n from_o the_o scripture_n these_o be_v what_o we_o own_v to_o be_v our_o rule_n and_o by_o these_o we_o judge_v of_o doctrine_n and_o opinion_n and_o therefore_o be_v unwilling_a to_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v false_a which_o many_o text_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v thus_o the_o devil_n tempt_v our_o saviour_n matth._n 4.6_o when_o he_o will_v attempt_v the_o ruin_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o disappointment_n of_o our_o redeemer_n nay_o of_o the_o whole_a most_o bless_a and_o glorious_a trinity_n in_o contrive_v and_o carry_v on_o such_o wonderful_a providence_n by_o persuade_v he_o to_o cast_v himself_o down_o from_o the_o pinnacle_n of_o the_o temple_n to_o make_v he_o sin_n in_o the_o destruction_n of_o himself_o and_o anticipate_v that_o death_n upon_o the_o cross_n by_o which_o he_o be_v to_o become_v our_o sacrifice_n he_o may_v tempt_v providence_n and_o hazard_n himself_o if_o thou_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n say_v he_o cast_v thyself_o down_o for_o it_o be_v write_v he_o will_v give_v his_o angel_n charge_v over_o thou_o and_o with_o their_o hand_n they_o shall_v bear_v thou_o up_o lest_o at_o any_o time_n thou_o dash_v thy_o foot_n against_o a_o stone_n render_v the_o text_n plausible_a to_o his_o purpose_n by_o omit_v that_o part_n of_o keep_v he_o in_o all_o his_o way_n but_o this_o be_v such_o a_o trial_n of_o skill_n as_o render_v the_o devil_n exceed_v foolish_a because_o he_o that_o know_v all_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o he_o have_v omit_v which_o be_v the_o key_n to_o open_v that_o promise_n yet_o from_o this_o attempt_n of_o the_o devil_n upon_o our_o saviour_n have_v the_o deceiver_n of_o mankind_n throughout_o all_o age_n endeavour_v to_o insinuate_v false_a doctrine_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o other_o by_o bring_v text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v they_o the_o instance_n be_v many_o and_o well_o know_v to_o those_o that_o be_v conversant_a in_o book_n and_o write_n or_o have_v give_v themselves_o the_o variety_n and_o temptation_n to_o hear_v man_n of_o different_a opinion_n from_o we_o but_o alas_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o one_o of_o no_o extraordinary_a skill_n to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n both_o to_o his_o own_o and_o other_o ruin_n nay_o s._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a guilt_n of_o the_o unskilful_a and_o unlearned_a 2_o epist_n 3.16_o how_o much_o more_o than_o may_v design_v man_n that_o by_o guile_n endeavour_n to_o catch_v the_o ignorant_a this_o way_n impose_v upon_o their_o understanding_n by_o pretend_v scripture_n to_o prove_v and_o countenance_v their_o false_a opinion_n especial_o among_o such_o as_o admit_v text_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o their_o number_n not_o their_o weight_n and_o more_o regard_v the_o sound_n of_o the_o word_n than_o the_o sense_n which_o be_v couch_v under_o they_o it_o be_v no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o any_o write_n and_o then_o to_o plead_v it_o according_a to_o our_o own_o purpose_n and_o design_n nor_o be_v it_o impossible_a for_o man_n to_o quote_v divers_a text_n that_o to_o ignorant_a man_n may_v by_o their_o sound_n seem_v to_o countenance_v their_o opinion_n that_o in_o their_o true_a meaning_n be_v nothing_o for_o they_o or_o else_o confirm_v a_o contrary_a proposition_n this_o the_o papist_n and_o dissenter_n know_v and_o this_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o ourselves_o when_o we_o view_v book_n who_o margin_n adorn_v they_o with_o multitude_n of_o text_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o and_o yet_o upon_o a_o more_o strict_a examination_n do_v not_o at_o all_o make_v for_o their_o purpose_n and_o common_o when_o man_n multiply_v these_o beyond_o necessity_n to_o prove_v what_o be_v certain_o confirm_v by_o few_o that_o be_v plain_a and_o pertinent_a their_o doctrine_n be_v either_o doubtful_a or_o false_a or_o else_o they_o do_v it_o to_o take_v up_o time_n and_o fill_v their_o discourse_n which_o their_o own_o barrenness_n can_v supply_v because_o all_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a authority_n if_o in_o any_o place_n it_o be_v plain_a and_o pertinent_a to_o the_o point_n which_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o confirm_v one_o text_n be_v as_o good_a as_o a_o thousand_o and_o to_o quote_v many_o if_o some_o be_v impertinent_a the_o whole_a possible_o may_v be_v suspect_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o wisdom_n to_o do_v it_o but_o in_o point_n much_o controvert_v among_o christian_n and_o in_o those_o especial_o for_o which_o the_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o can_v be_v no_o other_o than_o divine_a institution_n four_o if_o false_a prophet_n can_v find_v as_o they_o never_o can_v and_o therefore_o deal_v in_o obscure_a place_n where_o the_o text_n be_v as_o dark_a as_o the_o place_n retire_v into_o which_o they_o creep_v to_o lead_v silly_a woman_n captive_a i_o say_v if_o they_o can_v find_v plain_a scripture_n to_o countenance_v their_o opinion_n they_o will_v yet_o pretend_v vision_n and_o revelation_n which_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n disallow_n nor_o have_v they_o any_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o beside_o confidence_n and_o a_o bold_a presumption_n yet_o some_o be_v apt_a frequent_o to_o cry_v a_o vision_n from_o the_o lord_n when_o it_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n
render_v our_o notion_n more_o clear_a and_o durable_a we_o use_v the_o mean_n that_o be_v within_o our_o power_n and_o set_v our_o reason_n and_o faculty_n on_o work_n and_o then_o the_o spirit_n by_o a_o secret_a operation_n enlarge_v our_o mind_n and_o bless_v our_o endeavour_n thus_o paul_n must_v plant_v and_o apollo_n water_n although_o it_o be_v god_n that_o give_v the_o increase_n 1_o cor._n 3.6_o and_o thus_o the_o lord_n open_v the_o heart_n of_o lydia_n to_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n whilst_o she_o attend_v to_o it_o as_o it_o be_v speak_v by_o s._n paul_n act_n 16.14_o when_o the_o apostle_n be_v yet_o diffident_a concern_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n though_o they_o have_v the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o psalm_n by_o they_o in_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v sufficient_o predict_v yet_o christ_n himself_o open_v their_o understanding_n before_o they_o can_v apprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o those_o scripture_n luke_o 24.45_o as_o we_o may_v do_v all_o thing_n through_o christ_n strengthen_v we_o phil._n 4.13_o so_o separate_v from_o he_o we_o can_v do_v nothing_o john_n 15.5_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v put_v much_o of_o our_o duty_n into_o our_o own_o power_n yet_o have_v still_o reserve_v something_o to_o himself_o that_o we_o may_v be_v keep_v humble_a depend_v upon_o he_o and_o beg_v his_o aid_n for_o the_o animal_n man_n that_o be_v not_o possess_v with_o the_o divine_a benediction_n and_o influence_n of_o the_o spirit_n who_o admit_v not_o of_o proposition_n prove_v only_o by_o miracle_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n because_o they_o appear_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o whilst_o he_o remain_v in_o that_o condition_n because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v be_v prove_v by_o miracle_n not_o logic_n 1_o cor._n 2.14_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o s._n judas_n describe_v sensual_a man_n to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v not_o the_o spirit_n ver_fw-la 19_o of_o his_o epistle_n now_o upon_o the_o view_n of_o all_o this_o as_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n by_o our_o unbelief_n to_o deprive_v ourselves_o of_o what_o be_v promise_v and_o to_o shut_v out_o those_o assistance_n from_o our_o soul_n which_o bless_v and_o facilitate_v our_o endeavour_n so_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o say_v that_o our_o safety_n be_v beyond_o our_o power_n and_o that_o heaven_n be_v too_o high_a for_o our_o reach_n since_o if_o we_o solemn_o prepare_v our_o heart_n and_o devout_o petition_v the_o assistance_n of_o the_o spirit_n we_o may_v obtain_v it_o and_o god_n will_v not_o be_v want_v to_o we_o if_o we_o be_v not_o first_o want_v to_o ourselves_o this_o be_v what_o s._n austin_n say_v facienti_fw-la quod_fw-la in_o se_fw-la est_fw-la deus_fw-la non_fw-la deneg_fw-mi at_o gratiam_fw-la that_o god_n do_v not_o deny_v his_o grace_n to_o he_o who_o do_v what_o be_v in_o his_o power_n and_o that_o promise_v of_o our_o saviour_n may_v relieve_v and_o encourage_v we_o that_o our_o heavenly_a father_n will_v give_v the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o they_o that_o ask_v he_o luke_o 11.13_o let_v we_o act_v then_o with_o the_o dependence_n of_o creature_n and_o yet_o not_o relinquish_v the_o reason_n of_o man_n let_v we_o not_o think_v to_o be_v draw_v into_o a_o understanding_n and_o belief_n of_o those_o truth_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o miracle_n and_o upon_o the_o wheel_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n to_o be_v snatch_v out_o of_o the_o pit_n of_o ignorance_n by_o a_o irresistible_a force_n and_o inform_v by_o a_o apostolical_a illumination_n but_o let_v we_o use_v those_o mean_n that_o be_v now_o put_v into_o our_o own_o power_n for_o the_o full_a apprehension_n of_o all_o divine_a and_o necessary_a truth_n and_o walk_v according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v already_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o that_o our_o obedience_n according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v receive_v may_v attest_v the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o then_o if_o any_o thing_n yet_o remain_v which_o be_v necessary_a far_o for_o we_o to_o know_v god_n will_v use_v some_o method_n or_o other_o to_o inform_v we_o and_o by_o his_o spirit_n dispose_v our_o understanding_n to_o receive_v it_o for_o god_n shall_v reveal_v even_o this_o unto_o we_o and_o we_o have_v s._n paul_n word_n for_o it_o phil._n 3.15_o 16._o and_o thus_o i_o have_v now_o at_o length_n consider_v this_o promise_n of_o lead_v man_n into_o truth_n both_o as_o it_o concern_v the_o apostle_n and_o as_o it_o also_o relate_v unto_o ourselves_o i_o have_v show_v how_o it_o guide_v they_o and_o how_o it_o do_v still_o lead_v we_o into_o truth_n there_o be_v now_o but_o one_o thing_n more_o that_o will_v want_v only_o a_o brief_a reflection_n before_o i_o arrive_v at_o some_o practical_a inference_n from_o the_o whole_a discourse_n and_o that_o be_v the_o latitude_n of_o this_o promise_n in_o relation_n to_o its_o object_n which_o as_o it_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v on_o with_o reference_n to_o the_o apostle_n so_o must_v it_o be_v explain_v in_o relation_n to_o ourselves_o for_o this_o universal_a all_o truth_n must_v not_o be_v understand_v in_o the_o utmost_a extent_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v with_o reference_n to_o the_o apostle_n but_o it_o must_v be_v limit_v in_o these_o follow_a particular_n first_o the_o spirit_n guide_v we_o into_o all_o truth_n which_o may_v be_v necessary_a for_o the_o order_n our_o conversation_n in_o this_o world_n suitable_a to_o the_o religion_n we_o be_v baptize_v into_o there_o be_v direction_n publish_v in_o sacred_a writ_n for_o our_o christian_a deportment_n in_o all_o our_o various_a state_n and_o condition_n from_o whence_o s._n paul_n in_o the_o general_n exhort_v that_o our_o conversation_n be_v as_o it_o become_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n phil._n 1.27_o which_o will_v be_v a_o strange_a and_o insufficient_a direction_n be_v there_o not_o in_o it_o a_o complete_a rule_n for_o our_o life_n the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a be_v either_o concern_v god_n other_o or_o ourselves_o as_o to_o the_o first_o we_o be_v command_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n the_o devotion_n we_o pay_v he_o must_v be_v suitable_a to_o his_o be_v and_o the_o general_n rule_v give_v in_o the_o gospel_n john_n 4.24_o and_o we_o must_v love_v the_o lord_n our_o god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n and_o with_o all_o our_o soul_n and_o with_o all_o our_o mind_n matth._n 22.37_o as_o to_o the_o second_o we_o have_v this_o direction_n to_o do_v to_o other_o as_o we_o will_v have_v they_o do_v unto_o we_o mat._n 7.12_o and_o to_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o matt._n 22.39_o and_o as_o to_o ourselves_o we_o must_v walk_v honest_o as_o in_o the_o day_n not_o in_o riot_v and_o drunkenness_n not_o in_o chamber_v and_o wantonness_n not_o in_o strife_n and_o envy_v rom._n 13.13_o nay_o our_o whole_a duty_n be_v comprehend_v in_o one_o text_n of_o s._n paul_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o gospel_n teach_v we_o that_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n we_o shall_v live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o the_o world_n tit._n 2.12_o pious_o towards_o god_n righteous_o towards_o our_o neighbour_n and_o sober_o in_o relation_n to_o ourselves_o nor_o have_v we_o only_o these_o general_a direction_n but_o those_o also_o that_o be_v so_o particular_a that_o we_o may_v hence_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o our_o duty_n and_o such_o prudent_a advice_n be_v give_v in_o all_o the_o condition_n that_o may_v happen_v to_o we_o that_o we_o be_v neither_o leave_v without_o proper_a counsel_n nor_o yet_o without_o comfort_n and_o relief_n second_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o truth_n guide_v we_o into_o all_o those_o divine_a truth_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v and_o of_o these_o he_o have_v give_v we_o so_o exact_a a_o account_n that_o no_o new_a article_n be_v to_o be_v add_v to_o that_o faith_n which_o have_v be_v already_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n the_o apostle_n creed_n in_o which_o be_v contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o complete_a our_o belief_n be_v in_o every_o article_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o man_n that_o go_v too_o far_o beyond_o it_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v wise_a over_o much_o and_o to_o think_v and_o conclude_v beyond_o sobriety_n and_o therefore_o three_o the_o spirit_n thus_o guide_v we_o into_o all_o truth_n that_o concern_v our_o future_a happiness_n and_o salvation_n it_o have_v inform_v we_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o state_n by_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n in_o the_o gospel_n and_o it_o have_v lay_v out_o and_o smooth_v the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o it_o it_o have_v give_v some_o description_n of_o the_o state_n itself_o as_o far_o as_o