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in_o vain_a see_v it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v to_o learn_v the_o mean_v of_o scripture_n for_o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n if_o these_o man_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o unsense_v character_n so_o they_o express_o term_v it_o but_o what_o do_v they_o mean_v by_o it_o be_v it_o that_o the_o scripture_n consist_v of_o a_o company_n of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n and_o word_n that_o carry_v with_o they_o no_o determinate_a sense_n that_o god_n almighty_n have_v write_v and_o publish_v a_o book_n to_o the_o world_n that_o mean_v nothing_o if_o so_o then_o when_o the_o church_n by_o its_o infallible_a authority_n pretend_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n her_o meaning_n be_v not_o to_o expound_v the_o
sense_n of_o it_o but_o to_o impose_v a_o sense_n on_o it_o which_o be_v never_o in_o it_o for_o how_o can_v she_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o book_n which_o have_v no_o sense_n in_o it_o if_o the_o church_n be_v to_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n must_v have_v a_o certain_a determinate_a sense_n in_o it_o before_o she_o expound_v it_o for_o to_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o which_o have_v no_o sense_n be_v nonsense_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v a_o certain_a sense_n in_o it_o antecedent_o to_o the_o church_n exposition_n of_o it_o why_o do_v they_o call_v it_o a_o parcel_n of_o vnsense_v character_n if_o their_o mean_v be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n be_v so_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a that_o without_o the_o infallible_a exposition_n of_o the_o church_n we_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a what_o it_o be_v beside_o that_o this_o be_v notorious_o false_a the_o scripture_n in_o all_o necessary_a point_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o manner_n be_v so_o very_o plain_a and_o clear_a that_o any_o man_n that_o read_v it_o with_o a_o unprejudiced_a mind_n may_v be_v as_o certain_a of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o as_o he_o can_v be_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o write_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o any_o write_a exposition_n of_o the_o church_n beside_o this_o i_o say_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o whatever_o these_o man_n pretend_v it_o be_v not_o mere_o because_o of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n that_o they_o oblige_v man_n to_o ground_n their_o faith_n upon_o the_o church_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o scripture_n for_o they_o own_o as_o well_o as_o we_o that_o in_o many_o thing_n the_o scripture_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o clear_a and_o yet_o they_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v man_n to_o ground_n their_o belief_n of_o these_o thing_n upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n but_o all_o must_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n by_o which_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o if_o all_o the_o scripture_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o the_o plain_a scripture_n they_o will_v still_o contend_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o man_n rely_v upon_o the_o church_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o they_o contend_v for_o it_o be_v not_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a but_o because_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o advance_v their_o church_n authority_n we_o own_o as_o well_o as_o they_o that_o where_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a man_n ought_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o free_o allow_v to_o be_v the_o best_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n but_o the_o true_a state_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o they_o and_o we_o be_v this_o that_o whereas_o we_o require_v plain_a man_n to_o judge_v of_o plain_a thing_n with_o their_o own_o understanding_n and_o all_o man_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o be_v capable_a to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o not_o content_v themselves_o to_o see_v with_o the_o church_n eye_n where_o they_o be_v able_a to_o see_v with_o their_o own_o nothing_o will_v satisfy_v these_o man_n but_o to_o have_v all_o man_n as_o well_o wise_a as_o simple_a surrender_v up_o their_o faith_n and_o judgement_n to_o the_o church_n and_o wink_v hard_a and_o believe_v whatever_o the_o church_n believe_v pure_o because_o the_o church_n believe_v it_o whatever_o they_o pretend_v therefore_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o case_n be_v this_o they_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v we_o to_o believe_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n not_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a though_o this_o they_o pretend_v for_o be_v it_o never_o so_o plain_a the_o case_n will_v be_v the_o same_o but_o because_o they_o be_v sensible_a that_o this_o will_v inevitable_o subvert_v their_o usurp_a dominion_n over_o the_o faith_n and_o conscience_n of_o men._n but_o we_o must_v believe_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o who_o be_v this_o church_n i_o beseech_v you_o why_o they_o themselves_o be_v this_o church_n so_o that_o whereas_o god_n have_v publish_v a_o book_n call_v the_o bible_n on_o purpose_n to_o declare_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n to_o the_o world_n here_o be_v start_v up_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o call_v themselves_o the_o church_n who_o very_o grave_o tell_v we_o sir_n you_o must_v not_o so_o much_o as_o look_v into_o this_o book_n or_o if_o you_o do_v must_v not_o believe_v any_o one_o word_n in_o it_o upon_o its_o own_o credit_n and_o authority_n for_o though_o we_o do_v confess_v it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n yet_o we_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o we_o declare_v be_v its_o sense_n how_o unlikely_a soever_o it_o may_v seem_v to_o you_o you_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o receive_v and_o believe_v it_o for_o this_o very_a reason_n because_o we_o declare_v it_o in_o short_a you_o must_v resign_v up_o your_o eye_n your_o faith_n your_o reason_n and_o understand_n to_o we_o and_o see_v only_o with_o our_o eye_n and_o believe_v only_o with_o our_o faith_n and_o judge_v only_o with_o our_o judgement_n and_o whithersoever_o we_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o lead_v you_o you_o must_v tame_o follow_v we_o without_o presume_v to_o examine_v whether_o we_o lead_v you_o right_n or_o wrong_n but_o yet_o after_o all_o to_o induce_v we_o thus_o to_o enslave_v our_o understanding_n to_o they_o they_o themselves_o be_v fain_o to_o appeal_v to_o scripture_n and_o allow_v we_o in_o some_o thing_n to_o judge_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o and_o to_o believe_v those_o thing_n upon_o its_o authority_n for_o no_o wise_a and_o honest_a man_n will_v ever_o believe_v either_o that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n or_o the_o infallible_a judge_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n without_o some_o proof_n and_o evidence_n and_o for_o this_o they_o be_v fain_o to_o produce_v several_a text_n of_o scripture_n such_o as_o thou_o be_v peter_n and_o upon_o this_o rock_n will_v i_o build_v my_o church_n now_o suppose_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o be_v notorious_o false_a viz._n that_o those_o text_n do_v necessary_o imply_v that_o they_o be_v the_o only_a true_a catholic_n church_n and_o that_o as_o such_o they_o be_v constitute_v by_o god_n infallible_a judge_n of_o scripture_n yet_o before_o i_o can_v believe_v so_o i_o must_v judge_v for_o myself_o whether_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o or_o no_o and_o if_o i_o judge_v it_o be_v i_o must_v believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n and_o infallible_a upon_o the_o scripture_n authority_n and_o not_o they_o for_o their_o authority_n be_v the_o thing_n in_o debate_n and_o i_o can_v believe_v upon_o it_o before_o i_o believe_v it_o so_o then_o though_o we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o else_o upon_o scripture_n authority_n yet_o upon_o this_o very_a authority_n we_o must_v believe_v that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n and_o that_o they_o be_v infallible_a which_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o their_o religion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v we_o must_v believe_v as_o much_o upon_o scripture_n authority_n as_o will_v serve_v their_o turn_n and_o no_o more_o but_o may_v i_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o two_o fundamental_a principle_n upon_o scripture_n authority_n or_o no_o if_o i_o may_v why_o may_v i_o not_o as_o well_o be_v infallible_o certain_a upon_o the_o same_o authority_n of_o other_o principle_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o as_o those_o see_v there_o be_v no_o common_a principle_n of_o christian_a religion_n but_o what_o be_v at_o least_o as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o scripture_n as_o these_o but_o this_o will_v spoil_v all_o for_o if_o man_n may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n upon_o scripture_n authority_n what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o man_n rely_v upon_o the_o church_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o this_o principle_n that_o man_n can_v arrive_v at_o no_o infallible_a certainty_n in_o religion_n by_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n or_o indeed_o any_o other_o authority_n but_o the_o church_n but_o if_o i_o can_v be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o those_o two_o principle_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n and_o infallible_a by_o those_o authority_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o urge_v to_o prove_v they_o how_o can_v i_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o any_o thing_n that_o they_o declare_v and_o define_v for_o if_o i_o be_o not_o certain_a that_o they_o be_v the_o church_n for_o all_o i_o know_v the_o church_n may_v be_v infallible_a and_o yet_o they_o may_v be_v mistake_v and_o if_o i_o be_o not_o certain_a that_o they_o be_v infallible_a for_o all_o i_o know_v they_o may_v
3._o 11._o and_o mark_v 1._o 7._o luke_n 3._o 16._o where_o you_o find_v john_n baptist_n give_v the_o same_o testimony_n to_o christ_n which_o here_o he_o give_v to_o the_o word_n especial_o v_o 27._o of_o this_o chapter_n which_o be_v a_o plain_a evidence_n that_o christ_n and_o the_o word_n be_v only_o different_a title_n of_o the_o same_o person_n but_o that_o i_o may_v more_o particular_o explain_v to_o you_o the_o mean_v of_o this_o phrase_n i_o will_v brief_o deliver_v my_o sense_n of_o it_o in_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o this_o phrase_n the_o word_n as_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o eminence_n apply_v to_o a_o particular_a subject_n be_v derive_v into_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o the_o theology_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n 2._o that_o the_o new_a testament_n give_v no_o distinct_a explication_n of_o it_o it_o be_v most_o safe_a and_o reasonable_a to_o fetch_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o from_o that_o ancient_a theology_n whence_o it_o be_v derive_v 3._o that_o the_o theology_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v derive_v use_v it_o to_o signify_v a_o vital_a and_o divine_a subsistence_n 4._o that_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n to_o who_o it_o be_v apply_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v that_o vital_a and_o divine_a subsistence_n 1._o that_o this_o phrase_n the_o word_n as_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o eminency_n apply_v to_o a_o particular_a subject_n be_v derive_v into_o the_o new_a testament_n from_o the_o theology_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n which_o will_v plain_o appear_v to_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v consider_v the_o exact_a agreement_n between_o those_o title_n and_o character_n which_o be_v give_v to_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o those_o which_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n give_v to_o the_o word_n so_o often_o mention_v in_o their_o theology_n for_o as_o for_o this_o phrase_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o word_n it_o be_v very_o ancient_o use_v in_o the_o write_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n for_o rab._n azariel_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o holiness_n quote_v it_o out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o creation_n which_o be_v write_v by_o rab._n abraham_n a_o ancient_a cabalist_n who_o the_o jew_n say_n be_v the_o patriarch_n abraham_n himself_o the_o spirit_n say_v he_o mean_v the_o most_o high_a god_n bring_v forth_o the_o word_n and_o the_o voice_n and_o these_o three_o be_v one_o god_n thus_o also_o it_o be_v frequent_o use_v in_o the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n as_o eminent_o appropriate_v to_o a_o divine_a person_n so_o in_o isa._n 45._o 17._o instead_o of_o israel_n shall_v be_v save_v in_o the_o lord_n they_o read_v it_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o jerem._n 1._o 8._o instead_o of_o i_o be_o with_o thou_o they_o read_v because_o my_o word_n be_v with_o thou_o and_o gen._n 15._o 1._o instead_o of_o i_o be_o thy_o shield_n they_o read_v my_o word_n be_v thy_o shield_n and_o so_o in_o sundry_a other_o place_n and_o which_o be_v very_o observable_a ps._n 110._o 1._o instead_o of_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o my_o lord_n they_o read_v the_o lord_n say_v unto_o his_o word_n which_o word_n our_o saviour_n apply_v to_o himself_o matth._n 22._o 44._o as_o be_v himself_o that_o eternal_a word_n or_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o mention_v and_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n also_o it_o be_v very_o ancient_o use_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gentile_a philosophy_n thus_o zeno_n as_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o joâ—is_fw-la speak_v of_o a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d by_o which_o the_o world_n be_v make_v and_o which_o he_o call_v fate_n and_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o jupiter_n and_o the_o ancient_a orpheus_n as_o he_o be_v quote_v by_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n 〈◊〉_d exhort_v man_n to_o behold_v and_o contemplate_v the_o divine_a word_n who_o be_v the_o immortal_a king_n of_o heaven_n and_o plato_n epinomis_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o star_n be_v dispose_v and_o order_v by_o the_o word_n by_o which_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o phrase_n be_v use_v as_o appropriate_v to_o a_o divine_a person_n both_o by_o jew_n and_o gentile_n long_o before_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o that_o the_o new_a testament_n derive_v it_o from_o their_o write_n be_v apparent_a for_o that_o it_o attribute_n to_o christ_n the_o same_o title_n and_o character_n which_o they_o be_v wont_a to_o attribute_v to_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thus_o as_o the_o new_a testament_n call_v christ_n the_o messiah_n the_o word_n so_o the_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o messiah_n be_v call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n oseae_n cap._n 7._o thus_o as_o st._n paul_n call_v he_o the_o king_n immortal_a so_o orpheus_n in_o the_o afore-named_n place_n call_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o king_n immortal_a and_o whereas_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 4._o to_o be_v the_o shine_a forth_o of_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o express_a character_n of_o his_o person_n heb._n 1._o 3._o philo_n call_v he_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 1613._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 60._o that_o be_v the_o character_n of_o god_n and_o the_o shadow_n and_o image_n of_o god_n and_o plotin_n that_o it_o be_v a_o light_a stream_a forth_o from_o god_n even_o as_o brightness_n do_v from_o the_o sun_n 6._o and_o as_o st._n john_n in_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o word_n be_v from_o the_o begin_n with_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v god_n so_o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o by_o prerogative_n of_o eldership_n he_o abide_v with_o the_o father_n and_o zeno_n in_o the_o afore-named_n place_n that_o he_o be_v god_n and_o plotin_n ibid._n tell_v we_o that_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o image_n of_o god_n he_o be_v inseparable_o conjoin_v with_o he_o and_o whereas_o christ_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n john_n 8._o 12._o the_o manna_n which_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o the_o bread_n of_o life_n joh._n 6._o 33_o 35._o the_o same_o philo_n style_v he_o the_o word_n the_o light_n 5._o the_o manna_n 137._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 71._o that_o be_v the_o bread_n and_o food_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o the_o soul_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o father_n be_v in_o christ_n that_o he_o dwell_v and_o abide_v in_o he_o joh._n 14._o 10._o the_o same_o author_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 304._o that_o be_v the_o word_n be_v the_o house_n of_o the_o father_n in_o who_o he_o dwell_v whereas_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o have_v a_o name_n phil._n 2._o 9_o and_o to_o be_v advance_v above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n eph._n 1._o 21._o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o this_o divine_a word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 71._o that_o be_v above_o all_o world_n and_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v whereas_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o high_a priest_n over_o the_o house_n of_o god_n heb._n 10._o 21._o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o world_n be_v the_o temple_n of_o god_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 463._o that_o be_v in_o which_o the_o first-born_a divine_a word_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n whereas_o christ_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n plato_n call_v he_o the_o begotten_a son_n of_o the_o good_a 6._o plotin_n the_o son_n of_o god_n 12._o and_o philo_n the_o first-begotten_a son_n and_o word_n of_o god_n 463._o again_o whereas_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v create_v the_o world_n by_o christ_n heb._n 1._o 2._o and_o to_o have_v commit_v the_o government_n of_o it_o to_o he_o philo_n call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 88_o that_o be_v the_o governor_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 466._o the_o viceroy_n of_o god_n and_o also_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 100_o that_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o god_n by_o who_o he_o make_v the_o world_n as_o in_o christ_n the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n be_v say_v to_o dwell_v colos._n 2._o 9_o so_o plotin_n tell_v we_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o it_o be_v fill_v with_o god_n 12._o as_o christ_n be_v call_v the_o great_a shepherd_n of_o our_o soul_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 25._o so_o philo_n tell_v we_o that_o god_n who_o be_v king_n and_o pastor_n of_o the_o world_n have_v appoint_v the_o word_n his_o first-begotten_a son_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 152._o to_o undertake_v the_o care_n of_o his_o sacred_a