Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	church_n	scripture_n	write_v	5,125	5	5.8373	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A66404	Of the perspicuity of Scripture, and rules for interpretation of it a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, Mar. 2, 1695/6, being the third of the lecture for this present year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.	1696 (1696)	Wing W2712; ESTC R38654	13,865	34

the_o decalogue_n which_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o we_o in_o this_o age_n as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o be_v at_o mount_n sinai_n at_o the_o first_o deliver_v of_o it_o 5._o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o world_n end_n and_o general_o speak_v be_v write_v for_o the_o use_n of_o all_o man_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n they_o must_v consequent_o be_v intelligible_a in_o the_o main_a and_o capable_a of_o be_v understand_v by_o all_o person_n in_o all_o time_n or_o else_o they_o be_v write_v in_o vain_a for_o to_o what_o purpose_n shall_v they_o be_v preserve_v or_o shall_v they_o oblige_v mankind_n to_o read_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v 6._o i_o may_v say_v that_o in_o fact_n the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a in_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v intend_v for_o the_o use_n of_o all_o and_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o all_o to_o know_v in_o point_n of_o faith_n or_o practice_n such_o be_v 1._o all_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n such_o as_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o his_o creation_n of_o all_o thing_n the_o worship_n to_o be_v give_v to_o he_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n by_o providence_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o a_o state_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o another_o life_n these_o every_o one_o may_v understand_v as_o he_o read_v they_o in_o scripture_n and_o which_o no_o man_n can_v read_v but_o he_o must_v find_v out_o and_o understand_v 2._o such_o be_v the_o history_n of_o providence_n that_o be_v god_n prosper_v the_o good_a and_o punish_v wicked_a nation_n his_o preserve_v a_o church_n under_o all_o the_o storm_n of_o the_o most_o violent_a persecution_n his_o carry_v on_o the_o train_n of_o prophecy_n through_o all_o interruption_n and_o accomplish_v they_o at_o the_o time_n and_o after_o the_o manner_n long_o before_o prefix_v these_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o what_o be_v obvious_a to_o all_o in_o the_o read_n of_o they_o 3._o such_o be_v matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n and_o especial_o that_o which_o concern_v the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n by_o jesus_n christ._n as_o to_o his_o person_n that_o he_o be_v before_o the_o world_n which_o be_v make_v by_o he_o that_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n according_a to_o the_o ancient_a prediction_n he_o become_v man_n and_o be_v make_v flesh_n that_o he_o wrought_v miracle_n in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o mission_n from_o god_n and_o of_o the_o doctrine_n he_o teach_v and_o profess_v to_o receive_v from_o the_o father_n that_o he_o be_v crucify_a and_o die_v as_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o all_o mankind_n that_o he_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n that_o he_o send_v down_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o continues_z at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n to_o be_v our_o mediator_n and_o that_o we_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o that_o mediation_n to_o offer_v up_o all_o our_o prayer_n in_o his_o name_n to_o the_o father_n and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o come_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n to_o judgement_n and_o shall_v raise_v the_o dead_a and_o summon_v they_o all_o before_o his_o tribunal_n 4._o of_o the_o like_a kind_n be_v all_o the_o proof_n and_o confirmation_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n before_o speak_v of_o under_o another_o character_n such_o be_v prophecy_n and_o miracle_n prophecy_n which_o though_o sometime_o obscure_a in_o point_n of_o phrase_n yet_o there_o be_v those_o that_o be_v without_o difficulty_n as_o that_o of_o josiah_n and_o cyrus_n by_o name_n that_o of_o the_o place_n of_o our_o saviour_n birth_n the_o stock_n and_o lineage_n the_o tribe_n and_o family_n he_o shall_v proceed_v from_o the_o time_n he_o shall_v sufferin_o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o other_o attestation_n by_o miracle_n be_v too_o evident_a to_o be_v insist_v upon_o 5._o of_o this_o sort_n be_v the_o term_n of_o salvation_n among_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n we_o may_v find_v whatever_o relate_v to_o faith_n and_o manner_n of_o life_n and_o in_o these_o two_o be_v comprehend_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n so_o that_o whatever_o be_v not_o plain_o set_v down_o in_o scripture_n 2._o or_o evident_o infer_v from_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n now_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o no_o person_n that_o come_v unprejudiced_a i_o mean_v not_o prepossess_v with_o contrary_a principle_n or_o corrupt_a affection_n but_o must_v needs_o own_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v clear_a in_o the_o point_v before_o rehearse_v if_o so_o be_v he_o read_v it_o with_o a_o ordinary_a diligence_n and_o care_n but_o will_v it_o be_v say_v be_v there_o not_o obscurity_n allow_v to_o be_v in_o scripture_n and_o difficulty_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v surmount_v and_o what_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n of_o this_o than_o the_o different_a exposition_n we_o meet_v with_o and_o the_o different_a opinion_n man_n espouse_v and_o therefore_o espouse_v they_o because_o they_o conceive_v they_o to_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o holy_a writ_n 1._o i_o answer_v that_o be_v no_o objection_n against_o it_o for_o then_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o certain_a if_o the_o call_n it_o in_o question_n will_v render_v it_o uncertain_a 2._o this_o indeed_o have_v be_v a_o argument_n set_v up_o to_o overthrow_v the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n and_o some_o have_v be_v so_o impertinent_a as_o to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o various_a construction_n and_o signification_n of_o word_n to_o serve_v this_o impious_a cause_n and_o so_o among_o other_o thing_n 4._o one_o quote_v that_o say_v of_o quintilian_n there_o be_v innumerable_a kind_n of_o word_n of_o ambiguous_a and_o various_a signification_n so_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n that_o there_o be_v no_o word_n that_o do_v not_o signify_v many_o thing_n but_o if_o this_o be_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o the_o sense_n not_o attainable_a than_o it_o be_v common_a with_o that_o to_o all_o book_n whatsoever_o not_o except_v even_o that_o book_n which_o the_o author_n think_v so_o well_o of_o as_o to_o publish_v for_o the_o information_n of_o the_o world_n if_o this_o be_v of_o any_o force_n than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o more_o purpose_n to_o speak_v than_o to_o write_v because_o the_o word_n we_o use_v be_v capable_a of_o different_a sense_n as_o well_o as_o what_o we_o write_v this_o be_v a_o way_n of_o argue_v that_o prove_v too_o much_o and_o go_v too_o far_o and_o serve_v no_o more_o than_o a_o argument_n that_o fall_v short_a and_o come_v not_o up_o to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n this_o will_v make_v the_o divine_a oracle_n like_o those_o of_o the_o devil_n to_o be_v no_o other_o than_o aenigma_n and_o riddle_n as_o if_o in_o the_o new_a coin_a phrase_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n they_o be_v but_o the_o various_a figure_n of_o ink_n upon_o a_o book_n or_o serve_v to_o no_o other_o use_n than_o white_a paper_n to_o write_v what_o you_o will_v upon_o and_o make_v what_o sense_n out_o of_o it_o that_o a_o fruitful_a brain_n can_v invent_v 3._o though_o there_o be_v obscurity_n in_o scripture_n it_o fall_v upon_o such_o point_n as_o be_v not_o in_o themselves_o necessary_a and_o not_o necessary_a to_o all_o and_o notwithstanding_o which_o a_o person_n may_v be_v save_v though_o he_o die_v ignorant_a of_o they_o or_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o scripture_n which_o contain_v they_o for_o there_o be_v no_o great_a sign_n of_o their_o not_o be_v necessary_a than_o that_o they_o be_v not_o what_o we_o can_v understand_v or_o be_v not_o plain_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n 4._o though_o there_o be_v obscurity_n in_o scripture_n yet_o they_o be_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n to_o the_o plain_a text_n of_o it_o and_o which_o no_o more_o hinder_v we_o from_o understand_v the_o plain_a than_o the_o spot_n in_o the_o sun_n prevent_v we_o of_o the_o light_n of_o it_o the_o obscurity_n be_v like_o the_o various_a readins_n year_n of_o little_a consequence_n and_o importance_n as_o i_o have_v show_v and_o nothing_o comparable_a to_o what_o remain_v entire_a and_o perspicuous_a they_o be_v only_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v 16._o but_o how_o many_o be_v the_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a and_o especial_o of_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n 5._o when_o i_o say_v there_o be_v obscurity_n in_o scripture_n and_o that_o they_o fall_v upon_o less_o necessary_a point_n i_o grant_v that_o even_o those_o obscure_a part_n be_v not_o without_o their_o use_n it_o be_v here_o as_o in_o the_o heaven_n where_o the_o cloudy_a star_n that_o scatter_v a_o faintish_a light_n through_o the_o galaxy_n or_o milky-way_n though_o not_o

discernible_a but_o by_o a_o telescope_n yet_o if_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o what_o we_o do_v not_o know_v of_o nature_n by_o what_o we_o do_v have_v their_o use_n and_o by_o their_o influence_n without_o doubt_n serve_v a_o noble_a design_n so_o though_o the_o obscure_a text_n of_o scripture_n afford_v a_o dim_a light_n in_o comparison_n and_o what_o we_o can_v at_o present_a give_v but_o a_o slender_a account_n of_o yet_o we_o ourselves_o have_v sometime_o perceive_v when_o we_o have_v come_v by_o search_v to_o understand_v any_o of_o they_o that_o we_o understand_v not_o before_o that_o they_o prove_v of_o very_o great_a advantage_n as_o they_o serve_v to_o confirm_v the_o plain_a and_o do_v give_v light_n to_o those_o that_o be_v otherwise_o and_o be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o light_n give_v by_o these_o will_v have_v remain_v obscure_a and_o indeed_o almighty_a god_n have_v so_o wise_o order_v it_o that_o as_o there_o be_v some_o work_n in_o nature_n we_o do_v understand_v and_o some_o we_o do_v not_o some_o serve_v a_o lesser_a and_o some_o a_o great_a end_n so_o have_v he_o also_o temper_v the_o body_n of_o scripture_n together_o the_o difficult_a with_o the_o easy_a the_o obscure_a with_o the_o plain_a the_o less_o necessary_a with_o the_o great_a that_o our_o industry_n may_v be_v excite_v by_o our_o endeavour_n to_o understand_v they_o and_o our_o labour_n be_v reward_v by_o the_o understanding_n of_o they_o that_o we_o may_v search_v as_o the_o berean_o here_o do_v and_o upon_o our_o search_v may_v as_o they_o come_v to_o believe_v and_o understand_v or_o be_v confirm_v in_o our_o belief_n of_o they_o towards_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o 2._o i_o shall_v direct_v to_o some_o rule_n that_o may_v be_v of_o singular_a use_n to_o we_o in_o our_o search_n and_o enquiry_n 1._o where_o in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v advisable_v that_o we_o be_v very_o conversant_a in_o the_o sacred_a text_n and_o as_o the_o berean_o search_v it_o daily_o by_o which_o mean_v much_o of_o the_o obscurity_n will_v wear_v off_o and_o the_o phrase_n and_o style_n and_o way_n of_o argue_v will_v be_v more_o evident_a and_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o make_v not_o only_o the_o strong_a impression_n on_o our_o mind_n but_o be_v clear_v up_o also_o insensible_o to_o we_o we_o see_v how_o much_o difficulty_n be_v lessen_v by_o practice_n as_o it_o be_v in_o learning_n the_o alphabet_n and_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o any_o language_n or_o science_n and_o when_o we_o in_o the_o beginning_n struggle_v with_o ourselves_o and_o use_v a_o kind_n of_o force_n to_o bend_v our_o mind_n to_o it_o by_o degree_n the_o difficulty_n abate_v and_o we_o become_v complete_a master_n of_o the_o matter_n that_o lie_v before_o we_o so_o it_o be_v in_o read_v the_o scripture_n where_o by_o use_n we_o be_v wonderful_o let_v into_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o for_o this_o reason_n it_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n as_o be_v imply_v act._n 13._o 27._o and_o why_o also_o the_o scripture_n be_v read_v as_o well_o when_o not_o understand_v as_o when_o they_o be_v according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o eunuch_n 31._o for_o to_o what_o purpose_n will_v it_o have_v be_v for_o he_o when_o alone_o without_o a_o interpreter_n to_o have_v read_v isaias_n the_o prophet_n upon_o such_o a_o obscure_a argument_n if_o by_o read_v it_o he_o may_v not_o have_v be_v some_o help_n to_o himself_o and_o by_o degree_n have_v attain_v to_o a_o further_a understanding_n of_o it_o more_o or_o less_o and_o i_o dare_v appeal_n to_o any_o that_o have_v take_v this_o course_n and_o have_v daily_o read_v and_o read_v they_o with_o the_o like_a impartiality_n as_o other_o book_n and_o much_o more_o where_o they_o have_v read_v they_o with_o the_o reverence_n and_o attention_n due_a to_o divine_a oracle_n whether_o they_o have_v not_o find_v the_o difficulty_n lessen_v upon_o their_o hand_n and_o if_o such_o as_o daily_o read_v those_o book_n with_o these_o and_o the_o like_a qualification_n will_v but_o account_v with_o themselves_o for_o all_o the_o difficulty_n assoil_v and_o solve_v this_o way_n without_o any_o other_o assistance_n it_o will_v be_v no_o unpleasant_a or_o unprofitable_a reflection_n 2._o although_o it_o be_v of_o this_o advantage_n to_o read_v the_o scripture_n in_o course_n as_o be_v usual_a in_o public_a in_o the_o synagogue_n and_o in_o private_a among_o person_n pious_o dispose_v yet_o it_o will_v add_v much_o to_o the_o render_v the_o abstruser_n part_v more_o easy_a and_o intelligible_a if_o they_o begin_v with_o the_o plain_a either_o for_o duty_n or_o matter_n and_o then_o proceed_v to_o the_o more_o obscure_a for_o this_o be_v a_o reduce_v thing_n into_o a_o strict_a and_o natural_a method_n and_o be_v like_o the_o begin_n with_o the_o begin_n of_o a_o book_n write_v in_o that_o way_n and_o so_o gradual_o proceed_v as_o we_o be_v lead_v along_o from_o point_n to_o point_n from_o proposition_n to_o proposition_n till_o we_o come_v to_o the_o end_n of_o that_o and_o the_o difficulty_n together_o the_o scripture_n i_o own_o be_v far_o from_o be_v write_v after_o this_o humane_a and_o artificial_a method_n but_o in_o a_o way_n extraordinary_n and_o divine_a and_o be_v among_o other_o reason_n compose_v after_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o it_o be_v that_o we_o may_v be_v oblige_v to_o use_v a_o besit_a industry_n in_o search_v into_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v certain_o one_o part_n of_o that_o industry_n so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o as_o there_o be_v this_o difference_n plain_o to_o be_v observe_v in_o scripture_n so_o we_o will_v thus_o make_v a_o advantage_n of_o it_o by_o beginning_n with_o word_n and_o thing_n easy_a to_o be_v understand_v before_o we_o attempt_v to_o understand_v what_o be_v in_o a_o sphere_n for_o the_o present_a above_o our_o capacity_n 14._o for_o such_o have_v need_n of_o milk_n and_o not_o of_o strong_a meat_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o that_o be_v of_o full_a age_n even_o those_o who_o by_o reason_n of_o use_n have_v their_o sense_n exercise_v to_o discern_v both_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o i_o will_v add_v between_o thing_n plain_a and_o abstruse_a more_o necessary_a and_o less_o certain_a and_o doubtful_a 3._o another_o rule_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o principal_a design_n and_o the_o chief_a subject_n of_o it_o whether_o as_o to_o faith_n or_o practice_n for_o from_o thence_o do_v arise_v what_o be_v usual_o call_v the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n and_o which_o will_v be_v a_o standard_n upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o for_o what_o sense_n be_v to_o thing_n sensible_a and_o reason_n to_o thing_n mere_o reasonable_a that_o be_v the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n to_o all_o interpretation_n and_o according_a to_o who_o arbitration_n they_o must_v stand_v and_o fall_v of_o this_o the_o apostle_n give_v a_o instance_n as_o to_o faith_n 1_o john_n 4._o 2_o 3._o hereby_o know_v you_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v of_o god_n and_o every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o of_o god_n and_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o such_o heretic_n will_v produce_v in_o their_o favour_n we_o may_v peremptory_o conclude_v that_o the_o meaning_n they_o will_v force_v upon_o it_o be_v no_o more_o the_o meaning_n of_o that_o scripture_n than_o that_o can_v be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n 4._o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v a_o proper_a way_n to_o compare_v scripture_n with_o scripture_n the_o old_a testament_n with_o the_o new_a the_o obscure_a with_o the_o plain_a for_o that_o which_o be_v obscure_a and_o difficult_a in_o one_o place_n be_v usual_o explain_v and_o make_v clear_a in_o another_o as_o st._n austin_n in_o the_o book_n before_o quote_v observe_v towards_o the_o more_o useful_a application_n of_o this_o rule_n it_o may_v be_v convenient_a to_o inquire_v from_o whence_o the_o difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o scripture_n do_v arise_v whether_o from_o the_o sublimity_n of_o the_o matter_n the_o propriety_n of_o language_n the_o relation_n that_o one_o thing_n have_v to_o another_o as_o type_n the_o modes_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n in_o matter_n prophetical_a or_o figurative_a which_o we_o may_v be_v help_v in_o by_o this_o way_n of_o comparison_n when_o i_o have_v just_a before_o say_v 12._o that_o there_o be_v no_o great_a sign_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v be_v unnecessay_n than_o when_o it_o be_v what_o we_o can_v

of_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o scripture_n and_o rule_n for_o interpretation_n of_o it_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n martin_n in_o the_o field_n mar._n 2._o 1695_o 6._o be_v the_o three_o of_o the_o lecture_n for_o this_o present_a year_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esquire_n by_o john_n williams_z d._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o ri._n chiswell_n and_o tho._n cockerill_n sen_n r_o &_o jun_n r_o at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o at_o the_o three_o leg_n in_o the_o poultry_n mdcxcvi_o act_n xvii_o 11_o 12._o these_o be_v more_o noble_a than_o those_o in_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v these_o word_n be_v the_o character_n of_o the_o berean_o to_o who_o st._n paul_n and_o silas_n preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v drive_v from_o thessalonica_n a_o neighbour_a city_n of_o macedonia_n by_o the_o fury_n of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n that_o accuse_v they_o of_o do_v thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o caesar_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v set_v all_o that_o city_n in_o a_o uproar_n but_o how_o hardly_o soever_o they_o be_v use_v there_o they_o find_v a_o better_a treatment_n from_o the_o berean_o of_o who_o st._n luke_n say_v that_o they_o be_v more_o noble_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d more_o ingenuous_a than_o those_o in_o thessalonica_n in_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o word_n with_o all_o readiness_n of_o mind_n and_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o etc._n etc._n in_o which_o word_n 1._o we_o be_v direct_v to_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o all_o point_n of_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o that_o be_v the_o scripture_n 2._o there_o be_v the_o capacity_n all_o person_n be_v in_o to_o judge_v of_o that_o rule_n for_o the_o word_n be_v speak_v indifferent_o of_o the_o jew_n in_o berea_n the_o auditory_a to_o who_o st._n paul_n preach_v that_o they_o search_v 3._o here_o be_v the_o qualification_n of_o such_o as_o will_v judge_v aright_o and_o they_o be_v sincerity_n and_o diligence_n they_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d more_o candid_a and_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o 4._o there_o be_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n which_o be_v to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o the_o rule_n and_o that_o be_v by_o compare_v the_o doctrine_n with_o scripture_n there_o they_o search_v whether_o those_o thing_n be_v so_o 5._o there_o be_v the_o success_n of_o this_o course_n therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v i_o have_v already_o treat_v of_o the_o three_o first_o of_o these_o in_o the_o forego_n sermon_n and_o have_v show_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n that_o it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o all_o to_o repair_v to_o that_o rule_n for_o satisfaction_n ●9_n and_o that_o by_o search_v they_o may_v arrive_v thereby_o to_o a_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n of_o that_o rule_n and_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o the_o way_n of_o interpretation_n and_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o course_n that_o be_v to_o be_v take_v for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o discourse_v upon_o which_o 1._o i_o shall_v premise_v some_o thing_n with_o reference_n both_o to_o the_o perspicuity_n and_o difficulty_n of_o scripture_n for_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o sacred_a book_n have_v a_o mixture_n of_o both_o 2._o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o such_o rule_n as_o may_v be_v of_o use_n for_o the_o better_a interpretation_n of_o it_o as_o to_o the_o former_a i_o premise_v 1._o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o scripture_n we_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o the_o translation_n of_o it_o general_o speak_v render_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o original_a that_o be_v the_o original_a and_o translation_n be_v to_o he_o that_o understand_v both_o as_o it_o be_v but_o one_o book_n and_o so_o again_o to_o he_o that_o understand_v the_o translation_n only_o it_o be_v the_o same_o as_o if_o he_o understand_v the_o original_a and_o that_o this_o be_v so_o be_v evident_a because_o all_o translation_n though_o not_o exposition_n of_o what_o language_n church_n or_o age_n soever_o do_v for_o the_o most_o part_n agree_v and_o if_o a_o catena_n or_o draught_n be_v make_v of_o they_o as_o there_o be_v of_o the_o ancient_a version_n it_o will_v appear_v so_o to_o be_v beyond_o all_o contradiction_n so_o that_o if_o any_o stranger_n utter_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n or_o the_o translation_n but_o skilled_a in_o those_o language_n shall_v compare_v they_o he_o will_v be_v able_a to_o say_v that_o the_o book_n be_v the_o same_o and_o only_o differ_v in_o the_o language_n as_o the_o ancient_n viz._n the_o greek_a and_o arabic_a and_o syriack_n or_o modern_a viz._n english_a french_a german_a or_o italian_a etc._n etc._n and_o let_v man_n differ_v as_o they_o will_v in_o their_o particular_a opinion_n let_v they_o be_v jew_n as_o be_v the_o translator_n of_o the_o septuagint_n apostate_n as_o be_v aquila_n 9_o marcionites_n as_o theodotion_n ebionites_n as_o symmachus_n yet_o unless_o in_o those_o point_n in_o which_o they_o industrious_o corrupt_v the_o text_n to_o serve_v a_o cause_n and_o wilful_o and_o apparent_o depart_v from_o the_o original_a there_o be_v a_o general_a consent_n among_o they_o in_o the_o main_a which_o be_v a_o clear_a proof_n 2._o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v for_o else_o how_o can_v different_a translator_n unacquainted_a with_o the_o language_n or_o write_n of_o each_o other_o so_o exact_o hit_v upon_o the_o same_o rendition_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o it_o will_v be_v too_o bare_a face_v a_o reflection_n upon_o almighty_a god_n by_o who_o direction_n and_o inspiration_n the_o scripture_n be_v write_v as_o i_o have_v show_v to_o suppose_v that_o such_o a_o book_n thus_o proceed_v from_o so_o divine_a a_o hand_n and_o upon_o so_o noble_a a_o design_n as_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_n to_o man_n shall_v labour_v under_o such_o a_o defect_n as_o the_o composition_n of_o man_n of_o common_a understanding_n be_v not_o guilty_a of_o certain_o it_o be_v as_o possible_a to_o write_v so_o as_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v to_o speak_v and_o be_v understand_v and_o since_o write_n be_v but_o a_o kind_n of_o speech_n speech_n may_v as_o well_o be_v suppose_v unintelligible_a as_o write_v and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o both_o the_o pleasure_n and_o benefit_n of_o conversation_n will_v be_v prevent_v and_o lose_v and_o what_o a_o presumption_n be_v it_o to_o deny_v that_o to_o god_n which_o we_o give_v to_o man_n and_o that_o when_o we_o grant_v that_o man_n not_o only_o can_v but_o do_v express_v their_o thought_n plain_o upon_o occasion_n by_o write_v that_o god_n either_o have_v not_o that_o power_n or_o will_v but_o where_o he_o pretend_v to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n it_o shall_v as_o god_n say_v to_o job_n 38._o 2._o darken_v counsel_n by_o word_n without_o knowledge_n and_o write_v so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v understand_v which_o be_v to_o write_v to_o no_o purpose_n but_o only_o to_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o contention_n as_o if_o what_o be_v call_v revelation_n be_v not_o to_o send_v peace_n but_o in_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o a_o sword_n of_o strife_n among_o mankind_n if_o we_o own_o god_n for_o the_o author_n we_o must_v say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v understand_v 3._o we_o may_v suppose_v further_o that_o at_o the_o time_n when_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v they_o be_v intelligible_a by_o those_o that_o be_v cotemporary_n with_o the_o writer_n and_o understand_v the_o language_n they_o be_v write_v in_o which_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n they_o have_v above_o all_o after-age_n for_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n but_o what_o have_v peculiar_a custom_n to_o which_o form_n of_o speech_n often_o relate_v nor_o be_v there_o any_o language_n which_o have_v not_o idiotism_n and_o phrase_n of_o their_o own_o and_o therefore_o where_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v or_o be_v not_o observe_v the_o sense_n be_v lose_v or_o prejudice_v and_o perplex_v as_o i_o shall_v present_o show_v 4._o we_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o what_o have_v no_o immediate_a reference_n to_o the_o person_n then_o in_o be_v nor_o to_o the_o age_n and_o custom_n and_o propriety_n then_o in_o use_n but_o contain_v common_a matter_n and_o be_v clothe_v in_o common_a form_n of_o speech_n be_v intelligible_a to_o other_o that_o do_v not_o live_v in_o those_o age_n and_o general_o as_o intelligible_a as_o to_o those_o that_o do_v such_o be_v