private_a read_v of_o scripture_n have_v be_v signal_o bless_v of_o god_n as_o to_o the_o berean_o who_o daily_o search_v the_o scripture_n that_o they_o may_v understand_v what_o they_o hear_v in_o public_a and_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n or_o not_o this_o their_o private_a diligence_n be_v so_o bless_v of_o god_n that_o there_o be_v a_o remark_n put_v upon_o it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n act_v 17._o 11._o therefore_o many_o of_o they_o believe_v page_n 88_o it_o be_v therefore_o a_o great_a temptation_n to_o the_o people_n to_o be_v negligent_a and_o a_o great_a want_n of_o care_n in_o a_o church_n to_o leave_v so_o material_a a_o thing_n as_o the_o read_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o private_a diligence_n ans_fw-fr it_o be_v great_a want_n of_o care_n in_o a_o church_n when_o people_n be_v not_o exhort_v to_o read_v scripture_n in_o private_a and_o to_o tell_v they_o as_o the_o author_n do_v page_n 180_o of_o his_o book_n that_o some_o parcel_n of_o 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reason_n to_o give_v thanks_o to_o god_n that_o it_o be_v so_o and_o the_o great_a fault_n it_o be_v to_o neglect_v read_v of_o scripture_n in_o family_n see_v god_n have_v deal_v so_o bountiful_o with_o we_o page_n 90._o and_o to_o rely_v upon_o people_n procure_v and_o read_v copy_n of_o the_o bible_n private_o be_v to_o leave_v god_n way_n and_o presumptuous_o depend_v on_o that_o which_o have_v no_o promise_n annex_v to_o it_o ans_fw-fr if_o private_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o promise_n annex_v to_o it_o then_o what_o profit_n be_v it_o for_o any_o man_n to_o read_v the_o scripture_n if_o no_o blessing_n be_v promise_v his_o labour_n be_v lose_v if_o i_o have_v not_o read_v this_o expression_n in_o the_o author_n book_n it_o will_v be_v hard_o believe_v any_o report_n that_o such_o dangerous_a unwarrantable_a word_n can_v have_v drop_v from_o his_o pen._n 2_o god_n have_v command_v private_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o express_o as_o he_o have_v command_v public_a read_n whereby_o it_o become_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n no_o less_o than_o public_a read_n let_v the_o reader_n observe_v what_o god_n speak_v deut._n 6._o from_o verse_n 6._o and_o downward_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v write_v on_o the_o very_a post_n of_o their_o house_n that_o they_o may_v read_v they_o frequent_o 3_o see_v then_o this_o private_a read_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v his_o ordinance_n no_o less_o than_o public_a read_n by_o what_o warrant_n can_v the_o author_n say_v there_o be_v no_o promise_n annex_v to_o it_o but_o beside_o this_o 4_o i_o will_v prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o promise_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n private_a diligence_n in_o read_v the_o scripture_n let_v the_o reader_n observe_v deut_n 6._o verse_n 3_o where_o we_o have_v these_o word_n hear_v therefore_o o_o israel_n and_o observe_v to_o do_v it_o that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o with_o thou_o and_o that_o you_o may_v increase_v mighty_o as_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o thy_o father_n have_v promise_v thou_o in_o the_o land_n that_o flow_v with_o milk_n and_o honey_n here_o be_v a_o comprehensive_a promise_n contain_v many_o blessing_n that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o with_o thou_o and_o next_o the_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o promise_n belong_v follow_v verse_n 5._o thou_o shall_v love_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n with_o all_o thy_o heart_n verse_n 6._o and_o these_o word_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n shall_v be_v in_o thy_o heart_n and_o verse_n 7._o and_o thou_o shall_v teach_v they_o diligent_o unto_o thy_o child_n and_o shall_v talk_v of_o they_o when_o thou_o sit_v in_o thy_o house_n and_o verse_n 9_o thou_o shall_v write_v they_o upon_o the_o post_n of_o thy_o house_n and_o one_o thy_o gate_n by_o which_o scripture_n its_o evident_a that_o such_o as_o diligent_o make_v use_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o their_o house_n have_v the_o promise_n of_o god_n that_o it_o shall_v 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of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o i_o have_v prove_v already_o to_o be_v a_o unjust_a imputation_n ibid._n and_o there_o be_v at_o this_o day_n too_o many_o of_o all_o party_n that_o neither_o read_v themselves_o nor_o hear_v one_o chapter_n read_v in_o a_o whole_a year_n except_o at_o church_n ans_fw-fr and_o no_o great_a wonder_n if_o they_o never_o be_v exhort_v to_o private_a read_n in_o their_o family_n and_o withal_o tell_v that_o there_o be_v no_o promise_n annex_v to_o private_a read_n which_o be_v not_o only_o comfortless_a and_o discourage_a doctrine_n if_o they_o have_v no_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o be_v better_v by_o their_o read_n but_o pernicious_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n page_n 92._o the_o author_n say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v be_v presume_v to_o have_v the_o same_o efficacy_n when_o read_v private_o as_o it_o have_v when_o read_v in_o the_o assembly_n of_o christian_n since_o he_o have_v give_v we_o a_o peculiar_a promise_n to_o be_v present_a 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to_o their_o most_o excellent_a majesty_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1694._o to_o the_o right_n worshipful_a the_o major_n the_o alderman_n and_o burgess_n of_o the_o city_n of_o london_n derry_n and_o of_o the_o presbyterian_a persuasion_n these_o animadversion_n on_o the_o bishop_n book_n be_v dedicate_v to_o your_o service_n the_o author_n and_o his_o labour_n be_v you_o by_o right_n though_o this_o piece_n of_o service_n be_v extort_a have_v no_o apprehension_n of_o appear_v in_o this_o manner_n have_v it_o not_o be_v the_o vindication_n of_o truth_n the_o undeceive_n of_o stranger_n and_o your_o uneasiness_n to_o find_v our_o manner_n of_o worship_n expose_v vilify_v and_o represent_v to_o the_o world_n as_o pure_a humane_a invention_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o but_o will-worship_n and_o yet_o worse_o be_v make_v as_o black_a as_o heathen_n deny_v due_a adoration_n to_o god_n and_o cast_v his_o word_n out_o of_o our_o assembly_n a_o rare_a notion_n that_o all_o the_o polite_a master_n 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will_v appear_v to_o make_v the_o issue_n and_o result_v of_o this_o debate_n conducive_a to_o the_o further_o strengthen_v and_o establishment_n of_o many_o fearer_n of_o god_n who_o desire_v to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o old_a good_a path_n and_o therein_o to_o find_v rest_n to_o their_o soul_n yet_o i_o do_v free_o declare_v to_o you_o my_o worthy_a and_o belove_a friend_n that_o the_o constraint_n of_o put_v such_o a_o book_n into_o your_o hand_n on_o so_o mean_v a_o subject_n minister_v to_o i_o some_o melancholy_a reflection_n for_o if_o ever_o any_o of_o my_o poor_a labour_n have_v be_v worth_a your_o notice_n after_o i_o have_v finish_v my_o course_n it_o will_v be_v more_o comfortable_a to_o i_o if_o the_o subject_n have_v engage_v a_o discourse_n of_o thing_n more_o profitable_a &_o spiritual_a than_o mere_a jejune_n form_n know_v the_o people_n of_o london_n derry_o be_v as_o a_o firebrand_n pluck_v out_o of_o the_o fire_n stand_v in_o need_n of_o more_o suitable_a entertainment_n how_o to_o make_v due_a return_n of_o gratitude_n for_o so_o signal_n deliverance_n than_o to_o be_v treat_v with_o a_o dispute_n of_o form_n so_o remote_a from_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o the_o present_a due_a sense_n of_o work_n of_o wonder_n do_v for_o this_o people_n which_o we_o be_v apt_a sinful_o to_o forget_v though_o peremptorly_n require_v to_o take_v heed_n lest_o we_o forget_v the_o thing_n which_o our_o eye_n have_v see_v lest_o they_o depart_v from_o our_o heart_n all_o the_o day_n of_o our_o life_n but_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o our_o son_n and_z sons_z sons_z god_n have_v much_o to_o require_v of_o derry_n more_o than_o other_o place_n in_o point_n of_o gratitude_n august_n epist_n ad_fw-la marcell_n speak_v of_o gratitude_n pious_o say_v what_o better_a thing_n can_v we_o bear_v in_o our_o mind_n express_v with_o our_o lip_n record_v with_o our_o pen_n hear_v more_o joyful_o consider_v with_o great_a pleasure_n or_o what_o better_a fruit_n can_v we_o bear_v than_o gratitude_n it_o can_v therefore_o be_v unseasonable_a to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o these_o thing_n though_o you_o know_v they_o or_o to_o improve_v this_o occasion_n for_o the_o help_n of_o other_o hereafter_o to_o retain_v a_o due_a impression_n and_o regard_n to_o the_o great_a work_n of_o god_n there_o be_v no_o people_n in_o these_o kingdom_n whoever_o have_v more_o special_a and_o immediate_a appear_v of_o sovereign_a dominion_n wisdom_n and_o mercy_n than_o this_o city_n if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o after_o vast_a number_n of_o people_n be_v fright_v into_o it_o as_o a_o place_n of_o refuge_n not_o know_v of_o one_o another_o nor_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v when_o within_o these_o wall_n have_v no_o ruler_n but_o god_n alone_o as_o of_o different_a persuasion_n so_o of_o different_a sentiment_n many_o consult_v a_o surrender_n on_o term_n as_o most_o rational_a some_o few_o resolve_v against_o it_o of_o which_o i_o be_v a_o eye_n witness_v many_o secret_a enemy_n within_o correspond_v with_o those_o without_o a_o potent_a army_n under_o good_a conduct_n close_o about_o the_o city_n street_n lane_n and_o wall_n often_o as_o in_o fire_n with_o multitude_n of_o bomb_n and_o many_o kill_v in_o house_n provision_n fail_v and_o soldier_n almost_o starve_v yet_o sally_v out_o wax_v valiant_a in_o fight_n when_o their_o enemy_n strong_a and_o full_a find_v not_o their_o hand_n but_o faint_v in_o the_o day_n of_o battle_n when_o not_o only_a man_n body_n be_v faint_a and_o sick_a with_o famine_n but_o hope_v of_o relief_n be_v defer_v make_v their_o heart_n sick_a also_o yet_o when_o weak_a be_v animate_v to_o that_o heroic_a resolve_n to_o put_v a_o period_n to_o their_o own_o misery_n and_o perpetuat_fw-la their_o loyalty_n by_o fight_v to_o death_n when_o they_o can_v stay_v no_o long_o within_o these_o wall_n rather_o than_o yield_v i_o know_v of_o one_o faint_a man_n who_o say_v within_o these_o three_o day_n we_o must_v 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institution_n to_o read_v the_o whole_a law_n at_o once_o i_o believe_v the_o author_n will_v make_v less_o read_v serve_v he_o for_o one_o day_n so_o than_o he_o find_v not_o our_o institution_n from_o this_o scripture_n be_v it_o from_o joshua_n practice_n but_o joshua_n read_v the_o whole_a law_n together_o will_v be_v find_v too_o great_a measure_n also_o shall_v we_o have_v this_o institution_n from_o ezra_n practice_n at_o that_o extraordinary_a time_n neh._n 8._o 3._o where_o ezra_n read_v from_o morning_n until_o midday_n but_o this_o will_v be_v think_v a_o extraordinary_a time_n the_o people_n not_o have_v see_v the_o law_n for_o a_o long_a time_n before_o and_o therefore_o not_o a_o rule_n for_o ordinary_a assembly_n 2_o when_o the_o law_n be_v then_o read_v expound_v attend_v the_o read_n and_o therefore_o be_v be_v not_o the_o mere_a pure_a read_n only_o which_o the_o author_n seek_v after_o 3_o if_o any_o shall_v suppose_v their_o read_n so_o long_o to_o be_v a_o 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quote_v they_o already_o for_o much_o read_n yet_o even_o then_o they_o be_v in_o a_o most_o corrupt_a state_n special_o by_o their_o own_o tradition_n which_o they_o add_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o which_o cause_n our_o saviour_n say_v their_o worship_n be_v vain_a let_v all_o concern_v take_v notice_n of_o this_o who_o still_o keep_v a_o door_n open_a for_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n 2_o if_o this_o new_a opinion_n of_o the_o author_n will_v pass_v through_o the_o world_n as_o a_o oracle_n that_o every_o church_n who_o read_v much_o scripture_n be_v a_o pure_a church_n then_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o the_o most_o degenerate_a aposttate_n church_n in_o the_o world_n for_o retrive_v the_o reputation_n of_o purity_n to_o appoint_v much_o scripture_n to_o be_v read_v i_o doubt_v not_o but_o upon_o condition_n that_o all_o the_o reform_a church_n will_v esteem_v the_o apostate_n church_n of_o rome_n a_o pure_a church_n and_o consequent_o return_v to_o she_o again_o she_o will_v soon_o appoint_v scripture_n to_o be_v read_v in_o abundance_n for_o by_o the_o author_n argument_n this_o of_o read_v much_o will_v prove_v her_o pure_a what_o ever_o abomination_n she_o be_v sink_v in_o otherways_o what_o the_o author_n have_v further_a page_n 86._o be_v all_o answer_v except_o revile_v say_v twice_o we_o be_v self_n condemn_v i_o will_v not_o revile_v again_o nor_o desire_v the_o reader_n to_o do_v it_o yet_o by_o what_o be_v already_o consert_v if_o he_o be_v judicious_a he_o will_v know_v who_o be_v self_n condemn_v page_n 86._o the_o author_n come_v to_o answer_v six_o pretence_n against_o read_v of_o scripture_n in_o public_a which_o be_v all_o but_o waste_v his_o own_o and_o his_o reader_n time_n pretence_n he_o may_v call_v they_o but_o who_o be_v the_o pretender_n i_o know_v not_o for_o they_o be_v not_o of_o our_o communion_n who_o either_o give_v or_o pretend_v such_o reason_n and_o therefore_o may_v rational_o 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not_o think_v it_o lawful_a altogether_o to_o omit_v read_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o a_o public_a christian_a assembly_n convene_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n for_o we_o be_v to_o expect_v the_o assembly_n sanctify_v by_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n to_o pass_v from_o much_o read_n to_o no_o read_n be_v too_o great_a haste_n page_n 94._o his_o four_o pretence_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v or_o apply_v and_o therefore_o only_o so_o much_o of_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v read_v at_o a_o time_n as_o the_o minister_n may_v apply_v to_o his_o auditory_a ans_fw-fr albeit_o this_o pretence_n or_o objection_n have_v more_o to_o say_v for_o itself_o than_o the_o rest_n yet_o we_o pretend_v to_o no_o manner_n of_o reason_n against_o public_a read_n see_v its_o both_o our_o principle_n and_o practice_n therefore_o it_o be_v not_o candid_a to_o represent_v we_o to_o the_o world_n as_o enemy_n to_o it_o and_o dispute_v against_o our_o common_a practice_n 2_o to_o explain_v scripture_n to_o the_o people_n we_o judge_v necessary_a and_o the_o very_a way_n of_o god_n fit_v for_o edification_n practise_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o the_o levite_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o apostle_n and_o to_o represent_v we_o as_o expound_v or_o apply_v only_o a_o verse_n be_v not_o fair_a that_o be_v your_o own_o way_n not_o we_o to_o explain_v but_o a_o verse_n or_o two_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v common_a with_o we_o to_o expound_v ten_o time_n more_o scripture_n every_o lord_n day_n than_o you_o do_v conceive_v it_o a_o very_a mean_a discharge_n of_o a_o minister_n duty_n only_o to_o read_v and_o so_o have_v do_v and_o never_o find_v to_o be_v the_o way_n of_o christ_n or_o any_o of_o his_o apostle_n who_o work_n in_o public_a be_v always_o to_o expound_v and_o apply_v scripture_n and_o therefore_o our_o way_n in_o public_a gospel_n administration_n be_v more_o agreeable_a to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n way_n than_o you_o page_n 94._o it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n ans_fw-fr and_o yet_o it_o be_v the_o general_a opinion_n of_o the_o reform_a church_n that_o scripture_n shall_v be_v expound_v to_o the_o people_n 2_o though_o god_n in_o his_o mercy_n have_v make_v the_o essential_o of_o christianity_n plain_a yet_o nevertheless_o the_o apostle_n make_v it_o his_o care_n to_o make_v know_v the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o make_v full_a proof_n of_o our_o ministry_n in_o help_v the_o people_n to_o know_v their_o whole_a duty_n to_o god_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n 3_o if_o this_o argument_n of_o the_o author_n have_v any_o strength_n it_o militate_v against_o all_o ministerial_a instruction_n and_o that_o no_o more_o be_v necessary_a but_o read_v the_o foundamental_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n to_o the_o people_n and_o so_o have_v do_v 4_o do_v not_o some_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n and_o who_o duty_n be_v it_o so_o much_o as_o minister_n to_o prevent_v this_o danger_n by_o explain_v these_o thing_n that_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o the_o author_n still_o appear_v out_o of_o charity_n with_o this_o explain_n and_o apply_v for_o ibid_fw-la the_o holy_a scripture_n when_o hear_v with_o humility_n and_o attention_n apply_v themselves_o better_a than_o any_o man_n can_v do_v ans_fw-fr if_o it_o be_v as_o the_o author_n say_v than_o there_o be_v little_a use_n for_o a_o ministry_n in_o the_o world_n and_o at_o most_o a_o read_a ministry_n may_v do_v all_o let_v they_o but_o read_v well_o and_o the_o scripture_n will_v apply_v themselves_o the_o christian_a world_n then_o be_v but_o cheat_v to_o be_v at_o so_o vast_a a_o charge_n for_o maintain_v minister_n only_o to_o read_v 2_o to_o say_v that_o scripture_n apply_v themselves_o without_o any_o adventitous_a help_n or_o assistance_n be_v not_o sound_a the_o author_n shall_v leave_v place_n at_o least_o for_o the_o help_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n without_o which_o scripture_n will_v never_o apply_v themselves_o 3_o the_o author_n here_o dispute_v against_o the_o very_a example_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o in_o apply_v of_o scripture_n not_o be_v of_o his_o mind_n that_o the_o scripture_n will_v apply_v themselves_o 4_o if_o the_o scripture_n apply_v themselves_o how_o be_v it_o then_o that_o the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n who_o can_v be_v say_v to_o want_v humility_n and_o attention_n and_o have_v often_o hear_v the_o scripture_n yet_o continue_v so_o slow_a either_o to_o understand_v or_o believe_v the_o scripture_n they_o can_v never_o find_v the_o scripture_n apply_v themselves_o until_o christ_n open_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o understanding_n page_n 95._o it_o ought_v therefore_o to_o be_v our_o first_o care_n to_o read_v they_o to_o the_o people_n often_o and_o solemn_o that_o they_o may_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o they_o and_o then_o one_o word_n of_o application_n may_v do_v more_o good_a than_o many_o sermon_n ans_fw-fr beside_o all_o the_o scripture_n that_o we_o solemn_o read_v and_o make_v use_n of_o in_o our_o public_a assembly_n wherein_o we_o be_v not_o behind_o with_o our_o neighbour_n i_o say_v beside_o it_o be_v our_o care_n to_o exhort_v our_o people_n to_o diligence_n in_o read_v scripture_n in_o private_a for_o the_o increase_n of_o scripture_n knowledge_n the_o performance_n whereof_o they_o find_v to_o be_v bless_v of_o god_n according_a to_o his_o promise_n wish_v our_o neighbour_n be_v more_o exhort_v to_o the_o same_o duty_n this_o serve_v also_o to_o refel_v the_o calumny_n insinuate_v in_o the_o author_n follow_v word_n say_v that_o our_o not_o read_v look_v like_o a_o design_n on_o the_o people_n and_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o artifices_fw-la of_o romish_a priest_n this_o suggestion_n be_v irrational_a to_o say_v that_o minister_n be_v on_o a_o design_n of_o conceal_v scripture_n who_o exhort_v beseech_v and_o obtest_v the_o people_n to_o diligence_n in_o read_v they_o in_o so_o much_o that_o its_o censurable_a among_o we_o if_o there_o be_v a_o know_v and_o common_a neglecter_n of_o this_o duty_n i_o wish_v these_o word_n psal_n 15._o 3._o be_v daily_o consider_v what_o the_o author_n page_n 96_o 97_o and_o 98_o deliver_v require_v no_o answer_n contain_v no_o new_a argument_n and_o for_o call_v the_o scripture_n a_o dead_a letter_n we_o abhor_v it_o though_o the_o author_n make_v it_o the_o five_o pretence_n against_o read_v page_n 99_o the_o pretence_n be_v that_o a_o child_n may_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o so_o perform_v this_o duty_n ans_fw-fr neither_o do_v we_o make_v this_o a_o pretence_n against_o public_a read_n for_o though_o it_o be_v true_a upon_o the_o matter_n that_o a_o child_n may_v read_v yet_o we_o know_v that_o read_v the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o public_a christian_a 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