Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	dead_a	great_a	open_v	5,672	5	8.2508	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A23752	The lively oracles given to us, or, The Christians birth-right and duty, in the custody and use of the Holy Scripture by the author of The whole duty of man, &c.	Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.; Sterne, Richard, 1596?-1683.; Pakington, Dorothy Coventry, Lady, d. 1679.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.	1678 (1678)	Wing A1149; ESTC R170102	108,974	240

imprimatur_fw-la jo._n nicholas_n vice_n cancel_v oxon._n junii_fw-la 10._o 1678._o the_o lively_a oracle_n give_v to_o we_o or_o the_o christian_n birthright_n and_o duty_n in_o the_o custody_n and_o use_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o the_o author_n of_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n etc._n etc._n search_v the_o scripture_n jo._n 5._o 39_o at_o the_o theater_n in_o oxford_n 1678._o the_o lively_a oracle_n give_v to_o we_o or_o the_o christian_n birthright_n &_o duty_n in_o the_o custody_n &_o use_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o preface_n in_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o tongue_n publish_v by_o i_o heretofore_o i_o have_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n among_o the_o exorbitance_n of_o that_o unruly_a part_n which_o set_v on_o fire_n the_o whole_a course_n of_o nature_n and_o its_o self_n be_v set_v on_o fire_n from_o hell_n jam._n 3._o 6._o of_o the_o impious_a vanity_n prevail_v in_o this_o age_n whereby_o man_n play_v with_o sacred_a thing_n and_o exercise_v their_o wit_n upon_o those_o scripture_n by_o which_o they_o shall_v be_v judge_v at_o the_o last_o day_n joh._n 12._o 48._o but_o that_o holy_a book_n not_o only_o suffer_v by_o the_o petulancy_n of_o the_o tongue_n but_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o heart_n out_o of_o the_o abundance_n whereof_o the_o mouth_n speak_v mat._n 12._o 34._o and_o also_o from_o that_o irreligion_n prepossession_n and_o supiness_n which_o the_o pursuit_n of_o sensual_a pleasure_n certain_o produce_v the_o mischief_n be_v too_o much_o diffuse_v and_o deep_o root_v to_o be_v control_v by_o a_o few_o casual_a reflection_n i_o have_v therefore_o think_v it_o necessary_a both_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o dignity_n and_o importance_n of_o the_o subject_n as_o also_o the_o prevalence_n of_o the_o opposition_n to_o attemt_a a_o profess_a and_o particular_a vindication_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o display_v their_o native_a excellence_n and_o beauty_n and_o enforce_v the_o veneration_n and_o obedience_n that_o be_v to_o be_v pay_v unto_o they_o this_o i_o design_v to_o do_v in_o my_o usual_a method_n by_o a_o address_n to_o the_o affection_n of_o the_o reader_n solicit_v the_o several_a passion_n of_o love_n hope_v fear_v shame_n and_o sorrow_n which_o either_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n in_o his_o sublime_a be_v his_o goodness_n derive_v to_o we_o or_o our_o ingratitude_n return_v to_o he_o can_v actuate_v in_o person_n not_o utter_o obdurate_a but_o where_o as_o man_n when_o they_o have_v learn_v to_o do_v amiss_o quick_o dispute_v and_o dictate_v i_o find_v myself_o concern_v to_o pass_v sometime_o within_o the_o verge_n of_o controversy_n and_o to_o discourse_v upon_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o deduction_n from_o testimony_n which_o in_o the_o most_o important_a transaction_n of_o human_a life_n be_v just_o take_v for_o evidence_n in_o which_o whole_a performance_n i_o have_v study_v to_o avoid_v the_o entanglement_n of_o sophistry_n and_o the_o ambition_n of_o unintelligible_a quotation_n and_o keep_v myself_o within_o the_o reach_n of_o te_fw-fr unlearned_a christian_a reader_n to_o who_o use_n my_o labour_n have_v be_v ever_o dedicate_v all_o that_o i_o require_v be_v that_o man_n will_v bring_v as_o much_o readiness_n to_o entertain_v the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o read_v profane_a author_n i_o be_o ashamed_a to_o say_v as_o they_o do_v to_o the_o incentives_n of_o vice_n and_o folly_n nay_o to_o the_o libel_n and_o invective_n that_o be_v level_v against_o the_o scripture_n if_o i_o obtain_v this_o i_o will_v make_v no_o doubt_n that_o i_o shall_v gain_v a_o far_a point_n that_o from_o the_o perusal_n of_o my_o imperfect_a conception_n the_o reader_n will_v proceed_v to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o there_o taste_n and_o see_v how_o gracious_a the_o lord_n be_v ps._n 34._o 8._o and_o as_o the_o angel_n command_v saint_n john_n rev._n 10._o 9_o eat_v the_o book_n where_o he_o will_v experimental_o find_v the_o word_n of_o david_n verify_v ps._n 19_o 7._o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v a_o undefiled_a law_n convert_v the_o soul_n the_o testimony_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v sure_a and_o give_v wisdom_n to_o the_o simple_a the_o statute_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v right_a and_o rejoice_v the_o heart_n the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v pure_a and_o give_v light_a to_o the_o eye_n the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v clean_a and_o endure_v for_o ever_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v true_a and_o righteous_a altogether_o more_o to_o be_v desire_v be_v they_o then_o gold_n yea_o than_o much_o fine_a gold_n sweet_a also_o than_o honey_n and_o the_o hony-comb_n moreover_o by_o they_o be_v thy_o servant_n teach_v and_o in_o keep_v of_o they_o there_o be_v great_a reward_n it_o be_v say_v of_o moses_n ex._n 34._o 29._o that_o have_v receive_v the_o law_n from_o god_n and_o converse_v with_o he_o in_o mount_n sina_n forty_o day_n together_o his_o face_n shine_v and_o have_v a_o brightness_n fix_v upon_o it_o that_o dazzle_a the_o beholder_n a_o pledge_n and_o short_a essay_n not_o only_o of_o the_o appearance_n at_o mount_n tabor_n mat._n 17._o 1._o where_o at_o the_o transfiguration_n he_o again_o be_v see_v in_o glory_n but_o of_o that_o great_a and_o yet_o future_a change_n when_o he_o shall_v see_v indeed_o his_o god_n face_n to_o face_n and_o share_v his_o glory_n unto_o all_o eternity_n the_o same_o divine_a goodness_n give_v still_o his_o law_n to_o every_o one_o of_o we_o let_v we_o receive_v it_o with_o due_a regard_n and_o veneration_n converse_v with_o he_o therein_o instead_o of_o forty_o day_n during_o our_o whole_a life_n and_o so_o anticipate_v and_o certain_o assure_v our_o interest_n in_o that_o great_a transfiguration_n when_o all_o the_o faithful_a shall_v put_v of_o their_o mortal_a flesh_n be_v translate_v from_o glory_n to_o glory_n eternal_o behold_v their_o god_n see_v he_o as_o he_o be_v and_o so_o enjoy_v he_o conversation_n have_v every_o where_o a_o assimilate_v power_n we_o be_v general_o such_o as_o be_v the_o man_n and_o book_n and_o business_n that_o we_o deal_v with_o but_o sure_o no_o familiarity_n have_v so_o great_a a_o influence_n on_o life_n and_o manner_n as_o when_o man_n hear_v god_n speak_v to_o they_o in_o his_o word_n that_o word_n which_o the_o apostle_n heb._n 4._o 12._o declare_v to_o be_v quick_a and_o powerful_a sharp_a than_o any_o two-edged_a sword_n pierce_v even_o to_o the_o divide_v asunder_o of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n and_o of_o the_o joint_n and_o marrow_n and_o be_v a_o discerner_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o intent_n of_o the_o heart_n the_o time_n will_v come_v when_o all_o our_o book_n however_o recommend_v for_o subtlety_n of_o discourse_n exactness_n of_o method_n variety_n of_o matter_n or_o eloquence_n of_o language_n when_o all_o our_o curious_a act_n like_o those_o mention_v act._n 19_o 19_o shall_v be_v bring_v forth_o and_o burn_v before_o all_o man_n when_o the_o great_a book_n of_o nature_n and_o heaven_n itself_o shall_v depart_v as_o a_o scroul_n roll_v together_o rev._n 6._o 14._o at_o which_o important_a season_n it_o will_v be_v more_o to_o purpose_n to_o have_v study_v well_o that_o be_v transcribe_v in_o practice_n this_o one_o book_n then_o to_o have_v run_v through_o all_o beside_o for_o then_o the_o dead_a small_a and_o great_a shall_v stand_v before_o god_n and_o the_o book_n shall_v be_v open_v and_o another_o book_n shall_v be_v open_v which_o be_v the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o the_o dead_a shall_v be_v judge_v out_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o book_n according_a to_o their_o work_n rev._n 20._o 12._o in_o vain_a shall_v man_n allege_v the_o want_n of_o due_a conviction_n that_o they_o do_v not_o know_v how_o penal_a it_o will_v be_v to_o disregard_n the_o sanction_n of_o god_n law_n which_o they_o will_v have_v have_v enforce_v by_o immediate_a miracle_n the_o apparition_n of_o one_o send_v from_o the_o other_o world_n who_o may_v testify_v of_o the_o place_n of_o torment_n this_o expectation_n the_o scripture_n charge_v every_o where_o with_o the_o guilt_n of_o temt_a god_n and_o indeed_o it_o real_o involve_v this_o insolent_a proposal_n that_o the_o almighty_a shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o break_v his_o own_o law_n that_o man_n may_v be_v prevail_v with_o to_o keep_v he_o but_o shall_v he_o think_v fit_a to_o comply_v herein_o the_o condescension_n will_v be_v as_o successless_a in_o the_o event_n as_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a in_o the_o offer_n our_o saviour_n assure_v that_o they_o who_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n the_o instruction_n and_o command_n lay_v down_o in_o holy_a scripture_n will_v not_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o any_o other_o method_n will_v not_o be_v persuade_v by_o that_o which_o they_o allow_v for_o irresistible_a conviction_n

own_o interest_n teach_v we_o not_o to_o slight_v the_o word_n of_o any_o of_o these_o who_o can_v so_o much_o to_o our_o cost_n second_v they_o with_o deed_n now_o god_n have_v all_o these_o title_n of_o jurisdiction_n he_o be_v the_o great_a king_n ps._n 48._o 2._o nor_o be_v it_o only_o a_o compliment_n of_o the_o psalmist_n for_o himself_o own_v the_o stile_n i_o be_o a_o great_a king_n mal._n 1._o he_o be_v the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o world_n gen._n 18._o yea_o that_o ancient_n of_o day_n before_o who_o the_o book_n be_v open_v dan._n 7._o 10._o he_o be_v our_o lord_n and_o master_n by_o right_n both_o of_o creation_n and_o redemtion_n and_o this_o christ_n own_v even_o in_o his_o state_n of_o inanition_n yea_o when_o he_o be_v about_o the_o most_o servile_a employment_n the_o wash_v his_o disciple_n foot_n when_o he_o be_v most_o literal_o in_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n yet_o he_o scruple_n not_o to_o assert_v his_o right_n to_o that_o opposite_a title_n you_o call_v i_o master_n and_o lord_n and_o you_o say_v well_o for_o so_o i_o be_o jo._n 13._o nor_o be_v these_o emty_a name_n but_o effective_o attend_v with_o all_o the_o power_n they_o denote_v yet_o so_o stupid_a be_v we_o that_o whilst_o we_o awful_o receive_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o earthly_a superior_n we_o slight_a and_o neglect_v the_o oracle_n of_o that_o god_n who_o be_v king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n of_o lord_n when_o a_o prince_n speak_v we_o be_v apt_a to_o cry_v out_o with_o herod_n flatterer_n the_o voice_n of_o a_o god_n and_o not_o of_o a_o man_n act._n 12._o yet_o when_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n we_o choose_v tot_fw-mi listen_v to_o any_o thing_n else_o rather_o than_o it_o but_o let_v we_o sad_o remember_v that_o notwithstanding_o our_o contemt_n this_o word_n shall_v as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o judge_v we_o at_o the_o last_o day_n jo._n 12._o 38._o 7._o a_o second_o sort_n of_o acquire_v authority_n be_v that_o of_o reputation_n when_o a_o man_n be_v fame_v for_o some_o extraordinary_a excellency_n whether_o moral_a or_o intellectual_a man_n come_v with_o appetite_n to_o his_o discourse_n greedy_o suck_v they_o in_o nor_o need_v such_o a_o one_o bespeak_v attention_n his_o very_a name_n have_v do_v it_o for_o he_o and_o prepossess_v he_o of_o his_o auditor_n regard_n thus_o the_o rabbi_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o philosopher_n among_o the_o greek_n be_v listen_v to_o as_o oracle_n and_o to_o cite_v they_o be_v by_o their_o admire_a disciple_n think_v a_o conclude_a argument_n nay_o under_o christianity_n this_o admiration_n of_o man_n person_n have_v be_v so_o inordinate_a that_o it_o have_v crumble_v religion_n away_o in_o little_a insignificant_a party_n whilst_o not_o only_a paul_n apollo_n or_o cephas_n but_o name_n infinite_o inferior_a have_v become_v the_o distinctive_a character_n of_o sect_n and_o separate_a communion_n so_o easy_o alas_o be_v we_o charm_v by_o our_o prepossession_n and_o with_o itch_a ear_n run_v in_o quest_n of_o those_o doctrine_n which_o the_o fame_n of_o their_o author_n rather_o than_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n commend_v to_o we_o 8._o and_o have_v god_n do_v nothing_o to_o get_v he_o a_o repute_n among_o we_o have_v he_o no_o excellency_n to_o deserve_v our_o esteem_n be_v he_o not_o worthy_a to_o prescribe_v to_o his_o own_o creature_n if_o we_o think_v yes_o why_o be_v he_o the_o only_a person_n to_o be_v disregard_v or_o why_o do_v we_o so_o unreasonable_o depart_v from_o our_o own_o humour_n as_o not_o to_o give_v his_o word_n a_o reverence_n proportionable_a to_o that_o we_o pretend_v for_o he_o nay_o which_o we_o actual_o pay_v to_o man_n of_o like_a passion_n with_o ourselves_o a_o contemt_fw-mi so_o absurd_a as_o well_o as_o impious_a that_o we_o have_v not_o the_o example_n of_o any_o the_o most_o barbarous_a people_n to_o countenance_v we_o for_o though_o some_o of_o they_o have_v make_v very_o wild_a mistake_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o deity_n yet_o they_o have_v all_o agree_v in_o this_o common_a principle_n that_o whatever_o those_o deity_n say_v be_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o all_o possible_a veneration_n yea_o such_o a_o deference_n give_v they_o to_o all_o signification_n of_o the_o divine_a will_n that_o as_o they_o will_v undertake_v no_o great_a enterprise_n without_o consult_v their_o augury_n so_o upon_o any_o inauspicious_a sign_n they_o relinquish_v their_o attemt_n and_o certain_o if_o we_o have_v the_o same_o reverence_n for_o the_o true_a god_n which_o they_o have_v for_o the_o false_a we_o shall_v as_o frequent_o consult_v he_o we_o may_v do_v it_o with_o much_o more_o ease_n and_o certainty_n we_o need_v not_o trust_v to_o the_o entrail_n of_o beast_n or_o motion_n of_o bird_n we_o need_v not_o go_v to_o delphos_n or_o the_o lybian_a hammon_n for_o the_o resolve_v our_o doubt_n but_o what_o moses_n say_v to_o israel_n be_v very_o applicable_a to_o we_o the_o word_n be_v nigh_o thou_o deut._n 30._o 14._o that_o word_n which_o david_n make_v his_o counsellor_n psal._n 119._o 24._o his_o comforter_n ver_fw-la 50._o his_o treasure_n ver_fw-la 72._o his_o study_n ver_fw-la 99_o and_o have_v we_o those_o awful_a apprehension_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v we_o shall_v pay_v the_o like_a reverence_n to_o his_o word_n do_v we_o well_o ponder_v how_o many_o title_n of_o authority_n he_o have_v over_o we_o we_o shall_v sure_o be_v ashamed_a to_o deny_v that_o respect_n to_o he_o in_o who_o they_o all_o conspire_v which_o we_o dare_v not_o deny_v to_o they_o separately_z in_o human_a superior_n 9_o a_o second_o motive_n to_o esteem_v man_n word_n be_v the_o kindness_n of_o the_o speaker_n this_o have_v such_o a_o fascinate_a power_n as_o nothing_o but_o extreme_a ill_a nature_n can_v resist_v when_o a_o man_n be_v assure_v of_o the_o kindness_n of_o he_o that_o speak_v whatever_o be_v speak_v be_v take_v in_o good_a part_n this_o be_v it_o that_o distinguish_v the_o admonition_n of_o a_o friend_n from_o the_o reproach_n of_o a_o enemy_n and_o we_o daily_a in_o common_a conversation_n receive_v those_o thing_n with_o contentment_n and_o applause_n from_o a_o intimate_a and_o familiar_a which_o if_o speak_v by_o a_o stranger_n or_o enemy_n will_v be_v despise_v or_o stomach_v so_o insinuate_v a_o thing_n be_v kindness_n that_o where_o it_o have_v once_o get_v itself_o believe_v nothing_o it_o say_v after_o be_v dispute_v it_o supple_v the_o mind_n and_o make_v it_o ductile_a and_o pliant_a to_o any_o impression_n 10._o but_o what_o human_a kindness_n be_v there_o that_o can_v come_v in_o any_o competition_n with_o the_o divine_a it_o surpass_v that_o of_o the_o near_a and_o dear_a relation_n mother_n may_v forget_v yet_o will_v i_o not_o forget_v thou_o isa._n 49._o 15._o and_o the_o psalmist_n find_v it_o experimental_o true_a when_o my_o father_n and_o my_o mother_n forsake_v i_o the_o lord_n take_v i_o up_o ps._n 27._o 10._o the_o tender_a bowel_n compare_v to_o his_o be_v adamant_n and_o flint_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o most_o proper_a epithet_n the_o wise_a man_n give_v he_o o_o lord_n thou_o lover_n of_o soul_n wis._n 11._o 26._o nor_o be_v this_o affection_n mere_o mental_a but_o it_o atte_v itself_o by_o innumerable_a effect_n the_o effect_n of_o love_n be_v all_o reducible_a to_o two_o head_n do_v and_o suffer_v and_o by_o both_o these_o god_n have_v most_o eminent_o attest_v his_o love_n to_o we_o 11._o for_o the_o first_o we_o can_v look_v either_o on_o our_o body_n or_o our_o soul_n on_o the_o whole_a universe_n about_o we_o or_o that_o better_a world_n above_o we_o but_o we_o shall_v in_o each_o see_v the_o lord_n have_v do_v great_a thing_n for_o we_o psal._n 114._o nay_o not_o only_o our_o enjoiment_n but_o even_o the_o capacity_n to_o enjoy_v be_v his_o bounty_n have_v not_o he_o draw_v mankind_n out_o of_o his_o original_a clay_n what_o have_v we_o be_v concern_v in_o all_o the_o other_o work_v of_o his_o creation_n so_o that_o if_o we_o put_v any_o value_n either_o upon_o what_o we_o have_v or_o what_o we_o be_v we_o can_v but_o account_v ourselves_o so_o much_o indebt_v to_o this_o his_o active_a love_n and_o though_o the_o passive_a be_v not_o practicable_a by_o the_o divine_a nature_n simple_o and_o apart_o yet_o that_o we_o may_v not_o want_v all_o imaginable_a evidence_n of_o his_o love_n he_o who_o be_v god_n bless_v for_o ever_o link_v his_o impassable_a to_o ●ur_n passable_a nature_n assume_v our_o humanity_n that_o he_o may_v espouse_v our_o sorrow_n and_o be_v ●orn_v on_o purpose_n that_o he_o may_v die_v for_o we_o so_o that_o sure_o we_o may_v say_v in_o his_o own_o word_n great_a love_n than_o this_o have_v no_o man_n jo._n 15_o 13._o 12._o and_o now_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a

mank_v with_o the_o particular_n wherein_o that_o obedience_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v this_o sure_a be_v so_o disagreeable_a to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n that_o it_o can_v be_v charge_v upon_o his_o will_n and_o consequent_o they_o who_o own_v not_o that_o he_o have_v make_v any_o such_o revelation_n must_v tacit_o tax_v he_o of_o impotence_n that_o he_o can_v not_o do_v it_o but_o if_o any_o man_n will_v say_v he_o have_v and_o yet_o reject_v all_o this_o which_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n receive_v as_o such_o let_v he_o produce_v his_o testimony_n for_o the_o other_o or_o rather_o to_o retort_v his_o own_o measure_n his_o demonstration_n and_o then_o let_v it_o appear_v whether_o his_o scheme_n of_o doctrine_n or_o we_o will_v need_v the_o great_a aid_n of_o that_o easy_a credulity_n he_o reproach_n we_o with_o 64._o i_o have_v now_o go_v through_o the_o method_n i_o propose_v for_o evince_v the_o divine_a original_a of_o the_o scripture_n and_o shall_v not_o descend_v to_o examine_v those_o more_o minute_n and_o particular_a cavil_n which_o profane_a man_n make_v against_o they_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o virtual_o supersede_v all_o those_o for_o if_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o must_v be_v reasonable_a also_o to_o believe_v it_o of_o perfection_n proportionable_a to_o the_o author_n and_o then_o certain_o it_o must_v be_v advance_v beyond_o all_o our_o objection_n for_o to_o those_o who_o except_o to_o the_o stile_n the_o incoherence_n the_o contradiction_n or_o whatever_o else_o in_o scripture_n i_o shall_v only_o ask_v this_o one_o question_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o much_o more_o possible_a that_o they_o who_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v nothing_o above_o fallible_a man_n may_v misjudg_v then_o that_o the_o infallible_a god_n shall_v dictate_v any_o thing_n just_o liable_a to_o those_o charge_n i_o be_o sure_a they_o must_v depart_v as_o much_o from_o reason_n as_o religion_n to_o affirm_v the_o contrary_n but_o alas_o instead_o of_o this_o implicit_a submission_n to_o god_n word_n man_n take_v up_o explicit_a prejudices_fw-la against_o it_o condemn_v it_o without_o ever_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o allegation_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o a_o write_n of_o such_o antiquity_n who_o original_a language_n have_v idiom_n and_o phrase_n so_o peculiar_a who_o country_n have_v custom_n so_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o judge_n of_o it_o without_o reference_n to_o all_o those_o circumstance_n add_v to_o this_o that_o the_o hebrew_n have_v be_v a_o dead_a language_n for_o well_o nigh_o two_o thousand_o year_n nowhere_o in_o common_a use_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o other_o ancient_a book_n now_o extant_a in_o it_o beside_o those_o yet_o not_o all_o neither_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n 65._o now_o of_o those_o many_o who_o defame_v holy_a writ_n how_o few_o be_v there_o that_o have_v the_o industry_n to_o inquire_v into_o those_o particular_n and_o when_o for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n some_o passage_n seem_v improper_a or_o perhaps_o contradictory_n the_o scripture_n must_v bear_v the_o blame_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o be_v accuse_v as_o absurd_a and_o unintelligible_a because_o themselves_o be_v stupid_a and_o negligent_a it_o be_v therefore_o methinks_v but_o a_o reasonable_a proposal_n that_o no_o man_n shall_v arraign_v it_o till_o they_o have_v use_v all_o honest_a diligence_n take_v in_o all_o probable_a help_n for_o the_o understanding_n it_o and_o if_o this_o may_v be_v obtain_v i_o believe_v most_o of_o its_o accuser_n will_v like_v those_o of_o the_o woman_n in_o the_o gospel_n jo._n 8._o 9_o drop_n away_o as_o conscious_a of_o their_o own_o incompetency_n the_o loud_a out-cry_n that_o be_v make_v against_o it_o be_v common_o of_o those_o who_o fall_v upon_o it_o only_o as_o a_o fashionable_a theme_n of_o discourse_n and_o hope_v to_o acquire_v themselves_o the_o reputation_n of_o wit_n by_o thus_o charge_v god_n foolish_o but_o he_o that_o will_v candid_o and_o upright_o endeavour_v to_o comprehend_v before_o he_o judge_n and_o to_o that_o end_n industrious_o use_v those_o mean_n which_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n by_o the_o labour_n of_o pious_a man_n have_v afford_v he_o will_v certain_o find_v cause_n to_o acquit_v the_o scripture_n of_o those_o imputation_n which_o our_o bold_a critic_n have_v cast_v upon_o it_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o he_o shall_v have_v all_o the_o obscurity_n of_o it_o perfect_o clear_a 〈◊〉_d to_o he_o but_o he_o shall_v have_v so_o many_o of_o they_o as_o be_v for_o his_o real_a advantage_n and_o shall_v discern_v such_o reason_n why_o the_o rest_n remain_v unfathomable_a as_o may_v make_v he_o not_o only_o justify_v but_o celebrate_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o author_n 66._o yet_o this_o be_v to_o be_v expect_v only_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a condition_n viz._n that_o he_o come_v with_o sincere_a and_o honest_a intention_n fo●_n as_o for_o he_o that_o come_v to_o the_o scripture_n with_o design_n and_o wish_n to_o find_v matter_n of_o cavil_n and_o accusation_n there_o be_v little_a doubt_n but_o tha●_n spirit_n of_o impiety_n and_o profaneness_n which_o sen●_n he_o thither_o will_v meet_v he_o there_o as_o a_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n and_o occecation_n that_o prince_n of_o the_o air_n will_v cast_v such_o mist_n raise_v such_o black_a vapour_n that_o as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n shall_v not_o shine_v unto_o he_o 2_o cor._n 4._o 5._o indeed_o be_v such_o a_o man_n leave_v only_o to_o the_o natural_a efficacy_n of_o prejudice_n that_o be_v of_o itself_o so_o blind_a so_o infatuate_a a_o thing_n as_o common_o fortify_v against_o all_o conviction_n we_o see_v it_o in_o all_o the_o common_a instance_n of_o life_n mens_fw-la very_a sense_n be_v often_o enslave_v by_o it_o the_o prepossession_n of_o a_o strong_a fancy_n will_v make_v the_o object_n of_o sight_n or_o hear_n appear_v quite_o different_a from_o what_o they_o be_v but_o in_o the_o present_a case_n when_o this_o shall_v be_v add_v to_o satanical_a illusion_n and_o both_o leave_v to_o their_o operation_n by_o god_n withdraw_a his_o illuminate_a grace_n the_o case_n of_o such_o a_o man_n answer_v that_o description_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o have_v eye_n and_o see_v not_o ear_n have_v they_o and_o hear_v not_o rom._n 11._o 8._o and_o that_o god_n will_v so_o withdraw_v his_o grace_n we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v he_o have_v promise_v it_o only_o to_o the_o meek_a to_o those_o who_o come_v with_o malleable_a ductile_a spirit_n to_o learn_v not_o to_o deride_v or_o cavil_v saint_n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o the_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 15._o and_o if_o god_n permit_v such_o to_o do_v so_o much_o more_o will_v he_o the_o proud_a malicious_a 67._o i_o say_v not_o this_o to_o deter_v any_o from_o the_o study_n of_o holy_a scripture_n but_o only_o to_o caution_n they_o to_o bring_v a_o due_a preparation_n of_o mind_n along_o with_o they_o god_n word_n be_v like_o a_o generous_a sovereign_a medicament_n which_o if_o simple_o and_o regular_o take_v be_v of_o the_o great_a benefit_n but_o if_o mix_v with_o poison_n serve_v only_o to_o make_v that_o more_o fatal_o operative_a to_o conclude_v he_o that_o will_v have_v his_o doubt_n solve_v concern_v scripture_n let_v he_o follow_v the_o method_n our_o bless_a lord_n have_v describe_v let_v he_o do_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o then_o he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n jo._n 7._o 17._o let_v he_o bring_v with_o he_o a_o probity_n of_o mind_n a_o willingness_n to_o assent_v to_o all_o conviction_n he_o shall_v there_o meet_v with_o and_o then_o he_o will_v find_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o assure_v he_o that_o it_o be_v god_n word_n and_o consequent_o to_o be_v receive_v with_o all_o the_o submission_n and_o reverence_n that_o its_o be_v so_o exact_v sect_n iii_o the_o subject_a matter_n treat_v of_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v excellent_a as_o be_v also_o its_o end_n and_o design_n we_o have_v hitherto_o consider_v the_o holy_a scripture_n only_o under_o one_o notion_n as_o it_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o come_v now_o to_o view_v it_o in_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o the_o several_a part_n whereof_o it_o consist_v which_o be_v so_o various_a and_o comprehensive_a as_o show_v the_o whole_a be_v derive_v from_o he_o who_o be_v all_o in_o all_o 1_o cor._n 19_o 28._o but_o that_o we_o may_v not_o speak_v only_o loose_o and_o at_o ●overs_n we_o will_v take_v this_o excellent_a frame_n in_o piece_n and_o consider_v its_o most_o eminent_a part_n distinct_o now_o the_o part_n of_o holy_a writ_n seem_v to_o branch_n themselves_o into_o these_o