god_n have_v by_o his_o own_o choice_n of_o writing_n give_v the_o preference_n to_o it_o nor_o have_v he_o bare_o choose_v it_o but_o have_v make_v it_o the_o standard_n by_o which_o to_o measure_n all_o succeed_a pretence_n it_o be_v the_o mean_n he_o prescribe_v for_o distinguish_v divine_a from_o diabolical_a inspiration_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o word_n there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o isai_n 8.20_o and_o when_o the_o lawyer_n interrogated_a our_o saviour_n what_o he_o shall_v do_v to_o inherit_v eternal_a life_n he_o send_v he_o not_o to_o ransac_fw-mi tradition_n or_o the_o cabalistical_a divinity_n of_o the_o rabbin_n but_o refer_v he_o to_o the_o law_n what_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n how_o read_v thou_o luk._n 10.26_o and_o indeed_o throout_v the_o gospel_n we_o still_o find_v he_o in_o his_o discourse_n appeal_n to_o scripture_n and_o assert_v its_o authority_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n inveigh_v against_o those_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n which_o have_v evacuate_v the_o write_a word_n you_o make_v the_o word_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o your_o tradition_n mat._n 15.6_o which_o as_o it_o abundant_o show_v christ_n adherence_n to_o the_o write_a word_n so_o it_o be_v a_o pregnant_a instance_n how_o possible_a it_o be_v for_o tradition_n to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o make_v the_o instrument_n of_o impose_v man_n fancy_n even_o in_o contradiction_n to_o god_n command_n 31._o and_o since_o our_o bless_a lord_n have_v make_v scripture_n the_o test_n whereby_o to_o try_v tradition_n we_o may_v sure_o acquiesce_v in_o his_o decision_n and_o either_o embrace_n or_o reject_v tradition_n according_a as_o they_o correspond_v to_o the_o supreme_a rule_n the_o write_a word_n it_o must_v therefore_o be_v a_o very_a unwarrantable_a attemt_fw-mi to_o set_v up_o tradition_n in_o competition_n with_o much_o more_o in_o contradiction_n to_o that_o to_o which_o christ_n himself_o have_v subject_v it_o 32._o saint_n paul_n reckon_v it_o as_o the_o principal_a privilege_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o it_o have_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v to_o it_o i.e._n that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v deposit_v and_o put_v in_o its_o custody_n and_o in_o this_o the_o christian_a church_n succeed_v it_o and_o be_v the_o guardian_n and_o conservator_fw-la of_o holy_a writ_n i_o ask_v then_o have_v the_o jewish_a church_n by_o virtue_n of_o its_o be_v keeper_n a_o power_n to_o supersede_n any_o part_n of_o those_o oracle_n entrust_v to_o they_o if_o so_o saint_n paul_n be_v much_o out_o in_o his_o estimate_n and_o aught_o to_o have_v reckon_v that_o as_o their_o high_a privilege_n but_o indeed_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o the_o trust_n imply_v the_o contrary_a and_o beside_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o be_v the_o very_a crime_n christ_n charge_v upon_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o place_n above_o cite_v and_o if_o the_o jewish_a church_n have_v no_o such_o right_a upon_o what_o account_n can_v the_o christian_a claim_n any_o have_v christ_n enlarge_v its_o charter_n have_v he_o leave_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n with_o she_o not_o to_o preserve_v and_o practice_n but_o to_o regulate_v and_o reform_v to_o fill_v up_o its_o vacancy_n and_o supply_v its_o defect_n by_o her_o own_o tradition_n if_o so_o let_v the_o commission_n be_v produce_v but_o if_o her_o office_n be_v only_o that_o of_o guardianship_n and_o trust_n she_o must_v neither_o subtract_v from_o nor_o by_o any_o superaddition_n of_o her_o own_o evacuate_v its_o meaning_n and_o efficacy_n and_o to_o do_v so_o will_v be_v the_o same_o guilt_n that_o it_o will_v be_v in_o a_o person_n entrust_v with_o the_o fundamental_a record_n of_o a_o nation_n to_o foist_v in_o such_o clause_n as_o himself_o please_v 33._o in_o short_a god_n have_v in_o the_o scripture_n lay_v down_o exact_a rule_n for_o our_o belief_n and_o practice_n and_o have_v entrust_v the_o church_n to_o convey_v they_o to_o we_o if_o she_o vary_v or_o any_o way_n enervate_v they_o she_o be_v false_a to_o that_o trust_n but_o can_v by_v it_o oblige_v we_o to_o recede_v from_o that_o rule_n she_o shall_v deliver_v to_o comply_v with_o that_o she_o obtrude_v upon_o we_o the_o case_n may_v be_v illustrate_v by_o a_o easy_a resemblance_n suppose_v a_o king_n have_v a_o foreign_a principality_n for_o which_o he_o compose_v a_o body_n of_o law_n annex_n to_o they_o reward_n and_o penalty_n and_o require_v a_o exact_a and_o indispensable_a conformity_n to_o they_o these_o be_v put_v in_o writing_n he_o send_v by_o a_o select_a messenger_n now_o suppose_v this_o messenger_n deliver_v they_o yet_o say_v withal_o that_o himself_o have_v authority_n from_o the_o king_n to_o supersede_n these_o law_n at_o his_o pleasure_n so_o that_o their_o last_o resort_n must_v be_v to_o his_o dictate_v yet_o produce_v no_o other_o testimony_n but_o his_o own_o bare_a affirmation_n be_v it_o possible_a that_o any_o man_n in_o their_o wit_n shall_v be_v so_o stupid_o credulous_a as_o to_o incur_v the_o penalty_n of_o those_o law_n upon_o so_o improbable_a a_o indemnity_n and_o sure_o it_o will_v be_v no_o whit_n less_o madness_n in_o christian_n to_o violate_v any_o precept_n of_o god_n on_o a_o ungrounded_a supposal_n of_o the_o church_n power_n to_o dispense_v with_o they_o 34._o and_o if_o the_o church_n universal_a have_v not_o this_o power_n nor_o indeed_o ever_o claim_v it_o it_o must_v be_v a_o strange_a insolence_n for_o any_o particular_a church_n to_o pretend_v to_o it_o as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v as_o if_o we_o shall_v owe_v to_o her_o tradition_n all_o our_o scripture_n and_o all_o our_o faith_n insomuch_o that_o without_o the_o supply_n which_o she_o afford_v from_o the_o oracle_n of_o her_o chair_n our_o religion_n be_v imperfect_a and_o our_o salvation_n insecure_a upon_o which_o wild_a dictate_v i_o shall_v take_v liberty_n in_o a_o distinct_a section_n far_o to_o animadvert_v sect_n vi_o the_o suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_a church_n concern_v the_o propriety_n and_o fitness_n which_o the_o scripture_n hat_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o excellent_a end_n against_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o say_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n there_o oppose_v itself_o as_o we_o have_v already_o intimate_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o allow_v it_o to_o be_v only_o a_o imperfect_a rule_n of_o faith_n say_v in_o the_o four_o session_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n that_o christian_a faith_n and_o discipline_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o book_n write_v and_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o in_o the_o four_o rule_n of_o the_o index_n put_v forth_o by_o command_n of_o the_o say_a council_n the_o scripture_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v so_o far_o from_o useful_a that_o its_o read_n be_v pernicious_a if_o permit_v promiscuous_o in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n and_o therefore_o to_o be_v withhold_v insomuch_o that_o the_o study_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n be_v common_o by_o person_n of_o the_o roman_a communion_n impute_v to_o protestant_n as_o part_v of_o their_o heresy_n they_o be_v call_v by_o they_o in_o contemt_a the_o evangelical_n man_n and_o scripturarians_n and_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n of_o any_o nation_n be_v common_o reckon_v among_o prohibit_v book_n and_o as_o such_o public_o burn_v when_o meet_v with_o by_o the_o inquisitor_n and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v find_v with_o it_o or_o to_o read_v therein_o be_v subject_v to_o severe_a penalty_n 2._o for_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o to_o put_v to_o shame_v those_o unhappy_a innovator_n who_o amid_o great_a pretence_n to_o antiquity_n and_o veneration_n to_o the_o scripture_n prevaricat_a from_o both_o i_o think_v it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o show_v plain_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n herein_o and_o that_o in_o as_o few_o word_n as_o the_o matter_n will_v admit_v 3._o first_o i_o premise_v that_o ireneus_fw-la and_o tertullian_n have_v to_o do_v with_o heretic_n who_o boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v emendator_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o wise_a than_o they_o despise_v their_o authority_n reject_v several_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o obtrude_a other_o write_n in_o their_o steed_n have_v have_v recourse_n unto_o tradition_n with_o a_o seem_a preference_n of_o it_o unto_o scripture_n their_o adversary_n have_v no_o common_a principle_n beside_o the_o own_n the_o name_n of_o christian_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o convince_v they_o but_o by_o a_o recourse_n to_o such_o a_o medium_n which_o they_o will_v allow_v but_o these_o father_n be_v to_o set_v down_o and_o establish_v their_o faith_n be_v most_o express_a in_o resolve_v it_o into_o scripture_n and_o when_o they_o recommend_v tradition_n ever_o mean_v such_o as_o be_v also_o apostolical_a 4._o ireneus_fw-la in_o the_o
apostle_n and_o that_o it_o be_v attest_v by_o a_o uninterrupted_a testimony_n of_o all_o the_o intervening_a age_n the_o suffrage_n of_o all_o christian_a church_n from_o that_o day_n to_o this_o and_o sure_o they_o who_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n be_v the_o most_o competent_a witness_n from_o whence_o they_o receive_v it_o 40._o yet_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v all_o thought_n party_n to_o the_o design_n and_o their_o witness_n except_v against_o it_o have_v please_v god_n to_o give_v we_o collateral_a assurance_n and_o make_v both_o jewish_a and_o gentile_a writer_n give_v testimony_n to_o the_o antiquity_n of_o christianity_n josephus_n do_v this_o lib._n 20._o chap._n 8._o and_o lib._n 18._o chap._n 4._o where_o after_o he_o have_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o crucifixion_n of_o christ_n exact_o agree_v with_o the_o evangelist_n he_o conclude_v and_o to_o this_o day_n the_o christian_a people_n who_o of_o he_o borrow_v their_o name_n cease_v not_o to_o increase_v i_o add_v not_o the_o personal_a elogium_fw-la which_o he_o give_v of_o our_o saviour_n because_o some_o be_v so_o hardy_a to_o control_v it_o also_o i_o pass_v what_o philo_n mention_n of_o the_o religious_a in_o egypt_n because_o several_a learned_a man_n refer_v it_o to_o the_o essen_v a_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n or_o some_o other_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n of_o what_o tacitus_n and_o other_o roman_a historian_n speak_v of_o christ_n as_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o have_v do_v if_o there_o have_v then_o be_v no_o such_o doctrine_n or_o if_o christ_n have_v not_o be_v know_v as_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o so_o afterward_o pliny_n give_v the_o emperor_n trajan_n a_o account_n both_o of_o the_o manner_n and_o multitude_n of_o the_o christian_n and_o make_v the_o innocence_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o other_o a_o argument_n to_o slacken_v the_o persecution_n against_o they_o nay_o the_o very_a bloody_a edict_n of_o the_o persecute_v emperor_n &_o the_o scoff_v and_o reproach_n of_o celsus_n porphyri_fw-la lucian_n and_o other_o profane_a opposer_n of_o this_o doctrine_n do_v undeniable_o assert_v its_o be_v by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o christianity_n have_v in_o those_o age_n not_o only_o a_o be_v but_o have_v also_o obtain_v mighty_o in_o the_o world_n and_o draw_v in_o vast_a number_n to_o its_o profession_n and_o vast_a indeed_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o furnish_v out_o that_o whole_a army_n of_o martyr_n of_o which_o profane_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastic_a writer_n speak_v and_o if_o all_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o evince_v that_o christianity_n steal_v not_o clancular_o into_o the_o world_n but_o take_v its_o rise_n from_o those_o time_n and_o person_n it_o pretend_v we_o must_v renounce_v all_o faith_n of_o testimony_n and_o not_o believe_v a_o inch_n far_o than_o we_o see_v 41._o i_o suppose_v i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o to_o show_v that_o the_o gospel_n and_o all_o those_o portentous_a miracle_n which_o attest_v it_o be_v no_o forgery_n or_o stratagem_n of_o man_n i_o come_v now_o to_o that_o doubt_n which_o more_o immediate_o concern_v the_o holy_a scripture_n viz._n whether_o all_o those_o transaction_n be_v so_o faithful_o relate_v there_o that_o we_o may_v believe_v they_o to_o have_v be_v dictate_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n now_o for_o this_o the_o process_n need_v be_v but_o short_a if_o we_o consider_v who_o be_v the_o penman_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n even_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o matthew_n and_o john_n who_o write_v two_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v certain_o so_o and_o mark_v as_o all_o the_o ancient_n aver_v be_v but_o the_o amanuensis_fw-la to_o saint_n peter_n who_o dictate_v that_o gospel_n saint_n luke_n indeed_o come_v not_o under_o this_o first_o rank_n of_o apostle_n yet_o be_v by_o some_o affirm_v to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o seventy_o disciple_n however_o a_o apostolical_a person_n it_o be_v certain_a he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n for_o such_o to_o be_v inspire_v for_o in_o those_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n man_n act_v more_o by_o immediate_a inflation_n of_o the_o spirit_n then_o since_o and_o according_o we_o find_v stephen_n though_o but_o a_o deacon_n have_v the_o power_n of_o miracle_n and_o preach_v as_o divine_o as_o the_o prime_a apostle_n act._n 7._o and_o the_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v then_o a_o usual_a concomitant_a of_o conversion_n as_o appear_v in_o the_o story_n of_o cornelius_n act_v 10.45_o 46._o beside_o saint_n luke_n be_v a_o constant_a attendant_n on_o saint_n paul_n who_o derive_v the_o faith_n not_o from_o man_n but_o by_o the_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n as_o himself_o profess_v gal._n 1.12_o and_o be_v by_o some_o say_v to_o have_v write_v by_o dictat_fw-la from_o he_o as_o mark_n do_v from_o saint_n peter_n then_o as_o to_o the_o epistle_n they_o all_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o apostle_n except_o that_o to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o yet_o be_v upon_o very_o good_a ground_n presume_v to_o be_v saint_n paul_n now_o these_o be_v the_o person_n commissionated_a by_o christ_n to_o preach_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o be_v signal_o assist_v in_o the_o discharge_n of_o that_o office_n so_o that_o as_o he_o tell_v they_o it_o be_v not_o they_o who_o speak_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o father_n that_o speak_v in_o they_o mat._n 13.11_o and_o if_o they_o speak_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n there_o can_v be_v no_o question_n that_o they_o write_v so_o also_o nay_o indeed_o of_o the_o two_o it_o seem_v more_o necessary_a they_o shall_v do_v the_o late_a for_o have_v they_o err_v in_o any_o thing_n they_o oral_o deliver_v they_o may_v have_v retract_v and_o cure_v the_o mischief_n but_o these_o book_n be_v design_v as_o a_o stand_a immutable_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n to_o all_o succession_n any_o error_n in_o they_o will_v have_v be_v irreparable_a and_o have_v entail_v itself_o upon_o posterity_n which_o agree_v neither_o with_o the_o truth_n nor_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o permit_v 42._o now_o that_o these_o book_n be_v indeed_o write_v by_o they_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v we_o have_v as_o much_o assurance_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v of_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o that_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o for_o however_o some_o of_o they_o may_v have_v be_v controvert_v yet_o the_o great_a part_n have_v admit_v no_o dispute_n who_o doctrine_n agree_v exact_o with_o the_o other_o give_v testimony_n to_o they_o and_o to_o the_o bulk_n of_o those_o write_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o first_o christian_n receive_v they_o from_o the_o apostle_n and_o so_o transmit_v they_o to_o the_o ensue_a age_n which_o receive_v they_o with_o the_o like_a esteem_n and_o veneration_n they_o can_v be_v corrupt_v say_v saint_n austin_n in_o the_o thirty_o second_o book_n against_o faustus_n the_o manich._n c._n 16._o because_o they_o be_v and_o have_v be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o all_o christian_n and_o whosoever_o shall_v first_o attemt_fw-mi a_o alteration_n he_o will_v be_v confute_v by_o the_o inspection_n of_o other_o ancient_a copy_n beside_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o in_o some_o one_o language_n but_o translate_v into_o many_o so_o that_o the_o fault_n of_o one_o book_n will_v be_v correct_v by_o other_o more_o ancient_a or_o in_o a_o different_a tongue_n 43._o and_o how_o much_o the_o body_n of_o christian_n be_v in_o earnest_n concern_v to_o take_v care_n in_o this_o matter_n appear_v by_o very_o costly_a evidence_n multitude_n of_o they_o choose_v rather_o to_o part_n with_o their_o life_n then_o their_o bibles_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n that_o their_o reverence_n of_o that_o book_n be_v very_o avow_v and_o manifest_a when_o their_o heathen_a persecuter_n make_v that_o one_o part_n of_o their_o persecution_n so_o that_o as_o wherever_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v receive_v this_o book_n be_v also_o under_o the_o notion_n we_o now_o plead_v for_o viz._n as_o the_o write_n of_o man_n inspire_v by_o god_n so_o it_o be_v also_o contend_v for_o even_o unto_o death_n and_o to_o part_v with_o the_o bible_n be_v to_o renounce_v the_o faith_n and_o now_o after_o such_o a_o cloud_n of_o testimony_n we_o may_v sure_o take_v up_o that_o ill-applied_n say_v of_o the_o high_a priest_n mat._n 26.65_o what_o far_a need_n have_v we_o of_o witness_n 44._o yet_o beside_o these_o another_o sort_n of_o witness_n there_o be_v i_o mean_v those_o intrinsic_n evidence_n which_o arise_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o of_o these_o i_o think_v not_o proper_a here_o to_o insist_v partly_o because_o the_o subject_n will_v be_v in_o a_o great_a degree_n coincident_a with_o that_o of_o the_o second_o general_a
consideration_n and_o partly_o because_o these_o can_v be_v argumentative_a to_o none_o who_o be_v not_o qualify_v to_o discern_v they_o let_v those_o who_o doubt_v the_o divine_a original_a of_o scripture_n well_o digest_v the_o former_a ground_n which_o be_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o reason_n and_o when_o by_o those_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o read_v it_o with_o due_a reverence_n they_o will_v not_o want_v argument_n from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o to_o confirm_v their_o veneration_n of_o it_o 45._o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o evince_v how_o proper_a the_o former_a discourse_n be_v to_o find_v a_o rational_a belief_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n i_o shall_v compare_v it_o with_o those_o mesure_n of_o credibilty_a upon_o which_o all_o human_a transaction_n move_v and_o upon_o which_o man_n trust_v their_o great_a concern_v without_o diffidence_n or_o dispute_n 46._o that_o we_o must_v in_o many_o thing_n trust_v the_o report_n of_o other_o be_v so_o necessary_a that_o without_o it_o humane_a society_n can_v subsist_v what_o a_o multitude_n of_o subject_n be_v there_o in_o the_o world_n who_o never_o see_v their_o prince_n nor_o be_v at_o the_o make_n of_o any_o law_n if_o all_o these_o shall_v deny_v their_o obedience_n because_o they_o have_v it_o only_o by_o hear-say_n there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n and_o such_o law_n what_o will_v become_v of_o government_n so_o also_o for_o property_n if_o nothing_o of_o testimony_n may_v be_v admit_v how_o shall_v any_o man_n prove_v his_o right_n to_o any_o thing_n all_o plea_n must_v be_v decide_v by_o the_o sword_n and_o we_o shall_v fall_v into_o that_o state_n which_o some_o have_v fancy_v the_o primitive_a of_o universal_a hostility_n in_o like_a manner_n for_o traffic_n and_o commerce_n how_o shall_v any_o merchant_n first_fw-mi attemt_fw-mi a_o trade_n to_o any_o foreign_a part_n of_o the_o world_n if_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o place_n there_o be_v and_o how_o can_v he_o believe_v that_o but_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o those_o who_o have_v be_v there_o nay_o indeed_o how_o can_v any_o man_n first_o attemt_a to_o go_v but_o to_o the_o next_o market_n town_n if_o he_o do_v not_o from_o the_o report_n of_o other_o conclude_v that_o such_o a_o one_o there_o be_v so_o that_o if_o this_o universal_a diffidence_n shall_v prevail_v every_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o kind_n of_o plantagnus_fw-la fix_v to_o the_o soil_n he_o first_o spring_v up_o in_o the_o absurdity_n be_v indeed_o so_o infinite_a and_o so_o obvious_a that_o i_o need_v not_o dilate_v upon_o they_o 47._o but_o it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v say_v that_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v tell_v we_o by_o our_o contemporary_n and_o that_o relate_v to_o our_o own_o time_n man_n will_v be_v less_o apt_a to_o deceive_v we_o because_o they_o know_v it_o be_v in_o our_o power_n to_o examine_v and_o discover_v the_o truth_n to_o this_o i_o may_v say_v that_o in_o many_o instance_n it_o will_v scarce_o quit_v cost_v to_o do_v so_o and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o trial_n will_v exceed_v those_o of_o belief_n but_o i_o shall_v willing_o admit_v this_o probable_a argument_n and_o only_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o our_o main_a question_n by_o consider_v whether_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o receive_v the_o scripture_n as_o divine_v have_v not_o the_o same_o security_n of_o not_o be_v deceive_v who_o have_v as_o great_a opportunity_n of_o examine_v and_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o do_v it_o throly_a since_o they_o be_v to_o engage_v not_o only_o their_o future_a hope_n in_o another_o world_n but_o that_o which_o to_o nature_n be_v much_o more_o sensible_a all_o their_o present_a enjoiment_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o upon_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 48._o but_o because_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o we_o who_o be_v so_o many_o age_n remove_v from_o they_o have_v not_o their_o mean_n of_o assurance_n let_v we_o in_o the_o next_o place_n consider_v whether_o a_o assent_n to_o those_o testimony_n they_o have_v leave_v behind_o they_o be_v not_o warrant_v by_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o mankind_n in_o other_o case_n who_o be_v there_o that_o question_n there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o william_n the_o conqueror_n in_o this_o island_n or_o to_o lay_v the_o scene_n far_o who_o doubt_v there_o be_v a_o alexander_n a_o julius_n caesar_n a_o augustus_n now_o what_o have_v we_o to_o found_v this_o confidence_n on_o beside_o the_o faith_n of_o history_n and_o i_o presume_v even_o those_o who_o exact_v the_o severe_a demonstration_n for_o ecclesiastic_a story_n will_v think_v he_o a_o very_a impertinent_a sceptic_a that_o shall_v do_v the_o like_a in_o these_o so_o also_o as_o to_o the_o author_n of_o book_n who_o dispute_v whether_o homer_n write_v the_o iliad_n or_o virgil_n the_o aeneid_n or_o caesar_n the_o commentary_n that_o pass_v under_o their_o name_n yet_o none_o of_o these_o have_v be_v attest_v in_o any_o degree_n like_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v say_v indeed_o that_o caesar_n venture_v his_o own_o life_n to_o save_v his_o commentary_n employ_v one_o hand_n to_o hold_v that_o above_o the_o water_n when_o it_o shall_v have_v assist_v he_o in_o swim_v but_o who_o ever_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o attestation_n of_o that_o or_o any_o human_a composure_n as_o multitude_n of_o man_n have_v do_v for_o the_o bible_n 49._o but_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o the_o small_a concern_v man_n have_v who_o write_v these_o or_o other_o the_o like_a book_n incline_v they_o to_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o common_a opinion_n to_o this_o i_o must_v say_v that_o many_o thing_n inconsiderable_a to_o mankind_n have_v oft_o be_v very_o laborious_o discuss_v as_o appear_v by_o many_o unedifying_a volume_n both_o of_o philosopher_n and_o schoolman_n but_o whatever_o may_v be_v say_v in_o this_o instance_n it_o be_v manifest_a there_o be_v other_o wherein_o man_n real_a and_o great_a interest_n be_v entrust_v to_o the_o testimony_n of_o former_a age_n for_o example_n a_o man_n possess_v a_o estate_n which_o be_v buy_v by_o his_o great_a grandfather_n or_o perhaps_o elder_a progenitor_n he_o chary_o preserve_v that_o deed_n of_o purchase_n and_o never_o look_v for_o far_a security_n of_o his_o title_n yet_o alas_o at_o the_o rate_n that_o man_n object_n against_o the_o bible_n what_o numberless_a cavil_n may_v be_v raise_v against_o such_o a_o deed_n how_o shall_v it_o be_v know_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o either_o seller_n or_o purchaser_n if_o by_o the_o witness_n they_o be_v as_o liable_a to_o doubt_v as_o the_o other_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o forge_v the_o attestation_n as_o the_o main_a writing_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o these_o possible_a deceit_n nothing_o but_o a_o positive_a proof_n of_o forgery_n can_v invalidate_v this_o deed_n let_v but_o the_o scripture_n have_v the_o same_o measure_n be_v allow_v to_o stand_v in_o force_n to_o be_v what_o it_o pretend_v to_o be_v till_o the_o contrary_n be_v not_o by_o surmise_n and_o possible_a conjecture_n but_o by_o evident_a proof_n evince_v and_o its_o great_a advocat_n will_v ask_v no_o more_o 50._o a_o like_a instance_n may_v be_v give_v in_o public_a concern_v the_o immunity_n and_o right_n of_o any_o nation_n particular_o here_o of_o our_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la grant_v many_o age_n since_o and_o deposit_v among_o the_o public_a record_n to_o make_v this_o signify_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v take_v for_o grant_v that_o this_o be_v without_o falsification_n preserve_v to_o our_o time_n yet_o how_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o suggest_v that_o in_o so_o long_a a_o succession_n of_o its_o keeper_n some_o may_v have_v be_v prevail_v on_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o prince_n to_o abridge_v and_o curtail_v its_o concession_n other_o by_o a_o prevail_a faction_n of_o the_o people_n to_o amplify_v and_o extend_v it_o nay_o if_o man_n be_v as_o great_a sceptic_n in_o law_n as_o they_o be_v in_o divinity_n they_o may_v exact_v demonstration_n that_o the_o whole_a thing_n be_v not_o a_o forgery_n yet_o for_o all_o these_o possible_a surmise_n we_o still_o build_v upon_o it_o and_o shall_v think_v he_o argue_v very_o fallacious_o that_o shall_v go_v to_o evacuate_v it_o upon_o the_o force_n of_o such_o remote_a supposition_n 51._o now_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v whether_o our_o security_n concern_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o as_o great_a nay_o great_a than_o it_o can_v be_v of_o this_o for_o first_o this_o be_v a_o concern_v only_o of_o a_o particular_a nation_n and_o so_o can_v expect_v no_o foreign_a attestation_n and_o second_o it_o have_v all_o along_o rest_v on_o the_o fidelity_n of_o its_o keeper_n which_o have_v either_o be_v a_o single_a person_n or_o at_o best_a some_o small_a number_n at_o a_o time_n whereas_o the_o scripture_n
9_o 2_o cor._n 4.11_o who_o in_o his_o first_o homily_n on_o saint_n mat._n far_a declare_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v easy_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o expose_v to_o vulgar_a capacity_n 13._o he_o say_v again_o hom_o upon_o isaiah_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o metal_n that_o require_v the_o help_n of_o miner_n but_o afford_v a_o treasure_n easy_o to_o be_v bad_a to_o they_o that_o seek_v the_o riches_n contain_v in_o they_o it_o be_v enough_o only_a to_o stoop_v down_o and_o look_v upon_o they_o and_o depart_v replenish_v with_o wealth_n it_o be_v enough_o only_a to_o open_v they_o and_o behold_v the_o splendour_n of_o those_o gem_n again_o hom._n 3._o on_o the_o second_o ep._n to_o the_o thess_n 2._o all_o thing_n be_v evident_a and_o strait_a which_o be_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whatever_o be_v necessary_a be_v manifest_a so_o also_o hom._n 3._o on_o gen._n 14._o it_o can_v be_v that_o he_o who_o be_v studious_a in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n shall_v be_v reject_v for_o though_o the_o instruction_n of_o man_n be_v want_v the_o lord_n from_o above_o will_v enlighten_v our_o mind_n shine_v in_o upon_o our_o reason_n revele_v what_o be_v secret_a and_o teach_v what_o we_o do_v not_o know_v so_o hom._n 1._o on_o jo._n 11._o almighty_a god_n involve_v his_o doctrine_n with_o no_o mist_n and_o darkness_n as_o do_v the_o philosopher_n his_o doctrine_n be_v bright_a than_o the_o sunbeam_n and_o more_o illustrious_a and_o therefore_o every_o where_o diffuse_v and_o hom._n 6._o on_o jo._n 11._o his_o doctrine_n be_v so_o facile_a that_o not_o only_o the_o wise_a but_o even_o woman_n and_o youth_n must_v comprehend_v it_o hom._n 13._o on_o gen._n 2._o let_v we_o go_v to_o the_o scripture_n as_o our_o mark_n which_o be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n and_o soon_o after_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n interpret_v itself_o and_o suffer_v not_o its_o auditor_n to_o err_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n say_v cyril_n in_o his_o three_o book_n against_o julian_n in_o the_o scripture_n nothing_o be_v difficult_a to_o they_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o they_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v 14._o it_o be_v therefore_o a_o groundless_a cavil_n which_o man_n make_v at_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n since_o it_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v our_o common_a interest_n it_o shall_v be_v plain_a which_o sufficient_o justify_v its_o propriety_n to_o that_o great_a end_n of_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o seem_v less_o intelligible_a to_o we_o many_o of_o they_o become_v so_o not_o by_o the_o innate_a obscurity_n of_o the_o text_n but_o by_o extrinsic_n circumstance_n of_o which_o perhaps_o the_o overbusy_a tamper_n of_o paraphrast_n please_v with_o new_a notion_n of_o their_o own_o may_v be_v reckon_v for_o one_o but_o this_o subject_a the_o reader_n may_v find_v so_o well_o pursue_v in_o mr._n boil_v tract_n concern_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n that_o i_o shall_v be_v kind_a both_o to_o he_o and_o it_o to_o refer_v he_o thither_o as_o also_o for_o answer_v to_o those_o other_o querulous_a objection_n which_o man_n gall_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v make_v to_o its_o stile_n 15._o a_o three_o circumstance_n in_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v to_o attain_v its_o end_n be_v its_o be_v commit_v to_o writing_n as_o that_o be_v distinguish_v from_o oral_a delivery_n it_o be_v most_o true_a the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n and_o efficacy_n which_o way_n soever_o it_o be_v deliver_v the_o sermon_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v every_o jot_n as_o divine_a and_o powerful_a out_o of_o their_o mouth_n as_o they_o be_v now_o in_o their_o story_n all_o the_o advantage_n therefore_o that_o the_o write_a word_n can_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o order_n to_o its_o perpetuity_n as_o it_o be_v a_o secure_a way_n of_o derivation_n to_o posterity_n then_o that_o of_o oral_a tradition_n to_o evince_v that_o it_o be_v so_o i_o shall_v first_o weigh_v the_o rational_a probability_n on_o either_o side_n second_o i_o shall_v consider_v to_o which_o god_n himself_o appear_v in_o scripture_n to_o give_v the_o deference_n 16._o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o i_o shall_v propose_v this_o consideration_n which_o i_o have_v occasion_n to_o intimate_v before_o that_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v for_o the_o universal_a use_n of_o the_o faithful_a it_o be_v as_o universal_o disperse_v among_o they_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o law_n not_o only_o in_o their_o synagogue_n but_o in_o their_o private_a house_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o evangelical_n book_n be_v write_v they_o be_v scatter_v into_o all_o place_n where_o the_o christian_a faith_n have_v obtain_v now_o when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o copy_n and_o those_o so_o revere_v by_o the_o possessor_n that_o they_o think_v it_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o sacrilege_n to_o expose_v they_o it_o must_v sure_o be_v next_o to_o impossible_a entire_o to_o suppress_v that_o book_n beside_o it_o can_v never_o be_v attemt_v but_o by_o some_o eminent_a violence_n as_o it_o be_v by_o the_o heathen_a persecutor_n which_o according_a to_o the_o common_a effect_n of_o opposition_n serve_v to_o enhance_v the_o christian_n value_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o consequent_o when_o the_o storm_n be_v past_a to_o excite_v their_o diligence_n for_o recruit_v the_o number_n so_o that_o unless_o in_o after_o age_n all_o the_o christian_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o once_o make_v a_o voluntary_a defection_n and_o conspire_v to_o eradicate_v their_o religion_n the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v utter_o extinguish_v 17._o and_o that_o which_o secure_v it_o from_o total_a suppression_n do_v in_o a_o great_a degree_n do_v so_o from_o corruption_n and_o falsification_n for_o while_o so_o many_o genuine_a copy_n be_v extant_a in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o be_v appeal_v to_o it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a difficult_a matter_n to_o impose_v a_o spurious_a one_o especial_o if_o the_o change_n be_v so_o material_a as_o to_o awaken_v man_n jealousy_n and_o it_o must_v be_v only_o in_o a_o place_n and_o age_n of_o gross_a ignorance_n that_o any_o can_v be_v dare_v enough_o to_o attemt_fw-mi it_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v happen_v to_o succeed_v in_o such_o a_o particular_a church_n yet_o what_o be_v that_o to_o the_o universal_a and_o to_o think_v to_o have_v the_o forgery_n admit_v there_o be_v as_o a_o learned_a man_n say_v like_v attemt_a to_o poison_v the_o sea_n 18._o on_o the_o other_o side_n oral_a tradition_n seem_v much_o more_o liable_a to_o hazard_n error_n may_v there_o insinuate_v itself_o much_o more_o insensible_o and_o though_o there_o be_v no_o universal_a conspiracy_n to_o admit_v it_o at_o first_o yet_o like_o a_o small_a eruption_n of_o water_n it_o widen_v its_o own_o passage_n till_o it_o cause_v a_o inundation_n there_o be_v no_o impression_n so_o deep_a but_o time_n and_o intervening_a accident_n may_v wear_v out_o of_o man_n mind_n especial_o where_o the_o notion_n be_v many_o and_o be_v found_v not_o in_o nature_n but_o positive_a institution_n as_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v and_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o various_a temper_n of_o man_n it_o will_v not_o be_v strange_a that_o succeed_a age_n will_v not_o always_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o former_a some_o be_v pragmatic_n and_o think_v themselves_o fit_a to_o prescribe_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o their_o posterity_n then_o to_o follow_v that_o of_o their_o ancestor_n some_o have_v interest_n and_o design_n which_o will_v be_v better_o serve_v by_o new_a tenet_n and_o some_o be_v ignorant_a and_o mistake_v and_o may_v unaware_o corrupt_v the_o doctrine_n they_o shall_v bare_o deliver_v and_o of_o this_o last_o sort_n we_o may_v guess_v there_o may_v be_v many_o since_o it_o fall_v common_o to_o the_o mother_n lot_n to_o imbue_v child_n with_o the_o first_o rudiment_n 19_o now_o in_o all_o these_o case_n how_o possible_a be_v it_o that_o primitive_a tradition_n may_v be_v either_o lose_v or_o adulterate_v and_o consequent_o and_o in_o proportion_n to_o that_o possibility_n our_o confidence_n of_o it_o must_v be_v stagger_v i_o be_o sure_a according_a to_o the_o common_a estimate_n in_o secular_o it_o must_v be_v so_o for_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o man_n whether_o he_o be_v not_o apt_a to_o credit_v a_o relation_n which_o come_v from_o a_o eie-witness_n then_o at_o the_o three_o or_o four_o much_o more_o at_o the_o hundred_o rebound_n as_o in_o this_o case_n and_o daily_a experience_n tell_v we_o that_o a_o true_a and_o probable_a story_n by_o pass_v through_o many_o hand_n often_o grow_v to_o a_o improbable_a lie_n this_o man_n think_v he_o can_v add_v one_o become_v circumstance_n that_o man_n another_o and_o whilst_o most_o
man_n take_v the_o liberty_n to_o do_v so_o the_o relation_n grow_v as_o monstrous_a as_o such_o a_o heap_n of_o incoherent_a fancy_n can_v make_v it_o 20._o if_o to_o this_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o happen_v only_o in_o trivial_a secular_a matter_n but_o that_o in_o the_o weighty_a concern_v of_o religion_n mankind_n be_v certain_o more_o serious_a and_o sincere_a i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v very_o improbable_a that_o they_o be_v since_o it_o be_v obvious_a in_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o interest_n of_o religion_n be_v postpone_v to_o every_o little_a worldly_a concern_v and_o therefore_o when_o a_o temporal_a advantage_n require_v the_o bend_n and_o warp_a of_o religion_n there_o will_v never_o be_v want_v some_o that_o will_v attemt_fw-mi it_o 21._o beside_o there_o be_v still_o leave_v in_o human_a nature_n so_o much_o of_o the_o venom_n of_o the_o serpent_n first_o temptation_n that_o though_o man_n can_v be_v as_o god_n yet_o they_o love_v to_o be_v prescribe_v to_o he_o and_o to_o be_v their_o own_o assessor_n as_o to_o that_o worship_n and_o homage_n they_o be_v to_o pay_v he_o 22._o but_o above_o all_o it_o be_v considerable_a that_o in_o this_o case_n satan_n have_v a_o more_o peculiar_a concern_v and_o can_v serve_v himself_o more_o by_o a_o falsification_n here_o then_o in_o temporal_a affair_n for_o if_o he_o can_v but_o corrupt_a religion_n it_o cease_v to_o be_v his_o enemy_n and_o become_v one_o of_o his_o most_o useful_a engine_n as_o sufficient_o appear_v in_o the_o rite_n of_o the_o heathen_a worship_n we_o have_v therefore_o no_o cause_n to_o think_v this_o a_o exempt_a case_n but_o to_o presume_v it_o may_v be_v influence_v by_o the_o same_o pravity_n of_o human_a nature_n which_o prevail_v in_o other_o and_o consequent_o be_v oblige_v to_o bless_v god_n that_o he_o have_v not_o leave_v our_o spiritual_a concern_v to_o such_o hazard_n but_o have_v lodge_v they_o in_o a_o more_o secure_a repository_n the_o write_a word_n 23._o but_o i_o foresee_v it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o whilst_o i_o thus_o disparage_v tradition_n i_o do_v virtual_o invalidate_v the_o scripture_n itself_o which_o come_v to_o we_o upon_o its_o credit_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o since_o god_n have_v with-drawn_a immediate_a revelation_n from_o the_o world_n tradition_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n to_o convey_v to_o we_o the_o first_o notice_n that_o this_o book_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n he_o afford_v we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o depend_v on_o his_o goodness_n that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v that_o to_o be_v evacuate_v to_o we_o and_o that_o how_o liable_a soever_o tradition_n may_v be_v to_o err_v yet_o that_o it_o shall_v not_o actual_o err_v in_o this_o particular_a 24._o but_o in_o the_o second_o place_n this_o tradition_n seem_v not_o so_o liable_a to_o falsification_n as_o other_o it_o be_v so_o very_o short_a and_o simple_a a_o proposition_n such_o and_o such_o write_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o there_o be_v no_o great_a room_n for_o sophistry_n or_o mistake_n to_o pervert_v the_o sense_n the_o only_a possible_a deception_n must_v be_v to_o change_v the_o subject_n and_o obtrude_v supposititious_a write_n in_o room_n of_o the_o true_a under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o this_o have_v already_o appear_v to_o be_v unpracticable_a because_o of_o the_o multitude_n of_o copy_n which_o be_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n by_o which_o such_o a_o attemt_a will_v soon_o have_v be_v detect_v there_o appear_v more_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o more_o necessity_n to_o rely_v upon_o tradition_n in_o this_o then_o in_o most_o other_o particular_n 25._o neither_o yet_o do_v i_o so_o far_o decry_v oral_a tradition_n in_o any_o as_o to_o conclude_v it_o impossible_a it_o shall_v derive_v any_o truth_n to_o posterity_n i_o only_o look_v on_o it_o as_o more_o casual_a and_o consequent_o a_o less_o fit_a conveyance_n of_o the_o most_o important_a and_o necessary_a verity_n than_o the_o write_v word_n in_o which_o i_o conceive_v myself_o justify_v by_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n who_o use_n to_o commit_v those_o thing_n to_o writing_n which_o they_o be_v most_o solicitous_a to_o derive_v to_o posterity_n do_v any_o nation_n trust_v their_o fundamental_a law_n only_o to_o the_o memory_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o take_v no_o other_o course_n to_o transmit_v they_o to_o the_o future_a do_v any_o man_n purchase_v a_o estate_n and_o leave_v no_o way_n for_o his_o child_n to_o lay_v claim_n to_o it_o but_o the_o tradition_n the_o present_a witness_n shall_v leave_v of_o it_o nay_o do_v any_o consider_a man_n ordinary_o make_v any_o important_a pact_n or_o bargain_n though_o without_o relation_n to_o posterity_n without_o put_v the_o article_n in_o writing_n and_o whence_o be_v all_o this_o caution_n but_o from_o a_o universal_a consent_n that_o writing_n be_v the_o sure_a way_n of_o transmit_v 26._o but_o we_o have_v yet_o a_o high_a appeal_n in_o this_o matter_n then_o to_o the_o suffrage_n of_o man_n god_n himself_o seem_v to_o have_v determine_v it_o and_o what_o his_o decision_n be_v it_o be_v our_o next_o business_n to_o inquire_v 27._o and_o first_o he_o have_v give_v the_o most_o real_a and_o comprehensive_a attestation_n to_o this_o way_n of_o writing_n by_o have_v himself_o choose_v it_o for_o he_o be_v too_o wise_a to_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o estimate_n of_o better_a and_o worse_o and_o too_o kind_a to_o choose_v the_o worst_a for_o we_o and_o yet_o he_o have_v choose_v to_o communicate_v himself_o to_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n by_o writing_n and_o have_v sum_v up_o all_o the_o eternal_a concern_v of_o mankind_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n and_o leave_v those_o sacred_a record_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o be_v both_o inform_v and_o govern_v which_o if_o oral_a tradition_n will_v infallible_o have_v do_v have_v be_v utter_o needless_a and_o god_n sure_o be_v not_o so_o prodigal_a of_o his_o spirit_n as_o to_o inspire_v the_o autor_n of_o scripture_n to_o write_v that_o who_o use_n be_v supersede_v by_o a_o former_a more_o certain_a expedient_a 28._o nay_o under_o the_o mosaic_a oeconomy_n when_o he_o make_v use_v of_o other_o way_n of_o revel_v himself_o yet_o to_o perpetuate_v the_o memory_n even_o of_o those_o revelation_n he_o choose_v to_o have_v they_o write_v at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o law_n god_n speak_v then_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-mi and_o with_o that_o pomp_n of_o dreadful_a solemnity_n as_o certain_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v the_o deep_a impression_n yet_o god_n foresee_v that_o through_o every_o succeed_a age_n that_o stamp_n will_v grow_v more_o dim_a and_o in_o a_o long_a revolution_n may_v at_o last_o be_v extinct_a and_o therefore_o how_o warm_a soever_o the_o israelite_n apprehension_n then_o be_v he_o will_v not_o trust_v to_o they_o for_o the_o perpetuate_a his_o law_n but_o commit_v it_o to_o writing_n ex._n 31.18_o nay_o write_v it_o twice_o himself_o 29._o yet_o far_o even_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n though_o not_o intend_v to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a obligation_n be_v not_o yet_o refer_v to_o the_o traditionary_a way_n but_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n and_o deposit_v with_o the_o priest_n deut._n 31.9_o and_o after-event_n show_v this_o be_v no_o needless_a caution_n for_o when_o under_o manasses_n idolatry_n have_v prevail_v in_o jerusalem_n it_o be_v not_o by_o any_o dormant_a tradition_n but_o by_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n find_v in_o the_o temple_n that_o josiah_n be_v both_o excite_a to_o reform_v religion_n and_o instruct_v how_o to_o do_v it_o 2._o king_n 22.10_o and_o have_v not_o that_o or_o some_o other_o copy_n be_v produce_v they_o have_v be_v much_o in_o the_o dark_a as_o to_o the_o particular_n of_o their_o reformation_n which_o that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v convey_v by_o tradition_n appear_v by_o the_o sudden_a startle_v of_o the_o king_n upon_o the_o read_n of_o the_o law_n which_o can_v not_o have_v be_v have_v he_o be_v before_o possess_v with_o the_o content_n of_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n we_o find_v in_o nehemiah_n that_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n be_v recover_v by_o consult_v the_o law_n the_o tradition_n whereof_o be_v whole_o wear_v out_o or_o else_o it_o have_v sure_o be_v impossible_a that_o it_o can_v for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n have_v be_v intermit_v neh._n 8.18_o and_o yet_o man_n memory_n be_v common_o more_o retentive_a of_o a_o external_a visible_a rite_n than_o they_o be_v of_o speculative_a proposition_n or_o moral_a precept_n 30._o these_o instance_n show_v how_o fallible_a a_o expedient_a mere_a oral_a tradition_n be_v for_o transmission_n to_o posterity_n but_o admit_v no_o such_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v argument_n enough_o that_o
second_o book_n 47._o c._n tell_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v perfect_a as_o dictate_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o his_o spirit_n and_o the_o same_o father_n begin_v his_o three_o book_n in_o this_o manner_n the_o disposition_n of_o our_o salvation_n be_v no_o otherwise_o know_v by_o we_o then_o by_o those_o by_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v bring_v to_o we_o which_o indeed_o they_o first_o preach_v but_o afterward_o deliver_v it_o to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o foundation_n and_o pillar_n of_o our_o faith_n nor_o may_v we_o imagine_v that_o they_o begin_v to_o preach_v to_o other_o before_o they_o themselves_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n as_o some_o be_v bold_a to_o say_v boast_v themselves_o to_o be_v emendator_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o after_o our_o lord_n resurrection_n they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n from_o on_o high_a and_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n go_v forth_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n preach_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n and_o celestial_a praise_n unto_o man_n each_o and_o all_o of_o who_o have_v the_o gospel_n of_o god_n so_o saint_n matthew_n write_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o hebrew_n in_o their_o tongue_n saint_n peter_n and_o saint_n paul_n preach_v at_o rome_n and_o there_o found_v a_o church_n mark_v the_o disciple_n and_o interpreter_n of_o peter_n deliver_v in_o write_v what_o he_o have_v preach_v and_o luke_n the_o follower_n of_o paul_n set_v down_o in_o his_o book_n the_o gospel_n he_o have_v deliver_v afterwards_o saint_n john_n at_o ephesus_n in_o asia_n publish_v his_o gospel_n etc._n etc._n in_o his_o four_o book_n c._n 66._o he_o direct_v all_o the_o heretic_n with_o who_o he_o deal_v to_o read_v diligent_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o also_o read_v diligent_o the_o prophet_n assure_v they_o shall_v there_o find_v every_o action_n every_o doctrine_n and_o every_o suffering_n of_o our_o lord_n declare_v by_o they_o 5._o thus_o tertullian_n in_o his_o book_n of_o prescription_n c._n 6._o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o introduce_v any_o thing_n of_o our_o own_o will_n nor_o make_v any_o choice_n upon_o our_o arbitrement_n we_o have_v the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n for_o our_o author_n who_o themselves_o take_v up_o nothing_o on_o their_o own_o will_n or_o choice_n but_o faithful_o impart_v to_o the_o nation_n the_o discipline_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o christ_n so_o that_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v teach_v another_o doctrine_n he_o be_v to_o be_v accurse_v and_o c._n 25._o it_o be_v madness_n say_v he_o of_o the_o heretic_n when_o they_o confess_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v ignorant_a of_o nothing_o nor_o teach_v thing_n different_a to_o think_v that_o they_o do_v not_o revele_v all_o thing_n to_o all_o which_o he_o enforce_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n in_o his_o book_n against_o hermogenes_n c._n 23._o he_o discourse_v thus_o i_o adore_v the_o plenitude_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o discover_v to_o i_o the_o creator_n and_o what_o be_v create_v also_o in_o the_o gospel_n i_o find_v the_o word_n be_v the_o arbiter_n and_o agent_n in_o the_o creation_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v of_o preexistent_a matter_n i_o never_o read_v let_v hermogenes_n and_o his_o journeyman_n show_v that_o it_o be_v write_v if_o it_o be_v not_o write_v let_v he_o fear_v the_o woe_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o that_o add_v or_o detract_v and_o in_o the_o 39_o ch_z of_o his_o prescript_n we_o feed_v our_o faith_n raise_v our_o hope_n and_o establish_v our_o reliance_n with_o the_o sacred_a word_n 6._o in_o like_a manner_n hippolytus_n in_o the_o homily_n against_o noetus_n declare_v that_o we_o acknowledge_v only_o from_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o whereas_o secular_a philosophy_n be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v but_o from_o the_o read_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o philosopher_n so_o whosoever_o of_o we_o will_v preserve_v piety_n towards_o god_n he_o can_v otherwise_o learn_v it_o then_o from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n according_o origen_n in_o the_o five_o homily_n on_o leviticus_n say_v that_o in_o the_o scripture_n every_o word_n appertain_v to_o god_n be_v to_o be_v seek_v and_o discuss_v and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v 7._o what_o saint_n cyprian_n opinion_n be_v in_o this_o point_n we_o learn_v at_o large_a from_o his_o epistle_n to_o pompey_n for_o when_o tradition_n be_v object_v to_o he_o he_o answer_v whence_o be_v this_o tradition_n be_v it_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o gospel_n or_o come_v it_o from_o the_o command_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o epistle_n almighty_a god_n declare_v that_o what_o be_v write_v shall_v be_v obey_v and_o practise_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n say_v he_o in_o joshua_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o thy_o mouth_n but_o thou_o shall_v meditate_v in_o it_o day_n and_o night_n that_o you_o may_v observe_v and_o keep_v all_o that_o be_v write_v therein_o so_o our_o lord_n send_v his_o apostle_n command_v they_o to_o baptize_v all_o nation_n and_o teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v command_v again_o what_o obstinacy_n and_o presumption_n be_v it_o to_o prefer_v human_a tradition_n to_o divine_a command_n not_o consider_v that_o god_n wrath_n be_v kindle_v as_o often_o as_o his_o precept_n be_v dissolve_v and_o neglect_v by_o reason_n of_o human_a tradition_n thus_o god_n warn_v and_o speak_v by_o isaiah_n this_o people_n honour_v i_o with_o their_o lip_n but_o their_o heart_n be_v far_o from_o i_o but_o in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v i_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o commandment_n of_o man_n also_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o gospel_n check_v and_o reprove_v say_v you_o reject_v the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v establish_v your_o tradition_n of_o which_o precept_n the_o apostle_n saint_n paul_n be_v mindful_a admonish_v and_o instruct_v say_v if_o any_o man_n teach_v otherwise_o and_o hearken_v not_o to_o sound_v doctrine_n and_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n he_o be_v proud_a know_v nothing_o from_o such_o we_o must_v depart_v and_o again_o he_o add_v there_o be_v a_o compendious_a way_n for_o religious_a and_o sincere_a mind_n both_o to_o deposit_v their_o error_n and_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n for_o if_o we_o return_v to_o the_o source_n and_o original_n of_o divine_a tradition_n human_a error_n will_v cease_v and_o the_o ground_n of_o heavenly_a mystery_n be_v see_v whatsoever_o be_v hide_v with_o cloud_n and_o darkness_n will_v be_v manifest_a by_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n if_o a_o pipe_n that_o bring_v plentiful_a supply_n of_o water_n fail_v on_o the_o sudden_a do_v not_o man_n look_v to_o the_o fountain_n and_o thence_o learn_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o defect_n whether_o the_o spring_n itself_o be_v dry_a or_o if_o run_v free_o the_o water_n be_v stop_v in_o its_o passage_n that_o if_o by_o interrupt_a or_o break_a conveyance_n it_o be_v hinder_v to_o pass_v they_o be_v repair_v it_o may_v again_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o city_n with_o the_o same_o plenty_n as_o it_o flow_v from_o the_o spring_n and_o this_o god_n priest_n ought_v to_o do_v at_o this_o time_n obey_v the_o command_n of_o god_n that_o if_o truth_n have_v swerve_v or_o fail_v in_o any_o particular_a we_o go_v backward_o to_o the_o source_n of_o the_o evangelical_n and_o apostolical_a tradition_n and_o there_o find_v our_o act_n from_o whence_o their_o order_n and_o origination_n begin_v 8._o it_o be_v true_a bellarmine_n reproach_n this_o discourse_n as_o erroneous_a but_o whatever_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o inference_n which_o saint_n cyprian_a draw_v from_o it_o in_o itself_o it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o saint_n austin_n though_o sufficient_o engage_v against_o saint_n cyprian_n conclusion_n allow_v the_o position_n as_o most_o orthodox_n say_v in_o the_o four_o book_n of_o baptism_n c._n 35._o whereas_o he_o admonish_v to_o go_v back_o to_o the_o fountain_n that_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o thence_o bring_v the_o stream_n down_o to_o our_o time_n it_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o without_o doubt_n to_o be_v do_v 9_o thus_o eusebius_n express_v himself_o in_o his_o second_o book_n against_o sabellius_n as_o it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o sloth_n not_o to_o seek_v into_o those_o thing_n whereof_o one_o may_v inquire_v so_o it_o be_v insolence_n to_o be_v inquisitive_a in_o other_o but_o what_o be_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o ought_v to_o inquire_v into_o even_o those_o which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o there_o to_o be_v find_v let_v we_o not_o seek_v after_o for_o if_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v know_v the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v not_o omit_v they_o in_o the_o scripture_n
10._o athanasius_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o incarnation_n say_v it_o be_v fit_a for_o we_o to_o adhere_v to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o not_o relinquish_v it_o think_v by_o syllogism_n to_o evade_v what_o be_v there_o clear_o deliver_v again_o in_o his_o tract_n to_o serap_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n ask_v not_o say_v he_o concern_v the_o trinity_n but_o learn_v only_o from_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o instruction_n which_o you_o will_v find_v there_o be_v sufficient_a and_o in_o his_o oration_n against_o the_o gentile_n declare_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n 11._o agreeable_a to_o these_o be_v optatus_n in_o his_o 5._o book_n against_o parman_n who_o reason_n thus_o you_o say_v it_o be_v lawful_a to_o rebaptize_v we_o say_v it_o be_v not_o lawful_a betwixt_o your_o say_n and_o our_o gainsaying_n the_o people_n mind_n be_v amuse_v let_v no_o man_n believe_v either_o you_o or_o we_o all_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v contentious_a therefore_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v call_v in_o christian_n they_o can_v be_v for_o they_o will_v be_v party_n and_o thereby_o partial_a therefore_o a_o judge_n be_v to_o be_v look_v out_o from_o abroad_o if_o a_o pagan_a he_o know_v not_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o a_o jew_n he_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o our_o baptism_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o earthly_a judge_n but_o one_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v from_o heaven_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o resort_n to_o heaven_n when_o we_o have_v in_o the_o gospel_n a_o testament_n and_o in_o this_o case_n celestial_a thing_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o earthly_a so_o it_o be_v as_o with_o a_o father_n who_o have_v many_o child_n while_o he_o be_v present_a he_o order_v they_o all_o and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o a_o write_a will_n according_o christ_n when_o he_o be_v present_a upon_o earth_n from_o time_n to_o time_n command_v the_o apostle_n whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a but_o as_o the_o earthly_a father_n find_v himself_o to_o be_v at_o the_o point_n of_o death_n and_o fear_v that_o after_o his_o departure_n his_o child_n shall_v quarrel_v among_o themselves_o he_o call_v witness_n and_o put_v his_o mind_n in_o writing_n and_o if_o any_o difference_n arise_v among_o the_o brethren_n they_o go_v not_o to_o their_o father_n sepulchre_n but_o repair_v to_o his_o will_n and_o testament_n and_o he_o who_o rest_v in_o his_o grave_n speak_v still_o in_o his_o writing_n as_o if_o he_o be_v alive_a our_o lord_n who_o leave_v his_o will_n among_o we_o be_v now_o in_o heaven_n therefore_o let_v we_o seek_v his_o command_n in_o the_o gospel_n as_o in_o his_o will._n 12._o thus_o cyril_n of_o jerus_n cat._n 4._o nothing_o no_o not_o the_o least_o concernment_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v deliver_v without_o the_o holy_a scripture_n believe_v not_o i_o unless_o i_o give_v you_o a_o demonstration_n of_o what_o i_o say_v from_o the_o scripture_n 13._o saint_n basil_n in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n say_v if_o god_n be_v faithful_a in_o all_o his_o say_n his_o word_n and_o work_n they_o remain_v for_o ever_o and_o be_v do_v in_o truth_n and_o equity_n it_o must_v be_v a_o evident_a sign_n of_o infidelity_n and_o pride_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v reject_v what_o be_v write_v and_o introduce_v what_o be_v not_o write_v in_o which_o book_n he_o general_o declare_v that_o he_o will_v write_v nothing_o but_o what_o he_o receive_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o that_o he_o abhor_v from_o take_v it_o elsewhere_o in_o his_o 29._o homily_n against_o the_o antitrinit_a believe_v say_v he_o those_o which_o be_v write_v seek_v not_o those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o eth._n reg_fw-la 26._o every_o word_n and_o action_n ought_v to_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o divine_o inspire_v scripture_n to_o the_o establishment_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o good_a and_o reproof_n of_o the_o wicked_a 14._o saint_n ambrose_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o offic._n say_v how_o can_v we_o make_v use_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o scripture_n and_o in_o his_o instit_n of_o virgin_n i_o read_v he_o be_v the_o first_o but_o read_v not_o he_o be_v the_o second_o let_v they_o who_o say_v he_o be_v second_o show_v it_o from_o the_o read_n 15._o greg._n nyssen_n in_o his_o dial._n of_o the_o soul_n and_o resurrect_v say_v it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o truth_n be_v there_o only_o to_o be_v place_v where_o there_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o scripture_n testimony_n 16._o saint_n jerom_n against_o helvidius_n declare_v as_o we_o deny_v not_o that_o which_o be_v write_v so_o we_o refuse_v those_o which_o be_v not_o write_v and_o in_o his_o comment_n on_o the_o 98._o ps_n every_o thing_n that_o we_o assert_v we_o must_v show_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o word_n of_o he_o that_o speak_v have_v not_o that_o authority_n as_o god_n precept_n and_o on_o the_o 87._o ps_n whatever_o be_v say_v after_o the_o apostle_n let_v it_o be_v cut_v off_o nor_o have_v afterward_o authority_n though_o one_o be_v holy_a after_o the_o apostle_n though_o one_o be_v eloquent_a yet_o have_v he_o not_o authority_n 17._o saint_n austin_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n c._n 12._o acknowledge_v that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v convince_v but_o by_o the_o scripture_n of_o what_o he_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o add_v they_o be_v read_v with_o such_o manifestation_n that_o he_o who_o believe_v they_o must_v confess_v the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v most_o true_a in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n c._n 9_o he_o say_v that_o in_o the_o plain_a place_n of_o scripture_n be_v find_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o concern_v faith_n and_o manner_n and_o in_o epist_n 42._o all_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v exhibit_v heretofore_o as_o don_v to_o mankind_n and_o what_o we_o now_o see_v and_o deliver_v to_o our_o posterity_n the_o scripture_n have_v not_o pass_v they_o in_o silence_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o they_o concern_v the_o search_n or_o defence_n of_o our_o religion_n in_o his_o tract_n of_o the_o good_a of_o widowhood_n he_o say_v to_o julian_n the_o person_n to_o who_o he_o address_v what_o shall_v i_o teach_v you_o more_o than_o that_o we_o read_v in_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n settle_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o doctrine_n that_o we_o think_v not_o any_o thing_n more_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v but_o to_o think_v sober_o as_o god_n have_v deal_v to_o every_o man_n the_o measure_n of_o faith_n therefore_o my_o teach_n be_v only_o to_o expound_v the_o word_n of_o this_o doctor_n ep._n 157._o where_o any_o subject_n be_v obscure_a and_o pass_v our_o comprehension_n and_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o plain_o afford_v its_o help_n there_o human_a conjecture_n be_v presumptuous_a in_o define_v 18._o theophilus_n of_o alex._n in_o his_o second_o paschal_n homily_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v the_o suggestion_n of_o a_o diabolical_a spirit_n to_o think_v that_o any_o thing_n beside_o the_o scripture_n have_v divine_a authority_n and_o in_o his_o three_o he_o add_v that_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n lay_v firm_a foundation_n of_o their_o doctrine_n 19_o chrysostom_n in_o his_o three_o homily_n on_o the_o first_o of_o the_o thessaly_n assert_n that_o from_o the_o alone_a read_n or_o hear_v of_o the_o scripture_n one_o may_v learn_v all_o thing_n necessary_a so_o hom._n 34._o on_o act._n 15._o he_o declare_v a_o heathen_a come_v and_o say_v i_o will_v willing_o be_v a_o christian_n but_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o join_v myself_o to_o for_o there_o be_v many_o contention_n among_o you_o many_o sedition_n and_o tumult_n so_o that_o i_o be_o in_o doubt_n what_o opinion_n i_o shall_v abuse_v each_o man_n say_v what_o i_o say_v be_v true_a and_o i_o know_v not_o who_o to_o believe_v each_o pretend_v to_o scripture_n which_o i_o be_o ignorant_a of_o it_o be_v very_o well_o the_o issue_n be_v put_v here_o for_o if_o the_o appeal_n be_v to_o reason_n in_o this_o case_n there_o will_v be_v just_a occasion_n of_o be_v trouble_v but_o when_o we_o appeal_v to_o scripture_n and_o they_o be_v simple_a and_o certain_a you_o may_v easy_o yourself_o judge_v he_o that_o agree_v with_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o christian_n he_o that_o resist_v they_o be_v far_o out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o on_o ps_n 95._o if_o any_o thing_n be_v say_v without_o the_o scripture_n the_o mind_n halt_v between_o different_a opinion_n sometime_o incline_v as_o to_o what_o be_v probable_a anon_o reject_v as_o what_o be_v frivolous_a but_o when_o the_o testimony_n of_o holy_a scripture_n
christian_a and_o the_o interest_n they_o have_v therein_o then_o be_v the_o ancient_a course_n of_o penance_n establish_v by_o the_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o the_o first_o age_n and_o almost_o as_o many_o council_n whether_o general_a or_o local_a as_o have_v decree_v any_o thing_n concern_v discipline_n with_o the_o penitentiary_n book_n and_o canon_n which_o be_v write_v for_o the_o first_o eleven_o hundred_o year_n in_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n for_o if_o even_o the_o unbaptised_a catechumen_n and_o the_o lapse_v sinner_n notwithstanding_o their_o slender_a knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n or_o frail_a pretence_n to_o the_o privilege_n thereof_o have_v a_o right_a to_o the_o state_n of_o audience_n and_o be_v oblige_v to_o hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v sure_o the_o mean_a unobnoxious_a laic_a be_v in_o as_o advantageous_a circumstance_n and_o may_v not_o only_o be_v trust_v with_o the_o read_n of_o those_o sacred_a book_n but_o may_v claim_v they_o as_o his_o birthright_n 10._o i_o may_v just_o over_o and_o above_o what_o have_v be_v hitherto_o allege_v impute_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o the_o same_o church_n and_o their_o withhold_v from_o the_o laity_n the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o many_o dangerous_a error_n gross_a ignorances_n and_o scandalous_a immorality_n which_o have_v prevail_v among_o they_o both_o it_o be_v no_o new_a method_n of_o divine_a vengeance_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v like_o people_n like_o priest_n hos_n 4.9_o and_o that_o the_o idol_n shepherd_n who_o lead_v his_o flock_n into_o the_o ditch_n shall_v fall_v therein_o himself_o mat._n 15.14_o and_o as_o the_o prophet_n zachary_n describe_v it_o c._n 11.17_o the_o sword_n shall_v be_v upon_o his_o arm_n and_o upon_o his_o right_a eye_n his_o arm_n shall_v be_v clean_o dry_v up_o and_o his_o right_a eye_n shall_v be_v utter_o darken_v 11._o but_o no_o consequence_n can_v be_v more_o obvious_o deducible_a from_o that_o practice_n than_o that_o man_n shall_v justify_v the_o withhold_a of_o the_o scripture_n by_o lessen_v its_o credit_n and_o depreciate_a its_o worth_a which_o have_v occasion_v those_o reproach_n which_o by_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n of_o best_a note_n have_v be_v cast_v upon_o it_o as_o that_o it_o be_v a_o nose_n of_o wax_n a_o leaden_a rule_n a_o deaf_a and_o useless_a deputy_n to_o god_n in_o the_o office_n of_o a_o judge_n of_o less_o authority_n than_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o of_o no_o more_o credit_n than_o esop_n fable_n but_o for_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o say_a church_n that_o they_o contain_v thing_n apt_a to_o raise_v laughter_n or_o indignation_n that_o the_o latin_a translation_n in_o the_o complutensian_a bible_n be_v place_v between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n version_n as_o our_o saviour_n be_v at_o his_o crucifixion_n between_o two_o thief_n and_o that_o the_o vulgar_a edition_n be_v of_o such_o authority_n that_o the_o original_n ought_v to_o be_v mend_v by_o it_o rather_o than_o it_o shall_v be_v mend_v from_o they_o which_o be_v the_o compliment_n of_o cardinal_n bellarmin_n hosius_n eckius_fw-la perron_n ximenes_n coqueus_fw-la and_o other_o of_o that_o communion_n word_n to_o be_v answer_v by_o a_o thunderbolt_n and_o fit_a for_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o celsus_n or_o a_o porphyry_n then_o of_o the_o pious_a son_n and_o zealous_a champion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n 12._o it_o be_v to_o be_v expect_v that_o the_o romanist_n shall_v now_o wipe_v their_o mouth_n and_o plead_v not_o guilty_a tell_v we_o that_o they_o permit_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o laity_n in_o their_o mother_n tongue_n and_o to_o that_o purpose_n the_o father_n of_o rheims_n and_o douai_n have_v publish_v a_o english_a bible_n for_o those_o of_o their_o communion_n i_o shall_v therefore_o give_v a_o short_a and_o plain_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n as_o real_o it_o stand_v and_o then_o on_o god_n name_n let_v the_o romanist_n make_v the_o best_a of_o their_o apology_n 13._o the_o four_o rule_n of_o the_o index_n of_o prohibit_v book_n compose_v upon_o the_o command_n and_o auspice_n of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n and_o publish_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o pius_n the_o four_o sixtus_n the_o five_o and_o clement_n the_o eight_o run_v thus_o since_o it_o be_v manifest_a by_o experience_n that_o if_o the_o holy_a bible_n be_v suffer_v promiscuous_o in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n such_o be_v the_o temerity_n of_o man_n that_o great_a detriment_n than_o advantage_n will_v thence_o arise_v in_o this_o matter_n let_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o bishop_n or_o inquisitor_n be_v stand_v to_o that_o with_o the_o advice_n of_o the_o curate_n or_o confessor_n they_o may_v give_v leave_n for_o the_o read_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o the_o vulgar_a tongue_n translate_v by_o catholic_o to_o such_o as_o they_o know_v will_v not_o receive_v damage_n but_o increase_n of_o faith_n and_o piety_n thereby_o which_o faculty_n they_o shall_v have_v in_o writing_n and_o whosoever_o without_o such_o faculty_n shall_v presume_v to_o have_v or_o to_o read_v the_o bible_n he_o shall_v not_o till_o he_o have_v deliver_v it_o up_o receive_v absolution_n of_o his_o sin_n now_o to_o pass_v over_o the_o iniquity_n of_o oblige_a man_n to_o ask_v leave_n to_o do_v that_o which_o god_n almighty_a command_n when_o it_o be_v consider_v how_o few_o of_o the_o laity_n can_v make_v mean_n to_o the_o bishop_n or_o inquisitor_n or_o convince_v they_o or_o the_o curate_n or_o confessor_n that_o they_o be_v such_o who_o will_v not_o receive_v damage_n but_o increase_v of_o faith_n and_o piety_n by_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o also_o have_v interest_n to_o prevail_v with_o they_o for_o their_o favour_n herein_o and_o after_o all_o can_v and_o will_v be_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o take_v out_o the_o faculty_n which_o be_v so_o penal_o require_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o guess_v what_o thin_a number_n of_o the_o laity_n be_v likely_a or_o indeed_o capable_a of_o reap_v benefit_n by_o this_o indulgence_n pretend_v to_o be_v allow_v they_o 14._o but_o beside_o all_o this_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v if_o the_o power_n itself_o of_o give_v licence_n be_v a_o mere_a show_n and_o real_o signify_v just_o nothing_o in_o the_o observation_n subjoin_v to_o this_o four_o rule_n it_o be_v declare_v that_o the_o impression_n and_o edition_n thereof_o give_v no_o new_a faculty_n to_o bishop_n or_o inquisitor_n or_o superïor_n of_o regular_o to_o grant_v licence_n of_o buy_v read_v or_o retain_v bibles_n publish_v in_o a_o vulgar_a tongue_n since_o hitherto_o by_o the_o command_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o holy_a roman_a and_o universal_a inquisition_n the_o power_n of_o give_v such_o faculty_n to_o read_v or_o retain_v vulgar_a bibles_n or_o any_o part_n of_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n in_o any_o vulgar_a tongue_n or_o also_o summary_n or_o historical_a compendium_n of_o the_o say_v bibles_n or_o book_n of_o scripture_n in_o whatsoever_o tongue_n they_o be_v write_v have_v be_v take_v away_o and_o sure_a if_o a_o layman_n can_v read_v the_o bible_n without_o a_o faculty_n and_o it_o be_v not_o in_o any_o one_o power_n to_o grant_v it_o it_o will_v evident_o follow_v that_o he_o can_v read_v it_o and_o so_o the_o pretence_n of_o give_v liberty_n own_v the_o shame_n of_o open_o refuse_v it_o but_o have_v no_o other_o effect_n or_o consequence_n and_o if_o any_o romanist_n among_o we_o or_o in_o any_o other_o protestant_n country_n enjoy_v any_o liberty_n herein_o it_o be_v mere_o by_o connivance_n and_o owe_v to_o a_o fear_n least_o the_o votary_n will_v be_v lose_v and_o take_v the_o bible_n where_o it_o be_v without_o difficulty_n to_o be_v have_v if_o strictness_n shall_v be_v use_v and_o shall_v popery_n which_o god_n forbid_v become_v paramount_n the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o our_o mother_n tongue_n will_v be_v no_o more_o endure_v here_o than_o they_o be_v in_o spain_n and_o they_o who_o have_v former_o be_v wary_a in_o communicate_v the_o scripture_n remember_v how_o thereby_o their_o error_n have_v be_v detect_v will_v upon_o a_o revolution_n effectual_o provide_v for_o the_o future_a and_o be_v sure_a to_o keep_v their_o people_n in_o a_o egyptian_a darkness_n that_o may_v itself_o be_v feel_v but_o that_o allow_v the_o notice_n of_o no_o other_o object_n they_o will_v not_o be_v content_a with_o that_o composition_n of_o the_o ammonite_n to_o thrust_v out_o all_o the_o right_a eye_n of_o those_o that_o submit_v to_o they_o 1_o sam._n 11.2_o but_o will_v put_v out_o both_o as_o the_o philistine_n do_v to_o samson_n that_o they_o may_v make_v their_o miserable_a captive_n for_o ever_o grind_v in_o their_o mill_n jud._n 16.21_o 15._o but_o this_o heavy_a of_o judgement_n will_v never_o fall_v upon_o the_o reform_a church_n till_o by_o their_o vicious_a
practice_n and_o contemt_fw-mi of_o the_o divine_a law_n they_o have_v desert_v their_o profession_n and_o make_v themselves_o utter_o unworthy_a of_o the_o blessing_n they_o enjoy_v and_o the_o light_n of_o that_o gospel_n which_o with_o noonday_n brightness_n have_v shine_v among_o they_o upon_o which_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o may_v not_o be_v impertinent_a in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o subjoin_v some_o plain_a direction_n and_o cautionary_a advice_n concern_v the_o use_n of_o these_o sacred_a book_n sect_n viii_o necessary_a caution_n to_o be_v use_v in_o the_o read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v a_o common_a observation_n that_o the_o most_o generous_a and_o sprightly_a medicine_n be_v the_o most_o unsafe_a if_o not_o apply_v with_o due_a care_n and_o regimen_n and_o the_o remark_n hold_v as_o well_o in_o spiritual_a as_o corporal_a remedy_n the_o apostle_n assert_n it_o upon_o his_o own_o experience_n that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v to_o some_o the_o savour_n of_o life_n unto_o life_n be_v to_o other_o the_o savour_n of_o death_n 2_o cor._n 2.15_o and_o the_o same_o effect_n that_o the_o oral_a word_n have_v then_o the_o write_a word_n may_v have_v now_o not_o that_o either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o have_v any_o thing_n in_o they_o that_o be_v of_o itself_o mortiferous_a but_o become_v so_o by_o the_o ill_a disposition_n of_o the_o person_n who_o so_o pervert_v it_o it_o be_v therefore_o well_o worth_a our_o inquiry_n what_o qualification_n on_o our_o part_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v the_o word_n be_v to_o we_o what_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n rom._n 1.16_o of_o these_o some_o be_v previous_a before_o our_o read_n some_o be_v concomitant_a with_o it_o and_o some_o be_v subsequent_a and_o follow_v after_o it_o 2._o of_o those_o that_o go_v before_o sincerity_n be_v a_o most_o essential_a requisite_a by_o sincerity_n i_o mean_v a_o upright_a intention_n by_o which_o we_o direct_v our_o read_n to_o that_o proper_a end_n for_o which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v design_v viz._n the_o know_a god_n will_v in_o order_n to_o the_o practise_v it_o this_o honest_a simplicity_n of_o heart_n be_v that_o which_o christ_n represent_v by_o the_o good_a ground_n where_o alone_o it_o be_v that_o the_o seed_n can_v fructify_v mat._n 13.8_o and_o he_o that_o bring_v not_o this_o with_o he_o bring_v only_o the_o shadow_n of_o a_o disciple_n the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v indeed_o sharp_a than_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n heb._n 4.12_o but_o what_o impression_n can_v a_o sword_n make_v on_o a_o body_n of_o air_n which_o still_o slip_v from_o and_o elude_v its_o thrust_n and_o as_o little_o can_v all_o the_o practical_a discourse_n of_o holy_a writ_n make_v on_o he_o who_o bring_v only_o his_o speculative_a faculty_n with_o he_o and_o leave_v his_o will_n and_o affection_n behind_o he_o which_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a subject_n for_o it_o to_o work_v on_o 3._o to_o this_o we_o may_v probable_o impute_v that_o strange_a inefficaciousness_n we_o see_v of_o the_o word_n alas_o man_n rare_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o right_a place_n our_o most_o inveterat_fw-la disease_n lie_v in_o our_o moral_n and_o we_o suffer_v the_o medicine_n to_o reach_v no_o far_o than_o our_o intellect_n as_o if_o he_o that_o have_v a_o ulcer_n in_o his_o bowel_n shall_v apply_v all_o his_o balsam_n and_o sanative_n only_o to_o his_o head_n it_o be_v true_a the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o tresury_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n the_o oracle_n to_o which_o we_o shall_v resort_v for_o save_a knowledge_n but_o they_o be_v also_o the_o rule_n and_o guide_v of_o holy_a life_n and_o he_o that_o covet_v to_o know_v god_n will_v for_o any_o purpose_n but_o to_o practise_v it_o be_v only_o studious_a to_o entitle_v himself_o to_o the_o great_a number_n of_o stripe_n luk._n 12.47_o 4._o nay_o far_o he_o that_o affect_v only_o the_o bare_a knowledge_n be_v oft_o disappoint_v even_o of_o that_o the_o scripture_n like_o the_o pillar_n of_o fire_n and_o cloud_n enlighten_v the_o israelite_n those_o who_o sincere_o resign_v themselves_o to_o its_o guidance_n but_o it_o darken_v and_o confound_v the_o egyptian_n ex._n 14.20_o and_o it_o be_v frequent_o see_v that_o those_o who_o read_v only_o to_o become_v know_v be_v toll_v on_o by_o their_o curiosity_n into_o the_o more_o abstruse_a and_o mysterious_a part_n of_o scripture_n where_o they_o entangle_v themselves_o in_o inextricable_a maze_n and_o confusion_n and_o instead_o of_o acquire_v a_o more_o superlative_a knowledge_n lose_v those_o easy_a and_o common_a notion_n which_o lie_v obvious_a to_o every_o plain_a well_o mean_v reader_n i_o fear_v this_o age_n afford_v too_o many_o and_o too_o frequent_a instance_n of_o this_o in_o man_n who_o have_v lose_v god_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o word_n and_o study_a scripture_n till_o they_o have_v renounce_v its_o author_n 5._o and_o sure_o this_o infatuation_n be_v very_o just_a and_o no_o more_o than_o god_n himself_o have_v warn_v we_o of_o who_o take_v the_o wise_a in_o their_o own_o craftiness_n job_n 5.12_o but_o appropriate_v his_o secret_n only_o to_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o have_v promise_v to_o teach_v the_o meek_a his_o way_n psal_n 25.9.14_o and_o this_o be_v the_o method_n christ_n observe_v in_o his_o preach_n unveil_v those_o truth_n to_o his_o disciple_n which_o to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n his_o inquisitive_a yet_o refractory_a hearer_n he_o wrap_v up_o in_o parable_n not_o that_o he_o dislike_v their_o desire_n of_o knowledge_n but_o their_o want_n of_o sincerity_n which_o be_v so_o fatal_a a_o defect_n as_o blast_v our_o pursuit_n though_o of_o thing_n in_o themselves_o never_o so_o excellent_a this_o we_o find_v exemplify_v in_o simon_n magus_n act_v 8._o who_o though_o he_o covet_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o very_o desirable_a the_o power_n of_o confer_v the_o holy_a ghost_n yet_o desire_v it_o not_o only_o upon_o undue_a condition_n but_o for_o sinister_a end_n he_o not_o only_o miss_v of_o that_o but_o be_v after_o all_o his_o convincement_n by_o the_o apostle_n miracle_n and_o the_o engagement_n of_o his_o baptism_n immerse_v in_o the_o gall_n of_o bitterness_n and_o at_o last_o advance_v to_o that_o height_n of_o blasphemy_n as_o to_o set_v up_o himself_o for_o a_o god_n so_o become_v a_o last_a memento_n how_o unsafe_a it_o be_v to_o prevaricate_v in_o holy_a thing_n 6._o but_o as_o there_o be_v a_o sincerity_n of_o the_o will_n in_o order_n to_o practice_n so_o there_o be_v also_o a_o sincerity_n of_o the_o understanding_n in_o order_n to_o belief_n and_o this_o be_v also_o no_o less_o requisite_a to_o the_o profitable_a read_n of_o scripture_n i_o mean_v by_o this_o that_o we_o come_v with_o a_o preparation_n of_o mind_n to_o embrace_v indifferent_o whatever_o god_n there_o reveles_a as_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n that_o we_o bring_v our_o own_o opinion_n not_o as_o the_o clue_n by_o which_o to_o unfold_v scripture_n but_o to_o be_v try_v and_o regulate_v by_o it_o the_o want_n of_o this_o have_v be_v of_o very_o pernicious_a consequence_n in_o matter_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o speculation_n man_n be_v common_o prepossess_v strong_o with_o their_o own_o notion_n and_o their_o errand_n to_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o lend_v they_o light_n to_o judge_n of_o they_o but_o aid_n to_o back_n and_o defend_v they_o 7._o of_o this_o there_o be_v no_o book_n of_o controversy_n that_o do_v not_o give_v notorious_a proof_n the_o socinian_n can_v easy_o overlook_a the_o begin_n of_o saint_n john_n that_o say_v the_o word_n be_v god_n jo._n 1.1_o and_o all_o those_o other_o place_n which_o plain_o assert_v the_o deity_n of_o our_o saviour_n if_o he_o can_v but_o divert_v to_o that_o other_o more_o agreeable_a text_n that_o the_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o among_o the_o romanist_n peter_n be_v say_v to_o be_v first_o among_o the_o apostle_n mat._n 10.2_o and_o that_o on_o that_o rock_n christ_n will_v build_v his_o church_n mat._n 16.18_o carry_v away_o all_o attention_n from_o those_o other_o place_n where_o saint_n paul_n say_v he_o be_v not_o behind_o the_o very_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 11.5_o that_o upon_o he_o lay_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n 2_o cor._n 11.28_o and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o some_o one_o but_o all_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n revel_v 21.14_o so_o it_o fare_v in_o the_o business_n of_o the_o eucharist_n this_o be_v my_o body_n mat._n 26.26_o carry_v it_o away_o clear_a for_o transubstantiation_n when_o our_o savior_n call_v that_o which_o he_o drink_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n mat._n 26.29_o and_o then_o saint_n paul_n name_v the_o element_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n several_a time_n over_o bread_n and_o