the_o deism_n of_o william_n penn_n and_o his_o brethren_n destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n expose_v and_o plain_o lay_v open_a in_o the_o examination_n and_o refutation_n of_o his_o late_a reprint_v book_n call_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o judge_n of_o controversy_n wherein_o he_o contend_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o that_o the_o light_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o man_n be_v that_o rule_n by_o george_n keith_n london_n print_v for_o brab_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n 1699._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o christian_n protestant_n reader_n christian_n reader_n i_o have_v be_v concern_v more_o earnest_o and_o ample_o to_o treat_v on_o this_o subject_a in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n to_o refute_v that_o grand_a error_n of_o william_n penn_n and_o his_o brethren_n who_o make_v it_o their_o great_a fundamental_a that_o the_o light_n within_o with_o respect_n only_o to_o its_o ordinary_a and_o common_a discovery_n give_v to_o all_o mankind_n to_o christian_n jew_n mahometan_n and_o heathen_n of_o all_o sort_n protestant_n and_o papist_n be_v the_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n to_o they_o all_o so_o that_o all_o under_o these_o several_a denomination_n be_v true_a and_o good_a christian_n and_o aught_o to_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v one_o another_o as_o christian_a brethren_n and_o member_n of_o one_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n if_o they_o obey_v and_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a dictate_v thereof_o without_o all_o superadded_a revelation_n external_n or_o internal_a of_o christ_n without_o as_o god_n and_o man_n in_o one_o person_n but_o their_o constant_a practice_n do_v evident_o contradict_v their_o principle_n for_o though_o they_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o such_o the_o heathen_n who_o be_v or_o now_o be_v obedient_a to_o 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it_o be_v alarm_a to_o take_v special_a notice_n of_o and_o strict_o to_o examine_v detect_v and_o refute_v the_o which_o whither_o effectual_o do_v or_o not_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o free_a and_o impartial_a judgement_n of_o the_o intelligent_a christian_a protestant_n reader_n their_o print_n it_o at_o this_o juncture_n do_v not_o a_o little_a argue_v their_o great_a imprudence_n in_o lay_v themselves_o so_o open_a to_o be_v rank_a deist_n while_o they_o at_o the_o same_o time_n pretend_v to_o hold_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o be_v point_n blank_a incosistent_n therewith_o and_o great_a boldness_n that_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n to_o say_v and_o unsay_v and_o to_o be_v profess_v deist_n and_o christian_n at_o once_o which_o be_v as_o great_a a_o chimaera_n or_o impossibility_n as_o for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v horse_n and_o man_n at_o once_o i_o mean_v not_o one_o part_n horse_n and_o another_o part_n man_n for_o 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another_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n than_o what_o be_v the_o true_a rule_n indeed_o if_o he_o persist_v in_o so_o do_v he_o will_v not_o only_o bring_v his_o own_o blood_n upon_o himself_o but_o the_o blood_n of_o many_o other_o that_o be_v and_o may_v be_v mislead_v by_o he_o and_o whether_o he_o will_v yet_o better_o consider_v it_o or_o not_o which_o i_o hearty_o wish_v and_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o open_v his_o eye_n and_o give_v he_o repentance_n and_o a_o better_a understanding_n it_o be_v a_o plain_a case_n that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n be_v very_o necessary_a yea_o so_o necessary_a that_o the_o danger_n for_o want_v of_o it_o be_v perish_v or_o destruction_n yet_o i_o mean_v not_o that_o every_o error_n in_o circumstance_n about_o the_o true_a rule_n be_v of_o that_o danger_n or_o that_o some_o loose_a and_o indeliberate_a expression_n that_o some_o have_v use_v in_o preach_v or_o print_n while_o 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all_o the_o credenda_fw-la or_o thing_n in_o scripture_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v believe_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o instead_o of_o say_v the_o spirit_n inward_a evidence_n and_o testimony_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o principal_a rule_n i_o shall_v have_v say_v it_o be_v the_o principal_a objective_n medium_fw-la of_o credibility_n which_o as_o i_o then_o do_v believe_v and_o assert_v so_o i_o do_v still_o and_o hope_v never_o to_o retract_v it_o and_o therefore_o while_o i_o continue_v adhere_v to_o this_o persuasion_n i_o remain_v as_o to_o the_o main_a the_o same_o i_o be_v in_o my_o judgement_n as_o when_o i_o write_v my_o former_a book_n touch_v these_o matter_n my_o chief_a bend_a and_o zeal_n be_v against_o that_o which_o i_o judge_v a_o very_a erroneous_a opinion_n and_o hurtful_a hold_v by_o some_o count_v learned_a man_n and_o which_o i_o judge_v still_o that_o so_o it_o be_v to_o wit_n that_o the_o inward_a evidence_n of_o the_o spirit_n 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learned_a man_n who_o have_v more_o of_o that_o call_v divinity_n learn_v in_o their_o head_n than_o in_o their_o heart_n do_v contradict_v it_o yea_o to_o a_o degree_n of_o ridicul_v it_o under_o the_o name_n of_o fanaticism_n and_o enthusiasm_n not_o well_o regard_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o worthy_a and_o judicious_a ancestor_n who_o in_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n have_v express_o mention_v the_o feel_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o his_o operation_n and_o motion_n but_o i_o err_v in_o call_v this_o either_o inward_a feel_n or_o the_o object_n of_o it_o the_o principal_a rule_n for_o proper_o and_o right_o speak_v it_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o principal_a motive_n of_o credibility_n that_o which_o be_v only_o strict_o and_o proper_o speak_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n especial_o respect_v the_o great_a fundamental_o and_o essential_o thereof_o to_o give_v a_o preference_n to_o 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they_o as_o to_o conclude_v they_o err_v fundamental_o for_o want_v of_o not_o give_v right_a name_n to_o thing_n or_o not_o have_v so_o clear_a inward_a idea_n and_o conception_n of_o they_o when_o as_o to_o the_o main_a they_o mean_v well_o i_o be_o bold_a to_o appeal_v to_o my_o book_n from_o first_o to_o last_o whither_o according_a to_o the_o strain_n and_o intent_n in_o all_o that_o i_o have_v print_v on_o that_o subject_a i_o have_v not_o always_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n crucify_a and_o remission_n of_o sin_n by_o his_o blood_n and_o other_o doctrinal_a principle_n of_o christianity_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o we_o for_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o outward_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o preach_v or_o read_v be_v the_o ordinary_a mean_n whereby_o god_n work_v faith_n and_o conversion_n and_o regeneration_n in_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o that_o therefore_o so_o long_o as_o we_o live_v we_o be_v not_o to_o lay_v aside_o either_o that_o or_o any_o outward_a mean_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n that_o god_n have_v afford_v and_o how_o far_o i_o have_v former_o deny_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o mean_v that_o as_o it_o be_v not_o the_o letter_n or_o write_n so_o nor_o the_o doctrine_n as_o simple_o and_o whole_o limit_v and_o confine_v to_o the_o letter_n as_o if_o it_o shall_v happen_v by_o divine_a providence_n that_o a_o person_n or_o company_n of_o person_n shall_v have_v the_o holy_a bible_n by_o violence_n take_v from_o they_o or_o not_o have_v it_o in_o any_o language_n they_o can_v understand_v that_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o in_o a_o possible_a state_n of_o salvation_n for_o though_o in_o god_n ordinary_a way_n the_o
instrument_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o give_v he_o and_o we_o all_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o mystery_n peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n he_o have_v all_o this_o time_n be_v fight_v with_o his_o own_o shadow_n for_o if_o so_o he_o agree_v with_o they_o all_o from_o who_o he_o seek_v so_o much_o to_o differ_v and_o write_v against_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v reveal_v in_o every_o man_n all_o necessary_a truth_n be_v grant_v by_o all_o christian_n but_o the_o question_n be_v not_o what_o he_o can_v do_v but_o what_o he_o do_v in_o god_n ordinary_a way_n of_o work_v section_n 11._o his_o eight_o argument_n answer_v that_o the_o scripture_n can_v give_v faith_n therefore_o they_o be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o his_o nine_o ten_o argument_n answer_v page_n 11._o arg._n 8._o his_o four_o argument_n as_o he_o number_v they_o against_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n be_v because_o the_o scripture_n can_v give_v faith_n therefore_o be_v can_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n ans_fw-fr the_o consequence_n be_v deny_v and_o he_o give_v no_o offer_n of_o proof_n for_o it_o his_o argument_n be_v as_o weak_a as_o to_o argue_v a_o carpenter_n rule_n or_o square_n can_v build_v a_o house_n therefore_o it_o can_v be_v a_o rule_n or_o instrument_n for_o he_o to_o work_v by_o in_o build_v a_o house_n this_o his_o way_n of_o argue_v destroy_v all_o use_n of_o service_n of_o instrument_n and_o secondary_a cause_n the_o like_a failure_n have_v his_o argue_v against_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o practice_n arg._n 9_o because_o it_o can_v distinguish_v of_o itself_o in_o all_o case_n what_o ought_v to_o be_v practise_v and_o what_o not_o well_o but_o what_o if_o it_o can_v of_o itself_o as_o the_o carpenter_n rule_n can_v of_o itself_o as_o measure_v one_o piece_n of_o wood_n more_o than_o another_o without_o the_o hand_n of_o he_o that_o use_v it_o do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o the_o rule_n can_v do_v it_o when_o apply_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o man_n himself_o page_n 12._o this_o say_v he_o be_v the_o case_n of_o christ_n disciple_n who_o have_v no_o particular_a rule_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o abolish_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n religion_n on_o the_o contrary_n they_o may_v have_v plead_v for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o it_o for_o instance_n god_n give_v cirumcision_n as_o a_o sign_n for_o ever_o answ_n by_o his_o favour_n he_o be_v mistake_v in_o say_v they_o have_v no_o such_o particular_a rule_n for_o the_o abolish_n he_o shall_v rather_o have_v say_v expire_a of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n religion_n let_v he_o read_v jer._n 3.16_o and_o 31.31_o 32._o compare_v with_o heb._n 8.8_o and_o he_o may_v find_v the_o contrary_a the_o word_n for_o ever_o in_o the_o place_n mention_v by_o he_o in_o relation_n to_o circumcision_n and_o other_o jewish_a type_n signify_v not_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n far_o less_o endless_o but_o for_o a_o certain_a limit_a time_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o confess_v at_o time_n it_o so_o signify_v yea_o and_o some_o of_o the_o most_o judicious_a of_o they_o have_v confess_v they_o be_v to_o cease_v before_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n in_o his_o ten_o argument_n he_o but_o too_o much_o gratify_v his_o deist_n brethren_n and_o profane_a atheist_n by_o his_o bring_v their_o and_o other_o popish_a argument_n against_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n page_n 13._o as_o that_o they_o be_v not_o in_o the_o original_a because_o that_o be_v not_o extant_a nor_o in_o the_o copy_n because_o there_o be_v thirty_o and_o above_o in_o number_n and_o it_o be_v undetermined_a and_o for_o aught_o we_o see_v say_v he_o indeterminable_a and_o the_o variety_n of_o readins_n among_o those_o copy_n amount_v to_o several_a thousand_o and_o if_o the_o copy_n can_v how_o can_v the_o translation_n say_v he_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o so_o go_v on_o dispute_v against_o the_o translation_n be_v the_o rule_n and_o then_o argue_v against_o their_o be_v the_o rule_n from_o diverse_a of_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n be_v reject_v by_o some_o and_o receive_v by_o other_o all_o which_o plea_n both_o of_o deist_n and_o papist_n have_v be_v abundant_o answer_v by_o protestant_a writer_n see_v dr._n tillâ—tson's_n book_n call_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n in_o answer_n to_o j.s._n a_o papist_n whole_a argument_n against_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v so_o much_o of_o the_o same_o sort_n with_o these_o here_o of_o w.p._n as_o if_o he_o have_v take_v they_o from_o he_o and_o the_o inward_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n sufficient_o assert_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n without_o take_v away_o from_o they_o their_o due_a honour_n use_v and_o service_n of_o their_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o yet_o w.p._n labour_n to_o rob_v they_o of_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o exalt_v the_o spirit_n but_o real_o be_v a_o degrade_n and_o dishonour_v both_o as_o be_v above_o prove_v beside_o the_o great_a mischief_n it_o cause_v in_o cast_v all_o people_n who_o believe_v w.p._n and_o his_o party_n loose_a from_o the_o scripture_n that_o satan_n may_v have_v the_o more_o advantage_n over_o they_o to_o deceive_v they_o as_o he_o have_v woeful_o do_v for_o if_o the_o whole_a scripture_n and_o every_o part_n of_o they_o be_v not_o to_o they_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n they_o may_v choose_v what_o to_o believe_v and_o what_o not_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o believe_v no_o more_o than_o what_o the_o spirit_n within_o which_o as_o it_o may_v be_v and_o often_o be_v not_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n teach_v they_o to_o believe_v for_o they_o may_v hence_o infer_v since_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v the_o primary_n rule_n teach_v they_o not_o to_o believe_v any_o such_o doctrine_n or_o precept_n it_o be_v but_o spurious_a and_o apocryphal_a and_o no_o part_n of_o the_o secondary_a rule_n as_o sometime_o they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v it_o though_o the_o distinction_n of_o primary_n and_o secondary_a rule_n will_v not_o be_v find_v in_o their_o first_o author_n for_o then_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o only_a rule_n and_o the_o only_a mean_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v carnal_a and_o the_o dead_a letter_n and_o liâ—eless_a precept_n as_o w.p._n seem_v to_o call_v they_o else_o why_o do_v he_o quote_v philo_n and_o phythagoras_n and_o other_o that_o call_v all_o outward_a precept_n such_o section_n 12._o his_o eleven_o twelve_o and_o thirteen_o argument_n answer_v arg._n 11._o his_o eight_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n because_o they_o can_v be_v the_o rule_n in_o their_o translation_n page_n 26._o suppose_v the_o ancient_a copy_n be_v exact_a it_o can_v be_v the_o rule_n to_o far_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n indeed_o say_v he_o to_o none_o but_o learned_a man_n which_o neither_o answer_v the_o promise_n relate_v to_o gospel-time_n which_o be_v universal_a nor_o the_o necessity_n of_o all_o mankind_n for_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n ans_fw-fr why_o not_o in_o their_o translation_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o above_o declare_v it_o may_v be_v suppose_v that_o w._n p_n learning_n be_v not_o so_o great_a that_o he_o need_v not_o the_o translation_n as_o well_o as_o other_o man_n it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o translation_n and_o all_o the_o various_a copy_n and_o readins_n make_v not_o the_o least_o alteration_n in_o any_o of_o the_o fundamental_a or_o essential_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n yea_o scarce_o in_o any_o much_o material_a whatsoever_o arg._n 12._o his_o nine_o argument_n be_v from_o those_o voluminous_a discourse_n of_o case_n of_o conscience_n that_o be_v extant_a among_o we_o for_o say_v he_o have_v the_o scripture_n be_v as_o sufficient_a note_v hear_v his_o fling_n at_o their_o sufficiency_n as_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n require_v there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o such_o tract_n answ_n this_o argument_n equal_o fight_v against_o the_o light_n within_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n for_o if_o it_o actual_o do_v all_o that_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n require_v then_o pray_v what_o need_n have_v there_o be_v of_o so_o many_o tract_n of_o the_o quaker_n write_n about_o doctrine_n and_o principle_n as_o well_o as_o case_n of_o conscience_n which_o have_v amount_v to_o a_o prodigious_a number_n within_o these_o fifty_o year_n see_v all_o man_n have_v the_o same_o light_n within_o they_o to_o be_v the_o same_o rule_n in_o all_o be_v not_o that_o sufficient_a without_o any_o
allow_v what_o if_o any_o now_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o light_n within_o they_o forbid_v they_o to_o eat_v flesh_n how_o can_v w.p._n convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n if_o he_o bring_v paul_n word_n or_o any_o other_o scripture_n word_n to_o his_o conviction_n may_v he_o not_o answer_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o w.p._n have_v confirm_v he_o by_o his_o late_a book_n that_o say_v the_o same_o and_o if_o the_o light_n within_o in_o the_o esseni_fw-la may_v contradict_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n why_o may_v not_o the_o light_n within_o in_o a_o quaker_n contradict_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o be_v give_v from_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o bind_v to_o the_o jew_n before_o christ_n incarnation_n as_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o the_o christian_n since_o and_o how_o can_v w.p._n prove_v that_o polygamy_n be_v against_o the_o light_n within_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n forbid_v it_o but_o what_o then_o by_o w._n p_n doctrine_n the_o great_a thing_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o necessary_a absolute_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o upon_o conviction_n of_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n upon_o a_o new_a revelation_n as_o that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n die_v for_o our_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o plain_o tell_v we_o any_o such_o new_a revelation_n be_v not_o necessary_a if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o turn_v people_n loose_v and_o to_o run_v they_o into_o great_a confusion_n light_n against_o light_n and_o spirit_n against_o spirit_n while_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n yea_o a_o rule_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o sober_a and_o intelligent_a to_o judge_v section_n 18._o a_o correction_n of_o a_o say_v of_o w.p._n scandalous_a and_o offensive_a to_o christian_a ear_n that_o man_n be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n from_o our_o saviour_n word_n to_o nicomedus_fw-la john_n 3_o nor_o can_v that_o scripture_n be_v my_o rule_n say_v he_o in_o that_o heavenly_a travel_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v any_o other_o write_v whatever_n page_n 29._o here_o i_o find_v one_o passage_n more_o in_o this_o book_n of_o w._n p_n that_o i_o be_o sure_a great_o derogate_v from_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v just_o offensive_a to_o christian_a ear_n have_v quote_v our_o saviour_n word_n to_o nicodemus_n that_o he_o say_v may_v be_v credit_v historical_o that_o unless_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v again_o he_o can_v see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n john_n 3_o but_o what_o be_v that_o say_v he_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n that_o they_o be_v never_o like_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o there_o nor_o can_v that_o scripture_n be_v my_o rule_n in_o that_o heavenly_a travel_n respect_v the_o many_o and_o wonderful_a trial_n and_o exercise_n that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o neither_o can_v any_o other_o write_v whatever_n this_o only_a be_v the_o office_n of_o that_o spirit_n and_o word_n immortal_a by_o which_o we_o be_v beget_v again_o i_o answer_v here_o he_o exclude_v not_o only_o that_o place_n above_o mention_v but_o the_o whole_a scripture_n from_o be_v instrumental_a to_o our_o information_n and_o plain_o deny_v that_o any_o can_v be_v inform_v of_o it_o there_o this_o be_v indeed_o to_o make_v it_o not_o only_o not_o the_o rule_n but_o not_o a_o rule_n in_o this_o great_a case_n but_o his_o assertion_n be_v extreme_o false_a the_o place_n quote_v john_n 3.3_o 5._o inform_v we_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o regeneration_n and_o the_o follow_a word_n inform_v we_o of_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n how_o it_o be_v wrought_v to_o wit_n by_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o principal_a efficient_a and_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o the_o instrumental_a cause_n v._n 14_o 15_o 16._o and_o this_o faith_n be_v wrought_v instrumental_o by_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n call_v by_o paul_n rom._n 6.17_o the_o form_n or_o pattern_n of_o doctrine_n whereunto_o the_o believe_a roman_n be_v deliver_v as_o the_o metal_n that_o be_v melt_v into_o the_o mould_n that_o frame_v it_o into_o a_o vessel_n and_o will_v w.p._n say_v that_o his_o and_o his_o brethren_n preach_a and_o word_n inform_v people_n nothing_o of_o regeneration_n nor_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o the_o several_a step_n in_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o if_o not_o their_o preach_v so_o much_o of_o the_o new_a birth_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o at_o least_o as_o they_o think_v be_v very_o unprofitable_a but_o if_o they_o think_v their_o preach_a profitable_a to_o inform_v concern_v regeneration_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o than_o their_o preach_a must_v be_v better_a than_o the_o whole_a scripture_n have_v he_o say_v the_o scripture_n without_o the_o spirit_n can_v guide_v or_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o regeneration_n nor_o be_v instrumental_a towards_o it_o without_o the_o same_o he_o have_v not_o be_v to_o blame_v all_o true_a christian_n say_v the_o same_o but_o to_o exclude_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n from_o be_v so_o much_o as_o a_o organ_n or_o instrument_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v efficacy_n to_o it_o be_v extreme_o false_a and_o erroneous_a and_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n testimony_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o thousand_o who_o can_v set_v to_o their_o seal_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v make_v the_o scripture_n to_o wit_n the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o instrumental_a both_o to_o their_o conviction_n and_o conversion_n sure_o james_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n than_o w.p._n who_o say_v that_o the_o faithful_a be_v beget_v of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o peter_n say_v they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n by_o the_o exceed_a great_a and_o precious_a promise_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o as_o false_a it_o be_v what_o he_o say_v that_o experience_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n must_v go_v before_o all_o doctrinal_a scripture_n mean_v the_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o same_o before_o it_o be_v write_v this_o be_v to_o set_v the_o cart_n before_o the_o horse_n as_o the_o proverb_n be_v or_o the_o fruit_n before_o the_o seed_n be_v man_n regenerate_v in_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n or_o rather_o be_v they_o not_o renew_v in_o knowledge_n and_o this_o knowledge_n do_v it_o not_o presuppose_v some_o doctrinal_a principle_n of_o which_o man_n must_v be_v first_o convince_v have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o great_a love_n of_o god_n in_o send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n outward_o to_o die_v for_o we_o and_o inward_o to_o enlighten_v we_o no_o influence_n on_o our_o regeneration_n be_v adam_n regenerate_v before_o god_n give_v he_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o woman_n seed_n after_o his_o fall_n by_o his_o assertion_n it_o must_v be_v so_o which_o be_v wonderful_a ignorance_n be_v he_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o not_o to_o have_v see_v the_o lineament_n step_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n fair_o delineate_v and_o the_o whole_a manner_n of_o it_o as_o clear_o as_o any_o country_n can_v be_v delineate_v in_o the_o fair_a map_n with_o all_o the_o several_a road_n but_o as_o the_o map_n can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o a_o blind_a man_n though_o to_o a_o see_v it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n so_o to_o a_o man_n who_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v in_o some_o measure_n enlighten_v the_o scripture_n be_v as_o serviceable_a as_o a_o map_n to_o a_o traveller_n yea_o and_o much_o more_o they_o be_v real_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o spirit_n both_o for_o convince_a and_o convert_v man_n and_o the_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o the_o spirit_n lead_v they_o in_o the_o various_a step_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o experience_n of_o regeneration_n in_o who_o it_o be_v wrought_v be_v much_o more_o than_o any_o verbal_a account_n of_o it_o by_o the_o best_a of_o word_n and_o give_v a_o man_n in_o some_o respect_n a_o more_o satisfactory_a knowledge_n of_o it_o than_o any_o man_n can_v have_v by_o scripture_n word_n or_o any_o word_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v not_o himself_o regenerate_v as_o the_o sight_n of_o a_o country_n be_v more_o and_o give_v a_o man_n a_o more_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o it_o than_o all_o verbal_a description_n or_o map_n can_v do_v to_o