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for_o be_v obscure_a in_o those_o thing_n which_o if_o thou_o have_v use_v thy_o utmost_a diligence_n to_o understand_v the_o ignorance_n of_o they_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_n thy_o salvation_n bless_v god_n rather_o that_o he_o have_v so_o clear_o reveal_v the_o necessary_a and_o practical_a duty_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n that_o those_o be_v not_o involve_v in_o any_o mystical_a or_o obscure_a intimation_n but_o thou_o may_v without_o doubt_n or_o dispute_v know_v what_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o be_v either_o believe_v or_o practise_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n be_v assure_v of_o this_o that_o what_o with_o all_o thy_o labour_n and_o diligence_n thou_o can_v not_o understand_v thou_o need_v not_o and_o what_o be_v needful_a be_v plain_a and_o obvious_a and_o thou_o may_v easy_o understand_v it_o four_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a but_o have_v not_o god_n offer_v we_o sufficient_a help_n for_o the_o unfolding_n of_o it_o have_v you_o not_o the_o 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scripture_n misunderstand_v and_o misapply_v be_v not_o scripture_n indeed_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o discern_v truth_n from_o error_n but_o only_o by_o the_o scripture_n right_o understand_v and_o there_o be_v no_o way_n right_o to_o understand_v it_o but_o diligent_o to_o search_v it_o but_o to_o say_v that_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o read_v the_o scripture_n because_o some_o wrest_v it_o to_o their_o own_o destruction_n be_v alike_o reasonable_a as_o to_o say_v that_o therefore_o we_o must_v not_o eat_v nor_o drink_v because_o that_o some_o eat_v to_o gluttony_n and_o other_o drink_v to_o giddiness_n and_o madness_n the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n tell_v we_o epist_n 1_o chap._n 3._o v._n 16._o that_o in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o the_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrist_n as_o they_o do_v also_o the_o other_o sripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n shall_v we_o therefore_o conclude_v that_o neither_o 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that_o the_o people_n will_v employ_v their_o time_n and_o thought_n in_o revolve_v they_o it_o be_v therefore_o a_o most_o certain_a sign_n that_o that_o church_n have_v false_a ware_n to_o put_v off_o which_o be_v of_o nothing_o more_o careful_a than_o to_o darken_v the_o shop_n and_o assure_o the_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n by_o some_o who_o read_v they_o can_v occasion_v the_o destruction_n of_o more_o than_o that_o damnable_a idolatry_n and_o those_o damnable_a heresy_n have_v do_v which_o have_v be_v bring_v into_o and_o be_v general_o own_v and_o practise_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n through_o the_o not_o read_v of_o they_o thus_o you_o see_v as_o it_o be_v in_o josiah_n time_n how_o much_o dust_n and_o rubbish_n this_o book_n of_o the_o law_n lie_v under_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o remove_v it_o and_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o those_o argument_n that_o
1_o tim._n 3.16_o and_o of_o all_o these_o wounderful_a passage_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o a_o perfect_a narrative_n and_o what_o have_v the_o great_a wit_n of_o the_o world_n ever_o treat_v on_o like_o this_o either_o for_o strangeness_n or_o truth_n all_o their_o learning_n be_v but_o idle_a and_o contemptible_a speculation_n compare_v to_o this_o great_a mystery_n of_o a_o crucify_a saviour_n who_o subdue_v death_n by_o die_v and_o without_o force_n convert_v the_o world_n to_o believe_v a_o doctrine_n above_o reason_n it_o be_v a_o very_a odd_a say_n of_o tertullian_n de_fw-fr carne_fw-la christi_fw-la cont_n marc._n and_o yet_o there_o be_v something_o in_o it_o that_o strike_v natus_fw-la est_fw-la dei_fw-la filius_fw-la non_fw-la pudet_fw-la quia_fw-la pudendum_fw-la est_fw-la the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v bear_v we_o blush_v not_o at_o it_o because_o it_o be_v shameful_a mortuus_fw-la est_fw-la dei_fw-la filius_fw-la prorsus_fw-la credibile_fw-la est_fw-la quia_fw-la 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do_v in_o order_n to_o the_o obtain_n of_o everlasting_a happiness_n to_o be_v conversant_a in_o it_o only_o to_o know_v what_o it_o contain_v be_v not_o wisdom_n but_o folly_n but_o than_o it_o dwell_v in_o you_o in_o wisdom_n when_o you_o study_v it_o to_o practice_v it_o when_o you_o endeavour_v to_o know_v the_o rule_n that_o you_o may_v obey_v it_o this_o be_v wisdom_n here_o and_o will_v end_v in_o happiness_n hereafter_o and_o thus_o you_o have_v the_o word_n of_o my_o text_n explain_v in_o handle_v this_o subject_a i_o shall_v only_o pursue_v the_o design_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o endeavour_v to_o press_v those_o exhortation_n upon_o you_o and_o indeed_o i_o need_v not_o many_o argument_n to_o persuade_v those_o who_o have_v already_o any_o acquaintance_n with_o these_o sacred_a oracle_n still_o to_o be_v conversant_a in_o they_o have_v you_o not_o yourselves_o find_v such_o clear_a light_n such_o attractive_a sweetness_n and_o persuasive_a eloquence_n in_o the_o word_n of_o 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that_o know_v to_o do_v good_a and_o do_v it_o not_o to_o he_o it_o be_v sin_n it_o be_v a_o emphatical_a and_o weighty_a sin_n and_o luke_n 12.47_o he_o that_o know_v his_o master_n will_n and_o do_v it_o not_o shall_v be_v beat_v with_o many_o stripe_n this_o they_o have_v read_v and_o this_o deterr_v they_o from_o read_v any_o far_o if_o they_o can_v practice_v what_o they_o know_v and_o if_o to_o know_v and_o not_o practice_v be_v only_o to_o inflame_v their_o last_o reckon_n and_o make_v their_o torment_n more_o intolerable_a it_o be_v best_o for_o they_o to_o muffle_v up_o themselves_o in_o a_o safe_a ignorance_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o though_o the_o word_n abound_v with_o multitude_n of_o sublime_a precept_n and_o difficult_a duty_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o discouragement_n from_o the_o study_n of_o it_o for_o consider_v that_o this_o same_o
of_o ourselves_o man_n that_o busy_v himself_o in_o know_v all_o thing_n else_o be_v of_o nothing_o more_o ignorant_a than_o of_o himself_o the_o eye_n that_o behold_v other_o thing_n can_v see_v its_o own_o shape_n and_o so_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n whereby_o he_o understand_v other_o object_n be_v usual_o ignorant_a of_o its_o own_o concernment_n now_o as_o the_o eye_n that_o can_v see_v itself_o direct_o may_v see_v itself_o reflexively_a in_o a_o glass_n so_o god_n have_v give_v we_o his_o scripture_n which_o st._n james_n compare_v to_o a_o glass_n james_n 1.23_o and_o hold_v this_o before_o the_o soul_n wherein_o be_v represent_v our_o true_a state_n and_o idea_n there_o be_v a_o fourfold_a state_n of_o man_n that_o we_o can_v never_o have_v attain_v to_o know_v but_o by_o the_o scripture_n his_o state_n of_o integrity_n his_o state_n of_o apostasy_n his_o state_n of_o restitution_n his_o state_n of_o glory_n the_o scripture_n alone_o can_v reveal_v to_o we_o what_o we_o be_v in_o our_o primitive_a constitution_n natural_o holy_n bear_v the_o image_n and_o similitude_n of_o god_n and_o enjoy_v his_o love_n free_a from_o all_o inward_a perturbation_n or_o outward_a misery_n have_v all_o the_o creature_n subject_a to_o we_o and_o what_o be_v much_o more_o ourselves_o what_o we_o be_v in_o our_o state_n of_o apostasy_n or_o destitution_n despoil_v of_o all_o our_o primitive_a excellency_n dispossess_v of_o all_o the_o happiness_n we_o enjoy_v and_o of_o all_o hope_n of_o any_o for_o the_o future_a liable_a every_o moment_n to_o the_o revenge_n of_o justice_n and_o certain_a once_o to_o feel_v it_o what_o we_o be_v in_o our_o state_n of_o restitution_n through_o grace_n beget_v again_o to_o a_o lively_a hope_n adopt_a into_o the_o family_n of_o heaven_n redeem_a by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n sanctify_a and_o seal_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n restore_v to_o the_o favour_n and_o friendship_n of_o god_n recover_v the_o initial_o of_o his_o image_n upon_o our_o 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thing_n as_o be_v intelligible_a only_o by_o divine_a revelation_n it_o teach_v we_o the_o most_o sublime_a and_o lofty_a truth_n it_o be_v a_o most_o inexhaustible_a fountain_n of_o knowledge_n the_o more_o we_o draw_v the_o more_o still_o spring_v up_o it_o teach_v that_o knowledge_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n it_o be_v of_o undoubted_a certainty_n and_o perpetual_a truth_n and_o last_o it_o inform_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o and_o certain_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thirst_n in_o you_o after_o knowledge_n there_o need_v no_o more_o be_v speak_v to_o persuade_v you_o to_o the_o diligent_a study_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v a_o rich_a store_n and_o treasury_n of_o all_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n thus_o we_o have_v see_v how_o the_o scripture_n inform_v the_o judgement_n let_v we_o now_o brief_o see_v how_o they_o reform_v the_o life_n and_o what_o practical_a influence_n they_o have_v upon_o the_o soul_n of_o men._n now_o here_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v a_o mighty_a operation_n and_o that_o in_o sundry_a particular_n first_o this_o be_v that_o word_n that_o convince_v and_o humble_v the_o stout_a and_o proud_a sinner_n there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o secure_a sinner_n those_o who_o vaunt_v it_o in_o the_o confidence_n of_o their_o own_o righteousness_n and_o those_o who_o be_v secure_a through_o a_o insensibility_n of_o their_o own_o wickedness_n both_o these_o the_o word_n when_o it_o be_v set_v home_o with_o power_n convince_v humble_v and_o bring_v to_o the_o dust_n it_o despoil_v the_o self-justitiary_a of_o all_o that_o false_a righteousness_n he_o once_o boast_v of_o and_o trust_v to_o i_o be_v alive_a once_o without_o the_o law_n say_v st._n paul_n but_o when_o the_o commandment_n come_v sin_n revive_v and_o i_o die_v rom._n 7.9_o it_o awaken_v and_o alarm_n the_o senseless_a sear_a sinner_n how_o many_o have_v there_o be_v that_o have_v scorn_v god_n and_o despise_a religion_n who_o yet_o one_o curse_n or_o threat_v of_o this_o word_n have_v make_v to_o tremble_v and_o fall_v down_o before_o the_o convince_a majesty_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o second_o this_o be_v that_o word_n that_o sweet_o comfort_n and_o raise_v they_o after_o their_o dejection_n all_o other_o application_n to_o a_o wound_a spirit_n be_v improper_a and_o impertinent_a it_o be_v only_a scripture_n consolation_n that_o can_v ease_v it_o the_o leaf_n of_o this_o book_n be_v like_o the_o leaf_n of_o that_o tree_n rev._n 22._o which_o be_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o nation_n the_o same_o weapon_n that_o wound_n must_v here_o work_v the_o cure_n three_o this_o be_v that_o word_n that_o work_v the_o mighty_a change_n upon_o the_o heart_n in_o renovation_n take_v a_o man_n that_o run_v on_o in_o vile_a and_o desperate_a course_n that_o sell_v himself_o to_o do_v iniquity_n and_o commit_v all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n with_o greediness_n and_o make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o argument_n that_o reason_n can_v suggest_v these_o seldom_o reclaim_v any_o from_o their_o debauchery_n or_o if_o in_o some_o few_o they_o do_v reform_v the_o life_n yet_o they_o can_v never_o change_v the_o heart_n but_o now_o that_o which_o no_o other_o mean_n can_v effect_v the_o word_n of_o god_n can_v psal_n 19.7_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v perfect_a convert_v the_o soul_n four_o this_o be_v that_o word_n that_o strengthen_v and_o arm_n the_o people_n of_o god_n to_o endure_v the_o great_a temporal_a evil_n only_o in_o hope_n of_o that_o future_a reward_n which_o it_o punish_v five_o this_o be_v that_o word_n that_o contain_v in_o it_o such_o a_o collection_n of_o rule_n and_o duty_n that_o whosoever_o observe_v and_o obey_v shall_v in_o the_o end_n infallible_o obtain_v everlasting_a life_n though_o i_o can_v but_o just_a mention_n these_o head_n unto_o you_o yet_o there_o be_v enough_o in_o they_o to_o persuade_v you_o to_o be_v diligent_a in_o the_o scripture_n in_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n you_o think_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n we_o be_v all_o of_o we_o guilty_a malefactor_n but_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o afford_v we_o the_o mercy_n of_o the_o book_n and_o what_o shall_v we_o not_o so_o much_o as_o read_v for_o our_o life_n this_o be_v that_o book_n according_a to_o which_o we_o must_v either_o stand_v or_o fall_v be_v acquit_v or_o condemn_v eternal_o the_o unalterable_a sentence_n of_o the_o last_o day_n will_v pass_v upon_o we_o as_o it_o be_v here_o record_v in_o this_o scripture_n here_o we_o may_v beforehand_o know_v our_o doom_n and_o what_o will_v become_v of_o we_o to_o all_o eternity_n he_o that_o believe_v shall_v be_v save_v but_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o shall_v be_v damn_v it_o be_v say_v rev._n 20.12_o that_o when_o the_o dead_a stand_v before_o god_n to_o be_v judge_v the_o book_n be_v open_v that_o be_v the_o book_n of_o conscience_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v persuade_v to_o open_v this_o book_n and_o to_o judge_v yourselves_o out_o of_o it_o before_o the_o last_o day_n it_o be_v not_o a_o seal_a book_n to_o you_o you_o may_v there_o read_v what_o your_o present_a state_n be_v and_o foretell_v what_o your_o future_a will_v be_v if_o it_o be_v a_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o wrath_n search_v far_o there_o be_v direction_n how_o you_o may_v change_v this_o wretched_a state_n for_o a_o better_a if_o it_o be_v a_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o favour_n there_o be_v rule_n how_o to_o preserve_v you_o in_o it_o it_o be_v a_o word_n suit_v to_o all_o person_n all_o occasion_n all_o exigency_n it_o inform_v the_o ignorant_a strengthen_v the_o weak_a comfort_v the_o disconsolate_a support_v the_o afflict_a relieve_v the_o tempt_v resolve_v the_o doubtful_a direct_v all_o to_o those_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o endless_a happiness_n where_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v dwell_v rich_o in_o we_o so_o we_o shall_v dwell_v for_o ever_o glorious_o with_o god_n finis_fw-la