have_v something_o of_o difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o it_o and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o divine_a revelation_n therein_o contain_v from_o one_o of_o the_o most_o specious_a objection_n of_o infidelity_n but_o i_o have_v a_o far_a design_n in_o this_o text_n and_o that_o be_v to_o make_v some_o observation_n and_o inference_n from_o it_o that_o may_v be_v of_o use_n to_o we_o as_o first_o that_o humane_a nature_n be_v capable_a of_o clear_a and_o full_a satisfaction_n concern_v a_o divine_a revelation_n for_o if_o abraham_n have_v not_o be_v full_o and_o past_o all_o doubt_n assure_v that_o this_o be_v a_o command_n from_o god_n he_o will_v certain_o have_v spare_v his_o son_n and_o nothing_o be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o believe_v that_o those_o to_o who_o god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v immediate_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o assure_v that_o they_o be_v divine_a otherwise_o they_o will_v be_v in_o vain_a 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only_o upon_o the_o sincere_a resolution_n of_o the_o penitent_a and_o sure_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a and_o contrary_a to_o reason_n than_o that_o when_o man_n have_v perform_v all_o the_o condition_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v yet_o they_o shall_v notwithstanding_o this_o be_v deprive_v of_o all_o the_o blessing_n and_o benefit_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v and_o intend_v to_o confer_v upon_o they_o because_o the_o priest_n have_v not_o the_o same_o intention_n so_o that_o when_o a_o man_n have_v do_v all_o he_o can_v to_o work_v out_o his_o own_o salvation_n he_o shall_v be_v never_o the_o near_o only_o for_o want_v of_o that_o which_o be_v whole_o out_o of_o his_o power_n the_o right_a intention_n of_o the_o priest_n beside_o that_o after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o the_o safe_a condition_n of_o man_n in_o their_o church_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a and_o infallible_a mean_n of_o salvation_n to_o be_v have_v in_o it_o this_o one_o principle_n that_o the_o 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salvation_n yet_o without_o any_o fault_n of_o he_o the_o want_n of_o intention_n in_o a_o idle-minded_n man_n may_v frustrate_v all_o and_o though_o the_o man_n have_v be_v baptize_v and_o do_v true_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o have_v sincere_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n and_o live_v a_o most_o holy_a life_n yet_o all_o this_o may_v signify_v nothing_o and_o after_o all_o he_o may_v be_v no_o christian_n because_o his_o baptism_n be_v invalid_a and_o all_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n to_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o his_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n have_v prescribe_v may_v be_v of_o no_o efficacy_n if_o the_o priest_n do_v not_o intend_v in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n to_o do_v that_o which_o god_n and_o the_o church_n intend_v now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a there_o be_v certain_o no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n in_o which_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n run_v so_o many_o hazard_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o hazard_n and_o uncertainty_n have_v its_o rise_n from_o a_o scholastical_a point_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o all_o the_o notion_n of_o mankind_n concern_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o clear_a reason_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o to_o the_o constant_a tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o be_v never_o assert_v by_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n much_o less_o define_v by_o any_o council_n before_o that_o of_o trent_n so_o that_o it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n new_a and_o needless_a and_o in_o the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o it_o unreasonable_a and_o absurd_a to_o the_o utmost_a degree_n the_o last_o instance_n i_o shall_v mention_v be_v their_o rule_n of_o faith_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n universal_o receive_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n before_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v therefore_o by_o the_o church_n call_v canonical_a because_o they_o be_v the_o 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the_o communion_n in_o one_o kind_n and_o several_a other_o superstitious_a practice_n in_o use_n among_o they_o now_o to_o enlarge_v their_o rule_n to_o the_o best_a advantage_n for_o the_o justification_n of_o these_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n they_o take_v these_o two_o way_n 1._o they_o have_v add_v to_o the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o jewish_a church_n to_o who_o be_v commit_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n i_o say_v to_o these_o they_o have_v add_v several_a apocryphal_a book_n not_o warrant_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n because_o they_o be_v write_v after_o prophecy_n and_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v cease_v in_o the_o jewish_a church_n malachi_n be_v the_o last_o of_o their_o prophet_n according_a to_o the_o general_a tradition_n of_o that_o church_n but_o because_o the_o addition_n of_o these_o book_n do_v not_o make_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n large_a enough_o for_o their_o purpose_n in_o imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o great_a confusion_n and_o degeneracy_n of_o that_o church_n they_o add_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o their_o book_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o call_v the_o write_a word_n a_o unwritten_a word_n which_o they_o call_v oral_a tradition_n from_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o they_o declare_v to_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n themselves_o and_o that_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v with_o the_o same_o pious_a veneration_n and_o affection_n of_o which_o tradition_n they_o be_v the_o keeper_n and_o judge_n they_o may_v extend_v they_o to_o what_o they_o please_v and_o have_v they_o in_o their_o own_o breast_n they_o may_v declare_v whatever_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o to_o have_v be_v a_o constant_a and_o universal_a tradition_n of_o their_o church_n though_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o uncertain_a and_o more_o liable_a to_o alteration_n and_o mistake_v than_o tradition_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o so_o many_o age_n bring_v down_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n without_o write_v and_o pass_v through_o so_o many_o hand_n he_o that_o can_v think_v these_o to_o be_v of_o equal_a certainty_n and_o authority_n with_o what_o be_v deliver_v by_o write_v and_o bring_v down_o by_o book_n undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o a_o strange_a paradox_n viz._n that_o general_a rumour_n and_o report_n of_o thing_n say_v and_o do_v 1500_o year_n ago_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n and_o credit_n with_o a_o record_n and_o a_o write_a history_n by_o which_o proceed_v of_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o bring_v their_o faith_n to_o the_o ancient_a rule_n the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o they_o know_v can_v not_o be_v do_v and_o therefore_o they_o be_v resolve_v to_o fit_v their_o rule_n to_o their_o faith_n and_o this_o foundation_n be_v lay_v in_o their_o first_o decree_n all_o the_o rest_n will_v afterward_o go_v on_o very_o smooth_o for_o do_v but_o give_v man_n the_o make_n of_o their_o rule_n and_o they_o can_v make_v good_a any_o thing_n by_o it_o and_o according_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n have_v thus_o fix_v and_o fit_v a_o rule_n to_o their_o own_o purpose_n in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o that_o decree_n they_o give_v the_o world_n fair_a warning_n upon_o what_o ground_n and_o in_o what_o way_n they_o intend_v to_o proceed_v in_o their_o follow_a decree_n of_o practice_n and_o definition_n of_o faith_n omnes_fw-la itaque_fw-la intelligant_fw-la quo_fw-la ordine_fw-la &_o via_fw-la ipsa_fw-la synodus_fw-la post_fw-la jactum_fw-la fidei_fw-la confessionis_fw-la fundamentum_fw-la sit_fw-la progressura_fw-la etc._n etc._n be_v it_o know_v therefore_o to_o all_o man_n in_o what_o order_n and_o way_n the_o synod_n after_o have_v lay_v this_o
foundation_n of_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n will_v proceed_v and_o what_o testimony_n and_o proof_n she_o chief_o intend_v to_o make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o doctrine_n and_o reformation_n of_o manner_n in_o the_o church_n and_o no_o doubt_n all_o man_n do_v see_v very_o plain_o to_o what_o purpose_n this_o foundation_n be_v lay_v of_o so_o large_a a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o be_v admit_v how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o they_o to_o confirm_v and_o prove_v whatever_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o establish_v but_o if_o this_o be_v a_o new_a and_o another_o foundation_n than_o that_o which_o the_o great_a author_n and_o founder_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v lay_v and_o build_v his_o church_n upon_o viz._n the_o foundation_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n it_o be_v no_o matter_n what_o they_o build_v upon_o it_o and_o if_o they_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o new_a part_n of_o this_o rule_n by_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n which_o they_o have_v add_v to_o the_o ancient_a canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n bring_v down_o to_o we_o by_o the_o general_a tradition_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o by_o their_o pretend_a unwritten_a tradition_n we_o do_v with_o reason_n reject_v this_o kind_n of_o proof_n and_o desire_v they_o first_o to_o prove_v their_o rule_n before_o they_o pretend_v to_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o it_o for_o we_o protest_v against_o this_o rule_n as_o never_o declare_v and_o own_a by_o the_o christian_a church_n nor_o proceed_v upon_o by_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n nor_o by_o any_o council_n whatsoever_o before_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n in_o vain_a then_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n vaunt_v itself_o of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o religion_n when_o the_o very_a foundation_n and_o rule_n of_o it_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o a_o new_a thing_n never_o before_o know_v or_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o christian_a world_n whereas_o the_o foundation_n and_o rule_n of_o our_o religion_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o which_o christian_n in_o all_o age_n have_v appeal_v as_o the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n i_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o 3._o thing_n i_o propose_v viz._n that_o we_o be_v to_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_v against_o all_o the_o temptation_n and_o terror_n of_o the_o world_n and_o this_o seem_v more_o especial_o and_o principal_o to_o be_v here_o intend_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o this_o exhortation_n i_o shall_v first_o speak_v of_o the_o temptation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v chief_o these_o two_o the_o temptation_n of_o fashion_n and_o example_n and_o of_o worldly_a interest_n and_o advantage_n 1._o of_o fashion_n and_o example_n this_o in_o truth_n and_o reality_n be_v no_o strong_a argument_n and_o yet_o in_o experience_n and_o effect_v it_o be_v often_o find_v to_o be_v very_o powerful_a it_o be_v frequent_o see_v that_o this_o have_v many_o time_n too_o great_a a_o influence_n upon_o weak_a and_o foolish_a mind_n man_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v carry_v down_o with_o the_o stream_n and_o to_o follow_v a_o multitude_n in_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a but_o more_o especial_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o be_v sway_v by_o great_a example_n and_o to_o bend_v themselves_o to_o such_o a_o obsequiousness_n to_o their_o superior_n and_o better_n that_o in_o compliance_n with_o they_o they_o be_v ready_a not_o only_o to_o change_v their_o affection_n to_o person_n and_o thing_n as_o they_o do_v but_o even_o their_o judgement_n also_o and_o that_o in_o the_o great_a and_o weight_a matter_n even_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o great_a concernment_n of_o another_o world_n but_o this_o sure_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o poor_a and_o mean_a spirit_n and_o of_o a_o weak_a understanding_n which_o lean_v upon_o the_o judgement_n of_o another_o and_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o low_a degree_n of_o servility_n that_o a_o reasonable_a creature_n can_v stoop_v to_o and_o even_o beneath_o that_o of_o a_o slave_n who_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o chain_n and_o fetter_n do_v still_o retain_v the_o freedom_n of_o his_o mind_n and_o judgement_n but_o i_o need_v not_o to_o urge_v this_o upon_o considerate_a person_n who_o know_v better_a how_o to_o value_v their_o duty_n and_o obligation_n to_o god_n than_o to_o be_v tempt_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a thereto_o mere_o in_o compliance_n with_o fashion_n and_o example_n there_o be_v some_o thing_n in_o religion_n so_o very_o plain_a that_o a_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n will_v stand_v alone_o in_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o not_o be_v move_v in_o the_o least_o by_o the_o contrary_a example_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n it_o be_v a_o brave_a resolution_n of_o joshua_n though_o all_o man_n shall_v forsake_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n and_o run_v aside_o to_o other_o god_n yet_o he_o will_v not_o do_v it_o joshua_n 24._o 15._o if_o it_o seem_v evil_a unto_o you_o to_o serve_v the_o lord_n choose_v you_o this_o day_n who_o you_o will_v serve_v but_o as_o for_o i_o and_o my_o house_n we_o will_v serve_v the_o lord_n it_o be_v well_o resolve_v of_o peter_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v too_o confident_a of_o his_o own_o strength_n when_o he_o say_v to_o our_o saviour_n though_o all_o man_n forsake_v thou_o yet_o will_v not_o i._o 2._o another_o sort_n of_o temptation_n and_o which_o be_v common_o more_o powerful_a than_o example_n be_v worldly_a interest_n and_o advantage_n this_o be_v a_o mighty_a bait_n to_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n and_o apt_a to_o work_v very_o strong_o upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o some_o and_o upon_o the_o covetousness_n and_o ambition_n of_o other_o some_o man_n be_v tempt_v by_o necessity_n which_o many_o time_n make_v they_o do_v ugly_a and_o reproachful_a thing_n and_o like_o esau_n for_o a_o morsel_n of_o meat_n to_o sell_v their_o birthright_n and_o blessing_n covetousness_n tempt_v other_o to_o be_v of_o that_o religion_n which_o give_v they_o the_o prospect_n of_o the_o great_a earthly_a advantage_n either_o for_o the_o increase_n or_o secure_v of_o their_o estate_n when_o they_o find_v that_o they_o can_v serve_v god_n and_o mammon_n they_o will_v forsake_v the_o one_o and_o cleave_v to_o the_o other_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a temptation_n to_o many_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o a_o frequent_a cause_n of_o apostasy_n from_o the_o faith_n a_o eager_a desire_n of_o riches_n and_o too_o great_a a_o value_n for_o they_o as_o st._n paul_n observe_v 1_o tim._n 6._o 9_o 10._o but_o they_o that_o will_v be_v rich_a fall_v into_o temptation_n and_o a_o snare_n and_o into_o many_o foolish_a and_o hurtful_a lust_n which_o drown_v man_n in_o destruction_n and_o perdition_n for_o the_o love_n of_o money_n be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a which_o while_o some_o have_v covet_v after_o they_o have_v err_v or_o be_v seduce_v from_o the_o faith_n and_o pierce_v themselves_o through_o with_o many_o sorrow_n this_o be_v the_o temptation_n which_o draw_v off_o demas_n from_o his_o religion_n as_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o 2_o tim._n 4._o 10._o demas_n have_v forsake_v i_o have_v love_v this_o present_a world_n ambition_n be_v likewise_o a_o great_a temptation_n to_o proud_a and_o aspire_a mind_n and_o make_v many_o man_n false_a to_o their_o religion_n when_o they_o find_v it_o a_o hindrance_n to_o their_o preferment_n and_o they_o be_v easy_o persuade_v that_o that_o be_v the_o best_a religion_n which_o be_v attend_v with_o the_o great_a worldly_a advantage_n and_o will_v raise_v they_o to_o the_o high_a dignity_n the_o devil_n understand_v very_o well_o the_o force_n of_o this_o temptation_n when_o he_o set_v upon_o our_o saviour_n and_o therefore_o reserve_v it_o for_o the_o last_o assault_n he_o show_v he_o all_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o they_o and_o say_v to_o he_o all_z this_o will_v i_o give_v thou_o if_o thou_o will_v fall_v down_o and_o worship_v i_o and_o when_o he_o see_v this_o will_v not_o prevail_v he_o give_v he_o over_o in_o despair_n and_o leave_v he_o but_o though_o this_o be_v a_o very_a dazzle_a temptation_n yet_o there_o be_v consideration_n of_o that_o weight_n to_o be_v set_v over-against_o it_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o infinite_a concernment_n of_o it_o to_o our_o immortal_a soul_n as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o quench_v this_o fiery_a dart_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o to_o put_v all_o the_o temptation_n of_o this_o world_n out_o of_o countenance_n and_o to_o render_v all_o the_o riches_n and_o glory_n of_o it_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n and_o misery_n of_o the_o other_o world_n but_o as_o the_o very_a
name_n sake_n by_o all_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o this_o self-denial_n which_o our_o saviour_n here_o require_v of_o his_o disciple_n be_v to_o be_v extend_v no_o far_o than_o to_o a_o readiness_n and_o willingness_n when_o ever_o god_n shall_v call_v we_o to_o it_o to_o quit_v all_o our_o temporal_a interest_n and_o enjoyment_n and_o even_o life_n itself_o the_o dear_a of_o all_o other_o and_o to_o submit_v to_o any_o temporal_a inconvenience_n and_o suffering_n for_o his_o sake_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o explication_n of_o the_o precept_n here_o in_o the_o text._n i_o proceed_v in_o the_o three_o place_n to_o consider_v the_o strict_a and_o indispensible_a obligation_n of_o this_o precept_n of_o self-denial_n and_o suffer_v for_o christ_n and_o his_o truth_n rather_o than_o to_o forsake_v and_o renounce_v they_o if_o any_o man_n will_v come_v after_o i_o or_o be_v my_o disciple_n let_v he_o deny_v himself_o and_o take_v up_o his_o cross_n and_o follow_v i_o that_o be_v upon_o these_o term_n he_o must_v be_v my_o disciple_n in_o this_o manner_n he_o must_v follow_v i_o and_o in_o the_o text_n i_o mention_v before_o he_o declare_v again_o that_o he_o that_o be_v not_o ready_a to_o quit_v all_o his_o relation_n and_o even_a life_n itself_o for_o his_o sake_n be_v not_o worthy_a of_o he_o and_o can_v be_v his_o disciple_n and_o whosoever_o do_v not_o bear_v his_o cross_n and_o come_v after_o i_o can_v be_v my_o disciple_n so_o that_o we_o can_v be_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n nor_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n if_o we_o be_v not_o ready_a thus_o to_o deny_v ourselves_o for_o his_o sake_n and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o if_o for_o fear_n of_o the_o cross_n or_o of_o any_o temporal_a suffering_n we_o shall_v renounce_v and_o deny_v he_o he_o threaten_v to_o deny_v we_o before_o his_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n i._n e._n to_o deprive_v we_o of_o eternal_a life_n and_o to_o sentence_n we_o to_o everlasting_a misery_n matth._n 10._o 32._o whosoever_o shall_v confess_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o confess_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n but_o whosoever_o shall_v deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o also_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o mark_v 8._o 38._o whosoever_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o i_o and_o of_o my_o word_n in_o this_o adulterous_a and_o sinful_a generation_n of_o he_o also_o shall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v ashamed_a when_o he_o come_v in_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o father_n with_o his_o holy_a angel_n that_o be_v when_o he_o come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n they_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o stand_v in_o that_o judgement_n for_o that_o by_o his_o be_v ashamed_a of_o they_o be_v mean_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v condemn_v by_o he_o be_v plain_a from_o what_o go_v before_o v._o 26_o 27._o what_o shall_v it_o profit_v a_o man_n if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n or_o what_o shall_v a_o man_n give_v in_o exchange_n for_o his_o soul_n and_o than_o it_o follow_v whosoever_o therefore_o shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o i_o and_o of_o my_o word_n but_o because_o some_o have_v have_v the_o confidence_n to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o require_v thus_o much_o of_o christian_n but_o all_o that_o he_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v to_o believe_v in_o he_o in_o our_o heart_n but_o not_o to_o make_v any_o outward_a profession_n of_o his_o religion_n when_o the_o magistrate_n forbid_v it_o and_o we_o be_v in_o danger_n of_o suffer_v for_o it_o i_o shall_v therefore_o brief_o examine_v what_o be_v pretend_v for_o so_o strange_a a_o assertion_n and_o so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o express_a word_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n call_v the_o leviathan_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o be_v not_o only_o not_o bind_v to_o confess_v christ_n but_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o deny_v he_o in_o case_n the_o magistrate_n require_v we_o so_o to_o do_v his_o word_n be_v these_o what_o if_o the_o sovereign_n forbid_v we_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n he_o answer_v such_o forbid_v be_v of_o no_o effect_n because_o belief_n and_o unbelief_n never_o follow_v man_n command_n but_o what_o say_v he_o if_o we_o be_v command_v by_o our_o lawful_a prince_n to_o say_v with_o our_o tongue_n we_o believe_v not_o must_v we_o obey_v such_o command_n to_o this_o he_o answer_v that_o profession_n with_o the_o tongue_n be_v but_o a_o external_n thing_n and_o no_o more_o than_o any_o other_o gesture_n whereby_o we_o signify_v our_o obedience_n and_o wherein_o a_o christian_a hold_v firm_o in_o his_o heart_n the_o faith_n of_o christ_n have_v the_o same_o liberty_n which_o the_o prophet_n elisha_n allow_v to_o naaman_n but_o what_o then_o say_v he_o shall_v i_o answer_v to_o our_o saviour_n say_v whosoever_o deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n his_o answer_n be_v this_o we_o may_v say_v that_o whatsoever_o a_o subject_a be_v compel_v to_o in_o obedience_n to_o his_o sovereign_n and_o do_v it_o not_o in_o order_n to_o his_o own_o mind_n but_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n the_o action_n be_v not_o he_o but_o his_o sovereign_n nor_o be_v it_o he_o that_o in_o this_o case_n deny_v christ_n before_o man_n but_o his_o governor_n and_o the_o law_n of_o his_o country_n but_o can_v any_o man_n that_o in_o good_a earnest_n pay_v any_o degree_n of_o reverence_n to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n think_v to_o baffle_v such_o plain_a word_n by_o so_o frivolous_a a_o answer_n there_o be_v no_o man_n doubt_n but_o if_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v command_v man_n to_o deny_v christ_n he_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o a_o great_a sin_n in_o so_o do_v but_o if_o we_o must_v obey_v god_n rather_o than_o man_n and_o every_o man_n must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o himself_o to_o god_n how_o will_v this_o excuse_v he_o that_o deny_v christ_n or_o break_v any_o other_o commandment_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o command_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o to_o put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n that_o our_o saviour_n forbid_v all_o that_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o deny_v he_o though_o the_o magistrate_n shall_v command_v they_o to_o do_v so_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o in_o that_o very_a place_n where_o he_o speak_v of_o confess_v or_o deny_v he_o before_o man_n he_o put_v this_o very_a case_n of_o their_o be_v bring_v before_o king_n and_o governor_n for_o confess_v he_o matth._n 10._o 17._o beware_v say_v he_o of_o man_n for_o they_o will_v deliver_v you_o up_o to_o the_o council_n and_o they_o will_v scourge_v you_o in_o their_o synagogue_n and_o you_o shall_v be_v bring_v before_o governor_n and_o king_n for_o my_o sake_n for_o a_o testimony_n against_o they_o and_o the_o gentile_n but_o what_o testimony_n will_v this_o be_v against_o they_o if_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o deny_v christ_n at_o their_o command_n but_o our_o saviour_n go_v on_o and_o tell_v they_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o demean_v themselves_o when_o they_o be_v bring_v before_o king_n and_o governor_n v_o 19_o but_o when_o they_o shall_v deliver_v you_o up_o take_v you_o no_o thought_n how_o or_o what_o you_o shall_v speak_v for_o it_o shall_v be_v give_v you_o in_o that_o very_a hour_n what_o you_o shall_v speak_v but_o what_o need_v of_o any_o such_o extraordinary_a assistance_n in_o the_o case_n if_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o deny_v he_o when_o they_o be_v require_v by_o the_o magistrate_n to_o do_v it_o and_o then_o proceed_v in_o the_o same_o discourse_n he_o bid_v they_o v_o 28._o not_o to_o fear_v they_o that_o can_v kill_v the_o body_n and_o after_o that_o have_v no_o more_o that_o they_o can_v do_v that_o be_v not_o to_o deny_v he_o for_o fear_v of_o any_o temporal_a punishment_n or_o suffer_v the_o magistrate_n can_v inflict_v upon_o they_o but_o to_o fear_v and_o obey_v he_o who_o can_v destroy_v body_n and_o soul_n in_o hell_n and_o upon_o this_o discourse_n our_o saviour_n conclude_v v_o 32_o 33._o whosoever_o therefore_o shall_v confess_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o confess_v also_o before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n but_o whosoever_o shall_v deny_v i_o before_o man_n he_o will_v i_o also_o deny_v before_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o now_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v plain_a than_o that_o our_o saviour_n require_v his_o disciple_n to_o make_v confession_n of_o he_o before_o king_n and_o governor_n and_o not_o to_o deny_v he_o for_o fear_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o they_o can_v do_v