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the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i_o add_v they_o have_v also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o ii_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o have_v already_o such_o good_a ground_n of_o faith_n such_o full_a direction_n for_o practice_n and_o such_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a request_n to_o desire_v more_o nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o iii_o last_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o in_o case_n god_n shall_v condescend_v to_o
less_o easy_a to_o conceive_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v at_o once_o so_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v for_o ever_o sufficient_a to_o direct_v man_n in_o all_o point_n of_o practice_n because_o although_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o every_o age_n may_v afford_v new_a instance_n of_o wickedness_n yet_o the_o law_n that_o they_o be_v all_o transgression_n of_o may_v be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o rule_n once_o give_v be_v a_o perpetual_a direction_n not_o only_o what_o to_o do_v but_o likewise_o what_o to_o avoid_v and_o this_o as_o well_o in_o those_o instance_n of_o wickedness_n which_o may_v be_v invent_v afterward_o as_o in_o those_o which_o be_v in_o practice_n before_o the_o rule_n be_v make_v for_o he_o that_o give_v direction_n to_o a_o traveller_n in_o his_o way_n bid_v he_o keep_v straight_o forward_o shall_v not_o need_v if_o he_o speak_v to_o a_o man_n of_o reason_n to_o tell_v he_o over_z and_o above_o that_o he_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v all_o turn_n to_o the_o right_a hand_n or_o to_o the_o left_a and_o much_o less_o shall_v he_o need_v to_o give_v he_o a_o particular_a account_n of_o every_o turn_v that_o he_o be_v to_o avoid_v and_o though_o in_o time_n to_o come_v there_o will_v be_v many_o more_o byway_n and_o turn_n out_o of_o the_o road_n than_o there_o be_v at_o present_a yet_o the_o same_o one_o direction_n to_o keep_v straight_o forward_o will_v be_v as_o full_a and_o as_o sufficient_a a_o direction_n then_o as_o it_o be_v now_o and_o the_o necessity_n that_o humane_a lawgiver_n find_v themselves_o under_o to_o be_v every_o day_n repeal_n former_a law_n and_o add_v new_a one_o be_v not_o cause_v by_o a_o absolute_a impossibility_n of_o make_v at_o once_o such_o a_o body_n of_o law_n as_o may_v be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o after_o time_n but_o arise_v as_o i_o suppose_v partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a law_n which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n negative_a and_o prohibitive_a only_a and_o by_o such_o a_o law_n nothing_o be_v render_v unlawful_a but_o what_o be_v name_v and_o to_o name_v at_o once_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v then_o or_o may_v be_v in_o all_o after_o age_n needful_a to_o be_v prohibit_v will_v indeed_o be_v a_o work_n of_o very_o great_a difficulty_n partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o that_o obedience_n that_o be_v due_a to_o a_o mere_a humane_a law_n which_o be_v only_o a_o external_a obedience_n and_o to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n and_o that_o indeed_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o law_n or_o a_o body_n of_o law_n of_o a_o prodigious_a bulk_n and_o very_o difficult_a to_o be_v contrive_v at_o once_o which_o in_o the_o letter_n thereof_o shall_v comprehend_v and_o give_v direction_n concern_v every_o action_n and_o every_o mode_n of_o action_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v do_v or_o forbear_v in_o order_n to_o the_o preserve_a justice_n and_o peace_n among_o man_n partly_o from_o the_o little_a regard_n that_o man_n general_o have_v to_o the_o good_a of_o posterity_n which_o make_v they_o only_o careful_a to_o contrive_v such_o order_n and_o constitution_n as_o they_o hope_v will_v suffice_v to_o preserve_v peace_n in_o their_o own_o time_n leave_v it_o to_o those_o that_o come_v after_o to_o take_v the_o like_a care_n for_o themselves_o in_o their_o time_n partly_o from_o the_o weakness_n and_o ignorance_n of_o the_o wise_a of_o man_n who_o not_o understand_v exact_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o their_o subject_n can_v know_v certain_o what_o effect_v their_o law_n will_v have_v till_o after_o they_o have_v be_v for_o some_o time_n experience_v and_o partly_o from_o the_o unexpected_a difficulty_n that_o be_v sometime_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o execution_n of_o a_o law_n which_o may_v make_v it_o necessary_a afterward_o to_o enforce_v it_o with_o a_o great_a penalty_n or_o to_o take_v some_o further_a care_n than_o at_o first_o be_v think_v needful_a to_o see_v it_o execute_v but_o none_o of_o these_o reason_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o new_a law_n among_o man_n be_v of_o any_o force_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v also_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v every_o day_n make_v new_a declaration_n of_o his_o will_n and_o that_o no_o stand_v revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o time_n for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v positive_a and_o command_a enjoin_v the_o true_a and_o hearty_a love_n both_o to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o every_o natural_a and_o proper_a expression_n thereof_o and_o by_o consequence_n prohibit_v every_o affection_n of_o mind_n and_o every_o outward_a act_n that_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o whether_o it_o be_v express_o name_v or_o not_o and_o the_o obedience_n that_o we_o owe_v to_o a_o divine_a law_n be_v the_o obedience_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a inner_a man_n such_o as_o look_n beyond_o the_o letter_n to_o the_o design_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o law_n and_o avoid_v as_o careful_o whatsoever_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o law_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v forbid_v in_o the_o most_o express_a word_n and_o god_n be_v king_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o have_v the_o same_o relation_n to_o all_o man_n in_o all_o age_n and_o can_v but_o be_v suppose_v to_o design_n the_o good_a government_n of_o his_o subject_n in_o after_o as_o well_o as_o in_o former_a time_n and_o he_o also_o understand_v full_o the_o temper_n of_o all_o his_o subject_n know_v beforehand_o what_o effect_v the_o law_n he_o give_v they_o will_v have_v and_o can_v never_o be_v disappoint_v in_o his_o expectation_n and_o so_o can_v never_o be_v oblige_v to_o repeal_v or_o alter_v any_o of_o his_o law_n by_o a_o unforeseen_a experience_n that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o convenient_a or_o so_o effectual_a as_o he_o think_v they_o will_v be_v and_o last_o he_o have_v all_o power_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o a_o sovereign_a and_o uncontrollable_a dominion_n over_o all_o can_v appoint_v what_o penalty_n he_o please_v to_o the_o transgression_n of_o his_o law_n can_v at_o any_o time_n convict_v transgressor_n by_o his_o own_o unerring_a knowledge_n only_o and_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o guilty_a conscience_n without_o other_o witness_n and_o have_v it_o in_o his_o own_o single_a power_n without_o any_o help_n of_o other_o to_o execute_v whenever_o he_o will_v whatever_o penalty_n he_o threaten_v thus_o i_o think_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a for_o all_o time_n that_o all_o matter_n necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o do_v by_o man_n at_o all_o time_n may_v be_v at_o once_o commit_v to_o write_v 2._o but_o second_o though_o this_o be_v grant_v it_o may_v be_v still_o further_o object_v against_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o a_o stand_a revelation_n that_o it_o can_v hardly_o be_v sufficient_o attest_v that_o there_o can_v be_v sufficient_a evidence_n give_v to_o satisfy_v a_o rational_a man_n that_o any_o such_o write_n which_o be_v say_v to_o be_v of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n be_v indeed_o so_o and_o that_o 1._o because_o there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o eye-witness_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o any_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n who_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o 2._o because_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o book_n do_v not_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o his_o reader_n and_o 3._o because_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o himself_o be_v not_o deceive_v in_o his_o opinion_n of_o his_o own_o inspiration_n or_o of_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o he_o or_o in_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o other_o matter_n which_o he_o have_v relate_v as_o of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n 1._o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o eye-witness_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v that_o any_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n that_o be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o that_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v sufficient_o assure_v of_o the_o author_n of_o any_o book_n and_o yet_o that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o book_n in_o the_o world_n ancient_a as_o well_o as_o modern_a the_o author_n whereof_o be_v never_o in_o the_o least_o doubt_v of_o who_o yet_o i_o suppose_v do_v not_o use_v to_o call_v together_o a_o company_n of_o man_n to_o stand_v by_o and_o see_v they_o write_v those_o book_n which_o they_o intend_v to_o publish_v it_o seem_v then_o that_o either_o there_o may_v be_v beside_o eye-witness_n sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o person_n under_o who_o name_n it_o go_v or_o else_o that_o all_o the_o world_n have_v be_v extreme_o credulous_a in_o receive_v a_o infinite_a number_n
other_o matter_n that_o he_o have_v relate_v as_o of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a there_o may_v be_v mistake_n in_o the_o sign_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o divine_a revelation_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o revelation_n its_o self_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o report_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o prophet_n himself_o or_o any_o other_o man_n who_o have_v report_v the_o miracle_n do_v by_o the_o prophet_n as_o matter_n of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n do_v imagine_v he_o see_v thing_n which_o he_o do_v not_o see_v and_o that_o he_o hear_v thing_n which_o he_o do_v not_o hear_v but_o if_o this_o be_v suppose_v possible_a that_o any_o man_n and_o much_o more_o that_o several_a man_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o report_n the_o organ_n of_o who_o sense_n be_v right_o dispose_v and_o who_o by_o all_o their_o other_o action_n and_o discourse_n appear_v to_o be_v sober_a and_o considerate_a and_o judicious_a shall_v yet_o in_o the_o day_n time_n and_o in_o a_o clear_a light_n and_o when_o they_o be_v sure_o they_o be_v broad_a awake_a be_v mistake_v in_o the_o plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n then_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n in_o the_o world_n then_o they_o that_o make_v the_o objection_n can_v be_v no_o more_o sure_a of_o what_o they_o themselves_o see_v and_o hear_v than_o other_o man_n can_v be_v and_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o hold_v a_o argument_n with_o such_o as_o dare_v not_o believe_v their_o own_o eye_n and_o ear_n the_o only_a sense_n whereby_o i_o think_v such_o man_n can_v be_v convince_v must_v be_v feel_v and_o it_o will_v be_v well_o for_o they_o if_o they_o can_v carry_v the_o same_o scepticism_n with_o they_o into_o the_o other_o world_n and_o when_o they_o be_v compass_v about_o with_o the_o flame_n of_o hell_n can_v be_v able_a to_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o real_a or_o a_o paint_a fire_n whether_o they_o be_v torment_v in_o that_o flame_n or_o not_o leave_v these_o therefore_o to_o be_v convince_v in_o the_o other_o world_n as_o be_v i_o think_v not_o capable_a of_o conviction_n here_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o with_o have_v say_v what_o i_o suppose_v be_v enough_o to_o satisfy_v other_o that_o the_o witness_n of_o a_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n may_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o witness_n and_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o god_n to_o speak_v so_o plain_o to_o man_n that_o they_o may_v be_v certain_a they_o have_v have_v a_o divine_a revelation_n and_o that_o such_o evidence_n may_v be_v give_v of_o the_o veracity_n of_o a_o author_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o book_n as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v a_o reasonable_a man._n and_o by_o this_o and_o what_o be_v say_v before_o i_o hope_v i_o have_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o a_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n may_v be_v so_o well_o contrive_v and_o so_o well_o attest_v as_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o effect_v its_o design_n viz._n to_o bring_v man_n to_o repentance_n whether_o the_o stand_a revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n will_v be_v matter_n of_o enquiry_n in_o the_o next_o discourse_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v may_v serve_v to_o dispose_v we_o to_o hear_v without_o prejudice_n the_o argument_n that_o may_v be_v offer_v to_o prove_v the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o 1._o if_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o there_o may_v be_v such_o a_o stand_a revelation_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o there_o be_v one_o for_o from_o that_o natural_a notion_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n it_o may_v be_v fair_o argue_v that_o he_o be_v not_o want_v to_o man_n in_o the_o necessary_a mean_n of_o salvation_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v not_o new_a revelation_n make_v every_o day_n it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o there_o be_v already_o some_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n extant_a that_o be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n to_o happiness_n and_o 2._o if_o there_o be_v already_o any_o such_o stand_a revelation_n extant_a it_o may_v be_v strong_o presume_v that_o it_o be_v that_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o book_n that_o we_o know_v of_o which_o have_v such_o good_a evidence_n of_o divine_a authority_n and_o inspiration_n as_o that_o have_v let_v we_o then_o be_v prepare_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o religion_n with_o unprejudiced_a mind_n with_o a_o sincere_a love_n and_o desire_n of_o truth_n and_o with_o a_o resolution_n to_o hear_v reason_n and_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o it_o and_o above_o all_o which_o indeed_o be_v the_o best_a preparation_n for_o truth_n and_o the_o best_a security_n against_o error_n let_v we_o in_o the_o sincerity_n of_o our_o heart_n apply_v ourselves_o to_o god_n for_o his_o help_n and_o direction_n and_o that_o our_o prayer_n may_v be_v effectual_a let_v we_o be_v careful_a to_o approve_v ourselves_o to_o he_o by_o a_o conscientious_a discharge_n of_o all_o those_o duty_n of_o piety_n justice_n temperance_n and_o charity_n which_o be_v clear_o teach_v even_o by_o natural_a reason_n and_o be_v ready_o dispose_v to_o practice_v whatever_o else_o we_o shall_v learn_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n by_o any_o far_a illumination_n 7.17_o joh._n 7.17_o for_o if_o any_o man_n will_v do_v his_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n finis_fw-la errata_fw-la in_o epist_n ded._n l._n 3._o r._n archbishop_n p._n 8._o l._n 31._o r._n forbear_v p._n 13._o l._n 19_o r._n he_o who_o p._n 14._o l._n 16._o r._n a_o book_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o scripture-revelation_n as_o to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n february_n the_o 5_o the_o 1699_o 700._o be_v the_o second_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a the_o first_o thing_n which_o i_o propound_v to_o do_v in_o discourse_v on_o these_o word_n be_v to_o endeavour_v to_o show_v that_o the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n they_o have_v also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o if_o that_o stand_a revelation_n which_o god_n have_v make_v to_o we_o of_o his_o will_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n can_v upon_o any_o account_n be_v think_v insufficient_a to_o effect_v this_o design_n it_o must_v be_v i_o think_v either_o 1._o because_o no_o stand_a revelation_n can_v be_v sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n or_o 2._o because_o there_o be_v some_o particular_a defect_n in_o that_o revelation_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o render_v it_o not_o so_o sufficient_a for_o this_o purpose_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a a_o stand_a revelation_n may_v be_v i_o have_v therefore_o in_o a_o former_a discourse_n upon_o 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he_o think_v he_o himself_o have_v write_v enough_o in_o his_o gospel_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o to_o direct_v they_o in_o the_o way_n to_o eternal_a life_n there_o be_v therefore_o in_o those_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o have_v several_a abridgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a doctrine_n it_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v pretend_v that_o all_o these_o book_n together_o be_v not_o sufficient_a full_o to_o instruct_v we_o therein_o beside_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n that_o be_v preach_v suppose_v by_o st._n thomas_n in_o india_n or_o by_o st._n simon_n in_o africa_n or_o by_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n in_o country_n remote_a from_o judea_n or_o without_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v undoubted_o the_o very_a same_o gospel_n that_o be_v preach_v by_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n or_o those_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n who_o book_n be_v now_o extant_a and_o receive_v by_o the_o 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