the_o author_n the_o god_n of_o truth_n precious_a for_o the_o matter_n the_o glorious_a mystery_n of_o christ_n precious_a for_o the_o frame_n and_o form_n plainness_n of_o stile_n mix_v with_o majesty_n precious_a for_o the_o end_n to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n let_v we_o endeavour_n now_o to_o make_v the_o best_a use_n of_o this_o doctrine_n 1._o the_o first_o use_n of_o it_o be_v to_o admonish_v every_o minister_n who_o by_o his_o office_n and_o calling_n be_v to_o handle_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o to_o do_v it_o with_o reverence_n and_o humility_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o that_o exceed_a price_n and_o therefore_o a_o woe_n shall_v be_v unto_o he_o whosoever_o that_o shall_v rash_o and_o unaduised_o and_o unreverent_o dispense_v it_o 30.18_o exod._n 30.18_o we_o shall_v read_v that_o among_o other_o the_o holy_a thing_n which_o god_n ordain_v to_o be_v make_v in_o the_o ancient_a tabernacle_n he_o appoint_v a_o laver_n of_o brass_n in_o which_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n shall_v wash_v their_o hand_n and_o their_o foot_n so_o often_o as_o they_o go_v into_o the_o tabernacle_n or_o do_v go_v unto_o the_o altar_n to_o minister_v which_o outward_a wash_n command_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o that_o with_o such_o a_o strait_a penalty_n that_o they_o must_v do_v it_o lest_o they_o die_v â—0_n ver_fw-la â—0_n serve_v to_o teach_v all_o those_o that_o succeed_v they_o in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n in_o the_o church_n to_o take_v heed_n how_o they_o do_v unho_o and_o without_o due_a prepare_n and_o study_v and_o a_o humble_a seek_v of_o the_o lord_n adventure_n to_o meddle_v with_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o heavenly_a price_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v if_o any_o man_n speak_v let_v he_o speak_v as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n say_v saint_n peter_n 4.11_o 1._o pet._n 4.11_o 2._o second_o it_o be_v a_o admonition_n also_o to_o all_o that_o come_v to_o hear_v 4.17_o eccles_n 4.17_o to_o take_v heed_n as_o solomon_n say_v to_o their_o foot_n before_o they_o come_v into_o the_o house_n of_o god_n i_o may_v say_v to_o you_o touch_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o christ_n say_v to_o the_o people_n touch_v john_n baptist_n 11.7_o math._n 11.7_o what_o go_v you_o out_o say_v he_o into_o the_o wilderness_n to_o see_v so_o what_o be_v it_o that_o you_o come_v from_o your_o house_n to_o the_o church_n to_o be_v partaker_n of_o be_v it_o a_o idle_a song_n or_o a_o old_a wife_n tale_n or_o a_o foolish_a history_n or_o a_o frivolous_a interlude_n ro_o be_v laugh_v at_o or_o what_o be_v it_o that_o you_o come_v for_o be_v it_o not_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o you_o say_v it_o it_o be_v know_v you_o not_o of_o what_o price_n it_o be_v or_o do_v you_o consider_v from_o who_o it_o come_v of_o who_o it_o treat_v and_o to_o what_o end_v it_o aim_v if_o you_o do_v how_o do_v you_o dare_v to_o come_v unto_o it_o with_o unprepared_a unreformed_a unsanctified_a heart_n how_o be_v it_o that_o we_o make_v no_o more_o account_n 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exod._n 3.5_o etc._n etc._n meaning_n by_o that_o ceremony_n to_o strike_v a_o kind_n of_o awful_a reverence_n into_o moses_n when_o as_o he_o be_v now_o to_o come_v &_o stand_v before_o god_n thereby_o also_o teach_v we_o that_o when_o we_o come_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o god_n worship_n among_o which_o the_o use_n of_o the_o word_n be_v the_o principal_a we_o must_v labour_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v to_o cast_v away_o every_o thing_n that_o press_v down_o &_o to_o ease_v ourselves_o from_o every_o unclean_a unhallowed_a worldly_a or_o needless_a thought_n 12.1_o heb._n 12.1_o from_o every_o unreverent_a motion_n which_o may_v be_v a_o clog_n or_o hindrance_n unto_o we_o in_o the_o save_n hear_v of_o god_n word_n this_o be_v the_o second_o use_n 3._o three_o it_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v as_o a_o advertisement_n to_o all_o those_o that_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v knower_n and_o doer_n of_o the_o word_n to_o beware_v how_o by_o their_o evil_a life_n they_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o 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become_v a_o byword_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o evil_a man_n how_o often_o do_v the_o apostle_n give_v charge_n to_o professor_n of_o religion_n to_o look_v unto_o it_o 2.5_o tit._n 2.5_o that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v not_o evil_o speak_v of_o what_o a_o heavy_a accusation_n be_v it_o that_o be_v lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v blaspheme_v among_o the_o gentile_n through_o you_o 2.24_o rom._n 2.24_o what_o a_o sharp_a expostulation_n be_v that_o which_o be_v use_v by_o god_n himself_o against_o dissemble_a hypocrite_n which_o like_o a_o rower_n in_o a_o boat_n look_v one_o way_n and_o pull_v another_o to_o profess_v one_o thing_n 50.19_o psal_n 50.19_o and_o do_v the_o contrary_a what_o have_v thou_o to_o do_v to_o take_v my_o covenant_n in_o thy_o mouth_n etc._n etc._n david_n be_v a_o man_n dear_a unto_o god_n yet_o because_o by_o his_o adultery_n and_o murder_n he_o have_v make_v the_o enemy_n of_o god_n to_o blaspheme_v the_o lord_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o fact_n to_o go_v away_o without_o some_o testimony_n of_o his_o displeasure_n 12._o 2._o sam._n 12._o and_o sure_o what_o ever_o thou_o be_v be_v sure_o the_o lord_n will_v punish_v thou_o if_o thy_o evil_a life_n thy_o not_o labour_v to_o master_v thy_o own_o affection_n and_o to_o make_v thy_o conversation_n such_o as_o become_v the_o gosple_n do_v give_v occasion_n to_o any_o profane_a person_n to_o jest_v at_o religion_n and_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o way_n of_o godliness_n remember_v it_o therefore_o you_o that_o love_v the_o word_n remember_v it_o i_o say_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v precious_a be_v not_o you_o a_o mean_n to_o bring_v it_o into_o disgrace_n this_o be_v the_o three_o use_n 4._o a_o four_o use_n be_v to_o cut_v off_o all_o vain_a and_o idle_a use_v of_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v a_o common_a grace_n of_o some_o to_o use_v some_o word_n or_o sentence_n of_o scripture_n in_o steed_n of_o jest_n and_o proverb_n in_o their_o common_a talk_n by_o which_o to_o delight_v themselves_o and_o other_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v precious_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v use_v with_o great_a regard_n i_o will_v look_v upon_o he_o that_o be_v of_o a_o coutrite_a heart_n and_o that_o tremble_v at_o my_o word_n 66.2_o isay_n 66.2_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o tremble_v at_o the_o word_n and_o make_v of_o a_o man_n self_n merry_a by_o play_v and_o toy_v with_o the_o word_n the_o lord_n look_v upon_o the_o one_o and_o pity_v it_o he_o set_v himself_o against_o the_o other_o and_o will_v revenge_v it_o we_o have_v a_o example_n of_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o
and_o a_o thing_n very_o ridiculous_a and_o childish_a to_o tie_v a_o man_n self_n so_o straight_o as_o not_o willing_o to_o swerve_v from_o the_o direction_n and_o warrant_v of_o the_o scripture_n if_o we_o be_v sick_a we_o will_v go_v first_o to_o carnal_a mean_n &_o last_o to_o the_o scripture_n if_o we_o be_v grieve_v in_o mind_n and_o touch_v in_o conscience_n we_o will_v look_v for_o comfort_v any_o where_n before_o we_o will_v seek_v it_o in_o the_o scripture_n if_o we_o be_v wrong_v and_o injure_v in_o the_o world_n we_o will_v run_v after_o the_o egging_n on_o of_o our_o own_o corrupt_a heart_n to_o be_v our_o own_o avengers_n before_o we_o will_v ask_v counsel_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o in_o these_o few_o so_o almost_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n any_o rule_n please_v we_o better_o than_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o apparel_n we_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o fashion_n in_o meat_n and_o drink_n by_o our_o sensual_a appetite_n in_o recreation_n by_o company_n or_o by_o our_o own_o in_o ordinate_a affection_n in_o deal_n with_o man_n by_o our_o profit_n in_o get_v riches_n by_o our_o unsatiable_a desire_n these_o be_v our_o rule_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n either_o we_o do_v not_o know_v or_o we_o do_v not_o esteem_v they_o or_o we_o think_v it_o a_o burden_n and_o a_o kind_n of_o restraint_n to_o be_v tie_v to_o observe_v they_o 2.13_o jer._n 2.13_o thus_o we_o be_v like_a unto_o those_o of_o who_o god_n complain_v by_o jeremie_n they_o have_v forsake_v i_o say_v he_o the_o fountain_n of_o live_a water_n &_o dig_v themselves_o pit_n even_o break_v pit_n that_o can_v hold_v no_o water_n so_o we_o let_v go_v the_o best_a advice_n which_o can_v err_v and_o devise_v rule_n and_o precept_n to_o ourselves_o which_o must_v needs_o deceive_v us._n to_o reform_v this_o common_a evil_n let_v we_o remember_v what_o we_o have_v hear_v viz._n that_o god_n have_v furnish_v his_o word_n with_o variety_n of_o direction_n the_o precept_n of_o 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20.27_o rom._n 3.2_o 2._o tim._n 3_o 16._o 2_o pet._n 1.21_o which_o be_v god_n for_o which_o cause_n it_o be_v so_o often_o call_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o counsel_n of_o god_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n the_o whole_a scripture_n be_v give_v say_v paul_n by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o it_o come_v say_v saint_n peter_n not_o by_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o i_o have_v write_v it_o say_v he_o here_o in_o my_o text_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o idle_a tale_n devise_v as_o atheist_n say_v by_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n to_o keep_v the_o vulgar_a in_o subjection_n but_o it_o be_v the_o very_a mind_n of_o god_n &_o the_o very_a express_a pattern_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o be_v original_o in_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o truth_n which_o be_v the_o lord_n second_o by_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o the_o matter_n of_o scripture_n be_v in_o a_o word_n that_o great_a mystery_n of_o godliness_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v god_n manifest_v in_o the_o flesh_n etc._n etc._n 2.8_o 1._o tim._n 3.16_o col._n 1.27_o 1._o cor._n 2.8_o a_o glorious_a mystery_n a_o hide_a mystery_n which_o none_o of_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n can_v know_v a_o mystery_n which_o no_o man_n by_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n be_v ever_o able_a to_o conceive_v a_o mystery_n which_o the_o angel_n in_o heaven_n do_v admire_v and_o the_o devil_n in_o hell_n do_v tremble_v at_o a_o mystery_n which_o the_o atheist_n in_o their_o mouth_n do_v scoff_n at_o but_o even_o at_o the_o same_o time_n in_o their_o heart_n do_v quake_v to_o consider_v this_o be_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n jesus_n christ_n yesterday_o to_o day_n the_o same_o for_o ever_o he_o be_v the_o yea_o and_o the_o amen_o of_o all_o the_o promise_n 1.11_o heb._n 13.8_o 2._o cor._n 1.20_o revel_v 1.11_o the_o alpha_n and_o the_o omega_n the_o first_o and_o the_o last_o the_o pith_n and_o marrow_n of_o the_o whole_a three_o by_o the_o stile_n of_o it_o fullness_n of_o majesty_n in_o simplicity_n of_o word_n the_o like_a temper_n no_o where_o else_o to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o humane_a writer_n whatsoever_o i_o know_v that_o in_o sundry_a parcel_n of_o the_o scripture_n there_o be_v to_o be_v see_v many_o more_o than_o step_n or_o print_n of_o eloquence_n which_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n do_v to_o make_v we_o know_v that_o he_o can_v if_o it_o have_v please_v he_o have_v frettise_v as_o it_o be_v the_o whole_a volume_n of_o the_o book_n with_o the_o excellency_n of_o word_n yet_o general_o it_o be_v so_o carry_v in_o such_o a_o low_a phrase_n of_o speech_n which_o yet_o do_v not_o savour_n of_o any_o earthly_a mould_n but_o make_v a_o man_n even_o as_o it_o be_v in_o despite_n of_o himself_o to_o admire_v it_o thy_o testimony_n be_v wonderful_a say_v david_n yet_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n he_o say_v the_o entrance_n into_o they_o show_v light_n 119.129_o psal_n 119.129_o &_o give_v understanding_n so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o depth_n of_o mystery_n in_o plain_n of_o word_n four_o the_o end_n of_o it_o the_o end_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o to_o please_v idle_a humour_n with_o variety_n of_o delightful_a matter_n nether_a to_o exercise_v busy_a wit_n with_o subtlety_n of_o question_n nor_o to_o be_v as_o a_o matter_n of_o story_n only_o to_o acquaint_v man_n with_o the_o course_n of_o time_n nor_o to_o furnish_v man_n with_o ability_n to_o discourse_n the_o word_n of_o god_n aim_v at_o none_o of_o these_o end_n which_o yet_o notwithstanding_o be_v the_o chief_a scope_n and_o even_o the_o happiness_n of_o the_o most_o author_n but_o it_o drive_v at_o this_o one_o point_n to_o make_v a_o man_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n to_o show_v the_o path_n of_o life_n 1.20_o 2._o tim._n 3.15_o psal_n 16.11_o luk._n 1.79_o rom._n 1.20_o to_o guide_v our_o foot_n into_o the_o way_n of_o peace_n we_o may_v read_v in_o the_o great_a book_n of_o the_o creature_n as_o i_o may_v so_o call_v it_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n his_o eternal_a power_n &_o godhead_n yet_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n get_v there_o be_v of_o no_o power_n but_o only_o to_o make_v we_o inexcusable_a and_o therefore_o david_n have_v speak_v of_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n which_o appear_v even_o in_o the_o creation_n of_o thing_n 19_o psal_n 19_o 7._o ver._n 7._o come_v at_o last_o to_o this_o the_o law_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v perfect_a conver_a the_o soul_n to_o show_v that_o without_o the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o man_n may_v gain_v knowledge_n enough_o to_o condemn_v he_o yet_o he_o can_v get_v none_o to_o save_v he_o and_o so_o many_o other_o place_n have_v declare_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n which_o be_v to_o be_v see_v even_o in_o the_o very_a wave_n of_o the_o sea_n 93._o psal_n 93._o at_o last_o he_o conclude_v the_o psalm_n o_o lord_n thy_o testimony_n be_v very_o sure_a mean_v that_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a and_o comfortable_a knowledge_n of_o god_n to_o be_v get_v but_o only_o from_o thence_o and_o for_o the_o same_o cause_n christ_n tell_v the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n that_o they_o worship_v they_o know_v not_o what_o and_o that_o the_o true_a worship_n be_v only_o among_o the_o jew_n 4.22_o joh._n 4.22_o because_o they_o only_o have_v the_o scripture_n now_o then_o look_v how_o far_o salvation_n life_n eternal_a everlasting_a happiness_n do_v exceed_v all_o other_o thing_n by_o so_o much_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o great_a price_n than_o all_o other_o doctrine_n than_o all_o other_o writing_n whatsoever_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o price_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n precious_a for_o
his_o hand_n shorten_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o see_v every_o parcel_n of_o his_o holy_a pleasure_n put_v in_o execution_n it_o may_v seem_v needle_n to_o insist_v upon_o this_o point_n touch_v the_o unfallible_a certainty_n and_o fulfil_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o if_o we_o consider_v our_o time_n we_o shall_v see_v it_o be_v a_o needful_a doctrine_n for_o whatsoever_o man_n profession_n be_v their_o conversation_n be_v such_o that_o a_o man_n may_v well_o think_v of_o they_o that_o they_o imagine_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v but_o a_o idle_a tale_n a_o frightful_a sound_n to_o amaze_v fool_n full_a of_o terrible_a threaten_n but_o yet_o light_a than_o vanity_n in_o performance_n 15.2.5_o heb._n 13.4_o gal_n 5.21_o psal_n 15.2.5_o do_v the_o unchaste_a person_n think_v it_o true_a that_o whoremonger_n and_o adulterer_n god_n will_v judge_v do_v the_o drunkard_n believe_v that_o no_o such_o shall_v inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n do_v the_o usurer_n imagine_v that_o there_o be_v any_o certainty_n in_o that_o speech_n that_o no_o such_o shall_v be_v receive_v into_o heaven_n do_v the_o contemner_n of_o god_n word_n suppose_v that_o that_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v which_o paul_n say_v viz_n that_o the_o lord_n will_v in_o flame_a fire_n render_v vengeance_n to_o they_o that_o do_v not_o obey_v the_o gospel_n do_v the_o despiser_n of_o knowledge_n persuade_v himself_o that_o solomon_n speak_v with_o authority_n when_o he_o say_v 1.8_o 2._o th._n 1.8_o the_o lord_n will_v laugh_v at_o his_o dectruction_n do_v those_o that_o presume_v upon_o god_n mercy_n and_o think_v they_o may_v live_v how_o they_o will_v and_o repent_v when_o they_o will_v give_v credit_n to_o that_o where_o it_o be_v say_v 1.22.26_o prov._n 1.22.26_o that_o these_o which_o do_v despise_v the_o riches_n of_o god_n bounty_n and_o abuse_v his_o patience_n do_v but_o heap_v up_o wrath_n to_o themselves_o against_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o so_o i_o may_v say_v in_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v it_o likely_a that_o man_n think_v there_o be_v any_o truth_n in_o the_o word_n which_o be_v so_o flat_a against_o these_o course_n of_o which_o their_o life_n be_v a_o continual_a practice_n â—_o rom._n 2._o â—_o â—_o sure_o it_o be_v not_o for_o out_o of_o all_o doubt_n if_o they_o have_v any_o such_o conceit_n and_o do_v not_o rather_o say_v to_o themselves_o as_o they_o do_v in_o jeremies_n time_n 5.13_o jer._n 5.13_o it_o be_v but_o wind_n they_o will_v humble_v themselves_o before_o the_o lord_n for_o their_o evil_n pass_v and_o their_o future_a reformation_n shall_v manifest_v their_o reverend_a persuasion_n of_o the_o certainite_a of_o those_o judgement_n which_o stand_v upon_o record_n in_o in_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o let_v we_o remember_v this_o this_o scripture_n this_o word_n be_v not_o a_o devise_n of_o man_n it_o be_v write_v by_o god_n every_o curse_n write_v in_o it_o shall_v fall_v upon_o the_o unrepentant_a and_o every_o blessing_n promise_v therein_o shall_v be_v make_v good_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o every_o true_a believer_n finis_fw-la the_o second_o sermon_n the_o next_o question_n to_o be_v handle_v in_o this_o place_n touch_v that_o which_o god_n have_v here_o say_v that_o he_o have_v write_v the_o great_a thing_n of_o his_o law_n be_v why_o it_o be_v meet_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o writing_n as_o i_o have_v prove_v unto_o you_o that_o it_o be_v not_o write_v at_o adventure_n out_o of_o the_o humour_n of_o some_o private_a man_n but_o by_o the_o special_a appointment_n &_o direction_n of_o god_n so_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o the_o write_n of_o it_o be_v not_o undertake_v but_o upon_o very_o great_a reason_n and_o for_o very_o exceed_o good_a purpose_n the_o main_a and_o principal_a end_n be_v the_o spiritual_a good_a and_o edification_n of_o god_n church_n that_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v in_o asmuch_o as_o in_o all_o thing_n the_o lord_n have_v a_o chief_a respect_n unto_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o own_o name_n in_o the_o good_a of_o his_o choose_a but_o how_o and_o in_o what_o manner_n and_o for_o what_o respect_n the_o writing_n of_o the_o word_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o church_n good_a it_o shall_v be_v worth_a our_o labour_n to_o inquire_v understand_v therefore_o that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o word_n be_v and_o be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o respect_n even_o that_o it_o may_v have_v one_o certain_a and_o unfallible_a rule_n by_o which_o all_o doctrine_n may_v be_v try_v all_o controversy_n in_o religion_n decide_v all_o doubt_n resolve_v and_o every_o conscience_n firm_o ground_v and_o settle_v in_o god_n truth_n for_o this_o cause_n we_o read_v that_o when_o there_o be_v no_o word_n write_v but_o moses_n law_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v try_v by_o it_o after_o when_o to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v add_v the_o sermon_n of_o the_o prophet_n 8.20_o isay_n 8.20_o then_o every_o thing_n be_v refer_v unto_o they_o so_o christ_n clear_v his_o doctrine_n and_o make_v it_o good_a by_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n 24.27_o luk._n 24.27_o &_o paul_n defence_n be_v this_o that_o he_o have_v say_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o those_o which_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n do_v say_v shall_v come_v and_o all_o the_o learned_a in_o the_o best_a time_n which_o follow_v 26.22_o act_n 26.22_o take_v the_o same_o course_n leave_v themselves_o a_o example_n unto_o we_o to_o make_v the_o write_a word_n as_o it_o be_v the_o standard_n or_o the_o king_n beam_n by_o which_o to_o try_v all_o doctrine_n that_o be_v tender_v to_o we_o accept_v none_o for_o sound_n &_o good_a but_o only_o that_o which_o be_v agree_v thereunto_o so_o that_o look_v what_o necessity_n there_o be_v that_o the_o church_n shall_v have_v a_o judge_n to_o decide_v doubt_n and_o a_o true_a rule_n to_o find_v out_o and_o to_o discern_v the_o truth_n the_o same_o be_v there_o that_o the_o word_n shall_v be_v put_v in_o writing_n for_o the_o common_a and_o perpetual_a good_a of_o all_o posterity_n if_o any_o man_n think_v that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v as_o well_o and_o profitable_o have_v proceed_v for_o the_o church_n good_a from_o hand_n to_o hand_n by_o lively_a voice_n as_o by_o writing_n the_o father_n commend_v it_o to_o his_o son_n and_o so_o continue_v it_o one_o after_o another_o to_o the_o end_n he_o be_v much_o deceive_v for_o first_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v very_o slippery_a and_o weak_a and_o soon_o ready_a to_o forget_v the_o best_a thing_n second_o man_n nature_n be_v very_o prone_a to_o error_n &_o apt_a either_o to_o entertain_v or_o to_o broach_v new_a religion_n and_o therefore_o to_o prevent_v forgetfulness_n to_o avoid_v error_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n from_o corruption_n it_o be_v meet_v the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v write_v it_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v mark_v the_o speech_n of_o luke_n in_o the_o preface_n of_o his_o gospel_n to_o that_o noble_a theophilus_n 4._o luk._n i._n 4._o he_o confess_v that_o he_o have_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n yet_o he_o think_v to_o write_v unto_o he_o from_o point_n to_o point_n that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o certainty_n of_o those_o thing_n so_o that_o though_o he_o have_v indifferent_a good_a knowledge_n before_o yet_o write_v the_o story_n be_v the_o mean_n to_o beget_v certainty_n this_o shall_v be_v write_v for_o the_o generation_n to_o come_v say_v david_n 102.18_o psal_n 102.18_o writing_n be_v the_o best_a mean_n even_o as_o we_o see_v by_o common_a course_n to_o preserve_v a_o thing_n unto_o posterity_n beside_o as_o in_o a_o generallitie_n it_o be_v necessary_a the_o word_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v write_v that_o there_o may_v be_v one_o certain_a rule_n to_o judge_v the_o truth_n by_o so_o for_o one_o main_a point_n of_o doctrine_n it_o be_v very_o behooveful_a viz._n to_o assure_v we_o that_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n be_v the_o true_a messiah_n who_o be_v once_o come_v none_o other_o be_v to_o be_v look_v for_o to_o settle_v we_o wherein_o there_o can_v be_v devise_v no_o more_o direct_a course_n then_o this_o viz._n that_o first_o the_o promise_n of_o his_o come_n shall_v be_v record_v the_o nature_n and_o office_n and_o all_o other_o circumstance_n of_o his_o person_n describe_v and_o then_o the_o history_n of_o all_o his_o act_n his_o birth_n doctrine_n miracle_n death_n exact_o register_v that_o so_o the_o follow_a age_n compare_v both_o together_o &_o see_v how_o every_o promise_n be_v fulfil_v &_o every_o pprophecy_n accomplish_v may_v resolve_v upon_o it_o that_o he_o indeed_o be_v the_o christ_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o name_n else_o give_v under_o heaven_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v save_v