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the_o doubt_v conscience_n resolve_v in_o answer_n to_o a_o pretend_v perplex_v question_n etc._n etc._n wherein_o be_v evident_o prove_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n not_o the_o pope_n be_v the_o foundation_n whereupon_o the_o church_n be_v build_v or_o that_o a_o christian_a may_v be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o his_o faith_n and_o religion_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o william_n twisse_fw-fr d.d._n prolocutor_n of_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n write_a at_o the_o desire_n of_o samuel_n hartlib_n esquire_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o friend_n beyond_o the_o sea_n and_o now_o divulge_v in_o print_n for_o more_o public_a edification_n london_n print_v for_o thomas_n mathews_n at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o cock_n in_o st_n paul_n churchyard_n 1652._o sir_n i_o have_v read_v this_o learned_a and_o satisfactory_a answer_n to_o the_o perplex_v question_n and_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n in_o the_o life_n time_n of_o d._n twisse_n and_o if_o you_o shall_v 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that_o some_o vile_a jesuit_n have_v a_o hand_n in_o this_o argument_n to_o style_v himself_o a_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o though_o he_o hold_v the_o pope_n to_o be_v judge_n of_o controversy_n yet_o i_o presume_v when_o he_o preach_v he_o do_v not_o take_v his_o text_n out_o of_o the_o pope_n canon_n but_o out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o we_o know_v there_o be_v dutch_a jesuit_n as_o well_o as_o spanish_a jesuit_n and_o i_o have_v hear_v that_o when_o the_o arminian_n quarrel_n be_v rife_o in_o the_o netherlands_o some_o jesuit_n have_v insinuate_v themselves_o among_o they_o and_o preach_v in_o their_o congregation_n to_o promote_v the_o arminian_n cause_n though_o not_o know_v to_o be_v any_o other_o than_o their_o own_o minister_n this_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n shape_v his_o discourse_n at_o pleasure_n call_v it_o a_o perplex_v question_n or_o a_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n whereas_o it_o contain_v nothing_o but_o a_o threadbare_a and_o old_a 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from_o the_o pope_n but_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o corruption_n they_o find_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n in_o the_o way_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n superstition_n and_o idolatry_n and_o their_o bloody_a and_o barbarous_a disposition_n against_o all_o those_o that_o can_v brook_v her_o abomination_n and_o protestant_n have_v their_o name_n from_o their_o protestation_n against_o these_o their_o course_n as_o for_o the_o question_n whether_o any_o christian_a be_v altogether_o and_o infallible_o certain_a of_o his_o faith_n and_o religion_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o safe_o rely_v upon_o it_o against_o all_o tentation_n and_o objection_n be_v this_o the_o perplex_v question_n be_v this_o the_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n it_o be_v now_o above_o 1600._o year_n since_o christ_n resurrection_n and_o the_o come_n down_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n who_o ever_o be_v know_v to_o make_v question_n of_o this_o in_o 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place_n of_o torment_n in_o case_n they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o that_o who_o so_o will_v not_o believe_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o believe_v though_o a_o man_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a luk._n 16._o and_o counsel_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n joh._n 5._o and_o justify_v they_o in_o their_o opinion_n think_v they_o to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v they_o unto_o everlasting_a life_n afterward_o the_o apostle_n submit_v their_o doctrine_n to_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o berean_o be_v commend_v for_o this_o act._n 7._o and_o profess_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n through_o faith_n in_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n 2_o tim._n 3.15_o after_o the_o ancient_a father_n have_v call_v the_o trial_n of_o controversy_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o constantine_n at_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a refer_v all_o the_o bishop_n there_o assemble_v to_o 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the_o world_n by_o divine_n after_o all_o this_o i_o say_v that_o a_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n shall_v be_v bring_v upon_o the_o stage_n to_o propose_v such_o a_o question_n as_o whether_o any_o christian_a can_v be_v certain_a of_o his_o faith_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o propose_v it_o only_o but_o to_o call_v it_o a_o perplex_a question_n and_o a_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n be_v so_o unshamefast_a a_o course_n as_o in_o my_o judgement_n it_o become_v none_o but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o have_v a_o moor_n forehead_n and_o can_v be_v ashamed_a yet_o i_o consider_v the_o condition_n of_o these_o present_a time_n in_o germany_n where_o the_o antichristian_a congregation_n have_v confederated_a themselves_o and_o take_v counsel_n against_o god_n secretary_n and_o as_o pharaoh_n pursue_v the_o israelite_n think_v to_o overtake_v they_o and_o that_o their_o lust_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v upon_o they_o so_o these_o have_v not_o only_o think_v so_o but_o do_v so_o it_o be_v not_o impossible_a but_o that_o some_o weak_a preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v fall_v into_o their_o hand_n and_o be_v so_o charm_v with_o fear_n or_o hope_n or_o both_o as_o to_o be_v draw_v unto_o their_o lure_n and_o bring_v to_o do_v they_o this_o piece_n of_o service_n as_o to_o propose_v such_o a_o question_n and_o name_v the_o child_n after_o this_o manner_n for_o these_o time_n be_v the_o very_a hour_n and_o power_n of_o darkness_n and_o satan_n be_v not_o yet_o bind_v though_o we_o trust_v his_o bind_n be_v not_o far_o off_o and_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a that_o man_n shall_v be_v give_v over_o to_o believe_v lie_n and_o to_o become_v some_o jesuit_n proctor_n call_v man_n to_o relieve_v a_o scrupulous_a and_o perplex_a conscience_n and_o to_o entreat_v all_o christian_n especial_o the_o calvinist_n divine_v and_o preacher_n with_o all_o due_a respect_n to_o give_v a_o solution_n to_o this_o propose_a question_n and_o this_o in_o dutch_a whereas_o i_o have_v think_v that_o this_o question_n have_v neither_o be_v life_n or_o motion_n in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o only_o in_o this_o our_o england_n well_o let_v we_o consider_v wherein_o the_o perplexity_n of_o this_o question_n consist_v or_o what_o it_o be_v that_o make_v it_o disc_n our_o religion_n be_v our_o faith_n faith_n either_o save_v or_o condemus_fw-la just_o ought_v we_o therefore_o to_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v and_o prove_v our_o faith_n cansid_n the_o first_o proposition_n that_o our_o religion_n be_v our_o faith_n be_v bring_v in_o to_o no_o purpose_n the_o argument_n here_o use_v subsist_v well_o enough_o without_o it_o such_o as_o it_o be_v the_o faith_n that_o save_v be_v a_o act_n in_o man_n but_o that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v be_v no_o act_n in_o man_n but_o the_o object_n of_o that_o act_n the_o thing_n believe_v what_o conscience_n the_o author_n of_o this_o discourse_n have_v i_o know_v not_o but_o i_o doubt_v he_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v but_o of_o little_a wit_n disc_n but_o now_o there_o arise_v a_o great_a doubt_n to_o i_o and_o other_o of_o the_o simple_a sort_n of_o christian_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n of_o our_o faith_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o so_o consequent_o to_o rely_v and_o trust_v to_o this_o faith_n as_o to_o a_o unshaken_a foundation_n consideration_n let_v my_o faith_n be_v never_o so_o certain_a and_o my_o repentance_n and_o good_a work_n never_o so_o sincere_a i_o trust_v neither_o to_o the_o one_o nor_o to_o the_o other_o christ_n be_v the_o rock_n and_o foundation_n whereupon_o god_n church_n be_v build_v upon_o which_o we_o be_v build_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o in_o he_o alone_o i_o trust_v both_o for_o the_o keep_n of_o i_o in_o this_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o for_o the_o bring_n of_o i_o thereby_o unto_o salvation_n as_o paul_n say_v 1_o cor._n 1.20_o i_o know_v who_o i_o have_v trust_v and_o i_o know_v that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o keep_v that_o which_o i_o have_v commit_v to_o he_o and_o 1_o cor._n 1.30_o god_n have_v make_v he_o unto_o we_o wisdom_n and_o righteousness_n sanctification_n and_o redemption_n who_o so_o doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o have_v any_o certainty_n of_o faith_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n i_o demand_v of_o he_o whether_o he_o doubt_v of_o the_o possibility_n for_o a_o man_n to_o have_v any_o certain_a faith_n at_o all_o or_o no_o if_o he_o doubt_v whether_o this_o be_v possible_a who_o see_v not_o that_o it_o be_v more_o fit_a this_o question_n shall_v be_v propose_v in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o upon_o the_o solution_n thereof_o and_o not_o afore_o to_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v by_o what_o this_o certainty_n may_v be_v have_v if_o he_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o this_o be_v possible_a let_v he_o show_v we_o how_o or_o by_o what_o mean_v he_o be_v assure_v hereof_o as_o namely_o whether_o by_o natural_a reason_n or_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o pope_n or_o by_o the_o word_n of_o a_o angel_n and_o indeed_o if_o the_o question_n be_v propose_v indifferent_o and_o fair_o with_o distinction_n we_o shall_v soon_o perceive_v how_o little_a cause_n there_o be_v to_o call_v this_o a_o perplex_a question_n or_o a_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n though_o these_o form_n savour_v of_o no_o learning_n nor_o judgement_n for_o the_o perplexity_n that_o be_v find_v in_o this_o argument_n be_v not_o in_o the_o question_n if_o it_o be_v it_o be_v the_o mere_a fault_n of_o the_o propounder_n exhibit_v it_o in_o perplex_a term_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o can_v be_v easy_o unfold_v but_o rather_o in_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n thereof_o and_o that_o be_v only_o in_o case_n the_o reason_n be_v of_o equal_a moment_n on_o both_o side_n wherewith_o the_o truth_n be_v encumber_v so_o that_o the_o light_n and_o convince_a evidence_n thereof_o can_v easy_o break_v forth_o and_o appear_v then_o as_o for_o a_o case_n of_o conscience_n that_o be_v a_o very_a alien_a notion_n and_o ill_o apply_v in_o this_o place_n for_o case_n of_o conscience_n be_v only_o touch_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v in_o a_o certain_a case_n but_o this_o be_v only_o touch_v possibility_n of_o assurance_n as_o whether_o we_o can_v have_v any_o certain_a faith_n by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n but_o let_v we_o proceed_v distinct_o and_o 1._o let_v we_o inquire_v whether_o a_o man_n can_v have_v any_o certain_a faith_n at_o all_o i_o answer_v 1._o they_o may_v for_o many_o have_v have_v it_o as_o it_o be_v define_v by_o s._n paul_n heb._n 11._o to_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v the_o ground_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o and_o there_o the_o apostle_n reckon_v up_o a_o catalogue_n of_o many_o that_o have_v such_o a_o faith_n i_o presume_v the_o propounder_n of_o this_o if_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n make_v no_o question_n hereof_o and_o that_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a rom._n 4.18_o 19_o 20._o be_v such_o a_o one_o who_o against_o hope_n believe_v in_o hope_n and_o be_v not_o weak_a in_o faith_n he_o stagger_v not_o at_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n through_o unbelief_n but_o be_v strong_a in_o faith_n give_v glory_n to_o god_n and_o that_o all_o the_o true_a child_n of_o abraham_n have_v the_o like_a faith_n as_o abraham_n have_v 2._o but_o then_o let_v we_o distinguish_v when_o we_o treat_v of_o possibility_n this_o may_v be_v understand_v either_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n or_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o according_a to_o this_o distinction_n i_o answer_v that_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a to_o believe_v this_o by_o power_n of_o nature_n mat._n 16._o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v this_o unto_o thou_o but_o my_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o 1_o cor._n 2.14_o the_o natural_a man_n perceive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n for_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v and_o esa_n 53.1_o who_o have_v believe_v our_o report_n and_o to_o who_o have_v the_o arm_n of_o god_n be_v reveal_v and_o joh._n 12.39_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o believe_v because_o esaias_n say_v again_o he_o have_v blind_v their_o eye_n and_o harden_v their_o heart_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n nor_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o be_v convert_v and_o i_o shall_v heal_v they_o and_o rom._n 8.8_o they_o that_o be_v in_o the_o flesh_n can_v please_v god_n and_o consequent_o they_o can_v have_v faith_n for_o sure_o by_o faith_n we_o please_v god_n but_o then_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o be_v most_o
true_a that_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n a_o man_n may_v believe_v act._n 18.27_o they_o believe_v through_o grace_n and_o phil._n 1.29_o to_o you_o it_o be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o 〈◊〉_d to_o suffer_v for_o he_o and_o to_o believe_v and_o find_v mercy_n at_o god_n hand_n be_v all_o one_o rom._n 11.30_o now_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o faith_n may_v be_v have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n soever_o what_o sober_a christian_a can_v make_v doubt_n but_o that_o if_o question_v be_v make_v about_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o may_v have_v it_o it_o may_v be_v have_v by_o holy_a scripture_n as_o well_o as_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n yea_o and_o far_o better_a consider_v that_o faith_n be_v in_o the_o proper_a notion_n thereof_o the_o assent_n to_o somewhat_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o speaker_n and_o if_o the_o speaker_n be_v but_o a_o man_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o faith_n human_a if_o the_o speaker_n be_v god_n that_o and_o that_o alone_o make_v it_o to_o be_v faith_n divine_a now_o we_o all_o confess_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o if_o by_o any_o word_n faith_n may_v be_v have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n soever_o sure_o it_o may_v be_v have_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n yea_o and_o that_o no_o other_o way_n can_v divine_a faith_n be_v have_v but_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n not_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o creature_n whether_o man_n or_o angel_n and_o if_o faith_n may_v be_v wrought_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n spirit_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o any_o man_n he_o that_o make_v question_n whether_o this_o may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n have_v need_n of_o some_o good_a measure_n of_o ellebore_n to_o purge_v his_o brain_n for_o he_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v in_o the_o next_o degree_n to_o a_o madman_n for_o see_v faith_n be_v no_o faith_n unless_o it_o depend_v upon_o some_o word_n that_o god_n shall_v work_v his_o faith_n by_o another_o word_n than_o his_o own_o be_v as_o uncouth_a and_o contradictious_a assertion_n i_o shall_v think_v as_o ever_o be_v hear_v among_o the_o learned_a but_o it_o may_v be_v this_o author_n through_o the_o confusion_n of_o his_o wit_n have_v not_o hitherto_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o deliver_v himself_o fair_o of_o his_o own_o meaning_n therefore_o let_v we_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o discourse_n itself_o whether_o it_o may_v bear_v any_o better_a state_n of_o the_o question_n than_o yet_o we_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o for_o i_o guess_v that_o in_o the_o issue_n the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n will_v come_v to_o this_o whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o have_v any_o certain_a assurance_n of_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o disc_n the_o reason_n of_o our_o doubt_n be_v this_o both_o papist_n and_o calvinist_n hold_v contrary_a opinion_n do_v maintain_v &_o prove_v by_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o they_o suppose_v the_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o the_o lutheran_n hold_v serious_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o lutheran_n religion_n be_v condemn_v and_o they_o confirm_v which_o thing_n no_o man_n will_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n of_o the_o obseurity_n of_o theholy_a scripture_n if_o there_o be_v two_o physician_n of_o equal_a learning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o intent_n in_o cure_v the_o sick_a that_o be_v alike_o desirous_a to_o cure_v the_o disease_n and_o if_o these_o physician_n shall_v out_o of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o book_n gather_v the_o one_o that_o a_o fever_n be_v cure_v with_o wine_n and_o the_o other_o that_o wine_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o poison_v to_o they_o that_o have_v the_o fever_n how_o i_o pray_v shall_v we_o know_v which_o of_o these_o two_o to_o take_v part_n withal_o a_o man_n can_v gather_v nothing_o but_o that_o the_o remedy_n for_o that_o disease_n be_v obscure_o express_v in_o that_o book_n consid_fw-la the_o sum_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o that_o which_o the_o author_n will_v infer_v from_o hence_o be_v this_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o whereby_o now_o i_o perceive_v the_o perplex_a question_n and_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n come_v but_o to_o this_o in_o plain_a term_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n the_o author_n maintain_v the_o negative_a &_o prove_v it_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n he_o prove_v by_o this_o that_o man_n differ_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o now_o this_o i_o will_v examine_v in_o order_n and_o first_o observe_v the_o dodge_n disposition_n of_o this_o author_n and_o manifest_a evidence_n of_o his_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o that_o he_o come_v to_o this_o work_n with_o a_o intention_n not_o to_o seek_v the_o truth_n but_o to_o circumvent_v it_o rather_o for_o whereas_o the_o force_n of_o his_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a be_v but_o this_o that_o divine_n differ_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n yet_o it_o serve_v his_o turn_n rather_o to_o instance_n in_o papist_n and_o calvinist_n join_v together_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n contrary_n to_o the_o lutheran_n may_v he_o not_o as_o well_o give_v instance_n in_o papist_n and_o lutheran_n hold_v together_o in_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n contrary_n to_o the_o calvinist_n may_v he_o not_o as_o well_o have_v instance_a in_o lutheran_n and_o calvinist_n join_v together_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n contrary_n to_o the_o papist_n undoubted_o he_o may_v for_o it_o be_v but_o a_o indefinite_a proposition_n and_o the_o matter_n be_v clear_o contingent_a now_o a_o indesinite_a proposition_n in_o a_o contingent_a matter_n be_v confess_v in_o school_n to_o have_v no_o great_a force_n than_o of_o a_o particular_a proposition_n as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v they_o differ_v one_o from_o another_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o scripture_n now_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v true_a not_o only_o of_o papist_n differ_v from_o protestant_n but_o of_o papist_n differ_v from_o papist_n as_o maldonate_fw-it from_o jansemus_fw-la and_o protestant_n from_o protestant_n not_o only_a lutheran_n from_o calvinist_n but_o one_o lutheran_n from_o another_o and_o one_o calvinist_n from_o another_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n nay_o do_v not_o one_o father_n differ_v from_o another_o after_o this_o very_a manner_n and_o do_v not_o modern_a divine_n even_a papist_n as_o well_v as_o protestant_n take_v liberty_n of_o dissent_v from_o all_o the_o ancient_n in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n witness_n maldonate_fw-it in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o that_o mat._n 5._o bless_a be_v the_o poor_a in_o spirit_n who_o take_v a_o way_n of_o interpretation_n different_a from_o all_o the_o ancient_n by_o his_o own_o confession_n and_o cardinal_n cajetan_n when_o he_o be_v put_v upon_o the_o study_v of_o scripture_n by_o occasion_n of_o his_o conference_n with_o martin_n luther_n who_o will_v hear_v nothing_o but_o scripture_n see_v what_o a_o profession_n he_o make_v in_o his_o entrance_n upon_o write_v commentary_n on_o the_o scripture_n si_fw-la quando_fw-la occurrerit_fw-la novus_fw-la sensus_fw-la textui_fw-la consonus_fw-la nec_fw-la à _fw-la sacra_fw-la scriptura_fw-la nec_fw-la ab_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la doctrina_fw-la dissonus_fw-la quamvis_fw-la à _fw-la torrente_n doctorum_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la alienum_fw-la aequos_fw-la se_fw-la praebeant_fw-la censores_fw-la and_o when_o austin_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v offend_v thereat_o that_o he_o profess_v there_o be_v more_o profit_n than_o damage_n redound_v thereby_o to_o the_o church_n and_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v so_o by_o different_a interpretation_n also_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o judge_v which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o right_n or_o by_o refute_v they_o all_o to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a interpretation_n than_o at_o the_o first_o dash_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a meaning_n 2._o observe_v the_o absurd_a and_o malicious_a carriage_n of_o this_o author_n 1._o in_o shape_a different_a religion_n according_a to_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n whereas_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o force_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v only_o a_o particular_a namely_o that_o they_o differ_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o difference_n i_o have_v show_v may_v be_v find_v and_o ever_o have_v be_v find_v more_o or_o less_o even_o among_o they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n as_o among_o none_o have_v be_v more_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n find_v than_o among_o the_o ancient_n
the_o number_n of_o christ_n church_n 144._o and_o the_o number_n most_o momentous_a arise_v by_o the_o calculation_n thereof_o be_v the_o number_n 12._o the_o root_n thereof_o and_o no_o other_o calculation_n belong_v to_o a_o single_a number_n than_o that_o which_o be_v call_v the_o extraction_n of_o root_n and_o the_o number_n 25._o find_v to_o be_v the_o root_n of_o 666._o so_o far_o as_o it_o come_v to_o be_v say_v in_o the_o usual_a way_n of_o arithmetic_n to_o have_v a_o root_n discover_v strange_a mystery_n concern_v the_o delineat_n of_o that_o beast_n the_o body_n of_o antichrist_n in_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n no_o marvel_n if_o these_o mystery_n be_v hide_v from_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o who_o write_v those_o prophecy_n for_o first_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o be_v nothing_o necessary_a to_o their_o salvation_n 2._o god_n have_v appoint_v a_o certain_a time_n when_o the_o light_n of_o they_o shall_v break_v forth_o to_o irradiate_a his_o church_n with_o 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reprobate_n yea_o in_o such_o a_o measure_n as_o to_o make_v he_o a_o able_a doctor_n in_o the_o church_n and_o orthodox_n throughout_o which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o other_o when_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n such_o a_o one_o shall_v fall_v short_a of_o the_o salvation_n of_o his_o own_o soul_n the_o secret_n of_o the_o lord_n which_o he_o reveal_v to_o they_o that_o fear_v he_o be_v the_o secret_a of_o his_o covenant_n psal_n 25._o there_o be_v a_o secret_a also_o in_o faith-catholike_a and_o in_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n which_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o regenerate_v only_o and_o it_o be_v to_o discern_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o they_o which_o have_v true_a faith_n a_o reprobate_a may_v believe_v the_o same_o thing_n by_o a_o natural_a faith_n only_o yea_o believe_v it_o and_o carry_v themselves_o like_o good_a scholar_n too_o while_o they_o instruct_v other_o therein_o still_o we_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v plain_a and_o clear_a enough_o as_o touch_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o all_o this_o discourse_n be_v plausible_a only_o through_o distinction_n and_o to_o deny_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v fair_o intelligible_a to_o one_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o be_v a_o great_a disparagement_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o dishonour_n to_o god_n himself_o disparage_v either_o his_o goodness_n that_o will_v not_o or_o his_o wisdom_n that_o he_o know_v not_o how_o to_o order_v it_o so_o that_o by_o search_v the_o scripture_n they_o may_v have_v eternal_a life_n if_o before_o the_o law_n man_n have_v a_o light_n whereby_o they_o may_v find_v the_o truth_n more_o clear_o than_o we_o than_o the_o former_a time_n be_v time_n of_o great_a light_n and_o grace_n than_o the_o late_a but_o this_o be_v contrary_a both_o to_o the_o general_a judgement_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n and_o to_o universal_a experience_n for_o as_o light_v 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that_o be_v little_a material_a but_o here_o be_v a_o declination_n to_o the_o contrary_a extreme_a hitherto_o the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n have_v be_v oppose_v here_o a_o infallibility_n of_o interpret_n be_v introduce_v but_o medio_fw-la tutissimus_fw-la ibis_fw-la and_o virtue_n usual_o consist_v in_o a_o mediocrity_n which_o horace_n call_v auream_fw-la mediocritatem_fw-la since_o the_o apostle_n day_n the_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n challenge_v to_o herself_o no_o infallible_a authority_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o in_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o lord_n assure_v we_o by_o his_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v not_o deceive_v that_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n and_o as_o for_o infallibility_n let_v we_o be_v content_a to_o have_v that_o condition_n reserve_v for_o the_o state_n of_o glory_n i_o nothing_o doubt_v but_o by_o study_n and_o care_n and_o pain_n most_o controversy_n may_v be_v so_o clear_o decide_v as_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a either_o for_o the_o convert_n of_o a_o capable_a hearer_n to_o the_o embrace_n of_o it_o or_o for_o the_o convict_v he_o of_o obstinacy_n in_o withstand_v it_o but_o i_o little_o look_v that_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o discourse_n will_v have_v so_o unsuitable_a a_o end_n mr._n dury_n as_o i_o remember_v be_v occupy_v about_o some_o such_o method_n as_o this_o i_o wish_v hearty_o it_o may_v succeed_v well_o but_o take_v heed_n we_o do_v not_o cry_v down_o all_o performance_n that_o have_v go_v before_o we_o as_o if_o they_o be_v palpable_a insufficiency_n in_o comparison_n to_o our_o own_o new_a invention_n whether_o in_o clear_v truth_n controversial_a or_o obscure_a place_n of_o scripture_n well_o we_o shall_v rest_v content_v with_o that_o measure_n we_o be_v arrive_v unto_o until_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o light_n arise_v above_o the_o horizon_n of_o our_o sphere_n and_o whensoever_o it_o come_v i_o trust_v we_o shall_v give_v it_o that_o respect_n which_o it_o deserve_v and_o right_o thankful_o entertain_v it_o whether_o in_o the_o way_n of_o illustration_n which_o best_o please_v the_o sense_n or_o in_o the_o way_n of_o demonstration_n which_o most_o justifi_v the_o judgement_n disc_n nor_o be_o i_o move_v with_o that_o objection_n that_o it_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o lutheran_n that_o they_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o lutheranism_n though_o other_o can_v see_v and_o believe_v it_o for_o this_o be_v not_o that_o which_o i_o will_v have_v i_o inquire_v how_o a_o man_n may_v be_v sure_a not_o of_o his_o own_o opinion_n but_o of_o the_o truth_n now_o if_o i_o believe_v and_o determine_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a this_o be_v my_o opinion_n yet_o be_v not_o therefore_o the_o truth_n see_v truth_n and_o opinion_n have_v nothing_o in_o they_o alike_o and_o steadfast_a persuasion_n change_v not_o the_o essence_n