nothing_o in_o scripture_n that_o look_v like_o inconsistent_a and_o contradictory_n upon_o a_o diligent_a search_n we_o shall_v discern_v a_o mutual_a correspondence_n in_o the_o style_n matter_n and_o design_n of_o these_o write_n we_o shall_v find_v a_o happy_a concurrence_n of_o circumstance_n and_o a_o admirable_a consistency_n in_o the_o doctrine_n and_o discourse_n in_o so_o much_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o upon_o this_o single_a consideration_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o these_o write_n be_v indict_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n this_o harmony_n then_o of_o the_o scripture_n i_o may_v just_o reckon_v among_o the_o inward_a note_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n because_o it_o be_v adjoin_v to_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o which_o be_v of_o the_o very_a intrinsic_a nature_n of_o it_o what_o justinian_n profess_v and_o promise_v concern_v his_o digest_v in_o his_o preface_n to_o they_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o clash_v and_o contradictory_n in_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v all_o of_o a_o piece_n be_v true_a only_a of_o the_o sacred_a law_n of_o the_o evangelical_n pandect_v which_o contain_v in_o they_o nothing_o dissonant_n and_o repugnant_a the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v consonant_a to_o themselves_o and_o to_o one_o another_o which_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n opposite_a to_o the_o true_a mean_v which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v reveal_v and_o assert_v in_o another_o the_o content_n of_o the_o whole_a book_n whether_o you_o look_v into_o the_o doctrinal_a or_o historical_a part_n of_o it_o have_v nothing_o contradictory_n in_o they_o all_o the_o author_n of_o it_o agree_v in_o their_o testimony_n and_o assert_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o consent_n among_o themselves_o it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o lie_n and_o forgery_n that_o they_o hang_v not_o together_o as_o 3._o lactantius_n on_o the_o like_a occasion_n have_v observe_v especial_o if_o you_o search_v very_o inquisitive_o and_o narrow_o into_o they_o you_o will_v perceive_v that_o they_o be_v 80._o thin_a and_o slight_a and_o may_v easy_o be_v see_v through_o but_o the_o content_n of_o these_o write_n have_v be_v diligent_o inquire_v into_o and_o with_o great_a care_n and_o industry_n examine_v by_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v find_v to_o be_v every_o way_n consistent_a with_o themselves_o and_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o writer_n be_v know_v to_o be_v concurrent_a and_o agree_v all_o wise_a and_o curious_a observer_n must_v needs_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o book_n under_o heaven_n that_o parallel_v the_o scripture_n as_o to_o this_o which_o show_v that_o they_o be_v more_o than_o humane_a write_n yea_o that_o they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o dictate_v and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o st._n peter_n who_o assure_v we_o that_o 19_o no_o prophecy_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o private_a interpretation_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o first_o rise_v of_o those_o prophecy_n which_o be_v in_o scripture_n they_o be_v from_o god_n they_o be_v not_o of_o private_a interpretation_n they_o be_v not_o from_o man_n invention_n they_o be_v not_o of_o his_o own_o brain_n and_o fancy_n but_o they_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v to_o be_v as_o they_o be_v divine_a and_o heavenly_a oracle_n thus_o 3._o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v witness_n to_o itself_o and_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o other_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o prove_v by_o what_o be_v in_o it_o and_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o its_o own_o sake_n which_o make_v a_o ancient_a writer_n say_v 7._o we_o have_v complete_a demonstration_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o according_o we_o be_v demonstrative_o assure_v by_o faith_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n therein_o deliver_v which_o can_v be_v say_v of_o any_o humane_a write_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o carry_v no_o such_o native_a mark_n with_o they_o but_o the_o very_a inward_a note_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n create_v in_o we_o a_o certain_a and_o unshaken_a belief_n they_o may_v be_v know_v from_o all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o by_o the_o excellent_a transcendent_a and_o divine_a matter_n contain_v in_o they_o and_o by_o the_o peculiar_a manner_n of_o deliver_v and_o publish_v it_o these_o i_o call_v internal_a proof_n because_o they_o be_v take_v from_o the_o book_n themselves_o because_o they_o be_v something_o that_o we_o find_v there_o these_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v write_v not_o by_o man_n but_o by_o god_n there_o be_v yet_o another_o internal_a testimony_n i_o call_v it_o so_o because_o it_o be_v within_o we_o though_o not_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o i_o have_v show_v you_o that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o so_o now_o i_o add_v that_o this_o spirit_n speak_v in_o we_o and_o work_n in_o our_o heart_n a_o persuasion_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o this_o spirit_n we_o be_v enable_v to_o discern_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o of_o christ_n in_o those_o write_n this_o witness_v power_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o soul_n of_o believer_n be_v assert_v in_o act_n 5._o 32._o &_o 15._o 7_o 8._o and_o in_o 1_o john_n 5._o 6._o from_o these_o place_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o there_o be_v a_o illumination_n of_o the_o spirit_n join_v with_o our_o conscience_n and_o persuasion_n and_o this_o spirit_n powerful_o convince_v all_o believer_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n this_o testimony_n follow_v immediate_o on_o our_o set_n before_o we_o the_o inward_a excellency_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o i_o have_v represent_v they_o for_o god_n make_v use_v of_o those_o evidence_n and_o argument_n to_o beget_v a_o belief_n in_o we_o of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o scripture_n the_o spirit_n enlighten_v and_o convince_v man_n mind_n by_o those_o mean_n but_o more_o especial_o he_o urge_v these_o evidence_n on_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o religious_a and_o faithful_a and_o thereby_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v no_o enthusiasm_n because_o it_o be_v discover_v to_o we_o by_o proper_a mean_n and_o instrument_n whereas_o that_o be_v without_o any_o and_o be_v general_o accompany_v with_o the_o despise_n of_o they_o but_o the_o evidence_n and_o note_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o reason_n and_o motive_n of_o our_o belief_n only_o the_o holy_a spirit_n come_v and_o prepare_v and_o sanctify_v our_o mind_n and_o illuminate_v our_o conscience_n and_o cause_v those_o argument_n and_o motive_n to_o make_v impression_n upon_o we_o and_o effectual_o to_o prevail_v with_o we_o and_o to_o silence_v all_o objection_n to_o the_o contrary_n thus_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n be_v attest_v by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n witness_v in_o we_o but_o when_o i_o say_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o must_v adjoin_v this_o that_o this_o proof_n serve_v only_o for_o those_o that_o have_v this_o spirit_n it_o may_v establish_v they_o but_o it_o can_v convince_v other_o no_o other_o man_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o sacred_a write_n by_o the_o spirit_n be_v convince_a i_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o beside_o this_o proof_n be_v not_o in_o all_o that_o real_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o book_n some_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o without_o this_o but_o where_o this_o be_v it_o be_v most_o powerful_a and_o convictive_a and_o surpass_v all_o other_o degreâ—_n of_o persuasion_n whatsoever_o there_o be_v no_o such_o câ—tain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o holy_a wâ—_n thing_n as_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o sacred_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d the_o heart_n of_o man_n produce_v there_o in_o a_o ration_n â—_o way_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a 〈◊〉_d our_o faculty_n chap._n ii_o external_n proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scriptureâ—_n viz._n the_o wonderful_a preservation_n of_o they_o and_o universal_a tradition_n which_o latter_a be_v defend_v against_o the_o objection_n of_o those_o that_o talk_v of_o a_o new_a character_n wherein_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v thâ—_n jewish_a masore_v attest_n the_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n the_o hebrew_n text_n be_v not_o corrupt_v the_o point_n or_o vowel_n be_v coexistent_a with_o the_o letter_n f._n simon_n be_v notion_n of_o abbreviate_a the_o historical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n reject_v the_o new_a tement_n vouch_v by_o the_o unanimous_a suffrage_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n the_o
in_o the_o next_o clause_n by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o almighty_a so_o david_n in_o spirit_n mat._n 22._o 43._o be_v david_n inspire_v i_o will_v pour_v out_o of_o my_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n act_v 2._o 17._o take_v from_o joel_n 2._o 28._o i._n e._n i_o will_v bestow_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n and_o reveal_n of_o mystery_n upon_o they_o for_o of_o this_o it_o be_v principal_o understand_v as_o you_o may_v learn_v from_o the_o follow_a word_n your_o son_n and_o your_o daughter_n shall_v prophesy_v and_o ver_fw-la 18._o on_o my_o servant_n and_o on_o my_o handmaid_n i_o will_v pour_v out_o of_o my_o spirit_n and_o they_o shall_v prophesy_v so_o in_o rev._n 1._o 10._o i_o be_v in_o the_o spirit_n be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v i_o have_v great_a revelation_n impart_v to_o i_o three_o the_o dispensation_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n especial_o as_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o law_n and_o as_o it_o contain_v the_o more_o hide_a mystery_n of_o christianity_n in_o it_o be_v style_v the_o spirit_n thus_o the_o evangelical_n preacher_n be_v call_v minister_n not_o of_o the_o letter_n but_o spirit_n 2_o cor._n 3_o 6._o i_o e._n not_o of_o the_o law_n but_o of_o the_o gospel_n not_o of_o mere_a external_o of_o religion_n but_o of_o the_o inward_a and_o hide_a secret_n of_o it_o four_o the_o spiritual_a meaning_n of_o what_o christ_n speak_v be_v call_v by_o this_o name_n as_o in_o john_n 6._o 63._o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o quicken_v the_o flesh_n profit_v nothing_o the_o word_n that_o i_o speak_v unto_o you_o they_o be_v spirit_n and_o they_o be_v life_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o must_v not_o understand_v i_o in_o a_o gross_a and_o carnal_a sense_n when_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o you_o must_v eat_v my_o flesh_n and_o drink_v my_o blood_n ver_fw-la 53_o 54._o my_o meaning_n be_v not_o that_o you_o shall_v turn_v cannibal_n and_o feed_v upon_o man_n flesh._n no_o this_o eat_v and_o drink_v which_o i_o have_v speak_v of_o to_o you_o be_v to_o be_v interpret_v in_o a_o spiritual_a sense_n and_o in_o no_o other_o my_o word_n have_v a_o abstruse_a and_o mystical_a meaning_n i_o be_o spiritual_o to_o be_v eat_v and_o drink_v that_o be_v by_o a_o lively_a faith_n only_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o quicken_v that_o enliven_v that_o which_o be_v comprehend_v in_o the_o spiritual_a import_n of_o my_o word_n be_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o active_a and_o powerful_a in_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o live_v of_o men._n five_o by_o spirit_n be_v mean_v the_o person_n that_o be_v inspire_v 1_o john_n 4._o 2._o every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v that_o jesus_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v of_o god_n nay_o sixthly_a he_o that_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n but_o real_o be_v not_o inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v thus_o call_v as_o in_o the_o next_o verse_n every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o that_o chapter_n believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n i._n e._n teacher_n that_o pretend_v to_o the_o spirit_n and_o inspiration_n who_o be_v call_v false_a prophet_n in_o the_o same_o place_n and_o seduce_v spirit_n 1_o tim._n 4._o 1._o therefore_o discern_v of_o spirit_n 1_o cor._n 12._o 10._o be_v that_o gift_n in_o the_o church_n whereby_o they_o know_v who_o be_v true_o inspire_v and_o who_o not_o who_o be_v true_a and_o who_o false_a prophet_n and_o as_o the_o person_n pretend_v to_o immediate_a discovery_n from_o the_o spirit_n be_v thus_o style_v so_o the_o â—eigned_a discovery_n or_o revelation_n themselves_o which_o they_o boast_v of_o be_v call_v spirit_n 2_o thess._n 2._o 2._o seven_o the_o word_n spirit_n in_o scripture_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o its_o different_a function_n operation_n disposition_n inclination_n and_o in_o short_a the_o whole_a frame_n and_o state_n of_o it_o 1._o i_o say_v that_o distinct_a part_n of_o man_n which_o be_v call_v his_o soul_n have_v the_o denomination_n of_o spirit_n and_o that_o very_o just_o because_o it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a or_o immaterial_a be_v into_o thy_o hand_n i_o commit_v my_o spirit_n say_v the_o psalmist_n psal._n 31._o 5._o i_o e._n i_o trust_v thou_o with_o my_o soul_n it_o be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n prov._n 18._o 14._o ch_n 20._o 27._o eccles._n 3._o 21._o this_o be_v the_o spirit_n that_o shall_v return_v to_o god_n eccles._n 12._o 7._o wherefore_o this_o be_v the_o language_n of_o our_o die_a saviour_n into_o thy_o hand_n i_o commend_v my_o spirit_n luke_n 23._o 46._o and_o of_o that_o expire_a martyr_n act_v 7._o 59_o lord_n jesus_n receive_v my_o spirit_n the_o soul_n of_o the_o saint_n be_v style_v the_o spirit_n of_o just_a man_n make_v perfect_a heb._n 12._o 23._o and_o those_o of_o the_o wicked_a the_o spirit_n in_o prison_n 1_o pet._n 3._o 19_o and_o hither_o be_v to_o be_v refer_v that_o of_o st._n james_n ch_n 2._o 26._o the_o body_n without_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n without_o the_o soul_n be_v dead_a 2._o the_o vital_a principle_n which_o be_v the_o immediate_a operation_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v term_v the_o spirit_n the_o spirit_n of_o life_n gen._n 7._o 22._o especial_o the_o more_o active_a and_o vigorous_a operation_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v so_o call_v josh._n 5._o 1._o nor_o be_v there_o spirit_n in_o they_o whence_o you_o read_v of_o the_o revive_n and_o come_v again_o of_o the_o spirit_n gen._n 45._o 27._o judg._n 15._o 19_o and_o of_o the_o spirit_n be_v refresh_v 2_o cor._n 7._o 13._o and_o give_v spirit_n i._n e._n life_n to_o the_o image_n of_o the_o beast_n rev._n 13._o 15._o 3._o the_o understanding_n be_v often_o call_v the_o spirit_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o when_o you_o read_v of_o soul_n and_o spirit_n this_o latter_a general_o denote_v the_o intellectual_a and_o rational_a part_n of_o man_n and_o the_o more_o exalt_v and_o refine_a operation_n of_o it_o as_o it_o respect_v religion_n luke_n 1._o 47._o 1_o thess._n 5._o 23._o heb._n 4._o 12._o 4._o that_o function_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n which_o be_v call_v conscience_n have_v this_o name_n a_o wound_a spirit_n who_o can_v bear_v prov._n 18._o 14._o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o sacred_a trinity_n bear_v witness_n with_o our_o spirit_n that_o be_v with_o our_o conscience_n rom._n 8._o 16._o 5._o the_o will_n and_o affection_n be_v common_o set_v forth_o by_o this_o expression_n thus_o you_o read_v of_o rule_v the_o spirit_n prov._n 16._o 32._o that_o be_v subdue_a and_o well-ordering_a those_o faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n especial_o you_o read_v of_o a_o new_a spirit_n ezek._n 11._o 19_o ch_n 18._o 31._o of_o a_o contrite_a and_o break_a spirit_n psal._n 34._o 18._o psal._n 51._o 17._o a_o right_a spirit_n psal._n 51._o 10._o which_o be_v principal_o mean_v of_o the_o will_n the_o passion_n and_o desire_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o another_o spirit_n numb_a 14._o 24._o may_v be_v understand_v in_o this_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o in_o that_o abovementioned_a in_o the_o new_a testament_n our_o saviour_n pronounce_v those_o bless_a that_o be_v poor_a in_o spirit_n matth._n 5._o 3._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v worship_v the_o father_n in_o spirit_n john_n 4._o 23._o st._n paul_n profess_v that_o he_o serve_v god_n with_o his_o spirit_n rom._n 1._o 9_o and_o exhort_v we_o all_o to_o be_v servant_n in_o spirit_n rom._n 12._o 11._o in_o all_o which_o place_n the_o word_n spirit_n signify_v either_o the_o will_n or_o the_o hearty_a affection_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o both_o of_o they_o 6._o in_o a_o more_o general_a way_n it_o signify_v the_o nature_n and_o temper_n of_o a_o man_n you_o know_v not_o of_o what_o spirit_n you_o be_v luke_n 9_o 55._o and_o this_o large_a and_o general_a acception_n of_o the_o word_n be_v very_o usual_a in_o the_o holy_a style_n 7._o more_o particular_o and_o especial_o it_o denote_v a_o effectual_a and_o operative_a inclination_n power_n and_o ability_n to_o some_o particular_a good_a or_o evil_a whence_o you_o read_v of_o the_o 2._o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n 2._o understanding_n 17._o wisdom_n of_o 1._o meekness_n of_o 7._o fear_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a of_o the_o 8._o spirit_n of_o slumber_n of_o 4._o whoredom_n of_o 3._o antichrist_n and_o of_o a_o 14._o perverse_a spirit_n 8._o the_o rational_a and_o regenerate_v part_n of_o man_n be_v emphatical_o style_v the_o spirit_n and_o be_v oppose_v to_o the_o flesh_n which_o be_v the_o sensual_a and_o unregenerate_a part_n of_o man._n the_o spirit_n be_v willing_a but_o the_o flesh_n be_v weak_a matth._n 26._o
be_v great_a moral_a and_o religious_a qualification_n likewise_o for_o this_o be_v the_o book_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v come_v to_o it_o with_o agreeable_a inclination_n will_n and_o affection_n man_n complain_v that_o there_o be_v a_o great_a contention_n about_o the_o interpret_n of_o scripture_n and_o different_a party_n can_v agree_v whence_o they_o proceed_v to_o blame_v the_o obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o herein_o these_o person_n themselves_o be_v very_o unblamable_a for_o this_o disagreement_n in_o the_o interpret_n of_o sacred_a writ_n arise_v not_o whole_o from_o the_o obscurity_n of_o it_o nor_o do_v it_o proceed_v from_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o it_o as_o some_o will_v suggest_v but_o from_o man_n deprave_a mind_n and_o passion_n wherefore_o our_o main_a care_n ought_v to_o be_v one_a to_o free_v ourselves_o from_o all_o wilful_a prejudice_n and_o perverseness_n which_o have_v be_v the_o first_o and_o original_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n thus_o the_o infernal_a spirit_n when_o he_o tempt_v our_o saviour_n most_o perverse_o quote_v psal._n 91._o 11._o and_o misapply_v it_o to_o his_o purpose_n and_o from_o he_o heretic_n and_o seducer_n have_v learn_v to_o cite_v and_o make_v use_n of_o scripture_n to_o evil_a design_n viz._n to_o uphold_v some_o error_n or_o vice_n what_o a_o ancient_a writer_n of_o the_o church_n say_v of_o one_o sort_n of_o heretical_a teacher_n that_o 27._o they_o interpret_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o holy_a writ_n according_a to_o their_o own_o pleasure_n be_v true_a of_o they_o all_o their_o constant_a practice_n be_v to_o strain_v and_o distort_v these_o sacred_a write_n to_o construe_v they_o according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o to_o make_v they_o like_o a_o echo_n speak_v what_o they_o please_v their_o great_a work_n in_o consult_v and_o turn_v over_o this_o volume_n be_v to_o find_v something_o they_o may_v misinterpret_v for_o their_o own_o ends._n their_o affection_n to_o a_o particular_a cause_n make_v they_o believe_v and_o assert_v any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o improbable_a and_o then_o they_o allege_v scripture_n to_o back_o it_o though_o it_o be_v whole_o foreign_a to_o the_o purpose_n these_o person_n be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o depraver_n of_o truth_n who_o as_o hexaâ—m_n one_o of_o the_o ancient_a father_n give_v we_o their_o character_n do_v not_o accommodate_v their_o mind_n to_o the_o scripture_n but_o pervert_v and_o draw_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o wi_n this_o gloss_v and_o expound_v of_o the_o bible_n according_a to_o man_n corrupt_a fancy_n be_v as_o menâ—al_a m._n luther_n have_v express_v it_o like_o strain_v milk_n through_o a_o colesack_n it_o blacken_v and_o defile_v the_o pure_a word_n of_o god_n it_o deprave_v and_o falsify_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o spirit_n those_o man_n be_v to_o be_v abhor_v that_o submit_v not_o their_o thought_n and_o conception_n to_o this_o sacred_a standard_n who_o compel_v the_o scripture_n to_o serve_v their_o private_a opinion_n who_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o put_v a_o text_n upon_o the_o rack_n to_o make_v it_o speak_v what_o it_o intend_v not_o of_o miserable_o torture_v it_o that_o they_o may_v force_v it_o to_o confess_v what_o it_o never_o mean_v these_o person_n shall_v be_v reminded_a how_o great_a a_o sin_n it_o be_v to_o distort_v and_o deprave_v the_o holy_a writ_n and_o design_o to_o draw_v it_o to_o another_o sense_n than_o it_o natural_o bear_v and_o the_o penalty_n be_v as_o grievous_a as_o the_o crime_n for_o as_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n inform_v we_o this_o generation_n of_o man_n wrest_v the_o scripture_n unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n 2_o pet._n 3._o 16._o wherefore_o let_v none_o presume_v to_o be_v guilty_a in_o this_o nature_n and_o dare_v to_o follow_v their_o own_o sinister_a imagination_n in_o the_o interpret_n of_o the_o inspire_a write_n but_o let_v they_o attend_v to_o that_o advice_n of_o a_o pious_a and_o learned_a author_n diatrib_n we_o shall_v be_v more_o willing_a to_o take_v a_o sense_n from_o scripture_n than_o to_o bring_v one_o to_o it_o let_v we_o strive_v to_o know_v the_o naked_a and_o pure_a mean_v of_o the_o spirit_n and_o in_o order_n to_o that_o read_v the_o bible_n with_o a_o unprejudiced_a and_o sincere_a mind_n which_o be_v a_o excellent_a interpreter_n whereas_o it_o be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o perverse_a mind_n will_v pervert_v the_o scripture_n 2_o we_o ought_v to_o read_v these_o divine_a write_n with_o great_a modesty_n and_o humility_n let_v it_o not_o trouble_v we_o that_o some_o part_n of_o they_o be_v not_o level_v to_o our_o understanding_n and_o where_o we_o can_v solve_v some_o thing_n let_v we_o not_o arrogant_o pretend_v to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v no_o disgrace_n to_o confess_v our_o ignorance_n here_o i_o can_v assure_v you_o this_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o learnede_a head_n there_o be_v a_o learned_a ignorance_n as_o 15._o st._n augustin_n term_v it_o and_o we_o need_v not_o be_v ashamed_a to_o be_v master_n of_o it_o these_o four_o thing_n mention_v in_o eccles_n 12._o 6._o i_o understand_v not_o say_v castellio_n i_o scarce_o understand_v the_o thousand_o part_n of_o this_o book_n say_v he_o concern_v the_o apocalypse_n and_o it_o be_v frequent_a with_o this_o learned_a man_n to_o say_v i_o know_v not_o the_o mean_v of_o this_o place_n that_o man_n be_v impudent_o rash_a who_o dare_v profess_v that_o he_o understand_v one_o single_a book_n of_o the_o bible_n in_o all_o its_o part_n say_v psalmos_fw-la luther_n i_o own_v it_o that_o i_o be_o so_o blind_a that_o i_o can_v see_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o in_o that_o dark_a place_n of_o scripture_n amos_n 5._o 26._o say_v the_o syr._n great_a selden_n but_o the_o contrary_a temper_n and_o spirit_n have_v swell_v some_o with_o proud_a conceit_n of_o their_o understanding_n some_o passage_n of_o this_o book_n when_o they_o have_v no_o true_a apprehension_n of_o they_o in_o the_o least_o and_o according_o they_o have_v endeavour_v in_o a_o supercilious_a manner_n to_o impose_v their_o crude_a sense_n upon_o other_o not_o crave_v but_o command_a assent_n to_o what_o they_o have_v propound_v these_o bold_a man_n forget_v what_o the_o wise_a king_n say_v 1._o it_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o conceal_v a_o matter_n to_o speak_v sometime_o in_o so_o dark_a and_o hide_a a_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v need_n of_o great_a search_n study_v and_o inquire_v into_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v say_v and_o yet_o at_o last_o they_o remain_v abstruse_a and_o unintelligible_a it_o have_v please_v god_n the_o wise_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v have_v difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o as_o socrates_n say_v of_o heraclitus_n write_n what_o he_o understand_v of_o they_o be_v very_o good_a and_o so_o he_o believe_v that_o to_o be_v which_o he_o understand_v not_o the_o like_a may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n pronounce_v concern_v the_o sacred_a scripture_n the_o matter_n which_o we_o have_v knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v the_o main_a body_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o book_n be_v excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o so_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o those_o part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v hide_v from_o we_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o the_o sovereign_a wisdom_n of_o god_n but_o it_o be_v our_o apparent_a duty_n to_o lay_v aside_o pride_n and_o to_o exercise_v humility_n which_o will_v capacitate_v we_o to_o understand_v even_o those_o great_a mystery_n and_o abstrusity_n when_o we_o have_v with_o much_o diligence_n and_o frequent_a study_n search_v into_o they_o 3_o we_o must_v think_v ourselves_o concern_v to_o purge_v our_o heart_n and_o life_n from_o all_o deâ—ilements_n of_o vice_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o quick_a brain_n a_o subtle_a head_n and_o a_o nimble_a wit_n be_v not_o so_o much_o require_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o divine_a truth_n as_o a_o honest_a mind_n and_o a_o religious_a practice_n to_o man_n of_o pollute_a conscience_n and_o profane_a manner_n the_o scripture_n seem_v dark_a and_o mysterious_a but_o to_o those_o of_o sanctify_a mind_n and_o holy_a life_n they_o be_v as_o to_o the_o most_o part_n plain_a and_o clear_a these_o qualification_n render_v they_o as_o bright_a as_o a_o sunbeam_n what_o the_o turk_n be_v say_v to_o write_v on_o the_o backside_n of_o the_o alcoran_n let_v none_o touch_v this_o book_n but_o he_o that_o be_v pure_a may_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o justice_n be_v write_v on_o the_o holy_a book_n of_o scripture_n and_o that_o only_o for_o a_o pure_a life_n be_v the_o best_a commentator_n on_o these_o write_n a_o wonderful_a measure_n of_o