Selected quad for the lemma: diversity_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
diversity_n	ceremony_n	church_n	rite_n	580	5	10.7927	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A95370	A sermon preached before Sir P.W. Anno 1681. With additions: to which are annexed three digressional exercitations; I. Concerning the true time of our Saviour's Passover. II. Concerning the prohibition of the Hebrew canon to the ancient Jews. III. Concerning the Jewish Tetragrammaton, and the Pythagorick Tetractys. / By John Turner, late fellow of Christ's College in Cambridge.	Turner, John, b. 1649 or 50.	1684 (1684)	Wing T3318AB; ESTC R185793	233,498	453

occasion_n to_o advance_v their_o secular_a design_n under_o the_o specious_a covert_n of_o a_o concern_v for_o liberty_n or_o a_o zeal_n for_o religion_n it_o behoove_v those_o in_o public_a authority_n as_o they_o tender_v the_o reputation_n of_o their_o own_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n or_o the_o quiet_a of_o the_o world_n to_o cut_v off_o all_o occasion_n of_o disturbance_n by_o see_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v do_v decent_o and_o in_o order_n which_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n upon_o which_o all_o law_n whether_o humane_a or_o divine_a be_v found_v and_o from_o whence_o alone_o they_o can_v and_o do_v receive_v their_o obligation_n namely_o the_o common_a interest_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o particular_a happiness_n of_o private_a person_n it_o depend_v upon_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o the_o same_o necessity_n for_o which_o injustice_n and_o robbery_n be_v forbid_v or_o upon_o which_o industry_n sobriety_n and_o useful_a art_n be_v encourage_v which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o public_a good_a which_o if_o it_o be_v as_o plain_o concern_v in_o this_o as_o in_o any_o other_o case_n this_o be_v sufficient_a to_o defend_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o make_v its_o sanction_n in_o indifferent_a matter_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v steer_v by_o principle_n of_o undoubted_a interest_n to_o be_v of_o perpetual_a force_n and_o obligation_n those_o action_n be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v indifferent_a which_o may_v either_o be_v do_v or_o let_v alone_o without_o inconvenience_n or_o advantage_n to_o the_o public_a or_o to_o the_o interest_n of_o any_o private_a person_n but_o if_o any_o prejudice_n or_o advantage_n will_v accrue_v than_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v do_v or_o omit_v and_o consequent_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v in_o different_a and_o become_v necessary_a in_o proportion_n to_o the_o weight_n of_o those_o reason_n upon_o which_o their_o performance_n or_o omission_n be_v found_v so_o for_o example_n we_o will_v suppose_v it_o for_o the_o present_a indifferent_a in_o what_o posture_n we_o say_v our_o prayer_n in_o a_o public_a congregation_n yet_o if_o we_o say_v they_o at_o all_o thus_o much_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n that_o we_o say_v they_o in_o some_o posture_n or_o other_o but_o now_o if_o the_o civil_a or_o ecclesiastical_a magistrate_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o confusion_n and_o for_o the_o prevent_n of_o those_o pique_n and_o animosity_n which_o frequent_o happen_v among_o man_n about_o thing_n of_o little_a or_o no_o value_n in_o themselves_o especial_o when_o religion_n be_v concern_v shall_v ordain_v that_o all_o man_n shall_v say_v their_o prayer_n in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o posture_n and_o shall_v determine_v and_o assign_v what_o that_o particular_a posture_n shall_v be_v then_o here_o be_v a_o reason_n of_o interest_n for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o world_n and_o for_o the_o quiet_a of_o that_o society_n of_o which_o we_o be_v member_n why_o this_o posture_n shall_v be_v use_v rather_o than_o any_o other_o and_o consequent_o this_o posture_n though_o indifferent_a before_o do_v now_o derive_v a_o necessity_n from_o that_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o interest_n upon_o which_o its_o imposition_n be_v found_v to_o be_v sure_a man_n of_o common_a sense_n and_o understanding_n if_o they_o have_v but_o common_a honesty_n join_v together_o with_o it_o will_v take_v their_o measure_n of_o obligation_n as_o to_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o what_o be_v command_v from_o its_o design_n and_o tendency_n to_o promote_v or_o obstruct_v the_o interest_n of_o the_o public_a and_o the_o happiness_n of_o particular_a person_n and_o if_o either_o the_o pretend_a or_o the_o real_a scruple_n of_o any_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o stop_v the_o course_n of_o law_n against_o the_o common_a interest_n there_o can_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o order_n or_o government_n in_o the_o world_n there_o be_v many_o law_n enact_v by_o the_o sublime_a wisdom_n of_o the_o king_n and_o his_o three_o estate_n in_o parliament_n assemble_v which_o though_o they_o be_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n all_o thing_n consider_v yet_o they_o manifest_o tend_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o particular_a person_n but_o yet_o those_o very_a person_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v by_o these_o law_n as_o they_o who_o reap_v the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n of_o they_o because_o the_o obligation_n of_o these_o law_n be_v to_o be_v take_v from_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o all_o society_n that_o a_o great_a interest_n be_v prefer_v before_o a_o less_o and_o that_o when_o the_o public_a advantage_n shall_v interfere_v with_o a_o private_a the_o private_a must_v give_v place_n because_o otherwise_o the_o society_n can_v be_v preserve_v how_o much_o more_o strict_o therefore_o be_v we_o oblige_v by_o those_o law_n who_o design_n and_o tendency_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o keep_v we_o all_o at_o unity_n and_o peace_n together_o be_v so_o plain_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o public_a and_o of_o every_o particular_a person_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o the_o manifest_a conducibleness_n of_o such_o a_o uniform_a way_n of_o worship_n to_o the_o public_a peace_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o those_o sad_a effect_n which_o our_o religious_a difference_n have_v produce_v every_o private_a man_n shall_v yet_o after_o this_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n or_o expedience_n of_o what_o be_v enact_v by_o his_o superior_n and_o shall_v from_o thence_o proceed_v upon_o i_o know_v not_o what_o pretence_n ridiculous_a in_o themselves_o and_o destructive_a of_o the_o public_a welfare_n to_o withdraw_v his_o obedience_n to_o their_o just_a command_n he_o may_v as_o well_o take_v upon_o he_o a_o insinite_a and_o boundless_a liberty_n of_o question_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o equity_n of_o all_o law_n whatsoever_o and_o either_o upon_o the_o same_o or_o more_o warrantable_a exception_n for_o the_o expedience_n of_o no_o law_n can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o of_o that_o which_o enjoin_v uniformity_n in_o divine_a worship_n he_o may_v withdraw_v his_o obedience_n from_o all_o kind_n of_o government_n and_o subjection_n whatsoever_o but_o here_o it_o be_v object_v that_o if_o there_o be_v nothing_o but_o the_o civil_a interest_n or_o the_o interest_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v consider_v the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n will_v sufficient_o demonstrate_v that_o a_o uniformity_n in_o religious_a matter_n be_v the_o best_a expedient_a that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o to_o secure_v the_o public_a peace_n but_o alas_o we_o carry_v soul_n and_o conscience_n about_o we_o and_o these_o be_v precious_a thing_n there_o be_v a_o immortal_a interest_n lie_v at_o stake_n which_o it_o will_v be_v great_a folly_n and_o madness_n to_o part_v with_o upon_o any_o temporal_a consideration_n but_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o in_o the_o general_n that_o the_o main_a design_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o promote_v peace_n and_o charity_n in_o this_o world_n as_o well_o as_o to_o procure_v we_o eternal_a peace_n and_o happiness_n in_o the_o next_o and_o indeed_o the_o one_o in_o order_n to_o the_o other_o it_o follow_v plain_o that_o uniformity_n in_o religious_a worship_n as_o be_v a_o necessary_a mean_n to_o peace_n be_v in_o the_o general_a of_o divine_a institution_n though_o what_o the_o particular_a term_n of_o that_o uniformity_n shall_v be_v the_o scripture_n have_v no_o where_o prescribe_v as_o in_o truth_n it_o can_v not_o do_v for_o a_o reason_n which_o i_o shall_v show_v hereafter_o it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o the_o church_n itself_o be_v in_o all_o age_n furnish_v with_o a_o right_n and_o power_n of_o prescribe_v what_o those_o term_n shall_v be_v and_o that_o all_o her_o member_n be_v oblige_v to_o a_o necessary_a observance_n of_o they_o but_o here_o because_o i_o have_v make_v so_o frequent_a mention_n of_o the_o church_n that_o i_o may_v avoid_v ambiguity_n and_o leave_v as_o little_a room_n as_o may_v be_v for_o exception_n before_o i_o go_v any_o further_a i_o will_v explain_v what_o i_o mean_v by_o that_o term_n and_o without_o descend_v to_o too_o much_o nicety_n the_o church_n be_v one_o of_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o it_o be_v the_o congregation_n of_o christian_a people_n disperse_v over_o the_o whole_a earth_n and_o agree_v together_o in_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v either_o express_o or_o by_o direct_a and_o lawful_a consequence_n reveal_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o be_v of_o necessity_n to_o salvation_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n it_o be_v not_o only_o unnecessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v every_o where_o the_o same_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n observe_v in_o the_o church_n but_o it_o be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n

impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v because_o of_o necessity_n the_o several_a manner_n custom_n and_o other_o circumstance_n of_o several_a nation_n will_v introduce_v a_o diversity_n of_o external_a formality_n into_o religious_a worship_n which_o may_v be_v do_v without_o any_o breach_n of_o charity_n or_o friendship_n among_o man_n because_o there_o be_v no_o interest_n to_o be_v serve_v by_o promote_a feud_n and_o animosity_n between_o they_o and_o it_o will_v be_v all_o one_o to_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o this_o kingdom_n what_o rite_n or_o usage_n soever_o the_o greek_a or_o armenian_a church_n shall_v embrace_v we_o do_v not_o much_o trouble_v our_o head_n though_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o near_a neighbourhood_n we_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o do_v it_o about_o the_o french_a say_v mass_n or_o adore_v relic_n or_o image_n or_o pray_v for_o dead_a or_o worship_v the_o host_n nay_o you_o shall_v hardly_o ever_o see_v a_o man_n in_o a_o passion_n when_o he_o hear_v the_o tragical_a story_n of_o those_o horrible_a persecution_n against_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o reform_a religion_n but_o though_o he_o may_v relieve_v and_o pity_v they_o so_o far_o as_o a_o small_a temporary_a contribution_n will_v go_v yet_o in_o truth_n and_o reality_n he_o be_v not_o much_o concern_v whereas_o at_o home_n we_o can_v make_v a_o shift_n to_o fall_v out_o about_o much_o small_a matter_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o we_o be_v not_o embark_v in_o the_o same_o bottom_n with_o they_o and_o so_o be_v able_a to_o do_v neither_o good_a nor_o hurt_n by_o be_v angry_a or_o displease_v we_o scarce_o ever_o trouble_v ourselves_o but_o at_o home_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n and_o liberty_n which_o be_v always_o stir_v when_o ever_o there_o be_v any_o prospect_n of_o public_a disorder_n likely_a to_o ensue_v upon_o they_o will_v never_o fail_v to_o excite_v the_o ambitious_a the_o discontent_a and_o the_o needy_a to_o embroyle_v the_o state_n out_o of_o principle_n either_o of_o interest_n or_o revenge_n while_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n that_o daily_o converse_v together_o and_o be_v engage_v by_o interest_n or_o prejudice_n or_o duty_n in_o the_o respective_a party_n do_v but_o serve_v to_o blow_v the_o coal_n and_o improve_v the_o spark_n of_o animosity_n into_o a_o flame_n of_o war._n the_o consequence_n of_o all_o which_o be_v that_o there_o may_v be_v difference_n in_o the_o universal_a church_n consist_v of_o many_o kingdom_n and_o province_n without_o dissension_n and_o that_o all_o that_o whatever_o it_o be_v which_o be_v requisite_a to_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n may_v be_v consistent_a enough_o with_o difference_n in_o small_a matter_n but_o that_o in_o the_o same_o kingdom_n or_o dominion_n this_o can_v never_o be_v but_o second_o by_o the_o church_n we_o may_v understand_v a_o national_a congregation_n of_o christian_a people_n divide_v into_o many_o partition_n or_o particular_a assembly_n unite_v together_o by_o a_o unity_n of_o faith_n and_o discipline_n and_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n and_o this_o be_v that_o which_o i_o affirm_v to_o be_v necessary_a in_o every_o kingdom_n or_o state_n that_o will_v avoid_v all_o occasion_n of_o public_a tumult_n and_o disorder_n and_o will_v be_v as_o happy_a either_o as_o themselves_o can_v wish_v or_o as_o christianity_n design_n to_o make_v they_o and_o therefore_o this_o be_v that_o unity_n which_o be_v by_o every_o good_a christian_a good_a citizen_n or_o good_a subject_n above_o all_o thing_n which_o this_o world_n can_v afford_v the_o most_o earnest_o to_o be_v desire_v for_o the_o obtain_n of_o which_o he_o be_v to_o submit_v to_o every_o thing_n that_o shall_v be_v require_v of_o he_o and_o he_o be_v to_o abstain_v from_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v forbid_v he_o if_o all_o thing_n consider_v it_o may_v lawful_o be_v do_v or_o avoid_v three_o in_o compliance_n with_o those_o of_o the_o congregationall_a way_n i_o be_o content_a to_o allow_v a_o three_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n church_n to_o be_v a_o particular_a and_o independent_a congregation_n govern_v by_o law_n and_o measure_n of_o its_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v no_o jurisdiction_n foreign_a to_o itself_o and_o this_o be_v a_o form_n of_o church_n government_n which_o in_o a_o christian_a kingdom_n or_o commonwealth_n i_o affirm_v to_o be_v natural_o unlawful_a and_o here_o there_o be_v two_o case_n to_o be_v consider_v first_o either_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o people_n be_v divide_v into_o such_o particular_a and_o independent_a congregation_n or_o there_o be_v a_o national_a establishment_n from_o which_o these_o particular_a congregation_n have_v separate_v themselves_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v babel_n in_o effigy_n the_o very_a emblem_n and_o landscape_n of_o confusion_n subject_n to_o inconvenience_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o till_o they_o be_v feel_v and_o capable_a of_o such_o infinite_a sub-division_n as_o will_v at_o length_n reduce_v the_o comely_a form_n of_o government_n by_o so_o many_o particular_a interest_n and_o faction_n into_o a_o state_n of_o public_a hostility_n and_o rapine_n for_o the_o reason_n why_o man_n separate_v from_o one_o another_o be_v always_o out_o of_o some_o real_a or_o some_o pretend_a dislike_n which_o dislike_v by_o actual_a separation_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v compose_v that_o they_o be_v manifest_o improve_v and_o heighten_v by_o it_o and_o from_o hence_o arise_v so_o many_o several_a interest_n as_o there_o be_v sect_n or_o denomination_n of_o party_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n for_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o all_o man_n to_o desire_v to_o gain_v proselyte_n to_o their_o own_o opinion_n for_o man_n to_o love_v themselves_o and_o those_o of_o their_o own_o way_n and_o to_o think_v of_o other_o man_n who_o be_v not_o enroll_v in_o the_o same_o list_n with_o themselves_o if_o not_o with_o a_o real_a hatred_n yet_o with_o a_o less_o esteem_n and_o a_o comparative_a aversation_n which_o whenever_o a_o ball_n of_o interest_n be_v throw_v between_o they_o will_v be_v improve_v into_o all_o the_o sad_a effect_n of_o the_o most_o desperate_a malice_n and_o revenge_n but_o here_o to_o make_v all_o sure_a as_o i_o go_v along_o i_o must_v repeat_v again_o that_o by_o independent_a congregation_n i_o mean_v such_o as_o own_v no_o ecclesiastical_a jurisdiction_n external_a to_o themselves_o from_o whence_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o perceive_v that_o every_o such_o congregation_n may_v be_v a_o new_a sect_n and_o party_n by_o itself_o as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o manner_n in_o the_o late_a time_n when_o the_o sect_n be_v spawn_v in_o such_o increadible_a abundance_n that_o the_o alphabet_n begin_v to_o complain_v of_o want_n of_o letter_n to_o furnish_v so_o many_o different_a and_o disagree_a party_n with_o name_n neither_o be_v it_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o so_o many_o several_a faction_n notwithstanding_o their_o difference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n shall_v yet_o conspire_v in_o a_o uniform_a obedience_n to_o the_o civil_a power_n because_o to_o be_v uppermost_o be_v that_o which_o they_o all_o desire_n and_o since_o the_o very_a same_o person_n be_v member_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n and_o of_o a_o particular_a sect_n or_o party_n it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o hope_v that_o the_o state_n can_v ever_o be_v quiet_a till_o all_o these_o party_n can_v agree_v together_o to_o be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n which_o be_v to_o make_v they_o cease_v to_o be_v what_o they_o be_v in_o the_o unite_a province_n where_o the_o great_a liberty_n be_v give_v and_o take_v of_o any_o other_o territory_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n the_o peace_n of_o the_o public_a can_v not_o be_v secure_v if_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o overballance_n of_o the_o calvi●isticall_a party_n above_o the_o rest_n for_o the_o calvinist_n as_o sir_n william_n temple_n in_o his_o observation_n upon_o the_o unite_a province_n take_v notice_n p._n 204._o make_v up_o the_o body_n of_o the_o people_n and_o be_v possess_v of_o all_o the_o public_a church_n in_o the_o dominion_n of_o the_o state_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o only_a minister_n or_o pastor_n who_o be_v maintain_v by_o the_o public_a who_o have_v no_o other_o salary_n than_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o the_o state_n upon_o who_o they_o whole_o depend_v and_o for_o that_o reason_n they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o preach_v obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o the_o people_n but_o yet_o notwithstanding_o this_o so_o great_a have_v the_o power_n and_o interest_n of_o the_o louvestane_n or_o arminian_n party_n always_o be_v that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o great_a revolution_n among_o they_o and_o as_o it_o be_v probable_o one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o their_o so_o sudden_a fall_n from_o the_o height_n of_o envy_n into_o the_o low_a region_n of_o pity_n and_o despair_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o very_a few_o year_n

that_o the_o jewish_a nation_n must_v have_v be_v canton_v and_o divide_v into_o as_o many_o sect_n as_o there_o be_v different_a possibility_n of_o interpretation_n arise_v from_o either_o of_o the_o two_o cause_n which_o have_v be_v above_o specify_v and_o assign_v what_o confusion_n will_v this_o have_v introduce_v into_o the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o the_o mosaique_a law_n while_o every_o alteration_n of_o a_o letter_n or_o vowel_n will_v have_v make_v a_o new_a ceremony_n and_o there_o will_v have_v be_v as_o great_a diversity_n of_o rite_n as_o there_o be_v possibility_n of_o variation_n and_o all_o pretend_v to_o the_o same_o divine_a authority_n to_o justify_v and_o vouch_v themselves_o how_o will_v the_o people_n out_o of_o that_o innovate_a humour_n which_o be_v natural_a to_o the_o populace_n of_o all_o the_o world_n have_v divide_v and_o subdivide_v themselves_o into_o several_a party_n conventicle_n and_o faction_n and_o how_o will_v the_o priest_n as_o fast_o as_o revenge_v or_o ambition_n or_o opiniatrity_n and_o affectation_n shall_v prompt_v they_o have_v put_v themselves_o in_o the_o head_n of_o disagree_v sect_n and_o will_v have_v foment_v those_o difference_n among_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o same_o real_a or_o pretend_a zeal_n and_o earnestness_n that_o the_o nonconformist_n do_v now_o among_o we_o only_o with_o this_o advantage_n that_o the_o jew_n may_v have_v do_v it_o when_o the_o interpretation_n of_o place_n for_o want_v of_o a_o stand_a punctation_n be_v leave_v so_o much_o to_o every_o man_n honesty_n and_o judgement_n with_o infinite_o great_a plausibility_n and_o pretence_n of_o warrant_n from_o above_o than_o our_o dissent_v incendiary_n can_v do_v who_o be_v so_o shameful_o drive_v out_o of_o all_o their_o post_n unless_o it_o be_v their_o ignorance_n knavery_n and_o impudence_n which_o be_v citadel_n impregnable_a against_o all_o the_o power_n of_o argument_n in_o the_o world_n and_o can_v only_o be_v take_v in_o by_o the_o faithful_a and_o vigorous_a execution_n of_o severe_a and_o wholesome_a law_n how_o will_v they_o have_v lampoon_v and_o ridicule_v the_o prophet_n and_o how_o will_v the_o several_a party_n by_o a_o several_a way_n of_o read_v pointing_z or_o accentuation_n have_v discharge_v the_o several_a prophecy_n at_o one_o another_o last_o what_o strange_a uncertainty_n will_v this_o have_v bring_v upon_o the_o law_n and_o prophet_n how_o will_v it_o have_v confound_v all_o those_o prophecy_n that_o foretell_v and_o all_o those_o rite_n and_o sacrifice_n that_o typify_v and_o shadow_v out_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o by_o consequence_n how_o will_v it_o have_v perplex_v and_o entangle_v nay_o plain_o evacuate_v and_o disannul_v all_o the_o evidence_n which_o we_o have_v beside_o the_o unquestionable_a miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n how_o will_v it_o have_v baffle_v and_o defeat_v that_o argument_n for_o our_o saviour_n person_n and_o doctrine_n upon_o which_o he_o himself_o lay_v so_o mighty_a stress_n that_o he_o despair_v any_o miracle_n how_o great_a soever_o shall_v persuade_v they_o with_o who_o the_o testimony_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n be_v of_o no_o force_n and_o signification_n for_o upon_o supposition_n of_o such_o infinite_a variation_n as_o the_o promiscuous_a use_n of_o the_o original_a hebrew_n before_o the_o use_n of_o point_n will_v have_v introduce_v these_o testimony_n can_v not_o possible_o have_v be_v of_o any_o weight_n or_o value_n with_o any_o considerative_a or_o think_v man_n because_o the_o several_a reading_n by_o their_o mutual_a opposition_n will_v have_v destroy_v and_o supplant_v one_o another_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v true_a that_o the_o ancient_a jew_n be_v permit_v the_o promiscuous_a use_n and_o read_n of_o the_o law_n that_o it_o seem_v rather_o to_o have_v be_v deny_v to_o most_o of_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n themselves_o for_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o in_o the_o distribution_n of_o the_o levite_n to_o their_o several_a employment_n there_o be_v none_o admit_v to_o the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o any_o sacred_a office_n whatsoever_o till_o they_o be_v arrive_v to_o the_o age_n of_o twenty_o year_n and_o that_o at_o that_o age_n they_o be_v only_o capable_a of_o the_o more_o servile_a or_o handiwork_n employment_n and_o as_o they_o arrive_v to_o great_a maturity_n of_o year_n so_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o office_n and_o employment_n of_o a_o more_o honourable_a nature_n that_o there_o be_v some_o appoint_v for_o porter_n other_o for_o singer_n who_o business_n be_v only_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o song_n of_o the_o lord_n without_o any_o obligation_n that_o appear_v to_o any_o particular_a study_n of_o the_o whole_a law_n and_o so_o for_o those_o that_o be_v employ_v in_o dress_v or_o prepare_v the_o sacrifice_n or_o in_o sprinkle_v the_o blood_n it_o be_v not_o requisite_a they_o shall_v learn_v this_o skill_n by_o a_o personal_a converse_n and_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o law_n as_o well_o because_o all_o the_o ceremony_n belong_v to_o the_o performance_n of_o such_o ministery_n as_o these_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v prescribe_v in_o the_o law_n itself_o without_o swell_v it_o into_o a_o much_o large_a volume_n than_o that_o in_o which_o it_o be_v now_o contain_v as_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v to_o the_o shame_n of_o all_o nonconforming_a scruple_n and_o to_o the_o undeniable_a justification_n of_o humane_a institution_n in_o religious_a worship_n as_o because_o it_o be_v see_v that_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n that_o be_v the_o ceremony_n and_o formality_n of_o office_n whether_o civil_a or_o divine_a may_v be_v and_o be_v actual_o hand_v down_o to_o man_n in_o a_o traditionary_a way_n as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n and_o many_o a_o man_n actual_o do_v understand_v the_o law_n of_o england_n sufficient_o well_o and_o yet_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o particular_a law-court_n be_v not_o half_a so_o well_o skill_v as_o a_o ordinary_a attorney_n beside_o all_o which_o it_o be_v still_o further_o to_o be_v consider_v that_o at_o the_o return_n from_o the_o captivity_n of_o babylon_n as_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v esdras_n do_v not_o only_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o law_n but_o also_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o levite_n themselves_o nehem._n 8._o 13._o which_o will_v have_v be_v needless_a if_o all_o the_o priest_n have_v be_v equal_o instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o or_o if_o some_o of_o they_o unless_o in_o those_o matter_n which_o belong_v to_o their_o particular_a charge_n which_o as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n itself_o be_v now_o by_o seventy_o year_n disuse_n forget_v have_v not_o be_v either_o altogether_o or_o very_o nigh_o as_o ignorant_a as_o the_o common_a people_n wherefore_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o conceive_v that_o as_o the_o line_n and_o family_n of_o aaron_n be_v of_o all_o the_o levitical_a race_n the_o high_a in_o the_o priestly_a dignity_n among_o the_o jew_n insomuch_o that_o the_o priest_n and_o the_o levite_n be_v frequent_o distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o in_o scripture_n though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o levite_n be_v priest_n too_o though_o in_o a_o great_a latitude_n as_o well_o as_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n be_v all_o of_o they_o equal_o substitute_v instead_o of_o the_o first_o bear_v and_o all_o of_o they_o dedicate_v though_o in_o a_o less_o degree_n to_o the_o service_n and_o ministry_n of_o the_o holy_a thing_n i_o say_v it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a from_o hence_o to_o conclude_v that_o the_o more_o particular_a knowledge_n and_o study_n of_o the_o law_n be_v confine_v to_o the_o family_n of_o aaron_n who_o be_v those_o priest_n most_o proper_o and_o strict_o so_o call_v who_o lip_n in_o the_o language_n of_o malachi_n be_v to_o preserve_v knowledge_n and_o to_o who_o custody_n alone_o as_o be_v the_o most_o sacred_a depositum_fw-la in_o the_o world_n the_o original_a m_n s._n of_o the_o law_n itself_o or_o the_o most_o authentic_a and_o unquestionable_a copy_n of_o it_o be_v commit_v deut._n 17._o 18._o it_o be_v not_o certain_o for_o nothing_o that_o the_o letter_n or_o commission_n of_o xerxes_n to_o esdras_n in_o josephus_n be_v thus_o superscribe_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o esdras_n the_o priest_n and_o reader_n or_o interpreter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o so_o he_o be_v call_v again_o afterward_o in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o epistle_n itself_o which_o be_v to_o i_o a_o plain_a intimation_n that_o the_o skill_n of_o read_v and_o much_o more_o of_o interpret_n the_o law_n be_v in_o the_o time_n of_o esdras_n a_o great_a rarity_n among_o the_o priest_n themselves_o for_o that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o reader_n somewhat_o more_o be_v imply_v than_o what_o the_o jew_n afterward_o in_o their_o synagogue_n