more_o plain_o than_o to_o be_v humble_a and_o modest_a and_o that_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o fear_n god_n so_o likewise_o to_o honour_v the_o king_n and_o his_o minister_n and_o to_o obey_v those_o that_o watch_n over_o our_o soul_n nay_o to_o esteem_v they_o very_o high_o in_o love_n for_o their_o work_n sake_n which_o will_v dispose_v we_o most_o certain_o if_o we_o be_v not_o carry_v away_o with_o pride_n or_o any_o other_o vicious_a affection_n to_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o in_o dubious_a thing_n and_o as_o it_o there_o follow_v in_o the_o apostle_n 1_o thess_n v._o 13._o to_o be_v at_o peace_n among_o ourselves_o i_o must_v beseech_v therefore_o every_o member_n of_o this_o church_n both_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n to_o be_v as_o careful_a in_o this_o matter_n as_o i_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v in_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n take_v your_o guide_n along_o with_o you_o do_v not_o think_v yourselves_o 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their_o subscription_n they_o own_v to_o have_v authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n they_o will_v no_o less_o preserve_v they_o in_o unity_n and_o in_o peace_n to_o conclude_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o every_o body_n must_v reap_v great_a fruit_n by_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n if_o they_o read_v they_o for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o that_o they_o may_v go_v away_o better_o from_o the_o read_n of_o they_o than_o they_o come_v to_o it_o and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o accommodate_v they_o to_o their_o own_o affection_n but_o correct_v all_o their_o affection_n and_o desire_n and_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n by_o this_o exact_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n according_a to_o which_o if_o we_o square_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v present_o learn_v in_o difficult_a thing_n to_o be_v wise_a unto_o sobriety_n and_o in_o plain_a thing_n to_o be_v wise_a unto_o salvation_n that_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o do_v what_o we_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n which_o be_v the_o only_a wisdom_n that_o the_o scripture_n magnify_v which_o will_v be_v the_o sure_a way_n both_o to_o know_v more_o and_o to_o know_v it_o better_o that_o be_v to_o feel_v the_o comfort_n of_o what_o we_o know_v in_o a_o bless_a and_o assure_a hope_n of_o everlasting_a life_n which_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o part._n part_n ii_o have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n that_o those_o word_n of_o st_n peter_n 2._o iii_o 16._o which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v allege_v against_o the_o read_n of_o holy_a scripture_n do_v plain_o suppose_v that_o the_o people_n do_v then_o read_v they_o i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o deter_v man_n from_o read_v they_o by_o represent_v the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o they_o and_o the_o danger_n of_o wrest_v they_o for_o he_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o 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i._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o the_o apostle_n only_o say_v some_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o suppose_v that_o most_o be_v not_o but_o rather_o easy_a as_o all_o those_o thing_n especial_o be_v which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o believe_v and_o do_v for_o the_o obtain_n salvation_n that_o which_o make_v thing_n easy_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v the_o plain_a and_o perspicuous_a delivery_n of_o they_o in_o the_o word_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v or_o speak_v now_o nothing_o a_o be_v plain_a or_o clear_a than_o the_o word_n wherein_o all_o the_o great_a christian_a truth_n be_v reveal_v and_o deliver_v to_o we_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v obscure_a that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o see_v the_o light_n than_o it_o be_v to_o apprehend_v and_o understand_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o they_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o some_o particular_n and_o have_v a_o eye_n all_o the_o way_n upon_o st._n paul_n epistle_n to_o which_o s._n peter_n be_v common_o think_v to_o have_v respect_n wherein_o though_o some_o thing_n be_v difficult_a yet_o these_o be_v most_o clear_o discover_v first_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n as_o he_o express_o write_v 1_o cor._n viii_o 6._o second_o that_o he_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n remember_v we_o out_o of_o moses_n iu._n matt._n 10._o be_v the_o great_a thing_n press_v in_o his_o very_a entrance_n into_o any_o place_n where_o he_o preach_v 1_o thess_n l._n 9_o 10._o xvii_o act_n 23_o 24._o three_o as_o our_o lord_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o be_v engage_v by_o our_o baptism_n to_o worship_v one_o god_n in_o three_o person_n xxviii_o matth._n 19_o so_o s._n paul_n affirm_v the_o same_o plain_o enough_o in_o that_o solemn_a prayer_n for_o the_o corinthian_n 2._o xiii_o ult_n the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v with_o you_o all_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o place_n wherein_o he_o affirm_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v over_o all_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o ix_o rom._n 5._o and_o the_o spirit_n to_o search_v even_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o know_v his_o mind_n exact_o for_o so_o it_o follow_v 1_o cor._n ii_o 10_o 11._o that_o as_o none_o can_v know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o plain_o tell_v we_o if_o we_o mind_v it_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v in_o god_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n be_v in_o man_n that_o be_v the_o spirit_n be_v god_n himself_o and_o therefore_o full_o acquaint_v with_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n there_o be_v some_o little_a labour_n indeed_o in_o make_v this_o deduction_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a if_o we_o consider_v all_o these_o place_n together_o four_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n none_o can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o who_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o holy_a book_n where_o he_o will_v immediate_o see_v he_o represent_v to_o be_v almighty_a most_o wise_a most_o gracious_a faithful_a to_o his_o word_n and_o the_o live_a god_n who_o endure_v for_o ever_o which_o be_v truth_n write_v there_o in_o such_o great_a letter_n that_o every_o one_o who_o run_v as_o the_o prophet_n speak_v and_o do_v but_o cast_v a_o transient_a eye_n upon_o they_o may_v easy_o read_v they_o five_o particular_o his_o infinite_a love_n and_o kindness_n towards_o we_o the_o child_n of_o man_n lie_v before_o we_o so_o fair_o and_o shine_v so_o bright_o in_o our_o
they_o for_o else_o we_o shall_v not_o use_v due_a care_n not_o to_o cross_v they_o in_o our_o doctrine_n if_o we_o cross_v they_o in_o our_o deed_n but_o rather_o be_v content_a that_o by_o false_a gloss_n upon_o other_o place_n where_o the_o fraud_n will_v be_v less_o discernible_a the_o light_n of_o those_o glorious_a truth_n shall_v be_v obscure_v and_o the_o power_n and_o force_v of_o they_o enervate_v and_o break_v for_o what_o will_v not_o man_n say_v and_o do_v to_o defend_v themselves_o in_o their_o sin_n even_o against_o the_o clear_a conviction_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n which_o their_o bad_a assection_n teach_v they_o to_o oppose_v nay_o make_v it_o their_o interest_n to_o resist_v and_o here_o it_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o take_v this_o occasion_n to_o give_v a_o few_o direction_n for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o if_o we_o observe_v in_o our_o read_v they_o we_o shall_v not_o only_o be_v preserve_v from_o dangerous_a mistake_n but_o reap_v great_a benefit_n by_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v the_o rather_o do_v it_o because_o it_o will_v be_v a_o good_a introduction_n to_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n i._o the_o first_o of_o they_o be_v a_o rule_n which_o be_v necessary_a in_o all_o science_n or_o part_n of_o knowledge_n viz_o to_o learn_v easy_a thing_n first_o we_o can_v have_v no_o sound_a understanding_n in_o the_o scripture_n unless_o we_o will_v follow_v their_o own_o method_n which_o be_v to_o learn_v first_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n for_o therein_o lie_v the_o beginning_n of_o wisdom_n as_o he_o often_o tell_v we_o it_o be_v against_o the_o very_a direction_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o to_o be_v so_o confident_a as_o to_o venture_v present_o into_o all_o the_o depth_n that_o be_v in_o it_o and_o to_o lose_v our_o time_n in_o puzzle_v our_o mind_n to_o untie_v the_o knot_n of_o difficult_a place_n for_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v salve_v but_o by_o those_o 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those_o who_o profession_n it_o be_v to_o devote_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o all_o holy_a writ_n even_o they_o must_v be_v sure_a for_o their_o own_o safety_n and_o other_o to_o lay_v the_o foundation_n well_o here_o by_o thorough_o digest_v the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v after_o godliness_n and_o deep_o tincture_v as_o i_o may_v say_v their_o mind_n therewith_o before_o they_o meddle_v with_o other_o matter_n for_o a_o sense_n of_o true_a goodness_n will_v be_v as_o a_o light_n to_o guide_v we_o in_o the_o interpret_n those_o thing_n which_o seem_v dark_a and_o need_v something_o to_o illustrate_v they_o and_o what_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o shall_v be_v but_o something_o contain_v in_o the_o same_o book_n even_o the_o true_a light_n of_o life_n the_o light_n which_o chase_v away_o all_o man_n evil_a desire_n and_o the_o deed_n of_o darkness_n which_o make_v the_o soul_n pure_a and_o without_o prejudice_n which_o dispose_v it_o to_o know_v god_n and_o to_o love_v he_o and_o to_o love_v all_o man_n for_o his_o sake_n this_o will_v instruct_v we_o how_o to_o interpret_v all_o the_o rest_n and_o not_o suffer_v we_o to_o entertain_v any_o sense_n of_o they_o in_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o hinder_v the_o practice_n and_o increase_v of_o true_a godliness_n or_o prejudices_fw-la charity_n and_o disturb_v christian_a society_n but_o conform_v all_o our_o thought_n unto_o a_o happy_a agreement_n with_o those_o great_a and_o obvious_a truth_n which_o therefore_o let_v we_o observe_v and_o mark_v as_o the_o very_a life_n and_o soul_n of_o religion_n nay_o let_v we_o imprint_v they_o on_o our_o mind_n as_o the_o most_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o remember_v and_o carry_v constant_o in_o mind_n that_o we_o may_v never_o admit_v any_o thing_n to_o their_o prejudice_n for_o unless_o we_o be_v thus_o dispose_v we_o shall_v not_o only_o trouble_v ourselves_o to_o no_o purpose_n but_o confound_v all_o thing_n and_o overturn_v the_o whole_a frame_n of_o religion_n we_o shall_v be_v just_a like_o that_o fool_n who_o melancthon_n speak_v of_o who_o work_n it_o be_v to_o carry_v fuel_n daily_o to_o the_o kitchen_n and_o come_v to_o a_o great_a pile_n of_o wood_n where_o little_a piece_n lay_v uppermost_a and_o the_o great_a below_n he_o will_v needs_o begin_v at_o the_o bottom_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o wise_a reason_n that_o it_o be_v good_a to_o do_v the_o hard_a work_n first_o and_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v better_a able_a to_o deal_v with_o that_o which_o be_v easy_a i_o need_v not_o make_v the_o application_n to_o those_o who_o love_v to_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o some_o deep_a and_o i_o may_v say_v dangerous_a point_n if_o not_o well_o understand_v before_o they_o be_v well_o study_v in_o the_o common_a doctrine_n of_o godliness_n and_o have_v learn_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o christian_n this_o be_v a_o preposterous_a course_n contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a light_n and_o guidance_n of_o the_o holy_a book_n which_o teach_v we_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o make_v this_o inquiry_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v to_o be_v save_v and_o we_o be_v sure_a none_o can_v be_v save_v but_o they_o who_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o lord_n jesus_n who_o faith_n therefore_o teach_v we_o to_o study_v his_o precept_n before_o we_o meddle_v with_o other_o matter_n and_o these_o precept_n as_o they_o be_v not_o grievous_a to_o those_o that_o obey_v they_o so_o they_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o be_v learn_v in_o order_n to_o that_o obedience_n but_o whatsoever_o concern_v our_o duty_n to_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o every_o particular_a person_n in_o the_o relation_n wherein_o they_o stand_v of_o parent_n and_o child_n husband_n and_o wife_n master_n and_o servant_n prince_n and_o people_n teacher_n and_o learner_n be_v all_o i_o have_v show_v deliver_v here_o with_o such_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n that_o no_o book_n in_o the_o world_n ever_o teach_v they_o in_o this_o manner_n about_o these_o therefore_o in_o all_o reason_n together_o with_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o christian_a faith_n we_o must_v employ_v our_o most_o earnest_a care_n to_o settle_v they_o in_o our_o mind_n and_o make_v they_o the_o rule_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n but_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o bring_v these_o thing_n into_o our_o mind_n i_o must_v add_v another_o rule_n no_o less_o necessary_a than_o this_o which_o be_v ii_o that_o to_o do_v what_o we_o know_v be_v the_o way_n to_o know_v more_o what_o we_o have_v to_o do_v this_o i_o have_v suggest_v already_o in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o forego_n discourse_n and_o therefore_o shall_v only_o commend_v the_o serious_a practice_n of_o one_o particular_a duty_n which_o be_v so_o frequent_o mention_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o from_o thence_o we_o ought_v to_o conclude_v it_o be_v of_o exceed_v great_a moment_n it_o be_v humility_n not_o to_o think_v of_o ourselves_o more_o high_o than_o we_o ought_v to_o think_v nor_o to_o be_v wise_a in_o our_o own_o conceit_n but_o to_o think_v sober_o and_o to_o be_v lowly_a in_o our_o own_o eye_n there_o be_v a_o number_n of_o precept_n of_o the_o same_o import_n with_o these_o the_o meaning_n of_o which_o he_o ought_v to_o study_v diligent_o and_o then_o hearty_o obey_v who_o will_v advance_v to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n for_o the_o meek_a i._n e._n the_o humble_a will_v he_o guide_v in_o judgement_n and_o the_o meek_a will_v he_o teach_v his_o way_n if_o a_o man_n begin_v at_o first_o to_o think_v wrong_a of_o himself_o he_o be_v not_o like_a to_o hit_v right_a in_o other_o thing_n but_o the_o easy_a mistake_n in_o they_o when_o he_o have_v suffer_v such_o a_o cheat_n to_o be_v put_v upon_o he_o as_o to_o have_v a_o
not_o only_o the_o unlearned_a but_o the_o unstable_a also_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n ii_o unstable_a who_o those_o be_v be_v now_o easy_o to_o determine_v if_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o other_o be_v admit_v they_o be_v such_o as_o do_v not_o steadfast_o believe_v what_o they_o have_v learn_v who_o have_v entertain_v the_o truth_n do_v not_o stick_v to_o those_o principle_n of_o natural_a light_n and_o plain_a revelation_n nor_o be_v settle_v in_o they_o but_o sometime_o believe_v they_o and_o sometime_o question_n or_o disbelieve_v they_o such_o person_n the_o same_o st._n paul_n also_o describe_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o be_v toss_v up_o and_o down_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o can_v six_z no_z where_o but_o roll_v in_o uncertainty_n from_o one_o opinion_n to_o another_o till_o they_o lose_v themselves_o in_o infidelity_n iu._n eph._n 14._o the_o principle_n they_o have_v receive_v be_v float_v in_o their_o 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against_o vain_a philosophy_n ii_o col._n 8._o from_o whence_o we_o may_v note_v that_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o assign_v the_o original_a of_o heresy_n and_o teach_v we_o to_o beware_v of_o it_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o lead_v we_o into_o they_o three_o and_o there_o be_v a_o three_o cause_n of_o they_o mention_v in_o scripture_n also_o viz._n the_o tradition_n of_o man_n vii_o mark_z 7_o 8._o and_o thus_o firmilian_a observe_v in_o his_o letter_n to_o st._n cyprian_n that_o martion_n the_o disciple_n of_o cerdo_n a_o great_a while_n after_o the_o apostle_n induxit_fw-la sacrilegaem_fw-la adversus_fw-la deum_fw-la traditionem_fw-la bring_v in_o a_o sacrilegious_a tradition_n against_o god_n apelles_n also_o consent_v to_o his_o blasphemy_n add_v multa_fw-la alia_fw-la nova_fw-la many_o other_o novelty_n which_o be_v more_o grievous_a and_o direct_o opposite_a to_o faith_n and_o truth_n and_o so_o do_v valentinus_n and_o basilides_n who_o rebel_v against_o god_n church_n by_o their_o wicked_a forgery_n and_o thus_o st._n hierom_n introduce_v heretic_n maintain_v their_o error_n in_o the_o very_a dialect_n of_o the_o now_o roman_a doctor_n we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o those_o wise_a man_n who_o from_o the_o beginning_n deliver_v unto_o we_o the_o apostolical_a doctrine_n etc._n etc._n lib._n vii_o in_o esaiam_n cap._n xix_o but_o s._n cyprian_n every_o where_o appeal_v from_o all_o pretend_a tradition_n whatsoever_o unto_o the_o dictate_v of_o our_o lord_n and_o his_o apostle_n i._n e._n unto_o scripture-tradition_n particular_o in_o that_o famous_a epistle_n of_o he_o to_o pompeius_n all_o religious_a and_o simple_a mind_n have_v a_o compendious_a mean_n both_o to_o lay_v aside_o error_n and_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n nam_fw-la si_fw-la ad_fw-la divinae_fw-la traditionis_fw-la caput_fw-la &_o originem_fw-la revertamur_fw-la cessat_fw-la error_n humanus_fw-la for_o if_o we_o go_v back_o to_o the_o head_n and_o original_a of_o divine_a tradition_n there_o 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whence_o they_o have_v their_o illumination_n who_o in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n invent_v a_o five_o gospel_n which_o threaten_v the_o overthrow_n of_o our_o four_a be_v not_o hard_a to_o resolve_v not_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a and_o therefore_o the_o take_v away_o they_o from_o the_o people_n will_v not_o prevent_v all_o heresy_n but_o they_o will_v start_v up_o as_o they_o have_v do_v from_o other_o cause_n and_o they_o will_v the_o soon_o start_v up_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v neglect_v ii_o but_o i_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v further_o consider_v that_o as_o heresy_n will_v spring_v up_o from_o other_o cause_n though_o man_n do_v not_o read_v the_o scripture_n so_o layman_n have_v not_o be_v always_o the_o deviser_n of_o they_o but_o they_o to_o who_o none_o deny_v the_o liberty_n of_o read_v the_o holy_a book_n for_o the_o most_o pernicious_a heresy_n that_o have_v be_v in_o the_o church_n have_v their_o beginning_n from_o priest_n as_o appear_v by_o arius_n and_o nestorius_n and_o indeed_o no_o man_n can_v frame_v a_o heresy_n but_o he_o that_o be_v of_o excellent_a part_n as_o st._n hierom_n opinion_n be_v who_o word_n be_v these_o upon_o the_o x._o of_o hosea_n no_o man_n can_v devise_v and_o set_v up_o a_o heresy_n but_o he_o that_o be_v arden_n ingenii_fw-la of_o a_o extraordinary_a wit_n and_o have_v gift_n of_o nature_n create_v by_o god_n the_o great_a artificer_n such_o be_v valentinus_n such_o be_v martion_n who_o we_o read_v to_o have_v be_v most_o learned_a such_o be_v bardesanes_n who_o wit_n the_o philosopher_n themselves_o admire_v and_o therefore_o either_o the_o scripture_n must_v be_v whole_o lay_v aside_o the_o great_a man_n for_o learning_n and_o part_n be_v apt_a to_o abuse_v they_o if_o they_o be_v not_o humble_a and_o thorough_o good_a or_o man_n must_v be_v teach_v how_o to_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o the_o read_n of_o they_o and_o what_o to_o seek_v for_o there_o and_o then_o 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