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day_n a_o great_a number_n of_o person_n who_o entertain_v very_o loose_a opinion_n and_o that_o do_v at_o least_o border_n upon_o atheism_n these_o pernicious_a tenet_n be_v spread_v wide_a than_o some_o people_n think_v not_o only_o the_o libertine_n be_v infect_v with_o they_o but_o even_o the_o common_a people_n all_o the_o profane_a man_n and_o deist_n be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v at_o court_n in_o army_n or_o among_o the_o learned_a there_o be_v some_o in_o town_n among_o the_o vulgar_a and_o even_o among_o country_n clown_n if_o we_o examine_v a_o little_a the_o discourse_n and_o apprehension_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o those_o who_o life_n be_v irregular_a if_o we_o do_v but_o begin_v to_o reason_n with_o they_o and_o press_v they_o we_o may_v soon_o perceive_v the_o principle_n of_o incredulity_n and_o atheism_n in_o many_o of_o they_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o they_o be_v not_o thorough_o persuade_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o another_o life_n or_o that_o if_o 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be_v most_o certain_a this_o i_o say_v will_v be_v altogether_o needful_a if_o it_o be_v but_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o those_o i_o have_v now_o mention_v and_o their_o number_n be_v great_a than_o be_v common_o imagine_v 2_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o though_o christian_n profess_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n yet_o that_o belief_n be_v not_o lively_a and_o strong_a enough_o in_o they_o all_o it_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n that_o most_o christian_n be_v so_o only_o because_o they_o be_v engage_v by_o their_o birth_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n but_o that_o after_o all_o they_o know_v very_o little_a of_o the_o truth_n and_o divinity_n of_o it_o they_o will_v in_o like_a manner_n have_v be_v jew_n or_o pagan_n if_o they_o have_v be_v bear_v in_o judaisme_n or_o paganism_n so_o that_o proper_o speak_v they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o
place_n of_o the_o prophet_n i_o be_o not_o ignorant_a that_o some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v equal_o rich_a every_o where_o that_o all_o doctrine_n may_v be_v draw_v from_o all_o text_n that_o those_o chapter_n and_o verse_n which_o seem_v the_o most_o barren_a and_o where_o there_o appear_v nothing_o extraordinary_a contain_v mystery_n and_o treasure_n which_o may_v exhaust_v even_o the_o meditation_n of_o angel_n but_o this_o conceit_n be_v so_o absurd_a and_o repugnant_a to_o sense_n that_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o worth_a my_o while_n to_o confute_v it_o moral_n be_v so_o essential_a a_o part_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v very_o particular_o insist_v upon_o by_o preacher_n and_o yet_o few_o do_v it_o so_o that_o morality_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o superficial_o handle_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o sermon_n this_o fault_n in_o preacher_n proceed_v from_o several_a cause_n some_o have_v a_o prejudice_n against_o morality_n and_o think_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o other_o who_o be_v conceit_v with_o vain_a learning_n imagine_v that_o to_o preach_v moral_n argue_v but_o a_o ordinary_a measure_n of_o part_n and_o little_a skill_n in_o divinity_n and_o that_o it_o become_v they_o better_a to_o soar_v after_o high_a speculation_n and_o to_o dive_v into_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o the_o most_o sublime_a theology_n this_o custom_n of_o insist_v more_o upon_o doctrine_n than_o moral_n proceed_v also_o from_o another_o cause_n which_o be_v that_o in_o this_o last_o age_n divine_n be_v fain_o to_o be_v continual_o explain_v and_o dispute_v and_o so_o the_o same_o method_n have_v be_v follow_v ever_o since_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v beside_o that_o many_o divine_n neglect_v morality_n because_o the_o treat_v of_o it_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o explain_v doctrinal_a matter_n let_v those_o supercilious_a and_o speculative_a divine_n say_v what_o they_o will_v the_o right_a 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meet_v with_o many_o and_o great_a difficulty_n this_o be_v a_o inexhaustible_a spring_n of_o labour_n and_o mediation_n and_o a_o task_n which_o few_o preacher_n care_v 〈◊〉_d take_v upon_o they_o in_o religion_n doctrine_n shall_v never_o be_v separate_v from_o morality_n nor_o one_o of_o these_o prefer_v before_o the_o other_o but_o yet_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o insist_v more_o upon_o morality_n than_o upon_o doctrine_n not_o only_o because_o the_o design_n of_o our_o whole_a religion_n be_v to_o make_v we_o good_a man_n but_o also_o because_o morality_n can_v effectual_o be_v teach_v without_o be_v much_o dwell_v upon_o it_o be_v only_o by_o enlarge_n on_o matter_n and_o enter_v into_o many_o particular_n that_o the_o two_o end_n of_o morality_n be_v to_o be_v attain_v which_o be_v instruct_v man_n in_o their_o duty_n and_o persuade_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o morality_n be_v of_o a_o vast_a extent_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o consider_v how_o many_o duty_n be_v 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description_n and_o yet_o this_o relate_v only_o to_o bare_a instruction_n now_o if_o in_o the_o next_o place_n we_o intend_v to_o engage_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o these_o duty_n there_o new_a difficulty_n will_v arise_v and_o no_o good_a success_n can_v be_v expect_v but_o from_o assiduous_a care_n and_o constant_a labour_n there_o be_v in_o man_n heart_n so_o many_o different_a disposition_n and_o motion_n so_o many_o illusion_n and_o prejudices_fw-la so_o many_o wind_n and_o artifices_fw-la that_o a_o very_a particular_a application_n be_v require_v for_o we_o to_o insinuate_v ourselves_o into_o it_o when_o the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v teach_v thing_n need_v not_o be_v so_o minutely_o handle_v and_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n to_o use_v such_o mighty_a endeavour_n nay_o the_o be_v very_o particular_a may_v be_v a_o fault_n he_o that_o will_v instruct_v so_o he_o be_v clear_a shall_v rather_o be_v short_a than_o prolix_a the_o hearer_n do_v easy_o apprehend_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o and_o the_o most_o corrupt_a man_n be_v able_a to_o discern_v truth_n from_o error_n a_o libertine_n will_v find_v who_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o in_o the_o wrong_n in_o a_o dispute_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a a_o thing_n to_o touch_v the_o heart_n or_o to_o conquer_v inveterate_a habit_n what_o tully_n say_v in_o his_o dialogue_n of_o the_o orator_n deserve_v to_o be_v insert_v here_o it_o be_v this_o possunt_fw-la this_o cicero_n de_fw-fr orat._n lib._n 2._o non_fw-la enim_fw-la sicut_fw-la argumentum_fw-la simul_fw-la atque_fw-la positum_fw-la est_fw-la arripitur_fw-la alterumque_fw-la &_o tertium_fw-la poscitur_fw-la ita_fw-la misericordiam_fw-la aut_fw-la invidiam_fw-la aut_fw-la iracundiam_fw-la simulatque_fw-la intuleris_fw-la possis_fw-la commovere_fw-la argumentam_fw-la enim_fw-la ipsa_fw-la ratione_fw-la confirmat_fw-la quae_fw-la simul_fw-la atque_fw-la emissa_fw-la est_fw-la adhaerescit_fw-la 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of_o discourse_n those_o therefore_o who_o speak_v brief_o and_o calm_o be_v fit_a to_o instruct_v but_o not_o to_o move_v from_o these_o reflection_n it_o appear_v that_o the_o method_n of_o those_o preacher_n who_o be_v large_a upon_o the_o explication_n of_o doctrine_n and_o succinct_a upon_o moral_n be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o true_a way_n of_o preach_v and_o that_o those_o do_v very_o ill_o understand_v what_o morality_n be_v who_o either_o despise_v it_o or_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o the_o easy_a thing_n in_o preach_v we_o may_v likewise_o apprehend_v from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v what_o be_v the_o most_o ordinary_a fault_n of_o preacher_n when_o they_o treat_v of_o moral_n i_o shall_v observe_v three_o of_o they_o their_o morality_n be_v too_o general_a it_o be_v defective_a and_o it_o be_v sometime_o false_a 1._o many_o preacher_n be_v too_o general_a in_o handle_v morality_n this_o be_v the_o head_n which_o be_v the_o most_o slight_o touch_v upon_o they_o spend_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o sermon_n in_o explain_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o text_n
practice_n of_o religion_n i._o the_o consideration_n to_o be_v insist_v on_o concern_v the_o first_o head_n relate_v either_o to_o the_o thing_n which_o child_n be_v to_o be_v instruct_v in_o or_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o instruct_v they_o 1._o as_o to_o the_o thing_n themselves_o there_o be_v two_o article_n upon_o which_o the_o instruction_n of_o youth_n ought_v to_o depend_v and_o those_o be_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n the_o chief_a rule_n to_o be_v observe_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o insist_v upon_o those_o which_o be_v the_o most_o necessary_a and_o to_o give_v a_o distinct_a notion_n of_o they_o to_o child_n and_o here_o two_o fault_n be_v commit_v the_o first_o be_v when_o they_o be_v not_o instruct_v in_o all_o the_o truth_n which_o be_v to_o be_v know_v in_o order_n to_o be_v a_o christian_a the_o second_o be_v when_o such_o instruction_n be_v propose_v to_o they_o as_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o their_o age_n or_o even_o useless_a to_o explain_v my_o mean_v a_o little_a further_o i_o say_v first_o that_o there_o be_v some_o essential_a thing_n which_o child_n be_v not_o at_o all_o or_o but_o imperfect_o teach_v among_o these_o we_o may_v reckon_v the_o knowledge_n of_o sacred_a history_n religion_n be_v found_v upon_o history_n religion_n be_v found_v upon_o history_n and_o fact_n it_o will_v be_v requisite_a that_o instruction_n shall_v begin_v at_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o religion_n and_o at_o the_o main_a event_n which_o be_v relate_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n so_o that_o child_n may_v know_v at_o least_o in_o general_n the_o principal_a age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a thing_n which_o do_v happen_v from_o the_o creation_n to_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n what_o the_o flood_n be_v what_o be_v the_o egyptian_a and_o the_o babilonish_a captivity_n what_o time_n moses_n david_n the_o patriarch_n and_o the_o prophet_n live_v in_o what_o sort_n of_o people_n the_o heathen_n and_o the_o jew_n be_v and_o what_o kind_n of_o life_n our_o saviour_n lead_v it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v that_o history_n be_v above_o the_o capacity_n of_o child_n for_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v that_o which_o be_v to_o they_o the_o easy_a part_n of_o religion_n which_o they_o harken_v to_o with_o the_o great_a pleasure_n and_o which_o they_o remember_v best_a nothing_o do_v more_o smooth_o enter_v into_o their_o mind_n than_o history_n all_o the_o thing_n i_o have_v not_o mention_v may_v be_v teach_v they_o in_o a_o week_n and_o this_o knowledge_n be_v as_o necessary_a as_o it_o be_v easy_o acquire_v a_o man_n can_v never_o understand_v his_o religion_n well_o or_o be_v thorough_o convince_v of_o its_o truth_n if_o he_o do_v not_o know_v the_o fact_n which_o be_v suppose_n we_o see_v that_o it_o be_v by_o the_o mean_n of_o history_n that_o god_n choose_v to_o instruct_v mankind_n and_o that_o matter_n of_o fact_n make_v up_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o sacred_a write_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o strange_a thing_n that_o in_o catechism_n and_o other_o instruction_n give_v to_o youth_n history_n shall_v be_v so_o little_o insist_v upon_o this_o be_v visible_o one_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o that_o profound_a ignorance_n which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n live_v in_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o they_o understand_v almost_o nothing_o of_o what_o they_o read_v or_o hear_v in_o sermon_n and_o why_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v teach_v make_v so_o little_a impression_n upon_o they_o teach_v child_n history_n give_v they_o beforehand_o some_o notion_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n but_o yet_o these_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n ought_v to_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o separately_z that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o more_o distinct_a apprehension_n of_o they_o above_o all_o thing_n great_a care_n shall_v be_v take_v to_o imprint_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v instruct_v the_o knowledge_n and_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n but_o this_o likewise_o be_v not_o do_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v in_o catechism_n as_o well_o as_o in_o sermon_n particular_a truth_n be_v dwell_v upon_o and_o the_o general_a one_o be_v touch_v only_o by_o the_o by_o this_o be_v a_o fault_n i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o this_o work_n now_o at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o child_n be_v suffer_v to_o be_v ignorant_a about_o many_o important_a article_n they_o be_v perplex_v with_o divers_a useless_a or_o not_o very_o necessary_a instruction_n instead_o of_o limit_v they_o to_o the_o essential_a part_n of_o religion_n their_o mind_n and_o memory_n be_v fill_v up_o with_o many_o thing_n which_o they_o may_v safe_o be_v ignorant_a of_o some_o will_v have_v they_o understand_v the_o dispute_n of_o divine_n concern_v the_o most_o curious_a and_o abstruse_a question_n and_o they_o be_v make_v to_o get_v several_a thing_n by_o heart_n which_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v and_o which_o be_v of_o no_o great_a use_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n child_n learn_v these_o thing_n and_o say_v they_o without_o book_n and_o be_v possess_v with_o the_o conceit_n that_o they_o be_v as_o many_o article_n of_o faith_n they_o rank_n among_o divine_a truth_n school_n term_n and_o doctrine_n of_o which_o they_o neither_o apprehend_v the_o certainty_n nor_o the_o use_n and_o thus_o have_v none_o but_o intricate_a idea_n about_o religion_n they_o do_v not_o perceive_v the_o beauty_n the_o solidity_n or_o the_o excellence_n of_o it_o and_o they_o have_v neither_o true_a love_n nor_o respect_n for_o it_o when_o child_n be_v once_o instruct_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v particular_o necessary_a to_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o duty_n of_o it_o there_o be_v two_o distinct_a sort_n of_o duty_n in_o religion_n first_o the_o duty_n conceme_v divine_a worship_n or_o service_n and_o then_o the_o duty_n of_o morality_n the_o first_o be_v adoration_n the_o honour_n which_o be_v pay_v to_o god_n prayer_n and_o thanksgiving_n but_o as_o these_o duty_n may_v be_v perform_v either_o outward_o or_o in_o wardly_a it_o be_v of_o very_o great_a moment_n to_o make_v child_n apprehend_v that_o brayer_n and_o all_o the_o other_o act_n of_o divine_a worship_n aught_o to_o proceed_v from_o the_o heart_n that_o iu._n that_o john_n iu._n god_n will_v be_v serve_v in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n and_o that_o without_o this_o the_o worship_n which_o be_v pay_v to_o he_o either_o in_o private_a or_o in_o public_a do_v only_o provoke_v his_o displeasure_n it_o be_v not_o enough_o therefore_o to_o tell_v child_n that_o they_o must_v pray_v to_o god_n or_o go_v to_o church_n and_o to_o teach_v they_o some_o form_n of_o prayer_n to_o be_v say_v at_o certain_a time_n and_o hour_n all_o this_o be_v but_o external_a and_o if_o we_o go_v no_o far_o if_o we_o do_v not_o careful_o inform_v they_o that_o true_a worship_n be_v internal_a and_o spiritual_a we_o shall_v make_v but_o hypocrite_n of_o they_o by_o tench_a they_o to_o pray_v and_o to_o perform_v religious_a acts._n the_o fault_n then_o which_o be_v commit_v in_o this_o point_n be_v of_o great_a moment_n and_o we_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o hypocrisy_n and_o indevotion_n be_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o negligence_n the_o religion_n of_o most_o christian_n consist_v only_o in_o some_o external_a action_n they_o think_v they_o have_v fulfil_v their_o duty_n when_o they_o have_v recite_v some_o prayer_n or_o be_v present_a at_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n though_o in_o all_o they_o do_v this_o kind_n they_o have_v neither_o attention_n nor_o elevation_n of_o heart_n but_o this_o error_n which_o be_v so_o capital_a and_o yet_o so_o common_a arise_v chief_o from_o hence_o that_o child_n be_v form_v only_o to_o a_o mere_a outside_n devotion_n and_o worship_n young_a people_n be_v not_o much_o better_o instruct_v in_o moral_a duty_n i_o shall_v not_o enter_v here_o upon_o all_o the_o consideration_n which_o the_o subject_n may_v afford_v because_o i_o have_v treat_v of_o the_o want_n of_o instruction_n concern_v moral_n in_o several_a place_n of_o this_o treatise_n and_o particular_o in_o the_o 1_o chap._n of_o the_o first_o part._n yet_o i_o must_v say_v that_o this_o defect_n proceed_v from_o the_o instruction_n which_o be_v give_v to_o youth_n much_o great_a care_n be_v take_v to_o inform_v they_o about_o the_o doctrine_n than_o about_o the_o duty_n of_o christianity_n the_o article_n of_o the_o creed_n the_o question_n concern_v the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o other_o point_n of_o doctrine_n be_v handle_v and_o examine_v large_o enough_o in_o catechism_n and_o controversy_n be_v not_o forget_v but_o the_o ten_o commandment_n be_v explain_v in_o so_o
christianity_n i_o say_v that_o the_o particular_a truth_n and_o the_o part_n of_o religion_n be_v better_o know_v which_o do_v not_o imply_v but_o that_o in_o this_o respect_n too_o ignoranâ—â—_n be_v very_o great_a and_o general_a 1._o i_o shall_v not_o scruple_n to_o say_v that_o theâ—_n be_v prodigious_a number_n of_o people_n whâ—â—â—_n scarce_o have_v any_o knowledge_n at_o all_o of_o thâ—â—_n doctrine_n of_o religion_n if_o all_o christianâ—_n be_v oblige_v to_o render_v a_o account_n of_o theiâ—_n faith_n if_o they_o be_v examine_v upon_o thâ—_n article_n of_o their_o belief_n or_o the_o main_a factâ—_n relate_v in_o sacred_a history_n there_o will_v appear_v in_o most_o of_o they_o such_o a_o astonish_a ignorance_n or_o such_o confuse_a and_o intricaâ—â—_n idea_n that_o one_o will_v hardly_o think_v theâ—_n more_o know_v than_o if_o they_o live_v in_o thâ—â—_n darkness_n of_o heathenism_n and_o what_o religion_n what_o piety_n can_v we_o look_v for_o amonâ—_n such_o man_n but_o beside_o this_o gross_a and_o palpable_a ignorance_n there_o be_v several_a defect_n of_o instruction_n to_o be_v observe_v even_o in_o thosâ—_n who_o have_v or_o fancy_n that_o they_o have_v moâ—â—_n knowledge_n than_o other_o i_o shall_v particular_o take_v notice_n of_o these_o two_o one_a those_o who_o exceed_v the_o ordinary_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n have_v yet_o often_o buâ—_n a_o false_a kind_n of_o light_n either_o they_o do_v not_o know_v those_o truth_n which_o they_o shoulâ—_n know_v or_o else_o they_o know_v they_o not_o aright_o they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o essential_a to_o christianity_n or_o which_o â—â—e_v less_o considerable_a than_o other_o which_o â—â—ey_n do_v not_o study_v thus_o in_o all_o christian_a society_n instruction_n be_v common_o place_v in_o â—â—e_z knowledge_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o opiâ—â—ions_n particular_a to_o every_o one_o be_v own_o sect_n â—nd_v party_n whoever_o be_v able_a to_o debate_v â—ose_a point_n and_o be_v skill_v in_o controverse_n be_v say_v to_o understand_v his_o religion_n â—hese_fw-mi matter_n may_v perhaps_o have_v their_o â—â—se_n but_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n which_o â—en_n be_v more_o concern_v to_o know_v because_o â—hey_n be_v more_o conduce_v to_o piety_n and_o â—et_o they_o be_v almost_o constant_o neglect_v the_o occasion_n of_o this_o error_n be_v that_o the_o various_a importance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o due_o weigh_v and_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o study_v in_o a_o orderly_a method_n very_o few_o person_n distinguish_v between_o the_o more_o and_o the_o less_o necessary_a thing_n between_o the_o most_o useful_a subject_n and_o those_o which_o be_v of_o little_a edification_n most_o man_n study_v religion_n without_o rule_n and_o to_o no_o purpose_n and_o so_o run_v out_o upon_o many_o unprotable_a subject_n that_o which_o be_v call_v learning_n in_o divinity_n or_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n be_v frequent_o nothing_o else_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o notion_n which_o have_v no_o influence_n upon_o piety_n or_o respect_n to_o man_n salvation_n it_o be_v but_o a_o confuse_a medley_n wherein_o the_o least_o necessary_a thing_n be_v blend_v without_o choice_n and_o distinction_n with_o the_o most_o important_a i_o do_v not_o speak_v here_o of_o the_o perplex_a and_o unaccurate_a idea_n which_o man_n often_o have_v about_o these_o matter_n i_o pass_v by_o the_o false_a reason_n which_o be_v sometime_o use_v to_o establish_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o as_o those_o mist_n which_o the_o school-divinity_n have_v cast_v upon_o the_o gospel_n i_o do_v only_o observe_v that_o the_o knowledge_n which_o most_o man_n have_v of_o religion_n be_v not_o very_o fit_a to_o make_v they_o sensible_a of_o the_o beauty_n of_o it_o so_o that_o when_o all_o be_v do_v it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o it_o shall_v seem_v to_o many_o a_o obscure_a crabbed_a unpleasant_a and_o intricate_a science_n and_o that_o it_o shall_v have_v so_o little_a effect_n upon_o man_n mind_n 2_o the_o other_o fault_n be_v that_o man_n content_v themselves_o with_o bare_a instruction_n or_o with_o the_o simple_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a truth_n while_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o their_o use_n if_o they_o do_v but_o know_v in_o a_o historical_a manner_n what_o be_v believe_v by_o christian_n and_o be_v able_a to_o reason_n about_o it_o and_o to_o discern_v truth_n from_o error_n they_o think_v themselves_o sufficient_o instruct_v but_o these_o instruction_n do_v not_o reach_v the_o heart_n among_o that_o small_a number_n of_o person_n who_o have_v some_o knowledge_n there_o be_v but_o few_o who_o consider_v that_o this_o knowledge_n be_v to_o be_v direct_v to_o a_o holy_a life_n as_o to_o its_o proper_a end_n and_o intendment_n and_o they_o be_v few_o yet_o who_o actual_o direct_v it_o to_o that_o end_n and_o make_v it_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o reform_v of_o their_o life_n and_o so_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o great_a many_o of_o those_o who_o be_v best_a acquaint_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n have_v yet_o but_o a_o imperfect_a and_o barren_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o that_o with_o all_o their_o attainment_n they_o live_v still_o in_o the_o darkness_n of_o corruption_n and_o vice_n ii_o hitherto_o we_o have_v consider_v ignorance_n with_o relation_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n which_o the_o christian_a faith_n embrace_n let_v we_o now_o view_v this_o ignorance_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o duty_n which_o christianity_n prescribe_v upon_o this_o second_o head_n we_o shall_v discover_v yet_o a_o great_a ignorance_n than_o upon_o the_o first_o for_o after_o all_o something_o may_v be_v do_v when_o we_o be_v only_o to_o infuse_v into_o man_n some_o knowledge_n of_o truth_n and_o doctrine_n it_o be_v usual_a enough_o to_o see_v very_o ill_a man_n who_o in_o this_o regard_n be_v not_o destitute_a of_o light_n but_o it_o be_v much_o hard_a to_o instruct_v they_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o holiness_n we_o may_v apply_v here_o these_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n 20._o saviour_n john_n iii_o 19_o 20._o man_n love_v darkness_n rather_o than_o light_n because_o their_o deed_n be_v evil_a for_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v the_o maxim_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o its_o morality_n condemn_v sinner_n and_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o care_v to_o be_v inform_v about_o they_o those_o who_o love_v the_o world_n and_o their_o sin_n be_v glad_a if_o they_o can_v enjoy_v the_o sweet_n of_o these_o without_o disturbance_n and_o interruption_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v not_o inquire_v much_o into_o the_o moral_a precept_n of_o jesus_n christ_n they_o be_v loath_a to_o come_v at_o such_o a_o knowledge_n as_o will_v disclose_v to_o they_o the_o turpitude_n of_o vice_n and_o breed_v disquiet_a and_o remorse_n in_o they_o ignorance_n beget_v security_n the_o more_o ignorant_a a_o man_n be_v the_o few_o sting_n he_o feel_v in_o his_o conscience_n and_o the_o more_o pleasure_n he_o take_v in_o his_o sin_n the_o very_a shadow_n of_o evil_n fright_v a_o well-instructed_n christian_n but_o crime_n itself_o do_v not_o daunt_v one_o who_o be_v ignorant_a he_o do_v not_o hear_v within_o himself_o those_o alarm_n or_o reproach_n which_o be_v either_o the_o preservative_n against_o sin_n or_o the_o remedy_n of_o it_o from_o this_o it_o may_v be_v judge_v already_o that_o man_n be_v general_o very_o little_o instruct_v in_o what_o concern_v manner_n but_o that_o we_o may_v â—he_n better_o understand_v how_o great_a the_o ignorance_n be_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o must_v be_v observe_v that_o whoever_o will_v perform_v the_o duty_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v persuade_v of_o their_o necessity_n and_o acquaint_v with_o their_o nature_n one_o can_v imagine_v how_o they_o can_v be_v practise_v by_o a_o man_n who_o either_o do_v not_o know_v they_o or_o do_v not_o think_v they_o necessary_a this_o be_v the_o plain_a reason_n why_o man_n do_v so_o little_o addict_v themselves_o to_o piety_n they_o know_v neither_o its_o necessity_n nor_o its_o nature_n 1._o as_o the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o those_o fact_n and_o doctrine_n which_o religion_n propose_v so_o the_o groundwork_n of_o piety_n be_v to_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o duty_n which_o christianity_n require_v without_o this_o persuasion_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o resign_v up_o themselves_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n now_o one_o will_v think_v that_o all_o christian_n shall_v be_v full_o convince_v of_o this_o necessity_n for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o certain_a truth_n in_o christianity_n it_o be_v this_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o good_a work_n be_v necessary_a good_a work_n do_v so_o immediate_o belong_v to_o the_o design_n and_o the_o
essence_n of_o religion_n that_o it_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v take_v away_o and_o in_o proportion_n as_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n be_v weaken_v so_o much_o be_v the_o power_n and_o beauty_n of_o that_o holy_a religion_n which_o christ_n bring_v into_o the_o world_n lessen_v religion_n contain_v doctrine_n precept_n promise_n and_o threaten_n it_o do_v altogether_o depend_v upon_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o another_o life_n and_o a_o judgement_n to_o come_v but_o if_o you_o banish_v out_o of_o religion_n the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o good_a work_n you_o attack_v it_o in_o all_o its_o part_n and_o you_o undermine_v its_o very_a foundation_n for_o this_o make_v the_o knowledge_n of_o its_o doctrine_n vain_a and_o needless_a it_o turn_v its_o precept_n into_o bare_a counsel_n the_o promise_v of_o it_o which_o be_v conditional_a and_o suppose_v obedience_n cease_v to_o be_v promise_n the_o threat_n which_o god_n denounce_v against_o sinner_n be_v but_o empty_a menace_n which_o god_n make_v only_o to_o fright_v man_n but_o do_v not_o intend_v to_o execute_v this_o destroy_v the_o chief_a and_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n and_o of_o another_o life_n it_o ruin_v that_o great_a argument_n for_o religion_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o from_o the_o desert_n of_o both_o and_o it_o contradict_v the_o necessity_n the_o nature_n and_o justice_n of_o the_o last_o judgement_n all_o this_o may_v easy_o be_v demonstrate_v this_o necessity_n of_o good_a work_n may_v likewise_o be_v prove_v from_o the_o plain_a declaration_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o it_o may_v be_v show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o truth_n more_o clear_o and_o frequent_o inculcate_v than_o this_o in_o holy_a writ_n but_o not_o to_o engage_v in_o these_o particular_n which_o do_v not_o proper_o belong_v to_o my_o purpose_n i_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o a_o holy_a life_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o either_o that_o be_v true_a or_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a in_o religion_n yet_o how_o clear_a soever_o this_o truth_n may_v be_v it_o be_v but_o little_o know_v and_o man_n be_v not_o much_o persuade_v of_o it_o no_o man_n indeed_o do_v flat_o and_o without_o some_o preamble_n deny_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n every_o teacher_n profess_v that_o to_o be_v his_o doctrine_n all_o christian_n in_o show_n at_o least_o be_v agree_v about_o it_o but_o when_o they_o come_v to_o explain_v their_o mean_v clear_o concern_v this_o necessity_n when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o application_n or_o to_o practice_n or_o when_o they_o establish_v other_o doctrine_n they_o contradict_v themselves_o they_o hesitate_n upon_o the_o matter_n or_o they_o explain_v it_o with_o certain_a restriction_n which_o sooth_n man_n in_o security_n and_o dispose_v they_o to_o believe_v that_o salvation_n may_v be_v obtain_v without_o good_a work_n which_o overthrow_v their_o necessity_n nay_o some_o frame_n to_o themselves_o such_o a_o notion_n of_o religion_n as_o even_o exclude_v good_a work_n this_o will_v appear_v in_o the_o follow_a chapter_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o though_o this_o entire_a and_o indispensable_a necessity_n of_o a_o good_a life_n be_v not_o suppose_v yet_o this_o will_v not_o present_o open_v a_o door_n to_o licentiousness_n since_o there_o remain_v other_o sufficient_a motive_n to_o holiness_n such_o as_o those_o which_o be_v derive_v from_o the_o justice_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n from_o the_o gratitude_n and_o love_n we_o owe_v to_o god_n from_o the_o edification_n of_o our_o neighbour_n and_o from_o our_o call_v and_o duty_n i_o answer_v that_o these_o motive_n be_v very_o just_a and_o press_a and_o that_o they_o necessary_o enter_v into_o that_o obedience_n which_o all_o true_a christian_n pay_v to_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n i_o acknowledge_v beside_o that_o they_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o inspire_v all_o man_n with_o the_o love_n of_o virtue_n if_o they_o do_v all_o govern_v themselves_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o justice_n but_o these_o be_v not_o the_o only_a motive_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v urge_v god_n propose_v other_o beside_o he_o promise_v he_o threaten_v he_o declare_v 14._o declare_v heb._n xii_o 14._o that_o without_o holiness_n no_o man_n shall_v see_v his_o face_n which_o import_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n and_o sure_o as_o man_n general_o be_v there_o be_v many_o of_o they_o upon_o who_o those_o motive_n take_v from_o decency_n justice_n gratitude_n duty_n or_o the_o edification_n of_o our_o neighbour_n will_v have_v very_o little_a force_n the_o most_o honourable_a motive_n be_v not_o always_o the_o most_o effectual_a man_n be_v so_o corrupt_a be_v so_o many_o way_n and_o by_o so_o strong_a a_o bias_n carry_v towards_o evil_n that_o it_o be_v hard_o for_o he_o without_o a_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o abstain_v from_o it_o but_o how_o much_o less_o will_v he_o refrain_v from_o sin_n if_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o control_v his_o inclination_n and_o to_o confine_v himself_o to_o a_o kind_n of_o life_n which_o appear_v unpleasant_a and_o melancholy_a to_o he_o now_o as_o this_o be_v the_o disposition_n in_o which_o most_o people_n be_v we_o need_v no_o long_o wonder_n why_o there_o be_v so_o little_a religion_n and_o piety_n among_o men._n 2._o if_o it_o be_v difficult_a to_o practice_v those_o duty_n which_o we_o do_v not_o think_v necessary_a especial_o when_o they_o cross_v our_o inclination_n it_o be_v yet_o hard_o to_o practice_v they_o when_o we_o do_v not_o know_v they_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o do_v good_a or_o to_o avoid_v evil_a if_o we_o do_v not_o know_v the_o good_a that_o we_o shall_v do_v and_o the_o evil_n we_o ought_v to_o shun_v now_o in_o this_o the_o generality_n of_o christian_n want_v instruction_n every_o body_n speak_v of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n but_o few_o man_n know_v what_o they_o be_v the_o common_a people_n be_v little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n or_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a moral_n this_o must_v be_v confess_v and_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n require_v that_o we_o shall_v ingenuous_o own_v it_o i_o can_v but_o enter_v here_o into_o some_o particular_n to_o prove_v this_o ignorance_n 1._o there_o be_v some_o essential_a duty_n unknown_a to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n and_o which_o be_v never_o think_v of_o by_o a_o infinity_n of_o men._n i_o will_v allege_v for_o a_o instance_n one_o of_o the_o plain_a and_o of_o the_o most_o necessary_a duty_n of_o morality_n and_o that_o be_v restitution_n though_o the_o scripture_n shall_v not_o express_o enjoin_v it_o we_o need_v but_o consult_v reason_n and_o natural_a justice_n to_o be_v convince_v that_o he_o who_o have_v do_v a_o injury_n to_o another_o man_n by_o take_v from_o he_o any_o part_n of_o his_o property_n be_v bind_v to_o make_v up_o that_o damage_n by_o restore_v to_o he_o whatever_o he_o have_v wrong_v he_o of_o there_o be_v every_o day_n occasion_n enough_o to_o make_v restitution_n nothing_o be_v more_o common_a than_o for_o one_o man_n to_o appropriate_v to_o himself_o by_o unlawful_a mean_n what_o belong_v to_o another_o and_o yet_o in_o many_o place_n restitution_n be_v a_o thing_n without_o precedent_n but_o this_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o wonder_v at_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v thousand_o of_o christian_n who_o never_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o this_o duty_n this_o matter_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o the_o people_n be_v so_o little_o instruct_v about_o it_o that_o a_o treatise_n concern_v restitution_n write_v by_o mr._n la_o placette_n have_v be_v publish_v some_o year_n since_o it_o have_v be_v read_v as_o a_o very_a singular_a book_n the_o subject_a whereof_o be_v new_a and_o curious_a nay_o some_o have_v go_v so_o far_o as_o to_o censure_v this_o doctrine_n of_o restitution_n pretend_v that_o it_o be_v novel_a and_o too_o severe_a such_o a_o pitch_n of_o ignorance_n be_v man_n arrive_v at_o in_o matter_n of_o morality_n and_o this_o be_v not_o the_o only_a duty_n which_o be_v not_o understand_v there_o be_v many_o other_o beside_o either_o among_o those_o which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o man_n or_o among_o those_o which_o be_v particular_a to_o every_o call_v and_o which_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o man_n be_v ever_o teach_v or_o ever_o make_v the_o least_o reflection_n upon_o now_o a_o man_n must_v needs_o neglect_v the_o duty_n that_o he_o do_v not_o know_v 2._o there_o be_v divers_a sin_n which_o be_v not_o common_o rank_v among_o sin_n or_o which_o man_n do_v not_o think_v to_o be_v damn_v sin_n of_o this_o number_n be_v lie_v and_o unsincerity_n either_o in_o discourse_n or_o in_o deal_n among_o these_o
namely_o that_o when_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a to_o salvation_n we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o the_o word_n faith_n in_o this_o proposition_n that_o true_a faith_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v now_o if_o we_o ask_v what_o that_o faith_n be_v and_o by_o what_o mark_v it_o may_v be_v know_v all_o the_o apostle_n will_v unanimous_o tell_v we_o that_o true_a faith_n produce_v a_o holy_a life_n and_o that_o it_o discover_v itself_o by_o all_o manner_n of_o good_a work_n they_o assign_v good_a work_n as_o the_o essential_a mark_n and_o character_n that_o distinguish_v a_o save_n from_o a_o hypocritical_a faith_n by_o that_o very_a thing_n therefore_o that_o the_o gospel_n require_v faith_n it_o do_v likewise_o require_v good_a work_n since_o faith_n can_v be_v without_o work_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o fancy_n that_o faith_n be_v sufficient_a without_o work_n be_v evident_o absurd_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n itself_o but_o to_o set_v this_o matter_n still_o in_o a_o clear_a light_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o take_v notice_n here_o of_o two_o mistake_v which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o run_v into_o when_o they_o speak_v of_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o separate_v faith_n from_o work_n they_o look_v upon_o faith_n as_o a_o thing_n quite_o different_a from_o work_n and_o which_o supply_v the_o want_n of_o they_o or_o rather_o they_o oppose_v faith_n to_o work_n as_o if_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v contrary_a to_o each_o other_o a_o corrupt_a man_n will_v say_v i_o confess_v that_o i_o have_v not_o good_a work_n but_o however_o i_o have_v faith_n those_o who_o speak_v thus_o suppose_v that_o they_o may_v have_v faith_n though_o they_o have_v not_o work_n but_o st._n james_n have_v direct_o confute_v this_o imagination_n ii_o imagination_n jam._n ii_o what_o do_v it_o profit_n my_o brethren_n though_o a_o man_n say_v he_o have_v faith_n and_o have_v not_o work_n can_v faith_n save_v he_o if_o faith_n have_v not_o work_n it_o be_v dead_a be_v alone_o who_o can_v after_o this_o separate_a save_a faith_n from_o good_a work_n can_v we_o separate_v that_o from_o faith_n which_o god_n have_v declare_v to_o be_v inseparable_a from_o it_o it_o show_v that_o man_n be_v strange_o blind_v with_o ignorance_n and_o prejudice_n when_o at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n we_o be_v fain_o to_o prove_v thing_n so_o plain_a and_o questionable_a the_o second_o illusion_n be_v that_o man_n place_n faith_n in_o confidence_n alone_o and_o many_o define_v it_o by_o that_o they_o fancy_n that_o to_o have_v faith_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v merciful_a and_o to_o rely_v upon_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n because_o faith_n embrace_v the_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n the_o natural_a effect_n of_o which_o promise_n be_v to_o fill_v the_o heart_n with_o assurance_n and_o tranquillity_n it_o be_v beyond_o all_o doubt_n that_o for_o the_o most_o part_n true_a faith_n be_v attend_v with_o confidence_n but_o confidence_n be_v not_o the_o whole_a of_o faith_n and_o i_o can_v imagine_v what_o part_n of_o god_n word_n countenance_n that_o notion_n which_o place_n the_o essence_n of_o faith_n in_o confidence_n alone_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o consist_v in_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n in_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n as_o true_a and_o in_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o in_o do_v his_o commandment_n and_o hope_v for_o salvation_n from_o he_o but_o the_o resolve_v all_o faith_n and_o religion_n into_o act_n of_o confidence_n be_v the_o most_o extravagant_a conceit_n that_o can_v enter_v into_o a_o man_n head_n if_o this_o notion_n be_v true_a it_o will_v follow_v from_o it_o that_o in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v it_o be_v enough_o before_o man_n to_o believe_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v save_v which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o say_v that_o whoever_o will_v have_v a_o right_a to_o confide_v in_o god_n needs_o do_v no_o more_o in_o order_n to_o that_o than_o actual_o to_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o that_o be_v a_o most_o ridiculous_a thought_n which_o turn_v all_o religion_n into_o a_o strong_a fancy_n before_o we_o believe_v a_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o know_v why_o we_o shall_v believe_v it_o and_o have_v good_a reason_n and_o solid_a ground_n for_o our_o belief_n before_o we_o trust_v in_o god_n we_o ought_v to_o satisfy_v ourselves_o that_o we_o have_v a_o right_a to_o confide_v in_o he_o for_o can_v a_o man_n be_v save_v only_o because_o without_o any_o ground_n or_o reason_n he_o fancy_n that_o he_o shall_v we_o ought_v not_o to_o rely_v upon_o god_n but_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n now_o god_n have_v promise_v nothing_o to_o those_o who_o live_v and_o be_v harden_v in_o sin_n far_o from_o promise_v any_o thing_n to_o they_o he_o threaten_v they_o with_o inevitable_a ruin_n what_o claim_n or_o title_n than_o can_v a_o obdurate_a sinner_n have_v to_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n what_o confidence_n can_v he_o repose_v in_o god_n promise_n as_o long_o as_o he_o continue_v impenitent_a none_o at_o all_o except_o we_o suppose_v in_o god_n a_o general_a decree_n to_o save_v indifferent_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n it_o must_v not_o be_v say_v that_o these_o consideration_n be_v apt_a to_o alarm_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o man_n conscience_n for_o they_o will_v alarm_n none_o of_o those_o who_o be_v animate_v with_o true_a faith_n and_o sincere_a piety_n and_o as_o to_o other_o we_o do_v they_o a_o great_a piece_n of_o service_n when_o we_o awaken_v and_o terrify_v they_o out_o of_o that_o false_a quiet_a into_o which_o a_o groundless_a confidence_n have_v betray_v they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v a_o dangerous_a thing_n to_o teach_v that_o confidence_n be_v the_o most_o essential_a thing_n to_o faith_n for_o by_o this_o we_o may_v alarm_n some_o good_a man_n who_o either_o through_o melancholy_n or_o want_n of_o instruction_n be_v destitute_a of_o confidence_n and_o inward_a peace_n and_o it_o have_v certain_o happen_v that_o several_a pious_a person_n be_v fall_v into_o black_a thought_n and_o sad_a scruple_n concern_v their_o salvation_n and_o that_o they_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n despond_v because_o they_o do_v not_o find_v confidence_n and_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o themselves_o from_o all_o these_o reflection_n it_o do_v evident_o appear_v that_o faith_n never_o ought_v nor_o can_v be_v separate_v from_o good_a work_n and_o that_o christian_n be_v as_o much_o oblige_v to_o ap_o themselves_o to_o good_a work_n as_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o have_v faith_n but_o now_o if_o it_o be_v ask_v why_o st._n paulâ—hen_o â—hen_z oppose_v faith_n to_o work_n and_o why_o he_o exclude_v work_n when_o he_o treat_v of_o justification_n i_o answer_v that_o the_o apostle_n â—ins_v at_o two_o thing_n by_o this_o his_o design_n â—s_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o work_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n and_o foundation_n of_o man_n salvation_n â—ut_v that_o it_o flow_v from_o the_o pure_a mercy_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n this_o he_o prove_v with_o respect_n both_o to_o the_o heathen_n and_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o epistle_n â—o_o the_o roman_n but_o he_o do_v not_o mean_a to_o say_v â—hat_n good_a work_n be_v not_o necessary_a under_o â—he_n covenant_n of_o grace_n his_o expression_n be_v too_o clear_a to_o leave_v the_o least_o room_n for_o any_o doubt_n about_o this_o matter_n to_o reâ—eject_v the_o meritoriousness_n of_o good_a work_n â—s_v one_o thing_n and_o to_o deny_v their_o necessity_n be_v â—nother_n but_o 2_o because_o it_o may_v be_v obâ—ected_v that_o st._n paul_n do_v entire_o exclude_v work_n and_o that_o he_o use_v expression_n which_o imply_v that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o oblige_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o they_o and_o that_o they_o have_v no_o influence_n on_o man_n salvation_n either_o as_o cause_n or_o condition_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a be_v oppose_v to_o faith_n therefore_o i_o add_v that_o he_o speak_v thus_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o especial_o to_o circumcision_n there_o be_v many_o in_o st._n paul_n time_n who_o assert_v that_o christian_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v those_o legal_a ordinance_n it_o be_v about_o the_o question_n that_o the_o apostle_n meet_v a_o jerusalem_n and_o determine_v xv._o determine_v acts._n xv._o that_o christian_n 〈◊〉_d justify_v by_o faith_n only_o and_o that_o the_o yoke_n of_o moysaicall_a ordinance_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v lay_v up_o on_o they_o the_o same_o conroverly_n be_v handle_v by_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n where_o
we_o ought_v to_o live_v no_o long_o in_o sin_n these_o be_v his_o own_o word_n 17.18_o word_n rom._n 7.14_o 15_o 16_o 17.18_o what_o then_o shall_v we_o sin_n because_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n god_n forbid_v on_o the_o contrary_a sin_n shall_v not_o have_v dominon_n over_o you_o for_o you_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n you_o be_v former_o the_o servant_n of_o sin_n but_o now_o be_v make_v free_a from_o sin_n and_o become_v the_o servant_n of_o god_n you_o have_v your_o fruit_n unto_o holiness_n we_o need_v but_o read_v the_o sequel_n of_o his_o discourse_n to_o see_v how_o he_o inveigh_v against_o those_o who_o turn_v the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n into_o a_o pretence_n to_o live_v in_o sin_n before_o i_o leave_v this_o matter_n i_o shall_v taâ—â—_n notice_n of_o two_o error_n which_o be_v pretty_a common_a the_o first_o be_v the_o applying_z to_o christian_n at_o this_o day_n all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v of_o old_a by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o convert_v jew_n it_o be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n and_o christian_n be_v often_o exhort_v to_o bless_v god_n for_o be_v no_o long_o under_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o yoke_n of_o moses_n and_o upon_o this_o a_o great_a many_o opposition_n be_v observe_v betwixt_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n for_o my_o part_n i_o do_v not_o think_v those_o exhortation_n and_o opposition_n so_o very_o proper_a to_o be_v insist_v on_o when_o we_o be_v speak_v to_o man_n who_o never_o be_v jew_n unless_o we_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n to_o show_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o gospel-covenant_n above_o that_o of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o advantage_n of_o christian_n above_o jew_n for_o after_o all_o the_o law_n be_v give_v only_o to_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o gentile_n be_v never_o subject_v to_o the_o ceremony_n or_o the_o curse_n of_o it_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v why_o shall_v we_o then_o say_v to_o people_n who_o never_o be_v under_o the_o law_n you_o be_v no_o more_o under_o the_o law_n the_o apostle_n indeed_o speak_v in_o that_o manner_n to_o the_o convert_v jew_n but_o as_o to_o those_o who_o be_v former_o pagan_n it_o will_v be_v more_o fit_v to_o tell_v they_o 4.17_o they_o thess_n 1.9_o ephes_n 11.12_o &_o 4.17_o you_o have_v be_v convert_v from_o idol_n to_o the_o live_a god_n remember_v that_o you_o be_v in_o time_n past_o gentile_n without_o hope_n and_o without_o god_n in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o live_v no_o long_o like_o heathen_n it_o be_v a_o great_a fault_n not_o to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o true_a scope_n of_o it_o and_o to_o apply_v all_o that_o it_o contain_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n without_o distinction_n the_o other_o error_n be_v of_o great_a consequence_n people_n fancy_n that_o because_o we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n which_o be_v a_o covenant_n of_o rigour_n we_o be_v now_o to_o speak_v of_o nothing_o else_o to_o man_n but_o of_o grace_n and_o promise_n and_o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o threaten_v and_o to_o denounce_v curse_n against_o sinner_n it_o have_v be_v say_v already_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o law_n be_v a_o covenant_n of_o rigour_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n but_o the_o gospel_n have_v also_o its_o curse_n and_o they_o be_v much_o more_o terrible_a than_o those_o of_o the_o law_n the_o gospel_n speak_v of_o the_o future_a punishment_n of_o another_o life_n in_o much_o clear_a and_o strong_a expression_n than_o the_o law_n do_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v but_o reflect_v upon_o that_o opposition_n which_o st._n paul_n make_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o ten_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n he_o that_o despise_a moses_n law_n die_v without_o mercy_n under_o two_o or_o three_o witness_n of_o how_o much_o sore_a punishment_n suppose_v you_o shall_v he_o be_v think_v worthy_a who_o have_v tread_v under_o foot_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o have_v count_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o covenant_n wherewith_o he_o be_v sanctify_v a_o unholy_a thing_n and_o have_v do_v despite_n unto_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n we_o know_v he_o that_o have_v say_v vengeance_n belong_v unto_o i_o i_o will_v recompense_v faith_n the_o lord_n it_o be_v a_o fearful_a thing_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 3._o the_o libertine_n do_v likewise_o abuse_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o 5._o the_o gal._n 5._o galatian_n concern_v christian_a liberty_n when_o he_o declare_v that_o christian_n be_v free_v from_o the_o bondage_n of_o the_o law_n when_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o that_o liberty_n and_o protest_v that_o christ_n prosit_v nothing_o to_o those_o who_o will_v be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n but_o a_o man_n may_v see_v with_o half_a a_o eye_n that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v only_o that_o christian_n be_v no_o long_o bind_v to_o observe_v circumcision_n and_o the_o other_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o st._n paul_n have_v no_o other_o view_n or_o design_n but_o this_o will_v plain_o appear_v to_o every_o one_o who_o will_v read_v the_o whole_a epistle_n and_o particular_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o it_o in_o the_o v._o chapter_n we_o find_v two_o thing_n which_o be_v decisive_a in_o this_o matter_n 1._o st._n paul_n speak_v there_o express_o of_o circumcision_n v._n circumcision_n gal._n v._n behold_v i_o paul_n say_v unto_o you_o that_o if_o you_o be_v circumcise_v christ_n shall_v profit_v you_o nothing_o for_o i_o testify_v again_o to_o every_o man_n that_o be_v circumcise_v that_o he_o be_v a_o debtor_n to_o do_v the_o whole_a law_n 13._o law_n ver_fw-la 13._o christ_n be_v become_v of_o none_o effect_v unto_o yond_o whosoever_o of_o you_o be_v justify_v by_o the_o law_n you_o be_v fall_v from_o grace_n 2._o it_o be_v very_o observable_a with_o what_o circumspection_n the_o apostle_n deliver_v himself_o leave_v his_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v wrest_v to_o favour_v licentiousness_n after_o he_o have_v say_v you_o be_v call_v to_o liberty_n he_o add_v immediate_o only_o use_v not_o liberty_n for_o a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n he_o explain_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o live_v after_o the_o flesh_n by_o make_v a_o enumeration_n of_o those_o sin_n which_o the_o flesh_n produce_v and_o which_o exclude_v man_n from_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n he_o exhort_v man_n to_o live_v after_o the_o spirit_n and_o to_o practice_v the_o christian_a virtue_n in_o the_o four_o chapter_n he_o pursue_v the_o same_o exhortation_n and_o he_o end_v the_o epistle_n with_o these_o remarkable_a word_n which_o contain_v the_o sum_n of_o his_o doctrine_n 15._o doctrine_n chap._n vi_o 15._o for_o in_o christ_n jesus_n neither_o circumcision_n avail_v any_o thing_n nor_o uncircumcision_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n that_o be_v to_o say_v whether_o a_o man_n be_v a_o jew_n or_o a_o heathen_a it_o matter_n not_o so_o he_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o observe_v god_n commandment_n 16._o commandment_n ver_fw-la 16._o peace_n and_o mercy_n be_v on_o they_o all_o who_o walk_v after_o this_o rule_n be_v there_o anything_o plain_a than_o this_o doctrine_n and_o yet_o how_o clear_a soever_o it_o may_v be_v christian_a liberty_n be_v allege_v to_o set_v man_n free_a from_o the_o obligation_n to_o keep_v god_n s_o commandment_n all_o that_o st._n paul_n fay_v against_o circumcision_n and_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n be_v by_o a_o enormous_a blasphemy_n turn_v against_o the_o holy_a commandment_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n can_v any_o thing_n more_o odious_a or_o profane_a be_v imagine_v than_o the_o pervert_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n at_o this_o rate_n 4._o those_o who_o plead_v on_o the_o side_n of_o corruption_n be_v wont_a to_o object_n against_o what_o be_v say_v in_o behalf_n of_o holiness_n this_o sentence_n of_o solomon_n 16._o solomon_n ephes_n vii_o 16._o be_v not_o righteous_a overmuch_o neither_o make_v thyself_o over-wise_a and_o what_o inference_n do_v they_o riot_n draw_v from_o thence_o they_o conclude_v from_o this_o place_n that_o a_o man_n ought_v not_o to_o pretend_v so_o much_o to_o holiness_n or_o to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o good_a man_n and_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n mediocrity_n be_v best_a one_o may_v easy_o apprehend_v that_o such_o sentiment_n must_v needs_o introduce_v licentiousness_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v think_v to_o be_v support_v by_o a_o divine_a authority_n but_o let_v we_o see_v whether_o or_o no_o such_o conceit_n can_v be_v found_v upon_o this_o sentence_n of_o solomon_n i_o shall_v ask_v in_o the_o first_o place_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o
requirean_a exact_v and_o particular_a discussion_n i_o will_v first_o resume_v the_o four_o character_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v truth_n holiness_n union_n and_o order_n 1._o all_o christian_a society_n boast_v that_o they_o profess_v the_o truth_n and_o that_o very_a thing_n be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v in_o error_n since_o they_o do_v not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o about_o the_o article_n to_o be_v believe_v i_o will_v not_o enlarge_v on_o this_o head_n because_o it_o will_v lead_v i_o into_o many_o particular_n and_o in_o some_o respect_n into_o controversy_n i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o if_o we_o do_v judge_v of_o what_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o religion_n by_o that_o which_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o rule_n of_o faith_n among_o christian_n i_o mean_v the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o will_v soon_o perceive_v on_o which_o side_n the_o truth_n lie_v we_o may_v observe_v in_o that_o society_n which_o vaunt_v itself_o to_o be_v the_o pure_a of_o all_o and_o which_o even_o pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a and_o the_o only_a true_a church_n exclusive_a of_o all_o other_o absurd_a tenet_n and_o monstrous_a doctrine_n equal_o repugnant_a to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o church_n which_o do_v separate_v from_o that_o society_n be_v much_o more_o consonant_a to_o the_o gospel_n 2._o we_o must_v have_v a_o very_a mean_a notion_n of_o christianity_n if_o we_o can_v believe_v that_o holiness_n which_o be_v the_o second_o character_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v find_v among_o christian_n at_o this_o time_n the_o complaint_n of_o the_o last_o age_n be_v that_o religion_n want_v to_o be_v reform_v in_o doctrine_n worship_n discipline_n and_o manner_n it_o be_v reform_v in_o part_n by_o the_o reject_v of_o those_o error_n and_o abuse_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o doctrine_n worship_n and_o discipline_n but_o the_o reformation_n of_o manner_n be_v still_o behind_o the_o people_n have_v not_o as_o yet_o be_v reform_v in_o this_o regard_n except_o perhaps_o in_o those_o time_n and_o place_n where_o they_o have_v be_v persecute_v as_o for_o the_o rest_n they_o have_v scarce_o change_v any_o thing_n beside_o their_o belief_n and_o worship_n this_o alone_a prove_v that_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v yet_o imperfect_a holiness_n be_v the_o scope_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v the_o chief_a character_n of_o christianity_n so_o that_o where_o holiness_n and_o purity_n of_o manner_n be_v not_o religion_n must_v be_v very_o defective_a iii_o union_n peace_n and_o charity_n as_o be_v say_v before_o be_v one_o of_o the_o essential_a mark_n of_o the_o disciple_n and_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o where_o be_v this_o character_n to_o be_v find_v the_o church_n at_o this_o day_n be_v rend_v into_o faction_n and_o party_n we_o can_v say_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o church_n we_o must_v say_v that_o there_o be_v many_o religion_n and_o church_n christian_n divide_v not_o only_o upon_o lawful_a ground_n which_o make_v separation_n necessary_a but_o about_o thing_n of_o small_a consequence_n upon_o the_o least_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n they_o pronounce_v anathema_n against_o one_o another_o form_n different_a sect_n and_o communion_n even_o those_o church_n which_o may_v have_v a_o common_a belief_n and_o interest_n be_v not_o unite_v those_o man_n who_o by_o their_o office_n shall_v be_v the_o minister_n of_o peace_n be_v but_o too_o often_o the_o firebrand_n of_o division_n i_o desire_v no_o other_o proof_n of_o this_o but_o that_o zeal_n which_o most_o divine_v express_v about_o the_o dispute_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o little_a disposition_n which_o be_v find_v among_o they_o to_o sacrifice_v some_o opinion_n or_o expression_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n i_o do_v not_o condemn_v all_o dispute_n without_o distinction_n for_o some_o be_v necessary_a the_o apostle_n command_v the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n to_o establish_v with_o care_n pure_a doctrine_n and_o to_o confute_v those_o who_o endeavour_n to_o corrupt_v it_o they_o do_v themselves_o on_o many_o occasion_n dispute_v against_o false_a teacher_n to_o desert_v the_o truth_n when_o attack_v be_v to_o make_v but_o little_a account_n of_o it_o this_o will_v be_v a_o betray_v the_o interest_n of_o piety_n since_o piety_n be_v always_o found_v upon_o truth_n dispute_v become_v necessary_a when_o essential_a truth_n be_v to_o be_v defend_v neither_o will_v i_o reduce_v all_o profitable_a or_o lawful_a dispute_n to_o those_o only_o which_o concern_v fundamental_o there_o be_v error_n which_o though_o not_o mortal_a yet_o be_v dangerous_a and_o so_o it_o be_v needful_a to_o oppose_v they_o and_o there_o be_v truth_n which_o though_o not_o fundamental_a be_v yet_o of_o great_a use_n in_o religion_n and_o may_v serve_v to_o confirm_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v fit_a that_o such_o truth_n shall_v be_v discuss_v provide_v this_o be_v do_v with_o moderation_n and_o honesty_n i_o only_o blame_v useless_a dispute_n or_o these_o which_o though_o they_o may_v have_v their_o use_n yet_o be_v accompany_v with_o those_o passion_n and_o disorder_n which_o blind_a zeal_n inspire_v such_o controversy_n which_o be_v but_o too_o common_a be_v extreme_o fatal_a to_o religion_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o express_v what_o mischief_n they_o occasion_n in_o the_o church_n and_o how_o prejudicial_a they_o be_v to_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n in_o general_n and_o of_o piety_n in_o particular_a it_o may_v seem_v at_o first_o that_o because_o the_o people_n do_v not_o take_v cognizance_n of_o these_o contest_v they_o shall_v prove_v hurtful_a only_o to_o those_o learned_a man_n by_o who_o alone_o they_o be_v manage_v but_o yet_o the_o whole_a church_n feel_v the_o ill_a effect_n of_o they_o 1._o by_o reason_n of_o these_o dispute_n the_o people_n be_v destitute_a of_o edification_n or_o at_o least_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v all_o the_o edification_n which_o be_v necessary_a churchman_n be_v only_o full_a of_o these_o study_n and_o meditate_v upon_o nothing_o else_o in_o their_o sermon_n they_o speak_v only_o of_o these_o matter_n which_o take_v they_o up_o and_o which_o seem_v capital_a to_o they_o they_o have_v neither_o leisure_n nor_o inclination_n to_o mind_n thing_n of_o another_o nature_n and_o to_o set_v about_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o christian_n or_o they_o do_v it_o but_o faint_o and_o careless_o whilst_o a_o minister_n be_v very_o busy_a in_o his_o study_n or_o pulpit_n about_o confute_v a_o adversary_n who_o he_o never_o see_v or_o a_o error_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o his_o whole_a flock_n his_o sheep_n be_v lose_v his_o hearer_n remain_v possess_v with_o mortal_a error_n concern_v morality_n and_o engage_v in_o the_o most_o vicious_a habit_n this_o be_v the_o fruit_n of_o most_o dispute_n they_o occasion_n the_o ruin_n rather_o than_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o hearer_n 2._o dispute_v keep_v up_o among_o christian_n false_a zeal_n hypocrisy_n and_o licentiousness_n the_o people_n learn_v by_o the_o example_n of_o their_o teacher_n to_o place_v their_o zeal_n not_o in_o oppose_a vice_n but_o in_o understand_v controversy_n in_o adhere_v to_o certain_a opinion_n and_o in_o bear_v a_o strong_a hatred_n to_o those_o who_o dissent_v from_o they_o they_o judge_v that_o what_o make_v the_o ordinary_a employment_n of_o divine_n what_o they_o insist_v most_o upon_o what_o kindle_v their_o zeal_n and_o excite_v in_o they_o the_o most_o violent_a passion_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o religion_n 3._o sometime_o the_o people_n take_v part_n in_o the_o quarrel_n of_o their_o teacher_n from_o whence_o proceed_v unavoidable_a animosity_n and_o division_n which_o extinguish_v love_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o christianity_n and_o which_o create_v insuperable_a obstacle_n to_o the_o peace_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o reunion_n of_o christian_n of_o this_o we_o have_v but_o too_o many_o instance_n 4._o last_o the_o little_a union_n which_o be_v in_o the_o church_n be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o small_a progress_n of_o christianity_n christian_n instead_o of_o make_v their_o religion_n appear_v lovely_a and_o venerable_a to_o jew_n and_o infidel_n expose_v it_o to_o their_o contempt_n instead_o of_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v the_o christian_a faith_n and_o to_o destroy_v idolatry_n they_o turn_v their_o own_o weapon_n against_o themselves_o they_o mind_v nothing_o but_o the_o promote_a the_o interest_n of_o their_o particular_a sect_n and_o they_o neglect_v that_o of_o christianity_n ingeneral_a on_o the_o other_o hand_n unbeliever_n see_v that_o christian_n be_v not_o agree_v among_o themselves_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o question_v every_o thing_n and_o they_o judge_v that_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o but_o
by_o many_o person_n of_o eminent_a learning_n and_o piety_n and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o i_o desire_v all_o those_o who_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n to_o take_v into_o their_o serious_a consideration_n cause_n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o search_v after_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o piety_n we_o can_v but_o inquire_v whether_o corruption_n do_v not_o proceed_v from_o the_o pastor_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n pastor_n be_v appoint_v to_o oppose_v the_o progress_n of_o vice_n and_o to_o be_v public_a fountain_n of_o instruction_n edification_n and_o good_a example_n so_o that_o in_o truth_n their_o ministry_n be_v of_o most_o excellent_a use_n when_o due_o exercise_v but_o when_o vice_n reign_v when_o scandal_n multiply_v that_o general_a corruption_n be_v if_o not_o a_o certain_a proof_n at_o least_o a_o strong_a presumption_n that_o there_o be_v some_o fault_n in_o pastor_n if_o we_o will_v be_v satisfy_v about_o this_o matter_n we_o need_v but_o reflect_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o their_o office_n and_o upon_o their_o way_n of_o discharge_v it_o this_o be_v what_o i_o design_n to_o inquire_v into_o in_o this_o chapter_n in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v consider_v 1._o what_o function_n and_o duty_n be_v annex_v to_o the_o office_n of_o pastor_n and_o 2._o what_o qualification_n be_v requisite_a in_o they_o to_o discharge_v it_o worthy_o there_o be_v two_o principal_a function_n incumbent_a on_o pastor_n instruction_n and_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n 1._o it_o will_v be_v needless_a to_o prove_v that_o the_o office_n of_o pastor_n oblige_v they_o to_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n for_o this_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n it_o will_v be_v fit_a to_o observe_v that_o the_o fruit_n of_o public_a instruction_n deliver_v in_o sermon_n depend_v upon_o two_o thing_n the_o matter_n treat_v of_o and_o the_o way_n of_o propose_v they_o so_o that_o the_o fault_n commit_v in_o sermon_n be_v either_o in_o the_o thing_n themselves_o or_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o handle_v they_o 1._o the_o matter_n handle_v in_o sermon_n be_v either_o of_o doctrine_n or_o morality_n what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o this_o treatise_n may_v serve_v to_o discover_v to_o we_o the_o defect_n in_o preach_v with_o relation_n to_o these_o two_o head_n those_o who_o preach_v the_o gospel_n do_v not_o sufficient_o instruct_v the_o people_n neither_o in_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n nor_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o as_o catechise_n be_v proper_o design_v for_o the_o explication_n of_o these_o truth_n and_o duty_n i_o think_v ignorance_n and_o corruption_n chief_o proceed_v from_o this_o that_o in_o most_o church_n thing_n be_v not_o well_o order_v with_o reference_n to_o catechise_n they_o be_v neither_o frequent_a enough_o nor_o so_o proper_a for_o instruction_n as_o they_o shall_v be_v beside_o catechise_v be_v almost_o every_o where_o neglect_v if_o not_o despise_v the_o common_a notion_n be_v that_o catechism_n be_v only_o for_o child_n and_o for_o the_o mean_a sort_n of_o people_n the_o function_n of_o a_o catechist_n which_o be_v ancient_o so_o considerable_a in_o the_o church_n be_v look_v upon_o now_o as_o a_o function_n of_o no_o great_a importance_n and_o it_o be_v usual_o commit_v to_o person_n of_o the_o least_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n these_o fault_n may_v easy_o be_v remedy_v one_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a establishment_n in_o church_n will_v be_v to_o increase_v the_o number_n of_o catechism_n and_o to_o appoint_v they_o instead_o of_o the_o sermon_n but_o to_o render_v they_o more_o useful_a and_o more_o frequent_v it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o establish_v two_o sort_n of_o they_o in_o those_o of_o the_o first_o sort_v the_o element_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v explain_v in_o a_o easy_a and_o familiar_a manner_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o child_n and_o of_o the_o less-knowing_a part_n of_o christian_n the_o other_o shall_v be_v for_o those_o who_o have_v attain_v a_o high_a degree_n of_o knowledge_n and_o in_o these_o matter_n that_o have_v be_v propose_v but_o general_o before_o shall_v be_v more_o full_o and_o exact_o handle_v but_o if_o it_o be_v think_v that_o a_o establishment_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o that_o the_o multiply_a of_o catechise_n may_v meet_v with_o difficulty_n and_o obstruction_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a at_o least_o for_o the_o instruction_n of_o great_a number_n of_o person_n who_o never_o assist_v at_o those_o exercise_n that_o minister_n shall_v he_o oblige_v to_o preach_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_n which_o be_v common_o treat_v in_o catechism_n as_o for_o sermon_n the_o church_n will_v reap_v more_o benefit_n from_o they_o if_o preacher_n do_v always_o show_v true_a judgement_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o handle_v we_o must_v not_o think_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o subject_n be_v instructive_a alike_o and_o that_o in_o order_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o speak_v of_o god_n in_o a_o sermon_n and_o to_o take_v a_o text_n out_o of_o scripture_n every_o subject_a aught_o to_o be_v propose_v and_o press_v according_a to_o its_o importance_n to_o insist_v upon_o matter_n of_o lesser_a moment_n whilst_o those_o which_o it_o most_o concern_v christian_n to_o be_v inform_v about_o be_v neglect_v be_v to_o swerve_v from_o the_o true_a intendment_n of_o preach_v but_o because_o all_o preacher_n have_v not_o the_o capacity_n to_o make_v this_o choice_n it_o will_v be_v fit_v that_o part_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o discourse_n shall_v be_v appoint_v and_o prescribe_v to_o they_o by_o a_o law_n for_o when_o they_o be_v tie_v to_o no_o rule_n when_o they_o be_v at_o liberty_n to_o preach_v upon_o any_o subject_a which_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o choose_v it_o happen_v that_o many_o instead_o of_o handle_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o religion_n and_o of_o consult_v the_o present_a state_n and_o necessity_n of_o their_o flock_n apply_v themselves_o to_o various_a subject_n which_o be_v of_o no_o great_a edification_n preacher_n for_o the_o most_o part_n consult_v only_o their_o own_o inclination_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o their_o matter_n and_o when_o they_o pitch_v upon_o a_o subject_a it_o be_v rather_o because_o it_o please_v they_o and_o because_o they_o apprehend_v a_o facility_n in_o treat_v it_o than_o out_o of_o a_o regard_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o their_o congregation_n those_o who_o be_v fond_a of_o mystery_n and_o allegory_n apply_v their_o time_n and_o study_n to_o the_o expound_v of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o to_o the_o unfolding_n of_o the_o type_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n those_o who_o be_v give_v to_o dispute_v fill_v their_o sermon_n with_o nothing_o else_o but_o controversy_n and_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o speculative_a divine_n who_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o father_n and_o history_n they_o entertain_v the_o people_n with_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o ordinary_a subject_n of_o their_o meditation_n and_o study_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v that_o such_o thing_n ought_v never_o to_o be_v speak_v of_o they_o may_v sometime_o be_v touch_v upon_o provide_v this_o be_v do_v judicious_o but_o they_o have_v a_o sorry_a notion_n of_o religion_n and_o preach_v who_o make_v those_o matter_n their_o main_a business_n and_o fancy_n they_o have_v entire_o fulfil_v all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n ministry_n when_o they_o have_v preach_v upon_o type_n or_o controversy_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v may_v be_v apply_v to_o the_o choice_n of_o text_n 16._o text_n 2_o tim._n iii_o 16._o all_o scripture_n indeed_o as_o st._n paul_n say_v be_v profitable_a for_o instruction_n that_o divine_a book_n contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v useful_a but_o yet_o the_o various_a usefulness_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v and_o it_o must_v be_v own_v that_o some_o place_n be_v more_o useful_a and_o instructive_a than_o other_o some_o difference_n be_v to_o be_v make_v between_o those_o book_n and_o chapter_n which_o explain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o redemption_n the_o design_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n or_o the_o duty_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n and_o those_o which_o serve_v only_o to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o the_o order_n of_o time_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o certainty_n of_o history_n these_o last_o have_v their_o use_n since_o the_o truth_n of_o history_n be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n but_o those_o place_n be_v more_o useful_a which_o treat_v of_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v or_o to_o do_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n it_o be_v of_o another_o sort_n of_o importance_n to_o explain_v the_o gospel_n than_o to_o preach_v upon_o the_o book_n of_o joshua_n or_o ruth_n or_o upon_o some_o
next_o place_n that_o pastor_n shall_v discharge_v their_o duty_n with_o relation_n to_o young_a people_n and_o that_o to_o this_o end_n in_o all_o place_n and_o church_n the_o necessary_a order_n and_o method_n be_v establish_v for_o instruct_v the_o people_n and_o particular_o child_n i_o remark_n this_o because_o in_o this_o respect_n thing_n be_v not_o well_o order_v so_o that_o in_o many_o place_n such_o help_n andmean_n be_v very_o much_o want_v it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o opportunity_n of_o instruction_n and_o the_o help_n to_o piety_n be_v mighty_a scarce_o in_o the_o country_n and_o in_o village_n school_n be_v there_o manage_v at_o a_o very_a ordinary_a rate_n and_o many_o place_n have_v no_o school_n at_o all_o whereby_o it_o happen_v that_o many_o person_n can_v so_o much_o as_o read_v there_o likewise_o divine_a service_n be_v but_o seldom_o perform_v and_o very_o careless_o too_o the_o minister_n who_o be_v appoint_v in_o those_o place_n be_v general_o either_o man_n of_o little_a worth_n or_o man_n who_o do_v not_o watch_v over_o their_o flock_n as_o they_o ought_v and_o who_o be_v remiss_a in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o office_n these_o be_v the_o essential_a defect_n which_o shall_v be_v remedy_v by_o those_o who_o have_v authority_n in_o church_n or_o state_n above_o all_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o churchman_n shall_v have_v a_o strict_a inspection_n over_o school_n and_o family_n and_o that_o catechise_n be_v more_o frequent_a than_o they_o be_v young_a people_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o the_o care_n of_o pastor_n no_o part_n of_o their_o office_n be_v more_o useful_a or_o reward_v their_o labour_n with_o better_a success_n than_o that_o their_o endeavour_n to_o mend_v those_o who_o be_v come_v to_o age_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n to_o little_a purpose_n but_o what_o they_o do_v for_o child_n â—s_a of_o great_a benefit_n if_o therefore_o they_o have_v a_o zeal_n for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o if_o they_o wish_v to_o see_v a_o change_n in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n let_v they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o instruct_n of_o youth_n and_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o form_v a_o new_a gneration_n among_o the_o particular_a establishment_n which_o may_v be_v make_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o benefit_n of_o young_a people_n there_o be_v one_o which_o will_v be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o which_o seem_v to_o i_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o that_o be_v that_o with_o relation_n to_o child_n who_o have_v attain_v the_o age_n of_o discretion_n the_o same_o order_n shall_v be_v observe_v for_o their_o admission_n to_o the_o sacrament_n which_o be_v practise_v in_o the_o primitive_a church_n when_o catechuman_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n by_o baptism_n this_o admission_n be_v very_o solemn_a a_o long_a probation_n and_o instruction_n go_v before_o it_o the_o catechuman_n be_v require_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o the_o bind_v themselves_o by_o solemn_a promise_n and_o vow_n to_o renounce_v the_o world_n and_o to_o live_v holy_a no_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o baptism_n because_o young_a child_n be_v baptize_v but_o what_o be_v not_o do_v at_o the_o time_n of_o baptism_n shall_v be_v do_v when_o they_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n and_o true_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a profession_n a_o promise_n in_o due_a form_n on_o the_o child_n part_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o we_o can_v well_o answer_v what_o be_v object_v by_o some_o against_o infant-baptism_n which_o yet_o be_v a_o good_a and_o laudable_a practice_n a_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n against_o his_o will_n or_o without_o his_o knowledge_n this_o engagement_n be_v a_o personal_a thing_n be_v which_o every_o bold_a shall_v act_v and_o answer_v for_o himself_o when_o child_n be_v baptize_v they_o know_v nothing_o of_o what_o be_v do_v to_o they_o it_o be_v there_o fore_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o when_o they_o come_v to_o the_o year_n of_o reason_n they_o shall_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v the_o engagement_n they_o come_v under_o by_o their_o baptism_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v become_v member_n of_o the_o church_n out_o of_o knowledge_n and_o choice_n now_o the_o fit_a time_n for_o such_o a_o confirmation_n and_o promise_n be_v when_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n the_o order_n then_o which_o i_o mean_v be_v this_o first_o that_o when_o child_n desire_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o sacrament_n they_o shall_v be_v instruct_v for_o some_o week_n before_o and_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o shall_v be_v inform_v of_o the_o sacredness_n and_o importance_n of_o this_o action_n and_o of_o the_o promise_n they_o be_v to_o make_v that_o so_o they_o may_v prepare_v for_o it_o betimes_o in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v examine_v and_o that_o they_o shall_v public_o render_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n this_o examination_n be_v over_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v require_v to_o renew_v and_o confirm_v in_o a_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n their_o baptismal_a vow_n to_o renounce_v the_o devil_n and_o his_o work_n the_o world_n and_o the_o pomp_n of_o it_o the_o flesh_n and_o its_o lust_n and_o to_o promise_v that_o they_o will_v live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o then_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v admit_v to_o the_o communion_n by_o benediction_n and_o prayer_n it_o will_v no_o doubt_n seem_v to_o some_o that_o i_o be_o here_o propose_v a_o novelty_n and_o that_o too_o not_o very_o necessary_a that_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o all_o this_o solemnity_n that_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o examine_v and_o exhort_v child_n in_o private_a and_o that_o this_o confirmation_n of_o the_o baptismal_a vow_n be_v include_v and_o suppose_v in_o the_o admission_n to_o the_o sacrament_n to_o this_o i_o say_v that_o the_o order_n i_o propose_v will_v be_v think_v a_o novelty_n by_o none_o but_o such_o as_o do_v not_o know_v what_o be_v ancient_o practise_v and_o who_o call_v innovation_n every_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o agree_v with_o the_o custom_n of_o their_o country_n or_o their_o church_n this_o be_v a_o imitation_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o the_o apostolical_a order_n and_o beside_o this_o establishment_n be_v altogether_o suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o i_o have_v just_a now_o make_v it_o appear_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o for_o what_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a if_o child_n be_v examine_v and_o admit_v in_o private_a i_o answer_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n we_o live_v in_o be_v so_o great_a that_o in_o many_o church_n this_o admission_n and_o the_o examination_n which_o precede_v it_o be_v but_o three_o or_o four_o hour_n work_v and_o sometime_o less_o pastor_n 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design_n of_o scripture_n than_o to_o explain_v it_o philosophical_o and_o which_o be_v worse_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o a_o false_a philosophy_n as_o divers_a commentator_n do_v they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o method_n notion_n and_o term_n of_o the_o school_n to_o find_v out_o the_o mean_v of_o the_o sacred_a write_n they_o apply_v to_o all_o subject_n the_o rule_n prescribe_v by_o the_o schoolman_n they_o careful_o distinguish_v in_o a_o text_n those_o thing_n which_o be_v call_v in_o the_o school_n materia_fw-la forma_fw-la causa_fw-la efficiens_fw-la finis_fw-la subjectum_fw-la adjunctum_fw-la etc._n etc._n they_o seek_v in_o all_o reason_v the_o major_n the_o minor_a and_o they_o conclusion_n as_o if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o inspire_v the_o sacred_a author_n have_v follow_v the_o scheme_n of_o aristotle_n logic_n and_o have_v intend_v to_o make_v syllogism_n in_o mood_n and_o figure_n i_o say_v nothing_o here_o of_o that_o spirit_n of_o dispute_n and_o wrangle_a 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it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o defect_n of_o commentary_n contribute_v very_o much_o to_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o piety_n but_o commentary_n be_v the_o store_n from_o which_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n be_v draw_v and_o from_o which_o preacher_n common_o take_v the_o matter_n of_o their_o sermon_n few_o of_o they_o endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o a_o text_n by_o their_o own_o industry_n they_o consult_v their_o commentary_n like_o oracle_n and_o they_o blind_o follow_v their_o decision_n it_o be_v therefore_o high_o requisite_a that_o these_o book_n shall_v not_o lead_v into_o error_n those_o who_o have_v recourse_n to_o they_o when_o a_o bound_v man_n lead_v another_o they_o both_o fall_n into_o the_o ditch_n if_o then_o the_o guide_n to_o who_o conduct_n preacher_n give_v up_o themselves_o be_v deceitful_a and_o false_a the_o word_n of_o god_n will_v neither_o be_v well_o understand_v nor_o well_o preach_v and_o both_o preacher_n and_o people_n will_v err_v ii_o it_o be_v with_o divinity-book_n as_o with_o commentary_n some_o be_v good_a and_o other_o bad_a the_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n which_o we_o see_v among_o author_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o what_o i_o say_v some_o maintain_v as_o divine_a truth_n thing_n which_o other_o reject_v as_o false_a and_o pernicious_a sentiment_n so_o that_o there_o must_v be_v no_o small_a error_n on_o one_o side_n or_o the_o other_o all_o divine_n will_v own_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o remark_n but_o it_o be_v here_o of_o no_o use_n because_o it_o do_v not_o decide_v which_o book_n of_o divinity_n be_v good_a and_o which_o be_v bad_a every_o body_n will_v pretend_v that_o the_o bad_a book_n be_v those_o which_o teach_v a_o doctrine_n contrary_n to_o that_o which_o obtain_v in_o the_o society_n to_o which_o he_o belong_v in_o order_n to_o know_v who_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o in_o the_o wrong_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o judge_v here_o upon_o the_o merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o examination_n of_o all_o the_o controversy_n which_o divide_v christian_n but_o this_o i_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n take_v upon_o i_o to_o do_v it_o will_v be_v fit_a for_o i_o to_o take_v notice_n of_o those_o fault_n which_o be_v common_a to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o divinity-book_n i_o shall_v say_v nothing_o but_o what_o must_v needs_o be_v own_v by_o all_o the_o sensible_a divine_n of_o any_o party_n and_o the_o reflection_n i_o be_o to_o make_v though_o general_n may_v perhaps_o be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o direct_v our_o judgement_n concern_v the_o doctrine_n itself_o contain_v in_o those_o book_n 1._o almost_o all_o the_o author_n who_o have_v write_v of_o divinity_n have_v make_v of_o it_o upon_o the_o matter_n a_o science_n of_o mere_a speculation_n they_o establish_v certain_a doctrine_n they_o deliver_v their_o opinion_n they_o prove_v they_o as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v they_o treat_v of_o controversy_n and_o confute_v their_o adversary_n but_o they_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o have_v meditate_a much_o upon_o the_o use_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v with_o relation_n to_o piety_n and_o salvation_n they_o be_v very_o short_a upon_o this_o head_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o all_o they_o be_v not_o by_o half_a so_o solicitous_a to_o assert_v the_o duty_n as_o they_o be_v to_o maintain_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n now_o this_o be_v not_o teach_v divinity_n the_o design_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n how_o they_o ought_v to_o serve_v god_n and_o to_o make_v they_o holy_a and_o happy_a if_o this_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o handle_n of_o divinity_n and_o if_o care_n be_v take_v to_o show_v what_o relation_n all_o the_o part_n of_o religion_n have_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o to_o the_o holiness_n and_o felicity_n of_o man_n there_o will_v be_v much_o more_o piety_n than_o there_o be_v now_o among_o christian_n those_o who_o study_n divinity_n will_v learn_v betimes_o to_o direct_v it_o to_o its_o true_a end_n and_o this_o will_v likewise_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o distinguish_v material_a from_o insignificant_a point_n and_o question_n and_o to_o ease_v religion_n of_o all_o those_o needless_a dispute_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o main_a cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n 2._o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v lead_v i_o to_o a_o second_o observation_n which_o be_v that_o as_o several_a thing_n may_v be_v leave_v out_o of_o divinity-book_n so_o other_o thing_n be_v want_v which_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o add_v to_o they_o for_o the_o purpose_n common-place_n do_v not_o insist_v much_o upon_o on_o the_o general_a truth_n and_o principle_n of_o religion_n they_o scarce_o give_v we_o any_o instruction_n about_o church-discipline_n and_o government_n or_o about_o the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n as_o
religion_n be_v attend_v with_o some_o difficulty_n the_o general_a rule_n be_v to_o choose_v those_o which_o be_v instructive_a and_o edify_a every_o body_n will_v own_v this_o to_o be_v a_o good_a rule_n but_o all_o man_n do_v not_o agree_v in_o the_o application_n of_o it_o what_o seem_v edify_v to_o some_o appear_v quite_o otherwise_o to_o other_o in_o point_n of_o religion_n all_o man_n shall_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n since_o they_o be_v all_o bind_v to_o believe_v the_o same_o truth_n and_o practice_v the_o same_o duty_n but_o their_o taste_n be_v different_a because_o many_o of_o they_o have_v a_o vitiate_a palate_n to_o speak_v my_o mind_n upon_o this_o subject_a i_o think_v that_o christian_n shall_v chief_o stick_v to_o those_o book_n which_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o which_o establish_v by_o solid_a argument_n the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o to_o those_o which_o give_v a_o clear_a and_o exact_a view_n of_o the_o duty_n of_o morality_n to_o these_o it_o may_v be_v useful_a to_o add_v the_o work_n in_o which_o we_o find_v the_o example_n of_o person_n eminent_a for_o their_o piety_n and_o virtue_n such_o example_n be_v very_o efficacious_a to_o excite_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o be_v good_a and_o they_o prove_v a_o great_a preservative_n against_o the_o scandal_n occasion_v by_o bad_a example_n and_o against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age._n but_o not_o to_o enlarge_v further_o upon_o the_o choice_n of_o book_n i_o refer_v the_o reader_n to_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o this_o chapter_n a_o judicious_a choice_n of_o book_n be_v once_o make_v the_o next_o thing_n be_v to_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o they_o and_o here_o two_o rule_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v 1._o a_o man_n shall_v read_v with_o judgement_n and_o 2._o he_o shall_v read_v in_o order_n to_o practice_n 1._o what_o book_n soever_o we_o read_v it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o read_v it_o with_o discretion_n and_o judgement_n we_o be_v command_v in_o scripture_n i._n scripture_n 1_o thes_n v._o xxi_o 1_o joh._n iu_o i._n to_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a to_o try_v the_o spirit_n and_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n this_o caution_n be_v to_o be_v use_v lest_o we_o fall_v into_o error_n since_o every_o author_n be_v a_o man_n and_o by_o consequence_n may_v sometime_o be_v mistake_v the_o common_a people_n do_v particular_o need_v this_o advice_n because_o they_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o whatsoever_o be_v read_v in_o book_n especial_o in_o book_n of_o devotion_n be_v true_a but_o though_o a_o book_n shall_v contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v good_a discretion_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o just_a application_n of_o the_o content_n of_o it_o to_o out_o self_n because_o that_o which_o be_v proper_a for_o some_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o other_o the_o not_o observe_v this_o rule_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o some_o reader_n who_o have_v a_o pure_a but_o a_o timorous_a and_o shortsighted_a conscience_n be_v terrify_v without_o cause_n and_o apply_v to_o themselves_o what_o be_v say_v only_o of_o wicked_a man_n when_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n harden_a sinner_n deceive_v themselves_o with_o vain_a hope_n by_o adapt_a to_o themselves_o what_o relate_v only_o to_o good_a men._n 2._o we_o ought_v to_o read_v in_o order_n to_o practice_n and_o that_o we_o may_v grow_v better_a this_o be_v the_o more_o important_a rule_n of_o the_o two_o and_o that_o which_o distinguish_v true_a from_o hypocritical_a devotion_n many_o be_v very_o regular_a and_o constant_a in_o read_v and_o they_o seldom_o fail_v to_o do_v it_o morning_n and_o evening_n but_o the_o deportment_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v so_o assiduous_a in_o the_o peruse_n of_o good_a book_n be_v not_o always_o agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o devotion_n and_o piety_n when_o they_o be_v but_o just_a come_v from_o their_o read_n we_o find_v they_o often_o sour_a peevish_a and_o passionate_a after_o they_o have_v read_v in_o the_o morning_n they_o spend_v the_o day_n in_o slander_v game_n or_o idleness_n and_o they_o avoid_v only_o the_o grosser_n and_o the_o more_o noisy_a sin_n there_o be_v reader_n of_o another_o character_n they_o read_v and_o even_o delight_n in_o the_o read_n of_o book_n of_o religion_n they_o like_v well_o enough_o those_o work_n which_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o treat_v of_o moral_n they_o speak_v of_o they_o advantageous_o and_o they_o will_v say_v fine_a thing_n concern_v the_o abuse_n which_o be_v creep_v into_o religion_n and_o upon_o the_o necessity_n and_o the_o beauty_n of_o moral_n but_o all_o this_o terminate_v only_o in_o a_o vain_a and_o fruitless_a approbation_n which_o they_o give_v to_o the_o truth_n and_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o after_o all_o they_o reform_v nothing_o in_o their_o life_n such_o readins_n be_v but_o mere_a amusement_n and_o they_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o but_o to_o rock_v conscience_n into_o a_o most_o dangerous_a sleep_n the_o end_n of_o read_v as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n aught_o to_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n i._o shall_v here_o observe_v last_o of_o all_o that_o christian_n have_v a_o book_n which_o alone_o may_v suffice_v to_o preserve_v they_o from_o the_o danger_n of_o ill_a book_n and_o to_o secure_v they_o against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o age_n if_o they_o do_v use_v it_o as_o they_o ought_v i_o mean_v the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v the_o best_a of_o all_o book_n a_o work_n divine_o inspire_v which_o contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o true_a and_o wherein_o we_o find_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o instruct_v and_o to_o sanctify_v men._n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v 1._o that_o the_o translation_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v render_v more_o perfect_a so_o that_o they_o may_v express_v the_o sense_n of_o sacred_a author_n with_o all_o possible_a exactness_n all_o those_o who_o have_v study_v the_o original_a text_n of_o the_o bible_n will_v own_v that_o this_o be_v a_o necessary_a work_n and_o that_o the_o translation_n need_v some_o amendment_n and_o so_o we_o see_v according_o that_o now_o and_o then_o divine_n and_o translator_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o correct_v of_o they_o 2._o it_o will_v be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o have_v exact_a translation_n of_o scripture_n if_o man_n can_v not_o read_v it_o i_o have_v already_o remark_v it_o elsewhere_o as_o a_o cry_n and_o shameful_a abuse_n that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o read_v this_o abuse_n shall_v have_v be_v reform_v long_o ago_o and_o this_o may_v easy_o be_v do_v if_o every_o pastor_n do_v endeavour_v it_o in_o his_o own_o church_n and_o if_o the_o magistrate_n do_v lend_v a_o help_a hand_n towards_o it_o 3._o the_o 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place_n where_o christian_n have_v a_o entire_a liberty_n to_o read_v the_o scripture_n great_a multitude_n make_v no_o advantage_n of_o that_o freedom_n many_o that_o be_v addict_v to_o read_v leave_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o other_o book_n in_o a_o word_n very_o few_o read_v it_o with_o suitable_a disposition_n and_o with_o a_o sincere_a design_n of_o learning_n the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o of_o grow_v the_o better_a by_o it_o and_o thus_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n be_v destitute_a of_o the_o most_o efficacious_a mean_a and_o remedy_n which_o the_o divine_a goodness_n have_v afford_v to_o man_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o the_o contagion_n of_o sin_n and_o to_o make_v they_o happy_a and_o so_o we_o need_v not_o wonder_v that_o the_o corruption_n of_o christian_n shall_v be_v such_o as_o