of_o s._n paul_n and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o scripture_n be_v profitable_a not_o only_o for_o doctrine_n and_o reproof_n but_o for_o correction_n too_o and_o instruction_n in_o 16._o 2_o tim._n 3._o 16._o righteousness_n yea_o do_v not_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o frequent_o give_v this_o testimony_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o be_v a_o sovereign_a preservative_n against_o vice_n and_o that_o this_o be_v one_o great_a end_n to_o which_o god_n design_v they_o even_o young_a man_n who_o be_v most_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o pollution_n of_o sin_n by_o attend_v to_o the_o scripture_n may_v cleanse_v themselves_o from_o it_o for_o wherewithal_o say_v david_n shall_v a_o young_a man_n cleanse_v his_o way_n by_o take_v 9_o psal_n 119._o 9_o heed_n thereto_o according_a to_o thy_o word_n but_o suppose_v these_o evil_a example_n be_v of_o such_o dangerous_a consequence_n why_o be_v they_o so_o to_o the_o laity_n only_o be_v all_o the_o clergy_n of_o such_o approve_a virtue_n 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be_v oblige_v to_o search_v into_o they_o iu._n and_o for_o the_o commandment_n especial_o let_v it_o be_v further_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v some_o command_v lay_v upon_o layman_n as_o well_o as_o other_o which_o no_o man_n can_v be_v capable_a of_o yield_a obedience_n to_o who_o be_v not_o conversant_a in_o the_o holy_a write_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o three_o only_a 1._o to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o the_o scripture_n 2._o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god._n 3._o to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o 1._o to_o instruct_v their_o child_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n this_o god_n command_v the_o israelite_n in_o the_o place_n frorecited_a the_o word_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o this_o day_n shall_v be_v 46._o see_v also_o deut._n 4._o 9_o and_o chap._n 32._o 46._o in_o thy_o heart_n and_o thou_o shall_v teach_v they_o diligent_o to_o thy_o child_n of_o the_o like_a import_n be_v s._n paul_n 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peter_n to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v you_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o you_o when_o your_o religion_n be_v oppose_v and_o persecute_v be_v ready_a not_o only_o to_o confess_v it_o but_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n to_o every_o one_o that_o require_v it_o why_o you_o be_v christian_n and_o what_o reason_n can_v a_o man_n who_o know_v not_o the_o scripture_n give_v why_o he_o be_v a_o christian_n rather_o than_o a_o mahometan_a unless_o the_o very_a same_o that_o a_o turk_n can_v give_v why_o he_o be_v a_o mahometan_a rather_o than_o a_o christian_n viz._n that_o he_o have_v the_o good_a fortune_n to_o be_v bear_v and_o breed_v in_o a_o nation_n where_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v in_o fashion_n to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n in_o that_o god_n command_v those_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v by_o layman_n which_o no_o man_n can_v do_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n he_o also_o command_v they_o to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o scripture_n as_o he_o that_o require_v the_o end_n he_o also_o require_v the_o use_n of_o those_o mean_n without_o which_o it_o can_v be_v obtain_v v._o the_o use_n and_o end_n to_o which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v by_o god_n design_v be_v a_o sufficient_a proof_n of_o layman_n obligation_n to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o they_o it_o be_v true_a some_o part_n of_o scripture_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o use_n of_o teacher_n and_o other_o of_o hearer_n consider_v as_o such_o on_o purpose_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o those_o duty_n which_o belong_v to_o they_o as_o so_o distinguish_v the_o one_o from_o the_o other_o but_o beside_o those_o text_n which_o be_v proper_a to_o they_o with_o respect_n to_o their_o different_a rank_n and_o station_n the_o use_n to_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v design_v be_v such_o which_o respect_v man_n in_o common_a both_o laity_n and_o clergy_n of_o what_o degree_n or_o quality_n soever_o such_o be_v in_o the_o general_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v we_o in_o those_o thing_n by_o which_o we_o may_v be_v make_v wise_a to_o salvation_n s._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v write_v 4._o rom._n 15._o 4._o aforetime_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n and_o if_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n to_o those_o who_o live_v before_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n to_o reveal_v the_o will_n of_o god_n more_o full_o and_o clear_o to_o we_o be_v write_v not_o only_o for_o their_o learning_n but_o for_o we_o too_o how_o much_o more_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v since_o by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n this_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n only_o and_o not_o for_o they_o more_o particular_o they_o be_v design_v to_o teach_v we_o what_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v and_o believe_v and_o do_v that_o we_o may_v be_v save_v these_o 31._o joh._n 20._o 31._o thing_n be_v write_v say_v s._n john_n that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n 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therefore_o it_o be_v call_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n which_o bring_v salvation_n 21._o tit._n 2._o 11._o ephes_n 1._o 13._o rom._n 1._o 24._o jam._n 1._o 21._o the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v the_o gospel_n of_o salvation_n and_o certain_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o these_o use_n and_o end_n of_o holy_a scripture_n appertain_v to_o layman_n who_o do_v not_o place_v they_o in_o the_o order_n of_o beast_n and_o deny_v that_o they_o have_v soul_n capable_a of_o immortal_a bliss_n nor_o be_v they_o write_v to_o instruct_v the_o people_n as_o well_o as_o priest_n in_o those_o point_n only_o of_o faith_n and_o practice_n which_o concern_v they_o all_o in_o common_a as_o they_o be_v man_n and_o
retire_v home_o take_v scrip._n de_fw-fr utilitate_fw-la lect._n scrip._n the_o bible_n into_o his_o hand_n and_o run_v over_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v speak_v if_o he_o desire_v to_o reap_v continual_a and_o sufficient_a benefit_n from_o the_o scripture_n for_o bare_a hear_n for_o two_o hour_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o our_o security_n these_o be_v the_o lesson_n this_o holy_a man_n inculcate_v upon_o those_o who_o daily_o attend_v to_o the_o public_a preach_n and_o read_v of_o the_o word_n and_o who_o hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v in_o a_o language_n they_o understand_v which_o be_v not_o now_o permit_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n so_o necessary_a in_o his_o judgement_n be_v the_o private_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o all_o that_o be_v hear_v in_o public_a will_v not_o suffice_v without_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o we_o spare_o but_o 4._o it_o must_v dwell_v in_o we_o rich_o which_o it_o can_v never_o do_v save_v in_o those_o only_o who_o frequent_o read_v it_o and_o meditate_v upon_o it_o some_o person_n i_o know_v there_o be_v who_o can_v read_v some_o other_o who_o can_n live_v in_o those_o unhappy_a place_n where_o they_o can_v procure_v bibles_n if_o these_o do_v otherways_o what_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n god_n will_v accept_v they_o according_a to_o that_o 12._o 2_o cor._n 8._o 12._o they_o have_v and_o not_o according_a to_o that_o they_o have_v not_o for_o unavoidable_a defect_n he_o will_v either_o make_v allowance_n or_o make_v a_o supply_v some_o other_o way_n but_o for_o other_o who_o have_v both_o ability_n and_o opportunity_n of_o read_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v their_o bind_a duty_n so_o it_o can_v argue_v no_o less_o than_o contempt_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o neglect_v it_o for_o since_o god_n have_v condescend_v for_o their_o good_a to_o write_v it_o how_o can_v they_o 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and_o vanity_n of_o this_o wicked_a world_n make_v provision_n for_o the_o flesh_n to_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n thereof_o and_o be_v lead_v captive_a by_o the_o devil_n at_o his_o pleasure_n who_o solemn_o renounce_v all_o these_o in_o their_o baptism_n because_o for_o want_v of_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o scripture_n they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o force_n without_o which_o they_o can_v successful_o encounter_v these_o their_o spiritual_a enemy_n nor_o be_v such_o person_n in_o more_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o sin_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n than_o of_o be_v mislead_v in_o point_n of_o belief_n for_o have_v no_o solid_a foundation_n to_o bottom_v their_o faith_n upon_o thy_o will_n like_o child_n be_v toss_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o slight_a of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v it_o need_v not_o therefore_o seem_v strange_a if_o many_o person_n shall_v be_v seduce_v from_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o for_o some_o time_n make_v profession_n of_o in_o short_a ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o s._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o my_o text_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o evil_a how_o deplorable_a then_o must_v their_o condition_n be_v who_o live_v in_o the_o constant_a disuse_n and_o neglect_n of_o they_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v be_v at_o first_o address_v to_o layman_n that_o god_n have_v plain_o command_v they_o to_o acquaint_v themselves_o familiar_o with_o they_o that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o use_n and_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v write_v do_v concern_v the_o laity_n that_o some_o special_a duty_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o which_o no_o man_n can_v perform_v who_o be_v not_o conversant_a in_o the_o scripture_n have_v also_o show_v the_o great_a need_n the_o laity_n stand_v in_o of_o they_o the_o inestimable_a benefit_n they_o may_v receive_v by_o they_o and_o the_o intolerable_a evil_n they_o will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o in_o case_n they_o neglect_v the_o study_n of_o they_o viii_o what_o now_o remain_v to_o quicken_v you_o further_o to_o this_o great_a duty_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o it_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v just_a matter_n of_o wonder_n to_o find_v any_o thing_n object_v against_o a_o duty_n so_o clear_a and_o of_o such_o great_a moment_n yet_o so_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n have_v dare_v to_o say_v those_o thing_n which_o if_o they_o be_v true_a may_v just_o affright_v the_o people_n from_o it_o and_o make_v they_o take_v it_o for_o a_o sin_n rather_o than_o a_o duty_n to_o read_v the_o bible_n in_o general_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o promiscuous_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o vulgar_a do_v more_o hurt_n than_o good_a 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several_a thing_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n as_o now_o propose_v each_o of_o which_o single_o consider_v will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n 1._o this_o reflect_v foul_a dishonour_n upon_o god_n himself_o for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o high_o derogatory_n both_o to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n than_o to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v write_v such_o a_o book_n for_o his_o people_n use_n which_o they_o can_v read_v but_o they_o will_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v eternal_o ruin_v by_o it_o if_o this_o be_v so_o they_o be_v then_o much_o behold_v to_o those_o who_o take_v the_o bible_n from_o they_o but_o owe_v no_o thanks_o to_o god_n who_o give_v it_o to_o they_o 2._o our_o bless_a saviour_n think_v the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o cause_n of_o heresy_n and_o the_o mean_n he_o prescribe_v to_o prevent_v and_o cure_v they_o be_v the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n you_o err_v say_v he_o to_o the_o sadducee_n what_o because_o you_o study_v the_o scripture_n no_o but_o because_o you_o know_v 29._o matth._n 22._o 29._o not_o the_o scripture_n and_o though_o he_o very_o well_o know_v how_o malicious_o the_o jew_n be_v bend_v to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o justify_v their_o rejection_n of_o he_o yet_o do_v he_o not_o reprove_v they_o for_o read_v the_o scripture_n they_o so_o much_o abuse_v but_o contrariwise_o command_v to_o read_v they_o again_o and_o more_o diligent_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o they_o 39_o joh._n 5._o 39_o testify_v of_o i_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o will_v not_o yet_o believe_v on_o i_o but_o take_v i_o for_o a_o deceiver_n i_o require_v you_o therefore_o not_o bare_o to_o read_v but_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v attentive_o thorough_o and_o impartial_o to_o read_v they_o and_o you_o will_v then_o be_v convince_v that_o