Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	ceremony_n	church_n	rite_n	3,560	5	9.9325	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

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

a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o sir_n p._n w._n anno_fw-la 1681._o with_o addition_n to_o which_o be_v annex_v three_o digressional_a exercitation_n i._n concern_v the_o true_a time_n of_o our_o saviour_n passover_n ii_o concern_v the_o prohibition_n of_o the_o hebrew_n canon_n to_o the_o ancient_a jew_n iii_o concern_v the_o jewish_a tetragrammaton_fw-gr and_o the_o pythagorick_a tetractys_n by_o john_n turner_n late_a fellow_n of_o christ_n college_n in_o cambridge_n london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1684._o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o sr_n patience_n ward_n upon_o the_o last_o sunday_n of_o his_o mayoralty_n anno_fw-la 1681._o with_o addition_n by_o john_n turner_n late_a fellow_n of_o christ_n college_n in_o cambridge_n virtus_fw-la repulsae_fw-la nescia_fw-la sordidae_fw-la intaminatis_fw-la fulget_fw-la honoribus_fw-la nec_fw-la sumit_fw-la aut_fw-la ponit_fw-la secure_v arbitrio_fw-la popularis_fw-la aurae_fw-la london_n print_v for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1683._o summa_fw-la privilegii_fw-la constitution_n and_o canon_n ecclesiastical_a 1640._o artic._n 8._o whereas_o the_o preach_a of_o order_n and_o decency_n according_a to_o st._n paul_n '_o s_o rule_n do_v conduce_v to_o edification_n it_o be_v require_v that_o all_o preacher_n as_o well_o benefice_v man_n as_o other_o shall_v positive_o and_o plain_o preach_v and_o instruct_v the_o people_n in_o their_o public_a sermon_n twice_o in_o the_o year_n at_o least_o that_o the_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n now_o establish_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v lawful_a and_o commendable_a and_o that_o they_o the_o say_v people_n and_o other_o ought_v to_o conform_v themselves_o in_o their_o practice_n to_o all_o the_o say_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n and_o that_o the_o people_n and_o other_o ought_v willing_o to_o submit_v themselves_o unto_o the_o authority_n and_o government_n of_o the_o church_n as_o it_o be_v now_o establish_v under_o the_o king_n majesty_n and_o if_o any_o preacher_n shall_v neglect_v or_o refuse_v to_o do_v according_a to_o this_o canon_n let_v he_o be_v suspend_v by_o his_o ordinary_n during_o the_o time_n of_o his_o refusal_n or_o wilful_a forbearance_n to_o do_v thereafter_o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n henry_n lord_z bishop_n of_o london_n dean_n of_o the_o chapel_n royal_a and_o one_o of_o his_o majesty_n be_v most_o honourable_a privy_a council_n may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n when_o the_o follow_a sermon_n be_v preach_v which_o be_v now_o a_o full_a twelvemonth_n ago_o and_o as_o much_o as_o since_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o october_n it_o make_v so_o great_a a_o noise_n about_o the_o town_n and_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o so_o loud_a a_o cry_n against_o i_o from_o a_o disloyal_a and_o disaffect_v party_n that_o i_o be_v force_v immediate_o to_o put_v it_o to_o the_o press_n not_o out_o of_o any_o vain_a opinion_n which_o i_o have_v of_o my_o performance_n which_o as_o it_o be_v but_o mean_a in_o itself_o so_o it_o can_v not_o be_v well_o expect_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v better_o consider_v the_o shortness_n of_o the_o time_n which_o be_v spend_v in_o the_o compose_n but_o for_o my_o own_o just_a and_o necessary_a vindication_n that_o the_o world_n may_v see_v and_o be_v satisfy_v what_o it_o be_v that_o have_v open_v the_o mouth_n of_o calumny_n and_o detraction_n so_o wide_o and_o your_o lordship_n have_v receive_v information_n that_o there_o be_v a_o design_n to_o make_v my_o sermon_n public_a which_o jacknowledge_n i_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v do_v without_o your_o lordship_n good_a leave_n by_o who_o commission_n and_o authority_n it_o be_v preach_v i_o be_v command_v to_o deliver_v up_o my_o note_n to_o be_v peruse_v by_o your_o lordship_n before_o they_o go_v to_o the_o press_n but_o it_o so_o happen_v that_o they_o be_v then_o actual_o in_o it_o before_o that_o order_n come_v and_o the_o first_o sheet_n have_v be_v print_v off_o all_o the_o possibility_n of_o obedience_n that_o be_v leave_v i_o be_v to_o recall_v my_o paper_n from_o the_o press_n and_o lay_v they_o at_o your_o lordship_n foot_n as_o they_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o the_o printer_n and_o in_o a_o condition_n very_o much_o ashamed_a to_o make_v their_o appearance_n before_o you._n your_o lordship_n be_v sensible_a of_o the_o confusion_n my_o paper_n as_o well_o as_o myself_o be_v in_o and_o will_v not_o suffer_v they_o to_o blush_v in_o your_o presence_n but_o be_v please_v to_o dismiss_v i_o in_o a_o most_o oblige_a manner_n for_o which_o unexpected_a goodness_n when_o i_o come_v so_o apprehensive_a as_o i_o be_v of_o a_o less_o favourable_a usage_n i_o be_o bind_v to_o pay_v you_o my_o everlasting_a thanks_o and_o to_o command_v i_o further_o not_o without_o express_v some_o trouble_n at_o the_o incivility_n and_o indiscretion_n of_o sir_n p._n w._n which_o be_v indeed_o a_o affront_n to_o your_o lordship_n and_o the_o whole_a clergy_n of_o the_o three_o kingdom_n in_o my_o person_n to_o let_v you_o see_v the_o paper_n when_o they_o be_v print_v i_o come_v away_o as_o i_o have_v reason_n from_o whitehall_n where_o i_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o pay_v my_o duty_n to_o your_o lordship_n then_o go_v to_o the_o council_n not_o only_o well_o satisfy_v but_o very_o much_o transport_v with_o so_o oblige_v a_o answer_n and_o have_v now_o a_o licence_n from_o yourself_o as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o eight_o of_o the_o ecclesiastical_a canon_n make_v and_o set_v forth_o by_o a_o convocation_n of_o the_o two_o province_n in_o 1640._o whereby_o we_o be_v oblige_v twice_o every_o year_n to_o preach_v upon_o the_o subject_a of_o decency_n and_o order_n and_o whatsoever_o may_v be_v preach_v may_v be_v print_v also_o if_o occasion_n so_o require_v i_o have_v now_o a_o double_a encouragement_n to_o go_v on_o with_o the_o impression_n and_o according_o i_o do_v go_v on_o if_o your_o lordship_n shall_v demand_v of_o i_o as_o it_o be_v very_o natural_a for_o you_o to_o do_v what_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o its_o publication_n be_v so_o long_o delay_v all_o the_o answer_n i_o can_v make_v be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o be_v i_o at_o first_o from_o design_v it_o for_o the_o press_n have_v i_o not_o be_v provoke_v to_o it_o by_o the_o clamour_n of_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n as_o well_o as_o encourage_v to_o stand_v up_o in_o my_o own_o defence_n by_o such_o as_o be_v friend_n to_o the_o government_n and_o by_o consequence_n to_o i_o i_o say_v as_o it_o be_v i_o find_v it_o to_o be_v a_o very_a imperfect_a and_o unfinished_a piece_n and_o such_o as_o have_v reason_n to_o apprehend_v the_o censure_n of_o its_o friend_n as_o well_o as_o enemy_n therefore_o i_o presume_v to_o take_v the_o liberty_n not_o to_o alter_v any_o thing_n which_o i_o have_v speak_v but_o only_o to_o add_v so_o much_o to_o it_o as_o may_v make_v a_o just_a disquisition_n upon_o the_o subject_a and_o yet_o if_o i_o have_v take_v a_o liberty_n of_o make_v alteration_n so_o it_o have_v be_v only_o in_o the_o expression_n not_o the_o sense_n it_o will_v have_v be_v such_o a_o liberty_n as_o will_v have_v be_v vouch_v by_o the_o best_a example_n that_o antiquity_n afford_v pliny_n as_o himself_o confess_v in_o his_o epistle_n do_v so_o by_o his_o panegyric_n to_o the_o emperor_n trajan_n and_o before_o he_o that_o great_a master_n as_o well_o of_o thought_n as_o expression_n do_v the_o same_o by_o his_o oration_n in_o defence_n of_o milo_n and_o not_o to_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o verrine_n oration_n and_o the_o invective_n against_o catiline_n it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o philippic_n instead_o of_o be_v burn_v as_o anthony_n will_v have_v have_v they_o have_v be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n with_o a_o improvement_n of_o incense_a eloquence_n and_o ciceronian_a rage_n there_o be_v one_o thing_n indeed_o which_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o ought_v to_o mention_v or_o no_o which_o do_v receive_v some_o little_a alteration_n if_o the_o omission_n of_o a_o line_n or_o two_o for_o it_o be_v no_o more_o may_v be_v call_v by_o that_o name_n and_o that_o be_v that_o upon_o occasion_n of_o discourse_n concern_v the_o persecution_n still_o rage_v in_o the_o territory_n of_o the_o french_a king_n i_o do_v speak_v of_o his_o majesty_n out_o of_o the_o zeal_n i_o have_v for_o the_o protestant_a religion_n and_o be_v under_o no_o tie_n of_o obedience_n to_o a_o foreign_a prince_n but_o only_o of_o respect_n to_o his_o character_n if_o he_o do_v worthy_o sustain_v it_o with_o so_o much_o sharpness_n and_o satyr_n compare_v his_o persecution_n to_o that_o of_o nero_n maximine_n or_o dioclesian_n which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n that_o be_v omit_v that_o there_o be_v person_n

to_o be_v submit_v to_o which_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o salvation_n and_o that_o church_n whatever_o she_o be_v let_v her_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n and_o truth_n be_v never_o so_o great_a which_o impose_v those_o either_o opinion_n or_o practice_n as_o the_o term_n of_o communion_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n or_o to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o impartial_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v communicate_v with_o any_o long_o but_o we_o must_v immediate_o come_v out_o from_o she_o and_o separate_v in_o our_o own_o desence_n lest_o we_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o her_o sin_n and_o of_o her_o plague_n and_o in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v she_o who_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o schism_n by_o necessitate_v a_o separation_n not_o we_o who_o separate_v when_o we_o can_v avoid_v it_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n i_o presume_v there_o be_v no_o man_n who_o call_v himself_o a_o protestant_n of_o what_o denomination_n or_o party_n soever_o he_o be_v who_o will_v charge_v our_o church_n with_o any_o damnable_a error_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v many_o of_o our_o dissent_v brethren_n who_o when_o they_o be_v tax_v with_o the_o unpleasant_a imputation_n of_o propagate_a very_a absurd_a and_o very_a unreasonable_a opinion_n be_v use_v to_o take_v sanctuary_n in_o the_o article_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n of_o who_o authority_n as_o to_o some_o point_n they_o will_v pretend_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a assertor_n with_o what_o justice_n i_o think_v i_o have_v in_o part_n discover_v in_o some_o other_o paper_n as_o to_o ceremony_n there_o be_v three_o restriction_n chief_o to_o be_v consider_v which_o if_o they_o be_v all_o careful_o observe_v in_o the_o discipline_n of_o any_o church_n there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o pretence_n or_o ground_n for_o separation_n upon_o a_o ceremonial_a account_n and_o those_o three_o restriction_n be_v these_o which_o follow_v first_o they_o must_v not_o be_v too_o cumbersome_a and_o heavy_a by_o their_o number_n second_o they_o must_v not_o be_v superstitious_a in_o their_o use_n three_o they_o must_v not_o be_v idolatrous_a in_o their_o direction_n first_o they_o must_v not_o be_v too_o cumbersome_a and_o heavy_a by_o their_o number_n for_o this_o be_v that_o which_o eat_v out_o the_o very_a heart_n and_o root_n of_o religion_n and_o take_v it_o off_o from_o be_v a_o devotional_a exercise_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o turn_v it_o into_o outward_a pomp_n and_o show_n which_o can_v neither_o make_v we_o better_a man_n for_o the_o future_a nor_o appease_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n or_o apply_v to_o we_o the_o merit_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n for_o what_o be_v past_a this_o be_v that_o of_o which_o st._n austin_n in_o his_o time_n complain_v but_o yet_o he_o do_v not_o think_v it_o lawful_a to_o make_v any_o breach_n or_o distrubance_n in_o the_o church_n upon_o this_o account_n but_o rather_o to_o take_v this_o occasion_n for_o the_o exercise_n of_o those_o two_o excellent_a virtue_n of_o patience_n and_o humility_n and_o expect_v the_o good_a time_n when_o this_o burden_n shall_v be_v remove_v by_o the_o same_o regular_a authority_n that_o have_v impose_v it_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o mosaic_a bondage_n especial_o as_o that_o bondage_n be_v afterward_o increase_v by_o the_o pharisical_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o by_o the_o traditionary_a rite_n and_o usage_n of_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o this_o be_v at_o this_o day_n and_o be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n and_o for_o many_o age_n before_o the_o case_n of_o the_o roman_a yoke_n from_o which_o the_o wisdom_n and_o piety_n of_o our_o ancestor_n have_v with_o no_o less_o justice_n than_o necessity_n free_v we_o and_o place_v we_o in_o that_o state_n of_o christian_a liberty_n which_o do_v not_o consist_v of_o such_o a_o exemption_n from_o all_o ceremony_n as_o some_o man_n seem_v to_o desire_v which_o be_v absurd_a and_o impossible_a in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o but_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o such_o as_o be_v best_a fit_v to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o all_o ceremony_n ought_v to_o be_v design_v and_o have_v the_o great_a tendency_n to_o edification_n there_o be_v other_o cause_n upon_o account_n of_o the_o ceremony_n impose_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n which_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o justify_v a_o separation_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o the_o two_o follow_a head_n and_o though_o a_o national_a or_o provincial_a church_n have_v a_o right_n and_o power_n within_o itself_o of_o retrench_v the_o supersluity_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a part_n of_o their_o divine_a service_n which_o may_v very_o well_o be_v do_v without_o any_o schism_n or_o separation_n from_o the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n abroad_o either_o on_o the_o one_o part_n or_o the_o other_o yet_o for_o private_a man_n to_o separate_v from_o the_o national_a establishment_n upon_o pretence_n that_o the_o ceremony_n be_v too_o burdensome_a or_o too_o many_o be_v manifest_o unlawful_a the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o will_v be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n to_o which_o a_o separation_n upon_o pretence_n of_o great_a purity_n be_v expose_v and_o in_o both_o case_n if_o every_o private_a man_n shall_v be_v allow_v to_o judge_v for_o himself_o and_o to_o proceed_v to_o a_o separation_n in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o judgement_n so_o infinite_a be_v the_o humour_n the_o sancy_n the_o prejudices_fw-la the_o perversity_n of_o some_o man_n so_o fond_a be_v they_o of_o novelty_n and_o change_n so_o apt_a to_o control_v authority_n and_o so_o desirous_a to_o be_v govern_v only_o by_o their_o own_o measure_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o last_a establishment_n in_o the_o world_n but_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n will_v be_v always_o reel_v like_o a_o drunken_a man_n and_o drive_v to_o and_o fro_o like_o a_o wave_n of_o the_o sea_n by_o every_o capricious_a wind_n of_o innovation_n we_o will_v suppose_v for_o the_o present_a in_o favour_n of_o the_o dissenter_n because_o they_o can_v prove_v it_o that_o there_o be_v too_o many_o ceremony_n in_o our_o church_n yet_o i_o presume_v it_o will_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v not_o above_o four_o or_o five_o or_o half_o a_o dozen_o too_o many_o or_o if_o you_o will_v to_o make_v it_o a_o plump_a number_n and_o to_o put_v the_o objection_n into_o better_a shape_n let_v they_o be_v half_o a_o score_n which_o i_o believe_v upon_o a_o exact_a computation_n will_v go_v a_o great_a way_n in_o the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o let_v all_o these_o be_v impose_v as_o indispensable_a condition_n of_o communion_n it_o be_v pretty_a severe_a i_o confess_v to_o lay_v so_o great_a a_o stress_n upon_o indifferent_a matter_n but_o yet_o certain_o no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n will_v ever_o pretend_v that_o this_o be_v such_o a_o intolerable_a burden_n as_o that_o he_o must_v needs_o separate_v rather_o than_o comply_v but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o that_o be_v so_o hardy_a to_o do_v it_o though_o i_o will_v not_o discommend_v they_o for_o their_o courage_n a_o virtue_n of_o which_o in_o this_o contentious_a age_n we_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o need_n yet_o in_o my_o opinion_n they_o deserve_v rather_o to_o be_v sound_o laugh_v at_o than_o serious_o confute_v what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o church_n power_n in_o retrench_v the_o number_n of_o her_o ceremony_n the_o same_o be_v likewise_o true_a as_o to_o the_o ceremony_n themselves_o that_o they_o may_v from_o time_n to_o time_n be_v alter_v and_o change_v for_o other_o in_o their_o stead_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n as_o shall_v seem_v most_o expedient_a to_o that_o public_a wisdom_n for_o the_o great_a purpose_n of_o edification_n but_o for_o every_o private_a person_n to_o challenge_v this_o right_n to_o himself_o be_v unlawful_a because_o liable_a to_o the_o same_o inconvenience_n with_o separate_v under_o colour_n of_o ceremonious_a superfluity_n or_o of_o pure_a ordinance_n and_o pure_a ordinance_n and_o pure_a worship_n which_o be_v therefore_o just_o to_o be_v suspect_v to_o proceed_v out_o of_o a_o bad_a design_n because_o they_o never_o can_v have_v any_o end_n saint_n paul_n in_o several_a place_n of_o his_o epistle_n express_v great_a tenderness_n for_o the_o infirmity_n of_o the_o weak_a brother_n but_o yet_o if_o the_o instance_n of_o such_o his_o condescension_n be_v examine_v they_o will_v be_v sound_a to_o be_v of_o a_o quite_o different_a nature_n from_o those_o which_o make_v up_o the_o pretence_n of_o our_o day_n as_o consist_v first_o in_o the_o eat_n of_o thing_n sacrifice_v to_o idol_n which_o as_o look_v like_o a_o participation_n of_o the_o table_n of_o devil_n and_o as_o be_v express_o prohibit_v by_o a_o

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