to_o continue_v the_o defender_n of_o that_o faith_n which_o past_o all_o per_fw-la adventure_n be_v true_o ancient_a and_o apostolical_a ii_o consider_v what_o abundant_a cause_n we_o have_v to_o be_v jealous_a of_o that_o religion_n which_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n submit_v to_o this_o great_a command_n in_o the_o text_n which_o fear_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o dare_v not_o stand_v the_o test_n certain_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o suspect_v that_o religion_n which_o do_v so_o manifest_o suspect_v itself_o it_o be_v a_o great_a argument_n that_o a_o man_n do_v doubt_v his_o cause_n and_o question_v its_o merit_n when_o he_o show_v himself_o exceed_v loath_a to_o come_v to_o a_o trial_n and_o it_o be_v a_o shrewd_a sign_n that_o ware_n be_v corrupt_a and_o naught_o when_o they_o be_v produce_v and_o show_v only_o in_o the_o dark_a what_o our_o bless_a saviour_n joh._n 3.21_o say_v of_o person_n may_v fit_o be_v say_v of_o religion_n too_o he_o that_o do_v 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14.34_o righteousness_n exalt_v a_o nation_n yea_o where_o virtue_n thrive_v where_o true_a religion_n flourish_v it_o be_v sure_a that_o kingdom_n will_v do_v so_o too_o we_o read_v that_o while_o the_o jew_n retain_v their_o religious_a worship_n in_o its_o purity_n they_o be_v a_o rich_a and_o thrive_a nation_n belove_v of_o god_n and_o therefore_o fear_v of_o man_n but_o when_o once_o they_o suffer_v idolatry_n and_o superstition_n to_o steal_v in_o among_o they_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o this_o very_a sin_n prove_v the_o subversion_n of_o their_o state_n and_o the_o ruin_n of_o their_o church_n methinks_v this_o dreadful_a instance_n shall_v make_v we_o exceed_o wary_a what_o religion_n we_o admit_v among_o we_o certain_o it_o will_v be_v our_o wisdom_n not_o to_o permit_v much_o less_o to_o establish_v by_o law_n any_o doctrine_n whatever_o that_o have_v already_o be_v not_o only_o suspect_v but_o upon_o mature_a advice_n condemn_v too_o except_o we_o be_v now_o 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and_o worship_n be_v sound_a and_o right_a must_v needs_o be_v in_o doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v good_a or_o no._n for_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o the_o report_n which_o he_o hear_v concern_v it_o may_v be_v false_a the_o person_n that_o recommend_v it_o to_o he_o may_v be_v mistake_v his_o forefather_n from_o who_o he_o derive_v his_o religion_n may_v be_v deceive_v nay_o that_o particular_a church_n whereof_o he_o be_v a_o member_n may_v possible_o be_v in_o a_o error_n too_o for_o tell_v i_o how_o gross_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n mistake_v though_o they_o have_v all_o the_o prophet_n to_o inform_v they_o concern_v that_o which_o they_o be_v most_o oblige_v to_o know_v the_o person_n doctrine_n and_o miracle_n of_o their_o own_o messiah_n and_o how_o stiff_o do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n this_o day_n contend_v for_o those_o foul_a error_n and_o abominable_a superstition_n for_o which_o there_o be_v very_o little_a to_o be_v plead_v save_v only_o the_o practice_n 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and_o exceed_o great_a my_o soul_n shall_v be_v satisfy_v as_o with_o marrow_n and_o fatness_n say_v holy_a david_n who_o well_o know_v what_o he_o do_v when_o he_o serve_v his_o god_n thus_o and_o thus_o and_o without_o all_o controversy_n there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o delight_n to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o thing_n whatever_o as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n the_o consideration_n of_o god_n special_a presence_n his_o favourable_a interpretation_n of_o our_o desire_n his_o kind_a acceptance_n of_o our_o poor_a endeavour_n the_o smile_n of_o his_o countenance_n the_o testimony_n of_o his_o spirit_n how_o do_v they_o fill_v the_o heart_n with_o joy_n but_o withal_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v expect_v by_o that_o soul_n who_o be_v not_o sure_a that_o his_o religion_n be_v right_a if_o a_o man_n be_v uncertain_a whether_o he_o present_v to_o god_n a_o sheep_n
or_o a_o swine_n a_o lamb_n or_o a_o dog_n what_o acceptance_n can_v he_o look_v for_o if_o a_o man_n be_v doubtful_a whether_o he_o offer_v up_o to_o his_o maker_n incense_v or_o snuff_n sacrifice_n or_o sin_n how_o do_v he_o know_v whether_o he_o do_v please_v his_o god_n or_o provoke_v he_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o rom._n 14.23_o whatsoever_o be_v not_o of_o faith_n be_v sin_n and_o if_o so_o that_o person_n who_o dare_v perform_v such_o and_o such_o a_o act_n at_o a_o venture_n whether_o right_a or_o wrong_n have_v cause_n enough_o to_o expect_v from_o god_n a_o frown_n rather_o than_o a_o smile_n and_o a_o check_n rather_o than_o a_o commendation_n wherefore_o if_o ever_o we_o desire_v to_o feel_v the_o comfort_n of_o divine_a worship_n if_o ever_o we_o desire_v to_o taste_v the_o pleasure_n of_o god_n service_n it_o must_v be_v our_o care_n and_o it_o be_v our_o concern_v to_o secure_v ourselves_o by_o infallible_a argument_n that_o our_o religion_n be_v such_o indeed_o as_o 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into_o a_o martyrdom_n thus_o saint_n paul_n 2_o tim._n 1.12_o for_o this_o cause_n i_o suffer_v these_o thing_n what_o thing_n do_v he_o mean_a persecution_n reproach_n bond_n imprisonment_n and_o indeed_o what_o not_o but_o why_o all_o this_o himself_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o selfsame_a verse_n i_o know_v who_o i_o have_v believe_v and_o i_o be_o persuade_v etc._n etc._n when_o a_o man_n know_v his_o faith_n be_v right_a when_o he_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o his_o religion_n will_v certain_o bear_v he_o out_o and_o make_v up_o all_o his_o loss_n o_o with_o what_o alacrity_n and_o cheerfulness_n may_v he_o suffer_v but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o we_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o goodness_n and_o excellence_n of_o our_o profession_n but_o continue_v stranger_n to_o it_o how_o easy_o shall_v we_o shake_v hand_n with_o it_o and_o in_o stead_n of_o be_v noble_a and_o faithful_a martyr_n become_v so_o many_o unworthy_a renegado_n and_o prove_v like_o julian_n false_a and_o base_a apostate_n 2._o that_o person_n who_o take_v no_o care_n to_o inform_v and_o satisfy_v himself_o concern_v the_o matter_n of_o his_o religion_n but_o take_v it_o up_o as_o he_o find_v it_o may_v very_o easy_o be_v mistake_v and_o close_o with_o a_o wrong_n in_o stead_n of_o a_o right_n so_o great_a be_v the_o variety_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n so_o politic_a be_v the_o devil_n so_o plausible_a be_v the_o heretic_n so_o subtle_a smooth_a and_o insinuate_a be_v the_o jesuit_n that_o if_o we_o have_v not_o a_o watchful_a eye_n and_o a_o discern_a spirit_n if_o we_o be_v not_o the_o more_o careful_a to_o inquire_v of_o god_n and_o good_a man_n it_o be_v like_a enough_o that_o their_o fair_a and_o specious_a pretence_n may_v deceive_v we_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o vice_n and_o virtue_n truth_n and_o error_n the_o counterfeit_n and_o the_o pearl_n may_v look_v so_o like_a to_o another_o that_o there_o be_v none_o but_o a_o artist_n who_o have_v a_o prudent_a head_n and_o a_o pierce_a eye_n that_o can_v ready_o apprehend_v and_o see_v the_o difference_n that_o several_a person_n be_v most_o miserable_o trepan_v and_o sad_o delude_v the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o thus_o the_o evangelist_n john_n 16.2_o whosoever_o kill_v you_o will_v think_v that_o he_o do_v god_n good_a service_n here_o be_v murder_n take_v to_o be_v religion_n and_o innocent_a blood_n think_v to_o be_v a_o sacrifice_n saint_n paul_n himself_o be_v thus_o deceive_v act_n 26.9_o i_o very_o think_v with_o myself_o that_o i_o ought_v to_o do_v many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n but_o what_o make_v he_o think_v so_o he_o tell_v we_o elsewhere_o sin_n deceive_v i_o rom._n 7.11_o and_o certain_o if_o saint_n paul_n that_o eminent_a and_o learned_a man_n be_v thus_o mistake_v if_o such_o a_o one_o as_o he_o take_v persecution_n to_o be_v devotion_n sin_n to_o be_v service_n and_o a_o high_a trespass_n to_o be_v a_o duty_n how_o then_o be_v we_o concern_v to_o take_v 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o_o what_o a_o dangerous_a person_n be_v every_o mistake_a zealot_n sure_o it_o be_v of_o all_o villain_n in_o the_o world_n the_o religious_a villain_n be_v the_o worst_a as_o for_o other_o villain_n who_o be_v inward_o convince_v that_o what_o they_o do_v be_v naught_o and_o wicked_a they_o can_v choose_v but_o now_o and_o then_o find_v some_o remorse_n regret_n and_o such_o check_n within_o they_o as_o must_v needs_o damp_n their_o spirit_n and_o gall_v their_o soul_n and_o put_v some_o little_a stop_n to_o their_o iniquity_n but_o as_o for_o the_o devout_a and_o pious_a villain_n what_o trouble_v can_v possible_o invade_v his_o spirit_n what_o pang_n of_o soul_n can_v he_o feel_v within_o he_o what_o can_v make_v he_o so_o much_o as_o once_o demur_v and_o pause_v in_o the_o least_o when_o his_o own_o conscience_n be_v misinform_v and_o sad_o delude_v do_v so_o far_o cheer_v he_o as_o to_o bid_v he_o expect_v a_o reward_n for_o that_o sin_n which_o it_o do_v not_o only_o represent_v but_o commend_v and_o applaud_v as_o a_o duty_n which_o god_n require_v and_o will_v certain_o bless_v we_o need_v no_o other_o instance_n in_o this_o case_n but_o that_o great_a one_o of_o saint_n paul_n while_o he_o believe_v the_o old_a religion_n of_o the_o jew_n to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a one_o while_o he_o be_v possess_v with_o prejudice_n against_o christianity_n and_o take_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v but_o a_o mere_a juggle_v a_o new_a imposture_n and_o a_o false_a way_n of_o worship_n what_o strange_a havoc_n do_v he_o make_v of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o in_o the_o defence_n of_o a_o wrong_a religion_n and_o the_o persecution_n of_o a_o right_a all_o the_o excuse_n which_o he_o plead_v for_o himself_o be_v only_o this_o i_o do_v it_o through_o ignorance_n yea_o have_v but_o saint_n paul_n knowledge_n then_o be_v as_o great_a as_o his_o zeal_n he_o will_v rather_o have_v lay_v himself_o then_o other_o in_o the_o gaol_n have_v he_o but_o examine_v matter_n a_o right_a and_o find_v christianity_n to_o be_v indeed_o the_o religion_n of_o god_n he_o will_v have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o shed_v other_o man_n blood_n that_o in_o the_o defence_n thereof_o he_o will_v ten_o thousand_o time_n rather_o have_v lose_v his_o own_o but_o o_o the_o direful_a effect_n of_o a_o mistake_a zeal_n this_o be_v the_o thing_n to_o which_o we_o must_v ascribe_v the_o most_o inhuman_a action_n that_o the_o world_n ever_o see_v from_o hence_o proceed_v that_o bloody_a massacre_n of_o paris_n and_o that_o unparalleled_a and_o hellish_a powder-treason_n from_o hence_o have_v proceed_v the_o assassination_n of_o prince_n the_o subversion_n of_o empire_n and_o the_o ruin_n of_o church_n and_o what_o if_o i_o tell_v you_o that_o misapprehension_n of_o religion_n have_v hang_v the_o son_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o lay_v his_o servant_n in_o the_o flame_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o the_o jew_n will_v ever_o have_v crucify_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n and_o their_o own_o messiah_n too_o have_v not_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n incline_v they_o to_o it_o nor_o can_v we_o reasonable_o conceive_v that_o the_o papist_n be_v such_o monster_n rather_o than_o man_n that_o they_o will_v ever_o have_v burn_v so_o many_o martyr_n have_v they_o not_o think_v that_o religion_n do_v require_v it_o and_o if_o so_o if_o the_o consequence_n of_o a_o mistake_a religion_n be_v so_o dreadful_a then_o sure_o we_o be_v high_o concern_v to_o make_v sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o we_o lest_o perhaps_o a_o error_n in_o our_o choice_n shall_v put_v we_o upon_o the_o commission_n of_o those_o horrid_a crime_n which_o none_o but_o a_o religious_a and_o zealous_a sinner_n dare_v attempt_v 2._o that_o person_n who_o be_v mistake_v in_o his_o religion_n be_v very_o like_a to_o lose_v that_o which_o be_v the_o bless_a fruit_n reward_n and_o end_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v sound_a true_a and_o right_o it_o be_v such_o a_o consideration_n as_o methinks_v shall_v mighty_o quicken_v we_o to_o the_o duty_n in_o the_o text_n prove_v all_o thing_n but_o why_o so_o why_o alas_o a_o mistake_n here_o will_v utter_o undo_v we_o that_o the_o consequence_n of_o religion_n be_v of_o the_o great_a concern_v imaginable_a it_o be_v beyond_o dispute_n so_o great_a that_o it_o can_v be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a whether_o our_o religion_n be_v right_a or_o wrong_n unless_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a too_o whether_o we_o be_v bless_v or_o curse_a whether_o we_o shall_v to_o heaven_n or_o hell_n that_o religion_n which_o be_v right_o be_v the_o only_a way_n through_o christ_n that_o lead_v to_o heaven_n and_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v wrong_n be_v one_o of_o the_o near_a and_o quick_a way_n to_o hell_n i_o remember_v the_o scripture_n mention_v the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n these_o be_v embrace_v and_o obey_v will_v sure_o make_v we_o happy_a but_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n the_o same_o scripture_n mention_v other_o doctrine_n strange_a doctrine_n the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n yea_o and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n too_o which_o be_v entertain_v will_v sure_o make_v we_o miserable_a but_o you_o will_v say_v how_o shall_v we_o know_v they_o how_o shall_v we_o pass_v a_o judgement_n whether_o such_o and_o such_o a_o doctrine_n be_v indeed_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n devil_n or_o man_n i_o answer_v 1._o all_o matter_n of_o religion_n must_v be_v examine_v prove_v and_o determine_v by_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n this_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a balance_n to_o weigh_v and_o touchstone_n to_o try_v all_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n to_o this_o the_o prophet_n direct_v isa_n 8.20_o to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n to_o this_o our_o saviour_n send_v his_o hearer_n joh._n 5.39_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o again_o how_o read_v thou_o and_o which_o be_v remarkable_a the_o ignorance_n of_o scripture_n do_v he_o make_v the_o only_a occasion_n and_o ground_n of_o error_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n so_o he_o tell_v the_o sadducee_n you_o err_v but_o why_o not_o know_v the_o scripture_n it_o seem_v that_o it_o be_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n which_o must_v be_v our_o guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v this_o which_o be_v the_o only_a infallible_a rule_n and_o unalterable_a standard_n to_o measure_v all_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n which_o such_o or_o such_o a_o church_n do_v teach_v recommend_v or_o require_v from_o we_o but_o 2._o the_o decree_n of_o general_a council_n those_o i_o mean_v that_o be_v convene_v in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n before_o the_o superstition_n and_o idolatry_n of_o rome_n that_o creep_v in_o by_o degree_n through_o carelessness_n vice_n and_o ignorance_n have_v overspread_v the_o church_n be_v of_o great_a use_n in_o this_o case_n too_o true_a it_o be_v the_o scripture_n be_v man_n only_a authentic_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o this_o rule_n of_o we_o in_o the_o most_o material_a and_o concern_v point_n of_o faith_n be_v obvious_a plain_a and_o easy_a but_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o other_o matter_n of_o religion_n though_o not_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n yet_o of_o considerable_a import_n and_o moment_n about_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o so_o intelligible_a at_o least_o to_o ordinary_a reader_n but_o that_o they_o want_v some_o good_a interpreter_n and_o who_o more_o fit_a to_o declare_v the_o sense_n of_o doubtful_a and_o difficult_a text_n than_o the_o first_o and_o best_a of_o council_n i_o read_v of_o the_o council_n of_o nicaea_n call_v by_o constantine_n the_o great_a against_o the_o heresy_n of_o arrius_n the_o council_n of_o constantinople_n summon_v by_o theodosius_n the_o first_o against_o the_o heresy_n of_o macedonius_n the_o council_n of_o ephesus_n call_v by_o theodosius_n the_o second_o against_o the_o heresy_n of_o nestorius_n the_o council_n of_o chalcedon_n call_v by_o martian_a 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