it_o necessary_a then_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o life_n and_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v put_v into_o write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o certain_o convey_v and_o that_o while_o they_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n 2._o and_o so_o i_o come_v to_o the_o second_o rule_n of_o discern_v the_o primitive_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n viz._n the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n when_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n come_v to_o be_v contest_v be_v the_o infallible_a rule_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n there_o be_v some_o who_o pretend_v that_o the_o apostle_n write_n be_v mere_o accidental_a and_o occasional_a thing_n but_o that_o the_o main_a design_n be_v to_o lodge_v the_o great_a assurance_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n in_o tradition_n from_o one_o to_o another_o and_o what_o they_o write_v be_v not_o to_o make_v any_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o only_o to_o give_v some_o good_a advice_n to_o those_o church_n they_o write_v to_o but_o i_o shall_v now_o prove_v that_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v intend_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o be_v a_o stand_a rule_n whereby_o the_o church_n be_v to_o judge_v which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o from_o the_o reason_n and_o occasion_n of_o write_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o gospel_n we_o must_v distinguish_v the_o general_n reason_n of_o write_v they_o from_o the_o particular_a occasion_n as_o to_o the_o several_a gospel_n the_o general_a reason_n be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n which_o inspire_v and_o guide_v they_o the_o particular_a occasion_n relate_v to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o write_v they_o the_o general_a reason_n be_v that_o which_o irenaeus_n give_v 1._o viz._n that_o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o have_v first_o preach_v be_v by_o the_o will_n of_o god_n put_v into_o write_v that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o foundation_n and_o pillar_n of_o our_o faith._n not_o mere_o to_o keep_v up_o the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o which_o fevardentius_n yield_v and_o thereby_o overthrow_v the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n but_o that_o so_o it_o may_v be_v a_o certain_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o all_o age_n the_o evangelist_n say_v st._n augustin_n 54._o be_v but_o christ_n hand_n which_o himself_o as_o the_o head_n direct_v in_o write_v the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o look_v on_o the_o gospel_n as_o his_o own_o handwriting_n the_o holy_a ghost_n say_v he_o direct_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o evangelist_n 53._o as_o to_o the_o order_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o write_n which_o vary_v according_o to_o the_o particular_a occasion_n but_o yet_o be_v all_o subservient_fw-fr to_o the_o general_n reason_n st._n matthew_n write_v the_o first_o gospel_n 2._o say_v eusebius_n to_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o he_o have_v preach_v because_o go_v into_o other_o part_n he_o will_v supply_v the_o want_n of_o his_o presence_n among_o they_o by_o his_o write_n what_o need_v this_o if_o tradition_n be_v a_o certain_a and_o infallible_a way_n of_o convey_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n st._n chrysostom_n say_v 〈…〉_z the_o jewish_a christian_n desire_v he_o to_o put_v into_o write_v what_o they_o have_v hear_v he_o preach_v do_v not_o they_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o tradition_n better_o or_o why_o shall_v st._n matthew_n put_v they_o out_o of_o a_o infallible_a way_n the_o authority_n of_o the_o imperfect_a work_n on_o st._n matthew_n say_v prâ—â—ogo_n they_o desire_v he_o to_o write_v his_o gospel_n that_o where_o ever_o they_o go_v they_o may_v carry_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n with_o they_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n say_v the_o occasion_n of_o writing_n st._n mark_v gospel_n be_v 15._o that_o the_o people_n be_v not_o satisfy_v with_o a_o unwritten_a delivery_n of_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n and_o therefore_o importune_v mark_n who_o be_v the_o disciple_n of_o st._n peter_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v a_o monument_n of_o his_o doctrine_n in_o write_v which_o st._n peter_n understand_v by_o revelation_n approve_v and_o confirm_v his_o gospel_n for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n origen_n say_v he_o write_v it_o according_a to_o st._n peter_n direction_n 25._o epiphanius_n say_v by_o his_o authority_n athanasius_n say_v it_o be_v dictate_v by_o he_o at_o rome_n 155._o it_o seem_v that_o peter_n himself_o do_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o leave_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o a_o oral_a tradition_n even_o at_o rome_n but_o irenaeus_n think_v it_o be_v write_v after_o st._n peter_n decease_n 5._o who_o therein_o differ_v from_o the_o rest_n and_o show_v how_o uncertain_a mere_a tradition_n be_v eccles_n tertullian_n say_v st._n mark_v gospel_n be_v attribute_v to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n luke_n to_o st._n paul._n st._n jerom_n mention_n the_o opinion_n of_o some_o that_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v according_a to_o my_o gospel_n he_o mean_v that_o of_o st._n luke_n but_o st._n luke_n himself_o plain_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o occasion_n of_o his_o write_n luc._n st._n ambrose_n think_v by_o those_o who_o have_v take_v in_o hand_n to_o write_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v firm_o believe_v among_o we_o 1._o he_o mean_v the_o author_n of_o the_o counterfeit_a gospel_n as_o that_o of_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n and_o st._n mathias_n but_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n that_o these_o be_v old_a than_o st._n luke_n his_o meaning_n be_v that_o in_o those_o part_n where_o he_o be_v there_o be_v some_o who_o do_v undertake_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o life_n and_o action_n of_o christ_n who_o want_v the_o advantage_n which_o he_o have_v have_v have_v great_a opportunity_n of_o know_a circumstance_n from_o the_o eye-witness_n and_o therefore_o he_o set_v himself_o to_o give_v a_o exact_a relation_n of_o they_o that_o not_o only_a theophilus_n 51._o but_o every_o one_o that_o answer_v his_o name_n may_v know_v the_o certainty_n of_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o have_v be_v instruct_v but_o do_v not_o they_o know_v the_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v yes_o but_o the_o thing_n they_o hear_v may_v slip_v out_o of_o their_o memory_n and_o to_o prevent_v this_o say_v theophylact_v st._n luke_n write_v his_o gospel_n luc._n that_o they_o may_v retain_v these_o thing_n with_o great_a certainty_n and_o word_n that_o be_v only_o speak_v be_v more_o easy_o misunderstand_v prol_n which_o maldonat_a assign_v as_o one_o great_a reason_n of_o the_o evangelist_n write_v their_o several_a gospel_n st._n john_n likewise_o give_v a_o account_n himself_o of_o the_o reason_n of_o his_o write_n and_o that_o the_o great_a imaginable_a but_o these_o be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n 31._o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n why_o write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v do_v the_o apostle_n in_o his_o old_a age_n mistrust_v the_o understanding_n or_o the_o memory_n of_o christian_n be_v not_o the_o apostle_n teach_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v up_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n no_o not_o while_n st._n john_n himself_o be_v yet_o live_v he_o have_v certain_o a_o very_a mean_a opinion_n of_o tradition_n that_o think_v it_o necessary_a for_o he_o to_o write_v that_o they_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god._n for_o there_o be_v no_o point_n of_o faith_n more_o necessary_a than_o this_o which_o be_v require_v of_o all_o person_n to_o be_v own_v before_o baptism_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o and_o whatever_o else_o can_v be_v say_v st._n john_n think_v it_o necessary_a that_o these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o they_o may_v believe_v he_o live_v the_o long_a of_o any_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o therefore_o see_v how_o little_a tradition_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v for_o it_o be_v already_o corrupt_v in_o so_o weighty_a a_o point_n as_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ._n cerinthus_n and_o his_o follower_n allow_v the_o general_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o then_o they_o give_v their_o own_o sense_n of_o it_o by_o extraordinary_a favour_n and_o adoption_n eccles._n and_o from_o hence_o the_o father_n agree_v that_o st._n john_n take_v occasion_n to_o write_v his_o divine_a gospel_n to_o clear_v this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a faith._n and_o withal_o observe_v that_o the_o other_o evangelist_n insist_v chief_o on_o the_o action_n of_o christ_n for_o one_o year_n 51._o viz._n after_o john_n imprisonment_n he_o resume_v the_o whole_a matter_n matth._n and_o add_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v omit_v by_o the_o rest_n 24._o that_o so_o
fast_o to_o the_o tradition_n they_o have_v be_v teach_v i._n e._n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n they_o have_v receive_v in_o that_o manner_n but_o it_o be_v urge_v 5._o that_o he_o mention_n before_o something_o he_o have_v say_v about_o antichrist_n come_v when_o he_o be_v with_o they_o v_o 5._o if_o this_o be_v allow_v it_o will_v be_v more_o against_o than_o for_o tradition_n for_o what_o be_v become_v of_o that_o tradition_n if_o it_o be_v lose_v than_o it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n be_v no_o infallible_a way_n of_o conveyence_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o adhere_v to_o a_o write_a word_n 2._o which_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o second_o reason_n from_o which_o i_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o write_a rule_n for_o discern_v true_a primitive_a christianity_n and_o that_o be_v from_o the_o notorious_a uncertainty_n of_o mere_a tradition_n i_o say_v notorious_a because_o there_o never_o be_v any_o trial_n make_v of_o it_o but_o it_o fail_v even_o when_o it_o have_v the_o great_a advantage_n i_o may_v insist_v upon_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o man_n life_n be_v so_o long_o and_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o natural_a religion_n so_o few_o and_o yet_o both_o before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n mankind_n be_v strange_o degenerate_v from_o they_o i_o may_v insist_v on_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o many_o that_o scarce_o one_o can_v be_v produce_v wherein_o they_o plead_v mere_a tradition_n but_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o as_o about_o the_o millennium_n the_o age_n of_o christ_n the_o time_n of_o easter_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o the_o communicate_v infant_n 4._o for_o st._n augustin_n quote_v apostolical_a tradition_n for_o it_o but_o i_o shall_v wave_v all_o these_o and_o only_o mention_v a_o very_a necessary_a and_o important_a thing_n which_o be_v a_o long_a time_n trust_v to_o tradition_n and_o yet_o they_o differ_v so_o much_o about_o it_o as_o evident_o prove_v that_o mere_a tradition_n be_v no_o infallible_a mean_n of_o conveyance_n and_o that_o be_v about_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o be_v to_o be_v repeat_v by_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v baptise_a we_o have_v many_o plain_a testimony_n to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v write_v but_o to_o be_v convey_v from_o one_o to_o another_o by_o a_o oral_a tradition_n hierosol_n st._n hierom_n 75._o st._n augustin_n symbol_n ruffinus_n all_o affirm_v it_o and_o the_o creed_n be_v common_o then_o call_v â—â—oem_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o show_v that_o they_o look_v on_o all_o the_o article_n therein_o contain_v as_o the_o standard_n of_o necessary_a point_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o considerable_a difference_n in_o the_o ancient_a creed_n some_o article_n be_v in_o some_o which_o be_v not_o in_o other_o although_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o necessary_a point_n be_v at_o first_o the_o same_o in_o all_o or_o else_o the_o several_a church_n must_v have_v different_a rule_n of_o faith._n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v call_v 9_o the_o mother_n of_o all_o church_n by_o the_o general_n council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o in_o the_o creed_n there_o deliver_v to_o the_o catechuman_n 11._o st._n cyril_n mention_n the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n before_o all_o world_n and_o so_o do_v 12._o eusebius_n at_o caesarea_n in_o the_o creed_n which_o he_o say_v he_o learn_v at_o his_o baptism_n which_o be_v long_o before_o the_o nicene_n creed_n 4._o cassian_n make_v it_o a_o part_n of_o that_o creed_n which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o be_v particular_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n but_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o western_a creed_n as_o far_o as_o now_o appear_v by_o what_o st._n augustin_n ruffinus_n and_o other_o say_v in_o their_o exposition_n of_o it_o st._n jerom_n write_v against_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n urge_v he_o with_o the_o creed_n pammach_n no_o doubt_n that_o which_o be_v receive_v in_o his_o own_o church_n and_o he_o say_v it_o consist_v of_o three_o main_a point_n the_o confession_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o flesh._n and_o the_o creed_n of_o the_o church_n of_o aquileia_n go_v no_o far_o say_v 9_o ruffinus_n nor_o some_o old_a copy_n of_o the_o roman_a creed_n but_o marcellus_n of_o ancyra_n have_v eternal_a life_n in_o his_o 72._o creed_n and_o so_o have_v 18._o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o have_v the_o african_a church_n in_o st._n etc._n augustins_n time_n so_o have_v the_o church_n of_o ravena_n but_o not_o the_o church_n of_o turin_n nor_o the_o gallican_n church_n if_o maimus_fw-la taurinensis_n and_o venantius_n fortunatus_n explain_v all_o the_o article_n of_o their_o creed_n ruffinus_n confess_v the_o article_n of_o descent_n into_o hell_n be_v not_o in_o the_o roman_a nor_o in_o any_o of_o the_o eastern_a creed_n the_o creed_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o aquileia_n have_v not_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n nor_o those_o of_o marcellus_n and_o at_o epiphanius_n the_o title_n of_o catholic_n be_v not_o add_v to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o creed_n in_o st._n 243._o augustins_n time_n for_o he_o make_v it_o a_o periphrasis_n utique_fw-la catholicam_fw-la from_o whence_o probable_o it_o come_v to_o be_v add_v afterward_o ruffinus_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o extant_a in_o the_o old_a copy_n of_o the_o roman_a creed_n nor_o in_o that_o of_o marcellus_n ancyranus_n these_o thing_n i_o mention_v not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o shake_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o 1._o st._n augustin_n say_v be_v gather_v out_o of_o scripture_n and_o be_v agreeable_a to_o they_o but_o to_o show_v what_o a_o uncertain_a way_n of_o conveyance_n mere_a oral_a tradition_n be_v when_o a_o thing_n so_o easy_o remember_v so_o constant_o use_v of_o so_o much_o weight_n and_o consequence_n fall_v into_o such_o variety_n in_o the_o great_a church_n while_o they_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a about_o the_o write_n of_o it_o what_o cause_n have_v we_o then_o to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n that_o have_v take_v so_o much_o care_n of_o his_o church_n as_o to_o provide_v we_o a_o infallible_a write_a rule_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whereby_o we_o certain_o know_v what_o the_o true_a primitive_a christianity_n be_v which_o be_v deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o here_o be_v a_o great_a difficulty_n to_o be_v remove_v as_o to_o the_o write_a word_n how_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a we_o have_v it_o if_o not_o by_o tradition_n and_o if_o tradition_n be_v so_o uncertain_a how_o can_v we_o be_v make_v certain_a by_o it_o that_o we_o have_v that_o write_v word_n which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v for_o may_v not_o that_o fail_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o the_o creed_n and_o then_o what_o security_n can_v we_o have_v for_o our_o faith_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v show_v 1._o what_o advantage_n thing_n that_o be_v write_v have_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o conveyance_n above_o thing_n mere_o commit_v to_o memory_n and_o tradition_n 2._o what_o advantage_n the_o scripture_n have_v above_o any_o other_o thing_n commit_v to_o write_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o conveyence_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o advantage_n thing_n write_v have_v above_o those_o commit_v to_o memory_n and_o tradition_n only_o which_o will_v appear_v by_o these_o thing_n 1._o it_o be_v the_o way_n god_n himself_o make_v choice_n of_o where_o the_o reason_n for_o tradition_n be_v strong_a i_o mean_v as_o to_o the_o ten_o commandment_n which_o be_v short_a and_o plain_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v remember_v and_o very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o general_n interest_n of_o mankind_n yet_o the_o wise_a god_n who_o perfect_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n will_v not_o leave_v the_o 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the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n 3._o which_o be_v find_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n this_o be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o hilkiah_n the_o high_a priest_n think_v it_o necessary_a for_o josiah_n to_o go_v by_o and_o not_o by_o any_o tradition_n leave_v among_o they_o concern_v the_o law_n which_o god_n have_v give_v by_o moses_n 3._o this_o be_v that_o which_o our_o saviour_n appeal_v to_o in_o all_o his_o dispute_n 39_o search_v the_o scripture_n say_v he_o to_o the_o jew_n not_o run_v to_o your_o tradition_n for_o those_o be_v then_o very_o corrupt_v especial_o about_o the_o messiah_n as_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v a_o temporal_a prince_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v then_o a_o dangerous_a and_o fundamental_a mistake_n and_o therefore_o christ_n appeal_v from_o they_o to_o the_o scripture_n and_o they_o be_v they_o which_o testify_v of_o i_o 46._o have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o but_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o his_o 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scripture_n and_o tradition_n compare_v in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o guild-hall_n chapel_n novemb_n 27._o 1687._o by_o edward_n stillingfleet_n d._n d._n and_o dean_n of_o st._n paul_n london_n print_v for_o henry_n mortlock_n at_o the_o phoenix_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1688._o imprimatur_fw-la guil._n needham_n rmo_n in_o christo_fw-la ac_fw-la d._n d._n wilhelmo_n archiep._n cant._n a_o sacris_fw-la dome_v nou._n 28._o 1687._o the_o preface_n i_o intend_v god_n willing_a to_o publish_v in_o a_o little_a time_n a_o full_a answer_n to_o j.s._n his_o catholic_n letter_n so_o far_o as_o i_o be_o concern_v in_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n i_o think_v it_o not_o unfit_a to_o print_v this_o sermon_n i_o late_o preach_v that_o i_o may_v give_v a_o general_n view_v of_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n as_o to_o the_o way_n of_o convey_v matter_n of_o faith_n before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o particular_a debate_n with_o j.s._n wherein_o i_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o i_o shall_v be_v 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he_o assure_v they_o that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v of_o itself_o so_o sufficient_a for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n that_o it_o need_v no_o addition_n either_o from_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o may_v introduce_v several_a thing_n with_o a_o specious_a appearance_n of_o wisdom_n humility_n and_o mortification_n but_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v assure_v that_o from_o christ_n they_o have_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a or_o useful_a for_o salvation_n 3._o for_o in_o he_o be_v hide_v all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n 2._o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o true_o deliver_v to_o they_o and_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v steadfast_a in_o it_o which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o text._n but_o they_o may_v object_v that_o epaphras_n be_v no_o apostle_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o if_o he_o be_v yet_o there_o be_v many_o apostle_n and_o the_o false_a apostle_n pretend_v to_o be_v true_a one_o and_o although_o st._n paul_n interpose_v his_o authority_n yet_o he_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o judaizer_n will_v not_o yield_v to_o it_o but_o be_v ready_a to_o suggest_v that_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v more_o favourable_a to_o the_o jewish_a custom_n than_o he_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a some_o more_o general_a and_o common_a rule_n be_v find_v out_o whereby_o to_o distinguish_v the_o original_a and_o genuine_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n from_o that_o of_o pretender_n and_o seducer_n the_o clear_n of_o this_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n and_o not_o only_o be_v to_o those_o of_o that_o age_n but_o be_v so_o in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n where_o the_o same_o question_n may_v be_v put_v what_o be_v the_o true_a primitive_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o what_o mean_n may_v we_o come_v to_o it_o which_o concern_v we_o this_o day_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o the_o answer_n lie_v in_o two_o particular_n which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v 1._o 〈…〉_z the_o apostle_n do_v in_o common_a deliver_v to_o 〈…〉_z by_o they_o be_v the_o genuine_a doctrine_n 〈…〉_z 2._o that_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v in_o their_o write_n after_o it_o come_v to_o be_v contest_v which_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n 3._o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o common_a deliver_v to_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o for_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v one_o and_o the_o same_o faith_n to_o all_o the_o church_n have_v the_o same_o infallible_a spirit_n to_o direct_v they_o there_o be_v no_o need_n for_o they_o to_o meet_v together_o before_o their_o dispersion_n and_o to_o agree_v upon_o some_o common_a article_n of_o faith_n symbol_n as_o russinus_n imagine_v lest_o they_o shall_v differ_v from_o each_o other_o for_o how_o can_v they_o differ_v 13._o who_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o 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there_o have_v be_v some_o whisper_n concern_v he_o as_o though_o he_o proceed_v not_o in_o the_o same_o way_n with_o the_o rest_n he_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n and_o there_o upon_o full_a examination_n james_n and_o cephas_n 9_o and_o john_n who_o be_v the_o lead_a apostle_n give_v he_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n in_o token_n of_o their_o full_a consent_n in_o the_o same_o faith._n 2._o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o more_o plain_o discover_v all_o this_o while_n the_o apostle_n only_o preach_v and_o deliver_v their_o doctrine_n to_o the_o several_a church_n by_o verbal_a instruction_n but_o after_o these_o have_v be_v receive_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o such_o multitude_n that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o suspicion_n that_o a_o false_a representation_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n or_o action_n can_v be_v receive_v by_o those_o church_n than_o the_o wise_a providence_n of_o god_n take_v care_n for_o posterity_n and_o employ_v several_a person_n in_o distant_a place_n and_o time_n to_o write_v the_o history_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o there_o be_v this_o advantage_n to_o the_o church_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v no_o soon_o for_o all_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v then_o make_v judge_n whether_o the_o gospel_n write_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o apostle_n have_v teach_v and_o if_o not_o there_o will_v have_v be_v just_a reason_n to_o have_v question_v either_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o have_v be_v teach_v they_o or_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o gospel_n but_o when_o they_o find_v the_o main_a to_o be_v full_o consonant_a to_o what_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v the_o testimony_n of_o every_o one_o of_o these_o church_n do_v show_v the_o concurrence_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n as_o to_o the_o doctrine_n
the_o church_n may_v be_v furnish_v with_o a_o full_a relation_n of_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o complete_a and_o establish_v the_o faith_n of_o christian_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o epistle_n the_o first_o epistle_n we_o read_v of_o in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o in_o probability_n the_o first_o writing_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v the_o decretal_a epistle_n of_o the_o council_n of_o jerusalem_n 23._o what_o shall_v make_v the_o apostle_n put_v these_o decree_n into_o write_v they_o be_v very_o short_a and_o concern_v the_o practice_n of_o man_n and_o withal_o be_v send_v by_o barnabas_n and_o paul_n and_o judas_n and_o silas_n be_v not_o these_o sufficient_a to_o deliver_v the_o apostle_n sense_n to_o the_o church_n without_o letter_n from_o they_o what_o a_o pitiful_a thing_n do_v they_o take_v oral_a tradition_n to_o be_v if_o they_o think_v such_o man_n can_v not_o by_o it_o give_v full_a satisfaction_n to_o the_o church_n of_o syria_n and_o cilicia_n unless_o they_o send_v it_o under_o their_o hand_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v write_v by_o st._n paul_n on_o purpose_n to_o clear_v some_o main_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o be_v then_o warm_o dispute_v between_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n and_o between_o the_o judaize_v christian_n and_o other_o as_o about_o justification_n rejection_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o difference_n of_o meat_n etc._n etc._n and_o st._n paul_n take_v very_o needless_a pain_n in_o write_v that_o excellent_a epistle_n if_o he_o know_v of_o christ_n appoint_v a_o judge_n of_o controversy_n there_o or_o if_o he_o think_v write_v be_v not_o a_o certain_a way_n to_o make_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n whereby_o they_o be_v to_o judge_v in_o those_o matter_n the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v write_v not_o mere_o to_o reprove_v their_o faction_n and_o disorder_n but_o to_o direct_v they_o and_o to_o establish_v and_o prove_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o resurrection_n 2._o which_o be_v then_o contest_v among_o they_o the_o epistle_n be_v send_v by_o stephanus_n and_o fortunatus_n who_o can_v have_v carry_v the_o apostle_n sense_n without_o his_o write_n but_o there_o be_v many_o weighty_a thing_n beside_o the_o particular_a occasion_n which_o be_v of_o last_a concernment_n to_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n as_o there_o be_v likewise_o in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o they_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n be_v write_v on_o occasion_n of_o one_o of_o the_o great_a point_n of_o controversy_n at_o that_o time_n viz._n the_o use_n and_o obligation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o st._n paul_n sound_n by_o sad_a experience_n among_o they_o that_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o those_o who_o have_v the_o best_a instruction_n either_o to_o forget_v they_o or_o to_o grow_v out_o of_o love_n with_o they_o and_o to_o be_v fond_a of_o a_o change_n else_o he_o will_v never_o have_v say_v 1._o o_o foolish_a galatian_n who_o have_v bewitch_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v not_o obey_v the_o truth_n and_o i_o marvel_v that_o you_o be_v so_o soon_o remove_v from_o he_o that_o call_v you_o into_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n into_o another_o gospel_n 6._o how_o be_v it_o indeed_o possible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v remove_v and_o to_o be_v soon_o remove_v who_o have_v receive_v the_o faith_n by_o the_o delivery_n of_o st._n paul_n himself_o then_o for_o all_o that_o i_o can_v see_v human_a nature_n take_v with_o all_o its_o advantage_n and_o motive_n and_o evidence_n be_v a_o very_a sallible_a thing_n and_o if_o then_o it_o may_v be_v deceive_v and_o that_o so_o easy_o and_o gross_o then_o much_o more_o in_o any_o follow_a age_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o human_a nature_n be_v mighty_o change_v for_o the_o better_a since_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o any_o teacher_n since_o be_v more_o effectual_a than_o the_o apostle_n 10._o and_o especial_o than_o st._n paul_n who_o labour_v more_o abundant_o than_o they_o all_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n though_o write_v upon_o a_o general_a argument_n yet_o do_v suppose_v that_o they_o be_v in_o continual_a danger_n of_o be_v deceive_v 14._o and_o toss_v up_o and_o down_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o sleight_n of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o therefore_o he_o advise_v they_o to_o be_v upon_o their_o guard_n and_o to_o have_v their_o armour_n about_o they_o and_o one_o choice_a part_n of_o it_o 17._o be_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god._n the_o philippian_n be_v assault_v by_o a_o rude_a violent_a headstrong_a faction_n of_o judaizer_n 2._o which_o the_o apostle_n bid_v they_o to_o beware_v of_o and_o write_v his_o epistle_n to_o they_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o he_o exhort_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o in_o one_o spirit_n 27._o with_o one_o mind_n strive_v together_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n and_o in_o both_o epistle_n to_o timothy_n 3._o he_o give_v notice_n of_o a_o great_a defection_n from_o the_o christian_a faith_n he_o describe_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o that_o it_o shall_v be_v with_o sign_n and_o lie_a word_n and_o with_o all_o deceiveableness_n of_o unrighteousness_n in_o they_o that_o perish_v 10._o because_o they_o receive_v not_o the_o love_n of_o the_o truth_n 3._o that_o they_o shall_v speak_v lie_n in_o hypocrisy_n and_o forbid_v to_o marry_v and_o command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n 5._o be_v evil_a man_n have_v a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o i_o meddle_v not_o now_o with_o the_o time_n when_o this_o apostasy_n begin_v but_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o st._n paul_n suppose_v that_o those_o who_o at_o first_o receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n by_o tradition_n from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o may_v notwithstanding_o through_o their_o own_o weakness_n and_o folly_n and_o the_o artifices_fw-la of_o deceiver_n be_v draw_v from_o it_o and_o that_o to_o prevent_v such_o mischievous_a consequence_n he_o know_v no_o better_a mean_n than_o a_o write_a rule_n 17._o which_o he_o tell_v timothy_n be_v able_a to_o make_v he_o wise_a to_o salvation_n and_o to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work._n and_o to_o name_v no_o more_o the_o colossian_n be_v set_v upon_o by_o some_o who_o think_v to_o refine_v christianity_n or_o at_o least_o to_o make_v it_o more_o passable_a in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v introduce_v into_o it_o some_o rite_n of_o the_o jew_n some_o austerity_n of_o the_o gentile_n some_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o their_o adversary_n and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n he_o write_v this_o epistle_n to_o they_o to_o convince_v they_o that_o christianity_n alone_o be_v far_o beyond_o any_o mixture_n of_o the_o fancy_n or_o tradition_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v give_v they_o no_o better_a advice_n than_o as_o they_o have_v first_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o continue_v in_o it_o or_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n as_o they_o have_v receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n so_o to_o walk_v in_o he_o the_o design_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v that_o although_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n yet_o those_o occasion_n be_v so_o great_a and_o considerable_a and_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v so_o direct_a the_o hand_n and_o pen_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o write_v they_o that_o what_o they_o have_v therein_o deliver_v contain_v a_o complete_a rule_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a faith_n as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n but_o against_o this_o it_o be_v object_v that_o st._n paul_n himself_o charge_v the_o thessalonian_n to_o stand_v fast_o and_o hold_v the_o tradition_n which_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v either_o by_o word_n or_o by_o his_o epistle_n 15._o from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v other_o tradition_n to_o be_v hold_v that_o be_v not_o write_v the_o force_n of_o all_o this_o will_v be_v take_v away_o if_o we_o consider_v when_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v viz._n one_o of_o the_o first_o which_o st._n paul_n write_v and_o soon_o after_o the_o former_a epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n which_o be_v some_o time_n before_o st._n luke_n gospel_n which_o be_v first_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n of_o greece_n plant_v by_o st._n paul._n therefore_o all_o the_o proper_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o all_o that_o relate_v to_o his_o life_n and_o action_n be_v then_o but_o tradition_n among_o they_o and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n have_v great_a reason_n then_o to_o require_v they_o to_o stand_v