a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n at_o white-hall_n may_v the_o seven_o mdclxxvi_o by_o john_n sudbury_n d.d._n and_o dean_n of_o durham_n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n publish_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n in_o the_o savoy_n print_v by_o t._n newcomb_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o john_n herringman_n next_o to_o the_o fountain-tavern_n in_o the_o strand_n 1676._o 1_o tim_n 3.15_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n which_o lie_v upon_o st._n paul_n will_v neither_o suffer_v he_o to_o keep_v a_o constant_a residence_n upon_o any_o one_o of_o they_o nor_o to_o leave_v they_o as_o sheep_n without_o a_o shepherd_n to_o have_v that_o care_n of_o they_o in_o his_o absence_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v when_o he_o be_v present_a with_o they_o and_o therefore_o have_v spend_v some_o time_n at_o ephesus_n he_o depart_v from_o thence_o into_o macedonia_n leave_v the_o care_n of_o that_o church_n to_o timothy_n and_o write_v this_o epistle_n to_o he_o to_o let_v he_o know_v how_o he_o ought_v to_o behave_v himself_o in_o so_o excellent_a and_o worthy_a a_o province_n as_o that_o be_v which_o he_o have_v commit_v to_o he_o as_o he_o tell_v he_o in_o this_o and_o the_o former_a verse_n these_o thing_n write_v i_o unto_o thou_o hope_v to_o come_v unto_o thou_o short_o but_o if_o i_o tarry_v long_o that_o thou_o may_v know_v how_o thou_o ought_v to_o behave_v thyself_o in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o which_o word_n he_o set_v before_o he_o the_o dignity_n of_o that_o church_n which_o he_o have_v commit_v to_o his_o care_n in_o three_o excellent_a title_n the_o house_n of_o god_n the_o church_n of_o the_o live_a god_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n every_o one_o of_o which_o be_v very_o worthy_a of_o a_o distinct_a and_o particular_a consideration_n but_o this_o last_o have_v the_o most_o need_n of_o it_o because_o it_o have_v be_v very_o much_o perplex_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o work_n about_o it_o to_o make_v it_o serve_v the_o pride_n and_o ambition_n of_o a_o church_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o as_o any_o mention_n throughout_o the_o whole_a epistle_n all_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o sovereignty_n of_o power_n and_o jurisdiction_n which_o it_o claim_v over_o all_o other_o church_n the_o infallibility_n of_o all_o her_o doctrine_n and_o a_o immovable_a station_n in_o the_o truth_n from_o which_o it_o can_v never_o fall_v be_v charge_v upon_o this_o text_n but_o how_o unreasonable_o we_o shall_v see_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o these_o three_o particular_n i._o the_o church_n which_o be_v here_o call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n ii_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o this_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n iii_o the_o importance_n of_o these_o word_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n where_o it_o will_v not_o be_v hard_a to_o make_v it_o clear_a and_o evident_a that_o this_o pretend_v infallible_a oracle_n of_o truth_n be_v very_o much_o mistake_v in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o particular_n the_o church_n the_o truth_n and_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n for_o the_o church_n of_o which_o st._n paul_n speak_v in_o these_o word_n be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v be_v not_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n take_v upon_o it_o to_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n in_o their_o sense_n be_v not_o the_o sense_n of_o st._n paul_n and_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o st._n paul_n there_o be_v not_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o which_o this_o honour_n of_o be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n be_v not_o more_o due_a than_o it_o be_v to_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n and_o first_o for_o the_o church_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a and_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o church_n of_o which_o st._n paul_n speak_v in_o these_o word_n be_v not_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n for_o timothy_n to_o who_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n be_v not_o the_o bishop_n of_o rome_n but_o of_o ephesus_n there_o st._n paul_n leave_v he_o when_o he_o depart_v from_o thence_o into_o macedonia_n and_o he_o leave_v he_o to_o abide_v there_o and_o to_o do_v the_o office_n of_o a_o bishop_n there_o as_o he_o tell_v he_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o epistle_n i_o beseech_v thou_o to_o abide_v still_o at_o ephesus_n when_o i_o go_v into_o macedonia_n that_o thou_o may_v charge_v some_o that_o they_o teach_v no_o other_o doctrine_n this_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n not_o as_o it_o be_v the_o local_a church_n of_o ephesus_n divide_v from_o all_o other_o church_n as_o the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n be_v divide_v from_o all_o other_o city_n nor_o as_o the_o visible_a head_n of_o they_o all_o but_o as_o it_o be_v one_o with_o they_o all_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o one_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n of_o which_o that_o and_o all_o particular_a church_n be_v so_o many_o part_n and_o member_n which_o one_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n be_v one_o not_o by_o a_o corporal_a assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n but_o by_o a_o unanimous_a profession_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a faith_n and_o doctrine_n and_o discipline_n which_o be_v of_o more_o power_n and_o virtue_n to_o make_v they_o all_o one_o than_o any_o distance_n of_o place_n or_o difference_n of_o law_n language_n custom_n manner_n or_o any_o other_o difference_n among_o they_o can_v be_v to_o make_v they_o two_o second_o catholic_n because_o it_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o any_o nation_n as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v confine_v to_o one_o family_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o jacob_n and_o all_o their_o sacrifice_n to_o one_o place_n which_o be_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n but_o extend_v to_o all_o man_n every_o where_o without_o any_o distinction_n of_o jew_n and_o gentile_n barbarian_n scythian_n bond_n and_o free_a male_a and_o female_a three_o apostolic_a because_o that_o one_o catholic_n faith_n and_o doctrine_n in_o which_o they_o be_v all_o join_v together_o in_o one_o be_v that_o which_o they_o all_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n who_o sound_n be_v go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o earth_n 10.18_o rom._n 10.18_o and_o their_o word_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n now_o as_o that_o one_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n by_o their_o visible_a profession_n of_o that_o truth_n as_o we_o shall_v see_v afterward_o so_o particular_a church_n which_o make_v a_o visible_a profession_n of_o the_o same_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a truth_n be_v one_o with_o it_o and_o every_o one_o of_o they_o may_v be_v call_v a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n especial_o such_o of_o they_o as_o be_v the_o most_o eminent_a and_o conspicuous_a and_o such_o be_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n for_o as_o the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n be_v more_o numerous_a and_o conspicuous_a when_o st._n paul_n write_v this_o epistle_n than_o the_o church_n of_o the_o west_n so_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n be_v of_o great_a note_n and_o eminence_n among_o the_o church_n of_o the_o east_n it_o be_v as_o eminent_a a_o church_n for_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christian_a religion_n as_o the_o city_n of_o ephesus_n be_v for_o heathenish_a idolatry_n and_o superstition_n when_o it_o be_v a_o worshipper_n of_o the_o great_a goddess_n diana_n and_o of_o the_o image_n which_o fall_v down_o from_o jupiter_n the_o preach_v of_o the_o gospel_n have_v such_o a_o influence_n from_o that_o city_n 19.10_o act._n 19.10_o which_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o the_o lesser_a asia_n that_o all_o they_o which_o dwell_v in_o asia_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n both_o jew_n and_o greek_n the_o man_n of_o learning_n who_o have_v busy_v their_o wit_n and_o spend_v much_o of_o their_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o curious_a art_n be_v so_o take_v with_o it_o as_o not_o only_o to_o renounce_v all_o further_a study_n of_o those_o curious_a art_n but_o to_o show_v their_o resolution_n never_o to_o return_v to_o that_o study_n again_o they_o bring_v their_o book_n together_o and_o burn_v they_o before_o all_o man_n 20._o act._n 19.19_o 20._o and_o they_o count_v the_o price_n of_o they_o and_o find_v it_o fifty_o thousand_o piece_n of_o silver_n so_o mighty_o grow_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o prevail_v and_o the_o craftsman_n of_o
beside_o those_o many_o pillar_n upon_o which_o house_n and_o church_n be_v build_v there_o be_v single_a pillar_n erect_v by_o the_o heathen_a to_o such_o purpose_n as_o do_v serve_v very_o well_o to_o express_v the_o sense_n of_o this_o metaphor_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o use_v by_o way_n of_o allusion_n to_o they_o as_o first_o there_o be_v pillar_n which_o they_o rear_v up_o on_o high_a with_o image_n of_o their_o god_n and_o goddess_n upon_o they_o sit_v or_o stand_v or_o in_o some_o other_o posture_n to_o attract_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n to_o look_v up_o to_o they_o with_o that_o respect_n and_o veneration_n which_o be_v due_a to_o divine_a thing_n of_o such_o pillar_n we_o read_v leu._n 26.1_o you_o shall_v make_v you_o no_o idol_n nor_o grave_v image_n neither_o rear_v you_o up_o a_o stand_a image_n or_o pillar_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o margin_n now_o as_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o the_o heathen_a 1.25_o rom._n 1.25_o that_o they_o change_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n into_o a_o lie_n and_o the_o prophet_n habakkuk_n call_v a_o idol_n a_o teacher_n of_o lie_n 2.18_o hab._n 2.18_o so_o we_o may_v say_v of_o those_o pillar_n of_o idol_n they_o be_v pillar_n of_o lie_n and_o in_o allusion_n to_o they_o the_o church_n which_o set_v up_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n above_o all_o the_o false_a worship_n of_o all_o false_a god_n to_o draw_v the_o eye_n of_o all_o man_n to_o look_v up_o to_o it_o with_o that_o veneration_n which_o be_v due_a to_o it_o may_v be_v call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n excelsa_fw-la columna_fw-la according_a to_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n foretell_v of_o it_o in_o another_o metaphor_n isai_n 2.2_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o last_o day_n that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o top_n of_o the_o mountain_n and_o shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o but_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v more_o like_a to_o those_o pillar_n of_o the_o heathen_a than_o any_o other_o christian_a church_n for_o though_o it_o do_v not_o set_v up_o those_o idol_n and_o image_n of_o the_o heathen_a to_o be_v worship_v it_o set_v up_o image_n and_o creature_n to_o be_v worship_v which_o be_v either_o make_v idol_n or_o be_v in_o so_o much_o danger_n to_o be_v make_v idol_n that_o by_o the_o confession_n of_o bellarmine_n they_o that_o worship_n god_n in_o a_o image_n or_o in_o a_o creature_n expose_v themselves_o to_o great_a peril_n and_o be_v force_v to_o use_v the_o most_o subtle_a distinction_n which_o learned_a man_n do_v not_o understand_v much_o less_o the_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a second_o we_o read_v of_o many_o pillar_n erect_v by_o the_o heathen_a with_o inscription_n upon_o they_o inscription_n of_o historical_a narration_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v some_o be_v true_a and_o some_o be_v fabulous_a and_o many_o other_o inscription_n of_o law_n league_n covenant_n precept_n decree_n mystery_n etc._n etc._n in_o which_o sense_n the_o metaphor_n of_o a_o pillar_n be_v use_v revel_v 3.12_o he_o that_o overcome_v will_v i_o make_v a_o pillar_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o my_o god_n and_o i_o will_v write_v upon_o he_o the_o name_n of_o my_o god_n and_o the_o name_n of_o the_o city_n of_o my_o god_n which_o be_v the_o new_a jerusalem_n which_o come_v down_o out_o of_o heaven_n from_o my_o god_n and_o i_o will_v write_v upon_o he_o my_o new_a name_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n which_o expose_v the_o scripture_n which_o ireneus_fw-la call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o which_o be_v write_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n his_o law_n covenant_n decree_n mystery_n of_o his_o will_n history_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o many_o other_o divine_a truth_n to_o be_v as_o legible_a as_o inscription_n upon_o a_o pillar_n and_o every_o particular_a church_n which_o make_v a_o visible_a profession_n of_o all_o that_o truth_n which_o it_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o whole_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n so_o far_o forth_o as_o it_o be_v one_o with_o that_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n be_v a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n inscripta_fw-la columna_fw-la a_o pillar_n bear_v those_o inscription_n upon_o it_o in_o such_o character_n as_o make_v they_o legible_a to_o all_o man_n but_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n can_v so_o well_o be_v call_v a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n as_o other_o church_n 1._o because_o other_o church_n hebrew_n greek_a persian_a syrian_a arabian_a ethiopian_a have_v expose_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v read_v in_o their_o vulgar_a tongue_n but_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v not_o expose_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v read_v but_o in_o a_o language_n which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o that_o be_v concern_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v by_o which_o mean_n they_o have_v keep_v the_o people_n in_o so_o great_a ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reformation_n many_o of_o they_o know_v so_o little_a of_o the_o new_a testament_n asto_a believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o book_n which_o have_v be_v write_v by_o luther_n 2._o because_o they_o set_v up_o unwritten_a tradition_n of_o which_o it_o may_v be_v some_o be_v true_a and_o some_o be_v fabulous_a and_o make_v they_o all_o of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o scripture_n 3._o because_o they_o make_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o dependent_a upon_o their_o own_o authority_n that_o without_o it_o they_o be_v of_o no_o more_o authority_n than_o esop_n fable_n as_o some_o of_o they_o have_v say_v and_o other_o of_o they_o commend_v the_o say_n 4._o because_o though_o they_o hold_v the_o foundation_n they_o have_v build_v upon_o that_o foundation_n such_o thing_n as_o st._n 3.12_o 1_o cor._n 3.12_o paul_n call_v wood_n hay_o and_o stubble_n and_o will_v make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o they_o be_v gold_n silver_n precious_a stone_n which_o be_v not_o the_o part_n of_o a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n but_o three_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o text_n that_o be_v a_o pillar_n set_v upon_o a_o basis_n or_o foundation_n which_o keep_v it_o firm_a and_o steadfast_a be_v a_o very_a good_a expression_n of_o such_o a_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n as_o be_v without_o waver_v in_o which_o sense_n st._n basil_n call_v abraham_n a_o pillar_n of_o faith_n because_o when_o he_o be_v tempt_v with_o a_o great_a temptation_n he_o stagger_v not_o through_o unbelief_n 4.20_o rom._n 4.20_o but_o be_v strong_a in_o the_o faith_n and_o in_o a_o epistle_n write_v by_o the_o church_n of_o vienna_n and_o lion_n mention_v by_o eusebius_n the_o martyr_n who_o suffer_v a_o great_a persecution_n for_o their_o faith_n and_o be_v not_o shake_v in_o it_o be_v call_v pillar_n and_o atalus_n one_o of_o great_a note_n among_o they_o be_v call_v a_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o church_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n may_v well_o be_v call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n immota_fw-la columna_fw-la a_o pillar_n that_o stand_v unmoved_a upon_o that_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o be_v set_v for_o though_o some_o local_a church_n which_o be_v but_o as_o so_o many_o candlestick_n though_o they_o be_v of_o gold_n have_v be_v remove_v the_o catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n be_v so_o well_o settle_v upon_o a_o sure_a and_o strong_a foundation_n that_o all_o the_o mean_n which_o have_v be_v use_v to_o overthrow_v it_o have_v serve_v to_o establish_v it_o great_a endeavour_n be_v use_v at_o first_o to_o prevent_v the_o set_n up_o of_o this_o pillar_n upon_o the_o ground_n of_o it_o by_o they_o who_o the_o scripture_n call_v the_o builder_n but_o the_o destruction_n which_o they_o think_v to_o bring_v upon_o the_o pillar_n and_o the_o ground_n fall_v upon_o themselves_o and_o the_o destruction_n which_o fall_v upon_o themselves_o serve_v very_o much_o to_o the_o edification_n of_o that_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n which_o they_o seek_v to_o destroy_v no_o soon_o be_v the_o pillar_n set_v up_o upon_o the_o ground_n but_o great_a force_n and_o violence_n be_v use_v to_o throw_v it_o down_o the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v assemble_v and_o the_o prince_n take_v counsel_n together_o against_o it_o as_o the_o child_n of_o edom_n in_o the_o day_n of_o jerusalem_n down_o with_o it_o down_o with_o it_o even_o to_o the_o ground_n but_o all_o the_o force_n and_o violence_n which_o they_o use_v to_o overthrow_v it_o
understand_v the_o less_o necessary_a they_o be_v to_o be_v know_v god_n who_o have_v make_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o food_n and_o sustenance_n of_o man_n to_o grow_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o it_o where_o every_o eye_n may_v see_v they_o and_o every_o hand_n may_v gather_v they_o but_o hide_v the_o mine_n of_o gold_n and_o silver_n which_o serve_v for_o riches_n and_o ornament_n in_o the_o bowel_n of_o the_o earth_n where_o they_o can_v be_v find_v but_o with_o much_o seek_n nor_o be_v wrought_v out_o and_o purge_v from_o that_o dross_n with_o which_o they_o be_v mix_v but_o with_o great_a labour_n have_v likewise_o make_v all_o that_o truth_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o feed_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o eternal_a life_n so_o easy_a to_o be_v find_v that_o we_o may_v say_v of_o that_o as_o the_o wiseman_n say_v of_o wisdom_n 6.12_o wisd_v 6.12_o wisdom_n be_v easy_o see_v of_o they_o that_o love_v she_o and_o find_v of_o such_o as_o seek_v she_o but_o there_o be_v many_o other_o truth_n which_o serve_v to_o enrich_v and_o adorn_v the_o soul_n which_o he_o have_v reserve_v to_o exercise_v and_o reward_v the_o labour_n and_o study_v of_o they_o that_o seek_v for_o they_o as_o for_o silver_n and_o as_o for_o hide_a treasure_n if_o there_o be_v a_o infallible_a oracle_n to_o determine_v all_o truth_n the_o easiness_n of_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o will_v much_o abate_v and_o lessen_v the_o value_n and_o esteem_v of_o they_o but_o when_o the_o difficulty_n of_o find_v they_o excite_v desire_n and_o desire_n stir_v up_o labour_n and_o study_v and_o labour_n and_o study_n find_v that_o truth_n which_o can_v not_o be_v find_v without_o it_o it_o be_v the_o more_o joyful_o embrace_v and_o more_o steadfast_o retain_v but_o three_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n be_v that_o truth_n which_o be_v not_o where_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o the_o church_n but_o be_v so_o manifest_a in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o who_o can_v find_v it_o any_o where_o else_o may_v find_v it_o there_o for_o as_o in_o all_o science_n there_o be_v some_o truth_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o they_o as_o truth_n in_o logic_n truth_n in_o natural_a and_o moral_a philosophy_n truth_n in_o all_o mathematical_a science_n so_o there_o be_v some_o truth_n in_o divinity_n which_o be_v proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o it_o which_o as_o they_o can_v never_o have_v be_v know_v but_o by_o divine_a revelation_n so_o they_o have_v be_v make_v know_v to_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v give_v to_o they_o to_o guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o by_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o church_n such_o be_v that_o which_o st._n paul_n call_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n col._n 1.5_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.10_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n rom._n 15.8_o and_o many_o time_n it_o be_v call_v truth_n and_o the_o truth_n without_o any_o note_n of_o difference_n from_o all_o other_o truth_n truth_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_a as_o truth_n be_v oppose_v to_o falsehood_n and_o lie_n truth_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n as_o truth_n be_v oppose_v to_o figure_n and_o shadow_n truth_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o other_o truth_n not_o as_o contrary_v to_o it_o for_o one_o truth_n can_v be_v contrary_a to_o another_o but_o in_o a_o superlative_a sense_n the_o most_o excellent_a and_o most_o incomparable_a truth_n for_o though_o all_o truth_n be_v truth_n yet_o as_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n compare_v together_o 3.10_o 2_o cor._n 3.10_o even_o that_o which_o be_v make_v glorious_a have_v no_o glory_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o glory_n that_o excel_v so_o we_o may_v say_v of_o truth_n in_o philosophy_n and_o all_o science_n compare_v with_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o which_o be_v truth_n be_v not_o truth_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o excel_v such_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o the_o next_o word_n to_o these_o of_o the_o text_n which_o some_o have_v join_v together_o expound_v these_o word_n by_o they_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n justify_v in_o the_o spirit_n see_v of_o angel_n preach_v unto_o the_o gentile_n believe_v on_o in_o the_o world_n receive_v in_o glory_n the_o truth_n which_o he_o call_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v after_o godliness_n in_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n which_o god_n that_o can_v lie_v promise_v before_o the_o world_n begin_v but_o have_v in_o due_a time_n manifest_v his_o word_n through_o preach_v the_o truth_n by_o which_o we_o be_v beget_v again_o jam._n 1.18_o of_o his_o own_o will_n beget_v he_o we_o again_o by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n the_o truth_n that_o make_v we_o freeman_n joh._n 8.32_o you_o shall_v know_v the_o truth_n and_o the_o truth_n shall_v make_v you_o free_a the_o sanctify_a truth_n joh._n 17.17_o sanctify_v they_o with_o thy_o truth_n thy_o word_n be_v truth_n the_o save_a truth_n 1_o tim._n 2.4_o god_n will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v save_v and_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o this_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o which_o the_o church_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o st._n paul_n now_o what_o sense_n that_o be_v follow_v in_o my_o three_o and_o last_o particular_a which_o be_v the_o importance_n of_o these_o word_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o the_o truth_n here_o be_v two_o word_n the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n but_o they_o be_v very_o well_o join_v together_o for_o they_o signify_v two_o thing_n which_o be_v join_v together_o in_o a_o pillar_n that_o stand_v firm_a and_o steadfast_a the_o former_a word_n signify_v that_o which_o we_o call_v the_o body_n of_o the_o pillar_n the_o latter_a word_n signify_v the_o basis_n or_o foundation_n or_o foot_n of_o the_o pillar_n both_o together_o fignifie_v a_o pillar_n stand_v upon_o a_o basis_n or_o foundation_n but_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n be_v a_o metaphorical_a expression_n and_o metaphor_n be_v apt_a to_o beget_v mistake_v for_o in_o every_o metaphor_n there_o be_v something_o which_o be_v like_a and_o something_o which_o be_v not_o like_a and_o as_o when_o the_o metaphor_n be_v take_v from_o something_o wherein_o there_o be_v a_o likeness_n the_o metaphorical_a expression_n make_v the_o sense_n more_o elegant_a and_o clear_a but_o when_o it_o be_v stretch_v to_o something_o wherein_o there_o be_v no_o likeness_n in_o stead_n of_o make_v the_o sense_n more_o clear_a it_o make_v nonsense_n as_o in_o this_o metaphor_n of_o the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n a_o pillar_n or_o rather_o many_o pillar_n upon_o which_o a_o house_n or_o church_n be_v build_v as_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v build_v upon_o many_o pillar_n and_o so_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o diana_n at_o ephesus_n the_o pillar_n be_v as_o the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o house_n or_o church_n be_v build_v as_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o pillar_n be_v to_o the_o pillar_n which_o stand_v upon_o it_o but_o in_o this_o sense_n neither_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o any_o national_a church_n nor_o the_o whole_a catholic_n and_o apostolic_a church_n can_v be_v well_o and_o true_o call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n because_o the_o truth_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o the_o church_n but_o the_o church_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o as_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v a_o true_a church_n if_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o church_n have_v not_o be_v before_o the_o church_n so_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v remove_v from_o the_o church_n it_o be_v no_o long_o a_o true_a church_n there_o be_v no_o power_n or_o authority_n in_o any_o church_n to_o make_v any_o thing_n a_o truth_n which_o be_v not_o a_o truth_n before_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v the_o whole_a faith_n to_o the_o church_n and_o if_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o world_n shall_v join_v together_o they_o can_v make_v one_o new_a article_n of_o faith_n all_o that_o they_o can_v do_v be_v to_o deliver_v what_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o they_o who_o have_v deliver_v what_o they_o also_o receive_v till_o we_o come_v at_o last_o to_o the_o apostle_n who_o deliver_v what_o they_o also_o receive_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n by_o which_o they_o be_v lead_v into_o all_o that_o truth_n which_o can_v not_o otherwise_o be_v make_v know_v to_o they_o and_o assist_v in_o deliver_v those_o truth_n which_o be_v by_o other_o infallible_a proof_n make_v know_v to_o they_o but_o