Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
ground_n	authority_n	church_n	faith_n	5,185	5	6.2589	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A96858	Gnōston tou Theou, k[a]i gnōston tou Christou, or, That which may be knovvn of God by the book of nature; and the excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ by the Book of Scripture. Delivered at St Mary's in Oxford, by Edward Wood M.A. late proctor of the University and fellow of Merton Coll. Oxon. Published since his death by his brother A.W. M.A.	Wood, Edward, 1626 or 7-1655.; Wood, Anthony à, 1632-1695.	1656 (1656)	Wing W3387; Thomason E1648_1; ESTC R204118	76,854	234

price_n or_o value_n then_o real_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o and_o this_o be_v all_o the_o true_a power_n that_o the_o church_n can_v challenge_v in_o relation_n unto_o the_o holy_a scripture_n wherefore_o the_o true_a church_n we_o honour_v in_o respect_n of_o these_o thing_n but_o we_o do_v not_o adore_v it_o and_o make_v it_o of_o great_a authority_n than_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o wherefore_o 3._o we_o say_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o depend_v on_o the_o church_n as_o on_o their_o own_o innate_a light_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n within_o we_o their_o own_o innate_a light_n i_o say_v for_o say_v chamier_n there_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n a_o peculiaris_fw-la genius_fw-la and_o strain_n whereby_o they_o may_v upon_o examination_n be_v easy_o discover_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o a_o critic_n will_v know_v by_o the_o phrase_n and_o stile_n and_o the_o like_a that_o such_o a_o book_n be_v lyvies_n such_o a_o one_o juvenal_n so_o also_o will_v a_o christian_a upon_o the_o due_a search_n &_o trial_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o their_o matter_n heavenly_a by_o their_o stile_n deep_a and_o by_o their_o divine_a phrase_n mystical_a present_o conclude_v that_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o they_o can_v have_v no_o other_o author_n than_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n and_o then_o far_o i_o say_v there_o be_v require_v a_o testimony_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n within_o we_o which_o spirit_n be_v as_o i_o may_v so_o speak_v the_o seal_n unto_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o peculiar_a only_o to_o god_n child_n a_o man_n may_v by_o the_o hearsay_n of_o the_o church_n historical_o know_v the_o scripture_n but_o this_o will_v no_o more_o comfort_v his_o heart_n then_o the_o discourse_n concern_v honey_n and_o sweetmeat_n will_v the_o stomach_n a_o man_n may_v also_o be_v convict_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o word_n from_o those_o argument_n i_o press_v even_o now_o and_o yet_o he_o may_v be_v no_o more_o convert_v by_o they_o then_o the_o jew_n be_v at_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o they_o know_v be_v wrought_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n well_o than_o what_o be_v it_o that_o must_v ultimate_o persuade_v we_o and_o assure_v a_o child_n of_o god_n certitudine_fw-la fidei_fw-la with_o a_o assurance_n of_o faith_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o church_n that_o can_v for_o how_o can_v that_o infuse_v faith_n which_o the_o scripture_n every_o where_o set_v forth_o to_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n what_o then_o be_v it_o that_o assure_v we_o doubtless_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n coworking_a with_o we_o and_o upon_o our_o prayer_n and_o diligent_a read_n and_o examine_v of_o the_o word_n assure_v we_o that_o this_o word_n which_o be_v thus_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n thus_o verify_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o it_o this_o word_n that_o have_v so_o perfect_a a_o consent_n within_o its_o self_n that_o have_v so_o admirable_a efficacy_n upon_o the_o hearer_n and_o reader_n thereof_o that_o have_v be_v so_o wonderful_o preserve_v in_o all_o age_n that_o this_o word_n and_o this_o word_n only_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o of_o divine_a authority_n so_o then_o the_o church_n that_o can_v only_o report_v unto_o we_o the_o spirit_n that_o do_v firm_o persuade_v we_o the_o church_n that_o can_v ministerial_o only_o ingenerate_v a_o opinion_n in_o we_o the_o spirit_n a_o faith_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o then_o man_n may_v hear_v a_o very_a great_a report_n of_o another_o worth_n learning_n and_o counsel_n and_o yet_o be_v never_o full_o satisfy_v concern_v it_o till_o they_o find_v it_o so_o to_o be_v by_o their_o own_o experience_n or_o as_o those_o samaritan_n who_o do_v believe_v in_o part_n on_o christ_n for_o the_o say_n of_o the_o woman_n be_v yet_o notwithstanding_o further_o confirm_v &_o establish_v in_o the_o faith_n of_o he_o when_o they_o hear_v his_o own_o word_n john_n 4._o 24._o in_o like_a manner_n though_o we_o may_v historical_o believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n because_o the_o church_n say_v so_o yet_o this_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n do_v minister_v little_a assurance_n or_o satisfaction_n unto_o a_o child_n of_o god_n until_o it_o be_v far_o back_v on_o and_o establish_v by_o a_o far_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o undoubted_o must_v be_v the_o firm_a assurance_n a_o man_n can_v have_v because_o it_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o do_v open_v the_o eye_n to_o behold_v the_o wondrous_a thing_n of_o the_o law_n psal_n 119._o 18._o it_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o lead_v into_o all_o truth_n joh._n 16._o 13._o it_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o inseparable_o accompany_n the_o faithful_a in_o the_o scripture_n my_o spirit_n which_o be_v upon_o thou_o and_o my_o word_n which_o i_o have_v put_v in_o thy_o mouth_n shall_v not_o depart_v out_o of_o thy_o mouth_n isa_n 59_o 21._o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o alone_a which_o give_v strong_a evidence_n unto_o its_o self_n speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n if_o you_o receive_v the_o witness_n of_o man_n the_o witness_n of_o god_n be_v great_a say_v s._n paul_n the_o witness_n of_o the_o church_n be_v but_o the_o witness_n of_o man_n therefore_o the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v great_a but_o say_v they_o the_o spirit_n speak_v by_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o we_o must_v believe_v the_o church_n only_o when_o it_o testifyes_n of_o the_o scripture_n whitaker_n answer_v for_o i_o that_o if_o so_o be_v the_o spirit_n do_v thus_o speak_v by_o the_o church_n from_o whence_o then_o have_v the_o church_n this_o assurance_n but_o from_o the_o spirit_n and_o so_o our_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v ultimate_o resolve_v of_o necessity_n into_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n again_o they_o say_v that_o the_o church_n be_v before_o the_o scripture_n we_o answer_v no_o by_o no_o mean_n for_o then_o how_o can_v the_o word_n be_v call_v the_o everlasting_a wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o immortal_a seed_n of_o which_o the_o church_n be_v bear_v the_o church_n be_v before_o the_o write_a word_n but_o not_o before_o the_o unwritten_a ask_v a_o papist_n how_o they_o know_v that_o the_o church_n be_v of_o such_o authority_n and_o they_o will_v prove_v it_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o the_o authority_n prove_v must_v needs_o be_v of_o great_a esteem_n and_o before_o the_o authority_n prove_v but_o be_v not_o the_o church_n call_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n yes_o but_o what_o do_v a_o candle_n receive_v any_o light_n from_o the_o candlestick_n because_o it_o stick_v in_o it_o what_o though_o the_o church_n be_v the_o seat_n and_o mansion_n place_n of_o the_o scripture_n yet_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o there_o be_v no_o church_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o be_v not_o the_o scripture_n of_o less_o authority_n than_o now_o it_o be_v the_o church_n than_o be_v only_o a_o ministerial_a pillar_n to_o preserve_v keep_v and_o set_v forth_o the_o word_n not_o a_o fundamental_a one_o to_o uphold_v and_o give_v be_v unto_o it_o and_o here_o i_o may_v wade_v far_o into_o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o scripture_n but_o it_o have_v be_v so_o full_o handle_v already_o and_o answer_v by_o multitude_n of_o eminent_a man_n i_o shall_v go_v no_o far_o it_o remain_v that_o i_o shall_v practical_o apply_v what_o have_v be_v already_o speak_v but_o this_o together_o with_o the_o other_o propertye_n of_o scripture_n their_o perspicuity_n and_o perfection_n i_o shall_v leave_v to_o the_o next_o part_n this_o be_v the_o authors_n last_o sermon_n that_o ever_o he_o preach_v which_o be_v at_o s._n mary_n in_o oxon._n march_n 20._o 1655._o phil._n c._n 3._o v._n 8._o first_o part_n yea_o doubtless_o and_o i_o count_v all_o thing_n but_o loss_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n my_o lord_n in_o this_o chapter_n the_o apostle_n arm_n his_o philippian_n against_o their_o false_a teacher_n by_o oppose_v his_o own_o judgement_n and_o example_n to_o their_o erroneous_a and_o lie_a suggestion_n there_o be_v a_o company_n of_o profane_a person_n start_v up_o in_o the_o church_n of_o philippi_n who_o paul_n count_v no_o better_a than_o dog_n evil_a worker_n and_o of_o the_o concision_n verse_n 2._o who_o instead_o of_o circumcise_n their_o heart_n go_v about_o rather_o to_o cut_v and_o rend_v asunder_o the_o church_n these_o man_n now_o be_v leave_v to_o be_v bring_v from_o their_o old_a fleshly_a confidence_n the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n do_v vaunt_n much_o of_o their_o outward_a privilege_n and_o will_v fain_o slink_v into_o circumcision_n and_o other_o ceremonial_a performance_n and_o join_v

tacitus_n and_o suetonius_n note_n of_o he_o who_o seem_v better_o furnish_v with_o moral_a principle_n than_o zeno_n and_o socrates_n and_o yet_o even_o they_o so_o little_o obey_v they_o that_o they_o relapse_v into_o unnatural_a lust_n as_o plutarch_n and_o laërtius_n observe_v of_o they_o and_z as_o saint_n paul_n of_o other_o gentile_n in_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o this_o chapter_n wherefore_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o now_o in_o the_o three_o place_n to_o inquire_v whether_o or_o no_o this_o light_n of_o nature_n be_v sufficient_a unto_o salvation_n or_o whether_o one_o may_v be_v save_v by_o this_o light_n of_o nature_n without_o say_v in_o christ_n this_o say_v our_o montacute_n in_o the_o first_o of_o his_o ecclesiastical_a apparatus_fw-la be_v the_o opinion_n of_o many_o of_o the_o father_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n justin_n martyr_n cyril_n of_o alexandria_n and_o other_o who_o he_o there_o reckon_v up_o how_o ever_o this_o same_o author_n show_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n of_o most_o of_o the_o rest_n and_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o austin_n in_o many_o of_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la be_v against_o they_o and_o so_o be_v most_o of_o the_o schoolman_n the_o modern_a especial_o together_o with_o most_o of_o the_o popish_a doctor_n and_o protestant_a reformer_n but_o to_o omit_v the_o citation_n of_o their_o word_n which_o you_o may_v elsewhere_o find_v that_o i_o may_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o best_a divine_v brief_o and_o clear_o state_n the_o point_n i_o shall_v premise_v these_o four_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o ignorance_n of_o christ_n can_v in_o itself_o excuse_v a_o man_n and_o free_v he_o from_o damnation_n there_o be_v a_o twofold_a ignorance_n you_o know_v either_o juris_fw-la when_o a_o man_n be_v ignorant_a of_o what_o he_o be_v bind_v to_o know_v or_o facti_fw-la when_o he_o be_v only_o ignorant_a of_o some_o particular_a circumstance_n of_o what_o be_v do_v this_o latter_a may_v excuse_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o case_n of_o abimelech_n gen._n 20._o 6._o the_o former_a do_v not_o and_o therefore_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o will_n in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v himself_o and_o christ_n every_o man_n upon_o forfeiture_n of_o his_o salvation_n be_v and_o be_v bind_v to_o know_v it_o as_o if_o a_o prince_n shall_v publish_v a_o proclamation_n out_o of_o a_o man_n hear_v and_o in_o his_o absence_n it_o be_v not_o his_o absence_n or_o the_o not_o hear_v thereof_o that_o can_v exempt_v he_o from_o punishment_n if_o he_o disobeye_n it_o 2._o second_o that_o there_o be_v &_o ever_o have_v be_v most_o of_o the_o gentile_n utter_o destitute_a of_o any_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o explicit_a distinct_a particular_a knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o his_o office_n or_o a_o implicit_a only_a and_o general_a concern_v the_o truth_n and_o subsistence_n of_o such_o a_o saviour_n and_o therefore_o the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n be_v call_v a_o hide_a mystery_n to_o former_a age_n col._n 1._o vers_fw-la 26._o and_o saint_n paul_n call_v those_o time_n before_o christ_n the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n act._n 17._o 30._o 3._o three_o that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o faith_n in_o he_o be_v every_o way_n necessary_a unto_o salvation_n necessary_a as_o the_o only_a mean_n for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o for_o there_o be_v no_o other_o name_n give_v under_o heaven_n whereby_o we_o must_v be_v save_v act_n 4._o 2._o and_o necessary_a by_o virtue_n of_o the_o injunction_n and_o positive_a command_n of_o god_n for_o this_o be_v his_o commandment_n that_o we_o shall_v believe_v on_o the_o name_n of_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n 1_o joh._n 3._o 23._o 4._o four_o that_o god_n may_v instill_v oftentimes_o this_o faith_n into_o the_o heart_n of_o many_o by_o mean_n altogether_o unknown_a unto_o we_o and_o therefore_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o altogether_o to_o despair_v of_o the_o salvation_n of_o such_o gentile_n who_o have_v endeavour_v in_o their_o life_n time_n to_o follow_v the_o light_n and_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o if_o god_n be_v bind_v to_o bestow_v faith_n or_o salvation_n upon_o such_o man_n but_o only_o to_o magnify_v the_o unsearchable_a riches_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o to_o gain_v a_o more_o charitable_a construction_n upon_o our_o follow_a conclusion_n these_o thing_n then_o be_v premise_v we_o assert_v the_o negative_a part_n of_o the_o question_n and_o ground_n this_o conclusion_n namely_o that_o no_o gentile_a live_n and_o die_v without_o faith_n in_o christ_n can_v be_v save_v by_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n the_o truth_n of_o this_o may_v first_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o imperfection_n and_o worthlesnesse_n of_o their_o best_a natural_a work_n and_o virtue_n we_o do_v not_o deny_v all_o manner_n of_o reward_n or_o profit_n unto_o such_o gentile_n who_o live_v more_o virtuous_o than_o other_o for_o beside_o the_o present_a tranquillity_n of_o conscience_n they_o enjoy_v in_o this_o world_n like_o enough_o their_o torment_n may_v be_v more_o tolerable_a in_o the_o next_o but_o this_o we_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o the_o strict_a of_o they_o either_o in_o life_n or_o profession_n can_v never_o fulfil_v the_o law_n and_o so_o consequent_o never_o attain_v unto_o salvation_n for_o there_o never_o have_v be_v any_o more_o than_o two_o way_n unto_o heaven_n either_o by_o the_o law_n or_o by_o the_o gospel_n but_o as_o for_o the_o law_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o fulfil_v it_o and_o as_o for_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v suppose_v in_o the_o question_n that_o they_o never_o believe_v it_o i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o there_o have_v be_v many_o who_o have_v go_v about_o to_o canonize_v the_o gentile_n for_o their_o excellent_a virtue_n among_o who_o be_v zuinglius_fw-la of_o latter_a day_n and_o some_o of_o the_o father_n of_o old_a but_o certain_o have_v they_o weigh_v even_o their_o best_a action_n in_o the_o balance_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n they_o have_v find_v they_o light_a than_o vanity_n itself_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n as_o i_o conceive_v main_o considerable_a in_o every_o action_n the_o principle_n from_o whence_o it_o proceed_v and_o the_o end_n unto_o which_o it_o be_v direct_v now_o both_o these_o in_o the_o gentile_n be_v carnal_a and_o not_o the_o least_o way_n acceptable_a to_o god_n for_o as_o for_o the_o principle_n and_o fountain_n of_o their_o action_n it_o be_v flesh_n but_o flesh_n and_o blood_n can_v never_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 1_o cor_n 15._o 50._o and_o that_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o the_o flesh_n be_v flesh_n john_n 3._o 6._o and_o as_o for_o the_o end_n of_o their_o action_n it_o be_v usual_o ambition_n and_o hope_n of_o praise_n or_o covetousness_n and_o hope_n of_o reward_n and_o this_o be_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o yet_o our_o saviour_n say_v except_o our_o righteousness_n exceed_v the_o righteousness_n of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n we_o shall_v in_o no_o wise_n enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n mat_n 5._o 20._o it_o be_v the_o end_n that_o make_v the_o action_n good_a or_o bad._n almesgiving_n material_o and_o in_o itself_o consider_v be_v a_o good_a act_n but_o then_o be_v perform_v by_o a_o pharisee_fw-mi for_o a_o bad_a end_n it_o become_v evil_a and_o so_o likewise_o the_o virtuous_a action_n of_o the_o gentile_n may_v according_a to_o their_o outward_a matter_n be_v moral_o good_a when_o as_o if_o we_o consider_v either_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o they_o proceed_v or_o the_o end_n unto_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v they_o be_v but_o at_o the_o best_a splendida_fw-la peccata_fw-la handsome_a and_o well_o dress_v sin_n and_o therefore_o neither_o ex_fw-la congruo_fw-la as_o some_o of_o the_o arminian_o and_o papist_n hold_v lead_v unto_o further_a grace_n nor_o at_o all_o acceptable_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o god_n second_o this_o may_v further_o appear_v by_o consider_v the_o necessity_n of_o faith_n unto_o salvation_n for_o if_o it_o be_v true_a that_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n heb._n 11._o 6._o and_o if_o it_o be_v true_a also_o that_o this_o only_a be_v life_n eternal_a to_o know_v god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v joh._n 17._o 3._o then_o doubtless_o be_v those_o in_o a_o very_a sad_a condition_n who_o never_o so_o much_o as_o hear_v of_o this_o author_n of_o salvation_n this_o christ_n in_o who_o only_a god_n be_v well_o please_v and_o however_o some_o man_n urge_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o necessity_n for_o the_o gentile_n believe_v because_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o thus_o to_o believe_v have_v have_v heretofore_o no_o income_n or_o way_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o we_o answer_v first_o that_o absolute_o

they_o with_o christ_n teach_v that_o these_o be_v necessary_a to_o justification_n as_o well_o as_o faith_n in_o he_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o in_o zeal_n to_o the_o truth_n and_o the_o better_a to_o quell_v these_o false_a doctor_n deal_v with_o they_o at_o their_o own_o weapon_n and_o because_o he_o must_v needs_o glory_n when_o they_o force_v he_o to_o it_o he_o fall_v upon_o they_o with_o his_o own_o privilege_n and_o show_v wherein_o he_o may_v boast_v as_o well_o nay_o more_o than_o the_o best_a of_o they_o if_o any_o man_n think_v he_o have_v whereof_o he_o may_v trust_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o more_o v._o 4_o 5_o 6_o but_o well_o say_v he_o do_v you_o think_v that_o either_o you_o or_o i_o be_v the_o better_a for_o these_o thing_n or_o a_o jot_n the_o near_a heaven_n certain_o in_o no_o wise_a and_o therefore_o i_o will_v have_v you_o philippian_n to_o who_o i_o write_v take_v notice_n for_o your_o own_o example_n that_o i_o be_o of_o a_o contrary_a judgement_n to_o these_o seducer_n for_o what_o thing_n be_v gain_v to_o i_o etc._n etc._n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o say_v saint_n paul_n before_o my_o conversion_n i_o very_o think_v circumcision_n outward_a privilege_n and_o my_o own_o legal_a righteousness_n a_o great_a gain_n and_o vantage_n to_o i_o i_o soothe_v myself_o up_o vain_a pharisee_n as_o i_o be_v and_o think_v heaven_n be_v my_o due_a and_o right_n but_o when_o once_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n daw_v in_o upon_o i_o those_o thing_n which_o in_o my_o judgement_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d gain_n profitable_a to_o i_o that_o be_v and_o meritorious_a in_o order_n to_o my_o salvation_n i_o present_o think_v to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thing_n that_o i_o be_v like_a to_o loose_v by_o shall_v i_o trust_v in_o they_o rather_o hinderer_n than_o promoter_n of_o my_o salvation_n yea_o doubtless_o and_o at_o this_o present_a time_n now_o that_o i_o be_o a_o grow_v christian_a root_v and_o settle_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n yet_o i_o count_v my_o present_a good_a work_n and_o righteousness_n yea_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d quaecunque_fw-la in_o mundo_fw-la sunt_fw-la say_v ambrose_n all_o my_o learning_n and_o part_n every_o thing_n beside_o but_o loss_n pernicious_a raw_a empty_a thing_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n my_o lord_n the_o more_o i_o know_v christ_n the_o less_o still_o of_o good_a i_o know_v by_o myself_o after_o all_o thing_n i_o find_v it_o best_a to_o rely_v upon_o his_o impute_a righteousness_n so_o that_o the_o word_n of_o my_o text_n be_v a_o confirmation_n or_o if_o you_o will_v a_o far_a amplification_n of_o what_o he_o say_v in_o the_o precede_a verse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yea_o doubtless_o in_o good_a truth_n what_o i_o say_v verse_n 7._o be_v true_a at_o my_o first_o conversion_n be_v much_o more_o true_a now_o viz._n that_o i_o count_v all_o thing_n as_o loss_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n my_o lord_n so_o that_o here_o paul_n pass_v his_o vote_n for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n against_o all_o thing_n beside_o in_o this_o there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d excellency_n admirable_a virtue_n in_o those_o nothing_o but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d loss_n and_o dog_n meat_n fit_v only_o for_o such_o dog_n as_o false_a teacher_n to_o seduce_v and_o delight_v in_o the_o word_n in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o relation_n to_o the_o former_a will_v afford_v many_o observation_n 1._o obs_n that_o no_o outward_a privilege_n be_v of_o any_o profit_n to_o salvation_n paul_n circumcise_v the_o eight_o day_n of_o the_o stock_n of_o israel_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n a_o hebrew_n of_o the_o hebrew_n when_o he_o come_v to_o know_v christ_n count_v all_o these_o but_o loss_n 2._o no_o righteousness_n of_o our_o own_o either_o before_o or_o after_o conversion_n can_v justify_v we_o before_o god_n those_o outward_a good_a work_n by_o which_o paul_n think_v in_o his_o pharisaical_a condition_n to_o have_v gain_v heaven_n by_o before_o his_o conversion_n he_o count_v loss_n yea_o doubtless_o and_o all_o thing_n beside_o he_o mean_v his_o goodness_n also_o after_o conversion_n this_o he_o count_v no_o better_a for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n 3._o that_o there_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a excellency_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n above_o all_o thing_n beside_o or_o if_o you_o please_v that_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a knowledge_n that_o be_v i_o may_v prosecute_v all_o these_o but_o i_o shall_v pitch_v only_o on_o the_o latter_a as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o place_n and_o company_n i_o speak_v to_o in_o prosecution_n of_o the_o point_n i_o shall_v show_v unto_o you_o first_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n second_o i_o shall_v show_v unto_o you_o what_o qualification_n there_o be_v in_o this_o knowledge_n that_o may_v denominate_v it_o so_o excellent_a three_o i_o shall_v more_o particular_o show_v unto_o you_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o this_o knowledge_n be_v so_o excellent_a four_o apply_v the_o point_n 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n there_o be_v a_o twofold_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n first_o a_o bare_a historical_a and_o speculative_a the_o second_o a_o practical_a experimental_a knowledge_n the_o first_o be_v only_o a_o superficial_a view_n and_o glance_n of_o the_o understanding_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o be_v of_o thing_n thus_o the_o devil_n do_v believe_v &_o thus_o even_o reprobate_n may_v know_v christ_n as_o a_o man_n may_v know_v a_o country_n in_o a_o map_n or_o table_n which_o yet_o he_o be_v never_o like_a to_o see_v so_o may_v the_o most_o debauch_v wicked_a wretch_n in_o the_o world_n have_v some_o scantling_n book-knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o yet_o never_o enjoy_v he_o in_o heaven_n hereafter_o he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o draw_v a_o scholastic_a metaphysical_a scheme_n of_o christ_n his_o nature_n his_o office_n his_o state_n of_o humility_n exaltation_n and_o the_o like_a he_o may_v be_v able_a to_o discourse_v profound_o of_o his_o incarnation_n the_o hypostatical_a union_n and_o whole_a mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o yet_o with_o all_o his_o learning_n sink_v deep_a into_o hell_n though_o his_o brain_n may_v be_v full_a of_o notionall_a truth_n yet_o his_o heart_n may_v be_v empty_a of_o any_o comfortable_a experience_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o saviour_n he_o can_v with_o thomas_n say_v my_o lord_n and_o my_o god_n but_o as_o the_o greck_n that_o come_v up_o to_o worship_n at_o the_o feast_n joh._n 12._o will_v feign_v see_v jesus_n yet_o more_o out_o of_o curiosity_n then_o desire_v to_o be_v instruct_v by_o he_o so_o do_v such_o seek_v after_o and_o study_v christ_n more_o in_o order_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o their_o understanding_n than_o conversion_n of_o their_o soul_n but_o 2._o there_o be_v a_o practical_a experimental_a knowledge_n where_o the_o truth_n that_o we_o know_v have_v a_o strong_a impression_n upon_o our_o soul_n so_o as_o to_o work_v and_o transform_v they_o into_o the_o same_o image_n with_o the_o thing_n know_v when_o we_o do_v not_o rest_v in_o the_o bare_a contemplation_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o perfect_o love_v and_o be_v ravish_v with_o the_o excellencye_n of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v that_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n that_o paul_n prefer_v in_o the_o text_n he_o count_v all_o thing_n as_o loss_n and_o dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o it_o the_o more_o he_o know_v christ_n the_o less_o he_o regard_v other_o thing_n the_o more_o he_o be_v take_v with_o he_o the_o more_o willing_a be_v he_o to_o be_v rule_v by_o he_o as_o his_o lord_n to_o obey_v his_o precept_n to_o be_v answerable_a to_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n now_o this_o practical_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n include_v therefore_o these_o three_o thing_n as_o i_o suppose_v in_o it_o first_o assent_n to_o his_o doctrine_n word_n and_o promise_v every_o science_n before_o it_o be_v perfect_o get_v suppose_v a_o assent_n to_o some_o undemonstrable_a principle_n which_o be_v foundation_n of_o it_o thus_o for_o one_o instance_n before_o the_o understanding_n can_v build_v far_o in_o the_o mathematics_n it_o presume_v this_o as_o a_o ground_n that_o totum_fw-la est_fw-la majus_fw-la sva_fw-la parte_fw-la so_o that_o even_o in_o these_o thing_n faith_n seem_v to_o be_v principium_fw-la intellectus_fw-la as_o cusanus_fw-la speak_v the_o prime_a engine_n that_o set_v the_o understanding_n a-work_o in_o the_o pursuit_n of_o knowledge_n and_o therefore_o we_o can_v never_o come_v to_o a_o distinct_a save_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n unless_o we_o first_o believe_v in_o his_o word_n and_o doctrine_n a_o