such_o be_v cleanse_v from_o all_o vnrighteousness_n and_o yet_o the_o light_n neâ—ther_o a_o rule_n nor_o save_v than_o what_o else_o can_v be_v either_o a_o rule_n or_o saving_n but_o this_o light_n say_v he_o can_v not_o tell_v any_o that_o jesus_n shall_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n die_v for_o sinner_n and_o rise_v again_o but_o this_o be_v so_o great_a a_o mistake_n that_o have_v he_o converse_v with_o the_o sibylls_n or_o other_o heathen_a writer_n he_o may_v in_o good_a part_n have_v inform_v himself_o to_o the_o contrary_n but_o here_o i_o distinguish_v of_o faith_n there_o be_v a_o historical_a and_o save_v faith_n and_o there_o be_v a_o historical_a and_o save_v rule_n as_o the_o faith_n so_o the_o rule_n differ_v if_o t._n hicks_n say_v that_o it_o be_v the_o scripture_n that_o give_v the_o knowledge_n of_o those_o transaction_n i_o mâ—st_v then_o understand_v he_o to_o mean_v historical_o if_o i_o assent_v which_o be_v not_o save_v for_o then_o all_o who_o believe_v those_o thing_n to_o have_v be_v must_v therefore_o be_v save_v the_o contrary_a to_o which_o be_v daily_o see_v with_o our_o eye_n since_o who_o believe_v not_o that_o report_n among_o those_o who_o be_v yet_o in_o great_a wickedness_n but_o if_o we_o be_v to_o penetrate_v deep_a and_o that_o t_o hicks_n shall_v hold_v as_o he_o seem_v plain_o to_o do_v that_o what_o faith_n we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o most_o weighty_a truth_n declare_v of_o in_o the_o scripture_n be_v from_o it_o and_o not_o from_o the_o light_n or_o spirit_n within_o i_o must_v firm_o deny_v it_o for_o faith_n be_v god_n gift_n not_o the_o scripture_n gift_n no_o so_o far_o be_v the_o scripture_n from_o give_v faith_n that_o it_o be_v god_n spirit_n alone_o that_o give_v both_o to_o understand_v and_o believe_v they_o the_o scripture_n tell_v i_o of_o such_o prophecy_n history_n and_o epistle_n and_o of_o such_o man_n as_o moses_n job_n david_n isaiah_n matthew_n paul_n and_o john_n but_o what_o be_v it_o that_o give_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o thing_n they_o write_v of_o to_o be_v true_a be_v it_o not_o the_o testimony_n and_o most_o certain_a amen_o in_o the_o conscience_n and_o what_o be_v that_o there_o which_o seal_v to_o those_o excellent_a truth_n which_o way_n then_o can_v the_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n to_o i_o in_o believe_v the_o scripture_n when_o that_o faith_n be_v beget_v of_o god_n by_o his_o light_n and_o spirit_n concern_v the_o scripture_n if_o the_o mere_a scripture_n can_v give_v i_o faith_n than_o it_o may_v be_v allow_v to_o rule_v my_o faith_n but_o when_o god_n by_o his_o spirit_n alone_o beget_v faith_n and_o without_o which_o i_o can_v neither_o understand_v nor_o believe_v the_o scripture_n tell_v i_o if_o god_n spirit_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n what_o how_o far_o and_o which_o way_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v they_o or_o the_o thing_n believe_v certain_o they_o can_v never_o be_v my_o rule_n how_o far_o and_o which_o way_n i_o be_o to_o believe_v themselves_o who_o of_o themselves_o can_v give_v i_o that_o faith_n but_o it_o must_v be_v wrought_v by_o another_o thing_n so_o that_o what_o give_v to_o believe_v rule_v the_o belief_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n believe_v therefore_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n now_o as_o to_o this_o of_o christ_n outward_a manifestation_n i_o say_v so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v historical_a the_o scripture_n be_v that_o which_o furnish_v i_o with_o a_o belief_n but_o i_o utter_o deny_v that_o they_o give_v to_o believe_v it_o in_o that_o deep_a sense_n which_o may_v be_v true_o call_v a_o save_v faith_n the_o pharisee_n have_v the_o scripture_n and_o they_o pretend_v to_o admire_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n yet_o they_o crucify_v christ_n and_o seek_v to_o countenance_v their_o murder_n by_o scripture_n now_o have_v they_o believe_v and_o esteem_v the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n from_o a_o inward_a sense_n of_o god_n spirit_n which_o the_o mere_a scripture_n can_v not_o furnish_v they_o with_o they_o have_v right_o understand_v they_o and_o not_o make_v so_o ill_a a_o use_n of_o their_o historical_a knowledge_n as_o to_o crucify_v the_o lord_n of_o life_n and_o glory_n this_o show_v that_o man_n may_v have_v a_o historical_a faith_n and_o yet_o not_o the_o true_a faith_n nor_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n what_o then_o give_v to_o believe_v aright_o now_o why_o true_o that_o which_o do_v then_o the_o light_n and_o spirit_n of_o truth_n no_o man_n can_v call_v jesus_n lord_n without_o it_o that_o be_v true_o so_o or_o upon_o good_a ground_n no_o man_n can_v confess_v that_o christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n but_o who_o spirit_n be_v of_o god_n yet_o now_o nothing_o be_v more_o common_a &_o yet_o nothing_o be_v more_o true_a than_o that_o thousand_o of_o they_o be_v not_o of_o god_n but_o lie_v in_o wickedness_n alienate_v from_o the_o life_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n what_o be_v the_o matter_n then_o why_o this_o those_o who_o then_o confess_v that_o jesus_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o a_o invisible_a sight_n and_o through_o a_o divine_a illumination_n in_o their_o soul_n for_o impossible_a have_v it_o otherwise_o be_v for_o they_o in_o any_o measure_n to_o have_v see_v through_o the_o veil_n of_o his_o flesh_n into_o that_o divine_a life_n power_n and_o wisdom_n that_o unmeasurable_o fill_v it_o but_o have_v some_o inward_a sense_n and_o taste_n of_o that_o most_o excellent_a be_v that_o be_v manifest_v in_o and_o by_o that_o bodily_a appearance_n therefore_o do_v they_o confess_v to_o it_o and_o their_o spirit_n true_o repute_v by_o john_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o as_o in_o that_o day_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o true_o and_o acceptable_o to_o confess_v to_o christ_n without_o a_o discern_v give_v and_o faith_n wrought_v by_o the_o light_n and_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o heart_n which_o be_v the_o save_a faith_n so_o be_v it_o now_o equal_o impossible_a for_o any_o to_o believe_v that_o christ_n appear_v and_o that_o he_o speak_v and_o do_v all_o these_o great_a thing_n so_o as_o to_o be_v benefit_v thereby_o and_o any_o way_n accept_v of_o god_n therein_o but_o as_o the_o light_n and_o spirit_n of_o truth_n open_v those_o thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n and_o from_o a_o measure_n of_o that_o divine_a life_n which_o then_o immeasurable_o appear_v for_o we_o have_v all_o receive_v of_o his_o fullness_n and_o grace_n for_o grace_n true_a faith_n come_v to_o be_v beget_v in_o that_o manifestation_n and_o a_o right_a confession_n unto_o it_o in_o short_a he_o that_o call_v christ_n lord_n must_v now_o as_o then_o do_v it_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v from_o a_o experience_n or_o witness_v of_o his_o dominion_n and_o rule_n which_o through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o soul_n be_v to_o be_v subject_v to_o so_o that_o who_o believe_v more_o than_o historical_o that_o christ_n come_v in_o the_o flesh_n must_v do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o divine_a light_n and_o spirit_n who_o alone_o give_v to_o relish_v and_o savour_v the_o truth_n nature_n and_o end_n of_o that_o appearance_n and_o though_o it_o may_v be_v allow_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o rule_n respect_v the_o history_n as_o it_o be_v to_o those_o of_o old_a in_o reference_n to_o the_o particular_a prophecy_n fulfil_v in_o christ_n come_v yet_o as_o there_o be_v then_o a_o more_o inward_a and_o heavenly_a sense_n of_o christ_n which_o draw_v many_o after_o he_o and_o beget_v deep_a faith_n in_o he_o so_o must_v there_o now_o be_v a_o more_o inward_a spiritual_a and_o deep_a ground_a faith_n of_o those_o thing_n record_v in_o scripture_n of_o christ_n appearance_n etc._n etc._n then_o the_o mere_a letter_n be_v able_a to_o give_v and_o therefore_o that_o light_n and_o spirit_n which_o give_v that_o discern_a and_o work_v that_o deep_a sense_n and_o faith_n must_v needs_o be_v as_o well_o the_o rule_n as_o author_n of_o it_o and_o not_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n then_o either_o of_o themselves_o or_o by_o interpretation_n if_o of_o themselves_o then_o either_o in_o their_o translation_n or_o original_n not_o in_o the_o translation_n unless_o the_o translator_n have_v be_v so_o inspire_v that_o they_o miss_v not_o a_o tittle_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a be_v not_o so_o and_o consequent_o none_o but_o scholar_n have_v a_o rule_n for_o the_o unlearned_a be_v seclude_v &_o therefore_o the_o english_a bible_n be_v not_o a_o rule_n if_o in_o the_o original_n of_o hebrew_a and_o greek_a query_n in_o what_o copy_n there_o be_v various_a lection_n in_o hebrew_n and_o for_o the_o new_a testament_n so_o call_v there_o be_v no_o less_o than_o
experience_n the_o same_o judgement_n repentance_n remission_n regeneration_n call_v the_o new_a birth_n and_o perfect_a justification_n before_o god_n since_o then_o the_o scripture_n can_v do_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n of_o themselves_o however_o instrumental_a they_o may_v be_v of_o good_a but_o the_o holy_a light_n in_o the_o conscience_n and_o that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o knowable_a though_o they_o may_v be_v read_v talk_v and_o write_v of_o without_o be_v lead_n by_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o tread_v the_o same_o step_v of_o deep_a experience_n the_o holy_a ancient_n tread_v in_o and_o have_v leave_v we_o for_o a_o example_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v whether_o t._n hicks_n will_n or_o no_o that_o the_o author_n of_o those_o discovery_n conviction_n judgement_n etc._n etc._n must_v be_v the_o stand_v immutable_a rule_n to_o the_o soul_n what_o how_o far_o and_o which_o way_n we_o be_v to_o deny_v or_o own_v reject_v or_o embrace_v relinquish_v or_o follow_v with_o respect_n to_o those_o thing_n that_o please_v god_n or_o that_o please_v he_o not_o his_o objection_n i_o shall_v contract_v into_o these_o four_o urge_v by_o he_o for_o the_o scripture_n and_o against_o the_o light_n be_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o indeed_o they_o be_v the_o great_a strength_n of_o his_o book_n if_o any_o it_o have_v first_o the_o light_n within_o can_v give_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a account_n how_o sin_n come_v to_o be_v if_o we_o consult_v the_o wise_a philosopher_n 33._o we_o shall_v find_v a_o deep_a silence_n touch_v this_o point_n they_o see_v sin_n do_v overflow_v but_o can_v not_o by_o all_o the_o improvement_n of_o the_o light_n in_o they_o find_v out_o how_o sin_n come_v to_o be_v i_o be_o persuade_v t._n hicks_n never_o consult_v so_o much_o as_o the_o mean_a of_o they_o at_o least_o effectual_o have_v he_o his_o dialogue_n will_v have_v savour_v of_o more_o true_a science_n and_o morality_n for_o i_o will_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v contradict_v himself_o abuse_v the_o philosopher_n and_o blaspheme_v the_o light_n in_o this_o one_o passage_n where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n then_o where_o there_o be_v transgression_n there_o be_v a_o law_n now_o t._n hicks_n grant_v that_o the_o heathen_a know_v there_o be_v sin_n they_o must_v know_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o some_o law_n that_o make_v it_o so_o this_o law_n be_v not_o write_v but_o themselves_o declare_v god_n have_v imprint_v it_o upon_o their_o heart_n etc._n as_o a_o immutable_a and_o infallible_a guide_n to_o they_o in_o their_o action_n if_o so_o how_o can_v they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o sin_n be_v come_v into_o the_o world_n who_o know_v it_o to_o be_v a_o deviation_n from_o god_n live_a commandment_n in_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o a_o commit_v quite_o contrary_a thing_n if_o t._n hicks_n mean_v by_o clear_a and_o distinct_a account_n the_o history_n of_o moses_n that_o be_v that_o adam_n and_o eve_n be_v beguile_v by_o the_o serpent_n who_o tempt_v they_o with_o a_o apple_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v no_o way_n to_o his_o purpose_n for_o that_o which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o that_o faith_n which_o concern_v salvation_n be_v to_o know_v that_o god_n be_v that_o he_o be_v pure_a and_o holy_a that_o he_o have_v give_v man_n the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o will_n concern_v he_o by_o some_o inward_a law_n command_n light_n grace_n or_o spirit_n and_o that_o who_o act_v not_o correspondent_o to_o this_o guide_n be_v a_o transgressor_n and_o incur_v the_o penalty_n and_o that_o the_o heathen_a have_v this_o their_o book_n at_o large_a tell_v we_o nor_o do_v tho._n hicks_n deny_v it_o so_o that_o he_o manifest_o contradict_v himself_o and_o abuse_v the_o philosopher_n in_o say_v they_o can_v not_o find_v out_o how_o sin_n come_v since_o they_o express_o say_v that_o god_n make_v all_o good_a and_o that_o man_n err_v from_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o he_o bring_v evil_a into_o the_o world_n and_o i_o bold_o affirm_v and_o in_o the_o next_o head_n will_v prove_v that_o the_o mere_a history_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n now_o that_o herein_o he_o have_v blaspheme_v against_o the_o light_n be_v evident_a since_o it_o be_v to_o say_v that_o god_n give_v man_n a_o law_n and_o light_n not_o sufficient_a to_o let_v they_o see_v how_o sin_n enter_v the_o world_n which_o be_v to_o say_v in_o plain_a english_a what_o be_v sin_n it_o will_v and_o must_v end_v there_o beside_o suppose_v the_o philosopher_n have_v be_v ignorant_a must_v it_o need_v follow_v that_o the_o fault_n and_o want_n be_v in_o the_o light_n and_o not_o in_o they_o will_n t._n hicks_n become_v their_o warrant_n in_o the_o matter_n that_o they_o arrive_v as_o high_a as_o the_o light_n can_v teach_v they_o and_o that_o the_o deficiency_n lie_v on_o the_o side_n of_o their_o teacher_n and_o not_o on_o they_o confident_n yea_o impudent_a man_n why_o shall_v either_o the_o darkness_n of_o any_o age_n be_v charge_v upon_o the_o light_n or_o render_v it_o insufficient_a or_o the_o more_o clear_a break_v forth_o of_o light_n in_o a_o follow_a generation_n be_v repute_v another_o light_n because_o another_o degree_n then_o what_o obscure_o shine_v forth_o in_o the_o former_a since_o it_o be_v not_o the_o obscurer_n in_o itself_o but_o through_o the_o gross_a blackness_n that_o may_v have_v overcast_v that_o people_n because_o of_o disobedience_n it_o seem_v so_o to_o they_o but_o let_v we_o hear_v he_o further_o 2._o nor_o can_v this_o light_n give_v any_o account_n of_o that_o remedy_n which_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n provide_v jesus_n christ_n dial._n that_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n die_v for_o other_o and_o rise_v the_o three_o day_n this_o be_v the_o pinch_z but_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o the_o prophet_n see_v it_o by_o this_o light_n unless_o that_o they_o see_v it_o without_o light_n or_o that_o the_o light_n they_o see_v it_o by_o be_v not_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o word_n that_o be_v with_o god_n and_o be_v god_n which_o i_o hope_v t._n hicks_n upon_o serious_a think_v will_v not_o say_v for_o of_o no_o other_o do_v we_o speak_v 2_o lie_v those_o that_o believe_v he_o when_o he_o come_v can_v never_o have_v receive_v he_o have_v they_o not_o see_v he_o by_o a_o inward_a eye_n enlighten_v by_o that_o light_n in_o measure_n in_o themselves_o which_o then_o so_o unmeasurable_o appear_v in_o he_o for_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o scripture_n and_o according_a to_o their_o understanding_n of_o they_o they_o repute_v he_o a_o blasphemer_n and_o both_o plot_v promote_v and_o obtain_v his_o crucifixion_n the_o question_n will_v be_v why_o do_v they_o not_o better_o understand_v they_o the_o answer_n be_v because_o they_o rebel_v against_o that_o spirit_n which_o can_v only_o so_o inform_v they_o have_v they_o bring_v their_o deed_n to_o the_o light_n they_o have_v receive_v sound_a judgement_n and_o a_o true_a measure_n will_v have_v be_v give_v they_o which_o they_o reject_v that_o be_v both_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o the_o just_a reason_n of_o their_o condemnation_n hence_o we_o see_v that_o light_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o high_a rule_n and_o judge_n of_o thought_n word_n and_o deed_n yea_o and_o which_o way_n the_o scripture_n themselves_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v and_o true_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o the_o light_n in_o man_n shall_v not_o lead_v natural_o to_o its_o own_o be_v and_o fountain_n it_o be_v proverbial_a among_o man_n the_o way_n to_o the_o fountain_n head_n be_v to_o trace_v the_o stream_n iâ—_n the_o light_n in_o man_n lead_v not_o to_o christ_n who_o give_v thâ—_n light_n let_v we_o leave_v off_o all_o talk_n of_o religion_n for_o tâ—_n what_o or_o who_o else_o be_v it_o give_v to_o lead_v we_o but_o thomas_n hicks_n tell_v i_o who_o or_o what_o wâ—â—_n christ_n in_o that_o manifestation_n itself_o but_o that_o dâ—vine_a word_n life_n or_o light_n manifest_v in_o flesh_n wilâ—_n not_o then_o a_o measure_n of_o the_o same_o in_o man_n lead_v he_o â—â—_o course_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o fullness_n or_o in_o follow_v its_o leading_n bring_v to_o eternal_a salvation_n or_o can_v that_o light_n resist_v that_o manifestation_n as_o thou_o do_v elsewhere_o seem_v to_o affirm_v if_o christ_n his_o enlighten_v man_n with_o the_o light_n of_o his_o own_o life_n 38.42_o and_o if_o they_o be_v require_v to_o bring_v their_o deed_n to_o be_v try_v by_o it_o and_o if_o they_o be_v invite_v to_o follow_v it_o and_o in_o follow_v it_o be_v promise_v no_o more_o to_o abide_v in_o darkness_n but_o have_v the_o light_n of_o life_n because_o of_o the_o blood_n of_o cleanse_v that_o be_v therein_o meet_v with_o whereby_o
the_o propagation_n of_o that_o inward_a religion_n however_o their_o form_n may_v be_v more_o scriptural_a the_o same_o spirit_n enter_v they_o that_o reign_v in_o their_o old_a persecutor_n and_o they_o at_o last_o run_v back_o and_o end_n in_o that_o from_o whence_o they_o at_o first_o reform_v so_o dangerous_a be_v it_o to_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o a_o fine_a form_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v but_o a_o better_a cover_v for_o the_o old_a enemy_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o power_n to_o act_v more_o disguise_o and_o secure_o in_o but_o lest_o any_o shall_v think_v that_o all_o this_o be_v say_v to_o justle_v the_o scripture_n out_o of_o all_o use_n and_o service_n read_v these_o few_o line_n follow_v with_o patience_n and_o impartiality_n though_o we_o eminent_o account_v the_o light_n or_o spirit_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v the_o gospel_n live_v and_o immediate_a rule_n as_o the_o great_a promise_n of_o the_o father_n and_o that_o without_o be_v rule_v and_o lead_n or_o guide_v by_o there_o be_v no_o be_v a_o child_n of_o god_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o thereby_o intend_v a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o be_v obligatory_a or_o as_o not_o declaratory_a of_o those_o heavenly_a bless_a truth_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v read_v believe_v and_o practise_v god_n forbid_v no_o we_o know_v better_a and_o practice_v otherwise_o and_o have_v good_a satisfaction_n therein_o nor_o do_v we_o say_v that_o those_o essential_a thing_n relate_v to_o faith_n and_o godliness_n mention_v therein_o be_v by_o we_o to_o be_v slight_v or_o contradict_v or_o that_o the_o light_n and_o spirit_n we_o be_v lead_v by_o do_v or_o can_v lead_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n for_o by_o its_o holy_a discovery_n and_o conviction_n be_v we_o make_v acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o our_o faith_n concern_v they_o be_v firm_a and_o they_o be_v thereby_o make_v our_o duty_n and_o such_o be_v their_o correspondence_n and_o agreement_n that_o from_o a_o inward_a assent_n and_o live_v amen_o from_o god_n light_n in_o our_o conscience_n do_v we_o testify_v of_o their_o truth_n use_v and_o dignity_n and_o very_o vain_a be_v t._n hick_n objection_n if_o your_o light_n be_v sufficient_a why_o do_v you_o read_v they_o since_o we_o may_v return_v to_o he_o the_o same_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_a why_o do_v thou_o use_v other_o mean_n though_o god_n grace_n be_v sufficient_a of_o itself_o therefore_o be_v the_o creature_n always_o in_o that_o condition_n wherein_o he_o need_v not_o mean_n and_o notwithstanding_o it_o be_v the_o dispensation_n of_o light_n and_o life_n more_o immediate_o than_o have_v be_v know_v to_o former_a age_n yet_o we_o deny_v not_o the_o use_n of_o such_o mean_n as_o may_v be_v use_v of_o god_n light_n and_o spirit_n as_o will_v be_v speak_v more_o large_o to_o elsewhere_o man_n mind_n be_v carnal_a and_o abroad_o mean_v in_o god_n power_n be_v use_v not_o as_o settle_v teacher_n but_o as_o instrument_n in_o god_n hand_n to_o testify_v of_o and_o direct_v to_o that_o one_o great_a prophet_n and_o live_a teacher_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n that_o all_o may_v come_v thither_o and_o be_v teach_v of_o he_o chap._n v._n of_o his_o insinuation_n against_o we_o concern_v the_o scripture_n but_o t.h._n that_o he_o may_v be_v true_a to_o his_o ungodly_a way_n of_o pervert_v our_o principle_n will_v insinuate_v first_o that_o we_o esteem_v the_o scripture_n no_o far_o 30._o then_o as_o they_o be_v the_o experience_n of_o ancient_a saint_n thereby_o render_v the_o many_o prophecy_n and_o promise_n therein_o record_v not_o yet_o fulfil_v unprofitable_a but_o to_o take_v off_o all_o credit_n to_o this_o evil_a suggestion_n let_v our_o sober_a reader_n know_v that_o by_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n in_o our_o own_o heart_n and_o conscience_n as_o to_o confirm_v what_o of_o the_o scripture_n we_o have_v experience_v and_o press_v after_o the_o compleatment_n of_o those_o enjoyment_n therein_o express_v so_o be_v we_o teach_v reverent_o to_o believe_v those_o holy_a prophecy_n and_o promise_n yet_o unaccomplish_v to_o have_v be_v give_v forth_o by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o almighty_a and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v as_o certain_o fulfil_v as_o they_o be_v write_v yet_o we_o dare_v bold_o affirm_v and_o that_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n before_o who_o we_o shall_v give_v a_o account_n for_o every_o deed_n do_v in_o the_o body_n that_o the_o great_a reason_n of_o our_o belief_n concern_v they_o be_v not_o from_o any_o outward_a thing_n but_o that_o inward_a testimony_n record_n and_o heavenly_a amen_o that_o we_o have_v frequent_o receive_v from_o the_o holy_a light_n within_o we_o to_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o those_o say_n and_o if_o any_o quaker_n there_o be_v that_o be_v not_o thus_o mind_v they_o be_v to_o i_o unknown_a and_o i_o public_o renounce_v and_o protest_v against_o that_o principle_n that_o will_v in_o the_o least_o derogate_a from_o those_o holy_a write_n which_o lead_v i_o to_o his_o second_o insinuation_n viz._n as_o if_o because_o we_o do_v deny_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n in_o honour_n to_o that_o divine_a light_n which_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o in_o the_o holy_a penman_n that_o we_o shall_v therefore_o deny_v all_o those_o holy_a precept_n commandment_n and_o rule_n relate_v to_o life_n and_o godliness_n that_o be_v therein_o contain_v a_o consequence_n so_o foul_a that_o god_n forbid_v any_o of_o we_o shall_v ever_o give_v any_o just_a occasion_n for_o it_o for_o we_o both_o believe_v man_n ought_v to_o liuâ—_n up_o to_o they_o and_o that_o they_o be_v high_o reprovable_a if_o they_o transgress_v against_o they_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o be_v that_o conviction_n they_o meet_v with_o from_o the_o light_n in_o their_o own_o conscience_n wherefore_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o great_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n that_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n within_o be_v both_o our_o warrant_n and_o rule_n for_o faith_n in_o and_o obedience_n to_o they_o and_o let_v t.h._n say_v if_o he_o can_v that_o the_o waldenses_n albigenses_n loâ—lards_n hussites_n lutheran_n calvinist_n and_o other_o protestant_n make_v not_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n in_o their_o conscience_n the_o chief_a ground_n of_o their_o belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n and_o most_o uncorrupted_a father_n who_o be_v many_o and_o positive_a on_o our_o behalf_n 3_o lie_v he_o insinuate_v that_o we_o equal_a nay_o prefer_v our_o book_n before_o the_o scripture_n because_o of_o the_o title_n we_o give_v our_o own_o book_n viz._n the_o voice_n of_o wisdom_n a_o testimony_n for_o god_n etc._n etc._n and_o what_o we_o give_v the_o scripture_n namely_o letter_n etc._n etc._n this_o i_o have_v large_o speak_v to_o in_o my_o answer_n to_o j._n faldo_n but_o not_o know_v whither_o ever_o that_o may_v be_v where_o this_o probable_o may_v come_v i_o shall_v say_v thus_o much_o if_o at_o any_o time_n we_o call_v the_o scripture_n the_o letter_n it_o be_v not_o that_o we_o mean_v thereby_o our_o book_n be_v the_o spirit_n or_o that_o we_o will_v irreverent_o set_v they_o below_o our_o write_n but_o upon_o a_o comparison_n only_o betwixt_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o spirit_n that_o give_v they_o forth_o and_o that_o i_o hope_v may_v be_v do_v without_o the_o least_o disrespect_n though_o such_o who_o religion_n stand_v in_o letter_n and_o time_n and_o not_o in_o spirit_n and_o power_n be_v angry_a at_o it_o but_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o sleight_n the_o scripture_n because_o we_o bestow_v such_o name_n upon_o our_o book_n be_v a_o strange_a kind_n of_o consequence_n be_v not_o our_o book_n most_o write_v in_o a_o plain_a familiar_a and_o scripture-stile_n do_v we_o not_o earnest_o endeavour_v to_o confirm_v what_o we_o write_v by_o scripture_n which_o not_o only_o render_v it_o a_o paâ—t_n of_o our_o book_n but_o the_o most_o noble_a part_n too_o and_o shall_v we_o notwithstanding_o be_v repute_v sleighter_n of_o the_o scripture_n certain_o if_o our_o book_n be_v call_v the_o voice_n of_o wisdom_n and_o a_o testimony_n for_o god_n because_o from_o the_o voice_n of_o wisdom_n and_o god_n witness_n in_o the_o conscience_n by_o good_a reason_n must_v the_o scripture_n be_v interest_v therein_o who_o be_v both_o a_o part_n of_o they_o and_o such_o a_o one_o too_o as_o unto_o who_o our_o quotation_n imply_v a_o manifest_a preference_n his_o next_o insinuation_n be_v that_o it_o be_v dangerous_a for_o ignorant_a people_n to_o read_v the_o scripture_n 3._o fling_v those_o hateful_a name_n of_o jesuit_n and_o romanist_n upon_o we_o this_o doctrine_n he_o lay_v to_o the_o charge_n of_o g._n fox_n and_o rich._n hubberthorn_n in_o a_o book_n call_v truth_n