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a_o discourse_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n deliver_v in_o a_o visitation-sermon_n at_o guilford_z october_n 7._o 1697._o by_o william_n whitfeld_n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o e._n holt_n for_o tho._n bennet_n at_o the_o half-moon_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1698._o a_o sermon_n psal._n l._n 23._o to_o he_o that_o order_v his_o conversation_n aright_o will_v i_o show_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n several_a verse_n of_o this_o psalm_n and_o likewise_o this_o of_o my_o text_n seem_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o author_n in_o the_o person_n of_o god_n be_v usher_v in_o with_o this_o solemn_a preface_n to_o command_v our_o attention_n the_o mighty_a god_n even_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v and_o my_o text_n be_v introduce_v with_o this_o thus_o say_v god_n the_o psalm_n itself_o treat_v of_o call_v all_o mankind_n to_o judgement_n and_o of_o reject_v the_o jewish_a sacrifice_n from_o whence_o as_o cajet_n 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and_o obscure_a before_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n which_o now_o be_v reach_v out_o unto_o all_o mankind_n by_o our_o messiah_n who_o be_v set_v for_o a_o light_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o for_o salvation_n unto_o the_o end_v of_o the_o earth_n now_o be_v this_o salvation_n perfect_v in_o jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o god_n have_v reconcile_v the_o world_n unto_o himself_o and_o now_o be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o clear_o manifest_v since_o the_o dayspring_n from_o on_o high_a have_v visit_v the_o world_n to_o give_v light_n to_o they_o that_o sit_v in_o darkness_n and_o knowledge_n of_o salvation_n unto_o his_o people_n let_v this_o suffice_v to_o show_v in_o short_a that_o it_o be_v most_o worthy_a of_o the_o salvation_n of_o god_n to_o be_v understand_v of_o this_o general_a redemption_n which_o be_v extend_v and_o manifest_v to_o all_o the_o race_n of_o mankind_n in_o jesus_n christ_n for_o salvation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v have_v in_o any_o other_o but_o in_o he_o it_o be_v complete_v and_o perfect_o know_v at_o his_o come_v and_o this_o we_o may_v presume_v be_v that_o salvation_n promise_v in_o my_o text_n to_o be_v show_v unto_o we_o by_o god_n if_o we_o shall_v order_v our_o conversation_n aright_o in_o which_o we_o may_v assure_v ourselves_o that_o without_o a_o holy_a life_n we_o be_v not_o fit_a to_o be_v instruct_v by_o god_n and_o that_o without_o instruction_n from_o god_n we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o attain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o salvation_n for_o ii_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o salvation_n be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o not_o to_o be_v attain_v but_o by_o revelation_n from_o god_n i_o will_v not_o dispute_v how_o far_o our_o natural_a reason_n unassisted_a by_o revelation_n can_v lead_v we_o on_o in_o our_o way_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n true_a worship_n and_o to_o the_o attainment_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n but_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o our_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n be_v now_o become_v requisite_a to_o salvation_n and_o that_o in_o all_o its_o necessary_a doctrine_n it_o be_v not_o full_o know_v either_o to_o the_o wise_a of_o the_o heathen_n or_o to_o the_o best_a of_o the_o jew_n before_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n and_o our_o natural_a reason_n be_v the_o same_o now_o as_o heretofore_o and_o can_v show_v we_o nothing_o new_a in_o this_o disquisition_n but_o as_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o declare_v his_o will_n concern_v it_o so_o that_o if_o any_o thing_n shall_v remain_v still_o unrevealed_a by_o god_n or_o make_v know_v by_o he_o but_o in_o part_n though_o a_o socrates_n a_o plato_n or_o a_o aristotle_n shall_v at_o this_o day_n set_v themselves_o to_o inquire_v into_o they_o their_o natural_a knowledge_n can_v carry_v they_o no_o far_o now_o than_o it_o have_v do_v of_o old_a nor_o even_o abraham_n faith_n he_o without_o a_o more_o express_a revelation_n from_o god_n now_o of_o this_o nature_n i_o take_v to_o be_v that_o hide_a wisdom_n 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believe_v without_o declare_v any_o thing_n of_o his_o hide_a wisdom_n in_o their_o wonderful_a production_n which_o therefore_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o we_o speak_v and_o understand_v as_o child_n indeed_o our_o knowledge_n in_o these_o thing_n be_v much_o enlarge_v by_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o have_v bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v still_o remain_v many_o mystery_n in_o the_o work_n of_o our_o redemption_n far_o above_o the_o reach_n and_o capacity_n of_o our_o natural_a reason_n to_o comprehend_v which_o in_o this_o life_n we_o must_v content_v ourselves_o to_o view_v only_o in_o a_o giass_n dark_o and_o not_o expect_v to_o behold_v they_o now_o as_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o face_n to_o face_n and_o to_o see_v as_o we_o shall_v be_v see_v and_o it_o be_v the_o high_a privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o we_o may_v behold_v these_o wonder_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o this_o glass_n which_o the_o law_n 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show_v in_o general_n the_o insufficiency_n of_o many_o cavil_n against_o several_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n raise_v most_o by_o natural_a man_n who_o have_v the_o pride_n to_o think_v above_o what_o be_v write_v by_o one_o of_o which_o measure_v the_o whole_a power_n of_o god_n by_o the_o scale_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n it_o be_v affirm_v to_o be_v as_o absurd_a to_o say_v that_o god_n have_v take_v upon_o he_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n as_o that_o a_o circle_n shall_v put_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o square_n spinos_n ep._n 21._o ad_fw-la oldenb_n if_o this_o be_v a_o jest_n of_o the_o philosopher_n it_o be_v very_o unbecoming_a the_o seriousness_n of_o the_o subject_a and_o all_o good_a man_n will_v abhor_v his_o profane_a lightness_n in_o the_o main_a article_n of_o our_o redemption_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v in_o earnest_n by_o he_o it_o be_v a_o weak_a proof_n of_o his_o judgement_n to_o argue_v from_o the_o comparison_n of_o a_o square_a and_o 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together_o in_o the_o same_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o same_o judgement_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v passionate_o exhort_v we_o in_o the_o name_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n we_o can_v be_v unite_v in_o our_o belief_n by_o that_o about_o which_o we_o shall_v perpetual_o contend_v and_o in_o which_o we_o do_v so_o far_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o but_o we_o may_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o st._n paul_n have_v a_o great_a authority_n and_o better_a ground_n to_o prescribe_v rule_n to_o our_o faith_n than_o socinus_n and_o that_o in_o persuade_v all_o christian_n to_o unity_n the_o apostle_n know_v that_o there_o be_v one_o general_n principle_n in_o which_o they_o may_v all_o agree_v a_o common_a standard_n which_o will_v regulate_v their_o belief_n and_o give_v law_n to_o the_o diversity_n of_o their_o judgement_n by_o deliver_v the_o same_o thing_n to_o their_o faith_n notwithstanding_o the_o different_a way_n and_o unequal_a strength_n of_o mankind_n in_o their_o reason_v and_o if_o this_o rule_n shall_v be_v no_o other_o than_o the_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n we_o may_v sure_o with_o more_o safety_n rely_v upon_o it_o for_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v of_o our_o salvation_n than_o upon_o socinus_n reason_n or_o upon_o our_o own_o for_o it_o be_v certain_o more_o become_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n and_o more_o secure_a for_o mankind_n that_o their_o belief_n upon_o which_o depend_v their_o everlasting_a happiness_n shall_v rather_o be_v found_v upon_o that_o which_o be_v stable_n and_o for_o ever_o fix_v as_o his_o most_o holy_a word_n be_v than_o upon_o the_o sagacity_n of_o humane_a reason_n which_o vary_v and_o increase_v and_o decline_v with_o age_n in_o all_o part_n of_o which_o salvation_n be_v alike_o necessary_a it_o be_v most_o befit_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n and_o most_o equitable_a to_o mankind_n that_o their_o knowledge_n of_o salvation_n shall_v be_v derive_v from_o thence_o wherein_o they_o all_o have_v a_o common_a right_n and_o a_o equal_a possession_n as_o they_o all_o have_v or_o aught_o to_o have_v in_o the_o scripture_n who_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o they_o though_o unequal_a to_o each_o other_o in_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o reason_v and_o differ_v much_o in_o the_o natural_a endowment_n of_o their_o mind_n but_o justice_n and_o equity_n will_v plead_v for_o we_o that_o this_o knowledge_n shall_v rest_v in_o something_o wherein_o we_o be_v all_o alike_a partaker_n as_o we_o all_o be_v of_o the_o reveal_v word_n of_o god_n and_o in_o something_o wherein_o no_o man_n excel_v his_o brethren_n as_o no_o man_n natural_o do_v in_o the_o power_n of_o believe_v the_o scripture_n nor_o with_o grace_n in_o his_o ability_n of_o obey_v god_n command_n to_o lead_v a_o holy_a life_n and_o to_o order_v his_o conversation_n aright_o and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o distinguish_a character_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o god_n by_o jesus_n christ_n as_o we_o may_v presume_v to_o infer_v from_o our_o bless_a saviour_n pass_v by_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n and_o preach_v his_o gospel_n chief_o to_o the_o poor_a and_o unlearned_a where_o not_o acuteness_n in_o argue_v and_o largeness_n of_o knowledge_n but_o probity_n of_o life_n and_o humility_n of_o mind_n be_v the_o proper_a virtue_n that_o fit_v they_o of_o all_o mankind_n to_o be_v the_o first_o and_o the_o ready_a receiver_n of_o the_o salvation_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v very_o remarkable_a that_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n which_o bring_v redemption_n and_o salvation_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o these_o man_n prove_v immediate_o after_o to_o the_o learned_a greek_n foolishness_n for_o they_o seek_v wisdom_n but_o these_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n their_o philosophy_n teach_v they_o to_o admit_v the_o belief_n of_o nothing_o which_o be_v not_o fetch_v from_o self-evident_a principle_n and_o from_o thence_o deduce_v into_o demonstration_n and_o therefore_o no_o soon_o do_v they_o hear_v st._n paul_n preach_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a but_o they_o as_o some_o among_o we_o do_v mark_v as_o to_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o holy_a faith_n they_o receive_v they_o with_o contempt_n be_v harden_v by_o their_o pride_n against_o acknowledge_v any_o thing_n too_o sublime_a for_o their_o understanding_n or_o believe_v any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o their_o fancy_a scheme_n of_o argue_v but_o as_o to_o the_o duty_n of_o our_o religion_n which_o lie_v plain_a and_o obvious_a to_o the_o mean_a capacity_n these_o were_z overlook_v by_o the_o high-minded_a philosopher_n their_o head_n be_v warm_a with_o dispute_v but_o not_o so_o their_o heart_n with_o charity_n they_o train_v and_o exercise_v their_o reason_n as_o they_o proud_o imagine_v but_o it_o be_v at_o the_o expense_n of_o their_o humility_n and_o so_o together_o with_o the_o loss_n
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reveal_v to_o instruct_v he_o in_o his_o faith_n and_o to_o direct_v he_o in_o a_o holy_a life_n and_o he_o hate_v instruction_n hate_v as_o the_o psalter_n translate_v it_o to_o be_v reform_v for_o thou_o give_v thy_o mouth_n to_o evil_a say_v god_n when_o thou_o see_v a_o thief_n than_o thou_o consent_v with_o he_o and_o have_v be_v partaker_n with_o adulterer_n and_o with_o these_o qualification_n thou_o set_v up_o for_o a_o reviler_n of_o christ_n jesus_n and_o a_o director_n in_o religion_n god_n forbid_v that_o this_o shall_v be_v charge_v upon_o all_o unbeliever_n many_o of_o which_o have_v modesty_n and_o many_o i_o hope_v virtue_n who_o god_n i_o trust_v in_o his_o mercy_n will_v bring_v home_o to_o himself_o in_o his_o appoint_a time_n but_o yet_o the_o observation_n which_o grotias_n make_v upon_o the_o nataral_a man_n from_o the_o comparison_n of_o the_o greek_a philosopher_n most_o of_o which_o history_n deliver_v down_o as_o unclean_a and_o impure_a in_o their_o life_n 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able_a o_o lord_n by_o the_o soundness_n of_o our_o doctrine_n and_o holiness_n of_o our_o life_n both_o to_o exhort_v and_o convince_v gainsayer_n and_o to_o show_v forth_o the_o salvation_n of_o god_n finis_fw-la