himself_o as_o much_o please_v with_o our_o faith_n as_o he_o be_v with_o abraham_n and_o will_v reward_v it_o as_o effectual_o to_o sum_v up_o all_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n to_o abraham_n faith_n be_v not_o give_v mere_o for_o his_o own_o sake_n but_o for_o the_o instruction_n and_o encouragement_n of_o all_o true_a believer_n to_o the_o world_n end_n who_o when_o they_o deny_v themselves_o and_o do_v the_o hard_a duty_n and_o be_v never_o offend_v with_o the_o will_n of_o god_n have_v i_o say_v a_o title_n to_o the_o testimony_n god_n give_v to_o abraham_n now_o i_o know_v that_o thou_o fear_v god_n certain_o it_o will_v be_v no_o mean_a encouragement_n to_o we_o it_o will_v raise_v up_o our_o mind_n to_o very_o great_a degree_n of_o joy_n and_o triumph_n to_o have_v god_n say_v that_o to_o we_o that_o he_o do_v to_o abraham_n but_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v say_v to_o he_o once_o for_o all_o in_o behalf_n of_o all_o his_o child_n that_o shall_v tread_v in_o the_o step_n of_o his_o faith_n this_o be_v not_o a_o honour_n give_v to_o abraham_n only_o though_o to_o he_o principal_o and_o in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v do_v he_o also_o for_o the_o credit_n of_o religion_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o for_o the_o comfort_n and_o joy_n of_o all_o religious_a and_o holy_a man_n and_o woman_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n wherefore_o my_o brethren_n that_o we_o may_v come_v in_o for_o some_o share_n in_o the_o praise_n and_o reward_n of_o abraham_n faith_n let_v there_o be_v in_o none_o of_o we_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n the_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n be_v the_o evil_a heart_n that_o cause_v unbelief_n i._n e._n some_o corrupt_a inclination_n some_o unmortified_a lust_n some_o carnal_a interest_n or_o other_o do_v thou_o therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n when_o thou_o have_v a_o eye_n upon_o the_o example_n of_o abraham_n conceive_v how_o much_o thou_o be_v oblige_v to_o take_v thy_o sin_n thy_o dear_o belove_a sin_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o slay_v it_o that_o be_v the_o first_o sacrifice_n thou_o can_v offer_v to_o god_n to_o wit_n a_o break_a and_o contrite_a heart_n a_o heart_n clean_a from_o worldly_a and_o sinful_a lust_n do_v this_o and_o thou_o will_v find_v nothing_o too_o dear_a for_o god_n thy_o faith_n will_v then_o make_v thou_o to_o be_v entire_o at_o the_o disposal_n of_o his_o will_n and_o pleasure_n it_o will_v justify_v and_o support_v thou_o in_o so_o do_v and_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n will_v be_v thy_o exceed_a great_a reward_n the_o seven_o sermon_n matth_n xv._o 1_o 2_o 3._o then_o come_v to_o jesus_n scribe_n and_o pharisee_n which_o be_v of_o jerusalem_n say_v why_o do_v thy_o disciple_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n for_o they_o wash_v not_o their_o hand_n when_o they_o eat_v bread_n but_o he_o answer_v and_o say_v unto_o they_o why_o do_v you_o also_o transgress_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n by_o your_o tradition_n though_o never_o man_n be_v so_o unreprovable_a in_o his_o doctrine_n and_o example_n as_o our_o lord_n jesus_n yet_o never_o be_v man_n more_o oppose_v or_o cavil_v at_o as_o the_o evangelist_n do_v abundant_o testify_v in_o that_o history_n of_o he_o which_o they_o have_v write_v for_o we_o be_v upon_o the_o matter_n make_v up_o of_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o he_o deliver_v the_o good_a work_n in_o which_o he_o be_v always_o employ_v and_o the_o contradiction_n which_o he_o continual_o meet_v with_o and_o it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o some_o instance_n of_o the_o last_o shall_v be_v record_v for_o our_o sake_n that_o they_o who_o profess_v the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n shall_v not_o think_v it_o strange_a if_o they_o happen_v to_o meet_v with_o such_o opposition_n as_o their_o master_n do_v and_o likewise_o that_o by_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o cavil_n of_o his_o adversary_n they_o may_v be_v instruct_v how_o they_o shall_v defend_v themselves_o afterward_o against_o the_o like_a objection_n one_o instance_n whereof_o we_o have_v in_o the_o text_n i_o have_v now_o choose_v to_o speak_v to_o then_o come_v to_o jesus_n scribe_n and_o pharisee_n which_o be_v of_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n as_o to_o which_o word_n i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o say_v much_o concern_v the_o person_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v to_o deal_v withal_o because_o their_o character_n be_v so_o well_o know_v to_o all_o that_o diligent_o read_v the_o gospel_n the_o scribe_n be_v the_o man_n that_o profess_v to_o teach_v the_o law_n and_o expect_v to_o have_v all_o their_o interpretation_n receive_v as_o oracle_n the_o pharisee_n be_v the_o most_o subtle_a and_o prevail_a sect_n among_o the_o scribe_n for_o though_o as_o thing_n be_v in_o that_o age_n and_o for_o some_o time_n before_o the_o scribe_n general_o agree_v in_o corrupt_v the_o law_n and_o deceive_v the_o people_n yet_o they_o have_v their_o party_n and_o faction_n among_o 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tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n for_o they_o wash_v not_o their_o hand_n when_o they_o eat_v bread_n a_o charge_n lay_v with_o as_o much_o confidence_n as_o anger_n and_o therefore_o they_o scorn_v to_o put_v any_o of_o his_o disciple_n to_o answer_v it_o and_o think_v fit_a to_o challenge_v the_o master_n himself_o about_o it_o now_o the_o first_o thing_n that_o be_v proper_a to_o be_v consider_v here_o be_v 1._o the_o nature_n of_o the_o charge_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o general_a one_o illustrate_v by_o one_o particular_a instance_n the_o general_a charge_n be_v that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n the_o particular_a instance_n be_v that_o they_o transgress_v such_o tradition_n in_o not_o wash_v their_o hand_n before_o meat_n as_o to_o the_o general_a charge_n they_o have_v transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n but_o what_o be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n be_v the_o doctrine_n that_o have_v be_v deliver_v and_o the_o rule_n that_o have_v be_v lay_v down_o by_o wise_a and_o great_a man_n and_o universal_o receive_v in_o former_a age_n one_o will_v think_v therefore_o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v command_v in_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n for_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v deliver_v down_o by_o a_o uncontrollable_a tradition_n from_o hand_n to_o hand_n for_o near_o two_o thousand_o year_n but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o meaning_n under_o these_o word_n as_o they_o use_v they_o by_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n or_o by_o the_o ancient_a tradition_n of_o wise_a and_o great_a man_n they_o mean_v no_o doctrine_n or_o rule_n for_o faith_n or_o practice_n that_o be_v express_v in_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o such_o doctrine_n as_o not_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n be_v deliver_v down_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o by_o constant_a usage_n from_o father_n to_o son_n and_o so_o from_o one_o age_n to_o another_o and_o thus_o josephus_n tell_v we_o antiq._n 13.13_o that_o the_o first_o and_o main_a principle_n of_o the_o pharisee_n be_v that_o they_o deny_v all_o those_o thing_n to_o be_v write_v which_o concern_v religion_n the_o fundamental_a rule_n of_o their_o sect_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o double_a law_n a_o oral_a law_n and_o a_o write_a law_n a_o law_n deliver_v from_o age_n to_o age_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n as_o well_o as_o a_o law_n deliver_v in_o such_o book_n as_o have_v authority_n from_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n to_o gain_v reverence_n to_o these_o tradition_n they_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o though_o they_o be_v not_o write_v in_o the_o
the_o church_n any_o more_o than_o the_o error_n of_o pergamos_n make_v she_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o nor_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o reform_a and_o the_o unreformed_a part_n of_o christendom_n shall_v be_v within_o the_o pale_a of_o that_o one_o church_n which_o we_o profess_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o creed_n any_o more_o than_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o church_n of_o pergamos_n to_o have_v be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n both_o before_o and_o after_o her_o reformation_n and_o thus_o i_o have_v go_v through_o the_o task_n i_o set_v myself_o and_o i_o hope_v need_n to_o make_v no_o apology_n for_o entertain_v you_o with_o a_o controversy_n of_o this_o nature_n which_o indeed_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o controversy_n among_o we_o but_o if_o it_o be_v needful_a i_o have_v this_o to_o say_v whereas_o the_o church_n of_o england_n do_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v a_o infallible_a guide_n or_o judge_n and_o yet_o require_v the_o people_n to_o believe_v as_o she_o believe_v to_o profess_v what_o she_o profess_v and_o to_o do_v what_o she_o enjoin_v it_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o her_o minister_n shall_v sometime_o make_v it_o plain_a that_o she_o require_v this_o because_o she_o have_v reason_n so_o to_o do_v and_o be_v not_o in_o these_o point_n deceive_v though_o she_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o she_o can_v err_v in_o any_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o have_v make_v the_o thing_n i_o have_v discourse_v plain_a enough_o to_o every_o understanding_n but_o whether_o that_o be_v so_o or_o not_o yet_o every_o one_o may_v perceive_v that_o we_o appeal_v to_o his_o reason_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o honesty_n of_o our_o cause_n and_o for_o my_o own_o part_n if_o i_o understand_v nothing_o else_o of_o the_o merit_n of_o it_o i_o have_v rather_o be_v of_o a_o church_n which_o pretend_v to_o guide_v i_o with_o reason_n than_o of_o another_o that_o will_v govern_v i_o without_o it_o and_o that_o because_o the_o former_a be_v likely_a to_o take_v more_o care_n not_o to_o mislead_v i_o than_o the_o latter_a needs_o to_o do_v which_o when_o it_o have_v gain_v i_o to_o a_o implicit_a faith_n and_o a_o blind_a obedience_n may_v lead_v i_o whither_o she_o please_v as_o for_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v i_o declare_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n that_o i_o have_v offer_v nothing_o to_o you_o but_o what_o i_o believe_v myself_o and_o far_o that_o i_o be_o not_o conscious_a to_o myself_o of_o any_o reason_n why_o i_o be_o fix_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o this_o church_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o other_o but_o a_o full_a conviction_n of_o the_o error_n of_o that_o church_n which_o if_o i_o shall_v profess_v or_o practice_v i_o can_v not_o entertain_v the_o least_o hope_n of_o salvation_n and_o we_o who_o be_v thus_o convince_v be_v as_o i_o take_v it_o bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o take_v seasonable_a opportunity_n of_o confirm_v our_o brethren_n in_o our_o communion_n and_o enable_v they_o as_o well_o as_o we_o can_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o argument_n and_o the_o answer_n of_o the_o other_o side_n be_v unsatisfactory_a and_o vain_a as_o i_o have_v in_o some_o part_n endeavour_v to_o show_v at_o this_o time_n we_o shall_v indeed_o not_o be_v unwilling_a to_o take_v pain_n to_o recover_v those_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o be_v educate_v in_o damnable_a error_n but_o there_o be_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o do_v all_o we_o can_v to_o retain_v those_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o have_v be_v educate_v in_o it_o see_v if_o they_o revolt_v we_o can_v have_v that_o hope_n of_o their_o salvation_n which_o we_o will_v fain_o have_v of_o they_o who_o want_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o discover_v they_o it_o be_v a_o bless_a state_n of_o the_o church_n indeed_o if_o all_o be_v unite_v in_o true_a faith_n and_o worship_n we_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o persuade_v and_o exhort_v man_n and_o to_o take_v care_n of_o they_o that_o they_o live_v answerable_o thereto_o but_o since_o we_o have_v two_o work_n upon_o our_o hand_n to_o guard_v you_o against_o error_n as_o well_o as_o to_o warn_v you_o against_o a_o wicked_a life_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o we_o can_v discharge_v our_o duty_n but_o by_o do_v one_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o and_o that_o i_o may_v not_o say_v nothing_o to_o the_o latter_a i_o be_o to_o tell_v you_o in_o the_o conclusion_n that_o we_o do_v not_o make_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o best_a church_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v all_o in_o all_o a_o man_n may_v go_v to_o hell_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o a_o pure_a church_n and_o without_o true_a repentance_n and_o reformation_n the_o best_a and_o pure_a church_n that_o ever_o be_v since_o the_o gospel_n begin_v can_v have_v do_v he_o no_o service_n and_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v as_o great_a a_o corruption_n as_o can_v be_v ready_o think_v of_o for_o any_o church_n to_o pretend_v to_o save_v man_n by_o a_o trick_n and_o send_v they_o to_o heaven_n any_o other_o way_n than_o the_o plain_a way_n of_o keep_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o our_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n keep_v therefore_o the_o pure_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o withal_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o man_n hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n but_o still_o remember_v that_o if_o your_o work_n be_v not_o answerable_a your_o faith_n be_v vain_a for_o not_o the_o hearer_n of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o doer_n thereof_o shall_v be_v justify_v not_o he_o that_o say_v lord_n lord_n shall_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o do_v the_o will_n of_o our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n the_o second_o sermon_n matth_n xviii_o 7._o wo_n unto_o the_o world_n because_o of_o offence_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o offence_n come_v but_o woe_n to_o that_o man_n by_o who_o the_o offence_n come_v the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o bring_v mankind_n to_o salvation_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o to_o convert_v they_o from_o sin_n and_o from_o all_o dangerous_a error_n and_o to_o lead_v they_o to_o a_o right_a faith_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n but_o it_o be_v too_o evident_a that_o this_o end_n be_v not_o attain_v universal_o and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o suspect_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o therefore_o a_o divine_a revelation_n because_o it_o have_v in_o so_o great_a part_n fail_v of_o the_o end_n which_o it_o pretend_v to_o pursue_v he_o may_v be_v easy_o bring_v to_o assurance_n again_o by_o consider_v the_o vast_a good_a which_o christianity_n have_v do_v in_o the_o world_n but_o especial_o by_o observe_v that_o the_o gospel_n have_v foretell_v that_o all_o man_n will_v not_o believe_v and_o obey_v our_o bless_a lord_n himself_o testify_v that_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o be_v choose_v and_o that_o straight_o be_v the_o gate_n and_o narrow_a the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o life_n and_o few_o there_o be_v that_o find_v it_o nay_o inasmuch_o as_o he_o have_v forewarn_v we_o of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o have_v tell_v we_o beforehand_o that_o the_o word_n which_o he_o have_v speak_v the_o same_o shall_v judge_v we_o at_o the_o last_o day_n this_o be_v a_o manifest_a declaration_n that_o he_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o lead_v man_n to_o faith_n and_o repentance_n by_o such_o mean_n as_o can_v not_o but_o be_v effectual_a but_o only_o by_o such_o as_o be_v sufficient_a if_o we_o will_v in_o any_o measure_n comply_v with_o his_o gracious_a method_n and_o it_o be_v also_o a_o plain_a intimation_n that_o a_o great_a many_o will_v be_v never_o the_o better_a but_o the_o worse_a for_o these_o mean_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o their_o salvation_n and_o that_o some_o for_o not_o receive_v they_o other_o for_o not_o improve_n they_o will_v fall_v into_o great_a condemnation_n but_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o foretell_v these_o thing_n only_o but_o the_o cause_n of_o they_o too_o and_o what_o it_o be_v that_o will_v obstruct_v the_o progress_n and_o design_n of_o his_o religion_n for_o this_o be_v the_o importance_n of_o those_o word_n of_o he_o which_o i_o have_v now_o choose_v for_o my_o subject_n woe_n be_v to_o the_o world_n because_o of_o offence_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o offence_n come_v by_o offence_n or_o scandal_n we_o be_v here_o and_o almost_o everywhere_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n to_o understand_v those_o temptation_n to_o sin_n and_o inducement_n to_o error_n which_o some_o man_n lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o other_o they_o be_v sometime_o otherwise_o express_v snare_n stumbling-block_n and_o occasion_n of_o fall_n for_o the_o
law_n yet_o they_o be_v deliver_v to_o moses_n by_o god_n himself_o to_o joshua_n by_o moses_n to_o the_o prophet_n by_o joshua_n to_o esdras_n by_o the_o prophet_n and_o thence_o to_o the_o master_n of_o the_o school_n of_o who_o they_o be_v the_o successor_n and_o they_o be_v the_o guardian_n of_o these_o unwritten_a tradition_n which_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o equal_a or_o rather_o superior_a regard_n to_o that_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v hold_v in_o claim_v also_o a_o absolute_a obedience_n from_o the_o people_n insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v a_o say_n among_o they_o if_o the_o scribe_n say_v that_o the_o right_a hand_n be_v the_o left_a or_o the_o left_a hand_n the_o right_a you_o be_v to_o believe_v they_o now_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o pharisee_n upon_o our_o saviour_n disciple_n be_v not_o that_o they_o have_v transgress_v any_o tradition_n that_o appear_v to_o have_v a_o divine_a original_a by_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o that_o they_o have_v transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n as_o they_o use_v to_o call_v they_o such_o tradition_n for_o which_o they_o have_v no_o other_o pretence_n than_o that_o they_o be_v convey_v down_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n from_o father_n to_o son_n among_o the_o wise_a man_n and_o the_o master_n and_o the_o scribe_n the_o particular_a instance_n to_o explain_v the_o general_a charge_n be_v this_o that_o the_o disciple_n do_v not_o wash_v their_o hand_n before_o they_o eat_v bread_n for_o one_o of_o those_o many_o traditionary_a doctrine_n for_o which_o they_o be_v so_o zealous_a be_v this_o that_o if_o a_o stranger_n or_o a_o uncircumcised_a person_n shall_v but_o touch_v a_o jew_n the_o jew_n be_v forthwith_o defile_v or_o if_o he_o have_v but_o touch_v any_o thing_n that_o a_o jew_n afterward_o touch_v he_o be_v unclean_a and_o if_o the_o jew_n shall_v in_o that_o state_n take_v any_o meat_n to_o eat_v that_o meat_n be_v render_v unclean_a and_o will_v defile_v his_o mind_n for_o the_o prevent_n of_o which_o danger_n it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o religion_n to_o wash_v before_o eat_v and_o thus_o for_o a_o idle_a fancy_n they_o invent_v a_o idle_a relief_n and_o place_v so_o much_o religion_n in_o it_o that_o say_v one_o of_o they_o he_o that_o eat_v bread_n with_o unwashen_n hand_n sin_n as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v lie_v with_o a_o whore_n and_o say_v another_o it_o be_v the_o high_a point_n of_o holiness_n for_o a_o man_n to_o separate_v himself_o from_o the_o vulgar_a and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o touch_v they_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o eat_v or_o drink_v with_o they_o and_o the_o next_o to_o this_o be_v to_o wash_v away_o the_o impurity_n that_o be_v contract_v thereby_o you_o may_v see_v a_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o this_o senseless_a superstition_n of_o they_o in_o mark_n 7._o the_o pharisee_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n except_o they_o wash_v their_o hand_n oft_o eat_v not_o hold_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o when_o they_o come_v from_o the_o market_n except_o they_o wash_v they_o eat_v not_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n there_o be_v which_o they_o have_v receive_v to_o hold_v as_o the_o wash_n of_o cup_n and_o pot_n brazen_a vessel_n and_o of_o table_n that_o be_v they_o do_v not_o only_o wash_v their_o own_o hand_n lest_o they_o shall_v have_v touch_v some_o stranger_n or_o one_o less_o pure_a than_o themselves_o but_o lest_o some_o stranger_n shall_v have_v touch_v the_o cup_n in_o which_o they_o drink_v or_o the_o dish_n in_o which_o their_o meat_n be_v or_o the_o table_n upon_o which_o the_o cup_n be_v to_o stand_v these_o be_v wash_v with_o all_o care_n not_o for_o cleanliness_n for_o that_o will_v not_o serve_v the_o turn_n but_o for_o holiness_n sake_n as_o if_o their_o mind_n be_v make_v pure_a by_o wash_v their_o hand_n and_o cup_n and_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o sort_n this_o be_v one_o kind_a of_o their_o traditionary_a doctrine_n for_o transgress_v of_o which_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n be_v accuse_v by_o the_o pharisee_n ii_o we_o may_v observe_v these_o two_o thing_n imply_v in_o the_o charge_n 1._o the_o concern_v which_o the_o scribe_n have_v for_o their_o tradition_n and_o 2._o the_o reverence_n in_o which_o the_o people_n hold_v they_o 1._o the_o concern_v of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n to_o have_v they_o observe_v it_o be_v so_o great_a that_o a_o man_n may_v with_o less_o danger_n from_o they_o break_v a_o plain_a law_n of_o god_n than_o transgress_v one_o of_o their_o tradition_n and_o they_o will_v soon_o call_v he_o to_o a_o account_n for_o this_o latter_a than_o for_o the_o former_a if_o they_o can_v have_v charge_v our_o lord_n disciple_n with_o break_v the_o five_o commandment_n as_o jesus_n charge_v they_o with_o it_o present_o after_o of_o this_o they_o will_v have_v say_v nothing_o but_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o bear_v the_o neglect_n of_o the_o disciple_n to_o wash_v before_o eat_v for_o conscience-sake_n and_o when_o he_o have_v give_v the_o multitude_n a_o plain_a account_n of_o this_o neglect_n neither_o can_v they_o bear_v that_o but_o be_v offend_v at_o he_o v._o 12._o hence_o in_o their_o talmud_n a_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o have_v gather_v up_o their_o oral_a tradition_n it_o be_v say_v that_o there_o be_v more_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o scribe_n than_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n and_o we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v that_o the_o write_a law_n be_v the_o foundation_n but_o the_o unwritten_a and_o the_o word_n of_o the_o elder_n be_v of_o more_o authority_n and_o weight_n than_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n so_o blind_a be_v their_o zeal_n for_o their_o tradition_n that_o one_o of_o the_o rabbi_n be_v once_o cast_v into_o prison_n and_o water_n be_v give_v he_o to_o wash_v and_o to_o drink_v and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v spill_v he_o rather_o choose_v to_o wash_v his_o hand_n than_o to_o drink_v say_v it_o be_v better_a to_o die_v than_o to_o transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n and_o no_o wonder_n that_o they_o be_v thus_o concern_v when_o it_o be_v by_o these_o doctrine_n that_o they_o keep_v up_o a_o absolute_a authority_n over_o the_o people_n for_o if_o the_o people_n will_v be_v make_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o unwritten_a law_n be_v of_o great_a consequence_n than_o the_o write_v and_o that_o the_o scribe_n be_v the_o guardian_n and_o oracle_n of_o the_o unwritten_a law_n nothing_o can_v be_v better_o contrive_v to_o keep_v they_o in_o a_o absolute_a dependence_n upon_o the_o scribe_n 2._o the_o charge_n do_v likewise_o imply_v a_o universal_a regard_n of_o these_o tradition_n in_o the_o people_n why_o do_v thy_o disciple_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n i._n e._n why_o do_v they_o only_o do_v it_o and_o we_o hear_v from_o st._n mark_n that_o the_o pharisee_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n except_o they_o wash_v their_o hand_n oft_o eat_v not_o whatever_o become_v of_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n here_o be_v very_o good_a care_n take_v that_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v keep_v nay_o it_o be_v so_o fix_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o our_o lord_n disciple_n themselves_o that_o they_o be_v to_o be_v keep_v that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o set_v they_o right_o in_o these_o thing_n present_o for_o after_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v they_o not_o that_o which_o go_v into_o the_o mouth_n defile_v the_o man_n but_o that_o which_o come_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n v._o 11._o peter_n ask_v he_o v._o 15._o to_o declare_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o parable_n or_o as_o he_o think_v it_o hard_o say_v and_o jesus_n say_v v._o 16._o be_v you_o also_o yet_o without_o understanding_n and_o so_o he_o go_v on_o show_v that_o he_o speak_v of_o cleanness_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v defile_v by_o evil_a thought_n murder_n adultery_n etc._n etc._n they_o have_v not_o yet_o get_v rid_v of_o those_o superstitious_a fancy_n that_o reign_v among_o the_o people_n and_o be_v so_o prejudice_v by_o they_o that_o they_o can_v hardly_o understand_v the_o plain_a truth_n on_o the_o other_o side_n nay_o when_o after_o this_o he_o have_v occasion_n to_o say_v to_o they_o as_o you_o find_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n ver_fw-la 6._o take_v heed_n and_o beware_v of_o the_o leaven_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o of_o the_o saducee_v how_o do_v we_o think_v they_o understand_v this_o say_n and_o they_o reason_v among_o themselves_o say_v it_o be_v because_o we_o have_v take_v no_o bread_n which_o show_v they_o be_v not_o yet_o cure_v of_o this_o pharisaical_a superstition_n inasmuch_o as_o they_o understand_v our_o saviour_n as_o if_o he_o have_v forbid_v they_o to_o eat_v any_o bread_n which_o the_o pharisee_n have_v touch_v as_o the_o
the_o person_n the_o time_n and_o the_o manner_n and_o the_o degree_n by_o which_o such_o corruption_n get_v into_o the_o church_n yet_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o every_o christian_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o answer_v these_o question_n punctual_o because_o it_o require_v more_o labour_n and_o read_v than_o general_o they_o have_v either_o leisure_n or_o ability_n to_o go_v through_o with_o but_o withal_o it_o be_v very_o needless_a because_o there_o be_v a_o short_a and_o a_o sure_a way_n to_o determine_v this_o matter_n and_o that_o by_o compare_v those_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n with_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o scripture_n have_v a_o more_o certain_a tradition_n than_o any_o of_o those_o history_n that_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o revolution_n of_o church-affair_n since_o the_o beginning_n and_o now_o what_o matter_n be_v it_o if_o i_o be_o assure_v that_o such_o and_o such_o corruption_n be_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n some_o time_n or_o other_o after_o the_o apostle_n because_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o what_o the_o apostle_n teach_v and_o leave_v in_o their_o write_n though_o i_o can_v tell_v just_o the_o year_n when_o or_o the_o person_n by_o who_o they_o first_o creep_v into_o the_o church_n i_o will_v very_o fain_o know_v of_o any_o man_n that_o when_o our_o saviour_n set_v himself_o to_o overthrow_v that_o wicked_a tradition_n which_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o before_o whether_o he_o can_v not_o if_o he_o have_v please_v have_v give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o person_n that_o begin_v it_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o of_o the_o time_n when_o it_o begin_v and_o of_o every_o circumstance_n that_o attend_v its_o entrance_n into_o the_o world_n and_o its_o growth_n and_o increase_n afterward_o but_o do_v he_o go_v this_o way_n to_o work_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pharisee_n pretend_v the_o tradition_n which_o they_o teach_v the_o people_n be_v deliver_v from_o god_n to_o moses_n and_o that_o through_o several_a age_n they_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o they_o successive_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o i_o grant_v that_o if_o our_o lord_n have_v with_o many_o word_n show_v they_o that_o there_o be_v such_o and_o such_o man_n who_o first_o bring_v they_o in_o this_o have_v be_v a_o confutation_n of_o their_o pretence_n but_o for_o all_o that_o he_o be_v please_v to_o use_v a_o better_a and_o a_o short_a argument_n against_o they_o and_o tell_v they_o what_o the_o commandment_n be_v in_o the_o law_n which_o their_o pretend_a tradition_n make_v void_a and_o this_o be_v instead_o of_o a_o thousand_o argument_n that_o their_o doctrine_n never_o come_v from_o moses_n but_o be_v invent_v some_o time_n afterward_o and_o i_o beseech_v you_o let_v none_o of_o we_o be_v ashamed_a to_o use_v that_o kind_n of_o argument_n which_o our_o saviour_n think_v fit_a to_o confute_v those_o people_n withal_o and_o which_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v he_o use_v that_o he_o may_v show_v we_o the_o best_a way_n to_o secure_v ourselves_o from_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o unwritten_a tradition_n and_o by_o a_o pretence_n of_o have_v receive_v such_o doctrine_n from_o the_o apostle_n as_o they_o never_o deliver_v when_o therefore_o we_o be_v ask_v if_o transubstantiation_n be_v a_o error_n and_o not_o a_o article_n of_o faith_n when_o do_v it_o come_v in_o if_o service_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n be_v a_o innovation_n when_o do_v it_o come_v in_o if_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n be_v a_o corruption_n when_o do_v it_o come_v in_o let_v we_o account_v it_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v for_o so_o our_o saviour_n think_v it_o in_o the_o like_a case_n that_o transubstantiation_n make_v void_a those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o express_o affirm_v that_o by_o eat_v of_o bread_n we_o show_v forth_o the_o death_n of_o christ_n and_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o his_o body_n that_o service_n in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n make_v void_a the_o fourteen_o chapter_n of_o the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n and_o that_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o mass_n make_v void_a the_o seven_o and_o the_o ten_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o express_o tell_v we_o that_o christ_n can_v be_v offer_v no_o more_o and_o that_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v very_o well_o assure_v that_o they_o do_v come_v in_o some_o time_n or_o other_o since_o the_o apostle_n but_o whether_o they_o come_v in_o soon_o or_o late_a be_v nothing_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o certain_o nothing_o aught_o ever_o to_o have_v come_v in_o that_o make_v void_a any_o part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o if_o any_o such_o thing_n have_v get_v in_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v throw_v out_o again_o they_o may_v well_o be_v ashamed_a that_o can_v bear_v this_o sort_n of_o argue_v but_o most_o certain_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v ashamed_a to_o use_v it_o since_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v use_v it_o before_o we_o for_o when_o he_o set_v himself_o to_o overthrow_v the_o credit_n of_o these_o doctrine_n for_o which_o they_o pretend_v a_o constant_a tradition_n in_o the_o church_n he_o think_v it_o sufficient_a for_o his_o purpose_n to_o show_v that_o they_o void_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o make_v his_o word_n of_o none_o effect_n 2._o if_o there_o be_v one_o traditionary_a doctrine_n that_o notorious_o contradict_v the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o overthrow_v the_o whole_a credit_n of_o that_o tradition_n which_o pretend_v to_o bring_v down_o unwritten_a doctrine_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v receive_v for_o thus_o we_o find_v that_o our_o saviour_n by_o the_o single_a instance_n of_o that_o tradition_n which_o void_v the_o five_o commandment_n overthrow_v the_o objection_n of_o the_o pharisee_n against_o his_o disciple_n why_o do_v thy_o disciple_n transgress_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n i._n e._n their_o unwritten_a tradition_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v that_o they_o ought_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v religious_o observe_v because_o they_o have_v all_o the_o same_o authority_n our_o saviour_n therefore_o produce_v a_o instance_n of_o their_o tradition_n that_o take_v away_o all_o authority_n inasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n if_o therefore_o among_o their_o unwritten_a doctrine_n and_o rule_n there_o be_v any_o that_o have_v some_o kind_n of_o goodness_n and_o usefulness_n they_o be_v to_o be_v regard_v upon_o their_o own_o account_n and_o not_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o tradition_n but_o when_o he_o have_v utter_o overthrow_v all_o that_o pretend_a authority_n by_o a_o undeniable_a argument_n he_o than_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n which_o themselves_o have_v propound_v and_o lay_v down_o the_o truth_n concern_v it_o they_o have_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o superstition_n for_o which_o they_o pretend_v tradition_n and_o they_o tax_v our_o saviour_n disciple_n for_o not_o observe_v one_o of_o they_o now_o he_o with_o admirable_a wisdom_n first_o break_v the_o authority_n of_o their_o tradition_n show_v that_o one_o of_o they_o be_v plain_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o then_o he_o show_v how_o superstitious_a and_o foolish_a they_o be_v in_o the_o case_n which_o themselves_o choose_v to_o speak_v to_o in_o this_o also_o our_o lord_n have_v set_v we_o a_o example_n that_o if_o we_o be_v press_v by_o a_o pretence_n to_o tradition_n in_o favour_n of_o unwritten_a doctrine_n and_o article_n we_o shall_v in_o the_o first_o place_n show_v that_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o pretend_v tradition_n for_o any_o of_o they_o since_o they_o be_v all_o say_v to_o have_v come_v down_o together_o which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o will_v be_v then_o seasonable_a to_o show_v what_o be_v to_o be_v think_v of_o the_o rest_n if_o they_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o reason_n and_o scripture_n 3._o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o some_o one_o or_o two_o age_n that_o such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n be_v deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n many_o age_n before_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v so_o deliver_v the_o pharisee_n do_v pretend_v that_o their_o doctrine_n and_o interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n have_v be_v convey_v down_o from_o moses_n by_o oral_a tradition_n to_o that_o age_n in_o which_o they_o live_v and_o there_o be_v several_a of_o these_o tradition_n universal_o believe_v in_o that_o age_n to_o have_v be_v so_o convey_v and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o people_n be_v universal_o govern_v by_o they_o for_o instance_n that_o of_o religious_a wash_v before_o meat_n and_o the_o wash_n
it_o must_v not_o be_v impossible_a it_o must_v not_o be_v trivial_a and_o in_o affirm_v it_o must_v be_v some_o fact_n provable_a by_o our_o own_o testimony_n that_o we_o may_v swear_v in_o judgement_n all_o which_o imply_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o swear_v indeliberate_o passionate_o or_o common_o the_o discharge_v of_o a_o oath_n must_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o obligation_n which_o be_v to_o sincerity_n of_o intention_n fidelity_n of_o performance_n and_o the_o give_v of_o testimony_n exact_o according_a to_o knowledge_n and_o then_o we_o swear_v in_o truth_n all_o which_o condition_n of_o use_v a_o oath_n religious_o be_v put_v together_o by_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n c._n 4._o v._n 2._o and_o thou_o shall_v swear_v the_o lord_n live_v in_o truth_n in_o judgement_n and_o in_o righteousness_n in_o righteousness_n not_o profane_v a_o oath_n by_o make_v it_o the_o bond_n of_o iniquity_n in_o judgement_n not_o expose_v it_o to_o contempt_n by_o use_v it_o rash_o and_o improper_o and_o in_o truth_n not_o violate_v the_o bond_n of_o a_o oath_n by_o break_v promise_n or_o give_v testimony_n to_o a_o falsehood_n swear_v in_o truth_n be_v that_o part_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o i_o shall_v at_o this_o time_n press_v upon_o you_o omit_v the_o consideration_n of_o what_o thing_n a_o oath_n may_v be_v conversant_a about_o and_o that_o the_o rather_o because_o i_o shall_v apply_v what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v upon_o the_o former_a point_n either_o to_o such_o oath_n as_o fasten_v any_o duty_n upon_o we_o require_v by_o the_o law_n or_o to_o swear_v in_o court_n of_o judicature_n where_o the_o end_n of_o swear_v viz._n the_o judicial_a decide_n of_o controversy_n do_v always_o make_v the_o matter_n inquire_v into_o worthy_a of_o so_o high_a a_o testimony_n therefore_o have_v i_o choose_v these_o word_n of_o god_n for_o my_o subject_n you_o shall_v not_o swear_v by_o my_o name_n false_o a_o law_n which_o if_o any_o be_v write_v upon_o the_o very_a heart_n of_o man_n and_o yet_o it_o please_v god_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v write_v in_o our_o bibles_n too_o i_o will_v to_o god_n there_o be_v no_o occasion_n give_v by_o the_o present_a age_n to_o urge_v it_o in_o our_o sermon_n at_o least_o in_o the_o way_n of_o complaint_n and_o reproof_n but_o since_o perjury_n perjury_n i_o say_v that_o monstrous_a sin_n which_o strike_v even_o at_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o betray_v the_o throne_n of_o the_o king_n which_o undermine_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o justice_n which_o do_v most_o sensible_o grieve_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o good_a christian_n and_o threaten_v the_o safety_n of_o every_o good_a subject_n which_o do_v not_o only_o work_v mischief_n to_o the_o innocent_a but_o also_o damn_v the_o guilty_a almost_o without_o remedy_n if_o perjury_n as_o it_o be_v common_o say_v be_v grow_v the_o cry_a sin_n of_o our_o land_n and_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o penalty_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o terrible_a enough_o to_o prevail_v against_o it_o we_o be_v then_o bind_v in_o allegiance_n to_o god_n in_o loyalty_n to_o the_o king_n in_o love_n to_o our_o country_n in_o charity_n to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o bring_v in_o all_o the_o assistance_n we_o can_v from_o religion_n to_o expel_v this_o fatal_a mischief_n and_o to_o remove_v this_o foul_a scandal_n from_o among_o we_o by_o instruct_v plain_o by_o reprove_v impartial_o by_o exhort_v and_o persuade_v most_o vehement_o in_o contribution_n to_o which_o good_a end_n i_o beg_v your_o patience_n while_o i_o endeavour_v to_o show_v first_o of_o all_o wherein_o lie_v the_o peculiar_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n second_o what_o be_v the_o several_a way_n of_o violate_v this_o obligation_n or_o incur_v the_o crime_n of_o perjury_n three_o what_o be_v the_o usual_a temptation_n and_o inducement_n thereunto_o last_o some_o of_o the_o fearful_a aggravation_n that_o belong_v to_o the_o sin_n that_o a_o oath_n induce_v the_o utmost_a obligation_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n be_v confess_v by_o general_a practice_n which_o have_v make_v or_o rather_o receive_v it_o to_o be_v the_o end_n of_o controversy_n for_o if_o a_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v yet_o more_o deep_o than_o by_o swear_v sure_o the_o final_a resort_n will_v not_o be_v have_v to_o a_o oath_n if_o any_o thing_n can_v confirm_v a_o testimony_n more_o assure_o which_o be_v in_o our_o power_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v the_o last_o confirmation_n therefore_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o the_o very_a end_n of_o a_o oath_n imply_v a_o peculiar_a obligation_n to_o discharge_v it_o true_o for_o the_o great_a that_o trust_n be_v which_o i_o cause_v another_o to_o repose_v in_o i_o the_o great_a treachery_n i_o be_o guilty_a of_o if_o i_o then_o deceive_v he_o but_o if_o the_o end_n of_o a_o oath_n oblige_v man_n not_o to_o swear_v false_o much_o more_o do_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n may_v a_o oath_n be_v rest_v in_o as_o the_o high_a security_n that_o man_n can_v offer_v for_o their_o honesty_n and_o truth_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o oath_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v a_o appeal_n to_o god_n as_o to_o the_o witness_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o avenger_n of_o falsehood_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o our_o own_o testimony_n 1._o god_n be_v appeal_v to_o as_o a_o witness_n he_o who_o be_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n and_o knowledge_n the_o faithful_a and_o infallible_a witness_n of_o every_o thought_n and_o action_n he_o who_o testimony_n alone_o need_v not_o to_o be_v confirm_v by_o any_o other_o since_o for_o he_o only_o it_o be_v natural_o and_o eternal_o impossible_a to_o deceive_v or_o to_o be_v deceive_v i_o ought_v never_o to_o lie_v or_o dissemble_v or_o break_v my_o word_n because_o i_o know_v myself_o always_o to_o be_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n this_o aught_o to_o restrain_v i_o from_o be_v guilty_a of_o falsehood_n at_o any_o time_n that_o i_o be_o within_o the_o sight_n and_o hear_n of_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n but_o most_o of_o all_o be_o i_o bind_v to_o be_v sincere_a when_o i_o have_v appeal_v to_o he_o as_o present_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o say_v it_o be_v a_o grief_n to_o a_o good_a man_n to_o hear_v a_o lie_v tell_v to_o his_o face_n but_o if_o the_o liar_n shall_v call_v he_o to_o witness_v his_o falsehood_n this_o he_o will_v take_v in_o foul_a scorn_n and_o with_o great_a indignation_n and_o what_o a_o height_n of_o impudence_n must_v it_o need_v be_v to_o put_v the_o like_a affront_n upon_o god_n himself_o by_o appeal_n to_o his_o knowledge_n for_o our_o unrighteousness_n in_o matter_n wherein_o we_o deal_v false_o what_o be_v this_o but_o to_o impute_v our_o own_o baseness_n and_o falsehood_n to_o his_o most_o holy_a majesty_n and_o to_o do_v what_o be_v in_o we_o to_o make_v he_o a_o liar_n like_a unto_o ourselves_o 2._o god_n be_v not_o only_o call_v upon_o as_o the_o witness_n of_o truth_n when_o we_o swear_v but_o also_o as_o the_o avenger_n of_o falsehood_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o add_v of_o this_o which_o make_v a_o appeal_n to_o god_n testimony_n by_o invocation_n a_o most_o forcible_a obligation_n to_o truth_n and_o the_o utmost_a security_n which_o we_o can_v offer_v for_o the_o same_o when_o we_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v a_o man_n present_v who_o know_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o we_o affirm_v it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o wish_v that_o he_o be_v revenge_v of_o we_o if_o it_o be_v not_o true_a because_o he_o may_v be_v call_v forth_o open_o to_o attest_v the_o truth_n or_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o what_o we_o say_v where_o the_o witness_n be_v visible_a and_o the_o testimony_n credible_a it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o appeal_v to_o his_o knowledge_n only_o but_o when_o god_n be_v take_v to_o witness_n by_o we_o there_o be_v no_o voice_n or_o sensible_a appearance_n by_o which_o he_o do_v either_o confirm_v or_o disow_v the_o matter_n what_o be_v it_o then_o which_o make_v a_o appeal_n to_o god_n the_o silent_a and_o invisible_a witness_n to_o be_v of_o great_a force_n to_o oblige_v ourselves_o and_o confirm_v other_o that_o we_o speak_v the_o truth_n what_o be_v it_o but_o this_o that_o we_o do_v appeal_v to_o his_o justice_n as_o well_o as_o his_o knowledge_n and_o call_v the_o vengeance_n of_o the_o almighty_a down_o upon_o our_o head_n if_o he_o discern_v any_o falsehood_n and_o deceit_n in_o our_o testimony_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o any_o obligation_n to_o speak_v the_o truth_n or_o to_o discharge_v a_o trust_n shall_v be_v great_a than_o this_o that_o if_o we_o be_v now_o guilty_a of_o lie_v or_o unfaithfulness_n we_o do_v not_o only_a consent_n but_o desire_v that_o the_o indignation_n
and_o curse_n of_o god_n may_v fall_v upon_o we_o i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o invoke_v of_o divine_a vengeance_n if_o we_o swerve_v from_o the_o truth_n be_v only_o consequent_a upon_o swear_v according_a to_o the_o opinion_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n but_o also_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o oath_n for_o that_o shall_v seem_v to_o be_v essential_a to_o it_o which_o if_o it_o be_v remove_v the_o fear_n of_o perjury_n will_v be_v take_v away_o with_o it_o but_o no_o man_n doubt_v that_o appeal_n to_o god_n as_o a_o judge_n be_v imply_v in_o appeal_n to_o he_o as_o a_o witness_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o septuagint_n sometime_o use_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o curse_n for_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o oath_n say_a abraham_n to_o his_o servant_n gen._n 24.41_o thou_o shall_v be_v free_a from_o this_o my_o oath_n but_o the_o septuagint_n render_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thou_o shall_v be_v free_a from_o this_o my_o curse_n and_o this_o be_v that_o meaning_n of_o a_o oath_n which_o be_v well_o express_v both_o by_o the_o form_n and_o rite_n of_o swear_v use_v among_o we_o the_o common_a form_n be_v this_o so_o help_v you_o god_n to_o which_o the_o party_n sworn_n give_v his_o assent_n by_o lay_v his_o hand_n upon_o the_o holy_a gospel_n and_o kiss_v it_o all_o which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v if_o i_o falsify_v let_v i_o have_v no_o part_n in_o the_o grace_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n may_v i_o be_v accurse_v in_o this_o world_n and_o let_v my_o name_n be_v blot_v out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n and_o be_v there_o not_o good_a reason_n then_o why_o a_o oath_n shall_v be_v as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o it_o the_o end_n of_o controversy_n since_o of_o all_o other_o obligation_n to_o truth_n this_o plain_o be_v the_o strong_a and_o if_o a_o man_n conscience_n will_v not_o be_v hold_v by_o this_o it_o will_v be_v hold_v by_o nothing_o thus_o much_o concern_v the_o sacred_a obligation_n of_o a_o oath_n i_o proceed_v to_o show_v how_o many_o way_n it_o may_v be_v violate_v and_o the_o gild_n of_o perjury_n incur_v it_o be_v usual_o say_v that_o a_o oath_n be_v either_o promissory_a or_o assertory_n but_o i_o think_v that_o in_o strictness_n every_o oath_n include_v a_o promise_n even_o the_o assertory_n oath_n by_o which_o a_o man_n bind_v himself_o to_o declare_v what_o he_o know_v concern_v some_o matter_n of_o fact_n past_a or_o present_a for_o this_o oath_n include_v a_o promise_n of_o declare_v the_o truth_n concern_v it_o only_o the_o promise_n and_o performance_n be_v so_o close_o to_o each_o other_o that_o they_o can_v hardly_o be_v distinguish_v whereas_o the_o obligation_n of_o those_o oath_n we_o call_v promissory_a continue_v for_o some_o considerable_a time_n to_o come_v these_o oath_n be_v most_o take_v out_o of_o court_n of_o judicature_n such_o as_o the_o oath_n of_o subordinate_a magistrate_n to_o execute_v the_o law_n honest_o and_o to_o administer_v justice_n impartial_o of_o the_o member_n of_o a_o society_n or_o corporation_n to_o observe_v the_o rule_n and_o vindicate_v the_o right_n of_o the_o same_o of_o inferior_a officer_n such_o as_o churchwarden_n and_o constable_n to_o present_a offender_n and_o execute_v their_o office_n according_a to_o law_n final_o of_o subject_n to_o yield_v true_a allegiance_n and_o faithful_a subjection_n to_o the_o king_n such_o oath_n as_o these_o be_v direct_o violate_v two_o way_n first_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o honest_a intention_n at_o the_o time_n of_o swear_v 2._o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o faithful_a performance_n afterward_o for_o a_o promise_n have_v a_o double_a aspect_n both_o upon_o the_o present_a intention_n and_o the_o future_a performance_n he_o that_o make_v a_o promise_n which_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o intend_v not_o to_o perform_v be_v guilty_a of_o lie_v and_o though_o he_o intend_v at_o first_o yet_o if_o he_o willing_o neglect_v the_o performance_n afterward_o he_o have_v break_v his_o word_n therefore_o if_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v under_o oath_n he_o be_v forswear_v in_o either_o case_n and_o if_o he_o be_v false_a in_o both_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o double_a act_n of_o perjury_n nay_o though_o the_o oath_n be_v but_o one_o yet_o his_o perjury_n may_v be_v many_o for_o so_o long_o as_o those_o circumstance_n remain_v in_o which_o the_o oath_n bind_v he_o every_o wilful_a omission_n of_o perform_v the_o tenor_n of_o his_o promise_n be_v contrary_a to_o his_o oath_n and_o consequent_o a_o new_a violation_n of_o it_o so_o often_o as_o he_o fail_v so_o often_o he_o be_v forswear_v as_o true_o so_o often_o as_o if_o he_o have_v every_o time_n before_o each_o guilty_a failure_n take_v the_o same_o oath_n which_o he_o bind_v himself_o withal_o at_o first_o thou_o may_v be_v swear_v once_o for_o all_o the_o year_n or_o for_o all_o thy_o life_n but_o there_o be_v no_o such_o matter_n as_o be_v forswear_v once_o for_o all_o as_o vain_a people_n talk_v for_o by_o disobey_v thy_o superior_a suppose_v thou_o have_v do_v contrary_a to_o thy_o oath_n yesterday_o that_o be_v one_o perjury_n and_o shall_v thou_o do_v the_o like_a to_o morrow_n that_o will_v be_v another_o if_o thou_o be_v under_o a_o promise_v confirm_v by_o oath_n but_o not_o under_o the_o restraint_n of_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n thou_o may_v bind_v one_o curse_n fast_o upon_o thy_o head_n with_o another_o and_o seal_v they_o with_o a_o three_o and_o go_v on_o to_o treasure_n up_o wrath_n against_o the_o day_n of_o wrath._n in_o court_n of_o judicature_n perjury_n be_v incur_v when_o false_a witness_n be_v give_v in_o upon_o oath_n i._n e._n either_o when_o a_o man_n swear_v that_o to_o be_v true_a which_o he_o know_v to_o be_v false_a or_o that_o he_o be_v certain_a of_o a_o matter_n whereof_o he_o be_v uncertain_a or_o that_o he_o declare_v the_o utmost_a of_o his_o knowledge_n concern_v a_o fact_n when_o yet_o he_o conceal_v any_o part_n thereof_o in_o this_o last_o case_n the_o witness_n be_v forswear_v as_o plain_o as_o in_o the_o two_o former_a for_o his_o oath_n be_v to_o give_v in_o evidence_n not_o only_o the_o truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n but_o likewise_o the_o whole_a truth_n to_o answer_v such_o question_n as_o the_o court_n shall_v put_v to_o he_o therefore_o the_o witness_n be_v not_o clear_a from_o perjury_n mere_o by_o say_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v true_a touch_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n if_o in_o favour_n to_o either_o side_n he_o conceal_v so_o much_o as_o any_o one_o circumstance_n in_o his_o answer_n and_o deposition_n which_o he_o know_v will_v alter_v the_o case_n what_o can_v be_v plain_o he_o that_o swear_v to_o declare_v the_o whole_a truth_n be_v forswear_v if_o he_o do_v it_o not_o and_o he_o sure_o do_v it_o not_o who_o declare_v it_o in_o part_n only_o moreover_o a_o witness_n may_v incur_v the_o guilt_n of_o perjury_n by_o endeavour_v to_o blind_v the_o evidence_n with_o deceitful_a shuffle_a answer_n instead_o of_o declare_v what_o he_o know_v in_o plainness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o speak_v for_o though_o the_o court_n by_o multiplying-question_n may_v screw_v out_o the_o truth_n at_o last_o yet_o he_o have_v not_o discharge_v his_o oath_n which_o oblige_v he_o not_o only_o to_o a_o actual_a and_o final_a discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n but_o to_o a_o honest_a intention_n of_o so_o do_v and_o it_o be_v very_o plain_a that_o he_o intend_v not_o the_o truth_n shall_v be_v discover_v who_o darken_v and_o hide_v it_o as_o much_o as_o he_o can_v much_o less_o can_v his_o oath_n be_v discharge_v by_o the_o help_n of_o equivocation_n and_o mental_a reservation_n which_o be_v of_o no_o force_n to_o save_v a_o lie_n be_v much_o less_o able_a to_o excuse_v from_o perjury_n the_o oath_n of_o the_o jury_n be_v a_o promissory_a oath_n to_o bring_v in_o a_o verdict_n according_a to_o evidence_n their_o oath_n may_v be_v double_o violate_v as_o be_v now_o observe_v by_o not_o intend_v so_o to_o do_v and_o by_o not_o do_v of_o it_o if_o any_o one_o of_o the_o jury_n be_v prepossess_v in_o favour_n of_o one_o side_n intend_v be_v the_o evidence_n what_o it_o will_v to_o use_v all_o his_o interest_n with_o the_o rest_n in_o favour_n of_o that_o that_o man_n i_o say_v be_v perjure_v as_o soon_o as_o ever_o he_o be_v swear_v he_o have_v swear_v false_o though_o perhaps_o he_o be_v overrule_v and_o a_o honest_a verdict_n be_v bring_v in_o at_o last_o again_o if_o any_o of_o they_o intend_v honest_o at_o first_o but_o be_v afterward_o wrought_v to_o conspire_v in_o a_o verdict_n contrary_n to_o the_o evidence_n they_o have_v
themselves_o allow_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o herein_o do_v i_o exercise_v myself_o to_o have_v a_o conscience_n void_a of_o offence_n towards_o god_n and_o man_n st._n paul_n and_o such_o as_o he_o believe_v all_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n those_o very_a write_n which_o the_o jew_n themselves_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o though_o to_o this_o faith_n they_o add_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n yet_o they_o be_v esteem_v heretic_n because_o they_o undertake_v to_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n and_o to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o instead_o of_o submit_v to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o council_n that_o have_v betray_v and_o murder_v the_o lord_n jesus_n 2._o they_o be_v accuse_v of_o sedition_n too_o as_o if_o they_o design_v to_o make_v stir_v and_o commotion_n and_o to_o alienate_v the_o people_n from_o theia_n governor_n thus_o when_o paul_n and_o silas_n have_v convert_v a_o multitude_n of_o devout_a greek_n and_o not_o a_o few_o of_o the_o chief_a woman_n at_o thessalonica_n the_o jew_n who_o believe_v not_o move_v with_o envy_n take_v unto_o they_o certain_a lewd_a fellow_n of_o the_o base_a sort_n and_o draw_v some_o of_o the_o brethren_n to_o the_o ruler_n cry_v these_o that_o have_v turn_v the_o world_n upside_o down_o be_v come_v hither_o also_o who_o do_v contrary_a to_o the_o decree_n of_o caesar_n say_v that_o there_o be_v another_o king_n one_o jesus_n act_v 17.5_o 6._o and_o yet_o they_o never_o make_v one_o step_n by_o word_n or_o deed_n towards_o depose_v prince_n and_o change_a government_n jesus_n indeed_o who_o have_v command_v they_o to_o pay_v tribute_n unto_o caesar_n have_v also_o forbid_v they_o to_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n which_o caesar_n be_v then_o of_o and_o this_o be_v draw_v into_o a_o accusation_n of_o faction_n and_o disloyalty_n thus_o also_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n be_v bring_v before_o foelix_n at_o jerusalem_n the_o jew_n complain_v by_o tertullian_n their_o orator_n that_o they_o have_v find_v he_o a_o pestilent_a fellow_n and_o a_o mover_n of_o sedition_n among_o all_o the_o jew_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o a_o ringleader_n of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o nazarenes_n act_v 24.5_o 3._o they_o conclude_v they_o under_o a_o sentence_n of_o damnation_n as_o far_o as_o they_o can_v do_v it_o indeed_o they_o will_v have_v it_o think_v so_o impossible_a for_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v save_v that_o some_o of_o they_o after_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n be_v strong_o persuade_v that_o they_o still_o ought_v to_o keep_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o will_v have_v mingle_v judaisme_n and_o christianity_n together_o as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o hope_n of_o salvation_n out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n except_o you_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n you_o can_v be_v save_v act_v 15.1_o 4._o as_o it_o be_v usual_a in_o such_o case_n to_o damn_v first_o and_o then_o to_o kill_v they_o deliver_v the_o disciple_n of_o christ_n to_o death_n and_o pretend_v the_o service_n of_o god_n for_o it_o for_o which_o we_o may_v take_v those_o remarkable_a word_n of_o st._n paul_n describe_v the_o temper_n of_o the_o jew_n then_o and_o what_o his_o own_o once_o be_v say_v he_o i_o be_v teach_v according_a to_o the_o perfect_a manner_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o father_n and_o be_v zealous_a towards_o god_n as_o you_o be_v at_o this_o day_n and_o i_o persecute_v they_o even_o unto_o the_o death_n bind_v and_o deliver_v into_o prison_n both_o man_n and_o woman_n act_n 22.3_o 4._o and_o in_o chap._n 26._o v._n 10_o 11._o he_o declare_v that_o he_o persecute_v they_o oft_o in_o every_o synagogue_n and_o compel_v they_o to_o blaspheme_v and_o be_v exceed_o mad_a against_o they_o he_o persecute_v they_o even_o into_o strange_a city_n such_o be_v the_o entertainment_n they_o have_v from_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n be_v first_o deliver_v but_o when_o it_o be_v carry_v among_o the_o gentile_n they_o condemn_v it_o too_o for_o 1._o it_o be_v run_v down_o as_o if_o it_o have_v bring_v irreligion_n and_o atheism_n into_o the_o world_n insomuch_o that_o the_o ancient_a apologist_n be_v fain_o in_o good_a earnest_n to_o set_v themselves_o against_o this_o absurd_a accusation_n and_o to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v not_o all_o one_o to_o serve_v god_n at_o all_o and_o not_o to_o serve_v many_o god_n that_o there_o may_v be_v devotion_n without_o bow_v down_o to_o image_n and_o religion_n and_o worship_n without_o idolatry_n and_o better_o a_o great_a deal_n without_o these_o thing_n than_o with_o they_o it_o be_v exclaim_v against_o as_o a_o late_a upstart_n religion_n that_o begin_v but_o yesterday_o and_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v hiss_v than_o argue_v out_o of_o the_o world_n they_o use_v to_o ask_v the_o christian_n what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o can_v name_v either_o greek_n or_o barbarian_n that_o make_v their_o profession_n and_o have_v their_o rite_n and_o worship_n before_o jesus_n appear_v you_o have_v forsake_v say_v they_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o father_n that_o have_v be_v observe_v of_o old_a time_n in_o all_o city_n and_o country_n you_o have_v revolt_v from_o a_o worship_n which_o have_v have_v the_o tradition_n of_o all_o age_n and_o the_o approbation_n of_o king_n and_o people_n lawmaker_n and_o philosopher_n and_o by_o almost_o all_o the_o world_n till_o such_o as_o you_o appear_v who_o be_v but_o of_o yesterday_o 3._o they_o try_v to_o overwhelm_v it_o with_o the_o most_o gross_a and_o palpable_a untruth_n they_o give_v it_o out_o that_o the_o christian_n be_v worshipper_n of_o the_o sun_n nay_o that_o they_o adore_v a_o asses-head_n and_o sometime_o a_o cross_n they_o do_v not_o stick_v to_o say_v that_o in_o their_o solemn_a assembly_n they_o kill_v a_o child_n and_o commit_v incest_n they_o also_o upon_o no_o occasion_n in_o the_o world_n disarm_v they_o as_o a_o seditious_a and_o disloyal_a people_n and_o accuse_v they_o of_o treason_n though_o none_o ever_o set_v better_a example_n of_o fidelity_n to_o their_o governor_n to_o conclude_v our_o predecessor_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v now_o and_o then_o condemn_v to_o several_a sort_n of_o death_n and_o it_o be_v often_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o safe_a to_o be_v some_o notorious_a malefactor_n than_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n in_o a_o word_n the_o gospel_n meet_v with_o that_o opposition_n which_o no_o religion_n ever_o do_v before_o the_o god_n of_o other_o nation_n new_a god_n every_o day_n be_v admit_v into_o a_o temple_n at_o rome_n with_o some_o formality_n and_o without_o trouble_n but_o when_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n come_v to_o call_v man_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v jew_n and_o gentile_n conspire_v to_o extinguish_v their_o religion_n and_o to_o blot_v out_o their_o name_n for_o ever_o insomuch_o that_o the_o jew_n at_o rome_n can_v tell_v st._n paul_n as_o concern_v this_o sect_n we_o know_v that_o it_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o those_o therefore_o who_o god_n justify_v have_v be_v and_o may_v be_v condemn_v by_o man_n which_o will_v not_o seem_v strange_a to_o any_o of_o we_o if_o we_o consider_v what_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v for_o instance_n 1._o that_o hatred_n of_o truth_n which_o reign_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n they_o can_v bear_v sound_a doctrine_n nor_o can_v they_o therefore_o bear_v those_o that_o profess_v and_o practise_v it_o truth_n be_v against_o they_o and_o therefore_o they_o will_v be_v against_o the_o truth_n and_o all_o that_o follow_v it_o so_o long_o as_o pride_n lust_n avarice_n revenge_n luxury_n and_o such_o thing_n remain_v there_o will_v be_v so_o many_o cause_n of_o condemn_v that_o which_o god_n approve_v to_o which_o we_o must_v add_v 2._o the_o inflexibleness_n of_o true_a doctrine_n and_o of_o those_o that_o maintain_v it_o to_o the_o design_n of_o worldly_a men._n christianity_n be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o perfect_a scheme_n of_o religion_n that_o will_v suffer_v no_o addition_n or_o alteration_n it_o be_v stiff_a and_o will_v not_o bend_v to_o the_o pleasure_n of_o priest_n or_o of_o statesman_n as_o all_o that_o will_v which_o the_o heathen_n call_v religion_n among_o themselves_o whilst_o it_o be_v keep_v in_o wise_a and_o honest_a hand_n and_o true_o represent_v there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o cheat_v no_o allowance_n for_o pious_a fraud_n no_o place_n for_o convenient_a invention_n innovation_n can_v not_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o faith_n of_o christian_n or_o the_o substance_n of_o their_o worship_n but_o they_o will_v be_v corruption_n of_o both_o without_o tamper_n with_o it_o it_o can_v not_o serve_v the_o ambition_n of_o a_o