bondage_n but_o be_v this_o all_o that_o these_o word_n thou_o shall_v have_v no_o other_o god_n before_o i_o signify_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n indeed_o be_v suppose_v in_o they_o but_o the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o law_n be_v not_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n but_o against_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o other_o god_n before_o he_o or_o beside_o he_o but_o according_a to_o our_o new_a expositor_n this_o be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o law_n though_o according_a to_o the_o express_a word_n it_o be_v the_o principal_a if_o not_o the_o whole_a meaning_n of_o it_o if_o this_o argument_n be_v good_a viz._n that_o idolatry_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o worship_n of_o other_o being_n beside_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n as_o supreme_a god_n than_o other_o god_n in_o this_o commandment_n must_v signify_v other_o supreme_a god_n and_o then_o the_o commandment_n run_v thus_o thou_o shall_v have_v no_o other_o supreme_a god_n before_o i_o now_o this_o be_v a_o very_a absurd_a sense_n because_o it_o suppose_v that_o man_n may_v believe_v and_o worship_n more_o supreme_a god_n than_o one_o for_o if_o there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o supreme_a god_n and_o by_o god_n in_o the_o commandment_n be_v mean_v supreme_a god_n than_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o forbid_v any_o man_n to_o have_v other_o supreme_a god_n because_o no_o man_n can_v acknowledge_v two_o supremes_n it_o shall_v have_v be_v thou_o shall_v not_o have_v any_o other_o god_n beside_o i_o not_o god_n for_o though_o it_o have_v be_v possible_a for_o they_o to_o have_v acknowledge_v some_o other_o god_n to_o be_v supreme_a and_o reject_v the_o lord_n jehovah_n from_o be_v supreme_a yet_o they_o can_v not_o have_v other_o supreme_a gods._n but_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o god_n here_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o a_o plurality_n of_o god_n of_o other_o god_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v not_o all_o be_v supreme_a gods._n but_o suppose_v it_o have_v be_v any_o other_o god_n in_o the_o single_a number_n yet_o to_o understand_v this_o of_o a_o supreme_a god_n be_v very_o absurd_a because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o supreme_a god_n but_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n and_o those_o who_o worship_v but_o one_o supreme_a god_n worship_v he_o and_o none_o else_o for_o a_o supreme_a god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v point_v at_o be_v not_o to_o be_v distinguish_v by_o his_o person_n or_o feature_n as_o one_o man_n be_v distinguish_v from_o another_o indeed_o a_o prince_n may_v proper_o say_v to_o his_o subject_n you_o shall_v own_v none_o but_o i_o for_o your_o king_n because_o they_o know_v his_o person_n and_o can_v distinguish_v he_o from_o all_o other_o man_n but_o the_o jew_n never_o see_v god_n nor_o any_o likeness_n or_o similitude_n of_o he_o they_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o his_o person_n nor_o can_v they_o distinguish_v he_o from_o other_o god_n by_o any_o personal_a character_n they_o know_v he_o only_o by_o his_o notion_n and_o character_n of_o the_o supreme_a be_v who_o make_v the_o world_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o it_o and_o bring_v they_o by_o a_o mighty_a hand_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n now_o do_v it_o not_o find_v very_o strange_a that_o the_o supreme_a god_n who_o be_v know_v only_o by_o this_o character_n that_o he_o be_v supreme_a the_o great_a creator_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v make_v a_o law_n that_o we_o shall_v worship_v no_o other_o supreme_a god_n but_o himself_o when_o it_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a that_o he_o who_o worship_v a_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a god_n shall_v worship_v any_o other_o god_n but_o himself_o because_o he_o alone_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o worship_n the_o supreme_a god_n under_o this_o notion_n as_o supreme_a worship_v he_o and_o no_o other_o be_v so_o that_o if_o we_o will_v make_v sense_n of_o it_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o first_o commandment_n be_v plain_o this_o thou_o shall_v not_o give_v divine_a honour_n to_o any_o other_o being_n as_o to_o inferior_a god_n as_o the_o idolatrous_a practice_n of_o the_o world_n now_o be_v which_o worship_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n for_o god_n but_o thou_o shall_v worship_v only_o one_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a be_v the_o maker_n and_o sovereign_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v i_o myself_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n who_o bring_v thou_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n out_o of_o the_o house_n of_o bondage_n when_o the_o supreme_a god_n command_v we_o to_o worship_v himself_o the_o meaning_n must_v be_v that_o we_o pay_v our_o worship_n and_o adoration_n to_o a_o supreme_a be_v consider_v as_o supreme_a and_o he_o who_o worship_v such_o a_o supreme_a be_v worship_v the_o true_a god_n who_o we_o can_v distinguish_v from_o false_a god_n only_o by_o this_o character_n that_o he_o be_v supreme_a and_o when_o this_o supreme_a be_v forbid_v we_o to_o worship_v any_o other_o god_n it_o must_v signify_v that_o we_o must_v worship_v nothing_o which_o be_v not_o supreme_a not_o that_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v that_o which_o be_v not_o supreme_a to_o be_v the_o supreme_a god_n which_o will_v be_v ridiculous_a nonsense_n to_o command_v they_o not_o to_o own_o that_o be_v for_o the_o supreme_a god_n which_o they_o know_v not_o to_o be_v supreme_a but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o heathen_n do_v worship_v some_o being_n who_o be_v not_o the_o supreme_a god_n as_o supreme_a as_o this_o author_n tell_v we_o they_o do_v the_o sun_n though_o no_o body_n tell_v he_o so_o that_o i_o know_v of_o for_o macrobius_n who_o he_o cite_v in_o this_o cause_n do_v not_o say_v that_o they_o worship_v the_o sun_n as_o supreme_a god_n though_o he_o say_v that_o most_o of_o the_o god_n they_o worship_v do_v signify_v the_o sun_n but_o suppose_v the_o sun_n be_v the_o chief_a object_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o look_v on_o as_o the_o great_a and_o most_o principal_a god_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o they_o worship_v it_o as_o the_o supreme_a god_n for_o these_o be_v two_o very_a different_a thing_n to_o be_v worship_v as_o the_o chief_a god_n which_o such_o a_o people_n have_v and_o to_o be_v worship_v under_o the_o notion_n of_o absolute_o supreme_a some_o pagan_a idolater_n may_v worship_v a_o creature_n as_o their_o chief_a and_o great_a deity_n and_o may_v call_v it_o their_o great_a their_o great_a god_n because_o it_o be_v the_o great_a god_n they_o have_v their_o king_n and_o prince_n of_o god_n as_o mr._n selden_n tell_v we_o they_o call_v the_o sun_n as_o be_v the_o chief_a planet_n who_o direct_v and_o govern_v the_o influence_n of_o the_o rest_n not_o as_o the_o maker_n of_o the_o world_n as_o this_o author_n assert_n but_o those_o who_o direct_v their_o worship_n to_o a_o supreme_a and_o sovereign_a be_v consider_v as_o absolute_o supreme_a infinite_a in_o all_o perfection_n the_o maker_n and_o governor_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n can_v under_o this_o notion_n worship_v no_o other_o but_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o supreme_a god_n but_o he_o which_o show_v that_o the_o first_o commandment_n be_v so_o far_o from_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o supreme_a god_n beside_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n that_o to_o make_v sense_n of_o it_o these_o other_o god_n must_v be_v expound_v not_o of_o supreme_a but_o inferior_a deity_n and_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o notion_n of_o idolatry_n to_o worship_v other_o supreme_a being_n beside_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n that_o it_o be_v nonsense_n to_o suppose_v it_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o idolatry_n in_o the_o first_o commandment_n be_v to_o worship_v some_o inferior_a being_n together_o with_o the_o supreme_a god_n it_o be_v a_o grosser_n sort_n of_o idolatry_n when_o man_n whole_o neglect_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a god_n and_o worship_v some_o creature_n for_o their_o great_a and_o chief_a god_n and_o it_o be_v worse_a still_o when_o man_n worship_v bad_a spirit_n than_o when_o they_o worship_v good_a spirit_n together_o with_o the_o supreme_a god_n but_o it_o be_v evident_a this_o law_n condemn_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o inferior_a being_n though_o we_o do_v also_o worship_v the_o supreme_a god._n i_o shall_v give_v but_o one_o instance_n more_o of_o this_o nature_n and_o that_o be_v the_o second_o commandment_n which_o in_o such_o express_a word_n forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o all_o image_n of_o what_o kind_n or_o nature_n soever_o now_o whatever_o reason_n man_n may_v imagine_v there_o be_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n they_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n against_o a_o express_a law_n and_o if_o these_o word_n be_v not_o express_v thou_o shall_v not_o make_v to_o thyself_o any_o grave_a image_n etc._n etc._n i_o despair_v of_o ever_o see_v a_o express_a law_n for_o have_v god_n intend_v
by_o this_o law_n to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o any_o image_n under_o what_o notion_n or_o respect_n soever_o i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v what_o more_o significant_a and_o comprehensive_a word_n can_v have_v be_v use_v to_o have_v declare_v his_o mind_n unless_o he_o have_v express_o reject_v those_o false_a interpretation_n which_o the_o patron_n of_o image-worship_n have_v since_o invent_v but_o be_v never_o think_v on_o at_o that_o time_n the_o same_o author_n 30._o who_o i_o have_v so_o often_o mention_v have_v expound_v the_o first_o commandment_n only_o to_o a_o positive_a sense_n not_o to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o god_n but_o only_o to_o command_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n express_o contrary_a to_o the_o very_a letter_n and_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o law_n agreeable_o to_o this_o he_o make_v the_o second_o commandment_n only_o to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o idol_n or_o false_a god_n and_o not_o that_o neither_o unless_o they_o take_v they_o for_o the_o supreme_a deity_n his_o word_n be_v these_o in_o the_o next_o place_n he_o forbid_v they_o the_o worship_n of_o all_o idol_n i.e._n as_o himself_o describe_v they_o the_o likeness_n or_o similitude_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o or_o in_o the_o earth_n beneath_o or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n a_o plain_a and_o indeed_o a_o logical_a definition_n this_o that_o idolatry_n be_v give_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a god_n to_o any_o create_v corporeal_a or_o visible_a deity_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n which_o nothing_o but_o corporeal_a being_n can_v and_o to_o suppose_v such_o a_o be_v the_o supreme_a deity_n be_v the_o only_a true_a and_o proper_a idolatry_n now_o let_v any_o man_n judge_n whether_o this_o be_v not_o such_o a_o gloss_n as_o utter_o destroy_v the_o text._n as_o for_o his_o worship_n of_o idol_n there_o be_v no_o such_o word_n in_o the_o law_n but_o image_n likeness_n similitude_n but_o yet_o i_o will_v not_o dispute_v about_o this_o for_o a_o idol_n do_v not_o only_o signify_v a_o false_a god_n but_o the_o image_n either_o of_o false_a god_n or_o false_a and_o corporeal_a image_n of_o the_o true_a god._n for_o the_o idol_n of_o the_o heathen_n 15._o as_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o be_v silver_n and_o gold_n the_o work_n of_o man_n hand_n which_o can_v relate_v to_o nothing_o but_o image_n and_o picture_n for_o corporeal_a deity_n which_o be_v make_v by_o god_n be_v not_o the_o work_n of_o man_n hand_n now_o idolatry_n he_o say_v be_v give_v the_o worship_n of_o the_o supreme_a god_n to_o any_o create_v corporeal_a or_o visible_a deity_n or_o any_o thing_n which_o can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n which_o nothing_o but_o corporeal_a being_n can_n now_o how_o plain_a and_o logical_a soever_o this_o definition_n of_o idolatry_n be_v there_o be_v not_o a_o word_n of_o it_o in_o the_o text._n that_o forbid_v not_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o create_v corporeal_a or_o visible_a deity_n which_o be_v forbid_v in_o the_o first_o commandment_n but_o only_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o heaven_n or_o earth_n or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n now_o a_o image_n differ_v from_o the_o thing_n who_o image_n it_o be_v and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a strange_a exposition_n of_o the_o second_o commandment_n which_o forbid_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o image_n as_o forbid_v in_o it_o according_a to_o this_o gloss_n upon_o the_o law_n a_o man_n may_v worship_v ten_o thousand_o image_n and_o picture_n so_o he_o do_v not_o worship_v any_o visible_a and_o corporeal_a deity_n and_o not_o break_v this_o commandment_n which_o i_o think_v be_v not_o to_o give_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n but_o to_o expound_v it_o away_o but_o how_o do_v the_o worship_n of_o corporeal_a and_o visible_a deity_n and_o nothing_o else_o appear_v to_o be_v forbid_v by_o this_o law_n which_o mention_n nothing_o at_o all_o but_o the_o likeness_n of_o thing_n in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o water_n why_o our_o learned_a author_n imagine_v that_o no_o image_n can_v be_v make_v but_o only_o for_o corporeal_a and_o visible_a deity_n because_o nothing_o but_o corporeal_a being_n can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n which_o conceit_n be_v worth_a its_o weight_n in_o gold_n for_o it_o evident_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o picture_n of_o god_n the_o father_n nor_o of_o the_o trinity_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n because_o they_o be_v not_o corporeal_a deity_n and_o therefore_o can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n so_o miserable_o have_v all_o traveller_n be_v mistake_v who_o tell_v we_o of_o a_o great_a many_o such_o picture_n and_o not_o very_o decent_a one_o neither_o there_o can_v indeed_o be_v no_o picture_n or_o image_n to_o represent_v the_o likeness_n and_o similitude_n of_o a_o incorporeal_a god_n but_o yet_o the_o visible_a part_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o visible_a creature_n in_o they_o may_v be_v represent_v by_o image_n and_o the_o image_n of_o such_o visible_a thing_n may_v be_v make_v the_o symbolical_a representation_n of_o invisible_a and_o incorporeal_a deity_n and_o such_o invisible_a and_o incorporeal_a deity_n may_v be_v worship_v in_o the_o likeness_n and_o similitude_n of_o corporeal_a thing_n and_o then_o i_o be_o sure_a to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n may_v signify_v something_o more_o than_o mere_o to_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o some_o visible_a and_o corporeal_a deity_n for_o it_o may_v signify_v the_o worship_n of_o invisible_a and_o incorporeal_a deity_n by_o visible_a image_n but_o i_o perceive_v he_o imagine_v that_o when_o god_n forbid_v they_o to_o make_v and_o worship_v the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n in_o heaven_n in_o earth_n or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n he_o only_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o those_o being_n who_o likeness_n or_o image_n they_o make_v whereas_o all_o man_n know_v that_o those_o very_a idolater_n who_o worship_v these_o glorious_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n do_v not_o represent_v they_o in_o their_o proper_a likeness_n and_o figure_n and_o that_o those_o who_o worship_v invisible_a and_o incorporeal_a being_n do_v it_o by_o material_a and_o visible_a figure_n which_o plain_o prove_v that_o when_o god_n forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n he_o have_v not_o respect_v mere_o to_o visible_a and_o corporeal_a deity_n but_o forbid_v image-worship_n whether_o they_o be_v the_o image_n of_o visible_a and_o corporeal_a or_o of_o invisible_a and_o incorporeal_a deity_n our_o author_n dare_v not_o say_v as_o the_o roman_a advocate_n do_v that_o god_n in_o the_o second_o commandment_n only_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n as_o god_n which_o be_v such_o glorious_a nonsense_n that_o he_o can_v not_o digest_v it_o and_o therefore_o he_o suppose_v that_o god_n do_v not_o forbid_v the_o worship_n of_o image_n at_o all_o but_o only_o of_o such_o corporeal_a deity_n as_o may_v be_v represent_v by_o image_n which_o be_v a_o more_o gentile_a way_n of_o discard_n the_o second_o commandment_n than_o to_o leave_v it_o out_o of_o their_o book_n of_o devotion_n but_o if_o he_o will_v stand_v to_o this_o he_o condemn_v the_o popish_a worship_n of_o dead_a man_n and_o woman_n for_o they_o be_v corporeal_a deity_n nay_o of_o christ_n himself_o consider_v as_o a_o man_n who_o may_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n or_o picture_n and_o thus_o i_o doubt_v he_o have_v do_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n no_o kindness_n at_o all_o for_o this_o be_v a_o demonstration_n against_o the_o worship_n of_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n because_o they_o be_v create_v corporeal_a and_o visible_a being_n who_o may_v be_v represent_v by_o image_n and_o he_o have_v think_v of_o a_o argument_n against_o image_n which_o neither_o the_o scripture_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n know_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n think_v it_o a_o good_a argument_n for_o the_o image_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o virgin_n mary_n that_o they_o be_v representable_a by_o image_n and_o picture_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o hurt_n in_o such_o image_n and_o the_o scripture_n perpetual_o urge_v that_o argument_n against_o image_n that_o the_o deity_n can_v be_v represent_v by_o a_o image_n but_o neither_o of_o these_o argument_n be_v good_a if_o our_o author_n notion_n be_v good_a for_o then_o to_o worship_v such_o corporeal_a being_n as_o may_v be_v represent_v by_o image_n be_v to_o worship_v corporeal_a god_n which_o be_v idolatry_n and_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o the_o image_n of_o a_o incorporeal_a deity_n which_o can_v represent_v the_o god_n for_o which_o they_o be_v make_v for_o whatever_o the_o
must_v neither_o believe_v their_o sense_n nor_o trust_v their_o reason_n nor_o read_v the_o scripture_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o guess_v what_o know_v and_o understand_v christian_n they_o must_v needs_o be_v but_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v instruct_v her_o child_n in_o the_o true_a catholic_n faith_n though_o she_o will_v not_o venture_v they_o to_o judge_v for_o themselves_o nor_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o her_o great_a care_n of_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o orthodox_n for_o when_o man_n trust_v to_o their_o own_o fallible_a reason_n and_o private_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v a_o great_a hazard_n that_o they_o do_v not_o fall_v into_o one_o heresy_n or_o other_o but_o when_o man_n be_v teach_v the_o pure_a catholic_n faith_n without_o any_o danger_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n be_v not_o this_o much_o better_a then_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o reason_n and_o judge_v for_o 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gospel_n have_v advance_v we_o above_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n what_o a_o admirable_a design_n it_o be_v to_o redeem_v the_o world_n by_o the_o incarnation_n and_o death_n and_o suffering_n and_o intercession_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n what_o mystery_n of_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n the_o gospel_n contain_v the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v not_o only_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o understanding_n but_o raise_v and_o ennoble_v our_o mind_n and_o transform_v we_o into_o the_o divine_a image_n these_o thing_n be_v reveal_v that_o they_o may_v be_v know_v not_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v conceal_v from_o the_o world_n or_o neglect_v and_o despise_v but_o this_o be_v a_o knowledge_n which_o can_v be_v attain_v without_o diligent_a and_o laborious_a inquiry_n without_o use_v all_o the_o reason_n and_o understanding_n we_o have_v in_o search_v the_o scripture_n and_o all_o other_o help_v which_o god_n have_v afford_v we_o now_o if_o christian_n knowledge_n be_v something_o more_o than_o to_o be_v able_a to_o repeat_v our_o creed_n and_o to_o believe_v it_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o teacher_n if_o the_o gospel_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v intend_v to_o advance_v we_o to_o a_o true_a manly_a knowledge_n christ_n and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n seem_v to_o have_v two_o very_a different_a design_n our_o lord_n in_o cause_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v write_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n the_o other_o in_o conceal_v it_o as_o much_o as_o she_o can_v and_o suffer_v no_o body_n to_o read_v it_o without_o her_o leave_n as_o a_o dangerous_a book_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o make_v man_n heretic_n for_o it_o be_v hard_o to_o conceive_v that_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v read_v and_o then_o one_o will_v guess_v that_o he_o by_o who_o authority_n and_o inspiration_n the_o gospel_n be_v write_v and_o those_o by_o who_o authority_n it_o be_v forbid_v to_o be_v read_v be_v not_o of_o a_o mind_n in_o this_o matter_n 1._o this_o i_o think_v in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v a_o evident_a proof_n that_o to_o forbid_v christian_a people_n to_o read_v and_o study_v and_o mediate_v on_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v no_o gospel_n doctrine_n unless_o not_o to_o read_v the_o bible_n be_v a_o better_a way_n to_o improve_v in_o all_o true_a christian_a knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n than_o to_o read_v it_o for_o that_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_n to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v one_o great_a end_n of_o publish_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o world_n to_o enlighten_v and_o improve_v man_n understanding_n as_o well_o as_o to_o govern_v their_o life_n and_o though_o we_o grant_v man_n may_v be_v teach_v the_o principle_n of_o christian_a religion_n as_o child_n be_v without_o read_v the_o bible_n yet_o if_o they_o will_v but_o grant_v that_o study_v and_o meditate_v on_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o best_a and_o only_o way_n to_o improve_v in_o all_o true_a christian_a knowledge_n this_o show_v how_o contrary_a this_o prohibition_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n be_v to_o the_o great_a design_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o perfect_v our_o knowledge_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ._n 2_o lie_n this_o be_v a_o mighty_a presumption_n also_o against_o transubstantiation_n that_o it_o be_v no_o gospel_n doctrine_n because_o it_o overthrow_v the_o very_a fundamental_a principle_n of_o knowledge_n which_o be_v a_o direct_a contradiction_n to_o the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o advance_v divine_a knowledge_n to_o the_o utmost_a perfection_n it_o can_v attain_v in_o this_o world_n whoever_o have_v his_o eye_n in_o his_o head_n must_v confess_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v contrary_a to_o sense_n for_o be_v our_o sense_n to_o be_v judge_n of_o this_o matter_n they_o will_v pronounce_v the_o bread_n and_o wine_n after_o consecration_n to_o be_v bread_n and_o wine_n still_o and_o therefore_o what_o ever_o reason_n there_o may_v be_v to_o believe_v it_o not_o to_o be_v bread_n and_o wine_n but_o flesh_n and_o blood_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o our_o faith_n in_o this_o matter_n contradict_v our_o sense_n for_o even_o roman_n catholic_n eye_n and_o nose_n and_o hand_n can_v see_v and_o feel_v and_o smell_v nothing_o but_o bread_n and_o wine_n and_o if_o to_o our_o sense_n it_o appear_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o bread_n and_o wine_n those_o who_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o natural_a body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n believe_v contrary_a to_o what_o they_o see_v thus_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o contrary_a to_o the_o natural_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n than_o the_o doctrine_n of_o transubstantiation_n for_o if_o this_o doctrine_n be_v true_a than_o the_o same_o individual_a body_n of_o christ_n
imprimatur_fw-la libre_fw-la cui_fw-la titulus_fw-la a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n etc._n etc._n febr._n 2_o 1687._o guil._n needham_n r._n r._n in_o christo_n p._n ac_fw-la d.d._n wilhelmo_n archiepisc._n cant._n à _fw-la sacr._n dome_a a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n be_v some_o plain_a direction_n to_o unlearned_a protestant_n how_o to_o dispute_v with_o romish_a priest_n the_o first_o part_n by_o will._n sherlock_n d.d._n master_n of_o the_o temple_n london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n m_o dc_o lxxxviii_o a_o preservative_n against_o popery_n the_o introduction_n while_o so_o many_o learned_a pen_n be_v employ_v to_o such_o excellent_a purpose_n in_o answer_v the_o write_n and_o confute_v the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o a_o very_a useful_a work_n to_o give_v some_o plain_a direction_n to_o those_o who_o be_v unlearned_a who_o have_v neither_o time_n to_o read_v nor_o money_n to_o buy_v nor_o ability_n to_o understand_v more_o learned_a controversy_n our_o divine_n indeed_o have_v take_v great_a care_n to_o write_v short_a tract_n with_o great_a plainness_n and_o perspicuity_n and_o with_o as_o little_a unnecessary_a show_n of_o learning_n as_o may_v be_v to_o fit_v they_o the_o better_a for_o unlearned_a reader_n and_o they_o have_v have_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n wonderful_a success_n popery_n be_v never_o so_o general_o understand_v as_o it_o be_v at_o this_o day_n the_o mean_a tradesman_n can_v now_o dispute_v against_o popery_n with_o sufficient_a skill_n and_o judgement_n and_o need_v not_o be_v behold_v to_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o education_n to_o secure_v they_o and_o therefore_o my_o business_n shall_v not_o be_v at_o present_a downright_a to_o state_n any_o one_o controversy_n between_o we_o and_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o to_o direct_v our_o people_n how_o to_o secure_v themselves_o against_o the_o attaques_n of_o our_o roman_a adversary_n to_o check_v their_o confer_v and_o dispute_v humour_n or_o to_o baffle_v they_o i_o shall_v reduce_v all_o into_o as_o plain_a a_o method_n and_o as_o short_a a_o compass_n as_o i_o can_v and_o show_v first_o how_o to_o stop_v they_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o dispute_n second_o give_v some_o rule_n about_o the_o topic_n from_o which_o they_o dispute_v such_o as_o reason_n scripture_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n and_o writer_n of_o the_o church_n three_o how_o to_o answer_v some_o of_o their_o most_o popular_a pretence_n such_o as_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o protestant_a religion_n the_o misrepresentation_n of_o popery_n etc._n etc._n four_o to_o give_v some_o short_a direction_n as_o to_o particular_a controversy_n chap._n i._n how_o protestant_n may_v prevent_v dispute_v with_o papist_n now_o i_o do_v not_o by_o this_o mean_a that_o they_o shall_v always_o avoid_v their_o company_n and_o run_v away_o from_o they_o wherever_o they_o meet_v they_o which_o be_v very_o ill_a manner_n though_o it_o be_v not_o adviseable_a neither_o to_o court_v such_o acquaintance_n or_o to_o make_v they_o our_o intimate_v when_o neither_o the_o obligation_n of_o nature_n nor_o other_o civil_a or_o political_a reason_n make_v it_o necessary_a for_o conversation_n many_o time_n prevail_v more_o than_o argument_n can_v do_v and_o will_v as_o soon_o corrupt_v man_n faith_n as_o manner_n nor_o do_v i_o mean_v that_o protestant_n shall_v obstinate_o refuse_v to_o discourse_v with_o papist_n when_o they_o meet_v they_o to_o hear_v what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o themselves_o and_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n for_o their_o own_o faith_n this_o be_v not_o agreeable_a to_o protestant_a principle_n to_o prove_v all_o thing_n and_o to_o hold_v fast_o that_o which_o be_v good_a and_o yet_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v with_o great_a prudence_n and_o caution_n too_o for_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o perverse_a disputer_n who_o be_v to_o be_v avoid_v according_a to_o the_o apostolic_a precept_n if_o any_o man_n teach_v otherwise_o and_o consent_v not_o to_o wholesome_a word_n even_o the_o word_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v according_a to_o godliness_n he_o be_v proud_a know_v nothing_o but_o dote_v about_o question_n and_o strife_n of_o word_n whereof_o come_v envy_n strife_n rail_n evil_o surmize_v perverse_a dispute_v of_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o truth_n suppose_v that_o gain_n be_v godliness_n from_o such_o withdraw_v thyself_o 1_o tim._n 6._o 3_o 4_o 5._o man_n of_o weak_a judgement_n and_o who_o be_v not_o skill_v in_o the_o law_n of_o disputation_n may_v easy_o be_v impose_v on_o by_o cunning_a sophister_n and_o such_o as_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v very_o sensible_a of_o this_o and_o therefore_o will_v not_o suffer_v her_o people_n to_o dispute_v their_o religion_n or_o to_o read_v heretical_a book_n nay_o not_o so_o much_o as_o to_o look_v into_o the_o bible_n itself_o but_o though_o we_o allow_v all_o this_o to_o our_o people_n as_o that_o which_o god_n not_o only_o allow_v but_o require_v and_o which_o all_o consider_a man_n will_v allow_v themselves_o whoever_o forbid_v it_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v they_o to_o be_v perpetual_a seeker_n to_o be_v always_o doubtful_a of_o their_o religion_n to_o be_v like_o child_n toss_v too_o and_o fro_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o therefore_o the_o liberty_n of_o judge_v and_o inquire_v which_o we_o allow_v be_v only_o that_o they_o may_v understand_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o be_v well_o ground_v in_o it_o which_o man_n may_v be_v who_o be_v not_o able_a to_o answer_v every_o cavil_v objection_n but_o it_o be_v a_o abuse_n of_o this_o liberty_n when_o man_n have_v itch_a ear_n and_o hearken_v after_o all_o novelty_n of_o opinion_n and_o grow_v wanton_a and_o seeptical_a disputer_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o consistent_a with_o that_o liberty_n which_o protestant_n allow_v to_o advise_v christian_n to_o be_v very_o careful_a how_o they_o harken_v to_o such_o as_o preach_v any_o new_a doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v not_o be_v teach_v that_o the_o weak_a in_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n shall_v not_o venture_v upon_o doubtful_a disputation_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v hasty_a to_o question_v what_o they_o have_v believe_v nor_o to_o give_v heed_n to_o new_a doctrine_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o rely_v on_o their_o own_o understanding_n in_o these_o matter_n but_o when_o they_o meet_v with_o any_o difficulty_n shall_v consult_v their_o spiritual_a guide_n not_o to_o be_v final_o determine_v by_o their_o authority_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n require_v but_o to_o hear_v their_o reason_n and_o what_o answer_v they_o can_v give_v to_o such_o difficulty_n as_o they_o themselves_o can_v answer_v with_o such_o caution_n as_o these_o we_o dare_v venture_v our_o people_n to_o hear_v and_o read_v and_o inquire_v as_o much_o as_o they_o please_v and_o have_v not_o find_v yet_o that_o our_o roman_a adversary_n have_v be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o great_a impression_n upon_o such_o honest_a and_o prudent_a inquirer_n but_o that_o which_o i_o intend_v at_o present_a be_v of_o another_o nature_n to_o teach_v our_o people_n a_o way_n to_o make_v these_o man_n sick_a of_o dispute_v themselves_o to_o make_v they_o leave_v off_o those_o impertinent_a and_o noisy_a squabble_n with_o which_o they_o disturb_v all_o company_n they_o come_v into_o and_o this_o be_v no_o such_o mighty_a secret_a neither_o as_o may_v be_v expect_v but_o be_v very_o plain_a and_o obvious_a at_o the_o first_o proposal_n for_o when_o you_o be_v assault_v by_o such_o troublesome_a disputer_n only_o ask_v they_o whether_o they_o will_v allow_v you_o to_o judge_v for_o yourselves_o in_o matter_n of_o religion_n if_o 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