i_o hope_v these_o scandalous_a minister_n will_v prove_v but_o few_o when_o compare_v with_o such_o as_o true_o thirst_v after_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n in_o a_o faithful_a discharge_n of_o their_o duty_n here_o you_o may_v have_v a_o full_a view_n of_o the_o quaker_n honesty_n par._n but_o say_v he_o however_o the_o priest_n have_v feed_v the_o people_n it_o be_v evident_a the_o people_n have_v feed_v the_o priest_n well_o for_o they_o be_v grow_v fat_a and_o wanton_a etc._n etc._n p._n 3._o min._n but_o while_o such_o a_o number_n of_o the_o priest_n be_v so_o slender_o provide_v for_o and_o while_o the_o people_n be_v so_o wanton_a as_o to_o kick_v at_o their_o lawful_a pastor_n it_o may_v be_v easy_o infer_v who_o be_v the_o better_o feed_v of_o the_o two_o par._n next_o he_o come_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o people_n be_v not_o profit_v under_o your_o ministry_n we_o read_v say_v he_o of_o some_o in_o former_a time_n who_o do_v not_o profit_v the_o people_n at_o all_o and_o the_o reason_n thereof_o be_v also_o give_v etc._n etc._n in_o the_o 23d_o of_o jeremiah_n vers_fw-la 30._o the_o lord_n by_o the_o prophet_n say_v therefore_o behold_v i_o be_o against_o the_o prophet_n that_o steal_v my_o word_n every_o one_o from_o his_o neighbour_n behold_v i_o be_o against_o the_o prophet_n say_v the_o lord_n that_o use_v their_o tongue_n and_o say_v he_o say_v behold_v i_o be_o against_o they_o that_o prophesy_v false_a dream_n say_v the_o lord_n and_o do_v tell_v they_o and_o cause_v my_o people_n to_o err_v by_o their_o lie_n and_o by_o their_o lightness_n yet_o i_o send_v they_o not_o nor_o command_v they_o therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o profit_v this_o people_n at_o all_o say_v the_o lord_n v_o 32._o here_o the_o very_a ground_n and_o reason_n why_o that_o ministry_n do_v not_o profit_n nay_o why_o it_o be_v render_v uncapable_a of_o profit_v the_o people_n at_o all_o be_v most_o plain_o give_v by_o god_n himself_o viz._n he_o send_v they_o not_o nor_o command_v they_o p._n 4._o min._n that_o this_o scripture_n do_v not_o reach_v his_o purpose_n will_v be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v 1._o that_o this_o nonproficiency_n of_o some_o of_o the_o people_n do_v not_o infer_v that_o we_o be_v not_o send_v see_v it_o may_v proceed_v from_o other_o cause_n in_o the_o careless_a hearer_n of_o jeremiah_n it_o proceed_v not_o from_o any_o corruption_n in_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v divine_a nor_o of_o his_o life_n which_o be_v holy_a but_o from_o the_o hardness_n of_o the_o people_n heart_n 7._o in_o that_o they_o will_v not_o bearken_v in_o the_o hearer_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n it_o proceed_v from_o their_o dream_n lie_n and_o lightness_n which_o they_o teach_v and_o to_o which_o the_o people_n trust_v 15._o 2._o that_o this_o scripture_n be_v ignorant_o and_o injurious_o apply_v to_o the_o present_a ministry_n appear_v in_o that_o those_o false_a prophet_n persuade_v the_o people_n and_o that_o to_o the_o ruin_n of_o that_o nation_n 13._o that_o jerusalem_n shall_v not_o be_v destroy_v that_o they_o shall_v neither_o see_v sword_n nor_o famine_n 17._o which_o be_v a_o errand_n upon_o which_o god_n never_o send_v they_o beside_o they_o be_v a_o company_n of_o fanatic_a enthusiast_n who_o cheat_v the_o people_n by_o false_a pretence_n to_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n i_o have_v dream_v i_o have_v dream_v be_v their_o cant_a 25._o note_n not_o to_o profit_v the_o people_n then_o be_v in_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o this_o scripture_n not_o to_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o captivity_n and_o calamity_n hang_v over_o that_o nation_n now_o let_v we_o examine_v how_o true_o this_o scripture_n be_v apply_v to_o the_o present_a ministry_n do_v we_o come_v with_o any_o new_a errand_n to_o the_o world_n or_o pretend_v to_o extraordinary_a inspiration_n to_o confirm_v it_o as_o those_o do_v or_o do_v we_o preach_v peace_n to_o impenitent_a sinner_n no_o the_o contrary_n be_v well_o know_v so_o the_o word_n do_v rebound_v upon_o the_o quaker_n themselves_o while_o in_o their_o strange_a doctrine_n and_o misconstruction_n of_o holy_a scripture_n they_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o fault_n with_o those_o lie_a prophet_n in_o say_v the_o lord_n say_v when_o he_o have_v not_o say_v and_o in_o their_o presumptuous_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n to_o confirm_v it_o as_o also_o in_o oppose_v the_o true_a minister_n of_o god_n as_o those_o fanatic_n oppose_v jeremiah_n par._n but_o he_o deny_v your_o ministry_n when_o he_o say_v have_v god_n send_v thene_n or_o do_v they_o send_v one_o another_o that_o they_o be_v minister_n of_o man_n make_v common_a experience_n show_v page_n 6._o min._n i_o answer_v the_o ministry_n in_o general_n be_v distinguish_v into_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a thus_o it_o be_v under_o the_o law_n and_o under_o the_o gospel_n too_o of_o old_a the_o priesthood_n belong_v to_o the_o head_n of_o every_o family_n challenge_v by_o a_o right_n of_o primogeniture_n 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through_o ignorance_n may_v be_v corrupt_v by_o it_o and_o make_v to_o believe_v we_o be_v not_o send_v by_o god_n because_o ordain_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o men._n par._n indeed_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o this_o passage_n bring_v i_o under_o some_o scruple_n till_o you_o give_v i_o this_o satisfaction_n min._n if_o t._n e._n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a in_o so_o plain_a a_o case_n what_o can_v be_v his_o design_n here_o whatever_o a_o man_n pretend_v to_o mean_v by_o any_o of_o his_o expression_n yet_o to_o set_v they_o down_o in_o such_o term_n as_o will_v impose_v upon_o vulgar_a reader_n and_o engage_v they_o in_o error_n can_v sure_o be_v no_o upright_a deal_n par._n no_o how_o shall_v it_o but_o if_o say_v he_o speak_v still_o of_o the_o minister_n of_o england_n they_o minister_v by_o the_o
to_o preserve_v we_o from_o fall_v into_o sin_n again_o for_o this_o be_v that_o say_v st._n bernard_n which_o make_v it_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o be_v solicitous_a with_o fear_n and_o tremble_a and_o always_o humble_v ourselves_o under_o the_o mighty_a hand_n of_o god_n since_o though_o we_o can_v know_v in_o part_n what_o we_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a septuage_n for_o we_o to_o know_v what_o we_o shall_v be_v final_o then_o since_o our_o sin_n be_v certain_a our_o pardon_n conditional_a our_o enemy_n vigilant_a and_o we_o frail_a whatever_o ellwood_n think_v of_o himself_o we_o think_v we_o ought_v to_o call_v and_o esteem_v ourselves_o miserable_a sinner_n till_o god_n upon_o our_o perseverance_n have_v seal_v our_o absolute_a pardon_n par._n be_v there_o but_o one_o lesson_n say_v t._n f._n for_o all_o degree_n p._n 53._o min._n yes_o there_o be_v several_a lesson_n for_o several_a state_n of_o man_n but_o this_o lesson_n suit_v they_o all_o this_o confession_n like_o those_o of_o the_o primitive_a church_n be_v design_v for_o the_o public_a where_o be_v man_n of_o all_o degree_n child_n young_a man_n and_o father_n be_v make_v in_o such_o general_a term_n that_o all_o may_v join_v in_o it_o the_o particular_n we_o leave_v to_o every_o man_n conscience_n and_o to_o his_o closet_n to_o supply_v but_o since_o we_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o to_o live_v together_o in_o a_o miserable_a sinful_a world_n and_o we_o all_o have_v sin_v and_o as_o t._n e._n acknowledge_v we_o all_o may_v sin_v therefore_o it_o be_v not_o unreasonable_a we_o shall_v all_o agree_v to_o confess_v that_o we_o be_v miserable_a sinner_n if_o this_o will_v not_o suffice_v let_v ellwood_n use_v his_o captious_a question_n to_o st._n paul_n o_o paul_n do_v thou_o say_v thou_o be_v the_o chief_a of_o sinner_n thou_o be_v so_o at_o thy_o first_o come_v into_o this_o school_n what_o no_o proficiency_n no_o improvement_n no_o go_v forward_o after_o thou_o have_v spend_v thy_o age_n in_o this_o school_n if_o we_o measure_v thou_o by_o thy_o own_o confession_n thou_o be_v not_o one_o step_n near_o thy_o journey_n end_n no_o whit_n better_o than_o when_o thou_o come_v first_o in_o and_o therefore_o worse_o 53._o par._n but_o to_o conclude_v this_o subject_a t._n e._n tell_v we_o it_o be_v not_o the_o duty_n of_o any_o man_n to_o propose_v to_o himself_o a_o constant_a and_o common_a course_n of_o confession_n because_o whosoever_o do_v so_o must_v first_o propose_v to_o himself_o a_o constant_a and_o common_a course_n of_o sin_v p._n 54._o min._n that_o which_o be_v lawful_a and_o fit_a to_o be_v use_v as_o i_o have_v prove_v confession_n to_o be_v till_o we_o have_v persevere_v and_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a without_o all_o infirmity_n be_v lawful_a to_o be_v propose_v to_o man_n practice_n and_o may_v be_v so_o without_o any_o propose_v to_o ourselves_o a_o common_a course_n of_o sin_v because_o the_o proposal_n of_o this_o course_n of_o confession_n most_o proper_o proceed_v from_o a_o con-contrary_a cause_n viz._n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o our_o infirmity_n and_o mutability_n from_o humility_n a_o pious_a fear_n 20._o prudence_n and_o sense_n of_o duty_n therefore_o the_o quaker_n pride_n and_o scoff_v shall_v not_o make_v we_o out_o of_o love_n with_o the_o medicine_n that_o god_n have_v provide_v for_o we_o it_o may_v shame_v we_o say_v tertullian_n poenit_fw-la that_o we_o sin_n again_o but_o to_o repent_v when_o we_o have_v sin_v shall_v not_o shame_v we_o we_o have_v another_o kind_n of_o judge_n than_o ellwood_n who_o see_v our_o heart_n and_o will_v account_v with_o he_o for_o his_o malicious_a censure_n of_o our_o penitence_n and_o of_o the_o devout_a and_o orthodox_n constitution_n of_o our_o church_n so_o that_o my_o adversary_n have_v take_v much_o pain_n here_o to_o prove_v himself_o not_o only_o weak_a but_o wicked_a and_o true_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o in_o this_o abuse_n of_o piety_n and_o so_o necessary_a a_o duty_n as_o confession_n be_v t._n e._n be_v too_o much_o a_o socinian_n to_o please_v all_o even_o of_o his_o own_o party_n or_o any_o man_n that_o be_v considerate_a and_o i_o wish_v the_o quaker_n will_v at_o last_o open_v their_o eye_n to_o see_v by_o what_o seducer_n they_o be_v lead_v that_o at_o length_n they_o may_v withdraw_v from_o they_o and_o make_v choice_n of_o more_o upright_a more_o orthodox_n and_o safe_a guide_n chap_n v._o of_o perfection_n par._n what_o ground_n t._n e._n have_v lose_v in_o his_o four_o first_o chapter_n will_v sure_o be_v regain_v in_o his_o five_o of_o perfection_n a_o doctrine_n which_o he_o say_v have_v not_o meet_v with_o opposition_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o most_o sort_n of_o man_n since_o the_o time_n it_o be_v first_o preach_v in_o this_o late_a age_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 54._o min._n if_o the_o old_a thing_n in_o religion_n be_v best_a then_o the_o new_a must_v needs_o be_v the_o worst_a but_o if_o it_o will_v not_o make_v the_o quaker_n too_o proud_a i_o will_v tell_v he_o that_o his_o doctrine_n of_o perfection_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n than_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o allow_v it_o for_o it_o be_v preach_v before_o the_o latter_a age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o it_o please_v he_o to_o look_v again_o into_o goodwin_n antiquity_n and_o particular_o into_o that_o instance_n he_o give_v i_o of_o the_o seven_o sort_n of_o pharisee_n he_o will_v find_v that_o one_o sort_n of_o they_o be_v call_v quid_fw-la debeo_fw-la facere_fw-la &_o faciam_fw-la illud_fw-la from_o their_o boast_n of_o a_o perfect_a power_n to_o keep_v the_o law_n and_o that_o author_n think_v that_o the_o young_a man_n mention_v luk._n 18_o 21._o be_v of_o this_o order_n so_o that_o elwood_n may_v have_v learn_v that_o the_o pharisee_n be_v quaker_n in_o this_o point_n yet_o hypocrite_n in_o christ_n account_n and_o upon_o a_o further_a search_n into_o this_o controversy_n i_o find_v this_o doctrine_n much_o ancient_a than_o i_o think_v when_o we_o first_o discourse_v it_o for_o the_o gnostick_n heretic_n and_o particular_o that_o herd_n of_o they_o call_v the_o valentinian_o do_v exalt_v themselves_o call_v themselves_o perfect_a say_v epiphanius_n after_o they_o the_o 193._o novatian_o call_v themselves_o cathari_n i._n e._n pure_a but_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o pure_a say_v the_o same_o epiph._n be_v confute_v by_o their_o own_o word_n for_o whosoever_o do_v call_v himself_o pure_a do_v perfect_o condemn_v himself_o that_o he_o be_v impure_a next_o after_o 440._o they_o the_o pelagian_a heretic_n hold_v that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v without_o sin_n which_o the_o holy_a augustine_n confute_v by_o many_o of_o the_o same_o argument_n which_o this_o quaker_n deride_v i_o for_o use_v 89._o and_o celestinus_fw-la the_o pelagian_a use_v such_o false_a medium_n as_o his_o friend_n ellwood_n have_v steal_v from_o he_o to_o justify_v this_o doctrine_n and_o this_o may_v be_v see_v in_o that_o book_n which_o he_o write_v against_o he_o 7._o now_o will_v this_o bold_a quaker_n tell_v these_o orthodox_n father_n who_o oppose_v this_o notion_n of_o perfection_n that_o some_o through_o ignorance_n mistake_v it_o other_o through_o interest_n revile_v and_o gainsay_v it_o as_o foresee_v it_o destructive_a to_o their_o trade_n and_o profit_n &_o c_o as_o he_o tell_v his_o reader_n p._n 55._o par._n i_o perceive_v then_o this_o doctrine_n of_o perfection_n be_v condemn_v for_o hereâ—…ie_n by_o the_o holy_a father_n of_o the_o church_n but_o do_v not_o the_o quaker_n first_o broach_n this_o opinion_n in_o these_o late_a age_n min._n quakerism_n itself_o can_v plead_v the_o prescription_n of_o one_o age._n but_o this_o doctrine_n be_v preach_v by_o the_o popish_a friar_n as_o a_o foundation_n for_o their_o merit_n and_o work_v of_o supererogation_n the_o wild_a anabaptist_n about_o 140_o year_n ago_o pretend_v also_o to_o perfection_n and_o it_o be_v the_o socinian_n doctrine_n that_o we_o may_v perfect_o fulfil_v the_o law_n of_o god_n but_o all_o orthodox_n protestant_n ever_n oppose_v these_o man_n as_o much_o as_o i_o do_v the_o quaker_n herein_o who_o may_v go_v and_o boast_v that_o they_o have_v the_o pharisee_n the_o old_a heretic_n the_o wild_a anabaptist_n and_o the_o socinian_o on_o their_o side_n in_o this_o matter_n whilst_o we_o by_o god_n grace_n do_v and_o will_v hold_v the_o constant_a doctrine_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n par._n you_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o make_v i_o aware_a of_o this_o quaker_n who_o wonder_v that_o you_o shall_v own_o perfection_n and_o yet_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v a_o unsinning_a state_n therefore_o he_o ask_v what_o kind_n of_o notion_n you_o have_v get_v of_o perfection_n who_o will_v be_v perfect_a yet_o a_o sinner_n ibid._n min._n see_v i_o believe_v you_o sincere_o desire_v to_o be_v inform_v
and_o withal_o t._n e._n as_o you_o can_v but_o observe_v be_v so_o unconstant_a to_o his_o own_o assertion_n and_o confuse_a in_o his_o notion_n of_o perfection_n and_o the_o right_n fix_v the_o notion_n of_o thing_n be_v necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o clear_a proceed_n in_o affirm_v or_o deny_v any_o thing_n concern_v they_o i_o will_v digress_v a_o little_a to_o state_n the_o case_n and_o that_o in_o three_o particular_n by_o which_o many_o of_o my_o adversarie_n objection_n will_v fall_v without_o take_v any_o further_a notice_n of_o they_o we_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o perfection_n and_o what_o be_v to_o be_v grant_v or_o deny_v concern_v it_o 2._o whether_o the_o best_a of_o man_n can_v attain_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o that_o they_o need_v not_o or_o ought_v not_o to_o acknowledge_v themselves_o sinner_n and_o offender_n 3._o what_o be_v the_o result_n tendency_n and_o consequent_a of_o assert_v or_o deny_v such_o a_o perfection_n par._n i_o shall_v be_v very_o glad_a to_o have_v a_o just_a account_n of_o these_o particular_n min._n i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o perfection_n or_o be_v perfect_a be_v take_v in_o different_a sense_n in_o holy_a scripture_n sometime_o in_o a_o positive_a sense_n and_o sometime_o in_o a_o comparative_a a_o positive_a perfection_n be_v that_o which_o include_v such_o a_o compleatness_n wherein_o nothing_o be_v want_v or_o deficient_a to_o the_o answer_v and_o come_v up_o to_o those_o measure_n by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v and_o examine_v now_o the_o measure_n by_o which_o the_o perfection_n of_o man_n must_v be_v judge_v of_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n first_o the_o capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n take_v in_o its_o best_a and_o sinless_a estate_n and_o the_o holy_a and_o perfect_a law_n of_o god_n to_o which_o it_o be_v in_o every_o respect_n exact_o conformable_a and_o hence_o the_o first_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v when_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o enjoy_v as_o great_a good_a and_o satisfaction_n and_o as_o high_a purity_n and_o freedom_n from_o all_o stain_n of_o evil_a as_o either_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n can_v arrive_v unto_o or_o as_o the_o perfect_a law_n of_o god_n do_v require_v this_o be_v our_o state_n in_o paradise_n and_o will_v be_v in_o heaven_n this_o be_v the_o perfection_n speak_v of_o 1_o cor._n 13._o 10._o and_o probable_o eph._n 4._o 13._o heb._n 12._o 23._o and_o elsewhere_o the_o second_o measure_n by_o which_o a_o man_n perfection_n be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o be_v the_o capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n since_o the_o â—…all_n and_o the_o term_n which_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n prescribe_v and_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n accept_v hence_o the_o second_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v when_o a_o man_n live_v as_o holy_o as_o ever_o he_o can_v in_o this_o frail_a estate_n sincere_o strive_v to_o do_v all_o christian_a duty_n and_o to_o avoid_v all_o sin_n and_o supply_v his_o fail_n by_o faith_n and_o repentance_n so_o that_o god_n accept_v he_o upon_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o perfect_o righteous_a in_o and_o through_o christ_n this_o may_v be_v call_v evangelical_n perfection_n and_o be_v speak_v of_o heb._n 10._o 14._o and_o 13._o 21._o jam._n 3._o 2._o and_o this_o be_v oft_o express_v by_o the_o perfect_a heart_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n perfect_a be_v oppose_v to_o wicked_a job._n 9_o 22._o and_o be_v explain_v by_o be_v upright_o psal._n 37._o 37._o and_o this_o may_v be_v consistent_a with_o some_o fail_n that_o there_o be_v two_o measure_n of_o perfection_n appear_v by_o that_o instance_n i_o give_v you_o of_o st._n paul_n who_o acknowledge_v himself_o perfect_a according_o to_o one_o measure_n and_o yet_o not_o perfect_a according_a to_o another_o phil._n 3._o 12_o and_o 15._o compare_v so_o according_a to_o this_o second_o measure_n and_o god_n gracious_a acceptance_n asa_n heart_n be_v say_v to_o have_v be_v perfect_a all_o his_o day_n 1_o king_n 15._o 14._o yet_o come_v he_o far_o short_a of_o a_o sinless_a perfection_n for_o the_o high_a place_n be_v not_o take_v away_o ibid._n and_o he_o be_v sinful_o passionate_a against_o hanani_n 2_o chron._n 16._o 10._o who_o do_v but_o his_o office_n in_o reprove_v he_o for_o rely_v on_o the_o king_n of_o syria_n ver_fw-la 7_o and_o be_v lame_a on_o his_o foot_n seek_v not_o to_o the_o lord_n but_o to_o the_o physician_n ver_fw-la 12._o now_o let_v ellwood_n ask_v what_o notion_n the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v of_o perfection_n who_o record_v asa_n both_o perfect_a and_o a_o sinner_n therefore_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o this_o second_o sense_n of_o perfection_n the_o hebrew_n word_n for_o perfect_a be_v by_o our_o translator_n often_o render_v upright_o and_o make_v use_v of_o to_o express_v the_o necessary_a qualification_n for_o obtain_v god_n favour_n psal._n 15._o 2._o compare_v with_o ver_fw-la 1_o 5._o and_o psal._n 18._o 23._o elsewhere_o it_o be_v express_v by_o a_o heart_n that_o be_v sound_a in_o god_n statute_n and_o make_v to_o be_v a_o ground_n of_o sure_a hope_n and_o confidence_n in_o god_n mercy_n psal._n 119._o 80._o yea_o the_o hebrew_n word_n signify_v perfection_n be_v translate_v sincerity_n jos._n 24._o 14._o which_o t._n e._n seem_v to_o deny_v p._n 72._o this_o for_o the_o positive_a sense_n of_o perfection_n the_o next_o sense_n of_o perfection_n be_v comparative_a by_o which_o be_v mean_v such_o a_o perfection_n as_o be_v not_o exact_o complete_a in_o itself_o in_o respect_n to_o the_o first_o and_o high_a measure_n but_o only_o more_o complete_a than_o some_o other_o to_o which_o it_o be_v compare_v and_o this_o apply_v to_o our_o case_n consist_v in_o outdo_v the_o low_a sort_n of_o christian_n and_o come_v up_o to_o the_o high_a measure_n and_o degree_n of_o knowledge_n and_o practice_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n perfection_n be_v take_v heb._n 6._o 1._o 1_o cor._n 11._o 6._o now_o to_o apply_v this_o threefold_a distinction_n of_o perfection_n the_o attain_v a_o comparative_a perfection_n be_v not_o only_o desirable_a and_o useful_a but_o possible_a nay_o it_o be_v actual_o arrive_v to_o by_o some_o though_o not_o by_o all_o who_o notwithstanding_o may_v be_v true_a christian_n the_o attain_v a_o evangelical_n perfection_n be_v not_o only_o possible_a but_o also_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o all_o true_a christian_n but_o a_o absolute_a perfection_n in_o the_o first_o sense_n about_o which_o the_o dispute_n lie_v though_o it_o be_v the_o crown_n we_o aim_v at_o yet_o be_v not_o attain_v by_o any_o in_o this_o life_n which_o be_v my_o next_o particular_a of_o which_o i_o shall_v now_o give_v you_o a_o account_n par._n as_o you_o propound_v it_o before_o it_o be_v this_o whether_o the_o best_a of_o man_n can_v in_o this_o world_n attain_v to_o such_o a_o perfection_n as_o they_o need_v not_o or_o ought_v not_o to_o acknowledge_v themselves_o sinner_n and_o offender_n min._n to_o which_o query_n i_o reply_v by_o lay_v down_o these_o proposition_n first_o that_o there_o be_v two_o measure_n by_o which_o we_o may_v judge_v of_o our_o perfection_n namely_o the_o perfect_a and_o exact_a law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o gospel_n covenant_n the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o our_o duty_n the_o second_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o acceptance_n which_o be_v not_o one_o and_o the_o same_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n as_o a_o covenant_n require_v not_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o perfection_n in_o order_n to_o our_o acceptance_n though_o the_o law_n do_v still_o call_v for_o it_o for_o if_o it_o do_v salvation_n be_v impossible_a for_o we_o in_o our_o fall_a and_o frail_a estate_n yet_o still_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o dispensation_n of_o purity_n as_o well_o as_o grace_v nor_o be_v it_o the_o design_n thereof_o to_o cancel_v our_o obligation_n to_o obedience_n but_o rather_o to_o advance_v it_o and_o therefore_o it_o reject_v not_o any_o moral_a duty_n nor_o allow_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v moral_o evil_a for_o as_o it_o can_v be_v that_o any_o thing_n good_a or_o evil_a shall_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o under_o the_o gospel_n so_o it_o be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o that_o doctrine_n that_o establish_v god_n kingdom_n to_o discharge_v man_n from_o the_o obedience_n which_o he_o owe_v as_o a_o creature_n whence_o it_o follow_v second_o that_o all_o even_o the_o least_o evil_n be_v a_o sin_n because_o the_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n as_o well_o as_o the_o grosser_n act_n of_o sin_n all_o evil_a thought_n irregular_a desire_n and_o disorderly_a passion_n and_o also_o the_o omission_n of_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o good_a thought_n and_o desire_n as_o well_o as_o of_o good_a word_n and_o action_n be_v breach_n of_o god_n
but_o always_o put_v in_o by_o the_o translator_n as_o he_o may_v understand_v by_o as_o be_v print_v in_o a_o small_a letter_n jud._n 8._o 19_o and_o 1_o sam._n 20._o 3._o 2_o sam._n 15._o 21._o 2_o king_n 3._o 14_o etc._n etc._n and_o whereas_o t._n e._n will_v have_v we_o read_v it_o in_o tomson_n traslation_n yea_o god_n be_v faithful_a he_o must_v know_v that_o if_o he_o leave_v out_o asdruball_n it_o will_v be_v a_o oath_n still_o for_o jer._n 5._o 2._o though_o they_o say_v the_o lord_n live_v sure_o they_o swear_v false_o where_o the_o prophet_n say_v they_o do_v swear_v who_o only_o say_v the_o lord_n live_v without_o as._n sure_o it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o oath_n in_o this_o instance_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o say_v god_n be_v faithful_a as_o in_o the_o other_o to_o say_v the_o lord_n live_v all_o the_o difference_n be_v they_o who_o jeremy_n mention_n swear_v false_o but_o st._n paul_n true_o and_o indeed_o it_o be_v but_o a_o hebraism_n to_o leave_v as_o out_o for_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v or_o else_o it_o be_v not_o a_o full_a sense_n par._n i_o observe_v that_o t._n e._n find_v himself_o pinch_v by_o this_o instance_n for_o he_o allow_v the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o be_v a_o solemn_a asseveration_n ibid._n min._n a_o solemn_a asseveration_n here_o be_v a_o religious_a asseveration_n which_o make_v it_o amount_v to_o a_o oath_n however_o i_o think_v the_o quaker_n have_v allow_v of_o no_o asseveration_n beyond_o yea_o and_o nay_o but_o account_v they_o as_o bad_a as_o oath_n so_o that_o this_o evasion_n will_v help_v he_o but_o a_o little_a but_o do_v you_o not_o observe_v how_o close_o he_o crowd_n together_o the_o remain_a instance_n and_o though_o st._n paul_n solemn_o appeal_v to_o the_o omniscience_n of_o the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n as_o a_o witness_n who_o know_v he_o do_v not_o lie_v 2_o cor._n 11._o 31._o this_o be_v no_o oath_n with_o t._n e_z no_o nor_o that_o 2_o cor._n 1._o 23._o where_o he_o plain_o call_v god_n to_o witness_n and_o know_v it_o to_o be_v true_a offer_v up_o his_o soul_n to_o suffer_v by_o god_n justice_n if_o it_o be_v not_o as_o he_o say_v this_o be_v no_o swear_v with_o t._n e._n neither_o but_o he_o only_o say_v it_o but_o can_v prove_v it_o so_o that_o till_o he_o can_v prove_v these_o be_v no_o oath_n i_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v but_o i_o give_v you_o one_o instance_n gal._n 1._o 20._o behold_v before_n god_n i_o lie_v not_o which_o be_v so_o plain_a a_o oath_n that_o the_o quaker_n according_a to_o his_o own_o expression_n be_v not_o hardy_a enough_o to_o venture_v on_o it_o nor_o so_o much_o as_o to_o mention_v it_o in_o his_o book_n now_o if_o st._n paul_n do_v swear_v though_o but_o once_o when_o he_o write_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n though_o it_o be_v not_o in_o his_o ripe_a year_n when_o he_o have_v make_v a_o further_a progress_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n 46._o it_o must_v necessary_o follow_v that_o all_o swear_v be_v not_o forbid_v by_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n par._n now_o t._n e._n come_v to_o produce_v some_o probability_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o swear_v min._n probability_n be_v not_o good_a argument_n against_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o pray_v let_v we_o hear_v what_o they_o be_v par._n first_o he_o think_v it_o absurd_a that_o the_o apostle_n upon_o no_o great_a occasion_n than_o recount_v to_o the_o corinthian_n the_o manner_n of_o his_o escape_n out_o of_o damascus_n through_o a_o window_n into_o a_o basket_n shall_v take_v a_o solemn_a oath_n by_o god_n that_o he_o do_v not_o 11._o lie_v p._n 160._o min._n certain_o he_o be_v not_o so_o stupid_a as_o to_o think_v as_o he_o write_v here_o for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o the_o oath_n i_o mention_v in_o the_o 31_o verse_n relate_v to_o the_o precedent_a passage_n in_o the_o chapter_n there_o be_v false_a apostle_n at_o corinth_n who_o have_v bring_v the_o apostle_n credit_n so_o low_a among_o they_o that_o he_o be_v force_v to_o commend_v himself_o ver_fw-la 5_o 6._o and_o to_o show_v that_o he_o be_v not_o inferior_a to_o those_o false_a apostle_n either_o in_o any_o legal_a prerogative_n or_o in_o the_o service_n of_o christ_n or_o in_o any_o kind_n of_o suffer_v for_o his_o ministry_n so_o that_o here_o be_v sufficient_a occasion_n to_o require_v the_o solemnity_n of_o a_o oath_n to_o give_v the_o great_a assurance_n to_o the_o corinthian_n of_o his_o commission_n for_o apostleship_n which_o they_o then_o call_v into_o question_n and_o require_v he_o to_o prove_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 13._o 3._o and_o in_o galatia_n too_o some_o of_o these_o deceiver_n have_v wrought_v the_o like_a evil_a persuasion_n in_o the_o people_n he_o see_v some_o there_o 7._o who_o do_v not_o believe_v say_v st._n augustine_n apest._n and_o the_o apostle_n know_v their_o salvation_n depend_v upon_o their_o believe_v his_o doctrine_n and_o commission_n use_v the_o solemnity_n of_o oath_n to_o convince_v they_o be_v compel_v thereto_o by_o their_o unbelief_n and_o by_o his_o desire_n to_o preserve_v they_o from_o apostasy_n and_o damnation_n and_o sure_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a occasion_n par._n he_o suppose_v you_o have_v give_v he_o advantage_n by_o say_v that_o the_o pharisee_n teach_v that_o it_o be_v lawful_a to_o swear_v at_o any_o time_n by_o god_n name_n so_o that_o they_o swear_v nothing_o but_o truth_n etc._n etc._n which_o you_o acknowledge_v christ_n prohibit_v and_o further_o he_o say_v bishop_n gauden_n make_v the_o lawful_a call_n of_o authority_n one_o of_o the_o due_a circumstance_n which_o be_v necessary_a in_o a_o lawful_a oath_n and_o that_o yourself_o shall_v say_v the_o use_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o swear_v which_o remain_v be_v when_o a_o man_n be_v call_v by_o lawful_a authority_n to_o declare_v his_o conscience_n in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n of_o any_o controversy_n wherein_o his_o evidence_n may_v be_v concern_v now_o then_o say_v he_o let_v we_o consider_v if_o paul_n have_v swear_v who_o call_v he_o to_o it_o who_o require_v it_o of_o he_o nay_o what_o lawful_a authority_n have_v the_o corinthian_n over_o he_o to_o require_v a_o oath_n of_o he_o etc._n etc._n p._n 160_o 161._o min._n as_o to_o the_o first_o it_o will_v not_o advantage_v his_o cause_n at_o all_o unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o i_o ever_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n swear_v either_o by_o the_o creature_n or_o by_o god_n in_o ordinary_a converse_n for_o the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o say_v be_v that_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n though_o fasl_o and_o by_o god_n at_o any_o time_n in_o ordinary_a converse_n if_o but_o true_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o pharisee_n and_o that_o against_o the_o first_o of_o they_o viz._n swear_v by_o the_o creature_n 78._o christ_n oppose_v that_o prohibition_n mat._n 5._o 34_o 35_o 36._o but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o swear_v not_o at_o all_o neither_o by_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n against_o the_o late_a viz._n swear_v by_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o our_o ordinary_a converse_n he_o give_v this_o precept_n ver_fw-la 37._o let_v your_o communication_n be_v yea_o yea_o nay_o nay_o etc._n etc._n second_o if_o bishop_n gauden_n make_v the_o lawful_a call_n of_o authority_n one_o of_o the_o due_a circumstance_n which_o be_v necessary_a in_o a_o lawful_a oath_n it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o he_o allow_v no_o other_o circumstance_n nor_o three_o do_v i_o any_o where_o in_o all_o my_o book_n say_v there_o be_v no_o other_o use_n of_o a_o oath_n but_o in_o judicatories_n as_o he_o here_o suggest_v cunning_o make_v two_o proposition_n of_o one_o and_o so_o pervert_v the_o sense_n of_o my_o word_n which_o be_v these_o viz._n the_o use_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o swear_v remain_v i._n e._n continue_v or_o more_o plain_o oath_n continue_v lawful_a though_o not_o in_o common_a converse_n yet_o when_o i_o be_o call_v by_o lawful_a authority_n to_o 84._o declare_v my_o conscience_n in_o order_n to_o the_o end_n of_o any_o controversy_n wherein_o my_o evidence_n may_v be_v concern_v if_o i_o have_v say_v the_o use_n and_o lawfulness_n of_o swear_v which_o remain_v be_v when_o etc._n etc._n as_o he_o quote_v it_o then_o indeed_o he_o have_v have_v some_o show_n of_o reason_n to_o imply_v here_o and_o express_o to_o say_v p._n 164._o that_o the_o only_a lawful_a use_n that_o i_o give_v of_o swear_v now_o under_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o judicatories_n etc._n etc._n but_o see_v no_o such_o inference_n can_v be_v deduce_v from_o they_o as_o they_o be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o conference_n where_o be_v t._n be_v sincerity_n where_o be_v his_o honesty_n thus_o to_o pervert_v my_o word_n be_v this_o