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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
reason_n believe_v church_n infallible_a 3,644 5 10.0648 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A25439 Animadversions on a late book entituled, The reasonableness of Christianity as delivered in the Scriptures 1697 (1697) Wing A3191; ESTC R11192 66,692 112

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to_o the_o colossian_n in_o these_o word_n 4.16_o col._n 4.16_o and_o when_o this_o epistle_n be_v read_v among_o you_o cause_n that_o it_o be_v read_v also_o in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o laodicean_n and_o that_o you_o likewise_o read_v the_o epistle_n from_o laodicea_n which_o very_o probable_o be_v that_o which_o be_v now_o inscribe_v to_o the_o ephesian_n for_o it_o seem_v most_o likely_a that_o it_o be_v send_v to_o those_o of_o laodicea_n where_o st._n paul_n have_v never_o be_v at_o that_o time_n they_o have_v late_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o have_v a_o wrong_a inscription_n put_v to_o it_o by_o the_o collector_n of_o the_o epistle_n into_o one_o body_n which_o be_v a_o easy_a mistake_n consider_v that_o a_o copy_n of_o it_o be_v very_o probable_o at_o ephesus_n as_o well_o as_o coloss_n as_o appear_v from_o the_o c●ose_n of_o that_o epistle_n and_o other_o place_n some_o indeed_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o st._n paul_n do_v not_o write_v any_o epistle_n to_o 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this_o point_n 52._o p._n 52._o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o propound_v any_o article_n as_o necessary_o to_o be_v believe_v to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n but_o this_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n or_o messiah_n i_o think_v it_o may_v with_o great_a justice_n be_v repute_v one_o of_o the_o best_a book_n that_o have_v be_v publish_v for_o at_o least_o this_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n since_o i_o suppose_v he_o will_v hardly_o deny_v that_o mr_n hobbs_n write_v within_o that_o space_n who_o maintain_v the_o very_a same_o assertion_n as_o i_o have_v far_o observe_v in_o the_o follow_a remark_n though_o i_o be_o afraid_a with_o a_o far_o worse_a intention_n than_o the_o author_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n etc._n etc._n seem_v to_o have_v have_v in_o that_o treatise_n i_o need_v reflect_v no_o far_o upon_o any_o thing_n propound_v by_o this_o author_n not_o only_o because_o his_o paper_n come_v abroad_o after_o the_o follow_a remark_n be_v draw_v up_o but_o because_o there_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o be_v any_o thing_n very_o material_a which_o be_v not_o before_o observe_v in_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n etc._n etc._n or_o the_o author_n vindication_n of_o it_o i_o hope_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o follow_a paper_n that_o will_v be_v mistake_v for_o a_o reflection_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a there_o be_v none_o design_v for_o i_o think_v a_o adversary_n ought_v to_o be_v treat_v with_o respect_n how_o wide_a soever_o his_o notion_n may_v be_v from_o truth_n if_o his_o design_n be_v sincere_a which_o i_o must_v confess_v i_o can_v but_o believe_v of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n etc._n etc._n and_o though_o i_o can_v join_v in_o his_o opinion_n yet_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o have_v so_o much_o charity_n as_o to_o suppose_v that_o he_o will_v not_o maintain_v what_o he_o be_v
full_o satisfy_v be_v a_o error_n whether_o i_o have_v say_v enough_o to_o convince_v he_o he_o have_v be_v in_o a_o mistake_n i_o can_v promise_v for_o i_o may_v fancy_v that_o a_o demonstration_n to_o i_o which_o may_v be_v no_o proof_n to_o other_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o represent_v his_o sense_n with_o the_o utmost_a justice_n and_o sincerity_n and_o if_o i_o have_v any_o where_o mistake_v it_o i_o can_v only_o say_v it_o be_v both_o against_o my_o intention_n and_o knowledge_n and_o now_o i_o have_v only_o thus_o much_o to_o assure_v my_o adversary_n of_o that_o i_o have_v not_o make_v any_o observation_n upon_o his_o book_n out_o of_o bigotry_n to_o a_o party_n or_o prejudice_n to_o any_o set_n of_o opinion_n for_o i_o have_v no_o other_o interest_n to_o serve_v than_o that_o of_o truth_n nor_o have_v i_o any_o bias_n to_o incline_v i_o beside_o my_o own_o impartial_a inquiry_n and_o if_o they_o have_v misguide_v i_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o ready_a to_o submit_v to_o better_a information_n the_o content_n i._o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o epistle_n page_n 1._o ii_o of_o the_o reason_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n pag._n 53_o iii_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v concern_v christ_n pag._n 64._o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o epistle_n etc._n etc._n whatsoever_o design_n the_o author_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n may_v propose_v in_o publish_v that_o treatise_n whether_o it_o be_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o thorough_o and_o firm_o christian_n or_o to_o be_v a_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n it_o do_v not_o seem_v to_o give_v such_o satisfaction_n to_o a_o inquisitive_a mind_n as_o may_v prevent_v all_o exception_n against_o it_o in_o relation_n to_o either_o of_o those_o ends._n not_o only_o because_o it_o introduce_v a_o new_a scheme_n of_o belief_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ancient_o receive_v doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n but_o because_o it_o do_v not_o answer_v the_o full_a sense_n and_o intent_n of_o revelation_n which_o be_v the_o only_a reason_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n i_o shall_v not_o make_v it_o my_o business_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o socinian_n or_o any_o other_o hypothesis_n or_o inquire_v to_o what_o sect_n or_o party_n the_o author_n seem_v most_o incline_v but_o shall_v only_o so_o far_o consider_v his_o opinion_n as_o they_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o truth_n for_o i_o can_v think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o fix_v any_o man_n to_o a_o party_n which_o he_o will_v not_o own_v himself_o to_o be_v of_o though_o some_o of_o his_o opinion_n shall_v chance_v to_o have_v a_o tendency_n towards_o it_o for_o that_o be_v so_o unfair_a as_o well_o as_o a_o undecent_a method_n of_o manage_v a_o dispute_n that_o instead_o of_o stifle_v the_o old_a it_o may_v serve_v only_o to_o provoke_v fresh_a opposition_n and_o inflame_v where_o perhaps_o mild_a reason_n may_v convince_v and_o beside_o since_o every_o one_o that_o publish_v his_o thought_n with_o no_o other_o design_n than_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o other_o or_o to_o the_o end_v he_o may_v be_v better_o inform_v if_o he_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n have_v a_o right_a to_o be_v treat_v with_o equal_a charity_n or_o humanity_n at_o least_o by_o other_o it_o can_v certain_o be_v no_o prejudice_n even_o to_o the_o right_a side_n to_o allow_v he_o a_o civility_n which_o he_o have_v so_o just_a a_o claim_n to_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v think_v myself_o concern_v to_o examine_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n with_o such_o a_o impartial_a temper_n as_o it_o may_v just_o challenge_v and_o to_o be_v the_o more_o distinct_a and_o methodical_a in_o my_o examination_n i_o shall_v consider_v the_o chief_a part_n of_o it_o which_o be_v these_o first_o to_o show_v the_o reason_n of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n which_o the_o author_n tell_v we_o be_v to_o restore_v mankind_n to_o that_o state_n etc._n p._n 3_o 4_o 5._o etc._n etc._n which_o be_v forfeit_v by_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n but_o as_o he_o make_v adam_n punishment_n to_o consist_v only_o in_o a_o temporal_a death_n or_o a_o total_a cease_n to_o be_v 10._o p._n 10._o so_o do_v he_o confine_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o the_o free_v we_o from_o such_o a_o death_n only_o and_o restore_v we_o to_o that_o immortality_n which_o our_o first_o parent_n lose_v which_o overthrow_v the_o notion_n of_o our_o saviour_n redeem_n we_o from_o a_o eternity_n of_o torment_n and_o make_v the_o effect_n of_o original_a gild_n no_o more_o than_o become_a subject_n to_o death_n and_o so_o destroy_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n satisfaction_n but_o how_o agreeable_a this_o will_v prove_v to_o the_o tenor_n of_o scripture_n i_o shall_v inquire_v more_o hereafter_o the_o second_o principal_a part_n of_o it_o be_v to_o show_v what_o faith_n be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n and_o that_o he_o assert_n to_o be_v only_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o one_o proposition_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messah_n etc._n p._n 30_o 31_o 32._o etc._n etc._n or_o which_o he_o think_v signify_v the_o same_o the_o son_n of_o god_n he_o do_v not_o deny_v other_o doctrine_n to_o be_v true_a but_o maintain_v that_o this_o alone_a be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v indeed_o we_o all_o acknowledge_v this_o as_o the_o fundamental_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n as_o christian_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n the_o prophet_n that_o be_v to_o come_v into_o the_o world_n but_o here_o the_o difference_n lie_v between_o we_o whether_o there_o be_v not_o something_o more_o require_v as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v as_o that_o this_o messiah_n be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o that_o through_o the_o merit_n of_o his_o satisfaction_n he_o redeem_v we_o from_o eternal_a misery_n etc._n etc._n for_o the_o decision_n of_o which_o we_o can_v only_o appeal_v to_o scripture_n the_o three_o and_o last_o part_n of_o it_o which_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v this_o that_o whatsoever_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a gospel_n and_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n etc._n p._n 291_o 292_o etc._n etc._n and_o that_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v only_o occasional_a write_n and_o direction_n to_o particular_a church_n be_v not_o design_v to_o deliver_v such_o fundamental_a article_n as_o must_v necessary_o be_v believe_v explicit_o by_o all_o christian_n and_o therefore_o a_o actual_a belief_n of_o any_o of_o the_o doctrine_n therein_o mention_v be_v not_o absolute_o require_v to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o member_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n for_o he_o think_v a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o christian_n and_o a_o believer_n 31._o vindis_fw-la p._n 31._o without_o actual_o believe_v they_o because_o those_o who_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n by_o their_o preach_a and_o discourse_n convert_v to_o the_o faith_n be_v make_v christian_n and_o believer_n bare_o upon_o the_o receive_n what_o they_o preach_v unto_o they_o long_o before_o any_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o this_o supposition_n the_o other_o two_o part_n of_o his_o treatise_n be_v build_v and_o therefore_o it_o shall_v be_v my_o business_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v doctrine_n in_o the_o epistle_n distinct_a from_o those_o deliver_v in_o gospel_n or_o act_n which_o be_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o be_v make_v fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n as_o any_o other_o part_n of_o revelation_n it_o may_v indeed_o seem_v a_o unnecessary_a labour_n to_o vindicate_v those_o sacred_a write_n which_o have_v almost_o all_o of_o they_o be_v receive_v from_o the_o very_a first_o age_n of_o christianity_n with_o as_o equal_a degree_n of_o assent_n as_o all_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n and_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n there_o set_v down_o confess_v to_o be_v altogether_o as_o necessary_a to_o be_v actual_o believe_v unto_o salvation_n as_o any_o whatsoever_o for_o what_o shall_v the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o be_v if_o the_o epistle_n be_v not_o real_a and_o essential_a part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o save_v faith_n be_v the_o church_n then_o impose_v upon_o or_o do_v it_o of_o itself_o enjoin_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o doctrine_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n when_o it_o have_v no_o express_a commission_n from_o god_n for_o it_o for_o one_o of_o these_o we_o must_v grant_v if_o the_o epistle_n be_v not_o design_v to_o deliver_v fundamental_o to_o be_v actual_o believe_v by_o all_o christian_n now_o if_o several_a of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o those_o part_n of_o revelation_n have_v all_o along_o down_o from_o
hereafter_o have_v more_o occasion_n to_o consider_v he_o that_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n have_v eternal_a life_n if_o what_o be_v there_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v be_v single_o of_o itself_o sufficient_a to_o salvation_n than_o it_o must_v be_v so_o as_o it_o be_v there_o propose_v without_o any_o far_a explication_n of_o it_o because_o there_o be_v no_o explication_n propose_v to_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o like_a promise_n from_o whence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o bare_a proposition_n be_v alone_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v without_o any_o other_o interpretation_n if_o any_o at_o all_o may_v be_v admit_v than_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o particular_a humour_n of_o man_n the_o unhappy_a consequence_n of_o which_o will_v be_v endless_a wrangling_n and_o distraction_n for_o which_o reason_n it_o seem_v evident_a that_o all_o the_o fundamental_a part_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v comprehend_v in_o those_o text_n alone_o which_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v of_o that_o important_a nature_n unless_o the_o full_a extent_n and_o mean_v be_v there_o set_v down_o and_o deliver_v which_o i_o can_v find_v and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o relate_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o such_o a_o faith_n which_o be_v require_v to_o salvation_n and_o that_o explain_v the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o equal_o obligatory_a whether_o express_v in_o gospel_n or_o epistle_n for_o beside_o if_o every_o text_n of_o scripture_n must_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o sufficient_a to_o salvation_n upon_o the_o belief_n of_o which_o eternal_a life_n be_v promise_v even_o the_o very_a scripture_n will_v hardly_o be_v find_v reconcilable_a to_o itself_o for_o though_o in_o some_o place_n salvation_n be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o believe_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n yet_o in_o other_o it_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v life_n eternal_a to_o know_v the_o only_a true_a god_n as_o well_o as_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v both_o of_o which_o place_n if_o they_o must_v be_v understand_v in_o their_o limit_a sense_n will_v be_v almost_o find_v contradictory_n to_o each_o other_o because_o the_o one_o propose_v a_o large_a faith_n to_o salvation_n than_o be_v require_v by_o the_o other_o wherefore_o it_o seem_v more_o reasonable_a to_o understand_v these_o and_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o that_o sense_n which_o be_v apply_v to_o faith_n fear_v of_o god_n love_n hope_v and_o the_o like_a when_o single_o make_v use_v of_o to_o express_v the_o whole_a duty_n of_o a_o christian_a viz._n that_o one_o that_o be_v endue_v with_o such_o a_o faith_n or_o such_o virtue_n can_v be_v defective_a in_o the_o belief_n of_o all_o other_o article_n or_o in_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o other_o duty_n for_o as_o any_o of_o these_o virtue_n when_o mention_v alone_o as_o sufficient_a to_o save_v we_o 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which_o eternal_a life_n be_v express_o promise_v and_o that_o many_o of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v require_v to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n be_v not_o of_o themselves_o exclusive_a of_o all_o other_o sufficient_a for_o that_o end_n so_o that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v no_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o epistle_n so_o express_o enjoin_v to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n as_o some_o deliver_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v but_o that_o some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v of_o as_o important_a a_o nature_n and_o as_o much_o to_o be_v think_v fundamental_o but_o however_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v second_o that_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o no_o article_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o be_v express_o so_o declare_v by_o the_o inspire_a writer_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v produce_v some_o article_n from_o the_o epistle_n that_o be_v as_o much_o require_v to_o be_v actual_o believe_v to_o salvation_n as_o any_o of_o those_o deliver_v in_o the_o gospel_n or_o act_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o its_o proper_a place_n so_o that_o for_o both_o these_o reason_n some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o the_o epistle_n ought_v to_o be_v as_o earnest_o press_v and_o enjoin_v to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v upon_o hazard_n of_o salvation_n as_o any_o find_v elsewhere_o in_o scripture_n there_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a many_o truth_n both_o in_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n which_o be_v only_o to_o be_v believe_v upon_o the_o general_a ground_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o veracity_n of_o god_n but_o those_o of_o a_o high_a nature_n which_o have_v a_o immediate_a tendency_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o method_n by_o which_o our_o saviour_n have_v obtain_v it_o for_o we_o be_v to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v by_o all_o in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n so_o that_o in_o both_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n there_o be_v a_o 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the_o epistle_n must_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v a_o particular_a revelation_n i_o will_v ask_v to_o what_o end_v there_o shall_v be_v this_o revelation_n and_o several_a doctrine_n therein_o deliver_v which_o concern_v both_o our_o faith_n and_o practice_n if_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n for_o they_o in_o order_n to_o salvation_n 14.37_o 1_o cor._n 14.37_o why_o shall_v the_o inspire_a writer_n give_v any_o instruction_n to_o a_o church_n for_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n if_o yet_o without_o the_o least_o hazard_n of_o salvation_n they_o may_v be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o for_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v consistent_a with_o the_o end_n or_o nature_n of_o revelation_n which_o under_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n be_v design_v only_o for_o the_o eternal_a advantage_n of_o mankind_n that_o no_o part_n of_o it_o deliver_v in_o the_o epistle_n which_o be_v all_o of_o they_o of_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o that_o end_n and_o that_o those_o who_o 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revelation_n than_o any_o of_o the_o other_o apostle_n for_o he_o be_v neither_o instruct_v by_o christ_n himself_o while_o on_o earth_n as_o not_o be_v his_o disciple_n nor_o have_v he_o any_o account_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o teach_v from_o those_o apostle_n who_o have_v constant_o hear_v he_o but_o he_o receive_v all_o his_o instruction_n immediate_o from_o heaven_n as_o he_o himself_o have_v tell_v we_o in_o the_o first_o chap._n of_o gal._n 11_o and_o 12._o ver._n but_o i_o certify_v you_o brethren_n that_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v preach_v of_o i_o be_v not_o after_o man_n for_o i_o neither_o receive_v it_o of_o man_n neither_o be_v i_o teach_v it_o but_o by_o the_o revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n from_o whence_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o his_o doctrine_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o what_o be_v teach_v by_o christ_n himself_o and_o that_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v as_o himself_o testify_v of_o they_o in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 14.37_o be_v the_o 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to_o other_o as_o be_v plain_a from_o his_o own_o word_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o ephesus_n act._n 20.27_o that_o he_o have_v not_o shun_v to_o declare_v unto_o they_o all_o the_o counsel_n of_o god_n which_o he_o will_v not_o have_v say_v if_o he_o have_v a_o commission_n to_o make_v any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n by_o other_o which_o be_v not_o reveal_v to_o they_o through_o his_o ministry_n so_o that_o as_o both_o what_o he_o teach_v and_o write_v in_o his_o epistle_n be_v the_o same_o doctrine_n so_o be_v they_o both_o equal_o obligatory_a but_o last_o there_o be_v this_o more_o remarkable_a of_o st._n paul_n that_o he_o be_v the_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o first_o that_o have_v preach_v the_o gospel_n among_o they_o and_o therefore_o what_o he_o teach_v can_v be_v the_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o they_o especial_o till_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v which_o none_o of_o they_o be_v till_o some_o time_n 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worthy_a of_o god_n and_o more_o beneficial_a to_o man_n than_o the_o reveal_n the_o condition_n which_o he_o have_v make_v necessary_a for_o our_o obtain_n happiness_n and_o this_o be_v full_o do_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o the_o condition_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v before_o we_o can_v perform_v they_o so_o god_n have_v take_v sufficient_a care_n to_o give_v we_o a_o full_a revelation_n of_o they_o first_o in_o a_o large_a history_n of_o the_o method_n that_o christ_n make_v use_v of_o for_o the_o purchase_v our_o redemption_n and_o the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o mission_n and_o doctrine_n and_o second_o in_o a_o more_o full_a and_o clear_a manifestation_n by_o the_o come_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v require_v of_o we_o to_o be_v believe_v and_o this_o he_o entrust_v to_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v to_o that_o end_n both_o divine_o inspire_v and_o have_v the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n commit_v to_o they_o to_o establish_v and_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v no_o very_o great_a absurdity_n to_o affirm_v that_o all_o thing_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n be_v not_o full_o and_o clear_o contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n indeed_o 189._o indeed_o tota_n religio_fw-la christiana_n omne_fw-la illius_fw-la dogmata_fw-la fidei_fw-la &_o praecepta_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la necessaria_fw-la quatuor_fw-la evangeliis_fw-la imo_fw-la unico_fw-la mathaei_n evangelio_n continentur_fw-la neque_fw-la ex_fw-la epistolis_fw-la apostolorum_fw-la imo_fw-la nec_fw-la apostoli_fw-la pauli_n ullum_fw-la dogma_fw-la ad_fw-la salutem_fw-la creditu_fw-la necessarium_fw-la proferetur_fw-la quod_fw-la non_fw-la antea_fw-la in_o evangelio_n clare_v expressum_fw-la exstat_fw-la ausim_fw-la itaeque_fw-la dicere_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la sola_fw-la quatuor_fw-la exstarent_fw-la evangelian_a os_fw-la perfectum_fw-la habituros_fw-la canonem_fw-la seu_fw-la regulam_fw-la fidei_fw-la ac_fw-la morum_fw-la p._n 189._o limborch_n in_o his_o conference_n with_o a_o learned_a jew_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la religionis_fw-la christianae_n seem_v to_o have_v grant_v more_o than_o he_o have_v authority_n for_o in_o assert_v that_o all_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o four_o evangelist_n or_o even_o in_o st._n matthew_n only_o and_o that_o none_o of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n or_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n contain_v any_o doctrine_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n which_o be_v not_o clear_o and_o express_o set_v down_o before_o in_o the_o gospel_n etc._n etc._n whether_o all_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v before_o lay_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n be_v indeed_o make_v by_o some_o a_o matter_n of_o dispute_n but_o that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v not_o there_o so_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a as_o in_o the_o epistle_n be_v none_o for_o it_o may_v be_v very_o just_o question_v if_o the_o epistle_n have_v not_o be_v write_v whether_o we_o shall_v not_o have_v remain_v whole_o ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o several_a thing_n in_o the_o gospel_n particular_o as_o to_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o i_o much_o doubt_n whether_o we_o shall_v so_o unanimous_o have_v believe_v that_o christ_n death_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o our_o sin_n or_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o resurrection_n alone_o we_o shall_v all_o be_v raise_v again_o at_o the_o last_o day_n from_o the_o alone_a declaration_n of_o the_o gospel_n since_o neither_o of_o these_o can_v be_v so_o clear_o prove_v from_o the_o gospel_n as_o from_o the_o epistle_n the_o latter_a of_o which_o be_v i_o think_v no_o where_o mention_v in_o
the_o gospel_n and_o can_v direct_o be_v prove_v from_o they_o so_o that_o all_o our_o belief_n of_o it_o must_v have_v be_v by_o far-fetched_a inference_n which_o very_o probable_o we_o shall_v never_o have_v think_v of_o have_v not_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v this_o forementioned_a concession_n of_o limborch_n seem_v occasion_v by_o the_o jew_n be_v assert_v that_o all_o their_o religion_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o five_o book_n of_o moses_n and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o the_o observation_n or_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o believe_v any_o of_o the_o rest_n as_o part_v of_o their_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o thereupon_o he_o prefer_v their_o religion_n before_o the_o christian_a as_o be_v much_o more_o easy_o understand_v because_o contain_v in_o a_o much_o lesser_a compass_n but_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o limborch_n be_v under_o no_o necessity_n in_o order_n to_o prove_v the_o christian_a superior_a to_o the_o jewish_a religion_n on_o the_o account_n of_o its_o brevity_n to_o confine_v all_o the_o article_n of_o christianity_n to_o one_o or_o all_o the_o gospel_n for_o he_o may_v very_o fair_o have_v deny_v that_o assertion_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o it_o be_v only_o one_o sect_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o of_o the_o sadducee_n who_o be_v of_o that_o opinion_n and_o who_o give_v such_o preference_n to_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n the_o pharisee_n the_o more_o numerous_a sect_n pay_v the_o same_o respect_n to_o all_o the_o other_o inspire_a write_n and_o prophecy_n and_o place_v their_o religion_n as_o much_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o they_o as_o in_o those_o deliver_v by_o moses_n and_o indeed_o if_o no_o other_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v for_o canonical_a or_o part_n of_o the_o jewish_a revelation_n they_o must_v have_v but_o a_o very_a small_a esteem_n for_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v their_o expect_a messiah_n in_o which_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n that_o wherein_o their_o faith_n be_v concern_v aught_o to_o consist_v for_o the_o believe_a that_o the_o messiah_n will_v come_v be_v declare_v by_o 176._o by_o porta_n mosis_fw-la p._n 176._o maimonides_n to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o fundamental_o of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n but_o if_o it_o be_v limborch_n design_n in_o this_o place_n as_o indeed_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o our_o religion_n by_o contract_v all_o the_o article_n of_o it_o into_o a_o very_a narrow_a compass_n that_o they_o may_v be_v more_o easy_o know_v i_o think_v that_o this_o do_v not_o much_o advance_v that_o end_n for_o it_o seem_v more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n too_o that_o all_o the_o part_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o practice_n shall_v be_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o large_a and_o plain_a term_n imaginable_a to_o take_v off_o all_o occasion_n of_o error_n and_o mistake_v which_o man_n will_v almost_o unavoidable_o fall_v into_o if_o all_o matter_n of_o belief_n and_o practice_n be_v deliver_v like_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n of_o old_a in_o a_o short_a and_o consequent_o obscure_a form_n indeed_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o summary_n of_o all_o the_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o may_v be_v easy_o remember_v by_o every_o capacity_n but_o it_o be_v as_o necessary_a also_o to_o prevent_v all_o dispute_n concern_v the_o mean_v of_o every_o particular_a article_n that_o we_o shall_v have_v recourse_n to_o a_o large_a full_a and_o infallible_a explanation_n of_o they_o such_o as_o be_v all_o the_o part_n of_o divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o the_o gospel_n do_v not_o full_o and_o clear_o contain_v every_o thing_n that_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v seem_v plain_a upon_o many_o account_n 1._o for_o first_o if_o in_o the_o gospel_n or_o particular_o in_o st._n matthew_n be_v contain_v the_o whole_a rule_n of_o faith_n than_o the_o doctrine_n therein_o teach_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n of_o faith_n to_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o but_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o to_o they_o they_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v so_o to_o any_o other_o but_o that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o to_o they_o before_o the_o come_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n seem_v plain_a from_o their_o misunderstanding_n the_o reason_n of_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n they_o think_v it_o be_v to_o reinstate_v the_o jew_n in_o their_o temporal_a grandeur_n and_o glory_n as_o be_v evident_a from_o that_o question_n they_o put_v to_o our_o saviour_n lord_n will_v thou_o at_o this_o time_n restore_v the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n but_o beside_o those_o word_n of_o our_o saviour_n i_o have_v many_o thing_n to_o say_v unto_o you_o but_o you_o can_v hear_v they_o now_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v other_o doctrine_n yet_o to_o be_v know_v beside_o those_o he_o have_v already_o teach_v they_o 2._o the_o gospel_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n historical_n and_o contain_v a_o account_n of_o our_o saviour_n miraculous_a birth_n the_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v to_o confirm_v his_o mission_n from_o god_n his_o suffering_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n etc._n etc._n be_v intersper_v with_o many_o excellent_a precept_n but_o contain_v but_o few_o however_o not_o all_o the_o matter_n of_o faith_n 3._o our_o saviour_n general_o deliver_v himself_o very_o mystical_o especial_o about_o those_o thing_n which_o concern_v himself_o and_o leave_v man_n rather_o to_o draw_v conclusion_n from_o his_o action_n for_o their_o belief_n of_o he_o than_o from_o any_o clear_a manifestation_n of_o himself_o so_o that_o no_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o history_n of_o he_o 4._o the_o inspire_a penman_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v only_o to_o draw_v up_o the_o history_n without_o their_o own_o remark_n upon_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o in_o that_o to_o tell_v we_o what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v any_o far_a than_o our_o saviour_n have_v already_o do_v through_o the_o course_n of_o his_o ministry_n and_o therefore_o our_o faith_n be_v not_o to_o be_v measure_v by_o the_o gospel_n only_a for_o though_o st._n john_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o gospel_n give_v we_o large_a proof_n of_o christ_n divinity_n than_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o introduce_v our_o saviour_n with_o such_o name_n and_o title_n as_o be_v usual_o by_o the_o 3._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d philo._n lib._n de_fw-fr som._n and_o in_o another_o place_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lib._n de_fw-fr agric._n '_o o_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lib._n de_fw-fr som._n in_o some_o place_n he_o call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o plotinus_n have_v also_o do_v en._n 5._o lib._n 5._o c._n 3._o jew_n appropriate_v to_o their_o expect_a messiah_n and_o by_o which_o both_o they_o and_o the_o platonist_n mean_v a_o divine_a person_n and_o which_o they_o be_v at_o that_o time_n common_o know_v to_o signify_v yet_o he_o have_v not_o there_o deliver_v any_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n five_o and_o last_o the_o promise_n which_o our_o bless_a saviour_n make_v to_o his_o disciple_n to_o send_v they_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o instruct_v they_o far_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v concern_v he_o and_o to_o guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n which_o can_v signify_v bring_v all_o thing_n to_o their_o remembrance_n but_o teach_v they_o all_o thing_n joh._n 14.26_o plain_o intimate_v that_o there_o be_v something_o more_o require_v as_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v which_o himself_o have_v not_o full_o declare_v to_o they_o and_o we_o no_o where_n find_v nor_o have_v we_o any_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o who_o be_v constant_o with_o our_o saviour_n have_v any_o full_a and_o distinct_a notion_n of_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v concern_v he_o till_o they_o have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o all_o that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o teach_v in_o his_o own_o person_n or_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o gospel_n only_a can_v be_v make_v any_o adequate_a rule_n of_o faith_n but_o however_o shall_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n yet_o still_o it_o may_v be_v just_o question_v whether_o the_o epistle_n also_o together_o with_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o part_v of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o whether_o the_o explanation_n and_o illustration_n contain_v in_o the_o epistle_n of_o doctrine_n more_o imperfect_o set_v down_o in_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o equal_o to_o be_v believe_v with_o the_o evangelical_n write_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v admit_v that_o all_o or_o most_o of_o the_o truth_n deliver_v in_o the_o epistle_n be_v only_a
in_o its_o proper_a place_n these_o place_n of_o scripture_n now_o mention_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v doctrine_n in_o the_o epistle_n that_o be_v require_v to_o be_v explicit_o believe_v and_o the_o apostle_n do_v certain_o design_n this_o end_n in_o write_v their_o epistle_n as_o in_o the_o 2_o cor._n 1.13_o for_o we_o write_v none_o other_o thing_n unto_o you_o than_o what_o you_o read_v or_o acknowledge_v and_o i_o trust_v you_o shall_v acknowledge_v even_o to_o the_o end_n and_o in_o the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_o chap._n 2._o ver._n 15._o therefore_o brethren_n stand_v fast_o and_o hold_v the_o tradition_n which_o you_o have_v be_v teach_v whether_o by_o word_n or_o our_o epistle_n all_o which_o place_n with_o innumerable_a other_o which_o may_v be_v cite_v to_o the_o same_o purpose_n undeniable_o prove_v that_o the_o apostle_n enjoin_v the_o belief_n of_o what_o they_o write_v in_o their_o epistle_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v fill_v their_o write_n with_o any_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o do_v not_o impose_v a_o necessity_n upon_o man_n of_o believe_v they_o and_o here_o it_o be_v not_o material_a whether_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o christian_n and_o whether_o design_v to_o teach_v they_o any_o doctrine_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o believer_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o they_o can_v not_o continue_v true_a christian_n or_o believer_n without_o acknowledge_v the_o doctrine_n there_o deliver_v for_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n and_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o christian_n but_o however_o the_o word_n christian_n be_v often_o use_v ambiguous_o and_o be_v promiscuous_o give_v to_o all_o who_o be_v baptise_a into_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o therefore_o though_o most_o of_o the_o epistle_n may_v be_v write_v to_o those_o who_o be_v call_v christian_n yet_o they_o may_v not_o be_v thorough_o so_o i._n e._n they_o may_v not_o have_v a_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o all_o the_o article_n of_o faith_n as_o be_v particular_o plain_a in_o the_o thessalonian_o by_o st._n paul_n first_o epistle_n to_o they_o chap._n 3._o ver._n 10._o night_n and_o day_n pray_v exceed_o that_o we_o may_v see_v your_o face_n and_o may_v perfect_v that_o which_o be_v lack_v in_o your_o faith_n so_o that_o our_o author_n argument_n from_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v to_o those_o who_o be_v already_o christian_n be_v also_o upon_o this_o account_n very_o insufficient_a to_o weaken_v their_o authority_n but_o he_o far_o urge_v that_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n 295._o p._n 295._o and_o without_o those_o occasion_n have_v not_o be_v write_v and_o so_o can_v be_v think_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o how_o can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o all_o the_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n for_o the_o contrary_n seem_v plain_a in_o several_a of_o the_o epistle_n for_o though_o they_o be_v direct_v to_o particular_a church_n yet_o be_v they_o design_v for_o whole_a province_n as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n be_v intend_v for_o the_o province_n of_o achaia_n that_o to_o the_o galatian_n for_o a_o whole_a country_n and_o those_o direct_v to_o the_o thessalonian_o and_o philippian_n be_v design_v for_o the_o two_o province_n of_o macedonia_n it_o be_v usual_a with_o the_o apostle_n to_o give_v such_o pre-eminence_n to_o the_o metropolis_n of_o any_o province_n as_o to_o direct_v to_o that_o what_o he_o intend_v for_o the_o whole_a which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o those_o epistle_n be_v not_o write_v upon_o any_o particular_a occasion_n to_o those_o church_n they_o be_v send_v to_o since_o they_o oblige_v a_o great_a number_n equal_o with_o they_o nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v design_v for_o those_o particular_a province_n only_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v know_v to_o other_o for_o if_o they_o only_o be_v oblige_v by_o they_o than_o no_o one_o can_v be_v require_v to_o observe_v they_o any_o long_a than_o he_o continue_v in_o such_o a_o province_n for_o if_o they_o affect_v none_o out_o of_o the_o province_n than_o those_o who_o go_v from_o that_o to_o another_o must_v also_o be_v free_v from_o all_o obligation_n to_o they_o which_o be_v too_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v the_o like_a observation_n may_v be_v make_v upon_o other_o epistle_n the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n be_v direct_v to_o the_o stranger_n scatter_v throughout_o pontus_n galatia_n cappadocia_n asia_n and_o bythinia_n his_o second_o epistle_n be_v likewise_o general_n and_o so_o be_v the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n and_o st._n judas_n but_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v be_v more_o general_n than_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n which_o though_o occasion_v by_o some_o new_a raise_a heresy_n yet_o be_v direct_v to_o all_o christian_n to_o give_v they_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o divinity_n and_o eternal_a existence_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n which_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o that_o epistle_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o heresy_n that_o then_o be_v or_o that_o possible_o may_v arise_v concern_v they_o for_o all_o which_o reason_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o a_o great_a many_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v design_v for_o all_o christian_n in_o general_n those_o indeed_o to_o the_o roman_n and_o the_o hebrew_n seem_v to_o have_v some_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o particular_o relate_v to_o those_o church_n but_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o truth_n in_o they_o of_o general_a use_n and_o importance_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v design_v on_o purpose_n for_o all_o christian_n in_o general_n but_o to_o look_v a_o little_a back_n upon_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n which_o if_o well_o consider_v can_v be_v deny_v to_o contain_v some_o doctrine_n 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reason_n to_o persuade_v we_o to_o build_v our_o faith_n upon_o the_o epistle_n too_o for_o it_o be_v very_o absurd_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o very_o next_o age_n to_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v so_o far_o impose_v upon_o and_o so_o down_o to_o the_o present_a time_n as_o to_o receive_v several_a of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o epistle_n for_o fundamental_a article_n of_o faith_n if_o they_o be_v never_o design_v either_o by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o inspire_a they_o or_o by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o to_o be_v make_v such_o so_o that_o to_o assert_v the_o contrary_a be_v to_o affirm_v that_o either_o all_o christian_n hitherto_o have_v wander_v in_o the_o dark_a or_o that_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o very_o great_a folly_n and_o superstition_n in_o make_v those_o part_n of_o scripture_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v to_o salvation_n which_o be_v never_o intend_v to_o be_v so_o some_o of_o the_o epistle_n have_v indeed_o be_v reject_v but_o so_o have_v some_o 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think_v it_o to_o be_v for_o any_o man_n without_o a_o sufficient_a warrant_n for_o it_o which_o can_v be_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a commission_n to_o pretend_v to_o reject_v any_o part_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o cut_v they_o off_o from_o the_o rest_n which_o the_o whole_a church_n have_v receive_v for_o canonical_a and_o thus_o whoever_o they_o be_v that_o deny_v the_o divine_a authority_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v all_o the_o part_n of_o scripture_n such_o as_o be_v also_o the_o valentinian_o and_o manichee_n with_o some_o few_o other_o be_v always_o look_v upon_o by_o the_o church_n to_o be_v no_o better_o than_o heretic_n there_o be_v indeed_o some_o of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o do_v not_o receive_v all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o canonical_a but_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o they_o be_v not_o certain_a they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n yet_o after_o a_o little_a time_n they_o be_v all_o admit_v and_o 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epistle_n i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v by_o what_o authority_n our_o author_n include_v the_o posterity_n of_o adam_n in_o the_o punishment_n 6._o p._n 6._o and_o make_v they_o subject_a to_o death_n for_o his_o disobedience_n since_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o mention_n of_o they_o in_o the_o sentence_n for_o that_o seem_v direct_o level_v against_o he_o and_o not_o to_o include_v any_o other_o in_o it_o indeed_o our_o author_n prove_v it_o from_o rom._n 5.12_o 4._o p._n 4._o by_o one_o man_n sin_n enter_v into_o the_o world_n and_o death_n by_o sin_n but_o if_o he_o have_v no_o other_o proof_n for_o it_o than_o from_o the_o epistle_n this_o will_v be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o make_v it_o a_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n since_o according_a to_o he_o we_o be_v not_o to_o fetch_v any_o article_n of_o faith_n from_o the_o epistle_n so_o that_o this_o be_v all_o will_v be_v leave_v for_o we_o to_o believe_v as_o to_o this_o that_o all_o man_n be_v subject_a to_o death_n but_o that_o god_n have_v not_o indispensible_o require_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o punishment_n due_a to_o all_o man_n for_o adam_n transgression_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o full_a extent_n even_o of_o adam_n punishment_n can_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o sentence_n denounce_v against_o he_o which_o in_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n can_v only_o threaten_v death_n or_o mortality_n to_o the_o body_n and_o not_o a_o death_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n to_o the_o soul_n nor_o that_o even_o this_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o sentence_n as_o we_o find_v it_o record_v in_o the_o second_o and_o three_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n that_o death_n be_v entail_v upon_o all_o adam_n posterity_n for_o his_o offence_n and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v from_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o we_o have_v more_o light_n and_o large_a discovery_n to_o guide_v we_o that_o we_o must_v expect_v a_o clear_a account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o punishment_n that_o be_v due_a to_o adam_n and_o what_o sort_n of_o death_n it_o be_v that_o his_o posterity_n be_v free_v from_o by_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n but_o by_o the_o way_n since_o his_o chief_a argument_n for_o his_o notion_n of_o adam_n punishment_n be_v that_o nothing_o more_o be_v mean_v in_o the_o sentence_n denounce_v against_o he_o i_o will_v desire_v to_o know_v why_o by_o death_n in_o that_o place_n may_v not_o be_v mean_v a_o eternal_a loss_n of_o god_n favour_n in_o a_o state_n of_o existence_n as_o well_o as_o by_o never_o die_v in_o many_o other_o place_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v a_o eternal_a enjoyment_n of_o happiness_n or_o a_o freedom_n from_o eternal_a misery_n for_o by_o not_o die_v in_o such_o like_a place_n be_v not_o mean_v a_o exemption_n from_o the_o common_a fate_n of_o all_o man_n but_o only_o not_o die_v after_o that_o manner_n which_o other_o do_v who_o believe_v not_o in_o christ_n and_o if_o by_o this_o joh._n 11.26_o he_o that_o believe_v on_o i_o shall_v never_o die_v or_o as_o in_o another_o place_n he_o that_o hear_v my_o word_n and_o believe_v on_o he_o that_o send_v i_o have_v everlasting_a life_n and_o shall_v not_o come_v into_o condemnation_n joh._n 5.24_o can_v only_o be_v interpret_v of_o a_o immortal_a state_n of_o bliss_n and_o immortality_n than_o i_o see_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o sentence_n of_o death_n or_o condemnation_n may_v not_o imply_v a_o eternal_a loss_n of_o that_o happiness_n in_o a_o state_n of_o misery_n especial_o since_o i_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o mortality_n of_o the_o soul_n can_v not_o be_v include_v in_o that_o sentence_n of_o death_n denounce_v against_o adam_n and_o
also_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n i.e._n god_n and_o that_o this_o must_v be_v the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n of_o st._n john_n be_v plain_a from_o what_o be_v general_o allow_v by_o the_o ancient_a father_n to_o have_v be_v the_o design_n of_o his_o gospel_n which_o be_v to_o assert_v the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n against_o those_o that_o oppose_v it_o as_o he_o have_v do_v at_o large_a in_o his_o first_o chapter_n and_o if_o this_o can_v be_v question_v to_o have_v be_v st._n john_n design_n in_o his_o gospel_n the_o forementioned_a proposition_n must_v mean_v more_o than_o that_o be_v all_o that_o be_v require_v to_o be_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n and_o consequent_o that_o son_n of_o god_n be_v of_o a_o large_a signification_n than_o messiah_n for_o if_o they_o mean_v only_o the_o same_o then_o st._n john_n himself_o do_v not_o assign_v the_o true_a reason_n for_o his_o writing_n that_o gospel_n for_o it_o appear_v that_o he_o have_v certain_o another_o end_n in_o it_o than_o bare_o to_o prove_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n but_o if_o they_o mean_v different_o and_o son_n of_o god_n do_v there_o denote_v christ_n divinity_n than_o we_o have_v in_o that_o forementioned_a passage_n the_o whole_a intention_n of_o the_o apostle_n assign_v for_o his_o writing_n that_o gospel_n namely_o to_o show_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n and_o that_o he_o be_v god_n we_o may_v add_v to_o all_o this_o that_o the_o jew_n from_o who_o we_o may_v best_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o expression_n believe_v that_o god_n be_v mean_v by_o it_o for_o a_o good_a work_n 10.33_o joh._n 10.33_o say_v they_o we_o stone_v thou_o not_o but_o for_o blasphemy_n and_o that_o because_o thou_o be_v man_n make_v thyself_o god_n which_o be_v only_o by_o say_v that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n 36._o ver_fw-la 36._o which_o show_v that_o they_o understand_v more_o by_o the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o be_v only_o the_o messiah_n and_o this_o interpretation_n the_o highpriest_n put_v upon_o it_o 26.63_o mat._n 26.63_o when_o he_o accuse_v he_o of_o blasphemy_n for_o say_v he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o it_o will_v probable_o be_v object_v to_o this_o that_o our_o saviour_n have_v himself_o explain_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o son_n of_o god_n in_o his_o answer_n to_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o accuse_v he_o of_o blasphemy_n be_v it_o not_o write_v in_o your_o law_n i_o say_v you_o be_v god_n if_o he_o call_v they_o god_n unto_o who_o the_o word_n of_o god_n come_v how_o say_v you_o of_o he_o who_o the_o father_n have_v sanctify_v and_o send_v into_o the_o world_n thou_o blaspheme_v because_o i_o say_v i_o be_o the_o son_n of_o god_n joh._n 10.34_o 35_o 36._o but_o do_v it_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o our_o saviour_n have_v declare_v that_o there_o be_v no_o more_o mean_v by_o his_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n than_o that_o he_o be_v sanctify_v and_o send_v by_o god_n all_o that_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o this_o passage_n be_v only_o this_o that_o suppose_v he_o be_v no_o more_o than_o one_o thus_o send_v from_o heaven_n yet_o it_o will_v not_o then_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o assume_v the_o title_n of_o son_n of_o god_n but_o that_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n a_o concession_n that_o that_o title_n do_v not_o belong_v to_o he_o upon_o any_o other_o account_n but_o beside_o it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v infer_v from_o hence_o that_o our_o saviour_n be_v not_o god_n for_o he_o as_o much_o there_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v not_o god_n as_o that_o his_o title_n of_o son_n of_o god_n be_v only_o to_o denote_v his_o divine_a mission_n and_o he_o seem_v to_o allow_v that_o son_n of_o god_n or_o god_n signify_v the_o same_o as_o the_o jew_n understand_v it_o so_o that_o this_o text_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o show_v that_o son_n of_o god_n and_o messiah_n be_v the_o same_o but_o there_o be_v one_o text_n more_o which_o may_v be_v urge_v to_o prove_v son_n of_o god_n and_o messiah_n the_o same_o and_o that_o be_v luk._n 1.35_o the_o holy_a ghost_n shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o and_o the_o power_n of_o the_o high_a shall_v overshadow_v thou_o therefore_o also_o that_o holy_a thing_n which_o shall_v be_v bear_v of_o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o if_o the_o true_a occasion_n of_o his_o be_v call_v the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v here_o set_v down_o than_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o other_o instance_n last_o mention_v be_v not_o to_o the_o purpose_n because_o there_o the_o reason_n of_o that_o character_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v by_o our_o saviour_n own_o confession_n only_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o his_o be_v sanctify_v and_o send_v by_o god_n so_o that_o one_o of_o they_o must_v be_v give_v up_o as_o prove_v nothing_o in_o the_o case_n but_o neither_o do_v this_o latter_a text_n give_v we_o a_o full_a account_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v son_n of_o god_n it_o only_o tell_v we_o one_o reason_n why_o he_o shall_v be_v call_v so_o in_o his_o humane_a nature_n as_o be_v conceive_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n of_o a_o virgin_n but_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o this_o be_v not_o design_v to_o take_v in_o the_o full_a sense_n of_o that_o expression_n because_o there_o be_v other_o place_n in_o scripture_n that_o give_v that_o title_n to_o our_o saviour_n where_o it_o can_v only_o relate_v to_o his_o eternal_a existence_n as_o have_v be_v already_o show_v but_o it_o will_v far_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o jew_n think_v son_n of_o god_n to_o signify_v more_o than_o be_v the_o christ_n that_o thou_o before_o and_o at_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n come_v they_o give_v the_o title_n of_o son_n of_o god_n to_o their_o expect_a messiah_n and_o the_o 316._o the_o vid._n dr._n pocock_n not._n ad_fw-la maimonid_fw-la p._n 316._o chaldee_n paraphra_v and_o all_o the_o learned_a rabbin_n have_v constant_o interpret_v that_o passage_n in_o psal_n 2._o thou_o be_v my_o son_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o messiah_n yet_o after_o our_o saviour_n come_v they_o not_o only_o alter_v that_o interpretation_n but_o also_o deny_v that_o they_o ever_o expect_v their_o 1._o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d orig._n advers._fw-la cell_n lib._n 1._o messiah_n shall_v be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n lest_o the_o christian_n shall_v take_v advantage_n of_o it_o as_o one_o of_o their_o doctor_n acknowledge_v which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o the_o jew_n who_o after_o our_o saviour_n come_v deny_v this_o title_n of_o son_n of_o god_n to_o their_o expect_a messiah_n do_v believe_v that_o it_o signify_v more_o than_o only_o be_v the_o messiah_n for_o they_o disow_v it_o because_o they_o think_v it_o will_v prove_v what_o the_o christian_n make_v use_v of_o it_o for_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o this_o i_o may_v have_v more_o occasion_n to_o consider_v by_o and_o by_o from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v urge_v it_o seem_v evident_a that_o as_o messiah_n and_o son_n of_o god_n do_v not_o signify_v the_o same_o so_o there_o be_v something_o more_o necessary_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v beside_o this_o proposition_n that_o jesus_n be_v christ_n or_o the_o messiah_n but_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v the_o believe_a jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n sufficient_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n will_v it_o be_v the_o believe_v that_o bare_a proposition_n that_o qualify_v he_o for_o such_o a_o character_n if_o it_o will_v not_o of_o itself_o what_o sense_n must_v it_o be_v take_v in_o must_v every_o one_o be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o private_a explication_n or_o must_v it_o be_v receive_v according_a to_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o scripture_n now_o if_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v it_o as_o deliver_v in_o sacred_a writ_n i_o will_v know_v in_o what_o place_v it_o be_v there_o declare_v that_o the_o believe_v it_o in_o such_o a_o particular_a sense_n just_o so_o and_o no_o otherwise_o be_v require_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n for_o if_o the_o explicit_a belief_n of_o that_o article_n only_o be_v sufficient_a why_o be_v we_o not_o inform_v from_o what_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n we_o must_v draw_v the_o sense_n of_o it_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n only_o upon_o the_o forfeiture_n of_o salvation_n for_o it_o be_v not_o much_o to_o the_o purpose_n to_o say_v that_o this_o proposition_n be_v alone_o require_v to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n unless_o there_o can_v be_v produce_v the_o same_o authority_n for_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o believe_v it_o in_o such_o a_o sense_n but_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v in_o answer_n to_o this_o that_o our_o author_n have_v explain_v this_o proposition_n from_o the_o
he_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o our_o author_n instance_n in_o st._n peter_n sermon_n to_o cornelius_n that_o whosoever_o believe_v on_o he_o shall_v receive_v remission_n of_o sin_n 10.43_o act._n 10.43_o but_o will_v our_o author_n assert_v that_o this_o imply_v no_o more_o than_o the_o bare_a believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o messiah_n without_o know_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n do_v it_o not_o also_o in_o the_o same_o place_n intimate_v that_o he_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o dignity_n and_o office_n have_v power_n to_o forgive_v sin_n which_o none_o can_v do_v but_o god_n alone_o and_o thus_o in_o the_o 36_o ver_fw-la that_o this_o messiah_n be_v lord_n of_o all_o i.e._n be_v over_o all_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o all_o which_o as_o they_o be_v imply_v in_o the_o sermon_n of_o st._n peter_n so_o they_o there_o seem_v necessary_o require_v to_o be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o baptism_n and_o consequent_o to_o salvation_n and_o we_o can_v beside_o imagine_v that_o the_o apostle_n will_v so_o far_o impose_v upon_o man_n as_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v nothing_o of_o or_o to_o build_v their_o faith_n upon_o word_n without_o mean_v which_o we_o must_v suppose_v they_o to_o do_v if_o they_o make_v the_o bare_a believe_a jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n to_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a without_o explain_v what_o they_o mean_v by_o messiah_n how_o he_o be_v our_o messiah_n or_o what_o he_o must_v be_v either_o god_n man_n or_o both_o that_o he_o may_v be_v capacitate_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o therefore_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v by_o believe_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n in_o this_o and_o almost_o all_o other_o place_n the_o full_a extent_n and_o mean_v of_o those_o word_n as_o they_o be_v explain_v by_o this_o and_o other_o apostle_n in_o all_o part_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v all_o of_o they_o inspire_a by_o the_o same_o holy_a ghost_n and_o therefore_o must_v all_o have_v the_o same_o mean_v unless_o the_o holy_a spirit_n dictate_v different_a or_o contradictory_n kind_n of_o doctrine_n which_o will_v be_v too_o impious_a to_o assert_v and_o therefore_o the_o believe_a jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o it_o be_v now_o require_v for_o a_o fundamental_a of_o our_o faith_n must_v comprehend_v the_o full_a sense_n that_o be_v give_v of_o it_o in_o scripture_n unless_o we_o can_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o inspiration_n and_o consequent_o not_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o our_o faith_n nor_o do_v the_o believe_a jesus_n to_o be_v the_o messiah_n appear_v to_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n from_o that_o place_n of_o the_o act_n where_o the_o eunuch_n be_v mention_v to_o have_v be_v baptise_a upon_o that_o confession_n of_o his_o faith_n to_o philip_n i_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n act._n 8.37_o for_o though_o here_o be_v no_o more_o set_v down_o yet_o no_o doubt_n there_o be_v more_o imply_v for_o we_o have_v none_o of_o the_o doctrine_n record_v that_o philip_n preach_v to_o he_o but_o that_o he_o instruct_v he_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o that_o chapter_n of_o isaiah_n which_o be_v a_o prophecy_n of_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n which_o doctrine_n as_o they_o must_v be_v part_n of_o what_o philip_n teach_v so_o no_o doubt_n they_o be_v require_v as_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o beside_o since_o philip_n baptise_a he_o no_o question_n but_o he_o do_v it_o in_o that_o form_n which_o christ_n himself_o enjoin_v in_o the_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n and_o then_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o the_o belief_n and_o confession_n of_o the_o three_o person_n be_v require_v for_o where_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n be_v not_o mention_v we_o ought_v to_o understand_v it_o to_o be_v the_o same_o which_o be_v institute_v and_o command_v by_o christ_n himself_o and_o which_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o primitive_a church_n but_o second_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o our_o author_n scheme_n of_o doctrine_n and_o do_v require_v much_o more_o to_o be_v believe_v concern_v our_o saviour_n than_o bare_o that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n as_o first_o it_o be_v plain_o lay_v down_o in_o those_o holy_a write_n that_o he_o be_v god_n nay_o his_o divinity_n be_v so_o plain_o assert_v by_o st._n john_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o his_o gospel_n that_o it_o seem_v almost_o impossible_a for_o word_n to_o express_v it_o more_o clear_o in_o the_o beginning_n be_v the_o word_n and_o the_o word_n be_v god_n etc._n etc._n now_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a as_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v that_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d both_o in_o jewish_n and_o heathen_a writer_n be_v mean_v a_o divine_a person_n and_o be_v much_o use_v by_o the_o platonist_n that_o live_v in_o this_o apostle_n time_n and_o that_o the_o most_o learned_a a_o among_o the_o jew_n do_v appropriate_v that_o title_n to_o their_o expect_a messiah_n as_o well_o as_o they_o believe_v he_o shall_v be_v god_n so_o that_o this_o may_v be_v a_o very_a good_a reason_n for_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n require_v no_o more_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o their_o preach_n among_o the_o jew_n than_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o messiah_n since_o if_o they_o once_o firm_o believe_v that_o they_o must_v necessary_o believe_v he_o also_o to_o be_v god_n and_o this_o be_v also_o evident_a from_o the_o jew_n never_o object_v idolatry_n at_o the_o first_o to_o the_o christians_n upon_o supposition_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n who_o they_o worship_v which_o certain_o they_o will_v have_v do_v have_v they_o not_o expect_v their_o messiah_n shall_v be_v god_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n manage_v with_o such_o strength_n and_o judgement_n in_o a_o late_a discourse_n by_o a_o learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o church_n that_o it_o may_v seem_v of_o itself_o sufficient_a to_o silence_v all_o opposition_n except_o that_o of_o malice_n that_o can_v be_v make_v against_o it_o or_o against_o the_o divinity_n of_o christ_n indeed_o trypho_n the_o jew_n in_o his_o dispute_n with_o paris_n with_o justin_n martur_fw-la dialog_n cum_fw-la tryphon_n judaeo_n p._n 2668._o ed._n paris_n justin_n martyr_n assert_n that_o the_o jew_n do_v not_o expect_v their_o messiah_n to_o be_v god_n but_o only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o he_o express_v it_o but_o that_o he_o do_v not_o here_o speak_v the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o live_v before_o he_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o 1._o what_o dem._n evang._n l._n 4._o c._n 1._o eusebius_n declare_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v the_o same_o opinion_n with_o the_o christian_n concern_v christ_n divinity_n till_o they_o change_v it_o in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o the_o christian_n which_o give_v we_o a_o very_a good_a account_n of_o the_o reason_n why_o trypho_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o jew_n fall_v from_o their_o notion_n concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o their_o expect_a messiah_n the_o christian_n have_v gain_v great_a advantage_n over_o they_o from_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o ancient_a rabbin_n about_o it_o and_o therefore_o we_o may_v best_o judge_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n concern_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o messiah_n from_o those_o who_o live_v before_o our_o saviour_n since_o the_o latter_a jew_n have_v differ_v very_o much_o from_o they_o and_o this_o be_v plain_a from_o their_o different_a interpretation_n of_o the_o second_o psalm_n for_o 314._o for_o r._n david_n sunt_fw-la qui_fw-la interpretantur_fw-la psalmum_fw-la istum_fw-la de_fw-la gog_n &_o magog_n estque_fw-la messiah_n rex_fw-la messiah_n atque_fw-la ita_fw-la exposuerunt_fw-la doctores_fw-la nostri_fw-la estque_fw-la psalmus_fw-la hoc_fw-la modo_fw-la explicatus_fw-la perspicuus_fw-la at_o vero_fw-la proprius_fw-la est_fw-la dixisse_fw-la ipsum_fw-la davidem_fw-la de_fw-la seipso_fw-la uti_fw-la a_o vobis_fw-la expositum_fw-la not._n miscel_n in_o maimon_n c._n 8._o p._n 314._o one_o of_o they_o ingenious_o confess_v that_o all_o their_o doctor_n have_v expound_v it_o it_o of_o the_o messiah_n which_o he_o allow_v to_o be_v a_o clear_a explication_n of_o it_o but_o however_o that_o it_o will_v be_v more_o to_o the_o purpose_n for_o they_o now_o to_o understand_v it_o as_o speak_v by_o david_n of_o himself_o and_o 315._o and_o doctores_fw-la nostri_fw-la exposuerunt_fw-la huius_fw-la psalmi_n significatum_fw-la de_fw-fr rege_fw-la messiah_n at_o prout_fw-la sonat_fw-la &_o ut_fw-la respondeatur_fw-la menaeis_n seu_fw-la hereticis_fw-la expedit_fw-la intepretari_fw-la ipsum_fw-la de_fw-la ipso_fw-la davide_n r._n salamo_fw-la jarchi_n p._n 315._o another_o of_o they_o also_o acknowledge_v that_o this_o psalm_n be_v constant_o interpret_v by_o their_o doctor_n to_o signify_v
into_o the_o secret_a affection_n of_o men._n whether_o the_o present_a vnitarian_n writer_n will_v allow_v divine_a honour_n to_o be_v pay_v to_o our_o saviour_n or_o not_o be_v not_o very_o material_a this_o every_o one_o must_v be_v convince_v of_o that_o the_o adoration_n of_o christ_n be_v as_o much_o mention_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o as_o much_o enjoin_v in_o those_o and_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n as_o any_o other_o doctrine_n whatever_o so_o that_o it_o will_v be_v much_o more_o convenient_a for_o they_o to_o reject_v all_o revelation_n in_o general_n than_o to_o out_o off_o all_o those_o part_n of_o it_o that_o be_v disagreeable_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n for_o to_o own_o a_o revelation_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o disbelieve_v what_o be_v therein_o clear_o deliver_v be_v such_o a_o contradiction_n as_o i_o be_o afraid_a their_o reason_n can_v hardly_o reconcile_v but_o since_o in_o some_o of_o their_o pamphlet_n they_o have_v deny_v omnipresence_n and_o omniscience_n to_o almighty_a god_n and_o so_o have_v leave_v we_o at_o a_o loss_n for_o a_o god_n infinite_o perfect_a they_o may_v with_o the_o same_o assurance_n call_v in_o question_n either_o the_o truth_n or_o authority_n of_o his_o revelation_n but_o see_v the_o author_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n do_v believe_v all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o act_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o convince_v he_o by_o one_o text_n more_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o christ_n divinity_n and_o consequent_o for_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v more_o concern_v he_o than_o bare_o that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n from_o the_o example_n and_o expression_n of_o the_o first_o martyr_n st._n stephen_n who_o suffer_v some_o year_n before_o any_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o epistle_n be_v write_v and_o therefore_o his_o authority_n ought_v to_o carry_v very_o great_a weight_n along_o with_o it_o since_o such_o a_o example_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o as_o 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reason_v as_o indeed_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v it_o must_v be_v sufficient_a to_o enforce_v the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v god_n to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n but_o again_o as_o we_o can_v deny_v that_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v christ_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n because_o it_o be_v require_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o st._n john_n tell_v we_o that_o his_o gospel_n be_v write_v for_o this_o end_n that_o we_o shall_v believe_v jesus_n to_o be_v the_o christ_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n so_o we_o must_v also_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v god_n because_o as_o i_o have_v already_o prove_v his_o divinity_n be_v understand_v by_o that_o expression_n the_o ancient_a jew_n both_o apply_v it_o to_o their_o expect_a messiah_n and_o also_o mean_v a_o divine_a person_n by_o it_o all_o which_o seem_v as_o full_o to_o require_v we_o to_o believe_v he_o to_o be_v god_n if_o we_o will_v be_v christian_n as_o we_o be_v in_o other_o passage_n enjoin_v to_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v christ_n and_o last_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o the_o explicit_a belief_n of_o christ_n be_v god_n be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n from_o the_o form_n of_o baptism_n at_o our_o admission_n into_o christianity_n in_o the_o name_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n where_o a_o equal_a belief_n in_o all_o be_v require_v as_o be_v equal_o partaker_n of_o the_o same_o divine_a nature_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o the_o father_n divinity_n as_o the_o son_n be_v be_v not_o here_o imply_v but_o this_o i_o have_v speak_v to_o already_o and_o here_o we_o may_v add_v for_o a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o this_o truth_n of_o christ_n be_v god_n that_o the_o universal_a church_n as_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o the_o most_o primitive_a write_n and_o the_o first_o general_n council_n have_v always_o assert_v his_o divinity_n as_o be_v most_o undoubted_o express_v in_o scripture_n how_o come_v it_o therefore_o to_o pass_v that_o if_o the_o belief_n of_o christ_n divinity_n be_v not_o think_v clear_o reveal_v and_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n all_o those_o that_o oppose_v it_o from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n to_o this_o present_a time_n have_v be_v condemn_v and_o censure_v for_o heretic_n relig._n heretic_n vid._n bishop_n stillingfleet_n rational_a ac._n of_o the_o prot._n relig._n not_o as_o though_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n be_v pretend_v to_o be_v any_o infallible_a rule_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n in_o all_o thing_n which_o concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sufficient_a prescription_n against_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v allege_v out_o of_o scripture_n that_o if_o it_o appear_v contrary_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n from_o the_o beginning_n it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o scripture_n so_o that_o if_o the_o deny_v christ_n to_o be_v god_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o receive_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o also_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o the_o word_n we_o must_v conclude_v that_o either_o his_o divinity_n must_v necessary_o be_v believe_v even_o to_o make_v a_o man_n a_o christian_n or_o that_o the_o revelation_n be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v but_o second_o we_o must_v also_o believe_v the_o incarnation_n of_o christ_n for_o every_o spirit_n that_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o of_o god_n 1_o ep._n joh._n 4.3_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o he_o be_v man_n as_o well_o as_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v make_v like_o unto_o his_o brethren_n that_o he_o may_v be_v a_o merciful_a and_o a_o faithful_a highpriest_n in_o thing_n pertain_v to_o god_n to_o make_v reconciliation_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o people_n heb._n 2.17_o and_o that_o this_o be_v part_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o all_o christian_n that_o god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n 1_o tim._n 3.16_o and_o that_o though_o he_o be_v in_o the_o form_n of_o god_n and_o think_v it_o not_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o god_n yet_o make_v he_o himself_o of_o no_o reputation_n and_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n and_o be_v make_v in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n and_o be_v find_v in_o fashion_n as_o a_o man_n he_o humble_v himself_o and_o become_v obedient_a unto_o death_n even_o the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n phil._n 2.6_o 7_o 8._o all_o which_o plain_o denote_v to_o we_o both_o his_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n which_o we_o must_v believe_v to_o be_v unite_v in_o one_o person_n agreeable_a to_o which_o be_v those_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n feed_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n which_o can_v only_o be_v do_v by_o take_v the_o manhood_n into_o god_n i_o need_v not_o multiply_v text_n to_o prove_v that_o our_o saviour_n be_v man_n this_o i_o suppose_v none_o of_o the_o unitarian_n will_v dispute_v but_o the_o difficulty_n lie_v in_o this_o that_o he_o be_v both_o god_n and_o man_n but_o this_o also_o be_v very_o frequent_o and_o full_o assert_v in_o scripture_n but_o three_o we_o must_v also_o believe_v that_o he_o die_v for_o we_o and_o in_o our_o stead_n to_o free_v we_o from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v that_o his_o death_n be_v a_o propitiatory_a sacrifice_n for_o we_o and_o that_o his_o be_v the_o blood_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o himself_o testify_v of_o it_o which_o be_v shed_v for_o many_o for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n mat._n 26.28_o and_o that_o this_o be_v part_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n according_a to_o st._n paul_n that_o he_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n as_o the_o scripture_n foretell_v of_o he_o and_o for_o this_o end_n he_o say_v he_o be_v ordain_v a_o preacher_n to_o testify_v that_o christ_n give_v himself_o a_o ransom_n for_o all_o 1_o tim._n 2.6_o 7._o but_o this_o i_o have_v insist_v upon_o so_o large_o already_o and_o show_v that_o this_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n of_o his_o death_n from_o so_o many_o instance_n in_o scripture_n that_o i_o need_v say_v no_o more_o upon_o it_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o this_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v since_o our_o salvation_n depend_v on_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o it_o and_o how_o far_o we_o be_v concern_v both_o in_o faith_n and_o practice_n in_o short_a as_o the_o scripture_n have_v assure_v we_o that_o christ_n be_v the_o mediator_n of_o the_o better_a covenant_n and_o that_o we_o must_v believe_v in_o he_o so_o must_v our_o belief_n of_o he_o be_v measure_v by_o what_o be_v reveal_v concern_v he_o for_o christ_n himself_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o be_v life_n eternal_a to_o know_v the_o only_a true_a god_n and_o jesus_n christ_n who_o he_o have_v send_v i.e._n the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n be_v as_o much_o a_o condition_n of_o salvation_n as_o that_o of_o god_n the_o father_n and_o the_o most_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o both_o be_v to_o be_v draw_v from_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n whatsoever_o the_o scripture_n have_v reveal_v so_o also_o we_o must_v believe_v of_o christ_n as_o the_o scripture_n have_v make_v he_o know_v to_o we_o so_o that_o the_o adequate_a measure_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o both_o must_v be_v take_v from_o scripture_n for_o if_o upon_o a_o supposition_n of_o no_o revelation_n we_o must_v believe_v all_o that_o of_o god_n which_o right_a reason_n can_v dictate_v to_o we_o then_o certain_o since_o we_o have_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n and_o that_o revelation_n have_v also_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n in_o order_n to_o salvation_n we_o must_v believe_v upon_o the_o hazard_n of_o our_o salvation_n every_o thing_n concern_v he_o which_o be_v assert_v by_o that_o revelation_n and_o as_o in_o the_o general_a confession_n of_o faith_n when_o we_o say_v we_o believe_v in_o god_n the_o father_n etc._n etc._n we_o be_v to_o understand_v all_o the_o other_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o be_v make_v know_v to_o we_o either_o by_o reason_n or_o revelation_n as_o that_o he_o be_v just_a good_a merciful_a that_o he_o govern_v all_o thing_n by_o his_o providence_n or_o whatever_o else_o can_v be_v conceive_v in_o a_o be_v infinite_o perfect_a so_o when_o we_o say_v we_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n his_o only_a son_n our_o lord_n we_o must_v also_o mean_v by_o it_o whatsoever_o else_o we_o can_v find_v in_o scripture_n in_o reference_n to_o our_o clear_a understanding_n that_o article_n as_o that_o
he_o be_v god_n and_o man_n our_o king_n prophet_n and_o priest_n and_o what_o more_o the_o scripture_n have_v comprehend_v under_o each_o of_o those_o distinct_a office_n for_o believe_v in_o christ_n if_o it_o mean_v any_o thing_n must_v be_v interpret_v of_o every_o thing_n that_o scripture_n have_v require_v to_o be_v believe_v concern_v he_o so_o that_o this_o we_o may_v be_v certain_a be_v a_o fundamental_a that_o as_o christ_n be_v the_o author_n of_o our_o salvation_n so_o that_o revelation_n be_v the_o just_a measure_n of_o our_o belief_n in_o he_o and_o that_o we_o must_v not_o believe_v either_o more_o or_o less_o of_o he_o than_o we_o be_v warrant_v by_o scripture_n but_o it_o will_v probable_o be_v object_v to_o all_o this_o that_o though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v several_a article_n to_o be_v believe_v by_o those_o who_o be_v thorough_a christian_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o more_o require_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o or_o his_o apostle_n to_o make_v a_o 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