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scripture_n apostle_n bishop_n presbyter_n 3,386 5 10.4987 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A52316 The project of peace, or, Unity of faith and government, the only expedient to procure peace, both foreign and domestique and to preserve these nations from the danger of popery and arbitrary tyranny by the author of the countermine. Nalson, John, 1638?-1686. 1678 (1678) Wing N113; ESTC R3879 154,518 354

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lay_v hand_n sudden_o on_o no_o man_n prefer_v one_o before_o another_o by_o partiality_n so_o that_o here_o be_v a_o distinct_a power_n of_o a_o bishop_n from_o a_o priest_n to_o lay_v on_o hand_n or_o ordain_v to_o receive_v accusation_n against_o presbyter_n to_o examine_v witness_n and_o according_a to_o their_o testimony_n to_o proceed_v to_o judgement_n to_o give_v sentence_n open_o to_o rebuke_v those_o that_o sin_n even_o the_o presbyter_n as_o well_o as_o other_o for_o if_o they_o may_v be_v accuse_v and_o convene_v and_o find_v guilty_a of_o sin_n they_o also_o aught_o and_o may_v be_v rebuke_v and_o punish_v as_o to_o that_o place_n of_o the_o 5_o chap._n rebuke_v not_o a_o elder_a it_o be_v apparent_o mean_v of_o those_o who_o be_v such_o by_o year_n and_o not_o by_o office_n presbyter_n or_o priest_n and_o to_o teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v a_o respect_n due_a to_o the_o reverend_a head_n age_n as_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n rebuke_v not_o a_o elder_a but_o 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have_v instruct_v his_o scholar_n to_o put_v down_o and_o not_o exalt_v this_o antichrist_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n 2.18_o 1_o jo._n 2.18_o this_o ignatius_n who_o be_v afterward_o in_o the_o eleven_o year_n of_o trajan_n crown_v with_o martyrdom_n at_o rome_n be_v tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n as_o eusebius_n give_v we_o a_o account_n 35._o euseb_n eccl._n he_o l._n 3._o c._n 19_o &_o 35._o he_o speak_v as_o plain_a of_o the_o difference_n between_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n as_o pen_n can_v write_v or_o heart_n can_v wish_v in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o magnesian_o magnes_fw-la ig._n ep._n ad_fw-la magnes_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bishop_n say_v he_o be_v seat_v in_o the_o first_o place_n as_o in_o the_o place_n of_o god_n and_o the_o presbyter_n as_o the_o senate_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o another_o place_n of_o the_o same_o epistle_n they_o say_v he_o who_o act_n without_o a_o bishop_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o such_o christ_n will_v say_v why_o do_v you_o call_v i_o lord_n lord_n and_o do_v not_o the_o work_n which_o i_o command_v you_o such_o person_n seem_v to_o i_o not_o to_o be_v of_o a_o good_a conscience_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d but_o to_o be_v hypocrite_n and_o dissembler_n and_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o trallian_n he_o command_v they_o in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n trall_n ignat._n epist_n ad_fw-la trall_n to_o be_v subject_a unto_o this_o bishop_n as_o unto_o the_o lord_n for_o he_o watch_v for_o your_o soul_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o tell_v they_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o you_o shall_v do_v nothing_o without_o the_o bishop_n thus_o we_o see_v the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o century_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n be_v yet_o live_v think_v of_o bishop_n as_o we_o do_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v both_o undeniable_a and_o undubitable_a that_o episcopal_a government_n be_v of_o divine_a institution_n and_o that_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o presbyter_n be_v two_o different_a thing_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n both_o as_o to_o power_n and_o as_o to_o name_n i_o may_v bring_v a_o whole_a cloud_n of_o witness_n of_o less_o antiquity_n but_o if_o these_o will_v not_o convince_v if_o the_o testimony_n of_o scripture_n and_o so_o primitive_a a_o man_n and_o a_o bishop_n as_o ignatius_n be_v of_o no_o value_n i_o can_v have_v little_a hope_n of_o convince_a gainsayer_n by_o multitude_n who_o have_v abandon_v reason_n thus_o stand_v the_o affair_n of_o the_o church_n for_o above_o 300_o year_n no_o man_n make_v the_o least_o question_n or_o dispute_v but_o that_o the_o government_n by_o episcopacy_n be_v of_o god_n appointment_n one_o bishop_n still_o succeed_v another_o as_o in_o the_o ecclesiastical_a historian_n my_o be_v see_v in_o most_o of_o the_o principal_a city_n of_o the_o world_n 25._o epiphan_n l._n 3._o tom._n 1._o haeres_fw-la 25._o till_o aerius_n be_v educate_v with_o eustathius_n and_o be_v his_o equal_a in_o learning_n and_o age_n take_v it_o as_o a_o great_a disparagement_n that_o eustathius_n be_v prefer_v before_o he_o to_o a_o bishopric_n for_o which_o they_o be_v competitor_n upon_o this_o discontent_n he_o not_o only_o fall_v foul_a upon_o eustathius_n object_v as_o our_o aerian_o do_v against_o he_o pride_n and_o covetousness_n but_o his_o resentment_n for_o the_o mortal_a displeasure_n break_v out_o against_o the_o whole_a function_n contemn_v the_o prescribe_a fast_n of_o the_o church_n and_o teach_v by_o the_o same_o argument_n with_o we_o that_o a_o bishop_n and_o a_o priest_n be_v all_o one_o by_o the_o scripture_n of_o equal_a power_n authority_n and_o jurisdiction_n which_o say_v epiphanius_n be_v a_o assertion_n stultitiae_fw-la plena_fw-la full_a of_o folly_n but_o this_o be_v but_o one_o discontent_a priest_n opinion_n be_v neither_o much_o regard_v nor_o long_o live_v the_o current_a belief_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o constant_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n which_o know_v no_o other_o government_n run_v so_o strong_a that_o he_o be_v drown_v in_o it_o nor_o do_v the_o heresy_n ever_o float_v again_o till_o this_o last_o age_n of_o which_o st._n clement_n who_o be_v contemporary_a to_o st._n paul_n and_o his_o fellow_n labourer_n 4.3_o phil._n 4.3_o as_o he_o call_v he_o seem_v to_o prophesy_v in_o that_o epistle_n of_o he_o to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o i_o think_v be_v never_o suspect_v to_o be_v spurious_a where_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o will_v come_v a_o time_n when_o there_o shall_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d cor._n clem._n ep._n ad_fw-la cor._n a_o contention_n about_o the_o very_a name_n of_o a_o bishop_n by_o virtue_n of_o this_o power_n it_o be_v that_o the_o ruler_n of_o the_o church_n order_v and_o appoint_v all_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v which_o be_v of_o a_o indifferent_a nature_n in_o government_n as_o about_o the_o observation_n of_o holy_a fast_n and_o festival_n the_o manner_n of_o celebrate_v the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n the_o prayer_n and_o alm_n of_o the_o church_n the_o posture_n gesture_n and_o habit_n which_o be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o and_o all_o other_o rite_n and_o ceremony_n follow_v herein_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o the_o general_a precept_n therein_o contain_v as_o rule_n of_o government_n which_o be_v principal_o these_o first_o that_o nothing_o impose_v shall_v be_v repugnant_a or_o contrary_a to_o any_o article_n or_o branch_n of_o faith_n or_o a_o holy_a life_n or_o to_o any_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n record_v in_o holy_a writ_n second_o that_o all_o their_o command_n may_v have_v a_o respect_n to_o decency_n order_n reverence_n and_o edification_n three_o that_o all_o may_v have_v a_o tendency_n to_o unity_n peace_n and_o concord_n and_o that_o diversity_n of_o custom_n and_o opinion_n may_v not_o breed_v schism_n and_o contention_n and_o i_o show_v before_o how_o when_o in_o some_o of_o these_o thing_n there_o be_v a_o difference_n in_o several_a church_n yet_o still_o they_o hold_v communion_n one_o with_o another_o maintain_v inviolable_o the_o same_o faith_n and_o government_n in_o all_o this_o be_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o church_n both_o as_o to_o faith_n and_o polity_n till_o such_o time_n as_o the_o great_a power_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o other_o king_n become_v christian_n and_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o glory_n of_o their_o crown_n the_o first_o of_o which_o be_v constantine_n the_o great_a these_o temporal_a power_n than_o take_v the_o church_n into_o their_o protection_n make_v temporal_a law_n for_o the_o better_a management_n of_o it_o and_o to_o preserve_v it_o from_o the_o injury_n of_o heathen_a idolater_n without_o and_o heretic_n within_o and_o have_v the_o sword_n in_o their_o hand_n undertake_v as_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o punish_v evil_a doer_n who_o dare_v transgress_v the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n with_o temporal_a punishment_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o break_v the_o law_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o to_o encourage_v the_o peaceable_a and_o religious_a from_o the_o bounty_n of_o these_o prince_n and_o that_o of_o other_o of_o plentiful_a fortune_n and_o and_o by_o their_o example_n the_o church_n come_v to_o be_v endow_v with_o temporalty_n and_o a_o honourable_a constant_a and_o encourage_v maintenance_n be_v provide_v and_o settle_v upon_o those_o who_o be_v to_o serve_v at_o the_o altar_n that_o so_o they_o may_v be_v enable_v and_o furnish_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o learning_n well_o know_v that_o proportionate_a reward_n be_v the_o spur_n to_o learning_n and_o virtue_n as_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n for_o our_o encouragement_n to_o pursue_v and_o obtain_v she_o tell_v we_o 8.18.3.4_o prov._n 8.18.3.4_o riches_n and_o honour_n be_v with_o i_o yea_o durable_a riches_n and_o righteousness_n and_o that_o length_n of_o day_n be_v in_o her_o right_a hand_n and_o in_o her_o left_a hand_n riches_n and_o honour_n and_o that_o according_a to_o the_o apostolical_a command_n 14._o 1_o cor_fw-la 9.11_o 14._o they_o which_o sow_v spiritual_a thing_n shall_v also_o reap_v carnal_a for_o so_o have_v the_o lord_n command_v that_o they_o which_o preach_v the_o gospel_n shall_v live_v of_o the_o gospel_n by_o this_o it_o appear_v that_o now_o there_o be_v a_o double_a obligation_n lay_v upon_o all_o christian_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o church_n both_o because_o they_o derive_v their_o power_n from_o god_n and_o because_o the_o temporal_a power_n do_v now_o concur_v to_o strengthen_v the_o duty_n by_o the_o obligation_n of_o humane_a law_n nor_o can_v any_o thing_n or_o any_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n authorize_v
law_n of_o god_n and_o man_n just_a as_o they_o suit_v his_o interest_n and_o his_o inclination_n to_o make_v the_o scripture_n a_o nose_n of_o wax_n and_o the_o king_n and_o church_n mere_a head_n of_o wood_n and_o since_o the_o reason_n of_o obedience_n be_v because_o we_o think_v it_o truth_n which_o be_v command_v and_o that_o they_o who_o command_v be_v better_a able_a to_o judge_n for_o we_o than_o we_o ourselves_o as_o be_v by_o god_n appoint_v over_o we_o for_o that_o design_n shall_v they_o be_v mistake_v in_o what_o they_o command_v yet_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n who_o can_v do_v wrong_a will_v be_v so_o far_o from_o punish_v that_o he_o will_v reward_v such_o obedience_n because_o do_v according_a to_o his_o command_n nor_o shall_v the_o other_o for_o command_v because_o they_o do_v it_o with_o a_o good_a design_n provide_v when_o it_o do_v appear_v to_o they_o to_o be_v of_o ill_a consequence_n they_o cease_v to_o impose_v it_o any_o long_o which_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o many_o thing_n in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n have_v be_v alter_v and_o abolish_v upon_o several_a occasion_n three_o it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o by_o this_o rule_n all_o the_o gallicane_n german_n and_o other_o protestant_a church_n who_o live_v under_o a_o government_n which_o own_v and_o command_v the_o romish_a discipline_n and_o church_n will_v hereby_o be_v make_v schismatic_n to_o those_o several_a national_a church_n of_o which_o they_o be_v member_n and_o that_o hereby_o a_o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o we_o to_o return_v to_o the_o obedience_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o if_o those_o church_n may_v dissent_v from_o their_o national_a church_n and_o yet_o hold_v the_o true_a faith_n why_o may_v not_o we_o why_o shall_v their_o disobedience_n be_v lawful_a and_o we_o damnable_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o those_o church_n and_o the_o national_a church_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v not_o consist_v in_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n or_o ceremony_n but_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o though_o i_o will_v neither_o undertake_v the_o defence_n of_o those_o church_n either_o in_o doctrine_n or_o discipline_n yet_o i_o suppose_v they_o separate_v from_o the_o roman_a communion_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o imposition_n of_o that_o church_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o be_v the_o pope_n supremacy_n never_o own_v in_o france_n even_o by_o the_o catholic_n the_o doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n the_o real_a presence_n by_o transubstantiation_n merit_n of_o work_n and_o supererogation_n invocation_n of_o saint_n purgatory_n adoration_n of_o image_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o roman_a church_n who_o impose_v these_o as_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v herself_o schismatical_a if_o not_o heretical_a from_o the_o catholic_a apolique_a church_n of_o all_o age_n and_o therefore_o to_o depart_v from_o she_o where_o she_o depart_v from_o truth_n be_v no_o more_o heresy_n or_o schism_n than_o it_o will_v be_v to_o depart_v from_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o jewish_a communion_n in_o circumcision_n etc._n etc._n or_o of_o mahomet_n if_o those_o be_v impose_v as_o matter_n of_o faith_n by_o that_o or_o any_o other_o church_n for_o the_o apostle_n rule_n hold_v good_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n for_o all_o christian_n in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n be_v you_o follower_n of_o i_o as_o i_o be_o of_o christ_n 11.1_o 1_o cor._n 11.1_o and_o will_v the_o romish_a church_n impose_v no_o more_o upon_o christian_n as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n than_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o three_o famous_a creed_n of_o the_o apostle_n nice_n and_o st._n athanasius_n and_o what_o be_v clear_o contain_v in_o scripture_n which_o have_v ever_o be_v the_o standard_n of_o the_o catholic_a faith_n i_o think_v every_o good_a christian_a over_o who_o they_o may_v challenge_v a_o lawful_a jurisdiction_n aught_o to_o join_v with_o they_o in_o communion_n of_o government_n and_o even_o those_o over_o who_o they_o can_v right_o challenge_v none_o ought_v yet_o to_o agree_v with_o they_o in_o the_o communion_n of_o faith_n nay_o shall_v they_o command_v many_o ceremony_n in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n more_o than_o they_o do_v yet_o those_o who_o live_v in_o the_o jurisdiction_n of_o that_o church_n aught_o to_o submit_v to_o they_o for_o the_o maintain_n of_o unity_n peace_n and_o charity_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o foreign_a protestant_n at_o least_o in_o charity_n i_o hope_v so_o if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o matter_n of_o difference_n between_o they_o will_v easy_o be_v persuade_v to_o submit_v to_o all_o the_o point_n of_o government_n ceremony_n and_o much_o more_o i_o remember_v what_o a_o famous_a french_a minister_n say_v to_o this_o purpose_n when_o he_o be_v tell_v that_o some_o of_o the_o english_a nonconformist_n refuse_v communion_n with_o the_o church_n of_o england_n because_o they_o be_v enjoin_v to_o wear_v the_o surplice_n and_o other_o vestment_n i_o wish_v say_v he_o that_o the_o king_n of_o france_n will_v command_v i_o to_o perform_v my_o function_n in_o a_o fool_n coat_n so_o little_o do_v he_o think_v the_o outside_n and_o dress_n of_o religion_n to_o be_v of_o the_o essence_n of_o it_o and_o so_o necessary_a do_v he_o judge_v obedience_n as_o well_o as_o true_a faith_n to_o the_o peace_n unity_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o church_n but_o second_o many_o of_o those_o protestant_n have_v licence_n and_o toleration_n give_v they_o to_o celebrate_v the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o way_n and_o by_o that_o dispensation_n they_o be_v free_a from_o the_o guilt_n of_o disobedience_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o for_o the_o obedience_n they_o owe_v to_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o presume_v they_o be_v willing_a to_o give_v it_o with_o all_o their_o heart_n if_o rome_n exact_v no_o more_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n than_o god_n almighty_n require_v as_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o the_o case_n be_v clear_o different_a betwixt_o our_o dissenter_n and_o the_o foreign_a protestant_n for_o our_o difference_n be_v or_o at_o least_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v about_o matter_n of_o polity_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o performance_n of_o the_o office_n of_o religion_n and_o let_v the_o nonconformist_n prove_v we_o but_o guilty_a of_o destroy_v one_o article_n of_o faith_n or_o impose_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o let_v they_o dissent_v from_o we_o in_o god_n name_n and_o till_o they_o can_v do_v that_o their_o separation_n will_v be_v a_o horrid_a schism_n and_o their_o nonconformity_n a_o manifest_a disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o men._n and_o shall_v the_o foreign_a church_n refuse_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o disobey_v the_o prince_n who_o subject_n they_o be_v command_v they_o if_o there_o be_v no_o great_a difference_n than_o matter_n of_o ceremony_n and_o circumstance_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o their_o separation_n and_o disobedience_n will_v deserve_v the_o same_o character_n but_o suppose_v the_o supreme_a power_n of_o those_o country_n shall_v absolute_o prohibit_v the_o protestant_n the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n i_o think_v they_o ought_v to_o obey_v and_o fall_v to_o the_o old_a arm_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n prayer_n and_o tear_n and_o not_o to_o the_o new_a method_n of_o manace_n make_v party_n and_o endeavour_v by_o force_n of_o arm_n to_o obtain_v that_o from_o authority_n by_o violence_n and_o compulsion_n which_o they_o can_v by_o persuasion_n a_o practice_n shameful_a to_o the_o protestant_a cause_n and_o for_o any_o thing_n i_o can_v see_v if_o they_o judge_v of_o all_o by_o the_o example_n of_o our_o dissenter_n more_o likely_a to_o persuade_v all_o prince_n to_o extirpate_v they_o out_o of_o their_o dominion_n for_o seditious_a schismatic_n and_o dangerous_a rebel_n than_o to_o tolerate_v they_o as_o innocent_a and_o religious_a christian_n this_o be_v the_o custom_n of_o the_o ancient_a christian_n who_o conquer_a more_a by_o the_o cross_n than_o the_o persecutor_n by_o all_o their_o cruelty_n who_o overcome_v by_o suffer_v and_o not_o by_o rebel_a a_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o army_n of_o julian_n the_o apostate_n who_o be_v obedient_a to_o he_o as_o their_o temporal_a sovereign_n so_o long_o as_o he_o live_v but_o after_o he_o have_v jest_v out_o his_o impious_a soul_n with_o a_o vicistî_fw-la galilaee_n and_o that_o jovinianus_n be_v choose_v emperor_n which_o he_o refuse_v as_o be_v a_o christian_n and_o think_v the_o whole_a army_n pagan_n they_o all_o cry_v out_o et_fw-la nos_fw-la sumus_fw-la christiani_n we_o be_v all_o of_o we_o also_o christian_n here_o be_v man_n in_o arm_n a_o powerful_a number_n of_o veterane_n and_o victorious_a legion_n
whereas_o for_o many_o age_n past_o man_n have_v beat_v their_o brain_n 3.10_o joel_n 3.10_o to_o beat_v their_o ploughshare_n into_o sword_n and_o their_o prune_v hook_n into_o spear_n have_v employ_v those_o part_n and_o ability_n with_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v break_v up_o the_o fallow_a ground_n 10.12_o hos_fw-la 10.12_o to_o sow_v in_o righteousness_n what_o we_o may_v reap_v in_o peace_n to_o wound_v one_o another_o side_n will_v they_o follow_v this_o rule_n of_o charity_n we_o may_v see_v the_o glorious_a prophecy_n of_o micha_n fulfil_v 4._o mich._n 4.1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o for_o in_o the_o last_o day_n it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n shall_v be_v exalt_v above_o the_o hill_n and_o all_o nation_n shall_v flow_v unto_o it_o and_o many_o nation_n shall_v come_v and_o say_v come_v and_o let_v we_o go_v up_o to_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o god_n of_o jacob_n and_o he_o will_v teach_v we_o of_o his_o way_n and_o we_o will_v walk_v in_o his_o path_n and_o they_o shall_v beat_v their_o sword_n into_o plough-shear_n and_o their_o spear_n into_o prune_v hook_n nation_n shall_v not_o rise_v up_o against_o nation_n neither_o shall_v they_o learn_v war_n any_o more_o but_o they_o shall_v sit_v every_o man_n under_o his_o vine_n and_o under_o his_o fig_n tree_n and_o none_o shall_v make_v they_o afraid_a i_o know_v it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v full_a of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d those_o thing_n difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v to_o which_o i_o answer_v with_o the_o apostle_n 17._o 2_o tim._n 3.15_o 16_o 17._o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o man_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n through_o faith_n which_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteotsness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n all_o this_o be_v contain_v in_o they_o in_o plain_a and_o easy_a language_n and_o who_o can_v desire_v more_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v or_o do_v be_v to_o be_v find_v there_o without_o such_o difficulty_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o either_o be_v or_o can_v proper_o be_v our_o concern_v the_o design_n of_o religion_n be_v not_o to_o entertain_v the_o speculative_a or_o gratify_v the_o curious_a but_o to_o guide_v the_o practical_a christian_a in_o his_o duty_n and_o if_o there_o be_v difficult_a place_n there_o be_v no_o necessity_n of_o our_o understanding_n they_o for_o he_o that_o inspire_v the_o holy_a pen_n can_v without_o the_o great_a impiety_n be_v argue_v of_o act_v negligent_o insufficient_o or_o without_o design_n as_o other_o careless_a writer_n may_v and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o more_o clear_a and_o perspicuous_a ought_v with_o a_o become_a reverence_n due_a to_o the_o only_a wise_a god_n to_o be_v believe_v that_o they_o be_v therefore_o wrap_v up_o in_o mysterious_a word_n either_o because_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a or_o not_o fit_a for_o we_o to_o know_v nor_o be_v there_o the_o least_o danger_n in_o such_o humble_a ignorance_n but_o there_o be_v certain_o in_o a_o presumptuous_a curiosity_n and_o seek_v after_o the_o tree_n of_o knowledge_n which_o god_n have_v prohibit_v by_o plant_v the_o wall_n of_o obscurity_n about_o it_o and_o if_o we_o will_v with_o the_o bethshemite_n be_v peep_v into_o the_o ark_n we_o may_v expect_v to_o be_v punish_v just_o by_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o our_o own_o damnation_n and_o much_o more_o if_o be_v unlearned_a and_o private_a man_n we_o undertake_v to_o give_v public_a interpretation_n and_o determination_n different_a from_o both_o the_o catholic_a faith_n and_o church_n 1.20_o 2_o pet._n 1.20_o for_o no_o scripture_n be_v of_o private_a interpretation_n and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o danger_n be_v as_o evident_a as_o the_o punishment_n of_o it_o be_v certain_a for_o here_o be_v the_o spring_n head_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n which_o always_o take_v their_o original_a from_o the_o transgression_n of_o this_o caution_n for_o when_o man_n will_v leave_v the_o plain_a and_o beat_a path_n the_o easy_a way_n to_o happiness_n here_o and_o heaven_n hereafter_o by_o faith_n and_o obedience_n to_o seek_v for_o it_o in_o their_o own_o wisdom_n and_o nicety_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o they_o wander_v out_o of_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n when_o they_o permit_v themselves_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o their_o private_a opinion_n and_o interpretation_n it_o be_v the_o blind_a lead_v the_o blind_a in_o the_o darkness_n of_o midnight_n and_o no_o wonder_n then_o if_o at_o last_o they_o stumble_v and_o fall_v into_o the_o blackness_n of_o eternal_a darkness_n for_o self-love_n be_v a_o very_a blind_a guide_n and_o self_n conceit_n a_o worse_o and_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o darkness_n to_o who_o god_n deny_v the_o light_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o he_o do_v in_o all_o obscure_a place_n of_o scripture_n and_o if_o as_o he_o tell_v the_o jew_n man_n therefore_o err_v not_o know_v the_o scripture_n they_o must_v needs_o err_v who_o will_v know_v more_o than_o he_o will_v let_v they_o to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o holy_a canon_n be_v as_o the_o word_n import_v a_o rule_n not_o only_o of_o our_o action_n but_o our_o faith_n i_o will_v desire_v any_o person_n to_o give_v i_o a_o reason_n why_o he_o believe_v the_o three_o famous_a creed_n which_o contain_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n there_o can_v be_v but_o these_o three_o reason_n first_o because_o he_o immediate_o by_o divine_a revelation_n be_v assure_v of_o his_o faith_n or_o second_o because_o he_o be_v persuade_v by_o some_o person_n or_o person_n to_o believe_v or_o three_o because_o he_o find_v the_o article_n there_o mention_v either_o in_o plain_a word_n or_o evident_a consequence_n in_o scripture_n which_o for_o good_a reason_n he_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o divine_o inspire_v penman_n the_o first_o all_o sober_a man_n reject_v as_o lead_v direct_o to_o enthusiasm_n and_o under_o pretence_n of_o heavenly_a revelation_n to_o introduce_v hellish_a impiety_n and_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n who_o have_v a_o power_n to_o transform_v themselves_o into_o angel_n of_o light_n may_v take_v that_o advantage_n to_o impose_v upon_o strong_a fancy_n and_o weak_a judgement_n for_o the_o second_o a_o man_n will_v thus_o argue_v why_o shall_v i_o believe_v this_o or_o these_o man_n since_o all_o man_n be_v fallible_a and_o they_o who_o may_v be_v deceive_v may_v therefore_o deceive_v and_o if_o i_o believe_v this_o man_n why_o not_o another_o why_o not_o mahomet_n who_o pretend_v to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o much_o as_o they_o and_o therefore_o three_o faith_n must_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o it_o which_o be_v god_n truth_n and_o infallibility_n and_o that_o word_n which_o i_o believe_v to_o be_v his_o and_o therefore_o more_o credible_a than_o the_o word_n of_o any_o or_o all_o men._n thus_o be_v faith_n first_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o it_o must_v be_v increase_v for_o the_o multitude_n to_o who_o the_o apostle_n preach_v throughout_o the_o world_n do_v not_o believe_v st._n peter_n or_o st._n paul_n that_o preach_v jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n righteousness_n temperance_n and_o judgement_n to_o come_v but_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o they_o do_v they_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o jesus_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n agreeable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n concern_v the_o messiah_n this_o method_n our_o lord_n make_v use_v of_o with_o his_o disciple_n 24.5.4_o luke_n 24.5.4_o then_o open_v he_o their_o understanding_n that_o they_o may_v understand_v the_o scripture_n that_o all_o thing_n must_v be_v fulfil_v which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o in_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o psalm_n concern_v he_o and_o he_o say_v unto_o they_o thus_o it_o be_v write_v and_o thus_o it_o behove_v christ_n to_o suffer_v and_o to_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o repentance_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n shall_v be_v preach_v in_o his_o name_n among_o all_o nation_n begin_v at_o jerusalem_n this_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n the_o apostle_n believe_v this_o they_o preach_v not_o as_o their_o own_o but_o the_o faith_n of_o christ_n this_o they_o commit_v to_o write_v and_o deliver_v to_o the_o christian_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o life_n 15.4_o rom._n 15.4_o for_o as_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v write_v aforetime_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n