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have_v put_v in_o his_o own_o power_n but_o most_o probable_o at_o the_o time_n of_o fulfil_v the_o great_a prophecy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o shall_v be_v such_o extraordinary_a effusion_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n as_o shall_v expedite_v all_o doubt_n and_o make_v every_o thing_n clear_a the_o knowledge_n of_o which_o be_v not_o reserve_v for_o heaven_n to_o adorn_v the_o absolute_a state_n of_o perfection_n there_o quest_n see_v by_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v how_o incongruous_a private_a interpretation_n be_v to_o public_a scripture_n or_o that_o the_o will_n of_o man_n shall_v be_v trust_v with_o the_o one_o and_o not_o with_o the_o other_o what_o account_v therefore_o can_v be_v give_v of_o translation_n may_v not_o they_o bring_v in_o a_o private_a interpretation_n upon_o scripture_n if_o not_o perform_v by_o a_o immediate_a divine_a assistance_n answ_n even_o as_o in_o the_o safe_a conveyance_n of_o scripture_n itself_o and_o preserve_v it_o pure_a from_o gross_a falsification_n so_o in_o translation_n we_o must_v leave_v
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and_o this_o be_v to_o rule_v over_o man_n and_o not_o over_o beast_n bind_v up_o as_o man_n shall_v be_v with_o the_o cord_n of_o a_o man_n in_o natural_a religion_n in_o what_o be_v beyond_o that_o as_o revealed_z from_o god_n with_o band_n of_o love_n to_o serve_v the_o public_a blessed_n be_v the_o people_n who_o be_v in_o such_o a_o case_n bless_v be_v that_o people_n who_o god_n be_v thus_o the_o lord_n jehovah_n object_n 2._o what_o peace_n can_v there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n among_o private_a and_o particular_a person_n while_o there_o be_v several_a opinion_n in_o religion_n how_o many_o dispute_n and_o calumny_n and_o invective_n be_v continual_o fly_v up_o and_o down_o by_o reason_n of_o difference_n in_o religion_n and_o how_o much_o better_o be_v all_o compel_v into_o union_n answer_n all_o these_o evil_n be_v but_o so_o many_o argument_n of_o deprave_a nature_n which_o create_v its_o own_o occasion_n out_o of_o every_o thing_n and_o if_o the_o mischief_n of_o compulsion_n or_o the_o ill_a state_n even_o of_o those_o part_n of_o thâ—_n world_n where_o the_o voice_n of_o religion_n be_v all_o one_o laâ—â—â—â—ge_n be_v cast_v up_o i_o doubt_v they_o will_v be_v find_v to_o balance_v the_o worst_a that_o can_v be_v charge_v on_o difference_n in_o religion_n but_o yet_o natural_a religion_n and_o most_o evident_o christian_a religion_n be_v most_o severe_a and_o positive_a against_o all_o strife_n envy_n rail_n evil_a surmising_n and_o bend_v man_n upon_o peace_n love_n meekness_n quietness_n charity_n towards_o all_o man_n and_o especial_o christian_n as_o be_v after_o to_o be_v shâ—wn_v and_o therefore_o undoubted_o those_o evil_a effect_n where_o they_o grow_v to_o excess_n may_v be_v restrain_v by_o civil_a magistracy_n as_o in_o any_o other_o case_n and_o the_o rather_o that_o true_a religion_n so_o much_o disow_v they_o they_o be_v more_o inexcusable_a in_o that_o cause_n than_o any_o other_o for_o though_o we_o find_v scripture_n severe_a in_o its_o language_n in_o great_a case_n as_o st._n paul_n against_o the_o bigot_n of_o the_o law_n yet_o we_o must_v also_o consider_v the_o infallible_a spirit_n that_o guide_v sacred_a writer_n who_o alone_o know_v how_o to_o direct_v those_o sharp_a arrow_n and_o what_o effect_n they_o shall_v take_v object_n 3._o this_o clip_v off_o the_o royalty_n and_o prerogative_n of_o prince_n if_o they_o have_v not_o the_o command_n of_o man_n sentiment_n or_o at_o least_o of_o their_o outward_a action_n and_o practice_n in_o religion_n ans_fw-fr the_o unjust_a enlargement_n of_o earthly_a power_n into_o the_o divine_a sanctuary_n have_v be_v always_o fatal_a to_o prince_n vzziah_n rude_a entrance_n into_o it_o be_v punish_v by_o god_n with_o infamous_a leprosy_n herod_n let_v that_o sacrilegious_a acclamation_n it_o be_v 23_o 1_o chron._n 28._o 18_o 19_o act._n 12._o 22_o 23_o the_o voice_n of_o a_o god_n not_o of_o a_o man_n sink_v into_o he_o be_v present_o revenge_v with_o a_o dreadful_a hand_n of_o judgement_n humane_a power_n be_v safe_a keep_v itself_o within_o the_o verge_n of_o divine_a institution_n beyond_o that_o though_o it_o may_v seem_v great_a yet_o it_o become_v only_o like_o a_o swell_a wall_n the_o big_a it_o be_v the_o more_o ready_a to_o fall_v or_o a_o totter_a fence_n expatiate_v to_o ruin_v their_o honour_n be_v great_a in_o be_v nursing-fathers_n if_o god_n have_v intend_v civil_a magistracy_n to_o govern_v in_o any_o religion_n but_o natural_a they_o shall_v have_v have_v as_o certain_a rule_n to_o act_v by_o as_o they_o have_v in_o natural_a religion_n beside_o what_o be_v the_o good_a of_o be_v great_a master_n in_o religion_n except_o in_o that_o wherein_o god_n have_v show_v every_o man_n what_o be_v good_a see_v the_o great_a judgement_n wait_v for_o such_o thus_o the_o apostle_n james_n james_n 3._o 1._o my_o brethren_n be_v not_o many_o master_n imposer_n or_o prescriber_n in_o religion_n that_o be_v do_v not_o affect_v it_o know_v we_o shall_v receive_v a_o great_a judgement_n object_n 4._o but_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o govern_v with_o any_o security_n if_o governor_n hold_v not_o the_o reins_o of_o man_n conscience_n if_o they_o have_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o that_o helm_n that_o turn_v about_o so_o great_a body_n of_o people_n which_o way_n soever_o they_o that_o have_v that_o pylotry_n please_v with_o what_o vigour_n and_o courage_n be_v man_n animate_v while_o the_o principle_n and_o reward_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o eye_n if_o therefore_o the_o prince_n rule_v not_o in_o these_o his_o command_n be_v but_o cypher_n answer_v 1_o religion_n be_v too_o great_a and_o noble_a a_o thing_n to_o be_v but_o a_o expedient_a of_o government_n 2._o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n assure_v we_o no_o prince_n have_v have_v more_o obedient_a subject_n a_o more_o valiant_a soldiery_n than_o heathen_a prince_n of_o christian_n true_a religion_n know_v its_o obligation_n to_o government_n and_o pursue_v the_o law_n of_o it_o though_o that_o government_n have_v stand_v distinct_a from_o that_o true_a religion_n and_o this_o be_v the_o standing-rule_n of_o christian_n object_n 5._o but_o what_o tumult_n faction_n sedition_n have_v be_v raise_v under_o religious_a pretence_n when_o subject_n have_v not_o yield_v themselves_o to_o the_o empire_n of_o prince_n in_o religion_n answ_n these_o evil_n as_o they_o be_v false_o pretend_v by_o man_n of_o turbulence_n to_o be_v for_o the_o service_n of_o religion_n so_o they_o be_v unjust_o charge_v upon_o it_o there_o can_v be_v therefore_o no_o severity_n too_o great_a upon_o those_o that_o so_o abuse_v so_o excellent_a a_o thing_n but_o the_o sâ—mâ—_n care_n that_o secure_v against_o ambition_n sedition_n rebellion_n in_o one_o shape_n will_v do_v it_o in_o another_o without_o take_v away_o lawful_a liberty_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o remedy_n so_o specific_a against_o the_o great_a hypocrisy_n of_o cover_a rebellion_n with_o religion_n faction_n with_o faith_n as_o the_o severe_a regiment_n of_o man_n according_a to_o the_o indisputable_a law_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o allowance_n of_o the_o great_a toleration_n in_o what_o no_o way_n contradict_v that_o for_o then_o be_v the_o artifice_n strong_a when_o it_o be_v plant_v in_o the_o oppression_n of_o man_n conscience_n so_o great_a a_o illegality_n against_o natural_a principle_n take_v away_o severe_a imposition_n and_o what_o have_v such_o politician_n to_o work_v upon_o object_n 6._o but_o what_o a_o hydra_n a_o many-headed_a monster_n of_o opinion_n will_v religion_n become_v by_o such_o a_o toleration_n answ_n 1._o severe_a natural_a religion_n enforce_v and_o strict_o pursue_v will_v so_o rebate_v man_n corruption_n beside_o the_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o divine_a blâ—ssing_n accompany_v so_o virtuous_a a_o government_n that_o there_o will_v be_v a_o much_o great_a retrenchment_n of_o opinion_n than_o can_v be_v
to_o be_v as_o a_o lamp_n despise_v he_o deserve_v great_a tenderness_n and_o compassion_n as_o i_o shall_v more_o full_o have_v occasion_n to_o observe_v under_o the_o second_o head_n viz._n scandal_n about_o indifferent_a thing_n to_o which_o i_o now_o proceed_v and_o i_o be_o here_o to_o undertake_v a_o particular_a and_o distinct_a consideration_n of_o scandal_n as_o it_o have_v a_o most_o peculiar_a interest_n in_o those_o so_o famous_a debate_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v indifferent_a thing_n rom._n 14._o 1_o cor._n 8._o &_o 10._o when_o they_o can_v any_o way_n be_v suppose_v to_o relate_v to_o god_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o religion_n or_o have_v a_o presence_n how_o circumstantial_a soever_o in_o divine_a worship_n but_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o this_o undertake_n i_o must_v remove_v two_o prejudices_fw-la 1._o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v scandal_n in_o these_o case_n have_v be_v indeed_o make_v trivial_a by_o some_o man_n injudicious_a zeal_n and_o ignorant_a deal_n with_o the_o apostle_n sense_n herein_o who_o have_v a_o crude_a conception_n of_o scandal_n from_o what_o he_o have_v speak_v of_o it_o as_o a_o most_o formidable_a evil_n both_o in_o he_o that_o give_v it_o or_o take_v it_o have_v therefore_o call_v every_o thing_n scandal_n that_o displease_v they_o and_o mean_v nothing_o by_o be_v scandalize_v but_o that_o they_o have_v great_o dislike_v such_o or_o such_o thing_n without_o any_o other_o hazard_n of_o fall_v into_o sin_n than_o what_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v from_o their_o indiscreet_a anger_n and_o too_o often_o over-passionate_a inflammation_n whence_o have_v rise_v this_o scandal_n dangerous_a enough_o that_o many_o be_v ready_a to_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o scandal_n in_o indifferent_a thing_n except_o what_o unknowing_a zeal_n in_o a_o ferment_n create_v or_o at_o least_o have_v not_o take_v into_o their_o thought_n this_o kind_n of_o true_a scripture_n scandal_n or_o entertain_v a_o just_a fear_n of_o run_v into_o it_o or_o ensnare_a other_o in_o it_o but_o it_o will_v be_v evident_a to_o any_o one_o that_o due_o weigh_v that_o the_o apostle_n proceed_v upon_o much_o deep_a and_o more_o grave_a consideration_n 2._o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o fear_n of_o scandal_n or_o scandalize_a have_v be_v blow_v off_o by_o some_o upon_o this_o mistake_n that_o man_n can_v be_v in_o no_o danger_n to_o be_v scandalize_v who_o keep_v far_o enough_o from_o be_v draw_v by_o example_n into_o any_o thing_n they_o dislike_v and_o be_v sufficient_o angry_a at_o the_o obstinacy_n of_o such_o they_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a bar_n to_o they_o against_o scandal_n and_o against_o any_o one_o being_n guilty_a as_o a_o author_n of_o scandal_n to_o they_o how_o hardly_o soever_o they_o press_v upon_o they_o while_o they_o profess_v so_o loud_o their_o dissent_n they_o must_v not_o so_o much_o as_o name_v scandal_n without_o the_o imputation_n of_o gross_a ignorance_n but_o it_o be_v to_o be_v just_o apprehend_v a_o man_n may_v be_v he_o by_o who_o scandal_n come_v though_o it_o find_v no_o place_n in_o he_o against_o who_o it_o come_v as_o have_v be_v already_o observe_v and_o further_o though_o the_o apostle_n have_v in_o these_o two_o instance_n fix_v chief_o upon_o that_o sort_n of_o scandal_n within_o which_o man_n be_v draw_v by_o follow_a example_n against_o their_o inward_a sentiment_n yet_o by_o a_o parity_n of_o reason_n scandal_n be_v to_o be_v suspect_v to_o have_v much_o large_a compass_n even_o in_o thing_n of_o indifferency_n and_o lie_v far_o off_o from_o man_n doubtful_a comply_v in_o what_o they_o have_v example_n or_o command_n for_o than_o that_o such_o compliance_n shall_v be_v the_o only_a measure_n of_o scandal_n therein_o and_o even_o in_o those_o that_o do_v comply_v with_o free_a mind_n there_o be_v more_o secret_a path_n and_o track_n wherein_o scandal_n be_v lay_v than_o they_o general_o and_o open_o make_v complaint_n of_o and_o that_o not_o only_o in_o regard_n of_o inward_a doubt_n but_o upon_o other_o account_n also_o i_o shall_v therefore_o lay_v down_o these_o two_o preparatory_n to_o make_v these_o discourse_n of_o the_o apostle_n more_o concern_v to_o we_o 1._o that_o we_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v assure_v they_o have_v their_o foundation_n in_o the_o denunciation_n of_o woe_n by_o our_o saviour_n upon_o the_o world_n because_o of_o scandal_n upon_o he_o by_o who_o scandal_n come_v by_o way_n of_o transcendency_n and_o his_o admonition_n to_o all_o that_o scandal_n must_v needs_o come_v for_o the_o same_o divine_a spirit_n of_o truth_n descend_v from_o the_o master_n upon_o the_o minister_n and_o frame_v like_o apprehension_n in_o he_o when_o he_o speak_v afterward_o of_o the_o same_o point_n nay_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o latter_a discourse_n look_v back_o upon_o the_o former_a because_o it_o be_v undoubted_o well_o know_v to_o christian_n then_o and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o apostle_n who_o beside_o that_o he_o have_v immediate_a revelation_n most_o probable_o from_o the_o lord_n even_o of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v by_o the_o evangelist_n give_v proof_n he_o have_v a_o very_a peculiar_a care_n to_o know_v all_o he_o have_v speak_v and_o a_o singular_a respect_n to_o it_o for_o he_o express_o quote_v our_o saviour_n in_o those_o immediate_a revelation_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 11._o 23._o in_o what_o be_v write_v in_o the_o evangelist_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o divorce_n 1_o cor._n 7._o 10._o and_o last_o in_o what_o he_o have_v attain_v as_o well_o testify_v though_o not_o record_v as_o in_o that_o act_n 20._o 35._o remember_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n it_o be_v more_o bless_a to_o give_v than_o to_o receive_v it_o be_v not_o therefore_o reasonable_a to_o suppose_v in_o such_o discourse_n of_o scandal_n as_o these_o he_o neglect_v so_o solemn_a a_o one_o as_o our_o lord_n upon_o it_o the_o little_a one_o in_o the_o evangelist_n and_o the_o weak_a brethren_n in_o the_o apostle_n the_o woe_n in_o the_o one_o and_o the_o conscience_n in_o the_o other_o grieve_v wound_a weak_a christian_n stumble_v fall_a perish_a and_o be_v destroy_v be_v of_o near_a affinity_n in_o their_o sense_n and_o those_o even_a abjuration_n of_o occasion_n of_o scandal_n it_o be_v good_a neither_o to_o eat_v flesh_n nor_o drink_v wine_n nor_o any_o thing_n whereby_o thy_o brother_n 21._o rom._n 14._o 21._o stumble_v or_o be_v offend_v or_o be_v make_v weak_a if_o meat_n make_v my_o brother_n to_o offend_v i_o will_v eat_v no_o flesh_n while_o the_o world_n stand_v 13._o 1_o cor._n 8._o 13._o lest_o i_o make_v my_o brother_n to_o offend_v or_o scandalize_v my_o brother_n these_o so_o solemn_a renunciation_n of_o scandal_n be_v not_o far_o off_o from_o our_o saviour_n woe_n upon_o he_o by_o who_o scandal_n come_v and_o that_o great_a aphorism_n happy_a be_v he_o that_o condemn_v not_o himself_o 22._o rom._n 14._o 22._o in_o that_o thing_n which_o he_o allow_v be_v ground_v upon_o that_o scandal_n must_v needs_o come_v they_o force_v a_o entry_n at_o every_o the_o least_o advantage_n and_o therefore_o happy_a be_v he_o that_o can_v preclude_v they_o 2._o that_o see_v the_o instance_n of_o scandal_n the_o apostle_n debate_v upon_o viz._n the_o jewish_a distinction_n of_o meat_n and_o eat_v thing_n offer_v to_o idol_n be_v of_o a_o narrow_a and_o particular_a nature_n and_o of_o a_o daily_a decrease_a occurrence_n the_o apostle_n so_o laborious_a and_o industrious_a handle_v they_o be_v preserve_v in_o sacred_a record_n and_o transmit_v down_o to_o after_o age_n argue_v he_o or_o rather_o the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o he_o design_v to_o remonstrate_v to_o the_o late_a posterity_n of_o christian_n the_o great_a play_n scope_n and_o force_v of_o scandal_n in_o these_o indifferency_n and_o in_o all_o case_n wherein_o they_o may_v fall_v out_o to_o be_v scandal_n though_o not_o after_o the_o similitude_n of_o these_o the_o danger_n of_o scandalize_a or_o be_v scandalize_v have_v thus_o far_o premise_v i_o come_v now_o close_o up_o to_o these_o apostolic_a debate_n themselves_o of_o which_o i_o shall_v make_v such_o a_o platform_n with_o all_o possible_a brevity_n and_o conciseness_n as_o may_v comprehend_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n upon_o these_o two_o case_n and_o then_o balance_v with_o it_o the_o whole_a nature_n of_o indifferent_n as_o they_o come_v into_o such_o a_o account_n of_o religion_n as_o i_o have_v before_o suppose_v the_o platform_n i_o lay_v down_o in_o these_o part_n of_o it_o all_o draw_v out_o of_o these_o debate_n 1._o the_o state_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o indifferent_n in_o relation_n to_o god_n 2._o the_o way_n how_o scandal_n invade_v indifferent_a thing_n when_o come_v into_o such_o a_o relation_n 3._o the_o several_a way_n of_o
for_o scripture_n be_v scripture_n and_o all_o of_o they_o so_o arise_v to_o our_o assurance_n by_o find_v the_o same_o divine_a spirit_n of_o truth_n run_v through_o one_o as_o do_v through_o another_o for_o upon_o this_o account_n the_o true_a church_n receive_v they_o when_o first_o receive_v and_o so_o transmit_v they_o make_v the_o same_o judgement_n successive_o in_o the_o several_a age_n as_o the_o first_o do_v the_o same_o reason_n always_o continue_v what_o be_v beside_o this_o be_v to_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o discern_v of_o spirit_n in_o all_o the_o time_n while_o scripture_n be_v write_v by_o the_o due_a exercise_n of_o which_o true_a scripture_n be_v receive_v and_o all_o other_o shut_v out_o for_o the_o write_n of_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o prophet_n and_o by_o they_o enroll_v into_o scripture_n that_o we_o have_v the_o same_o scripture_n just_o and_o faithful_o consign_v over_o to_o we_o from_o age_n to_o age_n be_v to_o be_v own_a and_o acknowledge_v to_o divine_a providence_n watch_v over_o his_o church_n and_o oracle_n together_o and_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o the_o ordinary_a security_n of_o the_o church_n testimony_n the_o precious_a distinguish_v not_o only_o from_o the_o vile_a but_o from_o the_o less_o precious_a also_o but_o yet_o we_o must_v have_v great_a testimony_n than_o this_o as_o have_v be_v already_o urge_v quest_n but_o how_o can_v we_o be_v assure_v we_o have_v all_o the_o scripture_n be_v it_o not_o for_o the_o church_n testimony_n answ_n find_v so_o much_o divine_a and_o no_o more_o of_o the_o same_o stamp_n in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v be_v conclude_v that_o way_n and_o abundant_o satisfy_v that_o god_n will_v accept_v we_o in_o our_o faith_n and_o obedience_n to_o so_o great_a a_o revelation_n when_o any_o measure_n of_o divine_a truth_n have_v be_v adhere_v to_o sincere_o the_o danger_n have_v always_o be_v great_a in_o lose_v true_a religion_n by_o corrupt_a addition_n and_o the_o injurious_a refusal_n of_o further_a revelation_n come_v to_o pass_v more_o through_o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o that_o corruption_n than_o by_o humble_a and_o modest_a suspension_n till_o god_n have_v assure_v we_o of_o his_o further_a revelation_n but_o beside_o this_o we_o may_v easy_o find_v we_o must_v needs_o have_v the_o whole_a globe_n of_o truth_n and_o the_o horizon_n of_o the_o gospel_n give_v we_o the_o whole_a heaven_n or_o kingdom_n of_o it_o as_o it_o be_v administer_v in_o this_o world_n so_o that_o all_o further_a degree_n of_o light_n and_o discovery_n of_o it_o shall_v be_v but_o great_a clearness_n of_o what_o we_o already_o have_v in_o the_o main_a and_o substance_n for_o if_o even_o the_o new_a testament_n though_o it_o make_v so_o great_a a_o change_n do_v but_o thus_o complete_a and_o illustrate_a christ_n yesterday_o and_o to_o day_n the_o same_o how_o much_o more_o may_v we_o be_v assure_v who_o have_v the_o new_a itself_o so_o much_o excel_v the_o old_a as_o it_o every_o where_o assure_v we_o so_o that_o we_o can_v expect_v a_o milennium_n or_o the_o new_a jerusalem_n on_o earth_n only_o for_o the_o high_a exaltation_n of_o what_o we_o now_o have_v till_o we_o come_v to_o heaven_n itself_o quest_n do_v the_o various_a readins_n so_o often_o bandy_v by_o learned_a man_n make_v no_o abatement_n from_o the_o certainty_n of_o scripture_n answ_n those_o various_a readins_n be_v such_o as_o excite_v and_o quicken_v search_n and_o yet_o can_v distract_v the_o doctrine_n be_v not_o able_a to_o alter_v the_o scope_n coherence_n and_o design_n of_o the_o context_n much_o less_o to_o change_v the_o analogy_n of_o scripture_n in_o other_o place_n while_o therefore_o they_o do_v not_o that_o they_o take_v away_o the_o suspicion_n of_o conspiracy_n they_o preserve_v from_o great_a corruption_n by_o turn_v the_o eye_n of_o man_n to_o look_v every_o way_n they_o show_v how_o many_o excellent_a sense_n dwell_v near_o the_o divine_a write_n and_o the_o bad_a be_v manifest_o enough_o throw_v off_o for_o in_o main_a thing_n there_o be_v so_o much_o repeat_v and_o say_v over_o again_o and_o again_o as_o that_o all_o such_o truth_n may_v be_v full_o present_v and_o assure_v and_o yet_o not_o so_o much_o be_v say_v as_o may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n without_o any_o tautology_n for_o the_o subject_n be_v so_o rich_a that_o even_o the_o world_n will_v be_v overcharge_v and_o not_o able_a to_o contain_v the_o book_n that_o will_v be_v write_v amen_n cap._n vii_o of_o the_o public_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n quest_n that_o the_o progress_n upon_o this_o great_a point_n may_v be_v make_v with_o the_o best_a advantage_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a to_o state_n the_o amount_v of_o what_o have_v be_v already_o assert_v viz._n that_o scripture_n be_v a_o public_a and_o divine_a record_n and_o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n it_o be_v divine_a be_v divine_a and_o public_a also_o what_o therefore_o do_v these_o two_o position_n arise_v to_o answ_n they_o arise_v plain_o to_o this_o 1._o that_o true_a religion_n be_v at_o once_o give_v unalterable_o fix_v on_o monument_n of_o its_o own_o and_o can_v receive_v the_o various_a phase_n of_o increase_n or_o decrease_v like_o the_o moon_n by_o new_a and_o upstart_a decree_n canon_n or_o anathemas_n 2._o that_o religion_n be_v in_o this_o sense_n public_a even_o as_o god_n himself_o that_o it_o be_v of_o free_a and_o open_a access_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o its_o entertainment_n as_o liberal_a as_o the_o light_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o water_n and_o no_o man_n need_v wait_v till_o his_o religion_n be_v draw_v out_o of_o the_o private_a repository_n of_o breast_n or_o breast_n 3._o that_o the_o assurance_n and_o evidence_n of_o scripture_n be_v very_o near_o we_o when_o we_o come_v to_o treat_v with_o it_o so_o that_o we_o need_v not_o send_v up_o to_o heaven_n that_o be_v to_o bring_v scripture_n down_o from_o above_o when_o it_o be_v come_v down_o already_o nor_o beyond_o the_o sea_n to_o old_a antiquity_n for_o a_o scale_n to_o it_o which_o have_v always_o the_o broad_a seal_n of_o divinity_n with_o it_o for_o that_o be_v to_o bring_v scripture_n a_o second_o time_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o former_a age_n through_o which_o divine_a care_n and_o providence_n have_v already_o pass_v it_o down_o to_o we_o with_o the_o very_a same_o principal_a assurance_n it_o give_v they_o viz._n that_o divine_a life_n of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n that_o can_v be_v far_o from_o any_o one_o of_o we_o for_o in_o it_o our_o understanding_n and_o conscience_n live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v their_o being_n and_o in_o that_o light_n alone_o see_v light_n quest_n but_o have_v the_o private_a spirit_n of_o apostate_n angel_n work_v by_o corrupt_a humane_a nature_n make_v no_o attempt_n upon_o this_o public_a record_n though_o so_o every_o way_n guard_v as_o it_o be_v to_o introduce_v a_o false_a religion_n even_o under_o the_o appearance_n of_o this_o public_a 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the_o prophet_n in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o necessity_n cap._n xii_o of_o schism_n and_o scandal_n quest_n from_o the_o precedent_a discourse_n of_o the_o church_n i_o conceive_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o schism_n may_v be_v deduce_v i_o desire_v you_o therefore_o to_o explain_v what_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o schism_n be_v answ_n the_o question_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o schism_n follow_v very_o pertinent_o upon_o the_o right_a settlement_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o church_n now_o the_o whole_a be_v of_o the_o church_n consist_v in_o its_o union_n to_o god_n and_o christ_n in_o love_n according_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n and_o that_o it_o receive_v all_o its_o member_n into_o union_n with_o itself_o by_o their_o be_v first_o unite_v as_o itself_o be_v schism_n which_o be_v division_n must_v needs_o in_o its_o strict_a and_o most_o formal_a notion_n be_v a_o division_n from_o that_o truth_n wherein_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v one_o and_o so_o from_o the_o 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and_o spiritual_a jerusalem_n which_o be_v free_a and_o be_v the_o mother_n of_o we_o all_o if_o true_a christian_n gal._n 4._o 26._o quest_n what_o do_v you_o understand_v by_o the_o foundation_n the_o wall_n the_o gate_n the_o city_n itself_o answ_n i_o be_o not_o bold_a or_o curious_a in_o pursue_v emblem_n too_o close_o but_o understand_v in_o general_a by_o the_o whole_a of_o all_o these_o the_o doctrine_n the_o worship_n the_o rule_n of_o life_n the_o discipline_n of_o the_o true_a church_n quest_n what_o be_v we_o direct_v to_o by_o all_o be_v reduce_v to_o the_o number_n twelve_o answ_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a the_o twelve_o apostle_n of_o the_o lamb_n give_v the_o honour_n to_o the_o number_n twelve_o for_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n that_o be_v the_o truth_n minister_v insallible_o by_o they_o be_v the_o foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o true_a christian_a church_n be_v build_v jesus_n christ_n himself_o be_v the_o cornerstone_n and_o so_o to_o show_v true_a 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of_o
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