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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n believe_v necessary_a tradition_n 2,943 5 9.4978 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61630 Thirteen sermons preached on several occasions three of which never before printed / by the Right Reverend Father in God Edward, Lord Bishop of Worcester.; Sermons. Selections Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699. 1698 (1698) Wing S5671; ESTC R21899 215,877 540

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deliver_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n but_o here_o be_v a_o great_a difficulty_n to_o be_v remove_v as_o to_o the_o write_a word_n how_o can_v we_o be_v certain_a we_o have_v it_o if_o not_o by_o tradition_n and_o if_o tradition_n be_v so_o uncertain_a how_o can_v we_o be_v make_v certain_a by_o it_o that_o we_o have_v that_o write_v word_n which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v for_o may_v not_o that_o fail_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o the_o creed_n and_o then_o what_o security_n can_v we_o have_v for_o our_o faith_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v show_v 1._o what_o advantage_n thing_n that_o be_v write_v have_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o conveyance_n above_o thing_n mere_o commit_v to_o memory_n and_o tradition_n 2._o what_o advantage_n the_o scripture_n have_v above_o any_o other_o thing_n commit_v to_o write_v as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o conveyance_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o advantage_n thing_n write_v have_v above_o those_o commit_v to_o memory_n and_o 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the_o circumstance_n of_o humane_a affair_n be_v oftentimes_o so_o intricate_a and_o perplex_a that_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a for_o person_n to_o know_v their_o duty_n and_o much_o more_o to_o practice_v they_o but_o there_o be_v certain_o such_o duty_n which_o we_o owe_v both_o to_o the_o public_a and_o to_o one_o another_o and_o it_o may_v be_v of_o some_o use_n to_o we_o to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o the_o obligation_n and_o what_o those_o be_v which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n 1._o as_o to_o the_o public_a and_o concern_v that_o we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o two_o rule_n 1._o those_o duty_n can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n which_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o public_a good_n
first_o resolution_n and_o to_o improve_v they_o into_o a_o present_a practice_n agreeable_a thereto_o as_o the_o prodigal_a son_n here_o do_v who_o when_o he_o have_v resolve_v upon_o it_o do_v according_o arise_v and_o go_v to_o his_o father_n v_o 20._o i_o do_v not_o think_v there_o be_v many_o person_n in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v conviction_n upon_o their_o mind_n of_o the_o evil_a of_o their_o way_n but_o do_v resolve_v at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o before_o they_o die_v to_o repent_v of_o their_o sin_n and_o to_o make_v their_o peace_n with_o god_n but_o alas_o these_o be_v ova_fw-mi subventanea_fw-mi they_o make_v a_o fair_a appearance_n but_o there_o be_v no_o principle_n of_o life_n in_o they_o or_o as_o st._n judas_n express_v it_o they_o be_v cloud_n without_o water_n of_o no_o consistency_n 12._o but_o carry_v about_o with_o wind_n hurry_v to_o and_o fro_o with_o the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o temptation_n and_o then_o their_o resolution_n be_v like_o the_o vapour_n st._n james_n speak_v of_o which_o appear_v for_o a_o little_a time_n 14._o and_o then_o vanish_v away_o tree_n they_o be_v without_o fruit_n as_o st._n judas_n go_v on_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o that_o make_v no_o show_n or_o appearance_n of_o fruit_n but_o it_o have_v no_o such_o firmness_n and_o substance_n in_o it_o as_o to_o endure_v the_o nip_a frost_n and_o so_o it_o drop_v off_o and_o wither_v away_o just_o such_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o faint_a and_o imperfect_a resolution_n they_o never_o hold_v out_o long_o and_o only_o aggravate_v the_o sin_n commit_v after_o they_o for_o every_o such_o sin_n be_v a_o plain_a sin_n against_o conscience_n or_o else_o they_o will_v never_o have_v make_v any_o resolution_n against_o it_o and_o those_o who_o continue_v to_o sin_n after_o resolution_n against_o their_o sin_n not_o only_o lose_v all_o the_o peace_n and_o comfort_n of_o their_o mind_n but_o make_v it_o much_o hard_a for_o they_o either_o to_o make_v or_o trust_v their_o resolution_n again_o and_o consequent_o to_o be_v satisfy_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o repentance_n if_o we_o will_v then_o lay_v a_o sure_a foundation_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o our_o mind_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o unconceivable_a moment_n as_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o repentance_n be_v let_v we_o call_v ourselves_o to_o a_o account_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n of_o the_o firm_a purpose_n and_o resolution_n of_o our_o mind_n have_v we_o strict_o examine_v ourselves_o as_o to_o our_o particular_a sin_n for_o there_o be_v no_o age_n no_o employment_n no_o condition_n of_o life_n but_o have_v its_o temptation_n belong_v to_o it_o which_o require_v not_o only_o our_o care_n and_o consideration_n but_o resolution_n to_o keep_v we_o from_o they_o but_o suppose_v we_o have_v be_v overcome_v by_o the_o sin_n which_o do_v so_o easy_o beset_v we_o the_o work_n be_v hard_a to_o recover_v the_o ground_n we_o have_v lose_v than_o at_o first_o to_o maintain_v it_o but_o if_o we_o have_v sin_v we_o must_v repent_v and_o the_o soon_o the_o better_a but_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v do_v without_o awaken_n the_o drowsy_a and_o benumb_a faculty_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o exercise_v the_o secret_a and_o hide_a power_n therein_o not_o as_o though_o this_o be_v to_o be_v do_v without_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n prevent_v and_o assist_v we_o but_o because_o god_n work_v in_o we_o to_o will_v and_o to_o do_v of_o his_o good_a pleasure_n we_o ought_v to_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v let_v we_o then_o trifle_v no_o long_o in_o a_o work_n we_o can_v never_o do_v too_o well_o nor_o too_o soon_o nor_o go_v about_o it_o with_o too_o much_o resolution_n it_o be_v the_o want_n of_o this_o which_o ruin_v such_o a_o number_n of_o those_o who_o will_v fain_o go_v to_o heaven_n but_o have_v not_o courage_n and_o resolution_n enough_o to_o own_o their_o repentance_n and_o to_o break_v off_o their_o former_a sin_n they_o be_v half_a penitent_n they_o be_v inward_o trouble_v for_o they_o and_o wish_v themselves_o able_a to_o withstand_v the_o next_o temptation_n but_o when_o it_o come_v they_o yield_v and_o suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v draw_v away_o as_o a_o bird_n haste_v to_o the_o snare_n and_o know_v not_o that_o it_o be_v for_o his_o life_n 23._o now_o in_o such_o case_n resolution_n be_v not_o only_o a_o convenient_a and_o proper_a thing_n but_o a_o very_a wise_a thing_n for_o when_o once_o a_o resolution_n be_v find_v to_o be_v serious_a and_o in_o good_a earnest_n the_o former_a companion_n in_o wickedness_n will_v leave_v off_o to_o solicit_v and_o if_o once_o a_o penitent_a sinner_n can_v endure_v to_o be_v despise_v and_o expose_v for_o a_o time_n by_o evil_a man_n for_o own_v his_o repentance_n he_o will_v find_v the_o other_o part_n of_o his_o change_n grow_v more_o easy_a to_o he_o and_o the_o devil_n instrument_n in_o tempt_a will_v be_v like_o himself_o i._n e._n they_o will_v give_v over_o tempt_a when_o they_o see_v no_o hope_n to_o prevail_v and_o let_v no_o man_n ever_o complain_v that_o they_o want_v power_n to_o break_v off_o their_o former_a sin_n till_o they_o have_v try_v what_o the_o strength_n of_o a_o vigorous_a resolution_n will_v do_v but_o because_o we_o have_v always_o reason_n to_o suspect_v ourselves_o let_v we_o make_v our_o devout_a application_n to_o almighty_a god_n to_o give_v we_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o grace_n through_o the_o only_a mediation_n of_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ._n to_o who_o etc._n etc._n sermon_n ii_o scripture_n and_o tradition_n compare_v in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o guild-hall-chapel_n novemb_n the_o 27_o the_o 1687._o coloss._n ii_o 6._o as_o you_o have_v therefore_o receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n so_o walk_v you_o in_o he_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o manner_n of_o st._n paul_n express_v himself_o to_o the_o colossian_n in_o this_o epistle_n 1._o that_o he_o have_v a_o very_a good_a opinion_n of_o they_o at_o present_a as_o appear_v by_o the_o forego_n verse_n for_o though_o i_o be_v absent_a in_o the_o flesh_n yet_o be_o i_o with_o you_o in_o the_o spirit_n joy_v and_o behold_v your_o order_n and_o the_o steadfastness_n of_o your_o faith_n in_o christ._n what_o can_v be_v say_v more_o to_o the_o advantage_n and_o honour_n of_o a_o christian_a church_n for_o order_n be_v the_o strength_n and_o beauty_n of_o any_o society_n unite_n the_o several_a part_n to_o each_o other_o and_o thereby_o preserve_v and_o adorn_v the_o whole_a body_n and_o the_o more_o there_o be_v of_o this_o in_o any_o christian_a church_n the_o more_o it_o resemble_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o great_a honour_n it_o bring_v to_o the_o christian_a profession_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v join_v with_o a_o steadfastness_n of_o faith_n in_o christ_n i._n e._n with_o a_o firm_a and_o well_o settle_a resolution_n to_o adhere_v to_o that_o faith_n which_o christ_n himself_o deliver_v for_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o only_o the_o mark_n which_o distinguish_v but_o the_o soul_n which_o enlivens_fw-la the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o its_o vigour_n and_o influence_n make_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o become_v the_o live_a member_n of_o christ_n body_n but_o if_o all_o this_o be_v see_v by_o st._n paul_n in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o colossian_n what_o need_v he_o to_o write_v so_o warm_o and_o earnest_o as_o he_o do_v to_o they_o must_v we_o think_v as_o some_o do_v that_o he_o use_v these_o expression_n as_o gentle_a method_n of_o insinuation_n and_o commend_v they_o for_o that_o which_o he_o will_v persuade_v they_o to_o but_o this_o do_v not_o seem_v agreeable_a to_o the_o apostle_n simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n 12._o which_o he_o elsewhere_o set_v such_o a_o value_n upon_o but_o it_o be_v far_o more_o probable_a that_o hitherto_o they_o have_v be_v very_o orderly_a and_o steadfast_a but_o epaphras_n go_v to_o st._n paul_n have_v inform_v he_o thorough_o of_o their_o condition_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v like_o a_o garrison_n close_o besiege_v on_o all_o side_n and_o although_o hitherto_o they_o have_v hold_v out_o with_o great_a courage_n yet_o he_o do_v not_o know_v what_o earnest_a solicitation_n and_o fair_a promise_n and_o tempt_a motive_n may_v do_v with_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n write_v this_o epistle_n to_o encourage_v they_o in_o their_o steadfastness_n and_o to_o warn_v they_o against_o temptation_n which_o he_o do_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o show_v 2._o that_o he_o have_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a apprehension_n of_o the_o danger_n they_o be_v in_o and_o this_o i_o say_v say_v he_o lest_o any_o man_n shall_v beguile_v you_o with_o entice_a word_n v_o 4_o and_o beware_v lest_o
at_o least_o to_o make_v it_o more_o passable_a in_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o will_v have_v introduce_v into_o it_o some_o rite_n of_o the_o jew_n some_o austerity_n of_o the_o gentile_n some_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o will_v recommend_v they_o to_o their_o adversary_n and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n he_o write_v this_o epistle_n to_o they_o to_o convince_v they_o that_o christianity_n alone_o be_v far_o beyond_o any_o mixture_n of_o the_o fancy_n or_o tradition_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v give_v they_o no_o better_a advice_n than_o as_o they_o have_v first_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o continue_v in_o it_o or_o in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o text_n as_o they_o have_v receive_v christ_n jesus_n the_o lord_n so_o to_o walk_v in_o he_o the_o design_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v be_v that_o although_o the_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n be_v write_v upon_o particular_a occasion_n yet_o those_o occasion_n be_v so_o great_a and_o considerable_a and_o the_o assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v so_o direct_a the_o hand_n and_o pen_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n in_o write_v they_o that_o what_o they_o have_v therein_o deliver_v contain_v a_o complete_a rule_n of_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a faith_n as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v to_o the_o church_n but_o against_o this_o it_o be_v object_v that_o st._n paul_n himself_o charge_v the_o thessalonian_n 15._o to_o stand_v fast_o and_o hold_v the_o tradition_n which_o they_o have_v be_v teach_v either_o by_o word_n or_o by_o his_o epistle_n from_o whence_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v other_o tradition_n to_o be_v hold_v that_o be_v not_o write_v the_o force_n of_o all_o this_o will_v be_v take_v away_o if_o we_o consider_v when_o that_o epistle_n be_v write_v viz._n one_o of_o the_o first_o which_o st._n paul_n write_v and_o soon_o after_o the_o former_a epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_n which_o be_v some_o time_n before_o st._n luke_n gospel_n which_o be_v first_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n of_o greece_n plant_v by_o st._n paul_n therefore_o all_o the_o proper_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o all_o that_o relate_v to_o his_o life_n and_o action_n be_v then_o but_o tradition_n among_o they_o and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n have_v great_a reason_n then_o to_o require_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o to_o the_o tradition_n they_o have_v be_v teach_v i._n e._n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n they_o have_v receive_v in_o that_o manner_n but_o it_o be_v urge_v that_o he_o mention_n before_o something_o he_o have_v say_v about_o antichrist_n 5._o come_n when_o he_o be_v with_o they_o v_o 5._o if_o this_o be_v allow_v it_o will_v be_v more_o against_o than_o for_o tradition_n for_o what_o be_v become_v of_o that_o tradition_n if_o it_o be_v lose_v than_o it_o follow_v that_o tradition_n be_v no_o infallible_a way_n of_o conveyance_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v more_o reason_n to_o adhere_v to_o a_o write_a word_n 2._o which_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o second_o reason_n from_o which_o i_o design_v to_o prove_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o write_a rule_n for_o discern_v true_a primitive_a christianity_n and_o that_o be_v from_o the_o notorious_a uncertainty_n of_o mere_a tradition_n i_o say_v notorious_a because_o there_o never_o be_v any_o trial_n make_v of_o it_o but_o it_o fail_v even_o when_o it_o have_v the_o great_a advantage_n i_o may_v insist_v upon_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n when_o man_n life_n be_v so_o long_o and_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o natural_a religion_n so_o few_o and_o yet_o both_o before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n mankind_n be_v strange_o degenerate_v from_o they_o i_o may_v insist_v on_o many_o instance_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n so_o many_o that_o scarce_o one_o can_v be_v produce_v wherein_o they_o plead_v mere_a tradition_n but_o they_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o as_o about_o the_o millennium_n the_o age_n of_o christ_n the_o time_n of_o easter_n on_o one_o side_n or_o other_o the_o communicate_v infant_n for_o st._n augustin_n quote_v apostolical_a tradition_n for_o it_o 4._o but_o i_o shall_v wave_v all_o these_o and_o only_o mention_v a_o very_a necessary_a and_o important_a thing_n which_o be_v a_o long_a time_n trust_v to_o tradition_n and_o yet_o they_o differ_v so_o much_o about_o it_o as_o evident_o prove_v that_o mere_a tradition_n be_v no_o infallible_a mean_n of_o conveyance_n and_o that_o be_v about_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o be_v to_o be_v repeat_v by_o all_o that_o be_v to_o be_v baptize_v we_o have_v many_o plain_a testimony_n to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v not_o to_o be_v write_v but_o to_o be_v convey_v from_o one_o to_o another_o by_o a_o oral_a tradition_n hierosol_n st._n hierom_n 75._o st._n augustin_n symbol_n ruffinus_n all_o affirm_v it_o and_o the_o creed_n be_v common_o then_o call_v prooem_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n which_o show_v that_o they_o look_v on_o all_o the_o article_n therein_o contain_v as_o the_o standard_n of_o necessary_a point_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v a_o plain_a and_o considerable_a difference_n in_o the_o ancient_a creed_n some_o article_n be_v in_o some_o which_o be_v not_o in_o other_o although_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o necessary_a point_n be_v at_o first_o the_o same_o in_o all_o or_o else_o the_o several_a church_n must_v have_v different_a rule_n of_o faith_n the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v call_v 9_o the_o mother_n of_o all_o church_n by_o the_o general_n council_n of_o constantinople_n and_o in_o the_o creed_n there_o deliver_v to_o the_o catechuman_n 11._o st._n cyril_n mention_n the_o eternal_a generation_n of_o the_o son_n before_o all_o world_n and_o so_o do_v 12._o eusebius_n at_o coesarea_n in_o the_o creed_n which_o he_o say_v he_o learn_v at_o his_o baptism_n which_o be_v long_o before_o the_o nicene_n creed_n 4._o cassian_n make_v it_o a_o part_n of_o that_o creed_n which_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v to_o the_o church_n and_o be_v particular_o receive_v in_o the_o church_n of_o antioch_n but_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v deliver_v in_o the_o western_a creed_n as_o far_o as_o now_o appear_v by_o what_o st._n augustin_n russinus_n and_o other_o say_v in_o their_o exposition_n of_o it_o st._n jerom_n write_v against_o the_o bishop_n of_o jerusalem_n urge_v he_o with_o the_o creed_n pammach_n no_o doubt_n that_o which_o be_v receive_v in_o his_o own_o church_n and_o he_o say_v it_o consist_v of_o three_o main_a point_n the_o confession_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o unity_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o flesh._n and_o the_o creed_n of_o the_o church_n of_o aquileia_n go_v no_o far_o say_v 9_o ruffinus_n nor_o some_o old_a copy_n of_o the_o roman_a creed_n but_o marcellus_n of_o ancyra_n have_v eternal_a life_n in_o his_o 72._o creed_n and_o so_o have_v 18._o cyril_n of_o jerusalem_n so_o have_v the_o african_a church_n in_o st._n etc._n augustin_n time_n so_o have_v the_o church_n of_o ravenna_n but_o not_o the_o church_n of_o turin_n nor_o the_o gallican_n church_n if_o maximus_n taurinensis_n and_o venantius_n fortunatus_n explain_v all_o the_o article_n of_o their_o creed_n ruffinus_n confess_v the_o article_n of_o descent_n into_o hell_n be_v not_o in_o the_o roman_a nor_o in_o any_o of_o the_o eastern_a creed_n the_o creed_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o aquileia_n have_v not_o the_o communion_n of_o saint_n nor_o those_o of_o marcellus_n and_o ancorat_n epiphanius_n the_o title_n of_o catholic_n be_v not_o add_v to_o the_o church_n in_o the_o creed_n in_o st._n 243._o augustin_n time_n for_o the_o make_v it_o a_o periphrasis_n utique_fw-la catholicam_fw-la from_o whence_o probable_o it_o come_v to_o be_v add_v afterward_o ruffinus_n take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o extant_a in_o the_o old_a copy_n of_o the_o roman_a creed_n nor_o in_o that_o of_o marcellus_n ancyranus_n these_o thing_n i_o mention_v not_o in_o the_o least_o to_o shake_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o article_n of_o the_o apostle_n creed_n which_o 1._o st._n augustin_n say_v be_v gather_v out_o of_o scripture_n and_o be_v agreeable_a to_o they_o but_o to_o show_v what_o a_o uncertain_a way_n of_o conveyance_n mere_a oral_a tradition_n be_v when_o a_o thing_n so_o easy_o remember_v so_o constant_o use_v of_o so_o much_o weight_n and_o consequence_n fall_v into_o such_o variety_n in_o the_o great_a church_n while_o they_o be_v so_o scrupulous_a about_o the_o write_n of_o it_o what_o cause_n have_v we_o then_o to_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n that_o have_v take_v so_o much_o care_n of_o his_o church_n as_o to_o provide_v we_o a_o infallible_a write_v rule_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n whereby_o we_o certain_o know_v what_o the_o true_a primitive_a christianity_n be_v which_o be_v
word_n if_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v grant_v the_o chief_a thing_n therefore_o to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o show_v that_o god_n may_v require_v from_o we_o the_o belief_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o for_o god_n may_v require_v any_o thing_n from_o we_o which_o it_o be_v reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o do_v if_o it_o be_v then_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o give_v assent_n where_o the_o manner_n of_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v be_v not_o comprehend_v than_o god_n may_v certain_o require_v it_o from_o we_o have_v not_o god_n reveal_v to_o we_o that_o in_o six_o day_n he_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o but_o be_v it_o not_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v this_o unless_o we_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n production_n of_o thing_n here_o we_o have_v something_o reveal_v and_o that_o plain_o enough_o viz._n that_o god_n create_v all_o thing_n and_o yet_o here_o be_v a_o mystery_n remain_v 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that_o revelation_n the_o manner_n of_o it_o may_v be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o and_o consequent_o a_o mystery_n to_o we_o have_v not_o god_n reveal_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n the_o spirituality_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n that_o he_o be_v a_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o will_v be_v worship_v in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n 24._o for_o that_o be_v a_o true_a reason_n why_o spiritual_a worship_n shall_v be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o he_o now_o if_o we_o can_v have_v a_o clear_a distinct_a 〈◊〉_d notion_n in_o our_o mind_n of_o god_n spiritual_a nature_n we_o may_v then_o pretend_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o mysterious_a in_o this_o since_o it_o be_v reveal_v but_o let_v such_o man_n examine_v their_o own_o thought_n about_o this_o matter_n and_o try_v whether_o the_o utmost_a they_o can_v attain_v to_o
and_o in_o a_o instant_a to_o knock_v off_o their_o fetter_n and_o bid_v they_o be_v free_a but_o he_o make_v use_v of_o all_o the_o gentle_a and_o effectual_a method_n of_o persuasion_n not_o only_o by_o his_o word_n but_o by_o his_o own_o example_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v by_o he_o to_o despise_v this_o world_n who_o have_v so_o little_a in_o it_o and_o to_o prepare_v for_o that_o from_o whence_o he_o come_v where_o their_o happiness_n shall_v be_v unconceivable_a and_o without_o end_n iii_o the_o three_o principle_n be_v that_o no_o such_o particular_a favour_n of_o god_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v as_o long_o as_o his_o displeasure_n be_v so_o just_a against_o mankind_n for_o sin_n and_o no_o effectual_a mean_n use_v to_o remove_v it_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o the_o gospel_n turn_v upon_o this_o point_n whether_o god_n be_v real_o displease_v with_o mankind_n for_o their_o sin_n so_o as_o to_o need_v a_o reconciliation_n for_o if_o all_o that_o the_o 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and_o hate_v religion_n as_o with_o one_o that_o fear_v and_o honour_n he_o and_o endeavour_n to_o please_v he_o can_v he_o be_v as_o well_o please_v with_o he_o that_o assassin_n his_o parent_n as_o with_o he_o that_o obey_v they_o with_o he_o that_o rob_v and_o defraud_n his_o neighbour_n as_o with_o he_o that_o relieve_v he_o in_o his_o necessity_n with_o he_o who_o subdue_v his_o disorderly_a passion_n as_o with_o he_o that_o give_v way_n to_o they_o with_o he_o who_o be_v cruel_a inhuman_a and_o perfidious_a as_o with_o he_o that_o be_v faithful_a and_o just_a and_o compassionate_a these_o be_v but_o some_o of_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o difference_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a but_o they_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o notorious_a that_o a_o man_n must_v renounce_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o humanity_n who_o do_v not_o own_v they_o and_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o such_o difference_n because_o there_o have_v be_v mistake_v and_o dispute_v about_o some_o thing_n account_v good_a and_o evil_a be_v as_o absurd_a as_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o day_n and_o night_n because_o in_o the_o twilight_n it_o be_v hard_o to_o distinguish_v they_o but_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o real_a difference_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a action_n and_o god_n be_v a_o strict_a observer_n of_o they_o he_o be_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a holiness_n and_o justice_n can_v but_o be_v offend_v with_o mankind_n wilful_a omission_n of_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v good_a and_o commission_n of_o what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v evil_a but_o here_o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o god_n displeasure_n against_o the_o action_n and_o against_o the_o person_n who_o commit_v they_o the_o former_a be_v a_o necessary_a consequent_a upon_o the_o evil_a of_o sin_n and_o can_v never_o be_v remove_v for_o god_n be_v irreconcilable_a to_o sin_n but_o those_o who_o commit_v sin_n be_v his_o creature_n and_o therefore_o capable_a of_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n there_o 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incurable_a wound_n if_o there_o have_v be_v life_n before_o and_o he_o add_v it_o because_o there_o be_v then_o some_o who_o deny_v that_o he_o real_o die_v on_o the_o cross._n 2._o that_o his_o body_n be_v lay_v in_o a_o new_a sepulchre_n cut_v out_o of_o a_o rock_n which_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o three_o evangelist_n 51._o because_o it_o be_v not_o liable_a to_o any_o suspicion_n of_o practice_n by_o his_o disciple_n as_o to_o the_o convey_v away_o of_o the_o body_n by_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o sepulchre_n 3._o that_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o sepulchre_n be_v close_v up_o with_o a_o stone_n which_o 66._o be_v seal_v and_o have_v a_o watch_n set_v to_o guard_n it_o so_o that_o here_o be_v all_o imaginable_a care_n take_v to_o prevent_v any_o take_n away_o the_o body_n out_o of_o the_o sepulchre_n 2._o the_o proof_n as_o to_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n individual_a body_n after_o the_o resurrection_n be_v quite_o of_o another_o nature_n from_o those_o of_o the_o angel_n appear_v to_o eat_v with_o abraham_n and_o lot_n for_o this_o be_v a_o sudden_a action_n of_o they_o and_o not_o the_o main_a thing_n intend_v by_o they_o it_o be_v only_o to_o introduce_v the_o message_n they_o have_v to_o declare_v but_o in_o the_o case_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o great_a business_n be_v to_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n therefore_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o show_v himself_o 3_o alive_a after_o his_o passion_n by_o many_o infallible_a proof_n be_v see_v of_o they_o forty_o day_n among_o these_o proof_n st._n john_n 20._o insist_o upon_o his_o show_v they_o his_o hand_n and_o his_o side_n but_o this_o will_v not_o satisfy_v thomas_n but_o he_o must_v thrust_v 27._o his_o hand_n into_o his_o side_n can_v there_o be_v great_a proof_n of_o the_o same_o body_n than_o this_o so_o that_o either_o we_o must_v give_v over_o all_o evidence_n and_o proof_n of_o the_o same_o body_n or_o we_o must_v allow_v that_o it_o be_v give_v in_o the_o case_n of_o christ_n body_n and_o nothing_o but_o obstinate_a infidelity_n can_v make_v any_o objection_n against_o the_o way_n of_o proof_n suppose_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_a as_o the_o evangelist_n relate_v it_o 2._o but_o if_o that_o be_v not_o allow_v than_o they_o must_v be_v charge_v with_o a_o design_n to_o deceive_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n to_o which_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v at_o present_a these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o endless_a sufpition_n be_v a_o very_a unreasonable_a thing_n where_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n for_o it_o as_o none_o can_v be_v assign_v as_o to_o the_o apostle_n either_o as_o to_o this_o world_n or_o another_o since_o they_o declare_v no_o hope_n of_o recompense_n hereafter_o and_o no_o compensation_n to_o be_v expect_v here_o 2._o that_o some_o proof_n of_o sincerity_n must_v be_v allow_v and_o they_o offer_v the_o fair_a and_o that_o be_v the_o true_a reason_n why_o christ_n appear_v to_o they_o and_o not_o to_o his_o enemy_n 1._o the_o disciple_n themselves_o be_v asraid_a of_o be_v deceive_v this_o way_n and_o 37._o therefore_o can_v not_o be_v convince_v till_o by_o many_o infallible_a proof_n as_o st._n luke_n 3_o call_v they_o they_o be_v satisfy_v it_o be_v the_o real_a body_n of_o christ._n if_o it_o have_v be_v only_o a_o sudden_a and_o transient_a appearance_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o cause_n to_o have_v suspect_v it_o but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o it_o that_o he_o converse_v among_o they_o forty_o day_n at_o several_a time_n he_o show_v they_o his_o hand_n and_o his_o foot_n his_o 27._o flesh_n and_o bone_n and_o the_o very_a hole_n in_o his_o side_n which_o the_o spear_n have_v