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scripture_n call_v day_n week_n 3,297 5 10.6291 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A97109 The vanitie of the present churches, and vncertainty of their preaching, discovered. Wherein the pretended immediate teaching of the spirit, is denyed, and the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures teaching, is maintained. With, a new and true method of reading thereof, for the peace of the mind, and rule of life. Walwyn, William, 1600-1681, attributed name. 1649 (1649) Wing W693A; Thomason E1367_1; ESTC R210498 20,838 55

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dung_n in_o comparison_n of_o he_o and_o that_o we_o may_v be_v find_v in_o he_o not_o have_v our_o own_o righteousness_n which_o be_v of_o the_o law_n but_o the_o righteousness_n which_o be_v of_o god_n in_o he_o so_o that_o the_o whole_a scripture_n to_o we_o be_v as_o the_o field_n mention_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o this_o the_o jewel_n for_o which_o the_o wise_a merchant_n sell_v all_o that_o ever_o he_o have_v to_o purchase_v it_o and_o true_o if_o the_o trader_n in_o divine_a thing_n true_o consider_v this_o how_o learned_a soever_o they_o be_v in_o art_n and_o science_n in_o all_o kind_n of_o readins_n and_o language_n and_o how_o mighty_a and_o skilful_a soever_o they_o will_v be_v think_v in_o the_o exposition_n open_v and_o interpretation_n of_o all_o place_n of_o scripture_n when_o they_o come_v to_o cast_v up_o their_o account_n possible_o nay_o certain_o if_o they_o be_v serious_a therein_o they_o will_v account_v all_o as_o nothing_o for_o this_o pearl_n which_o pass_v value_n they_o will_v sell_v all_o to_o purchase_v it_o and_o rejoice_v exceed_o in_o the_o exchange_n as_o the_o most_o profitable_a that_o ever_o they_o make_v and_o this_o certain_o will_v be_v do_v frequent_o by_o all_o who_o with_o honest_a and_o good_a heart_n read_v the_o scripture_n be_v they_o not_o keep_v from_o it_o by_o fase_n teacher_n who_o hold_v they_o in_o suspense_n for_o their_o own_o advantage_n ever_o raise_v and_o start_v new_a question_n and_o new_a opinion_n whereby_o man_n be_v ever_o learning_n but_o never_o at_o rest_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o one_o necessary_a truth_n but_o be_v toss_v too_o and_o fro_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o all_o by_o give_v ear_n to_o those_o that_o call_v themselves_o preacher_n but_o be_v not_o that_o pretend_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n when_o as_o they_o raise_v nothing_o but_o doubt_n and_o darken_v they_o that_o say_v they_o interpret_v when_o they_o be_v to_o seek_v for_o the_o meaning_n be_v altogether_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a in_o all_o they_o do_v and_o therefore_o much_o more_o happy_a be_v they_o who_o read_v with_o honest_a and_o good_a heart_n and_o only_o read_v and_o considerate_o lay_v to_o heart_n give_v no_o ear_n to_o these_o charmer_n these_o doubtful_a eexpositor_n these_o mocke-preacher_n with_o their_o trumpery_n sermon_n stuff_v with_o naught_o but_o uncertainty_n and_o fantastic_a doctrine_n which_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o man_n conscience_n prove_v like_o a_o break_a reed_n that_o instead_o of_o help_n further_a wound_n nor_o let_v any_o man_n henchforth_o wonder_v whence_o so_o many_o several_a and_o strange_a opinion_n shall_v arise_v by_o which_o the_o world_n become_v even_o rend_v and_o tear_v in_o piece_n it_o be_v from_o this_o kind_n of_o preachng_n and_o false_a exposition_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v so_o in_o more_o ancient_a time_n with_o the_o law_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o petrus_n cunaeus_n the_o republ._n lib._n 2._o chap._n 17._o bring_v to_o light_v affirm_v that_o howsoever_o the_o law_n be_v read_v among_o they_o in_o the_o former_a time_n either_o in_o puplicke_a or_o in_o private_a yet_o the_o bare_a text_n be_v only_o read_v without_o gloss_n or_o descant_n interpretatio_fw-la magistrorum_fw-la nulla_fw-la commentatio_fw-la nulla_fw-la but_o in_o the_o second_o temple_n when_o there_o be_v no_o prophet_n than_o do_v the_o scribe_n and_o doctor_n mock_v prophet_n as_o our_o mock_n preacher_n begin_v to_o comment_n and_o make_v their_o several_a exposition_n on_o the_o holy_a text_n exit_fw-la quo_fw-la natae_fw-la disputationes_fw-la &_o sententiae_fw-la contrariae_fw-la from_o whence_o say_v he_o spring_v up_o debate_n and_o doubtful_a disputation_n and_o most_o probable_a it_o be_v say_v another_o upon_o he_o that_o from_o this_o liberty_n of_o interpretation_n spring_v up_o diversity_n of_o judgement_n from_o whence_o arise_v the_o several_a sect_n of_o pharise_n essee_n and_o saducee_n who_o by_o their_o difference_n of_o opinion_n do_v distract_v the_o multitude_n and_o condemn_v one_o another_o even_o so_o in_o these_o time_n when_o as_o there_o be_v no_o true_a apostle_n evaugelist_n prophet_n pastor_n or_o teacher_n endow_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a as_o all_o true_a one_o be_v by_o which_o they_o be_v enable_v to_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o god_n aright_o to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o gainsayer_n and_o to_o say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n thus_o speak_v the_o lord_n and_o not_o i_o and_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n preach_v any_o other_o doctrine_n let_v he_o be_v accurse_v in_o the_o absence_n of_o these_o be_v creep_v in_o swarm_n of_o locust_n false_a teacher_n man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n make_v merchandise_n of_o the_o bless_a word_n of_o truth_n and_o for_o that_o wicked_a end_n dress_v it_o up_o in_o what_o shape_n their_o art_n or_o rehtorick_n can_v devise_v and_o upon_o pretence_n of_o exposition_n raise_v thousand_o of_o doubt_n and_o dispute_v write_v million_o of_o book_n and_o preach_v innumerable_a sermon_n whereby_o the_o people_n be_v divide_v and_o subdivide_v into_o faction_n sect_n and_o party_n and_o whereby_o the_o end_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o direct_v only_o to_o peace_n and_o love_n be_v most_o unthankful_o make_v use_n of_o as_o a_o firebrand_n of_o quarrel_n and_o dissension_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o poor_a innocent_a dove_n that_o desire_v to_o enjoy_v the_o peace_n of_o his_o mind_n in_o this_o vnum_fw-la necessarium_fw-la that_o little_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n crucify_v and_o to_o walk_v in_o love_n ever_o worship_v god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o the_o truth_n disintangled_n from_o all_o form_n as_o thing_n he_o find_v uncertain_a disengaged_n from_o all_o false_a church_n and_o can_v find_v a_o true_a one_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n give_v thanks_o and_o dare_v not_o pray_v but_o for_o what_o he_o needs_o nor_o join_v with_o any_o where_o he_o be_v not_o before_o agree_v what_o to_o ask_v this_o innocent_a dove_n find_v not_o a_o place_n to_o rest_v his_o foot_n in_o but_o be_v become_v the_o game_n of_o these_o bird_n of_o prey_n these_o raven_n vulture_n and_o harpy_n o_o that_o all_o ingenious_a man_n will_v lay_v these_o thing_n to_o heart_n that_o they_o will_v look_v more_o exact_o into_o these_o church_n more_o bold_o &_o firm_o try_v examine_v &_o weigh_v they_o in_o the_o balance_n that_o they_o will_v shake_v off_o that_o veil_n of_o superstition_n and_o reverend_a respect_n to_o man_n person_n whereby_o they_o be_v overawe_v into_o a_o high_a esteem_n of_o mere_a vanity_n empty_a shell_n without_o kernel_n empty_a cloud_n that_o hold_v no_o water_n that_o they_o will_v consider_v how_o extreme_o partial_a they_o be_v in_o judge_v of_o thing_n for_o who_o be_v he_o that_o do_v not_o exceed_o condemn_v the_o impudence_n of_o simon_n magus_n in_o offer_v to_o buy_v the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n with_o money_n purposely_o to_o have_v make_v a_o gain_n thereof_o and_o yet_o can_v daily_o see_v man_n counterfeit_v the_o have_v of_o the_o spirit_n and_o pretend_v to_o preach_v and_o to_o pray_v by_o it_o when_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o have_v it_o not_o and_o yet_o be_v no_o whit_n trouble_v at_o this_o though_o they_o see_v it_o do_v also_o even_o for_o filthy_a luchre_n vain_a glory_n or_o other_o vile_a respect_n as_o he_o intend_v but_o all_o be_v not_o a_o like_a guilty_a many_o through_o weakness_n and_o a_o preposterous_a zeal_n be_v carry_v with_o the_o stream_n and_o current_n of_o the_o time_n and_o many_o there_o be_v who_o have_v run_v themselves_o quite_o out_o of_o breath_n in_o search_v after_o peace_n and_o rest_n in_o the_o various_a way_n of_o these_o church_n and_o from_o one_o church_n way_n to_o another_o but_o find_v none_o to_o comfort_v they_o nothing_o to_o establish_v they_o confess_v that_o instead_o of_o real_a ordinance_n they_o find_v only_a name_n instead_o of_o power_n in_o they_o they_o find_v only_a form_n fashion_n likeness_n and_o imitation_n mere_a picture_n and_o image_n without_o life_n altogether_o dead_a and_o comfortless_o and_o be_v hold_v up_o mere_o by_o the_o power_n of_o art_n craft_n and_o policy_n of_o man_n not_o without_o the_o countenance_n of_o corrupt_a authority_n &_o oppressive_a statesman_n who_o find_v it_o as_o it_o have_v ever_o prove_v a_o notable_a mean_n to_o divide_v the_o people_n make_v use_n thereof_o to_o their_o wicked_a and_o tyrannous_a end_n but_o god_n in_o these_o time_n have_v have_v instrument_n to_o lay_v all_o kind_n of_o delusion_n open_a so_o that_o henceforth_o if_o man_n continue_v in_o these_o evil_a way_n they_o be_v altogether_o inexcusable_a neither_o will_v man_n ever_o live_v in_o peace_n and_o quietness_n one_o with_o another_o so_o long_o as_o this_o veil_n of_o false_a counterfeit_n preach_v remain_v
before_o their_o eye_n nor_o until_o the_o mock_v church_n be_v overturn_v and_o lay_v flat_a for_o so_o long_o as_o man_n flatter_v themselves_o in_o those_o vain_a way_n and_o puff_n themselves_o up_o with_o vain_a thought_n that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o way_n well_o please_v to_o god_n because_o they_o be_v in_o a_o church_n way_n as_o they_o call_v it_o or_o because_o they_o be_v able_a to_o speak_v long_o together_o which_o they_o call_v preach_v they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n regardless_o of_o store_v their_o mind_n with_o truth_n real_a christian_a virtue_n little_a or_o nothing_o care_v either_o for_o public_a justice_n peace_n or_o freedom_n among_o man_n but_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o endless_a dispute_n in_o condemn_v and_o censure_v those_o that_o be_v contrary_a mind_v whereby_o nothing_o but_o heat_n and_o discontent_n be_v engender_v backbiting_a and_o snarl_v at_o all_o that_o oppose_v they_o will_v neither_o buy_v nor_o sell_v with_o they_o if_o they_o can_v choose_v nor_o give_v they_o so_o much_o as_o a_o good_a look_n but_o on_o all_o occasion_n be_v ready_a to_o censure_n one_o to_o be_v carnal_a another_o erroneous_a one_o a_o atheist_n another_o a_o heretic_n a_o sectary_n schismatic_n a_o blasphemer_n a_o man_n not_o worthy_a to_o live_v though_o they_o have_v nothing_o whereof_o to_o accuse_v he_o which_o in_o the_o true_a scripture_n sense_n will_v bear_v the_o title_n of_o a_o offence_n but_o be_v stir_v in_o their_o spirit_n against_o he_o because_o happy_o he_o speak_v against_o their_o churchway_n and_o frequent_o show_v the_o vanity_n and_o emptiness_n of_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o glory_n and_o by_o which_o they_o distinguish_v themselves_o from_o other_o man_n so_o that_o it_o be_v much_o better_o for_o the_o commonwealth_n that_o all_o man_n mind_n be_v set_v at_o liberty_n from_o these_o entanglement_n that_o so_o there_o may_v be_v a_o end_n of_o wrangle_v about_o shadow_n for_o if_o man_n be_v once_o free_a from_o this_o church-bondage_n they_o will_v by_o read_v the_o scripture_n with_o such_o like_a consideration_n as_o be_v before_o express_v soon_o come_v to_o be_v able_a to_o understand_v the_o intent_n &_o substantial_a scope_n thereof_o and_o become_v substantial_a christian_n full_o fraught_v with_o true_a christian_a virtue_n and_o real_a godliness_n which_o will_v incline_v they_o to_o a_o tenderness_n of_o spirit_n towards_o all_o those_o they_o see_v in_o any_o error_n make_v they_o to_o compassionate_a man_n fail_n and_o infirmity_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o help_v the_o distress_a and_o any_o way_n afflict_v it_o will_v enlarge_v their_o heart_n towards_o all_o man_n make_v they_o like_o unto_o our_o heavenly_a father_n who_o cause_v his_o sun_n to_o shine_v on_o the_o just_a and_o unjust_a that_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_o and_o upbraid_v not_o man_n certain_o be_v we_o all_o busy_v only_o in_o those_o short_a necessary_a truth_n we_o shall_v soon_o become_v practical_a christian_n and_o take_v more_o pleasure_n in_o feed_v the_o hungry_a clothing_n the_o naked_a visit_v and_o comfort_v of_o the_o sick_a relieve_v the_o age_a weak_a and_o impotent_a in_o deliver_v of_o prisoner_n support_v of_o poor_a family_n or_o in_o free_v a_o common_a wealth_n from_o all_o tyrant_n oppressor_n and_o deceiver_n the_o author_n and_o promoter_n of_o all_o corruption_n and_o superstition_n thereby_o manifest_v our_o universal_a love_n to_o all_o mankind_n without_o respect_n of_o person_n opinion_n society_n or_o church_n doubtless_o there_o be_v no_o way_n like_o unto_o this_o to_o adorn_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n man_n and_o woman_n so_o exercise_v themselves_o and_o persevere_v therein_o may_v possible_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o saint_n but_o for_o man_n to_o assume_v that_o title_n for_o be_v a_o presbyter_n a_o independent_a brownist_n anabaptist_n or_o for_o be_v of_o this_o or_o that_o opinion_n or_o of_o this_o or_o that_o form_n of_o worship_n or_o for_o be_v able_a to_o pray_v and_o preach_v as_o they_o call_v it_o three_o or_o four_o hour_n together_o vent_v their_o own_o uncertain_a notion_n and_o conjecture_n or_o for_o look_v more_o sad_o and_o solemn_o then_o other_o people_n or_o for_o dress_v themselves_o after_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n or_o for_o pretend_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n though_o they_o be_v ever_o to_o seek_v about_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n or_o for_o suck_v in_o and_o sigh_v out_o reproach_n and_o slander_n against_o their_o neighbour_n proceed_v from_o mere_a pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o mind_n when_o as_o the_o best_a of_o these_o put_v altogether_o amount_v not_o to_o so_o much_o towards_o the_o make_n of_o a_o true_a saint_n as_o one_o merciful_a tender_a heart_a compassionate_a act_n for_o christ_n sake_n do_v and_o therefore_o those_o who_o will_v true_o honour_v god_n let_v they_o not_o think_v that_o he_o will_v be_v flatter_v with_o word_n or_o be_v serve_v with_o lip_n service_n with_o that_o which_o co_v little_a or_o nothing_o but_o let_v they_o resolve_v that_o he_o expect_v to_o be_v serve_v with_o no_o less_o than_o with_o all_o our_o heart_n withal_o our_o might_n and_o with_o all_o our_o strength_n to_o be_v honour_v both_o in_o our_o body_n and_o in_o our_o spirit_n for_o they_o be_v he_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o man_n be_v first_o to_o know_v and_o understand_v before_o they_o can_v become_v practical_a christian_n and_o though_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o plain_a and_o full_a as_o to_o necessary_a knowledge_n yet_o the_o error_n of_o weak_a and_o perverse_a teacher_n do_v so_o abound_v that_o it_o be_v a_o difficult_a thing_n to_o escape_v they_o and_o to_o fall_v into_o a_o profitable_a method_n of_o read_v and_o meditation_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n wherein_o may_v the_o consideration_n aforemention_v prove_v as_o profitable_a as_o they_o be_v conscionable_o intend_v but_o doubtless_o the_o best_a way_n to_o perfect_a knowledge_n be_v and_o will_v be_v by_o endeavour_v after_o meeting_n of_o people_n to_o confer_v and_o discourse_v together_o in_o a_o discreet_a quiet_a and_o well_o order_v way_n upon_o necessary_a point_n only_o the_o way_n of_o preach_v or_o long_o set_v speech_n be_v subject_a to_o abundance_n of_o error_n and_o inconvenience_n and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v happy_a that_o all_o wel-meaning_n people_n will_v serious_o set_v themselves_o to_o procure_v frequent_a and_o full_a meeting_n for_o increase_v of_o knowledge_n in_o all_o sort_n of_o people_n and_o no_o long_o to_o depend_v either_o on_o the_o public_a or_o congregationall_a sermon_n for_o information_n of_o their_o understanding_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o serve_v rather_o to_o dignify_v the_o speaker_n and_o to_o sway_v the_o hearer_n into_o what_o they_o please_v then_o to_o any_o just_a or_o necessary_a end_n and_o as_o every_o one_o increase_v in_o knowledge_n let_v they_o know_v that_o god_n have_v not_o vouchsafe_v his_o word_n unto_o we_o to_o make_v we_o talker_n or_o discourser_n only_o as_o the_o manner_n of_o many_o know_a people_n be_v who_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o arrive_v to_o a_o good_a measure_n of_o understanding_n and_o be_v thereby_o free_v from_o the_o burden_n and_o oppression_n which_o error_n and_o superstition_n have_v bring_v into_o their_o conscience_n instead_o of_o be_v thankful_a to_o god_n for_o the_o same_o by_o diligence_n in_o the_o way_n of_o do_v good_a they_o become_v careless_a turn_v the_o goodness_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n manifest_v in_o his_o word_n to_o idleness_n if_o not_o to_o wantonness_n not_o care_v what_o become_v of_o the_o misery_n of_o the_o time_n or_o other_o man_n suffering_n but_o ever_o after_o live_v as_o in_o a_o please_a dream_n these_o who_o ever_o they_o be_v be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o most_o unworthy_a of_o man_n because_o the_o most_o ungrateful_a the_o most_o opposite_a to_o the_o end_n of_o their_o 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