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scripture_n doctrine_n tradition_n unwritten_a 3,444 5 12.5860 5 false
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A58804 The Christian life. Vol. 5 and last wherein is shew'd : I. The worth and excellency of the soul, II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour, III. The authority of the Holy Scripture, IV. A dissuasive from apostacy / by John Scott ... Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing S2059; ESTC R3097 251,737 514

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not_o perfect_o understand_v and_o in_o which_o theophilus_n have_v not_o be_v before_o instruct_v thus_o also_o st._n john_n testify_v of_o his_o gospel_n chap._n 20._o 31._o these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o by_o these_o thing_n the_o apostle_n only_o mean_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o motive_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o not_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o we_o this_o be_v notorious_o false_a since_o by_o these_o thing_n st._n john_n mean_v his_o gospel_n in_o which_o not_o only_o the_o miracle_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v contain_v and_o therefore_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n chap._n 5._o 13._o he_o say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v 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it_o yet_o then_o be_v desperate_a of_o mercy_n and_o past_o all_o hope_n of_o pardon_n we_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o repent_v or_o to_o think_v of_o return_v to_o our_o duty_n again_o ah_o unworthy_a wretch_n with_o what_o confidence_n can_v you_o impute_v the_o continuation_n of_o your_o rebellion_n against_o i_o to_o your_o despair_n of_o ever_o find_v mercy_n at_o my_o hand_n when_o you_o know_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n that_o i_o die_v to_o procure_v forgiveness_n for_o you_o and_o that_o by_o my_o death_n i_o obtain_v a_o act_n of_o indemnity_n and_o oblivion_n for_o all_o that_o will_v come_v in_o and_o return_v to_o their_o duty_n upon_o the_o proclamation_n of_o my_o gospel_n when_o you_o can_v but_o know_v that_o i_o tender_v you_o your_o pardon_n seal_v with_o my_o own_o blood_n and_o
to_o what_o they_o have_v do_v in_o the_o flesh_n and_o even_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o holy_a trinity_n which_o be_v the_o profound_a mystery_n of_o all_o our_o religion_n have_v be_v own_v and_o profess_v by_o the_o great_a and_o most_o famous_a philosopher_n that_o ever_o be_v and_o as_o for_o those_o doctrine_n that_o be_v pure_o christian_a such_o as_o the_o birth_n and_o life_n and_o death_n the_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o saviour_n together_o with_o his_o sit_v at_o the_o right-hand_a of_o god_n and_o come_v at_o the_o last_o day_n to_o judge_v the_o world_n they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o so_o excellent_o contrive_v to_o serve_v the_o great_a end_n of_o religion_n so_o wonderful_o pregnant_a with_o motive_n and_o argument_n to_o engage_v man_n to_o the_o great_a purity_n and_o goodness_n that_o by_o their_o own_o native_a beauty_n and_o excellent_a contrivance_n they_o manifest_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o product_n of_o a_o divine_a wisdom_n so_o that_o 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that_o they_o have_v against_o it_o that_o so_o have_v baffle_v or_o rather_o laugh_v themselves_o out_o of_o their_o religion_n they_o may_v be_v leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o play_v the_o fool_n and_o madman_n without_o control_v or_o disturbance_n and_o i_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o if_o instead_o of_o that_o strict_a piety_n and_o virtue_n which_o christianity_n enjoin_v it_o have_v but_o indulge_v to_o they_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n so_o that_o they_o can_v have_v but_o act_v all_o their_o wickedness_n with_o devotion_n sacrifice_v to_o the_o god_n in_o drunken_a bowl_n and_o worship_v in_o the_o arm_n of_o a_o strumpet_n there_o be_v no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v more_o zealous_a christian_n than_o they_o but_o let_v no_o man_n be_v so_o foolish_a as_o to_o imagine_v that_o he_o can_v alter_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n by_o laugh_v at_o they_o or_o that_o christianity_n will_v cease_v to_o be_v true_a in_o compliance_n with_o our_o wicked_a interest_n and_o desire_n no_o no_o thing_n will_v be_v as_o they_o be_v in_o despite_n of_o we_o and_o howsoever_o we_o will_v please_v to_o fancy_v they_o and_o if_o after_o all_o our_o rude_a contempt_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v find_v to_o be_v true_a as_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o it_o will_v we_o shall_v be_v sensible_a when_o it_o be_v too_o late_o that_o it_o have_v be_v more_o for_o our_o safety_n to_o have_v play_v before_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o cannon_n while_o it_o be_v spit_a fire_n or_o to_o have_v catch_v hold_v of_o a_o thunderbolt_n as_o it_o come_v roar_v down_o from_o the_o cloud_n than_o to_o have_v play_v with_o religion_n and_o make_v it_o the_o subject_a of_o our_o impious_a scorn_n and_o buffoonery_n 4._o and_o last_o they_o see_v the_o glory_n of_o his_o immaculate_a holiness_n and_o purity_n from_o whence_o i_o infer_v that_o holiness_n and_o true_a goodness_n be_v the_o great_a glory_n and_o honour_n to_o humane_a nature_n for_o this_o be_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o when_o he_o assume_v our_o nature_n and_o dwell_v among_o we_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o glorious_a in_o christ_n than_o his_o goodness_n and_o notwithstanding_o those_o excellent_a doctrine_n that_o he_o preach_v those_o stupendous_a miracle_n that_o he_o wrought_v and_o that_o visible_a splendour_n in_o which_o he_o be_v inrobe_v he_o have_v not_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o a_o great_a and_o glorious_a man_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v just_a and_o charitable_a temperate_a and_o humble_a and_o heavenly-minded_n and_o eminent_a in_o all_o those_o divine_a and_o humane_a virtue_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a glory_n and_o ornament_n of_o humane_a nature_n for_o that_o which_o make_v a_o man_n more_o honourable_a than_o a_o mere_a animal_n and_o advance_v we_o into_o the_o next_o degree_n of_o being_n to_o angel_n be_v our_o reason_n by_o which_o alone_o we_o border_n upon_o the_o divinity_n and_o do_v claim_v kindred_n with_o the_o angelical_a nature_n that_o therefore_o which_o be_v true_o our_o honour_n and_o glory_n consist_v in_o live_v according_a to_o that_o reason_n by_o which_o we_o be_v advance_v above_o all_o sublunary_a nature_n that_o be_v in_o govern_v our_o passion_n and_o appetite_n word_n and_o action_n according_a to_o those_o eternal_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n which_o right_a reason_n dictate_v to_o we_o and_o if_o instead_o of_o do_v thus_o we_o whole_o resign_v up_o ourselves_o to_o the_o dominion_n of_o our_o brutish_a and_o unreasonable_a inclination_n we_o thereby_o render_v ourselves_o more_o despicable_a and_o infamous_a than_o the_o most_o beastly_a brute_n in_o all_o the_o creation_n and_o even_o those_o goat_n and_o wolf_n and_o swine_n and_o tiger_n who_o we_o resemble_v in_o our_o beastly_a manner_n can_v they_o see_v our_o shame_n will_v doubtless_o hiss_v at_o we_o and_o reproach_v we_o for_o great_a beast_n than_o themselves_o for_o they_o all_o live_v up_o to_o the_o 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and_o become_v our_o own_o reverse_n and_o antipode_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n john_n v._n 39_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n by_o the_o scripture_n here_o must_v be_v mean_v the_o old_a testament_n for_o as_o yet_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o new_a be_v unrevealed_a and_o the_o whole_a of_o it_o unwritten_a they_o be_v those_o very_a scripture_n which_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n to_o who_o our_o saviour_n be_v now_o preach_v own_a and_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o in_o they_o say_v our_o saviour_n you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n which_o its_o certain_a they_o do_v not_o think_v of_o any_o other_o scripture_n but_o only_o those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o they_o be_v they_o say_v he_o which_o testify_v of_o i_o and_o to_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v no_o other_o scripture_n which_o can_v testify_v of_o christ_n to_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n but_o only_o those_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n these_o be_v the_o only_a scripture_n who_o testimony_n they_o credit_v but_o yet_o the_o reason_n which_o our_o saviour_n urge_v to_o move_v they_o to_o read_v the_o old_a testament_n do_v as_o much_o oblige_v we_o to_o read_v the_o new_a as_o well_o as_o the_o old_a as_o it_o do_v they_o to_o read_v the_o old_a for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n that_o be_v in_o they_o you_o think_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n promise_v and_o all_o the_o necessary_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o do_v by_o you_o in_o order_n to_o your_o obtain_n it_o propose_v to_o you_o and_o indeed_o as_o they_o think_v so_o it_o be_v they_o have_v eternal_a life_n propose_v to_o they_o in_o hieroglyphic_n for_o that_o be_v the_o mystery_n of_o their_o holy_a of_o holies_n that_o be_v the_o interpretation_n of_o
have_v preach_v to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o thus_o pronounce_v by_o which_o also_o you_o be_v save_v if_o you_o keep_v in_o memory_n what_o i_o preach_v unto_o you_o unless_o you_o have_v believe_v in_o vain_a 1_o cor._n 15._o 1_o 2._o but_o how_o can_v they_o be_v save_v by_o that_o gospel_n he_o preach_v to_o they_o unless_o it_o contain_v in_o it_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o this_o very_a gospel_n which_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o constant_a ministry_n propose_v to_o the_o world_n st._n james_n call_v the_o engraft_a word_n which_o be_v able_a to_o save_v our_o soul_n jam._n 1._o 21._o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o be_v also_o call_v the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 19_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n act_v 13._o 26._o and_o the_o word_n of_o life_n act_v 5._o 20._o and_o the_o savour_n of_o life_n unto_o life_n 2_o cor._n 2._o 16._o and_o also_o the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v rom._n 1._o 17._o neither_o of_o which_o it_o can_v be_v just_o style_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v defective_a in_o any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o men._n 3._o and_o last_o that_o all_o those_o necessary_a truth_n which_o they_o preach_v be_v comprehend_v in_o those_o write_n of_o they_o of_o which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n consist_v it_o be_v true_a before_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v collect_v into_o those_o scripture_n of_o which_o the_o new_a testament_n now_o consist_v it_o be_v all_o convey_v by_o oral_a tradition_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o teacher_n to_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o disciple_n but_o in_o a_o little_a time_n those_o holy_a man_n who_o first_o preach_v it_o find_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v as_o a_o much_o sure_a way_n of_o preserve_v it_o uncorrupted_a and_o transmit_v it_o down_o to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n for_o thus_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o 15._o that_o the_o roman_n not_o be_v satisfy_v with_o st._n peter_n '_o s_z preach_v of_o christianity_n to_o they_o earnest_o desire_v st._n mark_n his_o companion_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v they_o in_o write_v a_o stand_a monument_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o st._n peter_n have_v deliver_v to_o they_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n say_v he_o of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n mark_v '_o be_v gospel_n which_o thing_n st._n peter_n understand_v by_o a_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v high_o please_v with_o their_o earnest_a desire_n he_o confirm_v it_o by_o his_o own_o authority_n that_o it_o may_v afterward_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n it_o seem_v in_o those_o day_n the_o roman_n do_v not_o think_v oral_a or_o unwritten_a tradition_n a_o sufficient_a conservatory_n of_o divine_a truth_n nor_o do_v their_o bishop_n then_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o laity_n in_o their_o own_o language_n after_o which_o he_o tell_v we_o 24._o that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n be_v the_o only_a disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n who_o have_v leave_v write_v commentary_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v preach_v behind_o they_o and_o it_o be_v say_v he_o necessity_n that_o impel_v they_o to_o write_v for_o matthew_n have_v preach_v the_o faith_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o intend_v to_o go_v from_o they_o to_o other_o nation_n write_v his_o gospel_n in_o his_o own_o country-language_n that_o thereby_o he_o may_v supply_v the_o want_n of_o his_o presence_n to_o those_o who_o he_o leave_v behind_o he_o and_o afterward_o when_o mark_n and_o luke_n have_v publish_v their_o gospel_n john_n who_o have_v hitherto_o only_o preach_v the_o gospel_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n be_v at_o length_n move_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n betake_v himself_o to_o write_v and_o the_o three_o former_a gospel_n say_v he_o arrive_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o st._n john_n he_o approve_v they_o and_o with_o his_o own_o testimony_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o from_o which_o relation_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o that_o which_o move_v those_o holy_a man_n to_o commit_v their_o gospel_n to_o write_v be_v this_o that_o they_o judge_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o so_o these_o in_o their_o absence_n may_v be_v stand_v monument_n of_o the_o faith_n to_o preach_v that_o gospel_n to_o man_n eye_n which_o they_o have_v preach_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o if_o they_o write_v to_o preserve_v the_o faith_n to_o be_v sure_a they_o will_v leave_v no_o necessary_a or_o essential_a part_n of_o it_o unwritten_a there_o be_v several_a proposition_n in_o these_o gospel_n which_o though_o very_o useful_a be_v far_o from_o be_v essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o those_o holy_a man_n who_o write_v on_o purpose_n to_o conserve_v chrictianity_n shall_v take_v so_o much_o care_n to_o write_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o necessary_a part_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n omit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v eusebius_n tell_v we_o of_o st._n mark_v in_o particular_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i.e._n he_o take_v great_a care_n of_o this_o more_o especial_o not_o to_o pretermit_v any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v even_o from_o st._n peter_n nor_o to_o affix_v any_o thing_n to_o they_o that_o be_v false_a and_o if_o he_o be_v so_o careful_a not_o to_o omit_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v sure_a he_o will_v be_v particular_o careful_a not_o to_o omit_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v necessary_a to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o men._n but_o what_o need_v we_o depend_v upon_o humane_a authority_n when_o as_o if_o we_o consult_v those_o sacred_a write_n themselves_o which_o so_o far_o as_o they_o go_v all_o christian_n allow_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o give_v this_o testimony_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o comprehend_v in_o they_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o eternal_a life_n 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use_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v a_o case_n so_o plain_a that_o they_o who_o of_o late_a age_n have_v think_v meet_a to_o repeal_v this_o allowance_n have_v never_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o probable_a colour_n of_o primitive_a authority_n to_o warrant_v their_o practice_n and_o though_o in_o other_o point_n they_o not_o only_o claim_v but_o ravish_v antiquity_n in_o despite_n of_o modesty_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n yet_o here_o they_o be_v so_o abandon_v of_o all_o pretence_n to_o it_o that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o produce_v so_o much_o as_o one_o passage_n of_o any_o primitive_a father_n that_o seem_v to_o discourage_v the_o people_n from_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o much_o less_o that_o forbid_v they_o so_o to_o do_v and_o it_o be_v notorious_a to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o in_o the_o primitive_a age_n when_o the_o latin_a be_v the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o roman_n the_o bible_n be_v translate_v into_o that_o language_n for_o the_o use_n 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reformation_n have_v prevail_v they_o be_v force_v against_o their_o own_o law_n more_o free_o to_o indulge_v the_o use_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o their_o people_n yet_o in_o those_o country_n where_o they_o be_v sole_a master_n this_o privilege_n be_v very_o rare_o grant_v and_o now_o be_v thus_o necessitate_v to_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o scripture_n lest_o they_o shall_v thereby_o discover_v their_o error_n and_o corruption_n it_o be_v necessary_a for_o they_o to_o invent_v some_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o justify_v a_o practice_n so_o contrary_a both_o to_o scripture_n and_o primitive_a antiquity_n and_o so_o enormous_o derogatory_n to_o the_o common_a right_n of_o christian_n and_o when_o it_o must_v be_v do_v it_o be_v a_o very_a hard_a case_n if_o man_n of_o wit_n and_o learning_n can_v find_v something_o to_o say_v for_o any_o thing_n now_o the_o two_o main_a pretence_n that_o be_v urge_v in_o this_o case_n be_v first_o that_o a_o general_a permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n second_o that_o it_o will_v prove_v a_o unavoidable_a occasion_n of_o great_a corruption_n in_o manner_n 1._o that_o a_o general_a permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n because_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o which_o the_o unlearned_a who_o be_v unqualify_v to_o understand_v they_o aright_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o wrest_v into_o a_o wrong_a sense_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o this_o reason_n hold_v as_o good_a against_o the_o writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o language_n that_o be_v vulgar_o know_v to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o the_o translate_n they_o now_o into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n for_o the_o hebrew_n in_o which_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o greek_a in_o which_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v then_o the_o most_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v the_o same_o hard_a thing_n then_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o now_o and_o the_o people_n be_v as_o unlearned_a then_o and_o as_o apt_a to_o wrest_v these_o hard_a scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n then_o as_o now_o yet_o god_n notwithstanding_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v and_o publish_v it_o in_o language_n that_o be_v most_o know_v to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o either_o we_o must_v say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o take_v that_o care_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v to_o prevent_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o that_o this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v debar_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o own_o vulgar_a language_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o 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this_o objection_n pretend_v it_o be_v doubtless_o very_o unadvised_o do_v of_o god_n to_o publish_v such_o a_o dangerous_a book_n to_o the_o world_n which_o those_o for_o who_o he_o publish_v and_o to_o who_o he_o direct_v it_o can_v familiar_o converse_v with_o without_o eminent_a peril_n of_o be_v infect_v with_o heresy_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v such_o a_o quarrelsome_a knife_n as_o these_o man_n say_v it_o be_v that_o the_o people_n can_v hardly_o touch_v it_o without_o cut_v their_o finger_n they_o be_v certain_o more_o behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o take_v it_o from_o they_o than_o they_o be_v to_o god_n for_o bestow_v it_o on_o they_o 3._o this_o objection_n make_v as_o much_o at_o least_o against_o the_o priest_n read_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o people_n for_o most_o of_o those_o heresy_n that_o have_v be_v broach_v to_o the_o people_n be_v first_o
the_o people_n mind_n and_o manner_n st._n paul_n tell_v we_o the_o quite_o contrary_a these_o thing_n be_v our_o example_n to_o the_o intent_n we_o shall_v not_o lust_n after_o evil_a thing_n as_o they_o i._n e._n the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n lust_v neither_o be_v you_o idolater_n as_o be_v some_o of_o they_o neither_o let_v we_o commit_v fornication_n as_o some_o of_o they_o commit_v and_o fall_v in_o one_o day_n three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o neither_o let_v we_o tempt_v christ_n as_o some_o of_o they_o also_o tempt_v and_o be_v destroy_v of_o serpent_n neither_o murmur_v you_o as_o some_o of_o they_o also_o murmur_v and_o be_v destroy_v of_o the_o destroyer_n now_o all_o these_o thing_n happen_v unto_o they_o for_o ensample_n and_o they_o be_v write_v for_o our_o admonition_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v 1_o cor._n 10._o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o whereas_o this_o objection_n urge_v that_o there_o be_v sundry_a passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o shall_v the_o people_n read_v will_v excite_v evil_a thought_n in_o their_o mind_n the_o same_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o scripture_n be_v profitable_a not_o only_o for_o doctrine_n and_o reproof_n but_o also_o for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 16._o whereas_o this_o objection_n pretend_v that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o unsafe_a for_o young_a people_n especial_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o scripture_n because_o there_o be_v several_a amorous_a story_n and_o passage_n in_o it_o which_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o suggest_v wanton_a thought_n to_o their_o gay_a and_o amorous_a fancy_n david_n it_o be_v plain_a be_v of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a mind_n for_o wherewith_o say_v he_o shall_v a_o young_a man_n cleanse_v his_o way_n by_o take_v heed_n thereto_o according_a to_o thy_o word_n psal._n 119._o 9_o than_o which_o two_o passage_n what_o assertion_n can_v be_v more_o contrary_a one_o to_o another_o 4._o and_o last_o that_o suppose_v this_o objection_n to_o be_v thus_o ●ar_v true_a that_o there_o be_v some_o passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o may_v sometime_o occasional_o excite_v bad_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o just_a reason_n why_o the_o use_v of_o scripture_n shall_v be_v forbid_v to_o the_o people_n for_o every_o thing_n which_o the_o people_n occasional_o make_v bad_a uses_n of_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n to_o be_v forbid_v to_o they_o even_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n ought_v to_o be_v forbid_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n see_v of_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o other_o many_o people_n do_v occasional_o make_v very_o bad_a uses_n so_o long_o as_o the_o scripture_n be_v good_a in_o itself_o and_o apt_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o instruct_v and_o edify_v those_o that_o read_v it_o this_o be_v sufficient_a not_o only_o to_o warrant_v the_o people_n use_n of_o it_o but_o to_o enjoin_v and_o require_v it_o and_o if_o it_o sometime_o occasion_n corrupt_a thought_n in_o corrupt_a mind_n this_o be_v no_o more_o a_o reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o light_n of_o it_o than_o some_o bad_a man_n make_v ill_a use_v of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v why_o the_o sun_n shall_v be_v extinguish_v or_o why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v for_o ever_o shut_v up_o from_o the_o light_n of_o it_o in_o dark_a and_o dismal_a dungeon_n but_o as_o for_o those_o very_a passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o do_v sometime_o occasion_v ill_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v it_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n that_o as_o they_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o natural_o apt_a to_o repress_v bad_a thought_n and_o to_o arm_n and_o fortify_v man_n mind_n against_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o bad_a example_n record_v in_o scripture_n be_v general_o deliver_v with_o infamous_a character_n severe_a prohibition_n and_o dreadful_a instance_n of_o god_n vengeance_n attend_v they_o which_o render_v they_o much_o more_o apt_a to_o repress_v than_o to_o excite_v evil_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n to_o quicken_v they_o to_o prayer_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o temptation_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o have_v be_v overcome_v by_o they_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o repentance_n or_o when_o they_o have_v overcome_v they_o to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o that_o prevent_n and_o assist_v grace_n of_o god_n by_o which_o they_o have_v be_v enable_v to_o resist_v and_o repel_v they_o these_o be_v the_o natural_a uses_n of_o those_o bad_a example_n record_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o instead_o of_o make_v these_o use_v of_o they_o some_o man_n pervert_v they_o to_o bad_a purpose_n that_o be_v their_o fault_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o bad_a example_n in_o scripture_n as_o they_o be_v there_o record_v be_v in_o themselves_o of_o excellent_a use_n to_o the_o people_n but_o shall_v man_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o every_o good_a thing_n they_o abuse_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o one_o good_a thing_n will_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o their_o enjoyment_n and_o now_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a the_o people_n right_a and_o obligation_n to_o use_v and_o search_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o answer_v the_o main_a objection_n against_o it_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o these_o two_o inference_n from_o the_o whole_a 1._o if_o the_o people_n be_v oblige_v to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o scripture_n than_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n those_o divine_a truth_n which_o it_o propose_v to_o their_o belief_n for_o to_o what_o other_o end_n shall_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o read_v and_o consult_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o only_o that_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o it_o what_o be_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o learn_v from_o scripture_n what_o god_n mind_n be_v if_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o he_o therein_o declare_v upon_o scripture_n authority_n if_o i_o must_v not_o believe_v when_o i_o read_v the_o scripture_n that_o this_o be_v god_n mind_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v so_o it_o be_v impossible_a i_o shall_v ever_o learn_v god_n mind_n by_o read_v it_o and_o consequent_o i_o be_o oblige_v to_o read_v it_o to_o no_o purpose_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v teach_v i_o what_o god_n mind_n be_v but_o that_o which_o give_v i_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o what_o it_o teach_v be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n when_o therefore_o i_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o find_v such_o a_o proposition_n plain_o assert_v in_o it_o be_v this_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n or_o no_o for_o i_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v than_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o my_o belief_n if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o the_o scripture_n can_v teach_v i_o what_o god_n mind_n be_v because_o it_o can_v give_v i_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v any_o one_o proposition_n in_o it_o to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o receive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o church_n who_o alone_o have_v authority_n to_o expound_v it_o to_o we_o and_o who_o exposition_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v infallible_a but_o if_o this_o be_v so_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v we_o read_v the_o scripture_n see_v the_o only_a end_n of_o reading_n be_v to_o learn_v the_o sense_n of_o what_o we_o read_v which_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n be_v not_o to_o be_v learn_v from_o scripture_n so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o wise_a end_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n but_o only_o to_o learn_v from_o it_o what_o it_o mean_v yet_o it_o seem_v for_o man_n to_o read_v it_o for_o this_o end_n be_v a_o perfect_a labour_n in_o vain_a see_v it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v to_o learn_v the_o mean_v of_o scripture_n for_o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n if_o these_o man_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o unsense_v character_n so_o they_o express_o term_v it_o but_o what_o do_v they_o mean_v by_o it_o be_v it_o that_o the_o scripture_n consist_v of_o a_o company_n of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n and_o word_n that_o carry_v with_o they_o no_o determinate_a sense_n that_o god_n almighty_n have_v write_v and_o publish_v a_o book_n to_o the_o world_n that_o mean_v nothing_o if_o so_o then_o when_o the_o church_n by_o its_o infallible_a authority_n pretend_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n her_o meaning_n be_v not_o to_o expound_v the_o