the_o scripture_n to_o this_o i_o may_v answer_v that_o there_o be_v several_a passage_n in_o the_o scripture_n itself_o which_o do_v give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o the_o whole_a law_n and_o will_n of_o god_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o man_n to_o know_v they_o be_v contain_v in_o those_o holy_a write_n as_o the_o protestant_a divine_n do_v sufficient_o make_v appear_v in_o the_o management_n of_o this_o controversy_n against_o the_o papist_n but_o wave_v this_o i_o think_v it_o be_v enough_o to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o indeed_o impossible_a in_o itself_o but_o that_o jesus_n may_v have_v make_v know_v other_o particular_n of_o doctrine_n and_o of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n beside_o what_o be_v consign_v to_o we_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o any_o man_n can_v effectual_o prove_v that_o any_o such_o doctrine_n or_o precept_n be_v deliver_v by_o he_o i_o think_v that_o whosoever_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o proof_n aught_o to_o believe_v that_o doctrine_n and_o obey_v that_o precept_n which_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o deliver_v but_o he_o that_o do_v his_o hearty_a and_o sincere_a endeavour_n to_o find_v out_o the_o doctrine_n and_o will_n of_o god_n deliver_v to_o man_n by_o jesus_n and_o be_v not_o able_a with_o all_o his_o diligence_n to_o discover_v any_o more_o of_o it_o than_o what_o be_v record_v in_o the_o scripture_n if_o he_o faithful_o keep_v and_o observe_v as_o much_o of_o it_o as_o he_o be_v able_a there_o to_o discover_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o god_n require_v no_o more_o from_o he_o §_o 14._o and_o therefore_o certain_o will_v not_o punish_v he_o for_o want_v of_o any_o thing_n far_o xxxiii_o second_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o in_o read_v these_o book_n there_o do_v appear_v to_o be_v some_o passage_n which_o be_v in_o themselves_o absurd_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o plain_n dictate_v of_o every_o man_n reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o some_o which_o be_v irreconcilable_a with_o one_o another_o now_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n be_v certain_o true_a must_v be_v allow_v because_o it_o be_v confirm_v by_o god_n that_o both_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n can_v be_v true_a be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o man_n and_o no_o man_n i_o think_v can_v own_o that_o for_o a_o truth_n which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o plain_n dictate_v of_o his_o reason_n and_o understanding_n which_o to_o every_o man_n be_v and_o must_v be_v the_o standard_n of_o all_o truth_n whatsoever_o for_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o any_o man_n receive_v and_o own_v any_o thing_n for_o a_o truth_n but_o only_o because_o he_o apprehend_v it_o to_o be_v conformable_a unto_o the_o plain_a and_o self-evident_a notion_n which_o be_v already_o plant_v in_o his_o mind_n here_o than_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v how_o it_o canbe_n possible_a that_o these_o scripture_n shall_v contain_v the_o true_a and_o uncorrupted_a doctrine_n and_o religion_n of_o jesus_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o i_o can_v find_v any_o appearance_n of_o a_o contradiction_n throughout_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o any_o point_n of_o doctrine_n or_o rule_n of_o manner_n but_o what_o be_v so_o easy_a and_o obvious_a to_o be_v reconcile_v that_o no_o man_n i_o think_v of_o candour_n and_o ingenuity_n but_o will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o object_v it_o second_o and_o as_o for_o those_o few_o seem_a discordance_n which_o do_v occur_v in_o the_o circumstance_n of_o some_o historical_a narration_n though_o i_o perhaps_o be_o not_o able_a to_o reconcile_v they_o yet_o it_o may_v be_v that_o the_o thing_n themselves_o may_v not_o be_v absolute_o irreconcilable_a but_o suppose_v they_o be_v yet_o it_o be_v no_o derogation_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n as_o to_o the_o main_a substance_n of_o it_o or_o of_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o some_o of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n have_v be_v mistake_v in_o the_o relation_n of_o some_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a circumstance_n there_o be_v several_a historian_n and_o chronicler_n which_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o life_n and_o reign_n of_o many_o of_o our_o king_n of_o england_n and_o although_o they_o differ_v in_o many_o circumstance_n of_o thing_n yet_o this_o be_v never_o make_v a_o argument_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o main_a history_n wherein_o they_o all_o agree_v and_o why_o may_v not_o the_o scripture-historian_n be_v as_o favourable_o censure_v as_o all_o other_o historian_n in_o the_o world_n be_v three_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o my_o reason_n and_o understanding_n which_o i_o can_v comprehend_v in_o my_o mind_n nor_o frame_v a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a notion_n of_o which_o yet_o i_o can_v say_v be_v contrary_a to_o my_o reason_n because_o though_o they_o be_v above_o my_o reach_n yet_o i_o do_v not_o find_v that_o they_o do_v contradict_v any_o of_o those_o plain_a and_o self-evident_a principle_n which_o be_v implant_v in_o my_o understanding_n for_o example_n i_o be_o not_o able_a distinct_o to_o apprehend_v how_o the_o small_a particle_n of_o matter_n which_o can_v be_v assign_v be_v yet_o in_o itself_o capable_a of_o be_v for_o ever_o divide_v so_o that_o no_o part_n of_o matter_n though_o ever_o so_o small_a can_v ever_o be_v so_o much_o as_o convince_v to_o be_v absolute_o invisible_a and_o yet_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v contrary_a to_o my_o reason_n that_o my_o reason_n itself_o do_v full_o satisfy_v i_o that_o the_o thing_n be_v so_o though_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o it_o the_o same_o thing_n also_o may_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o necessity_n of_o some_o thing_n be_v without_o any_o beginning_n of_o which_o see_v §_o 5_o 6._o now_o if_o i_o meet_v with_o any_o thing_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v thus_o above_o my_o reason_n but_o not_o contrary_a to_o it_o i_o can_v refuse_v my_o assent_n unto_o it_o i_o mean_v always_o upon_o a_o supposition_n that_o the_o word_n do_v appear_v evident_o to_o carry_v such_o a_o sense_n for_o i_o can_v conclude_v such_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v impossible_a because_o i_o do_v not_o find_v it_o contrary_n to_o my_o reason_n though_o above_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o my_o apprehension_n possible_a i_o must_v believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a when_o i_o find_v that_o god_n have_v declare_v it_o so_o to_o be_v other_o thing_n again_o there_o be_v which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a unto_o those_o self-evident_a notion_n and_o principle_n which_o my_o reason_n find_v to_o be_v connatural_a with_o itself_o for_o example_n that_o a_o part_n be_v equal_a to_o the_o whole_a and_o such_o like_a absurdity_n now_o if_o any_o such_o proposition_n as_o these_o which_o be_v contrary_a to_o my_o reason_n shall_v occur_v to_o i_o in_o scripture_n i_o can_v possible_o believe_v they_o to_o be_v true_a in_o a_o literal_a sense_n for_o that_o be_v to_o renounce_v the_o clear_a dictate_v of_o my_o reason_n and_o understanding_n upon_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o i_o believe_v or_o know_v be_v ultimate_o build_v and_o without_o which_o i_o can_v have_v no_o certainty_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o religion_n and_o therefore_o i_o must_v needs_o understand_v they_o to_o be_v mean_v figurative_o and_o that_o figure_n which_o best_o agree_v to_o such_o word_n according_a to_o the_o most_o common_a custom_n of_o speech_n and_o be_v most_o conformable_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o reason_n i_o think_v be_v always_o to_o be_v prefer_v i_o never_o read_v any_o book_n to_o my_o knowledge_n but_o in_o it_o i_o find_v many_o expression_n which_o take_v literal_o and_o strict_o be_v absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a but_o take_v figurative_o as_o it_o be_v evident_a they_o be_v intend_v do_v contain_v very_o good_a sense_n and_o mean_v since_o then_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v write_v in_o such_o word_n and_o expression_n as_o be_v common_o use_v among_o man_n in_o speak_v and_o write_v why_o shall_v we_o think_v that_o strange_a in_o they_o which_o be_v so_o usual_a in_o all_o other_o book_n xxxiv_o three_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o this_o doctrine_n which_o i_o have_v teach_v leave_v every_o man_n entire_o to_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o understanding_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n now_o since_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o notion_n and_o sentiment_n of_o different_a man_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o all_o man_n be_v leave_v whole_o to_o themselves_o there_o must_v necessary_o be_v great_a variety_n and_o even_o contrariety_n of_o opinion_n among_o they_o concern_v religion_n and_o if_o god_n require_v no_o more_o from_o every_o man_n but_o to_o do_v his_o best_a endeavour_n and_o to_o choose_v
because_o such_o action_n do_v tend_v to_o the_o general_a happiness_n of_o his_o creature_n who_o he_o love_v §_o 16._o and_o for_o the_o contrary_a reason_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o hate_v and_o abhor_v all_o action_n that_o be_v evil_a and_o this_o be_v what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o say_v that_o god_n be_v most_o holy_a 19_o all_o possible_a excellency_n or_o perfection_n that_o i_o can_v conceive_v be_v reducible_a unto_o these_o five_o head_n viz._n 1._o perfection_n of_o be_v which_o consist_v in_o perpetual_a duration_n without_o any_o decay_n or_o infirmity_n 2._o perfection_n of_o understanding_n which_o consist_v in_o such_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n as_o be_v free_a all_o mistake_n or_o ignorance_n 3._o perfection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o free_a liberty_n to_o choose_v or_o refuse_v without_o any_o constraint_n or_o fatal_a necessity_n 4._o perfection_n of_o power_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o ability_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n and_o 5._o moral_a perfection_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o inflexible_a resolution_n always_o to_o do_v and_o encourage_v that_o which_o be_v moral_o good_a and_o to_o avoid_v and_o discourage_v whatsoever_o be_v moral_o evil_a now_o since_o all_o these_o perfection_n be_v in_o god_n in_o the_o most_o absolute_a manner_n as_o i_o think_v i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n from_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n be_v most_o absolute_o perfect_a 20._o and_o since_o he_o who_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a can_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o nothing_o it_o must_v also_o follow_v that_o god_n be_v most_o perfect_o happy_a in_o himself_o 21._o as_o my_o reason_n do_v evident_o demonstrate_v unto_o i_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n so_o do_v it_o not_o in_o the_o least_o suggest_v to_o i_o any_o argument_n to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v any_o more_o but_o one_o god_n and_o it_o be_v absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o multiply_v being_n without_o any_o ground_n or_o reason_n for_o it_o 22._o that_o there_o be_v a_o real_a and_o not_o only_o a_o nominal_a distinction_n between_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o spirit_n that_o they_o be_v frequent_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o such_o term_n as_o we_o ordinary_o use_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o person_n although_o sometime_o this_o expression_n holy_a ghost_n or_o holy_a spirit_n may_v be_v put_v to_o signify_v not_o so_o much_o the_o person_n as_o the_o power_n effect_v or_o energy_n of_o god_n spirit_n that_o although_o the_o son_n be_v often_o speak_v of_o as_o real_o and_o true_o a_o man_n yet_o many_o thing_n be_v say_v of_o he_o which_o can_v agree_v to_o a_o mere_a man_n or_o to_o any_o create_v be_v whatsoever_o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n also_o speak_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o can_v be_v accommodate_v unto_o a_o creature_n moreover_o that_o the_o son_n derive_v his_o be_v from_o and_o always_o depend_v upon_o the_o father_n as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v from_o and_o upon_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v in_o my_o opinion_n be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o one_o who_o will_v but_o interpret_v the_o holy_a scripture_n according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a sense_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n thereof_o and_o not_o according_a to_o his_o own_o prejudices_fw-la or_o preconceive_a opinion_n and_o although_o the_o socinian_o do_v clear_o enough_o expound_v some_o of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o with_o more_o zeal_n than_o reason_n be_v sometime_o urge_v against_o they_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o principal_a passage_n which_o be_v allege_v to_o prove_v what_o i_o have_v now_o assert_v i_o think_v their_o interpretation_n of_o they_o not_o only_o to_o be_v harsh_a and_o strain_a which_o in_o a_o manner_n be_v acknowledge_v even_o by_o their_o own_o acute_a and_o brief_a historian_n in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o his_o second_o letter_n but_o also_o many_o time_n to_o be_v utter_o irreconcilable_a unto_o the_o word_n and_o context_n and_o now_o to_o explain_v those_o conception_n which_o arise_v in_o my_o mind_n upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o text_n here_o hint_v at_o as_o well_o as_o in_o a_o matter_n so_o abstruse_a and_o remote_a from_o my_o sense_n i_o be_o able_a since_o i_o can_v find_v a_o more_o proper_a term_n to_o express_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n by_o i_o call_v they_o three_o person_n and_o not_o know_v what_o other_o title_n to_o give_v a_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v no_o creature_n i_o call_v each_o person_n god_n but_o i_o give_v the_o title_n of_o god_n in_o a_o more_o emphatical_a manner_n unto_o the_o father_n than_o unto_o the_o son_n or_o holy_a ghost_n because_o the_o father_n depend_v on_o none_o but_o they_o do_v depend_v on_o he_o and_o since_o both_o my_o reason_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v teach_v i_o to_o own_o no_o more_o than_o one_o god_n i_o be_o of_o necessity_n compel_v to_o say_v that_o these_o three_o be_v so_o unite_v together_o though_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v above_o my_o understanding_n as_o to_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o although_o it_o argue_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o imperfection_n in_o humane_a speech_n that_o for_o want_v of_o other_o fit_a and_o proper_a term_n we_o be_v force_v to_o give_v the_o same_o appellation_n to_o each_o person_n single_o and_o to_o the_o three_o conjoint_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o imply_v any_o manner_n of_o contradiction_n as_o some_o do_v object_n because_o when_o we_o apply_v the_o word_n god_n to_o one_o single_a person_n it_o have_v not_o the_o same_o exact_a and_o adequate_a signification_n as_o when_o we_o ascribe_v it_o unto_o the_o three_o person_n conjoint_o for_o that_o will_v imply_v that_o each_o single_a person_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o three_o person_n and_o so_o confound_v that_o distinction_n which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v so_o often_o and_o apparent_o make_v between_o they_o and_o this_o analogical_a difference_n in_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n god_n will_v easy_o solve_v most_o of_o those_o objection_n which_o the_o socinian_o do_v bring_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o because_o i_o know_v no_o better_a word_n to_o express_v that_o unity_n which_o i_o apprehend_v to_o be_v between_o the_o three_o person_n i_o therefore_o say_v that_o they_o be_v one_o in_o essence_n or_o substance_n for_o unity_n of_o concord_n or_o consent_n alone_o do_v not_o seem_v enough_o to_o i_o to_o denominate_v they_o to_o be_v one_o god_n and_o because_o i_o find_v that_o the_o son_n be_v say_v to_o be_v beget_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o proceed_v or_o be_v send_v or_o emit_v i_o therefore_o make_v use_n of_o these_o term_n without_o pretend_v to_o assign_v the_o difference_n between_o generation_n and_o procession_n and_o although_o the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v each_o of_o they_o god_n be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n equal_a with_o the_o father_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o equality_n must_v be_v understand_v with_o a_o allowance_n for_o the_o absolute_a independence_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o he_o 23._o all_o the_o objection_n that_o i_o can_v remember_v to_o be_v make_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n thus_o state_v i_o think_v be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v solve_v by_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v except_v two_o which_o must_v be_v particular_o answer_v the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o joh._n 10._o 33._o etc._n etc._n but_o though_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o here_o assert_v his_o divinity_n when_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v occasion_n for_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o therefore_o he_o be_v not_o god_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o his_o custom_n to_o give_v full_a and_o complete_a answer_n unto_o such_o captious_a question_n and_o objection_n as_o be_v put_v to_o he_o but_o sometime_o he_o content_v himself_o only_o with_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o those_o who_o propose_v they_o of_o which_o we_o have_v one_o instance_n mat._n 21._o 23._o etc._n etc._n and_o another_o joh._n 8._o 3._o etc._n etc._n and_o as_o some_o think_v another_o mat._n 22._o 17._o etc._n etc._n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v no_o authority_n for_o what_o he_o do_v because_o he_o do_v not_o declare_v it_o when_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n question_v it_o mat._n 21._o 23._o as_o deny_v his_o divinity_n because_o he_o do_v not_o express_o maintain_v it_o when_o on_o that_o account_n he_o be_v charge_v with_o blasphemy_n the_o other_o objection_n be_v draw_v from_o mar._n 13._o
give_v to_o they_o or_o that_o such_o opposition_n may_v soon_o be_v suppress_v and_o overrule_v by_o the_o power_n and_o reputation_n of_o such_o prevail_a men._n from_o all_o which_o i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o though_o the_o general_a tradition_n or_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v a_o good_a help_n yet_o it_o may_v not_o always_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o entire_a and_o unaltered_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n xxiii_o other_o there_o be_v who_o tell_v i_o that_o to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a and_o entire_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n i_o must_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o be_v to_o say_v to_o the_o book_n common_o call_v the_o old_a and_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o because_o i_o look_v upon_o this_o to_o be_v the_o right_a way_n i_o shall_v brief_o and_o plain_o deliver_v my_o thought_n in_o relation_n to_o these_o book_n and_o first_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o it_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o greek_a toegue_n have_v be_v ever_o universal_o own_v by_o all_o christian_n as_o contain_v a_o true_a though_o some_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v a_o full_a account_v of_o the_o life_n and_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n be_v a_o thing_n so_o notorious_a and_o so_o universal_o acknowledge_v that_o i_o can_v find_v the_o least_o ground_n or_o reason_n to_o question_v it_o now_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n be_v so_o well_o know_v unto_o the_o first_o christian_n by_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o they_o be_v so_o ready_a upon_o all_o occasion_n to_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o ever_o they_o will_v so_o ready_o and_o universal_o receive_v and_o own_v such_o a_o book_n if_o it_o have_v contain_v any_o thing_n in_o it_o which_o be_v dissonant_n from_o that_o doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o be_v confess_v indeed_o that_o some_o of_o those_o book_n which_o make_v up_o the_o volume_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n that_o of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o of_o st._n peter_n that_o of_o st._n judas_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o st._n john_n and_o the_o revelation_n be_v not_o so_o soon_o and_o so_o universal_o receive_v throughout_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o book_n be_v the_o reason_n of_o which_o apparent_o be_v not_o that_o these_o book_n contain_v any_o thing_n in_o they_o contrary_a to_o what_o be_v deliver_v it_o the_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o he_o that_o read_v the_o whole_a will_v plain_o find_v that_o there_o be_v a_o very_a complete_a agreement_n between_o they_o the_o only_a seem_a discord_n of_o st._n paul_n justification_n by_o faith_n and_o st._n james_n justification_n by_o work_n be_v exact_o and_o full_o reconcile_v by_o consider_v that_o st._n paul_n mean_v no_o other_o faith_n but_o such_o as_o work_v by_o love_n gal._n 5._o 6._o and_o st._n james_n no_o other_o work_n but_o such_o as_o proceed_v from_o faith_n jam._n 2._o 22._o but_o because_o it_o be_v not_o at_o first_o universal_o know_v who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o which_o abundant_o show_v the_o care_n and_o caution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o not_o be_v hasty_a to_o receive_v and_o admit_v any_o book_n as_o authentic_a record_n of_o their_o doctrine_n without_o very_o good_a warrant_n for_o so_o do_v and_o therefore_o since_o these_o same_o book_n be_v in_o a_o very_a little_a time_n after_o receive_v and_o own_a to_o be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o can_v but_o from_o thence_o conclude_v that_o those_o church_n which_o at_o the_o first_o doubt_v concern_v those_o book_n do_v soon_o receive_v most_o full_a and_o ample_a satisfaction_n in_o that_o matter_n from_o those_o who_o have_v before_o receive_v they_o i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o it_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o primitive_a time_n in_o the_o greek_a tongue_n do_v contain_v a_o true_a account_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n xxiv_o that_o innumerable_a copy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v in_o a_o very_a little_a time_n disperse_v through_o all_o place_n where_o christianity_n be_v plant_v that_o it_o have_v heen_n at_o different_a time_n and_o in_o very_o distant_a place_n translate_v into_o all_o or_o almost_o all_o language_n and_o that_o copy_n both_o of_o the_o original_a and_o many_o of_o the_o several_a translation_n have_v be_v preserve_v with_o much_o care_n in_o a_o great_a many_o distant_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v allow_v by_o all_o and_o deny_v by_o none_o from_o whence_o i_o think_v we_o may_v gather_v first_o that_o where_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o greek_a copy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n do_v agree_v in_o the_o very_a same_o word_n there_o we_o have_v undoubted_o the_o true_a and_o authentic_a word_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o although_o some_o mistake_v might_n creep_v into_o some_o copy_n either_o through_o the_o wickedness_n or_o negligence_n of_o some_o particular_a man_n yet_o where_o so_o many_o copy_n of_o a_o book_n have_v be_v so_o careful_o preserve_v and_o in_o such_o distant_a part_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o the_o selfsame_a error_n in_o any_o expression_n shall_v ever_o be_v propagate_v through_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o second_o that_o where_o the_o word_n or_o expression_n of_o divers_a greek_a copy_n do_v differ_v one_o from_o another_o yet_o if_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v be_v exact_o the_o same_o in_o all_o or_o almost_o all_o there_o we_o have_v certain_o the_o true_a sense_n and_o mean_v of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o apprehend_v that_o a_o transcriber_n may_v by_o a_o small_a mistake_n put_v one_o word_n or_o expression_n of_o the_o same_o signification_n in_o stead_n of_o another_o but_o that_o the_o same_o sense_n shall_v be_v punctual_o preserve_v in_o all_o or_o almost_o all_o copies_n be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v except_o it_o be_v the_o true_a sense_n deliver_v from_o the_o beginning_n three_o that_o if_o there_o may_v be_v find_v any_o different_a readins_n in_o divers_a copy_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o disagree_v in_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o in_o word_n which_o scarce_o ever_o happen_v in_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v account_v a_o material_a point_n of_o religion_n than_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v most_o fit_a and_o proper_a to_o admit_v of_o that_o read_n and_o sense_n which_o best_o agree_v with_o the_o tenor_n of_o the_o whole_a with_o the_o ancient_a and_o best_a esteem_a translation_n and_o with_o the_o evident_a principle_n of_o sound_a reason_n and_o if_o any_o place_n be_v so_o obscure_a as_o that_o none_o of_o these_o way_n will_v afford_v any_o light_n into_o its_o mean_v than_o i_o think_v that_o no_o stress_n ought_v to_o be_v lay_v upon_o it_o in_o any_o necessary_a part_n of_o religion_n xxv_o but_o some_o will_v demand_v how_o be_v we_o sure_a of_o the_o sense_n and_o mean_v even_o of_o those_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n about_o the_o word_n in_o answar_n to_o this_o i_o have_v already_o show_v §_o 21._o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v the_o guidance_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n to_o know_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n nor_o therefore_o consequent_o to_o know_v the_o true_a mean_v of_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o which_o his_o doctrine_n be_v own_v to_o be_v contain_v i_o have_v show_v also_o §_o 22._o that_o though_o general_a tradition_n may_v be_v a_o good_a help_n yet_o may_v it_o not_o always_o be_v a_o certain_a rule_n to_o lead_v one_o to_o the_o unaltered_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n nor_o therefore_o consequent_o to_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a interpretation_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n since_o therefore_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v find_v i_o conclude_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v interpret_v the_o same_o way_n that_o other_o book_n be_v that_o be_v by_o consider_v the_o sense_n and_o property_n of_o the_o word_n and_o sentence_n and_o the_o ordinary_a figure_n of_o speech_n as_o they_o be_v common_o use_v in_o the_o same_o book_n and_o in_o other_o write_v in_o the_o same_o language_n and_o about_o the_o same_o time_n together_o with_o the_o scope_n drift_n coherence_n and_o occasion_n of_o the_o discourse_n to_o which_o end_n every_o man_n that_o be_v learned_a be_v bind_v to_o use_v his_o best_a endeavour_n to_o know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o i_o have_v show_v §_o 14._o be_v oblige_v according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o learning_n to_o consult_v
that_o way_n which_o he_o think_v to_o be_v the_o true_a from_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o two_o man_n who_o be_v contrary_a one_o to_o another_o in_o the_o point_n of_o religion_n may_v yet_o both_o be_v in_o the_o right_a way_n to_o heaven_n and_o a_o turk_n or_o a_o heathen_a may_v be_v save_v as_o well_o as_o a_o christian_a if_o they_o be_v but_o strong_o persuade_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n i_o answer_v first_o that_o if_o the_o objection_n mean_v that_o i_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o understanding_n without_o any_o other_o help_n to_o find_v out_o the_o trut_fw-mi of_o religion_n it_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o i_o have_v assert_v that_o every_o man_n according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o learning_n aught_o to_o make_v use_n of_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o help_v he_o can_v to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n see_v §_o 14._o and_o §_o 25._o but_o if_o the_o mean_v be_v that_o i_o leave_v every_o man_n to_o choose_v that_o religion_n which_o after_o a_o serious_a enquiry_n appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v the_o best_a which_o be_v all_o that_o i_o contend_v for_o in_o this_o i_o say_v no_o more_o than_o what_o all_o man_n must_v and_o do_v say_v as_o well_o as_o i._o for_o either_o a_o man_n must_v never_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o religion_n at_o all_o and_o then_o he_o choose_v his_o religion_n by_o mere_a chance_n and_o since_o there_o be_v many_o false_a religion_n and_o but_o one_o true_a it_o be_v great_a odds_o but_o he_o light_v upon_o a_o wrong_a one_o or_o if_o he_o do_v inquire_v either_o he_o must_v choose_v that_o which_o he_o think_v not_o to_o be_v the_o best_a and_o then_o he_o act_v against_o his_o conscience_n or_o that_o which_o he_o think_v be_v the_o best_a which_o be_v what_o i_o assert_v and_o what_o every_o man_n of_o sense_n profess_v himself_o to_o do_v second_o as_o there_o be_v many_o difference_n in_o the_o notion_n and_o sentiment_n of_o man_n concern_v those_o thing_n which_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n abstruse_a and_o obscure_a so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n so_o apparent_a and_o evident_a that_o man_n who_o be_v sincere_a and_o unbiased_a if_o they_o have_v but_o common_a sense_n can_v never_o differ_v about_o they_o among_o which_o i_o think_v i_o may_v reckon_v all_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n require_v of_o necessity_n to_o any_o man_n salvaton_n §_o 3._o and_o whereas_o the_o world_n have_v for_o these_o many_o year_n find_v that_o compel_a man_n to_o this_o or_o that_o religion_n contrary_a to_o their_o own_o sentiment_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o beget_v unity_n of_o any_o sort_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o have_v even_o distract_v mankind_n not_o only_o with_o variety_n of_o opinion_n each_o party_n take_v a_o delight_n to_o thwart_v other_o but_o also_o with_o war_n and_o confusion_n if_o every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o himself_o to_o follow_v what_o religion_n he_o please_v as_o he_o shall_v answer_v to_o god_n for_o his_o sincerity_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o most_o man_n have_v no_o worldly_a interest_n to_o serve_v by_o this_o or_o that_o religion_n will_v in_o time_n be_v bring_v to_o agree_v in_o all_o the_o great_a and_o necessary_a truth_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v plain_a and_o evident_a to_o every_o sober_a and_o inquisitive_a person_n and_o as_o for_o thing_n not_o absolute_o necessary_a and_o of_o a_o inferior_a sort_n as_o i_o have_v say_v §_o 26._o if_o man_n will_v be_v but_o peaceable_a their_o mistake_v and_o consequent_o their_o difference_n about_o they_o can_v do_v no_o great_a harm_n but_o if_o man_n will_v still_o differ_v even_o about_o the_o essential_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o religion_n i_o know_v no_o remedy_n for_o it_o upon_o earth_n but_o must_v refer_v the_o matter_n whole_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n in_o heaven_n three_o i_o do_v not_o maintain_v that_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o error_n that_o be_v a_o turk_n or_o a_o heathen_a whatsoever_o the_o strength_n and_o sincerity_n of_o his_o persuasion_n may_v be_v be_v in_o as_o sure_a a_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o salvation_n as_o he_o who_o be_v a_o orthodox-man_n and_o a_o christian_n how_o god_n will_v deal_v with_o those_o that_o be_v mistake_v and_o can_v help_v it_o i_o do_v not_o determine_v all_o that_o i_o will_v insinuate_v §_o 14._o be_v that_o he_o will_v not_o punish_v any_o man_n for_o any_o error_n or_o mistake_v which_o he_o fall_v into_o through_o a_o pure_a desect_v of_o his_o understanding_n and_o not_o through_o any_o fault_n or_o neglect_v of_o his_o will._n but_o how_o far_o he_o will_v reward_v such_o a_o person_n for_o his_o good_a mean_v be_v more_o than_o i_o can_v tell_v xxxv_o four_o it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o this_o doctrine_n do_v in_o effect_n undermine_v and_o enervate_v the_o force_n and_o power_n of_o all_o civil_a government_n by_o open_v a_o way_n for_o all_o malefactor_n to_o escape_v punishment_n how_o great_a soever_o their_o crime_n may_v be_v if_o such_o a_o person_n shall_v plead_v thus_o for_o himself_o that_o he_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o his_o mind_n and_o conscience_n that_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v commit_v such_o a_o th_a or_o murder_n of_o which_o he_o be_v accuse_v and_o that_o therefore_o according_a to_o this_o doctrine_n it_o be_v his_o duty_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n to_o act_v according_a to_o this_o persuasion_n the_o magistrate_n who_o know_v not_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n can_v never_o be_v able_a certain_o to_o discover_v but_o that_o this_o be_v a_o real_a truth_n that_o he_o be_v so_o persuade_v and_o if_o every_o man_n in_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n be_v bind_v to_o act_v according_a to_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o persuasion_n of_o thing_n with_o what_o conscience_n can_v a_o magistrate_n punish_v such_o a_o person_n for_o that_o fact_n which_o for_o aught_o he_o know_v it_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o commit_v i_o will_v not_o say_v but_o that_o it_o may_v so_o fall_v out_o that_o a_o man_n may_v think_v it_o to_o be_v his_o duty_n to_o commit_v the_o most_o horrid_a villainy_n since_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o assure_v his_o disciple_n that_o the_o time_n will_v come_v that_o whoso_o kill_v they_o will_v think_v he_o do_v god_n service_n joh._n 16._o 2._o and_o how_o far_o god_n almighty_a will_v be_v merciful_a unto_o such_o person_n who_o commit_v such_o fact_n out_o of_o pure_a ignorance_n and_o not_o out_o of_o malice_n i_o have_v rather_o st._n paul_n shall_v determine_v than_o i._o see_v 1_o tim._n 1._o 13._o but_o to_o the_o objection_n i_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n as_o well_o as_o other_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o clear_a conviction_n and_o strong_a persuasion_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n if_o therefore_o upon_o the_o examination_n of_o all_o circumstance_n he_o be_v well_o satisfy_v and_o real_o believe_v that_o such_o a_o plea_n from_o a_o malefactor_n be_v no_o real_a truth_n but_o only_o a_o mese_n trick_n and_o pretence_n in_o hope_n to_o escape_v punishment_n he_o ought_v to_o take_v no_o notice_n of_o it_o but_o to_o pronounce_v his_o sentence_n according_a to_o the_o law_n but_o that_o which_o come_v up_o close_o to_o the_o objection_n and_o which_o i_o think_v be_v the_o full_a and_o true_a answer_n be_v this_o viz._n that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v to_o inquire_v or_o regard_v how_o the_o matter_n stand_v between_o god_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o transgressor_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o land_n so_o as_o to_o be_v thereby_o any_o way_n influence_v in_o the_o pass_v his_o judgement_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o he_o if_o he_o be_v well_o and_o thorough_o convince_v that_o the_o law_n by_o which_o he_o act_n be_v no_o way_n contrary_a to_o the_o know_a law_n of_o god_n there_o be_v many_o case_n wherein_o a_o man_n offend_v high_o against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o which_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v no_o power_n to_o inflict_v any_o punishment_n on_o the_o offender_n because_o the_o fault_n which_o he_o may_v have_v commit_v do_v not_o it_o may_v be_v any_o way_n tend_v to_o the_o damage_n or_o disturbance_n of_o the_o civil_a society_n which_o and_o which_o only_o be_v commit_v to_o the_o care_n of_o the_o magistrate_n such_o for_o example_n be_v many_o act_n of_o covetousness_n or_o of_o prodigality_n and_o other_o sin_n against_o which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o provide_v by_o any_o humane_a law_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n there_o be_v some_o case_n wherein_o a_o man_n may_v stand_v absolve_v before_o the_o