of_o the_o like_a blessing_n and_o although_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o only_o to_o read_v the_o book_n or_o word_n of_o god_n but_o that_o there_o be_v more_o require_v at_o our_o hand_n even_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o to_o frame_v our_o life_n according_a to_o the_o prescript_n form_n and_o rule_n thereof_o yet_o shall_v we_o find_v by_o god_n blessing_n that_o the_o frequent_a and_o diligent_a read_n thereof_o shall_v be_v in_o good_a time_n the_o beginning_n of_o better_a thing_n unto_o us._n a_o small_a wedge_n though_o it_o can_v cleave_v great_a log_n and_o such_o as_o be_v hard_a and_o knotty_a yet_o may_v it_o and_o do_v it_o often_o serve_v to_o make_v way_n for_o great_a and_o strong_a wedge_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v cleave_v so_o your_o often_o read_v of_o the_o word_n only_o may_v make_v way_n in_o you_o to_o some_o great_a &_o more_o powerful_a operation_n of_o god_n spirit_n by_o which_o your_o knotty_a and_o hard_a heart_n may_v be_v cleave_v asunder_o and_o so_o 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christ_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n by_o his_o death_n and_o passion_n which_o be_v indeed_o a_o mystery_n which_o no_o eye_n but_o the_o eye_n of_o faith_n can_v pierce_v and_o look_v into_o and_o from_o hence_o we_o may_v learn_v this_o point_n of_o christian_a wisdom_n not_o to_o neglect_v or_o careless_o to_o pass_v by_o those_o part_n and_o passage_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o when_o we_o read_v we_o do_v not_o understand_v as_o if_o they_o either_o appertain_v not_o unto_o we_o or_o it_o concern_v we_o not_o at_o all_o to_o search_v out_o the_o sense_n and_o meaning_n thereof_o whereas_o by_o often_o read_v searious_a meditate_v and_o frequent_a and_o devout_a pray_v we_o may_v many_o time_n with_o comfort_n understand_v the_o same_o chrysostome_n upon_o the_o 16._o of_o luke_n have_v this_o say_n etiamsi_fw-la non_fw-la intelligas_fw-la illic_fw-la recondita_fw-la etc._n etc._n although_o thou_o understand_v not_o the_o mystery_n that_o be_v hide_v in_o the_o 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sore_n and_o fault_n of_o other_o and_o yet_o that_o woe_n which_o the_o prophet_n esay_n denounce_v against_o they_o that_o call_v good_a evil_n and_o evil_a good_a make_v i_o afraid_a to_o acquire_v offender_n and_o make_v i_o also_o bold_a to_o call_v error_n by_o it_o own_o name_n and_o to_o tell_v they_o plain_o which_o miss_v the_o right_a path_n that_o they_o be_v out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o be_v deceive_v let_v not_o my_o meaning_n be_v misconstrue_v neither_o let_v that_o which_o be_v well_o mean_v be_v ill_o take_v the_o testimony_n of_o my_o own_o conscience_n shall_v sufficient_o witness_v to_o myself_o my_o good_a meaning_n and_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n shall_v hold_v you_o from_o misconceive_a or_o misreport_v of_o that_o which_o shall_v be_v by_o
i_o true_o and_o charitable_o deliver_v there_o be_v utter_o a_o fault_n among_o we_o to_o wit_n the_o great_a neglect_n of_o read_v the_o word_n of_o god_n both_o private_o in_o house_n and_o public_o also_o in_o the_o church_n and_o congregation_n the_o matter_n be_v not_o so_o great_a and_o the_o fault_n be_v less_o if_o it_o be_v only_o to_o be_v find_v in_o private_a house_n and_o have_v not_o also_o set_v foot_n within_o the_o sanctuary_n and_o pity_v it_o be_v that_o layman_n only_o be_v not_o herein_o faulty_a but_o some_o of_o they_o also_o who_o be_v pastor_n and_o minister_n of_o god_n church_n it_o be_v the_o custom_n and_o practice_n of_o many_o minister_n who_o be_v otherwise_o some_o of_o they_o zealous_a &_o good_a man_n in_o the_o time_n appoint_v to_o divine_a service_n in_o the_o church_n and_o public_a congregation_n to_o curtail_v and_o shorten_v and_o sometime_o to_o omit_v the_o read_n of_o such_o part_n and_o portion_n of_o holy_a scripture_n as_o be_v appoint_v 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congregation_n in_o pray_v which_o both_o in_o nature_n in_o time_n and_o in_o order_n shall_v go_v before_o preach_v and_o as_o for_o hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v the_o chapter_n the_o first_o and_o second_o lesson_n the_o epistle_n and_o gospel_n they_o think_v that_o a_o matter_n not_o only_o needless_a but_o some_o see_v it_o so_o omit_v by_o their_o own_o and_o other_o pastor_n hold_v it_o to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o needless_a formality_n and_o some_o of_o superstition_n i_o be_o no_o patron_n of_o a_o unlearned_a ministry_n neither_o come_v i_o hither_o to_o plead_v the_o cause_n of_o such_o as_o be_v ignorant_a and_o only_o read_v minister_n if_o the_o land_n can_v be_v without_o they_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n if_o there_o be_v none_o of_o they_o but_o as_o i_o bless_v god_n for_o those_o place_n which_o be_v already_o furnish_v so_o do_v i_o with_o my_o soul_n wish_v to_o all_o place_n &_o parish_n that_o want_v they_o such_o pastor_n and_o minister_n as_o know_v how_o to_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o god_n aright_o to_o break_v the_o child_n bread_n &_o to_o give_v to_o every_o of_o they_o his_o portion_n in_o due_a season_n i_o be_o no_o enemy_n to_o preach_v which_o i_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v the_o ordinary_a and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n of_o man_n salvation_n i_o envy_v not_o to_o the_o people_n of_o god_n the_o bless_a benefit_n and_o fruit_n of_o preach_v but_o yet_o withal_o and_o together_o with_o preach_v i_o wish_v also_o that_o public_a pray_v and_o frequent_a read_n of_o god_n word_n be_v more_o use_v than_o they_o be_v for_o although_o preach_v be_v a_o more_o excellent_a way_n to_o win_v soul_n to_o god_n and_o although_o the_o word_n preach_v be_v incomparable_o a_o more_o effectual_a and_o powerful_a mean_n for_o our_o new_a birth_n &_o conversion_n to_o god_n than_o it_o be_v when_o it_o be_v only_o read_v and_o not_o open_v and_o expound_v unto_o we_o yet_o have_v the_o bare_a read_n and_o hear_v thereof_o when_o it_o be_v read_v many_o excellent_a use_n and_o do_v many_o time_n leave_v a_o blessing_n behind_o it_o we_o must_v so_o prefer_v or_o commend_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o word_n before_o the_o bare_a read_v thereof_o that_o we_o do_v not_o disgrace_v the_o one_o in_o commend_v the_o other_o we_o prefer_v preach_v before_o read_v not_o as_o if_o we_o prefer_v a_o good_a thing_n before_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a but_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v more_o good_a to_o a_o good_a thing_n that_o be_v less_o good_a for_o both_o of_o they_o be_v good_a they_o be_v therefore_o too_o blame_v that_o in_o praise_v the_o one_o labour_v to_o disparage_v the_o other_o for_o by_o both_o of_o they_o the_o soul_n may_v be_v edify_v faith_n come_v by_o hear_v hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o whether_o it_o be_v read_v or_o preach_v never_o work_v in_o vain_a but_o like_o fire_n take_v hold_v of_o all_o matter_n which_o be_v apt_a to_o nourish_v it_o &_o to_o be_v inflame_v by_o it_o christ_n command_v we_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n not_o because_o they_o stand_v upon_o the_o preacher_n authority_n or_o warrant_v but_o for_o that_o themselves_o in_o their_o own_o heavenly_a strength_n bear_v witness_n and_o have_v a_o clear_a and_o powerful_a record_n of_o he_o and_o that_o testimony_n of_o david_n in_o the_o 119._o psalm_n thy_o word_n o_o lord_n be_v a_o lantern_n to_o my_o foot_n and_o a_o light_n to_o my_o step_n be_v not_o to_o be_v limit_v and_o restrain_v only_o to_o the_o word_n when_o it_o be_v preach_v and_o expound_v but_o be_v verify_v also_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o general_a and_o therefore_o of_o it_o also_o even_o then_o when_o it_o be_v but_o read_v by_o we_o or_o unto_o us._n it_o be_v with_o the_o scripture_n as_o with_o sweet_a spice_n they_o smell_v most_o sweet_o when_o they_o be_v beat_v or_o grate_v or_o pound_v in_o a_o mortar_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o void_a of_o all_o sweetness_n when_o they_o be_v but_o gentle_o rub_v and_o bruise_v or_o handle_v 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part_n of_o that_o prophecy_n and_o so_o his_o bare_a or_o only_o read_v thereof_o be_v not_o in_o vain_a or_o unprofitable_a unto_o he_o and_o far_o i_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v great_a difference_n between_o such_o as_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o christ_n of_o faith_n or_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n such_o as_o be_v heathen_a people_n &_o infidel_n who_o indeed_o without_o a_o interpreter_n can_v much_o profit_n by_o read_v and_o between_o such_o who_o be_v bear_v of_o christian_a parent_n have_v as_o it_o be_v suck_v religion_n with_o the_o milk_n of_o their_o mother_n and_o therefore_o by_o continual_a exhortation_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o by_o their_o good_a example_n by_o be_v catechise_v in_o the_o principle_n of_o christian_a religion_n and_o in_o some_o sort_n instruct_v even_o of_o child_n as_o they_o be_v among_o we_o god_n name_v be_v therefore_o glorify_v i_o say_v between_o infidel_n and_o heathen_a people_n and_o we_o the_o case_n be_v diverse_a for_o we_o 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the_o help_n and_o ministry_n of_o man_n than_o of_o angel_n of_o his_o disciple_n and_o apostle_n than_o of_o those_o holy_a and_o bless_a spirit_n paul_n be_v convert_v not_o by_o the_o instruction_n and_o ministry_n of_o a_o angel_n but_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o ananias_n cornelius_n be_v win_v to_o the_o faith_n not_o by_o a_o angel_n but_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o peter_n the_o whole_a world_n afterward_o be_v bring_v to_o believe_v in_o christ_n not_o by_o angel_n but_o by_o man_n and_o here_o this_o noble_a eunuch_n be_v convert_v not_o by_o the_o angel_n but_o by_o the_o preach_n of_o philip._n philip_n open_v his_o mouth_n etc._n etc._n a_o reason_n whereof_o may_v be_v this_o as_o our_o redemption_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v and_o be_v perform_v only_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o not_o of_o angel_n no_o more_o be_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o say_a redemption_n to_o be_v declare_v by_o a_o angel_n or_o any_o other_o creature_n save_v only_o by_o man_n and_o this_o reason_n the_o apostle_n seem_v to_o use_v 2_o cor._n 5.18_o when_o he_o say_v all_o thing_n be_v of_o god_n which_o have_v reconcile_v we_o unto_o himself_o by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o have_v give_v unto_o we_o the_o ministry_n of_o reconciliation_n from_o hence_o we_o may_v &_o must_v learn_v this_o lesson_n see_v it_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a duty_n of_o the_o minister_n to_o expound_v scripture_n that_o although_o it_o be_v most_o true_a that_o god_n who_o be_v almighty_a and_o therefore_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o that_o in_o such_o sort_n and_o after_o such_o manner_n as_o he_o list_v either_o by_o order_n or_o by_o miracle_n by_o mean_n or_o without_o mean_n yet_o in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o conversion_n &_o the_o work_n of_o our_o regeneration_n we_o must_v not_o expect_v when_o god_n will_v send_v a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n to_o instruct_v we_o or_o when_o he_o will_v immediate_o and_o miraculous_o call_v we_o and_o work_v our_o conversion_n unto_o he_o but_o must_v content_v ourselves_o &_o make_v our_o best_a use_n of_o those_o mean_n which_o god_n in_o mercy_n offer_v we_o by_o the_o ministry_n and_o preach_v of_o such_o as_o he_o have_v by_o his_o own_o dispensation_n &_o holy_a designment_n appoint_v to_o wait_v upon_o his_o altar_n to_o attend_v his_o service_n and_o by_o preach_v of_o his_o word_n to_o beget_v son_n and_o daughter_n unto_o he_o and_o therefore_o if_o we_o desire_v either_o to_o know_v or_o to_o believe_v in_o god_n we_o must_v attain_v to_o that_o knowledge_n and_o to_o that_o faith_n by_o the_o only_a effectual_a mean_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o ministry_n and_o help_n of_o such_o man_n as_o god_n have_v set_v apart_o for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o for_o the_o gather_v together_o of_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v the_o institution_n and_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n himself_o for_o this_o be_v god_n own_o appointment_n and_o his_o own_o holy_a ordinance_n that_o as_o child_n shall_v expect_v &_o receive_v from_o their_o corporal_a parent_n and_o father_n of_o their_o body_n such_o corporal_a food_n as_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o nourishment_n of_o their_o body_n so_o they_o shall_v likewise_o expect_v and_o receive_v from_o their_o pastor_n and_o spiritual_a father_n such_o as_o be_v appoint_v by_o god_n to_o beget_v they_o in_o christ_n through_o the_o gospel_n such_o spiritual_a food_n of_o knowledge_n &_o instruction_n as_o be_v needful_a for_o the_o spiritual_a nourishment_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o conscience_n and_o this_o be_v the_o manner_n and_o custom_n in_o former_a and_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o go_v to_o the_o prophet_n and_o man_n of_o god_n for_o resolution_n of_o their_o doubt_n and_o for_o comfort_n in_o their_o heaviness_n for_o resolution_n in_o their_o doubt_n the_o priest_n lip_n shall_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o they_o shall_v seek_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n mala._n 2.7_o so_o do_v the_o eunuch_n in_o this_o place_n desire_v philip_n that_o he_o will_v tell_v he_o the_o meaning_n of_o these_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o without_o a_o interpreter_n or_o a_o guide_n he_o acknowledge_v that_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v for_o comfort_v in_o their_o heaviness_n one_o example_n for_o many_o the_o shunamite_n travel_v to_o mount_n carmell_n to_o elisha_n the_o prophet_n when_o her_o soul_n be_v full_a of_o heaviness_n for_o the_o death_n of_o her_o only_a son_n and_o she_o be_v comfort_v 4._o king_n 4._o the_o reason_n why_o both_o in_o former_a and_o late_a time_n and_o indeed_o why_o in_o all_o time_n man_n and_o woman_n shall_v repair_v to_o the_o prophet_n &_o minister_n of_o god_n both_o for_o the_o resolution_n of_o their_o doubt_n and_o for_o comfort_n in_o their_o heaviness_n be_v
unto_o we_o silly_a creature_n on_o the_o earth_n and_o how_o powerful_o do_v thou_o school_v we_o and_o teach_v we_o by_o thy_o example_n to_o go_v up_o to_o jerusalem_n to_o worship_n god_n to_o read_v not_o esay_n the_o prophet_n only_o but_o even_o the_o whole_a book_n of_o god_n that_o so_o use_v those_o and_o all_o such_o other_o gracious_a mean_n which_o god_n offer_v unto_o we_o for_o the_o illumination_n of_o our_o dark_a heart_n by_o faith_n as_o thou_o here_o do_v we_o may_v also_o with_o thou_o in_o time_n be_v enrich_v with_o that_o precious_a and_o inestimable_a treasure_n of_o a_o true_a faith_n that_o so_o as_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n witness_v of_o thou_o that_o thou_o do_v believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n so_o the_o same_o spirit_n may_v bear_v witness_n to_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o also_o believe_v but_o herein_o especial_o do_v he_o school_v we_o and_o in_o school_a we_o reprove_v we_o and_o in_o reprove_v we_o shame_n us._n for_o first_o if_o he_o that_o have_v so_o few_o mean_n to_o lead_v he_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n do_v yet_o notwithstanding_o out-go_v we_o in_o his_o service_n and_o worship_n who_o do_v abound_v with_o all_o gracious_a and_o needful_a help_n that_o may_v lead_v we_o thereunto_o how_o can_v it_o but_o be_v a_o shame_n unto_o we_o second_o if_o he_o that_o dwell_v so_o far_o off_o as_o aethiopia_n be_v from_o jerusalem_n refuse_v not_o to_o undertake_v so_o long_o &_o so_o tedious_a a_o journey_n to_o travel_v thither_o there_o to_o worship_n god_n how_o can_v it_o choose_v but_o be_v a_o shame_n to_o we_o who_o will_v many_o of_o we_o scarce_o go_v out_o of_o door_n or_o wet_v our_o foot_n in_o travel_v to_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o hear_v his_o word_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o in_o his_o holy_a temple_n three_o if_o he_o at_o one_o only_a sermon_n of_o philip_n be_v bring_v to_o know_v and_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n what_o a_o shame_n be_v it_o 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powerful_a grace_n of_o god_n spirit_n yet_o be_v they_o such_o as_o may_v in_o some_o degree_n of_o proportion_n serve_v to_o beget_v faith_n now_o as_o in_o former_a time_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o this_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o profit_n in_o faith_n &_o godliness_n by_o our_o labour_n the_o cause_n why_o we_o can_v write_v upon_o the_o water_n be_v not_o the_o want_n of_o skill_n nor_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o pen_n but_o the_o unfitnesse_n and_o indisposition_n of_o the_o water_n so_o the_o reason_n why_o god_n spirit_n prevail_v not_o in_o we_o be_v neither_o any_o default_n in_o god_n or_o defect_n in_o his_o spirit_n or_o weakness_n in_o his_o word_n or_o disability_n in_o his_o minister_n but_o only_o in_o man_n and_o woman_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o dispose_v &_o fit_v to_o receive_v such_o stamp_n and_o impression_n as_o they_o all_o will_v otherwise_o imprint_v and_o leave_v in_o they_o for_o sure_o be_v man_n so_o willing_a &_o so_o prepare_v as_o this_o noble_a eunuch_n be_v to_o entertain_v the_o lord_n jesus_n in_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o receive_v he_o into_o their_o soul_n by_o faith_n when_o we_o preach_v he_o unto_o they_o than_o will_v our_o preach_n bring_v forth_o in_o they_o the_o like_a precious_a effect_n and_o many_o more_o of_o they_o than_o now_o do_v will_v by_o our_o preach_n of_o jesus_n unto_o they_o be_v bring_v with_o this_o eunuch_n to_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o to_o be_v his_o servant_n but_o alas_o the_o more_o be_v the_o pity_n many_o of_o we_o may_v true_o say_v with_o peter_n we_o have_v launch_v out_o into_o the_o deep_a and_o have_v let_v fall_v our_o net_n to_o make_v a_o draught_n we_o have_v travel_v all_o the_o night_n and_o labour_v hard_o and_o yet_o have_v take_v nothing_o many_o of_o we_o like_o candle_n do_v waste_n and_o consume_v ourselves_o by_o study_v and_o preach_v to_o give_v you_o light_n and_o yet_o many_o of_o you_o for_o all_o that_o do_v still_o continue_v and_o remain_v in_o darkness_n many_o of_o we_o like_o busy_a silk_n worm_n weave_v out_o our_o own_o bowel_n as_o they_o do_v in_o make_v of_o silk_n that_o you_o may_v be_v clothe_v in_o silk_n and_o apparel_v with_o the_o precious_a robe_n of_o christ_n righteousness_n and_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o many_o of_o you_o choose_v rather_o to_o be_v clothe_v with_o your_o own_o rag_n &_o with_o the_o garment_n which_o be_v spot_v with_o sin_n and_o stain_a and_o defile_v with_o iniquity_n what_o can_v the_o husbandman_n do_v more_o than_o till_o his_o land_n and_o sow_v his_o seed_n what_o can_v the_o gardener_n do_v more_o to_o his_o figtree_n than_o ditch_n round_o about_o it_o and_o dung_n it_o what_o can_v the_o dresser_n or_o plant_a of_o a_o vineyard_n do_v more_o for_o it_o than_o place_n it_o in_o a_o fruitful_a hill_n and_o hedge_v it_o and_o gather_v out_o the_o stone_n and_o plant_v it_o with_o the_o best_a plant_n what_o can_v we_o do_v more_o than_o preach_v jesus_n unto_o you_o nullus_fw-la doctor_n est_fw-la dator_fw-la boni_fw-la quod_fw-la docuerit_fw-la say_v bar._n we_o can_v teach_v you_o good_a thing_n we_o can_v give_v you_o good_a thing_n we_o may_v be_v doctores_fw-la gratiae_fw-la but_o not_o datores_fw-la we_o may_v be_v teacher_n but_o we_o be_v not_o giver_n of_o grace_n the_o angel_n in_o the_o 5._o of_o john_n do_v but_o stir_v the_o water_n of_o the_o pool_n bethesda_n and_o trouble_v the_o water_n thereof_o he_o thrust_v no_o man_n into_o the_o pool_n that_o be_v a_o work_n to_o be_v perform_v by_o themselves_o that_o will_v be_v heal_v we_o that_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n we_o open_v and_o expound_v the_o scripture_n unto_o you_o &_o by_o our_o divide_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o expound_v the_o same_o unto_o you_o we_o move_v and_o we_o stir_v the_o water_n of_o life_n that_o flow_v in_o they_o you_o must_v be_v careful_a to_o step_v into_o they_o yourselves_o etc._n etc._n and_o sure_o the_o very_a 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