retire_v home_o take_v scrip._n de_fw-fr utilitate_fw-la lect._n scrip._n the_o bible_n into_o his_o hand_n and_o run_v over_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o thing_n that_o have_v be_v speak_v if_o he_o desire_v to_o reap_v continual_a and_o sufficient_a benefit_n from_o the_o scripture_n for_o bare_a hear_n for_o two_o hour_n be_v not_o sufficient_a for_o our_o security_n these_o be_v the_o lesson_n this_o holy_a man_n inculcate_v upon_o those_o who_o daily_o attend_v to_o the_o public_a preach_n and_o read_v of_o the_o word_n and_o who_o hear_v the_o scripture_n read_v in_o a_o language_n they_o understand_v which_o be_v not_o now_o permit_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n so_o necessary_a in_o his_o judgement_n be_v the_o private_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o all_o that_o be_v hear_v in_o public_a will_v not_o suffice_v without_o it_o for_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o we_o spare_o but_o 4._o it_o must_v dwell_v in_o we_o rich_o which_o it_o can_v never_o do_v save_v in_o those_o only_o who_o frequent_o read_v it_o and_o meditate_v upon_o it_o some_o person_n i_o know_v there_o be_v who_o can_v read_v some_o other_o who_o can_n live_v in_o those_o unhappy_a place_n where_o they_o can_v procure_v bibles_n if_o these_o do_v otherways_o what_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n god_n will_v accept_v they_o according_a to_o that_o 12._o 2_o cor._n 8._o 12._o they_o have_v and_o not_o according_a to_o that_o they_o have_v not_o for_o unavoidable_a defect_n he_o will_v either_o make_v allowance_n or_o make_v a_o supply_v some_o other_o way_n but_o for_o other_o who_o have_v both_o ability_n and_o opportunity_n of_o read_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n as_o it_o be_v their_o bind_a duty_n so_o it_o can_v argue_v no_o less_o than_o contempt_n of_o god_n himself_o to_o neglect_v it_o for_o since_o god_n have_v condescend_v for_o their_o good_a to_o write_v it_o how_o can_v they_o choose_v but_o entertain_v very_o low_a thought_n of_o he_o who_o will_v not_o vouchsafe_v to_o read_v it_o vii_o what_o have_v be_v say_v of_o the_o need_n all_o man_n stand_v in_o of_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n suggest_v another_o argument_n viz._n the_o great_a evil_n they_o must_v needs_o lay_v themselves_o open_a to_o who_o neglect_v the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n for_o by_o how_o much_o the_o less_o they_o know_v they_o by_o so_o much_o the_o less_o must_v they_o know_v their_o duty_n and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o ignorant_a they_o be_v of_o their_o duty_n by_o so_o much_o the_o less_o must_v they_o practice_v it_o yea_o those_o duty_n which_o they_o be_v plain_o teach_v by_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n they_o will_v be_v easy_o persuade_v to_o neglect_v because_o the_o great_a motive_n to_o quicken_v they_o to_o these_o must_v be_v fetch_v from_o the_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n that_o many_o person_n so_o eager_o pursue_v the_o pomp_n and_o vanity_n of_o this_o wicked_a world_n make_v provision_n for_o the_o flesh_n to_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n thereof_o and_o be_v lead_v captive_a by_o the_o devil_n at_o his_o pleasure_n who_o solemn_o renounce_v all_o these_o in_o their_o baptism_n because_o for_o want_v of_o acquaintance_n with_o the_o scripture_n they_o be_v destitute_a of_o those_o force_n without_o which_o they_o can_v successful_o encounter_v these_o their_o spiritual_a enemy_n nor_o be_v such_o person_n in_o more_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o sin_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n than_o of_o be_v mislead_v in_o point_n of_o belief_n for_o have_v no_o solid_a foundation_n to_o bottom_v their_o faith_n upon_o thy_o will_n like_o child_n be_v toss_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o slight_a of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v it_o need_v not_o therefore_o seem_v strange_a if_o many_o person_n shall_v be_v seduce_v from_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n and_o which_o they_o themselves_o for_o some_o time_n make_v profession_n of_o in_o short_a ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o s._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o comment_n upon_o my_o text_n tell_v we_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o all_o evil_a how_o deplorable_a then_o must_v their_o condition_n be_v who_o live_v in_o the_o constant_a disuse_n and_o neglect_n of_o they_o have_v already_o show_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v be_v at_o first_o address_v to_o layman_n that_o god_n have_v plain_o command_v they_o to_o acquaint_v themselves_o familiar_o with_o they_o that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o the_o use_n and_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v write_v do_v concern_v the_o laity_n that_o some_o special_a duty_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o which_o no_o man_n can_v perform_v who_o be_v not_o conversant_a in_o the_o scripture_n have_v also_o show_v the_o great_a need_n the_o laity_n stand_v in_o of_o they_o the_o inestimable_a benefit_n they_o may_v receive_v by_o they_o and_o the_o intolerable_a evil_n they_o will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o in_o case_n they_o neglect_v the_o study_n of_o they_o viii_o what_o now_o remain_v to_o quicken_v you_o further_o to_o this_o great_a duty_n unless_o it_o be_v to_o show_v the_o vanity_n of_o those_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o it_o it_o may_v indeed_o be_v just_a matter_n of_o wonder_n to_o find_v any_o thing_n object_v against_o a_o duty_n so_o clear_a and_o of_o such_o great_a moment_n yet_o so_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n have_v dare_v to_o say_v those_o thing_n which_o if_o they_o be_v true_a may_v just_o affright_v the_o people_n from_o it_o and_o make_v they_o take_v it_o for_o a_o sin_n rather_o than_o a_o duty_n to_o read_v the_o bible_n in_o general_n it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o promiscuous_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o vulgar_a do_v more_o hurt_n than_o good_a because_o in_o particular_a it_o occasion_n their_o fall_n into_o dangerous_a error_n both_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o in_o matter_n of_o practice_n so_o that_o if_o this_o liberty_n shall_v be_v allow_v they_o will_v neither_o believe_v nor_o live_v so_o as_o they_o ought_v which_o charge_n consist_v of_o two_o part_n the_o one_o relate_v to_o belief_n the_o other_o to_o manner_n that_o the_o answer_n may_v be_v the_o more_o clear_a and_o satisfactory_a i_o shall_v consider_v they_o distinct_o and_o apart_o and_o obj._n first_o it_o be_v object_v that_o many_o pestilent_a sect_n and_o heresy_n which_o infest_v the_o church_n have_v take_v their_o rise_n from_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o layman_n who_o for_o want_v of_o be_v qualify_v to_o understand_v they_o aright_o do_v usual_o wrest_v they_o to_o a_o pernicious_a sense_n what_o be_v common_o say_v of_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o scripture_n may_v be_v consider_v elsewhere_o at_o present_a i_o return_v several_a thing_n in_o answer_n to_o the_o objection_n as_o now_o propose_v each_o of_o which_o single_o consider_v will_v be_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n 1._o this_o reflect_v foul_a dishonour_n upon_o god_n himself_o for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o high_o derogatory_n both_o to_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n than_o to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v write_v such_o a_o book_n for_o his_o people_n use_n which_o they_o can_v read_v but_o they_o will_v be_v in_o danger_n of_o be_v eternal_o ruin_v by_o it_o if_o this_o be_v so_o they_o be_v then_o much_o behold_v to_o those_o who_o take_v the_o bible_n from_o they_o but_o owe_v no_o thanks_o to_o god_n who_o give_v it_o to_o they_o 2._o our_o bless_a saviour_n think_v the_o ignorance_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o cause_n of_o heresy_n and_o the_o mean_n he_o prescribe_v to_o prevent_v and_o cure_v they_o be_v the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n you_o err_v say_v he_o to_o the_o sadducee_n what_o because_o you_o study_v the_o scripture_n no_o but_o because_o you_o know_v 29._o matth._n 22._o 29._o not_o the_o scripture_n and_o though_o he_o very_o well_o know_v how_o malicious_o the_o jew_n be_v bend_v to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o justify_v their_o rejection_n of_o he_o yet_o do_v he_o not_o reprove_v they_o for_o read_v the_o scripture_n they_o so_o much_o abuse_v but_o contrariwise_o command_v to_o read_v they_o again_o and_o more_o diligent_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o they_o 39_o joh._n 5._o 39_o testify_v of_o i_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v you_o will_v not_o yet_o believe_v on_o i_o but_o take_v i_o for_o a_o deceiver_n i_o require_v you_o therefore_o not_o bare_o to_o read_v but_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v attentive_o thorough_o and_o impartial_o to_o read_v they_o and_o you_o will_v then_o be_v convince_v that_o
the_o lay-christian's_a obligation_n to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n imprimatur_fw-la h._n maurice_n r_n mo_z p._n d._n wilhelmo_n archiep_n cant._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la decemb._n 10._o 1686._o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o s._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxvii_o coloss._n iii_o 16._o let_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o you_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n which_o word_n be_v a_o entire_a precept_n of_o themselves_o those_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o same_o verse_n teach_v and_o admonish_v etc._n etc._n be_v another_o distinct_a from_o it_o as_o preparatory_a to_o that_o which_o i_o intend_v from_o they_o i_o shall_v premise_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o who_o this_o precept_n be_v address_v second_o what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o the_o duty_n here_o enjoin_v 1._o the_o person_n to_o who_o the_o precept_n be_v address_v be_v the_o saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n in_o christ_n that_o be_v at_o coloss_n for_o to_o they_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v c._n 1._o v._n 2._o that_o be_v all_o the_o christian_n at_o coloss_n of_o what_o order_n or_o quality_n soever_o for_o these_o title_n saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o one_o order_n of_o man_n but_o vouchsafe_v in_o common_a to_o all_o christian_n christian_n who_o be_v all_o call_v saint_n as_o they_o be_v by_o baptism_n separate_v from_o the_o idolatrous_a world_n and_o consecrate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n brethren_n as_o by_o regeneration_n and_o adoption_n they_o be_v all_o become_v the_o son_n of_o that_o one_o god_n and_o father_n faithful_a as_o they_o persevere_v in_o that_o profession_n notwithstanding_o all_o temptation_n to_o the_o contrary_n it_o can_v therefore_o be_v question_v but_o that_o this_o command_n be_v give_v to_o the_o laity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o clergy_n yea_o to_o the_o laity_n rather_o than_o the_o clergy_n because_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o two_o churchman_n at_o coloss_n at_o the_o time_n when_o this_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o namely_o archippus_n and_o philemon_n for_o epaphras_n by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v first_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v now_o in_o bond_n with_o s._n paul_n at_o rome_n phil._n 23._o 2._o the_o duty_n here_o enjoin_v these_o lay-christians_a be_v that_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n though_o by_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v mean_v more_o especial_o that_o word_n which_o be_v at_o first_o speak_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o person_n and_o afterward_o confirm_v by_o his_o apostle_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o that_o alone_a but_o extend_v to_o that_o also_o which_o be_v long_o before_o deliver_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o since_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n not_o only_o speak_v of_o christ_n but_o it_o be_v also_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o they_o speak_v as_o 11._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 11._o s._n peter_n express_o tell_v we_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o they_o be_v no_o less_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n than_o that_o which_o be_v preach_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o brief_a the_o whole_a divine_o inspire_v scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n both_o as_o he_o be_v the_o author_n and_o the_o principal_a scope_n and_o matter_n of_o it_o now_o what_o be_v the_o duty_n these_o lay-christians_a be_v exhort_v to_o with_o respect_n to_o this_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v it_o not_o to_o read_v it_o not_o to_o give_v it_o room_n so_o much_o as_o in_o their_o house_n no_o but_o to_o give_v it_o entertainment_n in_o their_o heart_n to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n 1._o that_o it_o dwell_v in_o they_o it_o be_v not_o say_v dwell_v with_o but_o more_o emphatical_o dwell_v in_o they_o which_o denote_v especial_o that_o they_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o the_o attentive_a read_n and_o study_n of_o it_o till_o it_o become_v their_o intimate_v and_o familiar_a be_v habitual_o present_a to_o their_o mind_n as_o frequent_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o their_o thought_n as_o a_o person_n be_v in_o the_o house_n in_o which_o he_o dwell_v though_o a_o man_n may_v perhaps_o have_v but_o little_a converse_n with_o those_o who_o dwell_v in_o the_o same_o house_n with_o he_o yet_o he_o can_v be_v no_o more_o estrange_v from_o that_o which_o dwell_v in_o he_o than_o he_o can_v from_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o inclination_n 2._o nor_o will_v it_o suffice_v that_o it_o bare_o dwell_v in_o they_o but_o it_o must_v dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o which_o may_v have_v respect_n both_o to_o the_o word_n itself_o let_v the_o word_n dwell_v rich_o and_o to_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o dwell_v let_v it_o dwell_v in_o you_o rich_o 1._o to_o the_o word_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o it_o dwell_v in_o they_o spare_o that_o they_o give_v entertainment_n to_o a_o passage_n here_o and_o there_o which_o best_o complye_v with_o their_o own_o humour_n but_o they_o must_v entertain_v it_o indifferent_o one_o part_n with_o another_o the_o command_n must_v be_v receive_v with_o the_o like_a readiness_n as_o the_o promise_n nor_o must_v they_o think_v by_o admit_v one_o command_n to_o compound_v with_o god_n for_o the_o rejection_n of_o another_o but_o those_o command_n must_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n which_o most_o direct_o contradict_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n 2._o to_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o dwell_v it_o must_v not_o as_o a_o sojourner_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o single_a room_n to_o some_o one_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v in_o too_o many_o who_o give_v it_o entertainment_n in_o their_o understanding_n but_o suffer_v it_o to_o have_v no_o place_n in_o their_o will_n and_o affection_n but_o it_o must_v be_v admit_v into_o and_o make_v its_o abode_n in_o every_o faculty_n in_o the_o mind_n to_o enlighten_v it_o in_o the_o conscience_n to_o awaken_v it_o in_o the_o will_n to_o bow_v it_o to_o a_o humble_a submission_n to_o the_o divine_a will._n it_o must_v take_v possession_n of_o the_o whole_a man_n like_v as_o leven_n to_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v compare_v diffuse_v itself_o through_o the_o whole_a lump_n for_o 3._o in_o both_o these_o respect_v it_o must_v dwell_v in_o they_o so_o plenteous_o as_o to_o enrich_v they_o not_o only_o with_o some_o one_o kind_a of_o wisdom_n but_o with_o all_o wisdom_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o knowledge_n belief_n and_o practice_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v require_v to_o make_v they_o complete_o happy_a for_o ever_o for_o that_o alone_o be_v account_v wisdom_n in_o the_o scripture_n sense_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v make_v wise_a to_o salvation_n all_o other_o wisdom_n in_o comparison_n with_o this_o be_v but_o a_o more_o creditable_a piece_n of_o folly._n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v many_o doctrine_n be_v clear_o deducible_a as._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o lay-christians_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v plain_a because_o they_o be_v here_o command_v to_o let_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o they_o 2._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n this_o be_v also_o as_o evident_a for_o where_o a_o man_n may_v learn_v not_o only_a wisdom_n but_o all_o wisdom_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o want_v that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n 3._o that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o clear_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o christian_n may_v attain_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o they_o for_o how_o can_v the_o word_n dwell_v in_o they_o in_o all_o wisdom_n if_o any_o part_n of_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o obscure_o express_v that_o they_o can_v understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v that_o which_o i_o intend_v at_o present_a to_o insist_v upon_o viz._n the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o lay-christians_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v the_o least_o that_o can_v be_v hence_o infer_v since_o without_o this_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v say_v to_o dwell_v in_o they_o much_o less_o to_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o and_o in_o all_o wisdom_n but_o though_o this_o be_v so_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o word_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o yet_o because_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n not_o only_o question_v by_o some_o but_o express_o deny_v by_o other_o i_o shall_v therefore_o confirm_v it_o by_o other_o such_o argument_n as_o may_v be_v of_o force_n not_o only_o to_o convince_v your_o judgement_n
christian_n but_o more_o particular_o yet_o to_o teach_v lay-person_n of_o both_o sex_n of_o all_o age_n rank_n and_o relation_n what_o grace_n be_v most_o become_v and_o how_o they_o ought_v to_o behave_v themselves_o in_o that_o age_n place_n or_o relation_n in_o which_o they_o be_v that_o man_n and_o woman_n both_o elder_a and_o young_a husband_n and_o wife_n parent_n and_o child_n master_n and_o servant_n magistrate_n and_o subject_n may_v there_o find_v what_o their_o respective_a duty_n be_v together_o with_o such_o motive_n as_o may_v be_v of_o force_n to_o engage_v they_o to_o the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o can_v it_o reasonable_o be_v suppose_v when_o god_n have_v so_o particular_o prescribe_v in_o his_o word_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o secular_a person_n their_o duty_n as_o they_o stand_v distinguish_v one_o from_o another_o by_o their_o different_a rank_n and_o relation_n that_o it_o be_v his_o pleasure_n they_o shall_v not_o look_v into_o it_o to_o see_v what_o these_o duty_n be_v furthermore_o the_o scripture_n be_v design_v by_o god_n to_o teach_v man_n in_o all_o variety_n of_o fortune_n how_o to_o behave_v themselves_o and_o to_o improve_v their_o lot_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v to_o their_o best_a advantage_n be_v a_o man_n poor_a or_o rich_a high_a or_o low_o in_o honour_n or_o disgrace_n in_o sickness_n or_o in_o health_n he_o may_v learn_v from_o they_o how_o to_o correct_v those_o evil_n which_o be_v incident_a to_o that_o condition_n in_o which_o he_o be_v and_o to_o make_v it_o subservient_fw-fr to_o his_o great_a good_a yea_o be_v a_o man_n condition_n never_o so_o calamitous_a though_o he_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o see_v no_o light_n he_o may_v find_v in_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n those_o instruction_n direction_n example_n precept_n promise_n from_o which_o if_o due_o apply_v light_n will_v arise_v to_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o darkness_n and_o therefore_o s._n chrysostom_n in_o his_o comment_n on_o my_o text_n upon_o this_o account_n earnest_o exhort_v the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o scripture_n harken_v i_o beseech_v you_o say_v he_o all_o you_o who_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n get_v you_o bibles_n the_o medicine_n of_o your_o soul_n if_o you_o will_v have_v no_o more_o yet_o get_v at_o least_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o gospel_n your_o continual_a teacher_n if_o any_o grief_n happen_v to_o you_o look_v into_o they_o as_o the_o storehouse_n of_o medicine_n from_o thence_o fetch_v comfort_n in_o your_o calamity_n etc._n etc._n and_o good_a reason_n have_v he_o thus_o to_o exhort_v they_o for_o can_v any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n imagine_v that_o god_n will_v have_v that_o conceal_v from_o the_o laity_n which_o he_o in_o mercy_n design_v for_o the_o remedy_n of_o all_o their_o spiritual_a malady_n for_o vi_o which_o plain_o follow_v from_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v have_v not_o the_o laity_n as_o much_o need_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o clergy_n be_v they_o not_o liable_a to_o as_o many_o spiritual_a infirmity_n and_o disease_n and_o therefore_o stand_v in_o as_o great_a need_n of_o medicine_n to_o prevent_v or_o remove_v they_o be_v they_o so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o their_o duty_n that_o they_o can_v know_v it_o better_o and_o in_o case_n they_o be_v yet_o be_v they_o not_o as_o slow_a to_o good_a and_o as_o prone_a to_o evil_a as_o other_o man_n and_o therefore_o need_v as_o much_o to_o be_v quicken_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o those_o duty_n they_o already_o know_v be_v they_o not_o expose_v to_o as_o violent_a assault_n of_o their_o ghostly_a enemy_n as_o their_o teacher_n be_v and_o therefore_o need_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o repel_v they_o as_o much_o as_o they_o yea_o be_v they_o not_o more_o expose_v to_o temptation_n from_o this_o evil_a world_n than_o those_o be_v who_o live_v more_o retire_v from_o it_o and_o have_v less_o to_o do_v with_o it_o say_v not_o say_v theophylact_v that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o religious_a 4._o theoph_n in_o ephes_n 6._o 4._o only_o to_o read_v the_o scripture_n for_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o every_o christian_a especial_o of_o those_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o the_o world_n since_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o great_a help_n as_o be_v in_o a_o storm_n beside_o since_o as_o you_o have_v before_o see_v the_o scripture_n be_v design_v to_o instruct_v lay-person_n of_o all_o state_n age_n and_o rank_n in_o their_o respective_a duty_n unless_o a_o sort_n of_o layman_n can_v be_v find_v who_o be_v neither_o young_a nor_o elder_a marry_a nor_o unmarried_a superior_n nor_o inferior_n who_o be_v neither_o in_o sickness_n nor_o in_o health_n in_o prosperity_n nor_o adversity_n that_o be_v such_o a_o sort_n of_o layman_n who_o be_v in_o no_o state_n condition_n or_o order_n of_o man_n none_o will_v be_v find_v who_o have_v not_o need_v of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n obj._n it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o this_o that_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o they_o take_v they_o upon_o trust_n from_o their_o teacher_n to_o which_o i_o return_v these_o thing_n answ_n 1._o that_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o think_v this_o sufficient_a for_o he_o command_v layman_n as_o well_o as_o other_o not_o to_o take_v matter_n upon_o trust_n but_o to_o search_v the_o scripture_n 39_o joh._n 5._o 39_o nor_o do_v s._n paul_n think_v it_o enough_o for_o as_o he_o direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n to_o all_o that_o call_v upon_o 4._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 13._o ephes_n 3._o 4._o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n so_o he_o expect_v that_o all_o shall_v read_v they_o and_o though_o he_o be_v guide_v by_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n yet_o s._n luke_n think_v it_o a_o virtue_n in_o the_o berean_o and_o high_o commend_v they_o for_o it_o that_o they_o search_v the_o scripture_n daily_o whether_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v 11._o act._n 17._o 11._o speak_v by_o s._n paul_n be_v so_o 2._o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v that_o those_o teacher_n serve_v no_o good_a design_n who_o forbid_v their_o people_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n for_o what_o more_o likely_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v than_o that_o they_o themselves_o know_v that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v such_o as_o will_v not_o abide_v the_o trial_n will_v you_o not_o shrewd_o suspect_v that_o man_n honesty_n who_o have_v get_v into_o his_o hand_n the_o write_n of_o another_o estate_n in_o which_o he_o confess_v you_o be_v high_o interest_v shall_v refuse_v to_o let_v you_o see_v they_o and_o confident_o tell_v you_o that_o you_o ought_v to_o know_v no_o more_o of_o they_o than_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o acquaint_v you_o with_o but._n 3._o suppose_v your_o teacher_n deal_v honest_o with_o you_o it_o be_v but_o a_o small_a portion_n of_o scripture_n that_o they_o can_v acquaint_v their_o people_n with_o in_o comparison_n of_o what_o they_o may_v read_v at_o home_n especial_o the_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n where_o no_o more_o of_o the_o scripture_n be_v communicate_v to_o those_o who_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o latin_a tongue_n than_o what_o the_o preacher_n be_v please_v to_o put_v into_o his_o sermon_n and_o that_o common_o be_v little_a enough_o but_o in_o case_n the_o scripture_n be_v read_v in_o a_o language_n the_o people_n understand_v yet_o from_o the_o translent_a read_n they_o will_v carry_v away_o but_o little_a and_o that_o little_a will_v soon_o be_v forget_v unless_o keep_v in_o mind_n by_o read_v and_o meditation_n and_o therefore_o s._n chrysostom_n frequent_o and_o earnest_o exhort_v his_o people_n not_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o hear_v the_o scripture_n but_o to_o read_v they_o also_o private_o at_o home_n out_o of_o many_o i_o shall_v quote_v a_o passage_n or_o two_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o beseech_v you_o to_o come_v to_o the_o church_n genes_n hom._n 29._o in_o genes_n continual_o and_o with_o diligence_n attend_v to_o the_o read_n of_o the_o divine_a scripture_n and_o not_o only_a when_o you_o come_v hither_o but_o also_o at_o home_n to_o take_v the_o divine_a book_n into_o your_o hand_n and_o careful_o to_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o the_o thing_n contain_v in_o they_o much_o profit_n do_v come_v from_o hence_o first_o the_o tongue_n by_o read_v be_v reform_v than_o the_o soul_n be_v wing_a and_o carry_v aloft_o etc._n etc._n let_v we_o not_o i_o beseech_v you_o careless_o neglect_v so_o great_a a_o gain_n but_o also_o at_o home_n let_v we_o with_o diligence_n apply_v ourselves_o to_o the_o read_n of_o the_o divine_a write_n and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o thus_o address_v to_o his_o hearer_n let_v every_o one_o when_o he_o