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disteâ—peâ—_z which_o we_o have_v here_o describe_v and_o exâ—â—â—ssâ—d_fw-mi in_o the_o common_a incrâ—dulous_a question_n how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v first_o you_o may_v hear_v in_o this_o question_n the_o voice_n of_o ignorance_n man_n have_v lose_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o work_n especial_o in_o spiritual_n the_o natural_a man_n discern_v they_o not_o for_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v 1_o cor._n 2._o 14._o we_o be_v as_o blind_a man_n gâ—oaping_v in_o the_o dark_a at_o a_o loss_n upon_o every_o difficulty_n that_o occur_v evidence_n or_o truth_n be_v no_o evidence_n to_o we_o because_o our_o understanding_n be_v unprepared_a to_o receive_v it_o and_o be_v shut_v against_o it_o when_o we_o shall_v love_v the_o â—ruth_n we_o can_v find_v it_o when_o we_o shall_v glorify_v the_o god_n of_o truth_n we_o know_v he_o noâ—_z but_o in_o our_o heart_n say_v as_o pilate_n what_o be_v truth_n and_o as_o pharaoh_n who_o be_v the_o lord_n we_o be_v grow_v 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in_o knowledge_n it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o a_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a with_o a_o indisposition_n of_o understanding_n to_o spiritual_a thing_n and_o that_o have_v live_v in_o blindness_n long_o shall_v present_o know_v all_o thing_n as_o soon_o as_o he_o be_v convert_v they_o do_v not_o so_o come_v to_o knowledge_n in_o earthly_a thing_n which_o they_o be_v more_o dispose_v to_o know_v and_o which_o be_v near_o to_o they_o much_o less_o in_o heavenly_a thing_n the_o dispâ—sitive_a blindness_n of_o the_o best_a convert_n be_v cure_v but_o in_o part_n much_o less_o his_o actual_a blindness_n for_o as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o if_o a_o man_n have_v his_o eye_n never_o so_o perfect_o open_v who_o before_o be_v blind_a yet_o he_o will_v not_o see_v any_o more_o than_o be_v near_o he_o within_o sight_n if_o he_o will_v see_v other_o country_n place_n or_o person_n he_o must_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n and_o pâ—tience_n of_o travel_v to_o they_o and_o so_o in_o this_o case_n 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to_o speak_v obscure_o but_o because_o our_o distance_n and_o imperfection_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n do_v make_v such_o learning_n to_o be_v necessary_a for_o if_o christ_n speak_v in_o the_o syriack_n tongue_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v in_o hebrew_n and_o greek_a which_o be_v then_o fit_a to_o divulge_v it_o how_o can_v it_o be_v expect_v that_o englishman_n frenchman_n german_n or_o any_o that_o understand_v not_o those_o language_n shall_v understand_v they_o so_o full_o as_o those_o that_o do_v for_o no_o bare_a translation_n though_o never_o so_o exact_a can_v give_v we_o the_o full_a sense_n of_o the_o original_a word_n beside_o this_o all_o country_n have_v their_o peculiar_a proverbial_a speech_n which_o be_v familiar_a with_o they_o but_o will_v seem_v nonsense_n or_o of_o a_o â—ontrary_a sense_n to_o other_o that_o be_v unacquainted_a with_o they_o and_o scripture_n must_v and_o do_v contain_v â—uch_n proverb_n as_o be_v usual_a with_o those_o to_o who_o â—t_o be_v write_v or_o the_o matter_n speak_v they_o have_v also_o many_o peculiar_a custom_n of_o their_o country_n which_o aâ—e_n suppose_v in_o scripture_n which_o if_o we_o understand_v not_o the_o plâ—in_n text_n will_v seem_v dark_a to_o we_o the_o like_a we_o may_v say_v oâ—_z matter_fw-la oâ—_z geography_n about_o the_o scâ—â—â—uation_n of_o placâ—s_n and_o of_o chronology_n for_o the_o due_a computation_n oâ—_z time_n and_o of_o other_o history_n to_o know_v the_o staâ—e_n of_o church_n and_o commonwealth_n and_o many_o other_o partâ—_n of_o learning_n which_o the_o uâ—ry_a nature_n of_o the_o matter_n proclaim_v to_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o resâ—lving_n of_o scripture-difficulty_n now_o when_o unleâ—rned_a man_n or_o young_a raw_a scholar_n that_o want_v all_o or_o most_o of_o these_o necessary_n will_v yet_o expect_v that_o they_o must_v understand_v all_o and_o see_v through_o all_o diffiâ—ulties_n and_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v every_o caviâ—_z what_o wonder_n if_o they_o be_v frequent_o stall_v and_o tempâ—â—d_fw-mi to_o unbelief_n and_o say_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v if_o you_o sâ—y_n that_o â—hen_o it_o seem_v none_o but_o learned_a man_n must_v be_v able_a to_o resolve_v these_o doubt_n and_o dâ—fend_v the_o scripture_n against_o opposer_n and_o we_o must_v take_v all_o upon_o their_o word_n i_o answer_v you_o must_v explicit_o know_v all_o that_o be_v of_o flat_a necessity_n to_o salvation_n and_o learn_v as_o much_o of_o the_o rest_n as_o you_o can_v but_o if_o it_o be_v undeniable_a that_o you_o do_v not_o know_v more_o that_o be_v enough_o for_o the_o resolve_n of_o the_o foresay_a doubt_n why_o shall_v you_o be_v offend_v that_o we_o tell_v you_o so_o eiâ—her_o you_o do_v indeed_o see_v through_o all_o difficulty_n or_o you_o do_v not_o if_o you_o do_v than_o you_o be_v establish_v you_o be_v none_o of_o those_o that_o i_o speak_v of_o you_o will_v not_o suspect_v the_o truth_n nor_o say_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v but_o you_o be_v able_a to_o confute_v all_o that_o will_v seduce_v you_o but_o if_o you_o do_v not_o see_v through_o these_o difficulty_n shall_v you_o not_o humble_o confess_v it_o and_o not_o quarrel_v with_o those_o that_o tell_v you_o so_o and_o for_o take_v it_o on_o other_o word_n you_o must_v in_o reason_n do_v it_o if_o you_o have_v no_o other_o way_n and_o if_o you_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v that_o they_o know_v that_o which_o you_o do_v not_o know_v but_o if_o you_o thâ—nk_v that_o the_o learn_a man_n do_v know_v no_o more_o than_o yourselves_o and_o be_v as_o unable_a to_o resolve_v â—hese_fw-mi doubt_n as_o you_o be_v you_o go_v against_o the_o full_a ligâ—t_n of_o the_o whoâ—e_n world_n experience_n let_v their_o writing_n bear_v witness_v wherein_o they_o do_v indeed_o resolve_v they_o and_o do_v you_o call_v they_o to_o a_o
change_n that_o be_v here_o call_v the_o new_a birth_n be_v not_o the_o new_a creation_n of_o a_o substance_n or_o destruction_n of_o our_o former_a substance_n or_o faculty_n for_o we_o have_v still_o the_o same_o natural_a power_n of_o understanding_n and_o willing_a but_o it_o be_v the_o change_n of_o the_o disposition_n habit_n and_o act_n of_o those_o faculty_n and_o with_o submission_n to_o the_o contrary_a mind_a i_o conceive_v that_o it_o be_v not_o only_o our_o real_a qualitative_a change_n that_o be_v here_o call_v the_o new-birth_n but_o that_o the_o word_n be_v more_o comprehensive_a as_o i_o before_o express_v include_v our_o new_a relation_n to_o god_n in_o christ_n as_o son_n and_o disciple_n to_o christ_n and_o servant_n subject_n or_o soldier_n under_o he_o with_o a_o removal_n from_o our_o former_a relation_n which_o we_o be_v in_o by_o corruption_n and_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o these_o so_o that_o it_o comprehend_v both_o our_o new_a relation_n to_o god_n to_o 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see_v how_o any_o fair_a exposition_n can_v be_v give_v of_o that_o say_v except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n which_o shall_v not_o include_v the_o change_n of_o our_o relation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o our_o disposition_n and_o the_o like_a i_o may_v say_v of_o other_o text_n which_o mention_n regeneration_n which_o i_o will_v not_o now_o so_o far_o digress_v as_o to_o recite_v have_v see_v what_o christ_n teach_v nicodemus_n first_o let_v we_o next_o see_v the_o success_n of_o his_o doctrine_n nicodemus_n fasten_v too_o much_o upon_o the_o metaphorical_a term_n of_o be_v bear_v again_o and_o withal_o not_o understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o nor_o the_o scope_n of_o christ_n he_o present_o express_v his_o ignorance_n and_o unbelief_n by_o this_o question_n how_o can_v a_o man_n be_v bear_v when_o he_o be_v old_a can_v he_o enter_v the_o second_o time_n into_o his_o mother_n womb_n and_o be_v bear_v hereupon_o christ_n return_v a_o explicatory_a answer_n tell_v he_o not_o only_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n but_o also_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o its_o cause_n in_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o and_o show_v a_o plain_a reason_n from_o natural_a agent_n why_o the_o mysteriousness_n of_o this_o shall_v not_o make_v it_o seem_v incredible_a yet_o do_v nicodemus_n return_v a_o second_o answer_n like_o the_o first_o how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v which_o word_n do_v import_v not_o a_o absolute_a unbelief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o christ_n have_v say_v but_o a_o great_a ignorance_n of_o his_o meaning_n and_o a_o not_o discern_v of_o that_o evidence_n full_o which_o shall_v have_v cause_v full_a belief_n but_o a_o strong_a apprehension_n of_o the_o improbability_n of_o the_o thing_n affirm_v and_o thereupon_o a_o great_a doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o affirmation_n and_o note_v here_o the_o aggravation_n of_o nicodemus_n his_o fault_n first_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o one_o that_o he_o himself_o confess_v to_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o seal_v his_o doctrine_n by_o such_o miracle_n as_o none_o can_v do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o and_o do_v god_n send_v any_o messenger_n with_o a_o lie_n or_o any_o teacher_n that_o know_v not_o what_o he_o teach_v or_o will_v he_o seal_v untruth_n or_o senseless_a absurdity_n with_o such_o unquestionable_a miracle_n sure_o a_o man_n that_o be_v once_o convince_v that_o god_n send_v the_o messenger_n and_o seal_v the_o message_n shall_v be_v confident_a that_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o be_v divine_a and_o shall_v never_o once_o suspect_v it_o of_o untruth_n second_o though_o christ_n do_v with_o frequent_a asseveration_n aver_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o do_v nicodemus_n stagger_v through_o unbelief_n three_o it_o be_v the_o very_a catechism_n and_o rudiment_n of_o piety_n and_o christianity_n which_o be_v so_o strange_a to_o he_o four_o the_o term_n by_o which_o christ_n express_v spiritual_a thing_n he_o understand_v all_o in_o a_o carnal_a sense_n yea_o and_o after_o that_o christ_n have_v tell_v he_o plain_o what_o birth_n he_o mean_v not_o carnal_a produce_v a_o fleshly_a creature_n but_o of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n produce_v a_o spiritual_a creature_n yet_o do_v not_o nicodemus_n understand_v he_o for_o all_o this_o five_o yet_o be_v this_o man_n a_o ruler_n of_o the_o jew_n even_o one_o of_o the_o great_a sanedrim_n and_o one_o repute_v skilful_a in_o the_o law_n one_o that_o profess_v himself_o a_o guide_n of_o the_o blind_a a_o light_n of_o they_o which_o be_v in_o darkness_n a_o instructor_n of_o the_o foolish_a a_o teacher_n of_o babe_n which_o have_v the_o form_n of_o knowledge_n and_o of_o the_o truth_n in_o the_o law_n one_o of_o those_o that_o boast_v of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o law_n rom._n 2._o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o yet_o he_o that_o shall_v teach_v other_o have_v not_o learn_v these_o rudiment_n himself_o six_o and_o when_o christ_n use_v a_o familiar_a instance_n to_o show_v he_o that_o thing_n be_v not_o therefore_o incredible_a because_o invisible_a or_o because_o we_o know_v not_o the_o nature_n cause_n and_o end_n of_o they_o we_o may_v know_v that_o it_o be_v when_o we_o can_v know_v what_o be_v it_o or_o whence_o or_o why_o it_o be_v or_o whether_o it_o tend_v as_o in_o the_o blow_n of_o the_o wind_n be_v evident_a yet_o do_v not_o nicodemus_n cease_v his_o doubt_n on_o this_o account_n but_o ask_v how_o can_v these_o thing_n be_v the_o spirituality_n and_o mysteriousness_n of_o the_o thing_n make_v it_o seem_v improbable_a to_o his_o uninformed_a intellect_n and_o the_o seem_a improbability_n make_v he_o doubt_v of_o the_o verity_n because_o it_o be_v past_o his_o apprehension_n to_o conceive_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v therefore_o he_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o not_o he_o have_v not_o so_o much_o rational_a consciousness_n of_o his_o own_o ignorance_n or_o so_o much_o confidence_n in_o a_o teacher_n send_v from_o god_n and_o seal_v his_o doctrine_n by_o miracle_n as_o to_o acquiesce_v as_o a_o learner_n in_o his_o teacher_n credit_n concerning_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o thing_n while_o he_o be_v seek_v to_o get_v a_o clear_a discovery_n of_o its_o nature_n rise_v and_o end_n so_o that_o here_o be_v all_o these_o sin_n together_o manifest_v in_o this_o answer_n great_a ignorance_n even_o in_o a_o ruler_n unbelief_n doubt_v of_o the_o conclusion_n when_o he_o have_v acknowledge_v the_o premise_n a_o unteachableness_n in_o part_n when_o he_o profess_v himself_o to_o come_v to_o learn_v a_o arrogant_a conceit_n of_o the_o capaciousness_n of_o his_o understanding_n as_o if_o christ_n word_n or_o the_o plain_a truth_n shall_v be_v soon_o suspect_v than_o his_o shallow_a capacity_n from_o this_o picture_n we_o may_v well_o conclude_v what_o be_v the_o ordinary_a shape_n of_o man_n corrupt_a disposition_n and_o we_o may_v all_o know_v ourselves_o by_o know_v nicodemus_n and_o from_o hence_o i_o may_v raise_v this_o observation_n of_o we_o all_o doct._n the_o corrupt_a nature_n of_o man_n be_v more_o pronâ—_n to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n word_n then_o to_o seâ—_n and_o confess_v their_o own_o ignorance_n and_o incapacity_n and_o ready_a to_o doubt_v whether_o the_o thing_n that_o christ_n reveal_v be_v true_a when_o they_o themselves_o do_v not_o know_v the_o nature_n cause_n and_o reason_n of_o they_o they_o will_v make_v every_o thing_n which_o they_o understand_v not_o to_o seem_v improbable_a and_o all_o such_o improbability_n will_v make_v it_o seem_v incredible_a and_o the_o incredibility_n of_o a_o part_n make_v the_o whole_a seem_v incredible_a and_o thus_o man_n will_v be_v infidel_n or_o seed_v their_o infidelity_n by_o every_o thing_n that_o themselves_o be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o make_v it_o the_o chief_a reason_n why_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v or_o learn_v because_o they_o do_v not_o already_o know_v
thing_n that_o god_n shall_v become_v a_o man_n or_o that_o god_n and_o man_n shall_v be_v one_o person_n which_o be_v more_o condescenâ—ion_n than_o for_o a_o prince_n to_o become_v a_o fly_n to_o save_v fly_v â—â—om_n be_v kill_v answ._n it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o ask_v whether_o this_o be_v possible_a and_o another_o whether_o it_o be_v do_v it_o be_v indeed_o the_o great_a wonder_n of_o all_o the_o work_n of_o god_n but_o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o it_o to_o prove_v it_o impossible_a the_o god_n head_n be_v no_o whit_n real_o abase_v or_o change_v by_o this_o union_n but_o at_o the_o utmost_a relative_o and_o reputative_o only_a god_n do_v not_o become_v man_n by_o cease_v to_o be_v god_n â—r_v commiâ—ing_n the_o human_a nature_n with_o the_o divine_a but_o oneâ—y_o assume_v a_o human_a nature_n to_o the_o divine_a it_o be_v not_o therefore_o as_o if_o a_o prince_n shall_v become_v a_o inferior_a creature_n but_o only_o as_o if_o he_o shall_v assume_v such_o a_o creature_n into_o so_o near_o a_o relation_n to_o he_o 2._o and_o that_o god_n have_v indeed_o do_v this_o his_o evident_a testimony_n have_v prove_v to_o the_o world_n be_v it_o likely_a or_o possible_a that_o one_o shall_v assert_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o seal_v it_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n with_o miracle_n and_o rise_v himself_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o send_v forth_o a_o spirit_n of_o miracle_n and_o of_o holiness_n on_o his_o church_n to_o confirm_v his_o affirmation_n if_o all_o this_o be_v not_o true_a which_o he_o affirm_v 3_o be_v this_o the_o thanks_o that_o god_n shall_v have_v for_o his_o wonderful_a condesâ—ension_n that_o though_o he_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v true_a yet_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o mercy_n that_o he_o show_v we_o unless_o it_o seem_v likely_a to_o we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o we_o accomplishment_n obj_fw-la 11._o be_v it_o not_o a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o perâ—ons_n and_o but_o one_o god_n answ_n no_o because_o to_o be_v a_o person_n or_o subsistence_n in_o the_o godhead_n and_o to_o be_v a_o god_n be_v not_o all_o one_o it_o be_v no_o contradiction_n that_o the_o vegetative_a sensitive_a and_o rational_a in_o man_n shall_v be_v three_o and_o distinct_a one_o from_o another_o and_o yet_o not_o be_v three_o soul_n but_o one_o and_o that_o power_n understanding_n and_o will_n shall_v be_v three_o and_o distinct_a and_o yet_o not_o three_o soul_n but_o one_o and_o that_o power_n light_n and_o heat_n shall_v be_v distinct_a in_o the_o sun_n and_o yet_o not_o be_v three_o sun_n but_o one_o why_o then_o shall_v the_o divine_a trinity_n of_o subsistence_n seem_v a_o contradiction_n object_n 12._o there_o be_v many_o contradiction_n in_o tâ—_z scripture_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v incredible_a for_o eâ—ample_n mark_n 14._o 30._o before_o the_o cock_n croâ—_n twice_o mat._n and_o luke_n say_v before_o the_o cock_n crowâ—_z and_o many_o the_o like_a answ._n 1._o it_o be_v mere_a ignorance_n of_o the_o sense_n 〈…〉_z scripture_n that_o cause_v this_o conceit_n of_o contradâ—ction_n expositor_n themselveâ—_z be_v imperfect_a in_fw-la the_o understanding_n of_o they_o yet_o if_o you_o will_v well_o reaâ—_z they_o you_o shall_v see_v how_o easy_o and_o clear_o they_o reconcile_v many_o thing_n that_o sâ—en_v unreconcilable_a to_o the_o ignorant_a read_v among_o other_o scharpius_fw-la hiâ—_z symphonia_fw-la to_o that_o end_n 2._o as_o to_o the_o text_n instance_v the_o second_o câ—â—â—â—_n crow_v be_v then_o special_o and_o eminent_o câ—lleâ—_z the_o cock_n crow_v and_o therefore_o mattâ—â—â—_n anâ—luke_n do_v name_n no_o more_o but_o the_o crow_v â—â—_z the_o cock_n meaning_n that_o second_o cock_n which_o be_v special_o so_o call_v of_o which_o see_v grotius_n on_o the_o text_n whereas_o mark_n do_v more_o prâ—cisely_o express_v the_o same_o in_o full_a word_n what_o a_o vain_a mind_n be_v it_o that_o will_v pick_v quarrel_n with_o such_o expression_n i_o give_v but_o a_o brief_a touch_n of_o these_o few_o common_a exception_n leave_v they_o to_o seek_v the_o resolution_n of_o such_o doubt_n from_o commentator_n that_o have_v perform_v it_o or_o from_o their_o judicious_a teacher_n who_o be_v at_o hand_n and_o ready_a to_o do_v it_o the_o lord_n acquaint_v unbelieving_a sinner_n with_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o the_o shallowness_n of_o their_o capacity_n that_o they_o may_v know_v how_o unfit_a they_o be_v to_o expostulate_v with_o their_o maker_n and_o what_o need_v they_o have_v to_o wait_v upon_o he_o as_o humble_a learner_n for_o the_o meek_a will_v he_o teach_v his_o way_n psal_n 25._o 9_o and_o unto_o babe_n do_v he_o reveal_v â—â—e_n mystery_n of_o his_o will_n for_o though_o the_o lord_n â—_z high_o yet_o have_v he_o respect_n unto_o the_o lowly_a but_o â—e_z proud_a he_o know_v a_o far_o off_o psal._n 138._o 6._o â—nd_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o now_o seem_v â—credible_a he_o will_v one_o day_n open_a to_o the_o comfort_n â—â—_z his_o saint_n and_o the_o confusion_n of_o unbeliever_n â—â—en_v at_o the_o appear_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n â—hich_v in_o his_o time_n he_o shall_v show_v who_o be_v the_o bless_a â—â—d_a only_a potentate_n the_o king_n of_o king_n and_o lord_n â—â—_z lord_n who_o only_o have_v immortality_n dwell_n â—â—_z the_o light_n which_o no_o man_n can_v approach_v unto_o â—hom_v no_o man_n have_v see_v or_o can_v see_v to_o who_o be_v hoâ—or_n and_o power_n everlasting_a amen_n finis_fw-la use_n