according_a to_o the_o undeniable_a sense_n of_o scripture_n quest_n but_o the_o nearness_n of_o these_o father_n to_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o apostle_n must_v needs_o enable_v they_o either_o from_o what_o they_o themselves_o receive_v warm_a from_o their_o lip_n or_o from_o what_o they_o have_v from_o other_o not_o quite_o cold_a to_o know_v the_o apostle_n doctrine_n discipline_n manner_n of_o life_n purpose_n their_o sense_n of_o the_o scope_n and_o mean_v of_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o be_v divine_o inspire_v and_o so_o to_o deliver_v it_o to_o after-age_n answ_n whatever_o they_o have_v speak_v or_o write_v give_v we_o more_o light_a and_o advantage_n to_o understand_v and_o behold_v scripture_n in_o its_o own_o light_n aught_o from_o they_o or_o from_o any_o other_o to_o be_v accept_v with_o great_a regard_n but_o if_o it_o do_v not_o thus_o it_o can_v be_v accept_v even_o from_o the_o writer_n of_o scripture_n themselves_o upon_o a_o single_a or_o divide_a 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and_o endowment_n of_o those_o eminent_a man_n with_o all_o the_o light_n truth_n grace_n learning_n and_o reason_n they_o shine_v to_o we_o with_o aught_o to_o be_v esteem_v and_o improve_v answ_n yes_o doubtless_o for_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v true_a whatsoever_o thing_n be_v pure_a be_v of_o virtue_n and_o deserve_a praise_n they_o be_v public_a and_o of_o god_n wherever_o they_o be_v find_v and_o whatever_o there_o be_v in_o these_o elder_n in_o their_o nearness_n to_o the_o first_o time_n their_o holiness_n their_o suffering_n their_o great_a learning_n their_o encounter_n of_o paganism_n their_o apology_n for_o christianity_n their_o heavenliness_n their_o contempt_n of_o this_o world_n all_o be_v a_o donation_n and_o a_o grace_n of_o god_n by_o they_o to_o his_o church_n and_o mankind_n in_o general_n quest_n and_o do_v not_o there_o arise_v great_a evidence_n to_o christianity_n and_o the_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o from_o such_o eminent_a witness_n answ_n no_o 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worthy_a exercise_n of_o the_o learned_a world_n herein_o and_o great_a advantage_n arise_v thereby_o for_o universal_a knowledge_n even_o to_o the_o less_o learned_a and_o the_o very_a unlearned_a quest_n but_o do_v the_o father_n themselves_o distinguish_v thus_o their_o own_o and_o one_o another_o write_n from_o scripture_n answ_n it_o be_v most_o evident_a as_o have_v be_v already_o affirm_v they_o put_v a_o great_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o most_o excellent_a monument_n of_o christianity_n that_o be_v but_o humane_a whether_o their_o own_o or_o other_o and_o inspire_v page_n else_o clement_n ignatius_n and_o other_o may_v as_o well_o have_v be_v canonize_v by_o they_o as_o what_o be_v from_o they_o come_v down_o to_o we_o for_o sacred_a canon_n itself_o and_o even_o as_o they_o do_v we_o may_v see_v the_o great_a odds_o betwixt_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o as_o we_o adore_v god_n the_o supreme_a author_n so_o the_o sovereign_a preserver_n of_o scripture_n who_o by_o divine_a evidence_n and_o by_o superintend_v providence_n have_v divide_v the_o bind_v of_o scripture_n at_o so_o great_a a_o remove_n from_o all_o the_o write_n in_o the_o world_n whether_o christian_n or_o profane_a the_o apocryphal_a book_n not_o except_v which_o though_o too_o adventurous_o join_v so_o general_o in_o a_o volume_n with_o scripture_n yet_o be_v evident_o disproportion_v in_o the_o majesty_n of_o sense_n and_o divine_a eloquence_n quest_n be_v there_o no_o great_a authority_n of_o the_o first_o council_n answ_n how_o many_o human_n soever_o meet_v they_o can_v make_v up_o divine_a where_o it_o be_v not_o before_o nor_o can_v a_o multitude_n of_o private_n constitute_v a_o public_a divine_a and_o public_a may_v be_v declare_v but_o can_v be_v make_v so_o by_o such_o contribution_n all_o determination_n of_o council_n be_v infinite_o outweigh_v in_o value_n and_o overrule_v in_o authority_n by_o scripture_n indeed_o public_a and_o divine_a quest_n but_o in_o such_o a_o number_n of_o his_o servant_n may_v we_o not_o conclude_v god_n be_v certain_o among_o they_o and_o do_v guide_v they_o answ_n give_v they_o all_o the_o advantage_n that_o can_v be_v give_v and_o either_o we_o must_v say_v they_o be_v infallible_o guide_v and_o then_o we_o must_v receive_v their_o decree_n as_o scripture_n and_o they_o must_v be_v attest_v to_o we_o as_o scripture_n be_v attest_v or_o they_o be_v not_o infallible_o guide_v and_o then_o their_o decree_n must_v be_v try_v as_o all_o fallible_n ought_v to_o be_v by_o a_o rule_n sure_a than_o themselves_o if_o even_o divine_a revelation_n itself_o be_v at_o first_o try_v and_o find_v perfect_a nay_o if_o even_o all_o that_o god_n propose_v to_o we_o as_o from_o himself_o come_v lade_v with_o its_o own_o proper_a evidence_n how_o much_o more_o must_v that_o which_o be_v confess_o humane_a be_v try_v by_o that_o which_o be_v confess_o
christianity_n let_v they_o sit_v down_o and_o count_v their_o danger_n a_o millstone_n about_o their_o neck_n and_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n be_v safe_a in_o our_o lord_n judgement_n of_o the_o case_n wherever_o the_o instrument_n of_o cruelty_n be_v in_o any_o habitation_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o lesser_a difference_n in_o religion_n oh_o my_o soul_n come_v not_o thou_o into_o their_o secret_n oh_o my_o honour_n be_v not_o thou_o unite_v to_o their_o assembly_n in_o their_o anger_n they_o dig_v down_o wall_n of_o defence_n and_o security_n to_o religion_n protestant_n religion_n unhappy_a very_o unhappy_a be_v their_o anger_n for_o it_o be_v fierce_a and_o their_o wrath_n for_o it_o be_v cruel_a they_o divide_v jacob_n and_o scatter_v israel_n 2._o they_o that_o be_v the_o author_n of_o scandal_n by_o their_o great_a mistake_v in_o religion_n by_o their_o unhappy_a and_o miserable_a fall_n into_o sin_n by_o their_o involve_v other_o in_o their_o own_o sin_n without_o consider_v the_o sad_a consequence_n and_o end_n of_o both_o they_o have_v this_o great_a aggravation_n of_o gild_n that_o scandal_n mischief_n and_o death_n have_v spread_v from_o they_o and_o fall_v as_o a_o snare_n upon_o other_o yet_o their_o gild_n be_v measure_v by_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o scandal_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n the_o malignancy_n of_o the_o intention_n the_o stupid_a or_o sear_a carelessness_n of_o the_o event_n but_o not_o by_o the_o event_n itself_o whether_o the_o scandal_n prevail_v upon_o other_o or_o not_o or_o whether_o they_o that_o be_v scandalize_v repent_v or_o not_o because_o the_o gild_n of_o the_o scandalize_v be_v reckon_v to_o he_o by_o his_o own_o degree_n of_o light_n his_o circumstance_n of_o defence_n against_o or_o extreme_a danger_n of_o fall_v into_o the_o temptation_n by_o his_o own_o love_n of_o sin_n or_o enmity_n against_o the_o divine_a law_n in_o which_o every_o man_n be_v the_o principal_a scandaliser_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o recovery_n out_o of_o the_o scandal_n depend_v upon_o his_o own_o repentance_n or_o obduracy_n against_o the_o mean_n of_o repentance_n the_o gild_n of_o the_o scandaliser_n be_v measure_v also_o by_o his_o own_o state_n in_o sin_n in_o general_n his_o state_n in_o relation_n to_o that_o sin_n of_o scandalize_a his_o continuance_n in_o it_o or_o repentance_n from_o it_o and_o not_o by_o what_o befall_v the_o scandalize_v else_o the_o apostle_n paul_n salvation_n have_v be_v hopeless_a without_o the_o certain_a repentance_n of_o all_o those_o he_o compel_v to_o blaspheme_n repentance_n and_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o he_o be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o recovery_n out_o of_o this_o snare_n of_o death_n both_o to_o the_o scandaliser_n or_o scandalize_v and_o a_o certain_a mean_n it_o be_v to_o either_o before_o i_o come_v to_o the_o last_o head_n of_o this_o discourse_n viz._n to_o draw_v down_o the_o whole_a meditation_n so_o as_o that_o it_o may_v be_v most_o fit_v to_o practice_n i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o resume_v the_o whole_a diffusive_a notion_n of_o scandal_n into_o one_o uniform_a representation_n descend_v from_o the_o general_n into_o the_o particular_n of_o it_o original_a scandal_n be_v that_o dislike_n and_o exception_n the_o rational_a creature_n take_v to_o the_o creator_n supreme_a dispose_n over_o it_o and_o its_o disgust_n to_o that_o state_n wherein_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v place_v it_o so_o that_o instead_o of_o a_o thankful_a acquiescency_n in_o it_o to_o its_o happiness_n it_o have_v prove_v a_o fugitive_n and_o a_o vagabond_n from_o it_o to_o its_o ruin_n reason_n of_o this_o at_o first_o there_o can_v be_v none_o but_o a_o disdain_n to_o have_v its_o large_a capacity_n of_o understanding_n confine_v or_o dictate_v to_o or_o its_o freeborn_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d bridle_v or_o restrain_v its_o liberty_n of_o will_n manacle_v or_o fetter_v by_o a_o divine_a law_n as_o if_o it_o be_v not_o indeed_o great_a understanding_n to_o be_v conform_v with_o truth_n and_o noble_a liberty_n to_o adhere_v to_o infinite_a goodness_n or_o as_o if_o understanding_n be_v not_o understanding_n if_o it_o can_v not_o take_v measure_n of_o truth_n for_o itself_o without_o god_n authoritative_o superintend_v it_o nor_o freewill_n be_v free_a if_o it_o can_v not_o choose_v whole_o for_o itself_o and_o owe_v no_o account_n to_o god_n and_o whether_o this_o scandal_n be_v first_o in_o the_o understanding_n or_o will_v be_v not_o material_a for_o the_o union_n be_v so_o vital_a between_o they_o both_o that_o what_o be_v in_o one_o be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o as_o they_o say_v ipso_fw-la facto_fw-la in_o the_o other_o the_o devil_n at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o abide_v not_o in_o the_o truth_n have_v as_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o swell_a lust_n in_o his_o will_n suitable_a 44._o john_n 8._o 44._o to_o his_o prevarication_n from_o the_o truth_n the_o very_a same_o may_v be_v observe_v in_o the_o fall_n of_o adam_n there_o be_v in_o one_o act_n a_o deception_n upon_o his_o understanding_n desert_v truth_n a_o sensual_a eye_n upon_o the_o fair_a but_o forbid_a fruit_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o the_o mind_n aspire_v to_o a_o imaginary_a 6._o gen._n 3._o 6._o more_o mount_v condition_n than_o god_n have_v place_v he_o in_o to_o be_v as_o god_n know_v good_a and_o evil._n this_o then_o be_v the_o first_o great_a scandal_n at_o which_o the_o angel_n and_o adam_n fall_v a_o discontent_n at_o a_o state_n of_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o god_n and_o his_o command_n how_o holy_a just_a and_o good_a soever_o as_o if_o it_o be_v too_o arbitrary_a upon_o being_n that_o can_v understand_v and_o choose_v for_o themselves_o to_o be_v so_o limit_v they_o do_v not_o like_a to_o consider_v to_o retain_v upon_o their_o reason_n not_o only_o that_o they_o have_v their_o being_n give_v they_o and_o that_o their_o obedience_n be_v a_o absolute_a due_a to_o the_o creator_n but_o that_o it_o be_v obedience_n to_o a_o infinite_o good_a and_o faithful_a creator_n true_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o creature_n than_o themselves_o can_v be_v this_o scandal_n therefore_o prevail_v upon_o they_o draw_v along_o the_o whole_a tain_n of_o misery_n with_o it_o scandalize_v spirit_n always_o report_v ill_a of_o god_n and_o his_o law_n so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v scandalize_v and_o they_o that_o be_v enter_v into_o scandal_n too_o content_o hear_v ill_o of_o he_o as_o appear_v in_o the_o dialogue_n betwixt_o the_o serpent_n and_o the_o first_o man_n and_o woman_n spirit_n utter_o lose_v by_o scandal_n act_n in_o defiance_n of_o god_n and_o be_v the_o more_o enrage_a by_o find_v the_o misery_n of_o their_o scandal_n press_v upon_o they_o even_o to_o despair_v as_o we_o see_v in_o the_o devil_n humane_a nature_n be_v more_o modest_a and_o tender_a be_v succour_v by_o grace_n and_o the_o promise_a seed_n in_o our_o first_o parent_n and_o their_o posterity_n preserve_v from_o the_o utmost_a mischief_n of_o scandal_n by_o that_o great_a restorer_n from_o scandal_n not_o perfect_o recover_v but_o in_o a_o state_n of_o second_o probation_n of_o rise_v after_o so_o great_a a_o fall_n or_o be_v most_o unhappy_o again_o sink_v below_o those_o hope_n and_o make_v for_o ever_o the_o prey_n of_o scandal_n even_o after_o grace_n offer_v this_o state_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v wave_v and_o various_a in_o some_o thing_n man_n be_v more_o clear_a and_o free_a in_o other_o hook_v and_o stake_v with_o scandal_n and_o wherein_o they_o be_v right_o in_o the_o general_n they_o be_v often_o ensnare_v in_o the_o particular_n and_o so_o that_o their_o freedom_n in_o the_o one_o give_v they_o more_o room_n and_o space_n to_o stir_v enwrap_v they_o more_o in_o the_o scandal_n of_o the_o other_o by_o degree_n if_o not_o restore_v man_n lose_v the_o modesty_n and_o tenderness_n preserve_v to_o they_o by_o grace_n and_o fall_v into_o the_o very_a scandal_n of_o the_o devil_n themselves_o or_o very_o near_o to_o it_o however_o in_o all_o scandal_n there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o lineament_n of_o primitive_a scandal_n and_o the_o great_a the_o scandal_n the_o more_o and_o the_o more_o apparent_a be_v those_o stroke_n of_o the_o first_o scandal_n there_o be_v in_o every_o scandal_n a_o understanding_n that_o will_v be_v wise_a than_o god_n be_v for_o it_o a_o disgust_n to_o self_n resignation_n into_o the_o divine_a will._n there_o be_v some_o lust_n that_o cloud_n and_o darken_v the_o mind_n and_o there_o be_v some_o false_a principle_n that_o embolden_v lust_n scandal_n always_o wrap_v up_o sin_n with_o itself_o else_o it_o be_v not_o scandal_n sin_n have_v always_o scandal_n to_o introduce_v it_o else_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sin_n although_o therefore_o when_o we_o come_v to_o particular_a case_n there_o be_v many_o sin_n lie_v
creature_n without_o sin_n yet_o he_o be_v make_v with_o a_o possibility_n of_o high_a advancement_n and_o perfection_n as_o he_o be_v of_o fall_v from_o his_o present_a perfection_n by_o not_o adhere_v to_o his_o creator_n according_a to_o what_o be_v reveal_v to_o he_o quest_n what_o relation_n do_v these_o two_o record_n bear_v to_o one_o another_o be_v both_o of_o god_n answ_n it_o be_v therefore_o impossible_a they_o shall_v either_o of_o they_o one_o contradict_v another_o but_o that_o they_o unite_v with_o confirm_v and_o justify_v one_o another_o and_o one_o pass_v out_o of_o and_o repass_v into_o another_o but_o the_o latter_a being_n more_o full_a clear_a and_o perfect_a make_v not_o only_o the_o addition_n of_o what_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o former_a but_o do_v much_o inlighten_v and_o clear_v it_o and_o since_o the_o fall_n it_o be_v not_o where_o else_o perfect_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o revelation_n yet_o so_o that_o whatever_o of_o it_o remain_v or_o be_v 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