virgin_n womb_n and_o that_o he_o may_v become_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n be_v content_a to_o be_v disarrayed_a of_o his_o own_o eternal_a glory_n to_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n and_o to_o humble_v himself_o to_o the_o death_n the_o shameful_a death_n of_o the_o cross_n so_o likewise_o when_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o office_n of_o a_o teacher_n by_o a_o wonderful_a condescend_v he_o accommodate_v his_o doctrine_n to_o the_o reason_n &_o humane_a affection_n of_o his_o auditor_n his_o law_n obtain_v as_o much_o by_o their_o suitableness_n to_o our_o nature_n as_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o speaker_n when_o he_o preach_v his_o divine_a sermon_n to_o the_o multitude_n he_o do_v not_o amuse_v they_o with_o mystical_a theology_n or_o torture_v their_o understanding_n with_o profound_a subtlety_n but_o as_o he_o be_v the_o brightness_n of_o his_o father_n glory_n and_o the_o express_a image_n of_o his_o person_n so_o he_o declare_v the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o most_o plain_a and_o perspicuous_a manner_n mahomet_n indeed_o that_o grand_a impostor_n be_v well_o advise_v to_o pen_v his_o alcoran_n in_o swell_a word_n and_o mystical_a phrase_n and_o as_o in_o some_o thing_n to_o restrain_v so_o in_o other_o to_o indulge_v the_o sensual_a appetite_n for_o by_o this_o stratagem_n that_o sottish_a people_n with_o who_o he_o have_v to_o do_v be_v content_a to_o part_v with_o their_o natural_a right_n to_o gain_v a_o unlawful_a freedom_n and_o to_o admire_v what_o they_o be_v never_o like_a to_o understand_v but_o our_o new_a and_o perfect_a law_n giver_n christ_n jesus_n have_v no_o other_o design_n but_o the_o salvation_n of_o soul_n and_o be_v every_o way_n adorn_v for_o so_o noble_a a_o purpose_n though_o he_o make_v the_o gate_n narrow_a and_o the_o path_n straight_o yet_o he_o have_v promise_v it_o shall_v be_v open_v to_o all_o that_o knock_v and_o none_o unless_o wilful_o need_v mistake_v the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o eternal_a life_n but_o then_o because_o he_o know_v there_o be_v no_o rule_n so_o plain_a but_o it_o may_v be_v mistake_v no_o precept_n so_o clear_a but_o it_o may_v be_v pervert_v no_o doctrine_n so_o pure_a but_o it_o may_v be_v corrupt_v because_o he_o foresee_v there_o will_v arise_v false_a prophet_n and_o false_a teacher_n who_o business_n it_o will_v be_v to_o seduce_v the_o ignorant_a and_o debauch_v the_o credulous_a because_o he_o foresee_v a_o perpetual_a succession_n of_o gnostic_n who_o in_o all_o age_n will_v set_v up_o the_o dagon_n of_o their_o own_o lascivious_a fancy_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o ark_n of_o his_o covenant_n and_o be_v so_o audacious_a as_o even_o to_o confront_v divine_a revelation_n with_o carnal_a reason_n therefore_o to_o obviate_v and_o prevent_v the_o mischief_n of_o such_o grievous_a wolf_n before_o he_o take_v his_o journey_n into_o his_o far_a country_n out_o of_o a_o tender_a care_n of_o that_o flock_n which_o he_o have_v purchase_v with_o his_o blood_n he_o appoint_v overseer_n and_o pastor_n of_o his_o flock_n commit_v to_o they_o and_o they_o only_o the_o care_n of_o feed_v his_o flock_n amplify_v their_o commission_n with_o the_o like_a authority_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v from_o his_o father_n promise_v to_o be_v with_o they_o unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o to_o assist_v they_o with_o that_o spirit_n which_o shall_v guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n if_o then_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o clear_a as_o to_o be_v understand_v even_o by_o the_o multitude_n then_o much_o more_o by_o the_o disciple_n in_o general_a if_o by_o the_o disciple_n in_o general_a much_o more_o by_o the_o college_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v his_o special_a favourite_n and_o of_o his_o cabinet-council_n if_o the_o nation_n to_o who_o these_o minister_n in_o chief_a and_o plenepotentiaries_n for_o christ_n make_v know_v the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v thorough_o instruct_v for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n then_o much_o more_o both_o they_o and_o their_o successor_n upon_o who_o they_o in_o obedience_n to_o their_o master_n command_n confer_v the_o same_o pastoral_n power_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o the_o clearness_n then_o of_o scripture_n can_v reasonable_o be_v urge_v in_o prejudice_n of_o christ_n minister_n for_o whatsoever_o be_v from_o hence_o allege_v in_o favour_n of_o the_o people_n the_o advantage_n will_v be_v still_o great_a on_o their_o side_n thus_o have_v god_n promise_v the_o assistance_n of_o his_o spirit_n to_o all_o private_a man_n who_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n then_o much_o less_o will_v he_o be_v want_v to_o the_o governor_n of_o his_o church_n to_o who_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o care_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o those_o private_a man_n and_o give_v power_n even_o to_o confer_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v the_o scripture_n clear_a to_o they_o much_o more_o to_o those_o who_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v signalise_v and_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n two_o thing_n be_v usual_o bring_v to_o hinder_v this_o procedure_n either_o that_o those_o promise_n of_o assistance_n be_v make_v only_o to_o the_o apostle_n or_o else_o that_o they_o depend_v on_o the_o condition_a righteousness_n of_o men._n where_o by_o the_o way_n it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o by_o the_o first_o of_o these_o the_o claim_n of_o the_o people_n be_v utter_o cut_v off_o and_o by_o the_o second_o they_o have_v as_o small_a advantage_n but_o they_o who_o argue_v thus_o may_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v that_o this_o objection_n may_v strike_v at_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o faith_n for_o if_o those_o promise_n of_o assistance_n which_o christ_n make_v to_o his_o church_n be_v hypothecal_n if_o they_o depend_v on_o the_o performance_n of_o man_n then_o may_v the_o foundation_n totter_v the_o gate_n of_o hell_n prevail_v christianity_n decay_n and_o the_o gospel_n itself_o be_v lose_v out_o of_o the_o world_n before_o the_o end_n thereof_o notwithstanding_o all_o christ_n fair_a promise_n to_o the_o contrary_a if_o they_o have_v be_v confine_v only_o to_o the_o apostle_n its_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o long_o survive_v the_o author_n every_o martyrdom_n of_o a_o apostle_n have_v pull_v down_o a_o pillar_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o consequence_n the_o whole_a fabric_n must_v have_v fall_v to_o the_o ground_n in_o the_o very_a first_o century_n of_o our_o lord_n happy_a indeed_o have_v it_o be_v for_o christendom_n that_o the_o imperiousness_n of_o some_o modern_a bishop_n of_o rome_n have_v not_o bring_v a_o odium_n though_o unjust_o upon_o episcopacy_n in_o general_n that_o their_o too_o much_o lording_n it_o over_o the_o flock_n have_v not_o give_v advantage_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o church-authority_n and_o their_o challenge_v to_o themselves_o at_o lest_o a_o indirect_a power_n in_o temporal_n have_v not_o alarm_v the_o king_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o stand_v up_o and_o take_v counsel_n how_o they_o may_v destroy_v so_o dangerous_a a_o usurpation_n of_o the_o pretend_a vicegerent_n of_o the_o lord_n anoint_v happy_a have_v it_o be_v if_o for_o the_o support_n of_o their_o secular_a greatness_n they_o have_v not_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o countenance_v such_o doctrine_n as_o have_v no_o clear_a and_o solid_a foundation_n therein_o and_o that_o under_o pretence_n of_o make_v the_o church_n all_o glorious_a within_o her_o governor_n all_o triumphant_a without_o they_o have_v not_o deface_v her_o innocent_a beauty_n and_o make_v her_o militant_a in_o the_o worst_a of_o sense_n however_o they_o can_v no_o way_n be_v excuse_v who_o think_v they_o can_v never_o be_v secure_a from_o papal_a supremacy_n but_o by_o demolish_n the_o evangelical_n hierarchy_n and_o introduce_v a_o presbyterial_a parity_n into_o the_o catholic_n church_n and_o to_o avoid_v the_o necessity_n of_o have_v a_o infallible_a judge_n leave_v every_o private_a prepossess_v fancy_n to_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o scripture_n whereby_o man_n be_v often_o bewilder_v in_o a_o labyrinth_n of_o error_n seduce_v into_o those_o by-path_n which_o lead_v to_o the_o pit_n of_o destruction_n for_o notwithstanding_o that_o beam_n of_o divine_a light_n which_o shine_v so_o bright_a in_o the_o scripture_n it_o seem_v some_o man_n have_v eye_n either_o so_o weak_a as_o to_o be_v dazzle_v at_o the_o sight_n of_o it_o or_o else_o so_o blind_a with_o pride_n or_o malice_n as_o not_o to_o perceive_v it_o for_o st._n peter_n tell_v we_o there_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a man_n wrest_v unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n and_o therefore_o the_o unlearned_a shall_v do_v well_o to_o consult_v their_o teacher_n the_o unstable_a those_o that_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n which_o bring_v i_o to_o my_o second_o general_a consideration_n that_o though_o the_o scripture_n be_v
a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n at_o white-hall_n october_n 17._o 1675._o by_o miles_n barn_n fellow_n of_o st._n peter_n college_n in_o cambridge_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n print_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n london_n print_v by_o t._n milbeurn_n for_o w._n cademan_n at_o the_o popes-head_n in_o the_o new-exchange_n in_o the_o strand_n 1675._o 2_o pet._n chap._n 3._o ver_fw-la 16._o in_o which_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o they_o that_o be_v unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrest_v as_o they_o do_v also_o the_o other_o scripture_n unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n in_o all_o point_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n to_o all_o such_o as_o sincere_o endeavour_v to_o believe_v and_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n thereof_o as_o it_o be_v a_o principle_n which_o suit_v very_o well_o with_o the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o a_o rule_n with_o the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n in_o propound_v it_o as_o such_o and_o have_v be_v urge_v with_o some_o success_n against_o those_o who_o plead_v a_o necessity_n of_o have_v one_o supreme_a infallible_a judge_n to_o decide_v and_o determine_v all_o controversy_n which_o shall_v happen_v to_o arise_v concern_v that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n who_o decision_n and_o determination_n say_v they_o aught_o to_o be_v receive_v by_o all_o the_o son_n of_o the_o church_n for_o as_o much_o as_o the_o church_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o age_n with_o equal_a assent_n and_o veneration_n with_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n and_o this_o to_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a way_n to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n whereby_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v say_v new_a article_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v daily_o impose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o man_n pass_v for_o the_o commandment_n of_o god_n and_o humane_a invention_n receive_v the_o stamp_n of_o divine_a authority_n whereby_o man_n seem_v preclude_v the_o genuine_a method_n of_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o those_o precept_n of_o of_o search_v the_o scripture_n seek_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n try_v the_o spirit_n be_v render_v ineffectual_a whereby_o man_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o faith_n that_o their_o understand_n be_v enslave_v by_o a_o principle_n of_o blind_a obedience_n so_o far_o from_o be_v lead_v into_o the_o way_n of_o religion_n by_o the_o cord_n of_o man_n that_o they_o seem_v rather_o to_o be_v drive_v like_o beast_n and_o act_v like_o puppet_n as_o it_o be_v phrased_a by_o a_o late_a author_n as_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n have_v prove_v successful_a to_o the_o beat_n down_o the_o pretence_n to_o a_o absolute_a infallibility_n and_o uncontrollable_a sovereignty_n over_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n have_v it_o mighty_o embolden_v the_o patron_n of_o liberty_n not_o only_o to_o despise_v their_o ecclesiastical_a superior_n to_o throw_v off_o all_o obedience_n to_o christ_n minister_n who_o he_o notwithstanding_o a_o little_a before_o his_o return_n to_o his_o father_n court_n for_o the_o further_o negotiate_v and_o advance_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o church_n anoint_v and_o ordain_v to_o perform_v the_o apostolical_a office_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n remit_v sin_n inflict_v censure_n ministerial_o confer_v the_o holy_a ghost_n decide_v controversy_n and_o administer_a the_o sacrament_n in_o his_o stead_n here_o on_o earth_n till_o his_o second_o come_n but_o likewise_o to_o invade_v their_o function_n usurp_v their_o sacred_a call_v especial_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o consist_v in_o preach_v and_o expound_v the_o word_n for_o say_v they_o since_o it_o be_v confess_v the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o clear_a to_o all_o unprejudiced_a mind_n such_o as_o be_v free_a from_o the_o clog_n of_o passion_n and_o interest_n why_o shall_v these_o pretend_a minister_n of_o christ_n take_v so_o much_o upon_o they_o be_v not_o all_o the_o congregation_n holy_a and_o learned_a as_o well_o as_o they_o be_v they_o the_o only_a temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o do_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n reside_v sole_o in_o their_o breast_n during_o the_o dispensation_n of_o moses_n it_o be_v confess_v there_o be_v a_o necessity_n of_o a_o aaron_n all_o along_o under_o the_o legal_a oeconomy_n the_o priest_n lip_n do_v preserve_v knowledge_n and_o likewise_o during_o the_o reign_n of_o the_o prophet_n there_o be_v a_o appropriate_a ministry_n but_o the_o case_n be_v quite_o different_a under_o the_o gospel_n god_n have_v make_v clear_a discovery_n of_o himself_o and_o pour_v out_o more_o liberal_o of_o his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n that_o be_v doubtful_a typical_a and_o mysterious_a the_o prophecy_n be_v industrious_o couch_v under_o dark_a parable_n and_o deliver_v in_o obscure_a say_n but_o then_o the_o light_n the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o be_v universal_a it_o be_v likewise_o so_o clear_a that_o any_o one_o who_o run_v may_v read_v why_o then_o shall_v we_o not_o assert_v that_o liberty_n wherewith_o christ_n have_v make_v we_o free_a and_o since_o we_o have_v a_o command_n to_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n why_o shall_v we_o pin_v our_o faith_n upon_o other_o man_n sleeve_n thus_o these_o man_n under_o the_o goodly_a pretence_n of_o christian_a liberty_n become_v enslave_v to_o spiritual_a pride_n and_o conceitedness_n plead_v the_o prerogative_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o prejudice_n of_o christ_n own_o ambassador_n urge_v for_o their_o own_o private_a conception_n clearness_n of_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o confusion_n and_o pry_v so_o long_o into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o theology_n till_o at_o length_n they_o light_v on_o those_o hide_a mystery_n which_o they_o be_v unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrest_v unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n the_o way_n thus_o prepare_v my_o text_n yet_o lead_v i_o into_o these_o follow_a consideration_n 1._o that_o the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n do_v no_o way_n lessen_v the_o authority_n or_o take_v away_o the_o necessity_n of_o spiritual_a guide_n 2._o that_o though_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a in_o themselves_o yet_o private_a man_n abandon_v their_o lawful_a guide_n and_o follow_v their_o own_o corrupt_a fancy_n may_v deprave_v and_o distort_v they_o to_o their_o own_o destruction_n 3._o that_o for_o prevent_v mistake_v from_o rise_v and_o suppress_v error_n when_o rise_v it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o private_a man_n to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o who_o god_n have_v constitute_v to_o be_v their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o governor_n unless_o it_o manifest_o appear_v that_o such_o determination_n be_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n i._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o that_o the_o clearness_n of_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n for_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o clear_a and_o self-evident_a as_o be_v pretend_v then_o may_v man_n with_o great_a security_n rely_v on_o the_o direction_n of_o their_o guide_n and_o they_o have_v the_o less_o reason_n to_o suspect_v their_o conduct_n in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o they_o themselves_o be_v judges_n they_o can_v be_v mistake_v if_o they_o sincere_o attend_v they_o the_o clearness_n of_o the_o law_n be_v so_o far_o from_o lessen_v the_o authority_n that_o it_o rather_o conciliate_v reverence_n to_o the_o judge_n the_o profession_n of_o physic_n do_v not_o therefore_o become_v useless_a because_o the_o aphorism_n of_o hypocrates_n contain_v the_o necessary_a rule_n for_o health_n and_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o those_o who_o be_v capacitate_v and_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o do_v it_o the_o scripture_n they_o do_v clear_o contain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n and_o one_o way_n whereby_o christ_n prove_v himself_o the_o true_a messiah_n be_v by_o answer_v that_o character_n the_o prophet_n have_v give_v of_o he_o that_o the_o poor_a shall_v have_v the_o gospel_n preach_v unto_o they_o i._n e._n man_n as_o of_o small_a capacity_n and_o less_o estate_n so_o of_o humble_a and_o teachable_a disposition_n man_n who_o be_v poor_a in_o spirit_n as_o well_o as_o in_o fortune_n and_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o christian_a law_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o therein_o god_n have_v prescribe_v a_o reasonable_a service_n the_o rule_n of_o life_n which_o be_v therein_o lay_v down_o be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o product_n of_o absolute_a power_n and_o sovereignty_n as_o the_o result_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n and_o these_o his_o attribute_n lead_v he_o to_o consult_v the_o want_n and_o commiserate_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o mean_a of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o as_o when_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o deliver_v man_n he_o do_v not_o abhor_v the_o
much_o great_a be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o those_o doctrine_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n who_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n and_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n ii_o second_o i_o urge_v the_o authority_n of_o my_o lord_n bacon_n who_o if_o any_o i_o think_v shall_v be_v admit_v by_o these_o virtuoso_n in_o religion_n the_o divine_a prerogative_n say_v he_o extend_v itself_o to_o the_o whole_a man_n and_o require_v not_o only_a obedience_n from_o our_o will_n but_o submission_n from_o our_o understanding_n and_o therefore_o as_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o obey_v the_o divine_a law_n though_o our_o will_n reluct_v never_o so_o much_o against_o it_o so_o be_v we_o oblige_v to_o believe_v whatsoever_o god_n have_v reveal_v though_o never_o so_o improbable_a to_o our_o understanding_n for_o if_o we_o believe_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v true_a we_o do_v not_o believe_v the_o truth_n deliver_v for_o the_o author_n sake_n but_o the_o author_n for_o the_o truth_n sake_n and_o so_o we_o pay_v no_o more_o respect_n to_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n than_o we_o do_v to_o the_o write_n of_o man_n though_o never_o so_o much_o suspect_v by_o we_o the_o faith_n which_o justify_v abraham_n be_v conversant_a in_o a_o matter_n incredible_a to_o reason_n and_o therefore_o the_o high_a the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n be_v above_o our_o reason_n the_o great_a be_v the_o exercise_n and_o triumph_v of_o our_o faith_n &_o the_o honour_n do_v unto_o god_n in_o believe_v to_o conclude_v this_o point_n great_a be_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n both_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n &_o the_o deduce_a true_a consequence_n and_o wholesome_a conclusion_n from_o thence_o and_o if_o it_o be_v whole_o suppress_v our_o religion_n will_v degenerate_v into_o superstition_n we_o shall_v be_v so_o far_o from_o pay_v god_n a_o reasonable_a service_n that_o we_o shall_v offer_v he_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o fool_n but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v keep_v to_o a_o due_a temper_n for_o if_o be_v not_o manage_v by_o prudent_a guide_n it_o be_v apt_a to_o grow_v wild_a and_o extravagant_a to_o hurry_v we_o on_o to_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o foul_a imposture_n to_o a_o practice_n of_o the_o gross_a impiety_n which_o either_o the_o prevalency_n of_o the_o world_n the_o domineer_a enmity_n of_o the_o flesh_n or_o the_o implacable_a malice_n of_o satan_n can_v propound_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o practise_v ii_o the_o second_o reason_n of_o private_a man_n fall_v into_o error_n be_v their_o instability_n in_o not_o adhere_v to_o their_o guide_n but_o forsake_v they_o to_o go_v astray_o in_o the_o intricate_a path_n of_o error_n and_o deceit_n heresy_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o excision_n from_o and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o church_n in_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n pronounce_v a_o heretic_n self-condemned_n one_o who_o have_v wanton_o choose_v to_o himself_o those_o opinion_n for_o a_o obstinate_a defence_n whereof_o after_o full_a and_o plain_a mean_n of_o conviction_n he_o just_o fall_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n be_v excommunicate_v the_o assembly_n of_o the_o saint_n &_o so_o without_o repentance_n &_o reconciliation_n continue_v in_o a_o very_a dangerous_a estate_n if_o that_o of_o heathen_n and_o publican_n be_v acknowledge_v such_o not_o in_o vain_a then_o be_v those_o frequent_a caution_n against_o fall_v away_o those_o repeat_v admonition_n to_o perseverance_n those_o earnest_a exhortation_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n and_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v those_o so_o much_o inculcate_v command_n of_o obey_v those_o who_o be_v set_v over_o we_o in_o the_o lord_n heb._n 13._o v_o 7._o remember_v they_o which_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o who_o have_v speak_v unto_o you_o the_o word_n of_o god_n who_o faith_n follow_v ver._n 17._o obey_v they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n over_o you_o and_o submit_v yourselves_o for_o they_o watch_v for_o your_o soul_n for_o in_o vain_a may_v those_o man_n commit_v themselves_o to_o the_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o god_n who_o neglect_v to_o hear_v his_o guide_n and_o violate_v his_o commandment_n in_o hope_n to_o procure_v his_o help_n &_o favour_n for_o from_o that_o very_a moment_n of_o time_n they_o cease_v to_o be_v member_n of_o the_o holy_a catholic_n church_n they_o be_v become_v outlawries_a in_o a_o gospel-sense_n they_o have_v lose_v the_o protection_n of_o the_o heavenly_a king_n and_o they_o lie_v under_o the_o deprivation_n of_o the_o benefit_n belong_v to_o the_o subject_n of_o that_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v above_o and_o what_o wonder_n if_o be_v in_o this_o forlorn_a condition_n the_o tempter_n take_v his_o advantage_n lead_v they_o into_o the_o wilderness_n and_o there_o present_a to_o their_o disturb_a fancy_n false_a scheme_n of_o religion_n suggest_v unworthy_a apprehension_n of_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v by_o he_o thus_o suggest_v be_v by_o they_o mistake_v for_o new_a light_n and_o holy_a inspiration_n and_o because_o this_o spirit_n of_o delusion_n dare_v put_v forth_o among_o christian_n no_o doctrine_n but_o such_o as_o pretend_v to_o be_v found_v on_o the_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n they_o be_v wrest_v and_o torture_v their_o scope_n be_v mistake_v their_o sense_n abuse_v their_o period_n miserable_o mangle_v their_o whole_a design_n pervert_v to_o countenance_v every_o wild_a opinion_n which_o either_o a_o capricious_a fancy_n can_v imagine_v or_o a_o malicious_a wit_n invent_v and_o from_o hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o we_o have_v as_o many_o several_a sort_n of_o christian_n as_o there_o be_v different_a humour_n or_o interest_n of_o man_n &_o the_o gospel_n with_o st._n paul_n though_o in_o a_o quite_o contrary_a sense_n be_v become_v all_o thing_n unto_o all_o man_n and_o have_v make_v thus_o bold_a with_o the_o scripture_n it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v deal_v more_o modest_o with_o any_o authority_n inferior_a to_o that_o the_o most_o ancient_a tradition_n must_v now_o give_v place_n to_o new_a discovery_n the_o consent_n of_o the_o catholic_n apostolic_a church_n be_v bear_v down_o by_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o private_a i_o may_v say_v familiar_a spirit_n whereas_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n best_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o their_o master_n that_o they_o faithful_o &_o full_o communicate_v their_o knowledge_n to_o their_o successor_n &_o so_o by_o certain_a step_n and_o degree_n we_o may_v arrive_v at_o this_o fundamental_a truth_n that_o as_o the_o church_n be_v the_o most_o faithful_a keeper_n so_o the_o most_o authentic_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n which_o fair_o usher_v in_o my_o three_o and_o last_o consideration_n that_o for_o the_o prevent_n mistake_v from_o rise_v and_o suppress_v error_n when_o rise_v it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o private_a man_n to_o submit_v their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o determination_n of_o those_o who_o god_n have_v constitute_v to_o be_v their_o spiritual_a guide_n and_o governor_n unless_o it_o manifest_o appear_v that_o such_o determination_n be_v contrary_a to_o god_n word_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v assert_v very_o brief_o both_o from_o the_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n who_o be_v appoint_v to_o rule_n in_o the_o church_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n i._o and_o that_o which_o first_o entitle_v the_o governor_n of_o the_o church_n to_o a_o superiority_n over_o their_o subject_n be_v that_o special_a ordination_n and_o commission_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v from_o christ_n to_o instruct_v the_o world_n in_o all_o necessary_a truth_n and_o that_o charge_v which_o he_o have_v lay_v upon_o other_o to_o obey_v they_o if_o any_o one_o list_v to_o see_v their_o commission_n he_o may_v find_v it_o record_v in_o any_o of_o the_o four_o evangelist_n i_o shall_v exhibit_v it_o as_o it_o be_v exemplify_v 28_o mat._n 18_o 19_o 20._o verse_n and_o jesus_n come_v and_o speak_v unto_o they_o say_v all_o power_n be_v give_v to_o i_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n go_v you_o therefore_o and_o teach_v all_o nation_n teach_v they_o to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o and_o lo_o i_o be_o with_o you_o always_o unto_o to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o which_o word_n there_o be_v these_o three_o thing_n considerable_a 1._o that_o christ_n commission_v his_o disciple_n immediate_o after_o he_o have_v proclaim_v himself_o omnipotent_a 2._o that_o this_o commission_n imply_v it_o to_o be_v christ_n will_n that_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v obey_v they_o 3._o that_o he_o promise_v to_o be_v with_o they_o and_o their_o successor_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o