four_o sermon_n preach_v by_o the_o right_a reverend_n father_z in_o god_n john_n tower_n d._n d._n l._n bishop_n of_o peterburgh_n 1._o at_o the_o funeral_n of_o the_o right_n honourable_a william_n earl_n of_o northampton_n 2._o at_o the_o baptism_n of_o the_o right_n honourable_a james_n earl_n of_o northampton_n 3._o before_o king_n james_n in_o defence_n of_o the_o material_a church_n 4._o before_o k._n charles_n at_o white-hall_n in_o time_n of_o lent_n he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n rev._n 2.7_o london_n print_v for_o thomas_n rook_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o lamb_n at_o the_o east_n end_n of_o s._n paul_n near_o the_o school_n 1660._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a james_n earl_n of_o northampton_n and_o to_o his_o excellent_a lady_n isabella_z the_o right_a honourable_a countess_n of_o northampton_n right_o honourable_a my_o singular_a good_a lord_n it_o be_v now_o more_o than_o time_n that_o these_o holy_a sermon_n shall_v come_v to_o light_v into_o the_o light_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v themselves_o a_o light_n to_o the_o world_n after_o so_o many_o year_n since_o the_o departure_n of_o the_o reverend_n and_o religious_a author_n of_o they_o into_o the_o light_n of_o god_n when_o they_o first_o come_v abroad_o who_o ought_v they_o early_o to_o greet_v than_o your_o noble_a lordship_n that_o his_o posthume_n paper_n may_v crave_v protection_n from_o the_o same_o family_n which_o give_v patronage_n to_o his_o live_a person_n from_o the_o service_n of_o the_o earldom_n he_o go_v up_o to_o wait_v upon_o the_o throne_n and_o yet_o do_v never_o forget_v your_o castle-ashby_n after_o his_o arrive_n to_o the_o king_n white-hall_n though_o he_o be_v find_v to_o have_v merit_n enough_o to_o entitle_v his_o attendance_n upon_o the_o two_o best_a peer_n in_o chaplainry_n to_o your_o grandfather_n who_o deserve_v to_o be_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o earldom_n though_o there_o be_v a_o deserve_v and_o much_o more_o ancient_a rise_n of_o the_o noble_a name_n of_o the_o comptons_n ortus_fw-la domus_fw-la suae_fw-la a_o fair_a commendation_n than_o which_o the_o quick_a best-tongued_a orator_n can_v not_o invent_v for_o himself_o and_o in_o tutorage_n to_o your_o father_n who_o fall_n be_v so_o valiant_a that_o he_o choose_v to_o pay_v a_o magnanimous_a death_n rather_o than_o to_o owe_v a_o bestow_v life_n though_o from_o thence_o the_o same_o merit_n carry_v he_o on_o to_o do_v yearly_a homage_n to_o the_o two_o choice_a king_n james_n the_o wise_a and_o charles_n the_o religious_a yet_o he_o have_v also_o humble_a gratitude_n enough_o to_o confess_v aloud_o it_o be_v northampton_n arm_n more_o than_o his_o own_o hand_n and_o pen_n that_o raise_v he_o my_o good_a lord_n you_o see_v already_o your_o just_a title_n to_o the_o whole_a but_o you_o have_v still_o a_o more_o peculiar_a interest_n in_o these_o select_a four_o one_o of_o they_o be_v preach_v at_o that_o parish_n which_o be_v all_o your_o ancestor_n and_o the_o author_n nine_o part_n you_o and_o the_o tithe_n he_o and_o tither_n of_o duty_n it_o ought_v to_o return_v another_o at_o your_o own_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o second_o the_o baptismal_a birth_n of_o your_o noble_a self_n a_o three_o at_o the_o three_o birth_n of_o the_o most_o munificent_a your_o father_n father_n when_o he_o have_v pass_v over_o the_o life_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o life_n of_o grace_n and_o be_v receive_v up_o into_o the_o life_n of_o glory_n a_o four_o be_v add_v to_o expiate_v the_o delay_n in_o payment_n of_o the_o three_o former_a nay_o my_o most_o noble_a lord_n all_o this_o will_v not_o suffice_v that_o you_o shall_v have_v title_n to_o these_o composure_n from_o your_o progenitor_n from_o yourself_o from_o the_o author_n unless_o i_o humble_o acknowledge_v the_o right_n you_o have_v in_o my_o transcription_n too_o from_o the_o claim_n which_o your_o honour_n may_v lay_v to_o my_o very_a self_n also_o your_o interest_n in_o i_o your_o jurisdiction_n over_o i_o your_o purchase_n of_o i_o your_o honour_n have_v interest_n in_o i_o before_o i_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o see_v your_o lordship_n or_o so_o wise_a as_o to_o know_v my_o self_n even_o whilst_o i_o be_v yet_o in_o lumbis_fw-la for_o sure_a our_o birth_n be_v not_o so_o whole_o wretched_a as_o to_o have_v nothing_o else_o entail_v upon_o we_o at_o our_o come_n into_o the_o world_n beside_o original_a sin_n we_o be_v even_o bear_v with_o respect_n and_o duty_n and_o devotion_n to_o original_a benefactor_n too_o your_o jurisdiction_n over_o i_o shall_v never_o be_v disow_v by_o i_o whilst_o i_o have_v breath_n dum_fw-la spiritus_fw-la hos_fw-la regit_fw-la artus_n in_o that_o since_o i_o have_v breath_n your_o lordship_n be_v the_o first_o master_n i_o ever_o have_v master_n and_o father_n too_o by_o your_o purchase_n of_o i_o in_o that_o i_o do_v eat_v of_o your_o lordship_n bread_n when_o by_o the_o common_a calamity_n of_o the_o time_n and_o the_o deserve_v once_o of_o my_o own_o i_o have_v no_o bread_n of_o my_o own_o to_o eat_v but_o go_v abroad_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n like_o the_o gospel_n first_o disciple_n without_o pâ—rse_n or_o scrip._n 22.35_o luk._n 22.35_o and_o now_o my_o most_o excellent_o vorivous_a and_o meek_a lady_n be_v not_o your_o right_n the_o same_o with_o my_o noble_a lord_n and_o have_v not_o your_o own_o goodness_n buy_v a_o like_a interest_n in_o i_o i_o have_v nothing_o to_o return_v to_o either_o of_o your_o honour_n but_o my_o prayer_n that_o you_o both_o may_v enjoy_v the_o whole_a benefit_n of_o this_o which_o be_v a_o dedication_n upon_o design_n that_o as_o you_o be_v regenerate_v by_o baptism_n the_o discourse_n of_o one_o of_o these_o homily_n you_o may_v so_o love_v to_o serve_v god_n in_o his_o own_o house_n the_o subject_n of_o another_o that_o when_o your_o body_n be_v inter_v in_o the_o church_n the_o matter_n of_o a_o three_o your_o soul_n may_v be_v convey_v to_o that_o place_n which_o christ_n be_v go_v up_o to_o prepare_v for_o you_o the_o subject-matter_n of_o a_o four_o there_o to_o enjoy_v honour_n and_o bliss_n eternal_a it_o be_v real_o the_o prayer_n of_o my_o noble_a lord_n and_o my_o religious_a lady_n your_o honour_n most_o faithful_a most_o oblige_a servant_n william_n tower_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o funeral_n of_o the_o right_n honourable_a william_n earl_n of_o northampton_n rev._n 14.13_o beati_fw-la mortui_fw-la qui_fw-la in_o domino_fw-la moriuntur_fw-la bless_a be_v the_o dead_a that_o die_v in_o the_o lord_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o book_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o s._n john_n operis_fw-la occasio_fw-la operis_fw-la i_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o plead_v but_o that_o for_o the_o honourable_a memory_n of_o the_o person_n of_o honour_n who_o body_n we_o now_o inter_v and_o because_o of_o the_o morenesse_n of_o time_n since_o his_o death_n it_o will_v misbecome_v such_o a_o oblige_a chaplain_n of_o such_o a_o bountiful_a patron_n not_o to_o take_v pain_n somewhat_o more_o than_o ordinary_a and_o to_o exceed_v the_o hour_n in_o this_o last_o public_a service_n which_o he_o perform_v for_o the_o most_o liberal_a of_o master_n to_o the_o mean_a of_o god_n household_n servant_n let_v this_o short_a apology_n bear_v i_o out_o in_o my_o prolixnesse_n after_o since_o by_o his_o own_o example_n i_o desire_v to_o do_v much_o of_o good_a at_o his_o death_n to_o those_o who_o be_v come_v hither_o to_o remember_v he_o and_o to_o mourn_v their_o own_o loss_n though_o in_o his_o blessedness_n the_o business_n of_o who_o life_n be_v to_o do_v all_o good_a to_o all_o the_o joint_a consent_n of_o the_o ancient_n and_o modern_a church_n libri_fw-la authoritus_n libri_fw-la have_v with_o a_o easy_a refutation_n of_o some_o weak_a objection_n to_o the_o contrary_a and_o with_o a_o constant_a and_o unanimous_a submission_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n to_o the_o content_n of_o it_o by_o the_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n receive_v this_o book_n into_o and_o by_o the_o special_a providence_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n preserve_v it_o in_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o bless_a apostle_n and_o evangelist_n s._n john_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o by_o writing_n we_o doubt_v not_o and_o that_o be_v the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n he_o write_v this_o as_o he_o do_v his_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n be_v inspire_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o remain_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n as_o apostolical_a scripture_n for_o confirmation_n whereof_o 1._o verse_n 1._o he_o call_v it_o also_o in_o the_o beginning_n the_o revelation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o god_n give_v it_o unto_o he_o and_o that_o he_o send_v and_o signify_v it_o by_o his_o angel_n
only_a author_n the_o principal_a efficient_a cause_n of_o our_o new_a birth_n the_o principal_a i_o say_v for_o he_o do_v not_o use_v to_o work_v regeneration_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o any_o man_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o enthusiast_n will_v have_v it_o immediate_o but_o by_o such_o ordinary_a mean_n as_o he_o have_v appoint_v both_o for_o himself_o to_o offer_v and_o for_o we_o to_o apprehend_v eternal_a salvation_n the_o mean_v allot_v to_o we_o in_o this_o behalf_n who_o be_v receiver_n be_v faith_n the_o only_a hand_n he_o have_v give_v we_o to_o reach_v out_o and_o lay_v hold_v on_o and_o apply_v unto_o ourselves_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n offer_v the_o merit_n of_o christ_n with_o the_o consequent_n thereof_o forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n justification_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n by_o faith_n of_o jesus_n christ_n the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n be_v unto_o all_o and_o upon_o all_o that_o believe_v rom._n 3.22_o but_o then_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n who_o be_v the_o donor_n the_o mean_n by_o which_o he_o do_v usual_o bestow_v these_o grace_n upon_o we_o and_o convey_v they_o unto_o we_o be_v two_o his_o word_n his_o sacrament_n of_o the_o efficacy_n of_o his_o word_n no_o christian_a doubt_v by_o hear_v come_v faith_n rom._n 10.17_o and_o by_o the_o hear_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o spirit_n receive_v gal._n 3.2_o and_o for_o the_o sacrament_n they_o have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o trouble_v themselves_o and_o the_o church_n of_o god_n with_o seruple_n of_o doubt_n as_o if_o they_o be_v but_o bare_a sign_n and_o no_o more_o do_v not_o the_o father_n call_v the_o sacrament_n verbum_fw-la visibile_fw-la a_o visihle_n word_n be_v they_o not_o as_o it_o be_v a_o epitome_n of_o the_o gospel_n receive_v they_o not_o all_o their_o worth_n and_o virtue_n and_o operation_n not_o only_o from_o the_o present_a grace_n but_o from_o the_o ancient_a appointment_n and_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o by_o divine_a as_o well_o as_o ecclesiastical_a ordination_n be_v join_v to_o the_o outward_a element_n but_o to_o make_v it_o good_a against_o they_o in_o this_o one_o sacrament_n which_o we_o have_v now_o in_o hand_n if_o he_o and_o he_o only_o shall_v be_v save_v in_o a_o ordinary_a course_n who_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v mark_v 16.16_o may_v we_o not_o well_o reckon_v baptism_n a_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o this_o salvation_n if_o of_o salvation_n than_o also_o of_o those_o other_o grace_n which_o be_v the_o way_n unto_o it_o regeneration_n remission_n of_o sin_n righteousness_n and_o renew_v of_o the_o mind_n except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n john_n 3.5_o there_o be_v regeneration_n by_o it_o john_n baptist_n preach_v the_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n luk._n 3.3_o repent_v say_v s._n peter_n and_o be_v baptize_v for_o the_o remission_n of_o sin_n act._n 2.28_o and_o arise_v say_v ananias_n to_o paul_n upon_o his_o conversion_n and_o be_v baptize_v and_o wash_v away_o thy_o sin_n act._n 22.16_o there_o be_v remission_n you_o be_v wash_v say_v st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 5._o then_o present_o follow_v upon_o that_o you_o be_v sanctify_v you_o be_v justify_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n v._o 11._o there_o be_v two_o other_o grace_n as_o many_o of_o you_o as_o have_v be_v baptize_v into_o christ_n have_v put_v on_o christ_n gal._n 3.27_o and_o have_v christ_n upon_o we_o we_o have_v his_o obedience_n his_o merit_n his_o righteousness_n how_o shall_v he_o not_o with_o he_o also_o free_o give_v we_o all_o thing_n rom._n 8.32_o so_o that_o as_o s._n james_n in_o the_o case_n of_o our_o regeneration_n do_v join_v together_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o word_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o mean_n he_o use_v to_o that_o purpose_n of_o his_o own_o will_n beget_v he_o we_o with_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n jam._n 1.18_o so_o our_o saviour_n christ_n do_v join_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o baptism_n which_o be_v another_o effectual_a mean_n except_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o water_n and_o the_o spirit_n he_o can_v enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n joh._n 3.5_o and_o s._n paul_n couple_n both_o these_o mean_n together_o make_v they_o march_v hand_n in_o hand_n as_o equal_o useful_a to_o sanctification_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n christ_n love_v the_o church_n and_o give_v himself_o for_o it_o that_o he_o may_v sanctify_v it_o and_o cleanse_v it_o with_o the_o wash_n of_o water_n by_o the_o word_n eph._n 5.26_o what_o shall_v i_o say_v more_o this_o will_v i_o say_v that_o a_o cause_n therefore_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o call_v it_o of_o our_o regeneration_n and_o salvation_n though_o not_o the_o principal_a that_o be_v god_n himself_o yet_o the_o instrumental_a as_o we_o speak_v in_o school_n or_o medium_n he_o save_v we_o say_v the_o apostle_n god_n tit._n 3._o there_o be_v the_o principal_a cause_n by_o the_o wash_n of_o regeneration_n there_o be_v the_o instrumental_a v._o 5._o we_o have_v the_o step_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a father_n of_o the_o church_n walk_v in_o this_o track_n a_o warrant_n to_o we_o for_o this_o confidence_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d we_o find_v it_o call_v and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o second_o birth_n and_o a_o divine_a generation_n by_o dionysius_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o be_v bear_v again_o by_o greg._n nazianz._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o bath_n by_o which_o we_o wash_v away_o our_o sin_n clem._n alexandr_n peccatorum_fw-la omnium_fw-la remissionem_fw-la the_o forgiveness_n of_o all_o our_o sin_n by_o s._n ambrose_n fons_n divinus_fw-la quo_fw-la fideles_fw-la in_o creaturam_fw-la novam_fw-la regenerantur_fw-la by_o cassiodorus_n the_o divine_a fountain_n by_o which_o the_o faithful_a be_v make_v up_o into_o a_o new_a creature_n and_o by_o every_o one_o the_o door_n of_o heaven_n the_o sacrament_n of_o initiation_n the_o first_o admission_n into_o god_n kingdom_n not_o that_o all_o that_o be_v baptize_v be_v thereby_o necessary_o admit_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o that_o all_o do_v receive_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n who_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o his_o grace_n for_o as_o not_o the_o bread_n and_o wine_n in_o the_o eucharist_n so_o neither_o the_o water_n in_o baptism_n do_v contain_v in_o itself_o any_o vital_a force_n or_o efficacy_n that_o grace_n which_o be_v a_o consequent_a of_o the_o sacrament_n it_o do_v accompany_v they_o as_o their_o end_n the_o benefit_n whereof_o whoso_o partake_v he_o receive_v it_o from_o god_n himself_o the_o author_n of_o sacrament_n and_o not_o from_o any_o other_o natural_a or_o supernatural_a quality_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o their_o manner_n of_o necessity_n to_o life_n supernatural_a be_v not_o in_o all_o respect_n as_o food_n unto_o natural_a life_n they_o be_v not_o physical_a but_o moral_a instrument_n of_o salvation_n duty_n of_o service_n and_o worship_n which_o unless_o we_o perform_v as_o the_o author_n of_o they_o require_v they_o be_v unprofitable_a hugo_n rule_v we_o acknowledge_v and_o follow_v in_o this_o case_n 3_o de_fw-fr sacr._n lib._n 1._o c._n 3_o fideles_fw-la salutem_fw-la ex_fw-la istis_fw-la elementis_fw-la non_fw-la quaerunt_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la in_o istis_fw-la quaerunt_fw-la though_o we_o seek_v for_o salvation_n in_o baptism_n yet_o not_o from_o baptism_n but_o from_o god_n for_o this_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o god_n to_o that_o end_n and_o purpose_n a_o moral_a instrument_n the_o use_n whereof_o be_v in_o our_o hand_n the_o effect_n in_o he_o for_o the_o use_n we_o have_v his_o express_a command_n for_o the_o effect_n his_o conditional_a promise_n so_o that_o without_o our_o obedience_n to_o the_o one_o there_o be_v of_o the_o other_o no_o apparent_a assurance_n whereas_o on_o the_o other_o side_n where_o the_o sign_n and_o sacrament_n of_o his_o grace_n be_v not_o either_o omit_v through_o contempt_n or_o receive_v with_o contempt_n we_o be_v not_o to_o doubt_v but_o that_o they_o real_o give_v what_o they_o promise_v and_o be_v what_o they_o signify_v the_o same_o be_v true_a here_o which_o solomon_n wisdom_n observe_v in_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n he_o that_o turn_v himself_o to_o it_o be_v not_o heal_v by_o the_o thing_n he_o see_v but_o by_o thou_o o_o saviour_n of_o all_o wisd_v 16.7_o the_o necessity_n therefore_o that_o ispake_v of_o for_o the_o come_n to_o christ_n this_o way_n for_o our_o be_v renew_v by_o this_o second_o birth_n i_o hope_v appear_v which_o necessity_n notwithstanding_o we_o do_v not_o preach_v unto_o you_o to_o be_v so_o absolute_a as_o if_o god_n have_v never_o another_o door_n into_o heaven_n as_o if_o he_o have_v so_o tie_v his_o save_a grace_n to_o this_o mean_n as_o without_o it_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v by_o any_o this_o be_v
unto_o his_o servant_n john_n it_o be_v a_o slight_a cavil_n that_o some_o have_v make_v against_o it_o the_o place_n which_o it_o hold_v among_o the_o other_o book_n of_o canonical_a scripture_n because_o forsooth_o it_o stand_v the_o last_o and_o be_v write_v some_o time_n after_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_o say_v they_o be_v add_v and_o foist_v in_o after_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o canon_n be_v perfect_v where_o there_o be_v many_o several_a book_n must_v not_o some_o one_o be_v the_o last_o and_o if_o this_o have_v not_o be_v add_v add_v but_o not_o foist_v for_o god_n and_o not_o man_n put_v it_o in_o will_v they_o have_v make_v the_o same_o exception_n against_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n judas_n which_o be_v the_o last_o before_o this_o or_o against_o any_o other_o which_o instead_o of_o this_o themselves_o call_v the_o last_o they_o can_v for_o they_o own_v it_o or_o will_v they_o have_v god_n date_fw-la all_o his_o letter_n epistle_n write_n to_o man_n at_o the_o same_o time_n what_o man_n do_v so_o but_o as_o for_o the_o order_n of_o it_o that_o it_o stand_v last_o in_o place_n it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o diminish_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o that_o indeed_o it_o add_v unto_o it_o and_o do_v exceed_o commend_v it_o to_o we_o for_o it_o be_v intruth_o as_o the_o signet_n of_o god_n with_o which_o the_o holy_a spirit_n will_v seal_v up_o and_o conclude_v the_o whole_a canon_n both_o old_a and_o new_a of_o divine_a scripture_n in_o regard_n whereof_o we_o have_v it_o more_o extraordinary_o approve_v unto_o we_o both_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o it_o with_o a_o blessing_n upon_o he_o that_o read_v and_o upon_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n and_o keep_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v write_v therein_o vers_fw-la 3._o and_o in_o the_o end_n of_o it_o with_o the_o same_o blessing_n upon_o he_o that_o keep_v the_o say_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o this_o book_n 22.7_o and_o with_o a_o dreadful_a curse_n upon_o he_o who_o shall_v either_o add_v unto_o these_o thing_n god_n shall_v add_v unto_o he_o the_o plague_n that_o be_v write_v in_o this_o book_n or_o shall_v take_v away_o from_o the_o word_n of_o the_o book_n of_o this_o prophecy_n god_n shall_v take_v away_o his_o part_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o life_n c._n 22._o v._n 18_o 19_o he_o shall_v have_v no_o part_n nor_o lot_n in_o it_o belove_a what_o can_v be_v speak_v more_o thorough_o to_o ratify_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o if_o we_o may_v add_v nothing_o to_o it_o it_o be_v already_o every_o way_n absolute_a and_o perfect_a the_o word_n of_o god_n without_o question_n the_o only_a word_n to_o which_o we_o may_v not_o add_v our_o own_o invention_n without_o great_a offence_n if_o we_o may_v take_v nothing_o from_o it_o again_o it_o be_v a_o forcible_a argument_n of_o the_o sacred_a in_o violablenesse_n of_o it_o for_o what_o bold_a foist_a man_n will_v ever_o dare_v to_o speak_v so_o arrogant_o of_o the_o most_o holy_a his_o own_o endeavour_n he_o that_o can_v write_v all_o the_o rest_n so_o holy_o can_v never_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o a_o pride_n nor_o ever_o able_a to_o counterfeit_v so_o exact_a a_o holiness_n and_o that_o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o be_v the_o scripture_n of_o which_o christ_n say_v john_n 10._o that_o it_o can_v be_v break_v v._o 35._o this_o be_v a_o main_a point_n observable_a in_o which_o this_o book_n stand_v equal_v to_o the_o sacred_a unquestioned_a write_n of_o moses_n himself_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n and_o penman_n of_o god_n book_n for_o as_o those_o book_n of_o he_o because_o they_o usher_v in_o and_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o fore-door_n the_o entrance_n into_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o whole_a scripture_n be_v therefore_o in_o several_a place_n strengthen_v and_o fence_v with_o such_o a_o seal_n as_o this_o deut._n 4.2_o you_o shall_v not_o add_v unto_o the_o word_n which_o i_o command_v you_o neither_o shall_v you_o diminish_v aught_o from_o it_o and_o again_o c._n 12._o v._n 32._o thou_o shall_v not_o add_v thereto_o nor_o diminish_v from_o it_o so_o this_o book_n stand_v in_o the_o rear_n and_o as_o it_o be_v shut_v up_o the_o back-gate_n of_o the_o same_o canonical_a scripture_n be_v likewise_o furnish_v and_o stamp_v with_o the_o same_o authentic_a seal_n of_o god_n holy_a spirit_n to_o signify_v how_o perfect_a how_o inviolable_a it_o be_v that_o nothing_o must_v be_v put_v to_o no_o postscript_n or_o take_v from_o it_o no_o deleatur_fw-la no_o index_n expurgatorius_fw-la neither_o that_o as_o moses_n be_v a_o main_a coryphaeus_fw-la to_o lead_v on_o the_o vanguard_n in_o god_n spiritual_a warfare_n so_o be_v s._n john_n another_o coryphaeus_fw-la of_o special_a note_n to_o bring_v up_o the_o rear_n in_o the_o same_o battle_n why_o it_o be_v order_v by_o the_o church_n which_o take_v care_n to_o gather_v together_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n &_o evangelist_n to_o be_v place_v the_o last_o of_o all_o the_o book_n there_o be_v a_o manifest_a reason_n not_o that_o it_o be_v behind_o the_o rest_n in_o worth_n and_o excellence_n but_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v write_v johannis_n in_o vita_fw-la johannis_n s._n i_o report_v that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o second_o great_a persecution_n of_o the_o christian_n under_o domitian_n the_o roman_a emperor_n the_o first_o tyranny_n they_o taste_v of_o be_v under_o nero_n in_o the_o 14._o year_n of_o his_o reign_n do_v s._n 18._o lib._n 3._o cap._n 25._o vid._n euseb_n hist_o ecclesias_fw-la l._n 3._o c._n 18._o john_n write_v this_o book_n in_o the_o island_n pathmos_n and_o irenaeus_n a_o father_n in_o the_o church_n far_o more_o ancient_a than_o st._n jerome_n affirm_v as_o much_o that_o it_o be_v not_o then_o long_o since_o st._n john_n write_v his_o revelation_n sed_fw-la pene_fw-la sub_fw-la nostro_fw-la saeculo_fw-la say_v he_o almost_o about_o our_o time_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o domitian_n reign_n so_o that_o an._n dom._n 96._o it_o be_v write_v after_o all_o both_o gospel_n and_o epistle_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o he_o outlive_v all_o the_o apostle_n even_o to_o the_o three_o year_n of_o traian_n the_o 14_o roman_a emperor_n say_v sophronius_n and_o that_o be_v 102_o after_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o 68_o from_o his_o passion_n by_o st._n jerom_n computation_n and_o 25_o year_n after_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n therefore_o it_o be_v place_v last_n because_o write_v last_o not_o because_o least_o in_o dignity_n and_o divine_a authority_n no_o it_o be_v truth_n which_o beza_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o preface_n to_o it_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v set_v down_o in_o this_o precious_a book_n whatsoever_o prediction_n of_o the_o former_a prophet_n do_v remain_v to_o be_v fulfil_v after_o christ_n come_v and_o therefore_o ocolampadius_n in_o his_o preface_n to_o daniel_n prophecy_n call_v this_o book_n the_o best_a paraphrase_n upon_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n the_o argument_n of_o this_o whole_a book_n be_v libri_fw-la argum._n libri_fw-la principal_o prophetical_a though_o there_o be_v doctrinal_a exhortative_a and_o instructive_a passage_n sprinkle_v here_o and_o there_o among_o the_o prophecy_n but_o prophetical_a for_o the_o most_o part_n it_o be_v whence_o st._n john_n in_o the_o beginning_n call_v it_o the_o word_n of_o this_o prophecy_n a_o prophecy_n of_o thing_n that_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v even_o from_o the_o time_n that_o he_o write_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n of_o some_o occurrent_n that_o shall_v befall_v the_o church_n of_o god_n then_o present_o in_o st._n john_n time_n and_o of_o other_o trial_n that_o the_o church_n shall_v endure_v continual_o through_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o her_o warfare_n here_o on_o earth_n first_o from_o the_o roman_a tyrant_n afterward_o from_o divers_a heretic_n and_o last_o from_o antichrist_n himself_o of_o their_o several_a opposition_n and_o insulting_n against_o she_o wherewith_o they_o shall_v grievous_o vex_v she_o seem_v in_o a_o manner_n to_o be_v forsake_v of_o christ_n her_o head_n and_o almost_o utter_o oppress_v she_o but_o withal_o of_o those_o sweet_a consolation_n which_o the_o elect_a of_o god_n shall_v have_v under_o their_o cross_n and_o that_o those_o tempest_n of_o affliction_n which_o they_o undergo_v be_v not_o carnal_a blow_v upon_o they_o with_o every_o wind_n or_o mere_o from_o the_o rage_n and_o malice_n of_o their_o enemy_n but_o that_o god_n that_o wind_n 3.8_o joh._n 3.8_o that_o spirit_n which_o blow_v where_o it_o will_v have_v the_o chief_a hand_n in_o they_o and_o that_o by_o his_o providence_n thing_n be_v so_o order_v for_o the_o exercise_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o always_o continue_v no_o