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scripture_n burn_v before_o we_o which_o thing_n no_o doubt_n be_v signify_v by_o those_o wise_a man_n who_o come_v from_o the_o east_n part_n of_o the_o world_n although_o for_o a_o space_n they_o right_o follow_v the_o star_n as_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n yet_o be_v it_o needful_a for_o they_o to_o the_o intent_n they_o may_v find_v out_o christ_n the_o king_n and_o worship_v he_o to_o be_v resolve_v out_o of_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o prophet_n as_o concern_v the_o place_n where_o he_o shall_v be_v bear_v math_n 2._o the_o holy_a man_n antonius_n may_v in_o deed_n say_v with_o a_o safe_a conscience_n that_o this_o huge_a and_o unmeasurable_a world_n be_v to_o he_o in_o stead_n of_o a_o book_n for_o so_o muchâ—_n as_o
thou_o to_o send_v thy_o child_n to_o learning_n and_o to_o provide_v they_o schoolmaster_n and_o to_o see_v that_o nothing_o be_v want_v for_o their_o instruction_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n not_o to_o bring_v they_o up_o in_o the_o nurture_n and_o chastisement_n of_o the_o lord_n therefore_o do_v even_o we_o first_o of_o all_o reap_v the_o fruit_n of_o this_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o say_v through_o our_o own_o default_n we_o have_v harebrained_a ungracious_a disobedient_a and_o unmannerly_a child_n let_v we_o not_o then_o thus_o do_v but_o let_v we_o obey_v this_o bless_a apostle_n who_o give_v we_o good_a council_n let_v we_o bring_v they_o up_o in_o the_o instruction_n and_o information_n of_o the_o lord_n let_v we_o set_v before_o they_o a_o example_n cause_v they_o from_o their_o tender_a youth_n diligent_o to_o apply_v the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n woe_n be_v i_o while_o i_o be_o thus_o continual_o speak_v i_o seem_v to_o do_v nothing_o else_o but_o trifle_n howbeit_o i_o will_v not_o cease_v for_o all_o that_o to_o do_v that_o which_o my_o office_n bind_v i_o to_o do_v these_o thing_n have_v he_o all_o that_o sermon_n of_o he_o be_v very_o worthy_a to_o be_v read_v as_o in_o which_o he_o show_v with_o many_o reason_n that_o those_o when_o all_o be_v say_v do_v best_a provide_v for_o their_o child_n and_o lay_v open_a unto_o they_o the_o way_n to_o riches_n peace_n and_o tranquillity_n of_o life_n happy_a estate_n and_o to_o preferment_n in_o prince_n court_n which_o have_v a_o care_n over_o they_o that_o they_o be_v instruct_v even_o from_o their_o infancy_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o be_v short_a the_o husband_n and_o the_o wife_n the_o parent_n and_o child_n the_o master_n and_o servant_n the_o mistress_n and_o maid_n may_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a book_n infinite_a as_o well_o precept_n as_o example_n which_o it_o be_v not_o needful_a to_o rehearse_v as_o touch_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o it_o behove_v every_o one_o of_o 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read_v and_o peruse_v the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n the_o continual_a meditation_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o private_a and_o peculiar_a office_n of_o some_o few_o person_n but_o the_o common_a and_o public_a duty_n of_o all_o christian_n i_o grant_v in_o deed_n that_o the_o godly_a and_o learned_a pastor_n of_o church_n shall_v go_v before_o but_o yet_o must_v all_o other_o state_n and_o degree_n follow_v after_o there_o be_v none_o neither_o one_o nor_o other_o that_o can_v be_v debar_v from_o this_o dance_n there_o be_v no_o man_n in_o this_o life_n in_o all_o respect_n so_o perfect_a unto_o who_o remain_v not_o some_o thing_n more_o to_o be_v learn_v no_o man_n so_o exact_o accomplish_v his_o duty_n but_o that_o some_o good_a man_n for_o i_o speak_v not_o of_o any_o slanderous_a and_o envious_a caviller_n may_v say_v unto_o he_o this_o will_v be_v amend_v wherefore_o i_o believe_v there_o be_v not_o any_o man_n live_v which_o by_o the_o rule_n and_o exhortation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n may_v not_o only_o become_v better_a learned_a but_o also_o better_o qualify_v and_o which_o by_o read_v of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n may_v not_o be_v make_v more_o strong_a and_o courageous_a to_o all_o good_a action_n of_o life_n whatsoever_o a_o great_a offence_n it_o be_v doubtless_o to_o surmise_v that_o the_o philosopher_n or_o any_o other_o person_n beside_o shall_v be_v able_a better_a to_o prescribe_v what_o every_o one_o ought_v to_o do_v or_o to_o leave_v undo_v than_o god_n himself_o certes_o the_o philosopher_n lawmaker_n and_o other_o worldly_a wise_a man_n when_o they_o dispute_v of_o duty_n do_v oftentimes_o err_v euidente_fw-la proof_n hereof_o we_o have_v in_o plato_n aristotle_n panaetius_n cicero_n and_o such_o like_a which_o do_v common_o one_o carp_n and_o control_v another_o neither_o do_v they_o commend_v any_o thing_n as_o comely_a and_o honest_a but_o so_o farforth_a as_o it_o be_v deem_v to_o be_v such_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o man_n but_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n can_v not_o err_v because_o they_o be_v teach_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o void_a of_o all_o error_n yea_o &_o they_o so_o urge_v &_o command_v all_o thing_n as_o they_o know_v the_o same_o to_o be_v allow_v of_o god_n but_o to_o frame_v the_o life_n and_o manner_n in_o such_o wise_n as_o god_n may_v be_v please_v with_o they_o be_v no_o doubt_n a_o most_o sovereign_a thing_n &_o high_o to_o be_v desire_v of_o all_o man_n and_o in_o deed_n the_o philosopher_n can_v after_o a_o sort_n tell_v we_o what_o one_o man_n owe_v unto_o another_o but_o what_o man_n owe_v unto_o god_n how_o god_n shall_v right_o be_v worship_v of_o true_a faith_n in_o god_n &_o remission_n of_o sin_n of_o the_o inward_a spiritual_a righteousness_n of_o the_o heart_n &_o of_o other_o thing_n like_v unto_o these_o they_o do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o make_v any_o mention_n at_o all_o much_o less_o can_v they_o perfect_o declare_v they_o as_o oft_o as_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o philosopher_n there_o happen_v any_o place_n as_o touch_v god_n or_o as_o touch_v the_o duty_n of_o man_n towards_o god_n we_o see_v how_o cold_o slender_o and_o obscure_o they_o run_v over_o it_o which_o true_o that_o it_o shall_v so_o come_v to_o pass_v god_n undoubted_o have_v ordain_v &_o that_o either_o for_o because_o they_o be_v convict_v in_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o stay_v not_o upon_o any_o sure_a foundation_n in_o these_o their_o disputation_n or_o else_o for_o that_o it_o be_v not_o their_o proper_a charge_n but_o be_v reserve_v for_o other_o the_o prophet_n i_o mean_v &_o apostle_n &_o their_o disciple_n and_o final_o for_o so_o much_o as_o god_n will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v admonish_v by_o this_o mean_n that_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o will_n be_v to_o be_v learn_v not_o out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n but_o only_o and_o alone_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o this_o be_v that_o in_o effect_n which_o the_o apostle_n mean_v 2._o timoth._n 3._o when_o he_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n inspire_v of_o god_n be_v profitable_a to_o instruct_v in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a and_o prepare_v to_o all_o good_a work_n whereunto_o saint_n augustine_n have_v respect_n in_o his_o 2._o sermon_n upon_o the_o 90._o psalm_n very_o witty_o say_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v letter_n patent_n send_v down_o from_o the_o heavenly_a city_n to_o we_o which_o do_v exhort_v we_o all_o to_o live_v well_o wherefore_o whosoever_o covet_v to_o read_v the_o holy_a bible_n wherein_o be_v most_o absolute_o comprise_v all_o the_o discipline_n concern_v the_o duty_n of_o all_o and_o every_o christian_a as_o well_o towards_o god_n as_o towards_o man_n and_o to_o reform_v his_o manner_n according_o require_v the_o same_o bible_n to_o be_v reach_v unto_o he_o he_o shall_v more_o true_o a_o great_a deal_n say_v of_o it_o scripture_n give_v i_o my_o master_n then_o long_o ago_o cyprian_n usurp_v the_o like_o say_v as_o oft_o as_o he_o mean_v or_o speak_v of_o the_o most_o famous_a writer_n tertullian_n if_o we_o may_v credit_v hierome_n but_o i_o will_v proceed_v somewhat_o further_o to_o speak_v of_o certain_a duty_n which_o be_v common_a to_o all_o christian_n and_o yet_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n can_v not_o right_o be_v perform_v of_o any_o man_n without_o the_o read_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n howbeit_o i_o will_v speak_v only_o of_o the_o chief_a &_o principal_a whereupon_o depend_v other_o almost_o infinite_a in_o the_o explication_n whereof_o we_o will_v gather_v together_o those_o reason_n wherewith_o the_o conscience_n i_o hope_v of_o
importance_n it_o be_v say_v he_o quick_a or_o lively_o and_o mighty_a in_o work_v and_o operation_n for_o it_o pierce_v and_o enter_v through_o even_o to_o the_o divide_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o spirit_n in_o as_o much_o as_o it_o move_v the_o whole_a man_n after_o a_o incredible_a manner_n again_o it_o discern_v the_o thought_n and_o intentes_fw-la of_o the_o heart_n in_o asmuch_o as_o it_o find_v fault_n with_o and_o judge_v a_o man_n and_o bring_v he_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o himself_o and_o of_o god_n and_o compel_v he_o to_o humble_v himself_o to_o confess_v that_o he_o be_v a_o sinner_n and_o to_o fly_v unfeigned_o to_o god_n mercy_n the_o other_o how_o that_o from_o the_o word_n we_o may_v pass_v sudden_o to_o god_o himself_o unto_o who_o all_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o secret_a be_v wide_o open_a and_o bare_a therefore_o by_o the_o former_a point_n we_o must_v be_v move_v to_o think_v and_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o in_o the_o word_n of_o god_o yea_o even_o when_o it_o be_v read_v only_o or_o hear_v there_o be_v a_o certain_a majesty_n and_o excellency_n by_o reason_n whereof_o it_o deserve_v to_o be_v embrace_v of_o we_o with_o all_o reverence_n and_o lowliness_n of_o heart_n and_o by_o this_o late_a it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o we_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v not_o far_o absent_a from_o his_o word_n but_o when_o and_o so_o long_o as_o it_o please_v he_o work_v mighty_o by_o it_o as_o by_o a_o fit_a instrument_n &_o accomplish_v most_o wonderful_a thing_n not_o that_o the_o word_n as_o it_o consist_v of_o bare_a letter_n and_o syllable_n as_o it_o be_v write_v read_v pronounce_v or_o hear_v be_v in_o itself_o of_o so_o great_a efficacy_n not_o very_o our_o meaning_n be_v not_o so_o to_o persuade_v but_o we_o hold_v for_o truth_n that_o while_o the_o author_n of_o the_o same_o word_n write_v read_v pronounce_v or_o hear_v be_v consider_v and_o while_o the_o thing_n signify_v therein_o be_v diligent_o examine_v the_o divine_a power_n in_o the_o mean_a season_n after_o a_o certain_a imperceyveable_a manner_n approach_v wherewith_o eftsoon_o the_o mind_n of_o reader_n or_o hearer_n be_v so_o move_v pierce_v inflame_a and_o enlighten_v that_o repentance_n faith_n and_o other_o such_o like_a virtue_n do_v follow_v in_o they_o for_o we_o understand_v that_o even_o the_o very_a same_o consideration_n be_v to_o be_v have_v of_o the_o outward_a word_n that_o all_o man_n do_v confess_v to_o be_v have_v of_o the_o outward_a element_n in_o the_o sacrament_n of_o christ_n church_n the_o water_n if_o it_o be_v consider_v in_o itself_o be_v of_o no_o great_a force_n neither_o can_v it_o in_o very_a deed_n wash_v away_o the_o filthiness_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o word_n be_v add_v to_o the_o element_n according_a as_o christ_n give_v in_o commandment_n it_o become_v a_o sacrament_n how_o be_v it_o in_o this_o word_n of_o the_o sacrament_n we_o have_v not_o so_o much_o to_o mark_v the_o syllable_n and_o sound_n of_o the_o letter_n as_o we_o have_v to_o observe_v the_o dignity_n of_o he_o that_o first_o institute_v that_o holy_a action_n &_o the_o thing_n signify_v by_o it_o especial_o the_o invocation_n and_o call_n upon_o of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o one_o divine_a essence_n or_o substance_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o then_o forsooth_o so_o great_a be_v the_o power_n of_o the_o water_n through_o the_o work_n of_o the_o word_n that_o it_o touch_v indeed_o the_o body_n but_o it_o wash_v also_o the_o heart_n i_o use_v the_o word_n of_o s._n augustine_n in_o his_o treatise_n 80._o upon_o john_n not_o because_o the_o word_n be_v speak_v but_o because_o it_o be_v believe_v for_o whereas_o god_o be_v thus_o call_v upon_o by_o faith_n there_o he_o do_v not_o disdain_n by_o his_o power_n to_o work_v heavenly_a &_o spiritual_a effect_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o those_o that_o be_v baptize_v we_o say_v then_o that_o even_o in_o like_a case_n when_o the_o mind_n be_v whole_o set_v upon_o the_o word_n which_o be_v read_v hear_v or_o understand_v and_o have_v regard_n unto_o god_n the_o author_n of_o the_o word_n and_o beside_o weigh_v in_o a_o just_a balance_n the_o thing_n signify_v in_o it_o that_o then_o the_o divine_a power_n do_v wonderful_o show_v forth_o itself_o and_o repentance_n faith_n hatred_n of_o sin_n endeavour_v of_o true_a holiness_n of_o life_n be_v stir_v up_o and_o even_o the_o whole_a man_n both_o in_o body_n and_o in_o soul_n be_v change_v and_o renew_a of_o which_o divine_a workmanship_n there_o be_v proof_n set_v forth_o in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n very_o plain_a and_o apparent_a to_o all_o man_n for_o ezra_n read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n nehemia_n 8._o in_o the_o open_a street_n that_o be_v before_o the_o watergate_n from_o morning_n until_o midday_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n that_o give_v heed_n unto_o it_o and_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n hearken_v unto_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n it_o follow_v a_o little_a after_o and_o all_o the_o people_n when_o they_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o law_n the_o apostle_n peter_n act_n 2._o rehearse_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o interpret_v they_o as_o touch_v christ_n which_o be_v hear_v so_o many_o as_o be_v present_a be_v prick_v in_o heart_n and_o say_v unto_o peter_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n man_n and_o brethren_n what_o shall_v we_o do_v and_o unto_o the_o rome_n 10._o but_o what_o say_v it_o the_o word_n be_v near_o thou_o even_o in_o thy_o mouth_n and_o in_o thine_o heart_n this_o be_v the_o word_n of_o faith_n which_o we_o preach_v to_o wit_n if_o thou_o shall_v confess_v with_o thy_o mouth_n the_o lord_n jesus_n &_o shall_v believe_v in_o thine_o heart_n that_o god_n raise_v he_o up_o from_o the_o dead_a thou_o shall_v be_v save_v for_o with_o the_o heart_n man_n believe_v unto_o righteousness_n and_o with_o the_o mouth_n man_n confess_v to_o salvation_n again_o in_o the_o same_o place_n faith_n come_v by_o hear_v and_o hear_v by_o the_o word_n of_o god._n moreover_o peter_n act._n 10._o make_v a_o plain_a declaration_n of_o the_o sum_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o the_o house_n of_o cornelius_n the_o centurion_n to_o this_o christ_n say_v he_o bear_v all_o the_o prophet_n witness_n that_o through_o his_o name_n whosoever_o believe_v in_o he_o shall_v receive_v remission_n of_o sin_n while_o peter_n yet_o speak_v these_o word_n the_o holy_a ghost_n fall_v on_o all_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o word_n we_o may_v therefore_o out_o of_o all_o question_n confirm_v this_o assertion_n namely_o that_o by_o the_o diligent_a and_o attentive_a read_n hear_v and_o meditation_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_o a_o man_n be_v induce_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_o and_o of_o himself_o to_o the_o detestation_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o to_o unfeigned_a repentance_n to_o faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o the_o amendment_n of_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n and_o to_o be_v short_a receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o he_o most_o large_a and_o bountiful_a gift_n that_o which_o we_o know_v in_o time_n paste_v usual_o befall_v to_o the_o reader_n or_o hearer_n of_o god_n word_n that_o the_o same_o also_o may_v happen_v now_o in_o these_o day_n we_o flat_o avouch_v without_o controlment_n for_o why_o if_o he_o that_o be_v incense_v with_o desire_n of_o profit_v take_v in_o hand_n the_o holy_a book_n do_v before_o all_o thing_n crave_v the_o aid_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n they_o next_o devout_o read_v or_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o god_o by_o which_o as_o by_o a_o instrument_n it_o please_v god_o to_o talk_v familiar_o with_o we_o after_o this_o also_o lift_v up_o his_o mind_n unto_o god_o speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n and_o due_o discuss_v the_o thing_n specify_v in_o they_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o god_n after_o his_o accustom_a clemency_n put_v to_o his_o hand_n will_v stir_v up_o purge_v teach_v and_o sanctify_v the_o heart_n as_o well_o of_o the_o reader_n as_o the_o the_o hearer_n and_o gracious_o grant_n unto_o he_o repentance_n faith_n the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o other_o gift_n and_o grace_n of_o his_o spirit_n furthermore_o to_o the_o intent_n that_o every_o one_o furnish_v and_o affect_v in_o that_o sort_n that_o we_o speak_v of_o may_v in_o read_v enure_v himself_o wise_o and_o discreet_o to_o note_v pick_v out_o refer_v and_o as_o by_o a_o certain_a method_n to_o distinguish_v those_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v profitable_a to_o all_o intentes_fw-la and_o purpose_n and_o apply_v to_o the_o attainment_n of_o perfection_n and_o soul_n health_n we_o add_v last_o of_o all_o that_o the_o very_a edge_n of_o