apostle_n where_o they_o do_v not_o say_v that_o god_n have_v teach_v they_o by_o extraordinary_a revelation_n that_o which_o they_o publish_v and_o where_o the_o matter_n itself_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o his_o do_v it_o it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o like_a of_o all_o other_o sacred_a writer_n because_o there_o be_v convince_a reason_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o prophet_n speak_v truth_n when_o they_o say_v thus_o say_v the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n and_o no_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v extraordinary_o inspire_v when_o they_o say_v it_o not_o and_o when_o their_o discourse_n have_v in_o they_o no_o mark_n of_o such_o like_a inspiration_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o this_o difference_n between_o prophecy_n and_o discourse_n which_o have_v nothing_o of_o prophetic_a in_o they_o we_o shall_v take_v heed_n of_o apply_v to_o this_o subject_a a_o loose_a maxim_n and_o which_o be_v good_a for_o nothing_o viz._n that_o be_v happen_v most_o frequent_o that_o those_o who_o distinguish_v and_o divide_v matter_n with_o design_n to_o make_v use_n of_o part_n and_o reject_v the_o other_o do_v give_v great_a advantage_n to_o their_o adversary_n on_o the_o contrary_a it_o scarce_o ever_o happen_v that_o in_o handle_v a_o compound_a subject_n there_o can_v be_v make_v such_o general_a rule_n as_o may_v be_v equal_o apply_v to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o it_o part_n of_o different_a nature_n must_v of_o necessity_n be_v different_o handle_v objection_n 11._o it_o have_v be_v say_v 49._o that_o by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n or_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n may_v be_v understand_v the_o spirit_n of_o holiness_n and_o of_o constancy_n which_o the_o gospel_n inspire_v or_o such_o a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n as_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o the_o general_a reason_n there_o make_v use_n of_o which_o be_v ground_v only_o upon_o equivocal_a word_n can_v prove_v nothing_o but_o general_n they_o must_v be_v apply_v and_o particular_a enquiry_n make_v whether_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v any_o other_o signification_n in_o scripture_n or_o no._n mr._n simon_n resp._n pag._n 131._o answer_n when_o a_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v answer_v wherein_o there_o be_v a_o equivocal_a word_n upon_o which_o a_o objection_n be_v found_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o such_o a_o word_n may_v be_v understand_v in_o another_o sense_n than_o that_o in_o which_o it_o have_v be_v take_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o examine_v all_o the_o other_o signification_n that_o it_o may_v have_v it_o suffice_v to_o show_v that_o the_o signification_n then_o give_v it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o ordinary_a use_n of_o the_o language_n and_o suitable_a to_o the_o subject_a there_o treat_v of_o it_o be_v mr._n simon_n be_v partly_o therefore_o to_o show_v that_o where_o it_o be_v say_v of_o st._n stephen_n on_o occasion_n of_o who_o the_o observation_n be_v make_v that_o they_o can_v not_o resist_v the_o wisdom_n and_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o speak_v i_o say_v it_o be_v his_o part_n to_o show_v that_o by_o the_o word_n spirit_n any_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v understand_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n conformable_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o jesus_n christ._n he_o ought_v to_o have_v show_v that_o this_o word_n in_o this_o place_n ought_v necessary_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o another_o sense_n but_o mr._n simon_n seldom_o give_v himself_o the_o trouble_n to_o read_v the_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v cite_v as_o appear_v in_o the_o same_o page_n where_o he_o say_v that_o st._n paul_n tell_v the_o high_a priest_n with_o a_o just_a indignation_n god_n shall_v smite_v thou_o thou_o white_v wall_n and_o where_o he_o compare_v the_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o those_o of_o jesus_n christ_n when_o he_o call_v herod_n fox_n and_o to_o the_o reproach_n that_o the_o prophet_n make_v to_o the_o king_n of_o israel_n but_o he_o shall_v have_v show_v we_o in_o what_o place_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o prophet_n confess_v they_o be_v to_o blame_v in_o do_v so_o as_o st._n paul_n confess_v he_o be_v god_n have_v power_n to_o censure_v prince_n but_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o subject_n to_o do_v it_o when_o they_o think_v sit_v so_o st._n paul_n have_v no_o right_a to_o abuse_v the_o high_a priest_n on_o his_o own_o head_n though_o those_o who_o have_v receive_v express_a order_n from_o god_n to_o make_v such_o like_a reproach_n to_o prince_n can_v be_v blame_v for_o it_o but_o mr._n simon_n who_o probable_o never_o think_v of_o all_o this_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o this_o difference_n and_o argue_v always_o on_o without_o understand_v what_o he_o find_v fault_n with_o objection_n 12._o the_o promise_n which_o jesus_n christ_n make_v his_o apostle_n etc._n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n shall_v teach_v they_o what_o they_o shall_v say_v when_o they_o come_v before_o the_o judge_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v explain_v as_o a_o general_a promise_n for_o all_o that_o they_o shall_v say_v whereas_o it_o only_o relate_v to_o what_o they_o shall_v say_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o gospel_n luc._n chap._n 12._o ver_fw-la 11._o answer_n the_o promise_n be_v express_v in_o general_a term_n and_o must_v relate_v to_o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o say_v as_o well_o for_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o own_o person_n as_o for_o that_o of_o the_o gospel_n for_o it_o be_v of_o the_o great_a importance_n that_o these_o first_o minister_n of_o jesus_n christ_n shall_v then_o say_v nothing_o unworthy_a of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o which_o they_o be_v the_o herald_n but_o if_o this_o promise_n must_v not_o be_v take_v in_o so_o large_a a_o sense_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o discourse_n which_o the_o apostle_n shall_v make_v before_o judge_n neither_o ought_v it_o to_o be_v so_o take_v in_o relation_n to_o their_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n my_o design_n be_v only_o to_o show_v that_o since_o the_o word_n can_v not_o be_v take_v in_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o their_o signification_n it_o can_v not_o from_o thence_o be_v necessary_o infer_v that_o the_o apostle_n have_v then_o a_o prophetic_a inspiration_n objection_n 13._o the_o promise_n john_n 16._o 58._o that_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v come_v it_o shall_v lead_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v so_o as_o if_o it_o be_v entire_o accomplish_v the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n but_o as_o a_o thing_n that_o shall_v be_v accomplish_v according_a to_o the_o occasion_n and_o necessity_n that_o the_o apostle_n shall_v be_v in_o of_o know_v some_o further_a truth_n but_o it_o seem_v as_o if_o mr._n n._n suppose_a that_o this_o promise_n be_v ordinary_o understand_v as_o if_o it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v accomplish_v all_o at_o once_o answer_n the_o reason_n of_o my_o insist_v upon_o that_o be_v to_o make_v appear_v that_o this_o promise_n though_o conceive_v in_o so_o general_a term_n ought_v necessary_o to_o receive_v some_o qualification_n and_o consequent_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v like_o a_o axiom_n of_o geometry_n in_o the_o utmost_a signification_n of_o its_o term_n now_o that_o be_v once_o grant_v it_o can_v be_v make_v appear_v that_o this_o promise_n relate_v to_o a_o prophetic_a inspiration_n there_o be_v a_o passage_n very_o like_o this_o in_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n john_n chap._n 2._o ver_fw-la 27._o but_o the_o anoint_v which_o you_o have_v receive_v of_o he_o abide_v in_o you_o and_o you_o need_v not_o that_o any_o man_n teach_v you_o but_o as_o the_o same_o anoint_v teach_v you_o of_o all_o thing_n and_o be_v truth_n and_o be_v no_o lie_n and_o even_o as_o it_o have_v teach_v you_o you_o shall_v abide_v in_o he_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o this_o can_v be_v understand_v strict_o since_o st._n john_n speak_v to_o all_o the_o christian_n to_o who_o he_o write_v objection_n 14._o whereas_o it_o have_v be_v affirm_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o agree_v act_n 15._o 57_o till_o after_o they_o have_v dispute_v a_o great_a while_n it_o be_v not_o say_v in_o that_o chapter_n that_o the_o apostle_n dispute_v but_o only_o that_o when_o there_o have_v be_v much_o dispute_v peter_n rise_v up_o etc._n etc._n answer_n two_o thing_n be_v consider_v in_o this_o history_n the_o first_o be_v the_o opinion_n that_o man_n have_v of_o the_o apostle_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v not_o look_v upon_o as_o person_n infallible_a whensoever_o they_o begin_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o gospel_n since_o they_o be_v not_o believe_v just_a at_o their_o first_o speak_v the_o second_o be_v the_o conduct_n of_o the_o apostle_n on_o
continue_v uncircumcised_a because_o st._n peter_n forbear_v to_o live_v familiar_o with_o they_o on_o that_o account_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o observe_v the_o circumcision_n so_o that_o it_o be_v by_o his_o conduct_n only_o that_o st._n peter_n force_v they_o to_o live_v as_o jew_n and_o indeed_o it_o be_v true_a that_o by_o efficacious_o engage_v one_o to_o do_v a_o thing_n after_o what_o manner_n soever_o it_o be_v we_o be_v say_v to_o force_v one_o to_o do_v it_o see_v gen._n nineteeen_o 3._o luke_n xxiv_o 19_o i_o believe_v real_o that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a explanation_n but_o it_o prove_v clear_o that_o the_o metaphysical_a infallibility_n which_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o of_o apostolic_a tradition_n for_o in_o truth_n to_o dissemble_v a_o true_a doctrine_n when_o they_o ought_v to_o preach_v it_o and_o to_o engage_v people_n in_o a_o error_n by_o their_o conduct_n be_v visible_o a_o human_a weakness_n and_o which_o become_v not_o those_o who_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o simple_a instrument_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n speak_v by_o their_o mouth_n st._n peter_n conduct_n give_v the_o gentile_n to_o understand_v as_o well_o as_o if_o he_o have_v tell_v it_o they_o that_o they_o must_v observe_v the_o circumcision_n and_o to_o give_v they_o to_o understand_v it_o by_o forbear_v to_o eat_v with_o they_o be_v almost_o the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o tell_v it_o they_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n nay_o more_o it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o st._n peter_n believe_v that_o this_o dissimulation_n be_v lawful_a as_o well_o as_o st._n barnabas_n and_o the_o other_o jew_n who_o have_v follow_v his_o example_n otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o so_o pious_a man_n who_o be_v the_o first_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v have_v do_v it_o and_o so_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o some_o weakness_n even_o in_o doctrine_n although_o they_o recant_v it_o soon_o nor_o be_v it_o of_o great_a importance_n there_o be_v also_o a_o great_a difference_n observable_a in_o the_o manner_n of_o christ_n speak_v he_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o spirit_n without_o measure_n and_o that_o in_o which_o the_o apostle_n express_v themselves_o whereas_o according_a to_o the_o common_a opinion_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o same_o if_o the_o same_o spirit_n have_v render_v they_o infallible_a they_o have_v right_a to_o declare_v to_o the_o world_n the_o doctrine_n of_o salvation_n with_o the_o same_o power_n and_o to_o speak_v as_o authoritative_o as_o jesus_n christ._n but_o we_o see_v the_o contrary_a in_o their_o write_n christ_n speak_v as_o one_o have_v authority_n you_o have_v hear_v it_o be_v say_v of_o old_a etc._n etc._n but_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n the_o apostle_n on_o the_o contrary_a declare_v that_o they_o say_v nothing_o of_o themselves_o and_o refer_v all_o to_o the_o prophet_n and_o to_o jesus_n christ_n act_v xxvi_o 22._o 1_o cor._n xi_o 23._o and_o that_o which_o be_v yet_o more_o considerable_a be_v that_o they_o distinguish_v manifest_o that_o which_o they_o say_v themselves_o from_o that_o which_o christ_n have_v say_v and_o unto_o the_o marry_a i_o command_v yet_o not_o i_o but_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n but_o to_o the_o rest_n speak_v i_o not_o the_o lord_n etc._n etc._n so_o st._n paul_n speak_v 1_o cor._n seven_o 10_o 12._o which_o he_o will_v not_o have_v do_v have_v he_o be_v aware_a that_o his_o auditor_n have_v believe_v his_o word_n as_o infallible_a as_o the_o word_n of_o christ._n methinks_v these_o be_v convince_a proof_n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o a_o perpetual_a inspiration_n which_o may_v give_v their_o word_n a_o indisputable_a authority_n i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o they_o have_v many_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o divers_a heavenly_a vision_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o act_n by_o the_o revelation_n and_o by_o divers_a other_o place_n of_o scripture_n nay_o i_o be_o so_o full_o persuade_v they_o have_v that_o i_o think_v he_o no_o good_a christian_a who_o doubt_v of_o it_o but_o the_o question_n here_o be_v concern_v a_o uniform_a constant_a and_o ordinary_a inspiration_n as_o it_o be_v common_o explain_v in_o the_o divinity-school_n it_o may_v be_v you_o will_v say_v there_o be_v divers_a argument_n for_o this_o sort_n of_o inspiration_n as_o strong_a as_o those_o i_o have_v bring_v to_o show_v the_o contrary_n the_o apostle_n begin_v their_o letter_n act_v xv_o after_o this_o manner_n it_o have_v seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o by_o which_o it_o appear_v say_v some_o that_o they_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n which_o dictate_v to_o they_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o say_v i_o desire_v first_o that_o those_o who_o say_v so_o reconcile_v this_o supposition_n with_o the_o dispute_n that_o be_v among_o the_o apostle_n before_o they_o come_v to_o this_o conclusion_n in_o the_o second_o place_n it_o be_v not_o likely_a that_o if_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v possess_v they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o they_o have_v be_v only_o simple_a instrument_n by_o which_o he_o express_v his_o will_n they_o shall_v not_o have_v place_v themselves_o in_o equal_a rank_n with_o the_o he_o but_o shall_v have_v say_v simple_o it_o have_v appear_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o speak_v by_o we_o what_o prophet_n ever_o say_v it_o seem_v good_a to_o god_n and_o to_o i_o in_o the_o three_o place_n suppose_v there_o be_v here_o as_o the_o critic_n say_v a_o figure_n by_o which_o be_v express_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n by_o two_o word_n and_o that_o this_o manner_n of_o speak_v amount_n to_o no_o more_o but_o this_o it_o have_v seem_v good_a to_o we_o who_o be_v full_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o perpetual_a inspiration_n about_o which_o i_o be_o now_o argue_v can_v be_v hence_o conclude_v the_o apostle_n and_o all_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n be_v animate_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n without_o be_v continual_o full_a of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n if_o it_o be_v otherwise_o we_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o say_v that_o the_o whole_a church_n of_o jerusalem_n not_o only_o the_o apostle_n but_o also_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o all_o those_o who_o be_v assemble_v be_v perpetual_o accompany_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n which_o no_o body_n ever_o yet_o say_v nor_o be_v it_o at_o all_o likely_a in_o the_o four_o place_n the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o letter_n they_o write_v seem_v extreme_o weak_a for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o a_o positive_a law_n from_o which_o you_o shall_v do_v well_o to_o keep_v yourselves_o a_o prophet_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n will_v have_v say_v from_o which_o keep_v yourselves_o for_o so_o say_v the_o lord_n who_o commandment_n you_o can_v slight_v without_o your_o own_o destruction_n etc._n etc._n some_o may_v also_o here_o object_v the_o spirit_n of_o miracle_n and_o tongue_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n but_o the_o effusion_n of_o that_o miraculous_a spirit_n do_v not_o necessary_o render_v all_o those_o that_o receive_v it_o infallible_a in_o doctrine_n otherwise_o all_o the_o christian_n of_o that_o time_n have_v be_v infallible_a the_o church_n of_o corinth_n have_v receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o epistle_n st._n paul_n direct_v to_o it_o and_o so_o shall_v not_o have_v need_v that_o apostle_n instruction_n because_o it_o have_v a_o great_a number_n of_o infallible_a person_n within_o itself_o but_o it_o appear_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o it_o need_v his_o instruction_n not_o only_o to_o correct_v its_o vice_n but_o also_o to_o resolve_v its_o doubt_n and_o even_o to_o rectify_v its_o error_n thus_o than_o the_o spirit_n of_o miracle_n not_o be_v accompany_v with_o infallibility_n it_o can_v be_v conclude_v because_o the_o apostle_n receive_v that_o spirit_n the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n that_o they_o become_v as_o god_n and_o that_o they_o be_v out_o of_o all_o danger_n of_o ever_o fall_v into_o the_o least_o error_n but_o what_o signify_v then_o these_o word_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v come_v he_o will_v lead_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n this_o spirit_n of_o truth_n be_v it_o not_o the_o miraculous_a spirit_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v i_o have_v already_o observe_v that_o these_o word_n can_v be_v understand_v rigorous_o as_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v know_v all_o science_n i_o must_v add_v further_a that_o there_o be_v something_o extreme_o figurative_a in_o they_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o follow_a word_n for_o he_o shall_v not_o speak_v of_o himself_o but_o what_o soever_o he_o shall_v hear_v that_o he_o shall_v speak_v and_o he_o shall_v show_v you_o thing_n to_o come_v he_o shall_v glorify_v i_o for_o he_o shall_v receive_v
judgement_n not_o to_o answer_v at_o all_o than_o to_o answer_v ill_a and_o to_o seek_v only_o to_o defame_v a_o author_n who_o one_o can_v confute_v i_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o trouble_v to_o see_v that_o do_v by_o how_o much_o i_o understand_v that_o the_o author_n be_v a_o very_a pious_a man_n and_o one_o who_o assure_o believe_v not_o the_o evil_a consequence_n which_o some_o man_n too_o ready_a to_o judge_n of_o their_o neighbour_n may_v draw_v from_o his_o notion_n i_o fear_v that_o he_o you_o speak_v of_o will_v content_v himself_o in_o gather_v together_o a_o great_a number_n of_o those_o odious_a consequence_n and_o will_v think_v that_o he_o have_v thereby_o sufficient_o refute_v the_o opinion_n without_o consider_v that_o though_o a_o man_n can_v disengage_v a_o doctrine_n from_o the_o absurd_a consequence_n that_o by_o some_o may_v be_v link_v to_o it_o it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o the_o doctrine_n be_v false_a it_o shall_v first_o be_v make_v appear_v that_o the_o argument_n bring_v for_o a_o opinion_n be_v not_o solid_a and_o after_o that_o one_o may_v come_v to_o the_o consequence_n otherwise_o while_o the_o argument_n that_o prove_v a_o opinion_n subsist_v in_o full_a force_n all_o the_o consequence_n that_o may_v be_v derive_v from_o it_o can_v overthrow_v it_o nevertheless_o if_o you_o believe_v he_o capable_a to_o acquit_v himself_o of_o this_o undertake_n you_o may_v persuade_v he_o to_o it_o when_o you_o think_v fit_a but_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o a_o honest_a man_n and_o of_o one_o that_o will_v bestow_v his_o pain_n to_o some_o good_a purpose_n to_o do_v it_o with_o all_o the_o moderation_n and_o meekness_n imaginable_a st._n jerom_n commend_v nepotien_n vincere_fw-la that_o he_o use_v to_o hear_v willing_o answer_v modest_o allow_v truth_n not_o sharp_o confute_v error_n and_o teach_v rather_o than_o conquer_v who_o he_o dispute_v with_o and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o our_o divine_n now_o adays_o will_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o deserve_v so_o good_a a_o elegy_n whereas_o it_o seem_v that_o they_o strive_v only_o to_o attain_v to_o the_o name_n of_o great_a railer_n and_o value_v not_o people_n have_v a_o ill_a opinion_n of_o their_o manner_n provide_v that_o they_o pass_v for_o man_n of_o part_n i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o if_o i_o suspect_v that_o mr._n resemble_v one_o of_o those_o divine_n i_o find_v fault_n with_o but_o because_o i_o believe_v a_o man_n can_v be_v too_o much_o caution_v against_o so_o general_a a_o defect_n but_o these_o morality_n will_v carry_v i_o too_o far_o if_o i_o shall_v give_v myself_o the_o liberty_n to_o pursue_v they_o it_o be_v better_a that_o i_o keep_v my_o word_n with_o you_o and_o give_v you_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o that_o write_n and_o here_o it_o be_v let_v we_o now_o examine_v that_o passage_n of_o st._n john_n when_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n shall_v come_v he_o will_v lead_v you_o into_o all_o truth_n interpreter_n observe_v that_o we_o must_v not_o understand_v by_o all_o truth_n any_o other_o than_o those_o which_o the_o apostle_n apostle_n be_v ignorant_a of_o and_o which_o it_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o to_o know_v that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o acquit_v themselves_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v of_o their_o charge_n they_o receive_v not_o the_o holy_a spirit_n to_o learn_v for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n nor_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o the_o mathematics_n they_o know_v already_o this_o first_o truth_n and_o of_o the_o other_o they_o have_v no_o need_n the_o generality_n of_o interpreter_n believe_v that_o these_o word_n denote_v a_o perpetual_a assistance_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o make_v the_o apostle_n absolute_o infallible_a to_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o no_o we_o must_v examine_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o if_o it_o appear_v that_o it_o agree_v not_o with_o this_o 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further_o also_o the_o apostle_n and_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n be_v assemble_v to_o examine_v and_o determine_v this_o affair_n dispute_v a_o great_a while_n before_o they_o agree_v upon_o it_o and_o it_o be_v not_o till_o after_o they_o have_v hear_v st._n peter_n st._n paul_n st._n barnahas_n and_o st._n james_n that_o the_o assembly_n come_v to_o a_o resolution_n if_o they_o have_v be_v fill_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o infallibility_n such_o as_o be_v conceive_v now_o adays_o they_o will_v have_v be_v all_o at_o first_o of_o one_o mind_n and_o there_o will_v have_v need_v no_o more_o to_o be_v do_v but_o to_o charge_v one_o of_o they_o to_o give_v out_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o whole_a assembly_n there_o happen_v likewise_o before_o that_o another_o thing_n relate_v by_o st._n luke_n act_v x._o which_o make_v it_o also_o very_o evident_a that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n which_o the_o apostle_n receive_v the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n have_v not_o teach_v they_o all_o they_o ought_v to_o know_v so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o render_v they_o at_o first_o dash_v infallible_a and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o then_o consider_v as_o person_n out_o of_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o error_n as_o they_o have_v be_v since_o account_v st._n peter_n need_v a_o vision_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n of_o cornelius_n the_o centurion_n to_o learn_v that_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o scruple_n preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o the_o gentile_n although_o christ_n have_v order_v his_o apostle_n before_o his_o ascend_n into_o heaven_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n unto_o all_o creature_n whereby_o he_o clear_o enough_o denote_v the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o the_o jew_n st._n peter_n after_o have_v obey_v the_o express_a order_n which_o he_o receive_v from_o god_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o cornelius_n be_v no_o soon_o return_v to_o jerusalem_n but_o the_o faithful_a one_o of_o the_o circumcision_n not_o dream_v that_o his_o apostleship_n render_v he_o infallible_a dispute_v with_o he_o and_o tell_v he_o after_o a_o manner_n that_o show_v that_o the_o infallibility_n which_o we_o now_o attribute_v to_o he_o be_v to_o they_o unknown_a thou_o wente_v unto_o man_n uncircumcised_a and_o do_v eat_v with_o they_o many_o year_n as_o it_o seem_v after_o that_o peter_n be_v at_o antioch_n have_v not_o the_o courage_n to_o maintain_v open_o that_o the_o jew_n may_v eat_v with_o the_o gentile_n without_o scruple_n for_o before_o that_o certain_a person_n come_v from_o james_n he_o do_v eat_v with_o the_o gentile_n but_o when_o they_o be_v come_v he_o withdraw_v and_o separate_v himself_o fear_v they_o which_o be_v of_o the_o circumcision_n and_o the_o other_o jew_n dissemble_v likewise_o with_o he_o insomuch_o that_o st._n paul_n observe_v that_o they_o walk_v not_o upright_o be_v oblige_v to_o tell_v peter_n before_o they_o all_o if_o thou_o be_v a_o jew_n live_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o gentile_n and_o not_o as_o do_v the_o jew_n why_o compelle_v thou_o the_o gentile_n to_o live_v as_o do_v the_o jew_n it_o be_v say_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v guilty_a of_o a_o fault_n only_o in_o his_o conduct_n and_o not_o in_o his_o doctrine_n that_o he_o believe_v and_o maintain_v the_o same_o with_o st._n paul_n but_o that_o on_o this_o occasion_n he_o dissemble_v his_o opinion_n and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o otherways_o constrain_v the_o gentile_n to_o live_v as_o the_o jew_n but_o in_o abstain_v to_o eat_v with_o they_o the_o gentile_n say_v they_o see_v that_o st._n peter_n do_v not_o eat_v with_o they_o because_o they_o be_v uncircumcised_a do_v by_o reason_n of_o this_o his_o conduct_n believe_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o be_v circumcise_a and_o consequent_o to_o observe_v the_o other_o ceremony_n of_o the_o law_n they_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n to_o
be_v pure_a inspiration_n and_o which_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o speaker_n attend_v unto_o as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o simple_a interpreter_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o spirit_n say_v st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n vii_o 8._o give_v to_o one_o the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n to_o another_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n it_o seem_v as_o if_o he_o mean_v thereby_o the_o gift_n of_o prophesy_v that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o instruct_v other_o in_o piety_n of_o which_o he_o say_v many_o thing_n in_o the_o xivth_o chapter_n of_o the_o same_o epistle_n this_o seem_v contrary_a to_o what_o i_o have_v be_v saying_n concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o i_o confess_v i_o can_v see_v how_o according_a to_o my_o notion_n this_o difficulty_n can_v be_v clear_o solve_v i_o may_v say_v that_o this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v perhaps_o no_o other_o than_o a_o disposition_n of_o mind_n which_o god_n infuse_v sometime_o into_o those_o on_o who_o he_o bestow_v it_o by_o which_o they_o 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not_o depend_v upon_o man_n in_o any_o sort_n the_o most_o assiduous_a study_n can_v contribute_v any_o thing_n to_o prophetic_a or_o immediate_a revelation_n this_o conjecture_n seem_v probable_a enough_o and_o indeed_o i_o see_v no_o other_o way_n of_o explain_v what_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o timothy_n but_o without_o determine_v any_o thing_n concern_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n it_o appear_v plain_o by_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v 1_o cor._n fourteen_o that_o it_o consist_v not_o in_o a_o immediate_a revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n that_o force_v the_o prophet_n to_o speak_v he_o there_o give_v they_o this_o advice_n let_v the_o prophet_n speak_v two_o or_o three_o and_o let_v another_o judge_n but_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v reveal_v to_o one_o of_o those_o that_o sit_v by_o let_v the_o first_o hold_v his_o peace_n for_o you_o may_v all_o prophesy_v one_o by_o one_o to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o may_v learn_v and_o all_o may_v be_v comfort_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o prophet_n the_o prophet_n who_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v inspire_v immediate_o with_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o say_v have_v no_o need_n of_o this_o advice_n nay_o it_o have_v even_o be_v ridiculous_a because_o the_o holy_a spirit_n inspire_v they_o with_o what_o they_o have_v to_o say_v will_v have_v inspire_v they_o likewise_o as_o to_o the_o occasion_n and_o the_o place_n and_o will_v not_o have_v put_v many_o person_n on_o speak_v at_o one_o time_n in_o the_o same_o place_n nor_o so_o as_o to_o interrupt_v other_o who_o speak_v by_o his_o inspiration_n moreover_o st._n paul_n will_v have_v the_o prophet_n judge_v one_o another_o and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o prophet_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o prophet_n immediate_o inspire_v who_o be_v subject_a to_o none_o but_o god_n and_o who_o be_v to_o give_v account_n to_o none_o but_o he_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n speak_v as_o long_o as_o god_n inspire_v they_o after_o which_o they_o hold_v their_o peace_n without_o need_v any_o advertisement_n because_o they_o easy_o perceive_v when_o the_o inspiration_n cease_v it_o seem_v to_o i_o that_o we_o may_v now_o conclude_v that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o body_n but_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v a_o constant_a and_o perpetual_a inspiration_n and_o all_o who_o word_n we_o ought_v to_o receive_v as_o oracle_n as_o he_o alone_o among_o man_n be_v incapable_a of_o sin_v so_o it_o be_v he_o alone_o who_o god_n endow_v with_o a_o absolute_a infallibility_n the_o same_o light_n which_o perpetual_o enlighten_v his_o mind_n regulate_v also_o the_o motion_n of_o his_o affection_n otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v difficult_a to_o conceive_v how_o he_o can_v choose_v but_o be_v subject_a to_o error_n if_o he_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o sin_n there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o correspondence_n between_o the_o mind_n and_o the_o affection_n that_o it_o be_v not_o almost_o possible_a there_o shall_v be_v any_o irregularity_n in_o the_o one_o without_o a_o disorder_n in_o the_o other_o but_o that_o you_o may_v not_o believe_v i_o be_o the_o first_o author_n of_o this_o opinion_n and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o desire_n to_o appear_v singular_a or_o a_o affectation_n of_o novelty_n that_o have_v engage_v i_o in_o this_o notion_n i_o must_v also_o let_v you_o see_v that_o some_o great_a man_n have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o mind_n before_o i_o st._n jerom_n make_v this_o observation_n upon_o the_o five_o chapter_n of_o the_o prophet_n micah_n in_o speak_v of_o this_o passage_n and_o thou_o bethlehem_n ephratah_n though_o thou_o be_v little_a among_o the_o thousand_o of_o judah_n etc._n etc._n which_o st._n matthew_n cite_v otherwise_o than_o it_o be_v either_o in_o the_o hebrew_n or_o septuagint_n fallitur_fw-la there_o be_v say_v he_o that_o affirm_v there_o be_v the_o like_a error_n in_o almost_o all_o the_o testimony_n that_o be_v take_v out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n that_o either_o the_o order_n be_v change_v or_o the_o word_n and_o that_o sometime_o the_o sense_n itself_o differ_v the_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n not_o transcribe_v the_o testimony_n out_o of_o the_o book_n but_o trust_v to_o their_o memory_n which_o sometime_o fail_v they_o it_o be_v true_a st._n jerom_n say_v not_o that_o he_o approve_v this_o opinion_n but_o he_o make_v it_o appear_v elsewhere_o that_o he_o be_v not_o very_o far_o from_o it_o in_o his_o letter_n to_o pammachius_n de_fw-la optimo_fw-la genere_fw-la interpretandi_fw-la of_o the_o best_a way_n of_o interpret_n he_o gather_v together_o many_o example_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n by_o which_o he_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n tie_v themselves_o more_o to_o the_o sense_n than_o to_o the_o word_n and_o maintain_v with_o good_a reason_n that_o we_o shall_v not_o play_v the_o critic_n on_o they_o for_o it_o nor_o even_o for_o the_o place_n where_o they_o have_v mistake_v name_n after_o have_v compare_v the_o quotation_n matth._n xxvii_o 9_o with_o the_o original_a he_o add_v posuit_fw-la one_o may_v accuse_v the_o apostle_n of_o falsity_n in_o that_o he_o agree_v neither_o with_o the_o hebrew_n nor_o with_o the_o septuagint_n and_o which_o be_v more_o that_o he_o be_v mistake_v in_o the_o name_n put_v jeremy_n for_o zachary_n he_o seem_v indeed_o elsewhere_o to_o disapprove_v that_o opinion_n but_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o he_o to_o accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o common_a opinion_n and_o yet_o not_o omit_v to_o give_v his_o own_o without_o be_v concern_v whether_o he_o contradict_v himself_o or_o no._n when_o he_o speak_v as_o other_o do_v you_o must_v not_o conclude_v present_o that_o he_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o they_o because_o it_o may_v be_v he_o speak_v so_o by_o way_n of_o condescension_n whereas_o when_o he_o say_v the_o contrary_a it_o seem_v rather_o that_o he_o speak_v his_o own_o thought_n you_o need_v but_o read_v what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o dissimulation_n which_o he_o attribute_n to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o commentary_n upon_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n and_o in_o his_o answer_n to_o st._n austin_n to_o see_v that_o he_o believe_v that_o st._n paul_n by_o a_o prudence_n pure_o human_a which_o he_o call_v a_o dispensation_n make_v show_v of_o believe_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n insomuch_o that_o when_o st._n paul_n say_v that_o st._n peter_n be_v to_o be_v reprove_v because_o he_o walk_v not_o upright_o according_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o that_o he_o believe_v so_o but_o only_o to_o hinder_v the_o convert_a gentile_n from_o imitate_v that_o apostle_n i_o say_v not_o that_o st._n jerom_n be_v herein_o in_o the_o right_a but_o at_o least_o it_o hereby_o appear_v that_o
all_o those_o scriptural_a truth_n without_o which_o a_o man_n can_v perfom_v his_o duty_n as_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n absolute_o perfect_a who_o have_v send_v jesus_n christ_n into_o the_o world_n to_o draw_v man_n from_o their_o sin_n and_o guide_v they_o to_o eternal_a salvation_n that_o this_o jesus_n have_v be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o he_o now_o reign_v in_o heaven_n etc._n etc._n all_o christian_n agree_v in_o all_o this_o let_v we_o suspend_v still_o our_o judgement_n concern_v doctrine_n and_o speak_v yet_o only_o of_o the_o practical_a part_n of_o our_o religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o that_o if_o all_o man_n live_v according_a to_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o out_o of_o the_o hope_n of_o another_o life_n they_o betake_v themselves_o with_o care_n to_o adore_v the_o creator_n of_o the_o universe_n to_o live_v always_o in_o temperance_n and_o sobriety_n and_o to_o do_v constant_o to_o their_o neighbour_n as_o they_o desire_v their_o neighbour_n shall_v do_v to_o they_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v i_o say_v but_o this_o manner_n of_o live_v will_v be_v very_o agreeable_a and_o very_a advantageous_a to_o human_a society_n we_o shall_v not_o then_o hear_v any_o word_n speak_v that_o can_v cause_v we_o trouble_v or_o that_o will_v kindle_v division_n in_o religion_n there_o will_v be_v no_o sickness_n through_o intemperance_n no_o vexation_n nor_o any_o quarrel_n occasion_v by_o debauchery_n the_o do_v wrong_n to_o one_o neighbour_n and_o the_o suffer_v any_o inconvenience_n through_o the_o inhumanity_n or_o malice_n of_o man_n will_v be_v thing_n unknown_a man_n will_v help_v one_o another_o in_o all_o their_o needs_o with_o all_o the_o fervency_n and_o earnestness_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v if_o by_o mistake_v any_o of_o they_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o inconvenience_n to_o one_o another_o they_o will_v mutual_o pardon_v one_o another_o and_o repair_v that_o damage_n by_o all_o sort_n of_o service_n the_o love_n of_o honour_n or_o of_o riches_n will_v trouble_v no_o man_n mind_n nor_o cause_v any_o envy_n or_o discord_n in_o a_o word_n the_o mind_n be_v in_o a_o perfect_a tranquillity_n the_o body_n as_o healthful_a as_o feeble_a nature_n will_v admit_v and_o both_o mind_n and_o body_n enjoy_v the_o innocent_a pleasure_n which_o the_o gospel_n allow_v this_o amiable_a life_n will_v not_o be_v quit_v but_o for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o another_o free_v from_o all_o the_o inevitable_a inconvenience_n entail_v by_o nature_n upon_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o this_o earth_n all_o that_o have_v any_o idea_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o morality_n teach_v by_o jesus_n christ_n must_v necessary_o agree_v in_o this_o truth_n that_o by_o general_o observe_v they_o man_n will_v be_v exceed_o happy_a but_o it_o may_v perhaps_o be_v ask_v where_o be_v there_o in_o the_o world_n a_o society_n in_o which_o man_n live_v conformable_o to_o these_o rule_n of_o morality_n that_o be_v not_o the_o question_n it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o our_o present_a purpose_n that_o there_o be_v at_o this_o time_n many_o nation_n that_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o though_o they_o live_v not_o up_o to_o the_o practice_n let_v we_o inquire_v whether_o these_o nation_n invent_v those_o rule_n or_o receive_v they_o from_o their_o predecessor_n they_o all_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v not_o the_o inventor_n and_o it_o may_v well_o be_v judge_v by_o their_o way_n of_o live_v that_o they_o say_v true_a for_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a they_o shall_v have_v invent_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o live_v so_o contrary_a to_o they_o invention_n always_o savour_v something_o of_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o inventor_n but_o we_o have_v no_o need_n of_o argument_n to_o convince_v we_o of_o this_o we_o may_v examine_v from_o age_n to_o age_n the_o author_n that_o be_v leave_v we_o begin_v at_o our_o own_o and_o go_v backward_o to_o that_o wherein_o christian_a religion_n be_v first_o speak_v of_o to_o see_v who_o they_o be_v that_o bring_v it_o into_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v ready_o find_v by_o read_v those_o author_n that_o it_o be_v more_o than_o thirteen_o hundred_o year_n since_o the_o roman_a emperor_n be_v become_v christian_n christianity_n have_v flourish_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o europe_n asia_n and_o africa_n since_o that_o time_n we_o may_v be_v convince_v by_o a_o very_a great_a number_n of_o christian_a author_n that_o profession_n have_v be_v constant_o make_v of_o believe_v that_o the_o morality_n teach_v we_o in_o the_o gospel_n come_v from_o heaven_n if_o we_o go_v yet_o further_o backward_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o even_o under_o the_o pagan_a emperor_n there_o be_v a_o great_a multitude_n of_o christian_n that_o profess_v the_o same_o doctrine_n we_o have_v many_o christian_a author_n of_o those_o time_n who_o assure_v we_o of_o it_o but_o without_o stay_v to_o reckon_v up_o needless_o author_n sufficient_o know_v let_v we_o examine_v in_o what_o age_n christianity_n begin_v first_o to_o be_v speak_v of_o all_o christian_n agree_v that_o it_o be_v under_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n and_o if_o we_o consult_v heathen_a author_n we_o shall_v see_v that_o before_o that_o time_n it_o be_v altogether_o unknown_a tacitus_n who_o be_v bear_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o claudius_n or_o about_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o of_o nero_n say_v that_o nero_n after_o have_v set_v rome_n on_o fire_n in_o divers_a place_n and_o thereby_o destroy_v the_o city_n accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o it_o and_o make_v they_o suffer_v horrible_a punishment_n upon_o that_o occasion_n he_o speak_v of_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n in_o these_o term_n the_o author_n of_o this_o sect_n say_v he_o be_v christ_n 44._o who_o in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n governor_n of_o judaea_n this_o dangerous_a superstition_n continue_v he_o in_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n though_o nip_v in_o the_o bud_n break_v out_o a_o fresh_a and_o spread_v not_o only_o through_o judaea_n where_o the_o mischief_n first_o begin_v but_o come_v even_o into_o rome_n itself_o where_o all_o thing_n shameful_a and_o abominable_a be_v bring_v and_o find_v person_n ready_a to_o join_v with_o and_o uphold_v they_o present_o as_o many_o as_o confess_v they_o be_v christian_n be_v seize_v on_o and_o soon_o after_o a_o great_a many_o more_o be_v discover_v but_o be_v not_o find_v guilty_a of_o the_o fire_n though_o they_o be_v the_o object_n of_o the_o public_a hatred_n etc._n etc._n you_o see_v here_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o heathen_a author_n who_o be_v bear_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n and_o very_o well_o verse_v in_o the_o passage_n of_o his_o time_n assure_v we_o of_o two_o thing_n then_o public_o notorious_a the_o one_o that_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v live_v in_o judaea_n in_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n and_o have_v be_v punish_v during_o the_o government_n of_o pontius_n pilate_n the_o other_o that_o after_o his_o death_n in_o few_o year_n the_o embracer_n of_o his_o doctrine_n be_v extreme_o multiply_v suetonius_n also_o tell_v we_o 15._o that_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o emperor_n claudius_n the_o christian_n be_v banish_v out_o of_o rome_n which_o show_v that_o there_o be_v then_o a_o great_a number_n of_o they_o in_o that_o capital_a city_n we_o find_v also_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o another_o author_n contemporary_a to_o tacitus_n that_o the_o christian_n at_o that_o time_n make_v profession_n of_o the_o same_o moral_n they_o teach_v now_o a-days_o pliny_n be_v proconsul_n of_o bythinia_n about_o threescore_o and_o ten_o year_n after_o pontius_n pilate_n have_v be_v governor_n of_o judaea_n by_o trajan_n order_n seek_v out_o the_o christian_n within_o his_o province_n and_o inform_v himself_o with_o all_o the_o care_n imaginable_a concern_v their_o opinion_n hereupon_o he_o write_v a_o letter_n to_o trajan_n 97._o which_o letter_n be_v still_o preserve_v i_o be_v inform_v say_v he_o that_o all_o their_o crime_n or_o error_n consist_v only_o in_o that_o they_o use_v to_o assemble_v themselves_o upon_o a_o certain_a night_n and_o to_o sing_v together_o a_o hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o to_o a_o god_n that_o they_o all_o oblige_v themselves_o by_o oath_n not_o to_o any_o crime_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o will_v not_o commit_v felony_n robbery_n or_o adultery_n and_o that_o they_o will_v deceive_v no_o man_n nor_o break_v a_o trust_n this_o do_v they_o disperse_v and_o return_v again_o after_o sometime_o to_o eat_v together_o which_o they_o do_v in_o common_a and_o without_o any_o harm_n but_o that_o they_o have_v give_v over_o do_v it_o upon_o my_o proclamation_n wherein_o according_a to_o your_o order_n i_o have_v forbid_v all_o sort_n of_o conventicle_n this_o
make_v i_o believe_v that_o i_o can_v not_o get_v out_o the_o truth_n better_o than_o by_o put_v to_o the_o rack_n two_o woman_n servant_n who_o they_o call_v diaconess_n but_o i_o discover_v nothing_o but_o a_o strange_a and_o excessive_a superstition_n they_o that_o understand_v the_o latin_a tongue_n will_v not_o wonder_v that_o tacitus_n and_o pliny_n make_v use_n of_o the_o word_n superstition_n the_o roman_n give_v that_o name_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o religious_a worship_n that_o be_v not_o establish_v by_o public_a authority_n two_o such_o witness_n as_o these_o can_v be_v except_v against_o seeing_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o have_v no_o favour_n for_o christian_n and_o be_v perhaps_o the_o most_o able_a man_n of_o their_o time_n but_o especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o they_o treat_v of_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o themselves_o have_v either_o see_v or_o which_o be_v know_v by_o all_o man_n as_o be_v the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n under_o pontius_n pilate_n the_o write_n that_o we_o have_v of_o christian_n live_v between_o the_o time_n of_o pilate_n and_o those_o of_o tacitus_n or_o trajan_n attest_v the_o same_o truth_n they_o date_n the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n from_o the_o same_o christ_n that_o pilate_n put_v to_o death_n and_o they_o preach_v to_o we_o precise_o the_o same_o moral_n we_o must_v then_o necessary_o allow_v that_o there_o be_v in_o judaea_n during_o the_o reign_n of_o tiberius_n a_o person_n that_o lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o have_v many_o disciple_n let_v we_o now_o examine_v some_o of_o his_o first_o disciple_n and_o see_v what_o sort_n of_o people_n they_o be_v let_v we_o read_v the_o epistle_n which_o clement_n bishop_n of_o rome_n write_v to_o the_o christian_n of_o corinth_n forty_o year_n after_o the_o death_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o reign_n of_o vespasian_n there_o appear_v in_o this_o epistle_n a_o spirit_n of_o peace_n of_o charity_n of_o humility_n and_o many_o lively_a and_o pathetical_a exhortation_n to_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o gospel-moral_n he_o reprove_v severe_o those_o that_o have_v not_o observe_v they_o but_o commend_v those_o that_o have_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o that_o epistle_n he_o say_v among_o other_o thing_n that_o the_o christian_n of_o corinth_n have_v labour_v day_n and_o night_n for_o their_o brethren_n to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o number_n of_o the_o elect_n may_v be_v save_v in_o apply_v themselves_o to_o work_n of_o mercy_n and_o of_o a_o good_a conscience_n that_o they_o have_v be_v sincere_a without_o malice_n and_o without_o remember_v the_o ill_a that_o any_o of_o they_o may_v former_o have_v do_v to_o one_o another_o that_o all_o division_n and_o schism_n be_v abhor_v by_o they_o that_o they_o be_v afflict_v for_o their_o neighbour_n fail_n that_o they_o look_v upon_o his_o necessity_n as_o their_o own_o that_o they_o never_o repent_v they_o of_o well-doing_n but_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o do_v all_o sort_n of_o good_a work_n that_o in_o their_o conversation_n full_a of_o virtue_n and_o worthy_a of_o veneration_n they_o do_v all_o thing_n in_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n who_o commandment_n be_v write_v in_o their_o heart_n he_o add_v afterward_o that_o he_o have_v know_v may_v christian_n o_o who_o to_o redeem_v other_o out_o of_o slavery_n have_v put_v themselves_o in_o chain_n that_o many_o have_v sell_v themselves_o for_o slave_n have_v maintain_v other_o out_o of_o the_o price_n of_o their_o own_o liberty_n the_o master_n of_o this_o clement_n be_v the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n who_o be_v the_o first_o teacher_n of_o christianity_n and_o he_o give_v testimony_n of_o their_o great_a piety_n indeed_o if_o we_o read_v their_o write_n we_o find_v nothing_o in_o they_o but_o what_o speak_v a_o profound_a veneration_n of_o the_o deity_n a_o extreme_a tenderness_n towards_o all_o man_n and_o a_o extraordinary_a strictness_n in_o all_o that_o concern_v the_o government_n of_o a_o man_n self_n let_v we_o choose_v which_o we_o will_v of_o they_o we_o shall_v find_v nothing_o in_o their_o work_n but_o what_o tend_v to_o piety_n if_o some_o of_o their_o write_n have_v be_v question_v let_v we_o take_v those_o concern_v which_o there_o never_o be_v any_o question_n or_o without_o look_v further_o the_o gospel_n according_a to_o st._n luke_n and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o be_v cite_v by_o clement_n and_o we_o shall_v perceive_v every_o where_o the_o same_o moral_n which_o they_o endeavour_v to_o implant_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o their_o disciple_n i_o suppose_v all_o along_o that_o the_o reader_n have_v some_o knowledge_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o have_v give_v some_o attention_n to_o what_o i_o say_v at_o the_o beginning_n and_o then_o i_o dare_v bold_o say_v that_o unless_o he_o have_v lose_v all_o sense_n he_o will_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o reasonable_a that_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o all_o the_o world_n observe_v they_o the_o apostle_n then_o in_o exhort_v their_o hearer_n to_o live_v after_o a_o manner_n so_o reasonable_a and_o so_o profitable_a to_o human_a society_n require_v nothing_o of_o they_o contrary_a to_o reason_n or_o to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o this_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o the_o say_v of_o a_o person_n that_o once_o have_v no_o great_a opinion_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n when_o the_o moral_n which_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ_n preach_v throughout_o the_o world_n be_v thus_o lively_o describe_v to_o he_o he_o can_v not_o but_o fall_v into_o these_o word_n which_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n draw_v from_o he_o i_o wish_v all_o the_o world_n have_v believe_v they_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n ought_v undoubted_o to_o make_v all_o those_o who_o love_v human_a society_n and_o their_o own_o advantage_n to_o listen_v to_o it_o but_o it_o may_v here_o be_v object_v that_o perhaps_o the_o apostle_n preach_v not_o this_o doctrine_n but_o in_o design_n to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n and_o afterward_o upon_o pretext_n of_o piety_n to_o get_v from_o they_o whatsoever_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o but_o to_o answer_v that_o objection_n in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o observe_v and_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v grant_v i_o that_o this_o suspicion_n have_v no_o foundation_n in_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o preach_v for_o that_o condemn_v the_o love_n of_o honour_n of_o riches_n and_o of_o pleasure_n there_o can_v so_o much_o as_o one_o single_a passage_n of_o their_o work_n be_v allege_v that_o favour_n ambition_n covetousness_n or_o concupiscence_n this_o be_v so_o this_o suspicion_n can_v be_v ground_v but_o upon_o one_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n either_o that_o the_o apostle_n can_v hope_v to_o make_v some_o advantage_n of_o this_o their_o doctrine_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v receive_v or_o that_o they_o actual_o make_v it_o when_o they_o preach_v it_o i_o understand_v here_o by_o advantage_n a_o good_a out-ballancing_a all_o the_o inconvenience_n that_o the_o apostle_n undergo_v in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n or_o at_o least_o such_o a_o one_o as_o they_o esteem_v in_o that_o degree_n it_o be_v not_o probable_a if_o they_o be_v deceiver_n but_o that_o they_o propose_v a_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o great_a than_o the_o pain_n they_o take_v otherwise_o they_o may_v just_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o fool_n which_o they_o can_v without_o great_a impertinence_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v by_o any_o that_o read_v their_o write_n now_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o hope_v to_o make_v any_o advantage_n of_o their_o doctrine_n unless_o it_o be_v receive_v by_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o among_o who_o they_o preach_v it_o for_o without_o that_o they_o will_v have_v be_v expose_v to_o perpetual_a persecution_n none_o but_o fool_n can_v expect_v to_o live_v quiet_o among_o people_n vehement_o prepossess_v with_o opinion_n direct_o contrary_a to_o those_o they_o resolve_v to_o profess_v and_o teach_v people_n that_o believe_v themselves_o oblige_v for_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o state_n and_o of_o religion_n to_o take_v away_o both_o the_o estate_n and_o life_n of_o those_o that_o oppose_v their_o superstition_n such_o be_v the_o roman_n the_o greek_n and_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o must_v then_o have_v hope_v that_o their_o preach_v will_v take_v such_o effect_n as_o will_v draw_v after_o they_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o that_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v hope_v for_o by_o any_o that_o have_v never_o so_o little_a knowledge_n of_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n of_o man._n and_o the_o apostle_n who_o