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truth_n authority_n church_n infallible_a 2,088 5 9.4927 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A58804 The Christian life. Vol. 5 and last wherein is shew'd : I. The worth and excellency of the soul, II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour, III. The authority of the Holy Scripture, IV. A dissuasive from apostacy / by John Scott ... Scott, John, 1639-1695. 1699 (1699) Wing S2059; ESTC R3097 251,737 514

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to_o believe_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a and_o of_o which_o they_o can_v have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n either_o the_o necessary_n to_o salvation_n must_v be_v plain_o and_o clear_o express_v in_o scripture_n or_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o and_o to_o say_v god_n will_v damn_v we_o for_o not_o believe_v those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o give_v we_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v be_v to_o charge_v he_o with_o the_o most_o outrageous_a oppression_n and_o injustice_n but_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o though_o god_n have_v not_o clear_o reveal_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v upon_o pain_n of_o damnation_n yet_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v they_o for_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o infallible_a church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v of_o the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n in_o all_o 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be_v the_o church_n and_o yet_o still_o be_v mistake_v in_o short_a no_o authority_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a but_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a no_o infallibility_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a but_o that_o of_o which_o i_o have_v a_o infallible_a certainty_n either_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n can_v render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n and_o if_o it_o can_v i_o be_o sure_a nothing_o can_v or_o it_o can_v if_o it_o can_v why_o may_v it_o not_o as_o well_o render_v i_o infallible_o certain_a of_o other_o principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v at_o least_o as_o plain_o reveal_v in_o it_o as_o that_o if_o it_o can_v how_o can_v i_o be_v infallible_o certain_a that_o any_o thing_n she_o define_v and_o declare_v to_o i_o be_v true_a if_o then_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n can_v give_v we_o a_o infallible_a certainty_n we_o have_v as_o just_a a_o pretence_n to_o it_o as_o they_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o authority_n that_o we_o ground_n our_o faith_n if_o it_o can_v neither_o they_o nor_o we_o can_v just_o pretend_v to_o it_o because_o they_o can_v no_o otherwise_o be_v infallible_o certain_a of_o their_o own_o infallibility_n but_o by_o scripture_n but_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v god_n never_o intend_v either_o that_o they_o or_o we_o shall_v be_v infallible_o certain_a in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o religion_n for_o after_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o certainty_n that_o he_o have_v give_v we_o he_o still_o suppose_v that_o we_o may_v err_v and_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o that_o even_o from_o among_o the_o member_n of_o the_o true_a church_n where_o infallible_a certainty_n be_v if_o it_o be_v any_o where_o there_o shall_v arise_v false_a teacher_n who_o shall_v bring_v in_o damnable_a doctrine_n which_o can_v never_o have_v happen_v if_o he_o have_v leave_v any_o such_o mean_n to_o his_o church_n as_o shall_v render_v her_o child_n 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do_v of_o which_o we_o search_v it_o in_o vain_a if_o we_o sincere_o attend_v to_o the_o public_a ministry_n with_o mind_n prepare_v to_o receive_v the_o truth_n in_o the_o love_n of_o it_o though_o we_o may_v possible_o err_v in_o matter_n of_o less_o moment_n yet_o as_o to_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n our_o faith_n shall_v be_v inviolable_o secure_v and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o as_o any_o honest_a man_n needs_o or_o as_o any_o honest_a church_n can_v promise_v 2._o from_o hence_o also_o i_o infer_v that_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o religion_n god_n do_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v make_v use_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n for_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v he_o put_v we_o upon_o search_v the_o scripture_n but_o that_o thereby_o we_o may_v inform_v ourselves_o what_o those_o thing_n be_v which_o he_o have_v require_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o practice_v but_o if_o it_o be_v his_o mind_n that_o we_o shall_v whole_o rely_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o church_n or_o of_o our_o spiritual_a ●●ids_n and_o submit_v our_o faith_n to_o their_o dictate_v without_o any_o examination_n what_o a_o needless_a and_o impertinent_a employment_n will_v this_o be_v for_o we_o to_o search_v and_o consult_v the_o scripture_n consult_v they_o for_o what_o it_o we_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v their_o guidance_n and_o direction_n and_o to_o take_v the_o measure_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o manner_n from_o they_o and_o if_o for_o this_o end_n god_n have_v oblige_v we_o to_o consult_v they_o as_o to_o be_v sure_a it_o can_v be_v for_o no_o other_o end_n than_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o employ_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n to_o consider_v what_o they_o say_v and_o inquire_v what_o they_o mean_v otherwise_o he_o have_v oblige_v we_o to_o consult_v they_o to_o no_o purpose_n it_o be_v as_o evident_a therefore_o that_o god_n will_v have_v we_o use_v our_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o discern_v what_o we_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o what_o not_o in_o religion_n and_o not_o lazy_o rely_v upon_o other_o to_o see_v and_o discern_v and_o believe_v for_o we_o as_o it_o be_v that_o he_o will_v have_v we_o search_v and_o consult_v the_o scripture_n and_o that_o i_o think_v be_v evident_a enough_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o any_o one_o that_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o admit_v of_o a_o conviction_n and_o indeed_o see_v our_o reason_n be_v the_o noble_a faculty_n we_o have_v it_o will_v be_v very_o strange_a if_o god_n shall_v not_o allow_v it_o to_o intermeddle_v in_o the_o high_a and_o most_o important_a affair_n wherein_o he_o have_v engage_v we_o and_o see_v it_o be_v our_o reason_n only_o that_o render_v we_o capable_a of_o religion_n what_o a_o odd_a thing_n will_v it_o be_v for_o god_n to_o forbid_v we_o make_v use_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o the_o most_o important_a concern_v of_o religion_n that_o be_v indistinguish_v what_o be_v true_a religion_n from_o what_o be_v false_a and_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o believe_v from_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o reject_v i_o know_v it_o be_v pretend_v by_o those_o who_o urge_v the_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o submit_v our_o reason_n to_o the_o church_n that_o they_o allow_v man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n in_o discover_v which_o the_o true_a church_n be_v and_o that_o all_o they_o contend_v for_o be_v only_o this_o that_o when_o once_o man_n have_v find_v the_o true_a church_n they_o ought_v to_o inquire_v no_o far_o but_o immediate_o to_o deliver_v up_o their_o reason_n and_o understanding_n to_o it_o and_o believe_v every_o thing_n it_o believe_v without_o any_o far_a examination_n so_o that_o before_o man_n come_v into_o their_o church_n it_o seem_v they_o be_v allow_v to_o see_v for_o themselves_o but_o after_o they_o be_v in_o they_o must_v wink_v and_o follow_v their_o guide_n and_o depute_v they_o to_o see_v and_o understand_v for_o they_o which_o to_o such_o man_n as_o be_v not_o quite_o sick_a of_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o understanding_n shall_v methinks_v be_v a_o great_a temptation_n to_o keep_v they_o out_o of_o their_o church_n for_o ever_o for_o if_o i_o may_v judge_v for_o myself_o while_o i_o be_o out_o of_o it_o but_o must_v not_o while_o i_o be_o in_o it_o i_o must_v be_v very_o fond_a of_o part_v with_o my_o own_o eye_n and_o reason_n if_o ever_o i_o come_v into_o it_o at_o all_o but_o suppose_v i_o be_v always_o in_o it_o and_o have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o its_o communion_n from_o my_o infancy_n will_v they_o allow_v i_o when_o i_o come_v to_o the_o full_a use_n of_o my_o reason_n fair_o to_o question_v whether_o they_o be_v the_o only_a true_a church_n or_o no_o and_o to_o hear_v the_o reason_n and_o examine_v the_o scripture_n and_o consult_v the_o doctor_n on_o both_o side_n no_o by_o no_o mean_n this_o i_o be_o forbid_v under_o the_o penalty_n of_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o benefit_n of_o priestly_a absolution_n so_o that_o in_o short_a they_o will_v allow_v i_o to_o make_v use_n of_o my_o reason_n if_o i_o have_v be_v breed_v a_o heretic_n in_o order_n to_o my_o reconciliation_n to_o their_o church_n but_o if_o i_o have_v never_o be_v a_o heretic_n i_o must_v never_o use_v my_o reason_n to_o examine_v the_o truth_n either_o of_o my_o church_n or_o religion_n that_o be_v to_o say_v i_o may_v use_v my_o reason_n when_o there_o be_v no_o other_o remedy_n and_o i_o must_v continue_v a_o heretic_n if_o i_o do_v not_o but_o it_o be_v much_o better_a that_o i_o have_v never_o have_v occasion_n to_o use_v my_o reason_n at_o all_o so_o that_o according_a to_o these_o man_n the_o use_v of_o our_o reason_n in_o religion_n be_v only_o the_o least_o of_o two_o evil_n
have_v preach_v to_o the_o corinthian_n he_o thus_o pronounce_v by_o which_o also_o you_o be_v save_v if_o you_o keep_v in_o memory_n what_o i_o preach_v unto_o you_o unless_o you_o have_v believe_v in_o vain_a 1_o cor._n 15._o 1_o 2._o but_o how_o can_v they_o be_v save_v by_o that_o gospel_n he_o preach_v to_o they_o unless_o it_o contain_v in_o it_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o this_o very_a gospel_n which_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o constant_a ministry_n propose_v to_o the_o world_n st._n james_n call_v the_o engraft_a word_n which_o be_v able_a to_o save_v our_o soul_n jam._n 1._o 21._o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o be_v also_o call_v the_o word_n of_o reconciliation_n 2_o cor._n 5._o 19_o the_o word_n of_o salvation_n act_v 13._o 26._o and_o the_o word_n of_o life_n act_v 5._o 20._o and_o the_o savour_n of_o life_n unto_o life_n 2_o cor._n 2._o 16._o and_o also_o the_o power_n of_o god_n unto_o salvation_n to_o every_o one_o that_o believe_v rom._n 1._o 17._o neither_o of_o which_o it_o can_v be_v just_o style_v suppose_v it_o to_o be_v defective_a in_o any_o thing_n necessary_a to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o men._n 3._o and_o last_o that_o all_o those_o necessary_a truth_n which_o they_o preach_v be_v comprehend_v in_o those_o write_n of_o they_o of_o which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n consist_v it_o be_v true_a before_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v collect_v into_o those_o scripture_n of_o which_o the_o new_a testament_n now_o consist_v it_o be_v all_o convey_v by_o oral_a tradition_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o teacher_n to_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o disciple_n but_o in_o a_o little_a time_n those_o holy_a man_n who_o first_o preach_v it_o find_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o commit_v it_o to_o write_v as_o a_o much_o sure_a way_n of_o preserve_v it_o uncorrupted_a and_o transmit_v it_o down_o to_o all_o succeed_a generation_n for_o thus_o eusebius_n tell_v we_o 15._o that_o the_o roman_n not_o be_v satisfy_v with_o st._n peter_n '_o s_z preach_v of_o christianity_n to_o they_o earnest_o desire_v st._n mark_n his_o companion_n that_o he_o will_v leave_v they_o in_o write_v a_o stand_a monument_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o st._n peter_n have_v deliver_v to_o they_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n say_v he_o of_o the_o write_n of_o st._n mark_v '_o be_v gospel_n which_o thing_n st._n peter_n understand_v by_o a_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v high_o please_v with_o their_o earnest_a desire_n he_o confirm_v it_o by_o his_o own_o authority_n that_o it_o may_v afterward_o be_v read_v in_o the_o church_n it_o seem_v in_o those_o day_n the_o roman_n do_v not_o think_v oral_a or_o unwritten_a tradition_n a_o sufficient_a conservatory_n of_o divine_a truth_n nor_o do_v their_o bishop_n then_o forbid_v the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o the_o laity_n in_o their_o own_o language_n after_o which_o he_o tell_v we_o 24._o that_o st._n matthew_n and_o st._n john_n be_v the_o only_a disciple_n of_o our_o lord_n who_o have_v leave_v write_v commentary_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v preach_v behind_o they_o and_o it_o be_v say_v he_o necessity_n that_o impel_v they_o to_o write_v for_o matthew_n have_v preach_v the_o faith_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o intend_v to_o go_v from_o they_o to_o other_o nation_n write_v his_o gospel_n in_o his_o own_o country-language_n that_o thereby_o he_o may_v supply_v the_o want_n of_o his_o presence_n to_o those_o who_o he_o leave_v behind_o he_o and_o afterward_o when_o mark_n and_o luke_n have_v publish_v their_o gospel_n john_n who_o have_v hitherto_o only_o preach_v the_o gospel_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n be_v at_o length_n move_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n betake_v himself_o to_o write_v and_o the_o three_o former_a gospel_n say_v he_o arrive_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o man_n and_o particular_o of_o st._n john_n he_o approve_v they_o and_o with_o his_o own_o testimony_n confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o from_o which_o relation_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o that_o which_o move_v those_o holy_a man_n to_o commit_v their_o gospel_n to_o write_v be_v this_o that_o they_o judge_v it_o necessary_a for_o the_o conservation_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o so_o these_o in_o their_o absence_n may_v be_v stand_v monument_n of_o the_o faith_n to_o preach_v that_o gospel_n to_o man_n eye_n which_o they_o have_v preach_v to_o their_o ear_n and_o if_o they_o write_v to_o preserve_v the_o faith_n to_o be_v sure_a they_o will_v leave_v no_o necessary_a or_o essential_a part_n of_o it_o unwritten_a there_o be_v several_a proposition_n in_o these_o gospel_n which_o though_o very_o useful_a be_v far_o from_o be_v essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o those_o holy_a man_n who_o write_v on_o purpose_n to_o conserve_v chrictianity_n shall_v take_v so_o much_o care_n to_o write_v many_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o necessary_a part_n and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n omit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v eusebius_n tell_v we_o of_o st._n mark_v in_o particular_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d i.e._n he_o take_v great_a care_n of_o this_o more_o especial_o not_o to_o pretermit_v any_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v hear_v even_o from_o st._n peter_n nor_o to_o affix_v any_o thing_n to_o they_o that_o be_v false_a and_o if_o he_o be_v so_o careful_a not_o to_o omit_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v sure_a he_o will_v be_v particular_o careful_a not_o to_o omit_v any_o thing_n which_o he_o judge_v necessary_a to_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n of_o men._n but_o what_o need_v we_o depend_v upon_o humane_a authority_n when_o as_o if_o we_o consult_v those_o sacred_a write_n themselves_o which_o so_o far_o as_o they_o go_v all_o christian_n allow_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o give_v this_o testimony_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o comprehend_v in_o they_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o eternal_a life_n 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permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n second_o that_o it_o will_v prove_v a_o unavoidable_a occasion_n of_o great_a corruption_n in_o manner_n 1._o that_o a_o general_a permission_n of_o the_o use_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n must_v necessary_o open_v a_o wide_a door_n to_o error_n and_o heresy_n because_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n in_o scripture_n which_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o which_o the_o unlearned_a who_o be_v unqualify_v to_o understand_v they_o aright_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o wrest_v into_o a_o wrong_a sense_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o this_o reason_n hold_v as_o good_a against_o the_o writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o language_n that_o be_v vulgar_o know_v to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o the_o translate_n they_o now_o into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n for_o the_o hebrew_n in_o which_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v the_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o greek_a in_o which_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v be_v then_o the_o most_o vulgar_a language_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v the_o same_o hard_a thing_n then_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o now_o and_o the_o people_n be_v as_o unlearned_a then_o and_o as_o apt_a to_o wrest_v these_o hard_a scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n then_o as_o now_o yet_o god_n notwithstanding_o think_v fit_a to_o write_v and_o publish_v it_o in_o language_n that_o be_v most_o know_v to_o the_o people_n and_o therefore_o either_o we_o must_v say_v that_o he_o do_v not_o take_v that_o care_n that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v to_o prevent_v error_n and_o heresy_n or_o that_o this_o be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v debar_v of_o the_o scripture_n in_o their_o own_o vulgar_a language_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o the_o write_v the_o scripture_n at_o first_o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n as_o much_o open_a a_o door_n to_o heresy_n as_o the_o translate_n they_o afterward_o see_v it_o be_v neither_o their_o be_v write_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n nor_o their_o be_v translate_v into_o the_o vulgar_a language_n but_o their_o be_v in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n that_o be_v here_o pretend_a to_o set_v open_a this_o dangerous_a door_n to_o heresy_n 2._o this_o objection_n strike_v with_o equal_a force_n against_o god_n writing_n and_o publish_v the_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n as_o against_o their_o read_n and_o consult_v it_o for_o that_o god_n write_v these_o scripture_n to_o the_o people_n and_o that_o in_o so_o do_v he_o not_o only_o give_v they_o a_o right_n but_o also_o lay_v on_o they_o a_o obligation_n to_o read_v they_o i_o have_v already_o show_v if_o therefore_o the_o read_v the_o scripture_n by_o the_o people_n be_v such_o a_o unavoidable_a inlet_n of_o error_n and_o heresy_n as_o this_o objection_n pretend_v it_o be_v doubtless_o very_o unadvised_o do_v of_o god_n to_o publish_v such_o a_o dangerous_a book_n to_o the_o world_n which_o those_o for_o who_o he_o publish_v and_o to_o who_o he_o direct_v it_o can_v familiar_o converse_v with_o without_o eminent_a peril_n of_o be_v infect_v with_o heresy_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n be_v such_o a_o quarrelsome_a knife_n as_o these_o man_n say_v it_o be_v that_o the_o people_n can_v hardly_o touch_v it_o without_o cut_v their_o finger_n they_o be_v certain_o more_o behold_v to_o the_o church_n for_o take_v it_o from_o they_o than_o they_o be_v to_o god_n for_o bestow_v it_o on_o they_o 3._o this_o objection_n make_v as_o much_o at_o least_o against_o the_o priest_n read_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o people_n for_o most_o of_o those_o heresy_n that_o have_v be_v broach_v to_o the_o people_n be_v first_o
the_o people_n mind_n and_o manner_n st._n paul_n tell_v we_o the_o quite_o contrary_a these_o thing_n be_v our_o example_n to_o the_o intent_n we_o shall_v not_o lust_n after_o evil_a thing_n as_o they_o i._n e._n the_o israelite_n in_o the_o wilderness_n lust_v neither_o be_v you_o idolater_n as_o be_v some_o of_o they_o neither_o let_v we_o commit_v fornication_n as_o some_o of_o they_o commit_v and_o fall_v in_o one_o day_n three_o and_o twenty_o thousand_o neither_o let_v we_o tempt_v christ_n as_o some_o of_o they_o also_o tempt_v and_o be_v destroy_v of_o serpent_n neither_o murmur_v you_o as_o some_o of_o they_o also_o murmur_v and_o be_v destroy_v of_o the_o destroyer_n now_o all_o these_o thing_n happen_v unto_o they_o for_o ensample_n and_o they_o be_v write_v for_o our_o admonition_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v 1_o cor._n 10._o 6_o 7_o 8_o 9_o 10_o 11._o whereas_o this_o objection_n urge_v that_o there_o be_v sundry_a passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o shall_v the_o people_n read_v will_v excite_v evil_a thought_n in_o their_o mind_n the_o same_o st._n paul_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o scripture_n be_v profitable_a not_o only_o for_o doctrine_n and_o reproof_n but_o also_o for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 16._o whereas_o this_o objection_n pretend_v that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o unsafe_a for_o young_a people_n especial_o to_o be_v allow_v the_o scripture_n because_o there_o be_v several_a amorous_a story_n and_o passage_n in_o it_o which_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o suggest_v wanton_a thought_n to_o their_o gay_a and_o amorous_a fancy_n david_n it_o be_v plain_a be_v of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a mind_n for_o wherewith_o say_v he_o shall_v a_o young_a man_n cleanse_v his_o way_n by_o take_v heed_n thereto_o according_a to_o thy_o word_n psal._n 119._o 9_o than_o which_o two_o passage_n what_o assertion_n can_v be_v more_o contrary_a one_o to_o another_o 4._o and_o last_o that_o suppose_v this_o objection_n to_o be_v thus_o ●ar_v true_a that_o there_o be_v some_o passage_n in_o scripture_n which_o may_v sometime_o occasional_o excite_v bad_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o just_a reason_n why_o the_o use_v of_o scripture_n shall_v be_v forbid_v to_o the_o people_n for_o every_o thing_n which_o the_o people_n occasional_o make_v bad_a uses_n of_o be_v for_o that_o reason_n to_o be_v forbid_v to_o they_o even_o prayer_n and_o the_o sacrament_n and_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n ought_v to_o be_v forbid_v they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o scripture_n see_v of_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o other_o many_o people_n do_v occasional_o make_v very_o bad_a uses_n so_o long_o as_o the_o scripture_n be_v good_a in_o itself_o and_o apt_a in_o its_o own_o nature_n to_o instruct_v and_o edify_v those_o that_o read_v it_o this_o be_v sufficient_a not_o only_o to_o warrant_v the_o people_n use_n of_o it_o but_o to_o enjoin_v and_o require_v it_o and_o if_o it_o sometime_o occasion_n corrupt_a thought_n in_o corrupt_a mind_n this_o be_v no_o more_o a_o reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v deprive_v of_o the_o light_n of_o it_o than_o some_o bad_a man_n make_v ill_a use_v of_o the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v why_o the_o sun_n shall_v be_v extinguish_v or_o why_o the_o people_n shall_v be_v for_o ever_o shut_v up_o from_o the_o light_n of_o it_o in_o dark_a and_o dismal_a dungeon_n but_o as_o for_o those_o very_a passage_n of_o scripture_n which_o do_v sometime_o occasion_v ill_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v it_o of_o their_o own_o nature_n that_o as_o they_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o natural_o apt_a to_o repress_v bad_a thought_n and_o to_o arm_n and_o fortify_v man_n mind_n against_o they_o as_o for_o instance_n the_o bad_a example_n record_v in_o scripture_n be_v general_o deliver_v with_o infamous_a character_n severe_a prohibition_n and_o dreadful_a instance_n of_o god_n vengeance_n attend_v they_o which_o render_v they_o much_o more_o apt_a to_o repress_v than_o to_o excite_v evil_a thought_n in_o man_n mind_n to_o quicken_v they_o to_o prayer_n and_o watchfulness_n against_o temptation_n and_o when_o at_o any_o time_n they_o have_v be_v overcome_v by_o they_o to_o encourage_v they_o to_o repentance_n or_o when_o they_o have_v overcome_v they_o to_o stir_v they_o up_o to_o a_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n of_o that_o prevent_n and_o assist_v grace_n of_o god_n by_o which_o they_o have_v be_v enable_v to_o resist_v and_o repel_v they_o these_o be_v the_o natural_a uses_n of_o those_o bad_a example_n record_v in_o scripture_n and_o therefore_o if_o instead_o of_o make_v these_o use_v of_o they_o some_o man_n pervert_v they_o to_o bad_a purpose_n that_o be_v their_o fault_n and_o not_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o the_o bad_a example_n in_o scripture_n as_o they_o be_v there_o record_v be_v in_o themselves_o of_o excellent_a use_n to_o the_o people_n but_o shall_v man_n be_v deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o every_o good_a thing_n they_o abuse_v i_o will_v fain_o know_v what_o one_o good_a thing_n will_v be_v leave_v free_a to_o their_o enjoyment_n and_o now_o have_v prove_v at_o large_a the_o people_n right_a and_o obligation_n to_o use_v and_o search_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o answer_v the_o main_a objection_n against_o it_o i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o these_o two_o inference_n from_o the_o whole_a 1._o if_o the_o people_n be_v oblige_v to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o scripture_n than_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o receive_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n those_o divine_a truth_n which_o it_o propose_v to_o their_o belief_n for_o to_o what_o other_o end_n shall_v we_o be_v oblige_v to_o read_v and_o consult_v the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o only_o that_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o it_o what_o be_v his_o mind_n and_o will_n but_o how_o shall_v we_o learn_v from_o scripture_n what_o god_n mind_n be_v if_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v what_o he_o therein_o declare_v upon_o scripture_n authority_n if_o i_o must_v not_o believe_v when_o i_o read_v the_o scripture_n that_o this_o be_v god_n mind_n because_o the_o scripture_n say_v so_o it_o be_v impossible_a i_o shall_v ever_o learn_v god_n mind_n by_o read_v it_o and_o consequent_o i_o be_o oblige_v to_o read_v it_o to_o no_o purpose_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o can_v teach_v i_o what_o god_n mind_n be_v but_o that_o which_o give_v i_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v that_o what_o it_o teach_v be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n when_o therefore_o i_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o find_v such_o a_o proposition_n plain_o assert_v in_o it_o be_v this_o a_o sufficient_a ground_n or_o no_o for_o i_o to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v than_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o my_o belief_n if_o it_o be_v not_o than_o the_o scripture_n can_v teach_v i_o what_o god_n mind_n be_v because_o it_o can_v give_v i_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o believe_v any_o one_o proposition_n in_o it_o to_o be_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n we_o be_v tell_v indeed_o that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o receive_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o church_n who_o alone_o have_v authority_n to_o expound_v it_o to_o we_o and_o who_o exposition_n in_o all_o matter_n of_o faith_n be_v infallible_a but_o if_o this_o be_v so_o to_o what_o end_n shall_v we_o read_v the_o scripture_n see_v the_o only_a end_n of_o reading_n be_v to_o learn_v the_o sense_n of_o what_o we_o read_v which_o according_a to_o this_o principle_n be_v not_o to_o be_v learn_v from_o scripture_n so_o that_o though_o there_o be_v no_o other_o wise_a end_n of_o read_v the_o scripture_n but_o only_o to_o learn_v from_o it_o what_o it_o mean_v yet_o it_o seem_v for_o man_n to_o read_v it_o for_o this_o end_n be_v a_o perfect_a labour_n in_o vain_a see_v it_o be_v not_o from_o the_o scripture_n but_o from_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v to_o learn_v the_o mean_v of_o scripture_n for_o as_o for_o the_o scripture_n if_o these_o man_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o heap_n of_o unsense_v character_n so_o they_o express_o term_v it_o but_o what_o do_v they_o mean_v by_o it_o be_v it_o that_o the_o scripture_n consist_v of_o a_o company_n of_o letter_n and_o syllable_n and_o word_n that_o carry_v with_o they_o no_o determinate_a sense_n that_o god_n almighty_n have_v write_v and_o publish_v a_o book_n to_o the_o world_n that_o mean_v nothing_o if_o so_o then_o when_o the_o church_n by_o its_o infallible_a authority_n pretend_v to_o expound_v the_o scripture_n her_o meaning_n be_v not_o to_o expound_v the_o