a_o uncertain_a oral_a tradition_n which_o can_v hardly_o hold_v the_o same_o from_o one_o end_v of_o the_o town_n to_o another_o but_o by_o unquestionable_a write_n of_o such_o authority_n that_o the_o christian_n will_v rather_o die_v than_o deliver_v up_o their_o book_n and_o in_o these_o be_v all_o those_o circumstance_n contain_v which_o we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v as_o christian_n among_o which_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a that_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n to_o sum_v up_o all_o i_o desire_v those_o who_o after_o all_o this_o pretend_v that_o they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v and_o those_o who_o be_v liable_a to_o any_o suggestion_n of_o infidelity_n to_o consider_v serious_o with_o themselves_o whether_o there_o can_v be_v a_o great_a and_o more_o noble_a design_n more_o become_v the_o wisdom_n power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o carry_v on_o than_o that_o of_o rescue_v 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some_o very_a particular_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v not_o rather_o think_v they_o deceive_v than_o fix_v such_o a_o indelible_a blot_n upon_o the_o reputation_n of_o mankind_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n to_o find_v that_o it_o can_v be_v overthrow_v but_o by_o such_o method_n as_o equal_o overturn_v all_o truth_n and_o certainty_n and_o that_o the_o faith_n of_o christianity_n stand_v not_o only_o upon_o the_o same_o bottom_n with_o the_o common_a faith_n of_o mankind_n but_o if_o we_o reject_v such_o assurance_n as_o be_v offer_v we_o for_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o gospel_n our_o infidelity_n can_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o reason_n and_o argument_n but_o of_o a_o causeless_a suspicion_n and_o unreasonable_a mistrust_n of_o the_o best_a part_n of_o mankind_n who_o have_v most_o firm_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o have_v lead_v the_o most_o holy_a and_o exemplary_a life_n in_o hope_n of_o a_o bless_a immortality_n and_o if_o the_o testimony_n of_o any_o person_n deserve_v to_o be_v take_v before_o other_o it_o must_v be_v of_o such_o who_o can_v have_v no_o design_n upon_o this_o world_n but_o be_v resolve_v by_o faith_n and_o patience_n to_o prepare_v for_o a_o better_a to_o conclude_v for_o we_o who_o believe_v and_o own_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o great_a and_o fundamental_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n we_o have_v something_o else_o to_o do_v than_o mere_o to_o vindicate_v and_o assert_v it_o this_o at_o some_o time_n be_v more_o necessary_a than_o at_o other_o and_o i_o hearty_o wish_v this_o be_v none_o of_o they_o i_o be_o willing_a to_o hope_v the_o best_a of_o all_o who_o in_o such_o a_o age_n of_o infidelity_n have_v the_o courage_n and_o zeal_n to_o own_o the_o faith_n of_o this_o day_n viz._n that_o god_n send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n in_o order_n to_o the_o make_v we_o for_o ever_o happy_a and_o i_o hope_v none_o who_o profess_v themselves_o christians_o this_o day_n will_v ever_o be_v discourage_v by_o the_o mock_v and_o flout_v of_o infidel_n so_o as_o to_o let_v go_v the_o anchor_n of_o their_o hope_n or_o mistrust_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n it_o be_v as_o great_a a_o piece_n of_o wisdom_n to_o know_v when_o to_o believe_v as_o when_o not_o to_o believe_v and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a a_o argument_n of_o a_o weak_a mind_n to_o be_v always_o doubt_v as_o to_o be_v overforward_a in_o believe_v for_o the_o soil_n must_v be_v very_o bad_a that_o can_v bear_v no_o foundation_n but_o withal_o let_v we_o not_o flatter_v ourselves_o only_o that_o we_o have_v a_o better_a faith_n than_o other_o for_o how_o miserable_a will_v our_o case_n be_v if_o we_o have_v nothing_o but_o a_o superficial_a faith_n and_o a_o sort_n of_o anniversary_n devotion_n we_o can_v never_o thank_v god_n too_o much_o for_o the_o blessing_n of_o this_o day_n but_o god_n expect_v something_o more_o from_o we_o than_o mere_o the_o give_v he_o solemn_a thanks_o once_o a_o year_n for_o send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n we_o must_v endeavour_v to_o answer_v the_o end_n of_o god_n send_v he_o i._n e._n to_o save_v we_o first_o from_o our_o sin_n and_o then_o from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v this_o be_v the_o method_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v appoint_v not_o bare_o from_o his_o own_o will_n and_o pleasure_n but_o from_o the_o necessary_a order_n and_o reason_n of_o thing_n for_o otherwise_o a_o man_n may_v be_v reward_v for_o do_v amiss_o and_o punish_v for_o perform_v his_o duty_n if_o we_o therefore_o ever_o hope_v for_o any_o benefit_n by_o this_o come_n of_o christ_n into_o the_o world_n we_o must_v apply_v our_o mind_n to_o consider_v serious_o on_o what_o condition_n we_o may_v reasonable_o hope_v for_o salvation_n by_o he_o can_v they_o think_v that_o christ_n come_v to_o so_o little_a purpose_n as_o to_o save_v man_n in_o their_o sin_n if_o that_o be_v to_o be_v hope_v there_o have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o his_o come_n but_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a work_n indeed_o to_o save_v we_o from_o they_o the_o gild_n must_v be_v expiate_v and_o the_o power_n subdue_v the_o former_a christ_n have_v do_v but_o he_o expect_v and_o with_o great_a reason_n that_o we_o shall_v deny_v ungodly_a and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v sermon_n x._o concern_v sin_n of_o omission_n preach_v before_o the_o king_n and_o queen_n at_o whitehall_n on_o march_n 18_o 1693_o 4_o be_v midlent-sunday_n st._n james_n iu._n 17._o therefore_o to_o he_o that_o know_v to_o do_v good_a and_o do_v it_o not_o to_o he_o it_o be_v sin_n although_o our_o apostle_n in_o this_o epistle_n call_v the_o gospel_n the_o law_n of_o liberty_n yet_o to_o prevent_v any_o misconstruction_n thereof_o as_o though_o it_o allow_v a_o liberty_n 1â—_n to_o sin_n we_o no_o where_o find_v more_o strict_a and_o severe_a passage_n against_o it_o than_o in_o this_o epistle_n both_o with_o respect_n to_o sin_n of_o commission_n and_o sin_n of_o omission_n as_o to_o sin_n of_o commission_n his_o expression_n seem_v hardly_o consistent_a with_o the_o grace_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o whosoever_o shall_v keep_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o yet_o offend_v in_o one_o 10._o point_n he_o be_v guilty_a of_o all_o have_v the_o law_n of_o moses_n any_o thing_n more_o apt_a to_o terrify_v the_o conscience_n of_o man_n if_o not_o to_o drive_v they_o into_o despair_n than_o this_o it_o be_v not_o if_o one_o break_v the_o whole_a law_n than_o it_o have_v be_v no_o wonder_n if_o he_o be_v guilty_a of_o all_o even_o under_o the_o gospel_n which_o do_v not_o take_v away_o the_o force_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n but_o if_o he_o keep_v the_o whole_a law_n and_o yet_o offend_v in_o
which_o may_v easy_o be_v accommodate_v to_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o so_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o the_o animosity_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n will_v be_v remove_v and_o christianity_n will_v thereby_o gain_v more_o friend_n and_o meet_v with_o few_o enemy_n the_o apostle_n find_v how_o necessary_a it_o be_v at_o this_o time_n if_o possible_a to_o keep_v they_o steadfast_a in_o the_o faith_n 1._o he_o assure_v they_o that_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n be_v of_o itself_o so_o sufficient_a for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n that_o it_o need_v no_o addition_n either_o from_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n or_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o gentile_n which_o may_v introduce_v several_a thing_n with_o a_o specious_a appearance_n of_o wisdom_n humility_n and_o mortification_n but_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v assure_v that_o from_o christ_n they_o have_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a or_o useful_a for_o salvation_n for_o in_o he_o be_v hide_v all_o the_o treasure_n of_o wisdom_n and_o 3._o knowledge_n 2._o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v at_o first_o true_o deliver_v to_o they_o and_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v steadfast_a in_o it_o which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o text._n but_o they_o may_v object_v that_o epaphras_n be_v no_o apostle_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o if_o he_o be_v yet_o there_o be_v many_o apostle_n and_o the_o false_a apostle_n pretend_v to_o be_v true_a one_o and_o although_o st._n paul_n interpose_v his_o authority_n yet_o he_o be_v but_o one_o and_o the_o judaizer_n will_v not_o yield_v to_o it_o but_o be_v ready_a to_o suggest_v that_o the_o other_o apostle_n be_v more_o favourable_a to_o the_o jewish_a custom_n than_o he_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a some_o more_o general_a and_o common_a rule_n be_v find_v out_o whereby_o to_o distinguish_v the_o original_a and_o genuine_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n from_o that_o of_o pretender_n and_o seducer_n the_o clear_n of_o this_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n and_o not_o only_o be_v to_o those_o of_o that_o age_n but_o be_v so_o in_o every_o age_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n where_o the_o same_o question_n may_v be_v put_v what_o be_v the_o true_a primitive_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o what_o mean_n may_v we_o come_v to_o it_o which_o concern_v we_o at_o this_o day_n as_o well_o as_o they_o and_o the_o answer_n lie_v in_o two_o particular_n which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o clear_v 1._o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o common_a deliver_v to_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o be_v the_o genuine_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n 2._o that_o which_o they_o have_v leave_v in_o their_o write_n after_o it_o come_v to_o be_v contest_v which_o be_v the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o christ._n 1._o that_o which_o the_o apostle_n do_v in_o common_a deliver_v to_o the_o church_n plant_v by_o they_o for_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v one_o and_o the_o same_o faith_n to_o all_o the_o church_n have_v the_o same_o infallible_a spirit_n to_o direct_v they_o there_o be_v no_o need_n for_o they_o to_o meet_v together_o before_o their_o dispersion_n and_o to_o agree_v upon_o some_o common_a article_n of_o faith_n as_o ruffinus_n symbol_n imagine_v lest_o they_o shall_v differ_v from_o each_o other_o for_o how_o can_v they_o differ_v who_o have_v the_o same_o spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o lead_v 13._o they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o we_o find_v nothing_o like_o a_o combination_n among_o the_o apostle_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n and_o if_o there_o have_v be_v it_o will_v have_v render_v the_o faith_n they_o deliver_v more_o suspicious_a in_o that_o they_o dare_v not_o trust_v particular_a person_n with_o delivery_n of_o it_o without_o a_o antecedent_n confederacy_n among_o themselves_o which_o will_v have_v look_v like_o a_o mistrust_n of_o that_o promise_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v fulfil_v upon_o all_o of_o they_o and_o we_o find_v when_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v write_v there_o be_v no_o such_o meeting_n together_o to_o settle_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v of_o as_o much_o consequence_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n but_o st._n matthew_n write_v his_o gospel_n in_o judoea_n at_o the_o time_n say_v irenoeus_n that_o peter_n and_o paul_n preach_v and_o found_v a_o 1._o church_n in_o rome_n st._n mark_v either_o at_o rome_n or_o in_o egypt_n not_o till_o after_o their_o decease_n say_v the_o same_o very_a ancient_a father_n st._n luke_n in_o greece_n after_o st._n paul_n plant_v 18._o church_n in_o rome_n and_o st._n john_n in_o asia_n after_o all_o the_o rest_n but_o there_o be_v the_o same_o divine_a spirit_n which_o assist_v they_o all_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v such_o a_o concurrence_n as_o show_v their_o veracity_n but_o such_o a_o variety_n as_o show_v there_o be_v no_o combination_n but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o none_o of_o the_o gospel_n be_v write_v till_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n have_v be_v preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o many_o place_n and_o many_o church_n be_v form_v and_o establish_v by_o they_o and_o there_o be_v two_o great_a advantage_n thereby_o 1._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o faith_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o more_o see_v because_o then_o without_o the_o help_n of_o a_o write_a rule_n they_o so_o unanimous_o agree_v in_o the_o doctrine_n they_o deliver_v not_o as_o though_o it_o be_v less_o possible_a to_o mistake_v without_o it_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v a_o much_o great_a liableness_n to_o mistake_v so_o universal_a a_o consent_n be_v the_o strong_a argument_n of_o a_o divine_a assistance_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o difference_n in_o the_o doctrine_n preach_v by_o the_o apostle_n there_o be_v so_o many_o enemy_n both_o of_o jew_n and_o infidel_n and_o false_a apostle_n who_o will_v present_o have_v reproach_v the_o christian_a church_n with_o it_o but_o no_o disagreement_n be_v ever_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v as_o to_o what_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o teach_v they_o have_v one_o body_n one_o 6._o spirit_n one_o lord_n one_o faith_n one_o baptism_n one_o god_n and_o father_n of_o all_o wherever_o the_o apostle_n go_v whether_o into_o scythia_n parthia_n mesopotamia_n or_o any_o province_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n all_o who_o be_v convert_v by_o they_o be_v baptize_v into_o the_o same_o faith_n which_o st._n judas_n call_v the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n 3._o but_o once_o deliver_v though_o by_o many_o person_n and_o in_o very_o distant_a place_n and_o so_o once_o deliver_v as_o the_o same_o faith_n once_o deliver_v be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o world_n end_n for_o nothing_o can_v be_v make_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v not_o always_o so_o for_o that_o be_v to_o lay_v a_o new_a foundation_n and_o to_o make_v another_o covenant_n than_o what_o christ_n have_v seal_v with_o his_o blood_n but_o he_o be_v the_o same_o yesterday_o 8._o to_o day_n and_o for_o ever_o the_o term_n of_o salvation_n can_v never_o be_v alter_v unless_o there_o be_v a_o new_a saviour_n and_o new_a apostle_n and_o new_a teacher_n but_o if_o we_o go_v to_o heaven_n by_o christ_n we_o must_v go_v that_o way_n that_o himself_o have_v direct_v for_o man_n and_o angel_n join_v their_o power_n together_o can_v save_v one_o soul_n christ_n alone_o be_v the_o way_n the_o truth_n and_o the_o 6._o life_n and_o none_o can_v come_v to_o the_o father_n but_o by_o he_o this_o the_o apostle_n very_o well_o know_v and_o be_v therefore_o careful_a to_o deliver_v nothing_o to_o the_o church_n but_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o christ_n as_o st._n paul_n say_v of_o himself_o for_o i_o have_v receive_v of_o 11._o the_o lord_n that_o which_o i_o deliver_v unto_o you_o not_o by_o way_n of_o tradition_n from_o man_n but_o by_o immediate_a divine_a revelation_n for_o as_o he_o say_v he_o be_v not_o a_o apostle_n of_o man_n or_o by_o man_n but_o 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the_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n therefore_o our_o business_n be_v to_o consider_v whether_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v contain_v in_o that_o revelation_n which_o we_o all_o own_o and_o if_o they_o be_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v they_o although_o we_o be_v not_o able_a to_o comprehend_v they_o now_o here_o be_v two_o remarkable_a character_n in_o these_o word_n by_o which_o we_o may_v examine_v these_o different_a hypothesis_n concern_v the_o way_n of_o salvation_n by_o jesus_n christ._n i._o it_o be_v a_o faithful_a say_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v contain_v in_o that_o revelation_n which_o god_n have_v make_v concern_v our_o salvation_n by_o christ._n ii_o it_o be_v worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n i._n e._n most_o useful_a and_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n now_o by_o these_o two_o i_o shall_v proceed_v in_o the_o examination_n of_o they_o i._o which_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n ii_o which_o do_v offer_v fair_o 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word_n if_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v grant_v the_o chief_a thing_n therefore_o to_o be_v do_v be_v to_o show_v that_o god_n may_v require_v from_o we_o the_o belief_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o be_v incomprehensible_a by_o we_o for_o god_n may_v require_v any_o thing_n from_o we_o which_o it_o be_v reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o do_v if_o it_o be_v then_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o give_v assent_n where_o the_o manner_n of_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v be_v not_o comprehend_v than_o god_n may_v certain_o require_v it_o from_o we_o have_v not_o god_n reveal_v to_o we_o that_o in_o six_o day_n he_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o but_o be_v it_o not_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v this_o unless_o we_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v the_o manner_n of_o god_n production_n of_o thing_n here_o we_o have_v something_o reveal_v and_o that_o plain_o enough_o viz._n that_o god_n create_v all_o thing_n and_o yet_o here_o be_v a_o mystery_n remain_v 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the_o trinity_n and_o incarnation_n than_o there_o be_v of_o eternity_n 15._o not_o but_o that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o but_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o our_o reason_n may_v oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v some_o thing_n which_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o comprehend_v we_o know_v that_o either_o god_n must_v have_v be_v for_o ever_o or_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o ever_o shall_v be_v for_o if_o he_o shall_v come_v into_o be_v when_o he_o be_v not_o he_o must_v have_v some_o cause_n of_o his_o be_v and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o first_o cause_n will_v be_v god_n but_o if_o he_o be_v for_o ever_o he_o must_v be_v from_o himself_o and_o what_o notion_n or_o conception_n can_v we_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n concern_v it_o and_o yet_o atheistical_a man_n can_v take_v no_o advantage_n from_o hence_o because_o their_o own_o most_o absurd_a hypothesis_n have_v the_o very_a same_o difficulty_n in_o it_o for_o something_o must_v have_v be_v for_o 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