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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
truth_n church_n divine_a faith_n 4,548 5 5.6243 4 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A23752 The lively oracles given to us, or, The Christians birth-right and duty, in the custody and use of the Holy Scripture by the author of The whole duty of man, &c. Allestree, Richard, 1619-1681.; Sterne, Richard, 1596?-1683.; Pakington, Dorothy Coventry, Lady, d. 1679.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. 1678 (1678) Wing A1149; ESTC R170102 108,974 240

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consider_v how_o exact_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v adapt_v to_o those_o great_a end_n to_o which_o they_o be_v direct_v how_o sufficient_a they_o be_v for_o that_o important_a negotiation_n on_o which_o they_o be_v send_v and_o that_o we_o shall_v certain_o find_v they_o if_o we_o look_v on_o they_o either_o intrinsically_a or_o circumstantial_o for_o the_o first_o of_o these_o notion_n we_o need_v only_o to_o reflect_v on_o the_o three_o part_n of_o this_o discourse_n where_o the_o scripture_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n be_v evince_v to_o be_v a_o system_fw-la of_o the_o most_o excellent_a law_n back_v with_o the_o most_o transcendent_a reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o those_o confirm_v by_o such_o pregnant_a instance_n of_o god_n mercy_n and_o vengeance_n in_o this_o world_n as_o be_v the_o sure_a gauge_n and_o earnest_n of_o what_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o expect_v in_o another_o 2_o now_o what_o method_n imaginable_a can_v there_o be_v 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dedicate_v several_a of_o his_o commentary_n to_o they_o 22._o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o saint_n austin_n who_o in_o his_o epistle_n to_o unlettered_a laic_n encourage_v their_o inquiry_n concern_v the_o scripture_n assure_v volusianus_n ep._n 3._o that_o it_o speak_v those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_a to_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o unlearned_a as_o a_o familiar_a friend_n in_o the_o mysterious_a mount_v not_o up_o into_o high_a phrase_n which_o may_v deter_v a_o slow_a and_o unlearned_a mind_n as_o the_o poor_a be_v in_o their_o address_n to_o the_o rich_a but_o invite_v all_o with_o lowly_a speech_n feed_v with_o manifest_a truth_n and_o exercise_v with_o secret_a and_o ep._n 1._o 21._o tell_v the_o devout_a proba_n that_o in_o this_o world_n where_o we_o be_v absent_a from_o the_o lord_n and_o walk_v by_o faith_n and_o not_o by_o sight_n the_o soul_n be_v to_o think_v itself_o desolate_a and_o never_o cease_v from_o prayer_n and_o the_o word_n of_o divine_a and_o holy_a scripture_n etc._n etc._n 23._o saint_n chrysostom_n in_o his_o three_o homily_n of_o lazarus_n thus_o address_v himself_o to_o marry_a person_n householders_n and_o people_n engage_v in_o trade_n and_o secular_a profession_n tell_v they_o that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o great_a defensative_a against_o siu_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o ignorance_n thereof_o be_v a_o deep_a and_o headlong_a precipice_n that_o not_o to_o know_v the_o law_n of_o god_n be_v the_o utter_a loss_n of_o salvation_n that_o this_o have_v cause_v heresy_n and_o corruption_n of_o life_n and_o have_v confound_v the_o order_n of_o thing_n for_o it_o can_v be_v by_o any_o mean_n that_o his_o labour_n shall_v be_v fruitless_a who_o employ_v himself_o in_o a_o daily_a and_o attentive_a read_n of_o the_o scripture_n 24._o i_o be_o not_o say_v the_o same_o st._n chry._n hom._n 9_o on_o colos._n 3._o a_o monk_n i_o have_v wise_a and_o child_n and_o the_o care_n of_o a_o family_n but_o it_o be_v a_o destructive_a opinion_n that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n pertain_v only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v addict_v themselves_o to_o a_o monastic_a life_n when_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n be_v much_o more_o necessary_a for_o secular_a person_n for_o they_o who_o converse_v abroad_o and_o receive_v frequent_a wound_n be_v in_o great_a need_n of_o remedy_n and_o preservative_n so_o hom._n 2._o on_o mat._n harken_v all_o you_o that_o be_v secular_a how_o you_o ought_v to_o order_v your_o wife_n and_o child_n and_o how_o you_o be_v particular_o enjoin_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n and_o that_o not_o perfunctory_o or_o by_o chance_n but_o very_o diligent_o 25._o likewise_o hom._n 3._o on_o laz._n what_o say_v thou_o o_o man_n it_o be_v not_o thy_o business_n to_o turn_v over_o the_o scripture_n be_v distract_v by_o innumerable_a care_n no_o thou_o have_v therefore_o the_o great_a obligation_n other_o do_v not_o so_o much_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o the_o aid_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o they_o who_o be_v conversant_a in_o much_o business_n far_o hom._n 8._o on_o heb._n 5._o i_o beseech_v you_o neglect_v not_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n but_o whether_o we_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o what_o be_v speak_v or_o not_o let_v we_o always_o be_v conversant_a in_o they_o for_o daily_a meditation_n strengtheus_fw-la the_o memory_n and_o it_o frequent_o happen_v that_o what_o you_o now_o can_v find_v out_o if_o you_o attemt_fw-mi it_o again_o you_o will_v the_o next_o day_n discover_v for_o god_n of_o his_o goodness_n will_v enlighten_v the_o mind_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o transcribe_v all_o the_o exhortation_n of_o the_o ancient_a doctor_n and_o father_n of_o the_o church_n they_o not_o only_o permit_v but_o earnest_o press_v upon_o all_o christian_n whatever_o their_o estate_n or_o condition_n be_v the_o constant_a read_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n nor_o indeed_o be_v their_o restraint_n ever_o hear_v of_o till_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v espouse_v such_o doctrine_n as_o will_v not_o bear_v the_o test_n of_o scripture_n and_o then_o as_o those_o who_o deal_v in_o false_a ware_n be_v use_v to_o do_v they_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o proportion_v their_o light_n according_o 26._o this_o peter_n suitor_n in_o his_o second_o book_n cap._n 22._o of_o the_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n honest_o confess_v say_v that_o whereas_o many_o thing_n be_v enjoin_v which_o be_v not_o express_o in_o scripture_n the_o unlearned_a observe_v this_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o murmur_v and_o complain_v that_o so_o heavy_a burden_n be_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o their_o christian_a liberty_n infringe_v they_o will_v easy_o be_v with-drawn_a from_o observe_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n when_o they_o find_v that_o they_o be_v not_o contain_v in_o the_o law_n of_o christ._n and_o that_o this_o be_v not_o a_o frivolous_a suggestion_n the_o desperate_a attemt_fw-mi of_o the_o romanist_n above_o mention_v in_o leave_v out_o the_o second_o commandment_n in_o their_o primer_n and_o catechism_n which_o they_o communicate_v to_o the_o people_n may_v pass_v for_o a_o irrefragable_a evidence_n for_o what_o layman_n will_v not_o be_v shockt_v to_o find_v almighty_a god_n command_v not_o to_o make_v any_o grave_a image_n nor_o the_o likeness_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n above_o or_o in_o the_o earth_n beneath_o or_o in_o the_o water_n under_o the_o earth_n that_o no_o one_o shall_v bow_v down_o to_o they_o nor_o worship_v they_o when_o he_o see_v the_o contrary_a be_v practise_v and_o command_v by_o the_o church_n 27._o but_o will_v god_n none_o but_o the_o romanist_n be_v impeachable_a of_o this_o detention_n of_o scripture_n there_o be_v too_o many_o among_o we_o that_o be_v thus_o false_a and_o envious_a to_o themselves_o and_o what_o the_o former_a do_v upon_o policy_n and_o pretence_n of_o reverence_n those_o do_v upon_o mere_a oscitancy_n and_o avow_v profaneness_n which_o be_v much_o worse_a inducement_n and_o for_o such_o as_o these_o to_o declaim_v against_o detention_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v like_o the_o lawsuit_n of_o those_o who_o contend_v only_o about_o such_o little_a punctilio_n as_o themselves_o design_v no_o advantage_n from_o but_o only_o the_o wor_v their_o adversary_n and_o it_o will_v be_v much_o safe_a for_o they_o to_o lie_v under_o the_o interdict_v of_o other_o than_o thus_o to_o restrain_v themselves_o even_o as_o much_o as_o the_o error_n of_o obedience_n be_v more_o excusable_a than_o those_o of_o contemt_a and_o profaneness_n 28._o and_o here_o i_o will_v have_v it_o serious_o consider_v that_o the_o edict_n of_o diocletian_a for_o the_o demolish_n the_o christian_a church_n and_o the_o burn_a their_o bibles_n become_v the_o character_n and_o particular_a aggravation_n of_o his_o most_o bloody_a persecution_n now_o shall_v almighty_a god_n call_v we_o to_o the_o like_a trial_n shall_v antichristian_a violence_n whether_o heathen_a or_o other_o take_v from_o we_o our_o church_n and_o our_o bibles_n what_o comfort_n can_v we_o have_v in_o that_o calamity_n if_o our_o contemt_fw-mi of_o those_o blessing_n drive_v they_o from_o we_o nay_o prevent_v perfecution_n and_o bereave_v we_o of_o they_o even_o whilst_o we_o have_v they_o in_o our_o power_n he_o who_o neglect_v to_o make_v his_o constant_a resort_n unto_o the_o church_n which_o by_o god_n mercy_n now_o stand_v open_a or_o to_o read_v diligent_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o by_o the_o same_o divine_a goodness_n be_v free_a for_o he_o to_o use_v in_o his_o own_o diocletian_a and_o without_o the_o terror_n of_o death_n or_o torment_n have_v renounce_v i●_n not_o the_o faith_n the_o great_a instrument_n of_o its_o conveyance_n and_o pledge_v of_o god_n almighty_n presence_n among_o the_o son_n of_o man_n 29._o but_o what_o if_o man_n either_o upon_o the_o one_o motive_n or_o the_o other_o will_v not_o read_v yet_o the_o scripture_n continue_v still_o most_o worthy_a to_o be_v read_v they_o retain_v still_o their_o propriety_n for_o all_o those_o excellent_a end_n to_o which_o god_n design_v they_o and_o as_o the_o prophet_n tell_v the_o jew_n ez._n 2._o 5._o whether_o they_o will_v hear_v or_o whether_o they_o will_v forbear_v they_o shall_v know_v there_o have_v be_v a_o prophet_n among_o they_o so_o whether_o we_o will_v take_v the_o benefit_n or_o no_o we_o shall_v one_o day_n find_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v have_v make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n if_o through_o our_o fault_n alone_o they_o fail_v to_o do_v so_o they_o will_v one_o day_n assume_v a_o less_o grateful_a office_n and_o from_o guide_n and_o assistant_n become_v accuser_n and_o witness_n against_o we_o sect_n v._o the_o scripture_n have_v great_a propriety_n and_o fitness_n towards_o the_o attainment_n of_o its_o excellent_a end_n we_o be_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o
they_o come_v up_o they_o may_v show_v their_o child_n the_o same_o which_o scripture_n by_o a_o perpetual_a succession_n be_v to_o be_v hand_v down_o unto_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o apostle_n on_o all_o occasion_n appeal_n unto_o they_o as_o be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath_n day_n act._n 13._o 27._o and_o also_o private_o in_o their_o hand_n so_o that_o they_o may_v at_o pleasure_n search_v into_o they_o jo._n 5._o 39_o act._n 17._o 11._o hereupon_o the_o jew_n be_v by_o saint_n austin_n call_v the_o capsarii_fw-la or_o servant_n that_o carry_v the_o christian_n book_n and_o athanasius_n in_o this_o tract_n of_o the_o incarnation_n say_v the_o law_n be_v not_o for_o the_o jew_n only_o nor_o be_v the_o prophet_n send_v for_o they_o alone_o but_o that_o nation_n be_v the_o divinity-schole_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n from_o whence_o they_o be_v to_o fetch_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o the_o way_n of_o spiritual_a live_n which_o amount_v to_o what_o the_o apostle_n say_v galat._n 3._o 24._o that_o the_o law_n be_v a_o schoolmaster_n to_o bring_v we_o unto_o christ._n 3._o and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o very_a same_o word_n rom._n 3._o 2._o in_o the_o text_n even_o now_o recite_v which_o express_v the_o commit_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o god_n to_o the_o jew_n be_v make_v use_n of_o constant_o by_o saint_n paul_n when_o he_o declare_v the_o trust_n and_o duty_n incumbent_a on_o he_o in_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o which_o see_v 1_o cor._n 9_o 17._o gal._n 2._o 7._o 1_o thes._n 2._o 4._o 1_o tim._n 1._o 11._o tit._n 1._o 3_o and_o therefore_o as_o he_o say_v 1_o cor._n 9_o though_o i_o preach_v the_o gospel_n i_o have_v nothing_o to_o glory_n of_o for_o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o i_o yea_o woe_n be_v unto_o i_o if_o i_o preach_v not_o the_o gospel_n for_o if_o i_o do_v this_o thing_n willing_o i_o have_v a_o reward_n but_o if_o against_o my_o will_n a_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v commit_v unto_o i_o so_o may_v all_o christian_n say_v if_o we_o ourselves_o keep_v and_o transmit_v to_o our_o posterity_n the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o have_v nothing_o to_o glory_n of_o for_o a_o necessity_n be_v lay_v upon_o we_o and_o woe_n be_v unto_o we_o if_o we_o do_v not_o ourselves_o keep_v and_o transmit_v to_o our_o posterity_n the_o holy_a scripture_n if_o we_o do_v this_o thing_n willing_o we_o have_v a_o reward_n but_o if_o against_o our_o will_n the_o custody_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o at_o least_o that_o dispensation_n of_o it_o be_v commit_v to_o we_o but_o if_o we_o be_v traditor_n and_o give_v up_o our_o bibles_n or_o take_v they_o away_o from_o other_o let_v we_o consider_v how_o black_a a_o apostasy_n and_o sacrilege_n we_o shall_v incur_v 4._o the_o mosaic_a law_n be_v a_o temporary_a constitution_n and_o only_o a_o shadow_n of_o good_a thing_n to_o come_v heb._n 10._o 1._o but_o the_o gospel_n be_v in_o its_o duration_n as_o well_o as_o its_o intendment_n everlasting_a rev._n 14._o 6._o and_o to_o remain_v when_o time_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o rev._n 10._o 6._o it_o be_v a_o infinite_o more_o precious_a depositum_fw-la and_o so_o with_o great_a care_n and_o solemner_n attestation_n to_o be_v preserve_v not_o only_o the_o clergy_n or_o the_o people_n of_o one_o particular_a church_n nor_o the_o clergy_n of_o the_o universal_a be_v entrust_v with_o this_o care_n but_o it_o be_v the_o charge_n the_o privilege_n and_o duty_n of_o every_o christian_a man_n that_o either_o be_v or_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v in_o the_o world_n even_o that_o collective_a church_n which_o above_o all_o competition_n be_v the_o pillar_n and_o ground_n of_o truth_n 1_o tim._n 3._o 15._o against_o which_o the_o assault_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n and_o even_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n shall_v not_o prevail_v mat._n 16._o 18._o 5._o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o write_v by_o their_o holy_a penman_n to_o instruct_v the_o apostle_n but_o to_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o they_o may_v believe_v jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v they_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n jo._n 20._o 31._o the_o epistle_n be_v not_o address_v peculiar_o to_o the_o bishop_n and_o deacon_n but_o all_o the_o holy_a brethren_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o be_v sanctify_v in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o all_o those_o that_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n rom._n 1_o 7._o 1_o cor._n 1._o 2._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 1._o galat._n 1._o 2._o eph._n 1._o 1._o col._n 4._o 16._o 1_o thes._n 5._o 27._o phil._n 1._o 1._o jam._n 1._o 1._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 1._o 2_o pet._n 1._o 1._o revel_v 1._o 4._o or_o if_o by_o chance_n some_o one_o or_o two_o of_o the_o epistle_n be_v address_v to_o a_o ecclesiastic_a person_n as_o those_o to_o timothy_n and_o titus_n their_o purport_n plain_o refer_v to_o the_o community_n of_o christian_n and_o the_o depositum_fw-la commit_v to_o their_o trust_n tim._n 6._o 20._o and_o saint_n john_n on_o the_o other_o side_n direct_v his_o epistle_n to_o those_o who_o be_v plain_o secular_a to_o father_n young_a man_n and_o little_a child_n and_o a_o lady_n and_o her_o child_n epist._n 1._o chap._n 2._o 12._o 13_o 14._o and_o epist._n 2._o 1._o 1._o 6._o but_o beside_o the_o interest_n which_o every_o christian_a have_v in_o the_o custody_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o be_v a_o depositum_fw-la entrust_v to_o he_o he_o have_v also_o another_o no_o less_o forcible_a that_o it_o be_v the_o testament_n of_o his_o saviour_n by_o which_o he_o become_v a_o son_n of_o god_n no_o more_o a_o servant_n but_o a_o son_n and_o if_o he_o be_v a_o son_n it_o be_v the_o apostle_n inference_n that_o he_o be_v then_o a_o heir_n a_o heir_n of_o god_n through_o christ_n gal._n 4._o 7._o now_o as_o he_o who_o be_v heir_n to_o a_o estate_n be_v also_o to_o the_o deed_n and_o conveyance_n thereof_o which_o without_o injury_n can_v be_v detain_v or_o if_o they_o be_v there_o be_v a_o remedy_n at_o law_n for_o the_o recovery_n of_o they_o so_o it_o fare_v in_o our_o christian_a inheritance_n every_o believer_n by_o the_o privilege_n of_o faith_n be_v make_v a_o son_n of_o abraham_n and_o a_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_v make_v unto_o the_o father_n whereby_o he_o have_v a_o hereditary_a interest_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o also_o by_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o same_o faith_n he_o have_v a_o firm_a right_n to_o the_o purchase_a possession_n eph._n 1._o 14._o and_o the_o charter_n thereof_o the_o new_a therefore_o the_o detention_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v make_v up_o of_o these_o two_o part_n be_v a_o manifest_a injustice_n and_o sacrilegious_a invasion_n of_o right_n which_o the_o person_n wrong_v be_v impower_v nay_o be_v strict_o oblige_v by_o all_o lawful_a mean_n to_o vindicate_v 7._o which_o invasion_n of_o right_n will_v appear_v more_o flagrant_a when_o the_o nature_n and_o importance_n of_o it_o be_v consider_v which_o relate_v to_o man_n spiritual_a interest_n render_v the_o violation_n infinite_o more_o injurious_a than_o it_o can_v be_v in_o any_o secular_a i_o may_v mention_v several_a detriment_n consequent_a to_o this_o detention_n of_o scripture_n even_o as_o many_o as_o there_o be_v benefit_n appendant_a to_o the_o free_a use_n of_o it_o but_o there_o be_v one_o of_o so_o fundamental_a and_o comprehensive_a a_o nature_n that_o i_o need_v name_n no_o more_o and_o that_o be_v that_o it_o deliver_v man_n up_o to_o any_o delusion_n their_o teacher_n shall_v impose_v upon_o they_o by_o deprive_v they_o of_o mean_n of_o detect_v they_o where_o there_o be_v no_o standard_n or_o mesure_n it_o be_v easy_a for_o man_n to_o falsify_v both_o and_o no_o less_o easy_a be_v it_o to_o adulterate_a doctrine_n where_o no_o recourse_n can_v be_v have_v to_o the_o primary_n rule_n now_o that_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n that_o false_a teacher_n may_v arise_v we_o have_v all_o assurance_n nay_o we_o have_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o and_o all_o ecclesiastic_a story_n to_o attest_v it_o have_v be_v so_o and_o if_o in_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n those_o age_n of_o more_o immediate_a illumination_n the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n find_v instrument_n whereby_o to_o blind_v man_n mind_n 2_o cor._n 4._o 4._o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v impossible_a or_o improbable_a he_o shall_v do_v so_o now_o 8._o but_o to_o leave_v general_n and_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o case_n of_o that_o church_n which_o magisterial_o prohibit_v scripture_n to_o the_o vulgar_a she_o manifest_o stand_v liable_a to_o that_o charge_n of_o our_o saviour_n luk._n 11._o 52._o you_o have_v take_v away_o
to_o lend_v they_o light_n to_o judge_n of_o they_o but_o aid_n to_o back_n and_o defend_v they_o 7._o of_o this_o there_o be_v no_o book_n of_o controversy_n that_o do_v not_o give_v notorious_a proof_n the_o socinian_n can_v easy_o overlook_a the_o begin_n of_o saint_n john_n that_o say_v the_o word_n be_v god_n jo._n 1._o 1._o and_o all_o those_o other_o place_n which_o plain_o assert_v the_o deity_n of_o our_o saviour_n if_o he_o can_v but_o divert_v to_o that_o other_o more_o agreeable_a text_n that_o the_o father_n be_v great_a than_o i_o among_o the_o romanist_n peter_n be_v say_v to_o be_v first_o among_o the_o apostle_n mat._n 10._o 2_o and_o that_o on_o that_o rock_n christ_n will_v build_v his_o church_n mat._n 16._o 18._o carry_v away_o all_o attention_n from_o those_o other_o place_n where_o saint_n paul_n say_v he_o be_v not_o behind_o the_o very_o chief_a of_o the_o apostle_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 5._o that_o upon_o he_o lay_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n 2_o cor._n 11._o 28._o and_o that_o the_o church_n be_v not_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o some_o one_o but_o all_o the_o twelve_o apostle_n revel_v 21._o 14._o so_o it_o fare_v in_o the_o business_n of_o the_o eucharist_n this_o be_v my_o body_n mat._n 26._o 26._o carry_v it_o away_o clear_a for_o transubstantiation_n when_o our_o savior_n call_v that_o which_o he_o drink_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o vine_n mat._n 26._o 29._o and_o then_o saint_n paul_n name_v the_o element_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n several_a time_n over_o bread_n and_o wine_n the_o bread_n that_o we_o break_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o cup_n that_o we_o bless_v be_v it_o not_o the_o communion_n &_o 1_o cor._n 10._o 16._o and_o again_o he_o that_o eat_v this_o bread_n and_o drink_v this_o cup_n unworthy_o etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 11._o 29._o can_v make_v no_o appearance_n of_o a_o argument_n 8._o thus_o man_n once_o engage_v ransac_n for_o text_n that_o carry_v some_o correspondency_n to_o the_o opinion_n they_o have_v imbibe_v and_o those_o how_o do_v they_o rack_v and_o serve_v to_o bring_v to_o a_o perfect_a conformity_n and_o improve_v every_o little_a probability_n into_o a_o demonstration_n on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o contrary_a text_n they_o look_v on_o as_o enemy_n and_o consider_v they_o no_o far_o than_o to_o provide_v fence_n and_o guard_n against_o they_o so_o they_o bring_v text_n not_o into_o the_o scale_n to_o weigh_v but_o into_o the_o field_n to_o skirmish_v as_o partisan_n and_o auxiliary_n of_o such_o or_o such_o opinion_n 9_o by_o this_o force_n of_o prepossession_n it_o be_v that_o that_o sacred_a rule_n which_o be_v the_o measure_n and_o standard_n of_o all_o rectitude_n be_v itself_o bow_v and_o distort_v to_o countenance_n and_o abet_v the_o most_o contrary_a tenet_n and_o like_o a_o variable_a picture_n represent_v differ_v shape_n according_a to_o the_o light_n in_o which_o you_o view_v it_o and_o sure_o we_o can_v do_v it_o a_o worse_a office_n then_o to_o represent_v it_o thus_o dissonant_n to_o itself_o yet_o thus_o it_o must_v still_o be_v till_o man_n come_v unbiased_a to_o the_o read_n of_o it_o and_o certain_o there_o be_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n they_o shall_v do_v so_o the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v but_o the_o salvation_n of_o our_o soul_n 1_o pet._n 1._o 9_o and_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a the_o scripture_n can_v best_o direct_v we_o what_o faith_n it_o be_v which_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o that_o end_n 10._o why_o shall_v we_o not_o then_o have_v the_o same_o indifference_n which_o a_o traveller_n have_v whether_o his_o way_n lie_v on_o this_o hand_n or_o that_o so_o as_o it_o be_v the_o direct_a road_n to_o his_o journey_n end_n for_o although_o it_o be_v infinite_o material_a that_o i_o embrace_v right_a principle_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v right_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o and_o our_o wish_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o proceed_v only_o from_o our_o prepossession_n and_o fondness_n of_o our_o own_o conception_n than_o which_o nothing_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o intercept_v the_o clear_a view_n of_o truth_n it_o therefore_o near_o concern_v we_o to_o deposit_v they_o and_o to_o give_v up_o ourselves_o without_o reserve_n to_o the_o guidance_n of_o god_n word_n and_o give_v it_o equal_a credit_n when_o it_o thwart_v as_o when_o it_o comply_v with_o our_o own_o notion_n 11._o without_o this_o though_o we_o may_v call_v scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o judge_v of_o controversy_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a we_o make_v it_o not_o so_o but_o reserve_v still_o the_o last_o appeal_n to_o our_o own_o prejudicate_v fancy_n and_o then_o no_o wonder_n though_o we_o fall_v under_o the_o same_o occaecation_n which_o our_o saviour_n upbraid_v to_o the_o jew_n that_o see_v we_o see_v not_o neither_o do_v we_o understand_v mat._n 13._o 14._o for_o he_o that_o will_v not_o be_v save_v god_n way_n will_v hardly_o be_v so_o by_o his_o own_o he_o that_o resolve_v not_o impartial_o to_o embrace_v all_o the_o scripture_n dictate_v come_v to_o they_o as_o unsincere_o as_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v to_o jeremiah_n to_o inquire_v of_o the_o lord_n for_o they_o which_o he_o no_o soon_o have_v do_v but_o they_o protest_v against_o his_o message_n jer._n 42._o 20._o and_o may_v expect_v as_o fatal_a a_o event_n 12._o but_o there_o be_v a_o set_v of_o man_n who_o deal_v yet_o more_o insincere_o with_o the_o word_n that_o read_v it_o insidious_o on_o purpose_n to_o collect_v matter_n of_o objection_n and_o cavil_n that_o with_o a_o malicious_a diligence_n compare_v text_n in_o hope_n to_o find_v contradiction_n and_o read_v attentive_o but_o to_o no_o other_o end_n then_o to_o remark_n incoherence_n and_o defect_n in_o the_o stile_n which_o when_o they_o think_v they_o have_v start_v they_o have_v their_o design_n and_o never_o will_v use_v a_o quarter_n of_o the_o same_o diligence_n in_o consider_v how_o they_o may_v be_v solve_v or_o consult_v with_o those_o who_o may_v assist_v they_o in_o it_o for_o i_o think_v i_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o generality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v raise_v the_o loud_a clamour_n against_o the_o scripture_n whether_o they_o have_v endeavour_v to_o render_v themselves_o competent_a judge_n of_o it_o by_o inquire_v into_o the_o original_n or_o inform_v themselves_o of_o those_o local_a custom_n peculiar_a idiom_n and_o many_o other_o circumstance_n by_o which_o obscure_a text_n be_v to_o be_v clear_v and_o though_o i_o do_v not_o affirm_v it_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o every_o man_n shall_v do_v this_o yet_o i_o may_v affirm_v it_o necessary_a to_o he_o that_o will_v pretend_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o he_o that_o without_o this_o condem_n it_o do_v it_o as_o manifest_a injury_n as_o a_o judge_n that_o shall_v pass_v sentence_n only_o upon_o the_o indictment_n without_o hear_v the_o defence_n 13._o and_o certain_o there_o can_v be_v any_o thing_n more_o unmanly_a and_o disingenuous_a then_o for_o man_n to_o inveigh_v and_o condemn_v before_o they_o inquire_v and_o examine_v yet_o this_o be_v the_o thing_n upon_o which_o so_o many_o value_n themselves_o assume_v to_o be_v man_n of_o reason_n for_o that_o for_o which_o the_o scripture_n pronounce_v they_o brute_n beast_n viz._n the_o speak_v evil_a of_o those_o thing_n they_o understand_v not_o 2_o pet._n 2._o 12._o will_v man_n use_v due_a diligence_n no_o doubt_n many_o of_o those_o seem_a contradiction_n will_v be_v reconcile_v and_o the_o obscurity_n clear_v and_o if_o any_o shall_v after_o all_o remain_n he_o may_v find_v twenty_o thing_n fit_a to_o charge_v it_o on_o then_o want_v of_o verity_n or_o discourse_n in_o the_o inspire_a writer_n 14._o alas_o what_o human_a writing_n be_v there_o of_o near_o that_o antiquity_n wherein_o there_o be_v not_o many_o passage_n unintelligible_a and_o indeed_o unless_o modern_a time_n know_v all_o those_o national_a custom_n obsolete_a law_n particular_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n phrase_n and_o proverbial_a say_n to_o which_o such_o ancient_a book_n refer_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o some_o passage_n must_v remain_v obscure_a yet_o in_o these_o we_o ordinary_o have_v so_o much_o candour_n as_o to_o impute_v their_o unintelligibleness_n to_o our_o own_o ignorance_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o shall_v clear_v they_o the_o impropriety_n of_o stile_n to_o the_o variation_n that_o time_n make_v in_o dialect_n or_o to_o the_o error_n of_o scribe_n and_o do_v not_o present_o exclaim_v against_o the_o author_n as_o false_a or_o impertinent_a or_o discard_v the_o whole_a book_n for_o some_o such_o passage_n 15._o and_o sure_o what_o allowance_n we_o make_v to_o other_o book_n may_v with_o more_o reason_n be_v make_v to_o the_o