more_o plain_o than_o to_o be_v humble_a and_o modest_a and_o that_o as_o we_o ought_v to_o fear_n god_n so_o likewise_o to_o honour_v the_o king_n and_o his_o minister_n and_o to_o obey_v those_o that_o watch_n over_o our_o soul_n nay_o to_o esteem_v they_o very_o high_o in_o love_n for_o their_o work_n sake_n which_o will_v dispose_v we_o most_o certain_o if_o we_o be_v not_o carry_v away_o with_o pride_n or_o any_o other_o vicious_a affection_n to_o be_v rule_v by_o they_o in_o dubious_a thing_n and_o as_o it_o there_o follow_v in_o the_o apostle_n 1_o thess_n v._o 13._o to_o be_v at_o peace_n among_o ourselves_o i_o must_v beseech_v therefore_o every_o member_n of_o this_o church_n both_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o safety_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n to_o be_v as_o careful_a in_o this_o matter_n as_o i_o will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v in_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n take_v your_o guide_n along_o with_o you_o do_v not_o think_v yourselves_o safe_a without_o their_o conduct_n be_v not_o only_o willing_a but_o desirous_a to_o learn_v of_o they_o reverence_v their_o instruction_n do_v not_o easy_o dissent_v from_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o oppose_v they_o especial_o when_o you_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v they_o to_o be_v serious_a studious_a know_v and_o conscientious_a man_n who_o take_v care_n to_o inform_v themselves_o aright_o that_o they_o may_v not_o misinform_v you_o for_o such_o man_n look_v upon_o themselves_o to_o be_v bind_v as_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o treatise_n of_o tradition_n pag._n 24._o to_o guide_v themselves_o in_o their_o direction_n of_o other_o by_o what_o the_o catholic_n father_n and_o ancient_a bishop_n have_v teach_v out_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o thereby_o preserve_v their_o flock_n in_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n holy_a word_n and_o have_v a_o great_a regard_n also_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o that_o church_n wherein_o they_o live_v which_o by_o their_o subscription_n they_o own_v to_o have_v authority_n in_o controversy_n of_o faith_n they_o will_v no_o less_o preserve_v they_o in_o unity_n and_o in_o peace_n to_o conclude_v it_o be_v impossible_a but_o every_o body_n must_v reap_v great_a fruit_n by_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n if_o they_o read_v they_o for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o that_o they_o may_v go_v away_o better_o from_o the_o read_n of_o they_o than_o they_o come_v to_o it_o and_o that_o they_o may_v not_o accommodate_v they_o to_o their_o own_o affection_n but_o correct_v all_o their_o affection_n and_o desire_n and_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o their_o life_n by_o this_o exact_a rule_n of_o righteousness_n according_a to_o which_o if_o we_o square_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v present_o learn_v in_o difficult_a thing_n to_o be_v wise_a unto_o sobriety_n and_o in_o plain_a thing_n to_o be_v wise_a unto_o salvation_n that_o be_v so_o wise_a as_o to_o do_v what_o we_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n which_o be_v the_o only_a wisdom_n that_o the_o scripture_n magnify_v which_o will_v be_v the_o sure_a way_n both_o to_o know_v more_o and_o to_o know_v it_o better_o that_o be_v to_o feel_v the_o comfort_n of_o what_o we_o know_v in_o a_o bless_a and_o assure_a hope_n of_o everlasting_a life_n which_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v have_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n the_o end_n of_o the_o first_o part._n part_n ii_o have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n discourse_n that_o those_o word_n of_o st_n peter_n 2._o iii_o 16._o which_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v allege_v against_o the_o read_n of_o holy_a scripture_n do_v plain_o suppose_v that_o the_o people_n do_v then_o read_v they_o i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o deter_v man_n from_o read_v they_o by_o represent_v the_o difficulty_n that_o be_v in_o they_o and_o the_o danger_n of_o wrest_v they_o for_o he_o do_v not_o affirm_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v and_o consequent_o liable_a to_o be_v wrest_v but_o only_o that_o some_o thing_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n in_o treat_v of_o which_o three_o thing_n offer_v themselves_o to_o be_v consider_v i._n first_o that_o most_o thing_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v that_o they_o be_v easy_a nay_o all_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a for_o we_o be_v very_o easy_a ii_o second_o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a may_v be_v understand_v though_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n in_o it_o that_o be_v they_o will_v require_v some_o pain_n to_o understand_v they_o which_o shall_v not_o deter_v we_o from_o read_v but_o only_o make_v we_o laborious_a to_o find_v out_o the_o sense_n of_o what_o we_o read_v iii_o three_o when_o we_o do_v thorough_o understand_v and_o hearty_o believe_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v easy_a it_o will_v abate_v much_o of_o that_o difficulty_n and_o make_v other_o thing_n more_o easy_a i._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o of_o these_o the_o apostle_n only_o say_v some_o thing_n be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o suppose_v that_o most_o be_v not_o but_o rather_o easy_a as_o all_o those_o thing_n especial_o be_v which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o believe_v and_o do_v for_o the_o obtain_n salvation_n that_o which_o make_v thing_n easy_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v the_o plain_a and_o perspicuous_a delivery_n of_o they_o in_o the_o word_n wherein_o they_o be_v write_v or_o speak_v now_o nothing_o a_o be_v plain_a or_o clear_a than_o the_o word_n wherein_o all_o the_o great_a christian_a truth_n be_v reveal_v and_o deliver_v to_o we_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v obscure_a that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o see_v the_o light_n than_o it_o be_v to_o apprehend_v and_o understand_v the_o true_a meaning_n of_o they_o i_o will_v instance_n in_o some_o particular_n and_o have_v a_o eye_n all_o the_o way_n upon_o st._n paul_n epistle_n to_o which_o s._n peter_n be_v common_o think_v to_o have_v respect_n wherein_o though_o some_o thing_n be_v difficult_a yet_o these_o be_v most_o clear_o discover_v first_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n the_o father_n of_o who_o be_v all_o thing_n as_o he_o express_o write_v 1_o cor._n viii_o 6._o second_o that_o he_o alone_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n remember_v we_o out_o of_o moses_n iu._n matt._n 10._o be_v the_o great_a thing_n press_v in_o his_o very_a entrance_n into_o any_o place_n where_o he_o preach_v 1_o thess_n l._n 9_o 10._o xvii_o act_n 23_o 24._o three_o as_o our_o lord_n teach_v we_o that_o we_o be_v engage_v by_o our_o baptism_n to_o worship_v one_o god_n in_o three_o person_n xxviii_o matth._n 19_o so_o s._n paul_n affirm_v the_o same_o plain_o enough_o in_o that_o solemn_a prayer_n for_o the_o corinthian_n 2._o xiii_o ult_n the_o grace_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v with_o you_o all_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v compare_v with_o those_o place_n wherein_o he_o affirm_v our_o saviour_n to_o be_v over_o all_o god_n bless_v for_o ever_o ix_o rom._n 5._o and_o the_o spirit_n to_o search_v even_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n that_o be_v to_o know_v his_o mind_n exact_o for_o so_o it_o follow_v 1_o cor._n ii_o 10_o 11._o that_o as_o none_o can_v know_v the_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o he_o so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n which_o plain_o tell_v we_o if_o we_o mind_v it_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v in_o god_n as_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n be_v in_o man_n that_o be_v the_o spirit_n be_v god_n himself_o and_o therefore_o full_o acquaint_v with_o he_o in_o all_o thing_n there_o be_v some_o little_a labour_n indeed_o in_o make_v this_o deduction_n but_o it_o be_v very_o easy_a if_o we_o consider_v all_o these_o place_n together_o four_o and_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n none_o can_v possible_o be_v ignorant_a of_o who_o do_v but_o look_v into_o the_o holy_a book_n where_o he_o will_v immediate_o see_v he_o represent_v to_o be_v almighty_a most_o wise_a most_o gracious_a faithful_a to_o his_o word_n and_o the_o live_a god_n who_o endure_v for_o ever_o which_o be_v truth_n write_v there_o in_o such_o great_a letter_n that_o every_o one_o who_o run_v as_o the_o prophet_n speak_v and_o do_v but_o cast_v a_o transient_a eye_n upon_o they_o may_v easy_o read_v they_o five_o particular_o his_o infinite_a love_n and_o kindness_n towards_o we_o the_o child_n of_o man_n lie_v before_o we_o so_o fair_o and_o shine_v so_o bright_o in_o our_o
search_v the_o scripture_n a_o treatise_n show_v that_o all_o christian_n ought_v to_o read_v the_o holy_a book_n with_o direction_n to_o they_o therein_o in_o three_o part_n london_n print_v for_o r._n royston_n bookseller_n to_o his_o most_o sacred_a majesty_n 1685._o introduction_n the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o the_o first_o homily_n of_o our_o church_n teach_v all_o its_o child_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o it_o be_v such_o a_o fountain_n and_o well_o of_o truth_n that_o as_o many_o as_o be_v desirous_a to_o enter_v into_o the_o right_n and_o perfect_a way_n unto_o god_n must_v apply_v their_o mind_n to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o without_o which_o they_o can_v neither_o sufficient_o know_v god_n and_o his_o will_n nor_o their_o own_o office_n and_o duty_n for_o in_o holy_a scripture_n be_v full_o contain_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o what_o to_o eschew_v what_o to_o believe_v what_o to_o love_n and_o what_o to_o look_v for_o at_o god_n hand_n at_o length_n and_o therefore_o these_o book_n ought_v to_o be_v much_o in_o our_o hand_n in_o our_o eye_n in_o our_o ear_n in_o our_o mouth_n but_o most_o of_o all_o in_o our_o heart_n unto_o which_o sort_n of_o discourse_n which_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o vi_o article_n of_o our_o religion_n they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v wont_a to_o make_v a_o double_a exception_n one_o be_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o practise_v which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v there_o but_o must_v be_v receive_v from_o ancient_a tradition_n the_o other_o be_v that_o those_o truth_n which_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a and_o perspicuous_a that_o common_a people_n shall_v be_v entrust_v with_o the_o read_n of_o they_o now_o to_o the_o first_o of_o these_o there_o have_v be_v some_o time_n ago_o a_o plain_a answer_n make_v in_o a_o discourse_n about_o tradition_n therefore_o this_o treatise_n be_v intend_v only_o as_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o second_o exception_n for_o the_o maintain_n of_o which_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o allege_v among_o other_o place_n those_o remarkable_a word_n of_o st._n peter_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n the_o three_o chapter_n and_o sixteenth_o verse_n where_o have_v make_v mention_n of_o st._n paul_n epistle_n which_o treat_v of_o the_o same_o matter_n that_o he_o have_v just_a before_o explain_v he_o say_v in_o which_o be_v some_o thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v which_o they_o that_o be_v unlearned_a and_o unstable_a wrist_n as_o they_o do_v also_o the_o other_o scripture_n unto_o their_o own_o destruction_n behold_v say_v they_o how_o dangerous_a it_o be_v for_o common_a people_n to_o meddle_v with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n which_o be_v compare_v by_o st._n paul_n himself_o to_o a_o two_o edge_a sword_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v put_v into_o their_o hand_n for_o fear_v they_o destroy_v themselves_o therewith_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o same_o st._n paul_n teach_v we_o rom._n xv._o 4._o that_o whatsoever_o thing_n be_v write_v aforetime_o be_v write_v for_o our_o learning_n and_o be_v profitable_a as_o he_o write_v elsewhere_o 2_o tim._n iii_o 16._o for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n but_o this_o notwithstanding_o there_o be_v say_v they_o such_o difficulty_n and_o obscurity_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o this_o great_a apostle_n st._n peter_n that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v think_v profitable_a for_o all_o people_n but_o rather_o hurtful_a to_o they_o that_o be_v ignorant_a who_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o read_v they_o by_o which_o single_a instance_n the_o reader_n may_v learn_v if_o he_o mark_v it_o well_o what_o sort_n of_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n we_o be_v like_a to_o have_v if_o we_o trust_v to_o they_o alone_o and_o do_v not_o see_v with_o our_o own_o eye_n when_o these_o very_a word_n of_o st._n peter_n do_v plain_o teach_v we_o the_o quite_o contrary_a doctrine_n to_o that_o which_o they_o will_v establish_v by_o they_o i._o for_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o contain_v a_o reason_n why_o the_o people_n shall_v not_o read_v they_o that_o first_o they_o evident_o suppose_v the_o common_a people_n even_o the_o unlearned_a among_o they_o do_v in_o those_o day_n read_v the_o scripture_n else_o they_o can_v not_o have_v wrest_v they_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o do_v and_o complain_v of_o that_o but_o not_o of_o their_o read_v they_o and_o ii_o second_o these_o word_n do_v not_o affirm_v the_o whole_a scripture_n to_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v but_o only_o some_o part_n of_o it_o st._n paul_n epistle_n at_o the_o most_o or_o rather_o the_o thing_n of_o which_o st._n peter_n have_v be_v treat_v and_o not_o all_o of_o they_o neither_o but_o only_o some_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d some_o few_o thing_n which_o will_v require_v pain_n and_o diligent_a attention_n of_o mind_n to_o comprehend_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o and_o iii_o three_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o say_v that_o all_o who_o read_v those_o difficult_a passage_n be_v in_o danger_n to_o wrest_v they_o but_o only_o the_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a who_o abuse_v the_o plain_a truth_n to_o their_o own_o ruin_n as_o for_o other_o they_o may_v read_v even_o the_o hard_a place_n in_o st._n paul_n epistle_n safe_o enough_o nay_o receive_v great_a profit_n from_o thence_o as_o well_o as_o from_o other_o scripture_n and_o they_o who_o wrest_v they_o be_v not_o to_o leave_v read_v they_o but_o to_o grow_v in_o true_a christian_a knowledge_n and_o in_o stability_n of_o mind_n these_o be_v the_o three_o part_n of_o the_o ensue_a discourse_n in_o treat_v and_o read_v of_o which_o let_v we_o pray_v to_o god_n as_o the_o second_o homily_n conclude_v that_o we_o may_v speak_v think_v believe_v live_v and_o depart_v hence_o according_a to_o the_o wholesome_a doctrine_n and_o verity_n of_o these_o holy_a book_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n in_o this_o world_n have_v god_n defence_n favour_n and_o grace_n with_o the_o unspeakable_a solace_n of_o peace_n and_o quietness_n of_o conscience_n and_o after_o this_o miserable_a life_n enjoy_v the_o endless_a bliss_n and_o glory_n of_o heaven_n part_n i._n that_o the_o right_a of_o god_n people_n to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o at_o all_o prejudice_v by_o these_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n appear_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o wrest_v of_o the_o scripture_n by_o the_o unlearned_a and_o unstable_a do_v suppose_v that_o even_o such_o person_n do_v then_o read_v they_o which_o overthrow_v the_o conclusion_n which_o they_o of_o the_o roman_a church_n endeavour_v to_o draw_v from_o this_o place_n for_o there_o have_v be_v no_o possibility_n of_o pervert_v their_o sense_n if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v in_o their_o hand_n at_o that_o time_n as_o they_o be_v in_o we_o now_o and_o yet_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o reprehend_v their_o meddle_v with_o they_o but_o their_o ignorance_n and_o their_o heedlesnes_n which_o be_v the_o cause_n they_o misunderstand_v they_o and_o may_v have_v be_v prevent_v by_o a_o little_a diligence_n and_o care_n without_o throw_v they_o quite_o away_o for_o the_o fault_n be_v not_o there_o but_o in_o themselves_o who_o come_v to_o the_o perusal_n of_o holy_a thing_n with_o unprepared_a mind_n now_o for_o the_o establish_n of_o this_o truth_n that_o the_o people_n be_v not_o then_o and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o now_o to_o be_v debar_v the_o liberty_n of_o read_v the_o holy_a book_n which_o god_n our_o saviour_n have_v leave_v unto_o his_o church_n as_o a_o common_a inheritance_n you_o may_v be_v please_v to_o weigh_v these_o thing_n follow_v which_o will_v full_o settle_v your_o mind_n in_o this_o persuasion_n i._o first_o that_o the_o ancient_a people_n of_o god_n the_o jew_n be_v not_o only_o permit_v but_o require_v by_o god_n himself_o to_o be_v so_o conversant_a in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o it_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v their_o child_n god_n commandment_n and_o for_o that_o end_n to_o talk_v of_o they_o when_o they_o sit_v in_o their_o house_n or_o walk_v by_o the_o way_n when_o they_o lie_v down_o and_o when_o they_o rise_v up_o nay_o to_o write_v they_o upon_o the_o door_n of_o their_o house_n and_o on_o their_o gate_n that_o whensoever_o they_o go_v out_o or_o come_v in_o they_o may_v have_v they_o before_o their_o eye_n and_o be_v put_v in_o mind_n of_o they_o deut._n vi_o 6_o 7_o 8._o this_o the_o lawgiver_n think_v a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n that_o a_o little_a after_o in_o the_o very_a same_o book_n he_o enjoin_v it_o over_o again_o for_o fear_v they_o shall_v neglect_v it_o chap._n xi_o 18_o 19_o 20._o for_o the_o very_a root_n and_o
word_n of_o holy_a scripture_n to_o give_v they_o countenance_n by_o its_o great_a authority_n and_o press_v it_o against_o its_o will_n to_o come_v to_o their_o service_n at_o every_o turn_n they_o will_v be_v interpose_v their_o inclination_n and_o prove_v a_o bias_n upon_o our_o mind_n to_o carry_v they_o aside_o from_o the_o mark_n and_o the_o full_a we_o be_v of_o these_o and_o the_o more_o desirous_a to_o have_v they_o confirm_v the_o more_o hasty_o shall_v we_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n speak_v in_o their_o favour_n and_o proffer_v itself_o as_o a_o witness_n to_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o conceit_n let_v we_o provide_v therefore_o by_o a_o due_a vigilance_n and_o attentive_a consideration_n that_o they_o be_v not_o form_v by_o our_o own_o private_a imagination_n but_o by_o the_o common_a stand_a rule_n of_o natural_a honesty_n justice_n and_o goodness_n and_o by_o all_o other_o certain_a principle_n ingraft_v in_o we_o or_o reveal_v to_o we_o which_o serve_v as_o a_o index_n to_o point_v we_o which_o way_n our_o thought_n shall_v run_v and_o where_o they_o shall_v six_o themselves_o ii_o the_o necessity_n of_o which_o care_n be_v the_o second_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o be_v brief_o consider_v and_o here_o two_o thing_n more_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o be_v due_o weigh_v first_o that_o without_o this_o care_n the_o plain_a scripture_n will_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v pervert_v as_o soon_o as_o the_o most_o difficult_a second_o the_o very_a same_o place_n of_o scripture_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o be_v shameful_o wrest_v to_o serve_v different_a purpose_n i._n first_o i_o say_v the_o plain_a scripture_n will_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o be_v pervert_v and_o very_o dangerous_o too_o as_o well_o as_o the_o most_o difficult_a for_o it_o be_v not_o their_o difficulty_n that_o make_v they_o be_v pervert_v but_o man_n own_o easiness_n to_o believe_v any_o thing_n which_o their_o private_a desire_n will_v have_v to_o be_v true_a though_o never_o so_o contrary_a to_o sound_v reason_n and_o religion_n which_o if_o they_o have_v regard_v will_v have_v direct_v they_o to_o make_v another_o construction_n of_o holy_a write_n all_o the_o metaphor_n for_o instance_n and_o resemblance_n borrow_v from_o thing_n visible_a to_o represent_v the_o glory_n of_o christ_n heavenly_a kingdom_n make_v the_o miserable_a jew_n as_o their_o forefather_n do_v before_o they_o still_o entertain_v themselves_o with_o pleasant_a dream_n of_o a_o glorious_a pompous_a monarchy_n here_o on_o earth_n though_o the_o prophet_n in_o as_o plain_a word_n as_o can_v be_v devise_v represent_v christ_n their_o king_n as_o a_o man_n of_o suffering_n who_o shall_v endure_v great_a indignity_n than_o any_o man_n ever_o do_v and_o at_o last_o die_v and_o so_o rise_v again_o to_o sit_v at_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o god_n and_o give_v his_o holy_a spirit_n from_o thence_o to_o fill_v all_o the_o earth_n with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o thereby_o make_v they_o pious_a subject_n of_o a_o divine_a kingdom_n this_o drowsiness_n be_v so_o hereditary_a to_o their_o nation_n that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v awaken_v out_o of_o their_o slumber_n by_o consider_v how_o much_o more_o the_o soul_n be_v god_n care_n than_o the_o body_n and_o what_o the_o prophet_n speak_v concern_v christ_n government_n over_o man_n mind_n and_o conscience_n and_o the_o reformation_n he_o shall_v come_v to_o make_v in_o their_o life_n and_o manner_n some_o christian_n have_v be_v delude_v with_o the_o same_o fancy_n as_o if_o they_o have_v dream_v upon_o their_o pillow_n but_o there_o be_v more_o palpable_a instance_n of_o the_o abuse_v commit_v among_o they_o not_o by_o read_v the_o scripture_n for_o that_o they_o be_v not_o forbid_v but_o by_o not_o observe_v the_o rule_n i_o be_o now_o establish_v it_o be_v usual_a for_o people_n even_o in_o the_o ancient_a time_n of_o christianity_n to_o interpret_v the_o scripture_n according_a to_o their_o fancy_n mere_o to_o serve_v a_o present_a turn_n just_a as_o many_o make_v it_o do_v now_o for_o tertullian_n tell_v we_o that_o they_o who_o after_o their_o conversion_n to_o christianity_n still_o follow_v the_o trade_n of_o make_v idol_n and_o image_n for_o the_o heathen_a to_o worship_n defend_v themselves_o when_o they_o be_v reprehend_v for_o it_o by_o a_o say_v in_o st._n paul_n 1_o cor._n vii_o 20._o which_o they_o thus_o contract_v ut_fw-la cuique_fw-la fuerit_fw-la inventus_fw-la ita_fw-la &_o perseveret_fw-la as_o every_o man_n be_v find_v when_o he_o be_v call_v to_o christianity_n so_o let_v he_o continue_v there_o be_v no_o man_n that_o read_v what_o follow_v but_o plain_o see_v if_o he_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o shut_v his_o eye_n against_o all_o that_o contradict_v his_o desire_n the_o apostle_n design_v nothing_o but_o that_o all_o man_n shall_v remain_v so_o well_o satisfy_v with_o the_o condition_n in_o which_o they_o be_v when_o convert_v to_o christ_n that_o if_o they_o be_v mere_a slave_n they_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o continue_v so_o and_o not_o depart_v from_o their_o lord_n and_o master_n unless_o they_o will_v give_v they_o their_o liberty_n which_o he_o grant_v be_v much_o to_o be_v desire_v but_o if_o the_o follow_a word_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o this_o be_v his_o meaning_n yet_o the_o rule_n before_o mention_v will_v have_v sufficient_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o ill_a use_n they_o make_v of_o his_o word_n for_o as_o tertullian_n well_o observe_v in_o his_o book_n of_o idolatry_n cap._n v._o where_o he_o treat_v of_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v a_o interpretation_n that_o direct_o lead_v to_o all_o wickedness_n possumus_fw-la igitur_fw-la omnes_fw-la in_o peccatis_fw-la perseverare_fw-la ex_fw-la ista_fw-la interpretatione_n etc._n etc._n as_o his_o word_n be_v we_o may_v all_o then_o continue_v in_o our_o sin_n according_a to_o this_o interpretation_n for_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o we_o who_o be_v not_o find_v a_o sinner_n when_o he_o be_v call_v into_o christ_n service_n who_o come_v down_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o to_o deliver_v we_o from_o our_o sin_n but_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n they_o also_o abuse_v he_o observe_v there_o some_o other_o text_n of_o st._n paul_n wherein_o he_o require_v that_o after_o his_o example_n every_o man_n shall_v work_v and_o get_v his_o live_n with_o his_o own_o hand_n 1_o cor._n iu_o 10._o 2_o thess_n iii_o 9_o 10._o by_o which_o precept_n if_o all_o that_o man_n wrought_v with_o their_o hand_n may_v be_v defend_v then_o thief_n and_o highway_n man_n and_o coiner_n of_o false_a money_n and_o all_o other_o wicked_a person_n will_v be_v justify_v by_o they_o as_o well_o as_o these_o image-maker_n who_o allege_v they_o in_o a_o word_n let_v the_o gate_n of_o the_o church_n be_v set_v wide_o open_a say_v he_o for_o all_o comer_n who_o live_v by_o their_o labour_n if_o there_o be_v no_o exception_n of_o such_o art_n and_o trade_n as_o the_o discipline_n of_o god_n do_v not_o receive_v and_o indeed_o the_o scripture_n itself_o teach_v we_o this_o truth_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o difficult_a place_n only_o which_o man_n wrest_v to_o their_o destruction_n but_o the_o plain_a also_o when_o thereby_o they_o can_v have_v some_o colour_n for_o their_o evil_a practice_n as_o for_o example_n what_o can_v be_v more_o certain_a than_o this_o that_o the_o apostle_n never_o give_v any_o encouragement_n by_o his_o doctrine_n for_o man_n to_o say_v much_o less_o say_v thus_o himself_o let_v we_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v that_o be_v a_o good_a end_n will_v warrant_v evil_a action_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v so_o audacious_a as_o to_o affirm_v he_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n who_o he_o content_v himself_o to_o confute_v with_o these_o few_o word_n and_o vouchsafe_v they_o no_o other_o answer_n who_o damnation_n be_v just_a iii_o rome_n 8._o there_o be_v no_o ground_n that_o be_v for_o such_o a_o interpretation_n of_o his_o word_n but_o only_o their_o own_o evil_a principle_n and_o affection_n which_o lead_v they_o to_o make_v this_o conclusion_n against_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n and_o christianity_n and_o therefore_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v for_o such_o man_n but_o they_o will_v perish_v and_o nothing_o be_v more_o just_a than_o that_o god_n shall_v leave_v they_o under_o condemnation_n who_o pervert_v holy_a word_n to_o a_o meaning_n so_o cross_a to_o all_o the_o know_a principle_n of_o natural_a and_o reveal_v truth_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o occumenius_n upon_o this_o very_a text_n of_o st._n peter_n gives_z another_z such_o like_a instance_n of_o wrest_v st._n paul_n word_n which_o he_o say_v may_v serve_v instead_o of_o all_o he_o have_v say_v v._o rom._n 20._o where_o sin_n abound_v grace_n do_v much_o more_o abound_v ungodly_a man_n