not_o perfect_o understand_v and_o in_o which_o theophilus_n have_v not_o be_v before_o instruct_v thus_o also_o st._n john_n testify_v of_o his_o gospel_n chap._n 20._o 31._o these_o thing_n be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n and_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o by_o these_o thing_n the_o apostle_n only_o mean_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o motive_n of_o our_o belief_n and_o not_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v by_o we_o this_o be_v notorious_o false_a since_o by_o these_o thing_n st._n john_n mean_v his_o gospel_n in_o which_o not_o only_o the_o miracle_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v contain_v and_o therefore_o in_o his_o first_o epistle_n chap._n 5._o 13._o he_o say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o that_o believe_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v 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that_o tradition_n which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n contend_v for_o and_o it_o be_v something_o hard_o that_o that_o which_o be_v damn_v for_o heresy_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n shall_v be_v make_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n in_o the_o present_a roman_a not_o that_o we_o do_v disallow_v of_o tradition_n universal_o receive_v in_o all_o church_n and_o age_n for_o we_o frank_o acknowledge_v that_o what_o be_v now_o contain_v in_o scripture_n be_v tradition_n before_o it_o be_v scripture_n as_o be_v first_o deliver_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n before_o it_o be_v collect_v into_o write_v and_o therefore_o whensoever_o it_o can_v be_v make_v evident_a to_o we_o that_o there_o be_v any_o unwritten_a doctrine_n bear_v the_o same_o stamp_n of_o divine_a authority_n with_o those_o that_o be_v write_v we_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v they_o with_o the_o same_o veneration_n as_o we_o do_v the_o scripture_n themselves_o for_o it_o be_v not_o their_o be_v write_v that_o do_v authorise_v 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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 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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 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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 for_o thus_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n testify_v of_o the_o old_a that_o they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v we_o wise_a unto_o salvation_n through_o faith_n which_o be_v in_o jesus_n christ_n 2_o tim._n 3._o 15._o and_o if_o the_o old_a testament_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o do_v this_o then_o much_o more_o the_o old_a and_o new_a together_o but_o how_o can_v they_o make_v man_n wise_a to_o salvation_n if_o they_o be_v defective_a in_o any_o article_n that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o then_o the_o same_o author_n go_v on_o and_o tell_v we_o that_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o be_v profitable_a for_o doctrine_n for_o reproof_n for_o correction_n for_o instruction_n in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n v_o 16._o 17._o and_o if_o the_o old_a scripture_n be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a and_o to_o furnish_v he_o 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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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sense_n of_o it_o but_o to_o impose_v a_o sense_n on_o it_o which_o be_v never_o in_o it_o for_o how_o can_v she_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o a_o book_n which_o have_v no_o sense_n in_o it_o if_o the_o church_n be_v to_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n the_o scripture_n must_v have_v a_o certain_a determinate_a sense_n in_o it_o before_o she_o expound_v it_o for_o to_o expound_v the_o sense_n of_o that_o which_o have_v no_o sense_n be_v nonsense_n and_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v a_o certain_a sense_n in_o it_o antecedent_o to_o the_o church_n exposition_n of_o it_o why_o do_v they_o call_v it_o a_o parcel_n of_o vnsense_v character_n if_o their_o mean_v be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n be_v so_o obscure_a and_o ambiguous_a that_o without_o the_o infallible_a exposition_n of_o the_o church_n we_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a what_o it_o be_v beside_o that_o this_o be_v notorious_o false_a the_o scripture_n 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certain_a sign_n in_o nature_n of_o its_o falsehood_n 3._o live_v in_o any_o know_a course_n of_o sin_n deprive_v man_n of_o the_o great_a encouragement_n to_o constancy_n and_o steadiness_n in_o the_o true_a religion_n for_o doubtless_o the_o high_a encouragement_n to_o perservance_n in_o the_o truth_n against_o all_o opposition_n and_o temptation_n be_v the_o hope_n of_o those_o glorious_a reward_n that_o await_v they_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v it_o be_v this_o that_o guard_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o ancient_a martyr_n safe_a through_o all_o the_o rage_n and_o cruelty_n of_o their_o persecutor_n their_o have_v a_o eye_n to_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n the_o sight_n of_o which_o inspire_v the_o droop_a soul_n with_o a_o invincible_a courage_n make_v they_o despise_v rack_n and_o wheel_n and_o flame_n and_o exalt_v and_o triumph_v under_o the_o most_o exqisite_a torment_n and_o indeed_o what_o less_o encouragement_n than_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v eternal_o happy_a within_o 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be_v lodge_v in_o all_o brave_a mind_n he_o will_v scorn_v so_o mean_a so_o poor_a a_o condescension_n but_o yet_o when_o all_o be_v do_v there_o be_v no_o such_o powerful_a restraint_n upon_o man_n as_o that_o of_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o be_v the_o natural_a bridle_n by_o which_o god_n curb_v our_o headstrong_a nature_n and_o keep_v it_o from_o fly_v out_o into_o all_o the_o wild_a extravagancy_n it_o be_v incline_v to_o for_o it_o be_v from_o god_n and_o in_o god_n stead_n that_o conscience_n act_n who_o be_v the_o most_o powerful_a be_v in_o the_o world_n when_o it_o command_v it_o be_v with_o god_n authority_n when_o it_o rebuke_n it_o be_v with_o god_n majesty_n when_o it_o applaud_v it_o be_v with_o god_n complacency_n it_o proceed_v not_o upon_o principle_n of_o mere_a policy_n or_o prudence_n which_o require_v we_o to_o act_v this_o way_n now_o and_o anon_o the_o contrary_a as_o circumstance_n alter_v but_o upon_o the_o awful_a principle_n of_o divinity_n which_o oblige_v we_o by_o all_o that_o we_o can_v hope_v or_o fear_v for_o ever_o and_o require_v of_o we_o the_o self_n same_o thing_n and_o action_n in_o all_o circumstance_n and_o the_o sole_a reason_n it_o insist_o on_o be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n who_o pleasure_n or_o displeasure_n can_v make_v we_o happy_a or_o miserable_a for_o ever_o the_o voice_n of_o conscience_n be_v not_o this_o i_o judge_v most_o expedient_a for_o thou_o to_o do_v and_o this_o to_o avoid_v but_o this_o thou_o must_v do_v and_o this_o avoid_v as_o thou_o tender_v the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o dread_a his_o everlasting_a hatred_n and_o revenge_n and_o it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o eternal_a bliss_n that_o conscience_n allure_v our_o hope_n with_o and_o eternal_a vengeance_n that_o it_o alarm_n our_o fear_n with_o and_o if_o man_n will_v not_o be_v witheld_a by_o such_o powerful_a restraint_n as_o these_o what_o can_v withhold_v they_o whilst_o therefore_o a_o man_n cherish_v his_o conscience_n by_o comply_v with_o 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any_o power_n over_o he_o he_o will_v no_o more_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v with_o himself_o to_o commit_v the_o one_o than_o to_o throw_v himself_o headlong_a down_o from_o the_o other_o whilst_o he_o be_v under_o the_o horror_n of_o the_o prospect_n and_o he_o will_v find_v it_o much_o more_o easy_a to_o endure_v the_o worst_a of_o persecution_n than_o to_o commit_v such_o a_o outrage_n and_o violence_n on_o his_o conscience_n and_o undergo_v those_o horrible_a reflection_n and_o sting_a remorse_n that_o must_v follow_v it_o but_o after_o a_o man_n by_o wilful_a sin_v have_v often_o wound_v his_o conscience_n the_o natural_a tenderness_n of_o it_o will_v by_o degree_n wear_v off_o till_o at_o length_n it_o grow_v quite_o callous_a and_o insensible_a for_o what_o be_v report_v of_o methridates_n that_o by_o often_o drink_v of_o poison_n he_o have_v so_o familiarize_v it_o to_o his_o constitution_n that_o at_o length_n it_o sit_v quiet_o on_o his_o stomach_n and_o give_v he_o no_o disturbance_n be_v true_a of_o conscience_n which_o at_o first_o recoil_v at_o every_o sinful_a potion_n and_o can_v swallow_v it_o without_o suffer_v violent_a spasm_n and_o convulsion_n but_o have_v be_v awhile_o accustom_v to_o it_o it_o by_o degree_n grow_v more_o and_o more_o natural_a till_o at_o length_n it_o go_v glib_o down_o without_o strain_v and_o go_v quiet_o off_o without_o remorse_n or_o reluctance_n and_o when_o once_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v freeze_v over_o by_o a_o custom_n of_o sin_v it_o will_v every_o day_n grow_v hard_a and_o hard_o and_o at_o length_n be_v able_a to_o bear_v the_o heavy_a load_v of_o gild_n without_o relent_a and_o when_o once_o thing_n be_v reduce_v to_o this_o state_n good_a and_o evil_a virtue_n and_o vice_n be_v thing_n indifferent_a to_o he_o which_o he_o choose_v or_o refuse_v as_o they_o come_v to_o hand_n and_o be_v
some_o good_a warm_a place_n or_o the_o hope_n of_o gain_v some_o important_a station_n or_o preferment_n and_o if_o this_o be_v find_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o case_n when_o he_o come_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o tribunal_n of_o god_n it_o have_v be_v a_o thousand_o time_n better_o for_o he_o that_o he_o have_v never_o be_v bear_v for_o than_o he_o will_v be_v find_v a_o base_a deserter_n of_o his_o god_n a_o treacherous_a judas_n to_o his_o saviour_n and_o a_o perfidious_a renegado_n from_o his_o religion_n and_o according_a to_o the_o quality_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o gild_n receive_v his_o portion_n of_o damnation_n 4._o consider_v whether_o before_o you_o entertain_v any_o intention_n to_o change_v you_o be_v full_o resolve_v impartial_o to_o consult_v both_o side_n of_o the_o question_n i_o doubt_v there_o be_v too_o many_o among_o we_o that_o first_o resolve_v to_o change_v their_o religion_n and_o then_o begin_v to_o inquire_v after_o reason_n and_o argument_n against_o it_o and_o that_o their_o resolution_n to_o change_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o sincere_a conviction_n that_o their_o conviction_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o their_o resolution_n first_o some_o vile_a affection_n or_o some_o temporal_a interest_n recommend_v another_o religion_n to_o they_o that_o either_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o be_v wicked_a without_o remorse_n or_o disturbance_n or_o promise_v they_o gain_n and_o advancement_n upon_o which_o they_o resolve_v right_a or_o wrong_n to_o entertain_v and_o embrace_v it_o and_o then_o to_o excuse_v themselves_o to_o their_o own_o conscience_n or_o to_o vindicate_v their_o reputation_n to_o the_o world_n from_o the_o scandal_n of_o be_v downright_a apostate_n they_o fall_v a_o hunt_n after_o reason_n and_o argument_n to_o convince_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o at_o least_o to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o their_o interest_n but_o their_o conviction_n that_o turn_v they_o and_o 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with_o we_o to_o day_n and_o go_v from_o we_o to_o morrow_n and_o be_v such_o mushroom_n extemporary_a convert_v that_o before_o ever_o we_o hear_v they_o doubt_v of_o their_o own_o they_o be_v confirm_v in_o a_o contrary_a religion_n in_o short_a they_o steal_v out_o of_o their_o religion_n so_o soft_o and_o with_o so_o little_a noise_n that_o they_o be_v common_o go_v before_o ever_o we_o hear_v they_o be_v go_v as_o if_o they_o be_v afraid_a we_o shall_v stop_v and_o detain_v they_o by_o better_a reason_n and_o full_a conviction_n whereas_o have_v these_o man_n any_o conscience_n or_o honesty_n in_o they_o they_o will_v consider_v that_o religion_n be_v a_o thing_n too_o sacred_a and_o serious_a to_o be_v thus_o dally_v and_o trifle_v with_o and_o that_o to_o change_v one_o religion_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o such_o vast_a importance_n as_o require_v a_o long_a and_o through_o consideration_n and_o a_o very_a clear_a and_o full_a conviction_n of_o mind_n that_o there_o be_v too_o 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