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to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n lie_v open_a to_o we_o and_o his_o law_n be_v continual_o before_o our_o eye_n his_o word_n be_v nigh_o unto_o we_o in_o our_o mouth_n and_o in_o our_o heart_n that_o be_v we_o may_v read_v it_o and_o meditate_v upon_o it_o that_o we_o may_v do_v it_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n be_v put_v into_o our_o hand_n so_o that_o if_o we_o do_v not_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n it_o be_v we_o ourselves_o that_o shut_v ourselves_o out_o and_o where_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o hinder_v we_o from_o the_o knowledge_n of_o our_o duty_n there_o certain_o nothing_o can_v excuse_v we_o from_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o for_o the_o end_n of_o all_o knowledge_n be_v to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o duty_n and_o effectual_o to_o engage_v they_o to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o the_o great_a business_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o make_v man_n true_o good_a and_o to_o teach_v they_o to_o live_v well_o and_o if_o 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they_o at_o your_o peril_n let_v that_o which_o be_v our_o great_a concernment_n be_v our_o great_a care_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o do_v it_o to_o fear_n god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n consider_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o the_o reward_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n nothing_o can_v be_v wise_a and_o consider_v the_o mighty_a assistance_n of_o god_n grace_n which_o he_o be_v ready_a to_o afford_v to_o we_o and_o the_o unspeakable_a satisfaction_n and_o delight_n which_o be_v to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o do_n of_o our_o duty_n nothing_o can_v be_v easy_o nothing_o will_v give_v we_o that_o pleasure_n while_o we_o live_v nothing_o can_v minister_v that_o true_a and_o solid_a comfort_n to_o we_o when_o we_o come_v to_o die_v there_o be_v probable_o no_o such_o way_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v happy_a in_o this_o world_n to_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v no_o way_n but_o this_o to_o escape_v the_o intolerable_a and_o endless_a misery_n of_o another_o world_n now_o god_n grant_v that_o we_o may_v all_o know_v and_o do_v in_o this_o our_o day_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o our_o peace_n for_o his_o mercy_n sake_n in_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o honour_n and_o glory_n now_o and_o for_o ever_o amen_n finis_fw-la advertisement_n whereas_o there_o be_v surreptitious_o print_v from_o very_o false_a and_o imperfect_a note_n a_o sermon_n preach_v decemb._n 3_o d._n 1678._o at_o the_o yorkshire_n feast_n to_o the_o great_a abuse_n and_o injury_n of_o the_o author_n and_o of_o the_o buyer_n of_o it_o it_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o give_v this_o notice_n of_o it_o and_o that_o it_o be_v since_o publish_v by_o the_o author_n dr._n tillotson_n dean_n of_o canterbury_n in_o quarto_n the_o false_a copy_n be_v but_o two_o sheet_n and_o print_v in_o octavo_n there_o be_v now_o in_o the_o press_n a_o learned_a treatise_n of_o the_o pope_n supremacy_n in_o quarto_n by_o dr._n isaac_n barrow_n late_a master_n of_o trinity_n college_n in_o cambridg_n to_o be_v sell_v by_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n over_o against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n
a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o white-hall_n april_n the_o four_o 1679._o by_o john_n tillotson_n d._n d._n dean_n of_o canterbury_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n publish_a by_o his_o majesty_n special_a command_n london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n over_o against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o maidenhead_n over_o against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n mdclxxix_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n april_n the_o four_o 1679._o i_o john_n iu.i._n belove_a believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n this_o caution_n and_o counsel_n be_v give_v upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n that_o be_v rise_v up_o in_o the_o church_n who_o endeavour_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n and_o these_o teach_n contrary_a thing_n can_v not_o both_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o st._n john_n call_v upon_o christian_n to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n and_o pretence_n of_o those_o new_a teacher_n whether_o they_o be_v from_o god_n or_o not_o believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n that_o be_v not_o every_o one_o that_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n that_o be_v examine_v those_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n whether_o it_o be_v real_a or_o not_o and_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o bring_v because_o there_o be_v many_o impostor_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n in_o which_o there_o be_v contain_v these_o four_o proposition_n first_o that_o man_n may_v and_o often_o do_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o apostle_n ground_n this_o exhortation_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n therefore_o we_o shall_v try_v who_o be_v true_a and_o who_o be_v false_a second_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o teach_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n this_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a because_o man_n may_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v but_o confidence_n enough_o and_o conscience_n little_a enough_o may_v pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o if_o we_o admit_v all_o pretence_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o crafty_a and_o confident_a man_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o he_o into_o what_o delusion_n he_o please_v three_o neither_o be_v we_o to_o reject_v all_o that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n this_o be_v sufficient_o imply_v in_o the_o text_n for_o where_o the_o apostle_n say_v believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n he_o suppose_v we_o be_v to_o believe_v some_o and_o when_o he_o say_v try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n he_o suppose_v some_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o that_o those_o which_o be_v so_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v these_o three_o observation_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o i_o need_v only_o to_o name_v they_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o four_o which_o i_o principal_o design_v to_o insist_v upon_o from_o these_o word_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v some_o way_n to_o discern_v mere_a pretender_n to_o inspiration_n from_o those_o who_o be_v true_o and_o divine_o inspire_v and_o this_o be_v necessary_o imply_v in_o the_o apostle_n bid_v we_o to_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o make_v any_o trial_n if_o there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o discern_v between_o pretend_a and_o real_a inspiration_n now_o the_o handle_n of_o this_o will_v give_v occasion_n to_o two_o very_a material_a inquiry_n and_o useful_a to_o be_v resolve_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n those_o which_o real_o be_v from_o god_n and_o those_o which_o only_o pretend_v to_o be_v so_o ii_o to_o who_o this_o judgement_n of_o discern_v do_v appertain_v i._o how_o we_o may_v discern_v between_o true_a and_o counterfeit_a doctrine_n and_o revelation_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o this_o i_o shall_v lay_v down_o these_o follow_a proposition_n 1._o that_o reason_n be_v the_o faculty_n whereby_o revelation_n be_v to_o be_v discern_v or_o to_o use_v the_o phrase_n in_o the_o text_n it_o be_v that_o whereby_o we_o be_v to_o judge_n what_o spirit_n be_v of_o god_n and_o what_o not_o for_o all_o revelation_n from_o god_n suppose_v we_o to_o be_v man_n and_o to_o be_v endue_v with_o reason_n and_o therefore_o it_o do_v not_o create_v new_a faculty_n in_o we_o but_o propound_v new_a object_n to_o that_o faculty_n which_o be_v in_o we_o before_o whatever_o doctrine_n god_n reveal_v to_o man_n be_v propound_v to_o their_o understanding_n and_o by_o this_o faculty_n we_o be_v to_o examine_v all_o doctrine_n which_o pretend_v to_o be_v from_o god_n and_o upon_o examination_n to_o judge_n whether_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o receive_v they_o as_o divine_a or_o to_o reject_v they_o as_o imposture_n 2._o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n we_o must_v first_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n before_o we_o can_v know_v that_o he_o have_v make_v any_o revelation_n of_o himself_o and_o we_o must_v know_v that_o all_o his_o word_n be_v true_a otherwise_o there_o be_v no_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o revelation_n which_o he_o make_v to_o we_o and_o we_o must_v believe_v his_o authority_n over_o we_o and_o that_o he_o will_v reward_v our_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n and_o punish_v our_o breach_n of_o they_o otherwise_o there_o will_v neither_o be_v sufficient_a obligation_n nor_o encouragement_n to_o obedience_n these_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v true_a and_o natural_o know_v to_o we_o antecedent_o to_o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n otherwise_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_v signify_v nothing_o to_o we_o nor_o be_v of_o any_o force_n with_o we_o 3._o all_o reason_v about_o divine_a revelation_n must_v necessary_o be_v govern_v by_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o be_v by_o those_o apprehension_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n and_o by_o the_o clear_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_n which_o be_v imprint_v upon_o our_o nature_n because_o we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n to_o judge_n what_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n and_o credible_a to_o be_v believe_v by_o he_o and_o what_o not_o but_o by_o the_o natural_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o essential_a perfection_n which_o because_o we_o know_v he_o to_o be_v immutable_a we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v he_o will_v never_o contradict_v and_o by_o these_o principle_n likewise_o we_o be_v to_o interpret_v what_o god_n have_v reveal_v and_o when_o any_o doubt_n arise_v concern_v the_o meaning_n of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n as_o that_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n we_o be_v to_o govern_v ourselves_o in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o it_o by_o what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o those_o natural_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o god_n and_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o reject_v that_o sense_n which_o be_v contrary_a thereto_o for_o instance_n when_o god_n be_v represent_v in_o scripture_n as_o have_v a_o humane_a shape_n eye_n ear_n and_o hand_n the_o notion_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o perfection_n do_v sufficient_o direct_v we_o to_o interpret_v these_o expression_n in_o a_o sense_n worthy_a of_o god_n and_o agreeable_a to_o his_o perfection_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o understand_v they_o as_o rather_o speak_v to_o our_o capacity_n and_o in_o a_o figure_n than_o to_o be_v literal_o intend_v and_o this_o will_v proportionable_o hold_v in_o many_o other_o case_n 4._o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n which_o plain_o contradict_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n or_o overthrow_v the_o certainty_n of_o they_o for_o instance_n it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n because_o this_o be_v a_o contradiction_n in_o term_n so_o likewise_o to_o pretend_v a_o command_n from_o god_n that_o we_o be_v to_o hate_v and_o despise_v he_o because_o it_o be_v not_o credible_a that_o god_n shall_v require_v any_o thing_n of_o reasonable_a creature_n so_o unsuitable_a to_o their_o nature_n and_o to_o their_o obligation_n to_o he_o beside_o that_o such_o a_o law_n
doctrine_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o gospel_n what_o not_o believe_v a_o apostle_n nor_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n if_o he_o shall_v teach_v any_o thing_n evident_o contrary_a to_o the_o plain_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n if_o he_o shall_v determine_v virtue_n to_o be_v vice_n and_o vice_n to_o be_v virtue_n no_o not_o a_o apostle_n nor_o a_o angel_n because_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o this_o will_v confound_v and_o overturn_v all_o thing_n in_o religion_n and_o yet_o bellarmine_n put_v this_o very_a case_n and_o say_v if_o the_o pope_n shall_v so_o â—â—termine_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o believe_v he_o unless_o we_o will_v sin_v against_o conscience_n i_o will_v conclude_v this_o discourse_n by_o put_v a_o very_a plain_a and_o familiar_a case_n by_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v what_o credit_n and_o authority_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v give_v to_o a_o guide_n and_o what_o not_o suppose_v i_o come_v a_o stranger_n into_o england_n and_o land_v at_o dover_n take_v a_o guide_n there_o to_o conduct_v i_o in_o my_o way_n to_o york_n which_o i_o know_v before_o by_o the_o map_n to_o lie_v north_n of_o dover_n have_v commit_v myself_o to_o he_o if_o he_o lead_v i_o for_o two_o or_o three_o day_n together_o out_o of_o any_o plain_a road_n and_o many_o time_n over_o hedge_n and_o ditch_n i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o in_o a_o civil_a and_o well-inhabited_n country_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o highway_n from_o one_o part_n of_o it_o to_o another_o yet_o thus_o far_o i_o submit_v to_o he_o though_o not_o without_o some_o regret_n and_o impatience_n but_o then_o if_o after_o this_o for_o two_o or_o three_o day_n more_o he_o lead_v i_o direct_o south_n and_o with_o my_o face_n full_a upon_o the_o sun_n at_o noonday_n and_o at_o last_o bring_v i_o back_o again_o to_o dover_n pere_n and_o still_o bid_v i_o follow_v he_o then_o certain_o no_o modesty_n do_v oblige_v a_o man_n not_o to_o dispute_v with_o his_o guide_n and_o to_o tell_v he_o sure_o that_o can_v be_v no_o way_n because_o it_o be_v sea_n now_o though_o he_o set_v never_o so_o bold_a a_o face_n upon_o the_o matter_n and_o tell_v i_o with_o all_o the_o gravity_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o sea_n but_o dry_a land_n under_o the_o species_n and_o appearance_n of_o water_n and_o that_o whatever_o my_o eye_n tell_v i_o have_v once_o commit_v myself_o to_o his_o guidance_n i_o must_v not_o trust_v my_o own_o sense_n in_o the_o case_n it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o dangerous_a sort_n of_o infidelity_n for_o a_o man_n to_o believe_v his_o own_o eye_n rather_o than_o his_o faithful_a and_o infallible_a guide_n all_o this_o move_v i_o not_o but_o i_o begin_v to_o expostulate_v roundly_o with_o he_o and_o to_o let_v he_o understand_v that_o if_o i_o must_v not_o believe_v what_o i_o see_v he_o be_v like_a to_o be_v of_o no_o far_o use_v to_o i_o because_o i_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a at_o this_o rate_n to_o know_v whether_o i_o have_v a_o guide_n and_o whether_o i_o follow_v he_o or_o not_o in_o short_a i_o tell_v he_o plain_o that_o when_o i_o take_v he_o for_o my_o guide_n i_o do_v not_o take_v he_o to_o tell_v i_o the_o difference_n between_o north_n and_o south_n between_o a_o hedge_n and_o a_o highway_n between_o sea_n and_o dry_a land_n all_o this_o i_o know_v before_o as_o well_o as_o he_o or_o any_o man_n else_o can_v tell_v i_o but_o i_o take_v he_o to_o conduct_v and_o direct_v i_o the_o near_a way_n to_o york_n and_o therefore_o after_o all_o his_o impertinent_a talk_n after_o all_o his_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o persuade_v i_o to_o believe_v he_o and_o all_o his_o confident_a say_n which_o he_o grave_o call_v demonstration_n i_o stand_v stiff_o upon_o the_o shore_n and_o leave_v my_o learned_a and_o reverend_a guide_n to_o take_v his_o own_o course_n and_o to_o dispose_v of_o himself_o as_o he_o please_v but_o firm_o resolve_v not_o to_o follow_v he_o and_o be_v any_o man_n to_o be_v blame_v that_o break_v with_o his_o guide_n upon_o these_o term_n and_o this_o be_v true_o the_o case_n when_o a_o man_n commit_v himself_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o any_o person_n or_o church_n if_o by_o virtue_n of_o this_o authority_n they_o will_v needs_o persuade_v i_o out_o of_o my_o sense_n and_o not_o to_o believe_v what_o i_o see_v but_o what_o they_o say_v that_o virtue_n be_v vice_n and_o vice_n virtue_n if_o they_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v so_o and_o that_o because_o they_o say_v they_o be_v infallible_a i_o be_o to_o receive_v all_o their_o dictate_v for_o oracle_n though_o never_o so_o evident_o false_a and_o absurd_a in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o mankind_n in_o this_o case_n there_o be_v no_o way_n to_o be_v ride_v of_o these_o unreasonable_a people_n but_o to_o desire_v of_o they_o since_o one_o kindness_n deserve_v another_o and_o all_o contradiction_n be_v alike_o easy_a to_o be_v believe_v thâ—t_v they_o will_v be_v please_v to_o believe_v that_o infidelity_n be_v faith_n and_o that_o when_o i_o absolute_o renounce_v their_o authority_n i_o do_v yield_v a_o most_o perfect_a submission_n and_o obedience_n to_o it_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n all_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o the_o law_n of_o man_n go_v upon_o this_o presumption_n that_o man_n be_v not_o stark_a fool_n but_o that_o they_o will_v consider_v their_o interest_n and_o have_v some_o regard_n to_o the_o great_a concernment_n of_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o to_o secure_a man_n from_o mistake_n in_o matter_n of_o belief_n as_o god_n have_v afford_v to_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n in_o matter_n of_o practice_n he_o have_v make_v no_o effectual_a and_o infallible_a provision_n that_o man_n shall_v not_o sin_n and_o yet_o it_o will_v puzzle_v any_o man_n to_o give_v a_o good_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v take_v more_o care_n to_o secure_a man_n against_o error_n in_o belief_n than_o against_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n in_o their_o life_n i_o shall_v now_o only_o draw_v three_o or_o four_o inference_n from_o this_o discourse_n which_o i_o have_v make_v and_o so_o conclude_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v every_o man_n duty_n who_o have_v ability_n and_o capacity_n for_o it_o to_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v the_o ground_n of_o his_o religion_n for_o to_o try_v doctrine_n be_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o they_o which_o the_o better_a any_o man_n understand_v the_o more_o firm_o he_o will_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o truth_n and_o be_v the_o more_o resolute_a in_o the_o day_n of_o trial_n and_o the_o better_a able_a to_o withstand_v the_o art_n and_o assault_n of_o cunning_a adversary_n and_o the_o fierce_a storm_n of_o persecution_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o man_n will_v soon_o be_v move_v from_o his_o steadfastness_n who_o never_o examine_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o his_o belief_n when_o it_o come_v to_o the_o trial_n he_o that_o have_v but_o little_a to_o say_v for_o his_o religion_n will_v 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suspect_v their_o teacher_n and_o guide_n to_o have_v some_o ill_a design_n upon_o they_o when_o they_o do_v so_o industrious_o debar_v they_o of_o the_o mean_n of_o knowledge_n and_o be_v so_o very_o loath_a to_o let_v they_o understand_v what_o it_o be_v that_o we_o have_v to_o say_v against_o their_o religion_n for_o can_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v more_o suspicious_a than_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o put_v out_o their_o eye_n upon_o promise_n that_o they_o will_v help_v they_o to_o a_o much_o better_a and_o more_o faithful_a guide_n if_o any_o church_n any_o profession_n of_o man_n be_v unwilling_a their_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v expose_v to_o trial_n it_o be_v a_o certain_a sign_n they_o know_v something_o by_o