Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	heart_n	know_v	see_v	4,021	5	3.2352	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A86220	A discourse concerning the queries proposed by the House of Commons to the Assembly of Divines; about the divine right of Church Government in answer to two main questions. First, whether is be expedient to the State and Church, that the Assembly of Divines should answer those questions yea or no? Secondly, in case to be expedient; how they should be answered satisfactorily both to the conscionable and unconscionable disputer of the matter. Shewing first, the necessity of giving an answerr [sic]. Secondly, some necessary requisites to make that answer satisfactory to all, and without exception. / Written for the private satisfaction of a friend, anno Dom. 1646. And now published for more common use, by an unpartiall lover of truth and peace.	W. H.	1648 (1648)	Wing H152; Thomason E428_10; ESTC R204608	10,320	24

a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o query_n propose_v by_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n about_o the_o divine_a right_n of_o church_n government_n in_o answer_n to_o two_o main_a question_n first_o whether_o it_o be_v expedient_a to_o the_o state_n and_o church_n that_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n shall_v answer_v those_o question_n yea_o or_o no_o second_o in_o case_n it_o be_v expedient_a how_o they_o shall_v be_v answer_v satisfactory_o both_o to_o the_o conscionable_a and_o unconscionable_a disputer_n of_o the_o matter_n show_v first_n the_o necessity_n of_o give_v a_o answerr_n second_o some_o necessary_a requisite_n to_o make_v that_o answer_v satisfactory_a to_o all_o and_o without_o exception_n write_a for_o the_o private_a satisfaction_n of_o a_o friend_n anno_fw-la dom._n 1646._o and_o now_o publish_v for_o more_o common_a use_n by_o a_o unpartial_a lover_n of_o truth_n and_o peace_n london_n print_v for_o richard_n wodenothe_v at_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o star_n near_o saint_n peter_n church_n in_o cornhill_n 1648._o the_o publisher_n to_o the_o impartial_a reader_n reader_n this_o discourse_n gentle_a and_o impartial_a reader_n be_v write_v long_o ago_o that_o be_v soon_o after_o the_o query_n be_v propose_v to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n by_o the_o house_n of_o commons_o and_o the_o reason_n why_o then_o it_o be_v not_o put_v forth_o by_o he_o to_o who_o it_o be_v write_v be_v perhaps_o the_o same_o which_o occasion_v the_o stop_n of_o the_o answer_n which_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n be_v then_o prepare_v to_o the_o query_n namely_o a_o order_n of_o the_o house_n send_v to_o the_o assembly_n bid_v they_o forthwith_o to_o proceed_v to_o the_o confession_n of_o faith_n and_o catechism_n till_o they_o shall_v finish_v the_o same_o it_o seem_v by_o the_o order_n that_o the_o divine_n be_v take_v off_o from_o answer_v those_o query_n and_o it_o be_v likely_a that_o thereupon_o the_o author_n friend_n to_o who_o this_o discourse_n be_v send_v think_v it_o needless_a to_o publish_v it_o to_o the_o world_n but_o i_o have_v late_o see_v it_o and_o know_v the_o order_n that_o a_o answer_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o the_o query_n to_o be_v renew_v because_o i_o think_v the_o discourse_n worthy_a of_o the_o consideration_n of_o all_o that_o lay_v the_o query_n to_o heart_n have_v use_v mean_n to_o advance_v it_o to_o the_o press_n my_o design_n be_v chief_o to_o provoke_v such_o as_o be_v in_o love_n with_o truth_n to_o follow_v the_o temper_n of_o this_o man_n spirit_n in_o the_o search_n thereof_o and_o then_o also_o to_o call_v upon_o the_o author_n himself_o who_o have_v offer_v these_o advice_n unto_o other_o that_o see_v he_o have_v convince_o show_v that_o a_o settle_a rule_n and_o method_n of_o interpretation_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o therefore_o he_o will_v if_o he_o have_v any_o talon_n in_o this_o kind_n discharge_v his_o conscience_n by_o hold_v forth_o unto_o the_o child_n of_o truth_n that_o which_o he_o perhaps_o do_v further_o know_v or_o have_v elaborate_v concern_v that_o rule_n and_o method_n than_o any_o other_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n so_o far_o beyond_o either_o the_o thought_n or_o hope_n of_o most_o man_n and_o certain_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o useful_a to_o the_o composure_n of_o our_o scriptural_a controversy_n than_o this_o rule_n if_o it_o can_v be_v gain_v therefore_o such_o as_o know_v the_o author_n and_o have_v any_o interest_n in_o he_o shall_v press_v he_o to_o enlarge_v himself_o upon_o this_o subject_a but_o especial_o in_o my_o humble_a opinion_n the_o hono_fw-mi rabble_n house_n itself_o shall_v be_v move_v in_o some_o particular_a manner_n by_o their_o call_n to_o set_v he_o apart_o and_o to_o enjoin_v he_o thereunto_o and_o give_v he_o all_o possible_a encouragement_n for_o the_o perfect_a of_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a concernment_n wherein_o he_o be_v a_o debtor_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o to_o they_o and_o to_o the_o public_a course_n of_o spiritual_a learning_n w._n h._n imprimatur_fw-la john_n downame_fw-la errata_fw-la pag._n 1._o line_n 17._o universal_a r._n universal_a p._n 5._o l._n 2._o of_o those_o truth_n r._n of_o those_o main_a truth_n p._n 6._o l._n 31._o be_v bind_v r._n bind_v p._n 7._o ancient_a r._n ancient_a l._n 22._o and_o answer_v r._n a_o answer_n p._n 8._o l._n 7._o faith_n r._n belief_n l._n 11._o which_o be_v propose_v r._n which_o shall_v be_v propose_v p._n 9_o l._n 24._o entrance_n r._n envy_n p._n 10._o which_o they_o proceed_v to_o discover_v r._n they_o discover_v truth_n l._n 29._o hold_v forth_o r._n hold_v forth_o p._n 11._o l._n 25._o proceed_v universal_o sit_v r._n proceed_v will_v be_v universal_o fit_a p._n 12._o l._n 14._o from_o these_o r._n they_o l._n 33._o answerable_o r._n answerable_a p._n 13._o l_o 4_o so_o different_a r._n so_o many_o different_a l._n 27._o who_o be_v r._n that_o be_v l._n 28._o doubt_n in_o r._n doubt_v a_o l._n 28_o 29._o by_o which_o man_n r._n by_o which_o all_o man_n l._n 30._o my_o decision_n r._n any_o decision_n l._n 33._o particular_a r._n particular_n p._n 14._o l._n 10._o simple_a r._n single_a l._n 11._o as_o that_o r._n as_o the_o l._n 20._o of_o the_o one_o r._n in_o the_o one_o l._n 21._o in_o their_o r._n by_o their_o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o query_n propose_v by_o the_o house_n of_o commons_z to_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n worthy_a sir_n this_o state_n will_v be_v happy_a if_o all_o that_o manage_v public_a affair_n do_v mind_v the_o true_a interest_n thereof_o with_o zeal_n and_o simplicity_n as_o you_o do_v the_o great_a cause_n of_o our_o misery_n be_v that_o man_n of_o public_a employment_n have_v no_o public_a spirit_n few_o there_o be_v that_o walk_n in_o the_o light_n open_o according_a to_o the_o royal_a law_n of_o liberty_n for_o almost_o all_o be_v snare_v in_o hole_n and_o hide_v in_o prison_n house_n the_o hole_n be_v their_o private_a interest_n and_o end_n without_o which_o nothing_o almost_o be_v do_v for_o the_o public_a by_o any_o body_n and_o the_o prison_n house_n be_v the_o party_n to_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v for_o most_o man_n act_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o prejudice_n rather_o to_o cross_v a_o opposite_a party_n then_o to_o advance_v the_o universal_a good_a of_o all_o therefore_o matter_n which_o be_v name_v public_a be_v carry_v rather_o by_o strife_n and_o debate_n then_o in_o a_o peaceable_a way_n and_o destruction_n be_v find_v to_o be_v the_o path_n of_o many_o rather_o than_o edification_n in_o love_n but_o see_v you_o be_v enable_v to_o raise_v your_o mind_n above_o the_o thought_n of_o such_o as_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o sense_n of_o their_o flesh_n to_o run_v into_o party_n and_o do_v not_o inquire_v so_o much_o after_o the_o miscarriage_n of_o other_o to_o lay_v they_o open_a and_o to_o clamour_n against_o they_o before_o the_o world_n as_o after_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n whereby_o all_o may_v come_v unto_o the_o acknowledgement_n and_o apprehension_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o be_v after_o godliness_n see_v i_o say_v this_o be_v your_o commendable_a endeavour_n and_o study_v i_o think_v it_o my_o duty_n to_o contribute_v what_o i_o can_v to_o your_o furtherance_n therein_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n shall_v be_v at_o this_o time_n willing_a to_o let_v you_o know_v my_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o doubt_n which_o you_o make_v concern_v the_o question_n which_o be_v offer_v by_o the_o parliament_n unto_o the_o assembly_n of_o divine_n to_o be_v resolve_v the_o query_n whereunto_o you_o seek_v a_o impartial_a answer_n be_v two_o first_o whether_o yea_o or_o no_o it_o be_v expedient_a for_o the_o church_n and_o state_n that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o assembly_n shall_v answer_v these_o question_n second_o if_o it_o be_v expedient_a that_o a_o answer_n shall_v be_v give_v thereunto_o than_o your_o further_a question_n be_v of_o the_o manner_n how_o that_o answer_n shall_v be_v make_v namely_o what_o must_v be_v intend_v to_o make_v it_o such_o as_o will_v give_v to_o those_o who_o doubt_v of_o the_o matter_n conscionable_o just_a satisfaction_n and_o will_v take_v away_o from_o other_o who_o desire_v no_o satisfaction_n but_o rather_o pretence_n of_o cavil_v all_o just_a occasion_n of_o contradiction_n and_o of_o multiply_v new_a question_n in_o infinitum_fw-la for_o you_o do_v prudent_o and_o just_o conceive_v that_o no_o answer_n will_v be_v better_o than_o one_o that_o be_v not_o satisfactory_a because_o it_o may_v be_v the_o end_n of_o some_o statist_n and_o lawyer_n be_v to_o make_v the_o question_n endless_a for_o see_v they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o gain_v either_o the_o whole_a power_n over_o the_o church_n therein_o to_o

rule_v all_o at_o their_o own_o will_n or_o the_o privilege_n to_o be_v exempt_a from_o all_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n by_o a_o express_a ordinance_n of_o parliament_n it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o they_o will_v endeavour_v to_o gain_v it_o some_o other_o way_n namely_o by_o the_o unsettlement_n of_o all_o and_o by_o argument_n in_o deny_v to_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v due_a to_o it_o and_o this_o perhaps_o they_o will_v attempt_v by_o some_o endless_a dispute_n about_o the_o point_n of_o right_a to_o make_v the_o civil_a and_o ecclesiastical_a pretence_n of_o right_n unto_o power_n clash_n together_o irreconciliable_o for_o so_o long_o as_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o decide_v they_o will_v pretend_v to_o a_o liberty_n to_o do_v what_o they_o listen_v and_o without_o control_n will_v cast_v the_o cord_n of_o christ_n from_o they_o which_o be_v all_o the_o world_n aim_v at_o in_o this_o controversy_n as_o be_v clear_a by_o psal_n 2.3_o now_o than_o although_o this_o inconvenience_n may_v seem_v unavoidable_a as_o matter_n now_o stand_v with_o we_o and_o although_o the_o remedy_n which_o you_o inquire_v after_o be_v somewhat_o difficult_a to_o be_v find_v yet_o i_o shall_v brief_o open_v my_o thought_n thereof_o unto_o you_o if_o perhaps_o something_o from_o hence_o may_v be_v hint_v to_o yourself_o or_o other_o for_o the_o facilitate_v of_o the_o work_n therefore_o to_o the_o first_o question_n i_o say_v that_o it_o will_v be_v very_o expedient_a for_o the_o divine_n to_o answer_v the_o question_n propose_v unto_o they_o for_o these_o three_o principal_a cause_n 1_o because_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o such_o consequence_n in_o respect_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n that_o in_o conscience_n they_o be_v bind_v to_o give_v a_o resolution_n thereof_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v able_a 2_o because_o the_o constitution_n of_o this_o state_n and_o church_n be_v such_o at_o this_o time_n that_o except_o this_o matter_n be_v satisfactory_o decide_v there_o be_v no_o settlement_n at_o all_o to_o be_v expect_v therein_o and_o the_o whole_a guilt_n of_o our_o public_a confusion_n will_v be_v impute_v unto_o the_o divine_n 3_o because_o their_o call_n and_o engagement_n to_o give_v a_o answer_n be_v so_o public_a and_o obligatory_a that_o if_o they_o decline_v to_o do_v their_o duty_n they_o will_v not_o only_o lose_v their_o reputation_n in_o this_o cause_n and_o most_o of_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o ministry_n and_o give_v their_o adversary_n matter_n of_o triumph_n over_o they_o but_o they_o will_v prejudge_v extreme_o the_o right_n of_o all_o the_o best_a reform_a church_n to_o their_o disadvantage_n if_o these_o reason_n be_v well_o consider_v it_o will_v appear_v not_o only_o expedient_a but_o even_o necessary_a that_o a_o answer_v be_v give_v to_o the_o question_n which_o i_o shall_v brief_o endeavour_v to_o let_v you_o see_v first_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v such_o that_o to_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n and_o complete_a be_v of_o a_o true_a church_n nothing_o be_v more_o necessary_a then_o to_o know_v by_o what_o right_a the_o officer_n thereof_o stand_v in_o their_o charge_n and_o how_o they_o be_v authorize_v to_o execute_v the_o government_n and_o judicature_n belong_v thereunto_o and_o if_o the_o royalty_n of_o christ_n power_n in_o government_n and_o in_o spiritual_a judicature_n be_v so_o high_o concern_v in_o this_o matter_n that_o except_o this_o plea_n be_v maintain_v his_o prerogative_n over_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n will_v be_v disclaim_v and_o give_v up_o to_o the_o will_n of_o worldling_n then_o certain_o no_o faithful_a minister_n who_o do_v believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o only_a king_n of_o soul_n can_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v silent_a when_o this_o his_o right_n be_v call_v into_o question_n for_o see_v their_o call_n be_v to_o bear_v witness_n unto_o he_o their_o silence_n in_o such_o a_o matter_n will_v be_v a_o great_a breach_n of_o trust_n and_o if_o christ_n in_o that_o good_a confession_n which_o he_o make_v before_o pontius_n pilate_n joh._n 18.35_o 36_o 37._o do_v profess_v that_o he_o be_v indeed_o a_o king_n but_o that_o his_o kingdom_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n how_o can_v any_o of_o his_o officer_n in_o that_o kingdom_n be_v count_v faithful_a unto_o he_o if_o they_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o encroach_v upon_o the_o right_n of_o his_o jurisdiction_n for_o if_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o world_n they_o can_v be_v give_v up_o unto_o the_o world_n for_o the_o rule_n be_v give_v unto_o caesar_n what_o be_v caesar_n and_o unto_o god_n what_o be_v go_n therefore_o if_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o assembly_n lie_v this_o matter_n to_o heart_n as_o believe_v it_o to_o concern_v main_o christ_n royal_a prerogative_n i_o can_v see_v how_o their_o conscience_n will_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v silent_a in_o the_o vindication_n of_o his_o right_n for_o christ_n when_o he_o himself_o be_v question_v before_o a_o worldly_a judge_n concern_v the_o point_n of_o right_n to_o his_o kingdom_n attest_v the_o truth_n thereof_o although_o it_o be_v lay_v to_o his_o charge_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o high_a treason_n and_o have_v plain_o declare_v that_o he_o be_v a_o king_n he_o do_v add_v immediate_o these_o word_n to_o this_o end_n be_v i_o bear_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n come_v i_o into_o the_o world_n that_o i_o shall_v bear_v witness_n unto_o the_o truth_n thereby_o intimate_v that_o this_o be_v one_o of_o those_o truth_n which_o he_o be_v to_o manifest_v unto_o the_o world_n although_o it_o may_v be_v with_o the_o peril_n of_o his_o life_n and_o if_o this_o be_v of_o such_o importance_n for_o he_o to_o declare_v sure_o it_o be_v of_o no_o less_o importance_n for_o we_o to_o know_v and_o in_o case_n of_o doubt_n to_o be_v resolve_v of_o for_o as_o it_o do_v concern_v on_o the_o one_o side_n the_o right_n which_o christ_n have_v to_o his_o spiritual_a crown_n that_o his_o title_n may_v be_v clear_v and_o all_o worldly_a pretence_n of_o power_n over_o it_o take_v away_o so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o do_v concern_v our_o conscience_n to_o be_v inform_v under_o who_o they_o must_v stand_v in_o point_n of_o judicature_n and_o what_o christ_n will_n and_o appointment_n be_v who_o be_v the_o undoubted_a king_n of_o soul_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o the_o same_o in_o doubtful_a matter_n and_o as_o the_o matter_n be_v thus_o important_a in_o respect_n of_o christ_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o of_o our_o conscience_n in_o order_n to_o he_o so_o it_o be_v of_o that_o consequence_n to_o this_o church_n and_o state_n that_o it_o bring_v with_o it_o no_o less_o than_o the_o to_o tall_a dissolution_n or_o happy_a establishment_n thereof_o for_o if_o this_o matter_n be_v clear_o determine_v according_a to_o the_o word_n god_n then_o the_o church_n of_o this_o kingdom_n may_v be_v order_v and_o settle_v in_o peace_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o state_n will_v be_v settle_v also_o which_o now_o be_v shake_v by_o reason_n of_o this_o un-settlement_n for_o it_o be_v christ_n that_o do_v bear_v up_o the_o pillar_n of_o the_o earth_n psal_n 75.3_o and_o to_o he_o be_v the_o gather_n of_o the_o people_n gen._n 49.10_o now_o they_o can_v be_v gather_v to_o he_o without_o a_o government_n nor_o can_v the_o pillar_n of_o the_o earth_n stand_v without_o order_n and_o if_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o determine_v one_o way_n or_o other_o nothing_o can_v possible_o ensue_v but_o endless_a continuance_n of_o division_n and_o strife_n which_o be_v remediless_a without_o the_o decision_n of_o these_o doubt_n will_v at_o last_o produce_v inevitable_a ruin_n both_o to_o church_n and_o state_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v clear_a because_o the_o relation_n which_o man_n have_v unto_o god_n in_o respect_n of_o conscience_n not_o be_v settle_v all_o other_o relation_n will_v be_v dissolve_v for_o if_o christ_n will_n be_v not_o know_v or_o regard_v in_o his_o government_n of_o spirit_n no_o man_n spirit_n will_v regard_v the_o will_n of_o any_o other_o government_n and_o power_n further_o than_o he_o be_v either_o by_o fear_n constrain_v or_o for_o his_o own_o end_n he_o think_v good_a to_o comply_v with_o other_o to_o serve_v his_o own_o turn_n of_o they_o for_o natural_o thus_o far_o and_o no_o further_o one_o man_n do_v yield_v unto_o another_o so_o that_o for_o want_n of_o that_o rule_n whereby_o man_n conscience_n may_v be_v wrought_v upon_o and_o spirit_n direct_v in_o the_o concernment_n of_o religion_n to_o prevent_v or_o remedy_v scandal_n all_o other_o rule_n will_v be_v break_v and_o cast_v off_o because_o every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o arbitrement_n to_o do_v without_o the_o controlment_n of_o true_a spiritual_a government_n whatsoever_o he_o please_v in_o matter_n

of_o conscience_n will_v frame_v his_o conscience_n to_o his_o own_o will_n and_o intend_v only_o to_o please_v himself_o will_v not_o regard_v any_o other_o by_o any_o other_o rule_n then_o that_o of_o his_o own_o conveniency_n and_o if_o in_o the_o great_a matter_n the_o spirit_n of_o man_n will_v be_v let_v loose_a thus_o to_o run_v riot_n what_o shall_v restrain_v or_o direct_v they_o in_o matter_n of_o lesser_a concernment_n thus_o till_o the_o high_a sphere_n of_o government_n relate_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v in_o a_o right_a frame_n all_o the_o low_a relate_v the_o outward_a man_n in_o civil_a conversation_n will_v be_v out_o of_o order_n and_o where_o no_o order_n be_v settle_v in_o worldly_a matter_n there_o natural_o every_o one_o will_v order_v himself_o according_a to_o his_o strength_n and_o other_o advantage_n to_o the_o prejuduce_v and_o in_o the_o end_n to_o the_o oppression_n of_o his_o neighbour_n for_o natural_o he_o that_o be_v strong_a will_v make_v use_n of_o his_o strength_n to_o over_o rule_v the_o weak_a and_o subject_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n to_o his_o own_o will_n except_o his_o conscience_n be_v overawe_v by_o the_o rule_n of_o religion_n and_o be_v bonnd_v up_o thereby_o and_o make_v willing_a to_o deny_v himself_o for_o where_o this_o be_v not_o inward_o and_o no_o government_n settle_v outward_o there_o every_o one_o will_v be_v oppress_v by_o his_o neighbour_n 3.5_o isa_n 3.5_o and_o the_o child_n will_v behave_v himself_o proud_o against_o the_o ancient_a and_o the_o base_a against_o the_o honourable_a therefore_o see_v the_o setlement_n of_o this_o high_a sphere_n of_o government_n can_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v in_o this_o state_n at_o this_o time_n without_o the_o determination_n of_o these_o question_n the_o guilt_n of_o all_o the_o evil_n that_o will_v ensue_v upon_o our_o continue_a unsetlement_a will_v lie_v at_o the_o door_n of_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o assembly_n if_o they_o decline_v to_o give_v their_o answer_n 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will_v be_v lose_v if_o they_o show_v not_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o judgement_n for_o they_o be_v accuse_v to_o affect_v a_o arbitrary_a power_n of_o judicature_n and_o if_o they_o make_v it_o not_o apparent_a that_o the_o judicature_n which_o they_o challenge_v be_v not_o arbitrary_a but_o subordinate_a and_o legal_a in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n they_o shall_v just_o fall_v before_o their_o accuser_n and_o may_v be_v count_v presumptuous_a and_o tyrannical_a in_o their_o place_n and_o consequent_o lose_v the_o right_n whereunto_o they_o pretend_v and_o although_o they_o have_v not_o by_o any_o declaration_n thus_o engage_v themselves_o in_o the_o cause_n yet_o the_o supreme_a magistrate_n call_v by_o who_o authority_n they_o sit_v and_o the_o end_n wherefore_o they_o be_v call_v together_o do_v full_o oblige_v and_o necessitate_v they_o to_o give_v a_o answer_n for_o they_o be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o do_v ask_v a_o reason_n of_o they_o of_o their_o hope_n 1_o pet._n 3.15_o and_o if_o of_o their_o hope_n then_o also_o of_o their_o faith_n and_o judgement_n whereof_o they_o have_v declare_v this_o to_o be_v a_o part_n and_o if_o to_o every_o one_o then_o far_o more_o to_o their_o magistrate_n who_o have_v set_v they_o apart_o and_o authorize_v they_o to_o declare_v their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n which_o be_v propose_v unto_o they_o it_o be_v then_o a_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a duty_n whereunto_o they_o be_v bind_v in_o conscience_n to_o apply_v themselves_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v decline_v it_o it_o will_v not_o only_o open_v the_o mouth_n of_o all_o their_o adversary_n who_o already_o begin_v to_o give_v out_o that_o they_o can_v answer_v the_o question_n and_o therefore_o have_v quit_v the_o plea_n of_o a_o jus_fw-la divinum_fw-la but_o pre-judge_n all_o the_o protestant_a church_n right_n which_o else_o where_o they_o enjoy_v under_o their_o civil_a magistrate_n without_o control_n which_o by_o this_o occasion_n will_v become_v doubtful_a and_o questionable_a and_o final_o this_o silence_n as_o it_o will_v betray_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o church_n to_o the_o world_n and_o involve_v all_o into_o confusion_n so_o it_o will_v no_o doubt_n bring_v some_o exemplary_a judgement_n both_o upon_o these_o that_o decline_v so_o necessary_a a_o duty_n in_o such_o a_o time_n of_o reformation_n and_o upon_o the_o whole_a ministry_n of_o this_o land_n which_o just_o will_v become_v for_o this_o cause_n more_o contemptible_a than_o any_o in_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o for_o these_o reason_n i_o conceive_v it_o not_o only_o expedient_a but_o even_o necessary_a that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o assembly_n shall_v set_v themselves_o as_o one_o man_n to_o answer_v the_o question_n satisfactory_o so_o far_o as_o god_n shall_v enable_v they_o but_o now_o to_o speak_v to_o the_o second_o question_n how_o this_o may_v be_v do_v both_o satisfactory_o to_o the_o conscionable_a and_o also_o full_o to_o the_o unconscionable_a so_o as_o to_o prevent_v cavil_v and_o multiply_v of_o new_a question_n be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o small_a difficulty_n to_o determine_v yet_o let_v we_o try_v what_o may_v be_v say_v unto_o it_o i_o suppose_v then_o to_o resolve_v any_o doubt_n satisfactory_o two_o thing_n be_v requisite_a first_o the_o mind_n must_v be_v free_a from_o all_o prejudicate_a opinion_n second_o some_o evident_a and_o undeniable_a rule_n must_v be_v know_v and_o follow_v by_o which_o the_o matter_n in_o doubt_n may_v be_v determine_v for_o if_o the_o mind_n be_v not_o free_a from_o prejudice_n it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o rule_n and_o although_o it_o be_v free_a from_o prejudice_n if_o it_o want_v a_o sure_a rule_n to_o walk_v by_o in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n it_o will_v never_o be_v satisfactory_o resolve_v of_o doubt_n but_o if_o both_o it_o be_v free_a from_o all_o forestallment_n and_o partiality_n and_o have_v also_o a_o sure_a directory_n to_o lead_v it_o unto_o the_o discovery_n of_o hide_a matter_n than_o it_o may_v be_v able_a both_o to_o find_v out_o and_o hold_v forth_o the_o resolution_n of_o doubt_n demonstrative_o for_o to_o prevent_v cavil_v it_o be_v necessary_a both_o that_o the_o way_n of_o find_v out_o and_o of_o hold_v forth_o truth_n be_v demonstrative_a if_o therefore_o the_o divine_n be_v free_a from_o all_o partiality_n and_o mind_v nothing_o but_o the_o simple_a manifestation_n of_o the_o truth_n in_o their_o heart_n as_o i_o be_o persuade_v they_o will_v do_v according_a to_o the_o protestation_n which_o they_o make_v at_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o assembly_n can_v show_v a_o undeniable_a rule_n by_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o doubtful_a matter_n in_o divinity_n may_v certain_o be_v find_v out_o and_o can_v make_v it_o apparent_a that_o in_o the_o search_n of_o a_o resolution_n to_o these_o question_n they_o have_v follow_v that_o rule_n without_o waver_v from_o it_o then_o i_o suppose_v that_o the_o thing_n which_o you_o require_v to_o be_v do_v may_v be_v effect_v namely_o that_o the_o conscionable_a will_v be_v satisfy_v the_o unconscionable_a cut_v off_o from_o cavil_v pretence_n because_o all_o matter_n of_o doubt_n if_o they_o hold_v fast_o receive_v principle_n and_o will_v not_o fall_v to_o scepticism_n will_v be_v reduce_v to_o these_o two_o nead_n namely_o to_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o proceed_v to_o discover_v truth_n or_o to_o the_o right_a application_n of_o those_o rule_n unto_o the_o question_n to_o be_v resolve_v for_o if_o no_o exception_n can_v be_v make_v neither_o against_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n in_o themselves_o nor_o at_o the_o use_n which_o be_v make_v of_o they_o for_o the_o determination_n of_o matter_n in_o hand_n then_o i_o suppose_v all_o objection_n will_v be_v prevent_v therefore_o if_o i_o may_v have_v my_o

wish_n i_o can_v desire_v that_o all_o divine_n or_o conscionable_a man_n before_o they_o set_v upon_o any_o question_n to_o resolve_v they_o in_o particular_a will_v set_v down_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o do_v order_v themselves_o in_o their_o meditation_n for_o the_o impartial_a decision_n of_o scripturall_a doubt_n this_o i_o will_v have_v they_o to_o do_v that_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v upon_o due_a search_n that_o their_o way_n in_o answer_v doubt_n be_v clear_a before_o they_o that_o they_o be_v not_o sway_v by_o any_o interest_n of_o their_o own_o or_o by_o any_o forestallment_n of_o receive_a opinion_n from_o other_o man_n of_o their_o own_o side_n or_o by_o any_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o course_n of_o humane_a learning_n which_o may_v have_v any_o influence_n upon_o they_o to_o bias_n their_o thought_n and_o take_v they_o off_o from_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o that_o their_o light_n do_v come_v clear_o from_o the_o word_n itself_o alone_o by_o a_o scientifical_a way_n of_o truth_n demonstrable_a unto_o all_o man_n of_o capacity_n to_o be_v such_o and_o rise_v from_o such_o undeniable_a principle_n of_o interpretation_n which_o all_o understand_a christian_n do_v acknowledge_v and_o receive_v as_o undoubted_a for_o when_o man_n can_v give_v a_o account_n unto_o themselves_o by_o a_o search_n of_o their_o own_o intellectual_a proceed_n that_o the_o light_n which_o they_o hold_v forth_o from_o the_o word_n unto_o other_o be_v thus_o beget_v in_o they_o they_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o be_v much_o contradict_v if_o they_o can_v but_o make_v themselves_o to_o be_v understand_v in_o what_o they_o hold_v forth_o or_o serious_o mind_v and_o consider_v in_o the_o way_n by_o which_o they_o hold_v it_o forth_o in_o doubtful_a case_n and_o true_o because_o the_o way_n of_o scripturall_a interpretation_n be_v not_o agree_v upon_o among_o divine_n therefore_o most_o man_n be_v lead_v rather_o by_o opinion_n to_o 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obloquy_n will_v be_v prevent_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o a_o way_n find_v to_o direct_v all_o man_n that_o be_v impartial_o rational_a to_o enlarge_v the_o knowledge_n of_o scripturall_a truth_n from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o scripturall_a ground_n so_o as_o to_o avoid_v the_o entanglement_n of_o mere_a humane_a and_o philosophical_a notion_n and_o the_o deceit_n of_o a_o science_n salf_o so_o call_v because_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o in_o this_o matter_n shall_v proceed_v universal_o sit_v to_o determine_v other_o doubt_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n so_o far_o as_o by_o the_o open_n of_o the_o sense_n of_o holy_a scripture_n and_o by_o the_o application_n thereof_o unto_o humane_a case_n they_o be_v determinable_a and_o that_o some_o such_o rule_n may_v be_v find_v and_o must_v be_v fight_v after_o if_o ever_o we_o shall_v receive_v satisfaction_n in_o scripturall_a doubt_n may_v thus_o be_v make_v apparent_a first_o we_o all_o confess_v that_o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o divine_a truth_n but_o that_o which_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o word_n or_o consonant_n unto_o the_o testimony_n thereof_o now_o it_o be_v clear_a that_o the_o word_n can_v be_v say_v proper_o to_o attest_v any_o thing_n to_o we_o except_o we_o understand_v the_o meaning_n thereof_o nor_o can_v we_o be_v say_v to_o understand_v the_o meaning_n thereof_o except_o we_o know_v a_o reason_n why_o we_o conceive_v it_o to_o be_v so_o as_o we_o apprehend_v it_o to_o be_v and_o not_o otherwise_o nor_o can_v such_o a_o reason_n be_v know_v without_o some_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n and_o meditation_n which_o be_v demonstrable_a to_o lead_v the_o mind_n of_o those_o that_o use_v the_o same_o into_o truth_n nor_o can_v these_o rule_n be_v demonstrable_a except_o they_o arise_v from_o such_o common_a and_o undeniable_a principle_n which_o all_o rational_a man_n in_o matter_n of_o that_o kind_n do_v take_v as_o grant_v see_v i_o say_v these_o thing_n be_v so_o it_o follow_v that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o principle_n then_o from_o these_o rule_n may_v be_v take_v to_o lead_v the_o doubt_a mind_n unto_o the_o apprehension_n of_o truth_n and_o if_o such_o rule_n may_v be_v have_v they_o shall_v be_v hold_v forth_o for_o if_o they_o can_v not_o be_v hold_v forth_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o scripturall_a interpretation_n and_o all_o interpretation_n be_v alike_o to_o be_v receive_v but_o this_o be_v absurd_a and_o destructive_a to_o all_o common_a principle_n and_o to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n it_o follow_v evident_o that_o rule_n may_v be_v have_v and_o must_v be_v seek_v after_o and_o know_v and_o receive_v before_o any_o scripturall_a doubt_n and_o disputable_a matter_n can_v be_v resolve_v satisfactory_o therefore_o the_o only_a true_a mean_n to_o prevent_v contradiction_n and_o endless_a debate_n will_v be_v to_o show_v the_o method_n of_o intellectual_a proceed_n unpartial_o regulate_v towards_o the_o decision_n of_o doubt_n and_o 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