argue_v some_o superior_a operation_n and_o we_o must_v attribute_v they_o to_o god_n or_o the_o devil_n according_o have_v man_n use_v to_o difference_n they_o as_o they_o tend_v to_o a_o good_a or_o a_o bad_a design_n hence_o we_o find_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n two_o character_n of_o a_o false_a prophet_n and_o consequent_o as_o many_o of_o a_o true_a as_o i_o have_v hint_v immediate_o before_o 1_o if_o the_o sign_n or_o wonder_v that_o he_o give_v for_o confirmation_n of_o what_o he_o pretend_v in_o its_o design_n destroy_v natural_a religion_n i._n e._n what_o proceed_v from_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o man_n for_o if_o there_o arise_v among_o you_o a_o prophet_n or_o a_o dreamer_n of_o dream_n and_o the_o sign_n or_o wonder_v come_v to_o pass_v which_o he_o give_v thou_o if_o this_o be_v wrought_v to_o draw_v man_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o only_a one_o god_n to_o pay_v divine_a homage_n to_o a_o false_a one_o or_o to_o many_o the_o sign_n be_v permit_v only_o to_o prove_v they_o and_o such_o a_o prophet_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v account_v false_a but_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n for_o his_o villainy_n and_o imposture_n deut._n 13._o at_o the_o begin_n 2._o when_o the_o prophecy_n be_v not_o true_a and_o the_o thing_n foretell_v follow_v not_o it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o the_o prophecy_n be_v bold_a and_o presumptuous_a and_o what_o he_o that_o be_v a_o god_n of_o truth_n never_o commission_v the_o prophet_n to_o deliver_v deut._n 18.22_o when_o sign_n therefore_o and_o wonder_n be_v real_o effect_v that_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o religion_n establish_v what_o be_v write_v in_o man_n heart_n and_o destroy_v all_o that_o god_n have_v forbid_v and_o fix_v nothing_o contradictory_n to_o what_o have_v be_v confirm_v to_o the_o jew_n but_o what_o do_v prefigure_v this_o new_a method_n and_o at_o such_o a_o particular_a period_n of_o the_o world_n be_v predict_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v destroy_v they_o must_v needs_o confirm_v the_o truth_n which_o those_o man_n deliver_v who_o have_v sufficient_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o work_v they_o miracle_n be_v thing_n rational_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v sufficient_a sign_n of_o the_o divine_a commission_n of_o those_o who_o be_v permit_v to_o work_v they_o when_o they_o carry_v especial_o such_o character_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n in_o their_o nature_n or_o in_o their_o frequency_n and_o continuation_n as_o no_o devil_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v grant_v to_o he_o nor_o any_o man_n can_v possible_o effect_v to_o do_v mischief_n in_o the_o world_n thus_o when_o moses_n deliver_v the_o law_n his_o speech_n be_v follow_v with_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n and_o the_o smoke_n of_o the_o mountain_n deut._n 20.18_o which_o sufficient_o confirm_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o moral_a and_o prepare_v the_o people_n for_o a_o obedient_a reception_n of_o the_o judicial_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o thus_o be_v it_o also_o at_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o gospel_n when_o s._n john_n the_o baptist_n send_v two_o of_o his_o disciple_n unto_o christ_n to_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n that_o be_v to_o give_v law_n unto_o the_o world_n our_o saviour_n return_v this_o answer_n tell_v john_n what_o thing_n you_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v how_o that_o the_o blind_a see_v the_o lame_a walk_n the_o leper_n be_v cleanse_v the_o deaf_a hear_v the_o dead_a be_v raise_v luke_o 7.22_o these_o miracle_n so_o full_a of_o goodness_n and_o divine_a influence_n be_v a_o sufficient_a attestation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n hence_o he_o make_v the_o same_o reply_n also_o to_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o propose_v the_o same_o question_n the_o work_n that_o i_o do_v in_o my_o father_n name_n they_o bear_v witness_n of_o i_o john_n 10.25_o and_o therefore_o say_v he_o of_o the_o same_o person_n if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v among_o they_o the_o work_n which_o none_o other_o man_n do_v they_o have_v have_v no_o sin_n if_o i_o have_v not_o do_v miracle_n far_o beyond_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n who_o yet_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o what_o these_o do_v they_o believe_v they_o may_v reasonable_o have_v plead_v their_o law_n against_o i_o which_o then_o have_v be_v bless_v with_o as_o noble_a a_o establishment_n as_o what_o i_o now_o pretend_v to_o deliver_v but_o now_o that_o i_o do_v such_o work_n which_o no_o man_n ever_o yet_o do_v before_o i_o they_o have_v no_o cloak_n at_o all_o for_o their_o sin_n nor_o any_o excuse_n for_o their_o unbelief_n john_n 15.24_o now_o as_o miracle_n argue_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o saviour_n doctrine_n so_o they_o lead_v his_o disciple_n into_o the_o same_o truth_n for_o from_o those_o miracle_n which_o they_o see_v he_o do_v in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n they_o may_v reasonable_o be_v induce_v to_o believe_v what_o he_o deliver_v to_o they_o and_o when_o the_o power_n be_v yet_o continue_v to_o themselves_o they_o may_v well_o infer_v that_o they_o be_v still_o guide_v into_o the_o truth_n since_o the_o holy_a ghost_n thus_o seal_v it_o to_o themselves_o and_o other_o and_o they_o have_v so_o powerful_a and_o divine_a a_o testimony_n to_o what_o they_o apprehend_v and_o deliver_v thus_o when_o they_o have_v receive_v that_o commission_n from_o our_o saviour_n to_o go_v into_o the_o world_n and_o to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n to_o every_o creature_n they_o go_v forth_o and_o preach_v every_o where_o the_o lord_n work_v with_o they_o and_o confirm_v the_o word_n with_o sign_n follow_v mark_n 16.20_o the_o same_o be_v attest_v by_o the_o author_n to_o the_o hebrew_n that_o god_n bear_v the_o apostle_n witness_v with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o divers_a miracle_n and_o distribution_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o his_o will_n heb._n 2.4_o this_o be_v the_o testimony_n he_o give_v unto_o the_o truth_n by_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v by_o those_o who_o publish_v and_o own_v the_o doctrine_n of_o our_o saviour_n evidence_v its_o divinity_n to_o themselves_o and_o other_o for_o we_o say_v the_o apostle_n be_v witness_n of_o these_o thing_n and_o so_o be_v also_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o god_n have_v give_v to_o they_o that_o obey_v he_o act_n 5.32_o last_o the_o holy_a spirit_n guide_v the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a disciple_n into_o all_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o a_o extraordinary_a support_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o great_a and_o rage_a persecution_n both_o scripture_n and_o ecclesiastical_a history_n inform_v we_o what_o trial_n and_o conflict_n these_o have_v for_o the_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o a_o firm_a adhesion_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n their_o whole_a life_n be_v a_o continue_a tragedy_n which_o do_v not_o end_n but_o in_o blood_n and_o death_n the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n be_v such_o in_o those_o day_n that_o all_o that_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n must_v suffer_v persecution_n 2_o tim._n 3.12_o nothing_o but_o cruelty_n from_o their_o severe_a adversary_n attend_v the_o profession_n and_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v the_o principal_a foundation_n of_o that_o argument_n of_o s._n paul_n to_o prove_v the_o hope_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o resurrection_n if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n in_o christ_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a 1_o cor._n 15.19_o hence_o the_o apostle_n argue_v the_o hebrew_n to_o patience_n and_o courage_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o suffering_n from_o the_o reflection_n upon_o what_o they_o have_v already_o overcome_v that_o they_o may_v not_o by_o a_o future_a cowardice_n lose_v the_o reward_n of_o their_o former_a adventure_n call_v to_o mind_n say_v he_o the_o former_a day_n in_o which_o after_o you_o be_v illuminate_v you_o endure_v a_o great_a fight_n of_o affliction_n by_o have_v their_o estate_n make_v a_o prey_n to_o their_o enemy_n by_o be_v make_v a_o gaze_a stock_n to_o the_o world_n by_o bear_v reproach_n and_o torture_n themselves_o and_o be_v companion_n to_o those_o who_o be_v so_o use_v heb._n 10.32_o they_o get_v their_o bread_n with_o the_o peril_n of_o their_o life_n as_o the_o expression_n be_v lament_n 5.9_o and_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n they_o be_v kill_v all_o the_o day_n long_o and_o no_o more_o account_v of_o than_o as_o innocent_a sheep_n appoint_v to_o the_o slaughter_n as_o s._n paul_n apply_v that_o of_o the_o psalmist_n rom._n 8.36_o and_o if_o we_o view_v the_o end_n of_o their_o life_n we_o shall_v find_v nature_n always_o anticipate_v and_o they_o snatch_v away_o by_o a_o violent_a fate_n still_o swim_v to_o heaven_n in_o their_o blood_n one_o be_v crucify_v another_o behead_v a_o three_o be_v stone_v a_o four_o have_v his_o brain_n beat_v out_o with_o a_o club_n another_o
will_v yet_o remain_v in_o ourselves_o and_o our_o very_a travail_n become_v our_o punishment_n till_o at_o last_o we_o die_v and_o perish_v in_o a_o wilderness_n which_o become_v the_o entrance_n to_o great_a darkness_n alas_o the_o christian_a religion_n though_o much_o debauch_v by_o the_o corrupt_a intermixture_n and_o disgrace_v by_o the_o vicious_a life_n of_o man_n be_v not_o now_o to_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n nor_o be_v its_o record_n so_o hide_v or_o lose_v that_o the_o principle_n of_o it_o be_v no_o where_o to_o be_v find_v nor_o be_v man_n yet_o so_o blockish_a and_o unlearned_a that_o they_o can_v read_v so_o as_o to_o understand_v they_o if_o man_n be_v so_o blind_a those_o that_o be_v as_o blind_a may_v lead_v they_o into_o the_o ditch_n but_o the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n beside_o what_o be_v reveal_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v now_o above_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n stand_v and_o have_v be_v hand_v down_o from_o age_n to_o age_n with_o their_o original_a record_n and_o therefore_o this_o religion_n become_v matter_n of_o fact_n not_o invention_n and_o all_o the_o question_n must_v now_o be_v what_o be_v at_o first_o deliver_v the_o wise_a and_o grave_a reason_n of_o man_n must_v not_o control_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n nor_o make_v another_o thing_n of_o that_o which_o god_n send_v his_o son_n to_o declare_v to_o the_o world_n and_o have_v be_v convey_v to_o we_o with_o as_o great_a a_o certainty_n as_o any_o thing_n antecedent_n to_o the_o time_n we_o live_v in_o we_o be_v not_o now_o by_o discourse_n or_o inspiration_n to_o make_v to_o ourselves_o another_o gospel_n under_o the_o notion_n or_o pretence_n of_o the_o old_a this_o be_v not_o a_o thing_n subject_a to_o the_o maxim_n of_o every_o squirt_n and_o half-witted_a philosopher_n nor_o to_o be_v mould_v according_a to_o the_o intrigue_n and_o design_n of_o a_o subtle_a and_o project_v statesman_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v spew_v out_o of_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o leviathan_n nor_o cunning_o to_o be_v fleer_v out_o of_o the_o work_n of_o plato_n nor_o blend_v with_o any_o doctrine_n of_o epicurus_n that_o may_v prepare_v man_n for_o a_o indulgence_n to_o their_o vice_n or_o persuade_v they_o to_o disbelieve_v some_o of_o the_o great_a and_o most_o substantial_a point_n of_o christianity_n our_o religion_n be_v now_o too_o old_a to_o be_v make_v new_a nor_o must_v we_o model_n that_o which_o have_v run_v through_o so_o many_o age_n by_o any_o trick_n or_o device_n of_o our_o own_o nor_o must_v it_o be_v servant_n to_o any_o man_n ambition_n as_o if_o their_o secular_a interest_n or_o opinion_n be_v to_o be_v their_o guide_n or_o fancy_n put_v on_o the_o name_n and_o garb_n of_o conscience_n be_v to_o be_v a_o rule_n for_o such_o as_o call_v themselves_o christian_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n say_v the_o prophet_n if_o any_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n it_o be_v because_o they_o have_v no_o light_n in_o they_o isa_n 8.20_o and_o we_o have_v a_o more_o sure_a word_n of_o prophecy_n say_v s._n peter_n epist_n 2._o chap_n 1._o ver_fw-la 19_o whereunto_o you_o do_v well_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n as_o unto_o a_o light_n that_o shine_v in_o a_o dark_a place_n if_o we_o forsake_v therefore_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o pretence_n of_o man_n by_o the_o scripture_n which_o right_o understand_v be_v our_o only_a safe_a rule_n we_o have_v no_o way_n to_o distinguish_v a_o bold_a pretender_n from_o he_o who_o be_v inspire_v from_o above_o if_o such_o person_n be_v now_o to_o be_v expect_v after_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n the_o rule_n for_o man_n life_n have_v be_v so_o long_o ago_o complete_v for_o by_o incline_v to_o believe_v any_o new_a revelation_n beyond_o the_o scripture_n we_o suppose_v that_o a_o insufficient_a rule_n the_o sufficiency_n of_o which_o true_a english_a church_n protestant_n have_v always_o defend_v with_o success_n and_o if_o the_o revelation_n be_v contrary_a unto_o it_o it_o make_v that_o spirit_n that_o dictate_v the_o first_o a_o liar_n if_o the_o latter_a be_v receive_v and_o suppose_a true_a but_o grant_v what_o man_n of_o such_o a_o easy_a belief_n and_o such_o speedy_a resolution_n that_o admit_v of_o as_o speedy_a change_n will_v without_o any_o proof_n have_v yield_v to_o they_o yet_o i_o will_v fain_o know_v how_o man_n in_o their_o circumstance_n be_v able_a any_o way_n to_o satisfy_v themselves_o concern_v the_o proposition_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v in_o and_o thereby_o authorize_v to_o deliver_v unto_o other_o i_o be_o afraid_a confidence_n will_v be_v their_o only_a argument_n to_o recommend_v it_o to_o other_o and_o opinion_n interest_n and_o a_o strong_a presumption_n or_o what_o be_v worse_o atheism_n and_o knavery_n to_o themselves_o for_o 1._o suppose_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o it_o dictate_v unto_o man_n always_o uniform_a and_o consistent_a with_o itself_o how_o can_v there_o be_v different_a inspiration_n to_o prescribe_v various_a rule_n opposite_a to_o each_o other_o at_o the_o same_o time_n for_o man_n to_o guide_v their_o belief_n and_o conversation_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o as_o there_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o one_o lord_n with_o undoubted_a authority_n over_o the_o whole_a world_n so_o there_o be_v but_o one_o spirit_n to_o influence_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n one_o baptism_n that_o enter_v they_o into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n and_o but_o one_o faith_n to_o be_v embrace_v by_o they_o and_o therefore_o the_o church_n be_v but_o one_o body_n eph._n 4.4_o 5_o 6._o how_o then_o can_v we_o reasonable_o admit_v the_o pretence_n of_o any_o man_n inspiration_n that_o aver_v he_o speak_v from_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n which_o be_v within_o he_o to_o publish_v any_o rule_n of_o religion_n different_a from_o what_o we_o have_v receive_v before_o and_o if_o such_o a_o pretender_n mean_v only_o his_o own_o spirit_n the_o soul_n which_o act_v within_o the_o body_n we_o can_v understand_v no_o more_o than_o his_o judgement_n and_o opinion_n though_o phrase_n by_o such_o cant_a be_v render_v equivocal_a to_o startle_v the_o infirm_a but_o be_v foreign_a to_o our_o purpose_n when_o reflect_v on_o by_o consider_v man_n we_o well_o know_v that_o the_o design_n of_o christianity_n be_v to_o unite_v the_o world_n under_o one_o profession_n and_o in_o religious_a affair_n to_o subject_v it_o to_o the_o same_o rule_n of_o life_n how_o then_o can_v any_o with_o religion_n or_o modesty_n pretend_v another_o inspiration_n for_o new_a direction_n when_o the_o former_a if_o they_o be_v ever_o true_a be_v sufficient_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n declare_v to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o obligatory_a till_o christ_n come_v to_o judgement_n when_o he_o shall_v pass_v sentence_n upon_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o deliver_v we_o into_o our_o everlasting_a state_n no_o less_o than_o his_o mediatory_a kingdom_n back_o unto_o the_o father_n these_o be_v such_o inconsistent_a thing_n that_o none_o but_o mad_a man_n can_v now_o expect_v any_o inspiration_n to_o deliver_v new_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n 2._o i_o will_v fain_o learn_v of_o any_o bold_a man_n that_o publish_v under_o a_o pretence_n of_o inspiration_n new_a doctrine_n different_a from_o the_o old_a how_o he_o know_v himself_o to_o be_v inspire_v we_o find_v those_o that_o be_v former_o so_o beside_o some_o certain_a token_n to_o themselves_o which_o neither_o we_o nor_o our_o pretender_n can_v now_o give_v a_o certain_a account_n of_o though_o we_o may_v some_o probable_a conjecture_n can_v work_v miracle_n for_o the_o settlement_n of_o belief_n both_o in_o themselves_o and_o other_o but_o no_o such_o thing_n appear_v now_o though_o lie_v wonder_n be_v publish_v to_o the_o world_n carry_v only_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o that_o invent_v the_o story_n or_o other_o that_o be_v hire_v to_o sacrifice_v the_o truth_n to_o the_o confidence_n of_o a_o impostor_n and_o therefore_o one_o will_v think_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o shall_v at_o the_o utmost_a only_o deceive_v the_o simple_a whilst_o they_o that_o ensnare_v they_o have_v other_o design_n beyond_o their_o reach_n vent_v what_o they_o do_v not_o believe_v themselves_o that_o they_o may_v accomplish_v their_o own_o carnal_a end_n by_o the_o religious_a easiness_n and_o simplicity_n of_o other_o for_o upon_o the_o view_n of_o those_o various_a sect_n visible_a either_o abroad_o or_o among_o ourselves_o that_o any_o way_n pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v to_o what_o they_o deliver_v to_o other_o we_o find_v they_o publish_v by_o this_o authority_n doctrine_n to_o be_v believe_v and_o rule_n of_o life_n quite_o different_a nay_o opposite_a to_o one_o another_o and_o pursue_v each_o other_o according_a to_o the_o advantage_n they_o receive_v with_o a_o great_a eagerness_n and_o hot_a
reason_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v prove_v divine_a by_o the_o testimony_n and_o revelation_n of_o the_o spirit_n if_o sufficient_a mean_n be_v not_o afford_v they_o to_o know_v and_o distinguish_v divine_a revelation_n from_o imposture_n and_o pretence_n the_o thing_n deliver_v be_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o humane_a reason_n and_o philosophy_n then_o give_v check_v to_o their_o belief_n and_o custom_n and_o education_n have_v impress_v they_o with_o different_a nay_o contrary_a notion_n of_o thing_n it_o must_v be_v suppose_v therefore_o antecedent_o to_o their_o reception_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o as_o s._n paul_n be_v able_a to_o give_v they_o evidence_n that_o those_o doctrine_n he_o deliver_v to_o they_o be_v reveal_v from_o heaven_n so_o there_o be_v some_o method_n and_o rule_n by_o which_o they_o may_v be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o revelation_n and_o not_o receive_v it_o upon_o his_o bare_a testimony_n nay_o to_o what_o purpose_n will_v it_o be_v for_o s._n john_n to_o direct_v man_n to_o try_v the_o spirit_n if_o we_o have_v not_o sufficient_a mean_n to_o know_v whether_o they_o be_v from_o god_n or_o no_o five_o this_o must_v be_v grant_v too_o that_o there_o be_v false_a pretension_n and_o doctrine_n of_o man_n vent_v in_o the_o world_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o true_a and_o true_a and_o false_a under_o the_o same_o pretence_n of_o inspiration_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n and_o our_o saviour_n to_o prevent_v a_o rash_a belief_n and_o thereby_o a_o apostasy_n from_o the_o gospel_n or_o trust_v in_o another_o messiah_n acquaint_v the_o world_n that_o there_o will_v arise_v false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n mark_n 13.22_o and_o therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o believe_v and_o entertain_v they_o although_o according_a to_o their_o different_a principle_n and_o design_n they_o shall_v cry_v out_o lo_o here_o be_v christ_n or_o lo_o there_o and_o s._n peter_n tell_v we_o that_o as_o there_o be_v false_a prophet_n former_o among_o the_o people_n so_o there_o shall_v be_v false_a teacher_n among_o the_o christian_n who_o shall_v privy_o bring_v in_o damnable_a heresy_n deny_v the_o lord_n that_o buy_v they_o and_o that_o many_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n 2_o pet._n 2.1_o 2._o nay_o s._n paul_n tell_v we_o of_o those_o who_o in_o a_o voluntary_a humility_n and_o worship_v of_o angel_n intrude_v into_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o never_o see_v be_v vain_o puff_v up_o in_o their_o fleshly_a mind_n who_o yet_o depart_v from_o the_o head_n christ_n himself_o who_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n make_v the_o come_n to_o god_n by_o the_o mediatory_a application_n to_o a_o angel_n a_o demonstration_n of_o their_o humility_n and_o so_o reject_v the_o intercession_n of_o our_o saviour_n the_o only_a mediator_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n col._n 2.18_o but_o our_o own_o age_n be_v so_o fruitful_a in_o example_n of_o this_o kind_n that_o the_o possibility_n of_o man_n false_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n and_o of_o their_o vent_v corrupt_a doctrine_n to_o the_o world_n need_v no_o other_o argument_n to_o prove_v it_o than_o our_o own_o experience_n nor_o need_v we_o rake_v in_o the_o dust_n of_o false_a prophet_n in_o past_a age_n when_o we_o have_v to_o our_o great_a grief_n and_o trouble_n live_v monument_n on_o which_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v read_v and_o see_v yet_o sixthly_a notwithstanding_o all_o this_o we_o must_v maintain_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o true_a inspiration_n this_o be_v plain_o imply_v by_o s._n john_n to_o who_o i_o must_v adhere_v for_o it_o will_v be_v ill_a logic_n to_o infer_v that_o because_o the_o apostle_n advise_v we_o not_o to_o believe_v every_o spirit_n therefore_o we_o shall_v give_v credit_n unto_o none_o but_o rather_o that_o some_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v especial_o when_o we_o take_v in_o his_o direction_n with_o it_o try_v the_o 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flesh_n when_o man_n reason_n may_v supply_v all_o but_o such_o a_o fancy_n i_o suppose_v to_o be_v too_o wild_a and_o extravagant_a to_o be_v admit_v in_o such_o a_o age_n of_o the_o world_n as_o this_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o have_v frequent_v christian_a assembly_n and_o have_v hear_v discourse_n prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n or_o the_o new_a that_o have_v read_v the_o jew_n argument_n for_o their_o law_n or_o the_o christian_a father_n apologize_v for_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o gospel_n nor_o indeed_o can_v any_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n converse_v with_o man_n that_o reject_v not_o his_o omnipotence_n or_o else_o doubt_v of_o the_o nature_n and_o capacity_n of_o their_o own_o soul_n to_o be_v sure_o they_o must_v deny_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o affirm_v all_o his_o appearance_n to_o man_n to_o be_v a_o fable_n since_o from_o they_o we_o be_v assure_v that_o all_o scripture_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n from_o god_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o and_o therefore_o to_o man_n that_o acknowledge_v this_o i_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o direct_v this_o discourse_n as_o well_o as_o s._n john_n do_v in_o the_o text_n so_o frequent_o recite_v who_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o divine_a inspiration_n before_o he_o advise_v man_n to_o separate_v the_o pretence_n of_o false_a prophet_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o that_o be_v true_a it_o be_v in_o vain_a otherwise_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o exercise_v their_o faculty_n assist_v by_o rule_n or_o to_o make_v any_o discrimination_n at_o all_o where_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n for_o the_o conclusion_n of_o a_o difference_n seven_o therefore_o the_o trial_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o rule_n of_o man_n pretend_v inspiration_n have_v thus_o far_o be_v bring_v on_o towards_o a_o conclusion_n the_o determination_n of_o our_o assent_n and_o choice_n in_o matter_n of_o such_o huge_a and_o vast_a moment_n on_o which_o the_o welfare_n of_o our_o soul_n depend_v must_v be_v direct_v by_o what_o sufficient_o without_o fallacy_n evidence_n those_o doctrine_n which_o we_o receive_v from_o other_o or_o be_v lead_v into_o the_o belief_n of_o from_o our_o own_o reason_n be_v certain_o such_o as_o come_v from_o god_n and_o that_o we_o be_v not_o impose_v upon_o by_o our_o own_o temperament_n or_o the_o subtlety_n of_o other_o the_o evidence_n therefore_o for_o a_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v great_a and_o strong_a than_o any_o argument_n frame_v to_o the_o contrary_a because_o in_o all_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n my_o belief_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v according_a to_o evidence_n and_o the_o great_a probability_n guide_v the_o rational_a choice_n of_o man_n and_o all_o that_o act_n suitable_o to_o themselves_o embrace_v the_o proposition_n that_o come_v near_a to_o truth_n and_o certainty_n but_o where_o two_o thing_n seem_v equal_a in_o their_o proof_n a_o rational_a man_n only_o hesitate_v and_o doubt_n and_o give_v up_o his_o assent_n to_o neither_o and_o therefore_o have_v the_o magician_n of_o egypt_n equal_v the_o miracle_n moses_n wrought_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o pharaoh_n as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v in_o turn_v rod_n into_o serpent_n and_o river_n into_o blood_n and_o cause_v frog_n to_o come_v up_o before_o he_o they_o need_v not_o at_o that_o time_n have_v acknowledge_v moses_n power_n disproportionable_a to_o their_o own_o nor_o distinguish_v their_o own_o miracle_n from_o he_o by_o say_v this_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o pharaoh_n himself_o may_v have_v have_v a_o equal_a argument_n to_o detain_v the_o israelite_n as_o they_o have_v for_o the_o command_n of_o god_n to_o depart_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n but_o when_o the_o miracle_n on_o their_o side_n far_o exceed_v the_o wonder_n on_o the_o other_o his_o own_o resolution_n become_v his_o law_n and_o pharaoh_n
guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n that_o we_o may_v have_v safe_a and_o infallible_a rule_n to_o order_n and_o direct_v our_o action_n by_o then_o see_v how_o god_n value_v soundness_n in_o the_o faith_n however_o man_n too_o much_o disregard_n it_o if_o either_o any_o creed_n or_o none_o at_o all_o can_v have_v carry_v man_n to_o their_o future_a bliss_n christ_n need_n never_o have_v come_v into_o the_o world_n to_o deliver_v a_o universal_a doctrine_n in_o the_o gospel_n nor_o send_v this_o holy_a spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o guide_v the_o apostle_n into_o all_o truth_n this_o necessity_n therefore_o of_o be_v sound_n in_o the_o faith_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n caution_v man_n against_o prophetical_a pretender_n and_o false_a teacher_n to_o take_v heed_n what_o they_o hear_v mark_n 4.24_o to_o have_v a_o care_n that_o the_o light_n which_o be_v in_o they_o be_v not_o darkness_n luke_o 11.35_o and_o to_o take_v heed_n lest_o there_o be_v in_o any_o of_o they_o a_o evil_a heart_n of_o unbelief_n in_o depart_v from_o the_o live_a god_n heb._n 3.12_o hence_o be_v it_o because_o as_o s._n peter_n say_v there_o be_v damnable_a heresy_n that_o the_o unsound_a cretan_n be_v so_o severe_o to_o be_v reprove_v that_o they_o may_v be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n tit._n 1.13_o hence_o be_v it_o that_o s._n paul_n command_v timothy_n to_o hold_v fast_o the_o form_n of_o sound_a word_n 2_o tim._n 1.13_o which_o probable_o refer_v to_o some_o brief_a creed_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n deliver_v to_o he_o by_o the_o apostle_n though_o we_o find_v they_o now_o burlesque_v and_o flout_v at_o but_o alas_o with_o as_o little_a wit_n as_o reason_n from_o hence_o final_o be_v it_o that_o s._n judas_n exhort_v those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v his_o epistle_n to_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n 3_o ver_fw-la of_o his_o epist_n we_o be_v not_o now_o to_o make_v our_o own_o faith_n nor_o be_v it_o indifferent_a what_o we_o believe_v let_v we_o receive_v therefore_o what_o have_v be_v deliver_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n through_o all_o the_o several_a age_n of_o christianity_n and_o endeavour_v to_o make_v our_o life_n as_o pure_a as_o our_o faith_n last_o we_o may_v learn_v from_o this_o holy_a spirit_n of_o truth_n to_o speak_v truth_n and_o by_o no_o method_n to_o impose_v upon_o one_o another_o that_o we_o may_v evidence_n to_o god_n ourselves_o and_o the_o world_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n have_v still_o a_o influence_n upon_o our_o mind_n there_o be_v a_o generation_n of_o viper_n among_o man_n who_o tooth_n be_v spear_n and_o arrow_n and_o their_o tongue_n a_o sharp_a sword_n that_o engross_v the_o whole_a trade_n of_o lie_v and_o yet_o pretend_v to_o be_v man_n inspire_v these_o receive_v false_a news_n in_o gross_a and_o then_o retail_v it_o out_o to_o other_o their_o tongue_n indeed_o be_v very_o sharp_a and_o no_o wonder_n neither_o since_o they_o keep_v the_o whetstone_n whole_o to_o themselves_o these_o be_v your_o itinerant_a historian_n that_o to_o consume_v our_o corn_n carry_v always_o firebrand_n at_o their_o tail_n who_o lie_v so_o often_o that_o they_o can_v hardly_o believe_v themselves_o when_o they_o speak_v truth_n and_o give_v to_o all_o that_o have_v have_v the_o curse_n of_o their_o conversation_n a_o plain_a testimony_n who_o their_o father_n be_v but_o let_v not_o any_o of_o our_o soul_n enter_v into_o their_o secret_n but_o resolve_v to_o resemble_v the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n in_o abominate_v all_o lie_n and_o hypocrisy_n and_o to_o qualify_v ourselves_o for_o our_o future_a ascent_n to_o god_n holy_a hill_n by_o speak_v the_o truth_n in_o our_o heart_n psal_n 15._o our_o saviour_n have_v no_o guile_n find_v in_o his_o mouth_n and_o we_o must_v follow_v so_o good_a a_o example_n unless_o we_o think_v lie_v the_o character_n of_o a_o saint_n and_o perjury_n to_o put_v on_o a_o martyr_n crown_n s._n paul_n do_v not_o think_v so_o when_o he_o forbid_v the_o colossian_n to_o lie_v to_o one_o another_o see_v they_o have_v put_v off_o the_o the_o old_a man_n with_o his_o deed_n colos_n 3.9_o let_v we_o therefore_o beware_v of_o arrogance_n and_o calumny_n of_o detract_n from_o other_o or_o attribute_v too_o much_o to_o ourselves_o and_o let_v we_o imitate_v the_o holy_a spirit_n under_o the_o gospel_n by_o guide_v ourselves_o into_o all_o truth_n so_o shall_v we_o avoid_v both_o sin_n and_o shame_n and_o eternal_a confusion_n at_o the_o great_a and_o terrible_a day_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o we_o may_v then_o give_v up_o our_o account_n with_o joy_n and_o not_o with_o grief_n will_v we_o but_o endeavour_v to_o follow_v the_o sacred_a spirit_n of_o god_n who_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o influence_n our_o mind_n in_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n commerce_n and_o trade_n will_v be_v more_o innocent_a we_o shall_v neither_o betray_v our_o own_o self_n by_o any_o false_a or_o gloze_a language_n nor_o shall_v we_o suffer_v by_o plain_a deal_n oath_n will_v again_o become_v religious_a among_o english_a man_n nor_o will_v any_o be_v unjust_o execute_v by_o guilty_a or_o scandalous_o free_v by_o a_o ignoramus_n our_o gracious_a and_o true_o great_a monarch_n will_v be_v safe_a without_o the_o base_a attempt_n of_o any_o to_o secure_v he_o he_o will_v be_v our_o own_o and_o we_o at_o his_o wise_n and_o lawful_a disposal_n by_o his_o coronation_n oath_n and_o our_o swear_a allegiance_n to_o he_o every_o man_n be_v there_o truth_n among_o we_o may_v enjoy_v peace_n in_o his_o own_o capacity_n he_o may_v sit_v under_o his_o vine_n and_o his_o fig_n tree_n and_o liberty_n and_o property_n will_v never_o be_v bone_n of_o contention_n more_o but_o if_o we_o remain_v hypocrite_n in_o religion_n and_o false_a to_o each_o other_o we_o can_v neither_o expect_v that_o god_n or_o man_n shall_v be_v our_o friend_n because_o what_o in_o we_o lie_v we_o peck_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o make_v the_o whole_a creation_n groan_n we_o shake_v the_o main_a principle_n of_o trade_n and_o commerce_n when_o we_o be_v such_o wretched_a creature_n that_o no_o body_n can_v believe_v we_o and_o we_o can_v but_o enrage_v the_o great_a god_n who_o be_v truth_n itself_o have_v send_v his_o holy_a spirit_n unto_o we_o to_o guide_v we_o into_o the_o way_n of_o truth_n whatever_o guilt_n therefore_o any_o person_n may_v by_o the_o iniquity_n of_o time_n strike_v in_o with_o his_o own_o easy_a inclination_n have_v contract_v to_o himself_o in_o this_o point_n let_v he_o now_o repent_v while_o it_o be_v call_v to_o day_n lest_o the_o night_n come_v in_o which_o terror_n and_o astonishment_n will_v surprise_v he_o who_o obscure_a shadow_n will_v by_o degree_n withdraw_v the_o please_a light_n from_o he_o till_o it_o lodge_v he_o in_o a_o state_n of_o blackness_n for_o ever_o the_o conclusion_n we_o be_v here_o place_v in_o a_o world_n so_o full_a of_o object_n that_o affect_v our_o external_a sense_n that_o we_o be_v natural_o lead_v more_o by_o these_o than_o we_o be_v by_o faith_n and_o when_o by_o degree_n we_o abstract_a our_o thought_n and_o fix_v our_o mind_n on_o thing_n above_o we_o either_o weary_a the_o power_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o make_v they_o sink_v into_o a_o stupid_a inadvertency_n or_o else_o be_v so_o please_v with_o the_o sprightliness_n of_o our_o create_a fancy_n that_o we_o nimble_o make_v idea_n in_o our_o brain_n of_o such_o seem_a thing_n as_o never_o be_v nor_o ever_o shall_v be_v and_o so_o we_o lead_v ourselves_o into_o the_o belief_n of_o what_o be_v not_o design_v to_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o our_o possession_n sometime_o these_o thing_n be_v project_v before_o hand_n by_o the_o cunning_a politic_a man_n of_o the_o world_n who_o by_o such_o mean_n intend_v to_o impose_v upon_o other_o to_o carry_v on_o secular_a interest_n that_o may_v in_o the_o end_n be_v gainful_a to_o themselves_o and_o sometime_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o their_o weak_a and_o unable_a constitution_n act_v contemplation_n beyond_o their_o own_o capacity_n to_o manage_v it_o impose_v upon_o themselves_o till_o they_o real_o believe_v their_o own_o thought_n of_o object_n that_o yet_o have_v no_o real_a existence_n nor_o be_v ever_o like_a to_o have_v a_o be_v in_o the_o universe_n some_o think_v too_o much_o and_o other_o too_o little_a too_o much_o learning_n make_v one_o sort_n mad_a and_o other_o be_v mad_a because_o they_o have_v so_o little_a some_o man_n by_o sink_v themselves_o into_o a_o deep_a melancholy_n and_o other_o by_o a_o nimble_a and_o exorbitant_a agitation_n of_o their_o blood_n and_o spirit_n command_v themselves_o into_o ecstasy_n or_o