the_o lay-christian's_a obligation_n to_o read_v the_o holy_a scripture_n imprimatur_fw-la h._n maurice_n r_n mo_z p._n d._n wilhelmo_n archiep_n cant._n à _fw-la sacris_fw-la decemb._n 10._o 1686._o london_n print_v for_o richard_n chiswell_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o s._n paul_n churchyard_n mdclxxxvii_o coloss._n iii_o 16._o let_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o you_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n which_o word_n be_v a_o entire_a precept_n of_o themselves_o those_o which_o follow_v in_o the_o same_o verse_n teach_v and_o admonish_v etc._n etc._n be_v another_o distinct_a from_o it_o as_o preparatory_a to_o that_o which_o i_o intend_v from_o they_o i_o shall_v premise_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o to_o who_o this_o precept_n be_v address_v second_o what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o the_o duty_n here_o enjoin_v 1._o the_o person_n to_o who_o the_o precept_n be_v address_v be_v the_o saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n in_o christ_n that_o be_v at_o coloss_n for_o to_o they_o the_o epistle_n be_v direct_v c._n 1._o v._n 2._o that_o be_v all_o the_o christian_n at_o coloss_n of_o what_o order_n or_o quality_n soever_o for_o these_o title_n saint_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n be_v not_o confine_v to_o any_o one_o order_n of_o man_n but_o vouchsafe_v in_o common_a to_o all_o christian_n christian_n who_o be_v all_o call_v saint_n as_o they_o be_v by_o baptism_n separate_v from_o the_o idolatrous_a world_n and_o consecrate_v to_o the_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n brethren_n as_o by_o regeneration_n and_o adoption_n they_o be_v all_o become_v the_o son_n of_o that_o one_o god_n and_o father_n faithful_a as_o they_o persevere_v in_o that_o profession_n notwithstanding_o all_o temptation_n to_o the_o contrary_n it_o can_v therefore_o be_v question_v but_o that_o this_o command_n be_v give_v to_o the_o laity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o clergy_n yea_o to_o the_o laity_n rather_o than_o the_o clergy_n because_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v more_o than_o two_o churchman_n at_o coloss_n at_o the_o time_n when_o this_o epistle_n be_v direct_v to_o they_o namely_o archippus_n and_o philemon_n for_o epaphras_n by_o who_o they_o have_v be_v first_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v now_o in_o bond_n with_o s._n paul_n at_o rome_n phil._n 23._o 2._o the_o duty_n here_o enjoin_v these_o lay-christians_a be_v that_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n though_o by_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v mean_v more_o especial_o that_o word_n which_o be_v at_o first_o speak_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o person_n and_o afterward_o confirm_v by_o his_o apostle_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o that_o alone_a but_o extend_v to_o that_o also_o which_o be_v long_o before_o deliver_v by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o since_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n not_o only_o speak_v of_o christ_n but_o it_o be_v also_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n by_o which_o they_o speak_v as_o 11._o 1_o pet._n 1._o 11._o s._n peter_n express_o tell_v we_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o they_o be_v no_o less_o the_o word_n of_o christ_n than_o that_o which_o be_v preach_v by_o christ_n himself_o in_o brief_a the_o whole_a divine_o inspire_v scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n both_o as_o he_o be_v the_o author_n and_o the_o principal_a scope_n and_o matter_n of_o it_o now_o what_o be_v the_o duty_n these_o lay-christians_a be_v exhort_v to_o with_o respect_n to_o this_o word_n of_o christ_n be_v it_o not_o to_o read_v it_o not_o to_o give_v it_o room_n so_o much_o as_o in_o their_o house_n no_o but_o to_o give_v it_o entertainment_n in_o their_o heart_n to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o to_o let_v it_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o in_o all_o wisdom_n 1._o that_o it_o dwell_v in_o they_o it_o be_v not_o say_v dwell_v with_o but_o more_o emphatical_o dwell_v in_o they_o which_o denote_v especial_o that_o they_o accustom_v themselves_o to_o the_o attentive_a read_n and_o study_n of_o it_o till_o it_o become_v their_o intimate_v and_o familiar_a be_v habitual_o present_a to_o their_o mind_n as_o frequent_o and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n in_o their_o thought_n as_o a_o person_n be_v in_o the_o house_n in_o which_o he_o dwell_v though_o a_o man_n may_v perhaps_o have_v but_o little_a converse_n with_o those_o who_o dwell_v in_o the_o same_o house_n with_o he_o yet_o he_o can_v be_v no_o more_o estrange_v from_o that_o which_o dwell_v in_o he_o than_o he_o can_v from_o his_o own_o thought_n and_o inclination_n 2._o nor_o will_v it_o suffice_v that_o it_o bare_o dwell_v in_o they_o but_o it_o must_v dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o which_o may_v have_v respect_n both_o to_o the_o word_n itself_o let_v the_o word_n dwell_v rich_o and_o to_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o dwell_v let_v it_o dwell_v in_o you_o rich_o 1._o to_o the_o word_n itself_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o that_o it_o dwell_v in_o they_o spare_o that_o they_o give_v entertainment_n to_o a_o passage_n here_o and_o there_o which_o best_o complye_v with_o their_o own_o humour_n but_o they_o must_v entertain_v it_o indifferent_o one_o part_n with_o another_o the_o command_n must_v be_v receive_v with_o the_o like_a readiness_n as_o the_o promise_n nor_o must_v they_o think_v by_o admit_v one_o command_n to_o compound_v with_o god_n for_o the_o rejection_n of_o another_o but_o those_o command_n must_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n which_o most_o direct_o contradict_v their_o most_o belove_a lust_n 2._o to_o the_o subject_n in_o which_o it_o dwell_v it_o must_v not_o as_o a_o sojourner_n be_v confine_v to_o a_o single_a room_n to_o some_o one_o power_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v in_o too_o many_o who_o give_v it_o entertainment_n in_o their_o understanding_n but_o suffer_v it_o to_o have_v no_o place_n in_o their_o will_n and_o affection_n but_o it_o must_v be_v admit_v into_o and_o make_v its_o abode_n in_o every_o faculty_n in_o the_o mind_n to_o enlighten_v it_o in_o the_o conscience_n to_o awaken_v it_o in_o the_o will_n to_o bow_v it_o to_o a_o humble_a submission_n to_o the_o divine_a will._n it_o must_v take_v possession_n of_o the_o whole_a man_n like_v as_o leven_n to_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v compare_v diffuse_v itself_o through_o the_o whole_a lump_n for_o 3._o in_o both_o these_o respect_v it_o must_v dwell_v in_o they_o so_o plenteous_o as_o to_o enrich_v they_o not_o only_o with_o some_o one_o kind_a of_o wisdom_n but_o with_o all_o wisdom_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o the_o knowledge_n belief_n and_o practice_n of_o whatsoever_o be_v require_v to_o make_v they_o complete_o happy_a for_o ever_o for_o that_o alone_o be_v account_v wisdom_n in_o the_o scripture_n sense_n by_o which_o a_o man_n be_v make_v wise_a to_o salvation_n all_o other_o wisdom_n in_o comparison_n with_o this_o be_v but_o a_o more_o creditable_a piece_n of_o folly._n from_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v many_o doctrine_n be_v clear_o deducible_a as._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o lay-christians_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v plain_a because_o they_o be_v here_o command_v to_o let_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n dwell_v in_o they_o 2._o that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n this_o be_v also_o as_o evident_a for_o where_o a_o man_n may_v learn_v not_o only_a wisdom_n but_o all_o wisdom_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o want_v that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n 3._o that_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o clear_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o christian_n may_v attain_v to_o the_o understanding_n of_o they_o for_o how_o can_v the_o word_n dwell_v in_o they_o in_o all_o wisdom_n if_o any_o part_n of_o that_o wisdom_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v so_o obscure_o express_v that_o they_o can_v understand_v the_o meaning_n of_o it_o the_o first_o of_o these_o be_v that_o which_o i_o intend_v at_o present_a to_o insist_v upon_o viz._n the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o lay-christians_a to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n this_o be_v the_o least_o that_o can_v be_v hence_o infer_v since_o without_o this_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v say_v to_o dwell_v in_o they_o much_o less_o to_o dwell_v in_o they_o rich_o and_o in_o all_o wisdom_n but_o though_o this_o be_v so_o plain_o contain_v in_o the_o word_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o yet_o because_o it_o be_v a_o duty_n not_o only_o question_v by_o some_o but_o express_o deny_v by_o other_o i_o shall_v therefore_o confirm_v it_o by_o other_o such_o argument_n as_o may_v be_v of_o force_n not_o only_o to_o convince_v your_o judgement_n
i_o be_o indeed_o the_o messiah_n because_o they_o so_o plain_o testify_v of_o i_o this_o be_v the_o method_n our_o saviour_n prescribe_v for_o the_o cure_n of_o that_o damnable_a heresy_n of_o the_o same_o judgement_n be_v his_o apostle_n after_o he_o s._n judas_n to_o fortify_v his_o belove_a christian_n against_o the_o heresy_n of_o the_o gnostic_n command_v they_o to_o remember_v the_o word_n which_o be_v speak_v before_o by_o the_o apostle_n of_o 17._o judas_n v._n 17._o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o remembrance_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v it_o seem_v in_o his_o opinion_n the_o best_a antidote_n against_o the_o poison_n of_o those_o seducer_n and_o this_o suppose_v their_o acquaintance_n with_o they_o since_o no_o man_n can_v remember_v what_o he_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o yea_o that_o very_a text_n which_o be_v frequent_o produce_v to_o prove_v that_o by_o read_v the_o scripture_n man_n fall_v into_o heresy_n be_v on_o the_o contrary_a a_o plain_a proof_n that_o the_o not_o read_v they_o so_o much_o as_o to_o become_v acquaint_v with_o they_o be_v the_o true_a cause_n from_o whence_o this_o mischief_n arise_v for_o who_o be_v the_o man_n that_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n to_o their_o own_o destruction_n one_o character_n of_o they_o be_v that_o they_o be_v unlearned_a unlearned_a in_o what_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n for_o in_o humane_a learning_n s._n peter_n himself_o be_v very_o unlearned_a and_o if_o want_v of_o learning_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o fall_v from_o the_o faith_n then_o doubtless_o the_o study_n of_o they_o will_v be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o establish_v man_n in_o it_o what_o can_v s._n peter_n so_o much_o as_o dream_v that_o the_o read_n of_o this_o epistle_n by_o those_o lay-christians_a to_o who_o he_o write_v it_o will_v be_v the_o way_n to_o corrupt_v their_o faith_n when_o he_o write_v it_o to_o they_o on_o purpose_n to_o preserve_v they_o sound_v in_o it_o so_o contrary_a be_v his_o judgement_n to_o that_o of_o his_o pretend_a successor_n 3._o suppose_v that_o the_o read_n of_o the_o scripture_n have_v be_v to_o some_o layman_n a_o occasion_n of_o fall_v into_o damnable_a heresy_n do_v it_o thence_o follow_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o read_v they_o this_o be_v as_o absurd_a as_o for_o a_o man_n thus_o to_o argue_v some_o man_n by_o eat_v have_v fall_v mortal_o sick_a let_v no_o man_n therefore_o for_o the_o future_a eat_v some_o man_n have_v use_v their_o sight_n to_o the_o choose_n of_o a_o wrong_a way_n it_o be_v therefore_o every_o man_n duty_n to_o put_v out_o his_o eye_n the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v by_o many_o man_n abuse_v to_o very_o ill_a purpose_n the_o sun_n therefore_o itself_o ought_v to_o be_v extinguish_v and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o excellent_a remedy_n for_o a_o man_n to_o starve_v himself_o that_o he_o may_v not_o fall_v sick_a by_o eat_v or_o for_o a_o man_n to_o make_v himself_o blind_a lest_o if_o he_o see_v he_o shall_v chance_v to_o mistake_v his_o way_n it_o be_v true_a a_o man_n may_v lose_v his_o way_n that_o have_v his_o eye_n in_o his_o head_n but_o be_v he_o sure_a not_o to_o lose_v it_o by_o put_v they_o out_o so_o a_o man_n by_o mistake_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n may_v happen_v to_o fall_v into_o error_n but_o he_o that_o be_v altogether_o unacquainted_a with_o it_o lay_v himself_o open_a to_o all_o delusion_n expose_v himself_o a_o prey_n to_o every_o seducer_n 4._o the_o manifest_a truth_n be_v that_o general_o speak_v not_o the_o laity_n but_o the_o clergy_n have_v be_v the_o author_n of_o sect_n and_o heresy_n the_o novatian_a sect_n spring_v from_o one_o priest_n the_o donatist_n from_o two_o though_o it_o take_v its_o name_n from_o a_o bishop_n who_o afterward_o espouse_v it_o the_o arian_n heresy_n from_o a_o priest_n the_o pelagian_a from_o a_o monk_n the_o provost_n of_o banâ—or_n the_o nestorian_a from_o a_o bishop_n and_o priest_n the_o eutychian_a from_o a_o priest_n the_o eunomian_a from_o a_o bishop_n the_o monothelite_n from_o several_a bishop_n joint_o even_o bellarmine_n himself_o assert_v that_o tametsi_fw-la bell._n dâ—_n rom._n pontif_n l._n 2._o c._n 8._o quantâ—_n tametsi_fw-la almost_o all_o the_o prime_a author_n of_o heresy_n have_v be_v either_o priest_n or_o bishop_n and_o for_o those_o layman_n that_o have_v be_v broacher_n of_o heresy_n they_o have_v be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n not_o of_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n but_o man_n of_o great_a part_n and_o learning_n heresy_n be_v indeed_o a_o work_n of_o the_o flesh_n but_o one_o too_o fine_a and_o subtle_a to_o be_v forge_v in_o a_o vulgar_a brain_n except_o such_o heresy_n only_o as_o be_v very_o sensual_a gross_a and_o brutish_a it_o be_v s._n jerome_n observation_n 9_o comment_fw-fr in_o os_fw-la c._n 9_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v the_o founder_n of_o a_o heresy_n who_o be_v not_o a_o man_n of_o great_a wit_n and_o part_n and_o therefore_o 5._o if_o this_o way_n of_o reason_v be_v admit_v the_o clergy_n shall_v be_v forbid_v to_o read_v the_o scripture_n rather_o than_o the_o laity_n since_o they_o be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v do_v the_o great_a mischief_n by_o wrest_v they_o to_o the_o broach_n and_o maintain_v of_o sect_n and_o heresy_n as_o there_o be_v some_o churchman_n who_o to_o show_v their_o great_a reverence_n to_o the_o scripture_n do_v usual_o compare_v they_o to_o knife_n and_o sword_n because_o a_o man_n may_v use_v they_o to_o bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a purpose_n so_o there_o be_v other_o who_o have_v make_v good_a these_o comparison_n by_o draw_v such_o doctrine_n from_o they_o by_o which_o the_o church_n have_v be_v miserable_o wound_v divide_a and_o rend_v into_o piece_n shall_v therefore_o the_o use_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v deny_v to_o all_o those_o order_n of_o man_n of_o which_o any_o person_n in_o those_o order_n have_v be_v find_v to_o abuse_v it_o it_o must_v be_v deny_v to_o the_o clergy_n too_o and_o by_o consequence_n to_o all_o men._n and_o then_o god_n may_v take_v his_o book_n again_o to_o himself_o unless_o it_o please_v he_o to_o bestow_v it_o upon_o some_o other_o sort_n of_o being_n if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v that_o it_o be_v fit_a for_o and_o yet_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v 6._o that_o those_o heresy_n which_o have_v be_v broach_v either_o by_o the_o clergy_n or_o the_o laity_n be_v not_o chargeable_a upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n any_o more_o than_o darkness_n upon_o the_o sun_n when_o the_o earth_n be_v eclipse_v for_o as_o the_o darkness_n proceed_v not_o from_o the_o sun_n which_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o light_n but_o from_o the_o interposition_n of_o the_o opacous_a body_n of_o the_o moon_n which_o intercept_v its_o light_n so_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o heresy_n be_v not_o the_o scripture_n but_o man_n inordinate_a lust_n and_o passion_n which_o interpose_v between_o they_o and_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o god_n which_o will_v otherwise_o have_v shine_v into_o their_o heart_n pride_n and_o vainglory_n covetousness_n and_o sensuality_n or_o some_o other_o vice_n be_v the_o proper_a fountain_n from_o whence_o all_o those_o heresy_n which_o create_v disturbance_n to_o the_o church_n be_v derive_v as_o might_n be_v show_v at_o large_a such_o be_v the_o power_n of_o corrupt_a affection_n that_o the_o man_n who_o be_v sway_v with_o they_o can_v see_v nothing_o aright_o how_o fair_o soever_o represent_v but_o will_v be_v as_o apt_a to_o wrest_v the_o plain_a as_o the_o most_o obscure_a text_n to_o his_o own_o destruction_n obj._n it_o be_v object_v second_o that_o the_o read_n of_o scripture_n be_v dangerous_a to_o the_o common_a people_n because_o those_o thing_n be_v record_v in_o they_o which_o may_v occasion_v their_o err_a in_o practice_n as_o well_o as_o in_o faith._n for_o instance_n noah_n be_v drunkenness_n lot_n be_v incest_n jacob_n be_v fraud_n and_o lie_v in_o get_v the_o blessing_n david_n be_v murder_n and_o adultery_n etc._n etc._n which_o if_o expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o vulgar_a they_o may_v thereby_o be_v encourage_v and_o provoke_v to_o the_o imitation_n of_o they_o answ_n it_o be_v strange_a that_o man_n who_o own_o the_o scripture_n for_o the_o word_n of_o the_o most_o holy_a god_n who_o be_v of_o pure_a eye_n than_o to_o behold_v evil_a shall_v have_v the_o face_n to_o draw_v up_o this_o black_a charge_n against_o they_o but_o be_v not_o these_o vicious_a example_n to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n in_o our_o saviour_n day_n and_o yet_o as_o they_o be_v then_o free_o read_v by_o the_o people_n so_o the_o read_n of_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v reprehend_v that_o it_o be_v approve_v by_o he_o be_v they_o not_o in_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o day_n
of_o the_o truth_n but_o to_o engage_v your_o will_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o as_o 1._o because_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v by_o god_n himself_o at_o first_o direct_v and_o address_v to_o layman_n that_o this_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n be_v so_o you_o have_v see_v already_o i_o shall_v now_o show_v the_o same_o concern_v other_o part_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o moral_a law_n be_v speak_v by_o god_n to_o all_o the_o people_n in_o such_o a_o audible_a voice_n that_o they_o may_v all_o hear_v it_o the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o you_o out_o of_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o fire_n say_v moses_n 13._o deut_n 4._o 12_o 13._o you_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o word_n and_o he_o declare_v unto_o you_o his_o covenant_n so_o clear_o and_o plain_o do_v god_n deliver_v this_o law_n to_o they_o that_o he_o be_v say_v to_o talk_v with_o they_o face_n to_o face_n the_o 4._o deut._n 5._o 4._o statute_n and_o the_o judgement_n that_o be_v the_o ordinance_n concern_v ceremonial_a worship_n and_o the_o law_n about_o matter_n of_o right_n between_o man_n and_o man_n be_v not_o indeed_o speak_v immediate_o to_o the_o people_n no_o more_o be_v they_o to_o the_o priest_n but_o to_o moses_n himself_o who_o by_o god_n command_n recite_v they_o to_o the_o people_n and_o write_v they_o in_o a_o book_n from_o which_o 31._o exod._n 24._o 3_o 4._o deut._n 31._o they_o may_v take_v a_o copy_n of_o they_o nor_o be_v the_o sermon_n of_o the_o prophet_n commit_v to_o the_o priest_n custody_n that_o according_a to_o their_o discretion_n the_o people_n may_v either_o more_o or_o less_o or_o not_o at_o all_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o they_o but_o they_o be_v by_o the_o prophet_n address_v to_o the_o people_n themselves_o so_o god_n command_v they_o go_v and_o cry_v in_o the_o ear_n of_o jerusalem_n stand_v in_o the_o gate_n 2._o jer._n 2._o 2._o of_o the_o lord_n house_n and_o proclaim_v these_o word_n and_o say_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n all_o you_o of_o judah_n etc._n etc._n and_o so_o the_o prophet_n according_o do_v hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n say_v jeremy_n 4._o jer._n 7._o 2._o jer._n 2._o 4._o o_o house_n of_o jacob._n hear_v the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v against_o you_o o_o child_n of_o israel_n say_v the_o prophet_n amos_n hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n you_o kine_n of_o basham_n which_o 1._o amos_n 3._o 1._o amos_n 4._o 1._o be_v in_o the_o mountain_n of_o samaria_n it_o be_v needless_a to_o insist_v upon_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o since_o nothing_o be_v more_o obvious_a than_o that_o the_o exhortation_n admonition_n and_o reproof_n of_o the_o prophet_n be_v not_o only_o deliver_v in_o the_o audience_n of_o the_o people_n but_o that_o those_o of_o they_o in_o which_o the_o people_n be_v concern_v be_v express_o direct_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o jeremy_n be_v shut_v up_o in_o the_o dungeon_n and_o can_v not_o speak_v to_o the_o people_n himself_o he_o command_v baruch_n to_o write_v all_o the_o word_n of_o his_o prophecy_n in_o a_o book_n and_o read_v they_o in_o the_o ear_n of_o all_o the_o people_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o of_o all_o the_o people_n which_o come_v from_o the_o city_n of_o judah_n to_o 9_o jer._n 36._o 8_o 9_o jerusalem_n in_o like_a manner_n our_o bless_a saviour_n though_o he_o speak_v as_o never_o man_n speak_v yet_o be_v he_o content_v with_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n of_o hearer_n his_o first_o solemn_a sermon_n be_v preach_v to_o his_o disciple_n not_o to_o the_o twelve_o only_a but_o to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v desirous_a to_o be_v instruct_v by_o he_o out_o of_o which_o he_o choose_v the_o twelve_o who_o be_v afterward_o call_v apostle_n but_o though_o his_o speech_n be_v direct_v to_o his_o disciple_n yet_o he_o so_o speak_v as_o that_o the_o multitude_n also_o who_o stand_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n may_v hear_v he_o for_o s._n matthew_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o 28._o matth._n 7._o 28._o multitude_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v astonish_v at_o his_o doctrine_n his_o sermon_n at_o capernaum_n nazareth_n by_o the_o sea_n side_n and_o in_o the_o wilderness_n be_v they_o preach_v to_o priest_n only_o no_o his_o auditor_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v the_o rude_a and_o unlearned_a people_n and_o can_v any_o man_n reasonable_o suppose_v that_o he_o will_v not_o have_v those_o sermon_n read_v by_o layman_n which_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o preach_v to_o such_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n not_o only_o preach_v to_o the_o common_a people_n but_o send_v their_o epistle_n also_o to_o they_o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n direct_v to_o the_o saint_n to_o the_o faithful_a in_o christ_n jesus_n to_o the_o belove_a all_o which_o title_n in_o those_o day_n be_v use_v in_o the_o same_o latitude_n as_o the_o name_n christian_n be_v now_o with_o we_o and_o that_o no_o man_n may_v imagine_v they_o be_v to_o be_v confine_v to_o christian_n of_o a_o high_a rank_n they_o be_v express_o direct_v to_o all_o so_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n to_o all_o that_o be_v at_o rome_n belove_v of_o 7._o rom._n 1._o 7._o god_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n the_o first_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n at_o corinth_n to_o they_o that_o 2._o 1_o corinth_n 1._o 2._o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n to_o all_o that_o in_o every_o place_n call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n the_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o 1._o 2_o cor._n 1._o 1._o corinth_n with_o all_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v in_o all_o achaia_n the_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n to_o all_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v at_o philippi_n 1._o philip._n 1._o 1._o the_o epistle_n of_o s._n james_n s._n peter_n and_o s._n judas_n be_v write_v to_o all_o the_o disperse_a jewish_a christian_n the_o first_o epistle_n of_o s._n john_n to_o little_a child_n young_a man_n and_o father_n that_o be_v to_o christian_n of_o all_o size_n and_o degree_n the_o second_o to_o a_o elect_a lady_n and_o her_o child_n the_o three_o to_o a_o private_a christian_a to_o conclude_v this_o argument_n no_o man_n can_v in_o reason_n suppose_v but_o that_o those_o person_n shall_v read_v their_o epistle_n to_o who_o they_o write_v they_o since_o therefore_o they_o write_v they_o to_o layman_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v it_o be_v their_o intention_n that_o priest_n only_o shall_v read_v they_o ii_o nor_n be_v the_o holy_a scripture_n only_o address_v to_o layman_n but_o which_o be_v more_o they_o also_o be_v plain_o command_v to_o read_v and_o acquaint_v themselves_o familiar_o with_o they_o thus_o god_n command_v the_o jew_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o law_n give_v to_o they_o the_o word_n which_o i_o command_v thou_o 8._o deut._n 6._o 6_o 7_o 8._o this_o day_n shall_v be_v in_o thy_o heart_n and_o thou_o shall_v teach_v they_o diligent_o to_o thy_o child_n and_o shall_v talk_v of_o they_o when_o thou_o sit_v in_o thy_o house_n and_o when_o thou_o walk_v by_o the_o way_n when_o thou_o lie_v down_o and_o when_o thou_o rise_v up_o and_o thou_o shall_v bind_v they_o for_o a_o sign_n upon_o thy_o hand_n etc._n etc._n what_o be_v the_o import_n of_o this_o command_n but_o that_o they_o shall_v familiar_o converse_v with_o the_o divine_a law_n make_v it_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o daily_a meditation_n and_o discourse_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o it_o but_o shall_v take_v care_n to_o teach_v it_o to_o their_o child_n that_o the_o knowledge_n thereof_o may_v never_o fail_v but_o descend_v from_o one_o generation_n to_o another_o and_o to_o who_o be_v this_o command_n give_v not_o to_o the_o priest_n and_o levite_n only_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o israelite_n hear_v o_o israel_n the_o same_o in_o effect_n god_n afterward_o 8._o deut._n 6._o 4._o josh_n 1._o 8._o command_v joshua_n this_o book_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v not_o depart_v out_o of_o thy_o mouth_n but_o thou_o shall_v meditate_v therein_o day_n and_o night_n it_o may_v not_o depart_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n he_o be_v therefore_o to_o read_v it_o and_o talk_v of_o it_o and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o to_o meditate_v therein_o day_n and_o night_n not_o that_o they_o be_v oblige_v in_o every_o moment_n of_o time_n to_o be_v think_v or_o speak_v of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n for_o that_o can_v be_v and_o in_o case_n it_o can_v it_o can_v not_o be_v a_o duty_n because_o it_o will_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o other_o command_n but_o that_o they_o be_v to_o take_v all_o fit_a occasion_n and_o beside_o