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word_n faith_n scripture_n write_a 3,251 5 10.5364 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A95413 The doubting conscience resolved. In answer to a (pretended) perplexing question, &c. Wherein is evidently proved, that the holy Scriptures (not the pope) is the foundation whereupon the Church is built. Or, That a Christian may be infallibly certain of his faith and religion by holy Scriptures. By William Tvvisse D.D. Prolocutor of the Assembly of Divines. Written at the desire of Samuel Hartlib, Esquire, for the satisfaction of his friends beyond the seas; and now divulged in print for more publick edification. Twisse, William, 1578?-1646. 1652 (1652) Wing T3421; Thomason E1321_1; ESTC R209067 47,995 167

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true_a that_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n a_o man_n may_v believe_v act._n 18.27_o they_o believe_v through_o grace_n and_o phil._n 1.29_o to_o you_o it_o be_v give_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o 〈◊〉_d to_o suffer_v for_o he_o and_o to_o believe_v and_o find_v mercy_n at_o god_n hand_n be_v all_o one_o rom._n 11.30_o now_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o faith_n may_v be_v have_v in_o what_o degree_n of_o certainty_n soever_o what_o sober_a christian_a can_v make_v doubt_n but_o that_o if_o question_v be_v make_v about_o the_o mean_n whereby_o we_o may_v have_v it_o it_o may_v be_v have_v by_o holy_a scripture_n as_o well_o as_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n yea_o and_o far_o better_a consider_v that_o faith_n be_v in_o the_o proper_a notion_n thereof_o the_o assent_n to_o somewhat_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o speaker_n and_o if_o the_o speaker_n be_v but_o a_o man_n it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o faith_n human_a if_o the_o speaker_n be_v god_n that_o and_o that_o alone_o 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that_o which_o the_o lutheran_n hold_v serious_o affirm_v that_o in_o the_o scripture_n the_o lutheran_n religion_n be_v condemn_v and_o they_o confirm_v which_o thing_n no_o man_n will_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o evident_a argument_n of_o the_o obseurity_n of_o theholy_a scripture_n if_o there_o be_v two_o physician_n of_o equal_a learning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o intent_n in_o cure_v the_o sick_a that_o be_v alike_o desirous_a to_o cure_v the_o disease_n and_o if_o these_o physician_n shall_v out_o of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o book_n gather_v the_o one_o that_o a_o fever_n be_v cure_v with_o wine_n and_o the_o other_o that_o wine_n be_v as_o bad_a as_o poison_v to_o they_o that_o have_v the_o fever_n how_o i_o pray_v shall_v we_o know_v which_o of_o these_o two_o to_o take_v part_n withal_o a_o man_n can_v gather_v nothing_o but_o that_o the_o remedy_n for_o that_o disease_n be_v obscure_o express_v in_o that_o book_n consid_fw-la the_o sum_n of_o all_o this_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o that_o which_o the_o author_n will_v infer_v from_o hence_o be_v this_o therefore_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o whereby_o now_o i_o perceive_v the_o perplex_a question_n and_o doubtful_a case_n of_o conscience_n come_v but_o to_o this_o in_o plain_a term_n whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v sure_a of_o the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n the_o author_n maintain_v the_o negative_a &_o prove_v it_o because_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o scripture_n he_o prove_v by_o this_o that_o man_n differ_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o now_o this_o i_o will_v examine_v in_o order_n and_o first_o observe_v the_o dodge_n disposition_n of_o this_o author_n and_o manifest_a evidence_n of_o his_o corrupt_a affection_n and_o that_o he_o come_v to_o this_o work_n with_o a_o intention_n not_o to_o seek_v the_o truth_n but_o to_o circumvent_v it_o rather_o for_o whereas_o the_o 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different_a from_o all_o the_o ancient_n by_o his_o own_o confession_n and_o cardinal_n cajetan_n when_o he_o be_v put_v upon_o the_o study_v of_o scripture_n by_o occasion_n of_o his_o conference_n with_o martin_n luther_n who_o will_v hear_v nothing_o but_o scripture_n see_v what_o a_o profession_n he_o make_v in_o his_o entrance_n upon_o write_v commentary_n on_o the_o scripture_n si_fw-la quando_fw-la occurrerit_fw-la novus_fw-la sensus_fw-la textui_fw-la consonus_fw-la nec_fw-la à_fw-la sacra_fw-la scriptura_fw-la nec_fw-la ab_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la doctrina_fw-la dissonus_fw-la quamvis_fw-la à_fw-la torrente_n doctorum_fw-la sacrorum_fw-la alienum_fw-la aequos_fw-la se_fw-la praebeant_fw-la censores_fw-la and_o when_o austin_n take_v notice_n of_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o translation_n of_o the_o scripture_n he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v offend_v thereat_o that_o he_o profess_v there_o be_v more_o profit_n than_o damage_n redound_v thereby_o to_o the_o church_n and_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v so_o by_o different_a interpretation_n also_o it_o be_v more_o easy_a to_o judge_v which_o of_o they_o be_v the_o right_n or_o by_o refute_v they_o all_o to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a interpretation_n than_o at_o the_o first_o dash_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a meaning_n 2._o observe_v the_o absurd_a and_o malicious_a carriage_n of_o this_o author_n 1._o in_o shape_a different_a religion_n according_a to_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n whereas_o i_o have_v show_v that_o the_o force_n of_o the_o proposition_n be_v only_o a_o particular_a namely_o that_o they_o differ_v in_o the_o interpretation_n of_o some_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o difference_n i_o have_v show_v may_v be_v find_v and_o ever_o have_v be_v find_v more_o or_o less_o even_o among_o they_o that_o be_v of_o the_o same_o religion_n as_o among_o none_o have_v be_v more_o different_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n find_v than_o among_o the_o ancient_n
like_a enough_o that_o as_o m._n hooker_n say_v there_o be_v some_o depth_n of_o scripture_n the_o search_v out_o whereof_o will_v hold_v we_o as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n last_v yet_o i_o deny_v not_o but_o a_o reprobate_n may_v have_v the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o well_o as_o a_o elect_n this_o be_v no_o grace_n of_o sanctification_n but_o of_o edification_n but_o to_o know_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n that_o i_o take_v to_o be_v peculiar_a to_o a_o regenerate_a spirit_n in_o who_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v as_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o life_n of_o grace_n of_o which_o indwelling_a of_o the_o spirit_n a_o child_n of_o god_n may_v be_v conscious_a in_o a_o comfortable_a manner_n without_o boast_v i_o count_v it_o a_o absurd_a course_n for_o any_o to_o justisie_n his_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v sound_n because_o he_o have_v the_o spirit_n we_o be_v ready_a 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illumination_n of_o the_o spirit_n i_o can_v hardly_o think_v any_o christian_n to_o be_v so_o simple_a or_o wilful_a to_o reason_n thus_o i_o and_o my_o follower_n be_v sure_a of_o this_o thing_n therefore_o it_o be_v true_a if_o they_o shall_v i_o see_v no_o reason_n but_o they_o may_v proceed_v one_o step_n further_o and_o say_v i_o myself_o alone_a think_v this_o to_o be_v true_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v true_a but_o the_o spirit_n of_o illumination_n be_v give_v only_o to_o satisfy_v they_o that_o have_v it_o not_o to_o boast_v of_o it_o but_o to_o comfort_v themselves_o with_o it_o rather_o much_o less_o to_o obtrude_v it_o upon_o other_o only_o light_a natural_a be_v communicable_a unto_o other_o by_o rational_a discourse_n light_v spiritual_a be_v not_o i_o can_v more_o communicate_v that_o to_o another_o than_o my_o see_v or_o hear_v or_o smell_v or_o taste_v disc_n last_o if_o we_o build_v our_o religion_n only_o upon_o the_o scripture_n the_o learned_a shall_v have_v a_o 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the_o day_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n undoubt_o be_v a_o day_n of_o extreme_a confusion_n to_o the_o devil_n and_o all_o his_o angel_n of_o darkness_n so_o the_o jew_n have_v they_o know_v this_o mystery_n of_o his_o person_n they_o will_v not_o have_v crucify_v the_o lord_n of_o glory_n 1_o cor._n 2.8_o but_o this_o wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o a_o mystery_n be_v hide_v from_o they_o 1_o cor._n 2.7_o and_o because_o they_o know_v he_o not_o nor_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n which_o be_v read_v every_o sabbath_n day_n they_o fulfil_v they_o in_o condemn_v he_o act_v 13.27_o but_o if_o all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n be_v plain_o set_v down_o in_o holy_a scripture_n as_o both_o chrysostom_n a_o greek_a father_n and_o austin_n a_o latin_a father_n have_v concurrent_o deliver_v what_o be_v we_o the_o worse_o for_o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o same_o 2._o but_o suppose_v all_o be_v obscure_a yet_o be_v there_o not_o degree_n of_o obscurity_n among_o writer_n in_o all_o 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of_o the_o thing_n whereof_o a_o man_n be_v persuade_v for_o than_o shall_v melancholic_a person_n who_o opinion_n be_v unmoveable_a work_v miracle_n and_o make_v all_o their_o conceit_n essential_a the_o nature_n of_o true_a knowledge_n be_v this_o so_o be_v demonstrable_a not_o to_o i_o or_o some_o man_n but_o to_o all_o and_o to_o win_v a_o consent_n from_o any_o man_n as_o two_o and_o three_o make_v five_o a_o thing_n controvert_v and_o which_o some_o understand_v one_o way_n and_o some_o another_o can_v never_o make_v i_o certain_a and_o free_a from_o doubt_n whether_o i_o have_v the_o truth_n or_o no_o and_o he_o that_o know_v no_o other_o than_o what_o he_o determine_v may_v be_v excuse_v of_o malice_n and_o hypocrisy_n but_o this_o reason_n i_o and_o my_o follower_n be_v sure_a of_o this_o thing_n therefore_o it_o be_v true_a be_v unreasonable_a reason_n consid_fw-la sure_o if_o i_o be_o in_o a_o right_a way_n it_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n for_o i_o it_o be_v for_o my_o salvation_n yet_o because_o i_o be_o bind_v to_o seek_v for_o the_o salvation_n of_o other_o also_o no_o man_n must_v imitate_v cain_n in_o say_v be_o i_o my_o brother_n keeper_n yet_o that_o which_o be_v enough_o for_o i_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n which_o i_o maintain_v may_v be_v enough_o for_o another_o also_o to_o bring_v he_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o same_o truth_n for_o if_o this_o sufficiency_n i_o speak_v of_o be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o rational_a discourse_n out_o of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v itself_o sufficient_a it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o any_o that_o be_v capable_a thereof_o and_o all_o such_o light_n be_v light_n natural_a and_o in_o the_o way_n of_o discourse_n be_v of_o a_o communicable_a nature_n to_o all_o rational_a creature_n by_o a_o rational_a discourse_n but_o true_a faith_n be_v wrought_v by_o spiritual_a illumination_n which_o be_v not_o in_o my_o power_n to_o communicate_v unto_o any_o other_o only_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n can_v do_v this_o enlighten_v who_o he_o will_v while_o other_o be_v suffer_v to_o sit_v in_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n and_o this_o be_v the_o only_a save_a way_n to_o be_v sure_a of_o truth_n theological_a it_o be_v true_a that_o which_o i_o believe_v whatsoever_o it_o be_v and_o in_o what_o kind_n soever_o it_o be_v believe_v be_v not_o therefore_o truth_n because_o i_o believe_v it_o but_o if_o i_o believe_v by_o illumination_n divine_a it_o be_v therefore_o truth_n because_o i_o believe_v it_o after_o such_o a_o manner_n though_o this_o i_o can_v communicate_v to_o another_o or_o make_v another_o hereby_o either_o be_v persuade_v of_o it_o himself_o or_o be_v persuade_v that_o i_o be_o after_o such_o a_o sort_n persuade_v of_o it_o light_a natural_a i_o may_v communicate_v unto_o another_o light_a spiritual_a i_o can_v and_o light_v natural_a either_o in_o way_n of_o natural_a discourse_n be_v communicative_a of_o itself_o from_o commonly-known_a principle_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n or_o from_o principle_n on_o both_o side_n agree_v as_o namely_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n now_o when_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n inlighten_v i_o the_o thing_n i_o embrace_v be_v not_o my_o opinion_n but_o my_o faith_n and_o my_o persuasion_n herein_o be_v in_o steadfastness_n and_o nothing_o inferior_a to_o natural_a knowledge_n but_o superior_a rather_o light_a spiritual_a and_o divine_a be_v superior_a to_o light_v natural_a like_a as_o knowledge_n by_o sense_n be_v superior_a to_o knowledge_n by_o reason_n rational_a knowledge_n depend_v upon_o knowledge_n sensitive_a for_o general_a principle_n do_v arise_v from_o experience_n and_o enumeration_n of_o particular_n and_o as_o i_o remember_v theologia_n be_v say_v to_o be_v non_fw-la argumentativa_fw-la to_o wit_n as_o it_o be_v supernatural_a and_o compare_v rather_o to_o sensitive_a knowledge_n as_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o see_v open_a my_o eye_n that_o i_o may_v see_v the_o wonderful_a thing_n of_o thy_o law_n and_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o hear_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n let_v he_o hear_v for_o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o a_o man_n another_o thing_n to_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n one_o thing_n to_o see_v a_o work_n wrought_v another_o thing_n to_o behold_v the_o hand_n of_o god_n in_o it_o one_o thing_n to_o discern_v the_o meaning_n of_o a_o scripture-passage_n another_o thing_n to_o discern_v the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o it_o so_o it_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o smell_v 2_o cor._n 2.14_o we_o be_v a_o sweet_a savour_n unto_o god_n in_o christ_n in_o they_o that_o be_v save_v and_o in_o they_o that_o perish_v and_o where_o the_o body_n be_v there_o will_v the_o eagle_n be_v gather_v together_o sometime_o to_o the_o sense_n of_o taste_v as_o 1_o pet._n 2.1_o as_o new_o bear_v babe_n desire_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o you_o may_v grow_v thereby_o if_o you_o have_v taste_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v bountiful_a so_o halensis_n profess_v that_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n be_v apprehend_v per_fw-la modum_fw-la gustus_fw-la the_o sense_n of_o feeling_n do_v fair_o represent_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n by_o his_o work_n act._n 17.27_o that_o they_o shall_v seek_v the_o lord_n if_o so_o be_v they_o may_v have_v grope_v after_o he_o and_o find_v he_o though_o doubtless_o he_o be_v not_o far_o from_o every_o one_o of_o we_o this_o author_n seem_v to_o take_v no_o notice_n hereof_o no_o more_o than_o the_o socinian_o do_v in_o these_o day_n and_o that_o be_v the_o foul_a spot_n i_o find_v in_o master_n shillingsworth_n book_n and_o be_v please_v i_o pray_v to_o put_v a_o difference_n between_o melancholic_a person_n and_o the_o child_n of_o god_n who_o because_o they_o be_v son_n god_n have_v send_v the_o spirit_n of_o his_o son_n into_o their_o heart_n remember_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n this_o persuasion_n be_v not_o of_o god_n plain_o give_v to_o understand_v that_o the_o persuasion_n of_o christian_a faith_n be_v of_o god_n yet_o i_o confess_v this_o faith_n be_v ground_v always_o upon_o god_n word_n wherein_o they_o shall_v beso_fw-es expert_a as_o to_o be_v ready_a thence_o at_o all_o time_n to_o render_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v demand_v it_o but_o that_o may_v a_o unregenetate_v person_n be_v able_a to_o do_v as_o well_o yea_o and_o many_o time_n better_o too_o when_o he_o say_v the_o nature_n of_o true_a knowledge_n be_v demonstrable_a this_o be_v true_a of_o knowledge_n natural_a not_o of_o knowledge_n christian_n which_o be_v ground_v only_o on_o god_n word_n and_o it_o be_v never_o know_v that_o to_o prove_v a_o thing_n out_o of_o scripture_n be_v call_v demonstration_n aristotle_n deny_v that_o moral_a philosophy_n be_v capable_a of_o demonstration_n it_o proceed_v only_o by_o persuasion_n but_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o scripture_n apt_o allege_v he_o call_v it_o demonstration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d yet_o consider_v no_o deduction_n out_o of_o scripture_n can_v be_v so_o clear_a as_o to_o be_v exempt_v from_o all_o cavilling_n but_o never_o be_v it_o know_v that_o any_o man_n cavil_v with_o a_o truth_n as_o clear_a as_o this_o that_o two_o and_o three_o make_v five_o if_o we_o can_v never_o be_v free_a from_o doubt_n if_o the_o thing_n be_v controvert_v as_o for_o instance_n a_o passage_n of_o scripture_n some_o understanding_n it_o one_o way_n and_o some_o another_o what_o oertainty_n can_v i_o have_v of_o any_o point_n of_o faith_n i_o maintain_v in_o opposition_n to_o papist_n to_o socinian_o to_o any_o heretic_n yet_o i_o shall_v not_o look_v that_o the_o thing_n controvert_v shall_v free_v i_o from_o doubt_n it_o be_v enough_o that_o i_o have_v good_a evidence_n for_o it_o though_o all_o the_o world_n run_v a_o mad_a in_o controvert_v that_o which_o i_o believe_v now_o no_o evidence_n of_o truth_n theological_a and_o save_v truth_n be_v comparable_a to_o the_o evidence_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o illumination_n of_o the_o spirit_n give_v i_o new_a eye_n as_o it_o be_v and_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o my_o understanding_n that_o i_o may_v see_v and_o discern_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o that_o holy_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o free_v i_o from_o all_o doubt_n yet_o there_o be_v another_o knowledge_n which_o be_v natural_a partly_o derive_v from_o natural_a principle_n and_o partly_o from_o a_o dextrous_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n which_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o make_v good_a against_o all_o caviller_n to_o their_o confusion_n and_o upon_o sober_a conscience_n to_o their_o assent_n but_o this_o be_v inferior_a to_o the_o
there_o no_o book_n at_o all_o write_v or_o sermon_n preach_v in_o any_o point_n of_o controversy_n or_o difference_n between_o we_o yet_o papist_n shall_v be_v papist_n still_o and_o not_o protestant_n and_o protestant_n shall_v be_v protestant_n still_o and_o not_o papist_n and_o the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n shall_v be_v the_o whore_n of_o babylon_n still_o and_o no_o spouse_n of_o christ_n and_o antichrist_n a_o false_a prophet_n still_o and_o no_o true_a prophet_n for_o the_o faith_n and_o profession_n of_o a_o papist_n make_v he_o a_o papist_n whether_o he_o write_v controversy_n or_o no_o the_o small_a part_n of_o they_o be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o task_n so_o the_o protestant_n profession_n and_o protestation_n against_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n make_v he_o a_o protestant_n though_o he_o never_o set_v pen_n to_o paper_n to_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o give_v to_o the_o saint_n though_o this_o be_v a_o duty_n i_o confess_v but_o no_o common_a duty_n belong_v unto_o all_o but_o peculiar_o appertain_v to_o the_o man_n of_o god_n able_a not_o only_o to_o exhort_v with_o wholesome_a doctrine_n but_o also_o to_o convince_v they_o that_o say_v against_o it_o for_o article_n of_o faith_n and_o their_o profession_n of_o they_o layman_n have_v suffer_v with_o great_a constancy_n and_o patience_n but_o not_o for_o controversy_n though_o they_o have_v be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o reason_n of_o their_o faith_n to_o all_o that_o ask_v it_o and_o witness_v a_o good_a confession_n of_o it_o as_o our_o saviour_n do_v before_o pilate_n as_o the_o book_n of_o act_n and_o monument_n record_v of_o they_o and_o s._n paul_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n doctor_n bergius_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o say_v as_o much_o confess_v the_o controversy_n be_v not_o very_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o i_o interpret_v thus_o not_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o the_o church_n but_o only_o to_o her_o well-being_n when_o the_o christian_a faith_n be_v oppugn_v by_o heretic_n between_o lutheran_n and_o calvinist_n we_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n in_o fundamental_n as_o appear_v sufficient_o at_o the_o conference_n at_o leipsich_n disc_n this_o i_o be_o persuade_v be_v very_o true_a that_o have_v the_o holy_a ghost_n judge_v those_o controvert_v question_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n it_o will_v have_v express_v and_o propound_v they_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n clear_o and_o plain_o see_v those_o epistle_n be_v send_v to_o simple_a and_o layman_n especial_o nor_o do_v it_o seem_v likely_a to_o be_v true_a that_o ever_o there_o be_v so_o many_o article_n of_o faith_n draw_v out_o of_o they_o as_o be_v now_o to_o be_v read_v in_o the_o catechism_n common-place_n and_o compound_n of_o divine_n as_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o certain_a number_n of_o they_o determine_v see_v some_o divine_n have_v propound_v more_o and_o some_o few_o and_o some_o religion_n have_v in_o process_n of_o time_n either_o add_v or_o abate_v whole_a article_n and_o after_o many_o misery_n endure_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o some_o of_o they_o enter_v a_o way_n of_o moderation_n they_o have_v determine_v that_o for_o tolerable_a and_o indifferent_a which_o before_o they_o think_v damnable_a but_o howsoever_o there_o be_v so_o many_o of_o they_o that_o a_o man_n may_v deserve_o call_v in_o question_n the_o precise_a necessity_n of_o they_o and_o this_o seem_v the_o best_a solution_n to_o disentangle_v and_o appease_v perplex_v doubtful_a and_o err_a conscience_n consid_fw-la it_o be_v a_o very_a uncouth_a speech_n proceed_v from_o a_o wild_a conceit_n to_o say_v that_o god_n will_v have_v express_v and_o appoint_v controvert_v question_n plain_o and_o clear_o if_o they_o have_v be_v necessary_a it_o be_v not_o the_o proposition_n of_o controvert_v question_n though_o never_o so_o plain_o and_o clear_o deliver_v that_o set_v a_o end_n to_o controversy_n but_o the_o clear_a and_o substantial_a solution_n of_o they_o for_o herein_o that_o which_o have_v any_o show_n of_o be_v necessary_a be_v not_o the_o propose_v of_o they_o but_o the_o decide_n of_o they_o and_o it_o be_v a_o very_a preposterous_a course_n to_o talk_v of_o decide_v controversy_n before_o there_o be_v any_o controversy_n move_v right_a as_o if_o a_o physician_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n shall_v move_v he_o to_o heal_v a_o man_n before_o he_o be_v wound_v rather_o he_o shall_v take_v care_n to_o preserve_v a_o man_n health_n that_o he_o may_v not_o fall_v into_o sickness_n and_o so_o god_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n have_v sufficient_o provide_v for_o the_o health_n of_o his_o church_n through_o the_o integrity_n of_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o his_o word_n and_o that_o in_o a_o manner_n sufficient_o intelligible_a and_o plain_a to_o they_o that_o come_v with_o honest_a heart_n and_o studious_a desire_n to_o seek_v after_o truth_n and_o to_o embrace_v it_o but_o s._n paul_n tell_v we_o of_o opposition_n to_o the_o truth_n make_v by_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n plain_o give_v we_o to_o understand_v that_o they_o come_v with_o corrupt_a mind_n to_o the_o read_n of_o god_n word_n and_o so_o pervert_v it_o as_o peter_n speak_v and_o thereby_o pervert_v themselves_o first_o and_o afterward_o they_o speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wrest_a thing_n to_o the_o corrupt_a of_o other_o and_o hinder_v they_o from_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o faith_n tit._n 1.13_o s._n peter_n exhort_v we_o to_o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n 2_o pet._n 3.18_o and_o s._n paul_n will_v not_o have_v we_o stand_v at_o a_o stay_n but_o grow_v forward_o unto_o perfection_n there_o be_v a_o plerophory_n and_o fullness_n of_o faith_n that_o we_o shall_v strive_v unto_o and_o of_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o of_o holiness_n for_o this_o life_n be_v our_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o still_o we_o must_v draw_v near_a thitherwards_o by_o know_v all_o that_o we_o can_v know_v by_o the_o word_n deut._n 29.29_o it_o be_v reveal_v to_o that_o purpose_n and_o it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a to_o every_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3._o last_o add_v unto_o virtue_n knowledge_n say_v peter_n 2_o pet._n 1.5_o and_o paul_n pray_v on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o colossian_n that_o they_o may_v be_v fulfil_v with_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n will_v in_o all_o wisdom_n and_o spiritual_a understanding_n col._n 19_o that_o they_o may_v walk_v worthy_a of_o the_o lord_n unto_o all_o please_a fruitful_a in_o every_o good_a work_n and_o increase_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n v._o 10._o why_o then_o shall_v we_o take_v offence_n at_o the_o multiply_a of_o article_n in_o all_o profession_n man_n that_o delight_v in_o knowledge_n be_v never_o satisfy_v nothing_o be_v more_o congruous_a to_o our_o intelligent_a nature_n than_o light_n of_o knowledge_n while_o we_o live_v here_o on_o earth_n we_o shall_v never_o come_v to_o ripeness_n of_o age_n in_o christ_n therefore_o we_o must_v be_v grow_v still_o and_o edify_v ourselves_o and_o one_o another_o in_o our_o most_o holy_a faith_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n must_v be_v edify_v till_o we_o come_v to_o fullness_n of_o age_n and_o as_o we_o must_v increase_v in_o knowledge_n so_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o error_n it_o behoove_v we_o to_o labour_v for_o the_o discovery_n of_o it_o more_o and_o more_o that_o error_n in_o take_v the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n 666._o to_o denote_v only_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d have_v endure_v ever_o since_o the_o day_n of_o ireneus_fw-la that_o be_v from_o the_o next_o age_n after_o the_o apostle_n and_o it_o be_v now_o late_o discover_v and_o the_o true_a meaning_n substitute_v in_o the_o place_n thereof_o as_o never_o the_o like_a before_o and_o it_o be_v commendable_a for_o man_n to_o see_v their_o former_a error_n much_o more_o to_o confess_v they_o of_o all_o augustine_n work_n there_o be_v none_o more_o tend_v to_o his_o honour_n and_o renown_n than_o his_o retractation_n wherein_o he_o retract_v the_o error_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o his_o confestion_n where_o he_o acknowledge_v the_o error_n of_o his_o life_n and_o this_o be_v most_o christian_a ingenuity_n and_o i_o think_v never_o be_v any_o man_n more_o renown_v in_o this_o kind_n than_o he_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o every_o christian_n to_o strive_v forward_o unto_o perfection_n necessitate_v praecepti_fw-la by_o necessity_n of_o commandment_n but_o if_o he_o fail_v through_o negligence_n this_o be_v a_o very_a pardonable_a sin_n upon_o our_o confession_n of_o it_o as_o for_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n they_o be_v but_o few_o but_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n be_v so_o sweet_a to_o a_o regenerate_a taste_n have_v already_o taste_v how_o bountiful_a the_o lord_n be_v that_o he_o
only_o god_n command_v be_v his_o word_n but_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n and_o these_o be_v the_o thing_n most_o remote_a from_o our_o capacity_n as_o for_o the_o law_n as_o a_o rule_n of_o life_n that_o be_v more_o or_o less_o write_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n it_o be_v true_a the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr vocatione_n gentium_fw-la talk_v of_o such_o a_o manner_n of_o instruction_n by_o god_n work_v but_o i_o pray_v do_v not_o compare_v that_o in_o clearness_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n what_o ground_n have_v we_o for_o the_o right_a interpretation_n of_o sign_n and_o wonder_n beneath_o above_o astrologer_n will_v make_v we_o believe_v they_o read_v strange_a thing_n in_o the_o constellation_n refer_v to_o man_n nativity_n but_o what_o ground_n have_v we_o for_o this_o calculation_n what_o abraham_n the_o father_n of_o the_o faithful_a discourse_v thereof_o in_o his_o astronomical_a lecture_n read_v by_o he_o in_o the_o plain_a of_o mamre_n we_o have_v receive_v no_o tiding_n hereof_o from_o the_o hill_n amarath_n in_o aethiopia_n i_o know_v that_o in_o holy_a scripture_n thunder_n be_v call_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n i_o know_v also_o that_o the_o lordspake_a unto_o the_o patriarch_n but_o that_o word_n be_v not_o write_v wind_n and_o storm_n also_o be_v say_v to_o fulfil_v his_o word_n by_o a_o metaphor_n because_o what_o he_o will_v have_v do_v by_o they_o be_v do_v by_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v most_o obedient_a and_o faithful_a servant_n unto_o their_o master_n who_o yet_o they_o know_v not_o any_o more_o than_o raven_n do_v though_o in_o scripture-phrase_n and_o by_o a_o figure_n of_o speech_n they_o be_v say_v to_o call_v upon_o he_o now_o we_o be_v upon_o another_o point_n namely_o as_o touch_v the_o scripture_n the_o write_a word_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o clearness_n of_o they_o or_o the_o intelligible_a nature_n of_o they_o to_o all_o such_o as_o will_v understand_v and_o to_o such_o faith_n solomon_n knowledge_n be_v easy_a which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n by_o the_o scripture_n whereunto_o i_o be_o sure_a our_o saviour_n refer_v the_o jew_n and_o the_o apostle_n will_v not_o have_v we_o affect_v to_o be_v wise_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d above_o that_o which_o be_v write_v it_o be_v true_a when_o that_o be_v deliver_v thy_o law_n be_v a_o lantern_n unto_o my_o foot_n none_o of_o the_o late_a prophet_n have_v commit_v their_o prophecy_n unto_o writing_n much_o less_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n write_v then_o but_o in_o reference_n to_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n our_o saviour_n speak_v when_o he_o say_v search_v the_o scripture_n for_o in_o they_o you_o think_v to_o have_v eternal_a life_n and_o they_o be_v they_o that_o testify_v of_o i_o joh._n 5._o and_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o gospel_n be_v write_v that_o man_n may_v acknowledge_v the_o certainty_n of_o those_o thing_n whereof_o they_o have_v be_v instruct_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n luk._n 1.4_o which_o can_v not_o be_v be_v they_o not_o intelligible_a by_o a_o studious_a reader_n and_o paul_n be_v in_o bond_n when_o he_o write_v of_o the_o whole_a scripture_n that_o it_o be_v profitable_a to_o teach_v to_o convince_v to_o correct_v to_o instruct_v in_o righteousness_n that_o the_o man_n of_o god_n may_v be_v make_v absolute_a be_v make_v perfect_a to_o all_o good_a work_n 2_o tim._n 3.16_o 17._o now_o if_o we_o deny_v the_o intelligible_a condition_n of_o scripture_n the_o profitable_a nature_n of_o it_o therewithal_o must_v utter_o be_v remove_v the_o apostle_n we_o know_v by_o preach_v convert_v many_o sure_o the_o word_n preach_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o hearer_n otherwise_o it_o have_v wrought_v but_o a_o wild_a conversion_n now_o look_v what_o they_o preach_v that_o be_v commit_v to_o write_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o in_o their_o epistle_n write_v unto_o several_a church_n the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o figure_n of_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o the_o like_a be_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o great_a reason_n they_o shall_v be_v carry_v in_o a_o mysterious_a way_n like_v as_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n person_n and_o of_o his_o office_n in_o break_v the_o serpent_n head_n be_v carry_v a_o long_a time_n in_o the_o cloud_n of_o type_n and_o figure_n have_v it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o messiah_n must_v be_v crucify_v before_o he_o reign_v the_o devil_n will_v not_o have_v be_v so_o forward_o to_o possess_v the_o heart_n of_o judas_n with_o a_o project_n of_o betray_v he_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o enemy_n to_o procure_v his_o death_n so_o the_o revelation_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o many_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o the_o old_a concern_v the_o devil_n and_o antichrist_n practice_n no_o marvel_n if_o they_o be_v mysterious_o carry_v that_o neither_o the_o devil_n nor_o antichrist_n shall_v understand_v they_o until_o they_o be_v accomplish_v nevertheless_o the_o lord_n by_o his_o spirit_n which_o dictate_v they_o can_v inspire_v his_o servant_n with_o a_o understand_a heart_n to_o know_v the_o meaning_n of_o they_o when_o the_o time_n come_v appoint_v for_o the_o communication_n of_o this_o knowledge_n many_o shall_v pass_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o knowledge_n shall_v be_v increase_v as_o if_o the_o open_n of_o the_o world_n by_o navigation_n and_o commerce_n and_o the_o increase_n of_o knowledge_n shall_v meet_v together_o in_o one_o time_n and_o age_n as_o one_o witty_o observe_v we_o have_v see_v of_o late_a year_n a_o strange_a progress_n make_v in_o open_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o other_o mysterious_a prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n even_o to_o admiration_n the_o time_n when_o first_o antichrist_n shall_v be_v discover_v and_o protest_v against_o be_v find_v out_o in_o daniel_n number_n lest_o we_o shall_v wonder_v at_o the_o father_n ignorance_n hereof_o for_o as_o christian_n at_o their_o first_o conversion_n from_o idol_n to_o serve_v the_o live_a god_n do_v forthwith_o look_v for_o the_o son_n of_o god_n his_o come_n from_o heaven_n to_o deliver_v we_o from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v 1_o thes_n 1._o last_n yea_o and_o some_o be_v of_o opinion_n in_o the_o apostle_n day_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v within_o the_o age_n of_o a_o man_n whereupon_o paul_n write_v his_o second_o epistle_n to_o the_o thessalonian_o wherein_o he_o give_v to_o understand_v that_o a_o apostasy_n must_v come_v first_o and_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n must_v be_v reveal_v and_o before_o that_o the_o roman_a empire_n must_v be_v break_v 2_o thes_n 2._o compare_v with_o 1_o thes_n 4.15_o so_o in_o augustine_n day_n that_o good_a father_n project_n that_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v 400._o year_n off_o nay_o suppose_v 500_o he_o will_v not_o go_v further_o presume_v that_o the_o beast_n which_o slaughter_v the_o lord_n witness_n shall_v not_o continue_v above_o three_o year_n and_o a_o half_a now_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o wonder_v at_o this_o when_o we_o consider_v what_o daniel_n have_v write_v concern_v this_o and_o how_o bless_v a_o thing_n it_o shall_v be_v to_o live_v at_o that_o time_n when_o antichrist_n shall_v be_v proclaim_v to_o the_o world_n and_o reveal_v dan._n 11._o for_o than_o nothing_o remain_v to_o be_v look_v for_o but_o the_o blast_a of_o he_o with_o the_o breath_n of_o the_o lord_n mouth_n and_o the_o utter_a abolish_n of_o he_o by_o the_o brightness_n of_o his_o come_n the_o reconcile_n of_o ezekiel_n measure_n of_o new_a jerusalem_n with_o john_n measure_n in_o the_o revelation_n be_v a_o great_a mystery_n and_o hold_v to_o be_v desperate_a yet_o now_o it_o be_v make_v feisible_a nor_o so_o only_o but_o clear_v throughout_o so_o the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n 666._o how_o long_o have_v the_o christian_a world_n grope_v after_o the_o meaning_n of_o it_o as_o a_o blind_a man_n after_o his_o way_n what_o various_a notion_n have_v the_o investigation_n hereof_o produce_v in_o man_n brain_n after_o that_o of_o ireneus_fw-la accommodate_v to_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o at_o length_n for_o want_n of_o a_o better_a the_o best_a stndent_n in_o these_o mystery_n drive_v to_o come_v back_o thither_o again_o but_o now_o the_o vanity_n thereof_o new_o discover_v and_o that_o at_o full_a even_o by_o every_o text_n call_v we_o express_o to_o calculate_v this_o which_o be_v not_o to_o rest_v in_o this_o number_n but_o by_o calculation_n of_o this_o to_o find_v out_o another_o number_n which_o will_v notable_o decipher_v unto_o we_o that_o beast_n and_o indeed_o the_o number_n of_o the_o beast_n 666._o be_v oppose_v to_o