principle_n of_o philosophy_n satisfy_v we_o whether_o the_o verb_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d there_o use_v be_v of_o the_o indicative_a mood_n or_o of_o the_o imperative_a so_o when_o he_o say_v its_o doubtful_a whether_o our_o saviour_n word_n to_o peter_n john_n 21._o 16_o 17_o 18._o shall_v be_v take_v interrogative_o do_v thou_o love_v i_o or_o affirmative_o thou_o do_v love_v i_o and_o his_o word_n to_o his_o disciple_n math._n 26._o 45._o whether_o they_o be_v to_o be_v read_v imperative_o sleep_v on_o now_o etc._n etc._n or_o interrogative_o do_v you_o sleep_v on_o &_o c_o and_o so_o of_o pilat_n word_n to_o our_o saviour_n what_o be_v truth_n whether_o they_o be_v a_o serious_a question_n or_o a_o irony_n in_o these_o and_o many_o other_o if_o the_o matter_n and_o coherence_n do_v not_o resolve_v we_o philosophy_n can_v relieve_v we_o how_o then_o do_v these_o allegation_n serve_v our_o author_n end_n which_o be_v that_o the_o scripture_n can_v interpret_v itself_o but_o all_o its_o interpretation_n must_v be_v regulate_v by_o philosophy_n bùt_fw-la last_o i_o deny_v this_o charge_n lay_v 5._o against_o the_o scripture_n of_o its_o be_v universal_o ambiguous_a and_o obscure_a as_o high_o contumelious_a to_o god_n the_o author_n of_o it_o for_o it_o suppose_v either_o that_o he_o can_v not_o or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o speak_v his_o mind_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n for_o who_o eternal_a concern_v he_o design_v this_o sacred_a volume_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o they_o may_v understand_v it_o and_o be_v better_v by_o it_o as_o it_o be_v out_o of_o love_n and_o mercy_n to_o sinner_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v indict_v that_o they_o may_v have_v a_o sure_a guide_n to_o blessedness_n so_o they_o be_v write_v for_o all_o sort_n and_o rank_n of_o man_n to_o make_v use_n of_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n draw_v in_o a_o vulgar_a condescend_v style_n but_o if_o they_o can_v be_v understand_v without_o philosophy_n yea_o a_o 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the_o common_a use_n of_o speech_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n but_o this_o say_v he_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o dangerous_a and_o deceitful_a rule_n to_o go_v by_o cause_v many_o monstrous_a conception_n of_o god_n and_o thing_n divine_a suitable_a to_o the_o apprehension_n of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o besot_v vulgar_a to_o this_o captious_a objection_n i_o answer_v 1._o two_o thing_n 1._o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o such_o scripture_n who_o sense_n be_v obvious_a and_o so_o according_a 7._o to_o the_o exercitator_n own_o rule_n give_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o discourse_n need_v no_o interpreter_n for_o he_o plain_o say_v if_o at_o least_o there_o be_v any_o plain_a say_n to_o be_v find_v that_o the_o proper_a object_n of_o interpretation_n be_v such_o a_o speech_n as_o be_v obscure_a this_o cavil_v therefore_o be_v here_o be_v very_o disingenuous_a be_v against_o his_o own_o premise_a rule_n in_o scripture_n there_o be_v somewhat_o common_a 2._o with_o other_o write_n and_o something_o proper_a to_o itself_o as_o each_o particular_a write_n have_v the_o word_n it_o use_v be_v of_o the_o same_o kind_n with_o those_o of_o other_o write_n and_o single_o take_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v the_o like_a signification_n according_a to_o common_a use_n but_o as_o those_o word_n be_v frame_v into_o proposition_n in_o the_o scripture_n and_o those_o proposition_n conjoin_v in_o such_o a_o contexture_n of_o discourse_n so_o they_o may_v and_o oft_o do_v carry_v a_o peculiar_a sense_n which_o arise_v not_o from_o humane_a institution_n appoint_v the_o signification_n of_o such_o word_n but_o from_o divine_a ordination_n place_v those_o word_n in_o such_o a_o order_n without_o which_o they_o will_v not_o signify_v what_o they_o do_v and_o though_o the_o several_a word_n and_o clause_n of_o scripture_n take_v separately_z from_o the_o place_n wherein_o they_o stand_v may_v have_v a_o dubious_a or_o indeterminate_a sense_n yet_o take_v they_o 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as_o a_o branch_n of_o that_o whole_a discourse_n that_o begin_v at_o verse_n 33._o and_o end_n at_o ver_fw-la 37._o and_o so_o interpreter_n understand_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n either_o to_o forbid_v all_o swear_v by_o the_o creature_n and_o in_o familiar_a discourse_n or_o to_o caution_n they_o against_o the_o common_a conceit_n and_o practice_n that_o then_o obtain_v of_o swear_v rash_o and_o fallacious_o by_o the_o creature_n upon_o supposal_n that_o such_o oath_n be_v noâ—_n oblige_v because_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v not_o interpose_v chap._n vi_o a_o three_o exception_n that_o what_o be_v clear_a to_o one_o be_v obscure_a to_o another_o where_o he_o deny_v all_o perspicuity_n and_o obscurity_n but_o what_o be_v relative_n but_o that_o which_o be_v plain_a to_o one_o 3._o may_v be_v obscure_a to_o another_o say_v the_o exercitator_n who_o thereupon_o assert_n that_o there_o be_v no_o perspicuity_n or_o obscurity_n but_o what_o be_v pure_o relative_n to_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o reader_n or_o hearer_n and_o according_a to_o his_o wont_a modesty_n condemn_v the_o reform_a divine_n and_o he_o may_v have_v add_v the_o ancient_a father_n for_o affirm_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v in_o themselves_o perspicuous_a though_o obscure_a in_o regard_n of_o the_o indisposition_n of_o man_n mind_n i_o answer_v 1._o if_o there_o be_v no_o objective_a perspicuity_n nor_o anything_o clear_a in_o it_o 1._o self_n but_o only_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o actual_a exercise_n of_o man_n apprehensive_a faculty_n than_o it_o seem_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o a_o clear_a day_n and_o a_o cloudy_a but_o only_o in_o reference_n to_o our_o sight_n and_o the_o sun_n must_v not_o be_v say_v to_o shine_v bright_a because_o man_n that_o have_v lose_v their_o eye_n or_o be_v shut_v up_o in_o a_o dungeon_n can_v see_v it_o but_o i_o think_v the_o vanity_n of_o such_o
the_o spirit_n of_o god_n therefore_o the_o best_a and_o safe_a conception_n we_o can_v have_v of_o god_n be_v those_o which_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o and_o by_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o this_o author_n be_v not_o extreme_o prejudice_v by_o a_o partial_a fondness_n for_o his_o own_o darling_n conceit_n he_o may_v know_v that_o plain_a ordinary_a christian_n who_o never_o have_v aught_o to_o do_v with_o philosophic_a learning_n have_v by_o their_o sole_a acquaintance_n with_o the_o scripture_n come_v to_o much_o clear_a and_o sound_a conception_n of_o god_n his_o nature_n and_o attribute_n than_o the_o learn_a philosopher_n that_o ever_o the_o world_n have_v can_v attain_v by_o all_o his_o wit_n and_o study_n without_o scripture_n light_n and_o that_o to_o any_o reader_n that_o be_v not_o prepossess_v with_o false_a and_o absurd_a notion_n of_o god_n by_o his_o own_o vain_a imagination_n and_o misguide_a reason_n the_o scripture_n that_o 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philosophy_n for_o answer_v to_o this_o i_o grant_v that_o in_o sol._n clear_v this_o controversy_n there_o be_v good_a use_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n and_o natural_a reason_n and_o so_o there_o be_v also_o of_o sense_n which_o undeniable_o convince_v we_o that_o what_o we_o see_v and_o feel_v and_o taste_v be_v bread_n yet_o sure_o we_o be_v not_o to_o make_v sense_n the_o rule_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n but_o the_o true_a and_o proper_a rule_n of_o interpret_n our_o saviour_n word_n this_n be_v my_o body_n be_v that_o which_o the_o scripture_n itself_o and_o that_o alone_o have_v teach_v we_o viz._n that_o christ_n assume_v a_o true_a humane_a body_n which_o be_v a_o truth_n that_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n can_v never_o inform_v we_o of_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o pure_a revelation_n now_o this_o be_v lay_v down_o as_o the_o chief_a postulatum_fw-la the_o thing_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v what_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o humane_a body_n and_o what_o 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which_o be_v scripture-revelation_n beside_o there_o be_v a_o wide_a difference_n between_o these_o two_o a_o help_n to_o overthrow_v a_o false_a interpretation_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o establish_v the_o true_a one_o philosophy_n may_v do_v the_o former_a but_o not_o the_o latter_a as_o in_o this_o controversy_n the_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n do_v convince_o assure_v we_o that_o bread_n be_v not_o can_v be_v the_o body_n of_o a_o man._n but_o they_o can_v assure_v we_o what_o be_v our_o saviour_n meaning_n when_o hold_v the_o bread_n in_o his_o hand_n he_o say_v this_o be_v my_o body_n this_o must_v be_v resolve_v by_o what_o the_o scripture_n itself_o speak_v either_o there_o or_o elsewhere_o his_o three_o and_o last_o instance_n be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o he_o say_v 3._o can_v be_v clear_v without_o have_v recourse_n 3._o to_o philosophy_n and_o here_o have_v deride_v the_o attempt_n of_o many_o to_o explicate_v and_o confirm_v this_o great_a mystery_n by_o their_o metaphysical_a speculation_n he_o high_o applaud_v the_o learned_a keckerman_n for_o his_o happy_a endeavour_n in_o unfolding_a and_o demonstrate_v it_o exit_fw-la immotis_fw-la philisophiae_n fundamentis_fw-la out_o of_o the_o unmoveable_a foundation_n of_o philosophy_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o curious_a sol._n speculation_n and_o philosophic_a niceâ—ies_n of_o the_o school_n about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n have_v do_v it_o more_o prejudice_n than_o advantage_n and_o give_v great_a occasion_n to_o the_o adverse_a part_n to_o reject_v it_o when_o they_o find_v so_o strange_a and_o incomprehensible_a a_o mystery_n defend_v by_o such_o thin_a airy_a cobweb_n notion_n it_o have_v be_v much_o better_o if_o man_n have_v content_v themselves_o with_o those_o discovery_n the_o scripture_n make_v of_o this_o inexplicable_a mystery_n it_o be_v a_o doctrine_n pure_o of_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o not_o at_o all_o discoverable_a by_o natural_a light_n the_o argument_n from_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n bring_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o by_o the_o learned_a keckerman_n and_o by_o claubergius_n a_o late_a cartesian_a be_v examine_v by_o vogolsangius_n in_o his_o indignatio_fw-la justa_n etc._n etc._n and_o discard_a as_o insufficient_a i_o grant_v that_o in_o this_o as_o in_o many_o other_o doctrine_n it_o may_v be_v of_o good_a use_n to_o show_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o what_o the_o scripture_n say_v of_o it_o that_o contradict_v any_o sound_a principle_n of_o reason_n but_o to_o go_v about_o by_o the_o principle_n of_o reason_n or_o philosophy_n positive_o to_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v impossible_a i_o choose_v to_o say_v of_o this_o mystery_n as_o one_o do_v of_o the_o divine_a essence_n credendo_fw-la intelligitur_fw-la adorando_fw-la enarratur_fw-la it_o be_v best_a understand_v by_o believe_v and_o best_a declare_v by_o adore_v he_o say_v the_o late_a bishop_n of_o 2._o down_o that_o shall_v go_v to_o revelation_n to_o prove_v that_o nine_o and_o nine_o make_v eighteen_o will_v be_v a_o fool_n and_o he_o will_v be_v no_o less_o that_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v a_o trinity_n of_o person_n by_o natural_a reason_n every_o thing_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o its_o own_o fountain_n thus_o aquinas_n tell_v we_o he_o that_o by_o natural_a 1_o reason_n attempt_v to_o prove_v the_o trinity_n of_o person_n do_v a_o double_a prejudice_n to_o the_o faith_n 1._o he_o derogate_v from_o its_o dignity_n it_o be_v proper_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n to_o be_v of_o such_o thing_n as_o exceed_v man_n reason_n 2._o he_o hinder_v other_o from_o embrace_v the_o faith_n by_o use_v such_o argument_n as_o be_v not_o cogent_a which_o render_v it_o obnoxious_a to_o the_o infidel_n contempt_n this_o be_v plain_a in_o scripture_n that_o the_o father_n be_v god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n and_o that_o these_o be_v three_o and_o all_o three_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o for_o other_o subtlety_n and_o curious_a inquiry_n of_o busy_a and_o presumptuous_a wit_n without_o and_o beside_o the_o write_a word_n i_o think_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n never_o be_v nor_o ever_o will_v be_v behold_v to_o they_o chap._n xv._n a_o seven_o argument_n from_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o religion_n answer_v one_o argument_n more_o i_o shall_v touch_v which_o i_o find_v allege_v by_o two_o note_a 7._o socinian_o smalcius_n and_o schlichtingius_n as_o they_o be_v cite_v by_o a_o late_a learned_a author_n in_o his_o socinianism_n confut._n to_o prove_v reason_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o decide_v controversy_n of_o faith_n which_o may_v be_v think_v improveable_a upon_o the_o same_o ground_n to_o assert_v that_o reason_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o it_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n where_o he_o assert_v the_o service_n that_o god_n require_v of_o christian_n to_o be_v 1._o 〈◊〉_d
in_o word_n which_o man_n wisdom_n teach_v but_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n teach_v 13._o 4._o if_o the_o common_a use_n of_o speech_n be_v so_o sure_a a_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n as_o this_o author_n make_v it_o i_o wonder_v what_o be_v in_o his_o mind_n to_o say_v of_o the_o penman_n of_o scripture_n that_o if_o they_o be_v now_o live_v among_o we_o they_o can_v not_o be_v the_o sufficient_a interpreter_n of_o their_o own_o write_n because_o they_o often_o write_v they_o know_v not_o what_o certain_o the_o customary_a use_n of_o speech_n which_o obtain_v in_o the_o time_n wherein_o they_o write_v must_v needs_o be_v much_o better_o know_v to_o they_o than_o it_o can_v be_v to_o any_o now_o live_v why_o then_o may_v not_o they_o interpret_v their_o own_o write_n if_o they_o be_v now_o with_o we_o have_v the_o best_a insight_n into_o that_o which_o this_o author_n cry_v up_o for_o the_o only_a sure_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n 5._o if_o the_o customary_a use_n of_o speech_n must_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n the_o inconvenience_n urge_v by_o the_o exercitator_n cap._n 11._o par_fw-fr 6._o will_v not_o easy_o if_o at_o all_o be_v avoid_v viz._n the_o interpret_n of_o scripture_n according_a to_o the_o erroneous_a apprehension_n of_o the_o vulgar_a 6._o if_o this_o be_v so_o certain_a a_o rule_n as_o he_o will_v have_v it_o so_o as_o that_o he_o who_o use_v it_o shall_v not_o fail_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n for_o so_o himself_o speak_v 12._o how_o be_v it_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n may_v not_o be_v find_v in_o all_o part_v one_o as_o well_o as_o another_o for_o the_o use_n of_o speech_n be_v the_o same_o in_o all_o and_o yet_o he_o acknowledge_v that_o in_o many_o thing_n not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n let_v the_o reader_n be_v never_o so_o diligent_a in_o his_o search_n he_o can_v find_v the_o meaning_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o reason_n hereof_o he_o say_v be_v to_o be_v fetch_v not_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n nor_o from_o the_o darkness_n of_o our_o mind_n but_o ex_fw-la 174._o ipsa_fw-la constitutione_n scripturae_fw-la from_o the_o very_a frame_n of_o scripture_n itself_o second_o but_o now_o whether_o this_o learned_a author_n do_v not_o well_o consider_v 2._o what_o he_o write_v or_o have_v not_o well_o digest_v his_o own_o notion_n or_o whether_o he_o design_v to_o amuse_v his_o reader_n with_o intricacy_n and_o ambiguity_n or_o whether_o he_o be_v aware_a of_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o his_o former_a expression_n and_o their_o liableness_n to_o exception_n or_o what_o other_o be_v the_o cause_n i_o shall_v not_o inquire_v but_o this_o be_v plain_a to_o any_o that_o attentive_o read_v his_o discourse_n that_o when_o he_o have_v once_o and_o again_o give_v the_o honour_n of_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a rule_n of_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n to_o the_o common_a and_o customary_a use_n of_o speech_n he_o afterward_o fall_v to_o a_o singular_a use_n of_o speech_n 227._o distinct_a from_o the_o vulgar_a arise_v from_o the_o different_a character_n of_o the_o writer_n the_o different_a occasion_n of_o write_v the_o different_a nature_n of_o the_o thing_n about_o which_o he_o treat_v and_o that_o under_o this_o singularity_n of_o the_o usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la the_o custom_n of_o speech_n we_o be_v to_o consider_v the_o antecedent_n and_o the_o consequent_n of_o a_o text_n 79._o and_o the_o parallel_n place_n and_o elsewhere_o he_o say_v 137._o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n under_o consideration_n be_v to_o be_v examine_v and_o this_o he_o call_v usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la scripturarius_fw-la 127._o the_o scripture_n use_v of_o speak_v and_o when_o he_o object_n against_o himself_o 138._o that_o the_o customary_a manner_n of_o speak_v be_v dubious_a and_o uncertain_a he_o answer_v it_o thus_o that_o though_o it_o be_v 263._o so_o yet_o god_n manner_n of_o speech_n in_o scripture_n be_v fix_v so_o that_o what_o be_v before_o call_v the_o common_a and_o vulgar_a use_n be_v now_o confine_v to_o god_n use_n and_o the_o scripture-use_a of_o speak_v which_o certain_o do_v not_o receive_v law_n from_o the_o custom_n and_o consent_n of_o man_n but_o be_v whole_o frame_v and_o order_v by_o the_o disposal_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n though_o in_o it_o he_o make_v use_v of_o such_o word_n as_o receive_v their_o single_a signification_n from_o common_a use_n beside_o this_o author_n tell_v we_o elsewhere_o 121_o that_o usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la or_o custom_n of_o speech_n include_v in_o it_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n and_o all_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v take_v out_o of_o scripture_n in_o order_n to_o the_o find_v out_o of_o its_o true_a sense_n now_o if_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o meaning_n of_o his_o usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la his_o opinion_n come_v very_o near_o to_o that_o of_o the_o reform_a church_n if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o same_o with_o it_o but_o than_o what_o need_v all_o this_o stir_n as_o if_o our_o divine_n have_v not_o discover_v their_o mind_n plain_o and_o distinct_o but_o this_o author_n must_v come_v and_o mend_v it_o whereas_o he_o have_v rather_o darken_v and_o obscure_v it_o by_o his_o intricate_a and_o inconsistent_a discourse_n for_o whoever_o before_o he_o take_v usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la in_o such_o a_o sense_n as_o this_o and_o i_o much_o wonder_v that_o he_o who_o be_v so_o much_o for_o the_o custom_n of_o speech_n shall_v vary_v so_o wide_o from_o it_o in_o his_o write_n for_o i_o be_o sure_a this_o phrase_n usus_fw-la loquendi_fw-la according_a to_o that_o mode_n of_o speech_n that_o have_v hitherto_o obtain_v be_v never_o take_v so_o comprehensive_o as_o to_o include_v the_o scope_n of_o the_o text_n with_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_n and_o all_o other_o circumstance_n and_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n and_o what_o ever_o lie_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o serve_v to_o the_o discovery_n of_o its_o true_a sense_n except_o man_n will_v assume_v a_o power_n to_o themselves_o of_o coin_v a_o new_a sense_n of_o word_n i_o can_v imagine_v what_o ground_n they_o can_v have_v to_o talk_v after_o the_o rate_n of_o this_o author_n our_o divine_n speak_v much_o more_o proper_o 〈◊〉_d and_o clear_o in_o this_o business_n viz._n that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n of_o god_n have_v in_o endite_v the_o scripture_n so_o attemper_v his_o speech_n and_o so_o order_v and_o dispose_v the_o several_a part_n and_o parcel_n of_o this_o sacred_a book_n that_o his_o mind_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v it_o may_v be_v discover_v either_o from_o the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o particular_a sentence_n and_o proposition_n of_o scripture_n consider_v in_o that_o order_n and_o dependence_n wherein_o they_o be_v place_v or_o by_o a_o due_a comparison_n of_o one_o part_n of_o scripture_n with_o another_o so_o as_o that_o the_o reader_n may_v gather_v the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o this_o be_v that_o which_o our_o divine_n mean_v when_o they_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n and_o when_o they_o say_v at_o any_o time_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o scripture_n either_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o objective_a evidence_n that_o the_o spirit_n give_v of_o the_o sense_n of_o scripture_n and_o then_o they_o understand_v it_o of_o the_o spirit_n as_o speak_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o spirit_n be_v to_o we_o as_o i_o say_v our_o supreme_a rule_n or_o they_o speak_v of_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o efficient_a cause_n of_o that_o subjective_n lightâ—hat_o â—hat_z be_v let_v into_o our_o mind_n enable_v we_o to_o understand_v the_o scripture_n and_o this_o belong_v to_o another_o inquiry_n and_o do_v not_o concern_v the_o question_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o interpretation_n now_o when_o our_o writer_n say_v the_o scripture_n be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v 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perspicuous_a 〈◊〉_d revelation_n of_o god_n will._n whatsoever_o may_v be_v the_o ignorance_n or_o darkness_n of_o man_n which_o hinder_v they_o from_o know_v what_o god_n have_v say_v in_o these_o sacred_a record_n yet_o the_o objective_a perspicuity_n of_o they_o be_v general_o assert_v by_o protestant_n against_o the_o romanist_n not_o that_o all_o truth_n reveal_v in_o scripture_n be_v so_o low_a and_o common_a as_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o be_v obvious_a to_o man_n understanding_n but_o that_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o delivery_n they_o be_v so_o lay_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v understand_v by_o and_o from_o the_o scripture_n yet_o we_o mean_v not_o that_o every_o part_n or_o passage_n of_o scripture_n be_v clear_a for_o that_o there_o be_v many_o difficulty_n therein_o we_o acknowledge_v but_o that_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n be_v somewhere_o or_o other_o in_o scripture_n plain_o propound_v so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a 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i_o have_v ever_o meet_v with_o and_o with_o confidence_n affirm_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v universal_o obscure_a and_o that_o no_o part_n of_o it_o be_v of_o itself_o clear_a and_o 9_o plain_a and_o thereupon_o deny_v that_o one_o part_n of_o scripture_n can_v be_v expound_v by_o another_o yea_o this_o he_o lay_v as_o the_o foundation_n of_o his_o main_a assertion_n against_o the_o scripture_n interpret_n itself_o and_o one_o great_a reason_n he_o give_v be_v 1._o what_o he_o have_v take_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o tedious_a pedantic_a pain_n to_o prove_v in_o his_o three_o chapter_n that_o all_o speech_n be_v make_v up_o of_o word_n and_o phrase_n be_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a because_o the_o word_n whereof_o it_o consist_v be_v capable_a of_o different_a signification_n and_o consequent_o may_v be_v take_v in_o a_o various_a sense_n and_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v universal_o ambiguous_a and_o therefore_o obscure_a to_o this_o i_o answer_v 1._o if_o this_o reason_n 1._o hold_v then_o there_o be_v no_o speech_n or_o write_v in_o the_o world_n but_o will_v fall_v under_o the_o same_o unhappy_a fate_n no_o law_n of_o the_o land_n no_o letter_n of_o a_o friend_n no_o oral_a discourse_n no_o treatise_n of_o whatsoever_o subject_n and_o how_o accurate_o soever_o write_v shall_v be_v account_v intelligible_a for_o all_o write_n and_o discourse_n be_v make_v up_o of_o the_o same_o kind_n of_o word_n and_o phrase_n and_o capable_a of_o be_v adorn_v with_o the_o same_o trope_n and_o figure_n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v and_o every_o whit_n as_o liable_a to_o be_v take_v in_o for_o different_a sense_n and_o thus_o no_o man_n shall_v know_v how_o to_o speak_v or_o write_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v clear_o understand_v and_o that_o excellent_a gift_n of_o speech_n which_o god_n have_v bestow_v upon_o man_n to_o be_v a_o instrument_n of_o society_n and_o converse_n shall_v be_v of_o no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o be_v make_v a_o engine_n of_o deceit_n and_o treachery_n second_o if_o thing_n be_v thus_o to_o what_o 2._o end_n do_v this_o author_n trouble_v himself_o to_o write_v and_o other_o to_o read_v this_o book_n of_o he_o if_o all_o speech_n and_o write_n be_v ambiguous_a and_o obscure_a and_o not_o to_o be_v understand_v without_o a_o interpreter_n of_o what_o use_n be_v this_o jewel_n of_o his_o fancy_n do_v he_o hope_v to_o lead_v the_o whole_a world_n of_o interpreter_n out_o of_o their_o labyrinth_n into_o the_o right_a path_n by_o such_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la that_o by_o its_o ambiguity_n and_o uncertainty_n may_v scare_v and_o amuse_v they_o and_o carry_v they_o hither_o and_o thither_o according_a to_o the_o wind_n of_o their_o own_o imagination_n or_o have_v he_o attain_v to_o a_o faculty_n above_o all_o other_o writer_n even_o the_o best_a and_o holy_a to_o write_v in_o such_o word_n and_o phrase_n as_o may_v open_v his_o meaning_n without_o entangle_v his_o reader_n in_o ambiguity_n if_o he_o think_v his_o book_n be_v free_a from_o this_o blemish_n methinks_v he_o may_v have_v have_v the_o modesty_n to_o conceive_v that_o the_o penman_n of_o scripture_n know_v how_o to_o write_v as_o well_o as_o he_o if_o his_o thought_n of_o his_o book_n be_v otherwise_o he_o may_v have_v keep_v it_o to_o himself_o and_o feed_v the_o moth_n with_o it_o three_o yet_o again_o if_o it_o be_v thus_o that_o all_o word_n in_o whatsoever_o contexture_n be_v 3._o so_o ambiguous_a and_o obscure_a what_o will_v become_v of_o this_o infallible_a interpreter_n which_o our_o author_n will_v set_v up_o for_o whatsoever_o interpretation_n be_v make_v of_o any_o scripture_n it_o must_v be_v frame_v in_o such_o word_n as_o other_o man_n use_v and_o as_o all_o kind_n of_o write_n be_v draw_v up_o in_o and_o if_o when_o all_o be_v do_v these_o be_v obscure_a what_o be_v we_o the_o better_a for_o certain_o according_a to_o this_o author_n argument_n even_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o 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reverence_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o word_n for_o want_v of_o which_o too_o many_o have_v great_o pollute_v these_o holy_a mystery_n with_o the_o wanton_a conceit_n or_o profane_a excursion_n of_o a_o unhollwed_a wit_n and_o mortal_o poison_v themselves_o and_o other_o by_o their_o corrupt_a handle_v this_o bread_n of_o life_n the_o special_a mean_n of_o interpretation_n be_v twofold_a some_o be_v more_o remote_a which_o i_o shall_v only_o name_v not_o intend_v any_o discourse_n about_o they_o because_o my_o work_n lie_v another_o way_n these_o remote_a help_n be_v 1._o some_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o and_o recourse_n to_o the_o original_a tongue_n wherein_o the_o scripture_n be_v first_o pen_v with_o a_o due_a observation_n of_o the_o propriety_n of_o each_o language_n 2._o skill_n to_o discern_v between_o the_o proper_a use_n of_o the_o word_n and_o phrase_n of_o scripture_n and_o that_o which_o be_v tropical_a and_o figurative_a in_o these_o grammar_n and_o rhetoric_n have_v 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for_o what_o a_o heap_n of_o uncertainty_n must_v we_o lay_v for_o the_o foundation_n of_o our_o faith_n it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v that_o the_o father_n do_v oft_o differ_v from_o each_o other_o and_o many_o time_n be_v not_o consistent_a with_o themselves_o council_n have_v determine_v contrary_a one_o to_o another_o and_o some_o thing_n that_o be_v as_o far_o as_o appear_v to_o we_o by_o all_o extant_a monument_n of_o antiquity_n agreeable_a to_o the_o common_a sentiment_n in_o our_o age_n be_v lay_v aside_o in_o another_o beside_o either_o the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o the_o doctor_n of_o the_o church_n in_o the_o first_o age_n write_v nothing_o or_o their_o write_n be_v lose_v and_o of_o those_o that_o now_o go_v under_o venerable_a name_n many_o be_v plain_o spurious_a and_o many_o dubious_a nor_o be_v it_o easy_a in_o several_a of_o they_o for_o the_o most_o sagacious_a reader_n to_o find_v out_o the_o right_n insomuch_o as_o we_o can_v have_v any_o tolerable_a assurance_n 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excellent_a and_o elaborate_a discourse_n who_o further_o also_o tell_v we_o that_o we_o have_v in_o that_o tractat_fw-la a_o sufficient_a confutation_n of_o cardinal_n perron_n his_o book_n against_o king_n james_n and_o by_o consequence_n of_o the_o marquis_n of_o worcester_n against_o king_n charles_n and_o of_o doctor_n vane_n and_o other_o epitomizer_n of_o the_o cardinal_n which_o i_o do_v the_o rather_o take_v notice_n of_o that_o it_o may_v obviate_v the_o groundless_a prejudices_fw-la that_o some_o have_v of_o late_o entertain_v against_o that_o incomparable_a piece_n the_o receive_a doctrine_n of_o the_o reform_a 4._o church_n both_o ourown_n and_o those_o abroad_o have_v be_v hitherto_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v its_o own_o interpreter_n but_o of_o late_a there_o have_v be_v a_o attempt_n to_o justle_v the_o scripture_n aside_o as_o to_o this_o use_n and_o place_n reason_n and_o philosophy_n in_o its_o room_n there_o be_v a_o belgic_a
be_v upon_o scripture-testimony_n to_o receive_v without_o search_v into_o the_o manner_n it_o be_v a_o mystery_n infinite_o above_o our_o reach_n which_o therefore_o he_o that_o will_v bold_o intrude_v into_o may_v just_o fear_v to_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o its_o glory_n or_o 2._o to_o the_o temporal_a manifestation_n of_o that_o eternal_a generation_n a_o thing_n be_v then_o say_v to_o be_v do_v when_o it_o be_v manifest_v to_o be_v do_v and_o so_o the_o word_n be_v apply_v by_o the_o apostle_n paul_n to_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n 33_o whereby_o as_o the_o same_o apostle_n say_v elsewhere_o he_o be_v declare_v to_o be_v the_o 4._o son_n of_o god_n with_o power_n though_o i_o know_v there_o be_v who_o understand_v those_o word_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n immediate_o and_o in_o itself_o partly_o because_o it_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o second_o birth_n to_o the_o humane_a nature_n partly_o because_o it_o be_v as_o they_o conceive_v the_o beginning_n of_o his_o instalment_n into_o his_o regal_a office_n which_o may_v be_v call_v his_o birth_n by_o analogy_n to_o what_o be_v say_v before_o concern_v the_o roman_a emperor_n i_o shall_v not_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o determine_v which_o of_o these_o way_n of_o explication_n be_v to_o be_v adhere_v to_o but_o be_v it_o what_o it_o will_v this_o i_o need_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v scripture_n if_o any_o thing_n that_o must_v clear_v the_o difficulty_n and_o decide_v the_o difference_n it_o be_v not_o philosophy_n in_o its_o high_a exaltation_n that_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a rule_n to_o resolve_v we_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n be_v so_o whole_o foreign_a to_o the_o best_a and_o clear_a natural_a light_n 3._o then_o for_o the_o last_o instance_n joh._n 3._o 16._o where_o god_n be_v say_v to_o love_v the_o 3._o world_n though_o in_o this_o as_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n we_o be_v not_o to_o measure_v god_n by_o ourselves_o yet_o this_o be_v undoubted_a that_o by_o god_n love_n to_o 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and_o otherwise_o than_o thus_o they_o have_v no_o sense_n that_o be_v proper_o they_o do_v exhibit_v to_o the_o reader_n no_o other_o sense_n than_o what_o be_v indeed_o the_o author_n meaning_n be_v write_v for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o signify_v his_o mind_n for_o our_o safe_a guidance_n to_o blessedness_n and_o to_o think_v that_o they_o have_v any_o other_o sense_n than_o what_o be_v indeed_o the_o truemind_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o author_n be_v â—o_o charge_v the_o holy_a scripture_n with_o the_o vile_a imposture_n what_o 21._o will_v we_o think_v of_o that_o man_n that_o shall_v either_o speâ—k_v or_o write_v so_o as_o that_o his_o word_n shall_v carry_v one_o meaning_n and_o himself_o intend_v another_o will_v he_o not_o be_v judge_v a_o deceiver_n and_o shall_v we_o dare_v to_o fasten_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o hypocrisy_n upon_o the_o holy_a god_n and_o that_o in_o a_o business_n wherein_o man_n everlasting_a happiness_n be_v concern_v what_o thought_n have_v these_o man_n of_o god_n who_o can_v talk_v thus_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o be_v his_o acknowledge_a word_n but_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v before_o i_o leave_v this_o matter_n whether_o our_o author_n do_v not_o by_o this_o distinction_n contradict_v himself_o for_o 1._o when_o he_o be_v in_o preparation_n designantur_fw-la to_o his_o future_a discourse_n explain_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o material_a object_n of_o interpretation_n he_o plain_o assert_n that_o word_n be_v first_o and_o immediate_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o inward_a conception_n of_o the_o mind_n â—and_v because_o those_o conception_n be_v representation_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o understanding_n hence_o the_o word_n that_o declare_v those_o conception_n be_v use_v to_o signify_v and_o denote_v thing_n now_o if_o so_o how_o come_v it_o about_o that_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n can_v have_v a_o different_a sense_n from_o what_o the_o author_n intend_v see_v as_o the_o exercitator_n acknowledge_v they_o be_v sign_n or_o note_n of_o the_o conception_n of_o his_o mind_n 2._o this_o same_o author_n when_o he_o be_v prove_v a_o multiplicity_n of_o true_a sense_n in_o the_o same_o text_n of_o scripture_n and_o that_o 8._o whatsoever_o interpretation_n be_v they_o never_o so_o many_o and_o various_a be_v give_v if_o they_o be_v truth_n in_o themselves_o they_o be_v also_o the_o true_a exposition_n of_o that_o place_n use_v this_o argument_n that_o else_o god_n will_v be_v chargeable_a with_o deceive_a man_n by_o use_v such_o word_n as_o he_o know_v man_n will_v be_v ready_a to_o take_v in_o such_o different_a sense_n as_o he_o never_o mean_v this_o the_o author_n reject_v with_o abhorrence_n as_o not_o agree_v with_o the_o divine_a perfection_n how_o well_o he_o agree_v with_o himself_o and_o how_o this_o may_v be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o forementioned_a conceit_n of_o such_o a_o twofold_a sense_n as_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o the_o simple_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n and_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o the_o speaker_n let_v the_o reader_n judge_n chap._n viii_o 1._o a_o five_o exception_n that_o the_o plain_a scripture_n may_v be_v wrest_v 2._o a_o six_o from_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o commentary_n and_o exposition_n remove_v in_o the_o next_o place_n it_o will_v be_v say_v 5._o that_o the_o plain_a scripture_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v wrest_v and_o pervert_v by_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n therefore_o they_o be_v not_o perspicuous_a enough_o to_o interpret_v themselves_o suppose_v what_o be_v indeed_o too_o true_a and_o sufficient_o make_v good_a by_o our_o adversary_n sol._n in_o this_o cause_n that_o the_o plain_a scripture_n may_v be_v pervert_v so_o may_v the_o best_a and_o true_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n nor_o can_v any_o man_n devise_v how_o to_o speak_v or_o write_v so_o but_o a_o wicked_a and_o malicious_a wit_n may_v put_v a_o absurd_a or_o horrid_a sense_n upon_o the_o most_o innocent_a word_n and_o of_o this_o i_o think_v we_o have_v instance_n enough_o every_o day_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o sense_n which_o the_o word_n and_o sentence_n of_o scripture_n in_o such_o a_o contexture_n and_o with_o reference_n to_o and_o dependence_n upon_o the_o antecedent_n and_o consequent_n and_o the_o whole_a tenor_n of_o the_o author_n discourse_n do_v offer_v to_o the_o reader_n that_o the_o scripture_n thus_o consider_v be_v of_o itself_o liable_a to_o such_o ambiguous_a sense_n be_v a_o profane_a and_o senseless_a calumny_n bring_v that_o holy_a volume_n under_o the_o same_o condemnation_n with_o the_o devil_n oracle_n that_o be_v purposely_o contrive_v by_o that_o great_a enemy_n of_o mankind_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o pagan_a world_n but_o may_v some_o say_v do_v not_o many_o object_n take_v the_o word_n of_o scripture_n in_o a_o far_o different_a sense_n from_o what_o the_o author_n of_o scripture_n intend_v no_o doubt_v they_o do_v what_o then_o sol._n that_o be_v not_o because_o the_o word_n give_v they_o that_o sense_n but_o because_o they_o impose_v that_o sense_n upon_o the_o word_n to_o make_v they_o comply_v with_o their_o own_o apprehension_n in_o the_o six_o place_n the_o exercitator_n 1._o argue_v against_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o multitude_n of_o commentary_n animadversion_n interpretation_n for_o he_o love_v to_o heap_v up_o word_n write_v by_o learned_a man_n upon_o the_o whole_a scripture_n or_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o whence_o he_o conclude_v it_o as_o a_o thing_n unquestionable_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a so_o obscure_a that_o it_o can_v interpret_v its_o own_o sense_n i_o answer_v that_o there_o be_v some_o difficulty_n sol._n in_o scripture_n that_o may_v exercise_v yea_o and_o exceed_v the_o able_a wit_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n in_o it_o may_v be_v obscure_a to_o the_o reader_n for_o want_v of_o use_v the_o