then_o he_o add_v further_a every_o one_o that_o love_v he_o which_o beget_v love_v he_o also_o which_o be_v beget_v this_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o for_o it_o be_v as_o a_o principle_n in_o nature_n whereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o whosoever_o love_v not_o the_o child_n of_o god_n he_o love_v not_o god_n for_o he_o that_o entire_o do_v love_v the_o father_n can_v but_o for_o his_o sake_n love_v the_o child_n which_o be_v beget_v of_o he_o then_o it_o be_v thus_o he_o that_o love_v not_o the_o child_n of_o god_n be_v not_o bear_v of_o god_n and_o therefore_o he_o have_v not_o the_o true_a faith_n in_o christ_n and_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n he_o love_v god_n and_o therefore_o also_o he_o love_v his_o child_n and_o by_o this_o he_o say_v we_o know_v we_o love_v the_o child_n of_o god_n when_o we_o love_v god_n and_o keep_v his_o commandment_n the_o trial_n that_o man_n love_v god_n child_n be_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o love_v god_n and_o the_o trial_n that_o we_o 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we_o sin_v all_o jam._n 3._o ver_fw-la 2._o there_o be_v no_o man_n say_v solomon_n which_o sin_v not_o 1_o king_n 8.46_o yea_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v how_o often_o psal_n 19_o wherefore_o saint_n peter_n say_v thus_o unto_o such_o as_o will_v have_v man_n justify_v by_o the_o law_n now_o therefore_o why_o do_v you_o tempt_v god_n to_o lay_v a_o yoke_n upon_o the_o neck_n of_o the_o disciple_n which_o neither_o our_o father_n nor_o we_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v act_n 15.10_o well_o to_o proceed_v saint_n john_n come_v near_a and_o say_v this_o be_v the_o victory_n that_o overcom_v the_o world_n even_o our_o faith_n there_o be_v then_o a_o marvelous_a excellency_n in_o faith_n for_o by_o it_o we_o overcome_v the_o world_n even_o all_o the_o unclean_a lust_n of_o sin_n and_o by_o it_o we_o overcome_v satan_n the_o prince_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v no_o power_n not_o authority_n but_o by_o those_o lust_n but_o now_o we_o must_v understand_v that_o this_o faith_n be_v only_o the_o 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can_v satan_n or_o death_n have_v over_o we_o this_o be_v a_o matter_n so_o great_a and_o weighty_a and_o faith_n bear_v up_o the_o whole_a weight_n of_o it_o most_o necessary_a it_o be_v that_o the_o faith_n itself_o have_v a_o mighty_a &_o sure_a ground_n work_n or_o foundation_n to_o rest_v upon_o that_o which_o bear_v up_o so_o mighty_a a_o building_n must_v not_o rest_v upon_o a_o foundation_n that_o be_v from_o any_o creature_n and_o therefore_o s._n john_n show_v that_o faith_n which_o be_v our_o victory_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o six_o great_a witness_n of_o which_o three_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o the_o other_o three_o in_o earth_n the_o three_o which_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n be_v the_o father_n and_o the_o word_n that_o be_v the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n these_o three_o be_v one_o that_o be_v they_o do_v all_o testify_v one_o thing_n or_o agree_v all_o in_o one_o for_o what_o the_o father_n from_o heaven_n witness_v of_o his_o son_n the_o 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and_o will_v have_v they_o rest_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o pope_n and_o his_o popish_a clergy_n this_o testimony_n of_o their_o own_o they_o proclaim_v to_o be_v sound_n and_o infallible_a boast_v that_o they_o can_v not_o err_v the_o voice_n &_o testimony_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o charge_v to_o be_v dark_a doubtful_a and_o uncertain_a most_o blasphemous_a wretch_n then_o he_o add_v that_o there_o be_v also_o three_o which_o bear_v record_n in_o earth_n the_o spirit_n and_o the_o water_n and_o the_o blood_n and_o these_o three_o agree_v in_o one_o where_o first_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v
may_v know_v that_o they_o shall_v have_v eternal_a life_n let_v this_o stamnd_a firm_a and_o unremovable_a unless_o we_o will_v gainsay_v the_o apostle_n come_v then_o to_o the_o second_o point_n it_o be_v deem_v great_a arrogancy_n and_o pride_n by_o the_o papist_n for_o any_o man_n to_o affirm_v that_o he_o be_v sure_a he_o shall_v be_v save_v yea_o the_o jesuite_n call_v it_o damnable_a false_a illusion_n and_o presumption_n i_o wonder_v how_o they_o will_v answer_v here_o to_o s._n john_n will_v he_o of_o purpose_n write_v these_o thing_n to_o bring_v man_n to_o a_o damnable_a illusion_n and_o wicked_a arrogancy_n he_o say_v he_o write_v these_o thing_n even_o to_o this_o end_n &_o purpose_n for_o so_o much_o his_o word_n import_v that_o they_o which_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n may_v know_v they_o have_v eternal_a life_n why_o do_v not_o the_o jesuite_n in_o their_o annotation_n say_v somewhat_o upon_o these_o word_n be_v it_o not_o translate_v amiss_o sure_o they_o translate_v it_o even_o thus_o these_o thing_n write_v i_o unto_o you_o that_o you_o may_v know_v that_o you_o have_v eternal_a life_n which_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n how_o then_o be_v there_o not_o some_o figurative_a or_o mystical_a speech_n in_o these_o word_n they_o can_v for_o shame_n say_v so_o then_o it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o the_o papist_n be_v proud_a &_o arrogant_a yea_o blasphemous_a in_o accuse_v s._n john_n that_o he_o lead_v the_o faithful_a into_o a_o damnable_a illusion_n be_v it_o not_o some_o one_o speech_n or_o once_o utter_v by_o saint_n john_n if_o it_o be_v but_o one_o speech_n and_o once_o utter_v it_o be_v enough_o and_o full_o sufficient_a to_o confirm_v the_o matter_n be_v utter_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n but_o in_o deed_n saint_n john_n use_v the_o like_a speech_n more_o than_o once_o or_o twice_o for_o in_o the_o three_o chapter_n of_o this_o epistle_n vers_fw-la 14._o he_o say_v we_o 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in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n neither_o do_v he_o will_v they_o to_o rely_v upon_o some_o special_a revelation_n but_o will_v have_v they_o to_o know_v that_o they_o have_v eternal_a life_n by_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v write_v unto_o they_o then_o be_v we_o to_o seek_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n in_o that_o which_o he_o have_v write_v but_o here_o it_o may_v be_v demand_v whether_o these_o word_n these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o that_o which_o go_v before_o in_o this_o chapter_n of_o all_o that_o he_o have_v write_v in_o this_o epistle_n indeed_o almost_o the_o whole_a matter_n of_o this_o epistle_n tend_v to_o that_o purpose_n as_o any_o that_o shall_v advise_o read_v it_o over_o may_v easy_o perceive_v but_o yet_o it_o be_v special_o to_o be_v refer_v to_o that_o which_o he_o have_v speak_v before_o in_o this_o chap._n touch_v the_o full_a victory_n that_o we_o have_v in_o christ_n through_o faith_n and_o touch_v the_o six_o witness_n which_o faith_n be_v support_v by_o here_o we_o be_v first_o to_o note_v how_o far_o they_o be_v awry_o which_o will_v have_v some_o assurance_n and_o hope_n to_o be_v save_v and_o let_v go_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o they_o shall_v attain_v that_o assurance_n when_o they_o hear_v of_o a_o certainty_n of_o life_n why_o shall_v not_o we_o be_v persuade_v say_v they_o that_o god_n will_v save_v we_o as_o well_o as_o other_o and_o yet_o the_o thing_n which_o s._n john_n say_v he_o have_v write_v that_o man_n may_v know_v they_o have_v eternal_a life_n they_o neither_o know_v nor_o care_n to_o know_v they_o hold_v this_o principle_n that_o it_o be_v god_n only_o which_o do_v save_o man_n and_o upon_o this_o they_o rest_v not_o consider_v by_o what_o mean_v he_o do_v save_v they_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v say_v that_o have_v ground_n it_o be_v god_n alone_o that_o feed_v all_o flesh_n he_o only_o make_v the_o corn_n to_o grow_v i_o care_v not_o therefore_o for_o plough_v or_o sow_v if_o he_o will_v feed_v i_o i_o shall_v be_v feed_v if_o he_o will_v not_o what_o can_v i_o help_v it_o will_v not_o all_o man_n laugh_v at_o such_o folly_n will_v not_o every_o simple_a man_n say_v if_o he_o will_v have_v the_o lord_n god_n to_o give_v he_o corn_n for_o his_o sustenance_n he_o must_v use_v the_o mean_n that_o be_v he_o must_v plow_v he_o must_v sow_v yea_o reap_v and_o carry_v into_o his_o barn_n even_o so_o god_n alone_o bring_v man_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o give_v the_o knowledge_n and_o certainty_n thereof_o but_o he_o do_v it_o by_o mean_n and_o he_o that_o will_v come_v to_o it_o must_v use_v those_o mean_n he_o must_v come_v to_o this_o that_o saint_n john_n say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o that_o believe_v etc._n etc._n that_o you_o may_v know_v you_o have_v eternal_a life_n will_v a_o man_n know_v it_o or_o have_v it_o and_o yet_o let_v pass_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v write_v by_o which_o he_o be_v to_o know_v it_o and_o to_o have_v it_o christ_n will_v the_o jew_n to_o search_v the_o scripture_n affirm_v that_o they_o do_v bear_v witness_n of_o he_o john_n 5._o he_o that_o will_v know_v christ_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n in_o who_o the_o father_n do_v give_v we_o life_n eternal_a he_o must_v know_v he_o by_o the_o scripture_n the_o true_a faith_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o witness_n which_o the_o three_o witness_n from_o heaven_n that_o be_v the_o father_n the_o word_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v witness_n if_o a_o man_n do_v not_o know_v what_o record_n these_o do_v bear_v how_o can_v he_o tell_v what_o to_o believe_v what_o manner_n of_o faith_n then_o have_v all_o they_o which_o harken_v not_o to_o the_o voice_n &_o testimony_n of_o god_n which_o the_o holy_a apostle_n &_o prophet_n have_v deliver_v in_o writing_n but_o follow_v their_o own_o blind_a imagination_n these_o never_o consider_v why_o god_n have_v reveal_v his_o counsel_n or_o why_o he_o send_v prophet_n and_o apostle_n yea_o and_o his_o own_o son_n to_o publish_v the_o testimony_n let_v we_o take_v heed_n that_o we_o be_v not_o of_o this_o company_n which_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a great_a company_n that_o have_v no_o care_n to_o harken_v what_o the_o three_o which_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n have_v witness_v there_o be_v a_o other_o sort_n of_o man_n which_o also_o be_v much_o awry_o touch_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n to_o salvation_n these_o do_v search_v the_o scripture_n they_o read_v they_o hear_v they_o labour_v for_o knowledge_n yea_o they_o hold_v that_o man_n may_v and_o aught_o to_o come_v to_o the_o assurance_n of_o their_o salvation_n and_o profess_v that_o they_o be_v sure_a thereof_o themselves_o if_o you_o demand_v of_o they_o a_o reason_n of_o all_o matter_n they_o can_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n satisfy_v you_o with_o good_a reason_n all_o this_o be_v high_o to_o be_v commend_v why_o or_o how_o be_v they_o then_o awry_o they_o be_v awry_o which_o separate_a and_o put_v asunder_o those_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v couple_v together_o they_o stand_v strict_o upon_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n tell_v they_o of_o put_v asunder_o the_o thing_n which_o god_n have_v couple_v together_o and_o they_o will_v also_o deny_v it_o yea_o they_o will_v constant_o promise_v and_o profess_v that_o if_o you_o can_v show_v they_o any_o thing_n which_o they_o put_v asunder_o from_o that_o which_o god_n have_v couple_v it_o unto_o they_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o amend_v their_o fault_n i_o will_v that_o be_v true_a for_o we_o shall_v not_o then_o have_v so_o many_o carnal_a gospeller_n neither_o will_v there_o be_v so_o
of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o spirit_n himself_o witness_v with_o our_o spirit_n that_o we_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v he_o witness_v that_o we_o be_v and_o do_v he_o not_o witness_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v so_o even_o to_o the_o end_n can_v a_o man_n to_o day_n be_v the_o child_n of_o god_n and_o to_o morrow_n not_o moreover_o there_o be_v no_o godly_a man_n which_o say_v he_o be_v sure_a he_o shall_v not_o sin_n for_o all_o man_n sin_v daily_o but_o the_o regenerate_a do_v know_v that_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n they_o shall_v not_o so_o sin_n as_o to_o fall_v quite_o away_o from_o christ_n or_o to_o have_v the_o life_n of_o god_n whereof_o they_o be_v make_v partaker_n in_o the_o new_a birth_n utter_o extinguish_v in_o they_o touch_v this_o point_n s._n john_n in_o chapter_n 3._o of_o his_o epistle_n verse_n 9_o say_v whosoever_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n sin_v 〈◊〉_d for_o his_o seed_n remain_v in_o he_o and_o he_o can_v not_o sâ—â—â—_n because_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n what_o can_v all_o the_o papist_n in_o the_o world_n say_v unto_o this_o s._n john_n say_v not_o that_o some_o of_o those_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n do_v stand_v to_o the_o end_n but_o he_o say_v whosoever_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n sin_v not_o then_o be_v it_o certain_a that_o he_o which_o do_v know_v he_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n and_o leâ—_n by_o his_o spirit_n do_v also_o know_v that_o he_o shall_v not_o fall_v unto_o destruction_n and_o for_o this_o he_o render_v a_o reason_n namely_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o god_n remain_v in_o he_o the_o regenerate_a grace_n be_v never_o lose_v if_o the_o seed_n of_o god_n remain_v still_o in_o he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n yea_o even_o when_o he_o do_v by_o infirmity_n as_o david_n do_v fall_v into_o some_o grievous_a sin_n also_o he_o say_v that_o such_o a_o one_o can_v not_o sin_n this_o seem_v a_o hear_v say_v be_v there_o any_o man_n beyond_o who_o power_n it_o be_v for_o to_o sin_n be_v it_o so_o hear_v a_o matter_n for_o a_o man_n to_o do_v wicked_o if_o he_o will_v endeavour_n we_o must_v not_o take_v it_o that_o he_o which_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n will_v ever_o endeavour_n for_o to_o commit_v sin_n no_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n do_v still_o so_o guide_v he_o that_o he_o do_v endeavour_n to_o please_v god_n and_o though_o by_o ignorance_n and_o frailty_n he_o do_v after_o go_v awry_o and_o transgress_v yet_o can_v he_o not_o fall_v from_o god_n he_o can_v not_o utter_o loose_v his_o new_a birth_n the_o reason_n which_o s._n john_n render_v be_v because_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n god_n be_v immortal_a the_o seed_n of_o god_n by_o which_o his_o child_n be_v regenerate_v be_v immortal_a as_o it_o be_v write_v 1._o pet._n 1._o the_o life_n of_o god_n begin_v in_o they_o be_v immortal_a how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v extinguish_v or_o how_o can_v he_o that_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n fall_v away_o unto_o perdition_n let_v all_o man_n than_o know_v that_o where_o there_o be_v the_o witness_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o water_n and_o the_o blood_n there_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o salvation_n according_a as_o s._n john_n say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o that_o believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v know_v that_o you_o have_v eternal_a life_n and_o that_o you_o may_v believe_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n there_o be_v yet_o another_o sort_n of_o man_n i_o can_v tell_v what_o i_o shall_v term_v they_o that_o be_v confute_v by_o this_o place_n they_o hold_v that_o a_o man_n for_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o faith_n whether_o it_o be_v lively_a or_o a_o dead_a faith_n be_v not_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o fruit_n thereof_o it_o be_v enough_o say_v they_o that_o a_o man_n do_v believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n what_o shall_v he_o or_o what_o can_v he_o examine_v further_o faith_n be_v faith_n believe_v and_o thou_o shall_v be_v save_v these_o man_n do_v quite_o abolish_v and_o that_o most_o wicked_o and_o profane_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o three_o witness_n in_o earth_n they_o bring_v in_o epicurism_n and_o all_o carnal_a liberty_n let_v not_o the_o wise_a harken_v unto_o they_o but_o look_v for_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o water_n &_o of_o the_o blood_n within_o they_o if_o they_o will_v be_v assure_v that_o their_o faith_n be_v the_o true_a faith_n &_o that_o they_o shall_v come_v to_o life_n eternal_a and_o now_o let_v we_o come_v to_o the_o last_o point_n which_o be_v that_o the_o faithful_a be_v by_o degree_n to_o increase_v this_o certainty_n of_o their_o salvation_n to_o make_v a_o entrance_n into_o this_o matter_n it_o be_v good_a for_o we_o to_o consider_v that_o the_o spiritual_a birth_n be_v compare_v and_o liken_v to_o the_o natural_a birth_n for_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a birth_n there_o be_v first_o bring_v forth_o a_o little_a weak_a babe_n which_o have_v life_n and_o do_v in_o time_n by_o degree_n even_o by_o little_a &_o little_o grow_v up_o unto_o man_n estate_n so_o in_o the_o spiritual_a birth_n such_o as_o be_v bear_v again_o in_o christ_n they_o be_v first_o as_o little_a babe_n they_o have_v indeed_o the_o life_n of_o god_n in_o they_o but_o they_o be_v marvellous_a weak_a reade_n touch_v this_o what_o s._n peter_n write_v in_o his_o first_o epistle_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o second_o chap._n how_o he_o do_v will_n these_o new_a bear_v babe_n to_o covet_v the_o sincere_a milk_n of_o the_o word_n that_o they_o may_v grow_v thereby_o and_o likewise_o what_o s._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o cor._n 1._o epist_n chap._n 4._o then_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a thing_n as_o a_o man_n grow_v up_o in_o year_n so_o he_o grow_v to_o a_o ripe_a knowledge_n and_o understanding_n in_o matter_n of_o this_o world_n so_o they_o that_o grow_v up_o in_o christ_n come_v to_o more_o and_o more_o assurance_n that_o they_o be_v lead_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v save_v most_o true_a it_o be_v also_o aâ—_n no_o man_n can_v deny_v that_o in_o the_o natural_a thing_n man_n do_v grow_v up_o from_o babe_n to_o man_n estate_n by_o food_n and_o sustenance_n they_o grow_v also_o in_o knowledge_n &_o understanding_n by_o practice_n &_o mean_n the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v say_v of_o the_o babe_n in_o christ_n they_o can_v grow_v up_o without_o the_o spiritual_a food_n they_o can_v come_v to_o more_o assure_a knowledge_n of_o their_o salvation_n but_o by_o the_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v ordain_v and_o that_o be_v it_o which_o s._n john_n here_o lead_v unto_o when_o he_o say_v these_o thing_n have_v i_o write_v unto_o you_o etc._n etc._n that_o you_o may_v know_v that_o you_o have_v eternal_a life_n well_o then_o see_v we_o must_v grow_v up_o unto_o this_o happy_a assurance_n by_o mean_n let_v we_o in_o some_o few_o particular_n consider_v how_o first_o see_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o sincere_a milk_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o be_v nourish_v and_o to_o grow_v up_o it_o be_v our_o part_n as_o the_o same_o apostle_n will_v to_o covet_v the_o same_o 1._o pet._n 2.2_o we_o do_v all_o know_v this_o that_o when_o a_o child_n be_v bear_v if_o it_o be_v alive_a and_o in_o health_n how_o much_o it_o do_v covet_v the_o mother_n breast_n and_o how_o sweet_a the_o milk_n be_v unto_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n when_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v of_o god_n in_o the_o new_a and_o heavenly_a birth_n he_o have_v a_o vehement_a desire_n and_o longing_n after_o god_n word_n it_o be_v marvelous_a sweet_a and_o delectable_a unto_o he_o and_o questionless_a all_o such_o as_o care_v not_o nor_o labour_v not_o to_o know_v the_o heavenly_a oracle_n be_v void_a of_o the_o spiritual_a life_n they_o be_v like_a unto_o those_o child_n which_o be_v bear_v dead_a which_o care_v not_o for_o the_o mother_n breast_n we_o must_v labour_v therefore_o by_o read_v and_o by_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v by_o meditation_n &_o earnest_a prayer_n to_o come_v to_o the_o true_a understanding_n and_o right_a use_n of_o the_o sacred_a word_n of_o god_n mark_v further_o what_o s._n peter_n then_o teach_v how_o man_n shall_v attain_v to_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n he_o will_v to_o give_v all_o diligence_n to_o minister_v in_o our_o faith_n virtue_n in_o virtue_n knowledge_n in_o knowledge_n temperance_n in_o temperance_n patience_n in_o patience_n godliness_n in_o godliness_n brotherly_a kindness_n in_o brotherly_a kindness_n love_n for_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v in_o you_o and_o abound_v they_o shall_v make_v you_o that_o you_o neither_o shall_v be_v idle_a nor_o