also_o have_v supply_v that_o want_n but_o inasmuch_o as_o a_o account_n be_v extant_a and_o therefore_o not_o need_v that_o objection_n be_v vain_a again_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v because_o every_o man_n have_v a_o measure_n of_o light_a to_o inform_v and_o rule_v he_o that_o therefore_o he_o must_v needs_o know_v all_o which_o that_o light_n know_v or_o be_v able_a to_o reveal_v to_o he_o i_o return_v that_o argument_n thus_o upon_o our_o adversary_n they_o say_v they_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n then_o they_o know_v all_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n know_v or_o can_v reveal_v to_o they_o if_o the_o latter_a be_v absurd_a than_o the_o former_a again_o say_v they_o the_o light_n within_o do_v not_o reveal_v christ_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o that_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n etc._n etc._n therefore_o insufficient_a i_o return_v upon_o they_o thus_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n give_v to_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n neh._n 9_o 20._o do_v not_o acquaint_v they_o that_o christ_n shall_v be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n nor_o much_o more_o of_o his_o life_n and_o bodily_a transaction_n therefore_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v insufficient_a the_o like_a may_v be_v conclude_v against_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o prophet_n for_o it_o be_v manifest_a from_o 1_o pet._n 1._o 10_o 11._o that_o the_o spirit_n have_v not_o reveal_v to_o all_o the_o prophet_n the_o time_n of_o christ_n appearance_n and_o suffering_n be_v the_o spirit_n therefore_o a_o insufficient_a rule_n to_o they_o but_o that_o which_o fall_v heavy_a upon_o our_o opposer_n be_v this_o that_o the_o scripture_n by_o their_o own_o argument_n be_v a_o most_o inperfect_a account_v themselves_o of_o what_o be_v do_v not_o relate_v the_o hundred_o part_n of_o thing_n therefore_o as_o insufficient_a in_o not_o relate_v what_o be_v behind_o as_o they_o will_v weak_o render_v the_o light_n or_o spirit_n in_o not_o reveal_v to_o every_o individual_a those_o thing_n which_o be_v already_o past_a nay_o they_o may_v as_o well_o infer_v insufficiency_n to_o the_o spirit_n or_o the_o light_n within_o in_o that_o it_o do_v not_o now_o show_v all_o that_o shall_v be_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o in_o their_o proper_a season_n there_o will_v be_v a_o necessity_n to_o know_v as_o to_o reflect_v insufficiency_n upon_o it_o etc._n etc._n because_o it_o do_v not_o foretell_v thing_n that_o be_v now_o past_a unto_o former_a age_n or_o needless_o reveal_v they_o over_o again_o to_o we_o in_o this_o age._n neither_o be_v history_n or_o can_v it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o life_n we_o speak_v of_o which_o be_v so_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n which_o be_v the_o faith_n that_o god_n and_o not_o history_n give_v and_o that_o work_v not_o by_o history_n but_o by_o love_n and_o overcome_v the_o world_n by_o which_o million_o of_o historical_a believer_n be_v overcome_v and_o wallow_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o practice_n of_o and_o the_o rule_n must_v be_v answerable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o work_n of_o the_o faith_n the_o same_o in_o point_n of_o practice_n which_o be_v duty_n do_v now_o history_n though_o it_o inform_v i_o of_o other_o action_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o duty_n to_o i_o since_o it_o may_v relate_v to_o â—_z not_o imitable_a as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o adamâ—nd_n â—nd_z eve_n in_o several_a respect_n and_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n die_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n wherefore_o this_o can_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o duty_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o â—ewish_a story_n that_o be_v the_o particular_a concern_v â—nd_v transaction_n of_o that_o people_n obj._n but_o these_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v believe_v answ_n i_o say_v so_o too_o where_o the_o history_n have_v â—â—eached_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v make_v 〈◊〉_d conviction_n upon_o the_o conscience_n which_o say_v d._n j._n owen_n as_o before_o cite_v give_v they_o authority_n verity_n and_o perspicuity_n but_o where_o â—his_v history_n have_v not_o reach_v any_o people_n or_o they_o die_v ignorant_a of_o it_o they_o be_v not_o responsible_a for_o not_o believe_v any_o such_o passage_n as_o say_v bishop_n sanderson_n 22._o it_o be_v one_o thing_n to_o say_v the_o scripture_n ought_v to_o be_v read_v believe_v and_o fulfil_v and_o another_o thing_n to_o say_v they_o be_v the_o evangelical_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n for_o when_o i_o read_v believe_v and_o witness_v they_o fulfil_v i_o must_v needs_o have_v a_o rule_n by_o which_o to_o read_v understand_v believe_v and_o witness_v they_o which_o be_v the_o divine_a light_n and_o spirit_n of_o christ_n it_o must_v be_v that_o and_o not_o themselves_o that_o must_v be_v my_o rule_n for_o so_o readâ—ing_v understanding_n and_o believe_v them_o and_o further_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o light_n and_o spirit_n within_o the_o heathen_n be_v sufficient_a to_o discover_v these_o thing_n it_o be_v grant_v on_o all_o hand_n that_o the_o sibyl_n have_v divine_a sight_n i_o mean_v not_o those_o make_v in_o their_o name_n by_o some_o professor_n of_o christianity_n as_o be_v charge_v upon_o they_o to_o gain_v authority_n upon_o the_o gentile_n against_o which_o blundel_n write_v but_o thoâ—â—_n that_o be_v acknowledge_v who_o prophesy_v 〈◊〉_d a_o virgin_n be_v bring_v forth_o a_o son_n and_o that_o 〈◊〉_d shall_v destroy_v the_o serpent_n and_o replenish_v thâ—â—_n earth_n with_o righteousness_n as_o be_v before_o 〈◊〉_d out_o of_o virgil_n who_o take_v it_o out_o of_o the_o remain_v of_o cumaea_n verse_n then_o among_o the_o roman_n and_o for_o the_o practical_a part_n of_o the_o object_n on_o viz._n how_o shall_v we_o have_v know_v 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v unlawful_a to_o swear_v at_o all_o in_o 〈◊〉_d case_n if_o mat._n 5._o 34._o have_v not_o be_v which_o 〈◊〉_d of_o most_o weight_n in_o this_o case_n because_o it_o be_v maâ—ter_n of_o duty_n and_o call_v particular_o by_o some_o a_o 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man_n attest_v god_n by_o oath_n though_o in_o court_n of_o judicature_n but_o use_v to_o speak_v such_o thing_n that_o he_o may_v be_v credit_v without_o a_o oath_n the_o scythian_n be_v say_v to_o have_v tell_v alexander_n 〈◊〉_d themselves_o alex._n think_v not_o that_o scythian_n confirm_v their_o friendship_n by_o oath_n they_o swear_v by_o keep_v their_o word_n and_o clinias_n 34._o a_o greek_a and_o follower_n of_o pythagoras_n rather_o choose_v to_o suffer_v the_o fine_a of_o three_o talent_n which_o make_v 300l_o english_a 〈◊〉_d to_o lessen_v his_o varacity_n by_o take_v of_o a_o â—â—ath_n which_o act_n be_v great_o commend_v 〈◊〉_d basilius_n who_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n of_o â—s_a time_n with_o it_o thereby_o after_o our_o adversary_n way_n of_o draw_v consequence_n â—eferring_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gentile_n before_o 〈◊〉_d light_n of_o the_o christian_n though_o indeed_o 〈◊〉_d light_n be_v and_o be_v always_o one_o in_o itself_o â—ut_v the_o christian_a do_v not_o live_v up_o so_o close_o it_o as_o the_o heathen_a do_v and_o therefore_o take_v great_a liberty_n and_o walk_v in_o a_o broad_a way_n i_o will_v now_o know_v of_o our_o opposer_n if_o they_o can_v yet_o think_v the_o light_n that_o preach_v his_o doctrine_n in_o the_o mount_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o light_n that_o shine_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o those_o gentile_n so_o many_o hundred_o â—ears_n before_o that_o sermon_n be_v write_v or_o preachâ—â—_n who_o so_o plain_o believe_v practise_a and_o â—ought_v it_o yea_o or_o nay_o perhaps_o some_o will_n 〈◊〉_d stick_v out_o while_o the_o more_o moderate_a will_v submit_v and_o conclude_v ignorance_n and_o folly_n have_v make_v all_o this_o opposition_n against_o we_o 〈◊〉_d that_o of_o a_o truth_n the_o voice_n which_o cry_v prov._n 4_o 6._o unto_o you_o o_o man_n i_o call_v
a_o discourse_n of_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o judge_n of_o controversy_n great_o import_v all_o those_o who_o desire_v to_o take_v right_a measure_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o determine_v at_o least_o to_o themselves_o the_o numerous_a controversy_n now_o on_o foot_n in_o the_o world_n by_o w._n penn._n for_o in_o christ_n jesus_n neither_o circumcision_n avail_v any_o thing_n nor_o uncircumcision_n but_o a_o new_a creature_n and_o as_o many_o as_o walk_v according_a to_o this_o rule_n peace_n be_v on_o they_o and_o mercy_n and_o upon_o the_o whole_a israel_n of_o god_n gal._n 6._o 16._o but_o god_n have_v reveal_v they_o unto_o we_o by_o his_o spirit_n for_o the_o spirit_n search_v all_o thing_n yea_o the_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n he_o that_o be_v spiritual_a judge_v all_o thing_n 1_o cor._n 2._o 10_o 11_o 15._o but_o you_o have_v a_o unction_n from_o the_o holy_a one_o and_o you_o know_v all_o thing_n 1_o john_n 2._o 20._o london_n print_v and_o sell_v by_o t._n sowle_n in_o white-hart-court_n in_o gracious-street_n and_o at_o the_o bible_n in_o leaden-hall-street_n near_o the_o market_n 1699._o of_o the_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n since_o there_o be_v so_o many_o faith_n in_o the_o world_n and_o perplex_v controversy_n about_o they_o and_o that_o it_o great_o behove_v every_o man_n if_o to_o contend_v for_o than_o first_o to_o know_v the_o true_a faith_n that_o overcome_v the_o world_n it_o may_v not_o be_v unnecessary_a to_o say_v something_o of_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n and_o judge_n of_o controversy_n at_o this_o time_n and_o indeed_o i_o be_o press_v from_o this_o weighty_a consideration_n that_o man_n perish_v for_o want_v of_o it_o and_o can_v no_o more_o arrive_v at_o truth_n without_o it_o than_o the_o distress_a mariner_n can_v gain_v his_o port_n who_o sail_n without_o either_o star_n or_o compass_n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o a_o explanation_n of_o the_o term_n rule_n and_o faith_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v first_o treat_v that_o we_o may_v as_o well_o express_v what_o we_o intend_v by_o the_o one_o as_o what_o we_o mean_v by_o the_o other_o which_o will_v be_v a_o proper_a introduction_n to_o the_o whole_a discourse_n by_o general_n rule_n etc._n etc._n we_o understand_v that_o constant_a measure_n or_o standard_n by_o which_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v enable_v to_o judge_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o error_n of_o doctrine_n and_o the_o good_a or_o evil_a of_o thought_n word_n and_o action_n by_o faith_n we_o understand_v a_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o such_o manner_n to_o the_o discovery_n make_v of_o god_n thereto_o as_o to_o resign_v up_o to_o god_n and_o have_v dependence_n upon_o he_o as_o the_o great_a creator_n and_o saviour_n of_o his_o people_n which_o be_v inseparable_a from_o good_a work_n that_o man_n in_o all_o age_n have_v have_v a_o belief_n of_o god_n and_o some_o knowledge_n of_o he_o though_o not_o upon_o equal_a discovery_n must_v be_v grant_v from_o that_o account_n that_o all_o story_n give_v of_o mankind_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n several_a have_v full_o perform_v this_o of_o old_a justin_n martyr_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n augustine_n and_o other_o of_o latter_a time_n du_n plessy_n grotius_n amiraldus_n l._n herbert_n and_o above_o all_o dr._n cudworth_n and_o indeed_o the_o relic_n we_o have_v of_o the_o most_o ancient_a historian_n and_o author_n be_v a_o demonstration_n in_o the_o point_n now_o the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o â—7_n that_o no_o man_n know_v the_o father_n but_o the_o son_n and_o he_o to_o who_o the_o son_n reveal_v he_o 1._o and_o as_o none_o know_v the_o thing_n of_o man_n save_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n so_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n know_v no_o man_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n hence_o we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o the_o create_a word_n that_o be_v with_o god_n and_o be_v god_n in_o who_o be_v life_n and_o that_o life_n the_o light_n of_o man_n and_o who_o be_v the_o quicken_a spirit_n be_v he_o by_o who_o god_n in_o all_o age_n have_v reveal_v himself_o consequent_o that_o light_n or_o spirit_n must_v have_v be_v the_o general_n rule_n of_o man_n knowledge_n faith_n and_o obedience_n with_o respect_n to_o god_n and_o thus_o much_o pythagoras_n who_o live_v about_o six_o hundred_o year_n before_o those_o word_n be_v speak_v or_o write_v lay_v down_o for_o a_o maxim_n viz._n that_o no_o man_n can_v know_v what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o god_n except_o a_o man_n hear_v god_n himself_o and_o that_o must_v be_v within_o for_o that_o be_v his_o doctrine_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n and_o prophet_n thus_o agree_v 1._o in_o that_o whatever_o make_v manifest_a be_v light_n 1_o 2._o that_o whatever_o may_v be_v know_v of_o god_n be_v make_v manifest_a within_o 1_o for_o god_n who_o be_v light_n 1_o john_n 1._o 5._o have_v show_v it_o unto_o they_o and_o god_n have_v show_v unto_o thou_o 58_o o_o man_n what_o be_v good_a and_o what_o god_n require_v of_o thou_o etc._n etc._n which_o can_v not_o be_v without_o the_o light_n of_o his_o son_n shine_v in_o man_n conscience_n therefore_o the_o light_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o conscience_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v the_o general_n rule_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v by_o this_o law_n that_o encch_n noah_n abraham_n melchizedeck_v abimilech_n job_n jethro_n 184._o etc._n etc._n walk_v and_o be_v accept_v as_o say_v irenaeus_n and_o tertullian_n they_o be_v just_o by_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n then_o be_v it_o their_o rule_n to_o and_o in_o that_o just_a state_n obj._n it_o seem_v than_o you_o deny_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o general_n rule_n etc._n etc._n answ_n how_o can_v they_o be_v the_o general_n rule_n 40._o that_o have_v not_o be_v general_n that_o which_o be_v both_o before_o and_o since_o they_o be_v in_o be_v must_v needs_o be_v more_o general_n than_o they_o but_o that_o be_v this_o light_n in_o the_o conscience_n the_o law_n and_o guide_n of_o those_o patriarch_n for_o the_o scripture_n begin_v long_o after_o in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n consequent_o that_o must_v be_v the_o general_n rule_n etc._n etc._n obj._n but_o grant_v that_o the_o light_n within_o be_v so_o before_o scripture_n be_v extant_a yet_o since_o the_o write_n of_o holy_a scripture_n the_o scripture_n and_o not_o the_o light_n have_v be_v the_o general_n rule_n answ_n that_o can_v be_v unless_o palestina_n or_o canaan_n a_o little_a province_n of_o asia_n be_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o that_o the_o jew_n a_o particular_a people_n be_v all_o mankind_n for_o at_o what_o time_n those_o write_n be_v among_o the_o jew_n other_o nation_n be_v only_o leave_v to_o the_o law_n and_o light_n within_o this_o the_o apostle_n confirm_v in_o that_o passage_n 15._o for_o the_o gentile_n which_o have_v not_o the_o law_n that_o be_v the_o outward_a law_n or_o law_n write_v upon_o stone_n do_v by_o nature_n the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n which_o show_v the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o gentile_n themselves_o call_v it_o the_o immutable_a law_n the_o everlasting_a foundation_n of_o virtue_n no_o liveless_a precept_n but_o immortal_a a_o sacred_a good_a god_n the_o overseer_n the_o live_a rule_n the_o root_n of_o the_o soul_n that_o which_o make_v the_o good_a man._n thus_o thales_n pythagoras_n socrates_n plato_n plotin_n hieron_n philo_n plutarch_n as_o cite_v and_o say_v sophocles_n god_n grant_v that_o i_o may_v always_o observe_v that_o venerable_a sanctity_n in_o my_o word_n and_o deed_n which_o these_o noble_a precept_n write_v in_o man_n heart_n revire_v god_n be_v their_o father_n neither_o shall_v they_o ever_o be_v abrogate_a for_o there_o be_v in_o they_o a_o great_a god_n that_o never_o wax_v old_a more_o reverend_a epithet_n than_o our_o opposer_n can_v afford_v as_o their_o book_n but_o too_o open_o witness_v yet_o will_v go_v for_o christian-man_n though_o manifest_o short_a of_o heathen_n thus_o be_v it_o evident_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o general_n rule_n after_o it_o be_v give_v forth_o obj._n but_o have_v it_o not_o be_v since_o and_o be_v it_o not_o 〈◊〉_d the_o general_n rule_n &_o c_o answ_n there_o have_v be_v since_o and_o be_v now_o 〈◊〉_d same_o impediment_n for_o before_o christ_n â—â—â—ing_n in_o the_o flesh_n and_o since_o where_o the_o â—â—â—â—ptures_n never_o reach_v there_o have_v be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d light_n and_o though_o nation_n by_o not_o â—â—â—rifying_v god_n as_o god_n when_o they_o have_v â—â—wn_v he_o have_v be_v give_v up_o to_o all_o manâ—â—â—â—_n of_o impiety_n insomuch_o as_o their_o understanding_n have_v be_v great_o veil_v yet_o do_v 〈◊〉_d the_o light_n within_o so_o entire_o
lose_v its_o ruâ—â—â—â—_n exercise_n among_o they_o as_o that_o they_o live_v â—â—â—hout_n any_o sense_n of_o such_o a_o thing_n therefore_o 〈◊〉_d the_o scripture_n have_v not_o be_v neither_o be_v 〈◊〉_d general_n rule_n no_o not_o so_o much_o as_o of_o any_o 〈◊〉_d since_o in_o no_o age_n can_v it_o be_v prove_v that_o 〈◊〉_d whole_a or_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n 〈◊〉_d they_o but_o have_v they_o be_v so_o for_o some_o 〈◊〉_d or_o two_o age_n as_o they_o never_o be_v yet_o 〈◊〉_d grant_v it_o will_v not_o reach_v our_o question_n â—â—ere_o the_o word_n general_n imply_v the_o naâ—â—â—e_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o respect_v manâ—â—d_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n to_o 〈◊〉_d day_n and_o so_o to_o the_o end_n obj._n but_o be_v not_o the_o scripture_n the_o rule_n etc._n etc._n our_o day_n answ_n if_o the_o rule_n than_o the_o general_n rule_n 〈◊〉_d whatsoever_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o 〈◊〉_d and_o life_n exclude_v all_o other_o from_o be_v general_n 〈◊〉_d be_v but_o particular_a in_o respect_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d therefore_o not_o the_o though_o a_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o beside_o their_o not_o be_v general_n i_o 〈◊〉_d several_a reason_n to_o offer_v why_o they_o can_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n etc._n etc._n 1._o if_o now_o the_o rule_n than_o ever_o the_o ruâ—â—_n but_o they_o be_v not_o ever_o the_o rule_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o rule_n christian_n that_o 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o ever_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v grant_v but_o 〈◊〉_d they_o be_v not_o thereâ—â—â—_n now_o the_o rule_n may_v 〈◊〉_d by_o some_o deny_v 〈◊〉_d i_o shall_v prove_v thus_o the_o faith_n of_o 〈◊〉_d people_n in_o all_o age_n of_o one_o nature_n he_o 〈◊〉_d the_o rule_n but_o of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n but_o cleâ—â—â—_n be_v heb._n 11._o the_o 〈◊〉_d have_v be_v but_o of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n consequeâ—â—â—_n the_o rule_n but_o of_o 〈◊〉_d nature_n in_o short_a the_o holy_a ancient_n 〈◊〉_d faith_n before_o they_o 〈◊〉_d or_o write_v scriptuâ—â—_n they_o have_v a_o rule_n â—â—â—â—fore_o they_o have_v or_o 〈◊〉_d scripture_n it_o for_o 〈◊〉_d faith_n be_v there_o be_v 〈◊〉_d for_o that_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d if_o the_o faith_n be_v one_o nature_n the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v of_o one_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d and_o since_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v inward_a spiriâ—â—â—â—_n beget_v of_o the_o â—â—â—ortal_a word_n in_o 〈◊〉_d be_v life_n and_o that_o the_o light_n of_o man_n that_o this_o word_n of_o 〈◊〉_d and_o light_n be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d then_o no_o book_n â—â—â—ing_n or_o engrave_v visible_a and_o perish_a matter_n can_v be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d now_o â—gain_o such_o as_o the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v such_o must_v the_o 〈◊〉_d be_v but_o the_o faith_n 〈◊〉_d before_o inward_a 〈◊〉_d spiritual_a thereâ—â—â—â—_n the_o rule_n must_v be_v 〈◊〉_d and_o spiritual_a 〈◊〉_d no_o mere_a book_n 〈◊〉_d be_v if_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o general_n rule_n 〈◊〉_d must_v have_v always_o be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n 〈◊〉_d since_o they_o be_v a_o rule_n but_o this_o be_v possible_a since_o they_o be_v many_o hundred_o year_n write_v and_o be_v now_o imperfect_a also_o as_o number_v how_o then_o be_v they_o the_o perfect_a 〈◊〉_d that_o they_o be_v not_o the_o perfect_a ruleâ—â—fore_o â—â—fore_z they_o be_v write_v must_v be_v granteâ—_n and_o that_o they_o be_v many_o hundred_o yeâ—_n writing_n must_v also_o be_v allow_v and_o that_o 〈◊〉_d be_v imperfect_a now_o as_o to_o number_n i_o proveâ—â—_n first_o enoch_n prophecy_n be_v mention_v 〈◊〉_d judas_n but_o not_o extant_a in_o the_o bible_n the_o boâ—â—_n of_o the_o war_n of_o the_o lord_n numb_a 21._o 14._o 〈◊〉_d book_n of_o jasher_n josh_n 10._o 13._o 2_o sam._n 1._o 〈◊〉_d the_o book_n of_o nathan_n 2_o chron._n 9_o 29._o 〈◊〉_d book_n of_o shemaiah_n 2_o chron._n 12._o 15._o 〈◊〉_d book_n of_o jehu_n the_o epistle_n of_o the_o apâ—â—â—_n paul_n to_o the_o laodicean_n collos_n 4._o 16._o 〈◊〉_d several_a other_o mention_v in_o the_o scriptâ—â—â—_n not_o now_o extant_a and_o last_o luke_n say_v 〈◊〉_d many_o take_v in_o hand_n to_o relate_v from_o eye-witâ—â—_a the_o thing_n most_o sure_o believe_v etc._n etc._n now_o it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v that_o 〈◊〉_d write_v many_o year_n after_o luke_n some_o 〈◊〉_d luke_n write_v before_o mark_n however_o mâ—â—thew_n and_o mark_n be_v not_o many_o and_o to_o 〈◊〉_d day_n we_o see_v no_o more_o than_o those_o four_o in_o 〈◊〉_d bibles_n and_o therefore_o many_o such_o write_n be_v lose_v and_o if_o lose_v than_o the_o scripture_n aforesaid_a not_o perfect_a and_o if_o imperfect_a 〈◊〉_d can_v they_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n since_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o faith_n must_v be_v perfect_a 3._o my_o three_o reason_n be_v this_o the_o scripture_n however_o useful_a to_o edification_n 〈◊〉_d comfort_n seem_v not_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d frame_n to_o have_v be_v compile_v and_o deliverâ—_n as_o the_o general_n rule_n and_o entire_a body_n of_o faâ—â—â—_n but_o rather_o write_v upon_o particular_a occasiâ—â—_n and_o emergency_n the_o doctrine_n be_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—ered_v throughout_o the_o scripture_n insomuch_o â—hat_n those_o society_n who_o have_v give_v forth_o verbal_a confession_n of_o their_o faith_n have_v be_v necessitate_v to_o toss_v they_o to_o and_o fro_o search_z â—ere_z and_o search_v there_o to_o lay_v down_o this_o or_o â—he_v other_o principle_n and_o then_o as_o like_v the_o original_a text_n as_o their_o apprehension_n can_v render_v â—t_a whereas_o be_v it_o as_o plain_a and_o distinct_a as_o â—he_v nature_n of_o a_o rule_n require_v they_o need_v only_o to_o have_v give_v their_o subscription_n for_o a_o confession_n beside_o here_o they_o be_v proper_a â—here_o metaphorical_a in_o one_o place_n literal_o in_o â—nother_n mystical_o to_o be_v accept_v most_o time_n point_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o compare_v and_o weigh_v place_n coherent_a where_o to_o allude_v apt_o and_o not_o wrong_v the_o sense_n be_v difficult_a â—nd_n require_v a_o clear_a and_o certain_a discern_v notwithstanding_o the_o clamour_n upon_o we_o about_o infallibility_n now_o from_o all_o this_o with_o abundance_n more_o that_o may_v be_v say_v plain_a it_o be_v â—hat_n the_o scripture_n be_v not_o plain_a but_o to_o the_o spiritual_a man_n thus_o peter_n say_v of_o paul_n write_n that_o in_o many_o thing_n they_o be_v hard_a to_o be_v understand_v therefore_o not_o such_o a_o rule_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v plain_a proper_a and_o intelligible_a 4._o again_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n because_o it_o can_v give_v faith_n for_o faith_n be_v the_o gift_n of_o god_n which_o overcome_v the_o world_n 8._o neither_o of_o practice_n because_o it_o can_v distinguish_v of_o itself_o in_o all_o case_n what_o ought_v to_o be_v practise_v and_o what_o not_o 4._o since_o â—t_a contain_v as_o well_o what_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v practise_v as_o what_o ought_v this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o christ_n disciple_n who_o have_v no_o particular_a rule_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n write_n for_o the_o abolish_n of_o some_o part_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n religion_n on_o the_o contrary_n they_o may_v have_v plead_v for_o the_o perpetuity_n of_o it_o because_o christ_n say_v unto_o they_o do_v as_o they_o say_v that_o sit_v in_o moses_n be_v chair_n more_o reasonable_o than_o many_o who_o make_v that_o a_o plea_n now_o a-days_o for_o their_o invent_a worship_n what_o then_o guide_v they_o in_o their_o declare_v void_a and_o relinquish_a those_o thing_n for_o instance_n 17._o god_n give_v circumcision_n as_o 〈◊〉_d sign_n for_o ever_o and_o paul_n tell_v the_o galatian_n that_o if_o they_o be_v circumcise_v 2._o christ_n shall_v proâ—â—â—_n they_o nothing_o be_v not_o this_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n that_o lead_v into_o all_o truth_n that_o the_o apostle_n make_v the_o judge_n and_o rule_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n so_o say_v james_n and_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o apostle_n when_o they_o tell_v the_o believer_n 26._o it_o seem_v good_a to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o we_o etc._n etc._n 5._o these_o very_a man_n that_o say_v it_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n diviate_v in_o their_o proof_n from_o their_o assertion_n for_o the_o scripture_n no_o where_o say_v so_o of_o themselves_o here_o they_o fly_v to_o meaning_n and_o interpretation_n the_o question_n arise_v not_o about_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o text_n for_o that_o be_v agree_v on_o all_o hand_n but_o the_o exposition_n of_o it_o if_o then_o i_o yield_v to_o that_o man_n do_v i_o bow_v to_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o text_n or_o to_o his_o interpretation_n if_o the_o latter_a as_o manifest_o i_o do_v be_v the_o scripture_n oâ—_n that_o man_n sense_n of_o it_o my_o rule_n nay_o the_o person_n so_o interpret_n make_v not_o the_o scripture_n his_o rule_n but_o his_o own_o apprehension_n whatever_o he_o may_v say_v to_o gain_v credit_n to_o his_o conception_n with_o other_o