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how_o to_o remedy_v this_o great_a inconvenience_n with_o ease_n and_o safety_n for_o as_o the_o erect_v the_o statuae_fw-la mercuriale_n by_o the_o ancient_a roman_n in_o all_o common_a road_n upon_o which_o be_v not_o only_a step_n by_o which_o traveller_n may_v mount_v their_o beast_n and_o go_v on_o but_o inscription_n also_o to_o direct_v they_o which_o be_v the_o right_a path_n be_v then_o account_v and_o be_v to_o this_o day_n remember_v as_o a_o very_a high_a instance_n of_o the_o kindness_n and_o candour_n of_o that_o great_a people_n so_o certain_o the_o do_v the_o like_a in_o this_o case_n for_o the_o poor_a christian_a traveller_n will_v be_v so_o much_o the_o great_a instance_n of_o charity_n by_o how_o much_o his_o way_n be_v more_o perplex_v and_o intricate_a and_o the_o danger_n of_o his_o err_v the_o great_a and_o more_o momentous_a he_o that_o shall_v undertake_v to_o do_v this_o for_o he_o may_v well_o expect_v his_o prayer_n for_o his_o success_n and_o if_o he_o 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be_v well_o when_o they_o do_v and_o in_o many_o case_n mighty_a prudent_a to_o seek_v the_o law_n at_o his_o mouth_n consult_v he_o often_o in_o our_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n and_o not_o be_v too_o peremptory_a in_o our_o own_o conclusion_n but_o yet_o i_o think_v no_o man_n can_v with_o reason_n believe_v that_o god_n ever_o intend_v these_o to_o be_v the_o only_a oracle_n to_o which_o every_o christian_a shall_v repair_v and_o content_v himself_o with_o the_o response_n of_o i_o think_v i_o can_v urge_v inconvenience_n against_o this_o which_o the_o whole_a conclave_n will_v be_v something_o puzzle_v to_o solve_v as_o god_n have_v endue_v every_o man_n with_o a_o soul_n and_o that_o soul_n with_o a_o understanding_n and_o that_o understanding_n with_o power_n of_o judge_v and_o discern_v thing_n that_o differ_v and_o command_v every_o man_n to_o be_v faithful_a to_o this_o talon_n and_o diligent_a in_o improve_n and_o increase_n his_o stock_n of_o light_n that_o thereby_o he_o 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proof_n of_o the_o assertion_n scripture_n and_o reason_n this_o text_n improve_v large_o to_o this_o purpose_n and_o matth._n 7.16_o of_o which_o a_o full_a explication_n be_v endeavour_v have_v thus_o prepare_v the_o way_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o forename_a assertion_n in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n i_o shall_v now_o address_v direct_o to_o it_o in_o this_o and_o two_o way_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o give_v strength_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o by_o 1._o by_o scripture_n 2._o by_o reason_n and_o argument_n warrant_v by_o scripture_n 1._o i_o begin_v with_o the_o confirmation_n of_o this_o from_o holy_a scripture_n which_o indeed_o be_v the_o chief_a way_n of_o prove_v this_o truth_n and_o before_o all_o other_o thing_n fit_a to_o determine_v this_o controversy_n for_o since_o we_o have_v reason_n with_o all_o due_a humility_n and_o gratitude_n to_o acknowledge_v this_o to_o be_v a_o full_a sufficient_a and_o perfect_a revelation_n of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n to_o man_n in_o which_o all_o necessary_a direction_n to_o happiness_n be_v contain_v and_o whatever_o else_o be_v needful_a to_o make_v the_o man_n of_o god_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v unto_o all_o good_a work_n 3.17_o 2_o tim._n 3.17_o as_o s._n paul_n warrant_v we_o to_o believe_v so_o if_o god_n have_v provide_v such_o a_o way_n for_o man_n to_o judge_v truth_n and_o error_n by_o he_o have_v doubtless_o give_v some_o intimation_n of_o it_o in_o these_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o record_n now_o what_o these_o speak_v of_o this_o matter_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o acquaint_v you_o and_o first_o as_o from_o this_o place_n of_o s._n john_n i_o have_v take_v occasion_n to_o raise_v 4.6_o 1_o john_n 4.6_o so_o i_o shall_v now_o try_v what_o there_o be_v in_o it_o to_o confirm_v the_o assertion_n which_o that_o i_o may_v distinct_o and_o clear_o do_v i_o must_v desire_v you_o to_o read_v the_o precedent_a verse_n and_o consider_v what_o the_o apostle_n be_v design_v in_o they_o and_o that_o you_o will_v easy_o find_v to_o be_v this_o a_o endeavour_n to_o confirm_v those_o he_o write_v to_o in_o the_o true_a faith_n of_o christ_n that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v draw_v from_o it_o by_o any_o pretence_n and_o particular_o by_o those_o great_a pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n that_o be_v then_o so_o common_a among_o all_o seducer_n especial_o the_o gnostic_n as_o indeed_o it_o have_v be_v ordinary_a ever_o since_o almost_o among_o all_o heretic_n that_o have_v infest_a the_o church_n this_o caution_n of_o not_o believe_v all_o these_o pretence_n he_o express_o mention_n verse_n 1._o and_o by_o a_o excellent_a argument_n enforce_v because_o there_o be_v many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n now_o in_o order_n to_o this_o trial_n and_o discovery_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o doctrine_n issue_v from_o they_o he_o lay_v down_o these_o three_o chief_a rule_n in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n the_o first_o whereof_o be_v the_o free_a confess_v of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o faith_n in_o he_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n the_o lawfulness_n and_o prudence_n of_o deny_v of_o who_o when_o trouble_n and_o danger_n threaten_v a_o man_n for_o so_o do_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gnostic_n this_o he_o treat_v of_o verse_n 2_o 3._o and_o then_o subjoin_v a_o commendation_n of_o these_o christian_n and_o congratulate_v with_o they_o that_o they_o have_v avoid_v the_o infection_n of_o these_o false_a teacher_n show_v withal_o what_o have_v assist_v they_o to_o do_v so_o and_o why_o they_o shall_v persist_v in_o their_o care_n against_o they_o verse_n 4_o 5._o the_o second_o rule_n be_v lay_v down_o in_o this_o text_n the_o intendment_n of_o which_o i_o shall_v present_o acquaint_v you_o more_o full_o with_o but_o because_o this_o be_v general_a he_o instance_v three_o in_o a_o particular_a of_o christian_a purity_n and_o obedience_n viz._n true_a charity_n to_o our_o brethren_n which_o he_o insist_o on_o in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o the_o chapter_n i_o be_o not_o concern_v to_o insist_v upon_o either_o the_o first_o or_o three_o rule_v so_o as_o large_o to_o explain_v they_o but_o chief_o upon_o the_o second_o for_o the_o ensure_v of_o which_o there_o need_v but_o only_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o word_n hear_v he_o that_o be_v of_o god_n hear_v we_o and_o that_o by_o this_o expression_n be_v intend_v obey_v can_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o that_o will_v remember_v that_o it_o be_v the_o common_a word_n by_o which_o obedience_n be_v general_o express_v in_o the_o sacred_a idiom_n the_o place_n in_o which_o it_o be_v thus_o use_v be_v too_o many_o to_o be_v name_v and_o the_o commonness_n of_o the_o phrase_n too_o great_a to_o need_v it_o so_o that_o by_o hear_v we_o be_v mean_v obey_v our_o doctrine_n which_o be_v of_o god_n as_o he_o speak_v i._n e._n pure_a and_o holy_a like_o its_o bless_a author_n have_v nothing_o of_o worldly_a greatness_n or_o secular_a interest_n and_o 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proceed_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o error_n now_o if_o you_o think_v that_o i_o be_o injurious_a in_o refer_v thus_o the_o trial_n of_o spirit_n and_o doctrine_n only_o to_o this_o one_o rule_n while_o i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o that_o s._n john_n lay_v down_o two_o more_o in_o this_o chapter_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n i_o shall_v ready_o confess_v the_o charge_n but_o without_o any_o imputation_n of_o injustice_n yea_o shall_v take_v advantage_n from_o hence_o the_o more_o to_o strengthen_v this_o assertion_n and_o to_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o the_o chief_a and_o principal_a rule_n forasmuch_o as_o both_o the_o other_o do_v relate_v to_o it_o and_o be_v instance_n of_o it_o for_o a_o free_a undaunted_a confess_v of_o christ_n in_o time_n of_o danger_n and_o love_v cordial_o our_o brethren_n be_v both_o of_o they_o chief_a branch_n of_o christian_a virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o indeed_o as_o they_o be_v almost_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n command_v by_o our_o saviour_n 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positive_a and_o plain_a and_o twice_o repeat_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o doubt_v of_o it_o or_o forget_v it_o by_o their_o fruit_n you_o shall_v know_v they_o i._n e._n by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o fruit_n of_o their_o doctrine_n by_o such_o conclusion_n as_o do_v natural_o and_o by_o right_n argue_v follow_v from_o they_o so_o that_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n be_v to_o be_v make_v by_o trial_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o these_o be_v to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o not_o by_o what_o a_o man_n can_v discover_v in_o the_o professor_n or_o venture_n of_o such_o doctrine_n for_o these_o many_o time_n be_v very_o close_a and_o subtle_a hypocrite_n and_o lead_v their_o life_n with_o very_o great_a heed_n and_o wariness_n wear_v the_o sheep_n skin_n to_o conceal_v the_o wolf_n heart_n and_o always_o put_v on_o the_o form_n of_o godliness_n to_o cover_v their_o malicious_a and_o rot_a design_n and_o no_o wonder_n for_o satan_n can_v transform_v himself_o into_o a_o angel_n of_o light_n but_o by_o the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o doctrine_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v almost_o utter_o impossible_a to_o make_v a_o discovery_n of_o doctrine_n by_o this_o rule_n since_o all_o man_n do_v not_o live_v up_o exact_o to_o the_o consequence_n of_o their_o own_o tenet_n one_o man_n may_v have_v a_o right_a faith_n and_o yet_o lead_v a_o wicked_a life_n and_o another_o may_v have_v a_o rot_a false_a belief_n in_o some_o particular_n and_o yet_o be_v tolerable_o well_o in_o his_o life_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o many_o a_o well-meaning_a man_n may_v embrace_v a_o error_n in_o simplicity_n without_o understand_v right_o what_o the_o mischievous_a consequence_n of_o it_o be_v yea_o perhaps_o without_o ever_o practise_v those_o consequence_n man_n may_v be_v honest_a and_o yet_o careless_a and_o be_v impose_v upon_o and_o so_o on_o the_o contrary_a too_o but_o i_o shall_v say_v more_o to_o this_o hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v rest_v satisfy_v that_o our_o saviour_n mean_v by_o fruit_n such_o thing_n as_o be_v the_o natural_a consequence_n and_o proper_a product_n of_o such_o doctrine_n and_o this_o he_o clear_v and_o assure_v the_o truth_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o by_o a_o excellent_a and_o well_o know_v comparison_n and_o indeed_o it_o hold_v true_a both_o way_n man_n do_v not_o gather_v grape_n from_o thorn_n nor_o fig_n from_o thistle_n nor_o do_v vine_n yield_v the_o berry_n of_o thorn_n nor_o do_v the_o down_o of_o thistle_n grow_v upon_o figtree_n for_o though_o it_o be_v possible_a and_o god_n know_v too_o common_a too_o for_o a_o man_n to_o detain_v the_o truth_n in_o unrighteousness_n 1.18_o rom._n 1.18_o yet_o the_o unrighteousness_n issue_v from_o the_o man_n not_o from_o the_o truth_n and_o though_o a_o heretic_n may_v possible_o be_v eminent_a in_o some_o good_a thing_n yet_o his_o heart_n be_v to_o be_v praise_v for_o it_o not_o his_o head_n i._n e._n his_o goodness_n be_v not_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o error_n nor_o upon_o any_o account_n at_o all_o ascribable_a to_o it_o so_o than_o if_o we_o keep_v we_o to_o our_o saviour_n sense_n the_o rule_n be_v true_a and_o will_v never_o deceive_v we_o those_o doctrine_n that_o design_v nothing_o but_o to_o make_v man_n pure_a and_o holy_a and_o conscientious_a and_o strict_o regardful_a of_o our_o christian_a duty_n can_v but_o issue_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n and_o satan_n can_v never_o be_v contributive_a to_o a_o doctrine_n that_o tend_v so_o much_o to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o his_o design_n and_o great_a interest_n in_o the_o world_n but_o whatever_o doctrine_n or_o broacher_n of_o they_o do_v any_o way_n infuse_v into_o man_n or_o encourage_v and_o prompt_v they_o to_o any_o impiety_n any_o sin_n let_v their_o show_n be_v never_o so_o specious_a their_o pretence_n never_o so_o fair_a yet_o those_o prophet_n be_v false_a prophet_n and_o those_o doctrine_n fume_n from_o hell_n who_o great_a design_n it_o be_v to_o corrupt_v man_n manner_n debauch_v their_o life_n and_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o love_n and_o practice_n of_o piety_n this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o have_v to_o offer_v from_o these_o two_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o true_o i_o think_v what_o have_v be_v offer_v enough_o to_o confirm_v the_o collection_n and_o to_o gain_v the_o assent_n of_o every_o good_a christian_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o chap._n iu._n the_o old_a testament_n cite_v also_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o this_o and_o two_o great_a consideration_n add_v to_o give_v more_o evidence_n to_o it_o this_o the_o rule_n to_o try_v prophet_n by_o of_o old_a and_o the_o best_a criterion_n of_o a_o true_a divine_a miracle_n the_o former_a chapter_n have_v acquaint_v you_o with_o some_o proof_n for_o this_o out_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o add_v some_o to_o they_o also_o out_o of_o the_o old_a for_o this_o be_v no_o new_a thing_n nor_o unknown_a to_o the_o jew_n in_o time_n of_o old_a but_o it_o be_v deliver_v to_o they_o also_o as_o the_o great_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o in_o this_o case_n of_o which_o i_o take_v that_o place_n of_o the_o prophet_n to_o be_v clear_a evidence_n to_o the_o law_n and_o to_o the_o testimony_n 8.20_o isaiah_n 8.20_o and_o if_o they_o speak_v not_o according_a to_o this_o rule_n it_o be_v because_o there_o be_v no_o light_n in_o they_o in_o the_o precede_a verse_n the_o prophet_n be_v inveigh_v against_o and_o condemn_v the_o attend_v to_o any_o extraordinary_a pretender_n to_o knowledge_n or_o revelation_n such_o as_o wizard_n and_o necromancer_n and_o those_o that_o consult_v familiar_a spirit_n and_o in_o this_o verse_n he_o lay_v down_o a_o rule_n by_o which_o to_o try_v all_o revelation_n and_o