every_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n by_o the_o sleight_n of_o man_n and_o cunning_a craftiness_n of_o those_o who_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v and_o if_o we_o be_v thus_o affect_v on_o all_o hand_n we_o may_v yet_o be_v a_o happy_a church_n and_o nation_n if_o we_o will_v govern_v ourselves_o by_o these_o rule_n and_o walk_v according_a to_o they_o peace_n will_v be_v upon_o we_o and_o mercy_n and_o on_o the_o israel_n of_o god_n three_o i_o shall_v conclude_v all_o with_o a_o few_o word_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o present_a meeting_n i_o have_v all_o this_o while_n be_v recommend_v to_o you_o from_o the_o authority_n and_o example_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o this_o most_o excellent_a grace_n and_o virtue_n of_o charity_n in_o the_o most_o proper_a act_n and_o instance_n of_o it_o but_o beside_o particular_a act_n of_o charity_n to_o be_v exercise_v upon_o emergent_a occasion_n there_o be_v likewise_o charitable_a custom_n which_o be_v high_o commendable_a because_o they_o be_v more_o certain_a and_o constant_a of_o a_o large_a extent_n and_o of_o a_o long_a continuance_n as_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o son_n of_o the_o clergy_n which_o be_v now_o form_v and_o establish_v into_o a_o charitable_a corporation_n and_o the_o anniversary_n meeting_n of_o those_o of_o the_o several_a county_n of_o england_n who_o reside_v or_o happen_v to_o be_v in_o london_n for_o two_o of_o the_o best_a and_o noble_a end_n that_o can_v be_v the_o maintain_n of_o friendship_n and_o the_o promote_a of_o charity_n these_o and_o other_o of_o the_o like_a kind_n i_o call_v charitable_a custom_n which_o of_o late_a year_n have_v very_o much_o obtain_v in_o this_o great_a and_o famous_a city_n and_o it_o can_v but_o be_v a_o great_a pleasure_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o all_o good_a man_n to_o see_v so_o generous_a so_o humane_a so_o christian_n a_o disposition_n to_o prevail_v and_o reign_v so_o much_o among_o we_o the_o strange_a overflow_a of_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n in_o our_o land_n and_o the_o prodigious_a increase_n and_o impudence_n of_o infidelity_n and_o impiety_n have_v of_o late_a year_n bode_v very_o ill_o to_o we_o and_o bring_v terrible_a judgement_n upon_o this_o city_n and_o nation_n and_o seem_v still_o to_o threaten_v we_o with_o more_o and_o great_a and_o the_o great_a comfort_n i_o have_v have_v under_o these_o sad_a apprehension_n of_o god_n displeasure_n have_v be_v this_o that_o though_o bad_a man_n be_v perhaps_o never_o worse_a in_o any_o age_n yet_o the_o good_a who_o i_o hope_v be_v not_o a_o few_o be_v never_o more_o true_o and_o substantial_o good_a i_o do_v very_o believe_v there_o never_o be_v in_o any_o time_n great_a and_o more_o real_a effect_n of_o charity_n not_o from_o a_o blind_a superstition_n and_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n and_o a_o mercenary_a and_o arrogant_a and_o presumptuous_a principle_n of_o merit_n but_o from_o a_o sound_a knowledge_n and_o a_o sincere_a love_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n or_o as_o the_o apostle_n express_v it_o out_o of_o a_o pure_a heart_n and_o of_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o of_o faith_n unfeigned_a and_o who_o that_o love_v god_n and_o religion_n can_v choose_v but_o take_v great_a contentment_n to_o see_v so_o general_a and_o forward_o a_o inclination_n in_o people_n this_o way_n which_o have_v be_v very_o much_o cherish_v of_o late_a year_n by_o this_o sort_n of_o meeting_n and_o that_o to_o very_o good_a purpose_n and_o effect_n in_o many_o charitable_a contribution_n dispose_v in_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a way_n and_o which_o likewise_o have_v tend_v very_o much_o to_o the_o reconcile_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o the_o allay_n of_o those_o fierce_a heat_n and_o animosity_n which_o have_v be_v cause_v by_o our_o civil_a confusion_n and_o religious_a distraction_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o many_o time_n want_v to_o take_v away_o prejudice_n and_o to_o extinguish_v hatred_n and_o ill-will_n but_o a_o opportunity_n for_o man_n to_o see_v and_o understand_v one_o another_o by_o which_o they_o will_v quick_o perceive_v that_o they_o be_v not_o such_o monster_n as_o they_o have_v be_v represent_v one_o to_o another_o at_o a_o distance_n we_o be_v i_o think_v one_o of_o the_o last_o county_n of_o england_n that_o have_v enter_v into_o this_o friendly_a and_o charitable_a kind_n of_o society_n let_v we_o make_v amends_o for_o our_o late_a set_v out_o by_o quicken_a our_o pace_n that_o so_o we_o may_v overtake_v and_o outstrip_v those_o who_o be_v go_v before_o we_o let_v not_o our_o charity_n partake_v of_o the_o coldness_n of_o our_o climate_n but_o let_v we_o endeavour_v that_o it_o may_v be_v equal_a to_o the_o extent_n of_o our_o country_n and_o as_o we_o be_v incomparable_o the_o great_a county_n of_o england_n let_v it_o appear_v that_o we_o be_v so_o by_o the_o largeness_n and_o extent_n of_o our_o charity_n o_o lord_n who_o have_v teach_v we_o that_o all_o our_o do_n without_o charity_n be_v nothing_o send_v thy_o holy_a ghost_n and_o pour_v into_o our_o heart_n that_o most_o excellent_a gift_n of_o charity_n the_o very_a bond_n of_o peace_n and_o of_o all_o virtue_n without_o which_o whosover_n live_v be_v count_v dead_a before_o thou_o grant_v this_o for_o thy_o only_a son_n jesus_n christ_n sake_n now_o the_o god_n of_o peace_n who_o bring_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o great_a shepherd_n of_o the_o sheep_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o everlasting_a covenant_n make_v you_o perfect_a in_o every_o good_a work_n to_o do_v his_o will_n work_v in_o you_o that_o which_o be_v well_o please_v in_o his_o sight_n through_o jesus_n christ_n to_o who_o be_v glory_n for_o ever_o and_o ever_o amen_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n april_n four_o 1679._o 1_o john_n iu._n 1._o belove_a believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n this_o caution_n and_o counsel_n be_v give_v upon_o occasion_n of_o the_o false_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n that_o be_v rise_v up_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n who_o endeavour_v to_o seduce_v man_n from_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n deliver_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o our_o lord_n and_o saviour_n and_o these_o teach_n contrary_a thing_n can_v not_o both_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o st._n john_n call_v upon_o christian_n to_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n and_o pretence_n of_o those_o new_a teacher_n whether_o they_o be_v from_o god_n or_o not_o believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n â—hat_n be_v not_o every_o one_o that_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n but_o try_v the_o spirit_n that_o be_v examine_v those_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n whether_o it_o be_v real_a or_o not_o and_o examine_v the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o bring_v because_o there_o be_v many_o impostor_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n in_o which_o there_o be_v contain_v these_o four_o proposition_n first_o that_o man_n may_v and_o often_o do_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o apostle_n ground_n this_o exhortation_n because_o many_o false_a prophet_n be_v go_v out_o into_o the_o world_n therefore_o we_o shall_v try_v who_o be_v true_a and_o who_o be_v false_a second_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v inspire_v and_o to_o teach_v a_o divine_a doctrine_n this_o follow_v upon_o the_o former_a because_o man_n may_v false_o pretend_v to_o inspiration_n therefore_o we_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v every_o one_o that_o make_v this_o pretence_n for_o any_o man_n that_o have_v but_o confidence_n enough_o and_o conscience_n little_a enough_o may_v pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o if_o we_o admit_v all_o pretence_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o lie_v at_o the_o mercy_n of_o every_o crafty_a and_o confident_a man_n to_o be_v lead_v by_o he_o into_o what_o delusion_n he_o please_v three_o neither_o be_v we_o to_o reject_v all_o that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n this_o be_v sufficient_o imply_v in_o the_o text_n for_o when_o the_o apostle_n say_v believe_v not_o every_o spirit_n he_o suppose_v we_o be_v to_o believe_v some_o and_o when_o he_o say_v try_v the_o spirit_n whether_o they_o be_v of_o god_n he_o suppose_v some_o to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o that_o those_o which_o be_v so_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v these_o three_o observation_n be_v so_o plain_a that_o i_o need_v only_o to_o name_v they_o to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o four_o which_o i_o principal_o design_v to_o insist_v upon_o from_o these_o word_n and_o
what_o that_o be_v he_o express_v more_o particular_o c._n 26._o v._n 6_o 7_o and_o now_o i_o stand_v and_o be_o judge_v for_o the_o hope_n of_o the_o promise_n make_v of_o god_n unto_o our_o father_n unto_o which_o promise_n our_o twelve_o tribe_n instant_o serve_v god_n day_n and_o night_n hope_v to_o come_v by_o the_o promise_n make_v of_o god_n unto_o the_o father_n he_o mean_v some_o promise_n make_v by_o god_n to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n for_o so_o s._n luke_n more_o than_o once_o in_o his_o history_n of_o the_o act_n explain_v this_o phrase_n of_o the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n act_n 3.13_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o of_o isaac_n and_o of_o jacob_n the_o god_n of_o our_o father_n and_o c._n 7._o v._n 32._o i_o be_o the_o god_n thy_o father_n the_o god_n of_o abraham_n and_o the_o god_n of_o isaac_n and_o the_o god_n of_o jacob._n now_o what_o be_v the_o great_a and_o famous_a promise_n which_o god_n make_v to_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n be_v it_o not_o this_o of_o be_v their_o god_n so_o that_o it_o be_v this_o very_a promise_n upon_o which_o s._n paul_n tell_v we_o the_o jew_n ground_v their_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a state_n because_o they_o understand_v it_o necessary_o to_o signify_v some_o blessing_n and_o happiness_n beyond_o this_o life_n and_o now_o have_v i_o hope_v sufficient_o clear_v this_o matter_n i_o shall_v make_v some_o improvement_n of_o this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o that_o to_o these_o three_o purpose_n 1._o to_o raise_v our_o mind_n above_o this_o world_n and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o present_a life_n be_v but_o man_n thorough_o convince_v of_o this_o plain_a and_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n between_o time_n and_o eternity_n between_o a_o few_o year_n and_o everlasting_a age_n will_v we_o but_o represent_v to_o ourselves_o what_o thought_n and_o apprehension_n die_v person_n have_v of_o this_o world_n how_o vain_a and_o empty_a a_o thing_n it_o appear_v to_o they_o how_o like_o a_o pageant_n and_o a_o shadow_n it_o look_v as_o it_o pass_v away_o from_o they_o methinks_v none_o of_o those_o thing_n can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a temptation_n to_o any_o man_n to_o forget_v god_n and_o his_o soul_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o delight_n and_o pleasure_n of_o sense_n we_o shall_v be_v strange_o intent_n upon_o the_o concernment_n of_o another_o world_n and_o almost_o whole_o take_v up_o with_o the_o thought_n of_o that_o vast_a eternity_n which_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o launch_v into_o for_o what_o be_v there_o in_o this_o world_n this_o waste_n and_o howl_a wilderness_n this_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a country_n which_o we_o be_v but_o to_o pass_v through_o which_o shall_v detain_v our_o affection_n here_o and_o take_v off_o our_o thought_n from_o our_o everlasting_a habitation_n from_o that_o better_a and_o that_o heavenly_a country_n where_o we_o hope_v to_o live_v and_o be_v happy_a for_o ever_o if_o we_o settle_v our_o affection_n upon_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o present_a life_n so_o as_o to_o be_v extreme_o please_v and_o transport_v with_o they_o and_o to_o say_v in_o our_o heart_n it_o be_v good_a for_o we_o to_o be_v here_o if_o we_o be_v excessive_o grieve_v or_o discontent_v for_o the_o want_n or_o loss_n of_o they_o and_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o our_o present_a state_n in_o this_o world_n any_o otherwise_o than_o as_o a_o preparation_n and_o passage_n to_o a_o better_a life_n it_o be_v a_o sign_n that_o our_o faith_n and_o hope_n of_o the_o happiness_n of_o another_o life_n be_v but_o very_o weak_a and_o faint_a and_o that_o we_o do_v not_o hearty_o and_o in_o good_a earnest_n believe_v what_o we_o pretend_v to_o do_v concern_v these_o thing_n for_o do_v we_o steadfast_o believe_v and_o be_v thorough_o persuade_v of_o what_o our_o religion_n so_o plain_o declare_v to_o we_o concern_v the_o unspeakable_a and_o endless_a happiness_n of_o good_a man_n in_o another_o world_n our_o affection_n will_v sit_v more_o loose_a to_o this_o world_n and_o our_o hope_n will_v raise_v our_o heart_n as_o much_o above_o these_o present_a and_o sensible_a thing_n as_o the_o heaven_n be_v high_a above_o the_o earth_n we_o shall_v value_v nothing_o here_o below_o but_o as_o it_o serve_v for_o our_o present_a support_n and_o passage_n or_o may_v be_v make_v a_o mean_n to_o secure_v and_o increase_v our_o future_a felicity_n 2._o the_o consideration_n of_o another_o life_n shall_v quicken_v our_o preparation_n for_o that_o bless_a state_n which_o remain_v for_o we_o in_o the_o other_o world_n this_o life_n be_v a_o state_n of_o probation_n and_o trial_n this_o world_n be_v god_n school_n where_o immortal_a spirit_n clothe_v with_o flesh_n be_v train_v and_o breed_v up_o for_o eternity_n and_o then_o certain_o it_o be_v not_o a_o indifferent_a thing_n and_o a_o matter_n of_o slight_a concernment_n to_o we_o how_o we_o live_v and_o demean_v ourselves_o in_o this_o world_n whether_o we_o indulge_v ourselves_o in_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n or_o live_v sober_o and_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n no_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o infinite_a moment_n as_o much_o as_o our_o soul_n and_o all_o eternity_n be_v worth_a let_v we_o not_o deceive_v ourselves_o for_o as_o we_o sow_v so_o shall_v we_o reap_v if_o we_o sow_v to_o the_o flesh_n we_o shall_v of_o the_o flesh_n reap_v corruption_n but_o if_o we_o sow_v to_o the_o spirit_n we_o shall_v of_o the_o spirit_n reap_v everlasting_a life_n light_n be_v sow_o for_o the_o righteous_a and_o gladness_n for_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n the_o righteous_a have_v hope_n in_o his_o death_n mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_a for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n but_o the_o ungodly_a be_v not_o so_o whoever_o have_v live_v a_o wicked_a and_o vicious_a life_n feel_v strange_a throw_n and_o pang_n in_o his_o conscience_n when_o he_o come_v to_o be_v cast_v upon_o a_o sick_a bed_n the_o wicked_a be_v like_o the_o trouble_a sea_n say_v the_o prophet_n when_o it_o can_v rest_v full_a of_o trouble_n and_o confusion_n especial_o in_o a_o die_a hour_n it_o be_v death_n to_o such_o a_o man_n to_o look_v back_o upon_o his_o life_n and_o a_o hell_n to_o he_o to_o think_v of_o eternity_n when_o his_o guilty_a and_o tremble_a soul_n be_v ready_a to_o leave_v his_o body_n and_o just_a step_v into_o the_o other_o world_n what_o horror_n and_o amazement_n do_v then_o seize_v upon_o he_o what_o a_o rage_n do_v such_o a_o man_n feel_v in_o his_o breast_n when_o he_o serious_o consider_v that_o he_o have_v be_v so_o great_a a_o fool_n as_o for_o the_o false_a and_o imperfect_a pleasure_n of_o a_o few_o day_n to_o make_v himself_o miserable_a for_o ever_o 3._o let_v the_o consideration_n of_o that_o unspeakable_a reward_n which_o god_n have_v promise_v to_o good_a man_n at_o the_o resurrection_n encourage_v we_o to_o obedience_n and_o a_o holy_a life_n we_o serve_v a_o great_a prince_n who_o be_v able_a to_o promote_v we_o to_o honour_n a_o most_o gracious_a master_n who_o will_v not_o let_v the_o least_o service_n we_o do_v for_o he_o pass_v unrewarded_a this_o be_v the_o inference_n which_o the_o apostle_n make_v from_o this_o large_a discourse_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrrection_n 1_o cor._n 15.58_o wherefore_o my_o belove_a brethren_n be_v you_o steadfast_a and_o unmovable_a always_o abound_v in_o the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n forasmuch_o as_o you_o know_v that_o your_o labour_n shall_v not_o be_v in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n nothing_o will_v make_v death_n more_o welcome_a to_o we_o than_o a_o constant_a course_n of_o service_n and_o obedience_n to_o god_n sleep_v say_v solomon_n be_v sweet_a to_o the_o labour_a man_n so_o after_o a_o great_a diligence_n and_o industry_n in_o work_v out_o our_o own_o salvation_n and_o as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o david_n serve_v our_o generation_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n how_o 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pretend_a demonstration_n of_o reason_n against_o plain_a experience_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n this_o be_v just_a zenoe_n demonstration_n of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o motion_n against_o diogenes_n walk_v before_o his_o eye_n for_o this_o be_v to_o undertake_v to_o prove_v that_o impossible_a to_o have_v be_v which_o most_o certain_o be_v just_o thus_o the_o servant_n in_o the_o parable_n may_v have_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o tare_n be_v wheat_n because_o they_o be_v sure_a none_o but_o good_a seed_n be_v sow_o at_o first_o and_o no_o man_n can_v give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o punctual_a time_n when_o any_o tare_n be_v sow_o or_o by_o who_o and_o if_o a_o enemy_n have_v come_v to_o do_v it_o he_o must_v needs_o have_v meet_v with_o great_a resistance_n and_o opposition_n but_o no_o such_o resistance_n be_v make_v and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o tare_n in_o the_o field_n but_o that_o which_o they_o call_v tare_n be_v certain_o good_a wheat_n at_o the_o same_o rate_n 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and_o passion_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o powerful_a temptation_n at_o the_o best_a we_o need_v god_n direction_n to_o guide_v we_o his_o continual_a grace_n to_o uphold_v we_o and_o to_o guard_v and_o preserve_v we_o from_o evil_a and_o much_o more_o do_v we_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o it_o when_o we_o have_v bring_v ourselves_o into_o these_o wretched_a circumstance_n but_o then_o alas_o how_o little_a reason_n have_v we_o to_o hope_v for_o it_o blind_a and_o miserable_a man_n that_o in_o despite_n of_o all_o the_o merciful_a warning_n of_o god_n word_n and_o providence_n will_v run_v themselves_o into_o this_o desperate_a state_n and_o never_o think_v of_o return_v to_o a_o better_a mind_n till_o their_o retreat_n be_v difficult_a almost_o to_o a_o impossibility_n i_o proceed_v to_o the_o ii_o head_n of_o my_o discourse_n which_o be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o case_n of_o these_o person_n though_o it_o be_v extreme_o difficult_a be_v not_o quite_o desperate_a but_o after_o all_o 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be_v the_o great_a doctor_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o teacher_n and_o interpreter_n of_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o because_o many_o of_o they_o be_v of_o the_o sect_n of_o the_o pharisee_n which_o above_o all_o other_o pretend_v to_o skill_n and_o knowledge_n in_o the_o law_n therefore_o it_o be_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n do_v so_o often_o put_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n together_o and_o these_o be_v the_o man_n of_o chief_a authority_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n who_o equal_v their_o own_o unwritten_a word_n and_o tradition_n with_o the_o law_n of_o god_n nay_o our_o saviour_n tell_v we_o they_o make_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n of_o none_o effect_v by_o their_o tradition_n they_o do_v in_o effect_n assume_v to_o themselves_o infallibility_n and_o all_o that_o oppose_a and_o contradict_v they_o they_o brand_v with_o the_o odious_a name_n of_o heretic_n against_o these_o our_o saviour_n denounce_v this_o woe_n here_o in_o the_o text_n woe_n unto_o you_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n hypocrite_n for_o you_o shut_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o man_n etc._n etc._n all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o the_o word_n be_v what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o shut_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o man_n st._n luke_n express_v it_o more_o plain_o you_o have_v take_v away_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n you_o enter_v not_o in_o yourselves_o and_o they_o that_o be_v enter_v in_o you_o hinder_v by_o put_v these_o two_o expression_n together_o we_o shall_v the_o more_o easy_o come_v at_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o text._n you_o have_v take_v away_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n and_o have_v shut_v up_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o men._n this_o metaphor_n of_o the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n be_v undoubted_o a_o allusion_n to_o that_o know_a custom_n among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o admission_n of_o their_o doctor_n for_o to_o whosoever_o they_o give_v authority_n to_o interpret_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n they_o be_v solemn_o 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the_o scribe_n and_o teacher_n of_o the_o law_n under_o a_o pretence_n of_o interpret_n the_o scripture_n have_v pervert_v they_o and_o keep_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o they_o from_o the_o people_n especial_o those_o prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o concern_v the_o messiah_n and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v shut_v against_o man_n and_o they_o not_o only_o reject_v the_o truth_n themselves_o but_o by_o keep_v man_n in_o ignorance_n of_o the_o true_a meaning_n of_o the_o scripture_n they_o hinder_v many_o from_o embrace_v our_o saviour_n doctrine_n and_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n who_o be_v otherwise_o well_o enough_o dispose_v for_o it_o have_v thus_o explain_v the_o word_n i_o shall_v from_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o they_o observe_v to_o you_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o order_n to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n it_o be_v call_v by_o our_o saviour_n the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n that_o which_o let_v man_n into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n 2._o the_o great_a and_o inexcusable_a fault_n of_o those_o who_o deprive_v the_o people_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o but_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n against_o man_n and_o do_v what_o in_o they_o lie_v to_o hinder_v their_o eternal_a salvation_n and_o therefore_o our_o saviour_n denounce_v so_o heavy_a a_o woe_n against_o they_o i_o shall_v speak_v brief_o to_o these_o two_o observation_n and_o then_o apply_v they_o to_o those_o who_o be_v principal_o concern_v in_o they_o i._n first_o i_o observe_v hence_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o order_n to_o our_o eternal_a salvation_n this_o be_v by_o our_o saviour_n call_v the_o key_n of_o knowledge_n that_o which_o let_v man_n into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n knowledge_n be_v necessary_a to_o religion_n it_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o it_o and_o necessary_a to_o the_o life_n and_o practice_n of_o it_o without_o faith_n say_v the_o apostle_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o please_v god_n because_o faith_n be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o do_v necessary_o suppose_v some_o knowledge_n and_o apprehension_n of_o what_o we_o believe_v to_o all_o act_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v necessary_o require_v some_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n so_o that_o without_o knowledge_n there_o can_v be_v no_o devotion_n in_o the_o service_n of_o god_n no_o obedience_n to_o his_o law_n religion_n begin_v in_o the_o understanding_n and_o from_o thence_o descend_v upon_o the_o heart_n and_o life_n if_o you_o know_v these_o thing_n say_v our_o saviour_n happy_a be_v you_o if_o you_o do_v they_o we_o must_v first_o know_v god_n before_o we_o can_v worship_v he_o and_o understand_v what_o be_v his_o will_n before_o we_o can_v do_v it_o this_o be_v so_o very_o evident_a that_o one_o will_v think_v there_o need_v no_o discourse_n about_o it_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v some_o in_o the_o world_n that_o cry_v up_o ignorance_n as_o the_o mother_n of_o devotion_n and_o to_o show_v that_o we_o do_v not_o wrong_v they_o in_o this_o matter_n mr._n rushworth_n in_o his_o dialogue_n a_o book_n in_o great_a vogue_n among_o the_o papist_n here_o in_o england_n do_v express_o reckon_v up_o ignorance_n among_o the_o parent_n of_o religion_n and_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v say_v more_o absurd_o and_o more_o to_o the_o disparagement_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o derive_v the_o pedigree_n of_o the_o most_o excellent_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n from_o so_o obscure_a and_o ignoble_a a_o original_a and_o to_o make_v that_o which_o the_o scripture_n call_v the_o beginning_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o excellency_n of_o knowledge_n to_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o ignorance_n and_o a_o child_n of_o darkness_n ignorance_n indeed_o may_v be_v the_o cause_n of_o wonder_n and_o admiration_n and_o the_o mother_n of_o folly_n and_o 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salvation_n and_o shall_v not_o every_o man_n be_v acquaint_v with_o that_o which_o alone_o can_v perfect_o instruct_v he_o what_o he_o must_v believe_v and_o what_o he_o must_v do_v that_o he_o may_v be_v save_v this_o be_v the_o testimony_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v of_o itself_o that_o it_o be_v able_a to_o make_v man_n wise_a unto_o salvation_n and_o be_v it_o not_o very_o fit_a that_o every_o man_n shall_v have_v this_o wisdom_n and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o the_o free_a use_n of_o that_o book_n from_o whence_o this_o wisdom_n be_v to_o be_v learn_v ii_o second_o i_o observe_v the_o great_a and_o inexcusable_a fault_n of_o those_o who_o keep_v man_n in_o ignorance_n of_o religion_n and_o take_v away_o from_o they_o so_o excellent_a and_o necessary_a a_o mean_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n as_o the_o h._n scripture_n be_v this_o our_o saviour_n call_v take_v away_o the_o