3 There are found out three truths. First, The truth of life, which every man must labour1 for. The second is, The truth of Justice, which is in Common-wealths. The third is, Truth in doctrine and religion, which is in the Church. For that truth of life, which ought to be among men, that we may better understand it, we will show it in measures and weights. In a measure there is a Standard, and in weight there is a Seal, and if our measure be equal with the standard, and if our weights be just with the seal, so as they be neither lighter nor heavier than the standard weight: our measures and weights are true. Now to apply these things: the main and standard truth is set down, Joh. 17. Thy word is the truth: Then here is the point, the word is trueth. If our thoughts be agreeable to this standard, and then our2 tongues be agreeable to our harts, well agreeing to the standard, if our doings agree with our tongues; then comes sincerity of heart, simplicity of speech, and constancy of life. Now here is the question then, whether the conclusion we make in our brain, be equal3 with the standard, or else our hearts are false, and they being false our tongues are out of rule, and our outward life can never be true. For surely if the word have not taught us our truth, we have no truth in the world, and then we truly measure all things according to4 the truth, when we esteem all things as the word doth esteem them: look what conclusions the word hath set down of the world, and of other things, that must be our conclusion and principle in every thing. Phil. 3. Paul, who doubtless knew the truth, and delivered nothing but measured by the standard of the truth, hath this conclusion, that to win Christ, he would lose all: there was nothing so glorious in the world, but he counted it riff raff for the attaining of Christ. This is then the first thing to do all things by the analogy of the word, and then we shall have but one heart, not a heart and an heart. Otherwise we shall be as deceivable as the vineyard that Isaiah speaks of, whereof grapes were looked for, but it brought forth wild grapes. And because men have worldly conclusions, and the world not the word is their standard, so that they are resolved of their principles speaking thus secretly in their hearts, We will keep this gain and profit, they have lost the truth.5
3 There are found out three truths. First, The truth of life, which euery man must labour1 for. The second is, The truth of Iustice, which is in Common-wealths. The third is, Truth in doctrine and religion, which is in the Church. For that truth of life, which ought to be among men, that we may better vnderstand it, wee will shew it in measures and weights. In a measure there is a Standard, and in weight there is a Seale, and if our measure be equall with the standard, and if our weights be iust with the seale, so as they be neither lighter nor heauier than the standard weight: our measures and weights are true. Now to applie these things: the maine and standard truth is set downe, Ioh. 17. Thy word is the truth: Then here is the point, the word is trueth. If our thoughts bee agreeable to this standard, and then our2 tongues be agreeable to our harts, well agreeing to the standard, if our doings agree with our tongues; then comes sinceritie of heart, simplicitie of speech, and constancie of life. Now here is the question then, whether the conclusion wee make in our braine, be equall3 with the standard, or else our hearts are false, and they being false our tongues are out of rule, and our outward life can neuer be true. For surely if the word haue not taught vs our truth, wee haue no truth in the world, and then wee truly measure all things according to4 the truth, when we esteeme all things as the word doth esteeme them: looke what conclusions the word hath set downe of the world, and of other things, that must be our conclusion and principle in euery thing. Phil. 3. Paul, who doubtlesse knew the truth, and deliuered nothing but measured by the standard of the truth, hath this conclusion, that to winne Christ, he would lose all: there was nothing so glorious in the world, but he counted it riffe raffe for the attaining of Christ. This is then the first thing to doe al things by the analogy of the word, and then we shall haue but one heart, not a heart and an heart. Otherwise wee shall be as deceiueable as the vineyard that Esay speakes of, whereof grapes were looked for, but it brought foorth wilde grapes. And because men haue worldly conclusions, and the world not the word is their standard, so that they are resolued of their principles speaking thus secretly in their hearts, We will keepe this gaine and profite, they haue lost the truth.
- 1There are three kinds of truth.There are three kindes of truth.
- 2Note.
- 3The true standard of truth.
- 4Note.
- 5Truth in simplicity of speech.Truth in simplicitie of speech.
