Selected quad for the lemma: authority_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
authority_n believe_v scripture_n tradition_n 2,838 5 9.5550 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A62844 Christianity not mysterious, or, A treatise shewing that there is nothing in the Gospel contrary to reason, nor above it and that no Christian doctrine can be properly call'd a mystery / by John Toland. Toland, John, 1670-1722. 1696 (1696) Wing T1763; ESTC R7180 73,824 208

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hand_n but_o the_o priest_n with_o the_o like_a ceremony_n they_o have_v no_o colour_n of_o 102._o authority_n from_o the_o scripture_n but_o only_o from_o custom_n and_o tradition_n 93._o now_o their_o own_o advantage_n be_v the_o motive_n that_o put_v the_o primitive_a clergy_n upon_o revive_a mystery_n they_o quick_o erect_v themselves_o by_o its_o assistance_n into_o a_o separate_a and_o politic_a body_n though_o not_o so_o soon_o into_o their_o various_a order_n and_o degree_n for_o in_o the_o two_o first_o century_n we_o meet_v with_o no_o subdeacon_n reader_n or_o the_o like_a much_o less_o with_o the_o name_n or_o dignity_n of_o pope_n cardinal_n patriarch_n metropolitan_o archbishop_n primate_fw-la suffragans_fw-la archdeacon_n dean_n chancellor_n vicar_n or_o their_o numerous_a dependent_n and_o retinue_n but_o in_o small_a time_n mystery_n make_v way_n for_o those_o and_o several_a other_o usurpation_n upon_o mankind_n under_o pretence_n of_o labourer_n in_o the_o lord_n vineyard_n 94._o the_o degree_n or_o constitution_n concern_v ceremony_n and_o discipline_n to_o increase_v the_o splendour_n of_o this_o new_a state_n do_v strange_o affect_v stupify_v and_o amaze_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o ignorant_a people_n and_o make_v they_o believe_v they_o be_v in_o good_a earnest_a mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n that_o can_v fix_v sanctity_n to_o certain_a time_n place_n person_n or_o action_n they_o seem_v almost_o a_o different_a and_o more_o divine_a species_n of_o creature_n distinguish_v themselves_o from_o other_o man_n in_o their_o garb_n in_o their_o manner_n of_o live_v by_o tithe_n and_o donation_n in_o their_o separate_a place_n at_o church_n and_o several_a other_o way_n by_o this_o mean_v the_o clergy_n be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n they_o engross_v at_o length_n the_o sole_a right_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n and_o with_o it_o claim_v infallibility_n to_o their_o body_n 95._o this_o be_v the_o true_a origin_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o christian_a mystery_n and_o we_o may_v observe_v how_o great_a a_o share_n of_o their_o establishment_n be_v owe_v to_o ceremony_n these_o never_o fail_v to_o take_v off_o the_o mind_n from_o the_o substance_n of_o religion_n and_o lead_v man_n into_o dangerous_a mistake_v for_o ceremony_n be_v easy_o observe_v every_o one_o think_v himself_o religious_a enough_o that_o exact_o perform_v they_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o natural_o opposite_a as_o ceremony_n and_o christianity_n the_o latter_a discover_v religion_n naked_a to_o all_o the_o world_n and_o the_o former_a deliver_v it_o under_o mystical_a representation_n of_o a_o mere_o arbitrary_a signification_n 96._o it_o be_v visible_a than_o that_o ceremony_n perplex_v instead_o of_o explain_v but_o suppose_v they_o make_v thing_n easy_a then_o that_o will_v be_v the_o best_a religion_n which_o have_v most_o of_o they_o for_o they_o be_v general_o and_o may_v all_o be_v make_v equal_o significative_a a_o candle_n put_v ●…nto_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o baptise_a to_o denote_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v every_o whit_n as_o good_a a_o ceremony_n as_o to_o make_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n upon_o their_o forehead_n in_o token_n of_o own_v christ_n for_o their_o master_n and_o saviour_n wine_n milk_n and_o honey_n signify_v spiritual_a nourishment_n strength_n and_o gladness_n as_o well_o as_o stand_v at_o the_o gospel_n betoken_v our_o readiness_n to_o hear_v or_o profess_v it_o 97._o in_o short_a there_o be_v no_o degree_n of_o enthusiasm_n high_o than_o place_v religion_n in_o such_o foolery_n nor_o any_o thing_n so_o base_a as_o by_o these_o fraudulent_a art_n to_o make_v the_o gospel_n of_o no_o effect_n unless_o as_o sar_n as_o it_o serve_v a_o party_n but_o i_o shall_v have_v a_o better_a occasion_n of_o exhaust_v the_o subject_a of_o ceremony_n elsewhere_o i_o treat_v of_o they_o here_o only_o as_o they_o make_v up_o the_o gentile_a mystery_n and_o be_v afterward_o bring_v in_o to_o constitute_v those_o of_o the_o christian_n but_o as_o the_o vastmultitude_n of_o the_o latter_a quick_o render_v all_o secret_a rite_n almost_o impossible_a so_o to_o preserve_v the_o mystery_n thing_n be_v purposely_o make_v downright_o unintelligible_a or_o very_o perplex_v in_o this_o poi●…_n our_o pretend_a christian_n outdo_v all_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o heathen_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o these_o may_v be_v destroy_v by_o discovery_n or_o the_o babble_a tongue_n of_o any_o initiate_v person_n but_o the_o new_a mystery_n be_v thus_o secure_o place_v above_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o sense_n and_o reason_n nay_o so_o jealous_a be_v the_o clergy_n of_o their_o own_o order_n lest_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v irreligious_o unfold_v those_o sublime_a mystery_n to_o the_o profane_o inquisitive_a laity_n that_o they_o think_v fit_a to_o put_v it_o as_o much_o out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o holy_a tribe_n itself_o as_o out_o of_o we_o to_o understand_v they_o and_o so_o it_o continue_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n to_o this_o day_n the_o conclusion_n thus_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o show_v other_o what_o i'm_n full_o convince_v of_o myself_o that_o there_o be_v no_o mystery_n in_o christianity_n or_o the_o most_o perfect_a religion_n and_o that_o by_o consequence_n nothing_o contradictory_n or_o inconceivable_a however_o make_v a_o article_n of_o faith_n can_v be_v contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n if_o it_o be_v real_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o i_o have_v hitherto_o argue_v only_o upon_o this_o supposition_n for_o the_o reason_n to_o be_v see_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o preface_n notwithstanding_o all_o pretence_n that_o may_v be_v make_v to_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v evident_a that_o no_o particular_a instance_n or_o doctrine_n of_o any_o sort_n can_v serve_v for_o a_o proper_a answer_n to_o this_o discourse_n for_o as_o long_o as_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o hold_v good_a whatever_o instance_n can_v be_v allege_v must_v either_o be_v find_v not_o 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man_n be_v persuade_v that_o they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o do_v it_o yet_o the_o duty_n i_o owe_v god_n and_o the_o world_n oblige_v i_o to_o proceed_v further_o according_a as_o i_o enjoy_v health_n or_o leisure_n without_o limit_v myself_o as_o to_o any_o time_n that_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o no_o man_n power_n to_o command_v at_o his_o pleasure_n my_o next_o task_n therefore_o be_v god_n will_v to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n perspicuous_a possible_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o all_o calculate_v for_o the_o high_a benefit_n of_o man._n some_o will_v not_o thank_v i_o it_o be_v probable_a for_o so_o useful_a a_o undertake_n and_o other_o will_v make_v i_o a_o heretic_n in_o grain_n for_o what_o i_o have_v perform_v already_o but_o as_o it_o be_v duty_n and_o no_o body_n appláuse_n which_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o my_o action_n so_o god_n know_v i_o no_o more_o value_v this_o cheap_a and_o ridiculous_a nickname_n of_o a_o heretic_n than_o paul_n do_v besore_n 14._o i_o for_o i_o acknowledge_v no_o orthodoxy_n but_o the_o truth_n and_o i_o be_o sure_a wherever_o the_o truth_n be_v there_o must_v be_v also_o the_o church_n of_o god_n i_o mean_v and_o not_o any_o human_a faction_n or_o policy_n beside_o the_o imputation_n of_o heterodoxy_n be_v now_o as_o liberal_a upon_o the_o slight_a occasion_n out_o of_o ignorance_n passion_n or_o malice_n as_o in_o the_o day_n of_o ireneus_fw-la and_o epiphanius_n it_o be_v many_o time_n instead_o of_o a_o reproach_n the_o great_a honour_n imaginable_a some_o good_a man_n may_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v that_o suppose_v my_o opinion_n never_o so_o true_a it_o may_v notwithstanding_o occasion_v much_o harm_n because_o when_o people_n find_v themselves_o impose_v upon_o in_o any_o part_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v ready_a to_o call_v the_o whole_a in_o question_n this_o offence_n be_v plain_o take_v not_o give_v and_o my_o design_n be_v nothing_o
in_o answer_n to_o the_o malice_n or_o mistake_n of_o some_o who_o will_v needs_o have_v it_o that_o i_o be_o a_o declare_a enemy_n to_o all_o churchman_n and_o consequent_o say_v they_o to_o all_o religion_n because_o i_o make_v they_o the_o sole_a contriver_n of_o those_o inconceivable_a or_o mysterious_a doctrine_n which_o i_o also_o maintain_v be_v as_o advantageous_a to_o themselves_o as_o they_o be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o laity_n indeed_o there_o be_v those_o who_o easy_o overlook_v all_o contempt_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v very_o ready_a to_o treat'em_v as_o pernicious_a heretic_n or_o unsufferable_a atheist_n that_o show_v the_o least_o dislike_n of_o what_o be_v acknowledge_v addition_n to_o christianity_n whatever_o convenience_n or_o necessity_n may_v be_v pretend_v for_o their_o establishment_n if_o any_o such_o understand_v by_o religion_n the_o mysterious_a part_n of_o it_o then_o true_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n to_o prove_v i_o as_o little_a 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opinion_n for_o these_o practice_n so_o i_o see_v no_o better_a reason_n they_o have_v to_o be_v angry_a with_o any_o body_n for_o write_v against_o they_o that_o be_v than_o a_o good_a prince_n can_v pretend_v for_o punish_v the_o historian_n of_o a_o tyrant_n vice_n only_o because_o the_o tyrant_n have_v be_v likewise_o a_o prince_n to_o all_o corrupt_a clergyman_n therefore_o who_o make_v a_o mere_a trade_n of_o religion_n and_o build_v a_o unjust_a authority_n upon_o the_o abuse_a conscience_n of_o the_o laity_n i_o be_o a_o profess_a adversary_n as_o i_o hope_v every_o good_a and_o wise_a man_n already_o be_v or_o will_v be_v but_o as_o i_o shall_v always_o remain_v a_o hearty_a friend_n to_o pure_a and_o genuine_a religion_n so_o i_o shall_v preserve_v the_o high_a veneration_n for_o the_o sincere_a teacher_n thereof_o than_o who_o there_o be_v not_o a_o more_o useful_a order_n of_o man_n and_o without_o who_o there_o can_v not_o be_v any_o happy_a society_n or_o well_o constitute_v government_n in_o this_o world_n to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o their_o relation_n to_o the_o world_n to_o come_v nor_o of_o the_o double_a esteem_n which_o they_o deserve_v for_o keep_v proof_n against_o the_o general_a infection_n of_o their_o profession_n but_o i_o have_v no_o apprehension_n from_o the_o sincere_a and_o if_o the_o design_v party_n discover_v their_o concern_v by_o their_o displeasure_n it_o may_v well_o serve_v for_o a_o mark_n to_o distinguish_v they_o but_o will_v not_o be_v think_v a_o injury_n by_o i_o errata_fw-la pag._n 20._o l._n antepen_v f._n any_o r._n a_o p._n 122._o l._n 9_o r._n last_o chapter_n p._n 156._o l._n ult_n r._n puris_fw-la p._n 166._o l._n 22._o r._n decree_n the_o content_n  _fw-fr page_n the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n 1_o sect._n i._o of_o reason_n 7_o ch._n 1._o what_o reason_n be_v not_o 8_o 2._o wherein_o reason_n consist_v 11_o 3._o of_o the_o mean_n of_o information_n 16_o 4._o of_o the_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n 18_o sect._n ii_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o contrary_a to_o reason_n 25_o ch._n 1._o the_o absurdity_n and_o effect_n of_o admit_v any_o real_a or_o seem_a contradiction_n in_o religion_n 26_o 2._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o revelation_n as_o it_o r●…gards_v this_o controversy_n 38_o 3._o that_o by_o christianity_n be_v intend_v a_o rational_a and_o intelligible_a religion_n prove_v from_o th●…_n miracle_n method_n and_o style_v of_o the_o new_a testament_n 46_o 4._o objection_n answer_v draw_v from_o the_o pravity_n of_o humane_a reason_n 56_o sect._n iii_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o mysterious_a or_o above_o reason_n in_o the_o gospel_n 66_o ch._n 1._o the_o history_n and_o signification_n of_o mystery_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gentile_n 67_o 2._o that_o nothing_o aught_o to_o be_v call_v a_o mystery_n because_o we_o have_v not_o a_o adequate_a idea_n of_o all_o its_o property_n nor_o any_o at_o all_o of_o its_o essence_n 74_o 3._o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n mystery_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a christian_n 88_o 4._o objection_n bring_v from_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o fait●…_n answer_v 120_o 5._o objection_n draw_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o miracle_n answer_v 144_o 6._o when_o why_o and_o by_o who_o be_v mystery_n bring_v into_o christianity_n 151_o the_o conclusion_n 170_o christianity_n not_o mysterious_a etc._n etc._n the_o state_n of_o the_o question_n n_o o_o 1._o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o man_n make_v a_o great_a noise_n about_o in_o our_o time_n especial_o than_o what_o they_o general_o profess_v lest_o of_o all_o to_o understand_v it_o may_v be_v easy_o conclude_v i_o mean_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o divine_n who_o peculiar_a province_n it_o be_v to_o explain_v they_o to_o other_o almost_o unanimous_o own_o their_o ignorance_n concern_v they_o they_o grave_o tell_v we_o we_o must_v adore_v what_o we_o can_v comprehend_v and_o yet_o some_o of_o they_o press_v their_o dubious_a comment_n upon_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n with_o more_o assurance_n and_o heat_n than_o can_v be_v tolerable_o justify_v though_o we_o shall_v grant_v they_o to_o be_v absolute_o infallible_a the_o worst_a on_o it_o be_v they_o be_v not_o all_o of_o a_o mind_n if_o you_o be_v orthodox_n to_o those_o you_o be_v a_o heretic_n to_o these_o he_o that_o side_n with_o a_o party_n be_v adjudge_v to_o hell_n by_o the_o rest_n and_o if_o he_o declare_v for_o none_o he_o receive_v no_o mild_a sentence_n from_o all_o 2._o some_o of_o they_o say_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v only_o in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o ancient_a father_n but_o that_o be_v so_o multifarious_a and_o inconsistent_a with_o itself_o as_o to_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o any_o body_n to_o believe_v so_o many_o contradiction_n at_o once_o they_o themselves_o do_v caution_n their_o reader_n from_o lean_v upon_o their_o authority_n without_o the_o evidence_n of_o reason_n and_o think_v as_o little_a of_o become_v a_o rule_n of_o faith_n to_o their_o posterity_n as_o we_o do_v to_o we_o moreover_o as_o all_o the_o father_n be_v not_o author_n so_o we_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o have_v their_o genuine_a sense_n the_o work_n of_o those_o that_o have_v write_v be_v wonderful_o corrupt_v and_o adulterate_v or_o not_o entire_o extant_a and_o if_o they_o be_v their_o mean_v be_v much_o more_o obscure_a and_o subject_a to_o controversy_n than_o that_o of_o the_o scripture_n 3._o other_o tell_v we_o we_o must_v be_v of_o the_o mind_n of_o some_o particular_a doctor_n pronounce_v orthodox_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n but_o as_o we_o be_v not_o a_o whit_n satisfy_v with_o any_o authority_n of_o that_o nature_n so_o we_o see_v these_o same_o particular_a doctor_n can_v no_o more_o agree_v than_o the_o whole_a herd_n of_o the_o father_n but_o tragical_o declaim_v against_o one_o another_o practice_n and_o error_n that_o they_o be_v as_o injudicious_a violent_a and_o factious_a as_o other_o man_n that_o they_o be_v for_o the_o great_a part_n very_o credulous_a and_o superstitious_a in_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o pitiful_o ignorant_a and_o superficial_a in_o the_o minute_a punctilio_n of_o literature_n in_o a_o word_n that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o make_v with_o ourselves_o and_o that_o we_o know_v of_o no_o privilege_n above_o we_o bestow_v upon_o they_o by_o heaven_n except_o priority_n of_o birth_n if_o that_o be_v one_o as_o it_o be_v likely_a few_o will_v allow_v 4._o some_o give_v a_o decisive_a voice_n in_o the_o unravel_n of_o mystery_n and_o the_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n to_o a_o general_n council_n and_o other_o to_o one_o man_n who_o they_o hold_v to_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a upon_o earth_n
rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o so_o the_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o a_o pious_a man_n that_o his_o request_n will_v be_v grant_v be_v ground_v upon_o his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o be_v goodness_n and_o power_n of_o god_n it_o be_v reckon_v no_o crime_n not_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n before_o he_o be_v reveal_v for_o how_o can_v they_o believe_v in_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v but_o 14._o with_o what_o better_a reason_n can_v any_o be_v condemn_v for_o not_o believe_v what_o he_o say_v if_o they_o may_v not_o understand_v it_o for_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v see_v these_o case_n be_v parallel_v faith_n be_v likewise_o say_v to_o come_v by_o hear_v but_o without_o understanding_n 1●…_n it_o be_v plain_a this_o hear_v will_v signify_v nothing_o word_n and_o their_o idea_n be_v reciprocal_a in_o all_o language_n 55._o the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v not_o define_v faith_n a_o prejudice_n opinion_n or_o conjecture_n but_o conviction_n or_o demonstration_n faith_n say_v he_o be_v the_o confident_a expectation_n of_o 1._o thing_n hope_v for_o and_o the_o demonstration_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v these_o last_o word_n thing_n not_o see_v signify_v not_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o thing_n incomprehensible_a or_o unintelligible_a but_o past_a or_o future_a matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a or_o the_o belief_n of_o some_o thing_n invisible_a to_o our_o corporeal_a eye_n though_o intelligible_a enough_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o our_o understanding_n this_o appear_v by_o all_o the_o example_n subjoin_v to_o that_o definition_n beside_o there_o can_v be_v proper_o no_o faith_n of_o thing_n see_v or_o present_a for_o then_o it_o be_v self-evidence_n and_o not_o ratiocination_n hope_v that_o be_v see_v be_v not_o 25._o hope_n for_o what_o a_o man_n see_v why_o do_v he_o yet_o hope_v for_o but_o if_o we_o hope_v for_o what_o we_o see_v not_o then_o do_v we_o with_o patience_n wait_v for_o it_o so_o the_o patriarch_n receive_v not_o the_o 13._o promise_n but_o see_v they_o afar_o off_o and_o be_v persuade_v of_o they_o 56._o without_o conceive_v faith_n after_o this_o manner_n how_o can_v christ_n be_v term_v the_o light_n of_o the_o world_n the_o light_n 47._o of_o the_o gentile_n how_o can_v believer_n be_v say_v to_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o to_o have_v the_o eye_n of_o their_o heart_n 18._o enlighten_v for_o the_o light_n of_o the_o heart_n or_o understanding_n be_v the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n and_o as_o this_o knowledge_n be_v more_o or_o less_o so_o the_o mind_n be_v proportionable_o illuminate_v be_v not_o unwise_a say_v the_o 17._o apostle_n but_o understand_v what_o the_o will_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o exhort_v men_n never_o to_o act_v in_o dubious_a matter_n till_o they_o be_v full_o persuade_v in_o 5._o their_o own_o mind_n 57_o but_o to_o all_o this_o will_v be_v object_v that_o remarkable_a instance_n of_o abraham_n faith_n who_o be_v ready_a to_o sacrifice_v his_o only_a son_n notwithstanding_o god_n have_v promise_v that_o king_n shall_v descend_v of_o he_o and_o his_o seed_n be_v numerous_a as_o the_o star_n of_o heaven_n or_o the_o sand_n upon_o the_o seashore_n do_v abraham_n blind_o obey_v then_o without_o reconcile_a the_o apparent_a contradiction_n between_o god_n present_a command_n and_o his_o former_a promise_n far_o from_o it_o for_o it_o be_v express_o record_v that_o he_o that_o have_v receive_v the_o 19_o promise_n offer_v up_o his_o only_a beget_v of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v bless_v translate_v reason_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o again_o from_o the_o dead_a from_o whence_o also_o he_o have_v receive_v he_o in_o a_o figure_n he_o right_o conclude_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o revive_v isaac_n by_o a_o miracle_n as_o he_o be_v miraculous_o bear_v according_a to_o another_o promise_n after_o his_o parent_n be_v pass_v have_v child_n and_o so_o as_o good_a as_o dead_a therefore_o it_o be_v elsewhere_o write_v of_o abraham_n that_o 12._o be_v not_o weak_a in_o faith_n he_o consider_v not_o his_o own_o body_n now_o dead_a when_o he_o be_v 21._o about_o a_o hundred_o year_n old_a neither_o yet_o the_o deadness_n of_o sarah_n womb_n nor_o stagger_v at_o god_n promise_n through_o unbelief_n but_o be_v strong_a in_o faith_n he_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n and_o be_v full_o persuade_v that_o what_o he_o have_v promise_v he_o be_v able_a also_o to_o perform_v 58._o now_o what_o be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o but_o very_o strict_a reason_v from_o experience_n from_o the_o possibility_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o from_o the_o power_n justice_n and_o immutability_n of_o he_o that_o promise_v it_o nor_o can_v any_o man_n stew_v i_o in_o all_o the_o new_a testament_n another_o signification_n of_o faith_n but_o a_o most_o firm_a persuasion_n build_v upon_o 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he_o who_o believe_v without_o understanding_n must_v be_v toss_v and_o carry_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o 14._o doctrine_n by_o the_o slight_a and_o cunning_a of_o man_n ready_a to_o deceive_v 59_o though_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v so_o clear_a in_o this_o matter_n yet_o i_o shall_v further_o confirm_v it_o by_o the_o follow_a observation_n first_o if_o faith_n be_v not_o a_o persuasion_n result_v from_o the_o previous_a knowledge_n and_o comprehension_n of_o the_o thing_n believe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o degree_n nor_o difference_n in_o it_o for_o these_o be_v evident_a token_n that_o man_n know_v more_o or_o less_o of_o a_o thing_n as_o they_o have_v desire_n or_o opportunity_n to_o learn_v it_o but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o degree_n appear_v by_o the_o scripture_n where_o those_o that_o have_v only_o a_o imperfect_a and_o perfunctory_a knowledge_n of_o religion_n be_v compare_v to_o infant_n who_o feed_v only_o upon_o milk_n 2._o but_o they_o 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