disciple_n of_o the_o apostle_n say_v in_o all_o place_n that_o not_o only_a jesus_n of_o nazareth_n who_o the_o jew_n have_v crucify_v do_v work_v numberless_a miracle_n whilst_o he_o dwell_v among_o man_n but_o that_o he_o also_o leave_v the_o same_o power_n to_o his_o apostle_n and_o that_o in_o effect_n they_o wrought_v miracle_n every_o day_n what_o can_v be_v say_v more_o to_o excite_v the_o curiosity_n of_o the_o jew_n they_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o epicurean_o who_o think_v no_o miracle_n be_v to_o be_v wrought_v nor_o do_v they_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v send_v they_o no_o more_o prophet_n to_o work_v any_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o expect_v the_o messiah_n the_o great_a of_o all_o the_o prophet_n and_o notwithstanding_o they_o give_v so_o little_a heed_n to_o what_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o nation_n never_o take_v notice_n of_o they_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o use_v they_o ill_o without_o examine_v in_o the_o least_o 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emendat_fw-la temp._n valesius_fw-la upon_o eusebius_n and_o thomas_n brown_a in_o his_o dissertation_n concern_v the_o therapeutes_fw-gr and_o some_o learned_a man_n after_o he_o pretend_v that_o the_o therapeutes_fw-gr of_o alexandria_n who_o encomium_n be_v write_v by_o philo_n in_o one_o of_o his_o piece_n be_v christian_n but_o nothing_o except_o a_o desire_n of_o confound_v the_o jew_n by_o their_o own_o author_n can_v discover_v christian_n to_o eusebius_n and_o those_o that_o follow_v he_o in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o therapeutes_fw-gr where_o one_o syllable_n be_v not_o speak_v of_o jesus_n christ_n nor_o of_o his_o doctrine_n and_o where_o all_o that_o philo_n say_v do_v perfect_o quadrate_n to_o some_o of_o the_o essean_n who_o form_v as_o it_o be_v well_o know_v a_o particular_a sect_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o desire_n of_o convince_a infidel_n shall_v not_o induce_v we_o to_o make_v use_n of_o weak_a proof_n against_o they_o for_o certain_o such_o method_n must_v needs_o render_v they_o more_o averse_a to_o christianity_n what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v will_v be_v easy_o grant_v i_o by_o man_n of_o any_o tolerable_a read_n or_o judgement_n but_o it_o may_v be_v dispute_v with_o respect_n to_o 8._o to_o antiq._n jud._n l._n 18._o c._n 4_o &_o 8._o joseph_n by_o reason_n of_o a_o passage_n or_o two_o produce_v out_o of_o he_o wherein_o he_o speak_v of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o be_v not_o the_o place_n to_o examine_v these_o passage_n which_o learned_a man_n letter_n man_n see_v le_fw-fr feure_n in_o his_o critical_a letter_n believe_v be_v insert_v by_o some_o christian_a into_o the_o text_n of_o joseph_n but_o be_v this_o as_o it_o will_v it_o be_v manifest_a that_o joseph_n say_v nothing_o of_o the_o slaughter_n of_o the_o child_n whereof_o st._n matthew_n speak_v nor_o of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n nor_o of_o his_o doctrine_n nor_o can_v he_o be_v suppose_v by_o any_o to_o have_v be_v acquaint_v 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tacitus_n ep._n l._n 10._o plinius_n and_o 25._o and_o in_o claud._n c._n 25._o suetonius_n have_v speak_v of_o it_o and_o want_v not_o opportunity_n to_o understand_v it_o though_o it_o appear_v they_o do_v not_o they_o be_v polite_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o have_v spend_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o those_o age_n a_o great_a deal_n of_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o the_o greek_a philosophy_n now_o this_o philosophy_n be_v not_o upon_o any_o account_n comparable_a to_o the_o doctrine_n or_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n nor_o can_v the_o learned_a of_o rome_n neglect_v these_o thing_n only_o because_o barbarian_n as_o the_o grecian_n speak_v have_v declare_v they_o for_o they_o well_o know_v that_o the_o most_o famous_a sage_n of_o greece_n have_v undertake_v long_a voyage_n to_o the_o barbarian_n to_o learn_v their_o opinion_n what_o make_v they_o contemn_v the_o christian_n then_o we_o need_v not_o seek_v for_o any_o other_o reason_n but_o a_o scandalous_a neglect_n proceed_v from_o the_o predominant_a passion_n of_o most_o people_n for_o ordinary_o they_o apply_v themselves_o only_o to_o what_o be_v esteem_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o may_v contribute_v to_o have_v they_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o the_o place_n of_o their_o abide_v the_o literature_n and_o philosophy_n of_o the_o laertius_n the_o see_v the_o preface_n of_o diogen_n laertius_n greek_n be_v for_o a_o long_a time_n in_o great_a repute_n at_o rome_n and_o person_n of_o the_o first_o quality_n do_v value_v themselves_o upon_o these_o sort_n of_o knowledge_n but_o the_o gospel_n be_v unknown_a there_o because_o it_o contain_v not_o any_o doctrine_n proper_a to_o add_v more_o lustre_n to_o such_o as_o do_v aspire_v to_o the_o great_a dignity_n something_o of_o this_o nature_n make_v the_o athenian_n neglect_v the_o opportunity_n they_o have_v in_o their_o hand_n of_o understand_v the_o gospel_n when_o st._n paul_n be_v in_o their_o city_n to_o preach_v it_o if_o they_o will_v hear_v he_o and_o questionless_a they_o will_v have_v hear_v he_o have_v they_o as_o much_o good_a sense_n as_o they_o have_v vanity_n at_o the_o very_a first_o they_o call_v he_o a_o babbler_n 22._o act_n 17.18_o 22._o and_o after_o listen_v a_o while_n to_o he_o about_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a some_o of_o they_o laugh_v at_o he_o other_o put_v he_o off_o till_o some_o other_o time_n and_o there_o be_v but_o a_o small_a number_n of_o they_o that_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o preach_v to_o they_o this_o proceed_v in_o part_n from_o a_o unblamable_a neglect_n that_o will_v not_o let_v they_o inform_v themselves_o thorough_o about_o what_o st._n paul_n declare_v although_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o athenian_n and_o the_o stranger_n who_o follow_v their_o study_n there_o be_v man_n of_o much_o leisure_n and_o great_a lover_n of_o news_n 21._o ver._n 21._o but_o the_o apostle_n not_o teach_v his_o doctrine_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o philosopher_n they_o be_v wont_a to_o hear_v whether_o in_o regard_n of_o the_o method_n or_o the_o elocution_n they_o be_v out_o of_o conceit_n with_o his_o discourse_n let_v we_o suppose_v with_o they_o that_o the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o s._n paul_n be_v not_o so_o take_v as_o that_o of_o their_o philosopher_n but_o shall_v this_o extinguish_v their_o curiosity_n be_v truth_n always_o necessary_o accompany_v with_o eloquence_n none_o of_o they_o dare_v maintain_v such_o a_o thing_n notwithstanding_o s._n paul_n be_v there_o do_v they_o no_o good_a and_o they_o neglect_v acquaint_v themselves_o with_o his_o doctrine_n which_o be_v infinite_o more_o reasonable_a than_o that_o of_o their_o philosopher_n they_o lose_v a_o world_n of_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o very_o ridiculous_a doctrine_n as_o be_v the_o physics_n of_o all_o their_o philosopher_n without_o except_v any_o and_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o great_a part_n
to_o employ_v in_o their_o conversion_n rather_o than_o reason_n this_o make_v nothing_o to_o my_o design_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o the_o difficulty_n of_o bring_v those_o idolatrous_a nation_n to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n proceed_v not_o from_o any_o insidelity_n peculiar_a to_o they_o from_o the_o people_n of_o europe_n they_o be_v upon_o the_o contrary_a the_o most_o credulous_a people_n in_o the_o world_n and_o very_o serious_o embrace_v a_o great_a number_n of_o incredible_a thing_n whereof_o their_o theology_n be_v make_v up_o their_o incredulity_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o gospel_n proceed_v from_o their_o not_o reason_v almost_o at_o all_o except_o about_o thing_n relate_v to_o life_n and_o that_o nothing_o ever_o enter_v into_o their_o mind_n except_v from_o experience_n or_o education_n they_o be_v not_o man_n that_o meditate_v and_o be_v capable_a of_o attentive_o consider_v abstract_v idea_n nor_o of_o compare_v they_o with_o one_o another_o to_o draw_v some_o consequence_n from_o they_o so_o for_o want_n of_o meet_v a_o little_a reason_n in_o these_o people_n one_o be_v extreme_o puzzle_v how_o to_o get_v they_o to_o change_v their_o opinion_n this_o can_v be_v say_v of_o the_o mahometan_n since_o we_o know_v that_o their_o divine_n do_v sometime_o write_v with_o subtlety_n and_o sense_n enough_o against_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o missionary_n will_v have_v they_o embrace_v nor_o can_v we_o treat_v they_o as_o infidel_n that_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n out_o of_o a_o spirit_n of_o scepticism_n for_o they_o be_v every_o thing_n rather_o than_o pyrrhonian_n see_v they_o most_o hearty_o believe_v all_o the_o alcoran_n nevertheless_o although_o they_o have_v sense_n enough_o as_o i_o say_v to_o make_v objection_n against_o some_o doctrine_n that_o be_v preach_v to_o they_o yet_o they_o have_v not_o enough_o to_o examine_v the_o principle_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n and_o to_o see_v upon_o what_o it_o be_v ground_v they_o do_v so_n much_o as_o understand_v what_o be_v say_v to_o they_o upon_o that_o head_n nor_o the_o reason_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o if_o the_o missionary_n now_o and_o then_o convert_v some_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o from_o any_o reason_n they_o allege_v but_o in_o gain_v their_o love_n and_o esteem_v by_o some_o other_o way_n the_o jew_n be_v much_o in_o the_o same_o condition_n as_o it_o may_v be_v see_v by_o the_o book_n they_o have_v write_v to_o establish_v their_o own_o opinion_n or_o to_o confute_v those_o of_o the_o christian_n this_o may_v be_v easy_o discover_v also_o by_o any_o that_o discourse_n with_o they_o upon_o these_o subject_n but_o between_o they_o and_o the_o mahometan_n there_o be_v this_o difference_n that_o the_o latter_a give_v credit_n to_o a_o book_n full_a of_o impertinency_n and_o falsehood_n whereas_o the_o jew_n ground_n their_o persuasion_n upon_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o contain_v a_o true_a revelation_n and_o yet_o they_o can_v reason_v little_o better_o than_o the_o mahometan_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a obstacle_n to_o their_o conversion_n whilst_o they_o be_v satisfy_v with_o the_o mere_a authority_n of_o some_o rabbin_n though_o without_o any_o foundation_n they_o be_v proof_n against_o the_o strong_a reason_n the_o christian_n can_v oppose_v to_o they_o because_o from_o their_o infancy_n they_o be_v wont_v to_o believe_v what_o their_o rabbin_n tell_v they_o and_o be_v never_o teach_v to_o reason_n just_o otherwise_o if_o the_o jew_n be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o pursue_v a_o argument_n and_o of_o distinguish_v a_o good_a from_o a_o ill_a consequence_n it_o will_v then_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o shall_v be_v only_o needful_a as_o some_o christian_a divine_n have_v late_o do_v to_o put_v they_o upon_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o moses_n as_o they_o will_v prove_v it_o to_o a_o heathen_a they_o design_v to_o proselyte_n to_o judaisme_n for_o if_o they_o bring_v any_o solid_a proof_n for_o this_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v easy_o make_v evident_a that_o these_o same_o reason_n be_v incomparable_o strong_a in_o favour_n of_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o in_o favour_n of_o that_o of_o moses_n as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v in_o the_o book_n who_o title_n you_o may_v see_v in_o the_o margin_n judaeo_n limborch_fw-mi amica_fw-la collat_n cum_fw-la erudit_fw-la judaeo_n now_o then_o to_o convince_v the_o jew_n and_o other_o infidel_n by_o reason_n they_o must_v be_v first_o teach_v the_o art_n of_o methodical_o digest_v their_o thought_n and_o be_v accustom_v to_o reason_n stric_o upon_o other_o head_n that_o they_o may_v learn_v to_o understand_v the_o force_n of_o the_o proof_n upon_o which_o the_o gospel_n be_v found_v but_o this_o be_v what_o all_o the_o missionary_n in_o the_o world_n be_v not_o able_a to_o do_v especial_o to_o those_o insidel_n who_o be_v advance_v in_o year_n it_o be_v injustice_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v only_o among_o infidel_n that_o man_n be_v find_v uncapable_a of_o discern_v the_o goodness_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o who_o upon_o this_o account_n reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v unbeliever_n among_o christian_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o only_o such_o out_o of_o some_o disposition_n engage_v they_o against_o the_o gospel_n but_o likewise_o out_o of_o downright_a stupidity_n and_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v the_o reason_n whereupon_o christianity_n be_v ground_v there_o be_v some_o people_n who_o from_o their_o childhood_n have_v be_v bring_v up_o to_o some_o trade_n or_o other_o constant_a business_n without_o any_o care_n take_v about_o the_o form_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o even_o of_o instruct_v they_o in_o religion_n and_o who_o be_v moreover_o of_o a_o genius_n not_o very_o proper_a for_o conceive_v of_o thing_n reveal_v though_o haughty_a and_o presumptuous_a have_v grow_v to_o a_o full_a age_n without_o any_o far_a instruction_n or_o be_v cure_v of_o their_o pride_n these_o be_v rare_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n nay_o they_o frequent_o reject_v it_o entire_o or_o at_o least_o in_o part_n not_o only_o because_o they_o know_v not_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o but_o also_o because_o they_o understand_v they_o not_o when_o they_o hear_v they_o from_o those_o that_o do_v know_v they_o these_o unpolished_a and_o ignorant_a creature_n imagine_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a but_o what_o they_o perceive_v by_o their_o sense_n or_o what_o they_o have_v find_v by_o their_o own_o experience_n to_o be_v possible_a or_o in_o a_o word_n what_o they_o find_v conformable_a to_o their_o passion_n thus_o neither_o the_o speculative_a doctrine_n of_o religion_n nor_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o nor_o yet_o the_o history_n of_o those_o who_o teach_v it_o be_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o their_o knowledge_n they_o refuse_v to_o believe_v they_o rather_o out_o of_o brutality_n and_o stupidity_n than_o as_o deceive_v by_o captious_a reason_n if_o they_o reject_v it_o not_o altogether_o it_o be_v certain_a however_o that_o they_o retain_v only_o what_o be_v most_o please_a to_o they_o which_o be_v a_o evident_a demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v not_o persuade_v of_o it_o from_o reason_v and_o knowledge_n because_o the_o proof_n which_o confirm_v a_o part_n of_o it_o be_v the_o same_o that_o show_v the_o whole_a religion_n to_o be_v true_a it_o be_v not_o only_a among_o people_n take_v up_o with_o trade_n and_o business_n that_o this_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n be_v to_o be_v find_v for_o there_o be_v more_o of_o they_o perhaps_o among_o such_o as_o aspire_v to_o great_a preferment_n among_o soldier_n and_o person_n of_o quality_n it_o may_v be_v say_v indeed_o that_o person_n of_o these_o rank_n have_v have_v a_o better_a education_n than_o other_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o those_o employment_n to_o which_o they_o be_v design_v but_o in_o very_a truth_n it_o be_v as_o common_a a_o thing_n to_o hear_v they_o reason_n as_o wretched_o about_o religion_n as_o the_o most_o ignorant_a among_o the_o populace_n when_o once_o they_o be_v grow_v old_a in_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o christianity_n than_o their_o natural_a vanity_n increase_v with_o their_o age_n render_v they_o more_o obstinate_a and_o not_o seldom_o make_v they_o altogether_o inaccessible_a to_o truth_n you_o propose_v the_o most_o cogent_a argument_n to_o they_o in_o vain_a for_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o mere_a sophism_n though_o they_o know_v not_o wherein_o sophistry_n differ_v from_o solid_a reason_v i_o shall_v be_v tell_v perhaps_o that_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v not_o so_o ignorant_a of_o the_o art_n of_o think_v as_o i_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v see_v they_o reason_v not_o so_o
great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n shall_v not_o just_o render_v it_o suspect_v to_o unbeliever_n p._n 131._o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o incredulous_a be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o many_o people_n devotion_n p._n 143._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a p._n 165._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o incredulous_a object_n in_o vain_a that_o christianity_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o so_o ill_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v can_v be_v so_o useful_a to_o mankind_n as_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v p._n 180._o chap._n 6._o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o acquaintance_n make_v bad_a answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o it_o or_o because_o they_o maintain_v some_o false_a tenet_n as_o true_a and_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n p._n 199._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o bring_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o into_o doubt_n p._n 234._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n p._n 277._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 282._o letter_n 1._o wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o testimony_n they_o render_v to_o christ_n resurrection_n p._n 283._o letter_n 2._o show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o person_n true_o send_v of_o god_n p._n 307._o errata_fw-la page_n 18._o line_n 23._o read_v angusta_fw-la p._n 23._o l._n 8._o deal_n and._n of_o incredulity_n the_o preface_n contain_v the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n i_o can_v determine_v whether_o during_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n more_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o there_o may_v have_v be_v for_o these_o two_o hundred_o year_n past_a but_o that_o we_o have_v few_o remain_v of_o the_o precedent_a age_n than_o of_o the_o last_o two_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o teacher_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o follower_n whilst_o paganism_n be_v still_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n labour_v more_o in_o confute_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n than_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o think_v if_o they_o can_v once_o convince_v the_o heathen_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n then_o to_o make_v they_o christian_n and_o this_o i_o can_v most_o easy_o show_v be_v it_o at_o all_o useful_a to_o my_o design_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o paganism_n be_v abolish_v in_o europe_n and_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_n religion_n the_o teacher_n of_o it_o then_o left_a paganism_n to_o attack_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mahometans_n both_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o be_v among_o we_o but_o beside_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o mahometan_a and_o rabbinic_n doctrine_n doubt_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o peremptory_o judge_v it_o not_o true_a without_o set_v up_o any_o other_o religion_n in_o its_o place_n now_o to_o reduce_v these_o a_o new_a method_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v agree_v therefore_o to_o prove_v direct_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o insist_v upon_o the_o confutation_n of_o other_o persuasion_n and_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o that_o immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o manage_v with_o better_a success_n the_o heathen_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o mahometans_n be_v not_o ill_o confute_v before_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v far_o from_o be_v ever_o so_o well_o prove_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n nevertheless_o that_o there_o be_v still_o one_o thing_n behind_o which_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a have_v either_o not_o touch_v at_o all_o or_o but_o very_o slight_o i_o mean_v the_o secret_a motive_n and_o general_a reason_n which_o the_o incredulous_a have_v of_o not_o believe_v christianity_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v their_o internal_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n do_v so_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o reason_n offer_v they_o though_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a themselves_o of_o the_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o do_v this_o that_o all_o speak_n to_o they_o be_v in_o vain_a before_o the_o vnreasonableness_n of_o this_o disposition_n be_v make_v evident_a just_o as_o if_o any_o shall_v plead_v a_o good_a cause_n before_o prepossess_v judge_n without_o endeavour_v to_o cure_v they_o first_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o must_v needs_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o that_o thing_n as_o false_a whereupon_o all_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v ground_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pleader_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n though_o never_o so_o just_a will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o be_v cast_v or_o condemn_v this_o have_v be_v notwithstanding_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o champion_n of_o christianity_n they_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o well_o enough_o but_o their_o reason_n appear_v weak_a to_o the_o incredulous_a consider_v the_o disposition_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o whereof_o they_o know_v nothing_o themselves_o what_o be_v unreasonable_a therefore_o in_o this_o disposition_n must_v be_v discover_v and_o lay_v so_o clear_o before_o they_o that_o they_o may_v perceive_v how_o it_o impose_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n this_o be_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v teach_v we_o when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n 3.20_o joh._n 3.20_o neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v which_o signify_v that_o unbeliever_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o as_o true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o maxim_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o the_o habit_n they_o have_v be_v contract_v for_o many_o year_n on_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v that_o he_o that_o do_v truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n 21._o ver._n 21._o that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v easy_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o say_v elsewhere_o that_o if_o any_o will_v do_v his_o will_n 7.17_o joh._n 7.17_o he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o of_o himself_o beside_o the_o disposition_n wherein_o those_o may_v be_v who_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o which_o deceive_v they_o without_o their_o perceive_v of_o it_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a general_a reason_n draw_v from_o without_o that_o help_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o error_n these_o reason_n must_v by_o all_o mean_n be_v explode_v because_o they_o be_v to_o they_o so_o many_o prejudices_fw-la whereby_o they_o determine_v the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o they_o whilst_o they_o think_v they_o good_a all_o the_o proof_n imaginable_a can_v make_v no_o impression_n upon_o they_o because_o they_o never_o fail_v of_o oppose_v to_o they_o these_o reason_n which_o conclude_v to_o be_v solid_a they_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n for_o example_n who_o discover_v several_a of_o those_o doctrine_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v false_a judge_v of_o the_o rest_n by_o these_o and_o reject_v the_o good_a with_o the_o bad_a they_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o thousand_o lie_a miracle_n to_o who_o those_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v join_v but_o find_v the_o modern_a miracle_n to_o be_v imposture_n they_o give_v no_o great_a credit_n to_o those_o upon_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o mind_n that_o these_o miracle_n be_v not_o more_o certain_a one_o than_o another_o all_o the_o consequence_n draw_v from_o those_o of_o christ_n appear_v to_o they_o as_o build_v upon_o a_o rot_a foundation_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o but_o as_o a_o totter_a fabric_n it_o must_v be_v show_v the_o incredulous_a then_o that_o those_o reason_n draw_v from_o without_o which_o
system_n of_o divinity_n which_o raise_v great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v talk_v of_o they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n of_o sagacity_n and_o penetration_n propose_v some_o doubt_n to_o divine_n nay_o according_a to_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o christian_a society_n viz._n that_o all_o other_o err_v in_o something_o it_o can_v be_v wonder_v at_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o unbeliever_n offer_v some_o objection_n to_o divine_n which_o they_o can_v resolve_v according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n or_o which_o they_o resolve_v by_o contradict_v themselves_o divine_n upbraid_v one_o another_o with_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n not_o altogether_o ignorant_a observe_v in_o the_o society_n in_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v explain_v be_v subject_a to_o great_a difficulty_n or_o be_v altogether_o false_a let_v we_o suppose_v further_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o his_o country_n be_v very_o learn_v man_n and_o understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n better_o than_o other_o a_o opinion_n common_a enough_o especial_o among_o those_o who_o never_o go_v out_o of_o their_o country_n or_o never_o read_v the_o book_n of_o other_o sect_n when_o they_o perceive_v that_o the_o divine_n who_o they_o consult_v satisfy_v they_o not_o or_o maintain_v palpable_a falsity_n they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n be_v not_o true_a and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v altogether_o false_a if_o it_o happen_v that_o a_o man_n have_v such_o thought_n never_o read_v the_o work_n of_o other_o christian_n who_o be_v free_a from_o the_o error_n he_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o more_o he_o live_v the_o more_o he_o confirm_v himself_o in_o his_o opinion_n because_o as_o soon_o as_o a_o error_n have_v be_v find_v out_o the_o long_a it_o be_v think_v of_o the_o better_a it_o be_v know_v when_o man_n know_v nothing_o better_o about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n and_o have_v not_o penetration_n and_o learning_n enough_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n of_o themselves_o they_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n because_o they_o present_o suspect_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o divinity_n which_o they_o have_v not_o examine_v be_v not_o better_o and_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n whereof_o they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o falsity_n be_v account_v as_o essential_a as_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o that_o a_o man_n take_v up_o with_o other_o business_n and_o who_o have_v no_o time_n to_o spare_v for_o such_o a_o examination_n as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o come_v to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n write_v by_o ingenious_a man_n of_o both_o side_n he_o will_v often_o perceive_v that_o both_o party_n attack_v very_o well_o and_o defend_v themselves_o ill_a that_o man_n will_v conclude_v from_o thence_o and_o often_o with_o reason_n that_o both_o party_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n the_o more_o he_o hear_v they_o one_o after_o another_o the_o more_o he_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o at_o last_o he_o will_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o true_a because_o he_o have_v not_o part_n enough_o to_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n if_o we_o add_v that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o external_a and_o internal_a motive_n which_o make_v he_o incline_v to_o unbelief_n as_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o that_o man_n will_v get_v into_o a_o scepticism_n almost_o incurable_a or_o into_o a_o formal_a unbelief_n out_o of_o which_o he_o will_v hardly_o be_v able_a to_o extricate_v himself_o what_o i_o have_v propose_v as_o supposition_n be_v real_o to_o be_v find_v in_o a_o great_a part_n of_o christendom_n and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o people_n in_o italy_n france_n spain_n and_o germany_n for_o i_o must_v tell_v it_o and_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o conceal_v that_o i_o do_v follow_v the_o particular_a opinion_n which_o prevail_v in_o those_o place_n there_o be_v i_o say_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o case_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v they_o see_v some_o opinion_n manifest_o false_a establish_v in_o those_o vast_a country_n by_o a_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o offer_v any_o objection_n they_o be_v pitiful_o resolve_v and_o than_o if_o they_o dare_v reply_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o censure_n and_o threaten_n not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o inquisition_n and_o burn_v if_o they_o grow_v obstinate_a nevertheless_o divine_v maintain_v those_o doctrine_n though_o evident_o false_a with_o great_a heat_n they_o make_v use_v of_o all_o their_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o prove_v they_o many_o layman_n who_o want_v not_o penetration_n but_o know_v no_o better_o think_v that_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o because_o they_o distinct_o apprehend_v the_o falsity_n of_o what_o be_v say_v they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a other_o add_v to_o their_o meditation_n the_o read_n of_o some_o controversial_a book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n and_o protestant_n author_n and_o they_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a altogether_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o right_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n of_o their_o teacher_n can_v free_v they_o from_o that_o opinion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o often_o find_v some_o book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n author_n who_o attack_z well_o enough_o some_o particular_a opinion_n of_o certain_a protestant_n and_o those_o protestant_n be_v as_o unlucky_a in_o defend_v their_o own_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v successful_a in_o assault_v those_o of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n they_o also_o think_v that_o those_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o because_o their_o examination_n reach_v not_o to_o all_o the_o sect_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o confound_v they_o one_o with_o another_o and_o condemn_v they_o alike_o so_o that_o at_o last_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o beside_o other_o motive_n which_o may_v confirm_v they_o in_o those_o thought_n and_o which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v they_o see_v two_o thing_n which_o affect_v they_o so_o much_o that_o they_o retain_v their_o opinion_n for_o ever_o if_o no_o better_a book_n come_v into_o their_o hand_n or_o if_o no_o body_n free_v they_o from_o the_o doubt_n they_o be_v in_o the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o divine_n to_o maintain_v those_o doctrine_n those_o who_o assert_v they_o with_o heat_n and_o declaim_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o other_o christian_a society_n be_v prefer_v and_o get_v the_o most_o considerable_a dignity_n of_o the_o party_n they_o be_v in_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o any_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v moderate_a towards_o those_o who_o be_v call_v heretic_n or_o heterodox_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o much_o favour_v if_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v for_o ever_o from_o all_o sort_n of_o employment_n and_o ruin_v not_o himself_o in_o some_o place_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v altogether_o undo_v and_o almost_o every_o where_n if_o any_o intimate_v that_o he_o approve_v not_o all_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v in_o though_o he_o do_v it_o never_o so_o modest_o they_o show_v he_o no_o pity_n he_o must_v suffer_v whatever_o hatred_n and_o cruelty_n can_v do_v when_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n the_o second_o thing_n that_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o disposition_n be_v that_o divine_n will_v be_v judge_n and_o party_n in_o controvert_v doctrine_n against_o the_o clear_a principle_n of_o equity_n though_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o favour_v one_o of_o the_o party_n though_o their_o decision_n be_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o unsatisfactory_a they_o must_v be_v submit_v to_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o good_a and_o solid_a nay_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v the_o book_n of_o their_o adversary_n ought-not_a to_o be_v read_v or_o those_o who_o read_v they_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n of_o not_o approve_v their_o argument_n otherwise_o they_o must_v undergo_v the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o party_n unbeliever_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o several_a particular_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o by_o unjust_a and_o violent_a mean_n conclude_v that_o divine_n and_o consequent_o all_o christian_n be_v factious_a people_n and_o enemy_n to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o other_o