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marginal_a note_n the_o doubtfulness_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n can_v no_o way_n just_o be_v conclude_v as_o touch_v the_o various_a read_n of_o some_o place_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o through_o the_o fail_n of_o some_o scribe_n there_o be_v find_v in_o the_o most_o ancient_a copy_n of_o those_o book_n some_o difference_n of_o letter_n or_o some_o few_o syllable_n or_o word_n but_o this_o we_o deny_v that_o those_o be_v sufficient_a from_o whence_o to_o conclude_v the_o book_n not_o to_o be_v credit_v for_o upon_o the_o same_o reason_n it_o will_v be_v conclude_v that_o no_o book_n in_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v credit_v unless_o they_o can_v be_v manifest_v to_o be_v exempt_v from_o the_o slip_n and_o fail_n of_o transcriber_n nay_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o various_a read_n be_v very_o strong_a argument_n that_o the_o substance_n of_o the_o writing_n be_v incorrupt_v and_o that_o they_o be_v never_o change_v
a_o philosophical_a essay_n towards_o a_o eviction_n of_o the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n truth_n and_o authority_n of_o scripture_n together_o with_o a_o index_n of_o the_o head_n of_o every_o particular_a part._n oxford_n print_v by_o leonard_n lichfield_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v by_o john_n adam_n and_o edward_n forest_n 1652._o to_o the_o reader_n the_o author_n of_o this_o book_n although_o he_o have_v never_o suffer_v it_o to_o be_v publish_v have_v he_o not_o be_v assure_v that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o main_a much_o liable_a to_o just_a exception_n and_o although_o he_o have_v no_o further_a care_n of_o the_o reception_n and_o entertainment_n of_o it_o than_o the_o consequence_n of_o it_o may_v deserve_v whereof_o the_o reader_n and_o not_o himself_o must_v be_v the_o judge_n and_o so_o he_o be_v not_o move_v by_o the_o common_a passion_n of_o such_o as_o use_v to_o make_v epistle_n and_o preface_n to_o their_o reader_n yet_o some_o thing_n although_o but_o for_o custom_n only_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o premise_v and_o to_o acquaint_v the_o reader_n with_o thus_o much_o by_o way_n of_o apology_n for_o himself_o that_o this_o be_v write_v divers_a year_n since_o without_o any_o purpose_n of_o ever_o let_v it_o go_v abroad_o that_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o it_o be_v to_o clear_v to_o himself_o who_o be_v a_o lover_n of_o rational_a knowledge_n a_o account_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o own_o belief_n and_o to_o that_o end_n to_o lay_v in_o order_n his_o scatter_a notion_n concerning_o that_o subject_a and_o this_o he_o intend_v as_o a_o apology_n for_o the_o homeliness_n of_o the_o stile_n that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o it_o be_v write_v it_o be_v also_o deliver_v in_o a_o private_a course_n of_o religious_a exercise_n and_o that_o will_v be_v the_o excuse_n for_o such_o repetition_n as_o may_v otherwise_o seem_v ill-favoured_a in_o the_o several_a section_n of_o it_o that_o at_o the_o time_n of_o his_o compose_v it_o he_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o assistance_n of_o his_o book_n which_o be_v one_o cause_n that_o it_o be_v not_o adorn_v with_o testimony_n and_o citation_n out_o of_o author_n but_o come_v out_o naked_a be_v support_v only_o by_o the_o order_n and_o plainness_n of_o reason_n that_o it_o trust_v to_o that_o since_o the_o compose_n of_o this_o he_o know_v that_o divers_a book_n of_o the_o same_o argument_n have_v be_v write_v by_o man_n far_o more_o know_v then_o himself_o but_o that_o he_o have_v not_o yet_o read_v any_o of_o they_o nor_o know_v whether_o he_o do_v agree_v with_o they_o or_o not_o which_o abstinence_n have_v be_v cause_v partly_o for_o that_o he_o be_v himself_o satisfy_v by_o what_o be_v here_o deliver_v and_o partly_o for_o that_o he_o have_v no_o leisure_n or_o mind_n to_o alter_v this_o which_o he_o have_v do_v though_o possible_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o better_a that_o whereas_o he_o speak_v of_o epicure_n machiavelian_o and_o the_o like_a he_o make_v use_n of_o those_o name_n only_o in_o a_o popular_a way_n as_o they_o be_v name_n of_o character_n well_o know_v among_o we_o and_o that_o he_o intend_v not_o to_o traduce_v those_o author_n or_o cast_v any_o contumely_n upon_o they_o last_o he_o must_v needs_o acknowledge_v that_o before_o the_o edition_n of_o this_o he_o have_v see_v m._n hobbs_n his_o leviathan_n and_o other_o book_n of_o his_o wherein_o that_o which_o be_v in_o this_o treatise_n intend_v as_o the_o main_a foundation_n whereon_o the_o second_o discourse_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n insist_v be_v say_v to_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o immaterial_a or_o incorporeal_a substance_n upon_o which_o occasion_n he_o think_v good_a only_o to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v a_o very_a great_a respect_n and_o a_o very_a high_a esteem_n for_o that_o worthy_a gentleman_n but_o he_o must_v ingenuous_o acknowledge_v that_o a_o great_a proportion_n of_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o a_o belief_n and_o expectation_n concerning_o he_o a_o belief_n of_o much_o knowledge_n in_o he_o and_o a_o expectation_n of_o those_o philosophical_a and_o mathematical_a work_n which_o he_o have_v undertake_v and_o not_o so_o much_o upon_o what_o he_o have_v yet_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o do_v not_o see_v reason_n from_o thence_o to_o recede_v from_o any_o thing_n upon_o his_o authority_n although_o he_o shall_v avouch_v his_o discourse_n to_o proceed_v mathematical_o that_o he_o be_v sure_a he_o have_v much_o injure_v the_o mathematics_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o demonstration_n by_o bestow_v it_o upon_o some_o of_o his_o discourse_n which_o be_v exceed_o short_a of_o that_o evidence_n and_o truth_n which_o be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o discourse_n able_a to_o bear_v that_o reputation_n that_o in_o this_o case_n m.h._n be_v only_o a_o negative_a witness_n and_o his_o meaning_n in_o deny_v incorporeal_a substance_n can_v rational_o import_v no_o more_o but_o this_o that_o he_o himself_o have_v not_o a_o apprehension_n of_o any_o such_o being_n and_o that_o his_o cogitation_n as_o to_o the_o simple_a object_n of_o it_o have_v never_o rise_v beyond_o imagination_n or_o the_o first_o apprehension_n of_o body_n perform_v in_o the_o brain_n but_o to_o imagine_v that_o no_o man_n have_v a_o apprehension_n of_o the_o godhead_n because_o he_o may_v not_o perhaps_o think_v of_o he_o so_o much_o as_o to_o strip_v off_o the_o corporeal_a circumstance_n wherewith_o he_o do_v use_v to_o fancy_v he_o or_o to_o conclude_v every_o man_n under_o the_o sentence_n of_o be_v nonsensical_a whosoever_o have_v speak_v or_o write_v of_o incorporeal_a substance_n he_o do_v conceive_v to_o be_v thing_n not_o to_o be_v make_v good_a by_o the_o authority_n of_o m._n hobs._n that_o whereas_o very_o many_o man_n do_v profess_v a_o apprehension_n of_o such_o being_n and_o he_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n profess_v this_o to_o be_v impossible_a this_o author_n be_v hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o excuse_v this_o from_o much_o incivility_n and_o conceive_v the_o import_n of_o it_o to_o amount_v to_o thus_o much_o that_o he_o conceive_v himself_o in_o the_o high_a and_o utmost_a bind_v of_o human_a apprehension_n and_o that_o his_o reason_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o what_o he_o see_v not_o be_v invisible_a i_o conceive_v the_o case_n in_o this_o to_o be_v alike_o as_o if_o while_o two_o man_n be_v look_v at_o jupiter_n one_o with_o his_o naked_a eye_n the_o other_o with_o a_o telescope_n the_o former_a shall_v avow_v that_o jupiter_n have_v no_o attendant_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v have_v any_o the_o reason_n why_o m.h._n deny_v those_o being_n while_o other_o man_n apprehend_v they_o be_v for_o that_o he_o look_v at_o they_o with_o his_o fancy_n they_o with_o their_o mind_n many_o more_o thing_n he_o have_v to_o say_v for_o himself_o but_o he_o understand_v not_o full_o the_o use_n or_o benefit_n of_o apology_n the_o content_n part_n i._n sect._n i._n preface_n sect._n ii_o of_o the_o design_n ad_fw-la definition_n of_o religion_n the_o prejudice_n and_o pretence_n against_o the_o christian_a the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v in_o controversy_n deduce_v to_o three_o question_n 1._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n attribute_n 2._o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n 3._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n sect._n iii_o of_o the_o being_n of_o god_n evict_v by_o way_n of_o demonstration_n from_o the_o creature_n pag._n 11._o sect._n iv._o of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n those_o likewise_o evict_v from_o the_o creature_n pag._n 17._o part_n ii_o sect._n i._n a_o proposal_n of_o the_o argument_n for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o major_a proposition_n that_o incorporeal_a substance_n be_v immortal_a pap_n 33._o sect._n ii_o a_o proof_n of_o this_o proposition_n that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v incorporeal_a substance_n by_o compare_v the_o affection_n of_o body_n with_o those_o of_o soul_n p._n 38._o sect._n iii_o a_o further_a proof_n of_o it_o by_o the_o general_a way_n of_o apprehension_n p._n 43_o sense_n iv._o the_o same_o further_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o several_a act_n of_o the_o soul_n from_o simple_a apprehension_n p._n 51._o sect._n v._o from_o judgement_n and_o discourse_n p._n 58._o sect._n vi_o a_o application_n of_o the_o former_a proposition_n to_o the_o inference_n of_o a_o religion_n in_o general_a and_o a_o proposal_n of_o the_o three_o in_o order_n to_o the_o christian_n p._n 67._o part_n iii_o concerning_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o our_o scripture_n sect._n i._n petition_n and_o caution_n premise_v to_o the_o question_n p._n 75._o sect._n ii_o the_o assertion_n resolve_v into_o two_o proposition_n the_o former_a
undertake_v that_o whosoever_o believe_v the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v believe_v the_o doctrinal_a p._n 81._o sect._n iii_o the_o kind_n and_o degree_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o historical_a faith_n in_o general_n p._n 89._o sect._n iv._o a_o application_n of_o those_o general_a ground_n to_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o a_o proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o to_o believe_v any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n p._n 97._o sect._n v._o that_o there_o be_v much_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o history_n p._n 206._o sect._n vi_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o proposal_n of_o three_o several_a assertion_n whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v p._n 119._o sect._n vii_o the_o first_o assertion_n prove_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v p._n 124._o sect._n viii_o that_o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o they_o have_v receive_v ever_o since_o the_o consignation_n of_o their_o canon_n p._n 128._o sect._n ix._o that_o in_o our_o saviour_n time_n these_o book_n be_v true_a and_o consequent_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n p._n 135._o sect._n x._o that_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o disbelieve_v the_o scripture_n objection_n brief_o propose_v and_o answer_v first_o general_a objection_n against_o the_o whole_a p._n 138._o sect._n xi_o objection_n against_o particular_a part_n brief_o propose_v and_o answer_v p._n 149._o part_n i._n preface_n sect._n i._n although_o i_o be_o not_o without_o apprehension_n that_o the_o discourse_n which_o i_o design_n may_v be_v prejudge_v unprofitable_a as_o pretend_v to_o lay_v again_o that_o foundation_n which_o have_v long_o since_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o all_o that_o will_v be_v reader_n of_o it_o yet_o when_o i_o consider_v those_o scandal_n which_o the_o looseness_n of_o our_o time_n have_v offer_v even_o to_o the_o religious_a and_o the_o bold_a and_o horrid_a pride_n and_o presumption_n of_o atheist_n and_o epicure_n which_o by_o a_o profane_a and_o confident_a assert_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o all_o thing_n undervalue_v the_o ability_n of_o our_o nature_n to_o raise_v a_o opinion_n of_o their_o personal_a excellency_n have_v labour_v to_o introduce_v into_o the_o world_n a_o general_a athiesm_n or_o at_o least_o a_o doubtful_a scepticism_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o when_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v upon_o any_o ill_a suggestion_n apt_a still_o to_o receive_v some_o impression_n those_o thing_n be_v of_o like_a operation_n with_o calumny_n which_o if_o it_o be_v confident_o and_o bold_o charge_v will_v be_v sure_a to_o leave_v some_o scar_n behind_o it_o when_o we_o observe_v this_o use_n and_o inclination_n in_o ourselves_o which_o be_v in_o thing_n where_o we_o have_v not_o a_o belief_n of_o what_o be_v speak_v or_o do_v not_o give_v perfect_a credit_n to_o a_o accusation_n yet_o to_o admit_v of_o a_o suspicion_n that_o thing_n may_v be_v as_o they_o be_v speak_v and_o although_o the_o strength_n of_o our_o contrary_a belief_n do_v keep_v we_o from_o a_o full_a assent_n to_o the_o thing_n in_o question_n yet_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o the_o thing_n concern_v ourselves_o and_o we_o have_v happen_v to_o cross_v our_o opinion_n or_o our_o belief_n in_o our_o way_n of_o practice_n such_o be_v the_o perverseness_n of_o our_o heart_n that_o in_o such_o case_n they_o will_v make_v use_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o other_o especial_o if_o they_o have_v the_o reputation_n of_o know_v man_n to_o oppose_v against_o their_o own_o belief_n and_o interpose_v betwixt_o the_o lash_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o themselves_o i_o say_v the_o present_a condition_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o corrupt_a nature_n of_o our_o heart_n be_v such_o i_o can_v think_v it_o useless_a nay_o not_o unnecessary_a to_o raise_v a_o discourse_n of_o religion_n even_o from_o the_o common_a element_n and_o fundamental_n and_o for_o a_o while_n neglect_v the_o more_o know_a party_n of_o man_n to_o undertake_v so_o far_o as_o the_o argument_n will_v bear_v to_o follow_v the_o way_n of_o demonstration_n and_o lead_v on_o the_o weak_a from_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o themselves_o can_v deny_v to_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o law_n and_o injunction_n of_o our_o religion_n sect._n ii_o of_o the_o design_n and_o definition_n of_o religion_n the_o prejudice_n and_o pretence_n against_o the_o christian_a the_o sum_n of_o what_o be_v in_o controversy_n deduce_v to_o three_o question_n 1._o of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n attribute_n 2._o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n 3._o of_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n we_o may_v begin_v with_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o definition_n and_o the_o design_n of_o ourselves_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o religion_n however_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o world_n may_v contradict_v it_o i_o hope_v we_o may_v take_v this_o definition_n of_o religion_n as_o one_o that_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o apprehension_n which_o all_o of_o we_o have_v of_o it_o religion_n be_v a_o resignation_n of_o ourselves_o to_o god_n with_o a_o expectation_n of_o reward_n the_o design_n indeed_o of_o religion_n however_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v mere_o obedience_n to_o the_o pleasure_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o height_n of_o it_o be_v bare_o terminate_v in_o his_o glory_n so_o that_o the_o high_a act_n of_o it_o be_v adoration_n yet_o i_o say_v the_o design_n of_o man_n religion_n be_v that_o it_o may_v be_v well_o unto_o themselves_o and_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o estate_n of_o happiness_n the_o very_a definition_n of_o religion_n suppose_v a_o godhead_n according_a to_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o god_n be_v the_o very_a design_n of_o it_o suppose_v that_o both_o the_o party_n worship_v be_v capable_a of_o reward_n and_o that_o god_n likewise_o do_v not_o neglect_v his_o service_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n of_o the_o apostle_n that_o he_o be_v the_o rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o again_o the_o resignation_n of_o ourselves_o suppose_v the_o resignation_n of_o our_o supreme_a faculty_n those_o be_v our_o understanding_n and_o our_o will_n viz._n our_o will_n to_o a_o obedience_n to_o his_o will_n to_o a_o performance_n of_o his_o injunction_n to_o a_o submission_n to_o his_o providence_n and_o a_o resignation_n likewise_o of_o our_o understanding_n to_o his_o truth_n now_o it_o be_v agreeable_a to_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o apostle_n that_o we_o can_v practise_v the_o will_n of_o god_n unless_o we_o know_v it_o and_o that_o we_o can_v know_v it_o unless_o it_o be_v discover_v to_o we_o so_o then_o in_o our_o profession_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v these_o supposal_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o seek_v he_o and_o that_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o his_o way_n of_o reward_v that_o the_o diligence_n of_o our_o seek_n must_v be_v exercise_v in_o a_o way_n conformable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o that_o to_o this_o purpose_n we_o want_v not_o rule_n for_o this_o conformity_n these_o be_v i_o say_v the_o general_a supposition_n of_o every_o religion_n under_o heaven_n you_o see_v that_o the_o being_n of_o religion_n be_v in_o self-resignation_n but_o the_o end_n of_o that_o resignation_n it_o be_v reward_n still_o retain_v in_o mind_n that_o caution_n that_o mercenary_o to_o labour_v for_o reward_n be_v not_o the_o supreme_a exaltation_n of_o religious_a act_n but_o that_o it_o be_v the_o ordinary_a degree_n of_o man_n religion_n and_o a_o allowable_a and_o commendable_a step_n and_o a_o degree_n unto_o the_o other_o it_o be_v the_o strong_a powerful_a motive_n to_o moses_n to_o neglect_v the_o momentany_a pleasure_n of_o pharaoh_n court_n because_o he_o have_v respect_n unto_o the_o recompense_n of_o reward_n i_o say_v it_o be_v the_o natural_a way_n of_o reason_n in_o every_o act_n to_o look_v at_o some_o or_o other_o end_n and_o to_o undertake_v no_o labour_n without_o a_o eye_n upon_o reward_n now_o so_o it_o be_v that_o some_o man_n who_o account_v themselves_o the_o wise_a observe_v as_o they_o think_v the_o design_n and_o issue_n of_o religion_n and_o compare_v the_o labour_n and_o the_o wage_n they_o with_o much_o wisdom_n as_o they_o think_v conclude_v that_o all_o the_o business_n of_o gain_n which_o come_v by_o religion_n be_v no_o way_n worth_n the_o pain_n and_o labour_n they_o see_v that_o all_o thing_n come_v
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visible_a of_o gain_n to_o they_o from_o their_o lie_v man_n use_v to_o consider_v these_o thing_n likewise_o before_o they_o settle_v upon_o belief_n these_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o consideration_n and_o inward_a discourse_n whereupon_o man_n do_v proceed_v to_o the_o receive_n of_o historical_a belief_n even_o of_o any_o relation_n whatsoever_o and_o according_o as_o all_o of_o these_o condition_n be_v clear_a or_o obscure_a doubtful_a or_o certain_a such_o be_v the_o strength_n of_o his_o belief_n if_o all_o of_o they_o concur_v there_o remain_v no_o reason_n at_o all_o of_o doubt_v if_o some_o of_o they_o fail_v there_o will_v follow_v a_o debility_n answerable_a in_o the_o belief_n see_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o conclusion_n can_v never_o exceed_v the_o force_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o premise_n that_o there_o be_v or_o late_o have_v be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n or_o jerusalem_n or_o paris_n there_o be_v none_o of_o we_o that_o doubt_v although_o we_o have_v 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it_o be_v believe_v because_o of_o his_o ability_n to_o know_v and_o because_o it_o make_v not_o thing_n appear_v to_o be_v strain_v in_o his_o behalf_n because_o it_o may_v have_v be_v contradict_v if_o it_o have_v be_v otherwise_o and_o because_o he_o be_v deliver_v to_o we_o in_o the_o complexion_n of_o history_n as_o a_o man_n of_o honour_n that_o will_v not_o write_v a_o lie_n that_o the_o history_n of_o sallust_n be_v true_a it_o be_v believe_v because_o he_o write_v of_o thing_n do_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o his_o time_n whereof_o he_o may_v well_o inform_v himself_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o knowledge_n and_o can_v not_o gain_v by_o any_o thing_n that_o he_o have_v deliver_v if_o it_o be_v untrue_a that_o all_o of_o these_o history_n be_v write_v by_o those_o that_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o they_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o man_n that_o doubt_n because_o there_o be_v no_o improbability_n in_o reason_n they_o have_v be_v constant_o so_o receive_v in_o the_o world_n and_o 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proof_n of_o this_o assertion_n assertion_n that_o there_o be_v as_o great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o new_a testament_n as_o to_o believe_v any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n such_o madness_n then_o and_o no_o less_o it_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o history_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n no_o less_o madness_n nay_o it_o be_v much_o great_a and_o that_o not_o only_o because_o they_o be_v of_o more_o concernment_n to_o we_o then_o the_o act_n of_o man_n of_o former_a time_n but_o even_o because_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o the_o delivery_n of_o those_o history_n we_o will_v begin_v with_o those_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o here_o first_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v that_o the_o four_o gospel_n be_v write_v by_o the_o four_o evangelist_n and_o that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v write_v by_o saint_n luke_n etc._n etc._n now_o that_o these_o book_n be_v write_v by_o these_o man_n it_o be_v 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impudence_n to_o make_v that_o objection_n julian_n the_o apostate_n do_v free_o acknowledge_v cyrill_n 10._o grot._n 3._o ver._n that_o the_o book_n which_o by_o the_o christian_n be_v receive_v under_o the_o name_n of_o peter_n paul_n matthew_n mark_n luke_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o author_n it_o be_v true_a that_o there_o be_v some_o book_n receive_v of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n who_o author_n be_v unknown_a as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n and_o some_o other_o but_o concerning_o they_o i_o hope_v to_o speak_v in_o answer_v those_o objection_n which_o be_v make_v against_o the_o scripture_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o may_v just_o assume_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o those_o whereof_o no_o question_n have_v be_v make_v in_o ancient_a time_n they_o be_v the_o writing_n of_o those_o to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v and_o now_o this_o be_v suppose_v which_o can_v with_o any_o pretence_n of_o reason_n be_v deny_v it_o follow_v clear_o that_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v relate_v be_v to_o be_v believe_v for_o first_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v deliver_v they_o be_v matter_n easy_o to_o be_v know_v in_o respect_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o they_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o speech_n perform_v by_o our_o saviour_n or_o by_o themselves_o second_o the_o act_n be_v act_v public_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o speech_n which_o they_o deliver_v as_o speak_v by_o other_o they_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n speak_v public_o either_o in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o in_o the_o temple_n or_o to_o the_o multitude_n somewhere_o gather_v together_o on_o a_o mountain_n by_o the_o seaside_n in_o public_a place_n so_o as_o they_o may_v have_v easy_o be_v contradict_v if_o they_o shall_v have_v deliver_v a_o falsehood_n three_o the_o party_n which_o have_v deliver_v they_o have_v all_o the_o opportunity_n in_o the_o world_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n they_o be_v thing_n do_v either_o by_o 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his_o conversation_n and_o moreover_o saint_n mark_n be_v as_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a first_o a_o disciple_n of_o saint_n paul_n who_o be_v miraculous_o choose_v to_o deliver_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n afterwards_o he_o be_v undoubted_o a_o disciple_n and_o companion_n of_o saint_n peter_n who_o be_v a_o apostle_n of_o our_o saviour_n do_v live_v familiar_o together_o with_o he_o be_v present_a at_o almost_o all_o thing_n which_o mark_n have_v write_v and_o beside_o whatever_o be_v deliver_v by_o saint_n mark_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n luke_n be_v a_o individual_a companion_n of_o paul_n and_o so_o he_o may_v learn_v of_o he_o such_o thing_n as_o he_o deliver_v beside_o that_o he_o say_v that_o he_o speak_v with_o those_o that_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o
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not_o only_o the_o power_n of_o miracle_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n he_o unfold_v to_o they_o the_o everlasting_a roll_n and_o admit_v they_o into_o his_o decree_n and_o will_v not_o hide_v from_o they_o the_o thing_n which_o he_o mean_v to_o bring_v to_o pass_v in_o the_o generation_n to_o come_v he_o urge_v they_o by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n and_o they_o foretell_v the_o fate_n of_o the_o world_n they_o foretell_v it_o and_o god_n bring_v it_o to_o pass_v i_o can_v stand_v to_o reckon_v up_o all_o their_o prophecy_n which_o they_o deliver_v and_o short_o after_o they_o be_v fulfil_v of_o the_o spread_n of_o that_o leaven_n of_o the_o growth_n of_o that_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n of_o the_o mighty_a and_o wonderful_a propagation_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o the_o perpetual_a endure_n of_o it_o of_o the_o rejection_n of_o it_o by_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o receive_n of_o it_o by_o the_o gentile_n of_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o torment_n which_o be_v to_o be_v undergo_v by_o the_o glorious_a martyr_n of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o calamity_n of_o that_o faithless_a nation_n all_o these_o make_v it_o evident_a that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v infinite_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o writer_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o writer_n that_o none_o can_v disbelieve_v they_o without_o forfeit_v his_o reason_n by_o assert_v that_o god_n will_v give_v testimony_n to_o imposture_n sect._n vi_o that_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n a_o proposal_n of_o three_o several_a assertion_n whereby_o it_o be_v conclude_v have_v demonstrate_v that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v all_o of_o they_o to_o be_v receive_v under_o the_o authority_n and_o credit_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o the_o dogmatic_a part_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o the_o history_n and_o the_o history_n upon_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n and_o consequent_o that_o no_o man_n profess_v to_o be_v guide_v by_o reason_n and_o judgement_n can_v refuse_v they_o it_o remain_v that_o we_o demonstrate_v the_o same_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o that_o we_o take_v off_o those_o colour_n and_o answer_v those_o sophism_n which_o by_o some_o man_n be_v urge_v against_o the_o scripture_n and_o so_o conclude_v this_o argument_n before_o i_o proceed_v to_o the_o former_a of_o these_o i_o must_v call_v to_o your_o remembrance_n that_o which_o in_o the_o beginning_n i_o do_v premise_v that_o under_o the_o title_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n i_o do_v comprehend_v those_o and_o those_o only_o which_o in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v be_v admit_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o canonical_a scripture_n and_o that_o i_o have_v no_o purpose_n at_o all_o to_o meddle_v with_o the_o controversy_n which_o be_v betwixt_o we_o and_o the_o roman_a church_n about_o the_o book_n which_o be_v apocryphal_a 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those_o person_n who_o have_v deliver_v the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o to_o demonstrate_v that_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v imagine_v why_o such_o man_n as_o those_o be_v and_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v shall_v deliver_v such_o imposture_n as_o those_o must_v be_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v imposture_n that_o no_o end_n or_o motive_n can_v be_v discover_v which_o they_o shall_v propound_v to_o themselves_o for_o their_o reward_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o many_o reason_n be_v visible_a why_o they_o shall_v have_v hold_v their_o peace_n if_o they_o dare_v have_v conceal_v those_o thing_n from_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n from_o safety_n gain_n glory_n and_o the_o like_a as_o may_v either_o joint_o or_o several_o be_v demonstrate_v of_o even_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o the_o prophet_n which_o make_v up_o the_o great_a part_n moses_n together_o with_o the_o law_n have_v deliver_v likewise_o the_o shame_n of_o himself_o and_o miriam_n and_o aaron_n the_o prophet_n have_v be_v all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o hardly_o use_v which_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v not_o your_o father_n persecute_v although_o i_o say_v this_o have_v be_v the_o natural_a way_n to_o demonstrate_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n take_v single_o and_o apart_o by_o itself_o yet_o partly_o to_o avoid_v the_o similitude_n of_o matter_n which_o render_v unpleasant_a even_o the_o most_o profitable_a discourse_n and_o partly_o to_o make_v a_o present_a dispatch_n of_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v content_v myself_o to_o have_v put_v you_o thus_o in_o mind_n that_o all_o those_o general_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o credit_n of_o those_o writer_n be_v common_a to_o these_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o that_o there_o need_v no_o variation_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o question_n now_o in_o hand_n any_o other_o than_o the_o interchange_n of_o their_o several_a name_n their_o personal_a relation_n and_o quality_n and_o other_o accident_n in_o a_o word_n that_o the_o kind_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v the_o same_o and_o the_o force_n of_o reason_n alike_o in_o both_o allow_v only_o the_o difference_n of_o gradual_a and_o individual_a circumstance_n this_o be_v premise_v the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o shall_v further_o say_v be_v brief_o this_o that_o 1._o in_o the_o time_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o apostle_n these_o book_n be_v true_a 2._o that_o since_o that_o time_n they_o have_v not_o be_v change_v from_o which_o two_o proposition_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o still_o they_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o that_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o new_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o touch_v these_o proposition_n the_o truth_n of_o they_o will_v be_v infer_v by_o this_o ratiocination_n 1._o the_o book_n which_o we_o now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o jew_n do_v now_o receive_v 2._o the_o book_n which_o the_o jew_n now_o receive_v be_v the_o same_o which_o 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