a_o account_n of_o reason_n &_o faith_n in_o relation_n to_o the_o mystery_n of_o christianity_n by_o john_n norris_n m._n a._n rector_n of_o bemerton_n near_o sarum_n hold_v faith_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o some_o have_v put_v away_o concern_v faith_n have_v make_v shipwreck_n 1_o tim._n 1._o 19_o london_n print_v for_o s._n manship_n at_o the_o ship_n near_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n 1697._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a henry_n lord_n of_o colerane_n my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n learning_n and_o knowledge_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o sincerity_n in_o the_o belief_n and_o profession_n of_o its_o sacred_a article_n be_v both_o so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o present_v this_o book_n to_o your_o lordship_n with_o a_o design_n to_o instruct_v you_o in_o the_o former_a or_o to_o settle_v and_o confirm_v you_o in_o the_o latter_a there_o be_v indeed_o but_o too_o many_o in_o the_o world_n to_o who_o it_o may_v be_v necessary_a upon_o those_o account_n but_o all_o that_o i_o intend_v in_o reference_n to_o your_o lordship_n by_o it_o be_v only_o to_o express_v my_o reverence_n and_o respect_n for_o your_o great_a worth_n and_o goodness_n and_o my_o grateful_a acknowledgement_n for_o that_o particular_a share_n and_o interest_n i_o have_v have_v in_o your_o favour_n which_o give_v i_o further_a occasion_n to_o hope_v that_o you_o will_v be_v as_o kind_a to_o the_o book_n aâ—_n you_o have_v be_v to_o the_o author_n and_o that_o as_o you_o be_v please_v to_o encourage_v the_o undertake_n so_o you_o will_v now_o favour_v the_o performance_n which_o with_o all_o deference_n and_o submission_n be_v humble_o present_v to_o your_o lordship_n by_o my_o lord_n your_o lordship_n most_o oblige_v and_o very_o humble_a servant_n j._n norris_n the_o preface_n controversy_n of_o religion_n and_o particular_o this_o have_v be_v manage_v of_o late_a with_o that_o intemperance_n of_o passion_n and_o indecency_n of_o language_n after_o such_o a_o rude_a bear-garden_n way_n so_o much_o more_o like_o duel_v or_o prize_v than_o dispute_v that_o the_o more_o good_a nature_a and_o better_a breed_v part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v grow_v almost_o sick_a of_o they_o and_o prejudice_v against_o they_o not_o be_v able_a to_o see_v man_n cut_v and_o slash_v and_o draw_v blood_n from_o one_o another_o after_o such_o a_o inhuman_a manner_n only_o to_o vent_v their_o own_o spleen_n and_o make_v diversion_n for_o the_o savage_a and_o brutalize_v rabble_n without_o some_o troublesome_a resentment_n of_o pity_n and_o displacency_n and_o true_o it_o be_v hard_a for_o a_o man_n to_o read_v some_o certain_a thing_n of_o this_o character_n without_o be_v disturb_v and_o grow_v out_o of_o humour_n upon_o it_o and_o be_v even_o out_o of_o conceit_n with_o mankind_n such_o a_o idea_n do_v they_o raise_v of_o the_o malignity_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o so_o do_v they_o ruffle_v anâ—_n chagrine_n the_o mind_n of_o the_o reader_n from_o which_o impression_n he_o will_v hardly_o recover_v himself_o till_o he_o meet_v with_o some_o book_n or_o other_o of_o a_o contrary_a spirit_n whereof_o the_o bishop_n of_o london-derry's_a excellent_a discourse_n of_o the_o invention_n of_o man_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v a_o very_a eminent_a instance_n which_o may_v serve_v to_o recompose_v the_o one_o and_o give_v he_o a_o better_a opinion_n of_o the_o other_o i_o have_v endeavour_v in_o the_o management_n of_o the_o present_a argument_n to_o use_v such_o christian_a temper_n and_o moderation_n as_o become_v the_o search_n of_o truth_n and_o may_v argue_v a_o mind_n concern_v only_o for_o the_o find_v it_o for_o of_o all_o the_o ill-sorted_n thing_n in_o nature_n i_o think_v it_o the_o most_o improper_a and_o disagreeable_a to_o reason_n in_o a_o passion_n especial_o when_o it_o be_v in_o defence_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o neither_o need_n at_o nor_o allow_v it_o and_o therefore_o lay_v aside_o all_o anger_n and_o disaffection_n which_o even_o for_o the_o advantage_n of_o well_o reason_v aught_o to_o be_v lay_v aside_o i_o have_v set_v myself_o to_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o decency_n as_o well_o as_o those_o of_o good_a discourse_n to_o consider_v thing_n as_o they_o real_o be_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n to_o represent_v they_o as_o i_o find_v they_o with_o all_o calmness_n and_o sedateness_n to_o regard_v nothing_o but_o the_o pure_a merit_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o to_o treat_v that_o party_n of_o man_n i_o write_v against_o with_o that_o candour_n and_o respect_n as_o may_v the_o better_o dispose_v they_o to_o lend_v attention_n to_o my_o argument_n consider_v it_o as_o one_o of_o the_o principal_a rule_n of_o the_o art_n of_o persuasion_n to_o gain_v upon_o the_o affection_n of_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o their_o judgement_n and_o i_o do_v not_o know_v that_o i_o be_o guilty_a of_o any_o incivility_n towards_o the_o man_n i_o deal_v with_o unless_o it_o be_v that_o of_o contradict_v they_o wherein_o as_o they_o be_v even_o with_o i_o so_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v not_o be_v less_o so_o in_o the_o other_o part_n but_o will_v treat_v i_o with_o the_o like_a return_n of_o civility_n and_o good_a temper_n in_o case_n they_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o make_v any_o the_o occasion_n of_o this_o undertake_n be_v a_o certain_a late_a book_n call_v christianity_n not_o mysterious_a one_o of_o the_o most_o bold_a dare_v and_o irreverent_a piece_n of_o defiance_n to_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o even_o this_o licentious_a age_n have_v produce_v and_o which_o have_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v do_v great_a battery_n and_o execution_n upon_o they_o and_o to_o be_v indeed_o a_o very_a shrewd_a and_o notable_a performance_n even_o by_o people_n of_o competent_a sense_n and_o learning_n not_o exclude_v the_o author_n himself_o who_o to_o show_v his_o good_a opinion_n both_o of_o his_o cause_n and_o of_o his_o management_n of_o it_o have_v since_o publish_v a_o second_o edition_n of_o his_o book_n with_o inlargement_n and_o with_o his_o name_n to_o which_o i_o think_v once_o to_o have_v return_v a_o direct_a and_o formal_a answer_n by_o way_n of_o solution_n of_o his_o objection_n till_o upon_o further_a consideration_n i_o judge_v it_o better_a to_o give_v a_o absolute_a account_n of_o the_o positive_a side_n of_o the_o question_n and_o after_o have_v lay_v such_o ground_n in_o it_o as_o may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o confutation_n of_o his_o book_n to_o make_v a_o short_a application_n of_o they_o in_o a_o few_o stricture_n upon_o it_o at_o the_o end_n of_o i_o but_o after_o i_o have_v lay_v those_o ground_n in_o the_o absolute_a part_n i_o find_v the_o application_n of_o they_o be_v so_o easy_a to_o the_o author_n objection_n that_o they_o may_v as_o well_o be_v make_v by_o my_o reader_n who_o may_v with_o such_o readiness_n out_o of_o the_o principle_n here_o establish_v form_n a_o answer_n to_o all_o that_o deserve_v one_o in_o that_o book_n that_o i_o think_v there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o enlarge_n the_o bulk_n of_o i_o upon_o that_o account_n which_o according_o thou_o i_o do_v not_o call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o a_o answer_n to_o christianity_n not_o mysterious_a i_o can_v but_o reckon_v to_o have_v all_o the_o substance_n though_o not_o the_o formality_n of_o a_o reply_n to_o that_o treatise_n it_o be_v much_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o effect_n either_o to_o unlock_v a_o door_n for_o a_o man_n or_o to_o put_v into_o his_o hand_n a_o key_n that_o will_n i_o write_v neither_o for_o favour_n nor_o for_o preferment_n but_o only_o to_o serve_v the_o cause_n of_o christianity_n for_o so_o i_o call_v that_o of_o its_o mystery_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o that_o church_n which_o be_v so_o great_a a_o friend_n to_o it_o and_o maintainer_n of_o it_o according_a to_o its_o pure_a and_o most_o primitive_a state_n of_o apostolical_a and_o evangelic_a perfection_n of_o who_o communion_n it_o be_v my_o happiness_n to_o be_v a_o member_n my_o glory_n to_o be_v a_o priest_n and_o that_o i_o have_v better_a ability_n to_o do_v her_o service_n my_o high_a ambition_n however_o such_o as_o they_o be_v i_o humble_o devote_v and_o employ_v they_o to_o that_o purpose_n as_o i_o do_v this_o and_o all_o other_o my_o labour_n i_o hope_v what_o i_o have_v write_v may_v do_v some_o service_n to_o the_o cause_n who_o defence_n it_o undertake_v and_o if_o it_o do_v i_o shall_v not_o much_o regard_n the_o resentment_n of_o any_o design_v or_o not_o so_o well_o affect_v person_n great_a or_o little_a who_o displeasure_n it_o may_v provoke_v though_o i_o have_v take_v all_o due_a care_v not_o to_o give_v any_o body_n any_o reasonable_a offence_n and_o so_o i_o commit_v the_o follow_a paper_n to_o the_o attentive_a
have_v no_o idea_n but_o that_o even_o where_o we_o have_v idea_n and_o those_o very_a clear_a one_o too_o we_o may_v be_v as_o far_o from_o comprehend_v a_o truth_n as_o if_o we_o have_v none_o mere_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o dependence_n which_o that_o truth_n have_v upon_o some_o other_o thing_n whereof_o we_o have_v not_o at_o least_o a_o just_a idea_n which_o single_a consideration_n be_v enough_o for_o ever_o to_o spoil_v human_a reason_n for_o set_v up_o for_o the_o measure_n of_o truth_n even_o upon_o the_o supposition_n of_o its_o being_n finit_fw-la so_o very_o false_a be_v that_o arrogant_a assertion_n of_o a_o modern_a philosopher_n 248._o quaecunque_fw-la existunt_fw-la humanae_fw-la menti_fw-la pervestigabilia_fw-la praeterquam_fw-la inâ—initum_fw-la whatever_o be_v may_v be_v thorough_o comprehend_v by_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n except_o infinite_a and_o again_o vnum_fw-la duntaxat_fw-la est_fw-la quod_fw-la omnem_fw-la mentis_fw-la nostrae_fw-la vim_o longissime_fw-la excedit_fw-la ipsâque_fw-la suâ_fw-la naturâ_fw-la ut_fw-la in_o se_fw-la est_fw-la ab_fw-la eâ_fw-la cognosci_fw-la nequit_fw-la inâ—initum_fw-la puta_fw-la there_o be_v but_o one_o only_a thing_n that_o far_o exceed_v the_o force_n and_o reach_v of_o our_o mind_n and_o that_o can_v of_o its_o own_o very_a nature_n be_v know_v by_o it_o as_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o namely_o infinite_a what_o but_o one_o thing_n except_v from_o the_o verge_n and_o place_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o human_a knowledge_n it_o be_v well_o that_o one_o thing_n be_v a_o pretty_a large_a one_o but_o sure_o the_o author_n be_v ignorant_a of_o something_o else_o that_o be_v himself_o or_o else_o he_o can_v never_o have_v advance_v such_o a_o crude_a and_o ill-considered_a a_o proposition_n 33._o and_o thus_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a in_o a_o rational_a way_n by_o argue_v a_o priori_fw-la and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n that_o human_a reason_n be_v not_o the_o measure_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o even_o upon_o the_o most_o liberal_a supposition_n of_o its_o be_v finite_a and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o so_o suppose_v truth_n to_o be_v finite_a much_o less_o be_v it_o suppose_v it_o what_o it_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o a_o infinite_a nature_n if_o upon_o the_o former_a supposition_n it_o exceed_v the_o proportion_n of_o our_o reason_n certain_o upon_o the_o latter_a there_o will_v be_v no_o proportion_n between_o they_o but_o whether_o our_o reason_n bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o truth_n or_o whether_o it_o be_v only_o disproportionate_a to_o it_o either_o way_n it_o follow_v that_o it_o can_v be_v the_o measure_n of_o it_o which_o i_o can_v but_o now_o look_v upon_o as_o a_o proposition_n sufficient_o demonstrate_v and_o in_o all_o this_o i_o contend_v for_o no_o more_o than_o what_o be_v imply_v in_o that_o common_a and_o universal_o approve_v maxim_n even_o among_o those_o of_o the_o rational_a way_n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o deny_v what_o be_v evident_a for_o the_o sake_n of_o what_o be_v obscure_a or_o depart_v from_o a_o truth_n which_o we_o see_v a_o necessity_n to_o admit_v because_o of_o some_o difficulty_n attend_v it_o which_o we_o can_v solve_v which_o they_o say_v be_v a_o argument_n only_o of_o our_o ignorance_n and_o not_o of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o thing_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o true_a rule_n and_o such_o as_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o hold_v good_a in_o all_o our_o reason_n let_v the_o matter_n of_o they_o be_v what_o it_o will_n only_o i_o wish_v that_o the_o implication_n of_o the_o rule_n be_v as_o much_o mind_v as_o the_o rule_n itself_o be_v general_o receive_v for_o it_o plain_o imply_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n which_o though_o plain_a and_o certain_a as_o to_o their_o existence_n be_v yet_o incomprehensible_a and_o inexplicable_a as_o to_o their_o manner_n but_o then_o as_o the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o the_o manner_n shall_v not_o make_v we_o reject_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n when_o otherwise_o evident_a so_o neither_o shall_v the_o evidence_n we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n make_v we_o disow_v the_o incomprehensibility_n of_o the_o manner_n since_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v against_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v incomprehensible_a that_o you_o see_v we_o have_v discover_v even_o from_o the_o contemplation_n of_o its_o nature_n that_o there_o be_v incomprehensible_a truth_n of_o which_o i_o may_v now_o subjoin_v some_o particular_a example_n but_o that_o i_o shall_v fall_v very_o deep_a into_o a_o common_a place_n be_v herein_o prevent_v by_o many_o other_o writer_n particular_o by_o the_o admirable_a one_o of_o l'_fw-mi art_n de_fw-fr penser_fw-fr to_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o who_o four_o book_n i_o refer_v my_o reader_n where_o he_o show_v by_o several_a and_o some_o of_o they_o uncommon_a instance_n that_o there_o be_v thing_n which_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o comprehend_v after_o which_o he_o conclude_v with_o a_o very_a grave_n and_o useful_a reflection_n which_o for_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o pertinency_n of_o it_o to_o the_o present_a affair_n though_o i_o refer_v my_o reader_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o chapter_n i_o shall_v here_o set_v down_o the_o proâ—it_n say_v he_o that_o one_o may_v draw_v from_o these_o speculation_n be_v not_o bare_o to_o acquire_v the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o which_o of_o itself_o be_v barren_a enough_o but_o it_o be_v to_o learn_v to_o know_v the_o bound_n of_o our_o understanding_n and_o to_o force_v it_o to_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v thing_n which_o it_o can_v comprehend_v and_o therefore_o it_o be_v good_a to_o fatigue_n the_o mind_n with_o these_o kind_n of_o subtlety_n the_o better_a to_o tame_v its_o presumption_n and_o abate_v its_o confidence_n and_o daringness_n in_o oppose_v its_o feeble_a light_n against_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n under_o the_o pretence_n that_o it_o can_v comprehend_v they_o for_o since_o all_o the_o force_n of_o human_a understanding_n be_v constrain_v to_o yield_v to_o the_o least_o atom_n of_o matter_n and_o to_o own_o that_o it_o see_v clear_o that_o it_o be_v infinite_o divisible_a without_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v how_o this_o may_v be_v be_v it_o not_o apparent_o to_o transgress_v against_o reason_n to_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o the_o divine_a onnipotence_n mere_o for_o this_o reason_n that_o our_o understanding_n can_v comprehend_v they_o yes_o without_o doubt_v it_o be_v as_o will_v better_a appear_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o discourse_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n before_o i_o take_v leave_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o chapter_n i_o have_v a_o double_a remark_n to_o make_v upon_o it_o 34._o the_o first_o be_v that_o since_o truth_n in_o its_o full_a extent_n be_v incomprehensible_a we_o shall_v not_o vain_o go_v about_o to_o comprehend_v it_o but_o be_v content_v to_o be_v ignorant_a in_o many_o thing_n and_o since_o there_o be_v some_o special_a truth_n in_o particular_a that_o be_v incomprehensible_a we_o shall_v not_o apply_v our_o thought_n to_o the_o comprehension_n of_o all_o thing_n at_o a_o venture_n as_o some_o who_o be_v for_o understand_v every_o thing_n but_o sit_v down_o first_o and_o consider_v whether_o they_o be_v proportionate_a to_o our_o capacity_n or_o no_o and_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v learn_v to_o distinguish_v what_o truth_n may_v and_o what_o may_v not_o be_v comprehend_v by_o we_o that_o so_o we_o may_v not_o lose_v that_o time_n and_o pain_n in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o they_o which_o may_v be_v profitable_o employ_v in_o the_o consideration_n of_o other_o thing_n better_o suit_v to_o our_o capacity_n as_o a_o great_a many_o do_v who_o busy_a themselves_o all_o their_o life_n long_o about_o such_o thing_n which_o if_o they_o shall_v study_v to_o eternity_n they_o will_v not_o comprehend_v and_o that_o indeed_o because_o they_o require_v a_o infinite_a capacity_n to_o comprehend_v they_o whereas_o the_o short_a compendium_n of_o study_n and_o the_o best_a way_n to_o abridge_v the_o science_n be_v to_o study_v only_o what_o we_o can_v master_n and_o what_o be_v within_o the_o sphere_n of_o our_o faculty_n and_o never_o so_o much_o as_o to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o what_o we_o can_v never_o comprehend_v 35._o the_o other_o remark_n be_v that_o the_o conclusion_n prove_v in_o this_o chapter_n do_v very_o much_o fortify_v and_o confirm_v that_o which_o be_v undertake_v to_o be_v make_v out_o in_o the_o last_o concern_v the_o distinction_n of_o thing_n above_o and_o thing_n contrary_a to_o reason_n for_o if_o there_o be_v truth_n which_o we_o can_v comprehend_v than_o it_o seem_v what_o be_v above_o our_o comprehension_n may_v yet_o be_v true_a and_o if_o true_a then_o to_o be_v sure_a not_o contrary_a to_o reason_n since_o whatever_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n be_v no_o less_o
human_a nature_n in_o general_a as_o â—tis_o natural_a for_o every_o man_n to_o have_v more_o and_o more_o the_o wise_a he_o grow_v and_o the_o further_o he_o advance_v in_o knowledge_n which_o when_o all_o be_v do_v provide_v you_o take_v a_o good_a do_v of_o it_o be_v the_o best_a cure_n of_o pride_n and_o vanity_n 18._o and_o as_o he_o have_v thus_o slender_a a_o opinion_n both_o of_o human_a reason_n and_o his_o own_o so_o he_o appear_v to_o have_v have_v also_o at_o the_o same_o such_o a_o high-raised_n and_o elevate_a sense_n of_o the_o immense_a grandeur_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o magnificence_n of_o his_o work_n and_o how_o inscrutable_a the_o profundity_n of_o both_o be_v to_o such_o finite_a and_o contract_a mind_n as_o we_o as_o can_v scarce_o any_o where_o be_v parallel_v two_o character_n certain_o of_o spirit_n that_o be_v none_o of_o the_o apt_a to_o dispose_v a_o man_n to_o socinianism_n but_o not_o to_o dwell_v any_o long_o upon_o rational_a presumption_n there_o be_v a_o certain_a plain_n and_o decide_v place_n in_o the_o write_n of_o this_o great_a man_n which_o one_o will_v think_v have_v escape_v the_o eye_n of_o some_o that_o be_v enough_o forever_o to_o silence_v the_o calumny_n of_o his_o be_v even_o in_o the_o least_o socinianize_v and_o to_o shame_v those_o that_o have_v so_o little_a conscience_n or_o judgement_n as_o to_o stain_v his_o memory_n with_o it_o for_o who_o can_v suspect_v he_o in_o the_o least_o infect_v with_o that_o head-seizing_a disease_n which_o be_v now_o become_v so_o popular_a and_o epidemic_a when_o he_o shall_v hear_v he_o still_o purge_v and_o apologize_v for_o himself_o in_o these_o vindicatory_a word_n 〈…〉_z credenda_fw-la esse_fw-la omnia_fw-la quae_fw-la a_o deo_fw-la revelata_fw-la sunt_fw-la quamvis_fw-la capio_fw-la nostrum_fw-la excedant_fw-la and_o again_o ita_fw-la si_fw-la soriè_fw-la nobis_fw-la deus_fw-la de_fw-la seipso_fw-la vel_fw-la aliis_fw-la aliquid_fw-la revelet_fw-la quod_fw-la naturales_fw-la ingenii_fw-la nostri_fw-la vires_fw-la excedat_fw-la qualia_fw-la jam_fw-la sunt_fw-la mysteria_fw-la incarnationis_fw-la &_o trinitatis_fw-la non_fw-la recasabimus_fw-la illa_fw-la credere_fw-la quamvis_fw-la non_fw-la clare_n intelligamus_fw-la nec_fw-la ullo_fw-la modo_fw-la mirabimur_fw-la multa_fw-la esse_fw-la tum_fw-la in_o immensâ_fw-la ejus_fw-la naturâ_fw-la tum_fw-la etiam_fw-la in_o râ—_n bus_fw-la ab_fw-la â—o_o creatis_fw-la quae_fw-la capio_fw-la nostrum_fw-la excedant_fw-la now_o how_o glad_a shall_v i_o be_v to_o see_v all_o the_o socinian_o in_o christendom_n subscribe_v to_o this_o form_n of_o word_n and_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a then_o that_o he_o who_o original_o they_o be_v shall_v be_v suspect_v of_o socinianism_n and_o that_o his_o philosophy_n too_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o lead_v to_o it_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v the_o cartesian_a philosophy_n lead_v just_a as_o much_o to_o socinianism_n as_o philosophy_n in_o general_n do_v to_o atheism_n and_o i_o will_v venture_v to_o say_v and_o be_v bind_v to_o make_v it_o good_a that_o as_o no_o good_a philosopher_n can_v be_v a_o atheisâ—_n so_o no_o good_a cartesian_a can_v be_v a_o socinian_n chap._n viii_o wherein_o be_v show_v what_o be_v the_o true_a use_n of_o reason_n in_o believe_v 1._o reason_n be_v the_o great_a character_n and_o principle_n of_o man_n that_o make_v he_o like_a to_o the_o angel_n above_o he_o and_o distinguish_v he_o from_o the_o beast_n that_o be_v below_o he_o and_o which_o therefore_o only_o be_v below_o he_o for_o want_v of_o the_o rational_a power_n be_v many_o of_o they_o in_o regard_n of_o their_o bodily_a endowment_n upon_o a_o level_n with_o he_o and_o some_o beyond_o he_o it_o be_v but_o just_a and_o natural_a it_o shall_v appear_v in_o all_o that_o he_o do_v and_o preâ—ide_v and_o govern_v in_o all_o his_o action_n for_o as_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o infinite_o wise_a and_o all-knowing_a god_n do_v always_o carry_v in_o it_o the_o character_n of_o his_o essential_a and_o consubstantial_a reason_n even_o of_o he_o who_o be_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o father_n the_o true_a intelligible_a light_n so_o shall_v also_o the_o conduct_n of_o man_n express_v in_o proportion_n the_o signature_n of_o his_o reason_n and_o though_o he_o can_v act_v by_o such_o exact_a and_o unerring_a measure_n as_o his_o glorious_a maker_n nor_o yet_o with_o all_o that_o perfection_n of_o wisdom_n that_o even_o some_o create_a intelligence_n express_v yet_o at_o least_o he_o shall_v act_v like_o himself_o and_o not_o by_o do_v any_o thing_n absurd_a or_o unaccountable_a deny_v his_o reasonable_a nature_n 2._o this_o have_v serve_v for_o a_o principle_n to_o some_o scholastic_a and_o moral_a writer_n whereon_o to_o build_v a_o very_a high_a and_o as_o some_o think_v very_o severe_a conclusion_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o individual_a action_n of_o man_n pure_o indifferent_a which_o i_o suppose_v may_v be_v true_a enough_o of_o those_o action_n of_o his_o which_o be_v proper_o humane_a i_o mean_v that_o be_v do_v deliberate_o with_o forethought_a and_o consideration_n every_o one_o of_o which_o must_v as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v see_v be_v either_o good_a or_o bad_a according_a to_o the_o circumstance_n wherewith_o they_o be_v clothe_v however_o specifical_o consider_v in_o relation_n to_o their_o object_n only_o and_o as_o abstract_v from_o those_o circumstance_n some_o of_o they_o may_v be_v indifferent_a and_o certain_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o action_n of_o a_o more_o neutral_a and_o adiaphorous_a nature_n than_o a_o unprofitable_a word_n and_o yet_o of_o such_o he_o that_o be_v to_o be_v our_o judge_n tell_v we_o we_o shall_v render_v a_o account_n in_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o indifferency_n in_o the_o action_n of_o man_n as_o individual_o and_o concrete_o consider_v but_o that_o all_o of_o they_o be_v either_o good_a or_o bad_a according_a as_o the_o principle_n manner_n end_v and_o other_o circumstance_n be_v that_o attend_v the_o do_v of_o they_o and_o that_o because_o man_n be_v a_o rational_a creature_n the_o order_n of_o reason_n be_v due_a at_o least_o to_o all_o his_o deliberate_a action_n which_o according_o aught_o to_o carry_v the_o character_n of_o a_o rational_a nature_n in_o they_o the_o want_n of_o which_o will_v be_v enough_o to_o render_v any_o of_o they_o evil_a and_o imperfect_a 3._o but_o then_o if_o reason_n ought_v to_o preâ—ide_v and_o direct_v in_o all_o the_o deliberate_a action_n of_o man_n much_o more_o ought_v it_o in_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o consequence_n wherein_o his_o interest_n and_o welfare_n be_v more_o near_o concern_v and_o which_o according_o require_v his_o great_a consideration_n and_o the_o use_n of_o the_o best_a light_n that_o he_o have_v and_o because_o there_o can_v be_v a_o thing_n of_o great_a consequence_n and_o concernment_n to_o he_o than_o religion_n upon_o which_o both_o his_o present_a and_o his_o future_a his_o temporal_a and_o his_o eternal_a happiness_n do_v entire_o depend_v hence_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o principal_a use_v he_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o his_o rational_a faculty_n be_v in_o religion_n that_o here_o if_o any_o where_o he_o ought_v to_o think_v consider_v advise_v deliberate_a reason_n and_o argue_v consult_v both_o his_o own_o light_n and_o that_o of_o other_o neglect_v no_o advantage_n that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o nature_n or_o art_n from_o book_n or_o man_n from_o the_o live_n or_o the_o dead_a but_o employ_v all_o possible_a mean_n for_o his_o direction_n and_o information_n 10._o and_o not_o be_v as_o the_o horse_n and_o mule_n which_o have_v no_o understanding_n for_o it_o be_v for_o this_o great_a end_n and_o purpose_n that_o his_o reason_n be_v give_v he_o and_o this_o be_v the_o best_a use_v he_o can_v make_v of_o it_o as_o for_o the_o study_n of_o nature_n that_o turn_v to_o too_o little_a a_o account_n and_o as_o for_o the_o affair_n of_o civil_a life_n they_o in_o themselves_o and_o without_o relation_n to_o another_o world_n be_v too_o little_a and_o inconsiderable_a for_o we_o to_o suppose_v that_o our_o reason_n be_v give_v we_o for_o the_o management_n of_o they_o religion_n only_o bear_v proportion_n to_o so_o noble_a a_o faculty_n be_v most_o worthy_a of_o its_o application_n and_o can_v also_o best_o reward_v the_o due_a exercise_n and_o use_v of_o it_o and_o according_o it_o be_v upon_o religion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v best_a bestow_v 4._o nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n in_o religion_n that_o may_v just_o fear_v to_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o bar_n of_o human_a reason_n or_o to_o undergo_v the_o test_n of_o its_o severe_a discussion_n the_o heathen_a religion_n indeed_o may_v for_o which_o cause_n those_o that_o draw_v its_o picture_n cast_v a_o shade_n upon_o a_o great_a part_n of_o it_o and_o will_v not_o venture_v to_o expose_v it_o to_o common_a view_n and_o the_o too_o