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book_n common_a form_n prayer_n 5,541 5 6.6459 4 true
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A27004 The reasons of the Christian religion the first part, of godliness, proving by natural evidence the being of God ... : the second part, of Christianity, proving by evidence supernatural and natural, the certain truth of the Christian belief ... / by Richard Baxter ... ; also an appendix defending the soul's immortality against the Somatists or Epicureans and other pseudo-philosophers. Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691. 1667 (1667) Wing B1367; ESTC R5892 599,557 672

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they_o to_o perceive_v its_o holiness_n and_o worth_n where_o it_o be_v indeed_o sincere_o practise_v and_o be_v most_o dishonour_a and_o misunderstand_v through_o the_o wickedness_n of_o hypocrite_n who_o profess_v it_o messiae_n as_o the_o impress_n on_o the_o wax_n do_v make_v the_o image_n more_o discernible_a than_o the_o sculpture_n on_o the_o seal_n but_o the_o sculpture_n be_v true_a and_o perfect_a when_o many_o accident_n may_v render_v the_o impress_v image_n imperfect_a and_o faulty_a so_o be_v it_o in_o this_o case_n to_o a_o diligent_a enquirer_n christianity_n be_v best_a know_v in_o its_o principle_n deliver_v by_o christ_n the_o author_n of_o it_o and_o indeed_o be_v no_o otherwise_o perfect_o know_v because_o it_o be_v no_o where_o else_o perfect_o to_o be_v see_v but_o yet_o it_o be_v much_o more_o visible_a and_o take_v with_o unskilful_a superficial_a observer_n in_o the_o professor_n life_n for_o they_o can_v discern_v the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o a_o action_n 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may_v let_v it_o go_v and_o boast_v of_o your_o better_a choice_n as_o you_o find_v cause_n how_o much_o do_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n teach_v the_o stoic_n the_o cynic_n and_o many_o other_o sect_n which_o differ_v not_o much_o in_o austerity_n from_o christ_n precept_n of_o mortification_n and_o self-denial_n socrates_n can_v say_v open_v ac_fw-la nobilitates_fw-la non_fw-la solum_fw-la nihil_fw-la in_o se_fw-la habere_fw-la honestatis_fw-la verum_fw-la omne_fw-la malum_fw-la ex_fw-la eye_n aboriri_fw-la laert._n l._n 2._o in_o socr._n p._n 99_o dicebat_fw-la &_o unicum_fw-la esse_fw-la bonum_fw-la scientiam_fw-la malumque_fw-la unicum_fw-la inscitiam_fw-la id._n ib._n et_fw-la referenti_fw-la quod_fw-la illum_fw-la athenienses_fw-la mori_fw-la d●crevissent_fw-la &_o natura_fw-la illos_fw-la inquit_fw-la ib._n et_fw-la multa_fw-la prius_fw-la de_fw-la immortalitate_fw-la animorum_fw-la ac_fw-la praeclara_fw-la disserens_fw-la cicutam_fw-la bibit_fw-la p._n 105._o magna_fw-la animi_fw-la sublimitate_fw-la carpentes_fw-la se_fw-la &_o objurgantes_fw-la contemnebat_fw-la p._n 96._o when_o he_o be_v public_o deride_v omnia_fw-la ferebat_fw-la aequo_fw-la animo_fw-la and_o when_o one_o kick_v he_o and_o the_o people_n marvel_v at_o his_o patience_n he_o say_v what_o if_o a_o ass_n have_v kick_v i_o shall_v i_o have_v sue_v he_o at_o law_n p._n 93._o when_o he_o see_v in_o fair_n and_o shop_n what_o abundance_n of_o thing_n be_v set_v to_o sale_n he_o rejoice_o say_v quam_fw-la multis_fw-la ipse_fw-la non_fw-la egeo_fw-la &_o cum_fw-la libere_fw-la quo_fw-la vellet_fw-la abire_fw-la carcere_fw-la liceret_fw-la noluit_fw-la &_o plorantes_fw-la severe_a increpavit_fw-la pulcherrimosque_fw-la sermon_n illos_fw-la vinctus_fw-la prosecutus_fw-la est_fw-la if_o so_o many_o philosopher_n think_v it_o a_o shameful_a note_n of_o cowardice_n for_o a_o man_n to_o live_v and_o not_o to_o kill_v himself_o when_o he_o be_v fall_v into_o shame_n or_o misery_n much_o great_a reason_n have_v a_o true_a believer_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o die_v in_o a_o lawful_a way_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o hope_n of_o glory_n and_o to_o be_v less_o fearful_a of_o death_n than_o a_o brutus_n a_o cato_z a_o seneca_n or_o a_o socrates_n though_o not_o to_o inflict_v it_o on_o themselves_o sound_o believe_v the_o promise_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o you_o will_v never_o much_o stick_n at_o suffer_v to_o lose_v a_o feather_n and_o win_v a_o crown_n be_v a_o bargain_n that_o very_o few_o will_v grudge_v at_o and_o profane_o with_o esau_n to_o sell_v the_o birthright_n for_o a_o morsel_n to_o part_v with_o heaven_n for_o the_o paltry_a pleasure_n of_o flesh_n and_o fancy_n be_v below_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o man_n if_o sin_n have_v not_o unman_v he_o matth._n 16.25_o 26._o whosoever_o will_v save_v his_o life_n shall_v lose_v it_o and_o whosoever_o will_v lose_v his_o life_n for_o my_o sake_n shall_v find_v it_o for_o what_o be_v a_o man_n profit_v if_o he_o shall_v gain_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o lose_v his_o own_o soul_n virulent_a eunapius_n give_v we_o the_o witness_n of_o natural_a reason_n for_o a_o holy_a mortify_a life_n whilst_o he_o make_v it_o the_o glory_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o he_o celebrate_v of_o antoninus_n the_o son_n of_o aedesius_n he_o say_v totum_fw-la se_fw-la dedidit_fw-la atque_fw-la applicuit_fw-la diis_fw-la loci_fw-la gentilibus_fw-la &_o sacris_fw-la mysticis_fw-la &_o arcanis_fw-la citoque_fw-la in_o deorum_fw-la immortalium_fw-la contubernium_fw-la receptus_fw-la est_fw-la neglectâ_fw-la prorsus_fw-la corporis_fw-la curâ_fw-la ejusque_fw-la voluptatibus_fw-la remisso_fw-la nuntio_n &_o sapientiae_fw-la study_v profano_fw-la vulgo_fw-la incognitum_fw-la amplexus_fw-la cuncti_fw-la mortales_fw-la hujusce_fw-la viri_fw-la temperantiam_fw-la constantiam_fw-la &_o inflecti_fw-la nesciam_fw-la mentem_fw-la demirati_fw-la sure_a eunap_n in_fw-la aedes_fw-la what_o a_o saint_n do_v he_o make_v jamblichus_n to_o be_v of_o who_o it_o be_v feign_v that_o in_o his_o prayer_n he_o will_v be_v lift_v up_o above_o ten_o cubit_n from_o the_o earth_n and_o his_o garment_n change_v into_o a_o golden_a colour_n till_o he_o have_v do_v eun._n in_o jambl._n p._n 572._o even_o while_o he_o rail_v at_o the_o alexandrian_a monk_n ut_fw-la homines_fw-la quidem_fw-la specie_fw-la sed_fw-la vitam_fw-la turpem_fw-la porcorum_fw-la more_fw-it exigentes_fw-la etc._n etc._n p._n 598._o contrary_v to_o the_o evidence_n of_o abundant_a history_n he_o bear_v witness_n against_o a_o vicious_a life_n and_o if_o holiness_n and_o mortification_n or_o temperance_n be_v so_o laudable_a even_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o bitter_a heathen_n why_o shall_v it_o be_v think_v intolerable_a strictness_n as_o it_o be_v more_o clear_o and_o sweet_o propose_v in_o the_o christian_a verity_n and_o if_o he_o say_v of_o jamblicus_n ob_fw-la justitiae_fw-la cultum_fw-la facilem_fw-la ad_fw-la deorum_fw-la aures_fw-la accessum_fw-la habuit_fw-la we_o may_v bold_o say_v that_o the_o righteous_a god_n love_v righteousness_n and_o that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o upright_o be_v his_o delight_n and_o that_o their_o suffering_n shall_v not_o always_o be_v forget_v nor_o their_o faithful_a labour_n prove_v in_o vain_a chap._n xii_o the_o reasonable_a condition_n require_v of_o they_o who_o will_v overcome_v the_o difficulty_n of_o believe_v and_o will_v not_o undo_v themselves_o by_o wilful_a infidelity_n i_o have_v answer_v the_o objection_n against_o christianity_n but_o have_v not_o remove_v the_o chief_a impediment_n for_o recipitur_fw-la ad_fw-la modum_fw-la recipientis_fw-la the_o grand_a impediment_n be_v within_o even_o the_o incapacity_n or_o indisposition_n or_o frowardness_n of_o the_o person_n that_o shall_v believe_v it_o be_v not_o every_o head_n and_o heart_n that_o be_v fit_a for_o heavenly_a truth_n and_o work_n i_o will_v next_o therefore_o tell_v you_o what_o condition_n reason_v itself_o will_v require_v of_o they_o that_o will_v not_o be_v deceive_v that_o so_o you_o may_v not_o lay_v that_o blame_n on_o christ_n if_o you_o be_v infidel_n which_o belong_v only_o to_o yourselves_o ambros_n con_v 1._o come_v not_o in_o your_o study_n of_o these_o sacred_a mystery_n with_o a_o enmity_n against_o the_o doctrine_n which_o you_o must_v study_v or_o at_o least_o suspend_v your_o enmity_n so_o far_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o a_o impartial_a search_n and_o examination_n for_o ill_a will_n can_v easy_o believe_v well_o malice_n and_o partiality_n will_v blind_v the_o strong_a wit_n and_o hide_v the_o force_n of_o the_o plain_a evidence_n con._n 2._o drown_v not_o the_o love_n of_o truth_n in_o a_o vicious_a fleshly_a heart_n and_o life_n and_o forfeit_v not_o the_o light_n of_o supernatural_a revelation_n by_o wilful_a sin_v against_o natural_a light_n and_o debauch_v your_o conscience_n by_o abuse_v the_o knowledge_n which_o already_o you_o have_v god_n sensuality_n and_o wilful_a debauchery_n be_v the_o common_a temptation_n to_o infidelity_n when_o man_n have_v once_o so_o heinous_o abuse_v god_n as_o that_o they_o must_v needs_o believe_v that_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n he_o must_v be_v a_o terror_n to_o they_o and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o judgement_n and_o a_o life_n of_o retribution_n it_o be_v like_a to_o go_v ill_o with_o they_o a_o little_a thing_n will_v persuade_v such_o man_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o life_n to_o come_v indeed_o when_o they_o once_o hope_v it_o be_v so_o and_o take_v it_o for_o their_o interest_n and_o a_o desirable_a thing_n they_o will_v easy_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v so_o indeed_o and_o god_n be_v just_a and_o begin_v the_o execution_n of_o his_o justice_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o forsake_v of_o a_o soul_n that_o hate_v the_o light_n and_o wilful_o resist_v and_o abuse_v knowledge_n be_v one_o of_o his_o most_o dreadful_a judgement_n that_o man_n who_o will_v be_v a_o drunkard_n a_o glutton_n a_o whoremonger_n a_o proud_a ambitious_a worldling_n in_o despite_n of_o the_o common_a light_n of_o nature_n can_v hardly_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v give_v he_o the_o light_n of_o grace_n despight_v truth_n and_o enslave_v reason_n and_o turn_v a_o man_n into_o a_o beast_n be_v not_o the_o way_n to_o heavenly_a illumination_n con_v 3._o be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o common_a natural_a truth_n which_o be_v recite_v in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o book_n for_o supernatural_a revelation_n presuppose_v natural_a and_o grace_n which_o make_v we_o saint_n suppose_v that_o reason_n have_v constitute_v we_o man_n and_o all_o true_a knowledge_n be_v methodical_o attain_v it_o be_v a_o great_a wrong_n to_o the_o christian_a cause_n that_o too_o many_o preacher_n of_o it_o have_v miss_v the_o true_a method_n and_o still_o begin_v at_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o build_v even_o natural_a certainty_n thereupon_o and_o have_v either_o not_o know_v or_o conceal_v much_o of_o the_o fore-written_a natural_a verity_n and_o it_o be_v a_o exceed_o great_a cause_n of_o the_o multiply_a of_o infidel_n that_o most_o man_n be_v dull_a or_o idle_a drone_n and_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o common_a natural_a truth_n which_o
not_o sincere_o receive_v these_o precept_n if_o they_o let_v they_o not_o into_o the_o heart_n and_o answer_v they_o not_o with_o these_o affection_n and_o here_o be_v the_o great_a difference_n between_o the_o faith_n of_o a_o honest_a sanctify_a ploughman_n and_o of_o a_o carnal_a unsanctified_a lord_n or_o doctor_n the_o one_o open_v his_o heart_n to_o the_o doctrine_n which_o he_o receive_v and_o faithful_o admit_v it_o to_o its_o proper_a work_n and_o so_o embrace_v it_o practical_o and_o in_o love_n and_o therefore_o hold_v it_o fast_o as_o a_o radicate_v experience_a truth_n when_o he_o can_v answer_v all_o cavil_n that_o be_v bring_v against_o it_o the_o other_o superficial_o receive_v it_o into_o the_o brain_n by_o mere_a speculation_n and_o treacherous_o shut_v up_o his_o heart_n against_o it_o and_o never_o give_v it_o real_a root_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o time_n of_o trial_n lose_v that_o unsound_a superficial_a belief_n which_o he_o have_v god_n bless_v his_o word_n to_o the_o heart_n that_o honest_o and_o practical_o receive_v it_o rather_o than_o to_o he_o that_o imprison_v it_o in_o unrighteousness_n con_v 30._o last_o if_o yet_o any_o doubt_n remain_v bethink_v you_o which_o be_v the_o sure_a side_n which_o you_o may_v follow_v with_o least_o danger_n and_o where_o you_o be_v certain_a to_o undergo_v the_o small_a l●ss_n it_o be_v pity_n that_o any_o shall_v hesitate_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o such_o evidence_n and_o weight_n and_o shall_v think_v with_o any_o doubtfulness_n of_o christianity_n as_o a_o uncertain_a thing_n but_o yet_o true_a believer_n may_v have_v cause_n to_o say_v lord_n help_v our_o unbelief_n and_o increase_v our_o faith_n and_o all_o doubt_a will_v not_o prove_v the_o unsoundness_n of_o belief_n the_o true_a mark_n to_o know_v when_o faith_n be_v true_a and_o save_a notwithstanding_o all_o such_o doubt_n be_v the_o measure_n of_o its_o prevalency_n with_o our_o heart_n and_o life_n that_o belief_n in_o christ_n and_o the_o life_n to_o come_v be_v true_a and_o save_a notwithstanding_o all_o doubt_n which_o habitual_o possess_v we_o with_o the_o love_n of_o god_n above_o all_o and_o resolve_v the_o will_n to_o prefer_v the_o please_a of_o he_o and_o the_o hope_n of_o heaven_n before_o all_o the_o treasure_n and_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n and_o cause_v we_o in_o our_o endeavour_n to_o live_v according_o and_o that_o faith_n be_v unsound_a which_o will_v not_o do_v this_o how_o well_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v defend_v by_o dispute_n therefore_o at_o least_o for_o the_o resolve_v of_o your_o will_n for_o choice_n and_o practice_n if_o you_o must_v doubt_v yet_o consider_v which_o be_v the_o safe_a side_n if_o christ_n be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n he_o will_v bring_v believer_n to_o grace_n and_o glory_n and_o you_o be_v sure_a there_o be_v nothing_o but_o 12._o transitory_a trifle_n which_o you_o can_v possible_o lose_v by_o such_o a_o choice_n for_o certain_o his_o precept_n be_v holy_a and_o safe_a and_o no_o man_n can_v imagine_v rational_o that_o they_o can_v endanger_v the_o soul_n but_o if_o you_o reject_v he_o by_o infidelity_n you_o be_v lose_v for_o ever_o for_o there_o remain_v no_o more_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n but_o a_o fearful_a look_v for_o of_o judgement_n and_o fire_n which_o shall_v devour_v his_o adversary_n for_o ever_o there_o be_v no_o other_o saviour_n for_o he_o who_o final_o refuse_v the_o only_a saviour_n and_o if_o you_o doubt_v whether_o faith_n may_v not_o prove_v a_o error_n you_o can_v never_o see_v any_o cause_n to_o fear_v that_o it_o shall_v prove_v a_o hindrance_n to_o your_o salvation_n for_o salvation_n itself_o be_v a_o unknown_a thing_n to_o most_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o no_o man_n can_v well_o think_v that_o a_o man_n who_o be_v lead_v by_o a_o age_n of_o such_o miracle_n so_o credible_o report_v to_o we_o to_o believe_v in_o one_o that_o lead_v up_o soul_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o a_o holy_a and_o heavenly_a mind_n and_o life_n can_v ever_o perish_v for_o be_v so_o lead_v to_o such_o a_o guide_n and_o then_o lead_v by_o he_o in_o so_o good_a a_o way_n and_o to_o so_o good_a a_o end_n and_o thus_o reader_n i_o have_v faithful_o tell_v thou_o what_o reason_v my_o own_o soul_n have_v have_v about_o its_o way_n to_o everlasting_a life_n and_o what_o inquiry_n it_o have_v make_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n i_o have_v go_v to_o my_o own_o heart_n for_o those_o reason_n which_o have_v satisfy_v myself_o and_o not_o to_o my_o book_n from_o which_o i_o have_v be_v many_o year_n separate_v for_o such_o as_o satisfy_v other_o man_n and_o not_o myself_o i_o have_v tell_v thou_o what_o i_o believe_v and_o why_o yet_o other_o man_n reason_n perhaps_o may_v give_v more_o light_n to_o other_o though_o these_o be_v they_o that_o have_v prevail_v most_o with_o i_o therefore_o i_o desire_v the_o reader_n that_o will_v have_v more_o say_v to_o peruse_v especial_o these_o excellent_a book_n camero_n praelectiones_fw-la de_fw-la ver●o_fw-la dei_fw-la with_o the_o thesis_n salmurienses_n and_o sedanenses_n on_o that_o subject_n grotius_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la religionis_fw-la christianae_n marsilius_n ficinus_fw-la de_fw-fr relig._n christ_n cum_fw-la notis_fw-la lud._n crocii_n lodovicus_n vives_n de_fw-mi verit._n fid._n christ_n phil._n morney_n du_fw-fr plessis_n de_fw-fr verit._n fid._n christ_n john_n goodwin_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n campanella_n savonarola_n triumphus_fw-la crucis_fw-la both_o excellent_a book_n except_v the_o error_n of_o their_o time_n raymundus_n de_fw-fr sabundis_fw-la his_o theologia_n naturalis_fw-la micrelli_n ethnophronius_n a_o excellent_a book_n raymundus_n lullius_n articul_n fid._n alexander_n gill_n out_o of_o he_o on_o the_o creed_n mr._n stillingfleet_n origines_fw-la sacrae_fw-la a_o late_a and_o very_o worthy_a labour_n dr._n jackson_n on_o the_o creed_n mr._n vincent_n hatecliffe_n aut_fw-la deus_fw-la aut_fw-la nihil_fw-la for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o religion_n pass_v by_o lessius_fw-la parson_n and_o abundance_n more_o and_o common_a place-book_n which_o many_o of_o they_o treat_v very_o well_o on_o this_o subject_n and_o of_o the_o ancient_n augustine_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la &_o eusebii_n preparatio_fw-la &_o demonstratio_fw-la evangelica_n be_v the_o full_a and_o almost_o all_o of_o they_o have_v somewhat_o to_o this_o use_n as_o justin_n m._n athenagoras_n tatianus_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexand._n origen_n against_o celsus_n etc._n etc._n cyprian_n lactantius_n athanasius_n basile_n gr._n nazianzen_n nyssen_n etc._n etc._n for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o humble_o thank_v the_o heavenly_a majesty_n for_o the_o advantage_n which_o my_o education_n give_v i_o for_o the_o timely_a reception_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o temptation_n and_o difficulty_n have_v so_o often_o call_v i_o to_o clear_v my_o ground_n and_o try_v the_o evidence_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o i_o have_v first_o receive_v upon_o the_o commendation_n of_o my_o parent_n that_o i_o have_v long_o think_v no_o subject_n more_o worthy_a of_o my_o most_o serious_a faithful_a search_n and_o have_v wonder_v at_o the_o great_a number_n of_o christian_n who_o can_v spend_v their_o life_n in_o study_v the_o superstructure_n and_o wrangle_v about_o many_o small_a uncertainty_n to_o the_o great_a disturbance_n of_o the_o church_n peace_n and_o find_v no_o more_o need_n to_o be_v confirm_v in_o the_o faith_n in_o this_o enquiry_n i_o have_v most_o clear_o to_o my_o full_a satisfaction_n discern_v all_o those_o natural_a evidence_n for_o godliness_n or_o holiness_n which_o i_o have_v lay_v down_o in_o the_o first_o part_n of_o this_o book_n and_o i_o have_v discern_v the_o congruous_a superstruction_n and_o connection_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n thereunto_o i_o have_v find_v by_o unquestionable_a experience_n the_o sinful_a and_o deprave_a state_n of_o man_n and_o i_o have_v discern_v the_o admirable_a suitableness_n of_o the_o remedy_n to_o the_o malady_n i_o have_v also_o discern_v the_o attestation_n of_o god_n in_o the_o grand_a evidence_n the_o holy_a spirit_n the_o advocate_n or_o agent_n of_o jesus_n christ_n viz._n 1._o the_o antecedent_n evidence_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n lead_v unto_o christ_n 2._o the_o inherent_a constituent_a evidence_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o of_o christ_n the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o the_o power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n both_o of_o christ_n and_o of_o his_o doctrine_n 3._o the_o concomitant_a evidence_n of_o miracle_n in_o the_o life_n resurrection_n and_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n and_o in_o the_o abundant_a miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o his_o disciple_n through_o the_o world_n 4._o the_o subsequent_a evidence_n in_o the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o true_a sanctification_n of_o million_o of_o soul_n by_o the_o powerful_a efficacy_n of_o divine_a co-operation_n i_o have_v spend_v most_o