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 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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
religion_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o these_o be_v most_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o some_o christian_a society_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o involve_v all_o christianity_n in_o general_n first_o unbeliever_n can_v suppose_v without_o examination_n as_o they_o do_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o the_o notion_n man_n have_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o their_o country_n or_o that_o of_o some_o divine_n who_o they_o have_v read_v be_v real_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o its_o founder_n some_o alteration_n may_v have_v by_o degree_n creep_v into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o they_o know_v and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o body_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o contrary_a without_o go_v to_o the_o source_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o stream_n which_o be_v say_v to_o flow_v from_o it_o that_o 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enthusiasm_n other_o to_o do_v the_o christian_a religion_n a_o great_a honour_n ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n a_o art_n which_o they_o themselves_o serious_o etc._n serious_o 1_o cor._n 1.17_o &_o 11.4_o 13_o etc._n etc._n say_v they_o have_v not_o they_o set_v forth_o their_o style_n as_o a_o admirable_a pattern_n of_o eloquence_n which_o exceed_v that_o of_o the_o grecian_n and_o roman_n what_o follow_v from_o thence_o unbeliever_n read_v the_o write_n of_o those_o holy_a man_n to_o seek_v what_o they_o be_v tell_v be_v contain_v in_o they_o and_o because_o they_o do_v find_v it_o they_o fancy_v that_o those_o who_o say_v so_o design_v to_o deceive_v they_o and_o thereupon_o be_v exasperate_v against_o they_o who_o ground_v in_o part_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n upon_o their_o wonderful_a style_n they_o whole_o reject_v it_o they_o can_v not_o be_v
the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n can_v distinct_o report_v the_o reason_n of_o such_o as_o defend_v it_o nor_o tell_v what_o they_o except_v against_o in_o every_o one_o of_o they_o this_o be_v what_o they_o shall_v examine_v themselves_o about_o and_o without_o which_o they_o must_v confess_v they_o do_v pronounce_v a_o hasty_a sentence_n nor_o can_v they_o without_o injustice_n refuse_v to_o examine_v once_o again_o a_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n all_o the_o book_n that_o have_v be_v see_v and_o all_o the_o discourse_n we_o can_v hear_v upon_o this_o subject_a contain_v only_o some_o loose_a difficulty_n which_o seem_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v the_o result_n of_o a_o exact_a and_o methodical_a examination_n these_o difficulty_n can_v be_v more_o sufficient_a to_o inform_v those_o who_o will_v judge_n solid_o of_o so_o great_a a_o affair_n than_o the_o objection_n of_o one_o of_o the_o party_n be_v to_o inform_v equitable_a judge_n we_o have_v therefore_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o those_o who_o declare_v themselves_o against_o the_o christian_a religion_n after_o resolve_v out_o of_o vanity_n against_o the_o common_a sentiment_n continue_v to_o reject_v they_o by_o the_o same_o principle_n i_o confess_v they_o may_v have_v and_o that_o they_o actual_o have_v other_o motive_n for_o it_o be_v very_o rare_a that_o in_o a_o judgement_n which_o be_v make_v of_o a_o subject_a so_o full_a as_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o all_o its_o consequence_n there_o shall_v not_o enter_v motive_n of_o divers_a sort_n but_o i_o maintain_v that_o the_o particular_a one_o of_o pride_n i_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o be_v find_v among_o the_o rest_n i_o will_v say_v here_o that_o the_o other_o motive_n whatever_o they_o may_v be_v be_v not_o better_a than_o this_o i_o shall_v prove_v it_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o work_n for_o it_o be_v enough_o now_o to_o show_v that_o vanity_n be_v concern_v in_o it_o another_o thing_n whereby_o it_o may_v be_v know_v what_o great_a influence_n pride_n have_v upon_o a_o judgement_n make_v of_o any_o subject_a be_v that_o after_o have_v embrace_v a_o opinion_n that_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v it_o be_v presume_v that_o this_o opinion_n unexamined_a must_v serve_v as_o a_o infallible_a rule_n to_o judge_n of_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n mathematician_n have_v their_o axiom_n their_o definition_n and_o their_o supposition_n which_o they_o do_v not_o demonstrate_v by_o reason_n of_o their_o own_o great_a clearness_n and_o plainness_n which_o put_v they_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o doubt_n they_o have_v reason_n to_o suppose_v they_o therefore_o without_o prove_v they_o but_o to_o suppose_v most_o obscure_a and_o uncertain_a not_o to_o say_v false_a thing_n and_o to_o make_v use_n of_o those_o supposition_n as_o principle_n be_v absurd_a to_o expect_v this_o method_n shall_v be_v approve_v of_o and_o to_o treat_v scornful_o those_o who_o reject_v it_o be_v so_o sensible_a a_o mark_n of_o their_o be_v govern_v by_o vanity_n that_o i_o do_v not_o know_v a_o great_a proof_n can_v be_v give_v of_o it_o the_o jew_n for_o example_n when_o the_o gospel_n begin_v to_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n think_v they_o have_v a_o right_a to_o suppose_v as_o indisputable_a the_o eternal_a duration_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o observe_v it_o in_o order_n to_o become_v acceptable_a to_o god_n that_o to_o demand_v a_o proof_n of_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o gain_v their_o hatred_n the_o greek_a philosopher_n likewise_o of_o that_o time_n look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o so_o know_v and_o upon_o their_o opinion_n as_o so_o well_o establish_v that_o every_o thing_n be_v false_a in_o their_o judgement_n which_o contradict_v they_o the_o least_o in_o the_o world_n nevertheless_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o the_o particular_a principle_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_a philosopher_n compare_v to_o christianity_n be_v not_o even_o probable_a as_o i_o can_v show_v if_o those_o i_o have_v to_o do_v with_o doubt_v of_o it_o so_o the_o jew_n those_o blind_a guide_n of_o the_o blind_a and_o the_o greek_n conceit_v of_o a_o thousand_o chimera_n conclude_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v false_a out_o of_o mere_a vanity_n those_o who_o be_v educate_v among_o christian_n be_v get_v into_o the_o same_o fancy_n shall_v take_v heed_n they_o do_v not_o commit_v the_o like_a fault_n unless_o they_o will_v be_v voluntary_o deceive_v let_v they_o examine_v then_o whither_o in_o the_o judgement_n they_o form_n of_o christianity_n they_o suppose_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v clear_a and_o incontestable_a they_o reproach_n christian_n with_o make_v supposition_n without_o proof_n let_v they_o not_o be_v guilty_a therefore_o themselves_o of_o what_o they_o object_n to_o other_o for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o if_o they_o go_v back_o to_o the_o first_o principle_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o then_o reduce_v they_o to_o certain_a proposition_n they_o will_v be_v convince_v of_o their_o have_v build_v upon_o the_o most_o obscure_a and_o incomprehensible_a principle_n that_o ever_o be_v to_o suppose_v for_o example_n that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o substance_n in_o the_o world_n compound_v of_o extension_n and_o thought_n and_o which_o modify_v itself_o as_o we_o see_v the_o universe_n be_v without_o have_v any_o supreme_a intelligence_n distinct_a from_o the_o universe_n itself_o concern_v about_o it_o to_o suppose_v i_o say_v so_o strange_a a_o proposition_n without_o demonstrate_v it_o be_v certain_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o peremptory_a manner_n of_o say_v such_o obscure_a thing_n serve_v they_o for_o evidence_n or_o demonstration_n when_o i_o say_v to_o demonstrate_v i_o understand_v as_o mathematician_n do_v what_o leave_v no_o doubt_n nor_o difficulty_n behind_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o any_o who_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o the_o demonstration_n otherwise_o they_o must_v not_o talk_v of_o demonstrate_v unless_o they_o will_v impose_v upon_o the_o weak_a by_o this_o word_n let_v the_o write_n of_o those_o be_v read_v over_o and_o over_o who_o maintain_v the_o proposition_n i_o have_v mention_v and_o ground_n themselves_o upon_o it_o to_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o all_o religion_n which_o equal_v the_o obscure_n of_o this_o principle_n there_o be_v notwithstanding_o some_o people_n who_o utter_v it_o as_o a_o incontestable_a truth_n and_o judge_v thereby_o of_o whatever_o the_o christian_n say_v concern_v god_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o providence_n if_o these_o people_n will_v diligent_o examine_v themselves_o i_o be_o much_o deceive_v if_o they_o do_v not_o discover_v that_o one_o of_o the_o great_a reason_n which_o bring_v they_o to_o think_v this_o a_o clear_a principle_n be_v their_o value_v themselves_o upon_o defend_v a_o opinion_n remote_a from_o vulgar_a notion_n and_o of_o admit_v rather_o the_o most_o obscure_a thing_n imaginable_a than_o they_o shall_v mix_v again_o with_o the_o crowd_n from_o which_o they_o endeavour_v hereby_o to_o distinguish_v themselves_o as_o credulity_n and_o superstition_n add_v to_o their_o object_n as_o it_o be_v a_o false_a light_n which_o serve_v they_o instead_o of_o evidence_n so_o pride_n make_v a_o geometrical_a principle_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o unintelligible_a there_o be_v other_o person_n to_o who_o this_o dogmatical_a and_o peremptory_a air_n be_v so_o displease_v that_o they_o equal_o condemn_v such_o as_o stick_v to_o the_o vulgar_a opinion_n and_o those_o who_o forsake_v what_o be_v common_o receive_v endeavour_v to_o establish_v new_a principle_n they_o think_v that_o see_v there_o be_v difficulty_n every_o where_o and_o those_o sometime_o insurmountable_a the_o sure_a way_n be_v to_o affirm_v nothing_o and_o to_o reject_v all_o without_o establish_v any_o thing_n i_o will_v not_o undertake_v to_o confute_v this_o principle_n here_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o although_o this_o way_n seem_v very_o different_a from_o that_o whereof_o we_o have_v be_v speak_v it_o be_v probable_a nevertheless_o that_o it_o proceed_v from_o the_o like_a disposition_n of_o mind_n it_o be_v not_o much_o less_o agreeable_a to_o humane_a pride_n to_o consider_v itself_o secure_v from_o popular_a error_n by_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n than_o by_o establish_v principle_n contrary_a to_o those_o that_o be_v common_o receive_v some_o look_n upon_o other_o man_n as_o the_o sport_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o the_o prey_n to_o speak_v so_o of_o a_o thousand_o chimaera_n whilst_o under_o the_o shelter_n of_o doubt_n they_o think_v themselves_o safe_a from_o the_o danger_n of_o error_n it_o may_v be_v say_v nevertheless_o by_o some_o man_n that_o not_o pride_n but_o the_o mere_a impossibility_n of_o discover_v the_o truth_n which_o be_v a_o very_a mortify_a thing_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o doubt_n i_o will_v say_v that_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
several_a revelation_n and_o every_o where_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v very_o frequent_a as_o all_o those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o book_n of_o genesis_n know_v very_o well_o but_o it_o appear_v that_o man_n make_v not_o a_o very_a good_a use_n of_o they_o the_o egyptian_n one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o happy_a nation_n in_o the_o world_n be_v already_o in_o his_o time_n infect_v with_o a_o shameful_a idolatry_n 32.4_o idolatry_n see_v exod_n 8.16_o &_o 32.4_o which_o make_v they_o worship_n beast_n the_o cananean_n be_v also_o idolater_n as_o he_o say_v etc._n say_v leu._n 20._o 2._o numb_a 25.3_o etc._n etc._n in_o many_o place_n and_o live_v a_o very_a wicked_a life_n there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n that_o the_o other_o neighbour_a nation_n make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o those_o ancient_a revelation_n or_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n which_o god_n have_v give_v to_o all_o men._n so_o that_o there_o be_v not_o one_o nation_n that_o can_v boast_v to_o have_v improve_v the_o talent_n it_o receive_v from_o heaven_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o if_o god_n have_v give_v they_o up_o to_o their_o darkness_n and_o wickedness_n none_o of_o they_o can_v have_v just_o complain_v of_o he_o notwithstanding_o to_o pass_v by_o the_o nation_n who_o history_n be_v not_o well_o know_v to_o we_o god_n be_v move_v with_o compassion_n towards_o man_n will_v not_o permit_v that_o idolatry_n and_o corrupt_a manner_n shall_v as_o it_o be_v overflow_v the_o whole_a world_n he_o continue_v to_o reveal_v himself_o more_o particular_o to_o the_o family_n of_o abraham_n and_o his_o posterity_n and_o to_o make_v those_o revelation_n more_o useful_a and_o hinder_v they_o from_o be_v corrupt_v by_o the_o mixture_n of_o the_o false_a opinion_n of_o other_o nation_n he_o order_v the_o israelite_n to_o frame_v a_o commonwealth_n by_o itself_o and_o forbid_v they_o to_o converse_v much_o with_o their_o neighbour_n to_o frame_v that_o commonwealth_n and_o enable_v it_o to_o maintain_v itself_o till_o he_o shall_v think_v fit_a to_o call_v the_o other_o nation_n to_o the_o same_o knowledge_n the_o hebrew_n have_v he_o give_v they_o some_o law_n the_o observation_n whereof_o he_o require_v under_o most_o severe_a penalty_n there_o be_v several_a thing_n to_o be_v observe_v in_o those_o law_n which_o may_v help_v we_o to_o see_v the_o wisdom_n contain_v in_o they_o but_o it_o will_v suffice_v to_o say_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o very_a constitution_n of_o nature_n and_o humane_a society_n so_o that_o all_o nation_n be_v bind_v to_o observe_v they_o at_o least_o in_o some_o measure_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v violate_v without_o hurt_v the_o society_n they_o be_v call_v moral_a law_n the_o other_o do_v so_o concern_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o hebrew_n in_o particular_a that_o other_o man_n be_v not_o the_o worse_a for_o not_o observe_v they_o and_o they_o be_v call_v political_a law_n last_o the_o other_o concern_v the_o ceremony_n which_o god_n will_v have_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o his_o worship_n they_o be_v style_v ceremonial_a law_n the_o first_o sort_n of_o law_n as_o those_o which_o command_v to_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n and_o to_o worship_v he_o to_o honour_v our_o parent_n and_o to_o do_v to_o our_o neighbour_n as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o that_o sort_n of_o law_n i_o say_v be_v approve_v by_o the_o wise_a heathen_a legislator_n and_o philosopher_n and_o jesus_n christ_n have_v since_o confirm_v they_o the_o necessity_n of_o those_o law_n can_v be_v doubt_v of_o see_v they_o can_v be_v neglect_v without_o feel_v the_o dismal_a effect_n of_o that_o neglect_n and_o see_v the_o nature_n of_o humane_a society_n necessary_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o those_o law_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o he_o to_o who_o humane_a nature_n owe_v its_o origin_n though_o this_o be_v manifest_a it_o will_v be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o several_a nation_n have_v many_o law_n contrary_a to_o they_o because_o the_o interest_n and_o passion_n of_o some_o private_a man_n prevail_v above_o the_o public_a good_n lest_o therefore_o the_o light_n that_o be_v contrary_a to_o those_o ill_a custom_n shall_v be_v whole_o extinguish_v among_o man_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v at_o least_o one_o nation_n upon_o earth_n in_o which_o good_a and_o sound_a law_n shall_v be_v so_o clear_o and_o undeniable_o establish_v that_o no_o body_n can_v doubt_v of_o they_o this_o we_o find_v among_o the_o jew_n god_n himself_o deliver_v part_n of_o those_o law_n with_o his_o own_o mouth_n and_o acquaint_v they_o with_o the_o rest_n by_o a_o prophet_n who_o he_o authorise_a with_o miracle_n those_o law_n be_v as_o i_o say_v equal_o necessary_a at_o all_o time_n and_o in_o all_o place_n in_o order_n to_o the_o peace_n and_o happiness_n of_o humane_a society_n but_o because_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n shall_v not_o be_v mix_v with_o other_o nation_n lest_o those_o law_n shall_v be_v destroy_v god_n give_v they_o some_o other_o law_n accommodate_v to_o the_o genius_n of_o that_o people_n and_o to_o their_o state_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n which_o they_o be_v to_o possess_v such_o be_v the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n the_o chief_a excellency_n of_o which_o consist_v in_o have_v nothing_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o moral_a law_n and_o in_o be_v suit_v to_o the_o people_n who_o receive_v they_o one_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n contain_v nothing_o that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o moral_a one_o but_o to_o convince_v one_o self_n that_o god_n can_v give_v no_o law_n more_o suitable_a to_o the_o state_n and_o genius_n of_o the_o jew_n one_o ought_v to_o have_v a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o nation_n among_o which_o they_o have_v live_v and_o with_o which_o they_o be_v then_o surround_v those_o who_o have_v apply_v themselves_o to_o that_o study_n have_v find_v out_o that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o law_n be_v like_o those_o of_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n and_o that_o they_o be_v also_o pentateuch_n also_o see_v my_o commentary_n upon_o the_o pentateuch_n contrary_a to_o they_o in_o several_a thing_n so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n accommodate_v himself_o to_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o israelite_n take_v care_n so_o to_o distinguish_v the_o form_n of_o their_o commonwealth_n and_o worship_n from_o that_o of_o their_o neighbour_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v mix_v themselves_o with_o they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o shall_v observe_v those_o law_n i_o will_v not_o come_v to_o the_o particular_n of_o those_o fact_n because_o i_o have_v treat_v of_o they_o at_o large_a in_o the_o latin_a book_n which_o i_o just_a now_o quote_v in_o the_o margin_n as_o god_n have_v settle_v those_o law_n chief_o by_o his_o authority_n or_o that_o of_o a_o prophet_n authorise_a with_o miracle_n so_o he_o still_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o they_o not_o only_o by_o the_o ordinary_a magistrate_n who_o may_v themselves_o neglect_v they_o in_o time_n but_o also_o by_o several_a prophet_n who_o he_o send_v to_o the_o jew_n from_o time_n to_o time_n to_o censure_v they_o for_o their_o vice_n and_o excite_v they_o to_o obey_v he_o by_o some_o reward_n and_o punishment_n which_o they_o preach_v in_o his_o name_n all_o the_o law_n that_o have_v relation_n to_o a_o certain_a state_n of_o a_o nation_n which_o make_v they_o useful_a and_o necessary_a do_v evident_o suppose_v that_o they_o be_v only_o good_a as_o long_o as_o that_o state_n last_v and_o such_o be_v the_o political_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o the_o jew_n notwithstanding_o the_o lawgiver_n who_o will_v give_v no_o body_n a_o occasion_n of_o break_v his_o law_n on_o pretence_n that_o they_o be_v no_o long_o necessary_a and_o so_o of_o overthrow_v the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o jew_n before_o the_o time_n speak_v everywhere_o of_o they_o as_o of_o eternal_a law_n he_o keep_v to_o himself_o the_o power_n of_o abrogate_a they_o when_o the_o time_n shall_v come_v lest_o the_o jew_n shall_v do_v it_o unreasonable_o and_o atter_fw-la a_o manner_n contrary_n to_o his_o intention_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o prophet_n who_o he_o send_v to_o keep_v the_o jew_n to_o their_o duty_n or_o to_o bring_v they_o to_o it_o be_v order_v to_o say_v many_o thing_n which_o by_o degree_n dispose_v that_o people_n to_o what_o be_v to_o happen_v some_o time_n or_o other_o that_o be_v to_o see_v themselves_o mix_v with_o all_o the_o other_o nation_n and_o to_o observe_v only_o such_o law_n as_o be_v of_o a_o eternal_a use_n and_o ground_v on_o the_o constitution_n of_o humane_a nature_n for_o example_n jeremiah_n
a_o treatise_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n wherein_o be_v examine_v the_o general_a motive_n and_o occasion_n which_o dispose_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n with_o two_o letter_n contain_v a_o direct_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n translate_v fròm_v the_o french_a of_o mounseur_fw-fr le_z clerc_n london_n print_v for_o awnsham_n and_o john_n churchill_n at_o the_o black_a swan_n in_o pater-noster-row_n mdcxcvii_o the_o translator_n preface_n mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v a_o person_n so_o well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o learned_a world_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v think_v less_o arrogant_a than_o superfluous_a for_o i_o to_o give_v any_o character_n of_o his_o capacity_n or_o his_o write_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o transgress_v either_o way_n in_o recommend_v the_o follow_a treatise_n for_o setting_z aside_o all_o personal_a consideration_n the_o subject_a of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o justify_v my_o undertake_n the_o study_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n be_v so_o natural_a to_o man_n that_o some_o will_v make_v this_o inclination_n to_o pass_v for_o the_o only_a essential_a distinction_n of_o our_o species_n from_o all_o other_o animal_n but_o the_o study_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n since_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o be_v not_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o sect_n pretend_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a person_n enjoy_v that_o happiness_n be_v find_v to_o be_v different_a from_o one_o another_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n this_o diversity_n join_v to_o the_o great_a number_n of_o party_n that_o lay_v their_o claim_n to_o genuine_a christianity_n exclusive_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n seem_v to_o render_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a and_o indeed_o thousand_o of_o well-meaning_a people_n have_v upon_o this_o very_a account_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o scepticism_n and_o indifference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o which_o be_v as_o bad_a be_v content_a to_o be_v implicit_o lead_v by_o their_o teacher_n now_o that_o person_n deserve_v best_a of_o the_o world_n who_o not_o only_o make_v the_o truth_n plain_a and_o intelligible_a separate_v it_o from_o all_o the_o false_a notion_n with_o which_o it_o be_v so_o mix_v and_o overrun_v sometime_o as_o to_o endanger_v the_o entire_a ruin_n thereof_o but_o who_o likewise_o establish_v such_o a_o excellent_a method_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v most_o certain_a he_o be_v on_o the_o right_a side_n without_o be_v oblige_v to_o undergo_v the_o endless_a labour_n of_o examine_v every_o religion_n successive_o how_o far_o our_o author_n have_v contribute_v to_o do_v mankind_n this_o desirable_a piece_n of_o service_n the_o reader_n must_v determine_v for_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o lead_v his_o judgement_n and_o though_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v so_o modest_a as_o to_o think_v his_o own_o performance_n inferior_a to_o that_o of_o grotius_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a i_o must_v affirm_v and_o that_o with_o all_o imaginable_a impartiality_n that_o in_o my_o opinion_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n to_o be_v make_v between_o they_o for_o be_v it_o for_o nothing_o else_o but_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n reason_n be_v obvious_a to_o man_n of_o all_o condition_n whereas_o most_o of_o the_o other_o book_n be_v not_o intelligible_a but_o to_o profound_a scholar_n as_o if_o these_o only_o have_v a_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o understand_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o religion_n this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n but_o what_o be_v more_o notwithstanding_o the_o extraordinary_a talent_n of_o grotius_n he_o be_v not_o near_o so_o great_a a_o master_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n nor_o so_o acute_a and_o solid_a a_o philosopher_n nor_o yet_o superior_a in_o philology_n or_o history_n to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o writing_n after_o he_o but_o let_v mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n book_n speak_v for_o its_o author_n as_o for_o my_o version_n i_o shall_v detain_v the_o reader_n with_o any_o apology_n because_o it_o be_v not_o more_o correct_v or_o polite_a if_o it_o be_v faithful_a and_o intelligible_a which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o those_o who_o sincere_o study_v for_o truth_n and_o if_o i_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o satisfy_v they_o i_o care_v not_o much_o for_o the_o displeasure_n of_o other_o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v some_o year_n since_o i_o first_o form_v a_o design_n of_o write_v upon_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o small_a piece_n which_o i_o publish_v at_o present_a and_o have_v my_o other_o occupation_n pure_o depend_v upon_o my_o own_o choice_n this_o have_v be_v perform_v long_o ago_o but_o be_v necessary_o engage_v in_o some_o other_o thing_n i_o be_v force_v to_o put_v it_o off_o till_o now_o at_o length_n have_v finish_v my_o latin_a write_n upon_o the_o pentateuch_n i_o happy_o become_v master_n of_o time_n enough_o to_o turn_v my_o application_n upon_o this_o subject_a i_o can_v free_o say_v that_o i_o never_o think_v of_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n without_o extreme_a satisfaction_n for_o after_o what_o manner_n soever_o i_o can_v consider_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o always_o appear_v to_o i_o ground_v upon_o the_o firm_a proof_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o perfect_o conformable_a to_o sound_v reason_n or_o to_o say_v all_o in_o one_o word_n worthy_a the_o creator_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n nor_o do_v i_o in_o my_o whole_a life_n labour_n with_o more_o ardour_n and_o delight_n than_o i_o do_v in_o compose_v this_o work_n wherein_o i_o have_v i_o think_v evident_o make_v out_o that_o unbeliever_n act_v against_o all_o good_a sense_n in_o refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o if_o they_o consider_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v they_o must_v necessary_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o whether_o i_o be_o mistake_v or_o not_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v judge_n if_o this_o book_n have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o meet_v with_o that_o reception_n in_o french_a which_z several_z other_o of_o this_o kind_n have_v have_v i_o may_v one_o time_n or_o other_o put_v it_o into_o latin_a and_o in_o my_o annotation_n upon_o it_o confirm_v all_o that_o i_o say_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a apologist_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o too_o of_o the_o most_o consider_v heathen_n as_o the_o incomparable_a grotius_n have_v do_v in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o be_o far_o indeed_o from_o equal_v my_o work_n to_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o flatter_v myself_o with_o the_o same_o success_n as_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o public_a but_o if_o man_n have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o intention_n of_o those_o that_o write_v i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o none_o in_o the_o world_n have_v better_a than_o i_o nor_o be_v more_o convince_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o that_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v john_n le_fw-fr clerc_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o preface_n or_o the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n pag._n 1._o part_n i._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o spring_n from_o the_o inward_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n of_o unbeliever_n chap._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o disposition_n a_o man_n find_v in_o himself_o p._n 9_o chap._n 2._o that_o pride_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o assent_n be_v refuse_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 27._o chap._n 3._o that_o what_o hinder_v unbeliever_n from_o yield_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o christianity_n partly_o consist_v perhaps_o in_o mere_a prejudices_fw-la which_o all_o the_o while_n may_v be_v false_a p._n 45._o chap._n 4._o that_o many_o be_v unbeliever_n only_o because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reason_v well_o p._n 63._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o neglect_v of_o search_v into_o truth_n be_v often_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n p._n 75._o chap._n 6._o that_o laziness_n keep_v many_o people_n in_o ignorance_n doubt_n and_o infidelity_n p._n 93._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n p._n 107._o part_n ii_o of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n 1._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o doubt_n because_o several_a embrace_v it_o more_o out_o of_o credulity_n than_o upon_o good_a reason_n p._n 110._o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o immorality_n or_o ignorance_n of_o those_o who_o sometime_o express_v the_o
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
mankind_n but_o this_o they_o can_v not_o expect_v if_o they_o be_v never_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n wherein_o those_o nation_n subject_a to_o the_o roman_a empire_n then_o be_v the_o jew_n be_v so_o addict_v to_o their_o tradition_n and_o ceremony_n and_o beside_o so_o time_n so_o see_v josephus_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n corrupt_a in_o their_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n of_o free_v they_o from_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o vice_n the_o roman_n and_o grecian_n be_v either_o atheist_n or_o superstitious_a and_o general_o so_o give_v to_o their_o pleasure_n so_o covetous_a and_o ambitious_a that_o the_o small_a number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o lose_v all_o sense_n etc._n sense_n vid._n sallust_n in_o bel._n catiline_n senecam_fw-la ep._n 7._o quaest_n nat._n lib._n 4._o praefat._n &_o passim_fw-la juvenal_n persium_n etc._n etc._n of_o virtue_n speak_v with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o time_n the_o history_n of_o both_o represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o event_n of_o that_o time_n a_o image_n of_o the_o most_o horrible_a corruption_n that_o ever_o be_v if_o we_o judge_v of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o gospel-notion_n after_o what_o have_v be_v say_v can_v any_o man_n fancy_n that_o the_o apostle_n hope_v to_o get_v their_o opinion_n embrace_v by_o most_o of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o their_o time_n how_o can_v they_o expect_v that_o man_n so_o blind_v by_o their_o passion_n and_o harden_v in_o their_o crime_n will_v ever_o embrace_v opinion_n that_o be_v altogether_o contrary_a to_o they_o indeed_o the_o apostle_n open_o say_v after_o their_o master_n that_o they_o expect_v not_o a_o great_a number_n of_o man_n will_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n in_o proportion_n to_o those_o who_o shall_v remain_v in_o their_o unbelief_n but_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n simplicity_n have_v make_v they_o hope_n to_o convert_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n experience_n will_v have_v soon_o undeceive_v they_o see_v after_o have_v preach_v during_o many_o year_n they_o be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o have_v convert_v but_o few_o people_n the_o roman_a history_n plain_o teach_v we_o that_o during_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v far_o less_o than_o that_o of_o heathen_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n thus_o the_o apostle_n be_v necessary_o expose_v to_o a_o cruel_a persecution_n during_o their_o whole_a life_n be_v despise_v and_o hate_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n alike_o they_o can_v have_v no_o reward_n that_o may_v be_v compare_v with_o their_o labour_n and_o the_o danger_n they_o be_v in_o every_o minute_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o 15.19_o they_o 1_o cor._n 15.19_o themselves_o say_v they_o expect_v all_o sort_n of_o misery_n in_o this_o life_n they_o be_v not_o mistake_v see_v after_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o suffering_n they_o be_v cruel_o put_v to_o death_n maintain_v still_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v preach_v 5._o preach_v §._o 5._o it_o be_v out_o of_o a_o unjust_a envy_n say_v clemens_n who_o i_o have_v cite_v already_o that_o peter_n suffer_v not_o one_o or_o two_o but_o several_a pain_n and_o have_v undergo_v martyrdom_n be_v go_v into_o the_o place_n of_o glory_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n that_o paul_n get_v the_o price_n of_o patience_n have_v be_v put_v seven_o time_n in_o iron_n whip_v and_o stone_v be_v the_o herald_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o east_n and_o west_n he_o make_v his_o faith_n famous_a have_v teach_v the_o whole_a world_n justice_n and_o be_v come_v to_o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o west_n when_o he_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n before_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o state_n he_o go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n that_o event_n of_o the_o apostle_n preach_v destroy_v altogether_o the_o second_o thing_n on_o which_o the_o suspicion_n of_o their_o want_n of_o sincerity_n may_v have_v be_v ground_v if_o they_o be_v esteem_v by_o a_o small_a number_n of_o man_n 1.26_o man_n see_v 1_o cor._n 1.26_o most_o of_o they_o of_o a_o low_a condition_n they_o be_v despise_v by_o the_o rest_n of_o man_n jew_n and_o heathen_n ill-treated_n and_o persecute_v suffer_v a_o extreme_a poverty_n and_o at_o last_o die_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o public_a executioner_n as_o i_o have_v show_v by_o clemens_n word_n and_o as_o all_o their_o other_o disciple_n affirm_v it_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o the_o same_o thing_n when_o he_o say_v in_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n 4.11_o epistle_n 1_o cor._n 4.11_o unto_o this_o present_a hour_n we_o both_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n and_o be_v naked_a and_o be_v buffet_v and_o have_v no_o certain_a dwelling-place_n and_o labour_n work_v with_o our_o own_o hand_n 15.19_o hand_n ib._n c._n 15.19_o if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a certain_o no_o man_n of_o sense_n will_v become_v the_o execration_n of_o most_o man_n by_o maintain_v a_o forgery_n to_o be_v esteem_v by_o some_o few_o who_o have_v no_o credit_n or_o reputation_n nor_o will_v he_o be_v 4.9_o be_v ib._n c._n 4.9_o deal_v with_o as_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v to_o death_n in_o the_o amphitheatre_n to_o be_v a_o spectate_v to_o the_o people_n a_o man_n may_v be_v move_v with_o the_o desire_n of_o glory_n when_o he_o consider_v that_o most_o of_o those_o among_o who_o he_o live_v will_v applaud_v he_o but_o no_o body_n ever_o think_v fit_a to_o expose_v himself_o to_o long-suffering_n and_o at_o last_o to_o a_o cruel_a and_o shameful_a death_n only_o to_o be_v esteem_v by_o very_a few_o man_n and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o impious_a or_o mad_a man_n by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o among_o who_o he_o live_v 7._o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n can_v be_v deny_v viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v preach_v the_o doctrine_n we_o read_v in_o their_o book_n which_o christian_n profess_v still_o under_o the_o empire_n of_o tiberius_n and_o some_o follow_a emperor_n that_o they_o live_v in_o sorrow_n and_o affliction_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v put_v to_o a_o cruel_a death_n maintain_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v during_o many_o year_n if_o we_o suspect_v that_o the_o apostle_n live_v after_o a_o voluptuous_a manner_n and_o altogether_o contrary_a to_o the_o moral_n they_o preach_v we_o shall_v doubt_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o first_o disciple_n who_o in_o imitation_n of_o their_o master_n as_o they_o themselves_o say_v have_v courageous_o expose_v themselves_o to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o suffering_n without_o get_v any_o advantage_n by_o it_o in_o this_o life_n 6._o life_n §._o 6._o to_o those_o man_n say_v clemens_n speak_v of_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o live_v after_o a_o divine_a manner_n a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o elect_a be_v join_v who_o have_v undergo_v several_a torment_n be_v a_o most_o noble_a example_n among_o we_o it_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a absurdity_n to_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v that_o man_n must_v suffer_v for_o religion_n exhort_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o virtue_n and_o yet_o live_v at_o ease_n without_o care_v to_o practice_v the_o precept_n they_o give_v to_o other_o but_o as_o far_o as_o it_o may_v serve_v to_o cheat_v the_o world_n make_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n not_o only_o sincere_a imitator_n of_o the_o seem_a virtue_n of_o their_o master_n but_o ready_a to_o die_v and_o who_o real_o die_v for_o a_o doctrine_n for_o which_o those_o of_o who_o they_o learn_v it_o will_v suffer_v nothing_o one_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o some_o seduce_v person_n may_v be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o a_o lie_n as_o we_o be_v of_o the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o do_v consequent_o to_o maintain_v a_o falsehood_n whatever_o the_o most_o resolute_a man_n can_v do_v for_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n but_o one_o can_v apprehend_v that_o man_n who_o have_v imbibe_v from_o their_o childhood_n some_o opinion_n altogether_o contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v so_o that_o after_o they_o embrace_v their_o doctrine_n they_o suffer_v the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n for_o it_o though_o they_o never_o see_v their_o master_n suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o passage_n i_o have_v quote_v out_o of_o tacitus_n that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n a_o great_a many_o people_n declare_v themselves_o christian_n though_o they_o see_v that_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v expose_v they_o to_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o incendiary_n it_o appear_v also_o from_o pliny_n that_o some_o