any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n therefore_o doubt_v whether_o or_o no_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o infinite_a divisibility_n of_o matter_n have_v hitherto_o puzzle_v the_o most_o acute_a philosopher_n and_o so_o it_o be_v like_a to_o do_v to_o the_o world_n end_n but_o yet_o i_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o one_o do_v notwithstanding_o real_o believe_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o all_o body_n may_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o a_o like_a bigness_n and_o that_o a_o mountain_n be_v as_o small_a as_o a_o ant-heap_n and_o a_o ant_n as_o big_a as_o either_o and_o this_o with_o so_o great_a a_o show_n of_o reason_n as_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o can_v answer_v but_o aught_o i_o therefore_o to_o suspect_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o true_a so_o there_o be_v some_o metaphysical_a nicety_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o make_v the_o opinion_n and_o those_o it_o be_v found_v on_o probable_a which_o we_o last_o express_v our_o selus_fw-la against_o but_o what_o of_o that_o all_o we_o ought_v thence_o to_o infer_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o man_n be_v a_o weak_a shallow_a creature_n philal._n but_o our_o adversary_n will_v say_v then_o you_o may_v believe_v their_o doctrine_n for_o all_o the_o strong_a objection_n you_o think_v you_o can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o answer_v they_o all_o with_o a_o oh_o the_o depth_n theoph._n but_o what_o say_v s._n austin_n because_o we_o can_v understand_v thing_n that_o be_v difficult_a shall_v we_o therefore_o deny_v those_o that_o be_v plain_a philal._n i_o wish_v that_o good_a father_n have_v always_o bear_v in_o his_o mind_n that_o say_v theoph._n i_o wish_v so_o too_o but_o to_o our_o business_n that_o doctrine_n do_v as_o evident_o contradict_v the_o natural_a notion_n god_n have_v imprint_v in_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o humane_a soul_n as_o can_v be_v notion_n at_o least_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v so_o to_o do_v and_o so_o do_v it_o to_o thousand_o of_o other_o that_o be_v neither_o fool_n nor_o madman_n and_o i_o must_v add_v that_o i_o can_v question_v but_o it_o will_v to_o all_o that_o will_v be_v but_o persuade_v free_o to_o consult_v those_o innate_a notion_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v express_o against_o the_o whole_a strain_n of_o scripture_n from_o genesis_n to_o the_o revelation_n philal._n but_o you_o know_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o god_n absolute_a decree_a man_n damnation_n and_o their_o sin_n too_o which_o be_v much_o urge_v theoph._n true_o philalethes_n if_o our_o translator_n have_v be_v please_v they_o may_v with_o the_o alteration_n of_o but_o one_o little_a particle_n for_o another_o of_o the_o same_o signification_n have_v prevent_v the_o take_n almost_o any_o argument_n out_o of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v god_n decree_a man_n sin_n any_o otherwise_o than_o bare_o to_o permit_v they_o i_o mean_v if_o they_o have_v put_v will_n in_o a_o multitude_n of_o place_n where_o man_n sin_n be_v foretell_v in_o stead_n of_o shall_v the_o we_o make_v those_o place_n look_v as_o if_o they_o contain_v declaration_n of_o decree_n whenas_o will_v will_v have_v make_v it_o at_o first_o sight_n to_o appear_v that_o they_o contain_v only_a prediction_n and_o expression_n of_o god_n foreknowledge_n that_o man_n will_v commit_v such_o and_o such_o sin_n not_o of_o his_o will_n and_o purpose_n that_o they_o shall_v i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o authority_n will_v please_v to_o command_v the_o printer_n to_o make_v that_o little_a alteration_n in_o their_o future_a impression_n of_o the_o bible_n you_o may_v smile_v at_o this_o as_o a_o odd_a fancy_n but_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o be_o upon_o good_a ground_n confident_a that_o it_o will_v be_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n so_o to_o do_v philal._n no_o wiseman_n or_o scholar_n will_v fetch_v a_o argument_n from_o such_o a_o trifle_n to_o prove_v that_o or_o any_o other_o opinion_n theoph._n what_o of_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n be_v neither_o scholar_n nor_o yet_o wise_a and_o i_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o suspect_v that_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n have_v that_o wretched_a doctrine_n insensible_o instill_v into_o they_o by_o the_o frequent_a read_n and_o hear_v such_o passage_n as_o these_o viz._n in_o the_o late_a day_n perilous_a time_n shall_v come_v man_n shall_v be_n lover_n of_o themselves_o covetous_a proud_a etc._n etc._n there_o shall_v be_n false_a teacher_n who_o shall_v privy_o bring_v in_o damnable_a heresy_n etc._n etc._n and_o many_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n etc._n etc._n and_o there_o be_v innumerable_a passage_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o then_o philalethes_n whatever_o scripture_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o doctrine_n by_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o they_o be_v but_o very_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o most_o evident_o say_v i_o but_o all_o will_v confess_v do_v seem_o contradict_v they_o and_o which_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n think_v you_o in_o reconcile_a seemingly-contrary_a place_n to_o each_o other_o to_o interpret_v a_o multitude_n of_o plain_a scripture_n by_o a_o few_o difficult_a one_o scripture_n or_o a_o few_o difficult_a one_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o plain_a one_o philal._n the_o late_a without_o all_o doubt_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o the_o scripture_n that_o make_v for_o those_o doctrine_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o those_o that_o make_v against_o they_o though_o as_o to_o their_o number_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n betwixt_o they_o theoph._n but_o i_o say_v they_o be_v more_o difficult_a in_o that_o their_o most_o obvious_a sense_n do_v as_o none_o can_v deny_v at_o least_o seem_o contradict_v the_o natural_a notion_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o other_o no_o less_o gratify_v but_o however_o be_v it_o not_o much_o the_o better_a way_n to_o understand_v a_o few_o scripture_n in_o their_o less_o obvious_a sense_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o most_o obvious_a sense_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o other_o than_o to_o understand_v a_o multitude_n of_o scripture_n in_o their_o least_o obvious_a sense_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o most_o obvious_a of_o in_o comparison_n with_o they_o extreme_o few_o philal._n i_o have_v since_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o think_v at_o all_o free_o be_v of_o your_o mind_n and_o conclude_v that_o the_o scripture_n produce_v on_o the_o other_o side_n must_v necessary_o be_v take_v in_o another_o sense_n than_o that_o they_o fix_v upon_o except_o we_o will_v make_v they_o contradict_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n beside_o and_o those_o that_o endeavour_n to_o reconcile_v all_o other_o to_o those_o scripture_n make_v the_o bible_n a_o extreme_o more_o difficult_a book_n than_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v god_n have_v make_v it_o theoph._n for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v believe_v no_o sense_n of_o any_o scripture_n true_a notion_n that_o plain_o contradict_v the_o self-evident_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o god_n have_v put_v into_o my_o soul_n and_o be_v bear_v with_o i_o for_o as_o have_v be_v show_v i_o can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n no_o nor_o yet_o any_o thing_n i_o be_o sure_a god_n himself_o say_v to_o be_v infallible_o true_a be_v it_o not_o for_o those_o notion_n and_o can_v you_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v prove_v also_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v be_v necessary_a to_o convince_v we_o that_o it_o be_v of_o god_n mankind_n have_v a_o natural_a sense_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_n philal._n but_o those_o of_o the_o other_o persuasion_n say_v that_o whatsoever_o god_n do_v be_v just_a and_o good_a because_o he_o do_v it_o i_o be_o sure_a many_o of_o they_o at_o least_o will_n theoph._n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o defend_v their_o doctrine_n it_o but_o to_o prove_v that_o but_o do_v not_o those_o in_o so_o say_v plain_o make_v nothing_o in_o itself_o to_o be_v just_a or_o unjust_a good_a or_o evil_n and_o so_o in_o call_v god_n a_o just_a god_n say_v just_o nothing_o of_o he_o pardon_v the_o quibble_n i_o design_v it_o not_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o he_o will_v what_o he_o will_v and_o i_o wonder_v who_o do_v not_o thus_o you_o see_v they_o be_v force_v to_o make_v good_a and_o evil_a to_o depend_v upon_o arbitrary_a will_n and_o so_o make_v the_o holy_a god_n a_o mere_a wilful_a be_v and_o his_o nature_n perfect_o indifferent_a to_o any_o thing_n and_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v consistent_a enough_o with_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o forbid_v all_o that_o which_o by_o be_v command_v be_v now_o call_v holiness_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n make_v it_o wickedness_n and_o to_o command_v all_o that_o which_o by_o
the_o latin_a tongue_n i_o think_v it_o great_a pity_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v keep_v lock_v up_o in_o our_o own_o language_n but_o to_o proceed_v they_o as_o that_o gentleman_n be_v not_o so_o these_o also_o we_o be_v speak_v of_o be_v not_o at_o all_o forward_a to_o give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o fundamental_o but_o instead_o thereof_o content_v themselves_o to_o tell_v their_o hearer_n that_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o any_o man_n salvation_n that_o he_o assent_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o he_o careful_o endeavour_v to_o understand_v their_o true_a meaning_n so_o far_o as_o concern_v his_o own_o duty_n and_o to_o order_v his_o life_n according_o and_o that_o he_o who_o conscience_n tell_v he_o upon_o a_o impartial_a inquiry_n into_o himself_o that_o he_o do_v thus_o need_v not_o fear_v that_o he_o err_v damnable_o but_o into_o the_o number_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o account_v fundamental_o they_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n admit_v any_o that_o be_v not_o plain_o reveal_v as_o have_v be_v already_o intimate_v with_o the_o reason_n why_o and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o doubt_v not_o but_o that_o according_a to_o man_n various_a capacity_n mean_n of_o knowledge_n and_o such_o like_a the_o same_o point_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v to_o some_o fundamental_a and_o to_o other_o not_o i_o mean_v may_v be_v necessary_a to_o be_v know_v and_o explicit_o believe_v by_o some_o but_o not_o so_o by_o other_o which_o be_v likewise_o before_o in_o effect_n say_v philal._n well_o principle_n theophilus_n you_o have_v impart_v to_o i_o i_o thank_v you_o very_o excellent_a principle_n without_o doubt_n they_o will_v be_v great_o effectual_a to_o the_o cement_n of_o our_o present_a difference_n and_o heal_v our_o lamentable_a wide_a breach_n if_o they_o be_v general_o entertain_v by_o christian_n and_o improve_v what_o a_o brave_a world_n shall_v we_o have_v will_v we_o but_o all_o practice_n upon_o such_o principle_n this_o will_v be_v the_o way_n to_o unite_v those_o in_o affection_n that_o differ_v in_o opinion_n theoph._n and_o this_o will_v be_v the_o way_n too_o to_o make_v far_o few_o difference_n in_o opinion_n for_o than_o will_v not_o man_n be_v superstitious_o fearful_a of_o impartial_o examine_v those_o doctrine_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o they_o now_o think_v it_o a_o sin_n so_o much_o as_o to_o call_v in_o question_n and_o by_o this_o mean_n take_v all_o those_o they_o have_v be_v instruct_v in_o for_o grant_v there_o be_v little_a hope_n of_o ever_o undeceive_v they_o these_o principle_n be_v well_o digest_v will_v likewise_o mighty_o quiet_v man_n mind_n and_o cure_v they_o of_o all_o torment_a fear_n of_o their_o be_v out_o of_o the_o true_a way_n to_o blessedness_n while_o they_o be_v not_o conscious_a to_o themselves_o of_o live_v in_o the_o allowance_n of_o any_o know_a sin_n or_o neglect_v of_o any_o such_o duty_n that_o they_o seek_v truth_n impartial_o and_o adopt_v not_o any_o opinion_n in_o order_n to_o the_o gratify_n of_o any_o corrupt_a affection_n philal._n they_o will_v certain_o unshakle_v and_o disentangle_v man_n mind_n and_o give_v they_o their_o due_a liberty_n they_o will_v enlarge_v and_o widen_v their_o soul_n and_o make_v they_o in_o a_o excellent_a and_o most_o commendable_a sense_n man_n of_o latitude_n theoph._n you_o make_v i_o smile_v at_o that_o conceit_n principle_n but_o yet_o philalethes_n as_o excellent_a and_o very_a useful_a as_o they_o be_v and_o must_v needs_o appear_v to_o be_v to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v give_v himself_o leave_v to_o consider_v they_o those_o friend_n of_o we_o by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o propagate_v they_o have_v procure_v to_o themselves_o enemy_n of_o divers_a sort_n their_o thus_o do_v vex_v to_o the_o heart_n all_o peremptory_a and_o magisterial_a dictator_n of_o whatsoever_o party_n they_o be_v this_o whet_v the_o tongue_n of_o those_o against_o they_o who_o great_a ambition_n it_o be_v to_o lead_v &_o of_o those_o no_o less_o that_o take_v as_o great_a pleasure_n in_o be_v lead_v and_o in_o follow_v blindfold_o either_o some_o particular_a man_n or_o certain_a church_n philal._n concern_v these_o latter_a it_o may_v be_v say_v as_o tacitus_n do_v of_o some_o that_o they_o be_v natiad_n servitutem_fw-la bear_v to_o be_v slave_n and_o think_v bondage_n a_o great_a blessing_n for_o otherwise_o how_o can_v they_o be_v so_o high_o displease_v with_o the_o charity_n of_o those_o that_o will_v set_v they_o free_a i_o presume_v theophilus_n that_o it_o may_v be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o so_o much_o choler_n discover_v itself_o in_o a_o reverend_a doctor_n who_o year_n alone_o it_o may_v be_v think_v shall_v have_v teach_v he_o much_o more_o discretion_n and_o provoke_v the_o angry_a man_n not_o very_o long_o since_o to_o shoot_v from_o the_o pulpit_n most_o dreadful_a thunderbolt_n against_o these_o divine_n in_o a_o learned_a auditory_a theoph._n there_o be_v those_o that_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v envy_n chief_o that_o put_v he_o upon_o take_v so_o much_o vain_a pain_n to_o render_v they_o odious_a to_o gentleman_n too_o wise_a to_o do_v other_o than_o pity_v he_o for_o his_o labour_n he_o find_v himself_o as_o great_a as_o he_o think_v his_o own_o desert_n less_o regard_v than_o some_o of_o those_o vile_a person_n moreover_o philalethes_n thence_o it_o be_v that_o some_o who_o have_v more_o zeal_n than_o discretion_n and_o i_o wish_v i_o have_v not_o cause_n to_o say_v more_o passion_n and_o pride_n than_o either_o do_v inveigh_v against_o they_o as_o those_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o true_a son_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v her_o enemy_n and_o undermine_v she_o and_o more_o dangerous_a people_n than_o the_o worst_a of_o sect_n and_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o other_o too_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o temper_n though_o of_o a_o contrary_a faction_n join_v with_o these_o in_o accuse_v they_o as_o man_n lukewarm_a in_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o unconcern_v for_o the_o orthodox_n religion_n nay_o such_o as_o be_v so_o far_o from_o contend_v earnest_o for_o the_o faith_n once_o give_v to_o the_o saint_n that_o they_o expose_v it_o and_o endanger_v the_o loss_n of_o it_o philal._n i_o think_v in_o my_o conscience_n they_o take_v the_o only_a course_n to_o preserve_v it_o but_o it_o seem_v those_o man_n take_v it_o for_o grant_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o those_o opinion_n they_o be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o no_o less_o account_n with_o god_n than_o with_o themselves_o and_o that_o those_o they_o think_v good_a to_o brand_v with_o the_o black_a mark_n of_o fundamental_a heresy_n can_v be_v otherwise_o and_o that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o effectual_a confute_v of_o they_o but_o when_o the_o person_n that_o hold_v they_o be_v curse_v with_o bell_n book_n and_o candle_n and_o have_v the_o severe_a and_o most_o dismal_a of_o sentence_n pass_v upon_o they_o part_n iii_o theoph._n you_o may_v be_v sure_a of_o it_o but_o be_v it_o not_o time_n think_v you_o philalethes_n to_o acquaint_v you_o with_o those_o divine_n judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n philal._n yes_o discipline_n if_o you_o think_v so_o theoph._n come_v on_o then_o this_o follow_v be_v you_o assure_v be_v a_o true_a account_n thereof_o namely_o that_o to_o all_o form_n of_o ecclesiastical_a government_n they_o great_o prefer_v that_o of_o episcopacy_n because_o it_o be_v apparent_a that_o so_o much_o as_o be_v essential_a to_o that_o government_n do_v universal_o take_v place_n in_o the_o church_n present_o after_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o it_o be_v also_o in_o their_o day_n government_n it_o be_v hardly_o conceivable_a that_o so_o great_a a_o alteration_n as_o that_o of_o presbyterian_a or_o congregational_a to_o episcopal_a government_n can_v in_o a_o little_a time_n have_v prevail_v over_o all_o the_o world_n and_o have_v continue_v for_o so_o many_o age_n together_o if_o it_o have_v be_v otherwise_o philal._n how_o much_o do_v they_o or_o you_o conceive_v to_o be_v essential_a to_o episcopacy_n and_o therefore_o agreeable_a to_o the_o primitive_a pattern_n theoph._n mr._n chillingworth_n shall_v answer_v you_o that_o question_n episcopacy_n if_o we_o abstract_a say_v he_o from_o episcopal_a government_n all_o accidental_n and_o consider_v only_o what_o be_v essential_a and_o necessary_a to_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v in_o it_o no_o more_o than_o this_o a_o appointment_n of_o one_o man_n of_o eminent_a sanctity_n and_o sufficiency_n to_o have_v the_o care_n of_o all_o the_o church_n within_o a_o certain_a precinct_n or_o diocese_n and_o furnish_v he_o with_o authority_n not_o absolute_a or_o arbitrary_a but_o regulate_v and_o bound_v by_o law_n and_o moderate_v by_o join_v to_o he_o a_o convenient_a number_n of_o assistant_n to_o the_o intent_n that_o all_o the_o
the_o gospel_n our_o saviour_n have_v give_v a_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o by_o his_o own_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o plain_a term_n preach_v it_o now_o you_o need_v not_o be_v tell_v that_o several_a of_o the_o learned_a heathen_n have_v by_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a soul_n make_v that_o doctrine_n high_o probable_a and_o that_o even_o the_o more_o brutish_a sort_n of_o they_o have_v general_o if_o not_o universal_o a_o sense_n of_o a_o life_n to_o come_v you_o know_v also_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n they_o be_v no_o stranger_n to_o justin_n martyr_n true_o tell_v the_o greek_n in_o his_o oration_n to_o they_o that_o not_o only_o the_o prophet_n and_o other_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o also_o those_o that_o be_v account_v wise_a among_o the_o heathen_n both_o the_o poet_n and_o philosopher_n do_v acknowledge_v a_o judgement_n to_o come_v after_o death_n and_o their_o poet_n tell_v we_o of_o three_o person_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o judge_v man_n in_o the_o other_o world_n viz._n minos_n rhadamanthus_n and_o aeacus_n and_o man_n be_v adjudge_v to_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o the_o other_o suitable_a to_o their_o action_n in_o this_o world_n be_v a_o doctrine_n that_o accompany_v that_o other_o and_o as_o general_o receive_v nor_o be_v you_o ignorant_a what_o excellent_a discourse_n divers_a of_o the_o philosopher_n have_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o true_a happiness_n the_o forementioned_a justin_n say_v that_o it_o seem_v probable_a to_o he_o that_o plato_n have_v entertain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n but_o i_o must_v leave_v he_o there_o because_o i_o find_v that_o he_o give_v a_o insufficient_a reason_n for_o that_o conjecture_n nay_o even_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o embrace_v by_o the_o pythagoraean_n and_o platonist_n several_a other_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v produce_v and_o there_o be_v other_o particular_n i_o may_v present_v you_o with_o of_o notion_n the_o heathen_n have_v resemble_v several_a other_o doctrine_n revel_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v not_o less_o general_o know_v than_o the_o forementioned_a as_o they_o hold_v a_o doctrine_n somewhat_o like_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a conception_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o it_o be_v their_o opinion_n that_o divers_a of_o their_o eminent_a benefactor_n be_v bear_v of_o more_o than_o humane_a race_n and_o that_o they_o be_v ex_fw-la stirpe_fw-la deorum_fw-la and_o according_o give_v divine_a honour_n to_o they_o their_o sacrifice_v of_o man_n for_o the_o atone_a of_o their_o god_n show_v that_o they_o believe_v what_o be_v somewhat_o of_o kin_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o satisfaction_n or_o christ_n reconcile_n we_o to_o god_n by_o offer_v himself_o up_o as_o a_o propitiatory_a sacrifice_n as_o grotius_n among_o other_o have_v full_o show_v in_o his_o book_n of_o satisfaction_n they_o have_v another_o opinion_n that_o bear_v resemblance_n to_o our_o saviour_n mediatorship_n for_o they_o hold_v the_o intercession_n of_o daemon_n of_o which_o mr_n mede_n have_v discourse_v in_o his_o apostasy_n of_o the_o late_a time_n and_o i_o find_v that_o celsus_n call_v our_o saviour_n the_o christian_n daemon_n philal._n by_o these_o instance_n it_o shall_v seem_v that_o the_o heathen_n do_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n give_v credit_n to_o as_o strange_a doctrine_n as_o any_o our_o saviour_n require_v our_o belief_n of_o and_o that_o several_a of_o the_o strange_a of_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o sound_v like_o uncouth_a and_o absurd_a one_o that_o they_o be_v rather_o gratification_n of_o the_o natural_a propension_n of_o mankind_n theoph._n that_o the_o learned_a dr._n more_o have_v well_o observe_v in_o his_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n though_o no_o question_n the_o father_n do_v upon_o good_a ground_n conclude_v that_o the_o heathen_n receive_v many_o notion_n from_o the_o jew_n and_o some_o from_o a_o more_o ancient_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o judge_v that_o all_o the_o foremention_v be_v the_o product_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n yet_o that_o make_v not_o at_o all_o against_o the_o assertion_n that_o occasion_v these_o instance_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a clear_o prove_v it_o for_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o many_o of_o the_o weighty_a point_n of_o mere_a belief_n may_v be_v certain_o conclude_v from_o principle_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o revelation_n man_n may_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v revel_v and_o several_a of_o they_o very_o take_v too_o which_o appear_v by_o the_o heathen_n be_v so_o tenacious_a of_o some_o and_o so_o ready_o catch_v at_o other_o upon_o the_o first_o news_n of_o they_o philal._n i_o give_v you_o my_o hearty_a thanks_o theophilus_n for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n you_o have_v give_v i_o concern_v those_o friend_n of_o we_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n which_o do_v much_o add_v to_o my_o esteem_n of_o they_o though_o i_o know_v many_o be_v offend_v with_o they_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o by_o way_n of_o contempt_n call_v they_o the_o rational_a preacher_n for_o this_o subject_n be_v most_o necessary_a to_o be_v handle_v in_o this_o our_o age_n especial_o wherein_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n be_v to_o the_o grief_n of_o all_o good_a man_n get_v into_o the_o principle_n as_o well_o as_o practice_n of_o very_a many_o and_o i_o hope_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v better_a able_a for_o the_o future_a to_o vindicate_v they_o than_o i_o have_v be_v when_o i_o hear_v they_o reproach_v for_o bring_v so_o much_o reason_n into_o point_n of_o faith_n i_o must_v desire_v you_o now_o to_o proceed_v to_o inform_v i_o of_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o their_o preach_v most_o worthy_a of_o observation_n theoph._n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o preach_v philalethes_n to_o let_v you_o understand_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o they_o affect_v not_o bombast_n word_n trifle_v strain_n of_o wit_n foolish_a quibble_n and_o make_v pretty_a sport_n with_o letter_n and_o syllable_n in_o their_o preach_a but_o despise_v those_o do_n as_o pedantic_a and_o unmanly_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o use_v a_o style_n that_o be_v very_a grave_n and_o no_o less_o significant_a philal._n this_o undoubted_o must_v needs_o be_v best_o please_v to_o the_o more_o understand_a part_n of_o our_o congregation_n and_o to_o all_o incomparable_o most_o profitable_a as_o much_o as_o that_o pretty_a toy_n be_v cry_v up_o by_o many_o as_o a_o most_o rare_a accomplishment_n and_o conciliate_n to_o the_o most_o dextrous_a in_o that_o knack_n the_o repute_n of_o the_o able_a preacher_n and_o make_v they_o great_o plausible_a theoph._n but_o certain_o it_o can_v do_v so_o among_o none_o but_o very_o little-souled_a and_o childish_a people_n and_o such_o as_o who_o judgement_n in_o sermon_n no_o wise_a man_n will_v make_v any_o account_n of_o i_o will_v add_v also_o intelligible_a that_o it_o be_v their_o endeavour_n to_o make_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o easy_a and_o intelligible_a as_o well_o they_o may_v wherein_o none_o have_v be_v more_o successful_a they_o be_v far_o from_o those_o man_n untoward_a genius_n gospel_n that_o delight_n to_o exercise_v their_o wit_n in_o find_v out_o mystical_a and_o cabalistical_a sense_n in_o the_o plain_a part_n of_o scripture_n and_o in_o turn_v every_o thing_n almost_o into_o allegory_n philal._n i_o be_o great_o apt_a to_o fear_v that_o those_o man_n be_v far_o from_o be_v hearty_a friend_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o that_o some_o not_o dare_v open_o to_o decry_v the_o gospel_n take_v this_o course_n to_o undermine_v it_o and_o to_o make_v a_o mere_a trifle_n of_o it_o theoph._n they_o give_v we_o great_a cause_n for_o such_o a_o suspicion_n observe_v moreover_o that_o those_o preacher_n be_v no_o less_o averse_a to_o their_o temper_n such_o who_o most_o admire_a that_o which_o they_o least_o understand_v and_o think_v there_o be_v very_o little_a in_o that_o which_o be_v quick_o intelligible_a please_v themselves_o exceed_o with_o make_v mystery_n of_o the_o easy_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o mystery_n too_o as_o they_o tell_v we_o no_o man_n though_o he_o be_v master_n of_o never_o so_o clear_a a_o reason_n can_v have_v a_o insight_n into_o without_o the_o special_a illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o because_o the_o apostle_n say_v great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n will_v make_v every_o thing_n so_o that_o the_o gospel_n have_v revel_v and_o that_o so_o high_a as_o be_v now_o say_v whereas_o in_o those_o word_n s._n paul_n mean_v no_o more_o than_o