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consider_v these_o first_o he_o will_v make_v we_o believe_v that_o this_o
his_o grace_n john_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n sermon_n preach_v upon_o several_a occasion_n by_o his_o grace_n john_n lord_n archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n the_o first_o volume_n the_o eight_o edition_n correct_v london_n print_v for_o brabazon_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n and_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleetstreet_n 1694._o to_o the_o worshipful_a the_o master_n of_o the_o bench_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n of_o the_o honourable_a society_n of_o lincolns-inn_n gentleman_n when_o i_o resolve_v to_o publish_v these_o sermon_n there_o can_v be_v no_o dispute_n to_o who_o i_o shall_v dedicate_v they_o they_o do_v of_o right_o belong_v to_o you_o be_v most_o of_o they_o first_o preach_v among_o you_o beside_o my_o great_a obligation_n to_o you_o for_o your_o constant_a respect_n to_o i_o both_o in_o the_o favourable_a acceptance_n and_o in_o the_o 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man_n from_o the_o great_a and_o manifold_a advantage_n which_o it_o bring_v both_o to_o public_a society_n and_o to_o particular_a person_n and_o this_o be_v the_o argument_n of_o the_o three_o and_o four_o three_o to_o represent_v the_o excellency_n more_o particular_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o vindicate_v the_o practice_n of_o it_o from_o the_o suspicion_n of_o those_o grievous_a trouble_n and_o difficulty_n which_o many_o imagine_v it_o to_o be_v attend_v withal_o and_o this_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o five_o and_o six_o four_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o holy_a religion_n from_o the_o great_a obligation_n which_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n lay_v upon_o man_n to_o that_o purpose_n and_o more_o particular_o from_o the_o glorious_a reward_n of_o another_o life_n which_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o two_o last_o discourse_n have_v give_v this_o short_a account_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n i_o crave_v leave_n of_o the_o reader_n to_o detain_v he_o a_o little_a long_o whilst_o i_o vindicate_v a_o passage_n in_o the_o first_o of_o these_o sermon_n from_o the_o assault_n of_o a_o whole_a book_n purposely_o write_v against_o it_o the_o title_n of_o the_o book_n be_v faith_n vindicate_v from_o the_o possibility_n of_o falsehood_n the_o author_n mr._n j._n s._n the_o famous_a author_n of_o sure_a foot_n he_o have_v indeed_o in_o this_o last_o book_n of_o he_o to_o my_o great_a amazement_n quit_v that_o glorious_a title_n not_o that_o i_o dare_v assume_v to_o myself_o to_o have_v put_v he_o out_o of_o conceit_n with_o it_o by_o have_v convince_v he_o of_o the_o phantasticalness_n of_o it_o no_o i_o despair_v to_o convince_v that_o man_n of_o any_o thing_n who_o after_o so_o fair_a a_o admonition_n do_v still_o persist_v to_o maintain_v etc._n maintain_v letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 24_o etc._n etc._n that_o first_o and_o self-evident_a principle_n not_o only_o may_v but_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v demonstrate_v and_o 11._o and_o ibid._n p._n 11._o that_o those_o ridiculous_a identical_a proposition_n that_o faith_n be_v faith_n and_o a_o rule_n be_v a_o rule_n be_v first_o principle_n in_o this_o controversy_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n without_o which_o nothing_o can_v be_v solid_o conclude_v either_o about_o rule_n or_o faith_n but_o there_o be_v another_o reason_n for_o his_o quit_n of_o that_o title_n and_o a_o prudent_a one_o indeed_o he_o have_v forsake_v the_o defence_n of_o sure_a foot_n and_o then_o it_o become_v convenient_a to_o lay_v aside_o that_o title_n for_o fear_v of_o put_v people_n any_o more_o in_o mind_n of_o that_o book_n i_o expect_v indeed_o after_o his_o letter_n of_o thanks_o in_o which_o he_o 14._o he_o p._n 14._o tell_v we_o he_o intend_v to_o throw_v aside_o the_o rubbish_n of_o my_o book_n that_o in_o his_o answer_n he_o may_v the_o better_o lay_v open_a the_o fabric_n of_o my_o discourse_n and_o have_v nothing_o there_o to_o do_v but_o to_o speak_v to_o solid_a point_n i_o say_v after_o this_o i_o expect_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o the_o solid_a point_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o of_o my_o book_n and_o that_o according_a to_o his_o excellent_a method_n of_o remove_v the_o rubbish_n in_o order_n to_o the_o pull_v down_o of_o a_o building_n the_o fabric_n of_o my_o book_n will_v long_o since_o have_v be_v demolish_v and_o lay_v even_o with_o the_o ground_n but_o especial_o when_o in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o that_o most_o civil_a and_o oblige_a letter_n he_o threaten_v never_o to_o leave_v follow_v on_o his_o blow_n till_o he_o have_v either_o bring_v dr._n still_o and_o i_o to_o lay_v principle_n that_o will_v bear_v the_o test_n or_o it_o be_v make_v evident_a to_o all_o the_o world_n that_o we_o have_v none_o i_o begin_v as_o i_o have_v reason_n to_o be_v in_o a_o terrible_a fear_n of_o he_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o myself_o as_o a_o dead_a man_n and_o indeed_o who_o can_v think_v himself_o so_o considerable_a as_o not_o to_o dread_v this_o mighty_a man_n of_o demonstration_n this_o prince_n of_o controvertist_n this_o great_a lord_n and_o possessor_n of_o first_o principle_n but_o i_o perceive_v that_o great_a mind_n be_v merciful_a and_o do_v sometime_o content_v themselves_o to_o threaten_v when_o they_o can_v destroy_v for_o instead_o of_o return_v a_o full_a answer_n to_o my_o book_n he_o according_a to_o their_o new_a mode_n of_o confute_v book_n manful_o fall_v a_o nibble_v at_o one_o single_a passage_n in_o it_o pag._n 118._o wherein_o he_o make_v i_o to_o say_v for_o i_o say_v no_o such_o thing_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o christian_a faith_n and_o consequent_o faith_n itself_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a nay_o in_o his_o letter_n of_o thanks_o 13._o thanks_o p._n 13._o he_o say_v it_o be_v a_o avow_v position_n in_o that_o place_n that_o faith_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o to_o give_v the_o more_o countenance_n to_o this_o calumny_n he_o charge_v the_o same_o position_n in_o equivalent_a term_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o as_o to_o the_o chief_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n the_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n upon_o the_o forementioned_a sermon_n but_o because_o he_o know_v in_o his_o conscience_n that_o i_o have_v avow_v no_o such_o position_n he_o dare_v not_o cite_v the_o word_n either_o of_o my_o book_n or_o sermon_n lest_o the_o reader_n shall_v have_v discover_v the_o notorious_a falsehood_n and_o groundlesness_n of_o this_o calumny_n nay_o he_o dare_v not_o so_o much_o as_o refer_v to_o any_o particular_a place_n in_o my_o sermon_n where_o such_o a_o passage_n may_v be_v find_v and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o man_n that_o have_v the_o face_n to_o charge_v other_o with_o false_a citation_n to_o which_o charge_n before_o i_o have_v do_v i_o shall_v say_v something_o
pretend_v to_o be_v infallible_a four_o that_o mr._n s._n by_o his_o principle_n do_v plain_o exclude_v from_o salvation_n the_o generality_n of_o his_o own_o church_n that_o be_v all_o that_o do_v not_o believe_v upon_o his_o ground_n and_o this_o be_v the_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o his_o reason_n in_o a_o late_a treatise_n entitle_v the_o method_n to_o arrive_v at_o satisfaction_n in_o religion_n the_o principle_n whereof_o be_v these_o that_o the_o church_n be_v a_o congregation_n of_o faithful_a the_o faithful_a be_v those_o who_o have_v true_a faith_n that_o till_o it_o be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a faith_n it_o can_v be_v know_v which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n that_o which_o be_v the_o true_a faith_n can_v only_o be_v know_v by_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v oral_a tradition_n and_o that_o the_o infallibility_n of_o this_o rule_n be_v evident_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o from_o these_o principle_n he_o conclude_v 21._o conclude_v sec._n 21._o that_o those_o who_o follow_v not_o this_o rule_n and_o so_o be_v out_o of_o this_o church_n can_v have_v no_o true_a faith_n and_o that_o though_o many_o of_o the_o point_n to_o which_o they_o assent_n be_v true_a yet_o their_o assent_n be_v not_o faith_n for_o faith_n speak_v of_o christian_a faith_n be_v a_o assent_n which_o can_v possible_o be_v false_a so_o that_o the_o foundation_n of_o this_o method_n be_v the_o self-evident_a infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o consider_v in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure_a foot_n which_o yet_o remain_v unanswered_a that_o which_o i_o be_o now_o concern_v to_o take_v notice_n of_o be_v the_o consequence_n of_o this_o method_n which_o do_v at_o one_o blow_v excommunicate_a and_o un-christian_a the_o far_o great_a part_n of_o his_o own_o church_n for_o if_o all_o who_o do_v not_o follow_v oral_a tradition_n as_o their_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n be_v out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o can_v have_v no_o true_a 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in_o cite_v the_o author_n of_o it_o to_o say_v that_o such_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o to_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v otherwise_o ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n whereas_o say_v mr._n s._n he_o only_o tell_v we_o there_o p._n 7._o that_o by_o moral_a certainty_n some_o understand_v such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n etc._n etc._n to_o vindicate_v myself_o in_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o set_v the_o author_n word_n before_o the_o reader_n be_v eye_n they_o be_v these_o this_o term_n moral_a certainty_n every_o one_o explicate_v not_o like_a but_o some_o understand_v by_o it_o such_o a_o certainty_n as_o make_v the_o cause_n always_o work_v the_o same_o effect_n though_o it_o take_v not_o away_o the_o absolute_a possibility_n of_o work_v other_o way_n other_o call_v that_o a_o moral_a certainty_n which_o proceed_v from_o etc._n etc._n a_o three_o explication_n of_o this_o word_n be_v etc._n etc._n of_o these_o three_o the_o first_o ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n and_o the_o author_n consider_v as_o mistake_v in_o undervalue_v it_o be_v this_o only_a to_o tell_v we_o that_o by_o moral_a certainty_n some_o understand_v etc._n etc._n do_v not_o the_o prefacer_n also_o express_o affirm_v that_o what_o these_o some_o understand_v by_o moral_a certainty_n ought_v absolute_o to_o be_v reckon_v in_o the_o degree_n of_o true_a certainty_n which_o be_v the_o very_a thing_n i_o cite_v he_o for_o another_o heavy_a charge_n be_v 65._o p._n 65._o that_o according_a to_o my_o usual_a sincerity_n i_o quote_v rushworth_n nephew_n to_o say_v that_o a_o few_o good_a word_n be_v to_o be_v cast_v in_o concern_v scripture_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o indifferent_a man_n who_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o verbal_a and_o apparent_a respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n whereas_o say_v mr._n s._n in_o the_o place_n you_o cite_v he_o only_o express_v it_o will_v be_v a_o satisfaction_n to_o indifferent_a man_n to_o see_v the_o position_n one_o will_v induce_v they_o to_o embrace_v maintainable_a by_o scripture_n do_v he_o only_o say_v so_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_n the_o word_n in_o mr._n rushworth_n be_v these_o yet_o this_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o that_o it_o be_v a_o great_a satisfaction_n for_o indifferent_a man_n that_o have_v be_v bring_v up_o in_o this_o verbal_a and_o apparent_a respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o see_v that_o the_o position_n you_o will_v induce_v they_o unto_o can_v be_v and_o be_v maintain_v by_o scripture_n and_o that_o they_o be_v ground_v therein_o certain_o one_o will_v think_v that_o either_o this_o man_n have_v no_o eye_n or_o no_o forehead_n but_o the_o great_a
or_o not_o which_o a_o testimony_n from_o god_n do_v suppose_v and_o therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o those_o effect_n of_o divine_a power_n i_o mean_v miracle_n which_o will_v prove_v a_o divine_a testimony_n to_o a_o infidel_n will_v as_o well_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n to_o a_o atheist_n but_o when_o we_o dispute_v against_o those_o who_o deny_v a_o god_n no_o testimony_n ought_v to_o be_v presume_v to_o be_v from_o god_n but_o must_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v so_o and_o whatever_o argument_n prove_v that_o will_v also_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n humane_a testimony_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n universal_a tradition_n and_o write_v history_n both_o these_o be_v plain_o and_o beyond_o dispute_n on_o our_o side_n first_o there_o be_v a_o universal_a tradition_n concern_v the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o it_o be_v make_v by_o god_n and_o for_o the_o evidence_n of_o this_o we_o have_v 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the_o philosopher_n and_o those_o that_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o chief_a sect_n of_o philosophy_n as_o thales_n anaxagoras_n and_o pythagoras_n do_v likewise_o consent_v to_o this_o tradition_n particular_o concern_v thales_n tully_n 1._o tully_n de_fw-fr nat._n deorum_fw-la l._n 1._o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first_o of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n that_o inquire_v into_o these_o thing_n and_o he_o say_v that_o water_n be_v the_o beginning_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o that_o god_n be_v that_o mind_n or_o intelligent_a principle_n which_o fashion_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o water_n so_o likewise_o strabo_n 15._o strabo_n georg._n l._n 15._o inform_v we_o that_o the_o brahmin_n the_o chief_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n among_o the_o indian_n agree_v with_o the_o grecian_n in_o this_o that_o the_o world_n be_v make_v of_o water_n which_o agree_v exact_o with_o moses_n account_n of_o the_o creation_n viz._n that_o the_o spirie_n of_o god_n move_v upon_o the_o face_n of_o water_n which_o st._n peter_n 3.5_o peter_n 2_o pet._n 3.5_o express_v thus_o that_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n for_o so_o the_o hebrew_n call_v the_o world_n be_v of_o old_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d constitute_v or_o make_v of_o water_n not_o stand_v out_o of_o the_o water_n as_o our_o translation_n render_v it_o nay_o aristotle_n 3._o aristotle_n metaph._n l._n 1._o c._n 3._o himself_o who_o be_v the_o great_a asserter_n of_o the_o eternity_n of_o the_o world_n give_v this_o account_n why_o the_o god_n be_v ancient_o represent_v by_o the_o heathen_n as_o swear_v by_o the_o lake_n styx_n because_o water_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o this_o he_o tell_v we_o be_v the_o most_o ancient_a opinion_n concern_v the_o original_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o very_o old_a writer_n of_o theology_n and_o those_o who_o live_v at_o the_o great_a distance_n from_o his_o time_n be_v of_o this_o mind_n and_o in_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr mundo_fw-la 6._o mundo_fw-la cap._n 6._o it_o be_v free_o acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v a_o ancient_a say_n and_o a_o general_a tradition_n among_o all_o man_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v of_o god_n and_o be_v make_v by_o he_o i_o will_v conclude_v this_o with_o that_o full_a testimony_n of_o maximus_n tyrius_n 1._o tyrius_n dissertat_fw-la 1._o to_o this_o purpose_n however_o say_v he_o man_n may_v differ_v in_o other_o thing_n yet_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o law_n or_o principle_n that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n king_n and_o father_n of_o all_o thing_n etc._n etc._n this_o the_o greek_n say_v this_o the_o barbarian_n this_o those_o that_o live_v upon_o the_o continent_n and_o those_o that_o dwell_v by_o the_o sea_n the_o wise_a and_o the_o unwise_a second_o we_o have_v likewise_o a_o most_o ancient_a and_o credible_a history_n of_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n i_o mean_v the_o history_n of_o moses_n with_o which_o no_o book_n in_o the_o world_n in_o point_n 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which_o what_o effect_n soever_o it_o may_v have_v upon_o he_o will_v make_v any_o other_o man_n sufficient_o ashamed_a but_o yet_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o this_o position_n which_o he_o fasten_v upon_o i_o he_o honour_v i_o with_o excellent_a company_n my_o lord_n faulkland_n mr._n chillingworth_n and_o dr._n stillingfleet_n person_n of_o that_o admirable_a strength_n and_o clearness_n in_o their_o write_n that_o mr._n s._n when_o he_o reflect_v upon_o his_o own_o style_n and_o way_n of_o reason_v may_v blush_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o ever_o he_o have_v read_v they_o and_o as_o to_o this_o position_n which_o he_o charge_v they_o withal_o i_o do_v not_o know_v nor_o have_v the_o least_o reason_n upon_o mr._n s_n word_n to_o believe_v any_o such_o thing_n be_v maintain_v by_o they_o as_o for_o myself_o who_o i_o be_o now_o only_o concern_v to_o vindicate_v i_o shall_v set_v down_o the_o two_o passage_n to_o which_o i_o suppose_v he_o refer_v in_o my_o sermon_n i_o 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be_v not_o capable_a of_o that_o strict_a kind_n of_o demonstration_n which_o mathematical_a matter_n be_v yet_o that_o we_o have_v a_o undoubted_a assurance_n of_o it_o one_o will_v think_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o ridiculous_a as_o from_o hence_o to_o infer_v that_o i_o believe_v it_o possible_a notwithstanding_o this_o assurance_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o god_n for_o however_o in_o many_o other_o case_n a_o undoubted_a assurance_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v may_v not_o exclude_v all_o suspicion_n of_o a_o possibility_n of_o its_o be_v otherwise_o yet_o in_o this_o tenet_n of_o a_o deity_n it_o most_o certain_o do_v because_o whoever_o be_v assure_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n be_v assure_v there_o be_v a_o be_v who_o existence_n be_v and_o always_o be_v necessary_a and_o consequent_o be_v assure_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v not_o be_v and_o involve_v in_o it_o a_o contradiction_n so_o that_o my_o discourse_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v equivalent_a to_o the_o position_n he_o mention_n that_o it_o be_v a_o perfect_a contradiction_n to_o it_o and_o he_o may_v with_o as_o much_o truth_n have_v affirm_v that_o i_o have_v express_o and_o in_o so_o many_o word_n say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n the_o other_o passage_n be_v in_o pag._n 118._o of_o my_o book_n concern_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n i_o be_v discourse_v that_o no_o man_n can_v show_v by_o any_o necessary_a argument_n that_o it_o be_v natural_o impossible_a that_o all_o the_o relation_n concern_v america_n shall_v be_v false_a but_o yet_o say_v i_o i_o suppose_v that_o notwithstanding_o this_o no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n be_v now_o possess_v with_o so_o incredible_a a_o folly_n as_o to_o doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n the_o case_n be_v the_o very_a same_o as_o to_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o ancient_a book_n and_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o plain_a expression_n we_o have_v no_o demonstration_n for_o these_o thing_n and_o we_o expect_v none_o because_o we_o 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this_o i_o suppose_v that_o no_o man_n have_v the_o least_o doubt_n but_o that_o it_o will_n to_o avoid_v the_o cavil_n of_o this_o impertinent_a man_n i_o have_v transcribe_v the_o whole_a page_n to_o which_o he_o refer_v and_o now_o where_o be_v this_o avow_v position_n of_o the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n all_o that_o i_o say_v be_v this_o that_o we_o be_v not_o infallible_a either_o in_o judge_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o a_o book_n or_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o by_o which_o i_o mean_v as_o any_o man_n of_o sense_n and_o ingenuity_n will_v easy_o perceive_v i_o do_v that_o we_o can_v demonstrate_v these_o thing_n of_o as_o to_o show_v that_o the_o contrary_a necessary_o involve_v a_o contradiction_n but_o yet_o that_o we_o may_v have_v a_o firm_a assurance_n concern_v these_o matter_n so_o as_o not_o to_o make_v the_o least_o doubt_n of_o they_o and_o be_v this_o to_o avow_v the_o possible_a falsehood_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o this_o position_n mr._n s._n charge_n upon_o these_o word_n how_o just_o i_o shall_v now_o examine_v either_o by_o faith_n mr._n s._n mean_v the_o doctrine_n reveal_v by_o god_n and_o then_o the_o meaning_n of_o the_o position_n must_v be_v that_o what_o god_n say_v be_v possible_a to_o be_v false_a which_o be_v so_o absurd_a a_o position_n as_o can_v hardly_o enter_v into_o any_o man_n mind_n and_o yet_o mr._n s._n have_v the_o modesty_n all_o along_o in_o his_o book_n to_o insinuate_v that_o in_o the_o forecited_a passage_n i_o say_v as_o much_o as_o this_o come_v to_o or_o else_o mr._n s._n mean_n by_o faith_n the_o assent_n which_o we_o give_v to_o doctrine_n as_o reveal_v by_o god_n and_o then_o his_o sense_n of_o infallibility_n must_v be_v either_o that_o whoever_o assent_v
here_o reader_n present_v thou_o with_o a_o discourse_n which_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v mr._n s._n be_v more_o than_o mathematical_o demonstrative_a a_o rare_a sight_n indeed_o and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o pleasant_a man_n and_o of_o good_a assurance_n i_o now_o find_v it_o true_a which_o he_o 1._o he_o letter_n of_o thanks_o p._n 1._o say_v elsewhere_o that_o principle_n be_v of_o a_o inflexible_a genius_n and_o self-confident_a too_o and_o that_o they_o love_v natural_o to_o express_v themselves_o with_o a_o assuredness_n but_o certain_o the_o sacred_a name_n of_o principle_n and_o demonstration_n be_v never_o so_o profane_v by_o any_o man_n before_o may_v not_o any_o one_o write_v a_o book_n of_o such_o jargon_n and_o call_v it_o demonstration_n and_o will_v it_o not_o equal_o serve_v to_o prove_v or_o confute_v if_o he_o intend_v this_o stuff_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o people_n he_o may_v as_o well_o have_v write_v in_o the_o coptick_n or_o sclavonian_n language_n yet_o i_o can_v deny_v but_o that_o it_o be_v very_o suitable_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n for_o why_o shall_v not_o their_o science_n as_o well_o as_o their_o service_n be_v in_o a_o unknown_a tongue_n that_o the_o one_o may_v be_v as_o sit_v to_o improve_v their_o knowledge_n as_o the_o other_o be_v to_o raise_v their_o devotion_n but_o if_o he_o design_v this_o for_o the_o learned_a nothing_o can_v be_v more_o improper_a for_o they_o be_v far_o less_o apt_a to_o admire_v nonsense_n than_o the_o common_a people_n and_o i_o desire_v that_o no_o man_n how_o learned_a soever_o he_o may_v think_v himself_o will_v be_v over-confident_a that_o this_o be_v sense_n i_o do_v very_o believe_v that_o neither_o harphiu_n nor_o rusbrochius_n nor_o the_o profound_a mother_n juliana_n have_v any_o thing_n in_o their_o writing_n more_o senseless_a and_o obscure_a than_o this_o discourse_n of_o he_o which_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v more_o than_o mathematical_o demonstrative_a so_o that_o if_o i_o be_v worthy_a to_o advise_v mr._n s._n he_o shall_v give_v over_o this_o pretence_n to_o science_n for_o whatever_o he_o may_v think_v his_o talon_n certain_o do_v not_o lie_v that_o way_n but_o he_o seem_v to_o be_v as_o well_o make_v for_o a_o mystical_a divine_a as_o any_o man_n i_o know_v and_o methinks_v his_o superior_n shall_v be_v sensible_a of_o this_o and_o employ_v he_o to_o write_v about_o the_o deiform_a fund_z of_o the_o soul_n the_o super-essential_a life_n the_o method_n of_o self-annihilation_a and_o the_o passive_a union_n of_o nothing_o with_o nothing_o these_o be_v profound_a subject_n and_o he_o have_v a_o style_n peculiar_o fit_v for_o they_o for_o even_o in_o this_o parcel_n of_o stuff_n which_o i_o have_v now_o cite_v there_o be_v five_o or_o six_o word_n such_o as_o may-not-bee_n potentiality_n actuality_n actuation_n determinative_a supervene_v and_o subsume_v which_o if_o they_o be_v but_o well_o mingle_v and_o discreet_o order_v and_o bring_v in_o now_o and_o then_o with_o a_o that_o be_v to_o explain_v one_o another_o will_v half_o set_v up_o a_o man_n in_o that_o way_n and_o enable_v he_o to_o write_v as_o mystical_a a_o discourse_n as_o a_o man_n will_v wish_v but_o enough_o of_o this_o and_o i_o have_v trespass_v not_o a_o little_a upon_o my_o own_o disposition_n in_o say_v thus_o much_o though_o out_o of_o a_o just_a indignation_n as_o confident_a nonsense_n it_o be_v time_n now_o to_o draw_v towards_o a_o conclusion_n of_o this_o debate_n i_o shall_v only_a leave_v with_o the_o reader_n a_o few_o observation_n concern_v this_o book_n of_o mr._n s_n and_o his_o doctrine_n of_o infallibility_n first_o that_o the_o main_a drift_n of_o his_o book_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o what_o be_v true_a be_v impossible_a to_o be_v false_a he_o oppose_v no_o body_n that_o i_o know_v of_o in_o this_o matter_n second_o that_o in_o assert_v infallibility_n to_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n he_o have_v the_o generality_n of_o his_o own_o church_n his_o profess_a adversary_n the_o church_n of_o rome_n never_o arrogate_a to_o herself_o any_o other_o infallibility_n but_o what_o she_o pretend_v to_o be_v sound_v upon_o christ_n promise_n to_o secure_v his_o church_n always_o from_o error_n by_o a_o supernatural_a assistance_n which_o be_v wide_o different_a from_o mâ—_n s_n rational_a infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n mr._n s._n sure_o can_v be_v ignorant_a that_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o church_n till_o mr._n rushworth_n and_o mr._n white_n find_v out_o this_o new_a way_n do_v general_o resolve_v faith_n into_o the_o infallible_a testimony_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n into_o our_o saviour_n promise_n and_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o true_a church_n into_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n or_o the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n which_o motive_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v only_o prudential_a and_o not_o demonstrative_a eccles_n demonstrative_a i._o 4._o de_fw-fr eccles_n bellarmine_n say_v that_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o make_v it_o evident_o true_a which_o be_v the_o true_a church_n but_o only_o evident_o credible_a and_o that_o say_v he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v evident_o credible_a which_o be_v neither_o see_v in_o itself_o nor_o in_o its_o principle_n but_o yet_o have_v so_o many_o and_o so_o weighty_a testimony_n that_o every_o wise_a man_n have_v reason_n to_o believe_v it_o becanus_n 1._o becanus_n sum._n tom._n 2._o partic_a de_fw-fr tide_n c._n 1._o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n that_o the_o motive_n of_o credibility_n be_v only_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o prudent_a but_o not_o of_o a_o infallible_a assent_n i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o mr._n knott_n and_o some_o other_o will_v fain_o persuade_v we_o that_o a_o assent_n in_o some_o sort_n infallible_a may_v be_v build_v upon_o prudential_a motive_n which_o be_v as_o absurd_a as_o it_o be_v possible_a but_o if_o it_o be_v true_a yet_o mr._n s._n will_v not_o accept_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o infallibility_n nothing_o less_o will_v serve_v he_o than_o demonstrative_a motive_n and_o such_o as_o be_v absolute_o conclusive_a of_o the_o thing_n stapleton_n as_o mr._n cressy_n tell_v we_o express_o say_v that_o such_o a_o infallible_a certitude_n of_o means_n be_v not_o now_o necessary_a to_o the_o pastor_n of_o the_o church_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o church_n so_o that_o according_a to_o these_o author_n there_o may_v be_v true_a faith_n where_o neither_o the_o mean_n nor_o the_o motive_n of_o it_o be_v such_o as_o to_o raise_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o degree_n of_o infallibility_n and_o this_o be_v as_o much_o to_o the_o full_a as_o any_o protestant_n that_o i_o know_v of_o ever_o say_v nay_o even_o his_o friend_n of_o the_o tradition_n mr._n rushworth_n mr._n white_a and_o mr._n cressy_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o same_o damnable_a and_o fundamental_a error_n as_o mr._n s._n call_v it_o 5._o it_o letter_n to_o his_o answerer_n p._n 5._o for_o they_o grant_v less_o assurance_n than_o that_o which_o be_v infallible_a to_o be_v sufficient_a to_o christian_a faith_n and_o that_o we_o be_v just_o condemn_v if_o we_o refuse_v to_o believe_v upon_o such_o evidence_n as_o do_v ordinary_o satisfy_v prudent_a man_n in_o humane_a affair_n and_o particular_o mr._n wh._n make_v a_o question_n whether_o humane_a nature_n be_v capable_a of_o infallibility_n as_o i_o have_v show_v at_o large_a by_o clear_a and_o full_a testimony_n out_o of_o each_o of_o these_o author_n in_o the_o answer_n to_o sure-footing_a etc._n sure-footing_a pâ—â—â—c_n etc._n etc._n of_o which_o testimony_n tho_o mr._n s._n have_v not_o tho_o fit_a to_o take_v the_o least_o notice_n throughout_o his_o book_n yet_o i_o can_v but_o think_v it_o a_o reasonable_a request_n to_o desire_v he_o to_o vindicate_v the_o divine_n of_o his_o own_o church_n especial_o those_o of_o his_o own_o way_n from_o these_o thing_n before_o he_o charge_v we_o any_o far_a with_o they_o three_o that_o mr._n s._n by_o this_o principle_n that_o infallibility_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o faith_n make_v every_o true_a believer_n infallible_a in_o matter_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v such_o a_o paradox_n as_o i_o doubt_v whether_o ever_o it_o enter_v into_o any_o other_o man_n mind_n but_o if_o it_o be_v true_a what_o need_v then_o of_o any_o infallibility_n in_o pope_n or_o council_n and_o if_o this_o infallibility_n be_v ground_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o oral_a tradition_n what_o need_v of_o supernatural_a assistance_n i_o doubt_v mr._n s._n will_v be_v loath_a to_o preach_v this_o doctrine_n at_o rome_n i_o have_v often_o hear_v that_o there_o be_v a_o old_a tasty_a gentleman_n live_v there_o who_o will_v take_v it_o very_o ill_o that_o any_o one_o beside_o himself_o shall_v
to_o be_v to_o let_v man_n loose_v to_o vice_n which_o be_v natural_o attend_v with_o temporal_a inconvenience_n and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a than_o the_o atheist_n can_v pretend_v this_o reason_n of_o charity_n to_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o only_a one_o i_o can_v think_v of_o to_o dispute_v against_o religion_n much_o less_o to_o rally_v upon_o it_o for_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o kindness_n to_o any_o man_n to_o be_v undeceive_v in_o these_o principle_n of_o religion_n suppose_v they_o be_v false_a because_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o hinder_v that_o they_o promote_v a_o man_n happiness_n even_o in_o this_o world_n and_o as_o to_o the_o other_o world_n there_o can_v be_v no_o inconvenience_n in_o the_o mistake_n for_o when_o a_o man_n be_v not_o it_o will_v be_v no_o trouble_n to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v once_o deceive_v about_o these_o matter_n and_o where_o no_o obligation_n of_o conscience_n nor_o of_o reason_n can_v be_v pretend_v there_o certal_o the_o law_n of_o civility_n ought_v to_o take_v place_n now_o man_n do_v profess_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a and_o to_o have_v a_o great_a veneration_n for_o these_o thing_n can_v there_o then_o be_v a_o great_a insolence_n than_o for_o a_o man_n when_o he_o come_v into_o company_n to_o rally_v and_o fall_v soul_n upon_o those_o thing_n for_o which_o he_o know_v the_o company_n have_v a_o reverence_n can_v one_o man_n offer_v a_o great_a affront_n to_o another_o than_o to_o expose_v to_o scorn_v he_o who_o he_o own_v and_o declare_v to_o be_v his_o best_a friend_n the_o patron_n of_o his_o life_n and_o the_o great_a benefactor_n he_o have_v in_o the_o world_n and_o do_v not_o every_o man_n that_o own_v a_o god_n say_v this_o of_o he_o but_o when_o the_o generality_n of_o mankind_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n the_o rudeness_n be_v still_o the_o great_a so_o that_o whoever_o do_v open_o contemn_v god_n and_o religion_n do_v delinquere_fw-la in_o majestatem_fw-la populi_fw-la &_o humani_fw-la generis_fw-la '_o he_o do_v offend_v against_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o people_n and_o that_o reverence_n which_o be_v due_a to_o the_o common_a apprehension_n of_o mankind_n whether_o they_o be_v true_a or_o not_o which_o be_v the_o great_a incivility_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v this_o be_v the_o first_o consideration_n and_o it_o be_v the_o least_o that_o i_o have_v to_o urge_v in_o this_o matter_n but_o yet_o i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a upon_o it_o because_o it_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o aught_o especial_o to_o prevail_v upon_o those_o who_o i_o be_o afraid_a be_v too_o often_o guilty_a of_o this_o vice_n i_o mean_v those_o who_o be_v of_o better_a breed_n because_o they_o pretend_v to_o understand_v the_o law_n of_o behaviour_n and_o the_o decency_n of_o conversation_n better_o than_o other_o man_n 2._o suppose_v it_o be_v doubtful_a whether_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o not_o and_o whether_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a or_o not_o and_o that_o the_o argument_n be_v equal_a on_o both_o side_n yet_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a folly_n to_o deride_v these_o thing_n and_o here_o i_o suppose_v as_o much_o as_o the_o atheist_n can_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n pretend_v to_o for_o no_o man_n ever_o yet_o pretend_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n nor_o no_o life_n after_o this_o for_o these_o be_v pure_a negative_n be_v capable_a of_o no_o proof_n unless_o a_o man_n can_v show_v they_o to_o be_v plain_o impossible_a the_o utmost_a that_o be_v pretend_v be_v that_o the_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v but_o if_o they_o be_v only_o probable_a so_o long_o as_o no_o argument_n be_v produce_v to_o the_o contrary_a that_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v a_o great_a advantage_n but_o i_o will_v for_o the_o present_n suppose_v the_o probability_n equal_a on_o both_o side_n and_o upon_o this_o supposition_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v to_o be_v a_o monstrous_a folly_n to_o deride_v these_o thing_n because_o though_o the_o argument_n on_o both_o side_n be_v equal_a yet_o the_o danger_n and_o hazard_n be_v infinite_o unequal_a if_o it_o prove_v true_a that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n the_o religious_a man_n may_v be_v as_o happy_a in_o this_o world_n as_o the_o atheist_n nay_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n do_v in_o their_o own_o nature_n tend_v to_o make_v he_o happy_a because_o they_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o his_o mind_n and_o his_o conscience_n by_o this_o mean_n be_v free_v from_o many_o fearful_a gird_n and_o twinge_n which_o the_o atheist_n feel_v beside_o that_o the_o practice_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n do_v natural_o promote_v our_o temporal_a felicity_n it_o be_v more_o for_o a_o man_n health_n and_o more_o for_o his_o reputation_n and_o more_o for_o his_o advantage_n in_o all_o other_o worldly_a respect_n to_o lead_v a_o virtuous_a than_o a_o vicious_a course_n of_o life_n and_o for_o the_o other_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o god_n the_o case_n of_o the_o religious_a man_n and_o the_o atheist_n will_v be_v alike_o because_o they_o will_v both_o be_v extinguish_v by_o death_n and_o insensible_a of_o any_o far_a happiness_n or_o misery_n but_o then_o if_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n shall_v prove_v true_a that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v transmit_v out_o of_o this_o world_n into_o the_o other_o there_o to_o receive_v the_o just_a reward_n of_o their_o action_n then_o it_o be_v plain_a to_o every_o man_n at_o first_o sight_n that_o the_o case_n of_o the_o religious_a man_n and_o the_o atheist_n must_v be_v vast_o different_a then_o where_o shall_v the_o wicked_a and_o the_o ungodly_a appear_v and_o what_o think_v we_o shall_v be_v the_o portion_n of_o those_o who_o have_v affront_v god_n and_o deride_v his_o word_n and_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v sacred_a and_o religious_a what_o can_v they_o expect_v but_o to_o be_v reject_v by_o he_o who_o they_o have_v renounce_v and_o to_o feel_v the_o terrible_a effect_n of_o that_o power_n and_o justice_n which_o they_o have_v despise_v so_o that_o though_o the_o argument_n on_o both_o side_n be_v equal_a yet_o the_o danger_n be_v not_o so_o on_o the_o one_o side_n there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o but_o it_o be_v infinite_a on_o the_o other_o and_o consequent_o it_o must_v be_v a_o monstrous_a folly_n for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v a_o mock_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o he_o know_v not_o whether_o they_o be_v or_o not_o and_o if_o they_o be_v of_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n they_o be_v no_o jest_a matter_n 3._o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a then_o be_v it_o not_o only_o a_o heinous_a impiety_n but_o a_o perfect_a madness_n to_o scoff_n at_o these_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a i_o have_v already_o in_o my_o former_a discourse_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v both_o from_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v make_v and_o from_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n in_o these_o principle_n of_o which_o universal_a consent_n no_o sufficient_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v unless_o they_o be_v true_a and_o suppose_v they_o be_v so_o it_o be_v not_o only_o the_o utmost_a pitch_n of_o impiety_n but_o the_o high_a flight_n of_o folly_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o deride_v these_o thing_n to_o be_v disobedient_a to_o the_o command_n of_o god_n be_v a_o great_a contempt_n but_o to_o deny_v his_o be_v and_o to_o make_v sport_n with_o his_o word_n and_o to_o endeavour_v to_o render_v it_o ridiculous_a by_o turn_v the_o wise_a and_o weighty_a say_n of_o that_o holy_a book_n into_o raillery_n be_v a_o most_o direct_a affront_n to_o the_o god_n that_o be_v above_o thus_o the_o psalmist_n describe_v these_o atheistical_a person_n as_o level_v their_o blasphemy_n immediate_o against_o the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n they_o set_v their_o mouth_n against_o the_o heaven_n and_o their_o tongue_n walk_v through_o the_o earth_n they_o do_v mischief_n among_o man_n but_o the_o affront_n be_v immediate_o to_o god_n beside_o that_o this_o profane_a spirit_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o a_o most_o incorrigible_a temper_n the_o wise_a man_n every_o where_o speak_v of_o the_o scorner_n as_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o sinner_n and_o hard_a to_o be_v reclaim_v because_o he_o despise_v instruction_n and_o mock_n at_o all_o the_o mean_n whereby_o he_o shall_v be_v reform_v and_o then_o be_v it_o not_o a_o most_o black_a and_o horrid_a ingratitude_n
thus_o to_o use_v the_o author_n of_o our_o being_n and_o the_o patron_n of_o our_o life_n to_o make_v a_o scorn_n of_o he_o that_o make_v we_o and_o to_o live_v in_o a_o open_a defiance_n of_o he_o in_o who_o we_o live_v move_v and_o have_v our_o being_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o as_o it_o be_v a_o most_o heinous_a so_o it_o be_v a_o most_o dangerous_a impiety_n to_o despise_v he_o that_o can_v destroy_v we_o and_o to_o oppose_v he_o who_o be_v infinite_o more_o powerful_a than_o we_o be_v will_v you_o say_v the_o apostle_n provoke_v the_o lord_n to_o jealousy_n be_v you_o strong_a than_o he_o what_o gamaliel_n say_v to_o the_o jew_n in_o another_o case_n may_v with_o a_o little_a change_n be_v apply_v to_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n be_v true_a you_o can_v overthrow_v they_o therefore_o refrain_v from_o speak_v against_o these_o thing_n lest_o you_o be_v find_v fighter_n against_o god_n i_o will_v but_o add_v one_o thing_n more_o to_o show_v the_o folly_n of_o this_o profane_a temper_n and_o that_o be_v this_o that_o as_o it_o be_v the_o great_a of_o all_o other_o sin_n so_o there_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o least_o temptation_n to_o it_o when_o the_o devil_n tempt_v man_n with_o riches_n or_o honour_n to_o ruin_v themselves_o he_o offer_v they_o some_o kind_n of_o consideration_n but_o the_o profane_a person_n serve_v the_o devil_n for_o nought_o and_o sin_n only_o for_o sin_n sake_n suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v tempt_v to_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o into_o the_o great_a danger_n for_o no_o other_o reward_n but_o the_o slender_a reputation_n of_o seem_v to_o say_v that_o witty_o which_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v say_v and_o what_o a_o folly_n be_v this_o for_o a_o man_n to_o offend_v his_o conscience_n to_o please_v his_o humour_n and_o only_o for_o his_o jest_n to_o lose_v two_o of_o the_o best_a friend_n he_o have_v in_o the_o world_n god_n and_o his_o own_o soul_n i_o have_v do_v with_o the_o three_o thing_n i_o propound_v to_o speak_v to_o upon_o this_o argument_n and_o now_o i_o beg_v your_o patience_n to_o apply_v what_o i_o have_v say_v to_o these_o three_o purpose_n 1._o to_o take_v man_n off_o from_o this_o impious_a and_o dangerous_a folly_n of_o profaneness_n which_o by_o some_o be_v miscall_v wit_n 2._o to_o caution_n man_n not_o to_o think_v the_o worse_a of_o religion_n because_o some_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o despise_v and_o deride_v it_o 3._o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o employ_v that_o reason_n and_o wit_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o to_o better_a and_o noble_a purpose_n in_o the_o service_n and_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o that_o god_n who_o have_v bestow_v these_o gift_n on_o man_n 1._o to_o take_v man_n off_o from_o this_o impious_a and_o dangerous_a folly_n i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o some_o man_n have_v the_o fortune_n to_o be_v esteem_v wit_n only_o for_o jest_v out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n and_o for_o make_v bold_a to_o scoff_n at_o those_o thing_n which_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n reverence_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v account_v a_o wit_n for_o revile_v those_o in_o authority_n which_o be_v no_o more_o a_o argument_n of_o any_o man_n wit_n than_o it_o be_v of_o his_o discretion_n a_o wise_a man_n will_v not_o speak_v contemptuous_o of_o a_o great_a prince_n though_o he_o be_v out_o of_o his_o dominion_n because_o he_o remember_v that_o king_n have_v long_a hand_n and_o that_o their_o power_n and_o influence_n do_v many_o time_n reach_v a_o great_a way_n far_o than_o their_o direct_a authority_n but_o god_n be_v a_o great_a king_n and_o in_o his_o hand_n be_v all_o the_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n we_o can_v go_v no_o whither_o from_o his_o spirit_n nor_o can_v we_o flee_v from_o his_o presence_n wherever_o we_o be_v his_o eye_n see_v we_o and_o his_o right_a hand_n can_v reach_v we_o if_o man_n do_v true_o consult_v the_o interest_n either_o of_o their_o safety_n or_o reputation_n they_o will_v never_o exercise_v their_o wit_n in_o dangerous_a matter_n wit_n be_v a_o very_a commendable_a quality_n but_o then_o a_o wise_a man_n shall_v always_o have_v the_o keep_n of_o it_o it_o be_v a_o sharp_a weapon_n as_o apt_a for_o mischief_n as_o for_o good_a purpose_n if_o it_o be_v not_o well_o manage_v the_o proper_a use_n of_o it_o be_v to_o season_v conversation_n to_o represent_v what_o be_v praiseworthy_a to_o the_o great_a advantage_n and_o to_o expose_v the_o vice_n and_o folly_n of_o man_n such_o thing_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o true_o ridiculous_a but_o if_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o abuse_n of_o the_o grave_a and_o most_o serious_a matter_n it_o then_o lose_v its_o commendation_n if_o any_o man_n think_v he_o abound_v in_o this_o quality_n and_o have_v wit_n to_o spare_v there_o be_v scope_n enough_o for_o it_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o religion_n and_o decency_n and_o when_o it_o transgress_v these_o it_o degenerate_v into_o insolence_n and_o impiety_n all_o wit_n which_o border_n upon_o profaneness_n and_o make_v bold_a with_o those_o thing_n to_o which_o the_o great_a reverence_n be_v due_a deserve_v to_o be_v brand_v for_o folly_n and_o if_o we_o will_v preserve_v ourselves_o from_o the_o infection_n of_o this_o vice_n we_o must_v take_v heed_n how_o we_o scoff_v at_o religion_n under_o any_o form_n lest_o insensible_o we_o derive_v some_o contempt_n upon_o religion_n itself_o and_o we_o must_v likewise_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o accustom_v ourselves_o to_o a_o slight_a and_o irreverent_a use_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o of_o the_o phrase_n and_o expression_n of_o the_o holy_a bible_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v apply_v upon_o every_o light_a occasion_n man_n will_v easy_o slide_v into_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o profaneness_n who_o be_v not_o careful_a to_o preserve_v a_o due_a reverence_n of_o the_o great_a and_o glorious_a name_n of_o god_n and_o a_o awful_a regard_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n none_o so_o near_o dispose_v to_o scoff_v at_o religion_n as_o those_o who_o have_v accustom_v themselves_o to_o swear_v upon_o trifle_a occasion_n for_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o permit_v those_o who_o allow_v themselves_o in_o one_o degree_n of_o profaneness_n to_o proceed_v to_o another_o till_o at_o last_o they_o come_v to_o that_o height_n of_o impiety_n as_o to_o contemn_v all_o religion_n 2._o let_v no_o man_n think_v the_o worse_a of_o religion_n because_o some_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o despise_v and_o deride_v it_o for_o it_o be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o any_o person_n or_o thing_n to_o be_v laugh_v at_o but_o to_o deserve_v to_o be_v so_o the_o most_o grave_a and_o serious_a matter_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v abuse_v it_o be_v a_o know_v say_v of_o epictetus_n that_o every_o thing_n have_v two_o handle_n by_o which_o he_o mean_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o bad_a but_o a_o man_n may_v lay_v hold_n of_o something_o or_o other_o about_o it_o that_o will_v afford_v matter_n of_o excuse_n and_o extenuation_n nor_o nothing_o so_o excellent_a but_o a_o man_n may_v fasten_v upon_o something_o or_o other_o belong_v to_o it_o whereby_o to_o reduce_v it_o a_o sharp_a wit_n may_v find_v something_o in_o the_o wise_a man_n whereby_o to_o expose_v he_o to_o the_o contempt_n of_o injudicious_a people_n the_o grave_a book_n that_o ever_o be_v write_v may_v be_v make_v ridiculous_a by_o apply_v the_o say_n of_o it_o to_o a_o foolish_a purpose_n for_o a_o jest_n may_v be_v obtrude_v upon_o any_o thing_n and_o therefore_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v the_o less_o reverence_n for_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n or_o for_o the_o holy_a scripture_n because_o idle_a and_o profane_a wit_n can_v break_v jest_n upon_o they_o nothing_o be_v so_o easy_a as_o to_o take_v particular_a phrase_n and_o expression_n out_o of_o the_o best_a book_n in_o the_o world_n and_o to_o abuse_v they_o by_o force_v a_o odd_a and_o ridiculous_a sense_n upon_o they_o but_o no_o wise_a man_n will_v think_v a_o good_a book_n foolish_a for_o this_o reason_n but_o the_o man_n that_o abuse_v it_o nor_o will_v he_o esteem_v that_o to_o which_o every_o thing_n be_v liable_a to_o be_v a_o just_a exception_n against_o any_o thing_n at_o this_o rate_n we_o must_v despise_v all_o thing_n but_o sure_o the_o better_a and_o the_o short_a way_n be_v to_o contemn_v those_o who_o will_v bring_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v worthy_a into_o contempt_n 3._o and_o last_o to_o persuade_v man_n to_o employ_v that_o reason_n and_o wit_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o to_o better_a and_o noble_a purpose_n in_o the_o service_n and_o to_o the_o glory_n of_o that_o god_n who_o have_v
also_o have_v confidence_n in_o the_o flesh_n if_o any_o other_o man_n think_v that_o he_o have_v whereof_o he_o may_v trust_v in_o the_o flesh_n i_o more_o circumcise_v the_o eight_o day_n of_o the_o stock_n of_o israel_n etc._n etc._n and_o yet_o he_o tell_v we_o he_o be_v content_v to_o forgo_v all_o these_o advantage_n for_o christ_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n v._o 7._o but_o what_o thing_n be_v gain_v to_o i_o those_o i_o count_v loss_n for_o christ_n and_o not_o only_o these_o but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n else_o that_o man_n value_v in_o this_o world_n he_o be_v willing_a to_o hazard_v that_o also_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n v._o 8._o yea_o doubtless_o and_o i_o count_v all_o thing_n but_o loss_n for_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n my_o lord_n in_o which_o word_n the_o apostle_n declare_v the_o high_a esteem_n he_o have_v for_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o he_o call_v the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n his_o lord_n the_o excellency_n whereof_o appear_v so_o great_a to_o he_o that_o he_o value_v nothing_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o advantage_n which_o he_o have_v by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o my_o design_n at_o this_o time_n from_o this_o text_n be_v to_o represent_v the_o excellency_n of_o this_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n above_o that_o of_o any_o other_o religion_n or_o institution_n in_o the_o world_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v not_o consider_v the_o external_a evidence_n which_o we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o of_o the_o divinity_n of_o its_o doctrine_n in_o which_o respect_n it_o have_v incomparable_o the_o advantage_n of_o any_o other_o religion_n but_o only_o the_o internal_a excellency_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o abstract_v from_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o it_o and_o that_o in_o these_o four_o respect_n first_o as_o it_o do_v more_o clear_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n second_o as_o it_o give_v we_o a_o more_o certain_a and_o perfect_a law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n three_o as_o it_o propound_v to_o we_o more_o powerful_a argument_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o this_o law_n four_o as_o it_o furnish_v we_o with_o better_a motive_n and_o consideration_n to_o patience_n and_o contentedness_n under_o the_o evil_n and_o affliction_n of_o this_o life_n now_o these_o be_v the_o great_a advantage_n that_o any_o religion_n can_v have_v to_o give_v man_n right_a apprehension_n of_o god_n a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o good_a â—ife_n and_o efficacious_a argument_n to_o persuade_v man_n to_o be_v good_a and_o patient_o to_o bear_v the_o evil_n and_o suffering_n of_o this_o life_n and_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o head_n of_o my_o follow_a discourse_n i._o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v more_o clear_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n than_o any_o religion_n ever_o do_v and_o to_o have_v right_a apprehension_n of_o god_n be_v the_o great_a foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n for_o according_a as_o man_n notion_n of_o god_n be_v such_o will_v their_o religion_n be_v if_o man_n have_v gross_a and_o false_a conception_n of_o god_n their_o religion_n will_v be_v absurd_a and_o superstitious_a if_o man_n fancy_n god_n to_o be_v a_o ill-natured_a be_v arm_v with_o infinite_a power_n one_o that_o delight_v in_o the_o misery_n and_o ruin_n of_o his_o creature_n and_o be_v ready_a to_o take_v all_o advantage_n against_o they_o they_o may_v fear_v he_o but_o they_o will_v bate_v he_o and_o they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o be_v such_o towards_o one_o another_o as_o they_o fancy_n god_n to_o be_v towards_o they_o for_o all_o religion_n do_v natural_o incline_v man_n to_o imitate_v he_o who_o they_o worship_v now_o the_o christian_a religion_n give_v we_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o a_o more_o lovely_a character_n of_o god_n than_o any_o religion_n ever_o do_v it_o represent_v he_o to_o we_o as_o a_o pure_a spirit_n which_o the_o heathen_n do_v not_o general_o believe_v and_o that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v worship_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o his_o spiritual_a nature_n which_o not_o only_o the_o heathen_n but_o even_o the_o jew_n themselves_o be_v extreme_o mistake_v about_o god_n be_v a_o spirit_n say_v our_o saviour_n and_o they_o that_o worship_v he_o must_v worship_v he_o in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o god_n himself_o do_v command_v sacrifice_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o all_o those_o external_a and_o troublesome_a observance_n of_o which_o their_o religion_n do_v consist_v but_o than_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v that_o he_o do_v not_o institute_v this_o way_n of_o worship_n because_o it_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o his_o own_o nature_n but_o because_o of_o the_o carnality_n of_o their_o heart_n and_o the_o proneness_n of_o that_o people_n to_o idolatry_n god_n do_v not_o prescribe_v these_o thing_n because_o they_o be_v best_a but_o because_o the_o temper_n of_o that_o people_n will_v then_o admit_v of_o nothing_o better_a and_o this_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o several_a intimation_n of_o 51.16_o psal_n 51.16_o thou_o desire_v not_o sacrifice_v thou_o delight_v not_o in_o burnt-offering_n say_v david_n and_o elsewhere_o more_o express_o to_o this_o purpose_n i_o speak_v not_o unto_o your_o father_n say_v god_n by_o the_o prophet_n jeremiah_n nor_o command_v they_o in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o bring_v they_o forth_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n concern_v burnt-offering_n and_o sacrifice_n but_o this_o thing_n command_v i_o they_o say_v obey_v my_o voice_n a_o sufficient_a intimation_n that_o god_n do_v not_o primary_o intend_v to_o appoint_v this_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o to_o impose_v it_o upon_o they_o as_o that_o which_o be_v most_o proper_a and_o agreeable_a to_o he_o but_o that_o he_o condescend_v to_o it_o as_o most_o accommodate_v to_o their_o present_a state_n and_o inclination_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n also_o some_o understand_v what_o god_n say_v to_o the_o same_o people_n by_o the_o prophet_n ezekiel_n 20.25_o ezek._n 20.25_o that_o he_o give_v they_o statute_n that_o be_v not_o good_a and_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n give_v a_o more_o perfect_a so_o a_o more_o amiable_a and_o lovely_a character_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n no_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n do_v so_o full_o represent_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o his_o tender_a love_n to_o mankind_n which_o be_v the_o best_a and_o most_o powerful_a argument_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n the_o heathen_n do_v general_o dread_a god_n and_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o fierce_a and_o cruel_a and_o revengeful_a and_o therefore_o they_o endeavour_v to_o appease_v he_o by_o the_o horrid_a and_o barbarous_a sacrifice_n of_o man_n and_o of_o their_o own_o child_n and_o all_o along_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n god_n be_v general_o represent_v as_o very_o strict_a and_o severe_a but_o there_o be_v not_o where_o so_o plain_a and_o full_a declaration_n of_o his_o mercy_n and_o love_n to_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o be_v make_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n god_n be_v usual_o style_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n the_o great_a and_o the_o terrible_a god_n but_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n he_o be_v represent_v to_o we_o by_o mild_a title_n the_o god_n and_o father_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n the_o father_n of_o mercy_n and_o the_o god_n of_o all_o consolation_n the_o god_n of_o all_o patience_n the_o god_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n nay_o he_o be_v say_v to_o be_v love_n itself_o and_o to_o dwell_v in_o love_n and_o this_o difference_n between_o the_o style_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v so_o remarkable_a that_o one_o of_o the_o great_a sect_n in_o the_o primitive_a church_n i_o mean_v that_o of_o the_o gnostic_n do_v upon_o this_o very_a ground_n find_v their_o heresy_n of_o two_o god_n the_o one_o evil_a and_o fierce_a and_o cruel_a who_o they_o call_v the_o god_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n the_o other_o good_a and_o kind_a and_o merciful_a who_o they_o call_v the_o god_n of_o the_o new_a so_o great_a a_o difference_n be_v there_o between_o the_o representation_n which_o be_v make_v of_o god_n in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o to_o give_v at_o least_o some_o colour_n and_o pretence_n for_o a_o imagination_n of_o two_o go_n ii_o christian_a religion_n have_v give_v we_o a_o more_o certain_a and_o perfect_a law_n for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n it_o have_v make_v our_o duty_n more_o plain_a and_o certain_a in_o many_o instance_n than_o either_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o heathen_a or_o the_o precept_n of_o moses_n have_v do_v it_o command_v universal_a love_n and_o kindness_n and_o good_a