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say_v that_o there_o happen_v at_o their_o prayer_n some_o thing_n which_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o all_o man_n and_o all_o natural_a cause_n they_o can_v not_o doubt_v but_o god_n declare_v himself_o in_o their_o behalf_n especial_o if_o they_o consider_v that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v be_v most_o worthy_a of_o he_o so_o that_o the_o fine_a doctrine_n that_o ever_o be_v attend_v with_o unheard-of_a miracle_n aught_o to_o excite_v the_o attention_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o altogether_o blind_v by_o their_o vice_n and_o prejudices_fw-la and_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o true_a minister_n of_o that_o god_n who_o create_v the_o world_n this_o be_v sir_n what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v to_o you_o concern_v miracle_n not_o to_o exhaust_v the_o matter_n but_o only_o to_o show_v the_o possibility_n and_o truth_n of_o those_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n i_o hearty_o pray_v god_n that_o it_o may_v contribute_v to_o reclaim_v those_o who_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o otherwise_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o be_o etc._n etc._n finis_fw-la book_n late_o print_v for_o awnsham_n and_o john_n churchill_n a_o short_a discourse_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n jesus_n to_o which_o be_v add_v some_o passage_n in_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n etc._n etc._n and_o its_o vindication_n with_o some_o animadversion_n on_o mr._n edwards_n reflection_n on_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n and_o on_o his_o book_n entitle_v socinianism_n vnmasque_v by_o samuel_n bold_a rector_n of_o steeple_n dorset_n 8o._o prince_n arthur_n a_o heroic_a poem_n in_o 10_o book_n by_o richard_n blackmore_n m._n d._n and_o fellow_n of_o the_o college_n of_o physician_n in_o london_n several_a paper_n relate_v to_o money_n interest_n and_o trade_n etc._n etc._n write_v upon_o several_a occasion_n and_o publish_v at_o different_a time_n by_o john_n lock_v esq_n 8o._o mr._n talent_n chronological_a table_n or_o a_o view_n of_o universal_a history_n from_o the_o creation_n to_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 1695._o wherein_o the_o most_o memorable_a person_n and_o thing_n in_o the_o know_a kingdom_n and_o country_n of_o the_o world_n be_v set_v down_o in_o several_a column_n by_o way_n of_o synchronism_n according_a to_o their_o proper_a century_n and_o year_n in_o 16_o copper_n plate_n notitia_fw-la monastica_fw-la or_o a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o religious_a house_n in_o england_n and_o wales_n etc._n etc._n by_o thomas_n tanner_n a._n b._n 8o._o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o same_o body_n assert_v etc._n etc._n by_o hump._n hody_n d._n d._n the_o gentleman_n religion_n with_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o 12o._o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n as_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n etc._n etc._n with_o a_o vindication_n against_o mr._n edwards_n exception_n by_o the_o same_o hand_n 8o._o a_o abridgement_n of_o mr._n lock_n be_v essay_n of_o human_a understanding_n by_o mr._n john_n wynne_n of_o jesus_n college_n oxford_n 8o._o
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
great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n shall_v not_o just_o render_v it_o suspect_v to_o unbeliever_n p._n 131._o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o incredulous_a be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o many_o people_n devotion_n p._n 143._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a p._n 165._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o incredulous_a object_n in_o vain_a that_o christianity_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o so_o ill_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v can_v be_v so_o useful_a to_o mankind_n as_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v p._n 180._o chap._n 6._o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o acquaintance_n make_v bad_a answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o it_o or_o because_o they_o maintain_v some_o false_a tenet_n as_o true_a and_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n p._n 199._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o bring_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o into_o doubt_n p._n 234._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n p._n 277._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 282._o letter_n 1._o wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o testimony_n they_o render_v to_o christ_n resurrection_n p._n 283._o letter_n 2._o show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o person_n true_o send_v of_o god_n p._n 307._o errata_fw-la page_n 18._o line_n 23._o read_v angusta_fw-la p._n 23._o l._n 8._o deal_n and._n of_o incredulity_n the_o preface_n contain_v the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n i_o can_v determine_v whether_o during_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n more_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o there_o may_v have_v be_v for_o these_o two_o hundred_o year_n past_a but_o that_o we_o have_v few_o remain_v of_o the_o precedent_a age_n than_o of_o the_o last_o two_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o teacher_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o follower_n whilst_o paganism_n be_v still_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n labour_v more_o in_o confute_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n than_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o think_v if_o they_o can_v once_o convince_v the_o heathen_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n then_o to_o make_v they_o christian_n and_o this_o i_o can_v most_o easy_o show_v be_v it_o at_o all_o useful_a to_o my_o design_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o paganism_n be_v abolish_v in_o europe_n and_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_n religion_n the_o teacher_n of_o it_o then_o left_a paganism_n to_o attack_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mahometans_n both_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o be_v among_o we_o but_o beside_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o mahometan_a and_o rabbinic_n doctrine_n doubt_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o peremptory_o judge_v it_o not_o true_a without_o set_v up_o any_o other_o religion_n in_o its_o place_n now_o to_o reduce_v these_o a_o new_a method_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v agree_v therefore_o to_o prove_v direct_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o insist_v upon_o the_o confutation_n of_o other_o persuasion_n and_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o that_o immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o manage_v with_o better_a success_n the_o heathen_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o mahometans_n be_v not_o ill_o confute_v before_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v far_o from_o be_v ever_o so_o well_o prove_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n nevertheless_o that_o there_o be_v still_o one_o thing_n behind_o which_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a have_v either_o not_o touch_v at_o all_o or_o but_o very_o slight_o i_o mean_v the_o secret_a motive_n and_o general_a reason_n which_o the_o incredulous_a have_v of_o not_o believe_v christianity_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v their_o internal_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n do_v so_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o reason_n offer_v they_o though_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a themselves_o of_o the_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o do_v this_o that_o all_o speak_n to_o they_o be_v in_o vain_a before_o the_o vnreasonableness_n of_o this_o disposition_n be_v make_v evident_a just_o as_o if_o any_o shall_v plead_v a_o good_a cause_n before_o prepossess_v judge_n without_o endeavour_v to_o cure_v they_o first_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o must_v needs_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o that_o thing_n as_o false_a whereupon_o all_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v ground_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pleader_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n though_o never_o so_o just_a will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o be_v cast_v or_o condemn_v this_o have_v be_v notwithstanding_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o champion_n of_o christianity_n they_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o well_o enough_o but_o their_o reason_n appear_v weak_a to_o the_o incredulous_a consider_v the_o disposition_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o whereof_o they_o know_v nothing_o themselves_o what_o be_v unreasonable_a therefore_o in_o this_o disposition_n must_v be_v discover_v and_o lay_v so_o clear_o before_o they_o that_o they_o may_v perceive_v how_o it_o impose_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n this_o be_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v teach_v we_o when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n 3.20_o joh._n 3.20_o neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v which_o signify_v that_o unbeliever_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o as_o true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o maxim_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o the_o habit_n they_o have_v be_v contract_v for_o many_o year_n on_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v that_o he_o that_o do_v truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n 21._o ver._n 21._o that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v easy_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o say_v 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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 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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
ill_o concern_v those_o thing_n they_o know_v by_o experience_n and_o that_o they_o govern_v themselves_o with_o prudence_n enough_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o life_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o i_o do_v not_o deny_v but_o those_o i_o speak_v of_o may_v reason_v very_o well_o about_o what_o be_v the_o object_n of_o their_o passion_n or_o when_o they_o confine_v themselves_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o their_o experience_n but_o i_o maintain_v that_o they_o have_v not_o as_o much_o as_o the_o notion_n of_o reason_v solid_o about_o speculative_a thing_n that_o make_v no_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n such_o as_o be_v the_o proof_n whereupon_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v build_v to_o be_v convince_v of_o this_o we_o need_v only_o examine_v they_o if_o we_o can_v upon_o these_o two_o head_n first_o we_o must_v discourse_v they_o about_o some_o abstract_a subject_n such_o as_o be_v for_o example_n the_o general_a idea_n of_o most_o thing_n the_o notion_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n and_o if_o they_o reason_v exact_o herein_o we_o may_v just_o conclude_v that_o these_o person_n be_v not_o of_o their_o number_n who_o continue_v unbeliever_n for_o want_v of_o know_v how_o to_o reason_v right_o but_o if_o we_o hear_v they_o talk_v of_o such_o matter_n without_o any_o principle_n or_o coherence_n if_o we_o see_v that_o they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v what_o be_v say_v to_o they_o upon_o such_o occasion_n be_v it_o never_o so_o clear_a or_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o pain_n take_v to_o make_v it_o plain_a which_o happen_v but_o too_o frequent_o than_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v i_o that_o their_o infidelity_n do_v at_o least_o proceed_v in_o part_n from_o their_o ignorance_n of_o the_o art_n of_o reason_v another_o way_n we_o have_v to_o discover_v this_o kind_n of_o unbeliever_n be_v when_o we_o find_v they_o distaste_v with_o all_o discourse_n upon_o abstract_a matter_n or_o with_o any_o thing_n that_o relate_v not_o to_o their_o 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discourse_n full_a of_o evidence_n and_o good_a sense_n be_v he_o tell_v of_o some_o method_n how_o to_o squeeze_v money_n dexterous_o out_o of_o his_o province_n or_o be_v he_o acquaint_v with_o some_o intrigue_n that_o may_v contribute_v to_o prefer_v he_o to_o a_o more_o considerable_a post_n he_o will_v immediate_o understand_v what_o be_v say_v to_o he_o or_o he_o will_v get_v it_o repeat_v to_o he_o so_o often_o and_o will_v have_v ask_v so_o many_o question_n about_o it_o that_o he_o shall_v at_o least_o have_v a_o exact_a notion_n of_o the_o business_n but_o because_o s._n paul_n speak_v to_o he_o of_o thing_n no_o way_n relate_v to_o his_o design_n or_o passion_n he_o can_v scarce_o patient_o hear_v he_o and_o understand_v nothing_o of_o his_o discourse_n there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n at_o this_o day_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o christendom_n who_o be_v very_o near_o in_o the_o same_o disposition_n they_o speak_v very_o well_o of_o their_o temporal_a affair_n or_o any_o thing_n belong_v to_o they_o they_o willing_o converse_v about_o the_o news_n of_o the_o time_n and_o that_o sometime_o with_o sense_n enough_o but_o put_v they_o once_o by_o such_o thing_n to_o talk_v of_o religion_n they_o be_v present_o tire_v they_o speak_v of_o it_o ridiculous_o they_o show_v in_o a_o word_n so_o great_a a_o contempt_n of_o such_o discourse_n as_o if_o they_o be_v matter_n beneath_o they_o and_o to_o which_o they_o can_v stoop_v without_o uneasiness_n as_o these_o unbeliever_n who_o reason_n not_o at_o all_o be_v moreover_o entire_o possess_v with_o passion_n opposite_a to_o the_o gospel_n and_o have_v be_v long_o habituate_v to_o obey_v they_o so_o they_o be_v not_o accessible_a on_o any_o side_n and_o i_o see_v not_o how_o without_o a_o miracle_n they_o can_v be_v convince_v of_o their_o miserable_a state_n nor_o reclaim_v from_o their_o error_n however_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o make_v some_o reflection_n upon_o this_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n that_o we_o may_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o such_o nor_o seduce_v by_o their_o way_n chap._n v._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 there_o be_v many_o man_n who_o have_v natural_o a_o genius_n good_a enough_o for_o abstract_a matter_n and_o that_o also_o be_v not_o whole_o neglect_v in_o their_o first_o education_n but_o who_o the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n have_v engage_v in_o occupation_n which_o have_v no_o affinity_n with_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n the_o necessary_n of_o their_o family_n or_o the_o desire_n of_o satisfy_v their_o passion_n do_v so_o take_v up_o their_o mind_n for_o several_a year_n together_o that_o they_o neglect_v all_o other_o thing_n never_o improve_v their_o natural_a part_n nor_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n with_o any_o application_n in_o the_o business_n of_o religion_n this_o negligence_n lead_v they_o insensible_o into_o doubt_v for_o if_o the_o connection_n of_o religious_a truth_n be_v not_o heedful_o attend_v to_o there_o arise_v a_o thousand_o difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n out_o of_o which_o we_o know_v not_o how_o to_o extricate_v ourselves_o from_o doubt_v man_n easy_o fall_v into_o infidelity_n whilst_o they_o neglect_v the_o search_n of_o what_o may_v remove_v their_o scruple_n for_o when_o once_o they_o be_v get_v into_o the_o understanding_n they_o be_v in_o motion_n upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o as_o the_o solution_n to_o they_o be_v not_o study_v after_o at_o the_o beginning_n we_o shall_v not_o wonder_v if_o in_o time_n they_o take_v such_o deep_a root_n as_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v a_o easy_a matter_n afterward_o to_o extirpate_v they_o if_o such_o as_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n serious_o examine_v themselves_o i_o be_o much_o mistake_v if_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o will_v confess_v that_o they_o have_v extreme_o neglect_v the_o care_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v use_v in_o order_n to_o be_v inform_v of_o a_o thing_n of_o such_o importance_n nay_o i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o unbeliever_n who_o perceive_v not_o if_o he_o mind_v it_o that_o this_o negligence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a cause_n of_o his_o incredulity_n and_o i_o shall_v bring_v many_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o work_n now_o to_o make_v what_o i_o have_v say_v more_o evident_a i_o will_v instance_n this_o fault_n in_o other_o person_n where_o people_n may_v remark_n it_o more_o impartial_o than_o in_o themselves_o when_o christianity_n begin_v to_o make_v a_o noise_n in_o judea_n that_o be_v chief_o when_o the_o apostle_n declare_v every_o where_o the_o resurrection_n of_o their_o master_n and_o show_v that_o he_o want_v not_o faithful_a disciple_n on_o earth_n though_o he_o be_v himself_o no_o more_o there_o all_o the_o jew_n ought_v one_o will_v think_v to_o have_v inform_v themselves_o of_o what_o these_o disciple_n say_v see_v they_o be_v thing_n most_o near_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v they_o expect_v their_o messiah_n about_o that_o time_n they_o groan_v so_o heavy_o under_o the_o roman_a tyranny_n that_o they_o wish_v for_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o liberty_n and_o they_o hope_v the_o messiah_n shall_v prove_v their_o deliverer_n in_o this_o disposition_n they_o ought_v to_o hearken_v i_o shall_v think_v to_o every_o one_o that_o speak_v to_o they_o of_o a_o messiah_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o their_o doubt_n whether_o the_o wish_a deliverer_n be_v yet_o come_v or_o not_o methinks_v too_o the_o apostle_n shall_v have_v be_v hear_v of_o all_o the_o world_n when_o they_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n of_o their_o master_n especial_o his_o resurrection_n for_o indeed_o these_o miracle_n be_v so_o great_a and_o many_o that_o more_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o messiah_n the_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
how_o he_o do_v it_o this_o be_v undeniable_a i_o conclude_v from_o it_o that_o though_o i_o have_v no_o distinct_a idea_n of_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o god_n may_v have_v produce_v body_n out_o of_o nothing_o yet_o i_o can_v deny_v it_o especial_o if_o we_o observe_v in_o matter_n no_o character_n of_o eternity_n it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n even_o to_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v eternal_a and_o much_o more_o absurd_a still_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o christian_a divine_n who_o say_v that_o it_o be_v create_v out_o of_o nothing_o though_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v we_o from_o ground_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o that_o foundation_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v institute_v for_o illiterate_a man_n as_o well_o as_o for_o scholar_n do_v not_o necessary_o suppose_v these_o sort_n of_o thing_n which_o require_v a_o great_a meditation_n than_o the_o vulgar_a be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o apprehend_v that_o god_n impart_v to_o matter_n the_o form_n it_o now_o have_v to_o pay_v to_o he_o all_o the_o duty_n which_o he_o require_v from_o we_o in_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o without_o suppose_v what_o i_o have_v prove_v concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o body_n we_o must_v inquire_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o form_n they_o have_v be_v eternal_a there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o form_n no_o more_o than_o in_o matter_n which_o can_v make_v we_o suspect_v that_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v now_o never_o have_v a_o beginning_n though_o we_o have_v not_o see_v the_o formation_n of_o the_o great_a body_n that_o surround_v we_o and_o not_o one_o eye-witness_n have_v leave_v a_o relation_n of_o it_o though_o it_o seem_v that_o little_a or_o no_o sensible_a alteration_n happen_v in_o the_o world_n in_o general_a yet_o no_o body_n can_v say_v for_o all_o that_o that_o it_o have_v be_v the_o same_o from_o all_o eternity_n because_o the_o world_n may_v have_v be_v frame_v before_o there_o be_v any_o man_n upon_o the_o earth_n but_o beside_o we_o can_v say_v that_o the_o form_n of_o the_o world_n be_v eternal_a and_o consequent_o that_o man_n and_o other_o animal_n which_o make_v a_o part_n of_o it_o have_v always_o be_v upon_o earth_n the_o perpetual_a succession_n which_o we_o see_v in_o their_o kind_n do_v plain_o teach_v we_o that_o they_o have_v a_o beginning_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o the_o animal_n who_o live_v at_o present_a be_v bear_v of_o their_o father_n and_o mother_n and_o these_o after_o the_o same_o manner_n and_o so_o in_o infinitum_fw-la so_o as_o never_o to_o come_v to_o the_o first_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v because_o being_n that_n have_v a_o limit_a duration_n as_o that_o of_o every_o generation_n be_v can_v equal_v eternity_n by_o such_o a_o duration_n as_o a_o number_n of_o limit_a measure_n though_o never_o so_o great_a can_v be_v equal_a to_o a_o infinite_a extension_n every_o generation_n single_o take_v have_v have_v a_o beginning_n we_o must_v necessary_o come_v to_o the_o beginning_n of_o those_o generation_n it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_a that_o man_n and_o beast_n begin_v to_o exist_v upon_o earth_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o be_v form_v by_o some_o cause_n epicurus_n who_o say_v that_o they_o be_v form_v by_o a_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n make_v more_o ridiculous_a supposition_n and_o more_o absurd_a conjecture_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o ancient_a fable_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o no_o body_n maintain_v his_o hypothesis_n now_o but_o other_o say_v that_o whatever_o exist_v be_v proper_o but_o one_o be_v that_o modify_v itself_o by_o a_o necessary_a consequence_n from_o its_o nature_n if_o any_o body_n know_v what_o they_o mean_v or_o if_o they_o know_v it_o themselves_o they_o may_v be_v confute_v but_o a_o opinion_n that_o be_v so_o absurd_a and_o nonsensical_a though_o it_o have_v the_o outward_a appearance_n of_o a_o geometrical_a order_n can_v deceive_v no_o body_n but_o those_o who_o will_v be_v deceive_v and_o be_v incline_v to_o it_o from_o some_o other_o reason_n wherefore_o see_v nothing_o can_v give_v a_o beginning_n to_o itself_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v more_o excellent_a than_o all_o animal_n who_o form_v they_o upon_o this_o earth_n and_o this_o be_v that_o be_v which_o christian_n call_v god_n thus_o they_o must_v of_o necessity_n acknowledge_v a_o god_n who_o have_v create_v we_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o prove_v that_o he_o create_v the_o sun_n and_o the_o planet_n because_o limit_a period_n as_o those_o of_o the_o planet_n be_v can_v never_o exhaust_v eternity_n though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o much_o multiply_v so_o that_o we_o may_v very_o well_o say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o no_o objection_n can_v force_v we_o to_o renounce_v that_o proposition_n see_v we_o direct_o prove_v it_o by_o undeniable_a argument_n and_o the_o objection_n that_o may_v be_v oppose_v to_o they_o do_v not_o destroy_v they_o and_o be_v but_o the_o natural_a effect_n of_o our_o ignorance_n they_o object_n for_o example_n that_o they_o can_v apprehend_v how_o god_n who_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v immaterial_a can_v create_v body_n out_o of_o nothing_o none_o can_v give_v what_o he_o have_v not_o say_v they_o so_o that_o god_n be_v incorporeal_a can_v not_o give_v to_o body_n the_o propriety_n which_o they_o have_v but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o this_o very_a argument_n will_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o motion_n in_o nature_n for_o one_o may_v say_v matter_n have_v no_o motion_n of_o itself_o and_o that_o which_o be_v immaterial_a have_v less_o still_a none_o can_v give_v what_o he_o have_v not_o wherefore_o matter_n have_v no_o motion_n let_v they_o try_v to_o answer_v this_o argument_n and_o the_o answer_n if_o it_o be_v good_a will_v resolve_v the_o propose_a objection_n against_o the_o creation_n of_o matter_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n contain_v the_o real_a propriety_n of_o all_o being_n but_o without_o have_v the_o imperfection_n and_o defect_n of_o they_o see_v it_o be_v certain_a he_o have_v create_v they_o and_o he_o be_v infinite_o more_o perfect_a than_o all_o the_o thing_n to_o which_o he_o give_v a_o beginning_n by_o this_o argument_n we_o ascend_v from_o the_o effect_n to_o the_o cause_n but_o we_o do_v learn_v by_o it_o nor_o by_o any_o other_o argument_n how_o the_o real_a propriety_n of_o creature_n be_v in_o god_n nor_o how_o he_o make_v they_o to_o exist_v the_o fact_n be_v as_o certain_a as_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o be_v above_o human_a understanding_n as_o well_o as_o the_o origin_n of_o motion_n though_o no_o body_n can_v doubt_v of_o its_o existence_n there_o be_v another_o thing_n which_o the_o incredulous_a will_v not_o believe_v viz._n the_o revelation_n which_o we_o say_v be_v contain_v in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n whatever_o they_o say_v concern_v revelation_n in_o general_n be_v ground_v upon_o this_o prejudice_n viz._n that_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o experience_n of_o a_o revelation_n they_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o but_o nothing_o can_v be_v weak_a than_o argument_n ground_v only_o upon_o our_o ignorance_n and_o which_o suppose_v that_o what_o we_o know_v not_o be_v not_o true_a as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v those_o who_o deny_v revelation_n shall_v either_o manifest_o prove_v that_o god_n can_v reveal_v himself_o to_o his_o creature_n after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n which_o no_o body_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v or_o find_v out_o in_o that_o revelation_n some_o manifest_a character_n of_o falsity_n which_o no_o body_n can_v show_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n this_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o unbeliever_n but_o their_o repugnancy_n to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n arise_v partly_o from_o their_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o history_n thereof_o and_o not_o perceive_v how_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n appear_v in_o it_o i_o shall_v set_v down_o that_o history_n in_o a_o few_o word_n man_n know_v nothing_o but_o by_o experience_n and_o reflection_n and_o experience_n be_v slow_a and_o reflection_n oftentime_o difficult_a god_n show_v they_o by_o some_o revelation_n from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o know_v concern_v his_o nature_n and_o the_o worship_n he_o require_v from_o they_o though_o moses_n have_v give_v we_o but_o a_o short_a abridgement_n of_o the_o history_n of_o what_o pass_v during_o above_o two_o thousand_o year_n before_o he_o receive_v the_o law_n of_o god_n yet_o he_o mention_n etc._n mention_n gen._n 3.3.9_o etc._n etc._n &_o 6.13_o &_o 7.1_o &_o 8.15_o &_o 9.1_o &_o 12.1_o etc._n etc._n