Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
book_n old_a prophet_n testament_n 5,085 5 8.1969 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A28272 No reason to desire new revelations a sermon preach'd at the Cathedral-Church of St. Paul, October 7th, 1700, being the seventh for the year 1700, of the lecture founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq. / by Ofspring Blackall ... Blackall, Offspring, 1654-1716. 1700 (1700) Wing B3047; ESTC R18677 36,532 66

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

no_o reason_n to_o desire_v new_a revelation_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n october_n seven_o 1700._o be_v the_o seven_o for_o the_o year_n 1700_o of_o the_o lecture_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o offspring_n blackall_n d._n d._n rector_n of_o st._n marry_o aldermary_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o j._n leake_n for_o walter_n kettilby_n at_o the_o bishop_n head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o st._n luke_n xvi_o 29_o 30_o 31._o abraham_n say_v unto_o he_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o and_o he_o say_v nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a when_o i_o first_o begin_v to_o discourse_n on_o these_o word_n i_o propose_v to_o speak_v to_o these_o three_o point_n i._o to_o show_v that_o the_o present_a stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n contain_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o persuade_v man_n to_o repentance_n if_o they_o be_v not_o unreasonable_o blind_a and_o obstinate_a they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n i_o add_v they_o have_v also_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n let_v they_o hear_v they_o ii_o to_o show_v that_o have_v already_o such_o good_a ground_n of_o faith_n such_o full_a direction_n for_o practice_n and_o such_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a request_n to_o desire_v more_o nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o iii_o last_o to_o show_v that_o in_o case_n god_n shall_v condescend_v to_o gratify_v man_n in_o this_o unreasonable_a desire_n work_v every_o day_n new_a miracle_n before_o their_o eye_n or_o send_v their_o decease_a friend_n to_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o assure_v they_o of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o to_o warn_v they_o to_o prepare_v for_o it_o it_o be_v high_o probable_a that_o very_o few_o or_o none_o of_o those_o who_o do_v not_o believe_v and_o be_v not_o bring_v to_o repentance_n by_o the_o preach_a and_o stand_v revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v be_v persuade_v by_o this_o mean_n if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n nor_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a the_o first_o of_o these_o have_v be_v the_o subject_n of_o several_a former_a discourse_n the_o second_o i_o design_n to_o speak_v to_o at_o this_o time_n viz._n ii_o to_o show_v that_o have_v already_o such_o good_a ground_n of_o faith_n such_o full_a direction_n for_o practice_n and_o such_o strong_a motive_n to_o repentance_n as_o i_o have_v show_v we_o have_v in_o that_o stand_a revelation_n of_o god_n will_n which_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n it_o be_v a_o unreasonable_a request_n to_o desire_v more_o nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v unto_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v repent_v and_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o request_n which_o the_o rich_a man_n here_o make_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o his_o brethren_n viz._n that_o god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o send_v one_o from_o the_o dead_a to_o preach_v to_o they_o or_o in_o general_a how_o unreasonable_a it_o be_v for_o man_n now_o a-days_o to_o desire_v or_o look_v for_o more_o mean_n of_o conversion_n or_o motive_n to_o repentance_n than_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o afford_v we_o in_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v appear_v if_o we_o consider_v these_o follow_a thing_n 1._o that_o the_o principle_n of_o faith_n and_o the_o motive_n to_o repentance_n which_o we_o have_v already_o be_v well_o ground_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o have_v be_v once_o already_o sufficient_o prove_v and_o attest_v it_o be_v altogether_o needless_a that_o any_o fresh_a or_o further_a proof_n shall_v be_v give_v of_o they_o and_o it_o be_v what_o we_o never_o think_v reasonable_a to_o desire_v in_o other_o the_o like_a case_n that_o when_o god_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n and_o send_v a_o special_a messenger_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o his_o will_n he_o shall_v grant_v to_o this_o messenger_n such_o testimonial_n as_o be_v sufficient_a to_o satisfy_v reasonable_a man_n that_o he_o be_v no_o impostor_n but_o a_o teacher_n send_v from_o god_n be_v indeed_o a_o thing_n that_o may_v fair_o be_v expect_v and_o if_o god_n shall_v not_o do_v thus_o we_o shall_v be_v excusable_a in_o not_o harken_v to_o such_o a_o messenger_n because_o we_o can_v not_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v a_o true_a or_o a_o false_a prophet_n and_o god_n do_v not_o require_v neither_o indeed_o be_v it_o reasonable_a that_o we_o shall_v believe_v every_o pretender_n to_o revelation_n and_o the_o clear_a proof_n of_o any_o man_n be_v be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o teach_v we_o any_o thing_n be_v a_o power_n of_o do_v such_o miracle_n and_o mighty_a work_n as_o be_v manifest_o above_o the_o skill_n and_o strength_n of_o a_o man_n to_o do_v it_o be_v therefore_o high_o requisite_a and_o what_o may_v reasonable_o be_v look_v for_o that_o god_n shall_v grant_v such_o a_o power_n as_o this_o to_o all_o those_o who_o he_o have_v ever_o inspire_v with_o new_a light_n and_o commission_v to_o make_v any_o new_a revelation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o mankind_n and_o this_o he_o have_v always_o do_v he_o give_v this_o power_n to_o moses_n in_o a_o large_a measure_n because_o the_o matter_n that_o man_n be_v to_o trust_v he_o for_o be_v many_o and_o very_o considerable_a he_o give_v it_o also_o to_o some_o of_o the_o succeed_a prophet_n but_o in_o a_o less_o measure_n because_o their_o business_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v only_o to_o interpret_v or_o to_o press_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n which_o have_v be_v sufficient_o prove_v before_o and_o he_o give_v it_o in_o the_o large_a measure_n of_o all_o to_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n because_o the_o revelation_n make_v by_o they_o be_v of_o truth_n very_o mysterious_a some_o of_o they_o above_o the_o reach_n and_o comprehension_n of_o humane_a reason_n it_o be_v also_o a_o revelation_n in_o a_o manner_n whole_o new_a even_o to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o and_o much_o more_o to_o the_o gentile_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v a_o revelation_n in_o many_o point_n to_o appearance_n contrary_a to_o a_o former_a divine_a revelation_n inasmuch_o as_o it_o order_v the_o abolition_n of_o many_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v before_o enjoin_v by_o divine_a authority_n viz._n all_o the_o ritual_a and_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n and_o therefore_o to_o gain_v credit_n to_o their_o testimony_n that_o they_o be_v inspire_v and_o send_v by_o god_n to_o teach_v such_o thing_n it_o be_v very_o requisite_a that_o they_o shall_v produce_v more_o and_o more_o plain_a and_o undeniable_a testimonial_n of_o their_o divine_a mission_n than_o moses_n himself_o have_v do_v and_o such_o testimonial_n they_o have_v such_o they_o do_v produce_v work_v more_o miracle_n and_o those_o as_o i_o may_v say_v more_o wonderful_a and_o miraculous_a than_o moses_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n together_o have_v wrought_v before_o but_o when_o these_o testimonial_n have_v be_v once_o fair_o produce_v and_o examine_v and_o by_o all_o reasonable_a man_n allow_v to_o be_v true_a and_o sufficient_a and_o when_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v make_v and_o publish_v all_o that_o revelation_n which_o they_o be_v commissioned_n to_o make_v and_o when_o to_o prevent_v all_o misunderstanding_n of_o it_o or_o mistake_v concern_v it_o they_o have_v commit_v it_o all_o to_o write_v and_o the_o man_n that_o live_v in_o those_o time_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o the_o book_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n be_v indeed_o they_o and_o contain_v in_o substance_n all_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o no_o other_o which_o they_o have_v before_o declare_v by_o word_n of_o mouth_n and_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n after_o this_o i_o say_v when_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o revelation_n be_v thus_o once_o at_o the_o first_o publish_v of_o it_o so_o full_o confirm_v there_o be_v no_o need_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v prove_v any_o more_o and_o all_o other_o proof_n thereof_o will_v have_v be_v superfluous_a because_o the_o whole_a matter_n both_o doctrine_n and_o proof_n be_v once_o faithful_o record_v and_o those_o record_n well_o attest_v there_o can_v afterward_o be_v no_o reasonable_a cause_n to_o call_v it_o
and_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n as_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o a_o possibility_n of_o doubt_v will_v destroy_v our_o freedom_n of_o choice_n and_o with_o it_o the_o virtue_n and_o excellency_n of_o believe_v for_o it_o be_v not_o faith_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v and_o feel_v and_o it_o be_v no_o commendation_n to_o a_o man_n to_o be_v good_a and_o virtuous_a if_o his_o virtue_n be_v not_o the_o fruit_n of_o a_o wise_a judgement_n and_o a_o free_a choice_n which_o it_o will_v not_o be_v if_o his_o judgement_n be_v over_o bear_v by_o irrefragable_a demonstration_n and_o if_o that_o far_a proof_n and_o evidence_n that_o be_v desire_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v no_o other_o than_o such_o as_o will_v leave_v we_o a_o freedom_n of_o choice_n and_o a_o possibility_n of_o doubt_v than_o i_o say_v it_o be_v not_o likely_a it_o shall_v be_v more_o convince_a to_o we_o than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v already_o in_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n for_o it_o may_v be_v consider_v further_o in_o the_o second_o place_n 2._o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v such_o as_o can_v fair_o be_v except_v against_o and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n thereof_o that_o can_v be_v give_v we_o unless_o it_o be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o resistible_a and_o consequent_o such_o as_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o god_n to_o give_v we_o while_o we_o be_v here_o in_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n but_o what_o be_v liable_a to_o foolish_a cavil_n and_o unreasonable_a exception_n so_o that_o consequent_o the_o same_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o the_o same_o unwillingness_n to_o believe_v which_o now_o dispose_v man_n to_o infidelity_n and_o prompt_v they_o to_o make_v exception_n to_o the_o present_a ground_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n will_v work_v the_o same_o effect_n in_o case_n other_o proof_n and_o evidence_n be_v give_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o i_o say_v first_o that_o the_o proof_n and_o evidence_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v such_o as_o can_v fair_o be_v except_v against_o to_o show_v this_o have_v be_v the_o design_n of_o several_a former_a discourse_n vi_o serm._n iii_n iv_o five_o vi_o and_o therefore_o to_o what_o have_v be_v say_v i_o shall_v only_o add_v that_o if_o the_o exception_n that_o be_v make_v to_o the_o evidence_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v fair_a and_o reasonable_a they_o will_v be_v allow_v by_o mankind_n to_o be_v so_o in_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o nay_o if_o they_o who_o make_v these_o exception_n in_o the_o case_n of_o religion_n do_v themselves_o think_v that_o they_o be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a they_o ought_v to_o make_v the_o same_o in_o all_o other_o case_n that_o be_v equal_o liable_a to_o the_o same_o exception_n and_o in_o all_o other_o such_o case_n they_o ought_v to_o live_v and_o act_v as_o if_o they_o have_v the_o same_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n upon_o they_o which_o they_o say_v they_o have_v in_o the_o case_n of_o religion_n but_o we_o see_v the_o quite_o contrary_a every_o day_n we_o live_v for_o that_o same_o infidel_n who_o will_v not_o allow_v of_o the_o testimony_n which_o be_v give_v to_o our_o saviour_n by_o his_o apostle_n though_o they_o give_v the_o best_a assurance_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o man_n to_o give_v both_o of_o their_o knowledge_n of_o what_o they_o testify_v and_o of_o their_o honesty_n in_o relate_v it_o yet_o ready_o allow_v that_o in_o all_o other_o case_n the_o testimony_n of_o two_o or_o three_o credible_a person_n shall_v be_v receive_v without_o any_o collateral_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o think_v it_o reasonable_a that_o all_o dispute_n and_o controversy_n among_o man_n concern_v their_o civil_a right_n their_o estate_n nay_o and_o their_o life_n too_o shall_v be_v thereby_o determine_v and_o he_o that_o question_n whether_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o the_o repute_a author_n yet_o make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o other_o book_n of_o as_o ancient_a or_o old_a date_n and_o of_o the_o authority_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o half_a so_o much_o traditional_a evidence_n be_v write_v by_o those_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v ascribe_v and_o he_o will_v think_v those_o very_a unreasonable_a man_n who_o when_o he_o be_v argue_v any_o point_n of_o learning_n with_o they_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o virgil_n or_o cicero_n or_o seneca_n shall_v refuse_v to_o admit_v his_o argument_n till_o he_o have_v first_o undeniable_o and_o demonstrative_o prove_v that_o the_o aeneid_n be_v write_v by_o virgil_n or_o that_o the_o other_o piece_n that_o have_v be_v allow_v in_o all_o age_n ever_o since_o to_o have_v be_v write_v by_o cicero_n or_o seneca_n be_v not_o false_o father_v upon_o those_o author_n the_o infidel_n who_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel-history_n at_o the_o same_o time_n have_v no_o doubt_n at_o all_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o other_o history_n as_o ancient_a and_o much_o more_o possible_a to_o be_v false_a and_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o there_o be_v not_o the_o hundred_o part_n of_o that_o evidence_n that_o there_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o and_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o be_v uncertain_a whether_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n and_o whether_o he_o say_v and_o do_v the_o thing_n record_v of_o he_o by_o the_o evangelist_n and_o whether_o by_o the_o preach_a of_o his_o apostle_n he_o do_v spread_v his_o spiritual_a empire_n over_o all_o the_o country_n of_o the_o world_n a_o empire_n which_o be_v still_o keep_v up_o in_o most_o of_o the_o country_n over_o which_o it_o be_v first_o extend_v and_o of_o which_o there_o be_v evident_a mark_n and_o memorial_n still_o remain_v even_o in_o those_o country_n that_o have_v since_o revolt_v from_o it_o he_o i_o say_v that_o doubt_n of_o these_o thing_n although_o witness_v by_o the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n thereof_o yet_o make_v no_o doubt_n but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o alexander_n the_o great_a who_o live_v above_o three_o hundred_o year_n before_o and_o that_o he_o translate_v the_o empire_n of_o the_o world_n from_o persia_n to_o greece_n and_o he_o also_o give_v full_a credit_n to_o the_o other_o thing_n which_o he_o find_v relate_v of_o he_o by_o curtius_n plutarch_n and_o arrian_n although_o none_o of_o these_o author_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o his_o war_n and_o greatness_n but_o either_o copy_v what_o they_o write_v from_o former_a history_n or_o take_v it_o up_o from_o report_n and_o although_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o remain_n of_o that_o empire_n now_o leave_v in_o the_o world_n and_o if_o he_o be_v but_o as_o sure_a of_o a_o good_a estate_n as_o that_o the_o history_n of_o alexander_n expedition_n and_o conquest_n be_v in_o the_o main_a a_o true_a history_n he_o will_v not_o i_o believe_v give_v the_o hundreth_o part_n of_o its_o value_n to_o ascertain_v his_o title_n to_o it_o those_o therefore_o be_v manifest_o unreasonable_a exception_n to_o the_o proof_n of_o christianity_n which_o no_o man_n will_v allow_v which_o even_o those_o that_o make_v they_o in_o this_o case_n do_v not_o think_v reasonable_a to_o make_v in_o other_o case_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n so_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o all_o likely_a that_o any_o person_n that_o be_v not_o convince_v by_o these_o proof_n shall_v be_v convince_v if_o more_o be_v give_v for_o as_o i_o far_o note_v there_o be_v no_o proof_n that_o can_v be_v give_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n unless_o it_o be_v such_o as_o be_v not_o resistible_a and_o consequent_o not_o fit_a for_o god_n to_o give_v we_o while_o we_o be_v here_o in_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n but_o what_o be_v liable_a to_o foolish_a cavil_n and_o unreasonable_a exception_n this_o i_o think_v be_v so_o self-evident_a that_o nothing_o plain_a or_o more_o undeniable_a can_v be_v say_v to_o prove_v it_o for_o though_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o demonstration_n in_o the_o mathematics_n yet_o even_o these_o may_v be_v cavile_v at_o by_o such_o as_o will_v allow_v of_o no_o postulata_n nor_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o clear_a axiom_n nay_o there_o have_v be_v sceptic_n in_o the_o plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n and_o some_o have_v deny_v motion_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o their_o own_o tongue_n be_v move_v to_o deny_v it_o not_o that_o i_o think_v the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o
any_o proposition_n in_o euclid_n or_o as_o the_o shine_a of_o the_o sun_n at_o noon_n for_o that_o can_v be_v and_o i_o have_v already_o give_v reason_n why_o if_o it_o may_v it_o shall_v not_o be_v so_o but_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v capable_a to_o be_v and_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o proof_n of_o religion_n fit_a to_o be_v offer_v or_o reasonable_o to_o be_v desire_v to_o which_o a_o sceptic_a may_v not_o make_v as_o just_a and_o plausible_a exception_n as_o he_o can_v to_o the_o stand_a proof_n of_o christianity_n for_o one_o single_a miracle_n do_v in_o his_o own_o presence_n will_v be_v nothing_o near_o so_o convince_a as_o the_o many_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v of_o some_o or_o other_o of_o which_o there_o be_v more_o than_o ten_o thousand_o witness_n and_o if_o he_o can_v suppose_v that_o so_o many_o be_v deceive_v in_o plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n he_o may_v much_o rather_o suppose_v that_o he_o a_o single_a man_n may_v be_v impose_v upon_o and_o a_o apparition_n of_o a_o decease_a friend_n will_v be_v a_o matter_n wherein_o any_o one_o man_n may_v be_v more_o probable_o cheat_v or_o be_v more_o easy_o persuade_v that_o he_o be_v cheat_v than_o the_o apostle_n can_v be_v in_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o lord_n when_o he_o be_v see_v by_o they_o very_o frequent_o and_o sometime_o by_o a_o great_a company_n of_o they_o meet_v together_o by_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n and_o a_o single_a miracle_n that_o be_v over_o as_o soon_o as_o do_v can_v not_o make_v such_o a_o deep_a and_o last_a impression_n upon_o a_o man_n mind_n as_o that_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o especial_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n which_o last_v a_o whole_a life_n must_v needs_o do_v upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o those_o that_o live_v in_o their_o time_n who_o be_v either_o partaker_n of_o these_o gift_n themselves_o or_o constant_a witness_n thereof_o in_o other_o in_o short_a whatever_o miracle_n we_o can_v desire_v may_v be_v wrought_v for_o our_o conviction_n either_o they_o must_v be_v see_v by_o we_o with_o our_o own_o eye_n or_o else_o they_o must_v be_v receive_v by_o testimony_n from_o other_o and_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v see_v by_o we_o with_o our_o own_o eye_n yet_o so_o long_o as_o it_o be_v against_o our_o inclination_n or_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o love_n which_o we_o bear_v to_o the_o world_n or_o to_o our_o sin_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v true_a miracle_n we_o shall_v easy_o be_v apt_a to_o fancy_n that_o they_o be_v only_o melancholy_a delusion_n or_o trick_n put_v upon_o we_o by_o design_v man_n which_o our_o first_o fright_a or_o amazement_n hinder_v we_o from_o discover_v the_o fraud_n of_o and_o so_o they_o will_v probable_o have_v no_o effect_n at_o all_o upon_o we_o long_o than_o till_o our_o fright_a or_o amazement_n be_v well_o wear_v off_o but_o if_o we_o shall_v only_o have_v a_o account_n of_o they_o by_o testimony_n from_o other_o they_o will_v be_v yet_o less_o likely_a to_o persuade_v we_o because_o there_o can_v be_v no_o testimony_n concern_v any_o such_o matter_n of_o fact_n more_o clear_a and_o unexceptionable_a than_o that_o which_o we_o have_v already_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n miracle_n so_o that_o if_o we_o believe_v not_o this_o we_o shall_v hardly_o believe_v any_o other_o testimony_n because_o we_o can_v scarce_o have_v so_o good_a assurance_n of_o any_o man_n truth_n as_o we_o have_v of_o the_o sincerity_n and_o veracity_n of_o all_o those_o who_o be_v the_o present_a witness_n to_o our_o religion_n and_o we_o can_v hardly_o be_v sure_a that_o we_o hear_v any_o man_n who_o we_o know_v speak_v to_o we_o than_o we_o be_v that_o we_o hear_v the_o apostle_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o plain_o follow_v as_o i_o far_o note_v that_o the_o same_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n and_o the_o same_o unwillingness_n to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o now_o dispose_v man_n to_o infidelity_n and_o prompt_v they_o to_o study_v and_o make_v exception_n to_o the_o proof_n already_o give_v we_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n will_v work_v the_o same_o effect_n if_o other_o proof_n and_o evidence_n be_v give_v of_o it_o and_o that_o man_n will_v then_o quick_o make_v as_o good_a exception_n to_o that_o as_o they_o do_v now_o to_o these_o for_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v i_o think_v it_o be_v plain_a that_o if_o man_n do_v not_o see_v the_o truth_n when_o it_o be_v place_v in_o so_o clear_a a_o light_n as_o it_o be_v in_o already_o the_o reason_n must_v be_v because_o they_o wilful_o shut_v their_o eye_n or_o else_o be_v so_o blind_v by_o a_o love_n of_o this_o world_n or_o of_o their_o sinful_a lust_n that_o if_o the_o light_n be_v ten_o time_n bright_a than_o it_o be_v they_o will_v see_v no_o more_o than_o they_o do_v now_o and_o it_o will_v be_v to_o as_o little_a purpose_n in_o order_n to_o the_o conviction_n of_o such_o perverse_a and_o obstinate_a man_n to_o add_v any_o more_o or_o strong_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n as_o it_o will_v be_v to_o light_v up_o abundance_n of_o torch_n to_o a_o man_n that_o be_v quite_o blind_a for_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o true_a cause_n why_o man_n will_v not_o hear_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n why_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n testify_v the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o other_o truth_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v not_o i_o say_v because_o there_o be_v any_o just_a exception_n to_o their_o testimony_n but_o because_o they_o do_v not_o like_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o so_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o believe_v they_o love_v their_o sin_n so_o well_o that_o they_o can_v upon_o no_o account_n be_v persuade_v to_o part_v with_o they_o and_o be_v so_o resolve_v it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o cavil_v at_o any_o motive_n or_o argument_n that_o be_v urge_v to_o persuade_v they_o to_o it_o see_v they_o will_v not_o see_v and_o hear_v they_o will_v not_o hear_v nor_o understand_v and_o to_o man_n so_o obstinate_o resolve_v against_o conviction_n no_o proof_n can_v be_v convince_a enough_o and_o this_o be_v the_o sad_a effect_n of_o love_n to_o sin_n it_o viciate_n the_o judgement_n of_o man_n so_o that_o they_o can_v distinguish_v between_o thing_n that_o differ_v most_o vast_o it_o darken_v their_o understanding_n so_o that_o the_o plain_a proposition_n or_o the_o clear_a consequence_n in_o the_o world_n if_o it_o be_v against_o the_o interest_n of_o sin_n seem_v dark_a and_o obscure_a to_o they_o and_o it_o render_v their_o mind_n so_o averse_a to_o religion_n that_o they_o can_v with_o any_o patience_n so_o much_o as_o hear_v the_o argument_n that_o be_v offer_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o be_v a_o reason_n never_o so_o good_a it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v hope_v it_o shall_v be_v convince_a to_o a_o man_n who_o will_v not_o hear_v it_o or_o who_o will_v not_o allow_v himself_o calm_o to_o consider_v it_o from_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v therefore_o upon_o this_o head_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o the_o proper_a cure_n of_o infidelity_n be_v not_o the_o addition_n of_o more_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n but_o a_o right_a prepaartion_n and_o disposition_n of_o mind_n to_o consider_v well_o the_o proof_n thereof_o that_o be_v offer_v which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v and_o persuade_v all_o those_o that_o have_v a_o love_n of_o truth_n and_o a_o will_n dispose_v to_o virtue_n the_o cause_n of_o infidelity_n must_v be_v first_o remove_v and_o then_o the_o cure_n of_o it_o will_v be_v easy_a by_o those_o mean_n which_o god_n have_v provide_v and_o direct_v we_o to_o use_v and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o need_n of_o his_o work_a miracle_n for_o man_n conviction_n but_o till_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o be_v remove_v it_o be_v hardly_o to_o be_v cure_a even_o by_o a_o miracle_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o though_o fresh_a revelation_n and_o new_a miracle_n may_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o convince_v all_o they_o may_v however_o convince_v some_o because_o there_o be_v several_a degree_n in_o the_o perverseness_n and_o obstinacy_n of_o man_n some_o indeed_o there_o may_v be_v who_o no_o such_o proof_n of_o religion_n as_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v give_v we_o in_o this_o state_n of_o trial_n will_v persuade_v who_o case_n therefore_o must_v be_v give_v over_o as_o desperate_a but_o then_o there_o be_v other_o 26.28_o act_n 26.28_o who_o as_o king_n agrippa_n be_v be_v almost_o persuade_v to_o