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book_n write_n write_v writer_n 265 4 7.7662 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A42446 The certainty of the Christian revelation, and the necessity of believing it, established in opposition to all the cavils and insinuations of such as pretend to allow natural religion, and reject the Gospel / by Francis Gastrell ... Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725. 1699 (1699) Wing G301; ESTC R14557 148,794 394

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any_o thing_n else_o whatsoever_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v now_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n pretend_v to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o to_o believe_v their_o own_o pretence_n and_o that_o all_o other_o who_o profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v declare_v their_o belief_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v as_o say_v or_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o sure_o a_o man_n may_v infallible_o know_v his_o own_o thought_n and_o imagination_n he_o can_v tell_v whether_o he_o believe_v such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n or_o no_o or_o at_o least_o he_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o he_o think_v or_o fancy_n he_o believe_v it_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o intercourse_n or_o communication_n betwixt_o man_n one_o man_n may_v know_v that_o another_o pretend_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v a_o thing_n whether_o he_o real_o believe_v or_o do_v it_o or_o no._n if_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o such_o judgement_n as_o these_o concern_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o knowledge_n at_o all_o if_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o person_n do_v pretend_v to_o believe_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v say_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v real_o and_o true_o believe_v they_o or_o else_o they_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v false_a but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a will_v evident_o appear_v from_o these_o further_a reflection_n upon_o humane_a nature_n first_o then_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o man_n must_v act_v for_o some_o end_n or_o motive_n and_o here_o be_v no_o end_n or_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v determine_v any_o of_o the_o first_o publisher_n or_o professor_n of_o christianity_n to_o pretend_v to_o believe_v those_o fact_n which_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a all_o the_o end_n and_o motive_n we_o can_v imagine_v any_o man_n to_o act_v upon_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v reckon_v up_o before_o and_o we_o find_v that_o if_o we_o put_v ourselves_o into_o the_o same_o circumstance_n with_o those_o first_o witness_n of_o christianity_n it_o will_v have_v be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v be_v influence_v by_o any_o of_o they_o to_o make_v the_o same_o pretence_n be_v infallible_o assure_v at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o they_o be_v utter_o false_a and_o groundless_a from_o whence_o we_o conclude_v that_o neither_o do_v they_o since_o all_o man_n be_v so_o make_v and_o contrive_v as_o to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o same_o general_a motive_n though_o according_a to_o the_o difference_n of_o
indirect_o and_o negative_o by_o show_v that_o none_o of_o those_o supposition_n which_o exclude_v the_o be_v of_o god_n can_v be_v true_a p._n 57_o matter_n alone_o consider_v at_o rest_n can_v not_o be_v eternal_a and_o in_o time_n produce_v the_o present_a frame_n of_o the_o world_n p._n 59_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o account_v for_o the_o production_n of_o the_o world_n by_o the_o atheist_n hypothesis_n of_o move_a atom_n p._n 61._o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o world_n have_v exi_v eternal_o under_o the_o same_o form_n we_o now_o behold_v it_o without_o a_o god_n p._n 64._o the_o eternal_a coexistence_n of_o matter_n and_o mind_n improbable_a p._n 71._o suppose_v it_o probable_a neither_o matter_n alone_o nor_o matter_n and_o motion_n nor_o the_o present_a constitution_n of_o thing_n can_v have_v be_v eternal_a independent_o of_o god_n p._n 77._o the_o original_a of_o all_o thing_n from_o god_n further_o evince_v from_o general_a reflection_n p._n 81._o a_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n of_o religion_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o man_n and_o the_o relation_n there_o be_v betwixt_o they_o p._n 91._o of_o the_o nature_n and_o ground_n of_o obligation_n together_o with_o the_o right_n and_o power_n of_o oblige_v ib._n that_o man_n be_v oblige_v to_o order_v his_o life_n according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n be_v prove_v p._n 102._o from_o the_o natural_a judgement_n we_o make_v concern_v our_o action_n p._n 105._o from_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o god_n in_o make_v we_o which_o appear_v by_o several_a token_n and_o indication_n p._n 117._o in_o the_o frame_n and_o disposition_n of_o our_o mind_n p._n 118._o and_o in_o the_o oeconomy_n and_o constitution_n of_o humane_a society_n p._n 125._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o religion_n itself_o a_o regular_a practice_n of_o which_o conduce_v to_o the_o great_a happiness_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o life_n p._n 129._o and_o from_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n which_o be_v prove_v p._n 137._o from_o the_o defect_n of_o a_o general_n and_o regular_a practice_n of_o religion_n here_o p._n 138._o and_o from_o the_o general_n want_v necessity_n and_o imperfection_n of_o our_o present_a nature_n p._n 141._o from_o all_o which_o consideration_n it_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v more_o for_o our_o happiness_n to_o live_v religious_o then_o otherwise_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o live_v so_o p._n 146._o the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n further_o show_v from_o the_o pernicious_a effect_n of_o all_o kind_n of_o irreligion_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n p._n 149._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o all_o the_o ground_n and_o pretence_n of_o irreligion_n and_o whatever_o be_v allege_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 181._o irreligion_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o direct_a proof_n p._n 183._o the_o usual_a way_n and_o method_n of_o defend_v it_o improper_a and_o insufficient_a p._n 187._o ridicul_v religion_n prove_v nothing_o against_o it_o ib._n require_v a_o more_o certain_a and_o mathematical_a proof_n of_o it_o unreasonable_a p._n 188._o scheme_n and_o hypothesis_n to_o account_v for_o the_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n without_o god_n and_o religion_n absurd_a and_o inconsistent_a p._n 192._o the_o chief_a and_o most_o common_a objection_n against_o religion_n answer_v viz._n p._n 200._o mystery_n seem_v inconsistency_n and_o absurdity_n in_o scripture_n p._n 201._o extravagant_a notion_n and_o pernicious_a doctrine_n maintain_v under_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n p._n 202._o variety_n of_o opinion_n among_o the_o professor_n of_o the_o same_o religion_n p._n 204._o foolish_a and_o ridiculous_a argument_n urge_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o p._n 205._o scandalous_a life_n of_o great_a pretender_n to_o piety_n and_o virtue_n p._n 206._o religion_n the_o effect_n of_o fear_n and_o education_n p._n 209._o religion_n a_o politic_a contrivance_n p._n 211._o the_o absurdity_n and_o folly_n of_o irreligious_a principle_n and_o practice_n demonstrate_v from_o general_a reflection_n upon_o the_o different_a ground_n and_o foundation_n religion_n and_o irreligion_n stand_v upon_o and_o the_o different_a conduct_n of_o those_o that_o act_n under_o the_o influence_n of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o p._n 213._o irreligion_n further_o expose_v from_o the_o cause_n and_o reason_n that_o induce_v man_n to_o take_v up_o atheistical_a and_o profane_a opinion_n p._n 227._o the_o chief_a cause_n of_o atheism_n show_v to_o be_v these_o two_o the_o fear_n of_o a_o after_o reckon_v for_o a_o wicked_a life_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o appear_v great_a and_o wise_a than_o other_o men._n p._n 230._o the_o doctrine_n of_o irreligion_n the_o sole_a result_n of_o prejudice_n and_o not_o deliberate_a reason_v more_o plain_o make_v out_o p._n 239._o from_o the_o character_n and_o capacity_n of_o the_o atheist_n ib._n from_o the_o manner_n and_o process_n of_o their_o infidelity_n p._n 242._o and_o from_o the_o confession_n of_o several_a atheist_n themselves_o p._n 246._o a_o account_n of_o the_o notion_n of_o atheism_n and_o deism_n and_o how_o they_o be_v to_o be_v distinguish_v p._n 249._o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v it_o etc._n etc._n the_o content_n the_o connexion_n of_o this_o discourse_n with_o the_o former_a page_n 1._o the_o method_n lay_v down_o for_o the_o establish_n the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n p._n 3._o a_o abstract_n or_o summary_n of_o the_o christian_a scheme_n as_o it_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 8._o the_o general_n subject_a of_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 9_o the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n p._n 19_o a_o short_a account_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o gospel_n p._n 31._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v in_o he_o and_o that_o assist_v he_o in_o the_o publishing_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n p._n 42._o the_o character_n of_o those_o that_o persecute_v he_o and_o his_o disciple_n and_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o his_o religion_n p._n 50._o the_o way_n and_o manner_n in_o which_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v with_o all_o the_o important_a circumstance_n which_o refer_v to_o the_o form_n and_o composition_n of_o those_o write_n p._n 51._o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a by_o a_o plain_a direct_a proof_n according_a to_o this_o distinction_n of_o they_o premise_v viz_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n p._n 59_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a in_o the_o follow_a manner_n p._n 60._o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n right_o assign_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n p._n 61._o a_o survey_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n p._n 70._o the_o christian_a faith_n the_o same_o in_o the_o time_n of_o constantine_n as_o it_o be_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o first_o publication_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 74._o this_o proposition_n make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o p._n 75._o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o the_o meeting_n of_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a under_o constantine_n p._n 105._o such_o as_o be_v several_a custom_n and_o usage_n p._n 107._o relic_n building_n and_o other_o the_o like_a monnment_n p._n 108._o book_n and_o write_a record_n of_o several_a kind_n viz._n p._n 109._o copy_n of_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n p._n 110._o public_a act_n and_o record_n belong_v to_o society_n p._n 113._o genuine_a write_n of_o orthodox_n christian_n p._n 119._o book_n write_v by_o heretic_n p._n 132._o jewish_a and_o pagan_a book_n p._n 133._o forge_v and_o suppositious_a write_n of_o uncertain_a author_n p._n 137._o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n show_v to_o be_v true_a fact_n according_a to_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v of_o they_o p._n 140._o a_o account_n by_o way_n of_o introduction_n of_o what_o be_v mean_v by_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o this_o place_n p._n 141._o and_o what_o kind_n of_o evidence_n these_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o p._n 143._o the_o miracle_n consider_v by_o themselves_o according_a to_o the_o different_a period_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v and_o the_o different_a person_n they_o be_v do_v by_o p._n 144._o the_o prophecy_n consider_v apart_o according_a to_o the_o same_o distinction_n of_o time_n and_o person_n p._n 158._o the_o truth_n of_o these_o extraordinary_a fact_n call_v miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o those_o
doctrine_n and_o miracle_n all_o which_o be_v tell_v as_o happen_v in_o the_o life-time_n of_o christ_n most_o of_o the_o thing_n concern_v he_o must_v be_v suppose_v by_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o have_v write_v present_o after_o his_o death_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a all_o the_o evangelist_n do_v to_o be_v general_o know_v and_o fresh_o remember_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o write_n which_o supposition_n further_a appear_v from_o the_o short_a and_o disorderly_a relation_n of_o several_a matter_n of_o fact_n in_o each_o gospel_n which_o in_o such_o case_n where_o we_o be_v not_o assist_v with_o a_o full_a account_n from_o the_o other_o gospel_n or_o follow_a book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n seem_v very_o obscure_a to_o we_o now_o who_o be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o circumstance_n omit_v this_o be_v what_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o remark_n concern_v the_o subject_a and_o form_n of_o that_o book_n which_o we_o call_v the_o new_a testament_n and_o now_o that_o this_o book_n do_v real_o contain_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v before_o mention_v and_o be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o i_o have_v here_o represent_v i_o think_v may_v be_v take_v for_o grant_v since_o whatever_o have_v be_v observe_v under_o this_o head_n must_v necessary_o appear_v too_o true_a to_o any_o one_o that_o will_v read_v over_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v any_o judgement_n of_o a_o book_n ii_o suppose_v then_o that_o i_o have_v give_v a_o just_a account_n and_o character_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o the_o several_a book_n or_o volume_n it_o consist_v of_o i_o shall_v from_o hence_o advance_v to_o the_o main_a design_n propose_v which_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v real_o true_a that_o be_v do_v real_o happen_v out_o at_o the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n they_o be_v there_o record_v to_o have_v happen_v this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v in_o the_o second_o place_n to_o make_v good_a by_o a_o direct_a proof_n according_a to_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o several_a fact_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o before_o lay_v down_o viz._n common_a historical_a fact_n prophecy_n and_o miracle_n divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n i._o the_o first_o step_v then_o i_o be_o to_o make_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o what_o i_o have_v before_o assert_v be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o common_a historical_a fact_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a the_o principal_a of_o which_o be_v these_o follow_v viz._n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o jesus_n christ_n of_o such_o a_o character_n who_o teach_v such_o doctrine_n pretend_v to_o such_o mighty_a work_n and_o be_v execute_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v represent_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a person_n who_o be_v follower_n and_o adherent_n of_o christ_n who_o after_o his_o death_n profess_v to_o believe_v the_o miracle_n we_o find_v now_o record_v of_o he_o and_o to_o do_v as_o great_a themselves_o who_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n he_o do_v in_o his_o life-time_n and_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v from_o he_o while_o he_o be_v alive_a and_o from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n afterward_o and_o who_o make_v be_v their_o business_n to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n and_o practice_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v throughout_o the_o world_n who_o character_n and_o suffering_n be_v such_o as_o be_v before_o describe_v that_o the_o doctrine_n or_o religion_n of_o christ_n be_v according_o propagate_v through_o all_o judea_n and_o most_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n so_o that_o great_a number_n of_o people_n every_o where_o own_a and_o profess_v it_o and_o that_o all_o this_o happen_v within_o that_o compass_n of_o time_n include_v between_o the_o death_n of_o julius_n caesar_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n now_o these_o be_v such_o remarkable_a notorious_a fact_n have_v be_v so_o well_o prove_v by_o multiplicity_n of_o evidence_n and_o so_o little_o contest_v by_o the_o several_a enemy_n of_o christianity_n that_o i_o shall_v content_v myself_o by_o give_v a_o summary_n proof_n of_o they_o without_o enter_v upon_o that_o great_a variety_n of_o particular_a argument_n every_o general_a branch_n of_o evidence_n contain_v in_o it_o which_o proof_n i_o shall_v cast_v into_o this_o method_n first_o i_o shall_v take_v a_o account_n of_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n and_o show_v that_o this_o religion_n must_v have_v come_v first_o into_o the_o world_n at_o the_o time_n assign_v for_o this_o event_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n afterward_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o state_n of_o christianity_n at_o another_o period_n of_o time_n when_o it_o will_v certain_o be_v allow_v that_o all_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n that_o stand_v now_o record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v prove_v that_o the_o same_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v likewise_o believe_v at_o and_o immediate_o after_o the_o time_n in_o which_o they_o be_v say_v to_o happen_v and_o so_o continual_o down_o to_o that_o particular_a period_n fix_v upon_o which_o last_o proposition_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o make_v out_o from_o the_o constant_a tradition_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n together_o with_o many_o sensible_a infallible_a effect_n of_o it_o and_o from_o many_o other_o extrinsic_a sign_n and_o monument_n remain_v at_o that_o time_n from_o which_o constant_a and_o universal_a belief_n among_o christian_n of_o all_o the_o principal_a fact_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a continue_v down_o to_o such_o a_o period_n from_o the_o very_a first_o time_n in_o which_o they_o several_o happen_v i_o conconclude_v that_o at_o least_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n such_o as_o i_o have_v just_a before_o instance_a in_o must_v be_v true_a first_o then_o as_o to_o the_o original_a of_o christianity_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n no_o portion_n of_o time_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o thing_n at_o any_o great_a distance_n from_o we_o that_o we_o have_v a_o clear_a full_a and_o more_o particular_a account_n of_o than_o we_o have_v of_o that_o which_o pass_v under_o the_o twelve_o first_o caesar_n or_o emperor_n of_o rome_n both_o learning_n and_o empire_n be_v then_o at_o the_o high_a pitch_n and_o furnish_v abundance_n of_o matter_n for_o the_o pen_n of_o that_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n and_o as_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n be_v the_o true_a and_o best_a know_v of_o any_o so_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v happen_v within_o that_o time_n which_o be_v more_o remarkable_a or_o can_v more_o easy_o and_o certain_o be_v convey_v down_o to_o posterity_n than_o the_o first_o rise_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v 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to_o convince_v they_o that_o there_o be_v at_o present_a other_o strange_a thing_n which_o they_o do_v not_o see_v and_o which_o they_o believe_v their_o sense_n as_o capable_a judge_n of_o as_o of_o those_o which_o they_o do_v see_v but_o whether_o the_o scripture_n be_v believe_v in_o this_o case_n by_o few_o or_o more_o those_o who_o have_v not_o be_v dispose_v to_o like_v they_o will_v have_v have_v great_a and_o more_o unanswerable_a objection_n to_o make_v to_o they_o from_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n than_o our_o present_a unbeliever_n have_v how_o can_v a_o faithful_a christian_a who_o live_v before_o copernicus_n and_o des_n cartes_n have_v defend_v the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o such_o as_o reject_v the_o forementioned_a notion_n and_o expose_v they_o as_o ridiculous_a and_o absurd_a the_o bare_a authority_n of_o the_o revelation_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o all_o our_o modern_a experiment_n and_o observation_n will_v have_v be_v less_o 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and_o now_o if_o we_o take_v a_o just_a view_n of_o they_o and_o consider_v they_o all_o together_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o make_v the_o follow_a conclusion_n 1._o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o thing_n discover_v or_o so_o much_o as_o suspect_v to_o be_v a_o imposture_n that_o have_v so_o many_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n upon_o it_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v 2._o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o true_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o well_o attest_v or_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o the_o christian_a fact_n be_v there_o be_v no_o ancient_a fact_n which_o have_v so_o many_o sensible_a monument_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o leave_v and_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o which_o mankind_n be_v so_o near_o and_o necessary_o concern_v 3._o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v or_o frame_v any_o notion_n how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n the_o christian_a religion_n may_v possible_o have_v be_v a_o imposture_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o 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