Selected quad for the lemma: book_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
book_n	write_v	wrought_v	year_n	71	3	4.2396	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A71259	The characters of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, March 4. 1694/5 : being the third of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.	1695 (1695)	Wing W2696; ESTC R1810	13,869	36

the Evidence that can be in their Circumstances they have what is sufficient and what is to be presumed necessary The Evidence is sufficient if it proves there were Persons so Inspired that in confirmation of it they wrought Miracles and that those Persons wrote certain Books which contain the Records of those Revelations and Miracles and which Books are the same that now go under their Name And if they have all the Evidence for this that in their Circumstances can be reasonably demanded they have that which is sufficient And what Evidence can be given of Matters transacted 1600 Years ago but Testimony and what is usually called Moral Evidence A way of Proof that is as certain as that we our selves were born and born of such Parents at such a time and that there is any such thing as Faith and Trust in Mankind 2. Tho these of After-Ages want the Evidence those Cotemporaries of Inspired Persons had yet they have some Advantages above them For they have not only the concurrent Evidence of all before them and the Reasons of their Judgment that have been downwards from those times the most considerable part of Mankind for Wisdom and impartial Consideration but having lived to see the whole Scheme of Revelation compleated and at once plac'd in their view 1. They can by that means compare one part with the other and see how all agrees and makes up one entire and coherent Body 2. They can compare the Events already pass'd with the Predictions and see how all came on and in their season are fulfilled and how the former is still confirmed by the latter In all which there appears an admirable Contrivance of the Divine Prescience in describing those things so long before-hand and of the Divine Wisdom and Power in carrying on the Prophetick Line through all the Stages of Second Causes and an Infinite Variety of Events to the last Moment of its Accomplishment and to all which a watchful Providence of the Almighty must constantly attend 3. They have seen the Wonderful Success of the Gospel in Verification of Prophecy and notwithstanding all the Opposition made to it by the Power and Interest of the World back'd with the Venom Spite and Malice of inveterate Enemies 4. They have seen the Wonderful Preservation of it through all the various Scenes of Prosperity and Adversity and how miraculously it has been restored out of the lowest Abyss when seemingly and as to all outward appearance beyond Recovery So that we see how in every Case there are ways chalked out for our Satisfaction in this Argument of a Divine Revelation the Case of Latter Ages not excepted And therefore That Unbelief is now as inexcusable after the Times of Revelation as in those times We are apt to think and sometimes to plead That if we had lived in the Apostolical Age when the Revelation was attended with the irrefragable Testimony of many Glorious Miracles we should then have been inexcusable if we had remained incredulous amidst those Instances of the Divine Power or impenitent under the Force of such convincing Arguments and that the want of these may justly be pleaded for our Excuse But this is much like those Jews Matth. 23.30 that said If we had been in the days of our fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets when yet they were acted by the same Spirit And I may say Those that believe not now under all the Motives of Credibility would not have believed any more than the Jews did that were Eye and Ear-Witnesses of our Saviour's Miracles and Doctrine and yet remained to the last Incredulous Such are incurable for if they hear not Moses and the Prophets the Testimonies yet remaining neither would they be persuaded tho Christ and the Apostles rose from the dead and the whole Process of that Testimony given by them was afresh represented to them The Best Man is the best Judge and the better he is the more capable he is of Judging according to that memorable Saying of our Saviour John 7.17 If any man will do the will of God he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of my self Wherefore to conclude with that of the Apostle James 1.21 lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness and receive with meekness and humility the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves FINIS ERRATA SErmon I. Page 18. Line 2. read Threefold Sermon II. P. 11. l. 18. dele Miracles P. 15. l. 15. for II. r. 2. P. 24. Marg. add Praepar l. 13. c. 12. P. 28. l. 23. after Poet r. quoted by Porphyry P. 29. l. 24. r. Antedeluvian P. 37. after line 12. add 2. Miracles of which hereafter Sermon III. P. 3. l. 15. or pry in a Parenthesis Theol. Polit. c. 2. Theol. Polit. c. 2.