the_o cause_n ground_n &_o motive_n with_o relation_n to_o which_o the_o thing_n intercede_v for_o be_v procure_v christ_n interposure_n as_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n take_v its_o rise_n from_o and_o bear_v upon_o a_o compact_n between_o the_o father_n and_o he_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v incarnate_a and_o give_v his_o life_n a_o ransom_n for_o many_o this_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v most_o emphatical_o instruct_v we_o in_o 1_o tim._n 2.6_o heb._n 8.6.9.15_o &_o 12.24_o which_o be_v all_o the_o place_n where_o he_o be_v in_o express_a term_n so_o style_v now_o have_v not_o the_o susception_n of_o our_o sin_n precede_v as_o the_o antecedent_n impulsive_a cause_n of_o christ_n suffering_n he_o can_v neither_o be_v say_v to_o be_v make_v sin_n for_o we_o nor_o to_o bear_v they_o nor_o to_o have_v they_o lay_v upon_o he_o nor_o to_o die_v for_o our_o offence_n nor_o to_o be_v our_o ransom_n nor_o can_v the_o inflict_a of_o suffering_n upon_o he_o have_v be_v either_o good_a in_o itself_o or_o a_o act_n of_o rectoral_a justice_n in_o god_n or_o have_v have_v any_o tendency_n to_o his_o glory_n or_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o law_n or_o to_o deter_v sinner_n from_o offend_v yea_o preclude_v once_o the_o consideration_n of_o sin_n as_o the_o meritorious_a cause_n of_o the_o agony_n which_o christ_n undergo_v and_o the_o love_n wisdom_n justice_n and_o rectorship_n of_o god_n be_v obnoxious_a to_o reflection_n and_o stand_v liable_a to_o be_v impeach_v and_o if_o it_o be_v once_o obtain_v that_o our_o sin_n be_v the_o meritorious_a impulsive_a cause_n of_o christ_n death_n his_o susception_n of_o our_o gild_n will_v necessary_o follow_v for_o gild_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o obligation_n to_o punishment_n &_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v such_o a_o habitude_n betwixt_o a_o person_n and_o sin_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o meritorious_a impulsive_a cause_n of_o his_o punishment_n and_o yet_o he_o not_o be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o punishment_n it_o plain_o follow_v that_o guilt_n must_v be_v suppose_v antecedent_n to_o a_o demerit_n of_o punishment_n gild_n and_o punishment_n be_v relate_v he_o that_o be_v obnoxious_a to_o the_o latter_a must_v be_v previous_o under_o the_o imputation_n of_o the_o former_a as_o bishop_n andrews_n express_v it_o christ_n be_v first_o make_v sin_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o gild_n and_o then_o a_o curse_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o punishment_n serm._n of_o justification_n on_o jer._n 23.6_o where_o sin_n be_v so_o charge_v as_o to_o expose_v a_o person_n to_o a_o demerit_n of_o punishment_n there_o be_v a_o obligation_n to_o it_o &_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o obligation_n to_o it_o there_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n or_o other_o gild_n those_o very_a argument_n whereby_o we_o overthrow_v the_o popish_a dogm_n of_o believer_n be_v discharge_v from_o the_o gild_n of_o sin_n but_o not_o the_o punishment_n do_v equal_o disprove_v christ_n undergo_a the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n without_o susception_n of_o the_o gild_n in_o brief_a 1._o through_o a_o convention_n betwixt_o the_o father_n and_o son_n our_o sin_n be_v so_o charge_v upon_o and_o transfer_v to_o christ_n as_o to_o be_v exact_v of_o he_o and_o he_o have_v submit_v to_o the_o demerit_n of_o they_o so_o as_o to_o undergo_v the_o penalty_n in_o the_o substance_n and_o kind_n of_o it_o though_o not_o in_o the_o adjunct_n and_o consequential_a accident_n which_o will_v have_v accompany_v it_o upon_o such_o weak_a finite_a deprave_a subject_n as_o we_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v have_v undergo_v 2._o through_o christ_n interpose_v as_o surety_n and_o mediator_n by_o suffer_v in_o our_o stead_n god_n have_v so_o vindicate_v his_o own_o honour_n assert_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o command_n and_o satisfy_v the_o end_n of_o law_n and_o government_n that_o he_o accept_v of_o what_o christ_n have_v do_v and_o suffer_v as_o full_a satisfaction_n to_o his_o law_n and_o in_o consideration_n thereof_o without_o any_o reflection_n upon_o his_o attribute_n or_o subversion_n of_o his_o rectorship_n he_o make_v a_o tender_a of_o pardon_n to_o we_o 3._o god_n have_v admit_v the_o interposure_n of_o christ_n on_o our_o behalf_n &_o have_v inflict_v suffering_n upon_o he_o as_o a_o punishment_n for_o our_o sin_n and_o have_v accept_v those_o suffering_n as_o a_o sacrifice_n of_o atonement_n for_o the_o expiation_n of_o our_o gild_n and_o have_v also_o agree_v with_o his_o son_n and_o declare_v in_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n the_o term_n on_o which_o we_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o benefit_n thereof_o we_o upon_o a_o performance_n of_o these_o condition_n come_v to_o have_v all_o that_o christ_n do_v and_o suffer_v as_o our_o mediator_n impute_v to_o we_o in_o a_o law-sence_n that_o be_v the_o law_n own_v that_o christ_n intervening_a in_o our_o room_n have_v answer_v all_o its_o demand_n so_o that_o god_n in_o consistency_n with_o its_o exaction_n may_v be_v both_o just_a in_o himself_o and_o yet_o be_v our_o justifier_n and_o this_o be_v all_o that_o we_o intend_v by_o a_o legal_a union_n with_o christ_n namely_o that_o by_o the_o covenant_n of_o redemption_n christ_n so_o become_v our_o surrogate_v as_o to_o have_v our_o sin_n in_o a_o law-sence_n impute_v to_o he_o and_o that_o we_o through_o fulfil_v the_o term_n of_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n have_v all_o that_o which_o he_o as_o substitute_v in_o our_o place_n and_o stead_n do_v and_o suffer_v impute_v in_o a_o law-sense_n to_o we_o he_o must_v not_o only_o disclaim_v christ_n be_v mediator_n in_o any_o proper_a sense_n but_o renounce_v the_o whole_a gospel_n that_o deny_v it_o have_v not_o only_o declare_v but_o justify_v that_o there_o be_v a_o legal_a union_n between_o christ_n and_o believer_n and_o have_v also_o state_v and_o define_v what_o it_o be_v and_o wherein_o it_o consist_v all_o that_o remain_v incumbent_a upon_o i_o relate_v to_o this_o head_n be_v to_o show_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o a_o christian_n union_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v not_o comprehend_v in_o this_o nor_o hereby_o express_v and_o one_a there_o be_v many_o scripture_n text_n manifestative_a of_o a_o oneness_n that_o the_o saint_n have_v with_o christ_n which_o a_o legal_a union_n do_v not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o height_n and_o grandeur_n of_o as_o there_o be_v not_o any_o one_o thing_n in_o the_o gospel_n which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v judge_v meet_a to_o express_v in_o great_a variety_n of_o phrase_n than_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o cohesion_n with_o jesus_n christ_n so_o this_o legal_a union_n can_v no_o way_n sustain_v the_o weight_n of_o most_o of_o they_o it_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o entertain_v we_o with_o pompous_a word_n or_o to_o treat_v we_o with_o hyperbolical_a expression_n when_o he_o be_v declare_v to_o we_o the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n to_o which_o he_o not_o only_o require_v our_o assent_n but_o have_v make_v much_o of_o our_o comfort_n and_o duty_n dependent_a upon_o they_o who_o can_v think_v that_o a_o legal_a union_n be_v all_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n intend_v by_o our_o be_v one_o spirit_n with_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v ingraff_v into_o he_o as_o branch_n be_v into_o a_o stock_n or_o root_n cement_v to_o he_o as_o the_o building_n be_v to_o the_o foundation_n incorporate_v with_o he_o as_o our_o aliment_n and_o food_n be_v with_o our_o fleshly_a substance_n ligued_a and_o connect_v to_o he_o as_o the_o bodily_a member_n be_v to_o their_o natural_a and_o vital_a head_n i_o know_v all_o these_o expression_n be_v metaphorical_a yet_o i_o also_o know_v that_o they_o must_v be_v declarative_a of_o something_o that_o be_v not_o only_o real_a but_o who_o greatness_n it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o conceive_v as_o the_o variety_n of_o metaphor_n which_o the_o spirit_n make_v use_v of_o to_o decipher_v it_o by_o declare_v its_o importance_n so_o the_o quality_n of_o they_o serve_v to_o intimate_v that_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o legal_a union_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o oneness_n between_o christ_n and_o sincere_a christian_n but_o that_o which_o we_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o there_o can_v not_o be_v a_o symbol_n worse_o choose_v to_o express_v it_o by_o there_o be_v no_o analogy_n between_o what_o the_o phrase_n original_o signify_v and_o that_o which_o they_o be_v design_v and_o bring_v to_o illustrate_v 2_o those_o thing_n be_v distinct_a and_o different_a who_o idea_n be_v so_o the_o formal_a conception_n of_o our_o legal_a union_n with_o christ_n be_v huge_o different_a from_o the_o notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o our_o spiritual_a union_n with_o he_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o our_o mystical_a coherence_n to_o he_o import_v some_o thing_n beside_o a_o legal_a oneness_n now_o that_o the_o idea_n which_o we_o have_v
be_v the_o same_o pleasure_n to_o i_o to_o have_v my_o notion_n confute_v when_o unsound_a as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v restore_v to_o health_n when_o i_o have_v be_v sick_a §_o 8._o have_v brief_o view_v the_o serviceableness_n of_o reason_n as_o to_o the_o demonstrate_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n we_o may_v ere_o we_o make_v any_o further_o proceed_v infer_v and_o conclude_v from_o hence_o its_o authority_n for_o upon_o its_o divine_a original_a do_v its_o authority_n bear_v the_o formal_a reason_n of_o our_o submit_v our_o heart_n and_o conscience_n to_o the_o bible_n be_v god_n speak_v in_o it_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n be_v his_o right_n to_o command_v and_o require_v obedience_n and_o it_o be_v found_v not_o only_o in_o the_o supereminence_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o his_o relation_n to_o we_o as_o our_o maker_n have_v make_v we_o rational_a creature_n capable_a of_o moral_a government_n he_o may_v according_o rule_v we_o by_o law_n back_v with_o promise_n and_o threaten_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la man_n may_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o under_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o may_v deny_v he_o obedience_n but_o that_o militate_v nothing_o against_o the_o right_n that_o be_v vest_v in_o he_o of_o rule_v they_o nor_o the_o obligation_n that_o they_o be_v under_o of_o obey_v he_o now_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n arise_v from_o its_o be_v god_n word_n and_o his_o speak_n in_o it_o nor_o be_v the_o most_o momentous_a reason_n of_o that_o significancy_n to_o determine_v our_o assent_n as_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o person_n of_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n goodness_n and_o truth_n what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v to_o ascertain_v our_o belief_n than_o that_o the_o affirmer_n be_v infinite_o wise_a and_o can_v be_v deceive_v himself_o and_o infinite_o good_a and_o can_v deceive_v other_o to_o say_v as_o the_o papist_n do_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v its_o authority_n in_o se_fw-la in_o its_o self_n from_o its_o self_n but_o that_o it_o have_v its_o authority_n quoad_fw-la nos_fw-la with_o respect_n to_o we_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o talk_v without_o either_o reason_n or_o sense_n for_o 1_o authority_n be_v a_o relative_n term_n nothing_o can_v have_v authority_n in_o itself_o which_o have_v it_o not_o in_o respect_n of_o other_o nothing_o be_v a_o law_n proper_o but_o what_o be_v a_o law_n to_o some_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o suppose_v a_o actual_a right_n in_o any_o to_o command_n without_o suppose_v a_o obligation_n in_o some_o to_o obey_v if_o the_o scripture_n therefore_o have_v no_o authority_n from_o itself_o in_o respect_n of_o we_o it_o neither_o have_v nor_o can_v have_v any_o authority_n in_o its_o self_n 3._o at_o all_o 2_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o authority_n with_o respect_n to_o we_o but_o what_o it_o have_v from_o the_o church_n how_o come_v the_o church_n itself_o to_o be_v under_o a_o obligation_n to_o receive_v and_o obey_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o obligation_n but_o in_o relation_n to_o some_o antecedent_n authority_n and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o authority_n oblige_v the_o church_n to_o receive_v the_o scripture_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o sin_n in_o her_o reject_v it_o 3_o if_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o authority_n from_o its_o self_n and_o god_n speak_v in_o it_o with_o respect_n to_o we_o than_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v the_o first_o credible_a which_o be_v altogether_o false_a it_o be_v by_o the_o scripture_n that_o we_o both_o know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o church_n and_o how_o far_o her_o testimony_n be_v to_o be_v trust_v to_o 4._o every_o testimony_n be_v posterior_n to_o the_o thing_n testify_v and_o be_v according_o true_a or_o false_a as_o it_o be_v agreeable_a or_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n it_o bear_v witness_v to_o if_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n have_v any_o authority_n with_o respect_n to_o we_o upon_o the_o testimonial_a of_o the_o church_n it_o behove_v to_o have_v it_o antecedent_o in_o a_o word_n if_o god_n have_v not_o a_o right_n of_o command_v we_o independent_o on_o the_o testimonial_n of_o the_o church_n then_o no_o private_a revelation_n that_o ever_o god_n make_v or_o can_v make_v of_o himself_o to_o any_o be_v of_o the_o least_o force_n or_o significancy_n nor_o can_v they_o to_o who_o god_n by_o vision_n dream_n inspiration_n or_o otherwise_o make_v himself_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n know_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o give_v forth_o and_o publish_v to_o other_o what_o be_v thus_o reveal_v to_o they_o till_o they_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n that_o it_o be_v authentic_a have_v establish_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n upon_o its_o true_a basis_n namely_o on_o its_o be_v god_n word_n and_o speak_v in_o it_o now_o forasmuch_o as_o no_o man_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v a_o lie_n we_o may_v hence_o learn_v what_o to_o judge_n of_o that_o notion_n of_o des-cartes_n and_o some_o other_o 24._o viz._n deum_fw-la posse_fw-la fallere_fw-la si_fw-la velit_fw-la that_o god_n can_v deceive_v if_o he_o please_v no_o one_o deny_v but_o there_o both_o may_v be_v and_o be_v those_o thing_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o man_n may_v turn_v into_o occasion_n of_o be_v deceive_v all_o that_o be_v contend_v for_o be_v this_o that_o there_o can_v be_v nothing_o in_o a_o revelation_n from_o god_n which_o may_v be_v a_o proper_a cause_n of_o error_n to_o say_v that_o god_n may_v deceive_v if_o he_o will_v be_v no_o less_o than_o to_o affirm_v that_o he_o may_v cease_v to_o be_v god_n if_o he_o will_v god_n can_v do_v nothing_o but_o what_o in_o sensu_fw-la diviso_fw-la abstract_v from_o his_o decree_n to_o the_o contrary_a he_o may_v will_n to_o do_v if_o we_o prove_v therefore_o that_o it_o be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o be_v willing_a to_o deceive_v his_o creature_n we_o at_o the_o same_o time_n demonstrate_v that_o it_o be_v contradictory_n to_o his_o power_n to_o do_v so_o first_o then_o if_o god_n may_v deceive_v if_o he_o please_v what_o assurance_n have_v we_o but_o that_o he_o have_v and_o may_v choose_v to_o do_v it_o nor_o be_v it_o enough_o to_o say_v that_o he_o have_v tell_v we_o that_o he_o will_v not_o for_o if_o he_o may_v deceive_v at_o all_o i_o know_v nothing_o hinder_v but_o that_o he_o may_v even_o then_o deceive_v we_o when_o he_o inform_v we_o he_o will_v not_o second_o no_o one_o can_v deceive_v a_o other_o but_o it_o must_v proceed_v either_o from_o ignorance_n error_n or_o malice_n but_o all_o these_o interfere_v with_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o by_o consequence_n this_o posse_fw-la fallere_fw-la lie_v cross_v to_o his_o nature_n also_o to_o deceive_v argue_v either_o want_n of_o wisdom_n goodness_n or_o veracity_n and_o therefore_o in_o no_o sense_n can_v god_n deceive_v see_v he_o can_v neither_o cease_v to_o be_v wise_a nor_o give_v over_o to_o be_v good_a nor_o fail_v to_o be_v true_a three_o though_o a_o finite_a ignorant_a and_o mistake_v creature_n may_v impose_v upon_o we_o without_o say_v one_o thing_n when_o he_o think_v another_o yet_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o a_o infinite_a wise_a and_o omniscient_a be_v shall_v deceive_v any_o but_o that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o must_v lie_v but_o that_o god_n can_v lie_v we_o have_v both_o the_o testimony_n of_o scrpture_n tit._n 1.2_o and_o the_o high_a assurance_n that_o reason_n can_v give_v we_o hence_o no_o one_o ever_o acknowledge_v a_o deity_n but_o he_o withal_o include_v in_o his_o nature_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o speak_v nothing_o but_o truth_n §_o 9_o have_v unfold_v the_o nature_n and_o quality_n of_o the_o motive_n that_o our_o assent_n to_o the_o divinity_n of_o scripture_n be_v raise_v on_o we_o may_v hence_o infer_v that_o our_o belief_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v divine_a and_o infallible_a for_o as_o doctor_n hammond_n say_v in_o another_o case_n 3_o if_o the_o person_n affirm_v be_v infallible_a then_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o person_n infallible_a also_o so_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o assent_n to_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o revelation_n from_o god_n be_v infallible_a our_o assent_n which_o be_v build_v upon_o these_o ground_n be_v infallible_a likewise_o assent_n be_v not_o specificate_v and_o denominate_v from_o their_o object_n nor_o yet_o from_o the_o faculty_n that_o elicit_v they_o but_o from_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n on_o which_o they_o be_v raise_v whilst_o then_o the_o motive_n upon_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n be_v more_o than_o moral_a our_o assurance_n of_o its_o divinity_n be_v more_o than_o moral_a also_o for_o as_o we_o distinguish_v between_o the_o consequent_a and_o the_o
from_o all_o coaction_n and_o necessitation_n by_o the_o influence_n of_o any_o principle_n foreign_a to_o it_o now_o all_o these_o be_v impossible_a to_o matter_n because_o that_o act_n always_o according_a to_o the_o swing_n of_o irresistible_a motion_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v court_v and_o solicit_v to_o rest_n when_o under_o the_o forcible_a impulse_n of_o a_o strong_a movent_fw-la 3_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v plain_o demonstrate_v from_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n without_o the_o supposition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n there_o be_v no_o preserve_v the_o authority_n of_o god_n from_o contempt_n no_o due_a mean_n provide_v for_o the_o prevent_a man_n from_o gainful_a sin_n or_o the_o encourage_n of_o they_o to_o hazardous_a duty_n and_o according_o there_o have_v be_v few_o in_o the_o world_n who_o have_v believe_v a_o providence_n but_o they_o have_v likewise_o assert_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n these_o two_o be_v inseparable_o connect_v while_o we_o contemplate_v the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n we_o find_v prosperity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n attend_v vice_n and_o misery_n the_o companion_n of_o virtue_n good_a man_n be_v usual_o accompany_v with_o cross_n and_o have_v the_o least_o proportion_n of_o present_a thing_n while_o bad_a man_n be_v often_o glut_v with_o success_n and_o swim_v in_o pleasure_n now_o if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o immortal_a state_n where_o both_o the_o virtue_n of_o the_o good_a may_v be_v compensated_a and_o they_o receive_v comfort_n for_o their_o suffering_n and_o the_o vice_n of_o the_o bad_a may_v be_v punish_v and_o they_o receive_v vengeance_n for_o their_o crime_n both_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n as_o well_o as_o justice_n of_o the_o rector_n of_o the_o world_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o censure_v and_o impeachment_n yea_o it_o seem_v the_o better_a of_o the_o two_o whole_o to_o deny_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n than_o to_o think_v that_o he_o shall_v administer_v humane_a affair_n with_o so_o much_o irregularity_n and_o injustice_n in_o a_o word_n there_o be_v nothing_o can_v administer_v a_o satisfactory_a resolution_n in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a dispensation_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o a_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a state_n judgement_n inflict_v on_o sinner_n in_o this_o life_n can_v full_o clear_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n because_o the_o best_a of_o man_n be_v as_o well_o involve_v in_o they_o as_o the_o worst_a yea_o it_o be_v but_o now_o and_o then_o that_o the_o great_a criminal_n be_v make_v as_o remarkable_a in_o their_o punishment_n as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o their_o life_n beside_o a_o infinite_a eternal_a god_n be_v the_o object_n of_o wicked_a man_n contempt_n and_o it_o be_v his_o law_n who_o live_v for_o ever_o who_o authority_n they_o despise_v nor_o can_v any_o punishment_n be_v proportionable_a but_o what_o be_v eternal_a also_o 4_o that_o inbred_a desire_n which_o be_v in_o all_o man_n after_o immortality_n argue_v that_o there_o be_v such_o real_o provide_v for_o the_o satisfy_a this_o natural_a and_o universal_a appetite_n for_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v that_o nature_n shall_v furnish_v we_o with_o long_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o may_v content_v they_o to_o have_v such_o desire_n wrought_v into_o the_o complexion_n and_o constitution_n of_o our_o soul_n be_v there_o provision_n make_v of_o nothing_o that_o may_v answer_v they_o will_v not_o only_o reflect_v upon_o the_o wisdom_n of_o our_o maker_n who_o have_v produce_v we_o with_o these_o long_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o use_n but_o his_o mercy_n goodness_n and_o justice_n also_o in_o implant_n those_o appetite_n in_o we_o which_o serve_v at_o once_o to_o abuse_v and_o torment_v we_o and_o this_o lead_v i_o to_o the_o other_o particular_a which_o i_o promise_v to_o discourse_v namely_o the_o certainty_n of_o divine_a providence_n this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o truth_n also_o which_o beside_o the_o attestation_n give_v to_o it_o in_o the_o scripture_n have_v evidence_n enough_o in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n i_o confess_v that_o if_o we_o take_v our_o measure_n in_o this_o matter_n from_o the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a we_o shall_v be_v ready_a to_o think_v there_o be_v no_o foundation_n in_o reason_n to_o convince_v we_o otherwise_o but_o that_o all_o thing_n go_v at_o random_n it_o be_v not_o the_o opinion_n of_o epicurus_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o other_o that_o the_o god_n concern_v not_o themselves_o in_o sublunary_a affair_n nor_o do_v the_o poet_n only_o discharge_v god_n from_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o their_o very_a moral_a philosopher_n do_v the_o same_o horace_n deos_fw-la didici_fw-la securum_fw-la agere_fw-la aevum_fw-la and_o lucan_n nunquam_fw-la se_fw-la cura_fw-la deorum_fw-la sic_fw-la premit_fw-la ut_fw-la vestrae_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la vestraeque_fw-la saluti_fw-la fata_fw-la vacent_fw-la be_v not_o worse_o than_o pliny_n irridendum_fw-la curam_fw-la agere_fw-la rerum_fw-la humanarum_fw-la illud_fw-la quicquid_fw-la est_fw-la summum_fw-la and_o senecaes_n deus_fw-la nihil_fw-la agit_fw-fr nec_fw-la illum_fw-la magis_fw-la beneficia_fw-la quam_fw-la injuriae_fw-la tangunt_fw-la even_o many_o of_o they_o that_o own_v some_o kind_n of_o providence_n either_o confine_v it_o to_o heaven_n hold_v it_o unsuitable_a to_o his_o glorious_a nature_n to_o concern_v himself_o about_o frail_a and_o visible_a thing_n but_o that_o he_o govern_v they_o by_o subordinate_a cause_n as_o the_o grand_a signior_n do_v his_o province_n by_o his_o bashaw_n &_o lieutenant_n or_o they_o limit_v it_o to_o effect_n which_o depend_v on_o a_o concatenation_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o which_o they_o be_v ligue_v by_o train_n and_o connexion_n exclude_v god_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n from_o any_o care_n of_o contingent_a event_n or_o administration_n about_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_n of_o man_n or_o last_o they_o bind_v it_o up_o to_o universals_z and_o generals_z allow_v it_o little_a or_o no_o interposure_n about_o particular_n and_o singular_n and_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o book_n de_fw-fr mundo_fw-la who_o whether_o it_o be_v aristotle_n or_o philo_n or_o any_o other_o be_v not_o material_a the_o reason_n that_o prevail_v with_o they_o to_o question_v yea_o deny_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v one_a that_o it_o be_v beneath_o and_o unbecoming_a the_o perfection_n of_o god_n and_o a_o interruption_n of_o his_o felicity_n to_o concern_v himself_o in_o the_o affair_n of_o the_o sublunary_a world_n and_o to_o distract_v himself_o with_o the_o care_n of_o it_o but_o this_o be_v 1._o rather_o to_o describe_v some_o effeminate_a prince_n than_o the_o deity_n and_o 2._o it_o proceed_v upon_o a_o foolish_a mistake_n &_o a_o unworthy_a supposition_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v pain_n and_o trouble_v to_o god_n to_o govern_v the_o world_n which_o none_o can_v imagine_v but_o they_o who_o be_v ignorant_a of_o his_o attribute_n and_o be_v whatever_o god_n can_v do_v he_o do_v it_o without_o trouble_n to_o his_o infinite_a perfection_n nor_o 3._o be_v the_o happiness_n of_o god_n more_o impeach_v in_o govern_v the_o world_n than_o in_o make_v of_o it_o if_o without_o molestation_n to_o himself_o he_o can_v produce_v it_o at_o first_o he_o can_v without_o encumbrance_n rule_v it_o still_o the_o second_o motive_n that_o sway_v they_o to_o doubt_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n be_v the_o impunity_n of_o wicked_a men._n but_o in_o this_o they_o conclude_v as_o illogical_o as_o in_o the_o former_a god_n 1._o may_v have_v aim_n in_o the_o prosperity_n of_o criminal_n that_o we_o be_v not_o aware_a of_o and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o reflect_v on_o his_o dispensation_n when_o we_o know_v not_o the_o ground_n of_o they_o he_o hereby_o testify_v that_o severity_n be_v not_o the_o inclination_n of_o his_o nature_n but_o that_o punishment_n be_v extort_a from_o he_o he_o hereby_o also_o allow_v offender_n time_n as_o well_o as_o inducement_n to_o repentance_n he_o also_o herein_o set_v we_o a_o pattern_n of_o mercy_n and_o forbearance_n and_o teach_v we_o meekness_n and_o lenity_n by_o his_o own_o bounty_n and_o patience_n he_o withal_o give_v assurance_n to_o the_o world_n by_o this_o of_o a_o future_a judgement_n the_o prosperity_n of_o the_o wicked_a here_o be_v a_o pledge_n of_o their_o punishment_n hereafter_o 2._o bad_a man_n be_v not_o so_o happy_a as_o they_o be_v common_o imagine_v to_o be_v how_o can_v they_o be_v reckon_v happy_a who_o have_v nothing_o succeed_v according_a to_o their_o scope_n and_o mean_v every_o man_n intend_v well_o to_o himself_o but_o it_o be_v the_o perpetual_a infelicity_n of_o the_o wicked_a that_o they_o never_o reach_v the_o mark_n they_o aim_v at_o for_o by_o do_v ill_a they_o
control_v in_o nothing_o we_o say_v or_o do_v etc._n etc._n be_v ever_o intend_v for_o the_o felicity_n of_o a_o intellectual_a and_o rational_a be_v the_o soul_n of_o a_o brute_n will_v have_v serve_v all_o the_o end_n that_o some_o man_n propound_v to_o themselves_o but_o sure_o the_o bestow_n of_o a_o immortal_a spirit_n on_o we_o aught_o to_o instruct_v we_o that_o blessedness_n consist_v in_o something_o else_o than_o gaud_n trifle_n grandeur_n airy_a title_n and_o the_o like_a and_o he_o who_o can_v want_v these_o thing_n without_o think_v himself_o miserable_a at_o once_o reproach_v his_o maker_n as_o if_o he_o have_v create_v he_o for_o nothing_o more_o worthy_a and_o degrade_n and_o dishonour_v himself_o by_o intimate_v that_o such_o gratification_n be_v suitable_a to_o he_o 6._o the_o advantage_n which_o good_a man_n receive_v by_o affliction_n do_v ample_o compensate_a their_o feel_n of_o they_o they_o hereby_o both_o discern_v their_o sincerity_n themselves_o and_o discover_v it_o to_o other_o nor_o be_v it_o easy_a to_o imagine_v the_o satisfaction_n that_o the_o consciousness_n of_o a_o constant_a sincerity_n minister_n to_o a_o soul_n to_o find_v that_o we_o love_v god_n notwithstanding_o the_o narrow_a allowance_n he_o afford_v we_o be_v a_o more_o sovereign_a cordial_n to_o the_o mind_n that_o will_v approve_v its_o self_n to_o god_n than_o the_o flushe_v enjoyment_n of_o sublunary_a thing_n can_v yield_v their_o adversity_n also_o give_v they_o either_o relief_n in_o mortify_v those_o corruption_n which_o endanger_v they_o or_o in_o exercise_v those_o grace_n which_o glorify_v god_n and_o who_o dare_v reproach_v the_o wisdom_n or_o goodness_n of_o god_n for_o dispose_v thing_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o may_v turn_v not_o only_o most_o to_o his_o own_o honour_n but_o our_o advantage_n storm_n and_o frost_n be_v as_o useful_a to_o the_o universe_n as_o serene_a and_o clear_a weather_n nor_o be_v sugar_n and_o honey_n more_o necessary_a than_o salt_n and_o brine_n be_v if_o after_o all_o this_o there_o remain_v inexplicables_n in_o the_o work_n of_o providence_n it_o be_v no_o more_o than_o what_o we_o daily_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o work_v of_o creation_n nor_o must_v a_o finite_a understanding_n hope_v to_o comprehend_v the_o method_n of_o a_o infinite_a god_n and_o the_o future_a state_n will_v set_v all_o that_o straight_o which_o we_o now_o judge_v crooked_a have_v vindicate_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n from_o those_o objection_n which_o seem_v to_o affront_v it_o my_o next_o task_n be_v to_o suggest_v those_o argument_n which_o reason_n abstract_v from_o all_o revelation_n can_v muster_v to_o attest_v it_o 1_o be_v there_o not_o a_o omnipotent_a power_n and_o a_o omniscient_a skill_n to_o restrain_v and_o govern_v the_o quarrelsome_a spirit_n that_o be_v in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v soon_o sink_v under_o the_o bottom_n of_o its_o own_o confusion_n this_o the_o heathen_a intimate_v in_o the_o fable_n of_o phaethon_n who_o be_v admit_v to_o drive_v the_o chariot_n of_o the_o sun_n but_o for_o one_o day_n burn_v both_o himself_o and_o it_o together_o it_o be_v well_o say_v by_o the_o stoic_a that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d it_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o while_n to_o live_v in_o a_o world_n empty_a of_o god_n and_o providence_n nay_o it_o be_v the_o great_a unhappiness_n imaginable_a to_o be_v bring_v forth_o into_o the_o world_n to_o be_v perpetual_o toss_v up_o and_o down_o by_o blind_a fortune_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o there_o be_v not_o a_o providence_n 9_o there_o can_v be_v no_o order_n in_o the_o world_n and_o as_o another_o philosopher_n say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d if_o there_o be_v no_o supreme_a orderer_n whence_o come_v order_n to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n 2._o preclude_v providence_n &_o we_o remove_v one_o of_o the_o great_a foundation_n of_o venerate_v the_o deity_n it_o be_v not_o a_o persuasion_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o his_o nature_n that_o can_v engage_v we_o to_o a_o hearty_a adoration_n of_o he_o if_o we_o once_o discharge_v he_o from_o all_o concernment_n in_o we_o and_o our_o affair_n though_o there_o be_v the_o like_a eminency_n of_o dignity_n in_o the_o french_a king_n as_o in_o the_o king_n of_o great_a britain_n yet_o we_o have_v a_o great_a reverence_n for_o the_o one_o than_o the_o other_o because_o the_o one_o protect_v we_o which_o the_o other_o do_v not_o nor_o can_v we_o well_o believe_v the_o divine_a nature_n to_o be_v excellent_a shall_v we_o assert_v it_o devoid_a of_o goodness_n which_o be_v the_o great_a perfection_n much_o less_o will_v it_o be_v easy_a to_o honour_v he_o for_o a_o god_n who_o felicity_n we_o judge_v to_o consist_v in_o idleness_n we_o find_v ourselves_o capable_a of_o yea_o endow_v with_o the_o affection_n of_o fear_n and_o love_n and_o god_n be_v a_o object_n most_o adapt_v for_o they_o but_o seclude_v he_o from_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o world_n and_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n leave_v for_o the_o beget_n and_o maintain_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n towards_o he_o for_o if_o he_o regard_v not_o what_o we_o do_v instead_o of_o have_v provide_v due_a mean_n for_o our_o fear_v and_o love_v of_o he_o he_o have_v leave_v we_o under_o a_o unavoidable_a temptation_n of_o act_v towards_o with_o he_o with_o slight_a and_o contempt_n 3_o if_o there_o be_v no_o providence_n there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o ground_n for_o address_n to_o god_n out_o of_o hope_n of_o assistance_n or_o the_o thank_n he_o for_o the_o benefit_n we_o partake_v of_o and_o yet_o the_o chief_a of_o natural_a religion_n consist_v in_o these_o who_o will_v pray_v to_o god_n to_o be_v deliver_v when_o in_o strait_n or_o praise_v he_o when_o he_o have_v escape_v his_o entanglement_n if_o god_n no_o way_n interest_n himself_o in_o we_o and_o our_o affair_n 4_o if_o god_n govern_v not_o the_o world_n it_o be_v either_o because_o he_o can_v or_o because_o he_o will_v not_o to_o say_v the_o first_o be_v to_o represent_v he_o contemptible_a for_o his_o weakness_n and_o beside_o he_o that_o make_v the_o world_n can_v be_v suppose_v unable_a to_o rule_v it_o to_o affirm_v the_o second_o be_v to_o bestow_v omnipotency_n upon_o he_o in_o vain_a and_o to_o impeach_v every_o one_o of_o his_o perfection_n because_o of_o a_o faileur_n in_o their_o most_o natural_a and_o agreeable_a effect_n 5_o god_n be_v sovereign_a of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o he_o must_v needs_o govern_v it_o through_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o product_n of_o his_o will_n and_o power_n he_o have_v a_o incontestable_a dominion_n over_o they_o now_o we_o can_v fasten_v a_o great_a reproach_n upon_o a_o sovereign_n than_o that_o he_o throw_v off_o all_o the_o care_n and_o gubernation_n of_o his_o subject_n 6_o we_o see_v effect_n in_o the_o world_n which_o can_v proceed_v from_o no_o cause_n but_o god_n and_o discovery_n make_v to_o it_o which_o he_o alone_o can_v reveal_v and_o by_o consequence_n he_o have_v not_o whole_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o rectorship_n of_o it_o 7_o he_o must_v needs_o rule_v the_o world_n who_o have_v give_v it_o law_n for_o law_n be_v the_o relative_n of_o government_n and_o that_o he_o have_v give_v it_o law_n the_o inbred_a notion_n which_o we_o have_v of_o good_a and_o evil_a the_o fear_n and_o hope_n that_o haunt_v we_o do_v abundant_o demonstrate_v these_o he_o have_v weave_v into_o the_o composition_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o by_o these_o order_n be_v maintain_v in_o the_o world_n now_o it_o be_v the_o great_a affront_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o a_o fiction_n to_o preserve_v truth_n justice_n and_o righteousness_n among_o mankind_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v keep_v up_o the_o respect_n of_o himself_o by_o falsehood_n and_o deceit_n thus_o by_o single_v out_o one_o or_o two_o truth_n that_o have_v evidence_n give_v to_o they_o in_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o in_o revelation_n we_o have_v show_v what_o belong_v to_o reason_n about_o all_o doctrine_n of_o this_o genius_n and_o complexion_n §_o 13._o the_o next_o concernment_n of_o reason_n in_o &_o about_o religion_n be_v to_o defend_v the_o whole_a of_o it_o from_o the_o clamour_n and_o objection_n of_o gainsayer_n for_o as_o bisterfield_n say_v though_o they_o who_o reject_v argument_n levy_v from_o reason_n against_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n act_n modest_o crell_n yet_o they_o do_v not_o thorough_o serve_v the_o interest_n nor_o hereby_o deserve_v well_o of_o the_o cause_n of_o truth_n which_o they_o own_o and_o profess_v it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o authority_n of_o divine_a testimony_n be_v enough_o to_o warrant_v our_o faith_n whatever_o objection_n lie_v against_o the_o thing_n so_o testify_v