cause_n and_o author_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o the_o governor_n and_o disposer_n of_o they_o a_o divine_a be_v contain_v in_o himself_o all_o possible_a perfection_n without_o be_v subject_n to_o any_o manner_n of_o defect_n this_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v at_o in_o another_o place_n sermon_n and_o shall_v now_o more_o large_o prove_v so_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v true_a that_o we_o can_v reason_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n from_o his_o attribute_n nor_o discourse_n of_o those_o attribute_n from_o our_o reason_n that_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o only_a proper_a way_n of_o inquire_v into_o the_o wonderful_a depth_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n i_o mean_v the_o only_a way_n we_o have_v without_o revelation_n for_o i_o be_o not_o now_o consider_v what_o god_n have_v far_a discover_v of_o himself_o to_o we_o by_o his_o word_n for_o though_o the_o deity_n do_v abound_v with_o infinite_a excellency_n and_o perfection_n yet_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n we_o can_v 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we_o ought_v to_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o this_o method_n in_o order_n to_o understand_v the_o attribute_n of_o god_n for_o whatever_o excellency_n or_o perfection_n we_o can_v any_o way_n discover_v in_o the_o effect_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n i._n e._n in_o the_o work_v of_o the_o whole_a creation_n the_o same_o we_o can_v but_o suppose_v must_v be_v in_o he_o in_o the_o high_a and_o most_o noble_a proportion_n and_o degree_n since_o they_o be_v all_o owe_v to_o and_o derive_v from_o he_o and_o if_o we_o take_v a_o serious_a and_o considerate_a view_n of_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o creature_n or_o the_o work_v of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o may_v be_v reducible_a to_o these_o four_o general_a head_n be_v or_o substance_n life_n sensibility_n and_o reason_n all_o which_o we_o find_v to_o be_v in_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o they_o be_v at_o hand_n and_o ready_a to_o assist_v our_o meditation_n and_o these_o will_n if_o due_o consider_v lead_v we_o into_o a_o good_a way_n of_o discover_v the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o a_o great_a reason_n why_o man_n have_v have_v and_o advance_v wrong_a notion_n of_o god_n have_v be_v because_o they_o have_v have_v such_o of_o themselves_o and_o of_o those_o perfection_n that_o be_v in_o our_o own_o nature_n man_n that_o do_v not_o understand_v that_o the_o true_a perfection_n of_o humane_a nature_n consist_v in_o moral_a goodness_n or_o in_o a_o universal_a agreeableness_n of_o our_o will_n to_o the_o eternal_a law_n of_o right_a reason_n can_v conceive_v aright_o of_o the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o god_n for_o they_o will_v be_v for_o make_v he_o like_o themselves_o guide_v by_o vehement_a self-love_n and_o inordinate_a will_n or_o whatever_o predominant_a passion_n possess_v they_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o trace_v this_o in_o the_o epicurean_a notion_n of_o a_o god_n dissolve_v in_o ease_n and_o sloth_n and_o who_o neglect_v the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n to_o enjoy_v his_o own_o private_a pleasure_n and_o in_o the_o hobbian_a one_o of_o a_o deity_n not_o guide_v by_o any_o essential_a rectitude_n of_o will_n but_o only_o by_o arbitrary_a lawless_a and_o irrisistible_a power_n for_o both_o these_o opinion_n be_v exact_o agreeable_a to_o the_o genius_n and_o humour_n of_o their_o author_n and_o propagator_n but_o to_o proceed_v with_o our_o deduction_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n from_o the_o excellency_n and_o perfection_n which_o we_o find_v in_o ourselves_o 1._o if_o in_o the_o first_o place_n we_o consider_v be_v and_o the_o high_a perfection_n that_o do_v belong_v to_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o the_o deity_n who_o be_v the_o first_o and_o supreme_a be_v and_o the_o cause_n and_o author_n of_o all_o other_o in_o the_o world_n in_o the_o utmost_a perfection_n now_o the_o high_a 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admission_n into_o and_o be_v firm_o root_v in_o all_o considerate_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n and_o who_o be_v not_o debauch_v by_o sceptical_a and_o atheistical_a metaphysic_n for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o one_o that_o think_v at_o all_o to_o have_v a_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n that_o can_v die_v or_o cease_v to_o be_v or_o that_o be_v so_o confine_v and_o imprison_v in_o any_o one_o part_n of_o space_n that_o he_o can_v extend_v himself_o no_o far_o no_o it_o must_v be_v a_o epicurean_a stupefaction_n of_o soul_n indeed_o that_o can_v induce_v a_o man_n to_o fancy_v a_o mortal_a or_o a_o topical_a god_n one_o that_o may_v be_v slay_v or_o die_v of_o old_a age_n or_o be_v shackle_a and_o confine_v to_o any_o one_o part_n of_o the_o universe_n exclusive_a of_o the_o rest_n and_o though_o a_o man_n can_v find_v perhaps_o that_o he_o have_v a_o adequate_a idea_n of_o eternity_n yet_o that_o god_n must_v be_v without_o beginning_n or_o end_n he_o will_v ready_o allow_v as_o soon_o as_o he_o consider_v the_o thing_n for_o he_o will_v perceive_v that_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n can_v not_o be_v cause_v by_o any_o thing_n else_o but_o must_v be_v self-existent_a and_o without_o beginning_n and_o if_o nothing_o can_v cause_v his_o be_v nothing_o can_v take_v it_o away_o neither_o and_o consequent_o he_o must_v be_v everlasting_a or_o eternal_a and_o of_o this_o attribute_n the_o heathen_n have_v a_o clear_a idea_n and_o belief_n give_v god_n the_o title_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o swear_v usual_o by_o the_o immortal_a go_n tully_n say_v deum_fw-la nisi_fw-la sempiternum_fw-la intelligere_fw-la quî_fw-la possumus_fw-la how_o can_v we_o conceive_v the_o deity_n any_o otherwise_o than_o to_o be_v a_o eternal_a be_v and_o aristotle_n in_o many_o place_n make_v eternity_n essential_a to_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o particular_o lib._n 2._o de_fw-la coelo_fw-la and_o so_o as_o to_o immensity_n or_o omnipresence_n though_o he_o indeed_o can_v tell_v the_o manner_n how_o a_o spirit_n or_o immaterial_a substance_n permeate_n matter_n or_o be_v present_a to_o every_o part_n of_o it_o yet_o he_o will_v conclude_v that_o the_o deity_n must_v some_o how_o or_o other_o actual_o fill_v and_o be_v present_a with_o all_o thing_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a he_o shall_v be_v exclude_v any_o where_o or_o be_v in_o any_o respect_n bound_v or_o limit_v as_o it_o be_v also_o that_o he_o shall_v act_v or_o operate_v where_o he_o be_v not_o nor_o will_v i_o believe_v any_o free_a and_o unprejudiced_a mind_n have_v recourse_n either_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n be_v universal_a matter_n or_o infinite_a space_n in_o order_n to_o solve_v his_o immensity_n or_o omnipresence_n for_o the_o former_a he_o will_v see_v necessary_o make_v the_o deity_n material_o divisible_a into_o part_n actual_o separate_v
nor_o discover_v the_o almighty_a unto_o perfection_n but_o notwithstanding_o we_o have_v as_o certain_a a_o knowledge_n and_o as_o clear_a idea_n of_o his_o attribute_n as_o we_o have_v of_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o grotius_n gloss_n on_o this_o place_n be_v very_o just_a and_o proper_a god_n do_v not_o bid_v man_n know_v he_o according_a to_o his_o nature_n which_o exceed_v humane_a capacity_n to_o do_v but_o according_a to_o those_o attribute_n or_o property_n of_o his_o which_o relate_v to_o mankind_n which_o the_o hebrew_n call_v middôth_n i.e._n those_o measure_n or_o dimension_n of_o he_o which_o be_v proportionable_a to_o our_o understanding_n and_o capacity_n and_o such_o his_o attribute_n be_v for_o we_o see_v they_o visible_o exert_v in_o the_o work_v of_o the_o creation_n and_o we_o find_v they_o necessary_o include_v in_o the_o notion_n that_o we_o have_v of_o the_o supreme_a be_v or_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o all_o thing_n as_o i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o another_o discourse_n but_o this_o some_o be_v please_v to_o deny_v and_o say_v that_o nothing_o at_o all_o can_v be_v know_v of_o god_n but_o only_o that_o he_o be_v for_o his_o nature_n be_v perfect_o incomprehensible_a that_o we_o do_v but_o dishonour_n god_n by_o pretend_v to_o understand_v and_o to_o talk_v about_o his_o attribute_n about_o which_o we_o can_v say_v nothing_o but_o only_a what_o serve_v to_o express_v our_o astonishment_n ignorance_n and_o rusticity_n and_o therefore_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n ought_v to_o determine_v what_o attribute_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o the_o deity_n this_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o vaninus_n and_o be_v plain_o of_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o be_v before_o they_o of_o sextus_n empiricus_n which_o take_v in_o their_o own_o word_n non_fw-la deum_fw-la melius_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la quam_fw-la per_fw-la ea_fw-la quae_fw-la negamus_fw-la nos_fw-la intelligere_fw-la say_v vaninus_n 9_o again_o deum_fw-la nullis_fw-la tam_fw-la plenè_fw-la indicatum_fw-la intelligimus_fw-la vocibus_fw-la quam_fw-la iis_fw-la quae_fw-la ignorantiam_fw-la nostram_fw-la praetendunt_fw-la we_o can_v have_v say_v mr._n hobbs_n no_o conception_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o consequent_o all_o his_o attribute_n signify_v only_o our_o inability_n and_o defect_n of_o power_n to_o conceive_v any_o thing_n concern_v he_o except_o only_o this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n 69._o and_o in_o another_o place_n say_v he_o god_n attribute_n can_v signify_v what_o he_o be_v but_o aught_o to_o signify_v our_o desire_n to_o honour_v he_o but_o they_o that_o venture_v to_o reason_n of_o his_o nature_n from_o these_o attribute_n of_o honour_n lose_v their_o understanding_n in_o the_o very_a first_o attempt_n fall_v from_o one_o inconvenience_n to_o another_o without_o end_n and_o number_n and_o do_v only_o discover_v their_o astonishment_n and_o rusticity_n 374._o again_o when_o man_n say_v he_o out_o of_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n dispute_v about_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n they_o do_v but_o dishonour_v he_o for_o in_o the_o attribute_n we_o give_v to_o god_n we_o be_v not_o to_o consider_v philosophical_a truth_n 191._o and_o therefore_o he_o conclude_v that_o those_o attribute_n which_o the_o sovereign_a power_n shall_v ordain_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o sign_n of_o honour_n aught_o to_o be_v take_v and_o use_v for_o such_o by_o private_a man_n in_o their_o public_a worship_n 192._o in_o which_o he_o agree_v as_o he_o use_v to_o do_v exact_o with_o sextus_n empiricus_n who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o sceptic_a be_v in_o the_o right_n for_o assert_v god_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o his_o country_n and_o in_o pay_v they_o that_o veneration_n and_o worship_n which_o on_o the_o same_o account_n become_v due_a to_o they_o will_v not_o venture_v to_o determine_v any_o thing_n philosophical_o about_o they_o 317._o now_o from_o these_o passage_n i_o think_v it_o appear_v plain_a enough_o that_o though_o these_o man_n do_v in_o word_n pretend_v to_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n yet_o in_o fact_n they_o be_v atheist_n and_o have_v no_o true_a belief_n of_o any_o such_o be_v for_o a_o deity_n without_o the_o attribute_n of_o understanding_n and_o wisdom_n without_o end_n or_o design_n none_o of_o which_o mr._n hobbs_n assert_n express_o can_v be_v in_o god_n 190._o be_v a_o ridiculous_a stupid_a be_v a_o idol_n that_o every_o rational_a agent_n must_v needs_o despise_v and_o which_o can_v never_o be_v the_o object_n of_o any_o one_o adoration_n love_n or_o obedience_n to_o assert_v therefore_o that_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n be_v not_o discoverable_a by_o reason_n nor_o agreeable_a to_o philosophical_a truth_n but_o may_v be_v declare_v to_o be_v any_o thing_n which_o the_o sovereign_a power_n please_v to_o make_v they_o this_o be_v design_o to_o expose_v the_o belief_n and_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o to_o render_v it_o so_o precarious_a that_o it_o can_v be_v the_o object_n of_o no_o rational_a man_n faith_n and_o this_o last_o name_v writer_n treat_v the_o deity_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n in_o most_o other_o place_n of_o his_o work_n he_o say_v we_o must_v not_o say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v finite_a that_o he_o have_v figure_n part_n or_o totality_n that_o he_o be_v here_o or_o there_o that_o he_o move_v or_o rest_v or_o that_o we_o can_v conceive_v or_o know_v any_o thing_n of_o he_o for_o all_o this_o be_v to_o dishonour_v he_o and_o yet_o to_o say_v that_o he_o be_v a_o immaterial_a substance_n that_o he_o be_v a_o infinite_a and_o eternal_a spirit_n be_v he_o say_v nonsense_n and_o what_o destroy_v and_o contradict_v itself_o however_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o allow_v the_o word_n immaterial_a or_o spirit_n to_o be_v use_v towards_o god_n as_o a_o mark_n of_o honour_n and_o respect_n that_o be_v we_o may_v attribute_v to_o god_n what_o we_o know_v to_o be_v nonsense_n and_o contradiction_n and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n to_o honour_v he_o and_o to_o speak_v of_o he_o any_o other_o way_n be_v to_o dishonour_v he_o who_o do_v not_o perceive_v that_o it_o be_v plain_o the_o design_n of_o this_o writer_n to_o treat_v of_o the_o deity_n after_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o shall_v deprive_v he_o of_o all_o knowledge_n and_o care_n of_o humane_a affair_n and_o consequent_o effectual_o banish_v out_o of_o man_n mind_n a_o just_a veneration_n for_o he_o and_o adoration_n of_o he_o such_o man_n be_v the_o most_o dangerous_a and_o mischievous_a of_o all_o other_o profess_v atheist_n can_v do_v no_o great_a harm_n for_o all_o person_n be_v aware_a of_o they_o and_o will_v just_o abhor_v the_o write_n and_o conversation_n of_o man_n that_o say_v bold_o there_o be_v no_o god_n but_o there_o be_v but_o few_o such_o they_o have_v find_v a_o way_n to_o pass_v undiscovered_a under_o a_o fair_a dress_n and_o a_o soft_a name_n they_o pretend_v to_o be_v true_a deist_n and_o sincere_a cultivator_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o to_o have_v a_o most_o profound_a respect_n for_o the_o supreme_a and_o almighty_a be_v but_o when_o this_o profound_a respect_n come_v to_o be_v thorough_o examine_v and_o due_o understand_v it_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o most_o abominable_a abuse_v that_o can_v be_v and_o a_o most_o wicked_a and_o blasphemous_a idea_n of_o the_o deity_n for_o they_o make_v he_o either_o nothing_o but_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o world_n universal_a matter_n or_o natura_n naturata_n a_o god_n that_o be_v a_o absolute_o necessary_a agent_n without_o any_o rectitude_n in_o his_o will_n without_o any_o knowledge_n wisdom_n goodness_n justice_n mercy_n or_o providence_n over_o his_o work_n but_o let_v such_o person_n take_v what_o name_n they_o please_v upon_o themselves_o a_o little_a consideration_n will_v soon_o discover_v what_o they_o be_v in_o reality_n and_o i_o hope_v give_v man_n a_o just_a abhorrence_n of_o such_o notion_n though_o never_o so_o specious_o put_v forth_o but_o let_v we_o now_o proceed_v to_o examine_v what_o ground_n there_o be_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n for_o man_n to_o advance_v such_o wicked_a opinion_n and_o to_o show_v the_o weakness_n and_o precariousness_n of_o they_o and_o here_o it_o must_v be_v premise_v and_o take_v for_o grant_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n this_o be_v what_o the_o person_n i_o be_o now_o concern_v with_o pretend_v to_o own_o and_o to_o acknowledge_v which_o be_v suppose_v it_o appear_v very_o plain_a that_o we_o may_v have_v if_o we_o will_v and_o some_o person_n as_o i_o have_v show_v the_o have_v always_o have_v a_o very_a clear_a notion_n or_o idea_n of_o the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o such_o a_o be_v as_o also_o that_o they_o be_v fix_v and_o immutable_a property_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o by_o profess_v to_o believe_v a_o god_n they_o must_v mean_v if_o they_o mean_v any_o thing_n the_o first_o
a_o refutation_n of_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n in_o general_n in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o the_o cathedral-church_n of_o st._n paul_n september_n the_o five_o 1698._o be_v the_o six_o of_o the_o lecture_n for_o that_o year_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o john_n harris_n m._n a._n and_o fellow_n of_o the_o royal-society_n london_n print_v by_o j._n l._n for_o richard_n wilkin_n at_o the_o king's-head_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1698._o jerem._n ix_o 24._o let_v he_o that_o glori_v glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v i_o that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n who_o exercise_n love_v kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n i_o delight_v say_v the_o lord_n pride_n and_o vainglory_n be_v thing_n which_o human_a nature_n be_v strange_o subject_a to_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o one_o so_o mean_a but_o who_o judge_n that_o he_o have_v something_o or_o other_o that_o he_o may_v just_o be_v proud_a of_o and_o value_v himself_o for_o but_o as_o pride_n be_v folly_n in_o the_o general_n so_o it_o apparent_o discover_v itself_o in_o this_o respect_n that_o those_o man_n be_v usual_o most_o vain_a who_o have_v the_o least_o reason_n to_o be_v so_o and_o that_o too_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v the_o least_o valuable_a in_o themselves_o thus_o as_o the_o prophet_n intimate_v in_o the_o verse_n before_o the_o text_n man_n frequent_o glory_n in_o bodily_a strength_n in_o beauty_n and_o agility_n and_o in_o the_o affluence_n of_o external_a possession_n thing_n which_o be_v the_o mean_a appurtenance_n to_o our_o nature_n and_o which_o be_v neither_o in_o our_o power_n to_o get_v nor_o keep_v wisdom_n indeed_o and_o judgement_n learning_n and_o part_n wit_n and_o penetration_n and_o all_o the_o noble_a endowment_n of_o our_o mind_n be_v thing_n of_o the_o great_a intrinsic_a worth_n and_o value_n and_o we_o have_v much_o more_o reason_n to_o esteem_v ourselves_o for_o they_o than_o for_o all_o the_o good_n of_o fortune_n or_o any_o bodily_a excellency_n but_o yet_o let_v not_o the_o wise_a man_n glory_n in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n neither_o though_o as_o the_o targum_fw-la on_o the_o place_n hint_n it_o be_v as_o great_a as_o that_o of_o solomon_n himself_o for_o we_o have_v in_o reality_n no_o just_a ground_n to_o value_v ourselves_o for_o even_o this_o when_o we_o consider_v that_o the_o best_a of_o we_o have_v it_o but_o in_o a_o very_a slender_a proportion_n and_o that_o our_o high_a knowledge_n be_v very_o imperfect_a and_o defective_a hence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v or_o at_o least_o ought_v to_o do_v so_o that_o the_o modesty_n and_o humility_n of_o true_o know_v man_n increase_v with_o their_o learning_n and_o experience_n their_o be_v raise_v something_o above_o the_o common_a level_n instead_o of_o lessen_v and_o shorten_n in_o their_o eye_n the_o stature_n of_o other_o man_n increase_v their_o prospect_n of_o a_o boundless_a field_n of_o knowledge_n all_o around_o they_o the_o more_o of_o which_o they_o discover_v the_o more_o they_o find_v yet_o undiscovered_a but_o he_o that_o know_v but_o little_a vain_o think_v he_o know_v every_o thing_n and_o judge_n all_o be_v empty_a and_o void_a that_o be_v without_o the_o bound_n of_o his_o scanty_a horizon_n another_o great_a vanity_n there_o be_v also_o in_o pride_n which_o be_v that_o man_n be_v frequent_o conceit_v and_o proud_a of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v the_o least_o share_n of_o and_o be_v fond_a of_o such_o action_n as_o do_v plain_o discover_v their_o defect_n for_o usual_o those_o man_n be_v most_o forward_o to_o talk_v of_o learning_n who_o be_v least_o acquaint_v with_o book_n and_o those_o make_v the_o great_a noise_n about_o and_o pretension_n to_o philosophy_n who_o have_v the_o least_o insight_n into_o nature_n those_o who_o talk_v most_o of_o certainty_n and_o demonstration_n have_v usual_o the_o most_o confuse_a idea_n and_o the_o most_o superficial_a notion_n of_o thing_n and_o be_v the_o far_a of_o all_o man_n from_o true_a science_n this_o be_v apparent_o see_v in_o the_o pretender_n to_o scepticism_n and_o infidelity_n and_o in_o all_o the_o atheistical_a writer_n no_o man_n express_v themselves_o with_o such_o a_o insupportable_a insolence_n as_o these_o new_a light_n these_o reformer_n of_o our_o philosophy_n and_o our_o politic_n who_o yet_o after_o all_o be_v proud_a know_v nothing_o as_o st._n paul_n speak_v rom._n 1.21_o but_o be_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n their_o foolish_a heart_n be_v darken_v and_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v wise_a they_o become_v fool_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n appear_v as_o foolishness_n to_o they_o because_o the_o carnal_a mind_n savour_v not_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v of_o god_n though_o will_v man_n but_o studious_o apply_v themselves_o to_o consider_v of_o will_v they_o careful_o and_o impartial_o examine_v into_o and_o will_v they_o but_o serious_o make_v use_n of_o those_o mean_n that_o god_n have_v gracious_o give_v mankind_n in_o order_n to_o attain_v a_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o perfection_n they_o will_v then_o find_v so_o much_o beauty_n wisdom_n harmony_n and_o excellency_n in_o this_o inexhaustible_a fund_z of_o knowledge_n as_o will_v sufficient_o reward_v their_o pain_n and_o endeavour_n and_o this_o we_o may_v glory_v in_o this_o knowledge_n will_v be_v the_o most_o noble_a and_o honourable_a that_o our_o capacity_n can_v attain_v unto_o and_o in_o comparison_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o other_o qualification_n and_o excellence_n in_o our_o nature_n at_o all_o valuable_a for_o here_o we_o have_v a_o object_n the_o great_a and_o most_o perfect_a that_o can_v be_v the_o more_o we_o know_v of_o which_o the_o more_o we_o shall_v exalt_v and_o perfect_v ourselves_o here_o be_v no_o empty_a speculation_n no_o difficiles_fw-la nugae_fw-la no_o false_a light_n nor_o fantastical_a appearance_n but_o it_o be_v a_o real_a and_o substantial_a a_o useful_a and_o practical_a knowledge_n a_o knowledge_n that_o do_v not_o only_o delight_v we_o for_o the_o present_a but_o which_o bring_v constant_a and_o last_a satisfaction_n here_o and_o eternal_a happiness_n hereafter_o let_v he_o therefore_o that_o glori_v glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v god_n that_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n who_o exercise_v love_a kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n for_o in_o these_o thing_n do_v i_o delight_v say_v the_o lord_n in_o which_o word_n there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n chief_o considerable_a i._n a_o supposition_n that_o god_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v know_v to_o we_o by_o his_o attribute_n ii_o a_o account_n of_o some_o of_o those_o attribute_n which_o he_o exercise_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o which_o he_o delight_v under_o which_o two_o head_n i_o shall_v in_o pursuance_n of_o my_o general_a design_n endeavour_v to_o answer_v those_o objection_n that_o atheistical_a man_n have_v bring_v against_o the_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n i._o here_o be_v a_o supposition_n that_o god_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v know_v to_o we_o by_o his_o attribute_n he_o that_o glori_v let_v he_o glory_n in_o this_o that_o he_o understand_v and_o know_v god_n that_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n who_o exercise_v love_a kindness_n judgement_n and_o righteousness_n in_o the_o earth_n it_o be_v plain_o suppose_v here_o that_o this_o knowledge_n which_o we_o be_v direct_v to_o acquire_v be_v a_o possible_a knowledge_n god_n will_v not_o command_v we_o to_o understand_v he_o by_o his_o attribute_n of_o goodness_n mercy_n and_o justice_n which_o he_o continual_o exercise_v in_o the_o earth_n if_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o attain_v to_o it_o he_o will_v not_o delight_v to_o do_v such_o work_n in_o the_o world_n if_o nothing_o of_o they_o can_v be_v know_v nor_o himself_o by_o they_o but_o the_o psalmist_n tell_v we_o the_o lord_n be_v know_v by_o his_o work_n and_o that_o the_o heaven_n declare_v his_o glory_n and_o the_o firmament_n show_v his_o handiwork_n and_o st._n paul_n be_v express_v that_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o he_o be_v clear_o see_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n and_o indeed_o these_o attribute_n of_o god_n be_v what_o be_v most_o and_o best_o know_v to_o we_o and_o from_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n that_o we_o have_v of_o these_o we_o may_v be_v effectual_o assure_v of_o the_o existence_n of_o some_o first_o cause_n some_o supreme_a be_v in_o who_o all_o these_o attribute_n and_o perfection_n must_v inhere_o the_o infinite_a nature_n indeed_o of_o this_o divine_a be_v be_v incomprehensible_a to_o our_o shallow_a and_o scanty_a understanding_n and_o we_o can_v by_o search_v find_v it_o out_o