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command_v and_o allow_v all_o good_a and_o forbid_v and_o condemn_v all_o sin_n and_o wickedness_n whatsoever_o in_o thought_n word_n and_o action_n not_o only_o the_o filthiness_n of_o the_o flesh_n but_o also_o the_o filthiness_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o that_o with_o reference_n to_o all_o person_n time_n and_o place_n without_o exception_n bind_v the_o conscience_n and_o reach_v the_o very_a thought_n and_o secret_n of_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n and_o do_v not_o all_o these_o thing_n which_o will_v fill_v a_o great_a volume_n if_o i_o shall_v treat_v of_o they_o at_o large_a clear_o and_o convince_o set_v forth_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n so_o as_o we_o shall_v acknowledge_v no_o other_o author_n of_o those_o sacred_a writing_n but_o god_n himself_o for_o who_o can_v contrive_v these_o thing_n but_o he_o who_o be_v infinite_a in_o power_n and_o wisdom_n who_o can_v give_v eternal_a life_n
of_o faith_n you_o may_v know_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o he_o make_v the_o world_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n for_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v invisible_a be_v clear_o see_v and_o understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v whereby_o we_o come_v to_o know_v his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n rom._n 1.20_o and_o we_o must_v believe_v this_o also_o because_o god_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v reveal_v it_o heb._n 11.3_o faith_n and_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n go_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n different_a way_n faith_n do_v it_o because_o of_o the_o divine_a testimony_n authority_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n who_o be_v truth_n and_o goodness_n itself_o but_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n do_v it_o because_o of_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o thing_n itself_o by_o rational_a discourse_n however_o we_o must_v hold_v to_o this_o as_o a_o undoubted_a truth_n that_o though_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n as_o it_o be_v a_o relict_n of_o god_n image_n in_o man_n be_v necessary_a in_o religious_a and_o moral_a thing_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a there_o be_v great_a decay_n and_o languish_n in_o our_o reason_n as_o the_o great_a philosopher_n themselves_o have_v acknowledge_v v._o consider_v that_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o nature_n and_o reason_n as_o corrupt_v and_o deprave_v by_o sin_n as_o it_o be_v in_o every_o son_n of_o adam_n so_o it_o be_v a_o enemy_n yea_o enmity_n itself_o against_o god_n rom._n 8.7_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o very_a wisdom_n of_o the_o flesh_n i._n e._n the_o reason_n and_o discourse_n of_o the_o natural_a man_n his_o best_a thought_n desire_n and_o affection_n the_o best_a inclination_n and_o motion_n of_o his_o mind_n be_v not_o only_a enemy_n but_o enmity_n against_o god_n a_o enemy_n may_v be_v reconcile_v but_o enmity_n itself_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n 1.21_o use_v a_o strange_a expression_n that_o the_o world_n by_o wisdom_n know_v not_o god_n he_o do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o world_n through_o foolishness_n be_v ignorant_a of_o god_n but_o that_o by_o wisdom_n that_o be_v by_o the_o right_a use_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_v it_o know_v not_o god_n as_o diodate_v note_n upon_o the_o text_n they_o become_v vain_a in_o their_o imagination_n say_v the_o same_o apostle_n rom._n 1.21_o the_o word_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o may_v be_v better_o render_v thus_o they_o become_v vain_a in_o their_o reason_n or_o their_o practical_a inference_n and_o discourse_n such_o as_o they_o make_v out_o of_o the_o principle_n they_o have_v in_o their_o understanding_n so_o likewise_o 1_o cor._n 3.20_o the_o lord_n know_v the_o thought_n of_o the_o wise_a not_o the_o simple_a thought_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o most_o prudent_a reason_n and_o discourse_n of_o the_o man_n of_o the_o world_n that_o they_o be_v vain_a you_o have_v the_o same_o word_n 1_o tim._n 2.8_o which_o be_v translate_v without_o doubt_v but_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d without_o reason_v or_o dispute_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n and_o prayer_n we_o must_v not_o argue_v against_o the_o promise_n by_o our_o reason_n in_o this_o sense_n the_o more_o humane_a reason_n learning_n and_o wisdom_n man_n have_v the_o more_o opposition_n there_o be_v in_o they_o against_o god_n and_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n 1_o cor._n 1.20_o 26._o and_o chap._n 2.9_o 10_o 11._o and_o ch._n 3.18_o 19_o and_o therefore_o augustine_n write_v thus_o to_o a_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o part_n ornari_fw-la abs_fw-la te_fw-la diabolus_fw-la quaerit_fw-la but_o now_o if_o we_o speak_v of_o nature_n and_o reason_n as_o enlighten_v and_o rectify_v by_o the_o spirit_n and_o word_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v a_o excellent_a help_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n let_v the_o word_n of_o god_n let_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n first_o lie_v the_o foundation_n and_o then_o reason_n may_v build_v upon_o it_o reason_n shall_v not_o take_v the_o first_o place_n or_o have_v the_o pre-eminence_n but_o shall_v be_v subject_a and_o subordinate_a to_o faith_n as_o agar_n the_o bondwoman_n be_v to_o be_v to_o her_o mistress_n sarah_n the_o freewoman_n we_o must_v not_o first_o consult_v with_o reason_n nor_o ask_v a_o reason_n of_o our_o believe_v when_o we_o shall_v believe_v beyond_o reason_n a_o mere_a rational_a consider_v of_o mean_n and_o second_o cause_n be_v a_o great_a enemy_n to_o faith_n if_o you_o will_v believe_v say_v luther_n you_o must_v crucify_v that_o question_n why_o god_n will_v not_o have_v we_o so_o full_a of_o wherefore_n abraham_n against_o hope_n believe_v in_o hope_n rom._n 4.18_o 19_o contra_fw-la spem_fw-la nempe_fw-la carnis_fw-la rationis_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la naturae_fw-la as_o some_o of_o the_o best_a interpreter_n comment_v upon_o it_o he_o believe_v against_o sense_n and_o natural_a reason_n in_o hope_n against_o hope_n i._n e._n in_o hope_n supernatural_a against_o all_o the_o appearance_n of_o natural_a hope_n nothing_o doubt_v say_v the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o abraham_n faith_n it_o be_v the_o same_o word_n which_o you_o find_v 1_o cor._n 11.29_o nothing_o discern_v as_o when_o a_o man_n look_v on_o thing_n with_o a_o eye_n of_o sense_n and_o reason_n he_o pass_v a_o judgement_n of_o discern_v or_o dijudication_n upon_o they_o as_o thus_o some_o thing_n be_v easy_a some_o thing_n be_v hard_a abraham_n do_v not_o so_o reason_n or_o consider_v of_o thing_n when_o he_o believe_v i'faith_o when_o it_o be_v lively_a and_o strong_a will_v subscribe_v to_o a_o blank_a and_o will_v rest_v on_o the_o power_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n when_o all_o thing_n seem_v contrary_a in_o outward_a appearance_n and_o to_o a_o eye_n of_o reason_n faith_n can_v see_v love_n in_o anger_n light_n in_o darkness_n life_n in_o death_n as_o we_o have_v the_o woman_n of_o canaan_n for_o a_o instance_n beside_o many_o other_o faith_n will_v tell_v a_o man_n that_o the_o low_a he_o be_v cast_v down_o and_o abase_v the_o high_a he_o shall_v be_v raise_v and_o the_o more_o he_o shall_v be_v comfort_v and_o this_o be_v further_a than_o reason_n can_v go_v faith_n as_o a_o late_a godly_a writer_n true_o observe_v have_v a_o great_a and_o large_a prospect_n it_o can_v look_v over_o all_o the_o world_n yea_o and_o into_o the_o other_o world_n too_o it_o behold_v god_n who_o be_v invisible_a and_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v but_o now_o as_o for_o reason_n it_o get_v upon_o some_o little_a molehill_n of_o creature_n ability_n and_o if_o it_o can_v see_v over_o two_o or_o three_o hedge_n this_o be_v much_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o great_a trouble_n to_o faith_n to_o be_v tie_v to_o reason_n if_o a_o man_n be_v able_a to_o go_v a_o journey_n of_o two_o or_o three_o hundred_o mile_n on_o foot_n you_o will_v say_v he_o be_v a_o good_a footman_n yet_o if_o you_o constrain_v he_o to_o carry_v a_o little_a child_n with_o he_o this_o will_v be_v a_o great_a luggage_n to_o he_o for_o though_o the_o child_n may_v run_v along_o in_o his_o hand_n half_o a_o mile_n yet_o he_o must_v carry_v he_o on_o his_o back_n or_o in_o his_o arm_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o way_n especial_o when_o he_o go_v over_o water_n and_o steep_a hill_n which_o will_v be_v no_o small_a burden_n and_o trouble_n thus_o it_o be_v between_o faith_n and_o reason_n reason_n at_o the_o best_a be_v but_o a_o child_n to_o faith_n faith_n can_v foot_v it_o over_o mountain_n of_o difficulty_n and_o wade_v through_o the_o water_n of_o affliction_n though_o great_a and_o many_o but_o when_o reason_n come_v to_o wade_v through_o a_o affliction_n or_o to_o go_v over_o some_o great_a difficulty_n it_o cry_v out_o and_o say_v oh_o faith_n let_v we_o go_v back_o again_o and_o proceed_v no_o further_o no_o say_v faith_n but_o i_o will_v take_v thou_o upon_o my_o back_n reason_n and_o so_o it_o do_v but_o yet_o reason_n be_v a_o great_a luggage_n and_o burden_n to_o faith_n which_o never_o work_v better_a than_o when_o it_o work_v most_o alone_o for_o than_o it_o have_v recourse_n to_o god_n alsufficiency_n and_o omnipotency_n and_o find_v enough_o there_o to_o quiet_a and_o satisfy_v the_o soul_n but_o now_o have_v premise_v these_o five_o consideration_n touch_v faith_n and_o reason_n we_o shall_v show_v the_o christian_a reader_n in_o some_o particular_n what_o use_v he_o shall_v make_v of_o humane_a reason_n and_o knowledge_n in_o reference_n to_o divine_a and_o religious_a matter_n and_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v but_o to_o have_v its_o due_a respect_n and_o commendation_n first_o we_o find_v that_o many_o famous_a godly_a man_n have_v
cap._n 26._o what_o reason_n have_v i_o say_v he_o to_o fight_v against_o god_n why_o shall_v i_o desire_v thing_n not_o desirable_a he_o that_o give_v have_v power_n to_o take_v away_o and_o why_o shall_v i_o resist_v this_o will_v not_o only_o be_v great_a folly_n in_o i_o to_o oppose_v one_o that_o be_v much_o strong_a but_o great_a injustice_n likewise_o to_o fight_v against_o a_o benefactor_n we_o have_v receive_v all_o that_o we_o have_v and_o our_o very_a be_v from_o he_o and_o why_o shall_v we_o take_v it_o so_o heinous_o if_o he_o be_v please_v to_o resume_v something_o back_o again_o and_o speak_v further_o of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o man_n resign_v up_o themselves_o to_o god_n disposal_n he_o say_v quis_fw-la vero_fw-la es_fw-la tu_fw-la aut_fw-la unde_fw-la venisti_fw-la aut_fw-la quare_fw-la do_v you_o consider_v what_o you_o be_v and_o whence_o you_o come_v and_o upon_o what_o business_n do_v not_o he_o give_v you_o a_o be_v in_o the_o world_n endue_v you_o with_o such_o a_o nature_n put_v you_o into_o such_o a_o condition_n wherein_o you_o shall_v be_v subject_a to_o his_o government_n and_o disposal_n do_v not_o he_o appoint_v the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o part_n which_o you_o be_v to_o act_v upon_o the_o theatre_n of_o this_o world_n and_o this_o be_v proper_o your_o business_n to_o apply_v yourself_o to_o the_o fit_a mean_n for_o perform_v the_o part_n allot_v to_o you_o and_o not_o to_o take_v upon_o you_o to_o murmur_v or_o repine_v against_o it_o for_o it_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o we_o to_o choose_v our_o part_n but_o to_o act_v they_o will_v it_o not_o better_o become_v we_o to_o go_v off_o the_o stage_n with_o adoration_n and_o praise_n of_o god_n for_o so_o much_o as_o he_o have_v permit_v we_o to_o hear_v and_o see_v rather_o than_o mutine_a against_o he_o because_o we_o have_v no_o more_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o suggest_v this_o consideration_n that_o our_o condition_n whilst_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n be_v militant_a wherein_o every_o one_o be_v without_o reluctancy_n to_o submit_v to_o the_o order_n of_o his_o great_a captain_n or_o general_n in_o whatever_o he_o shall_v appoint_v whether_o or_o no_o it_o be_v to_o dig_v in_o the_o trench_n or_o to_o stand_v upon_o the_o watch_n or_o to_o fight_v every_o man_n can_v be_v a_o commander_n and_o a_o common_a soldier_n be_v to_o obey_v not_o to_o dispute_v or_o offer_v counsel_n if_o thou_o may_v refuse_v the_o condition_n or_o work_n assign_v thou_o why_o may_v not_o another_o do_v so_o too_o and_o according_a to_o this_o what_o order_n can_v there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o again_o if_o god_n will_v have_v i_o say_v epictetus_n to_o be_v sick_a or_o poor_a i_o will_v be_v content_a to_o be_v so_o whatever_o employment_n he_o will_v design_n for_o i_o i_o will_v not_o decline_v it_o and_o whatever_o he_o will_v not_o have_v i_o be_v or_o do_v i_o will_v be_v against_o it_o likewise_o and_o in_o another_o place_n he_o have_v this_o excellent_a passage_n if_o i_o have_v be_v make_v a_o nightingale_n or_o a_o swan_n say_v he_o i_o shall_v have_v employ_v the_o time_n of_o my_o life_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o condition_n of_o those_o creature_n but_o be_v make_v a_o man_n capable_a of_o serve_v and_o worship_v that_o deity_n from_o who_o i_o have_v my_o be_v it_o be_v but_o reason_n i_o shall_v apply_v myself_o to_o this_o as_o be_v my_o proper_a work_n and_o business_n and_o therefore_o hereunto_o will_v i_o devote_v myself_o as_o to_o that_o employment_n to_o which_o i_o be_o chief_o design_v i_o be_o now_o as_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o my_o body_n lame_a and_o old_a and_o under_o servitude_n yet_o still_o he_o conclude_v it_o to_o be_v his_o duty_n whole_o to_o devote_v himself_o to_o the_o praise_n and_o worship_n of_o that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o his_o be_v that_o must_v needs_o be_v much_o more_o desirable_a say_v this_o heathen_a moralist_n epictetus_n which_o be_v choose_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o god_n than_o that_o which_o i_o choose_v a_o reluctancy_n against_o the_o divine_a will_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o irreligion_n and_o atheism_n in_o the_o world_n why_o may_v not_o a_o man_n refuse_v to_o obey_v god_n in_o what_o he_o command_v as_o well_o as_o to_o submit_v to_o he_o in_o what_o he_o inflict_v and_o than_o what_o ground_n can_v there_o be_v for_o any_o pretence_n to_o religion_n we_o shall_v all_o of_o we_o say_v he_o conform_v our_o mind_n to_o the_o will_n of_o providence_n and_o most_o willing_o follow_v whithersoever_o he_o shall_v lead_v we_o as_o know_v it_o to_o proceed_v from_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a contrivance_n i_o do_v in_o my_o judgement_n more_o consent_n to_o that_o which_o god_n will_v have_v than_o to_o that_o which_o my_o own_o inclination_n do_v lead_v unto_o i_o will_v desire_v and_o will_v just_o so_o and_o no_o otherwise_o than_o as_o he_o do_v and_o in_o another_o place_n use_v i_o say_v he_o as_o thou_o please_v i_o do_v full_o consent_v and_o submit_v to_o it_o and_o shall_v refuse_v nothing_o which_o shall_v seem_v good_a unto_o thou_o lead_v i_o whither-eve_a thou_o will_v put_v i_o into_o what_o condition_n thou_o please_v must_v i_o be_v in_o a_o private_a not_o in_o a_o public_a station_n in_o poverty_n not_o in_o wealth_n i_o will_v not_o only_o consent_v to_o it_o but_o make_v it_o my_o business_n to_o apologise_v for_o it_o to_o justify_v and_o maintain_v before_o all_o man_n such_o thy_o deal_n with_o i_o to_o be_v most_o fit_v and_o advantageous_a to_o my_o condition_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n another_o heathen_a moralist_n to_o mention_v no_o more_o antoninus_n lib._n 10._o cap._n 25._o say_v that_o man_n be_v to_o be_v esteem_v a_o fugitive_n and_o a_o apostate_n who_o run_v away_o from_o his_o master_n now_o the_o great_a lawgiver_n who_o govern_v the_o world_n be_v our_o common_a master_n and_o ruler_n and_o his_o will_n be_v the_o only_a law_n we_o be_v to_o submit_v unto_o and_o therefore_o for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v angry_a or_o grieve_v because_o thing_n fall_v not_o out_o according_a to_o his_o desire_n what_o be_v this_o but_o revolt_a from_o the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o declare_v enmity_n against_o he_o and_o again_o if_o god_n say_v he_o do_v not_o take_v particular_a notice_n of_o and_o care_n for_o i_o and_o my_o affair_n why_o do_v i_o at_o any_o time_n pray_v to_o he_o and_o if_o he_o do_v exercise_v a_o special_a providence_n towards_o all_o event_n no_o doubt_n but_o he_o do_v consult_v well_o and_o wise_o about_o they_o nor_o will_v he_o suffer_v any_o hurt_n or_o prejudice_n to_o befall_v i_o unless_o it_o be_v for_o a_o great_a good_a upon_o some_o other_o account_n and_o in_o this_o i_o ought_v to_o acquiesce_v and_o in_o another_o place_n say_v the_o same_o author_n i_o refer_v every_o thing_n that_o befall_v i_o to_o god_n as_o the_o contriver_n of_o it_o by_o who_o all_o event_n be_v dispose_v in_o a_o wise_a order_n now_o what_o be_v these_o great_a and_o excellent_a say_n of_o these_o two_o wise_a philosopher_n and_o other_o grave_a moralist_n that_o may_v be_v mention_v but_o the_o same_o in_o effect_n with_o those_o divine_a say_n in_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n psal_n 25.10_o job_n 1._o 15_o 17._o and_o 2.10_o exod._n 34.6_o 1_o sam._n 3.18_o lam._n 3.22_o 39_o job_n 5.7_o and_o 34.31_o and_o 40.4_o and_o 33.12_o 13._o psal_n 39.9_o and_o 8.4_o and_o 94.12_o and_o 118.18_o and_o 119.75_o 2_o sam._n 15.26_o isa_n 45.9_o and_o 64.8_o heb._n 12.5_o 8_o 10_o 11._o prov._n 19.3_o rom._n 8.28_o and_o 9.20_o 1_o cor._n 10.13_o and_o 11.32_o 2_o cor._n 1.5_o rev._n 3.19_o religion_n to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o a_o late_a learned_a bishop_n chester_n bishop_n dr._n wilkins_n bishop_n of_o chester_n have_v a_o firm_a and_o deep_a foundation_n in_o the_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o mankind_n but_o yet_o we_o must_v not_o so_o exalt_v reason_n or_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n as_o to_o derogate_v in_o the_o least_o from_o the_o necessity_n and_o usefulnss_n of_o divine_a revelation_n or_o to_o extenuate_v the_o great_a and_o unparalleled_a blessing_n and_o benefit_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n which_o though_o it_o transcend_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o contrary_a to_o the_o dictate_v and_o sentiment_n of_o reason_n for_o it_o be_v but_o reasonable_a that_o we_o shall_v acquiesce_v in_o the_o testimony_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n the_o supreme_a be_v who_o neither_o can_v nor_o will_v deceive_v we_o we_o shall_v not_o despise_v any_o of_o those_o advantage_n say_v the_o grave_a author_n of_o the_o whole_a
duty_n of_o man_n 255._o man_n cause_n of_o the_o decay_n of_o christianity_n cap._n 9_o pag._n 255._o which_o may_v improve_v our_o reason_n exalt_v the_o man_n and_o depress_v the_o beast_n in_o we_o yet_o sure_o we_o shall_v derogate_v very_o impious_o from_o christ_n prophetic_a office_n if_o we_o allow_v not_o divinity_n to_o be_v the_o supreme_a and_o noble_a science_n such_o as_o be_v to_o be_v serve_v and_o attend_v not_o regulate_v and_o govern_v by_o those_o inferior_a but_o that_o just_a order_n seem_v now_o to_o be_v invert_v divine_a learning_n be_v bring_v down_o to_o humane_a and_o the_o simplicity_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n so_o perplex_v and_o confound_v with_o philosophical_a nicety_n that_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n be_v become_v the_o umpire_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o we_o must_v go_v ask_v heathen_n how_o far_o we_o shall_v be_v christian_n those_o deep_a thing_n of_o god_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v they_o 1_o cor._n 2.10_o and_o of_o which_o he_o pronounce_v the_o natural_a man_n a_o incompetent_a judge_n be_v yet_o bring_v before_o that_o tribunal_n subject_v to_o be_v scan_v by_o rule_n of_o art_n but_o alas_o our_o line_n be_v too_o short_a to_o sound_v those_o depth_n thus_o far_o he_o madam_n this_o book_n which_o be_v dedicate_v to_o your_o honour_n treat_v of_o the_o right_a use_n and_o abuse_v of_o reason_n in_o divine_a matter_n there_o be_v two_o extreme_n which_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o run_v into_o some_o ascribe_v too_o much_o to_o natural_a light_n and_o reason_n in_o religious_a concernment_n and_o other_o ascribe_v too_o little_a as_o we_o shall_v give_v to_o god_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v god_n and_o to_o caesar_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v caesar_n according_a to_o that_o say_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n matth._n 22.21_o so_o we_o shall_v give_v to_o faith_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o faith_n and_o to_o reason_n the_o thing_n that_o belong_v to_o reason_n and_o herein_o madam_n you_o may_v meet_v with_o some_o passage_n in_o this_o treatise_n if_o you_o please_v to_o peruse_v it_o which_o may_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n minister_v some_o light_n and_o direction_n to_o you._n of_o the_o right_n use_v &_o abuse_v of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n chap._n i._o of_o distinguish_v between_o faith_n and_o reason_n as_o it_o require_v much_o spiritual_a skill_n and_o judgement_n right_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o law_n and_o the_o gospel_n the_o covenant_n of_o work_n and_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n to_o give_v the_o law_n its_o due_a and_o the_o gospel_n its_o due_a whereupon_o luther_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v that_o he_o who_o can_v thus_o distinguish_v be_v the_o best_a divine_a so_o true_o it_o require_v much_o spiritual_a skill_n and_o wisdom_n right_o to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o light_n of_o grace_n between_o reason_n and_o faith_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n that_o as_o christ_n bid_v we_o render_v unto_o god_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v god_n and_o to_o caesar_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v caesar_n so_o we_o shall_v give_v unto_o faith_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v faith_n and_o to_o reason_n the_o thing_n that_o be_v reason_n to_o faith_n her_o full_a scope_n and_o latitude_n and_o to_o reason_n also_o her_o just_a bound_n and_o right_n may_v we_o not_o wish_v that_o many_o great_a professor_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v but_o equalise_v in_o their_o practice_n as_o to_o moral_a justice_n and_o faithfulness_n some_o heathen_n that_o be_v only_o endue_v with_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o moral_a virtue_n do_v not_o these_o go_v further_o with_o their_o candle-light_n than_o the_o other_o do_v with_o their_o sunbeam_n and_o will_v they_o not_o rise_v up_o in_o judgement_n against_o they_o that_o do_v so_o gross_o abuse_v the_o light_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o infinite_o transcend_v the_o light_n of_o nature_n perhaps_o this_o may_v be_v the_o reason_n why_o some_o vain_a scribbler_n in_o our_o day_n place_n religion_n chief_o in_o natural_a improvement_n and_o moral_a virtue_n because_o there_o be_v so_o little_a moral_a justice_n and_o honesty_n among_o man_n yea_o among_o many_o forward_a professor_n morality_n will_v go_v very_o far_o but_o yet_o though_o man_n be_v unjust_a and_o exceed_v defective_a in_o their_o moral_n we_o shall_v not_o therefore_o derogate_v from_o the_o spirit_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n we_o shall_v not_o confound_v nature_n and_o grace_n divinity_n and_o philosophy_n faith_n and_o humane_a reason_n christ_n and_o socrates_n paul_n and_o plato_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o the_o school_n of_o aristotle_n for_o this_o sinful_a mixture_n and_o composition_n the_o schoolman_n be_v worthy_o blame_v who_o by_o advance_v aristotle_n in_o their_o write_n and_o ascribe_v too_o much_o to_o moral_a virtue_n have_v exceed_o darken_v the_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o in_o a_o manner_n quite_o exclude_v the_o righteousness_n of_o christ_n as_o mediator_n and_o the_o gracious_a powerful_a operation_n of_o his_o spirit_n erasmus_n himself_o speak_v of_o the_o arian_n say_v erasmus_fw-la say_v hoc_fw-la ipso_fw-la fuere_fw-la pestilentiores_fw-la quod_fw-la aristotelicis_fw-la argutiis_fw-la essent_fw-la instructi_fw-la erasmus_fw-la that_o they_o be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a and_o pestilent_a because_o they_o be_v so_o much_o acquaint_v with_o the_o aristotelian_a subtlety_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o some_o curious_a philosophical_a wit_n and_o pen_n in_o this_o divide_a church_n and_o nation_n who_o have_v in_o effect_n transform_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n into_o a_o mere_a system_fw-la of_o morality_n indeed_o a_o true_a sincere_a christian_a be_v the_o most_o just_a and_o moral_a of_o any_o man_n but_o it_o be_v not_o his_o moral_a virtue_n and_o endowment_n but_o his_o spiritual_a union_n with_o christ_n that_o make_v he_o accept_v with_o god_n and_o put_v he_o into_o a_o state_n of_o salvation_n let_v reason_n be_v permit_v with_o the_o gibeonite_n to_o hew_v wood_n and_o draw_v water_n for_o the_o sanctuary_n but_o let_v it_o not_o rush_v into_o the_o holy_a of_o holies_n into_o the_o bosom-secrets_a of_o god_n into_o the_o deep_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n reason_n may_v not_o come_v into_o these_o sea_n except_o she_o strike_v her_o topsail_n here_o she_o must_v submit_v and_o captivate_v herself_o to_o the_o obedience_n of_o faith_n there_o be_v reason_n indeed_o for_o that_o which_o faith_n believe_v god_n believe_v dr._n preston_n on_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n but_o yet_o reason_n must_v be_v help_v by_o faith_n and_o raise_v up_o to_o spiritual_a object_n by_o divine_a revelation_n as_o one_o that_o have_v dim_a eye_n can_v see_v better_o by_o the_o help_n of_o spectacle_n and_o to_o choose_v a_o right_a jewel_n we_o use_v the_o skill_n of_o a_o lapidary_n so_o if_o we_o will_v yield_v a_o firm_a assent_n to_o divine_a truth_n and_o principle_n we_o must_v be_v help_v with_o light_n from_o above_o even_o with_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a revelation_n otherwise_o we_o shall_v give_v but_o a_o weak_a and_o doubtful_a assent_n thereunto_o which_o we_o call_v opinion_n the_o work_n of_o creation_n and_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n enable_v we_o to_o discern_v the_o character_n of_o god_n stamp_v upon_o the_o creature_n will_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o supreme_a be_v but_o as_o for_o those_o truth_n that_o be_v mere_o supernatural_a as_o the_o trinity_n of_o person_n the_o hypostatical_a union_n in_o christ_n and_o other_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n these_o be_v only_o know_v by_o revelation_n and_o have_v no_o print_n or_o footstep_n in_o the_o creature_n to_o discern_v they_o by_o of_o which_o we_o shall_v speak_v more_o full_o and_o particular_o in_o the_o follow_a part_n of_o this_o treatise_n chap._n ii_o show_v that_o reason_n though_o much_o weaken_v be_v of_o good_a use_n both_o in_o civil_a and_o divine_a thing_n let_v it_o be_v grant_v which_o will_v not_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o sober_a christian_n 1._o that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n be_v exceed_o darken_a and_o cloud_v that_o the_o eye_n of_o reason_n be_v weaken_v and_o vitiate_a that_o with_o leah_n she_o be_v blear-eyed_a that_o this_o daughter_n of_o the_o morning_n be_v fall_v from_o her_o primitive_a beauty_n from_o her_o original_a vigour_n and_o perfection_n and_o so_o fall_v that_o she_o can_v saving_o apprehend_v or_o comprehend_v the_o thing_n of_o god_n yea_o 2._o reason_n as_o it_o be_v now_o corrupt_v and_o pervert_v in_o man_n do_v oppose_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o wrangle_v against_o the_o mystery_n of_o salvation_n which_o it_o do_v not_o understand_v 3._o that_o the_o foul_a and_o black_a error_n that_o ever_o be_v broach_v in_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v shroud_v themselves_o under_o the_o fair_a