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that_o the_o mistake_a unbeliever_n may_v not_o say_v i_o serve_v a_o hypothesis_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o my_o faith_n like_o some_o who_o first_o imagine_v or_o receive_v a_o opinion_n and_o then_o study_v proof_n to_o establish_v it_o i_o solemn_o declare_v the_o thing_n be_v much_o otherwise_o and_o that_o i_o hold_v nothing_o as_o a_o article_n of_o my_o religion_n but_o what_o the_o high_a evidence_n force_v i_o to_o embrace_v for_o be_v educate_v from_o my_o cradle_n in_o the_o gross_a superstition_n and_o idolatry_n god_n be_v please_v to_o make_v my_o own_o reason_n and_o such_o as_o make_v use_v of_o they_o the_o happy_a instrument_n of_o my_o conversion_n thus_o i_o have_v be_v very_o early_o accustom_a to_o examination_n and_o enquiry_n and_o teach_v not_o to_o captivate_v my_o understanding_n no_o more_o than_o my_o sense_n to_o any_o man_n or_o society_n whatsoever_o now_o the_o best_a method_n i_o think_v of_o communicate_v to_o other_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o by_o 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place_n where_o we_o pass_v that_o agreeable_a time_n do_v strange_o affect_v we_o a_o mother_n be_v more_o charm_v with_o the_o lisp_a half-formed_a word_n of_o her_o prattle_a infant_n than_o with_o the_o best_a language_n and_o most_o solid_a discourse_n that_o any_o upstart_n but_o of_o yesterday_o shall_v pretend_v to_o overthrow_v what_o cost_v the_o ancient_n so_o much_o time_n and_o breath_n to_o establish_v and_o themselves_o so_o great_a pain_n and_o charge_n to_o learn_v be_v of_o hard_a digestion_n to_o some_o and_o when_o other_o be_v but_o pray_v to_o explain_v their_o term_n which_o common_o signify_v nothing_o or_o what_o they_o must_v be_v ashamed_a to_o own_o that_o will_v never_o be_v think_v in_o a_o error_n they_o be_v uneasy_a as_o a_o extravagant_a merchant_n to_o examine_v his_o account_n and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o they_o can_v restrain_v their_o passion_n not_o only_o a_o few_o man_n
kindred_n with_o the_o scarlet_a whore_n the_o only_a remain_a text_n be_v in_o chap._n 10._o 5_o 6_o 7._o and_o the_o angel_n which_o i_o see_v stand_v upon_o the_o sea_n and_o upon_o the_o earth_n lift_v up_o his_o hand_n to_o heaven_n and_o swear_v by_o he_o that_o live_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o who_o create_v heaven_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o therein_o be_v and_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o therein_o be_v and_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v therein_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v time_n no_o long_o but_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o voice_n of_o the_o seven_o angel_n when_o he_o shall_v begin_v to_o sound_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v finish_v that_o be_v that_o all_o the_o thing_n figurative_o deliver_v in_o this_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o gospel_n which_o be_v show_v above_o to_o signify_v the_o same_o with_o the_o mystery_n of_o god_n shall_v have_v their_o final_a accomplishment_n and_o so_o end_v with_o this_o globe_n and_o all_o therein_o contain_v 35._o i_o appeal_v now_o to_o all_o equitable_a person_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o evident_a to_o any_o that_o can_v read_v that_o mystery_n in_o the_o whole_a new_a testament_n be_v never_o put_v for_o any_o thing_n inconceivable_a in_o itself_o or_o not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o our_o ordinary_a notion_n and_o faculty_n however_o clear_o reveal_v and_o whither_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o do_v not_o always_o signify_v some_o thing_n natural_o intelligible_a enough_o but_o either_o so_o veil_v by_o figurative_a word_n and_o rite_n or_o so_o lodge_v in_o god_n sole_a knowledge_n and_o decree_n that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v discover_v without_o special_a revelation_n whoever_o retain_v any_o real_a veneration_n for_o the_o scripture_n and_o sincere_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v be_v ever_o conclude_v by_o its_o authority_n and_o render_v himself_o in_o spite_n of_o all_o prejudices_fw-la to_o its_o evidence_n he_o that_o say_v the_o gospel_n be_v his_o only_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o yet_o believe_v any_o thing_n not_o warrant_v by_o it_o he_o be_v a_o arrant_a hypocrite_n and_o do_v but_o sly_o bant_a all_o the_o world_n 36._o nor_o can_v a_o more_o favourable_a opinion_n be_v harbour_v of_o those_o who_o instead_o of_o submission_n to_o the_o dictate_v of_o scripture_n and_o reason_n straight_o have_v recourse_n to_o such_o person_n as_o they_o special_o follow_v or_o admire_v and_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v or_o refuse_v a_o opinion_n as_o these_o shall_v please_v to_o direct_v they_o pray_v doctor_n say_v one_o of_o his_o parishioner_n what_o think_v you_o of_o such_o a_o book_n it_o seem_v to_o make_v thing_n plain_a ah_o dear_a sir_n answer_v the_o doctor_n it_o be_v a_o very_a bad_a book_n he_o be_v a_o dangerous_a man_n that_o write_v it_o he_o be_v for_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o agree_v with_o his_o own_o purblind_a proud_a and_o carnal_a reason_n p._n say_v you_o so_o doctor_n then_o i_o be_o resolve_v to_o read_v no_o more_o of_o it_o for_o i_o hear_v you_o often_o preach_v against_o humane_a reason_n i_o be_o sorry_a true_o it_o shall_v unhappy_o fall_v into_o my_o hand_n but_o i_o will_v take_v care_n that_o none_o of_o our_o family_n set_v their_o eye_n upon_o it_o d._n you_o will_v do_v very_o well_o sir_n beside_o this_o book_n be_v still_o worse_o than_o i_o tell_v you_o for_o it_o destroy_v a_o great_a many_o point_n which_o we_o teach_v and_o shall_v this_o doctrine_n take_v which_o god_n forbid_v most_o of_o the_o good_a book_n you_o have_v at_o home_n and_o which_o cost_v you_o no_o less_o pain_n to_o read_v than_o money_n to_o purchase_v will_v signify_v not_o a_o straw_n and_o serve_v only_o for_o waste-paper_n to_o put_v under_o pie_n or_o for_o other_o mean_a uses_n p._n bless_v i_o good_a doctor_n i_o pray_v god_n forgive_v i_o read_v such_o a_o vile_a treatise_n he_o be_v a_o abominable_a man_n that_o can_v write_v it_o but_o what_o my_o book_n worth_a nothing_o say_v you_o dr._n h_n sermon_n and_o mr._n c_n discourse_n waste-paper_n i_o will_v never_o believe_v it_o let_v who_o will_v say_v the_o contrary_a lord_n why_o do_v you_o excommunicate_v the_o author_n and_o seize_v upon_o his_o book_n d._n ay_o sir_n time_n be_v but_o now_o it_o seem_v a_o man_n may_v believe_v according_a to_o his_o own_o sense_n and_o not_o as_o the_o church_n direct_v there_o be_v a_o toleration_n establish_v you_o know_v p._n that_o toleration_n doctor_n will_n d._n whist_o sir_n say_v no_o more_o of_o it_o i_o be_o as_o much_o concern_v as_o you_o can_v be_v but_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a nor_o expedient_a at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n to_o find_v fault_n 37._o there_o be_v other_o far_a from_o this_o simplicity_n but_o as_o firm_o resolve_v to_o stand_v fast_o by_o their_o old_a system_n when_o they_o tell_v we_o of_o mystery_n we_o must_v believe_v they_o and_o there_o be_v no_o remedy_n for_o it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o force_n of_o reason_v that_o make_v these_o for_o mystery_n but_o some_o by-interest_n and_o they_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o applaud_v and_o defend_v any_o author_n that_o write_v in_o favour_n of_o their_o cause_n whether_o he_o support_v it_o with_o reason_n or_o not_o but_o i_o be_o not_o half_a so_o angry_a with_o these_o man_n as_o with_o a_o sort_n of_o people_n that_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n of_o examine_v any_o thing_n lest_o they_o shall_v become_v more_o clear-sighted_a or_o betterinform_v and_o so_o be_v tempt_v to_o take_v up_o a_o new_a road._n such_o person_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o indifferent_a indeed_o or_o they_o make_v religion_n come_v into_o their_o scutcheon_n 38._o the_o mention_n of_o scutcheon_n natural_o put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v little_o move_v with_o any_o reason_n when_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n come_v in_o competition_n the_o father_n as_o they_o love_v to_o speak_v be_v to_o they_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n and_o what_o those_o honest_a man_n say_v a_o very_a ingenious_a oracle_n person_n can_v not_o make_v good_a themselves_o by_o sufficient_a reason_n be_v now_o prove_v by_o their_o sole_a authority_n if_o the_o father_n foresee_v this_o add_v the_o same_o author_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v blame_v for_o spare_v themselves_o the_o labour_n of_o reason_v more_o exact_o than_o we_o find_v they_o common_o do_v that_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n shall_v be_v determine_v by_o a_o majority_n of_o voice_n or_o certain_a period_n of_o time_n seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v the_o most_o ridiculous_a of_o all_o folly_n 39_o but_o if_o antiquity_n can_v in_o good_a earnest_n add_v any_o worth_n to_o a_o opinion_n i_o think_v i_o need_v not_o fear_v to_o stand_v to_o its_o decision_n for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n say_v another_o celebrate_a modern_n writer_n as_o we_o do_v that_o of_o man_n life_n consist_v of_o infancy_n youth_n manhood_n and_o old_a 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commodious_a privilege_n of_o prescription_n 40._o yet_o see_v i_o be_o not_o likely_a to_o live_v till_o that_o time_n it_o can_v be_v amiss_o to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o same_o father_n who_o have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o be_v at_o once_o both_o the_o young_a and_o the_o old_a of_o the_o world_n be_v on_o my_o side_n it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o any_o deference_n to_o their_o judgement_n i_o confess_v that_o i_o take_v these_o pain_n i_o have_v free_o declare_v what_o value_n i_o set_v upon_o their_o authority_n in_o the_o beginning_n of_o this_o book_n but_o my_o design_n be_v to_o show_v the_o disingenuity_n of_o those_o who_o pretend_v the_o high_a veneration_n for_o the_o write_n of_o the_o father_n never_o fail_v to_o decline_v
their_o sentence_n when_o it_o suit_n not_o with_o their_o humour_n or_o interest_n 41._o clemens_n alexandrinus_n have_v every_o where_o the_o same_o notion_n of_o mystery_n that_o i_o have_v that_o the_o gentile_n have_v and_o which_o i_o have_v prove_v to_o be_v that_o of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o 5_o book_n of_o his_o stromates_n which_o merit_v the_o perusal_n of_o all_o that_o be_v curious_a to_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o jewish_a and_o heathen_a mystery_n in_o that_o book_n i_o say_v he_o put_v the_o matter_n out_o of_o all_o doubt_n and_o quote_v several_a of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o i_o have_v already_o allege_v to_o this_o purpose_n nay_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o christian_a discipline_n be_v call_v 1688._o illumination_n because_o it_o bring_v hide_a thing_n to_o light_n the_o master_n christ_n alone_o remove_v the_o cover_n of_o the_o ark_n that_o be_v the_o mosaic_a veil_n he_o add_v in_o express_a word_n 576._o that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v mysterious_a and_o obscure_a in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v make_v plain_a in_o the_o new_a 42._o every_o one_o know_v how_o the_o primitive_a christian_n in_o a_o ridiculous_a imitation_n of_o the_o jew_n turn_v all_o the_o scripture_n into_o allegory_n accommodate_v the_o property_n of_o those_o animal_n mention_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o event_n that_o happen_v under_o the_o new_a they_o take_v the_o same_o liberty_n principal_o with_o man_n where_o they_o can_v discover_v the_o least_o resemblance_n between_o their_o name_n action_n or_o state_n of_o life_n and_o carry_v this_o fancy_n at_o length_n to_o number_n letter_n place_n and_o what_o not_o that_o which_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n therefore_o do_v according_a to_o they_o represent_v any_o thing_n in_o the_o new_a they_o call_v the_o type_n or_o mystery_n of_o it_o thus_o type_n symbol_n parable_n shadow_z figure_n sign_n and_o mystery_n signify_v all_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o justin_n martyr_n this_o father_n affirm_v in_o his_o dialogue_n with_o tryphon_n the_o jew_n that_o the_o name_n of_o joshua_n be_v a_o mystery_n represent_v the_o name_n jesus_n and_o that_o the_o hold_v up_o of_o moses_n 11._o hand_n during_o the_o battle_n with_o the_o amalekite_n in_o rephidim_n be_v a_o type_n or_o mystery_n of_o christ_n cross_n whereby_o he_o overcome_v death_n as_o the_o israelite_n there_o do_v their_o enemy_n and_o then_o he_o add_v the_o follow_a remark_n 1636._o this_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v say_v he_o concern_v those_o two_o holy_a man_n and_o prophet_n of_o god_n that_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v able_a in_o his_o single_a person_n to_o carry_v both_o mystery_n i_o mean_v the_o type_n of_o his_o cross_n and_o that_o of_o be_v call_v by_o his_o name_n in_o the_o saâ—…e_a dialogue_n he_o call_v the_o prediction_n of_o the_o prophet_n 294._o symbol_n parable_n and_o mystery_n explain_v by_o the_o succeed_a prophet_n 43._o when_o tertullian_n in_o his_o apology_n justify_v the_o christian_n from_o those_o inhuman_a practice_n whereof_o their_o enemy_n most_o unjust_o accuse_v they_o he_o cry_v 1675._o we_o be_v beset_v we_o be_v discover_v every_o day_n but_o if_o we_o keep_v always_o hide_v how_o be_v those_o thing_n know_v which_o we_o be_v say_v to_o commit_v nay_o who_o can_v make_v they_o know_v such_o as_o be_v guilty_a not_o so_o sure_o for_o all_o mystery_n be_v of_o course_n under_o a_o oath_n of_o secrecy_n the_o samothracian_a the_o eleusinian_n mystery_n be_v conceal_v how_o much_o rather_o such_o as_o be_v discover_v will_v now_o provoke_v the_o justice_n of_o man_n and_o may_v expect_v to_o meet_v with_o that_o of_o god_n hereafter_o they_o be_v secret_a practice_n you_o see_v and_o not_o incomprehensible_a doctrine_n which_o this_o father_n count_v mystery_n 44._o origen_n make_v the_o encampment_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o their_o journey_n to_o the_o promise_a land_n to_o be_v 1677._o symbol_n or_o mystery_n describe_v the_o way_n to_o such_o as_o shall_v travel_v towards_o heaven_n or_o heavenly_a thing_n i_o need_v not_o add_v what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o vision_n of_o ezekiel_n or_o the_o apocalypse_n in_o particular_a for_o he_o be_v universal_o confess_v to_o have_v bring_v this_o mystic_a or_o allegorical_a method_n of_o interpret_n scripture_n to_o its_o perfection_n and_o to_o have_v surnish_v matter_n to_o all_o that_o tread_v the_o same_o path_n after_o he_o a_o honour_n in_o my_o opinion_n not_o to_o be_v envy_v he_o but_o he_o be_v so_o far_o from_o think_v any_o doctrine_n of_o our_o religion_n a_o mystery_n in_o the_o present_a sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o he_o express_o affirm_v they_o 135._o to_o agree_v all_o with_o common_a notion_n and_o to_o commend_v themselves_o to_o the_o assent_n of_o every_o well-disposed_a hearer_n 45._o the_o other_o father_n of_o the_o three_o first_o century_n have_v exact_o the_o same_o notion_n of_o mystery_n and_o shall_v they_o in_o this_o matter_n happen_v to_o contradict_v in_o one_o place_v what_o they_o establish_v in_o another_o as_o they_o ordinary_o do_v in_o most_o thing_n it_o will_v only_o serve_v to_o excluà e_fw-fr they_o from_o be_v a_o true_a rule_n to_o other_o that_o be_v none_o to_o themselves_o but_o what_o be_v no_o small_a prejudice_n in_o our_o favour_n see_v we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o man_n so_o apt_a to_o forget_v they_o keep_v very_o constant_a to_o this_o point_n so_o that_o i_o may_v just_o hope_v by_o this_o time_n the_o cause_n of_o incomprehensible_a and_o inconceivable_a mystery_n in_o religion_n shall_v be_v ready_o give_v up_o by_o all_o that_o sincere_o respect_v father_n scripture_n or_o reason_n chap._n iu_o objection_n bring_v from_o particular_a text_n of_o scripture_n and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o faith_n answer_v 46._o some_o man_n be_v so_o fond_a of_o mystery_n and_o it_o seem_v they_o find_v their_o account_n in_o it_o that_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o hazard_v any_o thing_n soon_o than_o part_v with_o they_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n whether_o they_o know_v it_o or_o not_o they_o lay_v nothing_o less_o than_o their_o religion_n at_o stake_n by_o this_o conduct_n for_o it_o be_v a_o ugly_a sign_n when_o people_n profess_v that_o what_o they_o believe_v be_v above_o the_o examination_n of_o reason_n and_o will_v suffer_v it_o by_o no_o mean_n to_o come_v into_o question_n it_o argue_v in_o themselves_o a_o distrust_n of_o their_o cause_n and_o other_o conclude_v that_o what_o dare_v not_o abide_v the_o trial_n of_o reason_n must_v needs_o itself_o be_v unreasonable_a at_o bottom_n 47._o notwithstanding_o these_o consequence_n be_v so_o obvious_a they_o harden_v themselves_o against_o they_o and_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o bring_v even_o scripture_n to_o countenance_v their_o assertion_n you_o shall_v hear_v nothing_o more_o frequent_o in_o their_o mouth_n than_o these_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n beware_v lest_o any_o man_n spoil_v 8._o you_o by_o philosophy_n and_o vain_a deceit_n after_o the_o tradition_n of_o man_n after_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n and_o not_o after_o christ._n ridiculous_a as_o if_o reason_n and_o truth_n be_v vanity_n and_o craft_n by_o philosophy_n be_v not_o here_o understand_v sound_a reason_n as_o all_o interpreter_n agree_v but_o the_o system_n of_o plato_n of_o aristotle_n of_o epicurus_n of_o the_o academic_n etc._n etc._n many_o of_o who_o principle_n be_v direct_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n and_o good_a moral_n sophistry_n be_v never_o more_o in_o vogue_n than_o in_o the_o day_n of_o paul_n and_o several_a out_o of_o these_o sect_n embrace_v christianity_n find_v the_o way_n to_o mix_v with_o it_o their_o old_a opinion_n which_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o quit_v for_o good_a and_o all_o the_o apostle_n therefore_o have_v weighty_a ground_n to_o warn_v his_o convert_v not_o to_o confound_v the_o invention_n of_o man_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n it_o appear_v 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