Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
cause_n believe_v scripture_n word_n 1,385 5 4.3491 3 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
B23015 The confirming worke of religion ..., or, The true and infallible way for attaining a confirmed state in religion ... with a short and confirming prospect of the work of the Lord about his church in these last times / by R. Fleming ... Fleming, Robert, 1630-1694. 1685 (1685) Wing F1263A 80,672 168

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

fit_v for_o that_o great_a end_n of_o bring_v mankind_n to_o god_n but_o for_o such_o a_o universal_a use_n herein_o as_o to_o make_v the_o simple_a wise_a and_o that_o the_o poor_a may_v receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o yet_o believe_v also_o that_o it_o be_v a_o mass_n of_o dead_a and_o unsense_v character_n until_o the_o romish_a clergy_n put_v a_o just_a sense_n thereon_o though_o its_o sense_n and_o meaning_n be_v the_o very_a soul_n thereof_o yea_o thus_o pass_v from_o the_o whole_a letter_n of_o the_o same_o or_o any_o certainty_n of_o its_o truth_n from_o intrinsic_a evidence_n and_o these_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o its_o divinity_n whereby_o the_o christian_a cause_n can_v be_v maintain_v against_o pagan_n 3._o where_o he_o must_v believe_v also_o that_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o christ_n joh._n 7_o 17._o if_o any_o man_n do_v my_o will_n he_o shall_v know_v my_o doctrine_n whither_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o not_o and_o that_o man_n err_v through_o not_o know_v the_o scripture_n math._n 22._o and_o yet_o believe_v therewith_o that_o these_o sacred_a fountain_n of_o light_n shall_v be_v shut_v up_o to_o keep_v man_n from_o go_v wrong_n and_o that_o the_o sole_a right_n of_o understand_v the_o same_o belong_v to_o a_o few_o but_o not_o to_o the_o multitude_n who_o yet_o can_v pretend_v no_o extraordinare_a assistance_n or_o revelation_n herein_o nor_o will_v themselves_o come_v to_o these_o water_n of_o jealousy_n to_o be_v try_v 4._o where_o he_o must_v needs_o believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o oracle_n of_o god_n commit_v to_o the_o church_n to_o give_v answer_n in_o every_o dark_a case_n rom._n 3_o 2._o the_o type_n and_o form_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n rom._n 6.17_o unto_o who_o sentence_n in_o all_o matter_n both_o of_o faith_n and_o practice_n we_o be_v express_o refer_v is._n 8.20_o and_o yet_o believe_v also_o that_o it_o have_v no_o authority_n or_o decisive_a voice_n but_o what_o be_v precarious_a and_o dependent_a on_o the_o romish_a church_n and_o thus_o consent_v to_o have_v the_o whole_a christian_a faith_n visible_o unhinged_a of_o that_o foundation_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o subject_v to_o a_o supreme_a visible_a and_o infallible_a judge_n here_o in_o the_o earth_n with_o such_o a_o claim_n of_o dominion_n over_o the_o faith_n of_o the_o saint_n as_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n dare_v never_o own_o but_o do_v full_o disclaim_v 2_o cor._n 1_o 24._o 5._o where_o he_o must_v believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n come_v for_o this_o end_n to_o save_v lose_v man_n and_o by_o one_o offering_n have_v perfect_v for_o ever_o they_o that_o be_v sanctify_v heb._n 10_o 18._o and_o yet_o join_v in_o the_o same_o faith_n herewith_o a_o human_a satisfaction_n for_o sin_n so_o as_o man_n may_v both_o merit_n mediate_v and_o supererogate_v above_o what_o be_v needful_a for_o themselves_o and_o be_v thus_o save_v in_o the_o same_o way_n of_o life_n which_o be_v by_o the_o covenant_n of_o work_n ascribe_v that_o only_a to_o christ_n to_o give_v salvation_n to_o their_o merit_n which_o yet_o their_o own_o intrinsic_a value_n and_o condignity_n do_v require_v as_o a_o debt_n 6._o he_o find_v not_o how_o in_o the_o same_o creed_n he_o can_v possible_o hold_v by_o one_o mediator_n betwixt_o god_n and_o man_n where_o a_o plurality_n for_o this_o end_n be_v admit_v and_o by_o the_o reality_n of_o christ_n human_a nature_n and_o his_o have_v a_o true_a and_o finit_a body_n which_o be_v subject_v to_o have_v a_o new_a create_v be_v each_o time_n in_o the_o consecrate_v hostia_fw-la or_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o suffering_n as_o now_o full_o accomplish_v and_o to_o be_v repeat_v no_o more_o when_o it_o be_v in_o that_o daily_a sacrifice_n of_o the_o mess_n still_o offer_v as_o a_o propitiatory_a sacrifice_n for_o the_o live_n and_o the_o dead_a so_o as_o on_o the_o most_o severe_a and_o impartial_a inquiry_n here_o he_o can_v find_v how_o one_o hold_v by_o these_o principle_n shall_v go_v a_o further_a length_n than_o morality_n or_o claim_v another_o stand_n then_o by_o a_o covenant_n of_o work_n 7._o nor_o know_v he_o how_o to_o believe_v at_o once_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v a_o doctrine_n of_o holiness_n and_o infinite_a purity_n and_o yet_o join_v in_o the_o same_o faith_n herewith_o such_o a_o immunity_n and_o indulgence_n for_o man_n to_o sin_n as_o money_n can_v stand_v for_o merit_n and_o the_o rich_a have_v the_o most_o easy_a and_o large_a entrey_n to_o heaven_n and_o account_v it_o a_o privilege_n to_o destroy_v themselves_o yea_o where_o some_o external_a severity_n and_o penance_n to_o the_o flesh_n like_v to_o the_o launch_n and_o gash_v of_o baal_n priest_n be_v reckon_v enough_o to_o supply_v the_o room_n of_o christian_a mortification_n 8._o yea_o he_o find_v it_o not_o possible_a to_o believe_v that_o sin_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n can_v only_o be_v expiate_v and_o be_v his_o alone_a work_n who_o have_v purge_v our_o sin_n himself_o heb._n 1_o 3._o or_o that_o there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o a_o twofold_a state_n of_o man_n a_o strait_a way_n which_o lead_v to_o a_o life_n and_o a_o broad_a unto_o destruction_n math._n 7_o 14._o and_o yet_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o purgatory_n after_o this_o life_n where_o man_n must_v be_v torment_v and_o suffer_v extreme_a pain_n there_o to_o expiate_v such_o venial_a sin_n as_o their_o prayer_n and_o pennance_n here_o can_v not_o do_v yea_o be_v here_o make_v to_o wonder_v how_o any_o that_o believe_v such_o a_o thing_n can_v ever_o have_v true_a peace_n or_o comfort_n in_o the_o world_n but_o do_v either_o take_v it_o as_o a_o fiction_n or_o forget_v themselves_o when_o they_o be_v cheerful_a where_o the_o fear_n of_o such_o a_o place_n the_o uncertainty_n of_o release_n and_o how_o long_o a_o term_n it_o may_v be_v oer_o this_o purge_a work_n be_v complete_a when_o their_o own_o writer_n assign_v no_o less_o time_n then_o 10000_o year_n as_o needful_a to_o satisfy_v for_o some_o sin_n and_o lest_o it_o prove_v a_o real_a hell_n must_v still_o be_v a_o present_a terror_n nor_o can_v he_o believe_v that_o such_o possible_o do_v credit_v themselves_o herein_o who_o assume_v this_o power_n to_o change_v the_o condition_n of_o the_o dead_a since_o be_v it_o real_o believe_v that_o the_o key_n of_o such_o a_o prison_n be_v here_o in_o man_n hand_n and_o can_v by_o the_o large_a dotation_n to_o the_o romish_a church_n get_v a_o safe_a outgate_n thence_o it_o be_v not_o strange_a to_o see_v the_o temporal_a state_n of_o christendom_n in_o a_o short_a time_n make_v over_o to_o these_o and_o shall_v judge_v they_o be_v in_o a_o strange_a manner_n indeed_o privilege_v by_o the_o whole_a residue_n of_o man_n who_o by_o such_o a_o power_n over_o the_o world_n to_o come_v can_v make_v so_o easy_a a_o purchase_n over_o this_o also_o which_o be_v present_a 9_o he_o find_v &_o be_v sure_a he_o can_v never_o get_v his_o reason_n and_o conscience_n bring_v to_o such_o a_o faith_n even_o though_o he_o make_v a_o simulate_v profession_n herein_o of_o that_o pretend_a supremacy_n of_o peter_n as_o bishop_n of_o rome_n on_o which_o the_o whole_a frame_n and_o structure_n of_o the_o papacy_n lean_v and_o the_o virtue_n of_o all_o the_o pardon_n and_o absolution_n found_v thereon_o on_o which_o so_o many_o have_v adventure_v into_o a_o other_o world_n except_o he_o will_v thus_o build_v on_o the_o sand_n only_o but_o not_o on_o the_o rock_n 10._o he_o find_v also_o how_o such_o a_o erection_n of_o the_o gospel_n church_n in_o her_o militant_a state_n here_o as_o the_o papacy_n in_o its_o complexe_n frame_n be_v unite_v in_o such_o a_o head_n as_o the_o pope_n who_o as_o the_o sole_a vicegerent_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o earth_n be_v at_o once_o invest_v with_o a_o civil_a monarchy_n and_o universal_a impire_n over_o the_o church_n to_o impose_v and_o judge_v in_o the_o high_a transaction_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o eternal_a state_n and_o immortal_a soul_n of_o man_n be_v a_o thing_n that_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o right_n be_v as_o foreign_a to_o the_o scripture_n and_o incompatible_a therewith_o as_o mahumitanisme_n can_v be_v and_o as_o to_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v a_o trust_n that_o no_o create_a being_n can_v ever_o exerce_fw-la 11._o he_o see_v &_o be_v sure_a that_o he_o must_v either_o lose_v sight_n both_o of_o the_o rule_n and_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o have_v a_o just_a abhorrence_n at_o that_o way_n where_o he_o shall_v be_v inevitable_o involve_v in_o a_o virtual_a consent_n and_o accession_n to_o all_o that_o cruelty_n and_o blood_n which_o for_o so_o many_o age_n have_v be_v shed_v therein_o when_o it_o be_v so_o clear_a that_o this_o be_v no_o exorbitance_n
hear_v nor_o have_v our_o father_n faithful_o transmitt_v to_o we_o the_o wondrous_a work_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v wrought_v in_o their_o time_n 3._o he_o be_v thus_o also_o teach_v to_o see_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o demonstrative_a cause_n of_o the_o most_o strange_a judgement_n on_o the_o church_n to_o be_v as_o clear_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o event_n and_o though_o the_o holy_a god_n in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o patience_n and_o long-suffering_a be_v not_o alike_o quick_a in_o the_o execution_n of_o the_o sentence_n of_o his_o word_n yet_o do_v he_o ever_o establish_v the_o authority_n of_o his_o law_n by_o the_o work_n of_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o most_o opportune_a season_n and_o as_o judgement_n defer_v be_v no_o acquittance_n so_o do_v it_o more_o threaten_v its_o be_v the_o great_a when_o it_o come_v than_o a_o quick_a and_o present_a dispatch_n yea_o though_o this_o tempest_n which_o now_o blow_v on_o the_o chruche_n of_o christ_n come_v to_o a_o great_a height_n and_o the_o darkness_n be_v such_o as_o no_o moon_n or_o star_n may_v for_o many_o day_n yet_o appear_v of_o any_o visible_a sign_n of_o hope_n yet_o be_v his_o soul_n thus_o at_o rest_n whilst_o he_o can_v see_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o truth_n clear_v on_o which_o he_o have_v more_o in_o dependence_n then_o any_o adventure_n within_o time_n and_o do_v rejoice_v whatever_o miscarry_v may_v be_v of_o inferior_a end_n that_o this_o great_a and_o ultimate_a end_n of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n be_v secure_v herein_o and_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o truth_n do_v shine_v forth_o in_o the_o most_o strange_a and_o amaze_a act_n of_o his_o providence_n whereat_o many_o be_v ready_a to_o stagger_v when_o they_o do_v not_o wise_o consider_v the_o same_o 4._o he_o see_v now_o likewise_o so_o high_a a_o value_n which_o the_o lord_n put_v on_o the_o trial_n of_o his_o people_n faith_n and_o that_o the_o great_a dispensation_n whereby_o he_o deal_v with_o man_n be_v by_o trust_n and_o on_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o word_n as_o it_o add_v further_a to_o his_o confirmation_n to_o see_v all_o human_a and_o visible_a refuge_n oft_o take_v out_o of_o his_o church_n sight_n yea_o his_o great_a work_n in_o the_o earth_n make_v the_o great_a delay_n ere_fw-we they_o be_v bring_v forth_o &_o his_o church_n case_n put_v so_o far_o beyond_o help_n before_o a_o cure_n as_o the_o first_o quicken_n of_o her_o crush_a and_o almost_o dead_a hope_n must_v be_v at_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o grave_n and_o he_o be_v thus_o herein_o more_o singular_o strenthn_v that_o when_o the_o lord_n speak_v the_o same_o in_o the_o way_n of_o providence_n which_o he_o have_v speak_v in_o his_o word_n not_o by_o might_n nor_o by_o power_n that_o he_o do_v with_o unspeakable_a advantage_n supply_v and_o fill_v the_o room_n thereof_o by_o the_o next_o word_n but_o by_o my_o spirit_n say_v the_o lord_n which_o in_o this_o day_n shall_v with_o a_o full_a assurance_n of_o faith_n be_v both_o seek_v and_o look_v after_o 5._o it_o be_v in_o this_o rare_a study_n he_o attain_v also_o the_o great_a confirmation_n to_o his_o faith_n that_o can_v possible_o be_v desire_v within_o time_n to_o see_v now_o when_o it_o be_v so_o near_a the_o close_a thereof_o and_o after_o all_o the_o revolution_n of_o time_n past_a how_o the_o truth_n and_o faithfulness_n of_o god_n have_v as_o the_o sun_n in_o its_o strength_n still_o keep_v its_o way_n straight_o and_o fix_v amid_o all_o these_o dark_a cloud_n which_o have_v be_v to_o darken_v the_o same_o and_o be_v now_o go_v its_o course_n until_o it_o draw_v near_o to_o the_o full_a and_o perfect_a day_n yea_o thus_o to_o see_v how_o signal_o this_o present_a age_n be_v sist_v upon_o that_o same_o appeal_n and_o solemn_a testimony_n which_o as_o josua_n give_v josh._n 23_o 14._o that_o not_o one_o thing_n have_v fail_v of_o all_o the_o good_a thing_n which_o the_o lord_n your_o god_n speak_v concern_v you_o all_o be_v come_v to_o pass_v to_o you_o and_o not_o on_o thing_n have_v fail_v thereof_o and_o solomon_n do_v bear_v also_o at_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o temple_n 1_o king_n 8_o v._n 56._o bless_a be_v the_o lord_n that_o have_v give_v rest_n unto_o his_o people_n israel_n according_a to_o all_o that_o he_o promise_v there_o have_v not_o fail_v one_o word_n of_o all_o his_o good_a promise_n which_o he_o promise_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o moses_n his_o servant_n so_o be_v this_o now_o that_o great_a testimony_n of_o the_o latter_a day_n and_o the_o high_a tribute_n of_o praise_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o his_o truth_n which_o can_v be_v give_v by_o man_n that_o this_o present_a generation_n stand_v accountable_a to_o make_v the_o same_o yea_o much_o great_a appeal_n to_o the_o world_n if_o they_o can_v instance_n one_o promise_n or_o prediction_n of_o that_o sacred_a record_n of_o the_o scripture_n which_o have_v ever_o fail_v or_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o may_v be_v this_o day_n read_v in_o the_o event_n &_o under_o these_o proper_a circumstance_n wherein_o it_o be_v to_o take_v place_n in_o its_o proper_a season_n as_o evident_o as_o it_o be_v fortolde_v and_o must_v still_o bear_v the_o same_o witness_n psal_n 18_o 30._o that_o the_o way_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v perfect_a and_o his_o word_n try_v on_o all_o the_o adventure_n of_o faith_n and_o trial_n which_o to_o this_o moment_n of_o time_n have_v be_v make_v hereof_o and_o of_o his_o be_v still_o a_o buckler_n to_o such_o as_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o be_v call_v to_o transmitt_v this_o glorious_a testimony_n to_o the_o succeed_a age_n that_o it_o may_v never_o cease_v to_o shine_v or_o want_v a_o public_a witness_n thereto_o before_o angel_n and_o man_n until_o the_o whole_a mystery_n of_o god_n in_o his_o word_n be_v finish_v in_o that_o magnificent_a close_n which_o shall_v be_v thereof_o at_o the_o second_o come_v of_o the_o lord_n carat_n v._o a_o confirm_a christian_n in_o this_o day_n shall_v be_v thus_o also_o state_v as_o one_o who_o have_v not_o only_o attain_v a_o solid_a rest_n and_o settlment_n of_o mind_n upon_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n but_o do_v know_v the_o pure_a genuine_a truth_n of_o christianity_n amid_o such_o high_a opposition_n betwixt_o the_o romish_a and_o reform_a church_n herein_o and_o in_o the_o 1_o place_n have_v in_o this_o manner_n sist_v himself_o upon_o such_o a_o trial_n i_o as_o one_o who_o know_v there_o be_v but_o one_o true_a and_o save_a religion_n in_o the_o earth_n to_o which_o god_n have_v annex_v the_o promise_n of_o eternal_a life_n which_o can_v never_o be_v divide_v against_o itself_o 2._o who_o know_v that_o within_o a_o little_a his_o religion_n will_v be_v try_v in_o the_o truth_n thereof_o at_o the_o tribunal_n of_o christ_n where_o each_o must_v give_v account_n of_o himself_o unto_o god_n 3._o as_o such_o who_o see_v there_o can_v be_v no_o possible_a indifference_n in_o the_o exterior_a profession_n of_o either_o way_n but_o that_o so_o high_a a_o contrariety_n of_o principle_n be_v in_o this_o opposition_n that_o if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n it_o be_v sure_a antichristianisme_n must_v be_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n 4._o yea_o who_o have_v in_o that_o abstract_n manner_n seek_v to_o state_n the_o case_n herein_o with_o his_o own_o soul_n as_o if_o he_o be_v come_v out_o of_o paganism_n to_o give_v a_o serious_a assent_n to_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o thus_o press_v to_o join_v in_o with_o that_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o be_v most_o exact_o conform_v to_o the_o same_o in_o the_o genuine_a and_o perspicuous_a sense_n thereof_o in_o the_o second_o place_n he_o have_v seek_v to_o know_v how_o he_o can_v embrace_v the_o popish_a creed_n and_o adventure_v his_o eternal_a state_n thereon_o or_o can_v extinguish_v his_o reason_n and_o conscience_n so_o far_o as_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o holy_a god_n will_v ever_o impose_v such_o a_o faith_n upon_o man_n as_o this_o be_v ay_o where_o he_o must_v abandon_v these_o principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n in_o the_o most_o necessare_fw-la use_n thereof_o which_o god_n have_v himself_o plant_v in_o man_n soul_n so_o as_o not_o to_o trust_v his_o own_o eye_n but_o other_o in_o that_o great_a interest_n of_o his_o eternal_a state_n and_o with_o his_o own_o consent_n be_v shut_v out_o from_o all_o proper_a knowledge_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n yea_o account_v a_o blind_a and_o unlimited_a obedience_n to_o man_n among_o the_o high_a excellency_n of_o say_v 2._o where_o he_o must_v at_o once_o believe_v the_o fullness_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o to_o be_v not_o only_o
judgement_n on_o its_o own_o evidence_n more_o vigorous_o promote_v and_o the_o proper_a mean_n and_o assistance_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v for_o this_o end_n in_o some_o other_o manner_n yet_o improven_v then_o seem_v to_o be_v this_o day_n for_o a_o more_o universal_a use_n the_o ground_n to_o enforce_v the_o necessity_n hereof_o be_v these_o i._o that_o its_o sure_a wherever_o the_o gospel_n be_v reveal_v to_o man_n it_o come_v with_o so_o full_a a_o assurance_n of_o understanding_n and_o sufficiency_n of_o objective_a evidence_n as_o can_v admit_v no_o possible_a doubtfulness_n herein_o which_o be_v the_o credit_n and_o glory_n of_o our_o religion_n that_o in_o no_o other_o way_n it_o do_v require_v acceptance_n but_o with_o the_o further_a conviction_n of_o evidence_n ii_o because_o the_o express_a design_n and_o tendency_n of_o this_o bless_a revelation_n be_v no_o less_o to_o find_v such_o a_o rational_a assurance_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o its_o truth_n then_o to_o engage_v their_o will_n and_o consent_n for_o embrace_v thereof_o and_o though_o such_o great_a demonstration_n for_o this_o end_n can_v only_o in_o svo_fw-la genere_fw-la have_v a_o convince_a influence_n to_o persuade_v the_o understanding_n yet_o be_v they_o of_o such_o weight_n here_o as_o next_o to_o the_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n they_o be_v the_o great_a mean_n to_o bring_v up_o man_n assent_n to_o a_o full_a and_o quiet_v rest_n on_o that_o security_n to_o which_o they_o must_v concredite_fw-la themselves_z for_o ever_o and_o to_o let_v they_o see_v that_o this_o even_o here_o by_o the_o way_n be_v assure_o full_a though_o not_o yet_o their_o enjoyment_n iii_o because_o this_o faith_n of_o assent_n shall_v be_v first_o follow_v in_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n as_o be_v the_o very_a first_o principle_n of_o conversion_n to_o know_v and_o be_v sure_a that_o god_n have_v send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n to_o save_v sinner_n wherein_o as_o the_o h._n ghost_n be_v not_o the_o objective_n but_o the_o efficient_a cause_n here_o of_o our_o faith_n so_o be_v not_o the_o internal_a work_n and_o testimony_n he_o give_v on_o the_o soul_n the_o first_o testimony_n but_o must_v still_o have_v respect_n to_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o word_n without_o and_o such_o demonstrative_a evidence_n thereof_o wherewith_o it_o be_v reveal_v to_o the_o world_n nor_o may_v ever_o be_v separate_a that_o which_o god_n have_v himself_o so_o indissoluble_o join_v iv_o that_o so_o convince_a a_o necessity_n and_o use_n be_v hereof_o to_o the_o church_n and_o in_o a_o special_a way_n with_o respect_n to_o the_o youth_n for_o a_o more_o firm_a lay_n of_o the_o groundwork_n of_o their_o christian_a profession_n and_o to_o be_v as_o the_o seedplot_n of_o a_o bless_a and_o desirable_a growth_n amongh_v such_o in_o this_o day_n that_o they_o may_v thus_o know_v early_o something_o of_o these_o primary_n ground_n and_o demonstration_n of_o their_o faith_n so_o also_o be_v it_o a_o study_n of_o that_o high_a importance_n as_o i_o humble_o judge_v shall_v be_v of_o notable_a use_n for_o a_o manuduction_n in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o student_n of_o divinity_n before_o they_o launch_v forth_o in_o that_o vast_a and_o immense_a ocean_n of_o the_o speculative_a part_n thereof_o and_o for_o be_v at_o some_o great_a advantage_n thus_o for_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o confirm_a work_n in_o the_o church_n in_o their_o future_a service_n v._o yea_o of_o what_o use_n may_v this_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o many_o who_o may_v be_v sore_o haunt_v with_o hide_v and_o dreadful_a temptation_n to_o infidelity_n and_o to_o weaken_v they_o on_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o their_o faith_n who_o be_v whole_o unfurnished_v of_o any_o such_o ground_n and_o argument_n in_o their_o judgement_n to_o repel_v the_o same_o and_o it_o be_v sure_a to_o believe_v firm_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o god_n be_v manifest_v in_o our_o nature_n to_o save_v man_n be_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o object_n a_o much_o high_a act_n of_o faith_n then_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o will_v save_v we_o since_o as_o the_o one_o do_v unspeakable_o more_o transcend_v all_o human_a reason_n then_o the_o other_o so_o do_v the_o apostle_n thus_o argue_v from_o the_o great_a to_o the_o less_o rom._n 8_o 32._o that_o he_o who_o give_v his_o own_o son_n to_o the_o death_n will_v he_o not_o also_o with_o he_o give_v we_o all_o thing_n that_o such_o a_o confirm_a work_n posit_n iii_o be_v most_o special_o follow_v in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o one_o of_o the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n to_o have_v this_o faith_n of_o assent_n and_o doctrinal_a certainty_n thereof_o on_o its_o proper_a ground_n and_o evidence_n deep_o found_v in_o man_n judgement_n be_v so_o clear_a as_o can_v come_v under_o debate_n i._o that_o this_o way_n do_v the_o great_a author_n of_o our_o profession_n himself_o take_v not_o only_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o his_o word_n and_o the_o power_n and_o energy_n of_o grace_n but_o with_o that_o convince_a evidence_n and_o demonstration_n of_o his_o truth_n to_o man_n understanding_n as_o might_n find_v also_o a_o firm_a and_o rational_a assurance_n hereof_o ii_o that_o for_o this_o end_n he_o do_v pray_v the_o father_n joh._n 17_o 21._o and_o be_v so_o much_o press_v herein_o that_o so_o great_a a_o external_a demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o concord_n and_o unity_n of_o his_o people_n may_v be_v keep_v clear_a that_o the_o world_n may_v thus_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v send_v of_o god_n and_o have_v a_o deep_a conviction_n hereof_o serve_v on_o they_o by_o such_o a_o evidence_n iii_o that_o one_o special_a intent_n of_o the_o evangel_n of_o luke_n be_v for_o this_o end_n luke_n 1_o 4._o that_o man_n may_v know_v not_o only_o the_o thing_n themselves_o by_o a_o naked_a relatation_n but_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n wherein_o they_o have_v be_v former_o instruct_v iv_o that_o herein_o do_v the_o ministry_n of_o apollo_n so_o bright_o shine_v forth_o act._n 18_o 28._o and_o be_v then_o of_o most_o singular_a use_n to_o the_o church_n by_o that_o clearness_n of_o rational_a conviction_n and_o demonstrative_a argument_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o great_a gain_n sayer_n can_v not_o withstand_v v._o that_o its_o sure_a it_o be_v then_o without_o exception_n express_o require_v of_o the_o mean_a within_o the_o church_n to_o be_v always_o ready_a to_o render_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o hope_n to_o all_o who_o ask_v and_o not_o only_o to_o know_v what_o they_o do_v believe_v but_o why_o they_o do_v so_o as_o be_v clear_a 1_o pet._n 3_o 15._o yea_o that_o this_o can_v not_o be_v by_o bring_v forth_o of_o internal_a evidence_n for_o conviction_n of_o other_o but_o to_o give_v they_o a_o account_n of_o the_o most_o cogent_a ground_n and_o demonstration_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o may_v be_v most_o prevalent_a and_o confirm_v to_o the_o weak_a and_o leave_v other_o inexcusable_a and_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v then_o special_o press_v in_o these_o primitive_a time_n as_o a_o proper_a test_n of_o their_o christian_a profession_n vi_o and_o we_o see_v herein_o also_o how_o much_o these_o excellent_a berean_o be_v take_v up_o and_o be_v so_o high_o commend_v of_o the_o h._n ghost_n act._n 17_o 11._o to_o know_v the_o demonstrative_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o by_o its_o own_o evidence_n with_o that_o entire_a harmony_n and_o consent_n of_o the_o scripture_n therein_o and_o their_o be_v thus_o diligent_o intent_n in_o that_o comparing-worke_n of_o religion_n to_o see_v the_o truth_n thereof_o not_o single_o and_o apart_o by_o themselves_o alone_o but_o in_o that_o joint_a union_n and_o coherence_n wherein_o they_o stand_v each_o in_o their_o own_o room_n for_o confirm_v and_o give_v light_n to_o other_o vii_o that_o this_o be_v the_o way_n also_o wherein_o the_o gospel_n do_v come_v to_o the_o gentil_n church_n be_v clear_o show_v 1_o thess_n 1_o 5._o not_o in_o word_n only_o but_o as_o in_o power_n and_o in_o the_o h._n ghost_n so_o also_o in_o much_o assurance_n of_o understanding_n upon_o its_o own_o evidence_n which_o be_v that_o way_n it_o do_v so_o wonderful_o prevail_v over_o the_o world_n against_o nature_n and_o stream_n of_o flesh_n and_o blood_n that_o stand_v in_o the_o further_a opposition_n thereto_o viii_o that_o one_o of_o the_o great_a service_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o visit_v the_o church_n do_v express_o lie_v here_o act_v 14_o 22._o to_o confirm_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o disciple_n in_o the_o first_o place_n on_o the_o certainty_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o then_o in_o exhort_v they_o to_o continue_v in_o the_o same_o so_o as_o they_o may_v follow_v the_o