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determine_v the_o actual_a motion_n of_o the_o animal_n spirit_n which_o move_v our_o member_n as_o many_o way_n as_o we_o please_v i_o will_v not_o here_o confute_v that_o conjecture_n for_o it_o be_v only_o a_o mere_a conjecture_n but_o i_o maintain_v that_o it_o be_v as_o difficult_a a_o thing_n to_o apprehend_v that_o a_o immaterial_a be_v determine_v a_o motion_n a_o certain_a way_n as_o to_o apprehend_v that_o he_o produce_v it_o anew_o so_o that_o if_o those_o philosopher_n may_v be_v allow_v to_o affirm_v the_o one_o or_o if_o they_o can_v deny_v it_o though_o they_o apprehend_v not_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a piece_n of_o injustice_n to_o find_v fault_n with_o those_o that_o say_v there_o be_v a_o immaterial_a principle_n which_o produce_v motion_n in_o matter_n though_o it_o be_v not_o know_v
hear_v as_o a_o proposition_n which_o be_v not_o contradictory_n but_o be_v not_o the_o less_o false_a for_o that_o as_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o mankind_n teach_v we_o indeed_o those_o who_o use_v that_o argument_n to_o make_v miracle_n doubtful_a do_v it_o only_o to_o perplex_v simple_a man_n who_o hear_v they_o they_o know_v very_o well_o that_o we_o be_v perfect_o sure_a of_o some_o thing_n and_o that_o they_o can_v be_v make_v doubtful_a by_o say_v only_o that_o it_o be_v not_o contradictory_n that_o the_o contrary_n be_v true_a if_o they_o dare_v deny_v the_o miraculous_a effect_n on_o which_o religion_n be_v ground_v they_o will_v roundly_o do_v it_o and_o not_o have_v recourse_n to_o objection_n so_o little_o judicious_a but_o not_o dare_v to_o do_v it_o and_o be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v the_o contrary_a of_o what_o we_o believe_v look_v probable_a they_o confine_v themselves_o to_o some_o such_o objection_n i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v now_o to_o confute_v all_o their_o particular_a objection_n because_o the_o principle_n i_o lay_v down_o destroy_v they_o 5._o it_o be_v therefore_o certain_a that_o we_o may_v know_v some_o thing_n be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o man_n and_o can_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o any_o other_o natural_a or_o corporeal_a cause_n and_o that_o if_o we_o see_v some_o happen_v or_o learn_v from_o faithful_a witness_n that_o there_o happen_v some_o we_o may_v say_v without_o be_v mistake_v that_o they_o be_v miraculous_a thing_n such_o be_v for_o example_n the_o action_n of_o walk_v upon_o the_o water_n and_o cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n without_o remedy_n however_o to_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o a_o miraculous_a fact_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o any_o body_n he_o ought_v to_o know_v beforehand_o that_o that_o miracle_n will_v happen_v or_o at_o least_o it_o must_v happen_v just_a when_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v insignificant_a if_o when_o no_o body_n think_v of_o it_o there_o happen_v a_o thing_n wherein_o neither_o man_n nor_o other_o natural_a cause_n have_v a_o hand_n and_o no_o body_n know_v of_o what_o use_v it_o will_v be_v nothing_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o it_o and_o he_o who_o shall_v say_v that_o it_o happen_v in_o his_o behalf_n aught_o to_o be_v suspect_v of_o fraud_n some_o idumaei_n some_o see_v my_o dissertation_n de_fw-fr trajectu_fw-la maris_fw-la idumaei_n historian_n for_o instance_n tell_v we_o that_o alexander_n go_v to_o meet_v darius_n lead_v part_n of_o his_o troop_n to_o pass_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o mount_n climax_n where_o there_o be_v no_o passage_n when_o the_o south_n wind_v blue_a because_o the_o sea_n cover_v that_o way_n and_o that_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o come_v thither_o the_o north_n blow_v so_o that_o they_o go_v through_o it_o not_o to_o say_v the_o change_n of_o wind_n at_o that_o time_n may_v be_v natural_a i_o affirm_v that_o alexander_n have_v not_o know_v it_o before_o and_o be_v able_a to_o go_v another_o way_n it_o can_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o miracle_n which_o providence_n wrought_v in_o his_o behalf_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v conclude_v from_o it_o that_o heaven_n approve_v his_o design_n to_o give_v another_o example_n fetch_v from_o the_o history_n of_o the_o same_o prince_n 10._o prince_n vid._n q._n curt._n lib._n 10._o c._n 10._o it_o be_v say_v that_o his_o corpse_n remain_v seven_o day_n at_o babylon_n before_o it_o be_v embalm_v without_o smell_v ill_o in_o the_o least_o nor_o have_v his_o face_n a_o different_a colour_n than_o what_o it_o have_v whilst_o he_o be_v alive_a though_o it_o be_v extreme_o hot_a in_o that_o climate_n wherein_o babylon_n be_v situate_v let_v we_o suppose_v not_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o fact_n but_o also_o that_o natural_a cause_n have_v no_o hand_n in_o it_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o nothing_o can_v be_v conclude_v from_o such_o a_o thing_n either_o for_o or_o against_o alexander_n for_o indeed_o what_o can_v the_o invisible_a power_n mean_v by_o preserve_v the_o body_n of_o alexander_n from_o corruption_n during_o seven_o day_n none_o but_o that_o power_n can_v teach_v it_o and_o if_o any_o one_o have_v undertake_v to_o make_v his_o advantage_n of_o it_o he_o have_v be_v just_o laugh_v at_o that_o character_n of_o a_o true_a miracle_n altogether_o destroy_v the_o objection_n i_o have_v confute_v already_o for_o if_o miraculous_a fact_n be_v extraordinary_a effect_n of_o natural_a but_o unknown_a cause_n it_o be_v manifest_a they_o can_v not_o be_v foresee_v no_o man_n can_v foresee_v a_o thing_n which_o scarce_o ever_o happen_v and_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o some_o cause_n which_o be_v unknown_a to_o he_o unless_o that_o man_n be_v warn_v of_o it_o by_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o same_o cause_n which_o be_v to_o suppose_v without_o reason_n a_o thing_n altogether_o incomprehensible_a 6._o wherefore_o if_o we_o can_v show_v that_o there_o happen_v some_o thing_n that_o neither_o man_n nor_o other_o natural_a cause_n can_v do_v which_o notwithstanding_o be_v foretell_v by_o those_o in_o who_o behalf_n they_o be_v do_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v we_o that_o they_o be_v miraculous_a fact_n which_o happen_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o who_o foretell_v they_o the_o gospel_n be_v full_a of_o the_o like_a miracle_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o pitch_v upon_o one_o to_o apply_v what_o have_v be_v say_v to_o it_o it_o be_v of_o of_o great_a moment_n that_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v true_a the_o rest_n can_v be_v deny_v i_o mean_v the_o resurrection_n of_o jesus_n christ_n wherein_o we_o see_v all_o the_o character_n of_o a_o true_a miracle_n first_o it_o be_v certain_a by_o the_o experience_n of_o all_o age_n that_o no_o man_n or_o any_o other_o natural_a cause_n can_v restore_v a_o dead_a man_n to_o life_n though_o the_o humane_a body_n be_v not_o perfect_o know_v to_o we_o no_o more_o than_o the_o virtue_n of_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n yet_o we_o may_v affirm_v without_o rashness_n that_o no_o body_n raise_v himself_o nor_o by_o his_o own_o virtue_n or_o that_o of_o any_o other_o thing_n one_o can_v affirm_v the_o contrary_a without_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o mad_a man_n among_o all_o the_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n second_o jesus_n christ_n 27.63_o christ_n mat._n 16.21_o &_o 17.23_o &_o 26.61_o &_o 27.63_o often_o foretell_v his_o resurrection_n and_o say_v it_o shall_v happen_v on_o the_o three_o day_n he_o conclude_v from_o thence_o beforehand_o that_o man_n will_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o god_n his_o resurrection_n be_v the_o great_a sign_n of_o it_o that_o can_v be_v ask_v 40._o ask_v mat._n 12.39_o 40._o a_o evil_a and_o adulterous_a generation_n say_v he_o seek_v after_o a_o sign_n and_o there_o shall_v no_o sign_n be_v give_v to_o it_o but_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o prophet_n ionas_n for_o as_o ionas_n be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o whale_n belly_n so_o shall_v the_o son_n of_o man_n be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o the_o earth_n if_o the_o apostle_n be_v sincere_a man_n and_o be_v not_o deceive_v that_o fact_n be_v undeniable_a and_o consequent_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o he_o who_o raise_v jesus_n christ_n bear_v he_o a_o testimony_n which_o can_v be_v doubt_v of_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n letter_n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v sincere_a man_n and_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v on_o that_o occasion_n their_o master_n be_v not_o hide_v in_o a_o chamber_n when_o it_o be_v say_v that_o he_o be_v dead_a it_o be_v upon_o a_o cross_n and_o in_o a_o public_a place_n surround_v with_o roman_a soldier_n he_o have_v be_v bury_v his_o enemy_n seal_v his_o sepulchre_n they_o set_v a_o guard_n of_o soldier_n about_o it_o and_o he_o be_v above_o four_o and_o twenty_o hour_n in_o it_o therefore_o no_o body_n can_v doubt_v of_o his_o be_v true_o dead_a and_o his_o apostle_n do_v not_o question_v it_o afterward_o they_o see_v he_o several_a time_n touch_v he_o speak_v with_o he_o and_z ate_z with_o he_o so_o that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v mistake_v in_o it_o wherefore_o if_o the_o thing_n have_v not_o happen_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o vindicate_v their_o sincerity_n and_o if_o they_o be_v sincere_a man_n which_o they_o certain_o be_v as_o have_v be_v show_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n can_v be_v doubt_v of_o 7._o the_o more_o we_o examine_v their_o testimony_n the_o more_o we_o shall_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o and_o without_o insist_v long_o upon_o that_o i_o have_v rather_o observe_v against_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n that_o what_o may_v be_v say_v of_o feign_a miracle_n can_v be_v object_v against_o that_o miracle_n and_o other_o miracle_n of_o
great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n shall_v not_o just_o render_v it_o suspect_v to_o unbeliever_n p._n 131._o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o incredulous_a be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o many_o people_n devotion_n p._n 143._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a p._n 165._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o incredulous_a object_n in_o vain_a that_o christianity_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o so_o ill_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v can_v be_v so_o useful_a to_o mankind_n as_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v p._n 180._o chap._n 6._o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o acquaintance_n make_v bad_a answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o it_o or_o because_o they_o maintain_v some_o false_a tenet_n as_o true_a and_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n p._n 199._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o bring_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o into_o doubt_n p._n 234._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n p._n 277._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 282._o letter_n 1._o wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o testimony_n they_o render_v to_o christ_n resurrection_n p._n 283._o letter_n 2._o show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o person_n true_o send_v of_o god_n p._n 307._o errata_fw-la page_n 18._o line_n 23._o read_v angusta_fw-la p._n 23._o l._n 8._o deal_n and._n of_o incredulity_n the_o preface_n contain_v the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n i_o can_v determine_v whether_o during_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n more_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o there_o may_v have_v be_v for_o these_o two_o hundred_o year_n past_a but_o that_o we_o have_v few_o remain_v of_o the_o precedent_a age_n than_o of_o the_o last_o two_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o teacher_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o follower_n whilst_o paganism_n be_v still_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n labour_v more_o in_o confute_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n than_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o think_v if_o they_o can_v once_o convince_v the_o heathen_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n then_o to_o make_v they_o christian_n and_o this_o i_o can_v most_o easy_o show_v be_v it_o at_o all_o useful_a to_o my_o design_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o paganism_n be_v abolish_v in_o europe_n and_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_n religion_n the_o teacher_n of_o it_o then_o left_a paganism_n to_o attack_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mahometans_n both_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o be_v among_o we_o but_o beside_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o mahometan_a and_o rabbinic_n doctrine_n doubt_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o peremptory_o judge_v it_o not_o true_a without_o set_v up_o any_o other_o religion_n in_o its_o place_n now_o to_o reduce_v these_o a_o new_a method_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v agree_v therefore_o to_o prove_v direct_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o insist_v upon_o the_o confutation_n of_o other_o persuasion_n and_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o that_o immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o manage_v with_o better_a success_n the_o heathen_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o mahometans_n be_v not_o ill_o confute_v before_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v far_o from_o be_v ever_o so_o well_o prove_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n nevertheless_o that_o there_o be_v still_o one_o thing_n behind_o which_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a have_v either_o not_o touch_v at_o all_o or_o but_o very_o slight_o i_o mean_v the_o secret_a motive_n and_o general_a reason_n which_o the_o incredulous_a have_v of_o not_o believe_v christianity_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v their_o internal_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n do_v so_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o reason_n offer_v they_o though_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a themselves_o of_o the_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o do_v this_o that_o all_o speak_n to_o they_o be_v in_o vain_a before_o the_o vnreasonableness_n of_o this_o disposition_n be_v make_v evident_a just_o as_o if_o any_o shall_v plead_v a_o good_a cause_n before_o prepossess_v judge_n without_o endeavour_v to_o cure_v they_o first_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o must_v needs_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o that_o thing_n as_o false_a whereupon_o all_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v ground_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pleader_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n though_o never_o so_o just_a will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o be_v cast_v or_o condemn_v this_o have_v be_v notwithstanding_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o champion_n of_o christianity_n they_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o well_o enough_o but_o their_o reason_n appear_v weak_a to_o the_o incredulous_a consider_v the_o disposition_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o whereof_o they_o know_v nothing_o themselves_o what_o be_v unreasonable_a therefore_o in_o this_o disposition_n must_v be_v discover_v and_o lay_v so_o clear_o before_o they_o that_o they_o may_v perceive_v how_o it_o impose_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n this_o be_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v teach_v we_o when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n 3.20_o joh._n 3.20_o neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v which_o signify_v that_o unbeliever_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o as_o true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o maxim_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o the_o habit_n they_o have_v be_v contract_v for_o many_o year_n on_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v that_o he_o that_o do_v truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n 21._o ver._n 21._o that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v easy_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o say_v elsewhere_o that_o if_o any_o will_v do_v his_o will_n 7.17_o joh._n 7.17_o he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o of_o himself_o beside_o the_o disposition_n wherein_o those_o may_v be_v who_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o which_o deceive_v they_o without_o their_o perceive_v of_o it_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a general_a reason_n draw_v from_o without_o that_o help_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o error_n these_o reason_n must_v by_o all_o mean_n be_v explode_v because_o they_o be_v to_o they_o so_o many_o prejudices_fw-la whereby_o they_o determine_v the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o they_o whilst_o they_o think_v they_o good_a all_o the_o proof_n imaginable_a can_v make_v no_o impression_n upon_o they_o because_o they_o never_o fail_v of_o oppose_v to_o they_o these_o reason_n which_o conclude_v to_o be_v solid_a they_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v a_o world_n of_o people_n for_o example_n who_o discover_v several_a of_o those_o doctrine_n that_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v false_a judge_v of_o the_o rest_n by_o these_o and_o reject_v the_o good_a with_o the_o bad_a they_o be_v tell_v of_o a_o thousand_o lie_a miracle_n to_o who_o those_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v join_v but_o find_v the_o modern_a miracle_n to_o be_v imposture_n they_o give_v no_o great_a credit_n to_o those_o upon_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v as_o long_o as_o they_o be_v of_o the_o mind_n that_o these_o miracle_n be_v not_o more_o certain_a one_o than_o another_o all_o the_o consequence_n draw_v from_o those_o of_o christ_n appear_v to_o they_o as_o build_v upon_o a_o rot_a foundation_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n therefore_o but_o as_o a_o totter_a fabric_n it_o must_v be_v show_v the_o incredulous_a then_o that_o those_o reason_n draw_v from_o without_o which_o
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the_o empire_n of_o claudius_n or_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o nero_n say_v that_o nero_n have_v set_v on_o fire_n several_a part_n of_o rome_n charge_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o and_o put_v they_o to_o horrible_a torment_n he_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o origin_n of_o christianity_n in_o these_o word_n 44._o word_n annal._n lib._n 15._o c._n 44._o the_o author_n of_o that_o sect_n be_v christ_n who_o be_v put_v to_o death_n under_o the_o empire_n of_o tiberius_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n governor_n of_o judea_n that_o pernicious_a superstition_n though_o suppress_v in_o the_o beginning_n quick_o break_v out_o again_o and_o spread_v itself_o not_o only_o throughout_o judea_n the_o place_n where_o this_o evil_n have_v its_o origin_n but_o also_o in_o rome_n whither_o every_o villainous_a and_o shameful_a thing_n resort_v and_o find_v abettor_n those_o who_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n be_v present_o seize_v and_o then_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n who_o they_o discover_v but_o be_v not_o convict_v of_o be_v incendiary_n so_o much_o as_o they_o be_v run_v down_o by_o the_o hatred_n that_o all_o man_n bear_v against_o they_o it_o appear_v from_o hence_o that_o tacitus_n though_o a_o man_n of_o sense_n be_v not_o at_o the_o pain_n to_o know_v what_o christianity_n be_v of_o which_o he_o speak_v after_o a_o most_o absurd_a manner_n it_o be_v a_o shameful_a effect_n of_o his_o negligence_n as_o i_o have_v observe_v elsewhere_o and_o perhaps_o of_o the_o roman_a vanity_n which_o despise_v every_o thing_n except_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o grecian_n but_o two_o thing_n may_v be_v observe_v in_o those_o word_n one_o be_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n which_o the_o evangelist_n teach_v we_o that_o there_o be_v one_o jesus_n in_o the_o time_n of_o tiberius_n who_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o christ_n or_o messiah_n who_o pontius_n pilate_n put_v to_o death_n the_o other_o be_v that_o the_o christian_n be_v not_o find_v guilty_a of_o the_o fire_n of_o rome_n and_o can_v not_o be_v put_v to_o death_n as_o tacitus_n believe_v but_o upon_o that_o accusation_n which_o concern_v also_o the_o jew_n viz._n that_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o mankind_n the_o interpreter_n of_o place_n of_o see_v lipsius_n upon_o this_o place_n tacitus_n have_v show_v that_o that_o historian_n confound_v the_o jew_n with_o the_o christian_n as_o it_o be_v but_o too_o true_a that_o the_o jew_n be_v enemy_n to_o other_o man_n so_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o absurd_a than_o to_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o it_o who_o have_v draw_v on_o themselves_o the_o hatred_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o maintain_v that_o all_o man_n be_v brethren_n and_o free_o converse_v with_o all_o nation_n we_o have_v also_o the_o testimony_n of_o another_o contemporary_a author_n and_o a_o friend_n of_o tacitus_n but_o who_o be_v somewhat_o more_o careful_a to_o know_v the_o opinion_n of_o
christ_n viz._n that_o there_o be_v no_o great_a likelihood_n that_o god_n will_v disturb_v the_o order_n of_o nature_n for_o so_o inconsiderable_a matter_n as_o those_o be_v for_o which_o he_o be_v say_v to_o disturb_v it_o every_o day_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o live_v in_o the_o apostle_n time_n and_o have_v not_o attentive_o consider_v the_o circumstance_n which_o attend_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v perhaps_o have_v say_v then_o that_o they_o apprehend_v not_o how_o providence_n be_v so_o much_o concern_v in_o the_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n as_o to_o work_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o miracle_n in_o its_o behalf_n see_v it_o make_v so_o little_a a_o progress_n in_o the_o world_n but_o those_o who_o live_v now_o can_v raise_v the_o like_a objection_n against_o we_o have_v see_v the_o duration_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n if_o it_o have_v not_o produce_v yet_o among_o man_n all_o the_o effect_n it_o shall_v have_v produce_v if_o they_o have_v know_v their_o true_a interest_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n will_v never_o happen_v hereafter_o those_o who_o will_v have_v conjecture_v at_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n that_o it_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o contemptible_a sect_n because_o it_o be_v then_o despise_v will_v have_v be_v gross_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v at_o present_a and_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o the_o time_n past_o aught_o to_o make_v we_o reserve_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o future_a 8._o let_v we_o see_v now_o what_o be_v the_o efficient_a and_o immediate_a cause_n of_o miracle_n we_o have_v see_v already_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o man_n nor_o other_o body_n which_o act_n according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n it_o must_v be_v therefore_o some_o invisible_a power_n that_o be_v either_o some_o intelligent_a being_n more_o excellent_a than_o we_o though_o they_o be_v create_v or_o else_o god_n himself_o some_o believe_v as_o i_o say_v already_o that_o miracle_n be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o god_n himself_o wrought_v several_a miracle_n but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o they_o be_v all_o above_o the_o strength_n of_o all_o other_o creature_n so_o that_o they_o have_v no_o other_o efficient_a and_o immediate_a cause_n but_o god_n himself_o to_o deny_v that_o intelligent_a being_n more_o perfect_a than_o we_o be_v can_v work_v miracle_n we_o shall_v exact_o know_v what_o be_v the_o extent_n of_o their_o power_n and_o distinct_o see_v that_o miracle_n be_v above_o it_o it_o be_v true_a we_o know_v they_o be_v above_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o god_n establish_v from_o the_o beginning_n but_o we_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o give_v not_o to_o angel_n the_o power_n of_o alter_v sometime_o that_o order_n though_o it_o be_v original_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n it_o follow_v not_o that_o none_o but_o a_o infinite_a power_n can_v make_v some_o alteration_n in_o it_o if_o the_o power_n which_o establish_v it_o will_v permit_v it_o we_o can_v therefore_o say_v that_o angel_n work_v no_o miracle_n in_o effect_n it_o appear_v from_o sacred_a history_n that_o god_n often_o make_v use_n of_o they_o when_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v but_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o because_o it_o belong_v not_o to_o my_o subject_n 9_o it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v ask_v suppose_v angel_n work_v miracle_n first_o how_o one_o may_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v god_n or_o a_o angel_n that_o wrought_v a_o certain_a miracle_n and_o second_o how_o one_o may_v know_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v do_v by_o a_o good_a or_o bad_a angel_n a_o miracle_n be_v not_o of_o a_o nature_n which_o necessary_o require_v a_o cause_n whereof_o the_o power_n be_v infinite_a i_o confess_v we_o see_v no_o character_n in_o it_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v in_o itself_o whereby_o we_o may_v know_v whether_o it_o be_v wrought_v by_o god_n or_o a_o angel_n but_o the_o more_o we_o see_v a_o thing_n above_o our_o power_n the_o more_o it_o seem_v difficult_a to_o we_o and_o the_o more_o we_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o it_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o infinite_a power_n for_o example_n to_o foretell_v a_o contingent_a event_n or_o depend_v upon_o man_n will_n and_o which_o be_v to_o happen_v many_o age_n after_o seem_v to_o we_o to_o be_v a_o thing_n above_o the_o knowledge_n of_o create_a intelligent_a being_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o great_a but_o the_o raise_n of_o a_o storm_n though_o the_o air_n be_v not_o dispose_v for_o it_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a thing_n though_o it_o be_v above_o our_o power_n and_o we_o easy_o believe_v that_o angel_n either_o good_a or_o bad_a can_v do_v it_o however_o it_o matter_n little_a to_o know_v whether_o god_n immediate_o wrought_v a_o miracle_n or_o a_o good_a angel_n see_v it_o be_v certain_a good_a angel_n do_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n or_o be_v a_o execution_n of_o his_o order_n whether_o god_n himself_o act_v or_o a_o angel_n it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o respect_n to_o we_o see_v we_o neither_o see_v the_o cause_n that_o work_v nor_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o operation_n as_o for_o the_o other_o question_n concern_v the_o manner_n of_o know_v whether_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o a_o good_a or_o a_o bad_a angel_n one_o may_v say_v something_o more_o positive_a truth_n be_v always_o the_o same_o contradict_v not_o itself_o it_o be_v a_o manifest_a principle_n to_o all_o those_o who_o be_v not_o pyrrhonian_n wherefore_o the_o miracle_n of_o god_n and_o good_a anglel_n ought_v always_o to_o tend_v to_o the_o confirm_v or_o establish_v some_o doctrine_n agreeable_a to_o truth_n that_o be_v know_v either_o by_o revelation_n or_o reason_n see_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n and_o good_a angel_n always_o love_v the_o truth_n if_o we_o see_v therefore_o that_o a_o miracle_n confirm_v or_o establish_v something_o contrary_a to_o a_o certain_a truth_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o miracle_n be_v a_o effect_n of_o a_o power_n contrary_n to_o that_o of_o god_n and_o good_a angel_n thus_o the_o design_n of_o a_o miracle_n discover_v its_o author_n if_o we_o can_v apprehend_v what_o be_v the_o end_n of_o a_o miracle_n we_o can_v give_v no_o certain_a judgement_n about_o it_o nor_o draw_v from_o it_o any_o consequence_n for_o or_o against_o truth_n a_o bad_a angel_n be_v not_o able_a to_o work_v miracle_n which_o favour_n truth_n and_o virtue_n all_o those_o which_o contribute_v to_o it_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o come_v from_o a_o good_a principle_n on_o the_o contrary_a a_o good_a angel_n be_v not_o able_a to_o act_v for_o lie_n and_o vice_n all_o the_o miracle_n which_o shall_v favour_v either_o of_o they_o aught_o to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o miracle_n of_o bad_a angel_n this_o be_v a_o infallible_a rule_n to_o know_v by_o what_o sort_n of_o angel_n a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v suppose_v it_o be_v know_v that_o a_o angel_n be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o 10._o if_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v examine_v according_a to_o those_o principle_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o they_o be_v wrought_v either_o by_o god_n himself_o or_o good_a angel_n because_o their_o only_a aim_n be_v to_o establish_v or_o settle_v truth_n and_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n now_o this_o be_v altogether_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o notion_n one_o may_v form_v of_o a_o power_n which_o delight_v in_o do_v ill_a and_o deceive_a men._n this_o christ_n show_v to_o the_o pharisee_n who_o accuse_v he_o of_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n he_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o prince_n of_o demon_n 26._o demon_n mat._n 12.25_o 26._o every_o kingdom_n say_v he_o divide_v against_o itself_o be_v bring_v to_o desolation_n and_o every_o city_n or_o house_n divide_v against_o itself_o shall_v not_o stand_v and_o if_o satan_n cast_v out_o satan_n he_o be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o shall_v then_o his_o kingdom_n stand_v that_o be_v a_o convince_a proof_n of_o the_o divinity_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n against_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o extravagant_a as_o to_o ascribe_v they_o to_o a_o ill_a power_n that_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o virtue_n but_o because_o i_o write_v not_o against_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o long_o insist_v upon_o it_o the_o unbeliever_n who_o live_v among_o christian_n be_v not_o more_o persuade_v of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n than_o of_o god_n and_o deny_v all_o sort_n of_o miracle_n alike_o but_o i_o have_v show_v from_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o they_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o deny_v those_o of_o christ_n 11._o last_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o miracle_n
be_v the_o effect_n of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n or_o angel_n one_o may_v easy_o apprehend_v that_o they_o be_v not_o contradictory_n thing_n that_o which_o be_v contradictory_n be_v the_o object_n of_o no_o power_n it_o be_v a_o mere_a nothing_o as_o all_o those_o who_o know_v the_o mean_v of_o that_o word_n will_v grant_v it_o no_o positive_a idea_n can_v be_v form_v of_o it_o and_o every_o contradictory_n proposition_n be_v unintelligible_a in_o itself_o if_o the_o miracle_n mention_v in_o holy_a scripture_n be_v examine_v not_o one_o of_o that_o nature_n will_v be_v find_v among_o they_o there_o be_v none_o but_o what_o may_v be_v express_v in_o intelligible_a proposition_n for_o example_n god_n can_v make_v a_o man_n who_o live_v to_o live_v no_o long_o that_o be_v his_o blood_n shall_v no_o more_o circulate_a and_o all_o his_o member_n shall_v cease_v to_o perform_v their_o function_n on_o the_o contrary_a he_o can_v make_v a_o man_n who_o blood_n be_v settle_v and_o who_o member_n perform_v none_o of_o their_o function_n to_o begin_v to_o live_v again_o as_o it_o do_v before_o those_o proposition_n be_v easy_o apprehend_v but_o to_o make_v a_o man_n to_o live_v and_o not_o to_o live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n take_v the_o word_n to_o live_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o sense_n be_v a_o contradictory_n thing_n which_o be_v not_o the_o object_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n god_n never_o wrought_v any_o such_o miracle_n those_o who_o rank_n among_o the_o miracle_n of_o christianity_n that_o whereby_o they_o pretend_v that_o god_n make_v a_o humane_a body_n to_o be_v extend_v and_o not_o extend_v at_o the_o same_o time_n and_o to_o be_v in_o many_o place_n at_o one_o time_n those_o man_n i_o say_v feign_v a_o miracle_n of_o which_o they_o have_v no_o idea_n and_o rest_v content_v with_o word_n they_o understand_v not_o they_o ascribe_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n a_o mystery_n absurd_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a light_n to_o reason_n and_o revelation_n what_o i_o say_v concern_v miracle_n have_v no_o relation_n with_o that_o and_o i_o pretend_v not_o to_o defend_v any_o such_o thing_n my_o design_n be_v to_o show_v wherein_o miracle_n consist_v to_o make_v unbeliever_n apprehend_v that_o they_o be_v very_o possible_a that_o they_o can_v be_v assault_v but_o by_o show_v that_o there_o be_v a_o impossibility_n in_o the_o miraculous_a fact_n on_o which_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v there_o be_v beside_o another_o sort_n of_o miracle_n which_o though_o perhaps_o they_o happen_v every_o day_n can_v be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n because_o they_o be_v not_o sensible_a god_n can_v very_o often_o do_v either_o by_o himself_o or_o the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n a_o infinite_a number_n of_o thing_n without_o the_o intervention_n of_o natural_a cause_n when_o he_o think_v fit_a or_o good_a man_n pray_v he_o to_o do_v it_o but_o because_o one_o can_v perceive_v whether_o a_o supernatural_a cause_n act_n or_o not_o on_o those_o occasion_n because_o what_o happen_v be_v not_o in_o itself_o above_o the_o strength_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o it_o be_v not_o know_v whether_o they_o intervene_v it_o can_v be_v affirm_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v for_o example_n a_o sick_a man_n who_o remedy_n can_v not_o natural_o cure_v be_v restore_v by_o the_o prayer_n of_o his_o relation_n because_o god_n or_o angel_n supply_v what_o be_v want_v in_o the_o natural_a virtue_n of_o remedy_n but_o this_o can_v be_v affirm_v without_o a_o revelation_n hereupon_o it_o be_v ask_v how_o we_o come_v to_o suppose_v that_o god_n who_o work_v no_o more_o sensible_a miracle_n according_a to_o we_o perform_v every_o day_n some_o invisible_a one_o such_o as_o that_o which_o i_o have_v describe_v and_o why_o he_o shall_v be_v desire_v to_o work_v this_o kind_n of_o miracle_n not_o those_o which_o strike_v our_o sense_n in_o answer_n to_o that_o i_o say_v that_o we_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o god_n conduct_v but_o by_o sensible_a effect_n or_o a_o revelation_n wherefore_o see_v we_o see_v no_o more_o such_o miracle_n as_o strike_v our_o sense_n we_o ought_v to_o say_v that_o god_n will_v work_v no_o more_o any_o such_o miracle_n and_o if_o we_o can_v give_v some_o reason_n of_o it_o which_o be_v not_o unworthy_a of_o god_n wisdom_n nothing_o can_v hinder_v we_o from_o allege_v they_o 6._o they_o part_n ii_o ch_z 6._o as_o i_o have_v do_v elsewhere_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n revelation_n command_v we_o to_o offer_v prayer_n to_o god_n in_o our_o necessity_n and_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o what_o we_o ask_v be_v true_o advantageous_a to_o we_o if_o we_o ask_v it_o as_o we_o ought_v and_o it_o we_o obey_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o shall_v obtain_v what_o we_o pray_v for_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v interpose_v after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n if_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o hear_v our_o prayer_n because_o he_o promise_v it_o but_o why_o will_v it_o be_v say_v do_v god_n make_v such_o promise_n which_o suppose_v that_o he_o work_v still_o some_o miracle_n of_o this_o latter_a sort_n see_v he_o will_v no_o more_o do_v sensible_a one_o i_o have_v show_v already_o why_o he_o work_v no_o more_o miracle_n that_o fall_v under_o our_o sense_n and_o there_o be_v no_o need_n i_o shall_v repeat_v what_o i_o have_v say_v about_o it_o as_o for_o the_o other_o they_o be_v a_o necessary_a consequence_n of_o god_n providence_n which_o consist_v not_o only_o in_o have_v give_v some_o law_n to_o nature_n according_a to_o which_o it_o act_n but_o in_o supply_v the_o defect_n of_o those_o law_n and_o make_v such_o exception_n to_o they_o as_o god_n think_v fit_a see_v therefore_o providence_n exist_v not_o less_o now_o than_o it_o do_v former_o no_o body_n ought_v to_o wonder_v that_o god_n work_v miracle_n of_o that_o kind_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o that_o be_v unworthy_a of_o he_o and_o see_v he_o promise_v it_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v whether_o he_o do_v it_o and_o man_n have_v reason_n to_o pray_v to_o he_o on_o that_o supposition_n it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o impossible_a thing_n and_o prove_v thereby_o that_o our_o prayer_n be_v useless_a i_o think_v i_o have_v undeniable_o show_v it_o by_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n and_o be_v consequent_o the_o author_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o that_o there_o be_v some_o other_o intelligent_a being_n who_o can_v do_v what_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o men._n i_o prove_v the_o first_o thing_n in_o the_o last_o chapter_n of_o the_o 2d_o part_n of_o my_o discourse_n concern_v incredulity_n and_o the_o other_o can_v be_v doubt_v of_o if_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n confirm_v with_o undeniable_a miracle_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n may_v have_v make_v their_o doctrine_n to_o be_v admire_v with_o mere_a reason_n 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