increase_v day_n by_o day_n chap._n xvi_o of_o those_o which_o study_v nothing_o but_o controversy_n what_o sort_n of_o controversy_n may_v teach_v we_o most_o doctrine_n what_o point_v of_o doctrine_n be_v the_o most_o difficult_a among_o christian_n what_o expedient_a may_v weak_a one_o take_v in_o the_o high_a question_n a_o rule_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v but_o in_o the_o reform_a religion_n of_o miracle_n of_o martyr_n concern_v the_o question_n where_o be_v the_o church_n before_o the_o reformation_n some_o seek_v no_o other_o instruction_n but_o that_o of_o controversy_n a_o study_n true_o which_o be_v necessary_a for_o to_o furnish_v antidote_n in_o place_n or_o in_o time_n infect_v with_o heresy_n but_o yet_o it_o be_v incapable_a to_o give_v unto_o the_o soul_n a_o full_a reflection_n he_o shall_v true_o be_v a_o fool_n who_o will_v take_v no_o other_o nourishment_n but_o from_o the_o treacle_n or_o the_o rhubarb_n controversy_n show_v not_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o religion_n but_o the_o part_n thereof_o which_o be_v in_o dispute_n and_o this_o be_v but_o by_o accident_n for_o our_o faith_n be_v affirmative_a not_o negative_a and_o our_o knowledge_n have_v for_o its_o object_n the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n not_o the_o disguise_n of_o error_n who_o will_v come_v by_o this_o way_n to_o a_o more_o universal_a knowledge_n of_o religion_n he_o must_v study_v not_o only_o all_o whatsoever_o we_o dispute_v with_o the_o roman_a catholic_n but_o also_o whatsoever_o the_o christian_a church_n debate_v against_o a_o infinite_a of_o sect_n who_o rob_v she_o of_o her_o title_n nay_o more_o all_o the_o difference_n which_o we_o have_v to_o decide_v with_o the_o jew_n mahometan_n indian_n and_o other_o pagan_n and_o that_o which_o be_v worse_o with_o a_o multitude_n of_o atheist_n if_o there_o be_v a_o controversy_n in_o which_o a_o christian_a arm_v to_o the_o proof_n against_o blasphemy_n may_v learn_v rare_a and_o excellent_a thing_n it_o be_v in_o that_o which_o we_o have_v with_o the_o jew_n i_o understand_v for_o to_o have_v a_o exact_a knowledge_n and_o not_o to_o consider_v only_o the_o trunk_n but_o also_o all_o the_o branch_n the_o juice_n and_o the_o marrow_n from_o the_o low_a of_o the_o root_n to_o the_o high_a of_o the_o leaf_n to_o see_v the_o depth_n of_o this_o controversy_n be_v more_o painful_a than_o all_o the_o other_o it_o have_v but_o very_o few_o philosophical_a argument_n all_o therein_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o deep_a fountain_n of_o the_o ancient_a testament_n and_o you_o must_v lift_v all_o the_o curtain_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n and_o pass_v through_o many_o veil_n before_o that_o one_o can_v see_v the_o holy_a of_o holies_n this_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o the_o first_o christian_n for_o their_o first_o dispute_n begin_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o except_v necessity_n which_o oblige_v we_o to_o turn_v head_n to_o other_o adversary_n this_o controversy_n will_v be_v more_o fruitful_a than_o any_o other_o there_o be_v two_o sort_n of_o matter_n in_o which_o lie_v the_o hard_a controversy_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n and_o the_o most_o difficult_a to_o manage_v 1._o those_o which_o touch_v the_o decree_n of_o god_n as_o the_o prevision_n or_o prescience_n prudence_n predestination_n reprobation_n etc._n etc._n second_o those_o which_o concern_v the_o quality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v it_o in_o nature_n or_o be_v it_o in_o grace_n freewill_n certainty_n of_o faith_n etc._n etc._n the_o reason_n why_o these_o two_o point_n be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o other_o be_v evident_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o first_o divine_a decree_n be_v infinite_o distant_a from_o our_o sight_n as_o be_v elevate_v above_o all_o time_n and_o enclose_v in_o a_o volume_n of_o which_o we_o see_v nothing_o but_o a_o few_o character_n hard_a to_o be_v discern_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n many_o who_o think_v they_o read_v there_o distinct_o draw_v most_o dangerous_a construction_n but_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n in_o the_o other_o point_n that_o so_o many_o difficulty_n be_v find_v see_v that_o the_o subject_n be_v so_o near_o our_o eye_n nay_o that_o it_o be_v within_o ourselves_o our_o intellect_n be_v in_o trouble_n to_o know_v whether_o our_o intellect_n and_o the_o will_v be_v faculty_n real_o different_a whether_o grant_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o intellect_n the_o will_n must_v necessary_a follow_v or_o if_o it_o remain_v in_o balance_n and_o in_o power_n to_o suspend_v its_o action_n if_o our_o faith_n be_v place_v in_o the_o intellect_n or_o in_o our_o will_n our_o soul_n so_o little_o know_v thereof_o that_o she_o know_v not_o where_o to_o find_v herself_o be_v ignorant_a whether_o she_o reside_v in_o the_o blood_n or_o in_o any_o other_o particular_a part_n of_o the_o body_n or_o whether_o she_o be_v universal_o diffuse_v through_o all_o the_o part_n thereof_o the_o proximity_n itself_o of_o the_o subject_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o this_o difficulty_n the_o soul_n no_o more_o than_o the_o eye_n can_v see_v itself_o except_o it_o be_v by_o a_o very_a obscure_a reflection_n and_o that_o false_a to_o for_o the_o most_o part_n which_o we_o call_v indirect_a knowledge_n for_o to_o disturb_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o common_a people_n you_o need_v but_o to_o set_v they_o on_o these_o two_o point_n which_o many_o have_v choose_v express_o as_o be_v full_a of_o labirinth_n he_o who_o have_v not_o be_v acquaint_v with_o these_o slight_n aught_o to_o remember_v that_o in_o each_o controversy_n truth_n lodge_v in_o a_o centre_n to_o which_o ought_v to_o bend_v all_o matter_n which_o be_v in_o dispute_n in_o these_o difference_n which_o concern_v the_o will_n of_o god_n towards_o man_n or_o the_o will_n of_o man_n towards_o god_n for_o all_o the_o controversy_n of_o election_n of_o universal_a grace_n of_o free_a will_n of_o perseverance_n and_o such_o like_a may_v have_v relation_n to_o these_o two_o thing_n these_o maxim_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o centre_n to_o wit_n that_o the_o glory_n of_o all_o good_a belong_v to_o god_n that_o whatsoever_o be_v ill_o proceed_v from_o man_n we_o must_v not_o attribute_v to_o god_n the_o ill_a that_o proceed_v from_o man_n nor_o to_o man_n the_o good_a which_o proceed_v from_o god_n one_o can_v take_v from_o god_n the_o small_a part_n of_o his_o glory_n without_o ravish_v it_o entire_o because_o that_o it_o be_v indivisible_a as_o a_o point_n that_o admit_v no_o part_n commutative_a justice_n can_v happen_v to_o be_v in_o god_n the_o creature_n attribute_v unto_o god_n all_o the_o good_a which_o be_v in_o she_o can_v fail_v in_o excess_n nor_o incur_v any_o danger_n thereby_o but_o in_o attribute_v some_o portion_n thereof_o to_o himself_o he_o may_v run_v some_o hazard_n in_o these_o principle_n which_o be_v as_o undoubtable_a as_o familiar_a as_o they_o may_v easy_o resolve_v all_o the_o subrilty_n will_v they_o or_o will_v they_o which_o may_v be_v produce_v on_o the_o one_o side_n or_o the_o other_o and_o the_o weak_a christian_n take_v heed_n to_o the_o line_n which_o end_v not_o in_o this_o centre_n or_o fall_v aside_o will_v easy_o judge_v that_o they_o be_v irregular_a this_o constant_a and_o universal_a rule_n may_v be_v apply_v to_o all_o foe_o 〈…〉_o doctrine_n john_n 7.18_o and_o i_o dare_v say_v that_o of_o all_o religion_n which_o be_v in_o the_o world_n there_o be_v none_o but_o the_o reform_a which_o attribute_n to_o god_n the_o glory_n of_o all_o good_a especial_o in_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n and_o certain_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o the_o other_o but_o make_v profession_n to_o attribute_v to_o god_n this_o glory_n but_o examine_v they_o near_o you_o shall_v not_o find_v any_o but_o that_o take_v away_o some_o part_n to_o make_v thereof_o a_o present_a to_o man_n what_o they_o avow_v in_o general_a they_o steal_v by_o retail_v or_o deny_v it_o by_o their_o consequence_n to_o hinder_v god_n from_o possess_v of_o it_o in_o effect_n as_o to_o the_o rest_n the_o common_a people_n ought_v to_o distinguish_v the_o certain_a and_o the_o infallible_a proposition_n from_o prejudicate_a opinion_n which_o may_v be_v disputable_a it_o be_v a_o common_a opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o miracle_n wrought_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v never_o more_o this_o negative_a be_v uncertain_a and_o the_o proof_n neither_o assure_v or_o necessary_a when_o all_o the_o miracle_n which_o the_o jesuit_n do_v attest_v to_o have_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o indies_n shall_v be_v true_a they_o will_v not_o conclude_v the_o least_o of_o their_o error_n no_o more_o than_o the_o annual_a miracle_n at_o the_o pool_n of_o shiloa_n give_v authority_n to_o pharisaisme_n much_o less_o can_v they_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o the_o martyrdom_n which_o some_o of_o they_o have_v suffer_v by_o the_o hand_n
that_o shall_v be_v scandalous_a to_o natural_a prudence_n to_o the_o end_n that_o their_o wisdom_n shall_v not_o undertake_v to_o control_v his_o which_o nevertheless_o happen_v without_o think_v thereon_o to_o the_o most_o religious_a spirit_n the_o ancient_a christian_n in_o their_o ordinary_a prayer_n demand_v of_o god_n the_o retard_v of_o the_o last_o day_n this_o request_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o come_n of_o antichrist_n which_o they_o know_v aught_o to_o precede_v that_o day_n which_o will_v bring_v with_o it_o many_o calamity_n which_o they_o seek_v to_o keep_v from_o they_o by_o their_o praser_n upon_o this_o that_o the_o assemble_v of_o the_o elect_n and_o the_o call_n of_o so_o many_o people_n will_v require_v a_o long_a space_n of_o time_n and_o upon_o other_o reason_n which_o be_v know_v unto_o they_o but_o they_o take_v not_o heed_n that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n who_o foresight_n surpass_v that_o of_o man_n command_v they_o to_o say_v come_v lord_n jesus_n come_v for_o a_o close_a we_o shall_v mark_v that_o in_o divers_a matter_n of_o religion_n many_o submit_v their_o belief_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o scripture_n because_o that_o they_o find_v therein_o some_o reason_n or_o circumstance_n which_o seem_v to_o agree_v with_o their_o natural_a judgement_n they_o persuade_v themselves_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o history_n or_o the_o equity_n of_o a_o law_n or_o the_o excellency_n of_o a_o mystery_n or_o the_o importance_n of_o a_o sacrament_n or_o the_o justice_n of_o a_o rigorous_a execution_n for_o as_o much_o as_o they_o meet_v therein_o a_o certain_a shadow_n or_o a_o appearance_n conformable_a to_o the_o thought_n which_o be_v the_o most_o prevalent_a in_o their_o spirit_n the_o faith_n proceed_v thereof_o be_v vain_a as_o we_o shall_v declare_v hereafter_o in_o its_o proper_a place_n chap._n vi_o some_o say_v knowledge_n produce_v atheism_n all_o here_o say_v have_v not_o proceed_v from_o learned_a man_n the_o abuse_n of_o humane_a learning_n in_o religion_n the_o common_a people_n reproach_n athiesme_fw-fr to_o the_o learned_a and_o their_o scorn_v of_o all_o religion_n a_o accusation_n but_o too_o true_a in_o respect_n of_o many_o some_o do_v so_o enclose_v themselves_o within_o the_o thought_n of_o a_o science_n or_o particular_a faculty_n that_o their_o spirit_n can_v admit_v any_o principal_a high_o than_o that_o of_o their_o own_o art_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o they_o know_v no_o other_o divinity_n than_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o form_n or_o the_o temperature_n of_o the_o body_n or_o the_o virtue_n of_o herb_n or_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n or_o nature_n itself_o other_o although_o most_o speculative_a in_o the_o high_a cause_n attain_v not_o to_o the_o first_o but_o certain_o we_o must_v impute_v this_o crime_n to_o their_o ignorance_n not_o to_o their_o knowledge_n for_o to_o say_v the_o truth_n there_o be_v never_o atheist_n but_o be_v ignorant_a never_o a_o perfect_a philosopher_n but_o acknowledge_v a_o god_n the_o most_o specious_a argument_n that_o impiety_n ever_o display_v for_o to_o sight_n against_o this_o fundamental_a point_n of_o religion_n if_o we_o look_v near_o unto_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o popular_a reason_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o a_o atheist_n to_o sustain_v his_o cause_n without_o disavow_v some_o principal_n of_o natural_a reason_n if_o atheism_n be_v ground_v upon_o knowledge_n the_o persuasion_n will_v be_v the_o strong_a in_o stead_n that_o its_o weakness_n be_v subject_a to_o a_o thousand_o doubt_n which_o weary_v those_o which_o be_v most_o obstinate_a as_o i_o have_v see_v in_o a_o learned_a man_n famous_a in_o his_o profession_n who_o have_v call_v myself_o to_o comfort_v he_o in_o his_o sickness_n assure_v i_o upon_o the_o silence_n he_o exact_v of_o i_o that_o his_o health_n depend_v upon_o the_o resolution_n of_o a_o point_n which_o he_o never_o can_v believe_v and_o ask_v the_o proof_n thereof_o which_o be_v if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n a_o question_n so_o criminal_a that_o can_v proceed_v but_o from_o a_o spirit_n full_a of_o egyptian_a darkness_n what_o learning_n soever_o he_o have_v in_o other_o matter_n again_o the_o vulgar_a charge_n the_o learned_a to_o have_v be_v the_o author_n of_o all_o the_o heresy_n which_o have_v trouble_v the_o church_n complain_v that_o all_o the_o error_n have_v have_v the_o original_n from_o their_o subtlety_n who_o have_v seduce_v the_o common_a people_n and_o which_o can_v proceed_v but_o from_o learned_a man_n but_o we_o find_v two_o sort_n of_o heresy_n some_o more_o artificial_a and_o subtle_a which_o can_v proceed_v but_o from_o the_o invention_n of_o learned_a man_n of_o this_o rank_n be_v those_o who_o have_v fall_v upon_o the_o attribute_n and_o the_o divine_a decree_n the_o predestination_n the_o trinity_n the_o union_n of_o the_o two_o nature_n in_o christ_n and_o such_o like_a point_n the_o other_o more_o gross_a and_o stupid_a as_o that_o of_o the_o anthropomorphites_n and_o these_o proceed_v from_o imagination_n of_o the_o vulgar_a in_o general_a idolatry_n have_v always_o begin_v by_o idiot_n nay_o the_o great_a part_n of_o popery_n â—he_v invocation_n of_o saint_n the_o adoration_n of_o their_o reliqne_n the_o worship_n of_o image_n the_o prayer_n for_o the_o dead_a have_v never_o draw_v their_o original_n but_o from_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o vulgar_a in_o heresy_n the_o most_o subtle_a the_o learned_a conduct_n the_o multitude_n but_o in_o those_o who_o stuff_n be_v more_o gross_a as_o in_o the_o exterior_a practice_n and_o ceremony_n of_o religion_n the_o people_n lead_v the_o skilful_a who_o carry_v by_o a_o multitude_n as_o by_o a_o crowd_n or_o a_o torrent_n suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v lead_v to_o the_o very_a melt_a of_o the_o calf_n of_o gold_n nay_o what_o be_v more_o shameful_a one_o have_v see_v learned_a and_o able_a man_n most_o gross_o deceive_v by_o the_o imposture_n of_o idiot_n not_o only_o simple_a in_o matter_n of_o action_n but_o moreover_o in_o thing_n pure_o dogmatic_a without_o speak_v of_o the_o gravity_n of_o tertullian_n miserable_o seduce_v by_o the_o dotage_n of_o montanus_n nor_o so_o many_o spirit_n abuse_v by_o priscilla_n and_o maximilla_n pretend_v prophetess_n the_o learned_a who_o have_v believe_v something_o of_o purgatory_n have_v be_v bring_v to_o this_o belief_n by_o the_o revelation_n of_o silly_a devotious_a woman_n by_o the_o apparition_n of_o soul_n that_o good_a people_n say_v they_o have_v see_v with_o their_o eye_n by_o the_o enthusiasm_n of_o some_o melancholy_a man_n and_o by_o the_o recite_v of_o some_o miracle_n which_o ofttimes_o be_v but_o effect_n of_o nature_n as_o the_o nocturnal_a fire_n which_o often_o appear_v in_o churchyard_n the_o error_n of_o the_o first_o sort_n be_v know_v for_o the_o most_o part_n by_o the_o name_n of_o some_o chief_a heretic_n which_o have_v produce_v they_o thus_o the_o blasphemy_n of_o the_o sabellian_o arrian_n eutichean_o nestorian_n be_v mark_v with_o the_o name_n of_o their_o author_n famous_a for_o have_v be_v patriarch_n of_o so_o many_o several_a band_n of_o heretic_n but_o the_o error_n of_o the_o second_o sort_n have_v not_o so_o certain_a a_o genealogy_n it_o be_v not_o so_o easy_a to_o name_v the_o inventor_n of_o the_o offering_n for_o the_o dead_a of_o the_o adoration_n of_o saint_n or_o of_o the_o service_n of_o image_n or_o the_o note_n the_o time_n of_o their_o original_n because_o these_o abuse_n have_v be_v generate_v from_o the_o confuse_a medley_n of_o the_o common_a people_n so_o that_o the_o true_a father_n of_o they_o be_v unknown_a but_o a_o man_n may_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o familiar_a abuse_n in_o those_o who_o make_v use_v of_o humane_a learning_n for_o in_o many_o religion_n take_v some_o taint_n of_o their_o humour_n so_o very_o often_o they_o give_v it_o the_o bent_n or_o a_o form_n set_v set_v out_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o art_n which_o they_o exercise_v or_o of_o some_o other_o science_n with_o which_o they_o be_v endue_v in_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o father_n we_o find_v always_o either_o in_o matter_n or_o phrase_n something_o which_o smell_v of_o platonisme_n a_o philosophy_n which_o they_o have_v drink_v in_o with_o their_o study_n afterward_o that_o of_o aristotle_n come_v into_o favour_n the_o theologian_n have_v imitate_v his_o language_n his_o countenance_n and_o his_o gate_n the_o excess_n to_o which_o this_o disguise_n obtain_v be_v never_o so_o put_v off_o but_o many_o endeavour_v to_o set_v it_o again_o on_o foot_n so_o we_o have_v see_v many_o lawyer_n and_o physician_n who_o accommodate_v theology_n to_o the_o maxim_n of_o their_o profession_n not_o only_o in_o the_o term_n or_o in_o the_o method_n as_o when_o the_o one_o make_v it_o personal_a real_a and_o active_a the_o other_o patholotick_a and_o therapentiâ—ke_a which_o be_v not_o of_o
convince_v the_o apostolical_a writing_n of_o falsehood_n and_o so_o by_o consequence_n to_o annihilate_v c_o ristianity_n chap._n 19_o why_o the_o opinion_n the_o most_o erroneous_a be_v maintain_v with_o great_a obstinacy_n than_o those_o which_o be_v less_o absurd_a the_o plea_n of_o these_o which_o burn_v their_o child_n pretext_n for_o transubstantiation_n the_o more_o monstrous_a be_v the_o error_n the_o more_o pertinacious_a be_v the_o belief_n when_o once_o it_o have_v take_v place_n in_o the_o spirit_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o falsehood_n the_o most_o enormous_a be_v make_v important_a by_o the_o high_a pretext_n of_o truth_n and_o be_v not_o authorise_v but_o by_o the_o most_o undoubted_a maxim_n of_o religion_n under_o the_o colour_n of_o this_o sovereign_n pour_v they_o make_v man_n renounce_v their_o judgement_n of_o reason_n nay_o more_o disavow_v their_o own_o proper_a sense_n if_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o error_n incapable_a it_o be_v the_o impiety_n of_o the_o israelite_n who_o burn_v their_o own_o child_n as_o a_o sacrifice_n please_v to_o god_n nevertheless_o neither_o nature_n which_o cry_v out_o against_o those_o horror_n nor_o the_o threaten_n from_o heaven_n which_o condemn_v they_o can_v not_o hinder_v their_o practice_n but_o it_o needs_o must_v be_v that_o some_o violent_a passion_n which_o break_v in_o sunder_o the_o strong_a chain_n of_o natural_a affection_n be_v move_v with_o some_o powerful_a engine_n cloak_v over_o with_o some_o very_a specious_a pretext_n their_o apology_n may_v be_v that_o the_o chief_a good_a of_o man_n consist_v in_o the_o remission_n of_o his_o sin_n that_o this_o remission_n can_v not_o be_v without_o the_o effusion_n of_o blood_n that_o it_o be_v a_o folly_n to_o go_v about_o to_o appease_v god_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o beast_n and_o therefore_o some_o humane_a sacrifice_n must_v be_v offer_v that_o this_o sacrifice_n ought_v to_o be_v innocent_a and_o that_o a_o great_a innocence_n can_v not_o be_v find_v then_o in_o a_o little_a infant_n that_o to_o be_v of_o the_o proper_a substance_n of_o the_o man_n which_o do_v present_v it_o and_o so_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o his_o offering_n shall_v be_v offer_v in_o expiation_n but_o if_o the_o sacrifice_n ought_v to_o be_v but_o eucharistical_a than_o it_o be_v but_o to_o mock_v god_n to_o present_v he_o a_o calf_n or_o a_o pigeon_n his_o majesty_n require_v more_o noble_a offering_n nay_o more_o demand_v our_o own_o bowel_n and_o that_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o offer_v he_o a_o more_o precious_a present_n then_o the_o life_n of_o their_o own_o child_n under_o this_o pretext_n and_o such_o like_a this_o abomination_n pass_v for_o the_o most_o ardent_a piety_n which_o a_o man_n may_v show_v to_o god_n equallise_v or_o rather_o surpass_v all_o which_o the_o scripture_n extol_v in_o abraham_n for_o a_o action_n of_o this_o quality_n so_o that_o the_o excess_n of_o error_n augment_v the_o persuasion_n the_o article_n of_o transubstantiation_n be_v produce_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o most_o dreadful_a mystery_n of_o all_o religion_n bear_v upon_o its_o front_n the_o express_a word_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o presence_n be_v fearful_a to_o the_o angel_n arm_v itself_o with_o the_o power_n of_o his_o omnipotency_n enclose_v within_o its_o title_n all_o the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n by_o how_o much_o the_o representation_n of_o this_o opinion_n be_v prodigious_a by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o it_o make_v they_o believe_v it_o mysterious_a from_o thence_o it_o come_v that_o that_o belief_n be_v maintain_v with_o more_o pertinacity_n than_o any_o error_n who_o absurdity_n be_v less_o apparent_a also_o the_o believe_v hereof_o be_v esteem_v so_o much_o the_o more_o meritorious_a by_o how_o much_o less_o the_o object_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v as_o indeed_o that_o man_n who_o firm_o believe_v this_o transubstantiation_n shall_v have_v be_v it_o true_a more_o faith_n than_o ever_o have_v all_o the_o patriarch_n and_o apostle_n together_o the_o three_o section_n chapter_n 1._o what_o manner_n of_o knowledge_n or_o instruction_n be_v most_o natural_a to_o the_o vulgar_a two_o man_n may_v know_v one_o and_o the_o same_o truth_n but_o in_o divers_a manner_n a_o country_n man_n may_v know_v that_o a_o eclipse_n ought_v to_o happen_v on_o such_o a_o day_n have_v read_v it_o in_o a_o almanac_n but_o that_o be_v not_o call_v science_n as_o a_o astronomer_n who_o know_v by_o demonstration_n foresee_v the_o eclipse_n in_o his_o cause_n he_o be_v not_o learn_v in_o religion_n who_o know_v all_o the_o matter_n but_o he_o that_o know_v they_o in_o the_o manner_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v know_v on_o which_o many_o fault_n be_v to_o be_v observe_v there_o be_v two_o tradition_n or_o way_n of_o instruction_n on_o which_o the_o vulgar_a repose_n themselves_o sentence_n and_o general_a proposition_n 2_o history_n in_o these_o two_o consist_v almost_o all_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o common_a people_n as_o for_o the_o first_o head_n the_o ignorant_a content_n themselves_o to_o know_v the_o generality_n because_o the_o intelligence_n of_o particular_a point_n require_v a_o sharp_a sight_n and_o a_o more_o fix_a contemplation_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o a_o idiot_n to_o say_v these_o thing_n then_o to_o restrain_v this_o generality_n to_o its_o species_n to_o know_v how_o to_o give_v each_o one_o of_o they_o its_o proper_a name_n to_o the_o other_o the_o instruction_n which_o be_v give_v they_o by_o history_n please_v they_o because_o of_o its_o facility_n for_o it_o consist_v in_o action_n and_o circumstance_n perceptible_a to_o the_o imagination_n so_o that_o all_o their_o knowledge_n lodge_v either_o in_o copious_a generality_n or_o in_o the_o single_a individuum_n but_o the_o point_n which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v medium_n between_o these_o two_o weary_v more_o the_o spirit_n oblige_v they_o to_o reason_n and_o to_o take_v the_o measure_n weight_n and_o number_n and_o the_o name_n of_o all_o thing_n this_o be_v the_o cause_n the_o vulgar_a cast_v it_o off_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n many_o be_v orthodoxal_a in_o the_o generality_n of_o a_o point_n who_o err_v gross_o in_o the_o particular_n thereof_o witness_v the_o article_n of_o providence_n upon_o which_o the_o common_a people_n will_v give_v a_o clear_a opinion_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o this_o doctrine_n but_o in_o the_o particular_a point_n imagine_v a_o world_n of_o absurdity_n chap._n 2._o of_o the_o superficial_a knowledge_n of_o each_o point_n of_o of_o religion_n of_o their_o definition_n and_o of_o their_o exact_a knowledge_n a_o example_n in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o eucharist_n the_o ignorance_n of_o general_a as_o well_o as_o particular_a point_n proceed_v from_o this_o that_o popular_a spirit_n learn_v a_o infinity_n of_o description_n but_o very_o few_o definition_n i_o speak_v not_o in_o favour_n of_o subtle_a and_o artificial_a definition_n of_o which_o every_o one_o be_v not_o capable_a but_o certain_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o have_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o a_o point_n without_o know_v how_o to_o mark_v and_o define_v the_o essence_n if_o not_o exact_o yet_o at_o least_o very_o near_o the_o truth_n when_o a_o man_n can_v say_v sin_n be_v the_o poison_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o know_v how_o to_o give_v it_o a_o hundred_o epithet_n of_o this_o sort_n yet_o have_v he_o not_o learn_v what_o sin_n be_v this_o ignorance_n be_v entertain_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o preacher_n who_o be_v content_a to_o declaim_v by_o description_n and_o abundance_n of_o metahpot_n never_o show_v but_o the_o superficies_n of_o matter_n in_o stead_n of_o set_v forth_o the_o dimension_n i_o leave_v the_o point_n which_o be_v elevate_v above_o all_o definition_n the_o imagination_n of_o idiot_n who_o not_o understand_v what_o be_v proper_o that_o eternity_n although_o they_o know_v that_o god_n have_v neither_o beginning_n nor_o end_n believe_v he_o nevertheless_o to_o have_v more_o age_n than_o he_o have_v four_o thousand_o year_n since_o this_o point_n and_o many_o other_o be_v not_o the_o mark_n at_o which_o we_o shoot_v i_o can_v show_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o our_o difference_n proceed_v from_o the_o ignorance_n of_o definition_n if_o the_o romish_a church_n comprehend_v intercession_n to_o be_v a_o sacerdotal_a act_n and_o that_o christ_n pray_v in_o quality_n of_o a_o sovereign_a priest_n dead_a for_o we_o and_o this_o function_n consist_v in_o the_o comparition_n of_o his_o person_n etc._n etc._n she_o will_v never_o transport_v to_o other_o the_o title_n of_o intercessor_n but_o to_o make_v you_o see_v how_o many_o excellent_a matter_n the_o exact_a intelligence_n of_o one_o point_n furnish_v in_o respect_n of_o a_o superficial_a knowledge_n we_o will_v produce_v only_o one_o example_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n
of_o the_o common_a people_n be_v this_o that_o they_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o therefore_o one_o ought_v to_o content_v himself_o with_o their_o doctrine_n though_o it_o be_v trivial_a and_o one_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v trouble_v with_o their_o frequent_a repetition_n nor_o disdain_v their_o gross_a stile_n and_o other_o defect_n which_o be_v find_v in_o their_o discourse_n whereunto_o i_o shall_v only_o say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o abuse_n of_o the_o people_n to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n sermon_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n it_o be_v but_o the_o interpretation_n thereof_o which_o if_o it_o be_v defective_a or_o confuse_a or_o dark_a or_o foolish_a or_o extravagant_a do_v injure_v more_o the_o word_n of_o god_n than_o it_o receive_v authority_n therefrom_o this_o colour_n they_o give_v their_o ignorance_n serve_v to_o foment_n that_o of_o the_o people_n the_o great_a part_n whereof_o content_a themselves_o with_o that_o they_o know_v of_o religion_n and_o even_o make_v a_o scruple_n to_o learn_v more_o one_o of_o the_o deceit_n by_o which_o many_o preacher_n be_v accustom_v to_o hide_v this_o defect_n be_v this_o to_o take_v â—_o text_n of_o three_o word_n upon_o which_o they_o enlarge_v themselves_o in_o digression_n mix_v all_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n reduce_v all_o divinity_n into_o one_o sermon_n and_o there_o be_v no_o matter_n so_o remote_a from_o the_o subject_n which_o either_o by_o hook_n or_o by_o crook_n they_o force_v not_o to_o their_o purpose_n so_o that_o once_o a_o valiant_a expositor_n of_o scripture_n employ_v forty_o year_n in_o interpret_n the_o prophet_n esay_n the_o prolixity_n whereby_o they_o affect_v to_o appear_v as_o giant_n who_o need_v a_o whole_a acre_n of_o ground_n to_o stretch_v themselves_o upon_o be_v of_o no_o great_a fruit_n a_o succinct_a and_o nervous_a discourse_n nay_o one_o sole_a reason_n very_o pertinent_a or_o one_o rare_a or_o extraordinary_a conception_n couch_v in_o few_o word_n shall_v rather_o convert_v a_o soul_n or_o shall_v grave_n thereon_o more_o lively_a impression_n than_o these_o vast_a discourse_n shall_v do_v more_o fruitful_a in_o word_n then_o matter_n we_o have_v many_o sermon_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o some_o of_o his_o apostle_n but_o the_o long_a of_o they_o may_v be_v pronounce_v in_o the_o space_n of_o half_a a_o hour_n final_o not_o to_o touch_v on_o the_o repetition_n wherewith_o many_o fill_v their_o auditorye_n we_o shall_v find_v they_o which_o will_v be_v exact_a to_o the_o divide_v of_o a_o grain_n of_o sand_n by_o so_o small_a distinction_n and_o division_n that_o they_o themselves_o can_v scarce_o discern_v they_o if_o in_o lieu_n of_o the_o vulgar_a method_n which_o under_o colour_n of_o desire_v to_o say_v all_o that_o concern_v a_o text_n yet_o teach_v nothing_o but_o thing_n common_a and_o a_o thousand_o time_n repeat_v if_o a_o preacher_n can_v find_v only_o three_o or_o four_o observation_n which_o be_v rare_a and_o but_o little_o know_v his_o auditor_n may_v say_v they_o have_v learn_v that_o which_o they_o know_v not_o and_o one_o such_o sermon_n be_v worth_a a_o hundred_o other_o &_o although_o the_o ignorant_a think_v that_o this_o do_v much_o advantage_n to_o have_v a_o multitude_n of_o sermon_n at_o the_o end_n whereof_o they_o be_v as_o know_v as_o they_o be_v at_o the_o beginning_n many_o also_o have_v a_o superstitious_a opinion_n touch_v preacher_n that_o one_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v more_o seek_v after_o or_o more_o willing_o hear_v then_o a_o other_o because_o all_o preach_v the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v of_o the_o same_o weight_n and_o same_o virtue_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o now_o it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o make_v profession_n to_o carry_v the_o same_o sword_n of_o truth_n but_o all_o do_v not_o manage_v it_o with_o the_o same_o skill_n nor_o with_o the_o like_a force_n of_o arm_n from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o it_o cut_v not_o equal_o in_o all_o hand_n nay_o in_o many_o it_o be_v as_o a_o plate_n of_o lead_n of_o a_o thousand_o which_o handle_v the_o same_o passage_n of_o scripture_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v two_o among_o they_o which_o be_v whole_o alike_o in_o conception_n in_o the_o order_n and_o frame_v of_o discourse_n in_o so_o much_o that_o represent_v the_o same_o subject_n they_o give_v it_o so_o divers_a face_n that_o even_o they_o themselves_o be_v different_a in_o shape_n but_o those_o which_o keep_v the_o resemblance_n thereof_o near_o the_o life_n be_v to_o be_v prefer_v before_o other_o which_o show_v but_o the_o draught_n of_o it_o gross_o delineate_v chap._n vi_o that_o the_o word_n of_o scripture_n have_v more_o emphasis_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o first_o disciple_n than_o they_o have_v in_o we_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o difference_n it_o be_v true_a that_o all_o those_o to_o who_o jesus_n christ_n himself_o preach_v when_o he_o be_v conversant_a upon_o earth_n be_v not_o convert_v the_o most_o eminent_a apostle_n complain_v that_o few_o person_n receive_v their_o preach_a yet_o nevertheless_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o word_n of_o god_n have_v great_a efficacy_n in_o their_o mouth_n than_o now_o it_o have_v in_o we_o if_o it_o convert_v not_o all_o they_o who_o hear_v it_o it_o make_v itself_o feel_v by_o the_o most_o harden_a as_o a_o burn_a cautery_n even_o within_o the_o very_a entrails_n but_o beside_o the_o progress_n thereof_o be_v altogether_o different_a one_o only_a exhortation_n of_o st._n peter_n bring_v in_o one_o day_n three_o thousand_o jew_n to_o the_o church_n and_o by_o a_o other_o sermon_n he_o gain_v five_o thousand_o soul_n if_o at_o this_o day_n we_o pronounce_v the_o same_o sermon_n word_n by_o word_n in_o a_o assembly_n of_o jew_n it_o will_v not_o have_v the_o same_o success_n although_o we_o sound_v the_o same_o discourse_n nay_o the_o proper_a express_v and_o formal_a word_n as_o jesus_n christ_n or_o some_o of_o his_o apostle_n have_v sometime_o utter_v they_o they_o have_v not_o such_o virtue_n as_o they_o have_v when_o they_o themselves_o pronounce_v they_o viva_fw-la voce_fw-la when_o the_o son_n of_o god_n speak_v there_o be_v feel_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n and_o force_n that_o never_o be_v upon_o the_o lip_n of_o mortal_a man_n the_o apostle_n who_o he_o have_v animate_v with_o his_o own_o virtue_n speak_v also_o as_o out_o of_o thunder_n and_z as_o cherubin_n of_o glory_n the_o sound_n of_o their_o wing_n be_v as_o the_o noise_n of_o great_a water_n and_o as_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n almighty_n when_o he_o speak_v if_o we_o will_v know_v from_o whence_o proceed_v such_o virtue_n it_o may_v be_v some_o will_v say_v it_o consist_v rather_o in_o their_o moral_n then_o in_o their_o word_n and_o that_o their_o supernatural_a work_n which_o be_v see_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o be_v the_o only_a cause_n that_o render_v their_o discourse_n more_o efficacious_a then_o that_o of_o other_o man_n but_o it_o appear_v to_o the_o contrary_a by_o the_o testimony_n of_o they_o to_o who_o jesus_n christ_n speak_v in_o the_o way_n to_o emaus_n for_o although_o they_o know_v he_o not_o so_o far_o be_v they_o short_a of_o see_v any_o miracle_n their_o heart_n burn_v within_o they_o as_o he_o expound_v to_o they_o the_o scripture_n these_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v hereof_o that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o know_v all_o the_o thought_n of_o his_o hearer_n strike_v direct_o within_o they_o and_o they_o can_v not_o but_o be_v move_v when_o they_o hear_v a_o voice_n which_o surprise_v their_o most_o secret_a thought_n that_o the_o same_o spirit_n which_o speak_v in_o his_o disciple_n touch_v with_o his_o word_n that_o which_o man_n think_v be_v close_o hide_v within_o their_o heart_n a_o example_n in_o ananias_n and_o zaphira_n whereunto_o may_v be_v refer_v that_o we_o read_v in_o the_o first_o to_o the_o corinth_n 14.24_o and_o 25._o that_o their_o breast_n be_v full_a of_o flame_n and_o the_o word_n which_o come_v from_o they_o light_v as_o at_o a_o furnace_n do_v burn_v as_o live_v spark_n nay_o as_o burn_a brans_fw-la and_o final_o that_o their_o tongue_n be_v touch_v immediate_o with_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n have_v whole_o a_o other_o force_n then_o we_o which_o be_v not_o touch_v therewith_o but_o at_o a_o distance_n and_o by_o he_o interposition_n of_o many_o judgement_n nay_o seeble_a and_o light_n chap._n vii_o what_o man_n be_v most_o hard_o save_v of_o the_o vulgar_a error_n which_o import_v that_o the_o pastor_n manner_n edify_v asmuch_o as_n his_o doctrine_n a_o ancient_a father_n say_v of_o his_o time_n that_o in_o his_o opinion_n there_o be_v not_o many_o churchman_n or_o pastor_n that_o be_v save_v this_o may_v seem_v strange_a but_o if_o we_o may_v say_v there_o