some_o mark_n of_o his_o weakness_n in_o the_o garden_n of_o gethsemane_n where_o the_o fear_n of_o death_n make_v he_o sweat_v great_a drop_n of_o blood_n and_o where_o he_o cry_v out_o several_a time_n o_o my_o father_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a let_v 39_o this_o cup_n pass_v from_o i_o they_o also_o pretend_v that_o this_o exclamation_n of_o jesus_n christ_n when_o nail_v on_o the_o cross_n my_o god_n my_o god_n why_o have_v thou_o forsake_v i_o be_v a_o expression_n of_o his_o despair_n i_o know_v not_o here_o what_o to_o admire_v most_o either_o the_o impudence_n of_o these_o proud_a enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n or_o the_o force_n of_o truth_n which_o still_o become_v strong_a the_o more_o they_o endeavour_v to_o shake_v it_o for_o as_o for_o the_o first_o if_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o christian_n wont_v believe_v the_o report_n of_o the_o evangelist_n how_o come_v they_o to_o know_v that_o jesus_n christ_n utter_v these_o word_n which_o give_v they_o occasion_n to_o think_v he_o want_v constancy_n but_o if_o they_o will_v believe_v the_o report_n of_o the_o evangelist_n why_o shall_v they_o refuse_v to_o believe_v so_o many_o miraculous_a matter_n of_o fact_n which_o the_o evangelist_n leave_v to_o we_o in_o writing_n after_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o same_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o we_o may_v find_v in_o our_o principle_n wherewith_o to_o explain_v those_o place_n they_o bring_v against_o we_o the_o word_n which_o jesus_n christ_n speak_v to_o his_o bless_a mother_n give_v we_o only_o to_o understand_v how_o very_o jealous_a he_o be_v of_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o call_v he_o speak_v to_o she_o as_o a_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n as_o the_o person_n in_o who_o she_o ought_v necessary_o to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o her_o salvation_n and_o who_o doubt_v but_o in_o that_o quality_n he_o have_v some_o authority_n over_o she_o as_o for_o the_o sorrowfulness_n he_o express_v in_o his_o agony_n it_o may_v proceed_v from_o a_o double_a cause_n the_o one_o natural_a and_o the_o other_o supernatural_a he_o may_v very_o well_o fear_v death_n as_o man_n and_o the_o pain_n inflict_v on_o his_o humane_a nature_n may_v force_v he_o to_o utter_v some_o innocent_a complaint_n but_o that_o be_v not_o all_o that_o make_v his_o torment_n grievous_a he_o be_v load_v with_o the_o sin_n of_o mankind_n and_o subject_a to_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n he_o look_v upon_o god_n as_o his_o father_n but_o god_n offer_v himself_o to_o he_o as_o a_o angry_a judge_n the_o more_o he_o love_v his_o father_n the_o more_o sensible_a he_o be_v of_o the_o grief_n he_o sustain_v in_o be_v remove_v from_o he_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o suffering_n consist_v in_o the_o measure_n of_o his_o virtue_n and_o what_o he_o say_v here_o to_o his_o father_n be_v rather_o the_o language_n of_o his_o love_n than_o that_o of_o his_o despair_n but_o if_o the_o incredulous_a shall_v say_v they_o be_v not_o oblige_v to_o subscribe_v to_o my_o explanation_n because_o it_o be_v incertain_a whether_o they_o have_v any_o other_o ground_n than_o my_o bare_a imagination_n i_o be_o willing_a they_o shall_v entertain_v this_o scruple_n and_o cherish_v it_o till_o by_o establish_v my_o principle_n i_o have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o answer_v yet_o more_o full_o all_o those_o difficulty_n but_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o hold_v that_o nothing_o can_v more_o demonstrate_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o evangelist_n than_o those_o place_n just_a now_o mention_v and_o i_o affirm_v that_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o evangelist_n be_v well_o demonstrate_v do_v invincible_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o certain_o either_o those_o who_o compose_v the_o gospel_n have_v a_o design_n to_o deceive_v mankind_n in_o behalf_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o religion_n or_o they_o have_v no_o such_o design_n at_o all_o if_o they_o have_v any_o such_o design_n they_o will_v have_v take_v special_a care_n not_o to_o set_v down_o those_o circumstance_n of_o the_o death_n of_o their_o master_n which_o may_v give_v the_o world_n a_o occasion_n to_o suspect_v he_o want_v courage_n or_o think_v himself_o forsake_v of_o god_n but_o if_o in_o write_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n they_o have_v no_o manner_n of_o design_n to_o deceive_v mankind_n we_o must_v then_o of_o necessity_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o be_v very_o sincere_a author_n who_o will_v not_o deceive_v we_o unless_o they_o themselves_o have_v first_o of_o all_o be_v deceive_v so_o that_o all_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o tell_v we_o of_o be_v such_o as_o be_v show_v only_o by_o illusion_n and_o we_o need_v here_o only_o consider_v whether_o all_o the_o disciple_n can_v have_v fancy_v they_o see_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o very_o singular_a and_o sensible_a miracle_n such_o as_o sick_a man_n heal_v dead_a raise_v to_o life_n etc._n etc._n and_o have_v believe_v that_o they_o themselves_o work_v miracle_n when_o all_o the_o while_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n here_o to_o allege_v that_o the_o evangelist_n affect_v a_o ingenuous_a simplicity_n to_o avoid_v the_o suspicion_n of_o dishonesty_n for_o have_v that_o be_v their_o design_n they_o will_v have_v take_v special_a care_n not_o to_o furnish_v impious_a man_n with_o place_n and_o passage_n on_o which_o they_o may_v raise_v imaginary_a triumph_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o evangelist_n relate_v those_o word_n because_o their_o simplicity_n be_v so_o great_a that_o they_o have_v not_o judgement_n to_o discern_v whether_o they_o be_v for_o or_o against_o their_o cause_n for_o what_o probability_n be_v there_o that_o man_n who_o have_v wit_n enough_o to_o deceive_v other_o people_n shall_v have_v so_o little_a in_o this_o occasion_n must_v a_o man_n needs_o be_v wise_a and_o learned_a when_o he_o choose_v to_o represent_v his_o master_n constant_a and_o undaunted_a rather_o than_o sorrowful_a unto_o death_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o one_o single_a evangelist_n that_o relate_v the_o history_n of_o his_o passion_n after_o this_o manner_n they_o all_o agree_v in_o this_o respect_n and_o how_o can_v this_o be_v so_o but_o that_o they_o only_o propose_v to_o themselves_o to_o speak_v the_o plain_a truth_n and_o they_o speak_v it_o without_o consider_v the_o impression_n it_o will_v make_v on_o mankind_n without_o examine_v whether_o the_o incredulous_a will_v take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o slander_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o mean_a while_n if_o what_o have_v be_v say_v here_o be_v not_o sufficient_a i_o be_o willing_a more_o particular_o to_o examine_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n chap._n vi_o where_o we_o shall_v examine_v the_o matter_n contain_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o see_v whether_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o illusion_n or_o imposture_n those_o book_n contain_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o extraordinary_a divine_a and_o admirable_a thing_n but_o the_o principal_a of_o they_o be_v reducible_a to_o these_o four_o head_n i._o the_o birth_n genealogy_n and_o education_n of_o jesus_n christ_n with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o they_o which_o we_o shall_v not_o speak_v of_o at_o present_a lest_o we_o shall_v be_v too_o tedious_a have_v already_o mention_v they_o in_o our_o first_o part_n of_o this_o work_n ii_o the_o exercise_n of_o his_o office_n confirm_v by_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o miracle_n from_o his_o baptism_n to_o his_o ascension_n iii_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n see_v clear_o in_o several_a occasion_n and_o shine_v throughout_o the_o various_a action_n of_o his_o life_n iv._o his_o doctrine_n and_o his_o prophecy_n from_o these_o four_o different_a head_n spring_v forth_o such_o beam_n of_o truth_n as_o wonderful_o illustrate_v this_o whole_a matter_n let_v we_o therefore_o examine_v they_o in_o their_o order_n and_o keep_v still_o to_o our_o usual_a method_n which_o be_v to_o raise_v as_o we_o go_v along_o as_o many_o difficulty_n as_o we_o can_v and_o urge_v they_o on_o with_o all_o their_o force_n to_o stop_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a the_o complaint_n of_o the_o incredulous_a against_o we_o we_o may_v very_o well_o consider_v in_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n their_o number_n variety_n and_o greatness_n the_o noise_n they_o make_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v receive_v and_o first_o the_o evangelist_n make_v appear_v the_o number_n variety_n and_o greatness_n of_o they_o in_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o change_v water_n into_o wine_n in_o cana_n that_o he_o restore_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a hear_v to_o the_o deaf_a and_o health_n to_o the_o sick_a that_o he_o cleanse_v the_o leprous_a heal_v the_o sick_a of_o the_o palsy_n cure_v one_o of_o a_o wither_a hand_n
the_o sight_n of_o several_a jew_n who_o be_v purposely_o come_v thither_o to_o comfort_v the_o sister_n of_o the_o decease_a person_n he_o tarry_v four_o day_n that_o it_o may_v not_o be_v say_v he_o be_v not_o real_o dead_a he_o permit_v lazarus_n to_o converse_v with_o his_o acquaintance_n after_o his_o resurrection_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o the_o jew_n blind_v with_o madness_n to_o conspire_v together_o to_o send_v he_o to_o the_o grave_n again_o who_o the_o grave_n have_v just_o send_v they_o for_o their_o conversion_n iu._n but_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o such_o great_a and_o such_o unparalelled_a miracle_n as_o these_o shall_v make_v so_o little_a impression_n upon_o people_n mind_n this_o age_n be_v indeed_o a_o wicked_a and_o prejudice_v age_n but_o yet_o what_o a_o noise_n will_v the_o resurrection_n of_o a_o dead_a man_n make_v now_o how_o many_o will_v make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o be_v full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n how_o few_o will_v doubt_v it_o after_o have_v know_v the_o certain_a truth_n of_o it_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o who_o hear_v this_o miracle_n do_v not_o in_o the_o least_o believe_v it_o some_o ascribe_v it_o to_o the_o power_n of_o beelzebub_n other_o to_o some_o other_o cause_n some_o know_v not_o what_o to_o think_v of_o it_o and_o therefore_o refuse_v to_o inquire_v into_o it_o other_o very_o believe_v that_o jesus_n christ_n and_o lazarus_n have_v agree_v together_o thus_o to_o seduce_v the_o people_n and_o this_o very_a likely_a be_v the_o opinion_n of_o those_o who_o seek_v after_o lazarus_n to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n other_o though_o very_o few_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o glorify_v god_n but_o lest_o any_o man_n shall_v wonder_v at_o the_o little_a impression_n this_o miracle_n make_v upon_o the_o prejudice_v and_o superstitious_a mind_n of_o man_n it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v these_o two_o follow_a reflection_n first_o that_o there_o have_v be_v several_a jew_n who_o free_o acknowledge_v the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n though_o they_o persist_v in_o their_o incredulity_n choose_v rather_o superstitious_o to_o ascribe_v they_o to_o a_o certain_a i_o know_v not_o what_o pronunciation_n of_o the_o word_n jehovah_n than_o to_o refer_v they_o totheir_o true_a cause_n which_o show_v that_o the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n be_v not_o always_o of_o itself_o sufficient_a to_o overcome_v the_o hardness_n of_o some_o man_n mind_n when_o prepossess_v with_o prejudice_n second_o that_o superstition_n itself_o have_v be_v sometime_o carry_v on_o to_o that_o degree_n as_o to_o extinguish_v utter_o all_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n and_o even_o to_o call_v in_o question_n those_o very_a object_n that_o be_v present_a to_o the_o sense_n rather_o than_o be_v oblige_v to_o renounce_v its_o prejudices_fw-la but_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o insist_v much_o upon_o this_o last_o reflection_n it_o sufficient_o appear_v from_o thence_o that_o there_o be_v such_o people_n in_o the_o world_n who_o mind_n be_v prepossess_v will_v either_o call_v in_o question_n any_o palpable_a truth_n or_o else_o ascribe_v matter_n of_o fact_n true_o miraculous_a to_o some_o fantastical_a and_o extravagant_a cause_n but_o there_o be_v none_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o die_v in_o order_n to_o maintain_v that_o they_o be_v spectator_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v real_o never_o see_v especial_o when_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o imposture_n be_v a_o crime_n worthy_a of_o death_n and_o when_o they_o may_v be_v so_o easy_o find_v out_o by_o so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o witness_n it_o will_v argue_v mere_a folly_n for_o any_o to_o pretend_v to_o impose_v upon_o man_n in_o this_o respect_n the_o jewish_a doctor_n have_v credit_n and_o authority_n enough_o over_o the_o people_n partly_o to_o stifle_v the_o knowledge_n they_o may_v have_v of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o if_o that_o fail_v at_o least_o to_o give_v such_o reason_n of_o they_o as_o will_v certain_o flatter_v the_o immoderate_a desire_n the_o jew_n have_v to_o see_v not_o a_o sorrowful_a and_o contemptible_a but_o a_o glorious_a and_o triumph_a messiah_n but_o the_o disciple_n be_v too_o weak_a to_o endure_v the_o severity_n of_o those_o torment_n inflict_v on_o they_o have_v they_o be_v mere_a impostor_n and_o be_v not_o sure_o so_o senseless_a as_o ever_o to_o think_v they_o may_v easy_o persuade_v man_n to_o believe_v such_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o the_o resurrection_n of_o lazarus_n for_o to_o endeavour_v to_o conceal_v a_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n one_o have_v need_v only_o of_o prejudice_n and_o a_o wicked_a inclination_n but_o to_o have_v a_o design_n to_o make_v other_o man_n believe_v it_o when_o it_o be_v real_o false_a one_o must_v be_v possess_v with_o a_o unaccountable_a and_o unheard_a of_o madness_n v._o but_o you_o will_v say_v let_v the_o opinion_n the_o jew_n have_v of_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v what_o it_o will_v still_o be_v it_o possible_a they_o can_v have_v no_o better_o preserve_v the_o memory_n of_o they_o and_o that_o josephus_n for_o example_n who_o careful_o relate_v the_o least_o sort_n of_o event_n and_o forget_v not_o to_o mention_v certain_a seducer_n that_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o world_n from_o time_n to_o time_n before_o he_o shall_v not_o in_o the_o least_o speak_v of_o the_o miracle_n of_o of_o jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v suppose_v by_o some_o that_o that_o notable_a testimony_n which_o he_o bear_v of_o he_o be_v a_o pious_a fraud_n of_o he_o or_o a_o mere_a invention_n of_o the_o succeed_a age_n we_o shall_v not_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o at_o present_a we_o be_v willing_a to_o take_v thing_n in_o the_o worst_a sense_n and_o we_o have_v three_o several_a reply_n to_o make_v this_o objection_n concern_v the_o silence_n of_o josephus_n in_o this_o respect_n the_o first_o be_v that_o those_o who_o probable_o insert_v in_o the_o write_n of_o that_o author_n that_o notable_a place_n which_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o the_o criticism_n of_o the_o learned_a may_v for_o a_o continuation_n of_o their_o design_n have_v blot_v out_o every_o thing_n that_o josephus_n real_o tell_v we_o on_o this_o account_n and_o which_o perhaps_o though_o less_o advantageous_a to_o our_o cause_n be_v yet_o sufficient_a to_o show_v that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v hold_v as_o one_o that_o wrought_v many_o miracle_n the_o second_o that_o josephus_n be_v a_o pharisee_n may_v probable_o have_v conceal_v the_o wonder_n of_o the_o life_n of_o our_o saviour_n out_o of_o the_o hatred_n he_o bear_v to_o our_o religion_n and_o the_o last_o be_v that_o as_o this_o man_n have_v endeavour_v to_o insinuate_v himself_o into_o vespasian_n favour_n by_o foretell_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v emperor_n and_o have_v ascribe_v to_o he_o several_a prophecy_n of_o the_o old_a 12._o testament_n which_o promise_v that_o a_o king_n shall_v come_v from_o the_o east_n it_o be_v high_o probabable_a that_o this_o author_n be_v a_o courtier_n will_v not_o out_o of_o complaisance_n to_o vespasian_n and_o his_o child_n mention_v the_o least_o thing_n of_o a_o man_n who_o have_v pretend_v he_o be_v the_o messiah_n and_o to_o who_o other_o people_n ascribe_v those_o famous_a prophecy_n whereby_o he_o have_v endeavour_v to_o ingratiate_v himself_o in_o that_o emperor_n esteem_n and_o certain_o it_o be_v very_o unlikely_a to_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v careful_o relate_v the_o least_o circumstance_n of_o the_o life_n of_o herod_n the_o great_a shall_v have_v forget_v the_o murder_n of_o the_o child_n of_o bethlehem_n if_o at_o the_o time_n he_o discover_v the_o cause_n of_o that_o murder_n he_o have_v not_o be_v afraid_a to_o discover_v also_o the_o dread_n herod_n have_v upon_o he_o at_o the_o birth_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o opinion_n than_o currant_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o be_v bear_v in_o bethlehem_n it_o be_v however_o certain_a that_o this_o author_n can_v not_o have_v conceal_v any_o such_o event_n as_o these_o but_o only_o out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o policy_n he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o the_o incredulous_a themselves_o will_v not_o presume_v to_o think_v that_o josephus_n be_v altogether_o ignorant_a that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v be_v put_v to_o death_n at_o jerusalem_n that_o he_o be_v accuse_v there_o of_o seduce_v the_o people_n that_o he_o have_v several_a disciple_n to_o attend_v he_o who_o number_n in_o his_o time_n increase_v yet_o daily_o nay_o that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o very_a numerous_a church_n at_o jerusalem_n compose_v of_o person_n of_o that_o persuasion_n and_o certain_o there_o must_v have_v be_v christian_n in_o all_o judea_n since_o there_o dwell_v a_o very_a
must_v renounce_v ourselves_o and_o beg_v of_o almighty_a god_n that_o he_o will_v enlighten_v our_o understanding_n when_o we_o perceive_v that_o such_o a_o sublime_a and_o elevate_a science_n which_o offer_v such_o noble_a and_o magnificent_a object_n to_o our_o consideration_n be_v yet_o conceive_v by_o those_o only_a that_o be_v pure_a in_o heart_n here_o then_o ought_v we_o to_o cry_v out_o what_o a_o divine_a religion_n be_v this_o which_o at_o once_o enlighten_v and_o humble_v we_o which_o amaze_v and_o yet_o clear_v our_o understanding_n which_o lead_v we_o to_o save_a knowledge_n by_o the_o free_a and_o ready_a confession_n of_o our_o own_o ignorance_n and_o take_v away_o all_o the_o imperfection_n of_o our_o understanding_n by_o make_v it_o submit_v to_o faith_n where_o be_v the_o wise_a where_o be_v the_o disputer_n of_o this_o world_n ix_o portraiture_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o the_o conformity_n of_o its_o mystery_n to_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n have_v look_v into_o the_o original_a of_o all_o our_o false_a prejudices_fw-la it_o be_v now_o no_o difficult_a matter_n to_o distinguish_v religion_n from_o superstition_n and_o divinity_n from_o philosophy_n without_o such_o a_o distinction_n we_o must_v inevitable_o fall_v into_o the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o by_o it_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o demonstrate_v that_o religion_n contain_v no_o great_a difficulty_n than_o even_o nature_n itself_o thus_o the_o doctrine_n of_o predestination_n of_o grace_n and_o original_a sin_n be_v such_o unfathomable_a depth_n as_o terrify_v at_o first_o view_v the_o mind_n of_o he_o that_o endeavour_v to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o methinks_v i_o already_o hear_v a_o multitude_n of_o doctor_n cry_v out_o against_o i_o that_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o presume_v to_o dive_v into_o thebottom_n of_o those_o profound_a mystery_n which_o confound_v their_o reason_n the_o more_o attentive_o they_o consider_v and_o reflect_v upon_o they_o but_o i_o beg_v leave_n of_o those_o worthy_a man_n to_o tell_v they_o that_o all_o those_o matter_n will_v seem_v to_o they_o less_o difficult_a than_o they_o do_v be_v they_o less_o philosopher_n than_o they_o be_v and_o i_o will_v have_v they_o always_o remember_v that_o faith_n and_o reason_n divinity_n and_o philosophy_n be_v essential_o distinct_a one_o from_o the_o other_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o former_a bare_o perceive_v the_o object_n itself_o without_o endeavour_v to_o search_v into_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o consist_v in_o that_o submission_n which_o prevent_v its_o further_a inquiry_n pride_n and_o rashness_n be_v contrary_a to_o it_o whereas_o the_o latter_a continual_o endeavour_n to_o know_v both_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o they_o together_o with_o the_o physical_a cause_n of_o they_o have_v no_o great_a enemy_n than_o ignorance_n to_o oppose_v its_o progress_n according_o a_o divine_a aught_o only_o to_o inquire_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o grace_n predestination_n original_a sin_n etc._n etc._n but_o a_o philosopher_n not_o satisfied-with_a a_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o it_o will_v yet_o further_o inquire_v what_o be_v the_o order_n of_o the_o immutable_a decree_n of_o god_n after_o what_o manner_n grace_n determine_v our_o free_a will_n and_o by_o what_o mean_v original_a sin_n be_v transmit_v from_o the_o first_o man_n to_o his_o posterity_n the_o apostle_n who_o be_v the_o true_a and_o indeed_o only_a divine_n that_o confine_v themselves_o within_o the_o due_a limit_n of_o divinity_n have_v very_o large_o instruct_v we_o in_o all_o those_o object_n by_o full_o demonstrate_v the_o truth_n and_o necessity_n of_o they_o yet_o have_v not_o let_v fall_v the_o least_o word_n that_o can_v give_v we_o a_o insight_n into_o the_o manner_n of_o they_o but_o the_o succeed_a christian_n apply_v themselves_o to_o the_o study_n of_o the_o platonic_a and_o aristotelian_a philosophy_n real_o think_v the_o knowledge_n of_o salvation_n a_o science_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n and_o thereupon_o frame_v to_o themselves_o many_o fruitless_a and_o unprofitable_a speculative_a system_n which_o in_o many_o place_n be_v repugnant_a to_o piety_n and_o perplex_v our_o divine_a religion_n with_o several_a humane_a difficulty_n it_o will_v be_v injurious_a to_o imagine_v that_o st._n paul_n in_o his_o large_a discourse_n about_o the_o doctrine_n of_o predestination_n aim_v at_o nothing_o else_o but_o to_o gratify_v the_o vain_a curiosity_n of_o those_o he_o address_v himself_o to_o all_o that_o he_o there_o say_v though_o seem_o speculative_a be_v in_o reality_n practical_a the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o distinction_n that_o be_v between_o the_o jew_n and_o gtntile_n be_v not_o whole_o take_v away_o and_o if_o so_o whether_o the_o gentile_n be_v not_o to_o make_v up_o one_o and_o the_o same_o body_n with_o the_o beliving_a jew_n those_o of_o the_o circumcision_n be_v accustom_v to_o look_v upon_o the_o heathen_n as_o a_o people_n that_o be_v curse_v can_v not_o easy_o imagine_v that_o they_o shall_v ever_o enjoy_v the_o same_o privilege_n with_o they_o but_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n of_o the_o gentile_n endeavour_n to_o confute_v this_o prejudice_n of_o they_o and_o to_o that_o purpose_n he_o show_v they_o that_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o all_o man_n that_o he_o suffer_v that_o all_o man_n shall_v sin_n that_o he_o may_v thereby_o extend_v his_o grace_n to_o all_o that_o the_o choice_n he_o make_v of_o the_o jew_n for_o his_o peculiar_a people_n be_v a_o free_a and_o liberal_a election_n that_o it_o be_v by_o by_o faith_n alone_o and_o not_o by_o work_n that_o the_o patriarch_n be_v acceptable_a to_o he_o that_o his_o mercy_n be_v not_o entail_v upon_o the_o posterity_n of_o the_o patriarch_n that_o the_o circumcision_n of_o the_o flesh_n be_v not_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o acceptance_n with_o god_n that_o the_o law_n of_o itself_o can_v not_o have_v that_o effect_n that_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o good_a work_n of_o jacob_n that_o his_o posterity_n be_v prefer_v before_o that_o of_o esau_n for_o whilst_o the_o child_n be_v yet_o in_o their_o mother_n womb_n and_o have_v do_v neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a it_o be_v tell_v rebekah_n consult_v the_o divine_a oracle_n about_o they_o that_o the_o elder_a shall_v serve_v the_o young_a now_o the_o reflection_n to_o be_v make_v upon_o this_o doctrine_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v these_o 1._o that_o the_o absolute_a necessity_n there_o be_v then_o to_o treat_v of_o those_o matter_n and_o the_o urgent_a occasion_n that_o oblige_v the_o apostle_n to_o speak_v of_o they_o be_v now_o whole_o at_o a_o end_n for_o there_o be_v none_o among_o the_o christian_n that_o either_o call_v or_o aught_o to_o call_v in_o question_n the_o election_n of_o those_o gentile_n who_o sincere_o believe_v the_o gospel_n so_o that_o if_o we_o happen_v now_o adays_o to_o be_v engage_v in_o any_o eager_a dispute_n about_o those_o matter_n it_o be_v mere_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n of_o vanity_n or_o obstinacy_n or_o a_o rash_a and_o impious_a curiosity_n every_o thing_n be_v practical_a in_o st_n paul_n discourse_n of_o predestination_n whereas_o those_o be_v whole_o speculative_a that_o be_v in_o these_o latter_a day_n compose_v about_o it_o st._n paul_n have_v no_o other_o design_n but_o to_o create_v peace_n and_o charity_n between_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n by_o show_v they_o that_o they_o be_v both_o the_o object_n of_o the_o divine_a election_n but_o now_o this_o doctrine_n be_v change_v into_o speculation_n and_o philosophy_n and_o have_v no_o other_o use_n but_o to_o create_v scandalous_a division_n in_o christian_a society_n 2._o the_o best_a and_o sure_a method_n in_o this_o case_n be_v to_o imitate_v the_o modesty_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o bare_o assert_v the_o thing_n take_v great_a care_v not_o to_o search_v into_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o he_o only_o speak_v of_o election_n in_o general_n and_o when_o his_o curious_a and_o impertinent_a reason_n go_v about_o to_o examine_v the_o performance_n of_o it_o he_o only_o cry_v out_o o_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n etc._n etc._n it_o must_v be_v confess_v st._n paul_n have_v as_o much_o wit_n as_o any_o modern_a divine_n can_v pretend_v to_o and_o so_o can_v have_v frame_v as_o probable_a system_n of_o the_o consent_n and_o harmony_n of_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n or_o have_v find_v out_o either_o in_o the_o ill_a use_n we_o make_v of_o our_o free_a will_n or_o in_o the_o spring_n of_o our_o soul_n wherewith_o to_o solve_v these_o difficulty_n yet_o he_o never_o attempt_v it_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v he_o be_v a_o true_a divine_a and_o not_o a_o mere_a philosopher_n and_o know_v very_o well_o that_o the_o most_o essential_a part_n of_o faith_n consist_v in_o humble_o cast_v down_o our_o eye_n before_o the_o dark_a side_n of_o the_o mystery_n 3._o but_o because_o we_o be_v