Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	great_a	let_v	3,168	5	4.0636	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44932	The spirit of prophecy a treatise to prove, by the wayes formerly in use among the Jews, in the tryal of pretenders to a prophetic spirit, that Christ and his Apostles were prophets : together with the divine authority of christian religion and the Holy Scriptures, the insufficiency of human reason, and the reasonableness of the christian faith, hope, and practice, deduced therefrom, and asserted against Mr. Hobbs, and the Treatise of Hvmane Reason / by W.H.	Hughes, William, b. 1624 or 5.	1679 (1679)	Wing H3346; ESTC R19799	183,906	298

of_o any_o good_a after_o this_o life_n be_v end_v but_o the_o founder_n of_o our_o faith_n obtain_v a_o more_o excellent_a ministry_n in_o that_o they_o preach_v and_o make_v know_v a_o better_a covenant_n establish_v upon_o better_a promise_n for_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v 10._o bring_v to_o light_n through_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v thereby_o so_o clear_o reveal_v as_o that_o among_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n of_o they_o as_o all_o the_o lesser_a river_n of_o the_o earth_n do_v at_o length_n empty_v themselves_o into_o the_o sea_n so_o all_o the_o other_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n although_o exceed_v great_a and_o precious_a yet_o do_v bend_v their_o course_n towards_o the_o ocean_n of_o immortal_a glory_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v even_o those_o that_o concern_v this_o life_n teach_v we_o to_o look_v beyond_o it_o we_o be_v indeed_o assure_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v add_v to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v upon_o condition_n that_o we_o seek_v 33._o first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n our_o temporal_a interest_n and_o eternal_a glory_n the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v so_o twist_v together_o as_o we_o best_o mind_v the_o one_o by_o seek_v the_o other_o and_o indeed_o the_o gospel_n do_v strengthen_v our_o hope_n of_o salvation_n as_o well_o as_o raise_v they_o for_o it_o show_v we_o a_o inestimable_a price_n pay_v for_o it_o and_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o we_o shall_v be_v raise_v up_o unto_o it_o and_o by_o eternal_a judgement_n bid_v to_o take_v possession_n of_o it_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o this_o life_n we_o be_v at_o a_o distance_n from_o it_o the_o gospel_n have_v give_v we_o token_n and_o pledge_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o it_o to_o dom._n this_o end_n say_v st._n bernard_n be_v the_o sacrament_n ordain_v viz._n that_o the_o invisible_a grace_n of_o our_o lord_n may_v be_v assure_v by_o some_o visible_a sign_n unto_o we_o hence_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v that_o one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n call_v the_o eucharist_n the_o physic_n another_o the_o food_n of_o immortality_n coen_n because_o they_o think_v it_o apt_a to_o purge_v out_o despair_n and_o to_o cherish_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o what_o so_o good_a as_o life_n and_o what_o life_n so_o long_o as_o that_o that_o be_v eternal_a and_o what_o eternity_n so_o desirable_a as_o that_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o glory_n yet_o this_o have_v the_o gospel_n most_o clear_o reveal_v and_o firm_o promise_v to_o we_o and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o obtainment_n thereof_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o far_o better_a rule_n than_o any_o among_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n beside_o the_o moral_a law_n moses_n we_o know_v require_v obedience_n to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o positive_a precept_n enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o good_a in_o themselves_o but_o bare_o because_o they_o be_v command_v or_o else_o for_o some_o other_o reason_n whole_o extrinsic_a to_o moral_a goodness_n as_o we_o have_v already_o see_v by_o maimonides_n his_o account_n of_o the_o first_o end_n and_o intention_n the_o cause_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o law_n and_o these_o positive_a 39_o precept_n be_v so_o exceed_o burdensome_a and_o uneasy_a as_o that_o st._n peter_n call_v they_o a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o 10._o our_o father_n nor_o we_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v let_v not_o the_o jew_n be_v offend_v that_o one_o of_o our_o apostle_n give_v their_o law_n no_o better_a language_n for_o a_o learned_a rabbi_n of_o their_o own_o have_v say_v as_o much_o or_o more_o viz._n that_o the_o write_a law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n and_o moses_n to_o the_o israelite_n from_o mount_n sinai_n be_v both_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a first_o because_o it_o speak_v contradiction_n and_o second_o because_o it_o be_v imperfect_a it_o be_v well_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n and_o a_o 1._o rabbi_n too_o have_v he_o be_v a_o christian_n it_o be_v like_a they_o will_v have_v accuse_v he_o of_o blasphemy_n and_o perhaps_o just_o for_o what_o great_a disparagement_n can_v easy_o be_v cast_v upon_o divine_a wisdom_n than_o to_o say_v it_o speak_v contradiction_n to_o that_o therefore_o we_o can_v assent_v but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o law_n we_o may_v because_o a_o man_n of_o a_o more_o excellent_a spirit_n than_o he_o have_v 7._o teach_v we_o that_o it_o can_v never_o make_v the_o comer_n thereunto_o 9_o perfect_a yea_o that_o it_o make_v nothing_o perfect_a but_o also_o because_o the_o jew_n themselves_o insinuate_v as_o much_o by_o their_o zeal_n for_o tradition_n all_o which_o derive_v their_o authority_n from_o that_o one_o beforementioned_a viz._n the_o pretend_a exposition_n which_o they_o say_v god_n give_v of_o his_o law_n to_o moses_n that_o from_o he_o by_o oral_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n the_o pretence_n of_o this_o fictitious_a exposition_n be_v found_v in_o necessity_n and_o this_o necessity_n in_o the_o obscurity_n and_o imperfection_n of_o the_o law_n without_o it_o which_o they_o say_v be_v so_o great_a as_o that_o without_o the_o oral_a law_n the_o whole_a write_a law_n will_v be_v in_o the_o dark_a for_o many_o thing_n they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o repugnant_a each_o to_o other_o as_o that_o we_o can_v neither_o depend_v upon_o or_o reconcile_v 1._o they_o without_o the_o oral_a law_n which_o moses_n receive_v from_o sinai_n it_o seem_v then_o for_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n the_o jew_n have_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o external_n direction_n for_o as_o be_v before_o observe_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o write_a law_n be_v no_o few_o than_o 613._o concern_v each_o one_o whereof_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o performance_n &c._n &c._n it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o their_o pretend_a exposition_n contain_v divers_a particular_a canon_n and_o so_o it_o seem_v it_o do_v for_o they_o say_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o sorrow_n utter_o forget_v no_o less_o than_o three_o thousand_o of_o 13._o these_o constitution_n but_o afterward_o othniel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n by_o the_o sharpness_n of_o his_o wit_n retrieve_v seventeen_o hundred_o of_o they_o and_o these_o all_o and_o it_o may_v be_v as_o many_o more_o be_v no_o less_o to_o be_v regard_v than_o the_o write_a law_n itself_o because_o as_o they_o say_v of_o equal_a authority_n therewith_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o uneasy_a yoke_n and_o a_o heavy_a burden_n that_o they_o live_v under_o how_o can_v it_o be_v other_o for_o it_o be_v as_o hard_o to_o learn_v and_o remember_v their_o rule_n of_o live_v as_o it_o be_v to_o live_v by_o the_o essential_a rule_n of_o holiness_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o do_v but_o escape_v the_o vice_n especial_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n or_o at_o best_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o some_o high_a enjoyment_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o the_o law_n be_v a_o schoolmaster_n to_o b●ing_a man_n 24_o to_o christ_n church_n and_o kingdom_n as_o well_o as_o man_n have_v their_o distinct_a age_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o law_n be_v but_o a_o sort_n of_o childhood_n a_o time_n of_o minority_n to_o this_o imperfect_a state_n the_o temporary_a or_o imperfect_a authority_n of_o a_o schoolmaster_n or_o guardian_n be_v most_o fit_o proportion_v this_o office_n the_o law_n do_v they_o for_o it_o restrain_v they_o from_o the_o more_o grievous_a vice_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o give_v they_o some_o little_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o so_o do_v it_o do_v prepare_v they_o for_o his_o sublime_a truth_n and_o more_o elevate_a rule_n of_o holy_a live_n which_o be_v chief_o comprise_v in_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n according_a to_o his_o interpretation_n of_o it_o the_o excellency_n of_o which_o law_n appear_v by_o the_o matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v conversant_a viz._n those_o thing_n which_o be_v good_a or_o evil_a in_o themselves_o namely_o those_o wherein_o the_o image_n of_o god_n do_v consist_v and_o those_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o since_o therefore_o god_n make_v man_n after_o his_o own_o image_n there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n so_o excellent_a as_o this_o in_o respect_n either_o of_o its_o agreeableness_n to_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n or_o its_o subservience_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n what_o so_o rational_a as_o to_o preserve_v the_o glory_n of_o our_o nature_n viz._n the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o we_o and_o how_o can_v we_o glorify_v god_n so_o much_o as_o by_o strenuous_a endeavour_n to_o resemble_v he_o thou_o shall_v not_o honour_n god_n say_v hierocles_n by_o give_v any_o thing_n unto_o

those_o etc._n precept_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o why_o be_v this_o comment_n commit_v to_o write_v as_o well_o as_o the_o text_n but_o because_o there_o be_v no_o preserve_v it_o entire_a without_o it_o why_o then_o shall_v it_o be_v set_v cheek_n by_o jowl_n with_o the_o text_n itself_o be_v rabbie_a judah_n a_o prophet_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n no_o he_o live_v a_o long_a time_n after_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v cease_v among_o they_o his_o write_n therefore_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n to_o truckle_n under_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o although_o the_o matter_n contain_v in_o they_o as_o be_v pretend_v come_v together_o with_o those_o of_o holy_a scripture_n from_o god_n almighty_a yet_o have_v be_v for_o many_o hundred_o of_o year_n most_o easy_o subject_a to_o corruption_n change_n and_o depravation_n for_o the_o prevention_n whereof_o he_o commit_v they_o to_o writing_n there_o can_v be_v but_o little_a or_o no_o certainty_n and_o consequent_o no_o knowledge_n of_o such_o authority_n as_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v in_o they_o and_o if_o not_o after_o much_o less_o before_o he_o write_v they_o for_o by_o commit_v they_o to_o writing_n without_o all_o doubt_n he_o do_v rather_o add_v unto_o then_o diminish_v their_o authority_n and_o true_o it_o seem_v probable_a that_o he_o devise_v the_o fable_n of_o their_o descent_n from_o god_n almighty_a for_o have_v there_o be_v such_o a_o explication_n as_o they_o say_v deliver_v by_o god_n to_o moses_n by_o moses_n to_o aaron_n and_o his_o son_n by_o they_o to_o the_o seventy_o elder_n by_o they_o to_o joshu●_n by_o he_o to_o the_o survive_a elder_n by_o they_o to_o the_o succeed_a prophet_n who_o deliver_v it_o from_o one_o to_o another_o through_o at_o least_o a_o thousand_o year_n have_v this_o i_o say_v be_v true_a it_o be_v very_o strange_a that_o in_o all_o that_o time_n they_o do_v not_o drop_v one_o word_n from_o their_o pen_n about_o it_o although_o certain_o they_o have_v frequent_a occasion_n of_o so_o do_v for_o a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o office_n be_v to_o uphold_v the_o practice_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o purity_n and_o integrity_n of_o it_o which_o they_o can_v no_o way_n have_v do_v better_a than_o by_o reduce_v transgressor_n to_n that_o authentic_a interpretation_n of_o it_o yet_o we_o find_v not_o a_o word_n of_o it_o but_o that_o that_o fall_v out_o most_o unlucky_o be_v that_o this_o traditional_a interpretation_n of_o the_o law_n do_v thwrat_fw-mi and_o contradict_v the_o exposition_n thereof_o by_o the_o prophet_n this_o wretched_a tradition_n restrain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o law_n to_o the_o letter_n of_o it_o 5._o and_o teach_v man_n to_o believe_v it_o forbid_v no_o more_o than_o it_o express_v but_o the_o prophet_n sure_o teach_v they_o otherwise_o 14._o whence_o ●lse_o be_v it_o that_o they_o reprove_v they_o 6._o for_o the_o thought_n of_o their_o heart_n as_o well_o as_o the_o work_n of_o their_o hand_n thus_o do_v the_o comment_n make_v void_a the_o text_n and_o this_o tradition_n make_v the_o commandment_n of_o none_o ●ff●ct_v it_o be_v therefore_o most_o manife_a that_o they_o come_v not_o from_o the_o same_o hand_n can_v infinite_a wisdom_n speak_v contradiction_n or_o destroy_v what_o it_o build_v it_o be_v blasphemy_n to_o say_v it_o can_v since_o then_o this_o tradition_n explode_v the_o law_n instead_o of_o expound_v it_o we_o be_v sure_a it_o come_v not_o from_o god_n be_v it_o then_o likely_a that_o the_o divine_a majesty_n as_o our_o author_n often_o call_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n shall_v be_v make_v to_o hold_v up_o its_o hand_n at_o the_o bar_n of_o this_o tradition_n which_o perhaps_o be_v make_v worse_o by_o its_o keeper_n 9_o than_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o it_o be_v always_o imprison_v in_o a_o consistory_n where_o no_o man_n know_v what_o usage_n it_o have_v or_o how_o it_o may_v be_v dress_v up_o to_o serve_v the_o emergent_a exigence_n of_o prophecy_n be_v try_v by_o tradition_n and_o that_o tradition_n know_v only_o in_o a_o consistory_n and_o that_o consistory_n consist_v of_o man_n subject_a as_o doubtless_o they_o be_v to_o error_n and_o corruption_n the_o ark_n be_v more_o like_a to_o fall_v before_o dagon_n than_o dagon_n before_o the_o ark_n i_o mean_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o be_v repel_v by_o vice_n and_o wickedness_n often_o than_o they_o correct_v by_o the_o truth_n of_o god_n how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o vice_n to_o pretend_v to_o this_o tradition_n and_o for_o wickedness_n to_o plead_v prescription_n by_o this_o oral_a law_n for_o its_o protection_n and_o if_o they_o dwell_v in_o the_o consistory_n as_o too_o often_o they_o do_v or_o can_v make_v some_o friend_n there_o as_o no_o doubt_n they_o may_v they_o will_v certain_o be_v more_o mindful_a of_o their_o concern_v than_o to_o neglect_v so_o fair_a a_o advantage_n and_o then_o if_o the_o consistory_n declare_v that_o tradition_n be_v for_o they_o that_o prophet_n must_v die_v who_o presume_v to_o speak_v against_o they_o but_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o the_o god_n of_o holiness_n shall_v make_v a_o law_n so_o apt_a to_o establish_v wickedness_n no_o it_o border_n upon_o blasphemy_n to_o say_v he_o do_v piety_n therefore_o as_o well_o as_o reason_n incline_v we_o to_o look_v on_o this_o tradition_n as_o a_o mere_a fiction_n at_o first_o invent_v to_o uphold_v the_o totter_a reputation_n of_o their_o magisterial_a rabbi_n and_o afterward_o improve_v and_o use_v to_o patronize_v their_o infidelity_n and_o justify_v their_o barbarous_a proceed_n against_o our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n and_o all_o that_o adhere_v to_o he_o this_o therefore_o we_o do_v utter_o reject_v but_o the_o other_o part_n of_o maimonides_n his_o assertion_n viz._n that_o pretender_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o a_o trial_n unless_o they_o make_v no_o alteration_n in_o the_o write_a law_n of_o moses_n be_v something_o more_o probable_a for_o doubtless_o a_o attempt_n to_o null_a the_o obligation_n of_o a_o law_n which_o god_n himself_o have_v establish_v if_o he_o that_o make_v it_o give_v little_a or_o no_o evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n by_o he_o to_o do_v it_o be_v a_o strong_a presumption_n yea_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n that_o he_o therein_o be_v a_o false_a prophet_n but_o if_o god_n have_v constitute_v a_o law_n which_o in_o itself_o be_v mutable_a and_o withal_o have_v declare_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v change_v if_o the_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n give_v as_o great_a or_o great_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n by_o he_o to_o do_v it_o than_o he_o do_v at_o first_o to_o establish_v it_o there_o be_v no_o more_o reason_n to_o reject_v he_o than_o there_o be_v moses_n and_o if_o so_o the_o jew_n be_v certain_o very_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a if_o they_o will_v not_o vouchsafe_v he_o a_o trial_n but_o forthwith_o put_v he_o to_o death_n without_o it_o what_o law_n therefore_o of_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v wherein_o our_o author_n say_v this_o rule_n be_v contain_v be_v yet_o unknown_a to_o we_o however_o assure_v we_o be_v that_o though_o it_o may_v be_v of_o they_o yet_o it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o god_n law_n because_o it_o inflict_v death_n on_o they_o who_o bring_v the_o broad_a seal_n of_o heaven_n to_o avouch_v their_o authority_n to_o speak_v what_o they_o do_v in_o his_o name_n i_o suppose_v therefore_o the_o rule_n be_v seldom_o or_o never_o true_a but_o in_o case_n either_o of_o immutability_n in_o the_o law_n itself_o or_o want_v of_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n by_o the_o pretender_n to_o change_v it_o and_o that_o neither_o of_o these_o be_v the_o case_n now_o under_o debate_n will_v be_v evident_a by_o consider_v these_o two_o thing_n 1._o that_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n as_o to_o the_o ceremonial_a and_o judicial_a part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o immutable_a for_o it_o be_v found_v upon_o no_o immutable_a reason_n this_o methinks_v maimonides_n himself_o must_v needs_o have_v confess_v if_o he_o have_v consider_v what_o he_o himself_o have_v elsewhere_o tell_v we_o viz._n that_o the_o first_o intention_n of_o our_o law_n be_v to_o take_v away_o idolatry_n to_o blot_v out_o the_o memory_n of_o it_o and_o of_o all_o thing_n that_o adhere_v to_o it_o or_o give_v occasion_n of_o it_o and_o then_o after_o some_o digression_n he_o return_v to_o his_o purpose_n and_o say_v the_o reason_n and_o cause_n of_o many_o of_o our_o law_n become_v know_v to_o i_o through_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o faith_n rite_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o zabian_o the_o knowledge_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o science_n be_v a_o great_a gate_n i._n e._n it_o serve_v much_o to_o let_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o precept_n for_o the_o

infirmity_n yea_o not_o only_o the_o spirit_n but_o also_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o notwithstanding_o his_o exaltation_n now_o in_o heaven_n humble_v himself_o to_o sympathize_v with_o we_o here_o on_o earth_n for_o we_o have_v not_o a_o high_a priest_n which_o can_v be_v touch_v with_o a_o feel_n of_o our_o infirmity_n but_o be_v in_o all_o point_n tempt_v like_a as_o we_o be_v yet_o without_o sin_n if_o therefore_o we_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n we_o may_v obtain_v mercy_n and_o find_v grace_n to_o help_v in_o time_n of_o need._n and_o if_o 16._o we_o may_v have_v mercy_n and_o grace_n for_o come_v for_o it_o i_o hope_v we_o have_v no_o cause_n be_v our_o duty_n what_o it_o will_v to_o complain_v of_o hard_a usage_n let_v we_o then_o lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o viz._n that_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n be_v most_o clear_o reveal_v by_o the_o gospel_n that_o that_o of_o our_o hope_n be_v most_o full_o declare_v to_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o certain_a and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o our_o life_n be_v most_o become_v the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n and_o withal_o be_v so_o complete_o suit_v to_o his_o ability_n as_o that_o no_o other_o law_n can_v possible_o be_v so_o good_a for_o he_o in_o his_o present_a state_n of_o nature_n morality_n and_o imperfection_n le_fw-fr we_o i_o say_v lay_v all_o these_o thing_n together_o and_o then_o methinks_v we_o must_v needs_o see_v something_o of_o that_o stupendous_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n whereby_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v guide_v in_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n far_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o wisdom_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o law_n and_o if_o they_o do_v excel_v the_o jew_n in_o wisdom_n much_o more_o the_o gentile_n for_o since_o by_o the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n they_o be_v teach_v of_o god_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o have_v more_o excellent_a wisdom_n not_o than_o the_o vulgar_a only_o but_o than_o those_o also_o that_o seem_v to_o be_v philosopher_n 5._o yet_o at_o the_o bar_n of_o their_o judgement_n we_o be_v willing_a to_o try_v the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n viz._n whether_o it_o be_v real_a and_o true_a wisdom_n yea_o or_o no_o whereof_o we_o shall_v need_v no_o long_o to_o doubt_n if_o we_o consider_v what_o the_o most_o famous_a philosopher_n have_v tell_v we_o concern_v the_o nature_n the_o object_n and_o the_o end_n of_o wisdom_n as_o for_o its_o nature_n in_o general_a it_o seem_v the_o common_a concession_n of_o they_o all_o that_o wisdom_n be_v one_o of_o the_o best_a if_o not_o absolute_o the_o most_o excellent_a kind_n of_o knowledge_n they_o therefore_o define_v it_o by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o with_o they_o seem_v to_o denote_v more_o than_o a_o bare_a perception_n of_o thing_n viz._n some_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o undeniable_a necessary_a argument_n such_o as_o command_v assent_v rather_o than_o beg_v it_o now_o that_o christianity_n be_v a_o sort_n of_o knowledge_n found_v on_o such_o argument_n i_o hope_v you_o will_v find_v in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o treatise_n the_o design_n whereof_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v so_o at_o present_v therefore_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o of_o its_o general_a nature_n but_o observe_v that_o the_o object_n of_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o its_o nature_n do_v high_o justify_v its_o claim_n to_o the_o title_n of_o wisdom_n for_o what_o i_o pray_v be_v it_o that_o wisdom_n treat_v of_o about_o what_o be_v it_o conversant_a the_o first_o vi●_n cause_n say_v pythagoras_n the_o best_a thing_n or_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v most_o honourable_a say_v aristotle_n and_o which_o be_v those_o all_o man_n except_o atheist_n will_v answer_v they_o be_v god_n and_o the_o thing_n that_o approach_v near_o unto_o and_o partake_v most_o of_o his_o nature_n otherwise_o anaxagoras_n thales_n and_o such_o like_a will_v not_o have_v have_v a_o reputation_n for_o wisdom_n as_o the_o philosopher_n last_o mention_v report_n they_o have_v because_o they_o know_v matter_n of_o divinity_n and_o where_o shall_v we_o find_v the_o great_a 6._o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v it_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o gentile_n no_o very_o their_o philosophy_n be_v here_o dumb_a or_o worse_o simonides_n though_o a_o learned_a and_o wise_a man_n in_o their_o esteem_n can_v give_v no_o account_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n and_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_n that_o undertake_v to_o do_v it_o have_v better_o be_v as_o spare_v and_o modest_a as_o he_o be_v as_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a by_o the_o account_n that_o plutarch_n and_o cic●ro_n give_v of_o their_o sentiment_n 1._o in_o this_o particular_a they_o be_v so_o weak_a and_o obscure_a so_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a so_o unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o unbecoming_a the_o deity_n as_o that_o the_o orator_n say_v of_o they_o they_o be_v almost_o not_o the_o judgement_n of_o philosopher_n but_o the_o dream_n of_o madman_n we_o see_v then_o that_o ibid._n man_n of_o great_a and_o excellent_a wit_n after_o all_o their_o hard_a study_n and_o travel_v to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n have_v yet_o lose_v their_o labour_n and_o their_o industry_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n 1._o who_o pity_v it_o seem_v the_o ignorance_n and_o weakness_n of_o humane_a nature_n have_v send_v his_o only_o beget_v son_n which_o be_v in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o father_n and_o he_o have_v declare_v he_o both_o his_o be_v and_o his_o nature_n his_o attribute_n and_o his_o will_n he_o have_v more_o full_o declare_v than_o either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v know_v without_o it_o and_o that_o which_o most_o high_o commend_v the_o revelation_n of_o god_n by_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v that_o it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o contradict_v those_o prime_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n wherewith_o nature_n have_v endue_v we_o as_o that_o it_o do_v exceed_o advance_v and_o improve_v they_o it_o become_v the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o accord_v with_o the_o reason_n of_o man._n hereof_o origen_n be_v so_o confident_a as_o that_o he_o doubt_v not_o to_o bid_v celsus_n see_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o the_o agreeableness_n of_o our_o faith_n with_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o man_n from_o the_o beginning_n which_o make_v it_o so_o effectual_a as_o to_o work_v the_o conversion_n of_o its_o candid_a and_o 3._o ingenuous_a hearer_n how_o rash_a and_o ill-advised_n have_v he_o be_v in_o thus_o appeal_n to_o his_o subtle_a adversary_n if_o he_o have_v not_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o christianity_n open_v and_o offer_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v worthy_a of_o heaven_n to_o those_o that_o embrace_v it_o here_o on_o earth_n that_o here_o we_o may_v see_v the_o express_a image_n of_o that_o solid_a wisdom_n and_o felicity_n which_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o talmudical_a rhapsody_n and_o the_o gentile_n too_o in_o their_o philosophy_n have_v hitherto_o seek_v in_o vain_a hereof_o also_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o the_o design_a end_n and_o scope_n of_o it_o which_o in_o effect_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o be_v pretend_v by_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n and_o what_o be_v that_o let_v porphyrius_n answer_v for_o pythagoras_n who_o as_o he_o tell_v we_o profess_v a_o sort_n of_o philosophy_n the_o scope_n whereof_o be_v to_o snatch_v and_o deliver_v the_o mind_n that_o be_v in_o we_o from_o sensual_a impediment_n pyth._n and_o fetter_n but_o to_o wave_v the_o trouble_n of_o many_o quotation_n it_o seem_v by_o maximus_n tyrius_n that_o the_o pretend_a end_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o philosophy_n be_v to_o direct_v man_n to_o true_a happiness_n they_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o end_n but_o be_v miserable_o divide_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o mean_n we_o need_v not_o wonder_v at_o either_o for_o as_o that_o philosopher_n say_v the_o desire_n of_o good_a god_n have_v kindle_v as_o a_o spark_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n but_o the_o find_v of_o it_o he_o have_v hide_v from_o they_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o one_o send_v his_o scholar_n to_o one_o thing_n another_o to_o another_o to_o find_v it_o pythagoras_n to_o music_n thales_n to_o astronomy_n heraclitus_n to_o solitude_n socrates_n to_o love_n carne●des_v to_o chastity_n diogenes_n to_o labour_n epicurus_n to_o pleasure_n they_o all_o aim_v at_o happiness_n but_o epicurus_n 19_o be_v think_v to_o have_v miss_v the_o mark_n so_o gross_o as_o that_o the_o roman_n and_o messenian_n do_v banish_v and_o expel_v his_o follower_n from_o their_o respective_a dominion_n call_v they_o because_o of_o their_o softness_n and_o impiety_n the_o pest_n of_o youth_n and_o spot_n of_o philosophy_n they_o be_v therefore_o command_v to_o depart_v the_o messenian_a territory_n and_o be_v so_o thrust_v