much_o strength_n retort_v upon_o themselves_o 1._o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o argument_n be_v this_o that_o that_o be_v just_o suspect_v as_o false_a in_o religion_n the_o belief_n or_o practice_n whereof_o be_v join_v with_o either_o public_a or_o private_a advantage_n to_o those_o concern_v now_o nothing_o be_v more_o false_a than_o this_o for_o this_o be_v one_o main_a foundation_n of_o our_o natural_a religion_n and_o part_v even_o of_o the_o gentile_n creed_n viz._n a_o belief_n that_o god_n be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o those_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o that_o such_o be_v the_o goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o we_o that_o he_o have_v join_v our_o duty_n and_o our_o interest_n together_o not_o only_o as_o to_o the_o future_a but_o also_o as_o to_o the_o present_a life_n and_o god_n in_o so_o order_v the_o frame_n of_o our_o religion_n have_v but_o second_v and_o confirm_v the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o act_v according_a to_o the_o principle_n 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church_n when_o christianity_n expose_v its_o professor_n to_o nothing_o but_o persecution_n their_o name_n to_o sandal_n and_o reproach_n their_o estate_n to_o ruin_n and_o their_o body_n to_o martyrdom_n 3._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o unfitness_n of_o the_o objection_n as_o make_v by_o they_o that_o urge_v it_o indeed_o if_o those_o man_n be_v so_o heroical_a in_o their_o pursuit_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n as_o to_o embrace_v they_o mere_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o intrinsic_a excellence_n then_o may_v there_o something_o more_o be_v plead_v for_o they_o but_o since_o they_o be_v man_n of_o debauch_a life_n and_o if_o possible_a to_o justify_v their_o own_o wickedness_n will_v insinuate_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o other_o a_o secret_a belief_n that_o religion_n be_v nothing_o but_o a_o mere_a cheat_n this_o be_v the_o great_a instance_n not_o only_o of_o profaneness_n but_o of_o folly_n too_o because_o the_o argument_n may_v be_v retort_v with_o as_o much_o strength_n upon_o themselves_o thus_o if_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v therefore_o suspect_v to_o be_v false_a because_o it_o be_v the_o interest_n of_o those_o that_o believe_v they_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v both_o then_o why_o may_v not_o the_o denial_n of_o a_o god_n be_v reject_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n because_o it_o be_v as_o much_o the_o interest_n of_o wicked_a man_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o god_n as_o it_o be_v of_o good_a man_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v one_o so_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o force_n in_o the_o argument_n it_o prove_v as_o much_o against_o themselves_o as_o it_o do_v against_o we_o as_o for_o those_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n include_v in_o it_o a_o contradiction_n and_o that_o it_o be_v and_o ever_o be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v one_o these_o man_n indeed_o take_v the_o most_o effectual_a way_n of_o defend_v their_o cause_n in_o case_n they_o can_v prove_v their_o assertion_n for_o whoever_o grant_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n must_v either_o grant_v that_o he_o real_o be_v or_o else_o will_v be_v force_v to_o contradict_v himself_o for_o what_o be_v possible_a may_v be_v reduce_v into_o act._n but_o if_o god_n be_v not_o now_o and_o actual_o be_v not_o existent_a from_o all_o eternity_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o such_o a_o be_v as_o be_v include_v in_o his_o notion_n ever_o to_o begin_v to_o be_v and_o this_o seem_v to_o be_v bradwardine_n argument_n cap._n 1._o p._n 3._o so_o that_o a_o atheist_n must_v prove_v not_o only_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n but_o that_o it_o be_v from_o eternity_n impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v one_o neither_o of_o which_o he_o will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n be_v not_o the_o less_o credible_a because_o it_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o such_o proof_n as_o some_o other_o thing_n be_v all_o thing_n will_v not_o admit_v of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n nor_o indeed_o be_v it_o expect_v that_o they_o shall_v nor_o be_v they_o on_o this_o account_n less_o true_a and_o certain_a than_o those_o that_o do_v for_o sometime_o the_o very_a possibility_n of_o demonstration_n argue_v some_o degree_n of_o uncertainty_n or_o obscurity_n in_o the_o thing_n to_o be_v demonstrate_v thus_o indemonstrable_n be_v always_o the_o most_o certain_a therefore_o the_o be_v of_o god_n be_v not_o therefore_o the_o less_o certain_a because_o it_o can_v be_v demonstrate_v some_o indeed_o be_v so_o gross_a in_o their_o reason_n that_o they_o make_v the_o invisibility_n of_o spirit_n a_o argument_n against_o their_o existence_n whereas_o indeed_o the_o very_a reason_n upon_o which_o we_o believe_v their_o existence_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o visibility_n that_o some_o heathen_n do_v worship_v that_o one_o supreme_a and_o true_a god_n be_v certain_o evident_a both_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o profane_a and_o sacred_a history_n act._n 17._o 23._o who_o therefore_o you_o ignorant_o worship_n he_o declare_v i_o unto_o you_o so_o that_o the_o athenian_n either_o worship_v the_o true_a god_n or_o st._n paul_n declare_v to_o they_o a_o false_a one_o yet_o it_o be_v general_o agree_v that_o such_o heathen_n may_v be_v and_o be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n nothing_o therefore_o hinder_v but_o that_o the_o papist_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o idolatry_n though_o they_o do_v not_o only_o acknowledge_v the_o true_a god_n but_o the_o christian_a trinity_n nor_o do_v i_o see_v how_o their_o idolatry_n as_o such_o that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v capable_a of_o any_o mitigation_n because_o no_o one_o charge_v they_o with_o any_o other_o than_o what_o they_o be_v true_o guilty_a of_o some_o protestant_n indeed_o say_v that_o some_o of_o the_o heathen_n be_v capable_a of_o the_o same_o defence_n that_o the_o papist_n make_v for_o themselves_o that_o be_v that_o they_o only_o give_v a_o inferior_a worship_n to_o saint_n and_o other_o inferior_a daemon_n but_o pay_v the_o supreme_a worship_n to_o the_o supreme_a god_n only_o now_o this_o plea_n seem_v to_o hold_v as_o much_o for_o the_o one_o as_o for_o the_o other_o and_o must_v either_o acquit_v both_o or_o neither_o nor_o can_v the_o papist_n their_o being_n more_o particular_o instruct_v in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n and_o will_n of_o god_n be_v any_o mitigation_n of_o their_o offence_n but_o rather_o a_o aggravation_n of_o it_o falsehood_n be_v neither_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n fit_a nor_o be_v it_o ever_o intend_a by_o god_n as_o a_o proper_a mean_n whereby_o to_o defend_v truth_n for_o this_o neither_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o a_o lie_n nor_o can_v it_o real_o be_v defend_v by_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o our_o interest_n or_o prudence_n to_o attempt_v the_o defence_n of_o a_o good_a cause_n by_o weak_a argument_n for_o this_o will_v only_o give_v occasion_n to_o our_o adversary_n when_o they_o see_v that_o they_o can_v easy_o answer_v these_o to_o think_v worse_o of_o our_o cause_n and_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o reason_n be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n yet_o grant_v that_o some_o argument_n sometime_o make_v use_n of_o to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n be_v not_o absolute_o cogent_a and_o conclusive_a yet_o be_v they_o not_o present_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o useless_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o account_n first_o because_o they_o that_o urge_v they_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o any_o single_a argument_n as_o if_o the_o cause_n do_v whole_o depend_v upon_o it_o second_o in_o thing_n of_o a_o moral_a concernment_n there_o may_v be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o accumulative_a demonstration_n as_o bishop_n taylor_n tell_v we_o in_o another_o case_n pag._n 124._o lib._n 1._o case_n of_o consc._n therefore_o suppose_v a_o man_n in_o his_o attempt_n to_o prove_v
more_o immediate_a application_n of_o himself_o to_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o full_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o revelation_n as_o they_o can_v be_v of_o any_o thing_n by_o any_o natural_a principle_n and_o that_o it_o real_o and_o actual_o be_v so_o may_v appear_v from_o hence_o that_o those_o to_o who_o god_n convey_v these_o revelation_n have_v by_o virtue_n hereof_o undertake_v the_o performance_n of_o such_o thing_n which_o argument_n draw_v from_o mere_a sense_n and_o reason_n in_o all_o probability_n can_v not_o have_v persuade_v they_o to_o cu_z it_z aque_fw-la mens_fw-la nostra_fw-la ex_fw-la hoc_fw-la solo_fw-la quod_fw-la dei_fw-la naturam_fw-la objectiuè_fw-la in_o se_fw-la continet_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr eadem_fw-la participate_v potestatem_fw-la habeat_fw-la ad_fw-la formandas_fw-la notiones_fw-la etc._n etc._n merito_fw-la mentis_fw-la naturam_fw-la quatenus_fw-la talis_fw-la concipitur_fw-la primam_fw-la divinae_fw-la revelationis_fw-la causam_fw-la statuere_fw-la possumus_fw-la this_o seem_v very_o strange_a mystical_a divinity_n if_o by_o divine_a revelation_n he_o mean_v revelation_n true_o so_o call_v then_o it_o be_v altogether_o unconceivable_a how_o any_o impression_n of_o natural_a and_o moral_a truth_n and_o that_o be_v all_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o understand_v by_o those_o expression_n quod_fw-la dei_fw-la naturam_fw-la objective_n in_fw-la se_fw-la continet_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr eâdem_fw-la participate_v how_o these_o can_v any_o way_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o divine_a revelation_n if_o by_o divine_a revelation_n he_o mean_v nothing_o but_o natural_a knowledge_n beside_o the_o impropriety_n of_o the_o expression_n i_o do_v not_o see_v how_o the_o soul_n can_v so_o true_o be_v call_v the_o first_o cause_n even_o of_o that_o neither_o but_o rather_o the_o first_o and_o immediate_a subject_n of_o it_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n one_o may_v almost_o be_v persuade_v from_o hence_o to_o think_v that_o by_o our_o soul_n contain_v in_o it_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n objective_o and_o partake_v of_o the_o very_a same_o that_o hereby_o he_o design_v as_o it_o be_v to_o melt_v down_o god_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n into_o a_o equal_a constitution_n and_o both_o into_o part_n of_o a_o material_a universe_n then_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o quicquid_fw-la dici_fw-la potest_fw-la ex_fw-la scripturâ_fw-la solâ_fw-la peti_fw-la debet_fw-la what_o ever_o be_v say_v of_o thing_n relate_v to_o divine_a revelation_n aught_o to_o be_v fetch_v from_o scripture_n alone_o this_o in_o general_n be_v a_o very_a good_a rule_n yet_o it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v with_o some_o certain_a limitation_n as_o he_o himself_o acknowledge_v in_o the_o same_o paragraph_n unless_o we_o have_v rather_o say_v that_o the_o latter_a part_n thereof_o contradict_v the_o former_a for_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o jew_n never_o take_v any_o notice_n of_o second_o cause_n but_o do_v general_o recur_v to_o god_n as_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o great_a and_o excellent_a thing_n they_o have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v of_o and_o therefore_o we_o must_v only_o take_v that_o for_o supernatural_a revelation_n which_o scripture_n express_o say_v be_v such_o or_o what_o may_v be_v gather_v to_o be_v so_o from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o relation_n first_o i_o grant_v that_o god_n may_v declare_v that_o again_o which_o a_o man_n either_o by_o natural_a principle_n or_o some_o other_o way_n know_v before_o second_o when_o god_n make_v any_o revelation_n to_o a_o man_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o he_o shall_v make_v such_o a_o reduplicative_a declaration_n as_o this_o that_o this_o which_o i_o now_o speak_v be_v pure_a simple_a unmixed_a divine_a revelation_n such_o as_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o natural_a cause_n to_o make_v know_v if_o so_o than_o it_o may_v be_v question_v whether_o god_n ever_o make_v any_o supernatural_a revelation_n to_o mankind_n or_o no_o because_o we_o no_o where_o meet_v with_o any_o such_o declaration_n and_o as_o to_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o narration_n we_o can_v never_o according_a to_o his_o principle_n from_o thence_o gather_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_o divine_a because_o as_o i_o intimate_v before_o he_o make_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n the_o same_o or_o however_o assert_n that_o we_o be_v very_o much_o ignorant_a how_o far_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n may_v extend_v however_o we_o may_v make_v use_n of_o this_o assertion_n against_o himself_o that_o if_o we_o may_v argue_v from_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o relation_n than_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o whatever_o be_v say_v concern_v these_o thing_n shall_v be_v fetch_v from_o scripture_n only_o it_o be_v easy_o observable_a how_o this_o author_n by_o unsettle_v the_o signification_n of_o word_n and_o confound_v the_o notion_n of_o thing_n design_n to_o bring_v all_o into_o confusion_n he_o argue_v much_o what_o at_o a_o rate_n with_o mr._n hobbs_n that_o be_v weak_o and_o probable_o with_o the_o same_o design_n that_o be_v wicked_o but_o providence_n have_v so_o order_v affair_n that_o a_o bad_a cause_n shall_v always_o be_v a_o weak_a one_o he_o find_v all_o prophecy_n mere_o in_o the_o imagination_n hence_o he_o say_v it_o be_v that_o the_o prophet_n conceive_v all_o thing_n parabolical_o and_o express_v spiritual_a thing_n after_o a_o corporeal_a manner_n because_o this_o agree_v more_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o imagination_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o that_o be_v with_o christ_n see_v the_o spirit_n descend_v like_o a_o dove_n and_o the_o apostle_n as_o it_o be_v tongue_n of_o fire_n and_o s._n paul_n when_o he_o be_v convert_v see_v a_o great_a light_n because_o all_o these_o thing_n do_v suit_n with_o the_o nature_n of_o imagination_n as_o if_o either_o there_o be_v no_o foundation_n in_o nature_n for_o any_o such_o belief_n but_o only_o the_o imagination_n of_o man_n or_o as_o if_o these_o appearance_n reach_v no_o further_a than_o the_o fancy_n without_o any_o divine_a influence_n make_v any_o further_a impression_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o be_v concern_v herein_o si_fw-mi igitur_fw-la sacra_fw-la volumina_fw-la percurramus_fw-la videbimus_fw-la quod_fw-la omne_fw-la quae_fw-la deus_fw-la prophet_n be_v revelavit_fw-la iis_fw-la revelat_fw-la a_o fuerunt_fw-la vel_fw-la verbis_fw-la vel_fw-la figuris_fw-la vel_fw-la utroque_fw-la modo_fw-la that_o all_o the_o prophecy_n we_o meet_v withal_o in_o scripture_n be_v convey_v to_o the_o prophet_n by_o word_n or_o figure_n and_o sensible_a representation_n or_o both_o i_o shall_v here_o show_v first_o that_o this_o assertion_n be_v false_a second_o if_o it_o be_v true_a yet_o it_o will_v not_o prove_v what_o he_o thereby_o design_n 1._o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o all_o the_o divine_a revelation_n in_o scripture_n be_v convey_v one_o of_o these_o two_o way_n there_o be_v some_o instance_n where_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n make_v of_o either_o of_o these_o two_o and_o to_o say_v that_o one_o of_o these_o be_v make_v use_n of_o though_o not_o express_v this_o be_v gratis_o dictum_fw-la and_o contrary_a to_o his_o own_o rule_n that_o whatever_o be_v say_v of_o these_o thing_n must_v be_v draw_v from_o scripture_n the_o instance_n i_o mean_v be_v those_o of_o ioseph_n interpret_n the_o dream_n of_o the_o butler_n and_o the_o baker_n and_o of_o pharoah_n dream_n concern_v the_o seven_o year_n of_o dearth_n etc._n etc._n gen._n 40_o and_o 41_o chap._n now_o the_o interpretation_n of_o dream_n be_v as_o much_o prophecy_n or_o divine_a revelation_n as_o the_o dream_n themselves_o and_o yet_o here_o we_o do_v not_o find_v either_o any_o voice_n or_o sensible_a representation_n nor_o be_v his_o reason_n any_o whit_n more_o cogent_a than_o his_o instance_n for_o though_o he_o grant_v it_o possible_a for_o god_n immediate_o to_o communicate_v himself_o to_o man_n attamen_fw-la ut_fw-la homo_fw-la aliquis_fw-la solâ_fw-la ment_fw-la aliqua_fw-la perciperet_fw-la quae_fw-la in_o primis_fw-la nostrae_fw-la cognitionis_fw-la fundamentis_fw-la non_fw-la continentur_fw-la nec_fw-la ab_fw-la iis_fw-la deduci_fw-la possant_fw-la ejus_fw-la mens_fw-la praestantior_fw-la necessariò_fw-la atque_fw-la humana_fw-la long_o excellentior_fw-la esse_fw-la deberet_fw-la but_o i_o know_v no_o reason_n why_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n be_v not_o of_o capacity_n enough_o to_o perceive_v and_o apprehend_v the_o object_n of_o divine_a revelation_n when_o due_o communicate_v to_o the_o perceptive_a faculty_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o fancy_n or_o imagination_n for_o this_o be_v certain_a and_o both_o reason_n and_o religion_n oblige_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v convey_v his_o gracious_a assistance_n by_o which_o he_o both_o enlighten_v the_o understanding_n and_o reform_v the_o will_n without_o the_o mediation_n of_o the_o fancy_n and_o it_o be_v also_o very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n do_v many_o time_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n convey_v the_o intimation_n of_o his_o will_n to_o man_n without_o either_o voice_n or_o vision_n however_o this_o be_v certain_o do_v by_o the_o
a_o god_n than_o we_o can_v find_v out_o natural_a argument_n to_o prove_v it_o but_o when_o we_o be_v first_o teach_v and_o convince_v by_o divinerevelation_n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n how_o do_v argument_n draw_v from_o natural_a reason_n afterward_o prove_v it_o so_o that_o indeed_o these_o argument_n will_v be_v little_o more_o than_o illustration_n or_o further_a confirmation_n of_o a_o thing_n already_o believe_v because_o reveal_v but_o then_o he_o say_v in_o the_o same_o place_n principia_fw-la ostendi_fw-la deberent_fw-la ex_fw-la quibus_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la nullam_fw-la unquam_fw-la numinis_fw-la mentionem_fw-la vel_fw-la suspicionem_fw-la hausisset_fw-la sponte_fw-la in_o numinis_fw-la naturae_fw-la conditoris_fw-la agnitionem_fw-la paulatim_fw-la deduceretur_fw-la some_o principle_n must_v be_v show_v from_o whence_o he_o that_o never_o hear_v the_o least_o mention_n nor_o have_v the_o least_o suspicion_n of_o a_o deity_n may_v be_v draw_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o he_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o those_o man_n who_o he_o now_o oppose_v he_o can_v ordinary_o suppose_v a_o man_n without_o some_o suspicion_n at_o least_o of_o a_o deity_n for_o this_o say_v they_o be_v bear_v with_o he_o and_o he_o must_v not_o suppose_v his_o adversary_n assertion_n to_o be_v false_a but_o prove_v it_o so_o second_o why_o may_v not_o that_o conviction_n of_o mind_n which_o be_v the_o result_n of_o our_o faculty_n right_o reason_v hereupon_o infer_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o supreme_a be_v together_o with_o that_o inward_a consciousness_n of_o our_o obligation_n to_o he_o why_o may_v not_o these_o be_v principle_n sufficient_a to_o prove_v so_o far_o as_o be_v requisite_a for_o nature_n to_o do_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o that_o to_o one_o who_o have_v not_o hear_v any_o other_o way_n that_o there_o be_v one_o but_o he_o seem_v to_o lay_v a_o great_a stress_n upon_o that_o of_o a_o man_n have_v or_o not_o have_v hear_v the_o least_o mention_n of_o a_o god_n before_o but_o if_o he_o suppose_v a_o man_n so_o to_o have_v hear_v of_o a_o god_n by_o divine_a revelation_n as_o thereupon_o real_o to_o believe_v his_o existence_n than_o those_o natural_a argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o same_o may_v further_o confirm_v he_o in_o his_o belief_n but_o though_o he_o have_v hear_v mention_n make_v of_o a_o god_n and_o yet_o not_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o his_o bare_a hear_n of_o he_o before_o will_v any_o way_n make_v those_o reason_n draw_v from_o nature_n the_o more_o effectual_a to_o convince_v he_o if_o man_n of_o late_o have_v too_o frequent_o run_v into_o atheism_n it_o be_v not_o any_o weakness_n they_o find_v in_o that_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o prove_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n so_o far_o as_o can_v in_o reason_n be_v expect_v from_o it_o that_o be_v the_o cause_n thereof_o but_o he_o seem_v to_o lay_v the_o fault_n there_o where_o indeed_o he_o ought_v not_o and_o ascribe_v it_o to_o the_o weak_a defence_n that_o some_o man_n have_v make_v of_o a_o good_a cause_n only_o thereby_o to_o magnify_v and_o usher_v in_o his_o own_o new_a notion_n with_o more_o pomp_n p._n 247._o he_o there_o grant_v that_o man_n general_o have_v some_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o god_n but_o then_o nullus_fw-la alius_fw-la modus_fw-la inveniri_fw-la potest_fw-la quo_fw-la mentes_fw-la hominum_fw-la occupavit_fw-la quam_fw-la quòd_fw-la ab_fw-la ipso_fw-la deo_fw-la per_fw-la revelationem_fw-la vel_fw-la creationem_fw-la sit_fw-la insertus_fw-la if_o by_o creation_n he_o mean_v that_o natural_a constitution_n of_o soul_n whereby_o by_o the_o very_a law_n or_o creation_n natural_a to_o such_o a_o be_v this_o notion_n of_o god_n be_v imprint_v on_o it_o then_o his_o assertion_n will_v be_v true_a but_o then_o he_o will_v herein_o contradict_v himself_o by_o creation_n therefore_o he_o must_v mean_v only_o that_o tradition_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n derive_v down_o to_o all_o mankind_n from_o the_o creation_n and_o then_o we_o can_v easy_o assign_v another_o way_n how_o this_o idea_n may_v possess_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n viz._n that_o before_o mention_v natural_a inscription_n in_o chap._n 9_o lib._n 2._o there_o his_o chief_a design_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o the_o be_v of_o god_n be_v not_o knowable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n now_o i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o in_o that_o dialogue_n which_o he_o frame_v betwixt_o philalethes_n and_o misalethes_n he_o do_v not_o equal_a justice_n to_o truth_n in_o state_v the_o question_n so_o as_o to_o make_v philalethes_n who_o province_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v rather_o to_o defend_v than_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n the_o opponent_n whereas_o he_o shall_v in_o strictness_n rather_o have_v be_v respondent_fw-la for_o this_o advantage_n accrue_v to_o misalethes_n by_o be_v on_o the_o defensive_a part_n that_o mere_a evasion_n may_v serve_v instead_o of_o solid_a answer_n for_o it_o seem_v a_o more_o easy_a thing_n to_o defend_v a_o error_n than_o to_o oppose_v a_o truth_n though_o i_o speak_v not_o this_o as_o if_o truth_n be_v not_o able_a not_o only_o to_o defend_v itself_o but_o to_o convince_v its_o adversary_n provide_v that_o reason_n will_v do_v it_o but_o i_o do_v not_o see_v why_o we_o shall_v give_v that_o advantage_n to_o the_o atheist_n as_o to_o give_v they_o leave_v to_o suppose_v we_o at_o once_o both_o out_o of_o our_o reason_n and_o religion_n too_o p._n 264._o cum_fw-la verò_fw-la omnes_fw-la ex_fw-la nature_n â_fw-la petitas_fw-la rationes_fw-la quae_fw-la pro_fw-la utraque_fw-la sententiâ_fw-la proferri_fw-la possunt_fw-la invalidas_fw-la esse_fw-la etc._n etc._n see_v he_o say_v he_o have_v prove_v all_o the_o natural_a reason_n bring_v either_o for_o or_o against_o the_o be_v of_o god_n to_o be_v invalid_a and_o the_o atheist_n he_o say_v have_v nothing_o else_o to_o rely_v on_o then_o the_o most_o natural_a consequence_n hereof_o will_v be_v that_o the_o atheist_n must_v now_o hang_v in_o aequilibrio_fw-la and_o profess_v themselves_o sceptic_n and_o this_o be_v the_o utmost_a that_o he_o can_v pretend_v to_o have_v effect_v upon_o they_o p._n 265._o he_o tell_v we_o that_o that_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n which_o so_o general_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n must_v be_v derive_v from_o god_n himself_o for_o si_fw-la conficta_fw-la esset_fw-la etc._n etc._n if_o it_o be_v feign_v than_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o in_o every_o nation_n there_o shall_v be_v some_o who_o first_o invent_v it_o and_o persuade_v it_o upon_o other_o quoth_v p._n 266._o sanè_fw-la impossibile_fw-it est_fw-la nisi_fw-la homines_fw-la qui_fw-la de_fw-la deo_fw-la nihil_fw-la unquam_fw-la audiverunt_fw-la naturali_fw-la dispositione_n ad_fw-la illam_fw-la opinionem_fw-la maximè_fw-la essent_fw-la proclive_v where_o he_o grant_v that_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o natural_a proclivity_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o believe_v a_o god_n than_o his_o argument_n fail_v he_o therefore_o shall_v have_v bend_v his_o utmost_a force_n to_o disprove_v this_o natural_a disposition_n or_o proclivity_n to_o believe_v a_o god_n but_o the_o argument_n he_o there_o bring_v will_v not_o do_v it_o it_o be_v only_o this_o that_o rochfortius_fw-la and_o some_o other_o relate_v that_o there_o be_v some_o nation_n in_o america_n who_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o it_o will_v proportionable_o prove_v against_o himself_o and_o destroy_v the_o universality_n of_o his_o own_o tradition_n for_o it_o will_v follow_v hence_o either_o that_o god_n have_v not_o take_v care_n to_o make_v know_v this_o original_a tradition_n to_o all_o nation_n or_o that_o they_o which_o be_v the_o first_o founder_n of_o these_o nation_n have_v neglect_v to_o teach_v it_o to_o their_o posterity_n or_o that_o in_o process_n of_o time_n both_o parent_n and_o child_n be_v grow_v so_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a as_o to_o forget_v it_o and_o indeed_o according_a to_o this_o hypothesis_n it_o be_v a_o wonder_n that_o half_a of_o the_o gentile_a world_n long_o ever_o this_o be_v not_o become_v mere_a soldanian_o without_o any_o knowledge_n of_o god_n or_o any_o principle_n of_o morality_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o good_a account_n give_v of_o those_o moral_a principle_n of_o honesty_n according_a to_o this_o traditionary_a way_n which_o be_v as_o general_o believe_v among_o the_o gentile_n as_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o perhaps_o with_o a_o great_a unisormity_n second_o we_o do_v not_o say_v that_o this_o notion_n of_o god_n be_v so_o implant_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n or_o so_o connatural_a to_o our_o faculty_n but_o that_o by_o carelessness_n and_o inadvertency_n by_o vice_n and_o luxury_n by_o habitual_a wickedness_n and_o debauchery_n it_o may_v be_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n obliterated_a other_o tell_v we_o that_o
cum_fw-la igitur_fw-la virtus_fw-la res_fw-la divina_fw-la sit_fw-la etc._n etc._n upon_o which_o the_o commentator_n word_n be_v omnis_fw-la rei_fw-la cujuscunque_fw-la sit_fw-la summa_fw-la excellentia_fw-la quae_fw-la à _fw-la deo_fw-la esse_fw-la putatur_fw-la divina_fw-la appellatur_fw-la quo_fw-la modo_fw-la rudiore_fw-la quâdam_fw-la mineruâ_fw-la intelligi_fw-la potest_fw-la quod_fw-la hoc_fw-la loco_fw-la dicitur_fw-la virtutem_fw-la quae_fw-la hominis_fw-la est_fw-la perfectio_fw-la rem_fw-la quandam_fw-la esse_fw-la divinam_fw-la not_o but_o that_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n come_v from_o god_n either_o immediate_o or_o mediate_o but_o perhaps_o this_o be_v a_o way_n of_o expression_n common_a to_o plato_n with_o the_o jew_n of_o call_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v great_a and_o excellent_a in_o its_o kind_n by_o the_o name_n of_o divine_a so_o that_o all_o that_o be_v probable_o mean_v by_o this_o phrase_n be_v only_o to_o express_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o thing_n and_o the_o great_a opinion_n he_o have_v of_o it_o or_o else_o that_o divine_a providence_n have_v some_o more_o particular_a concern_v in_o the_o dispose_n and_o incline_v man_n to_o it_o either_o by_o give_v they_o a_o more_o happy_a constitution_n of_o body_n or_o a_o more_o ingenuous_a temper_n of_o mind_n or_o by_o afford_v more_o advantageous_a circumstance_n of_o time_n and_o place_n yet_o so_o as_o that_o the_o most_o happy_a occurrence_n do_v not_o necessitate_v man_n to_o be_v virtuous_a without_o their_o own_o industry_n and_o inclination_n nor_o the_o most_o unhappy_a force_v they_o to_o be_v wicked_a without_o their_o own_o fault_n however_o if_o this_o be_v plato_n opinion_n that_o virtue_n be_v so_o from_o god_n that_o it_o can_v be_v get_v by_o humane_a industry_n in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o ordinary_a influence_n of_o divine_a providence_n this_o opinion_n be_v neither_o reasonable_a in_o itself_o nor_o be_v it_o sufficient_o prove_v by_o that_o argument_n make_v use_v of_o by_o socrates_n for_o that_o purpose_n if_o say_v he_o virtue_n be_v possible_a to_o be_v teach_v then_o will_v good_a man_n more_o especial_o teach_v their_o son_n that_o so_o they_o may_v inherit_v their_o father_n virtue_n as_o well_o as_o fortune_n but_o the_o contrary_a frequent_o appear_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v prove_v from_o particular_a instance_n see_v as_o many_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o the_o contrary_a where_o virtue_n have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v propagate_v with_o the_o family_n and_o we_o may_v furnish_v ourselves_o even_o from_o our_o own_o observation_n with_o example_n of_o the_o happy_a success_n of_o a_o virtuous_a education_n second_o virtuous_a parent_n though_o they_o may_v desire_v their_o child_n may_v be_v such_o too_o yet_o many_o time_n such_o be_v their_o tenderness_n and_o indulgence_n to_o they_o that_o they_o do_v not_o make_v use_n of_o those_o method_n which_o be_v most_o proper_a thereunto_o which_o be_v common_o join_v with_o some_o degree_n of_o severity_n three_o virtue_n though_o it_o may_v be_v teach_v and_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v learn_v yet_o be_v it_o a_o very_a conditional_a thing_n and_o depend_v upon_o the_o concurrence_n of_o many_o circumstance_n together_o for_o the_o produce_v the_o effect_n and_o that_o which_o often_o defeat_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o will_n which_o many_o man_n use_v in_o opposition_n to_o all_o those_o moral_a mean_n which_o be_v otherwise_o sufficient_a in_o themselves_o and_o design_v by_o other_o to_o moderate_v their_o passion_n and_o reduce_v they_o to_o virtue_n nor_o 2._o do_v virtue_n proceed_v from_o any_o natural_a influx_n of_o the_o star_n for_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o natural_a cause_n and_o compare_v they_o with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o native_a liberty_n of_o the_o will_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v how_o any_o sidereal_a influence_n can_v any_o way_n certain_o or_o necessary_o determine_v the_o mind_n of_o men._n and_o the_o same_o argument_n that_o prove_v the_o vanity_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n in_o other_o respect_n do_v much_o more_o evince_v the_o folly_n of_o their_o pretence_n who_o go_v into_o heaven_n to_o fetch_v down_o virtue_n from_o thence_o when_o indeed_o it_o be_v near_o we_o even_o in_o our_o mouth_n imprint_v upon_o our_o very_a heart_n and_o nature_n i_o shall_v here_o give_v you_o savanorola_n argument_n in_o a_o case_n much_o what_o to_o this_o purpose_n if_o say_v he_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o life_n proceed_v from_o the_o star_n than_o their_o faith_n be_v either_o true_a or_o false_a if_o it_o be_v true_a than_o it_o can_v proceed_v from_o thence_o because_o it_o condemn_v that_o opinion_n and_o assert_n the_o vanity_n of_o judicial_a astrology_n if_o it_o be_v false_a and_o proceed_v from_o the_o star_n than_o it_o follow_v that_o the_o star_n incline_v man_n to_o falsehood_n and_o the_o falsehood_n of_o the_o effect_n will_v be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o cause_n whereby_o man_n by_o the_o mere_a strength_n of_o nature_n etc._n etc._n and_o thus_o virtue_n be_v distinguish_v from_o grace_n thus_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n have_v discourse_v very_o well_o of_o virtue_n in_o their_o write_n and_o give_v great_a instance_n thereof_o in_o their_o practice_n who_o yet_o be_v very_a stranger_n to_o all_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o this_o notion_n of_o it_o seem_v fit_o to_o assign_v the_o just_a limit_n betwixt_o the_o gentile_a and_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o deprive_v not_o the_o one_o of_o what_o it_o may_v just_o challenge_v as_o its_o right_a it_o allow_v to_o man_n in_o the_o state_n of_o nature_n some_o inclination_n and_o ability_n too_o to_o virtue_n but_o yet_o that_o without_o supernatural_a assistance_n he_o can_v never_o arrive_v at_o evangelical_n perfection_n it_o do_v not_o so_o far_o depress_v humane_a nature_n modices_n to_o make_v it_o perfect_o stupid_a nor_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n do_v it_o raise_v it_o to_o a_o pitch_n of_o pelagianisin_n it_o grant_v heathen_n to_o be_v man_n and_o remind_n christian_n of_o their_o original_a sin_n and_o the_o present_a depravation_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o though_o the_o heathen_a moralist_n do_v sometime_o mention_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o afflatus_fw-la divinus_fw-la yet_o it_o can_v be_v in_o reason_n extend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o signify_v that_o which_o christian_a writer_n common_o understand_v by_o that_o expression_n to_o perform_v that_o which_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o duty_n and_o dignity_n of_o his_o nature_n thus_o though_o virtue_n in_o the_o proper_a acceptation_n of_o it_o be_v distinguish_v from_o grace_n as_o to_o the_o principle_n from_o whence_o it_o flow_v the_o one_o proceed_v from_o nature_n the_o other_o from_o a_o more_o divine_a original_n yet_o do_v they_o agree_v in_o their_o end_n and_o friendly_o conspire_v together_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o same_o design_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n viz._n the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o the_o good_a of_o men._n now_o the_o dignity_n or_o excellency_n of_o humane_a nature_n be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o natural_a and_o original_a 2._o such_o as_o be_v the_o result_v of_o the_o divine_a benignity_n afterward_o 1._o natural_a and_o original_a and_o under_o this_o head_n i_o shall_v only_o consider_v the_o excellency_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o particular_a 1._o as_o to_o the_o excellency_n of_o its_o nature_n and_o essence_n that_o it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a be_v and_o ray_n of_o divinity_n now_o consider_v this_o natural_a pre-eminence_n of_o the_o soul_n above_o the_o body_n we_o act_n unworthy_a of_o the_o dignity_n and_o excellence_n of_o the_o soul_n when_o we_o make_v it_o only_o a_o slave_n to_o the_o body_n and_o only_o as_o it_o be_v the_o body_n purveyor_n to_o make_v provision_n for_o the_o flesh_n to_o fulfil_v the_o lust_n thereof_o 2._o as_o to_o its_o intellectual_a endowment_n man_n only_o of_o all_o this_o low_a creation_n be_v endow_v with_o a_o power_n of_o reason_v now_o certain_o god_n never_o give_v we_o such_o excellent_a faculty_n only_o to_o employ_v they_o upon_o mean_a object_n and_o debase_v they_o by_o unworthy_a employment_n phil._n 4._o 8._o what_o soever_o thing_n be_v true_a what_o soever_o thing_n be_v just_a etc._n etc._n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d think_v on_o these_o thing_n 3._o as_o to_o its_o moral_a endowment_n that_o be_v all_o those_o natural_a inclination_n and_o capacity_n the_o soul_n have_v to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n that_o inward_a sense_n of_o honesty_n that_o tactus_fw-la quidam_fw-la divinitat_fw-la be_v as_o jamblicus_n call_v it_o now_o this_o also_o oblige_v we_o to_o be_v true_a to_o that_o inward_a sense_n of_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o 2._o such_o dignity_n as_o be_v the_o result_n of_o divine_a benignity_n afterward_o and_o these_o i_o shall_v consider_v
the_o be_v of_o god_n shall_v either_o through_o the_o shortness_n of_o his_o meditation_n or_o the_o sublimeness_n of_o the_o theory_n make_v use_n of_o a_o argument_n not_o perfect_o conclusive_a yet_o see_v the_o success_n of_o the_o cause_n depend_v not_o upon_o it_o and_o see_v the_o man_n perhaps_o have_v effect_v as_o much_o as_o he_o intend_v by_o it_o that_o be_v add_v his_o mite_n to_o the_o former_a treasury_n upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n it_o seem_v hard_a if_o such_o a_o one_o must_v be_v prosecute_v as_o a_o atheist_n or_o a_o betrayer_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o religion_n cicer._n de_fw-fr univers_n si_fw-mi fortè_fw-la de_fw-la deorum_fw-la naturâ_fw-la ortuque_fw-la mundi_fw-la disserentes_fw-la minùs_fw-la id_fw-la quod_fw-la habemus_fw-la animo_fw-la consequimur_fw-la etc._n etc._n hand_n sanè_fw-la erit_fw-la mirum_fw-la contentique_fw-la esse_fw-la debebitis_fw-la si_fw-la probabilia_fw-la dicentur_fw-la aequum_fw-la est_fw-la enim_fw-la meminisse_fw-la &_o i_o qui_fw-la disseram_fw-la hominem_fw-la esse_fw-la &_o vos_fw-la qui_fw-la judicetis_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la probabilia_fw-la dicentur_fw-la nè_fw-la quid_fw-la ultra_fw-la requiratis_fw-la among_o the_o many_o argument_n bring_v to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n these_o two_o seem_v the_o most_o considerable_a first_o that_o comprehensive_a one_o which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o be_v of_o the_o world_n whereby_o i_o understand_v not_o only_o the_o divine_a power_n of_o create_v or_o produce_v something_o out_o of_o nothing_o but_o that_o admirable_a wisdom_n also_o that_o appear_v in_o make_v it_o such_o as_o it_o be_v and_o in_o the_o proper_a subserviency_n of_o thing_n therein_o to_o their_o respective_a end_n that_o argument_n further_o which_o be_v draw_v not_o only_o from_o the_o material_a but_o the_o intellectual_a universe_n not_o only_o from_o the_o structure_n of_o the_o body_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n second_o that_o which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o consent_n and_o universal_a acknowledgement_n of_o all_o nation_n as_o for_o that_o which_o seem_v aristotle_n opinion_n that_o the_o world_n be_v from_o eternity_n and_o yet_o that_o it_o be_v in_o nature_n of_o a_o effect_n in_o respect_n of_o god_n the_o cause_n it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o free_v this_o assertion_n either_o from_o a_o contradiction_n or_o from_o a_o unworthy_a reflection_n upon_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n for_o if_o god_n as_o a_o cause_n be_v in_o time_n antecedent_n to_o the_o world_n than_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o say_v it_o be_v from_o eternity_n if_o it_o do_v flow_v from_o god_n as_o a_o emanative_a effect_n as_o the_o beam_n from_o the_o sun_n then_o this_o destroy_v the_o chief_a perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n viz._n its_o liberty_n and_o this_o seem_v one_o of_o the_o best_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o world_n neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v from_o eternity_n and_o it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a if_o once_o we_o give_v our_o adversary_n leave_v to_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v eternal_a by_o any_o other_o argument_n to_o force_v they_o out_o of_o their_o opinion_n for_o i_o do_v not_o see_v that_o it_o will_v be_v any_o absurdity_n to_o say_v that_o suppose_v the_o world_n to_o be_v eternal_a there_o have_v be_v as_o many_o year_n as_o day_n that_o be_v a_o equal_a infinite_a number_n of_o both_o all_o infinite_n be_v equal_a for_o infinity_o can_v no_o more_o be_v exhaust_v by_o year_n than_o day_n if_o it_o can_v than_o it_o will_v not_o be_v what_o it_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n inexhaustible_a but_o the_o truth_n be_v such_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o infinite_a with_o respect_n to_o our_o finite_a capacity_n that_o the_o one_o be_v not_o a_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o other_o and_o when_o we_o enter_v into_o dispute_n of_o this_o nature_n we_o be_v often_o entangle_v with_o unanswerable_a difficulty_n on_o both_o side_n but_o the_o atheist_n tell_v we_o that_o all_o this_o visible_a universe_n the_o heaven_n the_o earth_n and_o all_o mankind_n at_o first_o be_v the_o lucky_a hit_n of_o blind_a chance_n which_o after_o almost_o infinite_a successless_a trial_n go_v before_o do_v at_o last_o happen_v upon_o these_o admirable_a and_o excellent_a structure_n particular_o those_o of_o humane_a body_n but_o here_o we_o must_v know_v that_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n the_o same_o chance_n which_o first_o make_v we_o must_v still_o continue_v we_o but_o then_o how_o come_v it_o to_o pass_v that_o chance_n be_v so_o regular_a and_o constant_a in_o its_o production_n since_o that_o whereas_o it_o be_v above_o ten_o thousand_o to_o one_o according_a to_o these_o principle_n but_o that_o mankind_n long_o ere_o this_o must_v have_v whole_o cease_v to_o have_v be_v or_o else_o nothing_o but_o monster_n have_v be_v produce_v instead_o hereof_o we_o see_v a_o very_a regular_a and_o orderly_a course_n of_o nature_n general_o observe_v this_o be_v as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v a_o thousand_o year_n in_o cast_v all_o size_n upon_o six_o dice_n and_o then_o for_o a_o thousand_o year_n after_o to_o throw_v nothing_o else_o if_o we_o can_v suppose_v a_o man_n life_n to_o last_v so_o long_o whoever_o can_v believe_v such_o strange_a thing_n as_o these_o ought_v never_o to_o blame_v any_o one_o for_o be_v over_o credulous_a as_o for_o that_o other_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o consent_n of_o mankind_n there_o be_v some_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o those_o natural_a impression_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n upon_o which_o this_o universal_a consent_n be_v found_v be_v mere_a imaginary_a thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o they_o in_o our_o dispute_n against_o atheism_n but_o these_o man_n may_v do_v well_o to_o consider_v whether_o they_o do_v not_o too_o much_o oblige_v the_o atheist_n and_o go_v too_o far_o towards_o the_o betray_a the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n who_o willing_o quit_v and_o give_v up_o that_o argument_n which_o have_v hitherto_o be_v manage_v with_o such_o good_a success_n by_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o man_n in_o all_o age_n willing_o i_o say_v to_o give_v it_o up_o gratis_o for_o i_o very_o believe_v it_o can_v never_o be_v force_v and_o wrest_v out_o of_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o christian_a philosopher_n who_o right_o understand_v it_o and_o why_o shall_v we_o grant_v any_o thing_n to_o a_o atheist_n which_o may_v tend_v to_o the_o advantage_n of_o he_o or_o the_o prejudice_n of_o our_o own_o cause_n unless_o he_o necessary_o force_v it_o from_o we_o by_o dint_n of_o argument_n always_o provide_v that_o we_o ready_o acknowledge_v evident_a truth_n wherever_o we_o find_v it_o first_o i_o conceive_v there_o neither_o be_v nor_o can_v be_v any_o argument_n in_o a_o true_a and_o proper_a sense_n à _fw-la priore_fw-la to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n that_o take_v from_o the_o idea_n be_v not_o such_o but_o it_o be_v a_o argue_v from_o the_o effect_n to_o the_o cause_n only_o the_o effect_n seem_v a_o more_o immediate_a one_o and_o such_o as_o bear_v a_o more_o particular_a resemblance_n to_o the_o cause_n that_o somewhat_o be_v from_o eternity_n be_v evident_o demonstrable_a for_o if_o once_o there_o be_v nothing_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o thing_n ever_o to_o begin_v to_o be_v now_o this_o something_o must_v be_v either_o matter_n or_o spirit_n a_o think_v or_o unthinking_a be_v it_o can_v be_v a_o unthinking_a be_v for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o knowledge_n or_o cogitation_n in_o the_o world_n which_o yet_o we_o be_v inward_o conscious_a to_o ourselves_o of_o for_o as_o dr._n lock_n chap._n 10._o book_n 4._o have_v well_o observe_v it_o be_v as_o impossible_a to_o conceive_v that_o ever_o bare_a incogitative_a matter_n shall_v produce_v a_o think_v intelligent_a be_v as_o that_o nothing_o of_o itself_o shall_v produce_v matter_n now_o it_o must_v be_v either_o man_n that_o be_v the_o first_o eternal_a be_v the_o creator_n of_o all_o thing_n or_o some_o other_o be_v but_o though_o the_o atheist_n be_v not_o the_o great_a wit_n in_o the_o world_n yet_o we_o must_v not_o think_v they_o such_o very_a atheist_n neither_o as_o to_o make_v mere_a man_n to_o set_v up_o for_o a_o sovereign_a creator_n thus_o we_o have_v a_o idea_n or_o conception_n of_o a_o be_v infinite_o more_o perfect_a than_o ourselves_o and_o therefore_o we_o be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o our_o own_o existence_n for_o if_o we_o have_v we_o shall_v then_o have_v give_v ourselves_o those_o perfection_n which_o we_o find_v want_v in_o we_o and_o conceive_v in_o another_o therefore_o we_o owe_v our_o existence_n to_o and_o dependence_n upon_o that_o be_v without_o we_o which_o enjoy_v all_o perfection_n but_o now_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o the_o idea_n be_v the_o cause_n or_o occasion_n
of_o this_o ratiocination_n or_o the_o ratiocination_n the_o cause_n of_o the_o idea_n some_o think_v that_o these_o two_o reason_v and_o the_o idea_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v separate_v or_o contradistinguish_v in_o this_o dispute_n for_o the_o idea_n be_v not_o such_o a_o engine_n as_o of_o itself_o will_v prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n without_o the_o use_n and_o exercise_n of_o reason_v thereupon_o so_o that_o the_o idea_n do_v not_o exclude_v but_o include_v the_o use_n of_o our_o faculty_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o recede_v from_o the_o argument_n so_o to_o do_v yet_o it_o seem_v more_o probable_a that_o there_o be_v something_o in_o man_n coeval_a with_o and_o connatural_a to_o his_o very_a be_v that_o dictate_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o direct_v our_o thought_n and_o reason_n that_o way_n for_o it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o man_n shall_v as_o it_o be_v accidental_o and_o yet_o so_o general_o agree_v in_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n without_o some_o inward_a suggestion_n and_o intimation_n at_o least_o to_o employ_v their_o faculty_n upon_o such_o a_o object_n viz._n a_o supreme_a be_v so_o that_o though_o this_o idea_n be_v not_o so_o full_a and_o perfect_a but_o that_o it_o may_v receive_v further_a addition_n of_o strength_n and_o clearness_n from_o ratiocination_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o more_o a_o disparagement_n to_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o be_v sometime_o further_o perfect_v by_o study_n and_o industry_n than_o it_o be_v to_o a_o man_n that_o he_o be_v not_o bear_v with_o all_o those_o accomplishment_n which_o he_o have_v afterward_o acquire_v second_o next_o to_o a_o sceptic_a who_o grant_v no_o principle_n at_o all_o it_o be_v the_o great_a difficulty_n to_o convince_v a_o atheist_n who_o assert_n such_o absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a one_o that_o he_o can_v scarce_o be_v urge_v with_o any_o great_a so_o that_o he_o will_v more_o easy_o evade_v the_o force_n of_o any_o argument_n if_o what_o we_o urge_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o absurdity_n if_o he_o make_v it_o as_o it_o be_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o his_o discourse_n only_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o such_o man_n be_v more_o usual_o prevail_v upon_o by_o the_o conviction_n of_o conscience_n which_o be_v do_v i_o conceive_v by_o awaken_n those_o natural_a impression_n of_o god_n and_o their_o obligation_n to_o he_o in_o their_o mind_n than_o mere_o by_o convince_a their_o understanding_n three_o in_o the_o manage_n our_o thought_n upon_o this_o subject_n we_o ought_v to_o consider_v not_o only_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o possible_a and_o perhaps_o may_v imply_v no_o contradiction_n but_o what_o upon_o a_o full_a consideration_n of_o thing_n and_o all_o their_o circumstance_n may_v be_v count_v most_o reasonable_a what_o be_v worthy_a of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n to_o assert_v and_o a_o prudent_a person_n to_o believe_v so_o that_o after_o these_o inward_a impression_n make_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o those_o outward_a manifestation_n of_o himself_o by_o the_o work_v of_o creation_n and_o providence_n it_o perhaps_o will_v be_v difficult_a even_o for_o the_o most_o sceptical_a person_n to_o assign_v what_o further_o rational_a evidence_n he_o can_v desire_v for_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n nor_o do_v that_o variety_n of_o opinion_n concern_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n in_o different_a nation_n and_o among_o different_a person_n any_o whit_n lessen_v the_o credibility_n of_o his_o be_v but_o rather_o confirm_v and_o strengthen_v it_o for_o this_o show_n that_o it_o be_v not_o the_o invention_n or_o contrivance_n of_o any_o single_a nation_n at_o first_o nor_o of_o more_o joint_o afterward_o for_o if_o they_o have_v thus_o combine_v together_o or_o borrow_a one_o from_o another_o in_o all_o probability_n they_o will_v have_v agree_v better_a in_o their_o notion_n and_o opinion_n concern_v he_o nor_o be_v religion_n any_o humane_a invention_n to_o restrain_v the_o exorbitance_n of_o mankind_n because_o there_o be_v religion_n before_o any_o such_o offence_n as_o a_o learned_a prelate_n of_o our_o own_o have_v well_o observe_v that_o oppression_n though_o by_o accident_n grow_v rather_o from_o religion_n than_o religion_n from_o oppression_n for_o before_o the_o two_o brother_n cain_n and_o abel_n have_v offer_v up_o their_o sacrifice_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o oppression_n there_o be_v some_o who_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o be_v of_o god_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o any_o internal_a argument_n from_o any_o natural_a impression_n make_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n dictate_v any_o such_o thing_n other_o that_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v by_o any_o external_a one_o draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o universe_n or_o any_o thing_n else_o without_o we_o now_o the_o atheist_n make_v this_o advantage_n of_o these_o our_o unseasonable_a difference_n herein_o that_o they_o bid_v we_o first_o answer_v our_o own_o argument_n which_o we_o bring_v against_o ourselves_o and_o if_o the_o be_v of_o god_n can_v be_v prove_v either_o way_n which_o some_o among_o ourselves_o do_v with_o too_o much_o eagerness_n several_o assert_v then_o they_o think_v they_o have_v gain_v their_o point_n for_o as_o for_o divine_a revelation_n they_o do_v not_o much_o value_n that_o as_o think_v it_o not_o so_o proper_a to_o be_v urge_v against_o they_o because_o they_o believe_v nothing_o of_o the_o whole_a matter_n what_o cuperus_n in_o his_o arcana_fw-la atheismi_fw-la say_v of_o divine_a revelation_n that_o we_o be_v first_o convince_v by_o it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o afterward_o thereby_o enable_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o reason_n i_o think_v may_v be_v better_o apply_v in_o some_o proportion_n to_o these_o two_o way_n of_o probation_n here_o make_v use_n of_o thus_o that_o from_o these_o natural_a impression_n make_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n we_o have_v the_o first_o ground_n of_o our_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n and_o then_o this_o be_v further_a confirm_v by_o those_o external_n argument_n draw_v from_o nature_n quae_fw-la non_fw-la prosunt_fw-la singula_fw-la juncta_fw-la juvant_n i_o shall_v here_o make_v some_o short_a remark_n upon_o cuperus_n his_o opinion_n in_o this_o particular_a in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o proem_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o some_o kind_n of_o formality_n and_o ostentation_n that_o the_o only_a prejudice_n that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o a_o good_a cause_n be_v to_o endeavour_v to_o defend_v it_o by_o weak_a argument_n that_o he_o have_v frequent_a opportunity_n of_o hear_v atheist_n be_v breed_v up_o among_o they_o discover_v the_o weakness_n of_o those_o argument_n which_o the_o theist_n bring_v against_o '_o they_o hereupon_o he_o be_v force_v to_o think_v upon_o some_o more_o effectual_a way_n of_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n than_o hitherto_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o which_o be_v this_o to_o deny_v all_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o utter_o to_o reject_v at_o least_o at_o first_o all_o those_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o prove_v his_o be_v by_o divine_a revelation_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a firm_a and_o sure_a way_n of_o do_v it_o but_o i_o be_o afraid_a it_o will_v not_o be_v altogether_o so_o cogent_a as_o to_o convince_v a_o atheist_n for_o such_o a_o one_o will_v not_o believe_v moses_n his_o history_n neither_o the_o creation_n nor_o any_o tradition_n relate_v to_o it_o now_o the_o whole_a force_n of_o his_o argument_n will_v depend_v upon_o this_o slender_a hinge_n viz._n the_o faithful_a and_o uninterrupted_a conveyance_n of_o this_o tradition_n to_o all_o succeed_a age_n but_o the_o present_a learned_a archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n in_o that_o excellent_a sermon_n of_o he_o against_o atheism_n page_n 51._o tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o likely_a that_o the_o belief_n of_o god_n be_v a_o notion_n which_o be_v breed_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o bear_v with_o he_o than_o a_o tradition_n transmit_v from_o hand_n to_o hand_n through_o all_o generation_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v how_o many_o rude_a and_o barbarous_a nation_n there_o be_v which_o consent_n in_o the_o opinion_n of_o a_o god_n and_o yet_o have_v scarce_o any_o certain_a tradition_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v among_o they_o but_o two_o or_o three_o age_n before_o if_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n say_v cuperus_n proem_n p._n penult_n be_v draw_v from_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n than_o it_o need_v not_o to_o be_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n because_o thus_o we_o suppose_v it_o and_o already_o believe_v it_o but_o may_v not_o his_o own_o way_n of_o argue_v be_v retort_v more_o just_o upon_o himself_o when_o he_o tell_v we_o p._n 246._o that_o postquam_fw-la per_fw-la dei_fw-la revelationem_fw-la edocti_fw-la sumus_fw-la esse_fw-la deum_fw-la tum_fw-la intelligi_fw-la posse_fw-la etc._n etc._n when_o by_o divine_a revelation_n we_o be_v teach_v there_o be_v
right_a reason_n there_o be_v in_o all_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o discourse_n that_o depend_v hereupon_o for_o he_o himself_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o de_n cive_z 2_o ch._n that_o right_a reason_n be_v that_o which_o conclude_v from_o true_a principle_n now_o these_o true_a principle_n in_o matter_n of_o morality_n and_o policy_n must_v be_v more_o than_o supposed_o true_a indeed_o a_o certain_a kind_n of_o truth_n may_v be_v in_o favour_n grant_v to_o a_o hypothesis_n of_o natural_a philosophy_n if_o it_o exact_o answer_v all_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n though_o itself_o do_v not_o answer_v the_o real_a truth_n but_o this_o indulgence_n can_v be_v grant_v to_o thing_n of_o a_o moral_a or_o political_a concern_v neither_o second_o be_v it_o a_o good_a hypothesis_n as_o want_v those_o qualification_n which_o be_v require_v to_o any_o hypothesis_n in_o general_n which_o be_v these_o three_o 1._o a_o hypothesis_n must_v be_v possible_a this_o be_v the_o least_o that_o it_o can_v pretend_v to_o but_o it_o must_v not_o be_v only_o so_o according_a to_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o possibility_n but_o also_o fair_o possible_a according_a to_o the_o most_o easy_a method_n of_o our_o conception_n that_o be_v probable_a so_o contrive_v that_o we_o may_v be_v thence_o persuade_v that_o that_o be_v the_o way_n that_o god_n and_o nature_n make_v use_v of_o in_o that_o particular_a that_o as_o the_o epicurean_o say_v of_o the_o universe_n that_o though_o it_o be_v the_o result_n of_o blind_a chance_n yet_o all_o thing_n therein_o have_v happen_v as_o well_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v the_o result_n of_o the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o contrivance_n thus_o a_o hypothesis_n though_o perhaps_o it_o be_v not_o the_o real_a truth_n yet_o it_o shall_v give_v as_o full_a and_o natural_a solution_n of_o thing_n as_o if_o indeed_o it_o be_v 2._o it_o must_v be_v self-consistent_a and_o not_o contain_v principle_n of_o self-dissolution_n within_o itself_o for_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o that_o shall_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o wise_a and_o regular_a method_n of_o nature_n and_o providence_n which_o be_v not_o agreeable_a with_o itself_o 3._o a_o hypothesis_n ought_v to_o employ_v our_o faculty_n in_o the_o search_n of_o true_a and_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o also_o to_o promote_v real_a piety_n in_o the_o world_n therefore_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o fancy_v to_o ourselves_o such_o a_o hypothesis_n in_o philosophy_n as_o exclude_v god_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o such_o a_o one_o as_o assert_n a_o mere_a material_a universe_n now_o here_o i_o may_v easy_o show_v that_o this_o of_o mr._n hobb_n be_v neither_o 1._o possible_a much_o less_o probable_a 2._o not_o consistent_a with_o itself_o 3._o so_o far_o from_o promote_a sound_a knowledge_n and_o true_a piety_n that_o it_o be_v real_o destructive_a of_o both_o whether_o such_o a_o state_n of_o nature_n as_o mr._n hobbs_n describe_v be_v a_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n in_o order_n to_o a_o man_n self-preservation_n may_v be_v just_o question_v and_o indeed_o he_o himself_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v of_o that_o opinion_n see_v he_o make_v his_o natural_a statesman_n to_o get_v out_o of_o it_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o can_v in_o order_n to_o the_o better_n of_o their_o condition_n yet_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o make_v private_a interest_n the_o great_a and_o ultimate_a end_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n in_o general_a and_o of_o his_o levia_n in_o particular_a as_o be_v that_o wherein_o he_o think_v he_o have_v lay_v the_o best_a and_o sure_a foundation_n of_o all_o humane_a happiness_n i_o shall_v therefore_o here_o by_o way_n of_o appendix_n to_o this_o chapter_n speak_v something_o in_o general_a concern_v this_o great_a principle_n of_o self-preservation_n it_o be_v the_o natural_a folly_n of_o mankind_n to_o run_v out_o of_o one_o extreme_a of_o vice_n and_o error_n into_o another_o thus_o perhaps_o the_o ignorant_a zeal_n and_o blind_a devotion_n of_o some_o who_o attribute_v too_o little_a may_v first_o give_v occasion_n to_o other_o to_o ascribe_v too_o much_o to_o sels-preservation_n however_o we_o must_v not_o deny_v it_o its_o due_a regard_n so_o far_o as_o reason_n and_o religion_n admit_v because_o other_o have_v extend_v it_o further_o than_o in_o either_o it_o ought_v i_o shall_v therefore_o free_o grant_v what_o the_o great_a patron_n of_o self-preservation_n can_v with_o any_o just_a ground_n or_o reason_n demand_v and_o hereby_o i_o shall_v gain_v this_o double_a advantage_n 1._o it_o will_v hence_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v not_o out_o of_o any_o prejudice_n or_o heat_n of_o opposition_n that_o i_o contradict_v any_o thing_n even_o in_o that_o opinion_n i_o do_v oppose_v 2._o hereby_o i_o shall_v come_v to_o a_o true_a state_v of_o the_o question_n and_o so_o shall_v be_v better_a able_a to_o defend_v it_o for_o this_o disadvantage_n there_o be_v even_o to_o truth_n itself_o in_o the_o false_a state_v of_o a_o question_n that_o we_o either_o undertake_v to_o oppose_v that_o in_o a_o adversary_n which_o be_v real_o true_a and_o so_o irresragable_a or_o else_o to_o defend_v something_o that_o be_v false_a and_o so_o not_o capable_a of_o be_v defend_v to_o deny_v that_o which_o be_v true_a be_v altogether_o needless_a for_o we_o need_v not_o fear_v any_o prejudice_n to_o a_o good_a cause_n from_o truth_n elsewhere_o because_o all_o truth_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v consistent_a with_o themselves_o and_o no_o way_n contrary_a to_o each_o other_o whereas_o the_o denial_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v true_a though_o in_o a_o adversary_n may_v break_v that_o continuity_n of_o truth_n and_o some_o way_n or_o other_o weaken_v our_o own_o cause_n i_o shall_v add_v two_o or_o three_o general_a consideration_n relate_v hereunto_o 1._o that_o god_n have_v imprint_v in_o man_n a_o principle_n of_o self_n preservation_n be_v not_o only_o true_a but_o very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o very_a subservient_fw-fr for_o the_o carry_v on_o the_o design_n of_o prudence_n and_o piety_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o will_v have_v reflect_v dishonourable_o either_o upon_o the_o goodness_n or_o wisdom_n of_o god_n to_o have_v make_v such_o a_o excellent_a creature_n as_o man_n and_o take_v no_o care_n for_o his_o preservation_n so_o far_o as_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o any_o one_o upon_o every_o slight_a occasion_n to_o throw_v away_o himself_o and_o so_o destroy_v god_n peculiar_a image_n or_o to_o have_v expose_v he_o to_o all_o the_o danger_n that_o either_o his_o own_o inadvertency_n or_o the_o malice_n of_o other_o may_v have_v bring_v upon_o he_o without_o some_o innate_a inclination_n of_o self_n preservation_n and_o suitable_a principle_n of_o prudence_n to_o enable_v he_o thereunto_o thus_o religion_n itself_o do_v not_o only_o permit_v but_o command_v we_o to_o act_v with_o a_o due_a respect_n to_o those_o two_o grand_a principle_n of_o a_o christian_a life_n prudence_n and_o innocence_n to_o be_v wise_a as_o serpent_n and_o innocent_a as_o dove_n further_o without_o this_o we_o have_v want_v that_o most_o exact_a and_o easy_a rule_n of_o charity_n to_o other_o whatsoever_o you_o will_v that_o man_n shall_v do_v unto_o you_o even_o so_o do_v you_o unto_o they_o where_o our_o love_n to_o ourselves_o be_v make_v the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o our_o charity_n to_o other_o but_o mr._n hobbs_n make_v self_n preservation_n without_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o mean_n to_o be_v the_o first_o and_o great_a dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o nature_n and_o charge_v christianity_n with_o folly_n in_o that_o in_o some_o case_n it_o so_o little_a regard_v its_o own_o safety_n but_o expose_v its_o professor_n to_o martyrdom_n for_o religion_n sake_n if_o say_v he_o chap._n 42._o we_o be_v command_v by_o our_o lawful_a prince_n to_o say_v that_o we_o do_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n we_o must_v obey_v he_o for_o word_n be_v but_o external_a thing_n and_o do_v no_o more_o express_v the_o assent_n of_o the_o speaker_n than_o any_o other_o external_a action_n and_o therefore_o a_o christian_a in_o such_o thing_n have_v the_o same_o liberty_n that_o the_o prophet_n give_v to_o naaman_n the_o syrian_a 2_o king_n 5._o 18._o in_o this_o thing_n the_o lord_n pardon_v thy_o servant_n that_o when_o my_o master_n go_v into_o the_o house_n of_o rimmon_n to_o worship_v there_o and_o he_o lean_v on_o my_o hand_n and_o i_o bow_v myself_o in_o the_o house_n of_o rimmon_n the_o lord_n pardon_v thy_o servant_n in_o this_o thing_n and_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o go_v in_o peace_n here_o mr._n hobbs_n say_v that_o naaman_n believe_v the_o true_a god_n in_o his_o heart_n but_o by_o worship_v will_v seem_v not_o to_o believe_v lest_o he_o shall_v offend_v his_o king_n but_o here_o he_o suppose_v but_o prove_v not_o that_o naaman_n here_o
opinion_n of_o a_o god_n there_o will_v be_v no_o idolatry_n nor_o superstition_n but_o this_o argument_n as_o it_o be_v deficient_a in_o other_o respect_n so_o also_o be_v it_o in_o respect_n of_o time_n for_o the_o church_n on_o earth_n may_v have_v be_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o first_o four_o or_o five_o hundred_o year_n after_o his_o appearance_n in_o the_o world_n notwithstanding_o the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n for_o it_o then_o only_o begin_v to_o be_v a_o argument_n when_o the_o pope_n begin_v to_o arrogate_v so_o much_o power_n to_o himself_o and_o indeed_o mr._n hobbs_n have_v great_a reason_n to_o thank_v the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o afford_v he_o so_o much_o sophistical_a matter_n to_o stuff_v his_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n withal_o another_o artifice_n by_o which_o mr._n hobbs_n will_v disparage_v a_o truth_n that_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o oppose_v be_v with_o a_o philosophical_a gravity_n to_o feign_v a_o idle_a and_o ridiculous_a original_n to_o which_o judicious_o to_o ascribe_v it_o thus_o he_o fancy_v that_o aristotle_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o this_o or_o such_o like_a proposition_n homo_fw-la est_fw-la animal_n from_o the_o copula_fw-la in_o this_o proposition_n he_o take_v occasion_n first_o to_o assert_v separate_a essence_n celestial_a intelligence_n and_o humane_a soul_n leviat_fw-la latin_n p._n 320._o another_o instance_n he_o give_v of_o the_o false_a interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v the_o assert_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o its_o be_v real_o distinct_a from_o the_o body_n but_o now_o one_o will_v scarce_o desire_v a_o better_a argument_n for_o the_o proof_n thereof_o than_o the_o very_a answer_n he_o give_v to_o those_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v common_o allege_v for_o it_o so_o weak_a and_o frivolous_a many_o time_n be_v they_o eccles._n 12._o 7._o the_o spirit_n return_v to_o god_n that_o give_v it_o which_o word_n say_v he_o may_v suffer_v this_o interpretation_n but_o then_o they_o must_v undergo_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o pain_n and_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o patience_n if_o they_o suffer_v it_o one_o great_a defect_n which_o seem_v to_o run_v through_o all_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o interpretation_n of_o scripture_n be_v this_o that_o he_o suppose_v himsel_n on_o the_o defensive_a part_n and_o that_o all_o that_o he_o have_v to_o do_v be_v only_o to_o invent_v some_o frivolous_a evasion_n or_o put_v some_o force_a interpretation_n upon_o the_o place_n and_o then_o all_o be_v do_v whereas_o he_o ought_v positive_o to_o prove_v that_o that_o of_o his_o be_v the_o only_a true_a and_o genuine_a sense_n and_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n both_o from_o the_o general_o approve_v concurrent_a testimony_n of_o the_o best_a and_o pure_a age_n from_o the_o just_a and_o proper_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n by_o the_o best_a and_o most_o approve_a author_n from_o the_o general_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o the_o context_n and_o from_o the_o natural_a tendency_n that_o his_o sense_n and_o interpretation_n have_v to_o promote_v those_o noble_a end_n of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n in_o the_o world_n which_o god_n and_o christ_n design_v to_o carry_v on_o by_o the_o scripture_n none_o of_o which_o thing_n mr._n hobbs_n have_v as_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o do_v the_o spirit_n return_v to_o god_n that_o give_v it_o that_o be_v say_v he_o god_n only_o know_v whence_o it_o come_v and_o whither_o it_o go_v and_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o he_o have_v be_v true_a to_o his_o own_o interpretation_n but_o then_o how_o come_v he_o so_o positive_o to_o assert_v its_o mortality_n at_o present_a and_o at_o what_o period_n it_o must_v return_v again_o to_o life_n etc._n etc._n another_o place_n he_o say_v which_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v matt._n 22._o 32._o where_o our_o saviour_n affirm_v abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n to_o be_v alive_a to_o which_o he_o answer_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o alive_a but_o not_o actual_o but_o as_o by_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n they_o be_v sure_a of_o eternal_a life_n but_o he_o also_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o wicked_a be_v sure_a of_o eternal_a death_n and_o thus_o why_o may_v not_o the_o wicked_a be_v as_o proper_o say_v to_o be_v dead_a even_o while_o they_o be_v alive_a by_o virtue_n of_o the_o threaten_n as_o the_o righteous_a can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v alive_a by_o virtue_n of_o the_o promise_n even_o then_o when_o they_o be_v suppose_v not_o to_o be_v at_o all_o the_o sum_n of_o mr._n hobbs_n his_o opinion_n herein_o be_v this_o he_o suppose_v the_o soul_n not_o to_o be_v any_o thing_n real_o distinct_a from_o the_o body_n but_o that_o it_o be_v compose_v of_o the_o pure_a part_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o by_o consequence_n it_o die_v with_o the_o body_n not_o that_o it_o be_v annihilate_v for_o matter_n in_o this_o sense_n be_v immortal_a that_o be_v not_o natural_o capable_a of_o annihilation_n but_o that_o upon_o such_o grand_a indisposition_n of_o body_n which_o be_v call_v death_n the_o soul_n be_v render_v uncapable_a of_o such_o agitation_n and_o such_o reaction_n in_o which_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o live_a creature_n do_v consist_v so_o that_o according_a to_o this_o opinion_n a_o man_n can_v no_o more_o proper_o be_v say_v either_o to_o be_v alive_a or_o dead_a than_o quicksilver_n may_v for_o though_o it_o be_v not_o so_o organise_v as_o man_n body_n be_v though_o it_o have_v neither_o heart_n nor_o brain_n to_o transmit_v spirit_n to_o each_o other_o and_o though_o it_o have_v not_o the_o use_n of_o speech_n yet_o may_v it_o have_v a_o soul_n as_o real_o intelligent_a as_o that_o of_o we_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o this_o chapter_n be_v employ_v in_o confute_v or_o expose_v some_o opinion_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o notwithstanding_o his_o severe_a handle_v that_o church_n in_o some_o respect_n yet_o her_o authority_n be_v then_o value_v by_o he_o when_o she_o seem_v any_o way_n to_o favour_v his_o opinion_n thus_o he_o cite_v her_o authority_n to_o confirm_v his_o assertion_n that_o spirit_n be_v mere_a phantasm_n because_o she_o in_o her_o exorcism_n call_v they_o so_o i_o shall_v here_o only_o further_o observe_v how_o he_o have_v transform_v all_o the_o subject_n of_o satan_n into_o phantasm_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o kingdom_n of_o darkness_n and_o in_o the_o latter_a end_n thereof_o have_v allegorize_v all_o the_o officer_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o pope_n into_o mere_a hobgoblin_n that_o which_o give_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o employ_v my_o thought_n this_o way_n be_v those_o false_a opinion_n concern_v god_n those_o various_a mode_n of_o theism_n which_o now_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v nothing_o but_o epicurism_n and_o hobbianism_n transform_v into_o other_o i_o know_v not_o whether_o i_o may_v say_v into_o better_a shape_n now_o if_o what_o i_o here_o write_v may_v but_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o able_a pen_n more_o full_o to_o examine_v and_o confute_v those_o fatal_a principle_n and_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v rather_o than_o a_o good_a cause_n shall_v suffer_v by_o my_o ill_a management_n if_o these_o paper_n i_o say_v have_v this_o good_a effect_n i_o shall_v not_o then_o need_v to_o make_v any_o other_o apology_n but_o think_v my_o pain_n very_o well_o bestow_v finis_fw-la a_o appendix_n to_o the_o seven_o chapter_n i_o will_v not_o there_o be_v think_v in_o the_o least_o to_o favour_v that_o false_a and_o foolish_a that_o dangerous_a and_o destructive_a opinion_n of_o theism_n a_o opinion_n which_o grant_v indeed_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o natural_a religion_n but_o deny_v all_o divine_a revelation_n make_v to_o mankind_n afterward_o and_o thus_o it_o seem_v a_o composition_n of_o the_o worst_a ingredient_n incident_a to_o humane_a nature_n pride_n ignorance_n and_o ingratitude_n of_o pride_n as_o not_o due_o acknowledge_v the_o frailty_n of_o humane_a nature_n of_o ignorance_n as_o not_o full_o understand_v the_o true_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o lapse_v mankind_n of_o ingratitude_n as_o not_o thankful_o acknowledge_v the_o benefit_n of_o divine_a grace_n but_o second_o beside_o these_o there_o be_v other_o who_o grant_v a_o divine_a revelation_n make_v to_o man_n do_v yet_o so_o melt_v it_o down_o as_o it_o be_v below_o itself_o till_o it_o come_v to_o a_o equal_a temper_n with_o or_o very_o little_a exceed_v mere_a natural_a religion_n 3._o other_o who_o in_o word_n acknowledge_v a_o god_n but_o deny_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o a_o future_a state_n seem_v perfect_o to_o entertain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o epicurus_n as_o for_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n which_o these_o man_n so_o much_o idolise_v i_o shall_v grant_v to_o it_o as_o much_o