Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	great_a	reason_n	think_v	2,497	5	3.8907	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A29027	Some considerations about the reconcileableness of reason and religion by T.E., a lay-man ; to which is annex'd by the publisher, a discourse of Mr. Boyle, about the possibility of the resurrection.	Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Some physico-theological considerations about the possibility of the resurrection.	1675 (1675)	Wing E42A; Wing B4024; ESTC R16715	73,261	198

its_o attractive_a and_o directive_n power_n upon_o steel_n and_o iron_n as_o for_o the_o style_n i_o be_v rather_o shy_a than_o ambitious_a of_o bring_v in_o the_o thorn_n of_o the_o schoolman_n or_o the_o flower_n of_o rhetoric_n for_o the_o latter_a though_o they_o have_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n spring_v up_o under_o my_o pen_n i_o shall_v have_v think_v improper_a to_o be_v employ_v in_o so_o serious_a and_o philosophical_a a_o subject_n and_o as_o to_o the_o former_a i_o decline_v they_o in_o complaisance_n to_o the_o humour_n of_o my_o infidel_n who_o be_v general_o so_o prejudice_v against_o the_o schoolman_n that_o scarce_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v present_v they_o with_o more_o disadvantage_n than_o in_o a_o scholastic_a dress_n and_o a_o demonstration_n will_v scarce_o pass_v for_o a_o good_a argument_n with_o some_o of_o they_o if_o it_o be_v form_v into_o a_o syllogism_n in_o mode_n and_o figure_n that_o therefore_o which_o i_o chief_o aim_v at_o in_o my_o expression_n be_v significancy_n and_o clearness_n that_o my_o reader_n may_v see_v that_o i_o be_v willing_a to_o make_v he_o judge_v of_o the_o strength_n of_o my_o argument_n and_o will_v not_o put_v he_o to_o the_o trouble_n of_o divine_v in_o what_o it_o lay_v nor_o inveigle_v he_o by_o ornament_n of_o speech_n to_o think_v it_o great_a than_o it_o be_v i_o be_v also_o lead_v by_o my_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o by_o my_o inclination_n to_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o rail_v at_o my_o infidel_n and_o though_o i_o have_v some_o cause_n to_o think_v that_o many_o of_o they_o have_v their_o understanding_n debauch_v by_o their_o life_n and_o be_v seduce_v from_o the_o church_n not_o by_o diagoras_n or_o pyrrho_n but_o by_o bacchus_n and_o venus_n yet_o i_o treat_v they_o as_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v what_o they_o will_v be_v think_v friend_n to_o philosophy_n and_o be_v but_o a_o layman_n i_o do_v not_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o talk_v to_o they_o as_o out_o of_o a_o pulpit_n and_o threaten_v they_o with_o damnation_n unless_o they_o believe_v i_o but_o choose_v to_o discourse_v to_o they_o rather_o as_o to_o err_a virtuoso_n than_o wicked_a wretch_n this_o moderation_n that_o i_o have_v use_v towards_o they_o will_n i_o hope_v induce_v they_o to_o grant_v i_o two_o or_o three_o reasonable_a request_n whereof_o the_o first_o shall_v be_v that_o they_o will_v not_o make_v a_o final_a judgement_n of_o these_o paper_n till_o they_o have_v peruse_v they_o quite_o through_o especial_o have_v in_o their_o eye_n what_o be_v declare_v in_o the_o preamble_n where_o both_o the_o design_n and_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a discourse_n and_o what_o it_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v express_v the_o next_o thing_n i_o be_o to_o request_v of_o they_o and_o my_o reader_n be_v that_o they_o will_v not_o have_v the_o mean_a thought_n of_o my_o argument_n for_o not_o be_v propose_v with_o the_o confidence_n wherewith_o many_o writer_n be_v wont_a to_o recommend_v weak_a proof_n for_o i_o write_v to_o intelligent_a man_n and_z in_o the_o judgement_n of_o such_o i_o never_o observe_v that_o a_o demonstration_n cease_v to_o be_v think_v one_o for_o be_v modest_o propose_v but_o i_o have_v often_o know_v a_o good_a argument_n lose_v of_o its_o credit_n by_o the_o invidious_a title_n of_o a_o demonstration_n and_o i_o must_v further_o beg_v my_o reader_n to_o estimate_v my_o design_n in_o these_o paper_n by_o the_o title_n of_o they_o in_o which_o i_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o make_v religion_n trample_v upon_o reason_n but_o only_o to_o show_v the_o reconcileableness_n of_o the_o one_o to_o the_o other_o and_o the_o friendly_a agreement_n between_o they_o i_o be_o a_o person_n who_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o my_o honour_n and_o happiness_n to_o be_v both_o a_o man_n and_o a_o christian_a will_v neither_o write_v nor_o believe_v any_o thing_n that_o may_v misbecome_v i_o in_o either_o of_o those_o two_o capacity_n i_o be_o not_o a_o christian_a because_o it_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o my_o country_n and_o my_o friend_n nor_o because_o i_o be_o a_o stranger_n to_o the_o principle_n either_o of_o the_o atomical_a or_o the_o mechanical_a philosophy_n i_o admit_v no_o man_n opinion_n in_o the_o whole_a lump_n and_o have_v not_o scruple_v on_o occasion_n to_o own_o dissent_n from_o the_o generality_n of_o learned_a man_n whether_o philosopher_n or_o divine_n and_o when_o i_o choose_v to_o travel_v in_o the_o beat_a road_n it_o be_v not_o because_o i_o find_v it_o be_v the_o road_n but_o because_o i_o judge_v it_o be_v the_o way_n possible_o i_o shall_v have_v much_o few_o adversary_n if_o all_o those_o that_o yet_o be_v so_o have_v as_o attentive_o and_o impartial_o consider_v the_o point_n in_o controversy_n as_o i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o do_v they_o will_v then_o it_o be_v like_a have_v see_v that_o the_o question_v i_o handle_v be_v not_o whether_o rational_a being_n oughts_z to_o avoid_v unreasonable_a assent_n but_o whither_o when_o the_o historical_a and_o other_o moral_a proof_n clear_o sway_v the_o scale_n in_o favour_n of_o christianity_n we_o ought_v to_o fly_v from_o the_o difficulty_n that_o attend_v the_o grant_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o providence_n to_o hypothesis_n whether_o epicurean_a or_o other_o that_o be_v themselves_o encumber_v with_o confound_a difficulty_n on_o which_o account_n i_o conceive_v that_o the_o question_n between_o they_o and_o i_o be_v not_o whether_o they_o or_o i_o aught_o to_o submit_v to_o reason_n for_o we_o both_o agree_v in_o think_v ourselves_o bind_v to_o that_o but_o whether_o they_o or_o i_o submit_v to_o reason_v the_o fully_a inform_v and_o least_o bias_v by_o sensuality_n vanity_n or_o secular_a interest_n i_o reverence_n and_o cherish_v reason_n as_o much_o i_o hope_v as_o any_o of_o they_o but_o i_o will_v have_v reason_n practice_v ingenuity_n as_o well_o as_o curiosity_n and_o both_o industrious_o pry_v into_o thing_n within_o her_o sphere_n and_o frank_o acknowledge_v what_o no_o philosopher_n that_o consider_v will_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n beyond_o it_o and_o in_o these_o it_o be_v that_o i_o think_v it_o as_o well_o her_o duty_n to_o admit_v revelation_n as_o her_o happiness_n to_o have_v it_o propose_v to_o she_o and_o even_o as_o to_o revelation_n themselves_o i_o allow_v reason_n to_o judge_v of_o they_o before_o she_o judge_n by_o they_o the_o follow_a paper_n will_v i_o hope_v manifest_a that_o the_o main_a difference_n betwixt_o my_o adversary_n and_o i_o be_v that_o they_o judge_v upon_o particular_a difficulty_n and_o objection_n and_o i_o upon_o the_o whole_a matter_n and_o to_o conclude_v as_o i_o make_v use_n of_o my_o watch_n to_o estimate_v time_n when_o ever_o the_o sun_n be_v absent_a or_o cloud_v but_o when_o he_o shine_v clear_o forth_o i_o scruple_n not_o to_o correct_v and_o adjust_a my_o watch_n by_o his_o beam_n cast_v on_o a_o dial_n so_o wherever_o no_o better_a light_n be_v to_o be_v have_v i_o estimate_v truth_n by_o my_o own_o reason_n but_o where_o divine_a revelation_n can_v be_v consult_v i_o willing_o submit_v my_o fallible_a reason_n to_o the_o sure_a information_n afford_v by_o celestial_a light_n i_o shall_v here_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o long_a preface_n but_o that_o to_o the_o thing_n which_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v what_o i_o have_v write_v of_o my_o own_o i_o see_v it_o be_v requisite_a that_o i_o add_v a_o few_o word_n about_o what_o i_o quote_v from_o other_o writer_n especial_o because_o in_o this_o very_a preface_n i_o mention_v my_o have_v intend_v to_o entertain_v my_o friend_n with_o my_o own_o thought_n of_o the_o citation_n therefore_o that_o my_o reader_n will_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o follow_a paper_n i_o have_v this_o account_n to_o give_v he_o 1._o that_o i_o have_v write_v the_o consideration_n and_o distinction_n to_o which_o they_o be_v annex_v before_o i_o meet_v with_o these_o cite_a passage_n which_o i_o afterward_o insert_v in_o the_o margin_n and_o other_o vacant_a place_n of_o my_o epistle_n 2._o that_o these_o passage_n be_v not_o borrow_a from_o book_n that_o treat_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o of_o christian_a theology_n at_o all_o but_o be_v take_v from_o author_n that_o write_v of_o philosophical_a subject_n and_o be_v by_o i_o apply_v to_o i_o which_o be_v usual_o very_o distant_a from_o they_o 3._o if_o you_o then_o ask_v i_o why_o i_o make_v use_n of_o their_o authority_n and_o do_v not_o content_v myself_o with_o my_o own_o ratiocination_n i_o have_v this_o to_o answer_n that_o my_o design_n be_v to_o convince_v another_o who_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o look_v upon_o my_o authority_n and_o who_o i_o have_v cause_n to_o suspect_v to_o have_v entertain_v some_o prejudices_fw-la against_o any_o reason_n that_o shall_v

own_o fire_n of_o the_o cast_v up_o of_o new_a island_n in_o the_o sea_n itself_o and_o other_o prodigy_n of_o too_o unquestionable_a truth_n for_o i_o know_v what_o work_n ignorance_n and_o superstition_n have_v make_v about_o other_o prodigy_n if_o they_o be_v attest_v but_o by_o slight_a and_o ordinary_a witness_n they_o will_v be_v judge_v incredible_a but_o we_o scruple_n not_o to_o believe_v they_o when_o the_o relation_n be_v attest_v with_o such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v the_o testimony_n as_o strong_a as_o the_o thing_n attest_v be_v strange_a if_o ever_o you_o have_v consider_v what_o clavius_n and_o divers_a other_o geometrician_n teach_v upon_o the_o sixteenth_o proposition_n of_o the_o three_o book_n of_o euclid_n which_o contain_v a_o theorem_fw-la about_o the_o tangent_fw-la and_o the_o circumference_n of_o a_o circle_n you_o can_v but_o have_v take_v notice_n that_o there_o be_v scarce_o great_a paradox_n deliver_v by_o philosopher_n or_o divine_n than_o you_o will_v find_v assert_v by_o geomatrician_n themselves_o and_o though_o of_o late_a the_o learned_a jesuit_n tacquet_n and_o some_o rigid_a mathematician_n have_v question_v divers_a of_o those_o thing_n yet_o even_o what_o some_o of_o these_o severe_a examiner_n confess_v to_o be_v geometrical_o demonstrable_a from_o that_o proposition_n contain_v thing_n so_o strange_a that_o philosopher_n themselves_o that_o be_v not_o well_o acquaint_v with_o that_o proposition_n and_o its_o corollary_n can_v scarce_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o other_o than_o incomprehensible_a or_o at_o least_o incredible_a thing_n which_o yet_o as_o improbable_a as_o they_o be_v consider_v in_o themselves_o even_o rigid_a demonstrator_n refuse_v not_o to_o admit_v because_o the●_n be_v legitimate_o deducible_a from_o a_o acknowledge_v truth_n and_o so_o also_o among_o the_o magnetical_a phaenomena_n there_o be_v divers_a thing_n which_o be_v naked_o propose_v must_v seem_v altogether_o unfit_a to_o be_v believe_v as_o indeed_o have_v nothing_o like_o they_o in_o all_o nature_n whereas_o those_o that_o be_v verse_v in_o magnetic_a philosophy_n even_o before_o they_o have_v make_v particular_a trial_n of_o they_o will_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o credible_a because_o how_o great_a paradox_n soever_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o other_o they_o be_v consonant_a and_o consequent_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o magnetism_n who_o grand_a axiom_n from_o what_o cause_n soever_o magnetism_n be_v to_o be_v derive_v be_v sufficient_o manifest_a and_o therefore_o a_o magnetical_a philosopher_n will_v not_o though_o a_o ordinary_a philosopher_n will_v think_v it_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o one_o part_n of_o the_o same_o loadstone_n shall_v draw_v a_o needle_n to_o it_o and_o the_o other_o part_n drive_v the_o same_o needle_n from_o it_o and_o that_o the_o needle_n in_o a_o seaman_n compass_n after_o have_v be_v carry_v perhaps_o many_o hundred_o league_n through_o differ_v climate_n and_o in_o stormy_a weather_n without_o vary_v its_o declination_n may_v upon_o a_o sudden_a without_o any_o manifest_a cause_n point_n at_o some_o part_n of_o the_o orison_n several_a whole_a degree_n distant_a from_o that_o which_o it_o point_v to_o before_o to_o which_o may_v here_o be_v add_v divers_a other_o scarce_o credible_a thing_n which_o either_o other_o or_o i_o have_v try_v about_o magnetical_a body_n but_o i_o shall_v hereafter_o have_v occasion_n to_o take_v notice_n of_o some_o of_o they_o in_o a_o fit_a place_n wherefore_o when_o something_o deliver_v in_o or_o clear_o deduce_v from_o scripture_n be_v object_v against_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v we_o must_v not_o only_o consider_v whether_o if_o it_o be_v not_o deliver_v in_o that_o book_n we_o shall_v upon_o its_o own_o single_a account_n think_v it_o fit_a or_o unworthy_a to_o be_v believe_v but_o whether_o or_o no_o it_o be_v so_o improbable_a that_o it_o be_v more_o fit_a to_o be_v believe_v that_o all_o the_o proof_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v than_o that_o this_o thing_n which_o come_v manifest_o recommend_v to_o our_o belief_n by_o that_o authority_n be_v worthy_a to_o be_v admit_v i_o say_v manifest_o recommend_v by_o that_o authority_n because_o that_o if_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o clear_o deliver_v in_o scripture_n or_o be_v not_o clear_o and_o cogent_o deduce_v thence_o so_o far_o as_o that_o clearness_n be_v want_v so_o far_o the_o thing_n itself_o want_v of_o the_o full_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n to_o impose_v it_o on_o our_o assent_n perhaps_o it_o will_v procure_v what_o i_o have_v say_v the_o better_a reception_n if_o i_o add_v a_o couple_n of_o testimony_n not_o of_o any_o modern_a bigot_n no_o nor_o of_o any_o devout_a father_n of_o the_o church_n but_o of_o two_o modern_a author_n of_o sect_n and_o who_o in_o their_o kind_n have_v be_v think_v extreme_o subtle_a reasoner_n and_o no_o less_o rigid_a exacter_n of_o reason_n in_o whatever_o they_o admit_v the_o first_o passage_n i_o shall_v allege_v be_v the_o confession_n of_o socinus_n who_o in_o his_o second_o epistle_n to_o andrea_n dudithius_n speak_v thus_o jam_fw-la verò_fw-la ut_fw-la rem_fw-la in_o pauca_fw-la conferam_fw-la quod_fw-la ad_fw-la meas_fw-la aliorúmve_fw-la opiniones_fw-la quae_fw-la novitatis_fw-la praese_n ferunt_fw-la speciem_fw-la attinet_fw-la mihi_fw-la ita_fw-la videtur_fw-la si_fw-la detur_fw-la scripture_n be_o sacram_fw-la ejus_fw-la esse_fw-la authoritatis_fw-la ut_fw-la nullo_n modo_fw-la ei_fw-la contradici_fw-la possit_fw-la ao_o the_o interpretatione_n illius_fw-la omnis_fw-la duntaxat_fw-la sit_fw-la scrupulus_fw-la which_o he_o allow_v nihil_fw-la utut_o verisimile_fw-la aut_fw-la ratione_fw-la conclusum_fw-la videatur_fw-la afferri_fw-la contra_fw-la eas_fw-la possit_fw-la quod_fw-la ullarum_fw-la sit_fw-la virium_fw-la quotiescunque_fw-la illae_fw-la sententiis_fw-la atque_fw-la verbis_fw-la illius_fw-la libri_fw-la aut_fw-la rationibus_fw-la liquidò_fw-la inde_fw-la deduct_v be_v probatae_fw-la atque_fw-la assertae_fw-la fuerint_fw-la which_o confession_n of_o socinus_n be_v surpass_v by_o that_o of_o his_o champion_n smalcius_n to_o be_v produce_v elsewhere_o in_o this_o paper_n the_o other_o passage_n i_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o excellent_a mounseur_fw-fr des_fw-mi cartes's_fw-fr principle_n of_o philosophy_n 35._o part._n 2._o artic._n 34_o 35._o where_o discourse_v of_o the_o either_o infinite_a or_o indefinite_a division_n of_o the_o particle_n of_o matter_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o make_v they_o fill_v exact_o all_o the_o differ_o figure_v space_n through_o which_o various_a motion_n do_v sometime_o make_v they_o pass_v he_o confess_v as_o he_o well_o may_v that_o the_o point_n be_v exceed_o abstruse_a and_o yet_o conclude_v et_fw-la quamvis_fw-la quomodo_fw-la fiat_fw-la indefinita_fw-la ista_fw-la divisio_fw-la cogitation_n comprehendere_fw-la nequeamus_fw-la non_fw-la ideo_fw-la tamen_fw-la debemus_fw-la dubitare_fw-la quin_fw-la fiat_fw-la quia_fw-la clarè_v percipimus_fw-la ill_a be_o necessario_fw-la sequi_fw-la ex_fw-la natura_fw-la materiae_fw-la nobis_fw-la evidentissimè_fw-la cognitâ_fw-la etc._n etc._n and_o in_o this_o place_n it_o may_v be_v seasonable_a as_o well_o as_o pertinent_a to_o take_v notice_n of_o three_o or_o four_o particular_n which_o though_o they_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n imply_v in_o the_o former_a general_a consideration_n yet_o deserve_v to_o be_v distinct_o inculcate_v here_o both_o for_o their_o importance_n and_o because_o they_o may_v as_o well_o be_v deduce_v as_o corollary_n from_o the_o forego_n discourse_n as_o be_v confirm_v by_o the_o proof_n i_o shall_v add_v to_o each_o of_o they_o of_o these_o the_o first_o shall_v be_v this_o that_o we_o must_v not_o present_o conclude_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n because_o learned_a man_n profess_v or_o even_o complain_v that_o they_o be_v not_o able_a clear_o to_o comprehend_v it_o provide_v there_o be_v competent_a proof_n that_o it_o be_v true_a and_o the_o thing_n be_v primary_n or_o heteroclite_n for_o it_o be_v not_o always_o necessary_a to_o the_o make_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o thing_n rational_a that_o we_o have_v such_o a_o comprehension_n of_o the_o thing_n believe_v as_o may_v be_v have_v and_o just_o require_v in_o ordinary_a case_n since_o we_o may_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n not_o only_o by_o argument_n suggest_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o clear_o understand_v by_o we_o but_o by_o the_o external_a testimony_n of_o such_o a_o witness_n as_o we_o know_v will_v not_o deceive_v we_o and_o can_v at_o least_o in_o our_o case_n be_v reasonable_o suspect_v to_o be_v himself_o deceive_v and_o therefore_o it_o may_v in_o some_o case_n suffice_v to_o make_v our_o belief_n rational_a that_o we_o clear_o discern_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o a_o thing_n be_v true_a whether_o that_o reason_n spring_n from_o the_o evidence_n and_o cogency_n of_o the_o extrinsic_a motive_n we_o have_v to_o believe_v or_o from_o the_o proof_n suggest_v to_o we_o by_o what_o we_o know_v of_o the_o

shall_v be_v true_a than_o that_o so_o many_o well_o attest_v miracle_n allege_v by_o the_o ancient_a christian_n shall_v be_v false_a and_o that_o god_n who_o be_v the_o author_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o man_n for_o so_o much_o i_o think_v may_v be_v physical_o prove_v shall_v leave_v man_n who_o he_o have_v so_o fit_v and_o by_o benefit_n and_o internal_a law_n oblige_v to_o worship_v he_o without_o any_o express_a direction_n how_o to_o do_v it_o and_o that_o 2_o if_o there_o be_v any_o true_a religion_n the_o christian_n be_v the_o most_o likely_a to_o be_v that_o in_o regard_n not_o only_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o its_o doctrine_n and_o promise_n but_o of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n that_o bare_a witness_n to_o it_o the_o record_n of_o which_o be_v make_v by_o honest_a plain_a man_n who_o teach_v and_o practise_v the_o strict_a virtue_n and_o who_o know_v their_o religion_n condemn_v lie_v free_o join_v their_o doctrine_n and_o narrative_n with_o their_o blood_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v so_o manifest_a in_o the_o time_n when_o they_o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v that_o the_o evidence_n seem_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o convert_v whole_a nation_n and_o among_o they_o many_o considerable_a and_o prudent_a person_n who_o have_v great_a opportunity_n as_o well_o as_o concern_v to_o examine_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o who_o be_v by_o their_o interest_n and_o education_n so_o indispose_v to_o embrace_v christianity_n that_o to_o make_v a_o sincere_a profession_n of_o it_o they_o must_v necessary_o relinquish_v both_o their_o former_a religion_n and_o their_o former_a vice_n and_o venturous_o expose_v for_o it_o not_o only_o their_o fortune_n but_o their_o life_n if_o it_o be_v here_o object_v that_o it_o be_v very_o harsh_a if_o not_o unreasonable_a to_o exact_v upon_o so_o great_a penalty_n as_o damnation_n so_o firm_a a_o assent_n as_o be_v requisite_a to_o faith_n to_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v either_o obscure_o deliver_v or_o have_v not_o their_o truth_n demonstrative_o make_v out_o i_o answer_v that_o whatever_o other_o may_v think_v i_o do_v believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o degree_n of_o faith_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o be_v not_o suitable_a to_o the_o evidence_n that_o man_n may_v have_v of_o it_o if_o they_o be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o through_o laziness_n prejudices_fw-la vice_n passion_n interest_n or_o some_o other_o culpable_a defect_n for_o consider_v that_o god_n be_v just_a and_o gracious_a and_o have_v be_v please_v to_o promulgate_v the_o gospel_n that_o man_n who_o it_o suppose_v to_o act_v as_o such_o that_o be_v as_o rational_a creature_n shall_v be_v bring_v to_o salvation_n by_o it_o i_o see_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o think_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o make_v any_o thing_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n that_o they_o may_v not_o so_o far_o clear_o understand_v as_o they_o be_v command_v distinct_o and_o explicit_o to_o believe_v it_o and_o what_o be_v not_o so_o deliver_v i_o shall_v for_o that_o very_a reason_n unwilling_o admit_v to_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o you_o may_v here_o remember_v that_o i_o former_o tell_v you_o i_o be_v far_o from_o think_v all_o the_o tenant_n either_o of_o the_o school_n or_o of_o particular_a church_n to_o be_v so_o much_o as_o christian_a verity_n and_o therefore_o be_o very_o unlike_a to_o allow_v they_o here_o to_o be_v fundamental_a and_o necessary_a one_o and_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v almost_o as_o great_a as_o common_a a_o mistake_n that_o all_o the_o doctrine_n that_o concern_v fundamental_a article_n must_v be_v fundamental_a too_o as_o if_o because_o the_o head_n be_v a_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o body_n and_o essential_a to_o life_n therefore_o all_o the_o hair_n that_o grow_v upon_o it_o must_v be_v think_v such_o too_o but_o then_o as_o to_o the_o absolute_a firmness_n of_o assent_n that_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v exact_v by_o christianity_n to_o the_o article_n it_o deliver_v i_o be_o not_o sure_a that_o it_o be_v so_o necessary_a in_o all_o case_n to_o true_a and_o save_a faith_n as_o very_o many_o take_v it_o to_o be_v for_o first_o the_o scripture_n itself_o tell_v we_o that_o some_o of_o the_o truth_n it_o reveal_v be_v unfathomable_a mystery_n and_o some_o other_o point_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d hard_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o the_o high_a firmness_n of_o assent_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o such_o article_n or_o to_o those_o part_n of_o they_o as_o their_o obscurity_n keep_v we_o from_o have_v so_o much_o reason_n to_o think_v that_o we_o clear_o understand_v they_o as_o we_o have_v to_o suppose_v we_o understand_v those_o that_o be_v far_o more_o plain_o reveal_v and_o second_o to_o speak_v more_o general_o it_o be_v harsh_a to_o say_v that_o the_o same_o degree_n of_o faith_n be_v necessary_a to_o all_o person_n since_o man_n natural_a capacity_n and_o disposition_n and_o their_o education_n and_o the_o opportunity_n they_o have_v have_v of_o be_v inform_v do_v very_o much_o yet_o perhaps_o not_o culpable_o dispose_v some_o more_o than_o other_o to_o be_v diffident_a and_o apt_a to_o haesitate_n and_o frame_v doubt_n and_o the_o same_o argument_n may_v appear_v evident_a enough_o to_o one_o man_n to_o make_v it_o his_o duty_n to_o believe_v firm_o what_o they_o persuade_v which_o in_o another_o natural_o more_o sceptical_a or_o better_o acquaint_v with_o the_o difficulty_n and_o objection_n urge_v by_o the_o opposite_a party_n may_v leave_v some_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n excusable_a enough_o and_o when_o either_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o be_v not_o clear_o deliver_v or_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o that_o a_o man_n can_v yet_o meet_v with_o be_v not_o full_o cogent_a for_o that_o man_n not_o to_o give_v such_o truth_n the_o same_o degree_n of_o assent_n that_o demonstration_n may_v produce_v be_v not_o as_o many_o interpret_v it_o a_o affront_n to_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n since_o he_o may_v be_v hearty_o dispose_v and_o ready_a to_o believe_v all_o that_o shall_v appear_v to_o he_o to_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n and_o only_a doubt_n whether_o the_o thing_n propose_v be_v indeed_o reveal_v by_o he_o or_o whether_o the_o diffident_a party_n right_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o these_o word_n wherein_o the_o revelation_n be_v contain_v which_o be_v not_o to_o distrust_v god_n but_o himself_o and_o that_o in_o some_o case_n a_o degree_n of_o faith_n not_o exempt_a from_o doubt_n may_v through_o god_n goodness_n be_v accept_v we_o may_v learn_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o who_o be_v so_o much_o in_o christ_n favour_n make_v it_o their_o prayer_n to_o he_o that_o he_o will_v increase_v their_o faith_n and_o he_o that_o beg_v that_o if_o he_o can_v do_v any_o thing_n for_o his_o son_n and_o cry_v out_o lord_z i_o believe_v help_v thou_o my_o unbelief_n be_v so_o far_o accept_v by_o that_o merciful_a high_a priest_n who_o be_v apt_a to_o be_v touch_v with_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o infirmity_n that_o his_o request_n be_v grant_v though_o it_o can_v not_o be_v so_o but_o by_o have_v a_o miracle_n do_v in_o his_o favour_n the_o disciple_n distress_v by_o a_o storm_n and_o cry_v to_o their_o master_n as_o think_v themselves_o upon_o the_o very_a point_n of_o perish_v be_v save_v by_o he_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o he_o give_v they_o the_o epithet_n of_o man_n of_o little_a faith_n and_o at_o another_o time_n peter_n walk_v upon_o the_o sea_n though_o he_o have_v lose_v a_o degree_n of_o that_o faith_n that_o make_v he_o first_o engage_v upon_o that_o adventure_n and_o be_v reprove_v for_o it_o by_o christ_n be_v yet_o rescue_v from_o that_o sink_a condition_n which_o both_o he_o and_o his_o faith_n be_v in_o and_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o the_o gospel_n of_o a_o faith_n which_o though_o no_o big_a than_o a_o grain_n of_o mustardseed_n may_v enable_v a_o man_n to_o remove_v mountain_n and_o though_o this_o passage_n speak_v not_o primary_o of_o justify_v faith_n yet_o still_o it_o may_v serve_v to_o show_v that_o degree_n of_o assent_n far_o short_a of_o the_o great_a may_v be_v so_o far_o accept_v by_o god_n as_o to_o be_v own_v by_o miraculous_a exertion_n of_o his_o power_n for_o the_o faith_n then_o that_o be_v make_v a_o necessary_a condition_n under_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o genuine_a fruit_n and_o scope_n of_o it_o be_v obedience_n so_o it_o be_v not_o indispensable_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o exclude_v doubt_n but_o refusal_n and_o though_o the_o assent_n be_v not_o so_o strong_a as_o may_v be_v produce_v by_o a_o demonstration_n yet_o it_o may_v be_v gracious_o accept_v if_o it_o be_v but_o strong_a enough_o to_o produce_v obedience_n and_o according_o whereas_o paul_n in_o one_o place_n declare_v

come_v from_o one_o that_o confess_o aim_v at_o the_o defend_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o think_v it_o very_o proper_a and_o expedient_a to_o let_v he_o see_v that_o divers_a of_o the_o same_o thing_n for_o substance_n that_o i_o deliver_v in_o favour_n of_o that_o religion_n have_v be_v teach_v as_o philosophical_a truth_n by_o man_n that_o be_v not_o profess_a divine_n and_o be_v philosopher_n and_o such_o strict_a naturalist_n too_o as_o to_o be_v extraordinary_o careful_a not_o to_o take_v any_o thing_n into_o their_o philosophy_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o revelation_n and_o on_o this_o occasion_n let_v i_o observe_v to_o you_o that_o there_o be_v some_o argument_n which_o be_v clear_o build_v upon_o sense_n or_o evident_a experiment_n need_v borrow_v no_o assistance_n from_o the_o refutation_n of_o any_o of_o the_o proposer_n or_o approver_n and_o may_v i_o think_v be_v fit_o enough_o compare_v to_o arrow_n shoot_v out_o of_o a_o cross-bow_n or_o bullet_n shoot_v out_o of_o a_o gun_n which_o have_v the_o same_o strength_n and_o pierce_v equal_o whether_o they_o be_v discharge_v by_o a_o child_n or_o a_o strong_a man._n but_o then_o there_o be_v other_o ratiocination_n which_o either_o do_v or_o be_v suppose_v to_o depend_v in_o some_o measure_n upon_o the_o judgement_n and_o skill_n of_o those_o that_o make_v the_o observation_n whereon_o they_o be_v ground_v and_o their_o ability_n to_o discern_v truth_n from_o counterfeit_n and_o solid_a thing_n from_o those_o that_o be_v but_o superficial_a one_o and_o these_o may_v be_v compare_v to_o arrow_n shoot_v out_o of_o a_o longbow_n which_o make_v much_o the_o great_a impression_n by_o be_v shoot_v by_o a_o strong_a and_o skilful_a archer_n and_o therefore_o when_o we_o question_v what_o doctrine_n ought_v or_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v think_v reasonable_a it_o do_v not_o a_o little_a facilitate_v a_o proposition_n appear_v not_o contrary_a but_o consonant_a to_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o such_o by_o those_o that_o be_v acknowledge_v the_o master_n of_o that_o faculty_n errata_fw-la pag._n 38._o line_n 6._o read_v of_o for_o or_o ib._n l._n 9_o deal_n all_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o that_o whole_a parenthesis_n ib._n l._n 19_o the_o discourse_n begin_v in_o that_o line_n with_o the_o word_n if_o no_o body_n and_o end_v p._n 43._o l._n 7._o with_o the_o word_n contiguous_a and_o move_v be_v to_o be_v include_v between_o two_o sign_n of_o a_o parathesis_n p._n 43._o l._n 18._o del_o parenthesis_n before_o the_o word_n as_o be_v and_o put_v it_o l._n 20._o before_o the_o word_n and._n some_o consideration_n about_o the_o reconcileableness_n of_o reason_n &_o religion_n the_o first_o part._n as_o to_o what_o you_o write_v in_o your_o friend_n name_n near_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o first_o page_n of_o your_o letter_n perhaps_o i_o shall_v not_o mistake_v if_o i_o guess_v that_o when_o he_o seem_v but_o to_o propose_v a_o question_n he_o mean_v a_o objection_n and_o covert_o intimate_v that_o i_o among_o many_o other_o be_o reduce_v to_o that_o pass_n that_o to_o embrace_v our_o religion_n we_o must_v renounce_v our_o reason_n and_o consequent_o that_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n one_o must_v cease_v to_o be_v a_o man_n and_o much_o more_o leave_v off_o be_v a_o philosopher_n what_o liberal_a concession_n soever_o some_o other_o have_v be_v please_v to_o make_v on_o such_o a_o occasion_n as_o this_o they_o do_v not_o concern_v i_o who_o be_v ask_v but_o my_o own_o opinion_n do_v not_o think_v myself_o responsible_a for_o that_o of_o other_o and_o therefore_o that_o i_o may_v frame_v my_o answer_n so_o as_o to_o meet_v both_o with_o the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o the_o question_n and_o the_o intimate_v meaning_n of_o he_o that_o propose_v it_o i_o shall_v roundly_o make_v a_o negative_a reply_n and_o say_v that_o i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v true_o so_o be_v oblige_v to_o forego_v his_o reason_n either_o by_o deny_v the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n or_o by_o lay_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o it_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o this_o answer_n be_v differ_v enough_o from_o what_o your_o friend_n expect_v and_o perhaps_o those_o grant_n that_o have_v be_v make_v by_o the_o indulgence_n or_o inadvertency_n of_o many_o person_n eminent_a for_o be_v pious_a or_o learned_a may_v make_v you_o yourself_o startle_v at_o this_o declaration_n and_o therefore_o though_o you_o will_v not_o i_o know_v expect_v a_o answer_n to_o what_o objection_n your_o friend_n may_v make_v since_o he_o have_v express_v but_o what_o he_o think_v aught_o to_o be_v a_o christian_n opinion_n not_o what_o he_o have_v to_o object_v against_o what_o be_v so_o yet_o to_o satisfy_v those_o scruple_n that_o you_o yourself_o may_v retain_v i_o shall_v endeavour_v but_o with_o the_o brevity_n that_o become_v a_o letter_n to_o acquaint_v you_o by_o themselves_o with_o some_o of_o the_o positive_a inducement_n that_o have_v lead_v i_o to_o this_o opinion_n and_o interweave_v some_o other_o in_o answer_v the_o chief_a objection_n that_o i_o think_v likely_a to_o be_v make_v against_o it_o and_o this_o preamble_n short_a as_o it_o be_v will_n i_o hope_v serve_v to_o keep_v you_o from_o mistake_v my_o design_n which_o as_o you_o may_v gather_v from_o what_o i_o have_v intimate_v be_v not_o to_o give_v you_o the_o positive_a proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v not_o here_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o a_o bare_a defendant_n but_o to_o give_v you_o some_o specimen_n of_o such_o general_a consideration_n as_o may_v probable_o show_v that_o the_o matter_n or_o essential_a doctrine_n peculiar_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o so_o repugnant_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o true_a natural_a philosophy_n as_o that_o to_o believe_v they_o a_o man_n must_v cease_v to_o act_v like_o a_o rational_a man_n any_o more_o than_o he_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o do_v by_o embrace_v other_o religion_n or_o even_o the_o tenant_n that_o have_v be_v hold_v without_o disparagement_n to_o their_o intellectual_n by_o the_o mere_a philosopher_n themselves_o which_o last_o clause_n i_o add_v because_o i_o presume_v you_o do_v not_o expect_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v solicitous_a to_o vindicate_v the_o christian_n belief_n of_o a_o deity_n from_o be_v irrational_a since_o beside_o that_o perhaps_o your_o friend_n will_v think_v himself_o affront_v to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o a_o atheist_n without_o have_v profess_v himself_o one_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o a_o deity_n blemish_n the_o christian_n reason_n no_o more_o than_o it_o do_v that_o of_o man_n of_o all_o religion_n not_o to_o say_v of_o all_o mankind_n and_o import_v no_o other_o contradiction_n to_o reason_n than_o what_o have_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v none_o at_o all_o by_o the_o great_a if_o not_o by_o all_o of_o the_o philosopher_n that_o be_v fame_v for_o be_v guide_v by_o reason_n without_o revelation_n and_o i_o shall_v venture_v to_o add_v upon_o the_o by_o that_o as_o i_o do_v not_o for_o my_o own_o part_n think_v the_o atheist_n philosophical_a objection_n if_o your_o friend_n have_v produce_v they_o to_o be_v near_o so_o considerable_a for_o weight_n or_o number_n as_o not_o only_o those_o few_o that_o deny_v a_o god_n but_o many_o of_o those_o that_o believe_v one_o be_v wont_a to_o think_v so_o the_o christian_n be_v not_o reduce_v as_o be_v imagine_v to_o make_v the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n a_o mere_a postulatum_fw-la since_o beside_o the_o philosophical_a argument_n he_o can_v allege_v in_o common_a with_o the_o best_a champion_n for_o a_o deity_n he_o have_v a_o peculiar_a historical_a proof_n that_o may_v suffice_v the_o miracle_n perform_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n be_v such_o that_o if_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v as_o it_o may_v be_v well_o evince_v they_o will_v not_o only_o prove_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o in_o the_o first_o place_n that_o there_o must_v be_v a_o god_n to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o though_o of_o the_o two_o thing_n which_o my_o design_n oblige_v i_o to_o endeavor_n the_o make_v good_a of_o the_o most_o natural_a order_n seem_v to_o be_v that_o i_o shall_v first_o show_v that_o no_o precept_n of_o christianity_n do_v command_v a_o man_n to_o lay_v aside_o his_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o then_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n itself_o that_o make_v a_o man_n need_v to_o do_v so_o yet_o i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o in_o treat_v of_o these_o two_o subject_n to_o invert_v the_o order_n and_o first_o consider_v that_o difficulty_n which_o be_v the_o principal_a and_o which_o your_o friend_n and_o you_o joint_o desire_v to_o have_v my_o thought_n of_o namely_o whether_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n