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man_n we_o be_v now_o argue_v with_o will_v not_o allow_v this_o to_o be_v a_o good_a account_n of_o the_o loss_n of_o such_o very_a valuable_a book_n as_o they_o think_v these_o anti-gospel_n history_n be_v let_v they_o find_v out_o a_o better_a but_o i_o be_o sure_a that_o that_o before_o suggest_v by_o they_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v by_o design_n the_o first_o christian_n purposely_o abolish_n and_o destroy_v all_o testimony_n and_o record_n that_o make_v against_o they_o be_v a_o much_o worse_a account_n of_o it_o and_o infinite_o more_o improbable_a than_o that_o which_o i_o have_v give_v for_o it_o must_v be_v suppose_v either_o that_o these_o anti-gospel_n history_n be_v write_v very_o early_o as_o soon_o almost_o as_o the_o gospel_n history_n be_v publish_v by_o the_o preach_a or_o write_v
evidence_n of_o his_o own_o sense_n but_o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n luke_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v be_v not_o of_o this_o sort_n he_o himself_o do_v not_o pretend_v that_o the_o matter_n by_o he_o record_v be_v of_o his_o own_o knowledge_n he_o only_o say_v 3._o luke_n 1.2_o 3._o he_o have_v perfect_a understanding_n of_o they_o from_o the_o very_a first_o from_o those_o who_o from_o the_o beginning_n be_v eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n and_o of_o some_o few_o matter_n record_v by_o the_o other_o evangelist_n the_o same_o must_v likewise_o be_v grant_v particular_o of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v before_o they_o be_v call_v to_o be_v apostle_n of_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o it_o be_v most_o probable_a they_o be_v not_o matter_n of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o record_v they_o only_o upon_o credible_a information_n from_o other_o but_o when_o it_o be_v consider_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o there_o be_v very_o few_o thing_n relate_v by_o st._n luke_n which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o the_o other_o gospel_n his_o testimony_n that_o he_o have_v perfect_a information_n of_o the_o thing_n he_o have_v record_v from_o several_a eye-witness_n add_v a_o degree_n of_o credibility_n even_o to_o the_o other_o gospel_n and_o be_v a_o good_a corroborate_n evidence_n of_o their_o truth_n and_o all_o the_o matter_n record_v by_o he_o or_o the_o other_o evangelist_n only_o upon_o information_n of_o other_o must_v be_v grant_v to_o be_v more_o credible_a than_o the_o matter_n of_o most_o other_o ancient_a history_n of_o good_a credit_n be_v if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o former_a discourse_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o the_o thing_n record_v particular_o that_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o may_v be_v most_o certain_o know_v and_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o best_a attestation_n and_o that_o they_o be_v thing_n do_v in_o the_o same_o age_n and_o in_o the_o same_o country_n in_o which_o they_o live_v who_o have_v write_v the_o history_n thereof_o and_o what_o have_v be_v say_v be_v i_o hope_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o good_a capacity_n the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a part_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v in_o to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o have_v record_v most_o of_o they_o be_v such_o as_o it_o be_v probable_a three_o of_o the_o evangelist_n as_o two_o of_o they_o without_o all_o dispute_n be_v eye_n witness_n of_o and_o the_o rest_n such_o as_o they_o may_v have_v certain_a information_n of_o from_o several_a person_n then_o alive_a and_o well_o able_a to_o witness_v the_o same_o of_o the_o ability_n then_o of_o these_o author_n to_o write_v a_o true_a history_n of_o these_o matter_n i_o think_v there_o can_v be_v no_o reasonable_a doubt_n and_o that_o there_o be_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o their_o honesty_n and_o faithfulness_n will_v in_o part_n appear_v if_o we_o consider_v in_o the_o three_o place_n 3_o the_o strong_a obligation_n they_o be_v under_o to_o write_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o their_o knowledge_n or_o information_n now_o the_o obligation_n that_o man_n be_v under_o to_o speak_v or_o write_v truth_n may_v be_v reduce_v to_o two_o head_n honour_n and_o conscience_n by_o both_o which_o the_o evangelical_n writer_n be_v more_o strong_o oblige_v to_o truth_n in_o their_o relation_n than_o common_o other_o historian_n be_v 1._o one_o obligation_n that_o lie_v on_o all_o man_n to_o speak_v or_o write_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v true_a be_v honour_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o that_o be_v general_o account_v more_o base_a or_o dishonourable_a than_o to_o tell_v a_o lie_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o by_o those_o who_o stand_v most_o upon_o their_o honour_n be_v think_v more_o reflect_v and_o disparage_v and_o more_o necessary_a to_o be_v resent_v as_o a_o high_a affront_n than_o to_o have_v the_o lie_v give_v they_o what_o therefore_o be_v general_o think_v to_o be_v a_o great_a reproach_n it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v presume_v unless_o the_o contrary_n appear_v a_o man_n will_v be_v careful_a to_o avoid_v by_o not_o give_v any_o just_a occasion_n to_o have_v it_o cast_v upon_o he_o and_o this_o be_v one_o ground_n of_o that_o great_a credit_n that_o be_v general_o give_v to_o ancient_a history_n it_o be_v presume_v unless_o there_o be_v evident_a cause_n to_o think_v otherwise_o that_o the_o author_n of_o they_o be_v man_n of_o so_o much_o honour_n and_o that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o reproach_n and_o discredit_v that_o it_o will_v be_v to_o they_o to_o be_v find_v out_o in_o a_o lie_n as_o make_v they_o careful_a not_o to_o record_v any_o thing_n as_o a_o certain_a truth_n but_o what_o they_o have_v good_a knowledge_n or_o information_n of_o but_o that_o this_o obligation_n to_o truth_n be_v strong_a on_o the_o author_n of_o the_o evangelical_n history_n than_o on_o most_o other_o historian_n be_v abundant_o evident_a from_o what_o be_v note_v the_o last_o time_n concern_v the_o nature_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o thing_n by_o they_o relate_v and_o of_o their_o history_n of_o they_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o most_o other_o ancient_a history_n be_v such_o that_o the_o historian_n may_v report_v many_o thing_n untrue_o or_o upon_o slight_a information_n and_o yet_o be_v pretty_a well_o assure_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v repute_v liar_n because_o the_o matter_n record_v by_o they_o be_v thing_n either_o do_v in_o some_o place_n a_o good_a way_n of_o or_o in_o some_o time_n long_o before_o or_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o but_o few_o person_n they_o may_v know_v that_o none_o of_o those_o into_o who_o hand_n their_o history_n will_v fall_v will_v be_v in_o a_o capacity_n to_o contradict_v they_o though_o they_o be_v false_a or_o they_o may_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o their_o reader_n will_v rather_o acquiesce_v in_o their_o report_n than_o travel_n so_o far_o or_o take_v so_o much_o pain_n as_o they_o must_v have_v do_v to_o disprove_v it_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n to_o their_o reader_n whether_o their_o report_n be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o in_o the_o gospel_n history_n the_o case_n be_v quite_o otherwise_o and_o the_o historian_n themselves_o can_v not_o but_o know_v that_o it_o be_v so_o for_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o concern_v to_o find_v out_o some_o falsity_n in_o it_o and_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o that_o will_v have_v take_v any_o pain_n to_o have_v do_v it_o and_o yet_o the_o matter_n relate_v by_o the_o evangelist_n and_o their_o manner_n of_o relate_v they_o be_v such_o that_o their_o history_n if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a in_o any_o particular_a may_v have_v be_v disprove_v with_o the_o great_a ease_n without_o be_v at_o any_o pain_n to_o do_v it_o because_o most_o of_o those_o into_o who_o hand_n it_o first_o come_v will_v either_o have_v know_v it_o to_o be_v false_a or_o will_v ready_o have_v be_v tell_v that_o it_o be_v so_o by_o abundance_n of_o person_n that_o can_v of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n have_v contradict_v it_o so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o evangelist_n have_v any_o regard_n at_o all_o to_o their_o own_o reputation_n it_o can_v be_v imagine_v either_o that_o they_o do_v record_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o their_o knowledge_n or_o that_o in_o matter_n that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n they_o neglect_v to_o get_v the_o best_a information_n and_o intelligence_n that_o can_v be_v have_v because_o if_o they_o have_v do_v either_o of_o these_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o hope_v to_o escape_v be_v censure_v as_o the_o most_o notorious_a and_o shameless_a liar_n that_o ever_o write_v but_o 2._o the_o strong_a obligation_n that_o lie_v on_o all_o man_n to_o speak_v or_o write_v nothing_o but_o the_o truth_n be_v conscience_n and_o the_o sense_n that_o all_o man_n be_v suppose_v to_o have_v of_o the_o natural_a turpitude_n of_o a_o lie_n be_v the_o chief_a ground_n of_o that_o very_a great_a credit_n that_o we_o give_v to_o humane_a testimony_n in_o case_n of_o the_o great_a concern_v and_o consequence_n but_o this_o obligation_n to_o truth_n be_v likewise_o strong_a on_o the_o author_n of_o the_o evangelical_n history_n than_o on_o most_o other_o historian_n it_o be_v indeed_o so_o very_o strong_a that_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o evident_a proof_n of_o their_o falsity_n can_v justify_v the_o entertain_v so_o much_o as_o a_o suspicion_n of_o it_o for_o to_o speak_v and_o write_v the_o truth_n be_v what_o they_o be_v oblige_v to_o not_o only_o by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n to_o which_o all_o man_n be_v alike_o
26.31_o mat._n 26.31_o he_o tell_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n that_o they_o will_v all_o forsake_v he_o when_o they_o every_o one_o profess_a themselves_o resolve_v to_o suffer_v with_o he_o 3.14.8.28.12.32_o joh._n 3.14.8.28.12.32_o rather_o than_o leave_v he_o he_o signify_v before_o by_o what_o death_n he_o shall_v die_v and_o who_o shall_v be_v instrumental_a therein_o 16.21.26.32.28.16_o mat._n 16.21.26.32.28.16_o he_o assure_v his_o disciple_n that_o after_o three_o day_n he_o will_v rise_v again_o and_o appoint_v they_o a_o place_n in_o galilee_n where_o they_o shall_v all_o see_v he_o he_o prophesy_v that_o notwithstanding_o the_o contempt_n he_o be_v have_v in_o and_o the_o great_a contempt_n that_o his_o ignominious_a death_n will_v bring_v upon_o he_o his_o religion_n shall_v by_o their_o mean_n a_o company_n of_o poor_a illiterate_a fisherman_n be_v preach_v with_o good_a success_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n 24.14.3.19_o mat._n 24.14.3.19_o he_o foretell_v likewise_o the_o utter_a destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n 21._o mat._n 24._o mar._n 13._o luk._n 21._o before_o that_o generation_n pass_v away_o and_o the_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o all_o nation_n and_o several_a other_o thing_n which_o it_o will_v take_v up_o too_o much_o time_n now_o to_o mention_v he_o foretell_v shall_v be_v just_a in_o that_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o afterward_o come_v to_o pass_v concern_v which_o it_o may_v be_v note_v that_o some_o of_o his_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v soon_o after_o they_o be_v speak_v the_o punctual_a accomplishment_n whereof_o be_v to_o those_o that_o both_o hear_v they_o speak_v and_o see_v they_o fulfil_v a_o evident_a proof_n of_o his_o prophetical_a spirit_n and_o a_o just_a ground_n of_o expect_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o all_o his_o other_o prophecy_n in_o their_o season_n and_o that_o other_o be_v not_o to_o be_v fulfil_v till_o a_o good_a while_n after_o the_o accomplishment_n whereof_o at_o the_o time_n foretell_v and_o long_o after_o the_o prediction_n thereof_o have_v be_v record_v by_o the_o evangelist_n be_v a_o good_a evidence_n to_o those_o that_o live_v then_o and_o be_v also_o to_o we_o that_o live_v now_o and_o either_o read_v the_o accomplishment_n thereof_o in_o history_n or_o see_v the_o same_o with_o our_o own_o eye_n that_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o divine_a spirit_n and_o likewise_o take_v away_o all_o reasonable_a ground_n of_o a_o suspicion_n which_o we_o may_v otherwise_o have_v have_v that_o in_o those_o instance_n wherein_o both_o the_o prophecy_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o be_v relate_v by_o the_o same_o author_n the_o prophecy_n be_v forge_v after_o the_o event_n be_v come_v to_o pass_v now_o if_o this_o be_v true_a and_o it_o be_v certain_o true_a if_o the_o gospel-history_n be_v so_o that_o our_o saviour_n do_v foretell_v many_o thing_n which_o afterward_o happen_v and_o those_o very_a casual_a and_o contingent_a thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o free_a will_n of_o man_n this_o be_v a_o evident_a token_n that_o he_o have_v a_o divine_a spirit_n for_o none_o can_v certain_o foretell_v such_o thing_n but_o god_n only_o or_o those_o who_o he_o enlighten_v with_o his_o spirit_n and_o therefore_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n make_v this_o challenge_n to_o the_o idol_n of_o the_o heathen_n isa_n 41.23_o show_v the_o thing_n that_o shall_v be_v hereafter_o that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o you_o be_v go_n and_o if_o to_o this_o it_o shall_v be_v object_v that_o future_a event_n have_v be_v sometime_o foretell_v by_o such_o as_o have_v not_o be_v true_a prophet_n of_o god_n nor_o enlighten_v by_o his_o spirit_n as_o by_o diviner_n astrologer_n and_o south-sayers_n and_o by_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_n this_o may_v be_v grant_v without_o any_o weaken_n of_o the_o argument_n i_o be_o now_o upon_o for_o the_o proof_n of_o our_o saviour_n divine_a mission_n for_o there_o may_v be_v some_o future_a event_n upforeseen_a by_o we_o and_o yet_o depend_v so_o entire_o upon_o the_o course_n of_o natural_a cause_n that_o unless_o hinder_v by_o a_o miracle_n they_o will_v as_o certain_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o the_o sun_n will_v rise_v tomorrow_o and_o these_o the_o devil_n who_o understand_v much_o better_a than_o we_o do_v the_o power_n and_o course_n of_o nature_n may_v foresee_v and_o consequent_o foretell_v and_o when_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v foretell_v we_o who_o understand_v very_o little_a of_o nature_n may_v think_v it_o a_o prophecy_n whereas_o in_o truth_n there_o be_v no_o more_o of_o a_o prophetical_a spirit_n in_o the_o devil_n when_o he_o foretell_v such_o thing_n than_o there_o be_v in_o a_o skilful_a astronomer_n when_o he_o calculate_v and_o foretell_v to_o a_o minute_n for_o several_a age_n to_o come_v the_o motion_n and_o eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n moon_n and_o planet_n and_o even_o in_o future_a contingency_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o the_o event_n have_v sometime_o verify_v the_o prediction_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o prophet_n for_o this_o also_o may_v well_o enough_o be_v account_v for_o without_o allow_v that_o any_o be_v have_v a_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a contingency_n but_o god_n only_o if_o we_o do_v but_o suppose_v as_o we_o may_v very_o reasonable_o do_v that_o the_o devil_n have_v a_o perfect_a knowledge_n than_o we_o can_v have_v of_o the_o counsel_n intrigue_n and_o interest_n of_o man_n that_o he_o understand_v their_o temper_n and_o inclination_n that_o he_o have_v live_v a_o great_a while_n and_o make_v very_o exact_a observation_n that_o he_o have_v have_v a_o long_a experience_n of_o thing_n and_o have_v also_o a_o notable_a sagacity_n much_o beyond_o what_o be_v in_o any_o man_n for_o so_o even_o a_o wise_a observe_v and_o experience_a man_n may_v without_o a_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n see_v much_o further_a before_o he_o than_o man_n common_o do_v and_o may_v foretell_v by_o a_o guest_n that_o shall_v rare_o fail_v a_o great_a many_o thing_n which_o a_o less_o think_v and_o experience_a man_n will_v never_o have_v think_v of_o and_o when_o the_o thing_n happen_v that_o be_v foretell_v it_o may_v be_v past_o the_o skill_n of_o other_o to_o judge_v whether_o it_o be_v foretell_v by_o a_o sagacious_a guest_n or_o by_o a_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o what_o will_v be_v and_o that_o the_o prediction_n of_o diviner_n and_o the_o oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v future_a contingency_n have_v be_v no_o more_o than_o only_o probable_a conjecture_n unless_o when_o they_o have_v be_v borrow_v from_o divine_a prophecy_n as_o they_o may_v have_v often_o be_v be_v evident_a by_o their_o uncertain_a accomplishment_n some_o thing_n indeed_o have_v happen_v as_o they_o have_v be_v foretell_v but_o other_o have_v not_o so_o happen_v and_o because_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o always_o certain_o tell_v what_o the_o event_n of_o those_o thing_n will_v be_v which_o he_o be_v consult_v with_o about_o he_o common_o give_v out_o his_o oracle_n in_o ambiguous_a expression_n that_o so_o whatever_o happen_v he_o may_v be_v think_v to_o have_v foretell_v it_o and_o when_o the_o prediction_n of_o any_o person_n pretend_v to_o prophecy_n have_v fail_v in_o some_o instance_n though_o in_o other_o they_o have_v be_v accomplish_v this_o be_v a_o certain_a argument_n that_o he_o do_v not_o prophesy_v by_o a_o divine_a spirit_n according_a to_o what_o be_v say_v deut._n xviii_o 21_o 22._o if_o thou_o say_v in_o thy_o heart_n how_o shall_v we_o know_v the_o word_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v but_o the_o propheth_n have_v speak_v it_o presumptuous_o in_o which_o word_n it_o seem_v to_o be_v imply_v though_o it_o be_v not_o express_o say_v that_o if_o the_o thing_n foretell_v do_v come_v to_o pass_v and_o especial_o that_o if_o of_o many_o thing_n which_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v and_o which_o can_v not_o be_v fore-known_a by_o the_o great_a skill_n in_o natural_a cause_n such_o as_o be_v the_o action_n of_o a_o free_a agent_n not_o one_o thing_n fail_v but_o his_o word_n be_v make_v good_a by_o the_o event_n in_o every_o particular_a they_o may_v then_o depend_v upon_o it_o that_o he_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n except_o only_o in_o one_o case_n mention_v in_o deut._n 13._o 3._o deut._n 13.1_o 2_o 3._o viz._n when_o he_o make_v use_v of_o that_o credit_n which_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o his_o prediction_n have_v gain_v he_o to_o draw_v man_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a and_o only_o god_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o idol_n and_o according_o it_o be_v observe_v in_o 1_o sam._n three_o 19_o 20._o that_o because_o the_o lord_n do_v let_v none_o of_o samuel_n
word_n fall_v to_o the_o ground_n all_o israel_n from_o dan_n even_o to_o beersheba_n know_v that_o he_o be_v establish_v to_o be_v a_o prophet_n of_o the_o lord_n the_o beforenamed_n exception_n have_v therefore_o no_o place_n in_o our_o saviour_n for_o his_o doctrine_n be_v thou_o shall_v worship_v the_o lord_n thy_o god_n 4.10_o mat._n 4.10_o and_o he_o only_o shall_v thou_o serve_v and_o there_o be_v not_o one_o of_o those_o many_o prediction_n that_o he_o give_v forth_o though_o several_a of_o they_o be_v concern_v the_o most_o casual_a event_n that_o can_v be_v which_o have_v not_o be_v in_o its_o due_a time_n fulfil_v we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o he_o be_v a_o true_a prophet_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o that_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v hearken_v to_o in_o every_o thing_n that_o he_o say_v 5._o another_o testimony_n that_o be_v give_v by_o god_n to_o the_o divine_a mission_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n more_o and_o great_a miracle_n than_o ever_o have_v be_v do_v before_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n the_o relation_n of_o which_o make_v up_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o gospel-history_n 38.14.11.15.24_o mat._n 11.4_o 5._o joh._n 10.25_o 37_o 38.14.11.15.24_o and_o to_o these_o our_o saviour_n himself_o frequent_o appeal_v as_o to_o a_o most_o evident_a proof_n that_o he_o be_v send_v by_o god_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n joh._n v._n 36._o the_o work_n which_o the_o father_n have_v give_v i_o to_o finish_v the_o same_o work_n that_o i_o do_v bear_v witness_n of_o i_o that_o the_o father_n have_v send_v i_o and_o indeed_o what_o better_a evidence_n can_v be_v desire_v that_o a_o person_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n be_v send_v by_o he_o than_o to_o see_v he_o do_v the_o work_n of_o god_n that_o be_v such_o work_n as_o can_v be_v do_v but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o that_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v such_o can_v i_o think_v be_v doubt_v by_o those_o who_o believe_v they_o be_v true_o relate_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o it_o be_v now_o suppose_a they_o be_v and_o if_o to_o this_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o first_o opposer_n of_o christianity_n both_o jew_n and_o gentile_n who_o either_o see_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n or_o have_v such_o good_a assurance_n thereof_o from_o eye-witness_n or_o credible_a history_n that_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v they_o yet_o be_v not_o thereby_o convince_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n of_o god_n but_o rather_o think_v that_o he_o do_v all_o his_o mighty_a work_n by_o magic_a art_n and_o by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o devil_n i_o answer_v 1._o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n which_o we_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o that_o the_o true_a reason_n why_o any_o of_o those_o who_o see_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n or_o be_v persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o do_v yet_o refuse_v to_o receive_v he_o as_o a_o prophet_n send_v from_o god_n be_v because_o they_o be_v not_o convince_v that_o his_o miracle_n be_v do_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n for_o man_n do_v not_o always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o judgement_n for_o we_o read_v of_o some_o of_o the_o chief_a ruler_n in_o joh._n twelve_o 42._o that_o they_o believe_v on_o he_o that_o be_v they_o be_v convince_v in_o their_o judgement_n by_o the_o mighty_a work_n that_o he_o do_v that_o he_o be_v the_o person_n he_o pretend_v to_o be_v but_o they_o do_v not_o confess_v he_o lest_o they_o shall_v be_v put_v out_o of_o the_o synagogue_n for_o they_o love_v the_o praise_n of_o man_n more_o than_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o i_o think_v it_o most_o probable_a that_o they_o who_o attribute_v those_o miracle_n of_o he_o which_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n do_v not_o nay_o can_v not_o believe_v what_o they_o say_v but_o only_o say_v it_o because_o they_o be_v resolve_v never_o to_o receive_v a_o doctrine_n whatever_o evidence_n be_v give_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o be_v so_o contrary_a as_o our_o saviour_n be_v to_o their_o prejudices_fw-la lust_n and_o worldly_a interest_n and_o they_o can_v not_o tell_v what_o else_o to_o say_v to_o justify_v themselves_o to_o the_o world_n but_o 2._o if_o their_o blasphemy_n in_o ascribe_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n to_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n be_v not_o mere_o malicious_a it_o be_v however_o most_o evident_o groundless_a for_o 1._o though_o the_o devil_n be_v without_o doubt_n of_o much_o great_a power_n than_o we_o be_v and_z understand_v better_a than_o we_o do_v the_o force_n of_o natural_a cause_n can_v do_v many_o thing_n which_o to_o the_o eye_n of_o man_n may_v appear_v miraculous_a because_o it_o may_v be_v past_o their_o skill_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o by_o natural_a cause_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n however_o to_o believe_v that_o he_o can_v do_v a_o true_a miracle_n that_o be_v that_o he_o can_v ever_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n or_o produce_v any_o effect_n but_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o natural_a cause_n work_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n and_o by_o such_o law_n and_o rule_n as_o god_n have_v appoint_v and_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n call_v those_o strange_a appearance_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n 2.9_o 2_o thes_n 2.9_o lie_v wonder_n but_o they_o be_v not_o lie_v wonder_n which_o be_v do_v by_o our_o saviour_n they_o do_v not_o only_o seem_v to_o be_v do_v but_o be_v do_v and_o they_o be_v miracle_n not_o only_o in_o appearance_n but_o in_o truth_n be_v many_o of_o they_o such_o effect_n as_o be_v evident_o above_o and_o beyond_o the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o such_o as_o can_v not_o be_v do_v but_o by_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o nature_n that_o be_v by_o god_n for_o who_o but_o he_o only_o who_o at_o first_o bring_v all_o thing_n out_o of_o nothing_o 6._o mat._n 14._o mark_v 6._o luke_n 9_o john_n 6._o can_v with_o five_o loaf_n and_o two_o small_a fish_n satisfy_v the_o hunger_n of_o more_o than_o five_o thousand_o person_n leave_v a_o remainder_n of_o more_o than_o twice_o the_o number_n of_o baskets-full_a of_o fragment_n that_o there_o have_v be_v of_o loaf_n at_o the_o first_o etc._n luk._n 7.11_o etc._n etc._n joh._n 11.39_o etc._n etc._n or_o who_o can_v restore_v to_o life_n a_o dead_a carcase_n that_o begin_v to_o putrefy_v but_o he_o only_o who_o first_o form_v it_o out_o of_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o ground_n who_o can_v call_v back_o the_o depart_a soul_n and_o fix_v it_o to_o its_o former_a residence_n but_o he_o only_o into_o who_o hand_n it_o be_v return_v and_o who_o first_o breathe_v into_o our_o body_n these_o immortal_a spirit_n and_o as_o to_o some_o other_o of_o his_o work_n which_o may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v produce_v by_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n only_o the_o manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v plain_o show_v that_o they_o also_o be_v do_v by_o a_o power_n superior_a to_o nature_n for_o thus_o a_o sick_a man_n may_v be_v restore_v to_o perfect_a health_n in_o time_n and_o by_o degree_n by_o the_o use_n of_o proper_a medicine_n and_o such_o a_o cure_n we_o reckon_v natural_a but_o those_o be_v plain_o supernatural_a cure_n which_o be_v wrought_v as_o our_o saviour_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v without_o the_o use_n of_o any_o medicine_n only_o by_o a_o word_n speak_v and_o many_o time_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n and_o by_o which_o those_o who_o have_v be_v long_o sick_a or_o infirm_a or_o cripple_n be_v restore_v to_o perfect_a health_n and_o strength_n in_o a_o instant_n of_o time_n to_o suppose_v therefore_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v thus_o at_o his_o will_v alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v to_o attribute_v to_o he_o such_o a_o power_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n who_o only_o do_v great_a wonder_n 72.18.136.4_o ps_n 72.18.136.4_o but_o 2._o if_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v be_v only_o such_o as_o we_o may_v reasonable_o think_v do_v not_o exceed_v the_o devil_n power_n to_o do_v yet_o that_o they_o be_v not_o wrought_v by_o his_o help_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o be_v do_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n be_v abundant_o evident_a from_o the_o design_n of_o they_o which_o be_v to_o establish_v a_o doctrine_n the_o most_o contrary_a that_o can_v be_v to_o the_o devil_n interest_n for_o to_o this_o purpose_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_v that_o he_o may_v destroy_v the_o work_n of_o the_o devil_n and_o he_o do_v it_o 3.8_o 1_o joh._n 3.8_o by_o preach_v to_o man_n to_o turn_v from_o the_o vanity_n of_o idol_n to_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o the_o live_a god_n 2.12_o act._n 14.15_o
happy_a number_n they_o be_v sure_o they_o shall_v not_o only_o have_v believe_v but_o also_o willing_o have_v suffer_v as_o much_o as_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v for_o bear_v their_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o what_o now_o must_v be_v do_v for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o these_o man_n for_o these_o have_v as_o much_o right_n to_o a_o full_a satisfaction_n as_o any_o other_o and_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o other_o do_v expect_v to_o be_v gratify_v in_o what_o they_o desire_v these_o may_v do_v so_o too_o and_o therefore_o in_o order_n to_o their_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o our_o saviour_n shall_v be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n in_o every_o age_n of_o it_o or_o indeed_o much_o often_o and_o that_o in_o every_o country_n at_o least_o if_o not_o in_o every_o town_n and_o village_n he_o shall_v live_v and_o preach_v and_o do_v miracle_n and_o be_v crucify_a and_o rise_v again_o for_o that_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v once_o do_v they_o can_v they_o say_v believe_v only_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o man_n who_o say_v they_o do_v see_v they_o and_o therefore_o by_o the_o same_o reason_n if_o they_o themselves_o shall_v see_v they_o other_o man_n that_o shall_v come_v after_o or_o live_v in_o other_o country_n will_v have_v as_o little_a cause_n to_o believe_v their_o testimony_n so_o that_o for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n of_o all_o such_o doubt_v man_n as_o these_o our_o saviour_n must_v have_v suffer_v often_o since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o must_v continue_v to_o do_v so_o very_o frequent_o as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v because_o with_o some_o man_n nothing_o but_o see_v be_v believe_v but_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v be_v what_o i_o presume_v none_o beside_o themselves_o can_v think_v it_o reasonable_a either_o for_o man_n to_o ask_v or_o for_o god_n to_o grant_v 4._o last_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o desire_v any_o further_a or_o additional_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n beside_o what_o be_v already_o afford_v we_o in_o the_o stand_a revelation_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n will_v far_o appear_v by_o consider_v our_o own_o interest_n in_o be_v convince_v and_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n by_o such_o argument_n and_o motive_n as_o be_v in_o themselves_o sufficient_a for_o that_o purpose_n although_o they_o be_v not_o so_o very_o strong_a and_o forcible_a as_o we_o can_v wish_v they_o be_v and_o this_o argument_n i_o shall_v handle_v in_o the_o way_n of_o reproof_n and_o a_o just_a and_o seasonable_a reproof_n i_o think_v it_o to_o such_o bold_a and_o presume_a person_n as_o i_o have_v be_v now_o speak_v of_o who_o will_v needs_o stand_v upon_o their_o term_n with_o almighty_a god_n and_o will_v not_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v and_o repent_v but_o just_a by_o such_o reason_n and_o such_o motive_n as_o they_o themselves_o shall_v be_v please_v to_o require_v tell_v not_o we_o say_v they_o of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n and_o of_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v a_o great_a while_n ago_o we_o know_v not_o when_o we_o will_v have_v fresh_a revelation_n and_o new_a miracle_n or_o messenger_n from_o the_o dead_a or_o else_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v and_o repent_v that_o we_o be_v resolve_v on_o very_o well_o then_o i_o say_v you_o may_v if_o you_o will_v continue_v still_o in_o your_o unbelief_n and_o impenitence_n nevertheless_o i_o will_v advise_v you_o before_o you_o full_o determine_v to_o persist_v in_o this_o resolution_n to_o take_v a_o little_a time_n to_o consider_v serious_o who_o interest_n and_o concern_v it_o be_v either_o that_o you_o shall_v believe_v or_o that_o you_o shall_v not_o believe_v consider_v who_o it_o be_v that_o will_v be_v a_o gainer_n or_o a_o sufferer_n either_o by_o the_o one_o or_o by_o the_o other_o for_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o if_o there_o be_v real_o a_o heaven_n and_o a_o hell_n and_o a_o judgement_n and_o a_o life_n to_o come_v it_o be_v not_o your_o not_o believe_v they_o that_o will_v make_v they_o not_o to_o be_v and_o if_o these_o thing_n be_v true_a it_o be_v your_o own_o life_n and_o soul_n that_o be_v at_o stake_n and_o if_o you_o be_v resolve_v to_o lose_v both_o unless_o you_o may_v be_v save_v your_o own_o way_n you_o yourselves_o will_v be_v the_o great_a nay_o you_o your_o â—elves_n will_v be_v the_o only_a sufferer_n and_o this_o be_v a_o consideration_n that_o affect_v the_o case_n very_o much_o and_o make_v it_o very_o unreasonable_a to_o insist_v â—pon_o have_v such_o satisfaction_n in_o this_o case_n as_o in_o some_o other_o case_n may_v not_o so_o very_o unreasonable_o be_v desire_v for_o if_o any_o man_n tell_v i_o a_o story_n which_o it_o be_v for_o his_o interest_n i_o shall_v believe_v it_o be_v he_o concern_v to_o give_v i_o such_o assurance_n of_o it_o as_o i_o shall_v require_v even_o although_o less_o than_o i_o require_v will_v be_v in_o 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