world_n though_o man_n will_v take_v no_o warn_v by_o never_o so_o many_o example_n but_o have_v need_n of_o continual_a advice_n and_o exhortation_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o commission_n of_o they_o be_v there_o the_o less_o certainty_n in_o the_o mathematics_n because_o euclid_n apollonius_n and_o innumerable_a other_o of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n have_v put_v forth_o book_n and_o system_n of_o mathematics_n in_o several_a form_n and_o method_n when_o many_o write_v upon_o the_o same_o subject_a it_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o excellency_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o it_o not_o that_o they_o be_v dissatisfy_v in_o what_o have_v be_v already_o say_v by_o other_o but_o that_o they_o think_v more_o may_v be_v say_v or_o that_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v prove_v more_o clear_o in_o another_o method_n with_o more_o advantage_n to_o some_o capacity_n and_o with_o great_a probability_n of_o remove_v the_o scruple_n of_o some_o men._n it_o be_v undoubted_o very_o fit_a that_o all_o 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withal_o as_o steadfast_a a_o belief_n and_o as_o awful_a apprehension_n of_o reveal_v religion_n which_o he_o endeavour_v to_o establish_v and_o propagate_v not_o only_o by_o his_o own_o write_n but_o by_o the_o labour_n of_o other_o which_o he_o engage_v and_o reward_v by_o his_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n 2._o but_o man_n do_v not_o always_o live_v answerable_o to_o what_o they_o profess_v to_o believe_v it_o be_v hearty_o to_o be_v wish_v that_o there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o occasion_n give_v for_o this_o objection_n for_o though_o it_o be_v very_o inconsiderable_a in_o itself_o yet_o it_o do_v i_o believe_v the_o most_o mischief_n of_o any_o because_o man_n natural_o govern_v themselves_o more_o by_o the_o example_n than_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o other_o or_o even_o than_o by_o their_o own_o reason_n but_o if_o we_o will_v judge_v aright_o the_o example_n of_o one_o man_n who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n aught_o to_o be_v of_o more_o 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suffer_v by_o it_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o great_a earnest_n whereas_o the_o other_o be_v apparent_o bribe_v to_o forsake_v that_o in_o practice_n which_o notwithstanding_o they_o can_v but_o own_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o principle_n this_o be_v a_o old_a prejudice_n against_o philosophy_n that_o the_o philosopher_n do_v not_o observe_v their_o own_o precept_n but_o it_o be_v reject_v by_o wise_a man_n as_o no_o argument_n against_o the_o truth_n and_o vsefulness_n of_o philosophy_n it_o be_v a_o great_a objection_n against_o the_o man_n but_o sure_o it_o can_v be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o thing_n themselves_o that_o they_o be_v disregard_v by_o those_o who_o understand_v their_o worth_n and_o pretend_v to_o have_v a_o due_a value_n and_o esteem_v for_o they_o and_o whoever_o renounce_v the_o faith_n or_o take_v up_o principle_n of_o irreligion_n because_o of_o any_o ill_a practice_n of_o other_o too_o plain_o declare_v either_o that_o in_o truth_n and_o sincerity_n he_o never_o have_v any_o or_o that_o he_o be_v very_o willing_a to_o part_v with_o his_o religion_n all_o man_n make_v some_o pretence_n to_o reason_n and_o those_o man_n most_o of_o all_o who_o be_v so_o apt_a to_o decry_v religion_n upon_o this_o account_n that_o many_o who_o profess_v to_o believe_v it_o do_v not_o always_o live_v up_o to_o its_o rule_n and_o instruction_n but_o they_o do_v not_o consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o man_n general_o act_v as_o much_o against_o reason_n as_o against_o relgion_n and_o that_o therefore_o this_o objection_n if_o it_o can_v signify_v any_o thing_n must_v banish_v all_o reason_n and_o good_a sense_n out_o of_o the_o world_n if_o there_o be_v no_o true_a religion_n because_o so_o few_o practice_n it_o as_o they_o ought_v there_o can_v be_v no_o true_a reason_n neither_o because_o the_o life_n of_o so_o many_o man_n contradict_v it_o and_o some_o perhaps_o will_v be_v content_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o true_a religion_n rather_o than_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o true_a reason_n because_o than_o they_o must_v be_v no_o long_o allow_v to_o be_v able_a to_o reason_n against_o religion_n but_o if_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o thing_n depend_v upon_o the_o practice_n of_o man_n than_o the_o same_o religion_n may_v be_v true_a and_o false_a at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o may_v be_v true_a in_o one_o age_n and_o false_a in_o another_o or_o true_a in_o one_o country_n and_o false_a in_o the_o next_o and_o must_v be_v more_o or_o less_o true_a or_o false_a in_o the_o same_o proportion_n as_o the_o life_n and_o manner_n of_o its_o professor_n be_v more_o or_o less_o virtuous_a or_o vicious_a indeed_o this_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a a_o prejudice_n against_o religion_n though_o it_o be_v grow_v a_o very_a common_a one_o that_o methinks_v every_o man_n shall_v be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o especial_o man_n of_o reason_n
he_o have_v of_o those_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n luke_n i_o 2._o and_o he_o be_v the_o companion_n and_o disciple_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o be_v such_o a_o enemy_n to_o christianity_n before_o his_o conversion_n that_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o miraculous_a power_n can_v have_v make_v that_o sudden_a change_n in_o he_o he_o probable_o must_v have_v see_v our_o saviour_n before_o his_o passion_n and_o then_o see_v he_o again_o at_o his_o conversion_n and_o hear_v he_o speak_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n so_o that_o st._n paul_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o twelve_o apostle_n have_v see_v and_o hear_v our_o saviour_n and_o they_o be_v all_o convince_v by_o their_o own_o sense_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v to_o other_o and_o beside_o these_o he_o be_v see_v after_o his_o resurrection_n by_o many_o other_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n and_o at_o one_o time_n be_v see_v by_o above_o five_o hundred_o together_o 1_o cor._n xv_o 6._o of_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v but_o two_o who_o be_v not_o eye-witness_n to_o what_o they_o relate_v and_o these_o two_o have_v their_o relation_n from_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o who_o be_v eye-witness_n iii_o the_o apostle_n be_v man_n of_o integrity_n and_o without_o any_o artifice_n or_o design_n true_o declare_v what_o they_o know_v 1._o they_o have_v no_o worldly_a interest_n to_o advance_v by_o their_o testimony_n but_o suffer_v by_o it_o and_o have_v a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o suffering_n 2._o there_o be_v peculiar_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n in_o all_o their_o writing_n i._o they_o have_v no_o worldly_a interest_n to_o serve_v by_o their_o testimony_n but_o suffer_v by_o it_o and_o have_v a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o suffering_n they_o can_v propose_v no_o advantage_n to_o themselves_o of_o gain_n or_o honour_n or_o pleasure_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a undergo_v a_o voluntary_a poverty_n and_o infamy_n and_o torment_n which_o be_v all_o that_o they_o meet_v with_o in_o this_o world_n for_o their_o pain_n and_o all_o that_o they_o can_v expect_v to_o meet_v with_o they_o forsake_v all_o which_o they_o have_v st._n matthew_n a_o gainful_a employment_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o write_v the_o most_o of_o any_o of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n lose_v the_o favour_n of_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o the_o preferment_n which_o a_o person_n of_o his_o learning_n and_o zeal_n may_v promise_v himself_o from_o they_o st._n luke_n a_o physician_n by_o his_o profession_n leave_v a_o employment_n both_o of_o honour_n and_o advantage_n and_o the_o rest_n lose_v all_o they_o have_v and_o can_v any_o man_n lose_v more_o all_o of_o they_o leave_v a_o honest_a and_o secure_a livelihood_n and_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o hatred_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o their_o near_a friend_n and_o relation_n who_o love_n and_o esteem_v both_o by_o nature_n and_o education_n they_o must_v be_v incline_v most_o to_o desire_v and_o they_o become_v obnoxious_a to_o all_o the_o affront_n and_o outrage_n and_o torment_n which_o a_o furious_a zeal_n can_v inflict_v upon_o they_o all_o which_o be_v no_o new_a or_o unexpected_a thing_n to_o they_o they_o see_v what_o their_o master_n have_v suffer_v and_o can_v hope_v to_o fare_v no_o better_o than_o he_o have_v do_v they_o be_v often_o forewarn_v by_o christ_n long_o before_o hand_n what_o must_v befall_v they_o they_o be_v tell_v that_o they_o must_v take_v up_o their_o cross_n and_o follow_v he_o and_o can_v be_v his_o disciple_n upon_o no_o easy_a term_n he_o have_v set_v forth_o the_o reception_n which_o they_o must_v expect_v to_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o world_n just_a in_o the_o same_o manuer_n as_o they_o find_v it_o under_o the_o most_o frightful_a appearance_n that_o word_n can_v represent_v and_o this_o they_o soon_o find_v as_o punctual_o true_a as_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o he_o have_v foretell_v to_o they_o but_o though_o they_o find_v it_o so_o and_o sometime_o be_v dismiss_v with_o a_o severe_a charge_n to_o desist_v from_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o at_o other_o time_n escape_v and_o have_v a_o opportunity_n give_v they_o to_o avoid_v any_o further_a danger_n by_o preach_v it_o they_o ever_o perserver_v in_o it_o with_o the_o great_a zeal_n and_o constancy_n despise_v all_o danger_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o glory_v still_o and_o rejoice_v that_o they_o suffer_v in_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n and_o at_o last_o they_o seal_v their_o doctrine_n with_o their_o blood_n st._n paul_n be_v in_o great_a reputation_n with_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n before_o his_o conversion_n and_o be_v employ_v by_o they_o in_o persecute_v the_o church_n and_o as_o often_o as_o he_o appear_v before_o they_o they_o have_v nothing_o to_o accuse_v he_o of_o but_o his_o profession_n of_o a_o religion_n which_o oblige_v all_o man_n to_o the_o strict_a justice_n and_o holiness_n if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o be_v the_o best_a they_o must_v have_v be_v the_o worst_a of_o man_n for_o impose_v upon_o the_o world_n under_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o divine_a mission_n and_o authority_n and_o yet_o this_o they_o must_v do_v with_o no_o other_o design_n but_o to_o promote_v virtue_n and_o holiness_n which_o not_o ill_a man_n can_v design_n to_o his_o own_o certain_a loss_n and_o destruction_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o and_o the_o less_o man_n believe_v of_o the_o next_o world_n the_o more_o fond_a they_o be_v to_o make_v sure_a of_o this_o ambition_n and_o a_o desire_n of_o fame_n and_o a_o name_n after_o death_n rare_o happen_v to_o man_n of_o obscure_a birth_n and_o mean_a education_n and_o it_o be_v natural_o impossible_a that_o it_o shall_v now_o befall_v so_o many_o of_o they_o without_o any_o ground_n or_o reason_n to_o expect_v it_o when_o in_o all_o humane_a consideration_n they_o have_v a_o certain_a prospect_n of_o nothing_o but_o infamy_n after_o death_n as_o well_o as_o of_o disgrace_n and_o want_v and_o torment_n during_o their_o life_n and_o no_o man_n can_v resolve_v upon_o attest_v any_o thing_n on_o such_o term_n unless_o he_o have_v be_v absolute_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o much_o less_o can_v so_o many_o set_v upon_o such_o a_o design_n together_o for_o as_o they_o can_v have_v no_o argument_n to_o persuade_v one_o another_o to_o enter_v upon_o such_o a_o attempt_n so_o if_o they_o have_v once_o conspire_v in_o it_o they_o will_v soon_o have_v desert_v and_o discover_v each_o other_o when_o they_o lie_v under_o all_o the_o disadvantage_n and_o difficulty_n imaginable_a and_o have_v nothing_o to_o support_v and_o unite_v they_o but_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o what_o they_o deliver_v and_o it_o be_v further_a observable_a that_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o near_a christian_n be_v to_o the_o apostle_n the_o more_o zealous_a they_o be_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o die_v in_o defence_n of_o it_o for_o they_o have_v then_o great_a opportunity_n of_o inform_v themselves_o of_o the_o imposture_n if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o and_o have_v therefore_o the_o great_a mean_n of_o be_v certify_v that_o there_o be_v none_o and_o man_n of_o great_a part_n and_o accomplishment_n such_o as_o sergius_n paulus_n governor_n of_o cyprus_n dionysius_n the_o areopagite_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n and_o other_o who_o be_v inquisitive_a man_n and_o able_a to_o make_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o thing_n upon_o a_o full_a examination_n of_o all_o particular_n become_v early_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n ii_o there_o be_v peculiar_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n in_o all_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n they_o be_v not_o ambitious_a of_o be_v know_v to_o the_o world_n by_o their_o writing_n but_o write_v only_o as_o they_o be_v 23._o be_v euseb_n eccle._n hist_o lib._n iii._o 23._o by_o necessity_n draw_v to_o it_o for_o the_o further_a propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o upon_o all_o occasion_n they_o declare_v their_o own_o frailty_n and_o fault_n and_o many_o time_n such_o as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v know_v but_o from_o themselves_o st._n matthew_n have_v spend_v the_o former_a part_n of_o his_o life_n in_o no_o very_a creditable_a employment_n but_o among_o publican_n and_o sinner_n as_o he_o say_v himself_o for_o he_o leave_v record_v to_o all_o posterity_n the_o censure_n of_o his_o own_o life_n say_v that_o he_o sit_v at_o the_o receipt_n of_o custom_n matt._n ix_o 9_o 10._o and_o still_v himself_o matthew_z the_o publican_n mat._n x._o 3._o eusebius_n observe_v that_o none_o of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n have_v mention_v a_o thing_n so_o reproachful_a of_o he_o as_o his_o have_v be_v a_o publican_n but_o st._n
be_v a_o long_a succession_n of_o philosopher_n and_o sophist_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o school_fw-mi of_o platonist_n which_o continue_v at_o athens_n for_o some_o age_n will_v revive_v or_o reinforce_v any_o argument_n that_o have_v be_v use_v by_o their_o predecessor_n in_o opposition_n to_o christianity_n proclus_n and_o damascius_n who_o be_v of_o this_o school_n live_v about_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o six_o age_n and_o the_o write_n of_o damascius_n be_v extant_a lxxvii_o extant_a phot._n cod_n clxxxi_o ccxlii_o lxxvii_o in_o photius_n time_n in_o the_o middle_n of_o the_o nine_o age_n the_o history_n of_o eunapius_n be_v then_o likewise_o extant_a and_o be_v hist_o be_v voss_n de_fw-fr graec._n hist_o say_v to_o be_v preserve_v at_o venice_n we_o have_v the_o abridgement_n of_o it_o by_o zosimus_n and_o a_o sufficient_a specimen_fw-la of_o his_o malicious_a invective_n in_o his_o other_o write_n and_o it_o be_v 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falsehood_n in_o it_o and_o have_v never_o omit_v any_o advantage_n of_o improve_n and_o enforce_v the_o argument_n against_o it_o and_o and_o therefore_o will_v be_v sure_a to_o retain_v any_o thing_n considerable_a which_o have_v be_v object_v by_o their_o forefather_n or_o by_o the_o heathen_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v the_o jew_n have_v be_v a_o perpetual_a restless_a enemy_n in_o all_o part_n and_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o material_a in_o this_o case_n will_v escape_v their_o observation_n but_o out_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n which_o be_v still_o extant_a many_o thing_n have_v be_v allege_v by_o many_o learned_a man_n of_o our_o own_o and_o other_o nation_n in_o confirmation_n of_o our_o religion_n from_o the_o confession_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o the_o unbelief_n therefore_o both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n of_o those_o age_n be_v no_o material_a objection_n nor_o altogether_o so_o unaccountable_a as_o the_o unbelief_n of_o too_o many_o now_o who_o be_v bear_v among_o christian_n and_o have_v have_v their_o education_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o truth_n be_v example_n be_v always_o the_o weak_a argument_n in_o any_o case_n and_o can_v be_v of_o no_o force_n or_o authority_n against_o the_o clear_a rational_a evidence_n chap._n xxxi_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o suffer_v for_o they_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o christian_a religion_n do_v infinite_o surpass_v all_o other_o in_o the_o number_n of_o its_o martyr_n of_o both_o sex_n of_o every_o age_n and_o nation_n and_o rank_a and_o condition_n mistake_v ignorant_a zealot_n may_v often_o have_v suffer_v for_o other_o religion_n but_o man_n of_o the_o high_a station_n and_o worth_n and_o inferior_a to_o none_o in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o every_o thing_n that_o the_o world_n esteem_v excellent_a have_v 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needful_a to_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_n but_o remember_v with_o who_o i_o have_v to_o deal_v i_o be_o resolve_v to_o take_v every_o thing_n at_o the_o low_a and_o argue_v with_o they_o upon_o their_o own_o term_n let_v we_o for_o a_o while_o set_v aside_o whatever_o of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v say_v in_o preference_n of_o the_o christian_a martyr_n and_o suppose_v the_o number_n and_o zeal_n of_o the_o martyr_n for_o so_o we_o must_v call_v they_o at_o present_a of_o other_o religion_n to_o have_v be_v as_o great_a as_o can_v be_v imagine_v yet_o the_o cause_n itself_o make_v a_o plain_a difference_n between_o they_o a_o ignorant_a zeal_n in_o a_o wrong_n cause_o be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n which_o be_v maintain_v and_o promote_v by_o such_o a_o zeal_n as_o be_v reasonable_a and_o proceed_v upon_o sure_a ground_n indeed_o it_o be_v very_o hard_a and_o very_o strange_a if_o that_o which_o be_v true_a shall_v be_v ever_o the_o less_o 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then_o no_o real_a difference_n or_o solid_a worth_n in_o any_o of_o these_o some_o of_o the_o most_o unlikely_a country_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v admire_v by_o the_o native_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o garden_n of_o eden_n and_o the_o place_n of_o paradise_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o easy_a than_o to_o make_v a_o distinction_n concern_v different_a country_n and_o it_o be_v as_o easy_a to_o distinguish_v between_o the_o elysium_n of_o the_o heathen_n or_o mahomet_n paradise_n and_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n and_o between_o the_o way_n which_o lead_v to_o they_o there_o be_v nothing_o especial_o if_o it_o be_v of_o any_o moment_n and_o consequence_n to_o they_o for_o which_o man_n have_v not_o show_v themselves_o passionate_o concern_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o more_o infallible_a in_o religion_n than_o in_o other_o thing_n or_o shall_v be_v so_o much_o less_o in_o earnest_n about_o it_o as_o not_o to_o discover_v the_o same_o frailty_n and_o the_o same_o affection_n which_o be_v visible_a in_o all_o the_o other_o action_n and_o business_n of_o their_o life_n it_o be_v often_o see_v in_o most_o case_n that_o some_o be_v as_o earnest_n and_o zealous_a in_o a_o false_a cause_n as_o other_o be_v in_o a_o true_a but_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difference_n between_o falsehood_n and_o truth_n when_o two_o man_n of_o opposite_a party_n be_v equal_o confident_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o their_o cause_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o but_o one_o of_o they_o can_v be_v in_o the_o right_a and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o one_o of_o they_o must_v be_v at_o least_o so_o far_o in_o the_o right_n as_o he_o contradict_v the_o other_o because_o as_o the_o two_o part_n of_o a_o contradiction_n can_v be_v both_o true_a so_o they_o can_v be_v both_o false_a if_o then_o a_o confident_a and_o zealous_a
demure_a pretender_n to_o humane_a reason_n and_o moral_a virtue_n and_o the_o enemy_n of_o reveal_v religion_n we_o be_v fall_v into_o a_o age_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o man_n who_o have_v show_v so_o great_a a_o forwardness_n to_o be_v no_o long_o christian_n that_o they_o have_v catch_v at_o all_o the_o little_a cavil_n and_o pretence_n against_o religion_n and_o indeed_o if_o it_o be_v not_o more_o out_o of_o charity_n to_o their_o own_o soul_n than_o for_o any_o credit_n religion_n can_v have_v of_o they_o it_o be_v great_a pity_n but_o they_o shall_v have_v their_o wish_n for_o they_o both_o think_v and_o live_v so_o ill_o that_o it_o be_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o any_o cause_n that_o they_o be_v against_o it_o it_o be_v urge_v as_o a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o christian_a riligion_n by_o tertullian_n that_o it_o be_v haved_z and_o persecute_v by_o nero_n the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o i_o be_o confident_a it_o will_v be_v but_o small_a 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upon_o such_o head_n as_o have_v be_v most_o except_v against_o in_o which_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o vindicate_v it_o against_o all_o cavil_n though_o i_o shall_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o particular_a objection_n which_o be_v both_o a_o needless_a and_o indeed_o a_o endless_a labour_n for_o there_o be_v no_o end_n of_o cavil_n but_o if_o the_o truth_n be_v well_o and_o full_o explain_v any_o objection_n may_v receive_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o doctrine_n against_o which_o it_o be_v urge_v by_o apply_v it_o to_o particular_a difficulty_n as_o one_o right_a line_n be_v enough_o to_o demonstrate_v all_o the_o variation_n from_o it_o to_o be_v crooked_a it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o cavil_v and_o find_v fault_n with_o any_o thing_n and_o to_o start_v objection_n and_o ask_v question_n be_v even_o to_o a_o proverb_n esteem_v the_o worst_a sign_n that_o can_v be_v of_o a_o great_a wit_n or_o a_o sound_a judgement_n man_n be_v unwilling_a to_o believe_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a which_o contradict_v their_o vice_n and_o the_o weak_a argument_n with_o strong_a inclination_n to_o a_o cause_n will_v prove_v or_o disprove_v whatever_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n it_o shall_v but_o let_v man_n first_o practice_v the_o virtue_n the_o moral_a virtue_n which_o our_o religion_n enjoin_v and_o then_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o if_o they_o can_v nay_o let_v they_o disprove_v it_o now_o if_o they_o can_v for_o it_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o their_o favour_n but_o for_o their_o own_o sake_n let_v they_o have_v a_o care_n of_o mistake_v vice_n for_o argument_n and_o every_o profane_a jest_n for_o a_o demonstration_n i_o wish_v they_o will_v consider_v whether_o the_o concern_v they_o have_v to_o set_v up_o natural_a against_o reveal_v religion_n proceed_v not_o from_o hence_o that_o by_o natural_a religion_n they_o mean_v no_o more_o than_o just_a what_o they_o please_v 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companion_n if_o you_o continue_v to_o dispute_v at_o this_o rate_n you_o will_v certain_o make_v i_o a_o christian_n i_o shall_v venture_v at_o least_o to_o say_v of_o this_o treatise_n in_o the_o like_a manner_n as_o he_o do_v of_o his_o that_o if_o these_o man_n will_v be_v please_v to_o spend_v but_o a_o little_a of_o that_o time_n which_o be_v so_o often_o worse_o employ_v in_o the_o perusal_n of_o what_o be_v here_o offer_v i_o hope_v that_o something_o they_o may_v meet_v withal_o which_o may_v satisfy_v their_o doubt_n and_o convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n but_o though_o they_o shall_v despise_v whatever_o can_v be_v say_v to_o they_o yet_o there_o be_v other_o beside_o the_o profess_a adversary_n of_o reveal_v religion_n to_o who_o a_o treatise_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v serviceable_a the_o truth_n be_v notwistand_v the_o great_a plainness_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o can_v but_o think_v that_o ignorance_n be_v one_o chief_a cause_n why_o it_o be_v so_o little_o value_v and_o esteem_v and_o its_o doctrine_n so_o little_o obey_v a_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n content_v themselves_o with_o a_o very_a slight_a and_o imperfect_a knowledge_n of_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o be_v able_a to_o give_v but_o very_o little_a reason_n for_o that_o which_o be_v the_o most_o reasonable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n but_o they_o profess_v it_o rather_o as_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n than_o of_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o because_o they_o find_v it_o contradict_v their_o sensual_a desire_n they_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v as_o little_a of_o it_o as_o may_v be_v and_o when_o they_o hear_v other_o cavil_v and_o trifle_n with_o it_o partly_o out_o of_o ignorance_n and_o partly_o from_o inclination_n they_o take_v every_o idle_a objection_n if_o it_o be_v but_o bold_a enough_o for_o a_o unanswerable_a
for_o the_o oath_n which_o secure_v their_o life_n to_o they_o have_v forfeit_v that_o right_n which_o otherwise_o they_o may_v have_v have_v to_o their_o life_n by_o a_o peace_n fair_o obtain_v and_o they_o lose_v all_o other_o advantage_n of_o the_o league_n but_o only_o the_o secure_v their_o life_n but_o that_o the_o canaanite_n if_o they_o have_v submit_v and_o own_v the_o god_n of_o israel_n be_v not_o to_o have_v be_v destroy_v but_o to_o have_v be_v receive_v to_o mercy_n be_v evident_a from_o josh_n xi_o 19_o 20._o there_o be_v not_o a_o city_n that_o make_v peace_n with_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n save_o the_o hivites_n the_o inhabitant_n of_o gibeon_n all_o other_o they_o take_v in_o battle_n for_o it_o be_v of_o the_o lord_n to_o harden_v their_o heart_n that_o they_o shall_v come_v against_o israel_n in_o battle_n that_o he_o may_v destroy_v they_o utter_o and_o that_o they_o may_v have_v no_o favour_n but_o that_o he_o may_v destroy_v they_o as_o the_o lord_n command_v moses_n which_o necessary_o suppose_v that_o if_o god_n in_o his_o just_a judgement_n upon_o they_o for_o their_o heinous_a provocation_n have_v not_o harden_v their_o heart_n but_o they_o have_v submit_v themselves_o and_o seek_v peace_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n they_o ought_v to_o have_v have_v favour_n show_v they_o it_o do_v therefore_o sufficient_o appear_v that_o the_o canaanite_n themselves_o after_o all_o their_o provocation_n against_o both_o the_o mercy_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n be_v not_o exclude_v from_o all_o the_o benefit_n of_o stranger_n and_o proselyte_n among_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o all_o other_o nation_n be_v encourage_v and_o invite_v to_o become_v partaker_n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n be_v notorious_a and_o as_o evident_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o after_o the_o canaanite_n have_v fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n god_n manifest_v his_o almighty_a power_n and_o justice_n upon_o they_o and_o he_o be_v please_v to_o do_v it_o by_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n rather_o than_o by_o pestilence_n or_o any_o other_o judgement_n both_o to_o raise_v the_o great_a abhorrence_n of_o idolatry_n in_o his_o own_o people_n and_o in_o the_o neighbour_a nation_n and_o because_o those_o rude_a and_o warlike_a nation_n can_v observe_v the_o power_n of_o god_n no_o where_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o success_n of_o war_n they_o chief_o implore_v their_o own_o god_n for_o success_n in_o their_o war_n and_o when_o they_o be_v overcome_v by_o any_o people_n they_o conclude_v that_o the_o god_n of_o that_o nation_n be_v too_o hard_o for_o their_o own_o god_n 1_o king_n xx_o 23._o 2_o king_n viij_o 34._o whereas_o if_o they_o have_v be_v destroy_v by_o famine_n or_o pestilence_n they_o will_v have_v ascribe_v these_o judgement_n no_o more_o to_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n than_o to_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a go_n but_o god_n get_v he_o honour_n upon_o these_o nation_n as_o he_o do_v upon_o pharaoh_n and_o upon_o all_o his_o host_n when_o jethro_n say_v now_o i_o know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v great_a than_o all_o god_n for_o in_o the_o thing_n wherein_o they_o deal_v proud_o he_o be_v above_o they_o exod._n xviii_o 11._o from_o whence_o he_o be_v so_o often_o style_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n 2._o the_o providence_n of_o god_n do_v so_o order_n and_o dispose_v of_o the_o jew_n in_o all_o their_o affair_n as_o to_o afford_v other_o nation_n frequent_a opportunity_n of_o become_v instruct_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n and_o multitude_n of_o proselyte_n be_v make_v out_o of_o all_o nation_n moses_n dwell_v in_o midian_a and_o there_o marry_v a_o aethiopian_a woman_n exod._n two_o 15._o num._n twelve_o 1._o his_o wife_n father_n jethro_n the_o priest_n of_o midian_a and_o his_o family_n become_v convert_v and_o the_o deliverance_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n out_o of_o egypt_n magnify_v the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o all_o country_n where_o the_o report_n of_o a_o thing_n so_o wonderful_a and_o notorious_a come_v the_o miraculous_a victory_n which_o the_o israelite_n gain_v over_o the_o canaanite_n wherever_o they_o come_v strike_v a_o mighty_a terror_n into_o all_o those_o nation_n as_o we_o see_v by_o the_o fear_n of_o balak_n num._n xxii_o and_o from_o the_o speech_n of_o the_o gibeonite_n josh_n ix_o 9_o 10._o who_o be_v glad_a to_o make_v use_n of_o any_o pretence_n as_o a_o expedient_a to_o save_v themselves_o rahab_n with_o her_o family_n and_o kindred_n and_o the_o gibeonite_n be_v early_a accession_n to_o the_o israelite_n and_o rahab_n be_v marry_v to_o a_o man_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o babylonian_a gemara_n 5._o gemara_n lightfoot_n hebr._n and_o talmud_n exercitat_fw-la in_o mat._n i._n 5._o reckon_v up_o eight_o prophet_n who_o be_v likewise_o priest_n descend_v from_o she_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o saviour_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o derive_v his_o genealogy_n from_o she_o the_o various_a success_n of_o the_o israelite_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n their_o victory_n and_o their_o overthrow_v and_o the_o miraculous_a power_n of_o god_n visible_o appear_v either_o in_o their_o defeat_n and_o punishment_n or_o in_o their_o conquest_n or_o deliverance_n must_v need_v raise_v a_o mighty_a fame_n and_o admiration_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n in_o all_o those_o country_n for_o they_o proclaim_v a_o religious_a war_n upon_o these_o nation_n they_o destroy_v their_o image_n and_o grove_n and_o altar_n wherever_o they_o come_v and_o the_o people_n plain_o perceive_v that_o their_o god_n can_v not_o help_v they_o the_o take_v of_o jericho_n not_o by_o storm_n but_o only_o by_o the_o mere_a sound_n and_o alarm_n of_o war_n the_o lengthen_v of_o the_o day_n to_o favour_v their_o conquest_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o so_o many_o king_n by_o moses_n and_o joshua_n be_v undeniable_a evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o must_v awaken_v man_n to_o make_v enquiry_n into_o that_o religion_n which_o can_v inspire_v such_o courage_n and_o work_v such_o wonder_n and_o these_o nation_n among_o who_o the_o patriarch_n have_v sojourn_v and_o so_o many_o wonder_n and_o judgement_n have_v be_v wrought_v be_v disperse_v in_o colony_n over_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o bochart_n have_v prove_v at_o large_a in_o a_o most_o learned_a and_o elaborate_a work_n some_o they_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v procopius_n erect_v a_o pillar_n in_o africa_n as_o a_o monument_n of_o joshua_n victory_n with_o a_o inscription_n declare_v that_o they_o be_v drive_v out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n by_o he_o and_o s._n augustine_n say_v rom._n say_v aug._n exposit_n epist_n ad_fw-la rom._n that_o in_o his_o time_n the_o country_n people_n about_o hippo_n call_v themselves_o canaanites_n after_o the_o death_n of_o joshua_n the_o israelite_n be_v in_o subjection_n to_o the_o king_n of_o mesopotamia_n eight_o year_n to_o the_o king_n of_o moab_n eighteen_o year_n judg._n iii._o 8_o 14._o to_o jabin_n king_n of_o canaan_n chap._n four_o 1._o to_o the_o midianite_n seven_o year_n chap._n vi_fw-la 1._o to_o the_o philistine_n forty_o year_n chap._n xiii_o 1._o and_o still_o it_o be_v because_o they_o have_v do_v evil_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o they_o be_v give_v up_o into_o the_o hand_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o upon_o their_o repentance_n a_o deliverance_n be_v wrought_v for_o they_o 1_o sam._n twelve_o 10._o and_o when_o they_o be_v so_o often_o and_o for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n subdue_v by_o their_o enemy_n round_o about_o they_o for_o their_o idolatry_n and_o other_o transgression_n and_o then_o again_o upon_o their_o repentance_n be_v rescue_v from_o their_o oppression_n by_o gideon_n and_o jeptha_n and_o samson_n all_o raise_v up_o for_o that_o purpose_n this_o must_v give_v great_a occasion_n and_o opportunity_n to_o all_o the_o border_a nation_n to_o know_v and_o consider_v that_o religion_n the_o observation_n or_o neglect_n whereof_o have_v such_o visible_a effect_n upon_o its_o professor_n for_o under_o their_o affliction_n and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o repentance_n the_o israelite_n declare_v the_o cause_n of_o their_o misery_n and_o make_v know_v the_o power_n of_o their_o own_o god_n and_o the_o vanity_n and_o sinfulness_n of_o idolatry_n and_o therefore_o their_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o long_a time_n under_o the_o oppression_n of_o their_o several_a enemy_n be_v a_o merciful_a providence_n to_o the_o nation_n who_o have_v they_o in_o subjection_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o punishment_n and_o amendment_n of_o the_o israelite_n themselves_o what_o good_a use_n be_v make_v of_o these_o method_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n do_v not_o appear_v to_o
condemnation_n and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o just_a but_o merciful_a for_o he_o to_o withhold_v the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o reveal_v will_v from_o those_o who_o he_o forefee_n will_v reject_v it_o and_o abuse_v the_o opportunity_n which_o shall_v be_v offer_v they_o to_o the_o aggravation_n of_o their_o own_o gild_n and_o punishment_n especial_o if_o it_o be_v observe_v 2._o that_o as_o to_o particular_a person_n we_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o god_n who_o by_o so_o wonderful_a a_o providence_n have_v take_v care_n that_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n may_v have_v the_o true_a religion_n preach_v in_o it_o and_o who_o have_v the_o whole_a world_n at_o his_o disposal_n and_o order_n all_o thing_n with_o great_a regard_n to_o the_o salvation_n of_o man_n we_o have_v abundant_a cause_n to_o think_v that_o he_o will_v by_o some_o of_o the_o various_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n or_o even_o by_o miracle_n bring_v such_o man_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n who_o live_v according_a to_o their_o present_a knowledge_n with_o a_o sincere_a and_o honest_a endeavour_n to_o improve_v it_o when_o st._n peter_n be_v by_o revelation_n send_v to_o cornelius_n he_o make_v this_o inference_n from_o it_o of_o a_o truth_n i_o perceive_v that_o god_n be_v no_o respecter_n of_o person_n but_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o that_o fear_v he_o and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v with_o he_o act._n x._o 34_o 35._o from_o whence_o what_o less_o can_v we_o conclude_v than_o that_o every_o man_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n who_o be_v sincere_o good_a and_o pious_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o his_o duty_n so_o far_o as_o it_o be_v know_v to_o he_o shall_v rather_o by_o a_o express_a revelation_n have_v the_o rest_n discover_v to_o he_o as_o in_o the_o instance_n of_o cornelius_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o these_o word_n of_o s._n peter_n than_o that_o he_o shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o perish_v for_o want_v of_o a_o true_a faith_n and_o sufficient_a knowledge_n of_o his_o duty_n and_o it_o be_v just_a with_o god_n to_o punish_v those_o heathen_n who_o sin_n without_o any_o reveal_v law_n for_o their_o sin_n against_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n and_o for_o neglect_v to_o use_v and_o improve_v their_o reason_n and_o to_o embrace_v the_o opportunity_n afford_v they_o of_o become_v christian_n we_o may_v likewise_o be_v certain_a that_o beside_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n god_n in_o his_o goodness_n be_v not_o want_v to_o afford_v such_o inward_a motion_n and_o conviction_n of_o mind_n to_o such_o of_o the_o heathen_a as_o be_v not_o wilful_o blind_a and_o stupefy_v by_o their_o vice_n as_o may_v prepare_v they_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o by_o his_o providence_n he_o give_v they_o so_o many_o opportunity_n of_o become_v acquaint_v withal_o and_o if_o once_o they_o do_v discern_v the_o defect_n and_o fault_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n which_o be_v so_o gross_o against_o natural_a reason_n and_o conscience_n they_o may_v make_v enquiry_n of_o christian_n concern_v their_o religion_n as_o some_o of_o the_o american_n do_v of_o cortes_n and_o the_o christian_n some_o of_o they_o at_o least_o however_o negligent_a they_o be_v in_o propagate_a it_o will_v never_o refuse_v to_o instruct_v they_o in_o it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o among_o those_o who_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o true_a religion_n yet_o many_o point_n be_v teach_v and_o believe_v which_o have_v their_o original_a from_o revelation_n as_o be_v evident_a not_o only_o of_o the_o mahometan_n but_o of_o several_a heathen_a nation_n which_o point_n be_v so_o many_o step_v and_o preparative_n towards_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o whole_a truth_n if_o they_o be_v not_o want_v to_o themselves_o in_o pursue_v they_o in_o their_o immediate_a tendency_n and_o consequence_n i_o shall_v not_o say_v that_o the_o merit_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o the_o gospel_n do_v extend_v to_o those_o who_o in_o the_o integrity_n of_o their_o heart_n die_v under_o a_o invincible_a ignorance_n of_o it_o i_o believe_v rather_o that_o god_n suffer_v no_o man_n so_o qualify_v and_o dispose_v to_o remain_v in_o invincible_a ignorance_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o vindicate_v god_n justice_n and_o goodness_n that_o all_o nation_n have_v have_v such_o opportunity_n of_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o great_a allowance_n may_v be_v make_v at_o the_o last_o day_n for_o the_o ignorance_n and_o unhappy_a circumstance_n of_o particular_a men._n it_o be_v well_o say_v that_o when_o god_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o tell_v we_o how_o he_o will_v be_v please_v to_o deal_v with_o such_o person_n it_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o we_o to_o tell_v he_o how_o he_o ought_v to_o deal_v with_o they_o but_o if_o it_o be_v difficult_a for_o we_o now_o to_o think_v how_o it_o will_v please_v god_n to_o deal_v with_o the_o heathen_a it_o will_v be_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o difficult_a to_o conceive_v how_o the_o gracious_a and_o merciful_a god_n can_v govern_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n if_o all_o mankind_n be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o heathen_n without_o any_o divine_a revelation_n what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o heathen_a as_o to_o their_o eternal_a state_n be_v not_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o discourse_n nor_o do_v it_o concern_v we_o to_o know_v some_o of_o they_o will_v have_v more_o to_o plead_v for_o themselves_o in_o point_n of_o ignorance_n than_o other_o can_v have_v and_o they_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o merciful_a creator_n and_o saviour_n of_o mankind_n and_o there_o we_o must_v leave_v they_o but_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v much_o more_o agreeable_a to_o the_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n and_o to_o give_v so_o many_o opportunity_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v instruct_v in_o it_o though_o never_o so_o many_o shall_v neglect_v the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n than_o it_o be_v to_o suppose_v he_o to_o take_v no_o care_n to_o reduce_v mankind_n to_o the_o sense_n and_o practice_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n but_o to_o let_v they_o continue_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o idolatry_n and_o wickedness_n without_o give_v they_o any_o warning_n against_o it_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v in_o secret_a in_o a_o dark_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n look_v unto_o i_o and_o be_v you_o save_v all_o the_o end_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o i_o be_o god_n and_o there_o be_v none_o else_o come_v you_o near_o unto_o i_o hear_v you_o this_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v in_o secret_a from_o the_o beginning_n from_o the_o time_n that_o it_o be_v there_o be_o i_o isa_n xlv_o 19_o 22._o &_o xlviii_o 16._o have_v prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n want_v nothing_o requisite_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n in_o regard_n either_o of_o the_o antiquity_n or_o promulgation_n i_o proceed_v to_o show_v that_o they_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n both_o by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o their_o authority_n this_o evidence_n depend_v upon_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o concern_v either_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n themselves_o in_o their_o several_a circumstance_n as_o we_o find_v they_o stand_v record_v or_o the_o life_n and_o personal_a qualification_n of_o those_o by_o who_o they_o be_v perform_v or_o by_o who_o they_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o scripture_n for_o if_o we_o can_v be_v assure_v both_o that_o they_o be_v true_o relate_v and_o that_o if_o they_o be_v do_v as_o they_o be_v relate_v they_o can_v proceed_v from_o none_o but_o a_o divine_a power_n we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o can_v be_v have_v for_o a_o revelation_n chap._n iii_o of_o moses_n and_o aaron_n that_o moses_n be_v a_o very_a great_a and_o wise_a man_n be_v relate_v by_o several_a of_o the_o most_o eminent_a heathen_a writer_n and_o i_o think_v it_o have_v never_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o man._n but_o it_o be_v no_o less_o evident_a that_o he_o be_v likewise_o a_o very_a good_a and_o pious_a man._n he_o frequent_o declare_v his_o own_o fail_n and_o infirmity_n exod._n iii._o 11._o &_o four_o 1_o 10_o 13._o num._n xi_o 10._o &_o xx_o 12._o &_o xxvii_o 14._o and_o never_o speak_v any_o thing_n tend_v to_o his_o own_o praise_n but_o upon_o a_o just_a and_o necessary_a occasion_n when_o it_o may_v become_v a_o prudent_a and_o modest_a man_n especial_o one_o divine_o inspire_v for_o all_o the_o praise_n of_o such_o a_o one_o do_v not_o terminate_v in_o himself_o but_o be_v attribute_v to_o god_n who_o instrument_n and_o servant_n he_o be_v and_o in_o such_o case_n where_o god_n honour_n be_v concern_v it_o be_v a_o duty_n to_o set_v forth_o the_o favour_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n towards_o he_o though_o some_o honour_n do_v redound_v
and_o have_v see_v his_o miracle_n and_o have_v be_v enable_v by_o he_o to_o do_v the_o like_a and_o they_o be_v never_o credulous_a but_o always_o backward_o and_o slow_a of_o belief_n and_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o surprise_v thing_n to_o they_o for_o though_o he_o have_v often_o plain_o foretell_v it_o to_o they_o yet_o the_o disappointment_n of_o their_o hope_n of_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n and_o the_o great_a terror_n and_o consternation_n that_o his_o death_n have_v put_v they_o into_o have_v quite_o break_v their_o spirit_n and_o thrust_v all_o hope_n or_o thought_n of_o a_o resurrection_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n and_o they_o be_v very_o hardly_o bring_v to_o a_o belief_n of_o it_o but_o he_o overcome_v their_o unbelief_n and_o satisfy_v all_o their_o scruple_n by_o such_o way_n as_o must_v be_v convince_a or_o else_o we_o can_v never_o be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v any_o real_a man_n beside_o ourselves_o in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o mere_a shadow_n and_o ghost_n they_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a they_o all_o behold_v the_o mark_n in_o his_o hand_n and_o in_o his_o side_n and_o one_o of_o they_o who_o will_v not_o otherwise_o be_v persuade_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n do_v thrust_v his_o finger_n into_o the_o print_n of_o the_o nail_n by_o which_o he_o be_v fasten_v to_o the_o cross_n and_o his_o hand_n into_o the_o wound_n of_o his_o side_n which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o soldier_n spear_n just_a before_o he_o be_v take_v down_o from_o it_o so_o that_o they_o know_v he_o as_o certain_o to_o be_v rise_v again_o as_o they_o have_v ever_o know_v he_o to_o be_v alive_a before_o his_o death_n the_o apostle_n be_v so_o diffident_a that_o our_o saviour_n upbraid_v they_o with_o their_o unbelief_n and_o hardness_n of_o heart_n because_o they_o believe_v not_o they_o which_o have_v see_v he_o after_o he_o be_v rise_v mark_v xuj_o 14._o but_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o as_o st._n thomas_n be_v at_o first_o absent_a and_o be_v suffer_v afterward_o to_o be_v so_o very_o difficult_a of_o belief_n so_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o two_o disciple_n that_o be_v walk_v to_o emaus_n that_o their_o eye_n be_v hold_v that_o they_o shall_v not_o know_v he_o it_o be_v purposely_o so_o order_v by_o the_o divine_a providence_n that_o they_o may_v not_o ready_o know_v and_o acknowledge_v he_o but_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o manifestation_n of_o himself_o to_o they_o may_v be_v a_o invincible_a argument_n against_o all_o opposer_n that_o no_o man_n may_v have_v any_o thing_n to_o object_n when_o every_o circumstance_n be_v as_o narrow_o examine_v and_o with_o as_o great_a caution_n and_o circumspection_n and_o diffidence_n as_o it_o can_v have_v be_v do_v by_o himself_o if_o he_o have_v be_v there_o for_o i_o think_v we_o may_v challenge_v the_o bold_a and_o subtle_a adversary_n to_o say_v what_o he_o can_v have_v do_v more_o to_o discover_v the_o truth_n if_o he_o have_v be_v then_o live_v and_o among_o the_o apostle_n than_o be_v do_v by_o they_o that_o which_o we_o have_v hear_v say_v st._n john_n which_o we_o have_v see_v with_o our_o eye_n which_o we_o have_v look_v upon_o and_o our_o hand_n have_v handle_v of_o the_o word_n of_o life_n for_o the_o life_n be_v manifest_v and_o we_o have_v see_v it_o and_o bear_v witness_n that_o which_o we_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v declare_v we_o unto_o you_o 1_o joh._n 1.2_o 3._o which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o witness_n to_o say_v as_o to_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o they_o who_o can_v speak_v and_o write_v in_o this_o manner_n must_v be_v competent_a witness_n if_o no_o other_o exception_n can_v lie_v against_o they_o they_o certain_o speak_v home_o to_o the_o purpose_n and_o all_o that_o any_o witness_n can_v be_v desire_v or_o suppose_v to_o speak_v ii_o as_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o so_o they_o will_v not_o deceive_v other_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o it_o but_o act_v against_o all_o the_o interest_n and_o advantage_n of_o this_o world_n and_o those_o who_o have_v deny_v or_o forsake_v christ_n when_o he_o be_v live_v will_v never_o have_v be_v so_o zealous_a and_o resolute_a to_o suffer_v for_o he_o after_o he_o be_v crucify_a if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v full_o assure_v of_o his_o resurrection_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v imagine_v they_o will_v have_v suffer_v all_o manner_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n only_o to_o bear_v witness_n to_o a_o thing_n they_o have_v know_v to_o be_v false_a and_o it_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v that_o they_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o it_o but_o must_v have_v know_v it_o to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o have_v be_v so_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v true_a that_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a or_o else_o we_o must_v suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o have_v be_v of_o so_o different_a a_o nature_n from_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n as_o to_o delight_v in_o the_o thing_n which_o all_o other_o fear_n and_o abhor_v even_o in_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n in_o infamy_n and_o torment_n and_o all_o the_o punishment_n that_o can_v be_v inflict_v he_o that_o will_v endure_v all_o these_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o what_o he_o know_v to_o be_v false_a must_v sure_o not_o be_v of_o humane_a nature_n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o doubt_v whether_o the_o apostle_n be_v man_n as_o we_o be_v as_o whether_o christ_n do_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a iii_o they_o allege_v such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o deceive_v those_o to_o who_o they_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n though_o they_o have_v have_v never_o so_o much_o mind_n to_o do_v it_o they_o declare_v that_o that_o jesus_n who_o the_o jew_n have_v cause_v to_o be_v crucify_a and_o have_v then_o place_v a_o guard_n of_o soldier_n to_o secure_v his_o sepulchre_n lest_o his_o disciple_n shall_v take_v he_o away_o be_v notwithstanding_o all_o their_o care_n rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o that_o report_n of_o the_o jew_n that_o his_o disciple_n come_v by_o night_n and_o steal_v he_o away_o while_o the_o watch_n sleep_v be_v utter_o false_a nay_o that_o it_o be_v a_o suborn_a story_n and_o that_o the_o chief_a priest_n have_v give_v the_o soldier_n money_n to_o say_v it_o now_o if_o christ_n have_v not_o real_o be_v rise_v how_o easy_o have_v all_o this_o be_v disprove_v and_o what_o a_o provocation_n be_v this_o to_o the_o chief_a priest_n to_o disprove_v it_o if_o they_o can_v their_o honour_n and_o reputation_n and_o their_o interest_n with_o the_o people_n be_v high_o concern_v to_o vindicate_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o report_n which_o they_o have_v hire_v the_o soldier_n to_o give_v out_o and_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o report_n what_o reason_n can_v st._n matthew_n have_v to_o pretend_v there_o be_v and_o if_o against_o all_o reason_n and_o common_a sense_n he_o have_v pretend_v such_o a_o report_n when_o there_o have_v be_v none_o it_o must_v have_v be_v the_o great_a disservice_n to_o his_o cause_n that_o can_v have_v be_v think_v of_o but_o when_o there_o be_v such_o a_o report_n among_o the_o jew_n that_o his_o disciple_n have_v steal_v he_o away_o by_o night_n if_o this_o can_v have_v be_v make_v good_a against_o they_o will_v his_o disciple_n so_o soon_o after_o in_o the_o very_a city_n where_o he_o have_v be_v crucify_a declare_v to_o the_o face_n of_o the_o chief_a priest_n assemble_v in_o counsel_n the_o god_n of_o our_o father_n have_v raise_v up_o jesus_n who_o you_o slay_v and_o hang_v on_o a_o tree_n he_o have_v god_n exalt_v with_o his_o right_a hand_n to_o be_v a_o prince_n and_o a_o saviour_n and_o to_o give_v repentance_n to_o israel_n and_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o we_o be_v his_o witness_n of_o these_o thing_n act_v v._o 30_o 31_o 32._o be_v not_o this_o as_o much_o as_o can_v be_v say_v to_o challenge_v they_o to_o produce_v those_o soldier_n to_o confront_v they_o but_o beside_o the_o senseless_a story_n that_o man_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o know_v what_o be_v do_v when_o they_o confess_v themselves_o to_o have_v be_v asleep_o the_o apostle_n can_v soon_o have_v confute_v that_o calumny_n by_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o resurrection_n if_o the_o soldier_n have_v be_v asleep_o when_o the_o body_n be_v take_v away_o yet_o the_o jew_n be_v certain_o awake_a when_o they_o invent_v and_o spread_v the_o report_n and_o when_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n and_o hear_v the_o strange_a language_n by_o which_o the_o apostle_n prove_v it_o to_o be_v false_a and_o declare_v that_o
upon_o any_o subject_a and_o then_o they_o trample_v with_o wonderful_a scorn_n and_o triumph_n upon_o that_o which_o they_o conceive_v be_v so_o miserable_o overcome_v but_o alas_o the_o victory_n be_v over_o themselves_o nothing_o be_v either_o the_o more_o or_o the_o less_o true_a for_o their_o believe_v or_o disbelieve_v it_o and_o religion_n be_v always_o the_o same_o how_o profane_o soever_o it_o may_v be_v speak_v of_o we_o have_v no_o design_n to_o impose_v upon_o any_o man_n faith_n but_o if_o there_o be_v reason_n in_o what_o we_o say_v it_o may_v well_o be_v expect_v from_o reasonable_a man_n that_o they_o shall_v hearken_v to_o reason_n religion_n be_v reason_n and_o philosophy_n as_o the_o father_n often_o speak_v the_o best_a and_o true_a philosophy_n and_o i_o be_o persuade_v how_o much_o soever_o i_o may_v have_v fail_v in_o the_o performance_n that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v capable_a of_o be_v prove_v with_o such_o clear_a and_o full_a evidence_n even_o to_o ordinary_a understanding_n as_o to_o make_v all_o pretence_n of_o argue_v against_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v as_o ridiculous_a as_o they_o be_v impious_a the_o content_n chap._n i._o of_o humane_a reason_n the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v in_o the_o first_o book_n such_o point_n be_v clear_v in_o the_o second_o as_o be_v think_v most_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n but_o before_o man_n venture_v upon_o objection_n against_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v fit_a for_o they_o to_o consider_v the_o strength_n and_o compass_n of_o their_o own_o faculty_n and_o the_o manifold_a defect_n of_o humane_a reason_n p._n 1._o in_o some_o thing_n each_o side_n of_o a_o contradiction_n seem_v to_o be_v demonstrable_a p._n 4._o every_o man_n believe_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o several_a thing_n which_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o speculative_a notion_n of_o they_o will_v seem_v as_o incredible_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v p._n 12._o those_o who_o disbelieve_v and_o reject_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n must_v believe_v thing_n much_o more_o incredible_a p._n 24._o chap._n ii_o of_o inspiration_n all_o motion_n of_o material_a thing_n be_v derive_v from_o god_n and_o it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o conceivable_a by_o we_o that_o god_n do_v act_n upon_o the_o immaterial_a as_o that_o he_o act_v upon_o the_o material_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o may_v act_v more_o powerful_o upon_o the_o will_n and_o understanding_n of_o some_o man_n than_o of_o other_o p._n 28._o wherein_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v consist_v and_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v p._n 31._o such_o inference_n from_o thence_o as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_a p._n 41._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n etc._n etc._n p._n 42._o it_o do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n ibid._n though_o something_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n p._n 43._o in_o thing_n which_o may_v fall_v under_o humane_a prudence_n and_o observation_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n seem_v to_o have_v use_v only_o a_o directive_n power_n and_o influence_n p._n 46._o this_o infallible_a assistance_n be_v not_o permanent_a and_o habitual_a p._n 49._o it_o do_v not_o prevent_v personal_a fail_n p._n 50._o no_o passage_n or_o circumstance_n in_o the_o scripture_n erroneous_a p._n 51._o chap._n iii_o of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o grammatical_a construction_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n p._n 53._o those_o which_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o defect_n in_o the_o scripture-style_n be_v usual_a in_o the_o most_o approve_a heathen_a author_n p._n ib._n metaphor_n and_o rhetorical_a scheme_n and_o figure_n p._n 57_o the_o style_n different_a of_o different_a nation_n p._n 58._o the_o title_n of_o king_n p._n 59_o what_o art_n be_v use_v by_o orator_n to_o raise_v the_o passion_n p._n 60._o that_o they_o sometime_o read_v their_o speech_n p._n 62._o the_o figurative_a expression_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o their_o type_n and_o parable_n be_v suitable_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n and_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v ibid._n several_a thing_n relate_v as_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v only_o parabolical_a description_n or_o representation_n p._n 64._o the_o prophetic_a scheme_n of_o speech_n usual_a with_o the_o eastern_a nation_n p._n 66._o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n p._n 68_o the_o antiquity_n and_o various_a way_n of_o poetry_n p._n 69._o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n p._n 71._o the_o decorum_n or_o suitableness_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o the_o style_n of_o scripture_n p._n 79._o the_o method_n p._n 86._o some_o book_n of_o scripture_n admirable_a for_o their_o style_n p._n 89._o why_o the_o style_n not_o alike_o excellent_a in_o all_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n p._n 93._o chap._n iu._n of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n any_o controversy_n concern_v the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n of_o holy_a scripture_n no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o rest_n p._n 96._o the_o uncontroverted_a book_n contain_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o salvation_n p._n 97._o the_o dispute_n concern_v the_o apochrypha_n fall_v not_o here_o under_o consideration_n p._n 99_o no_o suppression_n or_o alteration_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n by_o idolatrous_a king_n etc._n etc._n p._n 100_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o the_o handwriting_a of_o moses_n find_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o josiah_n p._n 102._o no_o book_n but_o those_o which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n receive_v by_o the_o jew_n into_o their_o canon_n p._n 103._o what_o opinion_n the_o ten_o tribe_n have_v of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n p._n 105._o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v any_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n p._n 106._o of_o the_o book_n whereof_o mention_n be_v make_v in_o the_o o._n t._n p._n 106._o why_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o that_o there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n of_o the_o historical_a book_n shall_v be_v express_v p._n 108._o a_o wonderful_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o o._n t._n for_o so_o many_o age_n p._n 109._o the_o new_a testament_n confirm_v the_o old_a p._n 111._o the_o caution_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o admit_v book_n into_o the_o canon_n ib._n the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o examine_v and_o distinguish_v the_o genuine_a and_o inspire_v write_n from_o the_o apocryphal_a or_o spurious_a p._n 113._o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n matt._n in_o hebrew_n how_o long_o preserve_v p._n 115._o the_o greek_a version_n of_o it_o p._n 116._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n finish_v by_o st._n john_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o other_o evangelist_n etc._n etc._n review_v by_o he_o p._n 117._o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o religion_n ib._n copy_n of_o great_a antiquity_n still_o extant_a p._n 118._o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o some_o book_n be_v at_o first_o doubt_v of_o p._n 119._o the_o canon_n have_v be_v fix_v and_o confirm_v in_o council_n in_o tertullian_n time_n p._n 121._o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n general_o receive_v by_o christian_n of_o all_o sect_n and_o party_n p._n 124._o chap._n v._o of_o the_o various_a readins_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n a_o extraordinary_a providence_n manifest_v in_o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o such_o casualty_n as_o have_v befall_v other_o book_n p._n 126._o the_o defect_n in_o the_o hebrew_n vowel_n and_o the_o late_a invention_n of_o the_o point_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n p._n 127._o the_o change_n of_o the_o old_a hebrew_n character_n into_o that_o now_o in_o use_n be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o hebrew_n text_n p._n 130._o the_o keri_n and_o the_o ketib_n no_o prejudice_n to_o it_o ib._n the_o difference_n between_o the_o hebrew_n text_n and_o the_o septuagint_n and_o other_o version_n or_o between_o the_o version_n themselves_o no_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n p._n 132._o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o great_a critic_n both_o protestant_n and_o
last_o day_n of_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n p._n 388._o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n mean_v by_o the_o last_o day_n p._n 389._o st._n paul_n do_v not_o suppose_v that_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v approach_v in_o his_o time_n p._n 391._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o last_o judgement_n must_v be_v confine_v to_o one_o day_n p._n 393._o chap._n xxiii_o of_o sacrament_n the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o sacrament_n p._n 396._o 1._o they_o be_v outward_a and_o visible_a sign_n of_o our_o entrance_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n or_o of_o our_o renew_v our_o covenant_n with_o he_o ib._n 2._o they_o be_v token_n and_o pledge_n to_o we_o of_o god_n love_n and_o favour_n p._n 402._o 3._o they_o be_v mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n p._n 404._o 4._o they_o be_v federal_n rite_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o visible_a society_n and_o of_o our_o union_n with_o it_o as_o such_o p._n 406._o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n full_o answer_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o sacrament_n p._n 407._o chap._n xxiv_o of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n p._n 412_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n p._n 413._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n p._n 414._o the_o difference_n between_o the_o divine_a person_n and_o humane_a person_n 417._o other_o thing_n be_v and_o must_v be_v believe_v by_o we_o which_o be_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o this_o doctrine_n p._n 421._o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o doctrine_n explain_v and_o defend_v p._n 423._o this_o doctrine_n exceed_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o life_n and_o conversation_n of_o man_n p._n 427._o chap._n xxv_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a god_n be_v certain_o able_a to_o raise_v the_o dead_a p._n 431._o body_n after_o their_o corruption_n and_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o part_n which_o compose_v they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o life_n by_o the_o reunion_n of_o these_o part_n again_o p._n 436._o we_o may_v rise_v again_o with_o the_o same_o body_n which_o we_o have_v here_o notwithstanding_o any_o change_n or_o flux_n of_o the_o part_n of_o our_o body_n while_o we_o live_v or_o any_o accident_n after_o death_n p._n 437._o it_o be_v not_o only_o credible_a and_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n can_v but_o likewise_o that_o he_o will_v raise_v the_o dead_a p._n 443._o chap._n xxvi_o of_o the_o reason_n why_o christ_n do_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o his_o resurrection_n there_o be_v reason_n peculiar_a to_o this_o dispensation_n of_o his_o resurrection_n why_o christ_n shall_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a p._n 449._o it_o have_v not_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o other_o dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o mankind_n for_o he_o to_o have_v do_v it_o p._n 451_o great_a number_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v give_v over_o to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n will_v not_o have_v believe_v though_o they_o have_v see_v christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 452._o if_o the_o jew_n have_v believe_v in_o christ_n their_o conversion_n have_v not_o be_v a_o great_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n than_o their_o unbelief_n have_v be_v p._n 453._o the_o power_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n manifest_v in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o great_a a_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o the_o personal_a appearance_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o can_v have_v be_v p._n 454._o chap._n xxvii_o of_o the_o forty_o day_n in_o which_o christ_n remain_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o his_o â—â—â—surrection_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ascension_n many_o thing_n in_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n before_o his_o passion_n omit_v by_o the_o evangelist_n p._n 459._o and_o likewise_o after_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 461._o what_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o that_o which_o we_o read_v of_o his_o converse_v with_o his_o disciple_n after_o it_o p._n 463._o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ascension_n p._n 465._o chap._n xxviii_o why_o some_o work_n of_o nature_n be_v more_o especial_o ascribe_v to_o god_n why_o mean_n be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o work_v of_o miracle_n and_o why_o faith_n be_v sometime_o require_v of_o those_o upon_o who_o or_o before_o who_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v all_o creature_n act_v with_o a_o constant_a dependence_n upon_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o influence_n but_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v more_o especial_o to_o be_v do_v by_o god_n himself_o whereby_o upon_o some_o extraordinary_a occasion_n his_o power_n and_o his_o will_n be_v more_o particular_o manifest_v or_o his_o promise_n fulfil_v p._n 469._o miracle_n be_v more_o peculiar_o the_o work_n of_o god_n because_o they_o be_v wrought_v without_o the_o concurrence_n or_o subserviency_n of_o natural_a mean_n ib_n mean_v use_v as_o circumstance_n to_o render_v miracle_n more_o observable_a not_o as_o concur_v to_o the_o production_n of_o the_o effect_n 470._o christ_n have_v give_v undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o miraculous_a power_n before_o he_o require_v faith_n as_o a_o condition_n in_o such_o as_o come_v to_o see_v his_o miracle_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o they_o p._n 471._o whether_o he_o require_v faith_n of_o any_o before_o his_o work_n of_o a_o miracle_n who_o have_v not_o already_o see_v he_o work_v miracle_n p._n 481._o great_a reason_n that_o no_o miracle_n shall_v be_v purposely_o wrought_v for_o the_o captious_a and_o malicious_a p._n 482._o the_o case_n of_o his_o own_o countryman_n be_v particular_a ib._n the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o come_v to_o desire_v his_o help_n p._n 487._o our_o saviour_n hereby_o signify_v that_o he_o require_v the_o same_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o see_v his_o miracle_n as_o he_o do_v of_o those_o who_o have_v see_v they_o p._n 489._o chap._n xxix_o of_o the_o cease_n of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n the_o antiquity_n of_o prophecy_n add_v to_o their_o force_n and_o evidence_n p._n 491._o the_o cessation_n of_o miracle_n we_o read_v of_o no_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o any_o man_n before_o moses_n p._n 492._o neither_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n for_o more_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n p._n 495._o miracle_n if_o common_a will_v lose_v the_o design_n and_o nature_n of_o miracle_n p._n 498._o man_n will_v pretend_v to_o frame_v hypothesis_n to_o solve_v they_o p._n 499._o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n will_v occasion_v imposture_n ib._n they_o will_v occasion_v pride_n in_o those_o that_o wrought_v they_o p._n 501._o no_o more_o reason_n for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o christian_a religion_n among_o christian_n than_o there_o be_v need_n of_o they_o to_o prove_v a_o god_n ib._n a_o divine_a power_n be_v notwithstanding_o evident_a among_o christian_n live_v in_o heathen_a country_n p._n 502._o chap._n xxx_o of_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n reject_v christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n asupernatural_a grace_n necessary_a to_o true_a faith_n p._n 504._o jew_n and_o proselyte_n be_v convert_v in_o great_a number_n p._n 508._o many_o dare_v not_o own_o christ_n other_o have_v their_o heart_n harden_v p._n 511._o they_o have_v violent_a prejudidice_n against_o the_o gospel_n p._n 512._o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n of_o false_a prophet_n a_o cause_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n p._n 514._o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 515._o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_n convert_v p._n 516._o the_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n in_o the_o philosopher_n ib._n of_o epictetus_n and_o seneca_n p._n 518._o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o gentile_n p._n 521._o they_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n right_o to_o understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 522._o oracle_n have_v foretell_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o last_v above_o 365_o year_n p._n ib._n heresy_n and_o schism_n give_v great_a scandal_n p._n 523._o many_o heathen_n however_o have_v more_o favourable_a and_o just_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 524._o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o heathen_n against_o it_o p._n 528._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n confirm_v it_o p._n 530._o chap._n xxxi_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o suffer_v for_o they_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o martyr_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n more_o
fit_v to_o reveal_v such_o thing_n to_o we_o as_o be_v above_o our_o understanding_n but_o then_o we_o must_v be_v content_v to_o take_v his_o word_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o not_o apply_v our_o principle_n and_o maxim_n take_v from_o thing_n of_o a_o inferior_a nature_n to_o thing_n of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o conception_n but_o from_o revelation_n which_o will_v be_v as_o absurd_a as_o for_o a_o deaf_a man_n to_o apply_v the_o notion_n which_o he_o have_v of_o colour_n to_o sound_n or_o for_o a_o blind_a man_n to_o fancy_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o colour_n because_o he_o be_v tell_v they_o can_v be_v hear_v and_o there_o must_v be_v a_o due_a proportion_n between_o the_o faculty_n and_o its_o object_n for_o the_o faculty_n both_o of_o our_o body_n and_o mind_n be_v confine_v and_o limit_v in_o their_o exercise_n about_o their_o several_a object_n the_o part_n of_o matter_n may_v be_v too_o small_a and_o fine_a to_o be_v any_o long_o discern_v or_o perceive_v by_o sense_n for_o only_a body_n which_o be_v so_o big_a as_o to_o reflect_v a_o due_a quantity_n of_o ray_n to_o the_o eye_n can_v be_v perceive_v by_o the_o sight_n itself_o the_o quick_a and_o subtle_a of_o all_o our_o sense_n and_o as_o object_n in_o their_o bulk_n be_v sensible_a but_o be_v insensible_a in_o their_o minute_n part_n so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o inward_a sensation_n or_o preception_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o object_n we_o may_v puzzle_v and_o perplex_v ourselves_o in_o the_o deduction_n which_o may_v be_v make_v from_o the_o most_o common_a notion_n nothing_o be_v more_o certain_a and_o familiar_a to_o our_o mind_n than_o our_o own_o thought_n that_o we_o think_v and_o understand_v and_o will_v we_o all_o know_v but_o what_o be_v the_o principle_n and_o subject_n of_o thought_n in_o we_o and_o how_o our_o understanding_n and_o will_v act_v upon_o and_o determine_v each_o other_o be_v matter_n of_o perpetual_a dispute_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v that_o our_o faculty_n be_v finite_a and_o of_o no_o very_a large_a extent_n in_o their_o operation_n but_o be_v confine_v to_o certain_a object_n and_o limit_v to_o certain_a bound_n and_o period_n both_o our_o natural_a and_o acquire_v knowledge_n be_v conversant_a about_o certain_a kind_n of_o object_n and_o our_o faculty_n be_v fit_v and_o suit_v to_o they_o and_o from_o the_o property_n and_o affection_n which_o we_o observe_v in_o they_o we_o form_n notion_n and_o make_v conclusion_n and_o raise_v maxim_n and_o axiom_n now_o if_o we_o apply_v our_o natural_a notion_n to_o thing_n which_o we_o know_v only_o by_o revelation_n we_o must_v be_v very_o liable_a to_o great_a mistake_n about_o they_o for_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o thing_n not_o so_o much_o out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o our_o capacity_n and_o which_o be_v not_o of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n if_o we_o frame_v speculative_a and_o abstract_a idea_n from_o the_o principle_n and_o maxim_n which_o be_v form_v in_o our_o mind_n from_o sensible_a object_n we_o may_v soon_o puzzle_v ourselves_o and_o seem_v to_o demonstrate_v contradiction_n which_o demonstrate_v only_o that_o all_o argument_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v vain_a and_o unconcluding_a and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v absurd_a to_o reject_v the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n because_o they_o will_v not_o come_v under_o the_o rule_n of_o logic_n and_o philosophy_n when_o they_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v incomprehensible_a and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n and_o nature_n of_o they_o by_o the_o rule_n and_o principle_n of_o humane_a science_n what_o have_v be_v here_o allege_v concern_v the_o contradictious_a about_o the_o divisibility_n of_o matter_n be_v no_o more_o than_o have_v be_v general_o confess_v by_o the_o best_a philosopher_n and_o mathematician_n and_o the_o excellent_a mr_n boyle_n have_v produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o galileo_n and_o des_n cartes_n upon_o this_o subject_n conclude_v with_o this_o observation_n 2._o observation_n considerate_a about_o the_o reconcileableness_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n sect_n 2._o if_o then_o such_o bold_a and_o pierce_a wit_n and_o such_o excellent_a mathematician_n be_v force_v to_o confess_v that_o not_o only_o their_o own_o reason_n but_o that_o of_o mankind_n may_v be_v pass_v and_o non-plussed_a about_o quantity_n which_o be_v a_o object_n of_o contemplation_n natural_a nay_o mathematical_a and_o which_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o the_o rigid_a demonstration_n of_o pure_a mathematics_n why_o shall_v we_o think_v it_o unfit_a to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o in_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n who_o be_v essential_o a_o infinite_a be_v and_o a_o ens_fw-la singularissimum_fw-la and_o in_o divers_a other_o divine_a thing_n of_o which_o we_o can_v have_v no_o knowledge_n without_o revelation_n there_o shall_v be_v some_o thing_n that_o our_o finite_a understanding_n can_v especial_o in_o this_o life_n clear_o comprehend_v ii_o every_o man_n believe_v and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o several_a thing_n which_o in_o the_o theory_n and_o speculative_a notion_n of_o they_o will_v seem_v as_o incredible_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v it_o be_v well_o observe_v by_o 2._o by_o sunt_fw-la onim_fw-la plurima_fw-la vera_fw-la quidem_fw-la sed_fw-la parum_fw-la credibilia_fw-la sicut_fw-la falsa_fw-la quoque_fw-la frequenter_a verisimilia_fw-la quintil._n institut_fw-la l._n 4._o c._n 2._o quintilian_n and_o may_v be_v observe_v by_o any_o one_o that_o will_v consider_v it_o that_o very_o many_o thing_n be_v true_a which_o scarce_o seem_v credible_a and_o as_o many_o be_v false_a which_o have_v all_o the_o appearance_n of_o truth_n and_o yet_o the_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v chief_o this_o that_o we_o be_v hardly_o bring_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n possible_a to_o be_v do_v which_o we_o never_o 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and_o familiar_a to_o we_o we_o either_o take_v no_o pain_n at_o all_o to_o consider_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o or_o when_o we_o do_v observe_v and_o consider_v it_o be_v ashamed_a to_o confess_v our_o own_o ignorance_n we_o persuade_v ourselves_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o fancy_n we_o understand_v the_o true_a reason_n and_o cause_n of_o it_o and_o if_o it_o be_v not_o for_o the_o carelessness_n of_o some_o in_v not_o mind_v the_o wonderful_a effect_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o pride_n of_o other_o in_o fancy_v that_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o nothing_o which_o be_v the_o constant_a object_n of_o their_o sense_n i_o be_o perthat_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n which_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o experience_n that_o will_v seem_v as_o wonderful_a almost_o as_o the_o resurrection_n itself_o or_o any_o mystery_n in_o religion_n the_o great_a philosopher_n have_v be_v able_a to_o give_v but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a account_n of_o the_o most_o ordinary_a and_o obvious_a thing_n in_o nature_n and_o if_o we_o have_v only_o a_o relation_n of_o they_o without_o any_o trial_n or_o experience_n we_o shall_v be_v incline_v to_o conclude_v they_o impossible_a the_o king_n of_o siam_n it_o be_v say_v will_v not_o believe_v the_o dutch_a ambassador_n but_o think_v himself_o affront_v when_o he_o be_v tell_v by_o he_o that_o in_o holland_n water_n will_v become_v so_o hard_o in_o cold_a weather_n that_o man_n or_o elephant_n may_v walk_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o relation_n of_o thing_n in_o those_o country_n will_v have_v seem_v as_o strange_a to_o we_o if_o the_o constant_a report_n of_o man_n who_o have_v be_v there_o have_v not_o make_v they_o familiar_a to_o we_o it_o be_v former_o disbelieved_a nay_o absolute_o deny_v as_o absurd_a and_o impossible_a that_o there_o can_v be_v any_o such_o place_n as_o that_o which_o be_v now_o know_v
to_o the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n well_o know_v and_o practise_v at_o that_o time_n thus_o the_o slave_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v their_o master_n name_n or_o mark_v upon_o their_o forehead_n and_o the_o soldier_n to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o their_o general_n upon_o their_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o like_a mark_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o man_n in_o token_n that_o they_o have_v devote_v themselves_o to_o their_o god_n from_o whence_o we_o read_v of_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o beast_n receive_v by_o his_o worshipper_n in_o their_o right_a hand_n or_o in_o their_o forehead_n loc_fw-la forehead_n vid._n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la loc_fw-la rev._n 13.16_o and_o of_o his_o father_n name_v write_v in_o the_o forehead_n of_o those_o that_o stand_v in_o mount_n zion_n with_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 14.1_o st_o paul_n allude_v to_o the_o grecian_a game_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n who_o be_v much_o addict_v to_o those_o sport_n and_o have_v one_o sort_n of_o they_o the_o isthmian_a perform_v among_o they_o 1_o cor._n 9.24_o 25._o and_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o distinction_n among_o the_o roman_n between_o freeman_n and_o slave_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v in_o condescension_n to_o they_o i_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n because_o of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o your_o flesh_n rom._n 6.19_o melchisedec_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o father_n without_o mother_n without_o descent_n heb._n 7.3_o because_o his_o pedigree_n be_v unknown_a which_o be_v a_o most_o significant_a way_n of_o expression_n to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o their_o genealogy_n but_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v also_o use_v 8._o use_v patre_fw-la nullo_n matre_fw-la serva_fw-la liv._o lib._n 4._o c._n 3._o â—ullis_fw-la majoribus_fw-la ortos_fw-la horac_n serm._n lib._n 1._o sit_v 6._o dvos_fw-la romanos_fw-la reges_fw-la â—sse_fw-la quorum_fw-la alter_fw-la patrem_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la alter_fw-la matrem_fw-la nam_fw-la de_fw-la servij_fw-la matre_fw-la dubitatur_fw-la anci_fw-la pater_fw-la nullus_fw-la numae_fw-la nepos_fw-la dicitur_fw-la senec._n epist_n c._n 8._o by_o livy_n horace_n and_o seneca_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n there_o be_v much_o of_o nature_n but_o very_o much_o likewise_o of_o use_n and_o custom_n in_o the_o several_a scheme_n and_o form_n of_o rhetoric_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o sudden_a change_n of_o the_o person_n speak_v jer._n 16.19_o 20_o 21.17.13_o and_o with_o interlocatory_a discourse_n isa_n 63._o and_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a to_o we_o for_o want_v of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n who_o speak_v thus_o for_o instance_n jer._n 20.14_o the_o prophet_n seem_v transport_v abrupt_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wicked_a mention_v for_o 13._o under_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n from_o the_o 14_o ver_fw-la to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o sense_n will_v be_v more_o easy_a this_o abrupt_a change_n of_o the_o person_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o longinus_n as_o a_o excellency_n in_o homer_n hecataeus_n and_o demosthenes_n and_o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n 7._o scripture_n justin_n apol._n 2._o origen_n philocal_a c._n 7._o as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o origen_n observe_v many_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v give_v in_o the_o best_a heathen_a poet_n and_o the_o read_v the_o ancient_a poet_n be_v the_o best_a help_n for_o the_o understanding_n all_o other_o author_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o the_o ancient_a any_o author_n be_v the_o near_a his_o stile_n come_v to_o poetry_n the_o first_o design_n of_o write_v be_v to_o delight_n so_o as_o to_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o instruct_v which_o make_v verse_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o prose_n and_o though_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o speak_v in_o prose_n and_o not_o in_o verse_n yet_o it_o seem_v the_o humour_n oâ—_n greek_n will_v not_o bear_v though_o write_a philosophy_n in_o prose_n till_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n for_o then_o loc_fw-la then_o plin._n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 29.7_o c._n 56._o vid._n harduin_n ad_fw-la loc_fw-la pliny_n tell_v we_o pherecydes_n first_o write_v in_o prose_n which_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o philosophy_n for_o he_o ascribe_v the_o first_o writing_n of_o prose_n in_o history_n to_o cadmus_n milesius_n and_o the_o ancient_a writer_n now_o extant_a in_o prose_n herodotus_n thucydides_n and_o xenophon_n have_v many_o expression_n which_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o meet_v withal_o beside_o but_o in_o the_o poet_n h._n stephens_n make_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o poetical_a word_n use_v by_o xenophon_n which_o be_v prefix_v to_o his_o work_n and_o the_o orator_n both_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v as_o exact_v and_o curious_a in_o the_o foot_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o prose_n as_o the_o poet_n can_v be_v in_o verse_n great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o verse_n and_o the_o different_a way_n of_o write_v in_o different_a age_n and_o nation_n appear_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o poetry_n that_o way_n of_o write_v all_o verse_n in_o rhyme_n which_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o esteem_v will_v have_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n though_o the_o use_n of_o rhyme_n in_o verse_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v example_n in_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o way_n of_o write_a verse_n acrostic_n though_o of_o no_o esteem_n and_o little_o use_v in_o many_o age_n and_o country_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n verse_n compose_v in_o the_o acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a way_n be_v find_v to_o be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o memory_n and_o this_o benefit_n and_o the_o ornament_n which_o it_o be_v then_o suppose_v to_o give_v to_o poem_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o it_o be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o sometime_o the_o inspiration_n be_v so_o strong_a upon_o the_o writer_n mind_n as_o to_o interrupt_v the_o art_n and_o method_n which_o he_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o as_o ps_n 25._o and_o 145._o or_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v customary_a upon_o certain_a occasion_n to_o omit_v some_o letter_n in_o the_o alphabet_n in_o such_o composition_n for_o reason_n which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o but_o which_o may_v be_v very_o satisfactory_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n 21._o country_n athenae_n lib._n 10._o c._n 21._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o example_n of_o this_o among_o the_o greek_n use_v by_o pindar_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n the_o old_a 11._o old_a casanb_n in_o athen._n lib._n 8._o c._n 11._o spartan_a doric_a and_o aeolic_a dialect_n change_v σ_n into_o p_o the_o rough_a sound_n of_o this_o letter_n be_v more_o agreeable_a it_o seem_v to_o those_o people_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v write_v acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a poem_n σ_n will_v have_v be_v omit_v rhophalick_a verse_n which_o begin_v with_o a_o monosyllable_n every_o word_n increase_a by_o one_o syllable_n more_o than_o the_o former_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o homer_n and_o the_o leonine_n or_o monkish_a verse_n with_o a_o double_a rhyme_n one_o in_o the_o middle_n and_o the_o other_o at_o the_o end_n be_v not_o without_o precedent_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o poem_n compose_v of_o divers_a sort_n of_o verse_n and_o frame_v into_o the_o shape_n of_o several_a thing_n by_o simmias_n rhodius_n some_o of_o which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o theocritus_n the_o repetition_n so_o frequent_a in_o homer_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o word_n for_o no_o author_n ever_o want_v they_o less_o than_o he_o but_o out_o of_o choice_n though_o latter_a poet_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o imitate_v he_o in_o this_o and_o martial_n turn_v it_o to_o ridicule_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o be_v more_o various_a than_o the_o wit_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o whoever_o will_v write_v to_o any_o purpose_n must_v write_v in_o some_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o write_v will_v bear_v and_o as_o their_o custom_n require_v but_o before_o i_o leave_v this_o particular_a it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o consider_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v any_o book_n write_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o literal_a propriety_n of_o word_n because_o all_o language_n abound_v in_o metaphor_n which_o by_o constant_a use_n become_v perhaps_o better_o know_v to_o the_o native_n of_o a_o country_n than_o the_o original_a word_n themselves_o and_o in_o process_n
we_o can_v know_v nothing_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o we_o know_v the_o proposition_n which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v though_o we_o can_v make_v good_a the_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o way_n of_o natural_a reason_v but_o only_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o revealer_n which_o be_v of_o itself_o sufficient_a and_o aught_o to_o be_v instead_o of_o all_o other_o reason_n to_o we_o 2._o some_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v fit_v and_o accommodate_v to_o former_a age_n and_o be_v more_o proper_a and_o useful_a for_o they_o than_o if_o they_o have_v be_v write_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o be_v less_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a we_o may_v well_o imagine_v that_o many_o part_n of_o the_o scripture_n must_v have_v be_v more_o peculiar_o adapt_v to_o their_o use_n and_o advantage_n for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v and_o the_o learning_n and_o wisdom_n of_o ancient_a time_n consist_v in_o parable_n and_o proverb_n and_o obscure_a form_n of_o speech_n in_o prophecy_n in_o subtle_a and_o dark_a parable_n and_o in_o the_o secret_n of_o grave_a sentence_n eccl._n thirty-nine_o 1_o 2_o 3._o and_o it_o be_v foretell_v of_o the_o messiah_n in_o particular_a that_o he_o shall_v speak_v in_o parable_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a excellency_n i_o will_v open_v my_o mouth_n in_o a_o parable_n i_o will_v utter_v dark_a say_n of_o old_a ps_n lxxviii_o 2._o matt._n xiii_o 35._o this_o be_v in_o ancient_a time_n the_o language_n of_o court_n and_o the_o proper_a way_n of_o address_n to_o king_n nathan_n the_o prophet_n and_o the_o woman_n of_o tekoa_n come_v to_o david_n with_o a_o parable_n 2_o sam._n twelve_o 1._o fourteen_o 4._o and_o jehoash_n king_n of_o israel_n send_v a_o message_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n to_o amaziah_n king_n of_o judah_n 2_o king_n fourteen_o 9_o and_o cyrus_n 141._o cyrus_n â—eâ—odot_n lib._n i_o c._n 141._o answer_v the_o petition_n of_o two_o nation_n at_o once_o to_o he_o in_o a_o short_a parable_n to_o understand_v a_o proverb_n and_o the_o interpretation_n the_o word_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o their_o dark_a say_n be_v the_o best_a description_n that_o solomon_n himself_o can_v give_v of_o wisdom_n prov._n i_o 6._o and_o â—_o and_o joseph_n antiqu._n lib._n viij_o c._n 2._o â—_o solomon_n and_o hiram_n be_v relate_v by_o josephus_n to_o have_v propound_v problem_n and_o riddle_n or_o parable_n to_o each_o other_o upon_o condition_n of_o a_o forfeiture_n to_o be_v pay_v by_o he_o who_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n send_v he_o this_o will_v be_v look_v upon_o now_o as_o a_o strange_a correspondence_n between_o king_n but_o than_o it_o be_v otherwise_o think_v of_o many_o of_o their_o epâ—â—â—â—s_n be_v preserve_v as_o he_o tell_v we_o to_o his_o time_n at_o tyre_n and_o the_o heathen_a historian_n who_o testimony_n he_o produce_v think_v it_o deserve_v their_o particular_a observation_n this_o custom_n of_o propound_v riddle_n be_v as_o old_a as_o sampson_n time_n judg._n fourteen_o 12._o and_o example_n of_o the_o same_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o herodotus_n etc._n herodotus_n vid._n athenae_n lib._n x._o c_o 15._o etc._n etc._n and_o other_o author_n whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a that_o homer_n die_v of_o grief_n because_o he_o can_v not_o explain_v the_o riddle_n of_o the_o fisher_n it_o show_v that_o riddle_n be_v in_o great_a request_n among_o the_o ancient_a greek_n for_o otherwise_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n either_o for_o the_o truth_n or_o fiction_n of_o such_o a_o story_n plutarch_n relate_v it_o as_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o homer_n death_n and_o when_o homer_n when_o herod_n &_o plut._n in_o vit._n homer_n herodotus_n deny_v this_o he_o own_v the_o report_n and_o by_o the_o verse_n which_o he_o say_v homer_n speak_v upon_o this_o occasion_n it_o appear_v what_o opinion_n homer_n have_v of_o this_o sort_n of_o wit._n hesiod_n be_v by_o xi_o by_o quintil._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n xi_o quintilian_n think_v the_o author_n of_o the_o fable_n which_o pass_v under_o the_o name_n of_o aesop_n however_o this_o make_v it_o probable_a that_o he_o do_v write_v fable_n and_o perhaps_o there_o be_v few_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o note_n in_o those_o time_n who_o do_v not_o mythology_n be_v in_o the_o high_a esteem_n among_o the_o ancient_n and_o indeed_o all_o the_o ancient_a learning_n be_v of_o this_o kind_n the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v in_o great_a reputation_n for_o learning_n deliver_v their_o notion_n in_o hieroglyphic_n as_o if_o they_o have_v resolve_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o the_o philosopher_n of_o old_a pythagoras_n heraclitus_n etc._n etc._n great_o affect_v obscurity_n socrates_n himself_o and_o plato_n and_o aristotle_n purposely_o conceal_v their_o meaning_n in_o many_o case_n from_o vulgar_a capacity_n and_o thucydides_n take_v the_o same_o course_n in_o â—is_n history_n and_o be_v obscure_a out_o of_o design_n as_o marcellinus_n have_v observe_v in_o his_o life_n the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o the_o most_o part_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v the_o most_o plain_a and_o the_o most_o easy_o intelligible_a of_o any_o write_n of_o ancient_a time_n and_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v more_o obvious_a but_o they_o must_v have_v be_v contemptible_a and_o useless_a to_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v immediate_o design_v the_o precept_n and_o exhortation_n be_v always_o plain_a and_o obvious_a and_o the_o obscurity_n of_o other_o thing_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o exception_n to_o the_o book_n of_o scripture_n that_o it_o be_v necessary_a according_a to_o the_o learning_n and_o custom_n of_o ancient_a time_n the_o parable_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v explain_v to_o we_o and_o there_o can_v now_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o obscurity_n in_o they_o and_o in_o his_o discourse_n with_o the_o jew_n to_o who_o they_o be_v not_o explain_v he_o allude_v to_o those_o proverb_n and_o custom_n which_o be_v best_a know_v and_o most_o in_o use_n among_o they_o to_o who_o upon_o any_o occasion_n he_o speak_v that_o thereby_o all_o who_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v and_o be_v not_o by_o their_o sin_n hinder_v from_o attend_v to_o what_o they_o hear_v may_v be_v the_o more_o affect_v with_o they_o and_o the_o better_o incline_v to_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o his_o instruction_n when_o they_o hear_v he_o make_v use_n of_o such_o allusion_n as_o they_o know_v according_a to_o the_o way_n of_o teach_v among_o they_o have_v some_o excellent_a hide_a meaning_n which_o they_o will_v be_v very_o desirous_a to_o become_v acquaint_v withal_o 3._o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o be_v not_o obscure_a in_o the_o age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v write_v 1._o because_o the_o obscurity_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v rather_o in_o the_o form_n and_o manner_n of_o speech_n than_o in_o the_o notion_n themselves_o so_o that_o that_o may_v be_v clear_a at_o first_o which_o be_v obscure_a to_o we_o who_o be_v but_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o phrase_n and_o idiom_n of_o the_o language_n and_o the_o eloquence_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n for_o the_o fashion_n of_o speech_n vary_v as_o much_o as_o those_o of_o the_o garb_n and_o habit_n and_o the_o eloquence_n and_o way_n of_o expression_n be_v as_o different_a as_o the_o dialect_v and_o language_n of_o divers_a age_n and_o nation_n 2._o the_o name_n of_o animal_n of_o flower_n and_o plant_n and_o mineral_n be_v very_o liable_a to_o be_v mistake_v and_o especial_o whatever_o be_v peculiar_a to_o any_o country_n must_v needs_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o foreigner_n who_o have_v no_o such_o thing_n among_o they_o and_o perhaps_o want_v word_n to_o express_v their_o nature_n and_o can_v scarce_o have_v a_o true_a and_o exact_a notion_n of_o they_o the_o precise_a value_n of_o coin_n and_o proportion_n of_o weight_n and_o measure_n use_v so_o long_o ago_o and_o in_o country_n so_o far_o from_o we_o can_v hardly_o now_o be_v know_v and_o must_v necessary_o admit_v of_o great_a variety_n of_o opinion_n there_o be_v much_o uncertainty_n about_o these_o in_o all_o ancient_a history_n but_o the_o great_a antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a history_n above_o other_o may_v make_v we_o reasonable_o expect_v to_o find_v many_o more_o such_o difficulty_n in_o it_o and_o the_o different_a name_n of_o the_o same_o person_n and_o of_o the_o same_o place_n in_o the_o scripture_n be_v another_o occasion_n of_o obscurity_n the_o name_n coin_n weight_n and_o measure_n and_o habit_n of_o ancient_a time_n afford_v the_o great_a work_n for_o critic_n which_o be_v so_o well_o know_v when_o the_o author_n who_o mention_v they_o write_v that_o it_o have_v be_v ridiculous_a for_o they_o to_o explain_v they_o these_o be_v difficulty_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o they_o can_v not_o
son_n be_v thought_n which_o must_v create_v a_o new_a heaven_n as_o it_o be_v in_o heaven_n itself_o i_o mean_v they_o will_v enlarge_v our_o soul_n to_o the_o utmost_a capacity_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o fill_v and_o actuate_v they_o with_o such_o divine_a ardour_n of_o love_n as_o if_o we_o have_v be_v keep_v necessary_o from_o all_o sin_n seem_v impossible_a to_o have_v be_v raise_v in_o we_o the_o angel_n themselves_o rejoice_v over_o one_o sinner_n that_o repent_v and_o that_o joy_n must_v have_v be_v want_v to_o they_o who_o be_v of_o so_o much_o high_a and_o more_o excellent_a a_o nature_n than_o we_o be_v of_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o possibility_n either_o of_o sin_n or_o of_o repentance_n and_o the_o wonderful_a dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v a_o eternal_a subject_n of_o praise_n and_o adoration_n a_o eternal_a fountain_n of_o love_n and_o joy_n and_o happiness_n to_o all_o the_o bless_a spirit_n in_o heaven_n the_o more_o the_o divine_a attribute_n be_v display_v the_o more_o adorable_a the_o majesty_n of_o god_n will_v appear_v and_o will_v become_v the_o great_a object_n of_o our_o praise_n and_o veneration_n those_o that_o be_v wise_a and_o good_a will_v be_v make_v the_o wise_a and_o better_a by_o it_o and_o the_o happy_a in_o the_o contemplation_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n now_o a_o governor_n in_o his_o law_n and_o in_o the_o method_n and_o order_n of_o his_o government_n have_v regard_n chief_o to_o the_o good_a and_o obedient_a and_o have_v little_o concern_v for_o the_o rest_n and_o we_o must_v consider_v god_n not_o only_o as_o the_o father_n but_o as_o the_o governor_n of_o mankind_n and_o though_o a_o earthly_a father_n perhaps_o will_v by_o all_o mean_n possible_a preserve_v his_o â—on_n from_o incur_v punishment_n yet_o a_o good_a governor_n when_o the_o end_n of_o his_o government_n can_v be_v better_o obtain_v by_o leave_v he_o to_o his_o liberty_n will_v not_o restrain_v he_o by_o any_o force_n or_o violence_n therefore_o if_o the_o liberty_n of_o choice_n in_o man_n and_o the_o possibility_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o damnation_n be_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o good_a man_n and_o be_v no_o injury_n to_o the_o bad_a this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a account_n why_o man_n be_v not_o necessary_o restrain_v from_o sin_v though_o damnation_n be_v the_o consequence_n of_o it_o chap._n xiii_o of_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o angel_n and_o of_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v every_o thing_n perfect_a in_o its_o kind_n and_o endn_v the_o angel_n and_o man_n with_o all_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a perfection_n suitable_a to_o their_o respective_a nature_n but_o so_o as_o to_o leave_v they_o capable_a of_o sin_v for_o it_o please_v the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n for_o the_o reason_n already_o allege_v and_o for_o many_o more_o and_o great_a reason_n perhaps_o than_o any_o man_n be_v able_a to_o imagine_v to_o place_v they_o in_o a_o state_n of_o trial_n and_o to_o put_v it_o to_o their_o own_o choice_n whether_o they_o will_v stand_v in_o their_o present_a condition_n of_o innocence_n and_o happiness_n in_o which_o they_o be_v create_v or_o fall_v into_o sin_n and_o misery_n we_o have_v little_a or_o no_o account_n in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o cause_n or_o temptation_n which_o occasion_v the_o fall_n of_o angel_n because_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v we_o to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o it_o and_o therefore_o it_o little_a become_v we_o to_o be_v inquisitive_a about_o it_o indeed_o it_o be_v very_o difficult_a to_o conceive_v how_o being_n of_n so_o great_a knowledge_n and_o purity_n as_o the_o fall_v angel_n once_o be_v of_o shall_v fall_v into_o sin_n but_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v that_o nothing_o be_v more_o unaccountable_a than_o the_o motive_n and_o cause_n of_o action_n in_o free_a agent_n when_o any_o be_v be_v at_o liberty_n to_o do_v as_o it_o will_v no_o other_o reason_n beside_o its_o own_o will_n need_n be_v inquire_v for_o of_o its_o act_n what_o be_v liable_a to_o sin_n may_v sin_v whatever_o the_o motive_n be_v and_o to_o inquire_v after_o the_o motive_n be_v to_o inquire_v what_o motive_n may_v determine_v a_o free_a agent_n that_o be_v a_o agent_n which_o may_v determine_v itself_o upon_o any_o ground_n or_o motive_n but_o how_o perfect_a and_o excellent_a soever_o any_o creature_n be_v unless_o it_o be_v so_o confirm_v and_o establish_v in_o a_o state_n of_o purity_n and_o holiness_n as_o to_o be_v secure_v from_o all_o possibility_n of_o sin_v it_o may_v be_v suppose_v to_o admire_v itself_o and_o dote_v upon_o its_o own_o perfection_n and_o excellency_n and_o by_o degree_n to_o neglect_v and_o not_o acknowledge_v god_n the_o author_n of_o they_o but_o to_o sin_n and_o rebel_v against_o he_o and_o it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a both_o to_o scripture_n and_o reason_n that_o pride_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o fall_n of_o angel_n for_o those_o excellency_n which_o may_v secure_v they_o from_o any_o other_o sin_n prove_v a_o temptation_n to_o this_o and_o the_o great_a their_o perfection_n be_v the_o great_a be_v the_o temptation_n as_o in_o a_o man_n who_o be_v guilty_a of_o spiritual_a and_o pharisaical_a pride_n all_o that_o be_v good_a and_o commendable_a in_o he_o afford_v he_o only_a matter_n for_o his_o sin_n so_o that_o where_o there_o be_v a_o freedom_n of_o will_n and_o a_o possibility_n of_o sin_v the_o very_a perfection_n of_o nature_n in_o a_o creature_n may_v be_v make_v a_o occasion_n to_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o exclude_v other_o sin_n may_v prove_v a_o motive_n and_o temptation_n to_o pride_n which_o therefore_o we_o have_v reason_n to_o conclude_v be_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o fall_v angel_n as_o to_o the_o fall_n of_o man_n however_o the_o thing_n may_v be_v dispute_v the_o effect_n of_o it_o be_v visible_a in_o the_o strange_a proneness_n of_o humane_a nature_n to_o act_v against_o reason_n and_o conscience_n that_o be_v to_o act_v in_o plain_a contradiction_n to_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o principle_n this_o be_v a_o state_n in_o which_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o mankind_n be_v at_o first_o create_v by_o the_o infinite_o good_a and_o holy_a god_n and_o the_o most_o plausible_a opinion_n and_o that_o which_o have_v most_o general_o obtain_v among_o the_o heathen_n be_v that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n have_v a_o be_v before_o they_o come_v into_o this_o world_n and_o be_v send_v into_o human_a body_n in_o punishment_n for_o what_o they_o have_v do_v amiss_o in_o a_o precedent_n state_n but_o this_o be_v mere_a suspicion_n and_o conjecture_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o proof_n and_o there_o be_v this_o plain_a reason_n against_o it_o that_o â—o_o man_n can_v be_v punish_v for_o his_o amendment_n who_o know_v nothing_o of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o punishment_n that_o the_o offender_n shall_v not_o be_v make_v sensible_a of_o his_o fault_n especial_o when_o the_o punishment_n be_v design_v for_o his_o amendment_n as_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v in_o the_o present_a case_n if_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o man_n may_v possible_o retain_v no_o remembrance_n of_o what_o they_o do_v in_o another_o state_n yet_o if_o their_o fault_n be_v not_o keep_v in_o memory_n they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o their_o remembrance_n if_o this_o life_n be_v design_v as_o a_o state_n of_o punishment_n in_o order_n to_o amendment_n but_o the_o state_n of_o this_o life_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v think_v a_o punishment_n that_o man_n natural_o be_v of_o nothing_o more_o fond_a nor_o dread_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o to_o leave_v it_o and_o though_o man_n meet_v with_o great_a affliction_n here_o yet_o those_o do_v not_o befall_v those_o only_a or_o chief_o who_o by_o their_o proneness_n to_o evil_a in_o this_o life_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v the_o great_a offender_n in_o a_o former_a state_n and_o every_o calamity_n have_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o punishment_n the_o suffering_n and_o misery_n which_o we_o endure_v by_o reason_n of_o adam_n transgression_n be_v not_o so_o proper_o punishment_n as_o the_o effect_n and_o consequence_n of_o his_o sin_n but_o personal_a fault_n such_o as_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v commit_v in_o a_o state_n of_o pre-existence_n require_v a_o proper_a punishment_n and_o if_o the_o punishment_n be_v for_o amendment_n as_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v in_o this_o present_a state_n both_o the_o fault_n and_o the_o punishment_n must_v be_v know_v with_o the_o cause_n and_o end_v of_o its_o be_v inflict_v and_o the_o great_a offender_n must_v undergo_v the_o severe_a punishment_n the_o account_n which_o the_o scripture_n give_v we_o of_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o 1._o
bring_v to_o our_o remembrance_n the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n offer_v upon_o the_o cross_n for_o we_o to_o make_v we_o partaker_n of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v pledge_n of_o all_o the_o benefit_n which_o we_o receive_v thereby_o and_o as_o the_o eucharist_n be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o paschal_n supper_n so_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v in_o use_n among_o all_o nation_n in_o their_o religious_a worship_n and_o nothing_o can_v more_o fit_o express_v our_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o with_o one_o another_o than_o to_o be_v entertain_v together_o at_o god_n table_n so_o that_o since_o there_o must_v be_v sacrament_n or_o external_n rite_n and_o ordinance_n they_o can_v neither_o be_v few_o nor_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o want_v of_o christian_n than_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v chap._n xxiv_o of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n i_o be_o not_o here_o to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n from_o the_o scripture_n but_o to_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o to_o show_v that_o no_o reasonable_a objection_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o object_v against_o by_o philopatr_n by_o lucian_n philopatr_n heathen_n long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o antiquity_n of_o this_o doctrine_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v even_o to_o the_o heathen_n that_o they_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o in_o the_o second_o century_n and_o in_o all_o probability_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n for_o we_o find_v it_o then_o mention_v as_o a_o know_a and_o common_a reproach_n suppose_v then_o this_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v but_o one_o god_n i_o will_v show_v i._o that_o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n ii_o that_o other_o thing_n be_v and_o must_v be_v believe_v by_o we_o which_o we_o as_o little_o understand_v iii_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o doctrine_n do_v mighty_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o life_n and_o conversation_n of_o men._n 1._o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o doctrine_n we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o essence_n of_o create_a being_n which_o be_v know_v to_o we_o only_o by_o their_o cause_n and_o effect_n and_o by_o their_o operation_n and_o quality_n and_o our_o reason_n and_o sense_n and_o passion_n be_v continual_o conversant_a about_o these_o our_o notion_n be_v form_v upon_o the_o idea_n which_o we_o frame_v to_o ourselves_o concern_v the_o creature_n and_o this_o make_v we_o the_o less_o capable_a of_o 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evangelist_n write_v his_o life_n with_o the_o same_o humility_n with_o which_o he_o live_v and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o when_o st._n john_n say_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o other_o thing_n which_o jesus_n do_v he_o speak_v with_o relation_n to_o the_o thing_n do_v by_o he_o after_o his_o resurrection_n have_v just_a before_o give_v a_o account_n of_o what_o our_o saviour_n have_v say_v to_o st._n peter_n and_o so_o in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n when_o st._n john_n have_v declare_v how_o our_o saviour_n certify_v st._n thomas_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n he_o add_v and_o many_o other_o sign_n true_o do_v jesus_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o his_o disciple_n which_o be_v not_o write_v in_o this_o book_n but_o these_o be_v write_v that_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o that_o believe_v you_o may_v have_v life_n through_o his_o name_n joh._n xx_o 30_o 31._o so_o that_o we_o be_v acquaint_v with_o no_o more_o 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and_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o soon_o as_o mary_n magdalen_n know_v our_o lord_n after_o his_o resurrection_n she_o fall_v at_o his_o foot_n to_o worship_n he_o and_o will_v touch_v his_o sacred_a body_n matt._n xxviii_o 9_o joh._n xx_o 17._o for_o this_o reason_n perhaps_o too_o as_o well_o as_o out_o of_o devotion_n to_o he_o that_o she_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v the_o apostle_n the_o better_a account_n of_o his_o be_v rise_v again_o but_o he_o forbid_v she_o say_v touch_v i_o not_o for_o i_o be_o not_o yet_o ascend_v to_o my_o father_n and_o then_o send_v she_o to_o his_o disciple_n to_o his_o brethren_n as_o he_o with_o infinite_a love_n and_o condescension_n style_v they_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o ascend_v or_o be_v not_o then_o about_o to_o ascend_v but_o to_o stay_v many_o day_n upon_o earth_n and_o there_o will_v be_v time_n enough_o for_o her_o near_a approach_n to_o he_o either_o for_o the_o increase_n and_o confirmation_n of_o her_o faith_n or_o for_o her_o acknowledgement_n and_o adoration_n after_o his_o resurrection_n christ_n make_v himself_o know_v to_o his_o disciple_n by_o degree_n and_o by_o several_a appearance_n to_o they_o at_o distant_a time_n in_o divers_a place_n and_o in_o different_a manner_n he_o suffer_v they_o to_o doubt_v of_o that_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n for_o a_o while_n that_o he_o may_v overcome_v their_o unbelief_n and_o extort_v a_o conviction_n from_o they_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o that_o no_o man_n unless_o he_o will_v be_v very_o unreasonable_a and_o obstinate_a shall_v pretend_v any_o cause_n to_o doubt_v of_o it_o afterward_o but_o when_o he_o have_v thorough_o convince_v they_o of_o his_o resurrection_n we_o may_v conclude_v from_o what_o we_o read_v of_o his_o converse_v with_o they_o that_o from_o that_o time_n he_o admit_v they_o to_o a_o free_a and_o more_o intimate_a communication_n with_o himself_o and_o discourse_v with_o they_o in_o the_o most_o mild_a and_o gracious_a and_o instructive_a manner_n of_o all_o which_o it_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v pertain_v to_o his_o kingdom_n or_o which_o they_o be_v capable_a then_o of_o know_v before_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n sometime_o perhaps_o vouchsafe_v his_o presence_n to_o one_o and_o sometime_o to_o other_o of_o they_o and_o most_o common_o to_o they_o altogether_o when_o they_o be_v assemble_v as_o we_o find_v they_o general_o be_v and_o when_o he_o withdraw_v himself_o it_o be_v because_o their_o mortal_a state_n will_v not_o bear_v a_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a attendance_n for_o so_o long_a a_o time_n upon_o their_o bless_a master_n and_o because_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o by_o degree_n shall_v be_v accustom_v to_o endure_v his_o absence_n and_o to_o walk_v by_o faith_n not_o by_o sight_n and_o after_o his_o ascension_n the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o comforter_n do_v not_o immediate_o come_v upon_o his_o departure_n from_o they_o but_o their_o faith_n be_v to_o be_v exercise_v in_o the_o expectation_n of_o he_o for_o the_o space_n of_o ten_o day_n and_o then_o his_o promise_n be_v to_o be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o fit_a and_o most_o proper_a season_n on_o the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n in_o few_o word_n christ_n be_v see_v of_o they_o say_v the_o scripture_n forty_o day_n which_o imply_v that_o these_o for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v spend_v in_o his_o presence_n and_o we_o be_v in_o the_o same_o place_n tell_v how_o this_o time_n be_v employ_v in_o speak_v of_o the_o thing_n pertain_v to_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n ii_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o manner_n how_o our_o saviour_n leave_v his_o disciple_n when_o he_o ascend_v up_o from_o they_o into_o heaven_n he_o have_v before_o prepare_v they_o to_o expect_v his_o ascension_n for_o beside_o what_o he_o have_v say_v to_o they_o before_o his_o death_n immediate_o upon_o his_o resurrection_n he_o send_v this_o message_n to_o his_o disciple_n by_o mary_n magdalen_n go_v to_o my_o brethren_n and_o say_v unto_o they_o i_o ascend_v unto_o my_o father_n and_o your_o father_n and_o to_o my_o god_n and_o your_o god_n joh._n xx_o 17._o they_o be_v in_o hope_n it_o seem_v that_o he_o will_v at_o this_o time_n have_v restore_v again_o the_o kingdom_n to_o israel_n and_o do_v not_o think_v he_o will_v have_v leave_v they_o before_o that_o which_o they_o so_o much_o desire_v have_v be_v accomplish_v however_o take_v his_o leave_n of_o they_o he_o command_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o jerusalem_n but_o wait_v for_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o father_n which_o say_v he_o you_o have_v hear_v of_o i_o and_o whilst_o he_o be_v give_v they_o repeat_v assurance_n that_o this_o promise_n shall_v be_v most_o effectual_o fulfil_v while_o they_o behold_v he_o be_v take_v up_o and_o a_o cloud_n receive_v
of_o they_o must_v cease_v and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v bestow_v cease_v these_o miraculous_a gift_n must_v of_o consequence_n cease_v with_o it_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v likewise_o under_o the_o law_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o we_o read_v of_o no_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o any_o man_n before_o moses_n the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v deliver_v down_o with_o undeniable_a certainty_n and_o the_o miraculous_a judgement_n of_o god_n in_o drown_v the_o old_a world_n in_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n and_o in_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n be_v sufficient_a to_o keep_v up_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o when_o a_o new_a institution_n of_o religion_n be_v to_o be_v introduce_v by_o moses_n miraculous_a gift_n be_v necessary_a to_o give_v authority_n to_o it_o and_o to_o oppose_v those_o false_a and_o lie_a wonder_n which_o be_v in_o use_n among_o the_o magician_n in_o egypt_n and_o other_o place_n in_o the_o former_a age_n prediction_n be_v very_o frequent_a and_o they_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o patriarch_n who_o be_v man_n of_o unquestionable_a credit_n and_o authority_n and_o can_v have_v no_o need_n of_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o prophecy_n which_o be_v so_o usual_a in_o those_o time_n and_o when_o the_o life_n of_o man_n be_v so_o long_o divers_a prophecy_n of_o the_o same_o person_n have_v be_v verify_v by_o the_o event_n but_o moses_n have_v a_o new_a law_n to_o deliver_v and_o both_o he_o and_o the_o prophet_n have_v a_o a_o stubborn_a people_n to_o deal_v with_o to_o who_o the_o message_n they_o be_v charge_v withal_o be_v common_o very_o unwelcome_a so_o that_o till_o this_o institution_n be_v full_o settle_v miracle_n become_v necessary_a but_o when_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v be_v sufficient_o authorize_v and_o establish_v by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n and_o when_o by_o the_o captivity_n and_o dispersion_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o divine_a mission_n of_o their_o prophet_n become_v know_v among_o so_o many_o other_o nation_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v reduce_v from_o idolatry_n which_o they_o never_o practise_v after_o their_o return_n from_o their_o captivity_n in_o babylon_n and_o when_o they_o have_v make_v numerous_a conversion_n among_o the_o heathen_n than_o these_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v no_o long_o continue_v as_o they_o have_v be_v before_o in_o the_o jewish_a church_n insomuch_o that_o it_o become_v a_o 18._o a_o lightf_n glean_v out_o of_o exod._n §._o vi_fw-it harm_n of_o the_o evang_n luke_n i_o 18._o joh._n two_o 18._o maxim_n among_o they_o that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o zechariah_n and_o malachi_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o return_v from_o babylon_n the_o spirit_n of_o god_n depart_v from_o israel_n and_o ascend_v and_o for_o above_o four_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gift_n both_o of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n have_v be_v withhold_v from_o they_o before_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n for_o though_o there_o be_v gross_a error_n and_o dangerous_a corruption_n among_o the_o pharisee_n and_o sadducee_n and_o other_o sect_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o since_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o that_o revelation_n from_o whence_o these_o error_n may_v have_v be_v confute_v have_v be_v so_o thorough_o confirm_v all_o their_o corruption_n and_o error_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a cause_n for_o the_o continuance_n of_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o the_o pharisee_n and_o other_o sect_n who_o be_v most_o fond_a and_o zealous_a of_o their_o several_a tenet_n and_o tradition_n yet_o never_o dare_v pretend_v to_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n or_o prophecy_n but_o endeavour_v to_o support_v themselves_o upon_o the_o authority_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n what_o they_o sometime_o speak_v of_o lxxiii_o of_o id_fw-la fall_v of_o jerus_n §._o ix_o harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n §._o lxxiii_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr or_o voice_n from_o heaven_n deserve_v but_o little_a credit_n and_o amount_v but_o to_o a_o confession_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n have_v fail_v under_o the_o second_o temple_n as_o the_o jew_n themselves_o express_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o have_v do_v 41._o do_v more_o nevock_n part._n 2._o c._n 36_o 41._o maimonides_n declare_v that_o the_o bath_n col_fw-fr do_v not_o denominate_v man_n prophet_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v not_o reckon_v by_o he_o among_o the_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n i_o have_v already_o prove_v at_o large_a 1._o book_n 1._o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o be_v wrought_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n afford_v as_o much_o certainty_n to_o our_o faith_n as_o if_o we_o ourselves_o have_v see_v they_o wrought_v and_o our_o saviour_n plain_o say_v notwithstanding_o his_o work_n which_o bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o his_o own_o word_n shall_v be_v rather_o believe_v than_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n for_o have_v you_o believe_v moses_n you_o will_v have_v believe_v i_o for_o he_o write_v of_o i_o but_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o his_o write_n how_o shall_v you_o believe_v my_o word_n joh._n v._o 46_o 47._o and_o when_o once_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v attest_v by_o miracle_n as_o the_o law_n have_v be_v and_o render_v as_o certain_a to_o all_o succeed_a age_n as_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n can_v have_v make_v it_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o such_o a_o power_n shall_v be_v any_o long_o bestow_v miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o revelation_n make_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n not_o to_o decide_v any_o controversy_n arise_v among_o those_o by_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v receive_v for_o to_o who_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n by_o which_o all_o dispute_n ought_v to_o be_v determine_v and_o therefore_o the_o gift_n of_o miracle_n be_v sometime_o manifest_v among_o v._o among_o ad_fw-la orthodox_n inter_fw-la justin_n martyr_n oper._n respon_n v._o heretic_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n which_o be_v the_o true_a end_n and_o design_n of_o miracle_n and_o not_o to_o be_v any_o note_n of_o distinction_n between_o the_o orthodox_n and_o heretic_n the_o learned_a etc._n learned_a in_o irenae_n dissert_n 11._o §._o 28._o etc._n etc._n mr._n dodwell_n by_o a_o historical_a account_n of_o miracle_n from_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n through_o the_o age_n next_o succeed_v have_v show_v that_o they_o be_v always_o adapt_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n be_v more_o or_o less_o frequent_a as_o the_o state_n of_o the_o church_n require_v till_o they_o at_o last_o whole_o cease_v when_o there_o be_v no_o long_o any_o need_n of_o they_o for_o the_o only_a end_n and_o use_v of_o miraculous_a gift_n be_v the_o confirmation_n and_o establishment_n of_o religion_n and_o therefore_o when_o this_o be_v once_o full_o confirm_v and_o establish_v they_o can_v be_v no_o long_o needful_a but_o it_o seem_v rather_o necessary_a that_o they_o shall_v afterward_o cease_v than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v continue_v i_o mean_v as_o to_o any_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n reside_v in_o the_o church_n for_o though_o there_o may_v possible_o be_v some_o extraordinary_a case_n in_o which_o it_o may_v please_v god_n to_o manifest_v a_o miraculous_a power_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o conclude_v that_o a_o constant_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n shall_v be_v continue_v to_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o that_o those_o gift_n shall_v cease_v when_o religion_n have_v be_v confirm_v by_o a_o perpetual_a course_n of_o miracle_n for_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n together_o because_o i._o miracle_n when_o they_o become_v common_a will_v lose_v the_o design_n and_o end_n and_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o miracle_n for_o the_o nature_n of_o miracle_n consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a work_n of_o god_n not_o that_o they_o be_v more_o difficult_a than_o the_o ordinary_a work_n of_o nature_n all_o thing_n be_v alike_o easy_a to_o god_n and_o miracle_n be_v as_o easy_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o constant_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v the_o only_a difference_n be_v that_o miracle_n be_v his_o wonderful_a work_n they_o be_v more_o apt_a to_o raise_v our_o wonder_n and_o admiration_n and_o to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o divine_a presence_n for_o we_o wonder_v at_o strange_a and_o unusual_a thing_n and_o suppose_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a reason_n for_o they_o but_o if_o miracle_n have_v continue_v in_o all_o age_n this_o effect_n of_o miracle_n will_v have_v cease_v and_o they_o will_v no_o long_o have_v be_v miracle_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o different_a course_n of_o nature_n for_o according_a to_o the_o best_a and_o most_o accurate_a philosophy_n nothing_o in_o the_o settle_a course_n of_o nature_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o a_o
and_o who_o shall_v betray_v he_o and_o he_o say_v therefore_o say_v i_o unto_o you_o that_o no_o man_n can_v come_v unto_o i_o except_o it_o be_v give_v unto_o he_o of_o my_o father_n john_n vi_fw-la 64_o 65._o so_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v style_v a_o divine_a faith_n not_o only_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o object_n but_o of_o its_o efficient_a cause_n in_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n we_o must_v proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o principle_n of_o reason_n by_o which_o we_o proceed_v in_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o any_o other_o truth_n but_o reason_n when_o it_o come_v up_o to_o the_o evidence_n even_o of_o demonstration_n though_o it_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n yet_o do_v not_o necessary_o gain_v that_o firm_a and_o last_a assent_n of_o the_o will_n which_o be_v require_v in_o faith_n but_o when_o the_o thing_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a be_v unacceptable_a against_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o will_n and_o against_o the_o former_a opinion_n and_o persuasion_n of_o the_o understanding_n the_o present_a conviction_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v soon_o stifle_v and_o overpower_v by_o the_o prevail_a force_n of_o the_o will_n and_o affection_n which_o carry_v the_o mind_n off_o to_o other_o and_o contrary_a object_n which_o it_o have_v be_v wont_a to_o think_v of_o and_o believe_v thus_o it_o be_v in_o the_o academic_n and_o sceptic_n they_o can_v not_o but_o have_v the_o same_o sense_n of_o mathematical_a demonstration_n and_o other_o clear_a truth_n which_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n have_v whilst_o they_o think_v of_o they_o and_o attend_v strict_o to_o they_o but_o by_o a_o constant_a practice_n to_o amuse_v themselves_o with_o subtlety_n they_o have_v wrought_v themselves_o to_o a_o persuasion_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v certain_o know_v to_o be_v true_a and_o this_o general_a and_o habitual_a opinion_n soon_o stifle_v the_o evidence_n of_o any_o particular_a truth_n which_o can_v be_v represent_v never_o so_o clear_o to_o their_o mind_n to_o as_o many_o therefore_o as_o lay_v under_o long_a and_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la by_o reason_n of_o their_o former_a opinion_n and_o of_o their_o pride_n and_o vanity_n in_o contend_v for_o they_o or_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o of_o those_o lust_n which_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o purity_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o such_o a_o extraordinary_a and_o miraculous_a power_n of_o grace_n be_v necessary_a to_o establish_v they_o in_o the_o faith_n or_o else_o though_o they_o believe_v for_o the_o present_a at_o the_o sight_n of_o some_o miracle_n yet_o this_o be_v no_o last_a or_o wellgrounded_n faith_n john_n two_o 23_o 24._o and_o that_o grace_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o their_o faith_n be_v deny_v to_o some_o for_o their_o sin_n that_o they_o shall_v not_o see_v with_o their_o eye_n nor_o understand_v with_o their_o heart_n and_o be_v convert_v john_n twelve_o 40._o so_o that_o man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o worldly_a wisdom_n may_v still_o continue_v unbeliever_n and_o not_o submit_v to_o all_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o gospel_n because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o contrary_a to_o their_o habitual_a thought_n and_o inclination_n there_o be_v something_o necessary_a to_o convert_v the_o will_n and_o affection_n and_o to_o subdue_v the_o former_a habit_n which_o have_v be_v root_v in_o their_o mind_n by_o frequent_a act_n and_o length_n of_o time_n and_o which_o be_v too_o strong_a for_o any_o conviction_n of_o the_o understanding_n that_o consist_v but_o in_o transient_a act_n and_o be_v soon_o lose_v and_o vanish_v through_o the_o prevail_a contrary_a habit_n both_o of_o the_o understanding_n and_o will_v and_o affection_n and_o therefore_o faith_n must_v necessary_o be_v a_o effect_n of_o grace_n as_o well_o as_o of_o reason_n and_o where_o because_o of_o former_a sin_n and_o provocation_n this_o grace_n be_v not_o vouchsafe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o faith_n though_o there_o may_v be_v some_o transient_a conviction_n of_o mind_n some_o faint_a glimmering_n which_o be_v soon_o damp_a and_o extinguish_v be_v overpower_v by_o former_a contrary_a persuasion_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n those_o who_o have_v less_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n but_o be_v not_o under_o the_o power_n of_o habitual_a lust_n and_o passion_n and_o therefore_o be_v more_o easy_o persuade_v to_o any_o thing_n of_o the_o truth_n whereof_o they_o be_v once_o convince_v be_v likewise_o the_o more_o easy_o convert_v the_o cause_n why_o the_o word_n become_v unfruitful_a and_o so_o little_o prevail_v with_o many_o man_n be_v in_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o sower_n declare_v to_o be_v either_o inconsiderate_a negligence_n and_o ignorance_n and_o the_o advantage_n take_v from_o thence_o by_o satan_n or_o want_v of_o constancy_n in_o time_n of_o tribulation_n and_o persecution_n or_o the_o care_n of_o this_o world_n and_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o riches_n and_o the_o lust_n of_o other_o thing_n matth._n xiii_o 18._o mark_v four_o 9_o it_o be_v next_o to_o a_o impossibility_n for_o a_o rich_a man_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n or_o to_o become_v a_o christian_n they_o be_v not_o natural_a so_o much_o as_o moral_a accomplishment_n not_o so_o much_o part_n and_o learning_n as_o a_o honest_a and_o humble_a mind_n which_o be_v the_o requisite_a qualification_n for_o man_n to_o become_v christian_n because_o as_o god_n the_o more_o free_o bestow_v his_o grace_n upon_o man_n thus_o qualify_v so_o they_o be_v the_o better_o dispose_v to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o by_o it_o whereas_o other_o though_o they_o want_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o grace_n yet_o have_v less_o vouchsafe_v to_o they_o for_o god_n resist_v the_o proud_a but_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a thus_o much_o in_o the_o general_n i_o now_o proceed_v to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o the_o unbelief_n both_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n i._o since_o there_o be_v so_o great_a evidence_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v the_o true_a christ_n it_o may_v seem_v a_o wonderful_a and_o almost_o a_o incredible_a thing_n that_o the_o jew_n shall_v so_o general_o reject_v he_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n which_o they_o have_v above_o other_o nation_n of_o be_v convert_v but_o 1._o the_o jew_n and_o proselyte_n be_v convert_v in_o vast_a number_n beside_o the_o shepherd_n simon_n and_o anna_n the_o prophetess_n acknowledge_v and_o adore_v our_o saviour_n in_o his_o infancy_n as_o the_o true_a messiah_n luke_n two_o 25_o 36._o and_o it_o be_v probable_o hebr._n probable_o buxtorf_n de_fw-fr abbreu._n hebr._n suppose_v that_o this_o be_v rabban_n simeon_n the_o son_n of_o hillel_n and_o father_n of_o gamaliel_n the_o title_n of_o rabban_n be_v the_o high_a of_o all_o title_n signify_v a_o prince_n rather_o than_o a_o doctor_n or_o teacher_n as_o rabbi_n do_v and_o there_o be_v but_o seven_o of_o the_o posterity_n of_o hillel_n who_o be_v dignify_v with_o it_o nicodemus_n joseph_n of_o arimathea_n and_o many_o other_o of_o note_n and_o eminency_n receive_v the_o christian_a faith_n about_o three_o thousand_o be_v convert_v at_o one_o time_n act_v two_o 41._o great_a number_n be_v convert_v not_o only_o of_o the_o people_n but_o of_o the_o priest_n also_o act_n vi_fw-la 7._o all_o that_o dwell_v at_o lydda_n and_o saron_n act_v ix_o 35._o many_o of_o the_o jew_n and_o religious_a proselyte_n follow_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n act_v xiii_o 43._o at_o iconium_n a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o jew_n believe_v act_v fourteen_o 1._o crispus_n chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n believe_v on_o the_o lord_n with_o all_o his_o house_n act_v xviii_o 8._o and_o sosâ—henes_n another_o chief_a ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n act_v xviii_o 19_o 1_o cor._n i_o 1._o apollo_n a_o eloquent_a man_n and_o mighty_a in_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o christian_a act_n xviii_o 24._o many_o thousand_o or_o myriad_o in_o the_o greek_a act_n xxi_o 20._o and_o the_o number_n of_o they_o which_o be_v seal_v be_v a_o hundred_o and_o forty_o and_o four_o thousand_o of_o all_o the_o tribe_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n rev._n seven_o 4._o the_o people_n be_v general_o well-disposed_a to_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o when_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o ruler_n will_v have_v persecute_v our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o be_v often_o force_v to_o desist_v for_o fear_n of_o the_o people_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o depart_v 18._o depart_v euseb_n hist_o lib._n v._o c._n 18._o from_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o space_n of_o twelve_o year_n as_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v the_o number_n of_o convert_v in_o all_o that_o time_n must_v needs_o be_v extreme_o great_a the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n flourish_v exceed_o from_o the_o beginning_n and_o the_o bishop_n of_o that_o city_n be_v of_o
well_o assure_v of_o that_o in_o which_o they_o agree_v that_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o it_o the_o difference_n among_o christian_n may_v serve_v to_o prove_v to_o we_o divine_a authority_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o contain_v it_o since_o christian_n agree_v in_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o at_o unity_n among_o themselves_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o agree_v to_o corrupt_v they_o but_o have_v certain_o deliver_v they_o down_o entire_a to_o we_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o religion_n only_o which_o man_n dispute_v about_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o beside_o in_o which_o they_o have_v not_o disagree_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o want_v of_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n lead_v man_n into_o more_o inconvenience_n than_o want_v of_o part_n and_o ability_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o a_o thorough_a knowledge_n of_o the_o debate_n and_o contention_n in_o philosophy_n will_v soon_o cure_v most_o man_n of_o their_o infidelity_n than_o any_o argument_n can_v do_v those_o who_o raise_v objection_n against_o religion_n if_o they_o will_v but_o consider_v that_o almost_o every_o thing_n else_o have_v as_o great_a difficulty_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o reject_v religion_n upon_o pretence_n which_o if_o they_o hold_v must_v force_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o other_o thing_n with_o it_o and_o to_o believe_v just_a nothing_o at_o all_o there_o have_v be_v dispute_n in_o all_o age_n concern_v light_n and_o motion_n the_o wind_n and_o sea_n and_o other_o wonder_n of_o nature_n but_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a for_o this_o reason_n to_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o light_n and_o motion_n and_o whatever_o beside_o man_n have_v dispute_v and_o yet_o it_o be_v more_o absurd_a if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o allow_v that_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n against_o religion_n but_o against_o nothing_o else_o if_o the_o sun_n yield_v his_o light_n and_o nature_n go_v on_o in_o her_o constant_a course_n though_o man_n differ_v never_o so_o much_o in_o their_o philosophy_n about_o it_o what_o can_v religion_n be_v the_o worse_a for_o their_o dispute_n no_o body_n think_v that_o he_o see_v ever_o the_o less_o for_o any_o difficulty_n which_o have_v be_v urge_v concernning_a vision_n and_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v ever_o the_o less_o incline_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n by_o reason_n of_o any_o controversy_n in_o it_o man_n may_v dispute_v any_o thing_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n but_o it_o have_v be_v dispute_v but_o nothing_o be_v the_o less_o credible_a for_o be_v dispute_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v disprove_v but_o be_v rather_o confirm_v and_o advance_v by_o it_o truth_n be_v nevertheless_o truth_n for_o meeting_n with_o opposition_n but_o be_v the_o more_o try_v and_o the_o more_o approve_a as_o strength_n and_o courage_n be_v by_o the_o sharp_a conflict_n since_o than_o there_o will_v be_v vice_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v man_n in_o this_o world_n and_o difference_n and_o dissension_n in_o religion_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v vice_n since_o they_o can_v be_v hinder_v but_o by_o the_o omnipotent_a power_n of_o god_n and_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o he_o shall_v not_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o since_o difference_n in_o religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o imply_v any_o uncertainty_n in_o religion_n that_o they_o rather_o prove_v a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o be_v in_o divers_a respect_n make_v useful_a and_o expedient_a to_o the_o edification_n of_o christian_n it_o must_v be_v great_a inconsideration_n and_o weakness_n to_o produce_v they_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o religion_n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o the_o spirit_n speak_v express_o that_o in_o the_o latter_a time_n some_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o faith_n give_v heed_n to_o seduce_v spirit_n and_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n speak_v lie_n in_o hypocrisy_n have_v their_o conscience_n sear_v with_o a_o hot_a iron_n 1_o tim._n four_o 12._o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v true_a unless_o these_o thing_n shall_v happen_v which_o be_v foretell_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n behold_v say_v our_o saviour_n i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o matt._n xxiv_o 25._o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o new_a nor_o surprise_v thing_n to_o christian_n to_o see_v heresy_n arise_v though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a because_o we_o be_v forewarn_v to_o expect_v they_o and_o they_o serve_v to_o give_v a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n in_o fulfil_v the_o prediction_n of_o it_o they_o help_v to_o prove_v the_o religion_n which_o they_o will_v destroy_v for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o heresy_n that_o religion_n can_v not_o be_v true_a which_o have_v foretell_v they_o but_o since_o there_o be_v heresy_n our_o religion_n be_v at_o least_o so_o far_o true_a as_o to_o contain_v express_a prophecy_n concern_v they_o which_o we_o see_v daily_o fulfil_v and_o as_o they_o evident_o prove_v our_o religion_n true_a in_o this_o particular_a so_o they_o invalidate_v it_o in_o no_o other_o which_o be_v the_o dial._n the_o just_a mart._n dial._n answer_n that_o the_o christian_n ancient_o return_v to_o the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n when_o they_o make_v this_o objection_n against_o it_o let_v we_o follow_v the_o plain_a the_o know_v and_o and_o confess_v duty_n of_o religion_n humility_n temperance_n righteousness_n and_o charity_n and_o when_o once_o we_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o wish_v religion_n untrue_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o plain_a precept_n and_o direction_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v never_o suspect_v it_o to_o be_v so_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o controversy_n in_o it_o for_o if_o man_n will_v impartial_o consider_v thing_n that_o religion_n which_o have_v now_o for_o so_o many_o age_n stand_v out_o all_o the_o assault_n and_o attempt_n with_o enemy_n from_o without_o and_o party_n within_o can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o have_v approve_v it_o much_o better_o and_o more_o glorious_o than_o it_o can_v have_v do_v if_o there_o never_o have_v be_v either_o heresy_n or_o schism_n let_v we_o therefore_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_a be_v assure_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n that_o be_v all_o the_o power_n and_o stratagem_n of_o satan_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o shall_v only_o serve_v to_o add_v to_o its_o victory_n and_o adorn_v its_o triumph_n the_o malice_n o_o lord_n and_o fierceness_n of_o man_n shall_v turn_v to_o thy_o praise_n and_o the_o fierceness_n of_o they_o shall_v thou_o refrain_v ps_n lxxvi_o 10._o chap._n xxxiii_o though_o all_o objection_n can_v not_o be_v answer_v yet_o this_o will_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n all_o objection_n which_o can_v with_o any_o colour_n or_o pretence_n be_v allege_v have_v be_v consider_v and_o answer_v by_o divers_a man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n and_o several_a objection_n which_o have_v make_v most_o noise_n in_o the_o world_n as_o that_o about_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o other_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v groundless_a and_o frivolous_a but_o though_o all_o difficulty_n can_v not_o be_v account_v for_o yet_o this_o will_v be_v no_o just_a or_o sufficient_a cause_n why_o we_o shall_v reject_v the_o scripture_n because_o objection_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v impertinent_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v design_v and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o effect_n the_o evidence_n which_o be_v bring_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o they_o be_v pertinent_a yet_o unless_o they_o can_v confute_v that_o evidence_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o determine_v we_o against_o they_o he_o that_o with_o a_o honest_a and_o sincere_a desire_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o a_o revelation_n inquire_v into_o it_o shall_v first_o consider_v impartial_o what_o can_v be_v allege_v for_o it_o and_o afterward_o consider_v the_o objection_n raise_v against_o it_o that_o so_o he_o may_v compare_v the_o argument_n in_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o the_o objection_n together_o and_o determine_v himself_o on_o that_o side_n which_o appear_v to_o have_v most_o reason_n for_o it_o but_o to_o insist_v upon_o particular_a objection_n collect_v out_o of_o difficult_a place_n of_o scripture_n though_o they_o will_v likewise_o observe_v the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v give_v which_o few_o of_o our_o objector_n have_v patience_n to_o do_v but_o run_v away_o with_o the_o objection_n without_o stay_v for_o a_o answer_n i_o say_v to_o allege_v particular_a objection_n without_o attend_v to_o the_o main_a ground_n and_o motive_n