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church_n apostle_n govern_v presbyter_n 3,143 5 10.0726 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A41388 Firmianus and Dubitantius, or, Certain dialogues concerning atheism, infidelity, popery, and other heresies and schisme's that trouble the peace of the church and are destructive of primitive piety written in a plain and easie method for the satisfaction of doubting Christians / by Tho. Good. Good, Thomas, 1609-1678. 1674 (1674) Wing G1029; ESTC R23950 83,883 174

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persuade_v that_o shism_n and_o heresy_n be_v the_o necessary_a consequent_n of_o man_n invade_v the_o ministry_n without_o regular_a ordination_n but_o for_o my_o better_a satisfaction_n i_o pray_v you_o let_v i_o understand_v the_o reason_n that_o make_v against_o this_o independent_a practice_n firm._n my_o reason_n be_v these_o drawn_z first_o from_o plain_a scripture_n as_o jerem._n 14.14_o and_o 23.21_o where_o there_o be_v a_o complaint_n against_o those_o prophet_n that_o prophesy_v lie_n in_o god_n name_n and_o he_o send_v they_o not_o and_o again_o the_o same_o prophet_n i_o have_v not_o send_v these_o prophet_n and_o yet_o they_o run_v i_o have_v not_o speak_v unto_o they_o and_o yet_o they_o prophesy_v therefore_o they_o shall_v not_o profit_v these_o people_n at_o all_o neither_o be_v this_o send_v and_o call_v a_o necessary_a requisite_a only_a under_o the_o law_n but_o also_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o first_o that_o be_v ever_o call_v and_o send_v to_o 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order_n be_v observe_v in_o civil_a affair_n but_o in_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o church_n there_o shall_v b●_n nothing_o but_o confusion_n if_o these_o man_n may_v be_v suffer_v to_o act_v according_a to_o their_o irrational_a and_o extravagant_a fancy_n dub._n it_o be_v most_o apparent_a that_o their_o action_n be_v against_o scripture_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o cartholick_a church_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n which_o no_o christian_a no_o sober_a man_n will_v contradict_v therefore_o let_v we_o leave_v this_o headless_a faction_n and_o discourse_n about_o presbytery_n which_o have_v the_o most_o plausible_a reason_n for_o its_o nonconformity_n to_o our_o church_n of_o any_o other_o that_o do_v separate_v from_o we_o dialogue_n vii_o against_o presbytery_n firm._n the_o first_o step_n you_o make_v out_o of_o our_o church_n as_o i_o have_v hear_v be_v unto_o presbytery_n i_o desire_v to_o know_v the_o reason_n why_o you_o leave_v our_o communion_n and_o make_v choice_n of_o they_o dub._n i_o confess_v the_o first_o step_n i_o make_v out_o of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v into_o the_o tent_n of_o presbytery_n thence_o to_o the_o independent_o and_o so_o to_o the_o anabaptist_n and_o at_o last_o i_o become_v little_o better_a than_o a_o atheist_n as_o i_o before_o have_v declare_v thus_o unhappy_a man_n as_o i_o be_v be_v out_o of_o the_o true_a church_n i_o be_v like_o noah_n dove_n out_o of_o the_o ark_n flutter_v over_o the_o flood_n of_o error_n and_o boisterous_a wave_n of_o shism●_n faction_n and_o heresy_n find_v no_o firm_a land_n for_o the_o sole_a of_o my_o foot_n to_o rest_v upon_o firm._n this_o be_v not_o your_o case_n alone_o but_o of_o many_o ●n_n un●table_a soul_n th●t_v in_o those_o la●e_a time_n of_o rebellion_n &_o confusion_n eph._n 4._o have_v be_v blow_v about_o with_o every_o wind_n of_o doctri●e_n by_o the_o sleight_n of_o man_n jesuit_n priest_n and_o socintan_n and_o their_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o 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dean_n and_o chapter_n her_o lyturgie_n her_o set_a form_n of_o prayer_n her_o ceremony_n her_o receive_a person_n of_o scandalous_a life_n and_o gross_o ignorant_a in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n to_o the_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ._n these_o be_v the_o great_a scandal_n at_o which_o i_o sometime_o stumble_v and_o fall_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n into_o the_o congregation_n of_o our_o classical_a brethren_n firm._n i_o shall_v mos●_n willing_o give_v in_o my_o answer_n to_o those_o exception_n in_o that_o order_n you_o have_v rank_v they_o therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n let_v i_o hear_v what_o you_o can_v object_v against_o our_o bishop_n dub._n i_o have_v be_v tell_v they_o be_v antchristian_n not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n such_o plant_n as_o our_o heavenly_a father_n have_v not_o plant_v and_o therefore_o to_o be_v root_v
firm._n as_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o meat_n and_o drink_n but_o in_o righteousness_n and_o peace_n rom._n 14._o so_o neither_o do_v it_o consist_v in_o gesture_n vesture_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o itself_o indifferent_a when_o the_o church_n command_v we_o to_o wear_v such_o a_o vestment_n or_o to_o use_v such_o a_o gesture_n for_o uniformity_n sake_n and_o outward_a decency_n not_o place_v any_o intrinsical_a holiness_n or_o absolute_a necessity_n in_o any_o of_o those_o ceremony_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o not_o any_o superstition_n at_o all_o to_o be_v obedient_a yea_o we_o be_v guilty_a of_o the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n and_o superstition_n also_o if_o we_o stand_v out_o against_o lawful_a authority_n for_o there_o be_v a_o two_o fold_v superstition_n one_o positive_a as_o when_o we_o ascribe_v holiness_n to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o its_o own_o nature_n indifferent_a morral_o neither_o good_a nor_o evil_a another_o negative_a as_o when_o we_o dogmatise_v and_o call_v that_o evil_n which_o moral_o be_v not_o so_o and_o in_o such_o thing_n wear_v not_o kneel_v not_o be_v as_o much_o superstition_n as_o wear_v or_o kneel_v possible_o can_v be_v what_o be_v it_o to_o any_o understand_a man_n whether_o he_o pray_v or_o preach_v in_o black_a or_o white_a or_o any_o other_o colour_n unless_o it_o be_v for_o decency_n and_o uniformity_n the_o power_n of_o the_o church_n limit_n we_o to_o a_o white_a surplice_n rather_o than_o to_o a_o black_a jump_v or_o short_a cloak_n dub._n but_o be_v not_o this_o a_o entrenchment_n upon_o our_o christian_a liberty_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o particular_a mode_n and_o form_n firm._n not_o at_o all_o so_o long_o as_o our_o practice_n only_o be_v limit_v and_o our_o judgement_n leave_v free_a as_o before_o any_o such_o canon_n be_v make_v it_o be_v strange_a that_o the_o same_o man_n who_o enjoin_v three_o ceremony_n at_o the_o take_n of_o the_o covenant_n as_o to_o be_v bare_a head_v bear_v hand_v the_o right_a hand_n lift_v up_o shall_v so_o much_o scruple_n they_o in_o our_o public_a service_n but_o in_o a_o word_n it_o be_v plain_a scripture_n that_o every_o soul_n shall_v be_v subject_a to_o the_o high_a power_n not_o only_o for_o wrath_n but_o also_o for_o conscience_n sake_n now_o unless_o the_o nonconformist_n can_v bring_v as_o plain_a scripture_n against_o our_o ceremony_n to_o prove_v they_o moral_o evil_a they_o must_v incur_v the_o sin_n of_o schism_n and_o disobedience_n to_o those_o power_n which_o god_n have_v ordain_v and_o these_o be_v far_o great_a sin_n than_o the_o wear_n of_o a_o surplice_n though_o we_o have_v borrow_a it_o from_o the_o pope_n himself_o dub._n you_o mind_v i_o now_o of_o one_o of_o the_o great_a exception_n against_o the_o surplice_n etc._n etc._n because_o the_o papist_n use_v it_o in_o their_o superstitious_a worship_n therefore_o it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o we_o to_o wear_v it_o in_o we_o firm._n if_o this_o be_v a_o good_a reason_n it_o will_v follow_v whatsoever_o the_o papist_n do_v use_n or_o have_v abuse_v in_o their_o superstition_n it_o be_v unlawful_a for_o we_o who_o have_v abandon_v such_o trash_n and_o i_o rumpery_n to_o use_v but_o papist_n have_v abuse_v our_o church_n halice_n and_o other_o ornament_n in_o their_o false_a worship_n and_o service_n therefore_o we_o may_v not_o use_v they_o but_o down_o with_o they_o down_o with_o they_o even_o to_o the_o ground_n dub._n this_o indeed_o will_v be_v a_o very_a necessary_a consequent_a but_o a_o very_a costly_a one_o i_o fear_v the_o man_n that_o make_v this_o exception_n will_v not_o be_v very_o forward_o to_o build_v they_o up_o again_o if_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n be_v a_o just_a cause_n to_o make_v we_o lay_v aside_o our_o surplice_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n we_o must_v pull_v down_o our_o church_n and_o upon_o the_o same_o account_n the_o primitive_a christian_n ought_v not_o to_o have_v eat_v meat_n offer_v to_o idol_n neither_o to_o have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o heathen_n temple_n to_o celebrate_v the_o worship_n and_o service_n of_o the_o true_a god_n firm._n you_o see_v then_o how_o frivolous_a the_o exception_n against_o the_o surplice_n be_v and_o so_o be_v all_o those_o that_o be_v offer_v against_o the_o ring_n in_o marriage_n bow_v at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n the_o cross_n after_o baptism_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v very_o brief_o pass_v they_o over_o 1._o for_o the_o ring_n it_o be_v as_o ancient_a at_o least_o as_o turtullian_n who_o live_v about_o two_o hundred_o year_n after_o christ_n he_o make_v mention_n of_o it_o more_o than_o once_o and_o our_o church_n do_v use_v it_o as_o a_o ancient_a ceremony_n no_o way_n essential_a to_o matrimony_n 2._o bow_v at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n be_v likewise_o very_a ancient_n the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v 1._o to_o show_v our_o readiness_n to_o yield_v obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o he_o as_o our_o lord_n and_o king_n to_o who_o all_o power_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n be_v give_v and_o to_o who_o every_o knee_n must_v bow_v phil._n 2.10_o the_o ancient_a christian_n rather_o bow_v at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n then_o at_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n who_o most_o of_o all_o blaspheme_v that_o sweet_a and_o save_a name_n of_o jesus_n which_o therefore_o they_o do_v endeavour_v the_o more_o high_o to_o exalt_v 3._o to_o declare_v their_o certain_a belief_n of_o what_o the_o apostle_n foretell_v that_o at_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n every_o knee_n shall_v bow_v of_o thing_n in_o heaven_n thing_n in_o earth_n and_o thing_n under_o the_o earth_n that_o all_o thing_n shall_v be_v subject_a unto_o he_o phil._n 2._o 3._o kneel_v at_o the_o sacrament_n our_o church_n conceive_v to_o be_v the_o most_o humble_a and_o reverend_a posture_n and_o therefore_o most_o suitable_a to_o so_o high_a and_o heavenly_a a_o mystery_n especial_o it_o be_v administer_v with_o a_o prayer_n yet_o we_o do_v not_o condemn_v the_o practice_n of_o other_o church_n where_o this_o holy_a sacrament_n be_v receive_v sit_v or_o stand_v neither_o shall_v they_o condemn_v we_o for_o kneel_v because_o christ_n disciple_n receive_v it_o in_o a_o table_n gesture_n to_o which_o we_o be_v no_o more_o bind_v then_o to_o the_o place_n or_o time_n in_o which_o they_o receive_v it_o a_o upper_a room_n and_o after_o supper_n as_o the_o learned_a dr._n sanderson_n have_v evident_o demonstrate_v 4._o the_o cross_n after_o baptism_n be_v also_o a_o very_a ancient_a ceremony_n which_o the_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o age_n use_v in_o a_o courageous_a and_o undaunted_a opposition_n against_o the_o heathen_n and_o jew_n who_o scoff_v and_o deride_v they_o for_o believe_v in_o and_o worship_v a_o crucify_a god_n for_o their_o saviour_n who_o can_v not_o save_v himself_o true_a it_o be_v in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o cross_n be_v abuse_v to_o gross_a superstition_n and_o therefore_o say_v some_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v lay_v aside_o as_o ezekias_o abollished_a the_o brazen_a serpent_n when_o the_o people_n make_v it_o a_o idol_n dub._n much_o more_o ought_v the_o cross_n to_o be_v take_v away_o be_v abuse_v to_o superstition_n because_o it_o be_v but_o a_o humane_a invention_n where_o as_o the_o brazen_a serpent_n be_v set_v up_o by_o god_n own_o direction_n and_o command_n firm._n very_o true_a but_o then_o let_v ezekias_n do_v it_o not_o the_o people_n on_o their_o own_o head_n without_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o king_n however_o the_o use_n of_o a_o innocent_a ceremony_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v take_v away_o because_o of_o '_o its_o abuse_n and_o here_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v whether_o it_o be_v better_a to_o use_v the_o cross_n to_o put_v we_o in_o mind_n of_o our_o duty_n not_o to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o christ_n crusify_v as_o also_o of_o the_o courage_n and_o boldness_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o not_o withstand_v the_o scoff_v and_o reproach_n of_o infidel_n will_v make_v such_o open_a profession_n of_o their_o faith_n in_o christ_n crucify_a as_o to_o use_v the_o sign_n of_o the_o cross_n not_o only_o in_o baptism_n but_o also_o upon_o sundry_a other_o occasion_n or_o else_o whether_o it_o be_v better_o to_o forbear_v the_o use_n of_o it_o because_o it_o have_v be_v so_o much_o abuse_v to_o superstition_n let_v the_o suprem_fw-mi power_n judge_v which_o of_o these_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v and_o determine_v according_o either_o for_o the_o negative_a or_o the_o affirmative_a and_o i_o believe_v every_o sober_a and_o peaceable_a christian_a will_v esteem_v it_o his_o duty_n to_o submit_v unto_o such_o a_o determination_n dub._n but_o see_v these_o and_o other_o ceremony_n have_v be_v and_o be_v a_o great_a scandal_n to_o
that_o be_v contingent_a or_o such_o as_o do_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n of_o man_n they_o have_v but_o conjecture_n and_o do_v often_o time_n lie_v and_o deceive_v we_o in_o both_o kind_n for_o as_o natural_a thing_n be_v variable_a so_o much_o more_o the_o will_n of_o man_n porphyrius_n lib._n de_fw-la resp._n &_o ora●_n cite_v by_o parson_n in_o his_o resol_n pag._n 62._o dub._n this_o testimony_n of_o porphyrius_n be_v a_o heathen_a and_o a_o great_a enemy_n to_o christianity_n be_v very_o considerable_a and_o experience_n show_v it_o to_o be_v very_o true_a for_o oracle_n have_v deceive_v many_o and_o we_o see_v that_o astrologer_n can_v give_v no_o certain_a prediction_n concern_v the_o weather_n which_o depend_v upon_o natural_a cause_n and_o therefore_o i_o desire_v you_o to_o she●_n i_o if_o you_o can_v any_o prophecy_n of_o scripture_n that_o be_v more_o certain_a firm._n i_o shall_v begin_v with_o that_o of_o abraham_n concern_v his_o posterity_n inherit_v the_o land_n of_o promise_n of_o their_o servitude_n in_o a_o strange_a land_n of_o their_o mighty_a deliverance_n 400_o year_n before_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v you_o may_v for_o this_o compare_n cen._n 15.13.14_o etc._n etc._n with_o exod._n 12._o second_o jacob_n be_v in_o egypt_n on_o his_o death_n bed_n prophesy_v thus_o of_o his_o ●on_n judah_n that_o the_o sceptre_n shall_v not_o depart_v from_o he_o until_o shilo_n come_v which_o fall_v out_o according_o at_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n at_o which_o time_n the_o sceptre_n be_v in_o the_o h●nd_n of_o a_o stranger_n herod_n by_o name_n and_o then_o and_o not_o till_o then_o it_o final_o depart_v from_o juda_n three_o it_o be_v prophesy_v of_o josias●00_n ●00_z year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o he_o shall_v destroy_v the_o altar_n at_o bethel_n 1._o king_n 13._o which_o be_v exact_o fullfil_v 2._o king_n 23._o four_o you_o may_v see_v how_o punctual_a the_o prophet_n isaiah_n be_v in_o fortel_v the_o nativity_n the_o life_n the_o passion_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o so_o much_o that_o he_o write_v more_o like_o a_o historian_n than_o a_o prophet_n as_o also_o how_o he_o foretell_v the_o destruction_n of_o hier●salem_n and_o the_o grievous_a captivity_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o and_o under_z the_o babylonian_n and_o then_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o babylonian_n and_o the_o rebuild_n of_o jerusalem_n by_o cyrus_n 200_o year_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v the_o same_o be_v foretell_v by_o jeremy_n about_o a_o 100_o year_n after_o isaiah_n and_o these_o prophecy_n be_v so_o famous_a and_o so_o certain_o believe_v among_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o time_n of_o their_o captivity_n that_o when_o the_o time_n of_o their_o expiration_n draw_v near_o daniel_n thus_o write_v of_o himself_o in_o the_o first_o year_n of_o darius_n i_o daniel_n understand_v in_o the_o scripture_n the_o number_n of_o the_o 70_o year_n etc._n etc._n dan._n 9.1_o neither_o do_v the_o jew_n only_o understand_v and_o believe_v this_o prophecy_n but_o cyrus_n himself_o a_o heathen_a which_o be_v his_o great_a inducement_n to_o restore_v the_o jew_n and_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n at_o his_o own_o proper_a charge_n ezra_n 1._o and_o heathen_a historian_n confess_v as_o much_o five_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n concern_v the_o four_o great_a monarchy_n be_v so_o clear_a and_o evident_a so_o distinct_o describe_v as_o if_o he_o have_v live_v in_o they_o all_o dan._n 2._o and_o dan._n 8._o how_o also_o he_o foretell_v the_o come_n and_o suffer_v of_o the_o messiah_n after_o 70_o week_n cap._n 9_o many_o more_o of_o such_o prophecy_n may_v be_v allege_v but_o these_o be_v abundant_o sufficient_a to_o attest_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o scripture_n dub._n it_o be_v very_o true_a if_o you_o can_v prove_v there_o be_v ever_o such_o prophet_n or_o prophecys_n in_o the_o world_n firm._n what_o proof_n do_v you_o expect_v will_v you_o believe_v nothing_o but_o what_o you_o see_v with_o your_o own_o eye_n dub._n that_o be_v irrational_a if_o you_o can_v prove_v by_o a_o certain_a tradition_n that_o there_o be_v ever_o such_o prophecy_n deliver_v by_o such_o man_n as_o you_o name_n i_o shall_v assent_v unto_o they_o firm._n this_o i_o shall_v perform_v first_o from_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n which_o have_v deliver_v they_o from_o father_n to_o son_n down_z along_o for_o many_o generation_n do_v you_o think_v that_o a_o people_n so_o careful_a and_o diligent_a in_o the_o keep_n and_o transcribe_v their_o record_n can_v or_o will_v agree_v together_o upon_o no_o worldly_a interest_n at_o all_o yea_o even_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o their_o life_n and_o fortune_n to_o abuse_v themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n dub._n i_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o very_o probable_a but_o have_v you_o any_o other_o proof_n for_o the_o certainty_n of_o these_o prophecy_n firm._n yes_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o very_a heathen_n it_o be_v say_v by_o josephus_n lib._n 1_o de_fw-fr antiq._n jud._n cap._n 4._o that_o the_o public_a write_n of_o the_o syrean_o chaldaean_n phoenicians_n grecians_n be_v sufficient_a to_o testify_v the_o antiquity_n truth_n authority_n and_o certainity_n of_o holy_a scripture_n if_o there_o be_v no_o other_o proof_n in_o the_o world_n beside_o there_o be_v scarce_o a_o memorable_a passage_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o it_o be_v mention_v by_o some_o heathen_a writer_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n noah_n flood_n the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n the_o child_n of_o israel_n live_v in_o and_o come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egyp●_n the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o babylonish_n captivity_n etc._n etc._n as_o you_o may_v see_v in_o euseb._n grotius_n de_fw-fr verit_fw-la christ._n relig._n parson_n resol_n cap._n 3._o lib._n 1._o part_n 1._o dub._n indeed_o a_o testimony_n from_o a_o adversary_n be_v beyond_o all_o exception_n i_o rest_v satisfy_v with_o what_o you_o have_v say_v for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n have_v you_o any_o thing_n to_o say_v for_o the_o new_a more_o than_o what_o you_o have_v say_v in_o general_a for_o they_o both_o together_o firm._n yes_o i_o have_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o bless_a apostle_n wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v acknoledge_v by_o heathen_n grotius_n de_fw-fr ver_fw-la chris._n relig._n beside_o if_o you_o assent_n to_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n you_o must_v acknowledge_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o new_a which_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n nothing_o else_o but_o a_o explication_n of_o the_o old_a and_o the_o history_n of_o those_o prophecy_n now_o fullfil_v which_o be_v deliver_v by_o the_o prophet_n who_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o law_n you_o may_v add_v to_o this_o the_o miraculous_a preservation_n of_o both_o testament_n not_o withstand_v the_o malice_n of_o persecute_v heathen_n who_o use_v all_o art_n of_o cruelty_n to_o extinguish_v they_o the_o propagation_n of_o 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enemy_n to_o christianity_n acknowledge_v but_o beside_o their_o testimony_n which_o be_v from_o adversary_n be_v u●●y_a cogent_n we_o have_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o most_o place_n of_o the_o world_n for_o 1600_o year_n and_o upward_o and_o as_o he_o that_o will_v go_v up_o by_o the_o side_n of_o the_o river_n will_v at_o last_o come_v to_o the_o head_n and_o fountain_n of_o it_o so_o he_o that_o shall_v ascend_v through_o the_o several_a century_n of_o the_o church_n will_v at_o last_o infallible_o come_v to_o the_o head_n of_o it_o christ_n jesus_n to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o nativity_n his_o preach_a and_o mighty_a work_n that_o he_o do_v his_o bitter_a death_n and_o bloody_a passion_n or_o if_o he_o shall_v descend_v from_o christ_n through_o the_o same_o century_n down_o to_o this_o present_a time_n he_o may_v be_v far_o more_o certain_a of_o the_o birth_n and_o life_n and_o work_n and_o suffering_n of_o this_o our_o bessed_a 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arduum_fw-la insoli●um_fw-la supra_fw-la vim_o naturae_fw-la hard_a unusual_a and_o above_o the_o powèr_n of_o nature_n that_o it_o differ_v from_o a_o ●alse_a one_o in_o the_o efficient_a material_a and_o formal_a cause_n which_o be_v ignotum_fw-la per_fw-la ignotius_fw-la but_o to_o wave_v such_o subtlety_n a_o true_a miracle_n may_v be_v know_v from_o a_o false_a one_o 1._o by_o the_o success_n as_o exod._n 7.12_o it_o be_v say_v aaron_n rod_n swallow_v up_o those_o of_o the_o sorcerer_n and_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n it_o be_v clear_a how_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o the_o apostle_n swallow_v up_o in_o effect_v all_o false_a one_o ●one_n by_o satin_n instrument_n how_o notwithstanding_o all_o those_o lie_a wonder_n wrought_v by_o simon_n magus_n apollonius_n and_o other_o the_o prejudicate_a world_n be_v bring_v over_o from_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n to_o embrace_v poor_a persecute_v christianity_n by_o those_o true_a miracle_n which_o otherwise_o have_v be_v the_o 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