their_o infection_n from_o the_o people_n as_o at_o this_o day_n many_o of_o the_o indian_n do_v much_o more_o worship_n and_o consult_v the_o devil_n for_o fear_v of_o mischief_n than_o they_o do_v the_o good_a spirit_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n but_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o wise_a and_o virtuous_a man_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o divine_a power_n delight_n in_o the_o slaughter_n and_o destruction_n of_o harmless_a creature_n which_o itself_o have_v make_v they_o may_v perhaps_o suppose_v it_o to_o proceed_v not_o out_o of_o cruelty_n but_o rather_o as_o please_v to_o have_v they_o by_o a_o quick_a passage_n withdraw_v from_o the_o suffering_n and_o linger_a decay_n of_o long_a life_n to_o be_v sudden_o establish_v in_o a_o everlasting_a undisturbed_a peace_n and_o indolency_n or_o rather_o if_o from_o our_o state_n of_o ignorance_n it_o be_v possible_a to_o interpret_v heaven_n we_o may_v imagine_v that_o it_o have_v make_v all_o creature_n avoidable_a to_o destroy_v one_o another_o in_o as_o much_o as_o that_o power_n which_o govern_v the_o universe_n do_v perhaps_o contrive_v the_o preservation_n and_o flourish_a estate_n thereof_o in_o a_o proportion_n as_o far_o exceed_v its_o regard_n of_o particular_n as_o the_o whole_a globe_n of_o the_o earth_n exceed_v the_o small_a sand_n upon_o the_o seashore_n and_o as_o for_o particular_a individual_n corruptio_fw-la unius_fw-la est_fw-la generatio_fw-la alterius_fw-la whereby_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o not_o only_o their_o life_n but_o even_o their_o death_n help_v to_o renew_v the_o world_n and_o so_o tend_v to_o its_o continuation_n and_o prosperity_n from_o hence_o now_o peradventure_o man_n of_o airy_a fancy_n may_v conceit_v some_o reason_n why_o in_o mankind_n and_o all_o other_o sublunary_a thing_n when_o any_o one_o last_v long_a than_o be_v ordinary_a for_o other_o of_o its_o kind_n to_o do_v it_o be_v usual_o punish_v with_o deformity_n and_o other_o decay_v for_o retard_v as_o much_o as_o in_o it_o lie_v that_o measure_n of_o the_o world_n renovation_n which_o will_v by_o its_o more_o early_a change_n have_v accrue_v thereunto_o these_o thought_n unrectify_v have_v even_o among_o christian_n cause_v some_o heretic_n to_o think_v that_o god_n have_v from_o the_o first_o creation_n infuse_v into_o all_o perishable_a thing_n two_o internal_a principle_n the_o one_o of_o life_n and_o preservation_n the_o other_o of_o death_n and_o destruction_n also_o that_o according_a as_o either_o of_o these_o be_v more_o or_o less_o agreeable_o entertain_v so_o be_v the_o creature_n more_o or_o less_o vigorous_a and_o durable_a or_o peradventure_o they_o may_v more_o apposite_o have_v observe_v the_o rise_n and_o fall_v of_o thing_n represent_v in_o the_o rotation_n of_o wheel_n in_o a_o chariot_n who_o several_a spoak_n be_v raise_v up_o and_o cast_v down_o by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o mover_n at_o one_o and_o the_o same_o time_n without_o any_o separate_a assistant_n for_o so_o they_o think_v that_o infinite_a power_n wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o be_v all_o in_o all_o moves_z thing_n by_o his_o immediate_a presence_n and_o inoperation_n without_o any_o need_n of_o aristotle_n intelligence_n plato_n daemon_n or_o other_o imaginary_a power_n subservient_fw-fr nor_o that_o it_o merit_v a_o bad_a censure_n for_o destroy_v particular_n it_o be_v for_o a_o universal_a good_a x._o now_o because_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n be_v not_o thus_o speculative_a or_o philosophical_a in_o their_o action_n but_o rather_o crafty_a and_o politic_a as_o design_v to_o themselves_o power_n among_o man_n and_o by_o consequence_n riches_n and_o honour_n the_o most_o nervous_a and_o effectual_a consideration_n of_o the_o gentile_n sacrifice_n must_v be_v take_v that_o way_n thus_o when_o prince_n who_o in_o the_o govern_n of_o mankind_n find_v it_o to_o be_v a_o unruly_a creature_n mischievous_a and_o not_o capable_a to_o be_v guide_v by_o solid_a reason_n or_o truth_n but_o total_o subject_v to_o the_o passion_n of_o hope_n and_o fear_n how_o false_a and_o vain_a soever_o it_o mattered_a not_o provide_v that_o thing_n be_v well_o fit_v and_o suitable_a to_o their_o capacity_n wherefore_o they_o to_o encourage_v obedience_n and_o good_a work_n hold_v forth_o gain_v and_o preferment_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n to_o deter_v from_o disobedience_n and_o mischief_n they_o ordain_v forfeiture_n and_o disgrace_n et_fw-la ponere_fw-la leges_fw-la ne_fw-la quis_fw-la fur_n esset_fw-la new_a latro_fw-la new_a quis_fw-la adulter_fw-la horat._n serm._n yet_o in_o as_o much_o as_o abundans_fw-la cautela_fw-la non_fw-la nocet_fw-la and_o see_v there_o be_v many_o clandestine_v villainy_n so_o secret_a and_o undiscoverable_a as_o can_v hardly_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o open_a conviction_n for_o such_o the_o magistrate_n raise_v within_o they_o animo_fw-la tortore_fw-la flagellum_fw-la viz._n in_o their_o conscience_n the_o fear_n of_o some_o future_a punishment_n whereof_o for_o want_v of_o that_o true_a knowledge_n which_o we_o enjoy_v they_o feign_v some_o of_o their_o own_o invention_n such_o as_o the_o stygian_a lake_n and_o the_o like_a which_o in_o as_o much_o as_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o their_o present_a invisibility_n render_v the_o less_o credible_a therefore_o the_o declare_v they_o to_o be_v with_o material_a fire_n as_o also_o eternal_a do_v in_o good_a measure_n over-awe_n that_o incredulity_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v observe_v how_o necessary_a and_o how_o natural_a be_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o reward_n and_o punishment_n hereafter_o that_o even_o the_o unenlightn_v heathen_n as_o well_o for_o conveniency_n as_o from_o the_o impulse_n of_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v it_o so_o rational_a and_o so_o natural_a be_v that_o article_n of_o our_o christian_n faith_n xi_o now_o for_o the_o erect_n of_o this_o tribunal_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n they_o not_o be_v enlighten_v from_o above_o make_v use_v of_o superstition_n the_o offspring_n of_o too_o much_o honour_n and_o too_o much_o fear_v which_o be_v to_o be_v manage_v cunning_o and_o well_o fit_v to_o vulgar_a capacity_n they_o do_v little_a or_o not_o at_o all_o regard_n the_o satisfaction_n of_o clear_a rational_a man_n for_o first_o the_o number_n of_o they_o be_v so_o small_a as_o they_o be_v of_o no_o power_n and_o then_o they_o be_v too_o wise_a to_o hazard_v their_o own_o ruin_n for_o the_o instruction_n of_o foolish_a man_n cast_v pearl_n before_o swine_n know_v withal_o that_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v so_o vain_a as_o to_o oppose_v the_o common_a belief_n the_o mobile_a will_v as_o they_o do_v by_o socrates_n oppress_v and_o decry_v he_o for_o a_o atheist_n therefore_o the_o wise_a among_o the_o heathen_n follow_v this_o rule_n in_o their_o converse_n loquendum_fw-la cum_fw-la vulgo_fw-la sentiendum_fw-la cum_fw-la sapientibus_fw-la &_o si_fw-la mundus_fw-la vult_fw-la decipi_fw-la decipiatur_fw-la our_o saviour_n himself_o find_v how_o improper_a it_o be_v to_o unfold_v his_o sacred_a mystery_n to_o the_o ignorant_a multitude_n and_o therefore_o explain_v not_o his_o parable_n of_o the_o sour_a till_o he_o be_v alone_o among_o the_o twelve_o 12._o say_v unto_o you_o it_o be_v give_v to_o know_v the_o mystery_n of_o god_n but_o unto_o they_o that_o be_v without_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o parable_n that_o see_v they_o may_v see_v and_o not_o perceive_v and_o hear_v they_o may_v hear_v and_o not_o understand_v lest_o at_o any_o time_n they_o may_v be_v convert_v and_o their_o sin_n shall_v be_v forgive_v they_o he_o that_o have_v ear_n to_o hear_v let_v he_o hear_v say_v christ_n that_o be_v not_o every_o one_o that_o can_v hear_v but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v well_o able_a to_o digest_v and_o understand_v what_o they_o do_v hear_v now_o this_o kind_n of_o reservedness_n and_o secrecy_n be_v likewise_o observe_v by_o the_o most_o prudent_a of_o the_o heathen_n it_o make_v their_o priest_n altogether_o neglect_v such_o thought_n though_o never_o so_o wise_a as_o be_v well_o assure_v that_o their_o prudence_n will_v hinder_v they_o from_o discover_v or_o intere_v themselves_o in_o the_o vulgar_a superstition_n how_o sottish_a soever_o but_o nevertheless_o to_o fortify_v themselves_o the_o better_a against_o any_o such_o discovery_n they_o ever_o decry_v humane_a wisdom_n and_o magnify_a ignorance_n well_o know_v that_o the_o seed_n of_o their_o foolish_a doctrine_n will_v prosper_v no_o where_o but_o in_o barren_a ground_n reason_n teach_v that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o only_a supreme_a god_n but_o they_o teach_v the_o belief_n of_o many_o go_n reason_n teach_v that_o the_o law_n of_o god_n viz._n that_o law_n which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o our_o future_a happiness_n aught_o to_o be_v general_o make_v know_v to_o all_o man_n which_o they_o be_v not_o reason_n make_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o their_o enthusiastic_o and_o our_o madman_n reason_n expect_v some_o more_o convince_a argument_n to_o prove_v the_o
own_o tooth_n and_o in_o their_o stead_n give_v each_o of_o they_o a_o set_v of_o wolf_n tooth_n so_o that_o whereas_o before_o one_o shepherd_n be_v able_a to_o drive_v a_o whole_a flock_n now_o each_o sheep_n have_v need_n of_o particular_a shepherd_n and_o all_o little_a enough_o too_o much_o to_o our_o purpose_n be_v it_o note_v by_o plutarch_n that_o great_a prince_n in_o their_o shield_n do_v ever_o give_v creature_n of_o force_n and_o rapine_n as_o eagle_n lion_n dragon_n and_o the_o like_a to_o teach_v they_o how_o to_o maintain_v their_o grandeur_n in_o resemblance_n whereof_o henry_n the_o 4_o of_o france_n have_v ever_o engrave_v upon_o his_o ordnance_n this_o motto_n ratio_fw-la ultima_fw-la regum_fw-la but_o however_o for_o petty_a prince_n a_o fox_n may_v be_v the_o better_a emblem_n xvii_o these_o sacrifice_n upon_o extraordinary_a occasion_n be_v ever_o present_v with_o wonderful_a solemnity_n and_o magnificence_n for_o according_a to_o st._n paul_n observation_n they_o hold_v we_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o the_o god_n may_v probable_o conjecture_v that_o our_o great_a delight_n which_o we_o take_v in_o solemn_a show_n and_o music_n may_v be_v original_o derive_v into_o our_o nature_n from_o the_o like_a spirit_n in_o the_o divine_a original_a of_o nature_n of_o who_o we_o proceed_v and_o if_o so_o than_o these_o kind_n of_o solemnity_n seem_v proper_a sacrifice_n to_o the_o genius_n of_o mankind_n and_o by_o consequence_n will_v at_o least_o take_v with_o man_n if_o not_o with_o god_n however_o they_o be_v find_v to_o work_v two_o great_a effect_n upon_o people_n mind_n the_o one_o of_o concern_v to_o religion_n the_o other_o to_z the_o state_n the_o concern_v as_o to_o religion_n be_v in_o raise_v a_o kind_n of_o veneration_n and_o awful_a terror_n in_o the_o spectator_n which_o be_v a_o frame_n of_o spirit_n most_o susceptible_a of_o devotion_n exclude_v all_o wander_a light_a and_o vain_a thought_n therefore_o in_o the_o most_o ancient_a time_n the_o chief_a part_n of_o their_o divine_a worship_n be_v celebrate_v in_o thick_a grove_n and_o afterward_o when_o they_o erect_v temple_n many_o of_o they_o be_v of_o magnificent_a structure_n but_o ever_o so_o gloomy_a and_o dark_a as_o they_o be_v in_o the_o day_n time_n fain_o to_o make_v use_n of_o lamp_n upon_o their_o altar_n for_o such_o a_o light_n represent_v any_o show_n much_o more_o splendid_o than_o open_a daylight_n as_o we_o plain_o see_v in_o our_o theatre_n who_o but_o for_o that_o advantage_n will_v never_o be_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o lamp_n and_o candle_n in_o the_o summer_n time_n these_o stately_a representation_n of_o their_o offering_n with_o the_o priest_n fantastical_a vestment_n and_o profound_a gravity_n be_v a_o kind_n of_o act_v their_o religion_n as_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o stage_n and_o it_o fare_v also_o with_o that_o as_o with_o opera_n which_o ever_o take_v better_o act_v than_o read_v segnius_fw-la irritant_fw-la animos_fw-la demissa_fw-la per_fw-la aures_fw-la quam_fw-la quae_fw-la sunt_fw-la oculis_fw-la subjecta_fw-la fidelibus_fw-la the_o whole_a history_n of_o most_o of_o their_o god_n be_v at_o the_o time_n of_o their_o several_a festival_n very_o splendid_o act_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o public_a play_n and_o general_o in_o dumbshow_n without_o any_o word_n at_o all_o as_o suppose_v every_o one_o from_o his_o childhood_n acquaint_v with_o the_o story_n by_o his_o religious_a education_n these_o show_v uphold_v their_o fabulous_a divinity_n many_o thousand_o year_n perhaps_o much_o long_o than_o if_o they_o have_v ground_v it_o upon_o argumentative_a discourse_n and_o syllogism_n which_o be_v knack_n that_o either_o take_v not_o the_o multitude_n at_o all_o or_o never_o hold_v they_o long_o for_o either_o the_o care_n of_o the_o world_n stifle_v they_o or_o at_o best_o after_o a_o time_n they_o grow_v as_o tedious_a as_o a_o fiddler_n that_o can_v play_v but_o one_o tune_n beside_o these_o frequent_a representation_n be_v no_o less_o effectual_a to_o strengthen_v the_o people_n faith_n than_o if_o they_o hear_v the_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n daily_o rehearse_v unto_o they_o which_o be_v the_o most_o prevalent_a way_n of_o naturalise_v a_o religion_n to_o the_o people_n how_o false_a soever_o since_o nothing_o be_v more_o frequent_a than_o to_o have_v man_n tell_v lie_n though_o of_o their_o own_o invention_n so_o often_o till_o in_o time_n they_o themselves_o grow_v to_o believe_v they_o true_a xviii_o the_o other_o concern_v viz._n of_o the_o state_n in_o those_o great_a sanguinary_a sacrifice_n be_v by_o innure_v the_o people_n to_o such_o horrid_a and_o bloody_a sight_n which_o though_o but_o of_o beast_n yet_o doubtless_o tend_v much_o to_o the_o harden_v of_o their_o heart_n against_o all_o apprehension_n of_o blood_n and_o death_n either_o in_o themselves_o or_o other_o render_v they_o fit_a for_o the_o war_n and_o thereby_o more_o capable_a either_o of_o defend_v or_o enlarge_n their_o empire_n upon_o this_o consideration_n it_o be_v that_o our_o law_n will_v not_o admit_v a_o butcher_n to_o serve_v upon_o the_o jury_n of_o life_n and_o death_n also_o at_o the_o battle_n of_o edgehill_n it_o be_v general_o observe_v that_o one_o foot-regiment_n of_o butcher_n behave_v themselves_o more_o stout_o than_o any_o other_o regiment_n of_o either_o side_n and_o yet_o they_o have_v never_o before_o that_o time_n be_v flesh_v in_o any_o blood_n but_o that_o of_o beast_n to_o this_o purpose_n therefore_o the_o ancient_a roman_n do_v much_o harden_v the_o heart_n of_o their_o man_n by_o use_v they_o to_o various_a other_o inhuman_a bloody_a sight_n as_o gladiator_n slaughter_v one_o another_o in_o their_o amphitheatre_n and_o condemn_v malefactor_n to_o be_v there_o tear_v in_o piece_n by_o wild_a beast_n for_o the_o diversion_n of_o the_o people_n which_o occasion_v the_o primitive_a church_n to_o prohibit_v the_o christian_n all_o such_o bloody_a sight_n as_o not_o intend_v or_o approve_v of_o such_o hardness_n of_o heart_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o govern_v in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n and_o innocence_n hope_v thereby_o to_o gain_v a_o great_a submission_n whereas_o the_o heathen_a prince_n especial_o the_o roman_n when_o they_o arrive_v to_o that_o grandeur_n as_o encourage_v they_o into_o a_o ambition_n of_o conquer_a the_o universe_n desire_v in_o pursuance_n of_o that_o wicked_a design_n to_o educate_v their_o people_n in_o such_o fierceness_n and_o inhumanity_n as_o may_v fit_v they_o for_o that_o purpose_n and_o the_o heathen_a priest_n who_o be_v certain_o the_o wicked_a and_o crafty_a of_o man_n know_v how_o serviceable_a they_o may_v be_v to_o the_o prince_n as_o well_o as_o the_o prince_n to_o they_o in_o a_o despotic_a government_n soon_o discover_v their_o own_o interest_n in_o be_v contributer_n to_o that_o design_n xix_o now_o consider_v these_o thing_n and_o where_o all_o regard_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n be_v say_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n can_v not_o but_o be_v very_o pertinent_a and_o apprehend_v that_o way_n be_v not_o so_o absurd_a as_o by_o lucian_n and_o other_o ingenious_a person_n they_o be_v represent_v to_o have_v be_v the_o common_a people_n be_v so_o weak_a as_o to_o be_v delude_v into_o the_o belief_n of_o these_o trumperies_fw-fr by_o that_o fallacious_a argument_n which_o all_o superstition_n have_v ever_o make_v use_n of_o and_o indeed_o lie_v as_o well_o for_o one_o as_o another_o viz._n that_o the_o vulgar_a faith_n be_v the_o safe_a but_o however_o the_o great_a and_o prudent_a man_n among_o they_o be_v not_o so_o sottish_a and_o blind_a as_o not_o to_o discern_v the_o intrinsic_a worthlessness_n of_o their_o superstition_n however_o they_o uphold_v they_o for_o worldly_a advantage_n and_o therefore_o when_o a_o roman_a general_n defer_v to_o give_v the_o signal_n of_o a_o battle_n because_o the_o soothsayer_n chicken_n forbear_v to_o eat_v a_o young_a nobleman_n stand_v by_o tell_v he_o he_o wonder_v he_o will_v omit_v so_o great_a a_o opportunity_n for_o so_o small_a a_o thing_n to_o who_o the_o general_n reply_v these_o thing_n seem_v small_a but_o our_o forefather_n by_o regard_v these_o little_a thing_n have_v make_v this_o commonwealth_n great_a and_o to_o show_v that_o when_o they_o be_v not_o under_o these_o politic_a corruption_n but_o free_a to_o declare_v their_o own_o judgement_n their_o inward_a devotion_n be_v more_o excellent_a than_o their_o outward_a profession_n observe_v what_o one_o of_o their_o own_o poet_n deliver_v concern_v sacrifice_n non_fw-la above_o mastato_fw-la coelestia_fw-la numina_fw-la gaudent_fw-la sed_fw-la quae_fw-la praest_n and_o a_o est_z vet_n sine_fw-la testae_fw-la fides_n ou._n finis_fw-la chorus_n sacerldotum_fw-la â—d_a brook_n mustapha_n mr._n d._n mark_v 4._o 11_o 12._o
chief_a and_o most_o eminent_a office_n among_o the_o roman_n be_v that_o of_o the_o augur_n the_o veneration_n and_o honour_n give_v unto_o they_o be_v so_o great_a that_o they_o be_v look_v upon_o not_o only_o as_o the_o god_n interpreter_n but_o also_o as_o messenger_n and_o agent_n betwixt_o they_o and_o mankind_n beside_o they_o be_v ever_o advance_v to_o the_o senate_n and_o the_o rather_o as_o be_v conceive_v because_o from_o the_o first_o foundation_n of_o rome_n until_o the_o change_n of_o the_o government_n king_n be_v augur_n as_o not_o think_v it_o safe_a to_o disjoin_v from_o the_o regal_a power_n a_o discipline_n so_o full_a of_o authority_n as_o be_v that_o of_o a_o augur_n who_o be_v so_o high_o esteem_v among_o the_o ancient_n that_o no_o magistrate_n be_v choose_v nor_o business_n of_o importance_n do_v till_o they_o be_v first_o consult_v those_o who_o to_o empire_n by_o dark_a path_n aspire_v d._n still_o plead_v a_o call_n to_o what_o they_o most_o desire_n thus_o romulus_n and_o numa_n can_v receive_v their_o sceptre_n only_o from_o the_o augur_n hand_n as_o titus_n livy_n inform_v we_o vii_o the_o heathen_a priest_n think_v it_o dangerous_a to_o teach_v any_o way_n to_o god_n which_o man_n may_v go_v by_o themselves_o without_o further_a guide_n and_o direct_v like_o musician_n who_o be_v unwilling_a to_o learn_v their_o scholar_n to_o play_v by_o note_n lest_o they_o may_v grow_v able_a to_o improve_v themselves_o without_o a_o master_n do_v not_o as_o our_o christian_a pastor_n do_v furnish_v the_o people_n with_o a_o record_n of_o their_o god_n command_n whereby_o they_o may_v walk_v themselves_o without_o any_o other_o assistance_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_n they_o institute_v lustration_n expiation_n and_o the_o like_a which_o none_o but_o themselves_o can_v execute_v and_o all_o be_v only_o to_o render_v the_o clergy_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o people_n the_o original_a of_o sacrifice_n seem_v to_o be_v as_o ancient_a as_o religion_n itself_o for_o no_o soon_o have_v man_n find_v out_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n but_o priest_n step_v up_o and_o say_v that_o this_o god_n have_v teach_v they_o in_o what_o manner_n he_o will_v be_v worship_v as_o religion_n therefore_o seem_v to_o have_v begin_v most_o ancient_o in_o the_o eastern_a part_n or_o as_o some_o will_v have_v it_o in_o egypt_n so_o do_v sacrifice_n which_o from_o thence_o be_v propagate_v to_o greece_n italy_n and_o other_o remote_a part_n the_o number_n of_o sacrifice_n say_v a_o learned_a author_n be_v among_o the_o egyptian_n reckon_v to_o be_v 666_o which_o without_o all_o question_n be_v multiply_v by_o the_o priest_n of_o several_a country_n where_o the_o say_v egyptian_a sacrifice_n be_v receive_v but_o what_o a_o madness_n be_v this_o to_o think_v to_o flatter_v the_o divinity_n with_o inhumanity_n to_o content_a the_o divine_a goodness_n with_o the_o affliction_n of_o his_o creature_n and_o to_o satisfy_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n with_o cruelty_n a_o superstitious_a man_n serve_v god_n out_o of_o fear_n whereas_o the_o true_o religious_a serve_v he_o out_o of_o love_n superstition_n suffer_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n to_o live_v at_o rest_n as_o evident_o appear_v by_o these_o heathen_a sacrifice_n what_o can_v be_v more_o sottish_a or_o irrational_a than_o to_o think_v that_o the_o slaughter_n of_o a_o poor_a innocent_a creature_n who_o follow_v the_o simplicity_n of_o his_o own_o nature_n without_o ever_o offend_v god_n shall_v be_v so_o grateful_a to_o the_o deity_n as_o thereby_o we_o may_v expiate_v our_o sin_n and_o render_v a_o sufficient_a atonement_n for_o the_o most_o execrable_a villainy_n of_o mankind_n as_o if_o the_o almighty_a justice_n can_v be_v no_o otherwise_o appease_v for_o the_o error_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o by_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o innocent_a now_o as_o sacrifice_n be_v the_o most_o ancient_a and_o universal_a so_o the_o great_a and_o most_o mysterious_a fourb_n that_o ever_o be_v invent_v or_o impose_v upon_o mankind_n what_o have_v sacrifice_n to_o do_v with_o sin_n can_v none_o but_o their_o unenlightn_v priest_n make_v peace_n between_o god_n and_o man_n when_o sin_n be_v commit_v be_v there_o no_o address_n to_o be_v make_v to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n but_o by_o their_o intercession_n be_v they_o the_o courtier_n of_o heaven_n and_o must_v they_o be_v first_o bribe_v before_o man_n can_v receive_v a_o pardon_n for_o their_o sin_n a_o inward_a and_o hearty_a repentance_n avail_v nothing_o among_o they_o neither_o can_v the_o heathen_n be_v excuse_v by_o say_v that_o at_o the_o same_o time_n when_o sacrifice_n be_v offer_v they_o may_v repent_v for_o it_o do_v so_o little_o appear_v that_o they_o command_v repentance_n as_o we_o can_v hardly_o find_v any_o mention_n thereof_o in_o their_o religious_a worship_n however_o we_o may_v hope_v that_o god_n do_v work_v it_o in_o some_o of_o their_o heart_n for_o we_o find_v in_o plato_n and_o other_o philosopher_n sorrow_n for_o sin_n often_o enjoin_v and_o we_o may_v read_v among_o the_o septem_fw-la sapientes_fw-la this_o holy_a precept_n quod_fw-la tibi_fw-la fieri_fw-la non_fw-la vis_fw-la alteri_fw-la ne_fw-la feceris_fw-la which_o give_v a_o brave_a entrance_n into_o the_o christian_a philosophy_n as_o it_o stand_v record_v in_o holy_a writ_n but_o this_o they_o owe_v to_o their_o philosophy_n and_o not_o theology_n viii_o the_o stupidity_n of_o these_o heathen_a sacrifice_n be_v sufficient_o already_o explode_v by_o lucian_n arnobius_n and_o other_o the_o first_o condemn_v they_o as_o ridiculous_a the_o latter_a as_o impious_a for_o god_n will_v be_v serve_v in_o spirit_n and_o that_o which_o be_v outward_o do_v be_v rather_o to_o glorify_v ourselves_o than_o god_n yet_o however_o as_o monstrous_a as_o their_o doctrine_n and_o sacrifice_n appear_v they_o have_v be_v the_o chief_a support_n of_o the_o gentile_n devotion_n for_o many_o thousand_o year_n and_o in_o some_o nation_n continue_v to_o this_o day_n perhaps_o melancholy_a man_n may_v at_o first_o light_n upon_o this_o frenzy_n by_o observe_v how_o nature_n have_v inevitable_o frame_v all_o creature_n to_o live_v by_o devour_v and_o destroy_v one_o another_o a_o man_n eat_v not_o one_o morsel_n but_o he_o destroy_v a_o animal_n or_o vegetable_a life_n or_o at_o least_o prevent_v they_o from_o attain_v that_o life_n which_o otherwise_o they_o will_v have_v enjoy_v nay_o we_o can_v walk_v one_o step_n but_o probable_o we_o crush_v many_o infect_v creep_v under_o our_o foot_n and_o the_o same_o happen_v to_o other_o creature_n the_o life_n of_o each_o be_v by_o nature_n make_v predatory_a upon_o other_o torva_fw-la leoena_fw-la lupum_fw-la sequitur_fw-la lupus_fw-la ipse_fw-la capellam_fw-la florentem_fw-la cytisum_fw-la sequitur_fw-la lasciva_fw-la capella_fw-la virg._n ecclog_n upon_o this_o consideration_n aesop_n wolf_n be_v touch_v in_o conscience_n for_o the_o many_o murder_n he_o have_v commit_v vow_v never_o more_o to_o eat_v flesh_n till_o be_v almost_o famish_a and_o espy_v a_o hog_n in_o a_o puddle_n he_o be_v force_v by_o a_o interpretation_n wise_a than_o his_o vow_n to_o suppose_v the_o hog_n a_o fish_n and_o so_o by_o devour_v it_o to_o save_v himself_o from_o starve_v it_o be_v also_o find_v by_o experience_n how_o many_o million_o of_o violent_a accident_n be_v ever_o ready_a at_o hand_n to_o destroy_v all_o thing_n that_o have_v life_n in_o they_o whereas_o preservative_n be_v rare_o to_o be_v meet_v with_o nor_o can_v the_o very_o best_a nourishment_n or_o physic_n reprieve_v life_n any_o considerable_a time_n and_o that_o also_o ever_o atend_v with_o some_o mischievous_a quality_n incline_v towards_o death_n wherefore_o but_o like_o a_o small_a parenthesis_n intervening_a a_o long_a discourse_n nor_o be_v the_o long_a estate_n of_o life_n above_o a_o moment_n compare_v with_o that_o of_o death_n which_o be_v for_o ever_o irrecoverable_a also_o the_o sickness_n of_o one_o man_n do_v often_o infect_v other_o and_o extend_v to_o the_o destruction_n of_o many_o thousand_o whereas_o the_o health_n of_o the_o sound_a body_n upon_o earth_n do_v not_o diffuse_v itself_o to_o the_o good_a of_o any_o but_o itself_o ix_o so_o that_o by_o these_o and_o such_o like_a sinister_a observation_n the_o destruction_n of_o thing_n in_o be_v appear_v to_o they_o to_o be_v more_o grateful_a to_o heaven_n than_o their_o preservation_n whereupon_o man_n raise_v unjust_a out-cry_n against_o the_o miserable_a condition_n of_o humane_a life_n lay_v that_o fault_n upon_o the_o deity_n which_o do_v proceed_v only_o from_o themselves_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n fall_v to_o a_o unworthy_a opinion_n of_o cruelty_n in_o god_n and_o therefore_o we_o see_v the_o heathen_n for_o three_o or_o four_o eminent_a jove_n have_v many_o more_o vejove_v or_o mischievous_a suppose_a deity_n nay_o they_o erect_v altar_n to_o most_o disease_n and_o vice_n in_o hope_n thereby_o to_o divert_v