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arise_v from_o a_o false_a principle_n concern_v the_o temporal_a kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n through_o a_o misunderstanding_n of_o the_o prophecy_n that_o make_v they_o against_o their_o belief_n and_o conscience_n reject_v the_o authority_n of_o so_o many_o evident_a and_o often_o repeat_v miracle_n and_o though_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v he_o for_o their_o messiah_n that_o come_v in_o a_o way_n of_o humility_n and_o meekness_n so_o opposite_a to_o their_o humour_n and_o expectation_n who_o think_v of_o nothing_o but_o triumph_n and_o revenge_n yet_o they_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o messiah_n can_v not_o do_v great_a and_o last_o our_o bless_a saviour_n appeal_v to_o miracle_n as_o to_o his_o credential_n as_o be_v a_o most_o rational_a motive_n to_o work_v faith_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o most_o scrupulous_a if_o you_o believe_v not_o i_o believe_v the_o work_n that_o i_o do_v this_o then_o be_v a_o sufficient_a confirmation_n of_o our_o saviour_n mission_n and_o of_o the_o doctrine_n he_o and_o the_o apostle_n deliver_v from_o he_o and_o preach_v through_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n which_o they_o travel_v and_o after_o put_v in_o write_v for_o the_o benefit_n and_o great_a satisfaction_n of_o all_o succeed_a generation_n nor_o be_v we_o now_o at_o this_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n to_o call_v for_o new_a sign_n from_o heaven_n or_o to_o desire_v a_o far_a confirmation_n of_o what_o have_v be_v receive_v so_o universal_o for_o so_o many_o succession_n of_o age_n the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v the_o authentic_a register_n of_o the_o doctrine_n and_o revelation_n of_o god_n and_o that_o i_o may_v add_v this_o by_o the_o way_n be_v they_o but_o of_o humane_a authority_n they_o deserve_v not_o to_o be_v droll_v upon_o but_o to_o be_v treat_v with_o a_o equal_a if_o
upbraid_v the_o christian_n of_o their_o time_n with_o who_o they_o converse_v in_o their_o write_n and_o in_o their_o discourse_n that_o they_o receive_v all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o irrational_a faith_n and_o a_o hasty_a assent_n pass_v without_o any_o examination_n that_o they_o can_v bring_v no_o proof_n or_o demonstrative_a argument_n of_o what_o they_o hold_v so_o pertinacious_o that_o nothing_o be_v require_v to_o make_v a_o christian_a a_o believer_n as_o they_o use_v to_o speak_v by_o way_n of_o scorn_n but_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o unjudicious_a and_o groundless_a faith_n yes_o certain_o a_o good_a life_n and_o a_o sanctify_a understanding_n and_o a_o humble_a opinion_n of_o a_o man_n self_n but_o these_o be_v but_o word_n and_o man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v laugh_v and_o rally_v out_o of_o their_o faith_n and_o a_o wellgrounded_n persuasion_n there_o be_v nothing_o of_o argument_n in_o scorn_n and_o passion_n they_o only_o show_v the_o weakness_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o want_v of_o reason_n in_o those_o who_o make_v use_v of_o they_o but_o now_o after_o so_o many_o miriads_o of_o convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n after_o the_o attestation_n and_o consent_n of_o so_o many_o age_n who_o have_v examine_v severe_o the_o principle_n on_o which_o it_o be_v found_v who_o will_v expect_v that_o any_o one_o shall_v dare_v now_o to_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o again_o that_o man_n who_o have_v be_v baptize_v into_o it_o shall_v abjure_v and_o renounce_v it_o shall_v no_o long_o acknowledge_v christ_n their_o saviour_n shall_v deny_v he_o to_o be_v god_n or_o that_o he_o have_v any_o commission_n from_o heaven_n to_o institute_v a_o new_a religion_n shall_v act_v over_o the_o part_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o arraign_v the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o a_o impostor_n and_o side_n with_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n against_o christianity_n as_o a_o doctrine_n not_o to_o be_v endure_v and_o embrace_v and_o make_v use_n of_o their_o very_a argument_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o their_o infidelity_n but_o we_o know_v whence_o the_o malice_n and_o the_o infidelity_n of_o these_o theist_n proceed_v they_o have_v abandon_v themselves_o to_o a_o wicked_a life_n they_o be_v immerse_v in_o sensual_a pleasure_n which_o they_o make_v the_o only_a end_n of_o life_n they_o be_v convince_v that_o christianity_n which_o be_v a_o doctrine_n according_a to_o godliness_n be_v not_o consistent_a with_o such_o practice_n which_o yet_o even_o nature_n and_o right_a reason_n utter_o condemn_v the_o mystery_n of_o faith_n do_v not_o so_o much_o trouble_v these_o man_n as_o the_o severity_n of_o its_o command_n these_o they_o can_v away_o with_o their_o lust_n help_v they_o to_o argument_n against_o the_o other_o and_o they_o content_v themselves_o with_o little_a piece_n of_o sophistry_n and_o think_v to_o vindicate_v the_o ill_a course_n of_o life_n they_o have_v take_v up_o this_o way_n natural_a conscience_n and_o a_o ordinary_a reflection_n upon_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n will_v not_o permit_v they_o it_o may_v be_v to_o deny_v a_o god_n though_o they_o live_v as_o though_o there_o be_v none_o they_o will_v acknowledge_v he_o it_o may_v be_v too_o in_o a_o good_a humour_n the_o creator_n of_o the_o world_n but_o not_o the_o judge_n and_o governor_n of_o it_o they_o look_v upon_o themselves_o as_o only_o bear_v to_o gratify_v their_o sensual_a appetite_n they_o declare_v equal_o for_o a_o liberty_n of_o live_v and_o think_v as_o they_o please_v they_o will_v have_v no_o restraint_n lay_v upon_o their_o understanding_n or_o their_o life_n christianity_n be_v too_o strict_a and_o therefore_o too_o difficult_a for_o they_o they_o may_v have_v the_o wit_n perchance_o but_o not_o the_o morality_n of_o the_o philosopher_n who_o very_a life_n notwithstanding_o will_v condemn_v they_o as_o much_o as_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n their_o evil_a education_n and_o custom_n and_o prepossession_n those_o great_a hindrance_n of_o truth_n make_v their_o refuse_v christianity_n the_o less_o inexcusable_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o mystery_n while_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o rule_n and_o institution_n of_o it_o to_o be_v according_a to_o the_o high_a reason_n and_o the_o exaltation_n of_o the_o humane_a nature_n while_o these_o man_n pretend_v its_o mystery_n to_o be_v therefore_o incredible_a because_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o which_o thwart_o their_o lust_n so_o much_o be_v so_o severe_a little_o or_o no_o good_a i_o know_v be_v to_o be_v do_v upon_o these_o man_n by_o persuasion_n or_o argument_n of_o which_o they_o be_v scarce_o capable_a who_o turn_v all_o thing_n into_o burlesque_fw-la and_o ridicule_fw-la they_o it_o seem_v be_v too_o witty_a for_o so_o they_o call_v their_o boldness_n and_o want_n of_o judgement_n either_o to_o understand_v or_o embrace_v the_o principle_n of_o christianity_n but_o their_o ill_a life_n show_v that_o be_v they_o as_o clear_a as_o the_o principle_n of_o geometry_n so_o long_o as_o a_o strict_a and_o holy_a life_n be_v as_o necessary_a and_o essential_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o christian_a as_o a_o right_n and_o sound_a faith_n they_o will_v except_v and_o cavil_v at_o they_o and_o at_o last_o reject_v they_o and_o if_o the_o gospel_n be_v hide_v be_v esteem_v after_o so_o many_o clear_a and_o undoubted_a revelation_n after_o such_o evident_a proof_n and_o conviction_n a_o obscure_a and_o incredible_a doctrine_n it_o be_v hide_v to_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v or_o rather_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o they_o that_o be_v lose_v it_o be_v only_o so_o to_o such_o desperate_a and_o obstinate_a wretch_n who_o reason_n itself_o can_v satisfy_v in_o who_o the_o god_n of_o this_o world_n have_v blind_v the_o mind_n of_o they_o which_o believe_v not_o lest_o the_o light_n of_o the_o glorious_a gospel_n of_o christ_n who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o god_n shall_v shine_v unto_o they_o 2_o cor._n four_o 3_o 4._o but_o these_o be_v wild_a and_o extravagant_a person_n of_o debauch_a understanding_n and_o life_n and_o only_o to_o be_v confute_v by_o the_o severity_n of_o law_n and_o of_o the_o two_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v suffer_v more_o by_o the_o secret_a undermine_n of_o heretic_n than_o by_o their_o bold_a attaque_n these_o be_v the_o more_o dangerous_a enemy_n who_o deny_v the_o truth_n and_o mystery_n of_o it_o upon_o a_o pretence_n of_o wariness_n and_o caution_n and_o go_v sober_o about_o to_o destroy_v it_o but_o all_o their_o objection_n how_o plausible_a soever_o must_v at_o last_o resolve_n into_o obstinacy_n and_o pride_n they_o fancy_v thing_n must_v be_v and_o be_v as_o they_o will_v have_v they_o or_o else_o they_o can_v be_v at_o all_o they_o vain_o suppose_v themselves_o able_a to_o search_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o all_o divine_a and_o humane_a knowledge_n and_o be_v once_o prepossess_v with_o this_o conceit_n they_o grow_v peevish_a and_o angry_a because_o the_o christian_a religion_n propose_v thing_n to_o their_o belief_n which_o they_o can_v grasp_v and_o be_v too_o big_a for_o their_o understanding_n and_o rather_o than_o forego_v this_o belove_a principle_n they_o will_v destroy_v the_o fundamental_o of_o christianity_n and_o to_o apply_v that_o of_o number_n tertullian_n to_o they_o nisi_fw-la homini_fw-la deusplacuerit_fw-la deus_fw-la non_fw-la erit_fw-la homo_fw-la jam_fw-la deo_fw-la propitius_fw-la esse_fw-la debebit_fw-la christ_n shall_v not_o be_v god_n nor_o satisfy_v the_o divine_a justice_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o mankind_n because_o this_o seem_v incongruous_a to_o they_o it_o be_v a_o difficulty_n that_o do_v puzzle_v their_o understanding_n it_o be_v above_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o fancy_n their_o reason_n they_o say_v tell_v they_o this_o can_v be_v allow_v of_o no_o such_o thing_n as_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o great_a duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o forget_v that_o christianity_n be_v as_o it_o be_v undoubted_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o godliness_n thus_o under_o a_o pretence_n of_o clear_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o make_v it_o the_o more_o easy_o intelligible_a to_o turk_n and_o jew_n they_o resist_v it_o in_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o it_o and_o corrupt_v and_o destroy_v it_o to_o who_o full_o agree_v that_o character_n which_o st._n paul_n give_v of_o the_o follower_n of_o simon_n magus_n 2_o tim._n three_o 8._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o reprobate_a concern_v the_o faith_n such_o who_o understanding_n be_v whole_o vitiate_v and_o pervert_v notwithstanding_o the_o great_a and_o fierce_a claim_v they_o lay_v to_o knowledge_n as_o if_o they_o be_v the_o only_a man_n that_o understand_v the_o will_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n such_o who_o reject_v the_o establish_a truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o heavenly_a doctrine_n of_o the_o evangelist_n and_o apostle_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o they_o seal_v and_o
confirm_v with_o their_o blood_n but_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o st._n 3._o polycarp_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o philippian_n that_o be_v by_o their_o fraudulent_a device_n model_n the_o oracle_n of_o god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o fancy_n and_o lust_n who_o set_v up_o a_o new_a religion_n which_o the_o catholic_n church_n of_o christ_n never_o know_v or_o be_v acquaint_v with_o and_o endeavour_v to_o destroy_v the_o faith_n of_o christianity_n and_o think_v in_o the_o mean_a while_o they_o have_v reason_n on_o their_o side_n for_o so_o do_v and_o how_o far_o by_o their_o art_n and_o subtlety_n and_o plausible_a insinuation_n by_o this_o their_o slight_a and_o cunning_a craftiness_n whereby_o they_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o deceive_v for_o it_o be_v nothing_o else_o however_o blanch_v over_o and_o disguise_v with_o show_n of_o sober_a reason_n they_o have_v prevail_v upon_o this_o age_n be_v too_o sad_a to_o consider_v so_o that_o now_o it_o chief_o concern_v we_o to_o secure_v the_o groundwork_n the_o principle_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o oppose_v this_o grow_a evil_n to_o watch_v and_o stand_v fast_o in_o the_o faith_n and_o quit_v ourselves_o like_o man_n and_o not_o to_o be_v like_o child_n carry_v away_o with_o every_o blast_n and_o wind_n of_o doctrine_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o vain_a doctrine_n of_o socinus_n as_o it_o will_v appear_v when_o the_o varnish_n and_o false_a colour_n be_v wash_v of_o but_o to_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o holy_a gospel_n as_o the_o church_n have_v teach_v we_o to_o pray_v in_o the_o collect_n of_o this_o anniversary_n of_o st._n mark_n to_o evince_v therefore_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o their_o pretension_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n to_o make_v out_o these_o two_o particular_n 1._o that_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o religion_n can_v and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o 2._o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n require_v we_o to_o believe_v these_o mystery_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o we_o can_v reject_v without_o do_v violence_n to_o our_o faculty_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o reject_v and_o disbelieve_v they_o must_v be_v unreasonable_a 1._o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o religion_n can_v and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v any_o way_n prejudicial_a to_o its_o truth_n they_o who_o find_v fault_n with_o christianity_n for_o propose_v such_o great_a mystery_n to_o our_o belief_n and_o will_v have_v all_o thing_n so_o plain_a and_o obvious_a that_o they_o shall_v command_v and_o force_v assent_n shall_v first_o try_v their_o reason_n in_o solve_v the_o difficulty_n of_o nature_n and_o if_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o labour_n and_o toil_n after_o the_o most_o accurate_a researche_n into_o the_o nature_n of_o sensible_a being_n of_o thing_n that_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o handle_v of_o thing_n that_o seem_v to_o lie_v level_a with_o our_o understanding_n and_o be_v no_o way_n disproportionable_a to_o it_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o a_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o they_o if_o the_o ordinary_a operation_n of_o nature_n be_v so_o abstruse_a and_o unintelligible_a and_o these_o depth_n be_v not_o to_o be_v fathom_v if_o her_o secret_n be_v beyond_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o most_o pierce_a judgement_n and_o reason_n religion_n with_o great_a reason_n must_v be_v allow_v to_o have_v its_o mystery_n there_o be_v such_o a_o vast_a disproportion_n between_o thing_n relate_v to_o god_n and_o his_o nature_n and_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o world_n the_o contemplation_n of_o nature_n be_v curious_a and_o useful_a it_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o service_n and_o worship_n we_o owe_v to_o god_n the_o creator_n to_o admire_v his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n in_o the_o beautiful_a frame_n and_o order_n of_o thing_n which_o be_v best_a do_v by_o inquire_v into_o their_o nature_n and_o property_n into_o their_o power_n and_o operation_n and_o quality_n by_o examine_v the_o curious_a contexture_n and_o the_o fitness_n and_o usefulness_n of_o their_o part_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o whole_a universe_n but_o deserve_v to_o be_v consider_v and_o very_o much_o conduce_v to_o this_o end_n this_o be_v the_o business_n of_o philosophy_n and_o what_o contemplative_a mind_n labour_v in_o the_o search_n of_o to_o discover_v and_o make_v out_o how_o thing_n be_v at_o first_o make_v and_o be_v still_o continue_v in_o their_o be_v and_o to_o find_v out_o their_o peculiar_a virtue_n whereby_o they_o produce_v such_o a_o variety_n of_o effect_n and_o how_o they_o may_v be_v alter_v or_o improve_v for_o the_o far_a use_n and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n nothing_o of_o which_o can_v be_v effect_v at_o least_o but_o very_o imperfect_o and_o in_o a_o way_n scarce_o tolerable_a by_o acquiesce_v in_o general_a observation_n derive_v from_o weak_a and_o slight_a notice_n without_o descend_v to_o severe_a trial_n and_o experiment_n or_o by_o rely_v upon_o the_o principle_n of_o ordinary_a philosophy_n that_o be_v confess_o unintelligible_a and_o which_o instead_o of_o explain_v nature_n do_v but_o perplex_v and_o confound_v the_o understanding_n and_o which_o have_v nothing_o to_o maintain_v and_o keep_v up_o their_o credit_n but_o the_o authority_n of_o a_o name_n and_o the_o immoderate_a love_n of_o antiquity_n but_o whatever_o hypothesis_n we_o fix_v upon_o they_o who_o have_v the_o deep_a insight_n into_o nature_n will_v be_v force_v to_o confess_v they_o see_v but_o a_o little_a way_n and_o all_o that_o they_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v but_o conjecture_n and_o probability_n that_o when_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o arrive_v at_o some_o satisfaction_n in_o the_o order_n and_o connexion_n of_o thing_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a and_o likely_a that_o thing_n may_v be_v make_v and_o exert_v their_o causality_n otherwise_o than_o they_o suppose_v be_v their_o fancy_n never_o so_o ingenuous_a and_o their_o reason_n never_o so_o profound_a and_o strong_a for_o who_o will_v be_v so_o presumptuous_a as_o to_o limit_v either_o the_o wisdom_n or_o power_n of_o god_n that_o he_o can_v do_v no_o more_o or_o must_v do_v what_o they_o fancy_n that_o there_o be_v thousand_o of_o thing_n that_o they_o can_v give_v any_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o and_o that_o the_o more_o they_o seek_v to_o comprehend_v the_o reason_n of_o thing_n the_o more_o they_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n the_o more_o they_o be_v dissatisfy_v and_o the_o effect_n of_o their_o study_n be_v nothing_o but_o disorder_n and_o trouble_v of_o mind_n now_o if_o we_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o weakness_n and_o insufficiency_n of_o our_o reason_n in_o our_o ordinary_a speculation_n if_o it_o fail_v we_o when_o we_o attempt_v to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o ourselves_o and_o the_o operation_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o when_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o plain_a matter_n of_o sense_n how_o unfit_a and_o unable_a must_v it_o be_v to_o comprehend_v and_o make_v out_o thing_n that_o stand_v at_o that_o infinite_a distance_n from_o it_o to_o which_o it_o bear_v no_o proportion_n they_o may_v as_o well_o pretend_v that_o all_o these_o great_a difficulty_n and_o perplexity_n we_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o conception_n of_o thing_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o that_o all_o man_n ought_v to_o be_v bear_v complete_a philosopher_n and_o be_v inspire_v with_o the_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n which_o they_o can_v attain_v to_o after_o several_a year_n spend_v in_o labour_n and_o study_v that_o nothing_o shall_v exist_v but_o what_o we_o can_v conceive_v and_o that_o the_o truth_n and_o possibility_n of_o thing_n shall_v not_o derive_v from_o the_o will_n and_o pleasure_n of_o god_n and_o from_o that_o idea_n he_o have_v in_o his_o divine_a understanding_n but_o only_o take_v their_o measure_n and_o be_v judge_v by_o those_o narrow_a conception_n we_o borrow_v from_o sense_n man_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dispute_v out_o of_o the_o belief_n of_o their_o sense_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o motion_n or_o continuity_n of_o part_n in_o extend_a matter_n because_o of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n that_o attend_v the_o conception_n of_o they_o and_o thing_n be_v daily_o produce_v and_o by_o degree_n arrive_v at_o the_o perfection_n of_o their_o be_v and_o perform_v action_n suitable_a to_o their_o respective_a nature_n though_o philosopher_n disagree_v in_o their_o opinion_n and_o be_v dissatisfy_v one_o with_o another_o and_o can_v tell_v how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n they_o do_v all_o this_o 2._o thus_o nature_n have_v its_o mystery_n and_o who_o will_v undertake_v to_o explain_v second_o the_o mystery_n of_o providence_n and_o account_v for_o all_o those_o extraordinary_a event_n which_o have_v happen_v in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n o_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o riches_n both_o of_o the_o wisdom_n and_o