38._o of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v establish_v its_o place_n by_o his_o decree_n and_o set_v barrs_n and_o door_n before_o it_o and_o say_v to_o it_o hitherto_o shall_v thy_o proud_a wave_n come_v and_o no_o far_o which_o observation_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o convexity_n or_o roundness_n of_o the_o surface_n of_o those_o water_n in_o respect_n of_o which_o as_o the_o psalmist_n natural_o express_v it_o they_o stand_v upon_o a_o heap_n a_o heap_n as_o miraculous_a be_v it_o not_o more_o common_a as_o that_o the_o israelite_n pass_v through_o in_o the_o red_a sea_n for_o in_o this_o heap_n the_o water_n be_v bind_v up_o that_o as_o the_o psalmist_n express_v it_o they_o turn_v not_o again_o to_o cover_v the_o earth_n which_o by_o the_o common_a law_n of_o motion_n they_o otherwise_o must_v necessary_o do_v and_o pour_v in_o upon_o every_o shore_n a_o deluge_n instead_o of_o a_o tide_n reason_n uninform_v by_o experience_n of_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n can_v not_o possible_o believe_v it_o and_o yet_o how_o wild_a will_v the_o man_n be_v think_v that_o shall_v not_o believe_v it_o once_o more_o the_o psalmist_n for_o a_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o kind_n take_v it_o from_o the_o frame_n of_o our_o own_o be_v i_o be_o fearful_o and_o wonderful_o make_v to_o consider_v the_o curiousness_n of_o our_o frame_n be_v amaze_a and_o to_o reflect_v upon_o the_o power_n that_o order_v it_o to_o be_v so_o be_v no_o less_o than_o tremendous_a let_v i_o instance_n but_o in_o one_o particular_a whereof_o i_o will_v borrow_v the_o hint_n from_o solomon_n in_o his_o description_n of_o old_a age_n eccl._n 12._o 6._o or_o ever_o the_o wheel_n be_v break_v at_o the_o cistern_n which_o expression_n can_v be_v interpret_v so_o genuinly_a of_o any_o thing_n as_o of_o that_o spring_n and_o pulse_n in_o the_o heart_n which_o begin_v the_o circular_a motion_n of_o our_o blood_n let_v we_o consider_v in_o this_o instance_n how_o our_o blood_n a_o ponderous_a body_n contrary_a to_o the_o law_n of_o common_a nature_n ascend_v without_o reluctancy_n and_o descend_v without_o precipitation_n be_v of_o so_o many_o different_a colour_n under_o so_o many_o form_n of_o digestion_n move_v so_o many_o year_n without_o any_o influence_n of_o our_o thought_n or_o reflection_n and_o when_o it_o cease_v take_v life_n away_o with_o itself_o let_v any_o weigh_v these_o circumstance_n and_o he_o may_v well_o cry_v out_o with_o the_o same_o holy_a writer_n such_o knowledge_n be_v too_o great_a and_o excellent_a for_o i_o i_o can_v attain_v unto_o it_o and_o yet_o none_o of_o this_o mystery_n be_v a_o argument_n against_o believe_v it_o i_o need_v instance_n no_o far_o nature_n be_v full_a of_o mystery_n and_o incomprehensible_a thing_n and_o may_v we_o think_v then_o that_o the_o nature_n or_o subsistence_n of_o god_n can_v be_v reveal_v to_o we_o and_o not_o admit_v a_o mystery_n we_o account_v those_o israelite_n be_v very_o gross_a logician_n who_o thus_o argue_v psal._n 78._o he_o smite_v the_o stony_a rock_n indeed_o that_o the_o water_n gush_v forth_o but_o can_v he_o give_v bread_n also_o and_o provide_v flesh_n for_o his_o people_n that_o be_v although_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o god_n have_v do_v this_o miracle_n we_o will_v not_o believe_v he_o can_v do_v another_o but_o it_o be_v yet_o more_o gross_a argue_v for_o any_o one_o to_o say_v i_o believe_v the_o work_n of_o god_n although_o '_o they_o be_v incomprehensible_a but_o i_o will_v not_o believe_v any_o thing_n of_o god_n himself_o unless_o i_o comprehend_v it_o it_o be_v true_a we_o believe_v these_o incredible_a thing_n in_o nature_n because_o we_o see_v they_o but_o then_o may_v not_o our_o ear_n bring_v in_o as_o good_a evidence_n as_o our_o eye_n certain_o we_o be_v less_o obnoxious_a to_o deception_n in_o hear_v what_o god_n speak_v than_o we_o be_v in_o see_v what_o nature_n exhibit_v but_o this_o still_o be_v the_o question_n which_o the_o socinian_o will_v not_o suffer_v to_o be_v beg_v they_o affirm_v that_o god_n have_v not_o speak_v any_o mystery_n concern_v either_o himself_o or_o his_o method_n of_o our_o redemption_n they_o say_v our_o interpreter_n have_v coin_v these_o mystery_n whereas_o their_o interpretation_n have_v void_v they_o and_o make_v they_o all_o plain_a and_o here_o i_o confess_v again_o reason_n have_v a_o proper_a province_n to_o act_v in_o for_o although_o reason_n be_v not_o to_o prescribe_v the_o matter_n of_o our_o belief_n revelation_n be_v to_o do_v that_o yet_o reason_n be_v a_o proper_a judge_n whether_o such_o or_o such_o a_o matter_n be_v reveal_v or_o no_o for_o this_o consist_v only_o in_o apprehend_v the_o sense_n of_o plain_a word_n which_o every_o man_n understanding_n have_v a_o equal_a right_a to_o pretend_v to_o whereas_o therefore_o socinus_n say_v he_o have_v a_o favourable_a regard_n to_o jew_n and_o turk_n in_o his_o interpretation_n of_o the_o scripture_n let_v they_o fair_o be_v call_v in_o and_o suffer_v to_o interpret_v for_o themselves_o they_o be_v scandalize_v at_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o trinity_n be_v it_o so_o but_o when_o they_o see_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o to_o who_o we_o be_v devote_v in_o our_o baptismal_a covenant_n three_o in_o who_o we_o must_v believe_v to_o who_o we_o must_v pray_v by_o who_o we_o must_v bless_v to_o who_o we_o must_v give_v worship_n and_o glory_n undoubted_o they_o will_v believe_v a_o trinity_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o will_v believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o teach_v one_o they_o be_v averse_a from_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v god_n be_v it_o so_o but_o when_o they_o see_v it_o express_v in_o scripture_n that_o he_o who_o in_o time_n be_v jesus_n be_v god_n from_o everlasting_a that_o when_o he_o take_v our_o flesh_n upon_o he_o he_o think_v it_o no_o robbery_n to_o be_v equal_a with_o the_o father_n that_o he_o it_o be_v who_o in_o the_o beginning_n lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o heaven_n be_v the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n undoubted_o they_o will_v as_o soon_o believe_v that_o jesus_n be_v true_o god_n as_o they_o will_v believe_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o say_v he_o be_v let_v they_o see_v how_o when_o our_o bless_a lord_n be_v charge_v with_o blasphemy_n for_o make_v himself_o equal_a with_o god_n he_o deny_v not_o the_o matter_n but_o only_o absolve_v it_o from_o the_o crime_n how_o at_o his_o most_o solemn_a devotion_n when_o about_o to_o leave_v the_o world_n he_o pray_v on_o this_o manner_n and_o now_o o_o father_n glorify_v i_o with_o the_o glory_n which_o i_o have_v with_o thou_o before_o the_o world_n be_v undoubted_o they_o will_v conclude_v that_o if_o what_o the_o socinian_o say_v be_v true_a viz._n that_o he_o be_v not_o god_n neither_o be_v he_o a_o good_a man_n for_o all_o this_o deportment_n can_v imply_v no_o less_o than_o that_o he_o affect_v to_o be_v account_v god_n and_o so_o he_o be_v ambitious_a even_o sacrilegious_o ambitious_a of_o that_o honour_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o title_n and_o this_o no_o good_a man_n can_v be_v in_o fine_a let_v jew_n and_o turk_n be_v admit_v of_o the_o jury_n and_o they_o will_v undoubted_o give_v verdict_n that_o if_o we_o be_v deceive_v in_o our_o common_a faith_n that_o spirit_n that_o dictate_v the_o scripture_n can_v design_v no_o less_o than_o that_o we_o shall_v be_v deceive_v let_v those_o who_o have_v give_v occasion_n to_o such_o reflection_n as_o these_o find_v out_o a_o reply_n whereby_o to_o stave_v off_o their_o reproach_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n i_o may_v observe_v that_o the_o socinian_o have_v be_v unlucky_a in_o the_o execution_n of_o their_o main_a design_n for_o they_o have_v not_o purge_v mystery_n out_o of_o the_o scripture_n they_o have_v only_o change_v its_o place_n they_o have_v take_v mystery_n out_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v venerable_a and_o worthy_a the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o they_o have_v place_v it_o in_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o scripture_n where_o it_o be_v opprobrious_a and_o repugnant_a to_o god_n sincerity_n for_o example_n expound_v joh._n 1._o 1._o they_o say_v that_o in_o the_o beginning_n be_v the_o word_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o christ_n be_v when_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o word_n be_v with_o god_n signify_v nothing_o else_o but_o that_o christ_n be_v take_v up_o into_o heaven_n to_o receive_v instruction_n for_o his_o subsequent_a errand_n that_o the_o word_n be_v god_n signify_v no_o more_o than_o that_o he_o be_v god_n messenger_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v make_v by_o he_o and_o without_o he_o nothing_o be_v make_v that_o be_v make_v signify_v only_o that_o he_o be_v to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n by_o virtue_n whereof_o man_n be_v to_o
be_v no_o less_o a_o warn_n against_o this_o kind_n of_o wisdom_n from_o the_o exemplary_a mischief_n that_o it_o have_v former_o bring_v upon_o other_o who_o profess_v themselves_o to_o be_v wise_a become_v fool_n the_o truth_n that_o be_v point_v at_o in_o these_o word_n and_o from_o this_o example_n i_o shall_v far_o evince_v and_o apply_v in_o these_o two_o proposition_n 1._o that_o human_a wisdom_n be_v a_o dangerous_a guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o 2._o that_o god_n have_v vouchsafe_v faith_n as_o a_o necessary_a expedient_a in_o order_n both_o to_o make_v and_o to_o keep_v man_n wise._n the_o first_o proposition_n viz._n that_o human_a wisdom_n be_v a_o dangerous_a guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n i_o shall_v evidence_n by_o show_v that_o the_o great_a mischief_n relate_v to_o religion_n that_o ever_o yet_o happen_v to_o mankind_n have_v owe_v their_o original_a to_o this_o pretend_a wisdom_n and_o i_o need_v no_o more_o to_o prove_v this_o than_o the_o follow_a instance_n viz._n 1._o that_o wisdom_n first_o extinguish_v the_o common_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o bring_v idolatry_n into_o the_o world_n 2._o that_o wisdom_n first_o waste_v man_n conscience_n and_o bring_v sin_n into_o the_o world_n 3._o that_o this_o wisdom_n first_o corrupt_v faith_n and_o bring_v all_o heresy_n into_o the_o church_n as_o to_o the_o first_o instance_n viz._n that_o wisdom_n first_o extinguish_v the_o common_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o bring_v idolatry_n into_o the_o world_n it_o be_v the_o express_a intimation_n of_o the_o text._n for_o the_o apostle_n be_v here_o treat_v concern_v the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n to_o what_o extravagance_n it_o proceed_v and_o from_o what_o cause_v it_o spring_v a_o subject_a which_o can_v be_v due_o consider_v without_o matter_n of_o wonder_n noah_n the_o preacher_n of_o righteousness_n who_o have_v warn_v the_o old_a world_n and_o call_v they_o to_o repentance_n in_o vain_a have_v at_o least_o this_o advantage_n by_o it_o that_o he_o come_v with_o great_a awe_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o new_a and_o he_o teach_v they_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n both_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o believe_v and_o to_o do_v that_o the_o apostle_n say_v of_o they_o v._o 21._o they_o all_o know_v both_o god_n and_o his_o worship_n though_o it_o be_v a_o knowledge_n they_o like_v not_o to_o retain_v but_o instead_o of_o that_o as_o v._o 23._o they_o change_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o incorruptible_a god_n into_o the_o image_n of_o corruptible_a man_n and_o to_o bird_n and_o fourfooted_a beast_n and_o creep_a thing_n and_o this_o corruption_n of_o faith_n and_o worship_n together_o come_v on_o so_o fast_o that_o the_o same_o noah_n who_o have_v see_v the_o funeral_n of_o the_o old_a world_n for_o their_o no_o religion_n see_v likewise_o in_o his_o own_o day_n the_o new_a world_n overspread_v with_o a_o false_a religion_n more_o absurd_a and_o irrational_a than_o none_o now_o the_o text_n tell_v we_o express_o that_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n as_o strange_a and_o gross_a as_o it_o be_v be_v introduce_v under_o the_o pretence_n of_o wisdom_n profess_v to_o be_v wise_a they_o become_v fool_n and_o then_o as_o a_o instance_n of_o this_o it_o be_v add_v they_o change_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o incorruptible_a god_n into_o the_o image_n of_o corruptible_a man_n and_o to_o bird_n and_o fourfooted_a beast_n and_o creep_a thing_n from_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o their_o bring_n in_o of_o idolatry_n although_o it_o be_v the_o proof_n of_o their_o folly_n yet_o it_o be_v the_o project_n of_o their_o wisdom_n it_o be_v the_o wise_a among_o they_o that_o form_v the_o design_n and_o address_v to_o the_o multitude_n with_o a_o grave_a appearance_n and_o prevail_v as_o we_o may_v conceive_v by_o some_o such_o form_n of_o argue_v as_o this_o we_o be_v all_o aware_a you_o son_n of_o noah_n that_o religion_n be_v our_o chief_n concern_v and_o therefore_o it_o well_o become_v we_o to_o improve_v and_o advance_v that_o as_o much_o as_o possible_a and_o althoe_v we_o have_v receive_v appointment_n from_o god_n for_o the_o worship_n that_o he_o require_v yet_o if_o these_o appointment_n may_v be_v alter_v for_o his_o great_a glory_n who_o doubt_v but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o commendable_a piety_n so_o to_o alter_v they_o now_o our_o father_n noah_n have_v institute_v we_o in_o a_o religion_n which_o in_o truth_n be_v too_o simple_a and_o too_o unaffecting_a it_o direct_v we_o to_o worship_n god_n abstract_o from_o all_o sense_n and_o under_o a_o confuse_a notion_n under_o the_o formality_n of_o attribute_n as_o power_n goodness_n justice_n wisdom_n eternity_n and_o the_o like_a a_o idea_n which_o we_o neither_o sufficient_o reach_v nor_o do_v that_o sufficient_o reach_v our_o affection_n whereas_o in_o all_o reason_n we_o ought_v to_o worship_n god_n more_o pompous_o and_o more_o extensive_o too_o than_o in_o his_o own_o essence_n we_o ought_v not_o only_o to_o adore_v his_o personal_a attribute_n but_o likewise_o all_o the_o emanation_n of_o they_o and_o all_o those_o creature_n by_o who_o they_o be_v eminent_o represent_v this_o will_v stir_v up_o and_o quicken_v and_o direct_v our_o devotion_n nor_o let_v any_o say_v that_o this_o method_n will_v derogate_v from_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o creator_n certain_o it_o be_v most_o expressive_a of_o his_o honour_n when_o we_o acknowledge_v that_o not_o only_a himself_o but_o even_o his_o creature_n be_v adorable_a we_o ought_v therefore_o if_o we_o will_v be_v wise_a to_o worship_v the_o host_n of_o heaven_n or_o rather_o to_o worship_n god_n through_o they_o because_o they_o be_v eminent_a representation_n of_o his_o glory_n and_o eternity_n we_o ought_v to_o worship_v the_o element_n because_o they_o represent_v his_o benign_a and_o sustain_v and_o ubiquitary_a presence_n we_o ought_v to_o worship_v the_o ox_n and_o the_o sheep_n and_o whatever_o creature_n be_v most_o beneficial_a because_o they_o be_v the_o symbol_n of_o his_o love_n and_o goodness_n and_o with_o no_o less_o reason_n the_o serpent_n the_o crocodile_n and_o other_o noxious_a animal_n because_o they_o be_v the_o symbol_n of_o his_o awful_a anger_n thus_o it_o be_v that_o we_o shall_v worship_v he_o more_o intense_o and_o feel_v and_o be_v affect_v with_o our_o worship_n now_o to_o man_n dispose_v with_o a_o desire_n to_o be_v wise_a in_o religion_n above_o what_o be_v prescribe_v there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o such_o argument_n as_o these_o will_v soon_o seem_v wise_a and_o weighty_a enough_o to_o enforce_v their_o design_n but_o there_o be_v another_o part_n of_o idolatry_n which_o obtain_v first_o and_o spread_v far_a that_o wisdom_n have_v yet_o more_o move_a pretence_n to_o establish_v it_o upon_o the_o first_o fruit_n of_o idolatry_n be_v offer_v up_o to_o man_n as_o we_o learn_v in_o this_o chap._n from_o the_o verse_n follow_v and_o more_o at_o large_a from_o wisd._n 14._o where_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o prince_n be_v worship_v whether_o present_a in_o their_o person_n or_o distant_a by_o their_o statue_n and_o picture_n and_o then_o that_o man_n inferior_a to_o prince_n but_o emenient_a in_o their_o generation_n for_o any_o beneficent_a or_o oblige_a quality_n be_v worship_v after_o their_o death_n as_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o prince_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v but_o it_o be_v as_o high_a and_o as_o early_o as_o nimrod_n himself_o belus_n and_o jupiter_n name_n by_o which_o he_o be_v know_v in_o other_o region_n import_v no_o less_o than_o his_o deification_n so_o that_o though_o he_o fail_v in_o build_v his_o tower_n to_o heaven_n which_o be_v a_o haughty_a attempt_n that_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o check_v and_o repress_v yet_o he_o fail_v not_o to_o build_v up_o himself_o to_o to_o heaven_n in_o the_o estimation_n of_o his_o admirer_n which_o be_v a_o judgement_n that_o god_n think_v fit_a to_o permit_v upon_o those_o that_o so_o bold_o seek_v it_o as_o for_o the_o deify_n of_o prince_n wisdom_n suggest_v that_o they_o be_v the_o representative_n of_o god_n power_n upon_o earth_n to_o which_o character_n worship_n be_v reasonable_o due_a and_o not_o only_o so_o but_o because_o such_o a_o adoration_n will_v best_o conduce_v to_o the_o good_a government_n of_o the_o world_n forasmuch_o as_o it_o add_v a_o new_a obligation_n to_o peace_n and_o submission_n and_o make_v it_o of_o religious_a as_o well_o as_o civil_a importance_n as_o for_o the_o worship_v of_o those_o among_o the_o dead_a who_o have_v be_v famous_a in_o their_o generation_n such_o as_o former_a age_n vulgar_o style_v hero_n and_o modern_a the_o beatify_v or_o the_o saint_n wisdom_n have_v abundance_n to_o allege_v for_o this_o establishment_n as_o 1._o that_o such_o a_o honour_n bestow_v upon_o the_o virtuous_a be_v but_o a_o proper_a incitement_n to_o other_o to_o imitate_v the_o same_o
his_o spirit_n shall_v lead_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o yet_o for_o such_o a_o tract_n of_o time_n the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o christian_n shall_v account_v it_o impious_a to_o believe_v that_o which_o now_o the_o polish_v catechism_n say_v it_o be_v damnable_a not_o to_o believe_v when_o it_o be_v propose_v so_o that_o if_o christian_n be_v save_v before_o that_o time_n in_o the_o common_a faith_n it_o be_v from_o the_o apology_n of_o their_o ignorance_n as_o their_o ignorance_n be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o a_o socinus_n to_o instruct_v they_o say_v rather_o why_o the_o deist_n may_v not_o as_o colourable_o reject_v the_o scripture_n as_o the_o socinian_o own_o they_o with_o so_o many_o contradiction_n to_o god_n truth_n and_o goodness_n in_o due_a reverence_n to_o both_o these_o attribute_n of_o god_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o affirm_v that_o the_o sense_n as_o well_o as_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o all_o matter_n necessary_a either_o to_o be_v do_v or_o believe_v have_v be_v the_o depositum_fw-la of_o the_o church_n and_o faithful_o preserve_v under_o its_o keep_v that_o the_o whole_a faith_n which_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d at_o once_o deliver_v unto_o the_o saint_n have_v at_o the_o same_o time_n its_o mean_v deliver_v which_o from_o they_o have_v be_v derive_v by_o indubitable_a testimony_n as_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o uniform_a belief_n that_o the_o different_a opinion_n sect_n and_o faction_n in_o the_o world_n be_v no_o argument_n against_o this_o because_o as_o st._n peter_n have_v warn_v we_o they_o who_o diversify_v the_o common_a faith_n do_v not_o interpret_v but_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n and_o as_o st._n paul_n have_v observe_v division_n and_o heresy_n spring_v not_o from_o ignorance_n but_o from_o carnality_n not_o from_o want_n of_o light_n but_o want_v of_o love_n pride_n and_o envy_n and_o contention_n and_o vanity_n and_o such_o contrarious_a passion_n have_v in_o all_o age_n not_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n for_o truth_n but_o have_v be_v contrive_v and_o set_v up_o somewhat_o they_o like_v better_a and_o let_v we_o see_v in_o the_o next_o place_n what_o it_o be_v that_o the_o particular_a affection_n of_o socinus_n like_v better_a than_o the_o receive_a interpretation_n he_o and_o his_o party_n be_v please_v to_o take_v offence_n that_o there_o be_v any_o mystery_n in_o religion_n they_o will_v have_v nothing_o for_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n but_o what_o be_v plain_a to_o our_o understanding_n and_o easy_a to_o our_o apprehension_n and_o although_o they_o will_v not_o affirm_v that_o reason_n have_v the_o measure_n of_o what_o be_v or_o what_o may_v be_v yet_o they_o resolve_v reason_n to_o have_v the_o measure_n of_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v believe_v which_o i_o think_v be_v absurdity_n sufficient_a they_o conclude_v thereupon_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o incarnation_n that_o be_v of_o god_n take_v our_o flesh_n and_o dwell_v among_o we_o must_v not_o be_v believe_v because_o it_o be_v irrational_a and_o as_o for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n it_o will_v be_v offensive_a to_o pious_a ear_n to_o repeat_v those_o expression_n of_o reproach_n with_o which_o they_o load_v it_o they_o say_v that_o these_o doctrine_n do_v just_o scandalize_v jew_n and_o turk_n and_o hinder_v they_o from_o come_v in_o to_o our_o religion_n but_o as_o it_o be_v no_o office_n of_o civility_n to_o compliment_n away_o our_o faith_n so_o neither_o be_v it_o any_o office_n of_o charity_n in_o the_o socinian_o to_o go_v off_o from_o the_o foundation_n to_o meet_v jew_n and_o turk_n and_o to_o turn_v half-infidel_n that_o they_o may_v turn_v half-christians_a but_o after_o all_o when_o by_o the_o gross_a wrest_v of_o word_n and_o abuse_v of_o plain_a sense_n they_o have_v show_v themselves_o as_o much_o friend_n to_o fancy_n as_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o faith_n after_o that_o they_o have_v interpret_v all_o mystery_n out_o of_o religion_n and_o so_o make_v their_o new_a hypothesis_n familiar_a and_o inoffensive_a and_o therefore_o credible_a as_o they_o will_v have_v we_o imagine_v we_o must_v pronounce_v upon_o it_o what_o minucius_n sometime_o do_v in_o the_o like_a case_n in_o incredibili_fw-la verum_fw-la in_fw-la credibili_fw-la mendacium_fw-la truth_n still_o lie_v on_o the_o incredible_a and_o falsehood_n on_o the_o credible_a side_n and_o to_o justify_v this_o censure_n let_v we_o confider_v that_o the_o mystery_n of_o any_o thing_n or_o what_o be_v all_o one_o the_o abstruse_a or_o incomprehensible_a nature_n of_o any_o thing_n be_v no_o argument_n against_o our_o believe_v it_o this_o be_v a_o rule_n i_o be_o sure_a that_o hold_v true_a in_o nature_n and_o then_o with_o what_o face_n can_v we_o deny_v it_o to_o hold_v true_a in_o religion_n we_o surrender_v our_o faith_n to_o the_o state_n of_o all_o visible_a thing_n without_o comprehend_v they_o and_o what_o obstinacy_n be_v it_o then_o to_o refuse_v our_o faith_n to_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n under_o the_o same_o condition_n it_o will_v be_v a_o affront_n and_o calumny_n to_o nature_n to_o affirm_v that_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v before_o we_o those_o work_n of_o god_n which_o lie_v every_o moment_n under_o our_o sense_n be_v simple_o credible_a that_o be_v such_o as_o our_o reason_n will_v persuade_v we_o can_v be_v if_o we_o have_v not_o see_v they_o to_o be_v how_o short_a be_v our_o plummet_n from_o fathom_v the_o essence_n mode_n power_n operation_n production_n of_o the_o most_o common_a being_n undoubted_o have_v we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o world_n we_o live_v in_o as_o we_o have_v that_o of_o its_o maker_n only_o from_o a_o book_n i_o say_v have_v we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o this_o world_n we_o live_v in_o only_o from_o a_o book_n we_o shall_v be_v tempt_v to_o treat_v that_o book_n with_o as_o little_a reverence_n as_o the_o socinian_o or_o deist_n have_v do_v the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o conclude_v that_o most_o of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o it_o be_v as_o incomprehensible_a impossible_a and_o therefore_o incredible_a as_o they_o fancy_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v that_o god_n have_v reveal_v concern_v himself_o let_v i_o produce_v a_o instance_n or_o two_o and_o those_o out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o inculcate_v by_o the_o way_n that_o the_o philosophical_a truth_n we_o meet_v with_o there_o be_v venerable_a as_o well_o as_o the_o divine_a in_o the_o beginning_n god_n create_v the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n say_v the_o sacred_a history_n where_o the_o word_n create_v be_v interpret_v by_o all_o to_o mean_v that_o god_n make_v the_o world_n without_o any_o pre-existent_a matter_n to_o make_v it_o of_o now_o this_o production_n of_o the_o world_n we_o believe_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o report_n and_o likewise_o because_o of_o the_o absurdity_n that_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o supposal_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o yet_o human_a reason_n can_v never_o form_v any_o idea_n whereby_o to_o conceive_v the_o possibility_n of_o such_o a_o production_n and_o let_v any_o one_o say_v whether_o it_o be_v hard_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o divine_a essence_n do_v from_o everlasting_a emanate_n or_o flow_v into_o three_o social_n and_o coeternal_a subsistence_n than_o to_o believe_v that_o in_o the_o beginning_n of_o time_n all_o thing_n be_v make_v out_o of_o nothing_o or_o whether-reason_n have_v more_o argument_n to_o plead_v for_o the_o one_o than_o for_o the_o other_o holy_a job_n to_o exemplify_v the_o power_n of_o god_n pitch_v upon_o this_o instance_n ch_n 26._o 7._o he_o hang_v the_o earth_n upon_o nothing_o or_o as_o his_o expression_n point_v elsewhere_o he_o make_v it_o stand_v firm_a without_o a_o foundation_n now_o when_o we_o find_v it_o impossible_a for_o the_o utmost_a art_n of_o man_n to_o make_v a_o small_a clod_n of_o earth_n hang_v in_o the_o air_n it_o be_v natural_o impossible_a for_o man_n to_o conceive_v how_o the_o whole_a mass_n shall_v hang_v in_o the_o air_n it_o be_v true_a when_o we_o see_v how_o thing_n be_v we_o pride_n ourselves_o in_o assign_v of_o reason_n why_o they_o must_v be_v so_o but_o all_o fall_n short_a of_o solve_v the_o difficulty_n centre_n or_o magnetism_n or_o whatever_o notion_n have_v be_v espouse_v will_v not_o solve_n it_o in_o the_o present_a instance_n no_o cause_n can_v make_v the_o earth_n hang_v upon_o nothing_o but_o the_o omnipotence_n of_o that_o will_n that_o order_v it_o to_o be_v so_o nor_o can_v we_o ever_o believe_v it_o but_o from_o a_o submission_n of_o our_o faith_n to_o that_o omnipotence_n or_o from_o a_o submission_n to_o our_o sense_n even_o while_o they_o control_v and_o muzzle_v the_o reluctancy_n of_o our_o reason_n for_o another_o instance_n of_o the_o incomprehensible_a work_n of_o god_n the_o sea_n be_v allege_v in_o the_o same_o book_n cap._n