Selected quad for the lemma: end_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
end_n according_a time_n world_n 1,640 5 4.3978 4 true
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A46761 The reasonableness and certainty of the Christian religion by Robert Jenkin ... Jenkin, Robert, 1656-1727. 1700 (1700) Wing J571; ESTC R8976 581,258 1,291

There are 21 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n as_o not_o to_o be_v liable_a to_o frost_n and_o venus_n and_o mercury_n of_o such_o as_o not_o to_o be_v easy_o evaporate_v by_o the_o sun_n he_o say_v 2._o say_v lib._n 2._o that_o the_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v nine_o time_n great_a in_o mercury_n than_o with_o we_o in_o venus_n it_o be_v twice_o as_o hot_a as_o with_o we_o the_o light_n and_o heat_n in_o mars_n be_v twice_o and_o sometime_o threefold_o less_o than_o we_o if_o there_o be_v any_o inhabitant_n in_o jupiter_n they_o will_v have_v but_o the_o five_o and_o twenty_o part_n of_o the_o light_n and_o heat_n that_o we_o receive_v from_o the_o sun_n and_o those_o in_o saturn_n but_o the_o hundred_o part._n upon_o which_o account_n he_o be_v very_o hard_o put_v to_o it_o to_o furnish_v out_o inhabitant_n for_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o planet_n but_o as_o for_o the_o moon_n and_o the_o satellites_n move_v about_o saturn_n and_o jupiter_n he_o do_v as_o good_a as_o give_v up_o the_o cause_n by_o reason_n that_o they_o be_v neither_o sea_n nor_o river_n nor_o cloud_n nor_o atmosphere_n or_o vapour_n nor_o any_o kind_n of_o water_n beside_o that_o the_o time_n of_o light_n and_o darkness_n in_o the_o moon_n be_v equal_a to_o fifteen_o of_o our_o day_n if_o the_o body_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n be_v such_o as_o we_o be_v he_o observe_v that_o those_o who_o have_v the_o sun_n pretty_a high_a in_o their_o horizon_n must_v be_v like_a to_o be_v burn_v up_o in_o such_o long_a day_n and_o those_o that_o live_v under_o the_o pole_n of_o the_o moon_n will_v be_v as_o much_o pinch_v with_o cold_a as_o our_o whale_n fisher_n be_v about_o ice-land_n and_o nova_n zembla_n in_o the_o summertime_n and_o the_o summer_n and_o winter_n in_o the_o moon_n or_o satellite_n of_o saturn_n be_v fifteen_o year_n long_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v well_o be_v conclude_v to_o be_v unhabitable_a but_o because_o it_o may_v be_v allege_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v believe_v of_o the_o frigid_a and_o torrid_a zone_n before_o experience_n convince_v man_n of_o their_o mistake_n and_o that_o however_o there_o may_v be_v other_o planet_n or_o earth_n yet_o undiscovered_a at_o convenient_a distance_n from_o some_o of_o the_o fix_a star_n i_o observe_v that_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o planet_n be_v habitable_a it_o do_v not_o therefore_o follow_v that_o they_o must_v be_v actual_o inhabit_v or_o that_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v for_o they_o may_v be_v design_v if_o mankind_n have_v continue_v in_o innocency_n as_o place_n for_o colony_n to_o remove_v man_n to_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v have_v increase_v either_o in_o reward_n to_o those_o that_o have_v excel_v in_o virtue_n and_o piety_n to_o entertain_v they_o with_o the_o prospect_n of_o new_a and_o better_a world_n and_o so_o by_o degree_n to_o advance_v they_o in_o proportion_n to_o their_o desert_n to_o the_o height_n of_o bliss_n and_o glory_n in_o heaven_n or_o as_o a_o necessary_a reception_n for_o man_n who_o will_v then_o have_v be_v immortal_a after_o the_o earth_n have_v be_v full_a of_o inhabitant_n and_o since_o the_o fall_n and_o mortality_n of_o mankind_n they_o may_v be_v either_o for_o mansion_n of_o the_o righteous_a or_o place_n of_o punishment_n for_o the_o wicked_a after_o the_o resurrection_n according_a as_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o world_n to_o new_a modify_v and_o transform_v they_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n be_v place_v at_o their_o respective_a distance_n they_o do_v by_o their_o several_a motion_n contribute_v to_o keep_v the_o world_n at_o a_o poise_n and_o the_o several_a part_n of_o it_o at_o a_o aequilibrium_fw-la in_o their_o gravitation_n upon_o each_o other_o by_o mr._n newton_n principle_n vii_o it_o have_v be_v suggest_v by_o etc._n by_o campanella_n bp._n wilkins_n etc._n etc._n huygens_n etc._n etc._n learned_a man_n that_o the_o planet_n may_v possible_o be_v inhabit_v by_o rational_a creature_n of_o a_o different_a nature_n from_o mankind_n their_o soul_n may_v be_v of_o a_o inferior_a or_o superior_a order_n to_o we_o and_o their_o body_n of_o a_o different_a form_n and_o composition_n and_o there_o may_v be_v different_a law_n of_o union_n and_o communication_n between_o the_o operation_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o the_o motion_n of_o their_o body_n for_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o sort_n of_o rational_a animal_n but_o mankind_n but_o i_o offer_v most_o of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v on_o this_o subject_a only_o as_o conjecture_n which_o have_v at_o least_o so_o much_o probability_n in_o they_o as_o to_o silence_v the_o objection_n bring_v against_o the_o scripture_n on_o these_o account_n for_o unless_o a_o man_n can_v prove_v these_o or_o the_o like_a conjecture_n false_a which_o i_o be_o persuade_v no_o man_n can_v ever_o do_v he_o must_v forbear_v urge_v objection_n that_o will_v be_v insignificant_a if_o these_o conjecture_n or_o such_o as_o these_o shall_v be_v true_a it_o be_v hard_o to_o assign_v every_o particular_a end_n and_o use_v of_o many_o other_o wonderful_a thing_n in_o nature_n but_o late_o discover_v by_o microscope_n as_o of_o any_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o heaven_n either_o by_o the_o naked_a eye_n or_o by_o telescope_n and_o when_o the_o scripture_n mention_v those_o use_v of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n which_o more_o immediate_o concern_v our_o earth_n this_o do_v not_o deny_v or_o exclude_v any_o other_o use_v for_o which_o they_o may_v be_v design_v chap._n xi_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o contradict_v the_o late_a discovery_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n i._o it_o have_v be_v well_o observe_v by_o divers_a writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v write_v with_o no_o design_n of_o teach_v we_o natural_a philosophy_n but_o to_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o ourselves_o to_o teach_v we_o our_o duty_n and_o show_v we_o the_o way_n to_o live_v and_o die_v well_o and_o therefore_o they_o may_v make_v use_n of_o popular_a expression_n and_o form_n of_o speech_n neither_o affirm_v nor_o deny_v the_o philosophical_a truth_n of_o they_o but_o intend_v they_o only_o in_o that_o sense_n and_o mean_v which_o be_v their_o sole_a design_n in_o use_v they_o all_o proverbial_a say_n and_o metaphorical_a expression_n by_o way_n of_o illustration_n or_o ornament_n must_v be_v take_v from_o receive_a notion_n but_o they_o be_v not_o therefore_o assert_v in_o the_o philosophical_a sense_n by_o he_o who_o use_v they_o any_o more_o than_o the_o historical_a truth_n of_o parable_n and_o similitude_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v assert_v and_o to_o have_v make_v use_n only_o of_o philosophical_a term_n and_o notion_n and_o have_v rectify_v the_o vulgar_a conception_n of_o man_n concern_v all_o the_o phaenomena_n which_o upon_o occasion_n be_v make_v mention_n of_o in_o the_o scripture_n will_v have_v require_v a_o large_a system_fw-la of_o philosophy_n which_o have_v make_v the_o scripture_n a_o book_n unfit_a for_o vulgar_a capacity_n and_o for_o the_o use_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o for_o who_o they_o be_v design_v this_o theory_n of_o nature_n will_v beside_o have_v seem_v as_o strange_a and_o incredible_a to_o most_o man_n even_o as_o miracle_n can_v do_v for_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n that_o man_n unacquainted_a with_o philosophy_n be_v more_o startle_v at_o than_o philosophical_a discovery_n how_o incredible_a do_v the_o motion_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sun_n seem_v to_o all_o man_n but_o philosopher_n who_o be_v general_o now_o agree_v in_o it_o whilst_o the_o rise_n and_o set_v of_o the_o sun_n be_v expression_n now_o as_o much_o in_o use_n with_o such_o as_o hold_v the_o earth_n motion_n as_o with_o other_o and_o indeed_o they_o must_v speak_v so_o if_o they_o will_v be_v understand_v and_o except_v this_o one_o instance_n which_o be_v and_o ever_o will_v be_v in_o use_n according_a to_o the_o vulgar_a conception_n in_o all_o country_n and_o language_n not_o withstand_v any_o philosophical_a discovery_n i_o know_v nothing_o in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v not_o consistent_a with_o the_o present_a notion_n of_o philosophy_n ii_o and_o yet_o that_o place_n of_o scripture_n which_o be_v most_o object_v on_o this_o occasion_n be_v so_o express_v as_o that_o no_o advantage_n can_v be_v take_v a●einst_v it_o sun_n stand_v thou_o still_o upon_o gibeon_n and_o thou_o moon_n in_o the_o valley_n of_o ajalon_n josh_n x._o 12._o stand_v thou_o still_o or_o as_o we_o read_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v thou_o silent_a be_v still_o do_v not_o interrupt_v our_o victory_n and_o take_v part_n with_o the_o enemy_n by_o withdraw_v thy_o light_n and_o favour_v his_o escape_n and_o again_o
star_n because_o the_o true_a be_v as_o the_o sun_n and_o fix_a star_n balaam_n prophesy_v that_o a_o star_n shall_v come_v out_o of_o jacob_n and_o a●_n sceptre_n shall_v rise_v out_o of_o israel_n numb_a xxiv_o 17._o and_o that_o impostor_n in_o the_o time_n of_o adrian_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o messiah_n call_v himself_o barchochebas_n or_o the_o son_n of_o a_o star_n so_o that_o by_o the_o darken_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o the_o fall_n of_o the_o star_n from_o heaven_n by_o a_o usual_a metaphor_n be_v mean_v the_o fail_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o government_n this_o be_v agreeable_a to_o what_o ib._n what_o quando_fw-la enim_fw-la vaticinatur_fw-la isaias_n de_fw-fr gentis_fw-la alicujus_fw-la destructione_n well_fw-mi de_fw-fr populi_n alicujus_fw-la magni_fw-la interitu_fw-la ait_fw-la stellas_fw-la cecidisse_fw-la coelos_fw-la interiisse_fw-la &_o contremiscere_fw-la solemn_a obtenebratum_fw-la terram_fw-la vastatam_fw-la &_o commotam_fw-la esse_fw-la aliisque_fw-la multis_fw-la similibus_fw-la locutionibus_fw-la parabolic̀is_fw-la utitur_fw-la sicut_fw-la apud_fw-la arabe_n de_fw-la eo_fw-la cvi_fw-la singular_a aliquod_fw-la infortunium_fw-la accidit_fw-la dicitur_fw-la quod_fw-la coelum_fw-la ipsius_fw-la in_o terram_fw-la conversum_fw-la sit_fw-la vel_fw-la super_fw-la terram_fw-la ejus_fw-la ceciderit_fw-la maimon_n more_n nevoch_n part._n 2._o c._n 29._o consuevit_fw-la enim_fw-la de_fw-la regno_fw-la aliquo_fw-la loqui_fw-la ac_fw-la si_fw-la esset_fw-la mundus_fw-la peculiaris_fw-la hoc_fw-la est_fw-la coelum_fw-la &_o terra_fw-la ib._n maimonides_n relate_v of_o the_o form_n of_o speech_n usual_a with_o the_o arabian_n when_o they_o will_v express_v any_o great_a calamity_n into_o which_o any_o man_n be_v fall_v very_o i_o say_v unto_o you_o this_o generation_n shall_v not_o pass_v till_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v fulfil_v that_o be_v till_o they_o be_v accomplish_v in_o their_o first_o and_o immediate_a sense_n in_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o be_v destroy_v forty_o year_n after_o ii_o these_o be_v therefore_o proper_o the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o city_n and_o government_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v wont_a to_o call_v the_o ix_o the_o lightf_n harm_n of_o the_o n._n t._n §._o ix_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n the_o new_a creation_n according_a to_o the_o prophet_n isa_n lxv_o 17._o lxvi_o 22._o and_o the_o world_n to_o come_v whereupon_o in_o their_o account_n the_o time_n immediate_o forego_v must_v be_v the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o former_a world_n and_o thus_o the_o apostle_n speak_v they_o be_v write_v for_o our_o admonition_n upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n be_v come_v 1_o cor._n x._o 11._o which_o may_v be_v as_o true_o render_v upon_o who_o the_o end_n of_o the_o time_n or_o age_n be_v come_v for_o so_o the_o word_n there_o use_v signify_v the_o world_n have_v now_o continue_v about_o four_o thousand_o year_n and_o this_o be_v the_o end_n or_o conclusion_n of_o the_o age_n when_o a_o new_a period_n of_o time_n be_v to_o begin_v and_o the_o same_o apostle_n show_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o like_o the_o jewish_a high-priest_n for_o than_o must_v he_o often_o have_v suffer_v since_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n add_v but_o now_o once_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n have_v he_o appear_v to_o put_v away_o sin_n by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o himself_o heb._n ix_o 26._o where_o though_o in_o our_o translation_n the_o word_n world_n be_v twice_o use_v yet_o in_o the_o original_a it_o be_v express_v by_o two_o different_a word_n the_o first_o signify_v the_o visible_a and_o material_a world_n but_o the_o latter_a signify_v age_n to_o teach_v we_o that_o christ_n appear_v to_o suffer_v for_o we_o in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o age_n not_o in_o the_o end_n of_o this_o material_a world_n for_o the_o apostle_n will_v have_v use_v the_o same_o word_n if_o he_o have_v mean_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o both_o place_n and_o will_v never_o ha●●_n make_v so_o sudden_a a_o change_n of_o word_n to_o no_o purpose_n the_o last_o day_n which_o the_o prophet_n joel_n foretell_v and_o for_o which_o he_o be_v quote_v by_o st._n peter_n act_v two_o 16._o be_v the_o last_o day_n of_o the_o jewish_a state_n and_o government_n which_o be_v short_o to_o receive_v its_o final_a period_n the_o jewish_a law_n and_o power_n be_v then_o near_o its_o end_n and_o the_o day_n or_o time_n just_a before_o its_o conclusion_n and_o ultimate_a period_n be_v the_o space_n grant_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o conversion_n before_o the_o destruction_n of_o their_o city_n and_o nation_n and_o these_o be_v the_o last_o day_n of_o their_o dispensation_n and_o the_o last_o opportunity_n that_o be_v to_o be_v afford_v they_o as_o a_o distinct_a and_o peculiar_a people_n iii_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o the_o last_o day_n which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o duration_n of_o time_n but_o to_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v the_o last_o dispensation_n which_o god_n will_v vouchsafe_v to_o mankind_n the_o last_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o salvation_n which_o will_v be_v grant_v to_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v prophesy_v of_o under_o the_o character_n of_o the_o last_o day_n isa_n two_o 2._o micah_n four_o 1_o 2._o for_o the_o opportunity_n and_o time_n allot_v for_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v style_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n if_o thou_o have_v know_v even_o thou_o at_o least_o in_o this_o thy_o day_n the_o thing_n which_o belong_v unto_o thy_o peace_n but_o now_o they_o be_v hide_v from_o thy_o eye_n luke_n nineteeen_o 42._o to_o day_n if_o you_o will_v hear_v his_o voice_n harden_v not_o your_o heart_n heb._n iii._o 7_o 15._o four_o 7._o for_o he_o say_v i_o have_v hear_v thou_o in_o a_o time_n accept_v use_v in_o the_o day_n of_o salvation_n have_v i_o succour_v th●●_n behold_v now_o be_v the_o accept_a time_n behold_v now_o be_v the_o day_n of_o salvation_n 2_o cor._n vi_o 2._o isa_n xlix_o 8._o so_o that_o by_o day_n be_v signify_v season_n or_o opportunity_n in_o the_o language_n of_o scripture_n as_o night_n be_v put_v to_o signify_v the_o contrary_n i_o must_v work_v the_o work_n of_o he_o that_o send_v i_o while_o it_o be_v day_n the_o night_n come_v when_o no_o man_n can_v work_v joh._n ix_o 4._o the_o scripture_n herein_o consider_v the_o continuance_n and_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n no_o otherwise_o than_o with_o relation_n to_o the_o dispensation_n which_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o afford_v man_n in_o order_n to_o their_o salvation_n and_o in_o this_o respect_n the_o time_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o last_o day_n though_o it_o be_v of_o never_o so_o long_a duration_n because_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o last_o dispensation_n the_o last_o age_n of_o the_o world_n be_v the_o age_n under_o the_o gospel_n whether_o it_o be_v long_o or_o short_a than_o the_o rest_n and_o the_o whole_a duration_n of_o this_o age_n be_v style_v the_o last_o day_n since_o by_o day_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v the_o length_n or_o continuance_n of_o any_o certain_a time_n but_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o time_n under_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o last_o day_n not_o because_o the_o world_n then_o begin_v to_o draw_v towards_o its_o period_n or_o dissolution_n but_o because_o the_o gospel_n offer_v we_o the_o last_o opportunity_n of_o salvation_n and_o be_v the_o conclusion_n and_o period_n and_o the_o final_a consummation_n of_o the_o grace_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n extend_v towards_o mankind_n the_o gospel_n be_v the_o last_o mean_n of_o salvation_n offer_v to_o mankind_n the_o whole_a time_n under_o it_o be_v therefore_o sometime_o style_v the_o last_o day_n the_o last_o distinction_n of_o time_n the_o last_o season_n and_o opportunity_n to_o be_v expect_v iv_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v purposely_o conceal_v both_o from_o man_n and_o angel_n to_o keep_v we_o in_o a_o continual_a watchfulness_n and_o expectation_n of_o it_o the_o apostle_n st._n paul_n speak_v of_o it_o as_o that_o which_o as_o to_o the_o time_n of_o it_o be_v uncertain_a and_o therefore_o be_v at_o all_o time_n to_o be_v expect_v and_o this_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o to_o mistake_v his_o meaning_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o his_o word_n which_o imply_v that_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v then_o approach_v for_o this_o we_o say_v unto_o you_o by_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o we_o which_o be_v alive_a and_o remain_v unto_o the_o come_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v not_o prevent_v they_o which_o be_v asleep_a then_o we_o which_o be_v alive_a and_o remain_v shall_v be_v catch_v up_o together_o with_o they_o in_o the_o cloud_n to_o meet_v the_o lord_n in_o the_o air_n and_o so_o shall_v we_o ever_o be_v with_o the_o lord_n 1_o thes_n four_o 15_o
character_n of_o a_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o modern_a jew_n in_o like_a manner_n never_o dare_v to_o pretend_v to_o new_a book_n of_o revelation_n but_o have_v constant_o adhere_v to_o the_o old_a and_o what_o inducement_n can_v the_o jew_n have_v to_o receive_v these_o book_n into_o their_o canon_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v rather_o than_o the_o apocryphal_a book_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n which_o be_v a_o thing_n more_o especial_o remarkable_a in_o some_o book_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v certain_a book_n under_o the_o name_n of_o solomon_n esther_n daniel_n and_o ezra_n but_o not_o admit_v into_o the_o canon_n other_o go_v under_o the_o same_o name_n but_o because_o of_o the_o difference_n in_o their_o authority_n why_o shall_v they_o receive_v the_o book_n of_o those_o who_o their_o forefather_n have_v slay_v and_o those_o very_a book_n for_o which_o they_o slay_v they_o but_o upon_o the_o clear_a evidence_n it_o be_v certain_a they_o can_v be_v possess_v with_o no_o prejudice_n in_o their_o favour_n but_o with_o very_a many_o against_o the_o book_n of_o such_o author_n to_o give_v another_o instance_n the_o book_n of_o ruth_n contain_v the_o affair_n and_o transaction_n of_o a_o particular_a family_n of_o no_o great_a consequence_n as_o one_o may_v imagine_v at_o first_o view_n and_o yet_o it_o have_v be_v preserve_v with_o as_o much_o ●are_n and_o as_o constant_o receive_v as_o the_o rest_n there_o be_v little_a reason_n upon_o human_a consideration_n why_o a_o relation_n concern_v that_o family_n shall_v be_v insert_v into_o the_o canon_n of_o scripture_n rather_o than_o one_o concern_v any_o other_o but_o the_o lineage_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o it_o and_o that_o be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n why_o it_o shall_v be_v insert_v and_o therefore_o by_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o providence_n neither_o the_o emulation_n and_o envy_n of_o other_o family_n nor_o any_o other_o cause_n or_o accident_n hinder_v its_o reception_n and_o preservation_n among_o the_o other_o inspire_v book_n and_o in_o that_o history_n there_o be_v a_o account_v not_o very_o honourable_a for_o david_n family_n in_o derive_v his_o descent_n from_o phares_n of_o thamar_n and_o show_v that_o his_o great_a grandmother_n be_v a_o moabitess_n the_o moabite_n be_v a_o people_n who_o have_v a_o indelible_a mark_n of_o intamy_n sixth_o upon_o they_o by_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n dentr_n xxiii_o 3._o ii_o as_o the_o pentateuch_n be_v ever_o acknowledge_v by_o the_o people_n of_o israel_n after_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o tribe_n judah_n so_o if_o they_o reject_v the_o writing_n of_o the_o prophet_n it_o must_v have_v be_v because_o all_o or_o most_o of_o they_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n who_o be_v of_o the_o two_o tribe_n and_o all_o the_o prophet_n of_o israel_n own_v the_o temple_n of_o jerasalem_fw-la to_o be_v the_o true_a place_n of_o worship_n the_o israelite_n and_o samaritan_n must_v have_v great_a prejudices_fw-la against_o they_o upon_o that_o account_n and_o it_o can_v be_v expect_v that_o they_o shall_v receive_v the_o book_n of_o any_o of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o they_o do_v those_o of_o moses_n the_o book_n of_o samuel_n david_n and_o solomon_n have_v less_o regard_n pay_v to_o they_o upon_o reason_n of_o state_n by_o the_o tribe_n who_o follow_v the_o revolt_n of_o jeroboam_n yet_o when_o 1._o when_o antiqu._n orient_a eccl._n pist_o 1._o joseph_n scaliger_n send_v to_o the_o samaritan_n for_o the_o canticle_n of_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n in_o their_o language_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o of_o joshua_n they_o promise_v to_o send_v he_o they_o and_o it_o be_v prove_v sufficient_o by_o dr_n 25._o dr_n hebr._n &_o talmud_n exercit_fw-la on_o joh._n four_o 25._o lightfoot_n that_o neither_o the_o samaritan_n nor_o the_o sadducee_n reject_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n though_o they_o do_v not_o admit_v the_o rest_n into_o the_o same_o veneration_n and_o authority_n with_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n nor_o read_v they_o in_o their_o synagogue_n this_o be_v also_o prove_v by_o f._n simon_n 12._o simon_n crit._n hist_o v._o t._n lib._n 1._o c._n 16._o &_o 29._o disquisit_a crit_fw-fr c._n 12._o both_o of_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n and_o orient_a and_o epist_n 70._o inter_fw-la antiqu_n eccl._n orient_a morinus_n likewise_o prove_v it_o of_o the_o karaei_n who_o be_v general_o take_v for_o sadducee_n f._n simon_n maintain_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o they_o have_v wrong_v do_v they_o in_o be_v charge_v with_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o sadducces_n however_o this_o be_v not_o material_a to_o our_o present_a purpose_n since_o he_o show_v that_o both_o the_o sadducee_n and_o the_o karaei_n or_o caraite_n and_o all_o the_o jew_n beside_o receive_v the_o entire_a volume_n of_o the_o scripture_n without_o any_o contradiction_n lipmanno_n contradiction_n praefat._n de_fw-fr lipmanno_n hackspan_n likewise_o have_v show_v that_o the_o sadducee_n deny_v not_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o prophet_n iii_o concern_v the_o book_n whereof_o we_o we_o find_v mention_v make_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n either_o 1._o they_o be_v not_o different_a from_o those_o which_o be_v now_o in_o the_o canon_n but_o the_o same_o book_n under_o divers_a name_n or_o 2._o they_o be_v not_o write_v by_o inspiration_n though_o write_v by_o prophet_n for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o the_o prophet_n be_v inspire_v in_o every_o thing_n that_o they_o write_v any_o more_o than_o in_o all_o they_o speak_v and_o this_o show_v the_o care_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o compile_v their_o canon_n that_o they_o will_v not_o take_v into_o it_o all_o the_o write_n even_o of_o the_o prophet_n themselves_o but_o only_o such_o as_o they_o know_v to_o be_v write_v by_o they_o as_o prophet_n that_o be_v by_o inspiration_n the_o prophet_n themselves_o no_o doubt_n make_v a_o distinction_n as_o we_o find_v st_n paul_n do_v between_o what_o they_o have_v write_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o that_o in_o which_o they_o have_v not_o his_o immediate_a and_o extraordinary_a direction_n and_o infallible_a assistance_n or_o 3_o they_o may_v not_o be_v write_v by_o prophet_n for_o the_o office_n of_o recorder_n or_o remembrancer_n or_o writer_n of_o chronicle_n as_o it_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o margin_n be_v mention_v as_o ●n_v office_n of_o great_a honour_n and_o trust_v and_o be_v distinct_a from_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n 2_o sam._n viij_o ●6_n 2_o king_n xviii_o 18_o 2_o chron._n xxxiv_o 8._o isaiah_n xxxvi_o 3_o 22._o beside_o the_o hebrew_n call_v every_o small_a write_v a_o book_n thus_o deut._n xxiv_o 1._o ●hat_n which_o we_o render_v a_o bill_n of_o divorcement_n ●s_v in_o the_o original_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o josh_n x._o 13._o and_o 〈◊〉_d sam._n i._n 18._o be_v translate_v the_o book_n of_o jasher_n ●o_o matt._n nineteeen_o 7._o and_o mark_v x._o 4._o it_o be_v in_o the_o greek_a a_o book_n of_o divorcement_n the_o word_n be_v the_o same_o which_o the_o septuagint_n have_v use_v it_o indeed_o may_v signify_v a_o little_a book_n but_o it_o often_o signify_v a_o book_n without_o that_o distinction_n and_o so_o it_o be_v render_v 2_o tim._n four_o 13._o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n be_v a_o book_n in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o in_o the_o greek_a 2_o sam._n xi_o 14_o 15._o and_o lettet_n be_v style_v book_n by_o 4._o by_o herod_n lib._n 1._o c._n 124._o &_o lib._n 6._o c._n 4._o herodotus_n or_o 4._o though_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o some_o book_n which_o be_v write_v by_o inspiration_n be_v now_o lose_v it_o be_v no_o absurdity_n to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v suffer_v write_n to_o be_v lose_v through_o the_o fault_n and_o negligence_n of_o man_n which_o be_v dictate_v by_o his_o spirit_n several_a thing_n may_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v deliver_v by_o revelation_n to_o the_o person_n who_o they_o concern_v which_o be_v never_o commit_v to_o writing_n and_o other_o which_o be_v write_v but_o which_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o revelation_n in_o general_n but_o rather_o concern_v particular_a time_n and_o place_n and_o the_o substance_n whereof_o as_o far_o as_o the_o world_n in_o general_n be_v concern_v be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o other_o scripture_n may_v by_o the_o carelessness_n of_o man_n never_o come_v to_o the_o sight_n and_o knowledge_n of_o posterity_n and_o here_o i_o shall_v observe_v that_o the_o book_n of_o prophecy_n have_v always_o the_o name_n of_o the_o author_n express_v and_o common_o they_o be_v often_o repeat_v in_o the_o book_n themselves_o but_o in_o the_o historical_a book_n there_o be_v not_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o it_o because_o in_o matter_n
life_n have_v be_v the_o soul_n must_v be_v unite_v to_o the_o self_n same_o body_n so_o dispose_v and_o qualify_v to_o affect_v the_o soul_n as_o it_o be_v in_o this_o life_n only_o with_o infinite_o great_a more_o exquisite_a and_o more_o last_a degree_n of_o pain_n or_o of_o joy_n and_o satisfaction_n yet_o without_o any_o mixture_n of_o gross_a and_o sensual_a pleasure_n in_o the_o righteous_a but_o only_o such_o as_o be_v suitable_a to_o spiritual_a body_n and_o this_o disposition_n of_o body_n depend_v upon_o the_o virtuous_a or_o vicious_a action_n and_o habit_n of_o man_n here_o for_o a_o body_n by_o vicious_a practice_n and_o custom_n prone_a to_o rage_v and_o furious_a passion_n insatiable_a appetite_n and_o torment_a inclination_n and_o desire_n without_o any_o thing_n to_o gratify_v or_o assuage_v they_o must_v have_v quite_o another_o effect_n upon_o a_o soul_n than_o a_o body_n subdue_v to_o the_o mild_a and_o calm_a and_o obedient_a temper_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o though_o god_n can_v by_o his_o almighty_a power_n form_v another_o body_n to_o that_o frame_n and_o disposition_n which_o the_o body_n of_o any_o particular_a man_n be_v in_o when_o his_o soul_n depart_v out_o of_o it_o yet_o it_o do_v not_o seem_v agreeable_a to_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o purity_n by_o his_o immediate_a power_n to_o frame_v a_o new_a body_n to_o the_o deprave_a temper_n and_o inclination_n of_o a_o vicious_a man._n and_o we_o be_v so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n that_o for_o aught_o we_o know_v a_o soul_n can_v be_v unite_v only_o to_o its_o proper_a body_n the_o truth_n be_v we_o know_v nothing_o of_o these_o matter_n but_o from_o the_o scripture_n all_o beside_o be_v only_a conjecture_n but_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v probable_a even_o to_o our_o reason_n though_o indeed_o it_o ought_v to_o over-rule_v reason_n especial_o in_o thing_n which_o be_v so_o obscure_a and_o so_o little_o understand_v by_o we_o god_n have_v declare_v that_o he_o will_v raise_v these_o body_n to_o life_n again_o at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o whatever_o we_o may_v think_v of_o it_o to_o he_o all_o thing_n be_v alike_o easy_a it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o he_o to_o do_v as_o to_o say_v it_o chap._n xxvi_o of_o the_o reason_n why_o christ_n do_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o his_o resurrection_n st_n peter_n speak_v of_o christ_n resurrection_n say_v he_o god_n raise_v up_o the_o three_o day_n and_o show_v he_o open_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n but_o unto_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n even_o to_o we_o who_o do_v eat_v and_o drink_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a act_v x._o 40_o 41._o after_o his_o resurrection_n he_o be_v show_v open_o but_o not_o to_o all_o the_o people_n he_o be_v see_v in_o a_o plain_a and_o open_a manner_n yet_o not_o so_o public_o as_o to_o make_v all_o the_o people_n witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n the_o will_n and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n to_o we_o of_o all_o his_o action_n especial_o in_o act_n of_o mercy_n for_o it_o will_v be_v a_o strange_a return_v make_v but_o to_o a_o man_n for_o any_o favour_n receive_v to_o be_v captious_a and_o quarrelsome_a about_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o bestow_n it_o instead_o of_o be_v grateful_a to_o he_o for_o it_o but_o beside_o this_o general_a reason_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o force_n with_o we_o in_o all_o case_n there_o be_v reason_n peculiar_a to_o the_o present_a case_n whereby_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o it_o even_o according_a to_o our_o own_o apprehension_n of_o thing_n i._o there_o be_v reason_n peculiar_a to_o this_o dispensation_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n why_o christ_n shall_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a ii_o it_o have_v not_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o other_o dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o mankind_n for_o he_o to_o do_v it_o iii_o great_a number_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v give_v over_o to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n and_o will_v not_o have_v believe_v though_o they_o have_v see_v christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n iv_o if_o they_o have_v believe_v their_o conversion_n have_v not_o be_v a_o great_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n than_o their_o unbelief_n have_v be_v v._o the_o power_n of_o his_o resurrection_n manifest_v in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o great_a a_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o the_o personal_a appearance_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o can_v have_v be_v 1._o there_o be_v reason_n peculiar_a to_o this_o dispensation_n of_o his_o resurrection_n why_o christ_n shall_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n be_v to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n not_o according_a to_o the_o infirmity_n and_o condescension_n of_o the_o humane_a the_o time_n of_o his_o converse_v with_o man_n be_v at_o a_o end_n at_o his_o death_n and_o then_o another_o method_n and_o manner_n of_o dispensation_n be_v to_o begin_v he_o be_v then_o to_o converse_v only_o with_o his_o particular_a friend_n and_o favourite_n to_o satisfy_v they_o of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o to_o instruct_v and_o enable_v they_o both_o by_o their_o doctrine_n and_o miracle_n to_o satisfy_v other_o it_o can_v not_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o dignity_n of_o his_o majesty_n which_o he_o have_v assume_v after_o his_o resurrection_n to_o submit_v himself_o to_o the_o censure_n of_o his_o enemy_n he_o have_v suffer_v enough_o from_o they_o already_o in_o the_o state_n of_o his_o humiliation_n and_o must_v he_o never_o be_v above_o the_o suspicion_n and_o scrutiny_n of_o their_o malice_n shall_v not_o his_o resurrection_n free_v he_o from_o it_o when_o they_o see_v he_o hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n they_o cry_v out_o with_o upbraid_v and_o insolent_a scorn_n that_o they_o will_v believe_v in_o he_o if_o he_o will_v come_v down_o from_o thence_o but_o neither_o do_v they_o deserve_v such_o a_o miracle_n to_o be_v wrought_v at_o their_o pleasure_n who_o thus_o call_v for_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o suitable_a to_o the_o divine_a dispensation_n that_o it_o shall_v be_v wrought_v it_o be_v neither_o fit_v that_o he_o shall_v save_v himself_o from_o death_n nor_o that_o he_o shall_v appear_v to_o they_o after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a he_o be_v to_o die_v for_o our_o redemption_n and_o as_o we_o have_v want_v the_o argument_n from_o his_o resurrection_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n if_o he_o have_v come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n so_o if_o he_o have_v appear_v to_o all_o the_o jew_n we_o have_v want_v other_o evidence_n which_o as_o i_o shall_v show_v at_o least_o amount_n to_o all_o the_o proof_n which_o that_o can_v have_v give_v in_o the_o state_n of_o his_o humiliation_n our_o saviour_n be_v please_v to_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o contradiction_n of_o sinner_n and_o to_o all_o their_o affront_v and_o injury_n but_o when_o this_o their_o hour_n and_o the_o power_n of_o darkness_n be_v once_o past_a they_o be_v to_o see_v he_o no_o more_o but_o with_o confusion_n of_o face_n and_o terror_n of_o mind_n yet_o his_o mercy_n be_v still_o the_o same_o towards_o they_o one_o of_o the_o great_a persecutor_n be_v convert_v by_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n the_o son_n of_o man_n speak_v to_o he_o from_o thence_o that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o happy_a instrument_n in_o the_o conversion_n of_o other_o and_o a_o pattern_n to_o they_o of_o the_o long_a suffering_n of_o christ_n 1_o tim._n i_o 16._o but_o his_o manifestation_n of_o himself_o to_o st._n paul_n at_o his_o conversion_n be_v with_o dreadful_a awe_n and_o majesty_n not_o in_o that_o mild_a and_o gracious_a glory_n in_o which_o he_o be_v see_v by_o st._n stephen_n and_o it_o be_v reserve_v for_o those_o who_o persecute_v and_o pierce_v he_o to_o look_v upon_o he_o with_o consternation_n and_o anguish_n at_o the_o last_o day_n rev._n i_o 7._o 2._o it_o have_v not_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o other_o dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o mankind_n for_o christ_n to_o be_v show_v open_o to_o all_o the_o people_n god_n may_v work_v such_o astonish_a miracle_n and_o strike_v such_o terror_n into_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n as_o to_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o any_o one_o to_o doubt_v of_o his_o existence_n or_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n but_o he_o do_v not_o all_o which_o he_o can_v do_v but_o what_o he_o in_o his_o wisdom_n see_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v he_o do_v not_o use_v all_o the_o
opinion_n of_o their_o own_o beside_o the_o general_n prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o lie_v under_o with_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o man_n of_o any_o learning_n and_o education_n study_v the_o book_n of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o be_v common_o addict_v to_o one_o sect_n or_o other_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o vanity_n and_o the_o praise_n of_o man_n be_v the_o chief_a aim_n of_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n as_o tertullian_n and_o other_o of_o the_o father_n object_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v very_o unlikely_a to_o become_v proselyte_n to_o a_o religion_n which_o be_v look_v upon_o in_o the_o world_n with_o such_o disdain_n and_o contempt_n philosophy_n in_o general_n if_o we_o believe_v 1._o believe_v instit_fw-la lib._n i._o c._n 1._o quintilian_n be_v in_o his_o time_n by_o most_o use_v as_o a_o artifice_n and_o disguise_n to_o conceal_v the_o worst_a of_o vice_n under_o a_o morose_n look_v and_o a_o habit_n different_a from_o that_o of_o other_o men._n and_o from_o such_o philosopher_n as_o these_o we_o must_v expect_v that_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v read_v with_o no_o manner_n of_o candour_n or_o good_a and_o serious_a intention_n ii_o intention_n contra_fw-la celf._n lib._n ii_o origen_n give_v instance_n of_o the_o wilful_a abuse_n of_o the_o scripture_n by_o some_o of_o his_o time_n who_o cavil_v at_o half_a sentence_n without_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o coherence_n which_o they_o have_v of_o the_o rest_n and_o he_o complain_v that_o i._n that_o ib._n lib._n i._n celsus_n seem_v never_o to_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n though_o he_o pretend_v to_o a_o very_a exact_a knowledge_n both_o of_o the_o jewish_a and_o christian_a religion_n but_o understand_v little_a of_o either_o baroc_n either_o philip._n sidet_fw-la apud_fw-la dodw._n append._n ad_fw-la dissert_n in_o irenae_n e._n cod._n ms._n baroc_n athenagoras_n who_o before_o he_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n with_o more_o care_n and_o sincerity_n though_o with_o the_o same_o design_n become_v convert_v and_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o that_o religion_n which_o he_o intend_v to_o oppose_v 16._o oppose_v euseb_n contr_n hier._n &_o lactant._n institut_fw-la lib._n v._o c._n 2_o 3._o de_fw-fr mortib_n persecut_n c._n 16._o hierocles_n likewise_o have_v read_v the_o new_a testament_n with_o a_o design_n to_o write_v against_o it_o but_o he_o who_o can_v believe_v the_o miracle_n of_o apollonius_n tyaneus_n and_o prefer_v that_o notorious_a impostor_n to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n and_o maximus_n aegiensis_n damis_n the_o philosopher_n and_o philostratus_n to_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n show_v so_o strange_a a_o partiality_n as_o may_v be_v expect_v only_o in_o he_o who_o oppose_v the_o christian_a religion_n by_o his_o persecution_n more_o than_o by_o his_o argument_n for_o hierocles_n be_v the_o chief_a promoter_n of_o the_o persecution_n under_o diocletian_a 2._o the_o gentile_n look_v upon_o the_o poor_a persecute_a condition_n of_o the_o christian_n as_o a_o argument_n against_o their_o religion_n and_o be_v not_o only_o prejudice_v against_o a_o new_a religion_n which_o must_v expose_v they_o to_o suffering_n by_o that_o fondness_n which_o man_n natural_o have_v for_o their_o own_o ease_n and_o safety_n but_o 29._o but_o aug._n civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n i._n c._n 29._o when_o they_o see_v the_o christian_n in_o distress_n they_o will_v upbraid_v they_o as_o the_o psalmist_n enemy_n reproach_v he_o say_v where_o be_v now_o thy_o god_n they_o consider_v their_o own_o religion_n as_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o of_o their_o ancestor_n which_o be_v what_o tully_n say_v for_o it_o when_o he_o ruin_v all_o the_o ground_n and_o pretence_n in_o behalf_n of_o it_o they_o allege_v that_o this_o have_v be_v the_o religion_n of_o their_o forefather_n and_o that_o the_o roman_a empire_n have_v arrive_v to_o so_o much_o power_n and_o greatness_n under_o its_o influence_n this_o be_v so_o much_o insist_v upon_o as_o be_v to_o be_v see_v in_o zosimus_n symmachus_n and_o other_o that_o orosius_n set_v himself_o to_o answer_v it_o in_o a_o particular_a work_n and_o st._n austin_n who_o put_v he_o upon_o write_v it_o think_v himself_o concern_v in_o his_o own_o work_n to_o oppose_v so_o unreasonable_a but_o fatal_a a_o prejudice_n 3._o the_o consequence_n of_o these_o prejudices_fw-la against_o the_o christian_a religion_n both_o in_o favour_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o their_o country_n and_o in_o fondness_n for_o their_o old_a opinion_n and_o out_o of_o a_o abhorrence_n of_o affliction_n and_o a_o disregard_n of_o those_o who_o be_v so_o much_o expose_v to_o they_o as_o have_v but_o small_a pretence_n to_o any_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a care_n the_o consequence_n i_o say_v of_o these_o error_n and_o prejudices_fw-la be_v that_o the_o gentile_n despise_v the_o christian_a religion_n before_o they_o understand_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o for_o many_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o observation_n be_v so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o it_o that_o they_o do_v not_o distinguish_v christian_n from_o jew_n as_o we_o see_v by_o 25._o by_o sueton_n in_o claudio_n c._n 25._o suetonius_n they_o know_v not_o so_o much_o the_o true_a pronunciation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n or_o christian_a but_o be_v wont_a to_o write_v 7_o write_v no_o nee_n nominis_fw-la certa_fw-la est_fw-la notitia_fw-la penes_fw-la vos_fw-la tertul._n apol._n c._n 3._o sueton_n ib._n lactant._n lib._n iu._n c._n 7_o chrestus_n and_o chrestianus_fw-la this_o the_o apologist_n much_o insist_v upon_o that_o they_o condemn_v and_o persecute_v what_o they_o do_v not_o understand_v the_o christian_n desire_v no_o more_o than_o a_o fair_a hear_v and_o if_o they_o may_v but_o be_v suffer_v to_o make_v their_o religion_n full_o know_v to_o their_o adversary_n they_o beg_v no_o further_a favour_n 4._o it_o be_v believe_v 54._o believe_v aug._n de_fw-fr civit._fw-la dei_fw-la lib._n xviii_o c._n 53_o 54._o that_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n have_v deliver_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v continue_v no_o long_o than_o three_o hundred_o and_o sixty_o five_o year_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o julian_n the_o apostate_n die_v a._n d._n ccclxv_o according_a to_o some_o chronologer_n though_o other_o place_v his_o death_n two_o year_n before_o it_o seem_v the_o devil_n have_v some_o great_a expectation_n from_o his_o reign_n but_o at_o or_o near_o that_o very_a time_n in_o which_o he_o have_v foretell_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v have_v a_o end_n if_o the_o computation_n be_v to_o be_v make_v from_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n he_o see_v a_o end_n of_o all_o his_o hope_n in_o the_o death_n of_o that_o emperor_n who_o be_v so_o zealous_a in_o his_o service_n and_o have_v give_v out_o severe_a threaten_n against_o the_o christian_n of_o what_o they_o be_v to_o expect_v if_o he_o have_v return_v victorious_a from_o that_o expedition_n in_o which_o he_o perish_v and_o this_o prediction_n have_v respect_v probable_o to_o his_o reign_n though_o the_o greek_a verse_n in_o which_o it_o be_v deliver_v may_v be_v alter_v afterward_o or_o so_o contrive_v at_o first_o as_o to_o extend_v it_o to_o a_o long_a time_n leave_v it_o uncertain_a from_o whence_o the_o calculation_n be_v to_o begin_v however_o this_o oracle_n keep_v many_o of_o the_o gentile_n from_o be_v christian_n till_o they_o see_v the_o time_n past_a which_o they_o suppose_v to_o be_v mean_v by_o it_o as_o st._n austin_n assure_v we_o 5._o the_o heresy_n and_o schism_n which_o soon_o arise_v in_o the_o church_n give_v great_a scandal_n and_o offence_n to_o such_o as_o judge_v of_o these_o thing_n at_o a_o distance_n and_o in_o the_o gross_a without_o examine_v into_o the_o occasion_n of_o they_o the_o dialog_n the_o just_a martyr_n dialog_n jew_n not_o only_o blaspheme_v christ_n in_o the_o synagogue_n but_o make_v choice_n of_o man_n on_o purpose_n who_o they_o send_v from_o jerusalem_n into_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o vilify_v he_o and_o his_o religion_n 2._o religion_n id._n apol._n 2._o and_o because_o christian_n speak_v of_o christ_n kingdom_n this_o be_v understand_v to_o their_o prejudice_n as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v for_o set_v up_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n by_o rebellion_n and_o the_o evil_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n of_o divers_a heretic_n confirm_v man_n in_o any_o ill_a opinion_n which_o they_o have_v conceive_v of_o christian_n in_o general_n the_o absurd_a doctrine_n and_o heresy_n of_o the_o gnostic_n and_o other_o heretic_n be_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o their_o censure_n and_o invective_n apply_v to_o all_o christian_n without_o distinction_n and_o be_v take_v upon_o trust_n by_o most_o men._n 8._o men._n orig._n cont_n celf._n lib._n 6_o 7_o 8._o celsus_n make_v objection_n from_o the_o erroneous_a and_o wicked_a notion_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o ophitae_n the_o valentinian_o the_o marcionite_n and_o other_o this_o
the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o robert_n jenkin_n chaplain_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o earl_n of_o exeter_z and_o late_a fellow_n of_o st._n john_n college_n in_o cambridge_n the_o second_o edition_n enlarge_v london_n print_v for_o p._n b._n and_o r._n wellington_n at_o the_o dolphin_n and_o crown_n the_o west-end_n of_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n earl_n of_o exeter_z may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n the_o general_a decay_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n among_o we_o have_v make_v i_o think_v that_o i_o can_v not_o better_o employ_v the_o leisure_n which_o by_o your_o lordship_n favour_n i_o enjoy_v than_o in_o use_v my_o best_a endeavour_n to_o show_v the_o excellency_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o and_o what_o i_o have_v do_v be_v here_o humble_o present_v to_o your_o lordship_n as_o of_o right_a and_o upon_o many_o account_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n which_o i_o have_v often_o have_v to_o hear_v your_o lordship_n speak_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n encourage_v i_o to_o hope_n that_o a_o performance_n though_o but_o such_o as_o this_o upon_o that_o subject_a may_v obtain_v your_o acceptance_n and_o the_o name_n only_o of_o a_o person_n of_o your_o lordship_n honour_n and_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n may_v perhaps_o be_v of_o more_o advantage_n to_o the_o cause_n i_o undertake_v than_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o write_v religion_n may_v seem_v by_o descent_n and_o as_o it_o be_v by_o inheritance_n to_o belong_v to_o your_o lordship_n care_n the_o wisdom_n and_o piety_n of_o your_o great_a ancestor_n appear_v to_o distant_a age_n in_o the_o reformation_n which_o through_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n be_v in_o so_o great_a a_o measure_n by_o his_o mean_n establish_v in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o i_o have_v with_o joy_n often_o think_v that_o i_o can_v observe_v the_o spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o my_o lord_n treasurer_n burghley_n now_o exert_v itself_o more_o than_o ever_o in_o your_o noble_a family_n from_o whence_o methinks_v we_o may_v presage_v happiness_n to_o the_o nation_n and_o may_v yet_o expect_v to_o see_v a_o true_a sense_n of_o religion_n revive_v and_o may_v hope_v that_o even_o in_o our_o day_n christianity_n among_o englishman_n shall_v be_v more_o than_o a_o name_n which_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o a_o eminent_a virtue_n be_v a_o public_a good_a there_o be_v a_o powerful_a and_o command_a force_n in_o great_a example_n to_o countenance_v virtue_n and_o discourage_v vice_n and_o profaneness_n to_o make_v irreligion_n appear_v as_o it_o be_v base_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o world_n to_o degrade_v it_o and_o thrust_v it_o down_o among_o the_o low_a and_o untaught_a part_n of_o mankind_n much_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o school_n and_o from_o the_o gown_n under_o such_o contempt_n and_o discouragement_n but_o the_o great_a and_o the_o honourable_a have_v it_o in_o their_o power_n to_o do_v great_a thing_n thing_n worthy_a of_o themselves_o and_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o god_n glory_n person_n of_o high_a birth_n and_o both_o by_o nature_n and_o education_n fit_v for_o the_o high_a undertake_n who_o virtue_n shall_v flourish_v with_o their_o year_n and_o add_v new_a lustre_n to_o their_o hereditary_a honour_n may_v yet_o regain_v a_o due_a esteem_n to_o religion_n and_o adorn_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v a_o proper_a object_n for_o the_o ambition_n of_o generous_a aspire_a mind_n to_o express_v their_o gratitude_n to_o he_o who_o have_v place_v they_o so_o much_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o they_o find_v themselves_o happy_a now_o to_o disdain_v to_o aim_v at_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o everlasting_a happiness_n hereafter_o to_o be_v miserable_a after_o happiness_n be_v a_o aggravation_n of_o misery_n but_o to_o receive_v eternal_a blessing_n as_o the_o fruit_n and_o improvement_n of_o such_o as_o be_v temporal_a be_v the_o privilege_n of_o those_o who_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o distinguish_v from_o other_o by_o his_o mercy_n and_o who_o distinguish_v themselves_o by_o a_o regard_n to_o his_o honour_n and_o service_n all_o that_o know_v burghley_n and_o who_o be_v there_o almost_o that_o do_v not_o know_v it_o be_v surprise_v with_o wonder_n and_o delight_n to_o observe_v what_o art_n can_v do_v and_o to_o behold_v the_o splendour_n and_o the_o magnificence_n of_o foreign_a country_n in_o our_o own_o but_o the_o glory_n and_o reward_n of_o virtue_n shall_v continue_v when_o burghley_n itself_o and_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o and_o will_v make_v death_n but_o a_o passage_n and_o a_o advancement_n from_o one_o palace_n from_o one_o honour_n to_o another_o and_o a_o removal_n only_o from_o the_o uncertain_a riches_n and_o imperfect_a felicity_n of_o this_o life_n to_o the_o mansion_n of_o eternal_a bliss_n in_o heaven_n that_o these_o my_o endeavour_n may_v prove_v but_o in_o any_o measure_n serviceable_a to_o the_o end_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o thereby_o to_o the_o glory_n and_o happiness_n of_o your_o honourable_a family_n in_o this_o and_o a_o better_a world_n be_v my_o lord_n the_o unfeigned_a desire_n and_o prayer_n of_o your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n and_o chaplain_n r._n jenkin_n the_o preface_n i_o be_o sensible_a that_o the_o publication_n of_o a_o treatise_n of_o this_o nature_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o exception_n from_o those_o for_o who_o use_n and_o benefit_n it_o be_v chief_o design_v who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o lay_v hold_n of_o all_o pretence_n to_o avoid_v the_o be_v convince_v of_o what_o they_o have_v so_o little_a mind_n to_o believe_v they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o certain_a and_o so_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v maintain_v to_o be_v there_o can_v be_v little_a need_n of_o so_o many_o discourse_n upon_o this_o argument_n for_o it_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o certainty_n when_o though_o such_o a_o number_n of_o book_n be_v publish_a of_o this_o kind_n that_o so_o many_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o part_n have_v write_v upon_o the_o subject_a yet_o other_o it_o seem_v be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o their_o performance_n but_o be_v continual_o offer_v something_o new_a upon_o it_o they_o will_v likewise_o object_v that_o many_o of_o the_o professor_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o live_v as_o if_o they_o believe_v themselves_o at_o least_o not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v so_o very_o certain_a of_o what_o they_o teach_v and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v so_o great_a certainty_n there_o never_o can_v be_v so_o many_o unbeliever_n but_o all_o who_o have_v hear_v of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v convince_v by_o such_o evidence_n i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v here_o that_o the_o number_n of_o book_n write_v on_o this_o subject_a do_v not_o prove_v the_o uncertainty_n of_o religion_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o the_o ill_a life_n of_o man_n be_v no_o argument_n against_o the_o religion_n they_o profess_v and_o then_o i_o shall_v inquire_v how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o religion_n which_o carry_v so_o plain_a and_o convince_a evidence_n along_o with_o it_o shall_v yet_o by_o too_o many_o be_v disbelieved_a or_o disregard_v 1._o to_o the_o first_o thing_n it_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o the_o number_n of_o writer_n be_v a_o great_a confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n since_o as_o many_o as_o have_v undertake_v the_o proof_n of_o it_o have_v always_o agree_v in_o the_o main_a evidence_n and_o differ_v only_o in_o method_n or_o in_o the_o management_n of_o particular_a argument_n and_o though_o all_o have_v not_o write_v with_o equal_a strength_n and_o clearness_n yet_o there_o be_v not_o i_o believe_v one_o author_n but_o have_v bring_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o adversary_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v please_v indeed_o to_o think_v otherwise_o but_o they_o may_v at_o least_o take_v notice_n how_o obvious_a it_o be_v that_o if_o this_o objection_n prove_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v no_o art_n nor_o science_n concern_v which_o divers_a treatise_n be_v not_o daily_a publish_a but_o be_v therefore_o the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n uncertain_a be_v it_o the_o less_o certain_a whether_o justice_n temperance_n and_o common_a honesty_n be_v virtue_n or_o whether_o murder_n adultery_n and_o theft_n be_v crime_n because_o law_n be_v make_v and_o sermon_n daily_o preach_v concern_v these_o thing_n or_o can_v any_o man_n doubt_v that_o these_o crime_n often_o meet_v with_o severe_a punishment_n even_o in_o this_o
those_o apprehension_n with_o their_o accustom_a argument_n for_o atheism_n and_o infidelity_n i_o hope_v to_o prove_v in_o this_o discourse_n that_o all_o but_o atheist_n must_v he_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n deliver_v down_o to_o we_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n if_o they_o will_v but_o take_v the_o pain_n to_o consider_v they_o and_o atheist_n can_v never_o be_v convince_v of_o any_o revelation_n whatsoever_o for_o man_n must_v first_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n before_o they_o can_v believe_v that_o he_o reveal_v himself_o either_o to_o themselves_o or_o other_o but_o beside_o their_o be_v ineffectual_a and_o never_o to_o be_v expect_v by_o such_o as_o this_o conceit_n must_v be_v calculate_v for_o this_o supposition_n of_o immediate_a revelation_n to_o every_o man_n in_o particular_a will_v fill_v the_o world_n with_o continual_a imposture_n and_o delusion_n for_o if_o every_o one_o have_v a_o revelation_n make_v to_o himself_o every_o one_o may_v pretend_v to_o other_o what_o he_o please_v and_o we_o know_v from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v send_v to_o prophesy_v against_o the_o altar_n at_o bethel_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v delude_v by_o the_o pretence_n of_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o another_o against_o a_o express_a revelation_n make_v to_o himself_o and_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o this_o will_v often_o happen_v from_o what_o we_o every_o day_n experience_n for_o if_o man_n can_v be_v pervert_v by_o the_o art_n and_o insinuation_n of_o other_o against_o their_o own_o reason_n and_o judgement_n they_o may_v as_o well_o be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o act_v against_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o they_o though_o revelation_n be_v as_o common_a and_o familiar_a a_o thing_n among_o man_n as_o reason_n itself_o be_v so_o that_o immediate_a revelation_n to_o every_o particular_a man_n will_v have_v be_v needless_a and_o superfluous_a they_o will_v have_v be_v unsuitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o they_o will_v have_v be_v ineffectual_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v design_v and_o will_v have_v give_v many_o more_o pretence_n to_o imposture_n than_o there_o be_v now_o in_o the_o world_n but_o there_o be_v many_o consideration_n even_o in_o a_o wicked_a world_n to_o move_v the_o compassion_n of_o infinite_a mercy_n towards_o mankind_n though_o all_o be_v under_o the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n and_o unable_a of_o themselves_o to_o become_v righteous_a yet_o some_o be_v more_o wicked_a than_o other_o great_a number_n of_o man_n be_v carry_v away_o to_o commit_v heinous_a impiety_n through_o their_o own_o ignorance_n and_o the_o example_n of_o other_o and_o though_o the_o heathen_a be_v never_o without_o excuse_n yet_o they_o be_v chief_o inexcusable_a because_o god_n have_v always_o a_o reveal_v will_n which_o he_o will_v by_o some_o mean_n or_o other_o have_v bring_v they_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o if_o they_o have_v live_v according_a to_o their_o natural_a knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o of_o their_o duty_n towards_o he_o and_o though_o the_o heathen_a have_v many_o opportunity_n of_o become_v acquaint_v with_o the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n yet_o much_o allowance_n be_v to_o be_v make_v for_o the_o time_n of_o ignorance_n before_o the_o gospel_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o from_o time_n to_o time_n and_o at_o last_o by_o the_o gospel_n in_o a_o more_o wonderful_a and_o evident_a manner_n than_o ever_o he_o have_v do_v before_o and_o to_o afford_v man_n full_a mean_n of_o conviction_n and_o great_a measure_n of_o grace_n to_o comply_v with_o it_o and_o work_v out_o their_o own_o salvation_n and_o god_n have_v make_v these_o revelation_n of_o his_o will_n by_o indue_a certain_a man_n with_o a_o power_n of_o prophesy_v and_o work_a miracle_n who_o be_v to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o other_o and_o to_o certify_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n that_o it_o be_v indeed_o his_o will_n and_o commandment_n which_o they_o deliver_v and_o this_o be_v the_o most_o proper_a method_n and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n for_o as_o i_o have_v prove_v god_n will_v not_o create_v mankind_n and_o then_o take_v no_o further_a care_n of_o they_o since_o in_o the_o state_n of_o innocence_n they_o better_o deserve_v his_o care_n and_o have_v ever_o after_o stand_v in_o so_o much_o need_n of_o it_o and_o can_v at_o no_o time_n be_v happy_a either_o in_o this_o world_n or_o the_o next_o without_o it_o and_o it_o can_v with_o any_o reason_n be_v object_v by_o those_o who_o have_v never_o so_o great_a a_o mind_n to_o cavil_v at_o the_o term_n and_o mean_n of_o salvation_n by_o the_o gospel_n that_o god_n shall_v apply_v himself_o to_o every_o person_n by_o a_o particular_a revelation_n both_o because_o so_o much_o condescension_n and_o indulgence_n will_v be_v ill_o bestow_v upon_o those_o who_o have_v so_o little_o deserve_v it_o and_o because_o it_o will_v have_v no_o better_a effect_n than_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n have_v have_v towards_o the_o conversion_n of_o man_n but_o a_o very_a ill_a one_o in_o afford_v pretence_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o imposture_n and_o where_o two_o several_a mean_n be_v alike_o suitable_a to_o any_o end_n no_o man_n sure_o will_v presume_v to_o prescribe_v to_o almighty_a god_n and_o say_v that_o he_o ought_v to_o have_v use_v one_o rather_o than_o the_o other_o much_o less_o when_o one_o be_v inconvenient_a and_o the_o other_o the_o only_a proper_a mean_n to_o be_v use_v ii_o i_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o show_v that_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v the_o most_o sit_v and_o proper_a mean_n for_o god_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n by_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o be_v not_o accompany_v with_o those_o inconvenience_n with_o which_o immediate_a revelation_n will_v have_v be_v there_o be_v no_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n but_o it_o have_v the_o design_v effect_n upon_o many_o person_n the_o majesty_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v not_o expose_v to_o the_o scorn_n of_o every_o profane_a and_o obstinate_a offender_n and_o there_o be_v as_o effectual_a care_n take_v to_o prevent_v imposture_n as_o possible_o can_v have_v be_v and_o as_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n have_v none_o of_o the_o inconvenience_n which_o immediate_a revelation_n will_v have_v have_v so_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o they_o have_v all_o the_o advantage_n and_o usefulness_n which_o it_o can_v be_v suppose_v that_o immediate_a revelation_n will_v have_v have_v if_o they_o have_v be_v grant_v to_o every_o person_n in_o particular_a all_o that_o any_o immediate_a revelation_n can_v do_v be_v to_o afford_v man_n the_o mean_n of_o conviction_n and_o assurance_n that_o the_o revelation_n proceed_v from_o god_n as_o certain_o as_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v and_o this_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n do_v 1._o concern_v prophecy_n it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o oracle_n and_o lie_a divination_n with_o which_o the_o devil_n have_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n show_v that_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o by_o prophecy_n which_o make_v they_o so_o prone_a to_o receive_v false_a prophecy_n from_o their_o false_a go_n and_o this_o may_v teach_v we_o that_o true_a prophecy_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o true_a god_n many_o prophecy_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o none_o but_o god_n omniscient_a can_v be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o and_o these_o in_o their_o accomplishment_n must_v carry_v a_o indisputable_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n along_o with_o they_o such_o be_v the_o prediction_n of_o thing_n to_o be_v fulfil_v many_o age_n afterward_o which_o in_o the_o fulfil_n depend_v upon_o the_o counsel_n and_o determination_n of_o free_a agent_n and_o prediction_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o man_n which_o they_o can_v not_o be_v determine_v to_o but_o by_o their_o own_o choice_n it_o be_v above_o the_o capacity_n of_o humane_a understanding_n to_o conceive_v how_o it_o be_v possible_a that_o thing_n shall_v be_v foresee_v so_o long_o before_o either_o the_o action_n or_o the_o agent_n themselves_o have_v any_o existence_n or_o how_o contingency_n can_v be_v the_o object_n of_o infallible_a prescience_n and_o therefore_o for_o god_n to_o foretell_v thing_n of_o this_o nature_n by_o his_o prophet_n be_v a_o most_o proper_a and_o certain_a way_n of_o revelation_n because_o it_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o any_o finite_a be_v to_o do_v the_o like_a it_o be_v the_o prerogative_n of_o he_o that_o form_v the_o mountain_n and_o creat_v the_o wind_n to_o declare_v unto_o man_n what_o be_v his_o thought_n the_o lord_n the_o god_n of_o host_n be_v his_o name_n amos_n four_o 13._o for_o which_o reason_n the_o false_a god_n be_v challenge_v to_o foretell_v these_o thing_n show_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o
come_v hereafter_o that_o we_o may_v know_v that_o you_o be_v god_n isai_n xlii_o 23._o but_o because_o thing_n foretell_v may_v sometime_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n or_o it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o power_n of_o evil_a spirit_n to_o foretell_v they_o when_o they_o be_v in_o design_n and_o agitation_n and_o just_o ready_a for_o action_n or_o to_o discern_v thing_n do_v at_o distant_a place_n and_o to_o make_v probable_a guess_n which_o may_v prove_v true_a from_o the_o various_a circumstance_n of_o affair_n which_o they_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n we_o may_v therefore_o be_v assure_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n of_o goodness_n and_o truth_n that_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v false_a religion_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n under_o his_o own_o name_n by_o diabolical_a prediction_n without_o afford_v mean_n to_o discover_v they_o to_o be_v such_o when_o a_o prophet_n speak_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n if_o the_o thing_n follow_v not_o nor_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o be_v the_o thing_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v not_o speak_v but_o the_o prophet_n have_v speak_v it_o presumptuous_o thou_o shall_v not_o be_v afraid_a of_o he_o deut._n xviii_o 22._o this_o be_v the_o mark_n of_o distinction_n between_o a_o false_a and_o a_o true_a prophet_n that_o whatever_o the_o latter_a foretell_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v but_o whatever_o the_o first_o foretell_v in_o his_o name_n shall_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o imply_v that_o god_n will_v disappoint_v such_o prediction_n and_o not_o suffer_v they_o to_o come_v to_o pass_v otherwise_o the_o come_a to_o pass_v of_o thing_n foretell_v can_v be_v no_o certain_a mark_n of_o a_o true_a prophet_n because_o they_o may_v come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n the_o prophet_n which_o prophesi_v of_o peace_n when_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v come_v to_o pass_v then_o shall_v the_o prophet_n be_v know_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v true_o send_v he_o jer._n xxviii_o 9_o but_o if_o the_o prophecy_n be_v not_o pretend_v to_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o true_a god_n but_o be_v give_v out_o with_o a_o profess_a design_n to_o entice_v man_n to_o the_o worship_n of_o false_a god_n then_o god_n may_v suffer_v it_o to_o be_v fulfil_v to_o prove_v his_o people_n deut._n xiii_o 1_o 2_o 3._o for_o this_o be_v consistent_a with_o god_n truth_n and_o goodness_n especial_o after_o warn_v give_v and_o after_o so_o clear_a a_o revelation_n both_o by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n if_o any_o man_n in_o this_o case_n will_v be_v seduce_v by_o any_o wonder_n or_o prophecy_n to_o follow_v other_o god_n it_o must_v be_v great_a perverseness_n in_o he_o but_o when_o prophecy_n be_v deliver_v by_o many_o prophet_n in_o divers_a age_n and_o different_a place_n all_o teach_v the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o tend_v to_o the_o same_o end_n and_o design_n in_o their_o several_a revelation_n and_o that_o end_n be_v the_o discouragement_n of_o all_o wickedness_n and_o the_o maintenance_n of_o all_o virtue_n and_o true_a religion_n these_o prophecy_n have_v all_o that_o can_v be_v requisite_a to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o god_n by_o suffer_v they_o to_o pass_v so_o long_o in_o the_o world_n under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o with_o all_o the_o character_n of_o his_o authority_n upon_o they_o have_v give_v we_o all_o possible_a assurance_n that_o they_o be_v his_o and_o engage_v we_o in_o honour_n to_o his_o divine_a attribute_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o real_o be_v by_o his_o authority_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o prophecy_n be_v thus_o ground_v upon_o the_o divine_a attribute_n beside_o the_o direct_a evidence_n which_o they_o afford_v to_o whatever_o be_v deliver_v by_o they_o they_o add_v a_o undeniable_a confirmation_n to_o those_o miracle_n which_o have_v be_v foretell_v and_o be_v wrought_v at_o the_o time_n and_o in_o the_o manner_n and_o by_o the_o person_n foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o prophecy_n likewise_o receive_v as_o great_a a_o confirmation_n from_o such_o miracle_n for_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n which_o be_v single_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n of_o divine_a revelation_n do_v mutual_o support_v and_o confirm_v each_o other_o and_o hereby_o we_o have_v all_o the_o assurance_n that_o can_v be_v expect_v of_o any_o divine_a revelation_n and_o therefore_o as_o prophecy_n be_v in_o itself_o a_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a way_n of_o revelation_n so_o in_o conjunction_n with_o miracle_n it_o be_v the_o most_o certain_a way_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v 2._o the_o suitableness_n and_o efficacy_n of_o miracle_n to_o prove_v a_o divine_a revelation_n it_o be_v a_o extravagant_a thing_n to_o conceive_v that_o god_n shall_v exclude_v himself_o from_o the_o work_n of_o his_o own_o creation_n or_o that_o he_o shall_v establish_v they_o upon_o such_o inviolable_a law_n as_o not_o to_o alter_v they_o upon_o some_o occasion_n when_o he_o foresee_v it_o will_v be_v requisite_a to_o do_v it_o for_o unless_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n have_v be_v thus_o alterable_a it_o will_v have_v be_v defective_a in_o regard_n to_o one_o great_a end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v viz._n it_o will_v have_v fail_v of_o be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o providence_n upon_o such_o occasion_n the_o same_o infinite_a wisdom_n which_o contrive_v the_o law_n for_o the_o order_n and_o course_n of_o nature_n contrive_v they_o so_o as_o to_o make_v they_o alterable_a when_o it_o will_v be_v necessary_a for_o god_n by_o suspend_v the_o power_n or_o interrupt_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n to_o manifest_v his_o extraordinary_a will_n and_o power_n and_o by_o the_o same_o decree_n by_o which_o he_o at_o first_o establish_v they_o he_o subject_v they_o to_o such_o alteration_n as_o his_o wisdom_n foresee_v will_v be_v necessary_a we_o can_v as_o little_a doubt_n but_o that_o he_o who_o make_v the_o world_n have_v the_o sole_a power_n and_o authority_n over_o it_o and_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v in_o it_o but_o by_o his_o direction_n and_o influence_n or_o at_o least_o by_o his_o permission_n and_o that_o the_o frame_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n which_o he_o at_o first_o appoint_v can_v at_o no_o time_n be_v alter_v but_o for_o great_a end_n and_o purpose_n he_o be_v not_o give_v to_o change_v as_o man_n be_v and_o can_v never_o be_v disappoint_v in_o his_o eternal_a purpose_n and_o design_n but_o when_o any_o thing_n come_v to_o pass_v above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o contrary_a to_o it_o in_o confirmation_n of_o a_o revelation_n which_o for_o the_o importance_n and_o excellency_n of_o the_o subject_a of_o it_o and_o in_o all_o other_o respect_n be_v most_o worthy_a of_o god_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a that_o this_o be_v his_o do_v and_o there_o be_v still_o further_a evidence_n of_o it_o if_o this_o revelation_n be_v prophesy_v of_o before_o by_o prophet_n who_o foretell_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n as_o when_o man_n bear_v blind_a receive_v their_o sight_n when_o other_o be_v cure_v of_o the_o most_o desperate_a disease_n by_o a_o touch_n or_o at_o a_o distance_n when_o the_o dead_a be_v raise_v and_o the_o devil_n cast_v out_o these_o be_v evident_a sign_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o presence_n which_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o those_o by_o who_o such_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v and_o the_o divine_a commission_n and_o authority_n be_v produce_v for_o what_o they_o do_v and_o teach_v for_o what_o can_v be_v more_o satisfactory_a and_o convince_a to_o man_n or_o more_o worthy_a of_o god_n than_o to_o force_v the_o devil_n themselves_o to_o confess_v and_o proclaim_v his_o come_v to_o cause_v the_o most_o insensible_a thing_n in_o nature_n to_o declare_v his_o power_n by_o give_v way_n as_o it_o be_v and_o start_v back_o in_o great_a confusion_n and_o disorder_n at_o his_o more_o immediate_a and_o particular_a presence_n to_o inform_v man_n that_o the_o god_n of_o nature_n be_v there_o this_o give_v testimony_n to_o the_o thing_n reveal_v and_o challenge_v the_o belief_n of_o all_o man_n in_o a_o language_n more_o powerful_a than_o any_o humane_a voice_n whilst_o god_n show_v forth_o his_o glory_n and_o make_v know_v his_o will_n by_o exercise_v his_o sovereignty_n over_o nature_n in_o make_v the_o whole_a creation_n bow_n and_o tremble_v and_o obey_v all_o which_o be_v perform_v according_a to_o express_v prophecy_n concern_v christ_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o visible_a concurrence_n both_o of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o testimony_n of_o he_o and_o this_o dispensation_n of_o miracle_n be_v admirable_o fit_v to_o propagate_v that_o religion_n which_o concern_v the_o poor_a as_o well_o as_o the_o rich_a the_o unlearned_a as_o well_o as_o the_o learned_a miracle_n be_v suitable_a
apply_v his_o own_o song_n or_o poem_n exod._n xv_o deut._n xxxii_o if_o it_o be_v think_v that_o there_o be_v no_o write_n before_o the_o flood_n because_o there_o be_v no_o account_n of_o the_o invention_n of_o it_o though_o the_o inventor_n of_o other_o infeferior_a art_n be_v mention_v this_o rather_o prove_v the_o contrary_a and_o that_o it_o be_v coaeval_fw-fr with_o mankind_n or_o be_v the_o invention_n of_o adam_n it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o in_o so_o long_a a_o life_n he_o shall_v find_v out_o nothing_o for_o the_o use_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o posterity_n though_o no_o invention_n be_v attribute_v to_o he_o and_o write_v be_v so_o necessary_a that_o the_o world_n can_v very_o ill_o subsist_v without_o it_o for_o above_o fifteen_o hundred_o year_n the_o grecian_n and_o other_o nation_n have_v record_v the_o first_o inventor_n as_o they_o suppose_v of_o letter_n as_o those_o who_o best_o deserve_v a_o memorial_n in_o history_n and_o since_o there_o be_v no_o other_o mention_n among_o the_o ancient_a jewish_a writer_n but_o that_o they_o be_v before_o the_o flood_n some_o of_o they_o also_o ascribe_v they_o to_o adam_n this_o imply_v that_o they_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n and_o the_o time_n of_o their_o invention_n be_v no_o more_o know_v than_o that_o of_o plough_v and_o sow_v and_o other_o necessary_a art_n which_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n but_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o before_o the_o flood_n they_o have_v not_o the_o same_o conveniency_n for_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o thing_n past_a that_o we_o have_v have_v since_o yet_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n can_v never_o be_v impose_v upon_o the_o generality_n of_o man_n and_o if_o they_o have_v less_o mean_n of_o convey_v thing_n pass_v to_o posterity_n they_o have_v few_o thing_n to_o convey_v and_o all_o their_o history_n be_v concern_v the_o ancestor_n of_o their_o own_o family_n they_o be_v easy_o remember_v and_o however_o short_a and_o imperfect_a they_o can_v not_o be_v so_o defective_a as_o that_o man_n shall_v general_o be_v so_o gross_o ignorant_a as_o to_o swallow_v such_o imposture_n they_o have_v one_o day_n in_o seven_o purposely_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o praise_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o the_o commemoration_n of_o his_o mercy_n vouchsafe_v to_o mankind_n and_o they_o who_o have_v proverbial_a remembrance_n of_o nimrod_n the_o three_o from_o noah_n can_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o noah_n himself_o and_o of_o the_o flood_n in_o his_o time_n in_o so_o few_o generation_n of_o man_n as_o have_v past_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o long_a life_n of_o the_o patriarch_n it_o be_v impossible_a for_o moses_n to_o impose_v upon_o those_o of_o his_o own_o age_n in_o thing_n so_o memorable_a as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o flood_n and_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n etc._n etc._n but_o when_o so_o long_o after_o the_o flood_n the_o son_n of_o noah_n be_v disperse_v into_o so_o far_o distant_a place_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o their_o manner_n and_o custom_n be_v different_a and_o their_o life_n short_a it_o become_v necessary_a that_o a_o true_a and_o last_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n shall_v stand_v record_v in_o a_o book_n of_o infallible_a credit_n and_o authority_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o future_a age_n lest_o in_o process_n of_o time_n the_o remembrance_n of_o they_o shall_v become_v obscure_a and_o confuse_a and_o fabulous_a story_n shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o the_o world_n for_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o so_o great_a importance_n for_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a history_n as_o well_o as_o the_o philosophy_n and_o theology_n of_o the_o heathen_n contain_v many_o thing_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o first_o propagation_n mankind_n the_o flood_n and_o other_o particular_n which_o have_v so_o plain_a a_o agreement_n with_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n that_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v take_v out_o of_o it_o but_o they_o be_v obscure_v and_o disguise_v under_o other_o name_n and_o character_n to_o conceal_v from_o whence_o they_o be_v original_o take_v and_o to_o gain_v they_o the_o better_a acceptance_n among_o those_o for_o who_o use_n the_o book_n contain_v they_o be_v design_v by_o their_o author_n and_o when_o the_o remembrance_n of_o god_n deal_n with_o past_a age_n begin_v to_o fail_v and_o the_o way_n of_o humane_a conveyance_n be_v so_o uncertain_a it_o be_v requisite_a that_o some_o infallible_a account_n shall_v be_v give_v of_o god_n dispensation_n and_o his_o communication_n of_o himself_o in_o the_o first_o age_n which_o may_v be_v transmit_v down_o to_o posterity_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n chap._n ii_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o scripture_n the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n must_v be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v know_v and_o promulge_v in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o revelation_n which_o have_v be_v know_v to_o most_o nation_n and_o far_a divulge_v carry_v another_o evidence_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n for_o since_o it_o be_v necessary_a there_o shall_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n it_o be_v likewise_o necessary_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v sufficient_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v design_v and_o it_o be_v reveal_v not_o to_o be_v conceal_v or_o confine_v to_o a_o few_o person_n but_o to_o rectify_v the_o mistake_v and_o regulate_v the_o manner_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o that_o which_o have_v be_v most_o know_v and_o far_a propagate_v we_o have_v reason_n to_o think_v to_o be_v a_o true_a revelation_n if_o every_o thing_n else_o concur_v to_o prove_v it_o true_a the_o very_a promulgation_n of_o it_o be_v a_o considerable_a evidence_n in_o proof_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n because_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o god_n will_v either_o suffer_v his_o own_o revelation_n to_o be_v so_o stifle_v and_o surpress_v as_o to_o become_v of_o little_a or_o no_o use_n and_o benefit_n to_o the_o world_n or_o that_o he_o will_v permit_v false_a revelation_n to_o be_v more_o know_v and_o divulge_v either_o of_o which_o will_v very_o ill_o consist_v with_o the_o intention_n of_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n it_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o every_o man_n in_o particular_a and_o it_o can_v not_o be_v requisite_a that_o he_o shall_v afford_v a_o constant_a and_o stand_a revelation_n in_o all_o nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o if_o mankind_n be_v sufficient_o provide_v for_o in_o the_o necessary_n of_o salvation_n this_o be_v all_o which_o in_o reason_n can_v be_v expect_v from_o a_o just_a and_o good_a god_n to_o sinful_a and_o perverse_a man._n if_o man_n be_v put_v in_o the_o ready_a way_n of_o salvation_n and_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n allow_v they_o to_o attain_v it_o all_o beyond_o this_o be_v the_o mere_a arbitrary_a effect_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o good_a pleasure_n of_o god_n be_v more_o than_o we_o can_v promise_v ourselves_o from_o his_o justice_n or_o by_o reason_n foresee_v from_o his_o mercy_n itself_o and_o his_o wisdom_n so_o order_n and_o dispose_v the_o effect_n and_o emanation_n of_o his_o mercy_n as_o to_o render_v they_o consistent_a with_o his_o justice_n and_o honour_n as_o he_o be_v governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o in_o the_o first_o age_n revelation_n be_v frequent_a and_o general_o know_v among_o all_o mankind_n till_o by_o their_o own_o fault_n and_o neglect_n they_o be_v withheld_a from_o they_o it_o be_v the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n afterward_o to_o continue_v to_o those_o nation_n who_o have_v despise_v and_o reject_v he_o a_o opportunity_n of_o know_v his_o will_n reveal_v to_o other_o and_o this_o god_n be_v please_v to_o do_v by_o appoint_v a_o choose_a seed_n and_o select_v to_o himself_o a_o peculiar_a people_n to_o bear_v his_o name_n before_o the_o nation_n and_o by_o the_o various_a dispensation_n of_o his_o providence_n he_o so_o dispose_v of_o that_o people_n that_o all_o nation_n may_v be_v instruct_v in_o the_o thing_n reveal_v and_o deliver_v to_o they_o first_o then_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n be_v know_v to_o all_o mankind_n second_o that_o in_o succeed_a age_n there_o have_v still_o be_v sufficient_a mean_n and_o frequent_a opportunity_n for_o all_o nation_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o 1._o in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n be_v know_v to_o all_o mankind_n and_o here_o we_o must_v have_v
from_o they_o in_o africa_n beside_o the_o christian_n live_v in_o egypt_n and_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o congo_n and_o angola_n the_o island_n upon_o the_o western_a coast_n be_v inhabit_v by_o christian_n and_o the_o vast_a kingdom_n of_o habassia_n or_o abassinia_n suppose_v to_o be_v as_o big_a as_o germany_n france_n spain_n and_o italy_n take_v together_o according_a to_o mr._n brerewood_n computation_n be_v possess_v by_o christian_n and_o till_o less_o than_o two_o hundred_o year_n ago_o nubia_n a_o country_n of_o a_o great_a extent_n lie_v between_o the_o aequator_fw-la and_o the_o northern_a tropic_n continue_a as_o it_o be_v believe_v from_o the_o apostle_n time_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o asia_n he_o say_v most_o part_n of_o the_o empire_n of_o russia_n the_o country_n of_o circassia_n and_o mengrelia_n georgia_n and_o mount_n libanus_n be_v inhabit_v only_o by_o christian_n beside_o the_o dispersion_n of_o they_o into_o other_o part_n under_o the_o denomination_n of_o nestorian_n jacobite_n maronites_n and_o armenian_n the_o last_o of_o which_o be_v a_o people_n exceed_o addict_v to_o traffic_n 24._o traffic_n brerewood_n enquir_n c._n 24._o and_o have_v great_a privilege_n grant_v they_o by_o the_o turk_n and_o other_o mahometan_n they_o be_v find_v in_o multitude_n in_o most_o city_n of_o great_a trade_n and_o be_v more_o disperse_v than_o any_o other_o nation_n but_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o jacobite_n be_v report_v to_o be_v disperse_v into_o forty_o kingdom_n in_o the_o promontory_n extend_v itself_o into_o the_o indian_a sea_n be_v the_o christian_n of_o saint_n thomas_n so_o call_v because_o first_o convert_v by_o he_o who_o be_v believe_v to_o lie_v bury_v at_o maliapour_n and_o they_o have_v continue_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o his_o time_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o in_o mengrelia_n and_o other_o country_n the_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n be_v much_o corrupt_v and_o their_o practice_n very_o different_a from_o the_o profession_n of_o christian_n but_o however_o they_o retain_v the_o gospel_n among_o they_o and_o it_o be_v every_o man_n be_v own_o fault_n if_o he_o make_v not_o a_o good_a use_n of_o those_o mean_n of_o salvation_n which_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n have_v afford_v he_o of_o late_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o malayan_a tongue_n and_o grotius_n his_o excellent_a book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o arabic_a have_v be_v translate_v and_o print_v at_o the_o charge_n of_o the_o honourable_a mr._n boyle_n and_o the_o first_o disperse_v over_o all_o the_o east-indies_n where_o the_o malayan_a language_n be_v use_v and_o the_o latter_a into_o all_o the_o country_n where_o arabic_a be_v speak_v he_o also_o contribute_v to_o the_o impression_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v make_v by_o the_o turkish_a company_n in_o the_o language_n of_o the_o turk_n in_o america_n it_o be_v notorious_a that_o the_o christian_n be_v sufficient_o numerous_a and_o have_v sufficient_a opportunity_n to_o instruct_v the_o native_n if_o they_o be_v but_o as_o careful_a to_o improve_v they_o to_o so_o good_a a_o end_n rather_o than_o in_o pursuit_n of_o their_o own_o gain_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o before_o the_o flood_n revelation_n be_v so_o frequent_a and_o the_o life_n of_o man_n so_o long_o that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o creation_n and_o of_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o duty_n require_v towards_o he_o and_o in_o the_o first_o age_n after_o the_o flood_n god_n will_n reveal_v to_o noah_n and_o the_o precept_n give_v to_o he_o at_o his_o come_n out_o of_o the_o ark_n must_v be_v well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o survive_a world_n and_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o remembrance_n of_o they_o begin_v to_o decay_v and_o man_n to_o fall_v into_o idolatry_n abraham_n and_o the_o other_o patriarch_n be_v send_v into_o divers_a country_n to_o proclaim_v god_n commandment_n and_o to_o testify_v against_o the_o impiety_n of_o idolater_n wherever_o they_o come_v for_o to_o publish_v the_o reveal_v will_n of_o god_n and_o make_v it_o general_o know_v in_o the_o world_n god_n be_v please_v to_o choose_v to_o himself_o a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o to_o send_v they_o first_o out_o of_o mesopotamia_n into_o canaan_n and_o upon_o occasion_n back_o again_o into_o mesopotamia_n and_o then_o several_a time_n into_o egypt_n and_o from_o thence_o after_o they_o have_v dwell_v there_o some_o hundred_o of_o year_n into_o canaan_n again_o at_o what_o time_n he_o appoint_v they_o law_n admirable_o fit_v and_o contrive_v for_o the_o receive_n of_o stranger_n and_o proselyte_n after_o many_o signal_n victory_n and_o after_o other_o captivity_n they_o be_v carry_v away_o captive_a to_o babylon_n and_o be_v still_o deliver_v and_o restore_v by_o a_o wonderful_a and_o miraculous_a providence_n and_o have_v vast_a number_n of_o proselyte_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n and_o many_o footstep_n and_o remainder_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v find_v in_o the_o remote_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o when_o by_o the_o just_a judgement_n of_o god_n upon_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o sin_n in_o reject_v the_o messiah_n they_o be_v reject_v by_o he_o from_o be_v his_o people_n they_o be_v disperse_v throughout_o the_o world_n for_o a_o testimony_n to_o all_o nation_n that_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n deliver_v no_o other_o thing_n than_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v to_o they_o since_o they_o continue_v to_o maintain_v and_o assert_v those_o very_a book_n which_o plain_o foretell_v all_o that_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n that_o have_v befall_v they_o for_o their_o infidelity_n and_o disobedience_n they_o be_v a_o stand_a evidence_n in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n bear_v that_o curse_n which_o their_o forefather_n so_o many_o age_n ago_o imprecate_v upon_o themselves_o and_o their_o posterity_n when_o they_o cause_v christ_n to_o be_v crucify_v and_o the_o gospel_n have_v by_o its_o own_o power_n and_o evidence_n manifest_v itself_o to_o all_o people_n disperse_v over_o the_o face_n of_o the_o whole_a earth_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v that_o the_o mahometan_n own_v so_o much_o of_o the_o religion_n reveal_v both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n afford_v some_o kind_n of_o testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o those_o vast_a dominion_n of_o which_o they_o be_v possess_v all_o the_o most_o remarkable_a dispensation_n of_o providence_n in_o the_o several_a change_n in_o the_o world_n have_v have_v a_o particular_a influence_n in_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n cyrus_n alexander_n the_o great_a divers_a of_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o of_o latter_a time_n tamerlain_n and_o several_a other_o prince_n be_v great_a favourer_n of_o it_o and_o the_o worst_a of_o man_n and_o the_o most_o unlikely_a accident_n have_v contribute_v towards_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o if_o it_o be_v object_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o which_o have_v be_v say_v great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v unbeliever_n let_v it_o be_v consider_v 1._o that_o there_o be_v no_o nation_n but_o have_v great_a opportunity_n of_o be_v convert_v and_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o what_o have_v be_v produce_v concern_v the_o chinese_n and_o the_o american_n themselves_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v be_v preach_v among_o they_o though_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v lose_v through_o their_o own_o fault_n before_o the_o late_a discovery_n of_o those_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o as_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n so_o in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n that_o be_v at_o the_o most_o fit_a season_n he_o reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o several_a nation_n of_o it_o god_n who_o be_v infinite_o gracious_a to_o all_o and_o know_v the_o heart_n and_o disposition_n of_o all_o man_n may_v defer_v the_o restore_a his_o gospel_n to_o the_o chinese_n for_o instance_n till_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o see_v they_o best_o prepare_v for_o it_o and_o it_o be_v remarkable_a that_o the_o discovery_n of_o the_o indies_n happen_v about_o the_o time_n of_o the_o reformation_n that_o those_o poor_a people_n may_v have_v the_o purity_n as_o well_o as_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n if_o christian_n have_v be_v as_o little_o want_v to_o they_o in_o their_o charity_n as_o god_n have_v be_v in_o the_o disposal_n of_o his_o providence_n he_o stay_v till_o they_o have_v fill_v up_o the_o measure_n of_o their_o iniquity_n before_o he_o punish_v a_o people_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n of_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n he_o wait_v for_o the_o most_o proper_a season_n to_o impart_v his_o reveal_v will_v to_o they_o and_o to_o have_v it_o preach_v to_o they_o before_o will_v be_v only_o to_o increase_v their_o
be_v keep_v of_o every_o family_n make_v they_o have_v a_o more_o separate_a and_o distinct_a interest_n in_o every_o tribe_n and_o a_o more_o exact_a account_n of_o time_n and_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n in_o every_o family_n and_o therefore_o they_o be_v not_o so_o capable_a of_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n as_o the_o people_n of_o other_o nation_n may_v be_v where_o marriage_n and_o inheritance_n be_v promiscuous_a and_o no_o occasion_n be_v give_v for_o the_o like_a emulation_n and_o watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o and_o where_o no_o such_o remembrance_n and_o notice_n of_o the_o transaction_n of_o affair_n be_v to_o be_v consult_v by_o any_o one_o of_o every_o private_a family_n in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o sinai_n on_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o second_o month_n in_o the_o second_o year_n after_o they_o be_v come_v out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n moses_n and_o aaron_n assemble_v all_o the_o congregation_n together_o and_o they_o declare_v their_o pedigree_n after_o their_o family_n by_o the_o house_n of_o their_o father_n according_a to_o the_o number_n of_o their_o name_n from_o twenty_o year_n old_a and_o upward_a by_o their_o poll_n num._n i._n 1_o 18._o and_o this_o be_v do_v again_o in_o the_o plain_n of_o moab_n at_o the_o end_n of_o forty_o year_n chap._n xxvi_o and_o these_o genealogy_n we_o preserve_v not_o only_o during_o the_o captivity_n ezra_n seven_o and_o down_o to_o the_o reign_n of_o herod_n but_o even_o to_o the_o time_n of_o josephus_n who_o in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o apion_n say_v that_o they_o have_v the_o genealogy_n of_o their_o priest_n then_o still_o extant_a for_o two_o thousand_o year_n by_o which_o mean_v it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o every_o tribe_n have_v a_o kind_n of_o separate_a interest_n which_o be_v the_o occasion_n of_o korah_n sedition_n against_o moses_n and_o every_o man_n among_o their_o tribe_n may_v certain_o hereby_o know_v how_o many_o generation_n he_o be_v remove_v from_o those_o who_o first_o take_v possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o promise_n and_o may_v find_v the_o name_n of_o his_o ancestor_n register_v who_o be_v in_o the_o wilderness_n with_o moses_n or_o come_v with_o joshua_n over_o jordan_n and_o this_o must_v make_v the_o memory_n of_o their_o ancestor_n more_o dear_a and_o familiar_a to_o they_o and_o it_o must_v make_v they_o have_v a_o great_a regard_n for_o any_o thing_n they_o have_v leave_v behind_o they_o especial_o for_o a_o book_n upon_o which_o their_o right_n of_o inheritance_n and_o the_o title_n they_o have_v to_o all_o they_o enjoy_v depend_v this_o be_v the_o deed_n by_o which_o they_o hold_v their_o estate_n and_o the_o last_o will_n and_o testament_n as_o it_o be_v of_o their_o ancestor_n among_o who_o the_o land_n be_v divide_v but_o it_o be_v certain_a man_n be_v more_o careful_a of_o nothing_o than_o of_o the_o write_n by_o which_o they_o enjoy_v their_o estate_n and_o there_o be_v no_o great_a dauger_v when_o a_o will_n be_v once_o come_v to_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o right_a heir_n that_o it_o will_v be_v lose_v or_o salsify_v to_o his_o prejudice_n but_o if_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v alter_v it_o must_v be_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o some_o advantage_n to_o such_o as_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o make_v the_o alteration_n and_o consequent_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o other_o who_o therefore_o will_v have_v find_v themselves_o concern_v to_o oppose_v such_o alteration_n but_o as_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o deed_n of_o settlement_n to_o every_o tribe_n and_o family_n so_o they_o be_v a_o law_n too_o which_o all_o be_v oblige_v to_o know_v and_o observe_v under_o the_o severe_a penalty_n and_o be_v so_o general_o know_v and_o universal_o practise_v it_o can_v no_o more_o be_v falsify_v at_o any_o time_n since_o its_o first_o promulgation_n than_o it_o can_v be_v now_o at_o this_o day_n for_o 2._o another_o thing_n which_o make_v the_o people_n of_o israel_n less_o capable_a of_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o this_o matter_n be_v that_o they_o be_v by_o their_o law_n themselves_o oblige_v to_o the_o constant_a study_n of_o they_o they_o be_v to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n and_o to_o be_v continual_o discourse_v and_o meditate_v on_o they_o to_o bind_v they_o for_o a_o sign_n upon_o their_o hand_n that_o they_o may_v be_v as_o frontlet_n between_o their_o eye_n to_o teach_v they_o their_o child_n speak_v of_o they_o when_o they_o sit_v in_o their_o house_n and_o when_o they_o walk_v by_o the_o way_n when_o they_o lie_v down_o and_o when_o they_o rise_v up_o to_o write_v they_o upon_o the_o door-post_n of_o their_o house_n and_o upon_o their_o gate_n deut._n xi_o 18_o 19_o 20._o nothing_o be_v to_o be_v more_o notorious_a and_o familiar_a to_o they_o and_o according_o they_o be_v perfect_o acquaint_v with_o they_o and_o as_o josephus_n say_v know_v they_o as_o well_o as_o they_o do_v their_o own_o name_n they_o have_v they_o constant_o in_o their_o mouth_n and_o thousand_o have_v die_v in_o defence_n of_o they_o and_o can_v by_o no_o menace_n or_o torment_n be_v bring_v to_o forsake_v or_o renounce_v they_o and_o to_o this_o end_n one_o day_n in_o seven_o be_v by_o moses_n his_o law_n set_v apart_o for_o the_o learning_n and_o understand_v of_o it_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o tradition_n that_o moses_n appoint_v the_o law_n to_o be_v read_v therice_o every_o year_n in_o their_o public_a assembly_n and_o grotius_n 2._o grotius_n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la matth._n xv_o 2._o be_v of_o this_o opinion_n however_o the_o scripture_n inform_v we_o that_o moses_n of_o old_a time_n have_v in_o every_o city_n they_o that_o preach_v he_o be_v read_v in_o the_o synagogue_n every_o sabbath-day_n act._n xv_o 21._o it_o be_v indeed_o the_o common_a opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o synagogue_n before_o the_o captivity_n but_o then_o by_o synagogue_n must_v be_v understand_v place_n of_o judicature_n rather_o than_o of_o divine_a worship_n for_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o question_v but_o the_o jew_n have_v their_o proseuchas_fw-la or_o place_n of_o prayer_n from_o the_o beginning_n since_o it_o be_v incredible_a that_o those_o who_o live_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n and_o can_v not_o come_v to_o jerusalem_n on_o the_o sabbath-day_n and_o other_o time_n of_o divine_a worship_n beside_o the_o three_o great_a festival_n when_o all_o their_o male_n be_v bind_v to_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n shall_v not_o assemble_v for_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o place_n where_o they_o dwell_v nay_o they_o be_v by_o a_o express_a law_n oblige_v to_o it_o on_o the_o sabbath_n the_o seven_o day_n be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o rest_n a_o holy_a convocation_n you_o shall_v do_v no_o work_n therein_o it_o be_v the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o all_o your_o dwelling_n leu._n xxiii_o 3._o they_o must_v therefore_o have_v place_n in_o all_o their_o dwelling_n to_o resort_v to_o where_o they_o hold_v their_o convocation_n or_o assembly_n and_o these_o they_o go_v to_o on_o the_o new_a moon_n as_o well_o as_o on_o the_o sabbath_n 2_o king_n four_o 23._o which_o make_v the_o psalmist_n lament_v that_o the_o enemy_n have_v burn_v up_o all_o the_o synagogue_n of_o god_n in_o the_o land_n psal_n lxxiu_o 8._o and_o be_v meet_v together_o there_o be_v as_o little_a doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o that_o they_o read_v the_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v read_v by_o they_o in_o their_o family_n and_o much_o more_o in_o their_o public_a assembly_n on_o their_o solemn_a day_n of_o divine_a worship_n the_o book_n of_o moses_n therefore_o be_v ●ead_a in_o their_o synagogue_n in_o every_o city_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o ancient_a generation_n or_o from_o the_o first_o settlement_n of_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n in_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n and_o then_o at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n the_o law_n be_v read_v in_o the_o most_o public_a and_o solemn_a manner_n in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o year_n of_o release_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n moses_n write_v a_o book_n of_o the_o law_n and_o command_v it_o to_o be_v put_v in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark_n deut._n xxxi_o 29._o as_o the_o two_o table_n of_o stone_n be_v put_v into_o the_o ark_n itself_o chap._n x._o 5._o and_o this_o he_o deliver_v to_o the_o priest_n and_o to_o all_o the_o elder_n of_o israel_n and_o command_v they_o say_v at_o the_o end_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o year_n of_o release_n in_o the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n when_o all_o israel_n be_v come_v to_o appear_v before_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n in_o the_o place_n which_o he_o shall_v choose_v thou_o shall_v read_v this_o law_n before_o all_o israel_n in_o their_o
the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n he_o foretell_v the_o denial_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o martyrdom_n and_o both_o be_v foretell_v to_o st._n peter_n himself_o and_o his_o denial_n but_o a_o very_a little_a while_n before_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v when_o st._n peter_n look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n impossible_a who_o alone_o can_v have_v it_o in_o his_o power_n to_o hinder_v it_o he_o prophesy_v of_o the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o come_v to_o pass_v about_o forty_o year_n after_o his_o own_o death_n within_o the_o compass_n of_o that_o generation_n as_o he_o have_v foretell_v the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o temple_n and_o city_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o ground_n plough_v up_o so_o that_o one_o stone_n be_v not_o leave_v upon_o another_o of_o all_o the_o magnificent_a building_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o the_o disciple_n so_o much_o admire_v when_o our_o saviour_n tell_v they_o that_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o fate_n of_o that_o glorious_a pile_n matt._n xxii_o 2._o and_o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v upon_o another_o occasion_n when_o julian_n with_o a_o design_n 21._o design_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sozom._n lib._n 5._o c._n 21._o to_o defeat_v this_o prophecy_n endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o rebuilt_a both_o the_o work_n and_o the_o workman_n be_v miraculous_o destroy_v by_o a_o fire_n burst_v out_o of_o the_o ground_n the_o inhabitant_n fall_v by_o the_o edge_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o be_v lead_v away_o captive_a into_o all_o nation_n luke_n xxi_o 24._o the_o chief_a place_n of_o security_n be_v the_o mountainous_a part_n of_o judea_n which_o our_o saviour_n foresee_v when_o he_o advise_v his_o disciple_n to_o flee_v to_o the_o mountain_n matt._n xxiv_o 16._o and_o cestius_n gallus_n compass_v jerusalem_n with_o his_o army_n which_o be_v a_o warning_n to_o the_o christian_n to_o depart_v and_o then_o by_o raise_v the_o siege_n give_v they_o a_o opportunity_n to_o escape_v to_o pella_n in_o the_o mountain_n of_o perea_n exact_o according_a to_o luke_n xxi_o 20_o 21._o and_o what_o dion_n cassius_n relate_v in_o the_o reign_v of_o claudius_n nero_n vitellius_n and_o titus_n may_v serve_v as_o a_o comment_n upon_o our_o saviour_n prophecy_n for_o there_o be_v famine_n and_o pestilence_n fearful_a sight_n and_o great_a sign_n from_o heaven_n and_o great_a earthquake_n the_o sea_n and_o the_o wave_n roar_v xxi_o 11_o 25._o the_o sun_n be_v darken_v and_o the_o moon_n do_v not_o give_v her_o light_n matt._n xxiv_o 29._o man_n heart_n fail_v they_o for_o fear_n and_o for_o look_v after_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v come_v on_o the_o earth_n luke_n xxi_o 26._o and_o there_o be_v so_o terrible_a a_o eruption_n of_o vesuvius_n that_o the_o ash_n be_v carry_v by_o the_o wind_n into_o africa_n and_o into_o egypt_n and_o syria_n with_o so_o great_a smoke_n and_o darkness_n that_o it_o be_v think_v the_o world_n have_v be_v at_o a_o end_n our_o saviour_n miracle_n verify_v the_o prophecy_n which_o have_v be_v concern_v the_o messiah_n for_o the_o jew_n expect_v that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v manifest_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o they_o conclude_v from_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n and_o therefore_o st._n john_n baptist_n do_v no_o miracle_n that_o he_o may_v not_o be_v mistake_v for_o the_o messiah_n of_o who_o miracle_n be_v a_o principal_a token_n to_o know_v he_o by_o his_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o his_o enemy_n and_o extort_a a_o confession_n from_o the_o devil_n themselves_o of_o his_o divine_a power_n they_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o before_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o they_o and_o as_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v perform_v but_o by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n the_o miracle_n of_o the_o loaf_n and_o fish_n be_v twice_o do_v and_o the_o person_n who_o be_v witness_n to_o it_o be_v at_o one_o time_n five_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n matt._n fourteen_o 21._o and_o the_o other_o time_n four_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n matt._n xv_o 38._o a_o miracle_n wrought_v at_o two_o several_a time_n and_o obvious_a to_o all_o the_o sense_n of_o so_o many_o thousand_o man_n beside_o woman_n and_o child_n who_o be_v hungry_a find_v themselves_o fill_v and_o satisfy_v with_o this_o miraculous_a food_n in_o the_o barren_a wilderness_n where_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v supply_v by_o natural_a mean_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v mistake_v the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v so_o many_o and_o so_o public_a and_o undeniable_a that_o st._n peter_n appeal_v to_o the_o jew_n themselves_o declare_v that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v a_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n among_o they_o by_o miracle_n and_o wonder_n and_o sign_n which_o god_n do_v by_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o they_o themselves_o also_o know_v act_v two_o 22._o the_o nobleman_n son_n be_v cure_v at_o a_o distance_n and_o the_o multitude_n be_v witness_n to_o the_o request_n he_o make_v to_o our_o saviour_n and_o to_o our_o saviour_n answer_n upon_o it_o and_o the_o nobleman_n family_n be_v witness_n that_o the_o cure_n be_v effect_v at_o that_o very_a time_n he_o cast_v devil_n out_o of_o one_o know_v to_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n possess_v and_o then_o suffer_v they_o to_o go_v into_o the_o swine_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v indeed_o evil_a spirit_n which_o have_v possess_v the_o man_n contrary_a to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o sadducee_n who_o believe_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o spirit_n he_o cure_v the_o leprosy_n and_o send_v the_o cure_v to_o the_o priest_n as_o the_o law_n require_v that_o he_o by_o inspection_n may_v examine_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o perfect_a cure_n or_o no._n he_o give_v sight_n to_o one_o bear_v blind_a and_o this_o be_v upon_o examination_n attest_v to_o the_o pharisee_n themselves_o lazarus_n be_v raise_v to_o life_n again_o after_o he_o have_v be_v dead_a four_o day_n before_o so_o many_o witness_n that_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n be_v not_o able_a to_o contradict_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o be_v mighty_o enrage_v against_o he_o for_o it_o and_o consult_v to_o put_v lazarus_n to_o death_n because_o many_o be_v induce_v to_o believe_v on_o christ_n by_o reason_n of_o so_o great_a and_o manifest_a a_o miracle_n some_o who_o have_v be_v cure_v and_o other_o who_o have_v be_v raise_v from_o the_o dead_a by_o our_o saviour_n be_v live_v for_o many_o year_n after_o catalogue_n after_o enseb_n hist_o lib._n four_o c._n 13._o hieron_n catalogue_n as_o quadratus_n testify_v of_o his_o own_o time_n in_o his_o apology_n to_o adrian_n the_o emperor_n the_o circumstance_n of_o these_o and_o the_o rest_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n show_v that_o they_o be_v real_o perform_v and_o they_o be_v wrought_v with_o this_o intent_n and_o design_n to_o prove_v he_o to_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o nature_n therefore_o and_o end_v of_o they_o show_v that_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a power_n can_v have_v effect_v they_o for_o god_n will_v never_o have_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v wrought_v to_o vouch_v a_o imposture_n to_o the_o world_n under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n evangelio_n authority_n guil._n ader_n me_fw-it dici_fw-la enarrationes_fw-la de_fw-la a_o grotis_fw-la &_o morbis_fw-la in_o evangelio_n a_o ●earned_a physician_n have_v write_v a_o treatise_n to_o show_v that_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n and_o axiom_n of_o the_o best_a physician_n all_o the_o disease_n which_o our_o saviour_n cure_v be_v incurable_a by_o natural_a mean_n and_o it_o be_v evident_a to_o every_o man_n that_o many_o of_o they_o be_v so_o but_o i_o shall_v insist_v more_o particular_o upon_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n this_o be_v the_o most_o wonderful_a and_o a_o confirmation_n of_o all_o his_o other_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a gospel_n to_o we_o chap._n fourteen_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n the_o resurrection_n of_o our_o b._n saviour_n be_v prophesy_v of_o by_o david_n psal_n xuj_o 8._o act._n two_o 27._o and_o it_o be_v prefigure_v by_o the_o type_n of_o isaac_n deliverance_n when_o he_o have_v be_v offer_v up_o by_o abraham_n who_o both_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v able_a to_o raise_v he_o up_o even_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o receive_v he_o also_o from_o thence_o in_o a_o figure_n heb._n xi_o 19_o and_o it_o be_v also_o prefigure_v by_o the_o type_n of_o ionas_n his_o be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o whale_n belly_n matt._n twelve_o 40._o our_o saviour_n be_v three_o day_n and_o three_o night_n in_o the_o grave_a that_o be_v three_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o three_o natural_a day_n according_a
gift_n any_o one_o have_v receive_v he_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o and_o may_v not_o presume_v to_o pretend_v to_o another_o which_o he_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o the_o interpretation_n of_o tongue_n be_v so_o particular_o distinguish_v this_o must_v imply_v that_o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v have_v all_o the_o gift_n which_o other_o have_v but_o in_o part_n be_v guide_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o their_o word_n and_o expression_n since_o those_o who_o speak_v by_o the_o spirit_n be_v unable_a to_o interpret_v without_o a_o particular_a gift_n for_o no_o interpretation_n be_v sufficient_a but_o such_o as_o render_v the_o sense_n with_o infallible_a truth_n and_o exactness_n and_o if_o this_o exactness_n of_o word_n be_v requisite_a in_o their_o assembly_n it_o must_v be_v much_o rather_o necessary_a in_o the_o writing_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n among_o other_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v reckon_v the_o word_n of_o wisdom_n and_o the_o word_n of_o knowledge_n 1_o cor._n 12.8_o the_o former_a grotius_n understand_v of_o speak_v wise_a say_n and_o the_o latter_a of_o knowledge_n in_o history_n and_o to_o the_o rest_n be_v add_v the_o gift_n of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n v._o 10._o and_o as_o there_o be_v several_a gift_n so_o there_o be_v several_a office_n in_o the_o church_n ephes_n 4.11_o 12._o now_o the_o several_a gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v not_o all_o bestow_v ordinary_o upon_o the_o same_o person_n but_o such_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o that_o office_n and_o employment_n which_o he_o be_v to_o execute_v but_o as_o the_o apostolical_a power_n comprehend_v in_o it_o the_o power_n of_o every_o other_o office_n so_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o they_o shall_v possess_v the_o gift_n proper_a for_o the_o performance_n of_o whatever_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o and_o when_o god_n by_o his_o providence_n and_o disposal_n of_o thing_n give_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n occasion_n of_o write_v upon_o such_o and_o such_o subject_n and_o to_o such_o and_o such_o person_n or_o church_n he_o by_o his_o spirit_n inward_o excite_v and_o assist_v they_o in_o it_o bestow_v upon_o they_o the_o gift_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n and_o of_o writing_n and_o speak_v either_o in_o their_o own_o or_o any_o other_o language_n in_o which_o they_o be_v require_v to_o write_v or_o speak_v for_o we_o be_v not_o to_o suppose_v that_o any_o gift_n be_v bestow_v upon_o other_o and_o yet_o deny_v to_o they_o to_o who_o they_o be_v most_o useful_a and_o necessary_a in_o order_n to_o the_o deliver_n of_o that_o faith_n and_o doctrine_n which_o be_v to_o be_v the_o stand_a rule_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o salvation_n to_o all_o christian_n unto_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n when_o other_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o speak_v and_o interpret_n strange_a language_n it_o can_v be_v conceive_v that_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n shall_v be_v refuse_v that_o necessary_a assistance_n in_o the_o language_n in_o which_o they_o write_v that_o may_v preserve_v they_o from_o error_n and_o if_o any_o without_o the_o gift_n proper_a for_o it_o have_v undertake_v any_o office_n or_o ministration_n the_o gift_n of_o discern_v of_o spirit_n be_v a_o security_n to_o the_o church_n from_o any_o hurt_n that_o may_v ensue_v by_o the_o pretence_n of_o such_o undertaker_n we_o may_v be_v certain_a that_o all_o the_o gift_n which_o be_v bestow_v for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n be_v as_o far_o as_o they_o be_v needful_a vouchsafe_v more_o especial_o to_o all_o such_o as_o be_v to_o leave_v behind_o they_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n a_o account_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o term_n of_o the_o salvation_n to_o be_v obtain_v thereby_o and_o that_o no_o such_o guidance_n and_o direction_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v want_v as_o may_v preserve_v they_o from_o error_n in_o any_o particular_a for_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a but_o it_o will_v fall_v under_o some_o one_o of_o those_o gift_n which_o be_v bestow_v upon_o the_o first_o disciple_n they_o be_v not_o necessary_o to_o write_v in_o a_o exact_a and_o elegant_a style_n but_o in_o such_o as_o be_v secure_v from_o error_n in_o whatever_o they_o deliver_v to_o what_o purpose_n else_o have_v be_v so_o many_o several_a gift_n to_o keep_v they_o from_o gross_a error_n and_o fundamental_a mistake_n there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o need_n of_o such_o a_o variety_n of_o gift_n but_o when_o every_o sort_n of_o error_n which_o man_n be_v prone_a to_o have_v a_o remedy_n provide_v to_o prevent_v it_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o no_o error_n be_v suffer_v in_o those_o write_n which_o be_v the_o most_o important_a work_n of_o the_o apostolical_a function_n and_o design_v for_o the_o edify_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n not_o in_o one_o age_n and_o nation_n only_o but_o throughout_o all_o age_n and_o in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n ii_o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o make_v such_o inference_n as_o may_v afford_v a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o the_o objection_n allege_v upon_o this_o subject_n 1._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o exclude_v humane_a mean_n such_o as_o information_n in_o matter_n of_o fact_n either_o by_o their_o own_o sense_n or_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o or_o reason_v from_o their_o own_o notion_n and_o observation_n but_o the_o holy_a ghost_n guide_v they_o infallible_o in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o such_o mean_n 2._o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n or_o evangelist_n do_v not_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o their_o own_o word_n and_o style_n and_o as_o they_o may_v be_v permit_v the_o use_n of_o these_o so_o they_o may_v be_v permit_v or_o in_o some_o case_n direct_v to_o use_v the_o word_n of_o other_o many_o thing_n deliver_v in_o one_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v likewise_o deliver_v in_o another_o and_o some_o thing_n be_v repeat_v in_o the_o same_o word_n that_o god_n reveal_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o in_o the_o same_o express_a word_n at_o different_a time_n and_o by_o different_a person_n may_v make_v the_o revelation_n of_o they_o the_o more_o evident_a and_o remarkable_a for_o that_o in_o which_o several_a inspire_a person_n concur_v be_v the_o more_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o become_v the_o more_o observe_v as_o a_o thing_n of_o great_a weight_n and_o moment_n the_o reason_n why_o the_o dream_n be_v double_v unto_o pharaoh_n twice_o be_v because_o the_o thing_n be_v establish_v by_o god_n and_o god_n will_v short_o bring_v it_o to_o pass_v gen_n 41.32_o it_o be_v in_o this_o as_o it_o be_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n it_o be_v expedient_a that_o in_o matter_n of_o great_a concernment_n there_o shall_v be_v the_o more_o solemnity_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v the_o often_o repeat_v and_o the_o more_o insist_v upon_o and_o if_o they_o be_v express_v in_o the_o same_o word_n this_o imply_v that_o those_o word_n carry_v more_o than_o ordinary_a weight_n in_o they_o and_o therefore_o not_o only_o all_o the_o divine_a writer_n agree_v in_o the_o same_o purpose_n and_o design_n and_o testi●●ie_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o the_o chief_a point_n of_o religion_n but_o some_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v the_o same_o thing_n even_o in_o the_o same_o word_n with_o other_o as_o isai_n 2.2_o 3_o 4._o mic._n 4.1_o ●_o 3._o and_o several_a law_n and_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v repeat_v in_o word_n which_o be_v very_o near_o the_o same_o 3._o though_o some_o thing_n be_v set_v down_o in_o the_o scripture_n indefinite_o and_o without_o any_o positive_a assertion_n or_o determination_n this_o be_v no_o proof_n against_o their_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o the_o penman_n of_o those_o passage_n be_v uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a in_o the_o particular_n so_o express_v because_o the_o thing_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o speak_v precise_o of_o they_o as_o when_o st_n john_n say_v jo._n 21.8_o they_o be_v not_o far_o from_o land_n but_o as_o it_o be_v two_o hundred_o cubit_n it_o can_v from_o hence_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o evangelist_n be_v ignorant_a how_o far_o they_o be_v from_o land_n for_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o his_o design_n to_o be_v more_o particular_a in_o a_o circumstance_n of_o that_o nature_n but_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v about_o two_o hundred_o cubit_n off_o at_o sea_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o all_o writer_n to_o omit_v fraction_n and_o insert_v only_o whole_a number_n when_o it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o their_o purpose_n to_o insist_v upon_o every_o minute_n circumstance_n it_o
and_o contrivance_n in_o his_o establishment_n of_o the_o law_n of_o motion_n that_o matter_n and_o motion_n be_v with_o that_o wisdom_n set_v to_o work_v that_o they_o can_v perform_v all_o without_o any_o more_o than_o preserve_v and_o sustain_v they_o in_o their_o be_v and_o operation_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o best_a artist_n who_o can_v contrive_v a_o engine_n that_o shall_v need_v the_o least_o meddle_v with_o after_o it_o be_v make_v but_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v what_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o engine_n be_v and_o what_o the_o end_n and_o use_n of_o it_o be_v and_o if_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o be_v such_o that_o it_o can_v answer_v the_o end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v frame_v without_o sometime_o a_o assist_a hand_n it_o will_v be_v no_o point_n of_o wisdom_n in_o the_o artificer_n for_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o contrivance_n to_o lose_v the_o most_o useful_a end_n design_v by_o it_o as_o if_o among_o other_o use_n this_o curious_a engine_n be_v design_v to_o reward_v the_o good_a and_o punish_v bad_a man_n to_o remove_v the_o punishment_n upon_o amendment_n and_o to_o renew_v it_o upon_o a_o relapse_n since_o brute_n matter_n be_v uncapable_a of_o vary_v its_o motion_n and_o suit_v itself_o to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o change_n of_o free_a agent_n he_o must_v assist_v it_o unless_o he_o will_v lose_v the_o chief_a end_n for_o which_o it_o be_v to_o serve_v it_o be_v no_o defect_n in_o the_o skill_n and_o wisdom_n of_o the_o almighty_a that_o matter_n and_o motion_n have_v not_o free_a will_n as_o man_n have_v but_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a defect_n in_o his_o wisdom_n not_o to_o make_v they_o the_o instrument_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n because_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o of_o themselves_o to_o apply_v and_o suit_v themselves_o to_o the_o several_a state_n and_o condition_n of_o free_a agent_n the_o nature_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n be_v such_o that_o they_o can_v serve_v all_o the_o design_n of_o their_o creator_n without_o his_o interposition_n and_o therefore_o he_o constant_o do_v interpose_v according_a to_o a_o certain_a tenor_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o himself_o but_o this_o tenor_n and_o course_n be_v alter_v upon_o some_o important_a occasion_n in_o a_o natural_a and_o ordinary_a way_n he_o cure_v disease_n send_v rain_n or_o dry_a wether_n or_o else_o our_o prayer_n to_o he_o will_v be_v insignificant_a upon_o such_o occasion_n and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o his_o inflict_v these_o temporal_a reward_n and_o punishment_n he_o feed_v the_o hungry_a that_o cry_n to_o he_o and_o he_o punish_v the_o wicked_a when_o he_o see_v it_o fit_v by_o famine_n or_o drought_n or_o pestilence_n in_o the_o ordinary_a method_n of_o his_o providence_n but_o sometime_o he_o alter_v these_o ordinary_a method_n and_o act_n above_o they_o or_o contrary_n to_o they_o to_o signalise_v his_o mercy_n or_o his_o judgement_n and_o thus_o christ_n feed_v so_o many_o thousand_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o god_n rain_v down_o fire_n from_o heaven_n upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n by_o a_o particular_a and_o miraculous_a dispensation_n miracle_n be_v the_o particular_a appointment_n of_o god_n in_o peculiar_a case_n and_o occasion_n and_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n be_v his_o general_n and_o perpetual_a appointment_n at_o all_o other_o time_n god_n at_o no_o time_n leave_v nature_n to_o itself_o but_o ever_o concur_v with_o it_o by_o assist_v its_o power_n and_o direct_v its_o course_n he_o ordinary_o interpose_v in_o the_o constant_a course_n of_o thing_n according_a to_o establish_a law_n but_o miracle_n be_v his_o wonderful_a work_n when_o he_o interpose_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n and_o alter_v that_o method_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v to_o himself_o to_o observe_v in_o the_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n god_n do_v not_o in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n interpose_v to_o prevent_v the_o irregular_a or_o unusual_a production_n of_o nature_n as_o in_o mostrous_a birth_n etc._n etc._n for_o how_o irregular_a soever_o these_o may_v seem_v yet_o they_o be_v according_a to_o this_o stand_a rule_n that_o they_o shall_v be_v suffer_v to_o happen_v in_o certain_a case_n and_o they_o rare_o happen_v serve_v to_o illustrate_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o contrive_v nature_n so_o that_o in_o its_o general_a course_n all_o its_o operation_n shall_v be_v regular_a and_o uniform_a and_o from_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o god_n do_v not_o extraordinary_o interpose_v to_o alter_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n but_o for_o great_a end_n superior_a to_o those_o which_o concern_v only_o the_o material_a world_n we_o may_v well_o suppose_v that_o god_n have_v at_o much_o regard_n to_o his_o wisdom_n in_o his_o government_n of_o the_o moral_a as_o of_o the_o material_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o yet_o he_o have_v add_v supplemental_a law_n to_o enforce_v the_o moral_a law_n and_o these_o additional_a law_n have_v be_v change_v as_o the_o circumstance_n and_o condition_n of_o man_n require_v why_o then_o shall_v the_o law_n of_o the_o material_a world_n be_v so_o much_o more_o sacred_a as_o that_o he_o shall_v never_o intermeddle_v with_o they_o he_o assist_v moral_a agent_n with_o the_o continual_a supply_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o natural_a agent_n with_o that_o help_n which_o be_v needful_a for_o they_o to_o perform_v his_o will_n god_n may_v hasten_v and_o assist_v natural_a cause_n upon_o our_o prayer_n he_o may_v quicken_v the_o motion_n and_o enforce_v the_o power_n of_o nature_n and_o remove_v secret_a impediment_n to_o help_v and_o make_v way_n for_o natural_a operation_n or_o he_o may_v slacken_v or_o retard_v natural_a cause_n to_o say_v that_o god_n have_v so_o order_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o upon_o the_o foresight_n of_o man_n prayer_n to_o he_o to_o grant_v they_o what_o they_o pray_v for_o and_o upon_o the_o foresight_n that_o they_o will_v not_o pray_v to_o withhold_v from_o they_o what_o they_o want_v by_o mechanical_a law_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n satisfactory_a for_o there_o be_v neither_o proof_n nor_o possibility_n of_o proof_n of_o it_o it_o be_v mere_o a_o supposition_n without_o any_o ground_n of_o reason_n but_o only_o this_o that_o the_o mechanical_a notion_n can_v otherwise_o be_v maintain_v but_o i_o will_v suppose_v with_o much_o more_o reason_n that_o two_o man_n be_v sick_a of_o the_o same_o disease_n that_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o disease_n be_v all_o the_o same_o and_z all_o outward_a accident_n likewise_o the_o same_o till_o the_o prayer_n of_o one_o of_o they_o make_v a_o difference_n for_o one_o of_o these_o man_n upon_o his_o prayer_n recover_v the_o other_o neglect_v to_o pray_v die_n the_o natural_a cause_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o same_o except_v only_o so_o far_o as_o prayer_n move_v god_n in_o his_o mercy_n to_o make_v a_o difference_n in_o their_o case_n to_o say_v that_o this_o never_o happen_v be_v whole_o precarious_a and_o hard_o to_o believe_v since_o it_o probable_o may_v often_o happen_v in_o epidemical_a distemper_n but_o it_o be_v much_o hard_a to_o believe_v that_o it_o can_v never_o happen_v and_o if_o this_o either_o have_v or_o can_v happen_v it_o be_v not_o upon_o foresight_n of_o their_o prayer_n by_o the_o contrivance_n of_o mechanical_a law_n in_o their_o first_o establishment_n but_o by_o a_o immediate_a act_n that_o god_n assist_v man_n upon_o their_o prayer_n to_o he_o the_o strange_a providential_a deliverance_n of_o some_o certain_a person_n be_v observable_a in_o every_o age_n and_o all_o history_n mention_v they_o but_o how_o shall_v particular_a man_n amid_o the_o great_a danger_n be_v preserve_v in_o the_o common_a calamity_n of_o the_o sword_n and_o famine_n and_o pestilence_n but_o by_o a_o particular_a interpose_v providence_n be_v these_o man_n who_o have_v be_v so_o remarkable_o preserve_v all_o of_o one_o constitution_n or_o do_v soldier_n slay_v mechanical_o though_o the_o plague_n and_o famine_n shall_v be_v suppose_v to_o do_v so_o i_o wonder_v it_o shall_v be_v think_v less_o agreeable_a to_o philosophy_n for_o god_n to_o interpose_v in_o direct_v natural_a cause_n than_o in_o overrule_a moral_a agent_n where_o the_o design_n of_o the_o providence_n equal_o require_v it_o the_o same_o providence_n deliver_v both_o from_o the_o snare_n of_o the_o hunter_n and_o from_o the_o noisome_a pestilence_n a_o thousand_o shall_v fall_v beside_o thou_o and_o ten_o thousand_o at_o thy_o right_a hand_n but_o it_o shall_v not_o come_v nigh_o thou_o psal_n xci_o 3.7_o 4._o the_o mechanical_a philosophy_n proceed_v upon_o a_o wrong_a notion_n of_o god_n suppose_v it_o unworthy_a of_o he_o to_o be_v concern_v immediate_o in_o every_o thing_n which_o be_v do_v we_o may_v as_o well_o imagine_v it_o below_o he_o to_o know_v every_o thing_n as_o to_o suppose_v it_o unworthy_a of_o he_o
to_o concern_v himself_o in_o it_o and_o yet_o he_o can_v but_o know_v every_o thing_n be_v omniscient_a and_o he_o can_v but_o concur_v in_o every_o operation_n of_o natural_a cause_n be_v omnipresent_v and_o wherever_o he_o be_v he_o acts._n it_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o eye_n to_o see_v all_o that_o be_v within_o view_n how_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a soever_o it_o be_v nay_o the_o small_a the_o object_n discern_v be_v the_o more_o perfect_a it_o prove_v the_o sight_n to_o be_v and_o if_o a_o man_n can_v do_v every_o little_a thing_n at_o the_o same_o time_n that_o he_o do_v thing_n of_o importance_n and_o with_o no_o trouble_n to_o himself_o it_o will_v be_v sure_o more_o perfection_n in_o he_o than_o to_o do_v these_o only_a but_o a_o variety_n of_o business_n be_v troublesome_a to_o man_n and_o small_a affair_n hinder_v and_o call_v they_o off_o from_o those_o of_o moment_n though_o with_o god_n it_o be_v quite_o otherwise_o he_o act_v with_o the_o same_o ease_n wherewith_o he_o see_v or_o know_v or_o exist_v he_o know_v all_o thing_n with_o one_o omniscient_a thought_n and_o he_o do_v all_o thing_n by_o one_o omnipotent_a act_n nothing_o can_v be_v in_o the_o least_o difficult_a to_o he_o and_o nothing_o can_v be_v do_v without_o he_o in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v act._n xvii_o 28._o and_o what_o the_o scripture_n deliver_v relate_v to_o the_o creation_n and_o preservation_n of_o the_o world_n may_v in_o strictness_n of_o philosophy_n be_v take_v in_o a_o proper_a and_o literal_a sense_n but_o do_v man_n indeed_o consider_v what_o it_o be_v to_o make_v and_o preserve_v a_o world_n when_o they_o pretend_v to_o show_v by_o what_o step_v god_n proceed_v in_o it_o and_o to_o explain_v the_o whole_a process_n as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o operation_n be_v there_o not_o infinite_a wisdom_n require_v to_o know_v what_o infinite_a power_n only_o can_v effect_v and_o after_o all_o it_o be_v very_o probable_a both_o from_o scripture_n and_o from_o reason_n that_o the_o invisible_a and_o immaterial_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n have_v a_o great_a share_n in_o the_o guidance_n and_o conduct_n of_o the_o visible_a and_o material_a part_n of_o it_o than_o be_v common_o suppose_v for_o since_o the_o wonderful_a improvement_n of_o experimental_a philosophy_n and_o the_o various_a hypothesis_n which_o have_v be_v raise_v upon_o it_o man_n have_v be_v apt_a to_o look_v upon_o natural_a philosophy_n not_o only_o as_o a_o distinct_a science_n but_o as_o whole_o separate_v from_o the_o rest_n as_o if_o there_o be_v no_o subordination_n and_o dependence_n between_o the_o visible_a and_o invisible_a world_n whereas_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o continue_a connexion_n and_o chain_n of_o cause_n in_o the_o operation_n and_o production_n of_o thing_n and_o a_o constant_a influence_n and_o intercourse_n between_o the_o superior_a and_o inferior_a create_a being_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n use_v the_o ministry_n of_o angel_n in_o the_o government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o how_o far_o and_o to_o what_o particular_a purpose_n and_o upon_o what_o occasion_n no_o man_n be_v able_a to_o determine_v however_o those_o who_o have_v be_v the_o most_o curious_a inquirer_n into_o nature_n daily_o meet_v with_o so_o many_o new_a and_o strange_a discovery_n that_o they_o have_v be_v force_v to_o complain_v that_o the_o contriver_n of_o hypothesis_n have_v be_v too_o hasty_a in_o frame_v they_o without_o a_o sufficient_a number_n of_o experiment_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o if_o man_n will_v first_o content_v themselves_o to_o make_v experiment_n in_o order_n to_o give_v a_o true_a history_n of_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n before_o they_o attempt_v to_o solve_v they_o upon_o their_o own_o principle_n the_o world_n will_v have_v a_o end_n before_o any_o complete_a system_n can_v be_v contrive_v to_o give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o they_o i_o will_v conclude_v this_o chapter_n in_o the_o word_n with_o which_o m._n huygens_n conclude_v his_o conjecture_n concern_v the_o planetary_a world_n for_o my_o part_n say_v he_o i_o shall_v be_v very_o well_o content_v and_o shall_v count_v i_o have_v do_v a_o great_a matter_n if_o i_o can_v but_o come_v to_o any_o knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n as_o they_o now_o be_v never_o trouble_v my_o head_n about_o their_o beginning_n or_o how_o they_o be_v make_v know_v that_o to_o be_v out_o of_o the_o reach_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n or_o even_o conjecture_n chap._n x._o of_o other_o habitable_a world_n beside_o this_o earth_n those_o who_o think_v that_o there_o must_v be_v other_o world_n be_v inhabit_v beside_o this_o earth_n where_o we_o dwell_v or_o that_o else_o the_o planet_n will_v be_v useless_a and_o the_o star_n which_o be_v like_o so_o many_o sun_n will_v shine_v to_o little_a purpose_n do_v not_o consider_v that_o i._o it_o be_v as_o easy_a for_o omnipotence_n to_o make_v a_o planet_n or_o star_n as_o it_o be_v to_o make_v the_o least_o thing_n in_o nature_n ii_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n almighty_n in_o manifest_v his_o power_n and_o wisdom_n by_o make_v and_o preserve_v such_o vast_a body_n in_o their_o several_a orb_n and_o motion_n may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o their_o creation_n though_o his_o wisdom_n shall_v see_v it_o fit_v not_o to_o have_v they_o inhabit_v for_o though_o every_o thing_n be_v equal_o easy_a for_o god_n to_o perform_v yet_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o admire_v the_o work_n of_o this_o kind_n most_o they_o employ_v the_o wit_n of_o many_o man_n in_o all_o age_n to_o consider_v their_o end_n and_o nature_n and_o to_o calculate_v their_o distance_n and_o motion_n who_o curiosity_n may_v otherwise_o be_v very_o ill_o employ_v there_o be_v some_o genius_n design_v as_o it_o be_v for_o these_o study_n and_o they_o will_v want_v matter_n to_o work_v upon_o without_o such_o object_n iii_o as_o the_o satellite_n of_o jupiter_n and_o saturn_n and_o many_o of_o the_o fix_a stats_n be_v not_o discover_v till_o the_o invention_n of_o telescope_n so_o there_o be_v admirable_a mark_n of_o wisdom_n in_o many_o other_o part_n of_o nature_n which_o be_v never_o know_v till_o of_o late_a and_o never_o can_v have_v be_v discover_v but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o mycroscope_n but_o man_n be_v not_o the_o only_a creature_n which_o be_v capable_a of_o praise_v and_o magnify_v god_n for_o his_o wonderful_a work_n angel_n who_o know_v they_o more_o perfect_o do_v it_o much_o more_o and_o they_o have_v need_n of_o no_o artificial_a instrument_n to_o make_v discovery_n of_o the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o power_n iv_o the_o star_n may_v be_v of_o great_a benefit_n and_o usefulness_n in_o the_o world_n though_o they_o neither_o have_v that_o influence_n which_o astrologer_n vain_o suppose_v nor_o be_v as_o sun_n to_o other_o earth_n for_o they_o serve_v to_o keep_v the_o circumjacent_a air_n or_o aether_n in_o motion_n which_o otherwise_o will_v congeal_v or_o stagnate_n and_o to_o maintain_v that_o perpetual_a circulation_n or_o fluid_a matter_n which_o pass_v from_o orb_n to_o orb_n through_o the_o universe_n and_o give_v life_n to_o all_o thing_n v._o though_o this_o earth_n be_v but_o small_a in_o comparison_n of_o the_o ambient_fw-la heaven_n yet_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o it_o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o time_n have_v be_v exceed_o numerous_a and_o may_v be_v still_o vast_o more_o numerous_a before_o the_o end_n of_o it_o and_o we_o must_v consider_v the_o earth_n not_o as_o it_o be_v at_o one_o particular_a time_n but_o as_o it_o be_v the_o seat_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o habitation_n of_o all_o generation_n for_o all_o succession_n of_o age_n and_o under_o this_o notion_n the_o earth_n be_v no_o such_o contemptible_a place_n though_o it_o be_v very_o small_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o heaven_n that_o surround_v it_o nor_o be_v it_o strange_a that_o the_o material_a world_n how_o capacious_a soever_o it_o be_v shall_v be_v make_v for_o mankind_n to_o who_o the_o angel_n be_v minister_a spirit_n and_o for_o who_o the_o son_n of_o god_n himself_o be_v please_v to_o die_v vi_o there_o be_v few_o or_o none_o of_o the_o planet_n but_o what_o by_o reason_n of_o their_o too_o near_a or_o too_o remote_a distance_n from_o the_o sun_n seem_v incapable_a of_o be_v inhabit_v m._n huygens_n in_o his_o conjecture_n concern_v the_o planetary_a world_n say_v that_o this_o 1._o this_o lib._n 1._o water_n of_o our_o earth_n will_v in_o saturn_n and_o jupiter_n be_v freeze_v up_o immediate_o and_o in_o venus_n and_o mercury_n it_o will_v be_v evaporate_v and_o he_o conclude_v that_o every_o planet_n must_v have_v its_o water_n of_o such_o a_o temper_n as_o to_o be_v proportion_v to_o its_o heat_n jupiter_n and_o saturn_n must_v
to_o consider_v then_o that_o the_o manifestation_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o flesh_n do_v more_o powerful_o and_o effectual_o take_v away_o sin_n than_o any_o other_o way_n or_o mean_n of_o salvation_n can_v have_v do_v i._o the_o doctrine_n and_o preach_v of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v more_o power_n and_o authority_n with_o it_o than_o the_o preach_a and_o doctrine_n of_o a_o man_n or_o angel_n can_v have_v have_v god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v unto_o the_o father_n by_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o these_o last_o day_n speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n who_o he_o have_v appoint_v heir_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o who_o also_o he_o make_v the_o world_n hebr._n i._n 1_o 2._o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v the_o more_o earnest_a heed_n to_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o have_v hear_v lest_o at_o any_o time_n we_o shall_v let_v they_o slip_v for_o if_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o angel_n be_v steadfast_a and_o every_o transgression_n and_o disobedience_n receive_v a_o just_a recompense_n of_o reward_n how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o heb._n two_o 1_o 2_o 3._o this_o be_v the_o last_o message_n which_o god_n have_v resolve_v to_o send_v to_o mankind_n a_o person_n of_o the_o great_a dignity_n and_o authority_n be_v to_o bring_v it_o but_o last_o of_o all_o he_o send_v unto_o they_o his_o son_n say_v they_o will_v reverence_v my_o son_n matt._n xxi_o 37._o it_o be_v the_o last_o expedient_a and_o the_o very_a utmost_a that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o reduce_v sinner_n to_o obedience_n and_o if_o this_o will_v have_v no_o effect_n upon_o they_o they_o must_v be_v lest_o without_o all_o excuse_n this_o be_v the_o heavy_a aggravation_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o which_o render_v man_n utter_o inexcusable_a he_o be_v in_o the_o world_n and_o the_o world_n be_v make_v by_o he_o and_o the_o world_n know_v he_o not_o he_o come_v unto_o his_o own_o and_o his_o own_o receive_v he_o not_o joh._n i._n 10_o 11._o if_o the_o only_o beget_v son_n of_o god_n have_v not_o come_v and_o manifest_v himself_o in_o so_o wonderful_a a_o manner_n to_o the_o world_n something_o of_o a_o plea_n may_v have_v be_v pretend_v but_o to_o reject_v the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v a_o evident_a despite_n do_v to_o the_o father_n and_o even_o hate_v of_o the_o father_n who_o have_v send_v he_o as_o our_o saviour_n declare_v joh._n xv_o 22_o 23_o 24._o and_o the_o blaspheme_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o those_o who_o vilify_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o ascribe_v they_o to_o beelzebub_n be_v therefore_o without_o forgiveness_n because_o it_o be_v a_o reject_v of_o christ_n not_o as_o the_o son_n of_o man_n but_o as_o god_n bless_v foreve_a and_o a_o despise_n and_o vilify_a that_n which_o be_v the_o last_o mean_n that_o can_v be_v use_v to_o reclaim_v the_o world_n and_o that_o mean_v whereby_o he_o manifest_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o reject_v christ_n be_v to_o reject_v the_o whole_a trinity_n which_o be_v joint_o concern_v in_o this_o wonderful_a dispensation_n the_o dignity_n of_o christ_n person_n add_v all_o the_o force_n and_o efficacy_n to_o his_o doctrine_n that_o be_v possible_a and_o therefore_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v become_v incarnate_a god_n have_v before_o speak_v from_o heaven_n but_o that_o be_v too_o terrible_a and_o full_a of_o majesty_n to_o be_v bear_v by_o mortal_n and_o they_o that_o hear_v the_o voice_n entreat_v that_o the_o word_n shall_v not_o be_v speak_v to_o they_o any_o more_o for_o they_o can_v not_o endure_v that_o which_o be_v command_v and_o so_o terrible_a be_v the_o sight_n that_o moses_n say_v i_o exceed_o fear_v and_o quake_v heb._n twelve_o 19_o 20_o 21._o but_o now_o god_n be_v please_v to_o converse_v with_o man_n in_o a_o more_o familiar_a and_o humble_a manner_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n come_v to_o live_v among_o man_n with_o all_o the_o gentleness_n and_o meekness_n of_o the_o humane_a nature_n and_o all_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o divine_a for_o in_o he_o dwell_v all_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o godhead_n bodily_a colos_n two_o 9_o the_o godhead_n dwell_v here_o in_o he_o under_o our_o humane_a nature_n lay_v aside_o that_o awful_a majesty_n which_o no_o man_n can_v approach_v unto_o ii_o we_o have_v a_o great_a example_n of_o all_o perfection_n and_o holiness_n set_v before_o we_o by_o the_o son_n of_o god_n incarnate_a than_o we_o can_v otherwise_o have_v have_v it_o have_v be_v the_o general_a complaint_n make_v of_o other_o teacher_n and_o lawgiver_n that_o they_o seldom_o observe_v their_o own_o rule_n or_o live_v themselves_o according_a to_o what_o they_o require_v of_o other_o but_o our_o saviour_n have_v give_v we_o a_o example_n if_o it_o be_v possible_a even_o beyond_o his_o own_o doctrine_n for_o though_o he_o be_v no_o rigorous_a lawgiver_n but_o a_o most_o indulgent_a and_o gracious_a master_n to_o we_o yet_o he_o be_v please_v to_o excuse_v himself_o from_o no_o duty_n or_o instance_n of_o obedience_n but_o fulfil_v both_o the_o moral_a and_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o mean_a nor_o so_o difficult_a and_o painful_a but_o he_o perform_v it_o to_o set_v we_o a_o absolute_a pattern_n of_o obedience_n to_o the_o whole_a duty_n of_o man_n in_o all_o that_o ever_o god_n require_v of_o mankind_n it_o become_v he_o to_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n this_o be_v the_o end_n and_o intention_n of_o his_o come_n into_o the_o world_n and_o he_o fulfil_v it_o in_o the_o most_o absolute_a and_o perfect_a manner_n in_o all_o particular_n and_o to_o give_v such_o a_o example_n be_v of_o unspeakable_a use_n and_o benefit_n for_o man_n be_v more_o easy_o lead_v by_o example_n than_o by_o precept_n and_o it_o be_v common_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v example_n for_o the_o most_o part_n which_o govern_v the_o world_n man_n will_v follow_v the_o vice_n of_o those_o who_o virtue_n they_o never_o imitate_v and_o the_o fault_n of_o wise_a and_o great_a man_n have_v too_o sure_a and_o too_o fatal_a a_o effect_n upon_o such_o as_o their_o excellency_n never_o reach_v it_o be_v necessary_a that_o a_o example_n of_o absolute_a perfection_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o the_o world_n and_o this_o example_n must_v be_v give_v by_o one_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o ourselves_o or_o else_o it_o may_v have_v be_v a_o example_n for_o angel_n and_o spirit_n but_o not_o for_o man_n and_o therefore_o such_o a_o example_n the_o son_n of_o god_n incarnate_a only_o can_v give_v because_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o create_v be_v under_o all_o the_o infirmity_n and_o temptation_n incident_a to_o humane_a nature_n to_o live_v up_o to_o such_o a_o divine_a height_n and_o excellency_n of_o all_o perfection_n as_o our_o saviour_n do_v and_o to_o leave_v such_o a_o example_n to_o the_o world_n he_o come_v not_o to_o teach_v we_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n how_o to_o get_v riches_n and_o honour_n in_o this_o mankind_n be_v well_o enough_o instruct_v before_o and_o it_o can_v not_o but_o be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o be_v bear_v into_o the_o world_n with_o a_o design_n to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n and_o the_o profit_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o it_o this_o be_v beneath_o the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n and_o the_o insinite_a perfection_n and_o essential_a bliss_n and_o happiness_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o to_o manifest_v himself_o to_o show_v the_o mean_a and_o worthless_a vanity_n of_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o man_n be_v so_o fond_a to_o give_v a_o example_n of_o contentment_n in_o a_o low_a condition_n of_o victory_n under_o temptation_n and_o of_o patience_n and_o meekness_n under_o the_o severe_a affliction_n and_o torment_n to_o discover_v to_o man_n the_o way_n to_o happiness_n in_o the_o worst_a circumstance_n of_o this_o world_n to_o teach_v those_o who_o enjoy_v this_o world_n good_n not_o to_o be_v proud_a of_o they_o nor_o despise_v other_o and_o those_o who_o want_v they_o to_o be_v content_v and_o happy_a without_o they_o to_o lead_v man_n in_o the_o way_n to_o happiness_n through_o all_o condition_n through_o all_o the_o misery_n and_o calamity_n which_o must_v befall_v many_o of_o we_o in_o this_o mortal_a state_n this_o be_v a_o glorious_a and_o godlike_a design_n it_o be_v such_o as_o none_o but_o the_o son_n of_o god_n can_v perform_v and_o such_o as_o we_o may_v in_o reason_n believe_v he_o will_v undertake_v and_o for_o which_o he_o may_v vouchsafe_v to_o live_v a_o humane_a life_n upon_o earth_n iii_o the_o
to_o make_v know_v his_o name_n and_o truth_n among_o the_o gentile_n in_o the_o time_n of_o moses_n this_o people_n itself_o be_v uncapable_a of_o that_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a worship_n which_o the_o messiah_n be_v to_o appoint_v and_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o a_o ceremonial_a law_n and_o service_n to_o restrain_v they_o from_o idolatry_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o sense_n and_o remembrance_n of_o the_o promise_n and_o law_n deliver_v to_o adam_n and_o noah_n and_o this_o ritual_a service_n be_v unworthy_a that_o the_o messiah_n shall_v come_v purposely_o to_o appoint_v it_o who_o be_v indeed_o himself_o the_o principal_a thing_n signify_v and_o typify_v by_o it_o and_o the_o type_n and_o figure_n of_o himself_o can_v not_o be_v institute_v by_o himself_o in_o person_n for_o than_o they_o will_v have_v be_v insignificant_a and_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o use_n or_o occasion_n for_o they_o but_o the_o most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a institution_n be_v reserve_v for_o his_o appointment_n to_o which_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v but_o preparatory_a the_o law_n be_v add_v because_o of_o transgression_n till_o the_o seed_n shall_v come_v to_o who_o the_o promise_n be_v make_v gal._n iii._o 19_o after_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n will_n and_o commandment_n have_v through_o the_o great_a neglect_n and_o wickedness_n of_o mankind_n become_v ineffectual_a god_n send_v all_o his_o servant_n the_o prophet_n daily_o rise_v up_o early_o and_o send_v they_o a_o expression_n set_v forth_o his_o great_a care_n and_o watchfulness_n over_o his_o people_n for_o their_o good_a yet_o they_o hearken_v not_o unto_o he_o nor_o incline_v their_o ear_n but_o harden_v their_o neck_n jer._n seven_o 25_o 26._o to_o cure_v this_o strange_a stubbornness_n and_o their_o proneness_n to_o idolatry_n god_n send_v this_o people_n into_o captivity_n for_o seventy_o year_n which_o wrought_v so_o through_o a_o reformation_n in_o they_o that_o they_o be_v never_o afterward_o give_v to_o idolatry_n but_o endure_v all_o extremity_n of_o torment_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v be_v bring_v to_o any_o compliance_n with_o the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o therefore_o there_o can_v be_v no_o long_o such_o necessity_n that_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n shall_v be_v continue_v to_o they_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o the_o worship_n of_o idol_n but_o in_o other_o respect_v their_o provocation_n be_v still_o very_o great_a and_o as_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o parable_n first_o send_v his_o servant_n and_o last_o of_o all_o his_o son_n say_v they_o will_v reverence_v my_o son_n and_o thereby_o leave_v those_o wicked_a man_n without_o excuse_n and_o manifest_v the_o justice_n of_o his_o vengeance_n upon_o the_o murderer_n of_o his_o own_o son_n so_o god_n first_o send_v his_o prophet_n and_o when_o the_o jew_n who_o have_v be_v train_v in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o he_o and_o be_v to_o convey_v it_o to_o other_o nation_n will_v not_o be_v reclaim_v by_o they_o but_o revile_v and_o destroy_v they_o and_o then_o set_v up_o their_o own_o tradition_n in_o opposition_n to_o their_o doctrine_n he_o send_v his_o belove_a son_n before_o he_o will_v utter_o take_v away_o their_o city_n and_o nation_n and_o effect_v that_o by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n who_o they_o crucify_a which_o the_o experience_n of_o so_o many_o age_n have_v show_v can_v be_v effect_v no_o other_o way_n god_n reveal_v himself_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n and_o in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n proportion_v the_o way_n and_o measure_n of_o his_o revelation_n to_o the_o capacity_n and_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o several_a age_n in_o which_o they_o be_v make_v till_o at_o last_o he_o have_v speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n heb._n i_o 1_o 2._o when_o we_o be_v child_n we_o be_v in_o bondage_n under_o the_o element_n of_o the_o world_n but_o when_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o time_n be_v come_v god_n send_v forth_o his_o son_n make_v of_o a_o woman_n make_v under_o the_o law_n gal._n four_o 3_o 4._o 2._o the_o reception_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o gospel_n in_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o difficult_a if_o so_o many_o prophet_n in_o so_o many_o several_a age_n have_v not_o foretell_v his_o come_n our_o saviour_n himself_o and_o his_o apostle_n after_o he_o appeal_v to_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n this_o be_v the_o great_a argument_n which_o they_o use_v to_o the_o jew_n in_o confirmation_n even_o of_o their_o miracle_n themselves_o they_o prove_v that_o the_o prophet_n have_v foretell_v that_o christ_n shall_v come_v at_o that_o very_a time_n when_o he_o come_v and_o that_o he_o shall_v work_v those_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v and_o shall_v empower_v his_o disciple_n to_o do_v the_o like_a his_o death_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n and_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v all_o prophesy_v of_o and_o prophecy_n thus_o foretell_v the_o miracle_n and_o miracle_n fulfil_n the_o prophecy_n and_o both_o mutual_o confirm_v and_o support_v each_o other_o afford_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v give_v for_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v all_o the_o way_n by_o which_o god_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o thousand_o of_o the_o jew_n be_v convince_v out_o of_o the_o scripture_n that_o jesus_n be_v the_o christ_n and_o be_v convert_v to_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o the_o prophecy_n concern_v the_o messiah_n be_v still_o a_o unanswerable_a argument_n in_o vindication_n of_o our_o religion_n which_o argument_n we_o must_v have_v want_v if_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v come_v so_o much_o soon_o as_o not_o to_o have_v be_v prophesy_v of_o so_o many_o age_n beforehand_o and_o those_o who_o reject_v the_o gospel_n now_o will_v have_v think_v they_o have_v have_v much_o more_o reason_n on_o their_o side_n than_o they_o can_v now_o pretend_v to_o have_v for_o there_o have_v then_o be_v so_o much_o less_o mean_n for_o their_o conviction_n so_o that_o the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v defer_v to_o give_v the_o great_a evidence_n and_o the_o full_a conviction_n of_o his_o be_v the_o christ_n it_o will_v have_v be_v hard_o to_o believe_v that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n shall_v come_v into_o the_o world_n with_o little_a or_o no_o notice_n give_v of_o it_o beforehand_o and_o few_o or_o no_o prophet_n send_v to_o foretell_v his_o come_n and_o prepare_v his_o way_n but_o when_o he_o have_v be_v so_o long_o before_o prophesy_v of_o even_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n through_o the_o several_a age_n of_o it_o when_o there_o have_v be_v a_o general_a expectation_n of_o the_o messiah_n to_o be_v bear_v and_o the_o time_n and_o place_n and_o tribe_n and_o family_n and_o person_n of_o who_o he_o be_v to_o be_v bear_v by_o degree_n and_o at_o several_a time_n have_v be_v foretell_v when_o man_n hope_n and_o desire_n to_o see_v he_o be_v thus_o from_o age_n to_o age_n awaken_v and_o alarm_v this_o be_v a_o solemnity_n worthy_a to_o introduce_v and_o attend_v the_o son_n of_o god_n into_o the_o world_n and_o a_o method_n which_o will_v prove_v a_o stand_a evidence_n of_o his_o be_v come_v into_o it_o 3._o the_o time_n of_o christ_n come_n may_v depend_v upon_o thing_n which_o we_o be_v uncapable_a of_o know_v for_o it_o may_v depend_v upon_o the_o duration_n of_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o know_v how_o long_o that_o shall_v be_v the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n under_o the_o phrase_n of_o the_o last_o day_n but_o this_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o relation_n not_o to_o the_o continuance_n of_o the_o world_n but_o to_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n which_o be_v the_o last_o mean_n of_o salvation_n that_o god_n will_v vouchsase_v to_o mankind_n and_o with_o regard_n to_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o government_n which_o be_v just_a then_o at_o a_o end_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o next_o chapter_n now_o if_o the_o world_n may_v continue_v as_o long_o under_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o it_o have_v do_v before_o it_o and_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v but_o it_o may_v we_o shall_v find_v little_a cause_n to_o wonder_v that_o christ_n be_v not_o soon_o bear_v into_o the_o world_n for_o we_o find_v that_o the_o faith_n and_o zeal_n of_o christian_n decay_n as_o we_o be_v at_o a_o far_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o first_o propagation_n of_o his_o gospel_n and_o the_o length_n of_o the_o time_n itself_o prove_v a_o temptation_n to_o some_o to_o disbelieve_v it_o for_o man_n be_v apt_a to_o give_v less_o credit_n to_o what_o happen_v long_o ago_o and_o to_o think_v themselves_o less_o concern_v in_o it_o
into_o the_o world_n to_o manifest_v himself_o by_o work_v they_o and_o that_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o our_o saviour_n do_v sometime_o require_v faith_n as_o a_o qualification_n in_o they_o who_o come_v to_o be_v heal_v and_o at_o other_o time_n refuse_v to_o work_v his_o miracle_n before_o unbeliever_n will_v be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v that_o 1._o christ_n have_v give_v undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o miraculous_a power_n in_o many_o instance_n before_o he_o require_v faith_n as_o a_o condition_n in_o such_o as_o come_v to_o he_o to_o see_v his_o miracle_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o they_o when_o the_o jew_n demand_v a_o sign_n of_o our_o saviour_n joh._n two_o 18._o he_o have_v wrought_v before_o they_o the_o great_a of_o all_o his_o miracle_n in_o st._n 15._o st._n comment_fw-fr in_o matt._n xxi_o 15._o jerom_n judgement_n by_o cast_v the_o buyer_n and_o seller_n out_o of_o the_o temple_n but_o they_o be_v so_o unreasonable_a as_o upon_o this_o very_a account_n to_o ask_v for_o another_o miracle_n what_o sign_n show_v thou_o unto_o we_o see_v that_o thou_o do_v these_o thing_n whereupon_o our_o saviour_n signify_v to_o they_o that_o he_o will_v rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o this_o be_v no_o refusal_n but_o only_o a_o short_a delay_n of_o his_o work_v other_o miracle_n for_o at_o that_o very_a passover_n when_o he_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n in_o the_o feast-day_n many_o believe_v in_o his_o name_n when_o they_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v and_o then_o the_o first_o time_n we_o find_v faith_n require_v as_o a_o disposition_n or_o preparation_n in_o man_n to_o have_v miracle_n wrought_v for_o their_o cure_n or_o their_o conviction_n be_v matt._n xiii_o 58._o mark_n vi_fw-la 5._o beside_o the_o reject_v of_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n matt._n twelve_o 38._o and_o before_o the_o time_n to_o which_o these_o text_n have_v relation_n christ_n have_v cure_a all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o cast_v out_o many_o devil_n and_o his_o fame_n be_v spread_v abroad_o throughout_o all_o the_o region_n round_o about_o galilee_n and_o even_o throughout_o all_o syria_n matt._n four_o 23_o 24._o mark_v i_o 28._o he_o have_v cure_a the_o centurion_n servant_n at_o a_o distance_n and_o have_v restore_v to_o life_n the_o daughter_n of_o jairus_n a_o ruler_n of_o the_o synagogue_n where_o it_o may_v be_v observe_v that_o he_o commend_v the_o faith_n of_o the_o centurion_n though_o the_o cure_n be_v wrought_v upon_o his_o servant_n that_o he_o exhort_v the_o father_n not_o to_o be_v afraid_a but_o to_o believe_v when_o his_o fear_n or_o faith_n can_v have_v no_o influence_n upon_o his_o dead_a daughter_n he_o have_v cast_v out_o a_o legion_n of_o devil_n at_o once_o and_o permit_v they_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o herd_n of_o swine_n to_o convince_v even_o the_o sadducee_n if_o any_o thing_n can_v convince_v they_o that_o they_o be_v evil_a spirit_n which_o he_o have_v cast_v out_o mat._n viij_o 13._o mark_v v._o 9_o 22._o and_o when_o our_o saviour_n miraculous_a power_n have_v thus_o manifest_v itself_o upon_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n upon_o the_o absent_a upon_o the_o dead_a and_o upon_o other_o who_o can_v neither_o hope_n for_o nor_o desire_v relief_n of_o he_o and_o this_o in_o the_o sight_n of_o many_o who_o be_v still_o unbeliever_n and_o of_o some_o who_o charge_v he_o with_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o beelzebub_n matt._n twelve_o 24._o luke_n xi_o 15._o it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a that_o he_o shall_v afterward_o require_v a_o belief_n of_o what_o he_o have_v already_o do_v and_o be_v again_o able_a to_o do_v before_o he_o will_v extend_v his_o heal_n power_n towards_o man_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v work_v no_o new_a miracle_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o such_o as_o disregard_v and_o disbelieved_a all_o that_o he_o have_v do_v before_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o christ_n ever_o require_v faith_n of_o any_o before_o his_o work_n of_o a_o miracle_n who_o have_v not_o already_o see_v he_o work_v miracle_n unless_o it_o be_v of_o his_o own_o countryman_n and_o of_o some_o who_o come_v to_o be_v heal_v his_o countryman_n by_o their_o astonishment_n at_o his_o doctrine_n and_o his_o mighty_a work_n seem_v to_o show_v that_o they_o have_v no_o experience_n of_o they_o before_o but_o that_o they_o be_v unknown_a at_o least_o to_o the_o generality_n of_o they_o any_o otherwise_o than_o by_o report_n but_o there_o be_v a_o peculiar_a case_n as_o i_o shall_v present_o prove_v those_o who_o come_v to_o he_o with_o no_o cavil_v design_n but_o with_o a_o desire_n and_o expectation_n of_o help_n from_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o doubt_v of_o his_o power_n to_o do_v that_o for_o they_o which_o they_o have_v see_v he_o do_v for_o other_o but_o many_o apply_v themselves_o to_o he_o upon_o the_o common_a report_n and_o fame_n of_o his_o miraculous_a work_n and_o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o these_o shall_v believe_v what_o they_o have_v hear_v so_o well_o attest_v if_o they_o will_v receive_v that_o benefit_n which_o they_o beseech_v of_o he_o but_o as_o to_o other_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v that_o christ_n do_v ever_o in_o order_n to_o his_o work_v a_o miracle_n require_v faith_n of_o they_o who_o have_v never_o see_v he_o work_v any_o miracle_n before_o though_o if_o he_o have_v do_v it_o there_o may_v have_v be_v sufficient_a reason_n for_o it_o but_o all_o beside_o in_o who_o the_o want_n of_o faith_n be_v at_o any_o time_n allege_v as_o the_o cause_n why_o they_o have_v no_o miracle_n wrought_v upon_o their_o account_n in_o order_n to_o their_o conviction_n have_v in_o all_o probability_n see_v miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o before_o which_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v and_o that_o be_v reason_n enough_o why_o no_o more_o shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o they_o to_o be_v despise_v as_o the_o former_a have_v be_v or_o however_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n be_v so_o public_o and_o frequent_o wrought_v that_o they_o may_v have_v see_v they_o either_o before_o or_o afterward_o though_o they_o be_v not_o do_v purposely_o for_o they_o when_o they_o require_v it_o those_o of_o who_o christ_n at_o any_o time_n require_v faith_n before_o he_o will_v work_v miracle_n be_v either_o such_o as_o have_v some_o malicious_a and_o captious_a prejudice_n against_o he_o or_o such_o as_o come_v to_o be_v cure_v of_o their_o disease_n and_o infirmity_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o captious_a and_o malicious_a there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o they_o shall_v be_v reject_v and_o no_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o they_o we_o read_v that_o he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n in_o his_o own_o country_n because_o of_o their_o unbelief_n matth._n xiii_o 58._o but_o though_o he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n there_o yet_o he_o do_v some_o which_o indeed_o be_v not_o many_o in_o comparison_n of_o what_o he_o do_v in_o other_o place_n and_o there_o be_v a_o particular_a reason_n why_o he_o do_v no_o more_o there_o because_o it_o be_v his_o own_o country_n and_o they_o upbraid_v he_o with_o his_o mean_a birth_n and_o education_n whereupon_o jesus_n see_v they_o offend_v in_o he_o say_v unto_o they_o a_o prophet_n be_v not_o without_o honour_n save_v in_o his_o own_o country_n and_o in_o his_o own_o house_n and_o so_o as_o it_o immediate_o follow_v he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n there_o because_o of_o their_o unbelief_n he_o have_v do_v many_o wonderful_a work_n in_o the_o adjacent_a country_n and_o his_o fame_n be_v spread_v throughout_o all_o galilee_n but_o he_o who_o know_v the_o heart_n of_o all_o man_n loc_fw-la man_n non_fw-la quod_fw-la etiam_fw-la illis_fw-la incredulis_fw-la facere_fw-la non_fw-la potuerit_fw-la virtutes_fw-la multas_fw-la sed_fw-la ne_fw-la multas_fw-la faciens_fw-la virtutes_fw-la eive_v incredulos_fw-la condemnaret_fw-la hiet._n ad_fw-la loc_fw-la see_v how_o unsuccessful_a all_o his_o work_n will_v be_v upon_o his_o own_o unhappy_a countryman_n who_o have_v be_v so_o little_o move_v with_o what_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o he_o and_o with_o what_o many_o of_o they_o probable_o have_v see_v he_o do_v in_o other_o place_n that_o they_o only_o deride_v and_o vilify_v he_o and_o he_o who_o have_v so_o tender_a a_o compassion_n for_o all_o mankind_n and_o with_o great_a affection_n weep_v over_o jerusalem_n can_v not_o but_o have_v such_o a_o concern_v for_o his_o own_o country_n as_o to_o refrain_v the_o work_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o he_o have_v otherwise_o design_v foresee_v that_o they_o will_v only_o serve_v to_o aggravate_v their_o gild_n and_o increase_v their_o damnation_n till_o by_o his_o resurrection_n he_o shall_v give_v a_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o his_o divine_a power_n and_o then_o shall_v send_v his_o disciple_n among_o they_o after_o his_o ascension_n to_o who_o they_o will_v have_v great_a
to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o universal_a design_n of_o it_o for_o they_o be_v equal_o adapt_v to_o awaken_v the_o attention_n and_o command_v the_o assent_n of_o man_n of_o all_o condition_n and_o capacity_n they_o be_v obvious_a to_o the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o may_v satisfy_v the_o wise_a and_o confute_v or_o silence_v the_o cavil_n of_o the_o most_o captious_a or_o contentious_a and_o this_o be_v what_o all_o the_o world_n ever_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o man_n by_o work_v somewhat_o above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n all_o mankind_n have_v believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o intercourse_n between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o therefore_o there_o never_o be_v any_o of_o the_o false_a religion_n but_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o something_o miraculous_a we_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o nation_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o miracle_n to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n for_o whenever_o any_o thing_n happen_v extraordinary_a they_o always_o imagine_v something_o supernatural_a in_o it_o they_o expect_v that_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v but_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n and_o no_o false_a religion_n can_v have_v gain_v belief_n and_o credit_n in_o any_o age_n or_o nation_n but_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o they_o the_o only_a difficulty_n therefore_o will_v be_v to_o know_v how_o to_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a or_o those_o which_o have_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n from_o such_o as_o have_v be_v do_v or_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o behalf_n of_o false_a religion_n but_o here_o it_o must_v be_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o this_o controversy_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o determine_v what_o the_o power_n of_o spirit_n be_v or_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v and_o what_o work_n can_v proceed_v only_o from_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o we_o know_v that_o god_n precide_v over_o all_o that_o good_a spirit_n act_v in_o constant_a subjection_n and_o obedience_n to_o he_o that_o evil_a spirit_n act_v for_o evil_a end_n that_o good_a spirit_n will_v not_o impose_v upon_o man_n and_o that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evil_a to_o do_v it_o under_o any_o pretence_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n without_o afford_v mean_n to_o discover_v the_o delusion_n and_o the_o question_n here_o be_v not_o concern_v any_o strange_a work_n whereof_o god_n be_v not_o allege_v to_o be_v the_o author_n but_o concern_v such_o as_o be_v wrought_v with_o a_o profess_a design_n to_o establish_v religion_n in_o his_o name_n suppose_v then_o that_o there_o have_v be_v many_o wonder_n wrought_v in_o the_o world_n which_o exceed_v all_o humane_a power_n and_o which_o yet_o we_o know_v not_o to_o what_o other_o power_n to_o ascribe_v this_o make_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o present_a case_n because_o here_o not_o only_o the_o work_n themselves_o but_o the_o design_n and_o tendency_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v for_o instance_n whether_o the_o miracle_n report_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o vespasian_n be_v true_a or_o false_a by_o a_o divine_a or_o a_o diabolical_a power_n they_o be_v of_o no_o consequence_n to_o we_o he_o establish_v no_o new_a doctrine_n and_o pretend_v to_o no_o divine_a authority_n but_o doubt_v the_o possibility_n of_o his_o work_v they_o and_o suppose_v they_o true_a and_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o they_o be_v that_o as_o god_n mention_v cyrus_n by_o name_n to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o may_v by_o miracle_n signalise_v this_o prince_n who_o be_v to_o destroy_v they_o but_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v wrought_v with_o this_o declare_a purpose_n and_o design_n that_o they_o be_v to_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o introduce_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n have_v premise_v this_o i_o must_v resume_v what_o be_v before_o observe_v concern_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o false_a prophecy_n may_v be_v detect_v it_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n and_o it_o have_v be_v show_v that_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v the_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a way_n of_o revelation_n and_o that_o way_n which_o man_n have_v ever_o expect_v to_o receive_v revelation_n by_o if_o then_o there_o have_v be_v false_a prophecy_n and_o miracle_n they_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v either_o before_o or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n or_o after_o those_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v deliver_v if_o before_o or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n than_o the_o same_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o oblige_v god_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n must_v oblige_v he_o to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o imposture_n of_o those_o false_a prophecy_n and_o miracle_n by_o some_o mean_n may_v have_v be_v discover_v but_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o true_a revelation_n shall_v be_v first_o make_v to_o man_n before_o god_n will_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v tempt_v with_o false_a one_o and_o if_o the_o false_a be_v after_o the_o true_a revelation_n than_o the_o true_a revelation_n themselves_o be_v that_o by_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o all_o other_o but_o to_o speak_v more_o particular_o of_o miracle_n which_o be_v the_o present_a subject_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o infinite_a truth_n and_o honour_n and_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v man_n to_o be_v delude_v by_o false_a miracle_n wrought_v under_o a_o pretence_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o discover_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v there_o have_v past_o any_o time_n before_o the_o discovery_n of_o his_o will_n to_o mankind_n he_o can_v not_o suffer_v man_n but_o through_o their_o own_o fault_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o such_o miracle_n but_o either_o by_o the_o false_a and_o wicked_a doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o promote_v and_o establish_v as_o idolatry_n uncleanness_n murder_n etc._n etc._n or_o by_o some_o other_o token_n of_o imposture_n they_o may_v have_v be_v undeceive_v and_o both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n god_n have_v give_v we_o warn_v against_o false_a miracle_n deut._n xiii_o 1._o mat._n xxiv_o 24._o gal._n i_o 8._o so_o that_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o we_o be_v to_o give_v no_o credit_n to_o any_o miracle_n that_o can_v be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v any_o other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o we_o can_v but_o be_v certify_v that_o they_o be_v true_a miracle_n which_o give_v testimony_n and_o evidence_n to_o they_o we_o need_v concern_v ourselves_o about_o no_o other_o and_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v confirm_v and_o authorise_a must_v be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v no_o precedent_n divine_a revelation_n which_o they_o contradict_v nor_o any_o immoral_a or_o false_a doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v nor_o any_o thing_n else_o contain_v in_o they_o whereby_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a and_o in_o this_o case_n that_o which_o all_o the_o wit_n and_o understanding_n of_o man_n can_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a must_v be_v true_a or_o else_o god_n will_v suffer_v his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n to_o be_v usurp_v and_o abuse_v and_o mankind_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o infinite_a consequence_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n for_o he_o to_o permit_v but_o either_o by_o the_o work_v themselves_o or_o by_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o or_o by_o some_o mean_n or_o other_o the_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v to_o detect_v all_o such_o imposture_n if_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o introduce_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o god_n beside_o he_o who_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o scripture_n assure_v we_o to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a god_n if_o they_o be_v do_v to_o seduce_v man_n to_o immoral_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n if_o they_o be_v perform_v to_o contradict_v the_o religion_n already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o which_o nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n can_v possible_o be_v discover_v if_o never_o so_o astonish_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v for_o such_o ill_a design_n as_o these_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v but_o reject_v with_o that_o constancy_n which_o become_v a_o man_n who_o will_v act_v according_a to_o the_o
principle_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o religion_n but_o when_o miracle_n be_v perform_v which_o both_o for_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n of_o their_o performance_n have_v all_o the_o credibility_n that_o any_o miracle_n can_v have_v if_o it_o be_v real_o wrought_v by_o god_n immediate_a power_n to_o confirm_v a_o revelation_n if_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v foretell_v by_o prophecy_n as_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o prophecy_n be_v fulfil_v by_o the_o miracle_n if_o they_o be_v do_v public_o before_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n and_o that_o often_o and_o by_o many_o man_n successive_o for_o divers_a age_n together_o and_o all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o doctrine_n and_o design_n if_o neither_o the_o miracle_n themselves_o nor_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v attest_v by_o they_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o have_v any_o deceit_n or_o defect_n in_o they_o but_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o divine_a and_o most_o worthy_a of_o god_n in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o of_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v wrought_v to_o establish_v that_o we_o can_v have_v for_o the_o be_v of_o god_n himself_o for_o if_o these_o miracle_n and_o this_o religion_n be_v not_o from_o god_n we_o must_v suppose_v either_o that_o god_n can_v or_o that_o he_o will_v not_o so_o reveal_v himself_o by_o miracle_n to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o distinguish_v his_o own_o revelation_n from_o imposture_n both_o which_o supposition_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n contrary_a to_o god_n omnipotence_n because_o he_o can_v do_v all_o thing_n and_o therefore_o can_v exceed_v the_o power_n of_o all_o finite_a being_n and_o contrary_a to_o his_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n because_o these_o require_v both_o that_o he_o shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o miracle_n in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o make_v it_o evident_a which_o be_v his_o revelation_n but_o if_o he_o both_o can_v and_o will_v put_v such_o a_o distinction_n between_o false_a miracle_n and_o true_a as_o that_o man_n shall_v not_o except_o it_o be_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n be_v seduce_v by_o false_a miracle_n than_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n concern_v which_o nothing_o can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v either_o impious_a or_o false_a must_v be_v the_o true_a religion_n for_o we_o have_v see_v that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o reveal_v religion_n and_o that_o this_o religion_n must_v be_v reveal_v by_o miracle_n and_o we_o have_v the_o goodness_n and_o truth_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n engage_v that_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o false_a miracle_n without_o be_v able_a to_o discern_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o that_o religion_n which_o both_o by_o its_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n appear_v to_o be_v divine_a and_o can_v not_o be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a if_o it_o be_v so_o must_v certain_o be_v true_a because_o the_o goodness_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v that_o mankind_n in_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o consequence_n shall_v not_o be_v deceive_v without_o their_o own_o fault_n or_o neglect_v by_o imposture_n vent_v under_o his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n upon_o which_o account_n the_o sin_n against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o ascribe_v the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n to_o belzebub_n be_v so_o heinous_a above_o all_o other_o crime_n this_o be_v to_o reject_v the_o utmost_a mean_n that_o can_v be_v use_v for_o man_n salvation_n and_o in_o effect_n to_o deny_v the_o attribute_n and_o very_a be_v of_o god_n the_o sum_n of_o this_o argument_n be_v that_o though_o miracle_n be_v a_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a mean_n to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v consider_v alone_o but_o in_o conjunction_n with_o other_o proof_n and_o that_o they_o must_v necessary_o be_v true_a miracle_n or_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o establish_v the_o true_a religion_n when_o the_o religion_n upon_o the_o account_n whereof_o they_o be_v wrought_v can_v be_v discover_v to_o be_v false_a either_o by_o any_o defect_n in_o the_o miracle_n or_o by_o any_o other_o mean_n but_o have_v all_o the_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n because_o god_n will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o all_o other_o proof_n to_o concur_v to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o false_a religion_n beyond_o all_o possibility_n of_o discover_v it_o to_o be_v so_o 3._o how_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v preserve_v in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v commit_v to_o write_v that_o they_o may_v be_v preserve_v for_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n and_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n and_o that_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a providence_n shall_v be_v concern_v in_o their_o preservation_n for_o whatever_o have_v be_v say_v by_o some_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o oral_a tradition_n for_o the_o conveyance_n of_o doctrine_n beyond_o that_o of_o write_v be_v so_o notorious_o fanciful_a and_o strain_a that_o it_o deserve_v no_o serious_a answer_n for_o till_o man_n shall_v think_v it_o safe_a to_o make_v will_n and_o bequeath_v and_o purchase_v estate_n by_o word_n of_o mouth_n rather_o than_o by_o instrument_n in_o write_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o deny_v that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a and_o secure_a way_n of_o conveyance_n that_o can_v be_v take_v so_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n declare_v and_o so_o the_o experience_n of_o the_o world_n find_v it_o to_o be_v in_o thing_n which_o man_n take_v all_o possible_a care_n about_o and_o it_o be_v too_o manifest_a and_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o man_n be_v more_o solicitous_a about_o thing_n temporal_a than_o about_o eternal_a which_o afford_v too_o evident_a a_o confutation_n of_o all_o the_o pretence_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o oral_a tradition_n upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o it_o be_v thing_n upon_o which_o the_o eternal_a happiness_n or_o misery_n of_o mankind_n depend_v now_o go_v write_v it_o before_o they_o in_o a_o table_n and_o note_v it_o in_o a_o book_n that_o it_o may_v be_v for_o the_o time_n to_o come_v for_o ever_o and_o ever_o isa_n thirty_o 8._o 4._o it_o be_v requisite_a that_o a_o divine_a revelation_n shall_v be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n because_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o we_o can_v think_v that_o god_n will_v not_o at_o all_o reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v suffer_v the_o world_n to_o continue_v long_o under_o a_o state_n of_o corruption_n and_o ignorance_n without_o take_v some_o care_n to_o remedy_v it_o by_o put_v man_n into_o a_o capacity_n of_o know_v and_o practise_v the_o duty_n of_o virtue_n and_o religion_n 5._o another_o requisite_a of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v full_o promulge_v and_o publish_v to_o the_o world_n for_o the_o general_a good_a and_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o may_v attain_v the_o end_n for_o which_o a_o revelation_n must_v be_v design_v the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n ii_o from_z what_o have_v be_v already_o discourse_v it_o appear_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v requisite_a in_o a_o divine_a revelation_n i._o antiquity_n ii_o promulgation_n iii_o a_o sufficient_a evidence_n by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n in_o proof_n of_o its_o authority_n iv_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o divine_a revelation_n must_v be_v righteous_a and_o holy_a consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o suitable_a to_o their_o condition_n to_o who_o it_o be_v make_v and_o every_o way_n such_o as_o may_v answer_v the_o design_n of_o a_o revelation_n chap._n i._n the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o it_o be_v evident_a from_o the_o divine_a attribute_n that_o god_n will_v not_o so_o whole_o neglect_v mankind_n as_o to_o take_v no_o care_n to_o discover_v and_o reveal_v his_o will_n and_o commandment_n to_o the_o world_n so_o when_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o necessity_n of_o divine_a revelation_n in_o order_n to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v believe_v that_o he_o will_v defer_v it_o so_o long_o before_o he_o make_v know_v his_o will_n as_o till_o the_o date_n of_o the_o first_o antiquity_n among_o the_o heathen_a it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o some_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v much_o the_o ancient_a book_n of_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o it_o be_v in_o vain_a to_o pretend_v that_o the_o work_n in_o this_o kind_n or_o indeed_o in_o any_o other_o of_o any_o heathen_a author_n can_v be_v compare_v with_o
he_o out_o of_o their_o sight_n he_o be_v not_o snatch_v away_o from_o they_o by_o a_o swift_a and_o violent_a motion_n like_o elijah_n and_o carry_v up_o in_o a_o fiery_a chariot_n which_o may_v dazzle_v their_o sight_n that_o they_o can_v not_o discern_v he_o in_o his_o ascent_n but_o he_o be_v lift_v up_o and_o remove_v from_o they_o leisurely_o and_o by_o degree_n they_o look_v steadfast_o towards_o heaven_n as_o he_o go_v up_o by_o a_o visible_a and_o easy_a motion_n and_o they_o have_v a_o clear_a view_n of_o he_o till_o at_o last_o a_o cloud_n receive_v he_o out_o of_o their_o sight_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o all_o the_o disciple_n to_o the_o number_n of_o about_o a_o hundred_o and_o twenty_o mention_v act_n i_o 15._o be_v present_a to_o behold_v the_o ascent_n of_o our_o saviour_n ult_n saviour_n apud_fw-la euseb_n hist_o lib._n 1._o c._n ult_n the_o apostle_n st._n thaddeus_n declare_v though_o this_o as_o well_o as_o many_o other_o thing_n be_v not_o insert_v into_o the_o scripture_n that_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o heavenly_a host_n go_v up_o with_o he_o we_o read_v of_o the_o appearance_n of_o two_o angel_n upon_o this_o occasion_n who_o acquaint_v the_o disciple_n that_o this_o same_o jesus_n who_o they_o have_v thus_o evident_o see_v take_v up_o from_o they_o into_o heaven_n shall_v so_o come_v in_o like_a manner_n as_o they_o have_v see_v he_o go_v into_o heaven_n and_o st._n paul_n inform_v we_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o come_v at_o the_o last_o day_n will_v be_v with_o his_o mighty_a angel_n or_o the_o angel_n of_o his_o power_n 2_o thes_n i._o 7._o from_o whence_o we_o may_v conclude_v according_a to_o the_o account_n of_o st._n thaddeus_n that_o the_o holy_a angel_n visible_o attend_v he_o in_o his_o ascension_n the_o disciple_n be_v all_o much_o surprise_v at_o a_o thing_n so_o wonderful_a and_o stand_v gaze_v up_o into_o heaven_n after_o he_o till_o they_o be_v certify_v not_o only_o by_o their_o own_o sense_n but_o by_o the_o message_n of_o the_o angel_n that_o he_o be_v go_v from_o they_o into_o heaven_n no_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o thence_o till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n we_o have_v therefore_o the_o plain_a and_o full_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v desire_v both_o of_o the_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o our_o saviour_n he_o show_v himself_o alive_a to_o his_o disciple_n after_o his_o passion_n by_o many_o infallible_a proof_n he_o be_v see_v of_o they_o forty_o day_n and_o converse_v and_o discourse_v with_o they_o though_o we_o be_v not_o tell_v after_o what_o manner_n and_o by_o what_o interval_n of_o time_n he_o be_v please_v to_o vouchsafe_v they_o his_o presence_n this_o be_v conceal_v from_o we_o as_o very_o many_o of_o the_o particular_n be_v of_o his_o former_a life_n before_o his_o crucifixion_n but_o at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n whilst_o he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o they_o all_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o they_o distinct_o see_v and_o behold_v he_o and_o keep_v their_o eye_n fix_v upon_o he_o in_o his_o ascension_n and_o a_o vision_n of_o angel_n beside_o inform_v they_o that_o he_o be_v to_o return_v in_o the_o like_a manner_n when_o he_o shall_v come_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n chap._n xxviii_o why_o some_o work_n of_o nature_n be_v more_o especial_o ascribe_v to_o god_n why_o mean_n be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o work_n of_o miracle_n and_o why_o faith_n be_v sometime_o require_v of_o those_o upon_o who_o or_o before_o who_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v i._o all_z the_o power_n of_o natural_a cause_n proceed_v from_o god_n that_o may_v just_o be_v ascribe_v to_o he_o which_o be_v wrought_v by_o they_o for_o he_o work_v as_o true_o by_o second_o cause_n as_o by_o his_o own_o direct_a and_o immediate_a power_n in_o produce_v any_o effect_n the_o order_n and_o frame_n of_o nature_n be_v original_o by_o his_o appointment_n and_o by_o his_o care_n and_o providence_n and_o influence_n it_o be_v uphold_v and_o therefore_o the_o scripture_n ascribe_v the_o effect_n of_o natural_a agent_n to_o god_n as_o the_o author_n of_o they_o because_o these_o can_v do_v nothing_o but_o by_o his_o support_n and_o influence_n and_o the_o continuance_n and_o preservation_n of_o natural_a cause_n in_o the_o production_n of_o their_o effect_n for_o so_o many_o age_n in_o one_o constant_a tenor_n be_v a_o manifest_a and_o wonderful_a demonstration_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o wisdom_n but_o those_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v more_o especial_o to_o be_v do_v by_o god_n himself_o whereby_o upon_o some_o extraordinary_a occasion_n his_o power_n and_o his_o will_n be_v more_o particular_o manifest_v or_o his_o promise_n be_v fulfil_v for_o in_o those_o thing_n his_o care_n and_o providence_n be_v more_o concern_v to_o bring_v they_o to_o pass_v and_o therefore_o god_n may_v employ_v a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a concourse_n to_o sustain_v and_o influence_n the_o power_n of_o nature_n that_o they_o may_v not_o sail_v in_o such_o case_n to_o produce_v their_o effect_n according_a to_o their_o usual_a and_o settle_a course_n ii_o miracle_n be_v more_o peculiar_o the_o work_n of_o god_n because_o they_o be_v wrought_v without_o the_o concurrence_n or_o subserviency_n of_o natural_a mean_n for_o though_o sometime_o outward_a mean_n be_v use_v in_o the_o miraculous_a cure_v of_o disease_n yet_o they_o be_v such_o as_o can_v have_v no_o effect_n in_o the_o cure_n but_o rather_o the_o contrary_a as_o when_o the_o man_n that_o be_v bear_v blind_a recover_v his_o sight_n by_o wash_v in_o the_o pool_n of_o siloam_n at_o our_o saviour_n command_n after_o his_o eye_n have_v be_v anoint_v with_o clay_n make_v of_o dust_n and_o spital_n the_o ointment_n make_v of_o dust_n and_o spital_n be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o effect_n towards_o the_o cure_n that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v much_o more_o likely_a to_o have_v put_v out_o the_o eye_n of_o a_o man_n that_o have_v see_v and_o the_o wash_n afterward_o can_v only_o remove_v that_o which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o remedy_n that_o it_o must_v have_v be_v a_o obstruction_n to_o the_o best_a sight_n as_o many_o miraculous_a cure_n be_v wrought_v by_o our_o saviour_n without_o any_o more_o than_o a_o word_n speak_v and_o sometime_o even_o without_o so_o much_o as_o that_o to_o show_v that_o he_o have_v no_o need_n of_o mean_n so_o when_o any_o mean_n be_v use_v they_o be_v such_o as_o apparent_o can_v not_o tend_v to_o the_o cure_n and_o be_v not_o use_v as_o remedy_n but_o as_o circumstance_n in_o the_o work_n his_o miracle_n to_o raise_v the_o attention_n of_o the_o beholder_n to_o imprint_v what_o be_v do_v the_o deep_a upon_o their_o memory_n and_o to_o give_v the_o great_a credibility_n to_o the_o history_n of_o his_o miracle_n for_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v or_o disprove_v by_o circumstance_n and_o the_o more_o circumstance_n concur_v in_o any_o action_n the_o less_o liable_a it_o be_v to_o mistake_v or_o imposture_n our_o saviour_n therefore_o be_v please_v that_o his_o miracle_n shall_v always_o be_v accompany_v with_o remarkable_a circumstance_n which_o be_v sometime_o of_o one_o kind_n and_o sometime_o of_o another_o the_o better_a to_o work_v upon_o the_o variety_n of_o man_n temper_n and_o disposition_n but_o whatever_o outward_a mean_n be_v at_o any_o time_n use_v by_o he_o it_o can_v have_v the_o nature_n only_o of_o a_o circumstance_n and_o be_v no_o more_o proper_a and_o effectual_a to_o produce_v the_o miracle_n than_o any_o other_o may_v have_v be_v some_o he_o touch_v some_o he_o only_o speak_v to_o and_o other_o he_o send_v to_o the_o highpriest_n that_o he_o may_v be_v a_o witness_n of_o the_o cure_n now_o the_o touch_n the_o speak_n or_o the_o send_n can_v have_v no_o effect_n as_o outward_a mean_n but_o only_o as_o they_o be_v attend_v with_o a_o inward_a and_o divine_a efficacy_n but_o all_o these_o be_v considerable_a circumstance_n to_o excite_v the_o observation_n of_o those_o who_o be_v present_a at_o these_o cure_n and_o to_o preserve_v the_o remembrance_n of_o they_o to_o posterity_n iii_o though_o our_o saviour_n have_v the_o most_o absolute_a and_o unconfined_a power_n of_o work_a miracle_n at_o all_o time_n and_o before_o all_o person_n whensoever_o he_o please_v yet_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o he_o sometime_o refuse_v to_o exercise_v it_o for_o though_o he_o can_v always_o do_v his_o marvellous_a work_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o fit_a that_o they_o shall_v be_v always_o do_v but_o then_o only_o when_o they_o may_v be_v useful_a and_o serviceable_a to_o the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v wrought_v and_o to_o his_o design_n of_o come_v