Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	article_n	catechism_n	great_a	76	3	2.1081	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A45355	Deus justificatus, or, The divine goodness vindicated and cleared against the assertors of absolute and inconditionate reprobation together with some reflections on a late discourse of Mr. Parkers, concerning the divine dominion and goodness.	Hallywell, Henry, d. 1703?; Womock, Laurence, 1612-1685.	1668 (1668)	Wing H460; ESTC R25403	132,698	316

hearer_n in_o the_o most_o difficult_a and_o many_o time_n disputable_a point_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o fill_v their_o head_n with_o unprofitable_a opinion_n while_o they_o neglect_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o more_o serious_a and_o weighty_a matter_n of_o justice_n mercy_n and_o compassion_n from_o hence_o come_v it_o that_o in_o their_o catechism_n and_o confession_n of_o faith_n they_o crowd_v so_o many_o unnecessary_a and_o fruitless_a doctrine_n under_o the_o name_n and_o notion_n of_o indubitable_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n and_o which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n such_o as_o be_v the_o position_n concern_v god_n decree_n of_o election_n and_o reprobation_n etc._n etc._n and_o here_o i_o can_v but_o with_o all_o due_a regard_n and_o honour_n commend_v the_o great_a prudence_n of_o the_o compiler_n as_o of_o the_o whole_a liturgy_n and_o service_n so_o particular_o of_o the_o catechism_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o the_o instruct_v of_o the_o young_a sort_n in_o the_o rudiment_n and_o principle_n of_o christianity_n wherein_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o propound_v as_o indispensable_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o be_v undoubted_o so_o in_o like_a manner_n they_o modest_o content_v themselves_o in_o insert_v only_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v by_o all_o the_o reform_a part_n of_o christendom_n look_v upon_o as_o unquestionable_o true_a and_o the_o contrary_n condemn_v as_o false_a and_o adulterate_a so_o that_o i_o may_v say_v of_o it_o as_o david_n of_o goliahs_n sword_n there_o be_v none_o like_o it_o thus_o reader_n i_o have_v give_v thou_o a_o full_a account_n and_o reason_n of_o the_o follow_a discourse_n and_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o some_o such_o way_n and_o method_n of_o instruct_v the_o people_n as_o i_o have_v here_o describe_v which_o certain_o be_v not_o to_o fill_v their_o brain_n with_o puffie_v opinion_n and_o jejune_n disputation_n but_o a_o zealous_a caution_v they_o against_o all_o vice_n and_o immorality_n whatever_o and_o a_o serious_a exhort_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o holiness_n justice_n and_o equity_n obedience_n to_o their_o lawful_a prince_n and_o to_o all_o inferior_a magistrate_n to_o do_v good_a and_o communicate_v to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o indigent_a and_o calamitous_a and_o when_o the_o case_n require_v a_o further_a instruction_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n such_o a_o full_a and_o easy_a explication_n of_o the_o several_a article_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o as_o may_v best_o suit_v with_o their_o capacity_n and_o the_o plain_a text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n which_o as_o it_o be_v recommend_v as_o most_o useful_a for_o the_o promotion_n of_o piety_n by_o our_o mother_n the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o it_o be_v most_o agreeable_a with_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o god_n goodness_n vindicated_n against_o absolute_a reprobation_n chap._n i._o inconditionate_n reprobation_n inconsistent_a with_o the_o declaration_n of_o god_n in_o holy_a scripture_n there_o be_v scarce_o any_o doctrine_n or_o opinion_n maintain_v in_o the_o world_n be_v it_o never_o so_o monstrous_a and_o irrational_a but_o plead_v scripture_n to_o countenance_n and_o authorise_v it_o and_o though_o truth_n be_v but_o one_o yet_o every_o sect_n and_o faction_n claim_v a_o interest_n in_o it_o and_o that_o error_n may_v pass_v more_o free_o disguise_v and_o undiscerned_a among_o man_n it_o be_v now-become_a a_o fashion_n to_o allege_v the_o divinely-inspired_n write_n as_o a_o unquestionable_a evidence_n for_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o truth_n of_o whatever_o strange_a and_o uncouth_a conceit_n man_n please_v to_o divulge_v in_o the_o world_n such_o be_v the_o hypothesis_n of_o absolute_a reprobation_n we_o have_v in_o hand_n and_o he_o that_o shall_v peruse_v the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o desire_v to_o maintain_v it_o and_o consider_v with_o what_o wonderful_a confidence_n they_o assert_v it_o and_o how_o thick-set_a the_o margin_n of_o their_o treatise_n be_v with_o citation_n of_o scripture_n to_o patronize_v and_o defend_v it_o and_o yet_o how_o little_a or_o nothing_o there_o be_v in_o that_o sacred_a volume_n that_o in_o good_a earnest_n look_v that_o way_n will_v be_v soon_o persuade_v that_o it_o be_v a_o inveterate_a prejudice_n rather_o than_o any_o probability_n of_o truth_n which_o make_v they_o such_o pertinacious_a adherent_n to_o so_o ill-framed_n a_o doctrine_n and_o that_o i_o may_v make_v good_a what_o i_o have_v affirm_v i_o shall_v begin_v with_o divine_a revelation_n wherein_o god_n declare_v his_o gracious_a oeconomy_n and_o dispensation_n with_o mankind_n and_o vindicate_v the_o glory_n and_o honour_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o attribute_n from_o the_o aspersion_n and_o imputation_n of_o cruelty_n and_o injustice_n assert_v his_o rule_n and_o dominion_n in_o the_o world_n to_o be_v righteous_a and_o equal_a and_o perfect_o agreeable_a to_o the_o high_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n so_o that_o none_o of_o his_o creature_n unless_o it_o be_v such_o who_o be_v desperate_o forlorn_a and_o wicked_a can_v possible_o wish_v his_o not-being_a in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v his_o name_n whereby_o he_o proclaim_v himself_o to_o moses_n the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n 6._o exod._n xxxiv_o 6._o merciful_a and_o gracious_a long-suffering_a and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o truth_n and_o this_o name_n god_n have_v verify_v in_o the_o whole_a oeconomy_n of_o his_o providence_n to_o the_o lapse_v world_n 29._o deut._n v._n 29._o oh_o that_o my_o people_n have_v such_o a_o heart_n in_o they_o say_v he_o that_o they_o will_v fear_v i_o and_o keep_v my_o commandment_n but_o why_o do_v god_n wish_v this_o not_o for_o any_o self_n design_n or_o particular_a interest_n for_o our_o goodness_n extend_v not_o unto_o he_o nor_o can_v our_o sin_n detract_v any_o thing_n from_o the_o sedate_n and_o compose_a happiness_n of_o his_o everbless_v nature_n but_o that_o it_o may_v go_v well_o with_o they_o and_o their_o child_n for_o ever_o behold_v here_o the_o flagrant_a love_n and_o intense_a affection_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n to_o a_o stiff-necked_a and_o disobedient_a people_n do_v not_o these_o passionate_a strain_n proceed_v from_o his_o whole_a heart_n and_o be_v they_o not_o argument_n of_o the_o great_a seriousness_n how_o then_o can_v he_o unfeigned_o desire_v that_o they_o shall_v walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o life_n when_o his_o own_o good_a pleasure_n from_o the_o out-going_n of_o eternity_n have_v irresistible_o determine_v their_o motion_n into_o the_o path_n of_o destruction_n can_v a_o tender_a mother_n expose_v her_o innocent_a babe_n to_o be_v devour_v by_o wild_a beast_n or_o saw_v asunder_o before_o her_o eye_n 15._o isai_n xlix_o 15._o can_v she_o forget_v her_o suck_a child_n that_o she_o shall_v not_o have_v compassion_n upon_o the_o son_n of_o her_o womb_n suppose_v there_o may_v be_v some_o so_o obdurate_a and_o unrelenting_a that_o their_o bowel_n will_v not_o yern_v over_o such_o a_o dismal_a spectacle_n yet_o they_o be_v but_o few_o that_o have_v degenerate_v so_o deep_o into_o this_o more_o than_o brutish_a stupidity_n and_o can_v we_o think_v the_o compassionate_a father_n of_o spirit_n who_o be_v infinite_o more_o pitiful_a in_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o intention_n and_o extension_n than_o the_o best_a of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n will_v betray_v his_o own_o dear_a offspring_n or_o prove_v so_o unnatural_a to_o design_v they_o to_o the_o most_o acute_a torment_n the_o wit_n and_o subtlety_n of_o man_n or_o devil_n can_v invent_v and_o that_o to_o eternal_a age_n before_o ever_o their_o existence_n give_v they_o the_o least_o opportunity_n of_o offend_v he_o 16._o 1_o joh._n four_o 16._o god_n be_v love_n itself_o who_o nature_n be_v ever_o to_o be_v diffusive_a and_o communicative_a to_o all_o the_o possibility_n of_o being_n and_o therefore_o glory_v not_o in_o this_o that_o he_o be_v powerful_a to_o slay_v to_o damn_v and_o excruciate_v in_o unheard_a and_o perpetual_a torment_n 1._o isa_n lxiii_o 1._o but_o that_o he_o speak_v in_o righteousness_n and_o be_v mighty_a to_o save_v and_o that_o he_o may_v full_o convince_v the_o world_n of_o this_o gracious_a property_n of_o he_o he_o have_v pronounce_v judgement_n to_o be_v his_o strange_a work_n and_o his_o strange_a act_n which_o man_n impenitency_n only_o force_v he_o to_o for_o he_o will_v not_o that_o any_o perish_v but_o that_o every_o creature_n shall_v be_v happy_a in_o its_o measure_n and_o capacity_n and_o lest_o we_o son_n of_o darkness_n shall_v entertain_v any_o such_o thought_n of_o the_o god_n of_o light_n as_o if_o he_o please_v himself_o in_o our_o ruin_n he_o have_v join_v a_o oath_n to_o it_o 11._o ezek._n xxxiii_o 11._o and_o have_v swear_v as_o he_o live_v he_o have_v no_o pleasure_n in_o the_o death_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o that_o the_o wicked_a turn_n from_o his_o

be_v excogitated_a more_o infallible_a for_o the_o exploration_n of_o whatever_o fall_v under_o humane_a cognizance_n which_o be_v in_o some_o measure_n make_v good_a in_o the_o follow_a discourse_n they_o likewise_o put_v a_o certain_a stop_n to_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n throughout_o the_o world_n and_o be_v the_o great_a impediment_n to_o the_o dissemination_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o they_o that_o be_v without_o it_o be_v give_v to_o be_v the_o religion_n of_o all_o mankind_n to_o run_v and_o be_v glorious_a and_o to_o conquer_v and_o subdue_v the_o nation_n to_o the_o entertainment_n of_o it_o for_o unless_o we_o will_v imagine_v man_n so_o stupid_a and_o ignorant_o devotional_a that_o they_o will_v embrace_v any_o thing_n though_o never_o so_o disagree_v with_o the_o native_a sentiment_n of_o their_o own_o mind_n it_o be_v impossible_a they_o shall_v ever_o give_v any_o real_a and_o unfeigned_a assent_n to_o such_o dogmata_fw-la of_o christianity_n as_o pretend_v to_o no_o other_o author_n but_o the_o eternal_a logos_fw-la and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n and_o be_v propound_v to_o rational_a and_o intellectual_a creature_n endue_v with_o a_o discriminative_a sense_n and_o perception_n between_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n and_o yet_o by_o all_o the_o reason_n that_o be_v in_o they_o can_v make_v they_o to_o appear_v so_o and_o though_o the_o doctrine_n themselves_o shall_v not_o be_v in_o their_o whole_a frame_n and_o contexture_n irrational_a yet_o if_o we_o give_v absurd_a and_o inconcinnous_a explication_n of_o they_o there_o will_v be_v as_o small_a hope_n and_o expectation_n that_o any_o man_n shall_v be_v convince_v and_o persuade_v by_o they_o as_o if_o they_o be_v altogether_o false_a such_o be_v the_o intellectual_a fabric_n of_o man_n mind_n that_o they_o can_v believe_v or_o disbelieve_v what_o they_o will_v but_o there_o be_v certain_a law_n and_o principle_n interweave_v in_o the_o essential_a frame_n of_o their_o nature_n by_o the_o great_a architect_n of_o all_o thing_n by_o which_o they_o be_v bind_v up_o and_o limit_v and_o which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o knowledge_n whether_o natural_a moral_a or_o metaphysical_a and_o it_o be_v very_o strange_a to_o think_v that_o infinite_a wisdom_n which_o alone_o work_v constant_o and_o even_o and_o according_a to_o the_o capacity_n and_o measure_n of_o creature_n shall_v now_o in_o this_o grand_a mystery_n of_o the_o recovery_n of_o the_o world_n which_o of_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o most_o like_a that_o high_a and_o incomprehensible_a intellect_n which_o give_v birth_n unto_o it_o so_o deviate_v from_o the_o unchangeable_a law_n of_o it_o be_v own_o be_v as_o to_o propound_v such_o article_n and_o proposition_n to_o the_o world_n which_o without_o the_o great_a reluctancy_n and_o violation_n of_o their_o natural_a power_n and_o faculty_n they_o can_v never_o full_o credit_v or_o believe_v and_o questionless_a such_o a_o way_n and_o method_n of_o proceed_v will_v so_o miserable_o confound_v the_o beautiful_a order_n and_o symmetry_n of_o thing_n that_o beside_o it_o must_v necessary_o engage_v the_o divine_a power_n to_o the_o production_n of_o a_o perpetual_a miracle_n for_o the_o beget_n faith_n and_o assent_n in_o man_n it_o likewise_o lay_v they_o open_a and_o obnoxious_a to_o inevitable_a error_n falsity_n and_o delusion_n and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o mean_n leave_v for_o the_o attain_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n and_o now_o let_v any_o man_n consider_v what_o little_a probability_n or_o plausibility_n of_o reason_n there_o be_v that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o this_o whether_o positive_o declare_v so_o in_o itself_o or_o make_v so_o by_o the_o perverse_a gloss_n and_o paraphrastical_a exposition_n of_o other_o shall_v win_v and_o gain_v ground_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o effect_v that_o purpose_n for_o which_o it_o be_v at_o first_o intend_v it_o be_v the_o advice_n and_o counsel_n of_o the_o apostle_n 1_o cor._n x._o 32._o that_o we_o give_v no_o offence_n either_o to_o the_o jew_n or_o to_o the_o greek_a whereby_o to_o alienate_v their_o mind_n from_o so_o excellent_a a_o religion_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o so_o much_o obstruct_v the_o diffusion_n of_o any_o principle_n or_o dogmata_fw-la be_v they_o of_o what_o sort_n they_o will_v as_o when_o they_o contain_v something_o which_o may_v administer_v just_a cause_n of_o scruple_n and_o beget_v a_o aversion_n to_o it_o in_o the_o mind_n of_o a_o rational_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n he_o therefore_o that_o will_v bring_v over_o a_o free_a and_o ingenuous_a spirit_n whether_o jew_n or_o heathen_a to_o christianity_n must_v be_v sure_a that_o he_o assert_v nothing_o dogmatical_o or_o positive_o lay_v it_o down_o as_o a_o indispensable_a article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n which_o the_o other_o can_v reject_v upon_o clear_a and_o solid_a ground_n of_o reason_n for_o assure_o no_o part_n of_o christianity_n can_v be_v repugnant_a to_o right_a reason_n therefore_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o jew_n who_o take_v just_a exception_n against_o many_o dogmata_fw-la of_o christianity_n as_o they_o be_v in_o common_a vogue_n among_o we_o but_o particular_o digust_v that_o harsh_a and_o rigid_a doctrine_n of_o inconditionate_n reprobation_n express_v his_o dislike_n and_o dissatisfaction_n in_o such_o like_a term_n as_o these_o that_o god_n give_v statute_n and_o judgement_n and_o deliver_v a_o law_n to_o moses_n on_o mount_n sinai_n i_o be_o sufficient_o convince_v of_o from_o the_o constant_a and_o uninterrupted_a tradition_n of_o our_o father_n and_o that_o i_o be_o equal_o oblige_v to_o perform_v due_a obedience_n to_o it_o be_v in_o my_o apprehension_n a_o truth_n as_o indubitable_a as_o the_o other_o but_o that_o i_o shall_v desert_v the_o religion_n of_o my_o ancestor_n and_o embrace_v a_o novel_a doctrine_n whole_o repugnant_a to_o and_o inconsistent_a not_o only_o with_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o reason_n but_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o prophetic_a write_n and_o manifest_o tend_v to_o the_o eversion_n and_o extirpation_n of_o all_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n for_o who_o will_v put_v his_o trust_n in_o that_o god_n who_o take_v great_a pleasure_n in_o destroy_v than_o in_o save_v of_o his_o creature_n will_v argue_v as_o great_a impiety_n as_o it_o will_v appear_v fantastickness_n and_o imprudence_n in_o the_o eye_n of_o all_o that_o believe_v a_o god_n and_o providence_n in_o the_o world_n for_o under_o the_o moysaicall_a oeconomy_n god_n like_o a_o just_a and_o prudent_a legislator_n make_v the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o his_o promise_n and_o menace_n to_o be_v the_o obedience_n or_o disobedience_n of_o his_o subject_n and_o benefit_n be_v not_o confer_v but_o hypothetical_o and_o with_o respect_n to_o the_o condition_n annex_v to_o they_o nor_o punishment_n execute_v but_o upon_o the_o actual_a breach_n and_o violation_n of_o a_o law_n and_o beside_o this_o you_o tell_v we_o that_o when_o the_o messiah_n come_v he_o will_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n such_o a_o religion_n and_o service_n as_o will_n most_o suit_n with_o our_o rational_a and_o intellectual_a nature_n such_o as_o may_v approve_v itself_o to_o our_o inward_a and_o divine_a sense_n as_o true_o excellent_a and_o lovely_a comprehend_v the_o flower_n and_o sum_n of_o whatever_o be_v worthy_a noble_a and_o generous_a which_o you_o say_v be_v most_o lively_o depaint_v and_o set_v out_o to_o we_o in_o that_o which_o you_o call_v the_o christian_a religion_n the_o great_a arcanum_n and_o mystery_n of_o which_o according_a to_o the_o principle_n of_o your_o doctrine_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o that_o god_n have_v eternal_o elect_v a_o certain_a number_n of_o person_n to_o inherit_v blessedness_n with_o he_o and_o send_v his_o son_n to_o signify_v the_o same_o to_o they_o and_o to_o publish_v this_o his_o decree_n but_o to_o cast_v away_o the_o rest_n upon_o the_o pretence_n of_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n over_o they_o either_o therefore_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n be_v upon_o rational_a ground_n yet_o expect_v or_o if_o he_o have_v be_v already_o manifest_v to_o the_o world_n your_o religion_n be_v none_o of_o he_o nor_o be_v he_o ever_o the_o author_n of_o it_o but_o the_o spurious_a result_v and_o effux_n of_o fanciful_a person_n obtrude_v as_o necessary_a article_n of_o faith_n upon_o the_o world_n it_o be_v impossible_a i_o shall_v ever_o believe_v that_o the_o great_a creator_n of_o the_o universe_n who_o in_o our_o law_n declare_v himself_o to_o be_v the_o lord_n god_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a long-suffering_a and_o abundant_a in_o goodness_n and_o who_o so_o often_o forget_v the_o crime_n and_o apostasy_n of_o our_o forefather_n when_o they_o return_v and_o seek_v he_o with_o their_o whole_a heart_n shall_v now_o so_o change_v his_o nature_n and_o suspend_v the_o ray_n and_o benign_a emanation_n of_o his_o communicative_a life_n in_o this_o which_o you_o affirm_v to_o be_v the_o last_o and_o

parsimonious_a principle_n nor_o be_v he_o such_o a_o mutable_a and_o peevish_a be_v as_o to_o be_v overcome_v with_o anger_n and_o revenge_n upon_o every_o slight_a occasion_n and_o yet_o so_o easy_a and_o fond_a and_o thirsty_a after_o the_o praise_n and_o glory_n of_o his_o creature_n as_o to_o be_v appease_v with_o a_o few_o trivial_a performance_n and_o demure_a submission_n but_o his_o holy_a nature_n be_v steady_a and_o unchangeable_a goodness_n which_o exert_v not_o itself_o precarious_o and_o arbitrary_o be_v never_o disjoin_v from_o a_o all-comprehensive_a wisdom_n nor_o ever_o subject_a to_o the_o passion_n of_o envy_n and_o vainglory_n or_o cloud_v by_o inadvertency_n and_o surprisal_n of_o pettish_a wrath_n but_o like_o the_o sun_n beyond_o the_o planetary_a region_n communicate_v his_o amiable_a life_n by_o ever_o serene_a radiation_n and_o uninterrupted_a influence_n there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o deity_n which_o arise_v out_o of_o poverty_n or_o indigency_n but_o of_o infinite_a plenitude_n and_o fullness_n and_o no_o creature_n can_v augment_v his_o felicity_n who_o be_v in_o himself_o a_o perfect_a selfsufficiency_n and_o complete_a happiness_n 5._o strom._n 5._o wherefore_o clemens_n alexandrinus_n well_o observe_v out_o of_o plato_n that_o god_n bring_v not_o the_o glorious_a fabric_n of_o the_o world_n into_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d out_o of_o indigency_n or_o that_o he_o may_v receive_v praise_n and_o glory_n from_o man_n and_o angel_n as_o a_o tribute_n to_o be_v pay_v he_o by_o his_o creation_n it_o be_v the_o impotency_n and_o effeminacy_n of_o man_n intellectual_a power_n which_o lessen_v and_o straiten_n their_o apprehension_n of_o the_o deity_n that_o they_o can_v frame_v any_o other_o conception_n of_o he_o then_o they_o do_v of_o themselves_o as_o if_o he_o seek_v for_o honour_n and_o advantage_n and_o something_o without_o himself_o which_o he_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o possess_v of_o by_o bring_v his_o creature_n upon_o the_o stage_n of_o be_v and_o if_o these_o uncouth_a idea_n chance_v to_o light_v upon_o a_o subtle_a and_o unhewn_a temper_n he_o will_v easy_o be_v provoke_v to_o deny_v the_o very_a existence_n of_o god_n in_o the_o world_n who_o he_o can_v imagine_v to_o be_v almighty_a love_n and_o immense_a fullness_n when_o he_o plot_n and_o contrive_v to_o augment_v the_o revenue_n of_o his_o glory_n by_o those_o ignoble_a and_o dishonourable_a way_n of_o destine_a his_o creature_n to_o misery_n to_o the_o end_n he_o may_v appear_v potent_a and_o magnificent_a in_o their_o destruction_n for_o as_o the_o great_a proplaste_n of_o the_o universe_n begin_v the_o efformation_n of_o a_o plant_n and_o meet_v with_o stubborn_a and_o inobsequious_a matter_n give_v it_o a_o different_a signature_n and_o impression_n from_o its_o natural_a idea_n and_o instead_o of_o add_v to_o it_o it_o be_v due_a proportion_n and_o lineament_n despoil_v it_o of_o its_o native_a form_n and_o beauty_n by_o many_o misshapen_v botch_n and_o protuberance_n in_o like_a manner_n these_o direful_a and_o harsh_a apprehension_n of_o the_o deity_n meet_v with_o a_o rough_a and_o unmalleable_a disposition_n instead_o of_o form_v any_o consistent_a notion_n beget_v in_o it_o by_o their_o contagious_a affriction_n a_o utter_a aversation_n and_o malice_n against_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o exasperate_v it_o so_o far_o that_o it_o bend_v all_o its_o strength_n of_o wit_n and_o subtlety_n to_o eradicate_v the_o very_a be_v of_o a_o god_n out_o of_o the_o world_n for_o undoubted_o if_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v too_o untractable_a to_o become_v devotional_a and_o religious_a the_o next_o step_n will_v be_v to_o take_v away_o all_o sense_n and_o veneration_n of_o a_o supreme_a numen_fw-la as_o be_v something_o which_o otherwise_o will_v too_o much_o curb_v and_o restrain_v they_o from_o prosecute_a that_o liberty_n their_o corrupt_a and_o debauch_a nature_n assume_v to_o themselves_o and_o what_o be_v it_o that_o give_v occasion_n to_o such_o dismal_a thought_n and_o render_v the_o lovely_a idea_n of_o god_n such_o a_o mormo_n and_o bugbear_n to_o man_n that_o they_o endeavour_v by_o all_o possible_a way_n to_o extirpate_v it_o out_o of_o their_o mind_n but_o only_o because_o they_o see_v those_o who_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o great_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o religion_n and_o instructor_n of_o other_o in_o the_o way_n of_o righteousness_n make_v such_o dreadful_a representation_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o set_v he_o forth_o in_o so_o frightful_a a_o dress_n that_o they_o think_v the_o world_n have_v better_o be_v without_o then_o groan_v under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o such_o a_o bloodthirsty_a deity_n who_o like_o churlish_a saturn_n destroy_v his_o offspring_n so_o soon_o as_o bring_v into_o be_v nay_o before_o they_o be_v any_o thing_n but_o idea_n in_o the_o divine_a intellect_n design_v they_o by_o a_o irrevocable_a law_n to_o most_o sharp_a and_o uneasy_a torment_n this_o certain_o be_v the_o very_a inward_a sense_n of_o the_o atheist_n who_o find_v very_a contradictory_n and_o unaccountable_a explication_n as_o well_o of_o many_o other_o grand_a piece_n of_o christianity_n as_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n make_v by_o many_o who_o take_v themselves_o to_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o late_a time_n wherein_o true_a religion_n dwindle_v away_o into_o nothing_o but_o formal_a performance_n long_a and_o pompous_a devotion_n tedious_a and_o anxious_a confession_n as_o well_o of_o the_o article_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o obliquity_n of_o their_o life_n and_o pedantic_a nicety_n take_v a_o fair_a occasion_n to_o disbelieve_v all_o and_o by_o a_o hellish_a kind_n of_o policy_n contrive_v at_o once_o a_o total_a eversion_n of_o christianity_n by_o take_v away_o the_o object_n of_o religious_a worship_n and_o expunge_v the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n out_o of_o man_n mind_n what_o plutarch_n somewhere_o speak_v of_o a_o barbarous_a sort_n of_o people_n the_o atheist_n retort_v upon_o those_o rigid_a master_n of_o theology_n that_o it_o be_v much_o better_a to_o have_v no_o notion_n or_o conception_n of_o god_n at_o all_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o to_o think_v that_o he_o take_v pleasure_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o slay_a man_n and_o account_v this_o the_o most_o perfect_a and_o consummate_a sacrifice_n and_o devotion_n but_o this_o need_v not_o have_v drive_v the_o atheist_n so_o far_o as_o to_o deny_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n for_o have_v he_o look_v into_o the_o inbred_a form_n and_o character_n of_o his_o own_o mind_n and_o withal_o view_v the_o original_a draught_n of_o god_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n he_o may_v have_v take_v a_o far_o more_o true_a lively_a and_o amiable_a resemblance_n of_o the_o deity_n than_o that_o which_o scare_v he_o from_o the_o very_a thought_n of_o his_o be_v god_n be_v one_o who_o carry_v on_o no_o self-interest_n or_o particular_a design_n but_o that_o which_o he_o most_o of_o all_o aim_n at_o and_o intend_v shall_v take_v place_n upon_o earth_n be_v the_o propagation_n of_o his_o own_o life_n and_o nature_n and_o the_o general_a good_a and_o welfare_n of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o men._n fond_a and_o unreasonable_a man_n indeed_o when_o he_o have_v get_v power_n into_o his_o hand_n delight_n himself_o in_o make_v happy_a or_o miserable_a at_o his_o pleasure_n but_o that_o steady_a and_o immutable_a goodness_n which_o neither_o rise_v nor_o set_v nor_o admit_v any_o variation_n or_o shadow_n of_o turn_v glory_v not_o so_o much_o in_o the_o display_v of_o his_o power_n and_o make_v himself_o formidable_a to_o the_o creation_n as_o in_o the_o expansion_n and_o dilatation_n of_o his_o love_n as_o the_o glory_n and_o beauty_n of_o the_o sun_n be_v those_o pleasant_a ray_n that_o flow_v from_o he_o god_n power_n be_v nothing_o but_o goodness_n arm_v and_o exert_v itself_o for_o the_o bring_n about_o some_o design_n of_o love_n nor_o can_v he_o ever_o will_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o be_v every_o way_n suitable_a and_o correspondent_a to_o his_o invariable_a goodness_n which_o be_v the_o measure_n of_o his_o will._n and_o therefore_o to_o think_v that_o god_n take_v any_o complacency_n in_o the_o sole_a exercise_n of_o his_o sovereignty_n and_o dominion_n over_o his_o creature_n or_o advance_v his_o glory_n by_o exalt_v and_o cast_v they_o down_o and_o make_v they_o the_o object_n of_o his_o love_n or_o hare_n according_a to_o his_o arbitrary_a will_n and_o power_n be_v all_o one_o as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v seek_v for_o a_o name_n and_o glory_n by_o go_v about_o and_o tread_v upon_o a_o few_o poor_a worm_n we_o all_o talk_n much_o of_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n but_o many_o of_o we_o have_v very_o short_a and_o contract_a conception_n and_o too_o oft_o adopt_v our_o own_o fancy_n for_o genuine_a and_o natural_a apprehension_n of_o it_o as_o if_o it_o consist_v in_o the_o put_n forth_o the_o act_n