can_v not_o deny_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o fact_n suppose_v the_o thing_n possible_a but_o they_o will_v not_o own_v it_o possible_a that_o such_o a_o thing_n shall_v be_v and_o upon_o that_o account_n reject_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v produce_v as_o tend_v only_o to_o prove_v a_o impossibility_n and_o so_o not_o to_o be_v regard_v i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v the_o possibility_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v it_o incredible_a that_o god_n shall_v raise_v the_o dead_a if_o it_o be_v incredible_a that_o god_n shall_v raise_v the_o dead_a it_o must_v be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o two_o account_n either_o because_o he_o can_v or_o because_o he_o will_v not_o do_v it_o for_o what_o god_n both_o can_v and_o will_v do_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v incredible_a that_o it_o be_v a_o most_o undoubted_a truth_n therefore_o i_o shall_v first_o prove_v that_o god_n be_v certain_o able_a to_o raise_v the_o 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the_o dead_a but_o have_v reserve_v this_o as_o his_o own_o prerogative_n and_o above_o any_o thing_n in_o nature_n power_n god_n who_o form_v adam_n of_o the_o dust_n of_o the_o ground_n may_v have_v form_v all_o mankind_n so_o if_o he_o have_v please_v and_o he_o can_v as_o easy_o raise_v all_o mankind_n to_o life_n again_o out_o of_o the_o dust_n as_o he_o make_v the_o first_o man_n out_o of_o it_o and_o the_o atheist_n one_o will_v think_v have_v of_o all_o man_n the_o least_o pretence_n to_o scruple_n the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a who_o must_v suppose_v that_o mankind_n at_o first_o spring_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n as_o plant_n do_v by_o a_o spontaneous_a production_n and_o for_o he_o to_o pretend_v that_o the_o body_n of_o man_n can_v be_v raise_v to_o life_n again_o by_o a_o almighty_a power_n be_v as_o unreasonable_a as_o any_o thing_n in_o atheism_n itself_o can_v be_v when_o at_o certain_a season_n every_o year_n we_o see_v thing_n receive_v a_o new_a life_n as_o it_o be_v according_a to_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n we_o may_v well_o conclude_v that_o if_o so_o strange_a a_o alteration_n can_v proceed_v from_o natural_a cause_n then_o sure_o god_n be_v able_a to_o effect_v that_o which_o be_v much_o more_o wonderful_a and_o to_o raise_v even_o these_o body_n of_o we_o after_o they_o be_v dead_a and_o rot_a in_o the_o grave_a to_o life_n again_o and_o since_o the_o corn_n which_o be_v sow_o in_o the_o earth_n be_v not_o quicken_v except_o it_o die_v and_o will_v not_o revive_v and_o grow_v again_o and_o come_v to_o perfection_n unless_o it_o be_v first_o bury_v in_o the_o ground_n and_o undergo_v great_a alteration_n there_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n as_o the_o apostle_n argue_v to_o doubt_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a because_o we_o can_v understand_v the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o let_v man_n answer_v all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o nature_n and_o it_o will_v be_v time_n enough_o afterward_o to_o dispute_v with_o they_o about_o a_o resurrection_n but_o when_o we_o be_v at_o a_o loss_n about_o the_o most_o common_a and_o obvious_a thing_n it_o must_v be_v great_a presumption_n to_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n because_o we_o can_v comprehend_v it_o when_o alas_o what_o be_v there_o beside_o that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v will_v we_o presume_v to_o say_v that_o god_n can_v do_v nothing_o but_o what_o we_o understand_v how_o it_o may_v be_v do_v when_o every_o thing_n we_o see_v may_v inform_v we_o that_o his_o wisdom_n be_v infinite_a and_o his_o way_n past_o find_v out_o indeed_o if_o we_o understand_v every_o thing_n else_o there_o may_v be_v some_o pretence_n to_o scruple_n the_o resurrection_n because_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v but_o when_o our_o ignorance_n be_v so_o notorious_a in_o all_o other_o thing_n it_o be_v the_o height_n of_o folly_n and_o perverseness_n to_o think_v ourselves_o competent_a judge_n of_o such_o a_o mystery_n as_o this_o so_o far_o be_v we_o from_o be_v able_a to_o make_v any_o estimate_n of_o god_n power_n and_o so_o far_o be_v the_o resurrection_n from_o be_v incredible_a because_o there_o may_v be_v objection_n make_v about_o it_o which_o may_v seem_v unanswerable_a that_o if_o no_o other_o answer_n can_v be_v give_v this_o will_v be_v sufficient_a that_o god_n can_v do_v more_o than_o we_o can_v have_v the_o least_o thought_n or_o conception_n of_o and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o argument_n that_o he_o can_v do_v what_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n in_o it_o nor_o which_o imply_v a_o contradiction_n the_o
after_o a_o captivity_n of_o seventy_o year_n and_o cyrus_n send_v forth_o his_o proclamation_n declare_v that_o he_o have_v receive_v his_o kigdom_n from_o god_n with_o a_o charge_n to_o rebuild_v the_o temple_n at_o jerusalem_n 2_o chron._n xxxvi_o 23._o and_o this_o decree_n of_o cyrus_n be_v reinforce_v by_o darius_n and_o artaxerxes_n ezra_n vi_fw-la seven_o now_o so_o many_o several_a decree_n put_v forth_o in_o favour_n of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o miraculous_a power_n and_o wisdom_n which_o give_v occasion_n to_o they_o and_o the_o advancement_n of_o daniel_n and_o other_o and_o the_o long_a life_n and_o continuance_n of_o daniel_n in_o that_o power_n and_o esteem_n must_v leave_v all_o the_o eastern_a part_n of_o the_o world_n without_o any_o excuse_n who_o be_v not_o convert_v to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n the_o advancement_n of_o esther_n and_o mordecai_n under_o ahasuerus_n and_o of_o nehemiah_n under_o artaxerxes_n give_v the_o jew_n great_a authority_n and_o great_a opportunite_v of_o propagate_a their_o religion_n from_o india_n even_o unto_o aethiopia_n over_o a_o hundred_o and_o seven_o and_o twenty_o province_n for_o this_o be_v the_o extent_n of_o the_o dominion_n of_o ahasuerus_n esth_n i._o 1._o and_o the_o jew_n be_v disperse_v in_o all_o the_o province_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o babylon_n chap._n iii._o 8._o and_o they_o want_v no_o care_n nor_o diligence_n to_o improve_v every_o opportunity_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o the_o book_n of_o ezekiel_n daniel_n ezra_n nehemiah_n and_o esther_n and_o the_o very_a name_n of_o such_o person_n be_v enough_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n can_v want_v no_o mean_n of_o conversion_n confess_v he_o before_o the_o gentile_n you_o child_n of_o israel_n for_o he_o have_v scatter_v we_o among_o they_o there_o declare_v his_o greatness_n and_o extol_v he_o before_o all_o the_o live_n for_o he_o be_v our_o lord_n and_o he_o be_v the_o god_n our_o father_n for_o ever_o in_o the_o land_n of_o my_o captivity_n do_v i_o praise_v he_o and_o declare_v his_o might_n and_o majesty_n to_o a_o sinful_a nation_n tob._n xiii_o 3_o 4_o 6._o this_o be_v the_o practice_n of_o pious_a man_n among_o the_o ten_o tribe_n of_o who_o some_o be_v likewise_o in_o great_a place_n and_o authority_n chap._n i._n 13_o 21_o 22._o and_o as_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v first_o carry_v away_o captive_a so_o upon_o the_o restoration_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o benjamin_n all_o but_o a_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o the_o other_o tribe_n remain_v in_o the_o place_n of_o their_o captivity_n and_o many_o 75._o many_o joseph_n antiq._n l._n 11._o c._n 1._o mede_n discourse_n 20._o p._n 75._o of_o those_o two_o tribe_n also_o choose_v rather_o to_o continue_v in_o babylon_n than_o forsake_v the_o possession_n which_o they_o enjoy_v there_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o not_o much_o more_o than_o half_a of_o they_o return_v and_o there_o be_v afrerwards_o three_o celebrate_a university_n 799._o university_n lightf_n harm_n n.t._n p._n 335._o exercit._n on_o act_n p._n 681_o 799._o of_o the_o jew_n in_o babylon_n nehardea_n pombeditha_n and_o soria_n beside_o several_a other_o place_n famous_a for_o learning_n the_o jew_n relate_v x._o relate_v hier._n in_o zech._n x._o that_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v carry_v away_o not_o only_o into_o media_n and_o persia_n but_o into_o the_o northern_a country_n beyond_o the_o bosphorus_n and_o ortelius_n find_v they_o in_o tartary_n the_o odomantes_n a_o people_n of_o thrace_n be_v circumcise_a and_o the_o 4._o the_o aristophan_v acharnens_fw-la act._n 1._o scen_n 4._o scholiast_n of_o aristophanes_n say_v that_o they_o be_v report_v to_o be_v jew_n the_o restoration_n of_o the_o jew_n by_o cyrus_n who_o have_v be_v so_o long_o before_o appoint_v and_o name_v by_o god_n himself_o for_o that_o work_n be_v ordain_v for_o this_o end_n that_o they_o may_v know_v from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o from_o the_o west_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n beside_o he_o isa_n xlv_o 6._o and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o after_o the_o captivity_n the_o jew_n be_v never_o give_v to_o idolatry_n and_o though_o they_o be_v bofore_o too_o much_o addict_v to_o it_o yet_o this_o give_v occasion_n to_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o it_o and_o these_o with_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n which_o befall_v they_o for_o their_o iniquity_n give_v continual_a manifestation_n to_o the_o world_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n when_o the_o ten_o tribe_n be_v carry_v from_o samaria_n and_o strange_a nation_n be_v transplant_v thither_o in_o their_o room_n god_n will_v not_o suffer_v his_o name_n and_o worship_n to_o be_v quite_o neglect_v and_o forget_v among_o they_o but_o they_o be_v force_v to_o send_v for_o a_o priest_n back_o again_o to_o teach_v they_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n 2_o king_n xvii_o and_o after_o the_o take_v of_o jerusalem_n by_o nabuchadnezzar_n and_o the_o death_n of_o gedaliah_n who_o be_v set_v over_o they_o that_o be_v leave_v behind_o in_o the_o land_n of_o judah_n all_o the_o people_n that_o be_v not_o before_o carry_v to_o babylon_n flee_v into_o egypt_n jeremiah_n be_v force_v along_o with_o they_o who_o there_o prophesy_v against_o egypt_n and_o foretell_v its_o destruction_n by_o the_o babylonian_n jer._n xliii_o and_o at_o last_o suffer_v maâ—yrdom_n their_o go_v into_o egypt_n be_v indeed_o contrary_a to_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o jeremiah_n but_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n so_o order_v thing_n that_o jeremiah_n shall_v be_v carry_v thither_o with_o the_o rest_n to_o testify_v against_o their_o wickedness_n and_o obstinacy_n and_o to_o denounce_v god_n judgement_n upon_o they_o and_o upon_o the_o egyptian_n in_o who_o they_o place_v their_o confidence_n rather_o than_o in_o the_o live_a god_n and_o then_o to_o die_v in_o testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o have_v deliver_v cyrus_n and_o darius_n desire_v the_o prayer_n and_o sacrifice_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o behalf_n of_o themselves_o and_o their_o kingdom_n alexander_n the_o great_a pâ—olemaeus_n philadelphus_n augustus_n tiberius_n and_o vitellius_n send_v victim_n to_o be_v sacrifice_v at_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n as_o we_o learn_v from_o philo_n and_o josephus_n the_o jew_n constant_o offer_v sacrifice_n and_o prayer_n for_o the_o king_n and_o emperor_n under_o who_o they_o live_v and_o for_o their_o ally_n and_o confederate_n 1_o maccab._n seven_o 33._o &_o twelve_o 11._o and_o it_o be_v expect_v of_o they_o for_o the_o omission_n of_o this_o contrary_a to_o their_o know_a and_o approve_a custom_n in_o all_o former_a time_n be_v the_o thing_n which_o hasten_v their_o final_a destruction_n by_o the_o roman_n the_o course_n of_o alexander_n victory_n be_v so_o unexpected_a so_o sudden_a and_o every_o way_n so_o wonderful_a that_o it_o alarm_v the_o world_n and_o no_o man_n can_v believe_v that_o this_o be_v design_v by_o providence_n only_o to_o gratify_v the_o ambition_n and_o vanity_n of_o a_o rash_a youth_n but_o to_o open_v a_o way_n for_o a_o communication_n between_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n to_o the_o benefit_n of_o mankind_n in_o the_o improvement_n of_o all_o useful_a knowledge_n and_o when_o this_o work_n be_v do_v he_o be_v no_o long_o the_o same_o man_n he_o have_v be_v before_o but_o soon_o resign_v his_o conquest_n with_o his_o life_n alexander_n be_v say_v by_o ult_n by_o joseph_n antiqu._n l._n 11._o c._n ult_n josephus_n to_o have_v be_v mighty_o encourage_v in_o his_o enterprise_n against_o persia_n by_o the_o prophecy_n of_o daniel_n he_o remit_v the_o tribute_n of_o every_o seven_o year_n in_o which_o by_o their_o law_n they_o be_v oblige_v not_o to_o sow_v their_o ground_n 17._o ground_n ibid._n l._n 14._o c._n 17._o which_o be_v afterward_o remit_v to_o they_o likewise_o by_o the_o roman_n he_o grant_v the_o jew_n who_o in_o great_a number_n list_v themselves_o in_o his_o army_n the_o free_a exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o promise_v to_o grant_v the_o same_o to_o the_o jew_n of_o babylon_n and_o media_n and_o those_o of_o sanballat_n faction_n who_o follow_v he_o into_o egypt_n he_o place_v in_o thebais_n hecatoeus_n who_o live_v in_o alexander_n time_n write_v etc._n write_v joseph_n contra_fw-la ap._n lib._n 1._o pag._n 1048_o etc._n etc._n a_o book_n concern_v the_o jew_n in_o which_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o great_a zeal_n for_o their_o law_n which_o he_o prove_v by_o this_o instance_n that_o when_o alexander_n repair_v the_o temple_n of_o belus_n at_o babylon_n his_o soldier_n who_o be_v jew_n can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v bring_v to_o help_v forward_o that_o work_n and_o at_o last_o the_o king_n excuse_v they_o he_o relate_v that_o hezechias_n the_o highpriest_n of_o the_o jew_n
prophecy_n be_v misapply_v to_o a_o wrong_a person_n the_o four_o eclogue_n of_o virgil_n contain_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o sibyl_n and_o however_o it_o be_v design_v by_o he_o be_v in_o most_o thing_n much_o more_o applicable_a to_o our_o saviour_n than_o to_o the_o person_n who_o he_o describe_v in_o cataline_n conspiracy_n lentulus_n flatter_v himself_o with_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v a_o king_n from_o catiline_n from_o tull._n in_o catalin_n orat._n 3._o sallust_n bell._n catiline_n the_o sibylline_a oracle_n and_o from_o the_o same_o oracle_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o scripture_n it_o be_v probable_a the_o expectation_n of_o a_o king_n who_o shall_v arise_v out_o of_o judaea_n which_o both_o suetonius_n and_o tacitus_n mention_n 4._o mention_n tacit._n hist_o l._n 5._o sueton._n in_o vespas_fw-la c._n 4._o be_v spread_v throughout_o the_o east_n what_o tully_n say_v lib._n 2._o de_fw-fr divin_n in_o disparagement_n of_o this_o oracle_n be_v not_o much_o considerable_a in_o the_o case_n because_o that_o whole_a book_n be_v write_v with_o a_o design_n to_o disparage_v all_o divination_n in_o general_a for_o be_v a_o academic_a as_o he_o profess_v throughout_o his_o book_n of_o philosophy_n he_o acknowledge_v no_o more_o of_o any_o part_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o be_v just_o necessary_a to_o comply_v with_o the_o law_n as_o he_o own_v himself_o in_o divers_a place_n however_o from_o he_o it_o appear_v that_o a_o sybylline_a oracle_n be_v allege_v to_o the_o purpose_n there_o mention_v and_o that_o be_v in_o favour_n of_o caesar_n and_o of_o monarchy_n if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o other_o be_v cause_n enough_o for_o tully_n to_o reject_v it_o and_o turn_v it_o to_o ridicule_n 2._o though_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o sibyl_n of_o cuma_n be_v burn_v with_o the_o capitol_n a._n v._o c._n dclxxi_o yet_o virgil_n express_o name_v cuma_n this_o sibyl_n verse_n must_v be_v still_o remain_v or_o suppose_v to_o be_v so_o unless_o what_o he_o write_v become_v some_o way_n or_o other_o know_v before_o the_o burn_a of_o the_o capitol_n and_o be_v deliver_v afterward_o down_o by_o tradition_n tully_n quote_v sibylla_n erythraea_n lib._n 1._o de_fw-fr divin_n and_o if_o he_o mean_v the_o same_o sibyl_n in_o the_o 2d_o book_n martianus_n capella_n say_v 2._o say_v martian_a capel_n nupt_v philolog_fw-la l._n 2._o that_o sibylla_n erythraea_n and_o cumana_n be_v the_o same_o and_o in_o the_o search_n which_o be_v make_v for_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n in_o italy_n and_o in_o all_o other_o place_n where_o there_o be_v any_o probability_n of_o find_v any_o remain_n of_o they_o after_o the_o burn_a of_o the_o capitol_n it_o be_v likely_a her_o verse_n may_v be_v recover_v for_o 1._o for_o valer._n maximus_n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o valerius_n maximus_n say_v that_o m._n tullius_n as_o he_o call_v he_o not_o attilius_n be_v put_v to_o death_n by_o tarqvinius_n for_o suffer_v petronius_n sabinus_n to_o transcribe_v the_o sybil_n verse_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v disperse_v in_o divers_a copy_n before_o it_o be_v discover_v so_o as_o not_o to_o be_v suppress_v it_o be_v not_o know_v but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o verse_n of_o some_o other_o sibyl_n which_o go_v under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o sibyl_n of_o cuma_n after_o she_o be_v burn_v with_o the_o capitol_n it_o be_v not_o much_o material_a however_o the_o roman_n certain_o think_v they_o have_v the_o oracle_n of_o the_o cuman_a sibyl_n for_o as_o lactantius_n say_v 6._o say_v lactan._n de_fw-fr falsa_fw-la relig_n c._n 6._o they_o allow_v the_o verse_n of_o all_o the_o other_o sibyl_n to_o be_v copy_v out_o and_o publish_v though_o they_o will_v not_o suffer_v those_o of_o cuma_n to_o be_v read_v but_o by_o order_n of_o the_o senate_n notwithstanding_o all_o this_o care_n they_o can_v not_o keep_v they_o conceal_v for_o we_o meet_v they_o often_o quote_v indeed_o the_o oracle_n in_o the_o capitol_n 4._o capitol_n diovys_n halicar_n l._n 4._o be_v only_a copy_n take_v from_o original_n which_o be_v leave_v in_o those_o place_n from_o whence_o the_o roman_n have_v their_o own_o copy_n transcribe_v and_o the_o original_n may_v be_v read_v and_o other_o copy_n take_v how_o careful_o soever_o the_o roman_n keep_v their_o own_o 3._o it_o be_v know_v that_o the_o sibylline_a oracle_n contain_v thing_n which_o concern_v the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o verse_n themselves_o be_v in_o divers_a hand_n this_o give_v occasion_n to_o some_o to_o make_v many_o more_o verse_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o sybil_n relate_v the_o whole_a history_n of_o our_o saviour_n etc._n etc._n but_o if_o the_o sibyl_n verse_n have_v be_v all_o burn_a or_o lose_v or_o if_o they_o have_v be_v keep_v so_o close_o that_o no_o body_n can_v possible_o come_v to_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o they_o without_o leave_n from_o the_o senate_n there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o pretence_n for_o any_o imposture_n nor_o will_v the_o christian_n ever_o have_v allege_v they_o as_o genuine_a celsus_n object_n only_o 7._o only_o origen_n contra_fw-la cell_n l._n 7._o that_o many_o thing_n be_v add_v to_o the_o verse_n of_o the_o sibyl_n not_o that_o they_o be_v all_o counterfeit_n or_o that_o the_o christian_n have_v no_o mean_n of_o come_v by_o the_o true_a which_o be_v a_o advantage_n that_o a_o adversary_n much_o less_o subtle_a than_o celsus_n will_v not_o have_v omit_v if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o ground_n for_o it_o origen_n reply_v that_o it_o be_v a_o malicious_a accusation_n and_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o bring_v no_o proof_n of_o it_o by_o produce_v ancient_a copy_n more_o genuine_a than_o those_o which_o the_o christian_n make_v use_v of_o and_o if_o the_o sibyl_n have_v deliver_v nothing_o relate_v to_o these_o matter_n why_o shall_v any_o one_o counterfeit_a verse_n in_o their_o name_n rather_o than_o under_o the_o title_n of_o any_o other_o oracle_n there_o must_v be_v some_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o truth_n to_o give_v any_o opportunity_n or_o pretence_n to_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o and_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o sibyl_n concern_v christ_n must_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o all_o the_o additional_a one_o which_o be_v false_o ascribe_v to_o they_o 4._o isaac_n vossius_fw-la think_v that_o great_a part_n of_o these_o oracle_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o indeed_o pausanias_n say_v 328._o say_v pausan_n in_o phocic_n p._n 328._o one_o of_o the_o sibyl_n be_v by_o the_o jew_n call_v sabba_n the_o same_o i_o suppose_v who_o be_v mention_v by_o 35._o by_o aelian_a l._n 2._o c._n 35._o aelian_a and_o by_o suidas_n say_v to_o be_v descend_v from_o noah_n and_o name_v sambethe_n call_v the_o chaldaean_n and_o by_o some_o the_o hebrew_n and_o also_o the_o persian_a sibyl_n who_o 16._o who_o alexand._n ab_fw-la alex._n l._n 3._o c._n 16._o alexander_n ab_fw-la alexandro_n call_v sibylla_n judaea_n but_o if_o these_o be_v only_o heathen_a oracle_n yet_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o prediction_n concern_v christ_n be_v very_o plain_a though_o not_o so_o particular_a as_o those_o now_o set_v down_o in_o the_o sibylline_a book_n both_o because_o the_o heathen_a have_v but_o few_o oracle_n of_o this_o nature_n and_o so_o many_o of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a nature_n it_o be_v the_o more_o necessary_a that_o these_o shall_v be_v plain_a and_o because_o we_o find_v that_o when_o god_n in_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n see_v it_o fit_v to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o other_o he_o do_v it_o in_o as_o plain_a a_o manner_n and_o sometime_o in_o a_o plain_a than_o he_o do_v to_o his_o own_o people_n in_o any_o one_o prophecy_n thus_o balaam_n prophecy_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o any_o prophecy_n of_o that_o time_n at_o least_o and_o our_o saviour_n discover_v himself_o more_o plain_o to_o the_o woman_n of_o samaria_n than_o he_o have_v yet_o do_v to_o any_o of_o his_o disciple_n john_n four_o 26._o not_o to_o mention_v the_o dream_n of_o pharaoh_n and_o nabuchadnezzar_n or_o the_o message_n of_o jonah_n to_o the_o ninevite_n and_o as_o balaam_n a_o enchanter_n or_o sorcerer_n deliver_v a_o true_a and_o famous_a prophecy_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v force_v to_o confess_v he_o to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n so_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n may_v ordain_v that_o these_o celebrate_a prophetess_n who_o oracle_n be_v otherwise_o the_o devil_n instrument_n to_o promote_v his_o end_n shall_v foretell_v our_o saviour_n come_v and_o yet_o st._n augustine_n assure_v we_o 23._o we_o august_n civ_o dei_fw-la l._n 18._o c._n 23._o that_o the_o sibylla_n erythraea_n or_o cumana_n have_v nothing_o of_o idolatry_n in_o her_o verse_n but_o speak_v so_o much_o against_o it_o that_o he_o believe_v she_o to_o belong_v to_o the_o city_n of_o god_n 5._o the_o difference_n which_o there_o be_v
a_o high_a principle_n than_o they_o do_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o the_o wit_n of_o man_n to_o contrive_v any_o thing_n so_o admirable_o fit_v to_o procure_v the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n as_o their_o doctrine_n be_v no_o precept_n can_v be_v more_o righteous_a and_o holy_a no_o reward_n more_o excellent_a nor_o punishment_n more_o formidable_a than_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n and_o which_o be_v above_o all_o no_o religion_n beside_o ever_o afford_v nor_o can_v all_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n ever_o have_v find_v out_o such_o powerful_a motive_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n which_o be_v the_o only_a true_a principle_n of_o obedience_n our_o religion_n contain_v no_o dry_a and_o empty_a speculation_n but_o all_o its_o mystery_n be_v mystery_n of_o love_n and_o mercy_n other_o may_v fear_v god_n but_o it_o be_v the_o christian_n only_o that_o can_v true_o love_v he_o and_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o in_o all_o condition_n in_o life_n and_o in_o death_n look_v up_o to_o he_o as_o his_o father_n his_o saviour_n and_o comforter_n this_o religion_n place_n man_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o entitle_v they_o to_o his_o peculiar_a favour_n and_o care_n it_o declare_v god_n to_o be_v their_o friend_n and_o protector_n here_o and_o their_o everlasting_a rewarder_n after_o death_n it_o promise_v and_o assure_v we_o of_o all_o the_o happiness_n both_o in_o body_n and_o soul_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o which_o be_v the_o utmost_a that_o can_v be_v expect_v or_o wish_v for_o from_o any_o revelation_n and_o the_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a reason_n why_o god_n shall_v establish_v religion_n in_o the_o world_n it_o appear_v from_o this_o whole_a discourse_n that_o nothing_o be_v want_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o can_v be_v expect_v in_o any_o revelation_n they_o be_v of_o the_o great_a antiquity_n and_o have_v be_v preach_v throughout_o the_o world_n and_o have_v abundant_a evidence_n both_o by_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o their_o divine_a authority_n and_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o they_o be_v such_o as_o god_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o reveal_v mankind_n have_v visible_a character_n in_o it_o of_o the_o divine_a goodness_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v exceed_o conduce_v to_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n part_n iii_o that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o divine_a revelation_n but_o that_o contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n that_o there_o be_v no_o other_o institution_n of_o religion_n beside_o that_o deliver_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o have_v all_o thing_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v show_v in_o the_o several_a particular_n necessary_a to_o a_o divine_a revelation_n as_o that_o no_o other_o religion_n ever_o be_v of_o like_a antiquity_n or_o have_v equal_a promulgation_n that_o no_o other_o have_v sufficient_a evidence_n of_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n in_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o last_o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o other_o which_o do_v not_o teach_v many_o doctrine_n that_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n and_o therefore_o impossible_a to_o come_v from_o heaven_n this_o i_o shall_v prove_v first_o of_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n second_o of_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n chap._n i._n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o novelty_n of_o the_o religion_n among_o the_o heathen_n who_o we_o have_v any_o certain_a account_n of_o from_o their_o write_n in_o respect_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o notorious_a have_v be_v so_o often_o prove_v by_o learned_a man_n and_o be_v so_o general_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o be_v needless_a to_o insist_v much_o upon_o it_o the_o heathen_n general_o be_v stranger_n to_o every_o thing_n of_o antiquity_n and_o therefore_o must_v be_v unable_a to_o give_v any_o proof_n of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o religion_n the_o pretence_n which_o the_o egyptian_n make_v to_o antiquity_n so_o much_o beyond_o the_o time_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n proceed_v from_o their_o reckon_n by_o lunar_a year_n or_o 12._o or_o diodor_n sic._n lib._n i._n plutarch_n in_o numa_n var._n apud_fw-la lactant._n de_fw-fr orig._n error_n lib._n two_o c._n 12._o month_n but_o they_o have_v so_o different_a account_n however_o of_o chronology_n that_o as_o diodorus_n siculus_n say_v some_o of_o they_o compute_v thirteen_o thousand_o year_n more_o than_o other_o from_o the_o original_a of_o their_o dynasty_n to_o the_o time_n of_o alexander_n the_o great_a and_o the_o solar_a year_n in_o use_n among_o the_o egyptian_n who_o be_v most_o famous_a for_o astronomy_n be_v so_o imperfect_a that_o they_o say_v the_o sun_n have_v several_a time_n change_v euterpâ—_n change_v herod_n euterpâ—_n his_o course_n since_o the_o begin_n of_o their_o dynasty_n impute_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o own_o computation_n for_o want_n of_o intercalary_n day_n to_o the_o sun_n variation_n or_o else_o affect_v to_o speak_v something_o wonderful_a and_o extravagant_a the_o early_a astronomical_a observation_n to_o be_v meet_v with_o which_o be_v make_v in_o egypt_n be_v those_o perform_v by_o the_o greek_n of_o alexandria_n less_o than_o ccc_o year_n before_o christ_n as_o 23._o as_o mr._n wotton_n reflection_n upon_o ancient_a and_o modern_a learning_n c._n 23._o mr._n halley_n have_v observe_v 4._o observe_v vitruâ—_fw-la 〈…〉_o 4._o the_o chaldaean_n suppose_v the_o moon_n to_o be_v a_o luminons_n body_n and_o therefore_o can_v have_v no_o great_a skill_n in_o astronomy_n beside_o they_o want_v instrument_n to_o make_v exact_a observation_n '_o alderman_n we_o have_v of_o they_o say_v the_o same_o learned_a ib._n learned_a iâ—_n mr._n 〈◊〉_d reflect_v ib._n astronomer_n be_v only_o seven_o eclipse_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o even_o those_o but_o very_o coarse_o set_v down_o and_o the_o old_a not_o much_o above_o dcc_n year_n before_o christ_n so_o that_o after_o all_o the_o fame_n of_o these_o chaldaean_n we_o may_v be_v sure_a they_o have_v not_o go_v far_o in_o this_o science_n and_o though_o calisthenes_n be_v say_v by_o porphyry_n to_o have_v bring_v from_o babylon_n to_o greece_n observation_n above_o mdcccc_n year_n old_a than_o alexander_n yet_o the_o proper_a author_n make_v no_o mention_n or_o use_v of_o any_o such_o render_v it_o just_o suspect_v for_o a_o fable_n so_o little_a ground_n be_v there_o for_o we_o to_o depend_v upon_o the_o account_n of_o time_n and_o the_o vain_a boast_n of_o antiquity_n which_o these_o nation_n have_v make_v he_o far_o observe_v that_o the_o greek_n be_v the_o first_o practical_a astronomer_n who_o endeavour_v in_o earnest_a to_o make_v themselves_o master_n of_o the_o science_n and_o that_o thales_n be_v the_o first_o who_o can_v predict_v a_o eclipse_n in_o greece_n not_o dc_o year_n before_o christ_n and_o that_o hipparchus_n make_v the_o first_o catalogue_n of_o the_o fix_a star_n not_o above_o cl._n year_n before_o christ_n according_a to_o that_o know_a observation_n 21._o observation_n censorin_n de_fw-fr die_fw-fr natali_n c._n 21._o of_o varro_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o can_v deserve_v the_o name_n of_o history_n to_o be_v find_v among_o the_o greek_n before_o the_o olympiad_n which_o be_v but_o about_o twenty_o year_n before_o the_o build_n of_o rome_n and_o whatever_o learning_n or_o knowledge_n of_o ancient_a time_n the_o roman_n have_v they_o borrow_v it_o from_o the_o greek_n for_o they_o be_v so_o little_a capable_a of_o transmit_v their_o own_o affair_n down_o to_o posterity_n with_o any_o exactness_n in_o point_n of_o time_n that_o for_o 23._o for_o id._n c._n 23._o some_o age_n they_o have_v neither_o dial_n nor_o hour-glass_n to_o measure_v their_o day_n and_o night_n for_o by_o common_a use_n and_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n they_o know_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o hour_n or_o the_o like_a distinction_n but_o compute_v their_o time_n only_o from_o noon_n to_o noon_n so_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o their_o calendar_n be_v in_o such_o confusion_n till_o caesar_n regulate_v it_o the_o pretension_n of_o the_o chinese_n to_o antiquity_n appear_v equal_o vain_a and_o upon_o the_o same_o ground_n for_o they_o understand_v little_a or_o nothing_o of_o astronomy_n or_o else_o the_o missionary_n by_o their_o skill_n in_o that_o art_n will_v not_o have_v be_v able_a so_o much_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o with_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n indeed_o the_o chineses_n themselves_o 464._o themselves_o martin_n hist_o sin_n lib._n i._n two_o &_o atl._n sinic_n praef._n philip_n couplet_n in_o confuc_n proen_fw-mi declar._n &_o praef._n ad_fw-la fab._n chronol_n sinicae_fw-la monarchiae_fw-la le_fw-fr compt'_v memoir_n p._n 64._o 71._o 464._o confess_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v in_o great_a part_n fabulous_a and_o they_o acknowledge_v
that_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v not_o expound_v by_o any_o who_o live_v near_o than_o mdcc_o year_n to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o that_o the_o number_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o mistake_v or_o that_o month_n be_v put_v for_o year_n but_o of_o what_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n soever_o their_o first_o writer_n be_v there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o book_n now_o remain_v since_o that_o general_a destruction_n of_o all_o ancient_a book_n by_o the_o emperor_n xi_o hoam_n ti_o who_o live_v but_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n he_o command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n all_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n to_o be_v destroy_v relate_v either_o to_o history_n or_o philosophy_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o confucius_n and_o kill_v many_o of_o their_o learned_a man_n so_o that_o from_o his_o time_n they_o have_v only_o some_o fragment_n of_o old_a author_n leave_v the_o chinese_n be_v a_o people_n vain_a enough_o and_o love_n to_o magnify_v themselves_o to_o the_o european_n which_o make_v they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v sufficient_o entire_a notwithstanding_o this_o destruction_n of_o their_o book_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o describe_v the_o emperor_n observatory_n as_o the_o most_o complete_a and_o the_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o use_n of_o astronomy_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o upon_o the_o view_n it_o appear_v very_o inconsiderable_a and_o the_o instrument_n be_v find_v useless_a and_o new_a one_o be_v place_v in_o their_o room_n make_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o father_n verbiest_n this_o people_n after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v a_o exact_a calendar_n and_o their_o table_n of_o eclipse_n be_v so_o uncorrect_a that_o they_o can_v scarce_o foretell_v about_o what_o time_n that_o of_o the_o sun_n shall_v happen_v and_o in_o a_o petition_n which_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n in_o favour_n it_o seem_v to_o the_o missionary_n have_v private_o draw_v up_o to_o be_v present_v by_o they_o to_o himself_o in_o public_a it_o be_v say_v that_o father_n adam_n schaal_n make_v it_o know_v to_o all_o the_o court_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o celestial_a motion_n establish_v by_o the_o ancient_a astronomer_n of_o china_n be_v all_o false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n of_o china_n but_o the_o chief_a mandarine_n be_v so_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a that_o when_o they_o see_v the_o sun_n or_o moon_n under_o a_o eclipse_n with_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o dog_n or_o dragon_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v like_a to_o devour_v they_o so_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretence_n which_o the_o several_a nation_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v make_v to_o antiquity_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o history_n but_o upon_o wander_a discourse_n of_o observation_n in_o astronomy_n which_o they_o have_v little_a or_o no_o skill_n in_o and_o it_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o very_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v but_o man_n who_o the_o scripture_n mention_v as_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n such_o as_o noâ—h_v joseph_n moses_n etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o several_a religion_n profess_v among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o inconsiderable_a for_o they_o be_v never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v and_o examine_v but_o their_o mystery_n be_v keep_v secret_a and_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n the_o people_n have_v of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o priest_n every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v seldom_o receive_v or_o know_v but_o in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o set_v up_o the_o 3._o the_o valer-max_n de_fw-fr peregrina_fw-la relig._n rejecta_fw-la lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o roman_n reject_v many_o foreign_a religion_n as_o abominable_a and_o none_o of_o their_o religion_n ever_o prevail_v but_o where_o they_o have_v the_o temporal_a power_n to_o uphold_v they_o and_o they_o lose_v ground_n daily_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppress_v it_o and_o to_o maintain_v the_o heathen_a religion_n against_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o propagation_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v before_o but_o where_o christianity_n have_v prevail_v heathenism_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o maintain_v its_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o but_o christian_n except_v some_o few_o jew_n to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a country_n which_o make_v a_o great_a abatement_n in_o the_o disproportion_n that_o heathenism_n in_o general_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v in_o its_o number_n above_o christianity_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n here_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v whether_o any_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n exceed_v or_o equal_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o point_n of_o promulgation_n for_o who_o ever_o can_v imagine_v that_o all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n must_v suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v contradiction_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o heathen_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o christian_n but_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v as_o full_o promulge_v as_o the_o christian_a one_o herald_n be_v enough_o to_o promulge_v a_o law_n to_o many_o thousand_o the_o city_n of_o nineve_n be_v convert_v by_o one_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v more_o christian_n in_o it_o than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v chap._n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n but_o that_o many_o wonder_n have_v be_v do_v by_o magician_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v foreshow_v and_o foretell_v among_o heathen_n by_o dream_n and_o prodigy_n and_o oracle_n which_o do_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o there_o be_v invisible_a power_n and_o that_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o man_n can_v do_v and_o to_o know_v more_o than_o man_n can_v know_v for_o which_o reason_n in_o former_a age_n there_o be_v no_o more_o doubt_n make_v whether_o there_o be_v spirit_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o be_v continual_o sensible_a of_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o invisible_a being_n which_o make_v they_o exceed_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n but_o not_o incline_v to_o atheism_n and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o now_o in_o heathen_a country_n where_o apparition_n and_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n be_v affirm_v by_o all_o writer_n to_o be_v very_o frequent_a but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n evil_a spirit_n by_o their_o subtlety_n and_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n do_v foretell_v thing_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_n they_o be_v thing_n that_o happen_v not_o long_o after_o and_o common_o such_o as_o themselves_o do_v excite_v and_o prompt_v man_n to_o thus_o when_o the_o conspiracy_n against_o caesar_n be_v come_v just_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o agent_n concern_v in_o it_o he_o can_v foretell_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o death_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v to_o pompey_n crassus_n and_o caesar_n himself_o before_o as_o two_o as_o tull._n de_fw-fr divin_n lib._n two_o tully_n inform_v we_o from_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o die_v in_o their_o bed_n and_o in_o a_o honourable_a old_a age._n some_o oracle_n may_v possible_o take_v their_o answer_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o jupiter_n hammon_n concern_v alexander_n victory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o piece_n of_o flattery_n which_o prove_v true_a by_o chance_n evil_a spirit_n may_v likewise_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o victory_n the_o same_o day_n they_o be_v win_v as_o it_o be_v relate_v ib._n relate_v ib._n of_o several_a and_o in_o
upon_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o the_o world_n the_o philosopher_n think_v it_o concern_v they_o to_o review_v all_o that_o have_v be_v former_o write_v to_o unite_v their_o force_n and_o select_v those_o notion_n out_o of_o every_o sect_n which_o be_v most_o plausible_a omit_v such_o as_o they_o see_v will_v then_o give_v offence_n and_o it_o appear_v that_o they_o be_v great_o behold_v to_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o oppose_v and_o pretend_v to_o despise_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o they_o have_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o do_v sometime_o make_v use_n of_o term_n which_o they_o have_v take_v from_o thence_o unknown_a to_o former_a philosopher_n but_o philosophy_n after_o all_o their_o endeavour_n still_o retain_v many_o error_n and_o want_v that_o evidence_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n can_v never_o maintain_v its_o ground_n against_o that_o religion_n which_o be_v preach_v by_o those_o who_o they_o contemn_v as_o ignorant_a man_n but_o which_o in_o a_o short_a time_n wrought_v such_o a_o reformation_n in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o philosophy_n of_o all_o age_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o effect_v it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v that_o there_o be_v many_o great_a and_o eminent_a example_n among_o the_o heathen_a but_o then_o there_o be_v always_o as_o great_a enormity_n allow_v in_o the_o most_o civilise_a nation_n philosophy_n be_v 47_o be_v tertul_n apol._n c._n 47_o prohibit_v by_o three_o of_o the_o principal_a state_n of_o greece_n by_o the_o theban_n the_o spartan_n and_o the_o argive_n and_o the_o roman_n who_o have_v set_v so_o many_o famous_a example_n to_o the_o world_n be_v little_o oblige_v to_o philosophy_n for_o all_o their_o worth_n and_o greatness_n be_v raise_v upon_o the_o stock_n only_o of_o common_a notion_n the_o tradition_n that_o they_o have_v receive_v with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n and_o the_o law_n bring_v from_o athens_n which_o be_v enact_v by_o solon_n who_o have_v be_v in_o egypt_n at_o a_o time_n when_o the_o jew_n be_v there_o in_o sufficient_a number_n but_o it_o be_v a_o long_a while_n before_o philosopher_n be_v suffer_v at_o rome_n they_o have_v be_v 11._o be_v a._n gell._n lib._n xv_o c._n 11._o expel_v by_o the_o senate_n tully_n be_v the_o first_o that_o bring_v philosophy_n into_o any_o credit_n there_o and_o by_o the_o apology_n which_o he_o often_o make_v for_o his_o give_a himself_o to_o the_o study_n of_o it_o we_o may_v perceive_v under_o what_o prejudices_fw-la it_o then_o lay_v among_o the_o roman_n and_o that_o there_o be_v need_n of_o all_o his_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o gain_v it_o admission_n a_o strict_a discipline_n both_o in_o peace_n and_o war_n great_a application_n and_o industry_n by_o which_o they_o improve_v their_o common_a notion_n and_o arrive_v to_o wonderful_a experience_n and_o dexterity_n in_o the_o management_n of_o affair_n a_o zealous_a love_n of_o their_o country_n and_o a_o unparalleled_a constancy_n manifest_a in_o all_o their_o action_n and_o especial_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o their_o law_n raise_v the_o roman_n to_o that_o mighty_a height_n and_o extent_n of_o empire_n but_o that_o which_o they_o retain_v of_o truth_n in_o relation_n to_o matter_n of_o religion_n have_v be_v so_o abuse_v and_o disguise_v with_o fabulous_a corruption_n that_o at_o length_n it_o have_v general_o lose_v all_o belief_n among_o they_o cluemio_n they_o pro_fw-la cluemio_n tully_n make_v no_o scruple_n at_o a_o public_a trial_n in_o a_o court_n of_o judicature_n to_o deny_v the_o punishment_n of_o the_o wicked_a in_o a_o future_a state_n as_o a_o ridiculous_a fiction_n which_o show_v a_o strange_a corruption_n of_o principle_n in_o that_o age_n when_o he_o can_v propose_v to_o himself_o to_o gain_v his_o cause_n by_o speak_v in_o that_o manner_n in_o another_o oration_n he_o say_v caeiiâ—_n say_v pro_fw-la m._n caeiiâ—_n non_fw-fr semper_fw-la superet_fw-la uâ—ra_fw-la illa_fw-la &_o directa_fw-la ratio_fw-la uincat_fw-la aliquando_fw-la cupiditas_fw-la voluptasque_fw-la rationem_fw-la that_o this_o shall_v be_v speak_v in_o a_o public_a plead_v by_o one_o of_o the_o grave_a and_o most_o learned_a of_o all_o the_o roman_n show_v how_o little_a either_o the_o philosophy_n which_o he_o have_v study_v or_o the_o roman_a law_n themselves_o can_v do_v towards_o the_o establishment_n of_o virtue_n and_o that_o the_o modesty_n of_o youth_n and_o the_o virtue_n and_o honour_n of_o family_n must_v be_v secure_v upon_o some_o better_a principle_n afterward_o he_o add_v verùm_fw-la siquis_fw-la est_fw-la qui_fw-la etiam_fw-la meretriciis_fw-la amoribus_fw-la interdictum_fw-la juventuti_fw-la putet_fw-la est_fw-la ille_fw-la quidem_fw-la valde_fw-la severus_fw-la negare_fw-la non_fw-la possum_fw-la sed_fw-la abhorret_fw-la non_fw-la modo_fw-la ab_fw-la huius_fw-la seculi_fw-la licentia_fw-la verùm_fw-la etiam_fw-la a_o majorum_fw-la consuetudine_fw-la atque_fw-la concessis_fw-la i_o believe_v there_o be_v scarce_o any_o man_n so_o far_o lose_v to_o all_o shame_n among_o christian_n that_o he_o will_v be_v willing_a to_o hear_v himself_o so_o defend_v in_o a_o public_a court_n or_o any_o judge_n that_o will_v admit_v of_o such_o a_o defence_n which_o be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n of_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o lay_v such_o a_o powerful_a restraint_n upon_o men._n but_o this_o looseness_n of_o manner_n be_v the_o fatal_a forerunner_n of_o that_o horrid_a and_o monstrous_a lewdness_n which_o afterward_o like_o a_o leprosy_n overspread_v the_o roman_a empire_n the_o conspiracy_n of_o that_o time_n which_o so_o much_o endanger_v the_o state_n be_v contrive_v by_o libertine_n and_o no_o great_a cruelty_n have_v ever_o be_v commit_v than_o by_o this_o sort_n of_o man_n when_o once_o they_o have_v get_v into_o power_n as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o tiberius_n caligula_n nero_n etc._n etc._n and_o tully_n himself_o perhaps_o may_v feel_v the_o effect_n of_o these_o encouragement_n to_o vice_n be_v kill_v by_o a_o villain_n who_o life_n he_o have_v former_o save_v by_o that_o eloquence_n which_o be_v sometime_o employ_v as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v retain_v against_o virtue_n it_o must_v be_v own_v that_o tully_n have_v in_o many_o place_n of_o his_o work_n lay_v down_o admirable_a rule_n of_o virtue_n but_o than_o it_o be_v with_o little_a or_o no_o regard_n to_o such_o principle_n as_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a foundation_n of_o a_o virtuous_a life_n viz._n the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o the_o expectation_n of_o reward_n or_o punishment_n after_o death_n ae_v such_o be_v the_o defect_n of_o his_o philosophy_n that_o he_o can_v be_v positive_a and_o certain_a in_o nothing_o seneca_n as_o he_o profess_v have_v take_v many_o of_o his_o best_a precept_n from_o epicurus_n which_o without_o a_o due_a consideration_n have_v of_o a_o god_n and_o a_o providence_n be_v no_o better_o than_o prudent_a caution_n against_o temporal_a evil_n either_o of_o body_n or_o mind_n seneca_n many_o time_n divert_v rather_o than_o instruct_v what_o he_o say_v be_v always_o fine_a but_o not_o always_o solid_a he_o dance_v upon_o the_o surface_n according_a to_o quintilian_n censure_v of_o he_o but_o seldom_o descend_v to_o the_o depth_n of_o thing_n and_o it_o be_v well_o if_o that_o character_n which_o he_o have_v give_v of_o seneca_n style_n may_v not_o be_v apply_v to_o his_o sense_n abundat_fw-la dulcibus_fw-la vitiis_fw-la a_o luscious_a poison_n sometime_o diffuse_v itself_o in_o his_o write_n seneca_n 4._o seneca_n sen._n epist_n 82._o the_o benefic_n lib._n 1._o c._n 3_o 4._o deride_v the_o subtlety_n and_o trifle_a both_o of_o zeno_n and_o chrysippus_n but_o he_o do_v it_o seem_v think_v himself_o more_o concern_v to_o exposâ—â—_n they_o for_o be_v teacher_n of_o ill_a doctrine_n though_o upon_o this_o account_n they_o be_v so_o very_o scandalous_a that_o sextus_n 25._o sextus_n sext._n empir_n pyrrh_n hypot_n lib._n 3._o c._n 24_o 25._o empericus_n endeavour_n to_o prove_v from_o their_o word_n that_o there_o be_v no_o real_a and_o certain_a difference_n betwixt_o virtue_n and_o vice_n the_o bare_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n even_o without_o a_o sincere_a belief_n of_o its_o authority_n have_v teach_v man_n to_o abhor_v those_o crime_n which_o be_v approve_v of_o by_o the_o philosopher_n and_o practise_v in_o the_o wise_a heathen_a nation_n and_o when_o thing_n notorious_o evil_a be_v receive_v and_o teach_v by_o those_o who_o do_v and_o say_v so_o many_o thing_n well_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o what_o be_v good_a be_v not_o owe_v so_o much_o to_o the_o strength_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n as_o to_o some_o high_a principle_n i_o will_v here_o give_v but_o one_o instance_n and_o it_o shall_v be_v concern_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o kill_a infant_n or_o expose_v they_o to_o be_v starve_v or_o destroy_v this_o be_v the_o express_a doctrine_n of_o 16_o of_o plâ—â—t_fw-la de_fw-fr repub._n lib._n
you_o not_o read_v that_o he_o which_o make_v they_o at_o the_o beginning_n make_v they_o male_a and_o female_a and_o say_v for_o this_o cause_n shall_v a_o man_n leave_v father_n and_o mother_n and_o shall_v cleave_v to_o his_o wife_n and_o they_o twain_o shall_v be_v one_o flesh_n matth._n nineteeen_o 4_o 5._o and_o st._n paul_n in_o like_a manner_n to_o show_v that_o the_o woman_n ought_v not_o to_o usurp_v authority_n over_o the_o man_n prove_v it_o by_o this_o argument_n for_o adam_n be_v first_o form_v then_o eve_n 1_o tim._n two_o 13._o and_o in_o another_o place_n and_o upon_o another_o occasion_n he_o observe_v that_o the_o man_n be_v not_o of_o the_o woman_n but_o the_o woman_n of_o the_o man._n 1_o cor._n xi_o 8._o and_o long_o before_o the_o prophet_n malachi_n have_v argue_v from_o the_o same_o topick_n malach._n two_o 15._o and_o hebr._n four_o 4._o it_o be_v note_v that_o god_n do_v rest_v the_o seven_o day_n from_o all_o his_o work_n from_o whence_o the_o apostle_n conclude_v that_o he_o that_o be_v enter_v into_o his_o rest_n he_o also_o have_v cease_v from_o his_o own_o work_n as_o god_n do_v from_o his_o verse_n 10._o now_o as_o these_o and_o whatever_o other_o argument_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n do_v evident_o suppose_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v relate_v in_o the_o book_n of_o genesis_n so_o they_o explain_v to_o we_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v thus_o create_v for_o all_o these_o argument_n have_v be_v lose_v and_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o they_o if_o the_o world_n have_v be_v otherwise_o create_v as_o certain_o therefore_o as_o this_o argue_n from_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o creation_n be_v good_a so_o certain_a it_o be_v both_o that_o the_o world_n be_v so_o create_v and_o that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n for_o it_o but_o whatever_o some_o philisopher_n may_v think_v now_o there_o be_v nothing_o which_o will_v have_v be_v more_o disagreeable_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o all_o age_n than_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v make_v upon_o mechanical_a principle_n he_o speak_v and_o it_o be_v do_v he_o command_v and_o it_o stand_v fact_n psal_n xxxiii_o 9_o he_o command_v and_o they_o be_v create_v psal_n cxlviii_o 5._o this_o express_v not_o only_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n but_o the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n who_o have_v ever_o have_v this_o notion_n of_o god_n that_o to_o command_v and_o to_o do_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o he_o and_o therefore_o the_o objection_n till_o of_o late_a have_v run_v the_o other_o way_n that_o god_n do_v rather_o create_v the_o world_n in_o a_o instant_n than_o in_o six_o day_n it_o be_v little_o suspect_v former_o that_o divers_a year_n or_o many_o age_n be_v spend_v in_o the_o creation_n it_o be_v in_o the_o description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n that_o longinus_n observe_v the_o sublime_a style_n of_o moses_n and_o if_o the_o relation_n of_o it_o be_v admirable_a the_o creation_n itself_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v there_o relate_v must_v be_v much_o more_o admirable_a for_o it_o be_v proper_a for_o it_o to_o be_v thus_o describe_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o be_v proper_a for_o it_o in_o this_o manner_n to_o be_v do_v but_o what_o will_v longinus_n have_v say_v if_o the_o creation_n have_v be_v relate_v to_o have_v be_v perform_v not_o by_o any_o command_n which_o have_v its_o immediate_a effect_n but_o by_o the_o tedious_a process_n of_o mechanical_a cause_n what_o grandeur_n what_o evidence_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o majesty_n be_v there_o in_o this_o more_o than_o in_o any_o chemical_a operation_n if_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n be_v true_a it_o be_v strange_a presumption_n to_o demand_v of_o almighty_a god_n a_o reason_n of_o all_o his_o action_n and_o not_o to_o believe_v he_o upon_o his_o word_n that_o he_o have_v do_v any_o thing_n but_o when_o and_o how_o some_o man_n conceit_n it_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v do_v but_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v may_v at_o least_o serve_v to_o silence_v the_o cavil_n of_o such_o men._n 2._o the_o preservation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o perform_v according_a to_o mechanical_a law_n or_o principle_n the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n suppose_v that_o body_n act_n upon_o body_n or_o active_n upon_o passive_n in_o a_o certain_a course_n and_o according_a to_o such_o law_n as_o that_o be_v leave_v to_o themselves_o they_o necessary_o produce_v their_o effect_n without_o any_o immediate_a interposition_n of_o a_o divine_a power_n but_o this_o notion_n be_v ground_v whole_o upon_o mistake_n 1._o it_o suppose_v that_o there_o be_v at_o first_o a_o certain_a quantity_n of_o motion_n infuse_v or_o impress_v upon_o matter_n which_o still_o continue_v pass_v from_o one_o body_n to_o another_o according_a to_o certain_a method_n or_o rule_n prescribe_v but_o this_o supposition_n that_o there_o be_v always_o the_o same_o quantity_n of_o motion_n in_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o precarious_a or_o rather_o notorious_o false_a and_o the_o best_a philosopher_n have_v be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o account_n how_o motion_n can_v be_v communicate_v without_o a_o immediate_a impulse_n or_o concourse_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n 2._o by_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n it_o be_v suppose_v as_o a_o thing_n certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o plenum_fw-la which_o at_o least_o be_v very_o uncertain_a or_o rather_o it_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v by_o mr._n newton_n that_o there_o be_v a_o vacuum_n not_o only_o intersperse_v but_o of_o a_o prodigious_a and_o almost_o incredible_a extent_n at_o the_o distance_n of_o the_o earth_n simidiameter_n from_o we_o and_o by_o his_o principle_n gravitation_n must_v proceed_v from_o a_o immediate_a and_o constant_a impression_n or_o impulse_n of_o god_n for_o it_o proceed_v from_o no_o action_n of_o one_o body_n upon_o another_o but_o be_v a_o quality_n belong_v to_o all_o matter_n alike_o and_o to_o every_o particle_n of_o matter_n however_o separate_v and_o distant_a from_o all_o other_o the_o projectile_a motion_n and_o that_o attractive_a force_n by_o which_o the_o planet_n be_v carry_v in_o their_o orbit_n can_v be_v communicate_v or_o perform_v according_a to_o any_o mechanical_a law_n whereby_o they_o be_v determine_v from_o a_o rectilinear_n to_o a_o orbicular_a motion_n for_o body_n can_v act_v upon_o body_n only_o by_o contract_n and_o therefore_o can_v communicate_v their_o motion_n or_o any_o way_n determine_v or_o affect_v the_o motion_n of_o each_o other_o in_o a_o vacuum_n so_o vast_a as_o it_o must_v be_v near_o the_o circumference_n of_o the_o several_a orbit_n so_o that_o the_o old_a occult_a quality_n and_o substantial_a term_n be_v not_o more_o repugnant_a to_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n than_o these_o principle_n be_v the_o be_v of_o a_o vacuum_n must_v suppose_v a_o immediate_a divine_a power_n necessary_a to_o keep_v the_o system_fw-la of_o the_o world_n in_o that_o order_n in_o which_o we_o see_v it_o continue_v for_o otherwise_o by_o this_o principle_n of_o gravitation_n be_v inherent_a in_o every_o part_n of_o matter_n all_o body_n will_v press_v towards_o the_o centre_n and_o in_o a_o vacuum_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o to_o hinder_v their_o tendency_n towards_o it_o till_o they_o come_v crowd_v the_o upon_o another_o so_o that_o all_o the_o order_n of_o thing_n will_v soon_o be_v reduce_v to_o one_o confuse_a heap_n or_o moss_n unless_o some_o immaterial_a power_n interpose_v to_o hinder_v it_o it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n be_v quite_o destroy_v by_o these_o principle_n for_o by_o these_o here_o be_v no_o connexion_n of_o cause_n and_o effect_n according_a to_o any_o law_n of_o mere_a matter_n and_o motion_n but_o all_o must_v be_v do_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n gravitation_n and_o the_o projectile_a motion_n must_v be_v impress_v and_o suspend_v without_o any_o dependence_n upon_o surround_v body_n they_o must_v produce_v their_o effect_n through_o prodigious_a void_a space_n where_o body_n have_v no_o communication_n of_o motion_n from_o one_o to_o another_o and_o all_o be_v perform_v by_o the_o immediate_a direct_n and_o assist_v hand_n of_o god_n a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o pretend_v to_o solve_v a_o miracle_n mechanical_o as_o to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o the_o phaenomena_n of_o nature_n by_o mechanical_a law_n according_a to_o these_o principle_n 3._o the_o abetter_n of_o the_o mechanical_a hypothesis_n argue_v that_o god_n act_n in_o the_o most_o general_a and_o uniform_a way_n that_o it_o be_v more_o become_v his_o wisdom_n to_o let_v nature_n have_v its_o course_n and_o that_o constant_o to_o interpose_v will_v be_v a_o disparagement_n to_o the_o order_n
be_v their_o knowledge_n the_o same_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o their_o common_a nature_n to_o determine_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v bear_v or_o die_v together_o or_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mutual_a communication_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o operation_n of_o their_o mind_n much_o less_o that_o their_o life_n and_o death_n and_o operation_n shall_v be_v all_o the_o very_a same_o so_o that_o this_o principle_n of_o individuation_n whatever_o be_v assign_v to_o be_v it_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v omnipresent_v eternal_a and_o omniscient_a the_o existence_n knowledge_n and_o local_a presence_n of_o man_n be_v personal_a not_o essential_a but_o omnipresence_n eternity_n and_o omniscience_n be_v essential_a attribute_n of_o god_n and_o not_o personal_a or_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o each_o person_n as_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o but_o as_o they_o be_v unite_v in_o the_o same_o essence_n for_o they_o be_v predicate_v of_o the_o father_n as_o god_n of_o the_o son_n as_o god_n and_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o god_n and_o not_o of_o each_o several_o as_o father_n as_o son_n and_o as_o holy_a ghost_n every_o of_o these_o essential_a attribute_n therefore_o can_v be_v number_v with_o the_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n but_o can_v be_v but_o one_o as_o the_o essence_n itself_o of_o the_o deity_n be_v and_o though_o the_o father_n be_v eternal_a the_o son_n eternal_a and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n eternal_a yet_o they_o be_v not_o three_o eternal_n or_o three_o individual_a being_n of_o eternal_a existence_n as_o three_o humane_a person_n be_v three_o man_n of_o a_o finite_a existence_n it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v three_o separate_v infinite_a person_n for_o their_o be_v separate_a must_v suppose_v they_o to_o be_v finite_a or_o to_o have_v a_o limit_a and_o confine_v subsistence_n and_o therefore_o three_o infinite_a person_n can_v be_v but_o one_o god_n or_o one_o be_v which_o have_v all_o the_o perfection_n of_o personal_a distinction_n without_o the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o division_n of_o person_n 3._o from_o hence_o appear_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o divine_a person_n and_o humane_a person_n the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v distinct_a man_n as_o well_o as_o distinct_a person_n but_o this_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o we_o to_o affirm_v that_o the_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v distinct_a god_n because_o the_o divine_a nature_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a and_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o person_n in_o it_o we_o do_v not_o mean_v such_o three_o person_n as_o three_o several_a man_n be_v but_o we_o read_v of_o the_o person_n of_o the_o father_n hebr._n i._n 3._o and_o of_o three_o that_o bear_v record_n in_o heaven_n the_o father_n the_o word_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o these_o three_o be_v one_o 1_o joh._n v._o 7._o and_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o intelligent_a being_n we_o can_v have_v no_o conception_n of_o they_o but_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o person_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n which_o bear_v that_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v best_a express_v by_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n but_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n be_v not_o therefore_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o they_o be_v in_o humane_a relation_n and_o the_o word_n person_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v of_o humane_a person_n and_o therefore_o whereas_o we_o use_v the_o word_n person_n the_o greek_n call_v they_o subsistency_n but_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o mean_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o that_o difference_n of_o word_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o foundation_n of_o any_o pretence_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n that_o man_n will_v needs_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o person_n and_o of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o god_n as_o they_o do_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o man_n and_o from_o thence_o they_o conclude_v that_o three_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v be_v three_o god_n as_o three_o person_n among_o man_n be_v three_o man_n and_o that_o the_o father_n must_v be_v superior_a and_o elder_a than_o the_o son_n as_o it_o be_v in_o humane_a generation_n but_o this_o be_v all_o mistake_n adam_n be_v style_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n peculiar_a to_o himself_o luke_n iii._o 38._o god_n be_v in_o one_o sense_n the_o father_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o in_o another_o sense_n he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o regenerate_v only_o and_o when_o in_o either_o sense_n we_o call_v he_o our_o father_n we_o take_v not_o the_o word_n father_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o we_o take_v it_o in_o when_o we_o apply_v it_o to_o man_n and_o when_o we_o say_v he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o his_o only_o beget_v son_n this_o be_v another_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n father_n very_o different_a from_o all_o the_o former_a the_o relation_n between_o the_o father_n and_o son_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v among_o man_n nor_o be_v the_o divine_a person_n such_o as_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v but_o these_o be_v the_o fit_a and_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o significant_a term_n to_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o we_o that_o humane_a language_n and_o humane_a understanding_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disproportion_n and_o impropriety_n in_o these_o expression_n and_o that_o they_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o have_v of_o it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o have_v of_o it_o in_o this_o mortal_a state_n and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o allow_v for_o the_o 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men._n and_o to_o prove_v this_o he_o must_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o he_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v that_o three_o divine_a person_n may_v not_o be_v one_o god_n though_o three_o humane_a person_n can_v be_v one_o man._n that_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n be_v reveal_v and_o that_o these_o three_o distinct_a person_n be_v but_o one_o god_n be_v reveal_v but_o wherein_o the_o distinction_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o these_o three_o person_n consist_v be_v not_o reveal_v nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o understand_v it_o at_o least_o without_o a_o revelation_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v found_v in_o a_o separate_a and_o divide_a subsistence_n but_o this_o can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o divine_a person_n because_o separation_n and_o division_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o infinite_a nature_n there_o be_v then_o not_o repugnancy_n in_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o subsistency_n or_o three_o distinct_a principle_n of_o personal_a act_n and_o property_n in_o one_o undivided_a infinite_a nature_n or_o that_o the_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n act_n as_o distinct_o and_o personal_o as_o person_n do_v among_o man_n but_o be_v unite_v in_o one_o infinite_a nature_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o exist_v in_o separate_a subsistency_n though_o not_o of_o act_v and_o subsist_v in_o three_o distinct_a person_n or_o as_o distinct_o from_o each_o other_o as_o the_o person_n among_o man_n do_v act_n and_o subsist_v the_o sum_n be_v that_o in_o the_o most_o perfect_a unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v subsist_v the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n between_o who_o be_v a_o real_a distinction_n which_o though_o not_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v
well_o assure_v of_o that_o in_o which_o they_o agree_v that_o be_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n and_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o particular_a as_o to_o the_o fundamental_a point_n of_o it_o the_o difference_n among_o christian_n may_v serve_v to_o prove_v to_o we_o divine_a authority_n of_o our_o religion_n and_o of_o the_o scripture_n which_o contain_v it_o since_o christian_n agree_v in_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o have_v never_o be_v so_o much_o at_o unity_n among_o themselves_o as_o to_o be_v able_a to_o agree_v to_o corrupt_v they_o but_o have_v certain_o deliver_v they_o down_o entire_a to_o we_o 2._o it_o be_v not_o religion_n only_o which_o man_n dispute_v about_o but_o there_o be_v nothing_o beside_o in_o which_o they_o have_v not_o disagree_v it_o be_v observe_v that_o want_v of_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n lead_v man_n into_o more_o inconvenience_n than_o want_v of_o part_n and_o ability_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o a_o thorough_a knowledge_n of_o the_o debate_n and_o contention_n in_o philosophy_n will_v soon_o cure_v most_o man_n of_o their_o infidelity_n than_o any_o argument_n can_v do_v those_o who_o raise_v objection_n against_o religion_n if_o they_o will_v but_o consider_v that_o almost_o every_o thing_n else_o have_v as_o great_a difficulty_n will_v be_v ashamed_a to_o reject_v religion_n upon_o pretence_n which_o if_o they_o hold_v must_v force_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o other_o thing_n with_o it_o and_o to_o believe_v just_a nothing_o at_o all_o there_o have_v be_v dispute_n in_o all_o age_n concern_v light_n and_o motion_n the_o wind_n and_o sea_n and_o other_o wonder_n of_o nature_n but_o it_o will_v be_v absurd_a for_o this_o reason_n to_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o light_n and_o motion_n and_o whatever_o beside_o man_n have_v dispute_v and_o yet_o it_o be_v more_o absurd_a if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o allow_v that_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n against_o religion_n but_o against_o nothing_o else_o if_o the_o sun_n yield_v his_o light_n and_o nature_n go_v on_o in_o her_o constant_a course_n though_o man_n differ_v never_o so_o much_o in_o their_o philosophy_n about_o it_o what_o can_v religion_n be_v the_o worse_a for_o their_o dispute_n no_o body_n think_v that_o he_o see_v ever_o the_o less_o for_o any_o difficulty_n which_o have_v be_v urge_v concernning_a vision_n and_o why_o shall_v we_o be_v ever_o the_o less_o incline_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n by_o reason_n of_o any_o controversy_n in_o it_o man_n may_v dispute_v any_o thing_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o thing_n but_o it_o have_v be_v dispute_v but_o nothing_o be_v the_o less_o credible_a for_o be_v dispute_v unless_o it_o can_v be_v disprove_v but_o be_v rather_o confirm_v and_o advance_v by_o it_o truth_n be_v nevertheless_o truth_n for_o meeting_n with_o opposition_n but_o be_v the_o more_o try_v and_o the_o more_o approve_a as_o strength_n and_o courage_n be_v by_o the_o sharp_a conflict_n since_o than_o there_o will_v be_v vice_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v man_n in_o this_o world_n and_o difference_n and_o dissension_n in_o religion_n as_o long_o as_o there_o be_v vice_n since_o they_o can_v be_v hinder_v but_o by_o the_o omnipotent_a power_n of_o god_n and_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o he_o shall_v not_o interpose_v to_o prevent_v they_o since_o difference_n in_o religion_n be_v so_o far_o from_o imply_v any_o uncertainty_n in_o religion_n that_o they_o rather_o prove_v a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o be_v in_o divers_a respect_n make_v useful_a and_o expedient_a to_o the_o edification_n of_o christian_n it_o must_v be_v great_a inconsideration_n and_o weakness_n to_o produce_v they_o as_o a_o objection_n against_o religion_n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n and_o the_o spirit_n speak_v express_o that_o in_o the_o latter_a time_n some_o shall_v depart_v from_o the_o faith_n give_v heed_n to_o seduce_v spirit_n and_o doctrine_n of_o devil_n speak_v lie_n in_o hypocrisy_n have_v their_o conscience_n sear_v with_o a_o hot_a iron_n 1_o tim._n four_o 12._o the_o scripture_n can_v not_o be_v true_a unless_o these_o thing_n shall_v happen_v which_o be_v foretell_v in_o several_a place_n of_o scripture_n behold_v say_v our_o saviour_n i_o have_v tell_v you_o before_o matt._n xxiv_o 25._o it_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o new_a nor_o surprise_v thing_n to_o christian_n to_o see_v heresy_n arise_v though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a because_o we_o be_v forewarn_v to_o expect_v they_o and_o they_o serve_v to_o give_v a_o kind_n of_o testimony_n to_o the_o true_a religion_n in_o fulfil_v the_o prediction_n of_o it_o they_o help_v to_o prove_v the_o religion_n which_o they_o will_v destroy_v for_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o heresy_n that_o religion_n can_v not_o be_v true_a which_o have_v foretell_v they_o but_o since_o there_o be_v heresy_n our_o religion_n be_v at_o least_o so_o far_o true_a as_o to_o contain_v express_a prophecy_n concern_v they_o which_o we_o see_v daily_o fulfil_v and_o as_o they_o evident_o prove_v our_o religion_n true_a in_o this_o particular_a so_o they_o invalidate_v it_o in_o no_o other_o which_o be_v the_o dial._n the_o just_a mart._n dial._n answer_n that_o the_o christian_n ancient_o return_v to_o the_o enemy_n of_o religion_n when_o they_o make_v this_o objection_n against_o it_o let_v we_o follow_v the_o plain_a the_o know_v and_o and_o confess_v duty_n of_o religion_n humility_n temperance_n righteousness_n and_o charity_n and_o when_o once_o we_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o wish_v religion_n untrue_a upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o plain_a precept_n and_o direction_n of_o it_o we_o shall_v never_o suspect_v it_o to_o be_v so_o by_o reason_n of_o any_o controversy_n in_o it_o for_o if_o man_n will_v impartial_o consider_v thing_n that_o religion_n which_o have_v now_o for_o so_o many_o age_n stand_v out_o all_o the_o assault_n and_o attempt_n with_o enemy_n from_o without_o and_o party_n within_o can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o have_v approve_v it_o much_o better_o and_o more_o glorious_o than_o it_o can_v have_v do_v if_o there_o never_o have_v be_v either_o heresy_n or_o schism_n let_v we_o therefore_o hold_v fast_o the_o profession_n of_o our_o faith_n without_o waver_a be_v assure_v that_o the_o gate_n of_o hell_n that_o be_v all_o the_o power_n and_o stratagem_n of_o satan_n shall_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v against_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o shall_v only_o serve_v to_o add_v to_o its_o victory_n and_o adorn_v its_o triumph_n the_o malice_n o_o lord_n and_o fierceness_n of_o man_n shall_v turn_v to_o thy_o praise_n and_o the_o fierceness_n of_o they_o shall_v thou_o refrain_v ps_n lxxvi_o 10._o chap._n xxxiii_o though_o all_o objection_n can_v not_o be_v answer_v yet_o this_o will_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n all_o objection_n which_o can_v with_o any_o colour_n or_o pretence_n be_v allege_v have_v be_v consider_v and_o answer_v by_o divers_a man_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o judgement_n and_o several_a objection_n which_o have_v make_v most_o noise_n in_o the_o world_n as_o that_o about_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ark_n and_o other_o have_v be_v demonstrate_v to_o be_v groundless_a and_o frivolous_a but_o though_o all_o difficulty_n can_v not_o be_v account_v for_o yet_o this_o will_v be_v no_o just_a or_o sufficient_a cause_n why_o we_o shall_v reject_v the_o scripture_n because_o objection_n for_o the_o most_o part_n be_v impertinent_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v design_v and_o do_v not_o at_o all_o effect_n the_o evidence_n which_o be_v bring_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o they_o be_v pertinent_a yet_o unless_o they_o can_v confute_v that_o evidence_n they_o ought_v not_o to_o determine_v we_o against_o they_o he_o that_o with_o a_o honest_a and_o sincere_a desire_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n or_o falsehood_n of_o a_o revelation_n inquire_v into_o it_o shall_v first_o consider_v impartial_o what_o can_v be_v allege_v for_o it_o and_o afterward_o consider_v the_o objection_n raise_v against_o it_o that_o so_o he_o may_v compare_v the_o argument_n in_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o the_o objection_n together_o and_o determine_v himself_o on_o that_o side_n which_o appear_v to_o have_v most_o reason_n for_o it_o but_o to_o insist_v upon_o particular_a objection_n collect_v out_o of_o difficult_a place_n of_o scripture_n though_o they_o will_v likewise_o observe_v the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v give_v which_o few_o of_o our_o objector_n have_v patience_n to_o do_v but_o run_v away_o with_o the_o objection_n without_o stay_v for_o a_o answer_n i_o say_v to_o allege_v particular_a objection_n without_o attend_v to_o the_o main_a ground_n and_o motive_n
which_o induce_v a_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o very_a deceitful_a way_n of_o argue_v because_o it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o least_o improbable_a that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o true_a revelation_n which_o may_v have_v great_a difficulty_n in_o it_o but_o if_o sufficient_a evidence_n be_v produce_v to_o convince_v we_o that_o the_o scripture_n be_v indeed_o god_n word_n and_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n on_o the_o contrary_a to_o invalidate_v that_o evidence_n then_o all_o the_o objection_n beside_o that_o can_v be_v raise_v be_v but_o objection_n and_o no_o more_o for_o if_o those_o argument_n by_o which_o our_o religion_n appear_v to_o be_v true_a remain_v still_o in_o their_o full_a force_n notwithstanding_o the_o objection_n and_o no_o positive_a and_o direct_a proof_n be_v bring_v that_o they_o be_v insufficient_a we_o ought_v not_o to_o reject_v those_o argument_n and_o the_o conclusion_n deduce_v from_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o objection_n but_o to_o reject_v the_o objection_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o those_o argument_n because_o if_o those_o can_v be_v disprove_v all_o the_o which_o can_v be_v think_v of_o must_v proceed_v from_o some_o mistake_n for_o when_o i_o be_o once_o assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o thing_n by_o direct_a and_o positive_a proof_n i_o have_v the_o same_o assurance_n that_o all_o objection_n against_o it_o must_v be_v vain_a and_o false_a which_o i_o have_v that_o that_o thing_n be_v true_a because_o every_o thing_n must_v be_v false_a which_o be_v opposite_a to_o truth_n and_o nothing_o but_o that_o which_o take_v off_o the_o argument_n by_o which_o any_o thing_n be_v prove_v to_o be_v true_a can_v ever_o prove_v it_o false_a but_o all_o objection_n must_v be_v false_a themselves_o or_o insignificant_a to_o the_o purpose_n for_o which_o they_o be_v allege_v if_o the_o evidence_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v can_v be_v disprove_v that_o be_v if_o the_o thing_n against_o which_o they_o be_v bring_v be_v true_a to_o show_v this_o in_o particular_n if_o a_o man_n muster_v up_o never_o so_o many_o inconsistency_n as_o he_o think_v in_o the_o scripture_n yet_o unless_o he_o be_v as_o well_o assure_v at_o least_o that_o these_o which_o he_o call_v inconsistency_n can_v be_v in_o any_o book_n of_o divine_a revelation_n as_o he_o may_v be_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n he_o can_v in_o reason_n reject_v their_o authority_n and_o to_o be_v assure_v of_o this_o it_o must_v be_v consider_v what_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o evidence_n whereby_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v to_o we_o for_o whatever_o be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o this_o evidence_n can_v be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o authority_n in_o like_a manner_n as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v frame_v never_o so_o many_o objection_n against_o the_o opinion_n common_o receive_v that_o caesar_n himself_o write_v the_o commentary_n which_o go_v under_o his_o name_n and_o not_o julius_n celsus_n or_o any_o other_o author_n unless_o he_o can_v overthrow_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o caesar_n appear_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o all_o his_o objection_n will_v never_o amount_v to_o a_o proof_n that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o author_n it_o be_v very_o possible_a for_o god_n to_o reveal_v thing_n which_o we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v and_o to_o enact_v law_n especial_o concern_v the_o right_n and_o ceremony_n enjoin_v a_o people_n so_o many_o age_n past_a the_o reason_n whereof_o we_o may_v not_o be_v full_o to_o understand_v and_o it_o be_v very_o possible_a likewise_o that_o there_o may_v be_v great_a difficulty_n in_o chronology_n and_o that_o the_o text_n may_v in_o divers_a place_n have_v a_o different_a read_n and_o though_o all_o these_o thing_n have_v be_v clear_v to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o reasonable_a man_n by_o several_a expositor_n yet_o let_v we_o suppose_v at_o present_a to_o gratify_v these_o objector_n and_o this_o will_v gratify_v they_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v do_v it_o that_o the_o law_n be_v utter_o unaccountable_a that_o the_o difficulty_n in_o chronology_n be_v no_o way_n adjust_v that_o the_o divers_a readins_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o be_v reconcile_v yet_o what_o do_v all_o this_o prove_v that_o moses_n wrought_v no_o miracle_n that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o egyptian_n be_v not_o witness_n to_o they_o that_o what_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v do_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o our_o saviour_n never_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v not_o descend_v upon_o the_o apostle_n or_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n repugnant_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n or_o to_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a do_v it_o prove_v any_o thing_n of_o all_o this_o or_o can_v it_o be_v pretend_v to_o prove_v it_o if_o it_o can_v and_o nothing_o be_v more_o plain_a than_o that_o it_o can_v then_o all_o the_o evidence_n produce_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n stand_v firm_a notwithstanding_o all_o this_o mighty_a noise_n of_o the_o obscurity_n and_o the_o inconsistency_n and_o the_o uncertainty_n of_o the_o text_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o the_o next_o enquiry_n natural_o will_v be_v not_o how_o the_o scripture_n can_v be_v from_o god_n if_o these_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o they_o for_o it_o be_v already_o prove_v that_o they_o be_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o this_o must_v from_o henceforth_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v till_o it_o can_v be_v disprove_v but_o the_o only_a enquiry_n will_v be_v how_o these_o passage_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v or_o reconcile_v with_o other_o place_n for_o let_v we_o consider_v this_o way_n of_o reason_v which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o disprove_v the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n in_o other_o thing_n and_o try_v whether_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o reason_n thus_o in_o any_o case_n but_o that_o of_o religion_n and_o whether_o we_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a of_o this_o way_n of_o argue_v in_o any_o other_o case_n how_o little_a be_v it_o that_o we_o thorough_o unstand_v in_o natural_a thing_n and_o yet_o how_o seldom_o do_v we_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o they_o because_o we_o may_v puzzle_v and_o perplex_v ourselves_o in_o the_o explication_n of_o they_o for_o instance_n we_o discern_v the_o light_n and_o feel_v the_o warmth_n and_o heat_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o have_v the_o experience_n of_o the_o constant_a return_n of_o day_n and_o night_n and_o of_o the_o several_a season_n of_o the_o year_n and_o no_o man_n doubt_v but_o that_o all_o this_o be_v effect_v by_o the_o approach_n or_o withdraw_n of_o the_o sun_n influence_n but_o whoever_o will_v go_v about_o to_o explain_v all_o this_o and_o to_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o it_o will_v find_v it_o a_o very_a hard_a task_n and_o such_o objection_n have_v be_v urge_v against_o every_o hypothesis_n in_o some_o point_n or_o other_o as_o perhaps_o no_o man_n be_v able_a full_o to_o answer_v but_o do_v any_o man_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n as_o light_n and_o heat_n as_o day_n and_o night_n though_o he_o can_v be_v satisfy_v whether_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o earth_n move_v or_o do_v man_n doubt_v whether_o they_o can_v see_v or_o not_o till_o they_o can_v demonstrate_v how_o vision_n be_v make_v and_o must_v none_o be_v allow_v to_o see_v but_o mathematician_n or_o do_v man_n refuse_v to_o eat_v till_o they_o be_v satisfy_v how_o and_o after_o what_o manner_n they_o be_v nourish_v yet_o if_o we_o must_v be_v sway_v by_o objection_n which_o do_v not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o main_a point_n nor_o affect_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o thing_n but_o only_o fill_v our_o mind_n with_o scruple_n and_o difficulty_n about_o they_o we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o which_o we_o do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v in_o every_o part_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o for_o whatever_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o concern_v it_o that_o may_v it_o seem_v be_v object_v against_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o may_v be_v a_o just_a reason_n why_o we_o shall_v doubt_v of_o it_o we_o must_v have_v a_o care_n of_o be_v too_o confident_a that_o we_o move_v before_o we_o can_v give_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o law_n of_o motion_n which_o the_o great_a philosopher_n have_v not_o be_v able_a to_o do_v we_o must_v not_o presume_v to_o eat_v till_o we_o can_v tell_v how_o digestion_n and_o nourishment_n be_v make_v in_o short_a this_o will_v run_v we_o into_o all_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o scepticism_n for_o upon_o these_o principle_n it_o be_v that_o some_o doubt_v whether_o snow_n be_v white_a or_o honey_n sweet_a or_o any_o
who_o be_v not_o as_o singular_a in_o other_o thing_n and_o in_o his_o notion_n of_o religion_n but_o he_o have_v firm_o believe_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n it_o concern_v all_o who_o have_v any_o doubt_n about_o these_o thing_n to_o weigh_v the_o objection_n with_o the_o answer_n that_o have_v be_v give_v to_o they_o by_o divers_a author_n and_o withal_o to_o observe_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o objection_n and_o how_o far_o they_o affect_v the_o main_a cause_n and_o still_o to_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v at_o every_o man_n be_v own_o peril_n if_o he_o make_v a_o rash_a and_o partial_a judgement_n if_o our_o faith_n can_v be_v of_o no_o benefit_n or_o advantage_n to_o we_o nor_o infidelity_n any_o prejudice_n we_o may_v take_v the_o same_o liberty_n to_o give_v credit_n or_o no_o credit_n to_o what_o we_o read_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o we_o use_v in_o the_o read_n all_o other_o book_n and_o to_o receive_v or_o reject_v it_o as_o we_o think_v fit_a or_o 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torment_n and_o death_n and_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o know_a world_n be_v convert_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o and_o become_v christian_n when_o in_o this_o world_n christian_n be_v of_o all_o man_n the_o most_o miserable_a and_o be_v support_v only_o by_o the_o steadfast_a hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o that_o happiness_n which_o be_v promise_v to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n after_o this_o life_n and_o all_o thing_n consider_v we_o have_v as_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v not_o only_o that_o any_o other_o book_n be_v compose_v by_o the_o author_n who_o name_n it_o bear_v but_o as_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v any_o thing_n else_o in_o the_o world_n now_o what_o do_v these_o man_n how_o do_v they_o receive_v so_o great_a a_o blessing_n why_o they_o overlook_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o search_v up_o and_o down_o for_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a passage_n to_o disprove_v it_o by_o not_o consider_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n that_o nothing_o can_v overthrow_v their_o authority_n but_o that_o which_o can_v invalidate_v the_o evidence_n by_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v it_o will_v be_v the_o high_a folly_n and_o ingratitude_n thus_o to_o despise_v god_n mercy_n and_o care_n over_o we_o if_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n in_o it_o but_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o infinite_a danger_n it_o be_v no_o less_o than_o madness_n for_o what_o mild_a term_n can_v be_v find_v to_o express_v the_o desperate_a folly_n of_o they_o who_o reject_v a_o book_n which_o set_v before_o we_o the_o mean_n of_o salvation_n but_o at_o the_o same_o time_n forewarn_v we_o upon_o pain_n of_o the_o severe_a effect_n of_o god_n displeasure_n not_o to_o neglect_v they_o it_o be_v madness_n i_o say_v if_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o to_o reject_v such_o a_o book_n and_o at_o once_o both_o to_o affront_v the_o mercy_n and_o despise_v 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