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ground_n appear_v argue_v great_a 17 3 2.1454 3 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A53952 A discourse concerning the existence of God by Edward Pelling ... Pelling, Edward, d. 1718. 1696 (1696) Wing P1078; ESTC R21624 169,467 442

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there_o 89._o bishop_n wilkins_n '_o s_z nat._n rel._n p._n 89._o be_v say_v he_o one_o particular_a which_o to_o i_o seem_v very_o considerable_a for_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n though_o but_o little_a notice_n of_o it_o be_v take_v by_o other_o and_o that_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n who_o for_o these_o 1600_o year_n have_v be_v drive_v out_o of_o their_o own_o country_n have_v now_o no_o particular_a place_n of_o abode_n belong_v to_o they_o as_o a_o nation_n but_o be_v scatter_v and_o disperse_v over_o all_o the_o habitable_a world_n hate_a and_o despise_v wherever_o they_o be_v permit_v to_o dwell_v very_o frequent_o persecute_v impoverish_v banish_v murder_v in_o vast_a multitude_n and_o notwithstanding_o all_o this_o they_o be_v not_o yet_o so_o mix_v and_o blend_v with_o other_o nation_n as_o to_o be_v lose_v among_o they_o but_o be_v still_o keep_v up_o
tenderness_n all_o this_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o that_o great_a benignity_n which_o be_v necessary_o include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n who_o boundless_a perfection_n argue_v he_o to_o be_v a_o most_o desirable_a good_a a_o most_o adorable_a and_o charm_a object_n of_o our_o affection_n most_o bountiful_a benign_a merciful_a gracious_a long-suffering_a tender-hearted_a ready_a to_o bestow_v upon_o all_o that_o be_v capable_a the_o great_a felicity_n that_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o we_o to_o enjoy_v or_o desire_v 9_o once_o more_o from_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o god_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v absolute_o and_o eminent_o perfect_a we_o must_v conceive_v he_o to_o be_v a_o god_n of_o perfect_a equity_n and_o justice_n always_o act_v according_a to_o the_o eternal_a rule_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o quality_n of_o thing_n there_o be_v some_o principle_n of_o righteousness_n so_o natural_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n that_o they_o begin_v to_o appear_v as_o soon_o as_o humane_a common_a reason_n begin_v to_o work_v and_o these_o be_v such_o perfection_n in_o we_o as_o set_v we_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o sublunary_a world_n and_o indeed_o make_v we_o excel_v one_o another_o so_o that_o the_o righteous_a be_v more_o valuable_a than_o his_o neighbour_n what_o difference_n soever_o may_v be_v otherwise_o in_o their_o outward_a circumstance_n and_o fortune_n these_o principle_n can_v not_o come_v but_o from_o the_o common_a author_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o their_o extraction_n show_v he_o to_o be_v most_o exact_a himself_o in_o the_o government_n and_o disposal_n of_o his_o creature_n in_o who_o all_o iniquity_n be_v a_o great_a desect_v to_o say_v no_o worse_o because_o it_o proceed_v either_o from_o want_n of_o due_a knowledge_n or_o from_o want_n of_o honest_a intention_n both_o which_o be_v imperfection_n in_o our_o nature_n nay_o reproach_n and_o scandal_n to_o it_o therefore_o that_o most_o perfect_a nature_n which_o preside_v over_o all_o must_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v most_o righteous_a towards_o all_o that_o be_v under_o his_o care_n and_o power_n so_o that_o as_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o unreasonable_a fear_n from_o his_o omnipotence_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o great_a goodness_n and_o benignity_n so_o neither_o be_v there_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o presumption_n from_o his_o benignity_n in_o regard_n of_o his_o great_a justice_n because_o as_o he_o have_v give_v we_o equal_a law_n so_o he_o will_v give_v upon_o we_o very_o equal_a judgement_n and_o render_v to_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o work_n rom._n 2._o 6._o the_o sum_n be_v if_o people_n will_v right_o understand_v and_o consider_v what_o the_o notion_n of_o god_n import_v they_o can_v not_o but_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o the_o most_o lovely_a and_o desirable_a be_v in_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o instead_o of_o deny_v his_o existence_n will_v be_v glad_a that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v over_o they_o so_o transcendent_o perfect_a so_o proper_a and_o suitable_a for_o they_o in_o this_o their_o imperfect_a state_n that_o suppose_v he_o do_v not_o exist_v all_o mankind_n all_o good_a man_n to_o be_v sure_a will_v have_v reason_n to_o wish_v he_o do_v therefore_o before_o i_o enter_v upon_o treat_v of_o god_n existence_n i_o think_v it_o needful_a for_o i_o by_o way_n of_o preparation_n to_o show_v what_o the_o word_n god_n mean_v according_a to_o the_o common_a sense_n of_o mankind_n in_o general_a a_o be_v or_o nature_n that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a and_o in_o particular_a a_o be_v that_o be_v unmake_v independent_a everliving_a a_o spiritual_a be_v subsist_v of_o himself_o discern_v understand_a and_o know_v all_o thing_n able_a to_o do_v whatsoever_o be_v agreeable_a to_o his_o will_n and_o nature_n a_o inexhaustible_a fountain_n of_o love_n and_o goodness_n that_o to_o communicate_v his_o goodness_n and_o to_o display_v his_o nature_n make_v the_o universe_n and_o ever_o since_o the_o creation_n have_v govern_v all_o thing_n inspect_v the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n provide_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o whole_a world_n order_v every_o thing_n after_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a manner_n take_v a_o more_o particular_a care_n of_o mankind_n consult_v for_o our_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n give_v we_o law_n dispose_v of_o our_o fortune_n exercise_v discipline_n over_o we_o in_o order_n to_o that_o great_a end_n and_o throughout_o the_o whole_a series_n of_o his_o providence_n show_v himself_o to_o be_v a_o infinite_a mind_n that_o be_v perfect_o wise_a beneficent_a powerful_a merciful_a compassionate_a kind_a righteous_a in_o all_o his_o way_n and_o holy_a in_o all_o his_o work_n psalm_n 145._o 17._o this_o be_v a_o particular_a and_o true_a though_o a_o imperfect_a description_n of_o the_o deity_n i_o have_v be_v the_o more_o critical_a in_o draw_v it_o because_o it_o be_v a_o very_a rational_a description_n that_o which_o be_v rational_o deduce_v out_o of_o this_o common_a principle_n that_o by_o god_n be_v understand_v a_o most_o perfect_a be_v and_o that_o too_o which_o be_v fair_o intelligible_a by_o a_o rational_a soul_n for_o every_o man_n understand_v what_o knowledge_n mean_v what_o wisdom_n mean_v what_o goodness_n mean_v what_o power_n love_n and_o righteousness_n do_v mean_v all_o these_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a perfection_n be_v very_o intelligible_a no_o soon_o be_v they_o mention_v but_o we_o form_v a_o conception_n of_o they_o in_o our_o mind_n we_o apprehend_v present_o what_o they_o signify_v when_o they_o be_v speak_v of_o a_o creature_n we_o easy_o know_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o understanding_n wise_a just_a and_o good_a man._n and_o when_o we_o discover_v considerable_a degree_n and_o measure_n of_o these_o perfection_n in_o any_o person_n the_o apprehension_n of_o they_o do_v so_o affect_v our_o mind_n that_o we_o can_v but_o admire_v reverence_n esteem_v and_o love_v such_o a_o person_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o perfection_n and_o how_o then_o can_v it_o be_v think_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o have_v in_o our_o mind_n a_o conception_n of_o a_o be_v that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a in_o all_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a virtue_n why_o can_v we_o know_v what_o such_o a_o be_v mean_n nay_o rather_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o not_o to_o adore_v venerate_a and_o love_v such_o a_o be_v above_o all_o thing_n i_o urge_v this_o because_o some_o that_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n and_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v there_o be_v none_o or_o wish_v at_o least_o there_o be_v no_o deity_n do_v offer_v this_o in_o favour_n of_o their_o insidelity_n that_o there_o be_v no_o idea_n of_o god_n meaning_n that_o as_o we_o have_v not_o of_o that_o suppose_a transeendent_n be_v any_o material_a representation_n strike_v and_o press_v upon_o our_o outward_a sense_n so_o neither_o have_v we_o any_o conception_n in_o our_o mind_n answerable_a to_o such_o a_o transcendent_a be_v and_o hence_o they_o sancy_v that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o deity_n be_v incomprehensible_a there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n or_o that_o those_o perfection_n which_o we_o call_v the_o attribute_n of_o god_n be_v no_o reality_n but_o honorary_a title_n bestow_v upon_o a_o imaginary_a be_v out_o of_o a_o goundless_a fear_n now_o in_o this_o they_o be_v as_o weak_a logician_n and_o philosopher_n as_o they_o be_v bad_a divine_n for_o they_o go_v upon_o two_o principle_n here_o both_o which_o be_v utter_o false_a 1._o the_o first_o be_v that_o we_o have_v no_o evidence_n or_o knowledge_n no_o conception_n or_o thought_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o do_v not_o fall_v under_o the_o cognisance_n of_o our_o bodily_a sense_n for_o there_o be_v many_o truth_n in_o philosophy_n which_o can_v have_v no_o corporeal_a representation_n to_o affect_v the_o eye_n or_o the_o ear_n nor_o that_o inward_a sensitive_a part_n the_o fancy_n that_o be_v common_a to_o man_n and_o to_o brute-creature_n though_o the_o clink_n and_o sound_n of_o the_o word_n make_v a_o impression_n upon_o the_o sense_n yet_o the_o verity_n of_o the_o proposition_n which_o those_o word_n contain_v be_v quite_o a_o different_a thing_n that_o be_v pure_o intelligible_a and_o we_o know_v and_o assent_v to_o the_o proposition_n with_o a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n by_o mean_n of_o the_o congruity_n they_o bear_v to_o principle_n of_o reason_n and_o therefore_o none_o but_o rational_a creature_n can_v sin_v out_o and_o apprehend_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o a_o beast_n see_v the_o colour_n of_o snow_n as_o well_o as_o a_o man_n but_o no_o beast_n can_v understand_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o proposition_n snow_n be_v white_a because_o that_o be_v a_o thing_n out_o of_o its_o reach_n for_o want_v of_o that_o operation_n of_o reason_n which_o make_v all_o truth_n intelligible_a and_o evident_a to_o the_o mind_n there_o be_v also_o
questionable_a whether_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o world_n because_o we_o can_v measure_v all_o the_o dimension_n of_o the_o universe_n with_o our_o span._n beside_o we_o may_v know_v as_o much_o as_o be_v necessary_a and_o sit_v for_o we_o to_o understand_v now_o for_o as_o we_o be_v not_o yet_o able_a to_o see_v god_n as_o he_o be_v so_o neither_o will_v such_o a_o full_a vision_n be_v needful_a and_o proper_a for_o we_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v have_v here_o a_o great_a deal_n ought_v to_o be_v reserve_v for_o a_o more_o perfect_a and_o exalt_a state_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o reward_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o see_v so_o much_o of_o this_o life_n as_o will_v raise_v our_o long_n after_o a_o better_a and_o will_v help_v we_o to_o do_v those_o duty_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v now_o require_v in_o order_n to_o a_o perfect_a state_n and_o so_o much_o we_o do_v know_v though_o our_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v comparative_o very_o dim_a and_o short_a we_o have_v such_o notion_n as_o serve_v to_o sound_v and_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o godliness_n and_o good_a morality_n and_o that_o be_v all_o we_o be_v to_o mind_n in_o this_o world_n we_o very_o well_o apprehend_v that_o god_n be_v a_o omniscient_a just_a powerful_a good_a and_o gracious_a be_v and_o these_o notion_n be_v enough_o to_o encourage_v man_n to_o all_o manner_n of_o piety_n and_o virtue_n therefore_o since_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v the_o way_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o sufficient_a to_o answer_v the_o end_n and_o purpose_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v most_o unreasonable_a to_o object_v against_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n and_o to_o quarrel_v with_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n unconceivable_a because_o the_o infinite_a vastness_n of_o all_o his_o glorious_a perfection_n be_v not_o to_o be_v comprehend_v by_o we_o full_o especial_o in_o this_o our_o present_a imperfect_a state_n to_o conclude_v this_o consideration_n whatever_o some_o pretend_v against_o the_o idea_n of_o god_n i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o they_o who_o strive_v and_o study_v to_o reject_v it_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o it_o in_o their_o own_o mind_n stir_v and_o terrify_v they_o with_o fearful_a suggestion_n for_o do_v they_o not_o conceive_v that_o god_n be_v privy_a to_o their_o vice_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o punish_v they_o and_o in_o justice_n may_v it_o be_v hardly_o imaginable_a why_o they_o shall_v offer_v such_o violence_n to_o their_o own_o reason_n as_o to_o force_v it_o to_o argue_v against_o those_o notion_n that_o by_o degree_n they_o may_v obliterate_v they_o and_o argue_v they_o utter_o away_o and_o so_o disbelieve_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o omniscient_a powerful_a and_o just_o be_v that_o seem_v to_o they_o a_o most_o frightful_a object_n the_o idea_n of_o god_n lie_v very_o quiet_a in_o a_o good_a conscience_n nay_o to_o a_o man_n of_o a_o honest_a heart_n and_o of_o a_o pious_a life_n it_o be_v the_o most_o comfortable_a enjoyment_n because_o it_o fill_v his_o mind_n with_o such_o thought_n as_o these_o that_o there_o be_v a_o glorious_a be_v who_o rule_v over_o all_o who_o observe_v all_o our_o action_n who_o take_v care_n of_o such_o as_o live_v godly_a righteous_o and_o sober_o in_o this_o world_n who_o order_v the_o affair_n of_o this_o life_n for_o their_o good_a who_o will_v guide_v they_o here_o by_o his_o counsel_n and_o afterward_o will_v receive_v they_o into_o glory_n all_o which_o and_o the_o like_a notion_n be_v such_o a_o comfortable_a idea_n of_o god_n as_o no_o good_a man_n will_v be_v without_o for_o all_o the_o world_n therefore_o when_o man_n be_v tempt_v to_o deny_v god_n existence_n the_o temptation_n must_v proceed_v either_o from_o a_o very_a wrong_a opinion_n of_o god_n as_o if_o he_o be_v a_o cruel_a mischievous_a spiteful_a false_a and_o ill-natured_a be_v or_o which_o be_v more_o likely_a from_o a_o very_a evil_a conscience_n which_o make_v god_n appear_v to_o a_o ill_a man_n a_o formidable_a be_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o omniscience_n righteousness_n and_o power_n it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o true_a cause_n of_o atheism_n be_v vice_n there_o be_v on_o all_o hand_n such_o variety_n of_o powerful_a argument_n to_o prove_v a_o deity_n as_o one_o will_v think_v impossible_a for_o any_o but_o man_n of_o the_o most_o corrupt_a mind_n to_o resist_v the_o force_n of_o they_o chap._n ii_o 2._o have_v thus_o prepare_v my_o way_n towards_o the_o proof_n of_o a_o deity_n by_o show_v that_o by_o the_o deity_n be_v mean_v a_o transcendent_a be_v that_o eminent_o enjoy_v all_o the_o essential_a intellectual_a and_o moral_a perfection_n which_o can_v possible_o belong_v to_o a_o nature_n which_o be_v most_o excellent_a and_o absolute_o free_a from_o the_o least_o defect_n and_o by_o show_v too_o how_o intelligible_a rational_a and_o certain_a this_o notion_n of_o god_n nature_n be_v i_o must_v come_v now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o there_o real_o be_v such_o a_o divine_a nature_n or_o that_o this_o most_o perfect_a be_v do_v actual_o exist_v now_o this_o natural_o follow_v from_o the_o common_a stand_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n which_o imply_v all_o possible_a perfection_n for_o existence_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o all_o perfection_n the_o very_a first_o thing_n in_o the_o order_n of_o our_o conception_n because_o that_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v perfect_a which_o be_v not_o or_o which_o want_v a_o be_v much_o less_o can_v we_o suppose_v a_o nature_n to_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a that_o be_v to_o be_v perfect_o wise_a good_a and_o righteous_a unless_o we_o suppose_v the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n but_o lest_o a_o insidel_n shall_v say_v we_o make_v supposition_n of_o our_o own_o by_o devise_v what_o notion_n we_o please_v of_o a_o god_n and_o then_o use_v those_o supposition_n for_o argument_n to_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o god_n therefore_o in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o point_n i_o shall_v show_v that_o there_o be_v in_o the_o world_n a_o most_o perfect_a nature_n which_o we_o call_v god_n actual_o exist_v by_o consider_v these_o four_o thing_n which_o shall_v be_v the_o general_a head_n of_o this_o subject_a 1._o first_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o 2._o second_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o mankind_n 3._o three_o those_o extraordinary_a occurrence_n which_o must_v argue_v the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n 4._o and_o four_o the_o admirable_a state_n of_o the_o world_n 1._o first_o then_o if_o we_o go_v through_o the_o whole_a series_n and_o order_n of_o nature_n from_o effect_n to_o cause_n and_o from_o one_o cause_n onward_o to_o another_o we_o must_v of_o necessity_n come_v at_o last_o to_o one_o first_o cause_n to_o a_o be_v that_o do_v necessary_o exist_v of_o itself_o and_o consequent_o be_v a_o distinct_a independent_a and_o most_o perfect_a be_v here_o we_o must_v take_v notice_n of_o a_o universal_a trth_n which_o will_v very_o much_o help_v to_o guide_v our_o reason_n viz._n that_o whatever_o once_o have_v not_o any_o real_a be_v can_v not_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o itself_o for_o upon_o that_o impossible_a supposition_n it_o will_v have_v exi_v and_o yet_o not_o exi_v at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o will_v not_o have_v exi_v because_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v want_v a_o cause_n for_o its_o production_n and_o it_o will_v have_v exi_v because_o it_o be_v suppose_v to_o have_v exercise_v causality_n which_o two_o thing_n be_v contradictory_n to_o each_o other_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o whatever_o once_o come_v out_o of_o a_o state_n of_o nonexistence_n be_v bring_v out_o of_o it_o by_o another_o distinct_a agent_n which_o exist_v antecedent_o and_o have_v actual_a power_n over_o it_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o effect_n which_o be_v now_o in_o nature_n and_o once_o be_v not_o do_v owe_v their_o origination_n to_o cause_n which_o be_v before_o they_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v no_o be_v can_v not_o in_o a_o state_n of_o nothingness_n act_n much_o less_o can_v they_o act_v upon_o themselves_o and_o how_o many_o soever_o the_o foreign_a cause_n of_o they_o be_v they_o all_o lead_v we_o up_o to_o a_o permanent_a first_o cause_n which_o depend_v on_o no_o other_o nor_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o another_o for_o its_o be_v now_o we_o see_v that_o there_o be_v innumerable_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n which_o once_o be_v not_o and_o the_o immediate_a cause_n of_o these_o be_v themselves_o the_o effect_n of_o other_o agent_n and_o they_o again_o of_o other_o and_o so_o on_o till_o we_o gradual_o ascend_v to_o one_o chief_a cause_n which_o be_v the_o original_a of_o they_o all_o to_o omit_v all_o other_o thing_n at_o present_a i_o instance_n in_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o effect_n we_o
the_o gnostic_n and_o especial_o appollonius_n tyanaeus_n that_o they_o may_v draw_v people_n off_o from_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n upon_o the_o same_o motive_n which_o have_v induce_v they_o to_o embrace_v it_o those_o time_n abound_v with_o magician_n and_o sorceress_n who_o though_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o work_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v do_v yet_o use_v all_o their_o art_n to_o lessen_v and_o disparage_v they_o by_o pretend_v to_o do_v the_o like_a our_o saviour_n have_v foretell_v his_o disciple_n that_o false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n will_v arise_v and_o will_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n insomuch_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o will_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a matth._n 24._o 24._o according_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o that_o set_v of_o seducer_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n say_v that_o his_o come_n be_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_v wonder_n that_o be_v with_o wonder_n that_o serve_v to_o confirm_v and_o give_v testimony_n to_o false_a doctrine_n 2_o thess_n 2._o 9_o all_o these_o appearance_n be_v so_o many_o imitation_n of_o the_o work_n of_o jesus_n intend_v by_o those_o man_n to_o deceive_v who_o try_v to_o counterfeit_v thing_n which_o they_o dare_v not_o contradict_v for_o fear_v of_o be_v contradict_v themselves_o by_o all_o the_o world_n nor_o do_v those_o bitter_a adversary_n to_o christianity_n in_o aftertime_n celsus_n and_o julian_n presume_v to_o disow_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v as_o other_o heathen_n do_v that_o he_o cure_v the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a but_o to_o keep_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n from_o work_v upon_o man_n mind_n they_o revile_v his_o action_n as_o though_o they_o be_v do_v not_o by_o any_o divine_a power_n but_o by_o art_n of_o magic_n after_o his_o return_n out_o of_o egypt_n where_o they_o pretend_v he_o have_v learn_v his_o skill_n brief_o 30._o orig._n cont_n cell_n lib._n 1._o p._n 30._o in_o the_o age_n which_o be_v near_a to_o our_o saviour_n all_o sort_n of_o know_a man_n acknowledge_v the_o miraculous_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o have_v some_o sceptic_n of_o our_o day_n live_v then_o even_o jew_n and_o pagan_n will_v in_o that_o point_n have_v accuse_v their_o infidelity_n from_o notoriety_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v unquestionable_a 4._o and_o yet_o there_o be_v one_o consideration_n more_o that_o give_v further_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o moses_n and_o jesus_n christ_n do_v viz._n that_o thing_n of_o great_a and_o public_a concernment_n be_v the_o consequent_n of_o they_o than_o which_o no_o strong_a evidence_n can_v be_v give_v or_o desire_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o ever_o be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n there_o can_v possible_o be_v a_o better_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v former_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n in_o england_n than_o the_o government_n they_o establish_v and_o the_o law_n they_o have_v leave_v we_o our_o whole_a constitution_n be_v found_v upon_o their_o action_n and_o the_o polity_n we_o be_v under_o show_v what_o king_n and_o parliament_n they_o be_v and_o what_o they_o have_v do_v though_o the_o man_n be_v long_o ago_o dead_a so_o do_v the_o state_n of_o judaisme_n and_o the_o frame_n of_o christianity_n show_v what_o moses_n and_o what_o christ_n do_v all_o on_o each_o hand_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o to_o say_v at_o last_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o accuse_v all_o their_o disciple_n of_o the_o high_a madness_n for_o follow_v their_o institution_n without_o ground_n or_o reason_n a_o censure_n that_o be_v too_o hard_a to_o be_v give_v of_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n who_o think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o profession_n moses_n his_o business_n be_v to_o form_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o a_o commonwealth_n distinct_a from_o all_o other_o society_n of_o man_n to_o give_v they_o peculiar_a law_n to_o prescribe_v they_o a_o peculiar_a form_n of_o religion_n to_o bring_v their_o neck_n under_o a_o heavy_a yoke_n under_o a_o sort_n of_o discipline_n that_o be_v the_o most_o strict_a the_o most_o cumbersome_a and_o laborious_a and_o how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o a_o froward_a people_n just_o deliver_v out_o of_o one_o bondage_n will_v present_o have_v submit_v to_o another_o nay_o a_o bondage_n which_o they_o think_v be_v to_o last_o for_o ever_o have_v they_o not_o see_v such_o sign_n and_o wonder_v do_v before_o their_o eye_n as_o plain_o argue_v that_o their_o lawgiver_n come_v to_o they_o by_o immediate_a commission_n from_o god_n or_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o their_o posterity_n who_o groan_v so_o often_o under_o the_o curse_n which_o moses_n have_v leave_v they_o will_v have_v endure_v the_o severity_n of_o such_o a_o taskmaster_n have_v they_o not_o well_o know_v that_o his_o authority_n over_o they_o be_v attest_v from_o heaven_n nay_o how_o be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n shall_v not_o yet_o depart_v from_o moses_n but_o stick_v to_o he_o to_o death_n and_o will_v undergo_v any_o suffering_n rather_o than_o leave_v he_o though_o their_o religion_n as_o distinct_a from_o christianity_n have_v no_o inward_a natural_a goodness_n to_o commend_v it_o no_o human_a power_n without_o to_o support_v it_o and_o though_o they_o themselves_o be_v the_o most_o ignominious_a hate_a people_n in_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o must_v be_v draw_v from_o those_o strong_a assurance_n the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v that_o to_o erect_v their_o polity_n and_o to_o establish_v their_o religion_n moses_n do_v such_o work_n as_o wear_v out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o all_o art_n and_o nature_n and_o plain_a token_n that_o he_o act_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o christian_a institution_n it_o have_v be_v long_o ago_o receive_v and_o profess_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o world_n though_o it_o meet_v with_o and_o indeed_o carry_v in_o its_o nature_n such_o vast_a and_o manifest_a discouragement_n as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v conquer_v have_v not_o christ_n show_v the_o necessity_n and_o divinity_n thereof_o by_o miracle_n a_o religion_n who_o author_n die_v a_o most_o reproachful_a death_n a_o religion_n that_o lay_v hard_a restraint_n upon_o man_n natural_a desire_n and_o bind_v they_o to_o act_n of_o self-denial_n and_o mortification_n a_o religion_n that_o make_v people_n prefer_v future_a expectation_n before_o all_o present_a enjoyment_n and_o wait_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n for_o their_o full_a reward_n a_o religion_n that_o be_v attend_v with_o sorrow_n and_o suffering_n and_o expose_v its_o professor_n to_o death_n it_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o short_a a_o religion_n that_o bring_v with_o it_o all_o the_o seem_a disadvantage_n and_o discouragement_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o inconvenience_n this_o religion_n wherever_o it_o have_v be_v preach_v have_v continual_o prevail_v over_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o teachable_a man_n in_o the_o world_n of_o which_o no_o other_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v but_o this_o that_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n prove_v his_o authority_n and_o confirm_v all_o his_o law_n and_o doctrine_n by_o work_a miracle_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v in_o his_o father_n name_n they_o bear_v witness_v of_o he_o joh._n 10._o 25._o for_o all_o people_n know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n because_o no_o man_n can_v have_v do_v those_o miracle_n that_o he_o do_v except_o god_n have_v be_v with_o he_o joh._n 2._o 3._o so_o that_o miracle_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o every_o man_n faith_n and_o obedience_n the_o great_a reason_n which_o congregat_v all_o people_n into_o that_o body_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n and_o which_o still_o hold_v they_o firm_a together_o against_o all_o the_o hardship_n and_o storm_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v upon_o they_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o stand_v visible_a monument_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n as_o the_o jewish_a state_n be_v of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o both_o of_o they_o be_v monument_n of_o such_o vast_a and_o public_a consequence_n as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v erect_v without_o they_o much_o less_o can_v they_o have_v stand_v against_o all_o wind_n and_o weather_n and_o after_o all_o to_o imagine_v as_o some_o do_v that_o no_o such_o divine_a supernatural_a effect_n be_v ever_o do_v be_v