that_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v likewise_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o avast_o multitude_n more_o both_o of_o such_o as_o believe_v the_o gospel_n and_o of_o such_o as_o reject_v and_o oppose_v it_o and_o violent_o persecute_v the_o teacher_n of_o it_o to_o omit_v the_o testimony_n of_o true_a believer_n thus_o it_o be_v record_v concern_v those_o upon_o who_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o power_n nor_o influence_n the_o ruler_n elder_n scribe_n and_o high_a priest_n among_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o summon_v peter_n and_o john_n before_o they_o for_o cure_v a_o lame_a man_n can_v not_o deny_v but_o that_o a_o notable_a miracle_n have_v be_v do_v by_o they_o which_o be_v manifest_a to_o all_o they_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n they_o be_v afterward_o fill_v with_o indignation_n and_o take_v counsel_n to_o slay_v they_o because_o they_o can_v not_o restrain_v they_o from_o do_v more_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n but_o they_o never_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n stephen_n full_a of_o faith_n and_o power_n do_v great_a wonder_n and_o miracle_n among_o the_o people_n but_o he_o be_v accuse_v and_o condemn_v by_o the_o council_n of_o the_o jew_n not_o for_o deceive_v the_o people_n with_o false_a miracle_n but_o for_o speak_v thing_n against_o the_o holy_a place_n and_o the_o law_n for_o say_v that_o jesus_n shall_v destroy_v that_o place_n and_o change_v the_o custom_n which_o moses_n deliver_v they_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v say_v that_o all_o that_o sit_v in_o the_o council_n look_v steadfast_o on_o he_o see_v his_o face_n as_o it_o have_v be_v the_o face_n of_o a_o angel_n neither_o have_v they_o any_o thing_n to_o object_n against_o his_o life_n or_o his_o work_n simon_n the_o sorcerer_n to_o who_o all_o the_o people_n in_o samaria_n give_v heed_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a look_v upon_o he_o to_o be_v the_o great_a power_n of_o god_n be_v himself_o as_o well_o as_o those_o that_o be_v bewitch_v by_o he_o baptise_a by_o philip_n and_o believe_v when_o he_o behold_v the_o miracle_n and_o sign_n that_o be_v do_v but_o afterward_o we_o find_v by_o the_o wickedness_n of_o his_o heart_n which_o he_o discover_v to_o peter_n that_o he_o be_v a_o enemy_n to_o the_o true_a doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n elymas_n the_o sorcerer_n who_o be_v strike_v blind_a by_o paul_n and_o yet_o not_o convert_v to_o the_o faith_n be_v another_o unwilling_a witness_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o people_n of_o lystra_n confirm_v the_o same_o truth_n who_o take_v paul_n and_o barnabas_n for_o god_n in_o the_o likeness_n of_o man_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o miracle_n they_o see_v perform_v by_o they_o and_o afterward_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o the_o jew_n stone_v paul_n the_o damsel_n possess_v with_o a_o spirit_n of_o divination_n and_o her_o master_n who_o see_v the_o hope_n of_o their_o gain_n go_v by_o paul_n command_v the_o spirit_n to_o come_v out_o of_o she_o several_a vagabond_n jew_n exorcist_n who_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o cast_v out_o evil_a spirit_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n but_o suffer_v very_o much_o for_o the_o impudence_n of_o their_o pretence_n and_o a_o great_a many_o other_o such_o like_a be_v witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n who_o by_o reason_n of_o some_o wicked_a or_o dishonourable_a motive_n reject_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v or_o profess_v to_o embrace_v it_o upon_o ill_a design_n or_o after_o they_o have_v receive_v it_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o the_o faith_n great_a complaint_n of_o all_o which_o sort_n of_o man_n we_o find_v in_o the_o epistle_n thus_o be_v the_o miracle_n of_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n declare_v and_o attest_v but_o moreover_o it_o be_v record_v of_o they_o that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n themselves_o but_o that_o they_o be_v authorize_v and_o enable_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o spirit_n to_o convey_v the_o like_a power_n to_o other_o and_o according_o we_o find_v a_o great_a many_o instance_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n where_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o private_a christian_n by_o virtue_n of_o a_o power_n they_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v confer_v upon_o they_o by_o prayer_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n after_o which_o action_n of_o the_o apostle_n they_o be_v immediate_o say_v to_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o to_o have_v receive_v the_o gift_n of_o the_o spirit_n which_o according_a to_o the_o different_a exigency_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o different_a qualification_n of_o the_o person_n endue_v with_o they_o be_v divers_a and_o among_o these_o be_v reckon_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n and_o of_o interpretation_n the_o gift_n of_o healing_n and_o of_o miracle_n which_o gift_n be_v say_v to_o be_v very_o common_a among_o the_o first_o convert_v to_o christianity_n in_o all_o place_n where_o the_o gospel_n be_v preach_v and_o the_o same_o be_v plain_o imply_v by_o the_o frequent_a rule_n and_o caution_n that_o be_v give_v by_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o due_a exercise_n of_o they_o and_o the_o fear_n and_o apprehension_n they_o often_o express_v lest_o the_o christian_n thus_o impower_v shall_v by_o covet_v one_o another_o gift_n or_o be_v puff_v up_o with_o those_o they_o be_v several_o possess_v of_o neglect_v to_o apply_v themselves_o as_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v to_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v the_o scripture-account_a of_o miracle_n and_o these_o be_v those_o wonderful_a fact_n believe_v by_o the_o first_o christian_n their_o full_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v the_o chief_a ground_n and_o motive_n of_o their_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n or_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n there_o be_v likewise_o other_o strange_a matter_n of_o fact_n call_v prophecy_n which_o be_v most_o sure_o believe_v among_o they_o and_o which_o contribute_v very_o much_o to_o their_o receive_v the_o gospel_n and_o continue_v in_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n without_o waver_v and_o these_o i_o shall_v consider_v in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o method_n i_o do_v miracle_n for_o there_o be_v several_a prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o utter_v by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o together_o with_o several_a other_o speak_v with_o relation_n to_o he_o and_o fulfil_v by_o he_o other_o there_o be_v mention_v as_o speak_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n of_o christ_n who_o have_v receive_v the_o power_n of_o prophecy_n immediate_o from_o he_o it_o be_v plain_a also_o from_o several_a instance_n and_o passage_n in_o the_o sacred_a write_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v convey_v by_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n to_o private_a christian_n and_o be_v very_o common_a among_o they_o the_o prophecy_n speak_v by_o our_o saviour_n be_v most_o of_o they_o deliver_v in_o private_a to_o his_o disciple_n some_o of_o which_o be_v not_o write_v till_o after_o the_o thing_n happen_v and_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o the_o disciple_n be_v whole_o answerable_a for_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v publish_v in_o write_v before_o the_o thing_n happen_v and_o these_o may_v then_o and_o may_v still_o be_v examine_v by_o the_o circumstance_n of_o they_o other_o of_o they_o be_v speak_v public_o and_o frequent_o before_o great_a multitude_n of_o people_n as_o those_o about_o his_o suffer_v and_o resurrection_n etc._n etc._n and_o several_a beside_o their_o be_v speak_v open_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o many_o be_v also_o spread_v abroad_o in_o write_v long_o before_o the_o event_n actual_o happen_v as_o particular_o that_o remarkable_a one_o concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o jerusalem_n prophecy_n speak_v of_o christ_n in_o former_a time_n with_o relation_n to_o his_o person_n action_n suffering_n and_o doctrine_n with_o the_o several_a circumstance_n 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prediction_n be_v fulfil_v and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v a_o true_a prophecy_n it_o be_v enough_o to_o know_v that_o jerusalem_n be_v destroy_v and_o the_o jewish_a people_n drive_v out_o of_o their_o country_n whatever_o way_n this_o come_v about_o but_o to_o know_v that_o such_o a_o man_n be_v well_o or_o such_o another_o alive_a or_o that_o the_o one_o have_v be_v sick_a and_o the_o other_o to_o all_o appearance_n dead_a be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o convince_v a_o man_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n in_o either_o case_n and_o a_o person_n who_o do_v not_o see_v the_o manner_n and_o circumstance_n in_o which_o each_o of_o these_o fact_n be_v do_v can_v receive_v no_o assurance_n of_o they_o afterward_o but_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o because_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a remain_n and_o footstep_n of_o the_o miracle_n leave_v after_o the_o action_n be_v over_o whereas_o in_o the_o other_o instance_n of_o prophecy_n the_o event_n be_v constant_o the_o same_o it_o be_v at_o first_o and_o equal_o convince_a at_o all_o time_n to_o every_o one_o that_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o satisfy_v himself_o and_o further_o if_o a_o considerable_a time_n intervene_v between_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o the_o record_n of_o the_o prediction_n be_v very_o public_a before_o the_o thing_n happen_v the_o person_n who_o live_v after_o the_o accomplishment_n and_o so_o be_v immediate_a witness_n of_o neither_o part_n of_o the_o prophecy_n may_v be_v more_o easy_o and_o full_o satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o particular_a prophecy_n than_o of_o a_o particular_a miracle_n they_o be_v not_o witness_n of_o themselves_o because_o both_o the_o prediction_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n be_v common_a fact_n consider_v in_o themselves_o without_o any_o relation_n to_o one_o another_o be_v less_o liable_a to_o suspicion_n than_o unusual_a event_n of_o a_o more_o surprise_a nature_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o latter_a fact_n be_v often_o certain_o cognizable_a at_o any_o time_n of_o inquiry_n there_o be_v so_o much_o time_n suppose_v between_o this_o accomplishment_n and_o the_o former_a prediction_n that_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o find_v out_o whether_o that_o real_o happen_v out_o before_o this_o which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v require_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o whole_a prophecy_n the_o extraordinary_a nature_n of_o which_o arise_v from_o the_o comparison_n of_o both_o together_o in_o order_n to_o know_v the_o reason_n of_o their_o connexion_n and_o not_o from_o any_o thing_n in_o the_o fact_n themselves_o several_o consider_v as_o it_o do_v in_o miracle_n where_o the_o fact_n themselves_o be_v wonderful_a without_o any_o consideration_n of_o the_o cause_n or_o occasion_n of_o they_o thus_o be_v the_o first_o christian_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n relate_v and_o attest_v these_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v believe_v and_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o all_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o they_o which_o be_v capable_a of_o be_v illustrate_v and_o confirm_v by_o a_o vast_a variety_n of_o particular_a observation_n but_o my_o intend_a method_n not_o allow_v i_o to_o make_v such_o inlargment_n i_o shall_v conclude_v the_o proof_n i_o be_v upon_o with_o this_o general_n reflection_n from_o the_o account_n that_o be_v give_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n of_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n there_o record_v and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o preach_v the_o gospel_n and_o convert_v people_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o the_o first_o and_o principal_a motive_n upon_o which_o any_o person_n believe_v in_o christ_n and_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n be_v some_o miracle_n they_o themselves_o be_v actual_a witness_n of_o for_o miracle_n be_v then_o so_o common_a every_o where_n that_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o christian_n even_o among_o the_o gentile_a convert_v for_o above_o threescore_o year_n after_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o gospel_n by_o christ_n but_o be_v himself_o a_o witness_n of_o some_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o other_o so_o that_o though_o they_o may_v be_v further_o confirm_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o what_o be_v teach_v they_o by_o the_o character_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o testimony_n of_o jewish_a christian_n who_o upon_o the_o several_a persecution_n in_o jerusalem_n and_o all_o judea_n be_v scatter_v and_o disperse_v among_o the_o gentile_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o prophecy_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n which_o they_o know_v to_o have_v be_v write_v before_o the_o event_n happen_v yet_o the_o first_o and_o chief_a ground_n of_o their_o assent_n to_o the_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v some_o miraculous_a power_n they_o have_v themselves_o be_v witness_n of_o when_o therefore_o we_o consider_v the_o vast_a number_n of_o convert_v that_o be_v make_v to_o christianity_n in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o consequent_o the_o vast_a multitude_n of_o seem_a miracle_n that_o must_v have_v be_v continual_o wrought_v for_o their_o conversion_n in_o all_o place_n together_o with_o the_o steady_a and_o invincible_a perseverance_n of_o christian_n in_o the_o faith_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o variety_n of_o suffering_n they_o endure_v for_o believe_v it_o be_v impossible_a to_o imagine_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o whole_a age_n of_o delusion_n and_o deceit_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o long_a continue_a train_n and_o series_n of_o mere_a empty_a appearance_n without_o any_o reality_n under_o they_o which_o produce_v such_o real_a effect_n as_o remain_v till_o this_o day_n and_o effect_n of_o such_o a_o extraordinory_n nature_n as_o in_o a_o very_a short_a time_n give_v a_o new_a turn_n to_o the_o whole_a scheme_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o world_n since_o therefore_o all_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n mention_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o we_o find_v it_o deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v true_a as_o i_o have_v show_v before_o and_o consequent_o that_o among_o the_o rest_n that_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v believe_v according_a to_o the_o relation_n there_o give_v of_o they_o it_o necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o there_o be_v such_o fact_n as_o those_o in_o appearance_n at_o least_o otherwise_o there_o can_v have_v be_v no_o ground_n for_o believe_v they_o in_o that_o manner_n as_o it_o be_v say_v they_o be_v believe_v and_o if_o there_o be_v all_o those_o appearance_n of_o something_o do_v i_o shall_v take_v it_o for_o grant_v for_o the_o reason_n just_a before_o give_v that_o there_o be_v so_o many_o true_a real_a fact_n and_o if_o the_o miracle_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v real_a the_o prophecy_n must_v be_v so_o too_o as_o be_v free_a from_o all_o suspicion_n of_o wrong_a appearance_n 3._o the_o next_o step_n i_o be_o to_o make_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n be_v to_o show_v that_o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v divine_a assistance_n and_o revelation_n be_v true_a now_o it_o be_v frequent_o and_o positive_o assert_v there_o not_o only_o that_o such_o and_o such_o sign_n and_o wonder_n be_v wrought_v such_o prophecy_n utter_v and_o fulfil_v and_o such_o doctrine_n preach_v but_o that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v perform_v by_o the_o immediate_a power_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n this_o be_v every_o where_o acknowledge_v and_o insist_v upon_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o all_o that_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o work_n and_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n what_o they_o constant_o affirm_v of_o themselves_o be_v that_o they_o be_v send_v from_o god_n that_o they_o be_v authorize_v and_o ordain_v by_o god_n to_o preach_v the_o gospel_n that_o they_o be_v do_v the_o work_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v and_o preach_v come_v from_o god_n that_o they_o have_v it_o by_o revelation_n that_o god_n show_v they_o thing_n to_o come_v that_o they_o speak_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n that_o the_o power_n they_o have_v be_v from_o god_n and_o that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o continual_o assist_v they_o and_o reveal_v himself_o to_o they_o whether_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v real_o so_o as_o they_o affirm_v we_o have_v no_o other_o way_n of_o know_v but_o these_o two_o their_o own_o testimony_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n say_v and_o do_v by_o they_o as_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o who_o declare_v all_o these_o wonderful_a thing_n of_o themselves_o their_o condition_n character_n and_o suffering_n have_v be_v consider_v already_o and_o find_v to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v a_o sufficient_a warrant_n to_o secure_v we_o from_o any_o fear_n or_o suspicion_n of_o
ground_v or_o not_o be_v now_o the_o enquiry_n that_o it_o be_v i_o shall_v prove_v by_o show_v that_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v relate_v and_o attest_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n that_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o can_v possible_o be_v call_v in_o question_n but_o that_o the_o strength_n and_o validity_n of_o what_o i_o have_v to_o say_v upon_o this_o head_n may_v be_v better_o and_o more_o clear_o perceive_v i_o think_v fit_a by_o way_n of_o introduction_n to_o show_v first_o what_o i_o mean_v by_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n and_o second_o what_o kind_n of_o evidence_n these_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o and_o which_o way_n they_o be_v to_o be_v prove_v by_o miracle_n then_o i_o will_v now_o be_v understand_v to_o mean_v only_o strange_a unusual_a event_n out_o of_o the_o common_a road_n and_o course_n of_o thing_n which_o by_o all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o nature_n we_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o bring_v to_o pass_v nor_o 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a_o blind_a man_n but_o will_v not_o allow_v that_o he_o be_v of_o god_n because_o he_o keep_v not_o the_o sabbath-day_n though_o other_o of_o they_o say_v how_o can_v a_o man_n that_o be_v a_o sinner_n do_v such_o miracle_n none_o of_o the_o jew_n upon_o the_o strict_a examination_n be_v able_a to_o disprove_v this_o or_o any_o other_o of_o his_o miracle_n but_o notwithstanding_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v in_o christ_n or_o embrace_v his_o doctrine_n because_o they_o be_v moses_n disciple_n and_o they_o know_v that_o god_n speak_v unto_o moses_n but_o as_o for_o that_o fellow_n who_o cure_v the_o blind_a man_n they_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n never_o doubt_v of_o the_o mighty_a work_v do_v by_o he_o but_o only_o question_v his_o authority_n in_o do_v
but_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o those_o also_o that_o hear_v they_o and_o some_o of_o they_o be_v speak_v before_o much_o company_n particular_o what_o john_n say_v of_o christ_n be_v very_o public_a and_o frequent_o repeat_v and_o consequent_o there_o be_v great_a number_n of_o witness_n of_o it_o the_o particular_a prophecy_n of_o the_o first_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o other_o christian_n preserve_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v but_o few_o and_o most_o of_o the_o event_n foretell_v be_v so_o near_o the_o time_n of_o their_o prediction_n that_o we_o can_v certain_o tell_v whether_o they_o be_v write_v before_o they_o be_v fulfil_v but_o some_o of_o they_o there_o be_v many_o witness_n of_o and_o consequent_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o do_v not_o depend_v whole_o upon_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o relation_n but_o what_o be_v frequent_o mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n in_o the_o church_n by_o which_o 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and_o now_o if_o we_o take_v a_o just_a view_n of_o they_o and_o consider_v they_o all_o together_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o make_v the_o follow_a conclusion_n 1._o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o thing_n discover_v or_o so_o much_o as_o suspect_v to_o be_v a_o imposture_n that_o have_v so_o many_o mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n upon_o it_o as_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v 2._o that_o there_o never_o be_v any_o true_a matter_n of_o fact_n so_o well_o attest_v or_o that_o be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o the_o christian_a fact_n be_v there_o be_v no_o ancient_a fact_n which_o have_v so_o many_o sensible_a monument_n and_o effect_n of_o they_o leave_v and_o in_o the_o proof_n of_o which_o mankind_n be_v so_o near_o and_o necessary_o concern_v 3._o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o conceive_v or_o frame_v any_o notion_n how_o or_o in_o what_o manner_n the_o christian_a religion_n may_v possible_o have_v be_v a_o imposture_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o 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extant_a near_a the_o date_n of_o the_o several_a fact_n attest_v and_o in_o a_o age_n of_o learning_n among_o people_n of_o much_o high_a improvement_n than_o the_o first_o mahometan_n be_v and_o moreover_o because_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pretence_n of_o christ_n be_v more_o difficult_a to_o be_v feign_v by_o himself_o or_o forge_v by_o other_o afterward_o that_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v of_o more_o concern_v and_o importance_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o and_o the_o establishment_n of_o christianity_n whether_o true_a or_o false_a in_o its_o original_a will_v so_o certain_o contribute_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n that_o it_o be_v one_o very_o good_a argument_n of_o its_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o make_v and_o contrive_v any_o other_o scheme_n every_o way_n so_o suitable_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n from_o whence_o i_o conclude_v that_o we_o can_v question_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n so_o far_o as_o concern_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n without_o distrust_v all_o the_o knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o every_o thing_n that_o happen_v at_o any_o distance_n from_o we_o and_o if_o the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n be_v true_a all_o the_o other_o be_v plain_o demonstrable_a from_o they_o as_o far_o as_o we_o have_v any_o certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n as_o have_v already_o be_v prove_v we_o be_v therefore_o oblige_v either_o to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n or_o to_o renounce_v our_o belief_n of_o all_o other_o fact_n whatsoever_o because_o whatever_o of_o this_o kind_n we_o believe_v beside_o we_o believe_v upon_o less_o evidence_n 2._o but_o second_o whatever_o degree_n of_o evidence_n other_o matter_n of_o fact_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v we_o be_v absolute_o oblige_v to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o that_o evidence_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o it_o because_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v such_o fact_n as_o have_v those_o appearance_n of_o truth_n the_o christian_a religion_n have_v though_o they_o shall_v be_v real_o false_a we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o thing_n by_o the_o faculty_n god_n have_v give_v we_o according_a to_o those_o ground_n and_o measure_n of_o truth_n he_o have_v suit_v and_o proportion_v to_o they_o and_o therefore_o when_o we_o have_v the_o great_a assurance_n of_o a_o thing_n that_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o according_a to_o the_o present_a frame_n our_o nature_n and_o the_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n it_o will_v be_v high_o unreasonable_a in_o we_o to_o deny_v it_o whatever_o it_o be_v bare_o upon_o a_o suspicion_n it_o may_v be_v false_a though_o it_o shall_v afterward_o real_o prove_v to_o be_v so_o but_o if_o what_o we_o have_v this_o apparent_a proof_n of_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o concern_v and_o importance_n to_o we_o upon_o the_o
ground_n upon_o which_o the_o first_o christian_n believe_v they_o evince_v from_o general_a reflection_n upon_o the_o scripture-account_n of_o they_o p._n 161._o what_o be_v say_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n concern_v divin_n assistance_n and_o revelation_n prove_v to_o be_v true_a p._n 183._o the_o miracle_n prophecy_n and_o doctrine_n record_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o be_v all_o the_o matter_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o under_o this_o head_n do_v certain_o proceed_v from_o god_n p._n 185._o the_o person_n themselves_o who_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o immediate_a author_n of_o they_o may_v be_v infallible_o satisfy_v that_o whatever_o of_o this_o kind_n they_o say_v or_o do_v be_v from_o god_n p._n 186._o other_o may_v be_v likewise_o convince_v of_o the_o same_o truth_n by_o a_o certain_a proof_n of_o the_o follow_a point_n viz._n p._n 194._o that_o the_o miracle_n prophecy_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v not_o be_v the_o work_n and_o contrivance_n of_o mere_a men._n p._n 195._o that_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o they_o all_o p._n 222._o and_o that_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o ascribe_v these_o thing_n to_o evil_a spirit_n p._n 242._o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n deliver_v in_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n prove_v indirect_o by_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o a_o contrary_a supposition_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o all_o the_o objection_n raise_v against_o scripture_n and_o revelation_n in_o general_n p._n 245._o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v forge_v and_o invent_v p._n 250._o because_o there_o be_v no_o end_n or_o design_n imaginable_a sufficient_a to_o have_v determine_v the_o suppose_a author_n of_o this_o work_n to_o have_v undertake_v it_o and_o because_o further_o if_o the_o principal_a matter_n of_o fact_n both_o common_a and_o extraordinary_a have_v not_o be_v true_a it_o will_v have_v be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v ever_o have_v be_v believe_v and_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n p._n 264._o the_o principal_a objection_n against_o revelation_n and_o the_o scripture_n answer_v viz._n p._n 272._o that_o the_o miracle_n and_o prophecy_n mention_v in_o scripture_n be_v no_o proof_n of_o a_o divine_a revelation_n p._n 276._o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o fault_n observable_a in_o the_o other_o part_n of_o scripture_n as_o show_v the_o whole_a to_o be_v a_o pure_a humane_a composure_n p._n 288._o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o proof_n before_o give_v of_o the_o christian_a revelation_n full_o and_o undeniable_o make_v out_o p._n 303._o from_o humane_a testimony_n p._n 305._o from_o the_o connexion_n of_o present_a appearance_n with_o former_a p._n 309._o and_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n in_o general_n and_o the_o particular_a fact_n in_o question_n p_o 317._o the_o argument_n take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n further_o make_v good_a by_o show_v that_o they_o be_v as_o just_a and_o conclude_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o any_o other_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n be_v p._n 332._o the_o sufficiency_n of_o the_o proof_n before_o give_v be_v such_o that_o god_n may_v just_o condemn_v we_o for_o not_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o it_o p._n 349._o because_o we_o believe_v other_o matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o less_o evidence_n and_o ib._n because_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v such_o fact_n have_v those_o appearance_n of_o truth_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v though_o they_o shall_v real_o be_v false_a p._n 352._o finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o tho._n bennet_n the_o life_n of_o all_o the_o prince_n of_o orange_n from_o william_n the_o great_a founder_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o the_o unite_a province_n to_o which_o be_v add_v the_o life_n of_o his_o present_a majesty_n king_n william_n iii_o from_o his_o birth_n to_o his_o land_n in_o england_n by_o mr._n tho._n brown_n together_o with_o all_o the_o prince_n head_n take_v from_o the_o original_a draught_n by_o mr._n robert_n white_a a_o voyage_n to_o the_o world_n of_o des_n certes_o translate_v from_o the_o french_a by_o t._n taylor_n m._n a._n of_o magd._n coll._n oxon._n thirty_o six_o sermon_n upon_o several_a occasion_n in_o three_o vol._n by_o robert_n south_n d._n d._n the_o second_o edition_n the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n in_o general_a or_o the_o first_o ground_n and_o principle_n of_o humane_a duty_n establish_v in_o eight_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n martin_n in_o the_o field_n at_o the_o lecture_n for_o the_o year_n 1697._o found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esq_n by_o f._n gastrel_n b._n d._n and_o student_n of_o christ_n church_n coll._n oxon._n