of_o paul_n at_o jerusalem_n etc._n etc._n but_o the_o instance_n of_o supernatural_a power_n exercise_v in_o heal_v of_o disease_n raise_v the_o dead_a g_o confound_v the_o opposer_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o in_o several_a other_o kind_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o companion_n and_o adherent_n the_o preacher_n and_o writer_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v so_o abundant_o deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o i_o shall_v not_o offer_v at_o particular_n in_o the_o 4._o of_o the_o act_n we_o find_v all_o the_o apostle_n pray_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o god_n will_v stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n to_o heal_v &_o that_o sign_n and_o wonder_n may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o name_n of_o his_o holy_a child_n jesus_n and_o immediate_o the_o place_n be_v shake_v and_o they_o be_v all_o fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o with_o power_n the_o particular_a miracle_n of_o particular_a person_n be_v record_v in_o one_o word_n they_o go_v and_o preach_v every_o where_o the_o doctrine_n which_o be_v write_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o lord_n work_v with_o they_o and_o confirm_v their_o word_n by_o mighty_a sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o it_o be_v propound_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o suppose_v matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_o deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v by_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n relate_v to_o faith_n or_o manner_n and_o i_o come_v to_o the_o consideration_n oâ—_n the_o last_o and_o extreme_a opinion_n of_o the_o antiscripturists_a iv._o the_o last_o opinion_n be_v of_o those_o who_o deny_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n deliver_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o in_o consequence_n reject_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o can_v wish_v there_o be_v no_o such_o as_o these_o and_o that_o what_o i_o have_v yet_o to_o say_v be_v altogether_o needless_a for_o that_o reason_n but_o what_o mean_v then_o the_o public_a rumour_n which_o we_o hear_v and_o whence_o be_v a_o opinion_n go_v into_o the_o world_n that_o some_o great_a philosopher_n and_o man_n of_o generous_a reason_n be_v dissatisfy_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n and_o believe_v the_o authority_n of_o it_o to_o be_v whole_o derive_v from_o the_o magistrate_n in_o reference_n to_o these_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v 1._o brief_o to_o show_v that_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o these_o wiseman_n and_o philosopher_n reject_v the_o scripture_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n 2._o to_o evince_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n 1._o as_o for_o the_o argument_n and_o ground_n of_o those_o among_o we_o christian_n that_o reject_v the_o body_n of_o the_o scripture_n i_o do_v not_o remember_v to_o have_v hear_v of_o other_o than_o this_o they_o have_v often_o call_v upon_o believer_n pastor_n perhaps_o or_o doctor_n in_o the_o church_n for_o a_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o they_o have_v not_o afford_v it_o therefore_o they_o conclude_v the_o scripture_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v but_o be_v this_o the_o reason_n of_o generous_a wit_n and_o man_n of_o mighty_a deed_n in_o disputation_n of_o man_n pretend_v to_o the_o depth_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n to_o give_v a_o man_n a_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n of_o any_o thing_n there_o be_v but_o two_o way_n viz._n to_o convince_v either_o his_o sense_n or_o his_o understanding_n the_o former_a whereof_o be_v to_o be_v do_v by_o experiment_n the_o late_a by_o demonstration_n will_v they_o have_v now_o a_o experiment_n whether_o such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v 16_o or_o 1700_o year_n ago_o will_v they_o have_v a_o demonstration_n of_o particular_n in_o their_o nature_n indifferent_a to_o be_v do_v or_o not_o to_o be_v do_v depend_v upon_o the_o liberty_n of_o cause_n well_o be_v it_o for_o the_o world_n if_o these_o beaux_fw-fr esprits_fw-fr will_v have_v the_o patience_n and_o endure_v the_o fatigue_n of_o acquaint_v themselves_o with_o the_o way_n of_o knowledge_n experiment_n and_o demonstration_n it_o will_v not_o then_o be_v trouble_v with_o the_o dangerous_a impertinency_n of_o such_o pretender_n then_o these_o man_n will_v not_o call_v for_o experiment_n in_o a_o subject_a uncapable_a of_o it_o and_o be_v instruct_v that_o demonstration_n be_v only_o of_o universal_a proposition_n in_o materia_fw-la necessaria_fw-la who_o contrary_a position_n imply_v a_o contradiction_n they_o will_v know_v that_o to_o demand_v this_o kind_n of_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v to_o be_v absurd_o injudicious_a and_o to_o act_v contrary_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n for_o see_v we_o may_v not_o with_o civility_n suppose_v this_o principle_n to_o be_v advance_v only_o for_o the_o destruction_n of_o religion_n and_o the_o ruin_n or_o at_o least_o undeniable_a hazard_n of_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n we_o ought_v to_o believe_v that_o these_o philosopher_n intend_v this_o as_o a_o general_a maxim_n that_o in_o matter_n at_o least_o of_o moment_n man_n ought_v not_o to_o adventure_v to_o act_v but_o upon_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n and_o speak_v proper_o that_o wise_a man_n ought_v to_o believe_v nothing_o at_o all_o wherefore_o let_v we_o suppose_v this_o for_o a_o general_a principle_n and_o consider_v what_o will_v follow_v set_v aside_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o affection_n of_o a_o few_o line_n and_o number_n be_v not_o all_o learning_n to_o be_v cast_v away_o must_v not_o the_o civil_a world_n of_o mankind_n be_v bring_v to_o swift_a confusion_n must_v not_o mankind_n itself_o in_o a_o few_o day_n come_v to_o a_o end_n suppose_v a_o subject_a shall_v not_o yield_v his_o obedience_n or_o a_o tenant_n his_o rent_n till_o title_n be_v make_v out_o by_o experiment_n or_o demonstration_n suppose_v the_o husbandman_n and_o the_o merchant_n the_o artificer_n the_o soldier_n 8._o the_o banker_n and_o the_o judge_n shall_v not_o adventure_v but_o stay_v for_o the_o assurance_n of_o experiment_n or_o demonstration_n will_v not_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v confound_v suppose_v man_n shall_v not_o marry_v nor_o take_v physic_n nor_o eat_v or_o drink_v till_o they_o shall_v have_v clear_a and_o undeniable_a evidence_n that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v what_o they_o suppose_v and_o shall_v succeed_v according_a to_o expectation_n will_v not_o mankind_n quick_o be_v spend_v and_o bring_v to_o a_o end_n if_o the_o management_n of_o all_o humane_a concernment_n political_n oeconomical_a personal_n proceed_v upon_o the_o ground_n of_o belief_n and_o hope_n and_o rational_a but_o not_o demonstrative_a inference_n if_o neither_o these_o philosopher_n if_o they_o will_v consider_v nor_o any_o other_o person_n either_o ever_o do_v or_o possible_o can_v perform_v any_o one_o action_n upon_o such_o evidence_n as_o these_o man_n require_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o story_n of_o the_o scripture_n then_o to_o reject_v they_o for_o want_n of_o such_o evidence_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n i_o proceed_v therefore_o to_o my_o second_o assertion_n that_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n that_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o all_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v undeniable_o conclude_v from_o supposition_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o relation_n or_o history_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n i_o have_v already_o show_v and_o that_o the_o rejection_n of_o all_o history_n be_v against_o the_o reason_n of_o mankind_n be_v evident_a because_o all_o mankind_n receive_v some_o history_n or_o other_o wherefore_o i_o shall_v brief_o show_v 1._o that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n have_v all_o those_o advantage_n whereof_o any_o history_n be_v capable_a 2._o that_o it_o have_v great_a advantage_n than_o any_o other_o history_n 1._o the_o argument_n induce_v man_n to_o the_o belief_n of_o any_o historical_a relation_n be_v all_o of_o they_o either_o ab_fw-la intra_fw-la internal_a from_o the_o 1._o credibility_n and_o scibility_n of_o the_o object_n 2._o the_o knowledge_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o writer_n 3._o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o writing_n ab_fw-la extra_fw-la external_n the_o 1._o reception_n of_o it_o in_o the_o world_n 2._o concurrent_a testimony_n of_o stranger_n 3._o the_o concession_n of_o adversary_n and_o the_o like_a in_o all_o which_o particular_n no_o history_n in_o the_o world_n can_v just_o pretend_v any_o advantage_n above_o that_o of_o the_o new_a testament_n 1._o for_o the_o credibility_n
rather_o to_o die_v than_o to_o deliver_v they_o 3_o in_o comparison_n of_o these_o they_o count_v not_o their_o life_n dear_a to_o they_o the_o love_n of_o they_o be_v strong_a than_o death_n many_o water_n can_v not_o quench_v it_o neither_o can_v the_o flood_n drown_v it_o this_o be_v testimonium_fw-la rei_fw-la and_o a_o advantage_n above_o all_o other_o history_n or_o write_n in_o the_o world_n 2._o moreover_o they_o have_v testimonium_fw-la dei_fw-la indeed_o all_o that_o be_v already_o speak_v be_v a_o evidence_n of_o a_o divine_a assistance_n but_o more_o particular_o god_n give_v testimony_n to_o these_o book_n by_o 1._o their_o operation_n upon_o believer_n of_o they_o 2._o his_o co-operation_n with_o believer_n of_o they_o 1._o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o contain_v be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n to_o every_o true_a believer_n that_o which_o no_o institution_n in_o philosophy_n nor_o initiation_n in_o the_o mystery_n of_o any_o of_o the_o god_n be_v ever_o able_a to_o accomplish_v 3._o that_o be_v every_o where_o achieve_v by_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o a_o moment_n like_o a_o charm_n from_o heaven_n it_o still_v the_o passion_n and_o mortify_v the_o lust_n of_o man_n what_o a_o beadroll_z do_v paul_n reckon_v up_o in_o the_o corinthian_n 6.9_o but_o you_o be_v wash_v say_v he_o but_o you_o be_v sanctify_v but_o you_o be_v justify_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o our_o god_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o calumny_n throw_v upon_o believer_n 26._o and_o the_o prejudice_n wherewith_o they_o be_v load_v the_o unpropitious_a and_o reluct_a world_n be_v forcible_o convince_v that_o the_o believer_n of_o these_o book_n be_v effectual_o teach_v to_o deny_v ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n and_o to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n through_o the_o cloud_n of_o ignominy_n wherewith_o they_o be_v encompass_v their_o innocency_n break_v forth_o as_o the_o light_n and_o their_o just_a deal_n as_o the_o noon_n day_n the_o piety_n loyalty_n justice_n charity_n magnanimity_n patience_n meekness_n and_o purity_n of_o believer_n of_o these_o book_n convince_v the_o unbelieving_a world_n that_o god_n be_v in_o they_o of_o a_o truth_n for_o they_o teach_v as_o have_v authority_n and_o power_n and_o not_o as_o the_o write_n of_o other_o scribe_n 2._o but_o beside_o the_o operation_n of_o these_o book_n upon_o the_o believer_n god_n be_v please_v to_o give_v testimony_n to_o they_o by_o his_o co-operation_n with_o they_o in_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o mighty_a deed_n the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n tell_v we_o that_o when_o christ_n be_v even_o now_o leave_v the_o world_n he_o leave_v this_o legacy_n to_o believer_n for_o confirmation_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n these_o sign_n say_v he_o shall_v follow_v they_o that_o believe_v in_o my_o name_n they_o shall_v cast_v out_o devil_n 16.19_o speak_v with_o new_a tongue_n take_v up_o serpent_n if_o they_o drink_v any_o deadly_a thing_n it_o shall_v not_o hurt_v they_o they_o shall_v lay_v hand_n on_o the_o sick_a and_o they_o shall_v recover_v now_o that_o this_o be_v make_v good_a and_o that_o these_o sign_n so_o long_o as_o there_o be_v need_n be_v continue_v among_o believer_n we_o have_v as_o good_a assurance_n as_o we_o can_v have_v of_o any_o thing_n beyond_o our_o own_o memory_n or_o experience_n they_o have_v be_v deliver_v to_o we_o by_o a_o cloud_n of_o witness_n by_o man_n of_o the_o great_a wisdom_n and_o learning_n in_o their_o generation_n by_o person_n of_o such_o integrity_n that_o they_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o testimony_n of_o their_o veracity_n deliver_v not_o by_o hear-say_n but_o upon_o their_o certain_a knowledge_n deliver_v in_o their_o disputation_n with_o and_o apology_n to_o the_o adversary_n of_o christianity_n with_o a_o challenge_n to_o the_o examination_n of_o the_o truth_n or_o a_o conviction_n of_o the_o falsehood_n of_o they_o instance_n be_v very_o numerous_a i_o shall_v produce_v only_o a_o very_a few_o justin_n the_o martyr_n who_o suffer_v anno_fw-la 165_o affirm_v to_o trypho_n the_o jew_n tryphone_n that_o these_o supernatural_a gift_n be_v find_v in_o his_o time_n among_o christian_n irenaeus_n a_o auditor_n of_o polycarp_n who_o be_v a_o disciple_n of_o s._n john_n suffer_v circa_fw-la 206_o affirm_v upon_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n be_v then_o frequent_a in_o the_o church_n 20._o that_o many_o have_v the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n ipsi_fw-la audivimus_fw-la other_o cast_v out_o devil_n other_o heal_v disease_n other_o raise_v the_o dead_a and_o those_o raise_a person_n continue_v many_o year_n among_o they_o pro_fw-la certo_fw-la tertullian_n in_o his_o apologetica_fw-la adversus_fw-la gentes_fw-la affirm_v that_o jam_fw-la de_fw-la vobis_fw-la daemonas_fw-la ejiciunt_fw-la origen_n against_o celsus_n say_v 3._o that_o he_o himself_o have_v see_v by_o invocation_n of_o god_n and_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n very_o many_o that_o be_v deliver_v from_o grievous_a malady_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d alienatione_fw-la mentis_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d not_o to_o mention_v other_o s._n augustine_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr civitate_fw-la dei_fw-la begin_v about_o 410_o but_o many_o year_n in_o writing_n l._n 22._o c._n 8._o give_v a_o account_n of_o very_a many_o miracle_n do_v at_o hippo_n carthage_n and_o other_o place_n of_o no_o great_a distance_n note_v time_n place_n person_n occasion_n appeal_n to_o the_o country_n deliver_v they_o under_o term_n of_o the_o great_a assurance_n scio_fw-la ego_fw-la cognosco_fw-la ego_fw-la nos_fw-la interfuimus_fw-la &_o oculis_fw-la nostris_fw-la aspeximus_fw-la and_o in_o his_o retractation_n ea_fw-la quae_fw-la cognoscimus_fw-la neque_fw-la refer_v neque_fw-la enumerare_fw-la possumus_fw-la other_o history_n and_o write_n and_o the_o author_n and_o believer_n of_o they_o can_v pretend_v no_o high_o than_o to_o the_o testimony_n of_o man_n these_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n also_o if_o we_o believe_v the_o testimony_n of_o man_n the_o testimony_n of_o god_n be_v great_a i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n than_o any_o other_o history_n in_o the_o world_n the_o sum_n of_o all_o be_v this_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o great_a fundamental_a and_o comprehensive_a principle_n of_o christianity_n which_o be_v admit_v it_o stand_v and_o be_v remove_v it_o present_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n against_o this_o therefore_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o religion_n in_o these_o late_a day_n under_o pretence_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n direct_v his_o force_n and_o be_v say_v to_o have_v find_v a_o success_n very_o pernicious_a and_o deplorable_a i_o humble_o conceive_v that_o the_o resolution_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n into_o the_o decree_n of_o pope_n or_o determination_n of_o council_n with_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o roman-catholic_n into_o private_a impulse_n and_o dictate_v of_o the_o spirit_n with_o the_o enthusiast_n and_o into_o the_o law_n and_o edict_n of_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n with_o our_o new_a pretender_n to_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n be_v that_o engine_n whereby_o the_o devil_n have_v prevail_v to_o scandalize_v the_o world_n and_o cast_v it_o into_o antiscriptural_a infidelity_n it_o be_v for_o this_o cause_n that_o i_o have_v conceive_v it_o requisite_a after_o many_o other_o who_o have_v do_v worthy_o to_o have_v recourse_n once_o more_o to_o the_o original_a reason_n of_o thing_n essay_n and_o the_o common_a ground_n whereupon_o mankind_n do_v proceed_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n where_o hope_v that_o i_o have_v escape_v the_o absurdity_n of_o beg_v the_o matter_n in_o question_n discourse_v in_o a_o circle_n and_o the_o inconvenience_n of_o some_o other_o method_n i_o have_v endeavour_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o 1._o the_o old_a testament_n and_o 2._o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v as_o of_o divine_a authority_n 3._o and_o suppose_v matter_n of_o fact_n to_o be_v true_o relate_v the_o doctrinal_a part_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v 4._o for_o the_o historical_a relation_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n to_o disbelieve_v it_o that_o for_o the_o reception_n of_o it_o it_o have_v 1._o all_o the_o advantage_n whereof_o a_o history_n be_v capable_a 2._o far_o great_a advantage_n than_o any_o other_o history_n wherefore_o i_o conclude_v that_o all_o the_o scripture_n i._n e._n the_o canonical_a book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n quod_fw-la erat_fw-la demonstrandum_fw-la finis_fw-la concern_v the_o sinfulness_n danger_n remedy_n of_o infidelity_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o whitehall_n feb._n 16._o
they_o he_o save_v other_o himself_z he_o can_v save_v let_v he_o do_v one_o more_o miracle_n let_v he_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n and_o we_o will_v believe_v he_o so_o vain_a be_v the_o pretence_n of_o those_o who_o think_v to_o excuse_v their_o infidelity_n because_o they_o can_v see_v a_o miracle_n so_o false_a be_v the_o ground_n of_o that_o opinion_n 3._o brief_o 3._o to_o bring_v this_o argument_n to_o a_o issue_n if_o it_o be_v grant_v to_o these_o person_n to_o see_v a_o miracle_n what_o kind_n of_o miracle_n will_v they_o choose_v to_o convince_v their_o understanding_n and_o settel_n they_o in_o religion_n we_o be_v here_o i_o confess_v in_o loco_fw-la conjecturali_fw-la and_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v what_o miracle_n another_o man_n will_v choose_v but_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o which_o most_o man_n will_v agree_v upon_o as_o most_o conduce_v to_o that_o purpose_n whereof_o we_o be_v speak_v will_v be_v this_o that_o to_o assure_v they_o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v and_o to_o satisfy_v their_o curiosity_n in_o some_o other_o doubt_n and_o scruple_n they_o may_v once_o be_v allow_v to_o see_v and_o converse_v with_o some_o one_o that_o may_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a who_o may_v resolve_v their_o question_n concern_v the_o condition_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o hades_n 3._o i_o say_v then_o that_o our_o saviour_n who_o know_v what_o be_v in_o man_n and_o need_v not_o that_o any_o one_o shall_v tell_v he_o foresee_v this_o fantastical_a conceit_n have_v show_v the_o folly_n of_o it_o and_o preoccupate_v this_o vain_a resort_n 16.23_o in_o the_o 16_o of_o luke_n 27._o dives_n make_v it_o his_o request_n to_o abraham_n that_o he_o will_v send_v lazarus_n from_o the_o dead_a to_o testify_v to_o his_o brethren_n those_o thing_n which_o these_o man_n dream_v of_o abraham_n refer_v they_o to_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n recommend_v to_o they_o as_o our_o scripture_n be_v to_o we_o they_o have_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n etc._n etc._n let_v they_o hear_v they_o he_o say_v unto_o he_o nay_o father_n abraham_n but_o if_o one_o go_v to_o they_o from_o the_o dead_a they_o will_v believe_v and_o he_o abraham_n say_v if_o they_o hear_v not_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n neither_o will_v they_o be_v persuade_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o clear_a and_o a_o full_a determination_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o question_n and_o if_o any_o one_o shall_v imagine_v that_o this_o determination_n be_v but_o conjectural_a 12._o our_o saviour_n afterward_o try_v the_o experiment_n and_o raise_v another_o lazarus_n from_o the_o dead_a what_o be_v the_o effect_n of_o this_o man_n come_v from_o the_o dead_a do_v it_o convert_v the_o high_a priest_n or_o the_o scribe_n the_o ruler_n or_o the_o people_n nay_o but_o from_o that_o very_a day_n they_o take_v counsel_n together_o how_o they_o may_v put_v jesus_n to_o death_n 53._o and_o the_o chief_a priest_n consult_v how_o they_o may_v put_v lazarus_n to_o death_n also_o upon_o these_o consideration_n we_o may_v infallible_o conclude_v that_o infidelity_n in_o such_o time_n as_o we_o be_v no_o more_o excusable_a than_o it_o be_v in_o the_o day_n of_o christ_n or_o his_o apostle_n the_o time_n of_o miracle_n and_o phrophesy_n so_o much_o of_o the_o first_o supposition_n in_o the_o caveat_n of_o the_o text_n the_o sinfulness_n of_o infidelity_n in_o general_n at_o all_o time_n and_o the_o inexcusableness_n in_o our_o time_n which_o make_v it_o our_o duty_n to_o take_v heed_n of_o it_o ii_o i_o pass_v to_o the_o second_o supposition_n concern_v the_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o it_o which_o make_v it_o our_o concernment_n and_o interest_n to_o beware_v of_o it_o for_o if_o this_o be_v clear_a the_o exhortation_n will_v be_v powerful_a take_v heed_n brethren_n etc._n etc._n now_o the_o danger_n of_o fall_v into_o infidelity_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o conspicuous_a and_o make_v so_o sensible_a by_o every_o day_n '_o be_v experience_n that_o i_o wish_v the_o proof_n of_o it_o be_v difficult_a so_o as_o to_o justify_v a_o studious_a &_o laborious_a demonstration_n of_o it_o at_o once_o to_o shorten_v my_o discourse_n and_o to_o remove_v the_o suspicion_n of_o any_o satirical_a reflection_n upon_o those_o that_o hear_v i_o i_o shall_v show_v that_o the_o great_a advantage_n have_v not_o preserve_v the_o best_a of_o man_n from_o sometime_o fall_v into_o infidelity_n take_v heed_n therefore_o brethren_n the_o great_a help_n and_o advantage_n against_o unbelief_n i_o conceive_v to_o be_v these_o ensue_n 1._o evidence_n of_o god_n presence_n 2._o or_o these_o light_n on_o a_o good_a understanding_n 3._o at_o least_o upon_o the_o able_a of_o man_n 4._o such_o as_o have_v hold_v communion_n with_o god_n 5._o or_o have_v be_v eminent_a for_o the_o habit_n and_o exercise_n of_o faith_n 6._o or_o these_o with_o warning_n to_o prevent_v the_o danger_n of_o fall_v 7._o and_o those_o reiterated_a yet_o all_o these_o have_v not_o preserve_v good_a man_n from_o sometime_o fall_v a_o word_n of_o each_o 1._o first_o then_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o person_n in_o the_o context_n what_o great_a evidence_n of_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n can_v be_v imagine_v than_o they_o enjoy_v in_o egypt_n in_o their_o passage_n over_o the_o red_a sea_n in_o the_o wilderness_n my_o presence_n say_v god_n shall_v go_v along_o with_o you_o they_o be_v conduct_v by_o a_o pillar_n of_o a_o cloud_n etc._n etc._n they_o be_v support_v and_o correct_v by_o visible_a and_o palpable_a instance_n of_o god_n power_n and_o presence_n yet_o they_o tempt_v and_o grieve_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n by_o their_o infidelity_n for_o they_o believe_v not_o for_o all_o his_o wondrous_a work_n 2._o but_o these_o jew_n be_v a_o dull_a and_o stupid_a people_n if_o god_n shall_v once_o manifest_v himself_o to_o a_o wise_a and_o understand_a person_n such_o as_o we_o take_v ourselves_o to_o be_v we_o may_v think_v it_o impossible_a to_o fall_v into_o unbelief_n i_o suppose_v it_o will_v be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o these_o objector_n to_o say_v that_o solomon_n may_v be_v as_o wise_a and_o know_v as_o wary_a and_o philosophical_a as_o they_o and_o as_o for_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n presence_n the_o scripture_n tell_v we_o express_o 3.3_o that_o god_n appear_v to_o he_o at_o gibeon_n where_o he_o make_v a_o promise_n to_o he_o which_o he_o perform_v yet_o solomon_n fall_v into_o the_o gross_a infidelity_n to_o think_v there_o be_v god_n and_o goddess_n 11.5_o to_o worship_n asteroth_n the_o goddess_n of_o the_o sidonian_n and_o milcom_v the_o abomination_n of_o the_o ammonite_n 3._o but_o it_o may_v be_v yet_o object_v that_o solomon_n do_v this_o in_o the_o dotage_n of_o his_o year_n and_o his_o dotage_n upon_o his_o idolatrous_a wife_n which_o turn_v away_o his_o heart_n but_o that_o it_o can_v not_o have_v precede_v from_o he_o before_o his_o understanding_n be_v impair_v behold_v then_o a_o great_a than_o solomon_n even_o adam_n in_o his_o full_a strength_n when_o he_o be_v new_o make_v after_o the_o similitude_n of_o god_n a_o little_a low_o than_o the_o angel_n god_n several_a time_n appear_v to_o he_o in_o the_o garden_n yet_o he_o fall_v through_o unbeleif_n and_o draw_v all_o his_o posterity_n into_o his_o ruin_n 4._o but_o adam_n though_o he_o have_v perfection_n of_o nature_n yet_o he_o want_v grace_n whereby_o he_o may_v have_v hold_v communion_n with_o god_n which_o have_v be_v once_o enjoy_v will_v for_o ever_o have_v keep_v he_o from_o infidelity_n or_o deliberate_a sin_n which_o always_o proceed_v from_o it_o consider_v then_o the_o case_n of_o david_n 89.4_o of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n come_v upon_o he_o that_o god_n himself_o make_v a_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o swear_v unto_o he_o by_o his_o holiness_n that_o he_o will_v not_o fail_v he_o and_o as_o for_o david_n who_o be_v like_a unto_o he_o for_o devotion_n and_o zeal_n for_o spiritual_a communion_n and_o intercourse_n with_o god_n he_o be_v the_o sweet_a singer_n of_o israel_n and_o how_o often_o do_v we_o find_v his_o spirit_n inebriate_v and_o transport_v in_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o divine_a and_o ravish_a enjoyment_n yet_o we_o find_v he_o fall_v from_o all_o this_o height_n and_o great_a and_o terrible_a be_v his_o fall_n he_o go_v mourn_v for_o it_o all_o his_o day_n and_o bow_v down_o his_o head_n continual_o 5._o but_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v think_v that_o though_o david_n be_v a_o excellent_a man_n yet_o see_v his_o eminency_n lie_v not_o in_o the_o gift_n of_o faith_n but_o in_o zeal_n or_o in_o some_o other_o grace_n the_o danger_n