of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christian_a religion_n by_o h._n h._n d._n d._n {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o 1_o pet._n 3._o 15._o the_o three_o edition_n london_n print_v by_o j._n g._n for_o r._n royston_n at_o the_o angel_n in_o ivy-lane_n 1650._o of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christian_a religion_n the_o introduction_n sect._n 1_o it_o have_v always_o be_v account_v more_o reasonable_a to_o doubt_v of_o principle_n first_o and_o then_o to_o throw_v off_o the_o deduction_n that_o natural_o arise_v from_o they_o then_o to_o contest_v the_o conclusion_n when_o the_o principle_n or_o premise_n be_v grant_v this_o occasion_v that_o say_v of_o picus_n mirandula_n that_o the_o speculative_a atheist_n be_v the_o great_a prodigy_n but_o one_o and_o that_o be_v the_o practical_a atheist_n to_o acknowledge_v christian_a religion_n to_o be_v true_a and_o consequent_o that_o without_o sincere_a obedience_n to_o all_o christ_n precept_n not_o only_o the_o infinite_a reward_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v forfeit_v but_o the_o infinite_a torment_n become_v our_o portion_n and_o yet_o to_o live_v life_n of_o profaneness_n and_o luxury_n and_o indulgence_n to_o every_o liberty_n that_o suit_n with_o our_o humour_n without_o fear_n or_o discomfeiture_n of_o mind_n be_v a_o shortness_n of_o discourse_n that_o no_o man_n that_o have_v consideration_n enough_o to_o examine_v or_o judgement_n to_o compare_v can_v choose_v but_o discern_v and_o condemn_v in_o himself_o as_o therefore_o the_o *_o 1._o epicurean_a that_o be_v resolve_v not_o to_o be_v repress_v or_o live_v in_o the_o awe_n of_o religion_n and_o priest_n count_v it_o but_o necessary_a to_o disbelieve_v the_o perpetuity_n of_o torment_n beyond_o this_o life_n so_o have_v it_o be_v satan_n method_n and_o the_o advantage_n which_o he_o have_v take_v of_o these_o time_n from_o the_o commonness_n of_o cast_v down_o mound_n and_o hedge_n of_o dispute_v and_o question_v the_o most_o establish_a truth_n to_o offer_v it_o to_o the_o reason_n and_o judgement_n of_o his_o client_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o more_o easy_a and_o hopeful_a to_o break_v up_o the_o foundation_n itself_o then_o while_o that_o remain_v in_o its_o firmness_n to_o demolish_v that_o which_o be_v erect_v upon_o it_o and_o by_o entangle_v man_n in_o those_o practice_n which_o render_v they_o uncapable_a of_o receive_v benefit_n by_o christianity_n to_o oblige_v they_o to_o endeavour_v to_o cast_v off_o the_o doctrine_n and_o to_o rid_v themselves_o from_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o thus_o have_v some_o man_n teach_v themselves_o the_o skill_n and_o dexterity_n of_o unravel_a principle_n and_o by_o give_v themselves_o liberty_n to_o disobey_v christ_n in_o some_o pleasant_a or_o gainful_a particular_n have_v at_o last_o in_o their_o own_o defence_n that_o they_o may_v salve_v their_o phaenomena_n and_o appear_v congruous_a to_o themselves_o arrive_v calm_o to_o the_o scorner_n chair_n the_o cast_n off_o christianity_n itself_o sect._n 2_o in_o stead_n of_o gainless_a complaint_n i_o shall_v therefore_o hasten_v to_o give_v some_o check_n to_o this_o grow_a evil_n and_o reduce_v the_o whole_a matter_n of_o debate_n to_o these_o two_o head_n sect._n 3_o first_o i_o shall_v consider_v the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o gross_a or_o bulk_n all_o of_o it_o together_o and_o in_o some_o measure_n justify_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o they_o and_o then_o second_o i_o shall_v descend_v in_o the_o retail_n to_o the_o survey_n and_o vindication_n of_o those_o particular_a branch_n of_o christianity_n which_o appear_v to_o man_n at_o this_o time_n to_o be_v least_o support_v with_o reason_n chap._n i._n the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n or_o the_o reason_n upon_o which_o man_n embrace_v christian_a religion_n in_o the_o gross_a all_o of_o it_o together_o sect._n 1_o in_o lieu_n of_o the_o many_o ground_n or_o several_a branch_n and_o improvement_n of_o the_o same_o one_o complicate_a ground_n which_o *_o etc._n other_o man_n have_v very_o rational_o enlarge_v on_o this_o present_a discourse_n which_o desire_v not_o to_o expatiate_v nor_o to_o suppose_v the_o reader_n to_o have_v renounce_v his_o christianity_n whole_o shall_v confine_v itself_o to_o these_o two_o head_n first_o the_o testimony_n on_o which_o christianity_n be_v build_v second_o the_o advantage_n that_o those_o which_o embrace_v it_o shall_v reap_v by_o it_o the_o first_o will_v render_v the_o belief_n rational_a and_o conclude_v it_o impious_a to_o doubt_v of_o it_o the_o second_o will_v render_v the_o belief_n gainful_a and_o conclude_v it_o most_o uncharitable_a to_o ourselves_o yea_o and_o unsafe_a and_o treacherous_a not_o to_o adhere_v to_o it_o the_o first_o will_v pronounce_v it_o with_o the_o apostle_n a_o faithful_a say_n the_o second_o worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n the_o first_o will_v reconcile_v it_o to_o our_o brain_n the_o second_o to_o our_o heart_n the_o first_o will_v give_v it_o possession_n of_o our_o understanding_n the_o second_o will_v ravish_v our_o will_n with_o the_o beauty_n and_o luster_n of_o it_o sect._n 2_o the_o testimony_n on_o which_o we_o believe_v christianity_n i_o e._n on_o which_o we_o believe_v that_o christ_n be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o reveal_v his_o father_n will_n unto_o we_o and_o to_o be_v believe_v in_o all_o that_o he_o deliver_v to_o the_o world_n which_o when_o it_o be_v believe_v it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o all_o and_o every_o part_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v infallible_o true_a and_o capable_a of_o no_o far_o doubt_v be_v the_o most_o important_a and_o convince_n of_o belief_n or_o faith_n which_o can_v be_v imagine_v sect._n 3_o for_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v not_o say_v it_o it_o be_v yet_o in_o itself_o most_o evident_a to_o common_a sense_n that_o faith_n come_v by_o hear_v i_o e._n that_o i_o can_v believe_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a on_o any_o better_a nay_o on_o any_o other_o ground_n but_o only_o that_o i_o hear_v it_o thus_o affirm_v and_o as_o the_o affirmation_n be_v such_o be_v the_o belief_n if_o the_o affirmation_n be_v from_o a_o fallible_a person_n from_o a_o mere_a man_n the_o belief_n must_v be_v a_o fallible_a belief_n but_o if_o the_o person_n affirm_v be_v infallible_a then_o be_v the_o belief_n infallible_a also_o sect._n 4_o that_o infallible_a affirmer_n be_v but_o one_o viz._n god_n of_o who_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o be_v veracious_a to_o be_v able_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o to_o lie_v which_o be_v also_o affirm_v by_o christ_n out_o of_o the_o principle_n of_o common_a nature_n let_v god_n be_v true_a and_o every_o man_n a_o liar_n i_o e._n though_o no_o infallibility_n of_o testimony_n can_v be_v attribute_v to_o any_o mere_a man_n yet_o whatsoever_o be_v testify_v by_o god_n do_v certain_o deserve_v to_o be_v full_o credit_v sect._n 5_o and_o therefore_o if_o god_n shall_v testify_v the_o truth_n of_o any_o thing_n there_o can_v be_v no_o far_o scruple_n or_o possibility_n of_o doubt_v or_o suspect_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o be_v so_o testify_v than_o there_o be_v actual_a doubt_n whether_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n be_v god_n or_o whether_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n be_v the_o father_n of_o lie_n which_o as_o it_o be_v a_o degree_n above_o the_o deny_n of_o christ_n and_o above_o the_o infidelity_n either_o of_o the_o jew_n or_o mahemetane_a or_o even_o of_o heathenism_n itself_o in_o that_o notion_n wherein_o it_o signify_v the_o a_o {non-roman}_o acknowledgement_n of_o more_o god_n than_o one_o for_o all_o that_o have_v adote_v any_o deity_n have_v acknowledge_v that_o god_n or_o god_n to_o b_o {non-roman}_o speak_v nothing_o but_o truth_n so_o be_v the_o pretend_n to_o it_o peculiar_a to_o very_o few_o since_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n there_o be_v not_o many_o that_o appear_v in_o story_n to_o have_v affirm_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o and_o those_o not_o able_a to_o persuade_v other_o that_o they_o do_v believe_v themselves_o when_o they_o so_o affirm_v sect._n 6_o now_o this_o affirmation_n or_o testisication_n of_o god_n that_o christ_n be_v send_v from_o he_o to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o we_o etc._n etc._n upon_o which_o be_v once_o suppose_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o christian_a religion_n true_o so_o call_v be_v immediate_o and_o infallible_o found_v have_v more_o than_o one_o way_n be_v authentical_o interpose_v such_o be_v the_o many_o repeat_a testimony_n of_o the_o prophet_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o find_v a_o perfect_a completion_n in_o christ_n and_o none_o but_o christ_n do_v amount_v to_o a_o divine_a testimony_n such_o be_v the_o come_n of_o the_o angel_n to_o mary_n the_o mother_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o elizabeth_n the_o mother_n of_o john_n baptist_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o also_o the_o star_n which_o light_v the_o wise_a man_n of_o the_o east_n unto_o he_o and_o of_o which_o
miracle_n which_o he_o do_v most_o be_v to_o dispossess_v and_o cast_v out_o devil_n to_o restore_v health_n as_o they_o bring_v disease_n who_o consequent_o look_v on_o he_o as_o and_o proclaim_v he_o their_o enemy_n and_o although_o this_o may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v do_v by_o they_o for_o some_o great_a advantage_n as_o the_o devil_n may_v suffer_v one_o charm_n to_o counter-work_n another_o yet_o can_v they_o not_o here_o be_v think_v to_o have_v use_v those_o endeavour_n to_o raise_v christ_n into_o that_o power_n of_o destroy_v they_o or_o to_o assist_v their_o utmost_a to_o give_v he_o a_o authority_n in_o the_o world_n indeed_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n be_v so_o direct_o contrary_a to_o that_o which_o have_v be_v maintain_v by_o the_o oracle_n that_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v to_o proceed_v from_o that_o principle_n to_o which_o they_o pretend_v and_o the_o story_n be_v approve_v by_o plutarch_n and_o the_o effect_n have_v make_v it_o not_o improbable_a that_o there_o be_v some_o truth_n in_o it_o that_o about_o christ_n time_n a_o voice_n be_v hear_v on_o the_o sea_n that_o the_o great_a god_n pan_n be_v dead_a and_o a_o huge_a bellow_n and_o roar_a as_o of_o infernal_a mourner_n follow_v it_o and_o that_o this_o be_v probable_o the_o cause_n acknowledged_o the_o forerunner_n of_o the_o devil_n silence_n and_o never_o speak_v in_o the_o oracle_n any_o more_o sect._n 32_o as_o for_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o devil_n give_v his_o response_n in_o the_o oracle_n it_o be_v confess_v by_o all_o that_o then_o live_v and_o know_v they_o that_o they_o be_v deliver_v constant_o by_o a_o man_n who_o be_v see_v when_o he_o do_v it_o and_o be_v call_v the_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o {non-roman}_o one_o that_o speak_v under_o the_o oracle_n out_o of_o the_o cavern_n of_o the_o earth_n by_o the_o vapour_n of_o which_o plutarch_n conceive_v he_o inspire_v and_o so_o turn_v enthusiast_n which_o be_v a_o far_o different_a thing_n from_o a_o voice_n no_o man_n be_v see_v which_o come_v in_o a_o clap_n of_o thunder_n with_o a_o bright_a shine_a cloud_n from_o heaven_n this_o may_v reasonable_o satisfy_v the_o importunity_n of_o that_o objection_n also_o sect._n 33_o and_o so_o much_o for_o the_o first_o part_n of_o the_o ground_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o gross_a the_o testimony_n on_o which_o it_o be_v build_v which_o be_v a_o infallible_a word_n derive_v and_o convey_v to_o we_o by_o the_o most_o creditable_a mean_n and_o which_o we_o have_v no_o temptation_n from_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o may_v sure_o be_v conclude_v a_o rational_a ground_n of_o belief_n chap._n ii_o a_o digression_n concerning_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o decide_v controversy_n in_o religion_n sect._n 1_o have_v proceed_v thus_o far_o for_o the_o convince_n of_o the_o gainsayer_n it_o may_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o consider_v the_o believer_n awhile_o and_o give_v he_o the_o bound_n or_o limit_n within_o which_o reason_n be_v oblige_v to_o contain_v itself_o in_o matter_n of_o faith_n and_o this_o even_o by_o the_o verdict_n of_o reason_n itself_o and_o i_o shall_v do_v it_o by_o a_o brief_a state_n of_o this_o question_n sect._n 2_o whether_o right_a reason_n be_v appoint_v the_o judge_n of_o controversy_n whether_o all_o doubt_n of_o all_o sort_n be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n in_o the_o hear_v of_o every_o man_n which_o have_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n to_o this_o i_o shall_v ground_v my_o answer_n in_o these_o two_o rule_n or_o postulation_n 1._o that_o sect._n 3_o the_o measure_n of_o man_n natural_a power_n of_o know_v or_o judge_v of_o thing_n be_v his_o participate_n of_o those_o thing_n in_o some_o degree_n with_o god_n in_o who_o they_o be_v as_o in_o the_o fountain_n so_o that_o the_o man_n may_v find_v and_o behold_v they_o in_o himself_o as_o true_o though_o not_o as_o eminent_o or_o in_o the_o same_o degree_n as_o they_o be_v in_o god_n for_o certain_o if_o a_o man_n denudate_fw-la of_o all_o experimental_a acquire_v reveal_a knowledge_n of_o all_o foreign_a help_n leave_v only_o to_o himself_o as_o a_o man_n endue_v with_o reason_n shall_v be_v question_v in_o any_o thing_n and_o suppose_v able_a to_o express_v his_o conception_n he_o will_v be_v fain_o to_o fetch_v out_o every_o word_n that_o he_o say_v from_o within_o he_o say_v only_o what_o his_o own_o heart_n can_v discern_v within_o himself_o otherwise_o he_o shall_v be_v suppose_v to_o answer_v more_o than_o he_o have_v mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o work_n do_v will_v be_v above_o the_o proportion_n of_o the_o mean_n to_o it_o the_o conclusion_n will_v have_v more_o in_o it_o then_o the_o premise_n from_o hence_o follow_v this_o second_o rule_n that_o sect._n 4_o man_n be_v natural_o able_a to_o judge_v only_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o by_o some_o sure_a connexion_n depend_v on_o those_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o be_v communicate_v to_o and_o particular_o by_o man_n and_o be_v the_o like_a as_o far_o as_o the_o adumbration_n or_o transcript_n be_v to_o the_o exemplar_n or_o pattern_n for_o kind_n though_o not_o degree_n in_o man_n as_o in_o god_n sect._n 4_o now_o all_o controversy_n i_o e._n all_o thing_n subject_a to_o judgement_n be_v reducible_a to_o two_o head_n goodness_n or_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o question_n now_o be_v whether_o right_a reason_n can_v infallible_o judge_n what_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a true_a or_o false_a and_o then_o to_o this_o i_o answer_v first_o concerning_o the_o first_o head_n sect._n 5_o for_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v good_a moral_o for_o metaphysical_a goodness_n be_v all_o one_o with_o truth_n depend_v by_o sure_a connexion_n from_o that_o eternal_a justice_n which_o be_v primary_o in_o god_n that_o be_v the_o rule_n as_o it_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o moral_a goodness_n in_o man_n or_o thing_n every_o thing_n be_v good_a more_o or_o less_o as_o it_o more_o or_o less_o partake_v of_o that_o justice_n which_o be_v in_o god_n sect._n 6_o now_o this_o be_v one_o of_o the_o attribute_n of_o god_n which_o be_v call_v communicable_a it_o be_v true_o affirm_v that_o that_o justice_n which_o be_v in_o god_n be_v the_o very_a same_o in_o substance_n communicate_v to_o man_n though_o in_o a_o low_a degree_n and_o therefore_o it_o follow_v by_o the_o second_o rule_n that_o man_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o general_a impression_n i_o e._n by_o a_o power_n of_o see_v whatsoever_o be_v within_o his_o sphere_n be_v enable_v by_o god_n to_o judge_v what_o be_v just_a what_o not_o what_o moral_o good_a what_o bad_a and_o no_o man_n judge_n amiss_o in_o these_o thing_n but_o he_o that_o have_v his_o judgement_n corrupt_v by_o some_o prepossession_n or_o habitual_a vice_n or_o present_a prevail_a temptation_n and_o therefore_o of_o moral_a controversy_n i_o e._n whether_o a_o thing_n natural_o or_o in_o itself_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a just_a or_o not_o right_a reason_n be_v a_o judg._n sect._n 7_o yet_o this_o with_o this_o caution_n or_o limitation_n that_o it_o be_v not_o extend_v to_o those_o thing_n wherein_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n have_v be_v elevate_v high_o by_o any_o positive_a law_n of_o christ_n for_o as_o right_a reason_n can_v judge_v what_o be_v lawful_a in_o any_o particular_a kingdom_n because_o what_o nature_n have_v make_v lawful_a the_o municipal_a law_n of_o that_o place_n may_v have_v forbid_v and_o make_v unlawful_a and_o that_o right_a reason_n can_v take_v notice_n of_o unless_o it_o be_v tell_v so_o so_o in_o christ_n kingdom_n the_o church_n when_o he_o have_v forbid_v what_o nature_n have_v leave_v free_a and_o unforbidden_a reason_n untaught_a by_o christ_n can_v say_v that_o that_o be_v unlawful_a yet_o general_o will_v be_v find_v to_o bear_v that_o testimony_n to_o christ_n that_o what_o christ_n have_v superadd_v to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n right_a reason_n will_v of_o its_o own_o accord_n commend_v as_o best_o or_o most_o laudable_a and_o excellent_a in_o they_o that_o do_v it_o though_o not_o know_v any_o precept_n for_o it_o it_o will_v not_o affirm_v that_o it_o be_v necessary_a so_o as_o it_o can_v be_v omit_v without_o sin_n then_o concerning_o the_o second_o head_n i_o answer_v sect._n 8_o that_o for_o a_o thing_n to_o be_v true_a i_o e._n to_o have_v a_o be_v either_o potential_a or_o actual_a depend_v partly_o on_o god_n power_n partly_o on_o his_o will_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o potential_a be_v it_o depend_v on_o his_o power_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o actual_a on_o his_o will_n sect._n 9_o now_o god_n power_n though_o it_o may_v in_o some_o sense_n be_v say_v communicable_a to_o the_o creature_n because_o all_o ability_n in_o the_o creature_n be_v a_o gleam_n of_o infinite_a
he_o himself_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o angel_n again_o be_v send_v to_o give_v notice_n of_o it_o and_o those_o that_o at_o his_o death_n have_v fear_v themselves_o delude_v as_o adversity_n be_v a_o great_a temptation_n and_o by_o christ_n himself_o foretell_v to_o be_v so_o be_v every_o one_o of_o they_o confirm_v by_o see_v touch_v talk_v with_o he_o and_o what_o be_v see_v and_o testify_v by_o they_o be_v see_v also_o by_o five_o hundred_o person_n at_o once_o which_o live_v many_o year_n to_o attest_v the_o truth_n to_o all_o that_o doubt_v it_o and_o at_o length_n which_o be_v the_o must_v immediate_a testification_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o the_o former_a he_o be_v bodily_a and_o visible_o take_v up_o into_o heaven_n before_o their_o eye_n sect._n 15_o when_o that_o be_v do_v there_o be_v but_o one_o imaginable_a method_n behind_o that_o according_a as_o he_o have_v promise_v while_o he_o be_v upon_o earth_n he_o shall_v be_v himself_o depart_v send_v the_o paraclet_n which_o by_o descend_v visible_o upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o by_o endue_v they_o with_o the_o gift_n of_o do_v miracle_n and_o of_o speak_v of_o all_o language_n which_o they_o be_v know_v never_o to_o have_v learn_v shall_v enable_v they_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n by_o the_o testimony_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n and_o destroy_v of_o satan_n by_o his_o death_n the_o most_o improbable_a mean_n of_o work_a victory_n that_o he_o be_v the_o messiah_n foretell_v that_o seed_n of_o the_o woman_n that_o shall_v break_v the_o serpent_n head_n on_o strength_n of_o this_o they_o which_o so_o late_o doubt_v now_o cheerful_o lay_v down_o their_o life_n in_o testify_v of_o all_o these_o truth_n and_o those_o jew_n that_o do_v not_o yet_o believe_v on_o he_o be_v according_a to_o his_o distinct_a prediction_n many_o time_n repeat_v they_o their_o temple_n in_o which_o they_o trust_v their_o city_n their_o whole_a nation_n and_o infinite_a multitude_n of_o they_o wheresoever_o they_o be_v find_v most_o stupendious_o destroy_v by_o the_o roman_a eagle_n or_o legion_n all_o this_o thus_o hasty_o put_v together_o so_o as_o necessary_o to_o omit_v many_o weighty_a circumstance_n under_o every_o head_n be_v sure_a prodigy_n enough_o to_o attest_v and_o authorize_v no_o great_a a_o change_n than_o the_o clear_a revelation_n of_o some_o obscure_a truth_n the_o confutation_n of_o some_o false_a doctrine_n and_o the_o reformation_n of_o some_o ceremony_n and_o the_o perfect_n and_o heighten_n of_o some_o law_n less_o perfect_a before_o and_o the_o institute_n of_o a_o few_o useful_a ceremony_n in_o stead_n of_o many_o burdensome_a one_o can_v be_v think_v to_o amount_v to_o sect._n 16_o this_o first_o gound_z of_o believe_v christianity_n be_v thus_o mention_v be_v not_o capable_a of_o any_o dispute_n from_o any_o reasonable_a man_n unless_o from_o he_o which_o shall_v question_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o fabulous_a in_o the_o relation_n i_o e._n whether_o first_o there_o be_v ever_o indeed_o hear_v such_o voice_n or_o second_o whether_o they_o be_v not_o delusion_n of_o the_o hearer_n or_o at_o least_o the_o voice_n of_o some_o other_o and_o not_o of_o god_n and_o to_o he_o that_o shall_v make_v the_o former_a scruple_n i_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o give_v as_o satisfactory_a a_o answer_n as_o be_v possible_a to_o be_v give_v of_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n of_o any_o the_o light_a or_o weighty_a consequence_n to_o a_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n i_o say_v i_o e._n of_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n for_o such_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v that_o such_o a_o voice_n be_v hear_v from_o heaven_n and_o that_o fact_n pass_v so_o many_o hundred_o year_n ago_o for_o first_o that_o fact_n be_v of_o necessity_n to_o be_v confine_v to_o some_o determinate_a time_n and_o place_n to_o be_v do_v somewhere_o and_o why_o not_o in_o judaea_n where_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v do_v to_o be_v see_v by_o some_o particular_a man_n and_o by_o they_o of_o necessity_n if_o it_o be_v to_o be_v know_v to_o be_v attest_v to_o other_o nay_o if_o it_o have_v be_v do_v so_o as_o to_o be_v hear_v and_o see_v by_o the_o whole_a world_n then_o live_v though_o that_o this_o shall_v point_v out_o that_o one_o person_n jesus_n will_v not_o be_v well_o reconcilable_a with_o that_o because_o his_o body_n can_v not_o be_v in_o every_o place_n yet_o can_v not_o the_o next_o age_n come_v to_o know_v this_o but_o must_v be_v force_v to_o make_v use_n of_o the_o attestation_n of_o man_n of_o that_o age_n to_o reveal_v it_o to_o they_o and_o so_o proceed_v by_o the_o very_a way_n that_o now_o be_v allow_v we_o that_o of_o faith_n or_o believe_v for_o secondl_o shall_v there_o at_o this_o hour_n come_v the_o like_a voice_n from_o heaven_n in_o the_o hear_n of_o any_o the_o most_o creditable_a honest_a man_n of_o this_o age_n what_o way_n will_v be_v expect_v to_o convince_v the_o age_n to_o come_v who_o shall_v not_o be_v present_a to_o hear_v it_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o but_o by_o the_o constant_a affirmation_n of_o those_o who_o be_v now_o ear-witness_n of_o it_o and_o by_o their_o commit_v all_o this_o to_o write_v now_o so_o that_o all_o that_o shall_v now_o live_v and_o suspect_v or_o believe_v it_o a_o forgery_n may_v be_v able_a to_o examine_v and_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o especial_o if_o to_o that_o they_o shall_v join_v the_o do_n of_o the_o great_a miracle_n which_o come_v only_o from_o god_n can_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v by_o he_o allow_v to_o assist_v the_o bring_v a_o lie_n into_o the_o world_n sect._n 17_o beyond_o such_o testimony_n of_o eye_n or_o ear-witness_n thus_o public_o and_o authoritative_o protest_v and_o convey_v to_o posterity_n there_o be_v no_o rational_a evidence_n imaginable_a for_o those_o that_o live_v not_o in_o that_o age_n nor_o do_v man_n at_o any_o time_n exact_a or_o require_v any_o more_o authentic_a proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o ground_n of_o believe_v any_o thing_n for_o as_o to_o the_o voice_n of_o god_n again_o from_o heaven_n which_o alone_o can_v pretend_v to_o be_v above_o this_o this_o be_v not_o at_o all_o commodious_a to_o this_o turn_n for_o this_o be_v for_o god_n to_o multiply_v prodigy_n improper_o and_o unseasonable_o it_o be_v sure_o unnecessary_o and_o to_o all_o that_o be_v not_o present_a this_o will_v be_v again_o as_o questionable_a as_o the_o former_a sect._n 18_o for_o the_o testify_v a_o high_a important_a truth_n which_o can_v otherwise_o be_v know_v god_n have_v be_v please_v thus_o personal_o to_o interpose_v his_o own_o power_n and_o authority_n and_o to_o speak_v from_o heaven_n yea_o and_o to_o repeat_v that_o again_o and_o again_o that_o there_o may_v no_o matter_n of_o doubt_n remain_v concerning_o it_o but_o when_o that_o have_v be_v thus_o do_v by_o god_n sufficient_o then_o be_v there_o sufficient_a human_a mean_n to_o convey_v the_o truth_n or_o history_n of_o this_o fact_n to_o other_o man_n viz._n the_o testimony_n of_o those_o that_o see_v or_o hear_v it_o and_o as_o it_o be_v ridiculous_a to_o suppose_v or_o expect_v from_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v testify_v from_o heaven_n that_o such_o man_n do_v hear_v that_o former_a voice_n from_o heaven_n so_o the_o same_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nature_n which_o forbid_v lie_v as_o sinful_a forbid_v also_o incredulity_n as_o irrational_a when_o a_o thing_n be_v by_o unsuspected_a witness_n upon_o certain_a knowledge_n with_o so_o many_o improvement_n and_o advantage_n thus_o sufficient_o testify_v and_o if_o god_n upon_o man_n several_a incredulity_n shall_v be_v still_o oblige_v to_o give_v witness_n to_o his_o truth_n by_o his_o own_o voice_n than_o shall_v he_o cut_v off_o that_o rule_n for_o belief_n which_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n agreeable_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reasonable_a nature_n he_o have_v make_v stand_v among_o man_n and_o in_o this_o case_n to_o require_v any_o high_a testimony_n be_v the_o same_o inconvenient_a absurdity_n as_o not_o to_o believe_v any_o thing_n upon_o any_o other_o ground_n then_o that_o of_o sight_n which_o be_v indeed_o to_o mistake_v knowledge_n for_o belief_n or_o evidence_n for_o adherence_n and_o must_v necessary_o leave_v nothing_o of_o virtue_n rewardable_a in_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v so_o violent_o and_o unavoidable_o produce_v or_o to_o expect_v a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n to_o give_v i_o daily_a assurance_n of_o all_o the_o passage_n or_o relation_n of_o history_n and_o not_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o alexander_n or_o caesar_n or_o william_n the_o conqueror_n or_o elizabeth_n the_o late_a but_o before_o our_o birth_n queen_n of_o this_o kingdom_n unless_o some_o voice_n of_o god_n from_o heaven_n attest_v it_o to_o i_o sect._n 19_o
they_o that_o can_v believe_v at_o any_o cheap_a rate_n then_o of_o a_o new_a minuit_o prodigy_n from_o heaven_n for_o every_o act_n of_o believe_v a_o prodigy_n from_o heaven_n or_o more_o plain_o they_o that_o will_v not_o believe_v any_o thing_n but_o what_o they_o know_v must_v be_v feed_v also_o as_o well_o as_o teach_v by_o miracle_n or_o else_o must_v be_v oblige_v to_o abstinence_n great_a than_o any_o man_n inflict_v upon_o himself_o by_o continue_v constant_a to_o that_o principle_n for_o no_o man_n have_v demonstration_n or_o infallibility_n or_o evidence_n for_o his_o safety_n in_o any_o bit_n of_o meat_n that_o he_o eat_v or_o the_o firmness_n of_o any_o floor_n he_o stand_v on_o it_o be_v always_o possible_a that_o what_o do_v most_o nourish_v and_o sustain_v may_v by_o some_o poisonous_a mixture_n smite_v and_o destroy_v that_o the_o roof_n that_o cover_v and_o protect_v may_v minuit_o overwhelm_v and_o bury_v we_o yet_o be_v we_o not_o such_o hypochondriack_n in_o these_o matter_n of_o daily_a use_n and_o in_o they_o that_o be_v it_o be_v interpret_v a_o eminent_a defect_n or_o decay_v of_o reason_n and_o not_o a_o high_a pitch_n of_o it_o as_o to_o deprive_v ourselves_o of_o the_o benefit_n of_o food_n and_o rayman_n upon_o consideration_n of_o these_o remote_a possible_a danger_n nor_o to_o fear_v all_o thing_n but_o what_o we_o know_v infallible_o sect._n 20_o and_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v say_v that_o eat_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o preservation_n of_o life_n and_o that_o that_o consideration_n make_v it_o reasonable_a to_o trust_v on_o those_o ground_n because_o by_o distrust_v we_o shall_v subject_v ourselves_o to_o a_o certain_o of_o that_o whereof_o the_o other_o be_v at_o most_o but_o a_o hazard_n i_o answer_v first_o that_o this_o instance_n be_v produce_v only_o to_o show_v that_o we_o think_v it_o reasonable_a without_o fear_n or_o doubt_n to_o rely_v on_o some_o thing_n for_o which_o we_o have_v no_o demonstration_n or_o knowledge_n of_o the_o impossibility_n of_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o be_v still_o prove_v by_o this_o instance_n though_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o eat_v be_v necessary_a because_o if_o the_o necessity_n of_o eat_v be_v the_o cause_n that_o make_v man_n venture_v that_o hazard_n they_o shall_v never_o venture_v it_o till_o they_o be_v necessary_o to_o starve_v without_o it_o and_o when_o they_o do_v so_o they_o shall_v do_v it_o with_o continual_a doubt_n and_o fear_v of_o the_o possible_a danger_n neither_o of_o which_o be_v think_v rational_a nor_o practise_v by_o consider_v man_n and_o second_o the_o interpretation_n of_o be_v feed_v in_o the_o instance_n be_v the_o whole_a course_n of_o man_n in_o feed_a which_o be_v not_o the_o proportion_n of_o food_n to_o the_o necessity_n of_o life_n or_o the_o lessian_a or_o cornarian_a diet_n but_o the_o free_a manner_n of_o feed_v among_o man_n such_o as_o wa_z parallel_v to_o the_o stand_n on_o a_o floor_n that_o may_v possible_o fall_v that_o be_v be_v in_o a_o upper_a room_n which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o necessary_a to_o life_n and_o withal_o possible_a in_o nature_n that_o it_o shall_v minuit_o be_v our_o death_n be_v yet_o make_v use_n of_o among_o all_o wise_a man_n with_o as_o much_o confidence_n and_o fearlesness_n as_o it_o be_v expect_v of_o we_o that_o we_o shall_v believe_v the_o gospel_n sect._n 21_o this_o may_v be_v enlarge_v to_o the_o several_a business_n of_o the_o world_n wherein_o all_o man_n act_v most_o confident_o to_o that_o of_o traffic_v and_o trade_v and_o all_o kind_n of_o merchandize_v which_o be_v real_o mix_v with_o not_o improbable_a hazard_n the_o whole_a life_n of_o the_o husbandman_n be_v a_o continual_a example_n of_o those_o that_o think_v fit_a to_o adhere_v and_o believe_v and_o act_v according_o without_o have_v receive_v any_o demonstration_n and_o none_o of_o all_o these_o be_v ever_o count_v irrational_a even_o by_o those_o who_o have_v fix_v no_o thought_n beyond_o this_o life_n and_o the_o thrive_n and_o prosper_v in_o it_o and_o who_o consequent_o be_v to_o lose_v their_o chief_n and_o only_o good_a if_o it_o shall_v miscarry_v and_o who_o in_o all_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v general_o as_o rational_a and_o wary_a and_o hard_a to_o believe_v without_o security_n as_o the_o wise_a man_n in_o the_o world_n sect._n 22_o and_o if_o we_o will_v in_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n the_o believe_n of_o the_o apostle_n relation_n concerning_o those_o testimony_n give_v christ_n from_o heaven_n wherein_o we_o have_v infinite_o strong_a ground_n to_o build_v our_o faith_n on_o security_n and_o conviction_n incomparable_o more_o pregnant_a and_o vehement_a allow_v it_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o do_v that_o once_o which_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n we_o do_v confident_o every_o minuit_fw-la of_o our_o life_n viz._n believe_v what_o we_o have_v all_o reason_n to_o believe_v without_o exact_v of_o evidence_n or_o demonstration_n there_o will_v be_v no_o more_o require_v of_o we_o in_o this_o matter_n sect._n 23_o that_o this_o be_v direct_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n and_o over_o and_o above_o this_o that_o the_o testify_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v all_o imaginable_a advantage_n will_v appear_v by_o a_o bare_a application_n of_o the_o particular_n sect._n 24_o the_o voice_n from_o heaven_n concerning_o christ_n be_v testify_v by_o the_o joint-concurrence_n of_o all_o that_o be_v present_a at_o they_o no_o one_o find_v any_o cause_n of_o scruple_n or_o interpose_v any_o doubt_n concerning_o they_o those_o very_a person_n with_o the_o addition_n of_o many_o more_o be_v allow_v the_o favour_n of_o see_v he_o after_o his_o resurrection_n of_o use_v all_o the_o most_o infallible_a mean_n of_o secure_v themselves_o and_o other_o of_o the_o reality_n of_o this_o be_v thus_o assure_v they_o make_v it_o the_o business_n of_o their_o whole_a life_n after_o to_o communicate_v it_o to_o other_o some_o in_o writing_n all_o in_o preach_v through_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n whither_o they_o travel_v on_o purpose_n to_o propagate_v this_o truth_n agree_v in_o the_o whole_a matter_n of_o story_n and_o in_o every_o circumstance_n of_o it_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o say_v they_o again_o back_o with_o miracle_n on_o one_o side_n with_o completion_n of_o prediction_n both_o of_o the_o prophet_n of_o old_a concerning_o christ_n and_o of_o christ_n concerning_o they_o and_o the_o succeed_a age_n especial_o that_o concerning_o his_o speedy_a come_n in_o vengeance_n against_o his_o crucifier_n on_o the_o other_o side_n both_o testimony_n of_o god_n to_o authorise_v their_o testimony_n in_o propagate_a this_o doctrine_n as_o they_o use_v not_o strength_n or_o force_n which_o have_v be_v the_o engine_n by_o which_o all_o other_o religion_n have_v receive_v their_o growth_n so_o they_o never_o endeavour_v to_o disturb_v state_n or_o government_n for_o or_o by_o the_o plant_v this_o doctrine_n but_o always_o preach_v subjection_n to_o the_o power_n which_o be_v anywhere_o establish_v and_o without_o all_o resistance_n profess_v and_o by_o their_o action_n demonstrate_v themselves_o oblige_v to_o suffer_v whatsoever_o their_o lawful_a magistrate_n inflict_v on_o they_o and_o contend_v only_o with_o their_o prayer_n to_o god_n that_o they_o may_v live_v quiet_o and_o peaceable_o under_o they_o have_v still_o their_o cross_n in_o their_o hand_n and_o many_o time_n on_o their_o shoulder_n to_o follow_v christ_n and_o if_o this_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prevent_v or_o to_o satisfy_v the_o jealousy_n of_o heathen_a prince_n yet_o upon_o that_o very_a account_n it_o be_v the_o great_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n when_o they_o that_o propagate_v it_o be_v so_o far_o from_o design_v any_o temporal_a advantage_n to_o themselves_o which_o may_v bribe_v they_o to_o the_o depose_v a_o untruth_n that_o they_o actual_o part_v with_o their_o very_a life_n and_o consequent_o with_o all_o capacity_n of_o those_o possible_a advantage_n and_o acquire_v nothing_o but_o reproach_n and_o torment_n and_o death_n itself_o and_o all_o this_o without_o any_o other_o imaginable_a reward_n or_o payment_n in_o commutation_n or_o reparation_n for_o all_o this_o save_v only_o the_o future_a expectation_n of_o that_o for_o which_o they_o yet_o have_v no_o far_a assurance_n than_o the_o truth_n of_o that_o which_o they_o thus_o confess_v nay_o yet_o far_o when_o they_o have_v give_v this_o costly_a testimony_n to_o this_o truth_n god_n again_o bear_v testimony_n to_o they_o and_o by_o miracle_n wrought_v at_o their_o monument_n be_v dead_a they_o yet_o speak_v sect._n 24_o that_o all_o this_o be_v thus_o true_a be_v again_o itself_o testify_v not_o only_o by_o record_n still_o extant_a under_o their_o hand_n who_o write_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o act_n and_o by_o footstep_n and_o remainder_n of_o all_o other_o preach_v wheresoever_o they_o