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ay_o
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 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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 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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 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prognostic_n ground_v upon_o the_o necessary_a connexion_n and_o dependence_n of_o natural_a cause_n and_o effect_n which_o be_v all_o the_o way_n of_o foretell_v thing_n that_o man_n be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v true_a indeed_o some_o general_a common_a event_n may_v sometime_o by_o a_o lucky_o turn_v of_o imagination_n be_v foretell_v such_o as_o life_n or_o death_n peace_n or_o war_n prosperity_n or_o adversity_n and_o the_o like_a and_o therefore_o have_v christ_n speak_v no_o other_o prophecy_n but_o such_o as_o these_o that_o peter_n shall_v be_v crucify_a and_o john_n shall_v out_o live_v the_o rest_n of_o the_o apostle_n there_o may_v have_v be_v some_o ground_n to_o think_v they_o casual_a conjectural_a prediction_n though_o a_o great_a many_o true_a prediction_n even_o of_o this_o nature_n without_o one_o mistake_v guess_n can_v not_o with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n or_o probability_n have_v be_v attribute_v to_o chance_v several_a other_o event_n likewise_o there_o be_v which_o by_o a_o skill_n in_o this_o or_o that_o part_n of_o knowledge_n and_o by_o a_o immediate_a information_n concern_v several_a antecedent_n circumstance_n may_v be_v foretell_v thus_o do_v a_o astronomer_n foretell_v a_o eclipse_n a_o physician_n the_o death_n of_o some_o particular_a person_n a_o politician_n a_o national_a calamity_n or_o advantage_n and_o thus_o do_v a_o wise_a man_n understand_v how_o such_o a_o person_n who_o temper_n and_o principle_n he_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o will_v behave_v himself_o upon_o such_o a_o occasion_n and_o many_o other_o the_o like_a instance_n may_v be_v give_v but_o the_o prophecy_n of_o christ_n and_o other_o ancient_a prophet_n before_o he_o concern_v the_o whole_a dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n can_v not_o possible_o be_v mere_a guess_n and_o conjecture_n because_o the_o thing_n foretell_v be_v most_o of_o they_o such_o as_o the_o person_n who_o foretell_v they_o have_v never_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o any_o instance_n of_o 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depend_v upon_o the_o free_a resolution_n and_o determination_n of_o intellectual_a being_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o by_o what_o we_o know_v of_o the_o temper_n and_o disposition_n of_o all_o the_o person_n we_o converse_v with_o to_o foretell_v what_o man_n will_v live_v and_o what_o particular_a action_n will_v be_v do_v by_o they_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o we_o the_o connexion_n of_o all_o humane_a action_n be_v nor_o discoverable_a from_o the_o clear_a view_n we_o can_v have_v of_o humane_a nature_n and_o all_o the_o principle_n and_o motive_n man_n act_v upon_o now_o for_o all_o these_o reason_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o those_o great_a and_o wonderful_a event_n foretell_v by_o christ_n and_o the_o ancient_a prophet_n which_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n can_v be_v foretell_v by_o any_o humane_a skill_n or_o learning_n the_o same_o way_n that_o we_o have_v see_v other_o natural_a truth_n predict_v for_o several_a of_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a be_v such_o as_o the_o prophet_n have_v never_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o any_o instance_n of_o before_o as_o for_o example_n that_o a_o person_n shall_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n to_o save_v mankind_n from_o their_o sin_n that_o a_o virgin_n shall_v conceive_v &_o bear_v a_o son_n etc._n etc._n and_o indeed_o all_o those_o fact_n we_o call_v miraculous_a may_v be_v refer_v to_o this_o head_n 〈◊〉_d though_o some_o of_o the_o same_o or_o alike_o kind_a be_v know_v to_o have_v happen_v before_o yet_o the_o prophet_n who_o know_v and_o believe_v they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o exceed_v all_o humane_a power_n and_o cognizance_n and_o therefore_o can_v not_o foresee_v the_o like_a by_o any_o ordinary_a natural_a way_n of_o knowledge_n because_o they_o have_v never_o have_v any_o experience_n of_o such_o thing_n happen_v according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n several_a of_o the_o matter_n prophesy_v of_o if_o they_o have_v depend_v upon_o certain_a necessary_a cause_n and_o that_o dependence_n have_v be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o the_o prophet_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v foretell_v by_o they_o for_o want_v of_o know_v some_o particular_a circumstance_n which_o must_v concur_v to_o their_o existence_n thus_o for_o instance_n suppose_v a_o man_n be_v able_a by_o his_o extraordinary_a skill_n in_o nature_n to_o explain_v how_o a_o virgin_n may_v conceive_v or_o the_o dead_a rise_n the_o lame_a be_v make_v to_o walk_v and_o the_o sick_a be_v cure_v he_o can_v not_o by_o the_o mean_n of_o this_o knowledge_n foretell_v that_o at_o such_o a_o certain_a time_n hereafter_o such_o fact_n as_o these_o shall_v happen_v because_o he_o can_v not_o understand_v when_o there_o the_o state_n and_o disposition_n of_o thing_n at_o that_o time_n will_v certain_o be_v such_o that_o those_o fact_n must_v ensue_v but_o these_o reason_n chief_o concern_v corporeal_a agent_n whereas_o beside_o the_o difficulty_n arise_v from_o hence_o all_o the_o 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of_o the_o world_n that_o most_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v write_v by_o those_o very_a person_n who_o we_o that_o be_v now_o call_v christian_n pretend_v they_o be_v write_v by_o and_o that_o all_o of_o they_o be_v write_v about_o the_o same_o time_n we_o now_o believe_v and_o affirm_v they_o be_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n to_o believe_v these_o book_n to_o be_v true_a and_o genuine_a as_o any_o other_o of_o the_o same_o stand_v and_o antiquity_n and_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o book_n much_o great_a in_o the_o next_o place_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o all_o the_o account_n we_o have_v leave_v we_o of_o the_o history_n of_o christianity_n it_o no_o where_o appear_v that_o any_o of_o the_o ancient_a adversary_n of_o this_o religion_n either_o jew_n or_o heathen_n profane_a or_o revolt_a christian_n ever_o object_v to_o the_o true_a christian_a believer_n that_o the_o book_n in_o which_o they_o pretend_v 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belief_n or_o disbelief_n of_o which_o our_o utmost_a happiness_n or_o misery_n seem_v to_o depend_v and_o we_o shall_v prefer_v a_o mere_a suspicion_n to_o all_o the_o appear_a mark_n and_o character_n of_o truth_n god_n may_v as_o just_o punish_v we_o for_o disbelieve_v a_o real_a error_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o for_o reject_v the_o truth_n it_o be_v not_o whether_o our_o opinion_n be_v true_a or_o false_a but_o whether_o we_o have_v judge_v well_o or_o ill_o that_o we_o be_v accountable_a for_o neither_o in_o matter_n of_o mere_a speculation_n be_v it_o of_o much_o concern_v whether_o we_o judge_v well_o or_o ill_o because_o it_o be_v of_o no_o great_a moment_n whether_o we_o judge_v at_o all_o but_o it_o be_v not_o indifferent_a to_o we_o whether_o we_o will_v be_v happy_a or_o no_o happiness_n be_v and_o must_v be_v the_o end_n of_o all_o our_o thought_n and_o the_o govern_v principle_n of_o our_o life_n upon_o this_o account_n it_o be_v as_o we_o have_v see_v in_o a_o 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not_o have_v the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o reign_v over_o they_o have_v as_o little_a regard_n for_o the_o father_n that_o send_v he_o and_o that_o if_o they_o will_v not_o hear_v moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n nor_o be_v persuade_v by_o one_o that_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a neither_o will_v they_o understand_v the_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v and_o if_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o our_o modern_a deist_n and_o unbeliever_n if_o their_o mind_n be_v blind_v and_o their_o foolish_a heart_n darken_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o they_o can_v perceive_v god_n in_o any_o of_o the_o other_o way_n he_o have_v take_v of_o reveal_v himself_o to_o they_o we_o must_v leave_v they_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o last_o revelation_n that_o will_v be_v make_v of_o the_o righteous_a judgement_n of_o god_n when_o they_o shall_v be_v force_v to_o believe_v and_o tremble_v finis_fw-la book_n print_v for_o tho._n bennet_n folio_n thuidides_n greek_n and_o latin_a collate_v with_o five_o entire_a mannscript_a copy_n and_o all_o the_o edition_n extant_a also_o illustrate_v with_o map_n large_a annotation_n and_o index_n by_o j._n hudson_n m._n a._n and_o fellow_n of_o university_n coll._n oxon._n to_o which_o be_v add_v a_o exact_a chronology_n by_o the_o learned_a hen._n dodwell_n never_o before_o publish_v print_v at_o the_o theatre_n oxon._n octavo_fw-la and_o twelves_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n upon_o several_a occasion_n by_o dr._n stradling_n dean_n of_o chichester_n together_o with_o a_o account_n of_o the_o author_n by_o james_n harrington_n esq_n sermon_n and_o discourse_n upon_o several_a occasion_n by_o dr._n meggot_n dean_n of_o chichester_n the_o meditation_n of_o marcus_n aurelius_n antonius_n the_o roman_a emperor_n translate_v out_o of_o greek_a into_o english_a by_o dr._n causabon_n with_o note_n to_o this_o edition_n be_v add_v the_o life_n of_o the_o emperor_n with_o a_o account_n of_o stoic_a philosophy_n as_o also_o remark_n on_o the_o meditation_n all_o new_o write_v by_o monsieur_n and_o madam_n dacier_n the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n assert_v and_o explain_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o six_o letter_n of_o inspiration_n from_o holland_n etc._n etc._n by_o mr._n l._n moth._n the_o certainty_n and_o necessity_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n etc._n etc._n the_o content_n introduction_n show_v the_o design_n of_o the_o discourse_n and_o the_o method_n in_o which_o it_o be_v prosecute_v page_n 1._o a_o account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n so_o far_o as_o concern_v religion_n p._n 9_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n p._n 16._o of_o the_o relation_n there_o be_v betwixt_o god_n and_o man._n p._n 18._o a_o direct_a proof_n of_o the_o be_v of_o god_n p._n 19_o consider_v as_o possible_a p._n 20._o consider_v as_o probable_a p._n 26._o consider_v as_o certain_a p._n 40._o the_o certainty_n of_o god_n existence_n prove_v
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