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weapon_n that_o be_v in_o their_o hand_n to_o ruin_n and_o destroy_v it_o all_o which_o lay_v together_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o demonstration_n of_o a_o divine_a and_o almighty_a power_n in_o succeed_v such_o a_o unlikely_a work_n second_o and_o as_o it_o be_v at_o first_o plant_v by_o no_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a power_n so_o the_o same_o mighty_a assistance_n be_v necessary_a and_o therefore_o observable_a in_o its_o propagation_n it_o be_v impossible_a that_o such_o a_o doctrine_n shall_v spread_v and_o subdue_v the_o world_n to_o its_o obedience_n as_o it_o quick_o do_v unless_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n have_v make_v way_n and_o bless_v it_o how_o can_v it_o have_v get_v so_o much_o ground_n and_o have_v run_v so_o swift_o through_o the_o world_n if_o he_o that_o ride_v upon_o a_o cherub_n and_o fly_v upon_o the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n psal_n 18.10_o have_v not_o carry_v it_o in_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o as_o appear_v by_o 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〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d say_v nazianz._n orat._n duris_n ut_fw-la ilex_fw-la tonsa_fw-la bipennibus_fw-la nigrae_fw-la feraci_fw-la frondis_fw-la in_o algido_fw-la per_fw-la damna_fw-la per_fw-la caedes_fw-la ab_fw-la ipso_fw-la ducit_fw-la opes_fw-la animumque_fw-la ferro_fw-la object_n and_o though_o bare_a success_n be_v no_o argument_n of_o truth_n or_o a_o good_a cause_n because_o we_o see_v that_o lie_n and_o falsehood_n have_v succeed_v and_o pervert_v very_o considerable_a number_n of_o men._n thus_o mahumetism_n do_v prevail_v over_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o this_o day_n answer_n yet_o in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n a_o doctrine_n so_o contrary_a to_o the_o world_n which_o have_v be_v propagate_v not_o by_o fire_n and_o sword_n but_o by_o argument_n and_o persuasion_n by_o suffering_n and_o persecution_n here_o success_n be_v both_o a_o demonstration_n of_o truth_n and_o of_o the_o power_n of_o god_n when_o like_o lightning_n as_o i_o say_v before_o it_o shall_v melt_v man_n heart_n and_o not_o touch_v their_o body_n with_o any_o force_n as_o for_o the_o religion_n of_o mahomet_n it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o carnal_a flesh-pleasing_a doctrine_n that_o do_v so_o high_o gratify_v the_o lust_n of_o man_n shall_v so_o take_v with_o they_o and_o quick_o spread_v itself_o especial_o when_o it_o have_v so_o many_o advantage_n of_o power_n and_o policy_n to_o diffuse_v it_o fire_n and_o sword_n be_v the_o argument_n that_o mahomet_n use_v to_o support_v his_o cause_n and_o to_o increase_v his_o follower_n but_o christ_n take_v a_o quite_o contrary_a course_n and_o very_o unlikely_a to_o succeed_v but_o that_o it_o have_v the_o countenance_n and_o approbation_n of_o he_o who_o know_v well_o enough_o how_o to_o prosper_v it_o with_o a_o mighty_a success_n with_o which_o since_o the_o christian_a cause_n have_v be_v so_o miraculous_o bless_v it_o be_v a_o proof_n beyond_o exception_n that_o god_n have_v own_v it_o and_o consequent_o the_o scripture_n that_o contain_v this_o doctrine_n be_v inspire_v by_o god_n because_o they_o lay_v claim_v to_o such_o inspiration_n and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o almighty_n god_n this_o be_v more_o than_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v in_o the_o general_n god_n approbation_n of_o the_o whole_a scripture_n but_o yet_o more_o particular_o consider_v how_o exact_o the_o promise_n and_o threaten_n of_o this_o word_n have_v be_v fulfil_v and_o make_v good_a in_o all_o age_n and_o succession_n of_o the_o church_n and_o this_o will_v manifest_v that_o god_n have_v own_v this_o doctrine_n ex_fw-la superabundanti_fw-la after_o his_o prediction_n concern_v his_o own_o death_n and_o suffer_v and_o the_o manner_n together_o with_o the_o mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o it_o be_v accomplish_v and_o that_o he_o be_v crucify_a by_o his_o own_o countryman_n and_o mock_v and_o spit_v upon_o and_o number_v among_o transgressor_n his_o garment_n part_v his_o side_n pierce_v and_o such_o like_a circumstance_n punctual_o fulfil_v according_a as_o he_o have_v foretell_v and_o that_o he_o be_v rise_v the_o three_o day_n and_o have_v show_v himself_o open_o to_o his_o disciple_n for_o their_o encouragement_n and_o the_o strengthen_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o that_o he_o have_v ascend_v to_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n he_o promise_v that_o he_o will_v send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o endue_v they_o with_o power_n from_o above_o to_o work_v miracle_n and_o to_o speak_v with_o tongue_n which_o promise_n be_v according_o fulfil_v for_o on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n when_o they_o be_v assemble_v at_o jerusalem_n which_o other_o history_n as_o well_o as_o the_o sacred_a affirm_v and_o none_o contradict_v he_o promise_v also_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n and_o presence_n with_o they_o and_o wonderful_a success_n and_o all_o come_v to_o pass_v in_o like_a manner_n he_o threaten_v the_o harden_v of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o conversion_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o be_v they_o not_o according_o affect_a moreover_o he_o promise_v blessing_n and_o peace_n to_o the_o diligent_a observer_n of_o his_o statute_n and_o have_v not_o many_o remarkable_a providence_n make_v good_a this_o word_n of_o promise_n with_o what_o joy_n and_o inward_a comfort_n unutterable_a have_v the_o faithful_a servant_n of_o christ_n triumph_v in_o their_o very_a suffering_n many_o of_o the_o martyr_n that_o have_v seal_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n with_o their_o very_a blood_n have_v sing_v at_o the_o stake_n and_o have_v profess_v a_o inward_a ravishment_n of_o spirit_n i_o and_o that_o man_n of_o a_o grave_n and_o discreet_a and_o no_o fanatical_a credulous_a spirit_n instance_n may_v be_v produce_v in_o great_a number_n let_v mahomet_n now_o or_o any_o other_o religion_n whatsoever_o produce_v as_o good_a testimony_n for_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n if_o they_o can_v as_o what_o be_v here_o produce_v to_o declare_v the_o approbation_n countenance_n and_o 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their_o authority_n i_o can_v run_v over_o the_o decalogue_n which_o be_v the_o sum_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o show_v you_o how_o god_n have_v remarkable_o punish_v the_o more_o notable_a and_o famous_a transgressor_n of_o all_o these_o law_n and_o the_o contempt_n of_o the_o book_n in_o which_o these_o law_n be_v contain_v and_o the_o derision_n of_o his_o messenger_n which_o he_o have_v ordain_v to_o proclaim_v and_o expound_v these_o law_n and_o to_o provoke_v and_o persuade_v man_n to_o the_o hearty_a observance_n of_o they_o it_o will_v be_v a_o endless_a labour_n to_o produce_v all_o the_o instance_n that_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o credible_a author_n of_o this_o kind_n so_o much_o in_o confirmation_n of_o the_o second_o argument_n argument_n iii_o 3._o those_o write_n that_o contain_v peremptory_a prediction_n of_o future_a thing_n pure_o contingent_a which_o no_o eye_n but_o god_n can_v possible_o foresee_v
acknowledge_v and_o therefore_o origen_n arnob._n tertulian_n justin_n martyr_n athanasius_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n athenagoras_n lactantius_n with_o the_o rest_n that_o deal_v with_o the_o heathen_n do_v make_v the_o pure_a excellency_n of_o christ_n doctrine_n above_o all_o other_o doctrine_n whereby_o it_o promote_v holiness_n and_o justice_n and_o order_n in_o the_o world_n and_o strong_o oppose_v all_o impious_a and_o unrighteous_a practice_n in_o which_o the_o devil_n be_v delight_v whereby_o their_o kingdom_n be_v very_o much_o weaken_v and_o in_o some_o place_n utter_o ruin_v one_o of_o the_o main_a argument_n for_o the_o christian_a faith_n will_v the_o devil_n ever_o set_v any_o seal_n or_o give_v any_o confirm_a testimony_n to_o such_o precept_n as_o command_v that_o which_o he_o hate_v to_o such_o promise_n as_o encourage_v man_n every_o where_o to_o hate_v and_o oppose_v he_o to_o such_o threaten_a as_o tend_v exceed_o to_o discourage_n and_o bring_v to_o repentance_n all_o his_o confederate_n will_v he_o helpon_o such_o a_o doctrine_n that_o teach_v man_n what_o a_o filthy_a malicious_a spirit_n he_o be_v and_o from_o what_o a_o happiness_n he_o fall_v and_o what_o a_o design_n he_o drive_v on_o against_o god_n and_o whatsoever_o have_v the_o face_n of_o goodness_n and_o how_o he_o hate_v mankind_n and_o will_v bring_v all_o man_n into_o the_o same_o curse_a condition_n with_o himself_o will_v he_o have_v man_n know_v his_o device_n lest_o he_o shall_v come_v upon_o they_o unaware_o and_o will_v he_o have_v they_o abhor_v and_o tremble_v at_o the_o mention_n of_o his_o very_a name_n these_o be_v the_o effect_n that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v like_a to_o have_v upon_o man_n mind_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v past_a doubt_n that_o if_o the_o devil_n can_v work_v miracle_n he_o will_v never_o do_v it_o in_o the_o present_a case_n nor_o give_v the_o least_o countenance_n to_o such_o writing_n but_o if_o he_o be_v master_n of_o such_o a_o seal_n and_o have_v that_o faculty_n he_o will_v rather_o lend_v it_o to_o the_o sect_n that_o seek_v to_o disparage_v undermine_v and_o cry_v down_o these_o write_n in_o the_o world_n he_o perfect_o hate_v that_o parity_n that_o run_v in_o every_o vein_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n which_o make_v aeneas_n sylu._n say_v ut_fw-la plat._n p._n 328._o christiana_n fides_n si_fw-la miraculis_fw-la nonesset_n approbata_fw-la honestate_fw-la suâ_fw-la recipi_fw-la debuit_fw-la and_o therefore_o it_o will_v be_v a_o wonder_n indeed_o if_o he_o shall_v do_v a_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v it_o the_o miracle_n therefore_o that_o be_v wrought_v in_o attestation_n of_o this_o doctrine_n never_o come_v from_o he_o he_o have_v no_o more_o hand_n in_o the_o miracle_n than_o he_o have_v in_o the_o doctrine_n they_o bear_v witness_v to_o or_o than_o he_o will_v have_v in_o the_o overthrow_n of_o his_o own_o kingdom_n and_o therefore_o mr._n stillingfleet_n orig._n sac._n l._n 2.10_o well_o make_v it_o a_o test_n or_o criterium_fw-la of_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n where_o they_o tend_v to_o the_o overthrow_n of_o satan_n power_n in_o the_o world_n and_o this_o argument_n take_v from_o miracle_n conjunct_a with_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n which_o they_o ratify_v and_o attest_v be_v such_o a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o moysaicall_a religion_n before_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n since_o that_o to_o attribute_v these_o miracle_n to_o the_o devil_n which_o can_v not_o possible_o be_v wrought_v by_o any_o other_o power_n than_o the_o finger_n of_o the_o holy-ghost_n be_v now_o common_o think_v by_o the_o most_o learned_a and_o judicious_a divine_n to_o be_v the_o blasphemy_n against_o the_o holy-ghost_n etc._n etc._n the_o unpardonable_a sin_n thus_o athanasius_n episcopus_fw-la and_o dr._n hammond_n think_v and_o mr._n baxter_n have_v demonstrative_o show_v in_o his_o treat_n of_o infidelity_n the_o only_a exception_n that_o can_v have_v any_o show_n of_o pretence_n to_o invalidate_v this_o argument_n be_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n seem_v to_o be_v questionable_a 1_o some_o may_v possible_o question_v whether_o ever_o such_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o scripture_n or_o whether_o ever_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n that_o do_v such_o mighty_a work_n that_o die_v and_o rise_v again_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o pour_v forth_o a_o holy_a and_o miraculous_a spirit_n upon_o his_o follower_n for_o the_o conviction_n of_o infidel_n answer_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v question_v with_o no_o more_o reason_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n or_o constantinople_n by_o the_o person_n that_o never_o see_v they_o or_o whether_o there_o ever_o live_v such_o a_o person_n as_o julius_n or_o augustus_n caesar_n for_o there_o be_v the_o same_o or_o great_a evidence_n for_o those_o than_o these_o be_v for_o these_o but_o there_o be_v none_o that_o will_v question_v these_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o this_o their_o assent_n be_v ground_v upon_o two_o principle_n that_o will_v not_o suffer_v any_o dissent_n the_o first_o be_v it_o be_v impossible_a that_o so_o many_o man_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v meet_v or_o combine_v in_o a_o lie_n when_o they_o get_v nothing_o by_o their_o lie_n nulla_fw-la ratam_fw-la testis_fw-la debet_fw-la habere_fw-la ovid_n ubi_fw-la premia_fw-la falsi_fw-la ibidem_fw-la the_o second_o be_v it_o be_v not_o possible_a the_o sense_n of_o so_o many_o man_n shall_v fail_v they_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v all_o mistake_v and_o be_v delude_v that_o be_v eye_n and_o earwitness_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o both_o see_v and_o hear_v the_o author_n of_o those_o write_n and_o the_o miracle_n which_o they_o wrought_v to_o confirm_v they_o see_v pet._n hart._n de_fw-fr mendozâ_fw-la phys_n disp_n 8._o de_fw-la animâ_fw-la sect._n 3._o and_o sect._n 23.4_o 5._o pag._n 570._o and_o the_o same_o author_n to_o this_o question_n what_o sort_n of_o evidence_n be_v that_o by_o which_o i_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o rome_n upon_o the_o witness_n of_o so_o many_o man_n assert_v it_o answer_v it_o be_v physical_a for_o it_o be_v impossible_a even_o in_o a_o physical_a sense_n that_o so_o many_o man_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v so_o lie_n so_o that_o i_o have_v no_o less_o evidence_n that_o there_o be_v a_o city_n call_v rome_n than_o that_o all_o fire_n be_v heat_n thus_o he_o see_v mr._n baxter_n spirit_n witness_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n pag._n 68_o the_o same_o or_o as_o infallible_a physical_a evidence_n have_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o holy-ghost_n do_v witness_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o first_o it_o be_v natural_o impossible_a that_o so_o many_o church_n in_o so_o many_o country_n of_o the_o world_n at_o such_o a_o distance_n shall_v combine_v to_o lie_v in_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o the_o holy-ghost_n be_v give_v and_o tongue_n speak_v and_o miracle_n do_v among_o they_o for_o so_o many_o year_n if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o second_o man_n have_v a_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o a_o freewill_n and_o the_o understanding_n natural_o incline_v to_o truth_n and_o the_o will_n have_v natural_o and_o of_o necessity_n good_a as_o good_a for_o its_o object_n and_o man_n as_o well_o as_o brutus_n have_v a_o nature_n that_o can_v but_o love_v itself_o and_o desire_v its_o own_o welfare_n and_o abhor_v death_n and_o misery_n temporral_n and_o eternal_a and_o therefore_o though_o here_o and_o there_o a_o man_n in_o some_o desperate_a passion_n may_v make_v away_o himself_o yet_o we_o be_v physical_o certain_a that_o it_o must_v be_v a_o thing_n which_o they_o do_v indeed_o believe_v that_o must_v persuade_v city_n and_o country_n of_o people_n in_o their_o wit_n to_o cast_v their_o estate_n and_o life_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o bloody_a tyrant_n and_o utter_o ruin_v their_o worldly_a hope_n and_o especial_o when_o they_o do_v all_o this_o in_o hope_n of_o a_o blessedness_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v where_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o so_o many_o man_n of_o reason_n shall_v expect_v to_o be_v bless_v for_o conspire_v in_o a_o lie_n but_o rather_o to_o be_v everlasting_o curse_v and_o miserable_a by_o the_o justice_n of_o that_o god_n from_o who_o they_o expect_v their_o reward_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o case_n be_v resolve_v into_o man_n natural_a principle_n and_o inclination_n so_o clear_o as_o it_o be_v there_o be_v natural_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o these_o miracle_n this_o infallible_a certainty_n that_o we_o have_v or_o may_v have_v be_v ground_v upon_o universal_a tradition_n whereby_o universal_a be_v not_o mean_v the_o consent_n of_o all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o world_n be_v mean_v by_o universal_a church_n