in_o themselves_o moral_o good_a and_o moral_o evil._n no_o man_n reason_n determine_v about_o the_o positive_a use_n of_o any_o such_o outward_a medium_n of_o worship_n nor_o can_v assure_v i_o of_o god_n distinguish_a acceptance_n in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v upon_o certain_a ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n in_o all_o our_o worship_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n by_o nature_n a_o clear_a and_o certain_a law_n to_o himself_o about_o such_o thing_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v because_o there_o be_v no_o intrinsical_o religious_a good_a as_o to_o matter_n of_o worship_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o all_o such_o goodness_n result_v pure_o from_o institution_n god_n have_v not_o sanctify_v any_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n to_o his_o service_n in_o such_o a_o way_n by_o any_o unalterable_a obligation_n arise_v from_o the_o rational_a nature_n no_o such_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n be_v found_v in_o reason_n but_o 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restoration_n have_v plato_n or_o aristotle_n or_o the_o wise_a among_o they_o but_o leave_v we_o a_o liturgy_n of_o their_o own_o composition_n it_o will_v with_o great_a effect_n have_v convince_v we_o what_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v even_o the_o best_a understanding_n in_o all_o divine_a address_n two_o thing_n about_o worship_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v teach_v we_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n first_o that_o mankind_n have_v general_o acknowledge_v it_o necessary_a that_o some_o supernatural_a direction_n shall_v be_v give_v for_o the_o manage_n of_o that_o intercourse_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o have_v subscribe_v to_o the_o shortness_n and_o defficiency_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n about_o it_o and_o second_o that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o certain_a complete_a systeme_n of_o worship_n that_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n man_n do_v uniform_o agree_v in_o the_o one_o result_v from_o their_o constant_a recourse_n to_o supernatural_a inquiry_n and_o the_o many_o enthusiastic_a pretension_n thereupon_o the_o other_o from_o their_o great_a and_o eminent_a disagreement_n among_o themselves_o for_o the_o pagan_a world_n who_o be_v only_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o naturallight_n and_o have_v in_o truth_n no_o revelation_n at_o all_o but_o be_v still_o abuse_v with_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o fall_v by_o that_o guidance_n into_o endless_a diversity_n in_o practice_n and_o into_o a_o numberless_a variety_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v and_o approach_v the_o deity_n and_o be_v universal_o engage_v in_o multiply_v medium_n and_o method_n of_o worship_n no_o way_n prescribe_v by_o any_o natural_a law_n connate_a with_o man_n being_n or_o any_o general_a uniform_a issue_n of_o right_a reason_n nor_o indeed_o be_v they_o under_o any_o direction_n at_o all_o either_o for_o their_o choice_n or_o their_o use_n further_o than_o what_o their_o own_o fancy_n or_o best_a guess_n or_o some_o enthusiastic_a impostor_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o which_o plain_o declare_v there_o be_v not_o a_o ability_n in_o nature_n sufficient_o to_o guide_v man_n in_o divine_a worship_n so_o far_o as_o their_o own_o devotion_n do_v natural_o steer_v they_o and_o we_o that_o indeed_o have_v revelation_n be_v instruct_v by_o that_o revelation_n itself_o sufficient_o to_o know_v the_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o revelation_n for_o we_o find_v that_o god_n by_o his_o reveal_v law_n do_v not_o only_o revive_v in_o general_a the_o whole_a of_o nature_n law_n about_o worship_n and_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o true_a extent_n thereof_o which_o he_o do_v and_o much_o inlighten_v our_o natural_a knowledge_n therein_o which_o we_o find_v be_v great_o defective_a even_o about_o natural_a duty_n and_o give_v we_o a_o complete_a view_n of_o our_o natural_a obligation_n
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age_n thaâ—_n have_v many_o hundred_o of_o year_n beforâ—_n some_o of_o they_o happen_v pronounce_v with_o a_o absolute_a prophetic_a certainty_n about_o thâ—m_n and_o have_v never_o be_v find_v tâ—_n mistake_v in_o a_o tittle_n though_o it_o have_v sometimes_o descend_v so_o to_o particular_n as_o 〈◊〉_d name_n even_o the_o person_n of_o man_n long_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v can_v once_o be_v impeach_v for_o give_v a_o wrong_a divination_n about_o the_o least_o circumstance_n relate_v either_o to_o person_n or_o thing_n if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o have_v be_v signal_o preserve_v from_o the_o great_a rage_n of_o many_o powerful_a adversary_n and_o from_o the_o most_o violent_a and_o potent_a attempt_n for_o its_o total_a suppression_n and_o ruin_n of_o such_o who_o be_v in_o high_a authority_n and_o furnish_v with_o great_a advantage_n to_o effect_v it_o a_o book_n that_o have_v escape_v all_o sort_n of_o contrivance_n against_o it_o and_o safe_o descend_v through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o be_v to_o this_o day_n providential_o secure_v and_o unmaimed_a and_o entire_o deliver_v over_o to_o we_o if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o evident_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o right_a reason_n improve_v mankind_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n in_o all_o worthy_a and_o excellent_a attainment_n boâ—h_v moral_a and_o divine_a bring_v the_o world_n into_o the_o best_a posture_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v man_n wise_a better_a and_o happy_a than_o they_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v themselves_o find_v out_o how_o to_o be_v if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o by_o mean_n utter_o unthought_a of_o and_o far_o out_o of_o all_o humane-reach_a and_o yet_o of_o a_o most_o holy_a and_o excellent_a nature_n sweet_o and_o safe_o even_o to_o our_o great_a admiration_n reconcile_v we_o to_o god_n fill_v up_o that_o vast_a gulf_n that_o be_v between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o make_v way_n for_o a_o free_a and_o perpetual_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n thereby_o a_o beatitude_n infinite_o transcend_v whatever_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n can_v contrive_v or_o invent_v which_o the_o rational_a soul_n the_o more_o it_o consider_v still_o the_o more_o it_o adore_v and_o admire_v and_o in_o which_o to_o the_o utmost_a it_o be_v delight_v and_o satisfy_v in_o short_a if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o have_v all_o those_o thing_n if_o we_o respect_v both_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o we_o appertinent_a to_o it_o that_o we_o can_v rational_o expect_v shall_v accompany_v a_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n and_o such_o a_o supernatural_a law_n by_o which_o we_o may_v suppose_v god_n will_v enlighten_v and_o rule_v the_o world_n a_o book_n that_o every_o way_n answer_v all_o the_o great_a end_n of_o revelation_n propose_v most_o suitable_a remedy_n to_o all_o our_o natural_a defect_n leave_v not_o a_o disease_n in_o humane_a nature_n uncured_a nor_o a_o breach_n that_o man_n fall_n have_v occasion_v un-made_a up_o if_o there_o be_v not_o one_o thing_n we_o can_v imagine_v god_n shall_v reveal_v to_o we_o in_o order_n to_o our_o present_a or_o future_a welfare_n about_o thing_n visible_a or_o invisible_a about_o this_o world_n or_o the_o next_o that_o we_o be_v not_o here_o tell_v of_o if_o we_o have_v here_o such_o discovery_n make_v of_o thing_n supernatural_a and_o unseen_a as_o have_v evident_o set_v bound_n to_o the_o restless_a and_o inquisitive_a mind_n of_o man_n about_o those_o matter_n and_o such_o as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o judge_v can_v be_v the_o product_n of_o any_o humane_a thought_n nor_o of_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o the_o infinite_a and_o boundless_a wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n of_o god_n himself_o if_o we_o have_v find_v such_o a_o book_n if_o the_o bible_n be_v thus_o qualify_v what_o can_v be_v otherwise_o judge_v upon_o such_o premise_n but_o that_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o that_o sacred_a instrument_n wherein_o god_n have_v record_v his_o sovereign_a pleasure_n this_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v so_o much_o expect_v and_o to_o which_o so_o many_o false_a pretension_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v make_v here_o be_v indeed_o contain_v that_o system_n of_o law_n supernatural_a by_o the_o publication_n whereof_o god_n have_v abound_v in_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o even_o outdo_v the_o further_a conception_n the_o world_n have_v at_o any_o time_n have_v of_o his_o goodness_n how_o strange_o unreasonable_a be_v it_o to_o derive_v such_o a_o book_n from_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o imposture_n how_o heterodox_n be_v it_o to_o all_o good_a sense_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o worst_a and_o most_o pernicious_a delusion_n by_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v ever_o abuse_v which_o we_o must_v needs_o reckon_v this_o book_n to_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n shall_v have_v in_o point_n of_o time_n the_o precedency_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v of_o a_o ancient_a date_n than_o any_o divine_a truth_n the_o world_n can_v pretend_v to_o who_o that_o believe_v the_o supreme_a existence_n of_o god_n can_v imagine_v that_o the_o best_a document_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n that_o ever_o mankind_n be_v discipline_v by_o shall_v have_v the_o devil_n or_o the_o vile_a of_o man_n for_o their_o author_n that_o such_o shall_v contrive_v and_o publish_v a_o doctrine_n that_o bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a method_n of_o live_v that_o such_o shall_v reduce_v mankind_n to_o the_o happy_a and_o best_a condition_n and_o out_o do_v the_o divine_a goodness_n in_o that_o particular_a who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a man_n in_o promote_a the_o high_a treason_n against_o god_n counterfeit_n his_o name_n and_o authority_n and_o
reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v exclude_v so_o that_o the_o epicurean_a religion_n be_v in_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o it_o whole_o precarious_a and_o depend_v upon_o the_o pleasure_n of_o man_n or_o else_o destructive_a to_o itself_o and_o its_o own_o principle_n the_o deity_n be_v to_o be_v venerate_v for_o its_o excellency_n say_v the_o epicurean_o that_o be_v if_o man_n please_v to_o make_v law_n it_o shall_v be_v so_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o indifferent_a if_o they_o say_v it_o be_v not_o indifferent_a but_o that_o we_o be_v oblige_v so_o to_o do_v by_o a_o natural_a determination_n of_o reason_n that_o be_v a_o acknowledge_a of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o therein_o a_o admission_n of_o providence_n to_o say_v the_o deity_n must_v be_v venerate_v and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n to_o say_v that_o all_o action_n and_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o indifferent_a be_v plain_o to_o say_v there_o be_v no_o state_v rule_n for_o this_o veneration_n far_o than_o positive_a law_n make_v they_o and_o that_o a_o man_n may_v practice_v any_o thing_n the_o very_o worst_a of_o thing_n suppose_v positive_a law_n not_o to_o forbid_v they_o and_o yet_o be_v a_o religious_a venerator_fw-la of_o the_o deity_n the_o admission_n of_o which_o be_v loathsome_a to_o all_o mankind_n to_o say_v that_o a_o man_n must_v venerate_v the_o deity_n and_o yet_o to_o annex_v no_o reward_n to_o the_o do_v of_o it_o nor_o any_o punishment_n to_o the_o not_o do_v of_o it_o here_o nor_o hereafter_o be_v to_o prepare_v man_n to_o be_v religious_a by_o tell_v they_o before_o hand_n if_o they_o be_v so_o it_o shall_v be_v no_o whit_n the_o better_a for_o they_o and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o so_o it_o shall_v not_o be_v one_o jot_n the_o worse_o this_o notion_n of_o epicurus_n which_o yet_o be_v the_o whole_a of_o his_o divinity_n so_o circumstantiate_v seem_v to_o i_o so_o weak_a a_o attempt_n towards_o any_o thing_n of_o religion_n that_o i_o rather_o think_v of_o he_o as_o cicero_n do_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n perfect_o without_o any_o religion_n and_o have_v no_o belief_n of_o a_o deity_n at_o all_o for_o so_o say_v he_o of_o he_o in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n dear_a verius_fw-la est_fw-la igitur_fw-la illud_fw-la nimirum_fw-la quod_fw-la familiaris_fw-la omnium_fw-la nostrum_fw-la posidonius_n disseruit_fw-la in_o libro_fw-la quinto_fw-la de_fw-fr natura_fw-la deorum_fw-la nullos_fw-la esse_fw-la deos_fw-la epicuro_fw-la videri_fw-la quaeque_fw-la be_v de_fw-la diis_fw-la immortalibus_fw-la dixerit_fw-la invidiae_fw-la detestandae_fw-la gratia_fw-la dixisse_fw-la two_o thing_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v have_v experience_n do_v evident_o discover_v the_o falsehood_n of_o this_o position_n that_o all_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o alike_o to_o mankind_n till_o custom_n and_o positive_a law_n make_v a_o difference_n first_o we_o find_v man_n pass_v a_o judgement_n upon_o themselves_o in_o the_o closet_n of_o their_o own_o breast_n accuse_v and_o excuse_v themselves_o about_o matter_n no_o way_n connizable_a and_o no_o way_n determine_v by_o any_o positive_a law_n but_o mere_o guide_v herein_o by_o the_o unavoidable_a evidence_n that_o their_o own_o reason_n give_v in_o concern_v the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o thing_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n this_o truth_n have_v be_v establish_v for_o as_o cicero_n say_v true_o time_n wear_v out_o error_n of_o opinion_n but_o confirm_v all_o natural_a truth_n every_o man_n own_o reason_n carry_v a_o innate_a condemnation_n in_o it_o to_o some_o thing_n as_o evil_n and_o a_o approbation_n of_o other_o as_o good_a and_o this_o no_o way_n found_v in_o custom_n or_o law_n of_o time_n or_o place_n but_o in_o the_o very_a faculty_n of_o reason_n itself_o and_o be_v neither_o create_v nor_o can_v be_v abrogate_a by_o any_o thing_n humane_a for_o as_o philo_n say_v well_o lex_fw-la mentiri_fw-la nescia_fw-la est_fw-la recta_fw-la ratio_fw-la quae_fw-la lex_fw-la non_fw-la ab_fw-la hoc_fw-la aut_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la mortali_fw-la mortalis_fw-la non_fw-la in_o chartis_fw-la aut_fw-la columnis_fw-la exanimis_fw-la exanima_fw-la sed_fw-la corrumpi_fw-la nescia_fw-la quip_n ab_fw-la immortali_fw-la natura_fw-la insculpta_fw-la in_o immortali_fw-la intellectu_fw-la if_o there_o be_v no_o law_n but_o positive_a and_o what_o have_v their_o rise_n among_o man_n be_v man_n under_o no_o obligation_n to_o the_o natural_a light_n of_o their_o own_o being_n how_o can_v we_o conceive_v rational_a creature_n to_o make_v a_o conscience_n to_o themselves_o about_o thing_n no_o way_n determine_v by_o any_o such_o positive_a law_n what_o man_n law_n reach_v not_o no_o man_n can_v be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o be_v concern_v in_o conscience_n about_o if_o there_o be_v no_o superior_a law_n of_o god_n because_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o can_v be_v no_o offence_n and_o so_o no_o foundation_n of_o gild_n nor_o be_v it_o conceivable_a that_o custom_n can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o such_o conscience_n in_o man_n and_o of_o that_o different_a judgement_n they_o make_v to_o themselves_o of_o thing_n from_o whence_o that_o conscience_n arise_v because_o the_o principle_n upon_o which_o man_n go_v in_o these_o natural_a determination_n be_v general_o the_o same_o and_o agree_v to_o by_o all_o and_o it_o be_v high_o unreasonable_a to_o suppose_v the_o whole_a world_n shall_v every_v where_o agree_v in_o a_o custom_n of_o judge_a thing_n to_o be_v otherwise_o then_o indeed_o they_o be_v and_o subject_n themselves_o in_o their_o own_o breast_n to_o such_o a_o eroneous_a judgement_n and_o that_o the_o constant_a determination_n of_o the_o public_a reason_n of_o the_o world_n that_o some_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o good_a and_o other_o be_v in_o themselves_o evil_a be_v at_o first_o found_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o that_o that_o mistake_v become_v customary_a and_o universal_a this_o be_v a_o thing_n that_o carry_v the_o utmost_a of_o improbability_n in_o it_o and_o be_v in_o effect_n to_o say_v mankind_n be_v not_o reasonable_a and_o to_o put_v the_o fool_n upon_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o the_o determination_n of_o our_o reason_n about_o the_o good_a or_o evil_n of_o thing_n be_v at_o the_o present_a justify_v to_o we_o to_o be_v pure_a and_o abstract_v from_o all_o bias_n either_o from_o custom_n or_o from_o positive_a law_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o the_o most_o genuine_a judgement_n of_o reason_n itself_o in_o its_o judge_n of_o they_o and_o he_o that_o will_v say_v that_o we_o be_v no_o way_n certain_a but_o that_o our_o best_a judgement_n about_o good_a and_o evil_n may_v be_v for_o aught_o we_o know_v ground_v upon_o custom_n &_o so_o mistake_v may_v as_o well_o say_v that_o all_o other_o judgement_n be_v so_o too_o and_o so_o in_o effect_n say_v we_o be_v no_o way_n sure_a but_o that_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o world_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o great_a customary_a mistake_n second_o there_o be_v natural_a law_n by_o which_o thing_n be_v in_o themselves_o difference_v prove_v to_o be_v previous_a to_o all_o positive_a law_n because_o all_o positive_a law_n appear_v plain_o to_o have_v their_o rise_n from_o those_o primary_n law_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o suppose_v they_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o nature_n law_n have_v be_v the_o common_a principle_n of_o all_o positive_a law_n every_o where_n how_o different_a soever_o positive_a law_n have_v be_v among_o themselves_o in_o other_o thing_n yet_o the_o grand_a maxim_n of_o nature_n found_v upon_o that_o innate_a distinction_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a man_n be_v bear_v withal_o have_v be_v universal_o admit_v by_o all_o legislator_n general_a effect_n we_o say_v must_v have_v general_a cause_n and_o that_o general_a consent_n we_o find_v in_o all_o positive_a law_n to_o such_o natural_a maxim_n do_v evident_o declare_v such_o maxim_n to_o be_v the_o universal_a sentiment_n of_o mankind_n and_o those_o original_a law_n annex_v to_o the_o being_n of_o man_n in_o their_o first_o frame_n and_o constitution_n by_o which_o thing_n in_o themselves_o be_v primary_o discriminate_v antecedent_o to_o all_o positive_a law_n and_o from_o whence_o all_o positive_a law_n have_v their_o subsequent_a rise_n shall_v this_o epicurean_a doctrine_n be_v admit_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v original_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n alike_o till_o difference_v by_o positive_a law_n or_o custom_n three_o thing_n will_v evident_o result_v from_o it_o the_o first_o ruinous_a to_o all_o policy_n the_o second_o to_o all_o religion_n and_o the_o three_o destructive_a to_o both_o first_o no_o man_n that_o think_v all_o thing_n original_o indifferent_a and_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o the_o action_n of_o it_o as_o to_o good_a or_o evil_n to_o be_v rasa_fw-la tabula_fw-la can_v ever_o be_v oblige_v far_a than_o force_v or_o his_o own_o interest_n prevail_v
his_o ripe_a year_n and_o as_o plutarch_n tell_v the_o athenian_n if_o themistocles_n have_v be_v punish_v as_o the_o enormity_n of_o his_o youth_n deserve_v and_o miltiades_n for_o his_o rebellion_n in_o chersonesus_n where_o have_v be_v say_v he_o those_o great_a victory_n those_o two_o afterward_o obtain_v in_o the_o plain_n of_o marathon_n on_o the_o coast_n of_o arlesia_n and_o at_o the_o river_n eurimedon_n the_o truth_n be_v in_o all_o humane_a judgement_n we_o be_v bound_v by_o particular_n individual_a action_n be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o man_n proceed_v nor_o can_v they_o look_v forward_o to_o know_v what_o any_o will_v be_v hereafter_o but_o god_n have_v the_o whole_a of_o every_o man_n before_o he_o and_o have_v not_o only_a respect_n to_o the_o all_o of_o every_o action_n but_o to_o the_o all_o of_o every_o man_n in_o the_o whole_a of_o of_o his_o act_n from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o three_o there_o be_v a_o harmony_n in_o providence_n which_o unless_o we_o know_v all_o from_o its_o beginning_n to_o its_o end_v we_o can_v never_o full_o comprehend_v it_o be_v one_o entire_a system_n a_o complete_a bottom_n wherein_o all_o end_n be_v exact_o wind_v up_o a_o rare_a contrivance_n of_o divine_a wisdom_n a_o curious_a piece_n of_o divine_a workmanship_n wherein_o all_o particular_n be_v so_o interweave_v as_o to_o make_v up_o the_o beauty_n of_o the_o whole_a all_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o world_n from_o first_o to_o last_o have_v in_o the_o providential_a dominion_n of_o god_n over_o they_o some_o dependency_n each_o upon_o other_o and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v full_o judge_v off_o single_o and_o a_o part_n no_o one_o action_n but_o relate_v to_o million_o of_o other_o nay_o have_v some_o reference_n to_o all_o other_o from_o the_o first_o to_o the_o last_o of_o the_o world_n each_o particular_a have_v some_o reference_n to_o the_o whole_a like_o the_o part_n of_o a_o natural_a body_n where_o every_o part_n refer_v to_o the_o whole_a and_o be_v not_o in_o its_o use_n to_o be_v full_o comprehend_v without_o a_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o the_o whole_a every_o part_n of_o providence_n have_v somewhat_o in_o it_o relative_n to_o all_o the_o rest_n though_o god_n be_v just_o in_o each_o particular_a yet_o he_o still_o execute_v his_o justice_n to_o every_o part_n with_o reference_n to_o the_o whole_a and_o so_o time_n and_o order_n all_o particular_n that_o the_o beautiful_a season_n of_o every_o part_n be_v when_o it_o bear_v its_o exact_a proportion_n to_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o whole_a nor_o can_v we_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v otherwise_o but_o that_o god_n who_o by_o a_o infinite_a comprehension_n have_v all_o thing_n present_a and_o before_o he_o shall_v so_o rank_v and_o dispose_v they_o that_o at_o last_o the_o whole_a business_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v appear_v but_o one_o complicate_v and_o orderly_o unite_a mean_n to_o bring_v about_o the_o first_o design_v ends._n this_o consideration_n of_o our_o own_o incapacity_n to_o make_v a_o full_a and_o complete_a judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a or_o of_o many_o part_n of_o divine_a providence_n aught_o to_o prevent_v such_o rash_a censure_n as_o man_n be_v too_o apt_a to_o make_v upon_o it_o and_o to_o persuade_v they_o not_o to_o deny_v it_o where_o they_o can_v full_o comprehend_v it_o and_o to_o answer_v in_o many_o case_n the_o doubt_n man_n may_v propose_v to_o themselves_o about_o this_o matter_n but_o do_v not_o answer_v this_o objection_n full_o because_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o there_o be_v very_o many_o particular_a case_n wherein_o god_n justice_n and_o his_o providence_n be_v visible_o not_o to_o be_v reconcile_v together_o in_o this_o world_n and_o upon_o that_o consideration_n i_o say_v it_o be_v much_o more_o reconcileable_a and_o natural_a to_o suppose_v the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n by_o which_o all_o objection_n against_o providence_n be_v full_o answer_v then_o to_o make_v that_o a_o objection_n against_o providence_n and_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o it_o thereupon_o and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o general_a providence_n be_v upon_o convince_a evidence_n prove_v to_o we_o we_o have_v as_o good_a reason_n to_o believe_v god_n rule_v the_o world_n as_o we_o have_v to_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v just_a and_o in_o that_o case_n when_o we_o find_v we_o can_v here_o in_o this_o world_n accommodate_v his_o rule_n and_o his_o justice_n together_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o oppose_v the_o one_o by_o the_o other_o when_o neither_o can_v be_v rational_o deny_v but_o to_o admit_v a_o state_n beyond_o this_o world_n by_o which_o they_o be_v both_o safe_o reconcile_v second_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o admission_n of_o a_o future_a state_n in_o itself_o any_o way_n unreasonable_a nay_o the_o existence_n of_o such_o a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n beside_o the_o evidence_n it_o have_v from_o the_o notion_n of_o providence_n have_v also_o many_o other_o rational_a proof_n peculiar_o appertinent_a to_o it_o and_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o upon_o other_o ground_n high_o probable_a he_o that_o will_v bottom_v a_o denial_n of_o providence_n single_o upon_o this_o objection_n must_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o state_n of_o thing_n after_o this_o life_n or_o at_o least_o have_v it_o grant_v to_o he_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o be_v impossible_a and_o the_o grant_n of_o it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a when_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a consequent_a to_o all_o that_o rational_a proof_n that_o be_v make_v of_o a_o providence_n in_o general_n and_o i_o can_v deny_v the_o one_o without_o reject_v the_o other_o the_o thing_n in_o its_o own_o nature_n be_v great_o credible_a and_o have_v be_v believe_v in_o all_o age_n not_o only_o by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a but_o even_o of_o the_o rude_a and_o most_o barbarous_a 〈…〉_o which_o strong_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v found_v in_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o common_a sentiment_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v as_o a_o undeniable_a truth_n that_o the_o existence_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n have_v a_o necessary_a dependency_n each_o upon_o other_o and_o be_v no_o way_n separable_a if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n there_o must_v be_v a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o state_n hereafter_o it_o must_v relate_v to_o a_o providence_n here_o the_o epicurean_o therefore_o deny_v both_o epicurus_n under_o all_o his_o pressure_n make_v his_o retreat_n to_o this_o maxim_n that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o be_v not_o in_o be_v and_o there_o will_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o shall_v exist_v no_o more_o of_o how_o little_a a_o signification_n to_o the_o world_n the_o bare_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n will_v prove_v abstract_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o providence_n here_o or_o any_o state_n hereafter_o be_v easy_a to_o discern_v the_o truth_n be_v whoever_o admit_v the_o existence_n of_o a_o supreme_a and_o first_o be_v will_v be_v rational_o force_v to_o acknowledge_v the_o other_o two_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n he_o must_v rule_v infinite_a power_n can_v be_v set_v by_o and_o if_o he_o do_v rule_n there_o must_v be_v a_o reversion_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n after_o this_o life_n so_o plutarch_n observe_v the_o same_o reason_n which_o confirm_v providence_n do_v likewise_o confirm_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o if_o the_o one_o be_v take_v away_o the_o other_o follow_v so_o that_o the_o great_a fundamental_o of_o all_o virtue_n and_o religion_n will_v appear_v sufficient_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o regular_a determination_n of_o right_a reason_n upon_o these_o and_o many_o other_o invincible_a proof_n be_v god_n providential_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n establish_v the_o true_a notion_n of_o which_o free_v we_o from_o the_o manifold_a absurdity_n of_o epicurus_n his_o chance_n and_o chrysippus_n his_o destiny_n the_o two_o wide_a extreme_n on_o either_o hand_n the_o first_o be_v the_o poor_a account_n that_o ever_o be_v give_v of_o such_o oeconomy_n as_o we_o see_v in_o this_o world_n and_o a_o monstrous_a piece_n of_o folly_n to_o think_v chance_n shall_v be_v predominant_a whilst_o infinite_a wisdom_n be_v exist_v the_o other_o such_o a_o unreasonable_a and_o abusive_a fiction_n of_o providence_n if_o relate_v to_o god_n as_o render_v it_o inconsistent_a with_o the_o freedom_n of_o a_o rational_a agent_n the_o one_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o make_v god_n to_o do_v nothing_o the_o other_o destroy_v man_n freedom_n and_o make_v god_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n both_o equal_o false_a it_o be_v true_a that_o god_n rule_v over_o
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stage_n in_o their_o theatre_n and_o also_o in_o their_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o one_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n and_o have_v play_n act_v in_o honour_n to_o they_o as_o a_o part_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o other_o they_o worship_v they_o in_o all_o which_o we_o find_v they_o shed_v the_o blood_n one_o of_o another_o and_o offer_v most_o inhuman_a sacrifice_n and_o a_o numberless_a multitude_n not_o only_o of_o childish_a and_o foolish_a but_o profane_a and_o impious_a obscene_a and_o lascivious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n if_o we_o look_v back_o as_o far_o as_o any_o heathen_a record_n will_v carry_v we_o and_o view_v over_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o so_o the_o grecian_n be_v please_v to_o call_v all_o but_o themselves_o according_a to_o that_o of_o varro_n barbarae_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnes_fw-la nationes_fw-la praeter_fw-la graecos_n the_o phaenician_o the_o caldaean_o the_o egyptian_n and_o such_o other_o as_o we_o have_v
whilst_o they_o contemplate_v these_o thing_n about_o which_o upon_o any_o good_a ground_n to_o be_v ascertain_v be_v without_o revelation_n utter_o impossible_a nor_o can_v we_o whilst_o ignorant_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a ever_o find_v out_o the_o true_a reason_n and_o primary_n cause_v of_o all_o those_o sorrow_n and_o misery_n we_o find_v the_o world_n possess_v of_o it_o be_v true_a the_o heathen_a be_v deep_o sensible_a of_o the_o ruinous_a and_o sad_a condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o troublesome_a revolution_n of_o the_o world_n some_o to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n that_o they_o think_v as_o euripides_n do_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o weep_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o child_n and_o to_o laugh_v our_o patent_n to_o their_o grave_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o they_o to_o fancy_v death_n as_o a_o present_v send_v from_o the_o god_n to_o the_o best_a man_n for_o their_o best_a action_n so_o they_o fancy_a death_n send_v to_o cleobis_n and_o biton_n for_o their_o piety_n to_o juno_n to_o agamedes_n and_o tryphonius_n for_o build_v the_o temple_n at_o delphos_n but_o they_o know_v nothing_o how_o the_o world_n come_v into_o this_o posture_n we_o find_v it_o either_o it_o must_v be_v a_o necessary_a consequent_a of_o nature_n or_o else_o the_o world_n be_v under_o some_o great_a punishment_n impose_v by_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o it_o if_o all_o we_o see_v be_v necessary_a consequent_n from_o nature_n we_o must_v needs_o think_v nature_n itself_o to_o be_v some_o very_a imperfect_a and_o ill_a composure_n we_o must_v needs_o imagine_v it_o a_o wretched_a constitution_n at_o first_o that_o carry_v in_o its_o bowel_n so_o many_o dismal_a misfortune_n who_o can_v suppose_v god_n shall_v from_o the_o beginning_n frame_v this_o world_n in_o the_o posture_n we_o find_v it_o and_o erect_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n with_o all_o those_o forrow_n we_o see_v necessary_o attend_v it_o we_o can_v never_o reasonable_o believe_v thing_n 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or_o how_o it_o come_v first_o to_o pass_v that_o they_o be_v as_o we_o find_v they_o whether_o god_n will_v pursue_v the_o execution_n into_o the_o other_o world_n or_o whether_o any_o bound_n be_v set_v to_o its_o duration_n here_o and_o the_o world_n shall_v ever_o survive_v and_o outlast_v it_o and_o return_v at_o length_n to_o be_v in_o so_o much_o a_o better_a condition_n as_o we_o may_v reasonable_o conjecture_v at_o first_o it_o be_v these_o and_o many_o other_o necessary_a question_n may_v be_v ask_v but_o can_v ever_o be_v resolve_v without_o revelation_n and_o as_o mankind_n have_v be_v still_o reproach_v by_o their_o own_o ignorance_n about_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o able_a to_o make_v the_o least_o probable_a guess_n at_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a nor_o to_o ascend_v by_o the_o stream_n to_o the_o fountain_n the_o springhead_n of_o natural_a corruption_n be_v as_o much_o conceal_v from_o the_o most_o inquire_a man_n and_o as_o much_o unknown_a to_o the_o wise_a part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o fountain_n of_o nile_n be_v to_o the_o ancient_a â—eographers_n so_o in_o the_o second_o place_n man_n can_v never_o without_o supernatural_a help_n upon_o good_a ground_n be_v assure_v how_o to_o remove_v that_o guilt_n engender_v by_o it_o the_o burden_n of_o which_o they_o continual_o groan_v under_o as_o the_o heavy_a and_o sore_a of_o all_o humane_a pressure_n that_o be_v no_o man_n shall_v he_o study_v over_o all_o the_o volume_n of_o nature_n unless_o it_o be_v tell_v he_o from_o heaven_n can_v certain_o know_v upon_o what_o term_n god_n will_v proceed_v in_o pardon_v and_o punish_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v a_o man_n imagine_v that_o god_n will_v take_v no_o other_o vengeance_n upon_o man_n disobedience_n than_o those_o temporal_a judgement_n he_o have_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o the_o world_n they_o dwell_v in_o shall_v a_o man_n imagine_v that_o god_n have_v satisfy_v his_o justice_n in_o condemn_v man_n to_o death_n and_o sentence_v of_o he_o to_o the_o grave_a and_o expose_v he_o to_o those_o sorrow_n that_o attend_v he_o thither_o and_o mean_n to_o go_v no_o further_o these_o thought_n will_v not_o obliterate_v man_n gild_n nor_o will_v such_o guess_n at_o the_o penalty_n at_o all_o appease_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n when_o they_o do_v iii_o will_v god_n have_v the_o first-born_a of_o man_n body_n or_o the_o best_a of_o their_o substance_n or_o what_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o satisfy_v for_o their_o disobtdience_n if_o we_o shall_v ransack_v all_o the_o particular_n that_o humane_a invention_n can_v reach_v in_o this_o kind_n we_o can_v never_o be_v full_o assure_v that_o the_o expiation_n of_o man_n sin_n lie_v in_o any_o or_o in_o 〈◊〉_d of_o they_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o which_o mankind_n above_o all_o other_o thing_n natural_o press_v after_o be_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n upon_o what_o term_n they_o may_v be_v accept_v with_o god_n the_o sense_n of_o their_o 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a_o counterfeit_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n need_v not_o to_o be_v consider_v in_o this_o case_n though_o it_o be_v certain_a the_o bible_n have_v out_o go_v all_o the_o possible_a contrivance_n of_o man_n in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o none_o but_o god_n himself_o can_v have_v speak_v to_o the_o world_n in_o word_n so_o become_v his_o own_o greatness_n and_o so_o suitable_a to_o those_o conception_n right_a reason_n will_v give_v we_o of_o he_o because_o though_o many_o book_n and_o write_n have_v make_v a_o claim_n to_o revelation_n beside_o the_o bible_n yet_o in_o fact_n no_o book_n nor_o write_n have_v so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o command_v the_o world_n in_o so_o majestic_a a_o way_n nor_o indeed_o in_o any_o way_n become_v the_o greatness_n and_o sovereignty_n of_o god_n the_o bible_n have_v a_o peculiarity_n in_o this_o respect_n above_o all_o other_o write_n that_o have_v be_v extant_a since_o the_o world_n begin_v we_o find_v not_o a_o instance_n where_o any_o have_v so_o far_o usurp_v the_o throne_n of_o god_n as_o with_o such_o a_o absolute_a superintendency_n to_o dictate_v to_o the_o world_n all_o pretend_a revelation_n have_v in_o this_o visible_o discover_v their_o own_o nakedness_n and_o betray_v their_o own_o mean_a descent_n not_o one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v clothe_v with_o such_o a_o divine_a &_o majestic_a authority_n as_o become_v a_o product_n of_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o power_n and_o most_o of_o they_o no_o way_n suitable_a to_o the_o common_a prudence_n of_o man_n the_o ancient_a heathen_a pretence_n to_o revelation_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n the_o mean_a and_o most_o trifle_a part_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o be_v extant_a and_o that_o koran_n which_o in_o late_a time_n mabomet_n have_v father_v upon_o revelation_n be_v a_o systeme_n of_o law_n so_o prodigious_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v much_o of_o it_o no_o way_n reconcileable_a to_o common_a discretion_n or_o any_o way_n 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can_v be_v admit_v as_o such_o be_v all_o 〈◊〉_d they_o find_v peculiar_o appertinent_a to_o the_o â—iblâ—_n and_o can_v belong_v to_o any_o other_o book_n or_o write_n or_o to_o any_o other_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o establish_v these_o two_o general_a point_n first_o that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o reasonable_a and_o fit_a to_o believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o revelation_n make_v from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n some_o supernatural_a law_n promulge_v as_o the_o great_a rule_n of_o man_n life_n here_o and_o god_n judgement_n hereafter_o and_o that_o these_o law_n shall_v be_v somewhere_o or_o other_o extant_a upon_o record_n that_o mankind_n may_v be_v full_o assure_v and_o ascertain_v about_o they_o and_o that_o they_o may_v be_v visible_a to_o all_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o such_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n pretend_v to_o be_v and_o that_o it_o be_v great_o unreasonable_a to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n and_o second_o 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revelation_n to_o man_n since_o his_o first_o mâ—â—â—_n and_o original_a and_o of_o a_o oral_a and_o â—erâ—all_a intâ—â—â—â—â—â—se_n between_o god_n and_o the_o world_n for_o two_o thousand_o four_o hundred_o and_o old_a year_n before_o it_o be_v any_o where_o extant_a upon_o râ—â—â—â—d_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o write_v which_o no_o other_o bâ—â—â—_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v so_o much_o as_o make_v 〈◊〉_d â—â—â—â—â—â—ce_n to_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o revelation_n historical_o contain_v in_o this_o book_n it_o be_v wat_fw-mi be_v 〈◊〉_d the_o beginning_n and_o of_o the_o same_o 〈…〉_o the_o world_n itself_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o edition_n of_o it_o in_o this_o book_n and_o the_o time_n 〈◊〉_d this_o book_n aâ—â—ual_a publication_n with_o all_o the_o aâ—â—â—tional_a revelation_n contain_v in_o it_o we_o shall_v find_v this_o book_n to_o be_v the_o first_o bear_v in_o its_o kind_n to_o precede_v all_o other_o write_n whatsoever_o and_o in_o truth_n to_o be_v extant_a while_n thales_n mileâ—â—us_n hamer_n hâ—rmes_n and_o the_o most_o primative_a writer_n the_o world_n have_v be_v unborn_a and_o unthought_a of_o moses_n write_v of_o the_o god_n of_o abraham_n long_o before_o any_o of_o the_o heathen_a god_n have_v a_o write_a mention_n make_v of_o they_o god_n please_v so_o to_o order_v it_o that_o although_o the_o revelation_n he_o make_v to_o the_o world_n be_v not_o write_v from_o the_o beginning_n yet_o they_o be_v write_v long_o before_o any_o other_o write_n be_v extant_a and_o his_o own_o law_n be_v first_o record_v and_o all_o other_o write_n be_v of_o a_o subsequent_a date_n to_o this_o holy_a book_n first_o i_o will_v evidence_n this_o in_o point_n of_o fact_n and_o show_v that_o it_o be_v so_o that_o to_o this_o book_n be_v indeed_o due_a the_o right_n of_o primogeniture_n and_o that_o all_o other_o book_n be_v of_o a_o much_o after-edition_n and_o becond_o examine_v what_o reasonable_o result_v from_o thence_o towards_o that_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n we_o be_v about_o to_o all_o which_o this_o must_v be_v premise_v that_o when_o we_o speak_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o thus_o ancient_n we_o intend_v actual_o no_o more_o of_o it_o then_o the_o write_n of_o moses_n the_o whole_a content_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v above_o four_o thousand_o year_n in_o a_o gradual_a publication_n and_o the_o bible_n itself_o above_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n in_o writing_n for_o so_o long_o it_o be_v from_o the_o time_n that_o moses_n write_v to_o st._n john_n the_o revealer_n nor_o need_v we_o intend_v more_o to_o justify_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o whole_a because_o it_o be_v all_o there_o virtual_o contain_v all_o the_o rest_n be_v superstruct_v upon_o that_o as_o its_o â—oâ—ndation_n and_o every_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n after_o moses_n till_o the_o top-stone_n be_v lay_v appear_v evident_o to_o be_v write_v in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o deliver_v and_o so_o much_o st._n paul_n affirm_v before_o foelix_n that_o he_o teach_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v long_o before_o extant_a in_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o the_o first_o that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v in_o fact_n the_o most_o ancient_a i_o find_v both_o jew_n and_o christian_n have_v be_v great_o concern_v to_o make_v it_o manifest_a as_o judge_v it_o a_o point_n that_o do_v great_o credit_v their_o profession_n and_o high_o justify_v that_o religion_n they_o adhere_v to_o josephus_n and_o other_o of_o the_o jewish_a writer_n have_v much_o insist_v upon_o it_o and_o among_o the_o christian_a writer_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n eusebius_n cyrill_n of_o alexandria_n in_o his_o book_n against_o julian_n st._n austin_n and_o other_o but_o most_o especial_o justin_n martyr_n and_o eusebius_n justin_n martyr_n in_o his_o parenaetick_n to_o the_o grecian_n because_o they_o use_v with_o great_a arrogance_n to_o boast_v of_o the_o antiquity_n of_o their_o own_o learning_n and_o religion_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n to_o look_v with_o great_a contempt_n upon_o other_o prove_v against_o they_o out_o of_o pagan_a author_n and_o those_o chief_o their_o own_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n that_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n be_v of_o much_o great_a antiquity_n than_o the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n they_o can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o and_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o natural_a issue_n of_o those_o write_n found_v upon_o they_o and_o derive_v from_o they_o be_v no_o new_a or_o upstart_a invention_n but_o indeed_o the_o first_o and_o most_o ancient_a write_v and_o unwritten_a truth_n the_o world_n be_v possess_v of_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n be_v afterward_o more_o large_o and_o distinct_o prove_v and_o make_v good_a by_o eusebius_n in_o his_o evangelical_n preparation_n who_o thus_o conclude_v quare_fw-la omnibus_fw-la diis_fw-la ac_fw-la heroibus_fw-la graecorum_n multo_fw-la vetustior_fw-la
have_v and_o in_o its_o own_o antiquity_n answer_v that_o antiquity_n we_o may_v just_o expect_v to_o accompany_v god_n first_o revelation_n the_o bible_n i_o say_v upon_o this_o account_n have_v a_o singular_a evidence_n give_v in_o to_o its_o credibility_n and_o its_o antiquity_n do_v strong_o affirm_v its_o divine_a authority_n second_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o bible_n do_v point_v we_o to_o its_o divinity_n because_o it_o be_v not_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o first_o written_a account_n the_o world_n have_v of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o cheat_n that_o the_o first_o eminent_a record_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v a_o lie_n and_o not_o only_o a_o lie_n but_o the_o worst_a of_o lie_n and_o the_o most_o pernicious_a and_o destructive_a falsehood_n for_o so_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o law_n upon_o the_o world_n in_o god_n name_n without_o his_o authority_n that_o ever_o be_v publish_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n consist_v with_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v the_o world_n to_o be_v original_o cheat_v in_o point_n of_o religion_n to_o suffer_v a_o public_a open_a counterfeit_n of_o his_o name_n and_o authority_n to_o the_o high_a degree_n first_o to_o possess_v the_o world_n and_o take_v the_o precedence_n of_o all_o truth_n to_o permit_v the_o devil_n to_o publish_v a_o systeme_n of_o lie_n and_o erect_v a_o monument_n of_o falsehood_n before_o there_o be_v any_o write_a record_n of_o truth_n we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v god_n care_n of_o man_n and_o the_o concern_v of_o his_o own_o honour_n to_o engage_v he_o to_o the_o contrary_a and_o that_o god_n shall_v first_o establish_v his_o own_o truth_n to_o which_o mankind_n may_v still_o have_v a_o recourse_n and_o by_o which_o as_o a_o standard_n all_o delusion_n and_o false_a pretension_n may_v be_v try_v it_o be_v as_o one_o say_v well_o very_o absurd_a to_o think_v god_n shall_v permit_v the_o devil_n to_o set_v up_o a_o chapel_n before_o he_o have_v build_v a_o church_n if_o the_o bible_n be_v original_o compose_v by_o impostor_n and_o be_v not_o a_o divine_a book_n it_o will_v then_o undeniable_o follow_v that_o the_o most_o primitive_a and_o ancient_a account_n we_o have_v of_o religion_n be_v connterfeit_a and_o that_o in_o the_o early_o notice_n we_o have_v of_o god_n of_o the_o world_n original_a man_n fall_n and_o the_o way_n of_o his_o recovery_n for_o we_o have_v none_o so_o early_o as_o what_o the_o bible_n give_v we_o of_o any_o of_o these_o and_o of_o some_o of_o they_o no_o other_o the_o world_n be_v deceive_v and_o abuse_v and_o that_o god_n suffer_v the_o devil_n in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o before_o any_o thing_n be_v public_o extant_a from_o he_o to_o contradict_v it_o in_o his_o name_n and_o with_o pretence_n of_o his_o authority_n to_o abuse_v and_o deceive_v mankind_n with_o a_o false_a and_o delusive_a account_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n they_o be_v 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and_o his_o own_o revelation_n from_o the_o first_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n for_o about_o 4043_o year_n for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o that_o first_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o scripture_n give_v we_o historical_o a_o account_n of_o till_o the_o last_o revelation_n of_o st._n john_n and_o that_o this_o account_n shall_v begin_v with_o the_o first_o book_n that_o the_o world_n have_v and_o be_v gradual_o carry_v on_o into_o such_o a_o complete_a systeme_n as_o now_o we_o see_v it_o be_v in_o a_o write_a way_n by_o several_a hand_n in_o several_a age_n for_o a_o thousand_o and_o six_o hundred_o year_n together_o for_o about_o so_o long_a a_o time_n it_o be_v from_o moses_n his_o first_o write_v to_o st._n john_n close_v the_o bible_n nor_o be_v it_o supposable_a that_o the_o vile_a falsehood_n for_o such_o be_v the_o bible_n if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n a_o religion_n whereby_o if_o it_o be_v false_a god_n will_v be_v more_o dishonour_v and_o man_n more_o delude_v then_o by_o any_o that_o ever_o be_v yet_o extant_a shall_v have_v this_o to_o say_v in_o its_o justisication_n that_o it_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o have_v be_v long_a last_v among_o mankind_n the_o consideration_n therefore_o of_o this_o book_n in_o the_o time_n of_o its_o conveyance_n the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o in_o respect_n of_o the_o matter_n it_o contain_v and_o the_o antiquity_n of_o itself_o as_o a_o book_n write_v long_o before_o all_o other_o and_o of_o so_o early_a a_o date_n in_o the_o world_n do_v with_o great_a evidence_n point_v we_o to_o its_o divine_a original_a and_o very_o strong_o tend_v to_o persuade_v we_o that_o god_n himself_o be_v the_o author_n of_o it_o second_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n of_o this_o book_n conveyance_n to_o we_o the_o method_n of_o god_n thus_o record_v his_o pleasure_n have_v be_v such_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v we_o have_v all_o those_o reasonable_a inducement_n and_o in_o some_o respect_v more_o to_o credit_v it_o upon_o which_o we_o receive_v any_o humane_a author_n and_o acquiesce_v in_o they_o as_o true_a and_o all_o such_o far_a evidence_n as_o we_o can_v well_o expect_v to_o insure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o a_o book_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o be_v divint_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v to_o be_v so_o if_o we_o consider_v first_o the_o instrument_n god_n employ_v in_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o humane_a circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o and_o second_o the_o divine_a witness_n god_n himself_o have_v in_o the_o most_o eminent_a way_n give_v to_o this_o book_n in_o its_o conveyance_n to_o ascertain_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o those_o that_o write_v it_o first_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o penman_n of_o this_o book_n those_o amanuensis_n god_n make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o write_n of_o it_o and_o such_o circumstance_n as_o attend_v their_o do_v it_o how_o unlikely_a a_o thing_n be_v it_o that_o they_o either_o do_v or_o can_v abuse_v the_o world_n in_o this_o matter_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o these_o several_a thing_n first_o the_o unblemished_a credit_n and_o reputation_n of_o these_o writer_n second_o the_o several_a qualification_n and_o quality_n of_o they_o three_o their_o interest_n as_o moral_a and_o reasonable_a man_n four_o their_o number_n and_o that_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n in_o which_o many_o of_o they_o write_v one_o from_o another_o for_o the_o first_o nothing_o we_o know_v do_v more_o credit_n ancient_a author_n than_o the_o good_a report_n of_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v transfer_v to_o posterity_n not_o one_o of_o those_o holy_a penman_n god_n employ_v in_o write_v the_o bible_n be_v that_o ever_o we_o find_v upon_o any_o good_a ground_n taint_v in_o reputation_n or_o convict_v of_o any_o sort_n of_o impostor_n in_o their_o own_o or_o future_a age_n but_o be_v man_n of_o acknowledge_a integrity_n and_o sanctity_n in_o those_o time_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o very_o many_o of_o they_o give_v the_o high_a testimony_n to_o their_o integrity_n in_o become_a martyr_n in_o justification_n of_o what_o themselves_o write_v for_o the_o second_o the_o various_a quality_n and_o condition_n of_o these_o writer_n seem_v much_o to_o secure_v we_o against_o so_o vile_a a_o design_n as_o this_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v compose_v with_o if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n some_o of_o they_o be_v king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o great_a quality_n before_o they_o write_v and_o not_o very_o likely_a to_o be_v guilty_a of_o so_o much_o baseness_n and_o meanness_n to_o carry_v on_o such_o a_o work_n and_o also_o man_n of_o deep_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n other_o of_o they_o many_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o most_o of_o the_o
apostle_n be_v man_n illiterate_a and_o of_o part_n and_o education_n so_o mean_a that_o they_o seem_v no_o way_n capable_a to_o write_v so_o profound_o to_o lay_v so_o deep_a a_o contrivement_n of_o mischief_n or_o by_o the_o single_a strength_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n to_o bid_v so_o fair_a to_o delude_v the_o world_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v man_n of_o such_o distant_a quality_n and_o different_a ability_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o imposture_n and_o so_o harmonise_v as_o we_o find_v they_o do_v in_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o three_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o interest_n of_o these_o writer_n as_o they_o be_v reasonable_a man_n for_o so_o we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v they_o and_o to_o act_v upon_o the_o same_o inducement_n that_o mankind_n do_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n no_o man_n can_v reap_v any_o advantage_n by_o counterfeit_v this_o book_n nor_o can_v the_o composer_n thereof_o design_v any_o earthly_a or_o heavenly_a good_a to_o themselves_o as_o a_o recompense_n for_o such_o a_o undertake_n not_o heavenly_a for_o it_o be_v the_o high_a offence_n against_o god_n and_o merit_v the_o high_a punishment_n nor_o earthly_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o because_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o book_n throughout_o be_v to_o mortify_v man_n earthly_a ambition_n and_o appetite_n and_o to_o propose_v a_o happiness_n of_o another_o nature_n as_o man_n great_a interest_n and_o relate_v to_o another_o world_n and_o no_o man_n of_o common_a discretion_n that_o design_v to_o greaten_v himself_o here_o will_v choose_v to_o become_v the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o order_n to_o it_o because_o every_o step_n he_o advance_v that_o way_n will_v visible_o betray_v a_o apostasy_n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o render_v he_o a_o open_a impostor_n merit_v the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o mankind_n second_o the_o most_o of_o those_o that_o god_n employ_v in_o that_o work_n actual_o expose_v themselves_o 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himself_o any_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n when_o he_o prophesy_v himself_o into_o the_o dungeon_n and_o at_o last_o into_o his_o grave_n or_o that_o the_o apostle_n design_v greatness_n or_o happiness_n here_o when_o they_o know_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o the_o rage_n that_o be_v then_o upon_o earth_n and_o endure_v the_o shock_n of_o all_o that_o fury_n which_o either_o jew_n or_o gentile_n or_o the_o whole_a world_n together_o can_v execute_v upon_o they_o he_o that_o read_v the_o story_n of_o st._n paul_n must_v needs_o suppose_v he_o to_o act_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o all_o folly_n and_o madness_n and_o not_o like_o a_o man_n either_o capable_a of_o instruct_v or_o abuse_v mankind_n if_o he_o intend_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n as_o his_o end_n the_o motive_n of_o those_o holy_a writer_n in_o what_o they_o do_v can_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v judge_v to_o be_v other_o then_o pure_a obedience_n to_o god_n love_v to_o truth_n and_o prefer_v a_o reward_n hereafter_o above_o their_o own_o life_n and_o all_o enjoyment_n here_o how_o high_o do_v they_o preach_v up_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o magistrate_n when_o all_o the_o ruler_n upon_o earth_n be_v their_o most_o bitter_a enemy_n and_o that_o doctrine_n can_v have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o to_o bring_v their_o own_o head_n to_o the_o block_n the_o author_n of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a genius_n and_o as_o one_o say_v well_o of_o they_o cute_fw-la authores_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la inter_fw-la gentes_fw-la omnes_fw-la sibi_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la semper_fw-la conciliarunt_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la nor_o be_v there_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o with_o any_o the_o least_o show_n of_o intention_n to_o greaten_v or_o advance_v themselves_o thereby_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o they_o have_v themselves_o record_v their_o own_o great_a fatling_n and_o 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tribe_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n reject_v his_o own_o posterity_n leave_v they_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o common_a levite_n set_v up_o joshuah_n to_o succeed_v he_o and_o place_n the_o kingly_a superiority_n over_o that_o people_n in_o another_o tribe_n from_o his_o own_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o himself_o while_o he_o live_v attain_v to_o no_o more_o but_o to_o spend_v his_o day_n with_o great_a trouble_n among_o a_o murmur_a mutinous_a people_n in_o a_o wearisome_a wilderness_n fouruthly_a the_o number_n of_o those_o writer_n and_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n may_v of_o they_o live_v in_o from_o the_o other_o do_v as_o probable_o secure_v we_o against_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n in_o the_o composure_n of_o this_o book_n as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v the_o world_n afford_v not_o a_o instance_n that_o ever_o so_o many_o man_n that_o live_v in_o so_o many_o several_a and_o distinct_a age_n so_o exact_o agree_v about_o any_o one_o thing_n much_o less_o 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upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v as_o it_o be_v high_o improbable_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o man_n live_v at_o such_o distance_n of_o time_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o design_n and_o the_o same_o way_n of_o promote_a it_o and_o agree_v they_o must_v for_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v it_o can_v happen_v so_o to_o be_v by_o chance_n because_o most_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v still_o write_v with_o a_o reference_n to_o thing_n future_a and_o no_o man_n that_o write_v any_o one_o part_n can_v at_o that_o time_n know_v that_o other_o in_o future_a age_n will_v justify_v what_o he_o say_v and_o take_v up_o the_o design_n in_o a_o right_a nick_n of_o time_n just_o where_o he_o leave_v it_o and_o so_o still_o carry_v it_o on_o and_o yet_o this_o must_v still_o so_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v by_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n
be_v in_o itself_o direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corporation_n of_o debauch_a and_o evil_a man_n destructive_a to_o all_o corrupt_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n whatever_o and_o perfect_o ruinous_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o devil_n in_o this_o world_n of_o which_o there_o need_v no_o other_o proof_n but_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o sober_a mind_a man_n never_o be_v there_o any_o doctrine_n bring_v to_o light_n so_o holy_a and_o so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n that_o have_v visible_o the_o high_a tendency_n to_o those_o two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o religion_n the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o man_n present_a and_o future_a happiness_n no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v of_o any_o particular_a duty_n enjoin_v destructive_a to_o man_n true_a happiness_n but_o all_o perfective_a of_o it_o the_o strict_a self-denial_n have_v a_o recompense_n propose_v to_o we_o of_o a_o hundred_o fold_n in_o thing_n of_o a_o far_o more_o noble_a and_o excellent_a nature_n 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testament_n and_o in_o direct_a pursuance_n of_o what_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n have_v teach_v and_o so_o make_v the_o testimony_n of_o his_o miracle_n unquestionable_a thereby_o for_o such_o a_o doctrine_n accompany_v with_o such_o miraculous_a evidence_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o god_n and_o can_v admit_v of_o no_o rational_a opposition_n and_o therefore_o in_o discourse_v this_o matter_n in_o hand_n neither_o aught_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o neither_o the_o doctrine_n nor_o the_o miracle_n distinct_o and_z separately_z from_o the_o other_o but_o both_o urge_v in_o that_o excellent_a conjunction_n in_o which_o they_o be_v hand_v down_o to_o we_o three_o if_o we_o look_v upon_o this_o book_n in_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o it_o since_o its_o conneyance_n we_o have_v from_o thence_o still_o further_o evidence_n of_o its_o divinity_n and_o more_o rational_a persuasion_n to_o derive_v it_o from_o god_n as_o a_o book_n of_o his_o own_o compose_v and_o about_o which_o he_o have_v exercise_v a_o peculiar_a care_n and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o that_o this_o book_n though_o write_v at_o several_a time_n all_o so_o long_o since_o past_a and_o some_o of_o it_o before_o any_o other_o book_n be_v extant_a have_v yet_o in_o its_o passage_n through_o so_o many_o age_n escape_v all_o the_o danger_n to_o which_o it_o have_v be_v expose_v and_o be_v preserve_v entire_a to_o we_o to_o this_o day_n second_o that_o this_o rock_n and_o the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v make_v its_o entrance_n into_o the_o world_n and_o gain_v a_o acceptance_n among_o mankind_n in_o such_o a_o way_n and_o by_o such_o mean_n as_o be_v peculiar_a to_o itself_o and_o no_o other_o religion_n can_v make_v a_o pretence_n to_o in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o when_o we_o right_o consider_v it_o it_o will_v seem_v absord_n and_o ridiculous_a to_o all_o common_a reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o wicked_a sergeant_n and_o the_o stande_v piece_n of_o imposture_n about_o god_n and_o religion_n shall_v ever_o be_v able_a so_o to_o do_v or_o indeed_o that_o any_o book_n of_o religion_n shall_v upon_o such_o perme_n arrive_v at_o such_o a_o reception_n but_o one_o that_o contain_v the_o high_a and_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o have_v the_o great_a god_n for_o its_o author_n for_o the_o first_o it_o be_v true_a that_o other_o book_n very_o ancient_a and_o write_v long_o ago_o as_o we_o have_v good_a ground_n to_o believe_v have_v descend_v entire_a to_o this_o very_a age._n but_o herein_o the_o passage_n of_o the_o bible_n through_o the_o channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n be_v distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o write_n not_o only_o that_o it_o be_v some_o of_o it_o much_o elder_a than_o they_o and_o upon_o that_o account_n more_o liable_a to_o loss_n and_o decay_n but_o that_o no_o book_n or_o write_n the_o world_n be_v ever_o possess_v of_o have_v have_v that_o violent_a opposition_n make_v against_o it_o nor_o such_o design_n form_v for_o its_o ruin_n and_o extirpation_n as_o this_o have_v have_v other_o have_v meet_v with_o a_o quiet_a and_o peaceable_a passage_n this_o have_v be_v often_o beset_v with_o most_o keen_a and_o inveterate_a enemy_n beside_o that_o great_a hazard_n so_o much_o of_o the_o bible_n be_v in_o as_o than_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o day_n of_o josiah_n when_o for_o aught_o appear_v by_o the_o story_n there_o be_v but_o one_o copy_n and_o that_o have_v be_v lose_v for_o sixty_o eight_o or_o sixty_o nine_o year_n and_o be_v hide_v either_o in_o the_o rubbish_n or_o else_o in_o some_o secret_a part_n of_o the_o wall_n of_o the_o temple_n for_o it_o be_v find_v when_o the_o temple_n come_v to_o be_v repair_v and_o in_o all_o probability_n be_v there_o hide_v during_o the_o wicked_a reign_n of_o manasseh_n by_o some_o malicious_a idolater_n with_o a_o intention_n utter_o to_o extinguish_v it_o which_o may_v easy_o have_v be_v do_v in_o a_o way_n that_o have_v make_v it_o irrecoverable_a have_v not_o a_o divine_a hand_n over_o rule_v and_o secure_v it_o beside_o this_o and_o some_o other_o hazard_n the_o bible_n have_v escape_v of_o a_o like_a nature_n we_o read_v of_o two_o famous_a and_o most_o implacable_a enemy_n furnish_v with_o all_o humane_a power_n that_o with_o all_o their_o might_n and_o skill_n have_v beset_v it_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o the_o empâ—rour_n dioclesian_n under_o the_o nâ—w_n this_o antiochus_n epiphanes_n call_v likewise_o and_o much_o moâ—â—_n true_o epiâ—â—aâ—â—â—_n the_o mad_a and_o the_o furious_a be_v prophefy_v of_o and_o plain_o foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n david_n in_o the_o eight_o and_o eleven_o chapter_n of_o his_o prophecy_n he_o there_o call_v he_o a_o king_n of_o fierce_a countâ—â—â—â—ce_n and_o say_v his_o heart_n shall_v be_v against_o the_o hâ—ly_a covenant_n and_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v indignation_n against_o the_o holy_a covenant_n which_o be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n the_o scripture_n then_o extant_a this_o antiochus_n come_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o maccabee_n and_o most_o cruel_o destroy_v and_o waste_v jerusalem_n and_o make_v it_o his_o grand_a business_n to_o ruin_v the_o jew_n and_o utter_o extinguish_v their_o whole_a religion_n and_o worship_n dedicate_v their_o temple_n to_o jupiter_n olympius_n erect_v a_o altar_n therein_o for_o the_o worship_n of_o that_o â—â—â—l_n and_o in_o contempt_n of_o the_o jew_n cause_v many_o swine_n to_o be_v slay_v and_o offer_v up_o in_o sacâ—â—fiâ—e_n to_o he_o and_o as_o the_o sure_a way_n to_o pat_o a_o perfect_a â—â—nd_n to_o the_o religion_n of_o that_o place_n and_o people_n with_o utmost_a diligence_n make_v search_v after_o their_o law_n and_o wheresoever_o he_o sound_v it_o iâ—â—â—_n dirty_o burn_v and_o destroy_v it_o and_o threatened_a â—â—st_n exquisite_a torment_n and_o death_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v dare_v to_o conceal_v or_o retain_v it_o of_o which_o josephas_n give_v we_o the_o relation_n
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o 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bring_v we_o to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o world_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n of_o ourselves_o and_o all_o other_o the_o doctrine_n and_o precept_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n be_v so_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o do_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o so_o guide_v we_o to_o what_o we_o ourselves_o judge_v to_o be_v best_a that_o it_o be_v extreme_a unreasonable_a to_o judge_v it_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o vile_a and_o worst_a sort_n of_o imposture_n never_o any_o doctrine_n teach_v man_n to_o live_v so_o dutiful_o to_o god_n so_o comfortable_o to_o themselves_o and_o so_o useful_o one_o to_o another_o so_o tuneable_o in_o all_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n as_o this_o of_o the_o bible_n do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o book_n be_v most_o transparent_a beam_n of_o divine_a perfection_n they_o be_v a_o rule_n give_v according_a to_o what_o be_v eternal_o 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to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n with_o what_o patience_n and_o meekness_n be_v we_o teach_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o make_v a_o man_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work_n bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v the_o nobless_a principle_n of_o suffer_v and_o the_o comfortable_a way_n of_o die_v now_o how_o can_v we_o better-judge_n of_o a_o law_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a mission_n than_o by_o its_o nature_n the_o great_a tendency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o influence_n it_o have_v upon_o humane_a life_n and_o when_o we_o find_v so_o holy_a and_o excellent_a a_o design_n as_o appear_v throughout_o this_o whole_a book_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o complete_n the_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o way_n so_o correspond_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o that_o divinity_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o what_o can_v we_o 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the_o best_a reason_n be_v the_o most_o pure_a and_o excellent_a and_o most_o useful_a to_o the_o world_n of_o any_o we_o find_v in_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o impostor_n and_o that_o â—t_a must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n for_o there_o be_v no_o middle_a way_n it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o such_o shall_v outdo_v divine-goodness_n in_o that_o wherein_o my_o reason_n bid_v i_o expect_v the_o high_a expression_n of_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v stand_v more_o indebt_v to_o such_o benefactor_n for_o the_o best_a thing_n than_o to_o god_n himself_o four_o we_o find_v in_o this_o book_n a_o full_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a account_n of_o the_o revolution_n of_o this_o whole_a world_n in_o all_o its_o changeable_a vicissitude_n and_o of_o god_n visible_a providence_n in_o the_o disposal_n of_o all_o humane_a affair_n indeed_o we_o find_v this_o book_n a_o complete_a map_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o god_n government_n of_o it_o there_o evident_o appear_v a_o exact_a conformity_n between_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o we_o be_v here_o tell_v of_o it_o nothing_o come_v at_o any_o time_n to_o pass_v contradictive_a of_o but_o according_a to_o what_o be_v here_o reveal_v to_o we_o and_o this_o we_o shall_v sin_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o course_n of_o thing_n either_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n a_o moral_a way_n or_o a_o spiritual_a way_n first_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n the_o natural_a course_n of_o the_o world_n have_v continue_v to_o this_o time_n according_a to_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n declare_v about_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v seedtime_n and_o harvest_n cold_a and_o heat_n summer_n and_o winter_n and_o that_o day_n and_o night_n shall_v not_o cease_v but_o succeed_v each_o other_o second_o in_o a_o moral_a way_n the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o a_o summary_n yet_o satisfactory_a and_o full_a account_n of_o whatever_o we_o have_v see_v act_v among_o mankind_n to_o this_o day_n and_o tell_v we_o in_o general_a of_o all_o those_o principle_n design_n and_o practice_n by_o which_o the_o wheel_n of_o this_o world_n have_v be_v turn_v about_o by_o the_o restless_a mind_n of_o man_n in_o all_o age_n so_o that_o we_o see_v nothing_o under_o the_o sun_n of_o which_o we_o be_v not_o some_o way_n inform_v in_o this_o book_n three_o in_o a_o spiritual_o way_n here_o we_o have_v a_o exact_a account_n of_o all_o that_o divine_a intercourse_n which_o have_v be_v or_o at_o any_o time_n be_v between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o manner_n of_o it_o set_v down_o and_o the_o general_a method_n of_o god_n proceed_n in_o his_o convince_a enlighten_v sanctify_a satisfy_a and_o comfort_v the_o
mind_n of_o man_n no_o man_n can_v well_o judge_v this_o a_o effect_n of_o any_o humane_a design_n nor_o can_v reasonable_o think_v that_o the_o private_a observation_n or_o experience_n of_o any_o particular_a man_n can_v have_v reach_v so_o far_o providential_a occurrence_n will_v soon_o have_v confute_v any_o counterfeit_a pretence_n to_o such_o a_o universal_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o can_v any_o but_o god_n himself_o be_v secure_a not_o to_o mistake_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n the_o more_o we_o contemplate_v this_o world_n in_o its_o various_a motion_n the_o more_o we_o consider_v the_o many_o intricacy_n and_o change_n of_o it_o the_o more_o be_v the_o bible_n still_o justify_v to_o we_o because_o we_o perceive_v the_o whole_a transaction_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v there_o strange_o epitomise_v we_o be_v not_o only_o tell_v in_o the_o general_n what_o shall_v fall_v out_o that_o bad_a man_n shall_v often_o prosper_v and_o good_a man_n 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safe_o to_o disengage_v mankind_n from_o all_o the_o entanglement_n of_o their_o lapse_v and_o apostate_n condition_n i_o appeal_v to_o every_o unprejudiced_a man_n whether_o this_o book_n be_v not_o a_o general_a storehouse_n a_o divine_a treasury_n far_o beyond_o what_o the_o world_n beside_o can_v afford_v to_o supply_v all_o the_o want_n of_o humane_a nature_n not_o only_o more_o clear_o and_o full_o than_o be_v ever_o before_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o great_a good_a point_v we_o to_o that_o true_a summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la of_o a_o rational_a be_v which_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n with_o so_o much_o ignorance_n and_o disagreement_n with_o themselves_o have_v be_v grope_v after_o and_o conduct_v we_o to_o the_o great_a happiness_n but_o apply_v suitable_a remedy_n to_o every_o distemper_n where_o can_v any_o man_n under_o the_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n or_o under_o any_o other_o dejection_n of_o mind_n poverty_n or_o disgrace_n in_o the_o world_n sickness_n of_o body_n loss_n of_o friend_n or_o any_o sort_n of_o affliction_n comfort_n himself_o as_o he_o may_v here_o what_o a_o sacrifice_n be_v we_o here_o tell_v of_o for_o sin_n we_o find_v all_o man_n in_o all_o religion_n have_v still_o harp_v upon_o a_o sacrifice_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o live_a man_n be_v most_o inhuman_a detest_a by_o the_o best_a of_o heathen_n the_o sacrifice_v of_o beast_n though_o general_o practise_v the_o wise_a know_v not_o what_o to_o make_v of_o and_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v atone_v by_o the_o fat_a of_o a_o bruit_n how_o infinite_o do_v the_o sacrifice_n we_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o by_o the_o gospel_n exceed_v all_o the_o world_n have_v think_v of_o in_o that_o kind_n of_o how_o amaze_a and_o yet_o of_o how_o satisfy_v a_o nature_n be_v it_o what_o divine_a antidote_n be_v there_o provide_v in_o this_o book_n from_o suitable_a example_n comfort_v promise_n wise_a direction_n heavenly_a counsel_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o sink_a mind_n it_o be_v like_o that_o wood_n where_o jonathan_n come_v in_o his_o extremity_n and_o find_v honey_n every_o where_o drop_v and_o a_o taste_n of_o it_o revive_v his_o spirit_n and_o renew_v his_o vigour_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o consideration_n the_o reality_n the_o excellent_a and_o proper_a nature_n of_o that_o relief_n and_o those_o satisfaction_n that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o we_o they_o be_v no_o such_o delude_a trifle_n as_o man_n be_v cheat_v into_o by_o education_n and_o acquiess_n in_o only_a because_o they_o be_v breed_v up_o with_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o this_o book_n but_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v of_o intrinsic_a value_n such_o as_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n most_o real_a &_o most_o suitable_a to_o a_o rational_a be_v in_o all_o such_o case_n and_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o that_o innate_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o a_o deity_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v if_o thou_o do_v well_o they_o own_o conscience_n be_v judge_n thou_o shall_v be_v accept_v if_o not_o sin_n lie_v at_o the_o door_n we_o find_v no_o resemblance_n here_o of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n nor_o of_o those_o vanity_n wherewith_o other_o religion_n through_o man_n ignorance_n and_o the_o tract_n of_o education_n have_v besot_v the_o world_n the_o term_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o our_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o be_v such_o and_o so_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n must_v needs_o acquiesce_v in_o and_o there_o be_v a_o self-evident_a satisfaction_n result_v from_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o it_o prevail_v much_o upon_o i_o this_o general_a provision_n i_o find_v here_o make_v to_o suit_n all_o man_n condition_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n and_o the_o great_a worth_n and_o transcendent_a excellency_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a account_n to_o we_o of_o that_o wonderful_a variety_n we_o find_v in_o this_o book_n both_o for_o matter_n and_o expression_n what_o depth_n and_o shallow_n in_o both_o respect_n sometime_o the_o sublimest_n notion_n clothe_v with_o the_o high_a expression_n sometime_o the_o easy_a plain_a truth_n imaginable_a sometime_o divinity_n deck_v with_o the_o rich_a expression_n of_o oratory_n to_o delight_v and_o instruct_v the_o noble_a and_o large_a mind_n sometime_o bring_v down_o to_o the_o mean_a similitude_n and_o express_v by_o thing_n of_o the_o most_o common_a use_n among_o mankind_n to_o be_v grasp_v by_o the_o poor_a understanding_n and_o yet_o a_o decency_n and_o majesty_n in_o all_o no_o part_n of_o mankind_n but_o find_v here_o a_o plentiful_a and_o suitable_a provision_n for_o every_o condition_n not_o a_o impotent_a impoverish_v mind_n but_o be_v here_o relieve_v nor_o a_o condition_n so_o mean_v but_o be_v care_v for_o and_o this_o tell_v we_o much_o of_o the_o vanity_n of_o those_o 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