Selected quad for the lemma: knowledge_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
knowledge_n believe_v faith_n implicit_a 1,688 5 13.6300 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A28945 The Christian virtuoso shewing that by being addicted to experimental philosophy, a man is rather assisted than indisposed to be a good Christian / by T.H.R.B., Fellow of the Royal Society ; to which are subjoyn'd, I. a discourse about the distinction that represents some things as above reason, but not contrary to reason, II. the first chapters of a discourse entituled, Greatness of mind promoted by Christianity, by the same author. Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Reflections upon a theological distinction.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691. Greatness of mind promoted by Christianity. 1690 (1690) Wing B3931; ESTC R19536 74,134 240

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

information_n as_o both_o agree_v with_o its_o former_a maim_a or_o imperfect_a notice_n and_o complete_a they_o when_o for_o example_n a_o antique_a medal_n half_o consume_v with_o rust_n be_v show_v to_o a_o unskilful_a person_n though_o a_o scholar_n he_o will_v not_o by_o his_o own_o endeavour_n be_v able_a to_o read_v the_o whole_a inscription_n whereof_o we_o suppose_v some_o part_n to_o be_v obliterated_a by_o time_n or_o rust_n or_o to_o discover_v the_o mean_v of_o it_o but_o when_o a_o know_a medalist_n become_v his_o instructor_n he_o may_v then_o know_v some_o much_o deface_v letter_n that_o be_v illegible_a to_o he_o before_o and_o both_o understand_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o inscription_n and_o approve_v it_o as_o genuine_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o thing_n whereto_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v congruous_a and_o because_o divers_a philosophical_a wit_n be_v apt_a as_o well_o as_o you_o to_o be_v startle_v at_o the_o name_n of_o mystery_n and_o suspect_v that_o because_o it_o imply_v something_o abstruse_a there_o lie_v hide_v some_o illusion_n under_o that_o obscure_a term_n i_o shall_v venture_v to_o add_v that_o agreeable_o to_o our_o doctrine_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o divers_a thing_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v in_o the_o new_a call_v mystery_n because_o they_o be_v so_o under_o the_o mosaic_a dispensation_n tho'_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v so_o now_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v explain_v they_o to_o the_o world_n as_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n into_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v by_o their_o apostle_n call_v a_o mystery_n because_o to_o use_v his_o phrase_n it_o 6._o have_v be_v hide_v from_o age_n and_o generation_n though_o he_o add_v but_o now_o it_o be_v make_v manifest_a to_o his_o saint_n and_o the_o same_o writer_n tell_v the_o corinthian_n that_o he_o 52._o show_v they_o a_o mystery_n which_o he_o immediate_o explain_v by_o foretell_v that_o all_o pious_a believer_n shall_v not_o die_v because_o that_o those_o that_o shall_v be_v find_v alive_a at_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n shall_v not_o sleep_v but_o be_v change_v as_o the_o other_o dead_a shall_v be_v raise_v incorruptible_a which_o surprise_v doctrine_n though_o because_o it_o can_v not_o be_v discover_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n nor_o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o call_v a_o mystery_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o more_o so_o to_o we_o now_o that_o he_o have_v so_o express_o foretell_v it_o and_o therefore_o declare_v it_o xx._n other_o instance_n i_o content_v myself_o to_o point_n at_o in_o the_o margin_n that_o i_o may_v pass_v on_o to_o confirm_v the_o observation_n i_o former_o intimate_v 31._o that_o divers_a thing_n which_o the_o scripture_n teach_v beyond_o what_o be_v know_v or_o in_o probability_n be_v discoverable_a by_o natural_a light_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v against_o reason_n by_o be_v in_o the_o sense_n declare_v above_o it_o that_o these_o discovery_n ought_v much_o to_o recommend_v the_o scripture_n to_o a_o rational_a mind_n because_o they_o do_v not_o only_o agree_v with_o the_o doubtful_a or_o imperfect_a notion_n we_o already_o have_v of_o thing_n but_o improve_v they_o if_o not_o complete_a they_o nay_o i_o shall_v venture_v to_o add_v that_o these_o intellectual_a aid_n may_v not_o seldom_o help_v we_o to_o discern_v that_o some_o thing_n which_o not_o only_o be_v above_o reason_n but_o at_o first_o sight_n seem_v to_o be_v against_o it_o be_v real_o reconcileable_a to_o reason_n improve_v by_o the_o new_a help_n afford_v it_o by_o revelation_n to_o illustrate_v this_o by_o a_o philosophical_a instance_n when_o gallileo_n first_o make_v his_o discovery_n with_o the_o telescope_n and_o say_v that_o there_o be_v planet_n that_o move_v about_o jupiter_n he_o say_v something_o that_o other_o astronomer_n can_v not_o discern_v to_o be_v true_a but_o nothing_o that_o they_o can_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a and_o even_o when_o some_o revelation_n be_v think_v not_o only_o to_o transcend_v reason_n but_o to_o clash_v with_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v whether_o such_o doctrine_n be_v real_o repugnant_a to_o any_o absolute_a catholic_n rule_n of_o reason_n or_o only_o to_o something_o which_o so_o far_o depend_v upon_o the_o measure_n of_o acquire_v information_n we_o then_o enjoy_v that_o though_o we_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v irrational_a yet_o we_o be_v not_o sure_a that_o the_o thing_n this_o judgement_n be_v ground_v on_o be_v clear_o and_o full_o enough_o know_v to_o we_o as_o to_o resume_v the_o former_a example_n when_o gallileo_n or_o some_o of_o his_o disciple_n affirm_v venus_n to_o be_v sometime_o horn_v like_o the_o moon_n tho'_o this_o assertion_n be_v repugnant_a to_o the_o unanimous_a doctrine_n of_o astronomer_n who_o think_v their_o opinion_n very_o well_o ground_v on_o no_o less_o a_o testimony_n than_o that_o of_o their_o own_o eye_n yet_o in_o effect_n the_o proof_n be_v incompetent_a because_o their_o unassi_v eye_n can_v not_o afford_v they_o sufficient_a information_n about_o this_o case_n and_o so_o when_o gallileo_n speak_v of_o hill_n and_o valley_n and_o shadow_n in_o the_o moon_n they_o be_v not_o straight_o to_o reject_v what_o he_o teach_v but_o to_o have_v if_o not_o a_o kind_n of_o implicit_a faith_n yet_o a_o great_a disposition_n to_o believe_v what_o he_o deliver_v as_o upon_o his_o own_o knowledge_n about_o the_o figure_n and_o number_n of_o the_o planet_n for_o they_o know_v that_o he_o have_v and_o have_v already_o successful_o make_v use_n of_o a_o way_n of_o discover_v celestial_a object_n that_o they_o be_v not_o master_n of_o nor_o therefore_o competent_a judge_n of_o all_o the_o thing_n though_o they_o may_v well_o be_v of_o many_o that_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v discoverable_a by_o it_o and_o though_o they_o can_v not_o see_v in_o the_o moon_n what_o he_o observe_v valley_n mountain_n and_o the_o shadow_n of_o these_o yet_o they_o may_v just_o suspect_v that_o the_o difference_n of_o the_o idea_n that_o they_o frame_v of_o that_o planet_n and_o that_o which_o he_o propose_v may_v well_o proceed_v from_o the_o imperfection_n of_o their_o unaided_a sight_n especial_o consider_v that_o what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o differ_a constitution_n of_o what_o be_v there_o analogous_a to_o sea_n and_o land_n do_v rather_o correct_v and_o improve_v than_o absolute_o overthrow_n their_o former_a notice_n for_o he_o allow_v the_o spot_n they_o see_v to_o be_v dark_a part_n of_o the_o moon_n and_o give_v cause_n of_o that_o darkness_n which_o their_o bare_a eye_n can_v not_o have_v lead_v they_o to_o any_o such_o knowledge_n of_o and_o the_o non-appearance_n of_o the_o mountainous_a part_n of_o the_o moon_n in_o that_o form_n to_o the_o naked_a eye_n may_v well_o be_v impute_v to_o the_o great_a distance_n betwixt_o they_o and_o we_o since_o at_o a_o far_o less_o distance_n square_a tower_n appear_v round_o etc._n etc._n xxi_o it_o now_o remain_v that_o i_o say_v something_o that_o may_v both_o make_v some_o application_n of_o the_o form_n of_o speech_n hitherto_o discourse_v of_o and_o afford_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o ground_n whereon_o i_o think_v it_o may_v be_v justify_v this_o i_o be_o the_o rather_o induce_v to_o do_v because_o i_o expect_v it_o will_v be_v object_v that_o he_o that_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o thing_n he_o will_v have_v we_o believe_v transcend_v our_o reason_n have_v a_o mind_n to_o deceive_v we_o and_o procure_v for_o himself_o a_o fair_a opportunity_n to_o delude_v we_o by_o employ_v a_o arbitrary_a distinction_n which_o he_o may_v apply_v as_o he_o please_v xxii_o but_o to_o speak_v first_o a_o word_n or_o two_o to_o this_o last_o clause_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o such_o a_o distinction_n be_v capable_a enough_o of_o be_v misapply_v and_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o think_v that_o by_o some_o school-divines_a and_o other_o it_o have_v be_v so_o but_o since_o there_o be_v other_o distinction_n that_o be_v general_o and_o just_o receive_v by_o learned_a man_n and_o even_o by_o philosopher_n themselves_o without_o have_v any_o immunity_n from_o be_v capable_a to_o be_v pervert_v i_o know_v not_o why_o the_o distinction_n we_o be_v consider_v shall_v not_o be_v treat_v as_o favourable_o as_o they_o and_o however_o the_o question_n at_o present_a be_v not_o whether_o our_o distinction_n may_v possible_o be_v misapply_v by_o rash_a or_o impose_v man_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v ground_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n to_o come_v then_o to_o the_o thing_n itself_o i_o consider_v that_o for_o a_o opinion_n to_o be_v above_o reason_n in_o the_o sense_n former_o assign_v be_v somewhat_o that_o as_o be_v note_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o first_o sort_n of_o thing_n that_o surpass_v it_o be_v extrinsecal_n and_o accidental_a to_o its_o be_v true_a or_o false_a for_o to_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n be_v not_o
before_o it_o superven_v be_v judge_v to_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n concern_v thing_n mere_o natural_a or_o civil_a whereof_o human_a reason_n be_v hold_v to_o be_v a_o proper_a judge_n whereas_o many_o of_o the_o point_n recommend_v by_o supernatural_a experience_n concern_v thing_n of_o a_o superior_a order_n many_o of_o which_o be_v not_o to_o be_v adaequate_o estimate_v by_o the_o same_o rule_n with_o thing_n mere_o corporeal_a or_o civil_a and_o some_o of_o which_o as_o the_o essence_n and_o manner_n of_o existence_n and_o some_o peculiar_a attribute_n of_o the_o infinite_a god_n involve_v or_o require_v such_o a_o knowledge_n of_o what_o be_v infinite_a as_o much_o pass_v the_o reach_n of_o our_o limit_a intellect_n but_o this_o be_v not_o all_o for_o 2._o you_o may_v consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o whereas_o it_o be_v as_o just_o as_o general_o grant_v that_o the_o better_o qualify_v a_o witness_n be_v in_o the_o capacity_n of_o a_o witness_n the_o strong_a assent_n his_o testimony_n deserve_v we_o ought_v of_o all_o the_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v recommend_v to_o we_o by_o testimony_n to_o receive_v those_o with_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o assent_n that_o be_v teach_v we_o by_o god_n by_o the_o intervention_n of_o those_o person_n that_o appear_v to_o have_v be_v commission_v by_o he_o to_o declare_v his_o mind_n to_o men._n for_o the_o two_o grand_a requisite_n of_o a_o witness_n be_v the_o knowledge_n he_o have_v of_o the_o thing_n he_o deliver_v and_o his_o faithfulness_n in_o true_o deliver_v what_o he_o know_v all_o human_a testimony_n must_v on_o these_o account_n be_v inferior_a to_o divine_a testimony_n since_o this_o late_a be_v warrant_v both_o by_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n which_o be_v general_o acknowledge_v by_o those_o that_o believe_v his_o existence_n and_o by_o his_o boundless_a knowledge_n which_o make_v it_o as_o impossible_a he_o shall_v be_v deceive_v himself_o as_o the_o other_o do_v that_o he_o shall_v deceive_v we_o and_o because_o that_o for_o the_o delivery_n of_o the_o divine_a testimony_n we_o be_v speak_v of_o it_o have_v oftentimes_o please_v god_n who_o be_v a_o most_o free_a as_o well_o as_o a_o most_o wise_a agent_n to_o make_v use_n of_o unpromised_a person_n as_o his_o instrument_n i_o shall_v not_o on_o this_o occasion_n altogether_o overlook_v this_o circumstance_n that_o a_o experimental_a philosopher_n so_o often_o increase_v his_o knowledge_n of_o natural_a thing_n by_o what_o he_o learn_v from_o the_o observation_n and_o practice_n even_o of_o mean_a and_o perhaps_o of_o illiterate_a person_n such_o as_o shepherd_n plowman_n smith_n fowler_n etc._n etc._n because_o they_o be_v conversant_a with_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n that_o he_o be_v not_o only_o willing_a to_o admit_v but_o often_o curious_a to_o seek_v for_o information_n from_o they_o and_o therefore_o be_v not_o like_a to_o find_v much_o repugnancy_n in_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n of_o reveal_v religion_n such_o as_o christianity_n if_o the_o teacher_n of_o it_o be_v honest_a man_n and_o have_v opportunity_n to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o deliver_v though_o they_o be_v fisherman_n tentmaker_n or_o some_o other_o mean_a profession_n and_o indeed_o to_o enlarge_v a_o little_a upon_o a_o subject_a that_o i_o fear_v have_v scarce_o be_v consider_v such_o a_o person_n as_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la will_n with_o both_o great_a willingness_n and_o no_o less_o advantage_n exercise_v himself_o in_o peruse_v with_o great_a attention_n and_o much_o regard_n the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n evangelist_n and_o ancient_a prophet_n notwithstanding_o any_o meanness_n of_o their_o first_o condition_n or_o of_o their_o secular_a employment_n and_o in_o these_o sacred_a write_n he_o will_v not_o only_o ready_o suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v instruct_v in_o these_o grand_a and_o catholic_n article_n of_o religion_n which_o because_o of_o their_o necessity_n or_o very_o great_a usefulness_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o many_o place_n and_o in_o variety_n of_o expression_n by_o honest_a and_o due_o dispose_v reader_n but_o he_o will_v in_o stead_n of_o disdain_v such_o tutor_n both_o expect_v and_o careful_o strive_v to_o improve_v his_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n in_o general_a even_o by_o those_o hint_n and_o incidental_a passage_n that_o a_o careless_a or_o ordinary_a reader_n will_v overlook_v or_o not_o expect_v any_o thing_n from_o for_o as_o the_o facundity_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o be_v enough_o discern_v when_o the_o sacred_a writer_n transient_o touch_v upon_o or_o glance_n at_o a_o great_a many_o subject_n that_o they_o do_v not_o express_o handle_v and_o that_o therefore_o be_v not_o vulgar_o take_v notice_n of_o so_o the_o docility_n we_o have_v ascribe_v to_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la will_v make_v he_o repose_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o trust_n in_o the_o testimony_n of_o inspire_a person_n such_o as_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n about_o thing_n of_o all_o sort_n either_o usual_o take_v notice_n of_o or_o not_o that_o relate_v to_o object_n of_o a_o supernatural_a order_n especial_o if_o among_o these_o god_n himself_o and_o his_o purpose_n be_v comprise_v since_o divers_a of_o those_o thing_n be_v not_o knowable_a without_o revelation_n and_o other_o be_v best_a know_v by_o it_o and_o to_o be_v allow_v to_o ground_v a_o belief_n about_o such_o thing_n on_o the_o relation_n and_o other_o testimony_n of_o those_o that_o be_v in_o the_o scripture-phrase_n 2._o eye_n witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o speak_v of_o will_v by_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la be_v just_o repute_v such_o a_o advantage_n in_o order_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n divine_a as_o the_o consult_v with_o navigator_n and_o traveller_n to_o america_n be_v to_o he_o that_o be_v curious_a to_o learn_v the_o state_n of_o that_o new-world_n for_o a_o ordinary_a seaman_n or_o traveller_n that_o have_v the_o opportunity_n with_o columbus_n to_o sail_v along_o the_o several_a coast_n of_o it_o and_o pass_v up_o and_o down_o through_o the_o country_n be_v able_a at_o his_o return_n to_o inform_v man_n of_o a_o hundred_o thing_n that_o they_o shall_v never_o have_v learn_v by_o aristotle_n philosophy_n or_o ptolomy_n geography_n and_o may_v not_o only_o acquaint_v they_o with_o divers_a particular_n consonant_a to_o the_o opinion_n which_o their_o former_o receive_a physics_n and_o cosmography_n do_v suggest_v but_o also_o rectify_v divers_a erroneous_a presumption_n and_o mistake_v which_o till_o then_o they_o think_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o those_o science_n and_o so_o to_o reason_n and_o as_o one_o that_o have_v a_o candid_a and_o know_a friend_n intimate_v with_o columbus_n may_v better_o rely_v on_o his_o information_n about_o many_o particular_n of_o the_o natural_a history_n of_o those_o part_n than_o on_o those_o of_o a_o hundred_o school-philosopher_n that_o know_v but_o what_o they_o learn_v from_o aristotle_n pliny_n aelian_a and_o the_o like_a ancient_a naturalist_n so_o and_o much_o more_o may_v we_o rely_v on_o the_o account_n give_v we_o of_o theological_a thing_n by_o the_o apostle_n and_o constant_a attendant_n of_o he_o that_o lay_v in_o the_o 18._o bosom_n of_o god_n his_o father_n and_o commission_v they_o to_o declare_v to_o the_o world_n 27._o the_o whole_a counsel_n of_o god_n as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o know_v we_o know_v that_o fuller_n try_v all_o be_v be_v allow_v among_o ingenious_a man_n to_o rectify_v the_o information_n of_o the_o more_o imperfect_a one_o and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v add_v that_o though_o the_o innate_a notion_n and_o sentiment_n that_o nature_n give_v we_o of_o the_o attribute_n and_o mind_n of_o god_n be_v high_o to_o be_v prize_v yet_o the_o information_n that_o theological_a experience_n afford_v of_o those_o abstruse_a thing_n be_v far_o more_o excellent_a and_o complete_a for_o methinks_v those_o great_a 10._o depth_n of_o god_n may_v be_v compare_v to_o the_o depth_n of_o the_o ocean_n and_o we_o know_v that_o in_o the_o sea_n there_o be_v some_o abysses_n so_o deep_a that_o the_o seaman_n sounding-line_n have_v never_o be_v able_a to_o reach_v to_o the_o bottom_n of_o they_o and_o where_o they_o be_v not_o unfathomable_a all_o we_o be_v wont_n to_o do_v by_o our_o sounding_n be_v to_o fetch_v from_o the_o bottom_n some_o little_a gravel_n or_o mud_n or_o shell_n or_o some_o such_o thing_n that_o stick_v to_o the_o tallowed_a end_n of_o the_o plummet_n and_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a account_n of_o the_o bottom_n even_o of_o the_o shallow_a part_n of_o the_o sea_n but_o if_o a_o skilful_a diver_n be_v employ_v he_o will_v not_o only_o tell_v we_o whether_o the_o bottom_n be_v muddy_a gravelly_a or_o sandy_a but_o will_v be_v able_a to_o give_v we_o a_o kind_n of_o topography_n of_o that_o submarine_n land_n and_o
acquaint_v we_o with_o many_o surprise_v particular_n that_o we_o shall_v never_o otherwise_o have_v discover_v or_o perchance_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o and_o peradventure_o it_o may_v be_v no_o hyperbole_n to_o say_v that_o the_o information_n of_o a_o plummet_n which_o reach_v not_o to_o some_o depth_n and_o bring_v but_o a_o very_a slender_a account_n of_o soil_n that_o lie_v in_o any_o be_v not_o more_o short_a of_o those_o of_o a_o diver_n than_o the_o information_n philosophy_n give_v we_o of_o some_o divine_a thing_n be_v of_o those_o complete_a one_o that_o may_v be_v have_v from_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o when_o i_o remember_v how_o many_o opinion_n about_o the_o submarine_n part_n that_o i_o among_o many_o other_o man_n think_v probable_a i_o find_v cause_n to_o change_n upon_o the_o conversation_n i_o have_v with_o a_o famous_a diver_n that_o sometime_o by_o the_o help_n of_o a_o engine_n stay_v several_a hour_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o the_o sea_n i_o find_v the_o less_o reluctancy_n to_o suffer_v opinion_n about_o divine_a matter_n that_o before_o seem_v probable_a to_o i_o to_o be_v rectify_v by_o the_o full_a discovery_n make_v of_o those_o thing_n by_o the_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n you_o may_v find_v some_o thing_n applyable_a to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o what_o have_v be_v new_o deliver_v in_o a_o essay_n which_o you_o may_v see_v when_o you_o please_v that_o consider_v the_o bound_n and_o use_v of_o experience_n in_o natural_a philosophy_n wherefore_o remember_v that_o before_o this_o late_a excursion_n i_o be_v speak_v of_o miracle_n i_o shall_v now_o resume_v the_o subject_a and_o proceed_v to_o tell_v you_o that_o i_o have_v the_o more_o insist_v upon_o the_o miracle_n that_o may_v be_v plead_v to_o recommend_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o i_o think_v that_o a_o argument_n ground_v on_o they_o be_v little_o less_o than_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o evince_v that_o any_o religion_n that_o man_n believe_v to_o be_v supernatural_o reveal_v and_o consequent_o that_o the_o christian_n do_v real_o proceed_v from_o god_n for_o though_o the_o excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o other_o concurrent_a motive_n may_v just_o persuade_v i_o that_o it_o be_v worthy_a and_o likely_a to_o be_v give_v by_o god_n yet_o that_o de_fw-fr facto_fw-la this_o doctrine_n come_v from_o he_o by_o way_n of_o supernatural_a revelation_n i_o can_v scarce_o be_v sufficient_o ascertain_v but_o by_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n to_o evince_v that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o preach_v as_o commission_v by_o god_n to_o do_v so_o be_v indeed_o he_o be_v as_o such_o own_a by_o he_o but_o these_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v when_o it_o be_v most_o fit_a and_o needful_a they_o shall_v be_v wrought_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n we_o that_o live_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o they_o can_v have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o they_o by_o our_o own_o sense_n or_o immediate_a observation_n but_o must_v believe_v they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o the_o former_o mention_v historical_a or_o vicarious_a experience_n which_o be_v afford_v we_o by_o the_o due_o transmit_v testimony_n of_o those_o that_o be_v themselves_o to_o speak_v once_o more_o in_o a_o evangelist_n phrase_n 2._o eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o thing_n they_o relate_v and_o since_o we_o scruple_n not_o to_o believe_v such_o strange_a prodigy_n as_o celestial_a comet_n vanish_v and_o reappear_v star_n island_n found_v by_o subterraneal_a fire_n in_o the_o sea_n darken_n of_o the_o sun_n for_o many_o month_n together_o earthquake_n reach_v above_o a_o thousand_o mile_n in_o length_n and_o the_o like_a amaze_a anomaly_n of_o nature_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o human_a history_n i_o see_v not_o why_o that_o vicarious_a experience_n shall_v not_o more_o be_v trust_v which_o have_v divers_a peculiar_a and_o concurrent_a circumstance_n to_o confirm_v it_o and_o particular_o the_o death_n that_o most_o of_o the_o first_o promulgator_n cheerful_o suffer_v to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o success_n and_o spread_v of_o the_o doctrine_n authorise_a by_o those_o miracle_n and_o receive_v chief_o upon_o their_o account_n to_o which_o thing_n some_o perhaps_o will_v add_v that_o it_o be_v less_o incredible_a that_o the_o author_n of_o nature_n shall_v for_o most_o weighty_a purpose_n make_v stupendous_a alteration_n of_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n than_o that_o nature_n herself_o for_o no_o such_o end_n shall_v by_o such_o prodigy_n as_o be_v new_o mention_v as_o it_o be_v throw_v herself_o out_o of_o her_o own_o course_n miracle_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o the_o establishment_n of_o reveal_v religion_n in_o general_n it_o may_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o far_a disposition_n in_o our_o virtuoso_fw-la to_o receive_v the_o christian_a religion_n that_o the_o philosophy_n he_o cultivate_v do_v much_o conduce_v to_o enable_v he_o to_o judge_v aright_o of_o those_o strange_a thing_n that_o be_v by_o many_o propose_v as_o miracle_n and_o believe_v to_o be_v so_o for_o first_o the_o knowledge_n he_o have_v of_o the_o various_a and_o sometime_o very_o wonderful_a operation_n of_o some_o natural_a thing_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v skilful_o improve_v and_o dexterous_o apply_v by_o art_n particular_o mathematics_n mechanic_n and_o chemistry_n will_v qualify_v he_o to_o distinguish_v between_o thing_n that_o be_v only_o strange_a and_o surprise_v and_o those_o that_o be_v true_o miraculous_a so_o that_o he_o will_v not_o mistake_v the_o effect_n of_o natural_a magic_n for_o those_o of_o a_o divine_a power_n and_o by_o this_o well-instructed_n wariness_n he_o will_v be_v able_a to_o discover_v the_o subtle_a cheat_n and_o collusion_n of_o impostor_n by_o which_o not_o only_o multitude_n of_o all_o religion_n especial_o heathen_a but_o even_o learned_a man_n of_o most_o religion_n for_o want_v of_o a_o insight_n into_o real_a philosophy_n have_v former_o be_v or_o be_v at_o this_o day_n delude_v and_o draw_v into_o idolatrous_a superstitious_a or_o otherwise_o erroneous_a tenant_n or_o practice_n and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o knowledge_n our_o virtuoso_fw-la may_v have_v of_o what_o can_v be_v just_o expect_v or_o pretend_v from_o the_o mechanical_a power_n of_o matter_n will_v enable_v he_o to_o discern_v that_o divers_a thing_n be_v not_o produceable_a by_o they_o without_o the_o intervention_n of_o a_o intelligent_a superior_a power_n on_o which_o score_n he_o will_v frank_o acknowledge_v and_o hearty_o believe_v divers_a effect_n to_o be_v true_o miraculous_a that_o may_v be_v plausible_o enough_o ascribe_v to_o other_o cause_n in_o the_o vulgar_a philosophy_n where_o man_n be_v teach_v and_o wont_a to_o attribute_v stupendous_a unaccountable_a effect_n to_o sympathy_n antipathy_n fuga_fw-la vacui_fw-la substantial_a form_n and_o especial_o to_o a_o certain_a be_v presume_v to_o be_v almost_o infinite_o potent_a and_o wise_a which_o they_o call_v nature_n for_o this_o be_v represent_v as_o a_o king_n of_o goddess_n who_o power_n may_v be_v little_o less_o than_o boundless_a as_o i_o remember_v galen_n himself_o compare_v it_o to_o that_o of_o god_n and_o say_v that_o he_o can_v not_o do_v such_o a_o thing_n because_o nature_n can_v and_o censure_v moses_n for_o speak_v as_o if_o he_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n the_o whole_a passage_n be_v so_o weighty_a that_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o direct_v you_o to_o it_o in_o the_o margin_n fourteen_o though_o to_o comply_v with_o my_o haste_n i_o forbear_v to_o transcribe_v and_o descant_v upon_o so_o prolix_a a_o one_o and_o add_v to_o it_o divers_a other_o passage_n that_o i_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o famous_a author_n who_o for_o want_v of_o know_v the_o true_a extent_n of_o the_o power_n of_o matter_n and_o motion_n leave_v to_o themselves_o in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o thing_n ascribe_v to_o natural_a cause_n as_o they_o call_v they_o such_o effect_n as_o be_v beyond_o their_o reach_n unless_o they_o be_v elevate_v by_o agent_n of_o a_o superior_a order_n i_o know_v it_o may_v be_v object_v that_o the_o hitherto-mentioned_a disposition_n that_o experimental_a knowledge_n may_v give_v a_o man_n to_o admit_v the_o history_n of_o the_o miracle_n record_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o likewise_o to_o expect_v that_o god_n will_v be_v able_a to_o perform_v the_o promise_n and_o menace_n that_o be_v in_o his_o name_n deliver_v there_o may_v be_v countervail_v by_o this_o that_o those_o who_o be_v so_o much_o acquaint_v with_o the_o mystery_n of_o nature_n and_o her_o various_a and_o strange_a way_n of_o work_v as_o a_o virtuoso_fw-la may_v well_o be_v may_v by_o that_o knowledge_n be_v strong_o tempt_v to_o think_v that_o those_o surprise_v thing_n that_o other_o man_n call_v miracle_n be_v but_o effect_n of_o her_o power_n the_o extent_n of_o which_o be_v not_o easy_o discern_v by_o ordinary_a man_n