therefore_o charity_n take_v place_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n yet_o let_v it_o not_o be_v set_v above_o these_o let_v faith_n and_o hope_n go_v hand_n in_o hand_n with_o charity_n at_o least_o nay_o faith_n the_o apostle_n the_o great_a of_o these_o be_v charity_n that_o be_v faith_n and_o hope_n must_v give_v place_n to_o charity_n though_o all_o virtue_n else_o give_v place_n to_o they_o it_o be_v true_a they_o be_v all_o necessary_a and_o perpetual_a in_o this_o life_n all_o three_o of_o they_o no_o christian_a can_v be_v without_o every_o one_o of_o they_o it_o be_v grant_v all_o our_o labour_n tend_v to_o these_o three_o and_o these_o be_v the_o samme_fw-fr of_o whatsoever_o perfection_n can_v be_v name_v 〈…〉_o now_o therefore_o they_o abide_v abide_v as_o it_o be_v at_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o 〈◊〉_d have_v cast_v up_o all_o other_o miraculous_a gift_n and_o grace_n here_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d take_v all_o in_o a_o little_a it_o be_v but_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n which_o all_o among_o to_z but_o even_o in_o this_o total_a consist_v as_o it_o be_v of_o three_o figure_n mistake_v not_o the_o quantity_n charity_n be_v the_o great_a of_o the_o three_o as_o all_o other_o thing_n tend_v to_o the_o build_n up_o of_o these_o so_o two_o of_o these_o that_o be_v faith_n and_o hope_n itself_o tend_v to_o the_o build_n up_o of_o charity_n and_o charity_n be_v the_o top_n of_o the_o building_n charity_n be_v the_o crown_n of_o all_o the_o â—est_n not_o only_o surmount_v other_o grace_n but_o these_o too_o surmount_a they_o and_o oulast_v they_o for_o though_o faith_n and_o hope_n last_o and_o abide_v throughout_o all_o the_o course_n of_o this_o life_n as_o needful_a as_o charity_n yet_o in_o the_o next_o life_n only_a charity_n shall_v abide_v faith_n and_o hope_n shall_v then_o have_v no_o more_o place_n and_o therefore_o let_v not_o faith_n and_o hope_n how_o fundamental_a soever_o dildaine_a to_o yield_v to_o charity_n charity_n be_v great_a than_o faith_n and_o hope_n charity_n be_v the_o high_a of_o the_o three_o and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o follow_v after_o charity_n what_o ever_o perfection_n else_o you_o attain_v let_v all_o serve_v to_o this_o and_o let_v love_n be_v the_o end_n and_o scope_n and_o measure_n of_o all_o this_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o the_o apostle_n doctrine_n and_o it_o be_v sure_a no_o impertinent_a one_o of_o we_o for_o these_o time_n wherein_o as_o if_o charity_n be_v not_o the_o great_a virtue_n but_o the_o least_o of_o all_o every_o man_n gift_n and_o endowment_n tend_v to_o charity_n in_o the_o last_o place_n each_o strive_v to_o rear_v up_o his_o own_o glory_n or_o advance_v his_o own_o profit_n every_o one_o look_v on_o his_o own_o thing_n and_o not_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v jesus_n christ_n wherein_o above_o all_o other_o heavenly_a fire_n charity_n be_v near_a to_o cinder_n zeal_n it_o may_v be_v burn_v and_o desire_n and_o courage_n and_o confidence_n all_o of_o a_o flame_n but_o the_o love_n of_o too_o many_o 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yet_o prefer_v charity_n above_o all_o now_o abide_v these_o three_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n but_o the_o great_a of_o these_o be_v charity_n two_o part_n we_o find_v in_o the_o word_n one_o declarative_a touch_v the_o eminence_n of_o these_o three_o virtue_n now_o abide_v faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n these_o three_o another_o comparative_a touch_v the_o pre-eminence_n of_o charity_n or_o rather_o if_o you_o will_v both_o of_o they_o comparative_a first_o these_o three_o prefer_v there_o all_o other_o virtue_n now_o abide_v these_o three_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n and_o second_o charity_n prefer_v high_a among_o they_o the_o great_a of_o these_o be_v charity_n in_o the_o former_a of_o these_o you_o may_v observe_v 〈◊〉_d the_o virtue_n themselves_o and_o then_o what_o be_v aff_v of_o they_o the_o virtue_n themselves_o be_v these_o faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n then_o it_o be_v affirm_v of_o they_o that_o they_o be_v three_o and_o that_o they_o abide_v so_o now_o abide_v these_o three_o etc._n etc._n we_o shall_v first_o god_n willing_a survey_v the_o virtue_n themselves_o what_o they_o be_v second_o how_o they_o be_v three_o eminent_a above_o other_o and_o connect_v between_o themselves_o and_o three_o how_o charity_n be_v prefer_v above_o the_o other_o two_o the_o great_a of_o these_o â—charity_n web_n gin_n with_o the_o virtue_n themselves_o what_o they_o be_v faith_n hope_n and_o charity_n for_o the_o first_o of_o they_o viz._n faith_n what_o that_o be_v saint_n paul_n himself_o save_v we_o the_o labour_n and_o seem_v to_o define_v that_o to_o our_o hand_n heb._n 11.1_o faith_n be_v the_o substance_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v to_o understand_v which_o you_o be_v to_o note_v the_o proper_a act_n of_o faith_n and_o that_o be_v to_o believe_v believe_v be_v as_o the_o schoolman_n define_v it_o a_o assent_n of_o the_o mind_n unto_o somewhat_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o be_v not_o clear_o perceive_v but_o take_v upon_o credit_n as_o that_o such_o and_o such_o city_n be_v in_o the_o world_n rome_n &_o venice_n which_o perhaps_o we_o have_v have_v never_o see_v such_o and_o such_o man_n have_v live_v before_o our_o time_n tully_n and_o cato_n which_o we_o have_v never_o know_v a_o great_a difference_n there_o be_v betwixt_o this_o and_o perfect_a science_n as_o between_o this_o and_o weak_a conjecture_n for_o perfect_a science_n be_v of_o thing_n we_o either_o perceive_v by_o the_o sense_n as_o that_o snow_n be_v white_a and_o fire_n be_v hot_a and_o the_o like_a or_o else_o see_v clear_o by_o the_o light_n of_o the_o understanding_n as_o that_o every_o part_n be_v less_o than_o the_o whole_a every_o whole_a double_a to_o its_o half_n such_o thing_n as_o these_o be_v more_o than_o believe_v they_o be_v perfect_o know_v those_o only_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v full_o assent_v to_o and_o yet_o not_o perfect_o know_v so_o in_o christ_n heal_v the_o sick_a of_o the_o palsic_n the_o apostle_n and_o other_o that_o see_v it_o do_v they_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n we_o that_o have_v the_o story_n in_o the_o gospel_n have_v only_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o infidel_n not_o so_o much_o as_o the_o belief_n i_o have_v insist_v on_o this_o the_o rather_o to_o show_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o apostle_n how_o faith_n be_v of_o thing_n not_o see_v for_o if_o we_o have_v porfect_a knowledge_n that_o be_v full_a sight_n of_o what_o we_o believe_v our_o belief_n be_v at_o a_o end_n that_o be_v not_o faith_n but_o vision_n i'faith_o than_o be_v a_o belief_n rely_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o other_o concern_v thing_n we_o do_v not_o perfect_o know_v but_o all_o this_o come_v not_o home_n to_o divinity_n the_o faith_n the_o apostle_n speak_v of_o be_v concern_v some_o special_a thing_n and_o some_o special_a kind_n of_o credit_n and_o that_o be_v a_o religious_a belief_n of_o what_o god_n have_v reveal_v and_o particular_o of_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v our_o salvation_n so_o that_o 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like_a but_o it_o be_v not_o any_o of_o god_n effect_n nay_o it_o be_v not_o all_o of_o they_o put_v together_o will_v make_v up_o a_o perfect_a demonstration_n of_o god_n essence_n to_o show_v we_o what_o he_o be_v but_o that_o he_o be_v that_o he_o have_v a_o be_v that_o any_o of_o his_o effect_n will_v suffice_v to_o show_v thus_o therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n to_o be_v believe_v quia_fw-la est_fw-la deus_fw-la that_o god_n be_v and_o let_v we_o not_o make_v light_n of_o this_o say_v calvin_n because_o the_o matter_n seem_v small_a a_o poor_a degree_n of_o faith_n to_o apprehend_v but_o this_o that_o god_n have_v a_o be_v the_o small_a it_o be_v the_o more_o shame_n for_o their_o insidelitie_n that_o can_v stick_v at_o this_o for_o their_o impudence_n that_o dare_v call_v this_o in_o question_n say_v he_o and_o let_v we_o learn_v thus_o much_o at_o least_o by_o it_o that_o even_o this_o fundamental_a point_n touch_v god_n be_v it_o be_v a_o point_n of_o faith_n and_o come_v from_o grace_n it_o be_v god_n gift_n and_o god_n mercy_n to_o we_o that_o we_o believe_v thus_o much_o and_o do_v not_o his_o hand_n support_v we_o we_o shall_v be_v quick_o roady_o to_o douâ—t_v of_o this_o main_a principle_n to_o overthrow_v the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n and_o to_o say_v in_o our_o heart_n with_o the_o fool_n in_o the_o psalm_n there_o be_v no_o god_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o small_a a_o matter_n neither_o say_v tena_n as_o one_o will_v think_v at_o first_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v for_o we_o must_v believe_v he_o right_o believe_v he_o a_o god_n at_o least_o that_o he_o be_v before_o and_o beyond_o and_o above_o all_o other_o thing_n and_o indeed_o the_o original_n of_o all_o for_o to_o have_v a_o gross_a conceit_n of_o god_n as_o the_o foolish_a heathen_a to_o make_v a_o idol_n of_o he_o in_o our_o fancy_n to_o believe_v he_o any_o corporal_a mutable_a or_o passable_a thing_n be_v indeed_o to_o destroy_v his_o be_v anâ—_n to_o imply_v contradiction_n to_o make_v he_o be_v and_o not_o to_o be_v for_o that_o be_v not_o god_n which_o be_v not_o the_o perfect_a of_o all_o thing_n else_o yea_o which_o be_v not_o perfection_n itself_o say_v he_o so_o that_o in_o this_o point_n of_o god_n be_v there_o be_v include_v in_o a_o manner_n god_n eternity_n and_o oâ—nnipâ—tence_n so_o aquinas_n that_o god_n be_v and_o most_o true_o be_v be_v before_o all_o thing_n olse_o and_o all_o other_o thing_n be_v because_o he_o be_v brief_o four_o difference_n as_o tena_n note_v there_o be_v betwixt_o god_n be_v and_o the_o creature_n which_o unless_o we_o apprehend_v right_o concern_v god_n we_o do_v not_o believe_v that_o he_o be_v first_o where_o be_v the_o creature_n have_v first_o non_fw-la esse_fw-la and_o then_o esse_fw-la first_o be_v not_o and_o then_o at_o god_n pleasure_n begin_v to_o be_v god_n be_v from_o all_o eternity_n never_o can_v we_o imagine_v time_n wherein_o god_n be_v not_o second_o whereas_o the_o creature_n depend_v in_o his_o be_v upon_o such_o and_o such_o cause_n that_o produce_v it_o upon_o such_o and_o such_o help_n that_o suâ—â—aine_v it_o god_n be_v altogether_o independent_a and_o absolute_a behold_v to_o no_o other_o cause_n sustain_v by_o no_o other_o help_n himself_o the_o cause_n of_o all_o cause_n three_o whereas_o all_o creature_n be_v variable_a either_o in_o whole_a or_o in_o parâ—_n the_o very_a heaven_n themselves_o subject_a comâ—tion_n and_o not_o in_o the_o same_o posture_n to_o day_n that_o they_o be_v yesterday_o god_n be_v yesterday_o today_o and_o the_o same_o for_o ever_o subject_n to_o no_o motion_n lyâ—le_a to_o no_o alteration_n in_o who_o iâ—_n neither_o variableness_n nor_o shadow_n of_o change_n say_v st._n james._n four_o whereas_o every_o creature_n have_v more_o in_o it_o of_o non_fw-fr entity_n than_o of_o entity_n it_o be_v in_o itself_o this_o or_o that_o but_o it_o be_v no_o other_o thing_n god_n be_v the_o fullness_n of_o all_o entity_n have_v the_o be_v of_o all_o other_o hang_v unite_v and_o comprehend_v in_o himself_o but_o in_o a_o more_o excellent_a manner_n so_o that_o what_o ever_o be_v or_o goodness_n be_v in_o the_o creature_n the_o same_o be_v transcendent_o in_o god_n and_o better_a in_o god_n than_o in_o the_o creature_n add_v to_o this_o that_o though_o some_o creature_n remain_v for_o ever_o yet_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o shall_v not_o be_v at_o least_o suppose_v they_o take_v away_o yet_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o creation_n may_v stand_v without_o they_o but_o god_n you_o can_v take_v he_o away_o but_o you_o must_v take_v all_o thing_n with_o he_o all_o thing_n in_o he_o live_v and_o have_v their_o be_v all_o thing_n depend_v on_o his_o goodness_n so_o that_o remove_v that_o and_o remove_v all_o the_o world_n nay_o let_v the_o world_n and_o all_o be_v remove_v yet_o the_o be_v of_o god_n remain_v still_o god_n can_v be_v well_o enough_o without_o his_o creature_n as_o he_o be_v before_o they_o so_o true_o he_o be_v that_o he_o be_v what_o he_o be_v exod._n 3.11_o be_v be_v and_o shall_v be_v for_o evermore_o nay_o be_v at_o all_o time_n in_o the_o present_a tense_n neither_o be_v nor_o shall_v bâ—_n proper_o but_o only_o be_v what_o he_o be_v without_o beginning_n or_o enâ—ng_v indeed_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n with_o his_o own_o essence_n to_o who_o esse_fw-la and_o existere_fw-la to_o be_v and_o to_o manifest_v be_v to_o subsist_v and_o to_o continue_v his_o subsistence_n be_v the_o same_o all_o this_o whosoever_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v aught_o to_o believe_v too_o if_o not_o explicit_o yet_o virtual_o or_o he_o know_v not_o what_o he_o believe_v because_o he_o do_v not_o believe_v god_n right_o distinguish_v from_o all_o his_o creature_n but_o here_o arise_v small_a objection_n all_o this_o in_o a_o manner_n may_v be_v find_v out_o by_o natural_a reason_n if_o by_o natural_a reason_n what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o faith_n how_o say_v the_o apostle_n he_o that_o come_v must_v believe_v that_o god_n be_v when_o it_o be_v possible_a by_o argument_n to_o demonstrate_v he_o belief_n presuppose_v want_v of_o knowledge_n we_o can_v know_v and_o beleeveâ—_n oath_n at_o one_o time_n that_o god_n be_v to_o this_o commentator_n frame_v divers_a answer_n as_o namely_o that_o belief_n may_v stand_v with_o some_o kind_n of_o knowledge_n if_o it_o be_v but_o knowledge_n à _fw-la pâ—sterini_fw-la from_o the_o effect_n as_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n be_v so_o sam_n â—on_v other_o that_o the_o apostle_n live_v the_o necessity_n of_o believe_a not_o so_o much_o upon_o this_o point_n that_o god_n be_v as_o upon_o the_o lâ—tter_n that_o god_n be_v a_o rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o seek_v he_o because_o that_o be_v hard_a to_o demonstrate_v other_o that_o the_o apostle_n suppose_v not_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o necessary_a to_o all_o man_n but_o only_o to_o beginner_n for_o it_o be_v he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o be_v in_o his_o first_o come_v before_o he_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v it_o and_o other_o that_o he_o must_v believe_v habitual_o that_o be_v have_v the_o habit_n of_o faith_n to_o believe_v god_n be_v though_o he_o have_v get_v the_o knowledge_n too_o as_o the_o disciple_n which_o see_v christ_n crucify_v before_o their_o eye_n and_o so_o have_v perfect_a knowledge_n of_o his_o passion_n yet_o may_v have_v habitual_a faith_n of_o it_o likewise_o that_o be_v roady_o to_o believe_v this_o article_n also_o if_o they_o do_v not_o know_v it_o â—s_v we_o at_o this_o day_n believe_v it_o to_o leave_v these_o device_n let_v we_o harken_v to_o saint_n augustine_n who_o in_o my_o mind_n give_v the_o true_a answer_n tell_v we_o that_o though_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a knowledge_n touch_v this_o point_n that_o god_n be_v yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o a_o right_a knowledge_n nature_n can_v never_o attain_v to_o a_o perfect_a apprehension_n of_o this_o without_o faith_n for_o nature_n can_v go_v no_o further_o than_o nature_n to_o show_v god_n the_o author_n of_o natural_a good_a thing_n and_o consequent_o natural_a blessing_n and_o no_o other_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o he_o but_o that_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o save_a knowledge_n to_o apprehend_v only_o that_o god_n will_v be_v seek_v and_o acknowledge_v by_o we_o author_n of_o natural_a blessing_n nâ—_n we_o must_v conceive_v he_o the_o fountain_n of_o supernatural_a and_o eternal_a blessing_n and_o not_o of_o temporal_a only_a which_o be_v a_o thing_n beyond_o nature_n skill_n to_o teach_v we_o nature_n know_v no_o other_o life_n but_o this_o and_o perceive_v neither_o reward_n nor_o punishment_n after_o death_n but_o faith_n teach_v we_o this_o in_o the_o first_o place_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o god_n as_o our_o
eternal_a portion_n in_o another_o life_n that_o be_v not_o as_o the_o giver_n of_o natural_a only_a but_o supernatural_a blessing_n it_o be_v but_o a_o vain_a objection_n therefore_o god_n may_v be_v know_v by_o nature_n ergo_fw-la no_o need_n of_o faith_n nay_o sure_a to_o know_v the_o very_a be_v of_o god_n right_o we_o must_v be_v behold_v to_o faith_n for_o natural_a knowledge_n be_v full_a of_o error_n our_o reason_n be_v dim_a and_o blind_a since_o our_o fall_n take_v in_o paradise_n and_o with_o much_o labour_n we_o do_v find_v out_o thing_n before_o uâ—_n say_v the_o wise_a man_n but_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n who_o have_v search_v ouâ—_n if_o god_n himself_o reveal_v not_o such_o thing_n to_o we_o we_o may_v grope_v long_o enough_o in_o the_o dark_a and_o find_v nothing_o add_v to_o this_o that_o admit_v of_o nature_n knowledge_n yet_o what_o be_v most_o part_n of_o man_n the_o better_a for_o that_o it_o be_v so_o long_o in_o learning_n that_o not_o one_o of_o 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thing_n without_o which_o no_o love_n no_o approach_n no_o come_n to_o god_n possible_a oportet_fw-la accedentent_fw-fr credere_fw-la he_o that_o come_v must_v believe_v which_o bring_v we_o on_o to_o the_o next_o gradation_n namely_o believe_v he_o that_o come_v must_v believe_v say_v st._n paul_n and_o it_o be_v no_o weak_a conclusion_n for_o no_o small_a necessity_n lie_v in_o the_o connection_n of_o these_o two_o he_o must_v indeed_o whosoever_o intend_v to_o come_v to_o god_n unless_o he_o will_v stand_v stock_n still_o and_o not_o put_v forward_o one_o foot_n in_o the_o way_n believe_v and_o submit_v his_o judgement_n to_o god_n before_o he_o can_v begin_v to_o come_v for_o faith_n be_v the_o first_o step_n of_o all_o possible_a motion_n to_o godward_o faith_n aquinas_n if_o our_o come_n to_o god_n be_v a_o mental_a come_n not_o a_o corporal_a why_o belief_n be_v the_o very_a first_o act_n of_o the_o mind_n approach_v the_o very_a first_o thing_n that_o the_o mind_n can_v do_v 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