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Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
knowledge_n know_v nature_n revelation_n 1,266 5 9.3823 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A26960 More reasons for the Christian religion and no reason against it, or, A second appendix to the Reasons of the Christian religion being I. an answer to a letter from an unknown person charging the Holy Scriptures with contradictions, II. some animadversions on a tractate De Veritate, written by ... Edward Herbert, Baron of Cherbury ... / by Richard Baxter. Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.; Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691. Reasons of the Christian religion. 1672 (1672) Wing B1313; ESTC R4139 63,611 190

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to_o banish_v all_o considerable_a doubt_n and_o now_o i_o conclude_v first_o whatever_o be_v true_a be_v objective_o certain_a and_o infallible_o true_a so_o far_o as_o that_o no_o man_n in_o believe_v it_o true_a be_v therein_o deceive_v or_o mistake_v all_o truth_n be_v certain_a infallible_a truth_n in_o itself_o second_o few_o truth_n in_o the_o world_n be_v so_o evident_a as_o that_o a_o blind_v prejudice_v indispose_v person_n may_v not_o be_v ignorant_a of_o they_o or_o err_v about_o they_o three_o all_o truth_n in_o the_o scripture_n have_v not_o equal_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n though_o all_o that_o be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o equal_o so_o know_v have_v equal_a evidence_n in_o the_o formal_a reason_n of_o say_v that_o they_o be_v true_a four_o all_o know_a truth_n be_v infallible_o know_v that_o be_v he_o that_o know_v it_o be_v not_o deceive_v nor_o can_v possible_o be_v deceive_v by_o take_v it_o to_o be_v true_a so_o 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to_o procure_v reveal_v and_o communicate_v that_o love_n and_o pardon_v which_o must_v win_v your_o heart_n to_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o if_o you_o will_v not_o die_v in_o desperation_n but_o have_v the_o hope_n and_o foresight_n of_o a_o better_a life_n you_o have_v little_a reason_n to_o quarrel_v with_o a_o messenger_n from_o heaven_n which_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_v as_o bad_a as_o christian_n be_v if_o personal_a quarrel_n and_o malignity_n blind_v you_o not_o and_o if_o you_o will_v not_o take_v the_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n of_o christianity_n for_o christian_n mere_o because_o they_o assume_v the_o name_n you_o may_v easy_o see_v that_o serious_a christian_n who_o live_v according_a to_o their_o profession_n be_v person_n of_o another_o kind_n of_o excellency_n than_o all_o the_o unbelieving_a world_n i_o know_v that_o from_o some_o self-conceited_a ignorant_a well_o mean_v person_n i_o must_v look_v to_o be_v revile_v and_o call_v a_o betrayer_n of_o christianity_n because_o i_o plead_v not_o for_o it_o in_o their_o way_n and_o give_v you_o any_o other_o answer_n to_o your_o objection_n then_o that_o when_o god_n give_v you_o the_o spirit_n you_o shall_v know_v that_o the_o scripture_n have_v no_o contradiction_n and_o that_o christianity_n be_v the_o true_a religion_n till_o than_o you_o can_v know_v it_o nor_o must_v i_o give_v you_o reason_n for_o it_o but_o i_o do_v my_o work_n and_o let_v who_o will_v wrangle_v and_o revile_v how_o far_o the_o say_n of_o some_o be_v true_a or_o false_a that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o only_a mean_n of_o faith_n or_o save_a knowledge_n of_o god_n that_o it_n be_v principium_fw-la indemonstrabile_fw-la as_o first_o principle_n of_o knowledge_n be_v in_o nature_n that_o as_o other_o say_v it_o have_v evidence_n of_o credibility_n but_o not_o evidence_n of_o certainty_n as_o if_o evidence_n of_o divine_a credibility_n or_o or_o faith_n be_v not_o evidence_n of_o certainty_n that_o faith_n have_v not_o evidence_n but_o evidence_n evacuate_v faith_n or_o the_o merit_n of_o it_o with_o such_o like_a a_o man_n of_o understanding_n may_v gather_v from_o what_o be_v say_v and_o i_o must_v not_o be_v so_o tedious_a as_o particular_o here_o to_o resolve_v they_o have_v do_v it_o in_o preface_n to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o the_o saint_n rest_v edit_fw-la 2._o etc._n etc._n long_v ago_o and_o though_o i_o have_v write_v nothing_o here_o which_o some_o man_n can_v make_v a_o ill_a use_n of_o and_o some_o man_n will_v not_o turn_v to_o matter_n of_o cavil_n and_o reproach_n i_o will_v not_o therefore_o leave_v it_o out_o whilst_o i_o expect_v that_o the_o can_v which_o truth_n be_v fit_v to_o be_v great_a than_o the_o evil_n which_o by_o accident_n and_o abuse_n will_v follow_v it_o and_o because_o you_o seem_v confident_a and_o think_v i_o bind_v to_o answer_v you_o and_o consequent_o all_o other_o not_o know_v how_o many_o hundred_o may_v trouble_v i_o in_o the_o like_a kind_n i_o send_v you_o this_o in_o print_n that_o other_o man_n mistake_n and_o infidelity_n also_o may_v have_v the_o same_o remedy_n but_o i_o shall_v conceal_v your_o name_n and_o dwelling_n lest_o the_o shame_n of_o your_o sin_n shall_v hinder_v your_o patient_a application_n of_o the_o remedy_n save_v only_o by_o tell_v you_o that_o it_o be_v long_o ago_o since_o i_o read_v a_o noble_a learned_a lord_n who_o in_o a_o latin_a book_n de_fw-fr veritate_fw-la contra_fw-la veritatem_fw-la say_v much_o against_o the_o certainty_n of_o faith_n but_o it_o be_v all_o but_o learned_a froth_n and_o vanity_n i_o rest_v a_o servant_n of_o christ_n and_o desirer_n of_o your_o faith_n and_o salvation_n r._n baxter_n dec._n 28._o 16●1_n the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o appendix_n be_v some_o animadversion_n on_o the_o foresay_a treatise_n
all_o which_o and_o much_o more_o it_o appear_v that_o the_o apostle_n though_o then_o in_o a_o state_n of_o justification_n have_v a_o very_a general_n and_o defective_a knowledge_n of_o the_o office_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o though_o his_o prophetical_a office_n be_v ordinary_o believe_v joh._n 4._o the_o samaritan_n woman_n can_v say_v when_o the_o messiah_n come_v he_o will_v tell_v we_o all_o thing_n and_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n expect_v yet_o his_o spiritual_a kingdom_n and_o especial_o his_o priestly_a office_n by_o his_o sacrifice_n death_n resurrection_n heavenly_a intercession_n for_o all_o the_o old_a type_n and_o sacrifice_n be_v little_o understand_v by_o the_o disciple_n yea_o he_o sometime_o sorbad_v they_o and_o other_o to_o tell_v man_n that_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n because_o the_o great_a evidence_n of_o his_o resurrection_n ascension_n and_o spirit_n by_o which_o it_o be_v to_o be_v evince_v be_v yet_o to_o come_v and_o we_o believe_v not_o that_o all_o that_o be_v save_v before_o have_v more_o knowledge_n than_o the_o apostle_n so_o that_o though_o all_o the_o faithful_a jew_n believe_v in_o the_o promise_a seed_n even_o the_o messiah_n as_o one_o that_o be_v to_o be_v send_v to_o be_v their_o deliverer_n and_o saviour_n yet_o it_o be_v by_o a_o say_v that_o be_v very_o general_a and_o far_o from_o that_o distinctness_n which_o after_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v require_v of_o all_o to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v promuglate_v which_o i_o have_v say_v the_o more_o of_o to_o you_o lest_o you_o think_v that_o we_o hold_v what_o we_o do_v not_o and_o so_o take_v occasion_n to_o err_v by_o suppose_v we_o to_o err_v clemens_n alexandrinus_n justin_n martyr_n arnobius_n lactantius_n and_o other_o old_a christian_n do_v go_v yet_o further_o then_o yet_o i_o have_v concede_v to_o you_o and_o our_o very_a learned_a dr._n twisse_n do_v argue_v that_o god_n can_v have_v save_v the_o world_n without_o a_o redeemer_n if_o he_o have_v please_v because_o he_o save_v the_o faithful_a under_o the_o old_a testament_n without_o any_o existent_a mediator_n except_o god_n himself_o or_o any_o existent_a sacrifice_n or_o merit_n or_o intercssion_n of_o he_o and_o because_o he_o save_v infant_n without_o faith_n but_o for_o the_o first_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v at_o best_a too_o great_a temerity_n or_o audacity_n to_o dispute_v whether_o god_n can_v have_v do_v thing_n better_a or_o otherwise_o which_o he_o have_v do_v so_o well_o of_o which_o i_o have_v say_v more_o in_o my_o premonition_n before_o my_o treatise_n call_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o infidelity_n though_o i_o know_v that_o wallaeus_n and_o many_o other_o learned_a protestant_n say_v the_o same_o and_o as_o for_o infant_n they_o be_v not_o save_v without_o the_o sacrifice_n and_o grace_n of_o the_o redeemer_n though_o they_o know_v he_o not_o nor_o be_v they_o in_o the_o covenant_n without_o the_o faith_n of_o their_o parent_n or_o owner_n which_o be_v as_o their_o own_o and_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o prorphet_n be_v call_v the_o spirit_n of_o chrict_a 1_o pet._n 1._o 11._o and_o the_o reproach_n of_o moses_n be_v the_o reproach_n of_o christ_n heb._n 11._o 26._o we_o may_v much_o more_o conclude_v of_o the_o ordinary_a believer_n before_o his_o come_n that_o christ_n interest_n and_o his_o spirit_n operation_n and_o help_n extend_v much_o further_a than_o man_n understanding_n of_o he_o his_o undertake_n and_o his_o future_a work_n no_o doubt_n but_o the_o eternal_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o have_v undertake_v man_n redemption_n and_o thereupon_o be_v our_o lord_n redeemer_n give_v even_o to_o socrates_n plato_n cicero_n seneca_n antonine_n epistotus_n plutarch_n etc._n etc._n what_o light_n and_o mercy_n they_o have_v though_o they_o understand_v not_o well_o from_o who_o or_o upon_o what_o ground_n they_o have_v they_o nineth_o and_o also_o we_o hold_v that_o the_o jew_n be_v not_o the_o whole_a of_o god_n kingdom_n or_o church_n of_o redeem_a one_o in_o the_o world_n as_o i_o have_v full_o prove_v elsewhere_o but_o that_o as_o the_o covenant_n be_v make_v with_o all_o mankind_n so_o among_o they_o god-had_a other_o servant_n beside_o the_o jew_n though_o it_o be_v they_o that_o have_v the_o extraordinary_a benediction_n of_o be_v his_o peculiar_a sacred_a people_n ten_o and_o we_o hold_v that_o as_o the_o jew_n have_v by_o promise_n prophecy_n and_o type_n more_o mean_n to_o know_v god_n and_o the_o messiah_n to_o come_v than_o other_o nation_n so_o they_o be_v answerable_o oblige_v to_o more_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n than_o other_o nation_n be_v that_o have_v not_o nor_o can_v have_v their_o mean_n if_o then_o all_o the_o world_n be_v under_o the_o first_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o if_o you_o confess_v this_o to_o proceed_v from_o the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o that_o man_n be_v bind_v so_o to_o believe_v and_o if_o christ_n since_o his_o incarnation_n have_v diminish_v none_o of_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o the_o world_n but_o rather_o great_o increase_v they_o and_o so_o where_o the_o gospel_n be_v not_o preach_v nor_o can_v be_v have_v they_o that_o refuse_v it_o not_o be_v in_o no_o worse_a case_n than_o they_o be_v before_o how_o can_v you_o say_v that_o they_o be_v remediless_a if_o christ_n be_v the_o ransom_n and_o remedy_n we_o know_v that_o all_o man_n partake_v of_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o mercy_n from_o god_n after_o the_o notorious_a demerit_n of_o their_o sin_n we_o know_v that_o this_o mercy_n tell_v they_o aloud_o that_o god_n deal_v not_o with_o they_o according_a to_o the_o first_o law_n of_o innocency_n they_o see_v he_o pardon_v they_o they_o feel_v that_o he_o pardon_v they_o in_o part_n that_o be_v that_o he_o use_v they_o not_o as_o they_o deserve_v we_o know_v that_o all_o this_o mercy_n oblige_v they_o to_o hope_v that_o he_o will_v yet_o be_v further_a merciful_a and_o to_o repentance_n obedience_n thankfulness_n and_o love_n we_o know_v that_o the_o heathen_a be_v no_o left_a as_o the_o devil_n without_o remedy_n but_o all_o the_o nation_n be_v under_o divine_a obligation_n to_o use_v certain_a mean_n which_o have_v a_o tendency_n to_o their_o recovery_n and_o we_o know_v that_o god_n bid_v no_o man_n to_o use_v his_o mean_n in_o vain_a four_o let_v we_o therefore_o first_o debate_v this_o case_n with_o any_o unbeliever_n that_o have_v your_o objection_n whether_o you_o have_v any_o fault_n to_o find_v with_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n of_o the_o way_n of_o man_n salvation_n for_o the_o first_o 4000_o year_n before_o the_o incarnation_n of_o our_o lord_n if_o you_o have_v first_o be_v it_o with_o the_o author_n second_o or_o with_o the_o term_n and_o condition_n of_o life_n first_o the_o author_n then_o be_v none_o but_o god_n the_o eternal_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wisdom_n and_o word_n do_v interpose_v to_o prevent_v the_o execution_n of_o strict_a justice_n by_o resolve_v to_o glorify_v love_n and_o mercy_n do_v you_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n eternal_a wisdom_n or_o word_n do_v you_o deny_v he_o to_o be_v god_n himself_o or_o a_o divine_a subsistence_n &_o dream_v that_o it_o be_v but_o some_o accident_n in_o god_n no_o your_o fair_a description_n of_o god_n p._n 210._o discharge_v you_o from_o the_o imputation_n of_o so_o gross_a a_o error_n you_o will_v say_v that_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o goodness_n interpose_v as_o well_o as_o the_o divine_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d wisdom_n and_o word_n true_a opera_fw-la trinitatis_fw-la ad_fw-la extra_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o divisa_fw-la but_o so_o that_o each_o have_v a_o eminency_n in_o his_o own_o work_n though_o not_o as_o separate_v or_o a_o solitary_a principle_n or_o cause_n the_o father_n and_o divine_a vital_a active_a power_n be_v eminent_o glorify_v in_o the_o creation_n the_o son_n and_o divine_a wisdom_n be_v eminent_o glorify_v in_o the_o make_n of_o the_o remedying_a medicine_n and_o the_o divine_a love_n and_o spirit_n be_v eminent_o glorify_v in_o the_o operation_n of_o it_o to_o the_o health_n and_o salvation_n of_o the_o soul_n the_o son_n and_o the_o wisdom_n or_o word_n do_v not_o finish_v all_o the_o work_n himself_o but_o with_o the_o father_n and_o divine_a power_n send_v the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o communicate_v to_o man_n the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o all_o together_o will_v be_v glorify_v in_o our_o glorification_n second_o and_o if_o it_o be_v the_o term_n of_o life_n that_o do_v offend_v you_o first_o it_o be_v either_o the_o term_n of_o satisfy_v the_o justice_n of_o god_n second_o or_o the_o term_n of_o convey_v the_o benefit_n to_o man_n first_o for_o the_o first_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o it_o to_o give_v offence_n for_o we_o dream_v not_o of_o any_o extrinsical_a agent_n or_o action_n much_o less_o that_o which_o
doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n ergo_fw-la it_o be_v true_a as_o attest_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n i_o say_v before_o the_o first_o be_v a_o natural_a verity_n the_o second_o proposition_n be_v partly_o of_o sense_n and_o partly_o of_o internal_a and_o partly_o external_a experience_n as_o be_v large_o manifest_v now_o as_o to_o the_o question_n first_o no_o doubt_n but_o our_o natural_a faculty_n must_v be_v use_v in_o try_v supernatural_a truth_n second_o no_o doubt_v he_o that_o dispute_v with_o or_o preach_v to_o a_o unbeliever_n so_o as_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o deliver_v to_o be_v true_a must_v deal_v with_o he_o upon_o some_o common_a principle_n which_o both_o party_n be_v agree_v in_o or_o else_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o proof_n or_o for_o dispute_v three_o but_o some_o person_n be_v so_o ignorant_a of_o those_o certain_a principle_n which_o infer_v the_o truth_n of_o gospel_n revelation_n that_o they_o have_v need_n first_o to_o be_v convince_v of_o they_o which_o 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no_o a_o revelation_n make_v to_o other_o may_v be_v certain_o notify_v to_o i_o else_o if_o a_o angel_n from_o heaven_n shall_v appear_v to_o all_o man_n in_o the_o town_n and_o country_n save_o one_o or_o if_o all_o save_v one_o see_v a_o thousand_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v a_o revelation_n yet_o that_o one_o can_v not_o be_v sure_a of_o it_o but_o i_o have_v by_o abundance_n of_o argument_n in_o a_o peculiar_a disputation_n in_o a_o treatise_n call_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o unbelief_n long_o ago_o full_o prove_v the_o negative_a and_o again_o in_o my_o reas_n of_o the_o christian_a relig._n therefore_o i_o will_v not_o weary_a the_o reader_n with_o repetion_n x._o quest_n whether_o any_o concurrence_n of_o moral_a evidence_n at_o least_o such_o as_o gospel_n revelation_n have_v do_v true_o amount_v to_o natural_a or_o certain_a evidence_n de_fw-fr rev._n &_o verisim_n answ._n this_o question_n too_o i_o have_v plain_o decide_v in_o the_o reas_n of_o christian_a relig._n i_o now_o add_v first_o the_o name_n of_o moral_a evidence_n be_v here_o take_v by_o those_o that_o use_v it_o for_o that_o which_o depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o a_o voluntary_a agent_n as_o such_o and_o the_o name_n of_o natural_a evidence_n signify_v that_o which_o depend_v on_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n in_o itself_o consider_v but_o i_o somewhat_o doubt_v whether_o all_o that_o use_v the_o distinction_n do_v common_o understand_v the_o difference_n or_o what_o they_o say_v second_o note_v that_o the_o all_o or_o effect_n of_o a_o voluntary_a agent_n have_v nevertheless_o a_o natural_a evidence_n when_o it_o be_v do_v or_o existent_a if_o i_o voluntary_o speak_v or_o write_v or_o go_v my_o action_n be_v natural_o evident_a to_o those_o that_o see_v and_o hear_v it_o as_o present_v sensitive_a witness_n of_o it_o if_o i_o free_o build_v a_o house_n it_o be_v nevertheless_o natural_o evident_a when_o it_o be_v build_v all_o thing_n existent_a in_o the_o universe_n be_v make_v by_o god_n as_o a_o free_a agent_n and_o yet_o be_v nevertheless_o natural_o evident_a three_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v when_o it_o be_v if_o corporeal_a be_v natural_o evident_a to_o those_o that_o have_v their_o faculty_n in_o those_o condition_n that_o be_v necessary_a and_o have_v the_o object_n in_o its_o necessary_a magnitude_n cognation_n detection_n site_n distance_z medium_n and_o abode_n four_o the_o judgement_n that_o be_v make_v upon_o sense_n itself_o fail_v as_o this_o noble_a author_n have_v well_o open_v when_o either_o the_o object_n the_o evidence_n the_o sense_n or_o the_o intellect_n want_v their_o necessary_a condition_n or_o qualification_n else_o not_o five_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o freedom_n and_o morality_n be_v the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o the_o moral_a evidence_n of_o truth_n which_o be_v in_o god_n word_n when_o know_v to_o be_v his_o word_n be_v as_o sure_a as_o any_o natural_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n there_o be_v the_o sure_a natural_a evidence_n ab_fw-la effect_n be_v at_o least_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n most_o perfect_a that_o can_v lie_v six_o the_o essence_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v but_o imperfect_o evident_a to_o we_o the_o existence_n of_o corporeal_a thing_n that_o be_v present_a and_o due_o qualify_v be_v full_o evident_a the_o existence_n of_o thing_n absent_a beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o sense_n be_v evident_a only_o to_o the_o discursive_a intellect_n not_o by_o the_o immediate_a natural_a evidence_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o but_o by_o a_o borrow_a evidence_n from_o cause_n or_o sign_n discourse_n improve_n the_o fundamental_a common_a truth_n for_o the_o know_v of_o the_o rest_n by_o prove_v a_o certain_a connexion_n between_o they_o the_o praterition_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o futurition_n be_v both_o like_a the_o distant_a existence_n unknown_a to_o sense_n and_o the_o immediate_a apprehension_n of_o the_o intellect_n and_o therefore_o must_v both_o be_v know_v also_o by_o collection_n as_o conclusion_n in_o discourse_n or_o not_o at_o all_o seven_o man_n be_v not_o bear_v to_o know_v only_a thing_n present_v in_o their_o existence_n by_o sense_n but_o also_o to_o know_v thing_n absent_a thing_n as_o past_a and_o thing_n as_o future_a and_o herein_o he_o chies_o differ_v from_o a_o bruit_n eight_o though_o the_o understanding_n be_v most_o confident_a of_o thing_n sensible_a &_o present_a yet_o about_o thing_n absent_a past_a and_o future_a it_o oft_o doubt_v more_o and_o be_v less_o satisfy_v in_o its_o own_o conclusion_n from_o natural_a principle_n than_o from_o moral_n because_o sometime_o the_o natural_a principle_n themselves_o though_o not_o the_o first_o yet_o the_o second_o or_o three_o may_v be_v so_o obscure_a as_o to_o leave_v the_o mind_n unsatisfied_a second_o and_o the_o connexion_n among_o many_o particular_n may_v be_v obscure_a and_o doubtful_a three_o and_o in_o the_o long_a series_n of_o collection_n or_o argue_v the_o understanding_n suspect_v its_o own_o fallibility_n so_o that_o when_o conclusion_n be_v far_o fetch_v though_o from_o natural_a principle_n the_o mind_n may_v be_v still_o in_o doubt_n about_o they_o and_o on_o the_o contrary_a when_o in_o the_o way_n of_o revelation_n the_o ground_n be_v clear_a and_o the_o understanding_n have_v few_o collection_n to_o make_v and_o a_o short_a journey_n to_o go_v it_o may_v be_v far_o better_a satisfy_v of_o the_o truth_n nine_o man_n be_v own_o necessity_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o god_n do_v give_v we_o supernatural_a revelation_n and_o call_v we_o to_o know_v by_o the_o way_n of_o believe_v for_o first_o most_o man_n be_v natural_o dull_a second_o few_o have_v leisure_n by_o learning_n to_o improve_v their_o intellect_n three_o and_o few_o have_v leisure_n &_o disposition_n to_o exercise_v they_o by_o long_a search_n &_o argumentation_n upon_o every_o thing_n that_o they_o shall_v know_v four_o and_o
therefore_o where_o revelation_n be_v not_o few_o be_v wise_a or_o virtuous_a and_o the_o philosopher_n themselves_o be_v all_o to_o piece_n among_o themselves_o and_o their_o disagreement_n and_o doubtfulness_n tend_v to_o the_o gulf_n of_o utter_a scepticism_n now_o as_o nothing_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o religion_n as_o you_o well_o profess_v so_o religion_n consist_v very_o little_a in_o the_o sensible_a apprehension_n of_o of_o present_a existence_n but_o in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n absent_a or_o insensible_a thing_n pass_v and_o especial_o thing_n to_o come_v the_o happiness_n to_o be_v attain_v and_o the_o misery_n to_o be_v escape_v now_o if_o all_o the_o poor_a unlearned_a man_n and_o woman_n in_o the_o world_n must_v have_v know_v all_o these_o thing_n only_o by_o natural_a discourse_n how_o little_a religion_n will_v have_v be_v in_o the_o world_n when_o the_o philosopher_n know_v so_o little_a themselves_o and_o though_o your_o learning_n and_o understand_v make_v the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n so_o clear_a to_o you_o and_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o another_o life_n as_o that_o you_o number_v it_o with_o the_o common_a notice_n yet_o be_v not_o the_o old_a philosopher_n themselves_o so_o common_o agree_v on_o it_o as_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v much_o less_o all_o the_o common_a people_n and_o if_o you_o say_v that_o now_o almost_o all_o the_o world_n believe_v it_o i_o answer_v it_o be_v god_n great_a mercy_n that_o it_o be_v so_o but_o consider_v whether_o it_o be_v not_o more_o by_o the_o way_n of_o believe_v than_o of_o natural_a instinct_n or_o knowledge_n for_o all_o the_o christian_n and_o all_o the_o mahometan_n who_o believe_v the_o word_n of_o moses_n and_o christ_n also_o take_v it_o by_o the_o way_n of_o believe_v and_o so_o do_v most_o of_o the_o heathen_n the_o japonian_o have_v their_o amida_n and_o zaca_n the_o chinenses_n the_o indian_n the_o siamenses_n the_o peguan_o etc._n etc._n have_v all_o their_o prophet_n and_o the_o very_a savage_n of_o all_o the_o west-indies_n or_o america_n have_v their_o idol_n oracle_n or_o wizard_n who_o they_o far_o more_o depend_v on_o than_o their_o natural_a discourse_n about_o thing_n invisible_a past_a or_o future_a so_o that_o real_o if_o commonuess_n go_v with_o you_o for_o a_o proof_n that_o any_o point_n be_v of_o natural_a instinct_n and_o certainty_n as_o a_o notitia_fw-la communis_fw-la this_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o that_o religion_n consist_v in_o the_o notice_n of_o and_o due_a respect_n to_o thing_n absent_a invisible_a past_a and_o future_a be_v to_o be_v maintain_v in_o the_o world_n by_o divine_a revelation_n and_o faith_n and_o not_o by_o the_o immediate_a evidence_n of_o thing_n nor_o by_o mere_a discursive_a collection_n from_o thing_n so_o evident_a so_o that_o man_n weakness_n with_o the_o quality_n of_o the_o object_n make_v revelation_n so_o necessary_a that_o without_o it_o the_o vulgar_a who_o be_v the_o main_a body_n of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v next_o to_o no_o religion_n and_o on_o the_o contrary_a how_o easy_a and_o pleasant_a and_o satisfactory_a be_v it_o for_o all_o these_o poor_a people_n yea_o to_o the_o most_o learned_a to_o have_v these_o mysterious_a truth_n bring_v by_o revelation_n to_o their_o hand_n now_o through_o god_n mercy_n all_o our_o common_a people_n woman_n and_o child_n servant_n and_o day-labourer_n may_v know_v more_o with_o ease_n than_o ever_o democritus_n epicurus_n antisthenes_n zeno_n yea_o socrates_n plato_n or_o aristotle_n can_v reach_v by_o all_o their_o study_n to_o the_o last_o more_o i_o say_v of_o religious_a necessary_a knowledge_n ten_o and_o this_o be_v so_o necessary_a and_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n to_o mankind_n i_o wonder_v that_o you_o put_v it_o not_o among_o your_o common_a notice_n that_o god_n be_v perfect_a in_o love_n and_o wisdom_n and_o have_v make_v man_n purposely_o to_o be_v religious_a here_o and_o happy_a hereafter_o will_v certain_o provide_v for_o his_o religion_n and_o happiness_n so_o necessary_a and_o so_o excellent_a a_o mean_n as_o revelation_n be_v god_n be_v the_o father_n and_o lover_n of_o light_n and_o of_o soul_n and_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o prince_n and_o friend_n of_o darkness_n consider_v whether_o you_o may_v not_o strong_o infer_v from_o the_o very_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o nature_n and_o necessity_n of_o man_n and_o the_o other_o communication_n of_o god_n mercy_n to_o the_o world_n that_o he_o will_v certain_o give_v they_o this_o great_a mercy_n also_o eleven_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n have_v way_n of_o communicate_v light_n to_o man_n understanding_n immediate_o and_o not_o only_o by_o extrinsic_a sensible_a object_n the_o father_n of_o spirit_n who_o communicate_v so_o much_o to_o the_o corporeal_a world_n be_v not_o further_o from_o soul_n nor_o more_o out_o of_o love_n with_o they_o but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o difference_n may_v rather_o be_v think_v to_o hold_v a_o near_a more_o immediate_a communion_n with_o they_o than_o with_o body_n and_o to_o be_v himself_o to_o the_o mind_n what_o the_o sun_n be_v to_o the_o eye_n and_o more_o twelve_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n can_v give_v the_o stander_n by_o that_o have_v no_o revelation_n immediate_o themselves_o asleep_o full_o satisfactory_a attestation_n or_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o another_o man_n revelation_n he_o that_o deny_v this_o make_v god_n to_o be_v impotent_a thirteen_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o attestation_n which_o i_o describe_v in_o the_o reason_n of_o christian_a religion_n be_v such_o suppose_v that_o such_o be_v give_v viz._n in_o the_o antecedent_n testimony_n of_o fulfil_a prophecy_n the_o constitutive_a testimony_n of_o god_n spirit_n apparent_a in_o the_o effect_n on_o christ_n person_n and_o on_o his_o gospel_n and_o the_o concomitant_a testimony_n of_o all_o his_o miracle_n and_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n and_o the_o subsequent_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n on_o the_o apostle_n their_o miracle_n and_o doctrine_n and_o on_o the_o soul_n of_o all_o serious_a christian_n to_o the_o world_n end_n these_o be_v thing_n set_v all_o together_o first_o which_o none_o but_o god_n can_v do_v second_o and_o which_o god_n will_v not_o do_v to_o deceive_v the_o world_n three_o yea_o which_o god_n will_v not_o permit_v to_o be_v do_v to_o deceive_v they_o in_o so_o high_a a_o matter_n because_o he_o be_v the_o omnipotent_a omniscient_a gracious_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n and_o if_o these_o testimony_n be_v not_o of_o god_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o know_v any_o testimony_n to_o be_v of_o god_n and_o see_v w●●●_n have_v no_o sure_a it_o will_v be_v man_n duty_n to_o believe_v and_o obey_v and_o be_v rule_v by_o a_o lie_n and_o if_o it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o believe_v god_n to_o be_v so_o defective_a either_o in_o power_n wisdom_n or_o goodness_n holiness_n truth_n justice_n or_o mercy_n as_o to_o rule_v the_o world_n and_o the_o best_a of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o great_a matter_n by_o lie_v and_o deceit_n as_o if_o he_o want_v better_a mean_n what_o wit_n can_v devise_v any_o remedy_n against_o such_o deceit_n as_o shall_v be_v so_o attest_v as_o aforesaid_a or_o if_o deceit_n can_v be_v perceive_v how_o can_v it_o be_v man_n duty_n to_o believe_v it_o see_v man_n intellect_n be_v natural_o make_v for_o truth_n and_o abhor_v falsehood_n and_o how_o can_v it_o be_v good_a to_o obey_v deceit_n and_o lie_n and_o when_o the_o devil_n be_v the_o father_n of_o lie_n what_o blasphemy_n be_v it_o to_o charge_v they_o on_o god_n by_o this_o it_o will_v be_v apparent_a that_o the_o question_n must_v be_v in_o the_o upshot_n whether_o there_o be_v a_o god_n or_o no_o god_n and_o so_o whether_o there_o be_v any_o thing_n or_o nothing_o fourteen_o there_o be_v some_o moral_a historical_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o thing_n past_a which_o be_v as_o certain_a and_o much_o more_o satisfactory_a than_o the_o natural_a evidence_n of_o conclusion_n raise_v by_o a_o long_a series_n of_o argumentation_n yea_o some_o which_o be_v true_o a_o natural_a evidence_n though_o it_o depend_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o free_a agent_n the_o proof_n and_o reason_n i_o have_v give_v in_o the_o treat_n first_o the_o will_n though_o free_a be_v quaedam_fw-la natura_fw-la and_o have_v its_o natural_a propensity_n to_o know_v good_a as_o the_o understanding_n also_o be_v and_o have_v its_o natural_a propensity_n to_o truth_n and_o the_o understanding_n be_v not_o free_a of_o itself_o but_o act_v per_fw-la modum_fw-la naturae_fw-la second_o there_o be_v some_o of_o the_o act_n of_o the_o will_n itself_o which_o be_v so_o free_a as_o yet_o to_o be_v necessary_a as_o to_o will_v good_a sub_fw-la ratione_fw-la boni_fw-la to_o will_v our_o own_o felicity_n and_o will_v our_o own_o misery_n to_o will_v life_n and_o