Selected quad for the lemma: law_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
law_n word_n work_n wrought_v 468 4 8.0589 4 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
A42446 The certainty of the Christian revelation, and the necessity of believing it, established in opposition to all the cavils and insinuations of such as pretend to allow natural religion, and reject the Gospel / by Francis Gastrell ... Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725. 1699 (1699) Wing G301; ESTC R14557 148,794 394

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

that_o the_o prophecy_n mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o conceive_v and_o utter_v by_o mere_a man_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o some_o other_o be_v of_o great_a knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n and_o the_o same_o likewise_o may_v easy_o be_v make_v out_o of_o the_o miracle_n there_o record_v that_o they_o be_v such_o work_n as_o man_n alone_o by_o his_o own_o power_n can_v not_o perform_v for_o some_o of_o they_o be_v such_o that_o the_o person_n who_o do_v they_o have_v never_o see_v or_o hear_v of_o before_o as_o cast_v out_o of_o devil_n speak_v unknown_a tongue_n etc._n etc._n how_o come_v it_o then_o into_o their_o mind_n to_o think_v of_o they_o and_o when_o they_o do_v think_v of_o they_o how_o have_v they_o the_o confidence_n to_o believe_v they_o can_v do_v they_o and_o venture_v upon_o a_o trial_n most_o of_o those_o they_o have_v hear_v of_o before_o be_v by_o they_o themselves_o believe_v to_o surpass_v humane_a skill_n and_o to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o a_o high_a power_n and_o therefore_o they_o can_v have_v no_o inducement_n or_o encouragement_n from_o thence_o to_o try_v their_o own_o ability_n upon_o they_o nay_o further_o any_o endeavour_n of_o this_o kind_n be_v utter_o inconsistent_a with_o such_o a_o belief_n as_o be_v here_o suppose_a the_o skill_n or_o art_n of_o do_v any_o of_o they_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n be_v never_o pretend_v to_o before_o and_o be_v never_o know_v to_o any_o other_o person_n whence_o therefore_o have_v these_o man_n their_o great_a unheard_a of_o skill_n raise_v the_o dead_a cure_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o several_a other_o thing_n record_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v always_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o impossible_a to_o be_v effect_v by_o any_o humane_a art_n or_o application_n of_o the_o power_n and_o virtue_n of_o body_n to_o one_o another_o and_o not_o to_o mention_v those_o other_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n which_o seem_v more_o above_o humane_a power_n it_o can_v be_v suppose_v but_o among_o those_o vast_a promiscuous_a multitude_n of_o blind_a lame_a sick_a and_o maim_a that_o be_v cure_v by_o they_o there_o must_v have_v be_v some_o such_o as_o be_v then_o and_o always_o before_o and_o will_v be_v now_o account_v incurable_a by_o the_o help_n of_o any_o know_a remedy_n but_o allow_v that_o the_o secret_a force_n of_o nature_n be_v very_o great_a that_o the_o power_n of_o natural_a body_n and_o their_o operation_n upon_o one_o another_o be_v very_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a and_o that_o we_o can_v conclude_v such_o or_o such_o effect_n be_v impossible_a because_o we_o have_v never_o see_v the_o like_a before_o that_o there_o may_v be_v medicine_n proportion_v to_o every_o disease_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o universal_a remedy_n for_o all_o find_v out_o as_o several_z learned_a man_n have_v imagine_v allow_v i_o say_v all_o this_o and_o suppose_v further_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n be_v acquaint_v with_o all_o these_o mighty_a secret_n yet_o if_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v true_a as_o we_o have_v prove_v before_o it_o be_v the_o wonderful_a cure_n they_o do_v can_v not_o be_v bring_v about_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n such_o as_o be_v here_o intimate_v because_o it_o be_v plain_a by_o the_o account_n we_o have_v of_o these_o matter_n that_o they_o never_o make_v use_n of_o any_o manner_n of_o application_n of_o other_o body_n to_o the_o person_n cure_a by_o they_o except_v one_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o blind_a man_n and_o if_o they_o have_v whatever_o the_o medicine_n be_v which_o they_o use_v no_o body_n can_v have_v be_v cure_a by_o they_o in_o the_o manner_n person_n be_v say_v to_o be_v cure_a in_o the_o new_a testament_n the_o first_o be_v plain_a from_o all_o the_o several_a relation_n there_o give_v of_o the_o cure_n that_o be_v do_v it_o be_v every_o where_o almost_o positive_o affirm_v that_o person_n be_v cure_a by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n immediate_o most_o of_o they_o upon_o their_o speak_v the_o word_n without_o any_o kind_n of_o operation_n or_o process_n some_o of_o they_o by_o a_o touch_n of_o their_o garment_n and_o some_o by_o their_o shadow_n pass_v over_o they_o and_o however_o ignorant_a we_o may_v be_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o body_n we_o comprehend_v the_o whole_a force_n and_o power_n and_o all_o the_o possible_a virtue_n of_o a_o word_n a_o tonch_n of_o a_o garment_n and_o a_o humane_a shadow_n but_o if_o the_o most_o powerful_a medicine_n the_o world_n afford_v have_v be_v apply_v it_o be_v demonstrable_a from_o the_o nature_n and_o law_n of_o motion_n and_o the_o constant_a manner_n of_o operation_n observe_v in_o all_o other_o natural_a work_n that_o the_o cure_v perform_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n can_v not_o have_v be_v wrought_v in_o a_o instant_n nor_o in_o any_o short_a time_n without_o such_o violent_a agitation_n in_o the_o body_n cure_a as_o will_v have_v appear_v in_o strange_a external_n mark_v which_o must_v have_v be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o all_o the_o beholder_n and_o consequent_o some_o of_o they_o will_v have_v be_v mention_v in_o the_o account_n that_o be_v write_v of_o the_o fact_n whereas_o we_o find_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o all_o the_o history_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n unless_o perhaps_o one_o case_n of_o a_o blind_a man_n be_v think_v a_o objection_n to_o what_o be_v here_o advance_v but_o this_o instance_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o by_o some_o to_o prove_v that_o this_o and_o all_o other_o miracle_n be_v bring_v about_o the_o same_o way_n by_o the_o application_n of_o proper_a mean_n be_v a_o very_a good_a argument_n to_o the_o contrary_a for_o beside_o that_o the_o mean_n here_o use_v have_v no_o particular_a fitness_n in_o they_o for_o the_o end_v design_v above_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o this_o be_v the_o slow_a cure_n we_o read_v of_o and_o take_v up_o the_o long_a time_n in_o do_v and_o if_o these_o observation_n hold_v true_a as_o to_o the_o cure_v wrought_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n they_o be_v of_o much_o great_a weight_n with_o respect_n to_o several_a other_o of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o they_o if_o the_o sick_a can_v not_o be_v cure_a by_o a_o word_n be_v speak_v without_o the_o use_n of_o remedy_n how_o can_v the_o dead_a be_v raise_v without_o any_o other_o application_n if_o no_o application_n can_v cure_v the_o sick_a in_o a_o instant_n what_o force_n or_o power_n of_o natural_a body_n can_v raise_v the_o dead_a immediate_o and_o to_o what_o secret_a working_n of_o nature_n can_v we_o ascribe_v the_o power_n of_o speak_v several_a language_n which_o the_o speaker_n be_v utter_o ignorant_a o●_n immediate_o before_o they_o speak_v they_o neither_o be_v it_o to_o any_o purpose_n to_o urge_v that_o the_o relation_n of_o all_o these_o miracle_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v impersect_v and_o several_a circumstance_n omit_v which_o if_o they_o have_v be_v record_v will_v have_v enable_v we_o to_o explain_v how_o the_o fact_n may_v have_v be_v bring_v to_o pass_v in_o a_o natural_a ordinary_a way_n for_o if_o that_o account_n we_o have_v of_o they_o or_o those_o circumstance_n that_o be_v mention_v be_v true_a it_o be_v impossible_a by_o the_o addition_n of_o any_o other_o circumstance_n whatsoever_o to_o make_v the_o event_n appear_v such_o as_o may_v be_v compass_v by_o human_a power_n if_o several_a person_n who_o be_v unknown_a to_o christ_n and_o who_o constitution_n and_o case_n he_o have_v no_o antecedent_n knowledge_n of_o be_v cure_a by_o he_o immediate_o upon_o his_o first_o view_n of_o they_o as_o soon_o as_o he_o have_v speak_v the_o word_n as_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o be_v from_o abundance_n of_o instance_n in_o the_o gospel_n if_o lazarus_n come_v out_o of_o the_o grave_a immediate_o upon_o christ_n calling_n of_o he_o if_o the_o centurion_n servant_n be_v heal_v the_o self_n same_o hour_n christ_n speak_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v do_v without_o his_o go_v to_o the_o house_n where_o he_o lie_v and_o if_o the_o apostle_n be_v enable_v to_o speak_v several_a language_n which_o the_o day_n before_o they_o speak_v they_o they_o know_v nothing_o of_o which_o thing_n be_v all_o positive_o assert_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n let_v we_o imagine_v what_o other_o circumstance_n we_o please_v and_o suppose_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n endue_v with_o all_o the_o knowledge_n and_o power_n that_o any_o man_n ever_o be_v or_o can_v be_v master_n of_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v such_o a_o account_n of_o these_o matter_n consistent_a with_o that_o relation_n we_o have_v of_o they_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n as_o can_v satisfy_v any_o man_n they_o be_v effect_v by_o humane_a skill_n and_o power_n
and_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n with_o purity_n of_o heart_n and_o intention_n to_o submit_v our_o will_n to_o he_o and_o to_o aquiesce_v in_o all_o the_o dispensation_n of_o his_o providence_n with_o the_o utmost_a resignation_n of_o mind_n and_o judgement_n possible_a to_o love_v our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o to_o do_v unto_o all_o man_n as_o we_o will_v they_o shall_v do_v unto_o we_o to_o forgive_v and_o love_v our_o enemy_n to_o bless_v and_o pray_v for_o those_o that_o despiteful_o use_v we_o and_o persecute_v we_o to_o do_v good_a against_o evil_n and_o to_o endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o live_v peaceable_o with_o to_o do_v good_a unto_o and_o to_o promote_v the_o salvation_n of_o all_o men._n to_o deny_v our_o self_n and_o to_o mortify_v all_o our_o lust_n and_o affection_n to_o take_v off_o our_o affection_n from_o thing_n on_o the_o earth_n and_o set_v they_o upon_o thing_n above_o and_o to_o have_v our_o conversation_n in_o heaven_n to_o live_v chaste_o and_o sober_o in_o this_o present_a world_n avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o excess_n and_o intemperance_n to_o bridle_v our_o tongue_n to_o take_v care_n that_o we_o offend_v not_o in_o word_n and_o to_o bring_v every_o thought_n into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n to_o think_v lowly_a of_o ourselves_o with_o all_o humility_n prefer_v each_o other_o to_o humble_v ourselves_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v to_o say_v we_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n to_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o only_o to_o bear_v affliction_n patient_o but_o to_o glory_n in_o they_o and_o rejoice_v that_o we_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o suffer_v these_o and_o all_o other_o the_o particular_a duty_n derive_v from_o they_o we_o be_v require_v constant_o and_o sincere_o to_o endeavour_v to_o perform_v without_o a_o wilful_a allowance_n of_o ourselves_o to_o offend_v in_o one_o point_n or_o to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o and_o whenever_o we_o have_v transgress_v any_o of_o these_o rule_n of_o life_n prescribe_v we_o to_o act_v by_o we_o be_v immediate_o to_o break_v off_o our_o sin_n by_o repentance_n all_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o word_n and_o command_n in_o love_n and_o gratitude_n for_o all_o the_o mercy_n we_o receive_v from_o he_o and_o in_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o enjoy_v eternal_a happiness_n and_o escape_v eternal_a misery_n in_o another_o life_n and_o upon_o no_o other_o account_n or_o prospect_n whatsoever_o these_o be_v the_o only_a true_a end_n and_o motive_n of_o human_a action_n and_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o duty_n and_o obligation_n we_o have_v consider_v the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o religion_n he_o teach_v and_o recommend_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o see_v who_o and_o what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o be_v that_o first_o believe_v in_o he_o who_o assist_v in_o the_o publish_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o it_o and_o persecute_v christ_n and_o all_o that_o bear_v testimony_n to_o he_o those_o that_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o the_o receive_n publish_v and_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v john_n his_o forerunner_n his_o twelve_o apostle_n other_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o such_o as_o be_v particular_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o ministry_n and_o common_a believer_n john_n who_o be_v style_v the_o forerunner_n of_o christ_n and_o one_o that_o be_v to_o prepare_v the_o way_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o parent_n who_o be_v righteous_a before_o god_n and_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n blameless_a his_o conception_n and_o birth_n be_v attend_v with_o many_o extraordinary_a sign_n and_o wonder_n than_o it_o be_v say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o grow_v and_o wax_v strong_a in_o spirit_n and_o be_v in_o the_o desert_n till_o the_o day_n of_o his_o show_v unto_o israel_n and_o his_o raiment_n be_v of_o camel_n hair_n and_o his_o meat_n be_v locust_n and_o wild_a honey_n afterward_o he_o come_v preach_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o judea_n say_v repent_v you_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o many_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o in_o jordan_n confess_v their_o sin_n all_o he_o preach_v to_o and_o baptize_v he_o acquaint_v with_o the_o character_n and_o near_a approach_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n he_o prefer_v to_o himself_o and_o and_o by_o that_o mean_v satisfy_v they_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o christ_n which_o before_o they_o doubt_v of_o little_o more_o be_v record_v of_o his_o preach_a or_o discourse_n but_o only_o some_o particular_a advice_n to_o some_o person_n that_o inquire_v of_o he_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v and_o his_o reproof_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o come_v to_o he_o and_o of_o herod_n for_o which_o last_o he_o be_v put_v in_o prison_n by_o he_o and_o afterward_o behead_v he_o do_v no_o miracle_n but_o the_o austerity_n of_o his_o life_n the_o authority_n of_o his_o preach_a and_o baptise_v and_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o conversation_n make_v he_o look_v upon_o by_o all_o people_n as_o a_o prophet_n jesus_n christ_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v more_o than_o a_o prophet_n and_o even_o herod_n himself_o that_o behead_v he_o fear_v he_o while_o alive_a and_o observe_v he_o and_o when_o he_o hear_v he_o he_o do_v many_o thing_n and_o hear_v he_o glad_o know_v he_o to_o be_v a_o just_a man_n and_o a_o holy_a the_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v all_o of_o they_o person_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n and_o mean_a occupation_n all_o the_o time_n they_o follow_v christ_n they_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v full_o acquaint_v who_o he_o be_v or_o what_o he_o design_v several_a of_o his_o discourse_n they_o understand_v not_o but_o wonder_v what_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v they_o be_v several_a time_n by_o their_o master_n reproach_v for_o want_n of_o apprehension_n and_o knowledge_n in_o the_o scripture_n after_o the_o plain_a discourse_n he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o to_o they_o and_o for_o want_v of_o faith_n and_o courage_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o miracle_n and_o mighty_a work_n he_o have_v do_v before_o they_o and_o they_o themselves_o have_v do_v by_o his_o commission_n they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n or_o deliverer_n who_o be_v to_o restore_v the_o kingdom_n again_o to_o israel_n and_o they_o have_v several_a little_a contest_v among_o themselves_o who_o shall_v be_v great_a in_o the_o kingdom_n they_o fancy_v their_o master_n come_v to_o establish_v they_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v right_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v when_o he_o be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n one_o of_o they_o betray_v he_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v offend_v because_o of_o he_o and_o flee_v but_o one_o of_o they_o that_o return_v after_o he_o solemn_o deny_v he_o and_o immediate_o repent_v and_o he_o that_o betray_v he_o repent_v and_o hang_v himself_o after_o his_o death_n we_o find_v some_o of_o they_o bewail_v themselves_o as_o disappoint_v in_o all_o the_o hope_n and_o expectation_n they_o have_v conceive_v of_o he_o and_o when_o it_o be_v report_v that_o he_o be_v rise_v again_o none_o of_o they_o will_v believe_v it_o till_o they_o see_v he_o themselves_o and_o one_o of_o they_o be_v more_o remarkable_o incredulous_a in_o this_o point_n than_o the_o rest_n till_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o satisfaction_n he_o desire_v but_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o choice_n of_o another_o apostle_n in_o the_o room_n of_o he_o that_o have_v hang_v himself_o we_o find_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n maintain_v a_o different_a character_n from_o what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o master_n life-time_n now_o they_o appear_v perfect_o instruct_v in_o all_o thing_n concern_v christ_n whatsoever_o before_o seem_v strange_a to_o they_o either_o in_o his_o action_n or_o discourse_n be_v all_o unriddle_v and_o the_o scripture_n which_o before_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v now_o make_v plain_a and_o manifest_a and_o as_o their_o knowledge_n be_v enlarge_v their_o faith_n be_v strengthen_v no_o doubt_n or_o distrust_n be_v now_o entertain_v but_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n with_o authority_n and_o full_a assurance_n insomuch_o that_o we_o find_v many_o more_o convert_v at_o their_o preach_v than_o at_o christ_n they_o be_v endue_v with_o new_a power_n which_o they_o have_v not_o whilst_o their_o master_n live_v and_o which_o do_v not_o show_v forth_o
receive_v from_o a_o constant_a repetition_n of_o the_o same_o appearance_n but_o it_o be_v not_o to_o prove_v a_o god_n or_o providence_n or_o the_o first_o general_n principles_n of_o natural_a religion_n that_o miracle_n be_v urge_v these_o thing_n be_v all_o so_o plain_a and_o easy_a without_o such_o a_o confirmation_n that_o they_o be_v altogether_o without_o excuse_n who_o do_v not_o believe_v they_o or_o act_v contrary_a to_o their_o belief_n but_o when_o man_n be_v lose_v and_o go_v out_o of_o the_o way_n and_o be_v become_v altogether_o corrupt_a when_o through_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o serve_v god_n aright_o and_o when_o those_o who_o use_v their_o endeavour_n to_o do_v it_o can_v have_v no_o assurance_n of_o be_v accept_v if_o in_o compassion_n to_o this_o sad_a and_o distress_a estate_n of_o mankind_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o they_o and_o acquaint_v they_o with_o a_o true_a and_o certain_a way_n to_o happiness_n which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o find_v out_o of_o themselves_o what_o perfection_n of_o god_n be_v it_o contrary_a to_o to_o make_v such_o a_o discovery_n to_o his_o creature_n and_o how_o can_v he_o take_v a_o more_o effectual_a way_n to_o convince_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o revelation_n than_o by_o miracle_n which_o be_v real_a effect_n of_o divine_a power_n and_o which_o man_n be_v ready_o dispose_v to_o acknowledge_v as_o infallible_a sign_n and_o indication_n of_o it_o if_o these_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o may_v certain_o be_v know_v to_o be_v so_o as_o have_v already_o be_v prove_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o discourse_n than_o be_v they_o very_o fit_a and_o proper_a proof_n that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o be_v intend_v to_o comfirm_v come_v from_o god_n though_o they_o be_v not_o bring_v about_o by_o a_o immediate_a interposition_n but_o be_v part_n of_o the_o general_n scheme_n of_o nature_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v allow_v to_o be_v a_o derogation_n to_o god_n to_o make_v he_o the_o author_n of_o those_o work_v we_o call_v miracle_n by_o a_o present_a and_o immediate_a exercise_n of_o his_o power_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v no_o diminution_n to_o any_o of_o his_o perfection_n to_o affirm_v that_o original_o at_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n he_o order_v such_o effect_n to_o proceed_v from_o the_o general_a law_n of_o nature_n at_o such_o a_o time_n that_o they_o may_v be_v for_o sign_n and_o token_n to_o mankind_n that_o the_o revelation_n which_o shall_v then_o be_v give_v they_o come_v from_o he_o another_o objection_n make_v to_o the_o argument_n of_o miracle_n be_v that_o miracle_n have_v be_v wrought_v by_o other_o man_n as_o well_o as_o moses_n and_o christ_n and_o as_o great_a as_o those_o that_o be_v record_v of_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o be_v infer_v that_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v be_v never_o the_o true_a for_o their_o work_a miracle_n to_o which_o i_o answer_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v none_o of_o it_o sufficient_o attest_v a_o great_a deal_n or_o it_o manifest_o false_a and_o be_v it_o all_o true_a the_o inference_n draw_v from_o it_o do_v not_o hold_v to_o make_v good_a this_o charge_n i_o shall_v instance_n in_o the_o miracle_n attribute_v to_o vespasian_n and_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n which_o have_v be_v particular_o make_v use_n of_o by_o the_o enemy_n of_o our_o religion_n to_o lessen_v the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o of_o vespasian_n it_o be_v record_v that_o he_o once_o cure_v two_o blind_a man_n but_o the_o strange_a and_o wonderful_a work_n of_o apollonius_n fill_v a_o book_n write_v on_o purpose_n to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o they_o now_o as_o to_o vespasian_n cure_n of_o the_o blind_a it_o be_v but_o one_o single_a miracle_n and_o therefore_o be_v very_o unjust_o compare_v with_o that_o multitude_n of_o mighty_a work_n that_o be_v wrought_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o christ_n neither_o be_v it_o so_o well_o attest_v but_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v why_o it_o shall_v be_v false_a notwithstanding_o the_o reality_n of_o all_o the_o appear_a circumstance_n of_o it_o several_a inducement_n may_v be_v allege_v that_o very_o probable_o dispose_v this_o emperor_n to_o pretend_v to_o such_o a_o miracle_n it_o be_v very_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o his_o design_n may_v be_v bring_v about_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o great_a many_o people_n without_o their_o discover_v the_o cheat_n and_o shall_v any_o have_v find_v it_o out_o it_o be_v very_o obvious_a to_o imagine_v why_o they_o do_v not_o publish_v it_o but_o nothing_o of_o all_o this_o will_v hold_v when_o apply_v to_o christ_n have_v he_o pretend_v to_o no_o more_o than_o the_o cure_n of_o two_o blind_a man_n a_o man_n of_o his_o character_n and_o condition_n in_o the_o world_n can_v not_o promise_v himself_o any_o honour_n respect_n or_o advantage_n from_o such_o a_o pretence_n and_o shall_v he_o have_v make_v this_o use_n of_o it_o he_o will_v very_o probable_o have_v raise_v the_o envy_n of_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o same_o rank_n and_o the_o jealousy_n of_o his_o superior_n upon_o these_o and_o other_o motive_n as_o well_o as_o natural_a curiosity_n a_o great_a many_o will_v have_v be_v very_o industrious_a and_o inquisitive_a in_o search_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o who_o can_v we_o imagine_v so_o far_o concern_v for_o such_o a_o pretender_n as_o to_o be_v privy_a or_o assist_v to_o his_o cheat_n at_o the_o first_o or_o to_o conceal_v his_o shame_n after_o they_o have_v find_v it_o out_o but_o suppose_v a_o account_n can_v be_v give_v in_o one_o or_o two_o instance_n how_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o christ_n to_o pretend_v to_o such_o work_v as_o be_v never_o do_v there_o be_v abundance_n still_o remain_v upon_o record_n that_o be_v manifest_o incapable_a of_o such_o a_o solution_n which_o put_v a_o unanswerable_a difference_n betwixt_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o pretence_n of_o other_o men._n as_o to_o the_o story_n of_o apollonius_n the_o whole_a credit_n of_o it_o depend_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o one_o single_a author_n who_o live_v too_o long_o after_o he_o to_o be_v a_o competent_a witness_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o he_o relate_v and_o be_v too_o credulous_a and_o partial_a to_o be_v believe_v if_o he_o have_v live_v at_o the_o same_o time_n with_o he_o the_o strange_a unusual_a thing_n relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o this_o apollonius_n bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n either_o as_o to_o the_o number_n of_o the_o fact_n and_o person_n concern_v in_o they_o the_o wonderful_a and_o extraordinary_a nature_n of_o they_o the_o beneficial_a design_n of_o they_o or_o the_o public_a and_o hazardous_a manner_n in_o which_o they_o be_v do_v and_o a_o great_a many_o of_o these_o have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a upon_o examination_n from_o the_o manifest_a inconsistency_n and_o contradiction_n in_o the_o relation_n of_o they_o but_o suppose_v the_o miracle_n attribute_v to_o vespasian_n and_o apollonius_n be_v true_a in_o fact_n what_o reason_n can_v we_o allege_v either_o from_o the_o character_n of_o the_o pretend_a author_n the_o end_n and_o design_n they_o act_v upon_o the_o consequence_n and_o effect_n of_o the_o pretence_n or_o from_o any_o other_o circumstance_n of_o their_o story_n that_o the_o strange_a thing_n record_v of_o they_o be_v not_o do_v by_o the_o ministry_n of_o evil_a spirit_n let_v we_o suppose_v far_o that_o the_o fact_n be_v not_o only_o real_a but_o true_a and_o proper_a miracle_n perform_v by_o the_o express_a and_o immediate_a assistance_n of_o god_n what_o can_v be_v infer_v from_o thence_o not_o that_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v true_a because_o these_o miracle_n be_v not_o design_v or_o intend_v for_o a_o confirmation_n of_o it_o not_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v pure_o humane_a because_o the_o whole_a end_n of_o christ_n work_a miracle_n be_v to_o prove_v that_o his_o doctrine_n come_v from_o god_n there_o may_v be_v several_a reason_n give_v why_o it_o may_v please_v god_n sometime_o to_o work_v miracle_n indifferent_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o good_a or_o ill_a man_n man_n of_o a_o true_a or_o false_a religion_n but_o it_o can_v possible_o be_v suppose_v of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v employ_v good_a man_n or_o concur_v with_o the_o wicked_a in_o work_a miracle_n in_o order_n to_o their_o deceive_a mankind_n and_o establish_v a_o lie_n by_o such_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v disprove_v and_o no_o instance_n can_v be_v give_v where_o any_o one_o true_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v by_o a_o person_n that_o make_v use_v of_o it_o to_o prove_v any_o other_o doctrine_n by_o than_o what_o we_o have_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n by_o a_o true_a miracle_n