apostle_n be_v man_n illiterate_a and_o of_o part_n and_o education_n so_o mean_a that_o they_o seem_v no_o way_n capable_a to_o write_v so_o profound_o to_o lay_v so_o deep_a a_o contrivement_n of_o mischief_n or_o by_o the_o single_a strength_n of_o their_o own_o ability_n to_o bid_v so_o fair_a to_o delude_v the_o world_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o imagine_v man_n of_o such_o distant_a quality_n and_o different_a ability_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o imposture_n and_o so_o harmonise_v as_o we_o find_v they_o do_v in_o the_o promotion_n of_o it_o three_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o interest_n of_o these_o writer_n as_o they_o be_v reasonable_a man_n for_o so_o we_o must_v needs_o suppose_v they_o and_o to_o act_v upon_o the_o same_o inducement_n that_o mankind_n do_v in_o all_o other_o thing_n no_o man_n can_v reap_v any_o advantage_n by_o counterfeit_v this_o book_n nor_o can_v the_o composer_n thereof_o design_v any_o earthly_a or_o heavenly_a good_a to_o themselves_o as_o a_o recompense_n for_o such_o a_o undertake_n not_o heavenly_a for_o it_o be_v the_o high_a offence_n against_o god_n and_o merit_v the_o high_a punishment_n nor_o earthly_a and_o that_o upon_o these_o two_o ground_n first_o because_o the_o tendency_n of_o the_o book_n throughout_o be_v to_o mortify_v man_n earthly_a ambition_n and_o appetite_n and_o to_o propose_v a_o happiness_n of_o another_o nature_n as_o man_n great_a interest_n and_o relate_v to_o another_o world_n and_o no_o man_n of_o common_a discretion_n that_o design_v to_o greaten_v himself_o here_o will_v choose_v to_o become_v the_o author_n of_o such_o a_o doctrine_n in_o order_n to_o it_o because_o every_o step_n he_o advance_v that_o way_n will_v visible_o betray_v a_o apostasy_n from_o his_o own_o principle_n and_o render_v he_o a_o open_a impostor_n merit_v the_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o all_o mankind_n second_o the_o most_o of_o those_o that_o god_n employ_v in_o that_o work_n actual_o expose_v themselves_o by_o the_o do_n of_o it_o to_o all_o the_o persecution_n hazard_n and_o contempt_n imaginable_a and_o some_o of_o they_o as_o among_o the_o prophet_n isaiah_n jeremiah_n amos_n and_o ezekiel_n and_o all_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o what_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v they_o as_o history_n assure_v we_o save_v only_o the_o apostle_n john_n with_o the_o loss_n of_o their_o own_o life_n publish_v their_o doctrine_n it_o be_v a_o thing_n great_o ridiculous_a to_o imagine_v so_o many_o man_n in_o so_o many_o age_n shall_v agree_v to_o cheat_v the_o world_n to_o no_o other_o end_n but_o their_o own_o certain_a ruin_n both_o in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o what_o end_n can_v many_o of_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o those_o unwelcome_a message_n they_o bring_v to_o those_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o for_o which_o they_o know_v beforehand_o they_o shall_v meet_v with_o so_o much_o ill_a usage_n no_o man_n can_v be_v so_o sottish_a to_o think_v jeremiah_n design_v to_o himself_o any_o interest_n in_o this_o world_n when_o he_o prophesy_v himself_o into_o the_o dungeon_n and_o at_o last_o into_o his_o grave_n or_o that_o the_o apostle_n design_v greatness_n or_o happiness_n here_o when_o they_o know_o expose_v themselves_o to_o all_o the_o rage_n that_o be_v then_o upon_o earth_n and_o endure_v the_o shock_n of_o all_o that_o fury_n which_o either_o jew_n or_o gentile_n or_o the_o whole_a world_n together_o can_v execute_v upon_o they_o he_o that_o read_v the_o story_n of_o st._n paul_n must_v needs_o suppose_v he_o to_o act_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o all_o folly_n and_o madness_n and_o not_o like_o a_o man_n either_o capable_a of_o instruct_v or_o abuse_v mankind_n if_o he_o intend_v any_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n as_o his_o end_n the_o motive_n of_o those_o holy_a writer_n in_o what_o they_o do_v can_v with_o any_o colour_n of_o reason_n be_v judge_v to_o be_v other_o then_o pure_a obedience_n to_o god_n love_v to_o truth_n and_o prefer_v a_o reward_n hereafter_o above_o their_o own_o life_n and_o all_o enjoyment_n here_o how_o high_o do_v they_o preach_v up_o obedience_n and_o submission_n to_o magistrate_n when_o all_o the_o ruler_n upon_o earth_n be_v their_o most_o bitter_a enemy_n and_o that_o doctrine_n can_v have_v no_o other_o effect_n but_o to_o bring_v their_o own_o head_n to_o the_o block_n the_o author_n of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n be_v of_o a_o very_a different_a genius_n and_o as_o one_o say_v well_o of_o they_o cute_fw-la authores_fw-la superstitionis_fw-la inter_fw-la gentes_fw-la omnes_fw-la sibi_fw-la &_o suis_fw-la semper_fw-la conciliarunt_fw-la dignitatem_fw-la nor_o be_v there_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n write_v by_o any_o of_o they_o with_o any_o the_o least_o show_n of_o intention_n to_o greaten_v or_o advance_v themselves_o thereby_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a many_o of_o the_o most_o eminent_a of_o they_o have_v themselves_o record_v their_o own_o great_a fatling_n and_o imperfection_n as_o well_o secret_a as_o open_v they_o all_o appear_v to_o be_v themselves_o under_o a_o subjection_n to_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v which_o plain_o declare_v they_o be_v inspire_v from_o above_o and_z no_o way_n master_n of_o it_o as_o a_o creature_n of_o their_o own_o throughout_o the_o whole_a book_n there_o be_v a_o visible_a antipathy_n to_o all_o self-seeking_a flattery_n or_o compliance_n god_n alone_o be_v exalt_v and_o all_o man_n person_n action_n and_o reputation_n be_v open_o postpone_v to_o his_o honour_n and_o put_v in_o subjection_n to_o those_o holy_a and_o excellent_a truth_n there_o deliver_v moses_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n seem_v the_o gâ—etâ—st_a gainer_n in_o this_o world_n because_o it_o be_v necessary_a at_o that_o time_n god_n shall_v raise_v up_o a_o leader_n to_o his_o people_n yet_o it_o be_v plain_a he_o have_v no_o design_n for_o himself_o for_o he_o pronounce_v a_o grievous_a curse_n and_o a_o sore_a judgement_n upon_o his_o own_o tribe_n the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n reject_v his_o own_o posterity_n leave_v they_o to_o the_o condition_n of_o common_a levite_n set_v up_o joshuah_n to_o succeed_v he_o and_o place_n the_o kingly_a superiority_n over_o that_o people_n in_o another_o tribe_n from_o his_o own_o the_o tribe_n of_o judah_n and_o himself_o while_o he_o live_v attain_v to_o no_o more_o but_o to_o spend_v his_o day_n with_o great_a trouble_n among_o a_o murmur_a mutinous_a people_n in_o a_o wearisome_a wilderness_n fouruthly_a the_o number_n of_o those_o writer_n and_o the_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n may_v of_o they_o live_v in_o from_o the_o other_o do_v as_o probable_o secure_v we_o against_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n in_o the_o composure_n of_o this_o book_n as_o we_o can_v reasonable_o expect_v the_o world_n afford_v not_o a_o instance_n that_o ever_o so_o many_o man_n that_o live_v in_o so_o many_o several_a and_o distinct_a age_n so_o exact_o agree_v about_o any_o one_o thing_n much_o less_o to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n and_o carry_v it_o on_o in_o such_o a_o continue_v write_v way_n never_o any_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o any_o kind_n nor_o be_v it_o supposable_a upon_o the_o ground_n of_o common_a reason_n that_o ever_o any_o such_o thing_n shall_v be_v it_o be_v strange_a it_o shall_v be_v do_v in_o a_o matter_n of_o high_a concernment_n wherein_o god_n honour_n &_o man_n welfare_n be_v to_o the_o utmost_a engage_v that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o impostor_n shall_v be_v at_o several_a distant_a time_n for_o fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n together_o in_o contrive_v and_o compose_v such_o a_o book_n as_o the_o bible_n be_v to_o delude_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n and_o that_o in_o all_o that_o time_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o palpable_a discovery_n make_v of_o they_o nor_o they_o themselves_o shall_v so_o trip_v in_o the_o do_v it_o as_o visible_o to_o shame_v their_o own_o undertake_n and_o betray_v those_o corrupt_a and_o rot_a principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v as_o it_o be_v high_o improbable_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o man_n live_v at_o such_o distance_n of_o time_n shall_v all_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o design_n and_o the_o same_o way_n of_o promote_a it_o and_o agree_v they_o must_v for_o it_o be_v absurd_a to_o imagine_v it_o can_v happen_v so_o to_o be_v by_o chance_n because_o most_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n have_v be_v still_o write_v with_o a_o reference_n to_o thing_n future_a and_o no_o man_n that_o write_v any_o one_o part_n can_v at_o that_o time_n know_v that_o other_o in_o future_a age_n will_v justify_v what_o he_o say_v and_o take_v up_o the_o design_n in_o a_o right_a nick_n of_o time_n just_o where_o he_o leave_v it_o and_o so_o still_o carry_v it_o on_o and_o yet_o this_o must_v still_o so_o come_v to_o pass_v if_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v by_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n
wise_a people_n laugh_v at_o those_o mystery_n never_o any_o man_n scorn_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o caesar_n himself_o do_v his_o own_o god_n and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v please_v himself_o often_o in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v his_o god_n feel_v the_o power_n of_o his_o anger_n what_o a_o childish_a folly_n it_o be_v then_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o roman_a consul_n lose_v his_o whole_a army_n because_o he_o slight_v the_o feed_n of_o some_o young_a chicken_n or_o that_o marcus_n crassus_n be_v therefore_o slay_v by_o the_o parthian_n because_o he_o despise_v some_o foppery_n of_o atteius_n if_o we_o look_v off_o from_o their_o public_a religion_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o their_o divinity_n and_o take_v a_o view_n of_o what_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a thought_n what_o a_o poor_a product_n be_v all_o their_o notion_n compare_v with_o the_o bible_n what_o a_o midnight_n be_v man_n in_o in_o respect_n of_o religion_n in_o that_o clear_a sunshine_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n socrates_n who_o see_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v into_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o heathen_a theology_n and_o die_v for_o a_o pretend_a contempt_n of_o it_o for_o the_o charge_n that_o melius_n one_o of_o his_o accuser_n bring_v against_o he_o at_o athens_n as_o laertius_n say_v be_v jura_n violat_a socrates_n quos_fw-la ex_fw-la majorum_fw-la instituto_fw-la suscepit_fw-la civitas_n deos_fw-la esse_fw-la negans_fw-la alia_fw-la vero_fw-la nova_fw-la demonia_fw-la inducens_fw-la the_o first_o philosophical_a martyr_n that_o we_o read_v of_o have_v yet_o leave_v but_o little_o better_a divinity_n behind_o he_o nor_o can_v i_o perceive_v he_o have_v any_o design_n or_o ability_n to_o reform_v the_o world_n that_o way_n for_o he_o answer_v his_o charge_n by_o a_o flat_a denial_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o apology_n in_o plato_n and_o his_o whole_a carriage_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o not_o out_o of_o fear_n that_o he_o do_v so_o sometime_o also_o before_o he_o advise_v other_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n they_o live_v in_o and_o we_o find_v likewise_o in_o plato_n how_o uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a he_o be_v about_o that_o great_a point_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o man_n after_o this_o life_n and_o can_v determine_v nothing_o with_o himself_o positive_o about_o it_o though_o he_o seem_v to_o incline_v that_o way_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o more_o probable_a opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a much_o in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o cicero_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o tusculane_n question_n who_o give_v it_o but_o a_o probability_n and_o as_o plato_n do_v in_o his_o phaed_n who_o say_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a about_o it_o nor_o will_v not_o be_v confident_a of_o it_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o his_o thought_n about_o those_o matter_n that_o make_v he_o say_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v better_o to_o die_v or_o to_o live_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n to_o be_v trouble_v about_o that_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v or_o fear_v and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o his_o end_n he_o express_v great_a contentment_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v with_o hercules_n and_o palamedes_n in_o the_o next_o world_n but_o still_o qualify_v those_o hope_n with_o this_o doubtful_a parenthesis_n in_o case_n the_o soul_n be_v not_o extinguish_v with_o the_o body_n he_o choose_v indeed_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o good_a moralist_n and_o to_o deal_v in_o those_o notion_n wherein_o he_o find_v some_o certainty_n then_o to_o attempt_v much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o divinity_n be_v whole_o unable_a to_o frame_v any_o satisfactory_a notion_n to_o himself_o about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o divine_a worship_n he_o often_o plain_o declare_v that_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o business_n of_o another_o world_n he_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a and_o many_o of_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n acknowledge_v as_o much_o and_o think_v those_o thing_n utter_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o humane_a knowledge_n all_o notion_n about_o they_o to_o be_v full_a of_o uncertainty_n and_o therefore_o choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o vulgar_a sentiment_n rather_o than_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o doubtful_a and_o unsatisfy_a speculation_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o contradict_v the_o public_a religion_n of_o those_o country_n where_o they_o live_v plato_n the_o famous_a divine_a philosopher_n who_o exceed_v all_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n as_o much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o socrates_n do_v in_o the_o practic_n though_o there_o be_v more_o true_a divinity_n utter_v by_o he_o then_o by_o any_o of_o the_o philosopher_n where_o he_o first_o have_v it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o determine_v yet_o attend_v with_o marvellous_a vanity_n and_o intolerable_a error_n '_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o forbear_v smile_v in_o read_v over_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o make_v to_o be_v eternal_a the_o fabulous_a conceit_n he_o have_v about_o that_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n it_o will_v tire_v out_o any_o ordinary_a patience_n to_o read_v a_o great_a promoter_n he_o be_v of_o that_o gross_a idolatry_n of_o damon-worship_n for_o he_o say_v that_o when_o man_n die_v their_o soul_n become_v daemon_n and_o if_o their_o merit_n be_v good_a they_o be_v lar_n if_o evil_a lemures_n if_o different_a manes_n of_o which_o st._n austin_n give_v a_o large_a account_n de_n civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 9_o ch._n 11._o though_o he_o speak_v much_o of_o one_o god_n yet_o himself_o then_o as_o all_o the_o platonist_n since_o hold_v that_o many_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o in_o his_o timaeus_n he_o call_v saturn_n ops_n juno_n and_o other_o god_n and_o say_v the_o daemon_n and_o heroe_n be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o and_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o city_n commend_v to_o they_o cicero_n observe_v likewise_o out_o of_o his_o timaeus_n that_o he_o speak_v with_o great_a obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n about_o this_o one_o god_n sometime_o call_v he_o a_o eternal_a mind_n and_o sometime_o call_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n &_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o whatever_o the_o heathen_n worship_v go_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o his_o principle_n per_fw-la se_fw-la sunt_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sibi_fw-la inuicem_fw-la repugnantia_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o false_a and_o self_n contradictious_a aristotle_n that_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o rational_a world_n a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o sagacious_a wit_n who_o travel_v with_o such_o unparalleled_a success_n through_o all_o the_o theorem_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o part_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n what_o mushrom-divinity_n have_v he_o leave_v behind_o he_o with_o what_o obscurity_n uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n with_o himself_o have_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o great_a fundamental_o of_o all_o religion_n the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o many_o of_o his_o disciple_n since_o have_v avow_v that_o he_o deny_v the_o latter_a if_o out_o of_o aristotle_n book_n we_o shall_v but_o extract_v a_o model_n of_o his_o religion_n it_o may_v be_v for_o a_o monument_n of_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o giant_n in_o all_o natural_a knowleage_n shall_v die_v such_o a_o child_n in_o divinity_n cicero_n who_o carry_v the_o topsail_n of_o learning_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v to_o who_o the_o elder_a pliny_n give_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o only_o have_v a_o wit_n equal_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n why_o do_v not_o he_o compose_v a_o right_a systeme_n of_o divinity_n and_o leave_v a_o good_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o posterity_n behind_o he_o from_o who_o may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n have_v expect_v it_o he_o design_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n and_o divinity_n for_o his_o subject_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o book_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o unequal_a sentiment_n man_n have_v debate_v those_o matter_n some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o god_n as_o protagoras_n some_o positive_o affirm_v there_o be_v none_o as_o diagoras_n and_o theodorus_n cyrenaicus_n â—â—â—i_fw-la vero_fw-la deos_fw-la esse_fw-la dixerunt_fw-la tanta_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o varietate_fw-la ac_fw-la dissentione_fw-la constituti_fw-la ut_fw-la corum_fw-la molestum_fw-la sit_fw-la annumerare_fw-la sententias_fw-la no_o &_o de_fw-la siguris_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr locis_fw-la atque_fw-la sedibus_fw-la &_o actione_n aquavitae_fw-la multadicuntur_fw-la deque_fw-la
where_o all_o reason_v be_v forbid_v and_o as_o vives_z well_o observe_v discourse_v of_o this_o mahometan_a tyranny_n tutum_fw-la mentiendi_fw-la genus_fw-la est_fw-la nolle_n rationem_fw-la corum_fw-la quae_fw-la dicas_fw-la reddere_fw-la it_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o sure_a way_n of_o lie_v to_o resolve_v to_o give_v no_o reason_n for_o what_o we_o say_v as_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o rational_a reception_n it_o bid_v for_o among_o mankind_n than_o this_o principle_n so_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o effectual_a to_o the_o introduction_n of_o all_o error_n and_o deceit_n then_o to_o compel_v man_n to_o lay_v by_o as_o useless_a their_o own_o reason_n and_o vield_n up_o themselves_o by_o a_o implicit_a subjection_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o such_o notion_n as_o other_o provide_v for_o they_o three_o it_o be_v a_o religion_n that_o allow_v and_o incourage_v man_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o sensual_a satisfaction_n say_v mahomet_n to_o his_o disciple_n avenge_v yourselves_o of_o your_o enemy_n and_o take_v as_o many_o wife_n as_o you_o will_v to_o propagate_v the_o sectary_n of_o mahomet_n a_o sure_a way_n to_o oblige_v the_o corrupt_a part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o by_o which_o the_o devil_n out-number_n christ_n he_o himself_o practise_v according_o for_o his_o follower_n deny_v not_o but_o that_o he_o take_v wife_n at_o his_o pleasure_n and_o sometime_o other_o man_n and_o then_o most_o blasphemous_o introduce_v god_n himself_o speak_v as_o if_o he_o have_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a way_n marry_v they_o to_o he_o and_o indeed_o suitable_a to_o his_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n be_v the_o end_n he_o propose_v and_o the_o heaven_n he_o promise_v hereafter_o a_o complete_a enjoyment_n of_o all_o earthly_a and_o sensual_a delight_n the_o paradise_n he_o describe_v be_v a_o place_n where_o man_n shall_v enjoy_v all_o the_o imaginable_a pleasure_n of_o meat_n drink_n music_n woman_n and_o whatever_o the_o lust_n of_o man_n can_v desire_v which_o sufficient_o declare_v the_o nature_n and_o end_n of_o his_o whole_a constitution_n nor_o be_v it_o any_o way_n hard_a to_o discover_v if_o we_o consult_v the_o time_n when_o this_o enthusiastic_a impostor_n compose_v his_o koran_n out_o of_o what_o dunghill_n much_o of_o it_o be_v rake_v together_o that_o vile_a pollution_n of_o marriage_n by_o a_o licentious_a multiplicity_n of_o wife_n he_o have_v from_o the_o school_n of_o the_o nicholaitan_n his_o carnal_a paradise_n from_o cerinthus_n that_o absurd_a conceit_n that_o christ_n do_v not_o real_o suffer_v but_o a_o phantasm_n in_o his_o place_n be_v first_o forge_v by_o the_o cerdonian_o that_o rage_n his_o koran_n be_v every_o where_o stuff_v with_o against_o the_o trinity_n and_o the_o deity_n of_o christ_n come_v no_o doubt_n from_o the_o arrian_n who_o be_v famous_a at_o that_o time_n &_o some_o of_o they_o his_o great_a assistant_n in_o short_a the_o religion_n of_o the_o koran_n be_v at_o first_o found_v have_v be_v since_o propagate_v and_o be_v still_o uphold_v pure_o by_o the_o sword_n be_v in_o itself_o so_o wicked_a and_o so_o absurd_a a_o constitution_n in_o many_o thing_n so_o heterogeneal_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n that_o when_o ever_o it_o want_v the_o military_a prop_n to_o support_v it_o if_o ever_o it_o come_v to_o be_v naked_o expose_v to_o the_o test_n of_o man_n reason_n or_o to_o a_o trial_n by_o persecution_n it_o be_v neither_o found_v in_o natural_a reason_n in_o miracle_n nor_o in_o sanctity_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n the_o compage_n of_o it_o will_v soon_o be_v dissolve_v and_o the_o whole_a of_o it_o will_v quick_o expire_v but_o to_o return_v he_o that_o reject_v the_o bible_n will_v be_v easy_o reduce_v to_o this_o dilemma_n either_o he_o think_v there_o be_v some_o revelation_n extant_a from_o god_n to_o the_o world_n or_o he_o think_v there_o be_v none_o if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v none_o first_o he_o put_v the_o lie_v not_o only_o upon_o the_o christian_n and_o jewish_a but_o general_o upon_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o either_o have_v be_v or_o be_v throughout_o the_o world_n revelation_n either_o real_a or_o pretend_a have_v be_v the_o universal_a foundation_n in_o all_o age_n of_o that_o constitution_n we_o call_v religion_n all_o nation_n have_v respective_o attribute_v the_o origine_fw-la of_o their_o mystery_n to_o their_o go_n which_o though_o it_o prove_v not_o that_o the_o world_n have_v general_o have_v revelation_n nor_o justify_v any_o one_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n upon_o which_o any_o one_o particular_a religion_n be_v found_v yet_o it_o prove_v thus_o much_o that_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v good_a reason_n to_o expect_v revelation_n and_o that_o thereupon_o mankind_n have_v live_v either_o in_o the_o real_a or_o imaginary_a possession_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v strange_a to_o conceive_v that_o the_o world_n shall_v universal_o agree_v in_o the_o reason_n and_o necessity_n of_o it_o and_o all_o nation_n in_o all_o age_n thereupon_o pretend_v to_o it_o and_o yet_o there_o shall_v neither_o be_v in_o the_o general_n any_o real_a or_o rational_a ground_n for_o the_o expectance_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n for_o if_o there_o be_v we_o can_v then_o without_o impeach_v divine_a justice_n &_o goodness_n refuse_v in_o the_o general_a to_o suppose_v it_o nor_o the_o least_o truth_n any_o where_n in_o the_o fact_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n second_o if_o he_o say_v there_o be_v none_o he_o will_v be_v force_v to_o confess_v that_o god_n who_o have_v make_v man_n the_o noble_a of_o all_o earthly_a creature_n and_o lord_n of_o the_o world_n have_v leave_v he_o to_o a_o worse_a condition_n in_o the_o present_a posture_n we_o sin_v he_o than_o the_o mean_a creature_n he_o have_v subject_v to_o his_o use_n which_o be_v great_o unreasonable_a to_o conceive_v the_o mean_a creature_n that_o god_n have_v make_v even_o to_o the_o ant_n he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o sufficient_a ability_n to_o attain_v the_o high_a end_n of_o their_o being_n it_o be_v so_o in_o every_o creature_n beneath_o the_o rational_a being_n of_o man_n whatever_o happiness_n they_o natural_o tend_v to_o as_o their_o chief_a end_n god_n have_v give_v they_o a_o innate_a ability_n that_o sufficient_o direct_v they_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o not_o be_v there_o any_o defect_n in_o the_o mean_a creature_n that_o way_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o suppose_v it_o otherwise_o with_o man_n that_o god_n shall_v not_o sufficient_o instruct_v he_o in_o all_o thing_n necessary_a for_o he_o to_o know_v in_o order_n to_o his_o high_a end_n and_o the_o obtain_n of_o that_o supreme_a good_a he_o natural_o tend_v to_o suppose_v he_o degenerate_v from_o a_o ability_n he_o once_o have_v yet_o we_o can_v no_o way_n imagine_v it_o consistent_a with_o god_n goodness_n to_o leave_v the_o whole_a of_o mankind_n without_o a_o sufficient_a mean_n of_o recovery_n nor_o consistent_a with_o the_o great_a end_n of_o god_n creation_n in_o all_o the_o work_n that_o he_o have_v make_v all_o other_o creature_n desire_v only_o what_o gratify_v the_o sensual_a appetite_n not_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o simple_o best_o they_o centre_n in_o a_o sensual_a satisfaction_n as_o their_o high_a end_n and_o be_v sufficient_o enable_v for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o man_n by_o his_o natural_a faculty_n mount_v upward_o reach_v after_o a_o high_o and_o more_o noble_a happiness_n a_o good_a above_o and_o beyond_o this_o world_n man_n by_o nature_n have_v a_o innate_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n a_o supreme_a be_v above_o he_o that_o have_v in_o himself_o all_o possible_a perfection_n be_v superlative_o good_a the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o good_a and_o a_o converse_n with_o such_o a_o be_v he_o must_v needs_o aim_v at_o because_o it_o be_v the_o high_a good_a his_o reason_n discover_v to_o he_o and_o in_o the_o true_a judgement_n thereof_o the_o most_o suitable_a of_o all_o other_o to_o the_o rational_a nature_n he_o also_o find_v himself_o with_o a_o peculiar_a relation_n and_o obligation_n above_o all_o other_o creature_n to_o this_o supreme_a be_v and_o design_v by_o his_o own_o saculty_n for_o present_a and_o future_a reward_n and_o punishment_n from_o he_o now_o man_n be_v in_o this_o respect_n of_o all_o other_o creature_n by_o far_o the_o most_o unhappy_a shall_v he_o be_v leave_v in_o the_o dark_a and_o not_o full_o inform_v and_o ascertain_v about_o these_o thing_n which_o be_v the_o high_a end_n and_o the_o most_o necessary_a concern_v of_o his_o be_v shall_v he_o not_o have_v some_o certain_a account_n of_o god_n by_o what_o way_n and_o mean_v he_o may_v come_v to_o enjoy_v he_o and_o upon_o what_o term_v god_n will_v deal_v with_o man_n here_o and_o hereafter_o have_v as_o full_a a_o account_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o own_o duty_n in_o reference_n
bring_v we_o to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v we_o be_v capable_a of_o in_o this_o world_n both_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n of_o ourselves_o and_o all_o other_o the_o doctrine_n and_o precept_n of_o this_o holy_a book_n be_v so_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o do_v so_o direct_o tend_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o our_o nature_n and_o so_o guide_v we_o to_o what_o we_o ourselves_o judge_v to_o be_v best_a that_o it_o be_v extreme_a unreasonable_a to_o judge_v it_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o vile_a and_o worst_a sort_n of_o imposture_n never_o any_o doctrine_n teach_v man_n to_o live_v so_o dutiful_o to_o god_n so_o comfortable_o to_o themselves_o and_o so_o useful_o one_o to_o another_o so_o tuneable_o in_o all_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n as_o this_o of_o the_o bible_n do_v the_o doctrine_n of_o this_o book_n be_v most_o transparent_a beam_n of_o divine_a perfection_n they_o be_v a_o rule_n give_v according_a to_o what_o be_v eternal_o exist_v in_o the_o holy_a nature_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o a_o conformity_n to_o it_o and_o that_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n be_v the_o high_a and_o noble_a account_n of_o all_o good_a live_n for_o we_o can_v do_v better_a than_o in_o our_o measure_n to_o correspond_v to_o divine_a perfection_n no_o law_n can_v with_o great_a reason_n and_o less_o arbitrariness_n nor_o more_o indispensable_o oblige_v we_o than_o that_o which_o appear_v to_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o eternal_a and_o unchangeable_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o such_o be_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o great_a design_n of_o which_o be_v to_o assimilate_v man_n so_o far_o as_o their_o faculty_n will_v bear_v it_o to_o the_o excellent_a nature_n of_o god_n and_o that_o rational_a idea_n of_o it_o we_o be_v all_o bear_v withal_o what_o crooked_a and_o imperfect_a line_n have_v man_n draw_v in_o their_o best_a document_n both_o moral_a and_o divine_a compare_v with_o this_o complete_a and_o excellent_a rule_n of_o holy_a live_n what_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a worship_n be_v here_o how_o suitable_a to_o the_o holy_a nature_n of_o god_n what_o undefiled_a religion_n without_o the_o least_o mixture_n of_o idolatry_n or_o superstition_n what_o superlative_a piety_n and_o virtue_n without_o any_o one_o spot_n of_o vice_n yea_o forbid_v evil_a in_o the_o very_a thought_n what_o punctual_a and_o perpetual_a truth_n and_o honesty_n be_v here_o require_v upon_o no_o other_o ground_n but_o please_a god_n do_v good_a to_o other_o and_o hope_n of_o a_o reward_n hereafter_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o taint_n upon_o any_o one_o duty_n the_o scripture_n require_v from_o we_o by_o propose_v any_o base_a mean_a or_o sordid_a ends._n no_o vain_a glory_n no_o esteem_n from_o man_n no_o corrupt_a advantage_n be_v make_v the_o ultimate_a end_n of_o our_o obedience_n the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v and_o upon_o the_o noble_a account_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o we_o a_o exact_a scripture-life_n have_v as_o much_o of_o heaven_n as_o can_v well_o descend_v upon_o earth_n make_v the_o world_n as_o quiet_v a_o habitation_n as_o it_o can_v be_v and_o mankind_n as_o happy_a in_o themselves_o and_o as_o easy_a one_o to_o another_o in_o all_o converse_n and_o society_n as_o they_o themselves_o can_v wish_v to_o be_v where_o be_v there_o a_o man_n not_o degenerate_v below_o his_o own_o reason_n but_o approve_v the_o scripture-precept_n as_o excellent_a and_o justify_v he_o in_o his_o own_o breast_n that_o conform_v most_o to_o they_o no_o welldisciplined_a heathen_a can_v refuse_v so_o to_o do_v what_o charity_n be_v here_o require_v still_o we_o be_v bid_v to_o hope_v the_o best_a to_o look_v upon_o all_o man_n with_o a_o kind_a eye_n and_o to_o interpret_v they_o into_o the_o best_a sense_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o what_o command_v not_o to_o offend_v weak_a one_o what_o mutual_a forgiveness_n what_o provocation_n to_o love_n what_o strict_a injunction_n to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n upon_o all_o occasion_n with_o what_o patience_n and_o meekness_n be_v we_o teach_v to_o behave_v ourselves_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o doctrine_n as_o make_v a_o man_n perfect_a thorough_o furnish_v to_o every_o good_a work_n bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a way_n of_o live_v the_o nobless_a principle_n of_o suffer_v and_o the_o comfortable_a way_n of_o die_v now_o how_o can_v we_o better-judge_n of_o a_o law_n that_o pretend_v to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o to_o be_v of_o divine_a mission_n than_o by_o its_o nature_n the_o great_a tendency_n of_o it_o and_o the_o influence_n it_o have_v upon_o humane_a life_n and_o when_o we_o find_v so_o holy_a and_o excellent_a a_o design_n as_o appear_v throughout_o this_o whole_a book_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o complete_n the_o happiness_n of_o man_n and_o in_o a_o way_n so_o correspond_v to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n and_o that_o divinity_n we_o be_v bear_v with_o what_o can_v we_o otherwise_o judge_v but_o that_o such_o a_o book_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o god_n such_o pure_a and_o untainted_a stream_n of_o pretty_a and_o virtue_n must_v needs_o slow_a from_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o perfection_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a man_n shall_v be_v ever_o either_o able_a or_o willing_a to_o compose_v a_o book_n of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o shall_v reduce_v the_o world_n to_o such_o a_o posture_n as_o this_o do_v to_o make_v man_n the_o best_a subject_n to_o god_n the_o best_a friend_n to_o themselves_o and_o the_o most_o useful_a citizen_n one_o to_o another_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o infinite_a wisdom_n can_v have_v contrive_v so_o great_a a_o happiness_n for_o the_o world_n and_o nothing_o less_o than_o infinite_a goodness_n itself_o can_v be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o be_v the_o dispenser_n of_o it_o it_o be_v extreme_o absurd_a to_o think_v that_o that_o doctrine_n which_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a reason_n be_v the_o most_o pure_a and_o excellent_a and_o most_o useful_a to_o the_o world_n of_o any_o we_o find_v in_o it_o shall_v be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o impostor_n and_o that_o â—t_a must_v be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n for_o there_o be_v no_o middle_a way_n it_o be_v to_o suppose_v that_o such_o shall_v outdo_v divine-goodness_n in_o that_o wherein_o my_o reason_n bid_v i_o expect_v the_o high_a expression_n of_o it_o and_o in_o truth_n that_o the_o world_n shall_v stand_v more_o indebt_v to_o such_o benefactor_n for_o the_o best_a thing_n than_o to_o god_n himself_o four_o we_o find_v in_o this_o book_n a_o full_a and_o most_o comprehensive_a account_n of_o the_o revolution_n of_o this_o whole_a world_n in_o all_o its_o changeable_a vicissitude_n and_o of_o god_n visible_a providence_n in_o the_o disposal_n of_o all_o humane_a affair_n indeed_o we_o find_v this_o book_n a_o complete_a map_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n and_o god_n government_n of_o it_o there_o evident_o appear_v a_o exact_a conformity_n between_o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n and_o what_o we_o be_v here_o tell_v of_o it_o nothing_o come_v at_o any_o time_n to_o pass_v contradictive_a of_o but_o according_a to_o what_o be_v here_o reveal_v to_o we_o and_o this_o we_o shall_v sin_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o course_n of_o thing_n either_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n a_o moral_a way_n or_o a_o spiritual_a way_n first_o in_o a_o natural_a way_n the_o natural_a course_n of_o the_o world_n have_v continue_v to_o this_o time_n according_a to_o what_o moses_n at_o first_o as_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o god_n declare_v about_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v seedtime_n and_o harvest_n cold_a and_o heat_n summer_n and_o winter_n and_o that_o day_n and_o night_n shall_v not_o cease_v but_o succeed_v each_o other_o second_o in_o a_o moral_a way_n the_o scripture_n have_v give_v we_o a_o summary_n yet_o 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to_o persuade_v we_o the_o belief_n of_o it_o be_v found_v in_o the_o dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o the_o common_a sentiment_n of_o nature_n it_o be_v to_o be_v take_v as_o a_o undeniable_a truth_n that_o the_o existence_n of_o providence_n and_o the_o be_v of_o a_o future_a state_n have_v a_o necessary_a dependency_n each_o upon_o other_o and_o be_v no_o way_n separable_a if_o there_o be_v a_o providence_n there_o must_v be_v a_o future_a state_n after_o this_o life_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o state_n hereafter_o it_o must_v relate_v to_o a_o providence_n here_o the_o epicurean_o therefore_o deny_v both_o epicurus_n under_o all_o his_o pressure_n make_v his_o retreat_n to_o this_o maxim_n that_o there_o have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o be_v not_o in_o be_v and_o there_o will_v be_v a_o time_n when_o we_o shall_v exist_v no_o more_o of_o how_o little_a a_o signification_n to_o the_o world_n the_o bare_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n will_v prove_v abstract_v from_o the_o 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method_n by_o which_o mankind_n come_v since_o to_o be_v save_v thing_n beyond_o all_o natural_a kenn_n and_o which_o only_o serve_v to_o reproach_n the_o wise_a thought_n and_o to_o tell_v man_n how_o little_a they_o can_v discover_v of_o what_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o know_v moses_n have_v tell_v we_o more_o in_o two_o page_n then_o the_o whole_a world_n ever_o discover_v by_o the_o utmost_a of_o all_o humane_a search_n nor_o have_v the_o world_n any_o way_n improve_v itself_o in_o this_o kind_n of_o sience_n to_o this_o day_n however_o man_n by_o experience_n and_o industry_n have_v meliorate_v the_o condition_n of_o humane_a affair_n in_o other_o thing_n whatever_o advance_v they_o have_v make_v in_o natural_a theory_n or_o in_o any_o mechanic_n contrivance_n whatever_o rust_n of_o error_n or_o ignorance_n that_o stick_v to_o former_a age_n may_v be_v wear_v off_o by_o a_o improvement_n of_o natural_a speculation_n in_o this_o yet_o where_o the_o scripture_n be_v either_o not_o know_v or_o reject_v they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o loss_n in_o point_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o ever_o and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o natural_a theology_n without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o revelation_n have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o while_o man_n have_v be_v most_o busy_o contemplate_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v and_o contrive_v way_n to_o gain_v acceptance_n with_o he_o they_o have_v lose_v themselves_o in_o the_o crowd_n of_o their_o own_o vain_a imagination_n second_o such_o have_v be_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o all_o age_n that_o it_o evident_o appear_v the_o world_n man_n themselves_o have_v general_o find_v and_o acknowledge_v a_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n and_o out_o of_o a_o experimental_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o impotency_n without_o it_o have_v still_o live_v in_o expectation_n of_o somewhat_o supernatural_a to_o be_v reveal_v from_o above_o mankind_n since_o the_o fall_n have_v be_v still_o listen_v after_o some_o further_a discovery_n of_o god_n then_o what_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n do_v afford_v they_o and_o some_o more_o perspicuous_a notice_n of_o his_o pleasure_n then_o what_o their_o own_o natural_a ability_n can_v dictate_v to_o they_o as_o that_o which_o god_n goodness_n and_o his_o own_o excellent_a nature_n seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o world_n and_o man_n natural_a tendency_n to_o some_o supernatural_a happiness_n as_o the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o be_v continual_o call_v for_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o suit_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o revelation_n and_o man_n thought_n have_v be_v so_o constant_o take_v up_o with_o a_o expectance_n of_o some_o divine_a instruction_n that_o they_o have_v be_v still_o in_o danger_n to_o fall_v into_o all_o the_o extreme_n of_o delude_a enthusiasm_n not_o only_o their_o religion_n but_o whatever_o else_o they_o think_v well_o off_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o father_n it_o still_o upon_o revelation_n scarce_o be_v there_o a_o mechanic_n invention_n but_o they_o ascribe_v it_o to_o a_o discovery_n make_v by_o the_o go_n pythagoras_n when_o he_o have_v find_v out_o a_o excellent_a demonstration_n in_o geometry_n sacrifice_v a_o hundred_o ox_n in_o gratitude_n to_o the_o god_n who_o have_v favour_v he_o with_o such_o a_o discovery_n whatever_o be_v in_o itself_o difficult_a or_o excellent_a they_o impute_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o to_o a_o supernatural_a power_n homer_n the_o great_a oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a divinity_n not_o only_o ascribe_v to_o the_o god_n the_o invention_n of_o all_o abstruse_a matter_n and_o all_o the_o heroical_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o refer_v our_o ordinary_a cogitation_n to_o divine_a impulse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d talis_fw-la nempe_fw-la mens_fw-la est_fw-la terram_fw-la incolentium_fw-la hominum_fw-la qualem_fw-la in_o dies_fw-la indit_fw-la pater_fw-la hominumque_fw-la deumque_fw-la and_o his_o book_n be_v fill_v throughout_o with_o enthusiastic_a advertisement_n direct_v to_o man_n from_o the_o go_n cicero_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 2._o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n be_v large_a in_o his_o expression_n this_o way_n nec_fw-la unquam_fw-la magnus_fw-la vir_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la afflatu_fw-la divino_fw-la never_o be_v there_o any_o great_a man_n say_v he_o without_o some_o inspiration_n not_o only_o be_v the_o poet_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o divine_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o priest_n of_o their_o mystery_n all_o inspire_a man_n but_o not_o a_o eminent_a physician_n or_o a_o soldier_n be_v there_o among_o they_o nor_o a_o man_n any_o way_n excellent_a but_o they_o derive_v his_o ability_n from_o some_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o think_v his_o quality_n from_o above_o socrates_n that_o excellent_a person_n often_o say_v that_o virtue_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o thing_n to_o be_v learn_v as_o art_n and_o science_n be_v but_o to_o be_v have_v by_o inspiration_n be_v divine_a and_o heavenly_a gift_n he_o avow_v himself_o raise_v up_o by_o god_n to_o philosophize_v and_o by_o his_o precept_n to_o reform_v the_o athenian_a manner_n and_o when_o condemn_v to_o die_v and_o sentence_v to_o the_o poisonous_a cup_n resolute_o protest_v though_o the_o prison-dore_n shall_v be_v open_v to_o he_o with_o a_o injunction_n never_o more_o to_o philosophize_v he_o will_v whole_o refuse_v his_o liberty_n upon_o those_o term_n and_o will_v choose_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o then_o men._n we_o read_v not_o of_o a_o eminent_a legislator_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o pretend_v he_o receive_v his_o law_n from_o the_o god_n solon_n law_n be_v say_v to_o come_v from_o minerva_n lycurgus_n derive_v his_o law_n from_o jupiter_n and_o much_o more_o be_v their_o religion_n and_o the_o rite_n thereof_o still_o father_v upon_o some_o deity_n or_o other_o and_o hand_v down_o to_o the_o world_n with_o a_o supernatural_a stamp_n numa_n pompilius_n the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a ceremony_n declare_v he_o receive_v they_o from_o the_o goddess_n egeria_n no_o religion_n in_o any_o nation_n but_o have_v make_v some_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n that_o absurd_a imposter_n mahomet_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o father_n his_o medley_n divinity_n and_o all_o the_o confuse_a trash_n of_o his_o koran_n upon_o revelation_n nothing_o else_o can_v have_v cheat_v so_o many_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o that_o they_o be_v first_o persuade_v it_o come_v from_o above_o and_o that_o mahomet_n have_v it_o reveal_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n the_o heathen_a world_n be_v in_o truth_n without_o any_o revelation_n in_o religious_a affair_n that_o be_v they_o have_v no_o divine_a law_n give_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v their_o religious_a obedience_n whether_o it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v any_o particular_a matter_n at_o any_o time_n to_o any_o of_o they_o i_o dispute_v not_o but_o he_o give_v his_o statute_n his_o divine_a law_n to_o israel_n and_o he_o do_v not_o deal_v so_o witâ—_n any_o nation_n beside_o and_o yet_o nothing_o more_o general_a than_o the_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o nothing_o more_o common_a than_o pretension_n to_o it_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o catholic_n maxim_n that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v he_o must_v be_v reveal_v from_o above_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n seem_v to_o have_v concenter_v in_o this_o belief_n that_o divine_a revelation_n and_o a_o supernatural_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o present_a and_o future_a good_a of_o mankind_n it_o be_v well_o express_v by_o the_o learned_a camero_n omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la etiam_fw-la barbararum_fw-la consensu_fw-la receptum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la homini_fw-la bene_fw-la sit_fw-la praeter_fw-la eam_fw-la rationem_fw-la quam_fw-la nimis_fw-la magnifico_n &_o superbo_fw-la titulo_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la ducem_fw-la vocant_fw-la requiri_fw-la coelestem_fw-la quandam_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la inde_fw-la nata_fw-la est_fw-la religio_fw-la ritus_fw-la cerimoniae_fw-la quae_fw-la sola_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la se_fw-la commendant_fw-la praelect_v de_fw-fr verb._n dei_fw-la it_o be_v a_o thing_n say_v he_o agree_v to_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n yea_o the_o most_o barbarous_a that_o in_o order_n to_o man_n well_o be_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o heavenly_a wisdom_n to_o direct_v he_o beside_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o come_v religion_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v from_o this_o general_a apprehension_n that_o the_o world_n come_v to_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o easy_o impose_v upon_o by_o delude_a pretension_n to_o inspiration_n and_o the_o many_o gross_a cheat_n of_o enthusiasm_n the_o great_a impostor_n still_o set_v up_o for_o enthusiast_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o heathen_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v so_o enslave_v to_o their_o oracle_n
in_o themselves_o moral_o good_a and_o moral_o evil._n no_o man_n reason_n determine_v about_o the_o positive_a use_n of_o any_o such_o outward_a medium_n of_o worship_n nor_o can_v assure_v i_o of_o god_n distinguish_a acceptance_n in_o any_o of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v upon_o certain_a ground_n of_o acceptance_n with_o god_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n in_o all_o our_o worship_n nor_o be_v any_o man_n by_o nature_n a_o clear_a and_o certain_a law_n to_o himself_o about_o such_o thing_n nor_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v because_o there_o be_v no_o intrinsical_o religious_a good_a as_o to_o matter_n of_o worship_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o all_o such_o goodness_n result_v pure_o from_o institution_n god_n have_v not_o sanctify_v any_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n to_o his_o service_n in_o such_o a_o way_n by_o any_o unalterable_a obligation_n arise_v from_o the_o rational_a nature_n no_o such_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n be_v found_v in_o reason_n but_o all_o in_o institution_n it_o be_v true_a the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v direct_v i_o to_o that_o behaviour_n of_o myself_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o worship_n which_o i_o think_v most_o decent_a and_o reverent_a but_o for_o any_o external_n medium_n of_o worship_n the_o light_n of_o nature_n will_v give_v i_o no_o certain_a direction_n at_o all_o if_o any_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o in_o worship_n as_o by_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n himself_o and_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n it_o have_v be_v declare_v necessary_a that_o some_o shall_v be_v we_o must_v then_o both_o for_o the_o choice_n and_o the_o use_v of_o such_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v whole_o guide_v and_o steer_v by_o revelation_n and_o the_o truth_n be_v every_o man_n own_o reason_n be_v impregnate_v with_o obligation_n to_o a_o further_a degree_n of_o worship_n and_o divine_a homage_n than_o reason_n itself_o be_v able_a to_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o a_o certain_a guide_n to_o we_o in_o and_o direct_v we_o to_o many_o duty_n which_o we_o want_v revelation_n to_o teach_v we_o how_o to_o perform_v which_o have_v in_o all_o age_n make_v the_o world_n so_o inquisitive_a after_o it_o and_o show_v we_o how_o rational_o we_o tend_v upward_o in_o this_o matter_n and_o how_o great_o our_o own_o nature_n prepare_v we_o to_o expect_v and_o receive_v instruction_n from_o above_o second_o shall_v this_o be_v admit_v that_o divine_a worship_n may_v be_v confine_v simple_o to_o thought_n gesture_n and_o word_n yet_o will_v not_o our_o natural_a light_n enable_v we_o to_o acquit_v ourselves_o as_o we_o ought_v in_o this_o matter_n nor_o well_o to_o perform_v such_o a_o service_n as_o that_o without_o supernatural_a help_n there_o be_v two_o great_a end_n of_o all_o worship_n which_o though_o inseparable_a in_o their_o attainment_n be_v yet_o distinct_a in_o their_o application_n and_o if_o not_o attain_v the_o whole_a of_o man_n attempt_n that_o way_n will_v prove_v altogether_o useless_a and_o fruitless_a first_o in_o a_o right_a manner_n to_o give_v to_o god_n the_o honour_n due_a from_o we_o to_o he_o and_o second_o to_o provide_v sufficient_o for_o our_o own_o welfare_n by_o a_o acceptance_n with_o he_o for_o the_o first_o how_o can_v we_o honour_n god_n with_o the_o honour_n due_a to_o he_o unless_o we_o have_v a_o right_a knowledge_n of_o he_o and_o such_o a_o discovery_n of_o his_o be_v as_o may_v full_o inform_v and_o ascertain_v our_o mind_n about_o he_o which_o we_o never_o can_v have_v nor_o to_o this_o day_n the_o world_n never_o have_v without_o revelation_n it_o be_v impossible_a to_o honour_n god_n as_o we_o ought_v unless_o according_a to_o our_o measure_n we_o know_v he_o as_o in_o truth_n he_o be_v and_o it_o be_v equal_o impossible_a to_o know_v what_o god_n be_v unless_o it_o be_v tell_v we_o by_o himself_o it_o be_v not_o simple_o sufficient_a to_o capacitate_v i_o for_o a_o due_a address_n to_o the_o deity_n to_o know_v in_o the_o general_a that_o there_o be_v a_o supreme_a wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o power_n above_o i_o that_o some_o way_n or_o other_o exist_v which_o be_v all_o my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o but_o i_o must_v have_v some_o direct_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o that_o be_v wherein_o all_o those_o attribute_n do_v exist_v upon_o which_o as_o the_o object_n of_o my_o worship_n my_o mind_n may_v terminate_v and_o without_o which_o i_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o form_v a_o idol_n to_o myself_o in_o the_o room_n of_o that_o be_v and_o then_o apply_v those_o attribute_n to_o it._n to_o which_o fatal_a mistake_n and_o idolatrous_a delusion_n the_o world_n have_v by_o nature_n no_o certain_a account_n what_o god_n be_v not_o after_o what_o manner_n the_o deity_n do_v exist_v in_o all_o age_n have_v be_v too_o apparent_o subject_a second_o how_o can_v we_o sufficient_o provide_v for_o our_o own_o welfare_n unless_o we_o can_v be_v safe_o assure_v of_o the_o forgiveness_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o total_a removal_n of_o natural_a guilt_n and_o how_o be_v it_o possible_a to_o be_v so_o assure_v unless_o we_o know_v the_o term_n of_o god_n forgiveness_n and_o the_o mean_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n to_o he_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a satisfy_a account_n give_v we_o by_o any_o dictate_v of_o nature_n nor_o can_v they_o ever_o be_v find_v out_o until_o they_o be_v tell_v we_o from_o above_o man_n must_v needs_o make_v strange_a prayer_n and_o have_v very_o wild_a and_o uncertain_a meditation_n about_o god_n and_o their_o own_o condition_n that_o be_v benight_a with_o ignorance_n in_o such_o thing_n prayer_n and_o whatever_o else_o be_v itself_o a_o part_n of_o natural_a worship_n will_v be_v very_o lame_o perform_v without_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v it_o the_o pagan_a devotion_n be_v a_o medley_n of_o strange_a sentiment_n found_v in_o horrible_a ignorance_n of_o god_n and_o of_o their_o own_o condition_n and_o the_o way_n of_o man_n restoration_n have_v plato_n or_o aristotle_n or_o the_o wise_a among_o they_o but_o leave_v we_o a_o liturgy_n of_o their_o own_o composition_n it_o will_v with_o great_a effect_n have_v convince_v we_o what_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o some_o revelation_n to_o guide_v even_o the_o best_a understanding_n in_o all_o divine_a address_n two_o thing_n about_o worship_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n have_v teach_v we_o beyond_o all_o reasonable_a denial_n first_o that_o mankind_n have_v general_o acknowledge_v it_o necessary_a that_o some_o supernatural_a direction_n shall_v be_v give_v for_o the_o manage_n of_o that_o intercourse_n that_o ought_v to_o be_v between_o god_n and_o man_n and_o have_v subscribe_v to_o the_o shortness_n and_o defficiency_n of_o humane_a wisdom_n about_o it_o and_o second_o that_o there_o be_v no_o one_o certain_a complete_a systeme_n of_o worship_n that_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n man_n do_v uniform_o agree_v in_o the_o one_o result_v from_o their_o constant_a recourse_n to_o supernatural_a inquiry_n and_o the_o many_o enthusiastic_a pretension_n thereupon_o the_o other_o from_o their_o great_a and_o eminent_a disagreement_n among_o themselves_o for_o the_o pagan_a world_n who_o be_v only_o under_o the_o conduct_n of_o naturallight_n and_o have_v in_o truth_n no_o revelation_n at_o all_o but_o be_v still_o abuse_v with_o the_o counterfeit_n of_o it_o fall_v by_o that_o guidance_n into_o endless_a diversity_n in_o practice_n and_o into_o a_o numberless_a variety_n of_o opinion_n about_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v and_o approach_v the_o deity_n and_o be_v universal_o engage_v in_o multiply_v medium_n and_o method_n of_o worship_n no_o way_n prescribe_v by_o any_o natural_a law_n connate_a with_o man_n being_n or_o any_o general_a uniform_a issue_n of_o right_a reason_n nor_o indeed_o be_v they_o under_o any_o direction_n at_o all_o either_o for_o their_o choice_n or_o their_o use_n further_o than_o what_o their_o own_o fancy_n or_o best_a guess_n or_o some_o enthusiastic_a impostor_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o which_o plain_o declare_v there_o be_v not_o a_o ability_n in_o nature_n sufficient_o to_o guide_v man_n in_o divine_a worship_n so_o far_o as_o their_o own_o devotion_n do_v natural_o steer_v they_o and_o we_o that_o indeed_o have_v revelation_n be_v instruct_v by_o that_o revelation_n itself_o sufficient_o to_o know_v the_o necessity_n there_o be_v of_o revelation_n for_o we_o find_v that_o god_n by_o his_o reveal_v law_n do_v not_o only_o revive_v in_o general_a the_o whole_a of_o nature_n law_n about_o worship_n and_o instruct_v we_o in_o the_o true_a extent_n thereof_o which_o he_o do_v and_o much_o inlighten_v our_o natural_a knowledge_n therein_o which_o we_o find_v be_v great_o defective_a even_o about_o natural_a duty_n and_o give_v we_o a_o complete_a view_n of_o our_o natural_a obligation_n
vice_n have_v his_o inclination_n to_o evil_a as_o well_o as_o to_o that_o which_o be_v good_a be_v create_v with_o he_o his_o reason_n will_v never_o have_v approve_v the_o one_o and_o condemn_v the_o other_o because_o both_o natural_a and_o upon_o equal_a term_n in_o our_o constitution_n to_o condemn_v any_o one_o part_n of_o our_o original_a constitution_n by_o another_o have_v be_v in_o itself_o not_o only_o unnatural_a and_o unreasonable_a but_o it_o have_v be_v direct_o to_o reproach_n our_o maker_n and_o ourselves_o which_o nothing_o create_v can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v so_o create_v as_o natural_o to_o do_v nature_n as_o it_o be_v first_o frame_v can_v never_o be_v so_o divide_v against_o itself_o a_o man_n can_v never_o have_v have_v any_o conscience_n of_o evil_n nor_o any_o remorse_n for_o it_o nor_o can_v any_o guilt_n have_v be_v contract_v by_o it_o have_v it_o be_v as_o now_o it_o be_v part_v of_o himself_o and_o at_o first_o create_v with_o he_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a a_o man_n shall_v judge_v in_o himself_o that_o to_o be_v evil_a and_o repent_v of_o it_o as_o such_o which_o he_o act_v in_o prosecution_n of_o his_o first_o make_v there_o can_v be_v no_o fault_n in_o act_v suitable_o to_o our_o original_a frame_n and_o composure_n nor_o any_o punishment_n due_a for_o so_o do_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o a_o rational_a be_v because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o do_v better_o all_o conscience_n of_o evil_n and_o sin_n must_v necessary_o arise_v from_o a_o inward_a conviction_n that_o we_o be_v not_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o be_v which_o we_o must_v needs_o be_v if_o we_o be_v as_o we_o be_v first_o make_v whenever_n my_o reason_n tell_v i_o i_o do_v that_o which_o i_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v the_o same_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o i_o be_o degenerate_v and_o do_v not_o what_o i_o be_v first_o make_v to_o do_v beside_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v original_o make_v with_o opposite_a inclination_n and_o a_o irreconcilable_a conflict_n within_o himself_o one_o part_n condemn_v another_o by_o a_o be_v that_o be_v unity_n itself_o in_o all_o goodness_n and_o one_o and_o the_o same_o by_o a_o infinite_a identity_n in_o all_o perfection_n we_o can_v never_o with_o any_o common_a sense_n father_n division_n upon_o unity_n or_o that_o which_o be_v imperfect_a and_o evil_a upon_o that_o which_o be_v perfect_o good_a or_o primary_o derive_v such_o a_o composition_n as_o man_n now_o be_v from_o what_o we_o know_v god_n must_v needs_o be_v nor_o can_v we_o imagine_v that_o inherent_a shame_n we_o now_o find_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n relate_v to_o much_o of_o themselves_o can_v be_v of_o the_o same_o date_n with_o their_o first_o constitution_n or_o that_o man_n shall_v be_v at_o the_o first_o so_o create_v as_o to_o be_v natural_o ashamed_a of_o any_o part_n of_o himself_o or_o anything_o relative_a to_o his_o own_o be_v it_o be_v a_o apostasy_n from_o what_o he_o once_o be_v must_v needs_o make_v he_o turn_v aside_o and_o hide_v himself_o from_o his_o own_o eye_n it_o be_v evil_a and_o gild_n must_v needs_o be_v the_o first_o author_n of_o shame_n so_o far_o we_o may_v go_v in_o the_o negative_a what_o we_o now_o be_v be_v not_o what_o we_o first_o be_v but_o how_o come_v the_o change_n have_v any_o ill_a genius_n since_o take_v up_o its_o abode_n in_o humane_a nature_n and_o impose_v upon_o it_o act_v it_o to_o all_o this_o evil_n we_o see_v be_v the_o world_n under_o the_o tyranny_n of_o any_o evil_a spirit_n or_o be_v mankind_n degenerate_v by_o any_o necessary_a decay_n in_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n or_o be_v man_n own_n will_v the_o great_a root_n of_o evil_n come_v it_o from_o a_o create_a freedom_n have_v man_n wilful_o deface_v themselves_o if_o they_o have_v when_o be_v it_o do_v what_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o do_v it_o be_v it_o do_v all_o at_o once_o and_o have_v it_o ever_o since_o come_v by_o descent_n and_o be_v entail_v by_o a_o 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from_o man_n relative_n subjection_n to_o god_n it_o must_v be_v by_o oppose_v and_o disobey_v his_o will_n reveal_v by_o some_o law_n and_o that_o law_n must_v be_v either_o natural_a or_o supernatural_a if_o natural_a and_o create_v with_o he_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o his_o reason_n and_o it_o be_v marvellous_a hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o man_n while_o he_o be_v entire_a and_o untainted_a in_o the_o complete_a furniture_n of_o his_o first_o make_n shall_v without_o some_o very_a violent_a impression_n or_o some_o very_a strange_a concurrence_n of_o accident_n go_v astray_o from_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o transgress_v such_o a_o law_n as_o be_v the_o chief_a rule_v part_n of_o himself_o nor_o be_v we_o able_a to_o give_v to_o ourselves_o the_o least_o satissy_a account_n of_o it_o if_o a_o law_n supernatural_a what_o that_o law_n be_v or_o how_o or_o when_o or_o by_o who_o transgress_v we_o can_v never_o discover_v nor_o so_o much_o as_o 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whilst_o they_o contemplate_v these_o thing_n about_o which_o upon_o any_o good_a ground_n to_o be_v ascertain_v be_v without_o revelation_n utter_o impossible_a nor_o can_v we_o whilst_o ignorant_a of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o evil_a ever_o find_v out_o the_o true_a reason_n and_o primary_n cause_v of_o all_o those_o sorrow_n and_o misery_n we_o find_v the_o world_n possess_v of_o it_o be_v true_a the_o heathen_a be_v deep_o sensible_a of_o the_o ruinous_a and_o sad_a condition_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o troublesome_a revolution_n of_o the_o world_n some_o to_o so_o great_a a_o degree_n that_o they_o think_v as_o euripides_n do_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o weep_v at_o the_o birth_n of_o our_o child_n and_o to_o laugh_v our_o patent_n to_o their_o grave_n and_o it_o be_v usual_a with_o they_o to_o fancy_v death_n as_o a_o present_v send_v from_o the_o god_n to_o the_o best_a man_n for_o their_o best_a action_n so_o they_o fancy_a death_n send_v to_o cleobis_n and_o biton_n for_o their_o piety_n to_o juno_n to_o agamedes_n and_o tryphonius_n for_o build_v the_o temple_n at_o delphos_n but_o they_o know_v nothing_o how_o the_o world_n come_v into_o this_o posture_n we_o find_v it_o either_o it_o must_v be_v a_o necessary_a consequent_a of_o nature_n or_o else_o the_o world_n be_v under_o some_o great_a punishment_n impose_v by_o the_o supreme_a judge_n of_o it_o if_o all_o we_o see_v be_v necessary_a consequent_n from_o nature_n we_o must_v needs_o think_v nature_n itself_o to_o be_v some_o very_a imperfect_a and_o ill_a composure_n we_o must_v needs_o imagine_v it_o a_o wretched_a constitution_n at_o first_o that_o carry_v in_o its_o bowel_n so_o many_o dismal_a misfortune_n who_o can_v suppose_v god_n shall_v from_o the_o beginning_n frame_v this_o world_n in_o the_o posture_n we_o find_v it_o and_o erect_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n with_o all_o those_o forrow_n we_o see_v necessary_o attend_v it_o we_o can_v never_o reasonable_o believe_v thing_n 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part_n of_o the_o world_n as_o the_o fountain_n of_o nile_n be_v to_o the_o ancient_a â—eographers_n so_o in_o the_o second_o place_n man_n can_v never_o without_o supernatural_a help_n upon_o good_a ground_n be_v assure_v how_o to_o remove_v that_o guilt_n engender_v by_o it_o the_o burden_n of_o which_o they_o continual_o groan_v under_o as_o the_o heavy_a and_o sore_a of_o all_o humane_a pressure_n that_o be_v no_o man_n shall_v he_o study_v over_o all_o the_o volume_n of_o nature_n unless_o it_o be_v tell_v he_o from_o heaven_n can_v certain_o know_v upon_o what_o term_n god_n will_v proceed_v in_o pardon_v and_o punish_v the_o sin_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v a_o man_n imagine_v that_o god_n will_v take_v no_o other_o vengeance_n upon_o man_n disobedience_n than_o those_o temporal_a judgement_n he_o have_v lay_v upon_o they_o and_o the_o world_n they_o dwell_v in_o shall_v a_o man_n imagine_v that_o god_n have_v satisfy_v his_o justice_n in_o condemn_v man_n to_o death_n and_o sentence_v of_o he_o to_o the_o grave_a and_o expose_v he_o to_o those_o sorrow_n that_o attend_v he_o thither_o and_o mean_n to_o go_v no_o further_o these_o thought_n will_v not_o obliterate_v man_n gild_n nor_o will_v such_o guess_n at_o the_o penalty_n at_o all_o appease_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n when_o they_o do_v iii_o will_v god_n have_v the_o first-born_a of_o man_n body_n or_o the_o best_a of_o their_o substance_n or_o what_o part_n of_o the_o world_n to_o satisfy_v for_o their_o disobtdience_n if_o we_o shall_v ransack_v all_o the_o particular_n that_o humane_a invention_n can_v reach_v in_o this_o kind_n we_o can_v never_o be_v full_o assure_v that_o the_o expiation_n of_o man_n sin_n lie_v in_o any_o or_o in_o 〈◊〉_d of_o they_o the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o world_n and_o that_o which_o mankind_n above_o all_o other_o thing_n natural_o press_v after_o be_v a_o certain_a knowledge_n upon_o what_o term_n they_o may_v be_v accept_v with_o god_n the_o sense_n of_o their_o own_o apostasy_n and_o the_o conscience_n of_o divine_a justice_n necessitate_v it_o so_o to_o be_v and_o with_o such_o a_o knowledge_n no_o natural_a ability_n can_v supply_v we_o that_o god_n be_v just_o my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o and_o that_o he_o be_v merciful_a my_o own_o breast_n will_v assure_v i_o but_o how_o he_o will_v proceed_v to_o deal_v with_o man_n so_o as_o to_o reconcile_v both_o these_o attribute_n how_o far_o the_o one_o shall_v be_v predominant_a over_o the_o other_o or_o whether_o they_o must_v be_v in_o equal_a conjunction_n and_o both_o concur_v and_o how_o that_o can_v be_v do_v what_o will_v procure_v mercy_n or_o what_o will_v satisfy_v justice_n or_o how_o they_o will_v be_v make_v to_o meet_v in_o one_o divine_a act_n when_o both_o perfect_a and_o nothing_o of_o either_o can_v be_v abate_v because_o not_o consistent_a with_o their_o perfection_n be_v thing_n utter_o impossible_a to_o be_v know_v without_o revelation_n if_o god_n forgive_v absolute_o 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say_n among_o they_o cum_fw-la sis_fw-la ipse_fw-la nocens_fw-la moritur_fw-la our_o victima_fw-la pro_fw-la te_fw-la and_o shall_v we_o suppose_v god_n in_o his_o judiciary_n proceed_n with_o man_n to_o forgive_v upon_o a_o partial_a satisfaction_n to_o accept_v some_o imperfect_a satisfaction_n to_o his_o justice_n and_o to_o make_v up_o the_o rest_n by_o his_o mercy_n this_o be_v to_o render_v his_o attribute_n imperfect_a and_o to_o make_v he_o act_v like_o a_o man_n neither_o as_o infinite_o just_a nor_o infinite_o merciful_a nor_o at_o all_o like_o himself_o nay_o in_o some_o measure_n to_o deny_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a the_o truth_n be_v the_o evil_a of_o the_o world_n be_v in_o its_o nature_n a_o offence_n against_o god_n and_o the_o guilt_n arise_v from_o it_o relate_v to_o his_o tribunal_n where_o no_o sentence_n can_v pass_v but_o what_o be_v the_o result_n of_o infinite_a and_o
perfect_a attribute_n the_o term_n of_o our_o pardon_n must_v come_v from_o god_n it_o be_v not_o in_o man_n to_o find_v out_o how_o god_n shall_v forgive_v he_o or_o to_o to_o chalk_n out_o the_o track_n of_o divine_a justice_n and_o mercy_n towards_o himself_o nor_o will_v his_o guilt_n be_v remove_v nor_o his_o thought_n be_v at_o rest_n till_o he_o know_v god_n mind_n about_o it_o nothing_o can_v assure_v we_o of_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n but_o what_o be_v from_o heaven_n appoint_v as_o the_o mean_n of_o it_o no_o natural_a knowledge_n can_v give_v we_o any_o certain_a direction_n about_o it_o nor_o be_v it_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o shall_v if_o humane_a nature_n have_v no_o absolute_a security_n in_o itself_o of_o its_o first_o state_n how_o can_v we_o expect_v it_o shall_v restore_v itself_o when_o once_o degenerate_v what_o do_v not_o remain_v perfect_a when_o it_o be_v so_o be_v much_o more_o unlikely_a to_o recover_v again_o out_o of_o imperfection_n to_o be_v so_o every_o man_n may_v know_v he_o be_v degenerate_v from_o what_o he_o ought_v to_o be_v and_o so_o may_v reasonable_o collect_v from_o what_o he_o once_o be_v but_o no_o man_n can_v reason_v himself_o into_o a_o certain_a way_n of_o recovery_n the_o whole_a world_n have_v subscribe_v to_o their_o own_o apostasy_n but_o can_v never_o agree_v upon_o any_o certain_a remedy_n how_o miserable_o have_v mankind_n tire_v themselves_o and_o to_o how_o little_a purpose_n in_o find_v out_o what_o will_v appease_v divine_a anger_n and_o compensate_a for_o their_o disobedience_n no_o man_n ever_o yet_o worsâ—_n ip_v any_o god_n but_o he_o make_v some_o offer_n to_o he_o in_o hope_n that_o may_v indemnisie_v he_o and_o be_v take_v in_o lieu_n of_o his_o own_o punishment_n man_n have_v at_o a_o venture_n offer_v up_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n in_o sacrifice_n have_v try_v all_o experiment_n victimis_fw-la &_o lavacris_fw-la and_o by_o all_o other_o mean_v their_o best_a guess_n can_v suggest_v to_o they_o to_o obliterate_v their_o own_o gild_n and_o to_o procure_v d_o uâ—â—e_a favour_n but_o never_o be_v upon_o any_o suâ—er_a ground_n than_o their_o own_o vain_a fancy_n for_o acceptance_n agaâ—hias_n tell_v we_o in_o his_o second_o book_n of_o the_o persian_a war_n that_o the_o persian_n be_v wont_a to_o solemnize_v a_o great_a holiday_n once_o a_o year_n which_o they_o call_v the_o death_n of_o vice_n in_o which_o as_o a_o eminent_a piece_n of_o devotion_n they_o slay_v multitude_n of_o serpent_n &_o all_o other_o sort_n of_o wild_a beast_n and_o thereby_o think_v they_o shall_v execute_v all_o their_o corruption_n &_o safe_o bury_v their_o sin_n the_o philosopher_n abound_v with_o remedy_n foâ—_n this_o epidemical_a disease_n some_o thought_n to_o cure_v the_o evil_a of_o the_o world_n in_o a_o moral_a way_n some_o in_o a_o way_n mathematical_a and_o some_o by_o religious_a ceremony_n but_o alas_o the_o right_a way_n of_o do_v it_o have_v lie_v hide_v from_o 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the_o great_a ruin_n to_o mankind_n delude_v they_o with_o false_a information_n about_o their_o chief_a concern_v shall_v be_v able_a to_o produce_v in_o their_o justification_n the_o most_o eminent_a miracle_n and_o all_o the_o great_a evidence_n that_o rational_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o ascertain_v the_o world_n in_o the_o publication_n of_o the_o high_a supernatural_a truth_n in_o a_o word_n who_o can_v believe_v a_o book_n so_o circumstance_v as_o we_o find_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v shall_v be_v compose_v by_o the_o worst_a instrument_n and_o with_o the_o worst_a of_o design_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v ever_o be_v credit_v while_o we_o suppose_v there_o be_v a_o god_n rule_v above_o and_o man_n live_v in_o the_o exercise_n of_o reason_n below_o it_o be_v most_o absurd_a to_o suppose_v that_o any_o book_n false_o pretend_v to_o god_n name_n and_o authority_n design_v his_o dishonour_n and_o man_n destruction_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o such_o a_o proof_n as_o have_v be_v bring_v 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it_o divers_a contradiction_n several_a strange_a and_o incredible_a story_n and_o other_o thing_n great_o liable_a to_o exception_n in_o answer_v the_o first_o question_n this_o aught_o to_o be_v previous_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v advantage_n peculiar_a to_o the_o belief_n of_o those_o who_o first_o receive_v the_o bible_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o and_o live_v in_o those_o time_n wherein_o it_o be_v first_o deliver_v that_o we_o have_v not_o and_o we_o have_v likewise_o some_o advantage_n and_o those_o very_a considerable_a to_o our_o belief_n which_o they_o have_v not_o they_o converse_v with_o the_o penman_n themselves_o the_o name_n of_o many_o of_o who_o be_v to_o we_o whole_o unknown_a the_o holy_a ghost_n not_o judge_v it_o necessary_a to_o record_v they_o foresee_v the_o scripture_n will_v descend_v to_o we_o upon_o other_o sufficient_a evidence_n they_o be_v able_a to_o judge_v of_o their_o personal_a integrity_n and_o the_o account_n they_o give_v of_o their_o divine_a commission_n be_v eye-witness_n of_o the_o miracle_n see_v the_o original_a write_n and_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n many_o know_v some_o of_o their_o hand_n these_o we_o have_v not_o but_o we_o see_v the_o progress_n and_o success_n of_o this_o book_n which_o they_o see_v not_o we_o see_v this_o book_n translate_v into_o all_o language_n whole_a nation_n convert_v by_o it_o the_o gospel_n spread_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o many_o prediction_n since_o which_o they_o can_v not_o then_o be_v witness_n of_o with_o many_o other_o great_a effect_n of_o it_o we_o see_v the_o whole_a conjoin_v and_o the_o excellent_a harmony_n of_o it_o and_o the_o relation_n each_o part_n have_v to_o complete_a the_o design_n of_o the_o whole_a be_v in_o divers_a respect_n upon_o different_a term_n of_o judge_v now_o upon_o the_o whole_a from_o what_o man_n be_v in_o judge_v at_o first_o upon_o any_o particular_a part_n but_o to_o come_v to_o a_o direct_a answer_n to_o this_o question_n there_o can_v be_v but_o two_o way_n to_o ascertain_v man_n in_o their_o reception_n of_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n when_o it_o first_o become_v public_a first_o by_o some_o outward_a visible_a justification_n of_o the_o person_n employ_v in_o that_o service_n to_o assure_v we_o that_o they_o be_v send_v and_o commissionated_a from_o god_n or_o second_o from_o the_o matter_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o write_n themselves_o and_o herein_o a_o due_a consideration_n of_o those_o time_n and_o season_n in_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v and_o the_o then_o present_a state_n of_o thing_n and_o the_o order_n of_o write_v it_o will_v much_o inform_v we_o moses_n who_o lay_v the_o first_o and_o great_a foundation_n of_o the_o whole_a fabric_n in_o the_o five_o book_n that_o he_o write_v he_o have_v a_o justification_n personal_n beyond_o all_o question_n his_o commission_n and_o authority_n to_o do_v what_o he_o do_v be_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o all_o that_o converse_v with_o he_o there_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v expect_v to_o assure_v those_o that_o then_o live_v that_o god_n have_v employ_v he_o for_o god_n admit_v he_o open_o to_o a_o personal_a converse_n with_o himself_o we_o read_v in_o the_o nineteenth_o of_o exodus_fw-la that_o the_o lord_n say_v unto_o moses_n loe_o i_o come_v to_o thou_o in_o a_o thick_a cloud_n that_o the_o people_n may_v bear_v when_o i_o speak_v with_o thou_o and_o believe_v thou_o for_o ever_o etc._n etc._n he_o impower_v he_o upon_o many_o occasion_n to_o work_v the_o great_a miracle_n that_o since_o the_o world_n have_v a_o be_v have_v ever_o be_v wrought_v and_o open_o to_o shame_n and_o outdo_v all_o his_o opposer_n and_o all_o pretender_n that_o way_n and_o whensoever_o there_o be_v a_o doubt_n make_v about_o this_o divine_a authority_n or_o any_o contest_v with_o he_o upon_o that_o account_n as_o in_o the_o case_n of_o korah_n and_o at_o other_o time_n god_n plain_o and_o open_o from_o heaven_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o people_n decide_v the_o matter_n to_o assure_v they_o and_o all_o generation_n to_o come_v that_o moses_n be_v no_o impostor_n but_o act_v by_o a_o divine_a commission_n in_o what_o he_o then_o do_v and_o indeed_o it_o be_v the_o first_o time_n that_o god_n reveal_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n in_o a_o write_a way_n and_o publish_v those_o law_n which_o be_v to_o be_v a_o standard_n to_o all_o that_o succeed_v and_o the_o great_a cornerstone_n of_o all_o that_o revelation_n that_o he_o will_v at_o any_o time_n after_o make_v to_o mankind_n it_o be_v but_o necessary_a it_o shall_v be_v fix_v and_o establish_v upon_o certain_a and_o unquestionable_a ground_n so_o that_o such_o who_o live_v in_o moses_n his_o time_n can_v have_v no_o good_a reason_n at_o all_o to_o doubt_v in_o the_o least_o of_o his_o sincerity_n for_o all_o be_v do_v that_o can_v be_v do_v to_o put_v that_o matter_n out_o of_o question_n and_o god_n visible_o show_v himself_o as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o four_o and_o twenty_o of_o exodus_fw-la and_o his_o own_o glory_n among_o they_o for_o it_o be_v say_v they_o see_v the_o lord_n god_n of_o israel_n and_o there_o be_v under_o his_o foot_n as_o it_o be_v a_o pave_a work_n of_o a_o saphire-stone_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o body_n of_o heaven_n in_o its_o clearness_n nor_o can_v there_o be_v any_o doubt_n raise_v whether_o the_o law_n and_o precept_n of_o moses_n be_v right_o record_v and_o as_o he_o intend_v they_o shall_v for_o before_o his_o death_n he_o himself_o by_o god_n special_a command_n in_o a_o public_a assembly_n deliver_v over_o his_o five_o book_n to_o the_o levite_n to_o be_v lay_v up_o in_o the_o side_n of_o the_o ark._n after_o moses_n his_o time_n
themselves_o be_v very_o long_o preserve_v as_o most_o precious_a jewel_n in_o the_o church_n tertullian_n say_v some_o of_o they_o be_v extant_a in_o his_o time_n and_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o some_o author_n of_o credit_n that_o s_o john_n gospel_n write_v with_o his_o own_o hand_n be_v preserve_v by_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n till_o the_o time_n of_o honorius_n the_o emperor_n now_o let_v any_o reasonable_a man_n judge_v what_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o copy_n be_v likely_a to_o be_v take_v before_o the_o original_n perish_v and_o how_o high_o improbable_a if_o not_o moral_o impossible_a it_o be_v to_o impose_v a_o public_a and_o general_a abuse_n upon_o the_o world_n by_o a_o false_a transcription_n of_o such_o write_n while_o the_o original_n themselves_o last_v it_o can_v not_o be_v do_v nor_o can_v we_o conceive_v the_o christian_a church_n so_o intolerable_a sottish_a and_o so_o universal_o negligent_a as_o to_o take_v up_o with_o false_a transcript_n while_o the_o original_n 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of_o the_o roman_n and_o both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n many_o place_n be_v never_o to_o be_v well_o understand_v without_o a_o very_a exact_a and_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o several_a custom_n and_o practice_n extant_a in_o those_o time_n among_o the_o jew_n this_o may_v be_v see_v in_o this_o one_o instance_n our_o saviour_n say_v he_o that_o will_v receive_v he_o and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n must_v forsake_v father_n and_o mother_n house_n and_o land_n wife_n and_o child_n and_o all_o he_o possess_v in_o this_o world_n these_o passage_n of_o our_o saviour_n in_o themselves_o seem_v strange_a and_o be_v extreme_o hard_a at_o the_o first_o view_n to_o be_v digest_v or_o understand_v but_o become_v easy_o intelligible_a by_o a_o knowledge_n of_o the_o jewish_a custom_n at_o that_o time_n for_o it_o be_v but_o the_o same_o doctrine_n apply_v to_o himself_o that_o be_v teach_v daily_o among_o the_o jew_n in_o admit_v their_o proselyte_n the_o jew_n deal_v with_o all_o stranger_n after_o a_o threefold_a manner_n such_o as_o continue_v in_o gentilism_n and_o heathenish_a idolatry_n they_o permit_v not_o to_o inhabit_v among_o they_o nor_o to_o have_v any_o place_n in_o the_o land_n of_o israel_n such_o as_o renounce_v the_o gentile_a idolatry_n and_o assent_v to_o some_o fundamental_o of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n which_o they_o call_v the_o seven_o precept_n of_o noah_n these_o be_v term_v proselyte_n of_o the_o gate_n have_v their_o liberty_n quiet_o to_o inhabit_v among_o they_o and_o come_v into_o the_o outer_a court_n of_o the_o temple_n which_o they_o call_v atrium_n gentillum_fw-la such_o as_o be_v circumcise_a and_o embrace_v the_o whole_a of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n those_o they_o call_v proselyte_n of_o justice_n and_o they_o be_v in_o all_o thing_n take_v as_o natural_a jew_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o initiation_n be_v to_o be_v wash_v in_o some_o great_a water_n up_o to_o the_o neck_n and_o there_o solemn_o to_o renounce_v 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the_o gospel_n our_o saviour_n then_o make_v a_o full_a and_o final_a determination_n about_o it_o for_o he_o positive_o declare_v that_o whosoever_o shall_v put_v away_o his_o wife_n except_o for_o the_o cause_n of_o fornication_n and_o shall_v marry_v another_o commit_v adultery_n by_o which_o these_o two_o great_a point_n about_o marriage_n be_v full_o and_o for_o ever_o determine_v first_o that_o divorce_n be_v lawful_a in_o no_o case_n but_o that_o of_o fornication_n our_o saviour_n declare_v that_o god_n have_v establish_v marriage_n by_o a_o law_n of_o creation_n and_o first_o institution_n upon_o those_o term_n and_o although_o the_o moysaicall_a indulgence_n in_o regard_n of_o the_o present_a and_o particular_a state_n of_o the_o jew_n have_v for_o some_o time_n interpose_v yet_o he_o have_v plain_o tell_v we_o it_o shall_v be_v so_o no_o more_o that_o indulgence_n shall_v be_v in_o force_n no_o long_o but_o that_o the_o obligation_n of_o marriage_n shall_v remain_v as_o it_o be_v from_o the_o beginning_n that_o one_o man_n and_o one_o woman_n be_v to_o become_v one_o flesh_n in_o that_o relation_n and_o upon_o no_o term_n to_o be_v part_v but_o in_o case_n of_o fornication_n which_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n contain_v a_o virtual_a dissolution_n of_o that_o marriage-union_n second_o that_o plurality_n of_o wife_n be_v a_o thing_n utter_o unlawful_a and_o the_o practice_n of_o it_o a_o great_a evil_n for_o our_o saviour_n affirm_v that_o he_o that_o marry_v another_o wife_n upon_o a_o unlawful_a divorce_n from_o his_o first_o and_o much_o more_o when_o there_o be_v no_o divorce_n commit_v adultery_n in_o so_o do_v which_o he_o can_v not_o do_v but_o upon_o this_o ground_n that_o the_o have_v of_o more_o wife_n than_o one_o together_o be_v a_o thing_n in_o itself_o altogether_o unlawful_a finis_fw-la
of_o those_o who_o have_v themselves_o universal_o proclaim_v the_o bible_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o christian-tradition_n be_v credit_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v thereby_o establish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v dis-believed_n in_o thaâ—_n there_o can_v be_v then_o no_o good_a reason_n to_o receiuâ—_v any_o other_o matter_n touch_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o conveyance_n to_o retain_v therefore_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o yet_o disow_v the_o bible_n be_v to_o become_v a_o perfect_a problem_n no_o such_o man_n can_v produce_v anâ—_n law_n or_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n nor_o give_v anâ—_n account_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v or_o bâ—_n who_o or_o by_o what_o church_n with_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o bible_n they_o have_v be_v at_o any_o timâ—_n receive_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n rational_o make_v a_o partial_a rejection_n of_o the_o bible_n and_o retain_v a_o christian_a profession_n from_o thence_o in_o a_o limit_a sensâ—_n of_o his_o own_o for_o a_o man_n to_o say_v he_o receive_v the_o bible_n as_o he_o receive_v other_o credible_a writing_n as_o a_o book_n general_o true_a and_o write_v by_o man_n that_o mean_v honest_o and_o well_o but_o believe_v it_o not_o write_v with_o a_o infallible_a spirit_n nor_o to_o carry_v a_o divine_a authority_n along_o with_o it_o nor_o submit_v to_o it_o as_o such_o be_v to_o say_v a_o thing_n extreme_o incongruous_a to_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o to_o indulge_v himself_o in_o a_o perfect_a absurdity_n for_o the_o bible_n come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o claim_n oâ—_n god_n authority_n attend_v it_o speak_v to_o we_o in_o his_o name_n be_v a_o book_n that_o disow_v all_o humane_a contrivement_n propose_v itself_o as_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o immediate_a direction_n from_o god_n admit_v of_o no_o composition_n for_o its_o reception_n in_o such_o a_o case_n 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worst_a designer_n against_o mankind_n the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o scripture_n be_v so_o relate_v and_o stand_v in_o so_o near_o a_o conjunction_n as_o they_o do_v the_o be_v of_o the_o one_o have_v so_o necessary_a a_o dependence_n upon_o the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o the_o other_o it_o will_v be_v easy_o grant_v to_o be_v the_o great_a concern_v of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o all_o age_n to_o assert_v their_o divine_a authority_n and_o to_o justify_v that_o book_n to_o be_v write_v by_o man_n that_o be_v indeed_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d divine_o inspire_v and_o to_o be_v send_v we_o from_o god_n as_o that_o supreme_a law_n by_o which_o he_o will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n he_o that_o undertake_v this_o province_n and_o design_n to_o himself_o such_o a_o service_n be_v oblige_v first_o to_o consider_v with_o who_o he_o be_v like_a to_o encounter_v and_o to_o proportion_v his_o defence_n to_o those_o various_a assault_n the_o scripture_n be_v usual_o expose_v to_o this_o be_v admit_v which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v that_o no_o man_n can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n close_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n renounce_v the_o bible_n that_o maxim_n of_o st._n austin_n be_v undeniable_a that_o contra_fw-la scripturas_fw-la nemo_fw-la christianus_n there_o be_v but_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n by_o who_o the_o scripture_n can_v at_o any_o time_n be_v general_o attact_v and_o from_o who_o principle_n their_o sacred_a authority_n can_v receive_v a_o universal_a invasion_n first_o such_o who_o whole_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o consequent_o of_o all_o religion_n for_o god_n and_o religion_n be_v relative_n such_o who_o wallow_v in_o the_o mire_n of_o a_o atheistical_a profession_n second_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o a_o supreme_a and_o first_o cause_n but_o deny_v his_o providence_n and_o believe_v he_o be_v no_o way_n concer_v about_o the_o world_n nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o divine_a subject_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v already_o contest_v with_o such_o and_o dispatch_v all_o my_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o last_o converse_n i_o mean_v to_o have_v with_o that_o evil_a generation_n of_o who_o it_o may_v most_o true_o be_v say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o the_o avow_a opposer_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o indeed_o they_o be_v host_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n who_o by_o deny_v a_o supreme_a be_v above_o demolish_v the_o great_a support_n of_o all_o well-being_n here_o below_o of_o this_o belief_n they_o be_v heretofore_o at_o athens_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n of_o atheism_n and_o first_o dawning_n of_o â—speculative_a irreligion_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o cotta_n tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n that_o when_o protagoras_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o this_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la atheniensum_fw-la jussu_fw-la urbe_fw-la atque_fw-la agro_n est_fw-la exterminatus_fw-la librique_fw-la ejus_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la combusti_fw-la and_o he_o add_v exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la for_o those_o secundary_a enemy_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o together_o with_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o divine_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n such_o who_o out_o of_o shame_n disow_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o atheism_n but_o yet_o by_o this_o method_n secure_v all_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o to_o themselves_o of_o those_o a_o preliminary_a consideration_n on_o aught_o to_o be_v have_v a_o previous_a confutation_n of_o such_o principle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o discourse_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o impracticable_a project_n to_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v any_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o a_o law_n give_v forth_o from_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n any_o where_o in_o be_v which_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o never_o can_v be_v if_o god_n no_o way_n concern_v himself_o with_o what_o man_n do_v nor_o exercise_n any_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a such_o principle_n do_v uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la dispatch_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o divinity_n and_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n very_o absurd_a to_o submit_v either_o in_o our_o belief_n or_o practice_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o divine_a to_o this_o purpose_n cicero_n conclude_v in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat_n deor._n sin_n autem_fw-la dii_fw-la say_v he_o neque_fw-la possunt_fw-la nos_fw-la juvare_fw-la nec_fw-la volunt_fw-la
these_o latter_a age_n in_o whole_a stream_n of_o blood_n that_o run_v from_o its_o primitive_a martyr_n god_n please_v to_o introduce_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o without_o any_o thing_n humane_a to_o befriend_v it_o that_o we_o may_v be_v for_o ever_o ascertain_v of_o its_o author_n who_o but_o god_n himself_o by_o a_o power_n from_o above_o can_v we_o reasonable_o imagine_v can_v have_v enable_v a_o few_o mean_a ignorant_a and_o contemptible_a man_n so_o to_o confront_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o in_o the_o evening_n of_o it_o when_o other_o religion_n have_v so_o long_o last_v and_o be_v so_o fast_o root_v to_o erect_v a_o religion_n destructive_a to_o all_o the_o rest_n and_o to_o break_v through_o all_o the_o opposition_n that_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o philosophy_n and_o learning_n of_o all_o the_o know_a part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o law_n and_o force_n of_o the_o roman-empire_n in_o its_o great_a splendour_n and_o strength_n can_v form_v against_o it_o and_o what_o doctrine_n but_o one_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n diâ—â—â—â—_n and_o attend_v with_o the_o visible_a effect_n 〈◊〉_d almighty_a power_n to_o own_o and_o juâ—â—â—â—â—_n can_v we_o conceive_v can_v have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n so_o to_o bow_v before_o it_o how_o ridiculous_a do_v it_o appear_v to_o suppose_v a_o company_n of_o mean_a impostor_n that_o have_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n beside_o themselves_o to_o befriend_v they_o nor_o any_o other_o foundadation_n but_o a_o design_n in_o the_o high_a manner_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n can_v have_v effect_v all_o this_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v final_o so_o prevail_v and_o impose_v the_o gross_a delusion_n imaginable_a upon_o mankind_n against_o all_o such_o opposition_n have_v i_o no_o other_o consideration_n to_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o bible_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o hence_o this_o one_o seem_v single_o sufficient_a to_o i_o to_o justify_v its_o divinity_n against_o all_o reasonable_a suspicion_n of_o imposture_n and_o for_o ever_o to_o silence_v all_o the_o doubt_n that_o can_v be_v at_o any_o time_n make_v about_o it_o what_o great_a assurance_n can_v we_o have_v that_o a_o doctrine_n be_v divine_a and_o come_v from_o above_o then_o when_o we_o see_v it_o have_v venture_v itself_o upon_o its_o own_o divine_a evidence_n against_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o single_o by_o that_o prevail_v and_o spread_v itself_o all_o the_o world_n over_o neither_o arm_n nor_o council_n neither_o the_o policy_n of_o julian_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o dioclesian_n can_v put_v a_o stop_n to_o its_o progress_n have_v god_n disow_v the_o gospel_n at_o first_o nay_o have_v he_o not_o eminent_o and_o visible_o witness_v to_o it_o from_o heaven_n we_o can_v possible_o imagine_v how_o it_o can_v have_v take_v one_o step_n forward_o it_o have_v doubtless_o as_o it_o be_v then_o circumstance_v be_v stifle_v in_o its_o first_o birth_n and_o bury_v in_o perpetual_a silence_n we_o find_v all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n have_v still_o grow_v up_o under_o the_o shadow_n of_o humane_a power_n and_o authority_n and_o have_v still_o decay_v when_o humane_a prop_n have_v be_v remove_v i_o challenge_v any_o man_n to_o show_v i_o any_o other_o religion_n that_o ever_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n without_o humane_a help_n and_o that_o ever_o stand_v out_o the_o brunt_n of_o persecution_n all_o other_o religion_n but_o what_o have_v be_v found_v upon_o the_o bible_n have_v still_o fall_v before_o the_o power_n of_o the_o sword_n it_o be_v only_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o the_o christian_n found_v at_o first_o upon_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o it_o that_o have_v weather_v out_o all_o attempt_n for_o its_o eradication_n it_o be_v a_o marvellous_a evidence_n of_o that_o solemn_a and_o divine_a foundation_n upon_o which_o the_o jewish_a church_n and_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v at_o first_o establish_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v suffer_v and_o their_o very_a be_v in_o a_o national_a way_n and_o their_o national_a worship_n in_o which_o their_o religion_n chief_o consist_v be_v utter_o extinguish_v yet_o still_o they_o retain_v their_o profession_n submit_v to_o a_o yoke_n of_o most_o burdensome_a ceremony_n &_o remain_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n a_o monument_n of_o scripture-verity_n and_o so_o many_o stand_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o many_o eminent_a prediction_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o thus_o from_o the_o success_n of_o this_o book_n also_o since_o its_o first_o conveyance_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v attend_v the_o progress_n of_o it_o since_o its_o first_o publication_n have_v we_o as_o great_a a_o assurance_n as_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o can_v well_o expect_v that_o god_n himself_o and_o no_o other_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o author_n of_o it_o i_o come_v in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n to_o consider_v this_o book_n in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o at_o the_o present_a we_o find_v it_o and_o as_o it_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o i_o mean_v not_o to_o insist_v separately_z and_o abstract_o upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o former_a and_o all_o other_o collateral_a proof_n it_o be_v neither_o reasonable_a nor_o warrantable_a to_o disjoin_v the_o proof_n god_n have_v afford_v we_o of_o his_o word_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o its_o justification_n upon_o any_o one_o single_a evidence_n for_o when_o god_n command_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o obey_v this_o book_n as_o his_o word_n and_o impose_v the_o high_a penalty_n upon_o our_o not_o do_v it_o he_o lay_v not_o the_o stress_n of_o his_o command_n or_o the_o penalty_n nor_o ought_v we_o upon_o any_o one_o particular_a sort_n of_o evidence_n external_n or_o internal_a but_o upon_o the_o whole_a entire_a proof_n he_o have_v make_v to_o we_o of_o it_o and_o all_o those_o mean_n he_o have_v afford_v for_o our_o conviction_n and_o satisfaction_n about_o it_o when_o we_o be_v upon_o a_o general_a proof_n of_o the_o bible_n it_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o insist_v upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o bible_n itself_o as_o single_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o or_o enter_v into_o any_o debate_n whether_o it_o real_o be_v so_o or_o no_o because_o we_o have_v all_o the_o cumulative_a advantage_n of_o a_o external_n justification_n and_o if_o all_o together_o be_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v the_o bible_n to_o be_v what_o we_o that_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n take_v it_o to_o be_v it_o be_v enough_o for_o our_o purpose_n and_o that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o with_o what_o ever_o evidence_n will_v arise_v from_o thence_o be_v not_o to_o be_v abstract_o insist_v on_o from_o other_o collateral_a proof_n nor_o that_o any_o collateral_a proof_n will_v prevail_v in_o this_o case_n without_o there_o be_v also_o a_o innate_a evidence_n result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o so_o that_o a_o conjunction_n of_o the_o evidence_n in_o both_o kind_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o general_a proof_n will_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v the_o bible_n as_o have_v be_v say_v consist_v of_o three_o part_n doctrinal_a prophetical_a and_o historical_a whatever_o evidence_n we_o have_v from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o to_o prove_v its_o own_o divinity_n must_v needs_o chief_o arise_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n because_o the_o prophetical_a and_o historical_a part_n can_v never_o be_v full_o justify_v without_o foreign_a proof_n we_o can_v know_v the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o be_v certain_o true_a from_o the_o bible_n itself_o nor_o can_v we_o sufficient_o prove_v any_o prophecy_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o have_v be_v actual_o fâ—llfilled_v because_o they_o be_v say_v in_o other_o place_n of_o that_o book_n so_o to_o be_v for_o it_o be_v to_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o admit_v the_o book_n to_o be_v true_a when_o we_o be_v debate_v whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o no_o this_o we_o may_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a part_n from_o that_o divine_a evidence_n that_o come_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a that_o we_o find_v such_o history_n and_o such_o prophecy_n in_o a_o admirable_a conjunction_n with_o such_o a_o doctrine_n subservient_fw-fr to_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o and_o environ_v with_o all_o probable_a circumstance_n of_o be_v true_a both_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o also_o from_o the_o excellent_a manner_n of_o their_o fulfil_n and_o from_o the_o rare_a method_n of_o the_o history_n in_o
order_n to_o the_o great_a end_n of_o the_o whole_a but_o at_o last_o the_o positive_a and_o absolute_a proof_n to_o one_o that_o deny_v it_o must_v needs_o depend_v upon_o somewhat_o collateral_a to_o the_o book_n itself_o second_o no_o external_n proof_n of_o the_o bible_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o any_o reasonable_a enquiry_n be_v there_o not_o likewise_o a_o internal_a evidence_n result_v from_o it_o to_o its_o divinity_n that_o be_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o urge_v any_o argument_n from_o external_n evidence_n be_v they_o miracle_n or_o what_o they_o will_v to_o prove_v a_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o send_v we_o from_o god_n do_v not_o the_o book_n approve_v itself_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o right_a reason_n likely_a so_o to_o be_v it_o be_v a_o vain_a attempt_n to_o endeavour_v to_o make_v a_o reasonable_a man_n upon_o any_o collateral_a consideration_n submit_v to_o the_o bible_n as_o a_o law_n divine_a do_v not_o the_o bible_n upon_o a_o due_a search_n into_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o appear_v worthy_a of_o such_o a_o denomination_n i_o much_o applaud_v that_o say_n of_o mr._n chillingworth_n upon_o this_o occasion_n for_o my_o part_n say_v he_o i_o profess_v if_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n do_v not_o appear_v as_o good_a and_o as_o sit_v to_o come_v from_o god_n the_o fountain_n of_o goodness_n as_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o it_o be_v confirm_v be_v great_a i_o shall_v want_v one_o main_a pillar_n of_o my_o faith_n and_o for_o want_v of_o it_o i_o fear_v i_o shall_v be_v much_o stagger_v nay_o it_o be_v that_o innate_a and_o satisfactory_a testimony_n the_o scripture_n give_v at_o last_o of_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o divinity_n to_o our_o reason_n that_o final_o determin_n all_o rational_a assent_n establish_v the_o truth_n of_o all_o other_o testimony_n and_o upon_o which_o our_o belief_n of_o they_o as_o sacred_a and_o divine_a be_v ultimate_o found_v and_o establish_v so_o that_o as_o on_o the_o one_o 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