now_o it_o be_v and_o those_o scandal_n and_o reproach_n which_o be_v so_o frequent_o cast_v upon_o cathedral_n more_o rational_o be_v confute_v firm._n i_o much_o approve_v of_o what_o you_o say_v for_o the_o nonresidency_a of_o bishop_n dean_n and_o canon_n and_o the_o remote_a vicaridge_n of_o vicar_n choral_n from_o their_o respective_a cathedral_n be_v the_o just_a occasion_n that_o the_o service_n of_o god_n be_v very_o perfunctory_o perform_v to_o the_o great_a scandal_n of_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n which_o we_o can_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o grieveance_n but_o it_o be_v only_o in_o the_o power_n of_o king_n and_o parliament_n to_o redress_v dub._n the_o lord_n put_v it_o into_o their_o heart_n to_o undertake_v so_o good_a and_o pious_a a_o work_n â—et_v i_o now_o hear_v what_o you_o can_v answer_v to_o what_o be_v object_v against_o the_o life_n aâ—e_v conversation_n of_o vicar_n choral_n petty_a canon_n singing-man_n as_o they_o be_v settle_v in_o some_o 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evening_n morning_n and_o noon_n to_o offer_v up_o prayer_n and_o praise_n to_o the_o high_a and_o holy_a god_n but_o it_o be_v very_o much_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o citizen_n and_o other_o not_o hinder_v by_o necessary_a occasion_n shall_v be_v so_o frequent_o absent_a from_o these_o solemn_a assembly_n as_o usual_o they_o be_v it_o be_v yet_o more_o to_o be_v lament_v that_o those_o who_o duty_n it_o be_v to_o officiate_v at_o those_o solemn_a service_n shall_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o pâ—nsum_fw-la a_o task_n a_o burden_n as_o naughty_a boy_n at_o school_n do_v their_o lesson_n how_o far_o be_v such_o stupid_a soul_n from_o holy_a david_n zeal_n and_o piety_n one_o thing_n say_v that_o good_a king_n psal._n 22.4_o have_v i_o desire_v of_o the_o lord_n which_o i_o shall_v seek_v after_o that_o i_o may_v dwell_v in_o the_o house_n of_o the_o lord_n all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n to_o behold_v the_o beauty_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o inquire_v in_o his_o temple_n want_v 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to_o stir_v up_o the_o affection_n in_o these_o sacred_a hymn_n and_o anthem_n nevertheless_o i_o have_v hear_v that_o many_o who_o be_v much_o take_v with_o chore_n anthem_n be_v much_o offend_v at_o the_o manner_n of_o read_v of_o prayer_n in_o cathedral_n when_o they_o pray_v for_o the_o sick_a they_o use_v the_o ordinary_a tone_n which_o be_v use_v in_o parish_n church_n at_o other_o time_n they_o pronounce_v their_o prayer_n in_o a_o middle_a way_n between_o read_v and_o sing_v which_o seem_v to_o be_v not_o so_o grave_a and_o suitable_a to_o the_o solemnity_n of_o prayer_n firm._n i_o confess_v this_o be_v a_o common_a objection_n and_o some_o that_o be_v no_o enemy_n to_o cathedral_n service_n have_v in_o this_o much_o desire_v a_o reformation_n but_o this_o must_v be_v leave_v to_o the_o prudence_n of_o those_o that_o set_v at_o the_o serne_v mean_v while_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o condemn_v the_o quireservice_n for_o this_o seem_a indecency_n well_o know_v that_o the_o stress_n 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a_o god_n creator_n and_o governor_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o they_o contain_v firm._n i_o have_v heretofore_o take_v you_o for_o a_o rational_a man_n and_o therefore_o i_o desire_v a_o reason_n from_o you_o of_o such_o thought_n and_o doubt_n dub._n those_o many_o controversy_n and_o sharp_a contention_n about_o religion_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n have_v cause_v i_o to_o doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o religion_n at_o all_o or_o any_o god_n to_o be_v worship_v firm._n be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o so_o many_o wise_a man_n shall_v contend_v about_o a_o trifle_n a_o fancy_n a_o very_a nothing_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o what_o shall_v be_v a_o most_o rational_a motive_n to_o persuade_v you_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o a_o religion_n shall_v make_v you_o doubt_v of_o both_o there_o must_v be_v something_o in_o it_o that_o draw_v so_o many_o combatant_n into_o the_o field_n zealous_a stickler_n for_o their_o several_a modes_n 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do_v not_o we_o say_v a_o rose_n be_v a_o flower_n yet_o it_o do_v not_o follow_v at_o aâ—l_a time_n that_o a_o rose_n be_v for_o in_o the_o winter_n there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o rose_n and_o yet_o the_o proposition_n be_v true_a firm._n there_o be_v a_o vast_a difference_n betwixt_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o that_o which_o have_v a_o limit_a and_o finite_a perfection_n for_o in_o this_o the_o essence_n may_v be_v real_o abstract_v from_o the_o actual_a existence_n but_o not_o in_o that_o for_o a_o be_v infinite_o or_o absolute_o perfect_a must_v necessary_o exist_v not_o contingent_o or_o impossible_o for_o those_o mode_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a for_o whatsoever_o do_v exist_v contingent_o be_v in_o possibility_n not_o to_o exist_v which_o be_v a_o imperfection_n and_o impossibility_n of_o existence_n be_v the_o great_a imperfection_n of_o all_o other_o dub._n this_o reason_n be_v so_o obscure_a that_o albeit_o i_o can_v reply_v to_o it_o yet_o i_o be_o not_o satisfy_v with_o it_o i_o fear_v some_o fallacy_n lie_v hide_v in_o the_o bowel_n of_o it_o firm._n i_o believe_v not_o yet_o because_o you_o do_v not_o full_o comprehend_v it_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o other_o thaâ—_n be_v more_o plain_a and_o intelligible_a firm._n what_o say_v you_o then_o to_o that_o reason_n which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o general_n consent_n of_o all_o nation_n as_o well_o heathen_n as_o christian_n nulla_fw-la gens_fw-la tam_fw-la barbara_fw-la etc._n etc._n say_v cicero_n no_o nation_n be_v ever_o so_o barbarous_a which_o do_v not_o confess_v a_o god_n now_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n be_v the_o law_n and_o dictate_v of_o nature_n so_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o all_o nation_n shall_v consent_v in_o so_o great_a a_o falsehood_n as_o the_o atheist_n endeavour_v to_o maintain_v add_v to_o this_o their_o general_a practice_n in_o worship_v some_o supreme_a deity_n that_o rather_o than_o worship_v no_o god_n at_o all_o they_o will_v worship_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n yeâ—_n the_o moâ—t_o contemptible_a creature_n the_o crocodile_n onion_n garlic_n a_o red_a cloth_n any_o thing_n they_o first_o meet_v with_o in_o the_o morning_n so_o powerful_a be_v the_o impulse_n and_o inclination_n of_o nature_n in_o this_o great_a business_n of_o religion_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a distinguish_a character_n betwixt_o a_o man_n and_o a_o beast_n as_o lactantius_n have_v long_o since_o observe_v dub._n i_o confess_v that_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o nation_n in_o the_o acknowledge_v and_o worship_v a_o god_n have_v be_v one_o main_a reason_n that_o have_v keep_v i_o from_o be_v a_o downright_a atheist_n yet_o i_o have_v somewhat_o to_o say_v against_o it_o because_o this_o consent_n be_v not_o so_o general_a as_o be_v pretend_v for_o i_o have_v hear_v there_o have_v be_v man_n in_o ancient_a time_n and_o not_o a_o few_o in_o these_o we_o live_v in_o who_o have_v say_v not_o only_o in_o their_o heart_n but_o also_o with_o their_o tongue_n there_o be_v no_o god_n firm._n what_o be_v two_o or_o three_o man_n in_o former_a age_n or_o a_o feâ—_n debauch_a person_n in_o this_o to_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o all_o civil_a nation_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n happy_o you_o have_v hear_v that_o soâ—e_a have_v deny_v the_o snoâ—_n to_o be_v white_a the_o fire_n to_o be_v hot_a monstrous_a opinion_n be_v no_o more_o a_o prejudice_n to_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n and_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o nation_n then_o monstrous_a shape_n and_o form_n in_o the_o body_n be_v to_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o she_o general_o observe_v in_o the_o form_n of_o man_n and_o beast_n in_o their_o due_a proportion_n and_o lineament_n what_o if_o some_o few_o out_o of_o discontent_n singularity_n animosity_n or_o brutish_a sensuality_n have_v turn_v atheist_n be_v it_o not_o a_o great_a prejudice_n to_o this_o brutish_a opinion_n that_o few_o sober_a man_n if_o any_o have_v be_v of_o their_o party_n but_o such_o as_o have_v be_v first_o atheist_n in_o practice_n sensual_a debauch_a wretch_n nam_fw-la quo_fw-la quis_fw-la in_o vita_fw-la purior_fw-la etc._n etc._n say_v cicero_n â—y_a how_o much_o any_o man_n have_v be_v more_o pure_a in_o his_o liâ—e_z and_o conversation_n by_o so_o much_o his_o thought_n of_o the_o god_n have_v be_v more_o sound_a and_o rational_a dub._n i_o confess_v it_o be_v a_o great_a prejudice_n to_o atheism_n that_o the_o debaucher_n sort_n be_v the_o great_a iâ—_n not_o the_o only_a stickler_n for_o it_o but_o still_o my_o doubt_n remain_v and_o therefore_o i_o desire_v to_o hear_v from_o you_o some_o more_o evident_a reason_n for_o my_o full_a satisfaction_n firm._n most_o willing_o i_o shall_v comply_v with_o youâ—_n desire_n my_o three_o argument_n shall_v be_v this_o if_o the_o world_n have_v a_o beginning_n and_o be_v not_o from_o all_o eternity_n than_o it_o be_v make_v by_o something_o else_o for_o nothing_o can_v make_v 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world_n and_o judge_v the_o earth_n firm._n this_o i_o hope_v i_o shall_v perform_v by_o his_o gracious_a assistance_n who_o cause_n i_o plead_v and_o who_o poor_a sinful_a creature_n i_o be_o first_o then_o by_o the_o world_n we_o understand_v the_o whole_a systeme_n or_o collection_n of_o thing_n in_o it_o contain_v sun_n moon_n star_n air_n earth_n water_n man_n beast_n foâ—les_n fish_n plant_n and_o all_o thing_n whatsoever_o comprehend_v in_o this_o vast_a circumference_n dub._n i_o willing_o grant_v that_o by_o tâ—â—_n world_n we_o be_v â—o_o understand_v all_o thing_n therein_o contain_v as_o you_o have_v enumerate_v they_o which_o make_v up_o the_o visible_a world_n create_v by_o almighty_a god_n in_o six_o day_n as_o your_o moses_n will_v have_v we_o believe_v firm._n that_o none_o of_o these_o be_v from_o
righteous_a as_o all_o the_o law_n which_o be_v set_v before_o you_o this_o day_n which_o as_o to_o their_o clearness_n be_v high_o improve_v under_o the_o gospel_n engage_v we_o upon_o high_a and_o more_o heavenly_a motive_n those_o under_o the_o law_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n temporal_a to_o deny_v all_o ungodliness_n and_o worldly_a lust_n to_o live_v sober_o righteous_o and_o godly_a in_o this_o present_a world_n tit._n 2._o 12._o there_o be_v no_o virtue_n which_o christian_n religion_n commend_v not_o b._n no_o duty_n which_o it_o command_v not_o no_o vice_n no_o sin_n which_o it_o do_v not_o condemn_v no_o religion_n do_v so_o much_o condemn_v pride_n worldly-mindedness_a sensuality_n filthy_a lust_n a_o poor_a private_a narrow_a spirit_n selfishness_n as_o this_o no_o religion_n do_v so_o much_o commend_v humility_n meekness_n selfe-denyal_n charity_n peace_n unity_n no_o religion_n do_v so_o much_o exalt_v reason_n above_o passion_n and_o sense_n do_v so_o much_o ennoble_v the_o spirit_n of_o man_n make_v it_o to_o look_v upon_o the_o riches_n honour_n pleasure_n of_o the_o world_n as_o so_o many_o vain_a shadow_n delude_a dream_n transitory_a nothing_o the_o great_a design_n of_o it_o be_v not_o carnal_a and_o worldly_a but_o high_a and_o heavenly_a as_o to_o set_v forth_o tâ—e_v gloâ—y_a of_o god_n to_o lift_v up_o the_o soul_n above_o the_o creature_n to_o lead_v man_n by_o the_o way_n of_o holiness_n to_o everlasting_a happiness_n this_o religion_n give_v we_o the_o high_a motive_n for_o the_o sincere_a practice_n of_o piety_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o virtuous_a live_a thâ—t_n possible_a câ—n_n be_v the_o pleasure_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n here_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o everlasting_a happiness_n hereafter_o it_o give_v the_o strong_a reason_n against_o the_o power_n oâ—_n temptation_n teâ—â—hing_v we_o to_o mortify_v the_o lust_n of_o the_o flesh_n anâ—_n to_o contemn_v the_o vanity_n of_o the_o world_n put_v the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n the_o torment_n of_o hell_n the_o love_n of_o god_n in_o the_o balance_n against_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n whiâ—h_o be_v no_o more_o than_o a_o feather_n to_o the_o massy_a glob_n of_o the_o earth_n last_o christian_a religion_n from_o holy_a scripture_n on_o which_o it_o be_v found_v do_v reveâ—l_o unto_o we_o the_o nature_n attribute_n and_o work_n of_o god_n beyond_o all_o the_o religion_n that_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n how_o do_v it_o magnify_v and_o reconcile_v the_o justiâ—e_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n towards_o sinful_a man_n how_o doâ—h_v it_o set_v forth_o the_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o â—oâ—_n in_o make_v the_o world_n of_o nothing_o in_o such_o a_o excellent_a form_n and_o beauty_n which_o have_v draw_v all_o â—oâ—sidering_v man_n into_o a_o admiration_n of_o the_o goodly_a fabric_n of_o it_o yet_o the_o must_v acute_a philosopher_n be_v at_o a_o loss_n how_o and_o when_o it_o be_v make_v whether_o it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n or_o have_v a_o beginning_n in_o time_n whether_o it_o be_v mâ—de_v of_o preexistent_a mâ—tter_n oâ—_n of_o the_o fortuitous_a concourse_n of_o atom_n whiâ—h_o fond_a opinion_n deserve_v not_o any_o serious_a confutation_n but_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v â—leâ—rly_o solve_v all_o these_o doubt_n &_o be_v indeed_o the_o best_a comment_n on_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n and_o do_v give_v such_o a_o account_n of_o the_o original_n of_o the_o world_n the_o time_n and_o method_n of_o its_o production_n the_o people_n of_o nation_n the_o confusion_n of_o language_n the_o depravation_n of_o nature_n which_o the_o heathen_n understand_v not_o fancy_v two_o principal_n one_o good_a the_o other_o evil_n from_o which_o all_o the_o good_a and_o evil_n in_o the_o world_n do_v proceed_v man_n recovery_n by_o the_o sacrifice_a of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o want_v of_o the_o knowledge_n and_o belief_n thereof_o all_o the_o bloody_a sacrifice_n practise_v by_o the_o heathen_n be_v mere_a imposture_n and_o ridiculous_a nothing_o these_o and_o divers_a other_o mystery_n far_o above_o man_n capacity_n to_o devise_v and_o not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o natural_a corrupt_a reason_n be_v make_v plain_a unto_o we_o by_o scripture_n revelation_n which_o do_v abundant_o prove_v that_o none_o but_o a_o infinite_a god_n can_v be_v author_n of_o this_o divine_a revelation_n of_o which_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_n &_o that_o of_o mahomet_n be_v so_o many_o apish_a imitation_n &_o diabolical_a cheat_n dub._n i_o be_o full_o satisfy_v by_o the_o character_n which_o you_o have_v give_v of_o the_o religion_n in_o practice_n with_o the_o people_n of_o god_n especial_o with_o the_o christian_n that_o the_o rule_n and_o measure_n of_o it_o must_v be_v from_o heaven_n &_o not_o from_o man_n and_o consequent_o that_o all_o holy_a scripture_n be_v divine_o inspire_v &_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o eternal_a god_n firm._n i_o can_v further_o acquaint_v you_o with_o many_o moâ—e_n reason_n to_o confirm_v you_o in_o this_o great_a truth_n which_o be_v common_a in_o every_o author_n that_o treat_v of_o it_o â—s_n namely_o the_o antiquity_n of_o holy_a scripture_n some_o part_n of_o it_o be_v before_o all_o write_n the_o continuance_n of_o it_o by_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n notwithstanding_o the_o rage_n and_o malice_n of_o cruel_a bloody_a persecutor_n the_o sincerity_n impartiality_n candour_n simplicity_n of_o its_o writer_n quibus_fw-la nullum_fw-la fuit_fw-la mendac_fw-la two_o praemium_fw-la they_o have_v no_o earthly_a motive_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o utter_v such_o forgery_n as_o atheist_n deem_v they_o to_o be_v nothing_o but_o bond_n and_o imprisonment_n loss_n of_o good_n and_o life_n again_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v very_o good_a man_n or_o very_o bad_a for_o man_n of_o a_o cold_a indifferency_n they_o can_v not_o be_v if_o they_o be_v very_o good_a man_n they_o will_v never_o have_v conspire_v together_o to_o put_v such_o a_o cheat_n such_o a_o grand_a imposture_n upon_o the_o world_n as_o antiscripturists_a will_v have_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o be_v if_o very_o bad_a they_o will_v never_o have_v write_v with_o so_o much_o zeal_n and_o earnestness_n against_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n and_o especial_o against_o lie_v and_o hypocrisy_n certain_o they_o will_v never_o have_v expose_v themselves_o to_o hazard_v life_n and_o fortune_n for_o no_o other_o reward_n then_o to_o be_v esteem_v both_o knave_n and_o fool_n by_o all_o prudent_a man_n add_v to_o this_o that_o liar_n and_o cheat_n do_v not_o usual_o agree_v one_o with_o the_o other_o but_o there_o be_v such_o a_o sweet_a harmony_n &_o consent_n betwixt_o the_o penman_n of_o holy_a writ_n though_o they_o live_v at_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n from_o one_o another_o that_o questionless_a they_o be_v act_v by_o one_o and_o the_o same_o infallible_a spirit_n last_o the_o averseness_n the_o slowness_n that_o be_v in_o our_o corrupt_a heart_n to_o believe_v all_o that_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n luke_n 24.25_o arise_v from_o that_o contrariety_n which_o be_v betwixt_o the_o holy_a and_o spiritual_a word_n of_o god_n and_o our_o carnal_a and_o deprave_a mind_n be_v no_o small_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v otherwise_o impossible_a to_o render_v any_o rational_a account_n why_o we_o shall_v doubt_v or_o disbelieve_v this_o sacred_a word_n and_o never_o once_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o ordinary_a and_o common_a history_n which_o be_v convey_v down_o unto_o we_o not_o with_o the_o ten_o part_n of_o that_o evidence_n which_o we_o have_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o holy_a scripture_n but_o wave_v these_o reason_n i_o shall_v only_o mention_v two_o of_o the_o best_a which_o be_v urge_v against_o infidelity_n to_o bring_v up_o the_o rear_n of_o my_o discourse_n the_o first_o whereof_o shall_v be_v take_v from_o the_o fulfil_n of_o prophecy_n the_o other_o from_o miracle_n which_o be_v the_o seal_n of_o this_o our_o magna_fw-la charta_fw-la dub._n though_o i_o be_o sufficient_o confirm_v in_o the_o truth_n of_o this_o great_a principle_n by_o what_o you_o have_v already_o say_v yet_o i_o will_v most_o glad_o hear_v your_o argument_n from_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n firm._n first_o for_o prophecy_n i_o shall_v acquaint_v you_o with_o some_o few_o out_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n to_o which_o your_o own_o read_n may_v suggest_v many_o more_o which_o be_v exact_o fulfil_v according_a as_o they_o be_v foretell_v dub._n do_v not_o astrologer_n and_o heathen_a oracle_n foretell_v many_o thing_n that_o come_v to_o pass_v as_o they_o be_v foretell_v firm._n i_o grant_v it_o but_o hear_v what_o judgement_n a_o learned_a heathen_a pass_n upon_o they_o the_o god_n do_v foretell_v some_o natural_a thing_n to_o come_v for_o that_o they_o observe_v the_o order_n &_o conjunction_n of_o their_o natural_a cause_n but_o of_o thing_n