Selected quad for the lemma: nature_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
nature_n	evil_a	evil_n	good_a	8,805	5	4.1675	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A71259	The characters of divine revelation a sermon preached at St. Martins in the Fields, March 4. 1694/5 : being the third of the lecture for the ensuing year, founded by the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esquire / by John Williams ...	Williams, John, 1636?-1709.; Boyle, Robert, 1627-1691.	1695 (1695)	Wing W2696; ESTC R1810	13,869	36

mankind_n will_v not_o only_o desire_v but_o what_o be_v best_a and_o most_o necessary_a for_o they_o to_o know_v and_o what_o be_v there_o more_o material_a and_o of_o great_a importance_n than_o to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o thing_n and_o how_o they_o come_v at_o first_o to_o be_v what_o more_o desirable_a than_o since_o god_n be_v infinite_o good_a and_o consequent_o can_v produce_v nothing_o that_o be_v in_o itself_o evil_a than_o to_o know_v how_o the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n come_v to_o be_v corrupt_v and_o that_o where_o there_o be_v such_o a_o clear_a sense_n of_o the_o difference_n between_o good_a and_o evil_n such_o conviction_n follow_v that_o sense_n such_o memento_n and_o such_o presignification_n such_o reflection_n upon_o it_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v such_o a_o potent_a sway_n bent_n and_o propension_n to_o evil_a that_o with_o all_o their_o care_n it_o can_v never_o be_v prevent_v or_o total_o exterminate_v what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v what_o nature_n and_o reason_n of_o itself_o be_v insufficient_a for_o when_o we_o can_v get_v no_o further_o than_o a_o video_fw-la meliora_fw-la proboque_fw-la etc._n etc._n in_o the_o apostle_n language_n the_o good_a that_o i_o will_v i_o do_v not_o but_o the_o evil_n which_o i_o will_v not_o that_o i_o do_v may_v be_v otherwise_o effect_v that_o these_o inclination_n may_v be_v subdue_v and_o nature_n bring_v to_o a_o regular_a state_n what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v how_o after_o all_o god_n may_v be_v appease_v forgiveness_n may_v be_v obtain_v and_o that_o heavy_a load_n upon_o human_a nature_n arise_v from_o the_o gild_n of_o a_o man_n mind_n may_v be_v remove_v last_o what_o more_o desirable_a than_o to_o know_v the_o certainty_n and_o condition_n of_o a_o future_a state_n and_o how_o we_o may_v attain_v to_o the_o happiness_n of_o it_o these_o and_o the_o like_a use_v to_o be_v the_o prime_a question_n which_o all_o and_o especial_o the_o most_o thoughtful_a and_o considerate_a part_n of_o mankind_n seek_v but_o in_o vain_a for_o satisfaction_n in_o and_o therefore_o since_o revelation_n be_v to_o make_v up_o the_o defect_n of_o natural_a light_n and_o be_v as_o well_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o mankind_n as_o to_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n we_o may_v reasonable_o expect_v that_o these_o shall_v be_v the_o chief_a subject_n of_o such_o revelation_n and_o a_o revelation_n without_o this_o that_o shall_v leave_v mankind_n in_o the_o same_o circumstance_n of_o ignorance_n and_o dissatisfaction_n as_o they_o be_v in_o before_o such_o revelation_n be_v no_o more_o to_o be_v esteem_v than_o that_o course_n of_o physic_n which_o after_o all_o pretence_n to_o infallibility_n leave_v a_o person_n as_o much_o under_o the_o power_n of_o his_o disease_n as_o before_o he_o follow_v those_o prescription_n it_o be_v no_o revelation_n and_o can_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o such_o a_o venerable_a title_n but_o when_o the_o subject_n be_v great_a noble_a and_o sublime_a thus_o worthy_a of_o god_n and_o thus_o beneficial_a to_o mankind_n when_o there_o be_v a_o exact_a concord_n between_o the_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o reason_n and_o that_o all_o fall_v in_o with_o the_o true_a and_o just_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n when_o there_o be_v a_o harmony_n through_o the_o whole_a we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o say_v this_o if_o any_o be_v the_o revelation_n and_o as_o far_o as_o these_o character_n belong_v to_o revelation_n so_o much_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o matter_n of_o scripture_n to_o be_v such_o as_o i_o shall_v afterward_o show_v when_o i_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o revelation_n of_o scripture_n by_o these_o character_n 3._o it_o will_v be_v very_o desirable_a towards_o the_o confirmation_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o those_o that_o be_v require_v to_o believe_v it_o that_o there_o be_v a_o evidence_n and_o testimony_n as_o extraordinary_a as_o the_o matter_n reveal_v be_v and_o the_o authority_n it_o rest_v upon_o such_o as_o the_o one_o be_v such_o in_o reason_n ought_v the_o other_o to_o be_v and_o that_o be_v divine_a attestation_n a_o divine_a attestation_n i_o account_v that_o to_o be_v which_o exceed_v the_o power_n and_o be_v out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o nature_n for_o nothing_o less_o can_v change_v the_o course_n and_o alter_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n but_o that_o which_o be_v above_o nature_n and_o give_v law_n to_o it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v somewhat_o above_o nature_n that_o can_v be_v a_o sufficient_a witness_n to_o what_o be_v supernatural_a and_o this_o may_v just_o be_v require_v to_o justify_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o to_o distinguish_v it_o from_o enthusiasm_n and_o imposture_n for_o when_o the_o case_n be_v such_o as_o moses_n put_v it_o exod._n 4.1_o etc._n etc._n they_o will_v not_o believe_v i_o nor_o hearken_v to_o my_o voice_n for_o they_o will_v say_v the_o lord_n have_v not_o appear_v unto_o thou_o there_o needs_o somewhat_o beyond_o a_o bare_a affirmation_n to_o support_v the_o credit_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o pretend_v to_o it_o and_o according_o he_o be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n that_o say_v the_o text_n they_o may_v believe_v that_o the_o god_n of_o their_o father_n abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n have_v appear_v to_o thou_o a_o sort_n of_o evidence_n as_o that_o imply_v that_o be_v very_o necessary_a and_o what_o may_v reasonable_o be_v demand_v and_o which_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o high_a nature_n and_o what_o as_o all_o ordinary_o can_v judge_v of_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o sense_n so_o where_o it_o be_v true_a what_o we_o be_v to_o be_v conclude_v by_o the_o first_o thing_n then_o require_v and_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o alteration_n in_o the_o course_n and_o state_n of_o nature_n which_o our_o own_o sense_n will_v inform_v we_o in_o the_o next_o thing_n be_v that_o this_o alteration_n can_v proceed_v from_o any_o natural_a or_o create_v cause_n for_o that_o will_v be_v to_o set_v nature_n above_o itself_o the_o last_o thing_n be_v that_o this_o alteration_n in_o nature_n be_v bring_v about_o for_o such_o a_o end_n and_o be_v sole_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o that_o revelation_n and_o to_o give_v testimony_n to_o it_o where_o this_o be_v there_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n and_o a_o infallible_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o what_o it_o be_v to_o witness_v to_o now_o let_v we_o lay_v all_o this_o together_o and_o see_v what_o it_o amount_v to_o viz._n the_o capacity_n ability_n and_o integrity_n of_o the_o person_n to_o who_o this_o revelation_n be_v make_v the_o unanimity_n and_o consent_n of_o person_n remote_a and_o distant_a in_o time_n and_o place_n the_o usefulness_n and_o reasonableness_n the_o excellency_n sublimity_n and_o perfection_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v the_o testimony_n give_v to_o they_o by_o such_o operation_n and_o production_n as_o exceed_v the_o power_n of_o create_a cause_n and_o be_v whole_o from_o the_o supreme_a where_o these_o be_v concur_v and_o with_o one_o mouth_n as_o it_o be_v give_v in_o their_o evidence_n we_o may_v say_v it_o be_v the_o voice_n of_o god_n and_o that_o it_o be_v his_o revelation_n which_o carry_v upon_o it_o the_o conspicuous_a stamp_n of_o his_o authority_n for_o god_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o bear_v witness_n to_o a_o falsehood_n and_o to_o set_v up_o that_o as_o a_o light_n to_o direct_v man_n in_o their_o enquiry_n which_o be_v no_o other_o than_o a_o ignis_fw-la fatuus_fw-la and_o tend_v to_o their_o unavoidable_a amusement_n and_o deception_n but_o suppose_v those_o that_o be_v cotemporary_n with_o inspire_a person_n have_v all_o these_o concur_v evidence_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n yet_o what_o be_v this_o to_o those_o that_o live_v in_o time_n distant_a and_o remote_a from_o they_o and_o have_v it_o only_o by_o tradition_n of_o person_n uninspired_a or_o as_o contain_v in_o certain_a book_n say_v to_o be_v write_v by_o person_n inspire_v this_o bring_v i_o to_o the_o last_o point_n which_o be_v 3._o the_o case_n of_o those_o that_o live_v in_o after-age_n when_o inspiration_n be_v not_o pretend_v to_o and_o miracle_n have_v cease_v and_o so_o want_v those_o advantage_n for_o their_o satisfaction_n which_o they_o that_o be_v coetaneous_a with_o inspire_a person_n may_v receive_v and_o yet_o be_v oblige_v alike_o to_o believe_v as_o the_o other_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v sufficient_a authority_n and_o proof_n for_o what_o they_o be_v to_o believe_v and_o then_o the_o question_n be_v what_o be_v that_o evidence_n which_o will_v be_v sufficient_a for_o they_o to_o ground_v their_o belief_n upon_o i_o answer_v 1._o that_o if_o such_o have_v all_o

d_o r_o williams's_fw-fr three_o sermon_n at_o mr._n boyle_n lecture_n 1695._o imprimatur_fw-la march_v 6._o 1694_o 5._o guil._n lancaster_n the_o character_n of_o divine_a revelation_n a_o sermon_n preach_v at_o st._n martin_n in_o the_o field_n march_v 4._o 1694_o 5._o be_v the_o three_o of_o the_o lecture_n for_o the_o ensue_a year_n found_v by_o the_o honourable_a robert_n boyle_n esquire_n by_o john_n williams_z d._n d._n chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o ri._n chiswell_n and_o tho._n cockerill_n at_o the_o rose_n and_o crown_n in_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n and_o at_o the_o three_o leg_n in_o the_o poultry_n m_o dc_o xc_o v._o heb._n i._n 1_o 2._o god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v unto_o the_o father_n by_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o these_o last_o day_n speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n in_o these_o word_n there_o be_v as_o i_o have_v show_v i._o a_o description_n give_v of_o revelation_n it_o be_v god_n speak_v or_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n ii_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o it_o be_v by_o way_n of_o declaration_n god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v etc._n etc._n it_o be_v take_v for_o grant_v and_o that_o it_o need_v no_o proof_n iii_o the_o order_n observe_v in_o deliver_v this_o revelation_n it_o be_v at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n in_o time_n pass_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o in_o the_o last_o day_n by_o his_o son_n iv._o the_o perfection_n and_o conclusion_n of_o all_o it_o be_v in_o the_o last_o day_n by_o his_o son_n under_o the_o first_o i_o have_v show_v 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o revelation_n in_o contradistinction_n to_o natural_a light_n 2._o the_o possibility_n of_o it_o 3._o the_o expedience_n usefulness_n and_o necessity_n of_o it_o under_o the_o second_o i_o have_v show_v 1._o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o or_o that_o there_o have_v be_v such_o a_o revelation_n 2._o i_o shall_v now_o proceed_v to_o show_v the_o difference_n between_o pretend_a and_o true_a revelation_n or_o what_o be_v the_o character_n by_o which_o we_o may_v know_v revelation_n to_o be_v true_a in_o treat_v upon_o which_o i_o shall_v premise_v 1._o that_o the_o proper_a subject-matter_n of_o revelation_n call_v here_o god_n speak_v be_v not_o self-evident_a and_o out_o of_o the_o road_n of_o nature_n require_v some_o extraneous_a principle_n to_o prove_v it_o by_o sensible_n object_n lie_v open_a to_o the_o sense_n and_o need_v no_o proof_n for_o who_o ever_o think_v it_o necessary_a to_o labour_v in_o prove_v there_o be_v a_o sun_n in_o the_o heaven_n that_o it_o rise_v and_o set_v and_o have_v its_o state_v time_n and_o period_n of_o revolution_n which_o every_o man_n that_o have_v his_o eyesight_n know_v and_o see_v as_o well_o as_o himself_o and_o there_o be_v rational_a inference_n which_o we_o make_v from_o precedent_n postulata_fw-la that_o be_v as_o evident_a as_o the_o principle_n from_o which_o they_o be_v deduce_v and_o which_o all_o man_n alike_o agree_v in_o but_o in_o matter_n of_o mere_a revelation_n there_o be_v no_o manner_n of_o connection_n between_o they_o and_o what_o we_o know_v before_o and_o be_v therefore_o never_o to_o be_v wrought_v out_o or_o learn_v by_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n or_o reason_n but_o be_v only_o to_o be_v understand_v and_o know_v as_o god_n be_v please_v to_o communicate_v they_o we_o may_v search_v and_o search_v eternal_o and_o yet_o never_o have_v find_v out_o the_o mystery_n of_o our_o redemption_n that_o mystery_n which_o not_o only_o the_o prophet_n inquire_v and_o search_v diligent_o 1_o pet._n 1.10_o but_o also_o the_o angel_n desire_v to_o look_v or_o pry_v into_o ver_fw-la 12._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o be_v oblige_v to_o wait_v till_o the_o manifold_a wisdom_n of_o god_n be_v in_o its_o proper_a time_n make_v know_v to_o they_o by_o the_o church_n eph._n 3.10_o as_o have_v be_v before_o suggest_v this_o then_o be_v the_o subject_a of_o revelation_n it_o be_v reasonable_a that_o this_o revelation_n shall_v have_v some_o other_o way_n of_o proof_n that_o what_o be_v thus_o divine_a in_o its_o discovery_n shall_v have_v a_o suitable_a evidence_n to_o justify_v it_o 2._o the_o matter_n of_o revelation_n be_v thus_o of_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o authority_n must_v also_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n and_o of_o great_a importance_n and_o consequent_o require_v a_o proof_n suitable_a to_o the_o nature_n and_o importance_n of_o it_o if_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n be_v inconsiderable_a we_o be_v content_v with_o probable_a argument_n nor_o be_v we_o much_o concern_v which_o way_n it_o be_v determine_v as_o it_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o the_o sun_n or_o the_o earth_n be_v the_o centre_n as_o long_o as_o we_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o both_o or_o whether_o our_o diet_n nourish_v or_o physic_n operate_v by_o quality_n or_o the_o texture_n of_o its_o part_n as_o long_o as_o we_o find_v the_o happy_a effect_n of_o it_o let_v philosopher_n and_o naturalist_n write_v volume_n and_o wrangle_v eternal_o about_o these_o disputable_a point_n i_o find_v not_o myself_o concern_v as_o long_o as_o my_o interest_n be_v not_o affect_v nor_o concern_v in_o the_o quarrel_n but_o when_o the_o matter_n be_v of_o no_o less_o consequence_n than_o my_o eternal_a happiness_n it_o require_v the_o most_o serious_a thought_n and_o attention_n to_o be_v satisfy_v which_o be_v the_o right_n and_o which_o the_o wrong_n whether_o there_o be_v a_o revelation_n or_o which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o which_o the_o false_a especial_o since_o there_o be_v different_a pretender_n to_o it_o 3._o revelation_n be_v the_o declaration_n of_o god_n will_n to_o mankind_n as_o he_o do_v not_o require_v we_o to_o believe_v without_o sufficient_a evidence_n so_o it_o do_v suppose_v that_o there_o be_v such_o evidence_n and_o that_o there_o be_v some_o mark_n or_o sign_n by_o which_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o such_o revelation_n may_v be_v know_v and_o prove_v for_o otherwise_o every_o pretender_n to_o revelation_n will_v challenge_v our_o belief_n and_o we_o shall_v not_o know_v but_o that_o the_o true_a revelation_n may_v be_v the_o false_a and_o the_o false_a the_o true_a 4._o there_o be_v some_o thing_n so_o necessary_a and_o inseparable_o belong_v to_o revelation_n that_o the_o want_n of_o they_o will_v utter_o overthrow_v the_o veracity_n and_o authority_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o without_o further_a evidence_n they_o be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v self-agreement_n a_o consonancy_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o nature_n and_o to_o the_o true_a and_o certain_a notion_n of_o mankind_n concern_v good_a and_o evil._n we_o be_v certain_a if_o a_o revelation_n fail_v in_o any_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o that_o it_o be_v false_a and_o not_o of_o divine_a inspiration_n for_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o a_o true_a and_o right_a notion_n of_o thing_n be_v from_o god_n and_o to_o suppose_v a_o revelation_n to_o be_v opposite_a to_o these_o be_v to_o make_v god_n contradict_v himself_o thus_o if_o we_o understand_v any_o thing_n we_o know_v god_n to_o be_v infinite_o good_a and_o holy_a worthy_a of_o the_o profound_a and_o most_o solemn_a adoration_n because_o of_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o his_o good_a will_n and_o beneficence_n to_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o to_o sacrifice_v man_n and_o child_n and_o to_o mingle_v the_o most_o impure_a and_o ludicrous_a practice_n with_o the_o worship_n pay_v to_o he_o be_v rather_o a_o offer_v to_o be_v present_v to_o the_o most_o beastly_a and_o savage_a daemon_n than_o the_o holy_a and_o merciful_a creator_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o consequent_o can_v be_v of_o his_o institution_n in_o this_o case_n a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n will_v be_v like_o a_o contradiction_n in_o term_n or_o a_o contradiction_n in_o the_o revelation_n itself_o and_o therefore_o a_o revelation_n that_o shall_v evident_o contradict_v they_o be_v a_o revelation_n in_o pretence_n only_o it_o be_v not_o divine_a but_o though_o these_o be_v thus_o necessary_a to_o revelation_n that_o the_o want_n of_o they_o be_v sufficient_a to_o detect_v what_o be_v false_a yet_o however_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o wherever_o these_o be_v that_o because_o a_o sum_n of_o doctrine_n agree_v with_o itself_o be_v consonant_n to_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o right_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o thing_n that_o it_o be_v therefore_o of_o divine_a revelation_n for_o though_o it_o be_v seldom_o but_o the_o imposture_n fail_v in_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o yet_o it_o may_v have_v all_o these_o character_n and_o be_v a_o doctrine_n of_o man_n of_o human_a contrivance_n and_o composure_n and_o therefore_o there_o be_v somewhat_o far_a

complete_a a_o governor_n of_o a_o numerous_a people_n and_o to_o consolidate_v they_o into_o a_o settle_a constitution_n and_o therefore_o have_v the_o preference_n give_v he_o to_o all_o the_o most_o famous_a and_o ancient_a lawgiver_n by_o plato_n pythagoras_n diodorus_n siculus_n &_o c._n what_o think_v he_o of_o joshua_n that_o be_v breed_v up_o under_o the_o best_a instructor_n and_o that_o know_v the_o art_n of_o government_n and_o conduct_n in_o peace_n and_o war_n what_o of_o samuel_n that_o from_o his_o youth_n and_o even_o childhood_n indeed_o commence_v a_o prophet_n and_o be_v also_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o whole_a nation_n in_o unsettled_a and_o perilous_a time_n act_n 3.24_o 13.20_o what_o of_o david_n just_o call_v a_o prophet_n act_v 2.30_o and_o who_o write_n show_v he_o to_o excel_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o poetry_n and_o sublime_a composure_n what_o last_o of_o solomon_n himself_o to_o who_o it_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n appear_v twice_o 1_o king_n 11.9_o in_o a_o more_o eminent_a manner_n and_o at_o other_o time_n 1_o king_n 3.5_o 6.12_o 9.2_o 11.11_o and_o if_o at_o other_o time_n god_n who_o be_v not_o confine_v in_o his_o choice_n or_o operation_n to_o the_o capacity_n of_o instrument_n be_v please_v to_o reveal_v himself_o to_o and_o employ_v such_o rustic_n and_o illiterate_a person_n as_o amos_n and_o afterward_o the_o apostle_n he_o give_v they_o a_o mouth_n and_o wisdom_n luke_n 21.15_o and_o endue_v they_o with_o such_o extraordinary_a gift_n of_o elocution_n and_o magnanimity_n as_o make_v they_o fit_a to_o appear_v before_o king_n and_o to_o confront_v the_o wise_a of_o philosopher_n so_o as_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n be_v abundant_o verify_v in_o they_o 1_o cor._n 1.25_o etc._n etc._n that_o the_o foolishness_n of_o god_n be_v wise_a than_o man_n and_o the_o weakness_n of_o god_n be_v strong_a than_o man_n etc._n etc._n but_o it_o be_v not_o only_o requisite_a that_o the_o person_n to_o who_o the_o revelation_n be_v make_v and_o that_o be_v employ_v in_o deliver_v that_o revelation_n to_o other_o be_v wise_a and_o cautious_a such_o as_o be_v capable_a of_o discern_v and_o not_o apt_a to_o be_v impose_v upon_o but_o it_o be_v as_o requisite_a that_o they_o be_v faithful_a and_o sincere_a and_o that_o will_v not_o impose_v upon_o other_o for_o otherwise_o the_o more_o know_v they_o be_v the_o more_o able_a be_v they_o by_o plausible_a insinuation_n and_o pretence_n to_o deceive_v and_o what_o great_a evidence_n of_o this_o can_v be_v desire_v than_o when_o the_o person_n inspire_v live_v by_o the_o best_a rule_n as_o well_o as_o give_v they_o what_o great_a evidence_n than_o when_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o publish_v propagate_a and_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o teach_v they_o deny_v themselves_o of_o all_o the_o pleasure_n profit_n and_o honour_n of_o this_o present_a life_n when_o though_o they_o know_v before_o hand_n that_o bond_n and_o tribulation_n abide_v they_o yet_o none_o of_o these_o thing_n move_v they_o neither_o count_v they_o their_o life_n dear_a unto_o they_o but_o with_o admirable_a patience_n resolution_n and_o constancy_n expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o utmost_a severity_n for_o the_o hope_n of_o such_o reward_n as_o they_o propose_v for_o their_o own_o and_o the_o encouragement_n of_o other_o what_o great_a testimony_n can_v be_v give_v of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o if_o not_o of_o the_o truth_n yet_o of_o their_o own_o belief_n of_o it_o who_o can_v with_o such_o cheerfulness_n invite_v the_o great_a danger_n and_o with_o such_o a_o brave_a magnanimity_n despise_v all_o the_o threaten_n of_o the_o most_o potent_a adversary_n and_o run_v the_o gantelope_n as_o it_o be_v through_o the_o most_o formidable_a persecution_n without_o the_o least_o demur_n or_o haesitation_n if_o they_o themselves_o be_v not_o abundant_o and_o full_o convince_v of_o the_o truth_n excellency_n and_o necessity_n of_o that_o doctrine_n they_o be_v thus_o commission_v to_o teach_v if_o these_o be_v not_o sincere_a there_o be_v no_o sincerity_n in_o the_o world_n so_o that_o as_o far_o as_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o person_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o a_o revelation_n and_o so_o far_o as_o the_o wisdom_n probity_n and_o sincerity_n of_o person_n be_v a_o proof_n of_o their_o credibility_n we_o have_v a_o evidence_n to_o rest_n upon_o and_o a_o character_n to_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o a_o revelation_n by_o the_o 2_o d._n proof_n in_o this_o case_n desirable_a and_o necessary_a towards_o a_o satisfaction_n be_v the_o subject-matter_n of_o it_o i_o mean_v that_o which_o run_v as_o it_o be_v a_o vein_n through_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o revelation_n there_o be_v some_o revelation_n which_o concern_v particular_a person_n or_o family_n as_o that_o of_o the_o angel_n to_o hagar_n concern_v ishmael_n and_o his_o posterity_n which_o neither_o make_v she_o a_o prophet_n nor_o be_v strict_o of_o concernment_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n but_o when_o we_o 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to_o be_v have_v hereunto_o in_o the_o idea_n and_o notion_n we_o entertain_v or_o the_o representation_n we_o make_v of_o god_n that_o they_o may_v be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o dignity_n and_o perfection_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o if_o in_o all_o our_o conception_n of_o the_o divine_a be_v such_o a_o scrupulous_a care_n be_v to_o be_v take_v that_o we_o judge_v not_o amiss_o of_o his_o nature_n will_n and_o operation_n we_o can_v but_o suppose_v that_o in_o the_o revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o mankind_n he_o who_o best_o and_o only_o know_v himself_o will_v give_v such_o a_o representation_n of_o those_o as_o be_v suitable_a to_o his_o majesty_n and_o authority_n and_o may_v ingenerate_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n such_o a_o awe_n reverence_n and_o regard_v as_o be_v due_a from_o finite_a create_v and_o imperfect_a being_n to_o he_o that_o be_v infinite_a uncreated_a and_o in_o all_o point_n absolute_o perfect_a there_o we_o may_v well_o expect_v to_o find_v the_o most_o lively_a character_n of_o the_o divine_a perfection_n as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o conceive_v where_o justice_n and_o power_n be_v set_v forth_o in_o all_o their_o authority_n and_o yet_o so_o temper_v with_o his_o mercy_n and_o kindness_n as_o shall_v as_o well_o raise_v and_o quicken_v the_o hope_n attract_v the_o love_n and_o establish_v the_o comfort_n of_o good_a man_n as_o administer_v matter_n of_o just_a terror_n to_o the_o wicked_a there_o we_o may_v suppose_v the_o mystery_n of_o the_o divine_a counsel_n unlock_v and_o the_o beauty_n and_o harmony_n of_o the_o divine_a providence_n illustrate_v and_o describe_v as_o far_o as_o god_n government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o condition_n of_o mankind_n in_o it_o will_v permit_v there_o we_o may_v expect_v to_o find_v the_o best_a principle_n rule_n and_o precept_n to_o inform_v and_o direct_v we_o in_o what_o we_o be_v to_o know_v and_o do_v the_o best_a argument_n and_o motive_n for_o our_o encouragement_n and_o the_o best_a mean_n for_o the_o purify_n and_o the_o perfect_a of_o our_o nature_n and_o the_o make_v we_o as_o happy_a as_o we_o be_v capable_a and_o which_o shall_v as_o much_o exceed_v what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o moralist_n as_o revelation_n be_v above_o nature_n and_o the_o dictate_v of_o almighty_a god_n be_v beyond_o the_o prescript_n of_o human_a wisdom_n such_o in_o fine_a as_o will_v lead_v we_o to_o god_n make_v we_o like_a to_o he_o and_o fit_v we_o for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o he_o so_o that_o as_o much_o as_o virtue_n make_v for_o the_o good_a perfection_n and_o happiness_n of_o man_n so_o much_o shall_v revelation_n make_v for_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n by_o its_o principle_n and_o rule_n its_o precept_n and_o its_o argument_n last_o there_o we_o may_v expect_v to_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o chief_a subject_n of_o human_n enquiry_n of_o what_o