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nature_n person_n union_n unity_n 3,713 5 10.0161 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A46761 The reasonableness and certainty of the Christian religion by Robert Jenkin ... Jenkin, Robert, 1656-1727. 1700 (1700) Wing J571; ESTC R8976 581,258 1,291

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recedant_fw-la hieron_n in_o amos._n c._n v._n exit_fw-la quo_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la apostolos_fw-la &_o evangelistas_n &_o ipsum_fw-la dominum_fw-la salvatorem_fw-la ex_fw-la hebraeo_fw-la transfer_v quod_fw-la legerint_fw-la non_fw-la curantes_fw-la de_fw-fr syllabis_fw-la punctisque_fw-la verborum_fw-la dummodo_fw-la sententiarum_fw-la veritas_fw-la transferatur_fw-la id._n in_o malach._n c._n iii._o chap._n xx._n of_o the_o incarnation_n and_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n this_o be_v that_o article_n of_o our_o faith_n which_o be_v to_o the_o jew_n a_o stumbling-block_n and_o to_o the_o greek_n foolishness_n 1_o cor._n i_o 23._o and_o have_v ever_o be_v most_o liable_a to_o the_o objection_n of_o infidel_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v take_v the_o more_o care_n to_o give_v the_o clear_a and_o full_a account_n i_o can_v of_o it_o i._o i_o shall_v here_o consider_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o justice_n and_o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n ii_o though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o god_n can_v have_v pardon_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n upon_o any_o other_o term_n than_o the_o death_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o son_n in_o our_o flesh_n i_o hope_v full_o to_o prove_v that_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n that_o no_o other_o way_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o he_o as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a to_o apprehend_v can_v have_v be_v so_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n 1._o there_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o necessity_n for_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o god_n justice_n and_o the_o vindication_n of_o his_o honour_n for_o god_n be_v infinite_a justice_n as_o well_o as_o infinite_a mercy_n and_o infinite_a justice_n must_v punish_v offender_n unless_o full_a satisfaction_n be_v make_v for_o the_o offence_n because_o infinite_a justice_n must_v demand_v to_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o justice_n and_o must_v require_v whatsoever_o can_v in_o justice_n be_v demand_v but_o infinite_a mercy_n find_v out_o a_o mean_n to_o satisfy_v this_o infinite_a justice_n which_o satisfaction_n can_v be_v make_v only_o by_o the_o obedience_n and_o by_o the_o death_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o by_o his_o obedience_n unto_o death_n even_o the_o death_n of_o the_o cross_n vindicate_v the_o honour_n of_o god_n by_o perform_v in_o our_o nature_n a_o perfect_a and_o absolute_a obedience_n to_o all_o that_o ever_o god_n require_v of_o mankind_n and_o by_o suffer_v to_o the_o utmost_a of_o all_o that_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n deserve_v it_o be_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n that_o his_o law_n shall_v be_v exact_o observe_v and_o observe_v by_o one_o who_o be_v of_o that_o very_a nature_n for_o which_o they_o be_v ordain_v and_o that_o satisfaction_n shall_v be_v make_v in_o the_o same_o nature_n for_o the_o sin_n of_o it_o christ_n therefore_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o pay_v down_o the_o uttermost_a farthing_n which_o in_o strictness_n of_o justice_n must_v have_v be_v demand_v but_o which_o can_v never_o have_v be_v pay_v by_o any_o create_v be_v for_o the_o sin_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o he_o fulfil_v all_o righteousness_n in_o obedience_n to_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o otherwise_o can_v never_o have_v be_v full_o obey_v and_o as_o far_o as_o god_n justice_n and_o honour_n be_v concern_v to_o see_v his_o law_n obey_v and_o to_o demand_v satisfaction_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o they_o so_o far_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n must_v be_v necessary_a because_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v perform_v by_o no_o creature_n 2._o though_o it_o shall_v be_v suppose_v that_o god_n can_v have_v pardon_v the_o sin_n of_o man_n upon_o other_o term_n than_o the_o death_n and_o satisfaction_n of_o his_o own_o son_n in_o our_o flesh_n yet_o the_o incarnation_n and_o death_n of_o his_o son_n be_v so_o far_o from_o imply_v any_o thing_n unworthy_a of_o god_n that_o no_o other_o way_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o he_o as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v apprehend_v can_v so_o much_o have_v become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n first_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o this_o whole_a dispensation_n unworthy_a of_o god_n here_o i_o be_o to_o consider_v that_o which_o be_v the_o great_a prejudice_n take_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n at_o its_o first_o propagation_n and_o be_v still_o the_o great_a objection_n of_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o their_o own_o salvation_n they_o be_v apt_a to_o represent_v it_o to_o themselves_o as_o a_o unnecessary_a thing_n and_o unworthy_a of_o god_n that_o he_o shall_v send_v his_o only_a beget_v son_n into_o the_o world_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o mankind_n they_o imagine_v that_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n can_v have_v find_v out_o other_o method_n of_o salvation_n for_o we_o and_o that_o this_o will_v never_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o if_o there_o can_v have_v be_v any_o other_o it_o may_v be_v enough_o in_o answer_n to_o such_o objection_n to_o say_v with_o the_o apostle_n nay_o but_o o_o man_n who_o be_v thou_o that_o reply_v against_o god_n shall_v the_o person_n save_v say_v unto_o he_o that_o save_v he_o why_o have_v thou_o save_v i_o thus_o will_v we_o not_o be_v content_v to_o be_v save_v unless_o we_o can_v be_v full_o certify_v in_o all_o the_o reason_n and_o method_n of_o our_o salvation_n may_v not_o god_n bring_v to_o pass_v our_o redemption_n in_o such_o a_o way_n as_o he_o shall_v see_v fit_v or_o shall_v we_o question_v his_o wisdom_n if_o his_o mercy_n be_v so_o much_o great_a than_o we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o infinite_a be_v his_o mercy_n and_o how_o monstrous_a our_o ingratitude_n if_o his_o goodness_n be_v make_v a_o objection_n against_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o word_n and_o be_v allege_v as_o a_o argument_n for_o our_o unbelief_n what_o if_o god_n willing_a to_o show_v the_o heinousness_n of_o sin_n and_o to_o make_v know_v the_o riches_n of_o his_o mercy_n choose_v this_o way_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o the_o world_n what_o if_o many_o reason_n may_v be_v give_v why_o this_o method_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o expedient_a and_o what_o if_o there_o may_v be_v infinite_o great_a and_o better_a reason_n for_o it_o than_o all_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n can_v conceive_v but_o though_o the_o reveal_v will_n and_o counsel_n of_o god_n ought_v to_o silence_v all_o dispute_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o all_o other_o case_n yet_o i_o think_v this_o objection_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o very_a plain_a and_o direct_a answer_n for_o whatever_o weight_n there_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v in_o it_o it_o be_v all_o ground_a upon_o a_o mistake_n and_o upon_o a_o wrong_a notion_n of_o the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n for_o if_o the_o godhead_n be_v not_o so_o unite_v to_o the_o manhood_n as_o to_o suffer_v with_o it_o there_o be_v no_o imaginable_a reason_n why_o its_o union_n with_o the_o manhood_n shall_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n i_o shall_v therefore_o 1._o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n shall_v cause_v the_o godhead_n to_o suffer_v with_o the_o manhood_n 2._o i_o will_v prove_v that_o the_o humiliation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o assume_v our_o nature_n may_v be_v account_v for_o without_o suppose_v that_o the_o godhead_n suffer_v 3._o that_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n by_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n may_v be_v explain_v without_o it_o i._o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n shall_v cause_v the_o godhead_n to_o suffer_v with_o the_o manhood_n this_o objection_n suppose_v the_o godhead_n to_o be_v so_o unite_v to_o the_o manhood_n in_o the_o person_n of_o our_o saviour_n as_o that_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v real_o and_o proper_o partake_v in_o all_o the_o suffering_n which_o befall_v his_o person_n it_o suppose_v that_o christ_n as_o god_n suffer_v the_o misery_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o at_o last_o undergo_v death_n upon_o the_o cross_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o be_v no_o better_a than_o heresy_n and_o blasphemy_n and_o have_v always_o be_v reject_v and_o condemn_v as_o such_o by_o the_o catholic_n church_n that_o the_o union_n of_o the_o godhead_n with_o the_o manhood_n shall_v render_v the_o godhead_n capable_a of_o suffering_n as_o the_o soul_n by_o be_v unite_v to_o the_o body_n become_v sensible_a of_o its_o pain_n be_v indeed_o a_o thing_n not_o only_o unworthy_a of_o god_n but_o
impossible_a to_o conceive_v the_o immortal_a and_o everblessed_n god_n can_v be_v subject_a to_o nothing_o of_o passion_n or_o frailty_n the_o godhead_n be_v uncapable_a of_o any_o imperfection_n and_o therefore_o uncapable_a of_o receive_v any_o impression_n of_o suffering_n from_o the_o humane_a nature_n as_o the_o soul_n do_v from_o the_o body_n of_o man._n so_o that_o though_o the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n be_v fit_o explain_v by_o that_o between_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o body_n in_o man_n yet_o the_o manner_n of_o act_v be_v very_o different_a for_o finite_a being_n can_v mutual_o act_v and_o be_v act_v upon_o by_o each_o other_o in_o their_o several_a action_n and_o passion_n but_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n be_v impassable_a can_v suffer_v nothing_o by_o all_o that_o be_v inflict_v on_o the_o humane_a but_o remain_v infinite_o happy_a and_o glorious_a under_o all_o the_o torment_n and_o agony_n endure_v by_o our_o saviour_n both_o in_o his_o soul_n and_o body_n as_o god_n be_v please_v to_o aid_n and_o assist_v and_o support_v innocent_a and_o good_a man_n in_o their_o suffering_n and_o to_o direct_v and_o conduct_v they_o through_o the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n so_o god_n be_v not_o only_o present_a with_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v so_o unite_v to_o it_o as_o to_o become_v one_o person_n with_o it_o which_o since_o the_o godhead_n can_v suffer_v nothing_o from_o it_o be_v no_o more_o unworthy_a of_o god_n than_o if_o he_o have_v only_o guide_v he_o with_o his_o spirit_n as_o he_o do_v the_o prophet_n without_o any_o personal_a union_n there_o be_v no_o inconvenience_n or_o absurdity_n in_o believe_v that_o god_n shall_v by_o the_o most_o intimate_a and_o personal_a union_n become_v unite_v to_o a_o man_n who_o do_v weep_v and_o bleed_v and_o die_v for_o as_o god_n by_o this_o union_n do_v not_o change_v the_o nature_n he_o have_v assume_v or_o prevent_v the_o suffering_n of_o it_o so_o he_o do_v not_o partake_v in_o they_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v ●upon_o principle_n of_o philosophy_n but_o that_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n may_v afford_v a_o more_o peculiar_a presence_n to_o one_o man_n than_o to_o another_o and_o that_o this_o man_n may_v yet_o be_v subject_a to_o affliction_n and_o therefore_o the_o son_n of_o god_n may_v become_v unite_v to_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o christ_n in_o as_o intimate_v a_o manner_n as_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n be_v unite_v to_o each_o other_o in_o we_o and_o yet_o this_o union_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n may_v not_o preserve_v the_o humane_a from_o the_o suffering_n incident_a to_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n but_o must_v leave_v it_o to_o submit_v to_o they_o though_o they_o be_v never_o so_o grievous_a when_o this_o be_v the_o very_a end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o union_n it_o be_v not_o below_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n to_o be_v personal_o unite_v to_o a_o most_o innocent_a and_o sinless_a and_o holy_a man_n though_o he_o be_v a_o suffer_v and_o afflict_a man_n and_o it_o be_v not_o the_o personal_a union_n as_o some_o be_v apt_a to_o conceive_v which_o can_v be_v any_o diminution_n to_o god_n glory_n but_o their_o own_o error_n and_o mistake_n in_o what_o they_o surmise_v will_v be_v the_o consequence_n of_o such_o a_o union_n ii_o the_o humiliation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o assume_v our_o nature_n may_v be_v account_v for_o without_o suppose_v that_o the_o godhead_n suffer_v it_o be_v the_o great_a condescension_n and_o humiliation_n in_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o take_v upon_o he_o our_o nature_n for_o it_o be_v a_o gracious_a and_o merciful_a condescension_n for_o he_o to_o take_v care_n of_o we_o by_o his_o providence_n god_n humble_v himself_o to_o behold_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o in_o the_o earth_n ps_n cxiii_o 6._o but_o some_o time_n and_o in_o some_o place_n he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o peculiar_a manner_n present_a upon_o earth_n and_o that_o be_v a_o extraordinary_a condescension_n though_o he_o be_v always_o the_o same_o in_o himself_o and_o never_o the_o less_o present_a or_o the_o less_o happy_a in_o heaven_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o wonderful_a condescension_n in_o god_n to_o unite_v himself_o to_o our_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o become_v one_o person_n with_o it_o and_o so_o to_o die_v for_o we_o though_o his_o divine_a nature_n do_v not_o and_o can_v not_o suffer_v but_o only_o the_o humane_a nature_n to_o which_o it_o be_v unite_v he_o be_v not_o ashamed_a to_o call_v man_n his_o brethren_n and_o in_o all_o thing_n to_o be_v make_v like_o unto_o his_o brethren_n hebr._n two_o 11_o 17._o but_o vouchsafe_v to_o assume_v our_o nature_n in_o its_o low_a condition_n and_o to_o be_v so_o strict_o and_o personal_o unite_v to_o the_o most_o afflict_a of_o all_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o to_o ascribe_v all_o his_o suffering_n to_o himself_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o all_o mankind_n it_o be_v the_o infinite_a mercy_n of_o god_n to_o vouchsafe_v we_o the_o comfort_n of_o his_o presence_n in_o any_o way_n or_o measure_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o astonish_a and_o adorable_a act_n of_o his_o goodness_n that_o he_o will_v be_v please_v so_o far_o to_o condescend_v as_o to_o take_v our_o very_a nature_n upon_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v bear_v and_o may_v die_v for_o our_o sake_n and_o that_o which_o magnify_v his_o mercy_n and_o goodness_n in_o the_o high_a measure_n be_v certain_o most_o worthy_a of_o the_o good_a and_o merciful_a god_n iii_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o christ_n by_o die_v for_o our_o sin_n may_v be_v explain_v without_o suppose_v that_o the_o godhead_n suffer_v the_o christian_a faith_n be_v that_o as_o the_o reasonable_a soul_n and_o flesh_n be_v one_o man_n so_o god_n and_o man_n be_v one_o christ_n and_o that_o this_o person_n consist_v both_o of_o god_n and_o man_n unite_v suffer_v for_o our_o salvation_n but_o that_o all_o the_o suffering_n be_v inflict_v on_o the_o humane_a nature_n and_o terminate_v in_o it_o but_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o personal_a union_n of_o his_o divine_a with_o his_o humane_a nature_n all_o christ_n suffering_n receive_v a_o infinite_a value_n and_o merit_n and_o become_v entitle_v and_o ascribe_v to_o god_n himself_o because_o they_o be_v undergo_v by_o that_o person_n who_o be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n though_o they_o be_v not_o undergo_v by_o he_o in_o his_o divine_a but_o only_o in_o his_o humane_a nature_n thus_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v purchase_v his_o church_n with_o his_o own_o blood_n act_v xx_o 28._o for_o action_n and_o passion_n in_o any_o person_n be_v personal_a and_o be_v attribute_v to_o the_o whole_a person_n and_o sometime_o those_o action_n and_o passion_n which_o can_v be_v perform_v in_o one_o of_o those_o nature_n only_a which_o constitute_v a_o person_n be_v yet_o attribute_v to_o the_o other_o nature_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o they_o otherwise_o than_o by_o that_o relation_n which_o result_v from_o the_o union_n of_o both_o nature_n whereby_o all_o thing_n that_o befall_v the_o person_n may_v be_v affirm_v of_o it_o as_o such_o and_o therefore_o have_v respect_n to_o both_o the_o nature_n of_o which_o it_o consist_v and_o may_v be_v apply_v to_o it_o under_o the_o denomination_n of_o either_o of_o they_o all_o the_o soul_n that_o come_v out_o of_o the_o loin_n of_o jacob_n be_v seventy_o soul_n exod._n i_o 5._o if_o a_o soul_n touch_v any_o unclean_a thing_n leu._n v._n 2._o and_o the_o soul_n that_o eat_v of_o it_o shall_v bear_v his_o iniquity_n leu._n seven_o 18_o 20._o in_o these_o and_o many_o other_o place_n of_o scripture_n action_n and_o passion_n peculiar_a to_o the_o body_n be_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o union_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n attribute_v to_o the_o soul_n nay_o both_o in_o the_o hebrew_n and_o the_o greek_a text_n the_o soul_n be_v sometime_o put_v for_o the_o body_n even_o of_o a_o dead_a man_n leu._n xxi_o 11._o xxii_o 4._o in_o which_o sense_n v._n sense_n on_o the_o creed_n art_n v._n bishop_n pearson_n explain_v act_n two_o 27._o ps_n xuj_o 10._o and_o in_o other_o place_n the_o body_n or_o flesh_n be_v often_o take_v for_o the_o whole_a man_n and_o that_o be_v attribute_v to_o it_o which_o the_o flesh_n be_v of_o itself_o uncapable_a of_o the_o flesh_n distinct_o consider_v and_o apart_o from_o the_o soul_n can_v neither_o sin_n nor_o pray_v nor_o understand_v nor_o worship_n nor_o partake_v of_o the_o spirit_n nor_o be_v justify_v and_o yet_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o flesh_n without_o any_o mention_n make_v of_o the_o soul_n all_o flesh_n have_v corrupt_v his_o way_n upon_o the_o earth_n gen._n vi_fw-la 12._o o_o thou_o
that_o hear_v prayer_n unto_o thou_o shall_v all_o flesh_n come_v ps_n lxv_o 2._o and_o all_o flesh_n shall_v know_v that_o i_o the_o lord_n be_o thy_o saviour_n and_o thy_o redeemer_n the_o mighty_a one_o of_o jacob_n isa_n xlix_o 26._o all_o flesh_n shall_v come_v to_o worship_n before_o i_o say_v the_o lord_n isa_n lxvi_o 23._o and_o all_o flesh_n shall_v see_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n luke_n iii._o 6._o i_o will_v pour_v out_o of_o my_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n act_v two_o 17._o joel_n two_o 28._o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n shall_v no_o flesh_n be_v justify_v galat._n two_o 16._o and_o we_o say_v in_o our_o own_o language_n any_o body_n think_v or_o any_o body_n understand_v though_o we_o all_o know_v it_o be_v the_o soul_n and_o not_o the_o body_n which_o think_v and_o understand_v it_o be_v very_o usual_a in_o other_o book_n and_o very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n and_o to_o the_o common_a speech_n and_o sense_n of_o man_n for_o those_o action_n of_o a_o person_n to_o be_v attribute_v to_o one_o of_o the_o unite_a nature_n which_o can_v be_v perform_v only_o in_o the_o other_o and_o the_o union_n between_o the_o godhead_n and_o the_o manhood_n be_v like_o that_o which_o be_v between_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o body_n the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v suffer_v and_o the_o son_n of_o man_n to_o have_v come_v down_o from_o heaven_n not_o that_o the_o godhead_n suffer_v or_o that_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o heaven_n before_o his_o incarnation_n but_o according_a to_o the_o usual_a stile_n of_o scripture_n the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n entitle_v the_o person_n consist_v of_o they_o both_o under_o the_o denomination_n of_o either_o nature_n to_o that_o which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o other_o though_o as_o the_o humane_a nature_n do_v not_o partake_v of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a so_o neither_o do_v the_o divine_a nature_n partake_v of_o the_o suffering_n of_o the_o humane_a but_o both_o nature_n be_v personal_o unite_v the_o person_n be_v sometime_o denote_v by_o one_o and_o sometime_o by_o the_o other_o nature_n all_o the_o objection_n against_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n proceed_v upon_o the_o like_a mistake_n with_o they_o who_o be_v apt_a to_o imagine_v that_o it_o be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o be_v every_o where_o and_o in_o all_o place_n to_o behold_v and_o be_v present_a at_o the_o worst_a of_o action_n as_o if_o the_o sun_n brightness_n will_v not_o be_v the_o more_o resplendent_a and_o glorious_a if_o it_o can_v penetrate_v into_o the_o obscure_a corner_n and_o recess_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o as_o if_o his_o ray_n can_v be_v sully_v and_o defile_v by_o the_o foulness_n of_o any_o object_n which_o they_o shine_v upon_o and_o if_o it_o be_v no_o diminution_n to_o god_n infinite_a glory_n and_o majesty_n to_o be_v omnipresent_v it_o can_v be_v none_o to_o be_v more_o near_o and_o even_o personal_o unite_v to_o some_o part_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v be_v unworthy_a of_o god_n to_o be_v so_o unite_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n to_o manifest_v his_o love_n and_o favour_n and_o extend_v his_o goodness_n to_o mankind_n as_o god_n be_v every_o where_o present_a so_o he_o be_v in_o a_o more_o especial_a manner_n present_a in_o some_o place_n than_o in_o other_o by_o the_o act_n of_o his_o power_n or_o of_o his_o grace_n and_o favour_n and_o he_o have_v vouchsafe_v a_o more_o especial_a presence_n to_o some_o person_n than_o to_o other_o and_o thus_o he_o be_v present_a with_o his_o prophet_n who_o be_v send_v to_o prepare_v for_o and_o foretell_v christ_n come_v but_o he_o be_v personal_o unite_v to_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n and_o this_o be_v the_o high_a honour_n and_o advancement_n to_o our_o nature_n for_o god_n thus_o to_o assume_v it_o but_o it_o can_v be_v no_o diminution_n to_o the_o divine_a majesty_n because_o god_n continue_v as_o he_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n without_o any_o alteration_n only_o by_o his_o personal_a presence_n and_o union_n with_o our_o humane_a nature_n he_o cause_v all_o the_o performance_n and_o suffering_n of_o it_o to_o be_v meritorious_a for_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n the_o son_n of_o god_n do_v not_o so_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n as_o to_o be_v no_o long_o there_o but_o to_o forsake_v his_o father_n kingdom_n he_o still_o continue_v in_o heaven_n in_o the_o same_o bliss_n and_o glory_n that_o he_o enjoy_v with_o his_o father_n from_o all_o eternity_n though_o he_o so_o manifest_v himself_o to_o the_o world_n as_o to_o come_v and_o abide_v in_o it_o by_o assume_v our_o humane_a nature_n our_o saviour_n tell_v nicodemus_n joh._n iii._o 13._o no_o man_n have_v ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n but_o he_o that_o come_v down_o from_o heaven_n even_o the_o son_n of_o man_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n he_o who_o fill_v heaven_n and_o earth_n with_o his_o presence_n be_v still_o in_o heaven_n as_o much_o as_o ever_o with_o respect_n to_o his_o godhead_n though_o he_o make_v a_o more_o peculiar_a residence_n than_o he_o have_v before_o do_v on_o earth_n by_o dwell_v in_o our_o nature_n here_o the_o son_n of_o god_n who_o be_v at_o all_o time_n every_o where_o present_a be_v yet_o in_o a_o peculiar_a manner_n present_a where_o ever_o he_o be_v please_v to_o manifest_v himself_o by_o peculiar_a act_n of_o his_o goodness_n and_o power_n as_o he_o be_v please_v to_o do_v in_o a_o most_o stupendous_a manner_n in_o that_o flesh_n which_o he_o take_v upon_o he_o of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n and_o it_o can_v be_v think_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o majesty_n of_o god_n to_o actuate_v the_o humane_a nature_n and_o to_o be_v join_v in_o the_o most_o strict_a and_o vital_a union_n with_o it_o suppose_v god_n only_o to_o act_v upon_o it_o and_o not_o to_o be_v act_v upon_o by_o it_o nor_o to_o suffer_v the_o misery_n and_o feel_v the_o pain_n which_o the_o humane_a nature_n endure_v which_o will_v be_v blasphemy_n to_o assert_v of_o the_o divine_a nature_n of_o christ_n but_o to_o be_v in_o heaven_n still_o in_o his_o full_a power_n and_o majesty_n but_o some_o man_n will_v say_v how_o be_v this_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n make_v or_o wherein_o do_v it_o consist_v to_o who_o we_o may_v reply_v as_o our_o saviour_n sometime_o do_v to_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n by_o ask_v another_o question_n and_o inquire_v how_o the_o body_n and_o soul_n in_o man_n be_v unite_v or_o how_o god_n be_v present_a in_o all_o place_n and_o how_o in_o he_o we_o live_v and_o move_v and_o have_v our_o be_v and_o if_o no_o man_n can_v tell_v how_o these_o thing_n be_v though_o no_o man_n can_v deny_v the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o they_o than_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v that_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o tell_v how_o the_o union_n between_o the_o divine_a and_o the_o humane_a nature_n in_o christ_n be_v make_v or_o in_o what_o it_o consist_v we_o must_v acknowledge_v it_o a_o mystery_n which_o it_o be_v above_o any_o man_n capacity_n to_o explain_v but_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o union_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n and_o thither_o we_o appeal_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o the_o put_v such_o question_n argue_v either_o a_o great_a mind_n to_o cavil_v or_o great_a inconsideration_n and_o shortness_n of_o thought_n for_o what_o man_n be_v there_o pretend_v to_o reason_n and_o argument_n of_o so_o little_a observation_n as_o not_o to_o take_v notice_n that_o of_o all_o the_o thing_n which_o we_o daily_o see_v and_o perceive_v to_o be_v in_o the_o world_n the_o nature_n and_o manner_n of_o existence_n of_o very_a few_o or_o rather_o of_o none_o of_o they_o be_v full_o understand_v by_o we_o it_o be_v sufficient_a for_o we_o to_o know_v that_o great_a reason_n may_v be_v give_v for_o this_o dispensation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n incarnate_a and_o that_o no_o material_a objection_n can_v be_v frame_v against_o it_o second_o no_o other_o way_n as_o far_o as_o we_o can_v apprehend_v can_v have_v be_v so_o proper_a and_o expedient_a as_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n to_o procure_v the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n and_o therefore_o none_o can_v so_o well_o become_v the_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n the_o proof_n of_o this_o must_v depend_v upon_o the_o reason_n for_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v all_o comprehend_v in_o this_o one_o thing_n the_o abolish_n or_o take_v away_o of_o sin_n and_o you_o know_v that_o he_o be_v manifest_v to_o take_v away_o our_o sin_n and_o in_o he_o be_v no_o sin_n 1_o joh._n three_o 5._o we_o be_v
bring_v to_o our_o remembrance_n the_o body_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n offer_v upon_o the_o cross_n for_o we_o to_o make_v we_o partaker_n of_o they_o and_o to_o be_v pledge_n of_o all_o the_o benefit_n which_o we_o receive_v thereby_o and_o as_o the_o eucharist_n be_v appoint_v by_o christ_n in_o the_o room_n of_o the_o paschal_n supper_n so_o bread_n and_o wine_n be_v in_o use_n among_o all_o nation_n in_o their_o religious_a worship_n and_o nothing_o can_v more_o fit_o express_v our_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o with_o one_o another_o than_o to_o be_v entertain_v together_o at_o god_n table_n so_o that_o since_o there_o must_v be_v sacrament_n or_o external_n rite_n and_o ordinance_n they_o can_v neither_o be_v few_o nor_o more_o suitable_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o want_v of_o christian_n than_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v chap._n xxiv_o of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n i_o be_o not_o here_o to_o prove_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n from_o the_o scripture_n but_o to_o suppose_v this_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n which_o the_o scripture_n teach_v and_o to_o show_v that_o no_o reasonable_a objection_n can_v be_v bring_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o that_o account_n and_o indeed_o this_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o object_v against_o by_o philopatr_n by_o lucian_n philopatr_n heathen_n long_o before_o the_o council_n of_o nice_a which_o be_v a_o strong_a proof_n for_o the_o truth_n and_o antiquity_n of_o this_o doctrine_n when_o it_o be_v so_o well_o know_v even_o to_o the_o heathen_n that_o they_o upbraid_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o in_o the_o second_o century_n and_o in_o all_o probability_n from_o the_o very_a beginning_n for_o we_o find_v it_o then_o mention_v as_o a_o know_a and_o common_a reproach_n suppose_v then_o this_o to_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n be_v but_o one_o god_n i_o will_v show_v i._o that_o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n ii_o that_o other_o thing_n be_v and_o must_v be_v believe_v by_o we_o which_o we_o as_o little_o understand_v iii_o that_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o doctrine_n do_v mighty_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o life_n and_o conversation_n of_o men._n 1._o there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o doctrine_n we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o essence_n of_o create_a being_n which_o be_v know_v to_o we_o only_o by_o their_o cause_n and_o effect_n and_o by_o their_o operation_n and_o quality_n and_o our_o reason_n and_o sense_n and_o passion_n be_v continual_o conversant_a about_o these_o our_o notion_n be_v form_v upon_o the_o idea_n which_o we_o frame_v to_o ourselves_o concern_v the_o creature_n and_o this_o make_v we_o the_o less_o capable_a of_o understand_v the_o divine_a essence_n beside_o the_o infinite_a disproportion_n between_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o humane_a faculty_n when_o we_o say_v that_o god_n be_v a_o infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a be_v we_o speak_v the_o general_a sense_n of_o mankind_n and_o no_o man_n cavil_v at_o it_o but_o because_o the_o scripture_n represent_v this_o incomprehensible_a be_v to_o we_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n that_o be_v matter_n of_o cavil_v and_o dispute_v whereas_o god_n be_v essential_o holy_a and_o true_a we_o must_v believe_v he_o to_o be_v what_o he_o declare_v himself_o to_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o he_o be_v incomprehensible_a we_o may_v not_o be_v able_a to_o comprehend_v it_o if_o god_n be_v infallible_o true_a why_o do_v we_o not_o believe_v what_o he_o deliver_v concern_v himself_o and_o if_o he_o be_v incomprehensible_a what_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v why_o the_o divine_a essence_n may_v not_o subsist_v in_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n these_o be_v style_v three_o person_n because_o we_o find_v distinct_a personal_a act_n and_o property_n attribute_v to_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o we_o may_v suppose_v three_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n without_o any_o appearance_n of_o contradiction_n this_o will_v be_v evident_a if_o we_o consider_v 1._o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n 2._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n 3._o the_o difference_n between_o the_o divine_a person_n and_o humane_a person_n 1._o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n the_o divine_a nature_n be_v in_o three_o person_n the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o father_n original_o without_o either_o generation_n or_o procession_n in_o the_o son_n as_o communicate_v to_o he_o by_o the_o father_n not_o in_o any_o such_o way_n as_o son_n among_o man_n have_v their_o nature_n derive_v to_o they_o from_o their_o father_n but_o yet_o in_o some_o such_o manner_n as_o be_v best_a express_v to_o our_o apprehension_n by_o style_v he_o the_o son_n of_o god_n though_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o generation_n be_v altogether_o incomprehensible_a to_o we_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v the_o divine_a nature_n communicate_v to_o he_o from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n not_o in_o the_o same_o way_n whereby_o the_o son_n have_v it_o communicate_v to_o he_o from_o the_o father_n but_o in_o some_o other_o different_a incomprehensible_a manner_n whereby_o he_o be_v not_o beget_v but_o proceed_v both_o from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n the_o divine_a nature_n be_v communicate_v by_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n by_o eternal_a generation_n and_o by_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o eternal_a procession_n we_o have_v nothing_o further_o reveal_v to_o we_o of_o the_o generation_n of_o the_o son_n but_o that_o he_o be_v beget_v or_o receive_v the_o divine_a nature_n from_o the_o father_n in_o some_o such_o way_n as_o for_o want_v of_o a_o fit_a word_n we_o can_v best_o understand_v by_o the_o term_n of_o generation_n and_o the_o scripture_n teach_v we_o no_o more_o of_o the_o procession_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o that_o he_o be_v not_o beget_v of_o the_o father_n as_o the_o son_n be_v but_o proceed_v from_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n some_o other_o way_n and_o not_o by_o generation_n but_o as_o he_o that_o will_v discourse_n to_o a_o man_n bear_v blind_a concern_v light_n must_v use_v many_o very_a improper_a expression_n to_o make_v himself_o though_o never_o so_o imperfect_o understand_v so_o it_o be_v here_o we_o have_v no_o word_n that_o be_v proper_a but_o these_o be_v sufficient_a to_o teach_v we_o all_o which_o we_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v at_o least_o all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o know_v of_o the_o godhead_n 2._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o say_v that_o three_o god_n be_v one_o god_n or_o that_o three_o person_n be_v one_o person_n be_v a_o manifest_a contradiction_n but_o to_o say_v that_o three_o person_n be_v not_o one_a person_n but_o one_o god_n be_v so_o far_o from_o a_o contradiction_n that_o it_o be_v a_o wonder_n how_o it_o shall_v be_v mistake_v for_o one_o by_o any_o who_o understand_v what_o a_o contradiction_n mean_n the_o father_n be_v god_n the_o son_n be_v god_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v god_n and_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o three_o god_n but_o one_o god_n for_o neither_o of_o these_o three_o person_n be_v god_n distinct_a and_o separate_a from_o the_o rest_n but_o they_o all_o be_v but_o one_o god_n one_o lord_n jehovah_n not_o three_o distinct_a and_o separate_a lord_n and_o so_o not_o three_o eternal_n nor_o three_o incomprehensibles_fw-fr nor_o three_o uncreated_a nor_o three_o almighty_n distinct_a and_o separate_a from_o each_o other_o but_o all_o the_o three_o person_n together_o be_v one_o eternal_a incomprehensible_a 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be_v their_o knowledge_n the_o same_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o their_o common_a nature_n to_o determine_v they_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v bear_v or_o die_v together_o or_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v any_o mutual_a communication_n of_o the_o thought_n and_o operation_n of_o their_o mind_n much_o less_o that_o their_o life_n and_o death_n and_o operation_n shall_v be_v all_o the_o very_a same_o so_o that_o this_o principle_n of_o individuation_n whatever_o be_v assign_v to_o be_v it_o can_v belong_v to_o the_o divine_a nature_n which_o be_v omnipresent_v eternal_a and_o omniscient_a the_o existence_n knowledge_n and_o local_a presence_n of_o man_n be_v personal_a not_o essential_a but_o omnipresence_n eternity_n and_o omniscience_n be_v essential_a attribute_n of_o god_n and_o not_o personal_a or_o do_v not_o belong_v to_o each_o person_n as_o they_o be_v distinguish_v from_o one_o another_o but_o as_o they_o be_v unite_v in_o the_o same_o essence_n for_o they_o be_v predicate_v 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we_o can_v have_v no_o conception_n of_o they_o but_o under_o the_o notion_n of_o person_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n that_o there_o be_v three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n which_o bear_v that_o relation_n to_o each_o other_o which_o be_v best_a express_v by_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a spirit_n but_o the_o term_n of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n be_v not_o therefore_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o they_o be_v in_o humane_a relation_n and_o the_o word_n person_n be_v not_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o it_o be_v of_o humane_a person_n and_o therefore_o whereas_o we_o use_v the_o word_n person_n the_o greek_n call_v they_o subsistency_n but_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o mean_v the_o same_o thing_n under_o that_o difference_n of_o word_n and_o yet_o this_o be_v all_o the_o foundation_n of_o any_o pretence_n of_o contradiction_n in_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n that_o man_n will_v needs_o understand_v the_o term_n of_o person_n and_o of_o father_n son_n and_o spirit_n when_o they_o be_v apply_v to_o god_n as_o they_o do_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o man_n and_o from_o thence_o they_o conclude_v that_o three_o person_n in_o the_o divine_a nature_n must_v be_v three_o god_n as_o three_o person_n among_o man_n be_v three_o man_n and_o that_o the_o father_n must_v be_v superior_a and_o elder_a than_o the_o son_n as_o it_o be_v in_o humane_a generation_n but_o this_o be_v all_o mistake_n adam_n be_v style_v the_o son_n of_o god_n in_o a_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n peculiar_a to_o himself_o luke_n iii._o 38._o god_n be_v in_o one_o sense_n the_o father_n of_o all_o mankind_n and_o in_o another_o sense_n he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o the_o regenerate_v only_o and_o when_o in_o either_o sense_n we_o call_v he_o our_o father_n we_o take_v not_o the_o word_n father_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o we_o take_v it_o in_o when_o we_o apply_v it_o to_o man_n and_o when_o we_o say_v he_o be_v the_o father_n of_o his_o only_o beget_v son_n this_o be_v another_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n father_n very_o different_a from_o all_o the_o former_a the_o relation_n between_o the_o father_n and_o son_n be_v not_o the_o same_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n that_o it_o be_v among_o man_n nor_o be_v the_o divine_a person_n such_o as_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v but_o these_o be_v the_o fit_a and_o the_o most_o proper_a and_o significant_a term_n to_o express_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n to_o we_o that_o humane_a language_n and_o humane_a understanding_n be_v capable_a of_o we_o must_v acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v a_o vast_a disproportion_n and_o impropriety_n in_o these_o expression_n and_o that_o they_o give_v we_o but_o a_o very_a imperfect_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n but_o it_o be_v the_o most_o perfect_a that_o we_o be_v able_a to_o have_v of_o it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v necessary_a for_o we_o to_o have_v of_o it_o in_o this_o mortal_a state_n and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o allow_v for_o the_o 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men._n and_o to_o prove_v this_o he_o must_v understand_v the_o nature_n of_o god_n as_o well_o as_o he_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o man_n for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v never_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v that_o three_o divine_a person_n may_v not_o be_v one_o god_n though_o three_o humane_a person_n can_v be_v one_o man._n that_o they_o be_v distinct_a person_n be_v reveal_v and_o that_o these_o three_o distinct_a person_n be_v but_o one_o god_n be_v reveal_v but_o wherein_o the_o distinction_n and_o the_o unity_n of_o these_o three_o person_n consist_v be_v not_o reveal_v nor_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o understand_v it_o at_o least_o without_o a_o revelation_n the_o distinction_n of_o the_o person_n of_o man_n be_v found_v in_o a_o separate_a and_o divide_a subsistence_n but_o this_o can_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o divine_a person_n because_o separation_n and_o division_n can_v belong_v to_o a_o infinite_a nature_n there_o be_v then_o not_o repugnancy_n in_o say_v that_o there_o be_v three_o subsistency_n or_o three_o distinct_a principle_n of_o personal_a act_n and_o property_n in_o one_o undivided_a infinite_a nature_n or_o that_o the_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n act_n as_o distinct_o and_o personal_o as_o person_n do_v among_o man_n but_o be_v unite_v in_o one_o infinite_a nature_n which_o be_v uncapable_a of_o exist_v in_o separate_a subsistency_n though_o not_o of_o act_v and_o subsist_v in_o three_o distinct_a person_n or_o as_o distinct_o from_o each_o other_o as_o the_o person_n among_o man_n do_v act_n and_o subsist_v the_o sum_n be_v that_o in_o the_o most_o perfect_a unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n do_v subsist_v the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n between_o who_o be_v a_o real_a distinction_n which_o though_o not_o the_o same_o yet_o be_v
the_o reasonableness_n and_o certainty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n by_o robert_n jenkin_n chaplain_n to_o the_o right_n honourable_a the_o earl_n of_o exeter_z and_o late_a fellow_n of_o st._n john_n college_n in_o cambridge_n the_o second_o edition_n enlarge_v london_n print_v for_o p._n b._n and_o r._n wellington_n at_o the_o dolphin_n and_o crown_n the_o west-end_n of_o st._n paul_n churchyard_n 1700._o to_o the_o right_n honourable_a john_n earl_n of_o exeter_z may_v it_o please_v your_o lordship_n the_o general_a decay_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n among_o we_o have_v make_v i_o think_v that_o i_o can_v not_o better_o employ_v the_o leisure_n which_o by_o your_o lordship_n favour_n i_o enjoy_v than_o in_o use_v my_o best_a endeavour_n to_o show_v the_o excellency_n and_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o and_o what_o i_o have_v do_v be_v here_o humble_o present_v to_o your_o lordship_n as_o of_o right_a and_o upon_o many_o account_n it_o ought_v to_o be_v the_o honour_n and_o the_o satisfaction_n which_o i_o have_v often_o have_v to_o hear_v your_o lordship_n speak_v in_o the_o behalf_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n encourage_v i_o to_o hope_n that_o a_o performance_n though_o but_o such_o as_o this_o upon_o that_o subject_a may_v obtain_v your_o acceptance_n and_o the_o name_n only_o of_o a_o person_n of_o your_o lordship_n honour_n and_o learning_n and_o knowledge_n of_o the_o world_n may_v perhaps_o be_v of_o more_o advantage_n to_o the_o cause_n i_o undertake_v than_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v be_v able_a to_o write_v religion_n may_v seem_v by_o descent_n and_o as_o it_o be_v by_o inheritance_n to_o belong_v to_o your_o lordship_n care_n the_o wisdom_n and_o piety_n of_o your_o great_a ancestor_n appear_v to_o distant_a age_n in_o the_o reformation_n which_o through_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n be_v in_o so_o great_a a_o measure_n by_o his_o mean_n establish_v in_o this_o kingdom_n and_o i_o have_v with_o joy_n often_o think_v that_o i_o can_v observe_v the_o spirit_n and_o genius_n of_o my_o lord_n treasurer_n burghley_n now_o exert_v itself_o more_o than_o ever_o in_o your_o noble_a family_n from_o whence_o methinks_v we_o may_v presage_v happiness_n to_o the_o nation_n and_o may_v yet_o expect_v to_o see_v a_o true_a sense_n of_o religion_n revive_v and_o may_v hope_v that_o even_o in_o our_o day_n christianity_n among_o englishman_n shall_v be_v more_o than_o a_o name_n which_o be_v every_o where_o speak_v against_o a_o eminent_a virtue_n be_v a_o public_a good_a there_o be_v a_o powerful_a and_o command_a force_n in_o great_a example_n to_o countenance_v virtue_n and_o discourage_v vice_n and_o profaneness_n to_o make_v irreligion_n appear_v as_o it_o be_v base_a and_o contemptible_a in_o the_o world_n to_o degrade_v it_o and_o thrust_v it_o down_o among_o the_o low_a and_o untaught_a part_n of_o mankind_n much_o be_v not_o to_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o school_n and_o from_o the_o gown_n under_o such_o contempt_n and_o discouragement_n but_o the_o great_a and_o the_o honourable_a have_v it_o in_o their_o power_n to_o do_v great_a thing_n thing_n worthy_a of_o themselves_o and_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o god_n glory_n person_n of_o high_a birth_n and_o both_o by_o nature_n and_o education_n fit_v for_o the_o high_a undertake_n who_o virtue_n shall_v flourish_v with_o their_o year_n and_o add_v new_a lustre_n to_o their_o hereditary_a honour_n may_v yet_o regain_v a_o due_a esteem_n to_o religion_n and_o adorn_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n this_o be_v a_o proper_a object_n for_o the_o ambition_n of_o generous_a aspire_a mind_n to_o express_v their_o gratitude_n to_o he_o who_o have_v place_v they_o so_o much_o above_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o world_n and_o when_o they_o find_v themselves_o happy_a now_o to_o disdain_v to_o aim_v at_o any_o thing_n less_o than_o everlasting_a happiness_n hereafter_o to_o be_v miserable_a after_o happiness_n be_v a_o aggravation_n of_o misery_n but_o to_o receive_v eternal_a blessing_n as_o the_o fruit_n and_o improvement_n of_o such_o as_o be_v temporal_a be_v the_o privilege_n of_o those_o who_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o distinguish_v from_o other_o by_o his_o mercy_n and_o who_o distinguish_v themselves_o by_o a_o regard_n to_o his_o honour_n and_o service_n all_o that_o know_v burghley_n and_o who_o be_v there_o almost_o that_o do_v not_o know_v it_o be_v surprise_v with_o wonder_n and_o delight_n to_o observe_v what_o art_n can_v do_v and_o to_o behold_v the_o splendour_n and_o the_o magnificence_n of_o foreign_a country_n in_o our_o own_o but_o the_o glory_n and_o reward_n of_o virtue_n shall_v continue_v when_o burghley_n itself_o and_o the_o world_n shall_v be_v no_o more_o and_o will_v make_v death_n but_o a_o passage_n and_o a_o advancement_n from_o one_o palace_n from_o one_o honour_n to_o another_o and_o a_o removal_n only_o from_o the_o uncertain_a riches_n and_o imperfect_a felicity_n of_o this_o life_n to_o the_o mansion_n of_o eternal_a bliss_n in_o heaven_n that_o these_o my_o endeavour_n may_v prove_v but_o in_o any_o measure_n serviceable_a to_o the_o end_n of_o religion_n and_o virtue_n and_o thereby_o to_o the_o glory_n and_o happiness_n of_o your_o honourable_a family_n in_o this_o and_o a_o better_a world_n be_v my_o lord_n the_o unfeigned_a desire_n and_o prayer_n of_o your_o lordship_n be_v most_o humble_a and_o most_o obedient_a servant_n and_o chaplain_n r._n jenkin_n the_o preface_n i_o be_o sensible_a that_o the_o publication_n of_o a_o treatise_n of_o this_o nature_n will_v be_v liable_a to_o exception_n from_o those_o for_o who_o use_n and_o benefit_n it_o be_v chief_o design_v who_o will_v be_v ready_a to_o lay_v hold_n of_o all_o pretence_n to_o avoid_v the_o be_v convince_v of_o what_o they_o have_v so_o little_a mind_n to_o believe_v they_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v that_o if_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n be_v so_o certain_a and_o so_o evident_a as_o it_o be_v maintain_v to_o be_v there_o can_v be_v little_a need_n of_o so_o many_o discourse_n upon_o this_o argument_n for_o it_o be_v no_o sign_n of_o certainty_n when_o though_o such_o a_o number_n of_o book_n be_v publish_a of_o this_o kind_n that_o so_o many_o man_n of_o learning_n and_o part_n have_v write_v upon_o the_o subject_a yet_o other_o it_o seem_v be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o their_o performance_n but_o be_v continual_o offer_v something_o new_a upon_o it_o they_o will_v likewise_o object_v that_o many_o of_o the_o professor_n and_o minister_n of_o religion_n do_v not_o live_v as_o if_o they_o believe_v themselves_o at_o least_o not_o as_o if_o they_o be_v so_o very_o certain_a of_o what_o they_o teach_v and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v so_o great_a certainty_n there_o never_o can_v be_v so_o many_o unbeliever_n but_o all_o who_o have_v hear_v of_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v convince_v by_o such_o evidence_n i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v here_o that_o the_o number_n of_o 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but_o have_v bring_v sufficient_a argument_n to_o confute_v the_o adversary_n of_o religion_n they_o be_v please_v indeed_o to_o think_v otherwise_o but_o they_o may_v at_o least_o take_v notice_n how_o obvious_a it_o be_v that_o if_o this_o objection_n prove_v any_o thing_n it_o must_v prove_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o certainty_n in_o the_o world_n because_o there_o be_v no_o art_n nor_o science_n concern_v which_o divers_a treatise_n be_v not_o daily_a publish_a but_o be_v therefore_o the_o nature_n of_o virtue_n and_o vice_n uncertain_a be_v it_o the_o less_o certain_a whether_o justice_n temperance_n and_o common_a honesty_n be_v virtue_n or_o whether_o murder_n adultery_n and_o theft_n be_v crime_n because_o law_n be_v make_v and_o sermon_n daily_o preach_v concern_v these_o thing_n or_o can_v any_o man_n doubt_v that_o these_o crime_n often_o meet_v with_o severe_a punishment_n even_o in_o this_o
be_v it_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o the_o wise_a and_o good_a god_n will_v create_v man_n only_o to_o abuse_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o to_o live_v a_o while_n in_o sin_n and_o folly_n here_o and_o some_o of_o they_o in_o the_o most_o extravagant_a and_o brutal_a wickedness_n and_o then_o go_v down_o to_o the_o grave_a and_o so_o there_o shall_v be_v a_o end_n of_o they_o for_o ever_o what_o be_v there_o worthy_a of_o the_o infinite_a wisdom_n of_o god_n in_o so_o poor_a a_o design_n as_o this_o do_v not_o the_o voice_n of_o nature_n itself_o teach_v we_o and_o have_v it_o not_o be_v the_o general_a belief_n and_o expectation_n of_o all_o age_n and_o nation_n that_o the_o prosperous_a sinner_n who_o be_v subtle_a and_o powerful_a to_o do_v mischief_n must_v suffer_v in_o another_o world_n for_o what_o he_o have_v do_v amiss_o here_o and_o that_o all_o be_v not_o to_o pass_v away_o with_o we_o in_o sport_n and_o extravagance_n in_o laughter_n and_o noise_n in_o riot_n or_o in_o violence_n and_o cruelty_n as_o some_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o believe_v as_o if_o the_o world_n be_v make_v for_o the_o wicked_a and_o they_o to_o abuse_v it_o it_o appear_v likewise_o from_o the_o common_a belief_n and_o experience_n of_o mankind_n that_o as_o there_o be_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n and_o holiness_n so_o there_o be_v wicked_a and_o malicious_a spirit_n which_o be_v ever_o contrive_v the_o mischief_n and_o ruin_n of_o men._n for_o beside_o the_o evidence_n of_o this_o from_o scripture_n which_o we_o must_v be_v allow_v here_o to_o allege_v in_o the_o nature_n at_o least_o of_o a_o history_n it_o be_v folly_n to_o imagine_v that_o all_o the_o oracle_n and_o prodigy_n of_o the_o heathen_n can_v be_v mere_a forgery_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o ground_n nor_o foundation_n for_o such_o a_o belief_n as_o universal_o obtain_v in_o all_o nation_n and_o age_n of_o the_o world_n and_o for_o the_o custom_n and_o practice_n which_o follow_v upon_o this_o belief_n that_o there_o be_v daemon_n or_o spirit_n of_o a_o evil_a and_o malicious_a disposition_n and_o power_n i_o shall_v instance_n only_o in_o the_o unnatural_a cruelty_n which_o the_o heathen_a world_n even_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n themselves_o be_v continual_o put_v upon_o by_o the_o instigation_n of_o these_o malicious_a and_o wicked_a spirit_n for_o the_o heathen_a nation_n offer_v up_o multitude_n of_o innocent_a man_n and_o woman_n and_o even_o their_o own_o child_n in_o sacrifice_n to_o their_o false_a god_n which_o be_v as_o sure_a a_o evidence_n that_o there_o be_v such_o being_n which_v require_v these_o cruelty_n from_o they_o as_o it_o be_v that_o there_o be_v tyrant_n and_o persecutor_n when_o they_o cause_v innocent_a man_n to_o be_v murder_v and_o child_n to_o be_v tear_v from_o the_o arm_n of_o their_o parent_n and_o slay_v in_o their_o sight_n and_o though_o the_o dominion_n of_o satan_n be_v now_o restrain_v by_o the_o overrule_a power_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o have_v as_o great_a evidence_n from_o all_o history_n that_o there_o be_v such_o being_n as_o devil_n as_o we_o have_v for_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n whatsoever_o there_o have_v be_v indeed_o many_o false_a story_n concern_v spirit_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o matter_n of_o history_n but_o do_v this_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v none_o true_a or_o can_v the_o historian_n of_o all_o time_n and_o place_n be_v perpetual_o impose_v upon_o or_o conspire_v to_o impose_v upon_o other_o there_o be_v no_o ancient_a history_n but_o give_v some_o instance_n or_o other_o of_o these_o thing_n and_o all_o the_o modern_a history_n of_o heathen_a nation_n be_v full_a of_o such_o relation_n as_o confirm_v this_o truth_n to_o we_o and_o even_o among_o christian_n those_o who_o have_v by_o unlawful_a art_n put_v themselves_o under_o the_o power_n of_o wicked_a spirit_n have_v be_v convince_v that_o there_o be_v such_o being_n which_o be_v prove_v not_o only_o by_o the_o public_a confession_n of_o witch_n in_o all_o nation_n but_o by_o the_o private_a 1._o private_a see_v mr._n boyle_n excellency_n of_o theology_n etc._n etc._n §_o 1._o acknowledgement_n of_o divers_a learned_a man_n both_o physician_n and_o other_o who_o have_v make_v attempt_n to_o discover_v the_o truth_n of_o this_o matter_n in_o different_a place_n and_o be_v person_n neither_o timorous_a nor_o superstitious_a but_o the_o apparition_n of_o spirit_n be_v preternatural_a and_o therefore_o that_o good_a spirit_n who_o live_v in_o perfect_a obedience_n to_o the_o divine_a will_n and_o in_o conformity_n to_o the_o order_n of_o their_o nature_n shall_v appear_v be_v now_o no_o more_o to_o be_v expect_v than_o any_o other_o miracle_n but_o there_o be_v frequent_a apparition_n of_o bad_a spirit_n in_o country_n where_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o receive_v and_o where_o it_o be_v receive_v they_o appear_v to_o such_o as_o be_v willing_a to_o com●_n under_o their_o power_n but_o very_o rare_o to_o other_o and_o if_o the_o devil_n after_o so_o much_o humane_a blood_n as_o he_o have_v cause_v to_o be_v spill_v in_o his_o sacrifice_n and_o after_o so_o many_o oracle_n and_o imposture_n can_v yet_o persuade_v same_o man_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o be_v this_o be_v one_o of_o his_o subtle_a stratagem_n of_o all_o and_o prove_v how_o great_a power_n though_o in_o a_o different_a kind_n and_o manner_n he_o still_o retain_v over_o the_o mind_n of_o men._n since_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v of_o insinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n and_o goodness_n and_o that_o there_o be_v likewise_o a_o malicious_a cruel_a spirit_n ever_o watchful_a and_o industrious_a to_o abuse_v and_o destroy_v mankind_n it_o be_v high_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o a_o be_v of_o such_o infinite_a perfection_n after_o he_o have_v create_v man_n will_v communicate_v himself_o to_o he_o will_v set_v he_o a_o rule_n by_o which_o he_o ought_v to_o live_v and_o prescribe_v he_o law_n whereby_o he_o may_v answer_v the_o end_v of_o his_o creation_n and_o attain_v to_o that_o happiness_n which_o he_o be_v make_v capable_a of_o and_o design_v for_o by_o his_o maker_n we_o can_v suppose_v that_o the_o god_n of_o all_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n will_v create_v man_n and_o then_o leave_v he_o to_o himself_o to_o follow_v his_o own_o invention_n and_o to_o live_v at_o random_n without_o any_o law_n or_o direction_n to_o frame_v his_o action_n by_o and_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o assault_n of_o a_o implacable_a subtle_a enemy_n without_o any_o caution_n and_o instruction_n give_v he_o or_o any_o help_n and_o assistance_n afford_v for_o his_o defence_n man_n in_o his_o innocence_n be_v not_o thus_o to_o be_v leave_v to_o himself_o and_o we_o have_v all_o the_o reason_n in_o the_o world_n to_o believe_v though_o we_o have_v not_o the_o express_a word_n of_o scripture_n for_o it_o that_o the_o god_n of_o infinite_a goodness_n will_v not_o disregard_n this_o corrupt_a state_n of_o mankind_n but_o will_v use_v some_o mean_n to_o reclaim_v they_o from_o the_o error_n of_o their_o way_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o a_o knowledge_n of_o themselves_o and_o of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o inform_v they_o of_o their_o duty_n and_o direct_v they_o to_o happiness_n how_o man_n become_v so_o prone_a to_o all_o evil_a we_o can_v know_v only_o by_o revelation_n and_o therefore_o those_o who_o reject_v all_o revelation_n must_v suppose_v that_o man_n be_v first_o create_v in_o this_o state_n of_o sin_n and_o misery_n which_o be_v a_o very_a heinous_a imputation_n upon_o the_o goodness_n and_o justice_n of_o god_n but_o to_o suppose_v he_o place_v in_o this_o condition_n without_o all_o help_n or_o remedy_n be_v to_o charge_n god_n still_o more_o foolish_o but_o how_o man_n become_v so_o be_v not_o here_o the_o matter_n of_o enquiry_n it_o be_v evident_a that_o man_n be_v of_o himself_o in_o a_o miserable_a and_o helpless_a condition_n and_o consider_v the_o great_a ignorance_n and_o wickedness_n which_o have_v be_v from_o the_o fall_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n visible_a continual_o in_o the_o word_n and_o still_o reign_v in_o it_o consider_v i_o say_v the_o notorious_a wickedness_n and_o gross_a ignorance_n of_o man_n which_o from_o the_o early_a record_n of_o antiquity_n have_v continue_v down_o to_o our_o own_o time_n nothing_o be_v more_o reasonable_a than_o to_o think_v that_o a_o be_v of_o infinite_a perfection_n will_v take_v some_o care_n to_o rectify_v the_o mistake_v and_o reform_v the_o manner_n of_o men._n can_v we_o believe_v it_o consistent_a with_o infinite_a truth_n never_o to_o manifest_v itself_o in_o the_o world_n but_o to_o suffer_v all_o sort_n of_o man_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o be_v expose_v to_o all_o the_o design_n and_o delusion_n of_o impostor_n
upon_o they_o when_o they_o least_o think_v of_o he_o with_o a_o mighty_a and_o terrible_a judgement_n and_o with_o a_o sudden_a and_o unexpected_a fury_n but_o to_o stand_v by_o and_o look_v on_o unconcern_v and_o then_o to_o take_v man_n upon_o such_o a_o surprise_n without_o give_v they_o any_o notice_n of_o it_o beforehand_o be_v a_o thing_n impossible_a to_o be_v account_v for_o and_o can_v never_o be_v reconcile_v with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n st._n athanasius_n dei_fw-la athanasius_n s._n athan_n de_fw-fr incarnatione_fw-la verbi_fw-la dei_fw-la insist_o at_o large_a upon_o this_o argument_n and_o carry_v it_o so_o far_o as_o to_o prove_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n from_o it_o he_o urge_v that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v unworthy_a of_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v all_o mankind_n to_o be_v destroy_v by_o the_o fraud_n and_o malice_n of_o the_o devil_n or_o by_o their_o own_o fault_n and_o negligence_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v more_o consistent_a with_o his_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n never_o to_o have_v create_v man_n than_o to_o have_v suffer_v they_o thus_o to_o perish_v a_o earthly_a king_n say_v he_o when_o he_o have_v plant_v a_o colony_n will_v not_o careless_o suffer_v his_o subject_n to_o become_v slave_n to_o a_o stranger_n or_o to_o revolt_v from_o he_o but_o he_o will_v by_o his_o proclamation_n admonish_v they_o of_o their_o duty_n and_o oftentimes_o will_v send_v message_n to_o they_o by_o his_o friend_n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o necessity_n for_o it_o will_v go_v to_o they_o himself_o to_o awe_v they_o by_o his_o presence_n and_o recall_v they_o to_o their_o obedience_n and_o as_o he_o there_o add_v shall_v not_o god_n much_o rather_o be_v so_o mindful_a of_o his_o creature_n as_o to_o use_v some_o mean_n to_o reclaim_v they_o from_o their_o evil_a way_n and_o regain_v they_o to_o his_o service_n especial_o when_o they_o must_v be_v utter_o undo_v for_o ever_o unless_o he_o take_v care_n of_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o though_o we_o have_v never_o hear_v of_o such_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o miracle_n or_o a_o prophecy_n or_o of_o reveal_v relgion_n yet_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o great_a ignorance_n and_o corruption_n of_o humane_a nature_n it_o will_v be_v reasonable_a to_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v some_o way_n make_v know_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n and_o we_o can_v reconcile_v it_o to_o his_o attribute_n nor_o conceive_v how_o it_o shall_v be_v consistent_a with_o they_o for_o he_o to_o be_v a_o unconcerned_a spectator_n of_o so_o much_o folly_n and_o wickedness_n without_o take_v any_o care_n to_o remedy_v it_o god_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o force_v man_n to_o obey_v his_o commandment_n and_o comply_v with_o his_o will_n but_o rather_o to_o leave_v it_o at_o their_o own_o choice_n whether_o they_o will_v be_v happy_a or_o miserable_a but_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o propose_v the_o term_n of_o salvation_n to_o they_o to_o offer_v they_o their_o free_a choice_n to_o set_v before_o they_o life_n and_o death_n blessing_n and_o curse_n and_o so_o to_o leave_v the_o obstinate_a without_o all_o excuse_n and_o this_o be_v all_o which_o i_o be_o here_o concern_v to_o prove_v that_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v reveal_v himself_o to_o mankind_n and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o conceivable_a how_o it_o shall_v be_v consistent_a with_o the_o divine_a attribute_n for_o he_o not_o to_o do_v it_o to_o own_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o yet_o to_o deny_v a_o providence_n be_v so_o great_a a_o absurdity_n that_o none_o of_o the_o philosopher_n but_o epicurus_n be_v guilty_a of_o it_o and_o this_o be_v look_v upon_o in_o he_o as_o amount_v to_o the_o denial_n of_o the_o divine_a existence_n and_o to_o grant_v both_o the_o be_v and_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o yet_o to_o confine_v the_o divine_a care_n and_o providence_n to_o the_o body_n only_o and_o outward_a condition_n of_o man_n and_o to_o imagine_v that_o the_o spiritual_a and_o immortal_a part_n of_o man_n be_v disregard_v or_o neglect_v by_o he_o be_v no_o less_o a_o absurdity_n than_o whole_o to_o deny_v his_o providence_n or_o his_o existence_n because_o this_o be_v to_o deny_v the_o most_o considerable_a and_o inestimable_a part_n of_o providence_n which_o concern_v our_o soul_n and_o our_o eternal_a state_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v by_o consequence_n to_o deny_v the_o attribute_n of_o god_n and_o to_o represent_v he_o not_o as_o he_o be_v in_o himself_o but_o unwise_a unmerciful_a and_o unholy_a to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v no_o better_o in_o effect_n than_o atheism_n for_o whoever_o can_v be_v of_o this_o opinion_n must_v believe_v only_o the_o be_v of_o such_o god_n as_o epicurus_n own_a that_o never_o concern_v themselves_o with_o humane_a affair_n which_o be_v only_o in_o other_o word_n to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o it_o have_v therefore_o be_v the_o constant_a belief_n and_o opinion_n of_o all_o nation_n that_o their_o god_n do_v in_o some_o way_n or_o other_o reveal_v themselves_o to_o man_n and_o though_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o the_o world_n have_v worship_v false_a god_n and_o have_v be_v mistake_v as_o to_o the_o particular_a revelation_n which_o they_o receive_v for_o divine_a yet_o it_o must_v proceed_v either_o from_o ancient_a tradition_n or_o from_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o or_o from_o both_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v expect_v that_o the_o divine_a be_v shall_v by_o some_o mean_n communicate_v himself_o to_o man_n and_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o they_o chap._n ii_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n by_o which_o divine_a revelation_n may_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v deliver_v and_o preserve_v in_o the_o world_n mankind_n have_v so_o corrupt_v themselves_o that_o the_o will_n and_o law_n of_o god_n can_v not_o be_v effectual_o make_v know_v to_o they_o but_o by_o some_o extraordinary_a way_n of_o revelation_n god_n have_v manifest_v himself_o in_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o by_o the_o preservation_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o the_o beginning_n according_a to_o their_o several_a nature_n for_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o he_o from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v clear_o see_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v make_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n rom._n i._n 20._o but_o man_n have_v corrupt_v themselves_o even_o in_o the_o plain_a and_o most_o fundamental_a point_n of_o all_o religion_n and_o act_v against_o all_o the_o dictate_v of_o natural_a reason_n in_o worship_v the_o vile_a part_n of_o the_o creation_n rather_o than_o god_n himself_o and_o in_o contempt_n and_o defiance_n of_o he_o have_v set_v up_o even_o fourfooted_a beast_n and_o creep_a thing_n instead_o of_o go_n how_o then_o can_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o god_n be_v assert_v but_o by_o some_o extraordinary_a way_n of_o revelation_n since_o the_o ordinary_a and_o constant_a method_n of_o god_n reveal_v and_o manifest_v himself_o by_o his_o providence_n in_o the_o preservation_n and_o government_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o far_o pervert_v and_o abuse_v as_o that_o man_n be_v seduce_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o any_o thing_n or_o of_o every_o thing_n rather_o than_o of_o god_n mankind_n have_v neither_o the_o will_v nor_o ability_n to_o reform_v themselves_o and_o have_v by_o their_o own_o fault_n bring_v themselves_o under_o a_o utter_a incapacity_n of_o be_v reform_v but_o by_o some_o extraordinary_a revelation_n natural_a reason_n may_v have_v teach_v they_o to_o be_v less_o wicked_a but_o nothing_o can_v make_v they_o righteous_a but_o a_o revelation_n and_o the_o gross_a error_n and_o crime_n which_o the_o wise_a man_n have_v fall_v into_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o a_o extraordinary_a revelation_n from_o god_n to_o instruct_v and_o inform_v the_o world_n and_o the_o way_n of_o extraordinary_a revelation_n be_v but_o these_o two_o either_o god_n immediate_a revelation_n of_o himself_o to_o particular_a person_n or_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o of_o prophesy_v and_o foretell_v future_a event_n bestow_v upon_o some_o to_o convince_v other_o that_o they_o be_v inspire_a and_o come_v with_o a_o commission_n from_o god_n to_o instruct_v they_o in_o what_o he_o have_v reveal_v but_o it_o can_v seem_v requisite_a that_o god_n shall_v immediate_o inspire_v or_o make_v a_o immediate_a revelation_n to_o every_o particular_a person_n in_o the_o world_n for_o either_o he_o must_v so_o powerful_o influence_n their_o mind_n and_o affection_n as_o to_o take_v away_o their_o choice_n and_o freedom_n of_o act_v which_o will_v be_v to_o offer_v violence_n to_o humane_a nature_n or_o else_o man_n will_v
we_o may_v not_o be_v assure_v of_o some_o thing_n as_o certain_o from_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o as_o from_o our_o own_o sense_n 2._o whether_o this_o be_v not_o the_o present_a case_n relate_v to_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n i_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v in_o the_o first_o place_n the_o certainty_n which_o we_o have_v for_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n by_o which_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v prove_v and_o confirm_v to_o we_o compare_v with_o the_o evidence_n of_o sense_n and_o will_v then_o apply_v it_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n i._o in_o many_o case_n man_n seem_v general_o agree_v that_o there_o be_v as_o much_o cause_n to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v from_o other_o as_o what_o they_o see_v and_o experience_n themselves_o for_o there_o may_v be_v such_o circumstance_n of_o credibility_n as_o equal_v the_o evidence_n even_o of_o sense_n itself_o no_o evidence_n can_v satisfy_v sense_n so_o much_o indeed_o nor_o perhaps_o so_o much_o affect_v the_o passion_n as_o that_o of_o sense_n but_o there_o may_v be_v other_o evidence_n which_o may_v give_v as_o clear_a conviction_n and_o altogether_o as_o good_a satisfaction_n to_o our_o reason_n as_o that_o which_o be_v immediate_o derive_v from_o our_o sense_n concern_v the_o be_v of_o object_n or_o the_o truth_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n thus_o those_o who_o never_o travel_v to_o the_o indies_n do_v as_o little_a doubt_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o those_o who_o have_v be_v never_o so_o often_o there_o and_o all_o man_n believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o julius_n caesar_n with_o as_o little_a scruple_n as_o if_o they_o have_v live_v in_o his_o time_n and_o have_v see_v and_o speak_v with_o he_o i_o suppose_v no_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n make_v any_o more_o doubt_n but_o there_o be_v such_o place_n as_o judoea_n and_o jerusalem_n from_o the_o constant_a report_n of_o historian_n and_o traveller_n than_o if_o he_o have_v be_v in_o those_o place_n himself_o and_o have_v live_v the_o great_a part_n of_o his_o life_n there_o and_o the_o great_a infidel_n that_o i_o know_v of_o never_o pretend_v yet_o to_o disbelieve_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o our_o saviour_n christ_n but_o all_o man_n think_v themselves_o as_o well_o assure_v of_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o other_o as_o if_o they_o have_v see_v they_o themselves_o for_o how_o doubtful_a and_o intricate_a soever_o some_o thing_n may_v be_v for_o want_v of_o knowledge_n or_o credit_n in_o the_o relater_n yet_o there_o be_v other_o thing_n deliver_v with_o that_o agreement_n and_o certainty_n on_o all_o hand_n that_o to_o doubt_v of_o they_o will_v be_v as_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o doubt_v of_o what_o we_o ourselves_o see_v and_o hear_v and_o if_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n for_o instance_n be_v of_o this_o nature_n we_o can_v with_o as_o little_a reason_n doubt_n of_o it_o as_o if_o we_o have_v live_v at_o that_o time_n and_o have_v converse_v with_o he_o after_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a but_o we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n that_o he_o be_v alive_a again_o after_o his_o crucifixion_n as_o that_o he_o ever_o live_v at_o all_o and_o we_o have_v at_o least_o all_o the_o assurance_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o person_n as_o christ_n that_o we_o can_v have_v that_o there_o once_o live_v any_o other_o man_n at_o that_o distance_n of_o time_n from_o we_o we_o can_v no_o more_o doubt_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o augustus_n caesar_n and_o be_v crucify_a under_o tiberius_n than_o that_o there_o be_v once_o such_o emperor_n in_o the_o world_n nay_o we_o have_v it_o much_o better_o attest_v that_o christ_n be_v bear_v and_o be_v crucify_a and_o rise_v again_o than_o that_o there_o ever_o be_v such_o prince_n as_o these_o two_o emperor_n for_o no_o man_n ever_o make_v it_o his_o business_n to_o go_v about_o the_o world_n to_o certify_v this_o and_o to_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o at_o his_o death_n but_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o and_o their_o disciple_n and_o convert_v and_o innumerable_a other_o ever_o since_o from_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n have_v assert_v the_o particular_n of_o the_o life_n and_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o saviour_n under_o all_o danger_n and_o torment_n and_o death_n and_o have_v make_v it_o their_o great_a aim_n and_o design_n both_o live_a and_o die_v to_o bear_v testimony_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o that_o a_o man_n may_v as_o well_o doubt_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o ever_o be_v do_v before_o his_o own_o time_n or_o at_o a_o great_a distance_n from_o he_o as_o doubt_v of_o these_o fundamental_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o yet_o there_o be_v no_o man_n but_o think_v himself_o as_o certain_a of_o some_o thing_n at_o least_o which_o be_v do_v a_o long_a time_n ago_o or_o a_o great_a way_n off_o as_o if_o he_o have_v be_v at_o the_o do_v of_o they_o himself_o indeed_o in_o some_o respect_n we_o seem_v to_o have_v more_o evidence_n than_o these_o can_v have_v that_o live_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n for_o they_o can_v see_v but_o some_o miracle_n we_o have_v the_o benefit_n of_o all_o they_o rely_v upon_o their_o own_o sense_n and_o upon_o the_o sense_n of_o such_o as_o they_o know_v and_o converse_v with_o we_o upon_o the_o sense_n of_o innumerable_a people_n who_o successive_o behold_v they_o for_o the_o space_n of_o divers_a hundred_o year_n together_o so_o that_o whoever_o will_v not_o believe_v the_o scripture_n neither_o will_v he_o believe_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a that_o be_v though_o the_o great_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v for_o his_o conviction_n this_o be_v say_v of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o therefore_o may_v with_o great_a reason_n be_v say_v of_o that_o and_o the_o new_a both_o and_o we_o have_v beside_o one_o sort_n of_o evidence_n which_o those_o that_o live_v at_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o christianity_n can_v not_o have_v for_o we_o see_v many_o of_o those_o prophecy_n fulfil_v which_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v concern_v his_o church_n we_o know_v how_o it_o spring_v up_o and_o flourish_v and_o from_o what_o small_a unlikely_a beginning_n it_o have_v spread_v itself_o into_o all_o corner_n of_o the_o earth_n and_o continue_v to_o this_o day_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n to_o root_v it_o out_o and_o destroy_v it_o the_o continuance_n and_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n under_o so_o improbable_a circumstance_n be_v matter_n of_o faith_n chief●y_n to_o the_o first_o christian_n but_o to_o we_o be_v matter_n of_o fact_n and_o the_o object_n of_o sense_n they_o see_v the_o work_n indeed_o prosper_v in_o their_o hand_n but_o their_o faith_n only_o can_v tell_v they_o that_o it_o shall_v flourish_v for_o so_o many_o age_n as_o we_o know_v it_o have_v already_o do_v this_o be_v a_o stand_n and_o invincible_a proof_n to_o we_o at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n and_o have_v the_o force_n of_o a_o twofold_a argument_n the_o one_o of_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n the_o other_o of_o prophecy_n we_o know_v that_o a_o miraculous_a power_n have_v be_v manifest_v in_o conquer_a all_o opposition_n and_o in_o a_o wonderful_a manner_n bring_v those_o thing_n to_o pass_v which_o to_o humane_a wisdom_n and_o power_n be_v altogether_o impossible_a and_o the_o fulfil_n hereby_o of_o prophecy_n be_v a_o visible_a confirmation_n to_o we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o we_o believe_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o the_o prophet_n who_o prophecy_n we_o see_v fulfil_v and_o since_o it_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v that_o thing_n may_v be_v so_o well_o attest_v that_o we_o may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o own_o sense_n as_o of_o the_o authority_n by_o which_o we_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o and_o must_v turn_v sceptic_n or_o worse_o if_o we_o will_v not_o believe_v they_o we_o may_v conclude_v as_o well_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o these_o prophecy_n which_o we_o ourselves_o see_v fulfil_v as_o upon_o all_o other_o account_n that_o the_o historical_a evidence_n in_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n amount_v to_o all_o the_o certainty_n that_o a_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o not_o except_v even_o that_o of_o sense_n itself_o ii_o let_v we_o now_o apply_v all_o this_o to_o the_o resolution_n of_o faith_n and_o give_v a_o account_n how_o a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a faith_n may_v be_v produce_v in_o we_o humane_a testimony_n be_v the_o motive_n by_o which_o we_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o contain_v god_n reveal_v will_n this_o certify_v we_o that_o such_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v
last_o day_n of_o the_o jewish_a dispensation_n p._n 388._o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n mean_v by_o the_o last_o day_n p._n 389._o st._n paul_n do_v not_o suppose_v that_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n be_v approach_v in_o his_o time_n p._n 391._o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o last_o judgement_n must_v be_v confine_v to_o one_o day_n p._n 393._o chap._n xxiii_o of_o sacrament_n the_o nature_n and_o design_n of_o sacrament_n p._n 396._o 1._o they_o be_v outward_a and_o visible_a sign_n of_o our_o entrance_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n or_o of_o our_o renew_v our_o covenant_n with_o he_o ib._n 2._o they_o be_v token_n and_o pledge_n to_o we_o of_o god_n love_n and_o favour_n p._n 402._o 3._o they_o be_v mean_n and_o instrument_n of_o grace_n and_o salvation_n p._n 404._o 4._o they_o be_v federal_n rite_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n as_o a_o visible_a society_n and_o of_o our_o union_n with_o it_o as_o such_o p._n 406._o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n full_o answer_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o sacrament_n p._n 407._o chap._n xxiv_o of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n there_o be_v no_o contradiction_n in_o this_o mystery_n of_o our_o religion_n p._n 412_o the_o distinction_n of_o the_o three_o person_n in_o the_o deity_n p._n 413._o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n p._n 414._o the_o difference_n between_o the_o divine_a person_n and_o humane_a person_n 417._o other_o thing_n be_v and_o must_v be_v believe_v by_o we_o which_o be_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o this_o doctrine_n p._n 421._o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o belief_n of_o this_o doctrine_n explain_v and_o defend_v p._n 423._o this_o doctrine_n exceed_o tend_v to_o the_o advancement_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n and_o have_v a_o great_a influence_n upon_o the_o life_n and_o conversation_n of_o man_n p._n 427._o chap._n xxv_o of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a god_n be_v certain_o able_a to_o raise_v the_o dead_a p._n 431._o body_n after_o their_o corruption_n and_o the_o dissolution_n of_o the_o part_n which_o compose_v they_o may_v be_v restore_v to_o life_n by_o the_o reunion_n of_o these_o part_n again_o p._n 436._o we_o may_v rise_v again_o with_o the_o same_o body_n which_o we_o have_v here_o notwithstanding_o any_o change_n or_o flux_n of_o the_o part_n of_o our_o body_n while_o we_o live_v or_o any_o accident_n after_o death_n p._n 437._o it_o be_v not_o only_o credible_a and_o reasonable_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n can_v but_o likewise_o that_o he_o will_v raise_v the_o dead_a p._n 443._o chap._n xxvi_o of_o the_o reason_n why_o christ_n do_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n of_o the_o jew_n after_o his_o resurrection_n there_o be_v reason_n peculiar_a to_o this_o dispensation_n of_o his_o resurrection_n why_o christ_n shall_v not_o show_v himself_o to_o all_o the_o people_n after_o he_o be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a p._n 449._o it_o have_v not_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o other_o dispensation_n of_o god_n towards_o mankind_n for_o he_o to_o have_v do_v it_o p._n 451_o great_a number_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v give_v over_o to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n will_v not_o have_v believe_v though_o they_o have_v see_v christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 452._o if_o the_o jew_n have_v believe_v in_o christ_n their_o conversion_n have_v not_o be_v a_o great_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n than_o their_o unbelief_n have_v be_v p._n 453._o the_o power_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n manifest_v in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o great_a a_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o the_o personal_a appearance_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o can_v have_v be_v p._n 454._o chap._n xxvii_o of_o the_o forty_o day_n in_o which_o christ_n remain_v upon_o the_o earth_n after_o his_o ●●●surrection_n and_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ascension_n many_o thing_n in_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n before_o his_o passion_n omit_v by_o the_o evangelist_n p._n 459._o and_o likewise_o after_o his_o resurrection_n p._n 461._o what_o may_v be_v conclude_v from_o that_o which_o we_o read_v of_o his_o converse_v with_o his_o disciple_n after_o it_o p._n 463._o the_o manner_n of_o his_o ascension_n p._n 465._o chap._n xxviii_o why_o some_o work_n of_o nature_n be_v more_o especial_o ascribe_v to_o god_n why_o mean_n be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o work_v of_o miracle_n and_o why_o faith_n be_v sometime_o require_v of_o those_o upon_o who_o or_o before_o who_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v all_o creature_n act_v with_o a_o constant_a dependence_n upon_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o influence_n but_o thing_n may_v be_v say_v more_o especial_o to_o be_v do_v by_o god_n himself_o whereby_o upon_o some_o extraordinary_a occasion_n his_o power_n and_o his_o will_n be_v more_o particular_o manifest_v or_o his_o promise_n fulfil_v p._n 469._o miracle_n be_v more_o peculiar_o the_o work_n of_o god_n because_o they_o be_v wrought_v without_o the_o concurrence_n or_o subserviency_n of_o natural_a mean_n ib_n mean_v use_v as_o circumstance_n to_o render_v miracle_n more_o observable_a not_o as_o concur_v to_o the_o production_n of_o the_o effect_n 470._o christ_n have_v give_v undeniable_a proof_n of_o his_o miraculous_a power_n before_o he_o require_v faith_n as_o a_o condition_n in_o such_o as_o come_v to_o see_v his_o miracle_n and_o to_o receive_v the_o benefit_n of_o they_o p._n 471._o whether_o he_o require_v faith_n of_o any_o before_o his_o work_n of_o a_o miracle_n who_o have_v not_o already_o see_v he_o work_v miracle_n p._n 481._o great_a reason_n that_o no_o miracle_n shall_v be_v purposely_o wrought_v for_o the_o captious_a and_o malicious_a p._n 482._o the_o case_n of_o his_o own_o countryman_n be_v particular_a ib._n the_o case_n of_o those_o who_o come_v to_o desire_v his_o help_n p._n 487._o our_o saviour_n hereby_o signify_v that_o he_o require_v the_o same_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o see_v his_o miracle_n as_o he_o do_v of_o those_o who_o have_v see_v they_o p._n 489._o chap._n xxix_o of_o the_o cease_n of_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n the_o antiquity_n of_o prophecy_n add_v to_o their_o force_n and_o evidence_n p._n 491._o the_o cessation_n of_o miracle_n we_o read_v of_o no_o miraculous_a power_n bestow_v upon_o any_o man_n before_o moses_n p._n 492._o neither_o prophecy_n nor_o miracle_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n for_o more_o than_o four_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n p._n 495._o miracle_n if_o common_a will_v lose_v the_o design_n and_o nature_n of_o miracle_n p._n 498._o man_n will_v pretend_v to_o frame_v hypothesis_n to_o solve_v they_o p._n 499._o a_o constant_a power_n of_o miracle_n will_v occasion_v imposture_n ib._n they_o will_v occasion_v pride_n in_o those_o that_o wrought_v they_o p._n 501._o no_o more_o reason_n for_o miracle_n to_o prove_v the_o christian_a religion_n among_o christian_n than_o there_o be_v need_n of_o they_o to_o prove_v a_o god_n ib._n a_o divine_a power_n be_v notwithstanding_o evident_a among_o christian_n live_v in_o heathen_a country_n p._n 502._o chap._n xxx_o of_o the_o cause_n why_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n reject_v christ_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n asupernatural_a grace_n necessary_a to_o true_a faith_n p._n 504._o jew_n and_o proselyte_n be_v convert_v in_o great_a number_n p._n 508._o many_o dare_v not_o own_o christ_n other_o have_v their_o heart_n harden_v p._n 511._o they_o have_v violent_a prejudidice_n against_o the_o gospel_n p._n 512._o the_o sign_n and_o wonder_n of_o false_a prophet_n a_o cause_n of_o the_o infidelity_n of_o the_o jew_n p._n 514._o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v foretell_v by_o the_o prophet_n be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n p._n 515._o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_n convert_v p._n 516._o the_o cause_n of_o unbelief_n in_o the_o philosopher_n ib._n of_o epictetus_n and_o seneca_n p._n 518._o the_o prejudices_fw-la of_o the_o gentile_n p._n 521._o they_o will_v not_o be_v at_o the_o pain_n right_o to_o understand_v the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 522._o oracle_n have_v foretell_v that_o it_o shall_v not_o last_v above_o 365_o year_n p._n ib._n heresy_n and_o schism_n give_v great_a scandal_n p._n 523._o many_o heathen_n however_o have_v more_o favourable_a and_o just_a thought_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 524._o of_o the_o write_n of_o the_o heathen_n against_o it_o p._n 528._o the_o write_n of_o the_o ancient_a jew_n confirm_v it_o p._n 530._o chap._n xxxi_o that_o the_o confidence_n of_o man_n of_o false_a religion_n and_o their_o willingness_n to_o suffer_v for_o they_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n the_o martyr_n for_o the_o christian_a religion_n more_o
by_o the_o name_n of_o america_n or_o that_o the_o torrid_a and_o frigid_a zone_n can_v be_v habitable_a no_o mystery_n in_o religion_n can_v seem_v more_o incredible_a to_o any_o man_n than_o these_o thing_n do_v appear_v even_o to_o wise_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v find_v to_o be_v by_o navigation_n they_o may_v have_v seem_v incredible_a still_o for_o aught_o we_o can_v tell_v though_o now_o we_o wonder_v at_o the_o ignorance_n of_o former_a time_n that_o they_o shall_v make_v any_o doubt_n of_o they_o and_o admire_v how_o they_o come_v to_o lie_v so_o long_o unknown_a for_o these_o thing_n seem_v obvious_a when_o they_o be_v once_o discover_v and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o disparagement_n to_o we_o if_o we_o can_v not_o make_v as_o great_a discovery_n at_o home_n as_o those_o do_v who_o travel_n to_o the_o indies_n and_o if_o we_o will_v but_o consider_v a_o little_a with_o ourselves_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o we_o may_v be_v at_o least_o as_o much_o mistake_v in_o our_o philosophy_n about_o the_o thing_n of_o another_o world_n as_o our_o ancestor_n be_v for_o so_o many_o age_n concern_v so_o much_o of_o this_o and_o shall_v conceive_v it_o very_o possible_a that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o heaven_n and_o a_o hell_n though_o we_o never_o speak_v with_o any_o body_n that_o have_v be_v in_o either_o of_o those_o place_n and_o that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o trinity_n and_o a_o resurrection_n though_o we_o be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o account_n of_o they_o for_o nature_n itself_o exceed_v our_o comprehension_n and_o therefore_o the_o divine_a essence_n and_o the_o almighty_a power_n of_o god_n must_v needs_o much_o more_o exceed_v it_o the_o motion_n of_o the_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o wind_n and_o sea_n the_o light_n of_o the_o sun_n and_o moon_n and_o star_n the_o conception_n and_o birth_n of_o all_o creature_n nay_o the_o growth_n of_o corn_n and_o of_o the_o very_a grass_n of_o the_o field_n and_o all_o the_o most_o obvious_a and_o inconsiderable_a production_n of_o nature_n have_v so_o many_o wonderful_a difficulty_n in_o the_o explication_n of_o they_o that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o mighty_o incline_v to_o flatter_v ourselves_o i_o be_o afraid_a we_o shall_v soon_o turn_v sceptic_n than_o be_v able_a to_o imagine_v that_o we_o can_v give_v any_o tolerable_a account_n of_o they_o for_o when_o all_o be_v do_v we_o know_v just_a enough_o of_o they_o to_o acknowledge_v and_o admire_v the_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o god_n and_o to_o be_v lead_v to_o a_o steadfast_a belief_n and_o assurance_n of_o what_o he_o have_v reveal_v of_o himself_o and_o of_o the_o world_n to_o come_v that_o the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o he_o from_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n may_v be_v clear_o see_v be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v even_o his_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n rom._n 1.20_o how_o little_a be_v it_o that_o we_o know_v of_o this_o earth_n where_o we_o live_v and_o which_o we_o dote_v so_o much_o upon_o for_o by_o the_o least_o calculation_n it_o be_v above_o three_o thousand_o and_o five_o hundred_o mile_n to_o the_o centre_n but_o the_o art_n and_o curiosity_n of_o man_n have_v never_o reach_v according_a to_o mr._n boyle_n account_n after_o all_o his_o inquiry_n among_o navigator_n and_o miner_n 4._o miner_n excellency_n of_o theology_n sect._n 4._o above_o one_o mile_n or_o two_o at_o most_o downward_o and_o that_o not_o in_o above_o three_o or_o four_o place_n either_o into_o the_o earth_n or_o into_o the_o sea_n yet_o all_o astronomer_n agree_v as_o he_o afterward_o observe_v that_o the_o earth_n be_v but_o a_o physical_a point_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o starry_a heaven_n of_o how_o little_a extent_n then_o say_v he_o must_v our_o knowledge_n be_v which_o leave_v we_o ignorant_a of_o so_o many_o thing_n touch_v the_o vast_a body_n that_o be_v above_o we_o and_o penetrate_v so_o little_a a_o way_n even_o into_o the_o earth_n that_o be_v beneath_o we_o that_o it_o seem_v confine_v to_o but_o a_o small_a share_n of_o the_o superficial_a part_n of_o a_o physical_a point_n and_o to_o shame_v the_o pride_n and_o vanity_n of_o mankind_n the_o chief_a discovery_n in_o philosophy_n as_o he_o likewise_o observe_v have_v be_v the_o production_n of_o time_n and_o chance_n not_o of_o any_o wisdom_n or_o sagacity_n which_o be_v a_o remarkable_a acknowledgement_n in_o a_o person_n who_o have_v oblige_v the_o world_n with_o so_o many_o wonderful_a improvement_n in_o experimental_a philosophy_n the_o circulation_n of_o the_o blood_n have_v be_v but_o late_o find_v out_o and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o absurd_a at_o its_o first_o discovery_n though_o now_o what_o man_n can_v doubt_v of_o it_o and_o some_o of_o the_o most_o common_a effect_n of_o nature_n may_v seem_v as_o strange_a as_o any_o if_o the_o frequency_n of_o they_o do_v not_o prevent_v our_o wonder_n 18._o maimon_n more_n nevoch_n pt_n 2._o c._n 18._o if_o as_o maimonides_n put_v a_o case_n we_o suppose_v a_o man_n of_o never_o so_o good_a natural_a part_n so_o bring_v up_o as_o to_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o manner_n how_o the_o several_a species_n of_o animal_n be_v preserve_v and_o propagate_v in_o the_o world_n how_o many_o scruple_n may_v he_o raise_v to_o himself_o concern_v their_o conception_n and_o formation_n may_v he_o not_o object_n that_o it_o be_v impossible_a that_o the_o infant_n shall_v ever_o live_v and_o be_v nourish_v and_o grow_v in_o the_o womb_n and_o will_v he_o not_o offer_v abundance_n of_o demonstration_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o natural_a birth_n of_o mankind_n and_o of_o all_o other_o creature_n be_v utter_o impossible_a our_o saviour_n in_o his_o discourse_n with_o nicodemus_n answer_v his_o doubt_n concern_v the_o new_a birth_n by_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n that_o he_o be_v as_o little_a able_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o wind_n and_o that_o he_o can_v not_o tell_v whence_o it_o come_v and_o whither_o it_o go_v imply_v that_o there_o be_v much_o less_o reason_n to_o doubt_v of_o thing_n of_o a_o spiritual_a nature_n because_o we_o be_v able_a to_o give_v no_o sufficient_a explication_n of_o they_o when_o we_o be_v thus_o at_o a_o loss_n about_o the_o most_o common_a and_o obvious_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n joh._n 3.8_o and_o s._n paul_n confute_v all_o objection_n against_o the_o resurrection_n by_o a_o like_a argument_n allege_v that_o as_o it_o will_v be_v intolerable_o absurd_a to_o deny_v or_o doubt_v of_o the_o growth_n of_o corn_n because_o it_o can_v perfect_o be_v explain_v so_o it_o be_v much_o more_o absurd_a to_o deny_v or_o doubt_v of_o the_o resurrection_n for_o no_o better_a reason_n since_o supernatural_a thing_n must_v be_v more_o obscure_a and_o hard_a to_o be_v understand_v by_o we_o than_o natural_a 1_o cor._n 15.36_o indeed_o infidelity_n can_v never_o be_v more_o inexcusable_a than_o in_o the_o present_a age_n when_o so_o many_o discovery_n have_v be_v make_v in_o natural_a philosophy_n which_o will_v have_v be_v think_v as_o incredible_a to_o former_a age_n as_o any_o thing_n perhaps_o that_o can_v be_v imagine_v which_o be_v not_o a_o downright_a contradiction_n that_o gravitate_v or_o attractive_a force_n by_o which_o all_o body_n act_v one_o upon_o another_o at_o never_o so_o great_a a_o distance_n even_o through_o a_o vacuum_n of_o prodigious_a extent_n late_o demonstrate_v by_o mr_n newton_n the_o earth_n together_o with_o the_o planet_n and_o the_o sun_n and_o star_n be_v place_v at_o such_o distance_n and_o dispose_v of_o insuch_n order_n and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o to_o maintain_v a_o perpetual_a balance_n and_o poise_n throughout_o the_o universe_n be_v such_o a_o discovery_n as_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o demonstration_n can_v have_v gain_v it_o any_o belief_n and_o this_o system_fw-la of_o nature_n be_v so_o late_o discover_v and_o so_o wonderful_a that_o no_o account_n can_v be_v give_v of_o it_o by_o any_o hypothesis_n in_o philosophy_n but_o it_o must_v be_v resolve_v into_o the_o sole_a power_n and_o good_a pleasure_n of_o almighty_n god_n may_v be_v a_o caution_n against_o all_o attempt_n of_o estimate_v the_o divine_a work_n and_o dispensation_n by_o the_o measure_n of_o humane_a reason_n the_o vastness_n of_o the_o world_n extent_n be_v find_v to_o be_v so_o prodigious_a that_o it_o will_v exceed_v the_o belief_n not_o only_o of_o the_o vulgar_a but_o of_o the_o great_a philosopher_n if_o undoubted_a experiment_n do_v not_o assure_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o we_o be_v assure_v by_o man_n of_o the_o best_a art_n and_o skill_n in_o those_o thing_n god_n thing_n see_v mr_n boyle_n of_o the_o high_a vencration_n man_n intellect_n owe_v to_o god_n that_o every_o fix_a star_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n be_v above_o a_o hundred_o
to_o the_o custom_n of_o other_o nation_n well_o know_v and_o practise_v at_o that_o time_n thus_o the_o slave_n be_v wont_a to_o have_v their_o master_n name_n or_o mark_v upon_o their_o forehead_n and_o the_o soldier_n to_o have_v the_o name_n of_o their_o general_n upon_o their_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o like_a mark_n be_v wont_a to_o be_v receive_v by_o man_n in_o token_n that_o they_o have_v devote_v themselves_o to_o their_o god_n from_o whence_o we_o read_v of_o the_o mark_n of_o the_o beast_n receive_v by_o his_o worshipper_n in_o their_o right_a hand_n or_o in_o their_o forehead_n loc_fw-la forehead_n vid._n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la loc_fw-la rev._n 13.16_o and_o of_o his_o father_n name_v write_v in_o the_o forehead_n of_o those_o that_o stand_v in_o mount_n zion_n with_o the_o lamb_n rev._n 14.1_o st_o paul_n allude_v to_o the_o grecian_a game_n in_o his_o epistle_n to_o the_o corinthian_n who_o be_v much_o addict_v to_o those_o sport_n and_o have_v one_o sort_n of_o they_o the_o isthmian_a perform_v among_o they_o 1_o cor._n 9.24_o 25._o and_o he_o allude_v to_o the_o distinction_n among_o the_o roman_n between_o freeman_n and_o slave_n for_o which_o he_o give_v this_o reason_n that_o it_o be_v in_o condescension_n to_o they_o i_o speak_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n because_o of_o the_o infirmity_n of_o your_o flesh_n rom._n 6.19_o melchisedec_n be_v say_v to_o be_v without_o father_n without_o mother_n without_o descent_n heb._n 7.3_o because_o his_o pedigree_n be_v unknown_a which_o be_v a_o most_o significant_a way_n of_o expression_n to_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v so_o careful_a and_o exact_a in_o their_o genealogy_n but_o the_o very_a same_o manner_n of_o expression_n be_v also_o use_v 8._o use_v patre_fw-la nullo_n matre_fw-la serva_fw-la liv._o lib._n 4._o c._n 3._o ●ullis_fw-la majoribus_fw-la ortos_fw-la horac_n serm._n lib._n 1._o sit_v 6._o dvos_fw-la romanos_fw-la reges_fw-la ●sse_fw-la quorum_fw-la alter_fw-la patrem_fw-la non_fw-la habet_fw-la alter_fw-la matrem_fw-la nam_fw-la de_fw-la servij_fw-la matre_fw-la dubitatur_fw-la anci_fw-la pater_fw-la nullus_fw-la numae_fw-la nepos_fw-la dicitur_fw-la senec._n epist_n c._n 8._o by_o livy_n horace_n and_o seneca_n upon_o the_o like_a occasion_n there_o be_v much_o of_o nature_n but_o very_o much_o likewise_o of_o use_n and_o custom_n in_o the_o several_a scheme_n and_o form_n of_o rhetoric_n we_o meet_v with_o a_o sudden_a change_n of_o the_o person_n speak_v jer._n 16.19_o 20_o 21.17.13_o and_o with_o interlocatory_a discourse_n isa_n 63._o and_o many_o place_n of_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a to_o we_o for_o want_v of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n who_o speak_v thus_o for_o instance_n jer._n 20.14_o the_o prophet_n seem_v transport_v abrupt_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o but_o if_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o the_o wicked_a mention_v for_o 13._o under_o the_o divine_a vengeance_n from_o the_o 14_o ver_fw-la to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o sense_n will_v be_v more_o easy_a this_o abrupt_a change_n of_o the_o person_n be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o longinus_n as_o a_o excellency_n in_o homer_n hecataeus_n and_o demosthenes_n and_o the_o want_n of_o distinguish_v the_o person_n speak_v have_v be_v a_o great_a cause_n of_o misunderstand_v the_o scripture_n 7._o scripture_n justin_n apol._n 2._o origen_n philocal_a c._n 7._o as_o justin_n martyr_n and_o origen_n observe_v many_o instance_n of_o the_o like_a nature_n may_v be_v give_v in_o the_o best_a heathen_a poet_n and_o the_o read_v the_o ancient_a poet_n be_v the_o best_a help_n for_o the_o understanding_n all_o other_o author_n of_o great_a antiquity_n for_o the_o ancient_a any_o author_n be_v the_o near_a his_o stile_n come_v to_o poetry_n the_o first_o design_n of_o write_v be_v to_o delight_n so_o as_o to_o be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o instruct_v which_o make_v verse_n much_o more_o ancient_a than_o prose_n and_o though_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o speak_v in_o prose_n and_o not_o in_o verse_n yet_o it_o seem_v the_o humour_n o●_n greek_n will_v not_o bear_v though_o write_a philosophy_n in_o prose_n till_o the_o time_n of_o cyrus_n for_o then_o loc_fw-la then_o plin._n hist_o lib._n 5._o c._n 29.7_o c._n 56._o vid._n harduin_n ad_fw-la loc_fw-la pliny_n tell_v we_o pherecydes_n first_o write_v in_o prose_n which_o must_v be_v understand_v of_o philosophy_n for_o he_o ascribe_v the_o first_o writing_n of_o prose_n in_o history_n to_o cadmus_n milesius_n and_o the_o ancient_a writer_n now_o extant_a in_o prose_n herodotus_n thucydides_n and_o xenophon_n have_v many_o expression_n which_o be_v seldom_o or_o never_o meet_v withal_o beside_o but_o in_o the_o poet_n h._n stephens_n make_v a_o collection_n of_o the_o poetical_a word_n use_v by_o xenophon_n which_o be_v prefix_v to_o his_o work_n and_o the_o orator_n both_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n be_v as_o exact_v and_o curious_a in_o the_o foot_n and_o measure_n of_o their_o prose_n as_o the_o poet_n can_v be_v in_o verse_n great_a part_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v in_o verse_n and_o the_o different_a way_n of_o write_v in_o different_a age_n and_o nation_n appear_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o the_o several_a sort_n of_o poetry_n that_o way_n of_o write_v all_o verse_n in_o rhyme_n which_o in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v most_o in_o use_n and_o esteem_v will_v have_v be_v ridiculous_a to_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n though_o the_o use_n of_o rhyme_n in_o verse_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v example_n in_o antiquity_n that_o it_o be_v perhaps_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o all_o way_n of_o write_a verse_n acrostic_n though_o of_o no_o esteem_n and_o little_o use_v in_o many_o age_n and_o country_n be_v of_o great_a antiquity_n verse_n compose_v in_o the_o acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a way_n be_v find_v to_o be_v a_o help_n to_o the_o memory_n and_o this_o benefit_n and_o the_o ornament_n which_o it_o be_v then_o suppose_v to_o give_v to_o poem_n be_v the_o cause_n why_o it_o be_v sometime_o use_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o sometime_o the_o inspiration_n be_v so_o strong_a upon_o the_o writer_n mind_n as_o to_o interrupt_v the_o art_n and_o method_n which_o he_o have_v propose_v to_o himself_o as_o ps_n 25._o and_o 145._o or_o perhaps_o it_o may_v be_v customary_a upon_o certain_a occasion_n to_o omit_v some_o letter_n in_o the_o alphabet_n in_o such_o composition_n for_o reason_n which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a of_o but_o which_o may_v be_v very_o satisfactory_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o time_n and_o country_n 21._o country_n athenae_n lib._n 10._o c._n 21._o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v a_o example_n of_o this_o among_o the_o greek_n use_v by_o pindar_n and_o other_o ancient_a poet_n the_o old_a 11._o old_a casanb_n in_o athen._n lib._n 8._o c._n 11._o spartan_a doric_a and_o aeolic_a dialect_n change_v σ_n into_o p_o the_o rough_a sound_n of_o this_o letter_n be_v more_o agreeable_a it_o seem_v to_o those_o people_n and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o have_v write_v acrostic_n and_o alphabetical_a poem_n σ_n will_v have_v be_v omit_v rhophalick_a verse_n which_o begin_v with_o a_o monosyllable_n every_o word_n increase_a by_o one_o syllable_n more_o than_o the_o former_a be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o homer_n and_o the_o leonine_n or_o monkish_a verse_n with_o a_o double_a rhyme_n one_o in_o the_o middle_n and_o the_o other_o at_o the_o end_n be_v not_o without_o precedent_n to_o say_v nothing_o of_o the_o poem_n compose_v of_o divers_a sort_n of_o verse_n and_o frame_v into_o the_o shape_n of_o several_a thing_n by_o simmias_n rhodius_n some_o of_o which_o be_v ascribe_v to_o theocritus_n the_o repetition_n so_o frequent_a in_o homer_n be_v not_o for_o want_v of_o word_n for_o no_o author_n ever_o want_v they_o less_o than_o he_o but_o out_o of_o choice_n though_o latter_a poet_n have_v not_o think_v fit_a to_o imitate_v he_o in_o this_o and_o martial_n turn_v it_o to_o ridicule_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o nothing_o be_v more_o various_a than_o the_o wit_n and_o fancy_n of_o man_n and_o it_o be_v as_o certain_a that_o whoever_o will_v write_v to_o any_o purpose_n must_v write_v in_o some_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o temper_n of_o the_o people_n to_o who_o he_o write_v will_v bear_v and_o as_o their_o custom_n require_v but_o before_o i_o leave_v this_o particular_a it_o may_v be_v proper_a to_o consider_v the_o stile_n of_o scripture_n in_o the_o metaphorical_a and_o figurative_a use_n of_o word_n in_o speak_v of_o the_o work_n and_o attribute_n of_o god_n there_o never_o be_v any_o book_n write_v in_o a_o strict_a and_o literal_a propriety_n of_o word_n because_o all_o language_n abound_v in_o metaphor_n which_o by_o constant_a use_n become_v perhaps_o better_o know_v to_o the_o native_n of_o a_o country_n than_o the_o original_a word_n themselves_o and_o in_o process_n
two_o 13._o and_o it_o be_v not_o only_o threaten_v that_o the_o wicked_a shall_v suffer_v eternal_a punishment_n but_o it_o be_v likewise_o express_o foretell_v that_o the_o wicked_a shall_v be_v sentence_v to_o everlasting_a fire_n at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o that_o they_o shall_v go_v away_o into_o everlasting_a punishment_n matth._n twenty-five_o 41_o 46._o to_o leave_v no_o room_n for_o hope_n of_o any_o end_n or_o abatement_n of_o the_o punishment_n we_o have_v our_o saviour_n express_a declaration_n that_o the_o sentence_n shall_v be_v pass_v according_a to_o the_o threaten_v and_o that_o the_o everlasting_a punishment_n which_o be_v threaten_v shall_v be_v certain_o execute_v upon_o the_o wicked_a our_o judge_n have_v beforehand_o declare_v what_o sentence_n he_o will_v pass_v the_o term_n whereof_o be_v therefore_o as_o unalterable_a as_o if_o it_o be_v already_o pronounce_v he_o have_v declare_v that_o the_o punishment_n of_o the_o wicked_a as_o well_o as_o the_o reward_n of_o the_o righteous_a shall_v be_v eternal_a as_o direct_o and_o positive_o as_o he_o have_v say_v any_o thing_n else_o relate_v to_o the_o last_o judgement_n or_o concern_v any_o other_o part_n of_o his_o gospel_n and_o we_o have_v as_o little_a reason_n to_o imagine_v that_o his_o express_a and_o repeat_v affirmation_n be_v capable_a of_o a_o reserve_v mean_v in_o this_o particular_a as_o in_o any_o other_o matter_n whatsoever_o some_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o advantage_n which_o be_v consequent_a to_o the_o punishment_n of_o this_o world_n be_v precedent_n to_o those_o of_o the_o next_o here_o man_n be_v punish_v for_o their_o own_o amendment_n or_o for_o the_o advantage_n and_o security_n of_o other_o or_o for_o both_o in_o the_o next_o world_n the_o actual_a inflict_v of_o punishment_n be_v not_o for_o these_o end_n but_o they_o be_v threaten_v for_o these_o and_o they_o must_v be_v inflict_v when_o they_o have_v be_v once_o threaten_v and_o declare_v by_o god_n who_o can_v lie_v it_o be_v for_o the_o repentance_n of_o sinner_n and_o for_o the_o benefit_n of_o good_a man_n in_o preserve_v they_o in_o the_o way_n of_o virtue_n and_o secure_v they_o from_o the_o pride_n and_o malice_n of_o the_o wicked_a that_o hell_n shall_v be_v threaten_v but_o because_o it_o be_v the_o final_a and_o eternal_a state_n of_o the_o wicked_a it_o can_v be_v for_o their_o amendment_n after_o the_o execution_n of_o its_o torment_n upon_o they_o and_o good_a man_n be_v once_o out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o temptation_n and_o place_v beyond_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o wicked_a can_v no_o long_o have_v any_o protection_n or_o advantage_n from_o the_o punishment_n dehounce_v against_o impenitent_a sinner_n but_o whether_o the_o advantage_n arise_v from_o punishment_n be_v before_o or_o after_o the_o inflict_a of_o punishment_n there_o be_v the_o same_o necessity_n for_o the_o appoint_v and_o consequent_o for_o the_o inflict_v they_o viz._n the_o good_a of_o mankind_n in_o keep_v man_n from_o sin_n and_o leave_v those_o without_o excuse_n who_o will_v not_o be_v restrain_v from_o it_o and_o work_v out_o their_o own_o salvation_n but_o another_o end_n of_o punishment_n be_v that_o satisfaction_n for_o the_o violation_n of_o the_o law_n may_v be_v make_v to_o the_o supreme_a authority_n which_o be_v despise_v and_o affront_v by_o it_o and_o the_o vindication_n of_o god_n honour_n and_o authority_n and_o of_o his_o truth_n and_o holiness_n in_o his_o hatred_n and_o detestation_n of_o sin_n and_o his_o indignation_n against_o sinner_n be_v manifest_v by_o the_o actual_a punishment_n of_o the_o damn_a and_o it_o will_v be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o contrary_a to_o all_o this_o if_o they_o be_v threaten_v and_o not_o inflict_v and_o the_o number_n of_o person_n to_o be_v thus_o punish_v do_v not_o alter_v the_o case_n but_o only_o show_v that_o many_o be_v concern_v in_o it_o and_o if_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o the_o justice_n must_v be_v the_o same_o too_o though_o the_o person_n be_v never_o so_o many_o upon_o who_o it_o be_v execute_v that_o which_o be_v just_o towards_o one_o or_o merciful_a towards_o one_o be_v just_a or_o merciful_a towards_o never_o so_o many_o thousand_o for_o justice_n and_o mercy_n consist_v in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n not_o in_o the_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n of_o person_n to_o who_o they_o be_v extend_v and_o though_o multitude_n of_o criminal_n be_v apt_a to_o move_v compassion_n in_o man_n yet_o this_o proceed_v partly_o from_o the_o sympathy_n and_o frailty_n of_o human_a nature_n which_o be_v mighty_o sway_v by_o number_n and_o multitude_n to_o do_v either_o good_a or_o evil_a partly_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o human_a affair_n for_o to_o destroy_v multitude_n will_v depopulate_v city_n and_o country_n and_o will_v be_v a_o affliction_n to_o multitude_n of_o innocent_a person_n their_o friend_n and_o relation_n but_o it_o be_v not_o so_o in_o the_o present_a case_n there_o will_v be_v no_o want_n of_o number_n in_o heaven_n and_o the_o righteous_a shall_v be_v everlasting_o happy_a and_o shall_v perceive_v no_o diminution_n of_o their_o happiness_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o damnation_n of_o such_o as_o be_v never_o so_o dear_a to_o they_o in_o this_o world_n and_o mercy_n and_o pity_n be_v not_o a_o passion_n in_o god_n as_o it_o be_v in_o man_n but_o a_o perfection_n it_o be_v the_o highst_a reason_n and_o equity_n and_o therefore_o though_o the_o misery_n of_o sinner_n be_v never_o so_o severe_a and_o the_o number_n of_o the_o miserable_a never_o so_o great_a yet_o when_o the_o equity_n and_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o case_n do_v not_o require_v it_o there_o be_v nothing_o to_o move_v god_n for_o their_o relief_n because_o he_o act_n by_o the_o stand_a rule_n of_o reason_n and_o wisdom_n not_o by_o any_o fondness_n and_o weakness_n of_o passion_n 2._o i_o come_v now_o to_o show_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n in_o his_o inflict_a eternal_a torment_n upon_o sinner_n strict_a justice_n have_v a_o severe_a aspect_n and_o it_o may_v seem_v hard_a for_o frail_a man_n to_o abide_v the_o sentence_n that_o he_o may_v in_o strictness_n of_o justice_n deserve_v but_o from_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n it_o be_v natural_a for_o we_o to_o appeal_v to_o his_o mercy_n and_o thither_o he_o allow_v we_o to_o appeal_v but_o not_o so_o as_o to_o expect_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o merciful_a as_o not_o to_o be_v just_a or_o shall_v forget_v that_o he_o be_v the_o supreme_a governor_n of_o the_o world_n whilst_o he_o extend_v his_o mercy_n to_o the_o offend_a and_o criminal_a part_n of_o it_o punishment_n be_v necessary_a to_o all_o government_n and_o god_n as_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n must_v inflict_v punishment_n and_o what_o these_o be_v to_o be_v it_o belong_v to_o his_o sovereign_a wisdom_n to_o appoint_v and_o eternal_a torment_n be_v appoint_v for_o the_o punishment_n of_o sin_n not_o only_o out_o of_o a_o very_a just_a but_o even_o out_o of_o a_o gracious_a design_n because_o nothing_o less_o than_o the_o threaten_n of_o they_o will_v keep_v man_n from_o sin_n and_o from_o that_o misery_n which_o be_v the_o unavoidable_a consequence_n of_o it_o and_o so_o bring_v they_o to_o heaven_n it_o be_v a_o ancient_n and_o true_a observation_n which_o edit_n which_o chrysad_a stagir_n lib._n 1._o tom_n 6._o sau._n edit_n st._n chrysostom_n have_v make_v that_o there_o be_v mercy_n even_o in_o the_o threat_n of_o eternal_a vengeance_n because_o nothing_o less_o can_v have_v bring_v many_o man_n to_o heaven_n for_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n to_o be_v make_v but_o many_o will_v be_v there_o who_o shall_v have_v cause_n to_o thank_v god_n for_o this_o as_o the_o thing_n which_o first_o open_v their_o eye_n and_o move_v they_o to_o repentance_n and_o thereby_o bring_v they_o to_o bliss_n and_o glory_n and_o the_o same_o mercy_n be_v extend_v to_o those_o that_o perish_v and_o will_v not_o make_v the_o same_o use_n of_o it_o which_o if_o they_o have_v do_v they_o have_v never_o perish_v though_o heaven_n and_o hell_n 7._o hell_n chrys_n ad_fw-la ●op_n antioch_n de_fw-fr s●●tuis_fw-la hom._n 7._o say_v st._n chrysostom_n be_v contrary_a to_o each_o other_o yet_o they_o both_o aim_n at_o the_o same_o end_n the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n invite_v man_n to_o it_o and_o the_o fear_n of_o hell_n force_v those_o to_o heaven_n who_o otherwise_o will_v be_v regardless_o of_o their_o own_o happiness_n god_n have_v use_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o prevail_a mean_n to_o convince_v sinner_n of_o their_o danger_n and_o to_o persuade_v they_o to_o escape_v it_o and_o obtain_v salvation_n we_o have_v everlasting_a reward_n and_o everlasting_a punishment_n propose_v to_o our_o choice_n we_o be_v exhort_v with_o the_o great_a earnestness_n and_o move_v and_o assist_v with_o the_o continual_a influence_n
messiah_n the_o jewish_a law_n be_v to_o become_v impracticable_a and_o impossible_a to_o be_v observe_v for_o if_o the_o city_n and_o temple_n be_v not_o destroy_v the_o confinement_n of_o the_o jewish_a worship_n to_o one_o certain_a place_n must_v necessary_o imply_v a_o alteration_n in_o their_o worship_n upon_o the_o come_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n who_o can_v not_o all_o be_v suppose_v to_o assemble_v thrice_o every_o year_n at_o jerusalem_n and_o therefore_o the_o prophet_n foretell_v that_o jerusalem_n shall_v then_o be_v no_o long_o the_o only_a place_n of_o god_n worship_n but_o that_o man_n shall_v worship_v he_o in_o any_o place_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v true_a the_o prophet_n often_o mention_v the_o resort_n which_o shall_v be_v make_v from_o all_o nation_n to_o jerusalem_n and_o to_o the_o temple_n or_o the_o mountain_n of_o the_o lord_n but_o then_o these_o be_v mystical_a expression_n for_o the_o city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o temple_n be_v use_v by_o the_o prophet_n as_o type_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o therefore_o ezekiel_n 2._o ezekiel_n lightfoot_n be_v prospect_n of_o the_o temple_n ch_n 2._o describe_v the_o temple_n large_a than_o the_o whole_a city_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o the_o city_n in_o great_a dimension_n than_o all_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n to_o show_v that_o we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v these_o expression_n literal_o a_o priesthood_n after_o the_o order_n of_o melchizedeck_v different_a from_o that_o of_o aaron_n be_v prophesy_v of_o psal_n cx_o 4._o and_o a_o new_a covenant_n different_a from_o that_o which_o be_v make_v with_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n upon_o their_o come_n out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n jer._n xxxi_o 31_o 32._o and_o this_o covenant_n be_v to_o extend_v to_o the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o jew_n for_o from_o the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n even_o unto_o the_o go_n down_o of_o the_o same_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o gentile_n and_o in_o every_o place_n incense_n shall_v be_v offer_v unto_o my_o name_n and_o a_o pure_a offering_n for_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o heathen_a say_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n malach._n i_o 11._o if_o against_o all_o this_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o the_o moysaicall_a law_n be_v to_o endure_v for_o ever_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v what_o sense_n that_o expression_n bear_v in_o the_o law_n itself_o and_o that_o expression_n be_v there_o use_v to_o denote_v the_o continuance_n of_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o design_v for_o some_o particular_a occasion_n or_o season_n only_o but_o be_v to_o last_o as_o long_o as_o the_o nature_n and_o general_a design_n of_o its_o institution_n will_v admit_v the_o servant_n who_o ear_n be_v bore_v be_v to_o serve_v his_o master_n for_o ever_o exod._n xxi_o 6._o by_o which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o all_o his_o life_n but_o only_o till_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n whereas_o he_o that_o have_v not_o his_o ear_n bore_v be_v to_o be_v set_v free_a in_o the_o seven_o year_n ver_fw-la 2._o and_o even_o before_o the_o year_n of_o jubilee_n he_o who_o ear_n be_v bore_v may_v be_v free_v with_o his_o master_n consent_n loc_fw-la consent_n grot._fw-la ad_fw-la loc_fw-la either_o by_o manumission_n or_o redemption_n and_o be_v at_o liberty_n upon_o the_o death_n of_o his_o master_n not_o be_v bind_v to_o serve_v his_o son_n their_o anoint_v shall_v sure_o be_v a_o everlasting_a priesthood_n throughout_o their_o generation_n exod._n xl_o 15._o which_o can_v be_v understand_v to_o extend_v no_o far_o than_o as_o long_o as_o their_o genealogy_n be_v preserve_v and_o the_o tribe_n and_o generation_n of_o the_o high-priest_n can_v be_v distinguish_v i_o will_v abide_v in_o thy_o tabernacle_n for_o ever_o ps_n lxi_o 4._o or_o in_o other_o word_n all_o the_o day_n of_o my_o life_n ps_n xxvii_o 4._o samuel_n be_v bring_v by_o his_o mother_n to_o abide_v before_o the_o lord_n for_o ever_o that_o be_v during_o his_o life_n 1_o sam._n i_o 22._o and_o by_o parity_n of_o reason_n those_o statute_n and_o law_n be_v say_v to_o be_v establish_v for_o ever_o which_o be_v design_v to_o be_v perpetual_a and_o stand_a law_n not_o temporary_a during_o their_o journey_v in_o the_o wilderness_n only_o as_o other_o be_v but_o to_o continue_v as_o long_o as_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o government_n be_v to_o last_o and_o in_o this_o sense_n the_o jew_n themselves_o 7._o themselves_o id._n de_fw-fr veritat_fw-la lib._n 5._o §._o 7._o have_v take_v the_o word_n and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o explain_v deut._n twelve_o 1._o these_o be_v the_o statute_n and_o judgement_n which_o you_o shall_v observe_v to_o do_v in_o the_o land_n which_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o thy_o father_n give_v thou_o to_o possess_v it_o all_o the_o day_n that_o you_o live_v upon_o the_o earth_n or_o as_o we_o read_v ver_fw-la 19_o as_o long_o as_o thou_o live_v upon_o thy_o earth_n that_o be_v their_o law_n be_v obligatory_a to_o they_o as_o long_o as_o they_o have_v possession_n of_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n or_o retain_v any_o right_a to_o possess_v it_o by_o god_n donation_n but_o those_o statute_n and_o judgement_n which_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o land_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v they_o to_o possess_v can_v no_o long_o be_v of_o any_o obligation_n to_o they_o when_o they_o be_v final_o deprive_v of_o that_o land_n the_o ceremonial_a law_n therefore_o by_o its_o original_a design_n and_o institution_n be_v to_o continue_v in_o force_n but_o till_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n he_o give_v the_o accomplishment_n to_o it_o and_o put_v a_o final_a period_n to_o its_o obligation_n institute_v his_o gospel_n in_o its_o stead_n which_o have_v be_v pre-figured_n by_o the_o law_n and_o foretell_v both_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n chap._n xvii_o of_o sinful_a example_n record_v in_o the_o scripture_n as_o some_o have_v endeavour_v to_o excuse_v their_o own_o sin_n by_o allege_v the_o sinful_a example_n which_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o other_o who_o be_v no_o less_o fond_a of_o imitate_v they_o yet_o have_v from_o hence_o take_v a_o pretence_n for_o objection_n and_o cavil_n i_o shall_v therefore_o show_v that_o the_o bad_a example_n in_o some_o action_n of_o man_n who_o we_o find_v in_o all_o other_o respect_v commend_v in_o the_o scripture_n be_v far_o from_o be_v propose_v for_o our_o imitation_n but_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n why_o the_o fault_n and_o miscarriage_n of_o the_o best_a man_n shall_v be_v deliver_v down_o to_o we_o in_o the_o scripture_n for_o our_o caution_n and_o prevention_n as_o well_o as_o upon_o other_o account_n i._o several_a passage_n of_o the_o scripture_n contain_v only_a matter_n of_o fact_n and_o that_o very_o brief_o express_v and_o a_o bare_a narrative_n of_o any_o action_n imply_v neither_o the_o approbation_n nor_o the_o censure_n of_o it_o but_o only_o declare_v that_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v do_v and_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o fact_n itself_o with_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o or_o some_o command_n or_o permission_n or_o prohibition_n in_o scripture_n must_v discover_v the_o goodness_n or_o lawfulness_n or_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o action_n no_o historian_n be_v suppose_v to_o approve_v of_o all_o which_o he_o relate_v but_o he_o must_v report_v bad_a as_o well_o as_o good_a deed_n who_o will_v do_v the_o part_n of_o a_o faithful_a historian_n ii_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a be_v plain_o deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n by_o which_o we_o be_v to_o judge_v of_o action_n and_o we_o be_v to_o conform_v our_o action_n not_o to_o the_o example_n of_o man_n but_o to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n we_o be_v forewarn_v to_o follow_v no_o man_n example_n when_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a law_n and_o therefore_o it_o can_v not_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o relate_n of_o every_o evil_a action_n to_o set_v a_o mark_n of_o infamy_n upon_o it_o and_o a_o caution_n against_o the_o imitation_n of_o it_o iii_o the_o relation_n of_o the_o bad_a action_n of_o good_a man_n may_v be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o benefit_n though_o we_o be_v not_o to_o follow_v but_o avoid_v they_o because_o 1._o this_o show_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o scripture_n that_o they_o spare_v no_o person_n whatsoever_o but_o relate_v the_o plain_a matter_n of_o fact_n even_o though_o themselves_o be_v concern_v when_o it_o be_v never_o so_o much_o to_o their_o disgrace_n as_o in_o the_o denial_n of_o st._n peter_n and_o other_o instance_n 2._o by_o this_o we_o learn_v the_o frailty_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o the_o necessary_a dependence_n that_o the_o best_a man_n must_v have_v upon_o god_n for_o his_o grace_n in_o
their_o carnal_a appetite_n have_v conclude_v that_o the_o body_n be_v make_v not_o by_o god_n but_o by_o a_o wicked_a be_v and_o that_o the_o soul_n only_o be_v from_o god_n since_o therefore_o god_n be_v please_v to_o regard_v our_o body_n as_o member_n of_o christ_n and_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n it_o be_v requisite_a that_o in_o contradiction_n to_o these_o and_o such_o like_a error_n they_o shall_v by_o some_o rite_n or_o sign_n be_v devote_v to_o he_o by_o which_o it_o may_v be_v declare_v that_o christ_n be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o body_n ephes_n v._o 23._o and_o by_o which_o such_o grace_n may_v be_v communicate_v as_o to_o render_v it_o the_o temple_n and_o place_n of_o residence_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n set_z apart_z and_o dedicate_v to_o he_o and_o inhabit_v by_o he_o that_o the_o whole_a spirit_n and_o soul_n and_o body_n may_v be_v preserve_v blameless_a unto_o the_o come_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n 1_o thes_n v._o 23._o it_o be_v the_o great_a and_o gracious_a design_n of_o god_n to_o sanctify_v the_o whole_a man_n and_o therefore_o christ_n take_v not_o only_o a_o humane_a soul_n but_o humane_a flesh_n likewise_o to_o dignify_v it_o in_o the_o assumption_n and_o offer_v it_o upon_o the_o cross_n and_o translate_v it_o into_o glory_n and_o as_o his_o incarnation_n show_v the_o particular_a regard_n he_o have_v for_o the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o for_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n so_o the_o whole_a institution_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v relation_n to_o both_o 4._o last_o the_o sacrament_n be_v foederal_n rite_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n as_o into_o a_o visible_a society_n and_o of_o our_o union_n with_o it_o as_o such_o for_o we_o can_v be_v admit_v into_o a_o visible_a society_n nor_o communicate_v with_o it_o but_o by_o visible_a and_o outward_a act_n which_o must_v be_v perform_v in_o the_o body_n so_o that_o whatever_o way_n we_o consider_v the_o sacrament_n either_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n or_o of_o ourselves_o or_o of_o other_o there_o be_v a_o necessary_a use_n and_o benefit_n from_o they_o and_o evident_a reason_n for_o their_o institution_n they_o be_v requisite_a as_o symbol_n of_o our_o entrance_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n or_o of_o the_o renew_n and_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o of_o dedicate_a both_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n to_o his_o honour_n and_o service_n they_o be_v instrument_n of_o his_o grace_n and_o pledge_n of_o his_o promise_n make_v to_o we_o by_o covenant_n and_o of_o the_o reward_n and_o happiness_n both_o of_o our_o body_n and_o soul_n at_o the_o resurrection_n and_o be_v visible_a mark_n and_o evidence_n of_o our_o profession_n as_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o it_o and_o our_o communion_n with_o it_o ii_o the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n full_o answer_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o the_o institution_n of_o sacrament_n after_o the_o come_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n by_o he_o it_o be_v of_o no_o long_a use_n or_o continuance_n the_o gospel_n be_v to_o introduce_v a_o spiritual_a service_n by_o teach_v man_n to_o worship_n god_n in_o spirit_n and_o in_o truth_n yet_o there_o be_v need_n of_o some_o external_a ordinance_n or_o sacrament_n the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o the_o state_n of_o this_o world_n require_v they_o but_o that_o they_o may_v be_v as_o few_o as_o possible_a christ_n have_v appoint_v but_o two_o sacrament_n as_o general_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o these_o the_o fit_a and_o most_o expedient_a for_o the_o benefit_n and_o want_n of_o men._n 1._o as_o to_o baptism_n the_o reason_n and_o design_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o sacrament_n be_v all_o visible_a in_o it_o it_o be_v a_o very_a significant_a and_o apt_a representation_n of_o the_o cleanse_n and_o purify_n the_o soul_n from_o sin_n and_o in_o this_o man_n of_o all_o nation_n and_o of_o all_o religion_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v agree_v for_o nothing_o be_v more_o frequent_a among_o the_o heathen_n than_o their_o wash_n and_o purification_n and_o though_o they_o attribute_v a_o great_a deal_n too_o much_o to_o they_o yet_o the_o superstitious_a opinion_n which_o they_o have_v of_o these_o outward_a cleansing_n can_v never_o have_v so_o universal_o prevail_v if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v some_o foundation_n for_o the_o use_n of_o they_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o thing_n and_o that_o be_v the_o great_a fitness_n which_o be_v in_o these_o outward_a wash_n to_o excite_v we_o to_o purity_n of_o mind_n and_o to_o represent_v the_o great_a duty_n which_o lie_v upon_o we_o to_o keep_v our_o conscience_n undefiled_a which_o only_o can_v render_v we_o accept_v with_o god_n and_o as_o these_o wash_n and_o purification_n be_v common_a in_o other_o religion_n so_o the_o jewish_a church_n be_v wont_a to_o receive_v proselyte_n or_o convert_v by_o baptism_n for_o which_o custom_n they_o allege_v the_o command_n of_o god_n to_o moses_n exod._n nineteeen_o 10._o but_o 6._o but_o hebr._n &_o talmud_n exercit._n on_o matt._n iii._o 6._o dr._n lightfoot_n set_v it_o high_o and_o think_v it_o be_v begin_v by_o jacob_n gen._n xxxv_o 2._o and_o our_o saviour_n who_o both_o in_o his_o word_n and_o action_n throughout_o the_o whole_a gospel_n condescend_v to_o a_o compliance_n with_o the_o custom_n in_o use_n among_o the_o jew_n so_o far_o as_o they_o may_v be_v serviceable_a to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v please_v to_o make_v choice_n of_o baptism_n for_o the_o admission_n of_o person_n to_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o religion_n as_o the_o jew_n use_v it_o for_o the_o admission_n of_o their_o proselyte_n baptism_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v a_o plain_a and_o easy_a rite_n and_o have_v a_o natural_a significancy_n of_o that_o purity_n of_o heart_n which_o it_o be_v the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o promote_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v fit_v to_o represent_v to_o we_o the_o cleanse_n of_o our_o soul_n by_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o grace_n of_o purity_n and_o holiness_n which_o be_v convey_v in_o this_o sacrament_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o regeneration_n which_o be_v confer_v by_o it_o john_n three_o 5._o tit._n iii._o 5._o and_o it_o be_v in_o use_n both_o among_o jew_n and_o gentile_n it_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o proper_a because_o both_o have_v already_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o expediency_n of_o it_o christ_n come_v to_o abolish_v the_o ceremony_n of_o the_o jewish_a law_n and_o the_o vain_a and_o idolatrous_a superstition_n of_o the_o heathen_a worship_n and_o yet_o some_o outward_a rite_n of_o worship_n be_v necessary_a to_o be_v make_v use_n of_o to_o dedicate_v the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o the_o soul_n to_o god_n honour_n and_o service_n to_o be_v a_o pledge_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n as_o well_o as_o of_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o put_v man_n in_o mind_n of_o that_o integrity_n and_o purity_n of_o life_n which_o the_o gospel_n require_v and_o to_o be_v a_o mean_n of_o convey_v it_o and_o to_o admit_v they_o as_o visible_a member_n into_o the_o church_n and_o as_o baptism_n be_v very_o expedient_a to_o be_v institute_v upon_o all_o these_o account_n so_o it_o have_v this_o peculiar_a advantage_n beyond_o any_o other_o rite_n that_o it_o be_v already_o in_o great_a use_n and_o esteem_v and_o can_v seem_v strange_a neither_o to_o jew_n nor_o gentile_n but_o it_o have_v be_v a_o very_a strange_a thing_n to_o both_o and_o very_o unsuitable_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n if_o the_o most_o spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a religion_n that_o can_v be_v on_o this_o side_n heaven_n have_v be_v institute_v without_o any_o external_a rite_n for_o the_o admission_n into_o it_o this_o have_v be_v to_o suppose_v the_o church_n to_o consist_v of_o angel_n and_o not_o of_o man_n who_o have_v need_v of_o assistance_n from_o outward_a object_n in_o their_o high_a act_n of_o religion_n it_o have_v be_v to_o make_v man_n to_o suspect_v that_o the_o body_n as_o some_o heretic_n imagine_v be_v little_o regard_v of_o god_n if_o no_o notice_n have_v be_v take_v of_o it_o at_o our_o reception_n into_o covenant_n with_o he_o and_o it_o beside_o have_v be_v to_o contradict_v the_o notion_n which_o mankind_n have_v ever_o have_v of_o religion_n and_o to_o give_v the_o high_a scandal_n both_o to_o jew_n and_o gentile_n 2._o the_o sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v so_o often_o the_o subject_n of_o sermon_n and_o of_o every_o good_a christian_n meditation_n that_o very_o little_a needs_o to_o be_v here_o say_v of_o it_o for_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o element_n of_o bread_n and_o wine_n have_v a_o peculiar_a suitableness_n to_o
mean_n which_o some_o man_n may_v conceit_n he_o may_v use_v but_o leave_v man_n without_o excuse_n and_o then_o require_v their_o faith_n and_o obedience_n at_o their_o peril_n to_o imagine_v that_o christ_n shall_v have_v appear_v promiscuous_o unto_o all_o be_v as_o unreasonable_a as_o to_o suppose_v that_o god_n shall_v communicate_v himself_o to_o all_o alike_o or_o that_o he_o shall_v have_v speak_v from_o heaven_n to_o man_n without_o the_o message_n and_o ministry_n of_o his_o prophet_n for_o when_o christ_n be_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a he_o be_v no_o long_o to_o act_v like_o a_o mortal_a man_n but_o as_o in_o his_o glorify_a state_n as_o our_o lord_n and_o king_n and_o as_o god_n in_o our_o humane_a nature_n now_o no_o long_o subject_n to_o any_o of_o its_o imperfection_n and_o therefore_o he_o be_v no_o more_o to_o come_v himself_o to_o the_o people_n as_o he_o have_v do_v in_o the_o state_n of_o his_o humiliation_n but_o to_o send_v his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n among_o they_o as_o he_o have_v before_o his_o incarnation_n send_v the_o prophet_n 3._o great_a number_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v give_v up_o to_o hardness_n of_o heart_n and_o will_v not_o have_v believe_v though_o they_o have_v see_v christ_n after_o his_o resurrection_n those_o who_o when_o they_o have_v see_v our_o saviour_n miracle_n have_v vilify_v they_o and_o blaspheme_v the_o holy_a ghost_n by_o who_o they_o be_v wrought_v have_v their_o heart_n harden_v that_o see_v they_o may_v see_v and_o not_o perceive_v and_o be_v convert_v and_o of_o this_o number_n the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n must_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v who_o hire_v the_o solider_n to_o contradict_v and_o stifle_v the_o belief_n of_o his_o resurrection_n with_o a_o false_a story_n of_o their_o own_o invention_n the_o chief_a priest_n before_o have_v consult_v to_o put_v lazarus_n to_o death_n when_o he_o be_v undeniable_o know_v to_o have_v be_v raise_v from_o the_o grave_a john_n twelve_o 10._o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o be_v bring_v to_o a_o belief_n in_o christ_n by_o the_o sight_n of_o lazarus_n that_o they_o full_o verify_v that_o say_v that_o there_o be_v some_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v though_o one_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a lazarus_n be_v show_v open_o to_o all_o the_o people_n and_o live_v among_o they_o for_o many_o year_n after_o he_o have_v be_v restore_v to_o life_n again_o when_o he_o have_v be_v dead_a four_o day_n and_o they_o will_v not_o believe_v though_o they_o see_v and_o converse_v with_o he_o but_o be_v the_o more_o enrage_a at_o it_o christ_n himself_o therefore_o after_o his_o resurrection_n do_v not_o vouchsafe_v they_o his_o presence_n but_o use_v other_o mean_n which_o be_v more_o proper_a 4._o if_o the_o jew_n have_v believe_v in_o christ_n their_o conversion_n have_v not_o be_v a_o great_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n than_o their_o unbelief_n have_v be_v their_o stubbornness_n and_o hardness_n of_o heart_n be_v foretell_v 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gospel_n 5._o the_o power_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n manifest_v in_o the_o miraculous_a gift_n bestow_v upon_o the_o apostle_n be_v as_o great_a a_o proof_n of_o his_o resurrection_n as_o the_o personal_a appearance_n of_o our_o saviour_n himself_o can_v have_v be_v our_o saviour_n show_v himself_o to_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n to_o be_v witness_n of_o all_o thing_n which_o he_o do_v both_o in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o in_o jerusalem_n act_v x._o 39_o 41._o these_o man_n know_v his_o life_n and_o doctrine_n they_o have_v be_v instruct_v by_o he_o and_o have_v forsake_v all_o for_o he_o and_o according_a to_o his_o promise_n be_v endue_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a to_o enable_v they_o to_o testify_v to_o the_o whole_a world_n that_o they_o have_v not_o only_o see_v he_o but_o have_v often_o converse_v with_o he_o after_o he_o rise_v from_o the_o dead_a and_o one_o of_o their_o chief_a qualification_n be_v that_o they_o be_v but_o a_o few_o poor_a and_o ignorant_a man_n without_o force_n or_o policy_n without_o any_o art_n or_o contrivance_n they_o can_v tell_v a_o plain_a truth_n but_o can_v neither_o feign_v nor_o dissemble_v if_o they_o have_v be_v more_o in_o number_n the_o conversion_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o much_o the_o less_o miraculous_a and_o they_o be_v not_o choose_v out_o of_o the_o scribe_n and_o elder_n who_o have_v be_v use_v to_o artifices_fw-la and_o falshood_n but_o have_v they_o all_o along_o their_o enemy_n and_o oppose_v to_o their_o craft_n and_o power_n a_o honest_a simplicity_n of_o mind_n that_o neither_o know_v what_o belong_v to_o deceit_n nor_o fear_v any_o in_o so_o good_a a_o cause_n nor_o be_v they_o in_o the_o least_o discourage_v to_o see_v their_o own_o and_o all_o other_o nation_n against_o they_o god_n have_v choose_v the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o wise_a and_o god_n have_v choose_v the_o weak_a thing_n of_o the_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o thing_n which_o be_v mighty_a 1_o cor._n i_o 27._o these_o man_n under_o all_o necessity_n and_o persecution_n and_o danger_n and_o torment_n both_o live_n and_o die_v witness_v that_o they_o have_v see_v christ_n alive_a after_o he_o have_v be_v crucify_a and_o though_o they_o be_v but_o very_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o their_o enemy_n yet_o consider_v as_o witness_n they_o be_v many_o for_o he_o be_v see_v by_o above_o five_o hundred_o at_o once_o which_o be_v a_o vast_a number_n in_o any_o matter_n of_o evidence_n and_o if_o so_o many_o man_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a testimony_n no_o number_n of_o man_n can_v have_v be_v that_o which_o be_v demonstrate_v but_o in_o one_o way_n be_v as_o certain_a as_o if_o it_o be_v demonstrable_a in_o never_o so_o many_o method_n and_o he_o who_o see_v a_o thing_n plain_o with_o his_o two_o eye_n may_v be_v as_o sure_a of_o it_o as_o if_o he_o have_v never_o so_o many_o eye_n to_o see_v it_o withal_o it_o be_v write_v in_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n that_o the_o testimony_n of_o two_o man_n be_v true_a or_o credible_a and_o to_o be_v rely_v upon_o for_o truth_n john_n viij_o 17._o and_o it_o be_v the_o law_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o nation_n to_o content_v themselves_o with_o a_o small_a number_n of_o sufficient_a witness_n in_o proof_n of_o the_o most_o important_a affair_n and_o if_o these_o witness_n choose_v before_o of_o god_n speak_v and_o act_v and_o suffer_v as_o no_o man_n will_v or_o can_v have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v not_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o what_o they_o testify_v and_o assist_v from_o above_o in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n the_o truth_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n be_v as_o infallible_o deliver_v to_o we_o by_o their_o testimony_n as_o it_o can_v have_v be_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o never_o so_o many_o more_o for_o all_o that_o never_o so_o many_o other_o can_v have_v do_v will_v have_v be_v but_o the_o same_o thing_n over_o again_o which_o these_o man_n certify_v by_o many_o infallible_a proof_n and_o what_o be_v once_o infallible_o prove_v be_v as_o certain_a as_o if_o all_o the_o world_n shall_v agree_v in_o declare_v it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o number_n of_o witness_n but_o the_o character_n and_o qualification_n of_o the_o person_n and_o the_o evidence_n itself_o in_o its_o full_a force_n and_o circumstance_n which_o be_v chief_o to_o be_v regard_v in_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n if_o but_o a_o few_o man_n can_v make_v it_o sufficient_o appear_v as_o the_o apostle_n do_v by_o undeniable_a miracle_n that_o what_o they_o say_v be_v true_a and_o that_o god_n himself_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o they_o then_o appeal_v to_o every_o man_n be_v own_o sense_n before_o who_o they_o work_v their_o miracle_n and_o make_v every_o one_o that_o see_v they_o a_o
equivalent_a to_o the_o distinction_n of_o person_n among_o men._n that_o there_o be_v this_o unity_n and_o this_o distinction_n we_o learn_v from_o the_o scripture_n but_o what_o kind_n of_o distinction_n this_o be_v or_o how_o far_o it_o be_v to_o be_v reconcile_v with_o our_o notion_n of_o person_n among_o man_n and_o after_o what_o manner_n it_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o godhead_n the_o scripture_n have_v not_o tell_v we_o and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o to_o determine_v ii_o other_o thing_n be_v and_o must_v be_v believe_v by_o we_o which_o be_v as_o little_o understand_v as_o this_o doctrine_n our_o knowledge_n at_o the_o best_a concern_v finite_a thing_n be_v very_o imperfect_a which_o be_v so_o general_o acknowledge_v by_o all_o man_n of_o wisdom_n and_o experience_n that_o it_o be_v esteem_v a_o great_a point_n of_o wisdom_n for_o a_o man_n to_o be_v true_o sensible_a of_o his_o own_o ignorance_n and_o it_o be_v the_o character_n which_o solomon_n himself_o give_v of_o the_o fool_n that_o he_o rage_v and_o be_v confident_a prov._n fourteen_o 16._o but_o when_o we_o consider_v thing_n infinite_a we_o be_v much_o more_o at_o a_o loss_n that_o there_o must_v of_o necessity_n be_v something_o eternal_a must_v be_v acknowledge_v by_o all_o who_o understand_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n even_o those_o that_o be_v so_o foolish_a as_o to_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n yet_o must_v believe_v something_o else_o to_o be_v eternal_a they_o must_v believe_v that_o there_o always_o be_v something_o because_o if_o ever_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o there_o never_o can_v have_v be_v any_o thing_n for_o how_o can_v any_o thing_n have_v be_v produce_v by_o nothing_o out_o of_o nothing_o it_o may_v but_o then_o there_o must_v have_v be_v something_o to_o produce_v it_o we_o can_v be_v certain_a therefore_o of_o nothing_o if_o we_o be_v not_o sure_a of_o this_o that_o there_o be_v something_o eternal_a the_o atheist_n himself_o can_v deny_v it_o unless_o he_o be_v so_o stupid_a as_o not_o to_o know_v what_o it_o mean_v and_o yet_o what_o apparent_a contradiction_n may_v he_o fancy_v to_o himself_o in_o the_o notion_n of_o eternity_n for_o what_o be_v eternal_a can_v never_o be_v capable_a of_o either_o a_o short_a or_o a_o long_a duration_n than_o it_o always_o have_v so_o that_o million_o of_o age_n hence_o it_o will_v not_o have_v continue_v long_o than_o it_o have_v do_v as_o many_o million_o of_o age_n past_a and_o how_o strange_a and_o contradictory_n do_v this_o seem_v to_o be_v that_o not_o only_o three_o age_n and_o one_o age_n shall_v be_v the_o same_o but_o that_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o difference_n between_o one_o hour_n or_o moment_n and_o never_o so_o many_o age_n in_o respect_n of_o eternity_n and_o there_o be_v no_o avoid_v this_o difficulty_n if_o a_o man_n be_v of_o any_o religion_n or_o no_o religion_n let_v he_o but_o apprehend_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o eternity_n and_o he_o must_v own_v both_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o thing_n and_o that_o he_o be_v utter_o unable_a to_o explain_v it_o here_o then_o be_v a_o unaswerable_a difficulty_n in_o a_o thing_n which_o all_o the_o world_n must_v believe_v if_o they_o have_v it_o but_o so_o propose_v to_o they_o as_o to_o be_v make_v understand_v what_o it_o be_v and_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n imaginable_a in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bless_a trinity_n which_o can_v be_v pretend_v to_o be_v great_a than_o that_o which_o be_v inseparable_a from_o this_o notion_n which_o all_o must_v of_o necessity_n hold_v and_o if_o we_o do_v but_o observe_v it_o in_o finite_a thing_n which_o be_v usual_a and_o familiar_a to_o we_o and_o the_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n every_o day_n we_o believe_v what_o we_o very_o little_o understand_v or_o be_v capable_a of_o understanding_n our_o knowledge_n indeed_o be_v so_o very_o imperfect_a concern_v the_o nature_n of_o most_o thing_n that_o i_o may_v almost_o venture_v to_o say_v that_o if_o we_o will_v but_o be_v content_v for_o the_o present_a to_o believe_v what_o god_n have_v deliver_v concern_v his_o own_o nature_n we_o may_v hereafter_o know_v god_n himself_o as_o plain_o as_o now_o we_o know_v many_o thing_n here_o for_o now_o we_o see_v through_o a_o glass_n dark_o but_o then_o face_n to_o face_n now_o i_o know_v in_o part_n but_o then_o shall_v i_o know_v even_o as_o also_o i_o be_o know_v 1_o cor._n xiii_o 12._o if_o it_o be_v think_v unreasonable_a however_o that_o such_o abstruse_a mystery_n shall_v be_v make_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v pronounce_v that_o whosoever_o will_v be_v save_v must_v thus_o think_v of_o the_o trinity_n and_o that_o all_o who_o do_v not_o thus_o think_v and_o believe_v shall_v without_o doubt_n perish_v everlasting_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o in_o all_o religion_n whether_o natural_a or_o reveal_v there_o must_v be_v something_o believe_v which_o be_v above_o all_o humane_a comprehension_n and_o which_o can_v be_v know_v no_o further_o than_o in_o order_n to_o be_v believe_v there_o can_v be_v no_o faith_n without_o all_o knowledge_n but_o knowledge_n if_o it_o be_v complete_a will_v exclude_v faith_n which_o be_v the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v knowledge_n may_v be_v consider_v either_o as_o it_o be_v general_a and_o imperfect_a or_o as_o it_o be_v particular_a and_o adequate_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n know_v we_o must_v have_v a_o general_a knowledge_n of_o whatever_o be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n but_o if_o we_o have_v a_o particular_a and_o adequate_a knowledge_n of_o it_o there_o can_v remain_v nothing_o of_o it_o unknown_a to_o be_v the_o object_n of_o faith_n the_o difference_n between_o science_n and_o faith_n be_v not_o that_o we_o be_v less_o certain_a of_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n than_o of_o the_o object_n of_o science_n but_o that_o we_o know_v less_o of_o they_o for_o certainty_n depend_v upon_o 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three_o person_n to_o be_v one_o god_n without_o any_o particular_a and_o comprehensive_a knowledge_n of_o so_o great_a a_o mystery_n for_o than_o it_o will_v no_o long_o be_v a_o mystery_n and_o faith_n will_v be_v no_o more_o faith_n i_o will_v therefore_o ask_v the_o adversary_n of_o this_o doctrine_n whether_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n omnipresent_v eternal_a almighty_a omniscient_a infinite_o holy_a just_a and_o merciful_a be_v not_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n no_o rational_a man_n can_v deny_v it_o i_o inquire_v further_o whether_o insant_n and_o idiot_n be_v oblige_v necessary_o under_o pain_n of_o damnation_n to_o this_o belief_n they_o must_v certain_o answer_v no_o because_o none_o can_v be_v oblige_v to_o impossibility_n i_o demand_v then_o again_o whether_o if_o one_o or_o more_o of_o these_o attribute_n or_o the_o agreement_n of_o they_o one_o with_o another_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v understand_v with_o a_o general_n and_o imperfect_a knowledge_n by_o any_o who_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v and_o believe_v the_o rest_n the_o ignorance_n of_o these_o article_n which_o be_v above_o their_o understanding_n even_o as_o to_o this_o general_a and_o imperfect_a way_n of_o knowledge_n can_v be_v destructive_a of_o their_o salvation_n they_o must_v needs_o say_v it_o can_v because_o god_n can_v require_v nothing_o impossible_a of_o any_o man._n and_o the_o very_a same_o answer_v apply_v to_o the_o cavil_n against_o the_o athanasian_n creed_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o silence_n they_o that_o creed_n contain_v such_o truth_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v in_o order_n to_o salvation_n but_o necessary_a to_o particular_a person_n so_o far_o only_o as_o they_o be_v capable_a of_o know_v they_o in_o order_n to_o believe_v they_o he_o that_o will_v be_v save_v must_v thus_o think_v of_o the_o trinity_n but_o this_o suppose_v he_o capable_a of_o think_v