Selected quad for the lemma: opinion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
opinion_n	according_a	good_a	think_v	628	5	3.9676	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44932	The spirit of prophecy a treatise to prove, by the wayes formerly in use among the Jews, in the tryal of pretenders to a prophetic spirit, that Christ and his Apostles were prophets : together with the divine authority of christian religion and the Holy Scriptures, the insufficiency of human reason, and the reasonableness of the christian faith, hope, and practice, deduced therefrom, and asserted against Mr. Hobbs, and the Treatise of Hvmane Reason / by W.H.	Hughes, William, b. 1624 or 5.	1679 (1679)	Wing H3346; ESTC R19799	183,906	298

that_o they_o receive_v their_o law_n from_o the_o god_n as_o numa_n pompilius_n from_o egeria_n minos_n from_o jupiter_n lycurgus_n flor._n from_o apollo_n zaleucus_n locrus_n from_o minerva_n 29._o jupiter_n also_o and_o lachesis_n have_v their_o distinct_a prophet_n and_o prophetess_n there_o be_v as_o well_o as_o prophet_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o reputation_n of_o sibyl_n among_o they_o and_o that_o their_o philosopher_n have_v such_o a_o notion_n as_o we_o be_v of_o prophecy_n appear_v by_o the_o opinion_n of_o pla_z to_o concern_v divination_n wherein_o he_o agree_v with_o the_o stoic_n who_o hold_v it_o a_o effect_n of_o divine_a instinct_n and_o inflation_n and_o long_o i_o think_v it_o be_v before_o they_o that_o the_o zabian_o believe_v man_n have_v this_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n from_o all_o this_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o the_o noti●●_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v entertain_v by_o heathen_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n turk_n and_o christian_n and_o therefore_o sure_o since_o all_o own_o it_o it_o be_v very_a consonant_n to_o reason_n if_o any_o of_o our_o modern_a scoffer_n think_v otherwise_o i_o desire_v they_o to_o know_v that_o the_o seat_n of_o the_o scornful_a be_v no_o infallible_a chair_n there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v they_o wise_a than_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o especial_o consider_v our_o second_o assertion_n that_o there_o actual_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n which_o assertion_n appear_v more_o than_o probable_a not_o by_o the_o jew_n only_o but_o by_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o heathen_n concern_v moses_n who_o the_o egyptian_n think_v to_o 1._o be_v a_o man_n wonderful_n and_o divine_a and_o good_a reason_n they_o have_v for_o so_o think_v as_o be_v manifest_a by_o his_o conquest_n of_o janne_n and_o jambres_n their_o most_o renown_a magician_n and_o also_o by_o the_o plague_n which_o according_a to_o his_o word_n be_v bring_v upon_o egypt_n all_o 8._o which_o be_v attest_v by_o eumenius_n nor_o do_v the_o have_fw-mi then_v represent_v he_o as_o the_o jew_n do_v michael_n to_o have_v be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n justice_n only_o but_o they_o also_o speak_v of_o he_o as_o those_o do_v of_o gabriel_n that_o he_o be_v the_o minister_n of_o god_n mercy_n to_o they_o for_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o moses_n be_v author_n of_o so_o many_o useful_a invention_n among_o the_o egyptian_n as_o that_o he_o gain_v not_o only_o the_o love_n of_o the_o people_n but_o also_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o 27._o priest_n for_o they_o name_v he_o mercury_n and_o give_v he_o equal_a honour_n with_o their_o god_n which_o testimony_n be_v the_o more_o credible_a because_o diodorus_n among_o many_o other_o high_a commendation_n of_o moses_n which_o he_o profess_v to_o have_v have_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n express_o tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v call_v god_n not_o that_o corhor●_n moses_n pretend_v to_o be_v so_o but_o because_o say_v he_o man_n think_v his_o mind_n be_v whole_o admirable_a and_o divine_a all_o which_o methinks_v can_v amount_v to_o no_o less_o than_o a_o competent_a evidence_n their_o thought_n be_v well_o enough_o express_v by_o chalcidius_n his_o word_n of_o moses_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v most_o wise_a as_o be_v enliven_v not_o with_o man_n wisdom_n but_o as_o it_o be_v report_v with_o divine_a inspiration_n 1●_n and_o if_o so_o then_o sure_o moses_n be_v they_o think_v he_o at_o least_o a_o prophet_n and_o in_o this_o their_o judgement_n of_o he_o it_o be_v very_o notorious_a that_o the_o jew_n christian_n and_o mahometan_n do_v concur_v with_o they_o so_o that_o in_o effect_n we_o have_v all_o mankind_n give_v its_o suffrage_n to_o this_o truth_n insomuch_o that_o if_o any_o please_v to_o deny_v it_o they_o seem_v to_o undermine_v their_o own_o credit_n as_o well_o as_o reason_n for_o unless_o they_o have_v a_o charter_n of_o credibility_n peculiar_o grant_v to_o they_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v they_o wherein_o they_o make_v all_o man_n else_o fool_n or_o liar_n we_o shall_v therefore_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o moses_n be_v a_o prophet_n next_o than_o we_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o this_o moses_n the_o prophet_n be_v the_o jew_n lawgiver_n hereof_o i_o know_v none_o that_o make_v a_o doubt_n if_o there_o be_v they_o may_v easy_o 15._o be_v satisfy_v by_o a_o multitude_n of_o witness_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n to_o prove_v it_o all_o then_o that_o remain_v to_o be_v far_o observe_v be_v that_o this_o moses_n the_o prophet_n do_v promise_n in_o his_o law_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o lord_n thy_o god_n say_v he_o will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v unto_o i_o which_o promise_n i_o confess_v be_v most_o complete_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n the_o supreme_a prophet_n of_o the_o church_n yet_o that_o hinder_v not_o its_o be_v first_o to_o be_v fulfil_v by_o some_o other_o prophet_n or_o rather_o order_n of_o prophet_n who_o before_o the_o come_n of_o messiah_n be_v short_o to_o succeed_v moses_n in_o the_o prophetic_a part_n of_o his_o office_n whoever_o methinks_v consider_v all_o circumstance_n must_v needs_o conceive_v that_o it_o be_v so_o for_o it_o be_v at_o first_o give_v and_o afterward_o renew_v on_o such_o occasion_n as_o require_v its_o speedy_a accomplishment_n for_o moses_n have_v conduct_v the_o israelite_n almost_o to_o the_o land_n of_o canaan_n be_v command_v to_o gather_v the_o people_n together_o in_o horeb_n and_o they_o come_v near_o and_o stand_v under_o the_o mountain_n and_o the_o mountain_n burn_v with_o fire_n 11._o unto_o the_o midst_n of_o heaven_n with_o darkness_n cloud_n and_o thick_a darkness_n and_o all_o the_o people_n see_v the_o thundering_n and_o lightning_n and_o the_o noise_n of_o the_o trumpet_n and_o the_o mountain_n smoke_v and_o when_o the_o people_n see_v it_o they_o remove_v and_o stand_v afar_o off_o and_o they_o say_v unto_o moses_n 19_o speak_v thou_o with_o we_o and_o we_o will_v hear_v but_o let_v not_o god_n speak_v with_o we_o lest_o we_o die_v whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a they_o request_v that_o god_n will_v speak_v no_o more_o immediate_o at_o least_o not_o so_o terrible_o unto_o they_o but_o that_o for_o the_o future_a he_o will_v please_v to_o use_v the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n 17._o and_o such_o like_a prophet_n in_o reveal_v his_o will_n unto_o they_o this_o their_o request_n the_o lord_n approve_v of_o and_o condescend_v to_o their_o infirmity_n he_o give_v this_o promise_n in_o answer_n to_o it_o viz._n that_o he_o will_v raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n from_o among_o their_o brethren_n like_v unto_o moses_n and_o will_v put_v his_o word_n in_o his_o mouth_n and_o he_o 18._o shall_v speak_v unto_o they_o all_o that_o the_o lord_n shall_v command_v he_o this_o be_v the_o first_o occasion_n of_o this_o promise_n afterward_o moses_n admonish_v they_o to_o beware_v of_o learning_n 9_o to_o do_v after_o the_o abomination_n of_o those_o nation_n which_o be_v cast_v out_o to_o let_v they_o in_o among_o which_o abomination_n 14._o harken_v to_o observer_n of_o time_n and_o to_o diviner_n be_v one_o this_o than_o be_v forbid_v to_o the_o jew_n by_o which_o prohibition_n doubtless_o there_o be_v so_o great_a a_o restraint_n lay_v upon_o their_o curiosity_n and_o desire_n of_o know_v future_a contingence_n which_o be_v very_o great_a almost_o in_o all_o man_n as_o that_o without_o something_o in_o lieu_n of_o divination_n etc._n etc._n it_o will_v have_v 1._o be_v almost_o impossible_a to_o have_v keep_v they_o within_o the_o bound_n of_o due_a obedience_n to_o their_o law_n but_o either_o they_o will_v have_v think_v there_o be_v nothing_o divine_a in_o it_o or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v fall_v into_o some_o heathenish_a abomination_n or_o else_o they_o will_v have_v institute_v something_o else_o somewhat_o like_o it_o among_o themselves_o now_o to_o show_v they_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o so_o do_v moses_n call_v to_o mind_v the_o promise_n that_o god_n have_v make_v they_o to_o raise_v they_o up_o a_o prophet_n like_o unto_o he_o unto_o which_o promise_n he_o subjoin_v the_o mean_n of_o try_v the_o truth_n of_o pretension_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n 22._o now_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v strange_a that_o this_o promise_n at_o first_o make_v and_o afterward_o renew_v on_o those_o solemn_a and_o important_a occasion_n and_o attend_v with_o these_o circumstance_n shall_v have_v no_o reference_n at_o all_o to_o some_o prophet_n or_o order_n of_o prophet_n that_o shall_v short_o succeed_v moses_n when_o the_o people_n be_v afraid_a they_o shall_v die_v and_o beg_v as_o it_o be_v for_o their_o life_n that_o god_n will_v speak_v no_o more_o immediate_o unto_o they_o but_o that_o he_o will_v use_v the_o ministry_n of_o moses_n be_v

endowment_n with_o good_n both_o of_o wit_n and_o fortune_n 3._o sequestration_n from_o the_o common_a and_o profane_a manner_n of_o live_v 4._o convenience_n of_o place_n and_o that_o they_o make_v proper_a to_o their_o own_o land_n 5._o seasonableness_n of_o time_n because_o say_v they_o all_o time_n be_v not_o equal_o apt_a for_o the_o reception_n of_o prophecy_n 1._o 6._o divine_a disposition_n or_o the_o free_a gift_n and_o suggestion_n of_o god_n the_o necessity_n of_o all_o these_o be_v deserve_o question_v not_o only_o by_o christian_n but_o also_o by_o some_o of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o insomuth_n that_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v find_v there_o be_v no_o one_o of_o they_o that_o have_v speak_v distinct_o of_o they_o all_o as_o requisite_n to_o prophecy_n yet_o one_o maxim_n there_o be_v pertinent_a to_o this_o subject_a whereunto_o they_o all_o seem_v to_o yield_v assent_n and_o that_o be_v that_o prophecy_n re_v on_o none_o but_o the_o wise_a the_o strong_a and_o the_o zer_n rich._n this_o say_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v perhaps_o think_v worthy_a of_o all_o acceptation_n yet_o by_o some_o christian_n it_o be_v esteem_v more_o worthy_a of_o rejection_n not_o only_o because_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v not_o tie_v his_o gift_n to_o such_o requisite_n but_o also_o because_o it_o s●ems_v to_o savour_v of_o a_o design_n to_o k●ep_v people_n in_o unbelief_n of_o christianity_n such_o we_o know_v be_v the_o m●lice_n of_o the_o jew_n against_o the_o son_n of_o god_n as_o that_o their_o rabbi_n labour_v what_o they_o can_v to_o hinder_v the_o growth_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n to_o that_o end_n they_o have_v teach_v such_o principle_n and_o magisterial_o dictate_v such_o say_n and_o rule_n to_o the_o people_n as_o be_v apt_a to_o prepossess_v their_o mind_n and_o fortify_v their_o unbelieve_a heart_n with_o such_o pr●judices_fw-la as_o make_v they_o impregnable_a by_o all_o the_o weapon_n and_o strength_n of_o our_o christian_a warfare_n such_o as_o these_o be_v those_o fundamental_a article_n of_o their_o faith_n concern_v the_o perpetuity_n and_o immutability_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o time_n of_o the_o come_n of_o the_o m●ss●as_n which_o opinion_n seem_v form_v almost_o on_o purpose_n to_o hinder_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o to_o stop_v its_o course_n among_o men._n and_o in_o my_o apprehension_n the_o rule_n now_o under_o debate_n may_v be_v think_v like_o unto_o they_o for_o while_o man_n believe_v that_o prophecy_n rest_v on_o none_o but_o the_o wise_a the_o strong_a and_o the_o rich_a how_o hard_o be_v it_o for_o they_o to_o believe_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o in_o their_o birth_n and_o body_n their_o education_n and_o fortune_n th●re_o seem_v little_a or_o nothing_o that_o may_v denominate_v they_o so_o qualify_v but_o much_o otherwise_o for_o this_o reason_n be_v there_o no_o other_o we_o christian_n have_v just_a cause_n to_o question_v this_o rule_n of_o their_o rabbi_n but_o moreover_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o it_o be_v not_o universal_o true_a and_o indeed_o the_o jew_n themselves_o confess_v as_o much_o for_o they_o except_o moses_n and_o samuel_n amos_n and_o ionas_n from_o it_o whereunto_o they_o may_v have_v add_v deborah_n and_o elisha_n 4._o whereof_o the_o former_a although_o a_o prophetess_n yet_o be_v one_o of_o the_o weak_a sex_n sure_o be_v not_o so_o strong_a as_o this_o r●le_n will_v have_v the_o prophet_n and_o 19_o elisha_n be_v call_v from_o follow_v the_o plough_n and_o so_o not_o likely_a to_o have_v be_v so_o wise_a and_o learned_a as_o this_o rule_n pret●nds_v the_o prophet_n shall_v and_o then_o as_o for_o riches_n we_o may_v well_o say_v with_o vorstius_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o foolish_a and_o unsavoury_a than_o to_o join_v matter_n of_o money_n with_o the_o prophetic_a office_n or_o spirit_n his_o reason_n be_v manifest_a because_o it_o be_v certain_o apparent_a that_o many_o if_o not_o most_o of_o the_o prophet_n be_v sometime_o reduce_v to_o such_o poverty_n as_o that_o they_o endure_v hunger_n yea_o perhaps_o cold_a and_o nakedness_n through_o their_o want_n and_o pentoy_n yet_o still_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophesy_n rest_v on_o they_o by_o these_o their_o concession_n and_o observation_n it_o plain_o appear_v that_o this_o their_o rule_n according_a to_o the_o most_o common_a acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n among_o the_o vulgar_a be_v not_o universal_o true_a there_o be_v no_o indispensible_a necessity_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o that_o se●ms_n to_o make_v requisite_a for_o the_o reception_n of_o prophecy_n i_o be_o therefore_o incline_v to_o think_v that_o that_o opinion_n concern_v the_o election_n of_o prophet_n which_o m●imenides_n ascribe_v to_o the_o vulgar_a 4._o be_v the_o only_a true_a one_o namely_o that_o god_n choose_v and_o send_v who_o he_o please_v without_o regard_v whether_o they_o be_v wise_a and_o learned_a ignorant_a young_a or_o old_a and_o if_o so_o than_o we_o may_v conclude_v with_o hottinger_n that_o this_o rule_n be_v not_o worth_a a_o nutshell_n or_o else_o we_o must_v find_v out_o some_o s●nse_n wherein_o it_o may_v be_v admit_v but_o admit_v it_o i_o think_v we_o may_v not_o unless_o it_o be_v on_o these_o two_o condition_n 1._o that_o the_o prophet_n wisdom_n distinct_a from_o that_o they_o have_v by_o revelation_n be_v not_o think_v always_o to_o consist_v in_o humane_a learning_n acquire_v by_o s●udy_n but_o in_o their_o natural_a sagacity_n or_o prudence_n improve_v by_o experience_n or_o otherwise_o and_o that_o their_o strength_n be_v not_o always_o that_o of_o the_o body_n but_o the_o fortitude_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o last_o that_o their_o riches_n be_v not_o those_o of_o the_o world_n but_o of_o virtue_n and_o probity_n of_o manner_n 2._o that_o these_o thing_n even_o thus_o understand_v be_v not_o make_v necessary_a antecedent_n of_o prophecy_n but_o concomitant_a attendant_n on_o it_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a for_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n but_o convenient_a for_o the_o office_n of_o a_o prophet_n in_o this_o sense_n and_o this_o only_a the_o jew_n perhaps_o may_v justify_v their_o rule_n and_o we_o may_v allow_v it_o some_o measure_n of_o admittance_n and_o in_o this_o sense_n we_o be_v not_o unwilling_a that_o the_o spirit_n or_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n which_o we_o assert_v to_o have_v be_v in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n shall_v be_v try_v by_o it_o in_o order_n whereunto_o it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o take_v a_o distinct_a survey_n of_o the_o prophet_n wisdom_n strength_n and_o riches_n by_o the_o prophet_n wisdom_n maimonides_n understand_v humane_a learning_n and_o knowledge_n acquire_v by_o study_n this_o therefore_o say_v he_o be_v our_o foundation_n without_o without_o study_n and_o perfection_n no_o man_n can_v prophesy_v and_o 32._o that_o the_o possibility_n of_o it_o depend_v thereon_o but_o be_v samuel_n perfect_a in_o his_o childhood_n have_v elisha_n and_o amos_n be_v so_o studious_a as_o to_o arrive_v at_o perfection_n before_o god_n take_v the_o one_o from_o hold_v the_o plough_n and_o the_o other_o from_o follow_v the_o flock_n it_o seem_v not_o although_o 15._o therefore_o maimonides_n be_v a_o master-builder_n in_o israel_n yet_o he_o lay_v his_o foundation_n in_o the_o sand_n otherwise_o it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o easy_o shake_v we_o be_v not_o of_o his_o mind_n that_o fool_n and_o son_n of_o the_o earth_n can_v possible_o prophesy_v no_o more_o than_o a_o ass_n or_o a_o frog_n or_o the_o possibility_n of_o prophecy_n have_v a_o dependence_n on_o study_n and_o perfection_n acquire_v by_o it_o we_o dare_v not_o so_o to_o limit_v the_o almighty_a or_o set_v bound_n to_o omnipotence_n yet_o we_o think_v it_o become_v the_o excellency_n of_o prophecy_n and_o convenient_a for_o the_o office_n of_o a_o prophet_n that_o the_o person_n inspire_v shall_v be_v one_o of_o no_o contemptible_a natural_a part_n and_o prudence_n not_o that_o natural_a sagacity_n or_o any_o acquire_v endowment_n can_v conduce_v by_o way_n of_o efficiency_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n but_o yet_o they_o may_v and_o do_v by_o way_n of_o anticipation_n although_o they_o be_v not_o absolute_o needful_a in_o order_n to_o the_o production_n or_o reception_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n yet_o they_o be_v convenient_a to_o anticipate_v and_o prevent_v the_o prejudices_fw-la which_o otherwise_o will_v arise_v against_o the_o person_n of_o the_o prophet_n how_o hard_o a_o thing_n be_v it_o especial_o if_o their_o age_n be_v such_o as_o we_o to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o the_o god_n of_o infinite_a wisdom_n will_v inspire_v man_n of_o shallow_a intellectual_n and_o incompetent_a apprehension_n prophecy_n be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o perfection_n whereof_o in_o this_o life_n our_o humane_a nature_n be_v capable_a and_o how_o hardly_o be_v we_o persuade_v

endanger_v so_o great_a a_o loss_n for_o so_o small_a pleasure_n or_o profit_n as_o seem_v to_o be_v have_v thereby_o for_o in_o the_o tract_n but_o now_o mention_v we_o find_v that_o those_o only_o of_o the_o israelite_n who_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n or_o the_o descent_n of_o their_o law_n from_o god_n or_o the_o be_v of_o a_o deity_n or_o those_o that_o read_v heretical_a book_n or_o pretend_v to_o cure_v disease_n by_o enchantment_n or_o expound_v the_o name_n jehovah_n 24._o in_o the_o vulgar_a language_n these_o i_o say_v and_o these_o only_a of_o all_o the_o israelite_n shall_v be_v exclude_v from_o eternal_a life_n and_o be_v not_o the_o people_n very_o much_o oblige_v to_o their_o rabbi_n for_o remove_v the_o cherubim_n and_o flame_a sword_n which_o keep_v the_o way_n of_o the_o tree_n of_o life_n against_o all_o other_o unhallowed_a sinner_n yes_o very_o that_o they_o be_v especial_o consider_v that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v so_o ill-advised_n as_o to_o hazard_v this_o 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study_v the_o promotion_n of_o virtue_n especial_o when_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o worldly_a temptation_n to_o do_v it_o as_o that_o they_o have_v all_o imaginable_a discouragement_n from_o it_o who_o but_o lover_n of_o god_n and_o belove_v of_o he_o in_o such_o a_o case_n will_v so_o strenuous_o propugnate_n his_o glory_n by_o the_o extirpation_n of_o vice_n and_o plantation_n of_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n of_o live_v be_v it_o likely_a that_o worker_n of_o wickedness_n shall_v be_v planter_n of_o holiness_n and_o that_o with_o design_n to_o have_v it_o spread_v universal_o and_o continue_v perpetual_o yet_o such_o we_o know_v be_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o so_o zealous_a be_v they_o in_o it_o as_o that_o their_o labour_n and_o industry_n do_v far_o outstrip_a that_o of_o the_o most_o admire_a teacher_n of_o virtue_n among_o the_o gentile_n for_o they_o do_v not_o only_o despise_v their_o family-concerns_a and_o renounce_v all_o sinful_a pleasure_n whatever_o but_o they_o endure_v the_o utmost_a malice_n of_o man_n and_o the_o rude_a contradiction_n of_o sinner_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o truth_n and_o propagation_n of_o virtue_n the_o one_o they_o sign_v the_o other_o they_o seal_v with_o their_o blood_n be_v it_o then_o possible_a they_o shall_v be_v no_o lover_n of_o it_o great_a love_n than_o this_o we_o know_v have_v no_o man_n that_o he_o lay_v down_o his_o life_n for_o the_o belove_a and_o the_o object_n of_o strong_a love_n be_v like_o the_o green_a poplar_n that_o jacob_n set_v before_o the_o flock_n of_o laban_n it_o make_v the_o lover_n bring_v forth_o something_o that_o be_v like_o itself_o it_o always_o have_v a_o kind_n of_o plastic_a power_n whereby_o it_o be_v able_a to_o form_v its_o own_o image_n and_o work_v its_o own_o likeness_n in_o the_o soul_n and_o life_n of_o the_o lover_n and_o thus_o it_o seem_v the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n wrought_v in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n as_o be_v 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you_o endow_v they_o with_o a_o kind_n of_o eternity_n by_o the_o testification_n of_o immortal_a title_n only_a christ_n if_o you_o can_v you_o will_v tear_v and_o mangle_v into_o piece_n yea_o he_o only_o be_v it_o lawful_a you_o will_v chew_v like_o savage_a beast_n with_o bloody_a mouth_n and_o devour_v all_o with_o bruise_a bone_n but_o for_o what_o cause_n i_o beseech_v you_o speak_v what_o sin_n what_o fault_n be_v it_o for_o what_o be_v there_o that_o he_o do_v which_o swerve_v from_o the_o rule_n of_o righteousness_n or_o may_v stir_v you_o up_o to_o your_o sharp_a hatred_n against_o he_o thus_o 1._o also_o origen_n tell_v celsus_n divers_a of_o their_o repute_a god_n be_v stain_v with_o the_o vice_n of_o man_n but_o of_o our_o jesus_n there_o be_v nothing_o report_v that_o he_o do_v intemperate_o for_o those_o that_o lay_v in_o wait_n and_o seek_v false_a witness_n against_o he_o will_v certain_o have_v find_v something_o of_o probability_n to_o have_v put_v into_o the_o evidence_n that_o so_o for_o that_o intemperance_n they_o may_v the_o more_o plausible_o have_v draw_v up_o their_o accusation_n against_o he_o but_o nothing_o of_o that_o nature_n can_v with_o any_o show_n of_o probability_n be_v allege_v against_o he_o for_o the_o truth_n hereof_o he_o refer_v celsus_n to_o some_o history_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o then_o have_v of_o he_o and_o if_o by_o 3._o they_o or_o any_o other_o mean_n either_o origen_n or_o arnobius_n can_v have_v be_v find_v liar_n how_o rash_a and_o ill-advised_n have_v they_o be_v in_o thus_o appeal_n to_o their_o adversary_n who_o want_v neither_o wit_n nor_o malice_n to_o have_v do_v it_o if_o they_o can_v but_o since_o they_o leave_v it_o unattempted_a it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o they_o as_o well_o as_o pontius_n pilate_n can_v find_v no_o evil_n that_o 22._o our_o saviour_n do_v nay_o so_o far_o be_v he_o from_o it_o as_o that_o in_o some_o of_o their_o esteem_n as_o well_o as_o we_o he_o be_v infinite_o above_o it_o for_o they_o think_v he_o a_o god_n thus_o chalcidius_n a_o platonist_n mention_n the_o star_n that_o conduce_v the_o eastern_a sage_n to_o christ_n and_o say_v of_o it_o it_o do_v not_o presage_v disease_n or_o mortality_n but_o the_o 34._o descent_n of_o a_o venerable_a god_n to_o converse_v with_o man_n and_o settle_v the_o affair_n of_o mortal_n apollophanes_n and_o his_o friend_n dionysius_n it_o seem_v be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n for_o be_v together_o at_o heliopolis_n in_o egypt_n and_o contemplate_v the_o supernatural_a eclipse_n of_o the_o sun_n at_o our_o saviour_n passion_n o_o good_a dionysius_n say_v apollophanes_n thing_n divine_v now_o have_v their_o turn_n to_o suffer_v and_o dionysius_n think_v so_o too_o for_o he_o reply_v 21._o either_o god_n himself_o suffer_v or_o sympathize_v with_o he_o that_o do_v afterward_o pontius_n pilate_n give_v such_o a_o account_n of_o christ_n to_o tiberius_n as_o that_o in_o tertullia_n judgement_n pilate_n himself_o in_o his_o conscience_n be_v a_o christian_a yea_o and_o tiberius_n think_v he_o a_o god_n and_o will_v have_v have_v the_o s●nate_a declare_v that_o he_o be_v so_o but_o the_o senator_n because_o pilate_n do_v not_o give_v they_o the_o first_o notice_n of_o it_o be_v please_v to_o refuse_v he_o however_o c●●sar_n continue_v in_o his_o opinion_n and_o do_v threaten_v those_o that_o shall_v presume_v to_o accuse_v the_o christian_n and_o so_o much_o reason_n it_o seem_v there_o be_v for_o this_o his_o opinion_n as_o that_o his_o successor_n will_v have_v believe_v in_o christ_n if_o the_o 21._o caesar_n have_v not_o then_o be_v necessary_a or_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v christian_n and_o caesar_n too_o have_v these_o thing_n be_v false_a or_o doubtful_a or_o capable_a of_o be_v prove_v so_o tertullian_n have_v much_o better_o have_v spare_v his_o apology_n than_o send_v it_o to_o tell_v fals●_n tale_n of_o such_o importance_n concern_v emperor_n and_o that_o in_o write_v to_o their_o successor_n be_v much_o more_o likely_a to_o betray_v his_o own_o folly_n and_o impudence_n than_o to_o obtain_v their_o belief_n and_o clemency_n to_o enrage_v their_o anger_n than_o to_o acquire_v their_o favour_n but_o whoever_o read_v his_o work_n will_v ●ind_v cause_n enough_o to_o think_v tertullian_n much_o more_o wise_a and_o learned_a than_o to_o be_v so_o bad_a a_o advocate_n yea_o so_o rash_a and_o impudent_a a_o liar_n as_o he_o must_v needs_o have_v be_v if_o these_o thing_n have_v not_o be_v true_a we_o have_v therefore_o much_o reason_n to_o believe_v and_o none_o to_o doubt_v that_o they_o be_v so_o and_o consequent_o that_o in_o the_o esteem_n of_o the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o of_o we_o christian_n our_o saviour_n be_v holy_a harmless_a and_o undefiled_a with_o sin_n and_o full_o satisfy_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o himself_o for_o holiness_n selfsufficiency_n and_o perfect_a happiness_n be_v such_o essential_a attribute_n of_o the_o deity_n as_o that_o whoever_o own_v the_o one_o confess_v the_o other_o and_o for_o the_o apostle_n though_o they_o themselves_o confess_v they_o do_v not_o live_v without_o sin_n yet_o sure_o they_o be_v in_o holiness_n that_o which_o saul_n be_v in_o stature_n viz._n high_o than_o other_o by_o the_o head_n and_o shoulder_n by_o their_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v man_n to_o abstain_v from_o the_o very_a appearance_n of_o evil_a and_o to_o follow_v holiness_n in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n and_o for_o their_o help_n in_o so_o do_v they_o make_v no_o doubt_n of_o propound_v their_o own_o example_n to_o their_o imitation_n most_o unlikely_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o that_o do_v enervate_a their_o doctrine_n especial_o consider_v the_o multitude_n of_o their_o follower_n and_o the_o science_n of_o their_o adversary_n although_o our_o nature_n be_v corrupt_a and_o deprave_a yet_o not_o so_o

down_o from_o its_o first_o and_o proper_a state_n to_o another_o far_o inferior_a hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o 30._o light_n of_o nature_n discover_v our_o fall_a condition_n herein_o i_o say_v where_o can_v reason_n without_o revelation_n find_v a_o promise_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n make_v unto_o we_o the_o vast_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n do_v not_o afford_v it_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n do_v not_o contain_v it_o where_o then_o will_v it_o look_v for_o it_o or_o can_v it_o possible_o find_v it_o here_o then_o this_o suppose_a infallible_a guide_n be_v at_o a_o stand_n it_o can_v carry_v we_o one_o step_n far_o it_o be_v at_o such_o a_o loss_n as_o that_o it_o can_v tell_v we_o what_o to_o do_v or_o which_o way_n to_o go_v that_o we_o may_v g●t_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o promise_n of_o salvation_n without_o which_o we_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o at_o all_o adventure_n and_o so_o our_o wander_n be_v like_a to_o be_v very_o tedious_a and_o 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but_o whether_o you_o find_v or_o no_o the_o truth_n which_o you_o search_v for_o you_o shall_v find_v the_o 66._o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n so_o that_o if_o your_o understanding_n search_v and_o you_o do_v commit_v yourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n o●_n it_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o perish_v from_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n even_o of_o god_n himself_o much_o less_o from_o error_n well_o little_a do_v we_o think_v what_o a_o amulet_n we_o carry_v about_o with_o we_o and_o little_o do_v we_o know_v till_o this_o treatise_n tell_v we_o that_o such_o be_v the_o force_n and_o virtue_n of_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o if_o it_o do_v what_o it_o may_v the_o most_o venomous_a error_n can_v hurt_v we_o if_o it_o do_v but_o search_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v the_o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a speculation_n but_o it_o fall_v out_o somewhat_o unlucky_o that_o he_o who_o 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they_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n can_v lie_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n for_o such_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n as_o that_o st._n peter_n prefer_v it_o before_o the_o voice_n which_o he_o himself_o hear_v 19_o from_o heaven_n when_o he_o be_v with_o jesus_n in_o the_o holy_a mount_n but_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o sure_a than_o such_o a_o voice_n no_o not_o in_o itself_o consider_v absolute_o but_o unto_o we_o god_n be_v truth_n and_o in_o he_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o lie_v or_o shadow_n of_o falsehood_n all_o thing_n therefore_o that_o come_v from_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v equal_o sure_a and_o certain_a infallible_a and_o true_a in_o themselves_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o one_o thing_n may_v have_v great_a evidence_n of_o its_o descent_n and_o more_o apparent_a credential_n of_o its_o mission_n from_o he_o than_o another_o have_v as_o for_o example_n st._n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v both_o send_v from_o god_n but_o both_o do_v not_o give_v equal_a evidence_n of_o their_o mission_n from_o he_o st._n john_n do_v no_o miracle_n but_o our_o saviour_n 36._o wrought_v many_o and_o the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v do_v bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o the_o father_n send_v he_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o person_n so_o may_v it_o be_v in_o several_a way_n of_o revelation_n and_o so_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v in_o those_o that_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n and_o a_o word_n of_o prophecy_n the_o question_n be_v not_o which_o be_v most_o true_a consider_v as_o in_o itself_o for_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o comparison_n between_o they_o but_o which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v most_o sure_a as_o to_o we_o i_o e._n which_o of_o they_o give_v we_o the_o fair_a credential_n of_o its_o come_n from_o god_n st._n peter_n decide_v the_o question_n the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o for_o this_o his_o decision_n he_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o it_o seem_v that_o in_o those_o day_n it_o be_v and_o perhaps_o still_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n that_o the_o bath_n kol_n filia_fw-la vocis_fw-la such_o as_o st._n peter_n speak_v of_o be_v inferior_a to_o the_o very_o low_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n not_o in_o its_o truth_n as_o in_o itself_o consider_v but_o in_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o other_o hereof_o maimonides_n insinuate_v this_o reason_n viz._n because_o it_o 42._o may_v happen_v to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o prepare_v for_o prophecy_n there_o be_v as_o we_o have_v show_v divers_a qualification_n antecedent_o or_o concomitant_o necessary_a to_o fit_a man_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o