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instrument_n the_o holy_a jesus_n set_v upon_o this_o great_a reformation_n of_o the_o world_n twelve_o man_n of_o obscure_a and_o poor_a birth_n of_o contemptible_a trade_n and_o quality_n without_o learning_n without_o breed_v these_o man_n be_v send_v into_o the_o midst_n of_o a_o know_v and_o wise_a world_n to_o dispute_v with_o the_o most_o famous_a philosopher_n of_o greece_n to_o outwit_n all_o the_o learning_n of_o athens_n to_o outpreach_a all_o the_o roman_a orator_n to_o introduce_v into_o a_o new_o settle_a empire_n which_o will_v be_v impatient_a of_o novelty_n and_o change_n such_o a_o change_n as_o must_v destroy_v all_o their_o temple_n or_o remove_v thence_o all_o their_o god_n against_o which_o change_n all_o the_o zeal_n of_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o passion_n and_o all_o the_o seem_a pretence_n
which_o they_o can_v make_v must_v needs_o be_v violent_o oppose_v a_o change_n that_o introduce_v new_a law_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o reverse_v the_o old_a to_o change_v that_o religion_n under_o which_o their_o father_n long_o do_v prosper_v and_o under_o which_o the_o roman_a empire_n obtain_v so_o great_a a_o grandeur_n for_o a_o religion_n which_o in_o appearance_n be_v silly_a and_o humble_a meek_a and_o peaceable_a not_o apt_a indeed_o to_o do_v harm_n but_o expose_v man_n to_o all_o the_o harm_n in_o the_o world_n abate_v their_o courage_n blunt_v their_o sword_n teach_v peace_n and_o unactiveness_n and_o make_v the_o soldier_n arm_n in_o a_o manner_n useless_a and_o untie_v their_o military_a girdle_n a_o religion_n which_o contradict_v their_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o erect_v new_a judicatories_n and_o make_v the_o roman_a court_n to_o be_v silent_a and_o without_o cause_n a_o religion_n that_o give_v countenance_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o pitiful_a but_o in_o a_o time_n when_o riches_n be_v adore_v and_o ambition_n esteem_v the_o great_a nobleness_n and_o pleasure_n think_v to_o be_v the_o chief_a good_n it_o bring_v no_o peculiar_a blessing_n to_o the_o rich_a or_o mighty_a unless_o they_o will_v become_v poor_a and_o humble_a in_o some_o real_a sense_n or_o other_o a_o religion_n that_o will_v change_v the_o face_n of_o thing_n and_o will_v also_o pierce_v into_o the_o secret_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o unravel_v all_o the_o intrigue_n of_o heart_n and_o reform_v all_o evil_a manner_n and_o break_v vile_a habit_n into_o gentleness_n and_o counsel_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n in_o such_o a_o time_n preach_v by_o such_o mean_a person_n shall_v triumph_v over_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o argument_n of_o the_o subtle_a and_o the_o sermon_n of_o the_o eloquent_a and_o the_o power_n of_o prince_n and_o the_o interest_n of_o state_n and_o the_o inclination_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o blindness_n of_o zeal_n and_o the_o force_n of_o custom_n and_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o busy_a art_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o be_v against_o wit_n and_o power_n and_o money_n and_o religion_n and_o wilfulness_n and_o fame_n and_o empire_n which_o be_v all_o the_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n that_o can_v make_v a_o thing_n impossible_a this_o i_o say_v can_v not_o be_v by_o the_o proper_a force_n of_o such_o instrument_n for_o no_o man_n can_v span_a heaven_n with_o a_o infant_n palm_n nor_o govern_v wise_a empire_n with_o diagram_n it_o be_v impudence_n to_o send_v a_o footman_n to_o command_n caesar_n to_o lay_v down_o his_o arm_n to_o disband_v his_o legion_n and_o throw_v himself_o into_o tiber_n or_o keep_v a_o tavern_n next_o to_o pompey_n theatre_n but_o if_o a_o sober_a man_n shall_v stand_v alone_o unarm_v undefended_a or_o unprovided_a and_o shall_v tell_v that_o he_o will_v make_v the_o sun_n stand_v still_o or_o remove_v a_o mountain_n or_o reduce_v xerxes_n his_o army_n to_o the_o scantling_n of_o a_o single_a troop_n he_o that_o believe_v he_o will_v and_o can_v do_v this_o must_v believe_v he_o do_v it_o by_o a_o high_a power_n than_o he_o can_v yet_o perceive_v and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o present_a transaction_n for_o that_o the_o holy_a jesus_n make_v invisible_a power_n to_o do_v he_o visible_a honour_n that_o his_o apostle_n hunt_v the_o daemon_n from_o their_o tripod_n their_o navel_n their_o den_n their_o hollow_a pipe_n their_o temple_n and_o their_o altar_n that_o he_o make_v the_o oracle_n silent_a as_o lucian_n porphyry_n celsus_n and_o other_o heathen_n confess_v that_o against_o the_o order_n of_o new_a thing_n which_o let_v they_o be_v never_o so_o profitable_a or_o good_a do_v yet_o suffer_v reproach_n and_o can_v prevail_v unless_o they_o commence_v in_o a_o time_n of_o advantage_n and_o favour_n yet_o that_o this_o shall_v flourish_v like_o the_o palm_n by_o pressure_n grow_v glorious_a by_o opposition_n thrive_v by_o persecution_n and_o be_v demonstrate_v by_o objection_n argue_v a_o high_a cause_n than_o the_o immediate_a instrument_n now_o how_o this_o high_a cause_n do_v intervene_v be_v visible_a and_o notorious_a the_o apostle_n be_v not_o learned_a but_o the_o holy_a jesus_n promise_v that_o he_o will_v send_v down_o wisdom_n from_o above_o from_o the_o father_n of_o spirit_n they_o have_v no_o power_n but_o they_o shall_v be_v invest_v with_o power_n from_o on_o high_a they_o be_v ignorant_a and_o timorous_a but_o he_o will_v make_v they_o learned_a and_o confident_a and_o so_o he_o do_v he_o promise_v that_o in_o a_o few_o day_n he_o will_v send_v the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o and_o he_o do_v so_o after_o ten_o day_n they_o feel_v and_o see_v a_o glorious_a immission_n from_o heaven_n light_n of_o movable_a fire_n sit_v upon_o their_o head_n and_o that_o light_n do_v illuminate_v their_o heart_n and_o the_o mighty_a rush_a wind_n inspire_v they_o with_o a_o power_n of_o speak_v divers_a language_n and_o bring_v to_o their_o remembrance_n all_o that_o jesus_n do_v and_o teach_v and_o make_v they_o wise_a to_o conduct_v soul_n and_o bold_a to_o venture_v and_o prudent_a to_o advise_v and_o powerful_a to_o do_v miracle_n and_o witty_a to_o convince_v gainsayers_a and_o huge_o instruct_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o give_v they_o the_o spirit_n of_o government_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n this_o thing_n be_v so_o public_a that_o at_o the_o first_o notice_n of_o it_o three_o thousand_o soul_n be_v convert_v on_o that_o very_a day_n at_o the_o very_a time_n when_o it_o be_v do_v for_o it_o be_v certain_o a_o visible_a demonstration_n of_o a_o invisible_a power_n that_o ignorant_a person_n who_o be_v never_o teach_v shall_v in_o a_o instant_n speak_v all_o the_o language_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n and_o indeed_o this_o thing_n be_v so_o necessary_a to_o be_v so_o and_o so_o certain_a that_o it_o be_v so_o so_o public_a and_o so_o evident_a and_o so_o reasonable_a and_o so_o useful_a that_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o say_v whether_o it_o be_v the_o indication_n of_o a_o great_a power_n or_o a_o great_a wisdom_n and_o now_o the_o mean_n be_v proportionable_a enough_o to_o the_o big_a end_n without_o learning_n they_o can_v not_o confute_v the_o learned_a world_n but_o therefore_o god_n become_v their_o teacher_n without_o power_n they_o can_v not_o break_v the_o devil_n violence_n but_o therefore_o god_n give_v they_o power_n without_o courage_n they_o can_v not_o contest_v against_o all_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o therefore_o god_n be_v their_o strength_n and_o give_v they_o fortitude_n without_o great_a caution_n and_o providence_n they_o can_v not_o avoid_v the_o trap_n of_o crafty_a persecutor_n but_o therefore_o god_n give_v they_o caution_n and_o make_v they_o provident_a and_o as_o besaleel_n 〈◊〉_d aâ—oliâ—h_v receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n the_o spirit_n of_o understanding_n to_o enable_v they_o to_o work_v excellent_o in_o the_o tabernacle_n so_o have_v the_o apostle_n to_o make_v they_o wise_a for_o the_o work_n of_o god_n and_o the_o ministery_n of_o his_o divine_a tabernacle_n which_o god_n pitch_v not_o man_n immediate_o upon_o this_o the_o apostle_n to_o make_v a_o fullness_n of_o demonstration_n and_o a_o undeniable_a conviction_n give_v the_o spirit_n to_o other_o also_o to_o jew_n and_o gentile_n and_o to_o the_o man_n of_o samaria_n and_o they_o speak_v with_o tongue_n and_o prophesy_v than_o they_o preach_v to_o all_o nation_n and_o endure_v all_o persecution_n and_o cure_v all_o disease_n and_o raise_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n and_o be_v bring_v before_o tribunal_n and_o confess_v the_o name_n of_o jesus_n and_o convince_v the_o blasphemous_a jew_n out_o of_o their_o own_o prophet_n and_o not_o only_o prevail_v upon_o woman_n and_o weak_a man_n but_o even_o upon_o the_o brave_a and_o wise_a all_o the_o disciple_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n the_o nazarene_o and_o ebionites_n nicodemus_n and_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n sergius_n the_o precedent_n dionysius_n a_o athenian_a judge_n and_o polycarpus_n justinus_n and_o irenaeus_n athenagoras_n and_o origen_n tertullian_n and_o clemens_n of_o alexandria_n who_o can_v not_o be_v such_o fool_n as_o upon_o a_o matter_n not_o certain_o true_a but_o probable_o false_a to_o unravel_v their_o former_a principle_n and_o to_o change_v their_o liberty_n for_o a_o prison_n wealth_n for_o poverty_n honour_n for_o disreputation_n life_n for_o death_n if_o by_o such_o exchange_n they_o have_v not_o be_v secure_v of_o truth_n and_o holiness_n and_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o above_o all_o these_o be_v saul_n a_o bold_a and_o a_o witty_a a_o zealous_a and_o learned_a young_a man_n who_o go_v with_o letter_n to_o persecute_v the_o christian_n of_o damascus_n be_v by_o a_o light_n from_o heaven_n call_v from_o his_o furious_a march_n reprove_v by_o god_n angel_n for_o persecute_v
common_a people_n and_o as_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o all_o these_o will_v join_v their_o divide_a interest_n for_o and_o against_o themselves_o for_o the_o verification_n of_o a_o lie_n so_o if_o they_o will_v have_v do_v it_o they_o can_v not_o have_v do_v it_o without_o reproof_n of_o their_o own_o party_n who_o will_v have_v be_v glad_a by_o the_o discovery_n only_o to_o disgrace_v the_o whole_a story_n but_o if_o the_o report_n of_o honest_a and_o just_a man_n so_o repute_v may_v be_v question_v for_o matter_n of_o fact_n or_o may_v not_o be_v account_v sufficient_a to_o make_v faith_n when_o there_o be_v no_o pretence_n of_o man_n to_o the_o contrary_a beside_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o story_n transmit_v to_o we_o nor_o record_n keep_v no_o act_n of_o court_n no_o narrative_n of_o the_o day_n of_o old_a no_o tradition_n of_o our_o father_n so_o there_o can_v not_o be_v leave_v in_o nature_n any_o usual_a instrument_n whereby_o god_n can_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o man_n declare_v his_o own_o will_n to_o we_o but_o either_o we_o shall_v never_o know_v the_o will_n of_o heaven_n upon_o earth_n or_o it_o must_v be_v that_o god_n must_v not_o only_o tell_v it_o once_o but_o always_o and_o not_o only_o always_o to_o some_o man_n but_o always_o to_o all_o man_n and_o then_o as_o there_o will_v be_v no_o use_n of_o history_n or_o the_o honesty_n of_o man_n and_o their_o faithfulness_n in_o tell_v any_o act_n of_o god_n in_o declaration_n of_o his_o will_n so_o there_o will_v be_v perpetual_a necessity_n of_o miracle_n and_o we_o can_v not_o serve_v god_n direct_o with_o our_o understanding_n for_o there_o will_v be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o faith_n that_o be_v of_o assent_n without_o conviction_n of_o understanding_n and_o we_o can_v not_o please_v god_n with_o believe_v because_o there_o will_v be_v in_o it_o nothing_o of_o the_o will_n nothing_o of_o love_n and_o choice_n and_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v will_v be_v like_o that_o of_o thomas_n to_o believe_v what_o we_o see_v or_o hear_v and_o god_n shall_v not_o at_o all_o govern_v upon_o earth_n unless_o he_o do_v continual_o come_v himself_o for_o thus_o all_o government_n all_o teacher_n all_o apostle_n all_o messenger_n will_v be_v needless_a because_o they_o can_v not_o show_v to_o the_o eye_n what_o they_o tell_v to_o the_o ear_n of_o man_n and_o it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v disbelieved_a in_o all_o court_n and_o by_o all_o prince_n that_o this_o be_v not_o the_o letter_n of_o a_o prince_n or_o the_o act_n of_o a_o man_n or_o the_o write_n of_o his_o hand_n and_o so_o all_o humane_a intercourse_n must_v cease_v and_o all_o sense_n but_o the_o eye_n be_v useless_a as_o to_o this_o affair_n or_o else_o to_o the_o ear_n all_o voice_n must_v be_v stranger_n but_o the_o principal_a if_o i_o say_v no_o report_n shall_v make_v faith_n but_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o when_o these_o voice_n be_v send_v from_o heaven_n and_o hear_v upon_o earth_n they_o prevail_v among_o many_o that_o hear_v they_o not_o and_o disciple_n be_v multiply_v upon_o such_o account_n or_o else_o it_o must_v be_v that_o none_o that_o do_v hear_v they_o can_v be_v believe_v by_o any_o of_o their_o friend_n and_o neighbour_n for_o if_o they_o be_v the_o voice_n be_v as_o effective_a at_o the_o reflex_n and_o rebound_v as_o in_o the_o direct_a emission_n &_o can_v prevail_v with_o they_o that_o believe_v their_o brother_n or_o their_o friend_n as_o certain_o as_o with_o they_o that_o believe_v their_o own_o ear_n and_o eye_n i_o need_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o vast_a number_n of_o miracle_n which_o he_o wrought_v miracle_n which_o be_v not_o more_o demonstration_n of_o his_o power_n than_o of_o his_o mercy_n for_o they_o have_v nothing_o of_o pompousness_n and_o ostentation_n but_o infinite_o of_o charity_n and_o mercy_n and_o that_o permanent_a and_o last_a and_o often_o he_o open_v the_o eye_n of_o the_o blind_a he_o make_v the_o crooked_a straight_o he_o make_v the_o weak_a strong_a he_o cure_v fever_n with_o the_o touch_n of_o his_o hand_n and_o a_o issue_n of_o blood_n with_o the_o hem_n of_o his_o garment_n and_o sore_a eye_n with_o the_o spittle_n of_o his_o mouth_n and_o the_o clay_n of_o the_o earth_n he_o multiply_v the_o loaf_n and_o fish_n he_o raise_v the_o dead_a to_o life_n a_o young_a maiden_n the_o widow_n son_n of_o naim_n and_o lazarus_n and_o cast_v out_o devil_n by_o the_o word_n of_o his_o mouth_n which_o he_o can_v never_o do_v but_o by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n for_o satan_n do_v not_o cast_v out_o satan_n nor_o a_o house_n fight_v against_o itself_o if_o it_o mean_v to_o stand_v long_o and_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o help_v jesus_n because_o the_o holy_a jesus_n teach_v man_n virtue_n call_v they_o from_o the_o worship_a devil_n teach_v they_o to_o resist_v the_o devil_n to_o lay_v aside_o all_o those_o abominable_a idolatry_n by_o which_o the_o devil_n do_v rule_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n he_o teach_v man_n to_o love_n god_n to_o fly_v from_o temptation_n to_o sin_n to_o hate_v and_o avoid_v all_o those_o thing_n of_o which_o the_o devil_n be_v guilty_a for_o christianity_n forbid_v pride_n envy_n malice_n lie_v and_o yet_o affirm_v that_o the_o devil_n be_v proud_a envious_a malicious_a and_o the_o father_n of_o lie_n and_o therefore_o where_o ever_o christianity_n prevail_v the_o devil_n be_v not_o worship_v and_o therefore_o he_o that_o can_v think_v that_o a_o man_n without_o the_o power_n of_o god_n can_v over-turn_a the_o devil_n principle_n across_o his_o design_n weaken_v his_o strength_n baffle_v he_o in_o his_o policy_n befool_v he_o and_o turn_v he_o out_o of_o possession_n and_o make_v he_o open_v his_o own_o mouth_n against_o himself_o as_o he_o do_v often_o and_o confess_v himself_o conquer_v by_o jesus_n and_o torment_v as_o the_o oracle_n do_v to_o augustus_n caesar_n and_o the_o devil_n to_o jesus_n himself_o he_o i_o say_v that_o think_v a_o mere_a man_n can_v do_v this_o know_v not_o the_o weakness_n of_o a_o man_n nor_o the_o power_n of_o a_o angel_n but_o he_o that_o think_v this_o can_v be_v do_v by_o compact_n and_o by_o consent_n of_o the_o devil_n must_v think_v he_o to_o be_v a_o intelligence_n without_o understanding_n a_o power_n without_o force_n a_o fool_n and_o a_o sot_n to_o assist_v a_o power_n against_o himself_o and_o to_o persecute_v the_o power_n he_o do_v assist_v to_o stir_v up_o the_o world_n to_o destroy_v the_o christian_n who_o master_n and_o lord_n he_o do_v assist_v to_o destroy_v himself_o and_o when_o we_o read_v that_o porphyrius_n a_o heathen_a a_o profess_a enemy_n to_o christianity_n do_v say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d evang._n that_o since_o jesus_n be_v worship_v the_o god_n can_v help_v no_o man_n that_o be_v the_o god_n which_o they_o worship_v the_o poor_a baffle_v enervate_v daemon_n he_o must_v either_o think_v that_o the_o devil_n be_v as_o foolish_a as_o they_o be_v weak_a or_o else_o that_o they_o do_v nothing_o towards_o this_o declination_n of_o their_o power_n and_o therefore_o that_o they_o suffer_v it_o by_o a_o power_n high_o than_o themselves_o that_o be_v by_o the_o power_n of_o god_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o jesus_n but_o beside_o that_o god_n give_v testimony_n from_o heaven_n concern_v he_o he_o also_o give_v this_o testimony_n of_o himself_o to_o have_v come_v from_o god_n because_o that_o he_o do_v god_n will_n for_o he_o that_o be_v a_o good_a man_n and_o life_n by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o of_o his_o nation_n a_o life_n innocent_a and_o simple_a prudent_a and_o wise_a holy_a and_o spotless_a unreproved_a and_o unsuspected_a he_o be_v certain_o by_o all_o wise_a man_n say_v in_o a_o good_a sense_n to_o be_v the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o he_o who_o do_v well_o and_o speak_v well_o and_o call_v all_o man_n to_o glorify_v and_o serve_v god_n and_o serve_v no_o end_n but_o of_o holiness_n and_o charity_n of_o wisdom_n of_o heart_n and_o reformation_n of_o manner_n this_o man_n carry_v great_a authority_n in_o his_o say_n and_o aught_o to_o prevail_v with_o good_a man_n in_o good_a thing_n for_o good_a end_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v here_o require_v but_o his_o nature_n be_v so_o sweet_a his_o manner_n so_o humble_a his_o word_n so_o wise_a and_o compose_v his_o comportment_n so_o grave_a and_o win_a his_o answer_n so_o seasonable_a his_o question_n so_o deep_a his_o reproof_n so_o severe_a and_o charitable_a his_o pity_n so_o great_a and_o merciful_a his_o preach_n so_o full_a of_o reason_n and_o holiness_n of_o weight_n and_o authority_n his_o conversation_n so_o useful_a and_o beneficent_a his_o poverty_n great_a but_o his_o alm_n frequent_a his_o family_n so_o holy_a and_o religious_a