Selected quad for the lemma: reason_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
reason_n	believe_v	faith_n	revelation_n	2,830	5	9.5573	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A28445	Religio laici written in a letter to John Dryden, Esq.	Blount, Charles, 1654-1693.; Dryden, John, 1631-1700. Religio laici.; Herbert of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, Baron, 1583-1648. De religione laici.	1683 (1683)	Wing B3314; ESTC R2743	24,729	118

the_o different_a sect_n of_o christian_a religion_n alone_o take_v up_o more_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o they_o than_o i_o can_v possible_o hope_v to_o obtain_v although_o i_o shall_v live_v beyond_o the_o ordinary_a age_n of_o man_n so_o that_o whereas_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v for_o the_o discharge_n of_o my_o conscience_n to_o study_v not_o only_o all_o religion_n that_o have_v be_v or_o be_v in_o the_o world_n i_o find_v the_o romanish_a religion_n in_o its_o divers_a sect_n alone_o of_o great_a intricacie_n than_o that_o i_o can_v by_o any_o reason_n or_o authority_n dissolve_v or_o untie_v the_o many_o scruple_n or_o knot_n in_o they_o since_o fly_v sometime_o from_o reason_n to_o faith_n and_o then_o again_o from_o faith_n to_o reason_n with_o a_o singular_a agility_n in_o both_o i_o find_v myself_o unable_a to_o follow_v they_o in_o any_o one_o certain_a way_n i_o confess_v that_o if_o they_o have_v adhere_v single_o to_o either_o of_o these_o two_o nothing_o can_v have_v scandalize_v i_o since_o that_o which_o be_v deliver_v upon_o reason_n i_o shall_v have_v examine_v and_o final_o accept_v upon_o the_o same_o ground_n and_o as_o well_o shall_v i_o have_v believe_v those_o point_n of_o faith_n which_o be_v deliver_v i_o upon_o the_o reverend_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n especial_o when_o it_o can_v have_v be_v prove_v that_o any_o former_a church_n or_o congregation_n have_v under_o their_o hand_n and_o seal_n or_o in_o any_o other_o authentic_a manner_n subscribe_v as_o eye-witness_n to_o that_o they_o consign_v unto_o posterity_n and_o not_o as_o hearer_n only_o it_o be_v of_o great_a moment_n in_o the_o affirmation_n of_o thing_n past_a to_o set_v down_o what_o they_o know_v certain_o and_o to_o come_v afterward_o to_o what_o be_v tell_v they_o by_o other_o which_o they_o again_o have_v from_o other_o and_o so_o perhaps_o from_o many_o descent_n especial_o if_o such_o thing_n be_v relate_v as_o neither_o they_o from_o who_o they_o hear_v it_o nor_o indeed_o any_o mortal_a man_n by_o natural_a mean_n can_v know_v neither_o will_v it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o say_v that_o their_o knowledge_n be_v supernatural_a or_o divine_a since_o as_o that_o be_v more_o than_o can_v be_v know_v in_o follow_v time_n so_o when_o it_o be_v grant_v it_o will_v infer_v little_a to_o i_o but_o that_o which_o i_o will_v believe_v without_o it_o for_o if_o any_o under_o the_o name_n of_o a_o prophet_n shall_v bid_v i_o do_v a_o sin_n or_o be_v impenitent_a for_o sin_n do_v i_o shall_v not_o believe_v he_o though_o he_o pretend_v a_o thousand_o revelation_n for_o it_o and_o on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o he_o bid_v i_o be_v virtuous_a and_o penitent_a though_o he_o have_v not_o any_o shadow_n of_o revelation_n for_o it_o i_o shall_v give_v entire_a credit_n to_o he_o the_o validity_n of_o revelation_n prove_v by_o its_o doctrine_n that_o therefore_o the_o certainty_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v call_v reveal_v or_o the_o word_n of_o god_n in_o any_o age_n or_o country_n come_v not_o to_o i_o simple_o either_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o he_o that_o say_v the_o holy_a spirit_n do_v so_o dictate_v the_o word_n to_o he_o no_o nor_o from_o the_o authority_n of_o they_o that_o believe_v it_o how_o many_o or_o great_a soever_o but_o from_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n itself_o without_o which_o i_o shall_v believe_v but_o little_a in_o any_o extraordinary_a kind_n every_o man_n in_o what_o age_n or_o country_n that_o teach_v goodness_n speak_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o i_o and_o if_o the_o contrary_a he_o shall_v never_o make_v i_o believe_v he_o know_v god_n or_o hear_v he_o speak_v so_o much_o as_o one_o syllable_n much_o less_o that_o he_o be_v so_o familiar_a with_o god_n as_o to_o know_v he_o by_o his_o voice_n four_o several_a kind_n of_o revelation_n the_o learned_a tostatus_n mention_n four_o several_a way_n whereby_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v make_v revelation_n in_o former_a time_n as_o for_o example_n first_o when_o god_n and_o his_o angel_n assume_v a_o visible_a shape_n as_o when_o he_o appear_v to_o gideon_n judg._n 6._o and_o to_o manoah_n and_o his_o wife_n judg._n 13._o second_o when_o he_o be_v not_o see_v but_o only_o hear_v as_o numb_a 7._o and_o when_o he_o call_v samuel_n 1_o sam._n 3._o three_o when_o he_o wrought_v only_o upon_o the_o imagination_n of_o man_n sleep_v or_o wake_v as_o when_o god_n tell_v abimelech_n in_o a_o dream_n that_o he_o be_v a_o dead_a man_n for_o take_v away_o another_o man_n wife_n gen._n 20._o four_o and_o last_o when_o god_n raise_v the_o understanding_n to_o know_v those_o thing_n which_o otherwise_o he_o can_v not_o know_v either_o by_o a_o kind_n of_o ecstasy_n or_o without_o and_o of_o this_o kind_n be_v paul_n rapture_n into_o the_o three_o heaven_n at_o which_o time_n it_o may_v be_v doubtful_a whether_o the_o soul_n remain_v in_o the_o body_n or_o no._n have_v thus_o now_o recite_v his_o several_a kind_n of_o revelation_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a in_o the_o next_o place_n to_o inquire_v whether_o there_o may_v not_o be_v fallacy_n in_o all_o these_o way_n and_o when_o there_o be_v no_o fallacy_n whether_o their_o proof_n be_v not_o only_o by_o single_a witness_n the_o popish_a clergy_n in_o such_o a_o case_n will_v tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v believe_v reverent_o of_o thing_n deliver_v to_o we_o in_o holy_a writ_n for_o that_o they_o have_v neither_o error_n nor_o fraud_n in_o they_o and_o if_o that_o do_v not_o satisfy_v you_o they_o will_v then_o tell_v you_o you_o must_v come_v to_o they_o for_o a_o further_a answer_n not_o consider_v that_o if_o the_o gentile_n shall_v require_v the_o same_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o their_o revelation_n upon_o their_o own_o single_a testimony_n how_o we_o shall_v do_v to_o shake_v they_o off_o the_o same_o reason_n lie_v for_o we_o to_o believe_v the_o one_o as_o the_o other_o both_o equal_o depend_v on_o faith_n a_o dialogue_n concern_v revelation_n therefore_o in_o the_o first_o place_n i_o shall_v demand_v in_o a_o rational_a and_o judicial_a way_n how_o i_o can_v be_v assure_v that_o the_o priest_n have_v receive_v a_o revelation_n and_o what_o be_v the_o time_n place_n and_o manner_n thereof_o in_o answer_n to_o which_o i_o conceive_v the_o priest_n will_v tell_v i_o that_o laic_n ought_v not_o further_o to_o inquire_v into_o such_o mystery_n than_o become_v they_o that_o if_o this_o their_o revelation_n be_v not_o accept_v as_o a_o unquestionable_a and_o necessary_a truth_n there_o can_v be_v no_o cause_n thereof_o but_o a_o obdurate_a heart_n and_o want_v of_o divine_a grace_n in_o i_o that_o if_o the_o sacerdotal_a word_n may_v not_o be_v take_v concern_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o say_a revelation_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o inform_v i_o thereof_o it_o be_v god_n manner_n to_o speak_v to_o his_o belove_a servant_n and_o not_o to_o such_o gross_a sinner_n as_o i_o be_v and_o to_o be_v brief_a that_o if_o i_o do_v not_o give_v entire_a credit_n to_o this_o revelation_n of_o they_o it_o be_v for_o want_v of_o faith_n and_o therefore_o that_o no_o better_a counsel_n can_v be_v give_v i_o than_o to_o pray_v that_o all_o obstruction_n may_v be_v take_v away_o and_o instead_o of_o my_o heart_n of_o stone_n that_o i_o may_v receive_v a_o heart_n of_o flesh_n such_o as_o may_v be_v capable_a of_o this_o heavenly_a illumination_n final_o they_o will_v reply_v nothing_o concern_v the_o time_n or_o manner_n of_o their_o revelation_n but_o only_o in_o general_n say_v that_o the_o place_n be_v god_n holy_a temple_n where_o none_o can_v be_v partaker_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n but_o such_o only_a as_o be_v his_o near_a servant_n and_o do_v ordinary_o take_v their_o rest_n and_o sleep_v therein_o now_o to_o this_o i_o shall_v answer_v that_o if_o i_o may_v not_o know_v the_o time_n and_o manner_n when_o and_o how_o this_o their_o revelation_n be_v make_v i_o will_v yet_o glad_o be_v inform_v what_o language_n be_v use_v betwixt_o they_o and_o whether_o the_o word_n be_v of_o god_n immediate_a invention_n or_o that_o there_o be_v only_o certain_a note_n and_o character_n in_o use_n betwixt_o they_o whereby_o they_o understand_v one_o another_o or_o otherwise_o if_o they_o have_v not_o a_o particular_a language_n betwixt_o they_o which_o be_v intelligible_a whether_o god_n speak_v the_o ordinary_a language_n of_o that_o country_n and_o in_o what_o tone_n whether_o the_o same_o be_v loud_a than_o thunder_n or_o only_o the_o ordinary_a height_n or_o whether_o low_o yet_o by_o some_o close_a or_o secret_a expression_n somewhat_o less_o than_o a_o whisper_n to_o which_o i_o believe_v the_o priest_n will_v reply_v that_o if_o a_o king_n or_o principal_a magistrate_n

principal_a end_n for_o the_o which_o those_o rite_n be_v ordain_v five_o and_o last_o that_o i_o think_v the_o do_v some_o good_a deed_n speak_v some_o good_a word_n or_o think_v some_o good_a thought_n be_v more_o necessary_a exercise_n of_o my_o life_n than_o that_o i_o shall_v omit_v they_o for_o any_o consideration_n whatsoever_o have_v thus_o therefore_o settle_v these_o five_o point_n as_o fundamental_a and_o together_o demonstrate_v that_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v they_o the_o first_o place_n in_o our_o religion_n i_o shall_v come_v to_o that_o supplemental_a part_n call_v faith_n which_o word_n as_o i_o find_v among_o author_n be_v use_v in_o two_o divers_a sense_n and_o thus_o distinguish_v first_o as_o it_o be_v understand_v to_o be_v a_o firm_a assent_n give_v to_o thing_n past_a upon_o the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o other_o and_o second_o as_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n lay_v hold_n and_o fix_v itself_o on_o god_n providence_n and_o goodness_n hereafter_o if_o we_o do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v where_o we_o must_v observe_v that_o as_o the_o first_o faith_n have_v its_o next_o or_o most_o immediate_a testimoney_n from_o man_n and_o consequent_o be_v true_a or_o false_a as_o they_o who_o first_o affirm_v it_o be_v so_o the_o second_o faith_n be_v by_o all_o church_n hold_v necessary_a to_o be_v use_v as_o the_o best_a mean_n for_o the_o unite_n of_o our_o soul_n with_o god_n when_o true_a piety_n and_o a_o good_a life_n do_v concur_v insomuch_o as_o i_o be_o confident_a this_o latter_a kind_n of_o faith_n may_v be_v find_v in_o good_a man_n though_o no_o tradition_n of_o former_a time_n ever_o come_v to_o their_o knowledge_n whereas_o the_o other_o faith_n depend_v chief_o on_o revelation_n miracle_n and_o prophecy_n have_v in_o it_o many_o difficulty_n as_o i_o have_v say_v before_o and_o be_v not_o only_o controvert_v among_o the_o strict_a proselyte_n of_o it_o but_o in_o a_o manner_n reject_v by_o those_o nation_n among_o who_o other_o faith_n have_v be_v teach_v by_o their_o lawgiver_n for_o all_o faith_n have_v be_v shake_v but_o those_o only_o which_o stand_v upon_o the_o basis_n of_o common_a reason_n notwithstanding_o all_o which_o as_o i_o think_v it_o concern_v i_o among_o those_o several_a and_o miraculous_a tradition_n which_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o have_v be_v true_a if_o god_n so_o please_v not_o to_o distrust_v and_o doubt_n of_o all_o wherefore_o i_o apply_v myself_o chief_o to_o the_o christian_a faith_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a bible_n as_o have_v in_o it_o more_o exact_a precept_n for_o the_o teach_v we_o a_o good_a life_n and_o repentance_n than_o any_o other_o book_n whatsoever_o that_o i_o can_v meet_v with_o and_o beside_o i_o find_v myself_o through_o god_n providence_n bear_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o instruct_v even_o from_o my_o infancy_n in_o the_o holy_a doctrine_n draw_v from_o thence_o but_o as_o together_o i_o observe_v many_o thing_n teach_v in_o the_o say_a church_n which_o be_v not_o only_o vehement_o oppose_v by_o other_o christian_a church_n but_o also_o repudiate_v in_o their_o chief_a part_n among_o other_o nation_n so_o i_o find_v no_o such_o solid_a foundation_n to_o build_v this_o my_o faith_n upon_o as_o the_o authority_n in_o general_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n resolve_v according_o to_o the_o say_n of_o a_o learned_a father_n that_o those_o thing_n i_o never_o have_v know_v without_o the_o church_n i_o never_o have_v believe_v without_o it_o neither_o do_v the_o controversy_n among_o they_o much_o move_v i_o since_o be_v a_o mere_a laic_a i_o have_v neither_o will_n nor_o leisure_n to_o engage_v myself_o in_o the_o clear_n of_o those_o doubt_n the_o scruple_n of_o those_o various_o agitate_a dispute_n by_o man_n equal_o learned_a be_v of_o such_o intricacy_n that_o i_o see_v more_o and_o more_o may_v be_v say_v about_o they_o than_o that_o i_o shall_v presume_v to_o determine_v any_o thing_n by_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o best_a author_n i_o can_v peruse_v on_o either_o side_n so_o that_o for_o my_o final_a resolution_n i_o think_v the_o best_a ground_n of_o my_o faith_n ought_v to_o be_v take_v from_o those_o point_n which_o be_v pious_o assent_v to_o by_o all_o christian_n and_o may_v apt_o consist_v with_o my_o aforementioned_a five_o article_n but_o for_o the_o dispute_v and_o controversy_n of_o learned_a man_n to_o lay_v they_o aside_o until_o they_o be_v agree_v among_o themselves_o and_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n to_o attend_v a_o good_a life_n and_o repentance_n assure_v myself_o that_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o a_o laic_a or_o secular_a person_n my_o time_n be_v better_o employ_v so_o than_o in_o the_o inexplicable_a subtlety_n of_o the_o schoolman_n to_o conclude_v i_o embrace_v the_o five_o catholic_n article_n for_o the_o reason_n above_o mention_v from_o whence_o come_v to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n i_o believe_v pious_o upon_o the_o reverend_a authority_n of_o the_o church_n that_o which_o be_v unanimous_o teach_v by_o they_o without_o any_o contradiction_n all_o which_o i_o have_v here_o set_v down_o with_o no_o intention_n to_o scandalize_v any_o but_o only_o to_o give_v a_o reason_n as_o well_o of_o those_o point_n which_o may_v be_v know_v as_o of_o those_o which_o be_v already_o believe_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o also_o to_o induce_v man_n by_o these_o principle_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o a_o good_a life_n and_o bless_a concord_n among_o themselves_o since_o have_v joint_o receive_v these_o five_o catholic_n point_n there_o will_v be_v less_o occasion_n of_o hate_n and_o dissension_n about_o the_o rest_n so_o that_o the_o different_a opinion_n among_o they_o may_v be_v argue_v with_o less_o violence_n and_o passion_n the_o point_n wherein_o they_o be_v agree_v being_n great_a bond_n of_o love_n and_o amity_n among_o they_o than_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v dissolve_v on_o any_o lesser_a occasion_n and_o certain_o unless_o the_o method_n i_o have_v here_o propose_v be_v effectual_a to_o this_o purpose_n i_o see_v no_o hope_n that_o any_o good_a reconciliation_n can_v follow_v among_o the_o principal_a sect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n since_o the_o one_o affirm_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o sole_a judge_n of_o controversy_n and_o the_o other_o say_v that_o the_o church_n alone_o shall_v determine_v they_o they_o seem_v like_o person_n in_o variance_n who_o disagree_v about_o their_o arbitrator_n or_o judge_n be_v hopeless_a that_o the_o business_n in_o question_n between_o they_o shall_v ever_o come_v to_o a_o just_a trial_n and_o find_v a_o indifferent_a or_o equal_a decision_n now_o upon_o all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v give_v i_o leave_v to_o raise_v these_o few_o query_n and_o so_o conclude_v query_n prove_v the_o validity_n of_o the_o five_o article_n 1._o whether_o there_o be_v any_o true_a god_n but_o he_o that_o use_v universal_a providence_n concern_v the_o mean_n of_o come_v to_o he_o 2._o whether_o these_o mean_n appear_v universal_o otherwise_o than_o in_o our_o aforesaid_a five_a catholic_n article_n 3._o whether_o any_o thing_n can_v be_v add_v to_o these_o five_o principle_n that_o may_v tend_v to_o make_v a_o man_n more_o honest_a virtuous_a or_o a_o better_a man_n 4._o whether_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v add_v to_o these_o five_o principle_n from_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v not_o uncertain_a in_o their_o original_a 5._o suppose_v the_o original_n true_a whether_o yet_o they_o be_v not_o uncertain_a in_o their_o explication_n so_o that_o unless_o a_o man_n read_v all_o author_n speak_v with_o all_o learned_a man_n and_o know_v all_o language_n it_o be_v not_o impossible_a to_o come_v to_o a_o clear_a solution_n of_o all_o doubt_n 6._o suppose_v all_o true_a in_o their_o original_n and_o in_o their_o explication_n whether_o yet_o they_o be_v so_o good_a for_o the_o instruct_n of_o mankind_n that_o bring_v pardon_n of_o sin_n upon_o such_o easy_a term_n as_o to_o believe_v the_o business_n be_v do_v to_o our_o hand_n and_o 7._o whether_o this_o doctrine_n do_v not_o derogate_v from_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n whilst_o our_o best_a action_n be_v represent_v as_o imperfect_a and_o sinful_a and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o keep_v the_o ten_o commandment_n so_o as_o god_n will_v accept_v our_o action_n do_v the_o best_a we_o can_v 8._o whether_o speak_v good_a word_n think_v good_a thought_n and_o do_v good_a action_n be_v not_o the_o just_a exercise_n of_o a_o man_n life_n or_o that_o without_o embrace_v of_o the_o foresay_a five_o principle_n or_o fundamental_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o keep_v peace_n among_o man_n that_o god_n may_v be_v well_o serve_v 9_o whether_o the_o foresay_a five_o principle_n do_v not_o best_o agree_v with_o the_o precept_n give_v in_o the_o ten_o commandment_n and_o with_o the_o two_o precept_n of_o jesus_n christ_n viz._n to_o love_n god_n above_o all_o and_o our_o neighbour_n as_o ourselves_o as_o well_o as_o with_o the_o word_n of_o st._n peter_n that_o in_o every_o nation_n he_o which_o fear_v god_n and_o work_v righteousness_n be_v accept_v of_o god_n 10._o whether_o the_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n can_v by_o humane_a reason_n be_v suppose_v or_o grant_v to_o be_v infallible_a unless_o we_o be_v infallible_o assure_v that_o those_o who_o teach_v this_o doctrine_n do_v know_v the_o secret_a counsel_n of_o god_n 11._o whether_o all_o thing_n in_o the_o scripture_n beside_o the_o moral_a part_n which_o agree_v with_o our_o five_o principle_n such_o as_o prophecy_n miracle_n and_o revelation_n depend_v on_o the_o history_n may_v not_o be_v so_o far_o examine_v as_o to_o be_v make_v appear_v by_o what_o authority_n they_o be_v or_o may_v be_v receive_v 12._o whether_o in_o humane_a reason_n any_o one_o may_v or_o aught_o to_o be_v convince_v by_o one_o single_a testimony_n so_o far_o as_o to_o believe_v thing_n contrary_a to_o or_o beside_o reason_n 13._o and_o last_o whether_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v they_o have_v revelation_n i_o be_o oblige_v to_o accept_v of_o another_o revelation_n for_o the_o ground_n of_o my_o faith_n especial_o if_o it_o do_v any_o way_n oppose_v these_o five_o article_n that_o be_v ground_v upon_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n unalterable_a which_o be_v god_n universal_a magna_fw-la charta_fw-la enact_v by_o the_o alwise_a and_o supreme_a be_v from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o not_o to_o be_v destroy_v or_o alter_v by_o every_o whiffle_a proclamation_n of_o a_o enthusiast_n final_o submit_v this_o discourse_n to_o my_o impartial_a and_o judicious_a reader_n i_o shall_v conclude_v with_o the_o say_v of_o justin_n martyr_n p._n 83._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n that_o all_o those_o who_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n be_v christian_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o may_v have_v be_v account_v as_o atheist_n such_o as_o among_o the_o greek_n be_v socrates_n heraclitus_n and_o the_o like_a and_o among_o the_o barbarian_n abraham_n and_o azarias_n for_o all_o those_o who_o live_v or_o do_v now_o live_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o reason_n be_v christian_n and_o in_o a_o assure_a quiet_a condition_n apol._n cont_n tryph._n finis_fw-la of_o good_a and_o evil._n of_o predestination_n and_o free_a will_n of_o repentance_n the_o law_n of_o nature_n unalterable_a

posthuma_n observe_v a_o stumbling-block_n to_o the_o gentile_n when_o they_o find_v it_o read_v in_o osea_n that_o god_n command_v a_o prophet_n to_o commit_v adultery_n and_o in_o exodus_fw-la that_o he_o teach_v his_o own_o people_n how_o to_o cozen_v the_o egyptian_n how_o can_v they_o believe_v say_v he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n like_o the_o god_n of_o the_o hebrew_n when_o they_o shall_v find_v in_o the_o scripture_n that_o even_o this_o god_n have_v also_o a_o right-hand_a and_o a_o son_n or_o that_o if_o he_o have_v be_v so_o much_o better_a than_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_a be_v it_o likely_a that_o aaron_n his_o own_o high_a priest_n will_v have_v prefer_v their_o apis_n or_o egyptian_a calf_n before_o he_o but_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o be_v because_o to_o unenlightn_v nature_n these_o passage_n may_v seem_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o attribute_n of_o the_o deus_fw-la optimus_fw-la maximus_fw-la and_o for_o that_o as_o our_o aforesaid_a learned_a author_n well_o note_n all_o way_n of_o religion_n will_v seem_v strange_a but_o that_o we_o be_v teach_v betimes_o to_o fear_v and_o till_o we_o receive_v a_o spirit_n of_o judgement_n to_o discern_v the_o right_a way_n every_o way_n be_v think_v to_o be_v wrong_n but_o that_o which_o we_o be_v bring_v up_o in_o and_o thus_o much_o for_o public_a revelation_n of_o vision_n and_o apparition_n now_o if_o any_o man_n shall_v say_v a_o vision_n appear_v to_o he_o i_o shall_v believe_v he_o as_o far_o as_o it_o be_v fit_a to_o credit_v a_o single_a witness_n in_o so_o rare_a a_o case_n but_o certain_o i_o shall_v not_o depart_v from_o my_o common_a reason_n whatsoever_o he_o shall_v pretend_v to_o teach_v upon_o those_o ground_n and_o from_o single_a witness_n and_o no_o more_o the_o great_a miracle_n in_o all_o vulgar_a superstition_n be_v most_o derive_v as_o will_v appear_v to_o any_o one_o that_o shall_v look_v back_o from_o age_n to_o age_n to_o the_o original_a of_o all_o such_o wonderful_a narration_n or_o if_o more_o person_n than_o one_o be_v say_v at_o first_o to_o have_v concur_v in_o the_o relation_n it_o ought_v again_o to_o be_v consider_v whether_o they_o that_o will_v establish_v it_o do_v not_o acquire_v much_o authority_n and_o procure_v many_o advantage_n thereby_o unto_o themselves_o and_o that_o either_o of_o honour_n or_o riches_n the_o one_o be_v as_o prevalent_a with_o the_o vainglorious_a as_o the_o other_o with_o the_o covetous_a the_o nature_n of_o man_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n prone_a always_o to_o entertain_v such_o belief_n as_o turn_v to_o their_o own_o benefit_n testimony_n weak_a furthermore_o in_o my_o opinion_n it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o as_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a to_o trust_v absolute_o to_o any_o single_a or_o weak_a testimony_n in_o matter_n of_o great_a consequence_n so_o will_v it_o be_v much_o more_o dangerous_a to_o frame_v new_a doctrine_n or_o conclusion_n out_o of_o they_o for_o direct_v of_o ourselves_o in_o the_o whole_a course_n of_o our_o life_n since_o error_n may_v be_v thus_o multiply_v without_o end_n of_o miracle_n these_o consideration_n therefore_o bring_v i_o at_o last_o to_o be_v more_o spare_v in_o the_o belief_n of_o miraculous_a narration_n and_o especial_o for_o the_o building_n any_o new_a doctrine_n upon_o they_o since_o impostor_n such_o as_o janne_n and_o jambres_n have_v be_v say_v to_o do_v miracle_n who_o egyptian_a doctrine_n i_o yet_o shall_v never_o believe_v i_o may_v say_v something_o also_o of_o apollonius_n tyanaeus_n and_o simon_n magus_n who_o however_o they_o may_v be_v believe_v to_o have_v do_v miracle_n do_v yet_o not_o teach_v any_o universal_a doctrine_n to_o which_o assent_n be_v give_v neither_o shall_v i_o insist_v upon_o the_o little_a credit_n give_v heretofore_o to_o the_o feign_a miracle_n or_o revelation_n by_o pagan_a priest_n among_o the_o more_o judicious_a sort_n of_o the_o gentile_n wherefore_o it_o be_v no_o good_a argument_n to_o say_v that_o such_o a_o man_n do_v miracle_n and_o therefore_o i_o believe_v all_o he_o say_v since_o those_o thing_n may_v seem_v miraculous_a to_o my_o weak_a capacity_n which_o appear_v not_o so_o to_o wise_a men._n beside_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v by_o natural_a mean_n which_o some_o may_v mistake_v for_o miracle_n and_o conjuration_n as_o all_o book_n of_o chemistry_n and_o natural_a philosophy_n can_v testify_v and_o upon_o this_o vulgar_a ignorance_n it_o be_v say_v monsieur_n naudaeus_n in_o his_o treatise_n of_o magic_n that_o the_o most_o ingenious_a and_o learnede_a man_n in_o the_o world_n have_v be_v defame_v as_o conjurer_n and_o wizard_n because_o their_o accuser_n be_v fool_n and_o blockhead_n again_o by_o confederacy_n where_o one_o help_v the_o other_o to_o abuse_v the_o people_n of_o which_o kind_n example_n have_v be_v frequent_a and_o so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o shall_v omit_v trouble_v my_o reader_n or_o myself_o with_o they_o in_o so_o small_a a_o treatise_n of_o prophecy_n and_o prophet_n in_o like_a manner_n shall_v their_o pretend_a prophecy_n draw_v i_o as_o little_a to_o any_o new_a religion_n since_o one_o shall_v hardly_o meet_v with_o a_o prophecy_n deliver_v so_o clear_o and_o so_o perspicuous_o as_o to_o mark_v out_o and_o distinguish_v from_o all_o other_o any_o person_n or_o event_n in_o subsequent_a time_n for_o my_o part_n as_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o esteem_v any_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o undoubted_a prophecy_n which_o in_o the_o first_o place_n be_v not_o like_o a_o picture_n wherein_o it_o be_v not_o enough_o to_o describe_v or_o paint_v one_o member_n or_o part_n of_o the_o face_n or_o body_n unless_o the_o symmetry_n and_o other_o part_n be_v together_o represent_v with_o the_o outward_a stature_n colour_n and_o fashion_n so_o likewise_o i_o shall_v not_o much_o regard_n the_o exterior_a form_n if_o his_o action_n be_v not_o represent_v to_o future_a time_n in_o such_o manner_n as_o the_o prophecy_n may_v be_v like_o a_o history_n wherein_o it_o be_v require_v that_o the_o time_n place_n and_o manner_n of_o all_o his_o action_n shall_v be_v describe_v so_o particular_o as_o to_o distinguish_v the_o whole_a course_n of_o his_o life_n from_o all_o other_o and_o that_o therefore_o many_o of_o the_o doubtful_a and_o obscure_a prediction_n that_o have_v be_v attribute_v to_o divers_a who_o from_o thence_o have_v acquire_v the_o name_n of_o prophet_n seem_v to_o be_v little_o more_o than_o bold_a conjecture_n which_o may_v in_o some_o age_n or_o other_o take_v its_o event_n there_o be_v nothing_o i_o will_v not_o say_v likely_a or_o possible_a but_o even_o unlikely_a and_o only_o not_o impossible_a that_o in_o some_o time_n place_n or_o manner_n will_v not_o have_v its_o effect_n and_o fulfil_v wherefore_o if_o any_o man_n have_v undertake_v heretofore_o or_o shall_v yet_o in_o this_o age_n undertake_v to_o prophesy_v upon_o what_o vain_a ground_n soever_o yet_o if_o he_o get_v that_o credit_n among_o future_a age_n as_o to_o be_v think_v a_o prophet_n he_o will_v find_v those_o that_o shall_v apply_v his_o word_n to_o some_o action_n or_o event_n that_o do_v or_o will_v in_o all_o likelihood_n follow_v which_o motive_n make_v i_o as_o doubtful_a of_o their_o prophecy_n as_o of_o such_o miracle_n and_o revelation_n i_o former_o mention_v obsopaeus_n be_v say_v to_o have_v put_v forth_o book_n which_o speak_v plain_a of_o christ_n than_o the_o prophet_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v which_o our_o learned_a critic_n have_v nevertheless_o reject_v as_o spurious_a the_o heavenly_a body_n have_v outward_a worship_n give_v they_o from_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o nature_n but_o the_o heathen_a priest_n have_v their_o chief_a credit_n from_o their_o prophecy_n and_o prediction_n who_o content_v not_o themselves_o with_o the_o persuade_v the_o people_n that_o they_o have_v revelation_n unless_o they_o can_v persuade_v they_o further_o that_o they_o can_v foretell_v thing_n to_o come_v and_o so_o acquire_v to_o themselves_o the_o name_n of_o prophet_n the_o manner_n of_o prediction_n among_o the_o jew_n be_v by_o dream_n vrim_fw-he or_o prophet_n and_o saul_n throw_v off_o his_o clothes_n lie_v naked_a upon_o the_o ground_n a_o day_n and_o a_o night_n and_o so_o prophesy_v 1_o sam._n 19_o and_o by_o the_o witch_n of_o endor_n to_o who_o saul_n have_v recourse_n in_o his_o extremity_n who_o desire_v she_o to_o raise_v up_o samuel_n to_o he_o which_o she_o do_v samuel_n appear_v and_o tell_v saul_n what_o shall_v follow_v 1_o sam._n 28._o the_o vrim_fw-he and_o thummim_n be_v two_o precious_a stone_n so_o call_v the_o one_o light_n and_o the_o other_o truth_n or_o integrity_n the_o one_o a_o onyx_n or_o sardonix_n and_o the_o other_o a_o emerald_n out_o of_o the_o vibration_n of_o who_o beauty_n oracle_n and_o prophecy_n be_v call_v and_o utter_v in_o imitation_n whereof_o the_o