violate_v as_o all_o other_o be_v especial_o if_o it_o be_v consider_v that_o those_o reward_n and_o punishment_n concern_v another_o life_n man_n though_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o remote_a and_o be_v so_o affect_v with_o outward_a object_n which_o work_n upon_o their_o sense_n or_o imagination_n that_o the_o present_a time_n prevail_v over_o the_o future_a beside_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o there_o be_v different_a degree_n of_o persuasion_n though_o persuasion_n itself_o be_v most_o true_a no_o body_n doubt_v of_o some_o considerable_a fact_n of_o ancient_a history_n for_o example_n that_o cesar_n overcome_v pompey_n however_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n between_o the_o degree_n of_o this_o persuasion_n and_o the_o degree_n of_o that_o whereby_o every_o body_n be_v persuade_v of_o what_o he_o see_v though_o those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o roman_a author_n that_o be_v contemporary_a and_o those_o who_o speak_v of_o it_o in_o the_o next_o century_n doubt_v not_o at_o all_o of_o cesar_n victory_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o persuasion_n arise_v from_o what_o we_o have_v see_v be_v strong_a and_o more_o lively_a the_o christian_n who_o believe_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o be_v sometime_o move_v with_o it_o be_v by_o the_o same_o reason_n i_o just_a now_o allege_v more_o move_v with_o the_o present_a pleasure_n of_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o some_o passion_n and_o so_o this_o last_o motion_n overcome_v the_o other_o jesus_n christ_n foresee_v that_o disorder_n and_o say_v that_o few_o man_n will_v observe_v his_o commandment_n and_o many_o break_v they_o 2._o they_o part_n ii_o chap._n 2._o as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v elsewhere_o but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v why_o do_v not_o god_n make_v the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o sensible_a to_o man_n as_o what_o they_o see_v why_o do_v they_o not_o see_v if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o paradise_n and_o hell_n open_v good_a man_n in_o the_o one_o and_o wicked_a man_n in_o the_o other_o i_o answer_v that_o if_o it_o be_v so_o those_o who_o obey_v god_n not_o only_o because_o of_o the_o reward_n and_o punishment_n but_o out_o of_o thankfulness_n and_o because_o they_o be_v convince_v that_o his_o law_n be_v just_a and_o reasonable_a can_v not_o be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o who_o obey_v only_o out_o of_o fear_n and_o wish_v that_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o let_v they_o satisfy_v their_o passion_n for_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o if_o reward_n and_o punishment_n be_v make_v sensible_a every_o body_n will_v pay_v to_o god_n the_o same_o outward_a obedience_n beside_o though_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o observe_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v and_o that_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o manner_n of_o christian_n and_o heathen_n be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o christianity_n have_v several_a great_a advantage_n above_o paganism_n first_o there_o be_v a_o great_a difference_n between_o a_o commonwealth_n that_o have_v good_a law_n which_o teach_v exact_o to_o distinguish_v good_a from_o evil_a and_o a_o commonwealth_n the_o law_n whereof_o approve_v or_o suffer_v some_o crime_n which_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o society_n in_o the_o former_a good_a law_n keep_v at_o least_o part_n of_o the_o citizen_n to_o their_o duty_n and_o hinder_v other_o from_o run_v themselves_o into_o great_a excess_n but_o in_o the_o other_o the_o lawgiver_n let_v we_o loose_v all_o manner_n of_o vice_n and_o put_v no_o bound_n to_o they_o from_o whence_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o they_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v in_o several_a respect_n of_o christianity_n and_o paganism_n but_o i_o shall_v only_o allege_v two_o example_n indeed_o the_o notion_n of_o justice_n and_o charity_n which_o the_o gospel_n have_v bring_v into_o the_o world_n have_v not_o be_v so_o effectual_a as_o they_o shall_v have_v be_v but_o however_o those_o notion_n be_v the_o reason_n why_o a_o horrible_a custom_n practise_v among_o the_o roman_n have_v be_v condemn_v they_o take_v great_a pleasure_n in_o see_v man_n kill_v one_o another_o or_o fight_v with_o wild_a beast_n so_o cruel_a a_o diversion_n last_v during_o many_o age_n at_o rome_n nor_o be_v the_o humanity_n of_o the_o roman_a people_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o by_o their_o historian_n so_o much_o boast_v of_o by_o their_o historian_n offend_v at_o it_o in_o the_o least_o the_o same_o people_n as_o well_o as_o the_o grecian_n be_v so_o horrible_o addict_v to_o fornication_n and_o sodomy_n that_o they_o never_o imagine_v there_o be_v any_o harm_n it_o it_o provide_v it_o may_v not_o prejudice_v their_o temporal_a interest_n those_o who_o will_v read_v their_o comical_a and_o satirical_a poet_n will_v not_o only_o see_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n but_o also_o the_o sad_a consequence_n of_o those_o debauchery_n among_o christian_n one_o of_o they_o have_v be_v always_o detest_v and_o not_o so_o common_a and_o the_o other_o have_v not_o be_v so_o great_a as_o among_o the_o heathen_n because_o they_o be_v both_o condemn_v in_o the_o gospel_n the_o heathen_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o a_o thousand_o infamous_a debauchery_n not_o only_o without_o be_v punish_v for_o it_o but_o also_o without_o feel_v any_o remorse_n of_o conscience_n because_o they_o know_v not_o that_o they_o be_v unlawful_a hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o never_o give_v over_o their_o lewdness_n but_o when_o the_o body_n be_v wear_v out_o can_v no_o long_o answer_v the_o disorder_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o that_o they_o never_o show_v any_o sorrow_n for_o it_o whereby_o youth_n may_v be_v deter_v from_o it_o all_o that_o old_a man_n can_v say_v to_o young_a man_n be_v to_o enjoy_v the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o flesh_n only_o as_o much_o as_o they_o be_v consistent_a with_o the_o welfare_n of_o their_o family_n but_o under_o the_o gospel_n the_o knowledge_n man_n have_v of_o do_v evil_a when_o they_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o lewdness_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o bridle_n which_o stop_v a_o great_a many_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o pleasure_n and_o a_o leaven_n which_o often_o work_v repentance_n and_o excite_v man_n to_o deter_v other_o from_o do_v the_o like_a i_o will_v not_o say_v that_o justice_n be_v much_o better_o administer_v among_o christian_n than_o elsewhere_o but_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v that_o their_o civil_a and_o political_a law_n be_v better_a what_o may_v be_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o it_o be_v because_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v settle_v the_o notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a which_o be_v uncertain_a among_o other_o nation_n or_o rather_o have_v introduce_v they_o anew_o from_o whence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o do_v evil_a dare_v not_o assert_v it_o and_o that_o many_o crime_n be_v not_o daily_o commit_v which_o otherwise_o will_v be_v commit_v open_o to_o live_v somewhat_o modest_o among_o the_o greek_n and_o the_o roman_n one_o need_v to_o have_v be_v well_o breed_v up_o or_o to_o have_v learned_a philosophy_n nor_o do_v this_o hinder_v they_o from_o do_v several_a unjust_a thing_n which_o excess_n only_o can_v make_v infamous_a but_o among_o christian_n man_n learn_v whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o the_o law_n that_o condemn_v they_o and_o no_o body_n will_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o the_o least_o unjustice_n be_v allow_v they_o prince_n abuse_v not_o their_o authority_n as_o they_o do_v in_o paganism_n for_o the_o same_o reason_n and_o subject_n enjoy_v more_o quiet_o and_o safe_o the_o fruit_n of_o their_o labour_n especial_o in_o the_o place_n where_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v great_a than_o in_o other_o chap._n vi_o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n who_o they_o know_v answer_v not_o their_o objection_n well_o or_o maintain_v some_o false_a doctrine_n as_o true_a one_o and_o as_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n if_o i_o say_v in_o general_a that_o one_o of_o the_o chief_a thing_n that_o lead_v man_n into_o incredulity_n who_o have_v wit_n and_o judgement_n enough_o be_v the_o weak_a answer_n which_o be_v often_o return_v to_o their_o objection_n and_o the_o absurd_a doctrine_n which_o be_v maintain_v against_o they_o as_o true_a one_o no_o christian_a society_n will_v contradict_v i_o because_o they_o accuse_v one_o another_o of_o very_a great_a error_n thus_o without_o name_v any_o in_o particular_a i_o leave_v to_o every_o one_o the_o liberty_n of_o make_v such_o application_n as_o he_o think_v fit_a forasmuch_o as_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n difficult_a to_o apprehend_v in_o
great_a zeal_n for_o religion_n shall_v not_o just_o render_v it_o suspect_v to_o unbeliever_n p._n 131._o chap._n 3._o that_o the_o incredulous_a be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o main_a cause_n of_o many_o people_n devotion_n p._n 143._o chap._n 4._o that_o the_o division_n which_o reign_v among_o christian_n be_v no_o good_a reason_n why_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v not_o be_v true_a p._n 165._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o incredulous_a object_n in_o vain_a that_o christianity_n be_v so_o little_o know_v and_o so_o ill_o observe_v in_o the_o world_n as_o it_o be_v can_v be_v so_o useful_a to_o mankind_n as_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o man_n shall_v be_v p._n 180._o chap._n 6._o that_o unbeliever_n can_v conclude_v the_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v false_a because_o the_o divine_n of_o their_o acquaintance_n make_v bad_a answer_n to_o their_o objection_n against_o it_o or_o because_o they_o maintain_v some_o false_a tenet_n as_o true_a and_o as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n p._n 199._o chap._n 7._o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o bring_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o into_o doubt_n p._n 234._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n p._n 277._o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 282._o letter_n 1._o wherein_o be_v prove_v the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n concern_v the_o testimony_n they_o render_v to_o christ_n resurrection_n p._n 283._o letter_n 2._o show_v what_o a_o miracle_n be_v and_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o miracle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n we_o ought_v to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o person_n true_o send_v of_o god_n p._n 307._o errata_fw-la page_n 18._o line_n 23._o read_v angusta_fw-la p._n 23._o l._n 8._o deal_n and._n of_o incredulity_n the_o preface_n contain_v the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n i_o can_v determine_v whether_o during_o the_o first_o age_n of_o christianity_n more_o book_n be_v write_v by_o the_o christian_n to_o evince_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o religion_n than_o there_o may_v have_v be_v for_o these_o two_o hundred_o year_n past_a but_o that_o we_o have_v few_o remain_v of_o the_o precedent_a age_n than_o of_o the_o last_o two_o be_v most_o certain_a the_o teacher_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n and_o their_o follower_n whilst_o paganism_n be_v still_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n labour_v more_o in_o confute_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n than_o to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n they_o think_v if_o they_o can_v once_o convince_v the_o heathen_n of_o the_o falsity_n of_o their_o own_o opinion_n that_o it_o will_v be_v no_o hard_a matter_n then_o to_o make_v they_o christian_n and_o this_o i_o can_v most_o easy_o show_v be_v it_o at_o all_o useful_a to_o my_o design_n on_o the_o contrary_a when_o paganism_n be_v abolish_v in_o europe_n and_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_n religion_n the_o teacher_n of_o it_o then_o left_a paganism_n to_o attack_v the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o of_o the_o mahometans_n both_o which_o be_v yet_o in_o be_v among_o we_o but_o beside_o these_o two_o sort_n of_o unbeliever_n there_o be_v yet_o a_o three_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o falsity_n of_o the_o mahometan_a and_o rabbinic_n doctrine_n doubt_v notwithstanding_o of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o peremptory_o judge_v it_o not_o true_a without_o set_v up_o any_o other_o religion_n in_o its_o place_n now_o to_o reduce_v these_o a_o new_a method_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a it_o be_v agree_v therefore_o to_o prove_v direct_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n without_o insist_v upon_o the_o confutation_n of_o other_o persuasion_n and_o it_o may_v true_o be_v say_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o present_a age_n and_o of_o that_o immediate_o precede_v it_o that_o this_o matter_n be_v never_o manage_v with_o better_a success_n the_o heathen_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o mahometans_n be_v not_o ill_o confute_v before_o but_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v far_o from_o be_v ever_o so_o well_o prove_v i_o be_o of_o opinion_n nevertheless_o that_o there_o be_v still_o one_o thing_n behind_o which_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o writer_n upon_o this_o subject_a have_v either_o not_o touch_v at_o all_o or_o but_o very_o slight_o i_o mean_v the_o secret_a motive_n and_o general_a reason_n which_o the_o incredulous_a have_v of_o not_o believe_v christianity_n to_o be_v divine_o reveal_v their_o internal_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n do_v so_o strong_o incline_v they_o to_o reject_v all_o the_o reason_n offer_v they_o though_o they_o be_v not_o aware_a themselves_o of_o the_o motive_n by_o which_o they_o do_v this_o that_o all_o speak_n to_o they_o be_v in_o vain_a before_o the_o vnreasonableness_n of_o this_o disposition_n be_v make_v evident_a just_o as_o if_o any_o shall_v plead_v a_o good_a cause_n before_o prepossess_v judge_n without_o endeavour_v to_o cure_v they_o first_o of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o must_v needs_o make_v they_o look_v upon_o that_o thing_n as_o false_a whereupon_o all_o the_o reason_n allege_v be_v ground_v it_o be_v certain_a that_o the_o pleader_n of_o such_o a_o cause_n though_o never_o so_o just_a will_v expose_v themselves_o to_o be_v cast_v or_o condemn_v this_o have_v be_v notwithstanding_o the_o conduct_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o champion_n of_o christianity_n they_o have_v prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o well_o enough_o but_o their_o reason_n appear_v weak_a to_o the_o incredulous_a consider_v the_o disposition_n wherein_o they_o be_v and_o whereof_o they_o know_v nothing_o themselves_o what_o be_v unreasonable_a therefore_o in_o this_o disposition_n must_v be_v discover_v and_o lay_v so_o clear_o before_o they_o that_o they_o may_v perceive_v how_o it_o impose_v upon_o the_o light_n of_o their_o understanding_n this_o be_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v teach_v we_o when_o he_o say_v that_o every_o one_o that_o do_v evil_a hate_v the_o light_n 3.20_o joh._n 3.20_o neither_o come_v to_o the_o light_n lest_o his_o deed_n shall_v be_v reprove_v which_o signify_v that_o unbeliever_n can_v look_v upon_o that_o as_o true_a which_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o maxim_n by_o which_o they_o have_v long_o govern_v themselves_o and_o to_o the_o habit_n they_o have_v be_v contract_v for_o many_o year_n on_o the_o contrary_n he_o say_v that_o he_o that_o do_v truth_n come_v to_o the_o light_n 21._o ver._n 21._o that_o his_o deed_n may_v be_v make_v manifest_a that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o such_o as_o be_v dispose_v to_o live_v according_a to_o the_o prescription_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v easy_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o in_o the_o same_o sense_n he_o say_v elsewhere_o that_o if_o any_o will_v do_v his_o will_n 7.17_o joh._n 7.17_o he_o shall_v know_v of_o the_o doctrine_n whether_o it_o be_v of_o god_n or_o whether_o of_o himself_o beside_o the_o disposition_n wherein_o those_o may_v be_v who_o disbelieve_v the_o gospel_n and_o which_o deceive_v they_o without_o their_o perceive_v of_o it_o there_o be_v likewise_o certain_a general_a reason_n draw_v from_o without_o that_o help_n to_o lead_v they_o into_o error_n these_o reason_n must_v by_o all_o mean_n be_v explode_v because_o they_o be_v to_o they_o so_o many_o prejudices_fw-la whereby_o they_o determine_v the_o truth_n and_o falsehood_n of_o all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o they_o whilst_o they_o think_v they_o good_a all_o the_o proof_n imaginable_a can_v make_v no_o impression_n upon_o they_o because_o they_o never_o fail_v of_o oppose_v to_o they_o these_o reason_n which_o conclude_v to_o be_v solid_a they_o can_v at_o the_o same_o time_n embrace_v christianity_n there_o be_v a_o 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their_o own_o opinion_n and_o not_o upon_o those_o who_o design_n only_o to_o defend_v the_o christian_a religion_n none_o can_v without_o injustice_n impute_v to_o its_o founder_n all_o that_o have_v be_v since_o build_v upon_o the_o foundation_n they_o first_o lay_v as_o it_o shall_v be_v make_v appear_v more_o at_o large_a in_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o work_n the_o three_o proposition_n concern_v the_o evidence_n of_o the_o proof_n of_o revelation_n its_o perpetual_a subsistence_n and_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o its_o expression_n do_v suppose_v that_o the_o design_n of_o god_n be_v to_o teach_v man_n his_o will_n mathematical_o which_o be_v a_o supposition_n contrary_a to_o the_o present_a state_n of_o mankind_n a_o state_n of_o liberty_n wherein_o law_n and_o not_o demonstration_n be_v propose_v to_o they_o suppose_v that_o god_n will_v appoint_v reward_n and_o punishment_n he_o can_v not_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n nor_o avert_v they_o from_o vice_n otherwise_o than_o 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and_o faithful_a servant_n 25.23_o mat._n 25.23_o thou_o have_v be_v faithful_a over_o a_o few_o thing_n i_o will_v make_v thou_o ruler_n over_o many_o thing_n enter_v thou_o into_o the_o joy_n of_o thy_o lord_n if_o it_o be_v object_v to_o i_o further_o that_o there_o be_v some_o who_o be_v not_o by_o any_o mean_v capable_a to_o see_v in_o the_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o its_o other_o doctrine_n and_o in_o the_o history_n of_o it_o that_o usefulness_n excellence_n and_o sincerity_n which_o i_o say_v may_v be_v remark_v therein_o and_o nevertheless_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v true_a i_o have_v nothing_o to_o reply_v to_o this_o but_o what_o i_o have_v say_v already_o these_o people_n imitate_v other_o but_o they_o have_v not_o that_o faith_n which_o the_o gospel_n demand_v it_o be_v not_o calculate_v indeed_o for_o the_o learned_a alone_o but_o no_o more_o be_v it_o for_o brute_n such_o as_o understand_v not_o or_o be_v suppose_v not_o capable_a to_o understand_v any_o thing_n 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it_o be_v conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o this_o science_n be_v only_o a_o chimaera_n no_o body_n dare_v maintain_v it_o but_o it_o be_v just_a thus_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o such_o as_o be_v carry_v away_o with_o a_o false_a zeal_n the_o incredulous_a object_n further_o that_o since_o those_o who_o show_v the_o great_a zeal_n observe_v not_o the_o most_o important_a precept_n of_o this_o religion_n it_o be_v at_o lest_o a_o sign_n that_o they_o be_v not_o themselves_o persuade_v of_o its_o truth_n for_o otherwise_o say_v they_o they_o will_v not_o quit_v the_o best_a part_n of_o it_o seeing_z if_o the_o speculative_a doctrine_n be_v true_a what_o concern_v practice_n be_v not_o less_o so_o but_o if_o the_o most_o zealous_a be_v not_o persuade_v of_o their_o religion_n what_o may_v be_v judge_v of_o its_o proof_n this_o be_v certain_o a_o prejudice_n that_o be_v very_o difficult_o conquer_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o have_v more_o regard_n to_o what_o be_v say_v than_o to_o what_o be_v do_v and_o who_o look_v upon_o man_n moral_n as_o the_o character_n of_o their_o belief_n every_o person_n have_v not_o strength_n of_o thought_n enough_o to_o consider_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o themselves_o without_o any_o respect_n to_o the_o manner_n how_o they_o be_v obey_v or_o to_o the_o judgement_n that_o christian_n seem_v to_o make_v of_o they_o by_o their_o conduct_n but_o at_o bottom_n this_o be_v a_o ill-grounded_a prejudice_n from_o which_o no_o consequence_n can_v be_v infer_v against_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o it_o will_v appear_v by_o the_o follow_a remark_n first_o of_o all_o we_o may_v grant_v that_o there_o be_v some_o of_o those_o zealot_n in_o show_n for_o a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n who_o be_v not_o in_o effect_n persuade_v of_o any_o of_o they_o and_o who_o make_v use_v of_o the_o cloak_n of_o religion_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o multitude_n the_o better_a to_o carry_v on_o 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to_o use_v those_o hardly_o that_o be_v not_o of_o their_o sentiment_n nay_o they_o maintain_v that_o without_o this_o christianity_n be_v lose_v and_o that_o all_o other_o religion_n shall_v triumph_v over_o it_o all_o have_v be_v still_o pagan_a according_a to_o they_o if_o constantine_n and_o the_o other_o succeed_a christian_a emperor_n have_v not_o employ_v their_o authority_n to_o destroy_v heathenism_n now_o what_o other_o thing_n can_v such_o discourse_n mean_v but_o that_o they_o be_v stranger_n to_o the_o true_a proof_n of_o christianity_n as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o spirit_n of_o charity_n and_o moderation_n which_o be_v the_o life_n and_o soul_n of_o the_o gospel_n those_o who_o have_v well_o studyâ—d_v these_o proof_n and_o careful_o examine_v all_o the_o part_n whereof_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v make_v up_o find_v it_o so_o well_o ground_v its_o promise_n so_o become_v god_n and_o man_n and_o its_o precept_n so_o useful_a to_o humane_a society_n that_o to_o make_v it_o whole_o triumph_v over_o error_n it_o be_v enough_o in_o their_o judgement_n to_o obtain_v a_o liberty_n of_o preach_v it_o and_o that_o such_o as_o profess_v it_o may_v incur_v no_o danger_n for_o so_o do_v in_o a_o word_n that_o it_o may_v oppose_v the_o contrary_a opinion_n with_o equal_a arms._n these_o person_n animate_v with_o that_o spirit_n of_o moderation_n whereof_o i_o speak_v and_o equal_o press_v all_o the_o part_n of_o christianity_n do_v not_o contradict_v by_o their_o action_n the_o doctrine_n they_o profess_v with_o their_o mouth_n if_o religion_n therefore_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v of_o from_o the_o conduct_n and_o discourse_n of_o its_o professor_n regard_v aught_o to_o be_v have_v rather_o to_o these_o man_n than_o to_o other_o second_o i_o have_v show_v elsewhere_o that_o since_o man_n do_v not_o always_o act_v according_a to_o their_o knowledge_n but_o most_o frequent_o follow_v the_o movement_n of_o their_o passion_n their_o sentiment_n must_v not_o be_v always_o conclude_v from_o their_o carriage_n this_o be_v so_o it_o may_v probable_o happen_v that_o certain_a zealot_n may_v act_v very_o disagreeable_o to_o their_o profession_n which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o judge_n of_o their_o persuasion_n from_o their_o manner_n we_o must_v confess_v however_o that_o if_o in_o those_o zealot_n there_o appear_v a_o continual_a series_n of_o action_n contrary_a to_o the_o clear_a command_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o inveterate_a habit_n of_o walk_a contrary_n to_o what_o must_v be_v know_v to_o be_v a_o essential_a part_n of_o christianity_n than_o we_o have_v great_a occasion_n to_o suspect_v they_o of_o hypocrisy_n and_o a_o design_n of_o cover_v their_o infidelity_n with_o a_o show_n of_o zeal_n for_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a but_o that_o a_o strong_a and_o sincere_a belief_n shall_v at_o length_n eradicate_v out_o of_o the_o heart_n all_o habit_n which_o be_v direct_o contrary_a to_o it_o but_o the_o most_o ingenuous_a man_n may_v act_v sometime_o against_o their_o persuasion_n by_o surprise_n or_o the_o sudden_a motion_n of_o a_o violent_a passion_n three_o as_o it_o will_v be_v injustice_n to_o judge_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o law_n of_o any_o government_n from_o the_o way_n how_o they_o be_v observe_v so_o it_o will_v be_v very_o ill_o reason_v to_o condemn_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o such_o as_o profess_v it_o obey_v it_o not_o there_o may_v be_v most_o excellent_a law_n and_o acknowledge_v too_o for_o such_o yet_o not_o always_o strict_o observe_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o interest_n and_o passion_n of_o those_o who_o break_v they_o as_o it_o may_v be_v remark_v in_o all_o kingdom_n of_o the_o world_n it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o the_o christian_a religion_n what_o cause_v this_o contradiction_n between_o the_o sentiment_n and_o carriage_n of_o man_n beside_o the_o reason_n already_o allege_v be_v perhaps_o because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o apply_v the_o general_a law_n to_o the_o particular_a case_n which_o happen_v every_o day_n and_o that_o they_o mistake_v the_o most_o prohibit_v action_n for_o exception_n to_o the_o rule_n 26._o arrian_n upon_o epictetus_n l._n 3._o c._n 26._o a_o famous_a philosopher_n say_v that_o most_o of_o man_n error_n proceed_v from_o their_o not_o know_v how_o to_o apply_v general_a to_o particular_a idea_n if_o we_o consider_v it_o near_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o same_o thing_n occasion_n at_o least_o in_o part_n the_o violation_n of_o many_o law_n which_o be_v all_o the_o while_n think_v just_a and_o wellgrounded_n zeal_n accompany_v with_o very_o great_a ignorance_n and_o the_o great_a as_o the_o ignorance_n be_v grosser_n furnish_v the_o incredulous_a likewise_o with_o another_o pretence_n of_o look_v upon_o religion_n as_o a_o blind_a persuasion_n mere_o build_v upon_o the_o credulity_n of_o the_o people_n and_o indeed_o we_o see_v that_o in_o all_o religion_n such_o as_o have_v least_o examine_v thing_n and_o that_o be_v the_o less_o discern_a appear_v frequent_o the_o hot_a in_o defence_n of_o the_o party_n with_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v the_o furious_a zeal_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o mahometans_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o the_o pagan_a populace_n be_v so_o well_o know_v that_o i_o need_v bring_v no_o example_n of_o it_o in_o those_o sect_n also_o into_o which_o christianity_n be_v at_o present_a divide_v the_o heat_n wherewith_o the_o ignorant_a multitude_n defend_v their_o sentiment_n and_o endeavour_v to_o propagate_v they_o be_v but_o too_o common_a this_o blind_a zeal_n have_v so_o often_o break_v out_o and_o have_v make_v use_n of_o such_o ill_a method_n to_o advance_v each_o party_n that_o there_o be_v no_o sect_n but_o have_v some_o reason_n to_o be_v ashamed_a of_o it_o but_o if_o this_o false_a zeal_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o a_o consequence_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o the_o heathen_n
the_o mahometans_n the_o jew_n and_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o true_a christianity_n give_v it_o no_o approbation_n so_o that_o if_o the_o falsity_n of_o these_o religion_n or_o sect_n may_v be_v hence_o conclude_v yet_o it_o follow_v not_o that_o we_o can_v reason_v against_o christianity_n in_o the_o same_o manner_n i_o have_v already_o show_v in_o the_o precedent_a chapter_n that_o it_o require_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o blind_a obedience_n from_o such_o as_o embrace_v it_o and_o that_o it_o express_o condemn_v the_o furious_a zeal_n which_o flow_v from_o this_o spring_n one_o of_o christ_n apostle_n acknowledge_v that_o the_o jew_n have_v a_o zeal_n for_o god_n 1.14_o rom._n 10.2_o gal._n 1.14_o add_v that_o it_o be_v without_o knowledge_n and_o blame_v it_o exceed_o another_o say_v to_o those_o to_o who_o he_o write_v 3.14_o jam._n 3.14_o if_o you_o have_v bitter_a zeal_n and_o strife_n in_o your_o heart_n glory_v not_o and_o lie_v not_o against_o the_o truth_n this_o wisdom_n descend_v not_o from_o above_o but_o be_v earthly_a sensual_a devilish_a for_o where_o this_o zeal_n and_o strife_n be_v there_o be_v confusion_n and_o every_o evil_a work_n this_o blind_a zeal_n then_o be_v not_o a_o effect_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o can_v be_v reasonable_o attribute_v to_o it_o it_o be_v a_o consequence_n of_o the_o temper_n and_o education_n of_o the_o ignorant_a populace_n who_o instead_o of_o defend_v the_o truth_n by_o its_o proper_a light_n and_o the_o virtue_n it_o do_v produce_v in_o their_o heart_n who_o due_o receive_v it_o defend_v it_o with_o the_o same_o arm_n they_o will_v error_n that_o be_v with_o passion_n and_o fury_n this_o sort_n of_o people_n can_v without_o extreme_a injustice_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o model_n whereby_o to_o judge_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o effect_n of_o christianity_n since_o it_o clear_o condemn_v their_o conduct_n we_o must_v on_o the_o contrary_n cast_v our_o eye_n upon_o the_o understand_a person_n who_o make_v use_v of_o none_o but_o good_a reason_n in_o its_o defence_n and_o that_o to_o procure_v themselves_o love_n and_o respect_n practise_v only_o those_o calm_a and_o peaceable_a virtue_n they_o learn_v from_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o character_n which_o the_o founder_n of_o christianity_n bestow_v upon_o they_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v consider_v as_o the_o true_a christian_n the_o wisdom_n that_o be_v from_o above_o say_v the_o same_o apostle_n be_v first_o pure_a then_o peaceable_a gentle_a and_o easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v full_a of_o mercy_n and_o good_a fruit_n without_o partiality_n and_o without_o hypocrisy_n chap._n iii_o that_o unbeliever_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n for_o reject_v the_o christiam_fw-la religion_n because_o interest_n seem_v to_o be_v the_o cause_n of_o most_o people_n devotion_n since_o christianity_n have_v flourish_v in_o the_o world_n it_o have_v frequent_o prove_v a_o advantageous_a thing_n to_o show_v great_a zeal_n for_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o although_o this_o make_v no_o change_n in_o the_o thing_n itself_o truth_n not_o depend_v upon_o the_o interest_n one_o have_v or_o have_v not_o to_o defend_v it_o yet_o the_o incredulous_a be_v sure_a to_o take_v a_o occasion_n from_o hence_o of_o doubt_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v endeavour_n make_v sometime_o to_o gain_v they_o over_o by_o represent_v to_o they_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o clergy_n in_o so_o many_o place_n and_o age_n but_o they_o instant_o reply_v that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o those_o man_n do_v make_v a_o profession_n of_o christianity_n since_o they_o will_v be_v great_a getter_n by_o it_o in_o so_o do_v but_o must_v lose_v infinite_o if_o they_o do_v not_o and_o indeed_o we_o must_v confess_v that_o no_o cogent_a conclusion_n can_v be_v draw_v from_o the_o example_n of_o all_o such_o as_o have_v defend_v or_o that_o now_o defend_v the_o christian_a religion_n against_o infidel_n but_o their_o reason_v be_v still_o less_o solid_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v after_o put_v it_o in_o a_o great_a light_n it_o be_v not_o well_o do_v to_o give_v those_o occasion_n of_o say_v that_o the_o defender_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n diminish_v the_o force_n of_o their_o objection_n and_o those_o who_o by_o their_o ill_a carriage_n put_v before_o they_o this_o stone_n of_o offence_n and_o stumble_v deserve_v to_o be_v reproach_v for_o it_o not_o to_o speak_v of_o revenge_v in_o this_o place_n the_o wrong_n they_o do_v to_o christianity_n moreover_o i_o have_v from_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o this_o work_n propose_v to_o myself_o not_o only_o to_o deal_v with_o such_o as_o entire_o reject_v it_o but_o with_o those_o also_o who_o seem_v to_o embrace_v it_o only_o by_o half_n let_v we_o imagine_v then_o a_o cheat_a priest_n people_n but_o too_o much_o know_v in_o all_o christendom_n who_o pretend_v to_o some_o benefice_n if_o he_o have_v none_o already_o or_o aspire_v to_o a_o great_a dignity_n than_o what_o he_o possess_v he_o appear_v humble_a gentle_a moderate_a and_o kind_a he_o speak_v of_o nothing_o but_o disinterestedness_n and_o the_o vanity_n of_o all_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o this_o life_n if_o he_o have_v a_o talon_n for_o the_o pulpit_n he_o there_o principal_o show_v his_o zeal_n against_o the_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o the_o time_n nay_o he_o be_v in_o a_o fury_n against_o scandalous_a clergyman_n and_o the_o abuse_v commit_v in_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n so_o long_o complain_v of_o and_o not_o yet_o reform_v in_o a_o word_n he_o use_v all_o the_o discourse_n that_o shall_v be_v make_v in_o that_o place_n in_o order_n to_o pass_v for_o a_o honest_a man_n and_o to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v that_o have_v his_o income_n be_v great_a he_o will_v put_v they_o to_o much_o better_a use_v than_o most_o ecclesiastic_n do_v after_o act_v his_o part_n for_o some_o year_n at_o last_o he_o obtain_v his_o end_n that_o be_v a_o dignity_n and_o income_n that_o render_v he_o considerable_a in_o the_o world_n and_o in_o the_o church_n but_o than_o it_o may_v be_v say_v of_o he_o quantum_fw-la mutatus_fw-la ab_fw-la illo_fw-la for_o indeed_o he_o be_v not_o long_o to_o be_v know_v he_o be_v forthwith_o haughty_a hard-hearted_a untractable_a and_o passionate_a towards_o all_o such_o as_o he_o think_v his_o inferior_n those_o who_o be_v his_o friend_n before_o and_o upon_o who_o friendship_n too_o he_o value_v himself_o aught_o to_o be_v very_o well_o satisfy_v with_o he_o if_o he_o now_o vouchsafe_v they_o a_o look_v the_o obligation_n they_o lay_v upon_o he_o while_o he_o continue_v a_o private_a person_n and_o when_o they_o expect_v no_o return_v from_o he_o be_v quite_o lose_v he_o think_v they_o be_v all_o due_a to_o his_o merit_n and_o that_o more_o be_v owe_v he_o but_o as_o for_o himself_o he_o owe_v nothing_o to_o any_o body_n and_o do_v they_o too_o much_o honour_n when_o he_o cold_o receive_v the_o incense_n they_o be_v 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zealous_a in_o this_o affair_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o in_o one_o day_n there_o be_v find_v in_o the_o palace_n of_o sicininus_fw-la where_o there_o be_v a_o christian_a church_n a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o seven_o dead_a body_n nor_o be_v it_o a_o easy_a matter_n to_o pacify_v the_o people_n who_o for_o a_o long_a time_n have_v be_v as_o it_o be_v in_o a_o fury_n for_o my_o part_n when_o i_o consider_v the_o splendour_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o such_o as_o aim_v at_o those_o thing_n ought_v to_o oppose_v one_o another_o with_o all_o their_o may_v to_o obtain_v their_o desire_n for_o after_o they_o enjoy_v it_o they_o live_v at_o their_o ease_n they_o enrich_v themselves_o with_o the_o offering_n or_o gift_n of_o woman_n they_o ride_v in_o their_o chariot_n they_o be_v well_o clad_v and_o make_v banquet_n so_o sumptuous_a that_o they_o exceed_v the_o table_n of_o king_n this_o be_v what_o marcellinus_n write_v of_o damasus_n and_o which_o no_o 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other_o maxim_n be_v observe_v in_o our_o time_n they_o can_v be_v attribute_v to_o the_o apostle_n nor_o consequent_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n whatever_o imputation_n they_o may_v be_v liable_a to_o who_o violate_v this_o branch_n of_o charity_n relate_v to_o the_o erroneous_a for_o they_o give_v too_o great_a occasion_n of_o reflection_n yet_o these_o disadvantageous_a character_n can_v stain_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o be_v no_o way_n needful_a for_o i_o to_o prove_v that_o according_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o care_n of_o the_o spiritual_a part_n be_v incomparable_o above_o that_o of_o the_o temporal_a the_o whole_a system_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n speak_v no_o other_o language_n and_o therefore_o they_o deserve_v much_o more_o esteem_n who_o endeavour_n to_o extirpate_v infidelity_n and_o vice_n than_o they_o who_o defend_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o christianity_n for_o the_o first_o be_v 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of_o gain_n make_v they_o run_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o hazard_n all_o in_o order_n to_o be_v rich_a but_o they_o will_v not_o put_v themselves_o to_o the_o least_o inconvenience_n to_o carry_v the_o gospel_n where_o it_o be_v not_o nevertheless_o god_n command_n of_o do_v it_o to_o the_o apostle_n extend_v to_o all_o christian_n as_o i_o can_v easy_o prove_v other_o who_o seem_v more_o sensible_a of_o this_o command_n of_o christ_n do_v send_v indeed_o a_o great_a number_n of_o missionary_n whithersoever_o they_o can_v but_o without_o blame_v their_o intention_n which_o be_v undoubted_o good_a consider_v in_o general_a it_o may_v be_v just_o say_v that_o a_o great_a number_n of_o those_o missionary_n be_v not_o themselves_o master_v enough_o of_o christianity_n to_o convert_v true_a disciple_n for_o jesus_n christ_n among_o the_o heathen_n they_o frequent_o carry_v with_o they_o the_o spirit_n of_o lie_v and_o never_o gain_v those_o people_n but_o by_o impose_v upon_o they_o instead_o of_o the_o plain_a principle_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o admirable_a maxim_n of_o its_o moral_n they_o teach_v they_o a_o thousand_o useless_a not_o to_o say_v false_a thing_n and_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o vain_a or_o frivolous_a practice_n which_o have_v no_o relation_n with_o charity_n at_o all_o we_o ought_v not_o therefore_o to_o wonder_v if_o the_o gospel_n have_v not_o any_o great_a success_n see_v those_o who_o god_n have_v command_v to_o spread_v it_o either_o whole_o neglect_v this_o precept_n or_o not_o due_o perform_v it_o man_n be_v to_o be_v blame_v then_o and_o not_o god_n who_o have_v give_v they_o excellent_a law_n but_o not_o constrain_v they_o to_o obedience_n but_o unbeliever_n pretend_v that_o providence_n shall_v have_v look_v to_o this_o by_o extraordinary_a mean_n and_o not_o vain_o expect_v from_o christian_n the_o execution_n of_o those_o order_n which_o according_a to_o we_o be_v give_v so_o long_o a_o time_n since_o though_o not_o hitherto_o observe_v as_o they_o ought_v to_o this_o i_o answer_v beside_o what_o i_o have_v already_o say_v of_o god_n liberty_n to_o dispose_v of_o his_o favour_n as_o he_o please_v that_o the_o conduct_v of_o providence_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o what_o be_v past_a the_o time_n may_v come_v perhaps_o when_o divine_a worship_n shall_v be_v pay_v to_o none_o except_o the_o creator_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o no_o other_o doctrine_n be_v acknowledge_v but_o that_o of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o time_n likewise_o may_v be_v infinite_o long_o than_o what_o be_v pass_v since_o the_o creation_n and_o the_o age_n of_o ignorance_n not_o go_v but_o for_o a_o very_a few_o year_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o time_n of_o light_n so_o that_o the_o duration_n of_o god_n beneficence_n in_o this_o regard_n shall_v be_v
infinite_o more_o considerable_a than_o be_v those_o age_n wherein_o he_o seem_v to_o some_o to_o have_v neglect_v the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n the_o christian_a religion_n do_v teach_v we_o that_o one_o day_n the_o present_a state_n of_o man_n upon_o this_o earth_n shall_v be_v entire_o change_v and_o that_o they_o must_v give_v a_o account_n of_o their_o action_n to_o be_v reward_v or_o punish_v according_o but_o we_o be_v not_o inform_v when_o this_o time_n shall_v be_v and_o such_o as_o think_v it_o shall_v happen_v soon_o after_o the_o come_v of_o christ_n from_o some_o obscure_a expression_n of_o he_o or_o his_o apostle_n be_v altogether_o mistake_v as_o we_o see_v now_o he_o before_o who_o a_o thousand_o year_n be_v but_o as_o one_o day_n 30.5_o 1_o pet._n 3.8_o psal_n 30.5_o who_o anger_n endure_v but_o for_o a_o moment_n but_o in_o who_o favour_n be_v life_n may_v have_v prospect_n infinite_o more_o extend_v and_o which_o require_v a_o great_a deal_n more_o time_n we_o who_o life_n be_v short_a and_o who_o look_v upon_o the_o future_a as_o a_o thing_n not_o relate_v to_o we_o we_o i_o say_v grow_v impatient_a and_o the_o ardour_n of_o our_o desire_n make_v we_o think_v the_o time_n yet_o long_o than_o it_o be_v but_o god_n who_o change_v not_o and_o that_o see_v all_o time_n as_o present_v consider_v thing_n after_o quite_o another_o manner_n than_o we_o do_v and_o look_n upon_o all_o limit_a duration_n as_o most_o short_a we_o must_v not_o therefore_o judge_v of_o providence_n by_o that_o small_a time_n which_o be_v pass_v since_o the_o creation_n see_v in_o the_o eternity_n that_o follow_v it_o he_o may_v choose_v what_o space_n he_o please_v to_o bestow_v liberal_a favour_n upon_o all_o nation_n this_o indeed_o be_v but_o a_o conjecture_n but_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o it_o contain_v nothing_o except_o what_o agree_v very_o well_o with_o that_o great_a idea_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o well_o as_o our_o own_o reason_n give_v 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be_v preserve_v among_o they_o although_o the_o addition_n make_v by_o several_a of_o they_o strange_o disfigure_v it_o such_o as_o keep_v only_o to_o these_o essential_a point_n which_o be_v all_o that_o may_v be_v easy_o understand_v and_o who_o leave_v the_o rest_n to_o the_o school_n have_v a_o just_a idea_n enough_o of_o religion_n and_o can_v be_v say_v not_o to_o understand_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a to_o salvation_n the_o reproach_n of_o controvertist_n fall_v rather_o upon_o the_o preacher_n than_o upon_o those_o upright_a and_o sincere_a person_n who_o take_v of_o religion_n as_o much_o as_o they_o understand_v and_o live_v conformable_o to_o their_o notion_n unbeliever_n make_v another_o objection_n against_o religion_n which_o at_o first_o sight_n appear_v difficult_a to_o answer_v and_o it_o be_v that_o the_o most_o clear_a and_o essential_a precept_n of_o christianity_n be_v very_o little_o observe_v among_o christian_n whence_o the_o incredulous_a infer_v that_o it_o have_v not_o a_o sufficient_a influence_n upon_o man_n life_n for_o a_o religion_n maintain_v to_o be_v reveal_v from_o god_n and_o that_o consequent_o it_o be_v not_o original_o divine_a this_o consequence_n be_v very_o false_a as_o i_o shall_v show_v but_o i_o think_v it_o material_a before_o i_o do_v this_o to_o enlarge_v a_o little_a upon_o the_o disorder_n of_o christianity_n because_o in_o effect_v the_o best_a answer_n we_o can_v make_v to_o unbeliever_n and_o the_o proper_a to_o get_v they_o over_o to_o we_o be_v to_o acknowledge_v frank_o that_o we_o be_v great_o to_o blame_v in_o not_o better_o observe_v the_o command_v of_o christ_n and_o to_o endeavour_v for_o the_o future_a to_o reform_v our_o manner_n whereas_o the_o christian_a religion_n oblige_v we_o to_o think_v frequent_o of_o god_n to_o wean_v we_o from_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o life_n and_o to_o teach_v we_o our_o duty_n contain_v in_o his_o law_n that_o we_o may_v obey_v they_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a reward_n and_o terrible_a punishment_n annex_v to_o they_o the_o quite_o contrary_a be_v common_o practise_v among_o christian_n god_n be_v rare_o think_v of_o and_o christian_n be_v almost_o as_o much_o blind_a and_o possess_v with_o avarice_n ambition_n or_o the_o love_n of_o pleasure_n as_o those_o people_n to_o who_o the_o gospel_n be_v unknown_a although_o there_o be_v some_o difference_n as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o give_a themselves_o up_o to_o these_o passion_n there_o be_v a_o diversity_n i_o grant_v in_o their_o custom_n but_o the_o three_o passion_n i_o name_v be_v the_o soul_n of_o almost_o all_o christian_n action_n as_o well_o as_o of_o those_o of_o the_o heathen_n man_n be_v as_o much_o intoxicate_v among_o we_o with_o the_o vanity_n of_o this_o life_n as_o among_o they_o and_o the_o pride_n or_o insolence_n of_o riches_n be_v not_o much_o less_o in_o europe_n than_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o asia_n christian_n study_v the_o art_n of_o satisfy_v their_o passion_n and_o apply_v themselves_o so_o whole_o to_o it_o as_o if_o god_n have_v promise_v eternal_a happiness_n to_o they_o for_o so_o do_v and_o threaten_v those_o with_o damnation_n that_o will_v spend_v their_o time_n in_o the_o study_n of_o his_o will_n or_o regulate_v their_o manner_n according_a to_o his_o law_n it_o be_v true_a that_o they_o spend_v some_o time_n at_o church_n that_o they_o say_v some_o prayer_n and_o read_v some_o pious_a book_n but_o be_v this_o time_n to_o be_v compare_v with_o that_o which_o be_v spend_v in_o thing_n they_o may_v very_o well_o be_v without_o or_o not_o to_o mention_v the_o time_n will_v they_o say_v that_o they_o be_v more_o desirous_a to_o be_v instruct_v in_o their_o duty_n and_o to_o practice_v they_o than_o to_o grow_v rich_a or_o satisfy_v some_o other_o passion_n do_v they_o for_o example_n understand_v the_o moral_n of_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o the_o cunning_a part_n of_o traffic_n and_o speak_v of_o the_o former_a with_o as_o great_a a_o pleasure_n as_o those_o who_o follow_v trade_n speak_v of_o the_o latter_a yet_o it_o shall_v be_v otherwise_o see_v man_n shall_v not_o be_v save_v because_o they_o be_v industrious_a merchant_n but_o because_o they_o know_v and_o practise_v christianity_n well_o the_o same_o may_v be_v say_v of_o some_o other_o profession_n wherein_o christian_n spend_v all_o their_o life_n can_v many_o of_o they_o say_v sincere_o that_o they_o have_v rather_o have_v their_o mind_n full_a of_o knowledge_n and_o their_o heart_n incline_v to_o obey_v the_o gospel_n and_o be_v poor_a despise_v hate_a and_o miserable_a than_o to_o be_v rich_a esteem_v and_o have_v but_o a_o small_a knowledge_n of_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v it_o as_o it_o be_v common_o do_v notwithstanding_o this_o lamentable_a disposition_n they_o profess_v to_o live_v like_o honest_a man_n they_o put_v on_o the_o outside_n and_o as_o it_o be_v the_o garment_n of_o religion_n but_o they_o unlucky_o stop_v there_o and_o the_o conduct_n of_o their_o life_n contradict_v as_o i_o have_v show_v their_o profession_n they_o common_o behave_v themselves_o as_o if_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v whole_o shut_v up_o within_o the_o wall_n of_o church_n and_o consist_v only_o in_o some_o outward_a practice_n whereas_o the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o that_o what_o religion_n next_o to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n require_v from_o we_o chief_o consist_v in_o our_o manner_n of_o live_v and_o converse_v with_o other_o men._n if_o we_o examine_v somewhat_o careful_o the_o public_a behaviour_n of_o most_o christian_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n that_o they_o observe_v no_o rule_n of_o justice_n among_o themselves_o but_o inasmuch_o as_o it_o agree_v with_o their_o private_a interest_n if_o they_o be_v the_o better_a for_o break_v the_o rule_n of_o justice_n that_o be_v if_o the_o do_v of_o it_o will_v prove_v advantageous_a
to_o they_o and_o they_o neither_o endanger_v their_o reputation_n nor_o expose_v themselves_o to_o the_o severity_n of_o the_o law_n for_o so_o do_v they_o never_o fail_v to_o break_v they_o they_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o any_o fraud_n and_o cheat_n provide_v they_o be_v not_o sue_v for_o it_o and_o their_o reputation_n be_v not_o so_o blemish_v as_o to_o do_v they_o some_o prejudice_n in_o the_o world_n they_o common_o call_v a_o honest_a man_n a_o man_n who_o can_v be_v punish_v by_o the_o law_n and_o live_v not_o worse_a than_o other_o according_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n he_o be_v in_o a_o good_a man_n according_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o the_o vulgar_a be_v a_o man_n who_o keep_v a_o better_o outside_o with_o respect_n to_o what_o we_o call_v piety_n that_o be_v with_o respect_n to_o public_a exercise_n the_o frequent_v whereof_o be_v a_o very_a equivocal_a sign_n of_o a_o good_a inward_a disposition_n we_o see_v every_o minute_n some_o man_n careful_a of_o that_o sort_n of_o duty_n and_o who_o seem_v to_o be_v pious_a man_n by_o their_o discourse_n but_o nevertheless_o they_o be_v as_o greedy_a and_o unjust_a as_o those_o who_o profess_v no_o virtue_n if_o we_o examine_v thorough_o those_o good_a and_o honest_a man_n we_o shall_v see_v very_o often_o that_o we_o be_v only_o behold_v to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n for_o their_o outward_a and_o seem_a virtue_n and_o not_o at_o all_o to_o the_o gospel_n which_o they_o know_v but_o very_o imperfect_o and_o observe_v but_o as_o far_o as_o it_o serve_v their_o end_n if_o justice_n be_v so_o general_o violate_v what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o charity_n which_o go_v much_o far_a do_v we_o see_v many_o people_n who_o concern_v themselves_o in_o the_o reputation_n of_o their_o neighbour_n as_o in_o their_o own_o be_v they_o slow_a and_o reserve_v in_o judge_v of_o they_o do_v they_o not_o present_o pass_v a_o ill_a sentence_n upon_o they_o without_o mind_v the_o wrong_n it_o may_v do_v they_o on_o the_o contrary_a have_v they_o not_o much_o ado_n to_o have_v a_o good_a opinion_n of_o they_o their_o judgement_n of_o the_o sentiment_n of_o those_o who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o christian_a society_n be_v most_o unjust_a they_o damn_v they_o without_o any_o more_o ado_n without_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o their_o manner_n or_o understand_v their_o opinion_n and_o then_o they_o do_v they_o all_o the_o harm_n they_o can_v in_o this_o life_n nay_o such_o a_o conduct_n so_o contrary_a to_o charity_n be_v account_v zeal_n and_o devotion_n and_o christian_n fancy_n who_o will_v believe_v it_o be_v it_o not_o to_o be_v see_v every_o day_n that_o they_o shall_v inherit_v heaven_n by_o cruel_o tear_v and_o persecute_v their_o neighbour_n meekness_n and_o charity_n so_o often_o mention_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v look_v upon_o by_o those_o false_a zealot_n as_o indifferency_n to_o any_o religion_n and_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v fury_n and_o cruelty_n be_v the_o only_a character_n of_o a_o good_a christian_n those_o who_o shall_v teach_v other_o to_o be_v modest_a in_o their_o judgement_n of_o their_o neighbour_n and_o the_o doctrine_n they_o understand_v not_o which_o be_v duty_n humanity_n shall_v teach_v we_o spend_v their_o life_n in_o exasperate_a ignorant_a people_n by_o their_o public_a and_o private_a discourse_n against_o other_o christian_n and_o be_v as_o good_a pattern_n of_o judge_v rash_o and_o persecute_v without_o any_o pity_n as_o they_o be_v ill_a example_n of_o live_v like_o christian_n as_o for_o the_o other_o temporal_a interest_n of_o our_o neighbour_n how_o few_o be_v they_o i_o will_v not_o say_v who_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o their_o own_o as_o they_o shall_v according_a to_o the_o gospel_n but_o who_o endeavour_n to_o procure_v they_o as_o they_o may_v without_o prejudice_v themselves_o it_o seem_v that_o provide_v we_o live_v well_o and_o have_v nothing_o to_o fear_v for_o ourselves_o it_o be_v no_o matter_n whether_o other_o groan_n for_o example_n under_o excessive_a labour_n to_o earn_v what_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o they_o and_o live_v in_o the_o fear_n of_o beg_v by_o the_o first_o misfortune_n that_o befall_v they_o other_o may_v be_v without_o any_o thing_n but_o we_o must_v want_v nothing_o there_o be_v no_o reward_n too_o little_a for_o they_o and_o no_o profit_n too_o great_a for_o we_o it_o be_v enough_o if_o they_o do_v starve_v but_o as_o for_o we_o no_o riches_n can_v be_v too_o vast_a in_o many_o place_n a_o man_n be_v account_v even_o a_o person_n of_o exemplary_a virtue_n when_o he_o endeavour_v not_o to_o hurt_v his_o neighbour_n though_o he_o do_v he_o no_o good_a be_v nevertheless_o able_a to_o help_v he_o without_o prejudice_v himself_o charity_n among_o that_o sort_n of_o man_n be_v if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o but_o a_o negative_a virtue_n which_o consist_v in_o do_v no_o harm_n not_o in_o do_v good_a and_o eager_o promote_a our_o neighbour_n interest_n as_o the_o gospel_n command_v it_o be_v extreme_o difficult_a for_o these_o man_n to_o part_n with_o their_o indolence_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o who_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o they_o when_o it_o be_v not_o their_o interest_n but_o the_o least_o thing_n be_v sufficient_a to_o engage_v they_o to_o act_v against_o their_o neighbour_n or_o at_o least_o to_o do_v nothing_o for_o they_o if_o we_o consider_v the_o other_o part_n of_o charity_n which_o concern_v the_o poor_a who_o want_v our_o alm_n how_o many_o be_v they_o i_o will_v not_o say_v who_o deprive_v themselves_o of_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o they_o or_o give_v away_o their_o overplus_n but_o who_o keep_v any_o proportion_n between_o their_o vain_a or_o foolish_a expense_n and_o their_o alms._n if_o among_o christian_n we_o look_v for_o the_o virtue_n we_o owe_v if_o i_o may_v say_v so_o to_o ourselves_o such_o as_o modesty_n or_o humility_n abstinence_n from_o unlawful_a pleasure_n patience_n in_o adversity_n i_o doubt_v whether_o we_o shall_v find_v more_o of_o they_o than_o among_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_a or_o modern_a heathen_n provide_v we_o be_v willing_a to_o do_v justice_n to_o both_o however_o it_o be_v certain_a at_o least_o that_o they_o be_v very_o scarce_o especial_o in_o a_o eminent_a degree_n nay_o it_o often_o fall_v out_o that_o those_o who_o pretend_v to_o those_o virtue_n more_o than_o other_o be_v mere_a hypocrite_n as_o one_o may_v easy_o observe_v if_o their_o whole_a behaviour_n be_v careful_o examine_v humility_n or_o modesty_n hinder_v they_o not_o from_o hunt_v after_o preferment_n which_o they_o be_v not_o fit_a for_o from_o make_v extraordinary_a expense_n when_o they_o have_v get_v they_o nor_o from_o treat_v man_n contemptuous_o who_o virtue_n and_o talent_n shine_v infinite_o above_o they_o abstinence_n from_o pleasure_n hinder_v they_o not_o from_o enjoy_v at_o least_o all_o the_o convenience_n and_o when_o they_o can_v all_o the_o delight_n of_o this_o life_n whilst_o they_o preach_v frugality_n to_o other_o they_o will_v do_v or_o be_v ready_a to_o do_v any_o thing_n rather_o than_o lose_v the_o favour_n of_o those_o who_o give_v they_o or_o keep_v they_o in_o the_o employment_n they_o enjoy_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o their_o virtue_n consist_v in_o do_v nothing_o but_o what_o will_v please_v the_o multitude_n and_o if_o they_o be_v afraid_a to_o be_v censure_v for_o have_v perform_v one_o of_o their_o christian_a duty_n or_o to_o draw_v hatred_n on_o themselves_o by_o practise_v it_o we_o must_v not_o expect_v to_o see_v they_o prefer_v obedience_n to_o god_n commandment_n to_o the_o reputation_n they_o endeavour_v to_o get_v or_o keep_v among_o men._n the_o rest_n of_o christian_n do_v the_o like_a not_o to_o make_v their_o ruler_n ashamed_a six_o the_o unbeliever_n who_o compare_v the_o christian_a moral_n with_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o christian_n say_v they_o can_v believe_v that_o those_o moral_n be_v reveal_v by_o god_n see_v the_o effect_n of_o they_o be_v so_o inconsiderable_a they_o say_v they_o can_v apprehend_v that_o a_o religion_n reveal_v as_o we_o affirm_v for_o the_o good_a and_o happiness_n of_o mankind_n and_o so_o excellent_a above_o all_o other_o make_v not_o a_o great_a alteration_n in_o the_o world_n in_o what_o concern_v good_a manner_n but_o if_o they_o have_v reflect_v enough_o upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o the_o state_n of_o europe_n and_o asia_n before_o it_o be_v establish_v they_o will_v spare_v that_o objection_n they_o shall_v remember_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n contain_v some_o law_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v which_o though_o admirable_a in_o themselves_o force_v no_o body_n to_o observe_v they_o that_o there_o may_v be_v room_n for_o reward_n and_o punishment_n so_o that_o we_o must_v not_o wonder_v if_o they_o be_v
system_n of_o divinity_n which_o raise_v great_a difficulty_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o those_o who_o read_v or_o hear_v talk_v of_o they_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o man_n of_o sagacity_n and_o penetration_n propose_v some_o doubt_n to_o divine_n nay_o according_a to_o the_o supposition_n of_o every_o christian_a society_n viz._n that_o all_o other_o err_v in_o something_o it_o can_v be_v wonder_v at_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o unbeliever_n offer_v some_o objection_n to_o divine_n which_o they_o can_v resolve_v according_a to_o their_o hypothesis_n or_o which_o they_o resolve_v by_o contradict_v themselves_o divine_n upbraid_v one_o another_o with_o it_o let_v we_o therefore_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n not_o altogether_o ignorant_a observe_v in_o the_o society_n in_o which_o he_o be_v bear_v that_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o some_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v explain_v be_v subject_a to_o great_a difficulty_n or_o be_v altogether_o false_a let_v we_o 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better_a it_o be_v know_v when_o man_n know_v nothing_o better_o about_o the_o subject_a in_o question_n and_o have_v not_o penetration_n and_o learning_n enough_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n of_o themselves_o they_o can_v hardly_o forbear_v doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n because_o they_o present_o suspect_v that_o the_o other_o part_n of_o divinity_n which_o they_o have_v not_o examine_v be_v not_o better_o and_o observe_v that_o the_o same_o doctrine_n whereof_o they_o have_v find_v out_o the_o falsity_n be_v account_v as_o essential_a as_o other_o but_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o that_o a_o man_n take_v up_o with_o other_o business_n and_o who_o have_v no_o time_n to_o spare_v for_o such_o a_o examination_n as_o there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o come_v to_o read_v book_n of_o controversy_n write_v by_o ingenious_a man_n of_o both_o side_n he_o will_v often_o perceive_v that_o both_o party_n attack_v very_o well_o and_o defend_v themselves_o ill_a that_o man_n will_v conclude_v from_o 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that_o i_o do_v follow_v the_o particular_a opinion_n which_o prevail_v in_o those_o place_n there_o be_v i_o say_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o man_n in_o the_o same_o case_n as_o i_o have_v describe_v they_o see_v some_o opinion_n manifest_o false_a establish_v in_o those_o vast_a country_n by_o a_o public_a authority_n if_o they_o offer_v any_o objection_n they_o be_v pitiful_o resolve_v and_o than_o if_o they_o dare_v reply_v any_o thing_n they_o be_v overwhelm_v with_o censure_n and_o threaten_n not_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v send_v to_o the_o inquisition_n and_o burn_v if_o they_o grow_v obstinate_a nevertheless_o divine_v maintain_v those_o doctrine_n though_o evident_o false_a with_o great_a heat_n they_o make_v use_v of_o all_o their_o wit_n and_o eloquence_n to_o prove_v they_o many_o layman_n who_o want_v not_o penetration_n but_o know_v no_o better_o think_v that_o indeed_o this_o be_v the_o christian_a religion_n and_o because_o they_o distinct_o apprehend_v the_o falsity_n of_o what_o be_v say_v they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o religion_n be_v not_o true_a other_o add_v to_o their_o meditation_n the_o read_n of_o some_o controversial_a book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n and_o protestant_n author_n and_o they_o see_v that_o the_o latter_a altogether_o destroy_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o right_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o they_o be_v false_a and_o the_o utmost_a endeavour_n of_o their_o teacher_n can_v free_v they_o from_o that_o opinion_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o often_o find_v some_o book_n of_o roman_n catholic_n author_n who_o attack_z well_o enough_o some_o particular_a opinion_n of_o certain_a protestant_n and_o those_o protestant_n be_v as_o unlucky_a in_o defend_v their_o own_o opinion_n as_o they_o be_v successful_a in_o assault_v those_o of_o the_o roman_a catholic_n they_o also_o think_v that_o those_o protestant_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o because_o their_o examination_n reach_v not_o to_o all_o the_o sect_n separate_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n they_o confound_v they_o one_o with_o another_o and_o condemn_v they_o alike_o so_o that_o at_o last_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o truth_n be_v to_o be_v find_v no_o where_o beside_o other_o motive_n which_o may_v confirm_v they_o in_o those_o thought_n and_o which_o i_o have_v already_o mention_v they_o see_v two_o thing_n which_o affect_v they_o so_o much_o that_o they_o retain_v their_o opinion_n for_o ever_o if_o no_o better_a book_n come_v into_o their_o hand_n or_o if_o no_o body_n free_v they_o from_o the_o doubt_n they_o be_v in_o the_o first_o be_v that_o it_o clear_o appear_v that_o it_o be_v the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o divine_n to_o maintain_v those_o doctrine_n those_o who_o assert_v they_o with_o heat_n and_o declaim_v with_o the_o great_a violence_n against_o other_o christian_a society_n be_v prefer_v and_o get_v the_o most_o considerable_a dignity_n of_o the_o party_n they_o be_v in_o on_o the_o contrary_a if_o any_o one_o seem_v to_o be_v modest_a and_o think_v himself_o oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o be_v moderate_a towards_o those_o who_o be_v call_v heretic_n or_o heterodox_n he_o must_v needs_o be_v very_o much_o favour_v if_o he_o be_v not_o exclude_v for_o ever_o from_o all_o sort_n of_o employment_n and_o ruin_v not_o himself_o in_o some_o place_n that_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v altogether_o undo_v and_o almost_o every_o where_n if_o any_o intimate_v that_o he_o approve_v not_o all_o the_o opinion_n of_o the_o party_n he_o be_v in_o though_o he_o do_v it_o never_o so_o modest_o they_o show_v he_o no_o pity_n he_o must_v suffer_v whatever_o hatred_n and_o cruelty_n can_v do_v when_o they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o pretence_n of_o religion_n the_o second_o thing_n that_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o disposition_n be_v that_o divine_n will_v be_v judge_n and_o party_n in_o controvert_v doctrine_n against_o the_o clear_a principle_n of_o equity_n though_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a that_o it_o be_v their_o interest_n to_o favour_v one_o of_o the_o party_n though_o their_o decision_n be_v never_o so_o unreasonable_a and_o unsatisfactory_a they_o must_v be_v submit_v to_o because_o they_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o good_a and_o solid_a nay_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v the_o book_n of_o their_o adversary_n ought-not_a to_o be_v read_v or_o those_o who_o read_v they_o aught_o to_o do_v it_o with_o a_o design_n of_o not_o approve_v their_o argument_n otherwise_o they_o must_v undergo_v the_o condemnation_n of_o their_o party_n unbeliever_n who_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o several_a particular_a doctrine_n and_o observe_v that_o they_o be_v maintain_v out_o of_o a_o worldly_a interest_n and_o by_o unjust_a and_o violent_a mean_n conclude_v that_o divine_n and_o consequent_o all_o christian_n be_v factious_a people_n and_o enemy_n to_o truth_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o other_o
religion_n which_o be_v see_v in_o the_o world_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o these_o be_v most_o violent_a prejudices_fw-la against_o some_o christian_a society_n but_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o show_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o involve_v all_o christianity_n in_o general_n first_o unbeliever_n can_v suppose_v without_o examination_n as_o they_o do_v on_o this_o occasion_n that_o the_o notion_n man_n have_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o their_o country_n or_o that_o of_o some_o divine_n who_o they_o have_v read_v be_v real_o the_o same_o with_o that_o of_o its_o founder_n some_o alteration_n may_v have_v by_o degree_n creep_v into_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o christian_n who_o they_o know_v and_o so_o it_o may_v be_v very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n no_o body_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o contrary_a without_o go_v to_o the_o source_n to_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o stream_n which_o be_v say_v to_o flow_v from_o it_o that_o 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principle_n of_o motion_n whatever_o it_o be_v produces_z motion_n in_o matter_n out_o of_o nothing_o that_o be_v to_o say_v be_v able_a to_o move_v without_o have_v the_o imperfection_n of_o actual_a motion_n he_o make_v motion_n to_o begin_v to_o exist_v in_o matter_n which_o before_o be_v in_o the_o state_n of_o rest_n this_o be_v a_o fact_n which_o can_v be_v doubt_v of_o see_v motion_n exist_v and_o matter_n be_v not_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o but_o it_o be_v not_o know_v how_o a_o be_v uncapable_a of_o motion_n see_v it_o be_v not_o material_a can_v produce_v it_o in_o matter_n if_o any_o one_o shall_v say_v that_o motion_n be_v eternal_a because_o he_o can_v apprehend_v how_o it_o can_v have_v a_o beginning_n he_o may_v be_v refer_v to_o experience_n which_o teach_v we_o that_o we_o move_v our_o arm_n and_o foot_n when_o we_o please_v after_o they_o have_v be_v at_o rest_n though_o we_o do_v know_v how_o it_o be_v do_v i_o know_v some_o philosopher_n say_v that_o we_o only_o 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can_v easy_o show_v but_o it_o be_v especial_o necessary_a to_o the_o jew_n at_o that_o time_n the_o persecution_n of_o their_o neighbour_n or_o their_o own_o dissension_n have_v reduce_v they_o to_o a_o miserable_a condition_n and_o the_o temporal_a promise_n of_o the_o law_n be_v no_o more_o fulfil_v which_o make_v even_o good_a man_n murmur_v and_o the_o learned_a man_n of_o that_o time_n be_v not_o at_o all_o able_a to_o hinder_v it_o as_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o author_n of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o solomon_n and_o ecclesiasticus_fw-la who_o be_v strange_o perplex_v with_o this_o question_n etc._n question_n see_v wisdom_n ch_n 4_o &_o 5_o etc._n etc._n why_o wicked_a man_n be_v often_o very_o happy_a in_o this_o life_n and_o those_o that_o keep_v the_o law_n very_o miserable_a that_o question_n can_v not_o be_v otherways_o answer_v than_o by_o say_v that_o god_n be_v not_o willing_a that_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n shall_v last_v long_o cease_v to_o grant_v to_o the_o 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mankind_n but_o this_o they_o can_v not_o expect_v if_o they_o be_v never_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o state_n wherein_o those_o nation_n subject_a to_o the_o roman_a empire_n then_o be_v the_o jew_n be_v so_o addict_v to_o their_o tradition_n and_o ceremony_n and_o beside_o so_o time_n so_o see_v josephus_n in_o the_o history_n of_o that_o time_n corrupt_a in_o their_o manner_n that_o there_o be_v no_o likelihood_n of_o free_v they_o from_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o vice_n the_o roman_n and_o grecian_n be_v either_o atheist_n or_o superstitious_a and_o general_o so_o give_v to_o their_o pleasure_n so_o covetous_a and_o ambitious_a that_o the_o small_a number_n of_o those_o who_o have_v not_o lose_v all_o sense_n etc._n sense_n vid._n sallust_n in_o bel._n catiline_n senecam_fw-la ep._n 7._o quaest_n nat._n lib._n 4._o praefat._n &_o passim_fw-la juvenal_n persium_n etc._n etc._n of_o virtue_n speak_v with_o horror_n and_o detestation_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o time_n the_o history_n of_o both_o represent_v to_o we_o in_o the_o event_n of_o that_o time_n a_o image_n of_o the_o most_o horrible_a corruption_n that_o ever_o be_v if_o we_o judge_v of_o it_o according_a to_o the_o gospel-notion_n after_o what_o have_v be_v say_v can_v any_o man_n fancy_n that_o the_o apostle_n hope_v to_o get_v their_o opinion_n embrace_v by_o most_o of_o those_o who_o live_v in_o their_o time_n how_o can_v they_o expect_v that_o man_n so_o blind_v by_o their_o passion_n and_o harden_v in_o their_o crime_n will_v ever_o embrace_v opinion_n that_o be_v altogether_o contrary_a to_o they_o indeed_o the_o apostle_n open_o say_v after_o their_o master_n that_o they_o expect_v not_o a_o great_a number_n of_o man_n will_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n in_o proportion_n to_o those_o who_o shall_v remain_v in_o their_o unbelief_n but_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n simplicity_n have_v make_v they_o hope_n to_o convert_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n experience_n will_v have_v soon_o undeceive_v they_o see_v after_o have_v preach_v during_o many_o year_n they_o be_v oblige_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o they_o have_v convert_v but_o few_o people_n the_o roman_a history_n plain_o teach_v we_o that_o during_o three_o hundred_o year_n after_o the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n the_o number_n of_o christian_n be_v far_o less_o than_o that_o of_o heathen_n in_o the_o roman_a empire_n thus_o the_o apostle_n be_v necessary_o expose_v to_o a_o cruel_a persecution_n during_o their_o whole_a life_n be_v despise_v and_o hate_v by_o the_o jew_n and_o heathen_n alike_o they_o can_v have_v no_o reward_n that_o may_v be_v compare_v with_o their_o labour_n and_o the_o danger_n they_o be_v in_o every_o minute_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o 15.19_o they_o 1_o cor._n 15.19_o themselves_o say_v they_o expect_v all_o sort_n of_o misery_n in_o this_o life_n they_o be_v not_o mistake_v see_v after_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o suffering_n they_o be_v cruel_o put_v to_o death_n maintain_v still_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v preach_v 5._o preach_v §._o 5._o it_o be_v out_o of_o a_o unjust_a envy_n say_v clemens_n who_o i_o have_v cite_v already_o that_o peter_n suffer_v not_o one_o or_o two_o but_o several_a pain_n and_o have_v undergo_v martyrdom_n be_v go_v into_o the_o place_n of_o glory_n which_o be_v due_a to_o he_o it_o be_v out_o of_o envy_n that_o paul_n get_v the_o price_n of_o patience_n have_v be_v put_v seven_o time_n in_o iron_n whip_v and_o stone_v be_v the_o herald_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o east_n and_o west_n he_o make_v his_o faith_n famous_a have_v teach_v the_o whole_a world_n justice_n and_o be_v come_v to_o the_o extremity_n of_o the_o west_n when_o he_o have_v suffer_v martyrdom_n before_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o state_n he_o go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n that_o event_n of_o the_o apostle_n preach_v destroy_v altogether_o the_o second_o thing_n on_o which_o the_o suspicion_n of_o their_o want_n of_o sincerity_n may_v have_v be_v ground_v if_o they_o be_v esteem_v by_o a_o small_a number_n of_o man_n 1.26_o man_n see_v 1_o cor._n 1.26_o most_o of_o they_o of_o a_o low_a condition_n they_o be_v despise_v by_o the_o rest_n of_o man_n jew_n and_o heathen_n ill-treated_n and_o persecute_v suffer_v a_o extreme_a poverty_n and_o at_o last_o die_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o public_a executioner_n as_o i_o have_v show_v by_o clemens_n word_n and_o as_o all_o their_o other_o disciple_n affirm_v it_o one_o of_o the_o apostle_n teach_v we_o the_o same_o thing_n when_o he_o say_v in_o one_o of_o his_o epistle_n 4.11_o epistle_n 1_o cor._n 4.11_o unto_o this_o present_a hour_n we_o both_o hunger_n and_o thirst_n and_o be_v naked_a and_o be_v buffet_v and_o have_v no_o certain_a dwelling-place_n and_o labour_n work_v with_o our_o own_o hand_n 15.19_o hand_n ib._n c._n 15.19_o if_o in_o this_o life_n only_o we_o have_v hope_n we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n most_o miserable_a certain_o no_o man_n of_o sense_n will_v become_v the_o execration_n of_o most_o man_n by_o maintain_v a_o forgery_n to_o be_v esteem_v by_o some_o few_o who_o have_v no_o credit_n or_o reputation_n nor_o will_v he_o be_v 4.9_o be_v ib._n c._n 4.9_o deal_v with_o as_o those_o that_o be_v appoint_v to_o death_n in_o the_o amphitheatre_n to_o be_v a_o spectate_v to_o the_o people_n a_o man_n may_v be_v move_v with_o the_o desire_n of_o glory_n when_o he_o consider_v that_o most_o of_o those_o among_o who_o he_o live_v will_v applaud_v he_o but_o no_o body_n ever_o think_v fit_a to_o expose_v himself_o to_o long-suffering_n and_o at_o last_o to_o a_o cruel_a and_o shameful_a death_n only_o to_o be_v esteem_v by_o very_a few_o man_n and_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o a_o impious_a or_o mad_a man_n by_o the_o great_a part_n of_o those_o among_o who_o he_o live_v 7._o the_o truth_n of_o those_o fact_n can_v be_v deny_v viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n have_v preach_v the_o doctrine_n we_o read_v in_o their_o book_n which_o christian_n profess_v still_o under_o the_o empire_n of_o tiberius_n and_o some_o follow_a emperor_n that_o they_o live_v in_o sorrow_n and_o affliction_n and_o at_o last_o some_o of_o they_o be_v put_v to_o a_o cruel_a death_n maintain_v the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v during_o many_o year_n if_o we_o suspect_v that_o the_o apostle_n live_v after_o a_o voluptuous_a manner_n and_o altogether_o contrary_a to_o the_o moral_n they_o preach_v we_o shall_v doubt_v of_o the_o testimony_n of_o their_o first_o disciple_n who_o in_o imitation_n of_o their_o master_n as_o they_o themselves_o say_v have_v courageous_o expose_v themselves_o to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o suffering_n without_o get_v any_o advantage_n by_o it_o in_o this_o life_n 6._o life_n §._o 6._o to_o those_o man_n say_v clemens_n speak_v of_o st._n peter_n and_o st._n paul_n who_o live_v after_o a_o divine_a manner_n a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o elect_a be_v join_v who_o have_v undergo_v several_a torment_n be_v a_o most_o noble_a example_n among_o we_o it_o will_v be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a absurdity_n to_o say_v that_o the_o apostle_n preach_v that_o man_n must_v suffer_v for_o religion_n exhort_v they_o to_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o manner_n of_o virtue_n and_o yet_o live_v at_o ease_n without_o care_v to_o practice_v the_o precept_n they_o give_v to_o other_o but_o as_o far_o as_o it_o may_v serve_v to_o cheat_v the_o world_n make_v a_o great_a number_n of_o disciple_n not_o only_o sincere_a imitator_n of_o the_o seem_a virtue_n of_o their_o master_n but_o ready_a to_o die_v and_o who_o real_o die_v for_o a_o doctrine_n for_o which_o those_o of_o who_o they_o learn_v it_o will_v suffer_v nothing_o one_o may_v easy_o conceive_v that_o some_o seduce_v person_n may_v be_v as_o strong_o persuade_v of_o a_o lie_n as_o we_o be_v of_o the_o most_o evident_a truth_n and_o do_v consequent_o to_o maintain_v a_o falsehood_n whatever_o the_o most_o resolute_a man_n can_v do_v for_o the_o most_o important_a truth_n but_o one_o can_v apprehend_v that_o man_n who_o have_v imbibe_v from_o their_o childhood_n some_o opinion_n altogether_o contrary_a to_o those_o of_o the_o apostle_n suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v so_o that_o after_o they_o embrace_v their_o doctrine_n they_o suffer_v the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n for_o it_o though_o they_o never_o see_v their_o master_n suffer_v any_o thing_n for_o it_o but_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o passage_n i_o have_v quote_v out_o of_o tacitus_n that_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o christianity_n a_o great_a many_o people_n declare_v themselves_o christian_n though_o they_o see_v that_o the_o public_a profession_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n shall_v expose_v they_o to_o the_o punishment_n inflict_v upon_o incendiary_n it_o appear_v also_o from_o pliny_n that_o some_o
a_o treatise_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n wherein_o be_v examine_v the_o general_a motive_n and_o occasion_n which_o dispose_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n with_o two_o letter_n contain_v a_o direct_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n translate_v fròm_v the_o french_a of_o mounseur_fw-fr le_z clerc_n london_n print_v for_o awnsham_n and_o john_n churchill_n at_o the_o black_a swan_n in_o pater-noster-row_n mdcxcvii_o the_o translator_n preface_n mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v a_o person_n so_o well_o know_v to_o all_o the_o learned_a world_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v think_v less_o arrogant_a than_o superfluous_a for_o i_o to_o give_v any_o character_n of_o his_o capacity_n or_o his_o write_n nor_o can_v it_o be_v say_v that_o i_o transgress_v either_o way_n in_o recommend_v the_o follow_a treatise_n for_o setting_z aside_o all_o personal_a consideration_n the_o subject_a of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o justify_v my_o undertake_n the_o study_n of_o religion_n in_o general_n be_v so_o natural_a to_o man_n that_o some_o will_v make_v this_o inclination_n to_o pass_v for_o the_o only_a essential_a distinction_n of_o our_o species_n from_o all_o other_o animal_n but_o the_o study_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o high_a importance_n since_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o be_v not_o acknowledge_v to_o be_v more_o necessary_a than_o the_o sect_n pretend_v themselves_o to_o be_v the_o only_a person_n enjoy_v that_o happiness_n be_v find_v to_o be_v different_a from_o one_o another_o in_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n this_o diversity_n join_v to_o the_o great_a number_n of_o party_n that_o lay_v their_o claim_n to_o genuine_a christianity_n exclusive_o of_o all_o the_o rest_n seem_v to_o render_v the_o discovery_n of_o the_o truth_n very_o difficult_a if_o not_o impossible_a and_o indeed_o thousand_o of_o well-meaning_a people_n have_v upon_o this_o very_a account_n give_v up_o themselves_o to_o scepticism_n and_o indifference_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n or_o which_o be_v as_o bad_a be_v content_a to_o be_v implicit_o lead_v by_o their_o teacher_n now_o that_o person_n deserve_v best_a of_o the_o world_n who_o not_o only_o make_v the_o truth_n plain_a and_o intelligible_a separate_v it_o from_o all_o the_o false_a notion_n with_o which_o it_o be_v so_o mix_v and_o overrun_v sometime_o as_o to_o endanger_v the_o entire_a ruin_n thereof_o but_o who_o likewise_o establish_v such_o a_o excellent_a method_n that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v most_o certain_a he_o be_v on_o the_o right_a side_n without_o be_v oblige_v to_o undergo_v the_o endless_a labour_n of_o examine_v every_o religion_n successive_o how_o far_o our_o author_n have_v contribute_v to_o do_v mankind_n this_o desirable_a piece_n of_o service_n the_o reader_n must_v determine_v for_o we_o pretend_v not_o to_o lead_v his_o judgement_n and_o though_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n be_v so_o modest_a as_o to_o think_v his_o own_o performance_n inferior_a to_o that_o of_o grotius_n upon_o the_o same_o subject_a i_o must_v affirm_v and_o that_o with_o all_o imaginable_a impartiality_n that_o in_o my_o opinion_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n to_o be_v make_v between_o they_o for_o be_v it_o for_o nothing_o else_o but_o that_o the_o evidence_n of_o mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n reason_n be_v obvious_a to_o man_n of_o all_o condition_n whereas_o most_o of_o the_o other_o book_n be_v not_o intelligible_a but_o to_o profound_a scholar_n as_o if_o these_o only_o have_v a_o right_n to_o the_o privilege_n of_o understand_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o religion_n this_o alone_o be_v sufficient_a to_o decide_v the_o controversy_n but_o what_o be_v more_o notwithstanding_o the_o extraordinary_a talent_n of_o grotius_n he_o be_v not_o near_o so_o great_a a_o master_n of_o the_o oriental_a language_n nor_o so_o acute_a and_o solid_a a_o philosopher_n nor_o yet_o superior_a in_o philology_n or_o history_n to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o the_o advantage_n of_o writing_n after_o he_o but_o let_v mr._n le_fw-fr clerc_n book_n speak_v for_o its_o author_n as_o for_o my_o version_n i_o shall_v detain_v the_o reader_n with_o any_o apology_n because_o it_o be_v not_o more_o correct_v or_o polite_a if_o it_o be_v faithful_a and_o intelligible_a which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v necessary_a for_o those_o who_o sincere_o study_v for_o truth_n and_o if_o i_o be_v so_o happy_a as_o to_o satisfy_v they_o i_o care_v not_o much_o for_o the_o displeasure_n of_o other_o to_o the_o reader_n it_o be_v some_o year_n since_o i_o first_o form_v a_o design_n of_o write_v upon_o the_o subject_a of_o this_o small_a piece_n which_o i_o publish_v at_o present_a and_o have_v my_o other_o occupation_n pure_o depend_v upon_o my_o own_o choice_n this_o have_v be_v perform_v long_o ago_o but_o be_v necessary_o engage_v in_o some_o other_o thing_n i_o be_v force_v to_o put_v it_o off_o till_o now_o at_o length_n have_v finish_v my_o latin_a write_n upon_o the_o pentateuch_n i_o happy_o become_v master_n of_o time_n enough_o to_o turn_v my_o application_n upon_o this_o subject_a i_o can_v free_o say_v that_o i_o never_o think_v of_o matter_n of_o this_o nature_n without_o extreme_a satisfaction_n for_o after_o what_o manner_n soever_o i_o can_v consider_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o always_o appear_v to_o i_o ground_v upon_o the_o firm_a proof_n and_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o perfect_o conformable_a to_o sound_v reason_n or_o to_o say_v all_o in_o one_o word_n worthy_a the_o creator_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n nor_o do_v i_o in_o my_o whole_a life_n labour_n with_o more_o ardour_n and_o delight_n than_o i_o do_v in_o compose_v this_o work_n wherein_o i_o have_v i_o think_v evident_o make_v out_o that_o unbeliever_n act_v against_o all_o good_a sense_n in_o refuse_v their_o assent_n to_o the_o gospel_n and_o i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o if_o they_o consider_v the_o same_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v they_o must_v necessary_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o but_o whether_o i_o be_o mistake_v or_o not_o that_o the_o world_n shall_v judge_n if_o this_o book_n have_v the_o good_a luck_n to_o meet_v with_o that_o reception_n in_o french_a which_z several_z other_o of_o this_o kind_n have_v have_v i_o may_v one_o time_n or_o other_o put_v it_o into_o latin_a and_o in_o my_o annotation_n upon_o it_o confirm_v all_o that_o i_o say_v by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o most_o ancient_a apologist_n of_o christianity_n and_o that_o too_o of_o the_o most_o consider_v heathen_n as_o the_o incomparable_a grotius_n have_v do_v in_o his_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n i_o be_o far_o indeed_o from_o equal_v my_o work_n to_o he_o nor_o do_v i_o flatter_v myself_o with_o the_o same_o success_n as_o to_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o public_a but_o if_o man_n have_v regard_v only_o to_o the_o intention_n of_o those_o that_o write_v i_o think_v i_o may_v safe_o say_v that_o none_o in_o the_o world_n have_v better_a than_o i_o nor_o be_v more_o convince_v of_o the_o goodness_n of_o that_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v to_o defend_v john_n le_fw-fr clerc_n the_o content_n of_o the_o chapter_n the_o preface_n or_o the_o design_n of_o the_o author_n in_o this_o work_n pag._n 1._o part_n i._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o spring_n from_o the_o inward_a disposition_n or_o inclination_n of_o unbeliever_n chap._n 1._o that_o it_o be_v unreasonable_a and_o unjust_a to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o disposition_n a_o man_n find_v in_o himself_o p._n 9_o chap._n 2._o that_o pride_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o assent_n be_v refuse_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n p._n 27._o chap._n 3._o that_o what_o hinder_v unbeliever_n from_o yield_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o christianity_n partly_o consist_v perhaps_o in_o mere_a prejudices_fw-la which_o all_o the_o while_n may_v be_v false_a p._n 45._o chap._n 4._o that_o many_o be_v unbeliever_n only_o because_o they_o know_v not_o how_o to_o reason_v well_o p._n 63._o chap._n 5._o that_o the_o neglect_v of_o search_v into_o truth_n be_v often_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n p._n 75._o chap._n 6._o that_o laziness_n keep_v many_o people_n in_o ignorance_n doubt_n and_o infidelity_n p._n 93._o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n p._n 107._o part_n ii_o of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n 1._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o doubt_n because_o several_a embrace_v it_o more_o out_o of_o credulity_n than_o upon_o good_a reason_n p._n 110._o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o immorality_n or_o ignorance_n of_o those_o who_o sometime_o express_v the_o
it_o will_v appear_v to_o he_o and_o the_o more_o conformable_a to_o the_o true_a interest_n of_o mankind_n by_o little_a and_o little_o will_v the_o desire_n of_o see_v his_o enemy_n cure_v of_o so_o great_a a_o imperfection_n increase_n and_o he_o will_v insensible_o rid_v himself_o of_o it_o to_o show_v they_o a_o good_a example_n at_o length_n instead_o of_o longing_n to_o revenge_v himself_o upon_o his_o enemy_n instead_o of_o make_v imprecation_n against_o they_o he_o will_v ardent_o wish_v they_o may_v become_v better_a man_n and_o will_v beg_v it_o of_o god_n in_o his_o prayer_n nay_o he_o will_v on_o his_o side_n as_o much_o as_o possible_a contribute_v towards_o it_o and_o after_o pray_v god_n as_o he_o do_v for_o himself_o that_o his_o enemy_n may_v become_v more_o virtuous_a he_o will_v wish_v they_o all_o that_o god_n be_v wont_a to_o bestow_v and_o more_o as_o much_o as_o he_o will_v desire_v it_o for_o himself_o now_o this_o it_o be_v to_o love_v our_o enemy_n for_o we_o 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of_o believe_v the_o mystery_n and_o miracle_n of_o religion_n or_o whether_o the_o dislike_n of_o its_o moral_a precept_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o incredulity_n the_o first_o be_v if_o they_o do_v believe_v many_o thing_n as_o incomprehensible_a or_o perplex_v and_o the_o second_o if_o the_o maxim_n of_o their_o moral_n be_v as_o reasonable_a as_o those_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o if_o they_o be_v not_o plain_o opposite_a to_o it_o if_o it_o happen_v that_o upon_o all_o other_o account_v they_o ready_o believe_v thing_n they_o do_v not_o comprehend_v and_o that_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o conduct_n be_v more_o than_o the_o gospel_n admit_v do_v they_o not_o give_v we_o just_a occasion_n to_o suspect_v that_o their_o ill_a habit_n be_v the_o secret_a but_o true_a cause_n of_o their_o disbelief_n of_o the_o gospel_n whatever_o they_o pretend_v there_o be_v nothing_o so_o common_a as_o to_o see_v unbeliever_n strong_o persuade_v of_o judiciary_n astrology_n and_o believe_v 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be_v not_o yet_o a_o cardinal_n have_v at_o so_o simple_a a_o discourse_n burst_v out_o a_o laugh_v have_v like_a to_o lose_v his_o favour_n by_o it_o for_o the_o cardinal_n be_v provoke_v at_o this_o mirth_n whereby_o he_o think_v mazarin_n jeer_v he_o say_v ironical_o to_o he_o that_o he_o be_v not_o monsieur_n mazarin_n who_o have_v a_o profound_a and_o exact_a knowledge_n of_o every_o thing_n mazarin_n very_o submissive_o reply_v that_o give_v the_o fifty_o pistol_n which_o the_o mountebank_n demand_v for_o teach_v his_o secret_n it_o may_v be_v see_v whether_o the_o devil_n have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o mazarin_n himself_o look_v upon_o all_o divination_n as_o foppery_n except_o astrology_n which_o he_o strong_o fancy_v though_o he_o feign_v the_o contrary_n when_o madam_n mancini_n his_o sister_n die_v and_o afterward_o the_o duchess_n of_o mercaeur_n his_o niece_n according_a to_o the_o prediction_n of_o a_o astrologer_n at_o rome_n give_v in_o write_v a_o great_a while_n 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these_o opinion_n do_v not_o regard_v the_o manner_n of_o any_o person_n be_v live_v and_o be_v not_o at_o all_o incompatible_a as_o the_o christian_a moral_n be_v with_o their_o ill_a habit_n moreover_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n will_v strict_o examine_v themselves_o and_o compare_v their_o conduct_n with_o that_o which_o the_o gospel_n prescribe_v i_o will_v own_v myself_o much_o deceive_v if_o they_o find_v it_o proof_n against_o the_o rigour_n of_o its_o precept_n julian_n of_o who_o i_o be_v speak_v have_v many_o excellent_a quality_n which_o he_o need_v not_o to_o quit_v by_o any_o mean_n have_v he_o remain_v still_o a_o christian_n and_o several_a bad_a one_o he_o have_v likewise_o which_o he_o must_v have_v rid_v himself_o of_o will_v he_o follow_v the_o moral_n of_o the_o gospel_n at_o least_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v so_o injurious_a to_o the_o christian_n as_o he_o be_v which_o appear_v by_o many_o of_o his_o letter_n from_o all_o this_o i_o conclude_v that_o notwithstanding_o whatever_o can_v be_v say_v the_o disposition_n of_o a_o person_n do_v exceed_o contribute_v to_o make_v he_o receive_v or_o reject_v christianity_n and_o that_o unbeliever_n ought_v to_o examine_v themselves_o hereupon_o to_o see_v whether_o this_o whereof_o we_o accuse_v they_o be_v not_o true_a chap._n ii_o that_o pride_n may_v be_v the_o cause_n why_o assent_n be_v not_o grant_v to_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n pride_n be_v inconsistent_a with_o a_o strong_a and_o lively_a persuasion_n that_o christianity_n be_v true_a not_o only_o because_o the_o gospel_n condemn_v it_o as_o it_o do_v all_o other_o passion_n contrary_a to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n but_o also_o because_o those_o affect_v with_o it_o find_v themselves_o dispose_v by_o a_o particular_a effect_n of_o this_o vice_n to_o reject_v unexamined_a the_o proof_n allege_v for_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n this_o be_v what_o i_o design_n to_o show_v 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on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o be_v no_o cogent_a argument_n that_o a_o thing_n be_v false_a because_o many_o people_n believe_v it_o it_o be_v certain_a notwithstanding_o that_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o the_o crowd_n a_o man_n frequent_o reject_v what_o he_o believe_v true_a for_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o because_o it_o be_v a_o vulgar_a notion_n a_o vain_a spirit_n can_v bear_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v equal_v in_o any_o thing_n to_o a_o infinite_a number_n of_o person_n who_o knowledge_n he_o believe_v inferior_a to_o his_o own_o and_o who_o mean_a inclination_n aim_v at_o nothing_o but_o what_o be_v common_a i_o be_o persuade_v that_o several_a be_v unbeliever_n because_o at_o least_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v extreme_o common_a they_o think_v it_o noble_a to_o be_v indeceive_v concern_v vulgar_a opinion_n and_o to_o look_v upon_o other_o as_o people_n that_o feed_v themselves_o upon_o chimera_n a_o man_n thus_o conceit_v of_o himself_o think_v he_o be_v elevate_v far_o above_o the_o credulous_a multitude_n which_o be_v lead_v rather_o by_o custom_n than_o guide_v by_o reason_n there_o be_v nothing_o so_o pleasant_a say_v a_o epicurean_a poet_n as_o to_o live_v in_o the_o exalt_a temple_n of_o wisdom_n where_o you_o may_v enjoy_v a_o perpetual_a calm_a and_o whence_o you_o may_v look_v down_o upon_o other_o man_n wander_v and_o scatter_a in_o their_o different_a way_n of_o live_v nil_fw-la dulcius_fw-la est_fw-la benè_fw-la quam_fw-la munita_fw-la tenere_fw-la edita_fw-la doctrinâ_fw-la sapientum_fw-la templa_fw-la serena_fw-la despicere_fw-la unde_fw-la queo_fw-la alios_fw-la passimque_fw-la videre_fw-la errare_fw-la atque_fw-la viam_fw-la palantes_fw-la quaerere_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la but_o at_o bottom_n one_o expose_v himself_o as_o i_o have_v say_v already_o as_o much_o to_o deception_n by_o contemn_v whatever_o the_o vulgar_a esteem_v for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o this_o as_o by_o blind_o embrace_v all_o 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world_n to_o make_v he_o change_v his_o mind_n the_o same_o passion_n that_o lead_v he_o into_o it_o confirm_v he_o in_o it_o insensible_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o pleasure_n wherewith_o it_o fill_v those_o who_o will_v be_v blind_v by_o it_o represent_v they_o as_o i_o say_v to_o themselves_o as_o person_n high_o elevate_v above_o the_o vulgar_a beside_o all_o this_o vain_a people_n imagine_v they_o be_v more_o clear-sighted_a than_o other_o easy_o believe_v themselves_o never_o mistake_v and_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o man_n have_v not_o the_o necessary_a sagacity_n for_o discover_v the_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o when_o any_o whereof_o they_o have_v not_o so_o good_a a_o opinion_n as_o of_o themselves_o propose_v to_o they_o sentiment_n contrary_a to_o their_o own_o they_o will_v not_o so_o much_o as_o give_v he_o the_o hear_v the_o first_o thought_n that_o offer_v itself_o then_o to_o their_o mind_n or_o if_o you_o please_v the_o sentiment_n that_o be_v awake_v in_o 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jew_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n add_v
they_o appear_v not_o over-mortifyed_a who_o be_v in_o this_o condition_n nor_o will_v i_o set_v about_o to_o show_v the_o absurdity_n of_o scepticism_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o no_o body_n stop_v at_o a_o mere_a doubt_n in_o religion_n those_o who_o say_v they_o have_v doubt_n be_v not_o content_a to_o look_v upon_o other_o as_o possible_o deceive_v but_o as_o effectual_o so_o they_o consider_v not_o themselves_o as_o person_n who_o may_v well_o be_v in_o a_o error_n but_o as_o have_v find_v the_o true_a secret_n of_o infallibility_n and_o this_o may_v be_v the_o effect_n of_o humane_a pride_n as_o much_o as_o the_o bold_a determination_n let_v they_o have_v a_o great_a care_n therefore_o and_o since_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o to_o doubt_v as_o well_o as_o to_o affirm_v out_o of_o vanity_n be_v expose_v of_o one_o self_n to_o error_n let_v they_o get_v rid_v of_o this_o fallacious_a passion_n or_o at_o least_o suspend_v the_o influence_n of_o it_o whilst_o they_o judge_v 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not_o able_a to_o do_v especial_o to_o those_o insidel_n who_o be_v advance_v in_o year_n it_o be_v injustice_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v only_o among_o infidel_n that_o man_n be_v find_v uncapable_a of_o discern_v the_o goodness_n of_o a_o argument_n and_o who_o upon_o this_o account_n reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n there_o be_v unbeliever_n among_o christian_n themselves_o who_o be_v not_o only_o such_o out_o of_o some_o disposition_n engage_v they_o against_o the_o gospel_n but_o likewise_o out_o of_o downright_a stupidity_n and_o for_o want_v of_o understand_v the_o reason_n whereupon_o christianity_n be_v ground_v there_o be_v some_o people_n who_o from_o their_o childhood_n have_v be_v bring_v up_o to_o some_o trade_n or_o other_o constant_a business_n without_o any_o care_n take_v about_o the_o form_n of_o their_o mind_n or_o even_o of_o instruct_v they_o in_o religion_n and_o who_o be_v moreover_o of_o a_o genius_n not_o very_o proper_a for_o conceive_v of_o 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not_o be_v impose_v upon_o when_o we_o meet_v with_o such_o nor_o seduce_v by_o their_o way_n chap._n v._o that_o the_o neglect_v of_o search_v into_o truth_n be_v often_o the_o cause_n of_o incredulity_n there_o be_v many_o man_n who_o have_v natural_o a_o genius_n good_a enough_o for_o abstract_a matter_n and_o that_o also_o be_v not_o whole_o neglect_v in_o their_o first_o education_n but_o who_o the_o course_n of_o their_o life_n have_v engage_v in_o occupation_n which_o have_v no_o affinity_n with_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n the_o necessary_n of_o their_o family_n or_o the_o desire_n of_o satisfy_v their_o passion_n do_v so_o take_v up_o their_o mind_n for_o several_a year_n together_o that_o they_o neglect_v all_o other_o thing_n never_o improve_v their_o natural_a part_n nor_o distinguish_v truth_n from_o falsehood_n with_o any_o application_n in_o the_o business_n of_o religion_n this_o negligence_n lead_v they_o insensible_o into_o doubt_v for_o if_o the_o connection_n of_o 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order_n to_o be_v inform_v of_o a_o thing_n of_o such_o importance_n nay_o i_o dare_v affirm_v that_o there_o be_v not_o any_o unbeliever_n who_o perceive_v not_o if_o he_o mind_v it_o that_o this_o negligence_n be_v one_o of_o the_o principal_a cause_n of_o his_o incredulity_n and_o i_o shall_v bring_v many_o proof_n of_o it_o in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o work_n now_o to_o make_v what_o i_o have_v say_v more_o evident_a i_o will_v instance_n this_o fault_n in_o other_o person_n where_o people_n may_v remark_n it_o more_o impartial_o than_o in_o themselves_o when_o christianity_n begin_v to_o make_v a_o noise_n in_o judea_n that_o be_v chief_o when_o the_o apostle_n declare_v every_o where_o the_o resurrection_n of_o their_o master_n and_o show_v that_o he_o want_v not_o faithful_a disciple_n on_o earth_n though_o he_o be_v himself_o no_o more_o there_o all_o the_o jew_n ought_v one_o will_v think_v to_o have_v inform_v themselves_o of_o what_o these_o disciple_n say_v see_v they_o be_v thing_n most_o near_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v they_o expect_v their_o messiah_n about_o that_o time_n they_o groan_v so_o heavy_o under_o the_o roman_a tyranny_n that_o they_o wish_v for_o nothing_o so_o much_o as_o liberty_n and_o they_o hope_v the_o messiah_n shall_v prove_v their_o deliverer_n in_o this_o disposition_n they_o ought_v to_o hearken_v i_o shall_v think_v to_o every_o one_o that_o speak_v to_o they_o of_o a_o messiah_n to_o get_v rid_v of_o their_o doubt_n whether_o the_o wish_a deliverer_n be_v yet_o come_v or_o not_o methinks_v too_o the_o apostle_n shall_v have_v be_v hear_v of_o all_o the_o world_n when_o they_o preach_v the_o doctrine_n and_o the_o miracle_n of_o their_o master_n especial_o his_o resurrection_n for_o indeed_o these_o miracle_n be_v so_o great_a and_o many_o that_o more_o can_v not_o be_v expect_v from_o the_o messiah_n the_o
to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o their_o dialectic_a or_o logick_n there_o be_v not_o one_o philosopher_n who_o have_v any_o reasonable_a no_o nor_o a_o probable_a hypothesis_n concern_v god_n except_o the_o platonist_n who_o accommodate_v their_o opinion_n so_o much_o to_o vulgar_a notion_n that_o by_o this_o medley_n of_o good_a and_o bad_a they_o render_v all_o the_o good_a they_o speak_v unprofitable_a and_o fruitless_a notwithstanding_o such_o as_o spend_v all_o their_o time_n to_o hear_v this_o sort_n of_o people_n do_v not_o vouchsafe_v out_o of_o a_o unpardonable_a negligence_n to_o understand_v what_o s._n paul_n say_v to_o they_o one_o will_v think_v no_o body_n can_v at_o this_o time_n of_o day_n be_v guilty_a of_o the_o like_a fault_n among_o christian_n since_o they_o general_o profess_v to_o believe_v that_o none_o can_v better_o spend_v his_o time_n than_o in_o discover_v the_o principle_n upon_o which_o christianity_n be_v ground_v but_o the_o action_n of_o christian_n not_o be_v always_o conformable_a to_o their_o belief_n it_o happen_v but_o too_o frequent_o that_o their_o course_n of_o life_n produce_v a_o effect_n quite_o contrary_a to_o what_o the_o christian_a profession_n shall_v beget_v in_o they_o although_o it_o be_v not_o say_v by_o any_o that_o it_o be_v better_a employ_v himself_o about_o any_o thing_n else_o than_o in_o the_o study_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n yet_o the_o carriage_n of_o most_o man_n be_v common_o such_o as_o if_o they_o believe_v this_o a_o man_n who_o entire_o neglect_v this_o study_n but_o due_o make_v his_o court_n to_o those_o that_o can_v advance_v he_o or_o keep_v he_o in_o his_o present_a post_n a_o man_n that_o pass_v all_o his_o life_n in_o heap_v up_o riches_n though_o he_o be_v in_o a_o profound_a ignorance_n about_o the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n this_o man_n i_o say_v be_v he_o for_o all_o this_o the_o less_o esteem_v the_o most_o understand_a person_n in_o the_o world_n but_o who_o be_v not_o respect_v for_o his_o preferment_n nor_o consider_v for_o his_o riches_n be_v he_o comparable_a to_o this_o other_o ignorant_a but_o rich_a or_o honourable_a man_n not_o at_o all_o according_a to_o the_o constant_a practice_n of_o most_o christian_n this_o practice_n cry_v much_o loud_o if_o we_o may_v speak_v so_o than_o the_o evangelical_n maxim_n it_o contradict_v and_o seem_v to_o say_v to_o those_o who_o be_v enter_v into_o the_o world_n that_o it_o concern_v they_o little_a to_o learn_v the_o reason_n of_o assent_v to_o christianity_n but_o that_o it_o be_v of_o great_a importance_n to_o obtain_v some_o employment_n or_o to_o enrich_v themselves_o to_o which_o this_o same_o christianity_n contribute_v nothing_o it_o fall_v out_o likewise_o but_o too_o often_o that_o this_o dangerous_a lesson_n be_v confirm_v by_o the_o example_n of_o many_o considerable_a person_n who_o after_o neglect_v the_o study_n of_o religion_n as_o much_o as_o they_o cultivate_v the_o art_n of_o advance_v themselves_o in_o the_o world_n or_o of_o make_v their_o fortune_n be_v nevertheless_o in_o great_a esteem_n and_o in_o such_o advantageous_a post_n that_o their_o lot_n appear_v worthy_a of_o envy_n whilst_o such_o as_o may_v inform_v other_o by_o their_o knowledge_n live_v in_o contempt_n and_o obscurity_n this_o general_a custom_n which_o obtain_v almost_o every_o where_o do_v throw_v people_n into_o a_o neglect_n of_o religion_n so_o much_o the_o more_o easy_o as_o they_o find_v themselves_o dispose_v not_o to_o observe_v the_o precept_n of_o it_o thus_o slight_v that_o science_n which_o signify_v nothing_o as_o to_o their_o worldly_a affair_n and_o who_o consequence_n will_v engage_v they_o to_o resist_v those_o passion_n to_o which_o they_o willing_o abandon_v themselves_o they_o think_v as_o little_a as_o possible_o they_o can_v upon_o those_o proof_n which_o persuade_v we_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o gospel_n after_o this_o it_o happen_v that_o some_o occasion_n of_o doubt_n 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they_o frame_v without_o perceive_v it_o and_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n appear_v solid_a enough_o when_o they_o see_v that_o those_o who_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n true_a obey_v nothing_o of_o it_o but_o just_a as_o much_o as_o their_o worldly_a interest_n oblige_v they_o to_o do_v they_o imagine_v that_o most_o man_n act_v a_o part_n only_o and_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o real_o do_v not_o or_o else_o they_o conclude_v that_o person_n so_o injudicious_a as_o to_o contradict_v their_o belief_n upon_o all_o occasion_n be_v but_o a_o ill_a example_n to_o follow_v in_o this_o respect_n and_o that_o it_o be_v better_o do_v of_o man_n to_o regulate_v their_o persuasion_n by_o their_o conduct_n see_v as_o they_o suppose_v they_o can_v change_v the_o latter_a thus_o they_o imitate_v pretty_a well_o the_o action_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o world_n but_o they_o believe_v themselves_o exalt_v above_o the_o multitude_n in_o as_o much_o at_o least_o as_o they_o have_v principle_n conformable_a to_o their_o practice_n if_o they_o neglect_v inform_v themselves_o in_o religion_n this_o proceed_v from_o their_o not_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o and_o if_o they_o regulate_v not_o their_o manner_n according_a to_o its_o precept_n it_o be_v because_o they_o give_v no_o credit_n to_o the_o recompense_n promise_v those_o who_o shall_v observe_v they_o nor_o to_o the_o pain_n wherewith_o they_o be_v menace_v that_o violate_v they_o in_o a_o word_n they_o act_n coherent_o whereas_o the_o life_n of_o other_o be_v a_o perpetual_a contradiction_n nevertheless_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o they_o be_v huge_o out_o in_o their_o judgement_n of_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n it_o be_v not_o true_a that_o the_o multitude_n feign_v only_o to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n and_o it_o be_v also_o false_a that_o injudiciousness_n make_v they_o contradict_v their_o belief_n by_o their_o practice_n it_o be_v much_o better_a to_o preserve_v our_o persuasion_n entire_a even_o when_o we_o contradict_v it_o by_o our_o action_n than_o to_o suit_v the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o to_o the_o conduct_v we_o follow_v and_o i_o prove_v it_o thus_o in_o the_o first_o place_n a_o man_n may_v sincere_o believe_v a_o principle_n to_o be_v good_a and_o reasonable_a and_o yet_o not_o order_v his_o life_n according_o the_o reason_n hereof_o be_v that_o what_o set_v most_o man_n action_n a_o go_v be_v not_o so_o much_o the_o light_n of_o the_o understanding_n as_o the_o disposition_n of_o the_o heart_n and_o the_o passion_n which_o be_v not_o seldom_o entire_o repugnant_a to_o this_o knowledge_n no_o body_n for_o example_n will_v deny_v but_o that_o bribery_n ought_v to_o have_v no_o place_n in_o a_o well-governed_a state_n and_o that_o all_o employment_n shall_v be_v confer_v upon_o those_o only_o who_o deserve_v they_o nay_o the_o law_n do_v every_o where_o condemn_v bribery_n nevertheless_o there_o be_v few_o person_n that_o do_v not_o solicit_v for_o themselves_o or_o for_o their_o friend_n when_o any_o opportunity_n of_o advancement_n offer_v itself_o we_o find_v also_o that_o man_n be_v agree_v about_o the_o usefulness_n and_o excellency_n of_o a_o great_a number_n of_o law_n which_o they_o break_v nevertheless_o every_o day_n when_o they_o reap_v any_o present_a advantage_n from_o it_o we_o may_v allege_v a_o more_o evident_a example_n of_o this_o contradiction_n between_o our_o understanding_n and_o practice_n a_o gouty_a man_n who_o contract_v this_o troublesome_a distemper_n by_o drink_v too_o much_o wine_n doubt_v not_o in_o the_o least_o but_o that_o the_o immoderate_a use_n of_o this_o liquor_n must_v needs_o prove_v very_o hurtful_a to_o he_o notwithstanding_o the_o present_a pleasure_n he_o find_v in_o drink_v carry_v it_o and_o he_o can_v forbear_v drink_v more_o than_o he_o shall_v and_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o several_a other_o passion_n in_o
like_a manner_n people_n who_o desire_n be_v contrary_a to_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o gospel_n may_v indulge_v those_o desire_n without_o call_v into_o question_n all_o the_o while_n the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o manner_n of_o most_o christian_n be_v contrary_a to_o their_o persuasion_n not_o that_o they_o perceive_v not_o this_o opposition_n well_o enough_o and_o condemn_v it_o too_o when_o they_o think_v of_o it_o but_o the_o method_n of_o live_v general_o receive_v and_o that_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o their_o passion_n carry_v it_o over_o the_o judgement_n they_o make_v of_o themselves_o in_o their_o own_o conscience_n and_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o by_o the_o example_n already_o allege_v and_o by_o thousand_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n in_o short_a it_o can_v be_v hence_o conclude_v that_o we_o must_v judge_n of_o religion_n according_a to_o our_o inclination_n nor_o that_o we_o may_v accommodate_v it_o rather_o to_o our_o manner_n of_o live_v than_o continue_v to_o believe_v what_o we_o do_v not_o obey_v who_o will_v maintain_v that_o a_o prince_n will_v do_v better_o in_o change_v the_o law_n according_a to_o his_o present_a passion_n than_o to_o let_v they_o subsist_v and_o break_v they_o every_o hour_n no_o body_n for_o if_o he_o observe_v not_o the_o law_n as_o he_o shall_v he_o leave_v they_o their_o authority_n however_o with_o respect_n to_o his_o subject_n and_o such_o other_o prince_n as_o be_v willing_a to_o observe_v they_o which_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o society_n what_o disorder_n will_v it_o cause_v in_o the_o commonwealth_n if_o a_o adulterous_a prince_n lest_o he_o shall_v be_v think_v to_o contemn_v their_o authority_n will_v abrogate_v all_o those_o law_n prohibit_v adultery_n 31._o herodot_n l._n 3._o c._n 31._o it_o be_v say_v that_o cambyses_n the_o son_n of_o cyrus_n be_v in_o love_n with_o his_o sister_n and_o desirous_a of_o marry_v she_o inquire_v of_o the_o royal_a judge_n who_o be_v the_o interpreter_n of_o the_o law_n among_o the_o persian_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a for_o a_o brother_n to_o have_v his_o sister_n to_o wife_n they_o answer_v he_o that_o there_o be_v no_o law_n which_o permit_v it_o but_o that_o there_o be_v another_o law_n that_o permit_v the_o king_n of_o persia_n to_o do_v whatever_o they_o please_v upon_o this_o answer_n cambyses_n marry_v his_o sister_n and_o the_o persian_n have_v not_o from_o that_o time_n scruple_v to_o imitate_v their_o king_n in_o this_o practice_n it_o have_v questionless_a be_v less_o criminal_a and_o much_o less_o hurtful_a to_o the_o society_n if_o cambyses_n have_v marry_v his_o sister_n without_o say_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o and_o not_o endeavour_v to_o cover_v his_o incest_n by_o authority_n of_o law_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v then_o which_o carriage_n be_v most_o dangerous_a and_o unblamable_a that_o of_o such_o as_o violate_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n who_o they_o believe_v to_o be_v divine_a or_o that_o of_o the_o incredulous_a who_o reject_v the_o divinity_n of_o these_o law_n because_o they_o have_v no_o mind_n to_o obey_v they_o it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o latter_a be_v much_o worse_a than_o the_o former_a suppose_v the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o be_v beneficial_a to_o society_n which_o can_v be_v doubt_v as_o i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o first_o chapter_n so_o whatever_o be_v the_o conduct_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n unbeliever_n can_v however_o excuse_v themselves_o because_o other_o do_v not_o act_v coherent_o see_v they_o neglect_v to_o understand_v what_o import_v they_o most_o to_o know_v the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_n be_v doubtless_o in_o the_o wrong_n herein_o and_o they_o deny_v it_o not_o themselves_o but_o the_o incredulous_a be_v much_o more_o to_o blame_v than_o they_o if_o the_o latter_a will_v examine_v themselves_o they_o may_v discover_v perhaps_o some_o other_o source_n of_o this_o negligence_n in_o their_o own_o person_n and_o it_o be_v that_o general_o they_o be_v not_o very_o solicitous_a about_o know_v the_o truth_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n there_o be_v some_o people_n so_o much_o take_v up_o with_o the_o present_a and_o have_v so_o good_a a_o opinion_n of_o themselves_o that_o they_o shut_v their_o eye_n and_o ear_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o discourse_n or_o example_n which_o may_v convince_v they_o that_o they_o have_v reason_n not_o to_o be_v well_o satisfy_v with_o their_o opinion_n and_o practice_n although_o they_o seem_v sometime_o to_o love_v the_o truth_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v well_o remark_v it_o will_v appear_v that_o they_o love_v nothing_o but_o their_o passion_n and_o be_v careful_a only_a how_o to_o indulge_v these_o for_o they_o receive_v no_o more_o of_o the_o truth_n but_o what_o be_v not_o incompatible_a with_o their_o desire_n thus_o prince_n and_o person_n of_o great_a quality_n can_v bear_v that_o such_o as_o be_v about_o they_o shall_v ingenuous_o acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o be_v say_v of_o they_o and_o tell_v beside_o their_o own_o thought_n of_o the_o matter_n if_o any_o be_v a_o little_a too_o sincere_a he_o be_v quick_o banish_v from_o their_o presence_n it_o be_v just_a so_o with_o many_o private_a person_n who_o take_v none_o for_o their_o friend_n but_o such_o as_o flatter_v they_o and_o help_v to_o keep_v they_o up_o in_o the_o good_a opinion_n they_o have_v conceive_v of_o themselves_o prince_n and_o private_a man_n do_v equal_o drive_v out_o of_o their_o mind_n all_o thought_n that_o may_v trouble_v their_o repose_n and_o hinder_v they_o from_o quiet_o enjoy_v what_o they_o love_v they_o can_v say_v therefore_o that_o they_o be_v such_o mighty_a lover_n of_o truth_n who_o care_n for_o know_v no_o more_o of_o it_o than_o what_o be_v please_v to_o they_o and_o it_o may_v probable_o happen_v that_o many_o unbeliever_n deal_v after_o this_o manner_n with_o religion_n neglect_v to_o understand_v what_o may_v convince_v they_o out_o of_o a_o secret_a averseness_n they_o have_v of_o search_v into_o such_o truth_n as_o they_o can_v discover_v without_o extreme_o disquiet_v themselves_o so_o s._n paul_n reason_v before_o felix_n of_o justice_n 24.25_o act_n 24.25_o temperance_n and_o future_a judgement_n this_o tremble_a governor_n be_v quick_o weary_a of_o hear_v he_o and_o put_v he_o off_o till_o another_o time_n have_v s._n paul_n entertain_v he_o with_o some_o other_o discourse_n he_o will_v have_v hear_v he_o it_o may_v be_v as_o long_o as_o he_o please_v but_o the_o virtue_n whereof_o this_o apostle_n begin_v to_o speak_v to_o he_o be_v too_o opposite_a to_o his_o manner_n to_o obtain_v a_o long_a audience_n from_o he_o it_o be_v evident_a then_o that_o this_o disposition_n be_v entire_o against_o all_o good_a sense_n and_o the_o whole_a world_n do_v equal_o blame_v flattery_n and_o flatterer_n it_o be_v general_o agree_v upon_o likewise_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o remote_a from_o wisdom_n than_o wilful_o to_o continue_v ignorant_a of_o what_o be_v disadvantageous_a to_o we_o for_o without_o know_v it_o we_o can_v never_o bring_v a_o remedy_n against_o it_o and_o our_o ignorance_n about_o it_o change_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n but_o contribute_v not_o seldom_o to_o render_v our_o condition_n worse_o the_o incredulous_a therefore_o ought_v to_o look_v to_o it_o and_o not_o fear_v to_o hazard_v their_o repose_n in_o the_o search_n of_o disquiet_v truth_n they_o ought_v to_o beware_v of_o that_o ill_n regulate_v self-love_n which_o flatter_v our_o present_a passion_n and_o avoid_v every_o thing_n that_o may_v mix_v some_o bitterness_n with_o the_o sweetness_n we_o taste_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o they_o for_o my_o part_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o their_o negligence_n of_o inform_v themselves_o about_o the_o ground_n of_o christianity_n proceed_v in_o great_a part_n from_o this_o dangerous_a disposition_n and_o they_o will_v agree_v to_o it_o no_o doubt_n be_v they_o capable_a of_o examine_v themselves_o do_v we_o see_v unbeliever_n use_v much_o application_n in_o the_o search_n of_o truth_n without_o omit_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v necessary_a for_o their_o thorough_a information_n and_o yet_o not_o quit_v their_o infidelity_n we_o shall_v perhaps_o be_v tempt_v to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v in_o the_o right_n see_v they_o do_v not_o conclude_v but_o after_o a_o long_a and_o requisite_a discussion_n but_o we_o see_v not_o one_o of_o they_o so_o dispose_v and_o they_o be_v all_o content_v with_o a_o very_a superficial_a knowledge_n of_o religion_n without_o endeavour_v to_o penetrate_v into_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o which_o give_v we_o occasion_n to_o confirm_v ourselves_o in_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o to_o be_v persuade_v that_o their_o infidelity_n proceed_v as_o i_o have_v prove_v from_o their_o neglect_n of_o due_a instruction_n chap._n vi_o
head_n but_o for_o this_o there_o be_v more_o caution_n and_o moderation_n requisite_a than_o unbeliever_n common_o have_v who_o look_v upon_o such_o a_o examen_fw-la to_o be_v impossible_a choose_v rather_o to_o deny_v all_o at_o once_o this_o be_v just_a as_o if_o any_o reader_n because_o he_o have_v discover_v by_o chance_n a_o error_n in_o some_o historian_n will_v immediate_o conclude_v without_o read_v any_o further_a that_o the_o whole_a be_v pure_a romance_n and_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o a_o true_a history_n notwithstanding_o such_o a_o ridiculous_a and_o hasty_a judgement_n unbeliever_n seem_v to_o live_v in_o as_o profound_a a_o tranquillity_n as_o a_o man_n can_v do_v who_o know_v by_o mathematical_a demonstration_n that_o all_o religion_n be_v false_a they_o appear_v to_o have_v so_o great_a a_o indifference_n for_o truth_n in_o this_o respect_n as_o if_o it_o do_v not_o concern_v they_o to_o know_v it_o they_o be_v ready_a while_o in_o this_o disposition_n to_o do_v whatever_o may_v render_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o life_n more_o please_v nor_o will_v they_o hear_v a_o word_n of_o examine_v and_o they_o indulge_v themselves_o in_o those_o pleasure_n as_o far_o as_o they_o judge_v it_o possible_a without_o do_v they_o any_o harm_n it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o this_o opinion_n open_v a_o door_n to_o numberless_a secret_a crime_n and_o give_v encouragement_n in_o public_a to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v practise_v with_o safety_n i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o it_o that_o such_o people_n be_v bad_a friend_n bad_a subject_n or_o bad_a citizen_n because_o they_o sacrifice_v every_o thing_n to_o their_o pleasure_n i_o shall_v only_o remark_n that_o be_v no_o way_n certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n or_o that_o god_n will_v have_v they_o to_o be_v of_o any_o religion_n they_o can_v enjoy_v no_o other_o quiet_n but_o what_o must_v be_v a_o effect_n of_o the_o most_o notorious_a folly_n imaginable_a they_o be_v according_a to_o their_o own_o judgement_n every_o moment_n in_o a_o condition_n of_o part_v for_o ever_o with_o what_o they_o love_v and_o which_o to_o acquire_v or_o preserve_v have_v frequent_o occasion_v they_o infinite_a trouble_n this_o loss_n may_v happen_v by_o a_o thousand_o unforeseen_a accident_n and_o at_o last_o it_o be_v sure_a to_o come_v unavoidable_o by_o death_n beyond_o which_o they_o expect_v nothing_o nevertheless_o they_o live_v secure_o they_o behave_v themselves_o much_o worse_o than_o a_o man_n will_v do_v who_o be_v serious_o tell_v that_o he_o be_v condemn_v to_o death_n but_o that_o there_o be_v mean_n of_o escape_v it_o if_o he_o will_v be_v at_o the_o pain_n to_o know_v they_o and_o yet_o will_v think_v of_o nothing_o but_o divert_v himself_o without_o vouchsafe_v to_o give_v attention_n to_o what_o be_v say_v to_o he_o though_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v his_o life_n in_o case_n those_o adviser_n who_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v speak_v truth_n if_o what_o christianity_n tell_v we_o be_v indeed_o true_a there_o be_v pain_n infinite_o surpass_v death_n to_o be_v fear_v by_o such_o as_o reject_v it_o and_o yet_o unbeliever_n who_o have_v no_o certainty_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o true_a rest_v secure_o in_o their_o infidelity_n and_o lazine_n without_o inform_v themselves_o any_o further_a in_o good_a truth_n such_o as_o live_v in_o this_o disposition_n and_o who_o imagine_v themselves_o exalt_v above_o the_o vulgar_a be_v not_o in_o this_o respect_n much_o elevate_v above_o the_o brute_n which_o be_v only_o concern_v about_o the_o present_a now_o on_o the_o contrary_a let_v we_o suppose_v a_o man_n who_o have_v well_o study_v the_o principle_n of_o true_a christianity_n satisfy_v in_o himself_o with_o the_o truth_n he_o have_v discover_v he_o observe_v the_o precept_n they_o enjoin_v he_o with_o all_o tranquillity_n in_o this_o life_n and_o after_o death_n he_o expect_v the_o reward_n of_o his_o faith_n with_o a_o contentment_n of_o mind_n that_o can_v be_v equal_v the_o most_o refine_a reason_n and_o the_o law_n of_o the_o society_n wherein_o man_n must_v necessary_o live_v with_o one_o another_o require_v nothing_o of_o he_o but_o he_o obey_v it_o without_o hesitate_v and_o whatever_o befall_v he_o he_o look_v upon_o death_n only_o as_o a_o passage_n to_o a_o much_o better_a life_n than_o this_o i_o dare_v affirm_v something_o beyond_o all_o this_o and_o it_o be_v that_o suppose_v this_o man_n deceive_v yet_o his_o condition_n will_v be_v infinite_o more_o desirable_a than_o that_o of_o such_o as_o refuse_v to_o examine_v religion_n reject_v it_o nevertheless_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o lose_v themselves_o for_o ever_o and_o be_v withal_o in_o a_o perpetual_a fear_n if_o not_o quite_o bewitch_v with_o their_o incredulity_n and_o laziness_n of_o lose_v for_o ever_o all_o that_o be_v dear_a to_o they_o it_o be_v therefore_o infinite_o more_o reasonable_a and_o more_o sure_a both_o for_o this_o and_o the_o other_o life_n if_o there_o be_v one_o to_o search_v after_o truth_n and_o to_o examine_v the_o proof_n of_o religion_n than_o to_o live_v and_o die_v in_o the_o most_o extravagant_a carelessness_n imaginable_a this_o be_v all_o that_o i_o desire_v shall_v be_v grant_v i_o here_o and_o that_o can_v be_v deny_v i_o by_o any_o without_o act_v against_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o common_a sense_n those_o who_o refuse_v to_o believe_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v careful_o to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o see_v whether_o this_o laziness_n i_o have_v describe_v be_v not_o at_o least_o in_o some_o part_n the_o cause_n of_o their_o incredulity_n this_o examination_n be_v of_o the_o utmost_a importance_n there_o be_v nothing_o to_o be_v lose_v by_o make_v of_o it_o and_o you_o risk_v all_o by_o neglect_v it_o the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o first_o part._n i_o have_v describe_v in_o the_o precede_a chapter_n those_o disposition_n and_o motive_n contrary_a to_o reason_n which_o may_v bring_v unbeliever_n to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n although_o i_o have_v consider_v these_o different_a disposition_n one_o after_o another_o and_o have_v distinguish_v they_o by_o particular_a character_n i_o be_o not_o of_o opinion_n however_o that_o they_o act_n separately_z upon_o any_o or_o that_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n who_o may_v be_v reproach_v only_o with_o one_o of_o these_o fault_n there_o be_v not_o any_o questionless_a that_o be_v not_o at_o the_o same_o time_n guilty_a of_o several_a of_o they_o but_o there_o be_v such_o as_o may_v be_v more_o culpable_a in_o one_o than_o in_o another_o immorality_n make_v one_o a_o infidel_n in_o another_o it_o be_v pride_n that_o chief_o oppose_v itself_o to_o the_o light_n of_o truth_n you_o see_v some_o blind_v by_o their_o prejudices_fw-la which_o they_o take_v for_o undoubted_a maxim_n there_o be_v other_o who_o do_v not_o reason_n well_o or_o neglect_v inform_v themselves_o 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upon_o this_o disquisition_n can_v be_v count_v lose_v or_o vain_o spend_v see_v the_o matter_n in_o debate_n be_v the_o most_o important_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o that_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n must_v at_o all_o time_n necessary_o produce_v joy_n satisfaction_n and_o tranquillity_n or_o augment_v they_o if_o enjoy_v already_o the_o second_o part._n of_o the_o motive_n of_o incredulity_n which_o proceed_v from_o the_o occasion_n give_v unbeliever_n to_o doubt_v of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o entire_o to_o reject_v it_o chap._n i._o that_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v in_o question_n because_o some_o embrace_v it_o more_o from_o credulity_n than_o reason_n although_o as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v there_o be_v no_o unbeliever_n but_o be_v in_o some_o unblamable_a disposition_n which_o incline_v he_o to_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v however_o that_o there_o be_v many_o other_o thing_n whereof_o they_o can_v be_v accuse_v but_o which_o nevertheless_o confirm_v they_o in_o these_o disposition_n it_o be_v true_a that_o it_o be_v ill_o do_v of_o they_o to_o forsake_v the_o truth_n upon_o any_o account_n whatsoever_o but_o they_o be_v not_o much_o less_o to_o be_v blame_v who_o furnish_v they_o with_o the_o occasion_n of_o do_v so_o i_o have_v undertake_v to_o show_v the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o in_o this_o second_o part_n where_o grant_v to_o unbeliever_n that_o many_o of_o they_o who_o profess_v christianity_n be_v in_o the_o wrong_n in_o several_a thing_n i_o shall_v demonstrate_v that_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a and_o that_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o attribute_v to_o the_o first_o teacher_n of_o it_o those_o fault_n which_o we_o remark_n at_o this_o day_n in_o some_o of_o those_o who_o call_v themselves_o their_o disciple_n the_o occasion_n which_o the_o latter_a give_v unbeliever_n to_o 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history_n and_o they_o believe_v not_o less_o the_o most_o pernicious_a doctrine_n and_o the_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n than_o the_o holy_a and_o most_o useful_a precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v not_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o object_n lay_v open_a by_o the_o teacher_n of_o religion_n to_o their_o understanding_n which_o determine_v these_o to_o believe_v they_o true_a or_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o with_o respect_n but_o it_o be_v the_o authority_n of_o those_o who_o speak_v to_o they_o well_o or_o ill-grounded_a and_o a_o certain_a credulity_n careful_o cherish_v in_o their_o mind_n because_o of_o the_o advantage_n draw_v by_o some_o from_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v show_v in_o the_o sequel_n deceive_v by_o a_o faint_a resemblance_n they_o call_v their_o credulity_n by_o the_o name_n of_o faith_n and_o maintain_v that_o those_o want_v it_o who_o believe_v not_o as_o they_o do_v all_o that_o be_v tell_v they_o by_o their_o preacher_n and_o consequent_o that_o they_o have_v not_o such_o a_o disposition_n as_o the_o gospel_n require_v of_o man_n see_v it_o promise_v salvation_n only_o to_o those_o who_o have_v faith_n if_o any_o person_n reason_n about_o religion_n and_o say_v that_o it_o can_v neither_o be_v know_v nor_o prove_v without_o reason_v present_o these_o people_n who_o neither_o know_v the_o proof_n nor_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o but_o very_o confuse_o be_v sure_a to_o suspect_v he_o of_o irreligion_n especial_o if_o he_o forsake_v any_o of_o the_o common_a sentiment_n the_o falsity_n whereof_o he_o may_v have_v discover_v by_o his_o application_n and_o study_n these_o people_n so_o much_o persuade_v if_o you_o believe_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n can_v believe_v many_o time_n that_o a_o man_n who_o know_v how_o to_o reason_v well_o shall_v embrace_v it_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o they_o be_v alarm_v at_o the_o least_o examination_n of_o it_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o hear_v these_o discourse_n and_o behold_v this_o conduct_n so_o visible_o repugnant_a to_o common_a sense_n laugh_v at_o this_o pretend_a faith_n and_o draw_v from_o it_o this_o unhappy_a consequence_n that_o the_o doctrine_n to_o be_v receive_v so_o credulous_o be_v either_o false_a or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v extreme_o suspect_v thus_o the_o heathen_n former_o hear_v the_o christian_n say_v that_o they_o need_v only_o to_o believe_v in_o order_n to_o be_v save_v and_o not_o understand_v what_o this_o mean_v 6._o mean_v origen_n count_v cell_n l._n 1_o &_o 6._o laugh_v in_o like_a manner_n at_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o if_o none_o can_v receive_v it_o but_o credulous_a person_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o reason_v and_o indeed_o if_o it_o have_v for_o a_o main_a principle_n this_o doctrine_n that_o people_n must_v embrace_v it_o without_o know_v why_o and_o that_o such_o as_o shall_v thus_o believe_v it_o shall_v be_v save_v if_o they_o have_v maintain_v this_o i_o 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examination_n or_o that_o it_o be_v ground_v upon_o a_o blind_a faith_n it_o be_v also_o false_a that_o such_o as_o receive_v it_o upon_o those_o score_n can_v pass_v for_o christian_n who_o faith_n be_v praiseworthy_a to_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o first_o of_o these_o two_o thing_n we_o need_v but_o consider_v the_o conduct_n and_o discourse_n of_o jesus_n christ_n have_v he_o come_v into_o the_o world_n without_o any_o character_n to_o distinguish_v he_o from_o impostor_n who_o have_v frequent_o impose_v upon_o the_o credulous_a be_v he_o to_o be_v believe_v mere_o upon_o his_o own_o word_n or_o have_v he_o require_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o jew_n will_v have_v do_v well_o to_o reject_v he_o nay_o and_o have_v he_o in_o very_a deed_n be_v send_v of_o god_n if_o he_o do_v not_o offer_v cogent_a proof_n of_o it_o no_o body_n can_v be_v blame_v for_o not_o believe_v on_o he_o for_o then_o such_o as_o be_v the_o most_o persuade_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o therefore_o the_o best_a dispose_v to_o embrace_v the_o doctrine_n of_o those_o prophet_n god_n will_v be_v please_v to_o send_v to_o they_o can_v not_o without_o hazard_n of_o deceive_v themselves_o acknowledge_v any_o man_n to_o be_v effectual_o a_o prophet_n who_o can_v give_v they_o no_o evident_a mark_n of_o his_o mission_n therefore_o jesus_n christ_n come_v arm_v with_o the_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o he_o wrought_v so_o great_a a_o number_n if_o you_o credit_v the_o evangelist_n that_o he_o infinite_o surpass_v all_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v before_o he_o now_o this_o be_v the_o mark_n which_o moses_n teach_v the_o israelite_n shall_v discover_v the_o true_a prophet_n and_o jesus_n christ_n ground_v himself_o upon_o it_o when_o he_o require_v assent_v to_o his_o doctrine_n he_o never_o desire_v any_o to_o believe_v in_o he_o pure_o upon_o his_o word_n as_o it_o may_v be_v see_v by_o
inquisition_n who_o cruel_a maxim_n be_v abhor_v by_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o christian_n but_o of_o the_o management_n observe_v in_o many_o country_n where_o it_o be_v not_o establish_v nor_o will_v i_o treat_v express_o here_o of_o this_o question_n which_o will_v require_v a_o volume_n as_o great_a at_o least_o as_o this_o i_o shall_v only_o touch_v as_o much_o of_o it_o as_o make_v for_o my_o purpose_n without_o make_v any_o digression_n how_o be_v a_o clergyman_n treat_v in_o many_o place_n if_o he_o forsake_v the_o common_a opinion_n never_o so_o little_a if_o he_o have_v a_o benefice_n he_o be_v in_o great_a danger_n of_o lose_v it_o or_o at_o least_o expose_v to_o the_o cruel_a slander_n of_o such_o as_o will_v fain_o get_v his_o place_n and_o who_o be_v always_o a_o good_a number_n although_o he_o punctual_o discharge_v all_o his_o duty_n and_o that_o his_o moral_n be_v irreproachable_a but_o if_o he_o be_v not_o yet_o prefer_v a_o opinion_n contrary_a to_o the_o 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of_o such_o as_o listen_v to_o their_o calumny_n on_o the_o contrary_a if_o a_o clergyman_n who_o be_v already_o in_o possession_n of_o a_o benefice_n or_o that_o aim_v at_o one_o be_v a_o blockhead_n idle_a spend_v his_o time_n in_o eat_v and_o drink_v smoke_a slander_a or_o do_v some_o very_a scandalous_a thing_n provide_v he_o be_v orthodox_n as_o they_o speak_v he_o quiet_o enjoy_v what_o he_o have_v get_v or_o be_v in_o a_o condition_n of_o be_v prefer_v in_o the_o church_n without_o change_v his_o manner_n good_a man_n censure_n in_o vain_a his_o manner_n of_o live_v without_o object_v any_o thing_n to_o he_o except_o what_o be_v public_a but_o they_o be_v not_o hearken_v to_o and_o towards_o he_o alone_o be_v practise_v the_o duty_n of_o that_o charity_n which_o think_v no_o evil_a 7._o 1_o cor._n 3.5_o 7._o bear_v all_o thing_n hope_v all_o thing_n endure_v all_o thing_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o have_v their_o eye_n principal_o fix_v upon_o the_o carriage_n of_o the_o clergy_n conclude_v from_o hence_o two_o thing_n the_o one_o that_o good_a moral_n that_o be_v the_o principal_a duty_n of_o christianity_n be_v the_o quality_n they_o have_v least_o regard_n to_o and_o the_o other_o that_o the_o body_n of_o ecclesiastic_n be_v only_o a_o mere_a faction_n where_o the_o discovery_n of_o truth_n be_v not_o intend_v but_o to_o support_v by_o all_o way_n what_o can_v procure_v or_o preserve_v their_o temporal_a interest_n the_o incredulous_a add_v further_o that_o the_o candidate_n or_o pretender_n to_o the_o benefice_n look_v upon_o they_o as_o a_o prey_n whereupon_o they_o may_v seize_v whenever_o they_o be_v vacant_a or_o which_o they_o may_v forcible_o snatch_v from_o such_o as_o possess_v they_o by_o whatever_o mean_n they_o can_v they_o conclude_v that_o the_o end_n of_o all_o this_o zeal_n affect_v for_o the_o doctrine_n be_v no_o other_o thing_n but_o a_o good_a income_n and_o that_o they_o will_v not_o vouchsafe_v even_o to_o inform_v themselves_o about_o those_o doctrine_n if_o this_o income_n be_v not_o settle_v only_o upon_o such_o as_o shall_v it_o be_v in_o vain_a for_o the_o clergy_n to_o say_v the_o contrary_a to_o unbeliever_n the_o constant_a practice_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o nation_n make_v more_o impression_n upon_o they_o than_o all_o the_o discourse_n that_o can_v be_v make_v to_o they_o from_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o come_v to_o consider_v christianity_n itself_o as_o they_o do_v the_o false_a religion_n and_o so_o die_v in_o a_o incurable_a infidelity_n by_o their_o own_o fault_n it_o be_v true_a but_o also_o by_o a_o specious_a occasion_n of_o judge_v wrong_n which_o several_a clergyman_n give_v '_o they_o they_o be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o confirm_v in_o their_o infidelity_n as_o they_o see_v the_o zeal_n for_o temporal_n very_o different_a from_o that_o concern_v spiritual_n and_o this_o they_o easy_o discover_v by_o the_o distinction_n that_o be_v make_v of_o those_o who_o defend_v and_o be_v passionate_a for_o the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o their_o party_n and_o of_o they_o who_o defend_v christianity_n by_o the_o strong_a reason_n imaginable_a and_o after_o the_o best_a method_n of_o clear_v people_n understanding_n deny_v not_o but_o that_o there_o be_v some_o disorder_n in_o the_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n which_o need_v reformation_n those_o last_o who_o ought_v to_o be_v esteem_v and_o advance_v by_o such_o who_o profession_n oblige_v to_o favour_v they_o be_v put_v back_o for_o ever_o and_o look_v upon_o as_o very_o dangerous_a person_n whilst_o the_o first_o be_v in_o favour_n all_o the_o while_n and_o be_v sure_a to_o obtain_v what_o they_o desire_v the_o incredulous_a judge_n by_o this_o conduct_n that_o it_o be_v not_o christianity_n in_o general_n they_o mind_n whatever_o they_o say_v but_o the_o temporal_a interest_n of_o the_o party_n since_o those_o who_o consecrate_v themselves_o for_o the_o defence_n and_o propagation_n of_o the_o first_o be_v 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shall_v not_o hinder_v any_o from_o acknowledge_v its_o truth_n it_o must_v be_v consider_v in_o itself_o and_o in_o its_o first_o original_a if_o there_o have_v be_v addition_n make_v to_o it_o and_o if_o it_o have_v be_v since_o corrupt_v that_o be_v no_o defect_n in_o christianity_n but_o their_o fault_n who_o make_v these_o addition_n or_o alteration_n those_o who_o have_v read_v the_o gospel_n and_o the_o other_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n can_v say_v that_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v engage_v such_o as_o will_v preach_v it_o to_o discharge_v this_o duty_n from_o any_o consideration_n of_o interest_n jesus_n christ_n promise_v nothing_o but_o persecution_n and_o misery_n in_o this_o world_n to_o the_o first_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n i_o send_v you_o forth_o say_v he_o 10.16_o mat._n 10.16_o as_o sheep_n among_o wolf_n they_o will_v bring_v you_o into_o their_o synagogue_n and_o scourge_v you_o you_o shall_v be_v bring_v for_o my_o sake_n before_o governor_n and_o king_n the_o brother_n shall_v deliver_v the_o brother_n to_o death_n and_o the_o father_n the_o child_n and_o the_o child_n shall_v rise_v up_o against_o their_o parent_n and_o cause_v they_o to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o you_o shall_v be_v hate_v of_o all_o man_n for_o my_o name_n be_v sake_n he_o also_o say_v unto_o one_o of_o his_o apostle_n who_o he_o call_v after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n 9.16_o act_n 9.16_o i_o will_v show_v he_o how_o great_a thing_n he_o must_v suffer_v for_o my_o name_n be_v sake_n the_o event_n do_v quick_o convince_v the_o apostle_n that_o these_o prediction_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v not_o vain_a the_o jew_n and_o the_o heathen_n for_o the_o most_o part_n give_v they_o a_o very_a ill_a reception_n and_o many_o of_o christ_n first_o disciple_n suffer_v death_n for_o discharge_v the_o function_n wherewith_o their_o master_n honour_v
they_o it_o can_v be_v say_v therefore_o that_o it_o be_v interest_n which_o engage_v they_o in_o it_o or_o that_o confirm_v they_o in_o their_o first_o undertake_n have_v jesus_n christ_n make_v a_o considerable_a provision_n for_o such_o as_o will_v preach_v his_o gospel_n as_o he_o may_v and_o his_o doctrine_n be_v never_o the_o false_a it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o it_o will_v have_v be_v somewhat_o difficult_a to_o show_v unbeliever_n that_o the_o apostle_n do_v not_o act_v at_o all_o by_o any_o interest_n and_o we_o shall_v want_v a_o most_o considerable_a proof_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o consequent_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o they_o preach_v herein_o we_o have_v matter_n of_o praise_v divine_a providence_n that_o have_v take_v such_o care_n about_o the_o first_o establish_v of_o the_o gospel_n as_o to_o prevent_v those_o disadvantageous_a suspicion_n which_o people_n may_v nourish_v concern_v any_o establishment_n like_o the_o 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considerable_a expense_n in_o which_o they_o be_v engage_v as_o soon_o as_o person_n of_o quality_n become_v christian_n and_o that_o the_o emperor_n themselves_o embrace_v it_o it_o be_v think_v fit_a that_o the_o principal_a guide_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v live_v in_o some_o splendour_n without_o which_o they_o must_v become_v contemptible_a and_o unable_a not_o only_o to_o keep_v up_o their_o respect_n with_o the_o people_n but_o likewise_o with_o king_n and_o man_n of_o the_o first_o order_n to_o consider_v mankind_n such_o as_o it_o be_v now_o and_o ever_o will_v be_v and_o not_o such_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v it_o be_v evident_a that_o this_o settlement_n be_v necessary_a after_o christianity_n become_v the_o govern_v religion_n upon_o this_o it_o happen_v that_o many_o of_o those_o who_o aim_v at_o ecclesiastical_a dignity_n do_v look_v upon_o they_o as_o mere_a temporal_a settlement_n whereby_o they_o may_v live_v great_a but_o the_o worldliness_n of_o those_o people_n can_v without_o injustice_n be_v attribute_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n nor_o to_o the_o founder_n of_o it_o as_o i_o have_v show_v nor_o can_v they_o be_v blame_v neither_o who_o have_v augment_v the_o dignity_n and_o revenue_n of_o churchman_n because_o they_o do_v it_o with_o a_o good_a design_n and_o that_o it_o be_v possible_a enough_o for_o such_o as_o enjoy_v those_o dignity_n and_o revenue_n to_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o they_o than_o most_o do_v if_o after_o make_v as_o modest_a expense_n as_o can_v be_v for_o the_o external_a part_n they_o spend_v the_o rest_n of_o their_o revenue_n to_o some_o good_a purpose_n where_o be_v the_o harm_n of_o this_o be_v there_o any_o law_n in_o be_v that_o prohibit_v it_o no_o sure_o neither_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n that_o hinder_v they_o from_o be_v oblige_v humble_a and_o moderate_a or_o from_o remember_v their_o former_a condition_n before_o they_o come_v to_o these_o dignity_n who_o will_v not_o heap_v commendation_n upon_o they_o if_o they_o do_v so_o manage_v themselves_o that_o it_o may_v appear_v as_o much_o as_o possible_a that_o it_o be_v not_o to_o satisfy_v their_o avarice_n or_o any_o other_o passion_n they_o endeavour_v to_o obtain_v the_o dignity_n aforesaid_a but_o to_o edify_v the_o church_n more_o and_o to_o lead_v the_o people_n to_o piety_n and_o charity_n by_o their_o example_n which_o be_v of_o much_o great_a efficacy_n than_o their_o discourse_n have_v there_o not_o be_v in_o divers_a place_n and_o time_n some_o clergyman_n that_o behave_v themselves_o after_o this_o manner_n and_o who_o draw_v upon_o themselves_o the_o respect_n and_o admiration_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n such_o be_v the_o bishop_n whereof_o ammianus_n marcellinus_n speak_v immediate_o after_o give_v that_o description_n of_o those_o bishop_n of_o rome_n which_o i_o mention_v before_o his_o testimony_n be_v of_o so_o much_o great_a weight_n as_o he_o be_v a_o heathen_a and_o show_v every_o where_o clear_a token_n of_o his_o sincerity_n they_o may_v say_v he_o be_v real_o happy_a if_o despise_v the_o grandeur_n of_o the_o city_n of_o rome_n wherein_o they_o conceal_v their_o vice_n they_o have_v imitate_v the_o way_n of_o live_v of_o some_o prelate_n in_o the_o province_n who_o the_o frugality_n of_o their_o table_n the_o simplicity_n of_o their_o habit_n and_o their_o eye_n always_o fix_v upon_o the_o ground_n do_v render_v acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o to_o his_o true_a worshipper_n as_o virtuous_a and_o modest_a person_n therefore_o it_o be_v unjust_o do_v of_o unbeliever_n to_o attribute_v to_o the_o old_a or_o modern_a christianity_n the_o fault_n of_o those_o who_o abuse_v the_o ecclesiastical_a dignity_n and_o to_o conclude_v from_o hence_o the_o falsity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v the_o worst_a reason_v that_o can_v be_v the_o same_o thing_n may_v be_v answer_v to_o the_o objection_n of_o unbeliever_n draw_v from_o the_o scandalous_a manner_n after_o which_o several_a clergyman_n have_v be_v prefer_v and_o spend_v the_o revenue_n destine_v by_o their_o founder_n for_o man_n fit_a to_o edify_v the_o church_n if_o they_o make_v a_o mere_a trade_n of_o these_o employment_n and_o look_v upon_o their_o revenue_n as_o pension_n grant_v to_o their_o importunity_n or_o flattery_n be_v this_o either_o the_o fault_n of_o the_o religion_n itself_o or_o of_o the_o founder_n of_o those_o benefice_n do_v we_o not_o see_v many_o virtuous_a clergyman_n who_o have_v be_v advance_v only_o by_o their_o merit_n and_o that_o make_v a_o excellent_a use_n of_o their_o dignity_n and_o revenue_n '_o true_a it_o be_v indeed_o that_o those_o who_o abuse_v they_o be_v not_o proper_a person_n to_o cure_v the_o incredulous_a of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la and_o that_o far_o from_o edify_v such_o as_o know_v they_o they_o can_v fail_v almost_o consider_v man_n disposition_n of_o corrupt_v or_o scandalize_a they_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n therefore_o of_o all_o good_a man_n to_o provide_v a_o remedy_n against_o this_o disgrace_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o unbeliever_n if_o the_o author_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o those_o who_o first_o spread_v it_o throughout_o all_o the_o world_n have_v order_v their_o disciple_n to_o suffer_v no_o diversity_n of_o opinion_n not_o even_o in_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o essential_a and_o to_o persecute_v those_o who_o will_v not_o in_o every_o thing_n follow_v the_o sentiment_n of_o the_o great_a number_n the_o libertine_n may_v then_o questionless_a just_o attribute_v to_o they_o all_o the_o sad_a consequence_n that_o proceed_v from_o that_o intolerate_a principle_n whereof_o some_o divine_n make_v profession_n but_o it_o be_v just_a the_o contrary_a the_o founder_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n recommend_v nothing_o so_o much_o as_o moderation_n and_o charity_n in_o such_o dissension_n the_o jew_n and_o the_o heathen_n that_o be_v convert_v to_o christianity_n agree_v not_o well_o with_o one_o another_o in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o jew_n among_o other_o thing_n will_v have_v the_o gentile_n observe_v the_o distinction_n of_o meat_n which_o the_o levitical_a law_n introduce_v and_o condemn_v all_o those_o who_o refuse_v to_o do_v it_o the_o gentile_n who_o know_v that_o god_n require_v this_o observation_n only_o from_o the_o jew_n and_o that_o too_o but_o whilst_o they_o have_v a_o separate_a government_n to_o themselves_o deny_v submission_n to_o this_o yoke_n and_o laugh_v at_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o jew_n now_o what_o do_v the_o apostle_n in_o this_o affair_n what_o counsel_n do_v st._n paul_n give_v his_o disciple_n do_v they_o say_v that_o the_o one_o must_v follow_v the_o practice_n and_o opinion_n of_o the_o other_o in_o all_o thing_n under_o pain_n of_o excommunication_n do_v they_o order_v the_o christian_a church_n to_o persecute_v as_o soon_o as_o she_o can_v be_v able_a all_o those_o who_o sentiment_n shall_v
may_v pretend_v to_o some_o force_n they_o can_v say_v that_o this_o promise_v not_o be_v perform_v it_o be_v a_o sign_n it_o do_v not_o proceed_v from_o god_n but_o matter_n be_v quite_o contrary_a jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o disciple_n consider_v the_o disposition_n of_o man_n and_o foresee_v likewise_o future_a event_n have_v clear_o prophesy_v of_o the_o division_n that_o shall_v spring_v up_o among_o christian_n suppose_v you_o say_v jesus_n christ_n that_o i_o be_o come_v to_o give_v peace_n on_o earth_n 12.51_o luke_n 12.51_o i_o tell_v you_o nay_o but_o rather_o division_n for_o from_o henceforth_o there_o shall_v be_v five_o in_o one_o house_n divide_v three_o against_o two_o and_o two_o against_o three_o etc._n etc._n there_o must_v be_v heresy_n among_o you_o 11.19_o 1_o cor._n 11.19_o say_v st._n paul_n that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v also_o make_v manifest_a among_o you_o here_o be_v express_v word_n signify_v that_o jesus_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v not_o ignorant_a of_o the_o division_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n ill_o understand_v or_o rather_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n will_v occasion_v among_o christian_n but_o some_o may_v say_v that_o it_o be_v a_o thing_n unworthy_a of_o a_o religion_n reveal_v from_o heaven_n to_o cause_n so_o many_o division_n especial_o have_v such_o fatal_a effect_n i_o grant_v this_o if_o it_o be_v suppose_v that_o this_o religion_n do_v of_o itself_o inspire_v the_o spirit_n of_o division_n and_o disorder_n but_o if_o it_o be_v only_o the_o innocent_a occasion_n of_o they_o there_o can_v be_v no_o ill_a consequence_n draw_v from_o hence_o against_o it_o now_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o christianity_n be_v direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o division_n of_o christian_n since_o jesus_n christ_n press_v no_o commandment_n so_o strong_o as_o that_o of_o our_o love_v one_o another_o etc._n john_n 13.33_o 34._o &_o 15.12_o 17_o etc._n etc._n and_o consequent_o of_o live_v peaceable_o one_o towards_o another_o every_o one_o know_v this_o christ_n however_o know_v so_o perfect_o the_o heart_n of_o man_n that_o he_o see_v very_o well_o the_o new_a command_n of_o love_v one_o another_o which_o he_o leave_v his_o disciple_n shall_v not_o be_v well_o obey_v and_o that_o his_o doctrine_n as_o peaceable_a as_o it_o be_v will_v frequent_o serve_v for_o a_o pretence_n to_o the_o passion_n of_o man_n in_o occasion_v infinite_a broil_n so_o that_o if_o his_o design_n be_v to_o be_v explain_v by_o the_o event_n it_o may_v be_v certain_o say_v he_o come_v to_o bring_v division_n on_o the_o earth_n this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o those_o word_n i_o cite_v a_o little_a above_o but_o what_o some_o will_v say_v do_v it_o not_o seem_v a_o thing_n become_v god_n for_o the_o honour_n of_o religion_n and_o for_o the_o good_a of_o man_n to_o prevent_v its_o produce_v any_o disorder_n not_o even_o by_o accident_n no_o sure_o god_n ought_v not_o to_o intervene_v by_o the_o extraordinary_a effect_n of_o his_o power_n to_o keep_v the_o peace_n among_o christian_n the_o reason_n of_o this_o be_v that_o his_o design_n as_o it_o appear_v both_o by_o revelation_n and_o the_o thing_n itself_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n to_o bring_v man_n at_o least_o ordinary_o to_o his_o obedience_n by_o miracle_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o only_o by_o law_n to_o which_o he_o fix_a reward_n and_o punishment_n as_o i_o have_v already_o say_v in_o 3._o in_o part_v 1_o ch._n 3._o another_o place_n this_o be_v what_o st._n paul_n hint_v to_o in_o one_o word_n in_o that_o passage_n i_o cite_v before_o when_o he_o say_v that_o there_o must_v be_v heresy_n that_o they_o which_o be_v approve_v may_v be_v also_o make_v manifest_a this_o plain_o signify_v that_o if_o god_n by_o extraordinary_a mean_n will_v hinder_v all_o division_n about_o his_o doctrine_n among_o christian_n it_o shall_v be_v no_o long_o a_o virtue_n to_o remain_v steadfast_a on_o the_o good_a side_n or_o to_o quit_v the_o bad_a in_o order_n to_o join_v it_o those_o who_o love_v the_o truth_n and_o keep_v to_o it_o out_o of_o choice_n and_o knowledge_n will_v be_v confound_v with_o those_o who_o shall_v embrace_v it_o without_o know_v why_o and_o who_o be_v as_o ready_a to_o embrace_v a_o error_n be_v they_o teach_v it_o the_o constant_a profession_n of_o the_o truth_n can_v not_o expect_v any_o reward_n since_o it_o will_v not_o be_v in_o any_o one_o power_n to_o forsake_v it_o in_o a_o word_n it_o will_v be_v superfluous_a to_o propose_v any_o law_n at_o all_o to_o man_n since_o it_o can_v not_o be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o violate_v they_o for_o god_n according_a to_o our_o adversary_n supposition_n will_v prevent_v this_o by_o his_o omnipotency_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v perhaps_o that_o a_o wise_a legislator_n who_o foresee_v that_o his_o law_n may_v be_v ill_o understand_v or_o cause_n division_n shall_v he_o express_v they_o obscure_o will_v take_v care_n to_o use_v very_o clear_a expression_n and_o that_o god_n who_o foresee_v all_o thing_n aught_o by_o consequence_n to_o express_v his_o will_n in_o so_o clear_a a_o manner_n as_o to_o prevent_v all_o the_o dispute_n which_o we_o see_v now_o among_o christian_n to_o this_o i_o answer_v that_o god_n have_v express_v himself_o plain_o enough_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n especial_o about_o what_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v hope_v and_o do_v to_o obtain_v salvation_n according_a to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o that_o there_o will_v be_v no_o dispute_n about_o necessary_n if_o man_n do_v content_v themselves_o with_o the_o scripture-notion_n what_o make_v division_n spring_v among_o christian_n be_v the_o addition_n and_o ill-drawn_a consequence_n and_o not_o the_o text_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n such_o as_o look_v in_o it_o only_o for_o the_o truth_n they_o easy_o find_v this_o and_o be_v never_o deceive_v about_o any_o thing_n essential_a but_o those_o who_o will_v find_v therein_o what_o vain_a subtlety_n and_o humane_a interest_n or_o passion_n have_v add_v to_o it_o be_v apt_a i_o confess_v to_o be_v deceive_v every_o moment_n in_o a_o word_n to_o all_o sincere_a person_n who_o love_v the_o truth_n preferable_o to_o every_o other_o thing_n the_o gospel_n be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o sun_n and_o can_v occasion_v any_o considerable_a dispute_n but_o to_o man_n govern_v by_o their_o passion_n and_o conceit_v of_o their_o prejudices_fw-la the_o most_o evident_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n be_v obscure_a there_o be_v no_o law_n so_o clear_a but_o a_o wrangler_n may_v raise_v a_o thousand_o difficulty_n about_o it_o and_o if_o a_o legislator_n shall_v not_o pass_v for_o a_o wise_a man_n except_o he_o express_o prevent_v all_o possible_a difficulty_n and_o mark_v all_o the_o case_n wherein_o ill-disposed_a person_n will_v abuse_v his_o law_n there_o have_v never_o be_v any_o legislator_n to_o who_o any_o wisdom_n can_v be_v attribute_v none_o ever_o undertake_v to_o perform_v such_o a_o thing_n because_o than_o they_o will_v be_v oblige_v to_o write_v a_o infinite_a number_n of_o volume_n to_o which_o something_o new_a must_v be_v add_v every_o moment_n since_o there_o may_v happen_v infinite_a case_n every_o day_n therefore_o if_o god_n have_v design_v to_o prevent_v all_o those_o controversy_n already_o move_v or_o that_o shall_v hereafter_o arise_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o revelation_n and_o reject_v by_o name_n all_o possible_a error_n he_o must_v have_v make_v so_o great_a a_o number_n of_o volume_n that_o to_o use_v st._n john_n expression_n the_o world_n can_v not_o contain_v they_o and_o their_o multitude_n will_v render_v they_o useless_a for_o proof_n that_o the_o clear_a law_n and_o the_o most_o proper_a to_o prevent_v all_o sort_n of_o disorder_n become_v obscure_a to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o dispose_v to_o observe_v they_o we_o need_v only_o call_v to_o mind_n what_o be_v already_o say_v of_o the_o charity_n to_o be_v use_v towards_o those_o who_o be_v in_o a_o error_n about_o any_o article_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o speak_v more_o clear_o or_o effectual_o upon_o this_o head_n than_o the_o apostle_n have_v do_v and_o nevertheless_o the_o most_o part_n of_o christian_n practise_v at_o this_o time_n what_o they_o ought_v to_o have_v do_v if_o they_o have_v say_v just_o the_o contrary_n thus_o they_o dispute_v about_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o revelation_n rather_o because_o they_o be_v blind_v by_o prejudices_fw-la and_o willing_a to_o dispute_v than_o because_o it_o be_v in_o itself_o obscure_a with_o regard_n to_o necessary_a doctrine_n and_o god_n be_v not_o oblige_v by_o any_o mean_n to_o condemn_v express_o all_o possible_a error_n to_o prevent_v dispute_n as_o i_o have_v now_o show_v the_o division_n that_o be_v among_o christians_n shall_v not_o hinder_v the_o incredulous_a
use_n of_o to_o understand_v the_o language_n of_o other_o men._n they_o not_o where_o say_v that_o they_o teach_v we_o some_o thing_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v or_o be_v contrary_a to_o reason_n and_o that_o we_o must_v part_v with_o our_o notion_n to_o embrace_v they_o they_o know_v very_o well_o that_o they_o be_v to_o deal_v with_o man_n who_o judge_v of_o nothing_o but_o by_o acquiesce_v in_o their_o own_o reason_n it_o be_v true_a we_o comprehend_v not_o perfect_o all_o the_o thing_n mention_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n such_o as_o be_v for_o example_n the_o divine_a property_n but_o we_o form_n at_o least_o some_o notion_n of_o they_o which_o be_v not_o at_o all_o contrary_a to_o reason_n there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v have_v a_o exact_a and_o adequate_a notion_n of_o they_o to_o be_v save_v reason_n also_o teach_v we_o that_o we_o can_v know_v exact_o this_o sort_n of_o thing_n nor_o many_o other_o and_o that_o we_o must_v not_o judge_n of_o thing_n we_o 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with_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o can_v be_v explain_v as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v necessary_a by_o good_a critical_a rule_n those_o who_o reject_v any_o of_o they_o do_v it_o because_o they_o have_v introduce_v new_a doctrine_n into_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o they_o false_o ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o both_o because_o such_o doctrine_n can_v bear_v the_o test_n of_o reason_n and_o because_o they_o can_v reason_v well_o themselves_o or_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o critical_a rule_n for_o example_n what_o be_v call_v the_o real_a presence_n of_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o eucharist_n or_o transubstantiation_n which_o can_v be_v believe_v without_o forsake_v reason_n nor_o be_v find_v in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n by_o use_v good_a grammatical_a rule_n the_o real_a presence_n i_o say_v or_o transubstantiation_n be_v doctrine_n which_o the_o apostle_n never_o think_v of_o divine_v declaim_v against_o reason_n and_o critic_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o those_o new_a doctrine_n not_o at_o all_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o my_o part_n have_v study_v those_o matter_n as_o much_o as_o i_o can_v i_o think_v i_o may_v affirm_v that_o no_o proposition_n can_v be_v extract_v out_o of_o the_o gospel_n or_o any_o other_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v express_v in_o their_o word_n be_v not_o perfect_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n if_o it_o be_v interpret_v by_o the_o same_o grammatical_a rule_n as_o all_o other_o author_n be_v moreover_o i_o affirm_v that_o one_o need_v suppose_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o know_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n some_o divine_n who_o have_v not_o study_v the_o holy_a scripture_n well_o maintain_v another_o thing_n which_o be_v not_o less_o proper_a to_o hinder_v infidel_n from_o believe_v in_o jesus_n christ_n than_o the_o maxim_n i_o have_v confute_v they_o say_v that_o many_o command_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v arbitrary_a precept_n whereof_o no_o other_o good_a reason_n can_v be_v give_v but_o the_o mere_a will_n of_o god_n or_o that_o he_o give_v they_o to_o man_n to_o humble_v they_o they_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v have_v some_o mystery_n in_o religion_n such_o as_o the_o real_a presence_n or_o transubstantiation_n to_o mortify_v man_n pride_n who_o understand_v nothing_o of_o they_o they_o say_v that_o to_o deny_v one_o passion_n as_o the_o gospel_n command_v be_v a_o commandment_n ground_v upon_o no_o other_o reason_n but_o the_o will_n of_o god_n it_o can_v be_v doubt_v but_o that_o when_o we_o be_v sure_o a_o thing_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n we_o must_v believe_v it_o or_o practice_v it_o though_o we_o shall_v not_o apprehend_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o and_o this_o many_o divine_n say_v concern_v several_a ceremonial_a precept_n of_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n some_o learned_a etc._n learned_a marsham_n spencer_n etc._n etc._n man_n undertake_v to_o show_v the_o contrary_a with_o respect_n to_o those_o ceremony_n and_o it_o may_v be_v say_v in_o general_a that_o they_o have_v not_o be_v unsuccessful_a in_o it_o but_o as_o for_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o gospel_n one_o may_v bold_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v none_o of_o which_o it_o be_v asleep_o hard_a thing_n to_o give_v a_o good_a reason_n suppose_v humane_a nature_n in_o the_o state_n it_o be_v in_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o false_a and_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o gospel_n than_o to_o fancy_v that_o god_n design_v in_o part_n to_o show_v only_o that_o he_o be_v master_n by_o enjoin_v some_o commandment_n which_o have_v no_o relation_n with_o the_o good_a of_o mankind_n religion_n be_v only_o reveal_v for_o we_o not_o for_o god_n who_o absolute_o speak_v neither_o want_n what_o we_o think_v of_o he_o nor_o the_o worship_n we_o pay_v he_o he_o manifest_v himself_o to_o we_o only_o to_o make_v we_o happy_a and_o give_v we_o some_o law_n fit_a to_o make_v we_o enjoy_v a_o happiness_n as_o great_a as_o can_v be_v here_o if_o all_o mankind_n will_v observe_v they_o and_o at_o the_o same_o time_n fit_a to_o lead_v to_o a_o eternal_a felicity_n those_o who_o obey_v they_o notwithstanding_o the_o ill_a example_n of_o other_o for_o example_n the_o gospel_n command_v we_o to_o deny_v our_o passion_n or_o ourselves_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n not_o only_o to_o give_v to_o god_n that_o mark_n of_o our_o submission_n to_o his_o order_n but_o for_o the_o good_a of_o humane_a society_n to_o deny_v one_o self_n or_o one_o passion_n signify_v only_o to_o prefer_v the_o observation_n of_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o one_o unruly_a desire_v now_o all_o those_o commandment_n tend_v to_o the_o good_a of_o man_n and_o there_o be_v none_o but_o what_o be_v of_o that_o nature_n let_v we_o suppose_v that_o a_o man_n who_o have_v be_v injure_v by_o another_o desire_n to_o revenge_v himself_o if_o he_o reflect_v upon_o what_o the_o gospel_n command_v he_o he_o will_v find_v that_o it_o be_v one_o of_o those_o desire_v he_o ought_v to_o deny_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v because_o if_o he_o shall_v revenge_v himself_o he_o on_o who_o he_o shall_v do_v it_o will_v not_o fail_v to_o revenge_v himself_o too_o and_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o end_n of_o it_o which_o will_v altogether_o disturb_v the_o society_n wherefore_o god_n who_o form_v it_o and_o protect_v it_o forbid_v revenge_n and_o declare_v he_o will_v punish_v those_o that_o shall_v break_v that_o commandment_n let_v all_o other_o desire_v that_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o command_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v examine_v and_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o they_o can_v be_v satisfy_v without_o hurt_v humane_a society_n however_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o when_o the_o gospel_n command_v we_o to_o deny_v our_o desire_n rather_o than_o break_v any_o of_o its_o commandment_n or_o to_o suffer_v death_n for_o it_o if_o it_o be_v necessary_a it_o have_v no_o regard_n to_o the_o good_a of_o the_o society_n but_o the_o will_n of_o god_n but_o if_o we_o careful_o consider_v it_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o man_n can_v scarce_o do_v any_o thing_n more_o useful_a to_o mankind_n than_o that_o it_o be_v undoubted_o useful_a to_o they_o to_o observe_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v so_o advantageous_a to_o they_o and_o there_o be_v no_o example_n more_o effectual_a to_o encourage_v they_o to_o that_o observation_n than_o that_o of_o those_o who_o hand_n rather_o die_v than_o break_v any_o of_o those_o law_n if_o all_o man_n be_v so_o dispose_v it_o be_v manifest_a they_o will_v contribute_v as_o much_o as_o they_o can_v to_o one_o another_o happiness_n and_o will_v love_v their_o neighbour_n as_o themselves_o so_o that_o those_o who_o sacrifice_n
to_o wish_v for_o miracle_n as_o when_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o yet_o establish_v three_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o to_o require_v new_a miracle_n from_o god_n with_o and_o show_v of_o reason_n man_n shall_v have_v make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o the_o mean_v they_o have_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n so_o that_o after_o a_o careful_a and_o impartial_a examination_n they_o can_v not_o be_v satisfy_v about_o the_o thing_n they_o inquire_v after_o but_o must_v doubt_v still_o of_o it_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o not_o upon_o this_o supposition_n it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v be_v in_o a_o manner_n oblige_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o goodness_n to_o help_v man_n incredulity_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o who_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o the_o revelation_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o may_v be_v apt_a to_o doubt_v of_o the_o mission_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n not_o out_o of_o obstinacy_n but_o because_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v unknown_a to_o they_o have_v the_o advantage_n of_o see_v many_o miracle_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n but_o let_v we_o suppose_v some_o man_n of_o a_o quite_o contrary_a disposition_n who_o perform_v not_o the_o duty_n which_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n teach_v we_o who_o have_v no_o love_n for_o the_o truth_n who_o be_v full_a of_o a_o thousand_o ill-grounded_a prejudices_fw-la and_o blind_v with_o unruly_a passion_n who_o have_v examine_v nothing_o but_o doubt_v of_o every_o thing_n out_o of_o a_o voluntary_a perverseness_n of_o their_o mind_n and_o inclination_n can_v such_o man_n complain_v because_o god_n work_v no_o miracle_n in_o their_o behalf_n will_v they_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o say_v that_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o new_a favour_n for_o have_v despise_v those_o which_o they_o have_v already_o receive_v from_o he_o if_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v but_o examine_v themselves_o by_o this_o picture_n they_o may_v easy_o find_v out_o the_o answer_n we_o can_v return_v to_o they_o four_o i_o affirm_v that_o miracle_n will_v be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o such_o men._n the_o unbelieve_a jew_n in_o our_o saviour_n time_n be_v a_o manifest_a argument_n of_o what_o i_o say_v see_v that_o be_v not_o able_a to_o deny_v his_o miraculous_a work_n they_o ascribe_v they_o to_o the_o devil_n the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n will_v never_o want_v shift_n to_o bring_v into_o question_n miracle_n wrought_v in_o their_o presence_n see_v they_o have_v find_v out_o several_a to_o hinder_v we_o from_o draw_v any_o consequence_n from_o those_o of_o christ_n suppose_v they_o be_v true_a but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v speak_v in_o my_o second_o letter_n at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o discourse_n therefore_o it_o may_v be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v more_o reason_n to_o work_v no_o miracle_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o unbeliever_n of_o our_o time_n than_o to_o work_v any_o and_o such_o be_v the_o method_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o see_v some_o obstinate_a man_n who_o require_v from_o he_o some_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v none_o because_o he_o see_v they_o will_v not_o make_v a_o better_a use_n of_o they_o than_o of_o other_o divine_a grace_n and_o will_v but_o thereby_o increase_v their_o gild_n the_o evangelist_n observe_v 6.5_o observe_v mat._n 13.58_o mark_v 6.5_o that_o be_v come_v to_o nazareth_n he_o do_v not_o many_o mighty_a work_n there_o because_o of_o the_o unbelief_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o that_o town_n some_o unbelieve_a teacher_n have_v require_v of_o he_o a_o miracle_n more_o than_o once_o 16.1_o once_o mat._n 12.38_o &_o 16.1_o he_o deny_v they_o and_o refer_v they_o to_o that_o of_o his_o resurrection_n whereof_o notwithstanding_o they_o never_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o be_v eye-witness_n wherefore_o he_o sometime_o ask_v those_o who_o desire_v that_o he_o will_v cure_v their_o disease_n whether_o they_o believe_v etc._n believe_v mat._n 9.29_o etc._n etc._n he_o can_v do_v it_o to_o teach_v they_o that_o none_o deserve_v a_o new_a grace_n but_o he_o that_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o other_o it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n to_o expect_v or_o demand_v a_o cure_n from_o he_o have_v they_o not_o certain_o know_v by_o other_o example_n or_o some_o good_a reason_n that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o those_o who_o suppose_v that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n shall_v incline_v he_o to_o deal_v otherwise_o with_o unbeliever_n suppose_v at_o once_o two_o thing_n most_o absurd_a and_o altogether_o unworthy_a of_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o reason_n the_o first_o be_v that_o god_n ought_v to_o have_v no_o respect_n to_o the_o use_v man_n have_v make_v of_o his_o favour_n but_o that_o the_o more_o they_o increase_v their_o unbelief_n whatever_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o may_v be_v the_o more_o he_o be_v oblige_v to_o grant_v they_o new_a grace_n so_o change_v the_o course_n of_o nature_n as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v please_v doubt_v of_o revelation_n whereby_o the_o conduct_n of_o god_n will_v depend_v upon_o the_o will_n and_o humour_n of_o men._n the_o second_o absurdity_n that_o follow_v from_o thence_o be_v that_o god_n will_v be_v oblige_v out_o of_o his_o goodness_n to_o satisfy_v as_o many_o party_n as_o there_o be_v unbeliever_n in_o the_o world_n and_o every_o one_o according_a to_o his_o own_o humour_n and_o method_n for_o every_o one_o of_o they_o will_v see_v some_o miracle_n and_o as_o it_o be_v put_v the_o divine_a providence_n to_o a_o trial_n without_o mind_v what_o it_o may_v have_v do_v at_o other_o time_n or_o in_o other_o place_n if_o any_o can_v brook_v those_o consequence_n which_o necessary_o follow_v from_o the_o unbeliever_n objection_n there_o be_v no_o need_n we_o shall_v long_o dispute_v with_o he_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o appear_v that_o god_n be_v not_o oblige_v to_o work_v miracle_n now_o because_o he_o wrought_v some_o former_o in_o those_o place_n where_o the_o modern_a miracle_n be_v not_o believe_v there_o be_v a_o ill_a custom_n as_o well_o as_o in_o those_o where_o they_o be_v believe_v which_o be_v very_o prejudicial_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o incredulous_a and_o it_o be_v this_o several_a people_n who_o maintain_v some_o doctrine_n of_o no_o great_a moment_n and_o certainty_n with_o too_o great_a a_o heat_n be_v wont_a to_o say_v to_o magnify_v their_o zeal_n that_o if_o the_o opinion_n of_o their_o adversary_n be_v true_a the_o christian_a religion_n will_v be_v lose_v that_o one_o can_v be_v sure_a of_o nothing_o and_o such_o other_o thing_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n their_o adversary_n endeavour_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o opinion_n and_o sometime_o prove_v it_o so_o clear_o that_o the_o contrary_a opinion_n can_v be_v maintain_v without_o obstinacy_n the_o unbeliever_n who_o be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o three_o party_n and_o perform_v only_o the_o part_n of_o spectator_n of_o those_o quarrel_n conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v not_o true_a than_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o see_v so_o well_o confute_v and_o those_o who_o have_v exaggerated_a too_o much_o the_o importance_n of_o their_o opinion_n can_v hinder_v the_o unbeliever_n from_o draw_v such_o a_o consequence_n against_o they_o there_o be_v but_o too_o many_o example_n of_o that_o ill_a manner_n of_o dispute_v but_o i_o shall_v allege_v only_o one_o which_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o make_v man_n sensible_a of_o what_o i_o say_v there_o have_v be_v many_o dispute_n in_o this_o age_n about_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o jewish_a vowel_n some_o have_v maintain_v that_o they_o be_v invent_v by_o the_o masorethe_n some_o century_n after_o christ_n other_o have_v pretend_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o they_o be_v at_o least_o as_o ancient_a as_o esdras_n and_o consequent_o ground_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o prophet_n the_o latter_a to_o stir_v if_o it_o be_v possible_a all_o christendom_n against_o their_o adversary_n exclaim_v after_o a_o tragical_a manner_n that_o this_o dispute_n be_v about_o no_o less_o a_o thing_n than_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o of_o the_o whole_a bible_n which_o be_v destroy_v by_o those_o who_o assert_v the_o novelty_n of_o the_o vowel_n but_o ludovicus_n cappellus_n have_v show_v in_o his_o arcanum_n punctationis_fw-la and_o its_o defence_n with_o as_o much_o evidence_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o masorethe_n be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o vowel_n the_o most_o learned_a critic_n have_v embrace_v his_o opinion_n and_o look_v upon_o those_o who_o maintain_v the_o contrary_a as_o obstinate_a person_n the_o same_o happen_v with_o respect_n to_o another_o dispute_n which_o that_o learned_a man_n have_v concern_v the_o various_a readins_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n he_o prove_v that_o
there_o be_v many_o readins_n which_o may_v be_v prefer_v before_o those_o of_o our_o modern_a copy_n do_v it_o follow_v from_o thence_o as_o his_o adversary_n will_v have_v it_o that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n shall_v be_v destroy_v unbeliever_n will_v undoubted_o have_v reason_n to_o triumph_v and_o it_o will_v be_v impossible_a to_o make_v any_o tolerable_a reply_n to_o they_o but_o cappellus_n show_v very_o clear_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o false_a than_o this_o consequence_n as_o well_o as_o that_o which_o be_v draw_v from_o the_o novelty_n of_o the_o vowel_n and_o so_o he_o free_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o those_o insult_v of_o unbeliever_n to_o which_o his_o adversary_n have_v expose_v it_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o more_o effectual_a mean_n to_o confirm_v unbeliever_n in_o their_o obstinacy_n than_o the_o draw_n of_o such_o consequence_n for_o they_o hear_v on_o the_o one_o side_n some_o grave_n and_o much_o esteem_v teacher_n say_v after_o a_o doleful_a manner_n that_o if_o certain_a opinion_n be_v not_o true_a than_o religion_n be_v lose_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o see_v man_n of_o great_a learning_n not_o only_o acknowledge_v those_o opinion_n but_o also_o maintain_v they_o with_o very_o good_a reason_n they_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v less_o certain_a than_o religion_n by_o the_o confession_n even_o of_o a_o part_n of_o those_o that_o profess_v it_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o undertake_v to_o prove_v the_o contrary_a to_o they_o by_o reject_v some_o opinion_n ground_v upon_o very_o solid_a argument_n whatever_o the_o defender_n of_o the_o opposite_a opinion_n can_v tell_v they_o will_v only_o serve_v to_o make_v they_o pass_v for_o conceit_a man_n and_o of_o no_o great_a sincerity_n this_o help_v they_o also_o to_o perceive_v in_o many_o divine_v a_o strange_a disposition_n which_o will_v dishonour_v the_o christian_a religion_n if_o it_o have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o viz._n it_o do_v plain_o appear_v that_o they_o seek_v not_o what_o be_v true_a but_o what_o they_o think_v proper_a to_o maintain_v the_o doctrine_n they_o have_v embrace_v when_o they_o fancy_v that_o if_o a_o certain_a thing_n be_v believe_v some_o of_o their_o doctrine_n may_v be_v doubt_v of_o they_o do_v trouble_v themselves_o with_o inquire_v whether_o their_o fancy_n be_v ill_o ground_v or_o whether_o that_o thing_n can_v be_v prove_v on_o not_o as_o they_o shall_v do_v but_o they_o cry_v out_o in_o a_o woeful_a manner_n that_o such_o a_o opinion_n be_v dangerous_a that_o be_v to_o say_v it_o can_v be_v easy_o reconcile_v with_o religion_n as_o they_o fancy_v this_o be_v the_o true_a character_n of_o a_o pleader_n who_o be_v not_o very_o sure_a of_o be_v in_o the_o right_a he_o suppress_v whatever_o seem_v to_o he_o any_o way_n contrary_a to_o what_o he_o defend_v whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o false_a if_o he_o be_v afraid_a it_o may_v appear_v from_o thence_o that_o he_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n such_o be_v the_o conduct_n of_o the_o governor_n of_o a_o place_n who_o want_v skill_n or_o courage_n shall_v say_v that_o if_o some_o ill-fortified_a and_o inconsiderable_a out-work_n be_v take_v by_o the_o enemy_n he_o must_v unavoidable_o surrender_v the_o fortress_n those_o who_o observe_v the_o conduct_n of_o both_o will_v present_o suspect_v the_o pleader_n to_o be_v in_o the_o wrong_n and_o the_o governor_n to_o be_v sensible_a of_o the_o weakness_n of_o the_o place_n and_o that_o neither_o of_o they_o hope_n to_o make_v a_o good_a resistance_n unbeliever_n have_v the_o same_o thought_n concern_v divine_v when_o they_o observe_v that_o they_o greedy_o collect_v and_o catch_v at_o whatever_o can_v in_o any_o manner_n make_v their_o cause_n better_o or_o at_o least_o make_v it_o appear_v so_o but_o what_o ought_v to_o be_v say_v be_v that_o those_o divine_v dont_fw-fr know_v very_o well_o the_o truth_n of_o religion_n and_o stick_v to_o it_o only_o by_o a_o spirit_n of_o faction_n or_o interest_n the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v upon_o clear_a and_o undeniable_a argument_n it_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o no_o weak_a reason_n to_o support_v it_o it_o need_v but_o appear_v naked_a and_o such_o as_o it_o come_v from_o heaven_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o difficulty_n if_o any_o one_o who_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o and_o love_v not_o truth_n but_o only_o the_o worldly_a advantage_n that_o attend_v it_o seem_v to_o be_v afraid_a for_o religion_n it_o will_v never_o want_v more_o able_a defender_n who_o will_v be_v devote_v to_o it_o out_o of_o a_o principle_n worthy_a of_o so_o holy_a a_o doctrine_n they_o will_v never_o be_v afraid_a as_o long_o as_o religion_n be_v only_o assault_v with_o reason_n and_o argument_n chap._n vii_o that_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v any_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n thereof_o 1._o the_o abovementioned_a difficulty_n rather_o concern_v some_o modern_a divine_n than_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o they_o explain_v or_o defend_v not_o so_o well_o as_o they_o shall_v but_o because_o there_o be_v no_o science_n without_o some_o difficulty_n however_o it_o be_v understand_v it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o there_o be_v some_o in_o the_o christian_a religion_n of_o which_o i_o speak_v in_o this_o chapter_n wherewith_o i_o shall_v conclude_v this_o work_n first_o i_o will_v make_v some_o general_a reflection_n upon_o the_o difficulty_n which_o may_v occur_v in_o the_o christian_a theology_n and_o then_o i_o will_v allege_v some_o particular_a example_n thereof_o whereby_o i_o will_v show_v that_o they_o ought_v not_o to_o make_v any_o body_n doubt_v of_o its_o truth_n there_o may_v be_v two_o sort_n of_o difficulty_n in_o a_o science_n some_o of_o which_o do_v it_o shake_v its_o principle_n but_o other_o show_v it_o be_v no_o science_n at_o all_o 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perplex_v those_o who_o be_v fond_a of_o it_o but_o also_o be_v the_o cause_n why_o all_o its_o principle_n be_v look_v upon_o as_o false_a and_o all_o that_o pretend_a science_n as_o a_o heap_n of_o chimerical_a thought_n the_o reason_n of_o that_o difference_n be_v because_o the_o principle_n of_o geometry_n be_v either_o mere_a definition_n or_o maxim_n clear_a of_o themselves_o or_o demonstrate_v proposition_n whereas_o judiciary_n astrology_n be_v only_o ground_v upon_o false_a supposition_n so_o that_o assoon_o as_o the_o truth_n on_o which_o a_o science_n be_v ground_v have_v be_v demonstrate_v and_o there_o be_v no_o fault_n in_o those_o demonstration_n whatever_o difficulty_n there_o may_v be_v in_o any_o proposition_n draw_v from_o they_o we_o do_v look_v upon_o that_o science_n to_o be_v less_o certain_a now_o to_o apply_v that_o observation_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o to_o the_o difficulty_n which_o unbeliever_n find_v in_o it_o the_o first_o thing_n to_o be_v do_v when_o any_o objection_n be_v raise_v against_o christianity_n be_v to_o see_v whether_o that_o objection_n direct_o show_v that_o the_o proof_n thereof_o be_v false_a though_o nothing_o can_v be_v answer_v to_o that_o difficulty_n if_o those_o that_o raise_v it_o can_v reply_v to_o the_o direct_a proof_n of_o christianity_n that_o difficulty_n do_v not_o weaken_v the_o strength_n of_o the_o proof_n and_o all_o that_o can_v be_v say_v be_v that_o the_o objection_n be_v about_o a_o thing_n which_o we_o do_v not_o well_o understand_v or_o that_o the_o christian_a theology_n be_v not_o perfect_o know_v to_o we_o wherefore_o the_o incredulous_a act_n not_o wise_o when_o they_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n because_o of_o some_o difficulty_n though_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o confute_v the_o proof_n on_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v now_o i_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o difficulty_n can_v destroy_v those_o proof_n
and_o if_o unbeliever_n will_v mind_v it_o they_o may_v observe_v that_o most_o of_o their_o objection_n have_v no_o relation_n to_o they_o that_o observation_n be_v of_o very_o great_a moment_n when_o the_o question_n be_v about_o some_o fact_n which_o happen_v many_o century_n ago_o and_o be_v attest_v by_o some_o historian_n who_o knowledge_n and_o sincerity_n have_v be_v well_o prove_v although_o one_o may_v raise_v some_o difficulty_n with_o respect_n to_o some_o circumstance_n which_o can_v be_v now_o easy_o resolve_v yet_o if_o those_o difficulty_n destroy_v not_o the_o direct_a proof_n we_o have_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o historian_n and_o the_o exact_a knowledge_n they_o have_v of_o what_o they_o relate_v they_o ought_v not_o to_o make_v we_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o history_n to_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v all_o the_o query_n which_o may_v be_v make_v about_o a_o relation_n one_o shall_v have_v be_v a_o eye-witness_n of_o whatever_o it_o contain_v and_o 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be_v impossible_a to_o satisfy_v in_o few_o word_n those_o to_o who_o all_o those_o proposition_n or_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v unknown_a because_o they_o ought_v to_o examine_v they_o one_o after_o another_o notwithstanding_o it_o have_v be_v observe_v several_a time_n that_o some_o man_n who_o have_v some_o difficulty_n about_o religion_n will_v have_v their_o objection_n present_o resolve_v without_o have_v any_o regard_n to_o what_o i_o say_v though_o that_o resolution_n necessary_o suppose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o several_a other_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v ignorant_a of_o because_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o satisfy_v they_o without_o instruct_v they_o in_o those_o thing_n and_o because_o they_o grow_v present_o weary_a with_o a_o long_a discourse_n it_o be_v a_o difficult_a matter_n to_o make_v they_o sensible_a of_o their_o mistake_n though_o it_o be_v their_o fault_n if_o they_o retire_v without_o be_v well_o please_v with_o those_o to_o who_o they_o propose_v 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how_o he_o do_v it_o this_o be_v undeniable_a i_o conclude_v from_o it_o that_o though_o i_o have_v no_o distinct_a idea_n of_o the_o manner_n after_o which_o god_n may_v have_v produce_v body_n out_o of_o nothing_o yet_o i_o can_v deny_v it_o especial_o if_o we_o observe_v in_o matter_n no_o character_n of_o eternity_n it_o be_v a_o absurd_a thing_n even_o to_o suspect_v that_o it_o be_v eternal_a and_o much_o more_o absurd_a still_o to_o find_v fault_n with_o christian_a divine_n who_o say_v that_o it_o be_v create_v out_o of_o nothing_o though_o nothing_o can_v hinder_v we_o from_o ground_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n upon_o that_o foundation_n yet_o it_o must_v be_v confess_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v institute_v for_o illiterate_a man_n as_o well_o as_o for_o scholar_n do_v not_o necessary_o suppose_v these_o sort_n of_o thing_n which_o require_v a_o great_a meditation_n than_o the_o vulgar_a be_v capable_a of_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o apprehend_v 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whatever_o they_o say_v concern_v revelation_n in_o general_n be_v ground_v upon_o this_o prejudice_n viz._n that_o they_o themselves_o have_v no_o experience_n of_o a_o revelation_n they_o can_v be_v persuade_v that_o there_o have_v be_v any_o but_o nothing_o can_v be_v weak_a than_o argument_n ground_v only_o upon_o our_o ignorance_n and_o which_o suppose_v that_o what_o we_o know_v not_o be_v not_o true_a as_o i_o have_v already_o observe_v those_o who_o deny_v revelation_n shall_v either_o manifest_o prove_v that_o god_n can_v reveal_v himself_o to_o his_o creature_n after_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n which_o no_o body_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o prove_v or_o find_v out_o in_o that_o revelation_n some_o manifest_a character_n of_o falsity_n which_o no_o body_n can_v show_v in_o the_o revelation_n of_o holy_a scripture_n this_o may_v be_v sufficient_a to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o unbeliever_n but_o their_o repugnancy_n to_o believe_v the_o christian_a religion_n arise_v 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be_v command_v to_o say_v to_o the_o jew_n of_o his_o time_n etc._n time_n ch._n 31.31_o etc._n etc._n the_o day_n come_v say_v the_o 6.3_o the_o so_o the_o word_n jehovah_n may_v be_v render_v see_v my_o remark_n upon_o exod._n 6.3_o creator_n that_o i_o will_v make_v a_o new_a covenant_n with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n and_o with_o the_o house_n of_o judah_n not_o according_a to_o the_o covenant_n which_o i_o make_v with_o their_o father_n in_o the_o day_n that_o i_o take_v they_o by_o the_o hand_n to_o bring_v they_o out_o of_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n but_o this_o shall_v be_v the_o covenant_n that_o i_o will_v make_v with_o the_o house_n of_o israel_n after_o those_o day_n i_o will_v put_v my_o law_n in_o their_o inward_a part_n and_o write_v it_o in_o their_o heart_n that_o be_v it_o will_v be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o reason_v only_o will_v almost_o teach_v it_o and_o they_o will_v easy_o remember_v it_o and_o i_o will_v be_v their_o god_n and_o they_o shall_v be_v my_o people_n and_o they_o shall_v teach_v no_o more_o every_o man_n his_o neighbour_n and_o every_o man_n his_o brother_n know_v the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v all_o know_v i_o from_o the_o least_o of_o they_o unto_o the_o great_a of_o they_o etc._n etc._n this_o clear_o denote_v some_o new_a law_n which_o one_o may_v easy_o learn_v and_o remember_v whereas_o it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n of_o moses_n which_o can_v neither_o be_v easy_o remember_v nor_o understand_v another_o prophet_n introduce_v god_n speak_v thus_o 1.11_o thus_o mal._n 1.11_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 offer_n for_o my_o name_n shall_v be_v great_a among_o the_o heathen_a there_o be_v also_o some_o promise_n in_o the_o prophet_n concern_v he_o who_o god_n be_v to_o send_v to_o 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it_o be_v a_o general_a opinion_n that_o a_o king_n be_v to_o come_v who_o they_o name_v messiah_n by_o excellency_n that_o be_v to_o say_v anoint_v because_o king_n be_v anoint_v and_o that_o he_o will_v change_v the_o state_n of_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n but_o neither_o the_o word_n of_o the_o prophet_n nor_o what_o tradition_n may_v have_v preserve_v of_o their_o doctrine_n be_v clear_a enough_o to_o give_v they_o a_o distinct_a and_o true_a notion_n of_o the_o person_n of_o that_o king_n or_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o kingdom_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o they_o expect_v a_o king_n like_o those_o who_o they_o have_v former_o who_o shall_v subdue_v their_o neighbour_n to_o their_o empire_n there_o be_v many_o such_o promise_n in_o the_o prophet_n which_o i_o will_v not_o insist_v upon_o because_o some_o few_o example_n will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o show_v the_o design_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o the_o effect_v it_o wrought_v in_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n the_o 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to_o make_v further_a promise_n of_o a_o messiah_n by_o new_a revelation_n they_o think_v they_o perceive_v he_o clear_o enough_o in_o the_o old_a but_o they_o stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o two_o thing_n the_o one_o be_v to_o learn_v that_o the_o true_a worship_n of_o god_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o ceremony_n but_o in_o entertain_v noble_a thought_n of_o god_n and_o in_o pray_v to_o and_o trust_v in_o he_o and_o in_o love_v one_o neighbour_n as_o himself_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o by_o the_o word_n neighbour_n we_o must_v understand_v all_o man_n in_o general_n the_o other_o thing_n the_o jew_n want_v then_o be_v to_o know_v certain_o that_o there_o be_v a_o future_a life_n and_o that_o god_n will_v reward_v good_a man_n and_o punish_v the_o wicked_a after_o this_o life_n the_o jew_n entertain_v a_o most_o pernicious_a error_n concern_v the_o first_o thing_n viz._n that_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o ceremony_n be_v the_o chief_a thing_n man_n can_v do_v to_o be_v acceptable_a to_o god_n whereas_o those_o ceremony_n be_v but_o some_o law_n which_o god_n have_v give_v they_o out_o of_o condescension_n and_o to_o keep_v they_o separate_v from_o other_o nation_n until_o a_o certain_a time_n as_o it_o appear_v from_o the_o thing_n itself_o and_o experience_n beside_o the_o roman_n be_v then_o ready_a to_o deprive_v they_o of_o a_o small_a remainder_n of_o liberty_n which_o they_o enjoy_v and_o to_o take_v from_o they_o the_o mean_n of_o preserve_v their_o temple_n it_o be_v very_o necessary_a that_o the_o jew_n shall_v know_v that_o it_o be_v no_o great_a loss_n see_v they_o will_v be_v no_o less_o acceptable_a to_o god_n by_o worship_v he_o only_o and_o obey_v his_o moral_a law_n though_o they_o shall_v observe_v no_o long_o the_o ceremonial_a one_o forasmuch_o as_o they_o be_v to_o be_v mix_v for_o ever_o with_o all_o nation_n their_o commonweath_n be_v destroy_v without_o any_o hope_n of_o a_o re-establishment_n one_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a advice_n that_o can_v be_v give_v they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o all_o man_n as_o their_o neighbour_n they_o be_v forbid_v before_o to_o converse_v familiar_o with_o they_o as_o long_o as_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n shall_v subsist_v but_o after_o its_o total_a destruction_n there_o be_v no_o room_n leave_v for_o that_o distinction_n nay_o it_o be_v impossible_a the_o reunion_n of_o the_o jew_n with_o the_o rest_n of_o mankind_n be_v most_o worthy_a of_o god_n the_o common_a father_n of_o all_o man_n who_o have_v separate_v his_o child_n for_o a_o time_n lest_o a_o general_a corruption_n shall_v overflow_v they_o as_o for_o what_o concern_v a_o future_a life_n together_o with_o its_o reward_n and_o punishment_n it_o be_v altogether_o necessary_a that_o christ_n shall_v ground_v that_o belief_n upon_o a_o new_a foundation_n the_o prophet_n speak_v not_o clear_o enough_o upon_o that_o point_n and_o it_o can_v be_v find_v in_o their_o write_n but_o by_o the_o help_n of_o several_a consequence_n and_o those_o sometime_o extreme_o nice_a that_o doctrine_n be_v not_o express_o treat_v of_o therein_o and_o there_o be_v nothing_o concern_v it_o where_o any_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v be_v handle_v at_o large_a and_o in_o express_a word_n as_o in_o that_o part_n of_o the_o law_n wherein_o reward_n be_v promise_v to_o those_o who_o shall_v obey_v god_n and_o punishment_n denounce_v against_o those_o who_o shall_v break_v his_o commandment_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o sadducee_n laugh_v at_o that_o doctrine_n and_o pretend_v it_o be_v a_o vain_a tradition_n yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o religion_n run_v a_o great_a danger_n without_o this_o doctrine_n which_o be_v undoubted_o always_o necessary_a to_o excite_v man_n to_o the_o practice_n of_o virtue_n as_o i_o
apostle_n to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v inspire_v but_o i_o affirm_v again_o that_o that_o very_a thing_n will_v raise_v suspicion_n against_o they_o and_o doubt_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n before_o i_o show_v it_o i_o must_v not_o forget_v to_o say_v that_o i_o do_v blame_v art_n and_o eloquence_n as_o be_v pernicious_a and_o useless_a on_o all_o occasion_n on_o the_o contrary_a those_o that_o make_v a_o good_a use_n of_o it_o can_v be_v too_o much_o esteem_v that_o be_v those_o who_o use_v it_o to_o vindicate_v and_o clear_a truth_n or_o to_o lead_v man_n to_o virtue_n i_o only_o design_v to_o show_v that_o it_o fall_v out_o better_o that_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v destitute_a of_o it_o let_v we_o suppose_v again_o the_o contrary_a of_o what_o happen_v and_o that_o the_o apostle_n who_o leave_v to_o posterity_n the_o life_n discourse_n and_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v man_n of_o great_a eloquence_n and_o perfect_a master_n of_o the_o art_n of_o write_v exact_o and_o methodical_o let_v we_o suppose_v that_o their_o write_n as_o well_o as_o their_o discourse_n be_v compose_v with_o great_a exactness_n and_o all_o possible_a elegancy_n i_o will_v tell_v you_o the_o effect_v it_o will_v work_v upon_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n especial_o of_o those_o who_o shall_v read_v they_o now_o they_o will_v think_v that_o they_o be_v very_o ingenious_a man_n who_o learning_n and_o eloquence_n have_v move_v they_o to_o propagate_v their_o doctrine_n through_o the_o whole_a world_n and_o get_v reputation_n by_o it_o as_o it_o can_v be_v doubt_v that_o it_o be_v plato_n design_n as_o well_o as_o of_o many_o other_o philosopher_n it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o those_o man_n in_o order_n to_o convince_v other_o not_o only_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o moral_n by_o the_o eloquence_n of_o their_o write_n but_o also_o to_o make_v they_o observe_v so_o excellent_a a_o doctrine_n out_o of_o a_o more_o powerful_a motive_n 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the_o success_n of_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v no_o inconsiderable_a mark_n of_o its_o divinity_n will_v be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o eloquence_n of_o its_o first_o preacher_n not_o of_o a_o extraordinary_a providence_n it_o will_v have_v be_v say_v at_o most_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v the_o most_o excellent_a and_o rational_a philosophy_n that_o have_v be_v teach_v till_o that_o time_n but_o by_o grant_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o moral_a rule_n they_o will_v have_v doubt_v of_o its_o divinity_n and_o look_v upon_o it_o rather_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o the_o apostle_n meditation_n than_o a_o divine_a revelation_n but_o have_v write_v the_o life_n of_o their_o master_n and_o publish_v his_o discourse_n without_o any_o art_n or_o method_n they_o can_v be_v suspect_v neither_o to_o have_v contrive_v what_o they_o say_v nor_o to_o have_v use_v any_o artifice_n to_o make_v a_o lie_n look_v with_o the_o air_n of_o truth_n their_o great_a simplicity_n which_o appear_v every_o where_o and_o their_o take_a no_o care_n to_o impose_v upon_o the_o reader_n be_v evident_a mark_v not_o only_o of_o their_o being_n not_o able_a to_o deceive_v but_o also_o of_o their_o sincerity_n the_o wonderful_a success_n of_o their_o preach_v though_o destitute_a of_o whatever_o raise_v the_o admiration_n of_o the_o orator_n and_o philosopher_n be_v a_o convince_a proof_n of_o their_o be_v favour_v by_o heaven_n 5._o heaven_n 1_o cor._n 2.4_o 5._o my_o speech_n and_o my_o preach_v say_v one_o of_o they_o be_v not_o with_o entice_a word_n of_o man_n wisdom_n but_o in_o demonstration_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o of_o power_n to_o wit_n in_o the_o miracle_n that_o your_o faith_n shall_v not_o stand_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o in_o the_o power_n of_o god_n if_o we_o reflect_v upon_o those_o circumstance_n of_o the_o revelation_n and_o all_o the_o other_o which_o at_o first_o seem_v to_o make_v one_o doubt_n of_o it_o when_o they_o be_v not_o thorough_o examine_v we_o shall_v see_v that_o god_n can_v not_o give_v more_o sensible_a mark_n of_o the_o care_n he_o take_v about_o it_o but_o by_o choose_v those_o who_o ministry_n he_o make_v use_v of_o to_o propagate_v it_o through_o the_o whole_a world_n i_o shall_v not_o undertake_v to_o resolve_v the_o particular_a objection_n which_o unbeliever_n may_v raise_v against_o the_o christian_a religion_n the_o answer_n to_o which_o must_v be_v look_v for_o in_o the_o write_n of_o those_o who_o have_v direct_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o or_o write_v upon_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o conclusion_n of_o the_o second_o part._n i_o think_v i_o may_v conclude_v now_o nor_o can_v unbeliever_n accuse_v i_o of_o draw_v a_o consequence_n that_o extend_v far_a than_o the_o proof_n i_o make_v use_v of_o that_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o false_a than_o to_o fancy_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v ground_v upon_o mere_a credulity_n that_o the_o ignorance_n or_o corrupt_a manner_n of_o those_o who_o profess_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o prejudice_v it_o in_o the_o least_o that_o though_o many_o profess_v it_o out_o of_o interest_n for_o many_o age_n past_a rather_o than_o out_o of_o persuasion_n no_o such_o thing_n can_v be_v suspect_v concern_v its_o first_o founder_n that_o the_o division_n which_o be_v among_o christian_n ought_v not_o to_o make_v one_o doubt_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o that_o the_o gospel_n be_v very_o useful_a to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o mankind_n both_o in_o this_o life_n and_o the_o next_o that_o the_o falsity_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o doctrine_n of_o some_o christian_n now_o must_v not_o be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o apostle_n last_o that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o god_n revelation_n to_o man_n such_o as_o the_o christian_n represent_v it_o contain_v nothing_o but_o what_o be_v most_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n and_o most_o worthy_a of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n if_o unbeliever_n will_v serious_o think_v upon_o what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v those_o proposition_n i_o be_o persuade_v that_o they_o will_v easy_o grant_v they_o and_o then_o they_o may_v find_v without_o any_o difficulty_n a_o answer_n to_o all_o their_o particular_a objection_n as_o soon_o as_o some_o undeniable_a principle_n have_v be_v lay_v down_o which_o influence_n all_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a theology_n several_a thing_n which_o before_o seem_v difficult_a cease_v then_o to_o be_v so_o and_o thus_o one_o knowledge_n may_v be_v increase_v every_o day_n on_o the_o contrary_a the_o general_a principle_n of_o religion_n remain_v uncertain_a or_o unknown_a every_o thing_n make_v man_n perplex_v and_o the_o long_o they_o live_v in_o such_o a_o state_n the_o more_o the_o difficulty_n increase_v as_o soon_o as_o man_n have_v learn_v to_o distinguish_v the_o religion_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n from_o what_o be_v teach_v in_o several_a part_n of_o europe_n and_o the_o maxim_n of_o the_o first_o founder_n of_o christianity_n from_o those_o of_o many_o christian_n of_o this_o time_n they_o may_v easy_o perceive_v that_o a_o great_a part_n of_o the_o doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v offend_v at_o and_o the_o behaviour_n which_o they_o dislike_v be_v not_o at_o all_o like_a the_o doctrine_n of_o ancient_a christianity_n or_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n the_o thing_n we_o treat_v of_o be_v not_o a_o dispute_n wherein_o man_n only_a design_n to_o show_v their_o wit_n and_o get_v the_o victory_n but_o the_o question_n be_v about_o the_o search_n of_o a_o truth_n the_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v equal_o useful_a to_o both_o side_n unbeliever_n ought_v therefore_o to_o part_v altogether_o with_o that_o spirit_n of_o wrangle_a which_o make_v they_o so_o eager_a to_o
instruct_v he_o in_o all_o those_o circumstance_n the_o divinity_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v establish_v upon_o some_o fact_n one_o can_v it_o judge_v of_o it_o neither_o but_o by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o circumstance_n which_o attend_v they_o wherefore_o those_o who_o desire_v it_o shall_v be_v prove_v to_o they_o without_o acquaint_v they_o with_o those_o circumstance_n require_v a_o thing_n equal_o unjust_a and_o impossible_a what_o i_o have_v say_v concern_v julius_n cesar_n can_v be_v prove_v to_o a_o man_n altogether_o ignorant_a of_o the_o roman_a history_n whilst_o he_o remain_v in_o that_o ignorance_n and_o consequent_o it_o will_v be_v unjust_a to_o require_v any_o such_o thing_n with_o respect_n to_o religion_n 3._o the_o first_o thing_n therefore_o that_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o set_v down_o the_o fact_n it_o suppose_v with_o all_o their_o circumstance_n but_o a_o objection_n offer_v 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the_o empire_n of_o claudius_n or_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o nero_n say_v that_o nero_n have_v set_v on_o fire_n several_a part_n of_o rome_n charge_v the_o christian_n with_o it_o and_o put_v they_o to_o horrible_a torment_n he_o take_v occasion_n from_o thence_o to_o speak_v of_o the_o origin_n of_o christianity_n in_o these_o word_n 44._o word_n annal._n lib._n 15._o c._n 44._o the_o author_n of_o that_o sect_n be_v christ_n who_o be_v put_v to_o death_n under_o the_o empire_n of_o tiberius_n by_o pontius_n pilate_n governor_n of_o judea_n that_o pernicious_a superstition_n though_o suppress_v in_o the_o beginning_n quick_o break_v out_o again_o and_o spread_v itself_o not_o only_o throughout_o judea_n the_o place_n where_o this_o evil_n have_v its_o origin_n but_o also_o in_o rome_n whither_o every_o villainous_a and_o shameful_a thing_n resort_v and_o find_v abettor_n those_o who_o confess_v that_o they_o be_v christian_n be_v present_o seize_v and_o then_o a_o great_a multitude_n 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the_o christian_n it_o be_v 97._o be_v ep._n lib._n 10._o ep._n 97._o pliny_n the_o young_a who_o be_v proconsul_n of_o bythinia_n about_o seventy_o year_n after_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o judea_n search_v out_o by_o trajan_n order_n the_o christian_n who_o be_v in_o his_o province_n and_o will_v know_v what_o opinion_n they_o have_v afterward_o he_o write_v to_o trajan_n about_o it_o in_o a_o letter_n which_o be_v extant_a still_o they_o affirm_v say_v he_o that_o all_o their_o crime_n and_o error_n consist_v in_o their_o use_v to_o meet_v at_o night_n on_o a_o certain_a day_n and_o sing_v together_o a_o hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o to_o a_o god_n that_o they_o bind_v themselves_o by_o a_o oath_n indeed_o not_o to_o perpetrate_v any_o crime_n but_o to_o commit_v no_o theft_n nor_o robbery_n nor_o adultery_n to_o deceive_v no_o body_n to_o deny_v no_o trust_n afterward_o they_o go_v to_o eat_v together_o which_o they_o do_v in_o common_a without_o any_o harm_n but_o that_o 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same_o thing_n they_o refer_v the_o beginning_n of_o christianity_n to_o that_o christ_n who_o pilate_n put_v to_o death_n and_o they_o say_v that_o they_o have_v precise_o the_o same_o moral_n this_o we_o see_v not_o only_o in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n but_o also_o in_o the_o letter_n of_o st._n barnabas_n in_o that_o of_o st._n clemens_n in_o the_o book_n of_o hermas_n and_o the_o genuine_a epistle_n of_o st._n ignatius_n and_o st._n polycarp_n 5._o it_o must_v therefore_o be_v grant_v that_o under_o the_o empire_n of_o tiberius_n there_o be_v a_o man_n in_o judea_n who_o give_v a_o beginning_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o preach_v most_o excellent_a moral_n all_o the_o christian_n who_o live_v since_o attest_v it_o from_o age_n to_o age_n and_o no_o body_n do_v ever_o doubt_v of_o it_o the_o heathen_n themselves_o do_v it_o deny_v it_o to_o be_v certain_a whether_o the_o apostle_n and_o other_o primitive_a christian_n be_v sincere_a person_n 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find_v in_o they_o the_o same_o moral_n which_o they_o endeavour_v to_o infuse_v into_o the_o mind_n of_o their_o disciple_n 6._o the_o apostle_n therefore_o by_o exhort_v all_o those_o that_o will_v hear_v they_o to_o live_v after_o a_o manner_n so_o rational_a and_o so_o advantageous_a to_o human_a society_n can_v not_o be_v suspect_v thereby_o of_o want_n of_o sincerity_n but_o it_o will_v perhaps_o be_v say_v that_o they_o preach_v that_o doctrine_n only_o to_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o people_n and_o then_o under_o pretence_n of_o piety_n to_o obtain_v from_o they_o what_o they_o desire_v but_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v i_o that_o this_o be_v a_o mere_a suspicion_n not_o at_o all_o ground_a upon_o the_o doctrine_n they_o teach_v see_v they_o condemn_v alike_o the_o unlawful_a love_n of_o riches_n dignity_n and_o pleasure_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o fraud_n and_o cheat._n not_o one_o place_n of_o their_o write_n can_v be_v quote_v that_o favour_n 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christian_a woman_n suffer_v to_o be_v put_v to_o the_o rack_n for_o their_o christianity_n without_o accuse_v the_o christian_n of_o any_o thing_n from_o whence_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o some_o of_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n give_v a_o example_n to_o other_o as_o their_o disciple_n affirm_v it_o one_o can_v apprehend_v otherwise_o how_o they_o can_v get_v their_o doctrine_n receive_v by_o so_o many_o people_n who_o suffer_v horrible_a torment_n for_o the_o religion_n they_o learn_v of_o they_o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v i_o only_o draw_v this_o consequence_n viz._n that_o the_o apostle_n be_v sincere_a man_n as_o well_o as_o those_o who_o follow_v their_o example_n die_v for_o the_o same_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n have_v be_v therefore_o undeniable_o sincere_a man_n it_o must_v be_v further_o confess_v that_o if_o there_o ever_o be_v any_o man_n who_o virtue_n deserve_v our_o esteem_n they_o be_v they_o one_o can_v think_v of_o a_o design_n more_o useful_a to_o mankind_n than_o they_o as_o i_o have_v show_v already_o speak_v of_o the_o moral_n they_o preach_v no_o body_n can_v endeavour_v to_o make_v it_o succeed_v with_o great_a zeal_n and_o ardour_n than_o they_o who_o sacrifice_v to_o it_o their_o repose_n pleasure_n estate_n hope_n of_o raise_v themselves_o honour_n and_o life_n itself_o now_o i_o ask_v whether_o be_v convince_v of_o the_o probity_n and_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o know_v beside_o from_o their_o discourse_n that_o they_o be_v far_o from_o be_v mad_a man_n we_o may_v just_o refuse_v to_o believe_v their_o testimony_n when_o they_o affirm_v they_o have_v see_v some_o fact_n which_o they_o relate_v with_o a_o vast_a number_n of_o circumstance_n and_o hear_v some_o discourse_n which_o they_o set_v down_o from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n and_o which_o be_v full_a of_o sense_n let_v every_o one_o put_v the_o question_n to_o himself_o whether_o he_o will_v not_o believe_v a_o friend_n of_o he_o who_o he_o know_v to_o be_v a_o sincere_a and_o judicious_a man_n if_o he_o affirm_v he_o have_v hear_v and_o see_v several_a thing_n which_o he_o relate_v without_o have_v any_o interest_n to_o deceive_v he_o can_v he_o look_v upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o a_o man_n of_o sense_n who_o shall_v give_v all_o imaginable_a mark_n of_o sincerity_n as_o a_o lie_n if_o he_o affirm_v he_o have_v hear_v a_o friend_n of_o his_o say_v something_o and_o afterward_o have_v be_v present_a at_o his_o torment_n and_o death_n i_o confess_v that_o those_o who_o know_v not_o his_o sincerity_n and_o judgement_n and_o that_o he_o have_v no_o interest_n to_o tell_v a_o lie_n may_v doubt_v of_o what_o they_o shall_v hear_v he_o say_v but_o i_o affirm_v that_o be_v persuade_v of_o his_o honesty_n and_o wisdom_n it_o be_v impossible_a not_o to_o believe_v he_o every_o one_o may_v be_v convince_v of_o it_o by_o his_o experience_n and_o may_v imagine_v a_o thousand_o example_n of_o what_o i_o say_v the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o they_o live_v some_o year_n with_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n of_o who_o they_o learn_v all_o their_o doctrine_n that_o they_o see_v he_o crucify_v on_o such_o a_o day_n give_v up_o the_o ghost_n upon_o the_o cross_n and_o afterward_o bury_v in_o a_o sepulchre_n dig_v in_o a_o rock_n by_o a_o jewish_a counsellor_n who_o name_n be_v joseph_n of_o arimathea_n who_o obtain_v from_o pilate_n leave_v to_o bury_v jesus_n and_o who_o have_v put_v he_o in_o a_o sepulchre_n cause_v a_o great_a stone_n to_o be_v roll_v at_o the_o entrance_n that_o they_o see_v some_o roman_a soldier_n guard_v that_o sepulchre_n which_o the_o chief_a of_o the_o jew_n have_v seal_v lest_o the_o body_n of_o jesus_n shall_v be_v take_v away_o can_v we_o be_v persuade_v as_o we_o be_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o have_v so_o strong_a proof_n of_o it_o refuse_v to_o believe_v they_o in_o this_o certain_o we_o shall_v be_v out_o of_o our_o wit_n do_v we_o believe_v that_o wise_a and_o sincere_a man_n will_v tell_v a_o lie_n when_o they_o affirm_v a_o fact_n of_o that_o nature_n with_o so_o many_o circumstance_n we_o can_v forbear_v have_v the_o same_o thought_n concern_v the_o discourse_n of_o jesus_n which_o the_o same_o apostle_n relate_v with_o so_o many_o circumstance_n that_o we_o can_v not_o relate_v they_o better_o if_o we_o have_v hear_v they_o it_o be_v as_o clear_a as_o the_o noon-light_n to_o those_o who_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v man_n who_o have_v at_o least_o common_a sense_n and_o honesty_n that_o they_o say_v truth_n concern_v the_o fact_n i_o have_v mention_v 9_o this_o be_v so_o we_o can_v have_v no_o good_a reason_n not_o to_o believe_v they_o when_o they_o affirm_v they_o have_v often_o see_v their_o master_n heal_v in_o a_o moment_n incurable_a disease_n restore_v dead_a man_n to_o life_n and_o himself_o raise_v at_o last_o after_o he_o have_v be_v above_o thirty_o hour_n in_o his_o sepulchre_n and_o then_o speak_v and_o eat_v with_o they_o during_o many_o day_n and_o at_o last_o ascend_v to_o heaven_n in_o a_o cloud_n in_o their_o presence_n i_o know_v that_o several_a man_n who_o perhaps_o have_v never_o doubt_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o apostle_n testimony_n if_o they_o have_v say_v nothing_o of_o the_o miracle_n resurrection_n and_o ascension_n of_o christ_n doubt_v of_o it_o only_o for_o that_o reason_n they_o can_v have_v easy_o believe_v that_o a_o man_n name_v jesus_n teach_v the_o moral_n we_o find_v in_o the_o gospel_n in_o judea_n when_o pontius_n pilate_n be_v governor_n of_o it_o and_o that_o the_o jew_n oblige_v the_o roman_a governor_n to_o put_v he_o to_o death_n out_o of_o envy_n and_o malice_n and_o that_o his_o disciple_n go_v on_o after_o his_o death_n and_o teach_v his_o doctrine_n and_o that_o the_o most_o cruel_a torment_n can_v not_o hinder_v they_o from_o preach_v it_o they_o will_v praise_v the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o most_o excellent_a philosophy_n that_o ever_o be_v teach_v among_o man_n and_o which_o contain_v the_o best_a principle_n that_o can_v be_v think_v of_o to_o oblige_v they_o to_o live_v well_o one_o with_o another_o but_o they_o persuade_v themselves_o that_o the_o apostle_n be_v impostor_n only_o because_o they_o say_v they_o see_v their_o master_n work_v miracle_n that_o he_o be_v see_v by_o they_o after_o their_o resurrection_n and_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n in_o their_o sight_n let_v we_o see_v why_o they_o do_v so_o the_o falsity_n of_o a_o history_n can_v be_v know_v but_o two_o way_n first_o when_o we_o perceive_v that_o the_o witness_n who_o relate_v it_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o or_o design_v to_o deceive_v other_o though_o what_o they_o relate_v be_v very_o possible_a second_o when_o we_o know_v by_o clear_a and_o evident_a argument_n that_o the_o fact_n in_o question_n be_v absolute_o impossible_a in_o themselves_o i_o have_v clear_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n design_v not_o to_o deceive_v other_o and_o it_o can_v be_v say_v that_o they_o themselves_o be_v always_o deceive_v in_o all_o the_o miracle_n they_o relate_v if_o the_o question_n be_v about_o a_o small_a number_n of_o miracle_n difficult_a to_o examine_v one_o may_v have_v such_o a_o suspicion_n with_o some_o likelihood_n but_o they_o relate_v so_o many_o and_o of_o so_o many_o sort_n that_o if_o what_o they_o say_v be_v not_o true_a they_o must_v necessary_o have_v be_v deceiver_n for_o example_n they_o can_v not_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o christ_n ascension_n into_o heaven_n which_o they_o constant_o preach_v and_o of_o which_o the_o christian_n make_v from_o the_o beginning_n one_o of_o the_o chief_a article_n of_o their_o faith_n those_o who_o as_o pliny_n relate_v it_o sing_v hymn_n to_o christ_n as_o to_o a_o god_n believe_v without_o doubt_n that_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n if_o we_o read_v only_o st._n luke_n 15._o luke_n luke_n 24._o 1_o cor._n 15._o gospel_n and_o the_o first_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o corinthian_n which_o contain_v several_a particular_a circumstance_n of_o many_o miracle_n of_o christ_n especial_o of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o his_o several_a apparition_n after_o he_o come_v out_o of_o his_o grave_n we_o may_v certain_o know_v that_o those_o who_o speak_v so_o be_v not_o seduce_v and_o that_o if_o what_o they_o say_v be_v not_o true_a they_o must_v necessary_o have_v design_v to_o deceive_v those_o to_o who_o they_o relate_v such_o fact_n but_o i_o have_v undeniable_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n be_v sincere_a man_n and_o consequent_o that_o their_o testimony_n can_v be_v reject_v wherefore_o those_o who_o believe_v it_o not_o accuse_v they_o not_o of_o have_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v seduce_v neither_o do_v they_o undertake_v to_o overthrow_v the_o argument_n by_o which_o we_o