their_o error_n but_o show_v they_o the_o truth_n not_o by_o subtlety_n and_o human_a method_n but_o by_o have_v recourse_n to_o the_o revelation_n of_o god_n and_o that_o testify_v by_o the_o great_a of_o miracle_n the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n from_o the_o dead_a have_v thus_o enlarge_v upon_o this_o oration_n of_o st._n paul_n which_o he_o make_v against_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o athenian_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o great_a court_n of_o judicature_n i_o shall_v endeavour_v these_o three_o thing_n in_o my_o follow_a discourse_n i._o to_o lay_v down_o some_o consideration_n that_o may_v lead_v we_o into_o a_o more_o distinct_a knowledge_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o superstition_n ii_o to_o observe_v some_o of_o its_o more_o barbarous_a effect_n such_o as_o the_o occasion_n and_o the_o history_n of_o this_o day_n shall_v suggest_v iii_o to_o propose_v some_o direction_n to_o preserve_v we_o from_o this_o horrible_a sin_n and_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o i._o to_o lay_v down_o some_o consideration_n etc._n etc._n superstition_n in_o its_o ordinary_a use_n be_v make_v a_o word_n of_o ambiguity_n and_o a_o common_a term_n of_o disdain_n which_o be_v mutual_o cast_v upon_o all_o the_o difference_n in_o religion_n the_o epicurean_o count_v it_o superstition_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o to_o pay_v he_o any_o worship_n beside_o the_o bare_a esteem_n of_o the_o mind_n the_o heathen_a writer_n whenever_o they_o mention_v the_o jew_n or_o the_o christian_n speak_v of_o they_o as_o a_o most_o wretchedly-deluded_n people_n give_v over_o to_o a_o obstinate_a superstition_n but_o i_o think_v the_o primitive_a father_n have_v sufficient_o manifest_v where_o superstition_n be_v to_o be_v real_o charge_v by_o expose_v their_o absurd_a cruel_a and_o obscene_a rite_n and_o by_o baffle_v all_o the_o argument_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o justify_v their_o folly_n but_o still_o there_o be_v vast_a body_n of_o people_n in_o the_o world_n who_o live_v under_o different_a persuasion_n in_o religion_n as_o well_o as_o under_o different_a government_n who_o be_v mighty_o satisfy_v in_o their_o own_o way_n of_o worship_n and_o commiserate_v all_o who_o be_v not_o of_o their_o opinion_n as_o poor_a delude_a creature_n blind_v with_o superstition_n nay_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n itself_o be_v so_o fill_v up_o with_o different_a imagination_n rite_n and_o usage_n that_o almost_o all_o distinct_a communion_n be_v impeach_v and_o abhor_v one_o another_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o superstition_n they_o who_o know_v the_o world_n know_v that_o these_o be_v true_a observation_n and_o very_o deplorable_a but_o sure_o there_o be_v some_o better_a standard_n of_o superstition_n than_o the_o opprobrious_a language_n and_o passion_n of_o mankind_n and_o that_o be_v the_o thing_n i_o be_o now_o to_o inquire_v after_o 1._o therefore_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o plutarch_n have_v write_v the_o most_o celebrate_a treatise_n on_o this_o subject_a of_o any_o among_o the_o ancient_a heathen_a for_o that_o book_n of_o seneca_n concern_v superstition_n which_o st._n austin_n quote_v be_v not_o come_v down_o to_o our_o hand_n now_o though_o this_o grave_a and_o ingenious_a author_n have_v deliver_v many_o excellent_a thing_n on_o that_o head_n and_o show_v a_o extraordinary_a zeal_n against_o those_o who_o paint_v the_o divinity_n in_o a_o horrid_a shape_n that_o they_o may_v worship_v their_o own_o ill_a nature_n yet_o when_o he_o define_v superstition_n by_o a_o astonish_n and_o dreadful_a apprehension_n of_o the_o deity_n he_o do_v not_o tell_v we_o the_o true_a nature_n of_o it_o but_o only_o point_v out_o one_o cause_n or_o one_o occasion_n of_o it_o for_o though_o superstition_n may_v arise_v from_o fear_n yet_o it_o rise_v also_o from_o ignorance_n or_o a_o stupidity_n of_o the_o mind_n from_o love_n and_o fondness_n as_o well_o as_o from_o fear_n from_o almost_o any_o passion_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o any_o temper_n of_o the_o body_n for_o when_o the_o natural_a sense_n of_o a_o deity_n and_o of_o the_o duty_n that_o man_n owe_v he_o come_v to_o be_v vitiate_a with_o a_o mixture_n of_o man_n own_o infirmity_n and_o passion_n those_o infirmity_n and_o passion_n stand_v ready_a to_o commence_v superstition_n there_o be_v nothing_o more_o require_v but_o a_o opinion_n of_o their_o be_v well-pleasing_a to_o god_n which_o be_v seldom_o want_v to_o man_n own_o imagination_n beside_o to_o call_v a_o dread_a of_o god_n by_o the_o name_n of_o superstition_n be_v somewhat_o a_o dangerous_a expression_n to_o christian_a ear_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o the_o old_a testament_n do_v almost_o every_o where_n represent_v religion_n by_o the_o fear_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o prophet_n converse_v with_o he_o under_o great_a tremble_n and_o terror_n plutarch_n be_v a_o platonist_n and_o the_o platonist_n be_v a_o sect_n of_o people_n who_o be_v general_o of_o a_o soft_a and_o amorous_a nature_n who_o place_v their_o happiness_n in_o the_o speculation_n of_o idea_n and_o who_o rare_o consider_v god_n as_o a_o righteous_a punisher_n of_o sin_n but_o chief_o as_o a_o most_o amiable_a be_v for_o they_o to_o contemplate_v they_o usual_o entertain_v very_o good_a opinion_n of_o themselves_o and_o of_o their_o own_o perfection_n and_o little_a thought_n of_o that_o gulf_n which_o sin_n have_v make_v between_o man_n and_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o therefore_o they_o hardly_o allow_v such_o a_o just_a severity_n to_o the_o deity_n as_o be_v requisite_a for_o the_o wise_a government_n of_o the_o world_n but_o make_v his_o goodness_n to_o swallow_v up_o his_o justice_n whereas_o god_n who_o know_v his_o own_o nature_n best_o have_v give_v we_o another_o character_n of_o himself_o the_o lord_n merciful_a and_o gracious_a and_o forgive_a iniquity_n but_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n clear_v the_o guilty_a visit_v the_o iniquity_n of_o the_o father_n upon_o the_o child_n exod._n 34.6_o 7._o superstition_n therefore_o though_o variable_a in_o its_o original_a and_o effect_n be_v always_o found_v upon_o a_o false_a apprehension_n of_o god_n and_o consequent_o upon_o a_o false_a apprehension_n of_o religion_n by_o which_o he_o be_v serve_v and_o worship_v and_o as_o this_o false_a apprehension_n of_o god_n and_o religion_n arise_v from_o several_a cause_n and_o produce_v several_a effect_n so_o according_o superstition_n be_v vary_v it_o consist_v both_o in_o opinion_n and_o practice_n and_o though_o practise_v be_v most_o obvious_a and_o remarkable_a and_o that_o from_o which_o opinion_n be_v usual_o gather_v yet_o it_o may_v be_v define_v with_o a_o regard_n to_o both_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v the_o perform_v of_o a_o religious_a service_n with_o a_o opinion_n of_o its_o be_v well-pleasing_a to_o god_n though_o it_o be_v real_o unacceptable_a and_o unworthy_a to_o be_v offer_v to_o he_o so_o that_o our_o next_o enquiry_n will_v be_v to_o know_v what_o religious_a service_n be_v well-pleasing_a to_o god_n and_o what_o be_v unacceptable_a to_o he_o i._o some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o manner_n and_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n and_o the_o public_a law_n be_v the_o only_a determination_n in_o this_o matter_n so_o seneca_n be_v represent_v by_o st._n austin_n for_o conclude_v that_o those_o superstition_n which_o he_o can_v not_o approve_v of_o to_o his_o own_o mind_n be_v yet_o to_o be_v observe_v because_o the_o law_n command_v they_o quae_fw-la omne_fw-la sapiens_fw-la observabit_fw-la tanquam_fw-la legibus_fw-la jussa_fw-la non_fw-la tanquam_fw-la diis_fw-la grata_fw-la c._n d._n l._n 6._o c._n 10._o and_o not_o much_o unlike_a be_v that_o which_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n assign_v when_o she_o make_v her_o constitution_n the_o only_a measure_n of_o what_o be_v and_o what_o be_v not_o superstition_n but_o now_o this_o be_v a_o way_n of_o confound_v all_o truth_n or_o of_o make_v it_o safe_a as_o to_o temporal_a interest_n for_o man_n to_o practise_v the_o superstition_n of_o every_o country_n where_o they_o be_v public_o allow_v but_o this_o give_v the_o mind_n no_o light_n nor_o enable_v it_o to_o make_v a_o rational_a and_o certain_a distinction_n between_o religion_n and_o superstition_n 2._o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n and_o to_o the_o dictate_v of_o sound_a morality_n do_v go_v a_o great_a way_n among_o some_o of_o the_o wise_a heathen_a towards_o the_o determination_n of_o this_o thing_n and_o therefore_o st._n paul_n insist_v so_o much_o upon_o natural_a principle_n in_o his_o speech_n to_o the_o athenian_n though_o he_o do_v not_o ultimate_o rest_v on_o those_o gross_a idolatry_n can_v not_o stand_v before_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a reason_n when_o it_o be_v well_o display_v but_o yet_o there_o be_v many_o lesser_a extravagance_n from_o which_o the_o polite_a heathen_a can_v not_o free_v themselves_o by_o the_o strength_n of_o that_o principle_n thus_o cicero_n who_o be_v a_o great_a
the_o nature_n and_o effect_n of_o superstition_n in_o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o on_o saturday_n the_o five_o of_o november_n 1692._o by_o thomas_n mannyngham_n d._n d._n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o their_o majesty_n london_n print_v by_o thomas_n braddyll_n and_o robert_n everingham_n and_o be_v to_o be_v sell_v at_o the_o seven_o star_n in_o ave-mary-lane_n mdcxcii_o a_o sermon_n preach_v before_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o commons_o act_n xvii_o 22._o then_o paul_n stand_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o mars-hill_n and_o say_v you_o man_n of_o athens_n i_o perceive_v that_o in_o all_o thing_n you_o be_v too_o superstitious_a this_o be_v the_o begin_n of_o that_o most_o wise_a and_o excellent_a speech_n which_o st._n paul_n make_v in_o the_o great_a court_n of_o athens_n where_o many_o of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o learned_a man_n of_o greece_n where_o assemble_v to_o gratify_v their_o curiosity_n and_o to_o hear_v what_o that_o new_a doctrine_n be_v which_o he_o seem_v so_o desirous_a of_o publish_v among_o they_o when_o st._n paul_n talk_v so_o much_o of_o jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n they_o take_v he_o to_o be_v a_o setter-forth_a of_o new_a god_n and_o one_o who_o come_v to_o increase_v the_o superstition_n of_o the_o vulgar_a for_o we_o can_v well_o conceive_v that_o all_o the_o philosopher_n of_o that_o age_n especial_o the_o epicurean_o which_o be_v the_o most_o prevail_a sect_n at_o that_o time_n have_v any_o great_a opinion_n of_o those_o devotion_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n of_o which_o the_o common_a people_n be_v so_o zealous_a however_o they_o expect_v something_o that_o be_v new_a something_o that_o may_v entertain_v their_o inquisitive_a mind_n and_o give_v some_o diversion_n to_o their_o wit_n and_o part_n the_o religion_n of_o the_o great_a man_n of_o that_o age_n be_v whole_o turn_v into_o curious_a dispute_n into_o elegant_a discourse_n and_o a_o gentile_a way_n of_o propose_v and_o answer_v some_o specious_a probability_n and_o of_o make_v their_o conversation_n very_o easy_a as_o to_o matter_n of_o opinion_n they_o be_v sufficient_o conscious_a that_o some_o of_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o world_n be_v too_o gross_a and_o absurd_a to_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o religion_n and_o too_o inhuman_a to_o be_v practise_v by_o a_o civilise_a people_n some_o popular_a worship_n they_o find_v it_o necessary_a to_o allow_v of_o such_o as_o may_v give_v amusement_n and_o not_o prejudice_v the_o commonwealth_n they_o have_v subtle_a distinction_n and_o evasion_n for_o themselves_o and_o so_o the_o multitude_n will_v be_v but_o quiet_a and_o governable_a and_o not_o disturb_v their_o soft_a tranquillity_n they_o be_v content_a that_o many_o fanciful_a rite_n and_o dotage_n shall_v prevail_v and_o be_v establish_v by_o their_o law_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o read_v this_o epicurean_a temper_n in_o the_o behaviour_n of_o most_o of_o those_o roman_a magistrate_n who_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o affair_n of_o judea_n and_o their_o own_o history_n acquaint_v we_o that_o this_o be_v the_o temper_n which_o then_o general_o prevail_v among_o their_o great_a man_n their_o main_a business_n be_v empire_n and_o ease_n they_o do_v not_o care_n to_o trouble_v themselves_o much_o about_o the_o question_n and_o zeal_n of_o contend_v party_n but_o suffer_v all_o man_n to_o enjoy_v their_o particular_a persuasion_n so_o they_o raise_v no_o tumult_n and_o act_v nothing_o contrary_a to_o the_o interest_n of_o caesar_n this_o be_v the_o humour_n of_o the_o epicurean_a party_n though_o other_o be_v of_o somewhat_o a_o warm_a temper_n now_o st._n paul_n who_o be_v not_o afraid_a of_o socrates_n his_o draught_n speak_v such_o truth_n before_o the_o magistrate_n and_o the_o most_o captious_a sect_n and_o in_o that_o city_n too_o which_o be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o all_o idolatry_n with_o that_o freedom_n and_o boldness_n as_o few_o of_o their_o wise_a man_n have_v they_o be_v able_a will_v have_v venture_v to_o have_v so_o public_o own_a who_o though_o they_o be_v conscious_a of_o some_o truth_n yet_o for_o the_o most_o part_n detain_v it_o in_o unrighteousness_n but_o our_o apostle_n in_o a_o undaunted_a manner_n declare_v unto_o they_o the_o god_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o god_n who_o make_v the_o world_n and_o all_o thing_n the_o god_n who_o they_o themselves_o do_v ignorant_o worship_n to_o who_o they_o have_v erect_v a_o altar_n though_o they_o have_v appoint_v no_o sacrifice_n there_o be_v some_o few_o of_o the_o more_o think_v man_n both_o among_o the_o athenian_n and_o the_o roman_n who_o have_v go_v a_o great_a way_n in_o discover_v and_o confute_v the_o folly_n and_o barbarity_n of_o the_o more_o monstrous_a sort_n of_o superstition_n they_o can_v in_o a_o great_a measure_n pull_v down_o the_o old_a building_n but_o know_v not_o how_o to_o erect_v a_o new_a one_o they_o be_v vigorous_a opposer_n of_o some_o very_a palpable_a falsehood_n but_o know_v not_o where_o to_o find_v the_o truth_n whereas_o st._n paul_n not_o only_o discover_v the_o egregious_a vanity_n of_o paganism_n but_o set_v before_o they_o the_o true_a and_o only_a religion_n the_o worship_n of_o one_o god_n v._o 23._o sincere_a repentance_n v._o 30._o steadfast_a belief_n of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o a_o express_a and_o peculiar_a faith_n in_o that_o man_n who_o god_n have_v ordain_v to_o judge_v the_o whole_a world_n in_o righteousness_n of_o which_o he_o have_v give_v a_o full_a assurance_n and_o demonstration_n by_o raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a verse_n 31._o now_o if_o we_o thorough_o consider_v st._n paul_n argument_n against_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o athenian_n we_o shall_v find_v that_o they_o have_v a_o foundation_n in_o natural_a religion_n but_o their_o main_a strength_n and_o last_o evidence_n be_v build_v upon_o revelation_n for_o he_o reason_n with_o they_o that_o there_o be_v one_o god_n the_o maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o all_o thing_n therein_o that_o nothing_o be_v more_o absure_v than_o to_o make_v any_o material_a representation_n of_o the_o infinite_a be_v that_o man_n be_v but_o a_o offspring_n of_o god_n and_o if_o no_o art_n can_v represent_v man_n reason_n and_o understanding_n by_o any_o image_n in_o gold_n silver_n or_o stone_n how_o much_o less_o can_v it_o figure_v out_o the_o incomprehensible_a godhead_n of_o which_o man_n soul_n be_v but_o a_o imperfect_a image_n that_o god_n be_v not_o to_o be_v worship_v with_o any_o opinion_n of_o indigency_n in_o he_o as_o if_o he_o need_v any_o thing_n as_o they_o suppose_v their_o daemon_n do_v who_o as_o they_o fancy_v be_v please_v and_o as_o it_o be_v feed_v with_o the_o steam_n of_o their_o sacrifice_n whereas_o he_o who_o be_v lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n want_v nothing_o and_o will_v be_v worship_v for_o our_o advantage_n not_o his_o own_o that_o he_o be_v the_o creator_n of_o all_o mankind_n have_v make_v of_o one_o blood_n all_o nation_n of_o men._n that_o his_o providence_n be_v over_o all_o in_o sustain_v and_o govern_v all_o thing_n that_o though_o he_o have_v permit_v the_o ignorant_a world_n to_o try_v their_o own_o way_n yet_o now_o he_o command_v all_o man_n to_o repent_v and_o to_o confirm_v the_o general_a apprehension_n they_o have_v of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n and_o to_o make_v it_o a_o certain_a principle_n of_o all_o their_o design_n and_o action_n he_o appeal_v to_o revelation_n tell_v they_o of_o a_o appoint_a day_n and_o of_o the_o very_a person_n who_o god_n have_v ordain_v to_o judge_v the_o world_n in_o righteousness_n and_o lest_o they_o shall_v think_v that_o he_o intend_v to_o remove_v one_o superstition_n only_o to_o bring_v in_o another_o he_o appeal_v to_o such_o a_o testimony_n to_o such_o a_o miraculous_a confirmation_n as_o god_n will_v never_o give_v to_o any_o thing_n but_o truth_n viz._n to_o a_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a the_o truth_n of_o which_o if_o he_o himself_o have_v not_o be_v ready_a to_o have_v seal_v with_o his_o own_o blood_n he_o will_v never_o have_v venture_v to_o preach_v jesus_n and_o the_o resurrection_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o athens_n now_o have_v enlarge_v upon_o this_o excellent_a and_o most_o weighty_a speech_n wherein_o st._n paul_n with_o admirable_a address_n reprove_v the_o athenian_n for_o their_o superstition_n and_o take_v a_o occasion_n to_o insinuate_v his_o own_o doctrine_n with_o less_o offence_n for_o if_o they_o be_v so_o hospitable_a to_o all_o religion_n why_o shall_v they_o be_v backward_o in_o give_v entertainment_n to_o his_o and_o wherein_o he_o confute_v the_o main_a body_n of_o heathenism_n by_o natural_a reason_n of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o great_a master_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o aratus_n a_o astronomical_a poet_n of_o high_a repute_n among_o they_o and_o last_o wherein_o he_o not_o only_o confute_v
nation_n for_o when_o people_n be_v averse_a to_o real_a goodness_n they_o will_v try_v to_o go_v to_o heaven_n by_o shift_n and_o place_n perfection_n in_o instrumental_a piety_n these_o be_v abuse_n which_o can_v be_v whole_o prevent_v by_o any_o public_a establishment_n but_o people_n must_v be_v call_v off_o from_o such_o sort_n of_o superstition_n by_o frequent_a admonition_n and_o by_o such_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n as_o shall_v plain_o show_v wherein_o real_a and_o substantial_a holiness_n do_v consist_v whereas_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v establish_v superstition_n by_o a_o law_n and_o make_v it_o the_o most_o celebrate_a part_n of_o their_o worship_n and_o devotion_n a_o great_a part_n of_o their_o religion_n be_v found_v upon_o some_o particular_n which_o they_o conjecture_v must_v needs_o be_v transact_v by_o soul_n depart_v and_o in_o the_o behalf_n of_o soul_n as_o they_o be_v in_o a_o state_n of_o separation_n concern_v which_o revelation_n have_v leave_v we_o 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very_a subtle_a powerful_a and_o implacable_a enemy_n
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and_o horrid_a conspiracy_n undertake_v with_o ceremony_n of_o religion_n and_o how_o the_o most_o solemn_a worship_n of_o one_o god_n through_o one_o mediator_n come_v to_o be_v turn_v almost_o into_o the_o worship_n of_o one_o pope_n and_o all_o such_o saint_n as_o he_o shall_v please_v to_o canonize_v either_o for_o their_o holiness_n or_o for_o their_o villainy_n 2._o for_o a_o general_a direction_n to_o all_o christian_n who_o will_v not_o be_v ensnare_v by_o superstition_n i_o entreat_v they_o to_o stand_v to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o to_o well_o season_n their_o mind_n with_o a_o due_a sense_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o those_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a discourse_n which_o our_o saviour_n himself_o have_v leave_v we_o to_o consider_v what_o be_v the_o especial_a duty_n to_o which_o he_o have_v annex_v his_o blessing_n and_o what_o be_v the_o hypocrisy_n and_o formal_a worship_n he_o have_v most_o zealous_o oppose_v it_o be_v converse_v much_o with_o the_o 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