exception_n who_o be_v in_o their_o wit_n have_v natural_o a_o most_o earnest_a desire_n to_o preserve_v their_o life_n as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v and_o to_o keep_v themselves_o free_a from_o pain_n and_o trouble_v i_o think_v i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o there_o must_v have_v be_v some_o extraordinary_a strong_a and_o even_o irresistible_a motive_n which_o can_v prevail_v upon_o such_o multitude_n of_o people_n to_o forsake_v they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n old_a religion_n and_o to_o embrace_v christianity_n which_o then_o have_v but_o new_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o in_o those_o day_n do_v seldom_o fail_v to_o involve_v its_o proselyte_n in_o most_o grievous_a trouble_n and_o persecution_n xvii_o that_o this_o motive_n can_v not_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o any_o profit_n or_o advantage_n in_o this_o life_n be_v most_o evident_a because_o christianity_n be_v in_o those_o day_n most_o common_o persecute_v even_o unto_o death_n it_o must_v therefore_o of_o necessity_n be_v the_o hope_n of_o some_o benefit_n or_o happiness_n which_o shall_v accrue_v to_o they_o after_o this_o life_n be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o this_o benefit_n or_o happiness_n can_v not_o seem_v small_a and_o inconsiderable_a to_o they_o nor_o can_v the_o hope_n which_o they_o conceive_v of_o it_o be_v weak_a or_o doubtful_a for_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o man_n or_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n who_o will_v run_v himself_o into_o certain_a misery_n and_o persecution_n even_o to_o the_o lose_n of_o his_o life_n only_o upon_o a_o weak_a and_o doubtful_a hope_n of_o some_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a benefit_n or_o happiness_n to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o a_o life_n to_o come_v i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v undoubting_o possess_v with_o a_o strong_a belief_n and_o most_o firm_a persuasion_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v true_o embrace_v profess_v and_o live_v according_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o this_o life_n be_v certain_o to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o some_o great_a and_o inestimable_a happiness_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v xviii_o that_o this_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n do_v not_o proceed_v from_o any_o frenzy_n or_o madness_n which_o sometime_o possess_v man_n with_o very_o strong_a imagination_n be_v very_o evident_a both_o because_o there_o be_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o also_o because_o it_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o write_n and_o action_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o they_o be_v man_n of_o reason_n and_o sobriety_n and_o some_o of_o they_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n as_o evident_a also_o it_o be_v that_o it_o can_v not_o proceed_v from_o the_o force_n of_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o bare_a natural_a reason_n without_o revelation_n for_o what_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n without_o pretend_v some_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n can_v ever_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o religion_n teach_v by_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n more_o than_o another_o will_v make_v he_o happy_a in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o preach_v christianity_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n do_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v their_o proselyte_n that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o the_o next_o life_n xix_o the_o main_a argument_n which_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n make_v use_v of_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o this_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v this_o viz._n because_o that_o jesus_n in_o his_o life_n time_n do_v perform_v such_o and_o so_o many_o miracle_n and_o wonderful_a work_n as_o sufficient_o show_v that_o he_o have_v his_o commission_n and_o power_n from_o god_n and_o because_o his_o disciple_n who_o he_o have_v appoint_v to_o teach_v his_o religion_n to_o the_o world_n for_o many_o year_n after_o his_o death_n do_v likewise_o continue_v to_o work_v many_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n which_o show_v that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o in_o what_o they_o do_v and_o teach_v the_o thing_n by_o they_o allege_v to_o have_v be_v perform_v by_o jesus_n be_v such_o as_o these_o that_o he_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o distemper_n with_o a_o touch_n or_o bare_o with_o a_o word_n speak_v that_o he_o give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a hear_v to_o the_o deaf_a speech_n to_o the_o dumb_a and_o strength_n and_o agility_n to_o the_o lame_a and_o maim_a that_o he_o raise_v several_a person_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o he_o himself_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a after_o he_o have_v be_v crucify_a and_o a_o spear_n thrust_v into_o his_o vital_n and_o have_v lie_v dead_a in_o a_o sepulchre_n unto_o the_o three_o day_n and_o last_o that_o after_o his_o resurrection_n have_v several_a time_n appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o converse_v with_o they_o for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n he_o be_v at_o last_o open_o and_o in_o their_o sight_n take_v up_o alive_a into_o heaven_n the_o thing_n allege_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o his_o disciple_n be_v the_o heal_n the_o sick_a the_o lame_a the_o maim_a etc._n etc._n and_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n their_o speak_v all_o language_n although_o they_o never_o have_v learn_v they_o that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v pretend_v by_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n be_v confess_v on_o all_o hand_n and_o undoubted_o they_o must_v needs_o at_o least_o pretend_v something_o that_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a or_o else_o they_o never_o can_v have_v convert_v such_o vast_a multitude_n under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n as_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n labour_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o only_o pretend_v but_o real_o and_o actual_o perform_v be_v to_o my_o opinion_n uncontrollable_o evince_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o who_o declare_v these_o thing_n for_o truth_n unto_o the_o world_n who_o can_v not_o themselves_o be_v deceive_v in_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n who_o never_o will_v go_v about_o to_o impose_v a_o lie_n upon_o the_o world_n by_o which_o they_o can_v propose_v to_o themselves_o no_o manner_n of_o advantage_n in_o this_o life_n nor_o if_o it_o be_v a_o lie_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v who_o never_o will_v have_v expose_v themselves_o to_o poverty_n to_o rack_n to_o gibbet_n to_o fire_n and_o faggot_n in_o a_o word_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o fruitless_a and_o unprofitable_a fable_n who_o be_v man_n of_o unblameable_a life_n for_o their_o morality_n have_v doubtless_o more_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n than_o to_o affirm_v those_o thing_n for_o certain_a truth_n which_o they_o must_v needs_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a invention_n who_o be_v too_o many_o in_o number_n and_o too_o void_a of_o craft_n and_o guile_n to_o combine_v together_o in_o frame_v a_o false_a story_n and_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o to_o betray_v or_o discover_v the_o cheat_n who_o can_v never_o hope_v to_o impose_v the_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o story_n upon_o a_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a age_n such_o as_o that_o be_v wherein_o they_o live_v if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o therefore_o will_v certain_o never_o have_v attempt_v it_o if_o they_o have_v not_o know_v it_o to_o have_v be_v true_a and_o last_o who_o instead_o of_o convince_a such_o multitude_n as_o they_o do_v must_v needs_o have_v be_v palpable_o discover_v and_o expose_v to_o the_o world_n for_o a_o company_n of_o lewd_a cheat_n and_o impostor_n in_o pretend_v that_o such_o and_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o the_o land_n of_o judea_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o do_v open_o too_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n when_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n to_o go_v or_o send_v to_o the_o place_n to_o make_v enquiry_n and_o so_o to_o find_v out_o the_o cheat_n if_o a_o cheat_n it_o have_v be_v but_o that_o these_o same_o miracle_n and_o wonderful_a work_n do_v far_o surpass_v both_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o power_n of_o art_n be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v not_o perform_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o wicked_a spirit_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v because_o the_o very_a intent_n and_o design_n of_o they_o be_v to_o propagate_v a_o doctrine_n in_o the_o world_n which_o by_o all_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o teach_v the_o pure_a and_o most_o strict_a morality_n to_o which_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o any_o impure_a and_o evil_a spirit_n will_v contribute_v any_o help_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o these_o thing_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v perform_v either_o by_o the_o immediate_a
a_o gentleman_n religion_n in_o three_o part_n the_o one_a contain_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n the_o second_o and_o 3d._n the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n both_o as_o to_o faith_n and_o practice_n with_o a_o appendix_n wherein_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o nothing_o contrary_a to_o our_o reason_n can_v possible_o be_v the_o object_n of_o our_o belief_n but_o that_o it_o be_v no_o just_a exception_n against_o some_o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n that_o they_o be_v above_o our_o reason_n london_n print_v for_o a._n &_o j._n churchill_n in_o pater_fw-la noster_fw-la row_n and_o r_z sare_z at_o grays-inn_n gate_n in_o holborn_n 1698._o a_o gentleman_n religion_n with_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it._n in_o which_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n in_o general_n be_v vindicate_v its_o simplicity_n assert_v and_o some_o introductory_n rule_n for_o the_o discover_n of_o its_o particular_a doctrine_n and_o precept_n be_v propose_v by_o a_o private_a gentleman_n london_n print_v for_o a._n and_o j._n churchil_n at_o the_o black_a swan_n in_o pater-noster-row_n 1698._o a_o gentleman_n religion_n with_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it._n part_n i._n i._o since_o almost_o all_o man_n however_o different_a in_o other_o opinion_n and_o interest_n have_v ever_o agree_v in_o this_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n to_o who_o power_n all_o thing_n be_v subject_a that_o the_o true_a service_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o be_v call_v religion_n shall_v be_v reward_v with_o future_a happiness_n and_o that_o the_o neglect_v and_o contempt_n of_o religion_n shall_v be_v punish_v with_o future_a misery_n every_o man_n sure_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v thus_o much_o at_o least_o that_o what_o be_v so_o general_o and_o firm_o believe_v may_v be_v possible_o nay_o and_o be_v probable_o a_o truth_n and_o wheresoever_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n and_o much_o more_o where_o there_o be_v a_o probability_n of_o a_o great_a good_a on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o a_o great_a evil_n on_o the_o other_o there_o certain_o every_o man_n be_v content_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o he_o may_v not_o miss_v of_o the_o one_o if_o it_o be_v attainable_a nor_o fall_v into_o the_o other_o if_o it_o be_v avoidable_o i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a great_a folly_n for_o any_o man_n to_o give_v over_o search_v after_o the_o true_a religion_n until_o he_o have_v find_v it_o except_o he_o be_v able_a to_o demonstrate_v either_o that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n or_o else_o that_o there_o be_v no_o worship_n or_o service_n due_a to_o he_o ii_o in_o all_o matter_n of_o great_a and_o serious_a consequence_n no_o man_n that_o be_v wise_a will_v act_v by_o chance_n and_o at_o random_n without_o be_v able_a to_o give_v some_o reason_n for_o what_o he_o do_v for_o he_o that_o do_v any_o thing_n and_o know_v not_o why_o be_v more_o likely_a to_o do_v himself_o hurt_v than_o good_a because_o there_o be_v more_o way_n to_o the_o former_a than_o to_o the_o latter_a since_o therefore_o religion_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n that_o can_v be_v i_o conclude_v that_o no_o man_n ought_v to_o choose_v his_o religion_n blind_o and_o by_o chance_n but_o that_o every_o man_n ought_v to_o have_v some_o reason_n for_o what_o he_o profess_v whatever_o religion_n therefore_o a_o man_n be_v breed_v up_o in_o from_o his_o youth_n it_o certain_o be_v very_o fit_a for_o he_o when_o he_o come_v to_o year_n of_o discretion_n to_o inquire_v into_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o it_o for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o possible_a for_o he_o to_o know_v whether_o he_o be_v in_o the_o right_n or_o the_o wrong_n in_o the_o way_n to_o heaven_n or_o hell_n iii_o if_o there_o be_v a_o god_n and_o if_o he_o require_v any_o service_n or_o worship_n i._n e._n any_o religion_n from_o we_o it_o be_v undoubted_o for_o this_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o trial_n of_o our_o faithfulness_n and_o obedience_n to_o he_o now_o whosoever_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o prove_v his_o servant_n whether_o he_o will_v be_v faithful_a and_o obedient_a he_o will_v not_o give_v he_o such_o dark_a and_o intricate_a command_n as_o shall_v puzzle_v he_o to_o find_v out_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o for_o how_o can_v a_o servant_n approve_v himself_o faithful_a and_o obedient_a if_o he_o be_v uncertain_a what_o it_o be_v that_o his_o master_n require_v from_o he_o but_o he_o will_v sure_o give_v he_o such_o command_n and_o direction_n as_o be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v understand_v however_o difficult_a they_o may_v be_v to_o be_v enterprise_v or_o accomplish_v i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o all_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n which_o god_n require_v of_o any_o man_n must_v needs_o be_v easy_a enough_o for_o he_o to_o understand_v however_o hard_o they_o may_v be_v to_o be_v practise_v for_o otherwise_o religion_n will_v be_v a_o trial_n rather_o of_o a_o man_n wit_n and_o cunning_a than_o of_o his_o faithfulness_n and_o obedience_n and_o therefore_o also_o i_o can_v but_o conclude_v that_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o controversy_n about_o religion_n which_o at_o this_o day_n distract_v the_o world_n do_v not_o proceed_v from_o any_o difficulty_n in_o or_o about_o the_o determination_n of_o all_o thing_n necessary_a in_o religion_n itself_o but_o partly_o from_o the_o pride_n of_o some_o learned_a man_n who_o have_v love_v to_o strat_v new_a and_o difficult_a question_n and_o to_o impose_v their_o private_a sentiment_n upon_o the_o world_n that_o they_o may_v be_v admire_v for_o their_o wit_n and_o subtilty_n partly_o from_o the_o covetousness_n and_o ambition_n of_o some_o whether_o learned_a or_o unlearned_a who_o have_v find_v that_o their_o worldly_a interest_n will_v be_v better_o serve_v by_o some_o doctrine_n no_o matter_n how_o false_a and_o precarious_a than_o by_o other_o and_o partly_o from_o the_o prejudice_n of_o most_o man_n who_o be_v apt_a with_o great_a zeal_n and_o eagerness_n to_o contend_v for_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o from_o their_o childhood_n they_o have_v be_v teach_v to_o have_v a_o reverence_n for_o and_o i_o far_o conclude_v that_o whosoever_o have_v a_o sincere_a desire_n to_o embrace_v true_a religion_n must_v lay_v aside_o pride_n ambition_n covetousness_n and_o prejudice_n which_o will_v misguide_a he_o and_o follow_v his_o sober_a and_o unprejudicate_a reason_n which_o will_v ever_o lead_v he_o in_o the_o right_a way_n iv_o there_o be_v different_a sort_n or_o rather_o degree_n of_o assurance_n which_o man_n have_v concern_v thing_n some_o thing_n be_v evident_a of_o themselves_o without_o any_o proof_n some_o thing_n we_o be_v assure_v of_o by_o the_o testimony_n of_o our_o sense_n some_o thing_n we_o receive_v as_o truth_n because_o we_o find_v they_o to_o follow_v from_o other_o truth_n already_o receive_v and_o some_o thing_n we_o believe_v only_o upon_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o moreover_o some_o thing_n we_o be_v persuade_v of_o without_o any_o doubt_n or_o diffidence_n whereas_o other_o thing_n do_v seem_v at_o best_a to_o be_v but_o likely_a or_o probable_a and_o that_o too_o in_o a_o different_a degree_n according_a as_o their_o evidence_n be_v strong_a or_o weak_a now_o every_o sober_a man_n where_o he_o have_v certain_a evidence_n of_o a_o thing_n there_o he_o act_v with_o assurance_n where_o the_o matter_n be_v but_o probable_a there_o he_o proceed_v with_o caution_n but_o where_o a_o man_n be_v under_o a_o necessity_n of_o do_v one_o way_n or_o other_o and_o where_o the_o matter_n appear_v doubtful_a on_o both_o side_n there_o it_o become_v he_o to_o weigh_v the_o reason_n on_o both_o part_n with_o due_a consideration_n and_o according_a as_o he_o find_v the_o great_a probability_n to_o be_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o so_o to_o square_v his_o action_n according_o since_o therefore_o every_o man_n must_v necessary_o either_o live_v religious_o or_o not_o live_v religious_o i_o conclude_v that_o if_o upon_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o matter_n there_o appear_v to_o be_v more_o probable_a reason_n and_o argument_n for_o religion_n than_o against_o it_o every_o wise_a and_o sober_a man_n must_v embrace_v religion_n this_o i_o say_v not_o but_o that_o i_o think_v there_o be_v even_o demonstrative_a argument_n for_o religion_n and_o not_o so_o much_o as_o one_o probable_a one_o against_o it_o but_o because_o that_o which_o to_o i_o seem_v demonstrative_a to_o another_o may_v appear_v but_o probable_a i_o think_v it_o fit_a to_o note_v that_o every_o man_n in_o point_n of_o common_a prudence_n be_v oblige_v to_o follow_v religion_n if_o it_o do_v but_o appear_v more_o likely_a and_o probable_a to_o he_o than_o irreligion_n v._o whether_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o agent_n to_o produce_v a_o new_a
be_v pure_o out_o of_o nothing_o may_v with_o much_o show_n of_o religion_n be_v doubt_v as_o also_o whether_o mere_a matter_n alone_o without_o any_o other_o agent_n or_o efficient_a cause_n can_v ever_o be_v able_a to_o work_v itself_o into_o any_o different_a species_n or_o form_n but_o this_o appear_v as_o certain_a as_o any_o thing_n can_v can_v be_v that_o where_o there_o be_v neither_o any_o agent_n or_o efficent_a cause_n to_o work_v nor_o any_o matter_n or_o subject_a to_o be_v wrought_v upon_o there_o it_o be_v utter_o impossible_a for_o any_o thing_n ever_o to_o be_v produce_v into_o be_v since_o therefore_o i_o find_v that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n which_o actual_o have_v a_o be_v and_o existence_n i_o conclude_v that_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n there_o must_v be_v something_o or_o other_o which_o have_v be_v from_o all_o eternity_n and_o never_o have_v a_o beginning_n for_o otherwise_o if_o we_o suppose_v that_o ever_o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o nothing_o at_o 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never_o be_v deny_v but_o by_o very_a few_o indeed_o since_o that_o denial_n have_v rather_o proceed_v from_o their_o wish_n and_o desire_n than_o from_o their_o reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o last_o since_o they_o have_v not_o be_v able_a whole_o to_o extinguish_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n out_o of_o their_o mind_n although_o they_o have_v earnest_o endeavour_v it_o i_o conclude_v that_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o god_n in_o man_n be_v neither_o the_o effect_n of_o chance_n because_o it_o be_v universal_a nor_o of_o ignorance_n because_o it_o possess_v the_o most_o learned_a nor_o of_o state-policy_n because_o it_o be_v receive_v among_o the_o most_o barbarous_a and_o uncivilise_v people_n but_o that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n who_o have_v make_v all_o man_n and_o have_v as_o