moses_n invenitur_fw-la and_o indeed_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o the_o grecian_a god_n as_o appear_v by_o their_o own_o history_n be_v not_o of_o a_o much_o early_a date_n than_o the_o war_n and_o ruin_n of_o troy_n which_o moses_n precede_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n josephus_n say_v in_o his_o first_o book_n against_o appion_n that_o the_o grecian_n have_v no_o elder_a write_v then_o homer_n who_o live_v as_o pliny_n say_v two_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n after_o the_o trojan_a war_n which_o war_n be_v about_o four_o hundred_o and_o seven_o year_n before_o the_o olympiad_n begin_v according_a to_o solinus_n two_o hundred_o and_o seventy_o year_n as_o herodotus_n think_v three_o hundred_o but_o it_o be_v clear_a from_o his_o own_o poem_n that_o he_o live_v some_o very_a considerable_a time_n after_o at_o least_o one_o hundred_o year_n by_o the_o low_a calculation_n moses_n be_v so_o long_o before_o he_o and_o so_o much_o his_o predecessor_n that_o it_o be_v grant_v by_o all_o that_o make_v mention_n of_o he_o that_o he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n at_o least_o four_o hundred_o and_o odd_a before_o the_o battle_n of_o troy_n before_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o olympiad_n not_o less_o than_o eight_o hundred_o and_o forty_o year_n till_o which_o time_n the_o grecian_a history_n be_v general_o confuse_a and_o impâ—râ—â—â—â—_n nâ—r_o have_v they_o any_o certainty_n in_o stâ—ry_a till_o thâ—n_v which_o varro_n positive_o affirm_v and_o eusâ—bâ—â—â—_n also_o prove_v out_o of_o the_o annal_n of_o africaâ—us_n who_o tell_v we_o usâ—iad_n oâ—â—mpiadas_n niâ—il_fw-la exploratum_fw-la in_o histori_n graecorum_n mâ—â—tur_fw-la sed_fw-la omne_fw-la consusis_fw-la conscripta_fw-la temporiâ—us_fw-la sunt_fw-la post_v olympiad_a â—s_n uâ—ro_fw-la quoniam_fw-la quadrâ—â—unto_n dilâ—gentissime_fw-la oâ—nia_fw-la notahantuâ—_n nulla_fw-la penitus_fw-la confusio_fw-la temporum_fw-la su_fw-es and_o indeed_o till_o that_o time_n there_o be_v little_a certainty_n in_o any_o story_n but_o that_o o_o the_o bible_n he_o live_v bâ—fore_o the_o build_a oâ—_n rome_n about_o eight_o hundred_o sixty_o and_o five_o year_n for_o rome_n be_v found_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o seven_o olimpiad_n which_o be_v twenty_o five_o year_n after_o their_o first_o beginning_n but_o suppose_v homer_n be_v not_o the_o first_o grecian_a writer_n as_o euschius_n and_o other_o think_v and_o perhaps_o true_o enough_o that_o they_o have_v other_o before_o he_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o agree_v to_o by_o all_o they_o have_v no_o letter_n among_o they_o till_o cadmus_n nor_o any_o written-â—earning_a for_o some_o considerable_a time_n after_o he_o and_o â—tis_o well_o know_v that_o cadmus_n be_v late_a than_o moses_n those_o that_o carry_v he_o high_a make_v he_o but_o contemporary_a with_o josuah_n and_o he_o be_v as_o some_o think_v more_o true_o to_o be_v reckon_v of_o the_o same_o time_n with_o othâ—icl_n mention_v in_o the_o book_n of_o judge_n and_o yet_o we_o find_v the_o ancient_a learning_n the_o world_n possess_v of_o beside_o the_o bible_n be_v write_v in_o the_o greek_a toâ—â—â—e_n so_o justin_n martyr_n observe_v speak_v of_o this_o matter_n say_v â—e_n si_fw-mi quis_fw-la vel_fw-la pâ—etarâ—â—_n veterum_fw-la vel_fw-la legislaterum_fw-la vel_fw-la â—isioâ—â—orâ—m_fw-la well_fw-mi plilosopherum_n meminissâ—_n velit_fw-la comperiet_fw-la tamen_fw-la illâ—s_fw-la libros_fw-la sue_v â—râ—cerum_fw-la composâ—â—sse_fw-la literis_fw-la both_o justin_n martyr_n who_o live_v within_o a_o hundred_o and_o thirty_o of_o christ_n and_o â—uschiâ—s_a aâ—our_n two_o hundred_o aâ—ter_v he_o have_v evident_o prove_v from_o the_o best_a and_o most_o acknowledge_a calculation_n and_o from_o the_o mention_n that_o be_v make_v of_o moses_n by_o prophâ—â—e_a writer_n such_o as_o sanconiathon_n the_o phaenician_a antiquate_v berâ—sus_n caldeus_n ptolomen_n and_o manâ—tho_n egyptian_a chronologer_n and_o among_o the_o creacâ—aâ—s_n artapanus_n polemon_n eupolemus_n and_o from_o tregus_fw-la pompâ—ius_n epitomise_v by_o justin_n and_o other_o that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o live_v long_o before_o any_o author_n of_o book_n be_v extant_a and_o this_o be_v also_o very_o particular_o affirm_v by_o dioderus_fw-la siculus_n the_o best_a and_o most_o eminent_a historian_n the_o graciansâ—â—d_n â—â—d_z who_o say_v himself_o he_o spend_v thirty_o year_n in_o travel_n to_o search_v out_o the_o antiquity_n of_o all_o country_n and_o to_o enable_v himself_o to_o write_v a_o general_n story_n for_o he_o tell_v we_o in_o his_o history_n that_o â—e_n have_v learn_v from_o the_o egyptian_a priest_n that_o moses_n be_v the_o first_o legislator_n and_o precede_v all_o other_o in_o that_o kind_n we_o be_v tell_v by_o many_o ancient_a author_n that_o he_o live_v with_o and_o to_o they_o st._n austin_n agree_v in_o his_o 18_o book_n de_fw-fr civet_n dei_fw-la and_o by_o other_o that_o he_o precede_v cecrops_n the_o founder_n of_o athens_n after_o who_o all_o those_o ancient_n and_o memorable_a thing_n fall_v out_o in_o greece_n as_o deucalion_n flood_n phaeton_n sire_n the_o birth_n of_o ericthonius_n the_o ripe_a of_o proserpina_n the_o mystery_n of_o ceres_n the_o â—â—titution_n of_o the_o eliâ—â—â—â—â—â—_n sacrifice_n triptolemus_n his_o art_n of_o tilling_n the_o ground_n the_o carry_v away_o of_o europa_n the_o birth_n of_o apollo_n the_o build_n of_o thebes_n by_o cadmus_n after_o who_o also_o where_o bacchus_n minos_n perseus_n esculapius_n hercules_n and_o other_o who_o we_o find_v mention_v in_o the_o grecian_a author_n as_o most_o ancient_a nor_o have_v the_o grecian_n any_o high_a term_n to_o express_v antiquity_n by_o than_o cecropian_a and_o ogygian_a which_o they_o use_v to_o call_v all_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v most_o ancient_a from_o cecrops_n and_o ogyges_n in_o who_o time_n they_o suppose_v man_n like_o mushroom_n spring_v natural_o out_o of_o the_o earth_n about_o athens_n but_o the_o certain_a account_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v give_v of_o the_o direct_a time_n in_o which_o moses_n live_v be_v this_o that_o he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n the_o first_o king_n of_o the_o archieâ—es_n in_o this_o chronologer_n seem_v most_o general_o to_o agree_v as_o scaliger_n show_v in_o his_o most_o learned_a animadversion_n upon_o eusebius_n his_o chronologie_n justin_n martyr_n tertullian_n tatianus_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n athenagoras_n theophilus_n and_o many_o other_o of_o the_o christian_a writer_n affirm_v it_o and_o from_o many_o heathen_a author_n we_o have_v direct_a evidence_n for_o it_o polemon_n in_o his_o first_o book_n rerum_fw-la graecanicarum_fw-la be_v express_v in_o it_o and_o apion_n both_o in_o his_o commentary_n that_o he_o write_v against_o the_o jew_n and_o also_o in_o other_o of_o his_o write_n speak_v of_o the_o jew_n come_v out_o of_o egypt_n regnante_fw-la apud_fw-la archivos_fw-la inacho_n quibus_fw-la say_v he_o prefuit_n moses_n and_o ptolomen_n mendiâ—us_n a_o egyptian_a that_o write_v the_o chronicle_n of_o egypt_n say_v that_o moses_n govern_v the_o jew_n and_o lead_v they_o out_o of_o egypt_n quando_fw-la inachus_n argis_n regnabat_fw-la and_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o that_o be_v any_o way_n verse_v in_o antiquity_n that_o inachus_n and_o also_o cecrops_n live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o trojan_a war_n and_o long_o enough_o before_o any_o book_n or_o the_o most_o ancient_a write_a learning_n the_o world_n have_v be_v extant_a tertullian_n in_o the_o 19_o chapter_n of_o his_o apology_n tell_v the_o roman_n they_o also_o as_o well_o as_o the_o grecian_n glorify_v much_o in_o antiquity_n say_v he_o our_o religion_n far_o out_o do_v all_o you_o can_v produce_v of_o that_o kind_n for_o the_o book_n of_o one_o of_o our_o prophet_n only_o viz._n moses_n wherein_o it_o seem_v god_n have_v enclose_v as_o in_o a_o treasury_n all_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o jew_n and_o consequent_o all_o the_o christian_a religion_n precede_v for_o many_o age_n together_o reach_v beyond_o the_o ancient_a you_o have_v even_o all_o your_o public_a monument_n the_o antiquity_n of_o your_o original_n the_o establishment_n of_o your_o estate_n the_o birth_n of_o most_o part_n of_o the_o people_n the_o foundation_n of_o many_o great_a city_n all_o that_o most_o advance_a by_o you_o in_o all_o age_n of_o history_n and_o memory_n of_o time_n the_o invention_n of_o character_n which_o be_v interpreter_n of_o science_n and_o the_o guardian_n of_o all_o excellent_a thing_n i_o think_v i_o may_v say_v more_o even_o your_o god_n temple_n oracle_n and_o sacrifice_n have_v you_o hear_v mention_v make_v of_o that_o great_a prophet_n moses_n he_o be_v contemporary_a with_o inachus_n he_o precede_v danaus_n three_o hundred_o fourscore_o and_o thirteen_o year_n the_o ancient_a of_o all_o that_o have_v a_o name_n in_o your_o history_n he_o live_v some_o hundred_o of_o year_n before_o the_o ruin_n of_o troy_n every_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n succeed_v moses_n and_o yet_o the_o last_o of_o they_o all_o be_v of_o the_o same_o age_n as_o your_o first_o wise_a man_n lawgiver_n and_o historian_n be_v
such_o attempt_n have_v still_o be_v discover_v and_o open_o shame_v how_o many_o heretic_n have_v carry_v about_o their_o own_o confutation_n while_o they_o possess_v this_o book_n and_o yet_o have_v not_o be_v suffer_v to_o change_v or_o alter_v such_o passage_n as_o have_v be_v most_o cogent_n against_o themselves_o the_o bible_n pass_v through_o the_o arian-world_n with_o all_o those_o plain_a evidence_n it_o contain_v of_o the_o divinity_n of_o our_o saviour_n when_o emperor_n council_n and_o indeed_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o whole_a christian-world_n wâ—â—etainted_v with_o that_o heresy_n the_o bible_n escape_v the_o infection_n when_o the_o alteration_n of_o two_o or_o three_o plain_a text_n will_v have_v do_v they_o more_o service_n than_o all_o the_o volume_n they_o write_v in_o their_o own_o defence_n and_o great_a design_n be_v on_o foot_n that_o way_n yet_o they_o be_v still_o disappoint_v as_o be_v evident_a by_o what_o we_o find_v in_o st._n ambrose_n the_o jew_n to_o this_o day_n need_v no_o other_o confutation_n than_o their_o own_o bible_n moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n in_o who_o they_o trust_v be_v theiâ—_n great_a accuser_n all_o sort_n of_o heretic_n to_o this_o day_n be_v possess_v of_o the_o bible_n as_o uriaâ—_n be_v of_o david_n letter_n to_o joab_n which_o contain_v his_o own_o ruin_n and_o as_o goliaâ—_n be_v of_o hiâ—_n sword_n which_o serve_v at_o last_o to_o cut_v off_o his_o own_o head_n second_o the_o success_n and_o effect_n of_o this_o book_n since_o its_o conveyance_n give_v in_o a_o signal_n and_o most_o undeniable_a evidence_n to_o its_o divinity_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o way_n and_o mean_n by_o which_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o and_o upon_o what_o term_n the_o religion_n contain_v in_o it_o have_v gain_v that_o reception_n we_o find_v it_o have_v have_v among_o mankind_n it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o a_o religion_n direct_o opposite_a to_o the_o whole_a corrupt_a interest_n of_o humane_a nature_n and_o call_v man_n to_o the_o high_a mortification_n and_o self-denial_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o a_o invisible_a world_n to_o come_v naked_o propose_v by_o man_n upon_o a_o worldly_a account_n always_o inconsiderable_a without_o any_o the_o least_o earthly_a support_n a_o religion_n period_v the_o jewish_a religion_n and_o total_o subvert_v all_o other_o religion_n a_o religion_n oppose_v &_o disow_v to_o the_o utmost_a by_o the_o jew_n themselves_o though_o it_o derive_v itself_o whole_o from_o they_o and_o pretend_v to_o be_v the_o natural_a product_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o true_a completion_n of_o all_o they_o believe_v and_o expect_v a_o religion_n in_o oppostion_n of_o which_o the_o whole_a world_n beside_o be_v agree_v and_o indeed_o both_o jew_n and_o heathen_n perfect_o concur_v i_o say_v it_o be_v of_o admirable_a consideration_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n so_o circumstance_v against_o all_o the_o religion_n the_o wisdom_n and_o the_o force_n of_o the_o world_n shall_v at_o first_o make_v its_o entrance_n and_o be_v embrace_v by_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n and_o within_o the_o space_n of_o thirty_o year_n or_o thereabouts_o after_o its_o first_o publication_n for_o so_o it_o be_v be_v spread_v not_o only_o throughout_o all_o part_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n but_o also_o among_o the_o parthian_n and_o remote_a heathen_n to_o no_o other_o cause_n but_o it_o be_v own_o innate_a worth_n and_o the_o divine_a evidence_n from_o heaven_n attend_v it_o can_v it_o with_o any_o tolerable_a colour_n of_o reason_n be_v ascribe_v the_o zeal_n man_n have_v for_o all_o other_o religion_n in_o which_o they_o be_v educate_v sufficient_o prompt_v they_o to_o hate_v abhor_v and_o persecute_v it_o the_o learning_n and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n be_v employ_v to_o render_v it_o despicable_a and_o to_o bring_v it_o under_o contempt_n and_o all_o the_o force_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n be_v every_o where_o violent_o at_o work_n for_o its_o total_a suppression_n and_o extirpation_n and_o yet_o against_o all_o these_o seem_a invincible_a opposition_n do_v the_o bible_n prevail_v the_o power_n of_o that_o great_a empire_n can_v not_o withstand_v the_o naked_a proposal_n of_o a_o simple_a truth_n and_o both_o judaisme_n in_o the_o main_a of_o it_o as_o a_o national_a establismment_n and_o heathenism_n final_o fall_v before_o it_o this_o book_n and_o the_o religion_n it_o contain_v as_o it_o avow_v itself_o to_o be_v sole_o from_o god_n and_o come_v to_o we_o with_o a_o command_a voice_n from_o heaven_n speak_v to_o we_o in_o god_n own_o name_n and_o upon_o that_o single_a account_n require_v our_o obedience_n and_o those_o that_o write_v it_o neither_o have_v nor_o pretend_v to_o have_v any_o other_o authority_n but_o what_o be_v divine_a and_o from_o above_o so_o it_o have_v introduce_v itself_o by_o mean_n suitable_a thereunto_o never_o be_v there_o at_o first_o any_o force_n use_v to_o compel_v man_n nor_o any_o art_n practise_v to_o deceive_v man_n about_o this_o matter_n no_o man_n can_v prove_v out_o of_o any_o story_n that_o ever_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o primitive_a professor_n of_o this_o religion_n raise_v arm_n to_o introduce_v or_o promote_v it_o or_o that_o any_o humane_a authority_n do_v countenance_n or_o assist_v it_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v this_o to_o say_v for_o itself_o above_o all_o other_o that_o it_o be_v to_o debtor_n to_o the_o sword_n either_o in_o a_o civil_a or_o military_a way_n neither_o the_o sword_n of_o justice_n nor_o the_o sword_n of_o war_n can_v lay_v any_o claim_n to_o it_o as_o a_o product_n of_o they_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o roman_a world_n â—ad_v embrace_v it_o and_o be_v become_v criâ—tians_n before_o constantine_n public_o own_v it_o it_o owe_v nothing_o to_o any_o violent_a course_n for_o its_o primitive_a reception_n nor_o indeed_o to_o any_o humane_a contrivement_n neither_o the_o subtlety_n of_o philosopher_n nor_o the_o eloquence_n of_o orator_n assist_v in_o this_o matter_n it_o never_o advance_v one_o step_n further_o in_o its_o first_o publication_n than_o its_o own_o innate_a excellency_n &_o the_o divine_a evidence_n attend_v it_o procure_v it_o acceptance_n nor_o do_v it_o ever_o gain_v a_o convert_n but_o where_o it_o can_v approve_v itself_o by_o divine_a evidence_n to_o the_o reason_n &_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o be_v divine_a i_o make_v a_o peremptory_a demand_n to_o all_o antiscriptural_a man_n to_o grant_v i_o this_o as_o a_o truth_n not_o capable_a of_o any_o denial_n that_o for_o three_o hundred_o year_n together_o the_o gospel_n by_o its_o own_o divine_a strength_n withstand_v the_o most_o furious_a and_o violent_a wind_n &_o tide_n of_o all_o humane_a opposition_n and_o by_o no_o other_o assistance_n but_o what_o be_v pure_o divine_a travel_v most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n over_o it_o offer_v itself_o to_o man_n reception_n upon_o no_o other_o term_n but_o by_o a_o appeal_n to_o the_o judgement_n and_o conscience_n and_o be_v content_v to_o stand_v and_o fall_v by_o the_o rational_a determination_n of_o every_o man_n own_o breast_n and_o sâ—_n prevail_v such_o who_o embrace_v it_o haâ—_n no_o other_o way_n of_o contest_v but_o holiness_n oâ—_n live_v and_o patience_n in_o suffer_v 〈◊〉_d both_o which_o they_o be_v very_o eminent_a to_o the_o first_o their_o very_a enemy_n the_o heathen_n bear_v testimony_n pliny_n and_o other_o speak_v of_o the_o christian_n harmless_a and_o holy_a behaviour_n for_o the_o latter_a never_o be_v any_o religion_n so_o begin_v and_o propagate_v by_o such_o indefatigable_a suffering_n how_o few_o martyr_n for_o religion_n can_v the_o heathen_a world_n boast_v of_o if_o we_o admit_v socrates_n for_o one_o how_o few_o successor_n have_v he_o and_o those_o few_o they_o pretend_v to_o seem_v by_o all_o circumstance_n to_o be_v such_o as_o have_v no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o perpetuate_v their_o own_o name_n to_o posterity_n by_o suffer_v for_o such_o thing_n as_o they_o think_v the_o world_n will_v high_o magnify_v but_o for_o christian-religion_n we_o find_v innumerable_a suffering_n of_o man_n and_o woman_n of_o all_o rank_n quality_n age_n and_o condition_n in_o many_o of_o which_o we_o can_v suppose_v any_o thing_n but_o conscience_n and_o hope_n of_o a_o future_a reward_n can_v possible_o be_v the_o motive_n be_v person_n of_o such_o mean_a part_n and_o condition_n as_o can_v no_o way_n be_v think_v to_o design_n a_o name_n to_o themselves_o hereafter_o nor_o indeed_o can_v we_o reasonable_o suppose_v a_o esteem_n upon_o earth_n and_o vainglory_n can_v be_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o any_o of_o they_o suffer_v when_o we_o consider_v they_o suffer_v for_o a_o religion_n the_o very_a name_n of_o which_o be_v every_o where_o odious_a and_o detestable_a and_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o bring_v nothing_o but_o shame_n and_o contempt_n it_o swim_v down_o to_o
in_o such_o a_o succession_n establish_v upon_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o book_n ought_v ever_o to_o be_v admit_v without_o very_o positive_a proof_n especial_o when_o we_o have_v such_o apparent_a reason_n to_o believe_v the_o contrary_n by_o who_o be_v it_o i_o ask_v that_o the_o bible_n can_v be_v corrupt_v it_o must_v have_v be_v either_o by_o jew_n pagan_n or_o heretic_n it_o be_v plain_a the_o jew_n have_v not_o do_v it_o for_o we_o find_v multitude_n of_o text_n that_o give_v in_o a_o daily_a witness_n against_o they_o which_o doubtless_o have_v they_o attempt_v the_o bible_n in_o such_o a_o way_n they_o will_v never_o have_v suffer_v so_o to_o remain_v upon_o record_n against_o they_o no_o part_n of_o the_o pagan_a world_n can_v be_v reasonable_o think_v to_o have_v do_v it_o for_o the_o scripture_n contain_v such_o a_o eminent_a revelation_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n and_o his_o worship_n as_o put_v a_o end_n to_o all_o heathenish_a vanity_n and_o at_o once_o 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when_o we_o speak_v most_o proper_o of_o divine_a faith_n we_o mean_v such_o a_o faith_n as_o be_v build_v upon_o a_o divine_a testimony_n not_o denominate_v it_o from_o the_o object_n of_o it_o nor_o from_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o which_o be_v less_o proper_a but_o from_o the_o foundation_n and_o ground_n of_o it_o now_o divine_a faith_n in_o that_o best_a and_o true_a sense_n of_o it_o will_v be_v reduce_v into_o no_o more_o than_o a_o moral_a a_o ssurance_n at_o last_o for_o if_o i_o say_v my_o faith_n be_v divine_a because_o build_v upon_o a_o divine_a testimony_n it_o be_v in_o some_o sense_n true_a but_o if_o i_o be_o ask_v by_o what_o mean_v i_o come_v to_o know_v that_o testimony_n to_o be_v divine_a that_o question_n must_v needs_o bring_v i_o back_o to_o a_o moral_a assurance_n as_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o my_o previous_a belief_n about_o that_o divine_a testimony_n itself_o that_o it_o real_o be_v so_o whatsoever_o revelation_n god_n make_v of_o his_o mind_n to_o i_o i_o must_v needs_o without_o divine_a assistance_n receive_v it_o upon_o humane_a and_o in_o themselves_o fallible_a term_n and_o so_o judge_v of_o it_o as_o i_o judge_v of_o all_o other_o thing_n no_o man_n can_v receive_v my_o revelation_n from_o god_n with_o a_o faith_n a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a as_o the_o revelation_n be_v in_o itself_o unless_o there_o be_v a_o equal_a inspiration_n in_o both_o case_n and_o god_n make_v man_n as_o infallible_a in_o judge_v of_o revelation_n when_o propose_v as_o he_o make_v the_o instrument_n of_o it_o in_o the_o act_n of_o its_o conveyance_n the_o plain_a question_n in_o this_o case_n be_v how_o i_o come_v to_o receive_v all_o other_o thing_n into_o my_o belief_n that_o be_v object_n of_o belief_n it_o must_v be_v confess_v upon_o the_o ground_n of_o rational_a credibility_n and_o moral_a assurance_n and_o therefore_o upon_o the_o
errata_n page_n 8._o line_n 1._o deal_n â—_o p._n 13._o l._n 14._o for_o their_o r._n the._n p._n 20._o l._n 10._o for_o he_o r._n it_o be_v p._n 22._o l._n 26._o for_o or_o r._n and_o p._n 47._o l._n 18._o for_o product_n r._n conduct_n p._n 47._o l._n 27_o in_o the_o beginning_n add_v the_o word_n when_o p._n 56._o l._n 2._o for_o whole_a r._n uphold_v p_o 66._o l._n 14._o deal_n common_a sentiment_n p._n 144._o l._n 14._o in_o the_o beginning_n add_v the_o world_n p._n 170_o l._n 11._o for_o when_o r._n where_o p._n 174_o l._n 11._o after_o expectance_n add_v off_o p._n 189._o l._n 19_o for_o may_v r._n many_o p._n 205._o l._n 10._o after_o thirty_o add_v year_n p._n 206._o l._n 1â—_n for_o elysian_a r_o elisiniaâ—_n p_o 207._o l._n 12._o for_o mend_v sius_fw-la r._n man_n disius_a p._n 224._o l._n 16._o for_o afford_v r._n afford_v p._n 258._o l._n 12._o for_o word_n r_o word_n p._n 259._o l._n 6._o r._n a_o after_z in_o p._n 390._o l._n 24._o for_o saniores_fw-la r._n seniores_fw-la p._n 419._o l._n 26._o for_o a_o r_o aâ—_n p._n 494._o l._n 21._o for_o providential_a r._n prudential_a p._n 407._o it_o 6._o for_o by_o r._n be_v s._n scrÃpturam_fw-la divinitùs_fw-la esse_fw-la revelatam_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d exploratò_fw-la firmat_n iste_fw-la elenchus_n prodeat_fw-la è_fw-la typographiâ_fw-la humph._n london_n the_o reasonableness_n of_o scripture-beleif_a a_o discourse_n give_v some_o account_n of_o those_o rational_a ground_n upon_o which_o the_o bible_n be_v receive_v as_o the_o word_n of_o god._n write_a by_o sir_n charles_n wolseley_n bar_n t._n london_n print_v by_o t.r._n &_o n.t._n for_o nathaniel_n ponder_v at_o the_o peacock_n in_o chancery_n lane_n near_o fleetstreet_n 1672._o to_o the_o earl_n of_o anglesey_n my_o lord_n beside_o the_o common_a enemy_n to_o all_o these_o paperadventure_n those_o who_o suppose_v they_o can_v do_v much_o better_o and_o such_o who_o be_v not_o please_v they_o have_v not_o do_v so_o well_o 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love_n to_o truth_n you_o possess_v it_o be_v alone_a that_o great_a honour_n and_o that_o entire_a affection_n i_o have_v for_o your_o lordship_n that_o interest_n your_o name_n in_o this_o matter_n though_o there_o be_v nothing_o less_o need_v by_o you_o than_o discourse_n of_o this_o nature_n yet_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o due_a from_o i_o than_o a_o open_a and_o public_a profession_n that_o myself_o and_o what_o ever_o i_o do_v be_v devote_v to_o your_o service_n i_o know_v my_o lord_n into_o what_o hand_n i_o commit_v these_o paper_n when_o i_o present_v they_o to_o you_o that_o great_a hazard_n to_o which_o they_o be_v expose_v by_o your_o first_o view_n will_v sufficient_o inure_v they_o to_o all_o future_a danger_n i_o consider_v that_o judgement_n with_o which_o they_o be_v put_v to_o encounter_v and_o want_v not_o a_o due_a sense_n what_o the_o success_n must_v needs_o be_v i_o know_v also_o your_o remedying_a kindness_n and_o be_o enough_o secure_v thereby_o be_o in_o 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of_o those_o who_o have_v themselves_o universal_o proclaim_v the_o bible_n in_o all_o age_n to_o be_v the_o great_a and_o infallible_a rule_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n so_o that_o if_o christian-tradition_n be_v credit_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v thereby_o establish_v and_o if_o it_o be_v dis-believed_n in_o thaâ—_n there_o can_v be_v then_o no_o good_a reason_n to_o receiuâ—_v any_o other_o matter_n touch_v the_o christian_a religion_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o that_o conveyance_n to_o retain_v therefore_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christian_a and_o yet_o disow_v the_o bible_n be_v to_o become_v a_o perfect_a problem_n no_o such_o man_n can_v produce_v anâ—_n law_n or_o rule_n of_o his_o religion_n nor_o give_v anâ—_n account_v wherein_o they_o be_v contain_v or_o bâ—_n who_o or_o by_o what_o church_n with_o a_o exclusion_n of_o the_o bible_n they_o have_v be_v at_o any_o timâ—_n receive_v nor_o can_v any_o man_n rational_o make_v a_o partial_a rejection_n of_o 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nor_o trouble_v himself_o to_o exercise_v any_o rule_n or_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o it_o three_o such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o religion_n and_o providence_n but_o reject_v the_o christian_a religion_n as_o not_o true_a and_o embrace_v some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o of_o those_o first-born_a monster_n of_o mankind_n that_o anomalous_a offspring_n who_o deny_v the_o be_v of_o god_n who_o principle_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o utmost_a dregs_n of_o all_o humane_a apostasy_n and_o be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o wild_a and_o absurd_a for_o as_o cicero_n say_v deos_fw-la esse_fw-la ita_fw-la perspicuum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la be_v qui_fw-la negate_fw-la vix_fw-la eum_fw-la sanae_fw-la mentis_fw-la existimem_fw-la the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n be_v so_o evident_a that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v think_v well_o in_o his_o wit_n that_o deny_v it_o a_o previous_a consideration_n be_v necessary_a to_o whatever_o be_v say_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o divine_a subject_n and_o therefore_o i_o have_v already_o contest_v with_o such_o and_o dispatch_v all_o my_o concern_v with_o they_o in_o order_n to_o this_o matter_n and_o the_o last_o converse_n i_o mean_v to_o have_v with_o that_o evil_a generation_n of_o who_o it_o may_v most_o true_o be_v say_v they_o be_v not_o only_o the_o avow_a opposer_n of_o all_o religion_n but_o indeed_o they_o be_v host_n humani_fw-la generis_fw-la the_o common_a enemy_n of_o all_o mankind_n who_o by_o deny_v a_o supreme_a be_v above_o demolish_v the_o great_a support_n of_o all_o well-being_n here_o below_o of_o this_o belief_n they_o be_v heretofore_o at_o athens_n in_o those_o primitive_a time_n of_o atheism_n and_o first_o dawning_n of_o â—speculative_a irreligion_n upon_o the_o world_n and_o therefore_o cotta_n tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n that_o when_o protagoras_n begin_v his_o book_n with_o this_o introduction_n to_o atheism_n de_fw-fr diis_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la sint_fw-la neque_fw-la ut_fw-la non_fw-la sint_fw-la habeo_fw-la dicere_fw-la atheniensum_fw-la jussu_fw-la urbe_fw-la atque_fw-la agro_n est_fw-la exterminatus_fw-la librique_fw-la ejus_fw-la in_o concione_fw-la combusti_fw-la and_o he_o add_v exit_fw-la quo_fw-la equidem_fw-la existimo_fw-la tardiores_fw-la ad_fw-la hanc_fw-la sententiam_fw-la profitendam_fw-la multos_fw-la esse_fw-la factos_fw-la quip_n cum_fw-la poenam_fw-la ne_fw-la dubitatio_fw-la quidem_fw-la effugere_fw-la potuisset_fw-la for_o those_o secundary_a enemy_n to_o the_o bible_n and_o together_o with_o that_o of_o all_o religion_n such_o who_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n but_o deny_v all_o providence_n and_o divine_a rule_n over_o the_o world_n such_o who_o out_o of_o shame_n disow_v the_o grand_a principle_n of_o atheism_n but_o yet_o by_o this_o method_n secure_v all_o the_o effect_n of_o it_o to_o themselves_o of_o those_o a_o preliminary_a consideration_n on_o aught_o to_o be_v have_v a_o previous_a confutation_n of_o such_o principle_n be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o discourse_n in_o hand_n for_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o vain_a and_o impracticable_a project_n to_o endeavour_v to_o prove_v any_o book_n to_o be_v divine_a and_o a_o law_n give_v forth_o from_o god_n if_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n any_o where_o in_o be_v which_o we_o be_v sure_o there_o never_o can_v be_v if_o god_n no_o way_n concern_v himself_o with_o what_o man_n do_v nor_o exercise_n any_o dominion_n at_o all_o over_o they_o it_o be_v plain_a such_o principle_n do_v uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la dispatch_v all_o religion_n out_o of_o the_o world_n put_v a_o perfect_a period_n to_o all_o divinity_n and_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n very_o absurd_a to_o submit_v either_o in_o our_o belief_n or_o practice_n to_o any_o thing_n as_o divine_a to_o this_o purpose_n cicero_n conclude_v in_o his_o first_o book_n de_fw-fr nat_n deor._n sin_n autem_fw-la dii_fw-la say_v he_o neque_fw-la possunt_fw-la nos_fw-la juvare_fw-la nec_fw-la volunt_fw-la
the_o whole_a and_o it_o be_v as_o true_a that_o his_o rule_n no_o way_n destroy_v the_o freedom_n of_o man_n will_n nor_o be_v the_o world_n subject_v to_o any_o such_o thing_n as_o a_o stoical_a fate_n from_o any_o necessary_a connection_n of_o cause_n but_o all_o the_o action_n of_o man_n proceed_v from_o the_o free_a choice_n and_o determination_n of_o their_o own_o breast_n every_o man_n own_o will_n be_v the_o true_a cause_n of_o his_o own_o do_n thus_o much_o may_v serve_v to_o silence_n and_o shame_v all_o the_o ignorant_a doubt_n and_o profane_a denial_n of_o providence_n to_o assure_v man_n there_o be_v a_o god_n that_o rule_n be_v in_o the_o earth_n and_o to_o justify_v the_o exercise_n of_o a_o supreme_a '_o dominion_n over_o the_o world_n upon_o the_o truth_n of_o which_o the_o validity_n of_o all_o divine_a law_n must_v necessary_o depend_v such_o who_o in_o the_o three_o place_n admit_v the_o be_v of_o god_n of_o providence_n and_o religion_n but_o reject_v the_o christian-religion_n and_o consequent_o the_o bible_n as_o not_o true_a and_o close_o with_o some_o other_o in_o opposition_n to_o it_o against_o those_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o discourse_n will_v chief_o tend_v if_o the_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v sufficient_o make_v good_a and_o the_o scripture_n prove_v in_o truth_n to_o be_v what_o themselves_o tell_v we_o they_o be_v law_n send_v we_o from_o god_n by_o which_o he_o will_v rule_v and_o judge_v the_o world_n two_o thing_n will_v result_v from_o it_o first_o all_z other_z religion_n but_o the_o christian_a will_v thereby_o appear_v to_o be_v false_a and_o fictitious_a second_o such_o who_o have_v embrace_v the_o christian_a profession_n will_v be_v abundant_o confirm_v in_o the_o verity_n thereof_o free_v from_o all_o such_o doubt_n as_o may_v arise_v about_o it_o and_o be_v ascertain_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o ground_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v establish_v in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o this_o matter_n when_o we_o deal_v with_o antiscriptural_a man_n such_o as_o pay_v no_o homage_n at_o all_o to_o the_o bible_n nor_o yield_v any_o obedience_n to_o its_o authority_n two_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v avoid_v and_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v insist_v on_o in_o order_n to_o their_o confutation_n first_o it_o be_v not_o a_o reasonable_a step_n towards_o it_o to_o say_v the_o scripture_n be_v the_o principle_n upon_o which_o our_o religion_n be_v build_v and_o therefore_o aught_o to_o be_v grant_v to_o we_o because_o in_o every_o particular_a science_n some_o principle_n must_v be_v grant_v as_o the_o substratum_fw-la without_o which_o it_o can_v be_v uphold_v and_o by_o a_o denial_n of_o which_o the_o be_v of_o it_o be_v subvert_v this_o unwary_a demand_n be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o six_o every_o man_n in_o his_o own_o profession_n whatever_o it_o be_v and_o to_o prevent_v the_o most_o important_a discourse_n of_o religion_n among_o all_o such_o who_o have_v already_o embrace_v any_o religion_n for_o there_o be_v no_o religion_n without_o some_o prime_a principle_n upon_o which_o it_o be_v erect_v and_o by_o the_o grant_n of_o which_o it_o will_v be_v establish_v and_o as_o we_o be_v sure_o it_o will_v be_v equal_o expect_v so_o there_o be_v no_o better_a ground_n upon_o which_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v nor_o no_o less_o reason_n why_o we_o shall_v admit_v the_o principle_n of_o other_o man_n religion_n than_o they_o grant_v we_o and_o if_o so_o we_o shall_v soon_o come_v to_o a_o full_a point_n in_o all_o our_o debate_n about_o different_a religion_n to_o such_o who_o have_v already_o close_v with_o the_o christian-profession_n this_o hold_v good_a and_o he_o that_o admit_v not_o the_o scripture_n as_o the_o first_o principle_n and_o rule_n of_o all_o discourse_n upon_o any_o internal_a point_n of_o the_o christian-religion_n be_v not_o to_o be_v dispute_v with_o because_o in_o disow_v that_o principle_n he_o destroy_v the_o be_v of_o the_o religion_n he_o be_v contend_v about_o and_o subvert_v the_o whole_a by_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o dispute_v about_o a_o part_n but_o when_o we_o deal_v with_o man_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o enemy_n to_o it_o and_o the_o doubt_n be_v about_o the_o scripture_n itself_o we_o can_v otherwise_o defend_v it_o then_o by_o admit_v it_o a_o matter_n debateable_a and_o endeavour_v its_o justification_n upon_o principle_n common_a to_o we_o both_o and_o such_o rational_a ground_n as_o carry_v in_o they_o the_o great_a aptness_n to_o convince_v such_o opponent_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v but_o that_o in_o all_o rational_a inquiry_n after_o truth_n and_o all_o humane-debate_n there_o must_v be_v some_o common_a maxim_n and_o principle_n acknowledge_v on_o all_o side_n without_o which_o there_o can_v be_v no_o due_a measure_n of_o any_o discourse_n nor_o any_o standard_n by_o which_o a_o man_n can_v proceed_v either_o to_o satisfy_v himself_o or_o convince_v another_o and_o it_o will_v be_v utter_o impossible_a ever_o to_o come_v to_o a_o rational_a end_n of_o any_o debate_n whatever_o for_o if_o one_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v prove_v as_o it_o must_v be_v where_o thing_n be_v in_o controversy_n by_o another_o and_o every_o thing_n may_v be_v still_o deny_v we_o must_v prove_v in_o infinitum_fw-la he_o that_o oppose_v needs_o nothing_o to_o help_v he_o but_o a_o bare_a negative_a and_o he_o that_o be_v to_o prove_v will_v be_v lose_v in_o a_o endless_a circle_n some_o principle_n therefore_o there_o be_v which_o govern_v all_o man_n thought_n and_o discourse_n as_o thing_n grant_v by_o they_o and_o be_v of_o absolute_a necessity_n to_o the_o rational_a conduct_n of_o the_o world_n and_o they_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n first_o such_o as_o be_v in_o themselves_o so_o obvious_o true_a to_o our_o sense_n and_o reason_n that_o they_o gain_v a_o universal_a assent_n and_o be_v approve_v by_o the_o common_a vote_n of_o mankind_n these_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o no_o man_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o deny_v if_o he_o will_v no_o more_o than_o he_o can_v deny_v himself_o to_o be_v reasonable_a and_o do_v discover_v to_o we_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n by_o the_o natural_a emanation_n of_o which_o we_o fix_v upon_o many_o position_n as_o undoubted_o true_a and_o beyond_o all_o question_n or_o dispute_v and_o from_o thence_o measure_v out_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n therefore_o aristotle_n say_v that_o in_o all_o acquisition_n of_o knowledge_n there_o be_v a_o proceed_n from_o premise_n know_v and_o agree_v to_o conclusion_n that_o before_o be_v not_o know_v nor_o agree_v these_o first_o principle_n be_v secure_v by_o the_o innate_a rectitude_n of_o the_o rational_a faculty_n these_o prove_v themselves_o by_o their_o consonancy_n to_o the_o rational_a nature_n and_o can_v be_v otherwise_o prove_v because_o they_o be_v the_o ground_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o other_o proof_n and_o of_o these_o it_o be_v true_a what_o the_o school_n say_v a_o posteriori_fw-la possunt_fw-la manifestari_fw-la non_fw-la per_fw-la aliquid_fw-la prius_fw-la probari_fw-la whatever_o knowledge_n we_o find_v attain_v to_o among_o mankind_n it_o be_v deduce_v from_o these_o first_o principle_n and_o be_v a_o science_n subalternate_v to_o they_o it_o be_v from_o hence_o that_o all_o thought_n and_o debate_n be_v steer_v to_o some_o end_n and_o guide_v to_o some_o conclusion_n these_o principle_n be_v not_o to_o be_v confine_v to_o any_o enumeration_n be_v of_o equal_a extent_n with_o the_o rational_a capacity_n itself_o and_o be_v occasional_o produce_v by_o our_o reason_n according_a to_o the_o various_a object_n it_o be_v conversant_a about_o nor_o can_v any_o other_o character_n be_v give_v of_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v such_o genuine_a issue_n of_o reason_n as_o become_v self-evident_a maxim_n to_o the_o universal_a reason_n second_o there_o be_v acquire_v principle_n among_o mankind_n which_o be_v take_v as_o grant_v truth_n and_o proceed_v upon_o as_o such_o that_o be_v not_o of_o this_o first_o nature_n these_o secondary_a principle_n lie_v more_o remote_a from_o the_o first_o view_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o be_v discover_v by_o a_o chain_n of_o induction_n and_o our_o assent_n to_o they_o proceed_v from_o a_o industrious_a exercise_n of_o reason_n by_o which_o we_o come_v at_o length_n to_o acknowledge_v their_o verity_n as_o agree_v to_o that_o idaa_n of_o truth_n we_o find_v seat_v in_o the_o rational_a nature_n and_o correspond_v to_o those_o primary_n dictate_v of_o reason_n and_o equal_o true_a with_o they_o these_o thing_n man_n accidental_o make_v principle_n to_o themselves_o and_o lay_v they_o aside_o from_o debate_n as_o thing_n grant_v and_o agree_v to_o proceed_v to_o superstruct_v other_o notion_n and_o principle_n upon_o they_o such_o principle_n as_o these_o in_o the_o pursuit_n whereof_o mankind_n do_v great_o differ_v and_o often_o mistake_v
to_o man_n of_o one_o persuasion_n whenever_o man_n in_o order_n to_o the_o sound_n of_o any_o science_n lay_v down_o position_n and_o principle_n upon_o which_o they_o proceed_v if_o such_o principle_n be_v beyond_o the_o first_o and_o common_a rudiment_n of_o every_o man_n reason_n though_o in_o themselves_o never_o so_o true_a yet_o they_o ought_v to_o be_v subject_a to_o debate_v and_o admit_v questionable_a in_o all_o reason_n about_o that_o very_a science_n not_o to_o admit_v some_o universal_a maxim_n be_v the_o way_n to_o make_v mankind_n certain_a of_o nothing_o and_o to_o admit_v any_o particular_a man_n opinion_n as_o indisputable_a principle_n be_v the_o way_n to_o enslave_v the_o world_n to_o every_o party_n the_o scripture_n be_v the_o first_o principle_n of_o christian_n but_o not_o of_o men._n the_o first_o of_o christian_a religion_n but_o not_o of_o all_o science_n and_o therefore_o we_o ought_v to_o begin_v their_o proof_n against_o all_o antiscriptural_a opposition_n from_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o every_o man_n religion_n and_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o induce_v a_o assent_n to_o their_o divine_a and_o sacred_a authority_n which_o we_o shall_v find_v god_n have_v make_v sufficient_o evident_a to_o a_o rational_a and_o impartial_a inquiry_n second_o the_o testimony_n give_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n and_o conscience_n of_o man_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n though_o it_o be_v the_o most_o convince_a evidence_n that_o can_v be_v give_v to_o they_o and_o that_o way_n god_n be_v please_v to_o reserve_v to_o himself_o of_o give_v man_n a_o unquestionable_a satisfaction_n about_o that_o and_o all_o other_o divine_a thing_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o scripture_n against_o its_o profess_a adversary_n and_o that_o upon_o two_o account_n first_o because_o the_o bless_a spirit_n itself_o be_v not_o a_o common_a demonstrable_a principle_n among_o mankind_n and_o so_o can_v be_v make_v use_n of_o against_o those_o that_o know_v no_o such_o testimony_n nor_o admit_v the_o be_v of_o any_o such_o principle_n nothing_o but_o what_o a_o man_n do_v assent_v to_o can_v with_o any_o good_a reason_n be_v urge_v upon_o he_o to_o prove_v what_o he_o do_v not_o assent_v to_o to_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v the_o scripture_n by_o any_o evidence_n arise_v from_o the_o holy_a ghost_n must_v needs_o be_v visible_o absurd_a because_o there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o prove_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n in_o be_v as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n but_o by_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o so_o that_o what_o i_o be_o about_o to_o prove_v must_v first_o be_v admit_v before_o i_o can_v make_v good_a the_o existence_n of_o that_o medium_fw-la i_o take_v to_o prove_v it_o by_o second_o whatever_o evidence_n the_o holy_a ghost_n give_v to_o any_o man_n to_o assure_v he_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o any_o proposition_n that_o evidence_n as_o such_o can_v never_o go_v beyond_o his_o own_o breast_n nor_o can_v i_o ever_o prove_v any_o thing_n by_o it_o as_o it_o be_v a_o divine_a and_o infallible_a evidence_n because_o such_o evidence_n be_v no_o way_n communicable_a to_o another_o but_o in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n nothing_o be_v visible_a to_o another_o in_o such_o case_n but_o the_o reason_n i_o can_v produce_v the_o divine_a illumination_n i_o have_v within_o myself_o to_o convince_v i_o that_o such_o reason_n be_v cogent_n and_o prevail_a can_v never_o be_v so_o demonstrate_v as_o to_o convince_v another_o that_o have_v no_o such_o illumination_n the_o illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o be_v conceive_v of_o then_o that_o he_o be_v please_v to_o propose_v the_o right_a ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v believe_v and_o to_o convince_v and_o satisfy_v the_o understanding_n that_o they_o be_v so_o and_o to_o bring_v man_n to_o acquiesce_v in_o conclusion_n by_o assertain_v they_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o premise_n it_o be_v heterodox_n and_o false_a and_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a sort_n of_o enthusiasm_n to_o say_v that_o divine_a illumination_n be_v not_o always_o accompany_v with_o rational_a evidence_n and_o that_o any_o thing_n be_v the_o product_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o which_o no_o reason_n can_v be_v give_v it_o be_v most_o unsuitable_a to_o a_o reasonable_a be_v and_o most_o contrary_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o god_n deal_v with_o man_n all_o the_o intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v maintain_v by_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n and_o no_o otherwise_o whoever_o rest_v assure_v from_o a_o divine_a testimony_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o come_v from_o god_n may_v deal_v with_o a_o antiscripturist_n by_o those_o ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o such_o testimony_n be_v build_v but_o will_v vain_o and_o to_o no_o purpose_n urge_v that_o satisfaction_n he_o receive_v of_o the_o validity_n of_o such_o ground_n and_o reason_n from_o such_o a_o testimony_n when_o that_o testimony_n can_v be_v no_o further_o make_v evident_a then_o by_o such_o reason_n and_o argument_n as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o produce_v for_o it_o of_o the_o sufficiency_n of_o which_o every_o other_o man_n reason_n in_o a_o ordinary_a way_n must_v necessary_o be_v the_o judge_n to_o this_o present_a undertake_n there_o ought_v also_o to_o be_v this_o praeliminary_a consideration_n that_o as_o there_o be_v divers_a thing_n of_o divers_a nature_n true_a so_o there_o be_v various_a way_n of_o render_v the_o truth_n of_o they_o evident_a and_o medium_n of_o proof_n proper_a and_o peculiar_a to_o each_o this_o be_v visible_a in_o aethick_n in_o physics_n in_o mathematics_n and_o in_o all_o other_o science_n when_o we_o discourse_n of_o the_o bible_n divers_a thing_n will_v come_v in_o question_n the_o truth_n of_o which_o by_o various_a medium_n of_o proof_n 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of_o this_o depend_v upon_o what_o may_v be_v rational_o urge_v to_o make_v it_o credible_a that_o this_o book_n shall_v still_o be_v secure_v by_o a_o divine_a care_n and_o to_o render_v the_o way_n and_o mean_v historical_o evident_a by_o which_o such_o a_o divine_a care_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n have_v be_v exert_v and_o so_o in_o all_o other_o thing_n that_o may_v be_v in_o doubt_n about_o the_o bible_n there_o be_v proper_a inducement_n to_o our_o belief_n as_o will_v appear_v hereafter_o and_o such_o as_o the_o nature_n of_o such_o a_o subject_n require_v and_o he_o that_o will_v not_o acquiesce_v in_o a_o belief_n of_o thing_n upon_o the_o evidence_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o though_o perhaps_o not_o so_o full_a and_o convince_a as_o some_o other_o thing_n will_v afford_v declare_v himself_o to_o be_v obstinate_o wilful_a and_o absurd_a nothing_o
can_v now_o be_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o bible_n that_o will_v come_v under_o any_o sensible_a demonstration_n the_o proposal_n of_o this_o book_n to_o the_o world_n to_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o law_n divine_a be_v not_o so_o make_v as_o by_o mathematical_a evidence_n or_o gross_a visible_a absurdity_n in_o its_o denial_n to_o introduce_v itself_o irresistable_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n but_o this_o book_n be_v so_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n as_o that_o all_o man_n by_o a_o serious_a and_o impartial_a consideration_n of_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o a_o due_a enquity_n into_o all_o the_o circumstance_n attend_v it_o may_v have_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o acquiesce_v in_o it_o as_o divine_a and_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v such_o as_o itself_o claim_v to_o be_v and_o that_o the_o bible_n shall_v be_v upon_o such_o term_n and_o no_o other_o propose_v to_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o world_n seem_v high_o reasonable_a when_o we_o consider_v that_o god_n intend_v this_o book_n as_o the_o great_a shibbole_v by_o which_o he_o will_v try_v the_o world_n that_o from_o the_o believe_a or_o not_o believe_v of_o it_o shall_v arise_v the_o great_a discrimination_n between_o virtuous_a and_o good_a man_n and_o such_o who_o free_a from_o the_o prevail_a influence_n of_o corrupt_a and_o sensual_a interest_n pursue_v the_o genuine_a dictate_v of_o right_a reason_n and_o improve_v those_o notion_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v bear_v with_o and_o other_o who_o either_o choose_v to_o be_v sottish_o ignorant_a or_o else_o wilful_o to_o oppose_v what_o god_n have_v make_v in_o itself_o most_o suitable_a and_o correspond_v to_o the_o reason_n and_o conscience_n of_o every_o unprejudiced_a man._n the_o truth_n be_v our_o assent_n or_o not_o to_o the_o bible_n be_v make_v a_o matter_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v so_o propose_v to_o our_o belief_n that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o both_o the_o way_n to_o this_o discourse_n in_o hand_n be_v thus_o far_o clear_v i_o shall_v now_o prosecute_v the_o design_n of_o it_o in_o this_o method_n first_o i_o will_v endeavour_v to_o render_v it_o a_o thing_n reasonable_a to_o be_v believe_v that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o supernatural_a law_n reveal_v from_o god_n and_o give_v to_o mankind_n in_o order_n to_o their_o present_a and_o future_a happiness_n as_o the_o great_a guide_n and_o rule_n of_o all_o their_o action_n towards_o god_n and_o towards_o each_o other_o and_o that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o reasonable_a supposal_n that_o the_o world_n in_o the_o posture_n we_o find_v it_o shall_v be_v leave_v single_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o nature_n second_o that_o it_o be_v most_o rational_o credible_a upon_o all_o such_o ground_n by_o which_o a_o judgement_n in_o this_o case_n ought_v to_o be_v establish_v that_o this_o book_n we_o call_v the_o bible_n be_v this_o reveal_v law_n superad_v to_o our_o natural_a light_n and_o contain_v in_o itself_o that_o complete_a systeme_n of_o divine_a truth_n by_o which_o god_n will_v inform_v rule_n and_o judge_v the_o world_n and_o this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v a_o proof_n of_o from_o the_o matter_n of_o this_o book_n itself_o and_o from_o such_o external_a concomitant_n of_o it_o as_o high_o concur_v to_o create_v a_o belief_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n and_o last_o propose_v all_o such_o considerable_a doubt_n query_n and_o difficulty_n as_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n be_v usual_o busy_v withal_o about_o this_o matter_n and_o attempt_v their_o satisfaction_n therein_o to_o make_v the_o first_o thing_n propose_v evident_a that_o it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v in_o the_o general_n that_o god_n shall_v give_v we_o some_o further_a direction_n than_o what_o our_o natural_a light_n will_v afford_v we_o that_o he_o shall_v promulge_v some_o supernatural_a law_n to_o the_o world_n let_v these_o several_a thing_n follow_v be_v due_o consider_v first_o what_o wretched_a and_o dismal_a ignorance_n have_v the_o world_n be_v in_o yea_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a part_n of_o it_o and_o in_o what_o disagreement_n with_o itself_o about_o all_o part_n of_o religion_n where_o this_o supernatural_a law_n have_v be_v either_o not_o know_v or_o not_o receive_v how_o sad_o have_v that_o inbred_a principle_n of_o religion_n wherewith_o all_o man_n be_v bear_v be_v seduce_v and_o mislead_v where_o there_o have_v be_v nothing_o supernatural_a to_o guide_v and_o direct_v it_o the_o natural_a notion_n of_o a_o deity_n have_v corrupt_v into_o all_o folly_n and_o vanity_n and_o man_n have_v form_v religion_n not_o only_o hateful_a to_o god_n but_o at_o last_o nauseous_a to_o themselves_o devotion_n man_n still_o have_v to_o somewhat_o above_o they_o but_o they_o know_v not_o well_o how_o to_o express_v it_o the_o wise_a saw_n reason_n enough_o to_o scorn_v their_o own_o religion_n but_o know_v not_o how_o to_o compose_v a_o better_a some_o go_v far_o in_o the_o negative_a in_o say_v what_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v that_o then_o be_v among_o themselves_o but_o none_o ever_o attain_v to_o a_o certain_a directory_n of_o what_o shall_v be_v when_o we_o view_v over_o the_o utmost_a product_n of_o all_o humane_a ability_n and_o the_o great_a discovery_n at_o any_o time_n make_v by_o natural_a light_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n to_o have_v be_v great_o defective_a in_o these_o three_o thing_n first_o in_o their_o divinity_n in_o their_o conception_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o their_o worship_n of_o he_o second_o in_o the_o account_n they_o give_v to_o themselves_o of_o the_o world_n first_o production_n and_o of_o the_o origine_fw-la of_o thing_n three_o in_o their_o morality_n and_o in_o their_o ethical_a institutes_n of_o humane_a life_n and_o the_o converse_n of_o mankind_n together_o first_o in_o their_o divinity_n varro_z rank_n all_o the_o heathen_a theology_n under_o three_o head_n their_o fabulous_a and_o historical_a theology_n their_o natural_a and_o mystical_a theology_n their_o civil_a and_o political_a theology_n which_o he_o also_o call_v mythical_a physical_a and_o civil_a the_o first_o come_v from_o their_o poet_n and_o contain_v such_o a_o rhapsody_n of_o nonsense_n and_o folly_n as_o the_o like_a to_o it_o have_v not_o upon_o any_o occasion_n nor_o upon_o any_o subject_n be_v collect_v since_o the_o world_n begin_v that_o one_o god_n be_v bear_v from_o a_o man_n head_n another_z from_o a_o man_n thigh_n a_o three_o from_o some_o drop_n of_o blood_n that_o some_o god_n be_v thief_n other_o adulterer_n other_o servant_n to_o man_n with_o multitude_n of_o such_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a fiction_n the_o second_o sort_n come_v from_o their_o wise_a man_n and_o from_o their_o philosopher_n they_o dispute_v what_o the_o god_n be_v where_o they_o be_v and_o whence_o they_o be_v and_o among_o they_o we_o find_v a_o endless_a diversity_n and_o most_o stupendous_a folly_n some_o make_v the_o god_n to_o consist_v of_o fire_n some_o of_o number_n other_o of_o atom_n and_o by_o their_o mystical_a divinity_n interpret_n jupiter_n to_o fire_n juno_n to_o earth_n pluto_n to_o air_n nestis_fw-la to_o water_n and_o other_o of_o their_o god_n to_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n with_o many_o other_o so_o gross_a and_o notorious_a absurdity_n that_o justin_n martyr_n tell_v the_o grecian_n that_o the_o divinity_n of_o their_o philosopher_n multo_fw-la sit_fw-la quam_fw-la poctarum_fw-la theologia_n atque_fw-la de_fw-la diis_fw-la doctrina_fw-la ridiculosior_fw-la be_v much_o more_o absurd_a than_o that_o of_o their_o poet._n the_o three_o sort_n relate_v itself_o to_o the_o law_n and_o custom_n of_o particular_a city_n and_o country_n by_o which_o they_o order_v their_o priest_n what_o god_n they_o shall_v worship_v at_o what_o time_n and_o season_n and_o upon_o what_o occasion_n what_o sacrifice_n and_o service_n and_o all_o thing_n relate_v to_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o religion_n both_o upon_o the_o stage_n in_o their_o theatre_n and_o also_o in_o their_o temple_n for_o in_o the_o one_o they_o represent_v their_o god_n and_o have_v play_n act_v in_o honour_n to_o they_o as_o a_o part_n of_o religion_n and_o in_o the_o other_o they_o worship_v they_o in_o all_o which_o we_o find_v they_o shed_v the_o blood_n one_o of_o another_o and_o offer_v most_o inhuman_a sacrifice_n and_o a_o numberless_a multitude_n not_o only_o of_o childish_a and_o foolish_a but_o profane_a and_o impious_a obscene_a and_o lascivious_a rite_n and_o ceremony_n if_o we_o look_v back_o as_o far_o as_o any_o heathen_a record_n will_v carry_v we_o and_o view_v over_o the_o barbarous_a nation_n of_o the_o world_n for_o so_o the_o grecian_n be_v please_v to_o call_v all_o but_o themselves_o according_a to_o that_o of_o varro_n barbarae_fw-la sunt_fw-la omnes_fw-la nationes_fw-la praeter_fw-la graecos_n the_o phaenician_o the_o caldaean_o the_o egyptian_n and_o such_o other_o as_o we_o have_v
the_o world_n thales_n miletius_n the_o founder_n of_o the_o jonick_a school_n who_o be_v antiquissimus_fw-la sapientum_fw-la in_o graece_fw-la and_o the_o first_o author_n among_o they_o of_o that_o science_n they_o afterward_o call_v natural_a philosophy_n and_o come_v near_a to_o the_o story_n of_o moses_n he_o derive_v all_o thing_n from_o water_n rerum_fw-la omnium_fw-la principium_fw-la dixit_fw-la esse_fw-la aquam_fw-la ex_fw-la aqua_fw-la namque_fw-la omne_fw-la existere_fw-la &_o in_o aquam_fw-la resolvi_fw-la omne_fw-la follow_v therein_o homer_n the_o great_a prophet_n of_o graece_fw-la who_o book_n be_v indeed_o the_o great_a pagan-bible_n and_o from_o who_o not_o only_o most_o of_o the_o gracian_a religion_n but_o most_o of_o all_o the_o heethen_a theology_n be_v after_o derive_v for_o he_o make_v the_o sea_n the_o common_a parent_n of_o all_o thing_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d occanum_fw-la rerum_fw-la genuit_fw-la qui_fw-la cuncta_fw-la parentem_fw-la year_n of_o the_o god_n themselves_o for_o he_o derive_v their_o pedigree_n no_o high_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d oceanumque_fw-la deumm_n patrem_fw-la tethymque_fw-la parentem_fw-la anaximander_n his_o successor_n he_o think_v the_o world_n come_v from_o no_o one_o particular_a thing_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n have_v their_o proper_a and_o singular_a beginning_n which_o he_o hold_v to_o be_v infinite_a and_o that_o infinite_a world_n be_v thereby_o beget_v all_o which_o have_v their_o successive_a original_a continuance_n and_o end_n anaximenes_n he_o think_v all_o thing_n come_v from_o air_n exit_fw-la aere_fw-la omne_fw-la fieri_fw-la &_o in_o hunc_fw-la desinere_fw-la omne_fw-la heraclitus_n ascribe_v all_o to_o fire_n think_v all_o thing_n come_v first_o from_o fire_n and_o will_v revert_v to_o fire_n again_o pythagoras_n the_o author_n of_o the_o italic_a philosophy_n and_o the_o first_o introducer_n of_o the_o name_n of_o philosophy_n according_a to_o laertius_n and_o as_o clemens_n alex._n tell_v we_o the_o first_o that_o take_v the_o name_n of_o a_o philosopher_n upon_o himself_o which_o st._n austin_n say_v he_o do_v out_o of_o modesty_n refuse_v to_o be_v call_v a_o wise_a man_n which_o every_o philosopher_n be_v before_o but_o choose_v rather_o to_o style_v himself_o a_o lover_n of_o wisdom_n he_o ascribe_v all_o thing_n to_o number_n it_o be_v endless_a to_o mention_v all_o the_o absurd_a and_o contradictory_n speculation_n the_o philosopher_n have_v about_o this_o matter_n the_o three_o best_a of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n who_o successive_o instruct_v each_o other_o and_o attain_v to_o the_o top_n of_o the_o grecian_a literature_n socrates_n plato_n and_o aristotle_n what_o a_o cloud_n do_v those_o elevate_a understanding_n set_v in_o about_o these_o matter_n socrates_n so_o far_o as_o we_o can_v judge_n of_o he_o by_o what_o his_o scholar_n have_v collect_v of_o his_o for_o he_o write_v nothing_o himself_n see_v so_o great_a vanity_n in_o the_o sentiment_n of_o all_o the_o philosopher_n about_o these_o thing_n &_o withal_o be_v so_o convince_v of_o his_o own_o inability_n to_o come_v to_o a_o right_a comprehension_n of_o they_o that_o he_o apply_v himself_o chief_o to_o morality_n wave_v all_o dispute_n about_o they_o as_o uncertain_a and_o no_o way_n satisfy_v and_o make_v his_o business_n to_o instruct_v man_n in_o the_o rule_n of_o good_a live_n and_o to_o withdraw_v they_o from_o such_o speculation_n wherein_o he_o find_v they_o have_v be_v ever_o benight_a and_o lose_v which_o doubtless_o be_v the_o wise_a resolve_n by_o far_o that_o any_o of_o they_o ever_o come_v to_o it_o be_v a_o singular_a part_n of_o prudence_n to_o be_v silent_a in_o that_o about_o which_o we_o be_v ignorant_a and_o in_o this_o particular_a happy_o he_o make_v good_a what_o the_o oracle_n say_v of_o he_o mortalium_fw-la unus_fw-la socrates_n veer_fw-la sapit_fw-la plato_n assert_n three_o first_o principle_n of_o all_o thing_n deum_fw-la materiam_fw-la &_o idaeam_n deum_fw-la conditorem_fw-la omnium_fw-la materiam_fw-la autem_fw-la primariae_fw-la rerum_fw-la genitarum_fw-la generationi_fw-la subjacentem_fw-la &_o causam_fw-la occasionemque_fw-la deo_fw-la creationis_fw-la praebentem_fw-la ideam_fw-la porro_fw-la creaturae_fw-la cujusque_fw-la exemplar_n and_o sometime_o add_v a_o four_o animam_fw-la universalem_fw-la aristotle_n make_v but_o two_o principle_n deum_n &_o materiam_fw-la and_o indeed_o so_o contradict_v the_o former_a hypothesis_n of_o plato_n and_o so_o little_a agreement_n be_v there_o in_o those_o thing_n between_o they_o though_o he_o have_v be_v his_o scholar_n from_o fifteen_o that_o plato_n complain_v he_o kick_v at_o he_o as_o foal_v use_v to_o do_v at_o their_o dame_n that_o have_v breed_v they_o up_o some_o think_v the_o world_n eternal_a without_o a_o deity_n aristotle_n he_o think_v it_o eternal_a with_o a_o deity_n and_o that_o the_o world_n flow_v natural_o from_o the_o divine_a be_v as_o light_n do_v from_o the_o sun_n nor_o indeed_o be_v there_o any_o one_o philosopher_n among_o they_o all_o but_o hold_v that_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n in_o some_o posture_n or_o other_o about_o which_o they_o much_o differ_v be_v eternal_a as_o well_o as_o the_o deity_n itself_o and_o therefore_o one_o of_o the_o ancient_n say_v omnes_fw-la philosophi_fw-la in_o his_o consenserunt_fw-la semper_fw-la prater_fw-la deum_fw-la ab_fw-la omni_fw-la eater_n nitate_fw-la aliquid_fw-la fuisse_fw-la in_o this_o all_o philosopher_n have_v agree_v that_o there_o be_v somewhat_o else_o beside_o god_n from_o all_o eternity_n they_o never_o admit_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o world_n can_v possible_o come_v original_o from_o divine_a potentiality_n and_o so_o from_o nothing_o if_o you_o respect_v matter_n that_o maxim_n fieri_fw-la é_fw-fr nihilo_fw-la nihil_fw-la in_fw-la nihilum_fw-la nil_fw-la posse_fw-la reverti_fw-la be_v universal_a among_o they_o and_o still_o confine_v by_o they_o all_o to_o the_o notion_n of_o matter_n for_o divinity_n no_o part_n of_o the_o world_n before_o or_o since_o ever_o produce_v a_o far_a corruption_n therein_o then_o greece_n and_o rome_n in_o their_o great_a splendour_n they_o make_v god_n of_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n and_o of_o themselves_o living_n and_o dead_a idolatry_n be_v then_o in_o its_o meridian_n that_o natural_a notion_n man_n have_v of_o a_o deity_n have_v be_v in_o no_o age_n of_o the_o world_n more_o notorious_o debauch_v to_o the_o very_a dregs_o of_o all_o false_a worship_n then_o in_o those_o know_a time_n whatever_o they_o general_o love_v or_o fear_v fancy_a and_o not_o understand_v that_o they_o be_v sure_a to_o adore_v their_o back_n be_v bow_v down_o with_o a_o ignorant_a implicit_a reverence_n to_o what_o they_o know_v not_o and_o so_o their_o devotion_n prove_v as_o ruinous_a to_o they_o as_o their_o vice_n it_o be_v their_o religion_n in_o graece_fw-la that_o make_v man_n turn_v atheist_n and_o make_v that_o learned_a country_n the_o first_o soil_n that_o ever_o atheism_n grow_v in_o it_o be_v so_o gross_o absurd_a and_o their_o poet_n have_v make_v it_o so_o ridiculous_a that_o it_o become_v loathsome_a to_o the_o most_o intelligent_a part_n of_o themselves_o at_o athens_n so_o blind_a be_v they_o in_o their_o devotion_n and_o withal_o so_o confuse_v with_o the_o multiplicity_n of_o their_o own_o deity_n not_o sometime_o know_v which_o to_o apply_v to_o that_o they_o inscribe_v altar_n to_o the_o unknown_a god_n by_o which_o they_o fall_v accidental_o into_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n before_o they_o be_v aware_a for_o the_o unknown_a god_n among_o they_o 〈◊〉_d indeed_o the_o true_a god_n the_o occasion_n of_o 〈◊〉_d â—uch_o we_o find_v in_o laertius_n in_o the_o life_n of_o epimenides_n who_o he_o say_v in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o great_a plague_n that_o be_v at_o athens_n oves_fw-la alas_o &_o nigras_fw-la in_o areopagum_fw-la adduxit_fw-la ac_fw-la dimissis_fw-la deinde_fw-la quo_fw-la ire_n vellent_fw-la auctor_fw-la suis_fw-la ut_fw-la ubi_fw-la illi_fw-la recubuissent_fw-la ibi_fw-la sacrificarent_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d these_o altar_n be_v likewise_o mention_v by_o pausanias_n lib._n 1._o and_o by_o phylostratus_n lib._n 6._o such_o altar_n so_o inscribe_v also_o they_o have_v in_o rome_n upon_o the_o occasion_n of_o a_o earthquake_n there_o when_o they_o know_v not_o which_o of_o their_o god_n to_o apply_v to_o as_o appear_v by_o agelli_fw-la lib._n 11._o chap._n 28._o in_o rome_n their_o religion_n be_v grow_v to_o that_o height_n of_o absurdity_n that_o one_o tell_v we_o in_o cicero_n the_o roman_a priest_n themselves_o do_v to_o such_o a_o degree_n contemn_v their_o own_o devotion_n and_o ceremony_n that_o they_o can_v scarce_o forbear_v smile_v at_o each_o other_o when_o they_o meet_v in_o the_o street_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o believe_v god_n shall_v be_v please_v with_o what_o man_n mock_v at_o themselves_o cotta_n in_o cicero_n book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n say_v plain_o religion_n must_v be_v continue_v as_o they_o be_v first_o institute_v for_o the_o safety_n of_o commonwealth_n but_o that_o otherwise_o all_o
wise_a people_n laugh_v at_o those_o mystery_n never_o any_o man_n scorn_v any_o thing_n more_o than_o caesar_n himself_o do_v his_o own_o god_n and_o as_o tertullian_n observe_v please_v himself_o often_o in_o that_o he_o be_v able_a to_o make_v his_o god_n feel_v the_o power_n of_o his_o anger_n what_o a_o childish_a folly_n it_o be_v then_o to_o believe_v that_o a_o roman_a consul_n lose_v his_o whole_a army_n because_o he_o slight_v the_o feed_n of_o some_o young_a chicken_n or_o that_o marcus_n crassus_n be_v therefore_o slay_v by_o the_o parthian_n because_o he_o despise_v some_o foppery_n of_o atteius_n if_o we_o look_v off_o from_o their_o public_a religion_n and_o the_o general_a practice_n of_o their_o divinity_n and_o take_v a_o view_n of_o what_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a thought_n what_o a_o poor_a product_n be_v all_o their_o notion_n compare_v with_o the_o bible_n what_o a_o midnight_n be_v man_n in_o in_o respect_n of_o religion_n in_o that_o clear_a sunshine_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n socrates_n who_o see_v the_o further_a of_o any_o man_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v into_o the_o vanity_n of_o the_o heathen_a theology_n and_o die_v for_o a_o pretend_a contempt_n of_o it_o for_o the_o charge_n that_o melius_n one_o of_o his_o accuser_n bring_v against_o he_o at_o athens_n as_o laertius_n say_v be_v jura_n violat_a socrates_n quos_fw-la ex_fw-la majorum_fw-la instituto_fw-la suscepit_fw-la civitas_n deos_fw-la esse_fw-la negans_fw-la alia_fw-la vero_fw-la nova_fw-la demonia_fw-la inducens_fw-la the_o first_o philosophical_a martyr_n that_o we_o read_v of_o have_v yet_o leave_v but_o little_o better_a divinity_n behind_o he_o nor_o can_v i_o perceive_v he_o have_v any_o design_n or_o ability_n to_o reform_v the_o world_n that_o way_n for_o he_o answer_v his_o charge_n by_o a_o flat_a denial_n as_o appear_v by_o his_o apology_n in_o plato_n and_o his_o whole_a carriage_n sufficient_o assure_v we_o it_o be_v out_o of_o choice_n and_o not_o out_o of_o fear_n that_o he_o do_v so_o sometime_o also_o before_o he_o advise_v other_o to_o content_v themselves_o with_o the_o religion_n of_o the_o country_n they_o live_v in_o and_o we_o find_v likewise_o in_o plato_n how_o uncertain_a and_o doubtful_a he_o be_v about_o that_o great_a point_n of_o the_o soul_n immortality_n and_o a_o future_a state_n of_o man_n after_o this_o life_n and_o can_v determine_v nothing_o with_o himself_o positive_o about_o it_o though_o he_o seem_v to_o incline_v that_o way_n and_o to_o think_v it_o the_o more_o probable_a opinion_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v immortal_a much_o in_o the_o same_o way_n that_o cicero_n speak_v of_o it_o in_o his_o tusculane_n question_n who_o give_v it_o but_o a_o probability_n and_o as_o plato_n do_v in_o his_o phaed_n who_o say_v in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o discourse_n that_o he_o be_v not_o certain_a about_o it_o nor_o will_v not_o be_v confident_a of_o it_o it_o be_v doubtless_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o uncertainty_n in_o his_o thought_n about_o those_o matter_n that_o make_v he_o say_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o it_o be_v better_o to_o die_v or_o to_o live_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o foolish_a thing_n to_o be_v trouble_v about_o that_o of_o which_o we_o have_v no_o certain_a knowledge_n whether_o it_o be_v to_o be_v desire_v or_o fear_v and_o when_o he_o come_v near_o to_o his_o end_n he_o express_v great_a contentment_n in_o the_o hope_n of_o be_v with_o hercules_n and_o palamedes_n in_o the_o next_o world_n but_o still_o qualify_v those_o hope_n with_o this_o doubtful_a parenthesis_n in_o case_n the_o soul_n be_v not_o extinguish_v with_o the_o body_n he_o choose_v indeed_o to_o be_v rather_o a_o good_a moralist_n and_o to_o deal_v in_o those_o notion_n wherein_o he_o find_v some_o certainty_n then_o to_o attempt_v much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o divinity_n be_v whole_o unable_a to_o frame_v any_o satisfactory_a notion_n to_o himself_o about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o divine_a worship_n he_o often_o plain_o declare_v that_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n and_o the_o business_n of_o another_o world_n he_o be_v whole_o ignorant_a and_o many_o of_o the_o wise_a philosopher_n acknowledge_v as_o much_o and_o think_v those_o thing_n utter_o beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o all_o humane_a knowledge_n all_o notion_n about_o they_o to_o be_v full_a of_o uncertainty_n and_o therefore_o choose_v to_o submit_v to_o the_o vulgar_a sentiment_n rather_o than_o perplex_v themselves_o with_o doubtful_a and_o unsatisfy_a speculation_n and_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o contradict_v the_o public_a religion_n of_o those_o country_n where_o they_o live_v plato_n the_o famous_a divine_a philosopher_n who_o exceed_v all_o the_o grecian_a philosopher_n as_o much_o in_o the_o speculative_a part_n of_o religion_n as_o socrates_n do_v in_o the_o practic_n though_o there_o be_v more_o true_a divinity_n utter_v by_o he_o then_o by_o any_o of_o the_o philosopher_n where_o he_o first_o have_v it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o determine_v yet_o attend_v with_o marvellous_a vanity_n and_o intolerable_a error_n '_o it_o be_v not_o easy_a to_o forbear_v smile_v in_o read_v over_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n the_o matter_n of_o which_o he_o make_v to_o be_v eternal_a the_o fabulous_a conceit_n he_o have_v about_o that_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n it_o will_v tire_v out_o any_o ordinary_a patience_n to_o read_v a_o great_a promoter_n he_o be_v of_o that_o gross_a idolatry_n of_o damon-worship_n for_o he_o say_v that_o when_o man_n die_v their_o soul_n become_v daemon_n and_o if_o their_o merit_n be_v good_a they_o be_v lar_n if_o evil_a lemures_n if_o different_a manes_n of_o which_o st._n austin_n give_v a_o large_a account_n de_n civ_o dei_fw-la lib._n 9_o ch._n 11._o though_o he_o speak_v much_o of_o one_o god_n yet_o himself_o then_o as_o all_o the_o platonist_n since_o hold_v that_o many_o god_n be_v to_o be_v worship_v and_o in_o his_o timaeus_n he_o call_v saturn_n ops_n juno_n and_o other_o god_n and_o say_v the_o daemon_n and_o heroe_n be_v to_o be_v sacrifice_v to_o and_o the_o good_a estate_n of_o the_o city_n commend_v to_o they_o cicero_n observe_v likewise_o out_o of_o his_o timaeus_n that_o he_o speak_v with_o great_a obscurity_n and_o uncertainty_n about_o this_o one_o god_n sometime_o call_v he_o a_o eternal_a mind_n and_o sometime_o call_v the_o sun_n moon_n and_o star_n &_o all_o part_n of_o the_o world_n the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o whatever_o the_o heathen_n worship_v go_n and_o at_o last_o conclude_v that_o the_o whole_a of_o his_o principle_n per_fw-la se_fw-la sunt_fw-la falsa_fw-la &_o sibi_fw-la inuicem_fw-la repugnantia_fw-la be_v in_o themselves_o false_a and_o self_n contradictious_a aristotle_n that_o great_a luminary_n of_o the_o rational_a world_n a_o man_n of_o a_o most_o sagacious_a wit_n who_o travel_v with_o such_o unparalleled_a success_n through_o all_o the_o theorem_n of_o nature_n and_o all_o part_n of_o humane_a knowledge_n what_o mushrom-divinity_n have_v he_o leave_v behind_o he_o with_o what_o obscurity_n uncertainty_n and_o confusion_n with_o himself_o have_v he_o speak_v of_o those_o two_o great_a fundamental_o of_o all_o religion_n the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n to_o such_o a_o degree_n that_o many_o of_o his_o disciple_n since_o have_v avow_v that_o he_o deny_v the_o latter_a if_o out_o of_o aristotle_n book_n we_o shall_v but_o extract_v a_o model_n of_o his_o religion_n it_o may_v be_v for_o a_o monument_n of_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o giant_n in_o all_o natural_a knowleage_n shall_v die_v such_o a_o child_n in_o divinity_n cicero_n who_o carry_v the_o topsail_n of_o learning_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o he_o live_v to_o who_o the_o elder_a pliny_n give_v this_o testimony_n that_o he_o only_o have_v a_o wit_n equal_a to_o the_o greatness_n of_o the_o roman_a empire_n why_o do_v not_o he_o compose_v a_o right_a systeme_n of_o divinity_n and_o leave_v a_o good_a account_n of_o those_o thing_n to_o posterity_n behind_o he_o from_o who_o may_v we_o with_o more_o reason_n have_v expect_v it_o he_o design_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n and_o divinity_n for_o his_o subject_n in_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o book_n he_o tell_v we_o with_o what_o unequal_a sentiment_n man_n have_v debate_v those_o matter_n some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n doubt_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o god_n as_o protagoras_n some_o positive_o affirm_v there_o be_v none_o as_o diagoras_n and_o theodorus_n cyrenaicus_n â—â—â—i_fw-la vero_fw-la deos_fw-la esse_fw-la dixerunt_fw-la tanta_fw-la sunt_fw-la in_o varietate_fw-la ac_fw-la dissentione_fw-la constituti_fw-la ut_fw-la corum_fw-la molestum_fw-la sit_fw-la annumerare_fw-la sententias_fw-la no_o &_o de_fw-la siguris_fw-la deorum_fw-la &_o de_fw-fr locis_fw-la atque_fw-la sedibus_fw-la &_o actione_n aquavitae_fw-la multadicuntur_fw-la deque_fw-la
his_fw-la summa_fw-la philosophorum_fw-la dissentione_fw-la certatur_fw-la and_o those_o say_v he_o that_o do_v acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o the_o god_n have_v such_o various_a and_o different_a opinion_n about_o they_o that_o it_o be_v a_o extreme_a trouble_n to_o reckon_v they_o up_o for_o about_o the_o shape_n of_o the_o god_n their_o employment_n and_o what_o they_o do_v and_o the_o place_n where_o they_o be_v there_o be_v endless_a dissension_n among_o the_o philosopher_n now_o why_o do_v not_o he_o out_o of_o all_o the_o several_a sentiment_n of_o the_o philosopher_n compose_v a_o true_a notion_n of_o his_o own_o unite_v their_o difference_n and_o rectify_v their_o mistake_n by_o one_o common_a truth_n instead_o whereof_o we_o find_v he_o do_v little_a else_o but_o repeat_v their_o various_a opinion_n which_o amount_v to_o no_o less_o in_o number_n then_o four_o or_o five_o and_o twenty_o and_o in_o diogenes_n laertius_n there_o be_v good_a store_n more_o and_o general_o condemn_v they_o all_o as_o false_a and_o extravagant_a unworthy_a the_o name_n of_o their_o author_n otherwise_o famous_a and_o learned_a man_n and_o at_o last_o sit_v down_o find_v his_o own_o inability_n for_o so_o impracticable_a a_o task_n and_o have_v leave_v the_o world_n not_o much_o more_o inform_v than_o they_o be_v before_o in_o that_o point_n the_o sum_n of_o his_o three_o book_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o god_n be_v indeed_o a_o perfect_a condemnation_n of_o the_o whole_a pagan_a religion_n for_o he_o say_v direct_o all_o their_o god_n be_v but_o man_n and_o reckon_v up_o their_o age_n their_o garment_n their_o child_n their_o ancestor_n their_o alliance_n and_o plain_o confess_v their_o temple_n be_v their_o tomb_n and_o their_o sacrifice_n and_o ceremony_n representation_n of_o their_o life_n and_o the_o whole_a of_o their_o religion_n superstition_n and_o vanity_n but_o when_o he_o come_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o supreme_a deity_n that_o make_v all_o thing_n yea_o the_o heathen_a god_n themselves_o he_o open_o declare_v his_o own_o ignorance_n and_o say_v he_o can_v soon_o admire_v then_o utter_a any_o thing_n and_o better_o declare_v what_o the_o deity_n be_v not_o than_o what_o it_o be_v and_o conclude_v upon_o the_o whole_a utinam_fw-la tam_fw-la facile_fw-la veram_fw-la religionem_fw-la invenire_fw-la possim_fw-la quam_fw-la falsam_fw-la convincere_fw-la i_o will_v i_o can_v as_o easy_o find_v out_o true_a religion_n as_o discover_v that_o which_o be_v false_a himself_o socrates_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o wise_a of_o they_o see_v far_o into_o the_o impotency_n of_o their_o own_o religion_n but_o i_o can_v never_o yet_o find_v that_o any_o of_o they_o arrive_v at_o any_o ability_n to_o compose_v a_o better_a nor_o can_v any_o man_n in_o any_o age_n be_v produce_v that_o without_o revelation_n have_v be_v able_a to_o give_v the_o world_n aright_o or_o satisfy_a information_n about_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o 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world_n without_o any_o further_a discovery_n of_o himself_o their_o chief_a good_a or_o any_o further_a direction_n towards_o a_o eternal_a happiness_n which_o be_v man_n chief_a end_n than_o what_o we_o find_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n have_v attain_v to_o nor_o can_v there_o be_v a_o strong_a evidence_n of_o the_o necessity_n of_o some_o revelation_n than_o the_o condition_n the_o world_n have_v be_v in_o without_o it_o the_o whole_a of_o the_o heathen_a divinity_n have_v be_v some_o way_n or_o other_o taint_v and_o be_v reducible_a to_o one_o of_o these_o three_o head_n either_o erroneous_a uncertain_a or_o imperfect_a most_o of_o it_o erroneous_a much_o of_o it_o uncertain_a but_o all_o of_o it_o imperfect_a if_o we_o inquire_v how_o mankind_n come_v to_o be_v benight_a as_o they_o have_v be_v in_o these_o thing_n of_o great_a concernment_n how_o such_o a_o flood_n of_o idolatry_n and_o superstition_n come_v to_o overslow_v the_o gentile-world_n two_o thing_n ought_v to_o be_v
consider_v in_o order_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o such_o a_o enquiry_n first_o the_o internal_a cause_n of_o it_o and_o second_o the_o external_n mean_v by_o which_o it_o have_v be_v bring_v about_o the_o internal_a cause_n of_o it_o have_v lie_v in_o two_o thing_n first_o a_o insussiciency_n in_o our_o natural_a ability_n since_o the_o fall_n to_o ascertain_v we_o full_o about_o divine_a thing_n and_o to_o give_v a_o satisfy_a answer_n to_o all_o those_o inquiry_n we_o natural_o make_v about_o they_o second_o the_o general_a ill_a improvement_n the_o world_n have_v make_v of_o those_o ability_n it_o have_v and_o the_o universal_a declension_n and_o apostasy_n of_o mankind_n from_o that_o knowledge_n they_o may_v have_v arrive_v at_o for_o the_o first_o though_o the_o be_v of_o god_n and_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o supreme_a power_n be_v witness_v to_o by_o every_o man_n reason_n and_o every_o man_n be_v bear_v with_o a_o relation_n to_o somewhat_o above_o he_o and_o there_o be_v many_o maxim_n of_o natural_a divinty_a connate_a to_o the_o true_a exercise_n of_o our_o rational_a faculty_n yet_o there_o be_v two_o thing_n can_v never_o be_v attain_v by_o any_o natural_a search_n first_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n what_o god_n be_v and_o second_o a_o certain_a knowledge_n how_o he_o be_v to_o be_v serve_v neither_o a_o satisfy_v account_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o his_o be_v nor_o of_o a_o worship_n acceptable_a to_o he_o be_v to_o be_v compass_v without_o revelation_n about_o these_o two_o thing_n when_o man_n have_v have_v nothing_o tell_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o fix_v they_o their_o opinion_n have_v be_v as_o various_a as_o their_o invention_n the_o grosser_n part_n of_o the_o world_n god_n be_v only_o a_o intellectual_a object_n who_o they_o can_v not_o see_v general_o fall_v to_o conceive_v of_o he_o by_o what_o they_o do_v see_v cicero_n himself_o confess_v that_o when_o we_o come_v to_o consider_v qualis_fw-la sit_fw-la deorum_fw-la natura_fw-la 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mythology_n upon_o the_o true_a history_n of_o thing_n before_o and_o after_o the_o flood_n as_o appear_v by_o diodorus_n sicubus_n and_o more_o ancient_o by_o their_o own_o famous_a antiquary_n sanconiathon_n in_o the_o version_n of_o philo_n biblius_n the_o occasion_n of_o which_o corruption_n in_o the_o tradition_n of_o those_o thing_n be_v probable_o the_o confusion_n of_o tongue_n at_o first_o the_o great_a increase_n of_o barbarism_n after_o the_o proud_a desire_n every_o nation_n have_v to_o apply_v all_o traditional_a story_n of_o famous_a person_n to_o some_o of_o themselves_o with_o many_o other_o reason_n which_o scaliger_n bochart_n and_o other_o learned_a man_n give_v for_o it_o second_o from_o the_o fiction_n of_o the_o poet_n who_o it_o be_v clear_a be_v the_o first_o beginner_n of_o all_o the_o grecian_a learning_n and_o be_v therefore_o ancient_o call_v in_o graece_fw-la 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d teacher_n and_o as_o strabo_n say_v and_o i_o think_v upon_o very_o good_a ground_n be_v also_o the_o first_o beginner_n of_o all_o the_o ancient_a learning_n every_o where_n all_o other_o speech_n whether_o historical_a or_o rhetorical_a be_v but_o the_o progeny_n of_o poetry_n the_o ancient_n know_v no_o other_o artificial_a or_o set_a form_n of_o speech_n but_o what_o be_v in_o verse_n and_o therefore_o as_o the_o same_o author_n say_v poetry_n be_v ancient_o call_v prima_fw-la quaedam_fw-la philosophia_fw-la these_o fill_v the_o world_n with_o innumerable_a fable_n mythologize_v upon_o every_o thing_n and_o do_v great_o promote_v their_o theological_a vanity_n and_o the_o corruption_n of_o all_o true_a story_n three_o from_o the_o wild_a speculation_n and_o multiply_v theory_n of_o the_o philosopher_n of_o who_o there_o be_v some_o hundred_o of_o sect_n which_o serve_v great_o to_o puzzle_v and_o mislead_v man_n there_o be_v as_o cicero_n say_v no_o absurdity_n but_o have_v some_o philosopher_n for_o its_o patron_n four_o from_o their_o oracle_n by_o which_o the_o world_n lie_v subject_v to_o all_o diabolical_a delusion_n and_o five_o from_o their_o corrupt_a legislator_n such_o as_o numa_n in_o rome_n and_o other_o who_o find_v the_o world_n sequacious_a in_o point_n of_o religion_n and_o mankind_n apt_a to_o adore_v every_o fiction_n impose_v upon_o their_o belief_n whatever_o they_o think_v most_o conduce_v to_o their_o own_o politic_a ends._n nor_o have_v the_o world_n without_o revelation_n be_v free_a from_o defect_n in_o its_o moral_n though_o man_n attain_v far_o therein_o and_o their_o morality_n much_o outgo_v their_o divinity_n cicero_n wrought_v with_o much_o better_a success_n de_fw-fr officiis_n than_o he_o he_o do_v the_o nat._n deorum_n yet_o the_o bible_n have_v great_o improve_v the_o world_n herein_o let_v any_o man_n extract_v the_o most_o exact_a scheme_n he_o can_v of_o morality_n out_o of_o the_o best_a philosopher_n and_o the_o acute_a moralist_n and_o compare_v it_o with_o the_o doctrine_n the_o bible_n propose_v to_o we_o about_o those_o thing_n and_o the_o defect_n of_o it_o will_v be_v visible_a amiraldus_n observe_v in_o his_o treatise_n of_o religion_n that_o scarce_o can_v there_o be_v find_v any_o commonwealth_n among_o those_o which_o have_v be_v esteem_v the_o best_a policy_v in_o which_o some_o grand_a and_o signal_n vice_n have_v not_o be_v excuse_v or_o permit_v or_o even_o sometime_o recommend_v by_o public_a law_n plato_n make_v a_o community_n of_o woman_n one_o of_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n of_o his_o republic_n socrates_n and_o cato_n i_o think_v be_v agree_v to_o be_v two_o as_o famous_a moralist_n as_o ever_o be_v in_o graece_fw-la or_o in_o rome_n cato_n the_o great_a exemplar_n for_o virtue_n and_o justice_n among_o the_o roman_n and_o socrates_n the_o phoenix_n of_o graece_fw-la for_o virtue_n and_o piety_n of_o who_o xenophon_n give_v this_o admirable_a account_n in_o his_o book_n de_fw-fr socratis_n memorabilibus_fw-la dictis_fw-la nemo_fw-la autem_fw-la unquam_fw-la socratem_n
implum_fw-la qâ—iddam_fw-la &_o irreligiosum_fw-la aut_fw-la facere_fw-la vidit_fw-la aut_fw-la dicere_fw-la audivit_fw-la no_o man_n ever_o hear_v socrate_n speak_v or_o ever_o see_v he_o do_v a_o wicked_a and_o irreligious_a thing_n that_o be_v according_a to_o the_o conception_n they_o then_o have_v of_o those_o thing_n himself_o the_o first_o author_n of_o ethic_n and_o the_o first_o that_o contemn_v the_o fruitless_a speculation_n of_o the_o philosopher_n about_o other_o thing_n and_o reduce_v man_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o morality_n so_o say_v laertius_n of_o he_o animadvertens_fw-la autem_fw-la naturalis_fw-la speculationis_fw-la fructum_fw-la nullum_fw-la esse_fw-la eamque_fw-la ad_fw-la officia_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la nihil_fw-la esse_fw-la necessariam_fw-la invenit_fw-la primus_fw-la ethicen_fw-la deque_fw-la illa_fw-la &_o in_fw-la officijs_fw-la &_o in_o publico_fw-la quotidie_fw-la philosophans_fw-la ea_fw-la potius_fw-la inquirenda_fw-la hortabatur_fw-la quae_fw-la mores_fw-la instituerent_fw-la &_o quorum_fw-la usus_fw-la domi_fw-la esses_fw-la necessarius_fw-la yet_o these_o two_o famous_a vertuoso_n be_v no_o better_o principled_a in_o morality_n but_o that_o they_o can_v part_v with_o their_o wife_n unto_o other_o for_o their_o own_o advantage_n and_o therefore_o tertullian_n in_o his_o apology_n cry_v out_o in_o derision_n of_o they_o o_o famous_a example_n of_o a_o grecian_n wisdom_n and_o roman_a severity_n a_o philosopher_n and_o a_o censor_n make_v a_o shameful_a trade_n of_o their_o wife_n chastity_n aristotle_n and_o cicero_n both_o commend_v revenge_n as_o a_o laudable_a part_n of_o magnanimity_n self-murder_n in_o many_o case_n be_v general_o allow_v off_o by_o the_o best_a of_o their_o casuist_n one_o thing_n of_o great_a worth_n in_o itself_o and_o of_o most_o general_a use_n among_o mankind_n we_o be_v upon_o the_o matter_n whole_o oblige_v to_o divine_a revelation_n for_o that_o excellent_a virtue_n of_o humility_n have_v not_o a_o footstep_n to_o be_v find_v among_o they_o nor_o be_v there_o a_o word_n of_o true_a solf-denial_n in_o their_o best_a ethic_n nay_o the_o contrary_a vice_n have_v a_o share_n with_o their_o virtue_n pride_n and_o self-esteem_a be_v a_o disease_n epidemical_a among_o they_o and_o seem_v whole_o incurable_a by_o any_o notion_n they_o have_v some_o arrive_v to_o that_o impudence_n to_o compare_v themselves_o with_o nay_o prefer_v themselves_o before_o their_o own_o god_n it_o be_v either_o a_o horrible_a folly_n to_o deify_v what_o they_o postpone_v to_o their_o own_o self-estimation_n or_o else_o it_o be_v a_o stupendous_a effect_n of_o their_o pride_n to_o prefer_v themselves_o before_o the_o god_n they_o worship_v never_o any_o man_n among_o they_o propose_v the_o honour_n of_o their_o own_o god_n as_o the_o chief_a end_n of_o their_o action_n nor_o so_o much_o as_o dream_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_a the_o best_a of_o they_o in_o their_o best_a action_n reflect_v still_o back_o to_o themselves_o and_o determinate_v there_o design_v to_o set_v up_o a_o pillar_n to_o exalt_v their_o own_o fame_n &_o reputation_n &_o to_o bring_v home_o a_o large_a revenue_n of_o glory_n and_o esteem_n to_o their_o own_o name_n especial_o before_o the_o gospel_n be_v extant_a from_o the_o light_n of_o which_o it_o be_v probable_a even_o the_o heathen_a philosopher_n themselves_o do_v in_o many_o thing_n rectify_v their_o moral_n in_o after_o time_n nor_o be_v it_o unworthy_a our_o notice_n upon_o how_o much_o safe_o and_o sure_a foundation_n the_o power_n of_o prince_n and_o magistrate_n be_v establish_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o scripture_n than_o what_o we_o find_v it_o be_v by_o any_o other_o law_n with_o what_o positive_a indispensable_a strictness_n be_v man_n subjection_n to_o authority_n command_v not_o the_o least_o allowance_n for_o any_o opposition_n to_o be_v make_v by_o private_a man_n against_o their_o superior_n the_o worst_a prince_n have_v a_o just_a claim_n to_o our_o submission_n when_o we_o can_v actual_o obey_v we_o be_v positive_o oblige_v quiet_o to_o suffer_v we_o find_v the_o world_n govern_v by_o much_o loose_a principle_n among_o the_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a and_o authority_n exercise_v upon_o much_o unsafe_a term_n it_o be_v ordinary_a with_o they_o to_o rebel_v against_o authority_n if_o they_o think_v it_o not_o well_o exercise_v and_o to_o lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o such_o as_o they_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o call_v tyrant_n and_o invader_n of_o the_o people_n liberty_n nothing_o more_o frequent_a in_o their_o write_n then_o the_o high_a encomium_n of_o those_o that_o murder_a and_o assassinate_v man_n in_o high_a authority_n and_o nothing_o more_o common_a in_o their_o city_n than_o the_o statue_n of_o such_o to_o perpetuate_v their_o memory_n what_o superlative_a praise_n of_o those_o that_o slay_v the_o tyrant_n of_o thebes_n be_v transfer_v to_o posterity_n nay_o that_o odious_a and_o detestable_a murder_n of_o julius_n caesar_n be_v so_o justify_v and_o applaud_v by_o cicero_n himself_o as_o if_o brutus_n and_o his_o complice_n have_v be_v send_v from_o the_o god_n to_o do_v it_o and_o yet_o in_o truth_n scarce_o do_v the_o sun_n ever_o afford_v its_o light_n to_o a_o vile_a action_n and_o the_o sequel_n of_o it_o sufficient_o testify_v god_n high_a displeasure_n with_o such_o a_o barbarous_a assassination_n for_o the_o people_n of_o rome_n in_o general_a exchange_v their_o condition_n from_o better_a to_o much_o worse_o and_o by_o the_o absoluteness_n and_o severity_n of_o three_o or_o four_o sharp_a master_n feel_v a_o oppression_n far_o beyond_o even_o the_o most_o popular_a complaint_n of_o that_o kind_n against_o caesar_n and_o for_o the_o murderer_n themselves_o it_o fare_v much_o with_o they_o as_o it_o do_v with_o the_o accuser_n of_o socrates_n every_o one_o of_o they_o come_v to_o a_o untimely_a and_o remarkable_a end_n and_o some_o of_o they_o as_o the_o ancients_n have_v be_v curious_a to_o observe_v slay_v themselves_o with_o the_o very_a same_o sword_n wherewith_o they_o have_v assault_v he_o and_o become_v their_o own_o executioner_n with_o those_o individual_a weapon_n by_o which_o they_o effect_v their_o malice_n against_o his_o noble_a person_n the_o law_n of_o the_o gospel_n great_o heighten_v the_o attainment_n of_o the_o world_n in_o these_o thing_n all_o revenge_n among_o private_a person_n be_v there_o whole_o explode_v much_o more_o against_o such_o as_o be_v clothe_v with_o authority_n the_o gospel_n bid_v we_o pray_v for_o they_o that_o persecute_v we_o and_o despiteful_o use_v we_o and_o subject_n ourselves_o to_o authority_n not_o only_o for_o fear_n and_o out_o of_o interest_n but_o also_o for_o conscience_n sake_n and_o this_o doctrine_n the_o apostle_n themselves_o make_v good_a in_o their_o own_o practice_n while_o they_o live_v under_o that_o monster_n nero_n the_o worst_a of_o emperor_n and_o the_o vile_a of_o men._n the_o whole_a of_o these_o thing_n point_v we_o to_o the_o reasonable_a expectation_n of_o that_o we_o be_v in_o quest_n of_o which_o be_v some_o supernatural_a revelation_n all_o man_n have_v turn_v banquerupt_v upon_o those_o first_o natural_a store_v god_n entrust_v they_o with_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o set_v up_o anew_o upon_o the_o stock_n of_o revelation_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o pregnant_o urge_v to_o show_v the_o necessity_n of_o it_o then_o that_o the_o best_a and_o most_o know_a person_n of_o the_o world_n who_o have_v ransack_v all_o the_o corner_n of_o nature_n and_o seem_v to_o have_v set_v a_o copy_n for_o succeed_a age_n to_o write_v after_o in_o most_o humane_a attainment_n have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o discover_v the_o certain_a track_n to_o a_o eternal_a happiness_n that_o they_o be_v never_o yet_o able_a to_o frame_v such_o a_o religion_n as_o can_v reasonable_o satisfy_v other_o or_o convince_v the_o wise_a of_o themselves_o or_o much_o less_o upon_o any_o good_a ground_n be_v suppose_v to_o find_v any_o acceptance_n with_o the_o true_a god_n in_o what_o strange_a mist_n of_o religious_a ignorance_n and_o folly_n do_v those_o know_a age_n of_o the_o world_n breath_n out_o themselves_o and_o expire_v make_o the_o mean_a creature_n their_o god_n and_o ascribe_v the_o vile_a quality_n of_o the_o worst_a man_n to_o their_o deity_n loose_v themselves_o in_o a_o wilderness_n of_o vain_a worship_n to_o she_o god_n wicked_a god_n feign_a god_n senseless_a god_n many_o god_n how_o do_v these_o thing_n point_v we_o to_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o put_v a_o end_n to_o the_o foolish_a fancy_n and_o invention_n of_o man_n that_o what_o man_n since_o the_o fall_n can_v not_o find_v out_o or_o have_v lose_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n may_v acquaint_v he_o with_o and_o at_o once_o discover_v to_o he_o all_o those_o admirable_a topic_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n which_o the_o scripture_n contain_v and_o give_v he_o a_o clear_a and_o distinct_a account_n how_o the_o world_n come_v first_o to_o be_v make_v and_o of_o those_o
method_n by_o which_o mankind_n come_v since_o to_o be_v save_v thing_n beyond_o all_o natural_a kenn_n and_o which_o only_o serve_v to_o reproach_n the_o wise_a thought_n and_o to_o tell_v man_n how_o little_a they_o can_v discover_v of_o what_o they_o be_v most_o concern_v to_o know_v moses_n have_v tell_v we_o more_o in_o two_o page_n then_o the_o whole_a world_n ever_o discover_v by_o the_o utmost_a of_o all_o humane_a search_n nor_o have_v the_o world_n any_o way_n improve_v itself_o in_o this_o kind_n of_o sience_n to_o this_o day_n however_o man_n by_o experience_n and_o industry_n have_v meliorate_v the_o condition_n of_o humane_a affair_n in_o other_o thing_n whatever_o advance_v they_o have_v make_v in_o natural_a theory_n or_o in_o any_o mechanic_n contrivance_n whatever_o rust_n of_o error_n or_o ignorance_n that_o stick_v to_o former_a age_n may_v be_v wear_v off_o by_o a_o improvement_n of_o natural_a speculation_n in_o this_o yet_o where_o the_o scripture_n be_v either_o not_o know_v or_o reject_v they_o be_v at_o the_o same_o loss_n in_o point_n of_o divinity_n they_o be_v as_o ignorant_a of_o the_o true_a god_n as_o ever_o and_o the_o result_n of_o all_o natural_a theology_n without_o the_o help_n of_o some_o revelation_n have_v be_v and_o still_o be_v no_o other_o than_o this_o that_o while_o man_n have_v be_v most_o busy_o contemplate_v the_o nature_n of_o a_o infinite_a be_v and_o contrive_v way_n to_o gain_v acceptance_n with_o he_o they_o have_v lose_v themselves_o in_o the_o crowd_n of_o their_o own_o vain_a imagination_n second_o such_o have_v be_v the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o all_o nation_n in_o all_o age_n that_o it_o evident_o appear_v the_o world_n man_n themselves_o have_v general_o find_v and_o acknowledge_v a_o necessity_n of_o revelation_n and_o out_o of_o a_o experimental_a sense_n of_o their_o own_o impotency_n without_o it_o have_v still_o live_v in_o expectation_n of_o somewhat_o supernatural_a to_o be_v reveal_v from_o above_o mankind_n since_o the_o fall_n have_v be_v still_o listen_v after_o some_o further_a discovery_n of_o god_n then_o what_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n do_v afford_v they_o and_o some_o more_o perspicuous_a notice_n of_o his_o pleasure_n then_o what_o their_o own_o natural_a ability_n can_v dictate_v to_o they_o as_o that_o which_o god_n goodness_n and_o his_o own_o excellent_a nature_n seem_v to_o promise_v to_o the_o world_n and_o man_n natural_a tendency_n to_o some_o supernatural_a happiness_n as_o the_o great_a end_n of_o his_o be_v continual_o call_v for_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o world_n have_v be_v so_o suit_v to_o the_o notion_n of_o revelation_n and_o man_n thought_n have_v be_v so_o constant_o take_v up_o with_o a_o expectance_n of_o some_o divine_a instruction_n that_o they_o have_v be_v still_o in_o danger_n to_o fall_v into_o all_o the_o extreme_n of_o delude_a enthusiasm_n not_o only_o their_o religion_n but_o whatever_o else_o they_o think_v well_o off_o they_o be_v ready_a to_o father_n it_o still_o upon_o revelation_n scarce_o be_v there_o a_o mechanic_n invention_n but_o they_o ascribe_v it_o to_o a_o discovery_n make_v by_o the_o go_n pythagoras_n when_o he_o have_v find_v out_o a_o excellent_a demonstration_n in_o geometry_n sacrifice_v a_o hundred_o ox_n in_o gratitude_n to_o the_o god_n who_o have_v favour_v he_o with_o such_o a_o discovery_n whatever_o be_v in_o itself_o difficult_a or_o excellent_a they_o impute_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o it_o to_o a_o supernatural_a power_n homer_n the_o great_a oracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a divinity_n not_o only_o ascribe_v to_o the_o god_n the_o invention_n of_o all_o abstruse_a matter_n and_o all_o the_o heroical_a motion_n of_o the_o mind_n but_o refer_v our_o ordinary_a cogitation_n to_o divine_a impulse_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d talis_fw-la nempe_fw-la mens_fw-la est_fw-la terram_fw-la incolentium_fw-la hominum_fw-la qualem_fw-la in_o dies_fw-la indit_fw-la pater_fw-la hominumque_fw-la deumque_fw-la and_o his_o book_n be_v fill_v throughout_o with_o enthusiastic_a advertisement_n direct_v to_o man_n from_o the_o go_n cicero_n in_o the_o end_n of_o his_o 2._o book_n de_fw-fr nat._n deor._n be_v large_a in_o his_o expression_n this_o way_n nec_fw-la unquam_fw-la magnus_fw-la vir_fw-la sine_fw-la aliquo_fw-la afflatu_fw-la divino_fw-la never_o be_v there_o any_o great_a man_n say_v he_o without_o some_o inspiration_n not_o only_o be_v the_o poet_n who_o seem_v to_o be_v the_o divine_n of_o the_o pagan_n and_o the_o priest_n of_o their_o mystery_n all_o inspire_a man_n but_o not_o a_o eminent_a physician_n or_o a_o soldier_n be_v there_o among_o they_o nor_o a_o man_n any_o way_n excellent_a but_o they_o derive_v his_o ability_n from_o some_o supernatural_a gift_n and_o think_v his_o quality_n from_o above_o socrates_n that_o excellent_a person_n often_o say_v that_o virtue_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o thing_n to_o be_v learn_v as_o art_n and_o science_n be_v but_o to_o be_v have_v by_o inspiration_n be_v divine_a and_o heavenly_a gift_n he_o avow_v himself_o raise_v up_o by_o god_n to_o philosophize_v and_o by_o his_o precept_n to_o reform_v the_o athenian_a manner_n and_o when_o condemn_v to_o die_v and_o sentence_v to_o the_o poisonous_a cup_n resolute_o protest_v though_o the_o prison-dore_n shall_v be_v open_v to_o he_o with_o a_o injunction_n never_o more_o to_o philosophize_v he_o will_v whole_o refuse_v his_o liberty_n upon_o those_o term_n and_o will_v choose_v to_o obey_v god_n rather_o then_o men._n we_o read_v not_o of_o a_o eminent_a legislator_n in_o a_o commonwealth_n but_o pretend_v he_o receive_v his_o law_n from_o the_o god_n solon_n law_n be_v say_v to_o come_v from_o minerva_n lycurgus_n derive_v his_o law_n from_o jupiter_n and_o much_o more_o be_v their_o religion_n and_o the_o rite_n thereof_o still_o father_v upon_o some_o deity_n or_o other_o and_o hand_v down_o to_o the_o world_n with_o a_o supernatural_a stamp_n numa_n pompilius_n the_o first_o founder_n of_o the_o roman_a ceremony_n declare_v he_o receive_v they_o from_o the_o goddess_n egeria_n no_o religion_n in_o any_o nation_n but_o have_v make_v some_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n that_o absurd_a imposter_n mahomet_n be_v wise_a enough_o to_o father_n his_o medley_n divinity_n and_o all_o the_o confuse_a trash_n of_o his_o koran_n upon_o revelation_n nothing_o else_o can_v have_v cheat_v so_o many_o into_o a_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o that_o they_o be_v first_o persuade_v it_o come_v from_o above_o and_o that_o mahomet_n have_v it_o reveal_v to_o he_o from_o heaven_n the_o heathen_a world_n be_v in_o truth_n without_o any_o revelation_n in_o religious_a affair_n that_o be_v they_o have_v no_o divine_a law_n give_v they_o from_o heaven_n to_o direct_v their_o religious_a obedience_n whether_o it_o please_v god_n to_o reveal_v any_o particular_a matter_n at_o any_o time_n to_o any_o of_o they_o i_o dispute_v not_o but_o he_o give_v his_o statute_n his_o divine_a law_n to_o israel_n and_o he_o do_v not_o deal_v so_o witâ—_n any_o nation_n beside_o and_o yet_o nothing_o more_o general_a than_o the_o expectation_n of_o it_o and_o nothing_o more_o common_a than_o pretension_n to_o it_o this_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v a_o catholic_n maxim_n that_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o the_o right_a way_n of_o serve_v he_o must_v be_v reveal_v from_o above_o all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n seem_v to_o have_v concenter_v in_o this_o belief_n that_o divine_a revelation_n and_o a_o supernatural_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o present_a and_o future_a good_a of_o mankind_n it_o be_v well_o express_v by_o the_o learned_a camero_n omnium_fw-la gentium_fw-la etiam_fw-la barbararum_fw-la consensu_fw-la receptum_fw-la est_fw-la ut_fw-la homini_fw-la bene_fw-la sit_fw-la praeter_fw-la eam_fw-la rationem_fw-la quam_fw-la nimis_fw-la magnifico_n &_o superbo_fw-la titulo_fw-la aquavitae_fw-la ducem_fw-la vocant_fw-la requiri_fw-la coelestem_fw-la quandam_fw-la sapientiam_fw-la inde_fw-la nata_fw-la est_fw-la religio_fw-la ritus_fw-la cerimoniae_fw-la quae_fw-la sola_fw-la sanctitate_fw-la se_fw-la commendant_fw-la praelect_v de_fw-fr verb._n dei_fw-la it_o be_v a_o thing_n say_v he_o agree_v to_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o all_o nation_n yea_o the_o most_o barbarous_a that_o in_o order_n to_o man_n well_o be_v there_o shall_v be_v a_o heavenly_a wisdom_n to_o direct_v he_o beside_o the_o guide_n of_o his_o own_o reason_n and_o from_o thence_o come_v religion_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v from_o this_o general_a apprehension_n that_o the_o world_n come_v to_o be_v so_o often_o and_o so_o easy_o impose_v upon_o by_o delude_a pretension_n to_o inspiration_n and_o the_o many_o gross_a cheat_n of_o enthusiasm_n the_o great_a impostor_n still_o set_v up_o for_o enthusiast_n it_o be_v upon_o this_o account_n that_o the_o heathen_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v so_o enslave_v to_o their_o oracle_n
to_o he_o and_o teach_v we_o in_o a_o duemanner_n how_o to_o perform_v the_o duty_n of_o nature_n he_o do_v not_o only_o do_v this_o not_o only_o rectify_v but_o far_o exceed_v all_o natural_a dictate_v of_o worship_n and_o induce_v much_o into_o his_o service_n that_o receive_v its_o virtue_n and_o worth_a single_o from_o institution_n and_o no_o otherwise_o never_o since_o man_n be_v first_o make_v have_v god_n leave_v he_o single_o to_o the_o natural_a law_n of_o his_o own_o be_v for_o the_o payment_n of_o that_o homage_n he_o owe_v he_o even_o to_o adam_n in_o his_o innocent_a state_n god_n think_v fit_a to_o give_v a_o law_n supernatural_a a_o law_n which_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o have_v no_o foundation_n at_o all_o in_o adam_n nature_n further_o than_o that_o he_o be_v by_o his_o own_o nature_n general_o oblige_v to_o do_v whatsoever_o god_n require_v of_o he_o much_o more_o may_v we_o expect_v it_o since_o the_o fall_n the_o whole_a method_n of_o our_o recovery_n be_v supernatural_a nor_o be_v it_o fit_a to_o be_v think_v that_o god_n who_o have_v make_v man_n not_o only_o under_o a_o obligation_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o all_o moral_a goodness_n but_o have_v also_o implant_v in_o his_o be_v a_o desite_fw-la of_o a_o peculiar_a and_o supernatural_a converse_n with_o he_o and_o give_v he_o such_o noble_a faculty_n so_o capable_a of_o it_o shall_v not_o promulge_v some_o particular_a law_n by_o which_o he_o may_v receive_v a_o full_a and_o satisfy_a direction_n for_o the_o attainment_n of_o it_o or_o indeed_o that_o god_n shall_v not_o direct_v man_n to_o the_o further_a approach_n they_o be_v able_a to_o make_v towards_o he_o and_o glorify_v himself_o by_o appoint_v a_o way_n to_o the_o utmost_a homage_n and_o service_n their_o rational_a being_n be_v capable_a of_o four_o some_o thing_n most_o essential_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o all_o religion_n and_o to_o the_o present_a and_o future_a good_a of_o mankind_n be_v not_o discoverable_a but_o by_o revelation_n and_o it_o be_v a_o barbarous_a conception_n to_o think_v that_o god_n shall_v leave_v the_o world_n whole_o in_o the_o dark_a about_o those_o matter_n wherein_o their_o great_a concerument_n lie_v i_o will_v not_o speak_v particular_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o god_n how_o indiscoverable_a it_o be_v without_o revelation_n and_o yet_o how_o necessary_a to_o be_v know_v according_a to_o our_o capacity_n in_o order_n to_o all_o true_a worship_n man_n ignorance_n in_o that_o particular_a have_v evident_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o polytheisme_n and_o idolatry_n nor_o what_o marvellous_a dark_a absurd_a yea_o profane_a and_o blasphemous_a conception_n the_o world_n have_v of_o it_o without_o revelation_n nor_o will_v i_o speak_v further_o of_o the_o world_n original_a how_o useful_a and_o necessary_a the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v to_o we_o to_o be_v true_o inform_v how_o ourselves_o and_o all_o thing_n else_o come_v first_o to_o exist_v what_o marvellous_a instruction_n to_o ourselves_o and_o what_o a_o natural_a homage_n to_o god_n result_v from_o it_o which_o yet_o depend_v pure_o upon_o revelation_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v attain_v without_o it_o nor_o will_v i_o mention_v those_o uncertainty_n the_o world_n have_v be_v and_o must_v without_o revelation_n be_v still_o entangle_v with_o all_o about_o death_n to_o know_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o natural_a accident_n a_o thing_n original_o appertinent_a to_o humane_a nature_n and_o annex_v to_o our_o being_n in_o their_o first_o constitution_n or_o have_v be_v as_o a_o punishment_n or_o upon_o some_o other_o account_n introduce_v since_o and_o the_o many_o difficulty_n that_o will_v arise_v to_o our_o meditation_n either_o way_n nor_o will_v i_o much_o insist_v upon_o that_o uncertainty_n we_o must_v needs_o be_v in_o about_o a_o future_a condition_n after_o this_o life_n unless_o particular_o inform_v therein_o by_o revelation_n though_o my_o reason_n will_v tell_v i_o and_o it_o may_v safe_o be_v collect_v from_o the_o unequal_a disposition_n of_o reward_n and_o punishment_n here_o that_o there_o be_v some_o future_a estate_n of_o thing_n beyond_o this_o world_n without_o a_o supposition_n of_o which_o i_o must_v either_o depose_v god_n from_o his_o government_n or_o else_o admit_v he_o unjust_a both_o which_o be_v absurd_a yet_o how_o conduce_v be_v it_o to_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o how_o necessary_a for_o the_o encouragement_n of_o virtue_n and_o the_o supression_n of_o vice_n to_o be_v full_o inform_v about_o these_o thing_n and_o not_o to_o be_v leave_v fluctuate_a about_o with_o every_o blast_n of_o uncertain_a guess_n and_o conjecture_n what_o wild_a conception_n have_v the_o heathen_a world_n about_o their_o infernal_a region_n and_o their_o elysian_a field_n nor_o be_v they_o only_a fiction_n peculiar_a to_o the_o poet_n but_o admit_v by_o their_o wise_a man_n and_o best_a philosopher_n who_o be_v able_a to_o frame_v very_o little_o better_a ideaa'_v of_o those_o thing_n to_o give_v one_o instance_n of_o many_o plutarch_n one_o of_o the_o wise_a and_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_n in_o the_o treatise_n he_o write_v upon_o this_o motto_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d give_v no_o better_a a_o account_n of_o the_o future_a state_n of_o man_n soul_n then_o that_o the_o wicked_a be_v only_o overwhelm_v in_o the_o perpetual_a oblivion_n of_o all_o thing_n and_o for_o the_o place_n and_o condition_n of_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v happy_a hereafter_o in_o his_o consolation_n direct_v to_o apollonius_n he_o adhere_v to_o the_o opinion_n of_o pindar_n who_o describe_v those_o thing_n in_o the_o same_o fictious_a and_o ridiculous_a way_n that_o virgil_n do_v direct_o imitate_v pindar_n therein_o epicurus_n indeed_o pretend_v to_o some_o wise_a sentiment_n but_o the_o end_n of_o they_o be_v to_o render_v all_o notion_n of_o a_o future_a condition_n fabulous_a and_o to_o allegorise_v all_o that_o be_v say_v of_o another_o world_n into_o this_o and_o to_o make_v man_n believe_v that_o whatever_o be_v say_v of_o the_o suffering_n and_o pain_n of_o the_o infernal_a region_n it_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o what_o be_v suffer_v in_o this_o life_n by_o covetous_a ambitious_a and_o fearful_a mind_n exâ—gitated_a with_o their_o own_o exorbitant_a passion_n which_o be_v a_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o banish_v out_o of_o the_o world_n all_o fear_n of_o vice_n and_o all_o love_n to_o virtue_n which_o even_o by_o those_o obscure_a notion_n they_o have_v of_o a_o future_a state_n be_v much_o uphold_v and_o maintain_v but_o to_o go_v far_o how_o necessary_a must_v we_o needs_o grant_v it_o to_o have_v the_o certainty_n of_o a_o future_a condition_n after_o this_o life_n establish_v by_o revelation_n when_o we_o consider_v how_o unfixed_a some_o of_o the_o wise_a have_v be_v about_o the_o very_o be_v of_o any_o such_o thing_n at_o all_o such_o man_n as_o socrates_n and_o cicero_n be_v doubtful_a and_o unresolved_a in_o the_o case_n and_o come_v to_o no_o more_o but_o that_o they_o incline_v to_o that_o opinion_n and_o judge_v it_o the_o more_o probable_a and_o aristotle_n discourse_v of_o it_o with_o much_o more_o obscurity_n the_o resurrection_n of_o man_n body_n be_v a_o thing_n of_o far_o hard_a belief_n stand_v in_o great_a need_n of_o revelation_n to_o credit_v it_o it_o be_v not_o the_o easy_a task_n to_o possess_v man_n with_o a_o through_o persuasion_n about_o it_o when_o it_o be_v reveal_v saducisme_n be_v a_o weed_n very_o apt_a to_o grow_v and_o not_o soon_o eradicate_v we_o find_v st._n paul_n sufficient_o laugh_v at_o at_o athens_n for_o preach_v the_o resurrection_n it_o be_v a_o new_a notion_n to_o the_o philosopher_n and_o yet_o if_o there_o be_v any_o glimmering_n of_o it_o among_o any_o of_o the_o philosopher_n it_o be_v among_o the_o stoic_n who_o be_v one_o of_o the_o sect_n he_o encounter_v i_o know_v there_o have_v be_v some_o remote_a apprehension_n among_o the_o pagan_n tend_v this_o way_n but_o neither_o the_o pagan-world_n in_o general_n nor_o any_o considerable_a part_n nor_o indeed_o any_o part_n of_o it_o at_o all_o ever_o agree_v in_o a_o positive_a distinct_a belief_n of_o any_o such_o thing_n some_o fancy_v there_o will_v come_v to_o be_v such_o a_o revolution_n of_o the_o heaven_n as_o that_o all_o the_o star_n will_v be_v precise_o return_v to_o the_o very_a exact_a punctum_fw-la in_o which_o they_o be_v when_o all_o thing_n begin_v first_o to_o be_v and_o that_o then_o all_o that_o ever_o have_v be_v shall_v return_v in_o order_n time_n and_o nature_n to_o their_o former_a condition_n and_o station_n and_o be_v just_a as_o they_o have_v be_v some_o tell_v we_o the_o magi_n who_o be_v the_o caldaean_a philosopher_n have_v some_o obscure_a notion_n that_o all_o man_n shall_v one_o day_n revive_v and_o become_v immortal_a and_o some_o
erect_v from_o the_o theology_n of_o hesiod_n the_o hymn_n of_o orpheus_n the_o poem_n of_o homer_n the_o ode_n of_o pindar_n or_o from_o virgil_n or_o ovid_n shall_v we_o look_v back_o to_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n for_o this_o revelation_n to_o those_o of_o delphos_n dodona_n jupiter_n hammon_n and_o the_o rest_n who_o can_v be_v so_o marvellous_o vain_a beside_o the_o consideration_n of_o that_o general_a uncertainty_n and_o sometime_o falsehood_n that_o visible_o attend_v their_o response_n the_o record_n of_o those_o oracle_n the_o book_n wherein_o their_o response_n and_o divination_n be_v contain_v be_v long_o since_o perish_v and_o lose_v shall_v we_o go_v as_o far_o as_o numa_n pompilius_n and_o his_o goddess_n for_o the_o old_a roman_a theology_n that_o s_o impossible_a to_o be_v retrive_v the_o religion_n of_o numa_n be_v long_o since_o vanish_v out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o the_o book_n wherein_o it_o be_v contain_v be_v open_o burn_v and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n be_v they_o burn_v long_o after_o the_o death_n of_o numa_n in_o the_o consulship_n of_o cornelius_n and_o bebius_n there_o be_v find_v in_o rome_n two_o coffin_n in_o the_o one_o whereof_o be_v the_o body_n of_o numa_n and_o in_o the_o other_o fourteen_o book_n of_o numa_n seven_o of_o they_o in_o latin_a contain_v the_o law_n and_o ceremony_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o the_o other_o seven_o in_o greek_a concern_v the_o study_n of_o wisdom_n and_o in_o these_o latter_a be_v much_o contain_v not_o only_o destructive_a to_o the_o god_n and_o the_o religion_n of_o other_o country_n but_o also_o to_o his_o own_o and_o to_o the_o roman_a profession_n of_o which_o the_o senate_n well_o considerder_v resolve_v it_o as_o best_a that_o the_o whole_a fourteen_o book_n shall_v be_v open_o burn_v together_o which_o be_v according_o do_v of_o which_o we_o have_v a_o account_n at_o large_a in_o valerius_n maximus_n and_o varro_n or_o shall_v we_o at_o last_o come_v to_o that_o arabian_a prophet_n to_o mahomet_n to_o set_v up_o his_o collection_n of_o precept_n his_o koran_n which_o he_o tell_v you_o a_o hundred_o time_n over_o god_n be_v the_o author_n of_o and_o that_o all_o mankind_n can_v not_o have_v write_v a_o syllable_n of_o it_o to_o confront_v the_o bible_n it_o be_v to_o the_o full_a as_o wife_z a_o project_n to_o light_v a_o rush-candle_n and_o resolve_n to_o outface_v the_o sun_n as_o to_o encounter_v the_o bible_n with_o such_o mean_a and_o ridiculous_a stuff_n what_o a_o absurd_a foppish_a flame_n be_v that_o koran_n evident_o a_o cheat_n in_o every_o page_n of_o it_o a_o confuse_a medley_n of_o wicked_a contemptible_a trash_n heap_v up_o together_o by_o a_o triumvirate_n of_o arrian_n jew_n and_o pagan_n all_o know_a impostor_n in_o the_o age_n wherein_o they_o live_v and_o so_o transfer_v by_o the_o history_n of_o their_o own_o time_n to_o all_o future_a generation_n god_n have_v make_v every_o reasonable_a mind_n not_o some_o way_n or_o other_o debauch_v or_o preingaged_n a_o touchstone_n sufficient_a to_o discover_v such_o counterfeit_a metal_n some_o part_n of_o it_o seem_v rather_o like_o the_o rave_n of_o man_n distract_v then_o any_o product_n of_o common_a reason_n it_o tell_v we_o that_o man_n be_v first_o create_v of_o shadow_n that_o the_o earth_n be_v make_v in_o two_o day_n and_o that_o god_n fasten_v it_o to_o the_o mountain_n by_o anchor_n and_o cable_n that_o mahomet_n cut_v the_o moon_n into_o two_o piece_n and_o cement_v it_o close_o together_o again_o with_o a_o multitude_n of_o such_o rave_v and_o distract_v phantasm_n in_o many_o thing_n it_o be_v evident_o self-contradictious_a and_o what_o be_v say_v in_o one_o place_n be_v direct_o overthrow_v in_o another_o mahomet_n himself_o sometime_o plain_o confess_v he_o know_v not_o whether_o he_o or_o his_o be_v in_o a_o way_n of_o salvation_n for_o which_o very_a say_n i_o wonder_v the_o people_n do_v not_o stone_n he_o the_o whole_a of_o it_o a_o rhapsody_n of_o most_o prodigious_a absurdity_n a_o câ—nlused_v inconsistent_a composure_n principle_n of_o heathenism_n judaisme_n and_o christianity_n all_o general_o corrupt_v and_o so_o wild_o patch_v up_o together_o that_o mahomet_n may_v very_o well_o declare_v what_o he_o do_v that_o he_o think_v no_o body_n will_v ever_o be_v able_a too_o under_v and_o his_o law_n whatever_o we_o sin_v in_o it_o that_o carry_v the_o least_o resemblance_n of_o truth_n be_v apparent_o steal_v out_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n though_o for_o the_o most_o part_n visible_o falsify_v and_o invert_v it_o tell_v we_o that_o jesus_n be_v secret_o convey_v inâ—o_o heaven_n and_o that_o somewhat_o in_o his_o likeness_n which_o be_v not_o himself_o be_v nail_v to_o the_o cross_n that_o he_o be_v not_o real_o crucify_a but_o that_o the_o jew_n be_v abuse_v and_o delude_v it_o tell_v we_o also_o that_o in_o the_o 14_o of_o st._n john_n gospel_n where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o send_v the_o comforter_n that_o there_o be_v much_o sard_n of_o mahomet_n which_o the_o christian_n have_v since_o raze_v out_o which_o be_v to_o father_n a_o ridiculous_a and_o impossible_a falsehood_n upon_o they_o for_o that_o gospel_n be_v extant_a long_o before_o mahomet_n be_v bear_v or_o think_v of_o for_o he_o be_v not_o bear_v till_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 571_o and_o publish_v most_o part_n of_o the_o world_n over_o not_o only_o in_o the_o greek_a copy_n of_o it_o but_o in_o divers_a translation_n in_o the_o syriac_a arabic_a ethiopick_n and_o latin_a tongue_n and_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o the_o possibility_n of_o any_o universal_a alteration_n that_o can_v be_v make_v by_o the_o christian_n in_o mahomet_n time_n that_o which_o the_o koran_n tell_v we_o in_o general_a of_o the_o bible_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n direct_o overthrow_v itself_o and_o mahomet_n thereby_o have_v utter_o subvert_v his_o whole_a fabric_n for_o he_o say_v that_o moses_n and_o christ_n be_v both_o send_v from_o god_n and_o that_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v divine_a book_n that_o god_n impart_v the_o law_n to_o moses_n the_o psalm_n to_o david_n and_o the_o gospel_n to_o christ_n but_o pretend_v that_o as_o the_o gospel_n succeed_v the_o law_n so_o the_o koran_n do_v the_o gospel_n now_o if_o the_o first_o be_v true_a i_o be_o sure_a the_o latter_a be_v false_a unless_o god_n can_v contradict_v himself_o which_o be_v impossible_a for_o both_o moses_n and_o christ_n have_v deliver_v very_o many_o doctrine_n direct_o contrary_a to_o his._n the_o bible_n and_o the_o koran_n be_v sufficient_o inconsistent_a and_o therefore_o wherever_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n be_v acknowledge_v to_o be_v book_n divine_a and_o from_o god_n the_o koran_n ought_v reasonable_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o a_o vile_a and_o wicked_a delusion_n if_o it_o be_v ask_v as_o usual_o it_o be_v how_o that_o religion_n come_v to_o spread_v so_o far_o and_o the_o disciple_n thereof_o to_o be_v so_o numerous_a if_o it_o be_v so_o vile_a and_o also_o so_o absurd_a a_o cozenage_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v such_o a_o question_n will_v be_v easy_o answer_v if_o these_o three_o thing_n be_v consider_v first_o the_o mahometan_a religion_n owe_v its_o original_n to_o the_o sword_n more_o than_o to_o all_o its_o pretence_n beside_o it_o be_v mahomet_n being_n a_o general_n that_o make_v he_o pass_v for_o a_o prophet_n nor_o be_v his_o koran_n at_o first_o receive_v in_o any_o nation_n where_o his_o sword_n do_v not_o make_v way_n for_o it_o it_o be_v a_o religion_n that_o be_v at_o first_o introduce_v and_o have_v be_v since_o propagate_v and_o uphold_v pure_o by_o force_n not_o discourse_v into_o man_n but_o impose_v upon_o they_o mahomet_n himself_o often_o declare_v that_o god_n do_v not_o send_v he_o to_o convert_v the_o world_n by_o miracle_n but_o by_o the_o sword_n and_o by_o instrument_n of_o war._n and_o indeed_o there_o be_v not_o a_o chapter_n in_o his_o koran_n where_o he_o do_v not_o preach_v fire_n and_o sword_n war_n and_o massacre_n for_o the_o advancement_n of_o his_o law_n second_o wherever_o that_o religion_n be_v introduce_v all_o inquirie_n into_o it_o be_v absolute_o forbid_v and_o man_n be_v make_v without_o the_o least_o taste_v or_o chew_v to_o swallow_n the_o whole_a body_n of_o mahomet_n divinity_n at_o once_o and_o by_o this_o mean_n ignorance_n be_v grow_v so_o natural_a a_o appertinent_a to_o that_o religion_n that_o wherever_o it_o be_v settle_v it_o do_v not_o only_o silence_v all_o discourse_n of_o divinity_n but_o total_o ruin_v all_o learning_n and_o bring_v man_n into_o perfect_a enmity_n with_o all_o liberal_a science_n it_o be_v a_o easy_a thing_n to_o spread_v the_o base_a metal_n as_o well_o as_o the_o pure_a if_o we_o can_v prevent_v its_o trial._n falshood_n and_o truth_n be_v upon_o even_o term_n
where_o all_o reason_v be_v forbid_v and_o as_o vives_z well_o observe_v discourse_v of_o this_o mahometan_a tyranny_n tutum_fw-la mentiendi_fw-la genus_fw-la est_fw-la nolle_n rationem_fw-la corum_fw-la quae_fw-la dicas_fw-la reddere_fw-la it_o be_v a_o safe_a and_o sure_a way_n of_o lie_v to_o resolve_v to_o give_v no_o reason_n for_o what_o we_o say_v as_o nothing_o be_v more_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o truth_n and_o that_o rational_a reception_n it_o bid_v for_o among_o mankind_n than_o this_o principle_n so_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o effectual_a to_o the_o introduction_n of_o all_o error_n and_o deceit_n then_o to_o compel_v man_n to_o lay_v by_o as_o useless_a their_o own_o reason_n and_o vield_n up_o themselves_o by_o a_o implicit_a subjection_n to_o the_o conduct_n of_o such_o notion_n as_o other_o provide_v for_o they_o three_o it_o be_v a_o religion_n that_o allow_v and_o incourage_v man_n in_o the_o prosecution_n of_o sensual_a satisfaction_n say_v mahomet_n 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against_o it_o and_o what_o doctrine_n but_o one_o in_o its_o own_o nature_n diâ—â—â—â—_n and_o attend_v with_o the_o visible_a effect_n 〈◊〉_d almighty_a power_n to_o own_o and_o juâ—â—â—â—â—_n can_v we_o conceive_v can_v have_v 〈◊〉_d the_o world_n so_o to_o bow_v before_o it_o how_o ridiculous_a do_v it_o appear_v to_o suppose_v a_o company_n of_o mean_a impostor_n that_o have_v neither_o god_n nor_o man_n beside_o themselves_o to_o befriend_v they_o nor_o any_o other_o foundadation_n but_o a_o design_n in_o the_o high_a manner_n to_o cheat_v and_o abuse_v the_o world_n can_v have_v effect_v all_o this_o and_o that_o they_o shall_v final_o so_o prevail_v and_o impose_v the_o gross_a delusion_n imaginable_a upon_o mankind_n against_o all_o such_o opposition_n have_v i_o no_o other_o consideration_n to_o induce_v i_o to_o believe_v the_o bible_n but_o what_o arise_v from_o hence_o this_o one_o seem_v single_o sufficient_a to_o i_o to_o justify_v its_o divinity_n against_o all_o 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at_o first_o establish_v that_o notwithstanding_o all_o that_o the_o jew_n have_v suffer_v and_o their_o very_a be_v in_o a_o national_a way_n and_o their_o national_a worship_n in_o which_o their_o religion_n chief_o consist_v be_v utter_o extinguish_v yet_o still_o they_o retain_v their_o profession_n submit_v to_o a_o yoke_n of_o most_o burdensome_a ceremony_n &_o remain_v disperse_v in_o the_o world_n a_o monument_n of_o scripture-verity_n and_o so_o many_o stand_a witness_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o many_o eminent_a prediction_n both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n and_o thus_o from_o the_o success_n of_o this_o book_n also_o since_o its_o first_o conveyance_n and_o all_o the_o circumstance_n that_o have_v attend_v the_o progress_n of_o it_o since_o its_o first_o publication_n have_v we_o as_o great_a a_o assurance_n as_o in_o such_o a_o case_n we_o can_v well_o expect_v that_o god_n himself_o and_o no_o other_o be_v in_o truth_n the_o author_n of_o it_o i_o come_v in_o the_o four_o and_o last_o place_n to_o consider_v this_o book_n in_o itself_o in_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o as_o at_o the_o present_a we_o find_v it_o and_o as_o it_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o in_o the_o do_n of_o which_o i_o mean_v not_o to_o insist_v separately_z and_o abstract_o upon_o any_o internal_a evidence_n that_o result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o scripture_n itself_o but_o to_o take_v it_o as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o former_a and_o all_o other_o collateral_a proof_n it_o be_v neither_o reasonable_a nor_o warrantable_a to_o disjoin_v the_o proof_n god_n have_v afford_v we_o of_o his_o word_n and_o lay_v the_o weight_n of_o its_o justification_n upon_o any_o one_o single_a evidence_n for_o when_o god_n command_v we_o to_o believe_v and_o obey_v this_o book_n as_o his_o word_n and_o impose_v the_o high_a penalty_n upon_o our_o not_o do_v it_o he_o lay_v not_o the_o stress_n of_o his_o command_n or_o the_o penalty_n nor_o ought_v we_o 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be_v not_o to_o be_v abstract_o insist_v on_o from_o other_o collateral_a proof_n nor_o that_o any_o collateral_a proof_n will_v prevail_v in_o this_o case_n without_o there_o be_v also_o a_o innate_a evidence_n result_v from_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o so_o that_o a_o conjunction_n of_o the_o evidence_n in_o both_o kind_n be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o establish_v a_o general_a proof_n will_v be_v thus_o make_v to_o appear_v the_o bible_n as_o have_v be_v say_v consist_v of_o three_o part_n doctrinal_a prophetical_a and_o historical_a whatever_o evidence_n we_o have_v from_o the_o scripture_n itself_o to_o prove_v its_o own_o divinity_n must_v needs_o chief_o arise_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a part_n because_o the_o prophetical_a and_o historical_a part_n can_v never_o be_v full_o justify_v without_o foreign_a proof_n we_o can_v know_v the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o be_v certain_o true_a from_o the_o bible_n itself_o nor_o can_v we_o sufficient_o prove_v any_o prophecy_n in_o any_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n to_o have_v be_v actual_o fâ—llfilled_v because_o they_o be_v say_v in_o other_o place_n of_o that_o book_n so_o to_o be_v for_o it_o be_v to_o beg_v the_o question_n and_o admit_v the_o book_n to_o be_v true_a when_o we_o be_v debate_v whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o no_o this_o we_o may_v urge_v in_o proof_n of_o the_o historical_a and_o prophetical_a part_n from_o that_o divine_a evidence_n that_o come_v from_o the_o doctrinal_a that_o we_o find_v such_o history_n and_o such_o prophecy_n in_o a_o admirable_a conjunction_n with_o such_o a_o doctrine_n subservient_fw-fr to_o it_o tend_v to_o the_o establishment_n of_o it_o and_o environ_v with_o all_o probable_a circumstance_n of_o be_v true_a both_o from_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o also_o from_o the_o excellent_a manner_n of_o their_o fulfil_n and_o from_o the_o rare_a method_n of_o the_o history_n in_o
mind_n of_o man_n no_o man_n can_v well_o judge_v this_o a_o effect_n of_o any_o humane_a design_n nor_o can_v reasonable_o think_v that_o the_o private_a observation_n or_o experience_n of_o any_o particular_a man_n can_v have_v reach_v so_o far_o providential_a occurrence_n will_v soon_o have_v confute_v any_o counterfeit_a pretence_n to_o such_o a_o universal_a account_n of_o the_o whole_a affair_n of_o the_o world_n nor_o can_v any_o but_o god_n himself_o be_v secure_a not_o to_o mistake_v in_o such_o a_o matter_n the_o more_o we_o contemplate_v this_o world_n in_o its_o various_a motion_n the_o more_o we_o consider_v the_o many_o intricacy_n and_o change_n of_o it_o the_o more_o be_v the_o bible_n still_o justify_v to_o we_o because_o we_o perceive_v the_o whole_a transaction_n of_o this_o world_n to_o be_v there_o strange_o epitomise_v we_o be_v not_o only_o tell_v in_o the_o general_n what_o shall_v fall_v out_o that_o bad_a man_n shall_v often_o prosper_v and_o good_a man_n 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safe_o to_o disengage_v mankind_n from_o all_o the_o entanglement_n of_o their_o lapse_v and_o apostate_n condition_n i_o appeal_v to_o every_o unprejudiced_a man_n whether_o this_o book_n be_v not_o a_o general_a storehouse_n a_o divine_a treasury_n far_o beyond_o what_o the_o world_n beside_o can_v afford_v to_o supply_v all_o the_o want_n of_o humane_a nature_n not_o only_o more_o clear_o and_o full_o than_o be_v ever_o before_o reveal_v to_o we_o the_o great_a good_a point_v we_o to_o that_o true_a summum_fw-la bonum_fw-la of_o a_o rational_a be_v which_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n with_o so_o much_o ignorance_n and_o disagreement_n with_o themselves_o have_v be_v grope_v after_o and_o conduct_v we_o to_o the_o great_a happiness_n but_o apply_v suitable_a remedy_n to_o every_o distemper_n where_o can_v any_o man_n under_o the_o sense_n of_o sin_n and_o the_o displeasure_n of_o god_n or_o under_o any_o other_o dejection_n of_o mind_n poverty_n or_o disgrace_n in_o the_o world_n sickness_n of_o body_n loss_n of_o friend_n or_o any_o sort_n of_o affliction_n comfort_n himself_o as_o he_o may_v here_o what_o a_o sacrifice_n be_v we_o here_o tell_v of_o for_o sin_n we_o find_v all_o man_n in_o all_o religion_n have_v still_o harp_v upon_o a_o sacrifice_n the_o sacrifice_n of_o live_a man_n be_v most_o inhuman_a detest_a by_o the_o best_a of_o heathen_n the_o sacrifice_v of_o beast_n though_o general_o practise_v the_o wise_a know_v not_o what_o to_o make_v of_o and_o think_v it_o strange_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v atone_v by_o the_o fat_a of_o a_o bruit_n how_o infinite_o do_v the_o sacrifice_n we_o be_v acquaint_v withal_o by_o the_o gospel_n exceed_v all_o the_o world_n have_v think_v of_o in_o that_o kind_n of_o how_o amaze_a and_o yet_o of_o how_o satisfy_v a_o nature_n be_v it_o what_o divine_a antidote_n be_v there_o provide_v in_o this_o book_n from_o suitable_a example_n comfort_v promise_n wise_a direction_n heavenly_a counsel_n to_o keep_v up_o a_o sink_a mind_n it_o be_v like_o that_o wood_n where_o jonathan_n come_v in_o his_o extremity_n and_o find_v honey_n every_o where_o drop_v and_o a_o taste_n of_o it_o revive_v his_o spirit_n and_o renew_v his_o vigour_n and_o herein_o lie_v the_o strength_n of_o this_o consideration_n the_o reality_n the_o excellent_a and_o proper_a nature_n of_o that_o relief_n and_o those_o satisfaction_n that_o upon_o all_o occasion_n be_v here_o propose_v to_o we_o they_o be_v no_o such_o delude_a trifle_n as_o man_n be_v cheat_v into_o by_o education_n and_o acquiess_n in_o only_a because_o they_o be_v breed_v up_o with_o a_o good_a opinion_n of_o this_o book_n but_o they_o be_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v of_o intrinsic_a value_n such_o as_o be_v in_o themselves_o and_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n most_o real_a &_o most_o suitable_a to_o a_o rational_a be_v in_o all_o such_o case_n and_o justify_v to_o we_o from_o the_o light_n of_o our_o own_o reason_n and_o that_o innate_a notion_n we_o have_v of_o a_o deity_n the_o voice_n of_o the_o bible_n be_v if_o thou_o do_v well_o they_o own_o conscience_n be_v judge_n thou_o shall_v be_v accept_v if_o not_o sin_n lie_v at_o the_o door_n we_o find_v no_o resemblance_n here_o of_o the_o heathen_a superstition_n nor_o of_o those_o vanity_n wherewith_o other_o religion_n through_o man_n ignorance_n and_o the_o tract_n of_o education_n have_v besot_v the_o world_n the_o term_n of_o our_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n and_o our_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n and_o the_o next_o be_v such_o and_o so_o propound_v to_o we_o as_o every_o man_n own_o reason_n must_v needs_o acquiesce_v in_o and_o there_o be_v a_o self-evident_a satisfaction_n result_v from_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o it_o prevail_v much_o upon_o i_o this_o general_a provision_n i_o find_v here_o make_v to_o suit_n all_o man_n condition_n in_o all_o time_n and_o age_n and_o the_o great_a worth_n and_o transcendent_a excellency_n of_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a account_n 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channel_n of_o so_o many_o age_n and_o be_v to_o this_o day_n providential_o secure_v and_o unmaimed_a and_o entire_o deliver_v over_o to_o we_o if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o evident_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o right_a reason_n improve_v mankind_n to_o the_o high_a pitch_n in_o all_o worthy_a and_o excellent_a attainment_n boâ—h_v moral_a and_o divine_a bring_v the_o world_n into_o the_o best_a posture_n it_o be_v capable_a of_o make_v man_n wise_a better_a and_o happy_a than_o they_o ever_o be_v or_o can_v themselves_o find_v out_o how_o to_o be_v if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o by_o mean_n utter_o unthought_a of_o and_o far_o out_o of_o all_o humane-reach_a and_o yet_o of_o a_o most_o holy_a and_o excellent_a nature_n sweet_o and_o safe_o even_o to_o our_o great_a admiration_n reconcile_v we_o to_o god_n fill_v up_o that_o vast_a gulf_n that_o be_v between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o make_v way_n for_o a_o free_a and_o perpetual_a intercourse_n between_o god_n and_o man_n expose_v to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n thereby_o a_o beatitude_n infinite_o transcend_v whatever_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n can_v contrive_v or_o invent_v which_o the_o rational_a soul_n the_o more_o it_o consider_v still_o the_o more_o it_o adore_v and_o admire_v and_o in_o which_o to_o the_o utmost_a it_o be_v delight_v and_o satisfy_v in_o short_a if_o we_o find_v a_o book_n that_o have_v all_o those_o thing_n if_o we_o respect_v both_o the_o matter_n of_o it_o and_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o conveyance_n to_o we_o appertinent_a to_o it_o that_o we_o can_v rational_o expect_v shall_v accompany_v a_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n and_o such_o a_o supernatural_a law_n by_o which_o we_o may_v suppose_v god_n will_v enlighten_v and_o rule_v the_o world_n a_o book_n that_o every_o way_n answer_v all_o the_o great_a end_n of_o revelation_n propose_v most_o suitable_a remedy_n to_o all_o our_o natural_a defect_n leave_v not_o a_o disease_n in_o humane_a nature_n 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sacred_a instrument_n wherein_o god_n have_v record_v his_o sovereign_a pleasure_n this_o be_v in_o truth_n that_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n the_o world_n in_o all_o age_n have_v so_o much_o expect_v and_o to_o which_o so_o many_o false_a pretension_n have_v in_o all_o age_n be_v make_v here_o be_v indeed_o contain_v that_o system_n of_o law_n supernatural_a by_o the_o publication_n whereof_o god_n have_v abound_v in_o all_o the_o effect_n of_o his_o bounty_n and_o even_o outdo_v the_o further_a conception_n the_o world_n have_v at_o any_o time_n have_v of_o his_o goodness_n how_o strange_o unreasonable_a be_v it_o to_o derive_v such_o a_o book_n from_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o imposture_n how_o heterodox_n be_v it_o to_o all_o good_a sense_n to_o suppose_v that_o the_o worst_a and_o most_o pernicious_a delusion_n by_o which_o the_o world_n have_v be_v ever_o abuse_v which_o we_o must_v needs_o reckon_v this_o book_n to_o be_v if_o it_o be_v not_o from_o god_n shall_v have_v in_o point_n of_o time_n the_o precedency_n of_o all_o true_a religion_n and_o be_v of_o a_o ancient_a date_n than_o any_o divine_a truth_n the_o world_n can_v pretend_v to_o who_o that_o believe_v the_o supreme_a existence_n of_o god_n can_v imagine_v that_o the_o best_a document_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o all_o unprejudiced_a reason_n that_o ever_o mankind_n be_v discipline_v by_o shall_v have_v the_o devil_n or_o the_o vile_a of_o man_n for_o their_o author_n that_o such_o shall_v contrive_v and_o publish_v a_o doctrine_n that_o bring_v man_n to_o the_o best_a method_n of_o live_v that_o such_o shall_v reduce_v mankind_n to_o the_o happy_a and_o best_a condition_n and_o out_o do_v the_o divine_a goodness_n in_o that_o particular_a who_o can_v imagine_v that_o the_o devil_n or_o any_o ill_a man_n in_o promote_a the_o high_a treason_n against_o god_n counterfeit_n his_o name_n and_o authority_n and_o
and_o by_o which_o be_v we_o possess_v of_o they_o they_o will_v much_o more_o easy_o have_v be_v reconcile_v and_o understand_v the_o jew_n be_v very_o curious_a and_o exact_a in_o the_o preservation_n of_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n and_o good_a reason_n they_o have_v so_o to_o be_v for_o among_o the_o heathen_n want_v of_o posterity_n may_v be_v supply_v by_o adoption_n but_o the_o jew_n be_v oblige_v to_o a_o strict_a succession_n in_o alliance_n and_o kindred_n the_o whole_a of_o this_o matter_n be_v most_o judicious_o discourse_v of_o by_o the_o learned_a grotius_n in_o his_o annotatious_a upon_o these_o two_o evangelist_n to_o which_o the_o exact_a disquisition_n of_o all_o the_o particular_n be_v too_o large_a a_o task_n for_o this_o undertake_n i_o fear_v not_o to_o refer_v any_o impartial_a reader_n for_o a_o sufficient_a answer_n to_o all_o that_o can_v be_v reasonable_o object_v against_o the_o bible_n from_o hence_o there_o be_v nothing_o contain_v in_o either_o of_o these_o two_o genealogy_n that_o of_o st._n matthew_n and_o that_o of_o st._n luke_n that_o in_o the_o least_o imply_v any_o direct_a contradiction_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o such_o difference_n between_o they_o or_o between_o they_o and_o any_o other_o part_n of_o the_o bible_n one_o of_o which_o must_v be_v punctual_o make_v good_a or_o else_o this_o objection_n be_v of_o no_o force_n as_o appear_v whole_o uncapable_a of_o any_o reconciliation_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a it_o be_v evident_a the_o evangelist_n do_v after_o a_o admirable_a manner_n consist_v and_o agree_v with_o themselves_o although_o in_o order_n to_o many_o excellent_a end_n and_o to_o clear_v we_o all_o doubt_n about_o our_o saviour_n descent_n they_o different_o account_v which_o upon_o the_o forementioned_a ground_n can_v seem_v hard_a to_o none_o to_o conceive_v four_o they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v much_o contain_v in_o the_o bible_n that_o seem_v of_o too_o mean_a and_o low_a a_o nature_n to_o come_v from_o such_o a_o wise_a and_o excellent_a be_v as_o god_n and_o by_o no_o mean_n fit_a to_o be_v ascribe_v to_o he_o such_o be_v many_o story_n and_o many_o similitude_n and_o divers_a expression_n we_o find_v there_o on_o the_o one_o hand_n they_o reproach_n this_o book_n for_o contain_v thing_n too_o high_a to_o be_v credit_v and_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n they_o object_n against_o it_o as_o contain_v many_o thing_n too_o mean_a to_o be_v regard_v in_o the_o one_o they_o impeach_v god_n power_n and_o imply_v some_o thing_n be_v too_o great_a for_o he_o to_o effect_v and_o by_o the_o other_o cast_v a_o contempt_n upon_o the_o high_a effect_n of_o his_o condescension_n and_o goodness_n for_o nothing_o can_v more_o savour_n of_o it_o then_o such_o a_o familiar_a way_n of_o converse_v with_o man_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o scripture_n have_v by_o divers_a similitude_n resemblance_n and_o allegory_n make_v the_o whole_a world_n and_o all_o we_o converse_v with_o some_o way_n or_o other_o 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advantage_n and_o still_o make_v it_o appear_v less_o capable_a of_o any_o just_a and_o solid_a exception_n the_o bible_n be_v a_o book_n that_o will_v endure_v discourse_n the_o deep_o we_o search_v into_o all_o part_n of_o it_o still_o the_o sure_a we_o be_v to_o find_v a_o divine_a bottom_n it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o composure_n be_v suitable_a to_o its_o nature_n and_o end_n savour_v altogether_o of_o the_o wisdom_n of_o another_o world_n it_o be_v evident_o design_v to_o subvert_v all_o corrupt_a interest_n and_o debase_v man_n proud_a opinion_n of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n it_o be_v write_v after_o a_o sort_n that_o seem_v peculiar_a to_o god_n and_o in_o no_o such_o way_n as_o mankind_n use_v to_o treat_v one_o with_o another_o and_o therefore_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n if_o some_o man_n both_o object_n against_o it_o and_o reproach_n it_o divers_a thing_n there_o be_v which_o in_o the_o read_n of_o this_o book_n we_o be_v rational_o oblige_v to_o 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