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scripture_n apostle_n bishop_n presbyter_n 3,386 5 10.4987 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A42446 The certainty of the Christian revelation, and the necessity of believing it, established in opposition to all the cavils and insinuations of such as pretend to allow natural religion, and reject the Gospel / by Francis Gastrell ... Gastrell, Francis, 1662-1725. 1699 (1699) Wing G301; ESTC R14557 148,794 394

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constant_a tradition_n of_o the_o same_o scripture_n &_o custom_n as_o be_v before_o specify_v in_o the_o several_a church_n and_o province_n from_o whence_o they_o come_v as_o the_o history_n of_o these_o time_n relate_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n to_o have_v be_v then_o be_v the_o unanimous_a consent_n of_o all_o these_o bishop_n a_o infallible_a argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o they_o testify_v and_o if_o there_o have_v not_o be_v such_o a_o constant_a tradition_n in_o any_o of_o these_o church_n or_o province_n as_o we_o suppose_v than_o the_o original_a introduction_n or_o intermission_n of_o any_o of_o those_o scripture_n or_o custom_n within_o the_o same_o compass_n of_o time_n will_v have_v be_v in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o manner_n and_o with_o the_o same_o certainty_n know_v to_o the_o bishop_n of_o those_o church_n and_o province_n where_o such_o introduction_n or_o intermission_n happen_v and_o what_o be_v first_o introduce_v
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heaven_n to_o live_v chaste_o and_o sober_o in_o this_o present_a world_n avoid_v all_o manner_n of_o excess_n and_o intemperance_n to_o bridle_v our_o tongue_n to_o take_v care_n that_o we_o offend_v not_o in_o word_n and_o to_o bring_v every_o thought_n into_o captivity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n to_o think_v lowly_a of_o ourselves_o with_o all_o humility_n prefer_v each_o other_o to_o humble_v ourselves_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o god_n and_o when_o we_o have_v do_v all_o that_o we_o can_v to_o say_v we_o be_v unprofitable_a servant_n to_o take_v up_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n and_o not_o only_o to_o bear_v affliction_n patient_o but_o to_o glory_n in_o they_o and_o rejoice_v that_o we_o be_v think_v worthy_a to_o suffer_v these_o and_o all_o other_o the_o particular_a duty_n derive_v from_o they_o we_o be_v require_v constant_o and_o sincere_o to_o endeavour_v to_o perform_v without_o a_o wilful_a allowance_n of_o ourselves_o to_o offend_v in_o one_o point_n or_o to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o and_o whenever_o we_o have_v transgress_v any_o of_o these_o rule_n of_o life_n prescribe_v we_o to_o act_v by_o we_o be_v immediate_o to_o break_v off_o our_o sin_n by_o repentance_n all_o which_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v for_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n in_o pure_a obedience_n to_o his_o word_n and_o command_n in_o love_n and_o gratitude_n for_o all_o the_o mercy_n we_o receive_v from_o he_o and_o in_o hope_n and_o expectation_n of_o enjoy_v eternal_a happiness_n and_o escape_v eternal_a misery_n in_o another_o life_n and_o upon_o no_o other_o account_n or_o prospect_n whatsoever_o these_o be_v the_o only_a true_a end_n and_o motive_n of_o human_a action_n and_o the_o only_a ground_n of_o duty_n and_o obligation_n we_o have_v consider_v the_o character_n of_o jesus_n christ_n and_o take_v a_o short_a view_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o religion_n he_o teach_v and_o recommend_v to_o mankind_n in_o the_o next_o place_n let_v we_o see_v who_o and_o what_o sort_n of_o man_n they_o be_v that_o first_o believe_v in_o he_o who_o assist_v in_o the_o publish_n and_o propagate_a his_o gospel_n and_o who_o they_o be_v that_o oppose_v the_o establishment_n of_o it_o and_o persecute_v christ_n and_o all_o that_o bear_v testimony_n to_o he_o those_o that_o be_v any_o way_n concern_v in_o the_o receive_n publish_v and_o propagate_a the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v john_n his_o forerunner_n his_o twelve_o apostle_n other_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n and_o such_o as_o be_v particular_o set_v apart_o for_o the_o ministry_n and_o common_a believer_n john_n who_o be_v style_v the_o forerunner_n of_o christ_n and_o one_o that_o be_v to_o prepare_v the_o way_n before_o he_o be_v bear_v of_o parent_n who_o be_v righteous_a before_o god_n and_o walk_v in_o all_o the_o commandment_n of_o the_o lord_n blameless_a his_o conception_n and_o birth_n be_v attend_v with_o many_o extraordinary_a sign_n and_o wonder_n than_o it_o be_v say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o grow_v and_o wax_v strong_a in_o spirit_n and_o be_v in_o the_o desert_n till_o the_o day_n of_o his_o show_v unto_o israel_n and_o his_o raiment_n be_v of_o camel_n hair_n and_o his_o meat_n be_v locust_n and_o wild_a honey_n afterward_o he_o come_v preach_v in_o the_o wilderness_n of_o judea_n say_v repent_v you_o for_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n be_v at_o hand_n and_o many_o be_v baptize_v of_o he_o in_o jordan_n confess_v their_o sin_n all_o he_o preach_v to_o and_o baptize_v he_o acquaint_v with_o the_o character_n and_o near_a approach_n of_o jesus_n christ_n who_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n he_o prefer_v to_o himself_o and_o and_o by_o that_o mean_v satisfy_v they_o that_o he_o be_v not_o the_o christ_n which_o before_o they_o doubt_v of_o little_o more_o be_v record_v of_o his_o preach_a or_o discourse_n but_o only_o some_o particular_a advice_n to_o some_o person_n that_o inquire_v of_o he_o what_o they_o shall_v do_v and_o his_o reproof_n of_o the_o multitude_n that_o come_v to_o he_o and_o of_o herod_n for_o which_o last_o he_o be_v put_v in_o prison_n by_o he_o and_o afterward_o behead_v he_o do_v no_o miracle_n but_o the_o austerity_n of_o his_o life_n the_o authority_n of_o his_o preach_a and_o baptise_v and_o the_o holiness_n of_o his_o conversation_n make_v he_o look_v upon_o by_o all_o people_n as_o a_o prophet_n jesus_n christ_n say_v of_o he_o that_o he_o be_v more_o than_o a_o prophet_n and_o even_o herod_n himself_o that_o behead_v he_o fear_v he_o while_o alive_a and_o observe_v he_o and_o when_o he_o hear_v he_o he_o do_v many_o thing_n and_o hear_v he_o glad_o know_v he_o to_o be_v a_o just_a man_n and_o a_o holy_a the_o twelve_o apostle_n be_v all_o of_o they_o person_n of_o a_o low_a rank_n and_o mean_a occupation_n all_o the_o time_n they_o follow_v christ_n they_o seem_v not_o to_o be_v full_o acquaint_v who_o he_o be_v or_o what_o he_o design_v several_a of_o his_o discourse_n they_o understand_v not_o but_o wonder_v what_o the_o meaning_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v they_o be_v several_a time_n by_o their_o master_n reproach_v for_o want_n of_o apprehension_n and_o knowledge_n in_o the_o scripture_n after_o the_o plain_a discourse_n he_o have_v make_v of_o himself_o to_o they_o and_o for_o want_v of_o faith_n and_o courage_n notwithstanding_o the_o many_o miracle_n and_o mighty_a work_n he_o have_v do_v before_o they_o and_o they_o themselves_o have_v do_v by_o his_o commission_n they_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o temporal_a messiah_n or_o deliverer_n who_o be_v to_o restore_v the_o kingdom_n again_o to_o israel_n and_o they_o have_v several_a little_a contest_v among_o themselves_o who_o shall_v be_v great_a in_o the_o kingdom_n they_o fancy_v their_o master_n come_v to_o establish_v they_o acknowledge_v he_o to_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o son_n of_o god_n but_o they_o seem_v not_o to_o have_v right_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v when_o he_o be_v apprehend_v to_o be_v put_v to_o death_n one_o of_o they_o betray_v he_o all_o the_o rest_n be_v offend_v because_o of_o he_o and_o flee_v but_o one_o of_o they_o that_o return_v after_o he_o solemn_o deny_v he_o and_o immediate_o repent_v and_o he_o that_o betray_v he_o repent_v and_o hang_v himself_o after_o his_o death_n we_o find_v some_o of_o they_o bewail_v themselves_o as_o disappoint_v in_o all_o the_o hope_n and_o expectation_n they_o have_v conceive_v of_o he_o and_o when_o it_o be_v report_v that_o he_o be_v rise_v again_o none_o of_o they_o will_v believe_v it_o till_o they_o see_v he_o themselves_o and_o one_o of_o they_o be_v more_o remarkable_o incredulous_a in_o this_o point_n than_o the_o rest_n till_o he_o have_v receive_v the_o satisfaction_n he_o desire_v but_o after_o the_o ascension_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o choice_n of_o another_o apostle_n in_o the_o room_n of_o he_o that_o have_v hang_v himself_o we_o find_v the_o twelve_o apostle_n maintain_v a_o different_a character_n from_o what_o they_o have_v in_o their_o master_n life-time_n now_o they_o appear_v perfect_o instruct_v in_o all_o thing_n concern_v christ_n whatsoever_o before_o seem_v strange_a to_o they_o either_o in_o his_o action_n or_o discourse_n be_v all_o unriddle_v and_o the_o scripture_n which_o before_o be_v difficult_a to_o be_v understand_v be_v now_o make_v plain_a and_o manifest_a and_o as_o their_o knowledge_n be_v enlarge_v their_o faith_n be_v strengthen_v no_o doubt_n or_o distrust_n be_v now_o entertain_v but_o they_o preach_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n with_o authority_n and_o full_a assurance_n insomuch_o that_o we_o find_v many_o more_o convert_v at_o their_o preach_v than_o at_o christ_n they_o be_v endue_v with_o new_a power_n which_o they_o have_v not_o whilst_o their_o master_n live_v and_o which_o do_v not_o show_v forth_o
sense_n or_o first_o obtain_v credit_n among_o those_o who_o live_v afterward_o without_o any_o proof_n of_o their_o be_v do_v or_o believe_v before_o and_o if_o we_o suppose_v the_o christian_a morality_n entertain_v and_o establish_v in_o the_o world_n without_o the_o present_a history_n we_o have_v of_o it_o the_o forgery_n of_o that_o afterward_o will_v have_v be_v whole_o unnecessary_a and_o the_o difficulty_n of_o get_v such_o a_o forgery_n believe_v much_o great_a from_o hence_o then_o it_o plain_o follow_v that_o there_o can_v never_o have_v be_v such_o a_o state_n of_o thing_n in_o the_o world_n as_o we_o now_o perceive_v if_o all_o the_o principal_a part_n and_o substance_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n as_o it_o be_v at_o present_a general_o believe_v be_v not_o true_a and_o have_v some_o time_n or_o other_o real_o happen_v out_o according_a to_o the_o relation_n we_o find_v give_v of_o they_o this_o do_v likewise_o further_o appear_v from_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n 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upon_o which_o the_o certainty_n of_o all_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o well_o as_o other_o truth_n be_v ultimate_o found_v now_o the_o chief_a and_o immediate_a reason_n of_o believe_v most_o fact_n be_v take_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o we_o be_v so_o well_o acquaint_v with_o as_o the_o common_a original_a capacity_n and_o power_n inclination_n and_o aversion_n of_o mankind_n and_o consequent_o their_o end_n and_o motive_n of_o act_v it_o will_v be_v easy_a to_o show_v from_o hence_o that_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n before_o give_v be_v not_o only_o sufficient_a to_o determine_v our_o assent_n to_o it_o but_o do_v in_o evidence_n and_o multiplicity_n of_o conviction_n far_o exceed_v the_o proof_n any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v capable_a of_o in_o the_o first_o place_n then_o let_v we_o consider_v why_o we_o believe_v any_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o never_o fall_v within_o our_o own_o particular_a and_o immediate_a cognizance_n why_o do_v we_o so_o firm_o believe_v the_o story_n of_o julius_n cesar_n and_o william_n the_o conqueror_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o italy_n or_o china_n &_o c_o now_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o upon_o examine_v ourselves_o we_o shall_v find_v to_o be_v because_o a_o great_a many_o man_n have_v acquaint_v we_o that_o there_o be_v former_o such_o person_n who_o do_v such_o and_o such_o thing_n and_o that_o there_o be_v now_o such_o place_n in_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n which_o man_n be_v competent_a judge_n of_o what_o they_o tell_v we_o have_v sufficient_a opportunity_n of_o know_v the_o truth_n themselves_o no_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v dispose_v they_o to_o lie_v to_o other_o and_o be_v contradict_v by_o no_o body_n of_o equal_a authority_n with_o they_o these_o be_v all_o the_o ground_n of_o credibility_n upon_o which_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v general_o believe_v and_o no_o further_a character_n of_o truth_n be_v require_v by_o one_o that_o be_v satisfy_v of_o these_o but_o we_o have_v all_o these_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o common_a matter_n of_o fact_n relate_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n in_o the_o full_a force_n and_o extent_n of_o they_o and_o several_a other_o beside_o as_o the_o incapacity_n of_o the_o witness_n to_o deceive_v if_o they_o have_v be_v dispose_v to_o do_v it_o the_o great_a motive_n they_o have_v not_o to_o say_v what_o they_o do_v than_o to_o say_v it_o if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o the_o great_a motive_n other_o person_n have_v to_o contradict_v they_o if_o they_o can_v have_v be_v disprove_v let_v we_o examine_v all_o these_o character_n of_o truth_n and_o see_v how_o far_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o christian_a history_n exceed_v that_o of_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o how_o far_o the_o suppose_a falsehood_n of_o it_o notwithstanding_o these_o character_n be_v consistent_a with_o that_o certain_a knowledge_n we_o have_v of_o humane_a nature_n as_o to_o the_o first_o character_n require_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n the_o number_n of_o the_o witness_n there_o never_o be_v certain_o so_o vast_a a_o multitude_n of_o person_n all_o unanimous_o agree_v to_o assert_v the_o truth_n of_o so_o great_a a_o variety_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o there_o be_v in_o the_o case_n before_o we_o because_o the_o progress_n of_o christianity_n be_v so_o swift_a that_o we_o can_v suppose_v more_o person_n can_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o history_n and_o doctrine_n of_o it_o in_o so_o short_a a_o time_n and_o there_o never_o be_v such_o industrious_a care_n take_v to_o propagate_v the_o belief_n of_o any_o other_o fact_n and_o opinion_n that_o we_o ever_o read_v of_o it_o be_v likewise_o as_o certain_a that_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o first_o publisher_n and_o professor_n of_o christianity_n be_v as_o competent_a judge_n of_o the_o matter_n they_o bear_v witness_n of_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o be_v of_o any_o thing_n else_o whatsoever_o we_o will_v only_o suppose_v now_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n pretend_v to_o such_o thing_n as_o be_v record_v of_o they_o in_o the_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o to_o believe_v their_o own_o pretence_n and_o that_o all_o other_o who_o profess_v the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n do_v declare_v their_o belief_n of_o all_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v relate_v as_o say_v or_o do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o sure_o a_o man_n may_v infallible_o know_v his_o own_o thought_n and_o imagination_n he_o can_v tell_v whether_o he_o believe_v such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n or_o no_o or_o at_o least_o he_o can_v be_v certain_a that_o he_o think_v or_o fancy_n he_o believe_v it_o and_o if_o there_o be_v any_o intercourse_n or_o communication_n betwixt_o man_n one_o man_n may_v know_v that_o another_o pretend_v to_o believe_v or_o do_v a_o thing_n whether_o he_o real_o believe_v or_o do_v it_o or_o no._n if_o a_o multitude_n of_o man_n can_v be_v deceive_v in_o such_o judgement_n as_o these_o concern_v themselves_o and_o one_o another_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o knowledge_n at_o all_o if_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v allow_v that_o a_o vast_a multitude_n of_o person_n do_v pretend_v to_o believe_v all_o those_o thing_n that_o they_o be_v say_v to_o believe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n it_o necessary_o follow_v from_o hence_o that_o they_o do_v real_o and_o true_o believe_v they_o or_o else_o they_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o certain_o know_v to_o be_v false_a but_o that_o they_o do_v not_o pretend_v to_o believe_v what_o they_o know_v to_o be_v false_a will_v evident_o appear_v from_o these_o further_a reflection_n upon_o humane_a nature_n first_o then_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o every_o man_n must_v act_v for_o some_o end_n or_o motive_n and_o here_o be_v no_o end_n or_o motive_n conceivable_a that_o can_v determine_v any_o of_o the_o first_o 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