λογου_n θÏησκεια_n or_o a_o seasonable_a recommendation_n and_o defence_n of_o reason_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n against_o infidelity_n scepticism_n and_o fanaticism_n of_o all_o sort_n london_n print_v by_o e._n c._n and_o a._n c._n for_o james_n collins_n at_o the_o kings-head_n in_o westminster-hall_n 1670._o ad_fw-la clerum_fw-la rom._n xii_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o verse_n 1._o which_o be_v your_o reasonable_a service_n there_o be_v nothing_o that_o i_o know_v have_v do_v so_o much_o mischief_n to_o christianity_n as_o the_o disparagement_n of_o reason_n under_o pretence_n of_o respect_n and_o favour_n to_o religion_n since_o hereby_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n have_v be_v undermine_v and_o the_o world_n prepare_v for_o atheism_n for_o if_o reason_n must_v not_o be_v hear_v the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n and_o the_o authority_n of_o scripture_n can_v neither_o be_v prove_v nor_o defend_v and_o so_o our_o faith_n drop_v to_o the_o ground_n like_o a_o house_n that_o have_v no_o foundation_n beside_o by_o this_o way_n those_o sickly_a conceit_n and_o enthusiastic_a dream_n and_o unsound_a doctrine_n that_o have_v poison_v our_o air_n and_o infatuate_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n and_o expose_v religion_n to_o the_o scorn_n of_o infidel_n and_o divide_v the_o church_n and_o disturb_v the_o peace_n of_o mankind_n and_o involve_v the_o nation_n in_o so_o much_o blood_n and_o so_o many_o ruin_n i_o say_v hereby_o all_o these_o fatal_a folly_n that_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o so_o many_o mischief_n have_v be_v propagate_v and_o promote_v so_o that_o i_o may_v affirm_v bold_o that_o here_o be_v the_o springhead_n of_o most_o of_o the_o water_n of_o bitterness_n and_o strife_n and_o here_o the_o fountain_n of_o the_o the_o great_a deep_n of_o atheism_n and_o fanaticism_n that_o be_v break_v up_o upon_o we_o and_o now_o to_o damn_n up_o this_o source_n of_o mischief_n by_o represent_v the_o fair_a agreement_n that_o be_v between_o reason_n and_o religion_n be_v the_o most_o seasonable_a service_n that_o can_v be_v do_v unto_o both_o since_o hereby_o religion_n will_v be_v rescue_v from_o the_o impious_a accusation_n of_o its_o be_v groundless_a and_o imaginary_a and_o reason_n also_o defend_v against_o the_o unjust_a charge_n of_o those_o that_o will_v make_v this_o beam_n of_o god_n profane_a and_o irreligious_a this_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v at_o this_o time_n and_o i_o think_v it_o proper_a work_n for_o the_o occasion_n now_o that_o i_o have_v a_o opportunity_n of_o speak_v to_o you_o reverend_a father_n and_o brethren_n of_o the_o clergy_n for_o it_o be_v from_o the_o pulpit_n religion_n have_v receive_v those_o wound_n through_o the_o side_n of_o reason_n i_o do_v not_o say_v and_o i_o do_v not_o think_v it_o have_v from_o you_o but_o we_o know_v that_o indiscreet_a and_o hot_a preacher_n that_o have_v entertain_v vain_a and_o unreasonable_a doctrine_n which_o they_o have_v make_v a_o interest_n and_o the_o badge_n of_o a_o party_n perceive_v that_o their_o darling_n opinion_n can_v not_o stand_v if_o reason_n their_o enemy_n be_v not_o discredit_v they_o set_v up_o a_o loud_a cry_n against_o reason_n as_o the_o great_a adversary_n of_o freegrace_n and_o faith_n and_o zealous_o endeavour_v to_o run_v it_o down_o under_o the_o misapply_v name_n of_o vain_a philosophy_n carnal_a reason_v and_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n and_o what_o have_v be_v the_o issue_n of_o those_o canting_n we_o have_v sad_o see_v and_o feel_v so_o that_o i_o think_v it_o be_v now_o the_o duty_n of_o all_o sober_a and_o reasonable_a man_n to_o rise_v up_o against_o this_o spirit_n of_o folly_n and_o infatuation_n and_o some_o thing_n i_o shall_v attempt_v at_o present_a by_o show_v that_o reason_n be_v very_o serviceable_a to_o religion_n and_o religion_n very_o friendly_a to_o reason_n both_o which_o be_v include_v in_o these_o word_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v your_o reasonable_a service_n he_o have_v prove_v in_o the_o precede_a part_n of_o this_o epistle_n that_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o only_a way_n of_o happiness_n and_o here_o he_o enter_v upon_o the_o application_n of_o this_o doctrine_n and_o affectionate_o exhort_v his_o roman_n to_o conform_v themselves_o unto_o it._n i_o beseech_v you_o therefore_o brethren_n by_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n that_o you_o present_v your_o body_n by_o which_o no_o doubt_n he_o mean_v their_o whole_a person_n for_o they_o be_v to_o be_v a_o live_a sacrifice_n living_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o dead_a service_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n holy_a acceptable_a unto_o god_n in_o opposition_n to_o those_o legal_a performance_n that_o have_v no_o intrinsic_a goodness_n in_o they_o and_o be_v not_o acceptable_a now_o that_o their_o institution_n be_v determine_v and_o the_o motive_n whereby_o he_o enforce_v his_o exhortation_n be_v these_o two_o viz._n the_o mercy_n of_o god_n which_o the_o gospel_n have_v bring_v and_o propound_v i_o beseech_v you_o brethren_n by_o the_o mercy_n of_o god_n and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o thing_n itself_o that_o he_o urge_v they_o to_o which_o be_v your_o reasonable_a service_n my_o business_n be_v with_o this_o latter_a and_o i_o infer_v from_o it_o that_o religion_n be_v a_o reasonable_a thing_n in_o treat_v of_o this_o proposition_n i_o shall_v i._o state_n what_o i_o mean_v by_o religion_n and_o what_o by_o reason_n ii_o i_o shall_v demonstrate_v their_o harmony_n and_o agreement_n iii_o indeaveur_fw-fr to_o disable_v the_o main_a objection_n that_o be_v allege_v against_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o iu_o improve_v all_o by_o some_o inference_n and_o advice_n to_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o the_o settle_v the_o distinct_a notion_n of_o religion_n and_o reason_n we_o know_v there_o be_v nothing_o in_o any_o matter_n of_o enquiry_n or_o debate_n that_o can_v be_v discover_v or_o determine_v till_o the_o term_n of_o the_o question_n be_v explain_v and_o their_o notion_n settle_v the_o want_n of_o this_o have_v be_v the_o occasion_n of_o a_o great_a part_n of_o those_o confusion_n we_o find_v in_o dispute_n and_o particular_o most_o of_o the_o clamour_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v against_o reason_n in_o the_o affair_n of_o religion_n have_v spring_v from_o man_n mistake_n of_o the_o nature_n of_o both_o for_o while_o groundless_a opinion_n and_o unreasonable_a practice_n be_v often_o call_v religion_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o vain_a imagination_n and_o false_a consequence_n be_v as_o frequent_o style_v reason_n on_o the_o other_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o such_o a_o religion_n disclaim_v the_o use_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o such_o reason_n be_v opposite_a to_o religion_n therefore_o in_o order_n to_o my_o show_v the_o agreement_n between_o true_a religion_n and_o genuine_a reason_n i_o shall_v with_o all_o that_o clearness_n that_o i_o can_v represent_v the_o just_a meaning_n of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o for_o religion_n first_o the_o name_n signify_v bind_v and_o so_o import_v duty_n and_o all_o duty_n be_v comprise_v under_o these_o two_o general_n worship_n and_o virtue_n worship_n comprehend_v all_o our_o duty_n towards_o god_n virtue_n all_o those_o that_o relate_v to_o our_o neighbour_n or_o ourselves_o religion_n then_o primary_o consist_v in_o these_o which_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o duty_n can_v be_v perform_v without_o knowledge_n and_o some_o principle_n there_o must_v be_v that_o must_v direct_v these_o practice_n and_o those_o that_o discover_v and_o direct_a man_n in_o those_o action_n of_o duty_n be_v call_v principle_n of_o religion_n these_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n viz._n some_o be_v 1._o fundamental_a and_o essential_a other_o 2._o accessary_a and_o assist_v fundamental_a be_v a_o metaphor_n take_v from_o the_o foundation_n of_o a_o building_n upon_o which_o the_o fabric_n stand_v and_o without_o which_o it_o must_v sink_v to_o the_o ground_n so_o that_o fundamental_a principle_n be_v such_o as_o be_v suppose_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n one_o or_o more_o and_o such_o as_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o performance_n of_o they_o respective_o of_o this_o sort_n i_o mention_v four_o viz._n i._n that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n of_o infinite_a perfection_n the_o belief_n of_o this_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a to_o all_o the_o part_n of_o religion_n ii_o that_o we_o be_v sinner_n and_o expose_v to_o his_o displeasure_n this_o be_v necessary_a to_o confession_n of_o sin_n and_o repentance_n part_n of_o worship_n iii_o that_o god_n be_v our_o maker_n and_o the_o author_n of_o all_o our_o blessing_n this_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n praise_n and_o adoration_n iu_o that_o there_o be_v moral_a good_a and_o evil_a without_o this_o there_o can_v be_v no_o charity_n humility_n justice_n purity_n or_o the_o rest_n these_o proposition_n i_o
sheep_n ver._n 12._o thus_o our_o saviour_n use_v argument_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o apostle_n do_v so_o very_o frequent_o st._n paul_n disprove_v idolatry_n this_o way_n act_n 17.29_o forasmuch_o then_o as_o we_o be_v the_o offspring_n of_o god_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o think_v that_o the_o godhead_n be_v like_a unto_o gold_n or_o silver_n or_o stone_n grave_v by_o art_n and_o the_o same_o apostle_n prove_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a by_o the_o mention_n of_o seven_o gross_a absurdity_n that_o will_v follow_v the_o denial_n of_o it_o 1_o cor._n 1.15_o viz._n if_o the_o dead_a rise_v not_o then_o 1._o christ_n be_v not_o rise_v and_o then_o 2._o our_o preach_a be_v vain_a and_o we_o false_a apostle_n and_o if_o so_o 3._o your_o faith_n be_v vain_a and_o then_o 4._o you_o be_v not_o justify_v but_o be_v in_o your_o sin_n and_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v 5._o that_o those_o that_o be_v depart_v in_o the_o same_o faith_n be_v perish_v and_o then_o 6._o faith_n in_o christ_n profit_v only_o in_o this_o life_n and_o if_o so_o 7._o we_o be_v of_o all_o man_n the_o most_o miserable_a because_o we_o suffer_v all_o thing_n for_o this_o faith_n from_o ver._n 14_o to_o ver_fw-la 19_o and_o the_o whole_a chapter_n contain_v philosophical_a reason_v either_o to_o prove_v or_o illustrate_v the_o resurrection_n or_o to_o show_v the_o difference_n of_o glorify_a body_n from_o these_o and_o st._n peter_n in_o his_o second_o epistle_n chap._n 2._o show_n that_o sinful_a man_n must_v expect_v to_o be_v punish_v because_o god_n spare_v not_o the_o angel_n that_o fall_v instance_n in_o this_o case_n be_v endless_a these_o may_v suffice_v and_o thus_o of_o the_o second_o thing_n also_o which_o i_o propose_v to_o make_v good_a viz._n that_o religion_n be_v friendly_a to_o reason_n and_o that_o appear_v in_o that_o god_n himself_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n own_o it_o and_o use_v argument_n from_o it_o even_o in_o affair_n of_o faith_n and_o religion_n but_o scripture_n the_o rule_n of_o faith_n be_v pretend_v against_o it_o and_o other_o consideration_n also_o these_o therefore_o come_v next_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o the_o deal_n with_o those_o pretension_n be_v the_o iii_o general_n i_o propose_v to_o discuss_v as_o for_o argument_n from_o scripture_n against_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n it_o be_v allege_v 1._o from_o 1_o cor._n 1._o where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n will_v destroy_v the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o wise_a ver_fw-la 19_o and_o the_o world_n by_o wisdom_n know_v not_o god_n ver_fw-la 21._o and_o not_o many_o wise_a man_n after_o the_o flesh_n be_v call_v ver_fw-la 26._o and_o god_n choose_v the_o foolish_a thing_n of_o this_o world_n to_o confound_v the_o wise_a ver_fw-la 27._o by_o which_o expression_n of_o wisdom_n and_o wise_a it_o be_v presume_v that_o humane_a reason_n and_o rational_a man_n be_v mean_v but_o these_o interpreter_n mistake_v the_o matter_n much_o and_o as_o they_o be_v wont_n to_o do_v put_v arbitrary_a interpretation_n upon_o scripture_n without_o ground_n for_o by_o wisdom_n here_o there_o be_v no_o cause_n to_o understand_v the_o reason_n of_o man_n but_o rather_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o jew_n the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o dispute_a greek_n and_o the_o worldly_a policy_n of_o the_o roman_n who_o be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o ruler_n of_o that_o world_n that_o the_o jewish_a learning_n in_o their_o law_n be_v mean_v the_o apostle_n intimate_v when_o he_o ask_v in_o a_o way_n of_o challenge_n ver_fw-la 20._o where_o be_v the_o scribe_n and_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v one_o that_o be_v skilled_a in_o their_o law_n and_o custom_n and_o that_o the_o philosophy_n of_o the_o greek_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v likewise_o we_o have_v ground_n to_o believe_v from_o the_o other_o question_n in_o the_o same_o verse_n where_o be_v the_o disputer_n of_o this_o world_n which_o though_o some_o refer_v to_o the_o doctor_n among_o the_o jew_n also_o yet_o i_o humble_o think_v it_o may_v more_o proper_o be_v understand_v of_o the_o philosopher_n among_o the_o grecian_n for_o the_o apostle_n write_v to_o greek_n and_o their_o philosophy_n be_v notorious_o contentious_a and_o last_o that_o the_o worldly_a policy_n of_o the_o roman_n be_v include_v also_o in_o this_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n which_o the_o apostle_n vilify_v there_o be_v cause_n to_o think_v from_o the_o six_o verse_n of_o the_o second_o chapter_n where_o he_o say_v he_o speak_v not_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n and_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o policy_n be_v their_o most_o value_a wisdom_n tu_fw-la regere_fw-la imperio_fw-la to_o govern_v the_o nation_n and_o promote_v the_o grandeur_n of_o their_o empire_n be_v the_o great_a design_n and_o study_v of_o those_o prince_n of_o this_o world_n now_o all_o these_o the_o apostle_n set_v at_o nought_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o this_o epistle_n because_o they_o be_v very_o opposite_a to_o the_o simplicity_n and_o holiness_n self-denial_n and_o meekness_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o disadvantage_n of_o reason_n to_o which_o indeed_o those_o sort_n of_o wisdom_n be_v as_o contrary_a as_o they_o be_v to_o religion_n and_o by_o this_o i_o be_o enable_v 2._o to_o meet_v another_o objection_n urge_v from_o 1_o cor._n 2.14_o but_o the_o natural_a man_n receive_v not_o the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n for_o they_o be_v foolishness_n unto_o he_o neither_o can_v he_o know_v they_o because_o they_o eat_v spiritual_o discern_v hence_o the_o enthusiast_n argue_v the_o universal_a inability_n of_o reason_n in_o thing_n of_o religion_n and_o its_o antipathy_n to_o they_o whereas_o i_o can_v apprehend_v no_o more_o to_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o word_n than_o this_o viz._n that_o such_o kind_n of_o natural_a man_n as_o those_o scribe_n and_o disputer_n and_o politician_n have_v their_o mind_n deprave_v and_o prepossess_v with_o their_o own_o wisdom_n be_v indispose_v to_o receive_v this_o that_o be_v so_o contrary_a unto_o it_o and_o they_o can_v not_o know_v those_o thing_n of_o god_n because_o they_o be_v spiritual_a and_o so_o will_v require_v a_o mind_n that_o be_v of_o a_o pure_a and_o spiritual_a frame_n viz._n free_a from_o that_o earthly_a wisdom_n of_o all_o sort_n which_o count_v those_o thing_n foolishness_n and_o which_o by_o god_n be_v count_v so_o itself_o 1_o cor._n 3.19_o which_o place_n 3._o be_v use_v as_o another_o scripture_n against_o reason_n the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n be_v foolishness_n with_o god_n but_o it_o can_v signify_v nothing_o to_o that_o purpose_n to_o one_o that_o understand_v and_o consider_v the_o apostle_n meaning_n what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n here_o i_o have_v declare_v already_o and_o by_o the_o former_a part_n of_o my_o discourse_n it_o appear_v that_o whatever_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v by_o it_o our_o reason_n can_v since_o that_o either_o prove_v or_o defend_v all_o the_o article_n of_o religion_n 4._o and_o when_o the_o same_o apostle_n elsewhere_o viz._n 2_o cor._n 1.12_o say_v that_o they_o have_v not_o their_o conversation_n in_o fleshly_a wisdom_n we_o can_v think_v he_o mean_v humane_a reason_n by_o that_o reason_n direct_v we_o to_o live_v in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n which_o he_o oppose_v to_o a_o life_n in_o fleshly_a wisdom_n by_o this_o therefore_o no_o doubt_n he_o mean_v the_o reason_n of_o our_o appetite_n and_o passion_n which_o be_v but_o sense_n and_o imagination_n for_o these_o blind_a guide_n be_v the_o director_n of_o the_o wicked_a but_o not_o the_o reason_n of_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v one_o of_o those_o light_n that_o illuminate_v the_o conscience_n of_o good_a man_n and_o help_v to_o guide_v their_o action_n and_o whereas_o it_o be_v object_v 5._o from_o col._n 2.8_o beware_v lest_o any_o spoil_n you_o through_o philosophy_n i_o answer_v there_o be_v nothing_o can_v be_v make_v of_o that_o neither_o for_o the_o disgrace_n of_o reason_n for_o the_o philosophy_n the_o apostle_n caution_n against_o be_v the_o same_o which_o he_o warn_v timothy_n of_o 1_o tim._n 1.4_o neither_o give_v heed_n to_o fable_n and_o endless_a genealogy_n that_o minister_v question_n call_v these_o profane_a and_o vain_a babble_n and_o opposition_n of_o science_n false_o so_o call_v 2_o tim._n 6.20_o by_o all_o which_o learned_a interpreter_n understand_v the_o pretend_a knowledge_n of_o which_o the_o gnostic_n boast_v which_o consist_v in_o the_o fabulous_a pedigree_n of_o the_o god_n under_o the_o name_n of_o aeones_n and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o genealogy_n of_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v so_o fond_a and_o the_o dispute_a philosophy_n among_o the_o greek_n which_o be_v proper_o science_n false_o so_o call_v and_o do_v minister_v question_n and_o endless_a
say_v be_v fundamental_o of_o religion_n for_o it_o suppose_v and_o stand_v upon_o they_o there_o be_v other_o which_o be_v not_o so_o absolute_o necessary_a as_o these_o but_o yet_o very_o encourage_v and_o helpful_a i_o reckon_v four_o here_o also_o viz._n 1._o that_o god_n will_v pardon_v we_o if_o we_o repent_v 2._o that_o he_o will_v assist_v we_o if_o we_o endeavour_v 3._o that_o he_o will_v accept_v of_o service_n that_o be_v imperfect_a if_o they_o be_v sincere_a 4._o that_o he_o will_v reward_v or_o punish_v in_o another_o world_n according_a to_o what_o we_o have_v do_v in_o this_o this_o i_o count_v to_o be_v the_o sum_n of_o religion_n general_a and_o christianity_n take_v in_o all_o those_o duty_n and_o all_o the_o principle_n advance_v the_o duty_n to_o noble_a measure_n and_o encourage_v they_o by_o new_a motive_n and_o assistance_n and_o superad_v two_o other_o instance_n baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o for_o the_o principle_n it_o confirm_v those_o of_o 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