Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
scripture_n authority_n church_n reject_v 2,895 5 9.0049 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A61158 The history of the Royal-Society of London for the improving of natural knowledge by Tho. Sprat. Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713.; Cowley, Abraham, 1618-1667. To the Royal Society. 1667 (1667) Wing S5032; ESTC R16577 253,666 459

There are 3 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

have_v better_a thought_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o own_o knowledge_n but_o i_o need_v not_o take_v so_o great_a a_o compass_n in_o this_o vindication_n when_o it_o may_v be_v fair_o maintain_v that_o the_o true_a and_o unfeigned_a mortification_n be_v not_o at_o all_o inconsistent_a with_o man_n consult_v of_o their_o happiness_n in_o this_o world_n or_o be_v employ_v about_o earthly_a affair_n the_o honest_a pursuit_n of_o the_o convenience_n decence_n and_o ornament_n of_o a_o mortal_a condition_n by_o just_a and_o regular_a way_n be_v by_o no_o mean_n contradictory_n to_o the_o most_o real_a and_o severe_a duty_n of_o a_o christian._n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o the_o irregular_a prosecution_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v a_o offence_n to_o religion_n but_o so_o it_o be_v also_o to_o right_a reason_n and_o nature_n itself_o it_o be_v a_o wrong_a conception_n of_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n if_o man_n believe_v that_o when_o they_o enter_v upon_o it_o they_o must_v present_o cast_v away_o all_o the_o thought_n and_o desire_n of_o humanity_n if_o this_o be_v so_o to_o sanctify_v our_o nature_n be_v not_o to_o renew_v but_o to_o destroy_v they_o when_o we_o be_v command_v to_o put_v off_o the_o old_a man_n we_o be_v not_o enjoin_v to_o renounce_v our_o faculty_n of_o reason_n when_o we_o be_v bid_v not_o to_o think_v our_o own_o thought_n it_o be_v not_o intend_v that_o we_o shall_v forbear_v all_o natural_a action_n and_o inclination_n such_o scripture_n as_o these_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o a_o moderate_a sense_n by_o such_o expression_n the_o irregularity_n of_o the_o lust_n and_o not_o the_o natural_a desire_n be_v condemn_v the_o piety_n and_o innocence_n of_o our_o life_n and_o not_o the_o utter_a change_n of_o our_o estate_n be_v recommend_v see_v the_o law_n of_o reason_n intend_v the_o happiness_n and_o security_n of_o mankind_n in_o this_o life_n and_o the_o christian_a religion_n pursue_v the_o same_o end_n both_o in_o this_o and_o a_o future_a life_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v opposite_a one_o to_o another_o that_o religion_n may_v proper_o be_v style_v the_o best_a and_o the_o noble_a part_n the_o perfection_n and_o the_o crown_n of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n i_o will_v therefore_o first_o demand_n whether_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o strict_a christian_n to_o provide_v for_o the_o necessity_n of_o this_o life_n this_o request_n be_v modest_a enough_o for_o if_o they_o deny_v it_o they_o will_v reduce_v mankind_n into_o a_o condition_n which_o be_v literal_o worse_a than_o that_o of_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v see_v to_o they_o it_o be_v natural_a to_o seek_v out_o for_o all_o the_o way_n of_o their_o own_o preservation_n i_o will_v go_v on_o to_o ask_v they_o whether_o it_o be_v a_o breach_n of_o the_o law_n of_o christianity_n to_o labour_n for_o the_o advantage_n of_o live_v which_o be_v enjoy_v by_o other_o if_o this_o be_v refuse_v i_o we_o shall_v not_o deprive_v it_o of_o that_o honour_n which_o now_o just_o belong_v to_o it_o that_o there_o be_v little_a civility_n at_o present_a among_o man_n without_o the_o pale_a of_o the_o christian_a church_n but_o in_o few_o word_n let_v they_o tell_v i_o whether_o it_o be_v indispensable_o necessary_a for_o we_o to_o be_v always_o think_v of_o heavenly_a thing_n if_o so_o how_o far_o short_a be_v the_o very_a apostle_n of_o this_o character_n of_o sanctity_n which_o these_o man_n will_v prescribe_v we_o what_o traffic_n what_o commerce_n what_o government_n what_o secular_a employment_n can_v be_v allow_v where_o shall_v we_o at_o last_o make_v a_o end_n of_o refine_n what_o will_v become_v of_o all_o the_o man_n of_o trade_n themselves_o of_o who_o this_o age_n have_v show_v so_o many_o pretender_n to_o the_o pure_a religion_n let_v it_o only_o therefore_o be_v grant_v that_o we_o be_v man_n and_o not_o angel_n let_v it_o be_v confess_v that_o there_o may_v be_v a_o excess_n as_o well_o as_o defect_n in_o man_n opinion_n of_o holiness_n and_o then_o i_o will_v make_v no_o scruple_n to_o say_v that_o the_o philosopher_n defile_v not_o his_o mind_n when_o he_o labour_v in_o the_o work_n of_o nature_n that_o the_o diversion_n they_o give_v he_o will_v stand_v with_o the_o great_a constancy_n and_o the_o delight_n of_o pursue_v they_o with_o the_o truth_n and_o reality_n of_o religion_n but_o to_o say_v no_o more_o how_o can_v it_o be_v imagine_v to_o be_v a_o sinful_a and_o carnal_a thing_n to_o consider_v the_o object_n of_o our_o sense_n when_o god_n the_o most_o spiritual_a be_v do_v make_v they_o all_o since_o they_o first_o be_v conceive_v in_o his_o unspotted_a mind_n why_o may_v they_o not_o innocent_o enter_v into_o we_o for_o if_o there_o be_v any_o pollution_n which_o necessary_o flow_v from_o think_v of_o they_o it_o may_v as_o well_o be_v conclude_v to_o stick_v on_o the_o author_n as_o on_o the_o soul_n of_o they_o that_o only_o observe_v they_o and_o now_o have_v insist_v so_o long_o on_o the_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n england_n it_o will_v be_v less_o needful_a that_o i_o shall_v be_v large_a in_o vindicate_v this_o design_n from_o the_o imputation_n of_o be_v praejudicial_a to_o the_o church_n of_o england_n for_o this_o have_v the_o same_o interest_n with_o that_o and_o differ_v in_o nothing_o from_o its_o primitive_a pattern_n but_o only_o in_o the_o addition_n of_o some_o circumstance_n which_o make_v it_o fit_a for_o this_o age_n and_o this_o place_n and_o therefore_o they_o will_v both_o be_v strengthen_v by_o the_o same_o benefit_n and_o weaken_a by_o the_o same_o mischief_n what_o i_o have_v then_o to_o add_v concern_v our_o church_n shall_v be_v comprise_v in_o these_o particular_n that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v praejudice_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n nor_o by_o the_o improvement_n of_o knowledge_n nor_o by_o the_o advancement_n of_o the_o work_n of_o man_n hand_n for_o the_o proof_n of_o the_o first_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a to_o consider_v its_o true_a design_n what_o opinion_n it_o principal_o encounter_v and_o by_o what_o argument_n it_o ought_v to_o defend_v itself_o the_o true_a and_o certain_a interest_n of_o our_o church_n be_v to_o derive_v its_o doctrine_n from_o the_o plain_a and_o unquestioned_a part_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o to_o keep_v itself_o in_o a_o due_a submission_n to_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n the_o extreme_n which_o it_o oppose_v be_v implicit_a faith_n and_o enthusiasm_n and_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n if_o man_n think_v it_o can_v be_v maintain_v against_o these_o but_o by_o the_o mutual_a argument_n of_o its_o enemy_n that_o it_o can_v withstand_v the_o separatist_n but_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o dissent_v from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o on_o the_o tenant_n of_o the_o separatist_n the_o ground_n on_o which_o it_o proceed_v be_v different_a from_o both_o and_o they_o be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o right_n of_o the_o civil_a power_n the_o imitation_n of_o the_o first_o uncorrupt_a church_n and_o the_o scripture_n expound_v by_o reason_n from_o whence_o may_v be_v conclude_v that_o we_o can_v make_v war_n against_o reason_n without_o undermine_v our_o own_o strength_n see_v it_o be_v the_o constant_a weapon_n we_o ought_v to_o employ_v from_o this_o i_o will_v far_o urge_v that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n will_v not_o only_o be_v safe_a amid_o the_o consequence_n of_o a_o rational_a age_n but_o amid_o all_o the_o improvement_n of_o knowledge_n and_o the_o subversion_n of_o old_a opinion_n about_o nature_n and_o introduction_n of_o new_a way_n of_o reason_v thereon_o this_o will_v be_v evident_a when_o we_o behold_v the_o agreement_n that_o be_v between_o the_o present_a design_n of_o the_o royal_a society_n and_o that_o of_o our_o church_n in_o its_o beginning_n they_o both_o may_v lay_v equal_a claim_n to_o the_o word_n reformation_n the_o one_o have_v compass_v it_o in_o religion_n the_o other_o purpose_v it_o in_o philosophy_n they_o both_o have_v take_v a_o like_a course_n to_o bring_v this_o about_o each_o of_o they_o pass_v by_o the_o corrupt_a copy_n and_o refer_v themselves_o to_o the_o perfect_a original_n for_o their_o instruction_n the_o one_o to_o the_o scripture_n the_o other_o to_o the_o large_a volume_n of_o the_o creature_n they_o be_v both_o unjust_o accuse_v by_o their_o enemy_n of_o the_o same_o crime_n of_o have_v forsake_v the_o ancient_a tradition_n and_o venture_v on_o novelty_n they_o both_o suppose_v alike_o that_o their_o ancestor_n may_v err_v and_o yet_o retain_v a_o sufficient_a reverence_n for_o they_o they_o both_o follow_v the_o great_a precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n of_o try_v all_o thing_n such_o be_v the_o harmony_n between_o their_o interest_n and_o temper_n it_o can_v therefore_o be_v suspect_v
power_n on_o false_a pretence_n to_o better_a knowledge_n he_o will_v unsettle_v the_o strong_a foundation_n of_o our_o hope_n he_o will_v make_v a_o terrible_a confusion_n in_o all_o the_o office_n and_o opinion_n of_o man_n he_o will_v destroy_v the_o most_o prevail_a argument_n to_o virtu_n he_o will_v remove_v all_o human_a action_n from_o their_o firm_a centre_n he_o will_v even_o deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o prerogative_n of_o his_o immortal_a soul_n and_o will_v have_v the_o same_o success_n that_o the_o ancient_a fable_n make_v those_o to_o have_v have_v who_o contend_v with_o their_o god_n of_o who_o they_o report_v that_o many_o be_v immediate_o turn_v into_o beast_n with_o these_o apprehension_n i_o come_v to_o examine_v the_o objection_n which_o i_o be_o now_o to_o satisfy_v and_o have_v calm_o compare_v the_o argument_n of_o some_o devout_a man_n against_o knowledge_n and_o chief_o that_o of_o experiment_n i_o must_v pronounce_v they_o both_o to_o be_v altogether_o inoffensive_a i_o do_v before_o affirm_v that_o the_o royal_a society_n be_v abundant_o cautious_a not_o to_o intermeddle_v in_o spiritual_a thing_n but_o that_o be_v only_o a_o general_a plea_n and_o the_o question_n not_o lie_v so_o much_o on_o what_o they_o do_v at_o present_a as_o upon_o the_o probable_a effect_n of_o their_o enterprise_n i_o will_v bring_v it_o to_o the_o test_n through_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o christianity_n and_o show_v that_o it_o will_v be_v find_v as_o much_o aver_v from_o atheism_n in_o its_o issue_n and_o consequence_n as_o it_o be_v in_o its_o original_a purpose_n the_o public_a declaration_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v to_o propose_v to_o mankind_n a_o infallible_a way_n to_o salvation_n towards_o the_o performance_n of_o this_o happy_a end_n beside_o the_o principle_n of_o natural_a religion_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o acknowledgement_n and_o worship_n of_o a_o deity_n it_o have_v offer_v we_o the_o merit_n of_o a_o glorious_a saviour_n by_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n ministry_n it_o have_v give_v we_o sufficient_a example_n and_o doctrine_n to_o acquaint_v we_o with_o divine_a thing_n and_o carry_v we_o to_o heaven_n in_o every_o one_o of_o these_o the_o experiment_n of_o natural_a thing_n do_v neither_o darken_v our_o eye_n nor_o deceive_v our_o mind_n nor_o deprave_v our_o heart_n godhead_n first_o there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a reason_n assign_v why_o a_o experimenter_n shall_v be_v prone_a to_o deny_v the_o essence_n and_o property_n of_o god_n the_o universal_a sovereignty_n of_o his_o dominion_n and_o his_o providence_n over_o the_o creation_n he_o have_v before_o he_o the_o very_a same_o argument_n to_o confirm_v his_o judgement_n in_o all_o these_o with_o which_o he_o himself_o be_v wont_a to_o be_v abundant_o satisfy_v when_o he_o meet_v with_o it_o in_o any_o of_o his_o philosophical_a inquiry_n in_o every_o thing_n that_o he_o try_v he_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v enough_o for_o he_o to_o rest_v on_o if_o he_o find_v that_o not_o only_o his_o own_o but_o the_o universal_a observation_n of_o man_n of_o all_o time_n and_o place_n without_o any_o mutual_a conspiracy_n have_v consent_v in_o the_o same_o conclusion_n how_o can_v he_o then_o refrain_v from_o embrace_v this_o common_a truth_n which_o be_v witness_v by_o the_o unanimous_a approbation_n of_o all_o country_n the_o agreement_n of_o nation_n and_o the_o secret_a acknowledgement_n of_o every_o man_n breast_n it_o be_v true_a his_o employment_n be_v about_o material_a thing_n but_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o draw_v he_o to_o oppose_v invisible_a being_n that_o it_o rather_o put_v his_o thought_n into_o a_o excellent_a good_a capacity_n to_o believe_v they_o in_o every_o work_n of_o nature_n that_o he_o handle_v he_o know_v that_o there_o be_v not_o only_o a_o gross_a substance_n which_o present_v itself_o to_o all_o man_n eye_n but_o a_o infinite_a subtlety_n of_o part_n which_o come_v not_o into_o the_o sharp_a sense_n so_o that_o what_o the_o scripture_n relate_v of_o the_o purity_n of_o god_n of_o the_o spirituality_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o that_o of_o angel_n and_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n can_v seem_v incredible_a to_o he_o when_o he_o perceive_v the_o numberless_a particle_n that_o move_v in_o every_o man_n blood_n and_o the_o prodigious_a stream_n that_o continual_o flow_v unseen_a from_o every_o body_n have_v find_v that_o his_o own_o sense_n have_v be_v so_o far_o assist_v by_o the_o instrument_n of_o art_n he_o may_v soon_o admit_v that_o his_o mind_n ought_v to_o be_v raise_v high_a by_o a_o heavenly_a light_n in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o his_o sense_n do_v fall_v short_a if_o as_o the_o apostle_n say_v the_o invisible_a thing_n of_o god_n be_v manifest_v by_o the_o visible_a then_o how_o much_o strong_a argument_n have_v he_o for_o his_o belief_n in_o the_o eternal_a power_n and_o godhead_n from_o the_o vast_a number_n of_o creature_n that_o be_v invisible_a to_o other_o but_o be_v expose_v to_o his_o view_n by_o the_o help_n of_o his_o experiment_n thus_o he_o be_v praepare_v to_o admit_v a_o deity_n god_n and_o to_o embrace_v the_o consequence_n of_o that_o concession_n he_o be_v also_o from_o his_o experiment_n as_o well_o furnish_v with_o argument_n to_o adore_v it_o he_o have_v always_o before_o his_o eye_n the_o beauty_n contrivance_n and_o order_n of_o god_n work_n from_o hence_o he_o will_v learn_v to_o serve_v he_o with_o all_o reverence_n who_o in_o all_o that_o he_o have_v make_v consult_v ornament_n as_o well_o as_o use_v from_o hence_o he_o will_v best_o understand_v the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o himself_o and_o his_o creator_n when_o he_o find_v that_o all_o thing_n be_v produce_v by_o he_o whereas_o he_o by_o all_o his_o study_n can_v scarce_o imitate_v the_o least_o effect_n nor_o hasten_v or_o retard_v the_o common_a course_n of_o nature_n this_o will_v teach_v he_o to_o worship_n that_o wisdom_n by_o which_o all_o thing_n be_v so_o easy_o sustain_v when_o he_o have_v look_v more_o familiar_o into_o they_o and_o behold_v the_o chance_n and_o alteration_n to_o which_o they_o be_v expose_v hence_o he_o will_v be_v lead_v to_o admire_v the_o wonderful_a contrivance_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o so_o to_o apply_v and_o direct_v his_o praise_n aright_o which_o no_o doubt_n when_o they_o be_v offer_v up_o to_o heaven_n from_o the_o mouth_n of_o one_o who_o have_v well_o study_v what_o he_o commend_v will_v be_v more_o suitable_a to_o the_o divine_a nature_n than_o the_o blind_a applause_n of_o the_o ignorant_a this_o be_v the_o first_o service_n that_o adam_n perform_v to_o his_o creator_n when_o he_o obey_v he_o in_o muster_v and_o name_v and_o look_v into_o the_o nature_n of_o all_o the_o creature_n this_o have_v be_v the_o only_a religion_n if_o man_n have_v continue_v innocent_a in_o paradise_n and_o have_v not_o want_v a_o redemption_n of_o this_o the_o scripture_n itself_o make_v so_o much_o use_v that_o if_o any_o devout_a man_n shall_v reject_v all_o natural_a philosophy_n he_o may_v blot_v genesis_n and_o job_n and_o the_o psalm_n and_o some_o other_o book_n out_o of_o the_o canon_n of_o the_o bible_n god_n never_o yet_o leave_v himself_o without_o witness_n in_o the_o world_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o he_o have_v common_o choose_v the_o dark_a and_o ignorant_a age_n wherein_o to_o work_v miracle_n but_o seldom_o or_o never_o the_o time_n when_o natural_a knowledge_n prevail_v for_o he_o know_v there_o be_v not_o so_o much_o need_v to_o make_v use_n of_o extraordinary_a sign_n when_o man_n be_v diligent_a in_o the_o work_n of_o his_o hand_n and_o attentive_a on_o the_o impression_n of_o his_o footstep_n in_o his_o creature_n it_o be_v almost_o a_o proverbial_a speech_n that_o the_o most_o learned_a age_n be_v still_o the_o most_o atheistical_a and_o the_o ignorant_a most_o devout_a whoever_o devise_v this_o distinction_n at_o first_o the_o true_a piety_n be_v little_o behold_v to_o he_o for_o it_o for_o instead_o of_o obey_v the_o jewish_a law_n which_o forbid_v we_o to_o offer_v up_o to_o god_n a_o sacrifice_n that_o have_v a_o blemish_n he_o have_v bestow_v the_o most_o excellent_a of_o all_o the_o race_n of_o man_n on_o the_o devil_n and_o have_v only_o assign_v to_o religion_n those_o man_n and_o those_o time_n which_o have_v the_o great_a blemish_n of_o human_a nature_n even_o a_o defect_n in_o their_o knowledge_n and_o understanding_n if_o there_o can_v be_v find_v any_o colour_n for_o this_o observation_n that_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n shall_v produce_v a_o spiritual_a darkness_n it_o can_v only_o then_o hold_v good_a when_o the_o knowledge_n of_o man_n and_o not_o that_o of_o nature_n abound_v whether_o the_o first_o be_v true_a or_o no_o let_v the_o politician_n consider_v but_o of_o the_o second_o this_o be_v a_o sufficient_a conviction_n that_o in_o most_o country_n god_n
truth_n be_v notwithstanding_o the_o great_a stir_n they_o have_v make_v about_o religion_n if_o we_o have_v only_o follow_v their_o light_n we_o have_v still_o worship_v the_o creator_n and_o redeemer_n of_o the_o world_n under_o the_o same_o title_n by_o which_o their_o praedecessor_n do_v former_o at_o athens_n as_o the_o unknown_a god_n this_o i_o have_v urge_v so_o far_o because_o i_o be_o confident_a that_o the_o reduce_n of_o christianity_n to_o one_o particular_a sect_n of_o philosophy_n and_o confine_v it_o to_o that_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o destructive_a engine_n that_o ever_o be_v manage_v against_o it_o of_o this_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n for_o her_o share_n have_v already_o find_v the_o ill_a effect_n and_o the_o danger_n be_v apparent_a for_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o benefit_n of_o religion_n will_v become_v very_o narrow_a see_v where_o reason_n take_v place_v it_o will_v only_o convince_v they_o who_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n in_o philosophy_n with_o those_o that_o convert_v they_o and_o also_o that_o which_o be_v worse_o if_o ever_o by_o any_o fate_n of_o time_n or_o change_v of_o government_n or_o succession_n of_o new_a art_n that_o sect_n shall_v chance_v to_o be_v quite_o break_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n rely_v upon_o it_o be_v inevitable_o ruin_v unless_o god_n be_v please_v to_o support_v it_o a_o supernatural_a way_n or_o to_o restore_v it_o again_o by_o new_a miracle_n religion_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v the_o subject_n of_o disputation_n it_o shall_v not_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o any_o device_n of_o reason_n it_o shall_v in_o this_o be_v like_o the_o temporal_a law_n of_o all_o country_n towards_o the_o obey_n of_o which_o there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o syllogism_n or_o distinction_n nothing_o else_o be_v necessary_a but_o a_o bare_a promulgation_n a_o common_a apprehension_n and_o sense_n enough_o to_o understand_v the_o grammatical_a meaning_n of_o ordinary_a word_n nor_o ought_v philosopher_n to_o regret_n this_o divorce_n see_v they_o have_v almost_o destroy_v themselves_o by_o keep_v christianity_n so_o long_o under_o their_o guard_n by_o fetch_v religion_n out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o carry_v it_o captive_a into_o the_o school_n they_o have_v make_v it_o suffer_v banishment_n from_o its_o proper_a place_n and_o they_o have_v withal_o thereby_o very_o much_o corrupt_v the_o substance_n of_o their_o own_o knowledge_n they_o have_v do_v as_o the_o philistines_n by_o seize_v on_o the_o ark_n who_o by_o the_o same_o action_n deprive_v the_o people_n of_o god_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o also_o bring_v a_o plague_n among_o themselves_o religion_n thus_o far_o i_o trust_v it_o will_v be_v confess_v that_o experiment_n be_v unblameable_a but_o yet_o there_o be_v much_o more_o behind_o of_o which_o many_o pious_a man_n be_v wont_a to_o express_v their_o jealousy_n for_o though_o they_o shall_v be_v bring_v to_o allow_v that_o all_o these_o doctrine_n which_o i_o have_v name_v may_v seem_v to_o remain_v safe_a amid_o the_o study_n of_o natural_a thing_n yet_o they_o still_o whisper_v that_o they_o may_v chance_v by_o degree_n to_o make_v the_o sincerity_n of_o devotion_n appear_v ridiculous_a and_o to_o bring_v the_o strictness_n of_o holy_a life_n out_o of_o fashion_n and_o that_o so_o they_o will_v silent_o and_o by_o piece-meal_n demolish_v religion_n which_o they_o dare_v not_o open_o encounter_v i_o will_v therefore_o next_o endeavour_v the_o removal_n of_o these_o scruple_n though_o i_o sufficient_o understand_v that_o it_o be_v a_o very_a difficult_a work_n to_o confute_v such_o popular_a and_o plausible_a error_n which_o have_v the_o pretence_n of_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n to_o confirm_v they_o the_o chief_a substance_n of_o real_a and_o sober_a piety_n be_v contain_v in_o the_o devout_a observation_n of_o all_o those_o way_n whereby_o god_n have_v be_v please_v to_o manifest_v his_o will_n and_o in_o a_o right_a separation_n of_o our_o mind_n from_o the_o lust_n and_o desire_n of_o the_o world_n the_o most_o remarkable_a mean_n whereby_o he_o have_v make_v know_v his_o pleasure_n be_v those_o which_o have_v be_v fix_v and_o reveal_v in_o his_o word_n or_o else_o the_o extraordinary_a sign_n of_o his_o authority_n and_o command_n concern_v our_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o reveal_v will_v in_o the_o scripture_n i_o have_v already_o speak_v and_o our_o obedience_n to_o the_o late_a consist_v chief_o of_o two_o kind_n a_o humble_a submission_n to_o divine_a prophecy_n and_o a_o careful_a observance_n of_o all_o remarkable_a providence_n in_o both_o which_o experimental_a philosophy_n may_v well_o be_v justify_v it_o may_v perhaps_o correct_v some_o excess_n which_o be_v incident_a to_o they_o but_o it_o declare_v no_o enmity_n against_o the_o thing_n themselves_o the_o sum_n of_o the_o whole_a doctrine_n of_o prophecy_n be_v this_o that_o the_o great_a creator_n of_o the_o world_n have_v the_o prerogative_n of_o foresee_v appoint_v and_o praedict_v all_o future_a event_n that_o he_o have_v often_o in_o former_a age_n make_v use_v of_o this_o power_n by_o the_o vision_n and_o rapture_n of_o holy_a man_n inspire_v from_o above_o that_o his_o infinite_a wisdom_n have_v still_o the_o like_a ability_n to_o do_v the_o same_o that_o whenever_o such_o prediction_n be_v accompany_v with_o undeniable_a testimony_n of_o their_o be_v send_v from_o heaven_n they_o ought_v to_o be_v praefer_v before_o all_o human_a law_n the_o true_a foundation_n of_o divine_a prodigy_n be_v much_o of_o the_o same_o nature_n with_o the_o other_o it_o rely_v on_o these_o supposition_n that_o all_o the_o creature_n be_v subject_a to_o god_n word_n by_o which_o they_o be_v make_v that_o he_o can_v alter_v their_o course_n exalt_v or_o destroy_v their_o nature_n and_o move_v they_o to_o different_a end_n from_o their_o own_o according_a to_o his_o pleasure_n that_o this_o he_o have_v often_o do_v heretofore_o that_o still_o his_o arm_n it_o not_o weaken_a nor_o the_o same_o omnipotence_n diminish_v that_o still_o he_o may_v change_v the_o wont_a law_n of_o the_o creation_n and_o dispose_v of_o the_o being_n and_o motion_n of_o all_o thing_n without_o control_n and_o that_o when_o this_o be_v do_v it_o be_v with_o a_o peculiar_a design_n of_o punish_v or_o reward_v or_o forewarn_a mankind_n to_o the_o belief_n and_o assertion_n of_o these_o doctrine_n we_o be_v oblige_v by_o the_o very_a end_n of_o religion_n itself_o but_o yet_o their_o counterfeit_a colour_n have_v seduce_v many_o virtuous_a mind_n into_o manifold_a mischief_n the_o mistake_v about_o prophecy_n may_v arise_v either_o from_o our_o abuse_n of_o the_o old_a or_o a_o vain_a set_v up_o of_o new_a we_o err_v in_o the_o first_o when_o we_o translate_v ancient_a prophecy_n from_o those_o time_n and_o country_n which_o they_o do_v proper_o regard_v to_o other_o which_o they_o do_v not_o concern_v and_o we_o offend_v in_o the_o second_o when_o we_o admit_v of_o new_a prophetical_a spirit_n in_o this_o age_n without_o the_o uncontrollable_a token_n of_o heavenly_a authority_n we_o be_v guilty_a of_o false_a interpretation_n of_o providence_n and_o wonder_n when_o we_o either_o make_v those_o to_o be_v miracle_n that_o be_v none_o or_o when_o we_o put_v a_o false_a sense_n on_o those_o that_o be_v real_a when_o we_o make_v general_a event_n to_o have_v a_o private_a aspect_n or_o particular_a accident_n to_o have_v some_o universal_a signification_n though_o both_o these_o may_v seem_v at_o first_o to_o have_v the_o strict_a appearance_n of_o religion_n yet_o they_o be_v the_o great_a usurpation_n on_o the_o secret_n of_o the_o almighty_a and_o unpardonable_a praesumption_n on_o his_o high_a praerogative_n of_o punishment_n and_o reward_n prodigy_n and_o now_o if_o a_o moderate_n of_o these_o extravagance_n must_v be_v esteem_v profaneness_n i_o profess_v i_o can_v absolve_v the_o experimental_a philosopher_n it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o he_o will_v be_v very_o scrupulous_a in_o believe_v all_o manner_n of_o commentary_n on_o prophetical_a vision_n in_o give_v liberty_n to_o new_a prediction_n and_o in_o assign_v the_o cause_n and_o mark_v out_o the_o path_n of_o god_n judgement_n among_o his_o creature_n he_o can_v sudden_o conclude_v all_o extraordinary_a event_n to_o be_v the_o immediate_a finger_n of_o god_n because_o he_o familiar_o behold_v the_o inward_a work_n of_o thing_n and_o thence_o perceive_v that_o many_o effect_n which_o use_v to_o affright_v the_o ignorant_a be_v bring_v forth_o by_o the_o common_a instrument_n of_o nature_n he_o can_v be_v sudden_o incline_v to_o pass_v censure_n on_o man_n eternal_a condition_n from_o any_o temporal_a judgement_n that_o may_v befall_v they_o because_o his_o long_a conver_n with_o all_o matter_n time_n and_o place_n have_v teach_v he_o the_o truth_n of_o what_o the_o scripture_n say_v that_o all_o thing_n happen_v alike_o to_o all_o he_o can_v blind_o consent_v to_o all_o imagination_n