dote_a philosopher_n into_o article_n of_o faith_n they_o raise_v a_o loud_a clamour_n against_o reason_n before_o who_o evidence_n and_o light_n their_o empty_a shadow_n must_v disappear_v for_o as_o in_o philosophy_n so_o in_o religion_n every_o sect_n have_v its_o peculiar_a extravagancy_n and_o the_o incomprehensible_a mystery_n of_o the_o latter_a do_v perfect_o answer_v the_o occult_a quality_n of_o the_o former_a they_o be_v both_o calculate_v at_o first_o for_o the_o same_o end_n viz._n to_o stop_v the_o mouth_n of_o such_o as_o demand_v a_o reason_n where_o none_o can_v be_v give_v and_o to_o keep_v as_o many_o in_o ignorance_n as_o interest_n shall_v think_v convenient_a but_o god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v impute_v the_o like_a nefarious_a design_n to_o all_o that_o contend_v for_o mystery_n now_o thousand_o whereof_o i_o know_v to_o be_v the_o best_a meaning_n man_n in_o the_o universe_n this_o sophistical_a or_o corrupt_a philosophy_n be_v elsewhere_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n style_v the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n to_o which_o 19_o the_o greek_n be_v as_o much_o bigoted_a as_o the_o jew_n be_v infatuate_v with_o a_o fancy_n that_o nothing_o can_v be_v true_a but_o what_o be_v miraculous_o prove_v so_o the_o jew_n require_v a_o sign_n and_o the_o greek_n seek_v after_o 22._o wisdom_n but_o this_o boast_a wisdom_n be_v then_o foolishness_n with_o god_n and_o so_o it_o be_v now_o with_o consider_v men._n 49._o a_o passage_n out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n be_v cite_v likewise_o to_o prove_v humane_a reason_n not_o a_o capable_a judge_n of_o what_o be_v divine_o reveal_v the_o word_n be_v the_o carnal_a mind_n be_v enmity_n against_o 7._o god_n for_o it_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n neither_o indeed_o can_v be_v but_o if_o these_o word_n be_v speak_v of_o reason_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o more_o false_a because_o reason_n do_v and_o aught_o to_o subject_n itself_o to_o the_o divine_a law_n yet_o this_o submission_n argue_v no_o imperfection_n in_o reason_n as_o our_o obedience_n to_o just_a law_n can_v be_v say_v to_o destroy_v our_o liberty_n reason_n must_v first_o understand_v the_o law_n of_o goâ—…_n and_o then_o comply_v with_o it_o for_o a_o man_n can_v no_o more_o deserve_v punishment_n for_o not_o observe_v such_o law_n as_o be_v unintelligible_a than_o for_o not_o perform_v what_o be_v never_o enjoin_v he_o the_o carnal_a mind_n then_o in_o this_o place_n be_v not_o reason_n but_o the_o carnal_a desire_n of_o lewd_a and_o wicked_a man_n who_o practice_n as_o they_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o reveal_v law_n of_o god_n so_o they_o be_v to_o that_o of_o sound_a reason_n too_o 50._o what_o have_v be_v discourse_v of_o pretend_a wisdom_n and_o sensual_a mind_n may_v be_v easy_o apply_v to_o another_o passage_n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o mighty_a 5._o through_o god_n to_o the_o pull_v down_o of_o strong_a hold_n cast_v down_o imagination_n and_o every_o high_a thing_n that_o exalt_v itself_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o ore_v into_o captivity_n every_o thought_n to_o the_o obedience_n of_o christ._n it_o be_v plain_a from_o the_o word_n as_o well_o as_o the_o scope_n of_o the_o whole_a that_o these_o be_v the_o thought_n and_o imagination_n of_o foolish_a and_o profane_a man_n and_o shall_v be_v captivate_v or_o reform_v by_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o scripture_n as_o in_o effect_n they_o often_o be_v for_o such_o person_n not_o ordinary_o allow_v of_o argument_n from_o scripture_n be_v first_o persuade_v by_o reason_n and_o after_o that_o they_o receive_v the_o scripture_n but_o can_v reason_v cast_v down_o or_o destroy_v itself_o no_o but_o it_o reduce_v those_o vain_a and_o impious_a sophism_n which_o borrow_v its_o name_n to_o cover_v or_o authorise_v the_o disorder_n they_o occasion_n 51._o it_o will_v be_v extreme_o tedious_a to_o go_v one_o by_o one_o over_o all_o the_o text_n which_o ignorant_a or_o perverse_a man_n allege_v against_o that_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o religion_n which_o i_o particular_o establish_v any_o single_a passage_n to_o my_o purpose_n shall_v one_o will_v think_v give_v sufficient_a satisfaction_n to_o all_o christian_a lover_n of_o truth_n for_o the_o word_n of_o god_n must_v be_v every_o where_o uniform_a and_o self-consistent_a but_o i_o have_v quote_v several_a in_o the_o second_o chapter_n of_o the_o second_o section_n to_o speak_v nothing_o of_o what_o i_o perform_v in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n of_o the_o present_a section_n yet_o because_o this_o reason_v may_v be_v retort_v and_o to_o leave_v no_o plausible_a pretence_n to_o caviller_n or_o deceiver_n i_o have_v punctual_o answer_v the_o strong_a objection_n i_o have_v observe_v in_o the_o most_o celebrate_a piece_n of_o divinity_n i_o say_v which_o i_o have_v observe_v for_o i_o shall_v read_v the_o gospel_n a_o million_o of_o time_n over_o before_o the_o vulgar_a notion_n of_o mystery_n can_v ever_o enter_v into_o my_o head_n or_o any_o passage_n in_o that_o book_n can_v suggest_v to_o i_o that_o the_o sense_n of_o it_o be_v above_o reason_n or_o enquiry_n nor_o do_v i_o find_v myself_o yet_o inchn_v to_o envy_v those_o who_o entertain_v other_o thought_n of_o it_o when_o all_o the_o while_o they_o open_o acknowledge_v it_o to_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n but_o see_v the_o most_o material_a difficulty_n make_v to_o i_o by_o a_o friend_n be_v that_o my_o opinion_n destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o faith_n i_o shall_v with_o all_o the_o brevity_n i_o can_v deliver_v my_o sentiment_n concern_v this_o subject_a 52._o i_o will_v spend_v no_o time_n upon_o the_o ordinary_a division_n of_o faith_n into_o historical_n temporary_a or_o justify_v lively_a or_o dead_a weak_a or_o strong_a because_o most_o of_o these_o be_v not_o so_o much_o faith_n itself_o as_o different_a effect_n thereof_o the_o word_n import_v belief_n or_o persuasion_n as_o when_o we_o give_v credit_n to_o any_o thing_n which_o be_v tell_v we_o by_o god_n or_o man_n whence_o faith_n be_v proper_o divide_v into_o human_n and_o divine_a again_o divine_a faith_n be_v either_o when_o god_n speak_v to_o we_o immediate_o himself_o or_o when_o we_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o word_n or_o write_n of_o those_o to_o who_o we_o believe_v he_o have_v speak_v all_o faith_n now_o in_o the_o world_n be_v of_o this_o last_o sort_n and_o by_o consequence_n entire_o build_v upon_o ratiocination_n for_o we_o must_v first_o be_v convince_v that_o those_o write_n be_v they_o who_o names_n they_o bear_v we_o then_o examine_v the_o outward_a state_n and_o action_n of_o those_o person_n and_o last_o understand_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o their_o work_n otherwise_o we_o can_v determine_v whether_o they_o be_v worthy_a of_o god_n or_o not_o much_o less_o firm_o believe_v they_o 53._o to_o be_v confident_a of_o any_o thing_n without_o conceive_v it_o be_v no_o real_a faith_n or_o persuasion_n but_o a_o rash_a presumption_n and_o a_o obstinate_a prejudice_n rather_o become_v enthusiast_n or_o impostor_n than_o the_o teach_v of_o god_n who_o have_v no_o interest_n to_o delude_v his_o creature_n nor_o want_v ability_n to_o inform_v they_o right_o i_o prove_v before_o sect._n 2._o chap._n 2._o that_o the_o difference_n between_o human_a and_o divine_a revelation_n do_v not_o consist_v in_o degree_n of_o perspicuity_n but_o in_o certitude_n so_o many_o circumstance_n frequent_o concur_v in_o history_n as_o render_v it_o equal_a to_o intuition_n thus_o i_o can_v as_o soon_o deny_v my_o own_o be_v as_o the_o murder_n of_o cicero_n or_o the_o story_n of_o william_n the_o conqueror_n yet_o this_o happen_v only_o sometime_o but_o god_n speak_v always_o truth_n and_o certainty_n 54._o now_o since_o by_o revelation_n man_n be_v not_o endue_v with_o any_o new_a faculty_n it_o follow_v that_o god_n shall_v lose_v his_o end_n in_o speak_v to_o they_o if_o what_o he_o say_v do_v not_o agree_v with_o their_o common_a notion_n can_v that_o person_n just_o value_v himself_o upon_o be_v wise_a than_o his_o neighbour_n who_o have_v infallible_a assurance_n that_o something_o call_v blictri_n have_v a_o be_v in_o nature_n in_o the_o mean_a time_n know_v not_o what_o this_o blictri_n be_v and_o see_v the_o case_n stand_v real_o thus_o all_o faith_n or_o persuasion_n must_v necessary_o consist_v of_o two_o part_n knowledge_n and_o assent_n it_o be_v the_o last_o indeed_o that_o constitute_v the_o formal_a act_n of_o faith_n but_o not_o without_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o first_o and_o this_o be_v the_o true_a account_n we_o have_v of_o it_o all_o over_o the_o new_a testament_n there_o we_o read_v that_o without_o faith_n it_o be_v impossible_a 6._o to_o please_v god_n but_o he_o that_o come_v to_o god_n must_v believe_v that_o he_o be_v and_o that_o he_o be_v a_o
understanding_n be_v not_o as_o be_v observe_v what_o we_o call_v strict_o reason_n yet_o they_o be_v the_o sole_a matter_n and_o foundation_n of_o all_o our_o reason_v for_o the_o mind_n do_v upon_o occasion_n compare_v they_o together_o compound_v they_o into_o complex_fw-la idea_n and_o enlarge_v contract_n or_o separate_v they_o as_o it_o discover_v their_o circumstance_n capable_a or_o not_o so_o that_o all_o our_o knowledge_n be_v in_o effect_n nothing_o else_o but_o the_o perception_n of_o the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n of_o our_o idea_n in_o a_o great_a or_o lesser_a number_n whereinsoever_o this_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n may_v consist_v and_o because_o this_o perception_n be_v immediate_a or_o mediate_a our_o knowledge_n be_v twofold_a 7._o first_o when_o the_o mind_n without_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o other_o idea_n immediate_o perceive_v the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n of_o two_o or_o more_o idea_n as_o that_o two_o and_o two_o be_v four_o that_o red_a be_v not_o blue_a it_o can_v be_v call_v reason_n though_o it_o be_v the_o high_a degree_n of_o evidence_n for_o here_o be_v no_o need_n of_o discourse_n or_o probation_n self-evidence_n exclude_v all_o manner_n of_o doubt_n and_o darkness_n proposition_n so_o clear_a of_o themselves_o as_o to_o want_v no_o proof_n their_o term_n be_v once_o understand_v be_v common_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o axiom_n and_o maxim_n and_o it_o be_v visible_a that_o their_o number_n be_v indefinite_a and_o not_o confine_v only_o to_o two_o or_o three_o abstract_a proposition_n make_v as_o all_o axiom_n be_v from_o the_o observation_n of_o particular_a instance_n as_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o any_o part_n that_o nothing_o can_v have_v no_o property_n 8._o but_o second_o when_o the_o mind_n can_v immediate_o perceive_v the_o agreement_n or_o disagreement_n of_o any_o idea_n because_o they_o can_v be_v bring_v near_o enough_o together_o and_o so_o compare_v it_o apply_v one_o or_o more_o intermediate_v idea_n to_o discover_v it_o as_o when_o by_o the_o successive_a application_n of_o a_o line_n to_o two_o distant_a house_n i_o find_v how_o far_o they_o agree_v or_o disagree_v in_o length_n which_o i_o can_v not_o effect_v with_o my_o eye_n thus_o from_o the_o force_n of_o the_o air_n and_o the_o room_n it_o take_v up_o i_o know_v it_o have_v solidity_n and_o extension_n and_o that_o therefore_o it_o be_v as_o much_o a_o body_n though_o i_o can_v see_v it_o as_o wood_n or_o stone_n with_o which_o it_o agree_v in_o the_o say_a property_n here_o solidity_n and_o extension_n be_v the_o line_n by_o which_o i_o find_v air_n and_o body_n be_v equal_a or_o that_o air_n be_v a_o body_n because_o solidity_n and_o extension_n agree_v to_o both_o we_o prove_v the_o least_o imaginable_a particle_n of_o matter_n divisible_a by_o show_v all_o body_n to_o be_v divisible_a because_o every_o particle_n of_o matter_n be_v likewise_o a_o body_n and_o after_o the_o like_a manner_n be_v the_o mortality_n of_o all_o live_a body_n infer_v from_o their_o divisibility_n this_o method_n of_o knowledge_n be_v proper_o call_v reason_n or_o demonstration_n as_o the_o former_a self-evidence_n or_o intuition_n and_o it_o may_v be_v define_v that_o faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o discover_v the_o certainty_n of_o any_o thing_n dubious_a or_o obscure_a by_o compare_v it_o with_o something_o evident_o know_v 9_o from_o this_o definition_n it_o be_v plain_a that_o the_o intermediate_v idea_n can_v be_v no_o proof_n where_o its_o agreement_n with_o both_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o question_n be_v not_o evident_a and_o that_o if_o more_o than_o one_o idea_n be_v necessary_a to_o make_v it_o appear_v the_o same_o evidence_n be_v require_v in_o each_o of_o they_o for_o if_o the_o connection_n of_o all_o the_o part_n of_o a_o demonstration_n be_v not_o indubitable_a we_o can_v never_o be_v certain_a of_o the_o inference_n or_o conclusion_n whereby_o we_o join_v the_o two_o extreme_n so_o though_o self-evidence_n exclude_v reason_n yet_o all_o demonstration_n become_v at_o length_n self-evident_a it_o be_v yet_o plain_o that_o when_o we_o have_v no_o notion_n or_o idea_n of_o a_o thing_n we_o can_v reason_v about_o it_o at_o all_o and_o where_o we_o have_v idea_n if_o intermediate_v one_o to_o show_v their_o constant_a and_o necessary_a agreement_n or_o disagreement_n fail_v we_o we_o can_v never_o go_v beyond_o probability_n though_o we_o have_v a_o idea_n of_o inhabit_v and_o a_o idea_n of_o the_o moon_n yet_o we_o have_v no_o intermediate_v idea_n to_o show_v such_o a_o necessary_a connection_n between_o they_o as_o to_o make_v we_o certain_o conclude_v that_o this_o planet_n be_v inhabit_v however_o likely_a it_o may_v seem_v now_o since_o probability_n be_v not_o knowledge_n i_o banish_v all_o hypothesis_n from_o my_o philosophy_n because_o if_o i_o admit_v never_o so_o many_o yet_o my_o knowledge_n be_v not_o a_o jot_n increase_v for_o no_o evident_a connection_n appear_v between_o my_o idea_n i_o may_v possible_o take_v the_o wrong_a side_n of_o the_o question_n to_o be_v the_o right_n which_o be_v equal_a to_o know_v nothing_o of_o the_o matter_n when_o i_o have_v arrive_v at_o knowledge_n i_o enjoy_v all_o the_o satisfaction_n that_o attend_v it_o where_o i_o have_v only_a probability_n there_o i_o suspend_v my_o judgement_n or_o if_o it_o be_v worth_a the_o pain_n i_o search_v after_o certainty_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o mean_n of_o information_n 10._o but_o beside_o these_o property_n of_o reason_n which_o we_o have_v explain_v we_o be_v yet_o most_o careful_o to_o distinguish_v in_o it_o the_o mean_n of_o information_n from_o the_o ground_n of_o persivasion_n for_o the_o neglect_v of_o this_o easy_a distinction_n have_v throw_v man_n into_o infinite_a mistake_v as_o i_o shall_v prove_v before_o i_o have_v do_v the_o mean_n of_o information_n i_o call_v those_o way_n whereby_o any_o thing_n come_v bare_o to_o our_o knowledge_n without_o necessary_o command_v our_o assent_n by_o the_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n i_o understand_v that_o rule_n by_o which_o we_o judge_v of_o all_o truth_n and_o which_o irresistible_o convince_v the_o mind_n the_o mean_n of_o information_n be_v experience_n and_o authority_n experience_n as_o you_o may_v see_v n_o o_fw-mi 4._o be_v either_o external_a which_o furnish_v we_o with_o the_o idea_n of_o sensible_a object_n or_o internal_a which_o help_v we_o to_o the_o idea_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n this_o be_v the_o common_a stock_n of_o all_o our_o knowledge_n nor_o can_v we_o possible_o have_v idea_n any_o other_o way_n without_o new_a organ_n or_o faculty_n 11._o authority_n abusive_o so_o call_v as_o if_o all_o its_o information_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v without_o examen_fw-la be_v either_o humane_a or_o divine_a humane_a authority_n be_v call_v also_o moral_a certitude_n as_o when_o i_o believe_v a_o intelligible_a relation_n make_v by_o my_o friend_n because_o i_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o suspect_v his_o veracity_n nor_o he_o any_o interest_n to_o deceive_v i_o thus_o all_o possible_a matter_n of_o fact_n due_o attest_v by_o coevous_a person_n as_o know_v to_o they_o and_o successive_o relate_v by_o other_o of_o different_a time_n nation_n or_o interest_n who_o can_v neither_o be_v impose_v upon_o themselves_o nor_o be_v just_o suspect_v of_o combine_v together_o to_o deceive_v other_o ought_v to_o be_v receive_v by_o we_o for_o as_o certain_a and_o indubitable_a as_o if_o we_o have_v see_v they_o with_o our_o own_o eye_n or_o hear_v they_o with_o our_o own_o ear_n by_o this_o mean_v it_o be_v i_o believe_v there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o carthage_n such_o a_o reformer_n as_o luther_n and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o kingdom_n as_o poland_n when_o all_o these_o rule_n concur_v in_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n i_o take_v it_o then_o for_o demonstration_n which_o be_v nothing_o else_o but_o irresistible_a evidence_n from_o proper_a proof_n but_o where_o any_o of_o these_o condition_n be_v want_v the_o thing_n be_v uncertain_a or_o at_o best_a but_o probable_a which_o with_o i_o be_v not_o very_o different_a 12._o the_o authority_n of_o god_n or_o divine_a revelation_n be_v the_o manifestation_n of_o truth_n by_o truth_n itself_o to_o who_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o lie_v whereof_o at_o large_a in_o ch._n 2._o of_o the_o follow_a section_n nothing_o in_o nature_n can_v come_v to_o our_o knowledge_n but_o by_o some_o of_o these_o four_o mean_n viz._n the_o experience_n of_o the_o sense_n the_o experience_n of_o the_o mind_n humane_a and_o divine_a revelation_n chap._n iu._n of_o the_o ground_n of_o persuasion_n 13._o now_o as_o we_o be_v extreme_o subject_a to_o deception_n we_o may_v without_o some_o infallible_a rule_n often_o take_v a_o questionable_a proposition_n for_o a_o axiom_n old_a wife_n fable_n for_o moral_a certitude_n and_o humane_a imposture_n
of_o its_o own_o nature_n inconceivable_a and_o not_o to_o be_v judge_v of_o by_o our_o ordinary_a faculty_n and_o idea_n though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o clear_o reveal_v in_o both_o these_o sense_n to_o be_v above_o reason_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n with_o mystery_n and_o in_o effect_n they_o be_v convertible_a term_n in_o divinity_n chap._n i._n the_o history_n and_o signification_n of_o mystery_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o gentile_n 2._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o reason_n we_o have_v already_o large_o discourse_v but_o to_o understand_v aright_o what_o the_o word_n mystery_n import_v we_o must_v trace_v the_o original_a of_o it_o as_o far_o back_o as_o the_o theology_n of_o the_o ancient_a gentile_n whereof_o it_o be_v a_o considerable_a term._n those_o nation_n who_o as_o paul_n elegant_o describe_v they_o profess_v themselves_o wise_a become_v fool_n 25._o who_o change_v the_o glory_n of_o the_o incorruptible_a god_n into_o the_o image_n and_o likeness_n of_o corruptible_a man_n of_o bird_n of_o beast_n and_o creep_a thing_n who_o turn_v the_o truth_n of_o god_n into_o a_o lie_n and_o worship_v the_o creature_n as_o well_o as_o and_o sometime_o more_o than_o the_o creator_n those_o nation_n i_o say_v ashamed_a or_o afraid_a to_o exhibit_v their_o religion_n naked_a to_o the_o view_n of_o all_o indifferent_o disguise_v it_o with_o various_a ceremony_n sacrifice_n play_n etc._n etc._n make_v the_o superstitious_a people_n believe_v that_o admirable_a thing_n be_v adumbrate_v by_o these_o external_o the_o priest_n but_o very_o rare_o and_o then_o obscure_o teach_v in_o public_a pretend_v the_o injunction_n of_o their_o divinity_n to_o the_o contrary_a lest_o their_o secret_n forsooth_o shall_v be_v expose_v to_o the_o profanation_n of_o the_o ignorant_a or_o violation_n of_o the_o impious_a they_o perform_v the_o high_a act_n of_o their_o worship_n consist_v of_o ridiculous_a obscene_a or_o inhuman_a rite_n in_o the_o inmost_a recess_n of_o temple_n or_o grove_n consecrate_v for_o that_o purpose_n and_o it_o be_v inexpiable_a sacrilege_n for_o any_o to_o 〈◊〉_d enter_v these_o but_o such_o as_o have_v a_o special_a mark_n and_o privilege_n or_o as_o much_o as_o to_o ask_v question_n about_o what_o pass_v in_o they_o all_o the_o exclude_v be_v for_o that_o reason_n style_v the_o profane_a as_o those_o not_o in_o order_n with_o we_o the_o laity_n 3._o but_o the_o cunning_a priest_n who_o know_v how_o to_o turn_v every_o thing_n to_o their_o own_o advantage_n think_v fit_a to_o initiate_v or_o instruct_v certain_a person_n in_o the_o mean_v of_o their_o rite_n they_o give_v out_o that_o such_o as_o die_v uninitiate_v 14._o wallow_v in_o infernal_a mire_n whilst_o the_o purify_a and_o initiate_v dwell_v with_o the_o god_n which_o as_o well_o increase_v their_o veneration_n for_o as_o a_o desire_n of_o enjoy_v so_o great_a a_o happiness_n the_o initiate_v after_o some_o year_n preparation_n to_o make_v they_o value_v what_o cost_v so_o much_o time_n and_o patience_n be_v devout_o swear_v ariltid_n never_o to_o discover_v what_o they_o see_v or_o hear_v under_o pain_n of_o quaest._n death_n though_o they_o may_v discourse_v of_o they_o among_o themselves_o lest_o too_o 3._o great_a a_o constraint_n shall_v tempt_v they_o to_o blab_v the_o secret_n and_o so_o religious_o they_o keep_v this_o oath_n that_o some_o of_o they_o after_o their_o conversion_n to_o christianity_n can_v hardly_o be_v bring_v to_o declare_v what_o pass_v at_o their_o initiation_n in_o gentilism_n the_o athenian_n think_v no_o torment_n exquisite_a enough_o to_o punish_v voce_fw-la diagoras_n the_o philosopher_n for_o divulge_v their_o mystery_n and_o not_o content_a to_o brand_v he_o with_o atheism_n for_o laugh_v at_o their_o weakness_n they_o promise_v a_o talon_n as_o a_o reward_n to_o any_o that_o shall_v kill_v he_o it_o be_v death_n to_o say_v adonis_n be_v a_o man_n some_o suffer_v upon_o that_o account_n and_o many_o be_v tear_v in_o piece_n at_o the_o 14._o mystery_n of_o ceres_n and_o the_o euripides_n orgy_n of_o bacchus_n for_o their_o unadvised_a curiosity_n 4._o credible_a author_n report_n that_o the_o priest_n confess_v to_o the_o initiate_v how_o these_o mystic_a representation_n be_v institute_v at_o first_o in_o commemoration_n of_o some_o remarkable_a accident_n or_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o some_o great_a person_n that_o oblige_v the_o world_n by_o their_o virtue_n and_o useful_a invention_n to_o pay_v they_o such_o acknowledgement_n but_o let_v this_o be_v as_o it_o will_v myein_fw-gr in_fw-it their_o system_n signify_v 〈◊〉_d to_o initiate_v myesis_n initiation_n mist_n 〈◊〉_d a_o name_n afterward_o give_v the_o priest_n 〈◊〉_d denote_v the_o person_n to_o be_v initiate_v who_o be_v call_v a_o ranas_fw-la epopt_v when_o admit_v and_o mystery_n the_o doctrine_n in_o which_o he_o 〈◊〉_d be_v initiate_v as_o there_o be_v several_a 2._o degree_n so_o there_o be_v different_a sort_n of_o mystery_n the_o most_o famous_a be_v the_o samothracian_a the_o eleusinian_n the_o egyptian_a and_o those_o of_o bacchus_n common_o know_v by_o the_o name_n of_o 260._o orgy_n though_o the_o word_n be_v sometime_o put_v for_o any_o of_o the_o former_a 5._o from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v clear_a that_o they_o understand_v by_o mystery_n in_o those_o day_n a_o thing_n intelligible_a of_o itself_o but_o so_o veil_v by_o other_o that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v know_v without_o special_a revelation_n i_o need_v not_o add_v that_o in_o all_o the_o greek_a and_o roman_a author_n it_o be_v constant_o put_v as_o a_o very_a vulgar_a expression_n for_o any_o thing_n sacred_a or_o profane_a that_o be_v design'd_o keep_v secret_a or_o accidental_o obscure_a and_o this_o be_v the_o common_a acceptation_n of_o it_o still_o for_o when_o we_o can_v see_v clear_o into_o a_o business_n we_o say_v it_o be_v a_o mystery_n to_o we_o and_o that_o a_o obscure_a or_o perplex_a discourse_n be_v very_o mysterious_a mystery_n of_o state_n science_n and_o trade_n run_v all_o in_o the_o same_o notion_n 6._o but_o many_o not_o deny_v what_o be_v so_o plain_a yet_o be_v strong_o incline_v out_o of_o ignorance_n or_o passion_n to_o maintain_v what_o be_v first_o introduce_v by_o the_o craft_n or_o superstition_n of_o their_o forefather_n will_v have_v some_o christian_a doctrine_n to_o be_v still_o mysterious_a in_o the_o second_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n that_o be_v inconceivable_a in_o themselves_o however_o clear_o reveal_v they_o think_v a_o long_a prescription_n will_v argue_v it_o folly_n in_o any_o to_o appear_v against_o they_o and_o indeed_o custom_n have_v make_v it_o dangerous_a but_o slight_v so_o mean_a consideration_n if_o i_o can_v demonstrate_v that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n mystery_n be_v always_o use_v in_o the_o first_o sense_n of_o the_o word_n or_o that_o of_o the_o gentile_n viz._n for_o thing_n natural_o very_o intelligible_a but_o so_o cover_v by_o figurative_a word_n or_o rite_n that_o reason_n can_v not_o discover_v they_o without_o special_a revelation_n and_o that_o the_o veil_n be_v actual_o take_v away_o than_o it_o will_v manifest_o follow_v that_o the_o doctrine_n so_o reveal_v can_v now_o be_v proper_o call_v mystery_n 7._o this_o be_v what_o i_o hope_v to_o perform_v in_o the_o sequel_n of_o this_o section_n to_o the_o entire_a satisfaction_n of_o those_o sincere_a christian_n more_o concern_v for_o the_o truth_n than_o the_o old_a or_o gainful_a opinion_n yet_o i_o must_v first_o remove_v out_o of_o my_o way_n certain_a common_a place_n of_o cavil_v with_o which_o not_o only_o the_o raw_a beginner_n of_o the_o most_o implicit_a constitution_n raise_v a_o great_a dust_n upon_o all_o occasion_n though_o not_o able_a to_o speak_v of_o any_o thing_n pertinent_o when_o jostle_v out_o of_o the_o beat_a road_n but_o true_o their_o venerable_a teacher_n be_v not_o ashamed_a sometime_o to_o play_v at_o this_o small_a game_n which_o they_o know_v rather_o amuse_n the_o prejudice_v of_o their_o own_o side_n than_o edify_v the_o adversary_n of_o any_o sort_n i_o wish_v there_o be_v more_o even_o of_o a_o well-meaning_a zeal_n without_o knowledge_n than_o of_o art_n or_o cunning_a in_o this_o conduct_n chap._n ii_o that_o nothing_o ought_v to_o be_v call_v a_o mystery_n because_o we_o have_v not_o a_o adequate_a idea_n of_o all_o its_o property_n nor_o any_o at_o all_o of_o its_o essence_n 8._o i_o shall_v discuss_v this_o point_n with_o all_o the_o perspicuity_n i_o be_o able_a and_o first_o i_o affirm_v that_o nothing_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v a_o mystery_n because_o we_o have_v not_o a_o adequate_a idea_n of_o it_o or_o a_o distinct_a view_n of_o all_o its_o property_n at_o once_o for_o then_o every_o thing_n will_v be_v a_o mystery_n the_o knowledge_n of_o finite_a creature_n be_v gradual_o progressive_a as_o obâ—…ects_n be_v present_v to_o the_o understanding_n adam_n do_v not_o know_v so_o much_o
most_o translation_n when_o a_o able_a linguist_n meet_v with_o a_o difficult_a passage_n he_o present_o take_v it_o for_o a_o mystery_n and_o conclude_v it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n to_o be_v at_o more_o pain_n about_o what_o be_v in_o itself_o inexplicable_a but_o a_o uncapable_a translator_n lay_v his_o own_o blundr_a nonsense_n and_o all_o the_o mysterious_a fruit_n of_o his_o ignorance_n to_o god_n almighty_n charge_n these_o be_v the_o wretch_n who_o plentiful_o furnish_v the_o atheistical_a and_o profane_a with_o all_o the_o matter_n of_o their_o objection_n against_o scripture_n but_o i_o hope_v in_o time_n we_o may_v see_v a_o remedy_n to_o these_o disorder_n 62._o the_o four_o observation_n be_v that_o except_o faith_n signify_v a_o intelligible_a persuasion_n we_o can_v give_v other_o a_o reason_n of_o our_o hope_n as_o peter_n direct_v we_o to_o say_v that_o what_o we_o believe_v be_v the_o word_n 15._o of_o god_n will_v be_v to_o no_o end_n except_o we_o prove_v it_o to_o be_v so_o by_o reason_n and_o i_o need_v not_o add_v that_o if_o we_o may_v not_o examine_v and_o understand_v our_o faith_n every_o man_n will_v be_v oblige_v implicit_o to_o continue_v of_o that_o religion_n whereâ—…n_v he_o be_v first_o educate_v suppose_v a_o siamese_n priest_n talapoin_n shall_v tell_v a_o christian_a preacher_n that_o siamese_n sommonocodom_n forbid_v the_o goodness_n of_o his_o religion_n to_o be_v try_v by_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n how_o can_v the_o christian_a confute_v he_o if_o he_o likewise_o shall_v maintain_v that_o certain_a point_n of_o christianity_n be_v above_o reason_n the_o question_n will_v not_o be_v â—…hen_o whether_o mystery_n may_v be_v allow_v in_o the_o true_a religion_n but_o who_o have_v more_o right_o to_o institute_v they_o christ_n or_o sommonocodom_n 63._o my_o last_o observation_n shall_v be_v that_o either_o the_o apostle_n can_v not_o write_v more_o intelligible_o of_o the_o repute_a mystery_n or_o they_o will_v not_o if_o 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employ_v all_o our_o time_n but_o how_o exercise_n our_o diligence_n be_v it_o possible_a for_o we_o to_o understand_v those_o mystery_n at_o last_o or_o not_o if_o it_o be_v than_o all_o i_o contend_v for_o be_v gain_v for_o i_o never_o pretend_v that_o the_o gospel_n can_v be_v understand_v without_o due_a pain_n and_o application_n no_o more_o than_o any_o other_o book_n but_o if_o it_o be_v impossible_a after_o all_o to_o understand_v they_o this_o be_v such_o a_o piece_n of_o folly_n and_o iâ—…pertinence_n as_o no_o sober_a man_n will_v be_v guilty_a of_o to_o puzzle_v people_n head_n with_o what_o they_o can_v never_o conceive_v to_o exhort_v to_o and_o command_v the_o study_n of_o they_o and_o all_o this_o to_o keep_v they_o from_o idleness_n when_o they_o can_v scarce_o find_v leisure_n enough_o for_o what_o be_v on_o all_o hand_n grant_v to_o be_v intelligible_a 65._o other_o say_v that_o god_n have_v enjoin_v the_o belief_n of_o mystery_n to_o make_v we_o more_o humble_a but_o how_o by_o let_v we_o see_v the_o small_a extent_n of_o our_o knowledge_n but_o this_o extraordinary_a method_n be_v quite_o needless_a for_o experience_n acquaint_v we_o with_o that_o every_o day_n and_o i_o have_v spend_v a_o whole_a chapter_n in_o the_o second_o section_n of_o this_o book_n to_o prove_v that_o we_o have_v not_o a_o adequate_a idea_n of_o all_o the_o property_n and_o no_o idea_n of_o the_o real_a essence_n of_o any_o substance_n in_o the_o world_n it_o have_v be_v a_o much_o better_a answer_n that_o god_n will_v thus_o abridge_v our_o speculation_n to_o gain_v we_o the_o more_o time_n for_o the_o practice_n of_o what_o we_o understand_v but_o many_o cover_v a_o multitude_n of_o sin_n by_o their_o noise_n and_o heat_n on_o the_o behalf_n of_o such_o foolish_a and_o unprofitable_a speculation_n 66._o from_o all_o these_o observation_n and_o what_o go_v before_o it_o evident_o follow_v that_o faith_n be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o implicit_a assent_n to_o any_o thing_n above_o reason_n that_o this_o notion_n direct_o contradict_v the_o end_n of_o religion_n the_o nature_n of_o man_n and_o the_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n but_o at_o this_o rate_n some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v faith_n be_v no_o long_a faith_n but_o knowledge_n i_o answer_v that_o if_o knowledge_n be_v take_v for_o a_o present_a and_o immediate_a view_n of_o thing_n i_o have_v no_o where_o affirm_v any_o thing_n like_o it_o but_o the_o contrary_a in_o many_o place_n but_o if_o by_o knowledge_n be_v mean_v understanding_n what_o be_v believe_v than_o i_o stand_v by_o it_o that_o faith_n be_v knowledge_n i_o have_v all_o along_o maintain_v it_o and_o the_o very_a word_n be_v promiscuous_o use_v for_o one_o another_o in_o the_o gospel_n we_o know_v i._n e._n we_o believe_v that_o this_o be_v indeed_o the_o christ_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n i_o know_v and_o be_o persuade_v by_o the_o lord_n jesus_n that_o 58._o there_o be_v nothing_o unclean_a of_o itself_o you_o know_v that_o your_o labour_n be_v not_o in_o vain_a in_o the_o lord_n 67._o other_o will_v say_v that_o this_o notion_n of_o faith_n make_v revelation_n useless_a but_o pray_v how_o so_o for_o the_o question_v not_o whether_o we_o can_v discover_v all_o the_o object_n of_o our_o faith_n by_o ratiocination_n i_o have_v prove_v on_o the_o contrary_a that_o no_o matter_n of_o fact_n can_v be_v know_v without_o revelation_n but_o i_o assert_v that_o what_o be_v once_o reveal_v we_o must_v as_o well_o understand_v as_o any_o other_o matter_n in_o the_o world_n revelation_n be_v only_o of_o use_n to_o inform_v we_o whilst_o the_o evidence_n of_o its_o subject_n persuade_v we_o then_o reply_v they_o reason_n be_v of_o more_o digâ—…ity_n than_o revelation_n i_o answer_v just_a as_o much_o as_o a_o greek_a grammar_n be_v superior_a to_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o we_o make_v use_v of_o grammar_n to_o understand_v the_o language_n and_o of_o reason_n to_o comprehend_v the_o sense_n 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preach_v his_o gospel_n to_o they_o in_o a_o special_a manner_n and_o they_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n hear_v he_o glad_o because_o no_o doubt_n they_o understand_v 37._o his_o instruction_n better_a than_o the_o mysterious_a lecture_n of_o their_o priest_n and_o scribe_n the_o uncorrupted_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n be_v not_o above_o their_o reach_n or_o comprehension_n but_o the_o gibberish_n of_o your_o divinity_n school_n they_o understand_v not_o it_o be_v to_o they_o the_o language_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o their_o condition_n in_o this_o world_n when_o their_o very_a teacher_n must_v serve_v above_o a_o apprenticeship_n to_o master_v it_o before_o they_o begin_v the_o study_n of_o the_o bible_n how_o slow_o must_v the_o gospel_n have_v move_v at_o the_o beginning_n if_o such_o as_o be_v call_v to_o preach_v it_o have_v be_v oblige_v
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believe_v the_o eight_o and_o last_o passage_n relate_v to_o this_o head_n be_v in_o 1_o tim._n 3._o 16._o and_o without_o controversy_n great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n god_n be_v manifest_a in_o the_o flesh_n justify_v in_o the_o spirit_n see_v of_o angel_n preach_v unto_o the_o gentile_n believe_v on_o in_o the_o world_n receive_v up_o into_o glory_n i_o will_v not_o now_o insist_v upon_o the_o various_a readins_n of_o these_o word_n nor_o critical_o determine_v which_o be_v spurious_a or_o genuine_a all_o party_n how_o much_o soever_o they_o differ_v about_o their_o sense_n agree_v that_o the_o gradation_n of_o the_o verse_n be_v gospel-revelation_n so_o that_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n can_v be_v restrain_v to_o any_o one_o but_o be_v common_a to_o they_o all_o it_o refer_v not_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a but_o to_o the_o revelation_n of_o they_o all_o in_o general_n and_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v without_o any_o dispute_n 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rewarder_n of_o they_o that_o diligent_o seek_v he_o so_o the_o firm_a persuasion_n of_o a_o pious_a man_n that_o his_o request_n will_v be_v grant_v be_v ground_v upon_o his_o knowledge_n of_o the_o be_v goodness_n and_o power_n of_o god_n it_o be_v reckon_v no_o crime_n not_o to_o believe_v in_o christ_n before_o he_o be_v reveal_v for_o how_o can_v they_o believe_v in_o he_o of_o who_o they_o have_v not_o hear_v but_o 14._o with_o what_o better_a reason_n can_v any_o be_v condemn_v for_o not_o believe_v what_o he_o say_v if_o they_o may_v not_o understand_v it_o for_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v see_v these_o case_n be_v parallel_v faith_n be_v likewise_o say_v to_o come_v by_o hear_v but_o without_o understanding_n 1â—…_n it_o be_v plain_a this_o hear_v will_v signify_v nothing_o word_n and_o their_o idea_n be_v reciprocal_a in_o all_o language_n 55._o the_o author_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n do_v not_o define_v faith_n a_o prejudice_n opinion_n or_o conjecture_n but_o 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substantial_a reason_n in_o this_o sense_n all_o christianity_n be_v not_o seldom_o style_v the_o faith_n as_o now_o we_o usual_o say_v that_o we_o be_v of_o this_o or_o that_o persuasion_n mean_v the_o profession_n of_o some_o religion_n but_o sure_o nothing_o can_v better_v root_n and_o establish_v our_o persuasion_n than_o a_o thorough_a examination_n and_o trial_n of_o what_o we_o believe_v whereas_o the_o weakness_n and_o instability_n of_o our_o faith_n proceed_v from_o want_n of_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o it_o whereupon_o incredulity_n always_o follow_v then_o fail_v obedience_n which_o be_v the_o constant_a sign_n and_o fruit_n of_o genuine_a faith_n and_o hence_o spring_v all_o the_o irregularity_n of_o man_n life_n he_o that_o say_v i_o know_v he_o and_o keep_v not_o his_o commandment_n 6._o be_v a_o liar_n for_o he_o that_o say_v he_o abide_v in_o he_o ought_v himself_o also_o to_o walk_v as_o he_o walk_v nor_o can_v it_o possible_o fall_v out_o otherwise_o but_o that_o 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