Selected quad for the lemma: sense_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
sense_n doctrine_n scripture_n tradition_n 1,725 5 9.4842 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
A40084 The principles and practices of certain moderate divines of the Church of England (greatly mis-understood), truly represented and defended wherein ... some controversies, of no mean importance, are succinctly discussed : in a free discourse between two intimate friends : in three parts. Fowler, Edward, 1632-1714. 1670 (1670) Wing F1711; ESTC R17783 120,188 376

There are 12 snippets containing the selected quad. | View original text

to_o grace_n or_o faith_n new_a obedience_n never_o mean_v 188_o xc_o no_o crime_n to_o hold_v justification_n by_o work_n in_o st._n james_n his_o sense_n ibid._n xci_o st._n paul_n language_n not_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o st._n james_n his_o 189_o the_o second_o part._n 190_o i._n a_o more_o distinct_a account_n of_o their_o opinion_n ibid._n two_o of_o their_o judgement_n in_o doctrinal_n 191_o three_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o england_n impose_v subscription_n to_o the_o 39_o article_n ibid._n four_o the_o lord_n primate_n of_o ireland_n his_o testimony_n ibid._n v_o what_o doctrine_n they_o most_o endeavour_n to_o confute_v 192_o vi_fw-la philalethes_n his_o representation_n of_o god_n nature_n 193_o seven_o consequence_n of_o opinion_n not_o to_o be_v charge_v on_o all_o those_o that_o hold_v they_o 198_o viij_o that_o they_o set_v themselves_o against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n absolute_a decree_a man_n sin_n and_o misery_n 199_o ix_o that_o those_o two_o be_v not_o to_o be_v separate_v 200_o x._o that_o those_o doctrine_n make_v their_o defender_n assert_v two_o will_n in_o god_n and_o the_o one_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o by_o which_o mean_v other_o sad_a consequence_n also_o follow_v 202_o xi_o of_o oppose_a god_n secret_a to_o he_o reveal_v will_n 206_o twelve_o that_o we_o must_v resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o at_o all_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v nothing_o against_o which_o we_o can_v answer_v all_o objection_n 210_o xiii_o that_o the_o forementioned_a doctrine_n evident_o contradict_v our_o natural_a notion_n 213_o fourteen_o which_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n in_o reconcile_a seem_o contradictory_n scripture_n 216_o xv_o theophilus_n can_v believe_v no_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o do_v evident_o contradict_v self-evident_a notion_n 217_o xuj_o of_o that_o opinion_n that_o whatsoever_o god_n do_v be_v therefore_o good_a and_o just_a because_o he_o do_v it_o 218_o xvii_o what_o be_v the_o motive_n induce_v the_o good_a man_n of_o that_o persuasion_n to_o go_v that_o way_n 223_o xviii_o those_o divine_v middle_a way_n between_o the_o calvinist_n and_o remonstrant_n 228_o nineteeen_o this_o way_n propose_v by_o catharinus_n at_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n 231_o xx_o how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o this_o way_n for_o some_o age_n have_v few_o friend_n 232_o xxi_o this_o way_n a_o great_a ease_n to_o theophilus_n his_o mind_n 233_o xxii_o philalethes_n no_o less_o beholden_a to_o it_o which_o cause_v theophilus_n to_o ask_v he_o some_o question_n 236_o xxiii_o of_o free_a will._n 239_o xxiv_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o heathen_n 249_o twenty-five_o that_o god_n have_v way_n though_o they_o may_v be_v perfect_o unknown_a to_o we_o to_o clear_v the_o justice_n and_o goodness_n of_o his_o deal_n with_o all_o mankind_n 254_o xxvi_o whether_o what_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o defend_v that_o middle_a way_n tend_v to_o encourage_v security_n etc._n etc._n 256_o xxvii_o that_o the_o doctrine_n discourse_v against_o do_v a_o world_n of_o mischief_n 257_o xxviii_o the_o test_n by_o which_o theophilus_n examine_v controvert_v point_n 260_o xxix_o of_o the_o great_a obscurity_n of_o st._n paul_n style_n in_o many_o place_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o 261_o thirty_o a_o paraphrase_n upon_o several_a verse_n of_o the_o nine_o to_o the_o roman_n 263_o xxxi_o how_o god_n be_v say_v to_o harden_v sinner_n 275_o xxxii_o philalethes_n offer_v another_o interpretation_n of_o the_o 19_o the_o and_o 20_o the_o verse_n 284_o xxxiii_o that_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n be_v enemy_n to_o absolute_a reprobation_n with_o its_o concomitant_n 288_o xxxiv_o that_o the_o old_a gnostic_n be_v great_a friend_n to_o it_o 291_o xxxv_o mr._n joseph_n mede_n judgement_n concern_v this_o point_n 293_o xxxvi_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o favourer_n of_o it_o 294_o xxxvii_o the_o moderation_n of_o those_o divine_n in_o other_o matter_n of_o controversy_n which_o theophilus_n have_v not_o time_n to_o insist_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a 295_o xxxviii_o none_o more_o dislike_v by_o they_o than_o the_o monopolizer_n of_o truth_n to_o a_o party_n 296_o thirty-nine_o infallibility_n in_o the_o best_a of_o man_n or_o church_n deny_v by_o they_o 297_o xl_o of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n and_o those_o protestant_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v stickler_n for_o it_o 298_o xli_o of_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o four_o first_o ecumenical_a council_n 300_o xlii_o what_o respect_v due_a to_o council_n 302_o xliii_o the_o church_n of_o england_n sense_n of_o general_n council_n 304_o xliv_o the_o determination_n of_o our_o own_o church_n not_o to_o be_v oppose_v in_o matter_n disputable_a 305_o xlv_o a_o argument_n that_o christ_n intend_v we_o no_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n 306_o xlvi_o private_a christian_n promise_v infallibility_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o the_o church_n representative_a have_v the_o promise_n of_o it_o 307_o xlvii_o of_o disputacity_n 308_o xlviii_o of_o friendly_a dispute_n ibid._n xlix_o the_o way_n to_o peace_n ibid._n l._n the_o mischief_n of_o contend_v for_o a_o infallible_a judge_n 309_o li._n force_v other_o to_o be_v of_o our_o mind_n tyrannical_a ibid._n lii_o to_o condemn_v man_n for_o dissent_v from_o we_o unwarrantable_a 310_o liii_o of_o those_o divine_n candour_n towards_o dissenter_n from_o they_o 313_o liv_o of_o mr._n chillingworth_n book_n 315_o lv_o of_o their_o opinion_n concern_v fundamental_o and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o forward_o to_o give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o they_o 316_o lvi_o the_o use_n of_o the_o forego_n principle_n 317_o lvii_o that_o those_o divine_n procure_v to_o themselves_o enemy_n of_o divers_a sort_n by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o propagate_v those_o principle_n 319_o the_o three_o part._n 322_o i._n their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n ibid._n two_o that_o they_o prefer_v episcopacy_n to_o all_o other_o form_n of_o church_n government_n 323_o iii._o how_o much_o essential_a to_o episcopacy_n ibid._n four_o that_o they_o unchurch_n not_o those_o church_n that_o will_v not_o admit_v it_o though_o they_o think_v it_o desirable_a that_o all_o will_v 324_o v._n their_o opinion_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o sacred_a affair_n 325_o vi_fw-la that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v a_o power_n both_o legislative_a and_o judiciary_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n ibid._n seven_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n 327_o viij_o that_o they_o believe_v magistrate_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v when_o they_o command_v thing_n inconvenient_a if_o lawful_a 329_o ix_o that_o they_o judge_v it_o unlawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o take_v arm_n against_o their_o prince_n etc._n etc._n on_o any_o pretence_n 331_o x._o that_o they_o be_v for_o show_v favour_n to_o dissenter_n out_o of_o conscience_n 332_o xi_o who_o they_o conceive_v be_v not_o to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o man_n of_o tender_a conscience_n 333_o twelve_o theophilus_n presume_v that_o they_o will_v be_v glad_a if_o some_o thing_n that_o most_o offend_v be_v remove_v etc._n etc._n 334_o xiii_o philalethes_n his_o opinion_n upon_o the_o whole_a account_n 336_o fourteen_o why_o the_o bigot_n of_o the_o several_a party_n be_v most_o their_o enemy_n 337_o xv_o that_o it_o be_v pity_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o distinction_n of_o name_n between_o they_o and_o the_o moderate_a man_n of_o some_o party_n 339_o xuj_o what_o name_v they_o only_o desire_v to_o be_v know_v by_o 340_o xvii_o that_o their_o temper_n and_o free_a principle_n be_v of_o no_o late_a stand_n etc._n etc._n 341_o xviii_o why_o the_o pharisee_n can_v not_o endure_v our_o saviour_n ibid._n nineteeen_o when_o the_o temper_n and_o spirit_n that_o have_v be_v describe_v begin_v to_o decay_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n 343_o xx_o the_o pope_n behold_v to_o the_o decay_n thereof_o for_o his_o power_n 344_o xxi_o that_o it_o be_v much_o revive_v in_o the_o protestant_a church_n though_o the_o generality_n be_v still_o great_o defective_a in_o it_o 345_o xxii_o if_o the_o invisible_a antichrist_n be_v once_o fall_v the_o visible_a one_o will_v quick_o follow_v ibid._n xxiii_o the_o conclusion_n 346_o theophilus_n a_o lover_n of_o god_n philalethes_n a_o lover_n of_o truth_n errata_fw-la page_n 27._o line_n 13_o read_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d p._n 165._o l._n 13._o r._n make._n p._n 289._o l._n 24._o r._n 100_o a_o free_a discourse_n between_o two_o intimate_v friend_n etc._n etc._n i._n philalethes_n my_o dear_a theophilus_n discourse_n the_o observation_n i_o have_v for_o some_o time_n make_v of_o the_o great_a change_n in_o your_o countenance_n from_o that_o spriteful_a and_o cheerful_a air_n i_o be_v wont_n with_o pleasure_n there_o to_o behold_v to_o a_o melancholy_a pensiveness_n and_o deep_a dejection_n have_v make_v i_o not_o a_o little_a solicitous_a concern_v the_o cause_n nor_o can_v i_o but_o entertain_v a_o great_a suspicion_n that_o it_o be_v no_o ordinary_a
any_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n therefore_o doubt_v whether_o or_o no_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n the_o argument_n that_o be_v bring_v for_o the_o infinite_a divisibility_n of_o matter_n have_v hitherto_o puzzle_v the_o most_o acute_a philosopher_n and_o so_o it_o be_v like_a to_o do_v to_o the_o world_n end_n but_o yet_o i_o can_v imagine_v that_o any_o one_o do_v notwithstanding_o real_o believe_v it_o and_o from_o thence_o all_o body_n may_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v of_o a_o like_a bigness_n and_o that_o a_o mountain_n be_v as_o small_a as_o a_o ant-heap_n and_o a_o ant_n as_o big_a as_o either_o and_o this_o with_o so_o great_a a_o show_n of_o reason_n as_o i_o must_v acknowledge_v i_o can_v answer_v but_o aught_o i_o therefore_o to_o suspect_v whether_o this_o be_v not_o true_a so_o there_o be_v some_o metaphysical_a nicety_n that_o may_v seem_v to_o make_v the_o opinion_n and_o those_o it_o be_v found_v on_o probable_a which_o we_o last_o express_v our_o selus_fw-la against_o but_o what_o of_o that_o all_o we_o ought_v thence_o to_o infer_v be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o man_n be_v a_o weak_a shallow_a creature_n philal._n but_o our_o adversary_n will_v say_v then_o you_o may_v believe_v their_o doctrine_n for_o all_o the_o strong_a objection_n you_o think_v you_o can_v make_v against_o it_o and_o answer_v they_o all_o with_o a_o oh_o the_o depth_n theoph._n but_o what_o say_v s._n austin_n because_o we_o can_v understand_v thing_n that_o be_v difficult_a shall_v we_o therefore_o deny_v those_o that_o be_v plain_a philal._n i_o wish_v that_o good_a father_n have_v always_o bear_v in_o his_o mind_n that_o say_v theoph._n i_o wish_v so_o too_o but_o to_o our_o business_n that_o doctrine_n do_v as_o evident_o contradict_v the_o natural_a notion_n god_n have_v imprint_v in_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o humane_a soul_n as_o can_v be_v notion_n at_o least_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v so_o to_o do_v and_o so_o do_v it_o to_o thousand_o of_o other_o that_o be_v neither_o fool_n nor_o madman_n and_o i_o must_v add_v that_o i_o can_v question_v but_o it_o will_v to_o all_o that_o will_v be_v but_o persuade_v free_o to_o consult_v those_o innate_a notion_n and_o beside_o it_o be_v express_o against_o the_o whole_a strain_n of_o scripture_n from_o genesis_n to_o the_o revelation_n philal._n but_o you_o know_v that_o there_o be_v divers_a scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o god_n absolute_a decree_a man_n damnation_n and_o their_o sin_n too_o which_o be_v much_o urge_v theoph._n true_o philalethes_n if_o our_o translator_n have_v be_v please_v they_o may_v with_o the_o alteration_n of_o but_o one_o little_a particle_n for_o another_o of_o the_o same_o signification_n have_v prevent_v the_o take_n almost_o any_o argument_n out_o of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v god_n decree_a man_n sin_n any_o otherwise_o than_o bare_o to_o permit_v they_o i_o mean_v if_o they_o have_v put_v will_n in_o a_o multitude_n of_o place_n where_o man_n sin_n be_v foretell_v in_o stead_n of_o shall_v the_o we_o make_v those_o place_n look_v as_o if_o they_o contain_v declaration_n of_o decree_n whenas_o will_v will_v have_v make_v it_o at_o first_o sight_n to_o appear_v that_o they_o contain_v only_a prediction_n and_o expression_n of_o god_n foreknowledge_n that_o man_n will_v commit_v such_o and_o such_o sin_n not_o of_o his_o will_n and_o purpose_n that_o they_o shall_v i_o hearty_o wish_v that_o authority_n will_v please_v to_o command_v the_o printer_n to_o make_v that_o little_a alteration_n in_o their_o future_a impression_n of_o the_o bible_n you_o may_v smile_v at_o this_o as_o a_o odd_a fancy_n but_o i_o assure_v you_o i_o be_o upon_o good_a ground_n confident_a that_o it_o will_v be_v to_o very_o good_a purpose_n so_o to_o do_v philal._n no_o wiseman_n or_o scholar_n will_v fetch_v a_o argument_n from_o such_o a_o trifle_n to_o prove_v that_o or_o any_o other_o opinion_n theoph._n what_o of_o that_o the_o generality_n of_o people_n be_v neither_o scholar_n nor_o yet_o wise_a and_o i_o have_v great_a cause_n to_o suspect_v that_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n have_v that_o wretched_a doctrine_n insensible_o instill_v into_o they_o by_o the_o frequent_a read_n and_o hear_v such_o passage_n as_o these_o viz._n in_o the_o late_a day_n perilous_a time_n shall_v come_v man_n shall_v be_n lover_n of_o themselves_o covetous_a proud_a etc._n etc._n there_o shall_v be_n false_a teacher_n who_o shall_v privy_o bring_v in_o damnable_a heresy_n etc._n etc._n and_o many_o shall_v follow_v their_o pernicious_a way_n etc._n etc._n and_o there_o be_v innumerable_a passage_n of_o this_o nature_n but_o then_o philalethes_n whatever_o scripture_n be_v bring_v to_o prove_v either_o the_o one_o or_o the_o other_o doctrine_n by_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v acknowledge_v that_o they_o be_v but_o very_o few_o in_o comparison_n of_o those_o that_o most_o evident_o say_v i_o but_o all_o will_v confess_v do_v seem_o contradict_v they_o and_o which_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n think_v you_o in_o reconcile_a seemingly-contrary_a place_n to_o each_o other_o to_o interpret_v a_o multitude_n of_o plain_a scripture_n by_o a_o few_o difficult_a one_o scripture_n or_o a_o few_o difficult_a one_o by_o a_o multitude_n of_o plain_a one_o philal._n the_o late_a without_o all_o doubt_n but_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o the_o scripture_n that_o make_v for_o those_o doctrine_n be_v as_o plain_a as_o those_o that_o make_v against_o they_o though_o as_o to_o their_o number_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n betwixt_o they_o theoph._n but_o i_o say_v they_o be_v more_o difficult_a in_o that_o their_o most_o obvious_a sense_n do_v as_o none_o can_v deny_v at_o least_o seem_o contradict_v the_o natural_a notion_n of_o our_o soul_n which_o the_o plain_a sense_n of_o the_o other_o no_o less_o gratify_v but_o however_o be_v it_o not_o much_o the_o better_a way_n to_o understand_v a_o few_o scripture_n in_o their_o less_o obvious_a sense_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o most_o obvious_a sense_n of_o a_o multitude_n of_o other_o than_o to_o understand_v a_o multitude_n of_o scripture_n in_o their_o least_o obvious_a sense_n to_o reconcile_v they_o to_o the_o most_o obvious_a of_o in_o comparison_n with_o they_o extreme_o few_o philal._n i_o have_v since_o i_o suffer_v myself_o to_o think_v at_o all_o free_o be_v of_o your_o mind_n and_o conclude_v that_o the_o scripture_n produce_v on_o the_o other_o side_n must_v necessary_o be_v take_v in_o another_o sense_n than_o that_o they_o fix_v upon_o except_o we_o will_v make_v they_o contradict_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o bible_n beside_o and_o those_o that_o endeavour_n to_o reconcile_v all_o other_o to_o those_o scripture_n make_v the_o bible_n a_o extreme_o more_o difficult_a book_n than_o i_o be_o very_o persuade_v god_n have_v make_v it_o theoph._n for_o my_o part_n i_o can_v believe_v no_o sense_n of_o any_o scripture_n true_a notion_n that_o plain_o contradict_v the_o self-evident_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a that_o god_n have_v put_v into_o my_o soul_n and_o be_v bear_v with_o i_o for_o as_o have_v be_v show_v i_o can_v have_v no_o reason_n to_o believe_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v god_n word_n no_o nor_o yet_o any_o thing_n i_o be_o sure_a god_n himself_o say_v to_o be_v infallible_o true_a be_v it_o not_o for_o those_o notion_n and_o can_v you_o remember_v that_o it_o be_v prove_v also_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n deliver_v be_v necessary_a to_o convince_v we_o that_o it_o be_v of_o god_n mankind_n have_v a_o natural_a sense_n of_o moral_a good_a and_o evil_n philal._n but_o those_o of_o the_o other_o persuasion_n say_v that_o whatsoever_o god_n do_v be_v just_a and_o good_a because_o he_o do_v it_o i_o be_o sure_a many_o of_o they_o at_o least_o will_n theoph._n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n to_o defend_v their_o doctrine_n it_o but_o to_o prove_v that_o but_o do_v not_o those_o in_o so_o say_v plain_o make_v nothing_o in_o itself_o to_o be_v just_a or_o unjust_a good_a or_o evil_n and_o so_o in_o call_v god_n a_o just_a god_n say_v just_o nothing_o of_o he_o pardon_v the_o quibble_n i_o design_v it_o not_o that_o be_v no_o more_o than_o this_o that_o he_o will_v what_o he_o will_v and_o i_o wonder_v who_o do_v not_o thus_o you_o see_v they_o be_v force_v to_o make_v good_a and_o evil_a to_o depend_v upon_o arbitrary_a will_n and_o so_o make_v the_o holy_a god_n a_o mere_a wilful_a be_v and_o his_o nature_n perfect_o indifferent_a to_o any_o thing_n and_o thence_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v consistent_a enough_o with_o the_o divine_a nature_n to_o forbid_v all_o that_o which_o by_o be_v command_v be_v now_o call_v holiness_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n make_v it_o wickedness_n and_o to_o command_v all_o that_o which_o by_o
yet_o he_o be_v not_o like_a to_o apologise_v for_o it_o till_o thou_o can_v convince_v he_o that_o the_o neglect_n of_o formality_n and_o curious_a exactness_n of_o any_o kind_n in_o discourse_n between_o friend_n be_v blame_v worthy_a nor_o yet_o will_v he_o plead_v excuse_n for_o the_o plainness_n of_o his_o style_n till_o he_o have_v reason_n to_o believe_v that_o the_o vulgar_a who_o benefit_n be_v here_o principal_o intend_v be_v capable_a of_o understand_v high_a language_n i_o shall_v detain_v thou_o no_o long_o than_o till_o i_o have_v tell_v thou_o that_o he_o say_v may_v this_o trifle_n be_v instrumental_a to_o beget_v in_o but_o any_o one_o a_o more_o free_a ingenuous_a and_o amicable_a temper_n he_o shall_v not_o think_v he_o have_v cause_n to_o repent_v his_o permit_v it_o to_o be_v expose_v to_o public_a censure_n the_o content_n the_o first_o part_n page_n 1_o i._o the_o entrance_n into_o the_o discourse_n ibid._n two_o the_o hateful_a character_n give_v by_o some_o to_o certain_a friend_n of_o theophilus_n and_o philalethes_n 7_o iii._o a_o argument_n of_o their_o be_v great_o abuse_v in_o that_o character_n 12_o four_o that_o character_n due_a to_o the_o broacher_n of_o hobbian_a doctrine_n 13_o v._n but_o that_o doctrine_n by_o none_o better_o confute_v than_o by_o these_o man_n 14_o vi_fw-la that_o preach_v some_o of_o their_o adversary_n doctrine_n may_v render_v they_o too_o well_o deserve_v that_o character_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o over-critical_a person_n ibid._n seven_o another_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v abuse_v 18_o viij_o theophilus_n undertake_v impartial_o to_o represent_v they_o 20_o ix_o of_o their_o practice_n 22_o x._o of_o their_o conformity_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n 23_o xi_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o censure_v man_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o conformity_n 24_o twelve_o of_o their_o conversation_n 37_o xiii_o of_o their_o preach_v 40_o fourteen_o of_o their_o preach_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a precept_n 42_o xv_o of_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n ibid._n xuj_o 1_o cor._n 2._o 14._o consider_v 43_o xvii_o one_o advantage_n that_o be_v get_v by_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o christian_a duty_n 49_o xviii_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n necessary_a to_o accompany_v that_o of_o miracle_n to_o prove_v its_o divine_a authority_n ibid._n nineteeen_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n 54_o xx_o theophilus_n his_o opinion_n concern_v the_o inward_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n 56_o xxi_o the_o believe_v of_o divine_a thing_n a_o divine_a faith_n whatever_o the_o motive_n thereunto_o be_v 58_o xxii_o of_o moral_a certainty_n 61_o xxiii_o of_o the_o scripture_n bear_v testimony_n to_o itself_o 64_o xxiv_o a_o second_o advantage_n get_v by_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n 66_o twenty-five_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v high_o reasonable_a 69_o xxvi_o a_o description_n of_o reason_n 70_o xxvii_o the_o first_o proposition_n show_v in_o what_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v reasonable_a with_o a_o brief_a demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v so_o 71_o xxviii_o the_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n 72_o xxix_o the_o second_o proposition_n ibid._n thirty_o a_o more_o particular_a demonstration_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o gospel_n precept_n 75_o xxxi_o almost_o all_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v in_o the_o gospel_n commend_v by_o heathen_n 80_o xxxii_o those_o vindicate_v from_o make_v the_o gospel_n but_o a_o little_a better_o than_o a_o mere_a natural_a religion_n that_o assert_v that_o reason_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o prompt_v to_o we_o most_o of_o the_o duty_n therein_o enjoin_v 86_o xxxiii_o wherein_o the_o gospel_n excel_v all_o other_o religion_n 88_o xxxiv_o to_o say_v that_o what_o the_o gospel_n require_v be_v most_o suitable_a to_o reason_n be_v high_o to_o commend_v it_o etc._n etc._n 91_o xxxv_o of_o their_o preach_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n 93_o xxxvi_o all_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o reason_n sometime_o prove_v by_o they_o 94_o xxxvii_o that_o they_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o level_v all_o such_o point_n with_o man_n capacity_n 95_o xxxviii_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v incomprehensible_a mystery_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n ibid._n thirty-nine_o that_o they_o prove_v the_o consistency_n of_o such_o point_n with_o reason_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n only_o 97_o xl_o that_o they_o assert_v many_o speculative_a point_n to_o be_v also_o suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n ibid._n xli_o a_o argument_n draw_v from_o notion_n of_o the_o heathen_n to_o prove_v the_o most_o weighty_a point_n of_o faith_n suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n 98_o xlii_o of_o their_o style_n in_o preach_v 104_o xliii_o of_o their_o make_v doctrine_n intelligible_a 105_o xliv_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o be_v obscurer_n of_o the_o gospel_n ibid._n xlv_o another_o sort_n of_o such_o 106_o xlvi_o of_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o scripture_n 108_o xlvii_o their_o opinion_n of_o powerful_a preach_v 112_o xlviii_o of_o carnal_a and_o spiritual_a reason_n 113_o xlix_o a_o far_a account_n of_o their_o preach_v 114_o l._n of_o their_o be_v accuse_v of_o preach_v up_o only_o a_o moral_a righteousness_n 117_o li._n in_o what_o sense_n they_o do_v not_o so_o and_o in_o what_o sense_n they_o do_v ibid._n &_o 118_o lii_o no_o difference_n betwixt_o evangelical_n righteousness_n and_o that_o which_o be_v the_o best_a sense_n moral_a 119_o liii_o to_o work_v in_o we_o such_o a_o moral_a righteousness_n the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n 120_o liv_o a_o righteousness_n in_o no_o sense_n moral_a a_o contradiction_n 124_o lv_o of_o imputative_a righteousness_n and_o in_o what_o sense_n they_o believe_v and_o preach_v it_o 126_o lvi_o their_o notion_n of_o christ_n impute_a righteousness_n ibid._n lvii_o a_o false_a notion_n of_o it_o 128_o lviii_o the_o first_o mistake_n in_o that_o notion_n 129_o lix_o the_o second_o mistake_n ibid._n lx_o a_o false_a definition_n of_o faith_n they_o confute_v in_o their_o preach_v 130_o lxi_o christ_n impute_a righteousness_n no_o scripture_n phrase_n 133_o lxii_o some_o verse_n in_o the_o four_o to_o the_o roman_n consider_v ibid._n lxiii_o st._n james_n 2._o 23._o consider_v 135_o lxiu_o philippian_n 3._o 9_o consider_v 137_o lxv_o as_o high_a a_o favour_n to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o if_o we_o be_v perfect_o righteous_a as_o to_o be_v so_o esteem_v 139_o lxvi_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o the_o antinomian_a doctrine_n about_o impute_v righteousness_n 141_o lxvii_o the_o antinomian_o opinion_n of_o sin_n 143_o lxviii_o theophilus_n his_o charity_n for_o some_o antinomian_o 146_o lxix_o a_o defective_a definition_n of_o faith_n that_o those_o divine_n preach_v against_o and_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o 148_o lxx_o a_o full_a definition_n of_o faith_n ill_o apply_v to_o the_o business_n of_o justify_v 154_o lxxi_o a_o full_a and_o plain_a definition_n of_o faith_n use_v by_o those_o preacher_n 157_o lxxii_o of_o that_o doctrine_n of_o those_o preacher_n that_o faith_n justify_v as_o it_o imply_v obedience_n 159_o lxxiii_o a_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o faith_n justify_v as_o it_o receive_v christ_n quà_fw-la lord_n as_o well_o as_o quà_fw-la saviour_n 160_o lxxiu_o the_o act_n of_o receive_v christ_n quà_fw-la lord_n to_o go_v before_o that_o of_o receive_v he_o quà_fw-la priest_n 161_o lxxv_o how_o faith_n be_v distinguish_v from_o repentance_n and_o other_o virtue_n in_o the_o business_n of_o justification_n 162_o lxxvi_o why_o justification_n be_v most_o ascribe_v to_o faith_n 164_o lxxvii_o two_o acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n ibid._n lxxviii_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n various_o express_v in_o scripture_n ibid._n lxxix_o how_o faith_n justify_v 165_o lxxx_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n conditional_a 167_o lxxxi_o hebrew_n 8._o 10._o consider_v 168_o lxxxii_o man_n not_o without_o all_o power_n to_o cooperate_v with_o with_o god_n grace_n in_o their_o conversion_n 174_o lxxxiii_o a_o middle_a way_n to_o be_v take_v in_o give_v account_n of_o man_n conversion_n 175_o lxxxiv_o i'faith_o the_o condition_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n ibid._n lxxxv_o of_o their_o be_v accuse_v for_o the_o forego_n doctrine_n as_o hold_v justification_n by_o work_n and_o enemy_n to_o god_n grace_n 176_o lxxxvi_o a_o digression_n concern_v censure_a man_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o opinion_n ibid._n lxxxvii_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o forego_n account_n of_o faith_n justify_v from_o be_v opposite_a to_o free_a grace_n 180_o lxxxviii_o a_o vindication_n of_o that_o doctrine_n from_o assert_v justification_n by_o work_n in_o st._n paul_n sense_n 186_o lxxxix_o by_o work_n when_o oppose_v
nay_o how_o then_o can_v he_o marvel_n as_o we_o read_v he_o do_v at_o their_o unbelief_n philal._n but_o they_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o to_o assent_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n from_o the_o forementioned_a motive_n be_v no_o divine_a faith_n theoph._n but_o i_o dare_v tell_v they_o be_v that_o the_o believe_v of_o divine_a thing_n be_v a_o divine_a faith_n let_v the_o motive_n induce_v thereunto_o be_v what_o they_o will_v and_o that_o it_o be_v no_o unusual_a thing_n for_o the_o act_n to_o receive_v its_o denomination_n from_o its_o object_n but_o with_o a_o divine_a faith_n in_o their_o sense_n also_o we_o no_o less_o than_o they_o believe_v what_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n true_a viz._n because_o god_n that_o can_v lie_v have_v revel_v it_o but_o that_o he_o have_v indeed_o revel_v it_o the_o miracle_n as_o be_v say_v whereby_o this_o be_v confirm_v and_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n to_o which_o i_o may_v add_v also_o the_o completion_n of_o prophecy_n as_o be_v of_o no_o less_o consideration_n than_o the_o miracle_n do_v assure_v we_o and_o again_o that_o such_o miracle_n as_o be_v record_v be_v real_o wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o likewise_o that_o the_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o our_o book_n be_v that_o gospel_n that_o be_v confirm_v by_o they_o we_o may_v be_v convince_v by_o as_o undeniable_a argument_n as_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n man_n have_v not_o see_v with_o their_o own_o eye_n can_v be_v prove_v by_o and_o so_o undeniable_a that_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o most_o unreasonable_a person_n that_o require_v better_a nay_o he_o must_v resolve_v if_o he_o will_v be_v consistent_a with_o himself_o to_o believe_v nothing_o he_o have_v not_o himself_o see_v i_o will_v add_v too_o that_o whoever_o he_o be_v that_o be_v dissatisfy_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n he_o do_v undoubted_o believe_v hundred_o of_o thing_n and_o think_v he_o shall_v be_v unwise_a in_o question_v they_o that_o have_v not_o the_o quarter_n part_n of_o the_o evidence_n that_o this_o have_v nay_o i_o may_v say_v not_o the_o twenty_o part_n if_o they_o please_v philalethes_n to_o call_v it_o a_o humane_a faith_n to_o believe_v matter_n of_o fact_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o tradition_n i_o will_v not_o contend_v with_o they_o but_o tell_v they_o plain_o that_o i_o like_v it_o never_o a_o jot_n the_o worse_a for_o be_v so_o nor_o can_v i_o understand_v how_o any_o wise_a man_n shall_v but_o yet_o take_v notice_n too_o that_o such_o a_o degree_n of_o faith_n concern_v these_o matter_n of_o fact_n also_o as_o have_v a_o powerful_a operation_n upon_o our_o life_n and_o soul_n be_v impute_v by_o we_o no_o less_o than_o by_o they_o to_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o his_o holy_a spirit_n though_o not_o as_o operate_n in_o we_o in_o a_o immediate_a manner_n as_o i_o say_v ordinary_o but_o in_o make_v the_o mean_v effectual_a and_o i_o hope_v they_o will_v acknowledge_v this_o in_o the_o best_a of_o sense_n a_o divine_a faith_n philal._n but_o they_o say_v certainty_n that_o only_o a_o moral_a certainty_n can_v result_v from_o the_o evidence_n that_o be_v in_o the_o most_o uninterrupted_a and_o universal_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o how_o close_o soever_o you_o tell_v we_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n apply_v that_o evidence_n this_o way_n of_o you_o tend_v to_o make_v man_n no_o better_o than_o moral_o certain_a of_o the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n theoph._n what_o a_o fault_n that_o be_v ●_o our_o certainty_n thereof_o may_v be_v perfect_o undoubted_a as_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v and_o i_o fear_v not_o to_o declare_v that_o i_o do_v not_o desire_v to_o be_v more_o undoubted_o assure_v that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o they_o perform_v such_o work_n and_o preach_v such_o doctrine_n as_o we_o have_v on_o record_n and_o that_o the_o book_n we_o call_v canonical_a be_v write_v by_o those_o who_o name_n they_o bear_v 206._o than_o i_o have_v cause_n to_o be_v and_o be_o that_o there_o be_v such_o great_a conqueror_n as_o alexander_n and_o julius_n caesar_n which_o yet_o live_v before_o our_o saviour_n or_o that_o those_o which_o pass_v for_o tully_n oration_n be_v real_o for_o the_o substance_n of_o they_o at_o least_o his_o which_o yet_o be_v elder_a than_o the_o gospel_n but_o for_o all_o that_o my_o certainty_n of_o these_o thing_n can_v be_v no_o more_o than_o moral_a yet_o i_o do_v notwithstanding_o no_o more_o doubt_n of_o they_o than_o i_o do_v of_o those_o thing_n that_o be_v plain_o object_v to_o my_o sense_n for_o i_o do_v not_o at_o all_o doubt_n of_o they_o and_o i_o shall_v be_v laugh_v at_o as_o a_o arrant_a fool_n if_o i_o do_v but_o shall_v i_o deny_v they_o i_o shall_v be_v think_v a_o madman_n by_o all_o wise_a people_n and_o yet_o let_v i_o tell_v you_o that_o we_o have_v from_o tradition_n a_o great_a certainty_n in_o some_o respect_n of_o most_o of_o those_o particular_n than_o we_o have_v of_o these_o for_o it_o have_v be_v the_o interest_n of_o many_o that_o those_o shall_v be_v false_a but_o so_o have_v it_o not_o be_v of_o any_o that_o these_o shall_v be_v so_o but_o the_o great_a enemy_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n have_v not_o so_o much_o as_o attempt_v to_o disprove_v those_o nay_o have_v take_v all_o for_o grant_v except_o one_o or_o two_o miracle_n philal._n i_o have_v but_o a_o moral_a assurance_n that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o city_n as_o rome_n or_o venice_n or_o that_o there_o be_v such_o person_n as_o queen_n elizabeth_n and_o king_n james_n yet_o i_o shall_v be_v a_o brute_n do_v i_o more_o question_n whether_o there_o be_v such_o city_n or_o be_v such_o person_n than_o i_o do_v whether_o there_o be_v such_o a_o place_n as_o london_n or_o bristol_n where_o i_o have_v several_a time_n be_v or_o whether_o there_o be_v such_o man_n as_o theophilus_n and_o philalethes_n theoph._n to_o be_v sure_a so_o you_o will_v well_o i_o wish_v that_o those_o man_n will_v show_v we_o a_o more_o certain_a way_n of_o conviction_n concern_v this_o matter_n of_o weighty_a importance_n and_o then_o see_v whether_o we_o will_v not_o with_o great_a thanks_o leave_v we_o for_o it_o but_o i_o fear_v i_o in_o stead_n of_o so_o do_v shall_v we_o give_v up_o ourselves_o to_o their_o conduct_n they_o will_v most_o sad_o bewilder_n we_o and_o in_o stead_n of_o settle_a and_o unshaken_a believer_n make_v mere_a sceptic_n of_o we_o or_o what_o be_v worse_o philal._n there_o be_v other_o itself_o theophilus_n that_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v sufficient_o able_a to_o convince_v man_n of_o its_o divine_a authority_n by_o the_o witness_n it_o can_v give_v to_o itself_o or_o to_o use_v their_o own_o metaphorical_a expression_n by_o the_o resplendency_n of_o its_o own_o light_n so_o that_o he_o do_v enough_o in_o order_n to_o his_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v god_n word_n that_o do_v but_o acquaint_v himself_o with_o the_o content_n thereof_o which_o i_o think_v follow_v from_o that_o opinion_n theoph._n if_o these_o understand_v what_o they_o say_v there_o be_v no_o difference_n betwixt_o they_o and_o we_o for_o the_o miracle_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n we_o prove_v the_o scripture_n authority_n by_o we_o fetch_v only_o out_o of_o the_o scripture_n themselves_o and_o therefore_o suppose_v we_o believe_v the_o matter_n of_o fact_n therein_o write_v we_o say_v as_o they_o do_v that_o we_o need_v no_o argument_n to_o prove_v they_o divine_a but_o what_o be_v therein_o include_v but_o if_o their_o meaning_n be_v as_o by_o their_o manner_n of_o express_v themselves_o one_o will_v think_v it_o shall_v that_o there_o be_v such_o a_o light_n in_o scripture_n as_o immediate_o operate_v upon_o man_n mind_n as_o proper_a light_n do_v on_o the_o optic_a nerve_n there_o can_v be_v nothing_o say_v more_o inconsiderate_o for_o man_n understanding_n can_v discern_v the_o truth_n of_o thing_n by_o immediate_a intuition_n but_o only_o in_o a_o discursive_a manner_n that_o be_v by_o such_o reason_n and_o argument_n as_o persuade_v to_o assent_v and_o beside_o if_o that_o be_v true_a not_o only_o what_o you_o conclude_v from_o thence_o be_v so_o also_o viz._n that_o it_o be_v enough_o in_o order_n to_o our_o believe_v it_o to_o acquaint_v our_o selus_fw-la with_o the_o content_n thereof_o but_o likewise_o that_o it_o be_v altogether_o impossible_a that_o any_o man_n shall_v read_v the_o scripture_n and_o not_o believe_v they_o suppose_v he_o be_v compos_fw-la mentis_fw-la and_o understand_v what_o he_o read_v but_o to_o convince_v we_o that_o this_o be_v not_o so_o i_o fear_v there_o be_v very_o many_o sad_a instance_n &_o have_v too_o good_a ground_n for_o my_o fear_n well_o philalethes_n it_o
believer_n and_o threaten_n of_o the_o most_o dismal_a punishment_n to_o those_o that_o shall_v persist_v in_o impenitence_n and_o unbelief_n etc._n etc._n philal._n you_o need_v say_v no_o more_o than_o you_o have_v do_v to_o make_v the_o christian_a a_o most_o incomparable_a religion_n but_o do_v you_o not_o say_v too_o much_o under_o the_o former_a head_n in_o affirm_v that_o therein_o be_v contain_v our_o whole_a duty_n so_o as_o that_o we_o need_v do_v no_o more_o than_o read_v the_o gospel_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o for_o there_o be_v very_o many_o moral_a case_n wherein_o man_n be_v force_v to_o use_v their_o reason_n to_o the_o utmost_a and_o also_o to_o call_v in_o the_o assistance_n of_o other_o man_n for_o the_o understanding_n of_o their_o duty_n in_o they_o theoph._n sure_o philalethes_n you_o can_v not_o think_v i_o so_o extreme_o weak_a as_o to_o mean_v by_o what_o i_o say_v that_o the_o scripture_n descend_v minutely_o to_o determine_v all_o possible_a case_n in_o particular_a for_o this_o can_v be_v do_v in_o book_n they_o be_v infinite_a and_o vary_v with_o man_n innumerable_a circumstance_n but_o this_o be_v my_o meaning_n that_o the_o particular_a duty_n man_n be_v constant_o oblige_v to_o be_v all_o plain_o there_o revel_v and_o in_o the_o most_o express_a term_n and_o i_o add_v that_o there_o be_v also_o general_a rule_n lay_v down_o whereby_o all_o emergent_a case_n may_v be_v determine_v and_o such_o as_o ordinary_o occur_v at_o least_o for_o the_o most_o part_n with_o the_o great_a ease_n but_o to_o go_v on_o etc._n to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v nothing_o require_v but_o what_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o our_o rational_a faculty_n tend_v as_o much_o to_o magnify_v god_n goodness_n to_o we_o and_o to_o commend_v the_o gospel_n as_o any_o thing_n that_o can_v be_v say_v and_o shall_v it_o consist_v much_o of_o perfect_o new_a precept_n which_o the_o world_n can_v never_o before_o so_o much_o as_o once_o have_v dream_v of_o or_o of_o any_o thing_n like_o to_o they_o and_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o which_o can_v not_o be_v at_o all_o or_o not_o without_o great_a difficulty_n apprehend_v it_o will_v be_v exceed_o less_o easy_a to_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v a_o religion_n send_v from_o god_n than_o now_o it_o be_v this_o also_o make_v it_o a_o religion_n as_o easy_a to_o be_v practise_v by_o mankind_n as_o can_v be_v for_o all_o the_o duty_n wherein_o consist_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o must_v have_v continue_v to_o oblige_v we_o whether_o they_o be_v therein_o express_v or_o no._n from_o what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o be_v most_o manifest_a that_o while_o we_o continue_v to_o be_v man_n they_o can_v cease_v to_o be_v our_o duty_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o other_o precept_n the_o gospel_n may_v have_v consist_v of_o they_o will_v have_v be_v a_o addition_n to_o our_o burden_n and_o we_o may_v be_v hereby_o convince_v that_o god_n design_n in_o give_v we_o the_o gospel_n be_v pure_o our_o own_o good_a see_v the_o imposition_n wherein_o as_o i_o say_v consist_v the_o substance_n of_o it_o be_v but_o just_a so_o many_o as_o obedience_n to_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o themselves_o consider_v much_o more_o than_o to_o the_o qualify_a of_o we_o for_o the_o full_a enjoyment_n of_o himself_o in_o blessedness_n and_o the_o rest_n be_v enjoin_v only_o as_o help_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o obey_v they_o philal._n belief_n but_o do_v those_o preacher_n content_v themselves_o to_o show_v that_o the_o duty_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v very_o reasonable_a i_o have_v be_v inform_v that_o they_o rise_v high_o in_o this_o attempt_n and_o that_o sometime_o they_o undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n and_o even_o the_o most_o mysterious_a too_o be_v so_o and_o endeavour_v to_o level_v they_o with_o man_n shallow_a capacity_n theoph._n this_o philalethes_n be_v partly_o true_a and_o partly_o as_o false_a it_o be_v in_o a_o sense_n true_a that_o they_o have_v prove_v sometime_o that_o all_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n be_v reasonable_a that_o be_v consistent_a with_o reason_n so_o that_o we_o can_v have_v no_o temptation_n to_o disbelieve_v any_o they_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o contrariety_n to_o the_o innate_a and_o natural_a notion_n of_o our_o mind_n they_o some_o of_o they_o at_o least_o endeavour_v to_o convince_v their_o auditor_n that_o our_o saviour_n have_v not_o impose_v upon_o our_o faculty_n in_o require_v our_o assent_n to_o contradiction_n that_o he_o put_v not_o his_o disciple_n as_o his_o pretend_a vicegerent_n do_v his_o proselyte_n upon_o offer_v violence_n to_o their_o understanding_n in_o any_o thing_n as_o a_o matter_n of_o faith_n propose_v by_o he_o philal._n this_o be_v no_o more_o in_o my_o opinion_n than_o be_v necessary_a for_o man_n to_o know_v for_o though_o our_o best_a reason_n can_v never_o have_v prove_v to_o we_o divers_a gospel-truth_n have_v they_o not_o be_v revel_v yet_o they_o be_v revel_v there_o be_v nothing_o sure_o in_o they_o that_o right_o understand_v sound_v so_o harsh_o but_o that_o our_o reason_n may_v admit_v of_o it_o and_o close_o with_o it_o but_o do_v they_o not_o as_o i_o say_v i_o have_v hear_v go_v about_o to_o bring_v down_o all_o such_o point_n to_o man_n capacity_n capacity_n theoph._n that_o be_v you_o assure_v be_v a_o notorious_a calumny_n for_o they_o only_o say_v that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v all_o such_o as_o we_o may_v be_v able_a to_o make_v sense_n of_o and_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o they_o that_o be_v opposite_a to_o our_o reason_n religion_n but_o they_o most_o free_o acknowledge_v that_o there_o be_v such_o mystery_n as_o be_v so_o sublime_a as_o much_o to_o exceed_v our_o apprehension_n and_o that_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v comprehend_v by_o the_o most_o rational_a person_n and_o this_o acknowledgement_n they_o have_v well_o prove_v be_v no_o disparagement_n to_o our_o saviour_n religion_n but_o rather_o procure_v to_o it_o the_o great_a veneration_n there_o be_v no_o wise_a man_n but_o will_v willing_o confess_v that_o there_o be_v even_o in_o nature_n innumerable_a thing_n which_o he_o know_v to_o be_v but_o yet_o be_v not_o able_a to_o imagine_v how_o they_o be_v and_o that_o his_o very_a sense_n do_v assure_v he_o of_o many_o such_o thing_n as_o no_o faculty_n of_o he_o can_v give_v he_o a_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o philal._n i_o have_v often_o think_v it_o to_o be_v very_o fit_a that_o there_o shall_v be_v some_o such_o point_n in_o our_o religion_n as_o be_v not_o comprehensible_a and_o adequate_a object_n of_o our_o understanding_n that_o so_o as_o we_o be_v to_o take_v occasion_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o doctrine_n that_o god_n have_v make_v facile_a and_o adapt_v to_o our_o understanding_n to_o admire_v his_o gracious_a condescension_n so_o from_o the_o consideration_n of_o those_o which_o we_o find_v surpass_v our_o reach_n we_o may_v no_o less_o adore_v his_o wisdom_n but_o theophilus_n do_v those_o divine_n ever_o undertake_v to_o demonstrate_v the_o consistency_n of_o some_o mysterious_a point_n with_o our_o reason_n as_o they_o be_v by_o the_o schoolman_n and_o other_o over_o subtle_a gentleman_n make_v out_o theoph._n no_o i_o hope_v you_o think_v they_o wise_a man_n than_o to_o adventure_v upon_o a_o task_n so_o desperate_a they_o consider_v those_o point_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n only_o and_o not_o as_o dress_v up_o with_o the_o metaphysical_a subtlety_n of_o wanton_a wit_n who_o have_v be_v so_o far_o from_o do_v service_n to_o those_o doctrine_n that_o they_o have_v render_v they_o much_o more_o doubtful_a to_o many_o inquisitive_a person_n and_o such_o as_o be_v not_o easy_o impose_v upon_o by_o confident_a say_n and_o great_a name_n philal._n but_o now_o it_o come_v to_o my_o mind_n reason_n i_o be_o confident_a i_o have_v be_v tell_v by_o some_o of_o their_o good_a friend_n that_o they_o assert_v more_o concern_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o speculative_a doctrine_n of_o christianity_n than_o that_o they_o be_v only_o not_o inconsistent_a with_o reason_n but_o moreover_o that_o they_o be_v very_o suitable_a to_o it_o dictate_v theoph._n i_o thank_v you_o for_o help_v my_o memory_n in_o this_o as_o well_o as_o in_o many_o other_o particular_n your_o information_n be_v very_o true_a as_o to_o many_o of_o the_o weighty_a point_n reason_n and_o there_o be_v no_o wise_a man_n but_o will_v assert_v the_o same_o for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o the_o heathen_n have_v a_o notion_n of_o they_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v say_v to_o be_v bring_v to_o light_v by_o the_o gospel_n i._n e._n to_o give_v mankind_n full_a satisfaction_n in_o that_o article_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o sole_a prerogative_n of_o
the_o gospel_n our_o saviour_n have_v give_v a_o sensible_a demonstration_n of_o it_o by_o his_o own_o resurrection_n and_o ascension_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o plain_a term_n preach_v it_o now_o you_o need_v not_o be_v tell_v that_o several_a of_o the_o learned_a heathen_n have_v by_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o humane_a soul_n make_v that_o doctrine_n high_o probable_a and_o that_o even_o the_o more_o brutish_a sort_n of_o they_o have_v general_o if_o not_o universal_o a_o sense_n of_o a_o life_n to_o come_v you_o know_v also_o that_o the_o doctrine_n of_o a_o day_n of_o judgement_n they_o be_v no_o stranger_n to_o justin_n martyr_n true_o tell_v the_o greek_n in_o his_o oration_n to_o they_o that_o not_o only_o the_o prophet_n and_o other_o divine_a person_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n but_o also_o those_o that_o be_v account_v wise_a among_o the_o heathen_n both_o the_o poet_n and_o philosopher_n do_v acknowledge_v a_o judgement_n to_o come_v after_o death_n and_o their_o poet_n tell_v we_o of_o three_o person_n who_o office_n it_o be_v to_o judge_v man_n in_o the_o other_o world_n viz._n minos_n rhadamanthus_n and_o aeacus_n and_o man_n be_v adjudge_v to_o reward_n and_o punishment_n in_o the_o other_o suitable_a to_o their_o action_n in_o this_o world_n be_v a_o doctrine_n that_o accompany_v that_o other_o and_o as_o general_o receive_v nor_o be_v you_o ignorant_a what_o excellent_a discourse_n divers_a of_o the_o philosopher_n have_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o true_a happiness_n the_o forementioned_a justin_n say_v that_o it_o seem_v probable_a to_o he_o that_o plato_n have_v entertain_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n but_o i_o must_v leave_v he_o there_o because_o i_o find_v that_o he_o give_v a_o insufficient_a reason_n for_o that_o conjecture_n nay_o even_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n be_v as_o to_o the_o substance_n of_o it_o embrace_v by_o the_o pythagoraean_n and_o platonist_n several_a other_o instance_n of_o this_o nature_n may_v be_v produce_v and_o there_o be_v other_o particular_n i_o may_v present_v you_o with_o of_o notion_n the_o heathen_n have_v resemble_v several_a other_o doctrine_n revel_v in_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v not_o less_o general_o know_v than_o the_o forementioned_a as_o they_o hold_v a_o doctrine_n somewhat_o like_o that_o of_o the_o divine_a conception_n of_o our_o saviour_n for_o it_o be_v their_o opinion_n that_o divers_a of_o their_o eminent_a benefactor_n be_v bear_v of_o more_o than_o humane_a race_n and_o that_o they_o be_v ex_fw-la stirpe_fw-la deorum_fw-la and_o according_o give_v divine_a honour_n to_o they_o their_o sacrifice_v of_o man_n for_o the_o atone_a of_o their_o god_n show_v that_o they_o believe_v what_o be_v somewhat_o of_o kin_n to_o the_o doctrine_n of_o satisfaction_n or_o christ_n reconcile_n we_o to_o god_n by_o offer_v himself_o up_o as_o a_o propitiatory_a sacrifice_n as_o grotius_n among_o other_o have_v full_o show_v in_o his_o book_n of_o satisfaction_n they_o have_v another_o opinion_n that_o bear_v resemblance_n to_o our_o saviour_n mediatorship_n for_o they_o hold_v the_o intercession_n of_o daemon_n of_o which_o mr_n mede_n have_v discourse_v in_o his_o apostasy_n of_o the_o late_a time_n and_o i_o find_v that_o celsus_n call_v our_o saviour_n the_o christian_n daemon_n philal._n by_o these_o instance_n it_o shall_v seem_v that_o the_o heathen_n do_v of_o their_o own_o accord_n give_v credit_n to_o as_o strange_a doctrine_n as_o any_o our_o saviour_n require_v our_o belief_n of_o and_o that_o several_a of_o the_o strange_a of_o they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o sound_v like_o uncouth_a and_o absurd_a one_o that_o they_o be_v rather_o gratification_n of_o the_o natural_a propension_n of_o mankind_n theoph._n that_o the_o learned_a dr._n more_o have_v well_o observe_v in_o his_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n though_o no_o question_n the_o father_n do_v upon_o good_a ground_n conclude_v that_o the_o heathen_n receive_v many_o notion_n from_o the_o jew_n and_o some_o from_o a_o more_o ancient_a tradition_n and_o therefore_o we_o have_v no_o cause_n to_o judge_v that_o all_o the_o foremention_v be_v the_o product_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n yet_o that_o make_v not_o at_o all_o against_o the_o assertion_n that_o occasion_v these_o instance_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a clear_o prove_v it_o for_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o many_o of_o the_o weighty_a point_n of_o mere_a belief_n may_v be_v certain_o conclude_v from_o principle_n of_o reason_n or_o that_o without_o the_o help_n of_o revelation_n man_n may_v have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o but_o that_o they_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n mind_n be_v revel_v and_o several_a of_o they_o very_o take_v too_o which_o appear_v by_o the_o heathen_n be_v so_o tenacious_a of_o some_o and_o so_o ready_o catch_v at_o other_o upon_o the_o first_o news_n of_o they_o philal._n i_o give_v you_o my_o hearty_a thanks_o theophilus_n for_o the_o full_a satisfaction_n you_o have_v give_v i_o concern_v those_o friend_n of_o we_o endeavour_v to_o persuade_v man_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o christianity_n which_o do_v much_o add_v to_o my_o esteem_n of_o they_o though_o i_o know_v many_o be_v offend_v with_o they_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o by_o way_n of_o contempt_n call_v they_o the_o rational_a preacher_n for_o this_o subject_n be_v most_o necessary_a to_o be_v handle_v in_o this_o our_o age_n especial_o wherein_o atheism_n and_o irreligion_n be_v to_o the_o grief_n of_o all_o good_a man_n get_v into_o the_o principle_n as_o well_o as_o practice_n of_o very_a many_o and_o i_o hope_v that_o i_o shall_v be_v better_a able_a for_o the_o future_a to_o vindicate_v they_o than_o i_o have_v be_v when_o i_o hear_v they_o reproach_v for_o bring_v so_o much_o reason_n into_o point_n of_o faith_n i_o must_v desire_v you_o now_o to_o proceed_v to_o inform_v i_o of_o other_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o their_o preach_v most_o worthy_a of_o observation_n theoph._n i_o think_v it_o not_o amiss_o preach_v philalethes_n to_o let_v you_o understand_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o they_o affect_v not_o bombast_n word_n trifle_v strain_n of_o wit_n foolish_a quibble_n and_o make_v pretty_a sport_n with_o letter_n and_o syllable_n in_o their_o preach_a but_o despise_v those_o do_n as_o pedantic_a and_o unmanly_a but_o on_o the_o contrary_a they_o use_v a_o style_n that_o be_v very_a grave_n and_o no_o less_o significant_a philal._n this_o undoubted_o must_v needs_o be_v best_o please_v to_o the_o more_o understand_a part_n of_o our_o congregation_n and_o to_o all_o incomparable_o most_o profitable_a as_o much_o as_o that_o pretty_a toy_n be_v cry_v up_o by_o many_o as_o a_o most_o rare_a accomplishment_n and_o conciliate_n to_o the_o most_o dextrous_a in_o that_o knack_n the_o repute_n of_o the_o able_a preacher_n and_o make_v they_o great_o plausible_a theoph._n but_o certain_o it_o can_v do_v so_o among_o none_o but_o very_o little-souled_a and_o childish_a people_n and_o such_o as_o who_o judgement_n in_o sermon_n no_o wise_a man_n will_v make_v any_o account_n of_o i_o will_v add_v also_o intelligible_a that_o it_o be_v their_o endeavour_n to_o make_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o easy_a and_o intelligible_a as_o well_o they_o may_v wherein_o none_o have_v be_v more_o successful_a they_o be_v far_o from_o those_o man_n untoward_a genius_n gospel_n that_o delight_n to_o exercise_v their_o wit_n in_o find_v out_o mystical_a and_o cabalistical_a sense_n in_o the_o plain_a part_n of_o scripture_n and_o in_o turn_v every_o thing_n almost_o into_o allegory_n philal._n i_o be_o great_o apt_a to_o fear_v that_o those_o man_n be_v far_o from_o be_v hearty_a friend_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o religion_n and_o that_o some_o not_o dare_v open_o to_o decry_v the_o gospel_n take_v this_o course_n to_o undermine_v it_o and_o to_o make_v a_o mere_a trifle_n of_o it_o theoph._n they_o give_v we_o great_a cause_n for_o such_o a_o suspicion_n observe_v moreover_o that_o those_o preacher_n be_v no_o less_o averse_a to_o their_o temper_n such_o who_o most_o admire_a that_o which_o they_o least_o understand_v and_o think_v there_o be_v very_o little_a in_o that_o which_o be_v quick_o intelligible_a please_v themselves_o exceed_o with_o make_v mystery_n of_o the_o easy_a point_n of_o faith_n and_o such_o mystery_n too_o as_o they_o tell_v we_o no_o man_n though_o he_o be_v master_n of_o never_o so_o clear_a a_o reason_n can_v have_v a_o insight_n into_o without_o the_o special_a illumination_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n that_o because_o the_o apostle_n say_v great_a be_v the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n will_v make_v every_o thing_n so_o that_o the_o gospel_n have_v revel_v and_o that_o so_o high_a as_o be_v now_o say_v whereas_o in_o those_o word_n s._n paul_n mean_v no_o more_o than_o
theoph._n when_o we_o can_v put_v a_o favourable_a construction_n upon_o our_o brother_n fault_n and_o not_o offer_v overgreat_a violence_n to_o our_o own_o reason_n we_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o and_o to_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o proceed_v rather_o from_o infirmity_n than_o from_o a_o principle_n of_o immorality_n but_o yet_o philalethes_n i_o will_v not_o have_v you_o take_v i_o to_o be_v more_o charitable_a than_o i_o be_o for_o though_o i_o will_v not_o conclude_v those_o censorious_a people_n to_o be_v all_o hypocrite_n yet_o i_o dare_v confident_o pronounce_v they_o at_o best_a but_o of_o the_o low_a form_n in_o christ_n school_n as_o great_a attainment_n as_o they_o may_v be_v think_v to_o be_v arrive_v at_o by_o man_n of_o great_a honesty_n than_o understanding_n philal._n but_o we_o have_v forget_v our_o business_n all_o this_o while_n theoph._n you_o do_v well_o to_o mind_v i_o of_o it_o you_o expect_v philalethes_n that_o i_o shall_v vindicate_v those_o friend_n of_o we_o and_o all_o that_o be_v of_o their_o mind_n in_o the_o point_n in_o hand_n from_o oppose_v free_a grace_n and_o hold_v the_o popish_a doctrine_n of_o justification_n by_o work_n they_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v guilty_a in_o these_o particular_n that_o i_o be_o amaze_v at_o their_o ignorance_n that_o say_v they_o be_v upon_o such_o slight_a ground_n or_o rather_o upon_o none_o at_o all_o nor_o do_v i_o think_v that_o a_o easy_a task_n can_v be_v impose_v on_o any_o man_n grace_n that_o have_v but_o a_o competent_a understanding_n of_o our_o saviour_n gospel_n than_o to_o clear_v the_o forego_n account_n of_o faith_n justify_v from_o those_o hateful_a sequels_fw-fr for_o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o that_o doctrine_n be_v a_o enemy_n to_o free_a grace_n i_o may_v ask_v those_o that_o pretend_v so_o how_o justification_n be_v free_a see_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o believe_v in_o their_o sense_n in_o order_n to_o it_o they_o must_v at_o least_o acknowledge_v that_o if_o not_o so_o much_o as_o that_o lazy_a faith_n of_o they_o be_v requisite_a it_o will_v be_v so_o much_o the_o free_a philal._n but_o the_o antinomian_o will_v tell_v you_o that_o they_o make_v no_o faith_n at_o all_o nor_o any_o thing_n else_o necessary_a or_o requisite_a to_o their_o justification_n and_o that_o their_o faith_n consist_v in_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v already_o justify_v and_o that_o they_o be_v so_o before_o they_o be_v bear_v too_o nay_o as_o be_v say_v that_o their_o justification_n be_v as_o old_a as_o god_n himself_o for_o he_o can_v be_v but_o from_o eternity_n theoph._n i_o confess_v these_o blade_n be_v swing_a assertor_n of_o the_o freeness_n of_o their_o justification_n and_o therefore_o the_o question_n i_o now_o ask_v be_v nothing_o to_o they_o but_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o signify_v something_o to_o the_o second_o sort_n i_o tell_v you_o of_o and_o that_o be_v get_v about_o one_o little_a remove_n from_o formal_a antinomian_o but_o i_o say_v moreover_o that_o such_o a_o faith_n as_o that_o we_o have_v describe_v be_v absolute_o necessary_a in_o it_o self_n to_o make_v we_o capable_a of_o that_o privilege_n and_o meet_v object_n of_o god_n grace_n will_v they_o say_v that_o the_o king_n pardon_v a_o notorious_a traitor_n be_v ever_o the_o less_o free_a because_o that_o as_o far_o as_o he_o can_v judge_v of_o his_o heart_n he_o look_v on_o he_o as_o a_o person_n that_o be_v resolve_v to_o become_v for_o the_o future_a a_o loyal_a subject_n methinks_v they_o shall_v not_o and_o that_o for_o this_o reason_n because_o such_o a_o purpose_n be_v but_o necessary_a to_o qualify_v he_o for_o a_o pardon_n it_o be_v a_o act_n of_o great_a fondness_n and_o folly_n than_o of_o grace_n and_o goodness_n to_o forgive_v a_o offender_n that_o obstinate_o persist_v in_o his_o disobedience_n or_o suppose_v his_o majesty_n shall_v confer_v upon_o one_o of_o they_o a_o honourable_a office_n in_o his_o court_n will_v he_o say_v he_o buy_v it_o or_o that_o it_o be_v not_o free_o bestow_v upon_o he_o because_o his_o majesty_n require_v that_o before_o his_o investiture_n and_o admission_n into_o it_o he_o shall_v learn_v good_a breed_n and_o how_o to_o behave_v himself_o in_o such_o a_o place_n sure_o he_o will_v not_o and_o that_o for_o the_o already-mentioned_n reason_n this_o he_o can_v not_o but_o know_v be_v no_o more_o than_o necessary_a to_o be_v enjoin_v he_o for_o otherwise_o he_o can_v not_o be_v at_o all_o fit_a for_o the_o office_n and_o the_o king_n will_v great_o disparage_v his_o wisdom_n in_o make_v such_o a_o choice_n and_o as_o little_a cause_n have_v any_o to_o imagine_v that_o to_o assert_v that_o god_n will_v pardon_v and_o receive_v into_o special_a favour_n none_o but_o such_o as_o so_o believe_v as_o to_o be_v hearty_o willing_a to_o obey_v his_o son_n gospel_n be_v to_o derogate_v from_o the_o freeness_n of_o his_o grace_n beside_o that_o glory_n and_o blessedness_n which_o consist_v in_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o god_n in_o the_o other_o world_n which_o be_v the_o consequent_a of_o justification_n can_v be_v enjoy_v by_o a_o wicked_a man_n the_o joy_n of_o heaven_n be_v of_o so_o spiritual_a a_o nature_n that_o carnal_a soul_n be_v as_o uncapable_a of_o they_o as_o be_v beast_n of_o the_o intellectual_a delight_n of_o man_n they_o be_v only_o the_o pure_a in_o heart_n that_o can_v as_o well_o as_o that_o shall_v see_v god_n heathen_n will_v teach_v we_o this_o doctrine_n if_o we_o be_v to_o learn_v it_o much_o less_o then_o in_o the_o three_o place_n be_v this_o doctrine_n of_o a_o work_a faith_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o our_o justification_n at_o all_o a_o lessen_v of_o the_o freeness_n of_o god_n grace_n when_o as_o those_o that_o preach_v it_o do_v withal_o assert_v that_o this_o faith_n be_v god_n own_o gift_n a_o grace_n of_o his_o bless_a spirit_n they_o say_v indeed_o and_o that_o most_o true_o that_o we_o be_v to_o use_v the_o mean_n appoint_v we_o by_o he_o for_o the_o obtain_n of_o it_o but_o they_o tell_v their_o hearer_n also_o that_o it_o must_v come_v from_o god_n if_o they_o ever_o have_v it_o can_v we_o work_v this_o faith_n in_o our_o selus_fw-la and_o stand_v in_o no_o need_n of_o the_o divine_a assistance_n consider_v what_o have_v be_v say_v it_o will_v make_v our_o justification_n to_o be_v never_o the_o less_o free_a much_o less_o reason_n than_o be_v there_o that_o those_o shall_v be_v charge_v with_o make_v it_o otherwise_o that_o preach_v that_o doctrine_n of_o faith_n be_v the_o condition_n of_o justification_n when_o they_o declare_v that_o the_o power_n whereby_o we_o perform_v that_o condition_n come_v from_o god_n philal._n i_o be_o sure_a that_o i_o have_v no_o power_n to_o invent_v any_o one_o reply_n by_o way_n of_o objection_n theoph._n well_o then_o we_o will_v to_o their_o next_o cavil_v namely_o that_o to_o hold_v this_o doctrine_n be_v to_o maintain_v justification_n by_o work_n which_o be_v indeed_o the_o same_o in_o their_o sense_n with_o the_o former_a but_o it_o be_v fit_v it_o shall_v be_v distinct_o speak_v to_o because_o s._n paul_n in_o his_o epistle_n especial_o to_o the_o roman_n and_o galatian_n do_v so_o often_o deny_v work_n to_o have_v a_o influence_n into_o justification_n and_o be_v find_v oppose_v they_o one_o while_n to_o grace_n and_o another_o while_n to_o faith_n as_o to_o this_o matter_n i_o can_v stand_v to_o cite_v the_o particular_a place_n but_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o follow_a thing_n will_v enable_v any_o man_n to_o reconcile_v they_o with_o this_o doctrine_n at_o the_o first_o sight_n of_o they_o 1._o by_o the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n sense_n whereby_o the_o apostle_n say_v that_o man_n can_v be_v justify_v we_o be_v frequent_o to_o understand_v those_o of_o the_o jewish_a law_n their_o external_n rite_n and_o observance_n and_o so_o they_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v in_o most_o if_o not_o all_o the_o place_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n and_o by_o the_o understanding_n of_o that_o one_o thing_n that_o epistle_n may_v with_o ease_n be_v defend_v from_o patronise_a the_o antinomian_a doctrine_n the_o chief_a design_n of_o which_o as_o be_v most_o apparent_a be_v to_o vindicate_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n from_o the_o judaical_a yoke_n which_o be_v by_o the_o judaize_v galatian_n convert_v impose_v upon_o the_o christian_a gentile_n as_o absolute_o and_o indispensable_o necessary_a be_v like_a to_o prove_v a_o mighty_a obstacle_n to_o the_o progress_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o they_o 2._o in_o some_o other_o place_n by_o work_n be_v mean_v absolute_o perfect_a and_o altogether_o faultless_a one_o and_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o as_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n can_v nor_o ever_o can_v justify_v by_o reason_n of_o its_o own_o weakness_n
to_o affect_v to_o be_v man_n of_o great_a power_n and_o knowledge_n but_o to_o be_v most_o holy_a and_o righteous_a love_a and_o merciful_a in_o a_o word_n the_o new_a testament_n i_o be_o sure_a give_v the_o most_o amiable_a account_n imaginable_a of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o so_o do_v the_o old_a too_o even_o when_o god_n appear_v in_o the_o most_o frightful_a form_n do_v he_o proclaim_v himself_o the_o lord_n the_o lord_n god_n gracious_a and_o merciful_a pardon_v iniquity_n transgression_n and_o sin_n and_o though_o it_o follow_v that_o he_o will_v in_o no_o wise_a clear_a the_o guilty_a i._n e._n the_o impenitent_a yet_o that_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o his_o goodness_n that_o it_o be_v a_o far_a declaration_n of_o it_o for_o otherwise_o he_o will_v not_o have_v that_o part_n thereof_o that_o be_v call_v righteousness_n he_o be_v there_o represent_v as_o a_o god_n good_a to_o all_o and_o who_o mercy_n be_v over_o all_o his_o work_n as_o a_o god_n who_o way_n be_v all_o just_a and_o right_a and_o who_o soul_n abominate_v all_o evil_a it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a long_a work_n to_o go_v over_o all_o the_o place_n where_o we_o find_v such_o account_n of_o god_n as_o these_o be_v and_o it_o will_v find_v we_o employment_n i_o believe_v for_o some_o day_n theoph._n how_o dear_o do_v i_o love_v you_o philalethes_n for_o the_o most_o worthy_a conception_n that_o i_o perceive_v you_o have_v lodge_v in_o your_o soul_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n it_o be_v pity_n methinks_v that_o you_o and_o i_o be_v not_o namesake_n i_o love_v you_o very_o sincere_o since_o my_o first_o knowledge_n of_o you_o but_o now_o passionate_o and_o i_o will_v no_o long_o account_v you_o my_o friend_n only_o but_o you_o shall_v be_v my_o dear_a brother_n and_o my_o second_o self_n too_o for_o the_o future_a philal._n how_o do_v you_o transport_v i_o theophilus_n with_o these_o almost_o rapturous_a expression_n of_o affection_n but_o i_o can_v understand_v how_o i_o have_v deserve_v they_o by_o any_o thing_n i_o have_v now_o say_v doubtless_o there_o be_v no_o christian_a no_o nor_o any_o theist_n neither_o but_o will_v say_v the_o same_o and_o though_o i_o prefer_v your_o name_n before_o my_o own_o yet_o be_v i_o give_v i_o for_o nought_o if_o i_o do_v not_o thus_o speak_v of_o god_n for_o then_o to_o be_v sure_a i_o can_v make_v no_o pretence_n to_o be_v a_o friend_n to_o truth_n theoph._n but_o you_o speak_v what_o i_o now_o hear_v from_o you_o with_o such_o a_o impetus_fw-la as_o be_v a_o demonstration_n to_o i_o that_o you_o have_v a_o most_o quick_a and_o deep_a sense_n of_o what_o you_o say_v and_o that_o you_o be_v infinite_o concern_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v true_a philal._n but_o i_o pray_v sir_n answer_v i_o be_v there_o any_o christian_n that_o dare_v deny_v this_o nay_o that_o will_v not_o most_o hearty_o acknowledge_v it_o theoph._n true_o philalethes_n i_o dare_v not_o say_v there_o be_v but_o i_o dare_v say_v this_o that_o there_o be_v too_o too_o many_o that_o will_v speak_v such_o thing_n of_o god_n as_o most_o apparent_o contradict_v it_o philal._n will_v to_o god_n you_o have_v no_o ground_n for_o this_o assertion_n but_o i_o know_v to_o my_o frequent_a great_a trouble_n that_o there_o be_v too_o good_a ground_n for_o it_o and_o that_o some_o who_o i_o can_v but_o hope_n be_v sincere_o good_a man_n do_v with_o great_a and_o mighty_a zeal_n defend_v such_o opinion_n as_o be_v in_o my_o judgement_n no_o less_o contrary_a to_o the_o goodness_n and_o holiness_n of_o god_n nature_n than_o the_o thick_a darkness_n to_o the_o clear_a light_n theoph._n we_o must_v not_o by_o any_o mean_n they_o i_o be_o more_o and_o more_o convince_v charge_v the_o consequence_n of_o opinion_n upon_o all_o those_o that_o hold_v they_o for_o there_o be_v nothing_o i_o have_v a_o clear_a perception_n of_o than_o that_o the_o notion_n of_o some_o who_o i_o very_o persuade_v myself_o be_v pious_a christian_n and_o very_o true_a lover_n of_o god_n and_o goodness_n do_v immediate_o tend_v to_o rob_v god_n of_o his_o goodness_n in_o which_o word_n i_o imply_v all_o his_o moral_a perfection_n and_o to_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o impiety_n and_o irreligion_n philal._n i_o know_v the_o notion_n you_o chief_o mean_v be_v misery_n the_o make_n of_o man_n sin_n and_o consequent_a misery_n the_o unavoidable_a effect_n of_o god_n decree_n theoph._n you_o can_v not_o well_o miss_v of_o my_o meaning_n nor_o i_o of_o you_o these_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v principal_o in_o both_o our_o thought_n and_o i_o must_v tell_v you_o that_o the_o divine_n we_o be_v discourse_v of_o do_v set_v themselves_o against_o both_o these_o in_o good_a earnest_n and_o they_o profess_v that_o they_o do_v so_o for_o no_o other_o reason_n than_o because_o they_o have_v a_o most_o clear_a sense_n of_o the_o mischievous_a effect_n of_o they_o philal._n but_o do_v all_o those_o that_o hold_v that_o god_n do_v absolute_o predetermine_v man_n to_o eternal_a misery_n make_v he_o absolute_o to_o decree_v man_n sin_n too_o in_o order_n to_o it_o i_o think_v they_o do_v not_o theoph._n no_o there_o be_v many_o that_o assert_v the_o one_o that_o no_o less_o deny_v the_o other_o separate_v but_o i_o confess_v i_o do_v not_o understand_v how_o they_o can_v for_o if_o man_n be_v by_o god_n avoidable_a and_o absolute_o determine_v to_o the_o end_n he_o must_v do_v more_o than_o decree_n bare_o to_o permit_v the_o mean_n for_o they_o must_v necessary_o sin_n that_o god_n absolute_a decree_n may_v infallible_o take_v effect_n which_o it_o be_v possible_a it_o may_v not_o if_o they_o be_v only_o permit_v and_o not_o necessitate_v thereunto_o for_o then_o mankind_n may_v have_v never_o fall_v philal._n i_o wonder_v that_o all_o shall_v not_o see_v this_o but_o theophilus_n why_o shall_v those_o that_o maintain_v that_o desperate_a doctrine_n of_o god_n absolute_a decree_a man_n sin_n be_v so_o rich_a as_o not_o to_o acknowledge_v he_o the_o author_n also_o of_o they_o theoph._n i_o do_v not_o see_v that_o they_o need_v be_v so_o and_o therefore_o there_o be_v those_o of_o they_o that_o be_v not_o and_o that_o tell_v we_o that_o to_o boggle_v at_o acknowledge_v god_n the_o author_n of_o sin_n be_v to_o fear_v where_o no_o fear_n be_v philal._n i_o will_v for_o my_o part_n be_v a_o atheist_n before_o i_o will_v imagine_v such_o a_o monstrous_a thing_n of_o god_n theoph._n and_o less_o you_o will_v dishonour_v he_o in_o be_v so_o for_o as_o plutarch_n say_v i_o have_v rather_o posterity_n will_v say_v there_o be_v never_o such_o a_o one_o as_o plutarch_n than_o that_o he_o be_v a_o unjust_a and_o vicious_a person_n so_o it_o be_v more_o dishonourable_a to_o the_o infinite_o just_a and_o holy_a god_n to_o assert_v that_o he_o be_v the_o author_n of_o sin_n than_o to_o say_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o philal._n but_o that_o doctrine_n with_o its_o appendant_a will_v in_o my_o opinion_n not_o only_o make_v he_o the_o first_o cause_n of_o man_n being_n sinner_n but_o also_o to_o set_v man_n the_o worst_a example_n to_o encourage_v they_o still_o in_o sin_v which_o be_v so_o horrid_a that_o i_o even_o quake_v to_o express_v it_o theoph._n i_o guess_v whereabout_o you_o be_v philalethes_n those_o doctrine_n make_v their_o defender_n to_o assert_v that_o there_o be_v two_o will_n in_o god_n whereof_o of_o one_o be_v perfect_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o follow_v viz._n his_o secret_a and_o revel_v will_n and_o though_o he_o profess_v kindness_n to_o all_o man_n and_o say_v nay_o and_o swear_v too_o that_o he_o will_v not_o the_o death_n of_o sinner_n themselves_o but_o have_v rather_o they_o will_v turn_v from_o their_o wickedness_n and_o live_v yet_o according_a to_o those_o doctrine_n this_o be_v but_o a_o declaration_n of_o his_o voluntas_fw-la signi_fw-la the_o plain_a english_a of_o which_o phrase_n be_v this_o a_o mere_a copy_n of_o his_o countenance_n the_o like_a to_o which_o shall_v one_o assert_v concern_v any_o one_o of_o those_o that_o talk_v after_o this_o rate_n i_o be_o sure_a he_o will_v take_v it_o in_o great_a disdain_n and_o think_v himself_o not_o a_o little_a reproach_v philal._n from_o thence_o it_o follow_v too_o plain_o also_o that_o god_n give_v law_n to_o the_o generality_n to_o the_o very_a intent_n that_o they_o may_v break_v they_o and_o so_o aggravate_v their_o condemnation_n notwithstanding_o that_o he_o profess_v even_o a_o passionate_a desire_n that_o man_n will_v observe_v they_o and_o so_o be_v make_v happy_a and_o by_o this_o mean_n most_o man_n obligation_n to_o god_n for_o the_o many_o temporal_a mercy_n they_o receive_v from_o he_o be_v quite_o strike_v off_o and_o make_v to_o be_v no_o
be_v forbid_v be_v now_o call_v wickedness_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n make_v it_o holiness_n but_o if_o this_o do_v not_o raze_v and_o overturn_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o religion_n no_o opinion_n in_o the_o world_n tend_v so_o to_o do_v philal._n if_o abraham_n be_v of_o that_o mind_n he_o strange_o forget_v himself_o when_o he_o say_v to_o his_o maker_n shall_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o all_o the_o earth_n do_v right_a and_o whether_o he_o be_v of_o that_o mind_n or_o no_o if_o the_o doctrine_n be_v true_a he_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o monstrously-absurd_a impertinence_n in_o so_o say_v and_o yet_o which_o be_v more_o strange_a he_o have_v no_o check_n for_o it_o theoph._n nay_o do_v not_o god_n himself_o appeal_v to_o man_n innate_a notion_n and_o so_o confute_v that_o doctrine_n when_o he_o say_v to_o the_o rebellious_a jew_n be_v not_o my_o way_n equal_a and_o your_o way_n unequal_a can_v those_o man_n think_v that_o he_o only_o mean_v be_v not_o my_o way_n such_o as_o i_o please_v to_o fancy_v and_o you_o such_o as_o it_o be_v my_o pleasure_n to_o dislike_v who_o will_v dare_v to_o fix_v such_o a_o expostulation_n as_o that_o on_o the_o infinitely-wise_a god_n philal._n well_o i_o be_o clear_o sensible_a that_o nothing_o revel_v by_o god_n can_v possible_o contradict_v those_o principle_n that_o be_v impress_v in_o as_o i_o think_v indelible_a character_n upon_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o therefore_o whatsoever_o place_n may_v seem_v to_o speak_v man_n being_n necessitate_v to_o be_v either_o sinner_n or_o miserable_a must_v be_v understand_v in_o another_o sense_n especial_o see_v that_o god_n have_v so_o often_o declare_v that_o man_n ruin_n be_v of_o themselves_o and_o that_o their_o help_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o he_o and_o that_o he_o will_v not_o their_o death_n but_o the_o contrary_a and_o therefore_o much_o less_o can_v he_o will_v their_o sin_n as_o he_o have_v also_o as_o plain_o as_o can_v be_v declare_v and_o moreover_o afford_v they_o mean_n whereby_o they_o may_v obtain_v happiness_n which_o who_o will_v not_o say_v that_o all_o that_o enjoy_v they_o be_v great_o behold_v to_o god_n for_o and_o express_v his_o grace_n and_o good_a will_n to_o they_o all_o without_o any_o exception_n theoph._n you_o have_v put_v i_o in_o mind_n of_o a_o passage_n i_o have_v meet_v with_o in_o a_o sermon_n of_o a_o most_o pious_a and_o learned_a divine_a now_o in_o heaven_n which_o when_o i_o read_v it_o do_v great_o affect_v i_o it_o be_v this_o consider_v impartial_o with_o your_o selus_fw-la what_o a_o unreasonable_a horrible_a thing_n it_o be_v see_v there_o be_v so_o many_o several_a frequent_a expression_n of_o god_n general_a love_n and_o gracious_a favour_n to_o mankind_n enforce_v and_o strengthen_v with_o such_o protestation_n and_o solemn_a oath_n that_o the_o cunning_a linguist_n of_o you_o all_o can_v in_o your_o whole_a life_n study_v conceive_v or_o frame_v expression_n more_o full_a and_o satisfactory_a i_o say_v be_v it_o not_o desperate_a madness_n for_o a_o man_n to_o show_v such_o hatred_n and_o abomination_n at_o the_o comfortable_a and_o gracious_a promise_n of_o god_n that_o he_o can_v be_v content_a to_o spend_v almost_o his_o whole_a age_n in_o contrive_v and_o hunt_v after_o interpretation_n utter_o contradict_v and_o destroy_v the_o plain_a apparent_a sense_n of_o those_o scripture_n and_o will_v be_v glad_a and_o hearty_o comfort_v to_o hear_v tiding_n of_o a_o new-found-out_a gloss_n to_o pervert_v and_o rack_n and_o torment_v god_n holy_a word_n philal._n methinks_v this_o passage_n shall_v affect_v any_o good_a man_n but_o theophilus_n what_o shall_v induce_v so_o many_o to_o be_v lead_v by_o a_o few_o scripture_n against_o such_o a_o torrent_n of_o other_o to_o cry_v up_o such_o strange_a doctrine_n theoph._n you_o love_v to_o ask_v i_o question_n which_o you_o can_v answer_v as_o well_o yourself_o you_o know_v they_o pretend_v that_o this_o be_v the_o only_a way_n to_o advance_v god_n grace_n in_o man_n conversion_n and_o salvation_n way_n and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v the_o only_a motive_n that_o prevail_v with_o all_o the_o true_o good_a man_n among_o they_o to_o go_v that_o way_n it_o sound_v as_o harsh_a in_o many_o at_o least_o of_o their_o ear_n as_o it_o do_v in_o we_o as_o i_o have_v great_a reason_n to_o be_v assure_v and_o calvin_n himself_o in_o the_o 608_o page_n of_o his_o institution_n call_v absolute_a reprobation_n horribile_fw-la decretum_fw-la and_o the_o precedent_n of_o the_o synod_n at_o dort_n say_v it_o be_v materia_fw-la odiosa_fw-la and_o therefore_o declare_v to_o the_o remonstrant_n that_o that_o controversy_n shall_v be_v wave_v and_o say_v that_o they_o will_v only_o hear_v their_o argument_n against_o absolute_a election_n for_o that_o be_v materia_fw-la suavis_fw-la as_o i_o find_v in_o their_o letter_n call_v epistolae_fw-la ecclesiasticae_fw-la etc._n etc._n i_o say_v it_o be_v very_o harsh_a doctrine_n to_o many_o of_o they_o as_o well_o as_o to_o we_o but_o because_o they_o can_v otherwise_v than_o by_o admit_v it_o magnify_v as_o they_o think_v they_o ought_v the_o divine_a grace_n to_o god_n elect_v they_o force_v themselves_o to_o swallow_v the_o bitter_a pill_n as_o much_o as_o their_o stomach_n nauseate_a it_o and_o therefore_o as_o those_o that_o drink_v down_o loathsome_a potion_n stop_v their_o nose_n so_o do_v these_o their_o ear_n to_o the_o clamour_n of_o their_o own_o reason_n against_o it_o and_o will_v not_o sedate_o advert_v to_o but_o violent_o suppress_v the_o natural_a dictate_v of_o their_o understanding_n have_v you_o not_o several_a time_n observe_v that_o the_o good-natured_a people_n of_o that_o way_n complain_v more_o than_o other_o of_o blasphemous_a thought_n i_o be_o sure_a i_o have_v and_o have_v find_v when_o i_o have_v discourse_v with_o they_o that_o this_o doctrine_n be_v the_o occasion_n of_o they_o so_o that_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o their_o reason_n or_o innate_a sense_n of_o their_o soul_n call_v it_o which_o you_o please_v suggest_v to_o they_o the_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o it_o which_o they_o will_v fain_o believe_v to_o be_v the_o devil_n temptation_n philal._n but_o dont_fw-fr you_o believe_v that_o the_o man_n of_o this_o opinion_n be_v also_o induce_v to_o it_o because_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o interpret_v in_o any_o other_o sense_n those_o place_n of_o scripture_n that_o seem_v to_o make_v for_o it_o theoph._n i_o do_v not_o think_v that_o the_o learned_a man_n be_v for_o i_o can_v imagine_v that_o those_o shall_v think_v that_o such_o scripture_n be_v unintelligible_a in_o any_o other_o sense_n than_o that_o they_o understand_v they_o in_o that_o know_v how_o few_o and_o therefore_o how_o ambiguous_a the_o original_a word_n of_o the_o hebrew_n tongue_n be_v as_o also_o that_o there_o be_v different_a sense_n of_o the_o same_o verb_n in_o several_a conjugation_n and_o that_o there_o be_v strange_a idiom_n and_o propriety_n of_o speech_n in_o that_o language_n which_o be_v also_o imitate_v in_o the_o greek_a testament_n and_o last_o that_o the_o occasion_n of_o several_a passage_n do_v frequent_o make_v another_o sense_n necessary_a to_o be_v impose_v on_o they_o from_o that_o which_o at_o first_o sight_n and_o consider_v they_o simple_o and_o absolute_o and_o as_o entire_a proposition_n without_o relation_n to_o any_o other_o thing_n offer_v itself_o philal._n i_o have_v sometime_o think_v that_o those_o need_n never_o despair_v of_o understand_v the_o place_n they_o produce_v to_o serve_v their_o hypothesis_n in_o a_o different_a sense_n from_o that_o they_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o who_o can_v invent_v a_o figure_n to_o make_v all_o man_n nay_o and_o every_o man_n too_o to_o signify_v but_o some_o few_o and_o can_v reconcile_v i_o will_v not_o the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n with_o i_o desire_v the_o death_n of_o most_o sinner_n and_o he_o will_v have_v all_o man_n to_o be_v save_v with_o he_o will_v have_v the_o generality_n of_o man_n to_o be_v damn_v and_o many_o the_o like_a proposition_n which_o sound_v in_o my_o ear_n as_o contradictory_n one_o to_o the_o other_o as_o any_o i_o have_v ever_o hear_v or_o can_v invent_v so_o that_o theophilus_n it_o must_v needs_o be_v as_o you_o say_v their_o desire_n to_o magnify_v god_n grace_n to_o the_o elect_n that_o alone_o prevail_v with_o those_o of_o they_o that_o be_v good-natured_a &_o truly-pious_a people_n to_o go_v that_o way_n but_o yet_o i_o wonder_v that_o they_o shall_v no_o more_o consider_v that_o to_o magnify_v god_n grace_n to_o some_o few_o so_o as_o to_o deny_v it_o to_o all_o other_o and_o so_o to_o advance_v his_o mercy_n as_o to_o rob_v he_o of_o his_o holiness_n truth_n and_o justice_n be_v to_o take_v ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o from_o he_o than_o be_v give_v thereby_o to_o he_o theoph._n
it_o theoph._n but_o philalethes_n those_o that_o will_v have_v the_o apostle_n to_o design_n in_o those_o verse_n the_o prove_v of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o absolute_a reprobation_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o it_o how_o beside_o the_o purpose_n do_v they_o make_v he_o in_o this_o verse_n to_o conclude_v that_o discourse_n philal._n it_o will_v have_v be_v a_o thousand_o time_n more_o pertinent_a to_o such_o a_o design_n for_o he_o thus_o to_o say_v what_o if_o god_n willing_a to_o declare_v his_o sovereignty_n be_v please_v from_o eternity_n to_o determine_v concern_v you_o that_o you_o shall_v be_v unavoidable_o damn_v and_o to_o make_v you_o for_o that_o very_a end_n notwithstanding_o all_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n he_o have_v afford_v to_o you_o which_o of_o you_o dare_v therefore_o to_o say_v or_o think_v that_o he_o be_v too_o hardly_o deal_v with_o or_o can_v complain_v upon_o that_o account_n theoph._n ay_o well_o say_v this_o will_v be_v to_o the_o purpose_n with_o a_o witness_n but_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n there_o be_v no_o such_o talk_n as_o this_o in_o all_o the_o bible_n philal._n but_o give_v i_o leave_v to_o offer_v to_o you_o another_o interpretation_n of_o the_o 19_o and_o 20_o verse_n verse_n why_o do_v he_o yet_o find_v fault_n for_o who_o have_v resist_v his_o will_n i._o e._n why_o do_v he_o now_o find_v fault_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d may_v be_v so_o render_v for_o it_o signify_v jam_fw-la as_o well_o as_o adhuc_fw-la for_o who_o have_v disobey_v his_o law_n why_o be_v he_o so_o angry_a with_o we_o and_o resolve_v so_o severe_o to_o punish_v we_o for_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o refuse_v obedience_n to_o his_o law_n that_o it_o be_v only_o our_o zeal_n for_o that_o which_o make_v we_o reject_v your_o christian_a religion_n then_o say_v the_o apostle_n nay_o but_o o_o man_n who_o be_v thou_o that_o reply_v against_o god_n shall_v the_o thing_n form_v etc._n etc._n i_o e._n you_o may_v be_v ashamed_a of_o that_o saucy_a and_o profane_a answer_n for_o may_v not_o god_n your_o creator_n impose_v what_o law_n he_o please_v on_o you_o be_v he_o bind_v never_o to_o abrogate_v the_o law_n give_v by_o moses_n to_o you_o and_o to_o require_v your_o obedience_n to_o no_o other_o and_o then_o it_o follow_v have_v not_o the_o potter_n power_n over_o the_o clay_n etc._n etc._n and_o therefore_o why_o may_v not_o god_n for_o your_o obstinate_a disobedience_n to_o his_o son_n jesus_n as_o zealous_a as_o you_o be_v for_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n of_o a_o glorious_a nation_n dignify_v with_o extraordinary_a privilege_n make_v a_o base_a and_o contemptible_a people_n of_o you_o and_o continue_v in_o unbelief_n make_v your_o condition_n far_o worse_o too_o in_o the_o other_o world_n as_o well_o as_o the_o potter_n when_o he_o find_v a_o piece_n of_o clay_n untractable_a so_o that_o it_o will_v not_o be_v make_v a_o fine_a vessel_n do_v make_v a_o courser_n and_o one_o for_o a_o mean_a use_n of_o it_o theoph._n this_o exposition_n of_o you_o be_v ingenious_a and_o for_o aught_o i_o know_v the_o true_a if_o either_o there_o can_v be_v find_v a_o good_a connexion_n between_o the_o 22_o verse_n and_o those_o so_o interpret_v or_o the_o 22_o verse_n be_v relate_v not_o so_o much_o to_o these_o as_o to_o the_o 18_o verse_n philal._n but_o whatsoever_o meaning_n the_o apostle_n have_v in_o some_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n the_o often_o i_o read_v it_o the_o more_o be_o i_o convince_v that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o syllable_n of_o any_o such_o doctrine_n as_o that_o you_o have_v be_v disprove_v to_o be_v find_v there_o and_o that_o he_o say_v nothing_o to_o prove_v either_o esau_n or_o his_o posterity_n to_o be_v put_v into_o a_o desperate_a condition_n by_o god_n decree_n concern_v their_o eternal_a state_n but_o only_o that_o the_o seed_n of_o jacob_n be_v distinguish_v from_o that_o of_o esau_n by_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o far_o great_a privilege_n in_o this_o world_n nor_o that_o he_o assert_v any_o other_o reprobation_n of_o the_o jew_n than_o that_o which_o their_o wilful_a rejection_n of_o the_o messiah_n and_o his_o gospel_n be_v the_o cause_n of_o theoph._n no_o nor_o yet_o as_o i_o say_v do_v the_o apostle_n say_v that_o they_o be_v in_o a_o hopeless_a condition_n as_o to_o their_o eternal_a salvation_n notwithstanding_o their_o unbelief_n but_o only_o that_o upon_o this_o account_n god_n have_v pass_v a_o irreversible_a decree_n for_o the_o rejection_n of_o they_o consider_v as_o a_o nation_n for_o the_o conversion_n of_o any_o particular_a person_n among_o they_o be_v not_o assert_v to_o be_v absolute_o impossible_a but_o all_o that_o may_v be_v prove_v from_o any_o of_o his_o word_n be_v that_o god_n purpose_n to_o cast_v they_o off_o so_o far_o as_o that_o they_o shall_v be_v no_o more_o a_o distinct_a nation_n or_o body_n politic_a be_v unchangeable_a philal._n i_o have_v be_v often_o tell_v that_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n be_v not_o so_o eagle-eyed_a as_o to_o espy_v that_o doctrine_n either_o in_o this_o chapter_n nor_o yet_o elsewhere_o theoph._n several_a nay_o most_o of_o they_o most_o plain_o i_o assure_v you_o contradict_v it_o in_o their_o write_n in_o the_o plain_a expression_n as_o i_o be_o prepare_v to_o show_v you_o at_o large_a whensoever_o you_o shall_v please_v to_o desire_v i_o concomitant_n and_o this_o be_v so_o true_a that_o you_o know_v they_o be_v suspect_v by_o many_o of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v since_o their_o day_n call_v pelagianism_n though_o without_o sufficient_a ground_n if_o at_o least_o the_o pelagian_a doctrine_n be_v what_o it_o be_v now_o common_o represent_v to_o be_v but_o it_o be_v not_o certain_o know_v what_o it_o be_v philal._n this_o alone_a be_v almost_o a_o demonstration_n to_o i_o that_o the_o apostle_n never_o preach_v this_o doctrine_n for_o those_o father_n live_v so_o near_o their_o day_n it_o be_v not_o easy_o conceivable_a how_o they_o shall_v so_o unanimous_o concur_v in_o mistake_v their_o sense_n they_o be_v in_o far_o better_a circumstance_n to_o understand_v it_o than_o we_o that_o be_v at_o such_o a_o distance_n from_o they_o theoph._n but_o how_o be_v it_o imaginable_a then_o that_o they_o shall_v run_v so_o soon_o from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o as_o they_o must_v have_v do_v if_o the_o forementioned_a suspicion_n of_o some_o be_v true_a but_o however_o i_o can_v by_o no_o mean_n understand_v how_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o those_o father_n of_o the_o church_n that_o almost_o immediate_o succeed_v the_o apostle_n shall_v in_o such_o a_o point_n as_o this_o which_o be_v pretend_v to_o be_v so_o clear_o reveal_v depart_v from_o they_o justin_n martyr_n write_v his_o apology_n for_o the_o christian_n but_o fifty_o year_n after_o st_n john_n death_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o apology_n itself_o i_o mean_v that_o write_v to_o the_o emperor_n senate_n and_o people_n of_o rome_n for_o therein_o he_o tell_v they_o that_o it_o be_v now_o one_o hundred_o and_o fifty_o year_n since_o christ_n nativity_n and_o st_n john_n die_v according_a to_o both_o eusebius_n and_o st_n hierom_n sixty_o eight_o year_n after_o his_o passion_n and_o therefore_o a_o 1000_o or_o 101_o after_o his_o birth_n now_o justin_n in_o several_a of_o his_o undoubted_a book_n express_o contradict_v that_o doctrine_n and_o so_o he_o do_v particular_o in_o his_o first_o apology_n viz._n that_o to_o antoninus_n pius_n which_o the_o forementioned_a eusebius_n and_o st_n hierom_n say_v be_v the_o first_o though_o it_o be_v set_v in_o the_o second_o place_n the_o like_a also_o do_v athenag●ras_n who_o be_v iustin_n equal_a and_o irenaeus_n frequent_o who_o be_v scholar_n to_o polycarpus_n who_o be_v scholar_n to_o st_n john_n the_o evangelist_n and_o i_o can_v give_v you_o many_o more_o instance_n as_o tatianus_n tertullian_n clemens_n alexandrinus_n origen_n etc._n etc._n but_o that_o this_o be_v a_o most_o plain_a and_o confess_v case_n philal._n this_o doctrine_n as_o it_o have_v of_o late_a year_n be_v state_v as_o i_o have_v be_v inform_v be_v never_o know_v till_o fourteen_o hundred_o year_n after_o our_o saviour_n birth_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n theoph._n but_o i_o assure_v you_o philalethes_n whosoever_o tell_v you_o so_o misinform_v you_o for_o that_o which_o be_v as_o like_a to_o it_o as_o a_o egg_n be_v to_o a_o egg_n or_o milk_n to_o milk_n be_v hold_v and_o teach_v in_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n philal._n you_o seem_v now_o to_o contradict_v what_o you_o last_o say_v theoph._n no_o but_o i_o do_v not_o philal._n by_o who_o be_v it_o teach_v then_o theoph._n by_o the_o old_a gnostic_n it_o as_o you_o will_v see_v if_o you_o consult_v irenaeus_n and_o origen_n philocalia_n where_o you_o have_v they_o urge_v the_o very_a same_o
none_o better_o confute_v then_o by_o these_o man_n vi_o that_o preach_v some_o of_o their_o adversary_n doctrine_n may_v render_v they_o too_o well_o deserve_v that_o character_n in_o the_o judgement_n of_o over-critical_a person_n vii_o another_o argument_n that_o they_o be_v abuse_v viii_o theophilus_n undertake_v impartial_o to_o represent_v they_o ix_o of_o their_o practice_n x._o of_o their_o conformity_n to_o the_o ecclesiastical_a law_n xi_o the_o unreasonableness_n of_o censure_a man_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o conformity_n xii_o of_o their_o conversation_n xiii_o of_o their_o preach_v fourteen_o of_o their_o preach_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o christian_a precept_n xv._n of_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n xvi_o 1_o cor._n 2._o 14._o consider_v xvii_o one_o advantage_n that_o be_v get_v by_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o christian_a duty_n xviii_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n necessary_a to_o accompany_v that_o of_o miracle_n to_o prove_v its_o divine_a authority_n xix_o of_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o scripture_n xx._n theophilus_n his_o opinion_n concern_v the_o inward_a testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n xxi_o the_o believe_v of_o divine_a thing_n a_o divine_a faith_n whatever_o the_o motive_n thereunto_o be_v xxii_o of_o moral_a certainty_n see_v the_o learned_a dr._n still_v fleet_v excellent_a answer_n to_o the_o lo._n archbp_n of_o canterbury_n adversary_n p._n 206._o xxiii_o of_o the_o scripture_n bear_v testimony_n to_o itself_o xxiv_o a_o second_o advantage_n get_v by_o demonstrate_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n xxv_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v high_o reasonable_a xxvi_o a_o description_n of_o reason_n xxvii_o the_o first_o proposition_n show_v in_o what_o sense_n the_o precept_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v reasonable_a with_o a_o brief_a demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n p_o 22._o xxviii_o the_o design_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n xxix_o the_o second_o proposition_n xxx_o a_o more_o particular_a demonstration_n of_o the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o gospel-precept_n xxxi_o almost_o all_o the_o duty_n enjoin_v in_o the_o gospel_n commend_v by_o heathen_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n p._n 26._o xxxii_o those_o vindicate_v from_o make_v the_o gospel_n but_o little_a better_o than_o a_o mere_a natural_a religion_n that_o assert_v that_o reason_n alone_o be_v able_a to_o prompt_v to_o we_o most_o of_o the_o duty_n therein_o enjoin_v xxxiii_o wherein_o the_o gospel_n exceli_v all_o other_o religion_n xxxiv_o to_o say_v that_o what_o the_o gospel_n require_v be_v most_o suitable_a to_o reason_n be_v high_o to_o commend_v it_o etc._n etc._n xxxv_o of_o their_o preach_v the_o reasonableness_n of_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n xxxvi_o all_o the_o point_n of_o mere_a belief_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o reason_n sometime_o prove_v by_o they_o xxxvii_o that_o they_o do_v not_o endeavour_v to_o level_v all_o such_o point_n with_o man_n capacity_n xxxviii_o that_o they_o acknowledge_v incomprehensible_a mystery_n in_o the_o christian_a religion_n thirty-nine_o that_o they_o prove_v the_o consistency_n of_o such_o point_n with_o reason_n as_o they_o be_v deliver_v in_o scripture_n only_o xl._o that_o they_o assert_v many_o speculative_a point_n to_o be_v also_o suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n xli_o a_o argument_n draw_v from_o notion_n of_o the_o heathen_n to_o prove_v the_o most_o weighty_a point_n of_o faith_n suitable_a to_o the_o dictate_v of_o reason_n xlii_o of_o their_o style_n in_o preach_v xliii_o of_o their_o make_v doctrine_n intelligible_a xliv_o a_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o be_v obscurer_n of_o the_o gospel_n xlv_o another_o sort_n of_o such_o xlvi_o of_o the_o perspicuity_n of_o scripture_n xlvii_o their_o opinion_n of_o powerful_a preach_v xlviii_o of_o carnal_a and_o spiritual_a reason_n xlix_o a_o far_a account_n of_o their_o preach_v l._n of_o their_o be_v accuse_v of_o preach_v up_o only_o a_o moral_a righteousness_n li._n in_o what_o sense_n they_o do_v not_o so_o and_o in_o what_o sense_n they_o do_v lii_o no_o difference_n betwixt_o evangelical_n righteousness_n and_o that_o which_o be_v in_o the_o best_a sense_n moral_a liii_o to_o work_v in_o we_o such_o a_o moral_a righteousness_n the_o design_n of_o the_o gospel_n liv._o a_o righteousness_n in_o no_o sense_n moral_a a_o contradiction_n lv._o of_o imputative_a righteousness_n and_o in_o what_o sense_n they_o believe_v and_o preach_v it_o lvi_o their_o notion_n of_o christ_n impute_a righteousness_n lvii_o a_o false_a notion_n of_o it_o lviii_o the_o first_o mistake_n in_o that_o notion_n lix_n the_o second_o mistake_n lx._n a_o false_a definition_n of_o faith_n they_o confute_v in_o their_o preach_v preface_n to_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n p._n 27._o lxi_o christ_n impute_a righteousness_n no_o scripturephrase_n lxii_o some_o verse_n in_o the_o four_o to_o the_o roman_n consider_v lxiii_o s._n james_n 2._o 23._o consider_v lxiv_o philippian_n 3._o 9_o consider_v lxv_o as_o high_a a_o favour_n to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o if_o we_o be_v perfect_o righteous_a as_o to_o be_v so_o esteem_v dr._n cudworth_n in_o his_o serm_n preach_v at_o lincoln_n inn_n lxvi_o the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o the_o antinomian_a doctrine_n about_o impute_a righteousness_n rom._n 4._o 5._o lxvii_o the_o antinomian_o opinion_n of_o sin_n lxviii_o theophilus_n his_o charity_n for_o some_o antinomian_o lxix_o a_o defective_a definition_n of_o faith_n that_o those_o divine_n preach_v against_o and_o the_o ill_a consequence_n of_o it_o lxx_o a_o full_a definition_n of_o faith_n ill_o apply_v to_o the_o business_n of_o justify_v lxxi_o a_o full_a and_o plain_a definition_n of_o faith_n use_v by_o those_o preacher_n lxxii_o of_o that_o doctrine_n of_o those_o preacher_n that_o faith_n justify_v as_o it_o imply_v obedience_n lxxiii_o a_o argument_n to_o prove_v that_o faith_n justify_v as_o it_o receiu_v christ_n quâ_fw-la lord_n as_o well_o as_o quâ_fw-la saviour_n lxxiv_o the_o act_n of_o receive_v christ_n quâ_fw-la lord_n to_o go_v before_o that_o of_o receive_v he_o quâ_fw-la priest_n lxxv_o how_o faith_n be_v distinguish_v from_o repentance_n and_o other_o virtue_n in_o the_o business_n of_o justification_n lxxvi_o why_o justification_n be_v most_o ascribe_v to_o faith_n lxxvii_o two_o acceptation_n of_o the_o word_n faith_n lxxviii_o the_o virtue_n of_o faith_n various_o express_v in_o scripture_n lxxix_o how_o faith_n justify_v lxxx_o the_o covenant_n of_o grace_n conditional_a lxxxi_o heb._n 8._o 10._o consider_v lxxxii_o man_n not_o without_o all_o power_n to_o cooperate_v with_o god_n grace_n in_o their_o conversion_n lxxxiii_o a_o middle_a way_n to_o be_v take_v in_o give_v account_n of_o man_n conversion_n lxxxiv_o faith_n the_o condition_n of_o the_o new_a covenant_n lxxxv_o of_o their_o be_v accuse_v for_o the_o forego_n doctrine_n as_o hold_v justification_n by_o work_n and_o enemy_n to_o god_n grace_n lxxxvi_o a_o digression_n concern_v censure_a man_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o their_o opinion_n lxxxvii_o a_o vindication_n of_o the_o forego_n account_n of_o faith_n justify_v from_o be_v opposite_a to_o free_a grace_n lxxxviii_o a_o vindication_n of_o that_o doctrine_n from_o assert_v justification_n by_o work_n in_o s._n paul_n sense_n lxxxix_o by_o work_n when_o oppose_v to_o grace_n or_o faith_n new_a obedience_n never_o mean_v xc_o no_o crime_n to_o hold_v justification_n by_o work_n in_o s._n james_n his_o sense_n xci_o s._n paul_n language_n not_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o s._n james_n he_o i._o a_o more_o distinct_a account_n of_o their_o opinion_n ii_o of_o their_o judgement_n in_o doctrinal_n iii_o in_o what_o sense_n the_o church_n of_o england_n impose_v subscription_n to_o the_o 39_o article_n iv._o the_o lord_n primate_n of_o ireland_n his_o testimony_n v._o what_o doctrine_n they_o most_o endeavour_n to_o confute_v vi_o philalethes_n his_o representation_n of_o god_n nature_n vii_o consequence_n of_o opinion_n not_o to_o be_v charge_v on_o all_o those_o that_o hold_v they_o viii_o that_o they_o set_v themselves_o against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o god_n absolute_a decree_a man_n sin_n and_o misery_n ix_o that_o those_o two_o be_v not_o to_o be_v separate_v x._o that_o those_o doctrine_n make_v their_o defender_n assert_v two_o will_n in_o in_o god_n and_o the_o one_o contrary_a to_o the_o other_o by_o which_o mean_v other_o sad_a consequence_n also_o follow_v xi_o of_o oppose_a god_n secret_a to_o he_o revel_v will_n xii_o that_o we_o must_v resolve_v to_o believe_v nothing_o at_o all_o if_o we_o may_v believe_v nothing_o against_o which_o we_o can_v answer_v all_o objection_n xiii_o that_o the_o forementioned_a doctrine_n evident_o contradict_v our_o natural_a notion_n fourteen_o which_o be_v the_o safe_a course_n in_o
reconcile_a seem_o contradictory_n scripture_n xv._n theophilus_n can_v believe_v no_o sense_n of_o scripture_n that_o do_v contradict_v self-evident_a notion_n xvi_o of_o that_o opinion_n that_o whatsoever_o god_n do_v be_v therefore_o good_a and_o just_a because_o he_o do_v it_o xvii_o what_o be_v the_o motive_n induce_v the_o good_a man_n of_o that_o persuasion_n to_o go_v that_o way_n xviii_o those_o divine_v middle_a way_n between_o the_o calvinist_n and_o remonstrants_n xix_o this_o way_n propose_v by_o catharinus_n at_o the_o council_n of_o trent_n xx._n how_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o this_o way_n for_o some_o age_n have_v few_o friend_n xxi_o this_o way_n a_o great_a ease_n to_o theophilus_n his_o mind_n xxii_o philalethes_n no_o less_o beholden_a to_o it_o which_o cause_v theophilus_n to_o ask_v he_o some_o question_n xxiii_o of_o freewill_n xxiv_o of_o the_o state_n of_o the_o heathen_n xxv_o that_o god_n have_v way_n though_o they_o may_v be_v perfect_o unknown_a to_o we_o to_o clear_v the_o justice_n &_o goodness_n of_o his_o deal_n with_o all_o mankind_n xxvi_o whether_o what_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v to_o defend_v that_o middle_a way_n tend_v to_o encourage_v security_n etc._n etc._n xxvii_o that_o the_o doctrine_n discourse_v against_o do_v a_o world_n of_o mischief_n xxviii_o the_o test_n by_o which_o theophilus_n examine_v controvert_v point_n xxix_o of_o the_o great_a obscurity_n of_o s._n paul_n style_n in_o many_o place_n and_o the_o cause_n of_o it_o xxx_o a_o paraphrase_n upon_o several_a verse_n in_o the_o nine_o to_o the_o roman_n xxxi_o how_o god_n be_v say_v to_o harden_v sinner_n xxxii_o philalethes_n offer_v another_o interpretation_n of_o the_o 19_o &_o 20_o verse_n xxxiii_o that_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n be_v enemy_n to_o absolute_a reprobation_n with_o its_o concomitant_n xxxiv_o that_o the_o old_a gnostic_n be_v great_a friend_n to_o it_o xxxv_o mr_n joseph_n mede_n his_o judgement_n concern_v this_o point_n xxxvi_o the_o church_n of_o england_n no_o favourer_n of_o it_o xxxvii_o the_o moderation_n of_o those_o divine_n in_o other_o matter_n of_o controversy_n which_o theophilus_n have_v not_o time_n to_o insist_v upon_o very_o remarkable_a xxxviii_o none_o more_o dislike_v by_o they_o than_o the_o monopolizer_n of_o truth_n to_o a_o party_n thirty-nine_o infallibility_n in_o the_o best_a of_o man_n or_o church_n deny_v by_o they_o xl._o of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n and_o those_o protestant_n that_o seem_v to_o be_v stickler_n for_o it_o xli_o of_o acquiesce_v in_o the_o four_o first_o ecumenical_a council_n xlii_o what_o respect_n be_v due_a to_o council_n xliii_o the_o church_n of_o england_n sense_n of_o general_n council_n xliv_o the_o determination_n of_o our_o own_o church_n not_o to_o be_v oppose_v in_o matter_n disputable_a xlv_o a_o argument_n that_o christ_n intend_v we_o no_o infallible_a judge_n of_o controversy_n xlvi_o private_a christian_n promise_v infallibility_n in_o the_o same_o sense_n that_o the_o church_n representative_a have_v the_o promise_n of_o it_o xlvii_o of_o disputacity_n xlviii_o of_o friendly_a dispute_n xlix_o the_o way_n to_o peace_n l._n the_o mischief_n of_o contend_v for_o a_o infallible_a judge_n li._n force_v other_o to_o be_v of_o ●●r_fw-fr mind_n tyrannical_a lii_o to_o condemn_v man_n for_o dissent_v from_o we_o unwarrantable_a liii_o of_o those_o divine_n candour_n towards_o dissenter_n from_o they_o liv._o of_o mr._n chilingworth_n book_n lv._o of_o their_o opinion_n concern_v fundamental_o and_o that_o they_o be_v not_o forward_o to_o give_v a_o catalogue_n of_o they_o lvi_o the_o use_n of_o the_o forego_n principle_n lvii_o that_o those_o divine_n procure_v to_o themselves_o enemy_n of_o divers_a sort_n by_o their_o endeavour_n to_o propagate_v those_o principle_n i._o their_o judgement_n in_o matter_n of_o discipline_n ii_o that_o they_o prefer_v episcopacy_n to_o all_o other_o form_n of_o church_n government_n iii_o how_o much_o essential_a to_o episcopacy_n iv._o that_o they_o unchurch_n not_o those_o church_n that_o will_v not_o admit_v it_o though_o they_o think_v it_o desirable_a that_o all_o will_v v._o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n in_o sacred_a affair_n vi_o that_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n have_v a_o power_n both_o legislative_a and_o judiciary_n in_o ecclesiastical_a affair_n vii_o their_o opinion_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n viii_o that_o they_o believe_v magistrate_n be_v to_o be_v obey_v when_o they_o command_v thing_n inconvenient_a if_o lawful_a lawful_a ix_o that_o they_o judge_v it_o unlawful_a for_o the_o people_n to_o take_v arm_n against_o their_o prince_n on_o any_o pretence_n x._o that_o they_o be_v for_o show_v favour_n to_o dissenter_n out_o of_o conscience_n xi_o who_o they_o conceive_v be_v not_o to_o be_v deal_v with_o as_o man_n of_o tender_a conscience_n xii_o theophilus_n presume_v that_o they_o will_v be_v glad_a if_o some_o thing_n that_o most_o offend_v be_v remove_v xiii_o philalethes_n his_o opinion_n upon_o the_o whole_a account_n fourteen_o why_o the_o bigot_n of_o the_o several_a party_n be_v most_o their_o enemy_n xv._n that_o it_o be_v pity_v there_o shall_v be_v any_o distinction_n of_o name_n between_o they_o and_o the_o moderate_a man_n of_o some_o party_n xvi_o what_o name_v they_o only_o desire_v to_o be_v know_v by_o xvii_o that_o their_o temper_n and_o free_a principle_n be_v of_o no_o late_a stand_n etc._n etc._n xviii_o why_o the_o pharisee_n can_v not_o endure_v our_o saviour_n xix_o when_o the_o temper_n and_o spirit_n that_o have_v be_v describe_v begin_v to_o decay_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n xx._n the_o pope_n behold_v to_o the_o decay_n thereof_o for_o his_o power_n xxi_o that_o it_o be_v much_o revive_v in_o the_o protestant_a church_n though_o the_o generality_n be_v still_o great_o defective_a in_o it_o it_o xxii_o if_o the_o invisible_a antichrist_n be_v once_o fall_v the_o visible_a one_o will_v quick_o follow_v it_o xxiii_o the_o conclusion_n