38._o of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n have_v establish_v its_o place_n by_o his_o decree_n and_o set_v barrs_n and_o door_n before_o it_o and_o say_v to_o it_o hitherto_o shall_v thy_o proud_a wave_n come_v and_o no_o far_o which_o observation_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o convexity_n or_o roundness_n of_o the_o surface_n of_o those_o water_n in_o respect_n of_o which_o as_o the_o psalmist_n natural_o express_v it_o they_o stand_v upon_o a_o heap_n a_o heap_n as_o miraculous_a be_v it_o not_o more_o common_a as_o that_o the_o israelite_n pass_v through_o in_o the_o red_a sea_n for_o in_o this_o heap_n the_o water_n be_v bind_v up_o that_o as_o the_o psalmist_n express_v it_o they_o turn_v not_o again_o to_o cover_v the_o earth_n which_o by_o the_o common_a law_n of_o motion_n they_o otherwise_o must_v necessary_o do_v and_o pour_v in_o upon_o every_o shore_n a_o deluge_n instead_o of_o a_o tide_n reason_n uninform_v by_o experience_n of_o this_o state_n of_o thing_n can_v not_o 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observation_n that_o what_o we_o will_v willing_o have_v we_o easy_o believe_v and_o let_v any_o one_o assign_v a_o cause_n why_o most_o man_n shall_v think_v so_o particular_o concern_v themselves_o concern_v their_o own_o talent_n property_n and_o opinion_n so_o that_o no_o in_o different_a by-stander_n be_v able_a to_o think_v the_o same_o if_o it_o be_v not_o this_o that_o fondness_n can_v carry_v it_o above_o reason_n and_o where_o affection_n take_v place_n their_o judgement_n become_v partial_a and_o blind_a and_o prone_o seducible_a and_o as_o will_n have_v such_o a_o influence_n upon_o our_o belief_n so_o be_v sure_a it_o have_v the_o same_o upon_o our_o not_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o cause_n assignable_a for_o our_o not_o believe_v many_o thing_n so_o eminent_a as_o this_o that_o we_o be_v not_o willing_a to_o believe_v they_o we_o refuse_v our_o assent_n as_o often_o for_o want_v of_o inclination_n as_o we_o do_v for_o want_v of_o argument_n and_o look_v into_o the_o bottom_n of_o motive_n and_o pretence_n we_o shall_v find_v a_o truth_n well_o worth_a our_o observe_v viz._n that_o what_o man_n at_o first_o call_v reason_n and_o afterward_o conscience_n be_v oftentimes_o no_o other_o than_o affection_n and_o prejudice_n and_o wilfulness_n creep_v into_o the_o chair_n i_o have_v neither_o time_n nor_o need_n to_o insist_v any_o far_a for_o the_o proof_n of_o that_o thing_n i_o purpose_v from_o the_o consideration_n already_o offer_v i_o think_v we_o may_v safe_o conclude_v that_o a_o humble_a and_o ready_a faith_n cast_v down_o imagination_n and_o every_o thing_n that_o exalt_v itself_o against_o the_o knowledge_n of_o christ_n be_v the_o only_a expedient_a both_o to_o make_v and_o to_o keep_v man_n wise._n to_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n god_n bless_v for_o ever_o be_v all_o glory_n and_o thanksgiving_n world_n without_o end_n finis_fw-la
virtue_n 2._o that_o to_o honour_v those_o that_o be_v eminent_a in_o such_o a_o manner_n be_v chief_o to_o honour_n god_n who_o distinguish_a communication_n make_v they_o so_o 3._o that_o to_o address_v and_o supplicate_v to_o such_o as_o mediator_n be_v a_o more_o modest_a and_o reverential_n address_v to_o god_n than_o if_o we_o apply_v immediate_o to_o himself_o 4._o that_o by_o apply_v to_o those_o who_o have_v be_v so_o near_o touch_v with_o our_o infirmity_n and_o our_o sin_n themselves_o not_o except_v we_o be_v sure_a to_o find_v the_o more_o compassionate_a and_o tender_a advocate_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o man_n in_o that_o age_n be_v qualify_v to_o argue_v for_o their_o humour_n as_o well_o as_o they_o can_v now_o and_o we_o know_v that_o wisdom_n have_v carry_v this_o point_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n even_o at_o this_o day_n this_o day_n of_o meridian_n that_o be_v of_o gospel-light_n thus_o wisdom_n bring_v idolatry_n into_o the_o world_n the_o second_o instance_n i_o propose_v to_o evince_v it_o a_o dangerous_a guide_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n be_v this_o that_o wisdom_n or_o let_v i_o indifferent_o call_v it_o reason_n a_o name_n more_o in_o vogue_n and_o more_o use_v in_o reference_n to_o the_o present_a subject_n but_o it_o mean_v pure_o the_o same_o thing_n i_o say_v it_o be_v wisdom_n or_o reason_n that_o first_o waste_a man_n conscience_n and_o bring_v sin_n into_o the_o world_n there_o have_v be_v a_o time_n when_o human_a wisdom_n or_o reason_n have_v a_o fair_a pretence_n to_o conduct_n than_o ever_o it_o will_v have_v again_o in_o paradise_n where_o it_o be_v without_o the_o opposition_n of_o appetite_n without_o the_o bias_n of_o prejudice_n without_o the_o cloud_n of_o perturbation_n who_o can_v think_v but_o that_o it_o have_v then_o more_o power_n and_o freedom_n to_o conduct_v wise_o than_o ever_o it_o can_v pretend_v to_o since_o but_o therefore_o if_o it_o fail_v then_o in_o point_n of_o conduct_n this_o must_v needs_o pass_v for_o a_o argument_n to_o abate_v some_o of_o that_o veneration_n which_o the_o opinionative_n be_v willing_a shall_v be_v ascribe_v to_o it_o under_o this_o state_n of_o so_o unhappy_a a_o change_n let_v we_o then_o consider_v the_o scene_n of_o thing_n as_o it_o lay_v at_o that_o time_n god_n then_o charge_v our_o first_o parent_n not_o to_o eat_v of_o the_o tree_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o garden_n bind_v his_o charge_n with_o this_o sanction_n that_o they_o shall_v die_v when_o they_o do_v it_o now_o at_o that_o time_n there_o be_v not_o any_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d no_o law_n of_o the_o member_n war_a against_o the_o law_n of_o the_o mind_n no_o rebellion_n of_o appetite_n against_o the_o dictate_v of_o understanding_n to_o suppose_v there_o be_v will_v be_v to_o suppose_v our_o first_o parent_n fall_v even_o before_o the_o fall_n and_o to_o have_v be_v make_v under_o the_o same_o disorder_n that_o their_o posterity_n now_o complain_v of_o and_o according_o we_o find_v in_o holy_a scripture_n that_o the_o sin_n of_o our_o first_o parent_n in_o that_o case_n be_v distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o all_o their_o offspring_n for_o whereas_o other_o man_n sin_n be_v general_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d lust_n we_o may_v observe_v that_o their_o sin_n be_v always_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d deception_n the_o apostle_n call_v it_o so_o no_o less_o than_o thrice_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v a_o deception_n or_o imposture_n that_o they_o suffer_v to_o pass_v upon_o their_o understanding_n whereof_o we_o may_v take_v a_o illustration_n from_o a_o scriptural_a passage_n 1_o king_n 13._o where_o we_o find_v a_o young_a prophet_n of_o judah_n send_v to_o denounce_v god_n judgement_n against_o jeroboam_n in_o bethel_n who_o withal_o receive_v a_o command_n that_o he_o shall_v neither_o eat_v nor_o drink_v in_o that_o place_n now_o it_o no_o way_n appear_v that_o the_o violence_n of_o this_o young_a prophet_n appetite_n do_v raise_v in_o he_o any_o desire_n to_o disobey_v this_o command_n on_o the_o contrary_a he_o be_v upon_o his_o return_n resolve_o and_o content_o without_o either_o eat_v or_o drink_v so_o that_o it_o be_v plain_a his_o appetite_n do_v not_o constrain_v he_o to_o transgress_v but_o a_o old_a prophet_n of_o the_o place_n move_v probable_o with_o envy_n that_o the_o honour_n of_o this_o message_n have_v be_v confer_v on_o a_o prophet_n of_o judah_n and_o not_o on_o himself_o address_v to_o he_o with_o a_o imposture_n tell_v he_o that_o god_n do_v reverse_v his_o former_a order_n and_o do_v now_o give_v he_o liberty_n to_o eat_v and_o drink_v in_o bethel_n as_o consequent_o he_o do_v and_o thereupon_o receive_v the_o reward_n that_o be_v due_a to_o he_o who_o disobey_v a_o certain_a command_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o uncertain_a suggestion_n with_o the_o like_a imposture_n and_o fiction_n it_o be_v that_o the_o old_a serpent_n address_v himself_o to_o our_o first_o parent_n imply_v by_o the_o tendency_n of_o all_o his_o discourse_n that_o god_n have_v either_o dissemble_v his_o real_a will_n in_o his_o former_a order_n or_o at_o least_o that_o he_o have_v now_o reverse_v it_o so_o that_o now_o they_o shall_v not_o die_v but_o on_o the_o contrary_n receive_v great_a advantage_n from_o the_o eat_v of_o the_o fruit_n and_o hereupon_o they_o proceed_v to_o eat_v it_o be_v draw_v aside_o to_o do_v so_o not_o from_o the_o violence_n of_o appetite_n but_o from_o the_o temerity_n of_o reason_n which_o suffer_v they_o to_o believe_v a_o uncertain_a suggestion_n in_o opposition_n to_o a_o certain_a command_n from_o which_o i_o observe_v that_o it_o be_v reason_n not_o appetite_n that_o make_v the_o first_o false_a step_n in_o nature_n and_o withal_o open_v a_o inlet_n to_o the_o succeed_a violence_n of_o the_o passion_n and_o how_o little_a cause_n have_v we_o then_o to_o lay_v such_o a_o stress_n upon_o that_o faculty_n or_o to_o be_v so_o fond_a of_o its_o guidance_n for_o if_o reason_n betray_v in_o the_o most_o perfect_a state_n how_o much_o more_o easy_o will_v it_o do_v so_o now_o if_o ever_o it_o be_v permit_v to_o argue_v against_o the_o obvious_a sense_n of_o what_o have_v be_v reveal_v and_o if_o wisdom_n be_v thus_o original_o the_o parent_n of_o sin_n we_o may_v less_o wonder_n that_o in_o after_o age_n it_o have_v become_v so_o indulgent_a a_o nurse_n to_o it_o as_o we_o may_v prove_v it_o to_o have_v be_v by_o one_o instance_n i_o shall_v offer_v from_o which_o it_o will_v appear_v that_o this_o pretention_n to_o wisdom_n or_o reason_n have_v give_v a_o great_a blow_n to_o virtue_n and_o settle_a and_o empire_n of_o sin_n upon_o a_o firm_a establishment_n in_o the_o christian_a world_n than_o either_o ignorance_n or_o natural_a pravity_n be_v ever_o able_a to_o do_v in_o the_o heathen_a for_o example_n when_o the_o state_n of_o a_o general_a idolatry_n but_o now_o mention_v have_v bring_v man_n to_o desert_n god_n and_o god_n in_o justice_n to_o desert_n they_o to_o the_o mischief_n of_o their_o option_n when_o in_o consequence_n to_o this_o affect_a blindness_n man_n in_o most_o case_n come_v to_o be_v at_o a_o doubt_n what_o it_o be_v to_o do_v well_o and_o more_o uncertain_a of_o what_o advantage_n it_o will_v be_v to_o do_v so_o one_o will_v have_v think_v that_o sin_n then_o if_o ever_o be_v like_a to_o get_v the_o field_n and_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n have_v be_v settle_v without_o reluctancy_n and_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o so_o the_o heathen_n still_o find_v a_o invincible_a check_n from_o the_o boding_n of_o their_o conscience_n and_o the_o apprehension_n thereupon_o that_o there_o be_v to_o be_v a_o future_a reckon_a and_o by_o this_o very_a bridle_n many_o among_o they_o live_v under_o great_a restraint_n and_o be_v man_n of_o virtue_n and_o they_o that_o be_v otherwise_o can_v not_o escape_v remorse_n and_o affrightment_n for_o their_o gild_n the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o world_n to_o arm_v itself_o against_o these_o fear_n do_v 1._o from_o countenance_n of_o the_o palpable_a mistake_n concern_v the_o god_n then_o in_o worship_n start_v the_o opinion_n that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n at_o all_o but_o the_o notion_n of_o atheism_n do_v seem_v so_o monstrous_a and_o irrational_a that_o few_o will_v receive_v it_o and_o they_o who_o profess_v it_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o not_o believe_v themselves_o but_o as_o speak_v rather_o what_o they_o wish_v than_o what_o they_o think_v and_o of_o this_o the_o psalmist_n give_v we_o notice_n psal._n 14._o 1._o other_o propose_v to_o offer_v less_o violence_n to_o the_o common_a conception_n of_o mankind_n teach_v that_o indeed_o there_o be_v god_n but_o that_o they_o be_v regardless_o of_o human_a affair_n and_o that_o such_o a_o state_n of_o
matter_n to_o believe_v he_o ought_v to_o choose_v that_o for_o the_o matter_n of_o his_o belief_n which_o be_v in_o itself_o most_o credible_a now_o it_o be_v more_o credible_a that_o such_o a_o number_n of_o witness_n may_v be_v deceive_v or_o as_o honest_a as_o they_o once_o be_v may_v be_v draw_v into_o confederacy_n to_o deceive_v then_o that_o one_o shall_v rise_v from_o the_o dead_a because_o this_o be_v natural_o impossible_a it_o can_v not_o be_v do_v without_o a_o miracle_n and_o wise_a man_n will_v never_o have_v recourse_n to_o miracle_n so_o long_o as_o nature_n may_v solve_v the_o appearance_n now_o suppose_v that_o thomas_n proceed_v thou_o we_o far_o with_o reason_n on_o his_o side_n and_o act_v like_o a_o wise_a that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o cautious_a man_n as_o for_o aught_o i_o see_v the_o standard_n of_o many_o man_n judgement_n at_o this_o day_n will_v allow_v he_o to_o have_v act_v yet_o let_v i_o observe_v one_o thing_n more_o from_o his_o example_n and_o that_o be_v this_o viz._n that_o human_a reason_n be_v very_o subject_a to_o be_v partial_o blind_a for_o while_o it_o be_v hunt_v after_o those_o argument_n that_o make_v for_o its_o present_a purpose_n it_o never_o take_v notice_n of_o those_o that_o make_v more_o strong_o against_o it_o as_o for_o instance_n when_o thomas_n refuse_v to_o admit_v conviction_n from_o the_o sense_n and_o attestation_n of_o so_o many_o credible_a witness_n yet_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o declare_v it_o fit_a to_o be_v determine_v by_o the_o verdict_n of_o his_o own_o sense_n where_o he_o never_o consider_v what_o a_o haughty_a piece_n of_o injustice_n it_o be_v to_o imply_v that_o his_o own_o single_a sense_n be_v less_o fallible_a than_o the_o joint_a experience_n of_o such_o a_o number_n again_o while_o he_o imagine_v it_o possible_a that_o so_o many_o good_a man_n shall_v conspire_v to_o deceive_v he_o he_o never_o consider_v how_o many_o argument_n there_o be_v to_o prove_v that_o this_o censure_n of_o his_o be_v absurd_a as_o well_o as_o uncharitable_a for_o have_v he_o not_o converse_v now_o three_o year_n under_o the_o conviction_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o miracle_n and_o can_v he_o not_o extend_v his_o faith_n to_o believe_v that_o one_o more_o may_v be_v do_v after_o he_o have_v see_v his_o lord_n raise_v more_o than_o one_o from_o the_o dead_a can_v he_o not_o think_v it_o possible_a that_o he_o himself_o may_v be_v raise_v by_o the_o same_o power_n nay_o what_o be_v yet_o more_o culpable_a than_o all_o the_o rest_n after_o he_o have_v hear_v his_o lord_n public_o aver_v before_o hand_n that_o thus_o it_o must_v be_v and_o that_o he_o shall_v rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n he_o never_o consider_v that_o to_o distrust_v the_o event_n after_o such_o a_o prediction_n of_o such_o a_o person_n as_o have_v sufficient_o prove_v himself_o able_a to_o do_v whatever_o he_o think_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v be_v a_o distrust_n absolute_o irreligious_a and_o profane_a and_o yet_o thn_n it_o be_v thus_o the_o wise_a pretence_n of_o incredulity_n can_v betray_v thomas_n to_o be_v irreverent_a uncharitable_a absurd_a and_o irreligious_a and_o all_o under_o the_o colour_n of_o be_v reasonable_a these_o extravagant_a effect_n niceness_n in_o believe_v can_v produce_v in_o he_o and_o who_o can_v question_v but_o that_o they_o be_v likely_a to_o produce_v the_o same_o in_o any_o one_o else_o this_o single_a example_n serve_v to_o inform_v we_o into_o what_o a_o labyrinth_n reason_n will_v lead_v man_n when_o once_o it_o decline_v the_o conduct_n of_o a_o humble_a and_o ready_a faith_n and_o upon_o this_o my_o assertion_n be_v found_v that_o such_o a_o faith_n be_v our_o only_a guide_n unto_o wisdom_n but_o i_o shall_v proceed_v to_o evidence_n the_o same_o by_o a_o black_a cloud_n of_o instance_n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o they_o who_o scruple_n or_o oppose_v or_o depart_v from_o the_o common_a faith_n at_o this_o day_n will_v ready_o allow_v that_o in_o whatever_o they_o except_v against_o the_o receive_a form_n they_o do_v it_o from_o this_o same_o principle_n of_o wisdom_n and_o caution_n viz._n lest_o they_o shall_v be_v impose_v upon_o by_o the_o mistake_v of_o other_o and_o therefore_o they_o resolve_v to_o adhere_v to_o some_o sense_n of_o their_o own_o which_o they_o look_v upon_o as_o more_o rational_a and_o less_o obnoxious_a to_o absurdity_n or_o deceive_v and_o there_o be_v two_o party_n of_o man_n who_o have_v make_v themselves_o very_o notorious_a for_o this_o pretence_n 1._o the_o first_o be_v of_o those_o who_o will_v not_o allow_v any_o revelation_n i._n e._n not_o any_o scripture_n dictate_v from_o god_n 2._o and_o the_o second_o be_v of_o those_o who_o will_v not_o admit_v the_o receive_a interpretation_n of_o that_o scripture_n which_o they_o allow_v to_o have_v be_v reveal_v now_o it_o may_v be_v make_v appear_v from_o the_o instance_n of_o these_o very_a party_n that_o no_o man_n ever_o depart_v from_o the_o common_a faith_n upon_o pretence_n of_o avoid_v any_o absurdity_n therein_o suppose_v but_o that_o he_o run_v himself_o upon_o the_o necessity_n of_o believe_v great_a absurdity_n than_o any_o he_o pretend_v to_o avoid_v i._o the_o first_o party_n consist_v of_o those_o who_o deny_v all_o revelation_n who_o profess_v a_o religion_n of_o nature_n teach_v but_o none_o that_o god_n have_v teach_v who_o distinguish_v themselves_o by_o the_o name_n of_o deist_n because_o they_o own_o a_o god_n but_o bare_o a_o god_n and_o not_o those_o dispensation_n which_o be_v most_o suitable_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o the_o god_n they_o own_o of_o which_o revelation_n be_v the_o chief_a now_o however_o the_o wisdom_n of_o such_o man_n may_v please_v itself_o with_o this_o cautious_a inffidelity_n which_o they_o pretend_v to_o take_v up_o as_o a_o guard_n against_o imposture_n yet_o will_v it_o not_o be_v wise_a for_o every_o man_n to_o suspect_v his_o particular_a reason_n when_o he_o do_v or_o may_v observe_v it_o to_o clash_v with_o the_o common_a reason_n of_o mankind_n and_o certain_o to_o deny_v revelation_n be_v a_o conceit_n that_o clash_v with_o the_o universal_a reason_n and_o persuasion_n of_o mankind_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o world_n for_o there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o man_n have_v consent_v more_o free_o next_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n than_o in_o this_o belief_n that_o it_o be_v suitable_a to_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o hold_v a_o correspondence_n and_o commerce_n with_o man_n and_o to_o exert_v himself_o in_o a_o providence_n that_o extend_v as_o well_o to_o the_o conduct_n of_o action_n as_o to_o the_o disposal_n of_o event_n that_o be_v a_o providence_n for_o man_n better_a part_n as_o well_o as_o for_o his_o worse_a so_o long_o as_o man_n continue_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n they_o have_v this_o notion_n rivet_v upon_o their_o mind_n by_o the_o vouchsafement_n of_o frequent_a message_n and_o of_o such_o oracular_a direction_n as_o demonstrate_v themselves_o to_o come_v from_o god_n and_o when_o man_n depart_v from_o the_o true_a worship_n yet_o they_o can_v not_o depart_v from_o this_o root_a expectation_n insomuch_o that_o the_o devil_n can_v not_o maintain_v the_o reputation_n of_o his_o worship_n among_o they_o without_o a_o pretence_n to_o the_o same_o commerce_n and_o this_o be_v the_o original_a of_o all_o the_o heathen_a oracle_n which_o although_o they_o be_v delusory_a yet_o they_o afford_v a_o evidence_n that_o there_o be_v other_o true_a and_o divine_a and_o that_o mankind_n always_o hope_v for_o such_o from_o the_o god_n they_o worship_v the_o deist_n will_v submit_v his_o faith_n to_o a_o heathen_a evidence_n though_o he_o will_v not_o to_o a_o christian_a and_o therefore_o he_o will_v not_o deny_v these_o oracle_n to_o have_v be_v and_o to_o have_v be_v frequent_a among_o the_o gentile_n he_o ready_o grant_v that_o socrates_n which_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o prefer_v above_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n get_v 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