to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o to_o the_o universal_a design_n of_o it_o for_o they_o be_v equal_o adapt_v to_o awaken_v the_o attention_n and_o command_v the_o assent_n of_o man_n of_o all_o condition_n and_o capacity_n they_o be_v obvious_a to_o the_o most_o ignorant_a and_o may_v satisfy_v the_o wise_a and_o confute_v or_o silence_v the_o cavil_n of_o the_o most_o captious_a or_o contentious_a and_o this_o be_v what_o all_o the_o world_n ever_o expect_v that_o god_n shall_v reveal_v himself_o to_o man_n by_o work_v somewhat_o above_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n all_o mankind_n have_v believe_v that_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o intercourse_n between_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o therefore_o there_o never_o be_v any_o of_o the_o false_a religion_n but_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o something_o miraculous_a we_o may_v appeal_v to_o the_o sense_n of_o all_o nation_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o miracle_n to_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o religion_n for_o whenever_o any_o thing_n happen_v extraordinary_a they_o always_o imagine_v something_o supernatural_a in_o it_o they_o expect_v that_o miracle_n shall_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o proof_n of_o any_o thing_n that_o have_v but_o the_o name_n of_o religion_n and_o no_o false_a religion_n can_v have_v gain_v belief_n and_o credit_n in_o any_o age_n or_o nation_n but_o under_o the_o pretence_n of_o they_o the_o only_a difficulty_n therefore_o will_v be_v to_o know_v how_o to_o distinguish_v true_a miracle_n from_o false_a or_o those_o which_o have_v be_v wrought_v for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n from_o such_o as_o have_v be_v do_v or_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o behalf_n of_o false_a religion_n but_o here_o it_o must_v be_v observe_v that_o it_o be_v not_o necessary_a in_o this_o controversy_n that_o we_o shall_v be_v able_a to_o determine_v what_o the_o power_n of_o spirit_n be_v or_o how_o far_o it_o extend_v and_o what_o work_n can_v proceed_v only_o from_o the_o immediate_a power_n of_o god_n it_o be_v sufficient_a that_o we_o know_v that_o god_n precide_v over_o all_o that_o good_a spirit_n act_v in_o constant_a subjection_n and_o obedience_n to_o he_o that_o evil_a spirit_n act_v for_o evil_a end_n that_o good_a spirit_n will_v not_o impose_v upon_o man_n and_o that_o he_o will_v not_o suffer_v the_o evil_a to_o do_v it_o under_o any_o pretence_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n without_o afford_v mean_n to_o discover_v the_o delusion_n and_o the_o question_n here_o be_v not_o concern_v any_o strange_a work_n whereof_o god_n be_v not_o allege_v to_o be_v the_o author_n but_o concern_v such_o as_o be_v wrought_v with_o a_o profess_a design_n to_o establish_v religion_n in_o his_o name_n suppose_v then_o that_o there_o have_v be_v many_o wonder_n wrought_v in_o the_o world_n which_o exceed_v all_o humane_a power_n and_o which_o yet_o we_o know_v not_o to_o what_o other_o power_n to_o ascribe_v this_o make_v no_o difficulty_n in_o the_o present_a case_n because_o here_o not_o only_o the_o work_n themselves_o but_o the_o design_n and_o tendency_n of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v for_o instance_n whether_o the_o miracle_n report_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o vespasian_n be_v true_a or_o false_a by_o a_o divine_a or_o a_o diabolical_a power_n they_o be_v of_o no_o consequence_n to_o we_o he_o establish_v no_o new_a doctrine_n and_o pretend_v to_o no_o divine_a authority_n but_o doubt_v the_o possibility_n of_o his_o work_v they_o and_o suppose_v they_o true_a and_o by_o a_o divine_a power_n the_o most_o that_o can_v be_v say_v of_o they_o be_v that_o as_o god_n mention_v cyrus_n by_o name_n to_o be_v the_o deliverer_n of_o the_o jew_n so_o he_o may_v by_o miracle_n signalise_v this_o prince_n who_o be_v to_o destroy_v they_o but_o the_o miracle_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v wrought_v with_o this_o declare_a purpose_n and_o design_n that_o they_o be_v to_o give_v evidence_n to_o the_o religion_n which_o they_o be_v send_v from_o god_n to_o introduce_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n have_v premise_v this_o i_o must_v resume_v what_o be_v before_o observe_v concern_v the_o mean_n by_o which_o false_a prophecy_n may_v be_v detect_v it_o have_v be_v already_o prove_v from_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o god_n that_o there_o must_v be_v some_o divine_a revelation_n and_o it_o have_v be_v show_v that_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n be_v the_o most_o fit_a and_o proper_a way_n of_o revelation_n and_o that_o way_n which_o man_n have_v ever_o expect_v to_o receive_v revelation_n by_o if_o then_o there_o have_v be_v false_a prophecy_n and_o miracle_n they_o must_v be_v suppose_v to_o have_v be_v either_o before_o or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n or_o after_o those_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v deliver_v if_o before_o or_o at_o the_o same_o time_n than_o the_o same_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n which_o oblige_v god_n to_o reveal_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n must_v oblige_v he_o to_o take_v care_n that_o the_o imposture_n of_o those_o false_a prophecy_n and_o miracle_n by_o some_o mean_n may_v have_v be_v discover_v but_o there_o be_v great_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o true_a revelation_n shall_v be_v first_o make_v to_o man_n before_o god_n will_v suffer_v they_o to_o be_v tempt_v with_o false_a one_o and_o if_o the_o false_a be_v after_o the_o true_a revelation_n than_o the_o true_a revelation_n themselves_o be_v that_o by_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o judge_v of_o all_o other_o but_o to_o speak_v more_o particular_o of_o miracle_n which_o be_v the_o present_a subject_n it_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o the_o infinite_a truth_n and_o honour_n and_o goodness_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n to_o suffer_v man_n to_o be_v delude_v by_o false_a miracle_n wrought_v under_o a_o pretence_n of_o his_o own_o authority_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o discover_v the_o imposture_n and_o therefore_o if_o we_o shall_v suppose_v there_o have_v past_o any_o time_n before_o the_o discovery_n of_o his_o will_n to_o mankind_n he_o can_v not_o suffer_v man_n but_o through_o their_o own_o fault_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o by_o such_o miracle_n but_o either_o by_o the_o false_a and_o wicked_a doctrine_n which_o they_o be_v bring_v to_o promote_v and_o establish_v as_o idolatry_n uncleanness_n murder_n etc._n etc._n or_o by_o some_o other_o token_n of_o imposture_n they_o may_v have_v be_v undeceive_v and_o both_o in_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n god_n have_v give_v we_o warn_v against_o false_a miracle_n deut._n xiii_o 1._o mat._n xxiv_o 24._o gal._n i_o 8._o so_o that_o we_o may_v be_v assure_v that_o we_o be_v to_o give_v no_o credit_n to_o any_o miracle_n that_o can_v be_v wrought_v to_o confirm_v any_o other_o doctrine_n than_o what_o we_o find_v in_o the_o scripture_n and_o if_o we_o can_v but_o be_v certify_v that_o they_o be_v true_a miracle_n which_o give_v testimony_n and_o evidence_n to_o they_o we_o need_v concern_v ourselves_o about_o no_o other_o and_o the_o miracle_n by_o which_o the_o scripture_n be_v confirm_v and_o authorise_a must_v be_v true_a because_o there_o be_v no_o precedent_n divine_a revelation_n which_o they_o contradict_v nor_o any_o immoral_a or_o false_a doctrine_n which_o they_o deliver_v nor_o any_o thing_n else_o contain_v in_o they_o whereby_o they_o can_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a and_o in_o this_o case_n that_o which_o all_o the_o wit_n and_o understanding_n of_o man_n can_v prove_v to_o be_v false_a must_v be_v true_a or_o else_o god_n will_v suffer_v his_o own_o name_n and_o authority_n to_o be_v usurp_v and_o abuse_v and_o mankind_n to_o be_v impose_v upon_o in_o a_o thing_n of_o infinite_a consequence_n without_o any_o possibility_n of_o discover_v the_o imposture_n which_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o divine_a attribute_n for_o he_o to_o permit_v but_o either_o by_o the_o work_v themselves_o or_o by_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o or_o by_o some_o mean_n or_o other_o the_o honour_n and_o wisdom_n and_o mercy_n of_o god_n be_v concern_v to_o detect_v all_o such_o imposture_n if_o miracle_n be_v wrought_v to_o introduce_v the_o worship_n of_o other_o god_n beside_o he_o who_o reason_n as_o well_o as_o scripture_n assure_v we_o to_o be_v the_o only_a true_a god_n if_o they_o be_v do_v to_o seduce_v man_n to_o immoral_a doctrine_n and_o practice_n if_o they_o be_v perform_v to_o contradict_v the_o religion_n already_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n in_o which_o nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n can_v possible_o be_v discover_v if_o never_o so_o astonish_a miracle_n be_v wrought_v for_o such_o ill_a design_n as_o these_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v regard_v but_o reject_v with_o that_o constancy_n which_o become_v a_o man_n who_o will_v act_v according_a to_o the_o
that_o their_o most_o ancient_a book_n be_v in_o hieroglyphic_n which_o be_v not_o expound_v by_o any_o who_o live_v near_o than_o mdcc_o year_n to_o the_o first_o author_n of_o they_o that_o the_o number_n in_o computation_n be_v sometime_o mistake_v or_o that_o month_n be_v put_v for_o year_n but_o of_o what_o antiquity_n or_o authority_n soever_o their_o first_o writer_n be_v there_o be_v little_a or_o no_o credit_n to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o book_n now_o remain_v since_o that_o general_a destruction_n of_o all_o ancient_a book_n by_o the_o emperor_n xi_o hoam_n ti_o who_o live_v but_o about_o two_o hundred_o year_n before_o christ_n he_o command_v upon_o pain_n of_o death_n all_o the_o monument_n of_o antiquity_n to_o be_v destroy_v relate_v either_o to_o history_n or_o philosophy_n especial_o the_o book_n of_o confucius_n and_o kill_v many_o of_o their_o learned_a man_n so_o that_o from_o his_o time_n they_o have_v only_o some_o fragment_n of_o old_a author_n leave_v the_o chinese_n be_v a_o people_n vain_a enough_o and_o love_n to_o magnify_v themselves_o to_o the_o european_n which_o make_v they_o endeavour_v to_o have_v it_o believe_v that_o their_o antiquity_n be_v sufficient_o entire_a notwithstanding_o this_o destruction_n of_o their_o book_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o describe_v the_o emperor_n observatory_n as_o the_o most_o complete_a and_o the_o best_a fit_v for_o the_o use_n of_o astronomy_n that_o can_v be_v imagine_v but_o upon_o the_o view_n it_o appear_v very_o inconsiderable_a and_o the_o instrument_n be_v find_v useless_a and_o new_a one_o be_v place_v in_o their_o room_n make_v by_o the_o direction_n of_o father_n verbiest_n this_o people_n after_o all_o their_o boast_n of_o skill_n in_o astronomy_n be_v not_o able_a to_o make_v a_o exact_a calendar_n and_o their_o table_n of_o eclipse_n be_v so_o uncorrect_a that_o they_o can_v scarce_o foretell_v about_o what_o time_n that_o of_o the_o sun_n shall_v happen_v and_o in_o a_o petition_n which_o the_o emperor_n of_o china_n in_o favour_n it_o seem_v to_o the_o missionary_n have_v private_o draw_v up_o to_o be_v present_v by_o they_o to_o himself_o in_o public_a it_o be_v say_v that_o father_n adam_n schaal_n make_v it_o know_v to_o all_o the_o court_n that_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o celestial_a motion_n establish_v by_o the_o ancient_a astronomer_n of_o china_n be_v all_o false_a and_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n of_o china_n but_o the_o chief_a mandarine_n be_v so_o ignorant_a and_o superstitious_a that_o when_o they_o see_v the_o sun_n or_o moon_n under_o a_o eclipse_n with_o sacrifice_n and_o other_o rite_n and_o with_o great_a noise_n and_o clamour_n they_o apply_v themselves_o to_o rescue_v they_o from_o the_o dog_n or_o dragon_n which_o they_o imagine_v be_v like_a to_o devour_v they_o so_o little_a credit_n be_v to_o be_v give_v to_o the_o pretence_n which_o the_o several_a nation_n among_o the_o heathen_n have_v make_v to_o antiquity_n without_o any_o ground_n from_o history_n but_o upon_o wander_a discourse_n of_o observation_n in_o astronomy_n which_o they_o have_v little_a or_o no_o skill_n in_o and_o it_o have_v be_v make_v evident_a by_o divers_a learned_a man_n that_o the_o most_o ancient_a and_o the_o very_o best_a of_o the_o heathen_a god_n be_v but_o man_n who_o the_o scripture_n mention_v as_o worshipper_n of_o the_o true_a god_n such_o as_o noâ—h_v joseph_n moses_n etc._n etc._n chap._n ii_o of_o the_o defect_n in_o the_o promulgation_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n the_o propagation_n of_o the_o several_a religion_n profess_v among_o the_o heathen_n have_v be_v very_o inconsiderable_a for_o they_o be_v never_o extant_a in_o book_n to_o be_v public_o read_v and_o examine_v but_o their_o mystery_n be_v keep_v secret_a and_o conceal_v from_o the_o world_n and_o all_o the_o knowledge_n the_o people_n have_v of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o priest_n every_o country_n have_v its_o peculiar_a deity_n and_o way_n of_o worship_n which_o be_v seldom_o receive_v or_o know_v but_o in_o those_o place_n where_o they_o be_v first_o set_v up_o the_o 3._o the_o valer-max_n de_fw-fr peregrina_fw-la relig._n rejecta_fw-la lib._n 1._o c._n 3._o roman_n reject_v many_o foreign_a religion_n as_o abominable_a and_o none_o of_o their_o religion_n ever_o prevail_v but_o where_o they_o have_v the_o temporal_a power_n to_o uphold_v they_o and_o they_o lose_v ground_n daily_o by_o the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n whilst_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppress_v it_o and_o to_o maintain_v the_o heathen_a religion_n against_o it_o it_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v at_o this_o day_n preach_v in_o all_o part_n of_o the_o heathen_a world_n and_o have_v be_v ever_o since_o its_o first_o propagation_n as_o the_o jewish_a religion_n be_v before_o but_o where_o christianity_n have_v prevail_v heathenism_n have_v be_v never_o able_a to_o maintain_v its_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v hardly_o any_o but_o christian_n except_v some_o few_o jew_n to_o be_v find_v in_o christian_a country_n which_o make_v a_o great_a abatement_n in_o the_o disproportion_n that_o heathenism_n in_o general_n may_v seem_v to_o have_v in_o its_o number_n above_o christianity_n but_o if_o we_o examine_v the_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n there_o be_v no_o comparison_n and_o the_o only_a thing_n here_o to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v whether_o any_o particular_a religion_n of_o the_o heathen_n exceed_v or_o equal_v the_o christian_a religion_n in_o point_n of_o promulgation_n for_o who_o ever_o can_v imagine_v that_o all_o or_o any_o great_a number_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n be_v of_o divine_a revelation_n must_v suppose_v god_n to_o reveal_v contradiction_n the_o question_n before_o we_o be_v not_o whether_o heathen_n be_v more_o numerous_a than_o christian_n but_o whether_o any_o of_o their_o religion_n have_v be_v as_o full_o promulge_v as_o the_o christian_a one_o herald_n be_v enough_o to_o promulge_v a_o law_n to_o many_o thousand_o the_o city_n of_o nineve_n be_v convert_v by_o one_o prophet_n and_o there_o be_v perhaps_o no_o nation_n in_o the_o world_n but_o have_v more_o christian_n in_o it_o than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v chap._n iii_o the_o defect_n of_o the_o prophecy_n and_o miracle_n of_o the_o heathen_a religion_n it_o can_v be_v deny_v by_o any_o man_n who_o be_v not_o resolve_v to_o reject_v the_o authority_n of_o all_o history_n but_o that_o many_o wonder_n have_v be_v do_v by_o magician_n and_o that_o many_o thing_n have_v be_v foreshow_v and_o foretell_v among_o heathen_n by_o dream_n and_o prodigy_n and_o oracle_n which_o do_v actual_o come_v to_o pass_v but_o then_o all_o that_o can_v be_v gather_v from_o hence_o be_v that_o there_o be_v invisible_a power_n and_o that_o devil_n and_o wicked_a spirit_n be_v able_a to_o do_v more_o than_o man_n can_v do_v and_o to_o know_v more_o than_o man_n can_v know_v for_o which_o reason_n in_o former_a age_n there_o be_v no_o more_o doubt_n make_v whether_o there_o be_v spirit_n than_o whether_o there_o be_v man_n in_o the_o world_n for_o they_o be_v continual_o sensible_a of_o the_o operation_n and_o effect_n of_o invisible_a being_n which_o make_v they_o exceed_o prone_a to_o idolatry_n but_o not_o incline_v to_o atheism_n and_o the_o case_n be_v the_o same_o now_o in_o heathen_a country_n where_o apparition_n and_o delusion_n of_o evil_a spirit_n be_v affirm_v by_o all_o writer_n to_o be_v very_o frequent_a but_o if_o at_o any_o time_n evil_a spirit_n by_o their_o subtlety_n and_o experience_n and_o knowledge_n of_o affair_n in_o the_o world_n do_v foretell_v thing_n which_o according_o come_v to_o pass_n they_o be_v thing_n that_o happen_v not_o long_o after_o and_o common_o such_o as_o themselves_o do_v excite_v and_o prompt_v man_n to_o thus_o when_o the_o conspiracy_n against_o caesar_n be_v come_v just_a to_o be_v put_v in_o execution_n and_o the_o devil_n have_v his_o agent_n concern_v in_o it_o he_o can_v foretell_v the_o time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o death_n but_o it_o have_v be_v foretell_v to_o pompey_n crassus_n and_o caesar_n himself_o before_o as_o two_o as_o tull._n de_fw-fr divin_n lib._n two_o tully_n inform_v we_o from_o his_o own_o knowledge_n that_o they_o shall_v all_o die_v in_o their_o bed_n and_o in_o a_o honourable_a old_a age._n some_o oracle_n may_v possible_o take_v their_o answer_n from_o the_o scripture_n as_o that_o of_o jupiter_n hammon_n concern_v alexander_n victory_n if_o it_o be_v not_o mere_o a_o piece_n of_o flattery_n which_o prove_v true_a by_o chance_n evil_a spirit_n may_v likewise_o be_v able_a to_o inform_v man_n at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o victory_n the_o same_o day_n they_o be_v win_v as_o it_o be_v relate_v ib._n relate_v ib._n of_o several_a and_o in_o
in_o one_o place_n rather_o than_o in_o another_o or_o why_o it_o shall_v think_v when_o it_o be_v move_v in_o a_o right_a line_n or_o in_o a_o circle_n or_o in_o any_o curve_v line_n rather_o than_o when_o it_o lie_v still_o again_o there_o be_v no_o reason_n why_o matter_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o think_v or_o not_o think_v according_a to_o its_o situation_n or_o position_n why_o it_o shall_v think_v in_o the_o brain_n rather_o than_o upon_o the_o trencher_n or_o when_o it_o be_v digest_v and_o reduce_v to_o animal_n spirit_n rather_o than_o when_o it_o be_v in_o a_o more_o compact_a substance_n and_o have_v a_o different_a relation_n to_o the_o part_n of_o matter_n about_o it_o last_o if_o any_o sort_n of_o figure_n can_v produce_v think_v stone_n must_v certain_o think_v as_o well_o as_o the_o best_a of_o we_o and_o so_o indeed_o may_v any_o thing_n else_o for_o what_o body_n be_v there_o that_o may_v not_o subsist_v under_o all_o variety_n of_o figure_n neither_o can_v any_o lucky_a conjuncture_n of_o all_o these_o together_o produce_v a_o power_n and_o faculty_n of_o think_v for_o imagine_v what_o bulk_n rest_v or_o motion_n situation_n and_o figure_n you_o can_v to_o meet_v together_o they_o be_v all_o alike_o uncapable_a of_o so_o much_o as_o one_o thought_n since_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o nature_n of_o any_o of_o these_o accident_n or_o modification_n of_o matter_n but_o it_o be_v as_o far_o from_o any_o power_n of_o think_v as_o matter_n itself_o be_v and_o therefore_o think_v can_v no_o more_o arise_v from_o a_o combination_n of_o they_o together_o than_o it_o can_v proceed_v from_o the_o amass_v together_o of_o matter_n all_o the_o accident_n but_o motion_n have_v nothing_o active_a or_o operative_a in_o they_o but_o be_v only_a matter_n under_o different_a mode_n and_o relation_n and_o motion_n whatever_o the_o figure_n or_o bulk_n and_o contexture_n of_o any_o body_n may_v be_v can_v be_v but_o motion_n still_o and_o suppose_v what_o contexture_n or_o modification_n you_o will_v what_o be_v motion_n under_o all_o determination_n collision_n and_o combination_n but_o change_n of_o place_n and_o how_o can_v change_v of_o place_n produce_v think_v under_o any_o variety_n of_o contexture_n in_o the_o particle_n of_o matter_n freewill_n be_v impossible_a to_o be_v account_v for_o by_o matter_n and_o motion_n as_o epicurus_n find_v who_o be_v therefore_o force_v to_o have_v recourse_n to_o his_o declinationes_fw-la atomorum_fw-la for_o which_o he_o be_v so_o just_o expose_v by_o tully_n for_o neither_o can_v matter_n determine_v its_o own_o motion_n nor_o can_v motion_n determine_v itself_o but_o must_v be_v determine_v by_o something_o external_n whereas_o all_o man_n find_v it_o in_o their_o power_n to_o determine_v themselves_o by_o a_o inward_a and_o voluntary_a principle_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o the_o soul_n in_o its_o operation_n depend_v very_o much_o upon_o the_o temperament_n of_o the_o body_n yet_o the_o soul_n even_o in_o this_o state_n have_v thought_n which_o have_v no_o relation_n to_o the_o body_n or_o any_o material_a thing_n as_o thought_n of_o god_n and_o spirit_n it_o be_v own_o reflex_n thought_n or_o consciousness_n of_o its_o own_o operation_n and_o if_o it_o be_v now_o capable_a of_o no_o thought_n but_o such_o as_o have_v some_o dependence_n upon_o the_o body_n yet_o this_o can_v never_o prove_v that_o the_o soul_n itself_o be_v material_a or_o that_o matter_n think_v a_o man_n write_v with_o his_o pen_n and_o can_v write_v without_o one_o be_v it_o therefore_o his_o pen_n proper_o that_o write_v and_o not_o the_o man_n the_o body_n be_v the_o instrument_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o its_o operation_n here_o and_o as_o the_o instrument_n be_v fit_a or_o unfit_a so_o must_v its_o operation_n be_v more_o or_o less_o perfect_a but_o it_o be_v strange_a that_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o we_o shall_v be_v of_o such_o a_o nature_n that_o we_o can_v form_v no_o idea_n of_o it_o we_o may_v form_v a_o idea_n of_o it_o though_o but_o a_o imperfect_a one_o and_o do_v we_o not_o know_v that_o the_o eye_n the_o noble_a part_n of_o the_o body_n can_v see_v itself_o but_o imperfect_o and_o by_o reflection_n and_o let_v any_o man_n try_v whether_o he_o can_v form_v a_o better_a idea_n of_o a_o materal_a soul_n than_o of_o a_o immeterial_a one_o but_o this_o writer_n by_o idea_n seem_v to_o mean_v a_o material_a idea_n or_o imagination_n and_o we_o can_v indeed_o form_n a_o material_a idea_n of_o a_o immaterial_a spirit_n yet_o after_o all_o which_o he_o or_o any_o man_n else_o have_v say_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v as_o clear_o understand_v as_o that_o of_o the_o body_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o encumber_a with_o great_a difficulty_n than_o extension_n if_o that_o be_v the_o essence_n of_o matter_n and_o if_o that_o be_v not_o it_o be_v as_o hard_a still_o to_o know_v what_o the_o essence_n of_o matter_n be_v the_o instance_n which_o he_o bring_v of_o brute_n be_v easy_o answer_v whether_o they_o can_v think_v or_o not_o if_o they_o can_v the_o objection_n fall_v of_o itself_o if_o they_o can_v i_o shall_v rather_o suppose_v that_o their_o soul_n may_v be_v annihilate_v or_o may_v transmigrate_v and_o pass_v from_o one_o brute_n to_o another_o than_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n must_v be_v material_a that_o the_o soul_n of_o brute_n may_v be_v material_a too_o another_o gentleman_n of_o late_a have_v assert_v 6._o assert_v mr._n locke_n be_v human_a understanding_n l._n 4._o c._n 3._o §._o 6._o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o we_o by_o the_o contemplation_n of_o our_o own_o idea_n without_o revelation_n to_o discover_v whether_o omnipotency_n have_v not_o give_v to_o some_o system_n of_o matter_n fit_o dispose_v a_o power_n to_o perceive_v or_o think_v 65._o letter_n to_o the_o bishop_n of_o bercrâ—â—_n p._n 65._o and_o that_o there_o be_v a_o possibility_n that_o god_n may_v if_o he_o please_v superadd_a to_o matter_n a_o faculty_n of_o think_v which_o be_v what_o he_o likewise_o call_v a_o modification_n of_o think_v or_o power_n of_o think_v but_o it_o seem_v not_o intelligible_a how_o god_n shall_v superadd_a to_o matter_n this_o faculty_n or_o power_n or_o modification_n of_o think_v unless_o he_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o matter_n and_o make_v it_o to_o be_v quite_o another_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v or_o join_v a_o substance_n of_o another_o nature_n to_o it_o but_o the_o question_n be_v whether_o a_o faculty_n of_o think_v can_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o the_o power_n and_o various_a modification_n of_o matter_n and_o we_o can_v have_v no_o more_o conception_n how_o any_o modification_n of_o matter_n can_v produce_v think_v than_o we_o can_v how_o any_o modification_n of_o sound_n shall_v produce_v see_v all_o modification_n of_o matter_n be_v the_o same_o as_o to_o this_o point_n and_o matter_n may_v as_o well_o be_v make_v matter_n by_o modify_v as_o be_v make_v to_o think_v bâ—_n it_o this_o be_v just_a as_o if_o a_o man_n shall_v maintain_v that_o though_o all_o immaterial_a substance_n be_v not_o extend_v and_o divisible_a yet_o some_o of_o they_o may_v possible_o be_v or_o omnipotence_n may_v superadd_a to_o they_o a_o faculty_n of_o extension_n and_o divisibility_n for_o immeterial_a substance_n may_v become_v divisible_a and_o material_a by_o the_o same_o philosophy_n by_o which_o we_o may_v conclude_v that_o matter_n may_v think_v which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n as_o to_o become_v immaterial_a and_o to_o surpass_v all_o the_o power_n and_o capacity_n of_o matter_n but_o though_o i_o have_v upon_o this_o occasion_n mention_v this_o gentleman_n here_o yet_o it_o will_v be_v a_o great_a injury_n do_v he_o to_o rank_v he_o with_o the_o author_n of_o the_o oracle_n of_o reason_n there_o be_v prefix_v to_o the_o piece_n a_o account_n of_o the_o life_n and_o death_n of_o that_o unhappy_a gentleman_n mr._n blount_n with_o a_o pretence_n to_o vindicate_v his_o murder_n of_o himself_o because_o his_o decease_a wife_n sister_n refuse_v to_o be_v marry_v to_o he_o by_o all_o the_o topic_n and_o argument_n of_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n which_o be_v such_o a_o undertake_n as_o i_o be_o confident_a be_v never_o hear_v of_o before_o to_o prove_v that_o a_o man_n may_v very_o grave_o and_o philosophical_o kill_v himself_o if_o a_o woman_n who_o he_o ought_v not_o to_o marry_v will_v not_o be_v his_o wife_n it_o be_v strange_a to_o see_v that_o man_n shall_v think_v it_o fit_a to_o vent_v such_o thing_n as_o these_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n but_o this_o discover_v the_o reason_n and_o philosophy_n of_o these_o man_n and_o be_v a_o fit_a preface_n to_o such_o a_o book_n this_o wisdom_n descend_v not_o from_o above_o behold_v the_o man_n in_o their_o principle_n and_o practice_n the_o
to_o the_o computation_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o eight_o day_n which_o they_o reckon_v for_o the_o circumcision_n of_o their_o child_n and_o in_o their_o other_o account_n for_o they_o compute_v inclusive_o any_o part_n of_o the_o day_n in_o which_o the_o child_n be_v bear_v for_o the_o whole_a thus_o the_o seven_o the_o annum_fw-la ita_fw-la diviserunt_fw-la ut_fw-la nonis_fw-la modo_fw-la diâ—bus_fw-la urbanâ—s_fw-la re_fw-la usu_fw-la parent_n reliquis_fw-la seven_o ut_fw-la rura_fw-la colerent_fw-la varde_v rust_n lib._n two_o prait_fw-fr 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d diony_n halicarn_n antiqa_fw-la rom._n lib._n seven_o roman_n compute_v their_o nundinae_fw-la and_o their_o calends_o etc._n etc._n and_o the_o olypmiad_n among_o the_o greek_n contain_v 5_o year_n inclusive_o and_o thus_o we_o call_v that_o tertian_n ague_n which_o have_v but_o one_o day_n intermission_n but_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o accomplishment_n of_o these_o type_n and_o prophecy_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n must_v be_v prove_v as_o all_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n be_v by_o witness_n and_o the_o apostle_n in_o a_o body_n offer_v themselves_o as_o witness_n to_o testify_v this_o great_a article_n of_o our_o faith_n this_o jesus_n have_v god_n raise_v up_o whereof_o we_o all_o be_v witness_n act._n two_o 32._o the_o thing_n therefore_o to_o be_v consider_v be_v whether_o they_o be_v effectual_o qualify_v to_o be_v witness_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o to_o prove_v that_o they_o have_v all_o the_o qualification_n which_o can_v be_v require_v in_o any_o witness_n i_o shall_v show_v 1._o that_o they_o have_v certain_a knowledge_n of_o the_o thing_n which_o they_o be_v witness_n of_o and_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o it_o 2._o that_o they_o will_v not_o deceive_v other_o have_v no_o temptation_n to_o it_o but_o act_v against_o all_o the_o interest_n and_o advantage_n of_o this_o world_n 3._o that_o they_o allege_v such_o circumstance_n as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o deceive_v those_o to_o who_o they_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o christ_n resurrection_n though_o they_o have_v have_v never_o so_o much_o mind_n to_o do_v it_o and_o when_o man_n testify_v thing_n which_o they_o have_v such_o mean_n and_o opportunity_n of_o know_v as_o make_v it_o impossible_a for_o they_o to_o be_v mistake_v in_o they_o when_o they_o can_v have_v no_o advantage_n but_o by_o tell_v the_o truth_n and_o can_v expect_v nothing_o but_o suffering_n from_o it_o in_o this_o life_n when_o they_o produce_v such_o circumstance_n as_o put_v it_o out_o of_o their_o own_o power_n to_o deceive_v and_o such_o as_o those_o before_o who_o they_o speak_v may_v know_v to_o be_v false_a if_o they_o be_v so_o this_o certain_o be_v all_o that_o can_v be_v desire_v in_o any_o witness_n i._o the_o apostle_n who_o be_v witness_n of_o our_o saviour_n resurrection_n can_v not_o be_v deceive_v themselves_o in_o it_o they_o be_v ever_o far_o from_o be_v credulous_a and_o easy_a of_o belief_n as_o they_o show_v upon_o all_o occasion_n and_o particular_o they_o never_o can_v be_v bring_v to_o believe_v the_o doctrine_n concern_v the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n till_o their_o own_o sense_n have_v convince_v they_o but_o before_o they_o have_v wrong_a notion_n and_o apprehension_n of_o it_o and_o either_o misunderstand_v and_o misapply_v all_o that_o have_v be_v say_v to_o they_o about_o it_o or_o whatever_o they_o know_v or_o believe_v concern_v it_o before_o they_o have_v no_o expectation_n of_o it_o when_o he_o be_v once_o dead_a our_o saviour_n have_v in_o express_a term_n foretell_v his_o resurrection_n upon_o the_o three_o day_n several_a time_n matt._n xuj_o 21._o xvii_o 23._o xx_o 19_o but_o his_o disciple_n do_v not_o right_o apprehend_v or_o thorough_o consider_v what_o he_o say_v to_o they_o though_o he_o express_v himself_o in_o the_o plain_a word_n for_o they_o be_v whole_o take_v up_o with_o great_a thought_n and_o expectation_n of_o a_o earthly_a kingdom_n and_o of_o temporal_a power_n and_o honour_n at_o one_o time_n peter_n take_v he_o and_o begin_v to_o rebuke_v he_o say_v be_v it_o far_o from_o thou_o lord_n this_o shall_v not_o be_v unto_o thou_o matt._n xuj_o 22._o and_o at_o another_o time_n just_a before_o his_o passion_n our_o saviour_n have_v no_o soon_o do_v speak_v to_o they_o of_o his_o crucifixion_n and_o his_o rise_n again_o the_o three_o day_n but_o the_o two_o son_n of_o zebedee_n petition_v that_o one_o may_v sit_v on_o the_o right_a hand_n and_o the_o other_o on_o the_o left_a in_o his_o kingdom_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o disciple_n be_v move_v with_o indignation_n against_o they_o for_o prefer_v such_o a_o request_n and_o it_o appear_v from_o our_o saviour_n discourse_n to_o they_o upon_o it_o that_o their_o mind_n be_v all_o bent_n upon_o the_o thought_n of_o temporal_a glory_n and_o dominion_n matt._n xx_o 20._o and_o after_o our_o saviour_n have_v tell_v they_o that_o he_o must_v be_v put_v to_o death_n and_o rise_v again_o the_o three_o day_n st._n luke_n add_v that_o they_o understand_v none_o of_o these_o thing_n and_o this_o say_n be_v hide_v from_o they_o neither_o know_v they_o the_o thing_n which_o be_v speak_v luke_n xviii_o 34._o and_o we_o find_v the_o same_o expression_n before_o luke_n ix_o 45._o even_o after_o our_o saviour_n have_v eat_v the_o passover_n with_o they_o and_o institute_v the_o sacrament_n of_o his_o body_n which_o be_v just_a then_o to_o be_v give_v up_o and_o to_o be_v crucify_a and_o of_o his_o blood_n which_o be_v to_o be_v shed_v for_o they_o they_o be_v still_o intent_n upon_o temporal_a thing_n and_o have_v expectation_n of_o be_v advance_v to_o place_n of_o authority_n and_o pre-eminence_n and_o there_o be_v a_o â—iâ—fe_n among_o they_o which_o of_o they_o shall_v be_v account_v the_o great_a luke_n xxii_o 24._o at_o his_o passion_n as_o one_o of_o they_o deny_v he_o thrice_o so_o all_o the_o rest_n forseek_v he_o and_o flee_v the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n write_v without_o any_o design_n or_o any_o end_n to_o serve_v but_o that_o of_o tell_v the_o truth_n and_o therefore_o they_o conceal_v nothing_o of_o their_o own_o fail_n and_o fault_n though_o they_o may_v prove_v never_o so_o disgraceful_a to_o they_o they_o acquaint_v we_o that_o they_o be_v ambitious_a and_o have_v a_o vain_a prospect_n of_o temporal_a grandeur_n that_o they_o be_v timorous_a and_o of_o little_a faith_n till_o the_o descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o which_o appear_v in_o nothing_o more_o than_o in_o this_o point_n of_o the_o resurrection_n they_o be_v man_n of_o no_o great_a natural_a capacity_n or_o quick_a apprehension_n and_o they_o have_v sometime_o find_v themselves_o mistake_v in_o understanding_n that_o literal_o which_o be_v speak_v to_o they_o in_o parable_n and_o it_o be_v natural_a for_o man_n to_o run_v from_o one_o extreme_a to_o another_o and_o usual_a for_o ignorant_a and_o unlearned_a man_n to_o imagine_v difficulty_n where_o there_o be_v none_o and_o this_o meeting_n with_o their_o wish_n and_o long_n after_o temporal_a greatness_n make_v they_o take_v all_o that_o be_v say_v to_o they_o concern_v the_o passion_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n in_o some_o such_o sense_n as_o may_v answer_v their_o hope_n and_o desire_n of_o temporal_a felicity_n but_o when_o his_o crucifixion_n have_v undeceive_v they_o in_o this_o conceit_n they_o be_v in_o such_o confusion_n and_o consternation_n of_o mind_n as_o not_o to_o be_v able_a â—o_o recollect_v themselves_o or_o to_o promise_v themselves_o any_o thing_n by_o his_o resurrection_n which_o they_o have_v no_o hope_n or_o expectation_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n be_v common_o as_o low_a as_o their_o education_n and_o their_o condition_n and_o station_n in_o the_o world_n be_v and_o be_v easy_o sink_v and_o depress_v much_o low_a by_o any_o great_a and_o sudden_a calamity_n and_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v in_o so_o mean_v a_o condition_n and_o have_v entertain_v a_o conceit_n of_o great_a and_o vain_a hope_n and_o then_o as_o unexpected_o fall_v from_o they_o must_v be_v so_o deject_v at_o it_o that_o it_o be_v no_o wonder_n that_o they_o think_v of_o nothing_o but_o their_o sorrow_n and_o have_v little_a heart_n to_o imagine_v any_o possibility_n of_o relief_n from_o the_o revive_n of_o he_o who_o they_o have_v see_v in_o that_o infamous_a and_o cruel_a manner_n put_v to_o death_n they_o be_v so_o possess_v with_o a_o opinion_n of_o a_o temporal_a kingdom_n that_o when_o they_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o resurrection_n and_o have_v afterward_o converse_v a_o long_a time_n with_o he_o they_o can_v not_o put_v it_o out_o of_o their_o mind_n act_n i_o 6._o and_o thetefore_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n that_o when_o they_o see_v he_o dead_a and_o in_o the_o grave_a