nor_o as_o many_o of_o her_o friend_n do_v as_o one_o delude_v by_o the_o devil_n but_o i_o see_v nothing_o in_o her_o case_n but_o what_o may_v be_v a_o natural_a effect_n of_o a_o overheat_v imagination_n in_o a_o person_n of_o a_o very_a melancholy_n devout_a temper_n especial_o be_v beforehand_o possess_v with_o the_o notion_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n and_o for_o the_o approbation_n give_v to_o her_o vision_n i_o do_v not_o wonder_v at_o they_o since_o there_o be_v a_o design_n to_o canonize_v she_o for_o a_o saint_n and_o she_o be_v the_o foundress_n of_o a_o new_a order_n and_o that_o there_o be_v something_o relate_v to_o this_o in_o the_o pen_n of_o her_o vision_n seem_v to_o be_v not_o obscure_o intimate_v in_o the_o last_o page_n of_o her_o book_n where_o she_o desire_v he_o to_o who_o she_o write_v it_o to_o make_v haste_n to_o serve_v his_o majesty_n 364._o that_o he_o may_v do_v she_o a_o favour_n for_o it_o seem_v by_o she_o own_o relation_n her_o order_n meet_v with_o great_a contradiction_n at_o court_n 312._o and_o for_o the_o approbation_n of_o her_o book_n i_o do_v no_o more_o wonder_n at_o that_o than_o i_o do_v at_o other_o that_o proceed_v upon_o the_o same_o principle_n viz._n of_o mystical_a theology_n but_o i_o do_v exceed_o admire_v at_o those_o person_n who_o dare_v to_o bring_v the_o single_a instance_n of_o s._n paul_n rapture_n to_o justify_v all_o the_o pretence_n to_o vision_n and_o rapture_n of_o the_o melancholy_a and_o distemper_a woman_n of_o their_o church_n if_o we_o have_v not_o so_o great_a reason_n to_o put_v such_o a_o mighty_a difference_n between_o they_o as_o to_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o person_n the_o reasonableness_n of_o their_o doctrine_n the_o miracle_n wrought_v to_o confirm_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n it_o will_v be_v as_o cardinal_z bessarion_n say_v of_o the_o canonisation_n of_o new_a saint_n that_o it_o make_v man_n question_v the_o old_a so_o these_o new_a rapture_n and_o vision_n will_v expose_v the_o credit_n and_o authority_n of_o undoubted_o divine_a revelation_n therefore_o let_v mr._n cressy_n and_o o._n n._n have_v a_o care_n while_o they_o be_v so_o ready_a to_o charge_v i_o with_o blaspheme_a god_n saint_n that_o by_o make_v the_o case_n so_o parallel_v between_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n and_o their_o new_a saint_n they_o do_v not_o lay_v in_o the_o way_n of_o all_o consider_v man_n of_o their_o church_n one_o of_o the_o great_a temptation_n to_o infidelity_n §_o 6._o but_o o._n n._n have_v not_o yet_o do_v 13._o for_o he_o bring_v all_o those_o phrase_n of_o scripture_n that_o relate_v to_o the_o sanctification_n of_o man_n soul_n by_o divine_a grace_n and_o the_o comfort_n of_o god_n spirit_n and_o the_o extraordinary_a revelation_n which_o come_v by_o the_o pour_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o the_o apostle_n and_o their_o disciple_n to_o justify_v the_o expression_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n which_o be_v all_o extreme_o impertinent_a unless_o he_o can_v prove_v from_o any_o of_o they_o such_o a_o union_n with_o the_o divine_a essence_n as_o exclude_v the_o use_n of_o ratiocination_n in_o the_o soul_n wherein_o the_o perfection_n of_o contemplative_a prayer_n be_v place_v and_o all_o the_o other_o phrase_n be_v to_o be_v understand_v with_o a_o respect_n to_o this_o 23._o and_o what_o though_o there_o be_v two_o spirit_n work_v within_o we_o and_o there_o be_v degree_n of_o spiritual_a person_n and_o the_o spirit_n assist_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n with_o good_a motion_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v resist_v and_o what_o if_o some_o have_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o this_o assistance_n than_o other_o what_o if_o excellent_a mind_n may_v attain_v to_o a_o assurance_n that_o they_o be_v under_o the_o conduct_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n and_o may_v have_v great_a comfort_n and_o satisfaction_n therein_o nay_o what_o if_o i_o shall_v grant_v that_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n be_v attainable_a in_o this_o life_n yet_o all_o this_o be_v nothing_o to_o his_o purpose_n unless_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o the_o suppose_v the_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v consistent_a with_o lay_v aside_o the_o use_n of_o all_o ratiocination_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o mystical_a union_n do_v not_o expose_v man_n to_o the_o great_a enthusiasm_n and_o most_o fanatic_a delusion_n imaginable_a i_o mean_v that_o state_n which_o himself_o express_v 29._o by_o those_o supernatural_a elevation_n wherein_o be_v communicate_v to_o the_o soul_n many_o time_n celestial_a secret_n and_o divine_a mystery_n and_o future_a event_n by_o internal_a word_n and_o revelation_n all_o which_o thing_n be_v receive_v by_o it_o with_o a_o great_a tranquillity_n and_o attention_n and_o cessation_n of_o the_o natural_a use_n of_o its_o faculty_n sensitive_a or_o intellectual_a nor_o seem_v it_o in_o its_o own_o disposal_n while_o it_o have_v these_o touch_n and_o this_o be_v that_o he_o tell_v we_o which_o the_o mystic_a divine_n express_v by_o the_o term_n of_o a_o supernatural_a or_o rather_o superessential_a life_n a_o deisormity_n or_o deification_n of_o a_o sense_n or_o fruition_n of_o god_n presence_n in_o the_o fund_z depth_n or_o centre_n or_o innermost_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o also_o in_o the_o apex_n or_o supreme_a point_n of_o it_o of_o passive_a union_n wherein_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v not_o a_o exclusion_n of_o all_o act_n whatsoever_o but_o a_o exclusion_n of_o any_o discursive_a and_o laborious_a act_n and_o any_o primary_n move_v of_o itself_o to_o action_n this_o explication_n i_o accept_v of_o and_o undertake_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o in_o it_o be_v contain_v the_o great_a height_n of_o fanaticism_n for_o what_o can_v be_v imagine_v great_a than_o to_o exempt_v all_o pretender_n to_o enthusiasm_n and_o divine_a inspiration_n from_o any_o trial_n by_o humane_a reason_n for_o if_o no_o person_n be_v competent_a judge_n of_o these_o supernatural_a elevation_n but_o those_o which_o have_v experience_n of_o they_o as_o they_o assert_v if_o by_o virtue_n of_o these_o elevation_n man_n come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a mystery_n and_o future_a event_n by_o internal_a word_n and_o revelation_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v with_o any_o person_n who_o pretend_v to_o these_o elevation_n must_v their_o confessor_n judge_v of_o they_o but_o why_o for_o either_o they_o have_v not_o experience_v these_o thing_n and_o then_o they_o be_v no_o competent_a judge_n or_o they_o have_v and_o then_o they_o be_v pretender_n to_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o aught_o as_o much_o to_o be_v judge_v by_o other_o but_o how_o by_o the_o act_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o rule_n of_o it_o how_o be_v that_o possible_a when_o they_o be_v suppose_v to_o be_v above_o all_o act_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_n and_o to_o do_v it_o without_o reason_n will_v be_v as_o little_a honour_n to_o the_o judge_n as_o it_o will_v be_v vindication_n to_o the_o pretender_n but_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v judge_n why_o so_o since_o the_o spirit_n can_v no_o more_o deceive_v one_o than_o a_o thousand_o and_o they_o have_v satisfaction_n in_o themselves_o that_o it_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n in_o they_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v possible_a for_o any_o to_o have_v that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n direct_v the_o church_n nay_o much_o great_a for_o the_o other_o be_v only_o the_o certainty_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_n but_o this_o be_v a_o inward_a certainty_n of_o experience_n above_o all_o ratiocination_n but_o how_o again_o shall_v the_o church_n judge_n of_o this_o if_o the_o church_n pretend_v to_o the_o same_o thing_n she_o be_v liable_a to_o the_o same_o accusation_n if_o she_o do_v not_o she_o can_v have_v no_o pretence_n to_o judge_v of_o thing_n that_o be_v to_o be_v know_v only_o by_o experience_n so_o that_o if_o man_n speak_v consequent_o and_o agreeable_o to_o themselves_o there_o be_v no_o way_n of_o trial_n leave_v for_o pretender_n to_o these_o thing_n and_o what_o shall_v hinder_v every_o enthusiast_n from_o this_o pretence_n or_o something_o very_o like_o it_o viz._n divine_a inspiration_n why_o shall_v the_o pretence_n to_o the_o spirit_n be_v more_o liable_a to_o the_o trial_n of_o other_o man_n reason_n or_o authority_n than_o the_o pretence_n to_o mystical_a union_n can_v they_o make_v use_n of_o the_o very_a same_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o justify_v all_o the_o fanatic_a pretence_n to_o immediate_a impulse_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o divine_a spirit_n can_v they_o tell_v man_n as_o easy_o that_o they_o that_o be_v unexperienced_a be_v no_o judge_n in_o this_o case_n and_o that_o the_o sensual_a man_n can_v understand_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n nay_o these_o have_v be_v the_o very_a plea_n of_o all_o our_o enthusiast_n and_o there_o be_v scarce_o one_o place_n of_o scripture_n
image_n and_o discourse_n and_o we_o actuate_v immediate_o by_o operation_n of_o the_o will_n to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v arrive_v to_o a_o state_n of_o stability_n in_o prayer_n above_o all_o direct_a exercise_n of_o any_o of_o the_o soul_n faculty_n a_o state_n wherein_o the_o soul_n be_v oft_o bring_v to_o the_o utmost_a of_o her_o work_n be_v force_v to_o cease_v all_o work_n to_o the_o end_n that_o god_n may_v operate_v in_o she_o so_o that_o till_o the_o soul_n be_v reduce_v to_o a_o perfect_a denudation_n of_o spirit_n a_o deprivation_n of_o all_o thing_n god_n do_v not_o enjoy_v a_o secure_a and_o perfect_a possession_n of_o it_o nay_o he_o say_v elsewhere_o 14._o that_o all_o use_n of_o meditation_n must_v be_v for_o a_o long_a space_n pass_v and_o relinquish_v before_o the_o soul_n will_v be_v bring_v to_o this_o good_a state_n of_o have_v a_o continual_a flux_n of_o holy_a desire_n i_o may_v produce_v much_o more_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n out_o of_o he_o but_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o show_v that_o they_o leave_v no_o use_n of_o ratiocination_n or_o memory_n in_o that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o perfect_a state_n of_o the_o contemplative_a life_n and_o how_o be_v it_o then_o possible_a that_o it_o shall_v be_v either_o understand_v or_o explain_v nay_o f._n baker_n say_v that_o there_o be_v a_o cessation_n of_o all_o work_n of_o the_o soul_n which_o be_v a_o little_a hard_o yet_o but_o this_o be_v that_o otium_fw-la mysticum_fw-la or_o divine_a state_n of_o quiescency_n which_o the_o mystical_a divine_n magnify_v so_o much_o and_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o give_v any_o account_n of_o either_o how_o the_o soul_n be_v of_o so_o active_a a_o nature_n can_v subsist_v with_o a_o cessation_n of_o all_o her_o work_n or_o suppose_v that_o possible_a how_o it_o can_v ever_o give_v a_o account_n of_o that_o state_n wherein_o there_o be_v a_o cessation_n of_o all_o her_o work_n it_o be_v altogether_o as_o possible_a to_o give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o state_n of_o not-being_a as_o of_o such_o a_o state_n wherein_o there_o be_v no_o operation_n of_o the_o soul_n or_o at_o least_o no_o use_v of_o ratiocination_n and_o memory_n and_o of_o all_o thing_n methinks_v it_o be_v most_o improper_a to_o call_v that_o the_o state_n of_o contemplation_n the_o state_n of_o nothingness_n be_v much_o more_o agreeable_a to_o it_o but_o o._n n._n defend_v this_o to_o be_v a_o state_n of_o contemplation_n for_o although_o say_v he_o it_o be_v apply_v to_o the_o will_n 61._o yet_o its_o act_n be_v not_o single_a but_o accompany_v with_o a_o simple_a intelligence_n or_o sight_n of_o the_o object_n perform_v by_o the_o intellect_n without_o any_o or_o at_o least_o much_o discourse_n thereof_o but_o this_o be_v not_o fair_a deal_n for_o f._n baker_n express_o exclude_v all_o discourse_n he_o say_v not_o any_o or_o at_o least_o not_o much_o but_o if_o there_o be_v any_o baker_n make_v it_o not_o the_o state_n of_o pure_a contemplation_n however_o do_v o._n n._n think_v that_o which_o he_o call_v simple_a intelligence_n or_o the_o understand_a thing_n without_o ratiocination_n be_v a_o thing_n we_o be_v capable_a of_o â—_o during_o the_o conjunction_n of_o soul_n and_o body_n but_o o._n n._n acknowledge_v that_o these_o supernatural_a communication_n of_o the_o divine_a majesty_n to_o some_o of_o his_o choice_a servant_n in_o prayer_n be_v so_o sublime_a and_o high_a as_o that_o they_o be_v describe_v by_o they_o not_o without_o great_a difficulty_n and_o unusual_a expression_n which_o be_v not_o so_o well_o understand_v but_o by_o such_o as_o have_v experience_v such_o favour_n which_o also_o happen_v to_o very_o few_o why_o then_o do_v they_o undertake_v to_o explain_v they_o why_o do_v they_o write_v of_o they_o and_o publish_v they_o to_o the_o world_n but_o commend_v i_o to_o mr._n cressy_n himself_o 37â—_n who_o give_v i_o a_o very_a plain_a reason_n why_o i_o do_v not_o understand_v these_o thing_n viz._n in_o the_o word_n of_o s._n paul_n 14_o that_o the_o sensual_a man_n neither_o do_v nor_o can_v possible_o understand_v they_o because_o they_o be_v spiritual_o discern_v and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o they_o be_v esteem_v foolishness_n by_o he_o who_o have_v never_o experience_v they_o what_o yet_o more_o of_o your_o charity_n mr._n cressy_n i_o pretend_v to_o no_o mystical_a union_n and_o shall_v think_v it_o no_o perfection_n much_o less_o a_o state_n of_o pure_a contemplation_n to_o have_v all_o operation_n of_o my_o mind_n suspend_v but_o what_o then_o must_v i_o be_v a_o sensual_a man_n for_o this_o and_o uncapable_a of_o understand_v the_o thing_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n this_o answer_n i_o shall_v have_v expect_v from_o a_o quaker_n and_o it_o be_v the_o common_a place_n they_o run_v to_o when_o any_o tell_v they_o that_o they_o talk_v nonsense_n or_o unintelligible_a cant_v and_o i_o dare_v say_v they_o speak_v nothing_o more_o unintelligible_a than_o this_o mystical_a divinity_n i_o may_v have_v expect_v this_o answer_n from_o a_o follower_n of_o jacob_n behmen_n who_o talk_v very_o sublime_a thing_n too_o in_o his_o way_n and_o very_o much_o like_o mystical_a divinity_n i_o may_v have_v expect_v it_o from_o a_o rosycrucian_n for_o i_o find_v that_o he_o who_o write_v the_o epistle_n apologetical_a for_o the_o brethren_n of_o that_o order_n 17._o produce_v the_o very_a same_o place_n of_o scripture_n to_o justify_v they_o that_o o._n n._n and_o mr._n cressy_n do_v for_o mystical_a divinity_n and_o say_v that_o they_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o perfection_n which_o god_n do_v not_o communicate_v to_o all_o but_o only_o to_o his_o elect_a and_o therefore_o no_o wonder_n if_o other_o do_v not_o understand_v it_o but_o what_o it_o mr._n cressy_n do_v not_o after_o all_o this_o understand_v s._n paul_n and_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a he_o do_v not_o for_o s._n paul_n do_v not_o there_o speak_v of_o any_o that_o have_v embrace_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n and_o reject_v any_o sublime_a pretence_n of_o devotion_n as_o a_o thing_n not_o intelligible_a or_o consonant_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n of_o my_o reject_v mystical_a divinity_n but_o he_o speak_v of_o such_o who_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christianity_n itself_o because_o it_o depend_v upon_o divine_a revelation_n and_o so_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v not_o the_o sensual_a man_n as_o mr._n cressy_n out_o of_o mere_a charity_n to_o i_o render_v it_o but_o the_o man_n that_o suppose_v such_o a_o natural_a sufficiency_n in_o the_o humane_a soul_n in_o order_n to_o its_o own_o perfection_n and_o happiness_n as_o the_o philosopher_n do_v that_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n either_o of_o divine_a revelation_n to_o discover_v any_o new_a doctrine_n or_o of_o divine_a grace_n to_o conduct_v we_o to_o our_o happiness_n this_o i_o can_v easy_o make_v appear_v to_o be_v s._n paul_n meaning_n from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o design_n of_o his_o discourse_n as_o well_o as_o the_o importance_n of_o the_o word_n and_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o best_a interpreter_n of_o s._n paul_n i_o mean_v s._n chrysostome_n and_o his_o disciple_n viz._n isidore_n pelusiot_n and_o the_o greek_a scholiast_n but_o i_o forbear_v for_o fear_v mr._n cressy_n shall_v think_v i_o take_v another_o opportunity_n to_o empty_v my_o voluminous_a store_n of_o collection_n but_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o endeavour_n of_o mr._n cressy_n and_o his_o friend_n n._n o._n to_o make_v the_o state_n of_o contemplation_n as_o describe_v by_o f._n baker_n more_o intelligible_a it_o have_v yet_o so_o much_o of_o darkness_n and_o shadow_n in_o it_o that_o the_o more_o they_o pursue_v it_o the_o far_a it_o fly_v from_o they_o §_o 4._o but_o that_o be_v not_o all_o the_o quarrel_n i_o have_v to_o this_o mystical_a divinity_n that_o it_o be_v unintelligible_a but_o that_o it_o lead_v person_n into_o strange_a illusion_n of_o fancy_n and_o when_o they_o think_v themselves_o free_a from_o image_n they_o do_v then_o labour_v most_o under_o the_o power_n of_o a_o strong_a imagination_n embrace_v only_o the_o cloud_n of_o their_o own_o fancy_n instead_o of_o such_o a_o immediate_a union_n with_o the_o divine_a essence_n in_o the_o pure_a fund_z of_o the_o spirit_n and_o this_o i_o take_v to_o be_v a_o great_a injury_n not_o only_o to_o those_o melancholy_a soul_n that_o be_v lead_v through_o this_o valley_n of_o shade_n and_o darkness_n but_o to_o the_o christian_a religion_n itself_o as_o though_o the_o way_n of_o perfection_n teach_v by_o it_o be_v a_o low_a mean_a contemptible_a thing_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o mystical_a flight_n of_o this_o contemplative_a way_n there_o be_v these_o two_o thing_n therefore_o i_o shall_v endeavour_v to_o show_v 1._o that_o this_o mystical_a way_n have_v no_o foundation_n
god_n be_v not_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n but_o of_o peace_n whence_o it_o follow_v that_o he_o who_o hold_v his_o peace_n to_o give_v way_n to_o another_o to_o speak_v he_o can_v either_o speak_v or_o hold_v his_o peace_n at_o his_o pleasure_n but_o that_o he_o who_o speak_v in_o a_o ecstasy_n i._n e._n against_o his_o will_n be_v not_o at_o liberty_n to_o speak_v or_o to_o be_v silent_a and_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n he_o speak_v in_o other_o place_n 33._o in_o which_o he_o say_v that_o all_o the_o vision_n and_o revelation_n which_o come_v â—rom_o god_n be_v full_a of_o wisdom_n and_o reason_n and_o not_o like_o the_o extravagancy_n of_o montanus_n nay_o s._n chrysostom_n go_v high_a 1._o and_o impute_v all_o fanatic_a ecstasy_n to_o the_o devil_n who_o break_v in_o upon_o the_o soul_n and_o blind_v the_o understanding_n and_o darken_v the_o reason_v faculty_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n do_v not_o so_o but_o suffer_v the_o heart_n to_o know_v what_o it_o say_v the_o devil_n as_o a_o enemy_n fight_v against_o the_o humane_a soul_n but_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o take_v care_n of_o it_o and_o ready_a to_o do_v it_o good_a communicate_v his_o counsel_n to_o those_o who_o receive_v it_o and_o reveals_z unto_o they_o divine_a thing_n with_o understanding_n 29._o and_o elsewhere_o he_o make_v this_o the_o great_a difference_n between_o divination_n and_o divine_a revelation_n that_o the_o one_o be_v do_v in_o ecstasy_n and_o rapture_n with_o violence_n to_o the_o mind_n the_o other_o sedate_o and_o composed_o and_o understand_v whatever_o they_o speak_v for_o god_n do_v not_o press_v they_o by_o violence_n nor_o darken_v their_o understanding_n but_o do_v advise_v and_o teach_v they_o leave_v they_o still_o master_n of_o themselves_o whence_o ionas_n flee_v and_o ezekiel_n put_v off_o and_o jeremiah_n excuse_v himself_o s._n basil_n 〈◊〉_d utter_o deny_v that_o the_o humane_a understanding_n be_v ever_o suspend_v by_o divine_a revelation_n or_o that_o man_n be_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o ratiocination_n for_o how_o do_v it_o stana_n with_o reason_n that_o through_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o spirit_n a_o man_n shall_v become_v as_o one_o beside_o himself_o and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o knowledge_n shall_v deliver_v thing_n incoherent_a for_o neither_o be_v light_a the_o cause_n of_o blindness_n nor_o do_v the_o spirit_n cause_v obscurity_n in_o man_n mind_n but_o raise_v the_o understanding_n to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o thing_n intelligible_a cleanse_v it_o from_o the_o stain_n of_o sin_n nor_o be_v it_o improbable_a that_o through_o the_o design_n of_o the_o evil_a spirit_n who_o lay_v his_o ambush_n to_o ensnare_v humane_a nature_n the_o mind_n be_v confound_v but_o to_o say_v the_o same_o be_v do_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n be_v impious_a from_o all_o which_o testimony_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o evident_a than_o that_o the_o vision_n and_o revelation_n the_o ecstasy_n and_o rapture_n which_o s._n c._n and_o o._n n._n do_v plead_v for_o be_v condemn_v by_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n and_o the_o most_o eminent_a light_n of_o it_o as_o the_o very_a height_n of_o fanaticism_n but_o o._n n._n will_v have_v man_n believe_v 16._o that_o the_o ancient_a church_n do_v very_o much_o favour_n such_o ecstasy_n and_o vision_n to_o that_o end_n he_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o tertullian_n aâ—imâ—â—9_n concern_v the_o sister_n that_o fall_v into_o a_o ecstasy_n and_o have_v the_o vision_n of_o the_o corporeity_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o though_o tertullian_n be_v not_o know_v to_o have_v take_v the_o part_n of_o montanus_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o in_o that_o very_a place_n in_o the_o next_o word_n to_o those_o cite_v by_o o_n n._n he_o plead_v for_o the_o continuance_n of_o vision_n and_o ecstasy_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o in_o several_a other_o place_n of_o the_o same_o bâ—ok_n and_o i_o desire_v o._n n._n 6._o and_o his_o brethren_n to_o consider_v a_o little_o better_a what_o they_o say_v when_o they_o charge_v i_o with_o make_v all_o antiquity_n fanatic_a upon_o the_o same_o ground_n that_o i_o charge_v fanaticism_n on_o their_o church_n for_o it_o be_v most_o evident_a by_o this_o discourse_n that_o i_o have_v the_o best_a and_o pure_a antiquity_n and_o the_o full_a consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o the_o case_n of_o montanus_n clear_o on_o my_o side_n and_o i_o declare_v free_o that_o i_o value_v this_o consent_n above_o all_o the_o writer_n of_o the_o life_n of_o saint_n from_o s._n antony_n downward_o and_o it_o be_v the_o only_a considerable_a thing_n which_o diano_n say_v on_o this_o subject_n 24._o if_o we_o do_v not_o allow_v of_o vision_n and_o rapture_n and_o revelation_n what_o will_v become_v say_v he_o of_o all_o the_o life_n of_o the_o saint_n and_o the_o legend_n which_o be_v full_a of_o they_o as_o may_v be_v see_v in_o lippoman_n surius_n baronius_n and_o the_o monastic_a history_n of_o the_o dominican_n and_o franciscan_n what_o will_v become_v of_o the_o speculum_fw-la exemplorum_fw-la of_o the_o promptuaria_fw-la the_o libre_fw-la apum_fw-la the_o legend_n of_o the_o bless_a virgin_n and_o a_o thousand_o such_o excellent_a book_n true_o it_o be_v the_o least_o part_n of_o my_o concernment_n what_o become_v of_o they_o and_o i_o think_v it_o have_v be_v much_o more_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o christianity_n if_o they_o have_v never_o be_v write_v and_o if_o as_o o._n n._n say_v it_o be_v now_o too_o late_o to_o cry_v such_o thing_n down_o 13._o i_o be_o very_o hearty_o sorry_a for_o it_o and_o it_o be_v a_o plain_a discovery_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o montanus_n have_v too_o much_o possess_v that_o which_o they_o call_v the_o catholic_n church_n but_o o._n n._n beside_o tertullian_n produce_v several_a passage_n of_o s._n augustin_n to_o justify_v these_o supernatural_a and_o extraordinary_a grace_n and_o caress_n receive_v from_o god_n 40._o for_o those_o of_o s._n gregory_n and_o s._n bernard_n be_v not_o of_o so_o great_a weight_n in_o this_o matter_n to_o deserve_v a_o particular_a consideration_n where_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v so_o full_o prove_v already_o s._n augustin_n be_v bring_v in_o by_o he_o as_o acknowledge_v his_o conversion_n from_o manichaism_n to_o have_v be_v from_o a_o divine_a revelation_n concern_v god_n incorruptibility_n and_o immutability_n but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o purpose_n if_o the_o free_a use_n and_o exercise_v of_o his_o reason_n be_v continue_v therein_o yet_o no_o such_o thing_n do_v appear_v by_o any_o thing_n say_v by_o s._n augustin_n 6._o in_o the_o dispute_n with_o fortunatus_n he_o do_v say_v that_o he_o will_v answer_v that_o which_o god_n will_v have_v he_o to_o know_v that_o god_n can_v suffer_v no_o necessity_n nor_o have_v any_o violence_n put_v upon_o he_o which_o fortunatus_n say_v god_n have_v reveal_v to_o he_o and_o in_o the_o conclusion_n make_v use_n of_o the_o force_n of_o that_o argument_n he_o say_v by_o that_o he_o be_v divine_o admonish_v to_o leave_v the_o manichean_a doctrine_n and_o what_o be_v all_o this_o to_o mystical_a divinity_n what_o immediate_a revelation_n or_o vision_n or_o rapture_n be_v this_o for_o a_o man_n to_o acknowledge_v there_o be_v something_o divine_a in_o the_o force_n of_o a_o particular_a argument_n to_o convince_v he_o do_v i_o ever_o call_v it_o fanaticism_n for_o man_n to_o acknowledge_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n in_o the_o illumination_n of_o their_o mind_n when_o some_o particular_a argument_n may_v persuade_v they_o at_o some_o time_n which_o at_o another_o may_v not_o have_v do_v it_o and_o to_o let_v we_o see_v that_o s._n augustin_n mean_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o any_o particular_a revelation_n in_o this_o case_n in_o the_o seven_o book_n of_o confession_n he_o give_v a_o account_n by_o what_o step_n and_o degree_n he_o be_v bring_v off_o from_o manichaism_n and_o as_o much_o by_o the_o exercise_n of_o reason_n and_o understanding_n as_o we_o shall_v easy_o meet_v with_o in_o any_o person_n and_o as_o to_o this_o particular_a argument_n 2._o as_o though_o he_o have_v a_o mind_n to_o prevent_v any_o such_o imagination_n he_o say_v he_o have_v it_o from_o nebridius_fw-la at_o carthage_n but_o i_o can_v but_o wonder_v at_o the_o bring_n in_o the_o nesciens_fw-la unde_fw-la &_o quomodo_fw-la and_o hoc_fw-la uno_fw-la ictu_fw-la in_o the_o forego_n chapter_n 1._o where_o he_o speak_v express_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o form_v a_o conception_n of_o god_n as_o a_o spiritual_a be_v upon_o which_o he_o say_v that_o although_o he_o can_v not_o tell_v whence_o or_o how_o yet_o he_o be_v certain_a that_o a_o corruptible_fw-fr be_v be_v more_o imperfect_a than_o a_o incorruptible_a and_o therefore_o his_o heart_n do_v rise_v against_o his_o imagination_n and_o with_o
unsearchable_a depth_n of_o wisdom_n any_o one_o that_o â—asts_v a_o eye_n upon_o this_o kind_n of_o discourse_n will_v easy_o find_v it_o to_o proceed_v upon_o very_o different_a ground_n in_o order_n to_o the_o perfection_n of_o man_n mind_n from_o what_o be_v deliver_v in_o the_o christian_a religion_n for_o there_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v eternal_a life_n 3._o to_o know_v god_n and_o his_o son_n jesus_n christ_n here_o we_o be_v tell_v that_o we_o can_v come_v at_o perfection_n in_o the_o way_n of_o knowledge_n but_o of_o ignorance_n and_o not_o know_v 5._o there_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n be_v light_a and_o in_o he_o be_v no_o darkness_n at_o all_o here_o that_o he_o be_v the_o most_o profound_a darkness_n and_o obscurity_n here_o we_o meet_v with_o no_o difference_n at_o all_o as_o to_o the_o clearness_n of_o our_o apprehension_n concern_v the_o divine_a nature_n from_o what_o man_n have_v before_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n whereas_o it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o excellency_n of_o christianity_n that_o by_o it_o we_o come_v to_o know_v the_o true_a god_n much_o better_a than_o mankind_n have_v do_v before_o and_o be_v able_a to_o form_v a_o very_a true_a and_o distinct_a conception_n of_o he_o in_o our_o mind_n as_o of_o a_o be_v of_o infinite_a wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o power_n although_o we_o can_v attain_v to_o a_o full_a comprehension_n of_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n yet_o that_o do_v not_o hinder_v our_o conception_n from_o be_v clear_a and_o true_a though_o not_o adequate_a and_o perfect_a and_o if_o we_o can_v have_v no_o clear_a knowledge_n and_o more_o steady_a conception_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n to_o what_o end_n be_v we_o tell_v by_o it_o 18._o that_o no_o man_n have_v see_v god_n at_o any_o time_n the_o only_o beget_v son_n which_o be_v in_o the_o bosom_n of_o the_o father_n he_o have_v reveal_v he_o that_o now_o the_o vail_n of_o darkness_n be_v take_v away_o 18._o and_o we_o all_o with_o open_a face_n behold_v as_o in_o a_o glass_n the_o glory_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v change_v into_o the_o same_o image_n not_o that_o our_o transformation_n be_v to_o come_v by_o darkness_n and_o the_o cessation_n of_o intellectual_a operation_n as_o this_o mystical_a union_n imply_v but_o beside_o this_o mystical_a way_n pretend_v to_o carry_v man_n above_o all_o external_a reuâ—â—ation_n as_o well_o as_o intellectual_a knowledge_n for_o so_o much_o be_v employ_v in_o the_o raise_n the_o mind_n above_o all_o divine_a light_n 135._o and_o heavenly_a sound_n and_o word_n i._n e._n say_v hersentius_n above_o all_o the_o manifestation_n of_o god_n what_o soever_o which_o be_v make_v to_o the_o mind_n which_o mystical_a way_n of_o perfection_n be_v suppose_v possible_a i_o see_v no_o necessity_n at_o all_o of_o christ_n come_v into_o the_o world_n nor_o of_o any_o influence_n his_o death_n or_o suffering_n or_o doctrine_n can_v have_v upon_o the_o bring_n man_n to_o a_o state_n of_o happiness_n for_o the_o whole_a hypothesis_n proceed_v only_o upon_o these_o principle_n 1._o the_o obscurity_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o the_o impossibility_n of_o our_o attain_n so_o clear_a a_o perception_n of_o god_n in_o our_o mind_n as_o for_o we_o ever_o to_o hope_v for_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n with_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n 2._o that_o the_o only_a possible_a way_n of_o attain_v it_o be_v by_o the_o abstraction_n of_o ourselves_o from_o all_o sensible_a and_o intellectual_a operation_n and_o thereby_o bring_v our_o soul_n to_o a_o immediate_a union_n with_o the_o divine_a essence_n §_o 13._o have_v thus_o endeavour_v to_o bring_v these_o thing_n out_o of_o the_o cloud_n of_o the_o sublime_a nonsense_n and_o seem_a contradiction_n which_o they_o be_v wrap_v up_o in_o we_o may_v more_o easy_o discern_v from_o whence_o all_o these_o notion_n be_v take_v and_o sly_o convey_v into_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n as_o the_o high_a way_n of_o perfection_n for_o which_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v that_o the_o christian_a religion_n grow_v very_o considerable_a notwithstanding_o all_o the_o endeavour_n use_v by_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o governor_n of_o province_n to_o suppress_v it_o and_o very_o learned_a man_n have_v take_v upon_o they_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o in_o several_a part_n of_o the_o empire_n but_o especial_o at_o alexandria_n the_o heathen_a philosopher_n see_v there_o be_v a_o absolute_a necessity_n of_o make_v the_o best_a they_o can_v of_o the_o pagan_a theology_n to_o this_o end_n they_o bestir_v themselves_o to_o gather_v together_o the_o most_o considerable_a part_n of_o the_o chaldaic_a egyptian_a and_o platonic_a theology_n and_o put_v they_o together_o to_o form_v such_o a_o method_n for_o the_o perfection_n of_o man_n soul_n as_o will_v appear_v more_o sublime_a than_o the_o christian_a institution_n for_o this_o end_n plotinus_n porphyry_n jamblichus_n proclus_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o they_o do_v employ_v the_o utmost_a of_o their_o study_n and_o care_n for_o they_o see_v now_o it_o be_v to_o no_o purpose_n for_o they_o to_o spend_v their_o time_n in_o idle_a curiosity_n and_o the_o vain_a dispute_n of_o the_o several_a sect_n of_o philosopher_n therefore_o they_o endeavour_v to_o lay_v aside_o these_o ammonius_n of_o alexandria_n have_v show_v they_o the_o way_n and_o to_o bend_v their_o study_n chief_o about_o show_v man_n such_o a_o way_n of_o purify_n their_o soul_n as_o may_v bring_v they_o to_o a_o state_n of_o perfection_n without_o embrace_v christianity_n for_o they_o see_v that_o the_o common_a people_n be_v become_v philosopher_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n and_o outgo_v they_o in_o the_o bear_a torment_n and_o all_o sort_n of_o misery_n only_o in_o expectation_n of_o that_o bless_a state_n which_o the_o christian_a religion_n do_v give_v man_n so_o great_a assurance_n of_o and_o give_v such_o excellent_a direction_n by_o the_o practice_n of_o all_o divine_a virtue_n for_o man_n attain_v to_o it_o we_o know_v there_o be_v no_o great_a enemy_n in_o the_o world_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n than_o porphyrius_n be_v against_o who_o eusâ—bius_n methodius_n and_o many_o other_o write_v in_o defence_n of_o christianity_n yet_o it_o appear_v by_o what_o we_o have_v remain_v of_o his_o write_n that_o he_o have_v a_o very_a mean_a esteem_n of_o the_o common_a custom_n of_o sacrifice_a 11._o and_o of_o those_o daemon_n which_o be_v please_v with_o the_o smoke_n of_o flesh_n and_o he_o look_v upon_o the_o theurgic_a way_n as_o liable_a to_o deceit_n and_o not_o capable_a of_o advance_v the_o soul_n to_o high_a perfection_n which_o theurgic_a way_n lay_v in_o the_o initiate_a of_o man_n in_o some_o sacred_a mystery_n by_o partake_v of_o certain_a rite_n and_o symbol_n by_o which_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o presence_n of_o some_o of_o their_o deity_n the_o end_n whereof_o as_o they_o pretend_v be_v reduce_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n to_o that_o state_n they_o be_v in_o before_o they_o come_v into_o the_o body_n 10._o so_o s._n augustin_n telâ—s_v we_o from_o porphyry_n that_o they_o who_o be_v purify_v after_o this_o manner_n do_v converse_v with_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o angel_n which_o they_o be_v fit_v to_o see_v but_o porphyry_n himself_o as_o he_o do_v not_o utter_o reject_v this_o low_a and_o symbolical_a way_n so_o he_o say_v that_o the_o high_a perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v not_o attainable_a by_o it_o but_o it_o be_v useful_a for_o purify_n the_o low_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o not_o the_o intellectual_a by_o the_o low_a part_n he_o understand_v the_o irrational_a which_o by_o the_o theurgical_a rite_n may_v be_v fit_v for_o conversation_n with_o angel_n but_o the_o intellectual_a part_n can_v not_o be_v elevate_v by_o it_o to_o the_o contemplation_n of_o god_n and_o the_o vision_n of_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v true_a and_o herein_o he_o place_v the_o utmost_a perfection_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o its_o return_n to_o and_o union_n with_o god_n in_o this_o upper_a part_n or_o fund_z of_o the_o soul_n for_o the_o utmost_a the_o other_o attain_v to_o be_v only_o to_o live_v among_o the_o aetherial_a spirit_n but_o the_o contemplative_a soul_n return_v to_o the_o father_n as_o he_o speak_v 29._o which_o as_o many_o other_o of_o his_o notion_n he_o borrow_v from_o the_o chaldaic_a theology_n to_o show_v what_o this_o intellectual_a or_o contemplative_a life_n be_v that_o shall_v bring_v man_n soul_n to_o this_o state_n of_o perfection_n porphyry_n write_v a_o book_n on_o purpose_n of_o the_o return_n of_o the_o soul_n as_o s._n austin_n tell_v we_o who_o quote_v many_o passage_n out_o of_o it_o and_o this_o particular_a precept_n above_o all_o the_o rest_n that_o the_o soul_n must_v fly_v
at_o all_o in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n 2._o the_o way_n and_o manner_n how_o it_o come_v into_o the_o christian_a church_n and_o have_v obtain_v so_o much_o favour_n in_o it_o 1._o that_o it_o have_v no_o foundation_n at_o all_o in_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n it_o be_v the_o great_a excellency_n of_o the_o christian_a religion_n that_o it_o give_v we_o such_o incomparable_a direction_n in_o order_n to_o the_o complete_a felicity_n of_o our_o immortal_a soul_n that_o it_o have_v not_o only_o discover_v more_o plain_o and_o full_o the_o bless_a state_n of_o another_o life_n but_o teach_v man_n the_o most_o effectual_a way_n to_o prepare_v their_o mind_n for_o it_o viz._n by_o sincere_a repentance_n by_o inward_a purity_n by_o subdue_a our_o passion_n and_o due_a government_n of_o our_o action_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o temperance_n and_o justice_n by_o dependence_n on_o divine_a providence_n as_o to_o the_o affair_n of_o this_o world_n by_o patience_n under_o affliction_n by_o do_v good_a to_o other_o although_o our_o enemy_n and_o persecutor_n by_o deep_a humility_n and_o mean_a thought_n of_o ourselves_o by_o a_o large_a charity_n think_v as_o well_o of_o as_o do_v well_o to_o other_o by_o value_v the_o concernment_n of_o another_o life_n above_o the_o advantage_n of_o this_o which_o be_v call_v self-denial_n and_o to_o that_o degree_n that_o when_o our_o religion_n call_v for_o it_o we_o shall_v willing_o part_v with_o our_o life_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o it_o this_o as_o far_o as_o i_o can_v understand_v it_o be_v the_o summary_n comprehension_n of_o a_o christian_n duty_n in_o order_n to_o his_o happiness_n and_o by_o patient_a continuance_n in_o welldoing_a he_o may_v with_o reason_n hope_v for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o that_o bless_a state_n which_o be_v reserve_v to_o another_o life_n the_o which_o be_v make_v know_v to_o the_o world_n by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n therefore_o faith_n in_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n be_v make_v so_o necessary_a a_o part_n of_o a_o christian_n duty_n and_o because_o we_o want_v divine_a supply_n and_o assistance_n to_o enable_v we_o to_o do_v our_o duty_n therefore_o we_o be_v so_o much_o command_v to_o be_v frequent_a and_o â—ervent_a in_o prayer_n and_o many_o promise_n and_o encouragement_n be_v give_v to_o the_o due_a performance_n of_o it_o from_o god_n readiness_n to_o hear_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o righteous_a and_o to_o grant_v the_o request_n they_o make_v to_o he_o all_o this_o be_v not_o only_o excellent_a in_o itself_o and_o most_o reasonable_a to_o be_v do_v but_o very_o easy_a to_o understand_v but_o not_o a_o word_n in_o all_o this_o tend_v to_o any_o immediate_a union_n with_o god_n in_o the_o pure_a fund_z of_o the_o spirit_n or_o such_o a_o state_n of_o contemplation_n wherein_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v suspend_v nothing_o of_o passive_a union_n and_o vision_n and_o rapture_n as_o such_o thing_n which_o every_o christian_a who_o look_v for_o perfection_n may_v hope_v for_o it_o be_v true_a we_o be_v often_o command_v to_o love_n god_n with_o all_o our_o heart_n but_o withal_o we_o be_v tell_v we_o must_v not_o fancy_v this_o love_n to_o be_v a_o mere_a languish_a passion_n towards_o a_o infinite_a object_n which_o we_o therefore_o love_v because_o we_o do_v not_o understand_v but_o see_v he_o only_o in_o profound_a darkness_n and_o clasp_v about_o he_o with_o the_o close_a embrace_n 64._o be_v unite_v to_o he_o in_o the_o most_o immediate_a manner_n and_o be_v melt_v in_o the_o fruition_n of_o he_o which_o be_v luscious_a metaphor_n bring_v into_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n from_o that_o ancient_a family_n of_o love_n i_o mean_v the_o school_n of_o plato_n as_o i_o shall_v show_v afterward_o but_o the_o love_n of_o christian_n towards_o god_n be_v no_o fond_a amorous_a passion_n but_o a_o due_a apprehension_n and_o esteem_n of_o the_o divine_a excellency_n a_o hearty_a sense_n of_o all_o his_o kindness_n to_o we_o and_o a_o constant_a readiness_n of_o mind_n to_o do_v his_o will_n for_o this_o be_v the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o keep_v his_o commandment_n 3._o and_o if_o any_o man_n say_v i_o love_v god_n and_o hate_v his_o brother_n 20._o he_o be_v a_o liar_n for_o he_o that_o love_v not_o his_o brother_n who_o he_o have_v see_v how_o can_v he_o love_v god_n who_o he_o have_v not_o see_v no_o man_n have_v see_v god_n at_o any_o time_n 12._o if_o we_o love_v one_o another_o god_n dwell_v in_o we_o and_o his_o love_n be_v perfect_v in_o we_o thus_o the_o belove_a disciple_n who_o understand_v the_o great_a mystery_n of_o divine_a love_n have_v express_v they_o to_o we_o and_o thus_o the_o belove_a son_n of_o god_n have_v declare_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o love_n he_o expect_v from_o his_o disciple_n 15._o if_o you_o love_v i_o keep_v my_o commandment_n and_o you_o be_v my_o friend_n if_o you_o do_v whatsoever_o i_o command_v you_o 14._o here_o be_v nothing_o of_o a_o abstract_a life_n or_o internal_a and_o external_a solitude_n or_o self-annihilation_a in_o order_n to_o a_o immediate_a active_a union_n with_o god_n in_o the_o supreme_a point_n of_o the_o spirit_n nothing_o of_o blind_a elevation_n of_o the_o will_n without_o the_o use_n of_o reason_n and_o discourse_n ingulf_v it_o more_o and_o more_o profound_o in_o god_n all_o these_o mystical_a notion_n and_o expression_n have_v another_o spring_n and_o more_o impure_a fountain_n than_o the_o christian_a doctrine_n §_o 5._o not_o so_o say_v o._n n._n and_o mr._n cressy_n for_o if_o they_o may_v be_v believe_v there_o be_v ground_n in_o scripture_n for_o all_o the_o most_o lofty_a mystical_a expression_n if_o so_o i_o must_v retract_v what_o i_o have_v say_v but_o i_o never_o know_v any_o man_n that_o need_v more_o a_o infallible_a interpreter_n of_o scripture_n than_o they_o do_v they_o make_v such_o lamentable_a exposition_n of_o it_o if_o they_o can_v but_o hit_v upon_o a_o word_n or_o a_o phrase_n to_o their_o purpose_n away_o they_o run_v with_o that_o and_o never_o consider_v the_o design_n or_o importance_n of_o it_o what_o work_n do_v o._n n._n make_v with_o his_o cor_fw-la altum_fw-la 51._o and_o regnum_fw-la dei_fw-la intra_fw-la vos_fw-la whereas_o the_o first_o signify_v nothing_o but_o due_a consideration_n nor_o the_o other_o any_o thing_n but_o that_o the_o kingdom_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v then_o come_v among_o they_o and_o what_o be_v these_o to_o mystical_a divinity_n 49._o and_o mr._n cressy_n be_v accedite_fw-la ad_fw-la deum_fw-la &_o illuminamini_fw-la be_v altogether_o to_o as_o much_o purpose_n for_o be_v there_o no_o instruction_n to_o be_v have_v from_o god_n or_o his_o law_n short_a of_o passive_a union_n no_o enlighten_v our_o mind_n but_o by_o immediate_a inspiration_n but_o mr._n cressy_n think_v he_o have_v do_v the_o business_n and_o quite_o stop_v my_o mouth_n with_o s._n paul_n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 41._o who_o be_v in_o a_o wonderful_a ecstasy_n see_v and_o hear_v god_n only_o know_v what_o which_o although_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o communicate_v yet_o he_o have_v not_o the_o power_n to_o do_v it_o 58._o but_o as_o the_o person_n of_o honour_n have_v already_o very_a well_o tell_v mr._n cressy_n what_o be_v this_o to_o those_o who_o go_v about_o to_o express_v what_o neither_o themselves_o nor_o any_o else_o can_v understand_v if_o they_o pretend_v to_o the_o same_o ecstasy_n why_o do_v they_o not_o imitate_v his_o modesty_n why_o do_v they_o go_v about_o to_o help_v s._n paul_n to_o word_n to_o do_v it_o by_o if_o himself_o declare_v it_o can_v not_o be_v do_v by_o word_n to_o which_o mr._n cressy_n answer_v as_o much_o as_o be_v to_o be_v answer_v which_o be_v just_o nothing_o 11._o but_o his_o author_n o._n n._n bring_v the_o same_o place_n and_o not_o only_o that_o but_o all_o those_o which_o mention_v the_o revelation_n of_o the_o prophet_n or_o apostle_n to_o what_o purpose_n do_v i_o deny_v any_o divine_a revelation_n do_v i_o give_v the_o least_o intimation_n that_o i_o question_v whether_o there_o be_v any_o true_a inspiration_n in_o the_o writer_n of_o holy_a scripture_n god_n forbid_v but_o how_o do_v it_o follow_v if_o god_n do_v inspire_v man_n to_o declare_v his_o will_n to_o mankind_n therefore_o all_o the_o pretence_n to_o revelation_n and_o inspiration_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n be_v true_a if_o s._n paul_n have_v once_o a_o true_a rapture_n therefore_o all_o s._n teresa_n be_v be_v such_o and_o not_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o vehement_a imagination_n let_v we_o observe_v the_o difference_n not_o only_o in_o the_o value_n and_o excellency_n and_o judgement_n of_o the_o person_n but_o in_o the_o very_a manner_n of_o relate_v they_o her_o life_n write_v by_o herself_o to_o which_o o._n n._n appeal_n in_o this_o matter_n 16._o as_o
mention_v by_o o._n n._n which_o they_o have_v not_o be_v beforehand_o with_o he_o in_o produce_v to_o the_o very_a same_o purpose_n i_o can_v then_o find_v out_o the_o difference_n between_o the_o high_a of_o our_o enthusiast_n and_o they_o and_o the_o very_a same_o plea_n which_o serve_v for_o the_o one_o will_v justify_v the_o other_o also_o what_o have_v they_o ever_o pretend_v to_o but_o to_o understand_v celestial_a secret_n divine_a mystery_n or_o future_a event_n by_o immediate_a revelation_n now_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v own_v defend_v and_o justify_v by_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o yet_o they_o not_o liable_a to_o the_o charge_n of_o fanaticism_n §_o 7._o no_o say_v o._n n._n enthusiasm_n or_o fanaticism_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o speak_v thing_n hard_a to_o be_v understand_v 20._o nor_o yet_o the_o pretend_v high_a and_o mysterious_a effect_n vision_n revelation_n etc._n etc._n for_o all_o these_o we_o believe_v may_v be_v and_o be_v often_o wrought_v in_o god_n saint_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o his_o special_a presence_n in_o their_o soul_n and_o that_o we_o say_v in_o a_o much_o high_a and_o more_o admirable_a way_n than_o any_o of_o satan_n infatuation_n can_v imitate_v or_o ascend_v to_o but_o fanaticism_n be_v a_o false_a pretence_n of_o these_o or_o the_o like_a when_o have_v no_o just_a ground_n to_o be_v credit_v they_o pretend_v to_o they_o so_o that_o the_o main_a point_n be_v yield_v up_o to_o the_o fanatic_n viz._n vision_n and_o immediate_a revelation_n and_o unaccountable_a impulse_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n all_o the_o dispute_n be_v whether_o the_o popish_a enthusiast_n or_o those_o among_o we_o be_v only_a pretender_n if_o o._n n._n be_v to_o convince_v a_o quaker_n who_o pretend_v to_o such_o a_o immediate_a impulse_n of_o the_o spirit_n this_o must_v be_v his_o method_n of_o proceed_v with_o he_o friend_n i_o perceive_v thou_o talk_v much_o of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n move_v thou_o and_o reveal_v the_o hide_a mystery_n of_o his_o kingdom_n to_o thou_o but_o thy_o pretence_n be_v vain_a and_o thou_o be_v deceive_v by_o thy_o own_o fancy_n if_o not_o by_o a_o evil_a spirit_n no_o say_v the_o quaker_n i_o know_v i_o be_o not_o for_o i_o have_v the_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n within_o i_o that_o i_o be_o not_o deceive_v but_o thou_o be_v deceive_v and_o lie_v against_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o blaspheme_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n work_v in_o his_o saint_n not_o i_o say_v o._n n._n i_o grant_v that_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v work_v in_o his_o saint_n such_o supernatural_a elevation_n whereby_o they_o understand_v divine_a mystery_n and_o have_v vision_n and_o rapture_n and_o revelation_n more_o than_o any_o of_o you_o but_o all_o we_o be_v true_a and_o you_o be_v false_a thou_o lie_v prophet_n reply_v the_o quaker_n god_n speak_v truth_n by_o thou_o as_o he_o do_v once_o by_o balaams_n ass_n and_o caiaphas_n but_o thou_o through_o the_o wickedness_n of_o thy_o heart_n do_v condemn_v the_o generation_n of_o his_o saint_n among_o we_o as_o hypocrite_n and_o will_v have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n dwell_v only_o among_o you_o that_o be_v the_o son_n of_o mystical_a babylon_n and_o partake_v of_o all_o her_o defilement_n that_o be_v the_o seed_n of_o the_o beast_n and_o the_o false_a prophet_n that_o commit_v adultery_n with_o image_n and_o set_v up_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n in_o his_o throne_n that_o have_v cover_v the_o face_n of_o the_o earth_n with_o your_o abomination_n and_o still_o go_v about_o to_o deceive_v the_o nation_n you_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n among_o you_o you_o pretend_v to_o the_o see_v hide_a mystery_n and_o immediate_a revelation_n and_o mystical_a union_n with_o god_n no_o you_o be_v the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n the_o revelation_n of_o antichrist_n and_o union_n only_o with_o mystical_a babylon_n you_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o god_n among_o you_o no_o you_o be_v the_o spirit_n of_o enchantment_n and_o divination_n the_o spirit_n of_o lie_v and_o deceit_n the_o spirit_n of_o antichrist_n and_o not_o of_o god_n i_o say_v again_o say_v o._n n._n that_o we_o have_v the_o spirit_n and_o you_o have_v not_o and_o i_o say_v by_o the_o spirit_n that_o you_o have_v not_o say_v the_o quaker_n and_o be_v not_o this_o a_o fair_a conclusion_n of_o this_o dispute_n 14._o have_v not_o o._n n._n extreme_o get_v the_o better_a of_o the_o quaker_n but_o o._n n._n plead_v yet_o far_o that_o they_o make_v use_v of_o note_n and_o rule_n of_o discern_v of_o the_o pretence_n to_o inspiration_n which_o i_o shall_v consider_v afterward_o but_o that_o which_o o._n n._n and_o mr._n cressy_n do_v most_o insist_v upon_o be_v this_o that_o if_o such_o pretender_n to_o inspiration_n do_v speak_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o they_o call_v it_o than_o their_o pretence_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v as_o satanical_a illusion_n very_o good_a this_o be_v a_o way_n to_o preserve_v themselves_o but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o prevent_v the_o delusion_n of_o such_o fanatic_a pretender_n to_o inspiration_n who_o may_v be_v gross_o deceive_v and_o yet_o never_o speak_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n against_o their_o church_n but_o it_o seem_v the_o least_o touch_n that_o way_n present_o mar_v all_o if_o mother_n teresa_n have_v but_o chance_v to_o let_v fall_v a_o word_n against_o the_o power_n of_o holy_a water_n in_o drive_v away_o devil_n or_o chance_v in_o one_o of_o her_o vision_n to_o have_v see_v bread_n upon_o the_o altar_n after_o consecration_n away_o with_o she_o a_o mere_a hypocrite_n and_o impostor_n one_o delude_v by_o the_o devil_n and_o it_o have_v be_v well_o if_o after_o all_o her_o vision_n and_o rapture_n she_o have_v escape_v the_o inquisition_n for_o can_v it_o possible_o be_v so_o certain_a that_o she_o have_v divine_a vision_n as_o that_o holy_a water_n drive_v away_o devil_n or_o that_o she_o have_v mystical_a union_n as_o that_o no_o bread_n remain_v upon_o the_o altar_n after_o consecration_n no_o no._n if_o melancholy_a woman_n once_o offer_v to_o meddle_v in_o those_o matter_n they_o must_v then_o be_v tell_v of_o their_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n and_o strength_n of_o imagination_n and_o delusion_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o if_o they_o admire_v every_o superstitious_a foolery_n and_o see_v strange_a effect_n of_o holy_a water_n and_o in_o some_o vision_n can_v discern_v the_o very_a flesh_n and_o blood_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o eucharist_n then_o o_o heavenly_a vision_n o_o divine_a saint_n then_o her_o confessor_n must_v soothe_v and_o flatter_v she_o and_o suffer_v she_o to_o be_v deceive_v by_o she_o own_o imagination_n at_o least_o if_o not_o by_o something_o worse_o so_o that_o this_o whole_a business_n of_o vision_n and_o revelation_n among_o they_o be_v manage_v by_o politic_a rule_n if_o they_o can_v serve_v to_o strengthen_v their_o interest_n they_o be_v encourage_v if_o not_o the_o person_n be_v present_o discountenance_v and_o if_o they_o persist_v in_o their_o pretence_n in_o great_a hazard_n of_o the_o inquisition_n but_o may_v not_o weak_a and_o melancholy_a person_n be_v deceive_v in_o judge_v the_o effect_n of_o a_o strong_a imagination_n to_o be_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n what_o then_o say_v they_o these_o do_v no_o hâ—rt_n to_o the_o world_n but_o be_v it_o no_o injury_n to_o their_o soul_n to_o suffer_v they_o to_o be_v so_o delude_v be_v it_o no_o dishonour_n to_o christian_a religion_n to_o make_v the_o perfection_n of_o the_o devotion_n of_o it_o to_o consist_v in_o such_o strange_a unaccountable_a union_n and_o rapture_n which_o take_v away_o the_o use_n of_o all_o reason_n and_o discourse_n be_v it_o nothing_o to_o have_v person_n canonize_v for_o saint_n and_o admire_v and_o worship_v chief_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o these_o thing_n in_o which_o case_n not_o only_o the_o particular_a person_n while_o they_o live_v be_v suffer_v to_o be_v abuse_v but_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n as_o much_o as_o lie_v in_o they_o be_v impose_v upon_o and_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o strong_a imagination_n and_o mystical_a union_n be_v recommend_v as_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o christian_a state_n §_o 8._o but_o whatever_o rule_n they_o go_v by_o i_o shall_v now_o show_v that_o such_o kind_n of_o ecstasy_n and_o revelation_n as_o the_o mystical_a divinity_n pretend_v to_o have_v be_v condemn_v by_o the_o christian_a church_n in_o former_a age_n which_o will_v yet_o far_o discover_v how_o far_o it_o be_v from_o be_v a_o part_n of_o the_o christian_n doctrine_n â—o_o far_o be_v it_o from_o be_v the_o perfection_n of_o a_o christian_a state_n and_o the_o instance_n i_o shall_v produce_v will_v be_v such_o a_o one_o wherein_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n be_v see_v viz._n in_o
the_o ecstatical_a vision_n and_o rapture_n and_o revelation_n which_o montanus_n and_o his_o follower_n pretend_v to_o 25_o baronius_n prove_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o philastrius_n epiphanius_n theodoret_n and_o other_o that_o montanus_n and_o his_o companion_n be_v good_a catholic_n and_o great_a practiser_n of_o fast_v and_o mortification_n and_o be_v in_o great_a esteem_n in_o the_o church_n for_o a_o more_o than_o ordinary_a degree_n of_o sanctity_n when_o they_o we_o in_o this_o reputation_n they_o pretend_v to_o have_v extraordinary_a vision_n and_o ecstasy_n wherein_o they_o suffer_v such_o violence_n as_o mother_n teresa_n describe_v and_o be_v under_o such_o a_o force_n upon_o their_o mind_n as_o they_o think_v divine_a which_o deprive_v they_o of_o the_o present_a use_n of_o ratiocination_n in_o which_o state_n they_o say_v they_o have_v many_o revelation_n from_o god_n now_o here_o we_o have_v the_o very_a case_n of_o mystical_a union_n and_o we_o all_o know_v that_o this_o spirit_n of_o montanus_n be_v reject_v in_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o a_o fanatic_a enthusiastical_a spirit_n but_o it_o will_v be_v worth_a our_o while_n to_o show_v that_o it_o be_v upon_o this_o very_a ground_n because_o the_o montanist_n pretend_v to_o such_o ecstasy_n and_o revelation_n from_o god_n which_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n claudius_n apollinaris_n bishop_n of_o hierapolis_n apprehend_v the_o dangerous_a consequence_n of_o these_o enthusiastical_a pretence_n to_o ecstasy_n and_o revelation_n go_v to_o ancyra_n in_o galatia_n to_o give_v himself_o full_a satisfaction_n as_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o and_o be_v return_v he_o write_v this_o account_n to_o his_o friend_n marcellus_n that_o montanus_n be_v wont_a to_o fall_v into_o sudden_a transport_n and_o ecstasy_n in_o which_o he_o become_v enthusiastical_a 16._o and_o utter_v strange_a thing_n and_o prophesy_v which_o say_v he_o be_v a_o thing_n contrary_n to_o the_o constant_a tradition_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n the_o same_o he_o say_v of_o the_o two_o female_a enthusiast_n prisca_n and_o maximilla_n and_o all_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o their_o separation_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n be_v because_o the_o christian_a church_n all_o over_o the_o world_n refuse_v to_o give_v any_o entertainment_n to_o their_o enthusiastical_a spirit_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o asia_n have_v meet_v together_o and_o examine_v this_o spirit_n they_o condemn_v it_o as_o impious_a whereupon_o they_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n upon_o which_o maximilla_n cry_v out_o i_o be_o drive_v away_o as_o a_o wolf_n from_o the_o sheep_n but_o i_o be_o no_o wolf_n but_o the_o word_n and_o the_o spirit_n and_o the_o power_n miltiades_n as_o appear_v by_o eusebius_n 17._o write_v a_o book_n against_o the_o montanist_n on_o this_o subject_n that_o god_n do_v not_o communicate_v revelation_n in_o ecstasy_n wherein_o he_o show_v that_o montanus_n be_v wont_a to_o fall_v into_o his_o ecstasy_n which_o end_v in_o a_o involuntary_a madness_n and_o then_o prove_v that_o none_o of_o the_o prophet_n either_o of_o the_o old_a or_o new_a testament_n ever_o prophesy_v in_o ecstasy_n or_o when_o they_o have_v no_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n but_o no_o one_o speak_v more_o punctual_o to_o this_o business_n than_o epiphanius_n 2._o who_o lay_v down_o this_o as_o a_o general_a rule_n that_o whatever_o prophet_n speak_v they_o deliver_v with_o the_o clear_a use_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o understanding_n and_o afterward_o say_v that_o the_o montanist_n be_v very_o much_o deceive_v in_o pretend_v to_o such_o vision_n and_o revelation_n because_o god_n have_v seal_v up_o his_o church_n and_o put_v a_o end_n to_o those_o extraordinary_a gift_n while_o there_o be_v any_o need_n of_o prophet_n holy_a man_n of_o god_n be_v send_v by_o he_o with_o a_o true_a spirit_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 3_o with_o great_a steadiness_n of_o mind_n and_o a_o clear_a understanding_n and_o afterward_o make_v this_o the_o characteristical_a difference_n of_o a_o true_a and_o false_a prophet_n that_o a_o true_a prophet_n speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d with_o a_o great_a consistency_n of_o ratiocination_n and_o consequence_n thus_o moses_n thus_o isaiah_n say_v he_o thus_o all_o the_o prophet_n do_v not_o you_o see_v say_v he_o that_o these_o be_v the_o word_n of_o man_n that_o understand_v themselves_o and_o not_o of_o man_n that_o be_v ecstatical_a but_o these_o pretender_n to_o vision_n and_o revelation_n speak_v dark_a and_o perplex_a and_o obscure_a thing_n viz._n much_o like_a to_o mystical_a divinity_n which_o neither_o they_o understand_v themselves_o nor_o those_o that_o hear_v they_o as_o any_o one_o may_v see_v in_o he_o by_o the_o fragment_n he_o have_v preserve_v both_o of_o montanus_n and_o maximilla_n but_o they_o plead_v scripture_n too_o for_o their_o ecstasy_n and_o rapture_n viz._n 4._o genâ—_n 2._o 21._o god_n send_v upon_o adam_n a_o deep_a sleep_n which_o be_v render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o which_o epiphanius_n answer_v that_o that_o be_v only_o a_o bind_n of_o his_o sense_n by_o natural_a rest_n and_o not_o any_o force_n upon_o the_o mind_n but_o they_o have_v another_o place_n too_o as_o impertinent_a as_o this_o but_o as_o impertinent_a as_o it_o be_v it_o be_v the_o very_a same_o phrase_n that_o my_o adversary_n produce_v ego_fw-la dixi_fw-la in_o â—xcessu_fw-la meo_fw-la 11_o which_o epiphanius_n prove_v can_v be_v understand_v of_o any_o such_o ecstasy_n as_o the_o montanist_n plead_v for_o and_o in_o truth_n he_o need_v not_o take_v much_o pain_n to_o do_v it_o but_o they_o can_v not_o follow_v the_o montanist_n exact_o 14._o unless_o they_o abuse_v scripture_n too_o to_o justify_v their_o vision_n and_o ecstasy_n so_o one_o ferdinandus_n de_fw-fr diano_n a_o venetian_a divine_a write_v a_o book_n purposely_o in_o vindication_n of_o these_o thing_n on_o the_o occasion_n of_o the_o ecstasy_n and_o vision_n of_o a_o certain_a nun_n which_o be_v send_v to_o paul_n the_o five_o and_o which_o be_v take_v by_o her_o confessor_n for_o fourteen_o year_n together_o make_v use_n of_o the_o very_a same_o phrase_n of_o scripture_n as_o the_o montanist_n do_v but_o exceed_v they_o in_o impertinency_n for_o to_o prove_v rapture_n he_o produce_v all_o the_o place_n where_o the_o word_n raptus_fw-la be_v use_v raptus_fw-la est_fw-la nè_fw-la malitia_fw-la mutaret_fw-la intellectum_fw-la ejus_fw-la sap._n 4._o mens_fw-la illius_fw-la ad_fw-la diversa_fw-la rapitur_fw-la job_n 26._o rapiemur_fw-la cum_fw-la illis_fw-la in_o nubes_fw-la 1_o thess._n 4._o but_o above_o all_o commend_v i_o to_o holofernes_n his_o rapture_n to_o prove_v the_o rapture_n of_o the_o popish_a saint_n holophernis_fw-la oculi_fw-la à _fw-la sandalibus_fw-la judith_n rapti_fw-la sunt_fw-la 34._o &_o ejus_fw-la cor_fw-la &_o sensus_fw-la cum_fw-la illis_fw-la rapta_fw-la sunt_fw-la jud._n 16._o can_v any_o man_n be_v so_o hard_o heart_v to_o withstand_v such_o manifest_a proof_n as_o these_o be_v but_o to_o return_v to_o epiphanius_n we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v say_v he_o any_o rapture_n or_o ecstasy_n of_o the_o prophet_n 7._o so_o as_o to_o suppose_v they_o to_o be_v deprive_v of_o the_o use_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o they_o so_o he_o show_v that_o s._n peter_n in_o his_o ecstasy_n have_v still_o the_o free_a exercise_n of_o his_o reason_n which_o he_o absolute_o affirm_v of_o every_o prophet_n both_o of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n 10._o what_o will_v epiphanius_n have_v think_v then_o of_o the_o glorious_a frenzy_n and_o heavenly_a folly_n of_o m._n teresa_n in_o which_o she_o speak_v she_o know_v not_o what_o what_o of_o the_o mystical_a union_n wherein_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v suspend_v what_o of_o all_o the_o holy_a violence_n she_o undergo_v wherein_o both_o understanding_n and_o memory_n be_v distract_v no_o doubt_n he_o will_v have_v declare_v they_o all_o to_o be_v downright_a montanism_n and_o condemn_v by_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n neither_o be_v these_o the_o only_a person_n who_o deliver_v the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n in_o this_o matter_n but_o s._n hierom_n say_v the_o same_o thing_n the_o prophet_n say_v he_o speak_v not_o in_o a_o ecstasy_n as_o montanus_n nahuâ—_n and_o prisca_n and_o maximilla_n fond_o imagine_v but_o what_o he_o prophecy_v be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o vision_n of_o one_o who_o understand_v all_o he_o say_v so_o of_o the_o prophet_n habakkuk_n habac._n he_o understand_v what_o he_o see_v contrary_a to_o the_o perverse_a doctrine_n of_o montanus_n and_o speak_v not_o as_o a_o fool_n nor_o give_v as_o distract_a woman_n do_v a_o sound_n without_o any_o signification_n whence_o it_o come_v that_o the_o apostle_n command_v that_o if_o any_o thing_n be_v reveal_v to_o another_o that_o sit_v by_o the_o first_o shall_v hold_v his_o peace_n for_o 33._o say_v he_o present_o after_o
great_a height_n of_o true_a contemplation_n while_o the_o soul_n look_v about_o on_o thing_n below_o it_o it_o see_v nothing_o but_o shadow_n and_o image_n of_o thing_n when_o it_o come_v to_o a_o state_n of_o introversion_n than_o it_o see_v its_o own_o essence_n and_o operation_n of_o the_o understanding_n but_o when_o it_o search_v deep_a than_o it_o find_v the_o mind_n within_o itself_o and_o the_o several_a order_n of_o real_a being_n when_o it_o go_v yet_o far_o into_o the_o most_o secret_a closet_n of_o the_o soul_n there_o it_o contemplate_v as_o it_o be_v blindfold_a the_o divine_a being_n and_o the_o first_o idea_n or_o unity_n of_o being_n and_o this_o say_v he_o be_v the_o most_o excellent_a operation_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o the_o rest_n or_o quie_n scency_n of_o its_o power_n to_o stretch_v itself_o towards_o the_o divine_a nature_n and_o dance_v as_o it_o be_v round_o it_o and_o to_o raise_v up_o the_o whole_a soul_n towards_o this_o union_n with_o it_o and_o abstract_v itself_o from_o all_o inferior_a being_n to_o rest_v upon_o and_o be_v conjoin_v with_o that_o ineffable_a and_o superessential_a be_v and_o by_o this_o mean_v the_o soul_n come_v to_o have_v the_o true_a understanding_n of_o all_o thing_n §_o 16._o many_o other_o passage_n may_v be_v produce_v out_o of_o he_o to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o this_o comprehend_v in_o it_o so_o much_o of_o the_o very_a marrow_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n that_o carolus_n hersentius_n confess_v 4â—_n either_o that_o proclus_n borrow_v from_o dionysius_n or_o dionysius_n from_o proclus_n but_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o believe_v that_o proclus_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o modern_a platonist_n do_v borrow_v those_o notion_n out_o of_o dionysius_n marsilius_n ficinus_fw-la indeed_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n 22._o for_o be_v a_o skilful_a platonist_n he_o see_v such_o a_o agreement_n of_o notion_n and_o expression_n in_o dionysius_n and_o the_o write_n of_o plotinus_n jamblichus_n and_o proclus_n that_o either_o they_o must_v have_v take_v from_o he_o or_o he_o from_o they_o but_o for_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o platonic_a notion_n he_o believe_v the_o former_a and_o slide_v a_o author_n of_o no_o great_a judgement_n say_v that_o some_o of_o the_o philosopher_n and_o especial_o dioâ—ys_n proclus_n make_v use_v of_o his_o very_a expression_n without_o any_o alteration_n from_o whence_o it_o may_v be_v suspect_v that_o the_o elder_a philosopher_n at_o athens_n have_v hide_v his_o work_n that_o they_o may_v seem_v to_o be_v the_o author_n of_o those_o sublime_a notion_n contain_v in_o they_o a_o very_a likely_a story_n why_o shall_v proclus_n take_v those_o thing_n out_o of_o dionysius_n which_o he_o may_v have_v find_v as_o well_o in_o the_o book_n of_o plotinus_n porphyry_n or_o jamblichus_n who_o he_o have_v a_o far_o great_a esteem_n of_o than_o of_o dionysius_n and_o quote_v every_o one_o of_o they_o very_o frequent_o and_o with_o great_a veneration_n and_o mention_n they_o together_o as_o a_o sort_n of_o inspire_a person_n in_o the_o very_a beginning_n of_o his_o theology_n and_o proclus_n have_v nothing_o peculiar_a in_o he_o upon_o this_o subject_n the_o very_a same_o notion_n be_v deliver_v by_o plotinus_n a_o egyptian_a philosopher_n and_o proclus_n quote_v he_o for_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o viz._n the_o two_o fold_v operation_n of_o the_o mind_n the_o one_o of_o it_o as_o the_o mind_n viz._n ratiocination_n the_o other_o of_o it_o as_o drink_v with_o the_o divine_a nectar_n thence_o come_v the_o mystic_n ebrietas_fw-la spiritualis_fw-la 36._o of_o which_o rusbrochius_n have_v several_a chapter_n and_o which_o say_v harphius_n make_v some_o sing_v and_o other_o cry_v and_o other_o utter_v strange_a noise_n 22._o as_o fr._n masseus_n that_o cry_v v._o v._n v._o and_o other_o tremble_v and_o quake_v and_o other_o run_v over_o mountain_n and_o valley_n like_o fr._n bernard_n and_o other_o dance_v and_o last_o other_o ready_a to_o burst_v 41._o like_o a_o vessel_n fill_v with_o new_a wine_n and_o that_o the_o mind_n become_v deify_v by_o its_o union_n with_o god_n which_o be_v the_o fundamental_a principle_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n proclus_n do_v acknowledge_v that_o he_o have_v they_o from_o plotinus_n and_o if_o we_o believe_v jamblichus_n they_o come_v from_o the_o ancient_a mystical_a theology_n of_o the_o egyptian_n and_o chaldean_n i_o expect_v that_o those_o who_o have_v not_o consider_v these_o thing_n shall_v be_v still_o ready_a to_o believe_v that_o all_o these_o notion_n among_o these_o philosopher_n be_v take_v from_o some_o of_o the_o christian_n at_o least_o if_o not_o from_o this_o dionysius_n which_o plotinus_n his_o education_n under_o ammonius_n at_o alexandria_n seem_v to_o make_v probable_a where_o he_o continue_v 11._o year_n but_o whatever_o doctrine_n he_o hear_v from_o ammonius_n it_o be_v certain_a plotinus_n his_o opinion_n as_o to_o these_o matter_n together_o with_o his_o follower_n be_v derive_v from_o other_o oracle_n than_o those_o of_o the_o sacred_a scripture_n for_o psellus_n in_o his_o commentary_n on_o the_o chaldaic_a oracle_n 120._o do_v say_v that_o plotinus_n jamblichus_n porphyrius_n and_o proclus_n do_v whole_o approve_v of_o the_o chaldaic_a theology_n and_o by_o what_o remainder_n there_o be_v still_o extant_a of_o it_o we_o may_v discover_v the_o footstep_n of_o these_o mystical_a notion_n in_o it_o if_o the_o chaldaic_a oracle_n be_v still_o extant_a which_o be_v frequent_o quote_v by_o these_o philosopher_n and_o from_o they_o in_o a_o great_a measure_n the_o fragment_n be_v preserve_v we_o may_v more_o full_o manifest_v these_o thing_n yet_o as_o they_o be_v they_o give_v we_o sufficient_a ground_n to_o draw_v the_o fundamental_o of_o this_o mystical_a divinity_n from_o thence_o for_o they_o speak_v of_o god_n be_v unite_v to_o the_o soul_n by_o the_o soul_n clasp_v god_n to_o herself_o 20._o and_o that_o not_o by_o any_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n but_o by_o the_o slow_a of_o the_o mind_n the_o very_a phrase_n use_v by_o proclus_n and_o the_o same_o which_o the_o mystic_n call_v the_o fund_z of_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v inebriate_v from_o god_n which_o plotinus_n call_v be_v drink_v with_o the_o divine_a nectar_n and_o psellus_n explain_v of_o divine_a illumination_n and_o ecstasy_n 90._o of_o abstraction_n from_o the_o body_n and_o extend_v the_o mind_n upward_o and_o hasten_v to_o the_o divine_a light_n and_o the_o beam_n of_o the_o father_n 383._o with_o several_a other_o passage_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n but_o lest_o any_o shall_v say_v that_o these_o chaldaic_a oracle_n be_v frame_v by_o some_o christian_n at_o first_o in_o greek_a as_o it_o be_v suppose_v the_o sibylline_a be_v joh._n picus_n mirandula_n say_v 249._o he_o have_v a_o entire_a copy_n of_o they_o in_o the_o chaldee_n language_n with_o a_o chaldee_n paraphrase_n upon_o they_o which_o he_o value_v as_o a_o great_a treasure_n but_o in_o truth_n all_o these_o notion_n both_o among_o the_o chaldean_n and_o the_o platonic_a philosopher_n be_v build_v upon_o a_o very_a ancient_a hypothesis_n but_o very_o different_a from_o that_o of_o christianity_n which_o hypothesis_n be_v grant_v this_o mystical_a divinity_n appear_v with_o some_o face_n of_o reason_n and_o colour_n of_o probability_n which_o i_o suppose_v will_v not_o be_v consent_v to_o by_o mr._n cr._n or_o any_o of_o the_o friend_n to_o mystical_a divinity_n which_o be_v this_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n do_v exist_v in_o another_o world_n long_o before_o they_o come_v into_o the_o body_n that_o in_o their_o descent_n to_o the_o body_n they_o have_v a_o aethereal_a vehicle_n join_v to_o they_o which_o upon_o the_o conjunction_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n become_v the_o mean_n of_o communication_n between_o they_o and_o take_v up_o its_o chief_a seat_n in_o the_o brain_n which_o be_v the_o same_o which_o we_o call_v the_o imagination_n that_o the_o soul_n be_v in_o this_o state_n be_v apt_a to_o be_v much_o inveigle_v with_o kindness_n to_o the_o body_n and_o so_o forget_v its_o return_n home_o that_o the_o body_n be_v capable_a of_o do_v the_o soul_n mischief_n no_o other_o way_n be_v itself_o under_o the_o power_n of_o fate_n than_o as_o it_o draw_v it_o downward_o that_o the_o mind_n be_v the_o upper_a part_n of_o the_o soul_n be_v always_o act_v but_o we_o know_v not_o its_o operation_n but_o only_o by_o the_o impression_n they_o make_v upon_o the_o fancy_n that_o the_o mind_n have_v the_o true_a idea_n of_o thing_n within_o itself_o but_o we_o be_v deceive_v by_o the_o representation_n convey_v by_o our_o imagination_n and_o therefore_o our_o ratiocination_n be_v very_o short_a and_o uncertain_a that_o our_o only_a way_n of_o recover_v our_o soul_n be_v by_o draw_v they_o off_o from_o the_o body_n and_o retire_v into_o themselves_o and_o that_o upon_o this_o the_o mind_n have_v
mystical_a divinity_n by_o the_o authority_n of_o these_o sergeant_a write_n come_v into_o reputation_n in_o the_o western_a church_n after_o the_o translation_n of_o they_o by_o johannes_n erigena_n and_o anastasius_n what_o authority_n it_o gain_v among_o some_o of_o the_o schoolman_n by_o its_o agreeableness_n with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o some_o arabian_a philosopher_n about_o the_o intellectus_fw-la agens_fw-la and_o other_o principle_n of_o enthusiasm_n among_o they_o how_o it_o come_v into_o germany_n among_o the_o monk_n there_o and_o what_o pretence_n to_o vision_n and_o revelation_n come_v in_o upon_o it_o what_o favour_v it_o have_v receive_v from_o the_o jesuitical_a order_n iâ—bilum_fw-la maximilian_n sandaeus_n have_v publish_v a_o discourse_n on_o purpose_n to_o prove_v that_o from_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o their_o order_n the_o jesuit_n have_v be_v the_o great_a admirer_n of_o and_o pretender_n to_o mystical_a divinity_n theolog._n but_o i_o must_v stop_v 1640._o lest_o mr._n cressy_n shall_v tell_v i_o that_o i_o take_v another_o opportunity_n to_o empty_v my_o voluminous_a store_n of_o collection_n whereas_o all_o the_o pain_n i_o have_v take_v in_o this_o matter_n have_v be_v to_o give_v he_o full_a satisfaction_n that_o i_o have_v read_v and_o consider_v what_o the_o author_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n devotion_n vindicate_v have_v say_v upon_o this_o argument_n which_o he_o so_o humble_o beseech_v the_o person_n of_o honour_n to_o peruse_v hope_v by_o that_o mean_v he_o will_v come_v to_o a_o better_a opinion_n of_o sancta_fw-la sophia_n and_o mystical_a divinity_n and_o mr._n cressy_n and_o i_o dare_v leave_v any_o person_n of_o honour_n and_o understanding_n to_o judge_v whether_o notwithstanding_o what_o he_o have_v say_v for_o it_o mr._n cr._n have_v reason_n to_o account_v this_o mystical_a divinity_n the_o perfection_n of_o christian_a prayer_n and_o devotion_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o monastic_a order_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n and_o particular_o of_o the_o benedictin_n §_o 1._o the_o second_o thing_n to_o which_o the_o charge_n of_o fanaticisâ—n_n relate_v be_v the_o foundation_n of_o their_o religious_a order_n in_o the_o roman_a church_n which_o i_o say_v be_v first_o institute_v among_o they_o by_o enthusiastic_a person_n upon_o the_o credit_n of_o their_o vision_n and_o revelation_n for_o which_o i_o instance_a in_o all_o their_o most_o celebrate_a order_n viz._n the_o benedictin_n carthusian_n dominican_n franciscan_n and_o jesuit_n and_o give_v a_o particular_a account_n of_o this_o from_o the_o authentic_a history_n among_o themselves_o of_o the_o several_a founder_n of_o they_o and_o beside_o i_o produce_v the_o testimony_n of_o bellarmin_n that_o their_o religious_a order_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o mr._n cressy_n decline_v the_o dispute_n about_o the_o personal_a quality_n of_o the_o founder_n of_o religious_a order_n say_v the_o most_o commodious_a way_n to_o make_v a_o true_a judgement_n of_o they_o will_v be_v to_o examine_v their_o fruit_n 21._o for_o by_o their_o fruit_n say_v our_o saviour_n they_o will_v be_v know_v therefore_o to_o determine_v whether_o it_o be_v by_o god_n inspiration_n that_o they_o institute_v their_o respective_a order_n he_o propose_v these_o two_o way_n 1._o to_o examine_v their_o several_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o their_o disciple_n oblige_v themselves_o to_o conform_v their_o life_n and_o action_n 2._o whether_o god_n have_v acknowledge_v they_o for_o his_o servant_n by_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o the_o great_a benefit_n of_o his_o church_n and_o dilation_n of_o his_o honour_n by_o these_o way_n he_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v judge_v whether_o there_o be_v not_o sufficient_a ground_n for_o bellarmin_n to_o say_v that_o such_o order_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o so_o do_v i._o which_o can_v be_v do_v without_o a_o particular_a enquiry_n into_o the_o rule_n and_o history_n of_o their_o several_a religious_a order_n that_o by_o they_o we_o may_v see_v what_o evidence_n appear_v of_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o according_a to_o mr._n cressy_n particular_a zeal_n and_o concernment_n for_o the_o benedictin_a order_n i_o begin_v with_o that_o the_o person_n of_o honour_n have_v give_v that_o character_n of_o s._n benedict_n that_o he_o believe_v he_o to_o have_v be_v a_o devout_a man_n in_o a_o dark_a time_n 28._o according_a to_o his_o talon_n of_o understanding_n but_o that_o he_o may_v have_v be_v delude_v by_o the_o effect_n of_o a_o distemper_a fancy_n as_o many_o well_o mean_v man_n have_v be_v 39_o and_o that_o he_o can_v discern_v nothing_o like_o divine_a inspiration_n in_o his_o rule_n but_o present_o meet_v with_o a_o impertinent_a allegation_n of_o scripture_n ch_n 2._o apply_v that_o place_n 42._o rom._n 8._o cry_v abba_n father_n to_o the_o person_n of_o the_o abbot_n as_o represent_v christ_n he_o proceed_v far_a to_o say_v that_o neither_o the_o read_n of_o his_o rule_n nor_o any_o of_o the_o rest_n will_v oblige_v any_o man_n to_o be_v of_o beauties_n opinion_n that_o those_o order_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o because_o of_o mr._n cressy_n great_a rage_n against_o i_o upon_o this_o subject_n of_o vision_n and_o revelation_n he_o desire_v to_o know_v his_o opinion_n particular_o concern_v the_o revelation_n of_o s._n 54._o francis_n on_o the_o mount_n palombo_n concern_v the_o literal_a observation_n of_o his_o rule_n without_o any_o gloss_n which_o be_v print_v with_o his_o rule_n and_o with_o the_o pope_n bull_n and_o the_o testimony_n of_o s._n bonaventure_n mr._n cressy_a in_o answer_n to_o this_o take_v no_o manner_n of_o notice_n of_o s._n francis_n his_o rule_n or_o revelation_n but_o leave_v that_o to_o shift_v for_o itself_o but_o something_o he_o must_v say_v for_o the_o honour_n of_o s._n benedict_n and_o it_o all_o amount_n to_o as_o little_a as_o can_v be_v wish_v for_o he_o do_v not_o produce_v any_o one_o thing_n to_o make_v it_o appear_v more_o probable_a that_o s._n benedict_n write_v his_o rule_n by_o divine_a inspiration_n which_o have_v be_v indeed_o to_o his_o purpose_n but_o only_o answer_v to_o the_o place_n of_o scripture_n mention_v ch._n 2._o of_o his_o rule_n and_o then_o bring_v several_a testimony_n of_o the_o great_a reputation_n the_o benedictin_a rule_n have_v be_v in_o among_o pope_n 35._o and_o saint_n and_o council_n &_o king_n &_o prince_n in_o after_o age_n and_o what_o of_o all_o this_o must_v this_o rule_n therefore_o be_v write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n be_v it_o not_o possible_a for_o man_n to_o think_v they_o good_a rule_n without_o believe_v they_o to_o have_v be_v inspire_v suppose_v this_o be_v approve_v as_o the_o best_a monastic_a rule_n in_o these_o western_a part_n by_o pope_n and_o prince_n and_o council_n do_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v immediate_o indict_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n if_o it_o be_v it_o must_v be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o the_o bible_n if_o it_o be_v not_o the_o charge_n remain_v good_a that_o it_o be_v only_o a_o enthusiastical_a pretence_n to_o inspiration_n §_o 2._o but_o to_o take_v off_o the_o force_n of_o all_o that_o mr._n cressy_n say_v in_o behalf_n of_o the_o benedictin_a rule_n and_o to_o make_v good_a the_o first_o charge_n although_o mr._n cr._n have_v evident_o decline_v the_o proof_n of_o the_o affirmative_a which_o lie_v upon_o he_o i_o shall_v give_v thesis_n reason_n to_o prove_v that_o this_o rule_n be_v never_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n 1._o because_o the_o main_a part_n of_o it_o be_v borrow_v out_o of_o former_a rule_n 2._o because_o what_o be_v of_o s._n benedict_v own_o have_v manifest_a sign_n of_o humane_a weakness_n particular_o misapplication_n of_o scripture_n mention_v by_o the_o person_n of_o honour_n 3._o because_o it_o be_v never_o receive_v in_o the_o roman_a church_n as_o write_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n 1._o because_o the_o main_a part_n of_o it_o be_v borrow_v out_o of_o former_a rule_n where_o we_o can_v with_o so_o much_o ease_n and_o certainty_n trace_v the_o footstep_n of_o humane_a industry_n in_o any_o writing_n it_o be_v very_o unreasonable_a to_o attribute_v it_o to_o divine_a inspiration_n and_o there_o be_v not_o one_o considerable_a part_n in_o the_o benedictin_a rule_n which_o we_o can_v even_o at_o this_o distance_n of_o time_n show_v from_o whence_o it_o be_v take_v hugo_n menardus_n a_o french_a benedictin_n have_v publish_v the_o concordia_fw-la regularum_fw-la write_v by_o benedict_n abbot_n of_o aniane_n not_o by_o the_o english_a benedict_n as_o reynerus_n will_v have_v it_o who_o be_v appoint_v by_o ludovicus_n pius_n to_o bring_v all_o the_o monastery_n within_o his_o empire_n to_o one_o uniform_a rule_n 52._o which_o it_o seem_v they_o have_v not_o before_o he_o therefore_o in_o pursuit_n of_o
abstinence_n and_o force_n they_o offer_v to_o nature_n and_o the_o very_a kind_n of_o their_o work_n which_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o any_o other_o than_o the_o egyptian_a monk_n 〈…〉_z and_o so_o petavius_n and_o holstenius_fw-la confess_v and_o after_o he_o have_v thus_o describe_v they_o he_o give_v this_o character_n of_o their_o way_n that_o it_o be_v barbarous_a and_o contrary_a to_o human_a nature_n for_o say_v he_o we_o be_v not_o pure_a and_o unmixed_a mind_n but_o join_v together_o with_o body_n so_o that_o we_o can_v be_v whole_o employ_v in_o contemplation_n of_o divine_a thing_n but_o our_o mind_n must_v divert_v themselves_o to_o other_o matter_n and_o this_o say_v he_o they_o confess_v themselves_o by_o the_o great_a necessity_n of_o work_v which_o they_o lie_v upon_o all_o i_o can_v wish_v that_o we_o be_v so_o frame_v that_o we_o can_v live_v whole_o in_o contemplation_n but_o since_o that_o be_v impossible_a i_o wish_v then_o say_v he_o sometime_o to_o be_v take_v up_o with_o the_o best_a thing_n and_o at_o other_o time_n to_o partake_v something_o of_o the_o delight_n and_o pleasure_n of_o life_n for_o i_o know_v myself_o to_o be_v a_o man_n and_o not_o a_o god_n to_o be_v whole_o above_o these_o pleasure_n nor_o a_o beast_n to_o be_v under_o the_o power_n of_o they_o and_o therefore_o that_o state_n of_o life_n which_o be_v between_o these_o 〈◊〉_d most_o agreeable_a to_o human_a nature_n and_o then_o fall_v upon_o they_o for_o prefer_v manual_a labour_n before_o the_o exercise_n and_o improvement_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o knowledge_n and_o useful_a learning_n which_o be_v both_o a_o employment_n and_o pleasure_n to_o the_o mind_n but_o in_o their_o adamantin_n way_n as_o he_o call_v it_o there_o be_v no_o order_n no_o gradual_a improvement_n but_o all_o depend_v upon_o motion_n and_o impulse_n and_o strange_a heat_n and_o transport_v whereby_o they_o hope_v for_o the_o end_n without_o the_o mean_n and_o aim_v at_o thing_n above_o reason_n without_o the_o exercise_n of_o it_o how_o do_v these_o thing_n agree_v to_o be_v now_o above_o the_o heaven_n and_o present_o to_o be_v twist_v reed_n and_o make_v basket_n but_o man_n excellency_n lie_v in_o his_o reason_n which_o they_o take_v the_o least_o care_n about_o and_o those_o will_v attain_v man_n end_n the_o soon_a that_o act_n most_o agreeable_o to_o his_o nature_n he_o do_v not_o deny_v that_o there_o have_v be_v some_o extraordinary_a mind_n which_o without_o art_n or_o improvement_n can_v do_v as_o much_o as_o other_o with_o they_o but_o these_o be_v as_o rare_a as_o the_o phoenix_n in_o egypt_n but_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o mankind_n be_v uncapable_a of_o this_o and_o all_o their_o labour_n and_o pain_n be_v to_o no_o purpose_n that_o think_v to_o attain_v to_o the_o perfection_n of_o the_o mind_n by_o any_o other_o way_n than_o by_o improvement_n of_o the_o mind_n itself_o and_o it_o be_v not_o safe_a or_o lawful_a for_o we_o to_o think_v that_o god_n shall_v dwell_v in_o any_o other_o part_n of_o we_o than_o in_o our_o mind_n which_o be_v his_o proper_a seat_n they_o mighty_o cry_v up_o temperance_n and_o continence_n and_o admire_v themselves_o for_o those_o thing_n which_o in_o themselves_o be_v the_o least_o any_o further_a than_o they_o serve_v to_o high_a end_n and_o afterward_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o their_o confident_a pretence_n to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o divine_a thing_n they_o say_v he_o be_v divine_n like_o cadmus_n his_o soldier_n spring_v out_o of_o the_o earth_n and_o in_o good_a earnest_n condemn_v they_o at_o last_o not_o only_o for_o their_o barbarous_a way_n of_o live_v but_o for_o a_o strange_a mixture_n of_o pride_n and_o ignorance_n have_v very_o absurd_a opinion_n and_o yet_o very_o arrogant_o assume_v to_o themselves_o a_o great_a measure_n of_o divine_a knowledge_n than_o other_o have_v for_o they_o have_v a_o particular_a way_n of_o improve_n their_o mind_n by_o ignorance_n which_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o mystical_a divinity_n among_o they_o too_o 153._o by_o this_o and_o his_o epistle_n to_o hypâ—tia_n wherein_o he_o describe_v they_o again_o by_o those_o peculiar_a virtue_n of_o their_o ignorance_n and_o confidence_n we_o may_v see_v what_o opinion_n this_o great_a man_n have_v of_o the_o monastic_a way_n when_o it_o be_v in_o its_o great_a height_n and_o it_o be_v not_o a_o mere_a matter_n of_o hypocrisy_n as_o it_o have_v be_v for_o the_o great_a part_n in_o the_o western_a church_n but_o man_n do_v true_o and_o honest_o live_v in_o poverty_n and_o real_a abstinence_n and_o continual_a labour_n with_o psalm_n and_o prayer_n hope_v by_o those_o mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o great_a perfection_n of_o our_o soul_n but_o he_o see_v through_o all_o this_o and_o find_v that_o when_o they_o labour_v only_o or_o chief_o to_o keep_v down_o the_o inclination_n of_o the_o body_n spiritual_a pride_n and_o self-opinion_n be_v like_a to_o get_v the_o better_a of_o their_o soul_n and_o s._n hierome_n who_o have_v some_o experience_n of_o this_o way_n 45._o describe_v the_o temptation_n of_o spiritual_a pride_n as_o the_o most_o common_a and_o dangerous_a snare_n which_o the_o most_o severe_a and_o mortify_a man_n be_v apt_a to_o fall_v into_o nay_o he_o say_v 238._o that_o antony_n himself_o fall_v into_o this_o by_o reflect_v on_o the_o perfection_n of_o his_o life_n and_o that_o he_o be_v cure_v by_o a_o angel_n which_o reveal_v to_o he_o the_o great_a perfection_n of_o paul_n the_o eremite_n one_o will_v wonder_v to_o meet_v with_o so_o many_o combat_n with_o devil_n as_o we_o find_v in_o the_o history_n of_o the_o old_a monk_n either_o it_o be_v as_o s._n hierome_n intimate_v concern_v some_o 45._o that_o they_o feign_v they_o for_o great_a reputation_n among_o the_o people_n or_o that_o state_n can_v not_o be_v so_o much_o perfect_a than_o other_o wherein_o the_o devil_n be_v allow_v to_o converse_v so_o much_o more_o free_o with_o man_n than_o in_o other_o place_n euâ—toch_n and_o if_o any_o one_o will_v read_v but_o s._n jeroms_n description_n of_o his_o own_o temptation_n in_o the_o desert_n or_o his_o life_n of_o hilarion_n he_o will_v easy_o find_v it_o be_v not_o run_v away_o from_o the_o world_n will_v make_v man_n more_o perfect_a unless_o they_o can_v leave_v their_o passion_n behind_o they_o and_o that_o a_o constant_a care_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o action_n in_o the_o midst_n of_o our_o employment_n be_v not_o only_o more_o please_a to_o god_n but_o a_o more_o likely_a way_n to_o subdue_v all_o disorderly_a passion_n than_o the_o severe_a life_n of_o a_o monk_n or_o a_o eremite_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n then_o to_o believe_v that_o either_o the_o monastic_a state_n at_o first_o or_o the_o benedictin_a rule_n do_v come_v from_o any_o divine_a inspiration_n but_o as_o this_o be_v borrow_v from_o the_o former_a rule_n so_o the_o former_a be_v take_v up_o out_o of_o a_o unreasonable_a opinion_n that_o god_n be_v better_a please_v by_o our_o run_v from_o the_o world_n than_o by_o serve_v he_o in_o it_o §_o 8._o 2._o that_o the_o benedictin_a rule_n have_v manifest_a sign_n of_o human_a weakness_n in_o it_o and_o therefore_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o come_v from_o divine_a inspiration_n of_o which_o the_o first_o be_v misapplication_n of_o scripture_n to_o this_o purpose_n the_o person_n of_o honour_n mention_n the_o bring_n of_o that_o place_n 2._o we_o have_v not_o receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o to_o fear_v but_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n whereby_o we_o cry_v abba_n father_n to_o prove_v that_o the_o abbot_n do_v supply_v the_o room_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o monastery_n christ_n himself_o be_v the_o supreme_a abbot_n to_o which_o mr._n cr._n 30._o answer_n by_o express_v his_o wonder_n how_o he_o can_v find_v the_o least_o defect_n incongruity_n or_o want_v of_o prudence_n in_o that_o passage_n and_o he_o spend_v very_o needless_a pain_n to_o prove_v that_o abbot_n be_v lawful_a superior_n for_o the_o direction_n of_o soul_n the_o most_o proper_a title_n that_o can_v be_v give_v they_o be_v that_o of_o father_n and_o that_o abba_n signify_v father_n very_o well_o but_o what_o be_v this_o to_o the_o produce_v that_o place_n for_o it_o methinks_v our_o father_n which_o be_v in_o heaven_n have_v be_v altogether_o as_o proper_a for_o that_o will_v have_v show_v the_o title_n of_o the_o abbot_n as_o well_o and_o withal_o that_o the_o abbot_n be_v god_n vicar_n upon_o earth_n god_n himself_o be_v their_o abbot_n in_o heaven_n and_o if_o s._n benedict_n have_v think_v upon_o this_o place_n all_o that_o mr._n cr._n say_v will_v have_v hold_v as_o well_o to_o prove_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o incongruity_n in_o produce_v it_o and_o it_o will_v have_v afford_v altogether_o as_o useful_a a_o admonition_n to_o the_o