because_o such_o action_n do_v tend_v to_o the_o general_a happiness_n of_o his_o creature_n who_o he_o love_v §_o 16._o and_o for_o the_o contrary_a reason_n it_o will_v follow_v that_o he_o hate_v and_o abhor_v all_o action_n that_o be_v evil_a and_o this_o be_v what_o i_o mean_v when_o i_o say_v that_o god_n be_v most_o holy_a 19_o all_o possible_a excellency_n or_o perfection_n that_o i_o can_v conceive_v be_v reducible_a unto_o these_o five_o head_n viz._n 1._o perfection_n of_o be_v which_o consist_v in_o perpetual_a duration_n without_o any_o decay_n or_o infirmity_n 2._o perfection_n of_o understanding_n which_o consist_v in_o such_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n as_o be_v free_a all_o mistake_n or_o ignorance_n 3._o perfection_n of_o the_o will_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o free_a liberty_n to_o choose_v or_o refuse_v without_o any_o constraint_n or_o fatal_a necessity_n 4._o perfection_n of_o power_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o ability_n to_o do_v every_o thing_n and_o 5._o moral_a perfection_n which_o consist_v in_o a_o inflexible_a resolution_n always_o to_o do_v and_o encourage_v that_o which_o be_v moral_o good_a and_o to_o avoid_v and_o discourage_v whatsoever_o be_v moral_o evil_a now_o since_o all_o these_o perfection_n be_v in_o god_n in_o the_o most_o absolute_a manner_n as_o i_o think_v i_o have_v show_v in_o the_o forego_n paragraph_n from_o hence_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o god_n be_v most_o absolute_o perfect_a 20._o and_o since_o he_o who_o be_v absolute_o perfect_a can_v stand_v in_o need_n of_o nothing_o it_o must_v also_o follow_v that_o god_n be_v most_o perfect_o happy_a in_o himself_o 21._o as_o my_o reason_n do_v evident_o demonstrate_v unto_o i_o the_o be_v of_o a_o god_n so_o do_v it_o not_o in_o the_o least_o suggest_v to_o i_o any_o argument_n to_o conclude_v that_o there_o be_v any_o more_o but_o one_o god_n and_o it_o be_v absurd_a and_o unreasonable_a to_o multiply_v being_n without_o any_o ground_n or_o reason_n for_o it_o 22._o that_o there_o be_v a_o real_a and_o not_o only_o a_o nominal_a distinction_n between_o the_o father_n the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o spirit_n that_o they_o be_v frequent_o speak_v of_o in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n in_o such_o term_n as_o we_o ordinary_o use_v when_o we_o speak_v of_o three_o person_n although_o sometime_o this_o expression_n holy_a ghost_n or_o holy_a spirit_n may_v be_v put_v to_o signify_v not_o so_o much_o the_o person_n as_o the_o power_n effect_v or_o energy_n of_o god_n spirit_n that_o although_o the_o son_n be_v often_o speak_v of_o as_o real_o and_o true_o a_o man_n yet_o many_o thing_n be_v say_v of_o he_o which_o can_v agree_v to_o a_o mere_a man_n or_o to_o any_o create_v be_v whatsoever_o and_o that_o there_o be_v such_o thing_n also_o speak_v of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n as_o can_v be_v accommodate_v unto_o a_o creature_n moreover_o that_o the_o son_n derive_v his_o be_v from_o and_o always_o depend_v upon_o the_o father_n as_o the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v from_o and_o upon_o the_o father_n and_o the_o son_n all_o these_o thing_n i_o say_v in_o my_o opinion_n be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v by_o any_o one_o who_o will_v but_o interpret_v the_o holy_a scripture_n according_a to_o the_o ordinary_a sense_n and_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n thereof_o and_o not_o according_a to_o his_o own_o prejudices_fw-la or_o preconceive_a opinion_n and_o although_o the_o socinian_o do_v clear_o enough_o expound_v some_o of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o with_o more_o zeal_n than_o reason_n be_v sometime_o urge_v against_o they_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o principal_a passage_n which_o be_v allege_v to_o prove_v what_o i_o have_v now_o assert_v i_o think_v their_o interpretation_n of_o they_o not_o only_o to_o be_v harsh_a and_o strain_a which_o in_o a_o manner_n be_v acknowledge_v even_o by_o their_o own_o acute_a and_o brief_a historian_n in_o the_o last_o paragraph_n of_o his_o second_o letter_n but_o also_o many_o time_n to_o be_v utter_o irreconcilable_a unto_o the_o word_n and_o context_n and_o now_o to_o explain_v those_o conception_n which_o arise_v in_o my_o mind_n upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o text_n here_o hint_v at_o as_o well_o as_o in_o a_o matter_n so_o abstruse_a and_o remote_a from_o my_o sense_n i_o be_o able_a since_o i_o can_v find_v a_o more_o proper_a term_n to_o express_v the_o distinction_n of_o the_o father_n son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n by_o i_o call_v they_o three_o person_n and_o not_o know_v what_o other_o title_n to_o give_v a_o divine_a person_n who_o be_v no_o creature_n i_o call_v each_o person_n god_n but_o i_o give_v the_o title_n of_o god_n in_o a_o more_o emphatical_a manner_n unto_o the_o father_n than_o unto_o the_o son_n or_o holy_a ghost_n because_o the_o father_n depend_v on_o none_o but_o they_o do_v depend_v on_o he_o and_o since_o both_o my_o reason_n and_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v teach_v i_o to_o own_o no_o more_o than_o one_o god_n i_o be_o of_o necessity_n compel_v to_o say_v that_o these_o three_o be_v so_o unite_v together_o though_o in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o be_v above_o my_o understanding_n as_o to_o be_v but_o one_o god_n and_o although_o it_o argue_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o imperfection_n in_o humane_a speech_n that_o for_o want_v of_o other_o fit_a and_o proper_a term_n we_o be_v force_v to_o give_v the_o same_o appellation_n to_o each_o person_n single_o and_o to_o the_o three_o conjoint_o yet_o this_o do_v not_o imply_v any_o manner_n of_o contradiction_n as_o some_o do_v object_n because_o when_o we_o apply_v the_o word_n god_n to_o one_o single_a person_n it_o have_v not_o the_o same_o exact_a and_o adequate_a signification_n as_o when_o we_o ascribe_v it_o unto_o the_o three_o person_n conjoint_o for_o that_o will_v imply_v that_o each_o single_a person_n be_v at_o the_o same_o time_n the_o three_o person_n and_o so_o confound_v that_o distinction_n which_o the_o holy_a scripture_n do_v so_o often_o and_o apparent_o make_v between_o they_o and_o this_o analogical_a difference_n in_o the_o signification_n of_o the_o word_n god_n will_v easy_o solve_v most_o of_o those_o objection_n which_o the_o socinian_o do_v bring_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o because_o i_o know_v no_o better_a word_n to_o express_v that_o unity_n which_o i_o apprehend_v to_o be_v between_o the_o three_o person_n i_o therefore_o say_v that_o they_o be_v one_o in_o essence_n or_o substance_n for_o unity_n of_o concord_n or_o consent_n alone_o do_v not_o seem_v enough_o to_o i_o to_o denominate_v they_o to_o be_v one_o god_n and_o because_o i_o find_v that_o the_o son_n be_v say_v to_o be_v beget_v and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o proceed_v or_o be_v send_v or_o emit_v i_o therefore_o make_v use_n of_o these_o term_n without_o pretend_v to_o assign_v the_o difference_n between_o generation_n and_o procession_n and_o although_o the_o son_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v each_o of_o they_o god_n be_v and_o must_v needs_o be_v of_o the_o same_o nature_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n equal_a with_o the_o father_n yet_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o equality_n must_v be_v understand_v with_o a_o allowance_n for_o the_o absolute_a independence_n of_o the_o father_n and_o the_o dependence_n of_o the_o son_n and_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o he_o 23._o all_o the_o objection_n that_o i_o can_v remember_v to_o be_v make_v against_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n thus_o state_v i_o think_v be_v easy_a enough_o to_o be_v solve_v by_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v except_v two_o which_o must_v be_v particular_o answer_v the_o first_o be_v take_v from_o joh._n 10._o 33._o etc._n etc._n but_o though_o our_o saviour_n do_v not_o here_o assert_v his_o divinity_n when_o there_o seem_v to_o be_v occasion_n for_o it_o yet_o it_o will_v not_o follow_v that_o therefore_o he_o be_v not_o god_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o it_o be_v not_o always_o his_o custom_n to_o give_v full_a and_o complete_a answer_n unto_o such_o captious_a question_n and_o objection_n as_o be_v put_v to_o he_o but_o sometime_o he_o content_v himself_o only_o with_o show_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o those_o who_o propose_v they_o of_o which_o we_o have_v one_o instance_n mat._n 21._o 23._o etc._n etc._n and_o another_o joh._n 8._o 3._o etc._n etc._n and_o as_o some_o think_v another_o mat._n 22._o 17._o etc._n etc._n and_o we_o may_v as_o well_o conclude_v that_o he_o have_v no_o authority_n for_o what_o he_o do_v because_o he_o do_v not_o declare_v it_o when_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o elder_n question_v it_o mat._n 21._o 23._o as_o deny_v his_o divinity_n because_o he_o do_v not_o express_o maintain_v it_o when_o on_o that_o account_n he_o be_v charge_v with_o blasphemy_n the_o other_o objection_n be_v draw_v from_o mar._n 13._o
therefore_o ought_v always_o to_o pursue_v but_o he_o who_o in_o eat_v design_n no_o more_o than_o to_o gratify_v his_o sensual_a appetite_n or_o to_o pamper_v his_o body_n that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o great_a enjoyment_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o pleasure_n of_o this_o world_n act_n below_o or_o rather_o contrary_a to_o the_o end_n he_o be_v design_v for_o and_o may_v just_o be_v compare_v to_o the_o beast_n that_o perish_v thus_o also_o a_o man_n may_v innocent_o be_v please_v to_o have_v the_o garment_n he_o wear_v decent_a and_o comely_a because_o the_o eye_n be_v natural_o gratify_v with_o the_o beauty_n of_o any_o object_n but_o if_o a_o man_n wear_v clothes_n which_o be_v more_o fine_a and_o costly_a than_o some_o other_o his_o reason_n ought_v to_o be_v that_o he_o may_v not_o according_a to_o the_o humour_n of_o the_o world_n be_v contemn_v for_o the_o meaness_n or_o sordidness_n of_o his_o apparel_n but_o endeavour_n by_o all_o fair_a way_n to_o preserve_v such_o a_o respect_n among_o man_n who_o be_v very_o apt_a to_o judge_v by_o the_o outward_a appearance_n as_o may_v enable_v he_o to_o do_v the_o more_o good_a in_o the_o world_n but_o he_o who_o clothes_n himself_o like_o the_o lily_n of_o the_o field_n or_o solomon_n in_o all_o his_o glory_n only_o that_o he_o may_v admire_v himself_o or_o be_v take_v notice_n of_o by_o other_o for_o his_o remarkable_a finery_n be_v a_o vain_a person_n and_o act_n as_o foolish_o as_o the_o crow_n in_o the_o fable_n who_o clad_v himself_o in_o the_o peacock_n feather_n and_o what_o i_o have_v here_o say_v concern_v food_n and_o raiment_n may_v also_o be_v apply_v to_o riches_n and_o honour_n and_o to_o all_o pleasure_n which_o be_v not_o absolute_o unlawful_a and_o to_o every_o thing_n which_o man_n aim_v at_o or_o value_n in_o this_o world_n which_o they_o may_v lawful_o seek_v after_o and_o take_v delight_n in_o as_o far_o as_o they_o may_v be_v instrument_n of_o do_v good_a or_o be_v consistent_a with_o their_o christian_a duty_n but_o they_o must_v not_o place_v their_o happiness_n or_o any_o part_n of_o it_o in_o they_o for_o that_o will_v make_v they_o forgetful_a of_o heaven_n and_o necessary_o involve_v they_o in_o the_o sin_n of_o ambition_n covetousness_n voluptuousness_n etc._n etc._n 21._o as_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o do_v whatsoever_o god_n command_v and_o patient_o to_o suffer_v whatsoever_o he_o in_o his_o providence_n shall_v think_v fit_a to_o lay_v or_o inflict_v upon_o we_o so_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n be_v we_o certain_o bind_v to_o continue_v in_o this_o both_o do_v and_o patient_o suffer_v until_o such_o time_n as_o he_o shall_v be_v please_v of_o his_o own_o will_n to_o free_a and_o dismiss_v we_o from_o it_o from_o whence_o it_o follow_v that_o no_o man_n aught_o upon_o any_o account_n to_o lay_v violent_a hand_n upon_o himself_o or_o voluntary_o contribute_v to_o the_o shorten_n of_o his_o own_o life_n because_o he_o know_v not_o but_o that_o god_n may_v be_v willing_a to_o exercise_v he_o yet_o far_o with_o suffering_n or_o other_o trial_n to_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o good_a of_o his_o own_o soul_n nor_o ought_v any_o servant_n without_o leave_n or_o licence_n to_o withdraw_v himself_o from_o the_o service_n of_o his_o master_n and_o the_o same_o reason_n which_o forbid_v we_o to_o destroy_v our_o life_n shall_v also_o keep_v we_o from_o put_v they_o to_o any_o unreasonable_a or_o unnecessary_a hazard_n 22._o he_o who_o in_o duty_n be_v oblige_v to_o any_o thing_n lie_v also_o of_o nedessity_n under_o a_o obligation_n to_o qualify_v himself_o as_o well_o as_o he_o can_v and_o to_o seek_v after_o and_o make_v use_n of_o all_o such_o mean_n and_o instrument_n as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o better_a exceut_v and_o compass_v that_o same_o thing_n to_o which_o he_o be_v so_o oblige_v since_o than_o health_n of_o body_n knowledge_n and_o understanding_n and_o a_o competency_n of_o riches_n power_n and_o authority_n be_v necessary_a qualification_n and_o instrument_n for_o the_o better_a performance_n of_o many_o of_o those_o duty_n to_o which_o we_o stand_v oblige_v by_o god_n law_n it_o follow_v that_o these_o be_v thing_n which_o every_o man_n according_a to_o his_o capacity_n aught_o to_o seek_v and_o endeavour_v after_o but_o we_o must_v not_o strive_v nor_o seek_v for_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n by_o way_n or_o mean_n that_o be_v unlawful_a and_o wicked_a for_o that_o will_v be_v beforehand_o to_o destroy_v and_o frustrate_v the_o very_a end_n and_o design_n for_o which_o alone_o they_o be_v to_o be_v seek_v and_o desire_v namely_o virtue_n piety_n and_o the_o service_n of_o god_n 23._o on_o the_o other_o side_n whatsoever_o be_v a_o impediment_n or_o obstacle_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o any_o necessary_a duty_n we_o be_v bind_v as_o far_o as_o we_o be_v able_a to_o suppress_v or_o remove_v it_o out_o of_o the_o way_n now_o our_o reason_n be_v that_o which_o first_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o religion_n and_o always_o enable_v we_o right_o to_o understand_v and_o judge_v of_o our_o duty_n and_o since_o all_o violent_a passion_n and_o over-eager_a affection_n do_v disturb_v our_o reason_n and_o very_o much_o hinder_v the_o free_a use_n and_o exercise_v of_o it_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o ought_v always_o so_o to_o govern_v our_o passion_n and_o restrain_v all_o our_o affection_n as_o that_o they_o may_v be_v whole_o subservient_fw-fr to_z and_o never_o over-rule_v or_o mislead_v our_o reason_n 24._o since_o god_n be_v the_o creator_n and_o therefore_o also_o the_o absolute_a lord_n of_o all_o thing_n every_o thing_n certain_o aught_o by_o we_o to_o be_v always_o put_v and_o apply_v to_o that_o very_a same_o end_n and_o use_v and_o no_o other_o for_o which_o it_o be_v intend_v by_o he_o as_o far_o as_o we_o have_v any_o intimation_n of_o his_o design_n either_o from_o reason_n or_o revelation_n hence_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v that_o those_o creature_n which_o god_n have_v give_v we_o to_o feed_v sustain_v and_o keep_v we_o in_o health_n that_o we_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a to_o do_v our_o duty_n and_o labour_n in_o our_o several_a calling_n ought_v not_o at_o any_o time_n much_o less_o ordinary_o to_o be_v use_v to_o excess_n so_o as_o to_o impair_v our_o health_n or_o discompose_v our_o reason_n or_o any_o way_n hinder_v we_o in_o the_o performance_n of_o any_o duty_n and_o that_o faculty_n of_o generation_n which_o god_n have_v endow_v we_o with_o in_o order_n to_o the_o propagation_n of_o mankind_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v abuse_v for_o the_o sake_n of_o filthy_a sensual_a pleasure_n nor_o ought_v that_o plenty_n of_o creature_n which_o god_n have_v bestow_v upon_o we_o for_o the_o service_n of_o all_o man_n without_o exception_n to_o be_v engross_v into_o the_o hand_n of_o any_o certain_a man_n so_o as_o that_o other_o shall_v want_v the_o necessary_n of_o life_n whilst_o they_o abound_v in_o superfluity_n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o gluttony_n and_o drunkenness_n lust_n and_o covetousness_n be_v sin_n and_o always_o to_o be_v avoid_v and_o therefore_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o temperance_n chastity_n charity_n and_o liberality_n be_v duty_n and_o always_o to_o be_v practise_v 25._o experience_n assure_v we_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o man_n be_v of_o a_o active_a nature_n and_o rather_o than_o be_v altogether_o idle_a will_v be_v apt_a to_o employ_v its_o self_n in_o that_o which_o be_v evil_a nor_o do_v a_o man_n ever_o lie_v more_o open_a to_o temptation_n than_o when_o he_o have_v nothing_o at_o all_o to_o do_v he_o therefore_o that_o will_v keep_v himself_o innocent_a must_v be_v careful_a always_o to_o avoid_v idleness_n for_o beside_o that_o idleness_n will_v prove_v a_o snare_n to_o we_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n and_o a_o sin_n when_o there_o be_v so_o much_o of_o god_n work_n to_o be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n for_o the_o promote_a of_o his_o glory_n and_o the_o public_a good_a of_o mankind_n that_o any_o man_n who_o pretend_v to_o be_v his_o servant_n shall_v stand_v still_o and_o not_o put_v his_o help_a hand_n to_o the_o carry_v of_o it_o on_o but_o as_o we_o can_v say_v that_o a_o man_n be_v idle_a when_o he_o lie_v down_o to_o sleep_v that_o be_v thereby_o refresh_v he_o may_v be_v the_o better_a able_a again_o to_o labour_v so_o must_v we_o by_o no_o mean_n pass_v that_o censure_n on_o he_o who_o now_o and_o then_o spend_v some_o small_a portion_n of_o his_o time_n in_o some_o pleasant_a and_o innocent_a recreation_n that_o have_v his_o thought_n hereby_o a_o little_a relax_v and_o divert_v he_o may_v be_v the_o fit_a to_o return_v to_o business_n of_o moment_n and_o consequence_n but_o as_o for_o those_o person_n who_o whole_a life_n almost_o be_v nothing_o else_o
exception_n who_o be_v in_o their_o wit_n have_v natural_o a_o most_o earnest_a desire_n to_o preserve_v their_o life_n as_o long_o as_o they_o can_v and_o to_o keep_v themselves_o free_a from_o pain_n and_o trouble_v i_o think_v i_o may_v reasonable_o conclude_v that_o there_o must_v have_v be_v some_o extraordinary_a strong_a and_o even_o irresistible_a motive_n which_o can_v prevail_v upon_o such_o multitude_n of_o people_n to_o forsake_v they_o and_o their_o ancestor_n old_a religion_n and_o to_o embrace_v christianity_n which_o then_o have_v but_o new_o appear_v in_o the_o world_n and_o which_o in_o those_o day_n do_v seldom_o fail_v to_o involve_v its_o proselyte_n in_o most_o grievous_a trouble_n and_o persecution_n xvii_o that_o this_o motive_n can_v not_o be_v the_o hope_n of_o any_o profit_n or_o advantage_n in_o this_o life_n be_v most_o evident_a because_o christianity_n be_v in_o those_o day_n most_o common_o persecute_v even_o unto_o death_n it_o must_v therefore_o of_o necessity_n be_v the_o hope_n of_o some_o benefit_n or_o happiness_n which_o shall_v accrue_v to_o they_o after_o this_o life_n be_v at_o a_o end_n and_o this_o benefit_n or_o happiness_n can_v not_o seem_v small_a and_o inconsiderable_a to_o they_o nor_o can_v the_o hope_n which_o they_o conceive_v of_o it_o be_v weak_a or_o doubtful_a for_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o man_n or_o ever_o be_v in_o the_o world_n who_o will_v run_v himself_o into_o certain_a misery_n and_o persecution_n even_o to_o the_o lose_n of_o his_o life_n only_o upon_o a_o weak_a and_o doubtful_a hope_n of_o some_o small_a and_o inconsiderable_a benefit_n or_o happiness_n to_o be_v enjoy_v in_o a_o life_n to_o come_v i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v undoubting_o possess_v with_o a_o strong_a belief_n and_o most_o firm_a persuasion_n that_o whosoever_o shall_v true_o embrace_v profess_v and_o live_v according_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o this_o life_n be_v certain_o to_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o some_o great_a and_o inestimable_a happiness_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v xviii_o that_o this_o belief_n and_o persuasion_n do_v not_o proceed_v from_o any_o frenzy_n or_o madness_n which_o sometime_o possess_v man_n with_o very_o strong_a imagination_n be_v very_o evident_a both_o because_o there_o be_v such_o a_o multitude_n of_o they_o who_o exact_o agree_v in_o the_o same_o sentiment_n and_o also_o because_o it_o appear_v both_o from_o the_o write_n and_o action_n of_o the_o primitive_a christian_n that_o they_o be_v man_n of_o reason_n and_o sobriety_n and_o some_o of_o they_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n as_o evident_a also_o it_o be_v that_o it_o can_v not_o proceed_v from_o the_o force_n of_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o principle_n of_o bare_a natural_a reason_n without_o revelation_n for_o what_o man_n in_o his_o wit_n without_o pretend_v some_o revelation_n from_o heaven_n can_v ever_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o embrace_v of_o the_o religion_n teach_v by_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n more_o than_o another_o will_v make_v he_o happy_a in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n who_o preach_v christianity_n abroad_o in_o the_o world_n do_v convince_v and_o satisfy_v their_o proselyte_n that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o the_o next_o life_n xix_o the_o main_a argument_n which_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n make_v use_v of_o to_o convince_v the_o world_n that_o this_o be_v a_o divine_a revelation_n be_v this_o viz._n because_o that_o jesus_n in_o his_o life_n time_n do_v perform_v such_o and_o so_o many_o miracle_n and_o wonderful_a work_n as_o sufficient_o show_v that_o he_o have_v his_o commission_n and_o power_n from_o god_n and_o because_o his_o disciple_n who_o he_o have_v appoint_v to_o teach_v his_o religion_n to_o the_o world_n for_o many_o year_n after_o his_o death_n do_v likewise_o continue_v to_o work_v many_o miracle_n in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n which_o show_v that_o god_n be_v with_o they_o in_o what_o they_o do_v and_o teach_v the_o thing_n by_o they_o allege_v to_o have_v be_v perform_v by_o jesus_n be_v such_o as_o these_o that_o he_o heal_v all_o manner_n of_o disease_n and_o distemper_n with_o a_o touch_n or_o bare_o with_o a_o word_n speak_v that_o he_o give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a hear_v to_o the_o deaf_a speech_n to_o the_o dumb_a and_o strength_n and_o agility_n to_o the_o lame_a and_o maim_a that_o he_o raise_v several_a person_n from_o the_o dead_a and_o that_o he_o himself_o arise_v from_o the_o dead_a after_o he_o have_v be_v crucify_a and_o a_o spear_n thrust_v into_o his_o vital_n and_o have_v lie_v dead_a in_o a_o sepulchre_n unto_o the_o three_o day_n and_o last_o that_o after_o his_o resurrection_n have_v several_a time_n appear_v to_o his_o disciple_n and_o converse_v with_o they_o for_o the_o space_n of_o forty_o day_n he_o be_v at_o last_o open_o and_o in_o their_o sight_n take_v up_o alive_a into_o heaven_n the_o thing_n allege_v to_o have_v be_v do_v by_o his_o disciple_n be_v the_o heal_n the_o sick_a the_o lame_a the_o maim_a etc._n etc._n and_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n their_o speak_v all_o language_n although_o they_o never_o have_v learn_v they_o that_o all_o these_o thing_n be_v pretend_v by_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o christianity_n be_v confess_v on_o all_o hand_n and_o undoubted_o they_o must_v needs_o at_o least_o pretend_v something_o that_o be_v very_o extraordinary_a or_o else_o they_o never_o can_v have_v convert_v such_o vast_a multitude_n under_o so_o many_o disadvantage_n as_o they_o and_o their_o religion_n labour_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o only_o pretend_v but_o real_o and_o actual_o perform_v be_v to_o my_o opinion_n uncontrollable_o evince_v from_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o disciple_n themselves_o who_o declare_v these_o thing_n for_o truth_n unto_o the_o world_n who_o can_v not_o themselves_o be_v deceive_v in_o those_o matter_n of_o fact_n of_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o have_v be_v eye-witness_n who_o never_o will_v go_v about_o to_o impose_v a_o lie_n upon_o the_o world_n by_o which_o they_o can_v propose_v to_o themselves_o no_o manner_n of_o advantage_n in_o this_o life_n nor_o if_o it_o be_v a_o lie_n in_o the_o life_n to_o come_v who_o never_o will_v have_v expose_v themselves_o to_o poverty_n to_o rack_n to_o gibbet_n to_o fire_n and_o faggot_n in_o a_o word_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o torment_n and_o death_n only_o for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o fruitless_a and_o unprofitable_a fable_n who_o be_v man_n of_o unblameable_a life_n for_o their_o morality_n have_v doubtless_o more_o honesty_n and_o integrity_n than_o to_o affirm_v those_o thing_n for_o certain_a truth_n which_o they_o must_v needs_o know_v to_o be_v mere_a invention_n who_o be_v too_o many_o in_o number_n and_o too_o void_a of_o craft_n and_o guile_n to_o combine_v together_o in_o frame_v a_o false_a story_n and_o none_o of_o they_o ever_o to_o betray_v or_o discover_v the_o cheat_n who_o can_v never_o hope_v to_o impose_v the_o belief_n of_o such_o a_o story_n upon_o a_o curious_a and_o inquisitive_a age_n such_o as_o that_o be_v wherein_o they_o live_v if_o it_o have_v be_v false_a and_o therefore_o will_v certain_o never_o have_v attempt_v it_o if_o they_o have_v not_o know_v it_o to_o have_v be_v true_a and_o last_o who_o instead_o of_o convince_a such_o multitude_n as_o they_o do_v must_v needs_o have_v be_v palpable_o discover_v and_o expose_v to_o the_o world_n for_o a_o company_n of_o lewd_a cheat_n and_o impostor_n in_o pretend_v that_o such_o and_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v in_o the_o land_n of_o judea_n and_o jerusalem_n and_o do_v open_o too_o in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n when_o it_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n to_o go_v or_o send_v to_o the_o place_n to_o make_v enquiry_n and_o so_o to_o find_v out_o the_o cheat_n if_o a_o cheat_n it_o have_v be_v but_o that_o these_o same_o miracle_n and_o wonderful_a work_n do_v far_o surpass_v both_o the_o course_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o power_n of_o art_n be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o be_v not_o perform_v by_o the_o assistance_n of_o any_o wicked_a spirit_n do_v sufficient_o appear_v because_o the_o very_a intent_n and_o design_n of_o they_o be_v to_o propagate_v a_o doctrine_n in_o the_o world_n which_o by_o all_o must_v be_v allow_v to_o teach_v the_o pure_a and_o most_o strict_a morality_n to_o which_o it_o can_v be_v imagine_v that_o any_o impure_a and_o evil_a spirit_n will_v contribute_v any_o help_n it_o remain_v therefore_o that_o these_o thing_n must_v needs_o have_v be_v perform_v either_o by_o the_o immediate_a
power_n and_o assistance_n of_o god_n who_o be_v both_o the_o framer_n and_o controller_n of_o nature_n or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n in_o effect_n by_o the_o mediation_n and_o ministry_n of_o good_a spirit_n who_o always_o act_n obedient_o to_o his_o will._n so_o that_o whether_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o it_o be_v god_n who_o be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o the_o original_a and_o author_n of_o all_o those_o wonderful_a thing_n which_o be_v do_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n now_o then_o since_o god_n do_v interpose_v his_o power_n to_o work_v such_o strange_a and_o stupenduous_a thing_n for_o the_o propagation_n and_o confirmation_n of_o that_o doctrine_n which_o be_v teach_v by_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n this_o i_o think_v be_v a_o sufficient_a demonstration_n that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v certain_o true_a for_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o god_n shall_v make_v use_n of_o his_o extraordinary_a power_n only_o to_o cheat_v and_o deceive_v the_o world_n into_o the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n i_o conclude_v therefore_o that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v reveal_v by_o god_n from_o heaven_n that_o whosoever_o will_v believe_v on_o jesus_n and_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o his_o religion_n shall_v be_v make_v very_o happy_a in_o thenext_v life_n this_o very_a thing_n be_v the_o grand_a point_n of_o doctrine_n which_o jesus_n and_o his_o disciple_n teach_v and_o preach_v to_o the_o world_n and_o if_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o the_o primitive_a christian_n have_v reason_n sufficient_a to_o believe_v this_o from_o hence_o it_o follow_v that_o we_o have_v sufficient_a reason_n to_o believe_v it_o also_o xx._n but_o jesus_n himself_o be_v long_o since_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o his_o disciple_n who_o first_o preach_v the_o gospel_n depart_v out_o of_o the_o world_n here_o i_o think_v it_o be_v necessary_a to_o inquire_v to_o who_o or_o to_o what_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o that_o amid_o the_o several_a party_n in_o the_o world_n who_o all_o call_v themselves_o true_a and_o orthodox_n christian_n each_o condemn_v all_o other_o but_o themselves_o i_o may_v be_v true_o and_o sure_o inform_v what_o be_v the_o true_a and_o genuine_a religion_n or_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n which_o i_o ought_v to_o receive_v and_o live_v according_a to_o in_o order_n to_o my_o future_a happiness_n for_o if_o i_o do_v not_o this_o i_o must_v either_o reject_v the_o doctrine_n of_o jesus_n and_o so_o lose_v my_o future_a happiness_n or_o else_o take_v it_o altogether_o upon_o trust_n and_o by_o chance_n and_o then_o it_o be_v odds_o but_o i_o light_v upon_o the_o wrong_n and_o must_v needs_o run_v a_o very_a great_a hazard_n and_o though_o he_o who_o be_v in_o a_o mistake_n and_o can_v tell_v how_o to_o help_v it_o will_n doubtless_o find_v a_o easy_a pardon_n from_o god_n yet_o he_o who_o fall_v into_o error_n for_o want_v of_o moderate_a care_n and_o diligence_n to_o find_v out_o the_o truth_n have_v i_o think_v no_o pretence_n either_o to_o pardon_v or_o so_o much_o as_o to_o pity_n xxi_o the_o roman_a catholic_n do_v tell_v i_o that_o i_o must_v apply_v myself_o to_o the_o church_n this_o church_n they_o define_v to_o be_v that_o society_n of_o person_n who_o prosess_v faith_n in_o jesus_n christ_n and_o live_v in_o subjection_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n this_o church_n they_o say_v be_v infallible_a and_o not_o only_o do_v not_o but_o can_v err_v in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o religion_n go_v then_o say_v they_o to_o this_o church_n and_o receive_v the_o doctrine_n which_o she_o teach_v and_o there_o you_o have_v certain_o and_o infallible_o the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n but_o i_o can_v give_v my_o assent_n to_o follow_v this_o their_o direction_n because_o i_o find_v such_o great_a difficulty_n in_o my_o way_n as_o i_o think_v be_v insuparable_a at_o least_o i_o be_o sure_a such_o as_o i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o overcome_v for_o first_o although_o it_o may_v be_v a_o certain_a truth_n that_o there_o shall_v always_o be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o company_n of_o people_n some_o where_o or_o other_o profess_v the_o true_a christian_a religion_n as_o long_o as_o the_o world_n shall_v last_v yet_o what_o solid_a proof_n can_v be_v bring_v that_o this_o particular_a society_n of_o man_n who_o live_v in_o communion_n with_o the_o pope_n or_o bishop_n of_o rome_n be_v alone_o the_o true_a church_n and_o shall_v always_o keep_v and_o maintain_v among_o they_o the_o true_a and_o uncorrupt_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n this_o matter_n be_v a_o question_n of_o revelation_n and_o positive_a institution_n be_v uncapable_a of_o be_v prove_v by_o any_o argument_n draw_v from_o natural_a reason_n and_o as_o for_o the_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o allege_v it_o be_v even_o ridiculous_a to_o think_v that_o any_o sober_a and_o unprejudiced_a person_n shall_v be_v convince_v by_o they_o as_o will_v evident_o appear_v to_o any_o one_o who_o impartial_o read_v what_o the_o romish_a and_o protestant_a divine_n have_v write_v on_o this_o controversy_n for_o there_o be_v none_o of_o those_o text_n but_o be_v fair_o and_o natural_o capable_a of_o another_o interpretation_n and_o must_v be_v very_o much_o strain_v and_o wrest_v to_o make_v they_o countenance_v the_o romish_a doctrine_n beside_o that_o the_o divine_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n do_v general_o teach_v that_o no_o man_n can_v be_v sure_a of_o the_o authority_n or_o sense_n of_o any_o text_n of_o scripture_n especial_o if_o it_o appear_v to_o be_v any_o way_n doubtful_a except_o he_o receive_v the_o proposal_n and_o interpretation_n thereof_o from_o this_o their_o church_n which_o they_o say_v be_v infallible_a so_o that_o a_o man_n must_v of_o necessity_n believe_v the_o infallibility_n of_o their_o church_n before_o he_o can_v any_o way_n be_v sure_a of_o the_o credit_n or_o even_o of_o the_o sense_n of_o those_o text_n of_o scripture_n which_o they_o bring_v to_o prove_v it_o and_o then_o what_o need_n be_v there_o of_o scripture-argument_n to_o prove_v a_o thing_n which_o must_v be_v acknowledge_v before_o the_o argument_n can_v have_v any_o force_n or_o even_o be_v as_o much_o as_o certain_o understand_v and_o if_o they_o tell_v i_o that_o the_o father_n and_o ancient_a christian_a writer_n do_v testify_v thus_o much_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n i_o can_v only_o say_v that_o the_o protestant_n divine_n who_o seem_v to_o i_o to_o be_v man_n of_o as_o much_o learning_n and_o integrity_n as_o the_o romish_a do_v declare_v that_o it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o nor_o have_v i_o skill_n enough_o in_o language_n and_o antiquity_n to_o take_v upon_o i_o to_o judge_v of_o this_o dispute_n neither_o do_v i_o understand_v by_o what_o authority_n the_o write_n of_o those_o person_n who_o be_v acknowledge_v to_o have_v be_v subject_a to_o error_n shall_v be_v obtrude_v on_o i_o as_o a_o rule_n of_o my_o faith_n or_o as_o a_o sufficient_a argument_n to_o determine_v my_o assent_n in_o so_o weighty_a a_o matter_n second_o suppose_v but_o not_o grant_v that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n the_o true_a and_o pure_a doctrine_n of_o jesus_n christ_n be_v preserve_v yet_o still_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o particular_a and_o private_a man_n who_o live_v in_o the_o visible_a communion_n of_o that_o church_n may_v teach_v false_a and_o corrupt_a doctrine_n here_o than_o i_o demand_v how_o shall_v i_o certain_o distinguish_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n from_o the_o opinion_n of_o private_a man_n and_o how_o shall_v i_o certain_o know_v what_o be_v the_o true_a mean_v of_o the_o church_n doctrine_n they_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n be_v not_o agree_v who_o it_o be_v that_o have_v authority_n to_o declare_v and_o expound_v the_o doctrine_n of_o their_o church_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o general_n council_n or_o neither_o alone_a but_o both_o together_o or_o if_o they_o be_v unanimous_a in_o this_o point_n yet_o how_o shall_v i_o know_v whether_o such_o a_o particular_a person_n who_o possess_v the_o chair_n be_v a_o true_a and_o lawful_a pope_n or_o such_o a_o particular_a assembly_n a_o true_a and_o lawful_a general_n council_n or_o suppose_v they_o can_v satisfy_v i_o in_o this_o demand_n yet_o there_o be_v no_o council_n now_o sit_v nor_o if_o there_o be_v can_v i_o go_v to_o they_o or_o to_o the_o pope_n to_o receive_v instruction_n nor_o can_v the_o pope_n or_o a_o council_n be_v at_o leisure_n to_o satisfy_v the_o demand_n of_o every_o private_a enquirer_n how_o then_o can_v i_o be_v sure_a that_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a person_n do_v both_o right_o understand_v and_o faithful_o propose_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o church_n to_o i_o especial_o since_o