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
be_v capable_a of_o 11_o the_o near_a approach_n to_o the_o state_n of_o glorify_a saint_n the_o most_o divine_a exercise_n of_o contemplative_a soul_n 181._o more_o perfect_o practise_v only_o in_o heaven_n and_o now_o he_o make_v a_o prayer_n for_o i_o that_o it_o will_v please_v god_n to_o give_v i_o and_o all_o my_o friend_n a_o holy_a ambition_n to_o aspire_v to_o the_o practice_n of_o contemplative_a prayer_n 37._o though_o by_o i_o so_o much_o despise_v but_o of_o the_o good_a effect_n he_o say_v it_o will_v have_v upon_o i_o i_o do_v the_o most_o wonder_n at_o that_o which_o he_o add_v viz._n that_o it_o will_v exceed_o better_v my_o style_n i_o have_v hitherto_o think_v the_o choice_n of_o clear_a and_o proper_a expression_n such_o as_o most_o easy_o and_o natural_o convey_v my_o thought_n to_o the_o mind_n of_o another_o to_o be_v one_o of_o the_o great_a excellency_n of_o style_n but_o all_o before_o mr._n cressy_n that_o have_v be_v the_o great_a friend_n to_o mystical_a divinity_n have_v endeavour_v to_o excuse_v the_o hard_a word_n of_o it_o sure_o never_o any_o master_n of_o style_n before_o mr._n cressy_n think_v obscure_a strain_a affect_a unintelligible_a phrase_n be_v any_o grace_n and_o ornament_n of_o speak_v will_v it_o not_o add_v much_o beauty_n to_o one_o style_n to_o bring_v in_o the_o state_n of_o deiformity_n the_o superessential_a life_n the_o union_n with_o god_n in_o the_o pure_a fund_z of_o the_o spirit_n and_o abundance_n of_o such_o phrase_n which_o be_v so_o very_a many_o that_o maximilian_n sandaeus_n the_o jesuit_n 3â—_n have_v write_v a_o large_a book_n only_o in_o explication_n of_o they_o and_o this_o be_v the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o the_o mystical_a style_n that_o it_o be_v obscure_a involve_a lofty_a abstract_a and_o flatulent_a that_o it_o have_v frequent_a hyperbole_n excess_n and_o impropriety_n and_o he_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v some_o who_o not_o unhappy_o compare_v they_o to_o paracelsian_a chemist_n who_o think_v to_o make_v amends_o for_o the_o meanness_n of_o their_o notion_n by_o the_o obscurity_n of_o their_o term_n prâ—â—fat_n carolus_n hersentius_n have_v nothing_o to_o answer_v to_o this_o but_o only_o that_o the_o matter_n can_v be_v plain_a express_v in_o mystical_a divinity_n which_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o argument_n to_o i_o that_o it_o can_v improve_v one_o style_n that_o it_o give_v i_o very_o much_o ground_n to_o suspect_v the_o very_a thing_n itself_o for_o god_n will_v never_o require_v from_o man_n the_o practice_n of_o that_o as_o certain_o he_o do_v the_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o the_o great_a love_n of_o himself_o which_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o man_n to_o understand_v when_o it_o be_v propose_v to_o they_o what_o obligation_n can_v there_o be_v to_o practice_v no_o man_n know_v what_o the_o christian_a religion_n be_v a_o very_a plain_a and_o intelligible_a thing_n and_o if_o it_o have_v not_o be_v so_o i_o do_v not_o know_v how_o man_n can_v be_v oblige_v to_o believe_v it_o i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o man_n can_v form_v a_o distinct_a conception_n in_o their_o mind_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o some_o of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v reveal_v in_o it_o as_o how_o a_o infinite_a be_v can_v be_v unite_v to_o humane_a nature_n but_o this_o i_o say_v that_o the_o term_n be_v very_o intelligible_a and_o the_o put_n of_o those_o term_n into_o a_o proposition_n depend_v upon_o divine_a revelation_n viz._n that_o the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v incarnate_a so_o that_o all_o the_o difficulty_n in_o this_o case_n lie_v in_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o manner_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o shortness_n of_o our_o conception_n as_o to_o what_o relate_v to_o a_o infinite_a be_v aught_o to_o be_v no_o prejudice_n to_o the_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o this_o revelation_n since_o we_o acknowledge_v the_o union_n of_o a_o spiritual_a and_o material_a be_v in_o the_o frame_n of_o mankind_n and_o be_v as_o well_o puzzle_v in_o the_o conception_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o but_o in_o mystical_a divinity_n i_o say_v the_o very_a term_n be_v unintelligible_a for_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o man_n to_o make_v sense_n of_o that_o immediate_a union_n with_o god_n in_o the_o pure_a fund_z of_o the_o spirit_n wherein_o the_o mystical_a writer_n do_v place_n the_o perfection_n of_o the_o contemplative_a life_n §_o 3._o but_o because_o mr._n cressy_n refer_v the_o person_n of_o honour_n for_o the_o understanding_n those_o mystical_a phrase_n which_o i_o have_v quarrel_v with_o to_o the_o author_n of_o the_o roman_a church_n devotion_n vindicate_v which_o be_v purposely_o write_v in_o answer_n to_o i_o upon_o this_o subject_n i_o shall_v therefore_o consider_v what_o light_n he_o give_v we_o in_o this_o matter_n for_o i_o be_o very_o willing_a to_o be_v better_o inform_v in_o the_o beginning_n he_o say_v that_o prayer_n be_v the_o most_o fundamental_a part_n of_o a_o christian_n duty_n 1_o if_o this_o relate_v to_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n viz._n of_o contemplative_a prayer_n it_o must_v be_v employ_v that_o this_o be_v a_o part_n at_o least_o of_o that_o fundamental_a duty_n and_o if_o it_o be_v so_o i_o think_v myself_o oblige_v to_o understand_v it_o and_o it_o must_v be_v a_o very_a culpable_a ignorance_n not_o to_o understand_v so_o fundamental_a a_o part_n of_o a_o christian_n duty_n therefore_o i_o shall_v pass_v by_o all_o his_o excursion_n and_o hold_v he_o close_o to_o the_o matter_n in_o debate_n i_o confess_v he_o prepare_v his_o way_n with_o some_o artifice_n which_o make_v i_o a_o little_a jealous_a for_o thing_n plain_a and_o easy_a need_n none_o he_o insinuate_v 1._o 6._o that_o those_o who_o have_v not_o these_o thing_n can_v well_o know_v what_o they_o mean_v 7._o and_o then_o add_v 2._o that_o the_o mean_n for_o obtain_v they_o be_v in_o his_o own_o word_n much_o frequent_a and_o continue_a vocal_a or_o mental_a prayer_n much_o solitude_n and_o mortification_n of_o our_o flesh_n and_o abstraction_n of_o our_o thought_n and_o affection_n from_o any_o creature_n much_o recollection_n much_o meditation_n on_o select_a subject_n and_o the_o endeavour_v a_o quiescence_n as_o much_o as_o we_o can_v from_o former_a discourse_n these_o action_n of_o the_o brain_n and_o intellect_n now_o hinder_v the_o heart_n and_o will_n and_o the_o bring_v ourselves_o rather_o to_o a_o simple_a contemplation_n without_o any_o action_n of_o the_o brain_n or_o intellect_n or_o at_o least_o as_o little_a as_o may_v be_v to_o exercise_v act_n of_o love_n adhere_v to_o sigh_v after_o and_o entertain_v the_o object_n thereof_o and_o after_o this_o come_v passive_a union_n which_o be_v rather_o god_n act_n in_o we_o than_o our_o own_o and_o be_v particular_a favour_n to_o some_o and_o those_o not_o constant_a by_o this_o explication_n i_o be_o fall_v into_o utter_a despair_n of_o understand_v these_o thing_n for_o if_o the_o act_n of_o the_o brain_n and_o intellect_n prove_v such_o hindrance_n to_o the_o desire_a union_n and_o the_o quiescence_n in_o order_n to_o it_o be_v that_o of_o discourse_n viz._n of_o all_o ratiocination_n i_o be_o utter_o at_o a_o loss_n how_o this_o shall_v ever_o be_v understand_v by_o the_o person_n themselves_o and_o much_o more_o how_o it_o shall_v be_v explain_v to_o other_o and_o i_o extreme_o wonder_v at_o those_o who_o go_v about_o to_o explain_v thing_n which_o themselves_o confess_v be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v understand_v that_o the_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n be_v hindrance_n to_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o they_o but_o f._n baker_n speak_v more_o plain_o in_o this_o matter_n 〈…〉_z when_o he_o describe_v this_o mystic_a contemplation_n by_o which_o say_v he_o a_o soul_n without_o discourse_n and_o curious_a speculation_n without_o any_o perceptible_a use_n of_o the_o internal_a sense_n or_o sensible_a image_n by_o a_o pure_a simple_a and_o reposeful_a operation_n of_o the_o mind_n in_o the_o obscurity_n of_o faith_n simple_o regard_v god_n as_o infinite_a and_o incomprehensible_a verity_n and_o with_o the_o whole_a bent_n of_o the_o will_n rest_v in_o he_o as_o her_o infinite_a universal_a and_o incomprehensible_a good_n this_o be_v true_a contemplation_n indeed_o and_o afterward_o he_o add_v that_o as_o for_o the_o proper_a exercise_n of_o active_a contemplation_n 16._o it_o consist_v not_o at_o all_o in_o speculation_n but_o in_o blind_a elevation_n of_o the_o will_n and_o ingulf_v it_o more_o and_o more_o profound_o in_o god_n with_o no_o other_o sight_n or_o knowledge_n of_o he_o but_o of_o a_o obscure_a faith_n only_o and_o towards_o the_o conclusion_n of_o his_o book_n he_o have_v these_o word_n we_o mortify_v our_o passion_n to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v loose_v they_o 11._o we_o exercise_v discursive_a prayer_n by_o sensible_a image_n to_o the_o end_n we_o may_v loose_v all_o use_n of_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