people_n from_o who_o alone_o those_o advantage_n be_v to_o be_v expect_v if_o any_o advantage_n at_o all_o have_v be_v seek_v for_o nay_o when_o he_o let_v those_o advantage_n go_v which_o he_o have_v already_o in_o his_o hand_n whereas_o man_n in_o power_n endeavour_v to_o keep_v their_o authority_n up_o and_o to_o transmit_v it_o to_o their_o posterity_n moses_n be_v content_a to_o let_v all_o that_o power_n die_v with_o he_o wherewith_o he_o be_v vest_v when_o he_o govern_v the_o whole_a jewish_a nation_n he_o appoint_v joshua_n to_o succeed_v he_o in_o his_o civil_a authority_n the_o great_a dignity_n and_o advantage_n of_o the_o priesthood_n he_o dispose_v of_o to_o his_o brother_n aaron_n and_o his_o son_n as_o for_o his_o own_o child_n he_o leave_v they_o in_o subjection_n to_o the_o priest_n to_o officiate_v under_o they_o in_o the_o ordinary_a and_o mean_a ministration_n of_o the_o tabernacle_n not_o allot_v they_o one_o foot_n of_o land_n among_o all_o their_o kindred_n all_o which_o show_v that_o from_o the_o begin_n to_o the_o end_n moses_n design_v nothing_o but_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o common_a good_a of_o his_o people_n and_o that_o no_o honour_n or_o interest_n of_o his_o own_o can_v possible_o sway_v or_o tempt_v he_o to_o violate_v his_o integrity_n and_o what_o can_v the_o four_o evangelist_n propose_v to_o themselves_o that_o shall_v move_v they_o to_o deceive_v the_o world_n and_o make_v their_o relation_n incredible_a or_o suspect_v honour_n they_o can_v not_o aim_v at_o unless_o man_n think_v it_o a_o honour_n to_o be_v dishonest_a nor_o can_v interest_n tempt_v they_o to_o impose_v fiction_n on_o man_n belief_n when_o they_o be_v sure_a beforehand_o to_o receive_v nothing_o in_o this_o world_n but_o hardship_n persecution_n and_o death_n for_o their_o reward_n very_o poor_a encouragement_n for_o man_n to_o invent_v and_o spread_v abroad_o idle_a story_n or_o if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o be_v for_o the_o credit_n and_o propagation_n of_o their_o religion_n they_o must_v be_v think_v the_o odd_a man_n in_o nature_n that_o will_v coin_v fiction_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o religion_n they_o believe_v to_o be_v false_a and_o yet_o they_o can_v not_o have_v believe_v otherwise_o of_o it_o if_o they_o have_v not_o know_v it_o to_o have_v be_v confirm_v by_o miracle_n for_o they_o be_v the_o only_a thing_n that_o can_v give_v evidence_n of_o its_o truth_n beyond_o all_o contradiction_n 3._o this_o i_o have_v say_v to_o show_v that_o however_o some_o irreligious_a man_n have_v the_o confidence_n to_o despise_v the_o scripture-account_n of_o divine_a miracle_n to_o common_a human_a reason_n it_o appear_v sufficient_o credible_a from_o the_o certain_a knowledge_n and_o manifest_a probity_n of_o the_o writer_n and_o consequent_o that_o we_o have_v as_o fair_a evidence_n of_o the_o reality_n of_o miracle_n in_o that_o respect_n as_o can_v be_v have_v of_o any_o other_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o have_v be_v do_v in_o former_a age_n to_o which_o let_v we_o add_v in_o the_o next_o place_n this_o three_o ground_n of_o credibility_n viz._n that_o other_o who_o have_v reason_n to_o know_v and_o be_v able_a to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o matter_n be_v sufficient_o satisfy_v of_o the_o certainty_n of_o it_o here_o again_o we_o must_v return_v to_o moses_n and_o first_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o the_o account_n he_o give_v of_o miracle_n do_v by_o he_o have_v continual_o pass_v through_o a_o long_a succession_n of_o age_n uncontradict_v which_o be_v a_o argument_n that_o the_o inquisitive_a and_o know_v man_n in_o most_o nation_n be_v well_o satisfy_v of_o the_o reality_n of_o the_o matter_n for_o as_o the_o mosaic_a write_n contain_v the_o most_o ancient_a record_n that_o be_v extant_a in_o the_o world_n so_o they_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v peruse_v by_o the_o most_o ancient_a philosopher_n and_o historian_n because_o the_o thing_n relate_v in_o they_o be_v speak_v of_o and_o own_a general_o by_o the_o whole_a heathen_a world_n though_o sometime_o not_o without_o a_o mixture_n of_o poetical_a fable_n as_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o universe_n the_o sanctity_n of_o the_o sabbath_n the_o story_n of_o the_o deluge_n and_o of_o the_o ark_n the_o right_n of_o circumcision_n and_o the_o like_a as_o the_o learned_a grotius_n have_v particular_o show_v in_o his_o first_o book_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o general_a belief_n of_o these_o thing_n spring_v from_o the_o general_a persuasion_n which_o prevail_v in_o the_o world_n of_o those_o sign_n and_o wonder_n that_o moses_n have_v show_v that_o make_v he_o so_o great_a a_o person_n in_o the_o esteem_n of_o mankind_n there_o be_v thousand_o ready_a to_o have_v disprove_v the_o relation_n if_o the_o work_n have_v not_o be_v do_v nor_o be_v it_o in_o the_o least_o likely_a that_o of_o so_o many_o neighbour_a nation_n round_o about_o the_o jew_n which_o mortal_o hate_v the_o jew_n and_o their_o religion_n none_o will_v have_v discover_v the_o imposture_n have_v they_o not_o be_v satisfy_v that_o what_o moses_n have_v write_v be_v true_a the_o honour_n of_o have_v such_o great_a thing_n do_v for_o they_o in_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o world_n will_v have_v be_v think_v too_o much_o for_o a_o despise_a hate_a people_n to_o have_v go_v away_o with_o 2._o but_o second_o instead_o of_o contradict_v moses_n history_n the_o most_o ancient_a writer_n among_o the_o egyptian_n and_o greek_n do_v own_o his_o greatness_n insomuch_o that_o the_o old_a egyptian_n will_v have_v appropriate_v he_o to_o themselves_o pretend_v that_o he_o be_v of_o egyptian_a parentage_n and_o a_o priest_n of_o heliopolis_n by_o name_n ozarsiph_n change_v his_o name_n afterward_o to_o moses_n some_o indeed_o of_o the_o other_o heathen_n as_o apuleius_n and_o numenius_n the_o pythagorean_n reckon_v he_o among_o the_o old_a magician_n and_o in_o particular_a among_o janne_n and_o jambres_n the_o famous_a magician_n of_o pharaoh_n but_o all_o look_v upon_o he_o as_o a_o very_a wonderful_a person_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o plague_n he_o bring_v upon_o egypt_n 3._o and_o then_o three_o as_o for_o the_o jew_n nothing_o can_v be_v more_o clear_a than_o that_o their_o whole_a nation_n have_v all_o along_o acknowledge_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o miracle_n do_v by_o moses_n for_o their_o whole_a constitution_n be_v found_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o divine_a authority_n and_o that_o depend_v upon_o the_o credit_n of_o his_o miracle_n and_o have_v any_o of_o they_o be_v unsatisfied_a in_o that_o point_n those_o rebel_n who_o rise_v up_o against_o moses_n and_o aaron_n allege_v that_o they_o take_v too_o much_o upon_o they_o will_v have_v allege_v that_o they_o pretend_v too_o much_o also_o a_o great_a deal_n more_o than_o what_o be_v true_a nor_o can_v those_o people_n who_o time_n after_o time_n revolt_a from_o moses_n law_n have_v have_v such_o another_o plea_n for_o their_o apostasy_n as_o this_o will_v have_v be_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o law_n giver_n be_v not_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n as_o it_o be_v believe_v i_o have_v say_v thus_o much_o of_o moses_n to_o confront_v some_o in_o our_o day_n who_o have_v take_v the_o confidence_n to_o deride_v the_o write_n which_o go_v under_o moses_n name_n and_o the_o miracle_n say_v to_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o he_o that_o thereby_o they_o may_v with_o the_o great_a boldness_n deny_v the_o existence_n of_o god_n though_o if_o man_n will_v take_v the_o evidence_n give_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n do_v at_o a_o great_a distance_n of_o time_n from_o they_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o find_v better_a evidence_n of_o any_o matter_n than_o there_o be_v of_o these_o of_o the_o certainty_n whereof_o those_o who_o have_v reason_n to_o know_v and_o be_v able_a to_o know_v be_v full_o satisfy_v i_o go_v on_o now_o in_o the_o next_o place_n from_o the_o same_o consideration_n to_o prove_v the_o reality_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o the_o evangelist_n ascribe_v to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o who_o can_v think_v themselves_o more_o concern_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o than_o those_o great_a man_n who_o make_v it_o their_o business_n to_o oppose_v his_o religion_n and_o yet_o that_o many_o notable_a miracle_n have_v be_v do_v by_o he_o and_o by_o his_o apostle_n after_o he_o be_v manifest_a to_o all_o that_o dwell_v at_o jerusalem_n and_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v it_o all_o that_o they_o have_v to_o say_v for_o their_o infidelity_n be_v that_o christ_n do_v those_o wonderful_a work_n by_o the_o help_n of_o the_o devil_n but_o matter_n of_o fact_n they_o own_a hence_o it_o be_v that_o soon_o after_o the_o lord_n go_v out_o of_o the_o world_n divers_a pretend_a to_o a_o power_n of_o miracle_n such_o as_o simon_n magus_n
a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o god._n by_o edward_n pell_v d._n d._n rector_n of_o petworth_n in_o sussex_n and_o chaplain_n in_o ordinary_a to_o his_o majesty_n london_n print_v for_o william_n rogers_n at_o the_o sun_n against_o st._n dunstan_n church_n in_o fleet_n street_n mdcxcvi_o the_o content_n the_o introduction_n page_n 1_o chap._n 1._o concern_v the_o notion_n of_o god_n in_o general_a viz._n a_o be_v that_o be_v eminent_o and_o absolute_o perfect_a what_o such_o perfection_n mean_v a_o more_o particular_a notion_n of_o god_n draw_v out_o by_o necessary_a consequence_n that_o he_o be_v a_o be_v independent_a eternal_a spiritual_n intelligent_a omnipotent_a perfect_o good_a and_o righteous_a this_o idea_n of_o god_n be_v intelligible_a and_o rational_a 7_o chap._n ii_o the_o existence_n of_o this_o most_o perfect_a be_v prove_v by_o four_o great_a argument_n first_o the_o necessity_n of_o a_o first_o independent_a cause_n the_o origine_fw-la of_o all_o motion_n and_o life_n the_o world_n not_o eternal_a but_o make_v by_o a_o deity_n 37_o chap._n iii_o second_o the_o general_a consent_n of_o mankind_n even_o the_o ancient_a heathen_n and_o modern_a idolater_n touch_v one_o supreme_a numon_n the_o singularity_n of_o a_o few_o atheist_n of_o old_a not_o to_o be_v value_v this_o consent_n proceed_v not_o from_o mere_a tradition_n nor_o fear_v nor_o state-polity_n nor_o common_a compact_n but_o from_o a_o principle_n in_o humane_a nature_n derive_v from_o the_o great_a author_n of_o it_o no_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o idolatry_n 54_o chap._n iu_o three_o extraordinary_a occurrence_n as_o first_o miracle_n three_o sort_n of_o true_a miracle_n these_o argument_n of_o a_o god_n true_a miracle_n have_v be_v rea_o do_v the_o credibility_n of_o those_o do_v by_o moses_n and_o jesus_n christ_n of_o strange_a work_n do_v by_o idolater_n a_o distinction_n between_o miracle_n in_o appearance_n and_o miracle_n divine_a 107_o chap._n v._o then_o prediction_n of_o future_a contingent_a event_n such_o prediction_n there_o have_v be_v some_o relate_n to_o the_o ancient_a empire_n other_o to_o jesus_n christ_n other_o to_o some_o memorable_a event_n after_o christ_n ascension_n 161_o chap._n vi_o a_o four_o argument_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n be_v take_v from_o the_o admirable_a state_n of_o the_o universe_n and_o first_o of_o the_o excellent_a order_n into_o which_o the_o several_a part_n of_o the_o world_n be_v digest_v their_o commodious_a situation_n their_o mutual_a relation_n and_o the_o permanency_n of_o they_o in_o their_o nature_n and_o operation_n all_o this_o can_v not_o come_v to_o pass_v by_o chance_n but_o be_v a_o proof_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n the_o senseless_a conceit_n of_o sceptic_n with_o a_o confutation_n of_o they_o 191_o chap._n vii_o a_o second_o thing_n observable_a in_o the_o state_n of_o the_o universe_n be_v the_o beauty_n of_o its_o part_n their_o multitude_n splendour_n variety_n together_o with_o the_o comeliness_n of_o their_o frame_n the_o pretence_n of_o sceptic_n answer_v concern_v the_o operation_n of_o plastic_a nature_n 257_o chap._n viii_o the_o three_o be_v the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o visible_a word_n first_o as_o to_o their_o end_n and_o tendency_n the_o usefulness_n of_o the_o heavenly_a body_n in_o their_o nature_n and_o motion_n of_o the_o air_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o their_o saltness_n of_o spring_n and_o mountain_n and_o of_o all_o the_o furniture_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o useful_a structure_n of_o thing_n in_o order_n to_o their_o end_n particular_o of_o tree_n and_o animal_n of_o natrition_n and_o sensation_n in_o animal_n and_o of_o the_o fabrication_n of_o their_o part_n in_o order_n thereunto_o the_o evasion_n of_o sceptic_n concern_v the_o uses_n of_o thing_n answer_v 285_o chap._n ix_o the_o four_o be_v the_o resemblance_n of_o knowledge_n and_o wisdom_n which_o appear_v even_o in_o irrational_a creature_n the_o constant_a regularity_n of_o they_o in_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o operation_n and_o the_o seem_a sagacity_n of_o they_o as_o to_o their_o ends._n this_o a_o clear_a argument_n of_o a_o deity_n because_o of_o themselves_o they_o design_v no_o end_n nor_o do_v they_o understand_v the_o reason_n or_o tendency_n of_o mean_n nor_o do_v they_o deliberate_v about_o the_o choice_n of_o mean_n this_o too_o be_v a_o demonstration_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o god_n the_o shift_n of_o atheist_n as_o to_o this_o consider_v also_o 352_o chap._n x._o the_o five_o be_v the_o ample_a provision_n which_o be_v make_v for_o the_o good_a of_o all_o needy_a creature_n for_o their_o formation_n and_o production_n and_o for_o their_o preservation_n afterward_o from_o outward_a assault_n and_o untimely_a death_n proper_a food_n provide_v in_o all_o climate_n and_o suitable_a to_o all_o condition_n and_o temper_n proper_a remedy_n for_o all_o endemial_a disease_n 385_o chap._n xi_o the_o six_o be_v the_o admirable_a frame_n of_o human_a nature_n the_o excellence_n of_o the_o rational_a soul_n in_o its_o nature_n and_o faculty_n which_o be_v prove_v at_o large_a to_o be_v a_o manifestation_n of_o the_o existence_n of_o a_o god_n the_o evasion_n of_o sceptic_n consider_v the_o conclusion_n 419_o a_o discourse_n concern_v the_o existence_n of_o god._n the_o nature_n of_o mankind_n consider_v as_o rational_a being_n be_v make_v up_o of_o such_o faculty_n that_o they_o be_v not_o only_o capable_a of_o religion_n that_o be_v sit_v and_o qualify_v to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o be_v vast_o superior_a to_o they_o and_o to_o know_v and_o worship_n that_o high_o be_v in_o some_o agreeable_a sort_n and_o measure_n but_o they_o be_v moreover_o general_o incline_v to_o religion_n prone_a to_o it_o and_o please_v with_o it_o as_o a_o thing_n which_o be_v suitable_a and_o correspondent_a to_o their_o faculty_n so_o that_o in_o all_o age_n and_o in_o all_o nation_n people_n have_v profess_v some_o kind_n of_o religion_n or_o other_o nay_o even_o barbarous_a people_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v be_v want_v in_o religious_a performance_n have_v abound_v in_o great_a variety_n of_o supersition_n and_o before_o they_o will_v be_v atheist_n have_v be_v downright_a idolater_n adore_v a_o plurality_n of_o god_n rather_o than_o they_o will_v own_v no_o deity_n at_o all_o which_o show_v that_o religion_n be_v in_o some_o sense_n natural_a to_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o that_o the_o corruption_n which_o be_v in_o man_n practice_n proceed_v from_o a_o defect_n of_o light_n in_o their_o understanding_n from_o those_o many_o ignorances_n and_n error_n wherewith_o they_o be_v possess_v be_v it_o not_o for_o this_o true_a religion_n will_v be_v the_o great_a profession_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n there_o be_v especial_o three_o great_a error_n which_o have_v strange_o misguide_v and_o corrupt_v the_o mind_n of_o some_o man_n and_o consequent_o have_v take_v off_o that_o power_n and_o influence_n which_o otherwise_o religion_n will_v have_v have_v over_o they_o even_o from_o natural_a conscience_n and_o these_o relate_v either_o to_o the_o be_v of_o god_n or_o to_o his_o nature_n or_o to_o his_o government_n of_o the_o world_n and_o judiciary_n power_n over_o it_o 1._o first_o some_o reject_v all_o belief_n of_o god_n be_v or_o at_o least_o question_n very_o much_o the_o truth_n of_o such_o a_o belief_n and_o so_o of_o course_n conceive_v religion_n to_o be_v not_o of_o divine_a but_o humane_a institution_n a_o piece_n of_o state-policy_n devise_v and_o set_v up_o by_o cunning_a man_n for_o the_o better_a keep_n of_o human_a society_n in_o order_n and_o peace_n to_o such_o man_n religion_n must_v needs_o seem_v a_o indifferent_a matter_n not_o worth_a their_o time_n or_o pain_n to_o concern_v themselves_o much_o about_o nor_o to_o care_n whether_o this_o or_o that_o mode_n of_o religion_n be_v profess_v because_o they_o look_v upon_o all_o religion_n as_o a_o artifice_n a_o invention_n that_o be_v alterable_a at_o pleasure_n as_o the_o reason_n of_o state_n and_o civil_a policy_n require_v 2._o second_o some_o acknowledge_v the_o be_v of_o god_n together_o with_o the_o inward_a necessity_n reasonableness_n and_o excellency_n of_o religion_n in_o general_a but_o yet_o be_v much_o mistake_v as_o to_o the_o particular_a manner_n of_o their_o religion_n and_o in_o their_o way_n of_o worship_v god_n because_o they_o be_v great_o mistake_v in_o their_o notion_n of_o his_o nature_n for_o they_o apprehend_v he_o to_o be_v not_o such_o as_o he_o real_o be_v but_o such_o a_o one_o as_o they_o will_v have_v he_o be_v either_o a_o very_a tame_a and_o gentle_a be_v that_o be_v easy_o please_v with_o formal_a profession_n of_o respect_n or_o a_o very_a partial_a be_v that_o be_v kind_a only_a to_o one_o sect_n of_o people_n or_o a_o arbitrary_a austere_a and_o rigid_a be_v that_o seek_v to_o hurt_v and_o delight_v in_o
most_o curious_a inquiry_n in_o so_o many_o philosophical_a and_o learned_a age_n this_o show_v that_o the_o tradition_n be_v ground_v upon_o principle_n of_o nature_n that_o therefore_o it_o be_v common_a with_o our_o nature_n and_o must_v be_v as_o constant_a and_o common_a as_o humane_a nature_n continue_v 2._o to_o which_o i_o add_v second_o that_o though_o truth_n go_v along_o with_o the_o tradition_n yet_o of_o itself_o alone_o and_o without_o the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n it_o can_v not_o have_v be_v universal_o receive_v in_o all_o place_n and_o age_n for_o every_o one_o be_v not_o ready_a to_o embrace_v truth_n itself_o though_o it_o be_v never_o so_o probable_a and_o when_o it_o be_v receive_v in_o process_n of_o time_n it_o do_v often_o drop_n nor_o be_v it_o easy_a to_o conceive_v how_o this_o truth_n can_v have_v go_v so_o current_a as_o it_o have_v go_v in_o all_o part_n and_o from_o hand_n to_o hand_n without_o any_o considerable_a opposition_n unless_o it_o have_v 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perfect_a can_v spring_v but_o from_o a_o evil_a conscience_n and_o then_o i_o appeal_v to_o all_o man_n of_o sense_n whether_o that_o conscience_n ought_v to_o be_v hear_v against_o god_n who_o interest_n it_o be_v to_o have_v none_o this_o be_v certain_a that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o fear_n where_o there_o be_v not_o suppose_v a_o object_n to_o be_v afraid_a of_o that_o object_n must_v be_v acknowledge_v not_o only_o to_o be_v but_o to_o be_v angry_a and_o threaten_v otherwise_o our_o faculty_n will_v be_v both_o vain_a and_o delusory_a constrain_v to_o fear_v where_o no_o ground_n of_o fear_n be_v which_o be_v to_o reproach_n nature_n itself_o that_o be_v so_o adore_v by_o some_o insidel_n and_o to_o impeach_v it_o for_o a_o common_a cheat._n second_o though_o we_o shall_v think_v some_o particular_a person_n impose_v upon_o by_o their_o fear_n yet_o how_o can_v all_o man_n in_o the_o world_n fall_v under_o the_o same_o imposture_n at_o once_o how_o can_v they_o be_v seize_v with_o 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moses_n have_v very_o faithful_o record_v in_o gen._n 43._o in_o short_a whereas_o partial_a historian_n be_v wont_a to_o seek_v themselves_o a_o name_n by_o favour_v and_o many_o time_n by_o slatter_v the_o party_n they_o belong_v to_o moses_n spare_v not_o his_o own_o nation_n but_o have_v leave_v the_o world_n a_o long_a and_o last_a account_n of_o the_o folly_n the_o insidelity_n the_o murmur_n the_o ingratitude_n the_o apostasy_n together_o with_o the_o perverse_a and_o incorrigible_a temper_n of_o that_o people_n the_o jew_n neither_o conceal_v nor_o excuse_v nor_o extenuate_v their_o provocation_n his_o great_a design_n be_v to_o set_v forth_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n truth_n and_o goodness_n who_o set_v his_o love_n upon_o they_o and_o choose_v they_o not_o because_o they_o be_v better_o or_o more_o in_o number_n than_o any_o people_n for_o they_o be_v the_o few_o of_o all_o people_n and_o a_o rebellious_a people_n but_o because_o the_o lord_n love_v they_o and_o because_o he_o will_v keep_v the_o oath_n which_o he_o have_v swear_v unto_o their_o father_n 2._o to_o demonstrate_v yet_o further_o the_o integrity_n of_o moses_n and_o the_o evangelist_n who_o speak_v of_o such_o miracle_n do_v let_v we_o consider_v second_o their_o great_a simplicity_n of_o mind_n without_o any_o mixture_n of_o sinister_a or_o self-design_n man_n be_v not_o wont_a to_o tell_v tale_n for_o nothing_o it_o be_v either_o vanity_n or_o some_o private_a interest_n which_o be_v the_o end_n and_o drift_n of_o impostor_n and_o what_o can_v moses_n propose_v to_o himself_o by_o tell_v story_n which_o the_o egyptian_n and_o jew_n be_v so_o easy_o able_a to_o contradict_v if_o those_o miracle_n have_v not_o be_v do_v among_o they_o or_o what_o advantage_n can_v man_n think_v he_o aim_v at_o when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n he_o speak_v so_o hardly_o of_o those_o
the_o gnostic_n and_o especial_o appollonius_n tyanaeus_n that_o they_o may_v draw_v people_n off_o from_o the_o profession_n of_o christianity_n upon_o the_o same_o motive_n which_o have_v induce_v they_o to_o embrace_v it_o those_o time_n abound_v with_o magician_n and_o sorceress_n who_o though_o they_o can_v not_o deny_v the_o work_n which_o jesus_n christ_n have_v do_v yet_o use_v all_o their_o art_n to_o lessen_v and_o disparage_v they_o by_o pretend_v to_o do_v the_o like_a our_o saviour_n have_v foretell_v his_o disciple_n that_o false_a christ_n and_o false_a prophet_n will_v arise_v and_o will_v show_v great_a sign_n and_o wonder_n insomuch_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a they_o will_v deceive_v the_o very_a elect_a matth._n 24._o 24._o according_o st._n paul_n speak_v of_o that_o set_v of_o seducer_n in_o the_o singular_a number_n as_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n say_v that_o his_o come_n be_v after_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_v wonder_n that_o be_v with_o wonder_n that_o serve_v to_o confirm_v and_o give_v testimony_n to_o false_a doctrine_n 2_o thess_n 2._o 9_o all_o these_o appearance_n be_v so_o many_o imitation_n of_o the_o work_n of_o jesus_n intend_v by_o those_o man_n to_o deceive_v who_o try_v to_o counterfeit_v thing_n which_o they_o dare_v not_o contradict_v for_o fear_v of_o be_v contradict_v themselves_o by_o all_o the_o world_n nor_o do_v those_o bitter_a adversary_n to_o christianity_n in_o aftertime_n celsus_n and_o julian_n presume_v to_o disow_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n for_o they_o acknowledge_v as_o other_o heathen_n do_v that_o he_o cure_v the_o blind_a and_o the_o lame_a but_o to_o keep_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n from_o work_v upon_o man_n mind_n they_o revile_v his_o action_n as_o though_o they_o be_v do_v not_o by_o any_o divine_a power_n but_o by_o art_n of_o magic_n after_o his_o return_n out_o of_o egypt_n where_o they_o pretend_v he_o have_v learn_v his_o skill_n brief_o 30._o orig._n cont_n cell_n lib._n 1._o p._n 30._o in_o the_o age_n which_o be_v near_a to_o our_o saviour_n all_o sort_n of_o know_a man_n acknowledge_v the_o miraculous_a thing_n that_o have_v be_v wrought_v by_o he_o and_o his_o follower_n and_o have_v some_o sceptic_n of_o our_o day_n live_v then_o even_o jew_n and_o pagan_n will_v in_o that_o point_n have_v accuse_v their_o infidelity_n from_o notoriety_n of_o fact_n which_o be_v unquestionable_a 4._o and_o yet_o there_o be_v one_o consideration_n more_o that_o give_v further_a evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o those_o miracle_n which_o moses_n and_o jesus_n christ_n do_v viz._n that_o thing_n of_o great_a and_o public_a concernment_n be_v the_o consequent_n of_o they_o than_o which_o no_o strong_a evidence_n can_v be_v give_v or_o desire_v of_o any_o matter_n of_o fact_n that_o ever_o be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n there_o can_v possible_o be_v a_o better_a proof_n that_o there_o be_v former_o wise_a and_o good_a man_n in_o england_n than_o the_o government_n they_o establish_v and_o the_o law_n they_o have_v leave_v we_o our_o whole_a constitution_n be_v found_v upon_o their_o action_n and_o the_o polity_n we_o be_v under_o show_v what_o king_n and_o parliament_n they_o be_v and_o what_o they_o have_v do_v though_o the_o man_n be_v long_o ago_o dead_a so_o do_v the_o state_n of_o judaisme_n and_o the_o frame_n of_o christianity_n show_v what_o moses_n and_o what_o christ_n do_v all_o on_o each_o hand_n be_v build_v upon_o the_o miracle_n which_o be_v do_v by_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o and_o to_o say_v at_o last_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n be_v to_o accuse_v all_o their_o disciple_n of_o the_o high_a madness_n for_o follow_v their_o institution_n without_o ground_n or_o reason_n a_o censure_n that_o be_v too_o hard_a to_o be_v give_v of_o so_o great_a a_o part_n of_o mankind_n who_o think_v they_o have_v the_o great_a reason_n in_o the_o world_n for_o their_o profession_n moses_n his_o business_n be_v to_o form_v the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n into_o a_o commonwealth_n distinct_a from_o all_o other_o society_n of_o man_n to_o give_v they_o peculiar_a law_n to_o prescribe_v they_o a_o peculiar_a form_n of_o religion_n to_o bring_v their_o neck_n under_o a_o heavy_a yoke_n under_o a_o sort_n of_o discipline_n that_o be_v the_o most_o strict_a the_o most_o cumbersome_a and_o laborious_a and_o how_o can_v we_o think_v that_o a_o froward_a people_n just_o deliver_v out_o of_o one_o bondage_n will_v present_o have_v submit_v to_o another_o nay_o a_o bondage_n which_o they_o think_v be_v to_o last_o for_o ever_o have_v they_o not_o see_v such_o sign_n and_o wonder_v do_v before_o their_o eye_n as_o plain_o argue_v that_o their_o lawgiver_n come_v to_o they_o by_o immediate_a commission_n from_o god_n or_o how_o can_v we_o conceive_v that_o their_o posterity_n who_o groan_v so_o often_o under_o the_o curse_n which_o moses_n have_v leave_v they_o will_v have_v endure_v the_o severity_n of_o such_o a_o taskmaster_n have_v they_o not_o well_o know_v that_o his_o authority_n over_o they_o be_v attest_v from_o heaven_n nay_o how_o be_v it_o imaginable_a that_o the_o jew_n at_o this_o day_n shall_v not_o yet_o depart_v from_o moses_n but_o stick_v to_o he_o to_o death_n and_o will_v undergo_v any_o suffering_n rather_o than_o leave_v he_o though_o their_o religion_n as_o distinct_a from_o christianity_n have_v no_o inward_a natural_a goodness_n to_o commend_v it_o no_o human_a power_n without_o to_o support_v it_o and_o though_o they_o themselves_o be_v the_o most_o ignominious_a hate_a people_n in_o the_o world_n the_o reason_n of_o all_o this_o must_v be_v draw_v from_o those_o strong_a assurance_n the_o jew_n have_v always_o have_v that_o to_o erect_v their_o polity_n and_o to_o establish_v their_o religion_n moses_n do_v such_o work_n as_o wear_v out_o of_o the_o power_n of_o all_o art_n and_o nature_n and_o plain_a token_n that_o he_o act_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n and_o by_o the_o authority_n of_o god_n and_o then_o as_o for_o the_o christian_a institution_n it_o have_v be_v long_o ago_o receive_v and_o profess_v up_o and_o down_o in_o the_o world_n though_o it_o meet_v with_o and_o indeed_o carry_v in_o its_o nature_n such_o vast_a and_o manifest_a discouragement_n as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v conquer_v have_v not_o christ_n show_v the_o necessity_n and_o divinity_n thereof_o by_o miracle_n a_o religion_n who_o author_n die_v a_o most_o reproachful_a death_n a_o religion_n that_o lay_v hard_a restraint_n upon_o man_n natural_a desire_n and_o bind_v they_o to_o act_n of_o self-denial_n and_o mortification_n a_o religion_n that_o make_v people_n prefer_v future_a expectation_n before_o all_o present_a enjoyment_n and_o wait_v till_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n for_o their_o full_a reward_n a_o religion_n that_o be_v attend_v with_o sorrow_n and_o suffering_n and_o expose_v its_o professor_n to_o death_n it_o self_n for_o the_o sake_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o short_a a_o religion_n that_o bring_v with_o it_o all_o the_o seem_a disadvantage_n and_o discouragement_n that_o can_v be_v offer_v to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n and_o yet_o notwithstanding_o all_o inconvenience_n this_o religion_n wherever_o it_o have_v be_v preach_v have_v continual_o prevail_v over_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o teachable_a man_n in_o the_o world_n of_o which_o no_o other_o rational_a account_n can_v be_v give_v but_o this_o that_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n prove_v his_o authority_n and_o confirm_v all_o his_o law_n and_o doctrine_n by_o work_a miracle_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v in_o his_o father_n name_n they_o bear_v witness_v of_o he_o joh._n 10._o 25._o for_o all_o people_n know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n because_o no_o man_n can_v have_v do_v those_o miracle_n that_o he_o do_v except_o god_n have_v be_v with_o he_o joh._n 2._o 3._o so_o that_o miracle_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o every_o man_n faith_n and_o obedience_n the_o great_a reason_n which_o congregat_v all_o people_n into_o that_o body_n which_o we_o call_v the_o church_n and_o which_o still_o hold_v they_o firm_a together_o against_o all_o the_o hardship_n and_o storm_n that_o can_v be_v bring_v upon_o they_o the_o christian_a church_n be_v a_o stand_v visible_a monument_n of_o our_o saviour_n miracle_n as_o the_o jewish_a state_n be_v of_o the_o miracle_n wrought_v by_o moses_n and_o both_o of_o they_o be_v monument_n of_o such_o vast_a and_o public_a consequence_n as_o can_v never_o have_v be_v erect_v without_o they_o much_o less_o can_v they_o have_v stand_v against_o all_o wind_n and_o weather_n and_o after_o all_o to_o imagine_v as_o some_o do_v that_o no_o such_o divine_a supernatural_a effect_n be_v ever_o do_v be_v