lord_n of_o all_o other_o being_n that_o at_o his_o word_n the_o heaven_n and_o the_o earth_n and_o all_o thing_n in_o they_o be_v make_v and_o be_v uphold_v that_o he_o be_v good_a wise_a just_a true_a benign_a or_o merciful_a etc._n etc._n beside_o this_o instruction_n what_o god_n be_v it_o teach_v we_o what_o we_o be_v viz._n sinful_a wretched_a fall_v creature_n that_o can_v have_v no_o good_a or_o happiness_n in_o our_o self_n it_o inform_v we_o how_o we_o shall_v behave_v ourselves_o towards_o god_n viz._n as_o dependent_a thing_n and_o that_o we_o shall_v love_v he_o obey_v he_o fear_v to_o do_v any_o thing_n contrary_a to_o his_o will_n trust_v he_o or_o believe_v he_o etc._n etc._n and_o how_o we_o shall_v carry_v it_o to_o one_o another_o viz._n to_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o that_o be_v every_o one_o to_o confer_v as_o he_o be_v capable_a towards_o another_o happiness_n have_v propose_v thing_n to_o the_o understanding_n second_o it_o add_v the_o persuasive_a part_n to_o the_o will_n move_v we_o to_o behave_v ourselves_o suitable_o in_o the_o act_n of_o our_o will_n to_o such_o truth_n know_v by_o set_v before_o we_o good_a or_o evil_a profit_n or_o disprofit_v pleasure_n or_o displeasure_n seemliness_n or_o unseemliness_n accompany_v or_o consequent_a on_o our_o orderly_a or_o disorderly_a behaviour_n now_o these_o thing_n propose_v and_o urge_v in_o these_o book_n as_o the_o main_a scope_n and_o design_n of_o they_o appear_v to_o be_v of_o god_n as_o they_o come_v with_o evidence_n of_o truth_n and_o goodness_n such_o as_o be_v agreeable_a to_o the_o reason_n of_o a_o considerate_a man_n and_o be_v see_v proper_a and_o convenient_a for_o the_o creature_n will_v to_o comply_v with_o thing_n beseem_v the_o all-perfect_a be_v to_o teach_v and_o command_v convenient_a and_o profitable_a for_o the_o creature_n to_o learn_v and_o obey_v which_o if_o we_o consider_v with_o ourselves_o and_o compare_v with_o what_o have_v be_v say_v in_o the_o former_a part_n of_o this_o book_n will_v appear_v to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o that_o we_o call_v natural_a or_o rational_a religion_n which_o be_v knowable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n to_o all_o mankind_n but_o that_o these_o same_o thing_n may_v and_o how_o far_o they_o may_v be_v call_v revelation_n will_v appear_v by_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o circumstance_n and_o manner_n of_o their_o delivery_n thus_o if_o when_o man_n have_v give_v up_o themselves_o chief_o to_o the_o consideration_n of_o sensual_a object_n and_o bend_v their_o will_n to_o the_o disorderly_a satisfaction_n of_o their_o bodily_a appetite_n neglect_v the_o due_a consideration_n of_o their_o author_n and_o the_o end_n of_o their_o be_v begin_v to_o fancy_n god_n too_o much_o like_o themselves_o have_v low_o mean_a gross_a conception_n of_o he_o and_o too_o high_a conceit_n of_o creature_n confound_v the_o property_n of_o god_n with_o those_o of_o his_o work_n give_v divine_a honour_n to_o man_n or_o any_o thing_n they_o fancy_v excellent_a or_o useful_a make_v bodily_a representation_n of_o god_n and_o as_o some_o represent_v he_o by_o one_o thing_n some_o by_o another_o their_o various_a and_o disagree_a image_n can_v not_o be_v reconcile_v so_o as_o to_o be_v take_v all_o so_o different_a for_o image_n of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o be_v but_o they_o begin_v to_o fancy_v as_o many_o god_n as_o their_o differ_a conceit_n have_v make_v image_n so_o that_o divine_a nature_n be_v mistake_v even_o as_o to_o number_v uncertain_a without_o end_n and_o even_o those_o who_o by_o long_a instruction_n have_v be_v bring_v again_o to_o the_o belief_n and_o worship_n of_o but_o one_o god_n have_v so_o far_o mistake_v his_o will_n as_o to_o fancy_v their_o good_a behaviour_n to_o he_o consist_v in_o external_a ceremony_n suppose_v that_o he_o will_v be_v affect_v with_o the_o slay_v of_o beast_n and_o please_v with_o a_o custom_n of_o little_a observance_n as_o wear_v of_o odd_a fashion_a garment_n keep_v of_o certain_a day_n use_v divers_a gesture_n etc._n etc._n when_o at_o the_o same_o time_n they_o neglect_v justice_n judgement_n mercy_n truth_n goodness_n etc._n etc._n grow_v corrupt_a and_o unreasonable_a in_o their_o action_n even_o to_o one_o another_o have_v bring_v themselves_o into_o divers_a present_a misery_n and_o lay_v a_o foundation_n for_o future_a unhappiness_n to_o themselves_o after_o this_o life_n and_o to_o their_o posterity_n yea_o live_v as_o if_o they_o believe_v there_o be_v no_o future_a life_n if_o then_o in_o such_o time_n of_o ignorance_n and_o corruption_n god_n send_v or_o particular_o instruct_v and_o send_v some_o one_o or_o more_o to_o the_o rest_n express_o to_o teach_v the_o truth_n and_o command_v his_o will_n here_o be_v a_o revelation_n and_o a_o time_n for_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n to_o show_v itself_o in_o supply_v the_o necessity_n of_o blind_a miserable_a sinner_n when_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o profitable_a for_o man_n or_o become_v god_n than_o such_o gracious_a discovery_n but_o if_o these_o man_n also_o declare_v some_o thing_n that_o can_v not_o be_v otherwise_o know_v to_o they_o than_o by_o divine_a inspiration_n as_o certain_a future_a event_n if_o there_o accompany_v they_o a_o supernatural_a power_n effect_v thing_n can_v not_o otherwise_o at_o least_o by_o they_o be_v effect_v here_o be_v enough_o to_o be_v call_v divine_a revelation_n and_o miracle_n and_o there_o can_v no_o more_o scruple_n remain_v if_o we_o can_v but_o be_v persuade_v to_o believe_v that_o the_o history_n of_o the_o bible_n itself_o be_v true_a which_o be_v the_o second_o thing_n to_o be_v consisider_v and_o in_o order_n to_o which_o i_o think_v it_o not_o unnecessary_a to_o lay_v down_o some_o general_a consideration_n about_o faith_n as_o follow_v faith_n be_v a_o assent_n to_o a_o thing_n as_o a_o truth_n on_o the_o word_n of_o another_o which_o we_o ourselves_o do_v it_o know_v or_o see_v according_a to_o that_o complete_a definition_n thereof_o heb._n 11.1_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o evidence_n of_o thing_n not_o see_v or_o know_v for_o knowledge_n leave_v no_o room_n for_o faith_n any_o more_o than_o it_o do_v for_o hope_n which_o be_v the_o desire_n of_o what_o we_o only_o believe_v will_v be_v faith_n be_v its_o only_a basis_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d faith_n be_v the_o foundation_n or_o ground_n of_o thing_n hope_v for_o for_o where_o we_o have_v no_o faith_n of_o the_o real_a futurity_n of_o a_o thing_n there_o hope_n have_v no_o ground_n but_o faith_n if_o it_o have_v its_o due_a circumstance_n it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o convictive_a argument_n and_o though_o faith_n and_o knowledge_n be_v so_o different_a that_o we_o can_v no_o long_o proper_o say_v we_o believe_v a_o thing_n when_o once_o we_o can_v say_v we_o know_v it_o yet_o faith_n if_o right_o be_v as_o near_o to_o knowledge_n as_o that_o which_o be_v not_o knowledge_n can_v be_v and_o far_o from_o that_o doubtful_a supposition_n call_v opinion_n that_o which_o be_v to_o be_v believe_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o a_o truth_n on_o another_o word_n be_v either_o first_o a_o assertion_n or_o affirmation_n that_o such_o or_o such_o a_o thing_n be_v be_v or_o will_v be_v or_o second_o a_o promise_n when_o the_o person_n on_o who_o word_n we_o rely_v for_o the_o real_a futurity_n of_o the_o thing_n make_v we_o expect_v it_o from_o he_o as_o the_o cause_n now_o that_o faith_n may_v be_v as_o it_o ought_v a_o assent_n indeed_o to_o a_o truth_n though_o we_o do_v know_v it_o and_o not_o the_o believe_v a_o lie_n these_o thing_n we_o ought_v to_o be_v certain_a in_o first_o that_o the_o person_n that_o have_v assert_v or_o promise_v the_o thing_n we_o be_v to_o take_v for_o a_o truth_n can_v know_v it_o or_o be_v not_o liable_a himself_o to_o be_v deceive_v or_o can_v or_o will_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o it_o be_v in_o his_o power_n second_o that_o he_o be_v trusty_a or_o one_o that_o will_v not_o deceive_v we_o as_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o power_n of_o the_o person_n that_o we_o may_v be_v sure_o he_o can_v or_o may_v know_v the_o thing_n or_o can_v or_o will_v be_v able_a to_o do_v it_o we_o must_v see_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v in_o itself_o knowable_a or_o that_o it_o may_v possible_o be_v a_o truth_n for_o that_o which_o i_o see_v absurd_a contradictory_n or_o absolute_o impossible_a to_o be_v suppose_v i_o can_v never_o well_o believe_v on_o any_o one_o word_n nor_o can_v i_o do_v so_o will_v it_o be_v of_o any_o use_n to_o i_o whatever_o i_o be_o to_o believe_v must_v at_o least_o seem_v possible_a to_o be_v a_o truth_n for_o nothing_o else_o can_v challenge_v my_o faith_n or_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d
the_o atheist_n turn_v deist_n and_o the_o deist_n turn_v christian_n or_o the_o reasonableness_n and_o union_n of_o natural_a and_o the_o true_a christian_a religion_n by_o tho._n emes_n chirurgo-medicus_n london_n print_v in_o the_o year_n 1698._o speak_v every_o man_n truth_n with_o his_o neighbour_n for_o we_o be_v member_n of_o one_o another_o eph._n 4.25_o and_o so_o speak_v you_o and_o so_o do_v you_o as_o they_o that_o shall_v be_v judge_v by_o the_o law_n of_o liberty_n jam._n 2.12_o errata_fw-la page_n 3._o line_n 10._o for_o certify_v read_v certify_v l._n 20._o for_o liar_n r._n lyar._n p._n 4._o l._n 26._o for_o will_v read_v all_o p._n 6._o l._n last_o for_o unbehold_a r._n unbeholden_a p._n 21._o l._n 20._o for_o then_o r._n than_o p._n 22._o for_o behold_v r._n beholden_a so_o p._n 34._o l._n 34._o p._n 43._o l._n 36._o r._n marriage-constancy_n p._n 45._o l._n 5._o for_o countervail_v r._n countervale_n p._n 84._o l._n 6._o for_o god_n r._n go_n p._n 95._o after_o same_o add_v time_n p._n 118._o l._n 26._o blot_n and_o after_o david_n p._n 181._o l._n 16._o for_o they_o r._n the_o before_o oath_n some_o of_o the_o principal_a head_n of_o this_o discourse_n under_o which_o divers_a other_o thing_n be_v touch_v upon_o numb_a 1._o what_o necessary_a to_o the_o end_n of_o man._n numb_a 2._o three_o way_n whereby_o we_o know_v truth_n numb_a 3._o the_o near_a way_n to_o prove_v the_o be_v of_o god_n numb_a 4._o self_n what_o the_o necessity_n of_o suppose_v a_o divine_a be_v thence_o prove_v numb_a 5._o god_n knowable_a by_o experience_n or_o sense_n numb_a 6._o self_n more_o large_o consider_v and_o say_v to_o be_v cogitation_n or_o mind_n numb_a 7._o objection_n against_o cogitation_n be_v the_o essence_n of_o self_n answer_v numb_a 8._o god_n consider_v more_o large_o and_o as_o in_o himself_o or_o essential_a attribute_n numb_a 9_o the_o common_a notion_n of_o omnipresence_n false_a numb_a 10._o god_n consider_v in_o relation_n to_o the_o creature_n negative_o and_o positive_o numb_a 11._o of_o the_o end_n of_o god_n make_v thing_n numb_a 12._o man_n duty_n or_o religion_n consider_v in_o general_n numb_a 13._o the_o same_o consider_v more_o particular_o in_o love_n to_o god_n numb_a 14._o and_o love_n to_o his_o work_n numb_a 15._o love_v the_o foundation_n of_o all_o orderly_a behaviour_n no._n 16._o the_o natural_a reason_n and_o sense_n of_o the_o decalogue_n no._n 17._o the_o goodness_n and_o wellbeing_a of_o the_o creature_n wherein_o it_o consist_v no._n 18._o the_o ground_n of_o vnhappiness_n no._n 19_o the_o true_a notion_n of_o sin_n and_o that_o sin_n be_v a_o way_n a_o act_n and_o original_a sin_n as_o supposâ—_n distinct_a from_o actual_a sin_n a_o mistake_n the_o triâ—_n notion_n of_o it_o no._n 20._o the_o fall_n of_o man_n from_o innocence_n naturals_n know_v no._n 21._o the_o aggravation_n or_o greatness_n of_o sin_n disorder_n no._n 22._o how_o the_o creature_n shall_v behave_v itself_o on_o thâ—_n conviction_n of_o sin_n with_o the_o natural_a dutâ—_n of_o repentance_n no._n 23._o forgiveness_n with_o god_n apparent_o discoverabâ—â—_n by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n no._n 24._o why_o god_n make_v creature_n capable_a of_o sin_n no._n 25._o free_a will_n consider_v no._n 26._o what_o a_o arbitrary_a command_n of_o god_n and_o hoâ—_n reasonable_a no._n 27._o all_o the_o command_v of_o god_n tend_v to_o man_n happiness_n or_o pleasure_n disobedience_n to_o the_o contrary_a neither_o obedience_n nor_o disobedience_n add_v to_o or_o take_v any_o thing_n from_o god_n no._n 28._o that_o the_o creature_n have_v once_o sin_v be_v more_o inclinable_a to_o go_v on_o sin_v than_o to_o repent_v no._n 29._o convict_a sinner_n at_o first_o unapt_a to_o believe_v that_o god_n will_v forgive_v no._n 30._o the_o scope_n of_o all_o god_n deal_n with_o sinner_n in_o order_n to_o their_o recovery_n no._n 31._o immortality_n and_o a_o future_a life_n discoverable_a by_o reason_n what_o death_n be_v and_o its_o use_n since_o sin_n with_o argument_n for_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n no._n 32._o the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n rational_o conclude_v no._n 33._o future_a judgement_n necessary_a no._n 34._o man_n capable_a of_o repentance_n and_o do_v his_o duty_n no._n 35._o the_o divers_a motive_n and_o argument_n god_n have_v give_v man_n to_o persuade_v they_o to_o repent_v and_o what_o the_o compleat_a no._n 36._o revelation_n chief_o for_o enforce_v natural_a religion_n divers_a consideration_n about_o revelation_n miracle_n faith_n etc._n etc._n no._n 37._o of_o christ_n and_o his_o work_n no._n 38._o of_o his_o person_n no._n 39_o all_o that_o be_v save_v save_v the_o same_o way_n viz._n by_o christ_n no._n 40._o scripture_n a_o gift_n of_o god_n argue_v and_o the_o need_n of_o revelation_n no._n 41._o some_o thing_n teach_v in_o the_o world_n as_o doctrine_n of_o the_o bible_n not_o tend_v to_o the_o true_a end_n and_o scope_n of_o revelation_n no._n 42._o as_o mistake_v about_o reconciliation_n christ_n death_n and_o sacrifice_n propitiation_n etc._n etc._n no._n 43._o about_o satisfaction_n no._n 44._o mistake_v about_o punishment_n god_n not_o to_o be_v think_v the_o cause_n of_o the_o creature_n misery_n no._n 45._o mistake_v about_o imputation_n of_o sin_n and_o righteousness_n no._n 46._o mistake_v about_o merit_n no._n 47._o about_o redemption_n no._n 48._o about_o intercession_n no._n 49._o how_o the_o mediation_n of_o christ_n become_v â—â—fectual_a no._n 50._o of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o fate_n or_o absolute_a predestâ—â—nation_n no._n 51._o a_o reflection_n on_o the_o present_a state_n of_o christiâ—â—nity_n 1._o there_o be_v two_o thing_n necessary_a for_o man_n in_o order_n to_o his_o attain_v the_o end_n of_o his_o be_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n and_o to_o will_v well_o or_o in_o other_o word_n to_o be_v wise_a and_o good_n as_o for_o know_v the_o truth_n there_o be_v two_o thing_n wherein_o this_o necessary_a wisdom_n do_v chief_o consist_v the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o one_o self_n and_o there_o be_v one_o thing_n wherein_o man_n goodness_n do_v consist_v and_o that_o be_v in_o the_o conformity_n of_o his_o will_n to_o the_o will_n of_o his_o maker_n to_o will_v as_o god_n will_v the_o order_n of_o our_o knowledge_n of_o these_o two_o object_n god_n and_o self_n seem_v to_o be_v this_o we_o begin_v to_o know_v ourselves_o as_o the_o object_n of_o which_o we_o be_v first_o ware_n and_o then_o we_o proceed_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n but_o the_o connection_n of_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o of_o ourselves_o be_v such_o that_o we_o can_v never_o know_v ourselves_o well_o tell_v we_o arise_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n nor_o know_v god_n as_o we_o ought_v if_o we_o know_v but_o little_a of_o ourselves_o 2._o there_o be_v but_o three_o way_n i_o conceive_v whereby_o we_o can_v have_v any_o knowledge_n of_o god_n ourselves_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o 1._o by_o sense_n 2._o by_o reason_n or_o 3_o by_o revelation_n by_o the_o knowledge_n of_o sense_n i_o do_v not_o mean_v only_o the_o sensation_n or_o perception_n of_o body_n but_o also_o and_o rather_o the_o experience_n sense_n or_o conscience_n we_o have_v of_o our_o own_o thought_n or_o may_v have_v of_o other_o all_o those_o notion_n we_o have_v as_o it_o be_v passive_o receive_v without_o reason_v and_o which_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o matter_n or_o ground_n on_o which_o reason_n work_v the_o second_o way_n of_o knowledge_n reason_n be_v the_o faculty_n of_o argue_v or_o discourse_v with_o ourselves_o whereby_o from_o consider_v our_o passive_a knowledge_n or_o sensation_n we_o arise_v to_o get_v more_o full_a knowledge_n of_o thing_n and_o of_o what_o we_o have_v no_o immediate_a sensation_n or_o intuition_n and_o by_o get_v the_o knowledge_n of_o some_o thing_n we_o proceed_v by_o argument_n and_o get_v the_o knowledge_n and_o better_a knowledge_n of_o other_o as_o by_o consider_v the_o creature_n especial_o ourselves_o we_o may_v arise_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o god_n and_o then_o by_o consider_v our_o maker_n we_o be_v lead_v back_o again_o better_a to_o know_v ourselves_o and_o from_o a_o better_a knowledge_n of_o ourselves_o we_o get_v still_o the_o clear_a knowledge_n of_o our_o author_n the_o three_o way_n we_o may_v be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o god_n ourselves_o or_o other_o thing_n viz._n revelation_n be_v but_o as_o it_o be_v a_o compendious_a assistance_n of_o the_o two_o former_a a_o express_a or_o particular_a instruction_n from_o god_n tell_v the_o creature_n in_o short_a what_o he_o will_v have_v be_v either_o ignorant_a of_o or_o not_o so_o soon_o or_o easy_o have_v know_v without_o such_o a_o immediate_a teach_v as_o for_o instance_n what_o god_n be_v and_o will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v what_o we_o be_v aught_o to_o
a_o more_o particular_a and_o express_a more_o clear_a and_o convince_a manifestation_n of_o god_n will_n a_o second_o witness_n of_o the_o same_o truth_n confirm_v what_o be_v testify_v by_o the_o natural_a light_n of_o reason_n which_o alone_o be_v enough_o to_o leave_v all_o without_o excuse_n who_o do_v not_o hearken_v to_o its_o dictate_v and_o sufficient_a to_o lead_v all_o to_o the_o way_n of_o obedience_n be_v it_o hearken_v unto_o but_o revelation_n be_v add_v dictate_v and_o enforce_v in_o a_o manner_n plain_a and_o clear_a enough_o for_o any_o capacity_n whatever_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o man_n to_o believe_v and_o do_v in_o order_n to_o happiness_n be_v enough_o to_o inform_v and_o convince_v any_o of_o their_o duty_n that_o do_v not_o strong_o resist_v for_o the_o clear_n of_o which_o matter_n let_v we_o take_v these_o consideration_n as_o god_n be_v the_o fountain_n and_o cause_n of_o all_o truth_n so_o he_o be_v the_o giver_n or_o discoverer_n of_o all_o 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a_o sufficient_a argument_n so_o whatever_o i_o be_o persuade_v to_o do_v must_v at_o least_o seem_v a_o good_n as_o truth_n alone_o be_v the_o object_n of_o knowledge_n so_o shall_v it_o be_v of_o faith_n nothing_o can_v well_o be_v believe_v but_o what_o may_v come_v to_o be_v know_v second_o i_o must_v see_v that_o the_o thing_n be_v not_o only_o knowable_a and_o possible_a in_o itself_o but_o also_o knowable_a or_o possible_a to_o the_o person_n on_o who_o word_n i_o believe_v it_o which_o i_o may_v do_v by_o consider_v well_o the_o person_n and_o his_o circumstance_n as_o to_o the_o trust_n of_o the_o person_n who_o word_n i_o assent_v to_o i_o may_v be_v satisfy_v that_o he_o will_v not_o deceive_v i_o if_o first_o i_o see_v he_o can_v propose_v not_o at_o least_o seem_a good_a end_n in_o so_o do_v or_o second_o if_o i_o see_v he_o can_v not_o suppose_v it_o possible_a to_o attain_v his_o end_n if_o it_o be_v to_o deceive_v i_o for_o no_o one_o propose_v to_o themselves_o the_o do_v any_o thing_n but_o for_o some_o at_o least_o seem_a good_a end_n much_o less_o the_o do_v what_o they_o see_v they_o can_v be_v able_a to_o effect_v faith_n without_o these_o circumstance_n will_v be_v groundless_a uncertain_a and_o as_o liable_a to_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o a_o lie_n as_o of_o a_o truth_n and_o to_o no_o good_a purpose_n at_o all_o but_o in_o give_v our_o assent_n to_o the_o word_n even_o of_o man_n if_o thus_o cricumstance_v we_o need_v fear_v no_o deception_n now_o as_o the_o credit_v man_n word_n may_v be_v call_v a_o natural_a faith_n so_o a_o assent_n to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v that_o which_o be_v proper_o say_v to_o be_v a_o divine_a faith_n but_o the_o word_n of_o man_n thus_o differ_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o though_o divers_a man_n may_v concur_v in_o say_v one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n and_o aught_o so_o to_o do_v in_o some_o case_n that_o man_n word_n may_v rational_o demand_v our_o belief_n and_o god_n be_v but_o one_o can_v 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what_o be_v best_a and_o so_o not_o will_n to_o do_v at_o one_o time_n what_o at_o another_o he_o make_v we_o expect_v from_o he_o wherefore_o we_o can_v believe_v or_o assent_v to_o as_o true_a what_o man_n say_v mere_o because_o he_o say_v it_o but_o on_o these_o divers_a requisite_a consideration_n there_o can_v be_v but_o one_o thing_n necessary_a or_o pre-requisite_a towards_o our_o believe_a god_n word_n and_o that_o be_v that_o we_o be_v sure_a that_o what_o we_o credit_v as_o god_n word_n be_v indeed_o his_o word_n or_o that_o he_o do_v indeed_o say_v what_o he_o be_v suppose_v so_o to_o do_v whether_o this_o or_o that_o be_v true_o the_o word_n of_o god_n we_o may_v determine_v by_o consider_v what_o be_v before_o say_v of_o revelation_n and_o miracle_n with_o the_o matter_n the_o manner_n the_o end_n etc._n etc._n of_o the_o thing_n say_v but_o now_o as_o to_o the_o business_n under_o consideration_n what_o have_v be_v say_v may_v be_v easy_o apply_v to_o the_o scripture_n and_o here_o particular_o to_o the_o historical_a part_n thereof_o without_o any_o far_a help_n and_o as_o they_o appear_v by_o thus_o regular_o consider_v they_o so_o let_v they_o be_v esteem_v but_o i_o shall_v name_v for_o example_n the_o chief_a of_o they_o and_o that_o brief_o in_o which_o book_n as_o i_o have_v before_o hint_v be_v observable_a a_o drift_n or_o design_n all_o along_o against_o wickedness_n and_o deceit_n a_o recommendation_n and_o encouragement_n of_o goodness_n truth_n and_o all_o virtue_n which_o can_v hardly_o be_v think_v so_o to_o concur_v in_o so_o many_o writer_n write_v at_o such_o different_a time_n can_v they_o be_v think_v to_o agree_v in_o a_o design_n to_o deceive_v mankind_n or_o to_o propose_v any_o seem_a good_a end_n in_o so_o do_v first_o the_o book_n of_o moses_n contain_v a_o narrative_a of_o such_o thing_n as_o can_v not_o be_v do_v without_o the_o knowledge_n of_o a_o considerable_a part_n of_o mankind_n can_v be_v suppose_v to_o be_v mere_a fiction_n the_o thing_n which_o he_o write_v or_o whoever_o write_v they_o as_o his_o own_o knowledge_n he_o can_v not_o easy_o be_v deceive_v in_o nor_o can_v he_o be_v think_v to_o have_v see_v any_o possibility_n of_o deceive_a mankind_n so_o gross_o as_o he_o must_v be_v say_v to_o have_v do_v if_o his_o write_n be_v no_o true_a history_n it_o be_v so_o easy_a a_o matter_n for_o the_o then_o present_a or_o immediate_o succeed_v age_n to_o detect_v the_o fallacy_n but_o they_o have_v not_o so_o do_v but_o concur_v with_o he_o to_o deliver_v they_o down_o to_o posterity_n a_o history_n of_o famous_a and_o public_a action_n for_o so_o many_o year_n if_o no_o such_o thing_n be_v do_v can_v never_o be_v suppose_v to_o gain_v belief_n as_o a_o true_a history_n and_o be_v so_o general_o receive_v and_o deliver_v down_o for_o truth_n from_o age_n to_o age_n as_o these_o book_n have_v be_v nor_o can_v the_o design_n he_o seem_v to_o aim_v at_o viz._n the_o instruct_v the_o israelite_n in_o the_o knowledge_n and_o service_n of_o the_o one_o true_a god_n with_o the_o promote_a of_o all_o virtue_n and_o duty_n to_o man_n run_v so_o smooth_o along_o with_o so_o apparent_o wicked_a and_o unprofitable_a a_o design_n as_o the_o deceive_a posterity_n with_o a_o fiction_n instead_o of_o a_o true_a story_n as_o to_o the_o thing_n do_v before_o his_o time_n which_o he_o speak_v of_o but_o brief_o in_o order_n to_o his_o design_n they_o may_v possible_o be_v make_v know_v to_o he_o by_o revelation_n though_o i_o confess_v i_o see_v no_o ground_n for_o such_o a_o belief_n or_o of_o what_o use_v it_o will_v be_v much_o less_o of_o any_o necessity_n he_o shall_v so_o receive_v they_o any_o more_o than_o the_o thing_n he_o see_v do_v when_o he_o may_v receive_v they_o by_o either_o oral_n or_o write_v tradition_n but_o that_o moses_n be_v send_v of_o god_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v the_o israelite_n and_o whosoever_o will_v learn_v of_o they_o can_v be_v discredit_v if_o those_o miraculous_a thing_n be_v do_v which_o the_o whole_a nation_n of_o the_o hebrew_n and_o many_o other_o can_v not_o be_v deceive_v in_o as_o the_o wonder_n in_o egypt_n the_o passage_n through_o the_o red_a sea_n and_o especial_o the_o give_v the_o law_n viz._n the_o ten_o word_n express_o by_o a_o voice_n from_o mount_n sinai_n which_o that_o numerous_a people_n can_v not_o easy_o concur_v to_o deliver_v down_o to_o posterity_n to_o deceive_v their_o child_n witness_v those_o law_n to_o be_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n give_v of_o god_n though_o they_o be_v themselves_o so_o inclinable_a to_o break_v they_o if_o there_o have_v be_v no_o such_o law_n so_o give_v nor_o be_v the_o other_o prophet_n less_o to_o be_v credit_v in_o their_o narrative_n or_o whoever_o write_v their_o story_n or_o the_o book_n under_o their_o name_n that_o such_o and_o such_o man_n come_v in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n deliver_v instruction_n reproof_n warning_n etc._n etc._n to_o the_o people_n can_v not_o be_v a_o mistake_n nor_o can_v they_o impose_v upon_o man_n in_o those_o miracle_n they_o be_v sometime_o say_v to_o do_v much_o less_o in_o the_o prediction_n of_o future_a event_n even_o of_o particular_a person_n by_o name_n tell_v the_o counsel_n of_o distant_a enemy_n and_o even_o what_o shall_v be_v the_o future_a action_n of_o some_o who_o heart_n have_v not_o yet_o conceive_v the_o thought_n of_o they_o give_v also_o the_o infallible_a test_n to_o know_v a_o false_a prophet_n by_o viz._n if_o what_o he_o say_v come_v not_o to_o pass_v which_o prediction_n be_v such_o as_o can_v be_v make_v by_o none_o without_o particular_a divine_a revelation_n which_o