their_o fault_n if_o they_o do_v not_o receive_v benefit_n by_o they_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v so_o sufficient_o attest_v as_o that_o be_v it_o not_o for_o prejudice_n or_o laziness_n inadvertence_n or_o one_o such_o vice_n or_o other_o i_o very_o think_v there_o neither_o be_v nor_o ever_o be_v any_o consider_a man_n in_o the_o world_n but_o either_o he_o be_v or_o may_v thereby_o have_v be_v convince_v of_o the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n and_o so_o bless_v by_o the_o excellency_n of_o their_o religion_n as_o that_o his_o mind_n shall_v no_o long_o be_v blind_v with_o superstition_n or_o fluctuate_v in_o uncertainty_n but_o shall_v know_v assure_o where_o to_o have_v the_o most_o perfect_a object_n of_o all_o his_o faculty_n how_o great_a then_o i_o say_v be_v the_o goodness_n of_o these_o miracle_n that_o confirm_v such_o a_o treasure_n unto_o we_o how_o plain_o do_v it_o show_v their_o descent_n from_o the_o essential_a and_o eternal_a 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can_v admit_v of_o no_o demonstration_n but_o that_o of_o the_o spirit_n and_o this_o indeed_o be_v make_v à _fw-la posteriori_fw-la yet_o not_o from_o the_o constant_a and_o ordinary_a phaenomena_n of_o nature_n but_o from_o thing_n novel_a and_o anomalous_a such_o as_o prediction_n and_o miracle_n purposely_o design_v for_o that_o end_n and_o this_o be_v the_o way_n of_o prove_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v divine_a far_o more_o decent_a and_o proper_a than_o any_o other_o because_o it_o become_v the_o majesty_n of_o god_n and_o conciliate_n authority_n to_o his_o word_n by_o make_v 5._o our_o faith_n to_o stand_v not_o in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o man_n but_o on_o the_o power_n of_o god_n now_o to_o show_v that_o this_o demonstration_n be_v abundant_o make_v by_o the_o spirit_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v the_o great_a design_n of_o this_o treatise_n which_o be_v write_v on_o a_o occasion_n of_o a_o command_n lay_v on_o i_o by_o your_o lordship_n be_v by_o i_o humble_o offer_v to_o the_o honour_n of_o your_o lordship_n view_n and_o have_v attain_v thereunto_o your_o lordship_n it_o seem_v be_v please_v to_o condescend_v so_o far_o as_o to_o read_v over_o as_o much_o as_o your_o lordship_n time_n will_v give_v leave_n and_o then_o to_o return_v it_o with_o many_o thanks_o to_o i_o for_o my_o good_a pain_n as_o your_o lordship_n be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o wise_o place_v on_o so_o worthy_a a_o theme_n together_o with_o such_o other_o expression_n of_o your_o lordship_n approbation_n as_o neither_o i_o do_v expect_v nor_o as_o i_o fear_v do_v the_o treatise_n deserve_v but_o i_o submit_v to_o your_o lordship_n judgement_n and_o have_v i_o not_o so_o do_v this_o treatise_n have_v be_v bury_v in_o obscurity_n with_o its_o author_n but_o have_v that_o encouragement_n i_o think_v myself_o sufficient_o arm_v against_o all_o elation_n or_o dejection_n of_o mind_n at_o the_o various_a censure_n that_o may_v possible_o be_v pass_v upon_o it_o if_o it_o shall_v come_v abroad_o because_o i_o neither_o know_v nor_o be_o like_a to_o mâ—et_v with_o any_o more_o able_a to_o judge_v of_o such_o matter_n or_o impartial_a in_o judge_v than_o your_o lordship_n hereupon_o i_o give_v my_o consent_n to_o its_o be_v make_v public_a and_o for_o its_o free_a passage_n among_o man_n in_o this_o decline_a age_n of_o christianity_n i_o be_o humble_o bold_a to_o let_v the_o world_n know_v that_o your_o lordship_n be_v thus_o far_o concern_v therein_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o contend_v for_o that_o faith_n which_o be_v once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n which_o be_v at_o this_o day_n god_n be_v thank_v most_o excellent_o establish_v and_o most_o merciful_o preserve_v in_o the_o church_n of_o england_n whereof_o also_o your_o lordship_n very_o deserve_o be_v one_o of_o the_o chief_a minister_n with_o all_o humble_a confidence_n i_o persuade_v myself_o that_o for_o so_o do_v your_o lordship_n will_v either_o not_o be_v offend_v at_o or_o will_v easy_o pardon_v your_o lordship_n very_a much_o oblige_v in_o all_o duty_n and_o humble_a observance_n w._n h._n to_o the_o reader_n in_o this_o treatise_n you_o will_v find_v christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n put_v together_o in_o one_o proposition_n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v not_o either_o that_o our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n be_v no_o more_o nor_o no_o other_o than_o a_o prophet_n or_o that_o the_o humane_a nature_n of_o christ_n have_v no_o high_a a_o degree_n than_o the_o apostle_n have_v of_o immediate_a illumination_n for_o be_v hypostatical_o unite_v to_o the_o divine_a it_o be_v reasonable_a to_o believe_v it_o have_v such_o communication_n of_o knowledge_n therefrom_o as_o be_v vouchsase_v to_o no_o other_o man_n whatever_o but_o the_o meaning_n be_v that_o the_o eternal_a son_n of_o god_n have_v gracious_o be_v please_v to_o take_v our_o nature_n upon_o he_o make_v of_o a_o woman_n make_v under_o the_o law_n to_o redeem_v they_o that_o be_v under_o the_o law_n find_v it_o expedient_a in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n for_o he_o to_o execute_v the_o office_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o to_o inspire_v his_o apostle_n with_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n that_o so_o he_o do_v lie_v we_o know_v at_o the_o bottom_n of_o our_o christian_a faith_n whoever_o believe_v the_o gospel_n to_o be_v of_o god_n do_v in_o a_o sort_n suppose_v it_o and_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v for_o whatever_o religion_n be_v divine_a must_v needs_o be_v either_o natural_a or_o reveal_v if_o reveal_v than_o the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v prophet_n because_o prophecy_n be_v the_o only_a way_n whereby_o reveal_v truth_n either_o be_v or_o can_v be_v dispense_v unto_o we_o for_o very_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o the_o positive_a truth_n of_o god_n beside_o or_o above_o what_o be_v natural_a can_v no_o way_n be_v make_v know_v unto_o we_o but_o by_o a_o free_a influx_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n upon_o we_o since_o therefore_o as_o all_o agree_v that_o though_o christianity_n do_v most_o high_o befriend_v natural_a theology_n yet_o itself_o if_o it_o be_v of_o god_n be_v reveal_v it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o christ_n the_o author_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o his_o apostle_n the_o first_o preacher_n of_o it_o be_v prophet_n yet_o among_o the_o many_o good_a book_n that_o have_v either_o heretofore_o or_o late_o be_v write_v to_o prove_v the_o truth_n of_o christianity_n i_o have_v neither_o see_v nor_o ever_o hear_v of_o any_o purposely_o write_v and_o direct_o design_v to_o make_v good_a this_o principle_n i_o can_v not_o but_o somewhat_o wonder_v at_o it_o and_o wish_v it_o be_v well_o do_v and_o this_o my_o desire_n do_v at_o length_n vent_v itself_o in_o a_o sermon_n on_o the_o text_n you_o find_v prefix_v to_o this_o treatise_n and_o this_o sermon_n i_o resolve_v on_o a_o occasion_n give_v i_o by_o a_o person_n of_o great_a learning_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n to_o transcribe_v and_o enlarge_v in_o that_o method_n which_o be_v there_o propose_v and_o you_o will_v find_v here_o observe_v from_o this_o undertake_n the_o slenderness_n of_o my_o acquaintance_n with_o oriental_a language_n and_o learning_n do_v a_o long_a time_n deter_v i_o but_o consider_v that_o beside_o my_o own_o satisfaction_n and_o diversion_n from_o less_o please_a employment_n i_o write_v it_o only_o for_o his_o lordship_n perusal_n who_o i_o know_v have_v goodness_n enough_o to_o pardon_v my_o defect_n as_o well_o as_o learning_n to_o discover_v they_o i_o reassume_v my_o former_a resolution_n and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o performance_n of_o it_o i_o look_v more_o narrow_o than_o former_o i_o have_v do_v into_o those_o book_n which_o i_o have_v that_o be_v likely_a to_o acquaint_v i_o with_o the_o custom_n and_o method_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o the_o trial_n of_o prophet_n and_o by_o so_o do_v have_v i_o hope_v find_v and_o pitch_v upon_o the_o principal_a mean_n and_o method_n observe_v by_o that_o people_n in_o that_o affair_n and_o this_o way_n of_o procedure_v even_o before_o i_o have_v that_o idea_n of_o it_o which_o you_o will_v find_v in_o this_o treatise_n i_o do_v conjecture_n must_v needs_o be_v very_o rational_a because_o it_o be_v not_o only_o project_v but_o practise_v and_o that_o as_o far_o as_o we_o find_v without_o control_n for_o many_o age_n among_o god_n peculiar_a people_n and_o that_o i_o be_v not_o mistake_v in_o this_o conjecture_n the_o five_o chapter_n of_o this_o treatise_n do_v i_o hope_v make_v manifest_a by_o show_v the_o strength_n and_o force_n of_o the_o precede_a argument_n to_o prove_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n now_o if_o any_o man_n ask_v what_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n it_o be_v which_o i_o ascribe_v unto_o they_o he_o may_v be_v please_v to_o know_v his_o curiosity_n exceed_v i_o yet_o for_o a_o answer_n i_o refer_v he_o to_o that_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n wherein_o he_o tell_v the_o jew_n that_o the_o lord_n thy_o god_n will_v raise_v up_o unto_o thou_o a_o prophet_n from_o the_o midst_n of_o thou_o of_o thy_o brethren_n like_v 5._o unto_o i_o unto_o he_o shall_v you_o hearken_v this_o 22._o prophecy_n i_o find_v by_o st._n peter_n apply_v to_o our_o bless_a saviour_n in_o particular_a and_o by_o st._n stephen_n 37._o to_o the_o evangelical_n state_n in_o general_a and_o from_o thence_o perhaps_o we_o may_v gather_v not_o only_o that_o this_o prediction_n do_v more_o especial_o pertain_v to_o the_o day_n of_o the_o messiah_n but_o also_o that_o it_o speak_v not_o of_o one_o single_a person_n only_o but_o of_o a_o order_n of_o prophet_n like_v unto_o moses_n and_o therefore_o though_o it_o be_v most_o eminent_o fulfil_v in_o christ_n yet_o be_v it_o also_o accomplish_a in_o those_o that_o he_o send_v as_o the_o father_n have_v send_v he_o viz._n the_o 21._o apostle_n whether_o
or_o no_o this_o collection_n be_v logical_a it_o be_v not_o material_a to_o dispute_v because_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n not_o only_o in_o christ_n but_o also_o in_o his_o apostle_n do_v itself_o declare_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o easy_a it_o be_v to_o observe_v that_o those_o prerogative_n which_o the_o jew_n ascribe_v to_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n their_o master_n be_v very_o discernible_a in_o they_o as_o will_v appear_v by_o a_o transcript_n 7._o of_o they_o out_o of_o maimonides_n who_o tell_v we_o 1_o that_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n prophesy_v in_o a_o dream_n or_o a_o vision_n but_o moses_n our_o master_n behold_v and_o stand_v while_o he_o be_v awake_a according_a to_o that_o that_o be_v say_v when_o moses_n be_v go_v into_o the_o tabernacle_n of_o the_o congregation_n to_o speak_v with_o he_o i._n e._n god_n than_o he_o hear_v the_o voice_n of_o one_o speak_v unto_o he_o which_o 89._o text_n be_v so_o interpret_v by_o the_o jew_n as_o that_o it_o seem_v among_o the_o talmudist_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o moses_n have_v never_o any_o prophecy_n in_o the_o night_n i._n e._n in_o a_o dream_n or_o vision_n of_o the_o night_n as_o the_o other_o prophet_n have_v but_o when_o he_o be_v awake_a and_o in_o the_o full_a vigour_n of_o his_o sense_n than_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n come_v unto_o he_o 2_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n prophesy_v by_o the_o help_n or_o ministry_n of_o a_o angel_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o they_o see_v they_o behold_v it_o in_o riddle_n and_o similitude_n but_o moses_n our_o master_n prophesy_v without_o the_o intervention_n of_o a_o angel_n as_o it_o be_v say_v with_o he_o will_v i_o speak_v mouth_n to_o mouth_n thus_o again_o 8._o it_o be_v say_v the_o lord_n speak_v unto_o moses_n face_n to_o face_n it_o be_v also_o say_v the_o similitude_n of_o the_o 8._o lord_n shall_v he_o behold_v to_o show_v not_o that_o there_o be_v any_o similitude_n there_o but_o that_o he_o see_v clear_o without_o a_o riddle_n or_o parable_n which_o also_o the_o law_n there_o testify_v concern_v he_o even_o apparent_o and_o not_o in_o dark_a speech_n because_o he_o prophesy_v not_o in_o a_o riddle_n but_o he_o perspicuous_o behold_v the_o matter_n in_o vision_n 3_o all_o the_o other_o prophet_n be_v horrible_o afraid_a and_o astonish_v and_o become_v faint_a but_o moses_n our_o master_n be_v not_o so_o and_o this_o the_o scripture_n say_v as_o â—_o a_o man_n speak_v to_o his_o friend_n as_o if_o it_o have_v be_v say_v as_o one_o be_v not_o afraid_a to_o hear_v the_o speech_n of_o his_o companion_n so_o can_v the_o mind_n of_o moses_n our_o master_n understand_v the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o remain_v in_o its_o perfect_a constancy_n 4_o none_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n can_v prophesy_v when_o they_o will_v it_o be_v not_o so_o with_o moses_n our_o master_n but_o at_o what_o time_n soever_o he_o will_v he_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o holy_a spirit_n and_o prophecy_n do_v abide_v upon_o he_o neither_o have_v he_o need_v to_o dispose_v or_o prepare_v his_o mind_n for_o it_o for_o he_o be_v always_o dispose_v and_o in_o a_o readiness_n as_o a_o minister_a angel_n at_o what_o time_n therefore_o he_o will_v he_o can_v prophesy_v according_a to_o that_o which_o be_v say_v stand_v you_o here_o that_o i_o may_v hear_v what_o the_o lord_n will_v 8._o command_v concern_v you_o and_o herein_o his_o confidence_n be_v place_v in_o god_n as_o it_o be_v say_v go_v say_v to_o they_o get_v you_o into_o your_o tent_n but_o 31._o as_o for_o thou_o stand_v thou_o here_o by_o i_o thus_o maimonides_n concern_v the_o difference_n between_o the_o prophecy_n of_o moses_n and_o of_o the_o other_o prophet_n i_o will_v not_o pass_v my_o word_n how_o little_a soever_o it_o may_v signify_v either_o for_o the_o truth_n of_o all_o that_o he_o say_v or_o yet_o for_o its_o consistence_n either_o with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n or_o the_o write_n of_o other_o hebrew_n master_n or_o of_o himself_o yet_o suppose_v it_o to_o be_v all_o true_a we_o may_v thence_o gather_v that_o in_o the_o moysaicall_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n i._n e._n the_o high_a among_o the_o jew_n imagination_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v divine_a truth_n be_v represent_v immediate_o to_o the_o understanding_n the_o character_n of_o it_o be_v clear_o and_o plain_o write_v on_o the_o mind_n itself_o and_o therein_o the_o prophet_n may_v read_v it_o without_o the_o hieroglyphic_n of_o material_a phantasm_n a_o soft_a and_o gentle_a irradiation_n do_v so_o enlighten_v his_o understanding_n as_o that_o he_o may_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n without_o either_o study_n or_o teach_v from_o man_n or_o angel_n dream_n or_o vision_n panic_n fear_n or_o passion_n and_o this_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n be_v in_o he_o not_o as_o the_o transient_a effect_n of_o a_o sudden_a act_n upon_o the_o patient_n but_o rather_o as_o a_o intellectual_a habit_n who_o act_n he_o may_v elicit_v when_o he_o please_v this_o be_v that_o degree_n of_o prophecy_n which_o maimonides_n and_o his_o adherent_n attribute_v to_o moses_n their_o master_n and_o we_o christian_n may_v do_v it_o i_o think_v with_o great_a truth_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o certain_o the_o soul_n of_o our_o saviour_n have_v whatever_o knowledge_n be_v convenient_a for_o it_o to_o have_v in_o order_n to_o his_o be_v able_a to_o save_v to_o the_o uttermost_a they_o that_o come_v to_o god_n by_o he_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o even_o in_o the_o day_n of_o his_o flesh_n he_o be_v as_o well_o as_o he_o now_o be_v the_o captain_n of_o our_o salvation_n it_o seem_v convenient_a for_o he_o 10_o even_o then_o to_o have_v have_v no_o less_o knowledge_n than_o that_o wherein_o it_o do_v consist_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o that_o that_o be_v only_o in_o a_o possibility_n of_o be_v must_v be_v bring_v into_o actual_a existence_n by_o that_o that_o actual_o be_v and_o forasmuch_o as_o man_n in_o this_o world_n be_v only_o in_o a_o possibility_n of_o attain_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o bless_a be_v and_o ever_o be_v to_o be_v actual_o bring_v unto_o it_o by_o the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n it_o follow_v that_o he_o even_o in_o his_o staâ—e_v of_o humiliation_n have_v that_o knowledge_n of_o vision_n whereunto_o he_o then_o do_v and_o still_o do_v conduct_v they_o and_o this_o knowledge_n i_o suppose_v will_v be_v grant_v to_o exceed_v all_o that_o ever_o moses_n or_o the_o prophet_n or_o any_o other_o mortal_n whatever_o either_o do_v or_o can_v attain_v to_o but_o we_o need_v not_o fly_v so_o high_a in_o speculation_n because_o it_o be_v foretell_v of_o he_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o knowledge_n 2._o shall_v rest_v upon_o he_o these_o four_o say_v aquinas_n comprehend_v all_o thing_n whatever_o can_v be_v know_v for_o the_o knowledge_n of_o thing_n divine_a and_o immaterial_a pertain_v to_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o all_o practical_a and_o speculative_a conclusion_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o counsel_n and_o knowledge_n 1._o since_o therefore_o the_o spirit_n of_o these_o thing_n do_v in_o a_o extraordinary_a manner_n or_o rather_o without_o measure_n rest_v upon_o our_o messiah_n it_o be_v to_o be_v conclude_v that_o whatever_o gift_n the_o holy_a ghost_n do_v embellish_v the_o soul_n of_o man_n withal_o be_v most_o eminent_o shed_v forth_o on_o the_o soul_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n and_o consequent_o that_o of_o prophecy_n far_o beyond_o the_o degree_n of_o moses_n or_o all_o other_o mortal_n put_v together_o and_o if_o so_o it_o be_v then_o doubtless_o he_o can_v elicit_v the_o act_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n without_o either_o previous_a disposition_n or_o preparation_n dream_n or_o vision_n angel_n or_o consternation_n and_o that_o when_o he_o will_v in_o a_o manner_n far_o superior_a to_o that_o of_o moses_n and_o then_o for_o the_o apostle_n it_o seem_v not_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n in_o they_o be_v in_o any_o point_n inferior_a to_o that_o of_o moses_n but_o rather_o more_o excellent_a for_o the_o spirit_n of_o truth_n do_v guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n and_o show_v they_o 13._o thing_n to_o come_v and_o this_o he_o do_v in_o such_o a_o manner_n as_o that_o they_o know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n without_o dream_n or_o vision_n or_o angel_n to_o teach_v they_o and_o the_o knowledge_n they_o have_v of_o divine_a truth_n it_o be_v evident_a they_o receive_v without_o those_o discomposure_n of_o soul_n and_o terrible_a shake_n of_o body_n which_o usual_o befall_v the_o old_a prophet_n evident_a also_o it_o be_v by_o the_o sermon_n and_o discourse_n that_o they_o utter_v upon_o all_o occasion_n that_o the_o knowledge_n they_o have_v they_o can_v
moses_n which_o promise_v petrus_n galatinus_n 22._o prove_v the_o ancient_a jew_n themselves_o understand_v to_o speak_v of_o the_o mâ—ssiah_n and_o in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n st._n peter_n affirm_v that_o our_o jesus_n be_v that_o prophet_n and_o christ_n himself_o give_v such_o evidence_n of_o it_o as_o that_o his_o disciple_n think_v he_o a_o prophet_n mighty_a 19_o in_o deed_n and_o word_n before_o god_n and_o all_o the_o people_n i._n e._n that_o god_n do_v demonstrate_v and_o the_o people_n do_v confess_v that_o he_o be_v a_o great_a prophet_n and_o that_o they_o do_v so_o be_v manifest_a for_o the_o jew_n themselves_o who_o heart_n be_v not_o subdue_v to_o his_o doctrine_n do_v yet_o believe_v that_o of_o a_o truth_n he_o be_v that_o prophet_n that_o shall_v 14._o come_v into_o the_o world_n the_o samaritan_n woman_n also_o perceive_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o the_o man_n of_o samaria_n 19_o believe_v and_o know_v as_o much_o namely_o that_o indeed_o he_o be_v the_o christ_n the_o saviour_n of_o the_o world_n a_o part_n 2d_o of_o who_o office_n as_o they_o think_v be_v to_o tell_v they_o all_o thing_n and_o so_o to_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o then_o for_o the_o apostle_n we_o do_v not_o only_o read_v that_o god_n by_o his_o spirit_n 10_o reveal_v thing_n unto_o they_o but_o moreover_o we_o find_v it_o record_v that_o he_o do_v it_o in_o this_o manner_n our_o bless_a lord_n jesus_n christ_n promise_v his_o disciple_n to_o send_v they_o a_o comforter_n and_o that_o when_o he_o the_o spirit_n of_o 13._o truth_n shall_v come_v he_o will_v guide_v they_o into_o all_o truth_n which_o it_o seem_v fell_a out_o according_o for_o when_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n be_v full_o come_v the_o apostle_n be_v all_o with_o one_o accord_n in_o one_o place_n and_o sudden_o there_o come_v a_o sound_n from_o heaven_n as_o of_o a_o rush_v mighty_a wind_n and_o it_o fill_v all_o the_o house_n where_o they_o be_v sit_v and_o there_o appear_v to_o they_o cleave_a tongue_n like_v as_o of_o fire_n and_o it_o sit_v upon_o each_o of_o they_o and_o they_o be_v all_o fill_v with_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o begin_v to_o speak_v with_o other_o tongue_n etc._n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v they_o utterance_n nor_o do_v they_o then_o receive_v only_o the_o gift_n of_o tongue_n but_o that_o also_o of_o prophecy_n for_o the_o promise_n of_o god_n by_o the_o prophet_n joel_n that_o he_o will_v pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o that_o their_o son_n 28._o and_o daughter_n shall_v prophesy_v etc._n etc._n the_o importance_n of_o which_o promise_n be_v that_o in_o the_o day_n a_o little_a before_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jewish_a nation_n there_o shall_v be_v so_o great_a and_o unusual_a a_o effusion_n of_o his_o spirit_n upon_o pâ—rsons_n of_o all_o sort_n as_o that_o those_o who_o be_v not_o bring_v up_o in_o the_o school_n of_o prophet_n shall_v yet_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n or_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n this_o prediction_n of_o joel_n be_v fulfil_v in_o the_o apostle_n by_o the_o most_o auspicious_a descent_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n upon_o they_o for_o st._n peter_n affirm_v this_o be_v that_o 16._o which_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n joel_n it_o seem_v then_o the_o mystery_n of_o christ_n which_o in_o other_o age_n be_v not_o make_v know_v unto_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o now_o it_o be_v be_v reveal_v unto_o his_o holy_a apostle_n and_o prophet_n by_o the_o spirit_n 5._o it_o be_v therefore_o manifest_a there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n make_v of_o our_o assertion_n if_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v think_v sufficient_a to_o prove_v it_o on_o this_o account_n i_o suppose_v it_o be_v that_o among_o those_o who_o believe_v the_o scripture_n it_o seem_v a_o hypothesis_n rather_o take_v for_o grant_v than_o otherwise_o prove_v by_o any_o but_o because_o our_o age_n be_v inquisitive_a and_o somewhat_o too_o apt_a to_o derogate_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o sacred_a pandect_n because_o also_o since_o those_o part_n thereof_o which_o make_v mention_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n do_v drop_n from_o their_o mouth_n and_o pen_n to_o allege_v text_n from_o thence_o be_v but_o to_o produce_v their_o own_o testimony_n concern_v themselves_o and_o therefore_o whatever_o truth_n there_o may_v be_v there_o certain_o be_v but_o little_a force_n in_o that_o way_n of_o argue_v unless_o it_o be_v to_o those_o that_o already_o be_v well_o persuade_v of_o their_o authority_n for_o these_o reason_n i_o shall_v at_o present_a ascribe_v no_o more_o authority_n to_o the_o holy_a scripture_n than_o be_v usual_o give_v to_o other_o write_n far_o inferior_a and_o argue_v only_o from_o reason_n and_o testimony_n that_o can_v be_v suspect_v of_o partiality_n by_o the_o help_n thereof_o together_o with_o god_n blessing_n i_o doubt_v not_o to_o prove_v these_o five_o particular_n 1._o that_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n be_v very_o agreeable_a to_o reason_n 2._o that_o there_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n 3._o that_o for_o the_o trial_n of_o pretender_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n they_o have_v certain_a rule_n note_n and_o sign_n whereby_o to_o judge_n of_o they_o 4._o that_n if_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v try_v thereby_o it_o will_v be_v find_v that_o they_o be_v prophet_n 5._o that_o this_o way_n of_o prove_v they_o be_v so_o be_v very_o sufficient_a and_o rational_a chap._n ii_o of_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n and_o that_o there_o be_v prophet_n among_o the_o jew_n the_o notion_n of_o a_o prophet_n may_v certain_o best_o be_v learn_v from_o the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n before_o define_v from_o which_o definition_n of_o prophecy_n we_o may_v gather_v this_o of_o a_o prophet_n viz._n that_o he_o be_v a_o person_n who_o by_o the_o influence_n of_o god_n upon_o his_o rational_a faculty_n do_v attain_v to_o such_o knowledge_n as_o by_o his_o natural_a ability_n will_v in_o one_o respect_n or_o other_o be_v unattainable_a in_o which_o description_n it_o concern_v we_o at_o present_a to_o observe_v only_o that_o it_o be_v not_o prediction_n but_o influence_n from_o god_n which_o constitute_v a_o prophet_n at_o least_o such_o a_o one_o as_o we_o be_v now_o speak_v of_o and_o that_o this_o be_v no_o new_a notion_n adapt_v to_o our_o present_a undertake_n be_v evident_a enough_o by_o the_o word_n of_o a_o late_a author_n who_o principle_n be_v think_v most_o unlucky_o of_o any_o to_o undermine_v such_o foundation_n as_o we_o be_v now_o lay_v yet_o he_o express_v himself_o in_o these_o word_n although_o there_o be_v many_o signification_n in_o scripture_n of_o the_o word_n prophet_n yet_o be_v that_o the_o most_o frequent_a in_o which_o it_o be_v take_v for_o he_o to_o who_o god_n speak_v immediate_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n be_v to_o say_v from_o he_o to_o some_o other_o man_n or_o to_o the_o people_n god_n speak_v to_o man_n immediate_o he_o himself_o say_v be_v to_o be_v interpret_v 36._o that_o way_n whatsoever_o it_o be_v i_o suppose_v he_o mean_v without_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n by_o which_o god_n make_v they_o to_o understand_v his_o will._n hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o his_o judgement_n as_o well_o as_o we_o a_o prophet_n be_v a_o person_n on_o who_o understanding_n god_n have_v immediate_a influence_n how_o else_o be_v it_o possible_a he_o shall_v make_v he_o immediate_o to_o understand_v his_o will_n and_o sure_o it_o can_v seem_v strange_a to_o any_o that_o there_o have_v or_o may_v have_v be_v such_o man_n in_o the_o world_n the_o power_n and_o wisdom_n of_o god_n together_o with_o the_o capacity_n of_o man_n soul_n be_v enough_o to_o remove_v all_o suspicion_n of_o its_o impossibility_n he_o that_o make_v the_o mind_n shall_v not_o he_o be_v able_a to_o teach_v man_n knowledge_n and_o he_o that_o be_v make_v on_o purpose_n to_o know_v god_n and_o give_v he_o the_o glory_n of_o his_o handiwork_n shall_v not_o he_o be_v think_v capable_a of_o learning_n from_o such_o a_o teacher_n there_o be_v therefore_o no_o show_n of_o reason_n to_o doubt_v the_o possibility_n of_o prophecy_n especial_o consider_v that_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n how_o wide_a soever_o their_o difference_n be_v in_o other_o matter_n do_v yet_o agree_v in_o this_o viz._n that_o there_o be_v or_o have_v be_v such_o prophet_n in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v so_o manifest_a and_o vulgar_o know_v to_o be_v the_o belief_n of_o christian_n jew_n and_o turk_n as_o that_o among_o all_o that_o have_v hear_v of_o christ_n moses_n or_o mahomet_n all_o necessity_n of_o prove_v it_o be_v perfect_o forestalled_n and_o that_o the_o heathen_n also_o be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n be_v evident_a by_o what_o they_o have_v report_v of_o some_o of_o their_o lawgiver_n viz._n
these_o evangelist_n shall_v write_v without_o their_o knowledge_n and_o approbation_n especial_o consider_v that_o tertullian_n faith_n s._n mark_v gospel_n may_v be_v affirm_v to_o be_v st._n peter_n and_o st._n luke_n the_o apostolical_a church_n be_v wont_n to_o ascribe_v 5_o unto_o st._n paul_n insomuch_o that_o st._n hierom_n it_o seem_v affirm_v that_o this_o be_v the_o gospel_n which_o st._n 16._o paul_n call_v his._n what_o shadow_n of_o probability_n have_v 58._o there_o be_v in_o these_o assertion_n if_o these_o evangelist_n have_v not_o have_v at_o least_o the_o approbation_n of_o these_o apostle_n in_o their_o write_n and_o approve_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v by_o st._n john_n as_o well_o as_o they_o for_o eusebius_n report_v the_o tradition_n of_o the_o church_n inform_v we_o that_o when_o the_o write_n of_o these_o evangelist_n be_v come_v unto_o he_o he_o approve_v of_o they_o and_o give_v they_o his_o testimony_n to_o their_o truth_n only_o â—e_v desire_v that_o in_o these_o write_n there_o â—ad_v be_v a_o account_n give_v of_o those_o thing_n which_o christ_n do_v when_o he_o first_o begin_v to_o preach_v and_o that_o that_o be_v say_v be_v true_a for_o it_o may_v be_v discern_v that_o these_o thrâ—â—_n evangelist_n viz._n st._n matthew_n st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n have_v commit_v to_o write_v only_o thâ—se_a thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o the_o space_n of_o a_o year_n after_o the_o imprisonment_n and_o captivity_n of_o st._n john_n the_o baptist_n they_o say_v therefore_o that_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n bathe_v deliver_v in_o his_o gospel_n 24._o the_o thing_n which_o our_o saviour_n do_v in_o that_o space_n of_o time_n which_o the_o former_a evangelist_n â—ad_v pass_v over_o in_o silence_n the_o time_n namely_o before_o the_o imprisonment_n of_o the_o baptist_n a_o observation_n not_o unworthy_a of_o our_o notice_n but_o at_o present_a we_o have_v no_o use_n for_o any_o part_n of_o it_o but_o only_o the_o beginning_n viz._n that_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o approve_v of_o but_o add_v his_o authority_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n which_o testimony_n of_o eusebius_n or_o rather_o of_o the_o church_n by_o he_o be_v so_o much_o the_o more_o credible_a because_o justin_n martyr_n in_o many_o place_n of_o his_o work_n call_v these_o as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o gospel_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o commemoration_n â—apâ—usculè_fw-la or_o narration_n of_o the_o apostle_n but_o this_o they_o can_v not_o be_v unless_o as_o tertullian_n faith_n the_o evangelical_n instrument_n â—ad_v for_o its_o â—_z the_o apostle_n on_o who_o the_o lord_n impose_v the_o office_n of_o promulgate_a the_o gospel_n or_o if_o apostolical_a man_n have_v any_o hand_n in_o it_o yet_o not_o alone_o but_o with_o the_o apostle_n and_o after_o the_o apostle_n because_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o disciple_n may_v be_v suspect_v of_o vain_a glory_n if_o it_o have_v not_o â—ad_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o master_n yea_o of_o christ_n 2._o who_o make_v the_o apostle_n master_n to_o assist_v it_o and_o have_v the_o assistance_n of_o their_o authority_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o since_o they_o be_v prophet_n the_o truth_n and_o authority_n of_o these_o write_n muâ—â—_n needs_o be_v divine_a lucae_n the_o author_n of_o they_o write_v as_o origen_n faith_n by_o inspiration_n and_o so_o clear_a have_v this_o argument_n heretofore_o be_v think_v by_o its_o own_o light_n as_o that_o among_o the_o jew_n it_o be_v a_o rule_n that_o of_o whosoever_o a_o prophet_n bear_v witness_v that_o he_o be_v a_o prophâ—t_n 9_o he_o shall_v be_v receive_v as_o a_o prophet_n neither_o shall_v there_o any_o far_a trial_n be_v make_v of_o he_o since_o then_o the_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n and_o do_v either_o write_v or_o approve_v of_o and_o authorize_v all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n wherein_o also_o they_o give_v testimony_n to_o those_o of_o the_o old_a that_o 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down_o from_o its_o first_o and_o proper_a state_n to_o another_o far_o inferior_a hereby_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o the_o 30._o light_n of_o nature_n discover_v our_o fall_a condition_n herein_o i_o say_v where_o can_v reason_n without_o revelation_n find_v a_o promise_n of_o eternal_a happiness_n make_v unto_o we_o the_o vast_a volume_n of_o the_o creation_n do_v not_o afford_v it_o the_o book_n of_o nature_n do_v not_o contain_v it_o where_o then_o will_v it_o look_v for_o it_o or_o can_v it_o possible_o find_v it_o here_o then_o this_o suppose_a infallible_a guide_n be_v at_o a_o stand_n it_o can_v carry_v we_o one_o step_n far_o it_o be_v at_o such_o a_o loss_n as_o that_o it_o can_v tell_v we_o what_o to_o do_v or_o which_o way_n to_o go_v that_o we_o may_v gâ—t_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o promise_n of_o salvation_n without_o which_o we_o walk_v in_o darkness_n and_o at_o all_o adventure_n and_o so_o our_o wander_n be_v like_a to_o be_v very_o tedious_a and_o troublesome_a indeed_o object_n but_o what_o if_o they_o be_v the_o matter_n be_v not_o much_o for_o those_o who_o commit_v themselves_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o own_o understand_n if_o they_o do_v commit_v themselves_o whole_o to_o it_o be_v as_o safe_a on_o the_o left_a hand_n as_o on_o the_o right_n as_o secure_v of_o happiness_n in_o their_o error_n as_o other_o be_v who_o 65._o be_v otherwise_o guide_v even_o in_o the_o truth_n which_o they_o happen_v to_o fall_v into_o behold_v hâ—re_o the_o power_n of_o reason_n how_o broad_a it_o make_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o how_o wide_o its_o gate_n it_o throw_v it_o open_a and_o take_v it_o on_o every_o side_n no_o matter_n with_o what_o it_o approach_v it_o error_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n if_o it_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o our_o own_o understanding_n will_v let_v we_o into_o it_o what_o scrupulous_a coxcomb_n than_o be_v those_o who_o ask_v with_o the_o tremble_a jailor_n sir_n what_o must_v we_o do_v to_o be_v save_v can_v they_o not_o whole_o commit_v themselves_o to_o their_o own_o understanding_n and_o then_o they_o will_v be_v save_v right_a or_o wrong_n what_o though_o we_o be_v turk_n jew_n heathen_n or_o atheist_n in_o our_o persuasion_n it_o be_v no_o matter_n if_o we_o therein_o whole_o commit_v ourselves_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o own_o understanding_n we_o be_v as_o secure_v of_o happiness_n in_o our_o error_n as_o other_o be_v who_o be_v guide_v even_o in_o the_o ibid._n truth_n which_o they_o happen_v to_o fall_v into_o for_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o perish_v but_o from_o disobedience_n without_o which_o every_o man_n may_v often_o err_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n be_v not_o to_o find_v out_o truth_n especial_o every_o particular_a one_o but_o to_o endeavour_v the_o find_v it_o he_o command_v no_o more_o but_o to_o search_v and_o you_o shall_v find_v say_v be_v not_o every_o particular_a truth_n for_o experience_n teach_v we_o that_o can_v be_v the_o interpretation_n but_o whether_o you_o find_v or_o no_o the_o truth_n which_o you_o search_v for_o you_o shall_v find_v the_o 66._o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n so_o that_o if_o your_o understanding_n search_v and_o you_o do_v commit_v yourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n oâ—_n it_o there_o be_v no_o danger_n of_o perish_v from_o disobedience_n to_o the_o law_n even_o of_o god_n himself_o much_o less_o from_o error_n well_o little_a do_v we_o think_v what_o a_o amulet_n we_o carry_v about_o with_o we_o and_o little_o do_v we_o know_v till_o this_o treatise_n tell_v we_o that_o such_o be_v the_o force_n and_o virtue_n of_o our_o understanding_n as_o that_o if_o it_o do_v what_o it_o may_v the_o most_o venomous_a error_n can_v hurt_v we_o if_o it_o do_v but_o search_n we_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v the_o reward_n of_o search_v which_o be_v happiness_n this_o indeed_o be_v a_o very_a comfortable_a speculation_n but_o it_o fall_v out_o somewhat_o unlucky_o that_o he_o who_o acquaint_v we_o with_o it_o as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v speak_v without-book_a for_o the_o promise_n be_v not_o make_v to_o search_v but_o to_o seek_v i._n e._n to_o prayer_n and_o devotion_n 7._o not_o to_o study_v and_o enquiry_n after_o truth_n in_o opinion_n it_o do_v therefore_o give_v we_o no_o reason_n to_o think_v either_o that_o happiness_n be_v the_o reward_n of_o such_o search_a or_o that_o we_o shall_v ever_o find_v it_o thereby_o no_o though_o we_o commit_v ourselves_o whole_o to_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o understanding_n therein_o for_o if_o on_o those_o term_n man_n may_v attain_v to_o salvation_n i_o can_v understand_v that_o st._n paul_n the_o apostle_n be_v ever_o a_o whit_n secure_a of_o happiness_n than_o saul_n the_o persecutor_n for_o he_o very_o think_v with_o himself_o that_o he_o ought_v 9_o to_o do_v many_o thing_n contrary_a to_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n this_o be_v the_o guidance_n of_o his_o understanding_n and_o he_o whole_o commit_v himself_o to_o it_o for_o even_o then_o he_o live_v in_o all_o good_a conscience_n why_o then_o be_v 1._o not_o he_o as_o safe_a on_o the_o left_a hand_n as_o on_o the_o right_a i._o e._n while_o a_o pesecutor_n as_o when_o a_o eminent_a believer_n if_o he_o be_v why_o do_v he_o magnify_v the_o mercy_n etc._n of_o god_n in_o his_o conversion_n if_o he_o be_v not_o what_o reason_n have_v we_o to_o believe_v the_o now_o controvert_v and_o grand_a assertion_n in_o this_o treatise_n that_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o we_o conclude_v that_o since_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o think_v our_o own_o reason_n a_o sufficient_a guide_n to_o eternal_a happiness_n sect._n 4._o hence_o also_o it_o follow_v that_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a for_o we_o to_o believe_v whatsoever_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v undoubted_o teach_v we_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o consequence_n most_o manifest_o be_v because_o they_o 21._o be_v prophet_n and_o be_v prophet_n they_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o god_n can_v lie_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o doctrine_n must_v needs_o be_v beyond_o all_o question_n for_o such_o be_v the_o certainty_n of_o the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n as_o that_o st._n peter_n prefer_v it_o before_o the_o voice_n which_o he_o himself_o hear_v 19_o from_o heaven_n when_o he_o be_v with_o jesus_n in_o the_o holy_a mount_n but_o can_v any_o thing_n be_v more_o sure_a than_o such_o a_o voice_n no_o not_o in_o itself_o consider_v absolute_o but_o unto_o we_o god_n be_v truth_n and_o in_o he_o there_o be_v no_o possibility_n of_o lie_v or_o shadow_n of_o falsehood_n all_o thing_n therefore_o that_o come_v from_o he_o must_v needs_o be_v equal_o sure_a and_o certain_a infallible_a and_o true_a in_o themselves_o yet_o for_o all_o that_o one_o thing_n may_v have_v great_a evidence_n of_o its_o descent_n and_o more_o apparent_a credential_n of_o its_o mission_n from_o he_o than_o another_o have_v as_o for_o example_n st._n john_n the_o baptist_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n be_v both_o send_v from_o god_n but_o both_o do_v not_o give_v equal_a evidence_n of_o their_o mission_n from_o he_o st._n john_n do_v no_o miracle_n but_o our_o saviour_n 36._o wrought_v many_o and_o the_o work_n that_o he_o do_v do_v bear_v witness_n of_o he_o that_o the_o father_n send_v he_o and_o as_o it_o be_v in_o person_n so_o may_v it_o be_v in_o several_a way_n of_o revelation_n and_o so_o i_o conceive_v it_o be_v in_o those_o that_o now_o lie_v before_o we_o a_o voice_n from_o heaven_n and_o a_o word_n of_o prophecy_n the_o question_n be_v not_o which_o be_v most_o true_a consider_v as_o in_o itself_o for_o so_o there_o can_v be_v no_o comparison_n between_o they_o but_o which_o of_o the_o two_o be_v most_o sure_a as_o to_o we_o i_o e._n which_o of_o they_o give_v we_o the_o fair_a credential_n of_o its_o come_n from_o god_n st._n peter_n decide_v the_o question_n the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o for_o this_o his_o decision_n he_o have_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o jew_n among_o who_o it_o seem_v that_o in_o those_o day_n it_o be_v and_o perhaps_o still_o be_v a_o receive_a opinion_n that_o the_o bath_n kol_n filia_fw-la vocis_fw-la such_o as_o st._n peter_n speak_v of_o be_v inferior_a to_o the_o very_o low_a degree_n of_o prophecy_n not_o in_o its_o truth_n as_o in_o itself_o consider_v but_o in_o motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o other_o hereof_o maimonides_n insinuate_v this_o reason_n viz._n because_o it_o 42._o may_v happen_v to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o prepare_v for_o prophecy_n there_o be_v as_o we_o have_v show_v divers_a qualification_n antecedent_o or_o concomitant_o necessary_a to_o fit_a man_n for_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o
future_a whether_o by_o dream_n or_o otherwise_o beside_o those_o of_o prophecy_n be_v like_a to_o chaff_n for_o as_o in_o that_o there_o may_v be_v some_o few_o grain_n of_o wheat_n so_o say_v they_o perhaps_o there_o be_v in_o these_o some_o small_a measure_n of_o truth_n mix_v with_o much_o more_o mistake_n and_o falsehood_n but_o prophecy_n be_v a_o thing_n pure_a have_v no_o more_o mixture_n than_o wheat_n well_o zer_n winnow_v have_v with_o chaff_n hereby_o than_o they_o distinguish_v the_o prediction_n of_o prophet_n from_o those_o of_o soothsayer_n astrologer_n etc._n etc._n who_o prognostication_n be_v very_o much_o unlike_o the_o prediction_n of_o true_a sup_v prophet_n for_o of_o necessity_n say_v my_o author_n they_o have_v falsehood_n as_o well_o as_o truth_n in_o they_o this_o we_o always_o see_v and_o they_o themselves_o that_o profess_v these_o art_n confirm_v it_o to_o we_o because_o they_o make_v it_o matter_n of_o glory_n to_o themselves_o that_o their_o lie_n be_v not_o so_o many_o as_o another_o of_n the_o same_o profession_n but_o that_o any_o one_o of_o they_o shall_v speak_v truth_n in_o each_o of_o his_o prediction_n be_v impossible_a nor_o indeed_o do_v the_o skilful_a therein_o arrogate_v that_o to_o themselves_o for_o when_o something_o come_v to_o pass_v which_o look_v but_o like_o a_o accomplishment_n they_o account_v thâ—_n foreteller_n excellent_a and_o enroll_v he_o among_o man_n of_o illustrious_a fame_n who_o history_n celebrate_v and_o this_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o what_o isaiah_n say_v to_o 13._o babylon_n let_v now_o the_o astrologer_n the_o stargazer_n the_o monthly_a prognosticator_n stand_v up_o and_o save_v thou_o from_o these_o thing_n that_o shall_v come_v upon_o thou_o let_v they_o try_v if_o they_o can_v foretell_v these_o thing_n that_o thou_o may_v escape_v from_o they_o the_o challenge_n imply_v that_o they_o can_v and_o r._n albo_n it_o seem_v give_v the_o reason_n of_o it_o viz._n because_o 3_o all_o such_o art_n or_o whatsoever_o else_o some_o be_v please_v to_o call_v they_o be_v found_v in_o fancy_n they_o be_v creature_n of_o imagination_n that_o have_v a_o be_v in_o nothing_o but_o man_n conceit_n they_o be_v found_v on_o no_o demonstrable_a hypothesis_n and_o be_v therefore_o vanity_n as_o be_v also_o abundant_o demonstrate_v by_o a_o learned_a writer_n 17._o of_o our_o own_o and_o true_o the_o thing_n from_o whence_o these_o foreteller_n pretend_v to_o deduce_v their_o judgement_n be_v certain_o so_o remote_a intricate_a and_o various_a as_o that_o it_o seem_v impossible_a for_o any_o to_o arrive_v at_o perfect_a knowledge_n of_o they_o how_o then_o be_v it_o possible_a for_o their_o prognostication_n to_o be_v certain_a prediction_n they_o can_v be_v but_o conjecture_n and_o conjecture_n we_o know_v especial_o in_o such_o case_n be_v very_o often_o whole_o false_a very_o rare_o if_o ever_o whole_o true_a but_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o prophet_n say_v our_o author_n be_v very_o much_o otherwise_o viz._n always_o true_a but_o never_o false_a it_o can_v be_v find_v throughout_o all_o age_n that_o ever_o any_o thing_n either_o much_o or_o little_a of_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o prophet_n unless_o the_o condition_n be_v alter_v ever_o yet_o fall_v to_o the_o ground_n but_o the_o ibid._n prediction_n of_o god_n prophet_n be_v full_o answer_v by_o the_o event_n and_o thereby_o the_o jew_n know_v that_o they_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n because_o such_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o future_a contingence_n be_v no_o way_n attainable_a without_o it_o and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o be_v like_a it_o be_v that_o among_o all_o the_o ordinary_a mean_n of_o try_v prophet_n this_o be_v account_v the_o most_o demonstrative_a of_o miracle_n sect._n 4._o but_o beside_o these_o ordinary_a the_o jew_n have_v some_o extraordinary_a mean_n of_o discern_v the_o truth_n of_o man_n pretension_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n viz._n miracle_n not_o only_o the_o vulgar_a but_o more_o than_o a_o few_o of_o the_o better_a sort_n among_o the_o jew_n wâ—re_v of_o opinion_n they_o be_v not_o to_o believe_v any_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n till_o he_o have_v do_v a_o miracle_n equal_a to_o some_o of_o those_o of_o moses_n or_o have_v disturb_v the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n as_o elijah_n do_v in_o raise_v the_o widow_n son_n but_o zer_n this_o rule_n say_v maimonides_n have_v nothing_o of_o truth_n in_o it_o and_o indeed_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o think_v it_o have_v not_o much_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o order_n of_o prophet_n be_v at_o first_o found_v by_o miracle_n for_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o moses_n the_o first_o of_o that_o order_n be_v endue_v with_o a_o power_n of_o work_a miracle_n on_o purpose_n to_o 9_o convince_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n that_o the_o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n have_v appear_v unto_o he_o yet_o that_o great_a r._n maimonides_n out_o of_o design_n i_o suppose_v to_o derogate_v from_o the_o belief_n of_o chriâ—tianity_n be_v not_o ashamed_a 1._o to_o say_v the_o israelite_n do_v not_o believe_v moses_n our_o master_n because_o of_o the_o miracle_n he_o wrought_v and_o elsewhere_o he_o tell_v we_o that_o elias_n elisha_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o prophet_n do_v not_o their_o miracle_n to_o confirm_v thâ—ir_a zer_n prophecy_n but_o to_o supply_v their_o own_o and_o other_o necessity_n but_o it_o seem_v at_o another_o time_n he_o be_v of_o another_o mind_n for_o he_o express_o affirm_v that_o a_o prophet_n may_v be_v send_v to_o the_o common_a people_n or_o to_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o a_o city_n or_o kingdom_n to_o prepare_v and_o warn_v they_o what_o shall_v be_v do_v unto_o they_o or_o to_o dehort_v they_o from_o the_o wicked_a work_n that_o be_v in_o their_o hand_n but_o when_o god_n so_o send_v he_o he_o gives_z he_o a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n that_o the_o people_n 11._o may_v know_v god_n have_v true_o send_v he_o and_o in_o the_o next_o section_n he_o say_v but_o we_o believe_v not_o every_o one_o that_o show_v a_o sign_n or_o do_v a_o miracle_n to_o be_v a_o prophet_n unless_o from_o the_o beginning_n we_o have_v know_v he_o to_o be_v sit_v for_o prophecy_n that_o in_o his_o wisdom_n and_o his_o work_n he_o have_v excel_v his_o contemporary_n and_o have_v walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o prophecy_n in_o holiness_n and_o separation_n from_o other_o then_o if_o such_o a_o one_o shall_v come_v and_o do_v a_o sign_n or_o a_o wonder_n and_o shall_v sâ—y_v that_o god_n have_v send_v he_o than_o it_o be_v command_v that_o we_o shall_v hear_v he_o as_o it_o be_v say_v you_o shall_v hear_v he_o these_o his_o concession_n although_o 15._o they_o speak_v he_o somewhat_o unconstant_a to_o himself_o yet_o we_o have_v no_o great_a reason_n to_o thank_v he_o for_o because_o the_o evidence_n of_o truth_n in_o holy_a scripture_n do_v extort_v they_o from_o he_o thus_o the_o prophet_n that_o be_v send_v to_o bethel_n give_v they_o a_o sign_n that_o his_o word_n be_v what_o the_o lord_n have_v speak_v thus_o in_o the_o 3._o fire-ordeal_a trial_n between_o elijah_n and_o the_o prophet_n of_o baal_n elijah_n obtain_v fire_n to_o fall_v upon_o the_o sacrifice_n 14._o and_o consume_v it_o thus_o also_o elisha_n to_o demonstrate_v his_o calling_n to_o succeed_v elijah_n divide_v the_o water_n of_o jordan_n with_o elijah_n mantle_n by_o which_o example_n we_o learn_v that_o though_o among_o the_o jew_n the_o ordinary_a trial_n of_o prophet_n be_v make_v by_o prediction_n yet_o in_o some_o case_n extraordinary_a they_o be_v by_o miracle_n to_o make_v proof_n of_o their_o mission_n to_o teach_v and_o do_v what_o they_o do_v chap._n iu._n the_o application_n of_o the_o foregoing_a discourse_n to_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n sect._n 1_o have_v thus_o clear_v the_o ground_n and_o lay_v the_o foundation_n we_o be_v next_o to_o erect_v the_o superstructure_n i._n e._n to_o show_v that_o by_o all_o these_o mean_n of_o probation_n viz._n both_o by_o the_o probable_a and_o demonstrative_a argument_n both_o ordinary_a and_o extraordinary_a it_o may_v be_v prove_v that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n we_o be_v to_o take_v they_o as_o they_o lie_v in_o order_n and_o so_o to_o begin_v with_o the_o condition_n whereon_o among_o the_o jew_n pretender_n to_o prophecy_n be_v admit_v to_o a_o trial_n by_o what_o we_o have_v already_o discuss_v out_o of_o maimonides_n it_o appear_v that_o pretender_n to_o prophecy_n even_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o a_o trial_n but_o upon_o condition_n of_o conformity_n to_o the_o law_n of_o moses_n they_o be_v in_o no_o point_n allow_v to_o teach_v a_o perpetual_a variation_n from_o it_o unless_o they_o give_v as_o great_a or_o great_a evidence_n of_o god_n intention_n by_o they_o to_o change_v
this_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o because_o i_o will_v here_o speak_v somewhat_o large_o of_o the_o three_o sort_n of_o supernatural_a knowledge_n viz._n that_o that_o be_v so_o in_o respect_n of_o its_o degree_n or_o measure_n the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n do_v not_o only_o reveal_v those_o thing_n all_o knowledge_n whereof_o be_v utter_o unattainable_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n but_o moreover_o it_o do_v ofttimes_o illustrate_v those_o thing_n whereof_o man_n have_v some_o obscure_a conception_n without_o it_o thus_o the_o be_v and_o attribute_n of_o god_n although_o they_o may_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v understand_v by_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v make_v yet_o much_o more_o clear_o by_o those_o that_o be_v reveal_v now_o that_o knowledge_n which_o do_v clear_a up_o and_o elucidate_v the_o principle_n of_o natural_a theology_n beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o study_n and_o industry_n be_v that_o which_o i_o mean_v by_o divine_a and_o supernatural_a knowledge_n in_o respect_n of_o its_o degree_n or_o measure_n and_o this_o be_v that_o knowledge_n which_o ought_v in_o all_o reason_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o have_v be_v honour_v with_o the_o name_n of_o wisdom_n if_o they_o be_v so_o prodigal_a of_o that_o honourable_a 16._o title_n as_o to_o bestow_v it_o on_o the_o puny_a art_n of_o arithmetic_n astrology_n and_o the_o like_a in_o justice_n methinks_v they_o ought_v much_o rather_o to_o have_v give_v it_o to_o theology_n and_o so_o indeed_o we_o find_v that_o they_o do_v for_o among_o 1._o they_o it_o be_v better_o know_v almost_o by_o no_o name_n than_o that_o of_o divine_a wisdom_n and_o well_o may_v it_o be_v so_o call_v because_o not_o only_o the_o object_n but_o also_o the_o teacher_n of_o it_o be_v divine_a for_o they_o be_v the_o man_n of_o god_n or_o the_o prophet_n from_o who_o they_o first_o learn_v it_o probable_a therefore_o it_o be_v that_o in_o the_o trial_n of_o pretender_n to_o the_o gift_n of_o prophecy_n especial_a sâ—arch_n be_v make_v after_o this_o wisdom_n and_o for_o this_o cause_n it_o will_v now_o be_v my_o business_n to_o inquire_v whether_o or_o no_o on_o the_o account_n of_o this_o wisdom_n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v think_v wise_a this_o question_v it_o be_v true_a be_v deny_v by_o many_o in_o the_o day_n of_o their_o flesh_n and_o seem_v hardly_o believe_v by_o more_o than_o a_o few_o now_o in_o we_o and_o among_o those_o that_o affirm_v it_o in_o their_o word_n there_o be_v many_o that_o deny_v it_o in_o their_o deed_n as_o if_o there_o be_v wisdom_n in_o the_o profession_n but_o foolishness_n in_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o religion_n i_o fear_v therefore_o it_o will_v be_v no_o needless_a or_o unseasonable_a 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d to_o demonstrate_v their_o superlative_a wisdom_n in_o this_o kind_n which_o it_o seem_v be_v so_o transcendent_a as_o that_o justine_n martyr_n after_o all_o his_o hard_a study_n and_o travel_v in_o almost_o all_o sort_n of_o humane_a learning_n find_v christianity_n to_o be_v the_o only_a sure_a and_o useful_a philosophy_n try_n we_o can_v except_v against_o his_o judgement_n as_o that_o of_o a_o party_n because_o this_o be_v his_o experience_n before_o his_o conversion_n yet_o because_o those_o that_o be_v wise_a in_o their_o own_o eye_n will_v not_o see_v with_o he_o we_o shall_v submit_v our_o cause_n to_o a_o trial_n at_o the_o bar_n of_o its_o adversary_n jew_n and_o heathen_n the_o jew_n we_o know_v rest_v in_o the_o law_n and_o make_v their_o boast_n of_o god_n that_o they_o know_v his_o will_n and_o approve_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v more_o excellent_a be_v instruct_v out_o of_o the_o law_n on_o this_o account_n they_o be_v confident_a that_o they_o be_v guide_n of_o the_o blind_a light_n of_o they_o which_o be_v in_o darkness_n instructer_n of_o the_o foolish_a and_o teacher_n 2._o of_o babe_n and_o although_o their_o theology_n be_v grievous_o corrupt_v by_o their_o tradition_n yet_o those_o that_o be_v learned_a in_o their_o law_n be_v on_o that_o account_n so_o conceit_a and_o insolent_a as_o that_o they_o do_v almost_o whole_o engross_v the_o name_n of_o wise_a man_n to_o themselves_o this_o they_o do_v with_o such_o a_o matchless_a pride_n and_o contempt_n of_o other_o as_o will_v even_o tempt_v one_o to_o think_v that_o at_o least_o in_o their_o opinion_n there_o be_v â—â—arce_o any_o wisdom_n in_o any_o thing_n but_o theology_n methinks_v then_o if_o they_o have_v understand_v it_o they_o can_v not_o have_v be_v so_o disingenuous_o partial_a as_o to_o have_v deny_v the_o title_n of_o wisdom_n to_o christianity_n the_o reason_n be_v because_o it_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o theology_n far_o more_o excellent_a than_o their_o own_o and_o that_o in_o a_o threefold_a reference_n namely_o to_o our_o faith_n our_o hope_n and_o our_o practice_n for_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n be_v more_o clear_o reveal_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n for_o very_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o not_o only_o the_o trinity_n of_o person_n in_o the_o unity_n of_o the_o divine_a essence_n the_o person_n and_o office_n of_o the_o messiah_n be_v more_o full_o discover_v but_o also_o the_o very_a attribute_n of_o god_n be_v most_o auspicious_o assert_v and_o illustrate_v by_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n no_o man_n have_v see_v god_n at_o any_o 18._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 declare_v he_o our_o mind_n may_v apprehend_v god_n but_o our_o eye_n can_v see_v he_o we_o can_v therefore_o have_v no_o knowledge_n of_o he_o but_o by_o ratiocination_n or_o revelation_n the_o former_a we_o have_v by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n the_o latter_a by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n which_o sure_o be_v apt_a and_o able_a to_o advance_v our_o knowledge_n above_o the_o high_a pitch_n of_o mere_a nature_n for_o to_o that_o end_n among_o the_o jew_n it_o speak_v by_o the_o prophet_n and_o after_o they_o by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n for_o they_o have_v bless_v the_o world_n with_o the_o great_a illustration_n 5._o that_o ever_o yet_o be_v make_v of_o the_o divine_a attribute_n which_o it_o seem_v according_a to_o the_o jew_n be_v distinguish_v into_o two_o sort_n viz._n fundamental_a and_o practical_a the_o former_a be_v those_o who_o foundation_n be_v lay_v in_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o god_n itself_o such_o as_o power_n wisdom_n holiness_n etc._n etc._n the_o latter_a be_v such_o as_o have_v relation_n and_o reference_n to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o and_o about_o his_o creature_n such_o as_o mercy_n goodness_n truth_n etc._n etc._n whether_o this_o distinction_n be_v orthodox_n and_o adequate_a i_o will_v not_o now_o inquire_v but_o sure_o i_o be_o that_o divine_a attribute_n of_o both_o sort_n be_v most_o evident_o illustrate_v by_o the_o gospel_n for_o its_o doctrine_n do_v not_o only_o teach_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o god_n be_v powerful_a wise_a and_o holy_a merciful_a just_a and_o true_a but_o the_o work_n of_o redemption_n therein_o make_v know_v do_v demonstrate_v that_o he_o be_v so_o where_o can_v we_o find_v so_o magnificent_a a_o demonstration_n of_o infinite_a power_n and_o wisdom_n as_o in_o the_o incarnation_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o his_o resurrection_n from_o the_o dead_a wherein_o be_v god_n holiness_n and_o mercy_n his_o justice_n and_o goodness_n so_o conspicuous_a as_o in_o the_o death_n and_o suffering_n of_o christ_n and_o where_o do_v divine_a truth_n and_o veracity_n shine_v so_o bright_o as_o in_o the_o completion_n of_o prophecy_n in_o and_o by_o our_o saviour_n from_o his_o birth_n to_o his_o burial_n yea_o from_o his_o conception_n to_o his_o ascension_n it_o seem_v then_o the_o object_n of_o faith_n as_o to_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o only_o more_o clear_o reveal_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n than_o by_o moses_n and_o the_o prophet_n but_o also_o that_o part_n thereof_o wherein_o they_o be_v most_o distinct_a and_o clear_a be_v illustrious_o demonstrate_v by_o the_o gospel_n nor_o have_v they_o therein_o provide_v worse_o for_o our_o hope_n than_o they_o have_v for_o our_o faith_n but_o as_o in_o the_o object_n of_o that_o so_o also_o of_o this_o the_o gospel_n far_o excel_v the_o divinity_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o their_o master_n moses_n in_o the_o institution_n of_o their_o religion_n either_o promise_v they_o nothing_o beyond_o the_o good_a thing_n of_o this_o life_n or_o if_o he_o do_v it_o be_v cover_v with_o such_o cloud_n and_o wrap_v up_o in_o such_o obscurity_n as_o that_o none_o but_o the_o most_o pierce_a eye_n can_v see_v it_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o 9_o a_o great_a and_o learned_a part_n of_o his_o follower_n viz._n the_o sadducee_n do_v reject_v all_o hope_n
of_o any_o good_a after_o this_o life_n be_v end_v but_o the_o founder_n of_o our_o faith_n obtain_v a_o more_o excellent_a ministry_n in_o that_o they_o preach_v and_o make_v know_v a_o better_a covenant_n establish_v upon_o better_a promise_n for_o life_n and_o immortality_n be_v 10._o bring_v to_o light_n through_o the_o gospel_n they_o be_v thereby_o so_o clear_o reveal_v as_o that_o among_o those_o who_o believe_v that_o there_o can_v be_v no_o doubt_n of_o they_o as_o all_o the_o lesser_a river_n of_o the_o earth_n do_v at_o length_n empty_v themselves_o into_o the_o sea_n so_o all_o the_o other_o promise_v of_o the_o gospel_n although_o exceed_v great_a and_o precious_a yet_o do_v bend_v their_o course_n towards_o the_o ocean_n of_o immortal_a glory_n in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v even_o those_o that_o concern_v this_o life_n teach_v we_o to_o look_v beyond_o it_o we_o be_v indeed_o assure_v that_o all_o these_o thing_n shall_v be_v add_v to_o we_o but_o it_o be_v upon_o condition_n that_o we_o seek_v 33._o first_o the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n and_o his_o righteousness_n our_o temporal_a interest_n and_o eternal_a glory_n the_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n of_o the_o gospel_n have_v so_o twist_v together_o as_o we_o best_o mind_v the_o one_o by_o seek_v the_o other_o and_o indeed_o the_o gospel_n do_v strengthen_v our_o hope_n of_o salvation_n as_o well_o as_o raise_v they_o for_o it_o show_v we_o a_o inestimable_a price_n pay_v for_o it_o and_o assure_v we_o that_o if_o we_o be_v not_o want_v to_o ourselves_o we_o shall_v be_v raise_v up_o unto_o it_o and_o by_o eternal_a judgement_n bid_v to_o take_v possession_n of_o it_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o in_o this_o life_n we_o be_v at_o a_o distance_n from_o it_o the_o gospel_n have_v give_v we_o token_n and_o pledge_n to_o assure_v we_o of_o it_o to_o dom._n this_o end_n say_v st._n bernard_n be_v the_o sacrament_n ordain_v viz._n that_o the_o invisible_a grace_n of_o our_o lord_n may_v be_v assure_v by_o some_o visible_a sign_n unto_o we_o hence_o no_o doubt_n it_o be_v that_o one_o of_o the_o most_o ancient_a father_n call_v the_o eucharist_n the_o physic_n another_o the_o food_n of_o immortality_n coen_n because_o they_o think_v it_o apt_a to_o purge_v out_o despair_n and_o to_o cherish_v our_o hope_n of_o eternal_a life_n and_o what_o so_o good_a as_o life_n and_o what_o life_n so_o long_o as_o that_o that_o be_v eternal_a and_o what_o eternity_n so_o desirable_a as_o that_o in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o glory_n yet_o this_o have_v the_o gospel_n most_o clear_o reveal_v and_o firm_o promise_v to_o we_o and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o obtainment_n thereof_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n have_v give_v we_o far_o better_a rule_n than_o any_o among_o the_o jew_n for_o the_o guidance_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n beside_o the_o moral_a law_n moses_n we_o know_v require_v obedience_n to_o a_o great_a number_n of_o positive_a precept_n enjoin_v such_o thing_n as_o be_v not_o good_a in_o themselves_o but_o bare_o because_o they_o be_v command_v or_o else_o for_o some_o other_o reason_n whole_o extrinsic_a to_o moral_a goodness_n as_o we_o have_v already_o see_v by_o maimonides_n his_o account_n of_o the_o first_o end_n and_o intention_n the_o cause_n and_o reason_n of_o their_o law_n and_o these_o positive_a 39_o precept_n be_v so_o exceed_o burdensome_a and_o uneasy_a as_o that_o st._n peter_n call_v they_o a_o yoke_n which_o neither_o 10._o our_o father_n nor_o we_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v let_v not_o the_o jew_n be_v offend_v that_o one_o of_o our_o apostle_n give_v their_o law_n no_o better_a language_n for_o a_o learned_a rabbi_n of_o their_o own_o have_v say_v as_o much_o or_o more_o viz._n that_o the_o write_a law_n which_o god_n give_v to_o moses_n and_o moses_n to_o the_o israelite_n from_o mount_n sinai_n be_v both_o obscure_a and_o difficult_a first_o because_o it_o speak_v contradiction_n and_o second_o because_o it_o be_v imperfect_a it_o be_v well_o he_o be_v a_o jew_n and_o a_o 1._o rabbi_n too_o have_v he_o be_v a_o christian_n it_o be_v like_a they_o will_v have_v accuse_v he_o of_o blasphemy_n and_o perhaps_o just_o for_o what_o great_a disparagement_n can_v easy_o be_v cast_v upon_o divine_a wisdom_n than_o to_o say_v it_o speak_v contradiction_n to_o that_o therefore_o we_o can_v assent_v but_o to_o the_o imperfection_n of_o the_o law_n we_o may_v because_o a_o man_n of_o a_o more_o excellent_a spirit_n than_o he_o have_v 7._o teach_v we_o that_o it_o can_v never_o make_v the_o comer_n thereunto_o 9_o perfect_a yea_o that_o it_o make_v nothing_o perfect_a but_o also_o because_o the_o jew_n themselves_o insinuate_v as_o much_o by_o their_o zeal_n for_o tradition_n all_o which_o derive_v their_o authority_n from_o that_o one_o beforementioned_a viz._n the_o pretend_a exposition_n which_o they_o say_v god_n give_v of_o his_o law_n to_o moses_n that_o from_o he_o by_o oral_a tradition_n it_o may_v be_v transmit_v to_o posterity_n the_o pretence_n of_o this_o fictitious_a exposition_n be_v found_v in_o necessity_n and_o this_o necessity_n in_o the_o obscurity_n and_o imperfection_n of_o the_o law_n without_o it_o which_o they_o say_v be_v so_o great_a as_o that_o without_o the_o oral_a law_n the_o whole_a write_a law_n will_v be_v in_o the_o dark_a for_o many_o thing_n they_o tell_v we_o there_o be_v in_o the_o scripture_n so_o repugnant_a each_o to_o other_o as_o that_o we_o can_v neither_o depend_v upon_o or_o reconcile_v 1._o they_o without_o the_o oral_a law_n which_o moses_n receive_v from_o sinai_n it_o seem_v then_o for_o the_o guidance_n of_o their_o life_n and_o action_n the_o jew_n have_v a_o vast_a number_n of_o external_n direction_n for_o as_o be_v before_o observe_v the_o precept_n of_o the_o write_a law_n be_v no_o few_o than_o 613._o concern_v each_o one_o whereof_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n of_o its_o performance_n &c._n &c._n it_o be_v not_o unlikely_a that_o their_o pretend_a exposition_n contain_v divers_a particular_a canon_n and_o so_o it_o seem_v it_o do_v for_o they_o say_v that_o moses_n in_o his_o sorrow_n utter_o forget_v no_o less_o than_o three_o thousand_o of_o 13._o these_o constitution_n but_o afterward_o othniel_n the_o son_n of_o kenaz_n by_o the_o sharpness_n of_o his_o wit_n retrieve_v seventeen_o hundred_o of_o they_o and_o these_o all_o and_o it_o may_v be_v as_o many_o more_o be_v no_o less_o to_o be_v regard_v than_o the_o write_a law_n itself_o because_o as_o they_o say_v of_o equal_a authority_n therewith_o be_v it_o not_o then_o a_o uneasy_a yoke_n and_o a_o heavy_a burden_n that_o they_o live_v under_o how_o can_v it_o be_v other_o for_o it_o be_v as_o hard_o to_o learn_v and_o remember_v their_o rule_n of_o live_v as_o it_o be_v to_o live_v by_o the_o essential_a rule_n of_o holiness_n and_o yet_o when_o they_o have_v do_v all_o they_o do_v but_o escape_v the_o vice_n especial_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o gentile_n or_o at_o best_o prepare_v themselves_o for_o some_o high_a enjoyment_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o messiah_n for_o the_o law_n be_v a_o schoolmaster_n to_o bâ—ing_a man_n 24_o to_o christ_n church_n and_o kingdom_n as_o well_o as_o man_n have_v their_o distinct_a age_n that_o of_o the_o jew_n under_o the_o law_n be_v but_o a_o sort_n of_o childhood_n a_o time_n of_o minority_n to_o this_o imperfect_a state_n the_o temporary_a or_o imperfect_a authority_n of_o a_o schoolmaster_n or_o guardian_n be_v most_o fit_o proportion_v this_o office_n the_o law_n do_v they_o for_o it_o restrain_v they_o from_o the_o more_o grievous_a vice_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o give_v they_o some_o little_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n and_o by_o so_o do_v it_o do_v prepare_v they_o for_o his_o sublime_a truth_n and_o more_o elevate_a rule_n of_o holy_a live_n which_o be_v chief_o comprise_v in_o the_o precept_n of_o the_o moral_a law_n according_a to_o his_o interpretation_n of_o it_o the_o excellency_n of_o which_o law_n appear_v by_o the_o matter_n about_o which_o it_o be_v conversant_a viz._n those_o thing_n which_o be_v good_a or_o evil_a in_o themselves_o namely_o those_o wherein_o the_o image_n of_o god_n do_v consist_v and_o those_o that_o be_v repugnant_a to_o it_o since_o therefore_o god_n make_v man_n after_o his_o own_o image_n there_o can_v be_v no_o law_n so_o excellent_a as_o this_o in_o respect_n either_o of_o its_o agreeableness_n to_o the_o reason_n of_o man_n or_o its_o subservience_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n what_o so_o rational_a as_o to_o preserve_v the_o glory_n of_o our_o nature_n viz._n the_o image_n of_o god_n in_o we_o and_o how_o can_v we_o glorify_v god_n so_o much_o as_o by_o strenuous_a endeavour_n to_o resemble_v he_o thou_o shall_v not_o honour_n god_n say_v hierocles_n by_o give_v any_o thing_n unto_o
the_o wall_n be_v break_v down_o and_o the_o temple_n set_v on_o fire_n some_o cast_n themselves_o on_o the_o sword_n of_o the_o roman_n other_o destroy_v each_o other_o other_o murder_v themselves_o and_o other_o leap_v into_o the_o flame_n account_v it_o not_o a_o overthrow_n but_o a_o kind_n of_o victory_n health_n aâ—d_a happiness_n that_o they_o perish_v together_o with_o the_o 66._o temple_n but_o whatever_o they_o think_v of_o it_o our_o saviour_n foretell_v it_o shall_v be_v great_a tribulation_n such_o 21._o as_o be_v not_o since_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o world_n till_o that_o time_n and_o such_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v for_o josephus_n think_v very_o that_o the_o calamity_n of_o the_o jew_n do_v for_o exceed_v judaico_fw-la all_o those_o of_o former_a age_n nor_o be_v he_o without_o reason_n to_o think_v so_o for_o there_o be_v according_a to_o his_o computation_n no_o less_o than_o a_o eleven_o hundred_o thousand_o that_o die_v by_o pestilence_n and_o famine_n fire_n and_o 17_o sword_n during_o the_o siege_n thus_o be_v jerusalem_n child_n lay_v on_o the_o ground_n within_o she_o and_o it_o be_v but_o a_o few_o day_n that_o she_o herself_o stand_v after_o for_o ninety_o seven_o thousand_o be_v reserve_v for_o captive_n the_o enrage_a soldier_n have_v no_o more_o to_o kill_v nor_o any_o thing_n else_o to_o do_v whereupon_o titus_n command_v they_o to_o pluck_v up_o the_o very_a foundation_n of_o the_o city_n and_o the_o temple_n and_o according_o they_o lay_v they_o so_o even_o with_o the_o ground_n as_o that_o traveller_n can_v scarce_o have_v faith_n enough_o to_o believe_v the_o city_n be_v ever_o inhabit_v or_o the_o temple_n ever_o stand_v for_o the_o foundation_n of_o it_o turnus_n rufus_n tear_v up_o with_o a_o ploughshare_n thus_o punctual_a be_v providence_n in_o fulfil_v our_o saviour_n prediction_n concern_v the_o destruction_n of_o the_o jew_n who_o be_v thus_o reject_v the_o next_o thing_n in_o the_o oeconomy_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o call_n of_o the_o gentile_n this_o also_o be_v foretell_v by_o christ_n if_o not_o likewise_o by_o his_o apostle_n but_o to_o i_o it_o seem_v unreasonable_a to_o expect_v record_n of_o such_o prediction_n by_o they_o because_o both_o the_o history_n of_o their_o act_n and_o also_o their_o epistle_n be_v all_o write_v to_o person_n so_o little_o concern_v in_o it_o and_o on_o occasion_n so_o remote_a from_o it_o if_o not_o also_o at_o time_n after_o it_o as_o that_o they_o have_v scarce_o any_o at_o all_o to_o make_v mention_n of_o it_o yet_o we_o therein_o read_v st._n peter_n have_v a_o vision_n on_o purpose_n to_o teach_v he_o that_o he_o shall_v not_o call_v any_o man_n common_a or_o unclean_a i._n e._n that_o he_o shall_v make_v no_o difference_n between_o jew_n and_o gentile_n but_o that_o he_o shall_v converse_v with_o and_o preach_v free_o to_o the_o one_o as_o well_o as_o to_o the_o other_o and_o therefore_o shall_v make_v no_o scruple_n of_o go_v to_o cornelius_n at_o coesarea_n st._n paul_n also_o in_o one_o vision_n be_v 10._o send_v to_o the_o gentile_n in_o another_o he_o be_v call_v to_o help_v the_o macedonian_n hereby_o they_o assure_o gather_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v call_v they_o to_o preach_v to_o the_o gentile_n and_o if_o so_o then_o sure_o they_o have_v some_o certain_a foreknowledge_n of_o good_a success_n in_o so_o do_v and_o that_o the_o rest_n of_o they_o have_v so_o too_o be_v manifest_a by_o their_o undertake_n to_o do_v it_o have_v they_o not_o have_v this_o assurance_n it_o will_v be_v hard_a to_o imagine_v that_o man_n so_o wise_a and_o rich_a as_o they_o be_v in_o all_o virtue_n both_o intellectual_a and_o moral_a shall_v also_o be_v so_o strong_a i._n e._n so_o careless_a of_o their_o own_o easy_a and_o unmindful_a of_o their_o worldly_a concern_v so_o resolute_a and_o courageous_a in_o pursuit_n of_o a_o project_n so_o dangerous_a and_o grievous_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n in_o the_o prosecution_n and_o withal_o so_o unlikely_a in_o the_o eye_n of_o humane_a reason_n to_o take_v â—ffect_n as_o they_o be_v it_o be_v therefore_o most_o rational_a to_o conclude_v they_o have_v some_o assure_a foreknowledge_n of_o good_a success_n in_o their_o labour_n and_o this_o certain_a foreknowledge_n however_o discover_v whether_o by_o prediction_n or_o otherwise_o be_v a_o sure_a sign_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n because_o it_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o art_n or_o ability_n of_o any_o creature_n to_o impart_v it_o to_o another_o and_o prediction_n themselves_o be_v no_o otherwise_o proof_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n than_o as_o they_o make_v evidence_n of_o such_o foreknowledge_n if_o then_o the_o apostle_n be_v endue_v with_o this_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o much_o whither_o or_o no_o they_o be_v author_n of_o those_o especial_o in_o the_o thing_n now_o under_o consideration_n because_o christ_n have_v foretell_v it_o before_o they_o and_o send_v to_o fulfil_v it_o and_o this_o he_o do_v so_o plain_o in_o his_o parable_n 45._o viz._n that_o of_o the_o king_n which_o make_v a_o marriage_n for_o his_o son_n and_o that_o of_o the_o housholder_n that_o plant_v a_o vine-yard_n etc._n etc._n as_o that_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o pharisee_n perceive_v he_o speak_v of_o they_o and_o be_v much_o offend_v because_o they_o find_v they_o be_v not_o in_o his_o esteem_n as_o they_o be_v in_o their_o own_o viz._n such_o favourite_n of_o heaven_n as_o still_o to_o keep_v the_o key_n of_o god_n kingdom_n which_o as_o he_o plain_o tell_v they_o shall_v be_v take_v from_o they_o and_o give_v to_o a_o nation_n bring_v forth_o 43._o the_o fruit_n of_o it_o i._n e._n the_o gospel_n and_o privilege_n of_o be_v the_o only_a church_n and_o people_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v take_v from_o the_o jew_n and_o give_v to_o the_o gentile_n who_o will_v be_v persuade_v not_o only_o to_o believe_v but_o also_o to_o receive_v it_o and_o in_o their_o practice_n to_o pursue_v the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o it_o viz._n all_o virtue_n and_o holiness_n of_o live_v and_o this_o blessed_a efficacy_n of_o the_o gospel_n he_o illustrate_v by_o the_o similitude_n of_o mustardseed_n and_o leaven_n whereof_o the_o one_o though_o the_o least_o of_o all_o seed_n yet_o grow_v to_o so_o great_a a_o bigness_n as_o that_o the_o bird_n of_o the_o air_n may_v lodge_v in_o the_o branch_n of_o it_o and_o the_o other_o though_o little_a also_o in_o quantity_n yet_o be_v apt_a to_o diffuse_v itself_o and_o give_v a_o tincture_n to_o all_o the_o meal_n about_o it_o so_o it_o seem_v the_o gospel_n be_v sow_v by_o the_o apostle_n preach_v shall_v so_o exceed_o grow_v and_o prosper_v among_o the_o gentile_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v fly_v unto_o it_o and_o lodge_v their_o soul_n under_o it_o and_o then_o by_o its_o secret_a invisible_a influence_n upon_o they_o it_o shall_v change_v and_o affect_v their_o heart_n and_o action_n that_o flow_v from_o they_o which_o certain_o fall_v out_o according_o for_o such_o be_v the_o apostle_n pain_n and_o travail_n industry_n and_o success_n in_o preach_v as_o that_o their_o sound_n go_v out_o into_o all_o the_o earth_n 18._o and_o their_o word_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n which_o word_n of_o st._n paul_n be_v perhaps_o literal_o true_a of_o the_o apostle_n only_o in_o reference_n to_o the_o jew_n yet_o without_o any_o very_a great_a hyperbole_n be_v also_o applicable_a to_o the_o gentile_n for_o whosoever_o will_v take_v the_o pain_n to_o follow_v the_o apostle_n whithersoever_o they_o go_v will_v find_v they_o travail_v almost_o all_o the_o know_a world_n over_o insomuch_o that_o there_o be_v scarce_o any_o region_n on_o earth_n but_o by_o they_o be_v show_v the_o way_n to_o heaven_n and_o that_o they_o be_v so_o successful_a as_o to_o convert_v almost_o all_o nation_n be_v methinks_v manifest_a by_o those_o appeal_v the_o ancient_a father_n make_v to_o the_o enemy_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o kingdom_n irenaeus_n affirm_v that_o in_o his_o time_n which_o sure_o be_v in_o the_o early_a day_n of_o the_o gospel_n for_o st._n hierom_n write_v he_o be_v ir._n the_o disciple_n of_o polycarp_n and_o it_o be_v think_v that_o polycarp_n be_v the_o disciple_n of_o st._n john_n the_o apostle_n the_o church_n be_v disperse_v all_o the_o world_n over_o and_o as_o the_o sun_n the_o creature_n of_o god_n be_v one_o and_o the_o same_o in_o all_o the_o world_n so_o also_o the_o preach_a of_o one_o and_o the_o same_o truth_n every_o where_o shine_v and_o enlighten_v they_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o origen_n tell_v celsus_n 13._o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n be_v preach_v in_o every_o nation_n under_o heaven_n to_o the_o greek_n and_o to_o the_o barbarian_n to_o the_o wise_a and_o to_o the_o
accomplishment_n of_o these_o prediction_n for_o the_o primitive_a seducer_n be_v man_n of_o so_o profligate_v a_o conscience_n and_o lewd_a a_o addiction_n as_o that_o they_o serve_v not_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n but_o their_o own_o belly_n though_o they_o profess_v friendship_n 18._o yet_o they_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n their_o god_n be_v their_o belly_n their_o glory_n be_v in_o their_o shame_n and_o they_o do_v mind_n earthly_a thing_n whereby_o it_o be_v plain_a 19_o they_o be_v as_o it_o be_v foretell_v they_o will_v be_v viz._n man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o truth_n suppose_v that_o gain_n be_v godliness_n and_o this_o their_o perverse_a â—_o supposition_n do_v doubtless_o dispose_v they_o to_o make_v merchandise_n of_o other_o christian_n insomuch_o that_o they_o seek_v not_o they_o but_o they_o not_o their_o spiritual_a good_a and_o welfare_n but_o their_o worldly_a wealth_n and_o temporal_a interest_n that_o so_o they_o may_v make_v advantage_n to_o themselves_o thereby_o this_o be_v their_o design_n in_o order_n hereunto_o they_o seem_v wise_o to_o have_v consider_v that_o their_o power_n be_v only_o persuasive_a not_o coercive_a it_o will_v be_v their_o best_a way_n to_o adapt_v a_o religion_n to_o the_o humour_n and_o vice_n of_o man_n according_o we_o find_v that_o the_o contemplative_a and_o studious_a they_o allure_v with_o great_a swell_a word_n of_o vanity_n about_o no_o man_n know_v what_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o age_n which_o 1._o they_o divide_v into_o a_o ogdoad_n a_o decad_n and_o a_o dodecad_n wherein_o there_o be_v as_o the_o apostle_n say_v fables_n and_o endless_a genealogy_n which_o minister_v question_n 19_o rather_o than_o godly_a edify_n which_o be_v in_o faith_n the_o fiction_n of_o which_o fable_n and_o genealogy_n they_o steal_v out_o of_o antiphanes_n his_o theogony_n so_o likewise_o they_o do_v divers_a of_o their_o precept_n out_o of_o heathen_a philosophy_n for_o their_o practical_a divinity_n consist_v in_o the_o rudiment_n of_o the_o world_n the_o commandment_n and_o doctrine_n 20._o of_o man_n touch_v not_o 〈◊〉_d not_o handle_v not_o tertullian_n therefore_o say_v of_o the_o heretic_n that_o they_o have_v bring_v forth_o a_o stoical_a platonical_a and_o dialectical_a 8._o christianity_n herewith_o they_o entertain_v the_o studious_a but_o they_o be_v but_o few_o in_o number_n in_o comparison_n with_o the_o more_o ignorant_a and_o vicious_a they_o find_v it_o expedient_a to_o allow_v of_o the_o vice_n as_o well_o as_o the_o learning_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o according_o so_o 23._o they_o do_v for_o they_o hold_v the_o use_n of_o all_o lust_n indifferent_a and_o herein_o their_o practice_n be_v agreeable_a to_o their_o opinion_n for_o it_o be_v a_o shame_n even_o to_o speak_v of_o those_o thing_n 12._o which_o be_v do_v of_o they_o in_o secret_a and_o so_o infectious_o wicked_a it_o seem_v they_o be_v as_o that_o they_o persuade_v other_o to_o be_v as_o bad_a as_o themselves_o thence_o it_o be_v that_o the_o ephesian_n be_v in_o some_o danger_n of_o be_v deceive_v with_o vain_a word_n into_o a_o opinion_n that_o fornication_n and_o all_o uncleanness_n avarice_n and_o filthiness_n obscene_a and_o foolish_a talk_n and_o jest_n be_v thing_n 6_o lawful_a or_o at_o most_o but_o venial_a sin_n yet_o for_o all_o this_o to_o allure_v the_o mind_n of_o the_o rigorous_a and_o austere_a they_o pretend_v to_o great_a mortification_n and_o severity_n of_o live_v other_o christian_n indulge_v themselves_o the_o use_n of_o marriage_n and_o all_o manner_n of_o meat_n without_o distinction_n but_o these_o be_v more_o mortify_v than_o so_o they_o do_v forbid_v to_o marry_v and_o command_v to_o abstain_v from_o meat_n the_o appetite_n of_o 3_o the_o flesh_n be_v so_o hateful_a and_o impure_a in_o their_o sight_n as_o that_o they_o think_v marriage_n and_o the_o better_a â—orts_n of_o meat_n too_o great_a a_o indulgence_n to_o they_o yâ—a_o such_o be_v their_o zeal_n against_o they_o as_o that_o some_o of_o they_o say_v marriage_n be_v of_o the_o devil_n and_o many_o of_o they_o abstain_v from_o all_o live_a creature_n and_o by_o this_o pretence_n of_o perfect_a continence_n they_o seduce_v many_o and_o no_o wonder_n â—3_n since_o they_o be_v such_o mortified_a man_n who_o will_v not_o take_v they_o for_o saint_n with_o these_o bait_n do_v these_o cunning_a angler_n fish_n for_o christian_n from_o among_o the_o gentile_n almost_o of_o all_o sort_n and_o all_o inclination_n the_o jewish_a christian_n who_o be_v yet_o zealous_a of_o 20._o the_o law_n they_o entice_v by_o assert_v a_o necessity_n of_o circumcision_n and_o keep_v their_o law_n for_o they_o teach_v the_o brethren_n and_o say_v except_o you_o be_v circumcise_v after_o the_o manner_n of_o moses_n and_o keep_v the_o law_n you_o can_v be_v save_v by_o this_o part_n of_o their_o doctrine_n they_o 24._o do_v conciliate_v the_o obstinate_a jew_n and_o insinuate_v themselves_o into_o those_o that_o believe_v who_o partly_o for_o fear_n of_o prosecution_n from_o their_o unbelieve_a countryman_n and_o partly_o out_o of_o love_n to_o their_o old_a religion_n be_v very_o apt_a to_o swallow_v their_o poison_n whereunto_o also_o they_o add_v several_a ingredient_n of_o most_o damnable_a heresy_n for_o even_o in_o st._n john_n time_n many_o deceiver_n be_v enter_v into_o the_o world_n who_o confess_v not_o that_o jesus_n christ_n be_v come_v in_o the_o flesh_n but_o because_o 7._o 30._o other_o think_v he_o be_v they_o make_v a_o high_a profession_n of_o he_o that_o by_o the_o sweetness_n of_o his_o name_n they_o may_v reach_v out_o this_o their_o bitter_a poison_n unto_o they_o which_o poison_n they_o sweeten_v with_o pretence_n it_o be_v very_o wholesome_a and_o useful_a to_o purge_v the_o soul_n from_o the_o dregs_n of_o ignorance_n and_o error_n to_o enlighten_v the_o mind_n and_o inform_v the_o understanding_n for_o their_o profane_a and_o vain_a babble_n they_o have_v the_o confidence_n 21._o to_o call_v science_n and_o to_o make_v profession_n of_o it_o and_o from_o a_o pretend_a excellency_n of_o knowledge_n they_o lay_v peculiar_a claim_n to_o the_o title_n of_o gnostic_n know_v man_n as_o if_o none_o no_o not_o st._n paul_n or_o st._n peter_n or_o any_o other_o of_o the_o apostle_n can_v plead_v a_o equality_n to_o the_o greatness_n of_o their_o knowledge_n for_o they_o boast_v that_o 9_o they_o know_v more_o than_o all_o man_n else_o and_o knowledge_n we_o know_v be_v a_o thing_n so_o invite_v as_o that_o it_o have_v no_o enemy_n but_o the_o ignorant_a and_o scarce_o any_o so_o sottish_a as_o not_o to_o desire_v it_o insomuch_o that_o it_o be_v a_o temptation_n even_o to_o eve_n in_o innocence_n when_o doubtless_o her_o knowledge_n be_v complete_o suit_v to_o her_o innocence_n yet_o even_o then_o â—he_v judge_v the_o forbid_a 6._o fruit_n desirable_a because_o it_o will_v make_v one_o wise_a we_o be_v true_a have_v lose_v her_o innocence_n but_o not_o the_o desire_n after_o knowledge_n no_o marvel_n then_o if_o with_o this_o pretence_n they_o allure_v many_o especial_o consider_v that_o though_o their_o wisdom_n be_v earthly_a sensual_a devilish_a yet_o they_o pretend_v it_o be_v from_o above_o it_o come_v not_o of_o blood_n or_o of_o the_o will_n of_o the_o flesh_n or_o of_o the_o will_n of_o man_n but_o of_o god_n for_o as_o the_o devil_n in_o tempt_v our_o bless_a saviour_n hide_v his_o lie_n under_o text_n of_o holy_a scripture_n so_o say_v irenaeus_n do_v all_o heretic_n what_o though_o as_o polycarp_n observe_v they_o wrest_v the_o word_n of_o phil_n god_n according_a to_o their_o own_o lust_n yâ—t_v it_o appear_v thereby_o they_o father_v their_o lie_n upon_o the_o god_n of_o truth_n from_o who_o also_o as_o they_o pretend_v their_o fable_n sometime_o descend_v by_o tradition_n and_o sometime_o by_o revelation_n when_o they_o be_v urge_v and_o baffle_v out_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n they_o fall_v foul_a upon_o they_o and_o accuse_v they_o of_o such_o depravation_n insufficience_n variety_n and_o obscurity_n as_o that_o the_o truth_n can_v not_o therein_o be_v find_v by_o any_o that_o know_v not_o tradition_n and_o by_o tradition_n they_o understand_v not_o as_o other_o do_v that_o which_o every_o where_o always_o and_o by_o all_o christian_n 3._o be_v believe_v but_o a_o more_o secret_a delivery_n of_o truth_n down_o from_o one_o to_o another_o not_o by_o write_v but_o by_o 2._o word_n of_o mouth_n thus_o it_o seem_v they_o pretend_v to_o have_v receive_v their_o doctrine_n not_o from_o the_o apostle_n but_o from_o the_o mouth_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o therefore_o in_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n they_o be_v neither_o for_o paul_n nor_o apollo_n no_o nor_o yet_o for_o cephas_n but_o for_o 12._o christ_n as_o if_o christ_n have_v transmit_v such_o doctrine_n to_o they_o as_o he_o withhold_v
from_o other_o or_o at_o least_o such_o doctrine_n as_o be_v but_o obscure_o reveal_v to_o other_o by_o holy_a scripture_n be_v plain_o make_v know_v to_o they_o by_o tradition_n but_o beside_o the_o holy_a scripture_n and_o tradition_n they_o or_o at_o least_o some_o of_o they_o pretend_v revelation_n in_o behalf_n of_o their_o idle_a fable_n as_o irenaeus_n make_v evident_a by_o the_o example_n of_o one_o marcus_n and_o other_o gnostic_n who_o as_o they_o give_v out_o do_v not_o only_o prophesy_v themselves_o but_o have_v power_n to_o communicate_v the_o gift_n thereof_o to_o other_o and_o according_o as_o they_o boast_v and_o their_o disciple_n believe_v so_o they_o do_v to_o divers_a especial_o of_o the_o weak_a sex_n and_o by_o this_o pretence_n they_o deceive_v and_o draw_v many_o after_o they_o 9_o and_o no_o wonder_n if_o they_o do_v so_o for_o all_o man_n take_v prophet_n to_o be_v holy_a man_n of_o god_n who_o speak_v as_o they_o be_v move_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o who_o so_o profligate_v from_o all_o religion_n as_o to_o think_v that_o they_o be_v such_o and_o yet_o refuse_v to_o be_v lead_v by_o or_o partake_v of_o their_o spirit_n by_o this_o pretence_n therefore_o how_o false_a and_o fabulous_a soever_o their_o doctrine_n be_v the_o foundation_n of_o faith_n in_o it_o and_o of_o obedience_n to_o it_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o conscience_n of_o man_n and_o this_o foundation_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o most_o firm_a and_o immovable_a able_a to_o bear_v whatever_o superstructure_n shall_v be_v lay_v upon_o it_o yea_o also_o and_o to_o beat_v off_o whatever_o assault_n shall_v be_v make_v against_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o improbability_n of_o some_o doctrine_n and_o severity_n of_o some_o order_n still_o receive_v and_o defend_v because_o at_o first_o found_v on_o the_o credit_n of_o pretend_a vision_n and_o revelation_n all_o the_o difficulty_n be_v in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o ground_n wherein_o to_o lay_v this_o foundation_n the_o mind_n of_o man_n that_o be_v of_o sharp_a deep_a and_o strong_a discourse_n be_v not_o apt_a to_o receive_v it_o but_o man_n of_o shallow_a apprehension_n and_o weak_a intellectual_n be_v fit_a and_o most_o prepare_v for_o it_o this_o those_o builder_n of_o babel_n the_o primitive_a seducer_n seem_v wise_o to_o have_v consider_v for_o s._n peter_n insinuate_v they_o be_v unstable_a soul_n who_o they_o beguile_v 6._o and_o s._n paul_n more_o express_o say_v they_o be_v the_o simple_a who_o heart_n they_o deceive_v they_o creep_v into_o house_n and_o lead_v captive_a silly_a woman_n lade_v with_o sin_n and_o lead_v away_o with_o divers_a lust_n thus_o those_o in_o the_o apostle_n day_n and_o irenaeus_n tell_v we_o of_o other_o who_o a_o little_a after_o they_o be_v most_o busy_a with_o woman_n especial_o those_o that_o be_v of_o great_a quality_n and_o most_o famous_a for_o worldly_a eod_a grandieur_fw-fr and_o riches_n these_o they_o most_o frequent_o seek_v to_o impose_v upon_o and_o allure_v by_o flattery_n but_o lest_o their_o deceiveableness_n of_o unrighteousness_n viz._n their_o artifices_fw-la of_o deceit_n shall_v not_o be_v sufficient_a to_o secure_v the_o foundation_n they_o come_v also_o as_o it_o be_v foretell_v they_o will_v with_o the_o work_n of_o satan_n with_o all_o power_n and_o sign_n and_o lie_a wonder_n for_o we_o read_v of_o simon_n the_o samaritan_n the_o founder_n of_o heresy_n and_o father_n 30._o of_o heretic_n that_o he_o use_v sorcery_n and_o bewitch_v the_o people_n of_o samaria_n give_v out_o that_o he_o himself_o be_v some_o great_a one_o to_o who_o they_o all_o give_v heed_n from_o the_o least_o to_o the_o great_a say_v this_o man_n be_v the_o great_a power_n of_o god_n 10._o yet_o as_o great_a as_o he_o be_v he_o at_o length_n be_v in_o some_o measure_n subdue_v by_o a_o great_a power_n than_o he_o for_o he_o believe_v and_o be_v baptize_v yet_o his_o heart_n not_o be_v 21._o right_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n but_o suppose_v the_o apostle_n to_o be_v great_a magician_n than_o himself_o he_o greedy_o contend_v against_o they_o that_o he_o may_v seem_v more_o glorious_a than_o they_o to_o this_o end_n he_o desist_v not_o from_o the_o study_n of_o magic_n but_o make_v such_o far_a progress_n in_o it_o as_o that_o he_o provoke_v many_o to_o amazement_n by_o it_o for_o claudius_n caesar_n erect_v a_o statue_n in_o honour_n of_o he_o for_o it_o after_o he_o the_o carpocratian_o 20._o be_v much_o addict_v to_o magic_n and_o enchantment_n that_o they_o may_v entice_v other_o to_o love_v they_o yea_o and_o they_o draw_v devil_n to_o their_o assistance_n that_o by_o many_o delusion_n it_o may_v be_v in_o their_o power_n to_o be_v lord_n and_o master_n of_o who_o they_o please_v thus_o also_o it_o be_v report_v 27._o of_o the_o before_o mention_v marcus_n that_o he_o be_v a_o very_a great_a proficient_a in_o magical_a imposture_n whereby_o he_o deceive_v many_o both_o man_n and_o woman_n the_o like_a 8._o may_v i_o observe_v concern_v other_o but_o this_o may_v suffice_v to_o show_v that_o in_o this_o respect_n as_o well_o as_o other_o the_o primitive_a seducer_n do_v exact_o fulfil_v the_o prophecy_n that_o go_v before_o of_o they_o and_o from_o thence_o it_o be_v easy_a to_o infer_v that_o they_o who_o utter_v they_o viz._n christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n because_o the_o only_a ordinary_a and_o certain_a mark_n of_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n viz._n prediction_n exact_o accomplish_v be_v manifest_o find_v in_o they_o but_o forasmuch_o as_o the_o prediction_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n concern_v seducer_n be_v of_o use_n not_o only_o to_o confirm_v the_o faith_n but_o also_o to_o direct_v the_o judgement_n in_o the_o choice_n of_o what_o teacher_n man_n ought_v to_o follow_v and_o adhere_v to_o it_o will_v not_o be_v unuseful_a for_o we_o to_o make_v trial_n of_o our_o modern_a teacher_n thereby_o which_o if_o we_o shall_v do_v impartial_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o the_o copy_n which_o be_v set_v by_o the_o false_a teacher_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n be_v too_o fair_o transcribe_v by_o too_o many_o especial_o the_o papist_n in_o we_o and_o consequent_o we_o need_v not_o search_v the_o record_n of_o antiquity_n our_o own_o age_n will_v afford_v we_o too_o sure_a and_o sad_a accomplishment_n of_o these_o prediction_n the_o demonstration_n hereof_o i_o do_v once_o intend_v but_o find_v i_o shall_v thereby_o grasp_v at_o matter_n more_o sit_v for_o a_o volume_n than_o a_o section_n i_o shall_v not_o so_o far_o digress_v but_o proceed_v to_o speak_v sect._n 6._o concern_v the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n and_o here_o my_o business_n will_v be_v to_o prove_v that_o they_o real_o wrought_v many_o and_o great_a miracle_n the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o which_o proposition_n because_o miracle_n be_v matter_n of_o fact_n be_v most_o proper_o demonstrable_a only_o by_o testimony_n yet_o reason_n methinks_v prove_v it_o probable_a or_o somewhat_o more_o for_o grant_v it_o be_v on_o all_o side_n that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o in_o regard_n of_o his_o manhood_n be_v but_o mean_a in_o the_o world_n his_o parent_n be_v no_o person_n of_o honour_n and_o he_o himself_o have_v but_o a_o mean_a reception_n at_o his_o birth_n nor_o be_v he_o by_o the_o jew_n much_o set_v by_o in_o his_o life_n he_o grow_v up_o as_o a_o root_n out_o of_o a_o dry_a ground_n they_o think_v there_o be_v no_o form_n comeliness_n or_o beauty_n in_o he_o that_o they_o shall_v desire_v he_o they_o will_v see_v no_o such_o blossom_n in_o his_o youth_n as_o promise_v any_o extraordinary_a fruit_n in_o his_o ripe_a age_n wherein_o also_o he_o be_v despise_v and_o reject_v of_o man_n a_o man_n of_o sorrow_n and_o acquaint_v with_o grief_n a_o rock_n of_o offence_n and_o stone_n of_o stumble_v set_v at_o naught_o by_o the_o master-builder_n of_o israel_n reject_v by_o the_o chief_a of_o his_o own_o nation_n pursue_v by_o his_o enemy_n betray_v by_o one_o of_o his_o pretend_a friend_n deny_v by_o another_o and_o suspect_v by_o all_o pursue_v and_o apprehend_v bind_v and_o buffet_v arraign_v and_o spit_v on_o condemn_v and_o crucify_v by_o his_o own_o countryman_n as_o one_o of_o the_o worst_a of_o malefactor_n be_v this_o man_n name_n like_a to_o become_v great_a in_o israel_n and_o famous_a among_o the_o gentile_n yet_o this_o be_v he_o that_o send_v forth_o his_o apostle_n and_o who_o be_v they_o why_o man_n as_o mean_a as_o himself_o person_n of_o obscure_a parentage_n of_o no_o reputation_n for_o wealth_n or_o wisdom_n honour_n or_o authority_n in_o their_o own_o country_n yea_o so_o far_o from_o it_o as_o that_o the_o chief_a of_o they_o be_v a_o fisherman_n and_o other_o as_o rude_a and_o illiterate_a as_o the_o mean_a
detect_v the_o forgery_n in_o such_o a_o case_n the_o silence_n of_o adversary_n seem_v more_o demonstrative_a than_o the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n especial_o consider_v they_o have_v not_o only_o the_o advantage_n of_o time_n and_o place_n but_o also_o provocation_n to_o have_v do_v it_o if_o they_o can_v for_o such_o be_v the_o confidence_n and_o noble_a magnanimity_n of_o those_o that_o first_o avouch_v it_o as_o that_o though_o they_o be_v strip_v of_o all_o succour_n and_o support_v from_o other_o man_n and_o expose_v to_o contempt_n and_o scorn_n curse_n and_o execration_n persecution_n and_o affliction_n stripe_n and_o imprisonment_n in_o short_a to_o all_o manner_n of_o hardship_n and_o death_n itself_o in_o give_v this_o testimony_n yet_o be_v they_o not_o move_v with_o fear_n or_o divert_v from_o it_o but_o they_o do_v constant_o avouch_v it_o and_o often_o appeal_v to_o the_o conscience_n of_o their_o implacable_a enemy_n concern_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o thus_o st._n peter_n as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o apostle_n tell_v the_o man_n of_o israel_n that_o jesus_n of_o nazareth_n be_v a_o man_n approve_v of_o god_n among_o they_o by_o miracle_n wonder_n and_o sign_n which_o god_n do_v by_o he_o in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o as_o 22._o say_v he_o you_o yourselves_o also_o know_v the_o jew_n therefore_o can_v not_o and_o arnobius_n tell_v the_o gentile_n that_o they_o dare_v not_o attempt_v to_o convince_v it_o of_o falsehood_n 1._o the_o reason_n i_o suppose_v be_v because_o as_o origen_n tell_v celsus_n it_o be_v not_o possible_a to_o deny_v that_o the_o miracle_n 2._o report_v of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v do_v in_o this_o case_n wherein_o the_o christian_n have_v all_o imaginable_a motive_n to_o be_v silent_a and_o their_o enemy_n to_o speak_v yet_o that_o none_o of_o they_o either_o jew_n or_o gentile_n shall_v be_v able_a to_o contradict_v their_o testimony_n how_o strange_a be_v it_o how_o clear_o and_o plain_o do_v it_o speak_v the_o truth_n of_o their_o testimony_n and_o vindicate_v they_o from_o all_o shadow_n of_o suspicion_n they_o have_v a_o design_n to_o cheat_v the_o world_n into_o belief_n of_o lie_n how_o evident_o do_v it_o show_v the_o triumphant_a force_n of_o truth_n and_o energy_n of_o conviction_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n which_o energy_n of_o conviction_n discover_v itself_o by_o concession_n as_o well_o as_o by_o force_a silence_n for_o so_o apparent_o true_a be_v the_o church_n tradition_n in_o this_o particular_a as_o that_o some_o of_o his_o enemy_n have_v add_v their_o suffrage_n to_o she_o that_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n wrought_v miracle_n the_o jew_n it_o seem_v do_v open_o confess_v it_o in_o their_o jerusalem-talmud_n and_o their_o midras_n cohele_v where_o they_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o grandson_n of_o r._n jehosua_n the_o son_n of_o levi_n have_v swallow_v poison_n be_v recover_v from_o danger_n of_o death_n thereby_o through_o the_o invocation_n of_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n but_o the_o father_n understanding_n by_o what_o mean_v his_o son_n be_v cure_v be_v so_o malicious_o ungrateful_a as_o to_o say_v it_o have_v be_v better_a for_o he_o to_o have_v avodazara_n die_v than_o to_o be_v so_o cure_v whereupon_o his_o ingratitude_n be_v present_o avenge_v by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o son_n to_o this_o story_n they_o add_v another_o the_o sum_n whereof_o be_v that_o r._n elazar_n the_o son_n of_o duma_n be_v bite_v with_o a_o serpent_n be_v heal_v by_o st._n james_n among_o the_o cap._n gentile_n the_o very_o bitter_a of_o the_o christian_n adversary_n do_v acknowledge_v as_o much_o for_o celsus_n protest_v himself_o to_o believe_v the_o story_n of_o christ_n miraculous_a cure_n oâ—_n the_o sick_a and_o raise_v the_o dead_a and_o feed_v the_o multitude_n with_o a_o few_o loaf_n and_o the_o fragment_n that_o remain_v all_o these_o thing_n and_o whatever_o else_o the_o disciple_n report_v as_o he_o think_v to_o amplify_v the_o greatness_n of_o his_o miracle_n he_o profess_v to_o believe_v be_v true_a and_o grant_v we_o may_v believe_v they_o be_v do_v it_o seem_v also_o that_o julian_n do_v acknowledge_v 1._o the_o lame_a and_o the_o blind_a be_v heal_v and_o those_o that_o be_v possess_v with_o devil_n receive_v help_v in_o bethsaida_n and_o bethanie_n and_o to_o enrage_v other_o against_o 6._o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n porphyrius_n undertake_v to_o tell_v they_o the_o reason_n why_o the_o city_n be_v so_o long_o afflict_v with_o sickness_n and_o that_o in_o his_o judgement_n be_v because_o neither_o aesculapius_n nor_o any_o other_o of_o the_o god_n can_v have_v access_n unto_o it_o for_o say_v he_o since_o the_o time_n that_o jesus_n be_v worship_v no_o man_n can_v get_v any_o public_a help_n from_o the_o god_n and_o from_o that_o 12._o gallimalfry_n of_o nonsense_n and_o error_n viz._n the_o alcoran_n we_o may_v gather_v this_o truth_n that_o messiah_n jesus_n the_o son_n of_o mary_n give_v sight_n to_o the_o blind_a heal_v the_o leprous_a raise_v the_o dead_a and_o teach_v the_o live_n and_o that_o the_o apostle_n do_v the_o same_o in_o his_o absence_n if_o then_o 3._o reason_n or_o tradition_n the_o testimony_n of_o friend_n or_o the_o write_n of_o enemy_n will_v satisfy_v we_o have_v one_o will_v think_v enough_o of_o all_o sort_n and_o that_o when_o some_o be_v vomit_v lie_n and_o belch_a blasphemy_n against_o christ_n his_o person_n and_o his_o doctrine_n yet_o even_o then_o they_o confess_v that_o he_o and_o his_o apostle_n do_v those_o thing_n which_o we_o take_v to_o be_v miracle_n obj._n but_o here_o perhaps_o it_o will_v be_v say_v that_o we_o be_v mistake_v it_o be_v of_o old_a object_v they_o be_v not_o real_a and_o true_a miracle_n but_o lie_v wonder_n delusion_n of_o satan_n and_o effect_n of_o magic_n thus_o the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n 1._o among_o the_o jew_n and_o thus_o also_o many_o among_o the_o gentile_n and_o this_o be_v think_v so_o apparent_a as_o that_o celsus_n himself_o although_o he_o have_v former_o write_v many_o book_n against_o magic_n be_v yet_o in_o a_o sort_n constrain_v to_o retract_v his_o opinion_n and_o confess_v that_o it_o have_v a_o be_v in_o the_o thing_n that_o be_v do_v by_o christ_n and_o his_o follower_n for_o have_v grant_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o report_n that_o such_o and_o such_o wonder_n be_v indeed_o do_v by_o they_o he_o immediate_o subjoin_v a_o comparison_n between_o they_o and_o the_o sleight_n of_o juggler_n who_o promise_v great_a matter_n and_o more_o wonderful_a yet_o be_v they_o but_o such_o as_o they_o learn_v from_o the_o egyptian_n and_o for_o a_o few_o farthing_n will_v show_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o market_n boast_v that_o by_o their_o art_n they_o can_v cast_v out_o devil_n heal_v disease_n recall_v the_o soul_n of_o the_o dead_a prepare_v table_n sumptuous_o furnish_v with_o all_o manner_n of_o dainty_n and_o raise_v ghost_n that_o seem_v to_o move_v though_o in_o truth_n they_o be_v void_a of_o all_o motion_n 1._o ans_fw-fr and_o so_o be_v this_o odious_a comparison_n of_o all_o truth_n and_o probability_n for_o what_o communion_n have_v substance_n with_o shadow_n what_o agreement_n have_v substantial_a change_n with_o bare_a appearance_n can_v celsus_n have_v prove_v that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v mere_o phaenomena_n of_o fancy_n as_o he_o call_v these_o imposture_n of_o juggler_n which_o he_o base_o compare_v therewith_o he_o have_v say_v something_o to_o the_o purpose_n but_o he_o have_v not_o the_o impudence_n to_o affirm_v that_o nor_o so_o little_a wit_n as_o to_o attempt_v the_o prooâ—â—f_n it_o this_o therefore_o as_o origen_n just_o tell_v he_o be_v not_o the_o part_n of_o a_o disputant_n but_o of_o the_o unlearned_a vulgar_a a_o effect_n of_o passion_n unworthy_a of_o a_o philosopher_n who_o it_o become_v not_o impertinent_o to_o rail_v at_o but_o candid_o to_o examine_v a_o matter_n that_o lie_v bâ—fore_o he_o which_o if_o celsus_n have_v do_v impartial_o he_o will_v without_o doubt_n have_v find_v that_o sweâ—t_a waâ—â—r_n and_o bitter_a may_v be_v send_v forth_o from_o the_o same_o fountain_n as_o well_o as_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o delusion_n of_o enchanter_n from_o the_o same_o cause_n viz._n the_o devil_n malice_n for_o so_o evident_a it_o be_v to_o the_o reason_n of_o all_o man_n as_o that_o it_o be_v almost_o 26._o a_o proverb_n among_o the_o greek_n and_o roman_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n that_o every_o kingdom_n divide_v against_o itself_o be_v bring_v to_o desolation_n and_o every_o city_n or_o house_n divide_v against_o itself_o shall_v not_o stand_v and_o manifest_v it_o be_v that_o if_o satan_n cast_v out_o satan_n he_o be_v divide_v against_o himself_o how_o then_o shall_v his_o kingdom_n stand_v it_o be_v true_a
sin_n but_o now_o have_v they_o both_o see_v and_o hate_v both_o i_o and_o my_o father_n so_o convince_a do_v he_o account_v his_o miracle_n as_o that_o he_o impute_v their_o unbelief_n to_o malice_n and_o enmity_n against_o god_n and_o himself_o all_o which_o or_o any_o thing_n whereof_o he_o can_v not_o have_v do_v unless_o he_o have_v wrought_v his_o miracle_n to_o consirm_v his_o doctrine_n or_o attest_v his_o mission_n from_o god_n to_o teach_v it_o to_o this_o end_n also_o it_o be_v evident_a the_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v design_v for_o they_o go_v forth_o and_o preach_v every_o where_o the_o 20._o lord_n work_v with_o they_o and_o consirm_v the_o word_n with_o sign_n follow_v it_o be_v the_o dictate_v of_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o of_o scripture_n that_o god_n can_v lie_v or_o avouch_v a_o falsehood_n therefore_o sure_o the_o word_n of_o his_o grace_n be_v truth_n for_o we_o find_v that_o he_o give_v testimony_n to_o it_o and_o this_o he_o do_v by_o grant_v sign_n 3._o and_o wonder_n to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o salvation_n the_o gospel_n propose_v first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v of_o by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o the_o first_o christian_n by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o i._n e._n by_o the_o apostle_n but_o lest_o their_o testimony_n shall_v be_v 4._o suspect_v god_n do_v bear_v they_o witness_v with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n hereby_o than_o it_o be_v manifest_a not_o only_o that_o their_o doctrine_n be_v true_a but_o also_o that_o the_o wisdom_n of_o providence_n do_v design_n the_o miracle_n of_o the_o apostle_n to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o it_o and_o so_o doubtless_o do_v they_o themselves_o for_o their_o embassy_n to_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v somewhat_o like_o that_o of_o moses_n unto_o pharaoh_n viz._n unlikely_a to_o be_v believe_v among_o they_o they_o find_v it_o expedient_a to_o have_v some_o letter_n of_o credence_n from_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n and_o hereupon_o they_o pray_v god_n to_o stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n to_o heal_v and_o to_o grant_v that_o sign_n and_o wonder_n may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o name_n of_o 30._o his_o holy_a child_n jesus_n and_o this_o they_o desire_v to_o the_o end_n that_o with_o all_o boldness_n they_o may_v speak_v his_o word_n and_o have_v obtain_v their_o request_n by_o the_o grant_n of_o sign_n and_o wonder_n to_o be_v do_v by_o their_o hand_n they_o 3_o speak_v bold_o in_o the_o lord_n neither_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o unbelieve_a jew_n nor_o the_o ill_a affect_a mind_n of_o the_o seduce_a gentile_n can_v deter_v they_o from_o speak_v bold_o the_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v in_o jesus_n it_o seem_v than_o the_o testimony_n of_o god_n to_o that_o word_n by_o the_o miracle_n of_o their_o work_n be_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o confidence_n in_o preach_v the_o gospel_n but_o this_o it_o can_v never_o have_v be_v without_o their_o intendment_n thereof_o to_o the_o confirmation_n of_o their_o doctrine_n for_o without_o this_o they_o can_v neither_o pretend_v nor_o indeed_o believe_v their_o miracle_n be_v the_o testimony_n of_o god_n to_o the_o word_n of_o his_o grace_n how_o can_v they_o look_v on_o they_o as_o such_o unless_o that_o they_o also_o themselves_o do_v use_v and_o intend_v they_o to_o this_o end_n manifest_a therefore_o i_o take_v it_o to_o be_v that_o they_o wrought_v they_o on_o purpose_n to_o confirm_v their_o doctrine_n or_o demonstrate_v their_o mission_n from_o god_n to_o teach_v it_o and_o much_o reason_n there_o be_v for_o their_o do_v they_o to_o this_o end_n for_o 2._o miracle_n be_v always_o look_v on_o as_o indisputable_a or_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o divine_a power_n or_o authority_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o to_o deny_v this_o be_v little_o less_o than_o to_o charge_n god_n foolish_o for_o he_o endue_v moses_n with_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n to_o the_o end_n that_o the_o israelite_n may_v believe_v that_o the_o 5._o lord_n god_n of_o their_o father_n have_v appear_v unto_o he_o a_o charge_n also_o he_o have_v to_o do_v all_o his_o wonder_n before_o 21._o pharaoh_n and_o although_o his_o heart_n be_v harden_v yet_o be_v do_v in_o the_o siglit_fw-la of_o the_o people_n they_o believe_v and_o bow_v their_o head_n and_o worship_v and_o 31._o after_o they_o it_o seem_v the_o magician_n be_v almost_o of_o the_o same_o persuasion_n for_o they_o say_v unto_o pharaoh_n this_o be_v the_o finger_n of_o god_n by_o this_o their_o grant_n of_o 19_o the_o premise_n they_o draw_v on_o themselves_o a_o necessity_n of_o confess_v the_o conclusion_n for_o if_o the_o miracle_n of_o moses_n be_v do_v by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n then_o have_v god_n appear_v unto_o he_o or_o send_v he_o thus_o almost_o in_o the_o morning_n of_o the_o world_n we_o find_v both_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n and_o the_o wise_a of_o the_o egyptian_n confess_v the_o force_n of_o miracle_n to_o induce_v belief_n and_o that_o not_o as_o a_o probable_a argument_n but_o demonstrative_a such_o as_o rather_o command_v assent_n than_o beg_v it_o for_o when_o elijah_n sojourn_v with_o the_o widow_n of_o zarephath_n by_o his_o raise_v her_o son_n to_o life_n she_o know_v that_o he_o be_v a_o man_n of_o god_n and_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o mouth_n be_v truth_n and_o 24._o when_o the_o prophet_n of_o jericho_n see_v that_o elisha_n divide_v the_o water_n of_o jordan_n with_o elijah_n mantle_n they_o say_v the_o spirit_n of_o eiljah_n do_v rest_n on_o elisha_n hereof_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v thereby_o so_o convince_v as_o that_o though_o they_o themselves_o be_v prophet_n partaker_n in_o some_o measure_n of_o the_o same_o spirit_n yet_o they_o meet_v he_o and_o bow_v themselves_o to_o the_o ground_n 1â—_n before_o he_o as_o to_o the_o father_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o the_o chief_a of_o their_o order_n and_o not_o only_o they_o who_o have_v their_o education_n in_o the_o school_n of_o the_o prophet_n and_o therefore_o perhaps_o be_v think_v apt_a to_o have_v ascribe_v somewhat_o too_o much_o to_o their_o miracle_n but_o also_o naaman_n a_o syrian_a a_o alien_n from_o the_o commonwealth_n of_o israel_n be_v at_o the_o appointment_n of_o the_o same_o prophet_n miraculous_o cure_a of_o his_o leprosy_n be_v so_o convince_v of_o the_o 15._o true_a god_n as_o that_o he_o return_v to_o the_o man_n of_o god_n and_o say_v behold_v now_o i_o know_v that_o there_o be_v no_o god_n in_o all_o the_o earth_n but_o in_o israel_n his_o mind_n be_v cleanse_v from_o the_o grossness_n of_o idolatry_n as_o wâ—ll_n as_o his_o body_n from_o the_o loathsomeness_n of_o his_o leprosy_n but_o to_o draw_v our_o discourse_n a_o little_a near_o the_o business_n in_o hand_n we_o may_v observe_v in_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o among_o the_o jew_n many_o that_o adhere_v not_o to_o christ_n do_v yet_o believe_v that_o he_o come_v from_o god_n when_o they_o see_v his_o miracle_n thus_o when_o he_o be_v in_o jerusalem_n at_o the_o passeover_n many_o believe_v in_o his_o name_n 23._o when_o the_o see_v the_o miracle_n which_o he_o do_v these_o many_o believer_n sure_o be_v not_o disciple_n for_o 25._o jesus_n do_v not_o commit_v himself_o unto_o they_o or_o intrust_v himself_o with_o they_o as_o well_o affect_v to_o he_o because_o he_o know_v all_o man_n and_o what_o be_v in_o they_o he_o search_v their_o heart_n and_o dive_v into_o the_o hide_a secret_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o by_o so_o do_v he_o find_v that_o though_o these_o man_n understanding_n be_v convince_v by_o his_o miracle_n yet_o their_o will_n be_v not_o subdue_v to_o his_o doctrine_n and_o after_o they_o many_o of_o 31._o the_o people_n believe_v on_o he_o and_o say_v when_o christ_n come_v will_v be_v do_v more_o miracle_n than_o these_o which_o this_o man_n have_v do_v to_o they_o it_o seem_v improbable_a that_o when_o their_o expect_a messiah_n shall_v come_v he_o either_o will_v or_o can_v do_v more_o or_o great_a miracle_n than_o our_o jesus_n do_v consider_v therefore_o his_o work_n and_o his_o say_n they_o peremptory_o conclude_v that_o of_o a_o truth_n this_o be_v the_o prophet_n viz._n foretell_v 4â—_n by_o moses_n deut._n 18._o 15._o and_o believe_v by_o they_o to_o be_v different_a from_o the_o messiah_n but_o otherâ—_n say_v this_o be_v the_o christ_n but_o when_o the_o pharisee_n hear_v that_o the_o 41._o people_n murmur_v such_o thing_n concern_v he_o they_o and_o the_o chief_a priest_n send_v officer_n to_o take_v he_o but_o the_o 32._o officer_n be_v astonish_v at_o his_o doctrine_n return_v without_o he_o whereupon_o they_o expostulate_v with_o they_o and_o in_o a_o scornful_a manner_n ask_v he_o have_v any_o of_o the_o ruler_n or_o of_o the_o pharisee_n believe_v on_o
he_o 48._o and_o presume_v that_o none_o have_v they_o haughty_o censure_v the_o people_n who_o know_v not_o or_o profess_o study_v not_o the_o law_n as_o if_o these_o poor_a sergeant_n be_v a_o demonstration_n that_o they_o be_v curse_v but_o this_o 49._o their_o pride_n and_o confidence_n be_v mount_v upon_o ignorance_n for_o nicodemus_n a_o man_n of_o the_o pharisee_n and_o a_o ruler_n as_o well_o as_o themselves_o he_o though_o fearful_a of_o give_v offence_n and_o incur_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o sanhedrim_n yet_o for_o his_o far_a satisfaction_n go_v to_o jesus_n by_o night_n and_o say_v unto_o he_o 2._o rabbi_n we_o know_v that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n for_o no_o man_n can_v do_v these_o miracle_n which_o thou_o do_v except_o god_n be_v with_o he_o although_o he_o be_v not_o full_o persuade_v that_o jâ—â—us_n be_v the_o messiah_n or_o that_o prophet_n who_o they_o expect_v to_o come_v before_o he_o yet_o faith_n he_o we_o know_v we_o do_v not_o conjecture_v but_o it_o be_v evident_a and_o certain_a to_o we_o that_o thou_o be_v a_o teacher_n come_v from_o god_n hereof_o he_o be_v convince_v by_o the_o miracle_n he_o do_v they_o in_o his_o esteem_n be_v argument_n so_o demonstrative_a and_o necessary_a as_o vanquish_a all_o objection_n and_o make_v that_o his_o conclusion_n but_o a_o just_a trophy_n of_o their_o victory_n so_o that_o not_o only_o the_o common_a people_n or_o the_o vulgar_a rabble_n that_o know_v not_o the_o law_n but_o also_o the_o most_o wise_a and_o learned_a among_o they_o do_v account_v miracle_n undeniable_a argument_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o they_o that_o do_v they_o on_o this_o score_n it_o be_v that_o the_o man_n who_o be_v bear_v blind_a urge_v his_o miraculous_a cure_n with_o great_a evidence_n of_o truth_n before_o the_o pharisee_n to_o who_o he_o declare_v that_o this_o miracle_n have_v such_o a_o influence_n upon_o he_o as_o that_o he_o think_v 17._o he_o that_o do_v it_o a_o prophet_n but_o they_o not_o willing_a to_o think_v so_o too_o will_v not_o believe_v that_o he_o have_v ever_o 18._o be_v blind_a whereupon_o they_o call_v his_o parent_n and_o ask_v they_o three_o question_n viz._n 1._o whether_o that_o be_v their_o son_n 2._o whether_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a 3._o whether_o they_o know_v how_o this_o pretend_a cure_n 19_o be_v wrought_v or_o by_o who_o to_o the_o two_o first_o they_o answer_v direct_o we_o know_v that_o this_o be_v our_o 20._o son_n and_o that_o he_o be_v bear_v blind_a but_o for_o a_o answer_n to_o the_o three_o they_o refer_v they_o to_o he_o who_o 23._o be_v again_o call_v in_o be_v by_o the_o pharisee_n instruct_v to_o give_v god_n the_o praise_n and_o not_o to_o look_v on_o he_o that_o do_v it_o with_o any_o veneration_n or_o to_o think_v he_o a_o prophet_n as_o he_o have_v say_v he_o do_v no_o say_v they_o 24._o far_o be_v that_o from_o thou_o for_o we_o know_v that_o this_o man_n be_v a_o sinner_n i._n e._n surely_n as_o they_o will_v have_v it_o a_o impostor_n for_o afterward_o they_o institute_n a_o comparison_n 29._o between_o he_o and_o moses_n as_o for_o this_o latter_a they_o say_v we_o know_v that_o god_n speak_v unto_o he_o but_o as_o for_o this_o fellow_n we_o know_v not_o from_o whence_o he_o be_v of_o any_o commission_n he_o have_v from_o god_n as_o moses_n have_v we_o know_v nothing_o hereat_o the_o man_n marvail_v as_o well_o he_o may_v for_o it_o be_v a_o common_a principle_n know_v and_o allow_v among_o they_o that_o 12._o if_o a_o man_n have_v the_o requisite_n to_o a_o prophetic_a spirit_n and_o do_v a_o miracle_n to_o show_v that_o god_n have_v send_v he_o than_o it_o be_v the_o command_n of_o god_n that_o man_n shall_v hear_v and_o believe_v he_o and_o good_a reason_n too_o for_o say_v he_o we_o know_v i._n e._n you_o and_o i_o agree_v in_o it_o his_o persuasion_n that_o god_n hear_v not_o sinner_n viz._n such_o impesâ—ors_n asi_fw-la mâ—ortune_n heaven_n to_o seal_v their_o lie_n with_o miracle_n but_o he_o who_o prayer_n of_o that_o nature_n he_o hear_v be_v a_o worshipper_n of_o god_n and_o do_v 31._o his_o will_n he_o be_v on_o ethat_o be_v no_o idolater_n but_o a_o faithful_a servant_n of_o god_n that_o come_v to_o do_v his_o will_n if_o not_o then_o must_v it_o be_v grant_v that_o god_n work_v miracle_n to_o assist_v impostor_n but_o what_o wretch_n so_o profligate_v as_o not_o to_o abhor_v such_o a_o position_n since_o then_o since_o the_o world_n begin_v it_o be_v never_o hear_v that_o any_o man_n open_v the_o eye_n of_o onethat_o be_v bear_v blind_a it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o this_o man_n who_o have_v open_v i_o be_v of_o god_n send_v and_o impower_v by_o he_o o_o herwise_o hâ—_n can_v do_v nothing_o of_o this_o nature_n this_o 33._o conclusion_n be_v clear_o deduce_v from_o their_o own_o approve_a principle_n they_o have_v nothing_o to_o object_n against_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o their_o base_a supply_v the_o defect_n of_o their_o reason_n and_o impotent_a opinion_n by_o the_o scorn_v of_o insolence_n and_o rage_n of_o malice_n for_o they_o answer_v and_o say_v thou_o be_v altogether_o bear_v in_o sin_n and_o 34._o do_v thou_o teach_v we_o and_o they_o cast_v he_o out_o a_o clear_a sign_n of_o a_o baffle_a prejudice_n and_o a_o strong_a though_o stifle_v conviction_n that_o miracle_n be_v a_o demonstration_n of_o divine_a power_n and_o commission_n and_o have_v not_o the_o gentile_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n antiquity_n have_v be_v extreme_o senseless_a and_o sottish_a in_o feign_v miracle_n as_o i_o be_o tell_v it_o often_o do_v in_o some_o man_n arrival_n at_o crown_n and_o sceptre_n that_o thence_o they_o may_v seem_v preserve_v from_o danger_n and_o advance_v to_o the_o royal_a dignity_n not_o by_o chance_n and_o 31._o fortune_n but_o by_o the_o majesty_n and_o care_n of_o the_o go_n if_o man_n among_o the_o gentile_n as_o well_o as_o jew_n have_v not_o then_o general_o look_v on_o miracle_n as_o demonstration_n of_o divine_a authority_n the_o author_n of_o these_o fiction_n must_v have_v be_v think_v brute_n in_o the_o shape_n of_o man_n rather_o than_o partaker_n of_o a_o reasonable_a nature_n nor_o can_v vespasiâ—n_n have_v obtain_v the_o accession_n of_o authority_n and_o majesty_n as_o suetonius_n say_v he_o do_v by_o his_o miraculous_a cure_n 7._o or_o rather_o the_o fiction_n of_o they_o at_o alexandria_n thus_o than_o we_o see_v that_o all_o man_n every_o where_o jew_n and_o egyptian_n greek_n and_o roman_n and_o all_o other_o gentile_n yea_o that_o god_n himself_o esteem_v miracle_n undeniable_a or_o demonstrative_a proof_n of_o divine_a authority_n in_o they_o by_o who_o or_o for_o who_o sake_n they_o be_v do_v all_o therefore_o that_o now_o remain_v will_v be_v to_o show_v 3._o the_o reason_n for_o which_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n deserve_v as_o well_o yea_o better_o than_o any_o to_o be_v account_v and_o that_o this_o they_o do_v will_v be_v make_v apparent_a by_o a_o brief_a survey_n of_o their_o nature_n and_o their_o number_n their_o greatness_n and_o their_o goodness_n a_o miracle_n as_o to_o its_o general_a nature_n be_v define_v 37._o by_o a_o modern_a author_n to_o be_v a_o work_n of_o god_n beside_o his_o operation_n by_o the_o way_n of_o nature_n ordain_v in_o the_o creation_n this_o perhaps_o may_v pass_v without_o exception_n but_o than_o it_o must_v be_v understand_v with_o aquinas_n his_o distinction_n that_o to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o miracle_n it_o be_v not_o sufficient_a that_o something_o be_v do_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n in_o some_o one_o particular_a for_o if_o so_o it_o be_v than_o the_o production_n of_o mule_n and_o monster_n yea_o the_o very_a cast_n of_o a_o stone_n upward_o will_v be_v a_o miracle_n because_o each_o of_o these_o thing_n in_o some_o one_o particular_a be_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o nature_n yet_o be_v it_o ridiculous_a to_o say_v that_o it_o be_v miraculous_a the_o schoolman_n therefore_o 4._o conclude_v that_o a_o miracle_n be_v beside_o the_o order_n of_o the_o whole_a create_v nature_n and_o consequent_o above_o it_o now_o that_o the_o miracle_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v such_o work_n be_v so_o apparent_a as_o that_o there_o be_v â—o_o need_v of_o recourse_n to_o god_n lieutenant_n as_o the_o leviathan_n direct_v to_o know_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o for_o this_o be_v so_o far_o from_o be_v a_o doubtful_a case_n as_o that_o by_o their_o ejection_n of_o devil_n it_o be_v evident_a to_o every_o man_n reason_n the_o power_n of_o the_o air_n be_v by_o all_o own_a to_o be_v as_o great_a if_o not_o superior_a to_o all_o other_o power_n in_o nature_n yet_o they_o by_o their_o power_n of_o do_v miracle_n cast_v
from_o advice_n or_o counsel_n consist_v in_o obligation_n for_o the_o latter_a do_v only_o direct_v ligando_fw-la to_o the_o do_v of_o what_o be_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v do_v but_o the_o former_a do_v moreover_o oblige_v and_o bind_v they_o to_o who_o it_o be_v give_v to_o the_o do_v of_o it_o thus_o also_o do_v the_o gospel_n and_o that_o very_o severe_o to_o they_o to_o who_o it_o be_v preach_v for_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o our_o faith_n in_o it_o viz._n christ_n jesus_n our_o lord_n be_v he_o of_o who_o moses_n say_v unto_o the_o father_n a_o prophet_n shall_v the_o lord_n your_o god_n raise_v up_o unto_o you_o of_o your_o brethren_n like_v unto_o i_o he_o shall_v you_o â—ear_v in_o all_o thing_n whatsoever_o he_o shall_v say_v unto_o you_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v to_o pass_v that_o every_o soul_n which_o will_v not_o â—ear_v 23._o that_o prophet_n shall_v be_v destroy_v from_o among_o the_o people_n we_o ought_v therefore_o to_o give_v the_o more_o earnest_a heed_n to_o the_o thing_n that_o we_o have_v hear_v lâ—â—t_v at_o any_o time_n â—e_n shall_v let_v they_o slip_v for_o if_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o angel_n be_v steadfast_a and_o every_o transgression_n and_o disobedience_n receive_v a_o just_a recompense_n of_o reward_n how_o shall_v 3._o we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n oblige_a then_o it_o seem_v we_o be_v by_o the_o gospel_n much_o more_o severe_o than_o the_o jew_n be_v by_o the_o law_n because_o the_o gospel_n first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n and_o be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o they_o that_o hear_v he_o god_n also_o bear_v they_o witness_n both_o with_o sign_n and_o 4._o wonder_n and_o with_o divers_a miracle_n and_o gift_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n according_a to_o his_o own_o so_o that_o this_o its_o obligation_n be_v primary_o derive_v not_o from_o the_o law_n of_o civil_a sovereign_n in_o favour_n of_o it_o but_o from_o the_o lord_n speak_v it_o its_o authority_n therefore_o be_v divine_a sect._n 2._o so_o also_o be_v that_o of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n that_o those_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o bear_v the_o apostle_n name_n do_v drop_n from_o their_o pen_n we_o have_v as_o great_a assurance_n as_o any_o can_v be_v give_v of_o a_o matter_n of_o that_o nature_n affirmative_a demonstration_n that_o homer_n write_v the_o poem_n plato_n or_o aâ—istotle_n cicero_n or_o plutarch_n the_o book_n that_o be_v extant_a under_o their_o name_n be_v impossible_a uncontrolled_a tradition_n be_v all_o the_o proof_n whereof_o this_o matter_n be_v capable_a and_o this_o we_o have_v in_o behalf_n of_o those_o book_n that_o bear_v the_o apostle_n name_n as_o full_o as_o of_o any_o other_o whatsoever_o the_o sceptical_a heretic_n in_o tertullia_n time_n who_o it_o seem_v make_v a_o question_n of_o it_o he_o therefore_o thus_o bespeak_v go_v to_o now_o thou_o that_o will_v exercise_v thy_o curiosity_n in_o matter_n of_o thy_o salvation_n betake_v thyself_o to_o the_o apostolic_a church_n where_o thou_o may_v find_v the_o very_a chair_n of_o the_o apostle_n yet_o abide_v in_o their_o proper_a place_n wherein_o also_o their_o very_a authentic_a epistle_n as_o it_o be_v sound_a each_o one_o voice_n and_o represent_v his_o face_n be_v still_o recite_v if_o achaia_n be_v nigh_a thou_o thou_o have_v corinth_n if_o macedonia_n be_v not_o 36._o far_o from_o the_o thou_o have_v the_o philippian_n and_o thessalonian_n if_o thou_o can_v go_v into_o asia_n there_o thou_o have_v ephesus_n but_o if_o thou_o be_v near_o italy_n thou_o have_v rome_n from_o these_o and_o other_o apostolical_a church_n copy_n of_o the_o apostle_n write_n be_v undoubted_o disperse_v among_o the_o primitive_a christian_n who_o receive_v and_o deliver_v they_o as_o they_o and_o this_o their_o tradition_n have_v run_v throughout_o all_o age_n down_o to_o we_o and_o that_o without_o any_o contradiction_n for_o those_o that_o either_o in_o the_o primitive_a or_o latter_a time_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o oppose_v christianity_n yet_o do_v it_o not_o under_o the_o pretence_n that_o these_o book_n be_v spurious_a neither_o â—ews_n nor_o heathen_n ever_o have_v the_o confidence_n to_o make_v that_o objection_n but_o rather_o they_o have_v yield_v their_o suffrage_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v true_a indeed_o that_o some_o few_o particular_a and_o private_a person_n have_v both_o of_o late_a and_o heretofore_o either_o out_o of_o their_o error_n reject_v or_o out_o of_o their_o curiosity_n more_o than_o befit_v they_o debate_v the_o canonical_a authority_n of_o the_o epistle_n of_o st._n paul_n to_o the_o hebrew_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n james_n the_o second_o epistle_n of_o st._n peter_n the_o second_o and_o three_o of_o st._n john_n the_o epistle_n of_o st._n judas_n and_o the_o apocalypse_n beside_o some_o other_o lesser_a part_n of_o the_o gospel_n yet_o can_v it_o never_o be_v show_v that_o any_o entire_a church_n nor_o that_o any_o national_a or_o provincial_a council_n nor_o that_o any_o multitude_n of_o man_n in_o their_o confession_n or_o catechism_n or_o other_o such_o public_a write_n have_v reject_v they_o or_o make_v any_o doubt_n at_o all_o 9_o of_o they_o so_o that_o the_o scruple_n that_o some_o few_o have_v raise_v about_o they_o shall_v no_o more_o weaken_v the_o credit_n of_o such_o a_o universal_a tradition_n than_o the_o opinion_n of_o atheist_n overthrow_v the_o faith_n of_o all_o the_o world_n beside_o for_o very_o evident_a it_o be_v that_o such_o conjecture_n be_v at_o best_a but_o negative_a probability_n against_o the_o affirmative_a deposition_n of_o all_o the_o christian_a world_n beside_o and_o forasmuch_o as_o negative_n especial_o in_o such_o competition_n prove_v nâ—thing_v be_v they_o embrace_v by_o ten_o thousand_o time_n more_o than_o they_o be_v or_o ever_o be_v they_o will_v not_o amount_v to_o a_o proof_n against_o and_o therefore_o â—ught_v not_o in_o reason_n to_o derogate_v from_o the_o credibility_n of_o the_o church_n tradition_n that_o they_o be_v write_v by_o those_o apostle_n concern_v these_o therefore_o and_o those_o other_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o apostle_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v and_o that_o they_o write_v they_o in_o prosecution_n of_o their_o apostolic_a office_n the_o book_n themselves_o declare_v and_o for_o this_o cause_n since_o the_o apostle_n be_v prophet_n concern_v they_o it_o must_v be_v conclude_v that_o they_o be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n and_o if_o these_o be_v so_o then_o so_o also_o be_v the_o book_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n because_o they_o be_v therein_o say_v express_o 19_o to_o be_v so_o and_o impossible_a it_o be_v for_o scripture_n give_v by_o divine_a inspiration_n to_o testify_v a_o falsehood_n and_o indeed_o have_v not_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v so_o express_o call_v the_o word_n of_o prophecy_n and_o say_v to_o have_v be_v give_v by_o inspiration_n of_o god_n as_o we_o find_v they_o be_v in_o the_o new_a yet_o because_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o write_n find_v their_o disputation_n upon_o they_o and_o prove_v their_o doctrine_n by_o they_o as_o the_o word_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n from_o whence_o there_o lie_v no_o appeal_n it_o will_v be_v very_o evident_a that_o they_o ascribe_v divine_a authority_n to_o they_o and_o this_o their_o testimony_n be_v give_v by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n be_v beyond_o the_o reach_n of_o a_o doubt_n about_o the_o truth_n of_o it_o all_o the_o doubt_n therefore_o that_o can_v be_v raise_v will_v be_v about_o those_o book_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n which_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o do_v not_o write_v viz._n the_o gospel_n of_o st._n mark_n and_o st._n luke_n together_o with_o his_o history_n of_o their_o act_n but_o for_o the_o removal_n hereof_o from_o all_o beside_o sceptic_n it_o may_v methinks_v suffice_v that_o these_o book_n also_o have_v the_o approbation_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o gospel_n of_o these_o evangelist_n do_v not_o only_o agree_v with_o the_o other_o two_o but_o they_o themselves_o after_o the_o death_n and_o resurrection_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n converse_v with_o and_o adhere_v to_o the_o apostle_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o they_o be_v eminent_a fellow-labourer_n with_o the_o apostle_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v doubt_v but_o they_o receive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n perhaps_o at_o the_o day_n of_o pentâ—cost_n as_o well_o as_o other_o after_o which_o time_n we_o know_v that_o the_o apostle_n disperse_v themselves_o into_o their_o respective_a province_n and_o certain_a it_o be_v by_o all_o antiquity_n that_o st._n mark_n do_v accompany_v st._n peter_n and_o st._n luke_n st._n paul_n in_o almost_o all_o his_o travel_n it_o be_v therefore_o very_o unlikely_a that_o
always_o impart_v they_o be_v clothe_v with_o the_o holy_a spirit_n neither_o do_v they_o need_v to_o prepare_v themselves_o to_o prophesy_v but_o be_v always_o dispose_v and_o in_o a_o readiness_n to_o deliver_v such_o truth_n of_o god_n as_o can_v no_o way_n be_v know_v but_o by_o the_o free_a influx_n of_o the_o divine_a mind_n upon_o they_o i_o e._n by_o prophecy_n have_v not_o all_o this_o be_v true_a it_o will_v be_v very_o hard_a to_o conceive_v how_o without_o any_o premeditation_n they_o can_v possible_o have_v have_v a_o mouth_n and_o wisdom_n which_o all_o their_o adversary_n be_v not_o able_a to_o 15._o gainsay_v nor_o resist_v have_v not_o the_o divine_a spirit_n be_v always_o present_a with_o they_o it_o have_v be_v impossible_a for_o they_o on_o all_o occasion_n even_o before_o king_n and_o other_o ruler_n so_o to_o speak_v as_o that_o all_o their_o adversary_n can_v not_o with_o any_o show_n of_o truth_n make_v any_o opposition_n against_o it_o and_o have_v it_o not_o be_v true_a that_o so_o they_o do_v it_o be_v altogether_o unlikely_a that_o their_o adversary_n will_v have_v burst_v out_o into_o such_o rage_n and_o passion_n such_o cruelty_n and_o inhumanity_n as_o we_o find_v they_o often_o do_v against_o they_o it_o seem_v therefore_o the_o degree_n they_o have_v of_o prophecy_n be_v no_o whit_n inserior_fw-la to_o that_o of_o moses_n but_o whether_o it_o be_v or_o no_o be_v a_o question_n that_o i_o be_o not_o solicitous_a about_o from_o what_o i_o have_v 1._o discourse_v concern_v the_o nature_n of_o prophecy_n in_o general_n it_o may_v not_o obscure_o be_v collect_v that_o if_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n be_v man_n who_o by_o immediate_a influence_n from_o god_n upon_o their_o mind_n and_o faculty_n do_v attain_v to_o such_o knowledge_n of_o his_o mind_n as_o by_o their_o natural_a ability_n will_v be_v unattainable_a it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o mean_v and_o contend_v for_o in_o the_o word_n prophet_n now_o that_o such_o knowledge_n they_o have_v together_o with_o commission_n from_o god_n to_o teach_v it_o it_o be_v the_o primary_n design_n of_o this_o treatise_n to_o prove_v yet_o that_o be_v not_o my_o ultimate_a aim_n therein_o but_o beside_o that_o i_o have_v do_v my_o endeavour_n as_o much_o as_o i_o can_v within_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o propose_a method_n to_o conciliate_v our_o most_o excellent_a religion_n to_o our_o reason_n and_o to_o settle_v it_o as_o much_o as_o in_o i_o lie_v upon_o its_o true_a foundation_n in_o order_n to_o this_o end_n i_o have_v in_o the_o four_o chapter_n discourse_v somewhat_o more_o large_o than_o perhaps_o otherwise_o be_v requisite_a about_o the_o transcendent_a wisdom_n of_o christianity_n and_o have_v add_v the_o six_o chapter_n almost_o on_o purpose_n to_o shake_v the_o sandy_a foundation_n of_o bare_a humane_a authority_n whereon_o mr._n hobbs_n and_o his_o complice_n will_v have_v it_o whole_o to_o depend_v i_o do_v most_o free_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n be_v very_o great_a about_o matter_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v exceed_o oblige_v to_o those_o christian_a prince_n who_o by_o good_a and_o wholesome_a law_n be_v become_v its_o nurse_n father_n yet_o can_v i_o not_o believe_v there_o be_v nothing_o of_o obligation_n in_o christianity_n beside_o what_o it_o receive_v extrinsecal_o from_o the_o law_n of_o civil_a sovereign_n the_o reason_n the_o leviathan_n give_v of_o this_o position_n i_o endeavour_v to_o answer_v and_o expose_v to_o this_o undertake_n it_o be_v i_o hope_v nothing_o but_o a_o just_a resentment_n of_o the_o affront_v mr._n hobbs_n have_v cast_v and_o injury_n he_o have_v do_v to_o our_o religion_n thereby_o i_o can_v hardly_o think_v any_o man_n worthy_a the_o name_n of_o a_o good_a christian_a much_o less_o of_o a_o minister_n of_o christ_n that_o can_v read_v such_o pernicious_a principle_n and_o perverse_a dispute_n against_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o religion_n without_o something_o of_o indignation_n for_o to_o make_v religion_n so_o to_o truckle_n under_o civil_a sovereign_n as_o in_o and_o of_o itself_o to_o have_v nothing_o of_o obligation_n what_o be_v it_o less_o than_o to_o clip_v the_o wing_n of_o all_o true_a devotion_n towards_o god_n and_o render_v it_o unable_a to_o fly_v high_a than_o the_o throne_n and_o sceptre_n on_o earth_n yea_o also_o and_o to_o null_a the_o authority_n of_o the_o lord_n that_o buy_v we_o for_o though_o all_o power_n be_v give_v to_o he_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n yet_o this_o opinion_n make_v he_o so_o far_o from_o be_v the_o prince_n of_o the_o king_n of_o 5._o the_o earth_n as_o that_o he_o be_v at_o best_a but_o their_o counsellor_n modest_o propose_v his_o advice_n which_o it_o seem_v they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o take_v because_o that_o neither_o he_o nor_o his_o apostle_n have_v a_o kingdom_n and_o so_o can_v make_v no_o law_n for_o which_o reason_n such_o as_o it_o be_v the_o leviathan_n affirm_v that_o the_o command_v of_o the_o gospel_n be_v but_o precept_n or_o invitation_n of_o man_n to_o receive_v it_o and_o invitation_n we_o know_v we_o may_v accept_v of_o or_o refuse_v as_o we_o think_v fit_a and_o yet_o without_o sin_n so_o that_o our_o acceptance_n be_v a_o act_n of_o civility_n rather_o than_o of_o duty_n and_o our_o refusal_n a_o act_n of_o unkindness_n and_o not_o at_o all_o of_o disobedience_n have_v not_o civil_a sovereign_n do_v christianity_n the_o kindness_n to_o imbody_n it_o into_o their_o law_n we_o have_v be_v under_o no_o obligation_n to_o be_v christian_n we_o may_v have_v be_v turk_n or_o jew_n pagan_n or_o atheist_n and_o yet_o without_o sin_n and_o what_o will_v a_o laodicean_n desire_v more_o how_o kind_o do_v it_o cajole_a his_o lukewarmness_n and_o how_o fair_o do_v it_o promise_v he_o security_n from_o danger_n by_o be_v against_o christ_n in_o his_o heart_n and_o life_n as_o long_o as_o he_o be_v with_o he_o in_o his_o profession_n thus_o do_v it_o turn_n christianity_n into_o hypocrisy_n and_o make_v we_o to_o serve_v god_n for_o fear_n of_o men._n but_o if_o we_o be_v not_o so_o bere_v of_o reason_n as_o to_o think_v that_o god_n borrow_v his_o authority_n from_o his_o lieutenant_n than_o the_o philosophical_a rudiment_n of_o that_o epicurean_a whereof_o the_o author_n of_o the_o late_a reflection_n on_o philosophy_n say_v thomas_n hobbs_n be_v one_o of_o the_o bold_a 9_o of_o these_o last_o age_n have_v take_v care_n to_o corrupt_v our_o religion_n another_o way_n and_o that_o be_v by_o persuade_v we_o to_o think_v that_o the_o obligation_n of_o yield_a god_n obedience_n lie_v upon_o we_o by_o reason_n of_o our_o weakness_n this_o convert_v religion_n into_o superstition_n for_o it_o make_v we_o to_o serve_v god_n not_o out_o of_o love_n to_o his_o goodness_n but_o only_o for_o fear_v of_o his_o greatness_n if_o we_o can_v resist_v he_o and_o escape_v harmless_a it_o be_v no_o matter_n it_o seem_v if_o we_o do_v but_o since_o we_o can_v we_o must_v obey_v thus_o be_v we_o drag_v to_o obedience_n by_o the_o force_n of_o mere_a omnipotence_n and_o when_o we_o be_v so_o it_o be_v evident_a we_o be_v act_v by_o such_o dreadful_a and_o terrible_a apprehension_n of_o the_o deity_n as_o debauch_v our_o religion_n and_o make_v it_o a_o mere_a slavery_n utter_o inconsistent_a with_o that_o charity_n or_o love_n of_o god_n without_o which_o the_o most_o liberal_a alms-deed_n and_o martyrdom_n itself_o much_o less_o inferior_a act_n of_o worship_n will_v find_v no_o acceptance_n this_o therefore_o i_o look_v on_o as_o another_o most_o pernicious_a principle_n and_o for_o that_o cause_n i_o have_v make_v a_o long_a digression_n to_o prove_v that_o god_n dominion_n be_v not_o found_v in_o his_o sole_a irresistible_a power_n but_o that_o he_o have_v a_o right_a to_o rule_v we_o from_o his_o great_a mercy_n and_o goodness_n to_o we_o in_o his_o work_n of_o creation_n providence_n and_o redemption_n and_o forasmuch_o as_o it_o be_v requisite_a for_o all_o christian_n right_o to_o understand_v this_o latter_a which_o be_v at_o first_o make_v know_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o spirit_n of_o prophâ—â—y_n in_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n i_o have_v sâ—â—ar_o enlarge_v the_o digression_n as_o to_o giâ—e_v a_o account_n of_o it_o that_o from_o thence_o we_o may_v see_v what_o obligation_n â—herefrom_o do_v arise_v upon_o we_o to_o keâ—p_v the_o commâ—nds_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o therewith_o i_o put_v a_o end_n to_o this_o treatise_n wherein_o perhaps_o the_o reader_n may_v find_v a_o coincidence_n of_o expression_n and_o it_o may_v be_v of_o matter_n also_o if_o he_o be_v inquisitive_a after_o the_o occasion_n of_o it_o he_o may_v please_v to_o know_v that_o it_o be_v write_v temporibus_fw-la successivis_fw-la which_o often_o be_v so_o