this_o mean_v he_o be_v reconcile_n himself_o to_o his_o offend_a father_n so_o that_o religion_n in_o the_o just_a practice_n of_o its_o precept_n and_o due_a observance_n of_o its_o law_n be_v certain_o the_o most_o cheerful_a pleasant_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o particular_a that_o the_o christian_a practice_n do_v the_o best_a secure_v our_o present_a happiness_n here_o 2._o it_o best_o secure_v our_o eternal_a happiness_n hereafter_o by_o teach_v we_o to_o act_n in_o conformity_n to_o our_o own_o principle_n and_o by_o assure_v we_o that_o by_o holiness_n here_o we_o shall_v certain_o arrive_v at_o happiness_n hereafter_o for_o the_o divine_a providence_n in_o the_o very_a order_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o thing_n have_v so_o order_v affair_n that_o there_o be_v a_o natural_a and_o necessary_a connexion_n betwixt_o sin_n and_o misery_n and_o betwixt_o holiness_n and_o happiness_n this_o the_o very_a heathen_n be_v sensible_a of_o that_o holiness_n do_v either_o entitle_v a_o man_n to_o happiness_n or_o at_o least_o to_o a_o freedom_n from_o misery_n so_o that_o if_o a_o holy_a man_n at_o last_o prove_v miserable_a with_o reverence_n be_v it_o speak_v he_o may_v say_v that_o it_o be_v god_n that_o make_v he_o so_o which_o we_o may_v assure_v ourselves_o he_o never_o do_v nor_o will_v make_v any_o so_o without_o their_o own_o fault_n so_o that_o we_o must_v either_o grant_v that_o holiness_n will_v at_o last_o bring_v a_o man_n to_o happiness_n or_o else_o assert_v what_o be_v impious_a to_o suppose_v that_o god_n ever_o since_o his_o first_o creation_n of_o man_n make_v it_o his_o whole_a business_n to_o deceive_v he_o both_o by_o those_o first_o impression_n make_v upon_o his_o soul_n and_o by_o he_o after_o revelation_n but_o this_o be_v so_o unworthy_a of_o god_n and_o contrary_a to_o all_o his_o attribute_n that_o it_o can_v never_o enter_v into_o the_o thought_n of_o any_o sober_a or_o 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and_o the_o protestant_a religion_n as_o now_o by_o law_n establish_v in_o particular_a as_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v against_o the_o christian_n and_o it_o be_v observable_a that_o so_o malicious_o be_v they_o set_v against_o we_o and_o our_o religion_n that_o they_o care_v not_o from_o whence_o they_o fetch_v their_o weapon_n and_o argument_n whether_o from_o jew_n or_o gentile_n or_o hell_n itself_o provide_v only_o they_o can_v by_o any_o mean_n annoy_v we_o or_o get_v any_o advantage_n over_o we_o and_o sometime_o they_o make_v use_v of_o the_o same_o argument_n or_o the_o same_o a_o little_a various_o modify_v which_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n do_v against_o the_o christian_n it_o be_v therefore_o our_o great_a duty_n and_o interest_n right_o to_o understand_v the_o ground_n and_o reason_n of_o our_o own_o religion_n as_o also_o the_o nature_n and_o force_n of_o our_o adversary_n argument_n and_o the_o various_a way_n and_o method_n by_o which_o they_o make_v their_o attempt_n upon_o we_o this_o if_o we_o right_o do_v we_o shall_v not_o only_o thereby_o bare_o defend_v ourselves_o but_o also_o with_o advantage_n and_o reputation_n to_o our_o religion_n repel_v our_o adversary_n for_o i_o be_o apt_a to_o believe_v that_o the_o christian_a cause_n get_v more_o advantage_n by_o those_o solid_a vindication_n and_o those_o rational_a apology_n which_o the_o apostle_n and_o primitive_a father_n make_v for_o it_o than_o it_o suffer_v by_o the_o force_n or_o malice_n of_o the_o opposition_n occasion_n be_v thus_o give_v it_o by_o answer_v the_o objection_n to_o exert_v its_o own_o strength_n and_o to_o bring_v forth_o and_o show_v the_o inexhausted_a treasure_n of_o its_o own_o truth_n whereas_o on_o the_o contrary_a there_o be_v nothing_o wherein_o a_o good_a cause_n can_v possible_o be_v injure_v but_o only_o by_o a_o weak_a defence_n i_o shall_v now_o only_o make_v some_o short_a practical_a observation_n from_o a_o more_o general_a review_n of_o the_o word_n and_o so_o conclude_v but_o we_o preach_v christ_n crucify_a etc._n etc._n hence_o we_o may_v observe_v the_o great_a duty_n and_o office_n of_o a_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o preach_v christ_n crucify_a that_o be_v to_o declare_v the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n to_o man_n as_o it_o be_v plain_o and_o clear_o lay_v down_o in_o scripture_n without_o any_o tincture_n of_o our_o own_o private_a humour_n interest_n or_o inclination_n nor_o must_v we_o arrest_v scripture_n in_o favour_n of_o any_o party_n or_o faction_n but_o must_v with_o the_o great_a sincerity_n and_o impartiallity_n study_v to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o scripture_n not_o to_o make_v a_o new_a one_o of_o our_o own_o we_o must_v preach_v not_o only_o the_o more_o easy_a and_o please_a but_o also_o the_o more_o difficult_a duty_n ofchristianity_n christ_n crucify_a that_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o mortification_n of_o passive_a as_o well_o as_o active_a obedience_n etc._n etc._n but_o more_o particular_o we_o much_o preach_v christ_n crucify_a in_o opposition_n to_o three_o sort_n of_o man_n in_o the_o world_n 1._o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n 2._o some_o late_a enthusiast_n of_o our_o own_o 3._o the_o profane_a and_o atheistical_o incline_v person_n of_o the_o age._n i_o shall_v not_o consider_v these_o in_o their_o utmost_a latitude_n for_o this_o will_v be_v too_o remote_a from_o our_o present_a purpose_n but_o only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o seem_v offend_v at_o the_o gospel_n upon_o the_o same_o or_o like_a account_n that_o the_o jew_n and_o gentile_n be_v here_o against_o christ_n crucify_a so_o far_o only_o as_o they_o also_o in_o their_o several_a way_n look_v upon_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n either_o as_o a_o stumble_v block_n with_o the_o jew_n or_o as_o foolishness_n with_o the_o gentile_n 1._o in_o opposition_n to_o those_o of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o this_o perhaps_o will_v seem_v a_o great_a paradox_n to_o some_o to_o say_v that_o any_o of_o that_o church_n shall_v be_v offend_v at_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n those_o who_o pay_v so_o much_o honour_n and_o veneration_n to_o it_o those_o who_o institute_v whole_a order_n of_o man_n in_o honour_n to_o the_o name_n and_o in_o imitation_n of_o the_o humble_a and_o crucify_a jesus_n to_o say_v that_o these_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n this_o perhaps_o may_v be_v think_v as_o great_a a_o scandal_n cast_v upon_o they_o as_o those_o which_o be_v cast_v either_o by_o jew_n or_o gentile_n upon_o christ_n crucify_a but_o yet_o we_o know_v it_o be_v possible_a to_o betray_v christ_n by_o that_o kiss_n by_o which_o it_o be_v pretend_v to_o honour_v he_o but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o cross_n of_o christ_n in_o this_o sense_n that_o those_o man_n be_v offend_v at_o but_o it_o be_v the_o humble_a and_o peaceable_a doctrine_n of_o the_o crucify_a jesus_n those_o command_n of_o his_o which_o do_v not_o so_o well_o agree_v with_o their_o interest_n or_o inclination_n the_o doctrine_n of_o loyalty_n and_o passive_a obedience_n of_o truth_n sincerity_n and_o open_a profession_n of_o faith_n though_o with_o the_o hazard_n of_o life_n these_o and_o such_o like_a be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o christ_n which_o these_o man_n be_v offend_v at_o and_o these_o romanist_n like_o the_o jew_n seem_v to_o be_v offend_v at_o that_o mean_a appearance_n that_o christ_n and_o his_o doctrine_n make_v in_o the_o world_n that_o be_v that_o it_o be_v not_o so_o exact_o suit_v to_o maintain_v and_o bear_v up_o that_o pomp_n grandeur_n and_o interest_n which_o that_o church_n have_v unreasonable_o raise_v itself_o unto_o upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o truth_n and_o corruption_n of_o those_o humble_a and_o peaceable_a doctrine_n of_o christ_n crucify_a and_o it_o may_v easy_o be_v make_v appear_v how_o most_o of_o the_o roman_a doctrine_n those_o i_o mean_v wherein_o they_o
have_v to_o be_v offend_v at_o christ_n or_o his_o religion_n in_o general_n 2._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o they_o be_v offend_v and_o also_o the_o weakness_n and_o unreasonableness_n of_o they_o 1._o the_o jew_n have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o christ_n or_o his_o religion_n in_o general_n if_o we_o consider_v 1._o the_o great_a correspondency_n that_o be_v betwixt_o 7._o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o history_n of_o the_o gospel_n how_o exact_o the_o gospel_n be_v the_o fulfil_n of_o those_o prophecy_n of_o the_o messiah_n which_o we_o meet_v withal_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o that_o if_o the_o jew_n have_v not_o give_v themselves_o up_o to_o a_o obstinate_a perverseness_n moses_n himself_o will_v have_v lead_v they_o to_o christ_n for_o how_o exact_o do_v we_o find_v he_o describe_v by_o the_o prophet_n both_o as_o to_o the_o manner_n time_n and_o place_n of_o his_o birth_n and_o the_o most_o remarkable_a circumstance_n of_o his_o life_n and_o death_n these_o i_o shall_v not_o particular_o insist_v upon_o as_o suppose_v they_o sufficient_o know_v and_o manifest_a so_o that_o if_o it_o be_v possible_a to_o know_v a_o person_n by_o any_o precedent_n mark_v and_o character_n that_o may_v be_v give_v of_o he_o than_o we_o may_v be_v full_o assure_v that_o christ_n be_v that_o messiah_n which_o be_v prophefy_v of_o in_o the_o old_a testament_n especial_o if_o we_o consider_v that_o there_o be_v some_o mark_n and_o character_n which_o do_v and_o only_o can_v belong_v to_o himself_o as_o his_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n and_o the_o manner_n and_o time_n of_o his_o resurrection_n to_o these_o we_o may_v add_v the_o consideration_n of_o those_o hard_a shift_n and_o frivolous_a evasion_n and_o force_a interpretation_n that_o the_o jew_n make_v use_v of_o to_o evade_v the_o force_n of_o this_o argument_n which_o though_o single_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n be_v no_o proof_n either_o of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o christian_a or_o falseness_n of_o the_o jewish_a doctrine_n in_o this_o particular_a yet_o to_o a_o ingenuous_a and_o impartial_a considerer_n they_o be_v additional_a confirmation_n of_o that_o truth_n which_o before_o we_o have_v more_o positive_a ground_n and_o reason_n to_o believe_v 2._o the_o jew_n have_v little_a reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o our_o saviour_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o concurrence_n of_o those_o qualification_n which_o they_o themselves_o require_v in_o a_o true_a prophet_n or_o at_o least_o in_o order_n to_o his_o trial_n whether_o he_o be_v so_o or_o no_o now_o the_o general_o receive_v qualification_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v these_o 1._o a_o eminent_a degree_n of_o wisdom_n and_o prudence_n 2._o of_o courage_n and_o magnanimity_n 3._o of_o virtue_n and_o piety_n all_o which_o be_v so_o remarkable_a in_o our_o saviour_n that_o the_o malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n be_v either_o force_v to_o acknowledge_v they_o or_o not_o able_a to_o say_v any_o thing_n material_a against_o they_o to_o which_o if_o we_o add_v his_o power_n of_o work_v miracle_n nothing_o further_o can_v be_v require_v in_o order_n to_o his_o be_v receive_v as_o a_o true_a prophet_n so_o that_o if_o the_o jew_n will_v but_o either_o have_v admit_v our_o saviour_n to_o his_o trial_n in_o this_o particular_a before_o they_o have_v condemn_v he_o or_o in_o judge_v make_v use_n of_o their_o own_o rule_n in_o other_o ca'e_v of_o the_o like_a nature_n they_o must_v have_v acknowledge_v christ_n to_o have_v be_v a_o true_a prophet_n so_o that_o he_o have_v both_o the_o prophecy_n of_o the_o law_n and_o the_o principle_n and_o practice_n of_o the_o jew_n themselves_o in_o the_o like_a case_n in_o favour_n of_o he_o if_o any_o thing_n can_v have_v prevail_v against_o prejudice_n and_o interest_n but_o they_o reject_v he_o by_o a_o law_n which_o they_o themselves_o never_o act_v by_o before_o and_o which_o they_o according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n must_v resolve_v shall_v never_o after_o be_v draw_v into_o a_o precedent_n 3._o the_o jew_n have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o christ_n or_o his_o doctrine_n if_o we_o consider_v those_o many_o excellency_n and_o advantage_n the_o gospel_n have_v above_o the_o law_n so_o that_o whatever_o it_o be_v the_o jewish_a boast_v itself_o above_o other_o nation_n of_o the_o gentile_a world_n even_o in_o those_o very_a thing_n do_v the_o gospel_n much_o outdo_v they_o as_o 1._o we_o have_v under_o the_o gospel_n a_o clear_a manifestation_n of_o those_o fundamental_a truth_n which_o be_v but_o obscure_o shadow_v out_o under_o the_o law_n now_o be_v shadow_n turn_v into_o substance_n and_o type_n into_o reality_n the_o law_n come_v by_o moses_n but_o grace_n and_o truth_n by_o jesus_n christ._n i_o doubt_v not_o but_o the_o more_o divine_o instruct_v among_o the_o jew_n do_v right_o understand_v and_o pious_o expect_v a_o future_a state_n of_o immortality_n yet_o it_o be_v probable_a that_o the_o common_a sort_n among_o they_o look_v no_o further_a than_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o law_n expect_v no_o other_o reward_n of_o their_o obedience_n than_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o a_o land_n flow_v with_o milk_n and_o honey_n it_o be_v the_o great_a prerogative_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o it_o bring_v life_n and_o immortality_n to_o light_n that_o be_v make_v a_o more_o full_a and_o clear_a discovery_n of_o it_o 2._o we_o have_v a_o more_o plentiful_a effusion_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o divine_a assistance_n now_o under_o the_o gospel_n than_o ever_o be_v know_v under_o the_o law_n this_o be_v the_o time_n of_o which_o it_o be_v prophefy_v that_o god_n will_v power_n out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o all_o flesh_n and_o that_o all_o from_o the_o high_a to_o the_o low_a shall_v be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d teach_v of_o god_n but_o this_o be_v not_o so_o to_o be_v understand_v as_o some_o of_o our_o late_a enthusiast_n do_v interpret_v it_o as_o if_o we_o shall_v now_o expect_v any_o new_a revelation_n either_o above_o or_o beside_o the_o will_n of_o god_n make_v know_v to_o we_o in_o scripture_n but_o this_o prophecy_n be_v then_o fignal_o fulfil_v when_o god_n pour_v out_o his_o spirit_n upon_o the_o apostle_n on_o the_o day_n of_o pentecost_n thereby_o furnish_v they_o with_o gift_n and_o grace_n for_o the_o plant_n of_o his_o church_n and_o promulge_v the_o gospel_n and_o it_o be_v also_o this_o day_n fulfil_v in_o the_o heart_n of_o all_o good_a christian_n as_o god_n by_o his_o prevent_n and_o assist_v grace_n do_v accompany_v particular_a person_n and_o assist_v they_o to_o work_v out_o their_o own_o salvation_n with_o fear_n and_o tremble_v and_o thus_o much_o for_o the_o first_o particular_a to_o show_v in_o general_a that_o the_o jew_n have_v no_o just_a reason_n to_o be_v offend_v at_o christ_n and_o his_o doctrine_n and_o that_o it_o be_v rather_o malice_n and_o envy_n against_o his_o religion_n that_o it_o have_v so_o much_o of_o truth_n and_o reason_n on_o its_o side_n rather_o than_o contempt_n for_o the_o want_n of_o either_o that_o move_v they_o to_o a_o dislike_n of_o it_o 2._o i_o shall_v show_v the_o particular_a ground_n and_o reason_n upon_o which_o the_o jew_n be_v offen_v at_o the_o gospel_n which_o more_o especial_o be_v these_o two_o 1._o they_o think_v the_o christian_a religion_n not_o sufficient_o confirm_v with_o sign_n and_o wonder_n 2._o they_o be_v offend_v at_o the_o meanness_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o the_o dishonour_n of_o his_o death_n 1._o they_o be_v affend_v at_o the_o christian_a religion_n as_o suppose_v it_o not_o sufficient_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n verse_n 22._o the_o jew_n require_v a_o sign_n but_o in_o answer_n to_o this_o it_o will_v be_v sufficient_a only_o to_o remind_v you_o that_o christ_n do_v confirm_v his_o doctrine_n and_o the_o truth_n of_o his_o mission_n with_o sufficient_a sign_n and_o miracle_n beyond_o the_o possibility_n of_o any_o reasonable_a exception_n if_o we_o consider_v either_o the_o number_n or_o quality_n or_o manner_n of_o performance_n or_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o which_o be_v always_o either_o for_o the_o necessary_a confirmation_n of_o his_o doctrine_n or_o in_o compassion_n to_o the_o soul_n and_o body_n of_o man_n never_o to_o gratify_v curiosity_n in_o other_o or_o vain_a glory_n or_o ostentation_n in_o himself_o so_o that_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o performance_n sometime_o only_o by_o a_o word_n together_o with_o the_o end_n and_o design_n of_o they_o the_o promote_a the_o great_a design_n of_o truth_n and_o charity_n those_o seem_v still_o to_o add_v more_o divinity_n to_o his_o miracle_n and_o far_o our_o saviour_n at_o his_o have_v the_o world_n do_v invest_v his_o apostle_n with_o the_o same_o power_n of_o work_v miracle_n so_o far_o and_o so_o
long_o as_o be_v necessary_a for_o the_o plant_n of_o his_o church_n which_o thing_n also_o be_v a_o argument_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o certainty_n of_o our_o saviour_n be_v a_o true_a prophet_n for_o that_o impostor_n common_o be_v neither_o able_a nor_o willing_a to_o convey_v and_o communicate_v that_o art_n to_o other_o which_o they_o pretend_v to_o themselves_o this_o be_v premise_v the_o unreasonableness_n of_o the_o jew_n require_v still_o further_a sign_n will_v appear_v upon_o these_o follow_a account_n 1._o the_o too_o great_a frequency_n of_o miracle_n though_o it_o will_v not_o destroy_v the_o nature_n of_o they_o yet_o will_v it_o make_v they_o less_o solemn_a and_o venerable_a less_o cogent_n and_o argumentative_a and_o more_o liable_a to_o the_o cavil_n and_o contempt_n of_o ill_n dispose_v man_n for_o by_o how_o much_o any_o thing_n be_v more_o frequent_a and_o usual_a the_o near_a it_o come_v to_o common_a and_o natural_a at_o least_o in_o the_o apprehension_n of_o some_o man_n and_o familiarity_n even_o of_o miracle_n as_o well_o as_o of_o other_o thing_n will_v in_o time_n breed_v contempt_n this_o will_v give_v too_o just_a a_o occasion_n to_o that_o which_o yet_o the_o more_o improve_v atheism_n of_o our_o age_n assert_v notwithstanding_o that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o thing_n as_o miracle_n in_o the_o world_n but_o that_o all_o thing_n of_o this_o kind_a be_v to_o be_v resolve_v into_o the_o fix_a course_n of_o nature_n in_o short_a if_o man_n shall_v once_o come_v to_o this_o to_o desire_v one_o miracle_n for_o the_o confirmation_n of_o another_o thus_o they_o may_v run_v on_o in_o infinitum_fw-la and_o end_n in_o scepticism_n 2._o the_o jew_n require_v sign_n in_o that_o manner_n as_o they_o do_v be_v not_o only_o saucy_a and_o impudent_a but_o also_o will_v have_v be_v if_o grant_v a_o lessen_v of_o that_o evidence_n which_o otherwise_o our_o saviour_n give_v by_o deny_v they_o nothing_o will_v satisfy_v they_o but_o sign_n suit_v to_o their_o own_o humour_n and_o fancy_n they_o must_v have_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d sign_n from_o heaven_n those_o they_o have_v too_o though_o those_o be_v more_o liable_a to_o exception_n than_o these_o near_a and_o more_o palpable_a sign_n which_o he_o more_o common_o show_v they_o the_o chief_a priest_n and_o scribe_n tell_v our_o saviour_n when_o he_o hang_v upon_o the_o cross_n that_o if_o he_o will_v come_v down_o that_o be_v save_v himself_o from_o death_n they_o will_v believe_v now_o what_o a_o unreasonable_a request_n be_v this_o they_o will_v dissuade_v our_o saviour_n from_o do_v that_o upon_o which_o they_o and_o all_o mankind_n salvation_n do_v depend_v but_o what_o if_o upon_o grant_v their_o request_n they_o will_v not_o yet_o have_v be_v as_o good_a as_o their_o word_n they_o can_v not_o give_v our_o saviour_n any_o good_a security_n for_o performance_n yet_o further_o they_o do_v hereby_o indeed_o and_o in_o truth_n contradict_v their_o own_o pretence_n for_o if_o he_o have_v so_o come_v down_o from_o the_o cross_n as_o to_o save_v himself_o from_o death_n they_o can_v not_o upon_o just_a ground_n have_v believe_v he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n in_o short_a if_o he_o have_v thus_o gratify_v they_o in_o their_o request_n he_o can_v not_o have_v give_v they_o that_o which_o be_v indeed_o a_o great_a sign_n than_o that_o which_o they_o demand_v that_o be_v the_o raise_n himself_o from_o the_o dead_a thus_o can_v he_o not_o have_v be_v true_a to_o his_o own_o word_n whereby_o he_o promise_v to_o give_v they_o the_o sign_n of_o the_o prophet_n ionas_n mat._n 12._o 38._o 3._o suppose_v what_o yet_o we_o can_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o the_o jew_n who_o live_v at_o the_o write_n of_o this_o epistle_n have_v not_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o several_a miracle_n do_v by_o the_o apostle_n in_o their_o day_n yet_o they_o have_v a_o constant_a universal_a and_o undoubted_a tradition_n of_o these_o thing_n deliver_v down_o to_o they_o from_o the_o former_a age_n and_o they_o who_o will_v not_o believe_v such_o a_o tradition_n as_o this_o that_o be_v when_o they_o have_v all_o the_o evidence_n that_o a_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n be_v capable_a of_o neither_o will_v they_o believe_v but_o either_o find_v or_o make_v some_o occasion_n of_o cavil_v at_o that_o which_o they_o see_v do_v before_o their_o eye_n our_o saviour_n prefer_v the_o faith_n of_o those_o who_o believe_v and_o yet_o have_v not_o see_v before_o those_o who_o have_v and_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v suppose_v that_o he_o will_v commend_v a_o groundless_a faith_n or_o vain_a credulity_n if_o we_o shall_v believe_v nothing_o now_o but_o what_o we_o see_v this_o will_v destroy_v the_o end_n and_o use_v of_o all_o history_n and_o needless_o take_v up_o the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o time_n of_o one_o age_n to_o act_v over_o again_o the_o thing_n of_o another_o thus_o much_o in_o answer_n to_o the_o first_o offence_n that_o the_o jew_n take_v at_o the_o gospel_n that_o they_o think_v it_o not_o sufficient_o confirm_v by_o miracle_n but_o still_o require_v a_o sign_n 2._o the_o jew_n be_v offend_v at_o the_o meanness_n of_o christ_n life_n and_o the_o dishonour_n of_o his_o death_n in_o answer_n to_o this_o in_o general_a christ_n appearance_n in_o the_o world_n together_o with_o all_o the_o circumstance_n of_o it_o according_a to_o a_o true_a estimate_n of_o thing_n be_v as_o far_o above_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v mean_a and_o vulgar_a as_o it_o be_v below_o that_o fantastic_a pomp_n and_o splendour_n which_o the_o jew_n unreasonable_o expect_v here_o i_o may_v instance_n in_o thatgloriousquire_n of_o angel_n which_o first_o usher_v he_o into_o the_o world_n and_o that_o extraordinary_a star_n that_o direct_v the_o wise_a man_n to_o the_o place_n of_o his_o residence_n both_o which_o speak_v he_o to_o be_v no_o common_a or_o ordinary_a person_n those_o several_a attestation_n of_o the_o divine_a love_n and_o approbation_n from_o heaven_n and_o the_o force_a acknowledgement_n that_o thedevil_n themselves_o make_v of_o he_o his_o transfiguration_n in_o the_o mount_n and_o tion_n into_o heaven_n all_o these_o speak_v he_o to_o be_v more_o than_o man_n by_o all_o which_o and_o several_a other_o instance_n of_o his_o power_n this_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n though_o cloud_v in_o the_o veil_n of_o flesh_n by_o such_o vigorous_a eradiation_n give_v undeniable_a testimony_n to_o the_o world_n of_o his_o divinity_n but_o more_o particular_o the_o way_n and_o method_n of_o christ_n appearance_n in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a and_o effectual_a mean_n to_o prove_v himself_o to_o be_v what_o indeed_o he_o be_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o this_o will_v appear_v upon_o these_o follow_a account_n 1._o the_o way_n wherein_o christ_n appear_v in_o the_o world_n be_v the_o most_o proper_a mean_n for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o those_o end_n for_o which_o he_o come_v into_o it_o which_o be_v 1._o to_o offer_v himself_o a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n and_o so_o to_o reconcile_v man_n to_o his_o offend_a father_n 2._o to_o leave_v we_o the_o most_o powerful_a example_n of_o a_o holy_a life_n now_o in_o order_n to_o the_o first_o he_o become_v man_n that_o so_o he_o may_v put_v himself_o into_o a_o capacity_n of_o die_v for_o we_o and_o in_o order_n to_o the_o second_o he_o choose_v this_o mean_a condition_n thereby_o to_o make_v his_o virtue_n and_o grace_n appear_v more_o eminent_o divine_a thus_o by_o his_o example_n encourage_v and_o recommend_v those_o more_o weighty_a and_o difficult_a duty_n of_o christianity_n humility_n patience_n and_o self-denial_n christ_n very_o well_o know_v that_o the_o whole_a malice_n of_o man_n and_o devil_n will_v be_v vigorous_o employ_v to_o traduce_v his_o action_n and_o scandalize_v his_o religion_n he_o therefore_o choose_v this_o valley_n of_o a_o mean_a fortune_n wherein_o he_o may_v if_o possible_a not_o only_o be_v safe_a from_o but_o from_o whence_o also_o he_o may_v more_o easy_o repel_v they_o it_o he_o have_v appear_v in_o the_o pomp_n and_o glory_n of_o a_o earthly_a kingdom_n and_o so_o prevail_v upon_o the_o easy_a world_n than_o have_v he_o want_v that_o argument_n of_o divinity_n which_o now_o his_o religion_n have_v that_o be_v a_o prevail_a over_o all_o opposition_n without_o the_o help_n of_o any_o outward_a assistance_n beside_o it_o will_v have_v be_v count_v policy_n rather_o than_o devotion_n that_o join_v man_n prosylites_n to_o a_o flourish_a religion_n but_o now_o thestricktness_v of_o our_o saviour_n precept_n the_o severity_n of_o his_o discipline_n the_o great_a contrariety_n his_o doctrine_n bear_v to_o the_o corrupt_a custom_n and_o vicious_a inclination_n of_o the_o world_n all_o these_o show_n that_o it_o be_v nothing_o less_o than_o a_o divine_a power_n accompany_v it_o that_o make_v it_o successful_a